Page 5 of One Hellish Passion

“Ranveer, I—”

“I won't tolerate that,” he snapped.

“I'm sorry. What do you want me to do to fix this situation?” Roshni asked in return. She might have unintentionally offered her assistance, but Ranveer Malhotra decided to use it to his advantage. He explained his plan to Roshni, who carefully noted down his instructions.

“Okay, I'll do it. But I personally think this is too much.”

“She left me with no choice,” he snapped before abruptly departing.

************

“Mom, I'm home,” Maya opened the main door of her rented apartment with the master key. Her two-bedroom apartment was on the 10th floor of a posh building at one of the best locations in Delhi. She picked up an envelope from the floor, realizing it was a missed appointment letter from the clinic. She had forgotten about the appointment due to her busy schedule with the event, and decided to reschedule it for her mother.

Ritu, her mother's caretaker, emerged from her mother's room.

“Didi, aunty is sleeping,” Ritu replied.

“You didn't go home? It's already 09:00 p.m.,” Maya checked her watch.

“Aunty had a mild fever, Didi. I didn't want to leave her alone.”

“Fever?”

Worried, Maya rushed into the bedroom to see her mother sleeping peacefully.

“I gave her medicine,” Ritu assured her.

Maya checked her mother's forehead and neck to see if her fever had subsided. It seemed to be returning to normal now.

“Thanks, Ritu, for staying past your work hours. I am really grateful.”

Ritu smiled.

“It's okay Didi. You and aunty are like my family now. Don't thank me. I'll message my husband and ask him to pick me up.”

“Yes, please,” Maya replied in a hoarse voice. Whenever something happened to her mother, she always felt torn. She sat beside her mother and gently caressed her hair.

“Sorry, Mom, I broke your promise today. Please forgive me.”

After a few minutes, Maya decided to take a shower first. The extra makeup she had applied on her back to make it look glossy was now itching her skin. She stepped into the bathroom and, knowing her mother might need her at any moment, she quickly stood under the shower and scrubbed herself.

An hour later, Maya managed to make a sandwich for herself. She grilled two more for her mother Garima and entered the bedroom. Garima was awake.

“Mom, how are you feeling now?” Maya sat next to her.

“Better. I'm feeling quite sweaty, though,” Garima replied.

“That's because of the paracetamol. I checked your temperature; you seem fine. Eat this.”

Maya handed the sandwich to her mother, who took a bite.

“You didn't add cheese?” Garima asked, making a disappointed face.

“No. Look at you, Mom. You don't want to lose that figure, do you? Too much cheese isn't good at your age.”

Garima frowned but finished the sandwich with her daughter.

“How was the event?” Garima asked.

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