In my Devil's Arms

Vikram was back. At his home and in his office. AND ALL OF THEM GOT A DEVIL.

He fired two managers, threw many files in bin, broke a system or two.

The palace beauty disappeared. He has niether her name nor he could see number plate on that scooty. He started searching nearby colleges, hired three detectives but nothing. He even insulted Khannas and Kapoors. They sweared never to see his face again. Did he imagine her?

Nope that damn woman who spoiled everything saw her too. HE SNITCHED ON HER TO HER HUSBAND. She was married with kids. He is divorcing her right now keeping the kids too. Vicky has no remorse. His rules were clear. NEVER AT HIS PLACE

He was like a grumpy bear right now.

When things got too edgy Gaurav and Vinod cornered him.

"WHAT", he barked.

" That doesn't intimidate us bro", said Vinod. " So get your as* in the car".

" Where are we going", he asked.

" Bar", was Gaurav's monosyllabic answer.

" Yeah I need booze", he said.

" Probably a f*ck or two", said Gaurav.

Vicky shrugged. " Yeah".

It took an hour and half after he came out of that hotel room. Vinod did not join them as he went to Dipti's place.

Afterwards they went to a bar where he opened up

" I met a girl", he said.

Then he narrated what happened. Minus the Gunjan part of course.

" Hmm", said Gaurav. " What now"?

" I want to meet her", he replied. " I can't", he said in frustation.

" We are loaded by work right now" said Gaurav. " But ask security to see if she left anything."

" You know what attend that costume party with us", said Vinod."

" Man you got dragged by your girlfriend and now you are dragging us", said Gaurav.

" True but provide some moral support to me. I am dressing as a frog from that damn fable", he said. ( Read The Frog primce)

" Dad always have outrageous ideas", said Vicky. The costume party was Ramcharan's idea.

Meanwhile

Manav and Numaan were sitting together at a coffee shop.

" Man you need to tell her that you have no feelings for her", said Numaan

He was an outgoing and cheerful person.

" I intend to but what if she developed feelings for me", he said.

" Then its a must. Don't lead her on".

" Okay".

But when Manav reached home his mother was ill. He could not raise the topic even.

" What is it", he asked.

" Blood pressure", he said.

" Aai why do you stress yourself so much", he said.

" I am fine", Suhasiniji said.

" But doctor adviced bed rest aunty", said Riya.

" The only problem is Vikas I can't go to your friend's party", she said.

" Nobody will go. Now rest", he said.

" No let Manav and Riya go. They work hard both of them. They need to enjoy", she said.

" Okay Aai we will go. You rest". Manav assured her.

When she slept Manav asked his dad

" What kind of party"?

" A costume party at Oberoi's", replied Vikas.

" Fine", grimaced Manav.

" Manav I know this engagement you didn't want but your aai means well. Try at least", said his father.

" Okay dad".

The day of party arrived. It was at a luxurious five star hotel in the city.

" Remind me why I am wasting my time again", said Vicky grumpily standing at a bar.

" Because this one here got whipped", said Gaurav pointing to Vinod mirroring Vikram's mood and expression.

Vikram dressed as count dracula whereas Gaurav was Jack the ripper.

" You both are scaring away everyone", sighed Vinod. He was ridiculously dressed as a frog with a crown.

" Thats the plan moron", said Vicky.

" Look how friendly your father is", said Vinod.

Ram was a very social person. He was greeting everyone cheerfully. Dressed as a teddy bear he was getting a lot of hugs too. He was completely opposite of his son.

" Look there is your girlfriend ", pointed Vicky.

" Shooo", said Gaurav.

Vinod sighed but he left.

" So whipped", sneered Vicky.

Meanwhile Riya and Manav arrived at the party too.

" So you get to meet the infamous Vikram Oberoi today", said Manav.

" Control me from kill*ng him", said Riya.

Manav chuckled.

" Will you be okay. It will be crowded", he said with a concern.

