Page 203 of One Hellish Passion

Adira groaned in frustration. “And where would I end up if I used this gun?” she demanded.

The woman smirked. “In Ranveer's arms. Forever. All you have to do is follow my orders.”

Adira felt a sinking feeling in her chest. Did she have any other option?

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Paradise

Vivek told everything that had happened earlier that evening to Garima over the phone, and she wasn't impressed either. However, this time, she refrained from passing judgment on her daughter, nor did she wanted to oppose her daughter’s wishes.

“Garima, I'm prepared to apologize countless times to earn her forgiveness. Please, just talk to her once. I'm begging you,” Vivek pleaded.

There was a silence on Garima's end for another minute. “I won't force her into anything, Vivek. She has every right to be upset with you,” she responded.

“I understand that,” he replied earnestly. “And I want to correct my mistakes.”

“It's too late for that,” she sighed.

“You don't understand, Garima. There's so much I need to discuss with you, and share. Please, meet me tomorrow,” he urged.

“No, Vivek. I don't think I can come out to see you,” she asserted.

“Why? Is it because Ranveer and Maya will track you?” he asked.

“Don't unnecessarily involve them in every matter,” she snapped.

“I'm sorry,” he murmured. “But I'm losing my patience, Garima. I think I need you with me.”

Garima flinched. She had always longed to hear those words from him, prayed for their togetherness. She yearned to reside under the same roof with him, to take care of him and his family. But he had never taken the initiative for any of that.

“I'll wait for you at our usual spot tomorrow. Please come,” he said before ending the call.

Garima hesitated over whether to comply with his request. Why did he want to meet her tomorrow? She wished she could share this with Maya, but she wouldn't. Maya was married now and had her own set of problems to deal with. She wouldn't involve her daughter in her mess anymore. She emerged from her room to fill her water jar.

“Everything okay, mother-in-law?” Ranveer asked as he found her in the kitchen, already inside himself.

“Yes, I'm fine,” she smiled.

Ranveer rolled his eyes. “You're just like your daughter. Terrible at lying.”

Garima was unsure how to respond. “What's the matter? Did you get into a fight with Pammi aunty or Daadi?” he joked.

Garima laughed at the question. “Why would you think they'd fight with me?”

“Because they're both big-time fighters,” he teased.

This elicited another laugh from her. Maya, who had come out looking for her husband, found him cheerfully engaging with her mother, a task that used to be her responsibility. She leaned against the kitchen door and observed the two conversing, but Garima noticed her presence.

“Son-in-law, I won't keep you for long. Someone is eagerly waiting for you,” she teased.

Maya blushed and entered the room. “Mom, that was a bit much,” she chided playfully, hugging Garima. “But it's true,” she added, glancing at her husband, who opened the refrigerator and retrieved the ice cream tub.

Although he had been away from her for only 10 minutes, she missed him. She couldn't remain in the room, so she came out to see what had delayed him.

“Ice cream? At this hour?” Garima questioned as Ranveer scooped two servings into a bowl.

“Your daughter's midnight cravings,” he replied.

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