Rekindled Hearts: The Journey Of Transformation[ONC2024]

|#21. The Painful Deceit|

Rishabh insists that Ruhana invest in his friend's business, but she denies it. She wants to meet his friend, while he wants her to trust him and give him all the money. But she's adamant about meeting his friend first. They argue about it, and Ruhana dismisses the topic, asking him to get ready. He sighs deeply and moves into the washroom to freshen up.

He has different thoughts bubbling in his mind. He wants to convince Ruhana, and he knows that she is a tough nut to crack. He has to find some other way of convincing her. There's another secret that he's holding, and he will achieve it anyhow. He has to convince her of this deal; only then, it'll be beneficial for him.

Meanwhile, Ruhana enters the bedroom to pick up her handbag and files. She has a meeting to attend at 10 am. She also calls for Rishabh and asks him to get ready quickly. Meanwhile, his phone begins to ring, and he asks Ruhana to pick up the call. She attends the call and is stunned to hear a woman from the other side. She demands to meet him and asks him to meet her at the Hotel Royale Inn. The lady's name is Mallika Shergill. She cuts the call, telling her that she'll convey the message to Rishabh. The way she was talking, doubts arose in her heart. But she didn't want to doubt him. She brushes off the matter and walks out of the room to lay the breakfast table.

"Hey, Handsome! Are we meeting today?"

"Come to meet me at Hotel Royale Inn, sharp at 8 pm. We will have dinner together. And don't deny, Rishabh."

Her tone sounded inviting, and it seemed like there was some connection between her and Rishabh. Ruhana couldn't help but think about it. Her past experiences tell her not to trust Rishabh, but her heart wants to believe him. She loves him after all, and she is certain that he won't ditch her.

Meanwhile, Rishabh comes out of the room and glances at her. She seems offbeat, and so he taps her cheek, bringing her out of her trance.

"What happened?" he asks, sounding normal.

"Who is Mallika? Do you know her?" she asks her question.

"Oh! Mallika! She's a friend, and she wants to offer some business to me," he responds cheekily while serving breakfast for himself.

"That too, in a hotel room? Doesn't this sound odd, Rishabh? And will you go there?" she rolls her eyes at him.

"Of course, Ruu! It's about business. And you said already, that we have to snatch the things that we deserve, so, yes, I will have to go. Mallika Shergill is not easy to please. We will have to do what she says," he explains, but she's still restless.

She didn't like the tone in which the lady talked with her. It was quite seductive, and it didn't go unnoticed by Ruhana. She has begun to doubt Rishabh; she suspects that he's lying to her. She sighs deeply; she needs to find the truth.

Rishabh's visits to the Hotel Royale Inn have become regular. He always says that some party or business associates want to deal. Is he lying? A part of her heart denies it, while the other half accuses Rishabh already. She decides to follow him in the evening and uncover the truth.

*****

The whole day passes in a blur. Ruhana has finished her tasks for the day and has asked her manager to schedule some meetings for the next day. As she's talking with the manager, she receives Rishabh's message stating that he's leaving for the meeting with Mallika, bringing that bitter conversation back to her. She dismisses her manager and leaves the office. It's just seven in the evening, and she decides to follow him on her own.

She already knows the route, so it doesn't become any hindrance on her way to reach the hotel. While parking her car in the parking lot, she recognizes his car and is determined enough to know the truth.

She walks into the hotel and inquires about Rishabh at the reception. The receptionist earnestly informs her that he is on the second floor, room number 205. She thanks her and decides to wait in the waiting lounge for some time. She calls Rishabh to check on him, but he doesn't receive her calls at first. However, he responds to the call the third time. He's breathing heavily, and his voice is hoarse. He responds that he had to climb three flights of stairs to meet the said lady. Ruhana is stunned; he is lying to her.

Something strikes her mind, and she dials a number, only to learn that this number doesn't exist. It's the same number that he gave her, telling her that it's his friend's number who needs some help in investment. Slowly, things start to unfold.

He has been lying to her throughout. She calls his manager and confronts him about his friend's business. She learns that it's his project which didn't work earlier, but he wanted her to invest in it. She's shocked; she didn't know he'd double-cross her. She thought he loved her, but all he wanted was her money.

She has had enough. She reaches the second floor and knocks on the door of room 210. After a couple of minutes, a lady opens the door. She's wearing a bathrobe, her hair is a mess; it's evident what she's been doing until now. Meanwhile, Rishabh's voice falls on Ruhana's ears as he comes around and hugs the lady, who is Mallika.

As soon as his eyes land on Ruhana, he's shocked. He thought she wouldn't doubt him ever. He's only in his boxers and vest, clearly indicating what was happening behind closed doors. As he begins to explain, Ruhana slaps him hard, and he's shocked, for she has never been this harsh with him.

"You, you are double-crossing me? This is your official meeting here? And your client is still in a bathrobe? Too personal?"

"What do you think of yourself, Rishabh? You will lie, and I will believe you? No! I am not stupid! I know, this hotel is your second home; why won't it be? Your mistress is the owner here, right, Ms. Mallika?" She glares at the two.

"And, and! Ms. Mallika, you're great! You're here with someone who's already cheating on you. Well, he's here, pleasing you and his physical desires, and then during the day, he's with me; his desires are never-ending. I am glad I could catch you red-handed. You're ridiculous, Rishabh! Is this what you do with every girl? Will you find another one after her, isn't it?" She blurts out her anger and slaps him again.

"I know, that stupid business idea is also fake! You just need money, right? Feelings don't matter to you, right? I don't need you; keep your ring with you and please your mistress; that's what you're good at." She throws the ring that he gifted her on his face.

"Yeah, and you mind your own business. You're nothing in front of her; I just had to pretend; I had to do it; otherwise, who'd invest in me? You were not easy to fool. But yeah, I love Mallika, you know." Rishabh says and pushes her a little.

"She's rich; she's beautiful, and you're still working. You can't achieve what I want in life. So, yes, I did cheat on you; happy? I agree, and I am not sorry for it." He responds.

Ruhana is stunned. She invested her time, love, and care in this man, but he's here in front of her, kissing another woman. He's shameless; he doesn't care about anyone's feelings. After all, he doesn't understand the real meaning of love.

"You will suffer, Rishabh. When you need someone to love you, you will have none around you. And this is your punishment. I won't forgive you, neither will I forget the lesson that you taught me."

"Love is a curse; it can't be believed."

She runs away from the place; she's broken for another time today. This time, not only her heart is broken, but her soul is also ripped. The man whom she believed, the one she loved, hurt her, and nothing is worse when your own people hurt you.

*Flashback Ends*

"Since then, I decided to never fall in love, Vineet. Because I cannot trust people now. After what Shekhar and Rishabh did to me, I can't let anyone touch me or come close to me."

"You're an exception; you're my best friend, Vineet. But I am still scared of love. I just can't believe it; I am sorry." She apologizes to him.

Vineet, who's patiently listening to her, gets up from his seat and pulls Ruhana into a friendly yet warm hug. His warm touch feels soothing, and tears trickle down her eyes. She breaks into tears, sobbing slowly, while he just pats her head, trying to calm her.