Chapter 37

Roopa squeezed her eyes shut in a bid to block the sound of the deafening slap. But no matter how much she tried, the slap, the person, and the situation repeated played over and over in front of her eyes. Added to all of that, the slap mark showed prominently on her left cheek and it was stinging even after so many hours. She glanced at the mirror hanging on the wall beside the cupboard and rubbed at her cheek vigorously to somehow make the marks disappear but the action only worsened it as now it looked an angry red. She bit her lips wondering how she will go to the office and contemplated taking an off.

That bitch! she screamed inwardly. Luckily Mala had not gotten up when she came back in and so she had quickly gone back to bed, but now she did not know for how long she could keep it from that nosy girl.

Why the hell did I go out at that time! she groaned holding her head. Roopa was so occupied by her thoughts that she did not hear Mala coming out from the bathroom.

"Are you alright?" she asked standing before the mirror and throwing her towel onto a chair.

"Y-yes, I'm fine" Roopa mumbled a reply.

Mala stole a glance at Roopa who was still holding on to her head and her self-esteem. "You don't look alright! Do you have a headache?" Mala persisted as she came closer to her.

Roopa fidgeted in her seat and turned her head slightly so that the left side was not immediately visible. "I'm fine, just did not sleep well. I was thinking of taking the day off," she said getting up quickly as she felt Mala's curious eyes on her. But before she could move away Mala caught her hand and pulled her. The movement jerked her body making her about to fall and Roopa turned fully facing Mala. The latter's eyes went wide with surprise.

"What is wrong with your face?" she asked loudly.

"Shhh...just be quiet. It's nothing" replied Roopa trying to pry her fingers from her hand.

"Nothing! you call that nothing. It is red as a tomato and....." she paused moving her head closer "is that......is that a slap mark?" asked Mala as her eyes went round.

Roopa jerked off the hand and started walking to the bathroom to escape the other girl.

"You got slapped? By whom?" Then suddenly a realization hit her, "So the sound I heard in the morning was not of a transformer blast?" she let out a laugh, "Oh wow! just imagine the power of the slap"

"Are you making fun of me?" Roopa looked livid

Mala stopped laughing. "I was just thinking about the intensity of the slap....ok...ok...sorry," she said finally seeing that Roopa's face was turning darker by the minute. "Who slapped you? Geeta?"

Roopa did not want to answer the question but then she wondered if she could turn the situation in her favour. If Mala could tell the others at the office that Nandini had hit her then...Brilliant idea!

"I heard a sound from the kitchen at 2:30 and I thought it was some thief so I went to check. It was Nandini who was getting water. So when I turned to leave she told me very rudely that she will get Abhi one way or the other. I did not want to argue with her and I told her that she should leave Abhimanyu alone, that he has already found the one he wants," she paused willing tears into her eyes. "I-I don't know what happened" she hiccupped touching her throat as if in pain "she lunged at me, pulled my hair" The tears flowed freely as Roopa continued her story, "I asked her to stop to leave me alone, then finally she slapped me and then screamed that Abhimanyu was hers and that she will not hesitate to kill me too. Then she stormed away"

Roopa turned away and fake sobbed smirking at Mala's reaction.

"I did not hear all that, just the slap, but oh my God, she is evil!"

Roopa nodded. "She was like that from Vilaspore."

Mala's brow scrunched as she took in the words. "If that is the case why did Abhimanyu sir bring her to Mumbai and give her a job?"

Roopa was stunned by the question but she quickly came up with a response. "That is because her father was a trusted employee or something. He requested Abhi to give her a job. He wanted to bring her to Vilaspore but I said no, as it is not good for her to be there. I don't trust her. So I told him that you need to keep enemies closer."

Mala soaked up all that Roopa said and believed it easily as she hated Nandini. Her eyes twinkled at the thought of spreading the juicy gossip at the office. Roopa did not miss the twinkle in Mala's eye and she smiled considering her revenge complete. It is going to be a fun day for Princess Nandini, she sighed in satisfaction.

