Better ✓

16. Changes

A month later
"Do you have an off today?", Riddhima was applying mascara in front of the mirror. Sejal gave out a long sigh while sitting on chair with her breakfast, " Four days of my week are always off. However, today I am preparing outlay for a beach party on Sunday. " "Quit mewling! You still act as an assistant to your dear Roma ", Riddhima chuckled. Sejal stopped munching on her sandwich, grabbed a cushion and aimed it straight for Riddhima's hips. "Ouch! You will destroy my makeup. I have an interview today. " "Don't you dare talk about that bossy bitch to me. I don't know how you managed to become friends with her. She roasts me left and right almost daily. What is her motto , 'Perfection is the key' " , Sejal rolled her eyes . "Well, she is not that bad. I guess she turns into a new person when she is practicing her profession. " "Okay then, goodbye. I am leaving. " " All the best!" Sejal waved her goodbye. "Bye, Sujita aunty, I am going for my interview", Riddhima was descending downstairs in quick steps. "Best of luck beta". "Thank you aunty".

After regularly trying to delay her surgery, Ishani finally seems to come in terms with her new reality. She looked at herself in mirror. "You will never be pregnant again. That's it! It doesn't mean you can't be a mother again." " Yes! There is surrogacy. I will never get the joy of being pregnant with my love. This thing can create tensions among couple. Will I be considered as an incomplete woman? No! I don't want a man who has such kind of mindset. But it feels like I lost a part of myself. That scoundrel Kabir!"
She picked up her clutch, pinched Dhvani's cheeks and walked out of her room for hospital. She cannot risk catching some infection and die. Dhvani is enough for her for now. "Naina! I am going outside. Take care of Dhvani till then."

"Trrrng......trrrng......zzzzz", Vansh clutched his head. His head was paining from last night's hangover. He crossed every limit of drinking. He even vomited last night . He looked at his phone with half hooded eyes. "Sir, there is a meeting with Agnihotri's in one hour, " came the voice of his PA. "Okay, prepare everything, I'll be there." Vansh groaned when his phone ringed again, "Raghunath is coaxing again for smuggling of rubies,opals and all those zodiac stones." "Tell him I don't do child's play. I'm leaving for a meeting now." Aangre understood his boss is not in mood of the deals that once thrilled him. "Boss, regarding yesterday, I'll have to leave for Dubai." "I will go instead. You have a family that needs you. You need to relax." "Family, Huh! Only if you know what your sister was and is doing behind your back", thought Aangre bitterly. "What about Riddhima?" "Boss...... I". Vansh closed his eyes bracing himself for another dejection. " I'm tracing people who had been Sejal's clients. Her online portal is closed as of now." Honestly, Aangre was not paying much attention to any task from last week, Ishani's presence was irritating him beyond limits recently. "Okay Aangre". Vansh inhaled a deep breath. He has stopped acknowledging his emotions. It just brings out unbearable feelings of hopelessness and longing in his heart. At one time, he decides to get back into his shell , never to let anybody inside ever again and at another time he decides to rip apart everything around him and go in pursuit of Riddhima like a mad man. He is confident that he will find her . Riddhima can never compete him in this, he is no ordinary man but then again if the scene would have been simple he wouldn't have lost her ever.

"Welcome back! How was the interview? " Riddhima slumped down on the chair and shoved off her ballerinas. " It went well but I don't think I'll get the job. They are looking for someone with higher qualification but don't worry I will go to another place tomorrow, it is not much popular but I am confident I'll get a job there. " "Hmm..... I was thinking, how about we get a new haircut today, I want wipsy bangs", suggested Sejal. " I don't want you to cheer me up by spending money. A haircut, by us combined means a thousand rupees gone to drain. We need to save to buy a flat for ourselves. " "Fuck it, Riddhima. We have limited life with a very limited time. Aa...... Somebody said these lines to me two days back." " Don't tease me. I was drunk", said an embarrassed Riddhima. "Shit , I don't want to meet that person ever again."

"Yeah, now that the topic is here. I would really like to talk about that club night to you", mused Sejal. "I didn't bring you with myself to be wasted like hell, looking for a quick fuck! " , scolded Sejal with an edge to her tone. "I told you na... I was drunk and ...." " And heartbroken so I wanted a one night stand", completed Sejal. "It is not like that", Riddhima shifted uncomfortably on her feet looking down at the floor. "It isss like that. Your ego was bruised. You wanted to prove yourself that you have moved on", said Sejal standing up. "Have you realised that you were putting yourself in danger? You can't just go for a one night stand with anybody like that. Who knows if he is a serial killer , an abuser or a psycho?" "What was that 'Buzz off Sejal' ........ 'Don't control my life' shit? Do you even remember anything?"
" I remember and I am sorry. I didn't mean that . It's just that you are so hellbent on keeping me on right track. For once I wanted to sway", said Riddhima. " It's good to hear that you know what's right track. A week before, you were flirting with my partner. Look, Riddhima......Haaa ......" Sejal sighed. She inhaled a sharp breath joining fingers of her both hands. She faced Riddhima and said, "I'm not stopping you. But thisss is not you. You deserve more than a one night stand. Want sex for pleasure, not for getting over Vansh. You are being unfair to yourself. Take care of yourself when I'm not with you. Hm?"
She held Riddhima's chin. Riddhima lifted her face and gave a nod. She then hugged Sejal. "Aww!" "I am really sorry. " " It's okay, it's always good to share with me. Isn't it?"

"Have you got her? " , asked Sara while tying the laces of her boots. "Yes mam, she is tied outside." "Leave." She tied her hairs into a tight ponytail, wore her shrug over her crop top and walked out of the room.

"Hello, Mr Vansh , your sister Siya is out of the comma. She is scared and panicking a little. It will be good if we could get on a video call with you right now."

Sara dragged the figure of a girl with black sack slumped on her face , hands tied and body shifting vigorously. "Mmmph.......mmmm." "Look at you! Who were you trying to seduce this time with this little tight dress?"
"Karan Bhai, here is the bitch. I got her, now you will let me go for the trip in my college ."
"Which type of clothes are you wearing? He looked at her up and down. " "O please Bhai, I'm not going to wear clothes covering me like a mummy. "
"Wear something modest or you are not going anywhere, that's final."
"I will also see who stops me. Pathetic misogynist.....

Note: this Sara is not show wali Sara. Hell! I should have used another name.