Chapter-6

Dramaqueen

Situ's POV:

As soon as I entered my home I left a sharp pain on both my cheeks. Mommy slapped me.

Well, not a new thing for me!! I endures much more slaps from almost every one.

She was yelling at me or so my whole family. I gave deaf ears to them and walked to my room casually. Closing the door I cried hard as I found a solution which I never dreamt.

After I took bath and laid on my bed, I heard a knock. Lifting my body lazily off the bed, I walked to door and opened it. It's my cousins. I opened it wide gesturing them to come inside.

"Where were you?" Asked Adhira akka.

"Weren't you supposed to be at your in-laws house? What are you doing here?" I asked ignoring her question.

"Well, you never let me stay at my inlaws home regularly as you like to do adventures making me tensed and come here frequently" she taunted.

"Don't divert the topic, where did you go?" She yelled as tears flowing down her eyes.

"Tamilnadu" I said monotonously.

"Why?" Asked Akira.

"Just a trip" I deadpanned.

"Then, why didn't you tell us before?" Asked Vedanth anna.

"I thought you people are habituated to it" I said shrugging my shoulders.

"Don't talk in circles and answer properly, akka(sis)" said Riddhanth.

"Well, I went to Tamilnadu to relax my self" I said.

"SITAARA" a voice boomed in whole mansion. It's Siddhanth anna(bro).

He took long strides to me with bloodshed eyes, gritting his teeth and caught my shoulders harshly.

"Why did you leave again without informing us?" He screamed at my face.

"I left a note behind" I whispered.

"That doesn't give an explaination, Sitaara. You are not an ordinary girl. For godsake you are daughter of a billionaire father. Our rivals may attack you at any time. Am tired of looking after your every move, Situ. I have a huge empire on my shoulders, cousins, wife and son, a large family to look after" he yelled with tears in his eyes.

''You know how mad I was? I was literally running on roads to find you, Keeping an eye on our rivals so that they don't harm you if they are aware your identity. This is not me, Situ. This is not me. I never loose my sanity even at my most troubling situation , I'll never shout at my sisters, I never behave like a manaic but you are changing me, you are making me belive that am failed as big brother. This is not my sister Sitaara. Though she is mischievous, she never put her family in pain, she never make her family go through hell" he cried. I hugged him immediately.

"Please don't cry anna" I said patting his back. He hugged me tightly and cried on my shoulders.

"Mommy didn't have her meals properly, daddy was trying to find you with his connections, your brother's were running around airports, railway stations, travel agencies. Adhira left her inlaws home to search for you. Aarya, Arjun and Vikram tried to contact all your friends to find you, Even your nephew, my son was crying for you" he said between his sobs.

"Am sorry for being inconsiderate, selfish at your plight but all this which am doing is not to hurt you people more" I said. Soon other too hugged us except Sisira akka.

"Come" I whispered. She shook her head in no crying.

"Why?" I asked pulling her in hug.

"I hate you, situ. Am mad at you" she said wiping her tears.

"Am sorry akka" I said.

"She isn't anry at you because of that" said Vikranth. I turned to him confused.

"She is angry at you as didn't attend her pappu annam/ roka ceremony" said Kyathi vadhina, Ved Anna's wife.

"What?" I yelled pulling back.

"Yes, Situ. We are done with that ceremony. We tried to postpone it as you aren't here but Abhi's horoscope didn't allow us" said Navya Vadhina Sid Anna's wife.

"Engagement is two days from now and marriage is within a week" said Adhira akka.

"So, you are leaving us?" I asked in cracked voice. She hugged tightly crying. After some time she pulled back. I described about my trip to them to enlighten the mood.

*

I showered and dressed myself in grey hoddie and black trousers. I left my hair open with pinning few strands on my sides and applied lipgloss.

I opened my locker and kissed his photo. Putting it back and I pulled out few documents. Keeping papers I need in my bag I went went down stairs.

"Situ, where are you going? We have a final shopping, aren't you joining us?" Asked mommy.

"Am going to meet my friend. I will join you directly" I said wearing my Sneakers and ran out of the mansion picking up my keys.

I sat on my scooty and drove to a gold Shop. I parked my scooty and went inside.

"Uncle" I called out sitting on a stool. That old man who seem to be around 50 or plus looked at me adjusting his spectacles.

