In my Devil's Arms

As they were returning Ramcharan asked Riya.

" Did Vicky bother you a lot"?

" No uncle its the other way round", she answered honestly.

" How"?

" I am researching on this palace. So I used to come here. That's how I met Vicky".

She explained their first meeting. Then what happened at party.

" We became friends then. He offered me free pass to enter here. Now I have successfully submitted my first paper. All thanks to him".

" What happened at office", asked Ramcharan.

She looked down ashamed and full of guilt.

She explained slowly her lack of meals, what Gaurav and Vinod said and SLAP.

But Ramcharan laughed heartily.

" You really are unique", he said.

She just smiled.

" Umm uncle Vikram had an emotional episode in the palace. He cried a girl's name.".

" Gunjan", said Ramcharan.

" You know who she is", she asked.

" He calls her his wife whenever nightmares hit him", said Ramcharan. He looked defeated.

He then explained everything that happen when Vikram suffers one of the episides.

Riya sobbed.

" Stop beta its fate", he said. By now he has realized that the girl was sensitive.

" No uncle its a thing that can be cured. I have panic attacks too". She explained her episodes.

" If you get him ready for therapies which I am taking it might help. Please".

" I am too selfish for my son's well being to refuse you", said Ramcharan.

" Thank you uncle", she said.

They have reached home by then. Vicky was not in mood to face his father. He thought of an escape plan.

As they arrived Vicky said," I guess I will go to clubhouse and be back by evening".

" With your partners", Riya raised a brow.

" Umm yeah".

" NO", she vetoed.

" I am your guest. Its my first time in your house. And you are running away. This is what you called friendship."

" I actually"..

She held his hand, " Come in" and pulled him.

Ramcharan has rung the bell. And Damyanti opened it. At about same time Riya pulled Vicky in. As they entered together.

Chanaaak...they all heard a voice.

Flowers showered over them as if heavens themselves were doing it. And Riya's feet was covered in kumkum and turmeric.

" Miracle", said Damyanti.

All of them including Riya stood stunned. Ram looked. Here was a girl dressed in bridal clothes entering his house holding his son's hand and they were showered with flowers and kumkum.

" Riya", Vicky shielded her head with his hand and the kumkum on his hand was now on her head.

" I am sorry", said a young girl. " I was carrying these things to decorate our home temple but I slipped."

" Its okay", said Riya. " Nobody was harmed. Are you fine"?

" Yes madam".

" Poonam", said Ram. Take madam to guest room. Prepare a bath and arrange fresh clothes.

" Umm a suit please. A simple cotton one", said Riya.

" Okay madam", she said. " Come".

" I am fine", Riya assured Vicky and left.

" Get your ass in my room", Ram hissed to Vicky.

Yup time for third degree he thought. Gear up.

Ramcharan's study

" You want to talk to me", said Vicky.

" I have never interferred with your lifestyle pertaining to ladies Vicky even if I don't like it", said Ram.

" I try to be discreet but I am sorry if you have to face any awkwardness because of it", said Vicky.

" Hmm", Ram thught for few seconds measuring his words.

" I see that the cologne worked", said Ram in a calm manner.

" Its not like that", Vicky said , a bit flustered.

" Good", said Ram. " So you'll leave her alone and let her marry her fiance".

" No", Vikram did not beat around the bush. He did not want to. And precisely with his father it was useless.

Ram nodded.

" That's what I thought"..

" I want to say that", Vicky was saying.

"Talk about the SLAP you got", said Ramcharan.

" What about it"?

" Were you humiliated badly in front of staff and friends", he asked.

" Its not the point", said Vicky.

" Answer a yes or no Vicky".

" Yes".

" And now she agrees to your decision over resort"?

" Its becaue"..

" Yes or No".

" Yes".

" Now Ms. Sachdeva might be right in saying that you won't force a woman but you are highly manipulative. "

" Dad why don't you get straight to the point"? Vicky wished to know what his dad was thinking.

" You are thinking of a revenge. She humiliates you. You break her marriage. Play romantic games with her. Use her and Bingo. Insult her in front of everyone".

Vicky stopped breathing.

" WHAT", he said in a weak voice.

" Don't do it Vicky. She is a nice girl. Genuinely cares for everyone including you. She wants you to join therapy for nightmares. She really is a pure soul. Not equipped for the games you play. "

Ramcharan was serious.

But Vikram was shocked by his father's statement...

" I would do that to her", he fell on the ground.

" VICKY", Ram screamed.

" Riya Sachdeva. 22. Research scholar in history under professor Gupta at J.B. college. 5'3. Cute. Kind. Heart shaped face brown hairs. Green eyes. A goddess who captured my heart my soul."

Tears flew from Vicky's eyes.

" Son"..

" She is the only girl I shall marry".

" I will lay down my life to put a smile on her face. I will never never"...

" I am sorry son. Get up. Come here", said Ram.

Vicky did.

Ram hugged him.

" You pain in my a*s. You fell in love with one girl who would be hardest to get.".

Vicky chuckled.

" Eagle do not prefer easy things", said Vicky.

" Manav Deshmukh", his father queried.

" Can be tackled", answered Vicky.

" No violence Vicky", said his father.

" It will not be required dad. She does not love him. They both were opposed to this marriage earlier", said Vicky.

" And you are confident she loves you", he said.

" She likes me and is attracted to me", he answered.

" Are you sure", asked Ramcharan.

Vicky smirked.

" Cut me some slack dad", he said." I wasn't born yesterday."

" Fine lets go to Deshmukh's tonight and analyse our opposition ", said Ram.

" It means I have your blessings ", asked Vicky.

" Stop getting ahead of yourself boy", chided Ramcharan. " I like the girl", he said. " This is it for now".

But Vicky knew he had his father's approval.

As they went to living room a strong aroma filled in. Riya has neatly arranged flowers in vases which fell over them. She also made a beautiful Rangoli using turmeric, kumkum, flowers and white flour.

" This is very beautiful beta. Even Vicky's mom used to make Rangoli ", said Ramcharan.

" Yes I know. Damyanti aunty told me", she replied. " I am a bit rustic though".

" Its still good", said Vicky.

" Thanks", she said.

" Everyone come to eat", said Damyanti.

Riya savoured the food.

" These are the best koftas I had", she said. " I like curd too.. "

" Riya what are your plans after research", asked Ramcharan.

" I would like to start as a curator but I realky want to improve the conditions of current historical structures" , she replied.

" How", asked Vicky.

" People usually find history boring but if you can infuse it into tourism or in entertainment it becomes fun".

" Like", asked Ram.

" For example take your palace ", she said. " Infuse history in anything you build like dresses of the time, mock battles, maybe horse and elepant rides. Like an adventure ", she said.

Vicky thought very carefully.

" Not a bad idea", concept wise", he said. " But economic hurdles will arrive".

" That is not my field of expertise so I should shut up", she said. Then started enjoying the dessert.

SHE HAD NO EGO NOTICED RAM. She clearly stated money was not her field.

They played cards after that.. After tea they left for Manav's house.