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“Until I know you better,” she adds.

I exhale audibly.

“Sure.”

Sure? Did I agree? So easily? Even Jhanvi looks a bit shocked that I simply gave in to her demand.

“Thanks. We will take the same room we were the other day then.”

“No. You two don’t need to stick to one room. This mansion is large enough to give you your individual privacy. You can occupy two bedrooms on this same floor, next to each other.”

Jhanvi looks at Jaya and then they both nod.

“Great. Thanks once again.”

Before I even acknowledge their thank you, the two women exit my room in a hurry, as if I will lock them up here if they stay for even one more second.

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“I can’t believe this,” Aman groans. “If she wants to give this marriage a chance, why is she staying in a separate room? And her friend Jaya will stay with you too? Wow!!”

I sip my coffee and focus back on work. After Jhanvi and Jaya settled down in their respective rooms, Aman and I came to the AR office to finish some quick formalities. I had to sign a few cheques.

“One step at a time, Aman. You know I believe in that. Jhanvi is back to me. With a motive of course, but that’s enough for me she is staying under my roof and not Durga Raichand’s.”

Aman sips his coffee and puts the mug on the table again.

“A woman with a motive is always dangerous. Remember that.”

“I can never forget.” I smile. “But that will change. I will make sure she sides with me over the other Raichands. Soon.”

I sign the last cheque and sprawl back on my leather chair.

“For now, I want to give my wife something. As in a wedding gift.”

Aman acknowledges my comment with a nod.

“Good thinking. What have you decided for the gift then?”

Another smile breaks on my lips as I mentally make a note of what that gift should be. It will be another blow to the Raichands for sure, and I can’t wait for it.

CHAPTER 16

Jhanvi

I can’t believe I pulled this off. I am at AR Mansion as he calls it, under the same roof as Aarav is and going to be here for no idea how long. I hope Mohit doesn’t stretch this act and I walk away from Aarav and this marriage with dignity. I had no choice but to accept Mohit’s silly idea of fighting back Aarav Raichand and regain whatever they have lost back, though I really don’t support lying and cheating people for that, even if that person is my enemy. I have always played fair, except this one time when I lied to Aarav that I am back to him because I genuinely want to give our marriage a chance. What hurts me the most is that I used even my late father’s name in my lame excuse. I hope he forgives me.

Aarav’s servants show us two bedrooms which Jaya and I occupy. Later, she leaves to get my bags from Raichand House and returns within an hour with an additional phone.

“What is this for?” I ask Jaya, who has come to my room to help me unpack my clothes.

“Mohit wants you to use this phone to speak to him. So that Aarav wouldn’t know you are on good terms. He had hacked my phone, remember? What if he hacks yours too and hears all your conversations? Mohit said he doesn’t want to take any chances.”

Mohit is right. I can’t trust Aarav. I am still shocked how he got to know which hotel I checked in and that Daadi and Mohit had come to see me? I take the phone and hide it in the closet. I will use it whenever Aarav is not around. There’s another door knock and this time it’s the same servant who had brought me clothes the other morning, which supposedly Aarav had shopped for me. Today, she again has a few bags along.

“What is all this?” I ask, hoping these are not from Aarav again.

“Sir wants you to wear this in the evening. He is going to take you out.”

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