IshVeer FF: La Douleur Exquise | Chapter 5 (Page 13) - Page 9

Originally posted by: Zenab78

It's fantastic ... 😊 tysm for pm

Originally posted by: 1ishveerian

Hi dear!
The chapter was good one,

So now Ishani will turn to Ranveer for seeking help,

The whole temple scene was wonderfull enough to put me on the edge of my seat...

Hey were you talking about Sharman, when you mentioned that her black eyes met his brown ones?
And in previous chapter as well, when you said that he was observing her from outside the window, and like that...
To b very honest i thought it to b ranveer, who was observing her, but in this chapter, you have mentioned that he landed that day itself, in India...!

Its not eccessing my mind...

Keep rocking

Hey, guys! So finally we update the next chapter and we know it's quite late. Apologies. :)

Chapter 3: Ghosts of the Past

The morning air whistled through the sultry atmosphere of Mumbai, the downpour having slacked off considerably since the last night that for a while seemed to have frozen the town where it was. The sun peeked quietly from behind the buildings, still veiled under the grey clouds, occasionally letting the light of the pale sun filter through them. Ishani sighed lightly as the building of the court peered across the road after a 2 hours travel from her home.

"Thank you," she said hastily to the rickshaw driver, handing him over the due money, and turned back to face the building. The entire hall, she noticed as she entered, was filled with the scent of the dull rustiness of the papers and the floor was soaked in the dirt, produced by the mud on the roads. A small unpleasant smile crept over her face at the analogy that her mind suddenly managed to draw from the dusty floor and her own life at the moment: crushed bitterly to nothingness and no one was there to hold on. Springing out of her thoughts immediately, she headed to her destination and after 20 minutes of struggle, her eyes brightened at the sight of her brother.

She advanced towards him and seeing him indulged in his work, she put her hand on his shoulder. "Sharman bhaiya," she whispered slowly, slow enough not to be heard by even the person sitting in the nearest cubicle.

Sharman stood up and smiled at his sister. "Come," he said and offered her a seat.

"What was it you couldn't talk to me at home?"

"Ishani, I'm afraid I cannot talk to you about it in my office either. We will have to find a different place, and since it's urgent and needs to be a secret, let's hope no one finds out about it. No one," Sharman said, emphasizing his last words, and Ishani nodded. Although he never said this to Ishani, but she confiding so much in Chirag always troubled him, and this remark was somewhere meant to silence her excitement that she should have liked to share with him sooner or later. Since Ishani and Chirag were to be married right after they won the case, Ishani never liked hiding anything from him. However, she right now had agreed and he could trust her on the matter before revealing one final and sole evidence he had been able to extract before it was too late. A final hope arriving at the doorstep at the most right time.

"How is Chirag doing?" he asked, changing the subject of the conversation. "I haven't heard anything from him for many weeks."

"He's been busy."

"Busy, eh?"

Ishani understood his sarcastic remark but chose to stay silent. She knew he didn't like Chirag, not after he had been out of station during her father's accident. Right now, her major concern was the subject her cousin wanted to discuss with her.

"But, sir, please look at this project once!" the man pleaded in front of RV while he only gave a careless sigh.

"How many times need I tell you the consignments have to be mature enough to be presented in front of RV?" RV retorted, his eyes so fiery for a moment that the man before him trembled.

"But- but, sir... you said you wanted the best diamond consignment for the commencement of your work in India, and it's the best one I have been able to fetch. Investments in these three companies have been huge and nothing can be more beneficial for you than it right now," the man spoke timidly and RV sighed, irritated.

"How meretricious!" he snarled.

"Sir, I will look after the matter," Puneet said, interrupting the conversation. Out of all the people in the world he knew arguing with his boss was like fighting a losing battle in which all the prospects of success were in his own hands; and if he found a tiny bit of flaws in the transactions that would result in loss in future, by no means he would ever take them up. RV, at his PA's sudden interruption, looked disgruntled but nodded immediately, the slight change in his livid eyes and single nearly imperceptible nod enough evidence for Puneet to take hold of the matter in his hands.

"Come," Puneet said, turning to the man, and led him out of the cabin. RV turned back to the window, a quiet smile on his lips, and uncaring of what happened to the world about him except one person.

