ARIDHI: His Never-Ending Desire

【74】 Farewell?

The door of her room clicked shut behind us as Aridhi set the files down on the console, her heels making that sharp clicking sound against the marble floor.

We had barely exchanged a word on the drive back as both of us were still processing Ishir's yes to the deal.

And then, "RUVIT!"

Before I could even register the voice, a six-foot hurricane crashed into me, nearly dislocating my left shoulder.

As if the bandage on my arm ain't enough.

"Dhruv, fucker, watch it." I hissed, half-laughing, half-dying as his arms locked around me in a rib-crushing hug.

"Oops, sorry." He shot back, pulling away just enough to glare at me. "But not so sorry. Because are you fucking kidding me? You got shot, and didn't call your best friend."

I rolled my eyes when he dramatically placed his hand on his chest. "Were you expecting me to find out from Delhi breaking news? What kind of bromance betrayal is this?"

I stifled a huff. "Sorry, I was too busy bleeding out to text you."

Aridhi, who had been standing with her arms crossed, chuckled softly. "Dhruv has a point though. You didn't even let me inform him, Ruvit."

"See? She gets it." Dhruv jabbed a finger at me before turning to Aridhi like she was the judge.

"How do you even handle this idiot? Man can run billion-dollar empires but can't keep his body in check?"

Aridhi's lips curved faintly. "He was your man before being mine. So yeah, you know better."

Nandini, who had been standing quietly behind him with a patient smile, finally chimed in. "Almost married couple propaganda."

That earned a loud snicker from Dhruv, before the ladies hugged each other.

"These two look more like a couple than they will look beside us. Don't you agree, Aridhi?" Nandini asked, smiling as she just imposed gay allegations on me and Dhruv.

Before Aridhi could respond to anything, I smirked and slung my good arm around Aridhi's waist. "But I only want my Ardhangini to be beside me."

Dhruv rolled his eyes so hard it was a miracle they didn't get stuck. "God, spare me your PDA."

"Oh, shut up. You're just jealous." I shot back, pressing a kiss on Aridhi's cheek.

"Jealous?" He gasped dramatically. "Bro, the universe itself sent me Nandini. I don't need to be jealous of you here."

Dhruv pulled Nandini closer, holding her shoulder and pointing at Aridhi. "But yes, I am jealous that this boardroom queen is standing beside my man."

Aridhi's brows arched at that, but instead of commenting, she just tilted her head with an amused laugh, watching our ridiculous exchange.

While Nandini elbowed Dhruv. "That's basically cheating, right in front of me, but I support it."

Soon, the four of us settled in the room, steaming cups of tea in front of us.

Dhruv filled the silence, while leaning back like he owned the couch. "Sitting here feels like tenth grade all over again. Except now instead of canteen samosas, you're serving tea."

That brought some memories.

We used to have a meet-up here, in Aridhi's house, for study purposes or simply for fun.

And funny how I still never got a chance to come face-to-face with her grandfather. Ever.

Well, destiny is really an interesting thing.

Aridhi scoffed. "And now, no one's fighting over samosas."

"Oh please." Nandini snorted. "You were the queen of snatching extra samosas."

Aridhi gasped, mocking. "Excuse me? That was a survival instinct. First come, first serve."

"First come?" Dhruv chuckled. "You literally blackmailed the canteen guy into saving you an extra plate."

I grinned. "She still does the same thing. The only difference is that now it's not samosas, it's CEOs."

"Shut up." Aridhi swatted me with a cushion, but her cheeks flushed pink.

I smirked in Dhruv's direction then. "Guess, some of us really grew up." Of course, it was a taunt to him.

"Excuse me?" He raised his brows, feigning offence. "Who was it in class 10 who bunked half the physics classes just to sneak out with me for pani puri rounds?"

"That was for research." I deadpanned, as if it were the most legitimate explanation in the world.

It was not.

Aridhi looked up sharply, her eyes narrowing in disbelief. "Research? How come I never knew about it?"

"Because I never told you." I leaned back, smug. "And it wasn't just research. It was a proper field study on which vendor had the spiciest masala. Critical national-level work, I'd say."

Dhruv burst out laughing so hard he nearly spilled his tea. "You should've seen him, Aridhi. Mr. CEO-in-the-making, crying literal tears because the vendor went overboard with the mirchi."

"I wasn't crying." I glared. "It was just a moisture release, body's natural cooling mechanism."

That only made them laugh harder.

Even Aridhi tried to hide her smile behind the rim of her cup, but her eyes gave her away.

Then, suddenly, her gaze sharpened, like she'd caught something I didn't want her to see. "Now, Mr. Rathore." She said slowly. "Wae did you never tell me about this 'research' of yours?"

I laughed nervously, scratching the back of my neck.

