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Chapter Eight

Taking a deep breath, Riddhima glanced at the group of men around her, then back at the ringing phone. Cold sweat broke out along her forehead the longer it rang.

Just when she thought he wouldn't pick up, Kabir did. Turning the speaker off, she held the phone to her ear and spoke into it, "H-Hello, Kabir?"

Seeing the men roll their eyes at her action, she turned around so that she could speak in private.

"Riddhima?" Kabir's voice was strong with suspicion.

"Kabir?" She cried as she dragged her feet forward.

"Hello Riddhima? Can you hear me?" He asked loudly.

"Haan."

"Tum itne dheeme se kyun baat kar rahi ho?" He asked.

Riddhima looked over her shoulder at Vansh who was watching her. Looking ahead, she said, "Woh, Vansh... woh bathroom mein hai. Chup ke se tumhe phone kar rahi hoon."

"Kyun?"

"Kabir, usne mujhe qaid karke rakha hua hai. Na mujhe bahar jaane deta hai, na kissi se milne deta hai, mera, mera dum gunth ra hai."

"Meine tumse kaha tha na to send the signal if you're in danger." Kabir rebuked hotly.

"Nahi kar sakti. Hum VR mansion mein nahi, kissi hotel mein hai. Kabir, tum please mujhe bachane aa jao."

"And why would I do that?" He asked irritably. "After what you did, why the fuck would I want to help you out with anything?"

"Kabir?" She whispered in shock. "Yeh tum kaisi baat kar re ho?"

"Oh don't pretend like you don't know what you did Riddhima."

"But I don't!" She yelled in frustration. "Mujhe kuch yaad nahi hai."

After a long pause, he asked, "What do you mean you don't remember?"

"Kabir mujhe nahi pata ki kya hua. The last thing I remember is finding Ragini and then, and then..."

"And then?"

"I think Vansh aur mera jagrah hua. I-I don't know. Uske baad kuch yaad nahi aara. Kabir, mujhe bahut darr lag raha hai. Tum please mujhe yahan se le chalo." She pleaded.

"Do you really not know what happened? Ghar wale kahan hai?" Kabir questioned.

"Pata nahi. Meine kaha na hum mansion mein nahi hai. I don't know sab kahan hai. Tum aare ho na mujhe lene?" She asked in a frightened voice. When he didn't respond, she cried, "Kabir? Kabir, you have to come! Tumne mujhse vada kiya tha you'll protect me."

"Riddhima-"

"You can arrest him." Riddhima quickly interjected when she realized Kabir wouldn't honour her request. "Tumhe Vansh ko arrest karne ke liye vajah chahiye thi na? Mein deri hoon tumhe reason. He has held me captive against my own will. Yeh meri jo halat hui hai, ussi ki vajah se hui hai. Ragini toh pehle hi coma mein chale gayi thi, mujhe bhi bhej diya hoga. Aur taake mein ghar mein kissi ko na bata sakoon, isne mujhe yahan qaid kar diya." In a more frantic voice, she urged him, "Kabir, you have to come and get me."

"Fine." He at last responded. "Keep your phone's tracking location on. I'll meet you at five in the evening."

"Teekh hai." She sniffled.

He cut the call and Riddhima once again stared at the phone in her hands for a few moments. Slowly turning around, she sheepishly glanced at all the men staring at her.

Pritam broke the silence by blowing a low whistle. "I must say Mrs. Raisinghania, that was quite an impressive act you put on." Smirking, he mused, "Makes one wonder if it was an act at all."

Riddhima directed her eyes over to Vansh who stood before her like a hardened rock. "Vansh."

He left the room without saying a word or even looking her way. She glanced back at the men and saw them avert their gaze as well. But they didn't do it fast enough as she saw the judgment in their eyes.

She gripped the phone tightly in her hand. It was an act. An act for Kabir, just like they had planned. She glanced in the direction Vansh had left and wondered if he was doubting her again.

Clutching the handles to her walker, she slowly made her way over to Vansh. He stood before the open window, with his hands in his pockets. Riddhima shuffled inside, and gently locked the door behind them. He must have heard her but he made no effort to turn around and look her way.

"Vansh." His body stiffened in response to her call.

She looked down at the walker. It was the only obstacle standing between them. She slid it to the side and forced herself to take a step toward him. Fearing she would topple over, she curled her hands into fists. She had raised her foot to take another step but it was too much for her to do on her own, and she fell forward onto Vansh's back.

At her sudden attack, Vansh finally looked over his shoulder. Riddhima wrapped her arms around his stomach and held onto him tightly.

"Riddhima." He spoke worriedly. "Walker kahan hai?" He tried to budge but Riddhima didn't let him.

"Mujh par shak mat karo." Riddhima requested as she quietly weeped.

Ignoring her words, he asked again while looking around, "Riddhima, walker kahan hai?"

"Mujhe nahi chahiye." She answered with a frown.

"Zid mat karo." He spoke, frustrated. He twisted his body and pulled the walker over.

Riddhima pushed it further away. "Meine kaha na mujhe nahi chahiye!"

Angered, Vansh turned around. In a low voice, he gritted, "Then what the fuck do you want?"

"Vansh..." She whispered, taken aback by his tone.

"I always knew you were a liar. I just didn't know how good you were until I saw you do it right before my eyes." His eyes glazed over with a hollowed stare.

"Woh jhoot toh Kabir ke liye tha Vansh." She cupped his cheeks and made him face her. "Jaise humne plan kiya tha."

"Kiska plan Riddhima? Mera aur tumhara? Ya phir tumhara aur Kabir ka?" Vansh questioned.

"You still don't believe me?" She asked, heartbroken. "Vansh, Vansh answer me."

His tears dropped in response.

"Vansh, mein sach keh rahi hoon. I want to be with you." She leaned forward to kiss him but he looked away.

Holding her at an arm's length away, all he said was, "I guess we'll find out tonight."

Riddhima witnessed as closed himself off to her and after a long stare, walked away from her yet again.

Riddhima hardened herself too. There was no room for weakness tonight. She had to confront Kabir and make him pay for the crimes he committed against them. Not just for Vansh's sake, but for all the pain he inflicted on her too.