Plan for Apart

Ridhima's Bedroom — Night

The soft glow of the bedside lamp cast long shadows on the walls. Ridhima sat on her bed, legs crossed, her fingers nervously tapping against her phone screen. The events at the dinner table played on a loop in her mind—Veer's smug smirk, his audacious question about the marriage date, and her father's lack of hesitation in agreeing.

Ridhima (thinking): That arrogant man... Veer Arora. Who does he think he is? Acting like this marriage is already set in stone.

She clenched her jaw, her mind whirring with thoughts. There had to be a way out of this situation. Marrying Veer was not something she would accept easily, even if her father said it was essential for business.

Ridhima (thinking): There's definitely a way to stop this wedding. But what? I can't just tell my dad outright—it'll only hurt the business. But Veer... Veer needs to understand that I'm not the type of girl who'll fall in line.

She paced the room, her long hair swaying with every step.

Ridhima (thinking): Maybe I should find something about Veer that makes him an unsuitable match. A reason strong enough for my parents to call off this arrangement.

Her brows furrowed deeper.

Ridhima (thinking): Or... if Veer himself backs out, that solves everything.

A sudden determination sparked in her eyes.

Ridhima (thinking): Yes. If I make things difficult enough for him, maybe he'll be the one to say no.

Her lips curled into a mischievous smirk as a plan began forming in her mind.

Ridhima (thinking): Let the game begin, Mr. Veer Arora.

She switched off the lamp, the room plunging into darkness. But sleep was far from her reach—her thoughts filled with schemes and possibilities.

Ridhima's Bedroom — 1:00 AM

The room was quiet, the faint hum of the city barely audible through the windows. Ridhima had just closed her eyes when her phone buzzed harshly on the nightstand. Groaning, she turned over and grabbed it.

Ridhima (groggy): "Who the hell is calling at this hour?"

The screen displayed Unknown Number. Rolling her eyes, she declined the call and dropped the phone back onto the bed.

Barely a minute passed when the phone buzzed again, the persistent ring breaking the silence. Irritated, Ridhima picked it up and answered.

Ridhima: "Who the hell are you?"

A low, familiar voice filled the line, smooth and teasing.

Veer: "Your future husband, sweetheart."

Her sleep vanished in an instant. Her brows furrowed as she sat up straight.

Ridhima: "Veer Arora? Are you insane? What do you want at midnight?"

Veer: "You."

Ridhima's breath caught, but before she could lash out, he added casually,

Veer: "...and your time. Can we meet for brunch tomorrow?"

Ridhima (snapping): "Mr. Arora, I am not as free as you seem to be. Maybe you should find some actual work to do."

She was about to cut the call when Veer's voice stopped her.

Veer: "I know you don't want to marry me."

Her grip tightened on the phone.

Veer: "I have a solution for you. Just meet me for brunch, and we'll discuss it."

Ridhima paused, her mind torn between skepticism and curiosity. This was unexpected, but if Veer had a way to call off the marriage, she needed to hear it.

Ridhima: "Fine. Brunch at 1:00 PM. Don't be late."

Without waiting for his response, she ended the call. Placing the phone back down, she leaned against the headboard, her mind racing.

Ridhima (thinking): What game is Veer Arora playing now? Whatever it is, I'll win.

Satisfied with her decision, she lay back down, though sleep remained elusive.

Veer's Bedroom — 1:15 AM

Veer stared at his phone, the call screen still glowing before it dimmed. He exhaled sharply, leaning back against the sofa, his thoughts tangled.

Veer (to himself): "This deal is important for me... Ridhima? Not this marriage—never."

He rubbed a hand over his face, frustration creeping into his voice as he muttered,

Veer: "But why can't I get her out of my head? What makes her so damn important?"

The image of her sharp eyes and fierce demeanor flashed before him. He hated the way his gaze was drawn to her, how his mind kept circling back to her presence at every turn.

Veer (gritting his teeth): "I hate this. I'm attracted to a woman who despises me like hell."

The thought gnawed at him, unsettling yet undeniable. With a sigh of resignation, he stretched out on the sofa, unable to face the comfort of his bed.

Veer (softly): "This is ridiculous..."

The room fell silent, his heart still racing with conflicting emotions. Despite the turmoil, exhaustion eventually claimed him as he drifted into a restless sleep on the sofa, Ridhima lingering at the edges of his dreams.