Page 40 of Forbidden

She screams back. Jhanvi is still at the door from inside, probably leaning her back to it.

“What did you do to her? Why is she crying?” Jaya intrudes us. “Did you hurt her again? What is your problem, Aarav Raichand? Can’t you let a woman stay happy?”

“Shut up and stay out of it.”

“No way I am staying out of this if you keep treating my friend like a doormat.”

“Seriously?” I groan. “I want to give her the best treatment. It is she who wants to support the wrong people.”

“That’s her choice. You can’t force her to pick people whom you love and hate those whom you hate.”

Aman joins us too, taking my side.

“Will you not complicate this more Jaya?”

“Miss Parekh!! It’s Miss Parekh for you,” she scowls at him and bangs the door. “Jhanvi. At least let me in. I swear I will kick these two men and make sure they won’t follow me inside the room. Open the door for me at least.”

I am about to force her to walk away from this situation where she has no right to talk between us but Aman stops me.

“She is right. Jhanvi will be comfortable talking to her friend rather than us. Let us give them some space. You can talk to her later. Please.”

Fine!! Aman always talks sensibly so I will take his advice. A final glare at the shut door and Jaya, and then I leave.

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

It’s midnight. I wasn’t really sleepy so I am sharing a drink with Aman whom I forced to stay here tonight. Not that I needed support, but I had the reception party plans to discuss with him. All the invitations will go out tomorrow and my team is already taking care of the event management at my newly bought Raichand mansion. I can’t measure how happy I am to finally get legal ownership of that palace where my mother rightfully belonged. Even now the cold shocking faces of Mohit and Durga Raichand when I announced the same, flashed in my head, giving me peace that I yearned for so many years. But this is not the end. I am yet to snatch too many things from them and won’t stop at any cost.

“Checkmate,” Aman chuckles.

We are playing a round of chess by the way and this is not the first time Aman has given me a checkmate. This never happened so frequently before. Today it’s recurring every few minutes. I take a swig of the drink, assessing all the options I have to come out of this situation.

“Come on, Aarav, think hard. Where’s your brain today?”

I throw a scowling look at him, which he knows is nothing serious, and then focus back on the game.

“Still thinking about her?”

I don’t react. I hope he can’t see how much that question has increased my curiosity to speak to Jhanvi and sort this out. I want her to talk to me openly, not hide. It’s been five hours since we came back from the Raichand mansion and she is not out of her room. Fortunately, she let Jaya into the room and they dined inside. At least I am relieved she had dinner.

Focusing on the game, I take my king one step back to avoid the Checkmate. I think that’s what I need to do at the moment. Step back and let Jhanvi come to me. Will she? I don’t think so.

We finish that round, and Aman retires to his room. I pour some more whiskey in mine, take a swig, and turn to leave, only to see the kitchen light glowing. I’m aware the maids have left for the day, which means it’s Jaya or Jhanvi. Either way, I won’t leave without knowing.

It is Jhanvi. In a light pink cotton nightgown, with her hair tied into a messy bun, she looks like a delicate doll who’s really out in a place where she doesn’t feel comfortable and safe. Without the marital chain on her neck or the Sindoor, it is so hard to even know she’s married.. to me!! I have no qualms if she doesn’t want to flaunt those accessories but would love it if she does that. For me!!

Jhanvi is looking for something. I don’t intrude on her as it might scare her and I don’t want that. I think she has had enough dose of that today. She puts something in her mouth after gulping some water and then turns around.

“What did you eat?” I snap. My detective mind alerts me and I can’t wait for her to reply. She puts the water bottle back in the fridge, and without answering me tries to walk away.

I grab her arm.

“I won’t repeat myself, Jaan. What did you swallow? Which medicine?”

She shrugs of my hold and steps behind, crossing her arms protectively.

“Why should I tell you? Do you tell me everything, Aarav?”

“If you ask me nicely, the way I am asking you right now, I will tell you anything you need to know. So, don’t try to push this on me and answer me, what did you just intake?”

---