Page 50 of ARIDHI: His Never-Ending Desire

"Can I give you a hug?"

Ruvit asked, who pinned me against the door frame as soon as I entered inside the room after that asshole left.

"No." My lips moved with the sync of my eyes, "Do you even need permission to hug me?"

He smiled and pulled me closer.

I threw my arms around his neck as he held my waist.

"Now, tell me the whole story. I can't continue this freaking act for long." He said impatiently.

I took a sigh before pulling myself back from him.

"On the contrary, I still can't process the accident part and want to find out the actual truth but I just can't leave you. It hurts me."

My eyes went watery at all the scenarios of us ghosting my brain.

"Shh, seeing you cry hurts me." He pulled me in a hug again, his chin resting upon my head as I snuggled in his neck.

Staying in the position for god knows how long, I explained everything to him; the calls, the texts, the envelope, and the disgusting stares.

"Do you have a suspect?" He asked, gently ruffling my hair.

I shook my head.

Yeah, I thought about it and suspected Ananya initially but then again, she shouldn't be knowing about my grandfather and his accident.

Hell, no one truly knows about my family background except the fact that I live in a joint family.

The 5 members - Papa, Matashree, Abhir, Vinayak bhaiya and me.

"Mhm..so that's wae you want us to act like we are not together anymore? To distract the stalker? To let them believe that their plan is working?"

I nodded as he cupped my cheeks and wiped the tears.

"Okay, we will do as you wish. But tch, I was planning to propose to you tomorrow at the event, nevermind now."

My lips parted, my eyes shining with surprise and shock.

"Jerk." I hit his shoulder with a punch when he smirked.

"Okay princess go and get freshen up. Also, have your dinner with those pretty flowers."

He pointed to the food packets resting on the kitchen's shelf. Besides them, a bouquet of roses was also kept.

"Wae did you buy all those?" I asked, despite the smile appearing on my face.

"I know you didn't eat properly because of that bastard who will be in my hands soon." He pecked my lips.

Just how much does this man notice about me? And efforts he give, oh my god.

?

I opened my Instagram and the first post to pop up on my screen was from Ruvit's account.

When did he post my picture on his account?

I zoomed on the post, absolutely loving the way I'm looking in the photos.

1 day ago.

Then it means he posted it the day before yesterday.

'owned by her ??' @aridhi_.agarwal._ ?

I giggled at the caption. Uff, this guy.

I looked down on my lap. Ruvit's sleeping face came in my view. His hand was kept leisurely on my thigh.

The blue sapphire colour of his engagement ring shone in the darkness.

Ardhangini, as imprinted on the ring and as he calls me, will be one of the best parts of Ruvit.

Ruffling his hair softly, I pressed a kiss on his forehead then went back to my phone.

10:34 am.

The time on my phone indicated that it was now my turn to fall asleep.

Ruvit snuggled into my waist, another but cute indication for me to keep my phone away and sleep.

Because hell, tomorrow is a grand day.

?

"Everyone here are copies of other copies. It's like they strive to be each other instead of their own selves.

They try to be someone else, ignoring their own potential. They envy others, not enjoying their own destiny.

And even if anyone tries to rise above the line, envious people chop off their heads. If anyone dares to choose a different path, it is blocked by the same envious people.

But there are still some people, very few people, who focus on themselves despite the problems in their life and people stopping them.

No matter how hard a thing is, they struggle, they fight, they conquer and they win.

Instead of joining a never ending marathon of greed and desires, they start their own path which they follow with discipline and confidence and determination.

They prove all the envious people wrong and rise. Because it is said that once you are on top, no one dares to look down at you.

Similarly, today we all have gathered here to celebrate the success of some of these people.

Held after every five years, World's Business Event invites all the business people with the heartiest respect."

The sign board outside the venue read.

I got off the Rolls Royce after the chauffeur opened the door for me.

The red carpet beneth my black shoes welcomed me.

On both the sides of the red carpet, media, cameramen, reporters and other paparazzis are standing.

Their craziness rose after seeing me.

They started gathering altogether and whereas I always respect them, I don't like this kind of behaviour. Just saying.

The bodyguards are there to block them to reach me.

It is not allowed for a star-fan meeting anyways.

Many other respectable people joined me and led me the way, all flashy and smiling and showing off deliberately in front of me.

I miss my sweetheart. But she kicked me out of her room as soon as I got ready.

"You will only see me on the event now. And remember, you have to pretend to hate me. Don't get overjoyed and come near me."

I remembered her words.

That's wae, I came here alone without her beside me. All because of that stalker.

I can't even flex my wife now.

Looking down at my hand, I smiled internally.

At least I didn't remove my engagement ring. Not that I was going to.

But yeah, we need to release a public statement of us not together anymore.

Things will get complicated at this rate. I need to find another way soon.

?

Everyone settled on their seats, the hallways covered with dark pitch lights.

No doubt, the decoration is extravagant at its best.

The elegance, modernity and classy style of the venue added an old money look to the surroundings.

Even the people are dressed in their top notch outfits. The branded accessories made them look more powerful.

I still didn't spot Aridhi, by the way.

She is attending it for the first time, I guess. Mine is 2nd time.

The first one was when I was entitled to the Business King and received the award, which was five years ago.

That rings a bell. The business queen, whoever she is, should be here too.

Not that I'm interested to know who she is. But the question is wae she hides her identity?

All the lights around the massive auditorium suddenly went off and the limelight came upon the centre of the stage.

"Good evening everyone. I'm Akriti, today's host of the World Business Event. As you know, this event is specially organised for all the businessmen and businesswomen out there. Today's event is going to be the turning point for everyone because the Business Queen, the marvelous lady of the business field is finally going to reveal her identity!!"