Damn. They didn't lie when they said a man's greatest fear is the woman he loves the most.

"The research was for you, Mrs. Rathore." I flirted shamelessly, but she didn't laugh this time.

She blinked, confused.

So, I sighed, and let the truth slip out like it wasn't a big deal.

"Unlike other girls, you were never really a fan of spice. Remember? Even back in school." I shrugged, eyes softening. "I just thought maybe I could find the vendor whose masala wouldn't make you cry."

The room fell quiet for a moment, just the kind of silence that feels like realization.

Aridhi blinked once, then twice. Before a soft blush climbed up her neck.

"Uh-huh." Nandini broke the silence, nudging her shoulder playfully. "Told you, you had a green flag walking beside you since day one."

Aridhi groaned, glaring at her friend. "What kind of act of service is this? You can always control the spice level just by telling the vendor, no?"

"Maybe." I smiled, staring into her eyes sincerely. "But I didn't want you to adjust your taste for anyone. I just wanted to find the one who matched it naturally, without you complaining and compromising about anything."

Her eyes flickered to mine, like she could see right through my calm exterior into the mess of devotion underneath.

She was controlling herself to not bite her lips.

However, before the silence could grow any deeper, Dhruv whistled loudly, of course, he had to ruin the moment.

Everyone's attention snapped back to him. "You guys remember Mehta sir?"

All three of us groaned in unison at the mention of his name.

"God, don't remind me." Nandini said. "The man made me hate maths because of his strictness."

"He was actually good." Aridhi muttered, making us narrow our eyes at her.

"Says the one who was caught passing me notes in his class." I winked in her direction.

Aridhi froze mid-sip of her tea. "Those were only academic notes, Mr. Rathore."

Dhruv howled. "Academic? Please. I saw one of those notes. It literally said, If you don't share your scale with me during the test, I'll never talk to you again."

Nandini clapped her hands, laughing so hard she almost fell over.

Aridhi turned red, glaring between the two of us. "You're all insufferable."

I passed a flying kiss in her direction but she threw it away. "Rude." I mouthed.

"Oh, oh!" Dhruv snapped his fingers. "Remember the annual function? You were part of that stupid dance competition. Remember, bro?"

Now it was my turn to choke on tea. "Why do you have the memory of an elephant?"

"Because embarrassing you is my life's purpose." Dhruv looked smug.

Aridhi was laughing now, that rare, unrestrained laugh that made her whole face glow.

A sight to preserve in my memories. A sight I would never like to ignore. A sight that is too well tangled in my soul.

I groaned when Dhruv smirked. "Don't bring that up."

"Why not? You killed it." He practically screamed.

"Killed my reputation maybe." I muttered.

Dhruv grinned like a devil. "You, who had sworn on his ancestors never to dance, actually went up to take part in that competition just because Aridhi said. And not only did you go up, you moonwalked in formals, buddy. Perfectly."

Nandini nodded. "Yes, I remember. All the girls were swooning over him. You should have looked at Aridhi's expression. She was literally killing every girl in her mind."

Aridhi's eyes snapped at her, sharp and embarrassed. "Shut up, yawr."

I chuckled. "She was jealous, no?"

"Yes, and the madam was too stubborn to admit it." Nandini teased Aridhi, who was pouting by now.

"Who wouldn't be?" Dhruv cackled. "I mean Ruvit was enjoying every second of the girls screaming his name."

"I. Was. Not." I replied coldly, immediately.

No one ever mattered in front of my Aridhi. No one was really worth my attention except her.

"After that, half the boys were ready to write her poetry because they thought Aridhi wouldn't talk to Ruvit anymore. And poor me, I had to listen to their poems."

Aridhi laughed at Dhruv's comment, loosening up again. "Don't act like you weren't part of it, Dhruv. I distinctly remember you reciting-tere bina zindagi se koi shikwa toh nahi."

[I have no regrets from life without you.]

"I was just trying to see if I can recite poetries or not." He defended, face red.

"Liar." Aridhi said, wiggling her eyebrows. "You were saying all that for Nandini."

The room exploded with laughter, Nandini hiding her face while Dhruv threw a cushion at Aridhi.

When everything settled once again, Aridhi crossed her arms with a mock offense. "So, my soon-to-be husband likes attention from girls while dancing?"

I stared into her eyes, shaking my head in disbelief.

"The only attention I like comes from a woman whose name starts from A and ends with E."

"What?" Aridhi's expression changed to that of the confusion, before sighing amusingly at the realisation.

"Mrs. Aridhi Ruvit Rathore." Nandini called out perfectly, as if she had been practicing it from a long time.

"Oh, Mrs. Nandini Dhruv Thakur." Aridhi said smoothly, duplicating Nandini's tone.

"You two are oddly familiar with calling each other like this." Dhruv's eyebrows twitched at his observation.

