Better ✓

25. Trouble!

Sejal lifted her eyes to a worried Roma. She refused an eye contact with her. "Umm ..... No. Why did you ask?" Roma had seen the same look in her seven year old daughter whenever she lies. "You can tell me. I will help you, no matter what. Are you scared of somebody? " Sejal almost wanted to give in. The fact that one day or the other, Vansh will reach Riddhima is frustrating and she can't do anything about that. But Vansh is someone with underworld connections, who knows he may try to harm somebody. "Roma it's fine. Nobody is going to murder me . You can relax." She chuckled. Sejal noticed that Roma was still unconvinced. But she cannot tell her about Vansh. He will not do anything to her or Riddhima due to his obsession. If he actually wants a redemption right now, then he probably would handle the situation rather patiently. But that jerk doesn't deserve a second chance. Not for insulting Riddhima, not for putting her through so much agony that she lost her baby, not for destroying every shred of her dreams and happiness. She better be single than with someone like him.

"Rajveer, Why were you at hospital today? There was commotion around you the whole day." "Papa wanted me to click some photos for a magazine.... it is kind of a publicity stunt for the hospital and also us, that we are funding it." "I really appreciate your family for funding free treatment for underprivileged children every year. I'm not saying this as a formality. I really mean it. " One such boy was Riddhima's patient and although she didn't have any relation with the boy, she was really thankful to Mehra's for this. Rajveer smiled at Riddhima. The way her eyes shone , he already knew she meant it from her heart. "Thank you. My mother is the one that insists father. Papa, being a buisness man is a bit stingy. It is not much, many buisness men do charity for publicity." Riddhima felt a bit disappointed at him for naming it as publicity. "There are still many who don't take responsibility seriously, even if it is as charity."

"Okay, let's talk about you, do you have a new friend now?" Riddhima nodded her head in negative. "A boyfriend?" Rajveer tried to maintain his tone as casual as possible. He tried to make it seem like, the question came out with the flow. He didn't want to offend her as he still didn't know what is the level of their friendship whether it is formal or informal. "Um.... No. I met a girl named Natasha today. She is good but I didn't actually converse with her much. " Riddhima felt a little uneasy. Why was Rajveer asking about having a boyfriend? Is he interested in her? No, he just asked it casually, as a friend.
Until now, Rajveer didn't even know that he wanted an answer to that question so badly. He felt satisfied and leaned back in his chair. "Riddhima, you should try to blend and make conversation on your own. You are new there and they already have their groups. I also used to wait for people to start a conversation with me first. But that doesn't work actually. "
"Yes, you are right. But ....." Riddhima hesitated but then continued. "They are a bit pissed off at me, since I didn't take the job on merit but rather based on my connections or whatever they name it. They avoid me and in the beginning were also talking to each other , to taunt me indirectly, you know." Rajveer looked at Riddhima briefly. " You can ignore such people Riddhima. It is a waste of time to explain yourself to those who formed an opinion about you without even talking to you. Some people are just so full of toxicity. They will always judge you." Riddhima was reminded of Raisinghania's, particularly Ishani when she insulted her on the cruise. "You are right. I'm really tired of proving myself again and again."

Riddhima glanced at her wrist watch.
"Thank you for your company, my lunch break is almost over. " She stood up to leave. Rajveer hesitated a little and then added, "Riddhima, if you don't have any company. We can have our lunch together daily. " "Hmm .... But, don't you have to look for boutiques here". Rajveer stood up too. "I really like your company and you know eating with clients or employees is quite boring. When you will make a lot of friends then I will free you. " Rajveer chuckled at his own words. Riddhima smiled. She didn't want him to feel awkward at his request. " I also wanted to ask you same but I thought you will be busy with your other partners in business."