His eyes traced the large hoard of the buildings, stretched before him towards the west of the town, narrating a tale of his victory over the odds that 3 years ago were but an impossible dream. He smirked, his swift gaze taking in the view avidly before him. His eyes were set afire with a passion he had rarely experienced before, but its impact lingering over him for a long, long time. The air, its essence absolutely like he had left years ago. Nothing had changed much, except the scornful eyes now searching for him with awe and reverence, and he, with all his strength, being able to squash them mightily. Time changes and leaves those scorching scars that burn your soul tremendously everytime the fiery object comes in its contact and thus begins another cycle of time; full of hope and agony, life and death, success and failures, and love and hatred. Love. Was this a beginning or its end? Time had all the answers.

Keeping all of his thoughts aside suddenly, RV turned back and came to his desk; a mild stack of newspapers flooding with the news of return of RV complied on it. The front page, the economical section, editorials, local news all loaded up with the reports concerning RV and how he was supposed to influence the nation and its economy from now on. Influence the nation? he wondered.

He softly traced his fingers across the section Mumbai News in The Hindu and halted at a particular report. He swiftly read the entire account of the report, and re-read it various times until he was able to grasp the tiny shock.

"Damn those idiots!" he growled, anger being the rarest emotion he felt most of the times.

"Puneet, I need you to check in. Right now!" he spoke urgently on phone.

"I told you to take care of yourself, Ishani," Sharman said as he supported Ishani out of the hospital while she felt her feet tremble. "I'm sure you haven't taken your medicines as well?"

Ishani smiled guiltily, walking timidly. "I haven't had time for that, bhaiya. It's been so much hectic since last 4 days that I forget taking them quite often," she said, her head still spinning. Sharman held her tightly; not letting her fell from giddiness.

"You do know how important your health is right now for us, right?" he asked, concerned.

Ishani nodded. "I will take care of myself, bhaiya."

"Twice," Sharman chastised, ignoring Ishani's apologetic assurances. "You've fainted twice in two days, and that too because of your carelessness. Why don't you get it, Ishani?"

"I'm sorry, bhaiya," Ishani apologized. "And, by the way, you are forgetting we were to discuss something urgent, right? What is it?"

"Let's go." They reached Marine Drive in the next one hour, the afternoon sun now brighter than in the morning. Ishani always loved it around the sea, its sublime serenity and placid nature both motivating and comforting her greatly. Time being callous hours for the visitors, the beach was rather calm with very few people's presence.

"What is it?" Ishani spoke as she and Sharman settled on the sand.

He peered about him to ensure they were not being spied and then produced a thin packet inside which was kept a circular object. "This is the CCTV footage of the Diwali night when Kaka became the victim of that unfortunate accident. It was originally planned to keep a secret but someone..." he paused for a while as if to recall the real events, and then continued, "...last night left it in my cubicle's drawer. When I arrived there this morning, I was surprised to find it."

"Does it have all the answers?" Ishani questioned eagerly, too keen to focus on any other detail.

"I have a copy of this in my phone. It would be nice if you too take a look." Sharman handed her his phone and Ishani in a while could see her father struggling, coughing and the smoke, debris and the flames soaring higher amidst the cries coming for help of the workers and employees. Tears gleamed in her eyes, yet she continued to look over, in the end finding nothing helpful.

"I don't get it," she said, looking confused. "What is useful here?"

"Ishani." Sharman paused the 2 minute video at a definite moment and indicated towards a man standing right behind her father in a shadow. "Someone was there, though the face of the man is not very clear, but you can see him clearly standing there."

"It was obvious," Ishani admitted, still confused. "It was such a huge accident; people were bound to be there. What is it I can't see?"

"But don't you see this man isn't moving anywhere?" Sharman said keenly. "If he were an employee, he would be trying to find a way for himself; and if he came to rescue Kaka, he wouldn't have been a mute spectator for more than 5-10 seconds whereas this gentleman seems to be rooted in one place only. From what I can deduce, he was waiting for something... something that he had risked his life for."

Ishani gasped. "And that means..."

"You are right. He most likely is our man and we have to find him soon enough. And it also means we still have our chance at it."

"Of course," Ishani agreed. "We still can stop it all. The auction and..."

"All the destruction to Kaka's company," Sharman finished.

"Thank you, bhaiya!" Ishani said as she stood up to leave, but Sharman dragged her back to sit.

"There's some worrisome news too," he said, and Ishani could see concern etched on his face. When she did not disturb him, he continued, "Have you read newspaper recently?"

Ishani shook her head.

