Chapter Fifty Eight.
Note..
I’ve decided to remove the Aesthetic page. Since everyone has a different vision of how these characters look, I’m clearing the slate! I want you all to have the freedom to imagine Devraj, Ira, and the rest of the cast exactly how you see them in your mind’s eye.
Aesthetic was never a requirement for this journey, and I don't want anything to distract from the story itself.
?From here on out, we’re letting the words do the talking. Let your imagination run wild!
You have total creative control over their faces now! I’ll keep focusing on the raw emotions and the plot we all love.
Anyways let's go back to our story??
~??~?~??~
Next Day..
Ritika’s eyes followed Ira with curiosity.
Ira was pacing around her room, biting her lip.
Every few steps, she’d mutter something under her breath, her mind clearly spinning in a thousand different directions.
"You’re going to give yourself vertigo if you keep that up.." Ritika said, leaning back on her elbows and crossing her legs.
Ira came to a dead stop, her chest heaving as she let out asigh. She turned around to face her friend in desperation.
"Then tell me what to do, Ritika! Don’t just sit there and watch me!"
Ritika crossed her arms over her chest.
"Honestly? I don't have a magic wand for this one, Ira. You aren't just in trouble, you are in a deep, boiling-hot mess." A small, mischievous smirk played on Ritika’s lips.
"Not funny..." Ira glared at her.
"Exactly! It’s not a joke!" Ritika’s voice grew serious as she raised an eyebrow. "You shouldn't have just handed yourself over. You agreed to be his woman and you actually think you can just... drive him off your back? Like he’s some annoying fly?"
"He was going to destroy the work–"
"I know! I get it! You were saving your father.." Ritika interrupted, standing up to face her friend.
"But this is Devraj Singh Rathore we’re talking about. He was already breathing down your neck when he had no claim on you. Making yourself his woman is like giving a drug addict the keys to containers filled with hard drugs. He’s never going to let go now."
Ira rubbed her temples, feeling the dull throb of a headache.
"That’s why I need your help! I need a strategy, Ritika!"
"Did you tell your parents yet?" Ritika asked, her eyes searching Ira’s face.
"No.." Ira said firmly. "I need to clear this mess first. I don’t want them knowing I’m dating that man. Besides, there's no point in telling them because we aren’t going to be together long enough for it to matter."
Ritika let out a disbelieving chuckle. "The optimism is cute, Ira. Delusional, but cute. Okay, fine. If you want a way out, you really only have two options."
Ira straightened her posture, her ears practically perking up.
"I'm listening."
"Option one.." Ritika said, almost whispering.
"You leave India. And I don’t mean catching a bus to Pune or a flight to Kolkata.
I mean disappearing. Pack a bag, grab your passport, and head for Europe or North America.
Somewhere far away, somewhere where the name Rathore doesn't open every door.
You need to go where his shadow can't reach. "
"What? I can’t leave India!" Ira exclaimed, her voice rising. "Even if I could somehow fund a disappearing act, what do I tell my parents? And I don’t even know anyone there!."
"Then the other option.." Ritika said, "is to become the total opposite of yourself. But honestly? I don’t think you have it in you."
Ira blinked once. Then twice. She looked at her friend.
"What?"
"Think about it, Ira. You’re sweet, you're kind, you're considerate, you're smart..." she paused, looking at Ira’s confused face. "Well, in this case, you aren't being particularly smart.." she mumbled under her breath.
"I heard that!" Ira glared.
"Whatever. My point is, you’re selfless, feisty, and brave.." Ritika continued sheepishly.. "All of those things? They’re exactly what might have attracted him."
Ira went quiet, her gaze drifting to the window as she got lost in thought
"So... if I do the opposite... if I become someone he can't stand... he’ll get tired of me.."
Ritika sighed, looking at her friend with pity.
"Ira, the opposite means you have to be selfish, demanding, arrogant, self-centered. A total gold-digger and a manipulator."
