In my Devil's Arms

Next Morning

Vikram's office

The trio was sitting inside Vikram's office deeply involved in discussing pros and cons of palace.

Vikram's intercom rang.

" Yes Dipti", he asked picking the call.

" His Highness and his entourage has arrived."

Actually his highness the new king of Vilaasa the ancient kingdom where palace was has arrived yeaterday fro USA. He has married a girl there and settled permanently there. He has no interest in holding on to a ruined building. As Oberois showed interest he decided to sell them

This meeting was only about the sale, costs and a price to be fixed for palace.

" Bring them in with honour", answered Vikram.

" Buckle up guys", he said to his partners. " We have a palace to buy".

" I I captain", they said in unision.

Meanwhile

JB college of arts and commerce

" I have an inside news about your dream house", said Laxmi.

Laxmi Shukla

Riya's friend. 23 years. Total gossip. Her father is a media moghul. She is highly pampered by her parents.

" The cursed palace", said Zoya. She scrunched her nose.

Zoya Qureshi

22 years.

Group fashionista and the It girl pf their college. Comes from a broken home. Wants to be a fashion designer. But studies English literature due to pressure from her strict religious father.

" Yup the very same", said Laxmi dancing her eyes.

" What's the news", asked Lisa.

Lisa Joseph

Orphan

23 years of age. Dates casually.

Doing MA in economics.

" So the news is the new king sold it already".

" That couldn't be true", said Riya. " There is no announcement.

" Duh uh", said Laxmi. " That is why its inside news.

" Figures", said Zoya. " He lives in states. He was born and raised there. He is a citizen. He married an investment banker there".

" And maintaining that hige palace is like maintaining an elephant considering the inflation ", said Lisa.

" And that too a defective one", said Zoya.

" That palace is our heritage", said Riya. " With its rich historical background it is a great treasure for our country."

" Sorry but the new king does not think like you", sighed Laxmi.

" Can't we do something", she asked.

" Only if you can convince the new owner", said Lisa.

" So do you have any idea about who bought it", asked Riya.

" Vikram Oberoi ", said Laxmi.

" What", everyone said shocked.

At Vikram's office

" Your highness", said Gaurav. " As you have seen the place is a dump. Tresspassers are frequent and you cannot manage it from USA. I mean practically speaking."

" Also the cost of bringing it to a running state is a million dollars", said Vinod.

" And we are offfering half a million. No one would buy it for such a large amount", said Vinod.

The new king's banker wife nodded. She has triple checked market price and cost.

" Fine, get the papers ready. The deal is final. Payment must be in advance and on the day of signing".

" We want the land rights too", Vikram spoke for the first time. " We are ready to give extra ten thousand for it"

" Deal", said the king.

Vicky smiled. Eagle has struck. The land was pricless.

At college

" Oberoi that notorious builder", said Lisa.

" Sorry Riya you will get nothing from him. He will level that place for some new construction ", said Zoya. " Dad says he is as hard as they come."

" Did I hear hard and he c*m", came an amusing voice.

The girls all turned to see a young man of around 27.

" Numan", scoffed Zoya. " You. Here?Why"?

" Aah that's because my brother cannot be here. He went to Pune urgently. "

" You did this", she said angrily.

" Of course tied a holy amulet on his left hand to save him from you", replied Numaan

" Hey Numaan ", called Riya. " Did you meet Manav recently?"

" No whats up with him", he said. " You look weak Riya", he chided.

" No he was just telling that he wished to talk to you".

" About what", asked Manav.

" No idea", she shrugged.

" So are you ready witch to go home or shsll I drop you to some coven", he asked Zoya.

" Whatever loser. Bye girls", she said and left.

" Before she burns my car I take a leave girls. Ciao". Numaan hurried after Zoya.

" So she is set to marry Salman", asked Lisa after they left.

" Yup", said Riya.

" Why does Numaan hates her", asked Lisa

" Her mother was her father's second wife. His first wife was Numaan's aunt".

" Ohhh", said the two girls.

In a few days the deal was finalised and acquisition of Palace by Oberoi construction became the top media news.

Riya was disappointed. She loved the place. Somehow there she felt home.

Then Vikram Oberoi announced that he will destroy that beautiful palace and create a monstrous resort there.

" May he rot in hell", cursed Riya.

One afternoon

" Madam you cannot go inside", a security guard stopped her.

" But I always come here. I am a student of JB college and I had permission from king", said Riya.

" The palace does not belong to the king anymore. He sold it. We sre the security team for Mr. Oberoi the new buyer."

" Look I..", she was saying.

" We know you young girls come here for a quick s*x and then steal some old ornaments from there", said a middle aged security guard.

" What did you say", Riya boiled in amger. I ..I..", she couldn't say it. She was a v*rgin..

" Please leave madam", said another guard. " You are making this difficult for yourself. Mr. Oberoi's ordets are strict. So don't make this awkward and stop embarrassing yourself."

" You are right", she said weakly. Defeated she turned and left.

Meanwhile at Gaurav's place

" Why are you cooped up here", Gaurav asked Vicky.

" Because your step mom and half sister are on a trip to UK and no one will snitch on me", said Vicky nursing a whiskey.

" They are not monsters just girls", said Vinod.

" Not when my dad is pushing me to marry either Ms. Khanna or Ms. Kapoor I am so done", said Vicky.

" He will come searching for you here", said Vinod.

" Yaa I am thinking of somewhere else", said Vicky.

" I have an idea", said Gaurav.

" Yes", said Vicky.

" You can go to our new palace to oversee the construction", he said.

" Yeah", said Vinod.

" There is a decent hotel nearby where I can book you."

" The security is complaining about a lot of tresspassers", said Gaurav.

" What tresspassers", Vikram was concerned.

" Students mostly for smoking, drinking or a quick s*x. But a few local gangs and thugs like gambling."

" Figures", said Vinod. " It remained empty for a long time."

" Here is what I will do", said Vicky. " I disguise myself as a labourer and go there. Get in toucch with locals and find more about these tresspassers. Then we can tackle it accordingly".

" Good idea", said other two.

In an hour Vicky packed the necessities and left.

Meanwhile at a Shiva temple

Riya was crying her heart out to Shiva.

" He will break that beautiful place Shiva. I cannot do anything. How can I save the palace. Please guide me Shiva. Please."

Unbeknownst to her the prayer was about to be answered.