I sat on my chair in my office without knowing what to do about the latest drama happening in the hotel? “So this man does have the shares to be on the board? And he is one of the real estate tycoon of the country? And he is saying this is like a personal asset?” I asked. “Yes, Mam.” My father’s secretary replied. “So is that caused him stress? Is it that bad that he went to coma?” I asked worriedly.

“Mr. Varma was in stress since he got to know about share acquisition. They were even able to convince Mr. Khurana and Mr. Rao. It’s obvious that they want take control of the hotel. And after board meeting Mr. Aryan and Mr. Varma had a private conversation. When Mr. Aryan left Sir was totally drained out. He went to the bar straight. I don’t know what they were saying but after the conversation Mr. Varma was lost.” The secretary said to me.

“So are you saying Mr. Aryan is the cause of my father’s condition.” I asked nervously.

“I am afraid so Ms. Varma.” He said with sympathy.

I was fazed. I know my father was cold towards me always. He was never very caring to me. But still he is my father. I couldn’t see him lying like that in the hospital bed with many wires connected to him. I have never seen him so weak. Even though he was not so nice with me, but he is a hardworking man. He has given his sweat and blood to this hotel. And sorrow filled eyes of my mother and sister. I feel anger boiling inside me.

How come someone can do something like this? Trying to take away someone’s hard work? I need answers. I can’t let that man walking around in our hotel like nothing happened. “Where is he now? Where is Mr. Aryan?” i asked furiously.

“His office is setting up in the room near Mr. Varma’s.” The secretary informed.

I walked out of my office towards his office next to father’s. When I reached the door I hesitated a little. But have to face him away if not today some other day. Thinking that, I opened the door to his office.

The office was painted in grey. Its one side was covered by floor to ceiling glass windows. On the grey dusk sat a desk top computer, a note book and a stack of paper sitting under a turtle shaped paper weight. There was black leather chair behind the dusk. A book shelf was neatly arranged on the other side of the room. There were still arrangements to be done. There was no one inside the room.

“Mr. Aryan?” I called out. “Yes.” I heard a deep husky voice from behind me. I turned around and saw a tall figure wearing a navy blue suit emerging from the back of book shelf. His hair was tousled and the beard and moustache was perfectly trimmed. And his eyes were looking at me with the same amusement they had in the morning. I was spell bound.

“May I help with something?” his question brought me out of the trance . “Ah- uh, hmm, I am here to meet Mr. Aryan.” I said.

“Oh well, then you are looking at the very same person.” He told smiling.

The smile filled me with warmness. All my anger vanished to nothing. A small smile crept up to my lips without my knowledge.

“So what is that made you come looking for me?” he continued with a playful smile.

Shit!! What is happening with you Harika. Get a grip of yourself. You came to talk about the company and about what he told to your father. Thinking about father, my anger came rushing to me.

“What are your intentions? Why did you come here? Why are you trying to take over the hotel? And what did you tell to my father that it made him to get a stroke?” I asked annoyingly.

His smile faded and creases formed in his for head. “Excuse me. I didn’t get what you are trying to say. What is it that do with you me being here and your dad getting a stroke? And who are you to ask me all these?” He asked confused.

“Who am I? I am Niharika Varma daughter of Mr. Nakul Varma. And I have all right to know what you told to my father that it made him get a stroke and now he is in coma. So tell me what the hell do you want with us?” I asked furiously.

“Mr. Varma is in coma?” he asked still confused.

“Yes. You, moron. You put him through hell and he is struggling in hospital now. So now stop your act and tell me what are you doing here? You do have a real estate empire in Mumbai waiting for you and you are sitting here in this office planning some sick game with my father’s hard work. And don’t try to fool me with your personal asset bullshit. Because I know you have something to do with my father’s condition.” I said with anger burning inside me and tears threatening to fall from my eyes.

His confused look was gone now and it was replaced with a cold emotionless stare. Then he took slow steps towards me. He stood straight in front of me and bends down to look into my eyes. An evil smirk, creeping into his lips “You know it is so disappointing that he couldn’t even stand for a day with me. I thought he was stronger than this. I was just starting the game and he is out of the field without even fighting. No, no, no, that won’t happen he should be there to see his own fall. Everything he holds dear will be ruined. I want to crumble everything he has, with my own hands. And I will make sure he will witness it with his own eyes. I have to see the desperation in his eyes. He will wake up soon. I will make sure of it.” Every inch of his body was emitting anger.

This is not just anger. This is revenge, a bloody revenge. And he meant every word he said. I could feel the heat of vengeance coming from him. He meant every word he said. And it was giving me Goosebumps, turning my anger boiled blood into cold and fear was consuming me.

“What he did to you to make you do all this?” I asked with a trembling voice.

“What he did? He did what he shouldn’t have done. And he will pay for it.” He said with venom in his voice.