"Not that we mind." A smirk formed on my lips before Aridhi slapped my back.

"Oh!" I winced while looking at my blushing mess.

"We just used to tease each other by calling such names. It meant nothing." She replied cheekily.

"Meant nothing, hm." I tilted my head towards her. "And now?"

Her blush deepened. Her wide blue eyes were fixed at me when I supplied. "Does it mean anything now?"

She was sitting so close I could hear her rapid heartbeat.

The silence stretched comfortably yet the nervousness was written all over her majestic face.

"Now it means everything." My breath hitched when she suddenly whispered the words in my ear.

Dhruv's cough brought us back to our surroundings.

Damn him for that.

My eyes shifted back at the couple sitting in front of us.

Nandini smacked his arm playfully. "You never do such things with me. At least let them enjoy the moment."

Dhruv just stared at her, when suddenly he chuckled. "I literally took detentions on your behalf, baby."

"As far as I remember the one time you got detention because you were looking into my physics test." Nandini deadpanned.

"Yes, Dhruv. That wasn't romance. That was cheating." I added, taunting him again.

Aridhi laughed so hard that she covered her mouth while Dhruv threw me a betrayed look.

"Bro, you could at least back me up here." I held up both hands, feigning innocence.

"I'm not getting between you and physics again. Learned that lesson the hard way when you tried to calculate how fast the chalk flies before hitting the teacher's head."

Dhruv snapped his fingers, irritated. "Oh right. And who was it who did the throwing part, huh?"

"That was a collective team effort." I argued, grinning.

"God, you two were such idiots." Aridhi managed between giggles, her cheeks flushed.

"You two have always sounded like those typical teenage movie duos, who are always up to something." Nandini chuckled.

"Didn't you ever get into trouble?" Aridhi asked, then her voice dripped with sarcasm. "Asking because tum dono konsa hme puri baat btaya karte the."

[Asking because you both never used to tell us the whole story.]

Dhruv and I looked at each other, then broke into identical grins.

"English wali mam ki scooty yaad hain?" Dhruv said at the same time I said. "PT sir ki bike yaad hain?"

[Remember english teacher's scooty? Remember PT sir's bike?]

We both burst out laughing.

Dhruv clapped his hands, delighted. "Fine. Storytime. So, remember Dwivedi Mam? Our infamous English teacher from class 11th, who used to park her pink scooty inside the school compound."

Aridhi and Nandini nodded in unison.

But I? I was already scratching the back of my neck, out of nervousness.

"Ruvit the genius started the engine of her scooty by bypassing the ignition system."

"I did not do it intentionally." I cut in. "I just figured out how the ignition lock worked."

"He literally started the scooty in under two minutes." Dhruv threw his hands up. "And instead of turning it off, he revved it so loud the entire staff room came running out. And then, we both got punishment for it, huh."

Nandini covered her mouth, laughing. "Seriously?"

"It was nothing compared to the water balloon fiasco Dhruv created." I added, smirking.

Dhruv wagged a finger at me. "Please, not that."

"Do tell." Aridhi urged, eyes glinting.

"So, Dhruv and I filled like fifty balloons the night before holi on his terrace. We were throwing them on passerbys when suddenly the principal appeared on that same road and got a hit."

Dhruv slapped his forehead. "And guess he slipped on one of our balloons and fractured his ankle."

Aridhi gasped. "Oh, yes, that's wae he was on a holiday for a month."

Dhruv nodded.

I couldn't stop laughing. "Although, we didn't do it on purpose, he still gave us detention."

Aridhi shook her head, half amused, half exasperated. "No doubt he was keeping a strict eye on you both during the farewell party."

Nandini chimed in. "Even then, they succeeded to get on his nerves. Remember the moment when Dhruv and Ruvit got into a fight over the title of the Most Handsome Boy?"

"Yeah." Aridhi teased, bumping her shoulder into mine, gently. "Turns out, it was my man after all."

Nandini shook her head, lips curving up. "Only because Dhruv spilled his drink on principal's suit."

Dhruv's laughter filled the entire room. "Worth it." He said simply, with zero regret.

I glanced at him before bursting out in laughter, remembering the moments of that day.

The auditorium buzzed with music and chatter.

Fairy lights glimmered from every corner, and the air smelled of roses, marigolds, tulips, and the sharp tang of wood burning in the havankund.

It was the farewell day, one of those evenings that promised laughter and tears all at once.

The night that takes our past and directs our future, the last day of the school.

The double doors opened and Aridhi and Nandini walked in like two divas, arm in arm.

Aridhi was wearing a pastel blue lehenga, while Nandini wore a flowing pink lehanga, embroidered with golden vines.

Their dupattas were draped elegantly across their shoulders.

Their entrance was enough to draw every head in the room.

