43. Ring

Shivaay stormed back to his penthouse, but his mind refused to settle. The image of Niharika in that white saree was etched into his thoughts like an unrelenting flame. Her serene yet hauntingly beautiful appearance had shaken him to his core.

Her delicate frame, draped in the pure white fabric, made her look ethereal, almost untouchable. Yet, the sadness in her eyes, the quiet pain she carried, pierced him like a thousand knives. It killed him to know he was the reason for that sorrow.

His fists clenched, frustration bubbling under his skin. "If only I hadn't messed things up... I should've been by her side," he muttered to himself, his voice heavy with regret.

The stark contrast of her purity and his darkness gnawed at his soul. Shivaay couldn’t stop thinking—if he hadn’t been the monster he was, maybe he could’ve been worthy of her.

Shivaay paced around his penthouse, restless and consumed by an ache he couldn’t shake off. His gaze landed on the dupatta he had impulsively taken before leaving Niharika’s house. It carried her faint, comforting scent—one that both soothed and tormented him.

Unable to resist, he picked it up and walked to the bed, laying down with the dupatta held tightly in his hands. His chest felt heavy as he stared at the ceiling, his mind replaying the image of Niharika in the white saree, her beauty rivaled only by the pain etched on her face.

"It’s been seven days," he whispered to himself, his voice laced with frustration and longing. "Seven days since I came here. Seven days of this emptiness. I can’t keep going like this."

He closed his eyes for a moment, her face vividly flashing in his mind. The three months he had left here suddenly felt like an eternity. "Three months... Can I even survive this? Or will she break me before I leave?"

The thought of staying away from her, yet being so close, was unbearable. His heart screamed for her, but his mind warned him to stay back. Shivaay was a man torn between his desires and his demons, and the weight of both threatened to crush him.

Shivaay held the dupatta close, his fingers brushing over its soft fabric as if it were her touch. Unable to resist, he brought it to his face and inhaled deeply. Her faint scent lingered on it—a mix of jasmine and something uniquely hers. It sent a wave of longing coursing through him, making his chest tighten painfully.

"Niharika," he murmured, her name slipping from his lips like a prayer. The scent, delicate yet intoxicating, only deepened his torment. It was as if she were there, close enough to touch, yet impossibly out of reach.

He lay on the bed, clutching the dupatta like it was the only anchor to his sanity. "Seven days," he muttered, his voice raw. "It’s been seven days since I came here, and I’m done. I can’t keep doing this."

The reality of his situation hit him like a storm. Three months stretched ahead, a suffocating timeline he didn’t know how to endure. He stared at the ceiling, the dupatta still pressed against his face, as his mind wrestled with the emptiness her absence left behind.

As Shivaay lay on the bed, still clutching Niharika’s dupatta, a sudden thought jolted him from his trance. He remembered his plans for tomorrow—a club party where he was supposed to meet Charles, his business associate. Charles had insisted on introducing him to someone important.

Shivaay frowned, the idea of attending a party feeling meaningless when his thoughts were consumed by Niharika. Yet, he knew this meeting wasn’t something he could avoid. It wasn’t just a party—it was business.

"A distraction," he muttered to himself, though he wasn’t sure if it would work. His fingers tightened around the dupatta, a pang of guilt washing over him. Even as he planned to step into a room full of people, his mind and heart were tethered to the woman he couldn’t stop thinking about.

He exhaled deeply, tossing the dupatta aside and sitting up. "Charles better make this meeting worth it," he said under his breath, trying to shake off the lingering ache in his chest. But no matter how hard he tried, Niharika’s image, her scent, and the weight of his regret clung to him like a shadow.

Shivaay couldn’t let go of the dupatta. Its soft fabric and her lingering scent brought a strange sense of comfort, even amidst the storm raging inside him. As he lay back down on the bed, he pulled it close to his chest, clutching it like a lifeline.

His eyes closed, but the image of Niharika in the white saree stayed vivid in his mind. It was as if she were right there, her quiet grace and haunting eyes looking straight at him. The guilt, the longing, the unspoken words—it all weighed heavy on him, lulling him into a restless slumber.

For the first time in days, his mind found a brief escape, though even in his dreams, she was there. Her presence wasn’t just a memory; it was an ache, a pull, and a reminder of everything he had lost and everything he still wanted.

The night passed, but the dupatta stayed cradled in his arms, as if it was the only piece of her he could hold onto.

Meanwhile, Niharika sat with the Ranawat family at the breakfast table, her movements slow and her expression distant. She was still trying to adjust to the changes in her life, but her composure never faltered.

Indra cleared his throat, gaining everyone’s attention. "Beta," he began, his tone warm yet firm. "I’ve arranged for you to enroll in the top cardiology college here. It’s a prestigious institution, and I want you to excel."

