Better ✓

32. Under the rain- Part 1

Today was Sunday and the sky was casted with heavy clouds. "Riddhima, let's go and eat maalpua together. " Riddhima's mouth watered at Sejal's suggestion. Earlier in Mumbai, they used to savour their Sundays to the fullest. Now it only passes as a dull, boring day. "But Vansh's men, I don't want them to follow us. " Sejal sat back on the sofa in deep thought. "I have an idea."

Two men who were busy on phone turned their attention to the weird couple exiting the building. Truly, love makes you blind. They have learnt this from their own boss and another example was in front of them.
Sejal was wearing a strapless black tube top with white capris. Her left arm was tucked in the arms of a very gentleman Riddhima beside her while her right hand was flaunting her white tote bag. Riddhima was wearing baggy jeans with a black hoodie. Her hairs were well hidden in her hood. They both wore a mask and goggles in perfectly cloudy surroundings. They smiled at each other and walked past the dumbfounded people outside.

The rain pitter-pattered on the umbrellas above their head as they walked past people, running around to save themselves from the onslaught of rain. They finally reached their destination. Sejal was giving their umbrellas to the guard outside restaurant's main dining hall. Riddhima turned around opening her bun when she noticed a familiar face sitting across the room through glass doors. So, he had been truly avoiding her. He was back in the city but didn't feel the need to inform her or talk to her. Her eyes followed the beautiful girl sitting in front of him. She felt annoyed and turned around again. She tugged at Sejal's hand and gestured her to look behind her. "See, I told you. He started ignoring you when he found out that you are divorced. Typical men, I tell you." "Let's go from here."
"Wait, let me take our umbrellas
back."
Rajveer finished his coffee with the girl, his mother settled his 'buisness meeting' with. The rain started pouring down with full force. He sought to use it as an excuse to escape this situation. Then, his eyes fell upon Sejal who was talking to the guard.
If Sejal is here, then that means.....
He finally spotted Riddhima, whose back was turned towards him. He contemplated for few seconds whether to approach her or to hide his own face. He decided that he cannot hide from her forever so he will talk to her face to face. "Excuse me, I am sorry. I have an urgent task." He rushed towards the entrance. "Riddhima......"

Riddhima perked up at his voice. She got puzzled and decided it was best to flee. She hurriedly tucked her hairs in her hoodie and nudged Sejal," I am going there. Come soon." Sejal glanced at a retreating Riddhima and an approaching Rajveer. She unfolded her umbrella, shoved Riddhima's umbrella inside her bag and walked down the street towards her home. She decided, it would be best if she eats her favourite malpua at home.

Rajveer followed Riddhima across the street. Riddhima was finding shade of some shop or building but she had entered a residential colony.

She felt a tug at her arm and she crashed straight into Rajveer's chest. "Where are you going?" She stepped back and looked up in his eyes. Rajveer's entire forehead was covered with his wet hairs and Riddhima had a sudden urge to clear his face. "Hi, where were you, Rajveer?" She tried to free her arm from his tight grip but if anything , he pulled her closer to him and their chests collided again. "Riddhima, stop pretending. I know you were running from me." "Leave my arm, Rajveer." Riddhima snapped at him. He sighed and left her arm. "Let's make things clear, Rajveer. If you do not want to be with someone who is divorced and whose ex- husband is chasing her then it's your choice. But I would prefer that instead of running the things in spiral , you tell me straight. I won't mind." "I am sorry Riddhima. But , it's not what you think. It's....like..... my sister thinks that he, I mean your ex-husband is in mafia and he can harm us." Riddhima looked away from his eyes. It was like the rain pouring down on them have cooled her down , suddenly. She took a long breath."You are right. He is powerful enough to pose a danger to you and your family. We must keep our distance. I am sorry."
She turned around to leave. The only thing she was doing is to get deeper into this residential colony, she had no idea of. Her hairs were all out and she was totally drenched due to heavy rain. All she wanted was to lose the sight of Rajveer.

"I like you." She halted in her steps.
What is she hearing? She cannot feel again. She cannot want again.
She continued to walk in the same direction. She is just imagining weird things. She chuckled lightly at herself over the fact that how good those words felt, just like...... just like an 'I love you' from Vansh. Vansh.......she increased her pace, it would be better to part ways.

Rajveer could not believe that she was still running away from him , even after he said those words, he had been denying from last week. How dare she? He atleast deserves an answer. He marched towards her and grabbed her elbow. Riddhima's hairs slapped against her forearm due to his pull. She blinked her eyes, rapidly under the assault of rain. Rajveer placed his knuckles under her chin and tipped her head back. "I said, I like you." "As a person, as a friend and as a woman. I want to be with you, Riddhima"
Riddhima felt goosebumps on her skin. It was due to the chilling rain or due to what she saw in his eyes. She didn't know. There was passion mixed with her reflection in his eyes. She felt speechless. The uncertain words were stuck in her throat.

"You don't know me enough to like me." She finally answered. "We can try. " "I am not ready. I had a rough relationship in the past. You will not like my past self. " She held his hand on her chin and looked down. "Do you trust me, Riddhima?" Riddhima shook her head slightly. "No, not completely..... Not in that sense. I am sorry." He held her shoulders. "Riddhima, relax. I don't want to pressurize you. Like you said, I won't mind, if you are honest with me."
He settled his arm across her shoulders. "Come on, let's go from here. My car is parked there."

So guys, do tell me your views about Riddhima and Rajveer.
Do you think Riddhima has finally moved on?
Should she give another chance to love or any relationship?
I hope you liked the chapter!