Hateship

4

Aarohi trudged through the front door, her mind still reeling from the devastating events in court. She had never felt so defeated, so lost. As she entered the living room, she was greeted by an unexpected conversation that made her heart skip a beat.

"Vidyut Singhania has given a proposal," her mother said, her voice laced with excitement and a hint of hope.

Aarohi's eyes widened in shock, her mind racing with disbelief. "What? That can't be!" she exclaimed, her voice trembling with emotion.

Her mother turned to her, a hint of confusion on her face. "But we don't know if it's for you or your cousin, Tanya. And to avoid the confusion, your dad is going to meet him."

Aarohi felt like she had been punched in the gut. Vidyut Singhania, the man who had ruined her reputation and destroyed her case, was now proposing to her? Or was it to her cousin? The thought made her stomach turn.

Aarohi's mind was a whirlwind of confusion and suspicion. Vidyut proposing to her? It was unthinkable. But what if it was a ploy to get her to drop the case? She recalled their tense encounter in court, his condescending smirk, and his chilling words: "You're just a pawn in my game."

But what if the proposal was for Tanya? Her cousin had always been enamored with Vidyut's charisma and wealth. Would she be tempted by his offer? Aarohi's thoughts were a jumbled mix of anxiety and unease.

Her mom's concerned voice broke her thoughts. "Aarohi, you look like you've seen a ghost. Are you okay?"

Aarohi shook her head. "I'm just a little surprised, that's all. I need some rest." She retreated to her room, her mind still racing with questions and doubts.

As she lay in bed, she couldn't shake off the feeling that Vidyut was playing a new game, one that she couldn't quite grasp.She knew she had to stay vigilant, to uncover his true intentions before it was too late. But for now, she was trapped in a web of uncertainty, with no clear escape.

Aarohi's mind was racing with determination. She had to uncover Vidyut's true intentions, no matter what it took. Without asking for her father's permission, she decided to accompany him to the meeting with Vidyut. She knew her father would never approve, given their strained relationship.

Her father, a traditional and conservative man, had always been critical of Aarohi's independent nature, thinking she was too much like her mother - stubborn and opinionated. But Aarohi wasn't one to back down from a challenge. She was determined to confront Vidyut and get to the bottom of his proposal.

As she got ready to leave with her father, Aarohi's heart raced. She knew she was taking a risk, but she was ready to face whatever came next.

As they drove to Vidyut's office, the air was thick with tension. Aarohi's father barely acknowledged her presence, his disapproval and disappointment hanging like a cloud over them. The silence was oppressive, punctuated only by the soft hum of the engine.

When they arrived, Vidyut greeted them with his trademark charm, his smile flashing like a warning sign. His eyes locked onto Aarohi's, the intensity of his gaze making her skin crawl.

"Welcome, welcome," Vidyut said, his voice dripping with sincerity. "Please, come in."

Aarohi's father nodded curtly, his expression unyielding. Aarohi followed him, her heart racing with anticipation.

The meeting began, with Vidyut launching into a smooth, calculated speech about his intentions. Aarohi listened intently, her eyes never leaving his face, searching for any hint of deception. Her father asked the question on everyone's mind: "For whom is the proposal intended?"

Vidyut's smile faltered for a moment before he regained his composure. "I wanted to clarify that, but I need some time to think... I will come to your house with my parents, and we can discuss the details then."

As the meeting drew to a close, Vidyut and Aarohi's father began to discuss various trivialities, but Aarohi's mind was racing. What was Vidyut's true intention? Why did he need time to think? And what did he plan to discuss with his parents?

Aarohi's eyes narrowed, her suspicions growing by the minute. She knew she had to stay vigilant, to uncover Vidyut's true motives before it was too late. As they left the office, Aarohi couldn't shake off the feeling that she was walking into a trap, one that would change her life forever.

On their way home, Tanya couldn't stop gushing about Vidyut. "He's so charming and successful! Can you believe he's interested in our family?" She sighed dreamily, her eyes sparkling with excitement.

Aarohi's warning fell on deaf ears. "Tanya, be careful. He's not what he seems to be. Don't be blinded by his charm and wealth." But Tanya wasn't listening, too caught up in her fantasies of a fairy tale romance with Vidyut.

"You're just jealous because he's not interested in you," Tanya teased. Aarohi's eyes narrowed, her concern for her cousin growing by the minute. She knew Tanya's tendency to idealize men, to see only the good and ignore the red flags.

Meanwhile, in his office, Vidyut was speaking to himself, his eyes fixed on Aarohi's photo. I want her,"he said, his voice low and determined. "The one who dared to challenge me. I will make aarohi mine."

Vidyut assistant, Karan, entered the room, clearing his throat to announce his presence. "Sir, I've arranged for shekhawats to attend the charity gala with you this weekend."

Vidyut's smile was calculating. "excellent. But make sure Aarohi is there too."

Karan raised an eyebrow but said nothing knowing better than to question Vidyut's motives.

As the day of the charity gala drew near, Aarohi's sense of unease grew. She knew she had to attend, but she was determined to keep her distance from Vidyut, to avoid his charismatic smile and piercing gaze. She felt like a mouse being stalked by a predator, and she knew she had to be careful.

On the day of charity gala

As Aarohi got ready for the gala, she felt a shiver run down her spine. She knew she was walking into the lion's den, but she was ready to face whatever lay ahead. Or so she thought.