"Alright. There's someone... a businessman... and they call him the King of Dalal Street... he has returned from abroad yesterday noon, and is being said the strongest contender for winning the auction of the Parekh Mansion," Sharman said, and Ishani flinched at the words 'King of Dalal Street'. Sometimes all hopes seemed to be fading away; everything that once belonged to her father was slipping away slowly, and she stood there, helplessly staring at the devastation, unable to even utter a cry of pain.

"But we do have our evidences, right? We'll fight the case and win it before that. He won't be able to do anything," she said, getting out of her thoughts.

"No, Ishani, it's not that simple," Sharman explained. "I've heard his men went to the Parekh Mansion yesterday and they approved it for him. If he wills it clearly, all of our evidences and efforts are in vain, and he will have our house in a couple of minutes."

Ishani gasped in surprise, but composed herself. "But how can he do that, bhaiya? He must know who it belonged to before."

"Be practical, Ishani," Sharman said sympathetically. "Our struggle against him is like a droplet of water struggling against an entire ocean. If he's made up his mind, we can't..."

"Do you want to support me or not, bhaiya?" Ishani asked, interrupting him. "You know we can't lose hope. Not when we have come this close and have this one evidence to prove Papa innocent and get him back his lost dignity."

"Ishani, trust me. I will fight till my last breath."

"Thank you. And what is the same of this new 'King of Dalal Street'?" Ishani asked.

"RV."

Ishani winced at the same. She knew it! The same feeling, same sensations running through her skin: butterflies, and all of it resulting in the same dislike for the man.

"Ishani, are you alright?"

She nodded, lost, her thoughts wandering towards the man who had without even entering her life had made it a crazy chaos and she was helpless.

"Now let's go. You need some rest. It's already getting late," Sharman said, bringing her out of her thoughts.

"No, before that I have to visit one more place. You want to join me?"

"Sure, but where?"

"Hospital?" Puneet looked at his boss in shock. "Sir, there are 5 meetings in a row, and we don't have a single moment to spare till late night today. How are we supposed to leave out any of them? The deals!" His boss scarcely valued things lying beyond his benefit and today being the first time him taking another matter over his gain was nothing but an absolutely new and shocking revelation that Puneet had ever witnessed. He, however, was not truly surprised. Every now and then RV revealed a new figment of his personality hidden from the eyes of the world like a fossil concealed from the eyes of the masses.

RV kept quiet. He was not a chatterbox but his silence felt frightening as if indicating towards a storm about which only knew. Puneet informed the guards but RV waved his hand, requesting him not to bother with them.

"But, sir..."

"Only we are going," RV said, without elaborating further.

"Of course we are," Puneet said, flustered. "But you can't move out without security, sir. You don't know how you will be assaulted with the flings of media people once you're out there." He chuckled. "And, RV sir, one more thing: please can you speak a little more? It scares me, you know?"

RV shook his head, amused, and his lips curved in a ghost of the smile that Puneet was so accustomed to. "You amaze me, Puneet," he said, ignoring the delight of the situation. "Let's go."

And why his boss had to become so grumpy all the time was beyond Puneet's ken. Enjoying one single moment of life wouldn't have cost him anything, but if only his cranky boss understood. Sometimes, his eyes were enough to scare hell out of him. Puneet followed him, only to witness another shocker of his life.

"I will drive my way." He heard his boss tell the driver, a man in his late 50s who nervously left his seat. Puneet darted towards RV, and, shocked, hurled the question that didn't seem inappropriate at all. He was confused, after all.

"Sir, are you going to drive?" he asked, surprised, while RV cocked his eyebrows at him. "But you don't know how to drive! You've never driven before!"

"Doesn't mean I can't try," RV answered, and Puneet noticed a slight tension on his face.

"Are you alright, sir?" he asked, worried.

RV kept quiet and made his way to the driver's seat, Puneet following him and settling himself on the passenger one. Although his boss never drove before, he didn't fear one bit to be on the passenger's seat. He wondered if his trust in him was too strong or it was something else he wasn't yet aware of.

As they came towards the highway, the sharp sounds of the cars followed behind them. RV noticed and looked back only to realize his guards didn't leave him alone. He glared at Puneet who only shrugged slightly.

"I'm sorry, sir, but we couldn't leave you alone like that."

RV rolled his eyes at Puneet. "They're not going to murder RV, are they?"