"Arey wah!" A boy whispered to his friend. "Kya lag rahi hain dono."

[Wow, both of them look stunning.]

The murmurs spread like wildfire, boys elbowing each other and craning their necks to catch a better look.

And then, Ruvit and Dhruv entered behind them.

Both wore crisp white kurta-pyjamas, sleeves rolled up just enough to reveal the effortless veins of their forearms.

Ruvit's gaze immediately found Aridhi, while Dhruv's eyes softened the second they landed on Nandini.

"I don't feel like looking at anyone else anymore." Dhruv muttered under his breath, earning a knowing smirk from Ruvit.

The four locked eyes across the hall.

There were smiles and the possessive kind of look that conveyed everything they couldn't speak in that moment.

But it didn't last long when DJ switched tracks, and the opening beats of Chikni Chameli filled the air.

The hall erupted in cheers and choas.

Before anyone could blink, Aridhi and Nandini exchanged one mischievous glance, and ran toward the stage.

The crowd went wild as the two of them began dancing, waist swaying, hair flying, anklets chiming.

They twirled, laughed, and moved with a freedom that was both mesmerizing and intoxicating.

"Hayeee." A small word of praise escaped Ruvit's lips, his stormy eyes fixed on his ocean eyes.

"Me toh gaya kaam se." Dhruv muttered, admiring Nandini from afar.

(This is going to be trouble.)

"Oye." Ruvit suddenly shook Dhruv's shoulder when he heard other boys whistling.

Dhruv glanced at Ruvit, understanding instantly what was happening around them; the rest of the boys were eyeing their women.

"Let's handle them." His voice was clipped, his jaw tightening.

And they did.

The moment a group of guys tried inching closer to the stage, both Ruvit and Dhruv cut through the crowd.

"Back off." Ruvit snapped at one, his voice low but dangerous enough to silence him on the spot.

Dhruv wasn't far behind, blocking another with a glare that could've burned holes through their souls.

By the time the song ended, the crowd had backed off entirely.

Only Ruvit and Dhruv stood at the edge of the stage, arms folded, eyes sharp, like silent guardians.

When Aridhi and Nandini hopped down, flushed and laughing, the boys didn't smile. Instead their jealousy took over.

"Acha lag raha tha na aapko?" Ruvit muttered under his breath to Aridhi, leaning close enough that only she could hear. "Saare ladko k samne aese gaane par dance karna?"

[You enjoyed that, didn't you? Dancing in front of everyone on such song?]

Aridhi smirked, eyes glinting. "Jealous much?"

Ruvit didn't answer. He just caught her wrist and pulled her an inch closer, enough to make her breath hitch.

"They were eyeing you improperly, Aridhi." The words felt like fire to Aridhi's ears. But she was grinning.

"And you, as always, shoo them away." Aridhi replied in a flirty manner, making Ruvit blush.

On the other hand, Dhruv wasn't any softer. "Nandini, aap bohut khurafati harkatein karti ho. Half the hall was ready to jump on the stage, you know?"

[Your actions are very mischievous, Nandini.]

She laughed, brushing his arm. "And half the hall got scared of you. So, it got balanced."

Dhruv just stared at his girlfriend with hearty eyes. "God, I love you so much."

The rest of the evening flowed in waves of teasing and stolen glances.

They clicked pictures together.

In one picture, Aridhi was rolling her eyes when Ruvit refused to let her stand too far from him.

In another, Nandini was tugging Dhruv's sleeve when he pouted that she was smiling more at the camera than at him.

When the teachers began their speeches, the four slipped out into the school garden.

The air was cooler there, the fairy lights from the hall casting a soft glow across the lawn.

"Do you guys realise?" Nandini said suddenly, her voice unusually quiet. "This is our last night here. From tomorrow, we won't be students anymore."

Her words settled over them like a blanket of truth.

"Hmm." Ruvit leaned against the railing, his gaze distant. "But these three years were the best part of my life."

Aridhi stood beside him, her dupatta brushing against his arm. "And now, they will be just memories."

Dhruv broke the gloomy atmosphere with his trademark grin. "Memories are good. They remind you of who you were."

"And memories don't let you forget what reality was once." Ruvit smiled at Aridhi.

"Like we can never forget each other." Dhruv commented, his eyes closed.

He was enjoying the moment while resting his head on Nandini's shoulder. "Especially you. I can never forget about you, my future doctor."

Nandini's cheeks turned pink, but her smile was radiant.

Under that starlit sky, something unshakable was established.

Promises. Bonds. Love.

A friendship the world could test but never tear apart.

Why? Because...

Pyar dosti hain.

[Love is friendship.]

The room went quiet.

Dhruv leaned back against the couch, running a hand through his hair with that cocky grin of his. "Man. I swear, if I live to be a hundred, that farewell party will still haunt me."

