Better ✓

24. Sailing through it

Riddhima was aware of the nasty stares coming to her way. Almost everybody hated her for getting this job so easily. She heard them conveying their thoughts to her indirectly. What she was? An orphan. One of those children who are the subject of their pity. Just because of an acquaintance with the fund raisers , she got a job here. Today she gave them a chance to blame her. She was late and still excused. Rajveer told the receptionist on her behalf that she had a personal emergency.

How ironic! These people discuss in get together parties, how children who lose their families suffer in this world. How their heart pains for them. They are all nothing but hypocrites. Now they criticize her, avoid her, because she is someone with no family background and someone who apparently doesn't deserve to get a job here. In the past, she had perked up the interest of men when they find that she has no one behind her back. They think they can do anything, there will be no one to ask. Atleast she is safe here and the fact that she has something to do with Mehra's has reduced her troubles to minimum. She is thankful that she and Sejal are in a safe environment.
Her patients were waiting for her. She hurried inside her cabin. It was the largest on the ground floor. She teaches her patients exercise and yoga also. Other senior doctors and surgeons mostly hold a prejudice against her portfolio that it requires no effort. She noticed through her periphery that Mrs Sharma who was the receptionist was throwing daggers at her. She didn't actually understand the annoyance of this woman with her , since day one. Taking a deep breath, she called her first patient in.

Vansh returned to his hotel. "What should be done now? How will he find her?" There was a mad desperation glinting in his eyes. He closed his eyes, reminiscing every moment when he hurted her. He crashed the plates of food in front of him. There was a maddening urge to hurt himself. Why didn't she tell him everything on time? If he didn't let her, she should have shouted. Atleast after he told her about his mother , then she should have told him. This would have never happened. He grabbed the vase and threw it at the mirror. His phone rang."Hello boss, dadi passed the Agnihotri project to Aryan. He is asking for its files now. " "Who gave her the authority to do it? " Vansh was seething in anger. "She called your PA." "You will not give him any files. " "But boss, dadi?" "You are not answerable to her, Aangre." "Okay boss." Aangre was feeling at peace away from VR mansion. But this family managed to drive him mad everywhere.

Sara was annoyed with her brother. She was wearing a full sleeves top with wide legged jeans. She couldn't help but remember her dad at his behaviour. She hated her dad always. He always repressed her and her mother. All he ever wanted was a male heir to look after his dirty buisness. She knew her mother begged him to let her keep her when she was born. He wanted to kill her. Tears slipped through her eyes, remembering the peaceful embrace of her mother. The shady buisness of that bastard dragged her maa along with him to death. She knew her mother was very unhappy with her dad, but she couldn't leave. Will my brother also turn out like our bastard father? Suddenly she didn't want to go to trip at all. But what is the use of torturing myself alone in this penthouse?
"Why are you crying?", a sharp voice called for her. She rubbed her eyes and wiped her tears. "I was not crying. My eyes were getting strained because I was not wearing my specs. " Karan walked inside her room and pulled a chair close to his sister. "Don't lie to me, Sara". "I'm missing maa. " She started crying and wrapped her arms around her brother's neck. He rubbed her back, while she hiccuped on his shoulder. "It's okay". He also misses his mother. His mother always wanted him to keep his sister safe and happy. His father was proud of him. He wanted him to keep his empire at the top and he will fulfill their every wish. Being the male head of his family, it is his duty to take care of his sister. "I will teach you driving a car. " Sara paused and looked at her brother with eyes shimmering with tears."Really?" "Yes, but you will not go anywhere alone, without me." He cannot give much liberty to her. Women are supposed to stay at home, his dad had told him. He wiped her tears and patted her head. "Come on! Now wash your face."

Riddhima took her purse to go for lunch. She paused with her fingers around the door knob. I will have to eat alone at that restaurant. It felt awkward last time, sitting alone on a table. She remembered Rajveer told her that he will leave hospital by noon. Maybe he is still here. Should I call him? What if he is busy?
They have known each other for mere two weeks only. But, he invited me for dinner. He also dropped me here in the morning. It's my duty to treat him to a lunch.
Rajveer was splayed on his sofa, looking at his phone. He was hungry and his food delivery was taking forever. He saw Riddhima's incoming call. He picked the call at the second ring only. "Hello Riddhima. " "Hi Rajveer. Would you like to go to lunch with me today? " Rajveer looked at his wall clock. "Now? It's your lunch break right." "Yes. If you have eaten then it's okay. " "No! I'm hungry and was about to go for lunch. I'm coming. " "Aren't you at hospital? " "No, I'm nearby." "Okay bie, I'll be waiting."

Riddhima went out of her cabin to grab a coffee. "Hi Riddhima. I am Natasha, I heard you joined recently. " Riddhima looked at the girl. She had blonde strips in between her black hairs tied into a high pony. "Yeah! I didn't see you here before. Are you new too?" Natasha smiled at her. "No. I was on maternity leave." Riddhima smiled ignoring the bitterness that crawled inside her. She didn't want to remember the loss of her child. "Congratulations ! A girl or a boy." "A girl". "In which department you are?" Riddhima asked her. "I am a neurosurgeon. You are in physiotherapy right." Before Riddhima could answer, a girl interrupted them. "Yes and she got the job through fund raisers. Direct, straight. I wish I had some connections too. " At this point, Natasha's face lost it's smile. Riddhima could sense the judgemental thoughts in her eyes. "I guess nobody taught you that it is rude to interrupt someone's conversation." Riddhima turned towards the new entry. The girl smirked. "Atleast there was someone to teach me, unlike you. " Riddhima chuckled. "You can say whatever you want. At the end of the day, I am here, doing the job , you think I don't deserve. Such low blows or gossips that people like you pass through each other is not changing anything." Riddhima turned towards Natasha. "What do you think of yourself?"The girl glared at her. Riddhima chose to ignore her this time. "See you later, Natasha. I'm going for lunch." Natasha's eyes followed Riddhima. She found her rather interesting.

Rajveer is not someone who is much worried about his looks. But Why was he currently standing in front of the mirror, rating his appearance? He grunted in irritation. At last he got rid of his formal wear and decided that he will wear casual clothes. It's not like he wants to impress anybody. He considered bathing as he spent his entire day going through the hospital and clicking photographs with all kind of people. Normally he would just simply apply perfume and that's it. But..... his sister likes hygiene and so will Riddhima. He looked at the watch. "At this rate her lunch break will finish. "

Roma was observing a rather sullen face of her assistant. She knew Riddhima is gone and though they were orphans. She knew they have only each other. She liked Sejal for being rather honest and sincere towards her work. And the fact that she doesn't make any effort in hiding her displeasure at certain things and maybe for her too is rather amusing. "How is Riddhima doing?" Sejal perked up at Riddhima's mention but then glanced around her nervously. "She is happy with her new job and is doing well. Something was off. From past few days, she keeps on glancing at her back whenever they went out for lunch. Roma contemplated about asking her. She pushed her chair closer to her so that nobody could hear. "Is anyone following you , Sejal?"