In my Devil's Arms

They reached Deshmukh house by 5 P.M.

Ramcharan had called ahead. Vikas Deshmukh opened the door to welcome them.

" Ram", said Vikas. " Its been months since we met".

" Yes my friend", said Ramcharan. " The kids grew up".

" Hello uncle", said Manav as he touched Ram's feet. " Where is Riya"?

" She is here Mr. Deshmukh ", said Vicky . " With her coolie".

Riya brought back with her a potrait of the king, one of that dead soldier's funeral , some stone figurines and brass vases. Vicky completely forbid her to take any of Chandbai's potraits.

" For my eyes only", he said.

" You are so impossible ", she chided.

He just shrugged.

" Did you bring the entire palace", joked Manav. " Bet she is making one of her own just to rival your resort", he said to Vicky.

Vikram chuckled.

" Guess who is chosen as top labour", he pointed to himself.

The men laughed out loud.

She put her tongue out and teased them.

" Boys put them in my room", she commanded like a queen.

" Yes madam", they saluted.

" How many things have you brought", asked aunty in shock.

" Aai", whispered Manav.

" She is transferring all dead souls in this house. All Vaastu( way of arranging a house to ward off evil) gone.

" I am going to hit you", said Riya.

" Only if you can catch me kid", he replied.

THEY LOOKED LIKE SIBLINGS NOTICED RAM.

" Oh my God we have guests ", said Vikasji. " And you both are not kids anymore. Stop fighting".

" Sorry", said Riya. And she went to her room.

" Is she angry", asked Vicky.

" With me", asked Manav. " Wait till I get vada pav"..

SHE LIKES VADA PAV NOTED VICKY.

But Manav is so close to her. He does not like that.

" She really brought a lot of stuff", said aunty as the two of them took it to her room.

" My kids work very hard", said Vikasji proudly. " Both are top in their field".

" I can't say about Riya", came a voice from behind. It was Vikram. " I don't understand much history. But Manav sure is the best architect I got my hands on."

He touched Vikas and Suhasini 's feet too.

" We are a team Mr. Oberoi", said Manav.

" Vikram is fine", he said patting his back.

" Ms Pradhan has a tight schedule ahead", he said simply but his keen eagle eyes were noticing any reaction.

" Yaa I and Tarun are making a time table. She will squeeze in two hours daily", said Manav.

" All thanks to you.You are an angel. If it had not been for you she would have given us the boot", said Vicky. " Secret I am a bit scared of her."

" Her? I thought you both were dating", said Manav.

" Manav don't you like me", said Vicky. " Why do you want me dead"?

" She won't kill you", chuckled Manav.

SO VIKRAM OBEROI IS NOT IN THE PICTURE. GOOD.

" Yes but the colonel definitely will", replied Vicky. " Have you seen his gun"?

Manav started laughing.

" All you talk is work. He is workaholic. He needs to enjoy. Live life a bit", said Suhasiniji.

" Then you are speaking to the wrong one", said Ramcharan. " Vicky is the definition of workaholic".

" Hey I chill with Gaurav and Vinod", he said.

" And I go with my friends too", said Manav.

" But you don't take your fiancee with you", said Suhasiniji. " Young couple should spend time together ".

Vicky tightened his fists but Ram held his hand to calm him down.

But Manav immediately thought of spending time with Sonia. Riya was his sister.

It was for a second but Ram noticed that Manav flinched. HE DOES NOT LIKE IT.

" She prefers dead over me", said Manav defending himself. " She is in love with that king trust me."

" She talks to those dead people", smirked Vikram. " Freaks my security out".

" See".

" Are you back bit*hing me", said Riya.

" Heaven forbid", said Manav. " You'll set a spirit on me".

" See aunty", she stomped her feet. Vicky chuckled.

" At least they are getting married", Ram threw the trump card. " Look at my son".

Both Riya and Manav looked down.

" Dad", said Vicky irritated. " I am waiting for the right one". They have planned these dialogues .

Riya thought SO I AM NOT THE ONE. SHE FELT SAD.

" You'll wait lifetime son", said Ram.

" They all are the same", said Suhasiniji. " Waiting and waiting. Now these two. Grew up together", she pointed to Riya and Manav. " Good friends. Gel with each other. Know everything about each other. Who is better suited"?

" You are absolutely right", said Ram. " In our times parents took decision. They knew the best".

" Yes bhaisahab( brother). So I put my foot down. I said I won't eat or drink unless they agree to marry. And got them engaged".

They were coerced. Their plan worked as truth came out.

" Mothers know the best", said Ram sadly.

Vicky got uneasy.

" Manav you youngsters go to your room. We will continue here", said Vikas sensing something.

The three of them left.

" He misses his mother", asked Vikas.

Ram nodded.

" They were very close. She was his confidant. I am out of place with him", he replied truthfully.

" God will make everything alright", consoled Vikas.

" I want to see him married to a nice girl with kids", he said tearfully. " Then I can join Janaki in peace ".

The elderly couple consoled their friend.

" Give him time Ram. Vikram is a talented boy. He loves you too. He will get settled", said Vikas.

" Thank you", said Ram holding his friend's hands.

Dinner was a cheerful affair with Vicky relaying stories of incompetent architects, men teasing Riya, she fighting back, elders laughing and everyone enjoying.

" Keep in touch", said Vikas as he hugged his friend.

" Next get together at our house", said Ram.

" Sure".

Then they took their leave.

When they reached their home Ram called Vicky to his room.

" You called me", he asked.

" Yeah", said Ram.

" So", asked Vicky. "What's the verdict"?

" They will not get married. Neither of them wants it. Suhasini coerced them. "

" Then Riya is mine".

" You want to marry her", asked Ram.

" Yes", answered Vicky.

" Then she will be your wife son".

" Thanks dad", he said hugging him. " I love you".

" I want what is good for you Vicky but you have to trust me", said Ram.

" Okay".

" We need to make them realize that they need to firmly break the engagement ", said Ram.

" I want to be close to Riya and let Manav be close to Sonia", said Vicky.

" Sonia pradhan", enquired Ram.

Vicky chuckled and told him everrything.

" Even colonel's gun could not deter him", said Vicky.

" Brilliant then", said Ram. " Send them both out of station for few days."

" Okay".

" And find ways to spend more and more time with my daughter in law. "

Vicky blushed but hugged his dad again.

" Goodnight dad".

" Sweet dreams", teased Ram.

Vicky smiled and left.

"Janki our son is in love. Help me to get this girl as his wife. "

He said looking at his wife's picture.

Heavens were on their team.