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“Not now Aarav… Later..”

I am about to cross him to go to the bedroom when he grabs my wrists and hauls me to his body.

“I had asked you last night, didn’t I? I had asked what your real motive to come back was, and you lied to me, Jhanvi. Why?”

“I didn’t do anything.” I sob. I don’t think I can explain better than that. Not now at least.

“You didn’t? Then how did my deal with the Sinha’s break off? Just yesterday they had promised to sign the deal with my company and today they tell me the DG group of companies had quoted less than mine, and they would like to give the contract to them? How was it even possible unlessyoudidn’t plant this device anywhere near me where I take such business decisions?”

His deal broke off? But I didn’t do anything. It’s not me. It can never be me!! Aarav’s grip on my arms tightens.

“You are hurting me, Aarav. I don’t want to speak to you if you don’t trust me.”

“Trust?”

He leaves me so roughly that I literally jerk but balance myself.

“You know what, Jhanvi? You are right. I never trusted you and after this act, I don’t think I can ever trust you even in the near future. So, while I sort this mess you created for my business, I want you to go back home and wait for me there.”

He is sending me back? Do I care? Do I really care if he trusts me or not? Today Mohit broke my trust and Aarav thinks I broke his. Where am I in between? Nowhere. Where do I have to go after this? Nowhere. I shouldn’t have agreed to this stupid idea of Mohit to stay with Aarav as his wife. I shouldn’t have trusted anyone to make me feel wanted and loved because both these men I have here in my life are selfish and self-centered. All they are concerned about is their business and enmity. If Aarav used me as a pawn in his game, Mohit did the same, but hid that fact from me. I don’t think I can ever forget any of this or forgive any of them.

As Aarav storms out of the room, I collapse on the floor, drawing my knees up to hide my face and cry.

CHAPTER 23

Aarav

It’s been 45 hours since I sent Jhanvi back home to Mumbai and there hasn’t been a single moment when I didn’t think about her. Why did she deceive me? I never thought Jhanvi could play unfairly by planting such secret devices to hack my business talks for Mohit. Of course, this had to be Mohit’s idea, but I didn’t like her cheating me. But then again, did I play fair with her so far? No, I didn’t. Then how could I expect her to be fair to me? I already suspected Mohit and Durga Raichand sent Jhanvi to stay with me and act good so that they could get my secrets out. Yet, I gave her that benefit of doubt, but not anymore. She has destroyed the blind trust I showed upon her. Why doesn’t she understand she is still taking the wrong side? Why can’t she choose me?

My deal with the Sinha group is never going to be back on track, which is fine. I don’t need them to expand my business. Others are waiting to join hands with my company, but I hate to lose this deal to the other Raichands. I am going to strike again and promise it will be soon.

I am still at the same hotel in Mussoorie, planning to fly back to Mumbai tomorrow. This is the only day I have to prepare myself for my next agenda once I return to Jhanvi. I have to reconsider how our relationship would work from hereon. I know she will never trust me or support me over the other Raichands, so I have to be careful how to deal with her and make sure she never leaves my side.

It’s just morning and instead of having coffee, I am drinking. This is so not me, but I can’t ignore my solitude. After so many years of loneliness since Maa passed away, Jhanvi had brought some hope into my life. And now that she deceived me, I don’t think I will ever be blessed with a family again.

My phone rings. It was somewhere here when I saw it last. Or wait. It’s in the bedroom. I’d ignored every contact with the outside world, but there’s something about this call that forces me to check my phone and answer it. Making way to the bedroom, I find my phone on the pillow. It’s Aman’s call. If he is calling me this early morning means it has to be about work.

“This better be important, Aman,” I shout, answering the phone call, but all my anger mellows down when I hear his panicked voice.

“Aarav.. Jhanvi. She .. she is not well. Come back soon. Please..”

My heart lurches at that statement.

“What? What happened to Jhanvi?” I shout back. “Is she okay? Where is she?”

I am already out to look for my other phone to ask my secretary to put me on the best available flight to Mumbai.

“She is unconscious. Had too many sleeping pills last night. Jaya thinks it’s a clear case of suicide. The doctor has arrived. Just come back, Aarav. I will update you more once I hear from the Doc.”

Suicide? Sleeping pills? Damn!!

“Don’t drop the call, Aman. I want to know it all. I … Damn!!” I scream in anger.

I want Jhanvi to be fine. I want her alive. Suicide? Like really? How can she even think of something so horrible? Am I responsible for this? Yes. I am responsible. I shouldn’t have scolded her that badly the other day. In fact, this is not just a one-day pain. I have been testing her patience, ruining her dreams and forcing her to accept all my commands from day one of her visit to India. This is all my fault and I am the only one responsible for her desire to end her life.

“Aman, do anything to keep her alive. I am reaching there as soon as I can.”

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