In my Devil's Arms

Vicky was in good mood next day. It was Saturday. Ramcharan was apprehensive. When Vikram would not work on Saturday he would get self destructive. He would disappear in the morning and come back with severely injured hands. If asked he would make excuses.

" I fell".

" Got burned by car silencer".

" A bull attacked me"

" Gym injury"

" Boxing gloves broke. Hit the sandbag".

Endless explanations. All lies.

After Ramcharan would force breakfast down his throat he would rush to Vinod's place or Gaurav's. Again followed by act of disappearing.

They would be in some upscale clubhouse surrounded by women either widowed or divorced multiple times or even bored trophy wives. HAVING A GOOD TIME. From twenties this was a routine. NO INTERESTS IN GETTING MARRIED OR MEETING YOUNG GIRLS.

But nights would be worst. He would drink to oblivion. And pass out. Ram, Vitthal and there young chauffer Veer have collected him from seedy hotels,public parks, bars and ditches even. Once from a beach of sea. He was drenched completely. It looked like he tried to drown himself.

Vicky was always a party animal in his teenage years. Liquour , gambling, even drugs but he was never self destructive or self harming. Not until that accident. And that accident changed his life.

In fear of where he is or what he is going to do he found Vicky at home hands unharmed, whistling a cheerful tune, showered, shaved and at the breakfast table. He was wearing a white t-shirt and dark blue jeans. And TO HELL WITH IT COLOGNE.

" You look good", Ramcharan said to him.

" Thanks, I feel good too", he said.

" Where are you headed", his father casually asked.

Vicky was not fooled. His father was spying on him he knew.

" Work", he answered. " Probably a few sites".

" With a sandalwood and musk cologne ", said Ram. " You are so truthful", he said sipping his tea.

" What's with the investigation ", he asked irritated.

" Chill son. I am just a concerned father", said Ramcharan. " Given your past records on weekends". His father smirked at him.

Vicky was not fooled.

YUP IF I AM EAGLE HE IS MY FATHER THOUGHT VICKY. Fine lets try the truth..

" Its a date", he said.

Ramcharan's eyes widened. " A DATE".

" I am single. I am allowed to date I guess", he said.

" Vitthal come here."

" Yes Sahib".

" Remove Vicky baba's evil eye. He is going out with a young girl", said Ramcharan.

" What", Vitthal and his wife were stunned.

They immediately to Vicky's dismay removed his evil eye using lemons and chillies.

" Shiva get Vicky baba married soon", prayed Damyanti; Vitthal's wife.

" Pack a large picnic", said Vicky naming all the dishes Riya ordered.

" Okay", said Damyanti as she entered the kitchen.

" Good luck", said his dad as Vicky left. He took a rugged SUV instead of his usual sleek cars.

He quietly waited for Riya at a Rickshaw stand. She has banned him from coming to her home. He thought she was going to ditch him but she arrived on time. She wore a lemon t shirt and faded jeans. Her hairs were in a ponytail and she wore sport shoes. She carried a backpack.

She looked at his car and raised a brow.

" Not upto your standards my queen", Vicky said with a smirk.

" Drive", she ordered and sat on the passenger seat.

He drove quietly. He halted on the very same stone beach they went that morning.

" Why are we here", she said.

" Because before we go to that place I want to tell you something ", he said.

She looked at him for few seconds. He looked pretty serious.

" Okay", she said.

He refused to leave her hand as she walked on beach.

" You fell last time", he argued.

Yup Riya your plan is backfiring she scolded herself.

" Now tell", she asked him getting comfortable on a stone.

Vicky asked,

" Have you seen or felt evil Riya"?

" What? No", she said. " Why do you ask it"?

" Because there is evil in that place. That evil influences behaviour. I..I..", he was saying.

" Are you Psychic ", she mocked him.

Vicky laughed a self depreciating smile.

" No, just sensitive I guess".

SHE WAS NOT MENTALLY READY TO FIND WHO HE ACTUALLY WAS.

" Look", she said. " I understand your hatred with that king considering what he did to Gunjan but its over Vicky. The king is dead".

" Monsters don't die Riya. They keep waiting . For centuries even. For their prey", he said seriously.

She remembered what was written below that photograph of king

I will wait for you. Lifetimes. A day will come when you will love me.

She shivered but not in fear. STRANGE. In anticipation of his love...WHAT?

She looked at Vicky. Of course Gunjan loved Srikant and not that king. So what attracts her to him? SHE WILL NEVER KNOW.

" Vicky all these are fables. Real history is different", she said.

" I think that king did a black magic on you", he whispered to her. " You hate your husband", he pointed to himself" and love him."

NO I STILL LOVE YOU HER HEART SHOUTED TO VICKY.

Yeah I am stupid she thought. Sue me.

" You are not my husband", she said angrily. " Srikant was Gunjan's husband and they both are dead. Now hurry up we are getting late".

He looked at her.

" Promise me one thing", he said. " About Ranjeet Singh. "

" What", she asked.

" When time comes you will let him go".

He was so solemn she just could not refuse.

" I promise", she said.

As she climbed the car her seatbelt got stuck. He bent over her to help her fasten it. His sandalwood and musk cologne hit her and a vision came.

" Sahib I am going to fall from this horse", said Gunjan.

" Hold me tight. Hide your face in my chest and close your eyes if you are afraid", said Srikant.

He smelled like sandalwood as she hid herself in his chest.

" Why do you do this Gunjan ", complained Riya silently to her. " I am already fighting attraction. He doesn't love me".

" Drive", she said to Vicky . He did.

They reached the palace shortly after that. Vikram showed her the adjoining land and the hill behind the palace.

" Does the river belong to you too", she asked.

" No a river is for everyone ", he said. " We won't touch it. We plan a lake using rain water harvesting and a pool".

" Hmm good idea", she said.

" Give it time", he said. " You will warm up to resort", he said.

" Over this beautiful palace. Never", she said.

" Never say never Riya", he said.

All his security saluted him.

" Good morning sir"

" Good morning madam".

" So he is back with her", said one security personnel as they went in.

" Did you hear she slapped him in office that day and fainted on him", said another.

" He moved skies and earth for her that day", said the female security.

THE NEWS HAS SPREAD LIKE FOREST FIRE.

" She'll take him to altar", said the cleaner.

" Amen", said everybody.

" Hey Riya", said Vicky as she studied some stone figurines.

" What", she sighed.

" If that monster comes and scares me I'll cuddle with you", he smirked.

His mood swings will give her whiplash.

" If you cross your limits I will eat you up before that monster does", she hissed.

" What a way to go", he said . " Just one shame".

" What", he really was not letting her concenterate.

" What about that large picnic I brought for you"?

" You.. you wait", she said.

She picked a stick and ran after him.

" Spare me.. spare me", he shouted as she landed a couple of blows.

" Serves you right", she said." Now let me work".

She started working.

Vicky just sat there looking at her. Soon she will be his again.