45. Kidnapping
The moment I fell into Yugant's lap, my hands automatically wrapped around his neck trying to steady myself while his came to my waist to steady me.
And cherry on top? That yellow haldi paste which had just flown everywhere... now smeared across both of us.
My dress was completely ruined.
Great.
I came here to make him jealous and here I was the one sitting in his lap.
Perfect, Dhwani. Just perfect.
"Can't you walk properly?" he hissed under his breath. The anger was clear in his voice. "Always falling here and there... especially on someone else's husband."
My eyes widened instantly.
"Excuse me?" I snapped. "You're not married yet. She is still your fiancée."
"We're getting married in one day," he replied coldly, looking anywhere but at me. "So it doesn't make much difference."
How dare he look away from me?
My fingers grabbed his jaw firmly and forced his face back towards mine.
"Say that looking into my eyes."
"I don't want to fucking look at you," he muttered, before pushing my hand away. "You're making me lose my mind doing all of this."
"Oh please," I shot back instantly. "You're not doing anything less. You're making me angry too."
He again looked away avoiding my gaze, my fists clenched, then I felt the sticky haldi sliding down my neck. An idea popped in my mind,, I scooped some of it from my skin and suddenly smeared it across his face turning his yellow like a sunflower.
"You-" he gritted his teeth.
Before I could move, his hand dipped where the haldi had fallen on my waist and the next moment he rubbed it across my face fully.
"Yugant!" I gasped trying to push against his chest or stood, but my foot got stuck in the folds of my lehenga and the next moment, I fell right over him again.
This time the wooden stool over which he was sitting slipped, and we both fell with a thud. I was over him, our chests collided and breathe mingled.
"When you can't even carry these kinds of clothes," he gritted in anger, "why do you wear them?"
"Because unlike you," I shot back angrily, trying to untangle my foot, "I don't dress like I'm attending my own funeral!"
"You're being impossible," he muttered.
"And you're being mean!" I snapped placing my hand over his chest trying to balance myself, and I almost didn't until my foot landed on that fucking yellow paste, and this time, my knee stuck his.....god at very wrong place.
He groaned in pain, placing both his hands between his legs.
My hand moved to my mouth in shock, it was totally unintentional, " I...I'm really sorry."
" You're doing all of this knowingly right?" He asked, looking at me, his face twisted between pain and anger.
" I swear...I didn't." I pulled away somehow and sat beside him. I moved my hands closer, " Let me check."
" Are you fucking out of your mind, stay the fuck away." He shoved my hands away, eyes wide in horror.
" But what's the problem? It's not like I haven't seen you like this before."
"Dhwani!" he warned helplessly.
"I am actually sorry. Let me help you, please."
"You have already done a lot. Now for God's sake, stay the fuck away from me. I don't want you anywhere near me. Everything is already so complicated, don't make it worse."
"But I wanted to talk to you... tell you something important..." I tried, but he stood up, his expression hard and serious.
"What the hell do you want to talk about now?
Wasn't what happened earlier enough? You wanted me gone, away from you.
I am doing that. Now you should stay away as well.
" He shouted, his voice rose with each sentence.
I stood and stepped closer, holding his hand between mine, "I can't stay away.
I wanted to confess my feelings, I wanted to confess that-"
I was about to tell him everything I felt, but stopped when I heard that voice.
"Yugant..."
Miss Anabella stepped forward and stopped beside him. He looked into my eyes before wrapping his arm around her waist.
Didn't she leave with her father a while ago? How is she back suddenly?
And why did he wrap his arm around her waist?
"Yes, baby?"
Baby. Okay.
I swallowed the anger... the sudden urge to grab her hair and shove her to the floor. All because of Yugant.
"The choreographer wants to do a couple shoots. Let's go."
"Alright, come." He took a step to leave as if wanted to run away from me, but Olivia grabbed his vest.
Why the fuck is she grabbing his vest? She can't do that.
"Your whole face is messed up. You should go clean it first. I'll be waiting outside."