"Bolo, beta" he said smiling. (Tell me, child)

"Actually, am in need of money. I brought these house papers. Please keep them as collateral and lend me some worthful money" These house was gifted by Aarya and Arjun to me and Raj. They bought this flat for 20 lakhs but now, it's value rose to 50 lakhs.

He scrutinized them adjusting his spectacles. This man is one of the popular financer in my city and also most strict person. If we don't give his money back he may go to any extent to get his money back. He sighed and looked at me.

"You will get 25 lakhs or nearly 28" he said. That isn't sufficient, how can I pay bills?

"Uncle, it's worth of 50 lakhs now, please arrange some reasonable amount. I'll return back in a month or two" I said. He spoke to his assistant and turned to me again.

"At last I can give you 30 lakhs not more than that" he said in his final tone. I smiled sadly and got out of the jewellery shop. I took a huge breathe closing my eyes. Blinking away my years I started my scooty and visited many financiers, but everyone told the same thing.

More 3 days are left to last date, how shall I arrange amount?

Being a daughter of billionaire, this amount is not at all a big deal for me but to get money from my father or my brothers I need to tell them the reason which I couldn't as no one is aware of my past except my friends and Sid anna. Sid anna knew my past that's why he is over protective of me. I can ask him, even he won't hesitate to get money but I don't want to. He is already helping me in many things, I shouldn't bother him anymore. I can ask money from Arjun but he already gifted me flat which am ready to keep it as mortgage, I can't rely on him anymore. Vikram, I can ask him but I never felt comfortable to share Raj's family matters to Vikram. And more over, they are my responsibility. I don't want to depend on anyone.

After a tiring day, visiting many financiers I didn't find any option. Without having my dinner I dozed off crying not before recording my day's events in recorder.

I woke up early morning and decided another way. I got freshened up and wore blue shirt and denim ripped jeans. Leaving my hair open, I applied lipgloss.

I walked to my closet and opened the drawer. "Sorry, Raj" I whispered wiping my lone tear and took out the flat papers he bought for his sister marriage. He paid half installments while I paid another half.

"Raj, I promise I will get your sister's property papers back. I will give them to her on graduation day. I am in search of best groom too, don't worry I will make her life secured and happy. Six months more, Raj. I'll come to you clearing all my responsibilities" I recorded in the recorder crying.

Tomorrow it's akka's engagement I didn't buy my outfit even. Once am done with arranging money I'll go to shopping. Wiping my tears I wore my bag and went to financer I visited first. I kept both the property papers as collateral and I received 50 lakhs. I kept 45 lakhs in my backpack but other 5 lakhs are fitting in it so I kept it in my sling bag. I sat on my scooty to drive to bank to deposit money into Ishaan's account. I was about to start someone snatched away my sling bag and ran away. I tried to start my scooty to chase him but it isn't starting. I left the scooty and it fell down. Not caring about it I ran behind that theif but I lost the track. I am left helpless again. Tears started flowing down my eyes. It's first time am crying infront of world after that dreadful day.

I immediately started to Arjun's office. Now, only Arjun can help me in this. I started walking inside only to be stopped by a girl.

"Good morning, I need to meet Mr. Arjun Reddy" I said.

"Do you have an appointment?" She asked. I shook my head in no.

Why do I need appointment to meet my best friend.

"Sorry mam, sir is in meeting. Please get the appointment, then you can meet him" said thta girl whom I assume to be receptionist.

"But, it's kind of urgent. Let me meet him" I said impatiently.

"Meeting ends in an hour. You can meet him then" she said. I ignored her and started walking to Arjun's cabin. That receptionist is running behind to stop me but am not backing off.

"Mam, you cannot go inside" said Arjun's P.A.

"Call Arjun now. I need to talk to him" I screamed.

"Who are you, girl? Why the hell are you addressing him as Arjun? Go back by yourself orelse I will make security drag you out" She shouted matching my tone.

"If I say who I am, you won't stand here. You wanted me to dragged by security...right!! But remember girl, I can make your life upside down within snap of my fingers" I said arrogantly. I never use my father's influence but this girl is getting on my nerves and my situation isn't helping me at all to control my rage.

''Now move" I said and walk passed by her to Arjun's conference room. That girl turned me harshly and raised her hand to slap me. Before her hand reach my cheek it was stopped by someone in mid air. I looked up to find its Arjun with blood shed eyes and gritting teeth.

"How dare to raise your hand on her?" he yelled at his P.A. making every one of us flinch at his tone.

