Vansh: I was shocked to find her in that state so asked him to gather her information.
Aryan: ….
Vansh: Aryan I know I shouldn’t have done but the moment I saw her with bruises and difficulty in walking and sitting I had a feeling of learning her truth so had to but yet I didn’t know as he just arrived but I want to listen to her truth from you. Can you please tell me who’s she and what’s all this!!
Aryan: Vansh am sorry but I don’t think it’s right. It’s her personal life that she revealed to us after much persuasion. I don’t think I have the right to speak about her
Vansh: I understand Aryan but I want to know not if as an outsider, I can at least learn as your friend, and maybe if she’s selected then she’d be my employee so with that audacity I can right?
Aryan: Vansh do you know what’s happening in all the personal lives of your employees? No right!!! Then why she?
Vansh: Am curious and in fact am worried! If you don’t then I’ll, however, get those details from Angre but I want to learn it from you.
After much persuasion Aryan gave in and started revealing –
“Riddhima!! I used to live with my family in Pune years back. I met Sejal and Riddhima there. Our parents were best friends. We used to live in the same locality. We were the thickest friends of our locality and everyone would drool over our bond. We could never live apart. I was overprotective of them. Never allowed anyone ever come near them too. One day in an accident Riddhima’s parents passed away and she being a girl who valued self – respect didn’t ever take help from anyone. Her parents had some savings which she used for her studies and used to do odd-time jobs to earn her living. As in she used to work as a waiter in a café and would take tuitions for children to earn. She used to teach dance and music. Our parents were there for her but she didn’t break even in that tragic situation. She was a sweet, bubbly, and full of life individual. Used to spread love wherever she used to go. Gradually, everything was set back to normal. We were done with our schooling and me and Sejal decided to pursue our dreams in Mumbai and we asked her to come too but she refused citing she wants to live her life there where her parent’s memories were there but assured us that in the future when she’d get married, she’d shift to Mumbai. Years passed and we used to meet every weekend. I set my firm while Sejal joined your office. Riddhima did her MBA and was working in an organization. Meanwhile, I lost my father and so after settling the scores there, I along with Mom moved to Mumbai permanently. Riddhima was taking care of Sejal’s dad who was there after his wife’s death. He wanted to stay there for Riddhima.
A few months back a family shifted to the locality and they got well with Sejal’s dad and they started liking Riddhima for her simplicity and innocence. They wanted her to get married to their son Kabir who’s an inspector in Mumbai Police Department. They asked Riddhima’s opinion and she agreed after meeting Kabir and they decided to get married. They were married 2 months back in a grand ceremony and that was the last time I saw her. She was the most beautiful and happiest bride I ever saw. After all the struggles she faced to pursue her dreams, she deserved the happiness of the world and we were always there to look after her. As promised she shifted to Mumbai but we didn’t know till today. After coming she didn’t contact any one of us. Behind her Sejal’s dad too shifted making sure that their and Riddhima’s house is under proper supervision. After 2 months I met her today and after learning what she went through in these 2 months is boiling my blood!!!
I who never let anyone touch her shadow is now helpless! I can’t protect my Riddhu! I am unable to take a stand for her!”
He then narrates her ordeal after marriage. He held his fist in anger while Vansh was burning in rage and Angre was holding the glass in his hand tighter that it broke. They were all fuming when they heard something break and then turned towards the entry to find Ishani and Siya standing shocked. They didn’t know when the desert they were carrying for the boys broke. Angre went and helped the girls to sit on the couch and gave them a glass of water. Aryan and Vansh had tears in their eyes which they wiped silently.
Aryan: You wanted to know about her right Vansh! Then listen she who struggled for a beautiful life is now a victim of domestic violence and marital rape. She who always was on full of life is now a dead personality without any feelings and emotions. She who was always smiling is now a dead soul. Today I didn’t see my Riddhu who I have known for years but a soul which has been dead months back. You know what she is to me and Sejal, she’s our lifeline and now she’s void without any life. This sight of her is miserable.
There was utter silence!!! Everyone had their own thoughts about her when Aryan received a call, it was Sejal
Aryan: Ha Sejal bolo
…….
Aryan: Nahi baba I don’t have her number. Kyu kya huwa?
….
Aryan: Seju am in Vansh’s house now! I’ll come tomorrow and meet uncle and explain tomorrow. In fact, even Mom is worried after I spoke to her about Riddhu. Okay!! Now please don’t cry, let’s meet her tomorrow and see what we can do. Take care of uncle and yourself. I’ll call you after I reach home.
….
Aryan: Haa.. take care bye!
He cut the call and again got back to Vansh and others who were lost in their thoughts, when finally, Ishani broke the ice
Ishani: Aryan why is she bearing him still?
Aryan: She tried killing herself but she was saved and he threatened that he’ll not even leave her corpse to satisfy his hunger. She died the day he forced himself on her for the first time now she’s just physically alive.
Angre: I couldn’t believe that a human can be such a demon (disgust)
Aryan: This is her life which is ruined now Vansh! I just hope someday I’d kill that bastard who dared touch her. I just want to save her from that monster.
Siya: Why isn’t she divorcing him?
Aryan (sarcasm): Do you think she didn’t try!! He punished her more that day when she spoke about divorce. He hurt her for a week so she even stopped trying. When she spoke of divorce he blackmailed her by stating he’d sell her parent’s last memory. Her house back in Pune. Now this job is her last step for freedom at least for some time she’d be away from that demon and she could live her life the way she wants to. I decided I’d give her a job in my company itself at least she’d be in front of my eyes.
Vansh: No Aryan! Now she is going to be the PA of Vansh Rai Singhania. Angre tomorrow announce her to be my PA and her incentives and others are going to be as per her experience and qualification.
Aryan: Vansh I want her to be by my side so that I can take care of her
Vansh: Aryan as per whatever you said, she’s not allowed to speak to any male. I know you are her friend and so maybe Kabir is aware of you and yet he didn’t allow her to meet you or Sejal so imagine if he gets to know that she met a male and even revealed her ordeal then her life is going to be tough! And now here he might assume me and Angre to be just bosses so I don’t think it’d be any issue for her. And even Sejal is here for her so she won’t have any issue.
Aryan: I think you are right Vansh! In this way, I could meet her whenever I want to!!!
They all dispersed to their rooms while Aryan left for his home. Though everyone went to their rooms, all their thoughts were occupied with Riddhima. All were feeling sorry for her state even after she had to go through all this in her life.