"Alright, take care." He leaned toward her and kissed her cheek.
That was my limit.
I was just about to snap when she walked away. Yugant gave me one warning look before walking upstairs.
How dare he kiss her?
I followed him upstairs. Just as he was about to close the room door, I slipped inside.
"Get out of here, Dhwani," he said calmly, though I knew it was the silence before a storm.
"Why the hell did you just kiss her?" I asked, folding my arms over my chest.
"I'm not in the mood to talk to you. Leave before I come back."
He grabbed the towel from the couch and turned towards the bathroom.
"But why? Why don't you want to talk? I am finally here. I wanted to sort things out. I wanted to talk and say that whatever happened between us was-"
My words died in my throat the moment he pushed me back. My back hit the wall.
A shiver ran down my spine when I saw the anger burning in his eyes.
"You wanted to say that whatever happened between us was just attraction? Lust?" he said sharply. "That you were just physically attracted to me? That it was normal and you would do the same thing if someone else was in my place?"
I shook my head quickly. God, I regretted those words so much.
Why the hell did I say that?
"No... that's not what I wanted to say," I tried to explain.
"You mean it wasn't lust?" he asked, his voice hard.
"It was lust at that time, but..."
"That's it, Dhwani." He cut me off. "Stop it, I am fed up. Fed up with your ifs and buts."
His jaw tightened.
"It doesn't matter whether I marry Olivia or not. I don't want you anywhere near me."
My chest tightened.
"You wanted me out of your life. I stepped away. Now get away from me as well."
He removed his hands from my shoulders, turned around, and walked straight into the bathroom. The door slammed shut behind him followed by the sound of a shower.
I stepped ahead before grabbing the vase from the coffee table and smashed it against the wall.
Why the hell isn't he talking? Why the hell is he not ready to listen now... when I am finally ready to confess my feelings? Why is it so hard?
Exhaling slowly, I came out of his room before slamming the door shut behind me.
Tears clung to my eyes, but I blinked them back making sure they didn't fall.
As I was walking towards my room, Daadi's voice came from behind.
"Dhwani..."
I stopped mid-step before turning to look at her, she was standing outside her room.
I walked closer slowly. "Yes Dadi?"
"Why are you covered with this haldi?" she asked, looking at me from head to toe, her brows knitting together.
God.
I've been roaming around the house like this?
"Ac... actually I slipped." I brushed my fingers awkwardly over my cheek where the haldi had dried.
"Over a haldi bowl?" she raised one brow, a hidden smile tugging at the corner of her lips.
I looked down at the floor, rubbing my fingers together, not knowing what to answer.
"It's okay, come with me." Holding my wrist gently, she pulled me inside the room and handed me an ethnic suit.
I stared at it for a few seconds, my lips pressing into a thin line. I don't like wearing them much, but I wasn't in the mood to argue, so I just took it and walked toward the bathroom in her room because she refused to let me go to mine.
After taking shower, I came outside, drying my hair with a towel.
Daadi was still there, now standing in front of a few jewelry boxes placed on the bed.
"Daadi... thanks for the clothes."
She smiled a little and patted my head lovingly.
I blinked.
I guess she ate something wrong today. She is showering love on me? Really?
I literally can't believe it.
"I... think I should go now." I said and turned slightly, but before I disappeared, Daadi stopped me by lightly holding my arm.
"I called you here to ask something."
"What is it?"
"Which necklace do you like more for Yugant's wife?" she asked, pointing at all the necklaces spread neatly across the bed.
My face instantly drains its color. .She found only me for this job?
"Daadi... ask your grandson. He is the best at this." I said, scratching the back of my neck awkwardly.
"But he will not wear it. His wife will." she replied calmly.
"Then ask Olivia." I shrugged.
"I am asking you. Just choose one." She crossed her arms patiently.
I wanted to give a very sharp reply, but since I had already messed things up enough already, I let it slide and leaned forward slightly, pretending to observe the jewelry carefully.