"Sir, she tried to-"

"Shut the fuck up. Do you know who she is? She daughter of top most businesses tycoon of our country, Dev Shetty" said Arjun. I heard multiple gasps from his employees.

"She is my best friend and my sister. You dared to slap her, now, I'll make your life hell" he screamed at her.

"Arjun" I said keeping my hand on his shoulders. He glared at me.

"Arjun, they were performing their part of duty. Don't shout at them and take your words back" I said softly. He sighed angrily.

"Stop being nice to everyone sitaara. Slapping my visitors isn't their duty. This isn't right way to treat neither you nor any other visitors" he said angrily and turned to his P.A. 'You are fired' he shouted at her. That girl looked at me helpless. I sighed.

"Arjun stop being stubborn. You can't fire her all of a sudden. Yes, I agree she did wrong raising her hand on me but this isn't right way to punish her" I said and turned to his P.A.

"Go back to work. Your job is safe. Don't repeat the same mistake ever" I said. She nodded wiping her tears.

"Sorry mam. Am extremely sorry" she said sniffing. I nodded and she went away.

''What was that Situ?" Asked Arjun glaring at me.

"Leave it. I need to talk something important" I said. He nodded and gestured me to follow to his cabin.

I sat on couch while he sat beside me. I took a deep breath to control my tears.

'You can cry, Situ" I heard him whispering. I shook my head in no and turned to him.

''Arjun, Vindhya aunty is admitted in hospital. A week ago she was all fine but now, her life is in danger all of a sudden. One the night I left Hyderabad I got a call from Ishaan that aunty's health turned into worst and need money to operate. Around 45 lakhs" I said. And paused for a minute to check his expressions.

''I kept the flat you and Aarya gifted me and Raj, as mortgage. I also kept the Samaira's falt as mortgage. Today morning I got the money but...but a theif snatched away my bag which has 5 lakhs, my phone, credit card and many important things. I want to borrow 5 lakhs from you" I said.

"It was my last option, Arjun. I tried to steal few money from our lockers but keys were with my grand mother" I added. He was silent. Emotionless. Looking at nothing in particular.

'Speak something Arjun" I said.

''What shall I speak, Situ? Don't you trust us to receive any help? Aren't we friends? Did you think that we will abandon you without helping you?" He asked with disappointment lacing in his voice.

"I didn't mean-"

"Even, Vindhya aunty is like my mother. Ishaan and Samaira are like my siblings. Can't I help my family?" He asked cutting off me.

"You can, Arjun. But I fell am partially responsible for their condition, Arjun. It's my only way to repent it" I said.

"Stop assuming things and blame your self. Why are you responsible for their condition? This is fucking crazy, sitaara" he shouted.

I palmed my face controlling my tears. There is no evidence that am responsible for their condition but I always feel that it's because of me they are in this condition.

Arjun knelt down before me and removed my hands off my face.

"Let's get back property papers, Situ. I will arrange whole amount" he said holding my hands. I shook my head in no.

"No, arjun. Just arrange 5 lakhs for now and please help me in getting my bag. If am not able to repay the amount within a month I'll take your help. For now, let it go" I said. He let out a huge sigh and nodded his head.

I went to his desk and signed the cheque and gave it to me with a faint smile. I hugged him. "I'll get your bag within 3 hours" he whispered. I nodded.

I went to bank and deposited money in Ishaan's account. Am relieved now. I went back to home with a smile but it vanished seeing my mom.

"You didn't get your outfit, Sitaara" she said glaring at me.

"I ordered it in botique, they asked me collect in the evening" I lied. Ved anna smirked at me from behind. I widened my eyes.

''She is lying Peddha mommy(father's elder brother's wife/aunt/badi ma)" he said while I glared at him. Mom narrowed her eyes at me. I smiled nervously.

"You even started lying. Great!! You are proving to be brat , Sitaara" she said clapping her hands while I felt a sharp gaze on me making me squirm at my place in fear. Yes, it's my Grandfather.

Hitler!! Arjun and Vikram are right!!

"I am going to shopping in the evening, mommy" I said.

"What's wrong with you Sittamma? You always used to go for shopping atleast 4 times a month, to parlour atleast 2 time a week, parties in every weekend. What happened now? Why are you changed?" Asked Daddy with worried face at my sudden change. I sighed.

"No!! Am fine. I'll take a nap and will go for shopping in the evening" I whispered and walked to my room without waiting for their reply.

