In my Devil's Arms

As Riya left Manav apologized to the Oberois.

" She is not that rude. She just is too obsessed over that palace. She is brilliant student. Skipped two grades in school. Already graduated with honours by 19 and completed PG in history last year. She is researching that palace. Please excuse her".

" No issues young man", said Ramcharan.

" Enjoy the party".

THIS PARTY JUST GOT INTERESTIG THOGHT VICKY AS HE SMIRKED.

He followed Riya after that. Like a shadow.

Riya got fed up. He was everywhere. Smirking at her. Raising his glass in her salute ( Seriously how much does he drink?), winking her secretly or just around her.

"Aah what does he want", she said to herself.

A soft music started playing. Riya was sitting on a chair. She liked the music..She slowly tapped her feat to its beats. Manav did not ask her for a dance. He knew about her illness. He just sat there with her.

" You should go and dance", she said.

" I have two left feet", he said.

She smiled. " But you enjoy it".

" Riya", he said.

" I am fine Manav. I am enjoying. You do too", she said.

" If you feel uncomfortable we leave", he said. She nodded. He hugged her.

She felt a strong wave of hatred coming from somewhere.

She looked up. The intensity of chill she felt by that hate shook her. She saw Vikram looking at them. His black eyes turned stormy like he was destruction himself. Lighting cracked at a distance. For a moment she saw volcanoes erupting inside him. She left Manav's embrace in a fear.

BUT SHE JUST IMAGINED IT.

Vikram smiled and saluted her again.

" Uggggh stalker".

Manav joined some youngsters on a dance floor. Riya just sat there. As Manav met some others he began to talk and got involved. THIS WAS THE TIME TO POUNCE

" Hello Riya, she heard his b*droom voice.

" Hello Mr. Oberoi".

" The name is Vikram. And you can call me Vicky with love", he said. He was so s*xy. She felt him. She was highly affected.

" Ohh", she raised a brow looking at him pointedly. " I thought your friend called you Sri".

" What's in name", he said.

" So can I call you chameleon ", she said sweetly.

" I am called Eagle in business world", he said.

" People make mistakes", she shrugged.

" You don't like me much", he asked streching out lazily in that chair next to her. HE LOOKED MORE LIKE A TIGER THAN AN EAGLE.

" My opinion on you doesn't matter Mr. Oberoi", she said.

" It does to me", he said. " Tell me".

" Look why don't you leave me alone", she said in exasperation.

" I like your company", he said.

" Aaah you are a headache", she scoffed.

" Wow another title conferred upon me", he smirked.

She remained quiet. She knew he was enjoying himself at her cost.

" Will you dance with me", he asked out of blue.

" Umm no", she felt a little discomfort.

" Why not?You were clearly enjoying the music", he said.

" I can't", she said weakly.

" Its me again", he said.

" Please go", she said.

" I will", he smirked. " When I want."

SHE COULD NOT PANIC IN FRONT OF HIM.

Well he was asking for this insult.

" So you wished to know what I think of you", she said deviously.

" Humour me".

" I stick by what I said in palace. You have no morals when it comes to women. You are a moron to destroy that beautiful palace too", she said in a breath.

" You mentioned thief too", he said in an amusing voice. " Now what did I steal", he looked confused.

In a sudden motion he came so close to her that they could feel each other's breath..

"Probably your heart", he said

Oh my God thought Riya. She could feel him in her senses now. He was too close. No no...

" Y.you s.stole that potrait", she said.

" Potrait", he was genuinely confused.

" Of that dancer

Chand bai", she said.

" Its mine. The palace is mine too."

" But that photograph is a great piece of ancient art. Its a heritage, things that everyone must see", she said.

Vicky"s body language changed. Anger slowly crept over him. Riya suddenly felt a chill around her as he tightly held her hand.

She saw his eyes and shivered.

" She will not sit there for everyone to come and ogle her body in that tight dress", hissed Vicky.

" Leave me..aah hurts", she said as he increased the pressure.

" And that king. I will destroy his existence from this Earth. No one will remember him ever."

