Niharika

I was in my bathroom wearing a black crop top tank top and a black sweat pants. I tilted my head and looked at the large mirror with my back facing it. There was a big circle shaped bruise on my right shoulder blade; it has turned into an ugly purple shade. I slowly touched it with my left hand and I winced at the contact. I might have hit somewhere during the fall. I tried applying the anti-inflammatory gel on the bruise with my left hand but it was difficult to reach there. After a few tries and wincing I kept the gel on the bathroom counter top in irritation. I will take some painkillers instead. My head was already hurting with all the crying I did after reaching back from office. I sighed and walked out of the bathroom.

I sat on my bed. I took my phone from the side table and looked at the time. It was already quarter past midnight. Ved and Arohi were still not back. Why are they taking this long? I gulped the lump forming inside my throat. I shook my head to stop thinking about them. I lay across the bed and stared at the white ceiling above me. I heard my phone buzzing with a notification. It was a message from Kavya. I opened the message. I frowned at the message. It says "You definitely need to read this article." And there was a link to some sort of news article. I clicked the link and it directed me to a local business news article. I looked at the heading.

""

Ace & Hammers builder one of the leading construction companies in Pune, has been facing legal issues for the past three months for their illegal construction has been finally hit the rock bottom. Their three apartment complexes facing safety violation law has been ordered to demolish within three months by the High Court yesterday. After the news came out it is confirmed that many of their buyers of their new apartments and villas under construction were demanding their money back. The CEO of the Ace & Hammer, Mr. Karan Kohli was not willing to speak with media when we contacted him. It looks like the company is going into bankruptcy soon. Ace & Hammer was one of the oldest and reputed construction companies in the city and was founded by Mr. Raichand Kohli, grandfather of the current CEO in the late 70's. But it seems like his grandson couldn't carry the legacy.

I sat straight in the bed without able to digest the news which I was reading. I read it again. There was a picture of Karan stepping out of his car and surrounded by media persons. He was wearing a sunshade and was not looking at the cameras. My phone buzzed again with another notification.

Kavya: Have you read it?

Me: Yes. I couldn't believe my eyes. Is it true?

Kavya: Yes. Very much and it seems serious. What I heard from one of my VIP customer is that there was an income tax ride in his office today morning and they were able to collect much evidence against their illegal constructions and other illegitimate activities.

Me: 😨😰

Kavya: There is a rumour spreading across the business circle that, this was not just a usual law suit. It is a serious one and there is a certain someone who is behind pulling the thread to bring down the Ace & Hammer.

Me: Really?!! And who is it?!!

Kavya: Who do you think it is?!! It should be someone like as powerful as your dear '.' Isn't it?!!🤨😜

Me: You think it is Vedant?!!

That's when I heard the door bell rang. I think they are back. The bell rang again. He could enter the house using the password right. Why does he always ring the bell?!! I sighed in irritation. I was already upset that he left with her and now I had to see them together again. And it really hurts.

I took my phone and typed a message to Kavya.

Me: Gotta go!! Catch you later. 😘

The bell rang again. I sighed and got up from my bed and put on a grey zip up hoodie and walked out of the room.

I opened the door and saw Ved and Arohi standing there. There was a small band aid on her forehead. I opened the door wide for them to enter. They walked inside and I closed the door and walked behind them. When we reached the living room Arohi turned towards me. "I'm sorry if we wake you up. Ved told that he forgot the password to the door that's why we had to ring the bell." She said to me with an apologetic face.

I frowned. He forgot the password?!! The password he was using all these years and he just forgot it like that!! Did he hit his head somewhere?!! I looked at him with creases in my forehead. He immediately looked away without giving me a glance.

"Yeah. He is under lot of stress recently. So to keep everything in his mind might be really difficult." I said sarcastically with a fake smile. He looked at me and I gave an uninterested look to him. I turned towards Arohi. "How are you now? Does it hurt?" I asked her genuinely while pointing at her forehead. "Yeah. I am good. I told that to him also, but he was very adamant that he didn't allow me to leave the hospital without taking a full body check up. That's why we came late." She said. Wow!! He was this worried about her. I sighed and gave her a fake smile. "Do you want to eat something?" I asked. "Oh. No. We ate outside. It was too late and we were really hungry. If you don't mind I would like to go and take a nap." She said yawning. "Yeah. Sure. Good night." I said to her. "Good night." She said and walked inside her room and closed the door.

I too turned towards the staircase. "Niharika." I heard him calling. I stopped and sighed closing my eyes. "I'm sorry, I'm not in mood to talk. I feel really tired. Good night." I said without looking at him and took fast strides through the staircase. I don't know what he wants to tell but I am kind of afraid that he might ask me to leave. I reached my door but stopped when Ved held my wrist. "I want to talk to you." He said in a low voice. "Please. I don't want to talk about anything right now. I'm totally exhausted." I said without looking at his face. I freed my wrist from his grip and entered my room.

