ISHQ IBAADAT 💗

16. PAIN AND JEALOUSY ❤️

Author Pov.

"Ridhanvi, what are you wearing for the party tonight?"

A bubbly voice echoed through the phone speaker. It was Kaira, Ridhanvi’s closest colleague and partner-in-chaos.

Ridhanvi, who had just stepped out of the shower, wrapped in a fluffy white robe, held the phone between her shoulder and cheek as she rubbed her damp hair with a towel. The soft scent of lavender lotion lingered in the air.

Her wardrobe doors were flung wide open, and her usually neat room now looked like a tornado of dresses, heels, and half-zipped makeup kits had hit it.

"Umm… I’m very confused," Ridhanvi replied, chewing on her lower lip, pacing barefoot on the wooden floor, eyes darting from the mirror to the chaos on her bed. Three dresses lay there—bold, beautiful, and stressful.

"Ohh yaar, do one thing—wear something black," Kaira said with full conviction, the sound of a hairdryer buzzing faintly in the background on her end.

"Haa… I had thought about this," Ridhanvi murmured, pulling out a sleek black velvet dress from the hanger and pressing it gently against her torso, watching her reflection. "But mujhe laga over na ho jaaye…"

Kaira let out an exaggerated sigh. "Arey, party hai yaar! Achha tayyar hona toh banta hai!" Her voice practically danced with excitement. "After all, boss ne ye party company ko award milne ki khushi mein rakhi hai. And don’t forget—this company got that award only because of YOU!"

Ridhanvi paused. Her fingers traced the neckline of the dress slowly. A blush crept up her cheeks. The truth of Kaira’s words sank in—but so did the weight of expectation.

Kaira wasn’t done yet.
"And listen…" she added dramatically, "hot girl bankar aana!"

Ridhanvi chuckled, flopping onto her bed, her hair falling like a curtain around her shoulders. “Pagal hai tu…”

Their shared laughter echoed between them, bringing ease, like always.

“Bye! See you tonight!”
“Bye Kaira!”

---

Scene Shift – Few Minutes Later

Ridhanvi placed her phone gently on the nightstand and took a deep breath. Her gaze lingered on the black dress now resting carefully on her bed.

She walked over to the mirror, her bare feet brushing against the soft carpet, and stared at herself—still in the robe. Her eyes flickered with thoughts.

She walked to the window and drew the curtains apart. Golden sunlight spilled into her room, dancing on the floor. She looked out at the skyline, her thoughts racing back in time.

Those nights when the entire building was dark but one cabin light stayed on.
Hers.

The bugs no one could fix—she did.
The team no one could lead—she led.
The results? A project that changed the game.

And today, because of that one project, Reyansh’s company stood tall. And so did she.

A soft smile touched her lips. But her throat ached. Not from sadness—but from the unspoken pride that she had buried under silence for so long.

Just then, her phone buzzed again. She turned.

“Congratulations, Ms. Ridhanvi. See you tonight. – R.R.”

Her eyes stayed fixed on the message.

Short. Cold. Professional. Typical Reyansh Raisinghania.
Yet… her heartbeat stuttered for a brief second.
Why?