Chapter 26
The days were passing in a blur. Once Sameer had informed his parents that Raashi had agreed to marry him they couldn’t wait to begin the wedding preparations.
His parents had welcomed her into the family with joy.
Since his sisters were in town and because Jiya had time before her college reopened, the wedding date was set in two weeks.
Jiya had been ecstatic about their impending wedding. She promised to return home soon. Raashi had also called Rithwik to tell him her news. He was delighted for her and claimed full responsibility for getting her and Sameer together.
Sameer’s sisters Shauna and Rhea sat at a table in the T-cafe? waiting for her.
The two of them had blended seamlessly into her life.
They were very excited about the wedding and met her frequently.
They would take her shopping with them or they would just come hang around at the restaurant she was in on that particular day and just be around her. Today was one such day.
Reaching their table, Raashi sat next to Shauna. “Are you girls ready to leave?”
The girls had insisted on a family outing tonight.
So, all of Sameer’s family, including his parents and Rishi were going for a movie tonight.
This was much to Sameer’s annoyance who constantly complained that his sisters took way too much of her time.
But she could see the happiness in his eyes each time he saw her with his family.
He was delighted that she had gelled so easily with them.
They quickly left and she sat in the back as Rhea drove her car towards the cinema hall.
Raashi stared at her hand. Sameer had slipped the ring on her finger last night and Raashi was enchanted by it.
She had fallen in love with the ring she had chosen.
It was a heart-shaped diamond surrounded by smaller stones.
She sighed. Life was good, indeed. She smiled and turned to stare out of the window of the car. They were near the cinema hall already.
“Oh, look, I can see Sameer and Rishi waiting outside,” Rhea announced. “Raashi, why don’t we drop you first and then Shauna and I can go and park. We will meet you all inside. Let me just make this U-turn first.”
Raashi shifted to move to the other side of the car and that’s when all hell broke loose.
Sameer checked his watch. The girls would be here any minute and so would his parents.
He waited along with Rishi outside the cinema hall for everyone to arrive.
He saw his sister’s white Audi on the other side of the road with the girls in it.
The car drove past them and he watched as Rhea moved forward to take the U-turn ahead of her.
Sameer stood frozen in shock as a huge SUV came out of nowhere and rammed into his sister’s car.
Rishi swore out loud. Hearing his brother shout, Sameer started running towards the car.
As he ran towards them, he saw that the back passenger door was completely damaged, right where he had seen Raashi sitting a moment ago.
His heart churning and fear thrumming through his veins, he raced towards the car and saw Raashi step out of the other passenger door. He breathed a sigh of relief. He searched for his sisters and seeing them standing on the side unharmed, gave a short prayer of thanks as he reached the girls.
Raashi spotted him and ran into his arms. He saw Rishi reach the twins at the same time.
“Are you hurt?” Sameer asked. Raashi shook her head.
He touched her face. “Are you sure?” Raashi nodded again clearly.
He held her hand and walked to his sisters. They were in shock as well. Luckily, their seat belts had been strapped on and the car airbags had deployed at impact. They were safe although slightly bruised. Sameer calmed them down while Rishi called the cops.
It took an hour for the police to arrive, for the girls to give their statements and to lodge a police complaint.
It seemed like the longest hour of his life.
The SUV that had banged into them had disappeared without a trace.
On hearing about the car accident, Sameer’s parents had insisted everyone come home at once.
This was the second time in a week that someone had tried to harm Raashi.
It was definitely no coincidence that the car had rammed right into the passenger door where Raashi had been sitting.
It was sheer luck that she had moved to the other side of the car and wasn’t injured.
Had she stayed seated where she was earlier, she would have been badly hurt.
He needed to be alone with her and hold her in his arms, just to convince himself she was fine.
As soon as this dinner with his parents was over he was taking her home and not letting her out of his sight. ..forever.
The next morning Sameer sat in his office thinking.
He had figured out who was behind the attacks on Raashi.
In the long interminable night while Raashi had slept soundly next to him, Sameer had lain awake thinking, pondering over all the possibilities.
And each time, his mind came up with the same answer.
Lifting his cell, he made the call. He got connected on the second ring.
“Natasha, I need to talk to you,” Sameer got to the point immediately. This wasn’t a social call.
“Sure, go ahead,” she said.
“I’m sure you have heard. I am getting married to Raashi.”
“Yes, congratulations,” Natasha said.
“Thank you. But that’s not what I called for.” Sameer stood up and started pacing around his office.
“Okay, I am listening.”
“Raashi has been involved in two accidents last week. Both could have been fatal but by some stroke of luck they were not. Fortunately, she is fine. However, there is something I need to ask you and I hope you will be truthful.”
“Me, why me? I don’t understand, Sameer. Do you think, I am involved?”
Sameer heard Natasha’s surprised tone and pressed forward. “Not you, no. But it could be your father.”
“My Dad?” Natasha gasped. “Absolutely not. How could you make such an accusation?” she asked angrily.
“The last time I met him, he threatened me, although indirectly. And now Raashi is being targeted. So forgive me if I don’t believe that he has nothing to with these accidents.”
He then proceeded to tell her about his conversation with her father. Natasha heard him out. “Sameer,” she said, “I understand your concern but I assure you that it’s not my father.”
Sameer took a deep breath. “Jiten Arya is known to be ruthless in getting what he wants and if he thinks he can harm the woman I love, then he is sorely mistaken. I will do anything to protect her. He will lose if he is waging a war against me,” he said strongly.
Natasha stayed silent for a few seconds. “Let me talk to him, Sameer. Give me time till evening to revert to you on this.”
“Fine. I will wait for your call, but remember, if he has anything to do with this, then it will not end well!” Sameer said and disconnected.