Niharika looked up, her fork pausing mid-air. She hadn’t expected this, and a mixture of surprise and gratitude flickered in her eyes. Before she could speak, Indra continued, "But for now, you’ll study online. You’ll only go to the college for tests and practicals. It’s for your safety and convenience."

Her lips parted, but she hesitated, unsure of what to say. The gesture was generous and thoughtful, but the restrictions reminded her of the controlled life she was now a part of.

"Thank you, Bauji," she finally said, her voice soft but genuine. She could see the concern behind his decision, even if it left her feeling a bit confined.

Riya, seated beside her, leaned in with a smile. "Don’t worry, Niharika Bhabhi. You’ll still be the star student, even if it’s online," she teased lightly, trying to lift the mood.

Niharika gave a small smile in return, though her mind wandered. While the decision was practical, she couldn’t help but wonder if it was another way to keep her tethered to this new life she hadn’t entirely chosen.

Niharika’s face brightened as she listened to Indra. The news of being enrolled in the top cardiology college brought an instant, overwhelming sense of happiness. A genuine smile spread across her face, and her eyes sparkled with excitement.

For a moment, everything else faded. The worries, the doubts—they were all forgotten. "Thank you, Bauji," she whispered softly, her heart fluttering with gratitude.

Her mind raced with thoughts of the future, of the opportunities ahead. She felt empowered, like she could finally pursue her dreams, supported by the family around her. The happiness was undeniable, filling her with a sense of hope and purpose she hadn’t felt in a long time.

Later that morning, Niharika was preparing to head out to buy vegetables. She called over the same servant who had helped her earlier, a smile forming on her lips as she spoke. "Today, I’m going to show you how to bargain," she said, her tone playful yet confident. She had always been sharp with her negotiations, and today, she was excited to pass on a little trick of the trade.

As she stepped out, Ishaan walked by and caught her attention. "Bhabhi," he called, causing her to pause. "At sharp 4, me, Riya, and Ivaan will be coming with you. We're going for your jewellery shopping."

Niharika nodded, a soft smile gracing her lips at the thought of spending time with them. "Thank you, Ishaan. I’m looking forward to it," she replied, already excited about the outing. It was the perfect opportunity to connect more with the family, and the thought of getting new jewelry made her feel a little more at home.

Niharika walked into the busy sabzi mandi with the servant by her side, the vibrant colors of fresh vegetables surrounding them. As they approached a shop, the shopkeeper smiled brightly, clearly recognizing her. "Ranisa, this is capsicum. 50 rupees per kg," he said, gesturing to the display.

The servant immediately nodded, prepared to pay. "Okay, pack it," he said, reaching for his wallet.

But Niharika, always sharp, raised a hand to stop him. "What? Pack it? We can get it for 30 rupees, and that’s the fair price." Her voice was calm but firm, her eyes narrowing slightly as she sized up the shopkeeper.

The shopkeeper chuckled, trying to play it off. "You’re a queen, Ranisa. Why would 20 rupees matter to you?"

Niharika tilted her head, an amused smile playing on her lips as she leaned forward. "Bhaiya, till two days ago, the price was 30. Why is it 50 now?" She paused, her tone turning mocking. "Because you think you can extract money by making a fool of my servant? Don’t think that he’s a fool. Idiot. Duffer."

The servant, slightly taken aback, looked up at Niharika, his eyes wide in surprise. Niharika caught his glance, her expression softening for a moment before she looked back at the shopkeeper. "But I’m not," she said coolly, her confidence unwavering.

The shopkeeper hesitated, caught off guard by her boldness, and after a few moments of silence, he reluctantly agreed, lowering the price. "Okay, Ranisa, I’ll pack it for 30," he said, grumbling a little but unable to argue further.

Niharika smiled triumphantly, turning to the servant with a playful look. "Now, that’s how you bargain," she said, and they walked away, leaving the shopkeeper to ponder his mistake.

As they walked away from the shop, the servant hesitated before speaking up. "Ranisa," he said, his tone a mix of confusion and mild offense, "you called me a fool, duffer, and idiot just now."

Niharika stopped in her tracks, realization dawning on her. Her eyes widened in embarrassment, and she nervously bit her lip. Letting out a sheepish laugh, she stuck her tongue out slightly, trying to lighten the moment. "Oops, sorry," she said, her voice almost a whisper, looking genuinely apologetic.

But before he could respond, she quickly added, her tone turning playful as she started walking again, "But... that was the truth!"

Without waiting for a reply, she bolted toward the next stall, her laughter trailing behind her. The servant stood there, stunned for a moment, before shaking his head with a small smile. "Ranisa and her ways," he muttered to himself, following her to the next stop.