Then I picked the piece that had small cactus-like edges so that if she wore it, it might hurt her neck.
Perfect choice.
I handed it to Dadi. " This one is so pretty."
"Are you sure?" she asked, narrowing her eyes at the necklace.
"Yeah... it looks pretty."
Daadi smiled slowly and said, "Then let's try it on you."
My eyes widened instantly.
"M-me? Why me?" I stepped back.
"Because I want you as my Yugant's wife.
My mouth hung open. She wants me as his wife?
" B-but why?" I asked.
" Because you love him."
"H-how do you know I love him?" I asked, trying to keep my voice neutral while my fingers nervously played with the edge of my sleeve.
"I know everything."
Huh. All Raizaadas are the same. Not a single straightforward answer.
"But you don't like me, how can you accept me?" I asked, frowning slightly.
"I love my grandson. Isn't that reason enough?" she said gently. "Also... I don't like you, but I never said I hate you. You love Yugant, Yugant loves you. You both have to spend your life together. So who am I to decide?"
I blinked slowly. I never thought Daadi could think like this.
"Now try this." she placed the necklace in my hand.
Fuck no.
"A... actually, I don't like this one. I like that one." I quickly pointed to another necklace.
"Why not this? You chose it." She narrowed her eyes.
" I just changed my mind." I said quickly.
She chuckled and suddenly grabbed my ear."Such an evil girl. You chose that one to hurt Olivia."
"Ouch Daadi... it's hurting!" I winced, trying to pull my ear away.
"You deserve it."
"I know... I deserve it." I muttered, rubbing my ear. "That's why Yugant also isn't ready to talk to me. He was so pissed and angry."
"He was not angry." she corrected calmly. "He was disappointed because of you."
She sighed and closed the jewelry box slowly.
"I have no idea what happened between the two of you, but whatever it is, you can sort it out."
" I tried but he was not ready to listen." I looked away, my fingers twisting the edge of my dupatta.
"Then give him time."
"I don't have time." I said helplessly. "He will be getting married to Olivia the day after tomorrow."
"Oh... that's very sad." she said in an overly dramatic tone.
I stared at her. Is she making fun of me now?
"Daadi... isn't there any way?" I asked hopefully, stepping closer.
"Yes. But I want to ask you something first."
"What?"
"Do you want to stop his marriage because you love him and want to spend your life with him... or just because you can't see him with Olivia?"
Her question left me frozen. Do I really want to stop his wedding because I want to marry him.
"I... I just want to stop his marriage because I love him." I said slowly.
"So you don't want to get married?"
I swallowed and shook my head.
"I am not ready right now."
"What? Why?" she frowned.
"Because..." I paused.
Because what? I couldn't find any proper reason.
"Because I am just twenty-four. I have to build a good life for myself." I said whatever came to mind.
"But you can build that life with Yugant as well. It's not like he is going to cage you."
I stayed silent for a few seconds, thinking, wanting to ask, is it necessary to marry the person we love?
"Can't we live like this? Without marriage?" I asked quietly.
Daadi gave me a strange look.
I could tell she didn't like the idea at all.
But honestly, I wasn't even sure what I wanted.
I just knew one thing.
I didn't want Yugant marrying Olivia.
"Dhwani... you are still a child." she said softly. "And I think whatever you feel for Yugant might just be an attraction. You should go back to your real life with your brother."
For a few seconds I didn't understand what she meant but when I did, her words forced me to think I didn't understand myself. Am I the only one who doesn't understand my own feelings? Why am I being so stupid?
Lost in my thoughts, I slowly walked out of her room...still holding that necklace tightly in my hand.
So staying away from her was the only safe plan.
Thinking about all of this, he reached the main door and slipped outside with light steps, as if making sure he didn't wake anyone inside the mansion or create havoc at this time.
The moment he closed the door behind him and turned-he found Samarth standing in front of him, holding a rose.
Yugant made a weird face, but said nothing.
