In my Devil's Arms

By next morning

Ramcharan was worried. Vikram's cell was off. He was not in office and not with his friends. As night arrived he grew more apprehensive.

WHERE THE HELL IS HE?

He told everything to his loyal servant.

" Did he fool us again Vithal "?

" No Sir. He was happy in the morning He took the picnic too. And a different car". But the servant was worried.

" I put a tracker on his usual cars", said Ramcharan. " Did he find out"?

" Sir how can we search him now", asked Vitthal.

" I put a tracker in the picnic basket too", said Ramcharan. " Call Veer. We are leaving".

After half an hour

Ramcharan, Vitthal and Veer left. They were all praying to God for Vicky's good condition

Meanwhile

Riya converted a small place in backyard to a kitchen. She cooked omette and toast from breads security got from village. She also prepared a cucumber, tomato and lettuce salad. Vicky slept in .

" Let him sleep", she said. " He slept late.

" Miss would you like to bath", said a maid that came with the cleaner.

" I don't have clothes to wear", she said.

SHE WAS IMPORTANT TO THEIR BOSS THEY ALL KNEW.

" Arrange clothes for madam", said the head security to the maid.

" Okay".

As she got new clothes a ghagra choli in red colour she bathed and wore it. The maid helped her adjust her dupatta. It was a bit flashy for her as it had mirror work and golden lace. But she had no choice. They also arranged fresh under clothes for her.

She thanked everyone. Then she remembered Shiva idol.

She went there, cleaned it and offered flowers and puja. There were a few devotees too in security. So she got other supplies.

As she sang a soulful prayer Vicky got up.

He saw her dressed in a red lehnga with bangles and bindi offering puja. He was mesemerized. ALL THAT IS LEFT IS MANGALSOOTRA AND VERMILLION. Then she will be mine.

" I am sorry Vicky", she said. " Did we wake you up"?

" No. You look beautiful", he said.

She shyly looked down.

" Sheila gave it to me", she said pointing to the maid.

OF COURSE SHE KNOWS EVERYONE BY NAMES.

Was he surprised? No. She was always like this.

" Thank you Sheila", said Vicky. And the maid almost fainted in surprise.

" Bath and I will cook you breakfast ", said Riya.

" Yes madam", he said amused.

They ate together after 15minutes as Riya only ate after bathing. She told him stories about college and he told them stories about his work. They joked and laughed.

Meanwhile

" So he is here at the resort site", sighed Ramcharan. " Working after all. There is no girl", he said to Vitthal. " He brought food for employees ".

They both felt sad. They have tracked the basket to palace. The security recognized Ramcharan and saluted them.

" Where is Vicky", he asked.

" Having breakfast", said the guy.

" Okay", he moved in to meet his son followed by Vitthal.

The scene they saw inside stunned them.

Vicky was laughing heartily. He was again showered and dressed. A young village belle in red lehnga sat with him. She too was laughing. She was holding his hand. He caressed her hand with his another. It gave an impression as if they were newlyweds.

" Vicky baba", said Vitthal.

Vikram turned and so did the girl. And Ram was shocked again. RIYA SACHDEVA. She was...

" Dad", Vicky stood up.

" So you actually were working", he looked at Riya meaningfully.

" Look dad", he said. But he silenced him.

" Uncle", said a sweet voice. " Its my fault. I forced him to come here.".

" Him being forced", said Ramcharan. " Can you teach the technique to me"?

She giggled. Vicky looked smitten noted Ram. He knew something was brewing in his son's mind right on that night he saw him following her. What did he do last night? Vikas was his friend. If Vicky violated her he could never face him.

" Uncle", said Riya. " We had a small spat. I got angry. He was making upto me".

" What spat"?

" She slapped me hard on my face imprinting her palm in front of my whole office kind of spat", said Vicky with ease. " Can you pass me more bread"?

Riya was left open mouthed. So was Vitthal.

But Ramcharan was unfazed.

" Bet you deserved it", he said. Then he sat with them. " If there is extra serve me too. My son neither lets me sleep nor eat".

" I deserved it completely ", said Vicky. Here we have an omelette and salad left. Dig in".

Ramcharan ate.

" That's really yummy", he said to Riya.

She recovered. " I.I.am really sorry uncle. Actually I am a history student. I. I. really like this palace.. I just..but its okay if Vicky demolishes it. I am fine. I won't be stupid again as Manav said."

" Manav", said Ramcharan. He noticed the irritation on his son's face. " As in Manav Deshmukh. Your fiance ".

" Yes", said Riya as she smiled.

Vikram clenched his fist. He got what his father was doing.

" So when is the wedding", he asked.

Riya got uneasy.

" Umm we haven't decided on a date yet", she replied.

" You should get married at young age and have kids. I had Vicky when I was 25", he said.

" Kids", Vicky was really seething now. Manav touching her made him boil.

Ram ignored him.

" Does your fiance know you are here", he asked.

" Yeah", she said. " I used Vicky's cell to inform him that I am here and got stuck in the rain. He knows about my attachment to this place".

" And you here all alone", he said.

" Security was here uncle. Besides Vicky is here", she held his hand again. " I am safe with him".

Vikram was really happy. She felt safe with him.

" You would be the first girl to say that you feel safe with him", said Ramcharan.

" WHAT IS HIS PROBLEM "? Vicky glared at his dad but Ram just smirked.

Riya giggled again and Vicky's heart melted.

" He is a nice man uncle just a bit with misleading reputation. And we are good friends. I know he would never force a girl. I trust him"

Srikant was floored. The trust..he got it again.

" You seem to understand him well", said Ramcharan like as he was analyzing something.

" I am a research scholar ", she said proudly and everyone laughed.

" Come home with us", said Ram. " Spend the day with us. Cook some more delicious things and in evening Vikram will drop you at Deshmukh's. "

" Umm okay", she said.

" She comes with me and Veer", said Ram to Vicky. "You follow with Vitthal ".

Vikram sweared but his father smirked again.

Riya happily packed her things and said goodbyes to everyone on palace staff. Ramcharan noticed she knew everyone by name and they genuinely cared for her not because she was with the boss. She also made quick sandwiches for Veer and Vitthal citing they would be hugry too.

He also noticed another thing.

Vikram couldn't look away from her. And he looked at her in the same manner as Ram used to look at Janki his wife.

He wants her. Another man's fiance. WHAT A MESS! Ramcharan thought.