Niharika

It’s been two days since dad was discharged from hospital. Apart from official matters he hasn’t spoken anything to me. He told me to be careful with Mr. Aryan. Still he didn’t tell anything about their bitter past to me. I tried asking but he was ignoring my questions. I went to dad’s home after work to inform him about today’s office matters. Mr. Aryan’s suggestions about the cost cutting ideas during the last couple of months were really effective. It actually increased the monthly profit of the hotel. Many of the board members were impressed by his efficiency. But dad was not so happy with the news. He was gritting his teeth every time I mentioned his name.

With all these thoughts in my mind I got out of the lift and was walking towards my room. Reaching in front of my room I was digging inside my bag for the room keys, at once the door of the apartment opposite to mine opened and a familiar face emerged from inside the room.

I sighed annoyingly. Could I ask for anything more? Mr. Arrogant Aryan is standing right in front of me. Why god? Why? Why is this always happening to me?

“What are you doing here? Are you here to see me?” he asked with amusement.

Aha. What does he think of himself? “And what made you think that I am here to see you?” I asked with a fake smile.

“Well you are standing in front of my apartment, so isn’t it obvious that you are here to see me?” he asked with a mocking smirk.

I scoffed. “Well then, for your kind information Mr. Self-Absorbed, I have been living in this apartment for the past two years. So it is normal that I come here every day because I live here. But why are you in here? That too, in this same apartment building? Were you stalking me?” asked him raising my eyebrow.

He chuckled. “So for your information Ms. Creative Head I too live here for the past two months. And the answer to your question is no. I am not stalking you. Just now I came to know that you live here.” he said moving closer to me. I can sense the heat coming from him. My breath got caught in my throat.

“Don’t give yourself that important.” He gave a tap on my nose with his finger and moved away.

“Anyways it’s nice to know that you are living here. I will give you a house warming party soon. Now I have to go out to eat my dinner. See you tomorrow dear.” He said with his playful smirk and walked inside the lift.

Did he just call me dear? Really?!! My lips curved into a small smile. Why is it making me happy like this? There is something in him that makes me feel attracted to him. With that thought I pulled out the key from my bag and opened my apartment.

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It's been a week after my father got discharged and insisted on coming to office. We all asked him to take rest but he was so adamant. So the doctor allowed him to work for few hours and then he have to take his physiotherapy sessions and rest afterwards. The doctor also said that being in the environment that he likes might cause some positive effect in his condition. He could move his fingers in his left arm but his left leg is still paralyzed so we took him in a wheel chair inside the hotel.

We got out of the elevator, his secretary was reading his today’s appointments and I was pushing his wheel chair towards his office room. Upon reaching outside of Mr. Aryan’s office he asked us stop and told to take him inside his office. We both looked each other in confusion. “But father..” he didn’t let me complete the sentence. He brought up his good hand to stop me from speaking further. “Do as I said.” He commanded. I nodded my head in agreement.

I turned his wheelchair to Mr.Aryan’s office. His secretary knocked the door and we heard a voice saying to come in.

Mr. Aryan was doing something in his laptop while we entered. My father cleared his throat to get his attention. He slowly diverted his eyes to us from the computer. He his poster changes into a serious one by seeing my father. Then a evil smirk crept to lips.

“Oh. To what do I owe the pleasure?” he said while standing up from his chair. He walked towards our direction. His eyes that were on my father looked like a lion cornering his prey.

“Good morning Mr. Varma. And welcome back.” He said with a villainous tone.

“Can I discuss something with you.” My father asked annoyingly.

“Yeah sure” he said and led us to the couch behind the bookshelf.

He sat on the couch with crossed leg and gestured my father to talk. “I want the shares back. Your problem is with me, so let me deal with you and keep my hotel away from our problem. I will pay double for the shares. You will not have any loss.” My father said in a serious tone.

He chuckled first and then it turned into a laugh. “Do you think I purchased the shares so that I can sell it to you?” he asked and continued laughing.

“I know you have problem with me and I’m ready to deal with you. But this hotel is brought up by my father. I will not allow anyone to bring this to ground. Especially you Mr. Vedant Aryan.”my father said furiously.

“Is that so? You value your father that much? Wow!! That’s nice to hear. The Varma I had known was coward.” He said with a dark emotion.

I and the secretary looked each other confused without knowing what to do. My father gritted his teeth like they will be break anytime soon.

“OK. Fine. As you honour your father that much, I will give the shares to you.” He said surprising us. We all looked at him in amusement.

“But, double the amount won’t be enough.” He said smirking at my father.

“Then how much do you want?” my father asked curiously.

His mouth rose to the left corner and an evil smirk forming in his lips. “I need 5 times more than the original price.” He said widening the smirk.

“What?!! How could you demand such a huge amount for the shares? This ridiculous.” My father shouted.

“Well it’s up to you to buy it or not.” He said calmly.

My father turned his wheelchair angrily towards the door. We both followed him. I turned back to look at Mr. Aryan. He was looking our way with a cold stare. But when our eyes met the cold stare changed into some unpredictable emotions.

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One week after the encounter between Mr. Aryan and my father I was called to my father’s office. My father was checking some files when I entered into the office room. “Father, you asked to see me?” I asked slowly.

He looked up to my face. “Aha, yes, Harika. Come in dear sit.” He said with a smile. I was surprised to see him smiling at me. I feel happy. This was the first time he called me dear. I happily walked and sat in the chair front of him.

“What is the matter father? You seem happy.” I asked politely.

“Yeah, well someone approached me to help us out to buy the shares from Mr. Aryan. They are willing to give us enough money to purchase the shares.” He said enthusiastically.

“Oh that’s good news. Who is that? When we can arrange the money? Is there any conditions?” I asked curiously.

“Actually there is only one condition for them to lend the money. But you are the one who should answer it.” He said. I looked at him confused.

“Harika. You should think carefully about what I’m going to say next. Don’t take a fast decision. See everyone has their own imperfections. No one is perfect, Harika. And all deserves a second chance. So think properly before answering. The future of this hotel and of us is depending upon your decision. Please don’t let that bastard take this from us. This is your grandfather’s life time achievement.” He was literally begging me.

“Father I don’t understand. Why is it depending upon me? Please leave this prologue and tell me clearly what their demand is?” I asked. I don’t know why but I was having a weird feeling about this.

My father sighed and looked at me. “He wants you to marry him.” he said.

“What?!!” I shouted and rose from the chair. “Why is he demanding like this? Who is he?” I asked furiously.

“Me.” The voice behind me gave chills down my spine. It is the voice I thought I will never hear again. Fear runs through my veins. I looked at my father with wide eyes. Tears were falling down from them. He looked away with a emotionless face. How could he do this to me? He knows everything and he agreed to this demand. How could he allow this monster to come here? Don’t I count anything to him? How can he use me like this all the time?

I wanted to yell at him for doing this to me. But it was like I lost my voice. My legs were rooted to the spot. I could hear the footsteps coming near me. A tall figure walked to my side and faced me. I closed my eyes tightly.

“Hello my sweet heart. Long time no see.” He asked in a velvety but venomous voice. I slowly opened my eyes that same green demoniac eyes were looking at me like I’m his favourite plaything.