Well, what daddy told was absolutely true. I am, I was a rich spoilt brat who spends money lavishly but not anymore. After Raj left me am changed. Everything around me is changed. Except my smile which I pretend to show that am fine, every fucking thing is changed.

I laid on bed. "I love you, caveman" I whispered and closed my eyes. After a week I slept peacefully.

My slumber was broken by a knock. I opened it rubbing my eyes. I saw Arjun standing infront me smiling. I smiled back and moved aside. He came inside and sat on bean bag.

"Your bag, every thing is inside" he said handing the bag. I took it from him grinning. I checked and saw everything are there in it. I immediately ringed to Ishaan. He lifted the call in send ring.

"Hello Ishaan. I deposited money in your account. Pay it immediately" I said.

"Yeah, I got the message, di. Thank you so much" he said as his voice cracking.

"It's okay, Ishaan. You don't need to thank me. BTW, even Arjun helped me. Now, go and draw the money, Ishaan" I said.

"Right away, di. Bye" he said.

"Bye" I said smiling and hung the call.

"How can you hide your emotions perfectly, Situ?" Asked Arjun. I chuckled dryly.

"Am habituated, Arjun. BTW, tell me how did you get the bag?" I asked.

"As that man stole your bag exactly infront of jewellery shop, cameras over their captured that man's photo. I contacted the police, that man who stole the bag is most wanted theif. So, it became easy to track him as that robber visits police station like it's his guest house as many cases are filed against him" he said chuckling. I giggled.

"Hmm... Arjun let's go to shopping" I said. He narrowed his eyes.

"Don't tell me that you didn't shop yet for tomorrow's engagement" he said.

'Sadly, yes. I didn't shop as I was busy in arranging the money" I said dramatically.

'You are impossible, Situ" he said shaking his head.

'Anyways, it's 2:00 now. We will start at 4:00" I said.

"We? Am not coming. I am very well aware of your shopping" he said raising his hands in air.

'Jun, please. Pretty please. Am your favourite sister...right!!" I said showing my puppy eyes. He sighed rolling his eyes.

"Natakalu aapu inka" he said rolling his eyes.

(Stop your acting)

"That means we are going. Yay!!" I shouted raising my hands.

''I didn't tell that we are going" he said.

"However, you don't have any choice. Stop sulking and let's go" I said.

''Rakshasi" he muttered (Devil)

"I heard that" I said.

"It was meant to heard" he said. I punched in his stomach laughing.

"Anyways, I should get going now. Sid anna asked me to help in getting few things required for tomorrow's ceremony. I will come at 4:00, get ready" he said side hugging me.

"Okay" I chirped side hugging him. Waving at me he went back.

*

"Sorry yaar Aarya tag with me. Please" I said through phone checking myself in mirror.

"Girl!! You didn't even select dress till now. This is ridiculous, Situ" she yelled through phone making my ears go deaf.

"I was kind of busy in other thing, Aaru, please come along with me" I said pouting.

"But, be serious girl this is your sister's engagement" she said.

"I know. Are you coming or not?" I asked getting annoyed.

"Situ I can't come now. Please understand. Don't whine now. Even Vir-" she stopped in the middle uttering Viraj. Tears sprang up in my eyes.

"Am sorry, I didn't mean it. It just rolled out of my tongue. Am coming get ready in 30 mins" she said and hung the call.

I sat on bed with a thud. Tears were flowing down my eyes. I palmed my face.

Flash back

"Taara, what happened? Why are you crying? Please speak taara. You are scaring me now" said raj through phone as I was sniffing.

"Raj! Jun, Ram and Rio are making me cry" I said.

"What did they do? Tell me I'll break their jaws" he said.

"They told that you are worst boyfriend. You don't take me to shopping. Always busy in hospital. You don't love me anymore. Is it true?" I asked and winked at Jun, ram and Rio who were looking at me with their jaws hitting on floor.

"No, pumpkin. It's not true. I love you a lot. Don't bother those Bastards words" he said.

"Then take me to shopping and prove them that they are wrong" I said sniffing again or I must say pretending to be sniffing.

"Taara! Pumpkin! Am kind of busy at hospital. I need to go on rounds-"

"So you don't love. I know my friends are right" I said cutting off him and stiffening my laugh.

"I love you, baby. I'll come to you in 30 minutes. BTW can I know the occasion for which you want to shop? He asked.

"Tomorrow it's my friend's birthday party soo..."I trailed off.

''And you didn't buy till now. Ridiculous!! Anyways be ready, pumpkin" he said and hung the call.