Ira cringed with every word, the descriptions feeling like mud being thrown at her.
"Thinking about it... that just reminds me of Alia." she mumbled.
Ritika burst out laughing, the tension breaking for a second.
"No wonder Devraj doesn’t like her! She’s everything he hates in a woman."
A lightbulb practically flickered to life above Ira’s head. Her eyes narrowed, a glint appearing in the eyes.
"Maybe I can do that.." she whispered.
"Say what? Ira, no!" Ritika’s laughter vanished instantly. "That isn't you. You can’t fake being a Villainess. Just try and talk to him again. Tell him you need time to think about accepting the relationship–"
"That deranged man doesn't have ears for reasoning!" Ira gritted. "And what time are you talking about? I don’t want him at all! I just wish some other girl would come along and take him away so I can breathe again!"
Ritika looked at the fuming, red-faced Ira and couldn't help it, she started laughing again.
"You look like a frustrated teapot, Ira. But if you're really going to play The Villainess, you better be ready. Because if he catches onto the act, he might just find it even more fascinating."
Ira eyes clouded with fear, but she buried it.
"I just believe whatever idea you are planning, I fear it will pull you deeper into this trap, Ira." Ritika said, her voice heavy with concern. "Devraj isn't a man you play games with."
"No, it won't." Ira said, her chin lifting with a newfound determination.
"I just need to be the opposite of myself. That will get him frustrated. He will hate me and get off my back. He wants a saint, I'll give him a headache."
Ritika just sighed, shaking her head as if she could already see the collision course Ira was setting for herself.
Just then, the vibration of Ira’s phone cut through the room. Ritika frowned, her gaze darting to the screen.
"That’s him?"
Ira nodded, it rang for three seconds before, she took a long breath before she swiped to answer.
"Meri Jaan..." Devraj’s voice came through, sounding breathless, as if he’d been holding his breath until the moment she picked up. He sounded genuinely happy.
"What do you want?"
To her irritation, Devraj didn't sound hurt. He let out a chuckle.
"Well... I missed you.." he admitted. "And you didn’t call. You aren't replying to my messages. I thought I’d call... though I honestly thought you wouldn't pick up. I almost lost my shit, Ira." He followed it with a casual chuckle, but he had been on the edge of a breakdown.
Ritika, watching from the bed, let out a tiny smile. The drama of the man feared by some, was almost impressive.
"You called at the wrong time. I’m busy right now.." Ira said, leaning into her new arrogant persona.
Ritika couldn't help it, the sight of Ira trying so hard to be mean made her let out a muffled chuckle.
It was barely a sound, but on the other end, Devraj’s side of the line went deathly quiet. The transition was so abrupt it felt like the air had been sucked out of the room..
Ira sighed at Ritika’s silliness, ready to end the call..
"I have to g–"
"Who is with you?"
Ira’s brow furrowed. "What?"
"I heard someone. Who are you with, Ira?" His breathing was changing, the calmness was slipping away.
His breath was increasing, sounding heavy.
"Tell me. Now."
"I’m with Ritika." Ira said, raising an eyebrow at her friend.
There was a long pause where the only sound was the thud of Devraj’s heart reflecting through his heavy breathing, then a long shaky exhale of pure relief followed.
"Okay. Good." he breathed. The tension didn't leave his voice, but the immediate threat of him storming the house seemed to recede.
Ira stood there, completely confused.
"Hmm.."
Maybe i should demand something? Something so outrageous it would make his have a second thought on her.
"Oh, um. Ritika and I are going shopping." Ira said, her voice was in a forced, sassy arrogance. "And I want..." She bit her lip, taking a deep breath. "Money." She gulped..
Ritika’s eyes nearly popped out of her head. She stared at Ira as if her friend had suddenly grown a second head.
The line went silent. Ira held her breath, waiting for the explosion. She expected him to get angry, to call her a leech, to realize she was just like the women he usually despised.