Nandini rolled her eyes. "Haunt you, really?"

"Because of you." Dhruv raised a finger like a lawyer. "You left me after that night, without any explanation."

Nandini parted her lips to say something but she couldn't.

Just to deflect them, I snorted, my arm slung lazily over the sofa.

"He was like..." I took a minute before I started singing his perspective when Nandini left.

"Toota hua saaz hu me. Khud se hi naaraz hu me. Seene mein jo kahi pe dabi hain, aisi koi aawaz hu me. Sun le mujhe tu bin kahe, kab tak khaamoshi dil sahe."

[I am a broken instrument. I am angry with myself. I am a voice that is buried somewhere in my heart. Listen to me without me saying anything, how long can my heart tolerate silence?]

Aridhi giggled. "Shut up. Don't make fun of him."

"And you were like..." Dhruv joined me, singing my perspective when Aridhi left.

"Jo le jaoge khwab mere, toh kaise jiyenge hum. Jeena humko aata hi nahi, teri saanson ke siva. Marna bhi ab na mumkhin hain, teri baahon ke siva. Lo maan liya humne, parvah nahi tumko."

[If you take away my dreams, how will I live? I don't know how to live except in your breath. Even dying is now impossible except in your arms. See, I have accepted, you don't care.]

"Okay, okay, stop you both." Nandini said. "You two sing good but we are not having a competition here. And if you really had one in farewell, you both had wasted it by acting like goons."

Dhruv barked a laugh. "I mean yeah, Ruvit glared at most of the boys like a gangster. Even the principal asked me later why he looked like he was auditioning for a mafia movie."

Aridhi's lips twitched, trying not to laugh. "The way you both were acting, it was like we were some malkins in a palace and you were the bodyguards on payroll."

"Payroll?" I turned my head toward her, narrowing my eyes. "Madam, do I look like someone who takes salary to protect you?"

She smirked, leaning in. "Then what do you take?"

I whispered back, low enough for only her. "You."

Her cheeks flamed, but before she could retort, Dhruv clapped his hands together.

"Give these two a corner and they'll start their own movie." Dhruv teased and pointed between me and Aridhi.

Nandini laughed, leaning into Dhruv. "True. You and I had to drag them out of classrooms so many times." She wagged her brows dramatically.

I rolled my eyes. "Stop exaggerating. We weren't like that."

Dhruv laughed, slapping his thigh. "Bro, don't make me list incidents one by one. Library, Computer lab, basketball court-"

"Shut up." I launched a cushion straight at his face.

Dhruv caught it mid-air, grinning ear to ear. "See? Proof. He's getting violent because I'm speaking facts."

The room filled with laughter.

Aridhi and Nandini were enjoying the friendly roast way too much.

Finally, Dhruv leaned back, his grin softening into something more genuine.

"But honestly," His voice lowered, losing its teasing edge. "That farewell night? I think it was the first time I realised that no matter whatever happens, we four are always going to be together."

My smirk faded into a small smile. "Yeah."

For a few minutes, no one spoke.

The weight of warm and bittersweet memories wrapped around us. And then, of course, Dhruv ruined it once again.

"By the way, Aridhi?" He leaned forward, mischief flashing in his eyes, "Shall we recreate that dance tonight? Nandini and you on the stage, me and Ruvit playing the bodyguard role."

"Bodyguard for what? Protecting them from ghosts?" I said, the laughter carrying through the walls.

But truth be told, it was all worth it.

Seeing Aridhi dancing in her traditional attire, face glowing under the lights, laughter echoing through the hall, was something that etched itself into my mind.

For forever.

"Guys, did you figure out anything about who was the shooter?" Nandini asked suddenly, her voice sharp as the atmosphere changed.

I glanced at Aridhi, waiting for her to reply.

Then she went on yapping about everything we knew. From her grandfather's accident to Ishir's stalker tendencies.

She told them everything, didn't hide a single fact and plan.

"I can't believe it." Nandini gasped, walking over towards Aridhi. "I never thought Ishir is that kind of guy."

"Neither did I, but you know, betrayals come from the people you are close with." Aridhi's voice was low and practical.

Dhruv's face was dipped in fury. "Bro, seriously? If he can't get Aridhi, he will go on killing her? Disgusting bastard."

I acknowledged him with a nod when he added. "Tell us if you need some help, we are here for you."

I gave him a fist bump. "I think I can ask for your help."

"Yeah sure. What is it?" Dhruv asked, ready to help as always.

"Remember the showroom I brought my first car from?" My question was straight, to which he simply agreed with a yes.

"I want you to investigate it thoroughly, from that day. And tell me what went wrong."