"God forbid if that happens!" Puneet shrieked. "And can you please stop talking about that, sir?" His boss' flamboyance over the matters such as death and life often intimidated him. RV was no sadist, and had everything one could hope for in life, still why he often talked things like that? RV thankfully was silent the whole way to the hospital. Unusually silent.

It was sheer surprise for Puneet that his boss drove so skillfully and better than himself as the car halted in front of the tall building of Hinduja National Hospital. "You are so perfect in driving, sir!" Puneet praised his boss. "I wonder where you learned this from!"

RV gulped, and stepped out of the car quietly, followed by Puneet, and the guards behind covering them immediately. Suddenly all the eyes on the way were turned towards them and murmurs of confusion and admiration reached their ears.

"What are we here for, sir?" Puneet said, as he struggled to keep his pace equal to that of RV's. "It wasn't in our schedule either. Not today, not tomorrow, not after that." RV didn't answer him and continued to walk, guards keeping the indiscreet crowd at bay.

After walking for nearly 10 minutes, 2 doctors accompanying them, RV halted in front of a room and eyed the sole patient in the ward curiously. "Who is here, sir?" Puneet asked, while RV only smiled pensively, a smile hinting relief or sorrow, he could not tell.

"Make sure no one invades here without my permission," RV said to Puneet who followed the orders straight away and left. Who was in there in the room? And why was RV behaving so strange today? Not that Puneet had any problem in anything, but he was just being curious about the boss who he was supposed to be updated about all the time.

RV entered the hospital room, feeling awkward, and made his way to the patient that lay few yards away from his sight. He sat on a chair kept and looked at the patient uncomfortably. He lay there on the bed, machines attached to keep him alive, his eyes closed and his body covered in a white hospital sheet to his breast. RV took the limp hand of the patient in his own and closed his eyes, the burden of years and its misery heavy upon him. The touch again took him back to an era he had often longed at his life's most wild moments, but knew he had lost all of it the same night 3 years ago that turned out to be the turning point of his life. The birds fluttering at the window snapped RV out of his thoughts and he again looked at the man before him. He gave a little sigh, the sight of the man he revered all his life being unbearable every passing moment. RV slowly squeezed his hand, as if the gentility of it would have the man back to consciousness out of his ceaseless slumber. He knew it wouldn't.

"Mota Babuji," he whispered softly, and gulped. "I never thought when I would see you again, you would be unable to say anything." The old man's eyes remained closed, not a single figment in them moving. "I know you can hear me, only you cannot talk to me." RV slowly caressed his Mota Babuji's hand, as tears quietly sparkled in the corners of his eyes. He struggled to keep himself composed, but found himself failing in front of the man who was his strength but now he was lying here, helpless and unable to move.

"I came here for you," RV began, and hesitated before uttering the next words, "and for her. Please open your eyes. You hated me, right? Just... just scold me, if that's what you want... if that can make you feel better. But please do open your eyes." Slowly, he felt vulnerability taking over the plastered barriers he had created around his heart to protect it from the brutality of any betrayal or any emotion called love. RV stared at his Mota Babuji, memories of a long gone past returning back to him, splintering the well formed barriers and making the best of the attempts to shatter them ruthlessly. He couldn't let that happen. RV was no more his older self. RV was not weak.

Having spent God knows how long time with his Mota Babuji, RV stood up, determined to finish the job he had returned for. Betrayals, heartaches, and helplessness that his Mota Babuji had fallen the prey of due to his goodness. It was time to avenge the wrong. It was time to avenge the lost and forgotten. Forgotten for him? No. He could never forget the single moment that snatched away everything he had; and it was time to change to the game. Time to change the rules and defeat the enemy in his own territory even before he had time to pursue his deceit. He made a promise to the man lying down on the bed: promise of the overdue justice to all the wrongdoing they had been the victims of.

RV walked out of the hospital room, leaving his Mota Babuji with a hope and determination to return what rightfully was his and truly belonged to him. Puneet joined him right on the front gate and they headed to the exit of the hospital when RV suddenly halted in his tracks and peered around as though his eyes searching for someone.

"RV sir, are you alright?" Puneet asked, suddenly following his boss' suit and halting abruptly beside him. He felt RV's eyes go colder than usual, the usual remaining cold spark going amiss from them suddenly and being replaced with a fierce longing he had never seen before. Ironic! Puneet saw his boss' eyes following someone as he darted towards the crowded passage, Puneet staggering behind him. "Sir! Where are you going?"

