PAYBACK TIME

C H A P T E R - 30

''How was your date?''Pallavi asked Rhea after making sure Ranbir has left and is not in ear shot.

''I am not sure. It is a start I guess. It will be really helpful if you could arrange more of this.''Rhea answered recalling Ranbir's words.

''You'll give me a chance?''Rhea asked unsure.

''I am stuck in this marriage with you. I don't want to live the rest of my life with someone I don't even like. So I will give you a chance. I cannot assure you that I will love you but atleast we could be friends stuck in a marriage.'' He replied.

''I Don't know about that Rhea. There is this new project that Vikram has assigned Ranbir to lead and it is very important. I Don't think Vikram will be happy if I try to distract Ranbir. But I'll try my best.'' Pallavi reasoned.

''No worries Aunty. Maybe I'll ask dad to send me with Ranbir to the sites.''Rhea said with a smile already imagining the scenarios.

''Come let us head to dinner.''Pallavi said. Since the announcement of Rhea and Ranbir's wedding, they all had dinner together.

''Where is dad?''Rhea asked as soon as she took her seat. Everyone else also seemed to be unaware of Abhi's absence. Rhea noticed Purab and Aryan were also missing. Just as she was about to make a comment about it, Aryan entered the hall looking worn out, still dressed in his work clothes.

Unlike Ranbir and Rhea, Aryan was always set for business. All kids whose parents were successful entrepreneurs always had the pressure to walk in the same path. Fortunately for Aryan, business was his ambition. So the pressure was converted into pleasure. Since their graduation he had been working in his father's company.

''Aryan where is Purab and Abhi?''Tanu questioned.

''Why are you bothering him Tanu? My son must be tired after work.''Alia said and offered a smile to Aryan which he returned. Aryan was confused about Alia's sudden gesture. Since Abhi was arrested, Aryan could see a change in Alia's demeanor. She was deliberately trying to spend time with him instead of hissing instructions in Rhea's ears on how to get the guy(Ranbir).

''They are having dinner at a client's house. Old friend of dad.''Aryan responded shortly. It was the exact words Purab had told him over the call. He took a seat next to Siddarth and they started discussing about business.

Rhea scanned the table and sighed. The whole table was quiet except for Aryan and Siddarth. The rest of them either scrolling through their phones or eating silently. These were times when she realised even though they all lived under the same roof, they were never too close. These were times when she yearned for her mother and twin, when she was younger.

Her luck her twin had to be Prachi. The reminder of her mother and Prachi brought back the memory of Disha's Diary. She mentally made a note to check it out after dinner.

On the other side, Abhi and Purab had reached the location Sunny had shared to Abhi. It was a lavish and beautiful Mansion.

Purab's chest swelled in pride. He was absolutely happy for his son. He followed Abhi to the front door and waited as Abhi rung the door bell. He was greeted with the sight of a young woman, probably the same age as his son.

''Come in.''She greeted them rather stiffly. Abhi seemed oblivious to it. So he offered the lady a huge grin.

They followed after her and reached the spacious hall, where they met Sunny. He took turns and embraced both Abhi and Purab. Sunny saw secretly glad that it was only the two of them.