Dhruv sleeked back on the couch and sighed. "It have been 5 years so it's going to be hard. But don't worry, I will do it for you. I will call my people and start the investigation right away."

"Hm. Thanks buddy." I smiled. "Though, I have also told Abhir to do it."

Dhruv opened his mouth to speak but got cut off when my phone started to ring.

When Aridhi helped me to pull it out from my pants' pocket, it flashed with ‘Little Devil’ aka Abhir's name.

Speak of the devil got real.

I accepted the call and put it on the speaker. Abhir's cheerful voice filled the empty silence.

"Bro, I have found the guy who messed up with your car.

He was a worker there for years so he knew perfectly how everything worked.

And since he was old enough, he retired soon after.

In that way, no one ever doubted him. And don't worry, I didn't use violence on him.

Yet. Because he already told me that he did it because he got paid a large amount of money but he doesn't know the actual person behind it, like any movie scene. As usual."

He said all that in one breath.

Well, I could see Rishika's effect on him for some reason.

"But here is a cue." Abhir didn't stop as he kept rambling.

"The old man, by his experience and all that shit, confirmed that the man who paid him to do so was clearly well versed with technology.

He told him how to discharge brakes effortlessly and unseen.

So, you can say Ishir is the one. And I have already sent you the footage as a proof. "

"Woah, smart and fast, baby." Aridhi mumbled beside me.

"Eh? What are you doing with brother-in-law's phone, di?" Abhir's voice turned bored.

"Checking his phone." Aridhi answered shamelessly.

"Na kare janab na kare." Abhir let out a small laugh. "Aap unka itna khoon pi jati hogi ki bechare bhaiya ko time hi nahi milta hoga kisi aur se baat karne ka."

[Don't do it. You must be draining him so much that poor bro won't have time to talk to anyone else.]

Everyone, except Aridhi, laughed aloud, the earlier tension subsiding.

"I am telling Rishika that you once kissed a girl on her cheek when you were 7." Aridhi blackmailed Abhir over the phone.

"NO!" Abhir screamed, then muttered. "Vo kaleshi aurat mera jeena haram kar degi, di. Please no."

[That dramatic woman will make my life hell, sis.]

Bro got nightmares, even in his voice.

"Why are you shouting? It's not a big deal that Virat got out on a zero." Rishika's irritated tone was heard on the speaker.

The bustling sounds of a cricket match from television rang in the background.

When did my dear sister Rishika, who swore on her life that she will never watch a 'boring' cricket match, get interest in it?

Their company is surely doing something to eachother.

"It's damn well a big deal. Mera Virat goat se bathak kab ban gya, pata hi nahi chala." Abhir said in a crying tone.

[I didn't even realize when my Virat became Duck from the Goat.]

Aridhi giggled, enjoying the banter between Abhir and Rishika. It was me who hung up the call.

"They two are so lively I sometimes forget that they are academic rivals." She shook her head, a small smirk playing on her lips.

"Because pretending exists." I shrugged my shoulder, out of the matter of fact.

"That aside," Dhruv beamed with excitement. "Abhir is a generational talent, I must say. Young. Handsome. Genius."

"And yet failed AILET two times." Aridhi rolled her eyes at Dhruv's compliments for Abhir.

Dhruv glared at Aridhi. "Are you kidding me?" Aridhi glared back at him. "Yes, duh."

I huffed in amusement. "At least now we have more proof against Ishir."

"All thanks to Abhir." Dhruv leaned back on the couch, crossing his legs, an unreadable look forming on his face.

"You know," He began, scratching his jaw. "Abhir sounds like he's running a side business in cyber intelligence. I won't even be surprised if he hacks into the CBI one day."

Nandini snorted, "With Rishika as his back-up hacker?" Aridhi joined in. "That's the power couple energy right there."

I chuckled, watching all of them. "Power couple? I think they're chaos couple. One starts fire, the other provides oxygen."

That made everyone burst into laughter again.

"Still, we've got something solid now." Dhruv said once the laughter died down, turning serious again. "Totally clean."

"Too clean." I muttered. "That's what bothers me."

They all looked at me.

"If Ishir wanted to erase evidence, he could've wiped it in a better way. Yet we're finding clues conveniently." I paused, choosing my words carefully. "I feel something is wrong."

A short silence followed, filled only by the ticking of the wall clock.

"Reverse psychology?" Dhruv guessed.

"Maybe." I said. "Or he really didn't bother to erase the evidence more clearly."

Aridhi nodded slowly, her expression thoughtful. "He planned that brake failure to kill you. Who would have guessed that a showroom worker's could be involved in it? And that's wae Ishir didn't bother to cover such trivial matters."

"Agreed." I continued. "But anyways, let's focus on what we have planned right now."

Her gaze met mine and that unspoken understanding sparkled.

?

The morning air of Mumbai was unusually crisp.