RV heeded no attention to Puneet and continued to walk towards the passage his eyes broke no contact with, now guards having hard time in controlling the ebullient crowd that was suddenly joined by a couple of cameramen, their cameras peeking through the crowded crevices sparsely.

For RV, he felt his heart beat for the first time in 3 years, his breath holding a meaning for the first time in those years. Was she here? He wouldn't be surprised if she was; but how was he supposed to face her was the matter on which he always pondered but without reaching any conclusion. Puneet's voice rang in his ears again and again, calling him back, but he was so consumed by the anticipation of a moment that always promised to seethe him to both life and death simultaneously. A fire surrounded him, absorbing him in its every essence as if nothing existed beyond it in the moment. Lost in his thoughts, RV walked further only to realize he had come too far away, his eyes wandering greedily from one corner to another only to find out there was no one and his quest was in vain; instead of the object of his quest, a young woman in red salwar-kameez stood there, struggling with the guards to let her in who still took hold of the masses valiantly. But it was not her. Even broken hearts had their own fantasies that threatened to come alive at the slightest hint of hope.

"Let them in," RV said softly, and the crowd was set free as everyone swarmed in quickly, some trying to reach out for him, but to their dismay, guards blocking their way to him. Puneet joined him immediately as they managed to get him out unscathed from the enthusiastic multitude of people.

"That was... horrendous!" Puneet panted as they reached the car in a few moments, some people still following them. "See, RV sir, that's why I informed the guards. Or else..."

"On the contrary, I think, the crowd was attracted because of them. Anyway, we need to leave. There's no time to spare till the late night."

Puneet gasped, as he felt his boss returning to his older self. That coldness was back. Passion from his eyes disappeared like a star buried under the thick layer of clouds.

"Who were you looking for?" he asked lightly, afraid for a storm he was absolutely unaware of.

RV looked at him as the car began its journey back to RV Brokers and Solutions' office, and smiled. But nothing else was said.

"Ishani! Ishani!" Sharman called her out, struggling with the crowd that still did not return from the ride it was taken on a couple of moments ago. After a great effort for nearly 10 minutes, Sharman finally found her standing next to the front gate. "I've been calling for you. Where have you been?"

"He was here," Ishani said, her voice low, and her eyes dreamy.

"Who?"

"RV. Before he left, he was here." She pointed towards the place she was standing now.

"Are you serious? How would you possibly know the exact location he was standing in this hospital?"

Ishani shrugged her shoulders and smiled. Who was RV and why he affected her the way he did?

"Anyway, did you get to meet Kaka?"

"No," Ishani said. "They didn't let anyone go towards that direction. I wonder who was RV here for?"

Sharman shook his head. "I've no idea. Let's go to see Kaka."

RV's thoughts kept drifting back to the moment he felt her so close. His life... so close and yet so far away. A bottle of wine sat lazily on the table as he poured the second glass in a row out of it. He had promised his mother he wouldn't drink too much, no matter how strong the urge was; and whenever he found himself failing, her words soothed him. But tonight was different and he would try to do his best not to go weak.

"Do you need something, sir?" He saw Puneet peering through the door, and shook his head.

"I don't," RV assured. "You go and take rest."

Puneet stood, shocked, for a while and stared at his boss in utter disbelief. What was his boss suddenly turning into? Ever since his return from the hospital he had become quite a strange being who Puneet had never seen before.

"You want to take the job of a watchman too?" RV's words brought him back to the present, and he shook his head twice to let go of the shock.

"Is that really you?"

RV looked up and raised one eyebrow.

"I think I'll leave now." Puneet hastily shut the door and left.

RV turned back to his glass of wine which suddenly tasted bitter, and after one sip, he couldn't take anymore. He stood up, and walked towards the window: outside below the sounds of the vehicles loud and distracting enough to keep him awake for a long time. The black clouds above grumbled slowly, heralding another set of gentle downpour in a while. He looked down: the same city, same people and their same ways of life, and all fascinating in strange ways. His eyes wandered downward and he couldn't deny they still searched for her only. Countless questions swarmed in his head but he chose to ignore them, taking in the bitter tasting wine in one go and not regretting a single bit. How could he turn so weak all of a sudden? His thoughts were interrupted by a phone call suddenly. Slightly irritated, he received it only to listen to the reprimanding words in return.

"Where have you been, Ranveer?" RV closed his eyes painfully at the mention of the souvenir of his excruciating past.