Speaking of the devil, here she is.

"Let's welcome her." The limelight on the lady went off as everyone turned their heads back at the entrance.

The sudden brightness blocked everyone's sight as the door opened.

The click of the heels spread down the silent auditorium.

She walked inside but due to the contrast between darkness and sudden brightness, nothing was clear.

But she feels so wrong as if she isn't the one I was expecting.

"The one and only MANYA VARISHTH." The host announced as all the focus came on the lady who just entered.

Her name was enough to shock people. And now her face was seen by everyone.

Meanwhile me, I was in a daze. Isn't she the one who replaced Ridhima bhabhi?

She loved Manish bhaiya and that's wae supported dadi in her plan.

I looked at her, now standing proudly on the stage with one hand on her waist.

"This is Manya Varishth with us today, daughter of the biggest trader in India and also the self made business queen." The host spoke on the mic.

I looked around for Aridhi but not even a sight of her.

Taking out my phone, I opened our chats.

I arrived here and mostly everyone did. When are you coming?

How much more time will it take to bless my eyes with your fantastic view?

Ardhangini, wae aren't you still here? The event is going to start.

Baby, c'mon you are already too pretty. What is taking you so long?

Aridhi, I'm getting worried now.

If you didn't get here in 5 minutes, I'm coming to pick you up personally!

Not to mention, I will announce you as my wife in front of everyone.

Fuck that stalker, I will directly kill him.

All the messages are still unread. So, I dialled her number this time.

'The number you are dialing is currently switched off.'

I stood up from my seat and decided to leave.

"Now let's welcome Mr. Ruvit Rathore on the stage as the honorable self made king in the business field."

I stopped in my tracks, turning back.

Manya smirked slightly while all the attention was on me.

It's all her plan, I get it. She did something to Aridhi. And at this rate, I might doubt her identity as the Queen too.

My hands slid in my pants pocket, my eyes turning cold and my tone uninterested.

"This King already got his queen and she needs him right now. So, excuse me."

The auditorium went crazy, all the clicks of the cameras and whispers of the media spreading all over.

I made my way outside.

Yeah, I know I messed up. However, I understood everything, all the plans and tricks.

But now, My Aridhi is more important than any shit in this world.

I swear to god if anything happened to Aridhi, I would burn down this world.

?

I searched the whole room but didn't find any trace of her. Even the tracker I put in her phone isn't working.

All her dresses were just spread on the bed. But the dress she got designed for the event wasn't there.

So, I asked the receptionist about Aridhi's whereabouts. She saw her leaving the hotel in the Rolls Royce I reserved for her.

After that the rest is history because no one saw her and knows what happened.

"Please just be safe, Aridhi." I mumbled.

The only thing left are the CCTV cameras.

So here I am, tracking down all the road cameras from the hotel to the event's venue. Even all the alternative ways to reach the venue.

"Mr. Rathore, the Mohan Mahal is such a big palace and surrounded by rich heritage. It's almost impossible to find Miss Agarwal."

The officer in charge of the cameras spoke, half truth. Because I am going to make it possible.

Ignoring him, I kept a careful eye on all the footage playing in front of me.

I spotted Aridhi's car and upto half the route, she was okay. But after that, it's nothing right.

She was attacked by a bunch of goons.

She saved herself from them by self defence technics and attacking few of them with her heels.

But her car was severely damaged.

As fast as I could, I drove to that location. It was a remote area where network isn't available all the time.

So yeah that's why the tracker wasn't working.

Soon her car came in my view, one of the wheels punchered. As expected, the car is covered in dirt and the windows have cracks.

I got off the car and ran towards it. An unexpected thing came in my view, blood.

Where is Aridhi?

It was the only question running in my brain continuously.

"Kya be chirkut, akeli ladki dekhi nhi ki uspe hamla bol diya." I heard Aridhi's voice, calming me down a little.

I turned around to look at her, her one leg placed on a man's chest while holding a bloodied knife in her hand.

All the other men - injured and scared- were sitting on their knees around her, apologizing.

I took a sigh of relief.

Uff, kitni khatarnak aurat hain meri ardhangini.

Fought 6 men all by herself and that too in a red saree and YSL heels.

She couldn't look more beautiful than at this moment.

I pulled out my phone and silently clicked her photo because I needed to capture it.

"I think there was no need for me to come." I walked towards her.

She glanced over her shoulder, a slight smile appearing on her lips.

"I waited for you to save me like a prince charming but oh, too bad. I'm a warrior disguised as a princess." She winked while showing me the knife.

"So what you want to do with them?" I looked at the goons and they looked back at me.

They joined hands in front of me. Well, it seems like they are requesting me to save their lives from Aridhi.

But I'm my wife's follower and can be even worst than her.

She walked towards me, throwing away the knife which landed straight beside the man's face.

He flinched back and stood up hurriedly from his laid position.

"Upto you." She replied and walked towards my car.

I smirked at the goons.

I know what I need to do with them; answer my questions or endure torture.

Because they won't attack randomly this way in a big city like Jaipur. They must have been sent by that stalker.

Or can be just Manya's plan by the way she smirked at me.

She wants to take revenge for all the humiliation. But she targetted the wrong person. My person.

~·~

I know it wasn't that big but chapter 50 would be!! ????

Here is an important announcement for y'all: We have made accounts for 4 characters now.

[ Aridhi, Dhruv, Nandini, Ridhima. ]

So, I repeat here again.

WHOEVER IS INTERESTED FOR REMAINING CHARACTERS ACCOUNT, PLEASE DM ME OR JUST COMMENT HERE!

Thank you and stay tuned for the next chapter!!??