Deceptive, even.

Because one minute, it's something else. And the another, boom, it completely changes.

So, here I am using it for my own purpose, my own benefit, my own new beginning.

And beneath every beginning, there's an ending quietly waiting for its turn.

I adjusted the sleeves of my beige blazer, stepped out of the car, and stared at the half-renovated structure that used to be my pride.

My Racing Hub.

Steel frames glistened under the overcast sky.

Sparks from welding machines flickered like tiny stars in broad daylight.

The faint scent of oil, concrete, and wet soil mingled in the air.

The monsoon had left the site slightly damp, wires coiled carelessly as they were half-covered under tarpaulin sheets.

Perfect.

Exactly the kind of environment where one misstep could look like a tragic accident.

I am going to suffer a major loss but guess, even my balance sheet would appreciate it.

"Looks like the queen's back at her fortress." A familiar voice said behind me.

I turned slowly, a neutral smile on my face as Ishir Khurana came in my vision.

He was perfectly groomed in his charcoal suit and polished shoes that didn't deserve to touch this ground.

I have to sanitize it.

His presence carried the same arrogance wrapped in honey that once fooled me. But now, I could recognise it effortlessly.

He stepped closer. "I didn't expect a personal tour. I must have earned special points after signing the partnership contract."

"You did." I said smoothly, walking ahead as his gaze lingered on me. "You agreed to be my partner in progress."

He chuckled softly. "I like that term. Partner in progress. It feels nice to hear it."

"I thought you'd appreciate it." I didn't have to turn around to know he was staring.

I could feel his calculating gaze dissecting every inch of me.

As we entered the main structure, I gestured toward the open floor.

"This section was hit the worst during the previous accident. The support beams were fixed last week. Only minor inspections are left now."

Ishir nodded, hands in pockets. "I must say, you've recovered fast. Not everyone can rebuild something that almost collapsed."

"Oh, I don't rebuild." I said. "I build the reimagined version."

His lips curved slightly. "Still the same fiery woman."

"Careful." I replied lightly. "You might burn yourself if you keep playing with fire."

He chuckled, pretending to take it as banter, but the way his jaw flexed betrayed him.

I guided him toward the east wing, the technological sector of the hub.

Rows of high-end systems stood temporarily connected, testing the new control modules for lighting and ventilation.

The place was set but not stable.

"This is the brain." I explained. "Once this section stabilizes, we'll run trial simulations for real-time race analysis."

"Impressive." His eyes roamed across the panels, his greed almost visible. "No wonder high end technology is required for it and investors are dying to get a piece of this."

"Except you." I murmured.

His attention snapped to me. "What's that supposed to mean?"

I tilted my head, smiling faintly. "Because you are now already a part of it."

For a fraction of a second, something slipped in his demeanor and an amused laugh escaped his lips.

"Thank you for considering me your partner, truly." He continued sweetly.

"Of course." I replied, walking ahead. "Follow me. There's something you should see."

We moved deeper inside the section where live cables hung loosely from the ceiling, still under testing.

One of the technicians was adjusting the upper grid.

The monsoon humidity made the air thick, mixing with the smell of heavy metal.

A faint rumble of thunder echoed outside. And then suddenly a loud crack sound was heard.

As planned.

A large metal frame dislodged from the temporary scaffold and came crashing down between us.

Sparks erupted as it hit a bundle of live wires, slicing through the floor dust.

The noise was unbearable.

"Aridhi!" Ishir's voice rang out, genuine concern laced with panic.

I stumbled back, one hand pressed against my chest, feigning shock. "I'm fine. Just stay where you are. Your end has no alternative escape."

I coughed because smoke began to coil upward from the fractured cables.

Then, as if even god wanted to execute our plan, the faint drizzle outside turned into a heavier rainfall.

And when water met exposed wires, the world around him ignited.

A searing flash. A hiss. Then fire.

The east wing, especially where Ishir was trapped, burst into flames so fast it was almost unnatural.

The dry wood panels caught fire, and the electrical surge spread like wildfire across the control boards.

"Help! Someone get the extinguishers." I shouted, voice commanding, perfectly rehearsed.

The workers nearby scrambled, rushing to save their lives.

The chaos that erupted felt like music to my ears.

My phone was already in my hand. I pretended to dial. "Yes, there's a fire at Aridhi's Racing Hub. Please hurry!"

I heard Ishir coughing through the smoke, yelling my name again. "Aridhi! Get out!"

I moved closer to the threshold, the golden firelight reflecting off my face.

"I told you," I said softly, just loud enough for my own conscience to hear. "Playing with fire burns."

Flames roared higher, devouring his side completely. The heat filled the air, hot and merciless.

My heels clicked against the wet floor as I turned, stepping back through the smoke, emerging from the inferno.