"Yes, I want money.." Ira doubled down, her voice was demanding. "And I'm talking lots of it! There are new designer collections I need to get... and if you don't give me the money, don't even think about talking to me again!"
Ira grinned at Ritika, who promptly facepalmed and groaned into her hand.
This is it.. Ira thought. He’s going to yell. He’s going to be disgusted.
Instead...
"Okay. But, I will send a car to assist you to whichever mall you want.." Devraj said, his voice sounding breathless, almost giddy. "Two guards will accompany you, and I’ll send my black card over immediately. Actually, I’ll call the mall owner now...I’ll have them clear the floor so only you can shop.
You shouldn't have to deal with a crowd, Jaan. "
Ira froze. The grin vanished from her face. "What?" she whispered, her brain short-circuiting.
"Do you want anything else, Meri Jaan?" he pressed, his words tripping over each other in his haste to please her. "Do... do you want the designers to come to the house instead? I will arrange for a private viewing–"
"No! Ugh! No, you crazy man!" Ira gritted out, her frustration boiling over.
This wasn't the reaction she wanted!
"Oh... then what other things do you want? I will–"
"Just stop talking!" Ira snapped. Devraj went instantly silent, obeying her. "I'm demanding a huge, ridiculous amount of money from you! Why are you just giving it to me?!"
"Um... I'm giving it to you because you want it." Devraj said, sounding genuinely confused as to why she was angry. "I can send my other unlimited cards if you want! Do you need more?"
In his office, Devraj’s mind was racing.
Did she want something else? Like Advik said? Maybe she wants...Oh, yeah..A diamond ring! Yes, I should get her a ring! It must be rare... it must be worth millions! My Ira deserve what worth millions!
"You know what? Forget it! I don't want anything anymore!" Ira groaned, the throbbing in her temples turning into a full-blown migraine.
Her plan to be a shallow demanding brat had crashed and burned in the face of his bottomless wallet.
"Why? If the card is too slow, I can transfer the funds to your–"
"I said forget it!" Ira snapped in frustration.
She rubbed her eyes, feeling like she was fighting a war against a man who thought she was just playing hard to get.
"You sound upset... what happened?" Devraj’s voice shifted instantly.
Ira fought the urge to roll her eyes so hard they’d get stuck.
Across from her, Ritika was watching the meltdown with a look of entertainment.
"Um... my mother is calling me now. I have to go." Ira lied, her voice tight.
"Okay. I love you, Meri Jaan..." he whispered, a shiver down her spine.
She gulped, and hung up without a word.
"Well, so much for the gold-digger strategy.." Ritika said, breaking into a fit of laughter.
She stood up from the bed, watching as Ira massaged her head in a desperate attempt to stay sane.
"You tried to rob the man, and he tried to buy you the mall. You’re failing at being a villain, Ira."
"He's impossible.." Ira groaned. "I want him to hate me, not offer me an unlimited credit line."
Just then, a knock echoed from the front door downstairs. Ira’s mother would likely be the one to answer it..
"Let’s go downstairs.." Ritika said, walking over and giving Ira a sympathetic pat on her back.
Ira smoothed her hair, composed her face, and followed Ritika out of the room.
~??~
"I'm coming..." Ira’s mother called out, rushing to thw door.
"All these neighbors and their random disturbances." she mumbled to herself, opening the door.
She expected a familiar face, a neighbor asking for something or complaining about something like that always do..but the person standing there made the blood in her veins turn to ice.
"H... Hello, Aunty..."
Deepak.
But it wasn't the Deepak she remembered. He looked unhinged, his clothes rumpled and his eyes bloodshot, darting around, twitching.
He flashed a smile that didn't reach his eyes, a terrifying hollow expression that made her grip on the door handle tighten.
"W... what are you doing here?" she gulped.
