Hi, y’all! Since this episode has taken quite a while for me to write and update, I wouldn’t be replying to your comments individually, but I’ve read them all and thank you so much to everyone who’s read the previous chapters. Here’s the next episode, Happy Reading!
[PREVIOUSLY, Vansh grows jealous of Aryan and later, dances with Riddhima while the two of them continue growing closer.]
BECOMING MRS. RAISINGHANIA – EPISODE 13: MISUNDERSTANDINGS
Vansh and Riddhima stood at a corner in the hall, sipping on the drinks in their hands. After they’d finished another dance, the two of them had walked away from the dance floor and Riddhima had tried looking for Aryan. She was still unsure why he’d stranded her in the middle of the dance floor. Although, she hadn’t found him and Vansh had offered to provide her company until she did.
Vansh (signalling toward the non-alcoholic drink in her hand): You don’t drink?
Riddhima: Not very often. It sort of depends on my mood. But tonight, it’s because Ma is here. She isn’t very appreciative of the either of two of us drinking.
Vansh: Hm. Reminds me, where has Ragini been? I haven’t seen a lot of her in the past few days.
Riddhima: I’m not sure. I guess she’s been enjoying herself a little too much here. (looking into the distance) Oh look, there she is, and so is Aryan. You talk to her while I settle my calculations with Aryan.
Riddhima began walking away, determined to find out why Aryan had left so abruptly. In fact, he hadn’t even bothered finishing the dance. As she stepped ahead, Vansh wrapped his fingers around her wrist and she craned her neck over her shoulder to look at him.
Riddhima: What?
Vansh: For how long have you known Aryan?
Riddhima (turning around): Not for very long. Sia introduced us when he reached here. Why?
Vansh: No, just that (hesitantly) you seem very comfortable with him. Weren’t you the one who told that you take time to make friends?
Riddhima (suppressing her smile): He’s not my friend, of course. (after a sudden realization) Do I sense jealousy there, Mr. Raisinghania?
Vansh looked at her, trying to contemplate his response. He wasn’t jealous, was he? He was just curious. He knew how long she’d taken to feel comfortable around him. However, with Aryan, all of it seemed very effortless – almost like, he didn’t even have to try.
He was a little agitated, a little disturbed and a little infuriated at that thought. Why wasn’t she as comfortable around him as she was around Aryan? Despite what Aryan did, she didn’t mind going and talking to him. However, with him, it was always a game of ego she was trying to win.
Riddhima (snapping her fingers): Earth to, Vansh. And excuse me while I go find my sister and Aryan. Those two have stranded me alone in the party.
He saw her leave his side and walk into the crowd looking for others. However, he couldn’t fathom the feeling that coursed within him, almost like something inside him was tearing him apart although he couldn’t let himself drown in those emotions. This was meant to be a contract marriage and he’d decided to stick to that decision.
————
Riddhima was just passing by when Vansh had called her and she’d turned around, despite her wish. She’d seen him from the distance – it was almost impossible not to, after all, but she hadn’t wanted to wait anywhere near that twin of his. Riddhima was very opinionated about her, although she’d all the reasons to be.
She couldn’t tell even once when Ishani Raisinghania had talked to her without a straight face. Although, when Vansh pulled out a hand for her, she couldn’t think of any reasons to ignore that sibling of his. Sure, she didn’t like his entire clan, but over the past few days, he’d been with her invariably.
She placed her hand above his and stepped closer to him and smiled at Ishani and his fiancé – her boss – Angre. She’d almost forgotten that she’d be able to see him around here after his continued absence over the past few days. A small, warm smile pulled the corners of her lips and she looked at him sincerely.
Riddhima: Hi Sir, how have you been? It took you quite some time to get here.
Angre: Hi Riddhima! And yes, I just got here in the late afternoon. There were quite a few deadlines to be met back in the office.
Riddhima (nodding): I see. Also Sir, there was something I needed to discuss with you, so maybe we can have a discussion while we’re here for the next two days?
Angre: Sure, we’ll…
Vansh (interrupting): I guess we can side-line our work life for now. Let me introduce you guys to each other.
Ishani: Vansh, they…
Vansh dismissed her words and wrapped an arm around Riddhima’s waist, pulling her close. She looked at him, amused at the sudden change in his behaviour, but he didn’t look at her. The nerve along his neck swerved and he smiled at Angre, looking directly into his eyes while she tried freeing herself from him.
Vansh: Like you know, this is Riddhima – my wife-to-be.
Angre (forcing a smile): Of course, you’d told me before. So, is this a love marriage? How did the two of you meet each other?
Ishani: Hadn’t I told that a few days ago, there was this family was coming for an alliance?
Riddhima (clenching her teeth together): Of course, it is an arranged marriage, but please excuse the two of us. I need to talk to Vansh.
Vansh: We can talk later, Riddhima. After all…
Riddhima (pressing her lips together): It is URGENT.
————
Riddhima led Vansh to one of the secluded corners of the hall, away from the gazes of all the guests. She hadn’t wanted to create a scenario in front of everyone, but Vansh had certainly crossed his limits. She didn’t like how he always tried to ascertain his non-existent rights on her. How dare he call her his ‘wife-to-be’ on numerous occasions despite her not agreeing?
Vansh: Riddhima, stop! Where are you going?
Riddhima turned around toward him and stared at him, pointedly, while she boiled in rage inside.
Riddhima: What was that, there?
Vansh: What was what? I just introduced you to Angre.
Riddhima: As your wife-to-be? When did I ever agree to that stupid demand of yours?
Vansh: I have never left you with a choice, Riddhima. Just because I’ve been friendly with you over the last few days, it doesn’t mean that I’ve forgotten the deal between us.
Riddhima: You’ve got to be f*cking kidding me, Vansh. I’m never going to accept this stupid deal of yours. If you think your kindness is going to change my opinion for the marriage, then you’re very wrong.
Vansh stepped closer to her and wrapped his finger around her forearms tightly. He looked into her eyes directly, trying to ascertain all his power and force on her, but she looked back at him, fiercely, refusing to back away.
Vansh: You are going to marry me and there’s no damn way for you to escape.
Riddhima: What will you do? You can’t force me into this marriage. Your mother has been trying to talk to me and find out what you’ve been up-to.
Vansh: If need be, I’ll do that. Don’t forget my spies can be really effective if I want them to be.
Riddhima looked at him and pushed him away, refusing to believe he was the same person who’d been kind to her a few hours ago. How did he step in and out of that damn façade of his so easily? She sniffled her nose while continuing to look as him as the blood within her boiled and disbelief coursed through her veins.
Riddhima: For God’s sake, Vansh! I really thought that you’d changed. That you weren’t the person I’d believed you to be, but you’ve proved me wrong so effectively. You’ve proved to me that you’re a spoilt, arrogant, rich brat who cares about nothing but his own self. (brushing away her nose) And you know what? Do whatever the h*ck you want. I’m not going to marry you.
She pushed past him and walked back into the crowd, determined to not talk to him anymore. She didn’t know if her faith could ever be crumpled in a worse manner. He’d toyed with her emotions, with her feelings and she wasn’t about to just forgive him.
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That’d be it for this episode. In all honesty, I’d planned on not writing this FF any further, but Seanna had asked me to about a week ago and I couldn’t deny her, so I’ve decided to wrap up this FF as soon as possible, instead of completely discontinuing it. Anyway, please let me know what you thought of this episode. Like always, thank you for reading.