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"So gentlemen that is the presentation. We will take questions now or any doubts that you need clarification for," said the young man in the dark blue suit representing ARS constructions who specialized in Industrial constructions. The group to which he was presenting his ideas were foreign delegates from Oman, who was into oil and gas and from their bright faces it was clear that they loved it.

"No no no habibi no questions! Yalla Mr Abhimanyu Singh let's sign the deal now itself. We are very satisfied with everything. The construction can start in a month or two?"

"Mr Singh? Shall we sign the deal?"

"Mr Singh?"

Aakash moved slightly closer to Abhimanyu breaking him from his reverie. "Sir! they are asking you to sign to the deal"

Abhimanyu looked up and saw a bunch of eager and confused faces. He mentally smacked his head. This was utterly unprofessional of him. He swiftly switched back into the Yuvraj mode.

"I am sorry gentleman. We can sign the agreement."

The confused faces cleared up. "Excellent. His Highness Sheikh Hadad has invited you to visit Oman next month. I believe your father had His Highness are good friends."

"Of course. I will surely visit but not next month as I have some personal issues to take care of. I will call him personally."

"Very well"

The documents were signed, the delegates left leaving Abhimanyu alone in the huge conference hall of his five star hotel. He had sent his guard and Aakash away wanting some alone time.   He shook his head angry at the way he behaved at the meeting. He had never done something like this no matter how great the adverse situations. Strangely though he was not angry at Nandini. There was an innate need to see her again, hold her in his arms but he also wanted to get as far away from her as possible. Now he wondered what was the real reason for keeping her in Mumbai, was it only for revenge or for fear that if he left her at Jaypore he won't be able to see her again. Amidst all this, his mother's face swam in front of him smiling, holding out her arms.

How did mother die? He did not go into the finer details at that time as there was too much on his plate. He had to take care of his father, Uttara and Vilaspore. He remembered Nandini's plea to hear her out. What had she wanted to say? He ran his fingers through his already tousled hair and sighed. He did not want to go back to Taurus any time soon. He had a lot of thinking to do and he needed peace for that.

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"Hi, Vikram here. As you see I am not available. If it's urgent call my secretary or leave a voicemail."

Nandini touched the red receiver icon and placed the phone on the table with a thud. She was trying to get in touch with her brother for an hour. Where the hell had he gone? Throw me into the mess and disappear Bhai sa! she mentally chided her brother. Geeta took a spoonful of rice into her mouth while watching Nandini.

"Is everything alright?" she finally asked as another sigh escaped from Nandini's lips.

Nandini lifted her eyes to the concerned face of Geeta. "I can't reach my brother. It's going to voicemail," she said truthfully and feeling the need to confide at least in someone.

"Oh ho, don't worry might be a bad signal. Try again after some time," she said sipping on the water. Noticing that Nandini hardly touched her food she pointed it out, "You haven't eaten at all. Come on don't worry and eat up."

Nandini smiled and shifted her attention to the food in front of her.

"Some people are so vicious," the shrill voice of Mala came from across the room. "They look so innocent but they are so so deadly," she continued.

Geeta frowned on hearing the comment and looked at Nandini who merely shrugged.

Meanwhile, the whole canteen had gone silent. One of the staff whose interest was piqued questioned Mala "Who are you talking about?"

Mala smirked shifting her gaze to Nandini and the others followed suit. Wanting to get the juicy titbit they swarmed Mala's table. Revelled in the attention that she was getting, Mala went on to relate all that had happened at the flat and spiced it up with excess information. The only people who were disinterested in what Mala had to say was Geeta and some senior staff members.

"What is she going on about?" asked Geeta in a whisper.

Nandini was not in the habit of divulging too much information so she kept it short and simple. "Roopa taunted me, I slapped her."

