In my Devil's Arms

Manav started spending time with Sonia. And it was magical. He got along well with her aunt whose house's architecture he improved and her cousins Sharman in Navy and Duleep in Intelligece services.

One day Manav said to Sonia,

" After meeting you I realized one thing".

" What", she asked.

" THAT I WILL BREAK MY ENGAGEMENT ".

Sonia was left stunned.

On the other Hand

Riya after returning from temple was not in a mood to socialize. She remained locked inside her room mostly. She refused calls, friends, ate barely and even her studies took a backseat.

THE ONLY ONE SHE COULD THINK OF WAS VICKY.

His smile, his laugh, his care, his teasing, the way he touched her, his flirting everything. It left her heart fluttering like a butterfly. But was he serious? Or will become a bittersweet memory for her.

So in fear she avoided him too.

To pass her time and keep her mind from thinking about him she opened the memoir.

CHAPTER ONE

My brother killed himself today. None of us were surprised. He drowned in the river. His body was not recovered . Just his bloodied clothes. But it was inevitable. We all were waiting for it. He was like a walking corpse. Since she died...Gunjan..his wife..

My name is Sushant Pundit and I am not writing a love story with happy endings but bitter and doomed truth...

STRANGE thought Riya who starts a book like that..She continued further..

I met Gunjan for thr first time when I was around 10 years old. In the middle of the night Srikant was summoned. I tagged along with him, Roop and Adheer. The girl was barely 6 and probably a crier like my younger sister. Guruji wished for Sri to marry her. I and Adheer were not so keen but he agreed.

Further it said

I teased Gunjan that my brother will leave her and get another good looking grown up girl for himself who is beautiful. Rajjo defended her punching me. We all were kids. But soon our childhood would come to an end.

The next couple of chapters described the death of Gunjan's father and Srikant's army career.

In his quest for power and riches Srikant stalled the commencement of his marriage life. He got girls easily considering his looks, talent and position. But our mother and sisters finally pressurised him to visit her house.

Riya got a vision

" Don't cry Gunjan", said Srikant. " Next time I come here it will be for your Gouna. I will take you away my bride. And make you my wife. Forever and ever. Okay".

The poor girl kept crying and hugged her husband tightly.

" Just kill me if you don't want me Sahib. The local lord says he will make me his consort

Srikant really got angry listening to it. His face froze. His eyes were stormy.

" If he touches my wife I will give him a gruesome death.."

She read further

He should not have left her behind . For it is this time she encountered that monster who destroyed her life.

Riya tried to remember her encounter with Ranjeet Singh but to no avail. Nothing about him she could recall.

Ding dong

" Riya come outside dear", called Suhasiniji. " Look who is back".

VICKY....

She rushed outside. It was Manav. Her face fell but she cheered herself up.

" Hey kiddo", he said affectionately.

She hid her disappointment.

" Hey Manav. How was Pune"?

" Fun", he answered. " See what I brought for everyone.

Manav had got gifts. And just like that they started bickering again. And she forgot her dilemma on love and duty.

At Vikram's office

" So her fiance is back", said Gaurav.

" Hell"! Vicky was on edge.

" Well I kept a close eye on him", said Vinod.

" And", asked Vicky.

" Well he is closer to Ms Pradhan now."

" Where have you reached with Riya", asked Gaurav to Vicky.

" Nowhere", he said with an exasperation.

" Don't stall Vicky", he warned.

" Yeah", added Vinod.

" Break this engagement ", he said.

Vikram was more than determined to do it.

At Deshmukh home

After family reunion, outing and dinner she reopened the memoir.

My brother is in a daze as he returned from his in laws home. GUNJAN is all he could think about. Witch has bewitched him.

" Amma I want my wife at home", Srikant said to his mother.

" I will get an auspicious time and bring her next month okay", she said.

And he was happy.

Riya turned a few pages

Gunjan arrived in our home now. She really has become very beautiful. And hell! I am attracted. Witch. She enchants and make us sinners. My brother has lost his sanity. He remains locked with her in their bedroom even during days. SHE IS A SIN. She should leave. Even Rajjo and my twin side with her.

" Why should I touch her feet", asked Sushant to his mother. She is younger to me. So she should do it".

" No she is your elder brother's wife. She is elder to you in relation", his mother chided.

" Its all right if he does not want to", said Gunjan softly.

But my mother insisted and I had to do it. I sulked and did it.

I will throw you out Gunjan I vowed.

In hindsight I think I did some damage in their relationship due to my jealousy . One day I have to beg for their forgiveness.

So Sushant hated Gunjan. What did he do? Riya was in deep thought when phone rang. It was late night. She knew it was Vicky. He would call repetedly if she did not pick up. So she reluctantly went to living room and picked the call.

" Hello".

" Riya", he said.

" Yes Vicky".

" Have I done anything wrong recently?"

" No. Why?"

" Then why are you avoiding me", he asked desperately. " You did not come to palace too".

" Vicky", she said soothingly. " I was not well. I did not even go to college or met my friends".

" What happened to you", he asked very worried now. " Do you have a fever. Its because you work non-stop."

" Yeah. Got exhausted. Bodyache, mild fever", she lied.

" Shall I send doctor Shetty tomorrow", he asked highly concerned now.

DID SHE FORGET HOW EXTRAVAGANT HE WAS?

She shook her head. Too much!

" Vicky I am fine now. Doctor advised rest. Okay. So don't worry", she tried to sooth him.

" When will you meet me"?

SH*T SH*T

If she meets him she will confess her feelings. Thats how strong her emotions were now.

" Once I get a bit strong to go out".

" Okay".

" Goodnight Vicky", she said.

" Goodnight ", he sounded dejected.

She kept the receiver. She knew he won't call again. He cares a lot about her.

" DO YOU LOVE ME VICKY"?

This was a question she softly spoke in the room. She slowly retraced her steps back to her room.She can't read anymore. Time to sleep. She knew he would dominate her dreams.

Unbeknownst to Riya someone overheard her conversation with Vicky.

Its him again Vikram Oberoi thought Suhasiniji. He is snatching their Riya away.

She has to put a stop to Riya and Vikram's relationship. She promised that to herself.