#RIANSH - SCAR ON SOUL

#Part - 45#

Mr. Oberoi: Mr. Singhania, shall we start the meeting!!!

Vansh (eying Angre) (forced smile) (hesitant): Yeah sure!!!

Angre (whispering): Vansh may be we can reschedule this..... it's about the hard work of our employees.....we cant risk that with our one mistake!!!!

Vansh (whispering): I guess you are right!!!

Mr. Oberoi: Is everything okay Mr. Singhania!!!

Vansh (sigh): Am sorry to say this at such short notice Mr. Oberoi but, we have an issue here

Mr. Oberoi (confused): As in!!!

Vansh: We aren't able to find the Budget file......

I am sorry for my delay!!!!

Everyone's attention turned abruptly towards the entrance of the conference hall to find a woman, seeing whom they were aghast ...... The right word for what Vansh & Angre felt was.......APPALLED!!!!!

Vansh (shock whisper): .....Riddhima!!!!!

There stood a pale Riddhima...... faded eyes, a charmless face, lips quivering, injury marks on the body, body shivering ........ in simple words there stood Riddhima who wasn't Riddhima people in the office knew!!!

Out of the blue everyone gasped as she fell on the floor thud......!!!! Vansh ran to her side and before he could hold her he saw a couple of hands reaching for her aid......Aryan!!!!

Aryan (yell): Angre pass me a glass of water, please!!!!

Angre grabbed a bottle from the table and rushed to her side as Vansh kept staring at those eyes which always held pain and now are empty..... void of any feelings or emotions!!!

Sprinkling a few drops on her face, Angre helped her drink some before she eyed around to see people eyeing her in confusion, pity, and care!!!!

Sighing she took a long breath before gesturing Aryan to help her in standing.

Riddhima (low tone): I am sorry Mr. Oberoi, the meeting ...... was delayed because of me!!!

Mr. Oberoi (softly): It's okay Ms. Riddhima!!! May I know if you are alright..... I mean (examining her tip to toe in confusion)

Riddhima (sigh): I am fine Mr. Oberoi!!! Thank you for the gesture.

She eyed Vansh whose eyes held the pain her soul was carrying but....she couldn't decipher what those eyes were yelling for her to listen!!!!

The reason he never visited her was he couldn't see her eyes lifeless.....previously they used to hold the pain she was going through but now she just lost all her interest in living and is waiting for death!!!

Sensing some commotion in the office Sejal enquired an office boy who gave her the news of Riddhima's arrival listening to this, she ran towards the conference room to see her sister's state!!!!

Riddhima: My apologies....... If permitted, I'd like to give you a gist of the budget!!!!

Vansh: Riddhima, you need rest!!! This can wait!!!!

Aryan: C'mon, let's go!!! They'll handle this

Sejal: Riddhu, you give me the file we'll take care of this!!!

Riddhima (eying Vansh): Can I????

The trio eyed Vansh expecting him to deny her request considering her deteriorating condition but he observed those eyes that were requesting him against it!!! Can he ever refuse those eyes.........

Vansh (thinking): DAMN!!!!!!

He silently nodded making the trio....maybe bash him mentally!!! Sejal sighed before assisting Riddhima towards a chair before arranging the presentation!!!!!

Mr. Oberoi (concerned): Ms. Riddhima, maybe we can reschedule this meeting...... I don't think it's suggestible for you to speak in this condition!!!!

Riddhima (sighed): I..... I understand your concern Mr. Oberoi but...... (eying the staff across the room) this presentation .....and project .......isn't just me..... it's the hard work of the employees of VR Industries and ...... I don't think..... it's ethical to reschedule citing my health!!!

Mr. Oberoi: I totally understand but.... (deep breath) Beta, I have a daughter of your age, and being a father I cant see any daughter struggling to even stand still..... and observing your condition I don't know......

Riddhima (low tone): Kindly allow me........

Sighing everyone took their place with Sejal and Angre taking their seats beside Riddhima while Aryan left the room ..........

With much difficulty and with prompting from Angre from time to time..... Riddhima managed to give the budget brief and other details of the project while the whole time Vansh's eyes didn't even for a moment lose the path of her pain...... His reverie broke with Mr. Oberoi's voice, he turned towards him to answer his queries while Riddhima kept taking deep breaths to calm her anxiety

The next 30 minutes passed with Riddhima explaining and Vansh answering the queries while Aryan was pacing in front of the conference hall in anticipation........