Geeta smiled at the curt answer and went on to eat her food while Nandini picked up the phone yet again to try and call her brother. For a moment her thoughts strayed to Abhimanyu and she willed herself to not go down that path so soon.

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Roopa paced up and down wondering what she could do to hurt the spoilt brat. Her hands itched to wring Nandini's neck but she controlled herself by letting her fingernails dig into her palm. It was hurting but she had to take her mind off from the sting that was still on her cheek. Precisely at that moment, her phone rang and she picked it up quickly hoping to see Abhimanyu's number flashing on the screen. He would have noticed that she hadn't come to the office today and would be inquiring to find out the reason, she thought. But there was no familiar name on the screen but the word 'Private Number'.

Tentatively she picked the call, "Hello"

A deep timbre sounded from the other end. "How is your cheek? Is it still paining? You should have known better than to mess with her directly."

Roopa clutched the phone with more force than necessary. Her anger flared. "Who the hell are you? Did she tell you to call me and goad me?"

The voice laughed and it sent shivers in her body. "I have eyes and ears everywhere my dear. If you want to take revenge on her then I will provide you with the right opportunity. You can take my offer or leave it but as you are a smart girl I think you will."

"Who are you?" Roopa questioned her voice quivering.

"No one that concerns you. Remember, I don't need you but you need me. I will call you tomorrow at the same time. If your answer is yes then you will get your revenge. She will be out of your life and Yuvraj Abhimanyu will be yours."

Roopa felt strange but the last words the voice uttered grabbed her interest. "Abhimanyu will be mine?" she asked more to herself than to the stranger on the phone.

"Yessss" the voice whispered. "Imagine Vilaspore, you being the Queen and in his arms day after day.......night after night....."

A wave of pleasure washed through her as she imagined herself in Abhimanyu's arms, their bodies entwined, his lips on hers, his hand roving her entire body.....It was too much for her to take that her legs turned to jelly and she held on to the wall for support.

"W-What should I do?"

The voice laughed again. "I don't want you to take a hasty decision. I will call you again in a day or two. If your answer is yes even then, then I will take your revenge for you." The voice hung up and Roopa stared at the phone for a long time wondering if she had dreamt the whole thing. She immediately went to the recent calls and there it was....the name private number. She pressed on it several times but to no avail. Placing the phone next to her, she stared at it long and hard as if it were an alien instrument. What had just happened? Her mind was clogged, her heart was racing, her palms clammy with sweat. A stranger had called her and promised to take revenge on Nandini. She stood up but sat down back again wiping her palms on the pale green kurti she was wearing.

Who was that person who knew that she had feelings for Abhimanyu? The image of Suraj appeared and her eyes widened. But.....the voice was nothing like his, she mused. The man had ignored her after the Vilaspore fiasco and he wasn't even returning her calls, then who? Keeping all the unanswered questions aside, she concentrated on the two important things - revenge and Abhimanyu. She lifted her hand and touched her cheek, her eyes burned with rage. Nandini was the obstacle for everything and she had to be eliminated one way or the other.

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Abhimanyu did not appear in the office and Nandini was almost thankful for it. Though it was after six o clock, she did not feel like heading to the apartment or Jaypore House. Why couldn't I reach bhai sa? That was the predominant thought in her head. Sitting in the lobby she wondered if she could bide her time here, but that was not possible as the office would be closed in half an hour, and she couldn't exactly roam around the streets. She got up and dragged her feet to the main door. The driver was already waiting and immediately opened the door for her. At the apartment, things were quiet for the moment, Mala and Roopa were nowhere to be seen and she was thankful for that. She did not want another confrontation, as she was not in the mood to deliver another slap.

Not having the energy to change her clothes, she went straight to her bed and lay down hoping to catch a wink of sleep before Uday arrived. The atmosphere was peaceful, the yellow light from the street acted as a balm on her nerves. Within minutes she drifted off to sleep.