"Baba," he said softly, his tone imploring. "Please!"

"Should I call you RV like everyone else does?" His father chuckled, though hint of slight anger still visible in his tone. "I have tried that enough because you wanted me to say that, but I couldn't. And RV is a stranger to me."

"And, Baba," RV said, changing the topic suddenly, "weren't you supposed to be here by this evening? I had sent Rishi. You should've come. You don't have to live in the village anymore."

"Ranveer, there are few issues that need to be sorted out here. I can't leave them halfway through and--"

"That will be done," RV interposed. "You are coming here tomorrow straight."

His father smiled. "It's been so long since I last saw you. I missed you so much, and I'm sorry that I couldn't be there for you when you returned."

"Baba, its' alright!" RV said, smiling. "I can't wait to see you tomorrow."

"Did you meet her?"

"Baba," RV answered wearily, "we can talk about everything tomorrow, right? And I only want to talk about you and to you."

"Sure, my boy." Kailash smiled, and disconnected the call.

For the first time in evening RV smiled warmly. Finally, tomorrow he was going to meet his family after 2 years.

Originally posted by: LadyMeringue

And I'm here! Sorry that I came here later than I'd promised, but I was working upon the next update.

Coming to the update, this has been one chapter that I've been waiting for eagerly ever since you said that it would have a surprise in it. And boy was I surprised. A completely RV filled chapter with the most intense of emotions that we've now come to associate with him when penning his character down on paper. We complicate his already complex personality so much, no? No wonder we get so drained out too.

Ah, I'm deviating from the point. So let me get back to it quickly. The chapter begins with Ishaani going to the court to meet Sharman (sigh, if only her cousins were as smart as the way we write them here), where he has some more hardcore evidence in wait for her that would help them win the case against all the wrong allegations put against her father. But what I like the most over here is the fact that Sharman dislikes Chirag. Finally for once, Sharman has got the aura of a lawyer rather than a pushover loser.

The scene shifts to RV who rejects proposals for diamond consignments in spite of interested parties begging him to take up investments in huge companies. Well, RV is RV now, isn't it? It's hard not to drool upon the cold-headed and calculative RV, especially when he's in one of those nasty moods. Puneet knows his boss well enough to deflect the argument and show the people out, but well... RV is a mystery to the world. Puneet is no exception.

RV looks out of the window to see the city beneath him, the once cruel mockers now the same people making him wear garlands of respect and reverence. The sickening lure of money. But RV can sneer upon that later, because that's the least of his problems. His problem is the life that's threatening to seep through the cracks in his dead heart now that hes back to Mumbai, where the whole cycle of life began for him. He scrounges for the articles in the newspapers about his subject of interest until he finds something unexpected. Anger surges to his veins in a intensity that's sure to bring on a calamity. Appointments are cancelled and detours are made. Puneet is made a part of the madness in spite of himself.

Flitting back to Ishaani, she fainted again. The girl really needs to take care of herself and I'm glad that atleast Sharman is worried about her well-being. The two of them make way to the beach where they're welcomed by the tranquil silence of the afternoon, the sun streaming brighter than during the day. Sharman puts forth the evidence in question - a CCTV footage of the day the accident broke out in Harshad's office and there's definitely sign of foul play. Somebody wanted HP out and done for. Somebody wanted him finished, legacy and all.

Ishaani is then introduced to the existence of Mr. RV by Sharman, who is the most interested party in the Parekh Mansion and can buy it outright within a matter of minutes (sigh, good old days where he kept buying everything). Ishaani is annoyed at the fact that Sharman was being pessimistic when she needed his support to fight against the mysterious Mr. RV and all the plotters, but hey, he's just being practical.

And here comes the bomb of the chapter. RV sits in the car and asks Puneet to let go of all the security details upon him. He decided to drive the car himself and that leaves poor Mr. Puneet even more bamboozled. Whatever on Earth had gotten into his boss today? But he knows better than to heed his boss' advice when the crazy media folks were behind like like hungry hounds. And so Ranveer makes the journey towards the hospital where an integral part of his past lay. He obviously had to drive his way to him now.

He's irked when he comes to know that the details have followed him but he knows to make better use of them. He stops at the hospital and asks absolutely no one to interrupt him in the room he was about to make his way into, neither was anyone allowed to be there. Puneet might die of all the mystery about his boss but he quietly obliges, nonetheless. He knows better than to find logic in the things his boss does at times. And so RV enters the room as Ranveer, where his mentor lay before his eyes, now a vegetable.