Behind me, the world glowed orange, and I walked through it like the storm that finally decided to burn instead of cry.

Rain stopped on its own clue, as if not wanting to extinguish the fire even by mistake.

But I didn't stop.

Each step forward was a promise, a vengeance, and a sin sealed in revenge.

Because the metal that fell sparked the wires, which was mixed with the humidity in the air.

And as the water touched the already ignited cables, everything around it caught fire.

Feels anything but deliberate.

He won't die in there because I know that he wants to live.

He would try his best to escape the fire, but by then, it would be too late.

He would burn anyways. He would be harmed by the fire anyways. He would feel the pain anyways.

This fire was a statement, a reciprocal, a revenge to what he did to me on this same ground.

And sadistically, there is so much more to come.

Because when a lady takes revenge, the devil sits back and watch and take notes, my dear.

?

1. FIRE AT UNDER-CONSTRUCTION RACING HUB.

Last afternoon, a fire broke out at the under-construction site of the Business Queen, Aridhi Agarwal's Racing Hub, situated near the coastal industrial stretch of Navi Mumbai.

The facility that is owned by Aridhi Agarwal and Ruvit Rathore recently collaborated with the tech-businessman, Ishir Khurana.

The hub had recently undergone a technological restoration after last week's structural damage due to the machines.

According to preliminary reports, the fire began around 12:36 PM in the eastern corridor, a section equipped with electrical frameworks and testing grids.

Officials suspect that a short circuit, triggered by residual rainwater seeping into an active panel, may have caused the initial spark.

Within minutes, the blaze spread across adjoining compartments, fuelled by dry paint solvents and wiring clusters.

By 1:00 PM, on-site personnel and security teams had begun evacuations.

Sources confirmed that Mr. Khurana and Ms. Agarwal were present at the time of the incident, supervising an inspection.

Witnesses stated that a portion of the upper scaffold, weakened by previous repairs, collapsed unexpectedly, dividing the inspection crew.

"Miss Agarwal was calling for help, and Mr. Khurana tried to reach her, but then something fell between them." Said a construction worker on site. "There was too much smoke. Everyone ran for water pipes, but the pressure failed."

Due to heavy rainfall, traffic congestion delayed the arrival of fire brigade vehicles by nearly twenty minutes.

Emergency response teams reached the premises around 1:48 PM, but by then, the fire had consumed nearly forty percent of the east wing.

Footage obtained from nearby surveillance cameras captured columns of smoke billowing across the monsoon-grey clouds.

2. MISSING PERSON CONFIRMATION!!

After over two hours of firefighting operations, authorities confirmed that Mr. Ishir Khurana was unaccounted for.

Search and rescue teams continued scouring the damaged structure and adjoining areas throughout the night.

Local police have registered the case as accidental fire due to electrical malfunction.

A forensic unit is expected to examine the remains of the power grid system for confirmation.

3. BODY FOUND NEAR WATER CHANNEL!?

At dawn, a municipal worker patrolling the stormwater canal near the industrial coast reported sighting a body caught in the reeds.

Upon inspection, responders identified it as the body of an adult male, later confirmed to be Mr. Khurana.

The body was found half-submerged in a shallow offshoot of the sea inlet, approximately 400 meters from the Aridhi's hub perimeter.

Officials suggest that the force of water runoff from firefighting operations could have displaced it.

When pulled to the embankment, the corpse showed multiple bruises, burn marks along the left arm and shoulder, and deep lacerations likely caused by sharp metallic debris.

His shirt was torn, soot clinging to his skin like a second layer.

The oceanic water around him was clouded, an ashen mix of salt, smoke, and blood.

Tiny fish were circling the still body, darting between the folds of burnt fabric.

Rescue officers noted that his hand was clenched around a fragment of scorched wiring, perhaps from his attempt to find balance amid the blaze.

"It looked like he tried to crawl out." One responder said quietly. "You could tell from the scratches on his palms. He was on the verge of death."

The waves continued to move, brushing against his form as if nature itself was indifferent to the man it had reclaimed.

By 7:30 PM, his body was covered and carried into the waiting ambulance. The police sealed the site soon after.

4. STATEMENT ISSUED BY AUTHORITIES.

In an official press release, the Mumbai Police described the event as a tragic accident caused by an electrical short circuit exacerbated by weather conditions.

There was no mention of foul play. No reference to the names that lingered behind closed doors.

Only a line that was issued. "The investigation is ongoing."

There is also a possibility that Aridhi's Racing Hub is going to be suspended.

~·~

Sorry for not updating for a month and more.

But tum log conversation board bhi kholke dekh liya karo. ??????

Mera kuch bhala ho jayega!! ????

By the way, in next chapter, Ruvit is going to propose Aridhi.

Or the other way round? ??

Stay tuned.???