Riya froze in terror. She s*cked in a breath making a sound. But she was not cowered by him.

" Leave my hand Mr. Oberoi" she said in a strong voice.

Vikram suddenly returned to his senses. He left her hand immediately . His grip left a red mark.

" I am sorry", he said looking at her hand.

" You oaf", she hissed caressing her hand.

Then as if she remembered she asked,

" What's your beef with him"?

" Who", he asked.

" Ranjeet Singh. He is already dead. But you want to destroy his name too."

He was taken aback. He lost control of his emotions with her. He did not want to expose her innocence to that vile king. So he smiled again loooking at her.

" I got jealous ", he said.

" Jealous", she asked confused.

" You were caressing his face and called him handsome", he shrugged.

" You were eavesdropping ", she said angrily.

" I thought it was a tresspasser. Caught a couple of gangs there. Aren't you afraid of going alone in such lonely places. You could be harmed ", he said in a stern tone.

WAIT A MINUTE. WHO THE F*CK IS HE? GUARD POLICE.

" Well by predators like you. I am always prepared." She showed him her pepper spray..

This girl. He really was irritated.

" Really Ms. Sachdeva you will fight gangsters with this", he scolded.

" I.I..just shut up okay. I am not your responsibility", she said him.

" Srikant please take care of Gunjan. She is my only child. As your wife she is your responsibility now"

Suddenly he remembered these words.

YOU WILL ALWAYS BE MY RESPONSIBILITY MY LOVE.

" As the owner of that place if any crime happens there it automatically becomes my responsibility ", he said to her.

She looked at him for a few seconds.

" You are very contradictory person", she said.

" Please explain I am just so ignorant about it", he asked like a simpleton.

Instead of answering she scoffed. She narrowed her eyes. Angry was such a good look on her. Her face lit up with emotions. She looked like a CANON BALL...ready to pierce itself into him. He was enjoying this banter with her.

Suddenly she asked,

" Who is Gunjan"?

She saw shutters coming on his eyes. She knew he would lie before he spoke,

" I don't know", he said. " Maybe a fairy or an apsara( dancers in court of God Indra).

" A dancer", she started wondering.

WAS SHE REMEMBERING THE PAST.

Riya closed her eyes. A vision came.

A young woman sitting without her veil in a king's court. She was on his feet her head bowed. A queen sat with the king holding his arms.

No, no she thought. She should go away. Men were leering at that woman.

" Dance for us Chand bai. Today we got married", said the beautiful queen.

Please don't . No no. Run away she thought.

" Riya Riya", somebody shook her.

She looked up at him with empty eyes. Tears were falling.

" She shouldn't dance", she told to Vicky.

" Tell her to run please", she pleaded.

She was holding his hand tightly. Her breathing faltered. She held her head closing her eyes. " Hurts", she said.

" Riya" he slapped her face. " Breathe love".

She wasn't able to.

" Riya", suddenly Manav came running to her.

" Manav", she went to his arms leaving Vikram in pain.

" Tell her not to dance. So many people. Bad. Leave, leave"..

" Okay , okay we will leave." He took out a medicine from her purse. " Here take this".

She took it and closed her eyes.

" Mr. Oberoi can we rest somewhere for 15 minutes", asked Manav.

Vikram was looking at them in horror.

" Mr. Oberoi "?

" Yaa", he came back to senses " A suite booked for our personal use. This way".

Manav picked Riya up. That scene was like a thousand thorns pierced in his body. He welcomed that pain. Riya..

" What's wrong with her", he asked. " What was the medicine for"?

" Panic Attacks", said Manav. " She lost her parents in an accident. She was the only survivor", he explained. " It was a crowded bus that fell in a valley. She jumped out of a window. It happens in crowded places."

"Ohhhh", he said.

" Thanks for your help", said Manav.

" You rest too. You seem tired", said Vicky.

He was. He was working non stop and party and this. He slept as he laid on another bed.

" What happened Gunjan", said Vicky holding Riya's hand. " Why are you in so much pain"?

YOU ARE THE REASON SRIKANT YOU...