In my Devil's Arms

Vikram was really scared. He started babying Riya. Have water, take medine, eat slowly, rest...she got fed up.

HE WAS WORSE THAN SUHASINI AUNTY.

" Vicky stop", she said at last. " It was a panic attack. I am neither invalid nor sick."

" Riya look you need to..", he was saying.

" Check out that river behind your palace", she said.

" River", he asked.

" Its a seasonal river called Poisar. Lets go", she said.

In ten minutes they reached the river. Riya found a peepul tree near it.

"We can sit underneath", she said.

She spreaded a mat and they ate Rajma Chawal in her tifin.

HE WAS SO WOUND UP

" Stop growling at me. You look like a grumpy bear", she said teasing him.

" Bear", he said.

" Yup", she said. " You are spoiling my mood", she pouted.

" What you want", he asked raising a brow.

" I just want to have good time", she said.

" Ohh baby, you really should not have good time with me", he said in a s*xy tone.

" Should you"? He winked.

She blushed a deep shade of red.

" Pervert", she said.

" Your honour the defendent Vicky has been called many names Chameleon, bear, pervert, wh*re and moron", he said to peepul tree making it their judge. " He is so confused. He is facing an identity crisis".

Riya joined his game

" Your honour", she said to the tree. " Riya is an eyewitness to defendent escapades. Plus he wants to destroy an heritage so moron justifies too. He changes colours fast like got me confused with Sri and Vicky and today he was like a papa bear".

" Well its the prosecution who brings out these personalities. She tresspasses, doesn't listen, not eat, talks to dead scaring my security and gets sick."

" Your security is scared of me", she was embarrased.

" You talk creepily to that dead king", he said. " Any sane person will get scared.

" You called me insane. Wait". She picked a stick and ran after him.

" Hey hey", he said running , " Catch me catch me".

And just like that all the tension got washed away.

After that

Riya's life went on as normal. She kept in contact with Vicky and met him as usual. But she could not gather courage to tell him about Gunjan and Srikant. VICKY DIDN'T MENTION IT EITHER. She did not want to lose his friendship by this awkward situation. He was a certified bachelor. He would find her clingy if she start with this husband and wife story.

The visions increased with time for Riya.

Gunjan and Sri on horse, roaming hand in hand in fair, eating together etc. IT BAFFLED HER.

She also could not trace Darshan that painter.

" Maybe its not his real name just a pseudonym ", said Professsor Gupta. " He could be from a well to do family. Art was not considered good you see", he suggested.

" Okay", she said.

Oberoi construction

Meanwhile Manav went on an interview for Oberoi construction.

" We are impressed by your work experience and grades Mr. Deshmukh", said Gaurav.

" Yes", said Vinod. " Referrals from top companies too".

" Welcome to the Oberois. Lets negotiate a salary."

As a part of final process he met Vikram.

" Mr. Deshmukh", said Vicky.

" You know him", asked Vinod.

" Met at that costume party. He is dad's friend's son."

" Ohh", the other two said.

" Mr. Oberoi if you are considering me for this post solely on the basis of that I should politely decline", said Manav. " In work I prefer talent not favours."

" Mr. Deshmukh I believe you under went the selection processes and interviews in this company ", said Vicky.

" Yes".

" And Vinod I believe you checked his referrals thouroghly"?

" Absolutely ", answered Vinod.

" Salary", he asked Gaurav

" Agreed upon", he replied.

" Then Mr. Deshmukh be sure I don't distribute favours.Its your talent that you are standing before me. I run a business here, not charity. "

" That makes two of us", replied Manav.

" Welcome to Oberois".

They shook hands.

JB College

Laxmi was irritated.

" They think I am rich pampered girl with no talent for serious reporting", she complained to her friends.

" What happened ", asked Lisa.

" I am being given stupid assignments by senior journalist at my dad's. I mean there are serious crimes in the city and look what I got", she sulked.

" Forbidden forest", said Zoya. " The name itself gives me creeps".

" I have joined as a receptionist at Dinanath hospital. They pay good", said Lisa.

" But you are an economist", said Riya.

This was the first time she spoke as she was reading an old news article.

" Yes but I am not in top three of my class. So I won't get a scholarship for my diploma."

" Seriously dad can sponsor you", began Laxmi.

" No Laxmi. I wan't to do it by myself", said Lisa. She was high on self respect.

" I wrote a short story", said Zoya. " Look", she showed Laxmi.

" Hey Riya what are you reading", asked Lisa.

" Its an article about discovery of a buried village near Western Ghats. Got it from archeology department. Butchered people are found too. A big cementery. An attack of some kind. They carbon dated it. Its around the same time as that palace."

" You only talk dead people and your fiance talks buildings. Seriously what are you going to do on your honeymoon I wonder", grimaced Zoya.

" She won't gobble her husband up", came an acid voice.

ZOYA TURNED ANGRILY.

" Hello witch, how is the black magic going on", said Numaan.

" Working hard on your voodoo doll so that you lose an eye and walk with a hump", she replied sweetly.

The girls giggled.

Numaan pretended to be terrified.

" Y'Allah save me. The witch has it for me", he said deviously.

" Seriously get lost Numaan", she said irritated by his behaviour.

Numaan got comfortable instead. Zoya sulked.

" Seriously Zoya cheer up", said Lisa. " He is fun".

" Thank you Mi Lady", Numaan said with a bow in a perfect British accent.

The girls giggled again.

Night time

Both Riya and Vikram were thinking about each other.

Does he know more about Srikant and Gunjan than he lets me know thought Riya. He was really angry on that king. He doesn't even want world to remember his name.

AND THEN THERE WAS GUNJAN...

" I don't want anyone to ogle her. She is mine"

She remembered what he said about Chandbai's potrait.

" I will ask him the truth", she promised to herself.

Vikram on the other hand was terrified

Did she find the truth? That was his first thought. How much did she remember?

HIS SINS AGAINST HER WERE ENORMOUS.

Throughout her life Gunjan had found solace in her devotion to Shiva.

After she was forced to become a courtesan she was banned from the temple.

" Please punditji don't take my right to lie at Shiva's feet away from me", she had cried.

No one listened to her. She was a fallen woman after all.

When she pleaded him falling on his feet

" Sahib, sahib"

He has kicked her.

" Don't soil me with your hands you fallen woman. I am going to worship."

After she died Shiva's curse befell upon them.

An earthquake occured creating a fissure in the land. Shiva's idol in the temple came sliding down the stairs at the foot of that temple where her dead body lied. Both the idol and the body was immersed inside the earth.

SHIVA DIDN'T DEEM HIM FIT EVEN TO CREMATE HER.

His downfall that resulted in his demise started that day.

No it had started the day he had left her....