In my Devil's Arms

Vikram was terrified noted Dipti.

He called Dr. Shetty on emergency paying him thrice his visitation charges.

" I don't care what important surgeries you have. I want your ass in my office right now", he barked on the phone.

After Riya collapsed the three of them rushed back in. They helped him transferring her to an attached bedroom. Her pulse was low. So they immediately called the doctor.

Doctor Shetty examined her and said

" I guess she was fasting today. Low blood sugar and extreme exertion. Blood pressure fell. Get her some soup when she wakes up. Right now let her sleep".

As Riya came around she saw Dipti.

" Miss you are fine", she said.

" Yes. I want to leave", she said.

" Eat something. You fainted", said Dipti.

" Please call my fiance Manav Deshmukh", said Riya. " Here is his number. He is an employee here".

Dipti was left stunned.

" Okay", she said.

She came out. The three men were talking.

" She is the girl you met in palace", hissed Gaurav.

" Why didn't you tell us", said Vinod.

" I didn't get a chance", said Vicky.

" You are so scr*wed.", said Vinod.

" Ahem", said Dipti.

" Yes Ms. Kulkarni ", sighed Vikram.

" Ms. Sachdeva wants to leave with her fiance Mr. Deshmukh. I called him. He is coming".

His friends looked at him in surprise. Before they could say anything a baffled Manav rushed in followed by Sonia.

" Mr. Oberoi ", he said.

" I am really really sorry", said Vicky. " She waited whole day without eating. No one informed me. The palace..",

" She is being stubborn and childish", said Manav. " I told her not to do it. How is she"?

" Low BP, low sugar", said Dipti. " Mr. Deshmukh come inside she asked for you".

Manav went in. Sonia quietly followed. Vicky followed too. As Riya saw Manav she was so overwhelmed. He was her friend, protection net, big brother. She hugged him and bawled loudly. Manav tried to calm her down.

Vicky's face looked like he swallowed a lime.

" Riya love", he said , " Look you got sick and even worried Mr. Oberoi. Poor fellow is filled with guilt. Let go of that damned palace. Already your first submission was successful right".

She nodded mutely.

" Now get what artifacts or items you want from him. Focus on your research and let that damned ruin be done with okay", he said.

" Yes", she said weakly. " Can we leave"?

She kept staring at floor not meeting anyone's eye. She caused enough drama.

THEY ALL WERE SO WRONG ABOUT HER THOUGHT DIPTI. A SERIOUS RESEARCH STUDENT..SHAME ON THEM..

Everyone felt ashamed.

" At least have a soup. Come I'll feed", said Manav to Riya.

She quietly ate not sparing Vicky a glance.

Meanwhile Sonia was in awe of Manav. To her dismay he was engaged and such a caring fiance. Riya is lucky she thought.

" Thank you Mr. Oberoi ", said Manav. Then he and Riya left.

SHE DID NOT EVEN LOOK AT ME VICKY THOUGHT.

And that was what he thought about whole night.

Look at me Riya. Just look at me.

Next Morning

The girls were sitting in cafeteria when it happened. A well dressed florist and his team came to them.

"A hundred red roses bouquet for Ms Riya Sachdeva", he said.

" What", she said. " I did not"..

" Its beautiful. Look there is a card", said Lisa.

Riya picked it.

I am sorry. Vicky.

She sighed

" I can't accept it. Please take it back."

But they all refused. The roses remained as they left.

Balloons arrived next. Smiley faced yellow helium ballons. She was in anthology department studying skeletos.

" Oh my God aweee😍😍", Girls were impressed.

" No", she put her face in her hands.

She was handed another card.

" Forgive me Vicky".

" Wow your slap really opened his brain", said Laxmi when chocalates arrived during lunch time. " We'll take them Thank you", she said to the person before Riya could refuse.

The cards in chocalates read..

" You are still sweeter than them.."...please be my friend again.

She ignored as usual.

A huge teddy arrived then. He held a heart that read

Waiting to hear from you..Vicky

By now everyone in college were looking at her. She felt like an animal in zoo.

" I am going home", she said to her friends as she ran out.

A well dressed chauffer opened a mercedes door.

" Hello Ms. Sachdeva. Where would you like to go"?

HELL SHE THOUGHT.

" Please", said the chauffeur. " Come with me or he will fire me".

Reluctantly she allowed him to take her home.

He kept calling on landline which she ignored. Nobody spoke when aunty or uncle picked.

" I don't know why we get so many blank calls", said Vikasji.

By next day she was fed up. She picked one such call.

" WHAT",she barked.

" Love you too", said Vicky.

" Look I get it", she said. " You have more money than brains. Doesn't mean you buy my friendship ", she said angrily. " Its not for sale."

" I am not trying to buy but I am begging you".

" Beg and you", she scoffed. " You walk around raising your head like a peacock proud of yourself and other peasants to follow your orders".

" So how can I beg", he asked.

" Try waiting at reception of someone's office being ignored whole day without any food and then getting paid of for the s*xual gratification you offered them", she said.

There was a silence on the other line.

" If we are done talking Mr. Oberoi Good bye", she said and slammed the receiver.

He did not disturb her next day. GOOD RIDDANCE She got completely immersed in her work. The carbon dating results. Copying notes from other authors, diary interpretation. She only took 30 minutes break for lunch which she ate alone. Vikram Oberoi had made a spectacle of her at cafeteria. She dare not go there again. As she was about to leave around 5p.m. someone from her department said.

" Miss someone is waiting for you at the college reception."

Thinking its Manav or the girls she hurried up.

She froze when she reached there to see who it was...

Vicky looked completely out of place there in a neat button down and pant. He was working on its laptop. A blackberry cell phone lied on the table. Girls were eyeing the eye candy and giggling. He never looked at them. The college dean stood there trying to offer him something to eat or drink which he politely refused.

" WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING HERE", she screamed in anger.

He looked at her and smiled.

" Hello Riya".

" What the", she started.

" It did not feel nice at all", he said. " Waiting whole day for someone", he explained seeing her confused. Her eyes widened in surprise.

" Top that with no food and I am a grumpy bear again", he said.

" You"..

He silenced her raising a finger. Then quietly whispered to her,

" P.S. I was being ogled whole day your honour. I don't think I am getting paid for it."

" Hell no", Riya stomped her foot.

" What can I do to get you out of my hair"?

" Be my friend", he said.

" In your dreams", she scoffed.

IN MY DREAMS YOU DO SO MUCH MORE BABY HE THOUGHT.

" Well see you tomorrow then. Same place. Say 9A.M.".

Oh no no no no...

" Listen I am going to palace for one last time tomorrow before y.you you..", she couldn't finish it.

" Great I'll pick you".

" Mr. Oberoi I don't want to go with you", she said.

" Okay I'll send you a chauffer", he said. " I'll follow in my car".

" Thats extravagant "!

" Look we both have established that I got more money than brains", he said.

She wished to kick him for mocking her. But she controlled herself.

" One last time", she said.

" Whatever you say", he said.

Suddenly she decided to be a bossy little Miss.

" Bring a large picnic. I love breads and muffins. And lemon rice. Also soda. Apples are my favourite. You owe me a lunch", she ordered.

" As you say madam", he saluted, packed and left.