At exactly 4 PM, Ishaan arrived at the mansion with Riya and Ivaan, all of them in high spirits for the jewelry shopping trip. As they waited for Niharika to get ready, Ishaan casually asked the servant, "So, what’s the update? How was Ranisa’s vegetable shopping today?"

The servant, still slightly amused and a bit bewildered from the morning, replied with a smile, "Ranisa bargained a lot today, Saab. She didn’t let anyone fool her."

Hearing this, Ishaan burst into laughter. "That’s our Bhabhi for you! Always sharp and ready to take charge," he said, shaking his head in amusement. Riya and Ivaan joined in, grinning at the thought of Niharika haggling confidently in the market.

A few minutes later, Niharika emerged, dressed simply yet elegantly, ready for the outing. Together, they headed to one of the most renowned jewelry stores in the city.

As they browsed through the jewelry, the jeweler brought out a special piece—a dazzling diamond ring, its sparkle catching everyone's attention. It was elegantly packed and stood out among the other items on display.

"This ring was designed exclusively for Ranisa," the jeweler said, presenting it to Niharika with great care.

Niharika hesitated, looking at the ring with admiration but also uncertainty. "It’s beautiful, but I don’t think I should—" she began, her voice soft but firm.

Before she could finish, Riya chimed in, her tone persuasive. "Bhabhi, this ring is perfect for you. You have to get it—it’s practically made for you!"

Ishaan joined in, smiling warmly. "Exactly, Bhabhi. Consider it a token of appreciation for all the love and care you’ve brought into our family. We won’t take no for an answer."

Niharika glanced at all of them, their earnest expressions making it impossible to refuse. After a moment of contemplation, she nodded softly. "Alright, if it makes all of you so happy, I’ll take it," she said, her lips curving into a shy smile.

The jeweler packed the ring carefully, handing it over to Niharika, who accepted it with gratitude. What she didn’t know was that the ring had been sent on Shivaay’s behalf. Ishaan, Riya, and Ivaan exchanged knowing glances but kept the truth hidden, understanding that Niharika’s self-respect wouldn’t allow her to accept it otherwise.

As they left the store, Niharika admired the ring, unaware of the deeper sentiment behind it, while the others silently hoped she would one day understand its true significance.

------

Spoiler

Spoiler 1:

Charles smiled as he gestured toward the door. "Mr. Ranawat, I’d like you to meet my other partner. He’s a key figure in our operations. Ah, there he is now."

Shivaay glanced up from the file in his hands, his usual composed demeanor freezing for a fraction of a second as he locked eyes with the man entering the room.

"Kanishk Verma," Shivaay whispered under his breath, his jaw tightening. His sharp gaze darkened as the weight of the name settled into the air.

Kanishk, with his trademark smirk, extended his hand, feigning civility. "Mr. Ranawat. It’s a pleasure to finally meet you."

Shivaay didn’t move. His eyes stayed locked on Kanishk, his silence cutting through the formalities. Charles, oblivious to the tension, continued the introductions as the two men silently assessed each other.

---

Spoiler 2:

Later that evening, when everyone was preparing to leave. Kanishk stopped him.

"Ranawat," Kanishk greeted, his tone dripping with false politeness. "You and I have unfinished business, don’t we?"

Shivaay’s steps were measured, his expression stone-cold as he approached. "What do you want, Verma?"

Kanishk’s grin widened. "Just a little chat. About Niharika."

The mention of her name ignited a fire in Shivaay’s eyes, but he stayed silent, waiting for Kanishk to elaborate.

"You know, I’ve been wondering... how does it feel to have someone like her? Soft, pure, and so... untouchable," Kanishk taunted, his words laced with malice. "But then again, maybe not entirely untouchable, right? After all, I’ve had my moments with her, too."

That was the trigger.

In a flash, Shivaay closed the distance between them, grabbing Kanishk by the collar and slamming him against the car. His face was inches away, his voice a venomous growl.

"Don’t you dare, Verma. Don’t even think about her, let alone speak her name. She’s mine. My wife. My everything. You’re nothing but a stain she’s left behind."

Kanishk chuckled, despite the obvious pain from the impact. "Yours? Oh, Shivaay, don’t fool yourself. Do you think she truly belongs to you? She’s too good for this cage you’ve built around her."

Shivaay’s grip tightened, his knuckles white with rage. "She’s with me because she chooses to be. And I’ll destroy anyone who tries to take her from me. Do you hear me? I’ll make sure you regret every word, every thought about her."

Kanishk pushed back, adjusting his collar with a mocking smirk. "We’ll see, Ranawat. Possession doesn’t mean love. And one day, she’ll realize that."

Shivaay watched him walk away, his mind churning with fury and resolve. He swore to himself in that moment—no one, not even a shadow of her past, would harm Niharika. She was his life, his world, and he wouldn’t let anyone tarnish that.