Riya had a secret. She suffered from panic attacks in crowded places. She told in councelling she felt completely n *ked and exposed at such places. Also she could not dance. It gave her chills.Nobody till date could find the reason.

But there was her own secret too

These days she was getting a vision too often

A teenage boy of around 15 and a girl child of around 6 getting married. Then getting their union blessed by Shiva. It started after meeting him. Did she know him?

Sri the name sounded familiar

So was Gunjan

But no as much as she exercised her brain she has never met anyone with these names before.

" Why did he call me Gunjan"?

Manav dressed as Hercules whereas Riya was a mermaid. Zoya had designed her dress for today. It was a birthday gift. She loved the dress. It was in shades of blues and orange.

" Come lets say hello to the host", said Manav.

Grudgingly she walked towards Oberois.

" Vicky my son come here meet people", said Ramcharan. He didn't want to but stayed there for his father.

" Aah the couple here", said Ramcharan. " She your wife son", Ramcharan asked Manav.

" Fiance", he corrected.

" I am Manav Deshmukh", he shook Ramcharan's hand firmly.

" Vikas's son. My God you grew up fast". Ramcharan was astonished.

Vicky was still sulking. He will get another lecture on marriage now.

Meanwhile Ram was completely involved

" You look lovely beta", he complimented the girl. Vicky was looking in other direction ignoring them.

" Vicky say hello to my friend's son and his lovely fiance", said Ramcharan.

" Hello", he turned plastering a fake smile on his face.

" I am Manav and tbis is Riya", said Manav.

As Vikram looked at the girl...HIS WORLD STOPPED AGAIN.

She was dressed in a blue halterneck gown. It flew down her body like sea waves. And those shades of Orange at the bottom created an illusion of sun immersing itself in the sea. Blue drop earings, a blue choker and a blue comb clip in her hairs completed her look. Glass sandals adored her feet.

HIS LIPS CURVED INTO A SMILE. Riya...nice name.

Riya was gaping at him too. He was not any Sri. He was Vikram Oberoi. The man behind that resort. He..he fooled her. That night he was making fun of her..Ohh God she kept thinking about him. He he..was as handsome in a three piece suit as he was in those work clothes.

Vikram Oberoi

" Hello Riya", said Vicky in that fudge like voice. SHE WOULD MELT LIKE CHOCALATE IF SHE KEEPS HEARING IT.

He took her hand and kissed it bending on his knee.

" Its always nice to meet beauties and you are a rare one", he said.

She hesitatingly pulled her hand back.

" Meet her fiance Manav too".

" FIANCE", Vikram's eyes clouded. They froze like shards of ice.

" Manav Deshmukh", he gave a hand.

Vicky shook it looking at Manav. He was sizing up his competition.

" Vikram Oberoi ", he said.

" Nice to finally meet you. Heard a lot about you", he said.

" Me", Vikram was surprised.

" Curses mostly", said Manav mischievously smiling at Riya.

" Is that so", smiled Vikram remembering the curses she was giving him that night.

" Yeah", smiled Manav.

" Well I am what I am. Can't help", he said.

Then he whispered to Riya,

" So we meet again beauty".

She had enough of him for today. She plastered a fake smile and said to him

" A meeting I would have avoided but karma".

Vicky chuckled. Witty girl.

" You be careful Mr. Deshmukh ", he said

" Why"?

" If you relax someone will steal her away", he said looking at her.

Riya blushed a deep shade of red. It gave Vicky immense satisfaction. He still affected her.

" The only man who can steal her from me Mr. Oberoi is that dead king in the palace you bought", he said. " He is her secret boyfriend".

" Really", Vicky's eyes danced with mischief now.

" Now what does he has that we mere mortals don't ", he asked Riya.

SHE HATED HIM SO MUCH

" For starters he is dead", she said in an acid tone. " Try it. It would be a good look on you".

The men were stunned.

" Excuse me gentlemen" , she said and left leaving three people in awkward situation.