Deepak didn't answer. Instead, he craned his neck, trying to peer past her shoulder, desperate to catch even a little glimpse of Ira.
"A... Aunty... you remember me, right?" he whispered.
"Y... Yes..."
"Good. Where is I... Ira? Is she home?" he asked.
"N... no, she is not.." Sunita lied, her voice trembling.
Deepak’s face twisted instantly, his features contorting into disappointment.
"W... where did she go? When will she be back?"
Just then, unknowingly, Ira and Ritika were walking down the staircase, discussing.
Ritika was the first to notice. She slowed her pace, her eyes narrowing at the sight of Ira’s mother standing rigid and stiff at the door.
"Is Aunty okay?" Ritika asked softly.
Ira frowned as she looked over.. They shared a quick, uneasy look before descending the last few steps.
As Ira reached the bottom, the angle shifted, and the face of the intruder was finally revealed.
"Wait... isn't that the crazy guy? Mr. Tiwari’s son?" Ritika hissed, her eyes widening in recognition.
Ira’s breath hitched.
Driven by a instinct, Deepak’s gaze pierced through inside again.
The moment his bloodshot eyes landed on Ira’s pale, frozen face, his expression transformed.
"Ira!" he screamed.
Before her mom could even turn, he lunged. He shoved Ira’s mother with a brutal mindless strength, sending her stumbling back until she fell to the floor.
"Maa!" "Aunty!"
The cries from Ira and Ritika collided, they bolted forward. But Ira never reached her mother, an iron-tight grip clamped around her wrist.
"Ira!" he breathed, pulling her close, his face inches from hers.
Her breath hitched, the scent of sweat and something chemical, hitting her senses.
Up close, his eyes weren't just red, they were a map of broken veins, his pupils blown wide.
He was looking at her, but he was seeing something else entirely. Something born of his own fevered mind.
God knows what he’s taken... Ira thought. We are so dead.
"Leave my daughter alone!" Her mother cried out, she was terrified, as Ritika struggled to help her to her feet.
Deepak didn't even flinch. To him, the rest of the world had ceased to exist. He began to back out the door, his grip tightening until Ira’s skin turned white, dragging her toward the porch with a terrifying, single-minded focus.
"Let go of me! Let go!" Ira yelled, digging her heels into the rug pulling her arm, but it was like trying to stop a runaway train.
"I’ve endured enough, Ira. Don't fight it." he whispered in delusional tenderness. "We can be together... Just you and me... forever."
Ignoring her cries, his obsession finally overriding the last of his sanity.
Just as Deepak was about to haul Ira over the threshold.
thwack
Deepak was slammed from behind, the impact so sudden he stumbled forward, his fingers slipping from Ira’s wrist as he fought to find his balance.
He let out a growl, spinning around like a cornered animal to find Ritika standing there, she looked angry.
"Hi?" Ritika said with Sarcasm "Do you remember me? And do you remember exactly what I told you would happen the last time we met?"
"Pest!" Deepak gritted out, his teeth bared. "Always a pest trying to get between me and what’s mine!"
He couldn't leave, not without her. If he left now, the world would swallow him whole and he’d never see her...
"Leave here before I call Devraj.." Ritika threatened. It was a bluff, a desperate gambit to use a monster to scare a madman, and for a second, it worked. The name Devraj hit Deepak.
But instead of running, the fear in Deepak’s eyes curdled into fury. If he couldn't have her in this life, he would claim her in the next.
With a jerky motion, he reached into the waistband of his jeans and pulled out a matte black handgun.
He leveled it directly at Ira’s chest. They gasped..
"If I don't have her, I can kill her and myself! Then we can be in hell together!" Deepak screamed. "With no Devraj to come between us! And no Samar to tell me to FUCKING CHILL!"
His finger tightened on the cold metal. The madness in his eyes peaked, and before anyone could move..
crack... a trigger was being pulled.
Ira’s eyes widened..