Samarth sighed before forwarding the rose towards Yugant.
Yugant blinked once, then he pointed at himself, "for me?" he asked, still unsure.
Samarth gave a slight nod, " Smell it."
Without thinking more, Yugant took the flower and took a deep breath smelling the fragrance and next moment he fell down, eyes closed.
"Asshole..." Samarth muttered under his breath as Yugant's body went completely limp. He bent a little, grabbing Yugant by the legs and started dragging him across the driveway.
Coming near the car, he looked at Ishaan who was standing there watching the scene with a helpless expression.
Stuck.
Pissed.
And completely done with these two best friends who had bigger egos than their entire personalities.
They wouldn't talk to each other directly, so they dragged him into everything like he was some news reporter carrying messages between them.
Shaking his head, Ishaan opened the back door of the car and helped Samarth throw Yugant onto the back seat.
Without wasting any other second, they moved towards their seats because they both knew the moment Yugant woke up, he was going to eat their heads alive.
Ishaan moved to the driver's seat while Samarth settled beside him in the passenger seat.
Within seconds the car cut through the night air, speeding down the empty road as if Ishaan was trying to drive his anger out through the accelerator. But did that scare Samarth?
Absolutely not.
He simply lit a cigarette and took a long drag, letting the smoke slowly leave his lips.
Ishaan glanced at him briefly. Samarth never smoked, he knew that, then why now?
He didn't ask anything, because Ishaan had one rule-never interfere in someone's life unless they asked for it.
After fifteen minutes, the car entered a crowded lane.
Vegetable stalls lined both sides of the road, fruits piled in baskets, small shops glowing under tube lights. Even at this hour the market looked alive. Because in Mumbai, nights didn't sleep... they just slowed down a little.
Struggling through the traffic, the car finally stopped outside a small house painted white from outside.
It was Ishaan's house.
He used to stay here before moving to the Raizaada mansion, and since yesterday he had shifted back here again, as promised by Yugant.
Both of them stepped out of the car. Samarth opened the back door and grabbed Yugant's leg again, pulling him halfway out.
But before Yugant's head hit the road, Ishaan quickly caught him from the shoulders.
"Careful," he muttered.
Samarth grunted.
"Fucker is so heavy. Looks like he feeds on gold biscuits from his jewellery business."
Both of them managed to drag Yugant inside the house and made him sit on a chair.
Yugant's head tilted to one side, still unconscious.
Samarth exhaled heavily and pulled another chair, dropping onto it like he had just finished some exhausting workout.
"Why did you even kidnap him?" Ishaan finally spoke, sitting beside Samarth, clearly fed up with this drama.
"I have my own reason," Samarth replied calmly as usual. He never shouts or talks in a high tone, that's what Ishaan likes in him, unlike Yugant who always loses his temper.
Ishaan sighed, seeing another cigarette placed between Samarth's lips.
"And that reason is your sister."
Samarth's eyes snapped toward him instantly. He pocketed the lighter, before taking a long drag again.
"How do you know?"
Ishaan leaned back slightly against the chair. "You don't need to interfere in things like 'how I know'," he said flatly. "What matters is I know... everything."
Samarth stared at him for a second, then looked away.
"Alright then," he muttered loud enough for Ishaan. "I want to talk to him. You can go to sleep, I'll settle the score myself."
Ishaan liked the idea, he was totally exhausted from morning, so he yawned before stretching his neck, it did that crack sounds like always.
He stood and started walking toward his room but stopped at the door frame. He looked back at Samarth and said, "Just make sure, you two idiots don't break anything except each other's bones."
His eyes moved to Yugant's unconscious body and then back to Samarth.
"Because if you do," he added calmly, "you'll have to pay for it."
Samarth chuckled before looking back at Yugant.
He scratched his forehead, his blood boiling seeing Yugant so peaceful, as if he passed out willingly.
He stood and tied his hands first behind the chair with a rope, then walked towards the kitchen, filling a jug full of water, he came back and stood in front of Yugant.