Suddenly I was yanked back towards a hard chest. I winced in pain but he seems to be not noticing it. "I told you that, I. WANT. TO. TALK." He whisper yelled into my ears. His lips were brushing my earlobe lightly, I gulped and I could feel the knot forming in my stomach. My body was yearning his closeness. Goose bumps were forming in the back of my neck. I closed my eyes. I can't let the desire win this time. I took a deep breath. "And I'm telling you that I don't want to talk anything right now." I said and struggled to get away from him.

He kicked the door close with his leg and spun me around and pinned my back against the door. I closed my eyes tight and bit my lip to stop the moan coming out of my mouth because of the pain caused by my bruise. My eyes were stinging. I looked up to see his face. "We will talk. Right now. Right here. And I won't take no as an answer." He said gritting his teeth. He gripped my shoulder tightly and this time I couldn't stop wincing. I held my shoulder tightly with my other hand.

He frowned and then loosened his grip. "What happened?" He asked. I gulped hard. I didn't look at him. "Niharika, I am asking you? What happened?" He asked and brought his hand to my shoulder. I held his wrist, stopping him. "Nothing. I'm good. If you will excuse me, I would like to sleep." I said firmly and left his wrist. I walked around him towards the bed. Why doesn't he leave me alone when I want to be alone? I took deep breath to clam myself.

Vedant walked around me and stood in front of me before I could reach the bed. He was frowning and held a withering look. I sighed in irritation and moved to his left but I was pulled back and before I could say something he tugged on my zipper and pulled it down and spun me around. Next second my hoodie was stripped off from me and was lying on the floor. I gasped in shock. I could feel his stare making holes in the back of my head. He held my hands and pulled me close to his chest and looked at my shoulder. He ran his thump on the bruise I tilted my head to side and pursed my lips.

His body became stiff and I heard him gritting his teeth. He left his hold on me and took a step back. "Stay in the bed." He said and walked towards the door. I scoffed. I fisted my fingers feeling annoyed. Who is he to order me? And what is with this new concern? He didn't even bother to give a glance before and now giving me orders. How dare he? I opened my mouth to speak but was intrigued by him. "Don't even think about locking the door when I'm out. I will break it and trust me you won't like what I will do after that." He said with a complete serious tone and walked out without even bothering about my reply. I gulped and rolled my eyes. I sighed. He can be so intimidating some times.

I paced across the room slowly crossing my hands. I looked up when I heard the door opening. Vedant was standing there with a small plastic box in his hand. He has removed his coat and tie. First few buttons of his shirt was open and he was looking at me with a frown. "Didn't I tell you to stay in the bed?" He asked. I made my lips into a tight line. "And why should I listen to you? You never listen to me. I told you to leave me alone. I need to sleep. But what are you doing now?" I asked with a hard tone.

He gritted his teeth. "In the bed, lay on your stomach. NOW." He said pointing towards the bed, anger dripping in each word. His free hand was in a fist and his knuckles turned white. I narrowed my eyes at him. "No. Thank you for your concern. I am capable of taking care of myself. Now please get out of my room, so that I can sleep." I said stubbornly and crossed my arms across my chest tightly. Who does he think he is kidding? If he is thinking that I will be a submissive for his arrogant attitude, then dude, you are mistaken. I can be stubborn as much as you can.

I could see that he is fuming by now. I averted my gaze from him and bend down. I picked up my hoodie. Before I could wear it, I was thrown to the bed. I was lying on my stomach and my hands were pinned behind me by Ved's hands. I winced in pain and turned my head to my side. I struggled to free my hands but he was much stronger and the pain was not at all helping. He loosened his grip but didn't let go of my hands.

"The more you struggle the more pain it will cause. Let me look at it. If you are still going to fight I won't mind tying you up to the bed." He said firmly. I am the one fuming now. I feel helpless but I couldn't let him win. I still struggled to get out of the grip, my eyes became watery and tears rolled down from my eyes. "Please. Please Niharika. Let me do this." I heard him saying. His voice was not angry. It sounded soft and hoarse. He left the hold on my hands. I don't know why but I stopped fighting. I bit my lips to stop the sobs and lay still in the bed. I didn't look at him. I brought my hands from my back and kept them on each side of my head.

He rubbed the gel on my bruise and then applied ice pack on it. We both kept silent. I was already tired and exhausted and my eyes were becoming heavy. I think I heard him saying 'I'm sorry' before drifting into my sleep. I felt two drops of a warm liquid on my cheeks and a soft press of lips on my temple. I was too tried to open my eyes so I let the sleep consume me.