The smell of jasmine invaded her senses as she ran her fingers on the blossoms that climbed up the trellis on the balcony. They were beautiful and abundant. She had wandered to the second floor of the palace upset with someone or something or had someone beckoned her.......Then she saw him, dressed in jodhpurs, a playful smile on his lips.....But, how could she see his smile, it was dark, wasn't it? No, it wasn't dark, there were a hundred crystal lamps lit along the wall brightening everything.

"I have seen you before, somewhere, in a dream?" she questioned taking hesitant steps toward him.

The man laughed out loud showing his pearly whites. Then he stopped laughing and his face became sombre. "You are not seeing," he said with urgency.

Nandini looked confused. "Not seeing what?" she asked walking to the man. But it seemed as if the man was moving farther away from her.

He shook his head sadly. "You are thinking from here" he replied pointing to his head. Then he pointed to his heart, "think from here and you will get all your answers. Set yourself free....you will know the answers."

Nandini stopped walking. "Please," she begged, "please let me go. I can't do this. I am not strong."

The man took several steps backwards and smiled. "If anyone can do it, it is you." He then stopped abruptly, "Vilaspore needs you, Chandra Raj needs you............ Abhimanyu needs you." His face darkened and Nandini gasped in fear. "Only you can save him from destroying himself. If you fail........Abhimanyu will cease to exist."

Nandini was shocked. She held out her hand to try to stop him. She wanted to know what he meant by that. She wanted to know who he was. "Abhimanyu will cease to exist" he whispered in her ears.

Nandini's eyes snapped open and she got up sweating profusely. She looked around and found it to be the flat where she was living. She looked around for water and took a large gulp. It was then she heard a familiar voice outside. Checking her watch she saw that it was past eight-thirty. She couldn't believe that she had slept for an hour. She quickly got up and went out to see Mala and Roopa in a heated conversation with Uday. Geeta was trying to calm things down.

"What is going on here?" asked Nandini irritated by the sight of Roopa.

Roopa unconsciously took a step back while Mala stared at her in distaste. "All this is not allowed in this house," said Mala in derision. "We come from good families so if you want to have relations please search for another house."

Nandini ignored Mala and went straight to Uday. "When did you come?" she asked quietly. She could see that Uday was angry. It was not often that Uday got upset and when he did it was difficult to calm him.

"You are living here! Among such idiots! Nandini you are coming with me now!" he said catching hold of her hand and pulling her to the door.

"How dare you call...." interrupted Mala

"If you say one word again, I will make you so sorry that you will wish you weren't born. Do you want me to show you what I can do?" Uday spoke through his teeth making Mala shiver.

"I am fine. I think we should leave. It's time isn't it?"

Uday placed his hands on his hips looking deranged. "I can allow this Nandini. No, I can't. If you are not coming with me right now I will call...."

Before he could take her father's name, Nandini broke in, "Okay, let's go....." she said trying to take him away from the place.

Uday did not say anything more, but simply nodded his head and giving a final deathly glance to Roopa and Mala he walked out. Nandini turned to Geeta. "I am sorry for that. I will be a bit late and I will tell you when I come back."

Geeta held Nandini's hand. "I trust you. Please take care okay."

Nandini was touched by the genuine words of Geeta. Going against her character, she hugged Geeta with all her heart and left immediately.

After they left, Mala turned to Roopa, "You know that guy?" she asked.

"He is Uday, a friend of Abhi and is in love with Nandini, but she is using him. Poor fellow" snorted Roopa.

Geeta did not stay much to hear what the other girl had to say and went to her room. Though she did not believe Roopa, she understood that there was a lot of secrets that Nandini was hiding. The only prayer on her lips was that Nandini should not be the only one to deceive her.

A/N: Hey dear ones. I know I should go on my knees and beg your forgiveness and I know that you will forgive me too......Please bear with me as I am going through some tumultuous times.