He begs for forgiveness in front of his mentor, asking him to wake up and scold him and hate him all he wants, but just to wake up. He knows that's not going to happen anytime soon but he's here on a mission - vengeance against all those who'd wronged his Mota Babuji. Everybody would have to pay for their sins. He leaves the hospital with this promise where he meets Puneet again at the gate. But before anything else can transpire, the unexpected happens.

His heart beats for the first time in three years with the passing image of a girl in a red slawar-kameez - Ishaani. Oh, his heart makes the chase where security is forgotten and saw is the suffocating crowd. All that his heart knows that it is Ishaani and he must see her at any cost. What he is to do after that, he doesn't know. But it is Ishaani... he has to see her. His dead heart has to know its heartbeats.

The spell is broken and he realizes that it's another girl, but his doesn't seem to stop at time. Hey, the heart wants what the heart wants. He knows that the meeting is inevitable. He just doesn't know what's to happen when it does and what hell was ready to be emptied upon them. Puneet manages to choke his way out of the public and get him back safely into the car. Phew, not cool having the youngest billionaire killed in a stampede of crazy media people now, is it?

The moment shifts and voila! It is Ishaani! She's there where he is but she hasn't caught a glimpse of him. She knows that he had business in the hospital, but whatever could the King of Dalal Street have to do in a hospital, she wonders. There's the butterflies again, but along with that a strong dislike for the man who took away her father's name in the market and was set for taking away everything that once belonged to her father. Oh dear, we are in trouble...

The final scene closes at a lighter note. Well, not light, per se, but RV and wine. Alcohol fancies. Ah, he finds the alcohol bitter, but what sweet was his life without her anyway? Just like the dusty floor and the trampled life of Ishaani, the alcohol's bitterness was a reflection of his own perception of his life - bitterness that he had to drink away for the sake of living through another day. He'd never learnt to quit. And the surprise over here again is his conversation with Kailash.

He cannot bear the name Ranveer anymore because that name stood for everything that only had bitterness and more bitterness and regrets in his past. He begs his father not to call him Ranveer, but then again RV was for the world. With his own, he was always going to be Ranveer whose life begun not as a heartbroken and passionate man on a mission to change his destiny against all odds, but since he was born into a poor family in servitude.

His makes his father agree to come to Mumbai at the earliest the next day and all the work in the village would be done for him. And the moment he keeps the phone down, there's a happiness he feels as he's going to meet his parents for the first time. Well, after what he's achieved, the happiness is bound to be there. And Kailash is egging him on to meet Ishaani. How nice!

Outstanding job on the chapter, darling! Do update the next one soon, I can't wait to read what's to happen next! <3 <3

Loads of love,

LM

Ps. Please cut Puneet some slack or else he's going to go mad with Ranveer's mystery. Or else end up narrating stories to his granddaughter about his weird-ass boss just like the narrator is.

"You know, kid, once upon a time when I was young and fresh out into the world, I worked for a man names RV. Smart, handsome, rich, hardworking, sincere, passionate. But Really-Vexing fellow just like his initials. Weird and so mysterious that an Agatha Christie novel made more sense with all the twists. Really drove me up the wall insane with all his antics, but the girls were suckers for him."

"But grandpa, he sounds so cute, just like my Mr. Pogo!" she argues, pointing at the Hugsies bear that she had clutched in her arms.

Puneet looks at the stars and curses his luck, along with the mysterious charm of the eccentric Mr. RV in his opinion. Either there was something wrong with the girls, or with him. Which of the two, he never wanted to know the answer.

*coughs*

Naah, I'm not making guesses on the narrator, don't worry. Can't make so this early, not when the story hasn't even begun. 🤣🤣

Originally posted by: matsh

Wow.. So much happened in one chapter !!
Thanks for keeping Harshad alive, I wish he was longer in the show too since he had such beautiful relationship with both.

Your chapter is very beautiful especially the way it described Ranveer sensing Ishani around but unable to see her.

Poor Punit has no idea what his boss is made of !!

Do update soon.

Originally posted by: robal

Beautifully written...I know I am going to love this FF...wasn't so sure in the first two chapters but after this one, I am sure I will love it just like the soulmates. Can't wait for the next chapter...Thanks Elvish for the PM.