With the Help of Covid

Chapter 05

"Maa, I need your help." Prachi instantly said after Pragya received her call.

"Is it related to Riya?" Pragya sounded tense and this worried Prachi.

"How did you know? Riya hasn't changed, Maa! She's always been the same." Prachi whispered.

Pragya sighed on hearing this. She had feared this was the case when she heard Alia on talking to someone over the phone yesterday. She had just hoped it wasn't the case. She had really hoped that her daughter had changed. She had already lost her eldest daughter, she really didn't want to become distant from her youngest as well.

"Then help her change. Do not let her talk to anyone over the phone. Alia's been a bad effect on her, staying away from her will reduce the influence Alia has on Riya." Pragya advised, hoping that her daughter could change.

"Maa, she can't change. She'll never change. She tried to harm Prachi even after knowing that she's her sister! Even if Riya is your daughter, she won't ever possess the qualities that you and Prachi have. It's too late. Alia Aunty wasn't with Riya for two whole years, that time should've been enough for her to realise her mistakes. But she didn't and she never will." Ranbir intervened before Prachi could agree to Pragya.

Pragya tried to stop her emotions from getting the better of her at the moment. It felt as if she was loosing her Kiara all over again. But she knew that she couldn't let one daughter ruin the life of another. She had just hoped that it wasn't too late to change her. All she had gotten was pain and continuous betrayals ever since she had gotten married. She had forgiven her ex-husband for so many things that he had done, and he continuously forgave her for things that were his fault! She was actually thankful that he had tried to murder her along with Alia and Tanu. It had opened up her mind to the toxicity of their relationship. And though she knew it was Alia who had bought up Riya with such disgusting values, she also knew that both she and Abhi were to blame for the way Riya turned out.

The man she had once loved, failed to entrust the right person with his daughter's upbringing and she - she should've fought, she should've tried to gain custody of her daughter. But she didn't and she regretted that to this day. Maybe he would've lost his life, but she knew that would be impossible with Alia living there. She wiped away the tears that had escaped her eyes, cursing herself for showing such vulnerability again.

"Maa, are you okay?" Prachi's concerned shout over the phone, successfully bought Pragya out of her thoughts.

"I'm fine. Prachi, you are not going to do anything now. If Riya can't change, don't make her but don't try anything else either." Pragya advised confusing both her daughter and son-in-law.

"Maa, Riya won't stay here peacefully! She'll try to harm someone else and almost everyone here is already unhealthy. Even Dida got injured due Riya." Prachi replied. Riya had already succeeded in deceiving them once, she didn't want to give her any other opportunity to fool them and ruin her family again.

"Yes. But you will need to keep an eye out. Riya has Alia's upbringing and blood too, so she will definitely try to separate you and Ranbir. Alia could never move on from her obsession and if Riya really hasn't changed, she won't be able to either. She'll plan and plot like Alia did. You have to be ready for anything and you need to ensure that a close eye is kept on her. Alia didn't hesitate to put her brother's reputation at stake, Riya won't hesitate in doing something rash either. Riya's already committed many crimes against you, she might do the same again. You need to be able to defend yourself, properly. However, you will not plan anything against Riya. If the plan fails, Riya will know that you're on to her and she won't take long in planning something to kick you out of the house. You need to be extra careful, Prachi. If Riya is evenly remotely as cunning as Alia was then she will be a huge threat to your and Ranbir's happiness." Pragya warned grimly.

"Maa, she won't be able to do anything. I have Ranbir with me." Prachi replied, smiling affectionately at her husband.

"And we will make sure that Riya doesn't harm us or our family." Ranbir added, replicating Prachi's smile and squeezing her hand.

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Sid slid his hand through his head, not understanding what to do next. He couldn't believe that girl he had felt attracted towards could do such a thing. It was impossible for him to digest the fact that Prachi's sister could do such a thing. Though he wasn't entirely certain yet, he knew that it was more likely Riya was doing what he suspected than not.

He looked at his phone, wondering whether or not to call them. It would determine if Riya was guilty of what he suspected. He felt afraid of his only doubt vanishing and replacing his doubts with surety. He still wanted to believe that Riya was the girl he thought she was. But then again, he had only heard bad things about her from Ranbir and Prachi, the few times they were willing to talk about her.

After a battle between heart and mind, Siddarth finally decided it was best to remain sure. He quickly dialled his personal secretary and told him to go to Banglore.

"Do not tell Chachu or anyone else the real reason you're going there. I want to be sure before revealing this news to anyone else. I don't want to tarnish her image in front of anyone for no reason." Sid instructed.

He cut the call and frowned on seeing Riya. He was about to leave for the guest room when Riya stopped him by holding his hand.

"Siddarth, I'm sorry for acting so distant these past few days. It's just that so much has happened and our marriage was unexpected too. I hope you're not upset me." Riya smiled sweetly, placing a hand on Sid's shoulder.

Sid removed her hand. "Riya, I'm not upset with you. Don't focus on me. Chachi isn't well, go make her some soup or tea."

Riya widened her eyes, "Sid, have you gone crazy?! Don't you know how deadly the disease is? If I were to go near her, I could catch and become sick! It would be better if she di-"

"Riya, do not finish that sentence!" Sid glared at Riya, gritting his teeth. He was about to leave again when Riya stopped him again.

"Sid - I wasn't going to say what you thought! I was trying to say that it would be better if Aunty didn't have us near her. What if we caught the disease and Vikram Uncle or Dida caught from us. Vikram Uncle has heart problems so he would have a less chance of surviving and Dida is the eldest one here!" Riya made an excuse. Sid nodded but still left for the guest room. He really didn't want to spend the night near Riya, who was probably wishing the death of his aunt.

Riya began to chuckle to herself as soon as she was certain that Sid had left. She rushed to the bed and laid down, spreading her arms and legs freely.

'This feels so good! I can finally sleep without having the worry of getting close to Sid. I know that I'll soon be with Ranbir instead. Only I deserve him. Prachi, tomorrow you will permanently exist this house and Ranbir's life too. Buji's plan is fool proof, there is no way you'll be able to explain what happens tomorrow. Even Ranbir won't support you.' Riya smirked to herself as she thought of the events that would occur the following day. She drifted off to sleep, thinking about Prachi's tears and her happiness.

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(1300+ words)

So, I have a request. For those of who wish that Wattpad becomes a better place please check this link out - https://www.wattpad.com/story/260753183-petition-english (I will be adding a link in the comments too)

Do promote it as much as you can if you want all the features they mention to be added!

Plus, I may become irregular with my updates from the 26th of this month as face to face classes will be starting again *sighs*.

And this will probably be the chapter in which Pragya appears the most until the epilogue I guess.

How's the update?

What is Riya up to?

What was Alia's advice?

Until Next Time!

~ Riya Sharma