His lips twitched for a second before he suddenly threw all the water on Yugant's face.
Yugant gasped sharply, startled, his body jerking a little as he cussed loudly, "Motherfucker-"
Hearing that, Samarth punched him straight on the jaw this time.
"Use your words wisely," Samarth said coldly, grabbing his collar and pulling him a little forward, his eyes dark with warning. "If you don't want me to fucking knock your teeth out one by one and shove them back in your fucking mouth."
"Rathore..." Yugant whispered as he looked at Samarth, completely shocked.
He didn't understand anything for a few seconds then his eyes moved around the hall and he instantly realized he was in Ishaan's house.
Yugant tried to move but found himself tied to a chair he was sitting on.
Samarth finally took a deep breath and pushed himself back on the chair right in front of Yugant.
"Now that you finally woke up," he said calmly, leaning back on the chair slightly, "let's do a little chit-chat, do we?"
"I don't want to talk," Yugant snapped like an angry wife, trying to stretch his hands tied behind the chair. "Fucking open my hands and let me go. I am getting married tomorrow."
Samarth's jaw tightened, " you're not going anywhere," he said firmly, folding his arms across his chest. "And you're definitely not getting married."
Yugant scoffed, shaking his head.
"Mujhe pehle se hi pata tha teri gandi nazar hai mujh par, Rathore... and today you proved it..."
(I already knew you had dirty intentions towards me, Rathore...)
He smirked sarcastically. "I'll file a harassment case against you. I'm only interested in women, not you, never you, got it?)
Samarth was done with Yugant's yapping, his patience snapped, he stood abruptly, raising his hand in warning.
"Ab aur bakwaas ki na... to kaan se khoon nikal dunga."
(Say one more stupid thing and I'll make blood come out of your ears.)
Yugant went silent. His lips pressed into a thin line, in anger.
Angry thinking why Samarth wanted to talk now? After more than four months? Why not before?
As Samarth noticed the sudden silence, he swallowed once and asked, "how was everything all these years?"
Those words felt weird on his tongue, even though he didn't know why he asked that.
Yugant shook his head before taking out a bitter laugh.
"Why bother asking now?" he said coldly, "why didn't you care before?"
Samarth's brows furrowed, "care from where? Behind jail in overseas?"
Yugant looked at him for a moment before speaking again.
"Definitely not talking about that," he said, his voice turning sharp, "but it's been months since you returned, and you clearly said we are not teenagers who need each other's friendship to survive. So ?why return now and suddenly bother to talk?"
Samarth leaned forward a little, elbow placed on his knees as he said, "because you never tried, fucker," he snapped. "You just let it slide. I said something and you accepted it like it? You were never like this-"
"Time changes people, Rathore," Yugant interrupted calmly, though his jaw was tight. "And these days I understand that Rathore's stand by their words. So I simply followed your command."
Rathore's? Samarth didn't understand anything. Was he talking about Dhwani as well?
He exhaled slowly.
"So you were actually dying to break our friendship all these years?" he asked bitterly. "That's why you didn't bother to call me even once and..."
"If I wanted that," Yugant cut him off, his voice rose with rage, "I would have never trusted Dhwani's words when she said you were missing for four years.
If I didn't care about our friendship, I would never keep Dhwani safe from Daadi's harsh words.
If I never trusted you, I would never go through four investigations.
" His voice hardened with each word, "if I never trusted you, I would never send Ishaan to Dubai to help you. "
He answered looking straight into Samarth's eyes.
"But it's nothing, right?" he added sarcastically. "I must be pretending... no?"
Samarth stared at Yugant, completely stunned.He had never thought about all this.
He had only been angry, full of hatred. Angry that Yugant dragged Dhwani into everything, made her work in his house, and from the bits of information Ishaan gave him in a basic way, he had built a completely different story in his head.
He had never tried to see the other side of it, and that's how he built a hard crack in their years of friendship.