I looked at my friends smirking.

"You are such a drama queen. Poor Viru bhaiyya" said Arjun. I chuckled and went to my room. I dressed and was checking myself in mirror, Viraj hugged from behind.

"Beautiful" he whispered. I blushed. He looked around without breaking the hug and looked at me.

"Seems like you added another photo to the collection'' he said pointing the frame of us where he was locking hair behind my ear and I was looking down blushing. It's my usual habit of framing our both pics and my whole room is filled with his and mine pictures.

"Hmm.. isn't it beautiful?" I asked and looked at him tilting my head.

"Not more than my pumpkin" he said and turned me around. He kissed my forehead and caressed my cheeks.

"So soft, just like cotton balls" he said caressing my cheeks. I blushed profusely.

"Hmm..love birds. Let's go orelse they may close shops" said Aarya covering her eyes with her hand and peeking through fingers. We nodded blushing.

*

"How is this?" I asked raj showing a royal blue knee length frock.

"Beautiful!!" He said smiling.

"How is this one?" I asked raj showing a lavender colour frock ending above my knees.

"It's nice but try other one" he said because it's ending above my knees.

Possessive freak!!

"Okay" I said and turned to salesman.

"Please pack this lavender colour frock" I said. Sales man nodded and went away.

''You shouldn't have ask me then" muttered Raj. I chuckled pinching his cheeks.

''You are so cute in offended mode" I said ruffling his hair. He pouted as he doesn't like someone touching like hair well am an exception.

"I love you, Raj" I whispered and kissed his forehead tiptoeing. He smiled and kissed my forehead.

"Love you too, Taara" he said.

"Ahem..."arjun, Vikram, Aarya, Kabir bhaiyya and Rio cleared their throats. We rolled our eyes and chuckled.

Flash back ends.

"Raj..."I sobbed covering my face.

"I feel terrible, Raj. I just feel to run away from here. I want to be with you. I want to be pampered by you, loved by you, cared by you" I whispered.

"You are with me...right!! I can feel you. You are looking at me. I know. You are crying because am crying. I know you hate my tears. Every time if I shed a single tear you will come to me running and am sure you came to me even now" I whispered looking around.

Wiping my tears, I went downstairs. Soon, Aarya, Arjun and Vikram came. I got into car. Aarya was about to apologise me I stopped her.

"Don't apologise. I understand" I said. She hugged me tightly. I hugged her back. Then we engaged in casual talk and reached one of the top most botique in Hyderabad.

"Please make it fast" said Vikram.

"Aren't you guys coming inside?" I asked.

"No, however you girls select which we reject. So no, we are not coming" taunted Arjun.

"Meany idiots" muttered Aarya. I giggled. We both entered inside. We completely made the designer maniac with our choices. At last she threw us out of the botique after we bought nearly 12-15 dresses. I bought dresses for all the ceremonies at once, from engagement to wedding.

Cursing the designer, I and Aarya came out only to see dark outside.

"We are dead'' we both yelled earning 'are you crazy' look from people around us. We both ignored it and went our car.

We saw Jun and Ram sleeping on their seats with their mouth open. I took picture of them and smirked at Aarya who grinned mischievously giving a thumbs up.

I immediately posted their pics on instagram story. Aarya too did the same. Keeping innocent faces we knocked window but they are sleeping like coma patients. I ringed their phone but these idiot are no less then dead people. They aren't budging at all. I and Aarya starting banging the door and finally, they opend their eyes and unlocked the door.

"Did you both buy whole botique?" Asked Vikram.

"No!!" I said.

"Then these many bags?" Asked Arjun loading them in Dickey. I gave an innocent look. They shook their heads and we at in car.

"What's the time?" Asked Arjun fixing his eyes in road.

"8:30 pm" I said.

''What?" Yelled arjun and Vikram in shock.

"We both slept in car for 4 hours and you girls shopped for four hours. Seriously?!" Said Arjun.

"Baby, I love you" said Aarya to Arjun.

"Don't 'baby' me now" he said giving a sharp look to which Aarya pouted cutely. He rolled his eyes earing a smack from Aarya.

"Aarya!! Sitaara!!" Shouted Vikram looking into phone. We stiffened our laugh.

"What?" We asked innocently.

"Delete that damn picture" shouted Vikram.

"What's wrong Vikram?" Asked Arjun. Vikram showed his phone. Arjun darted his head towards us.

Before he speak Aarya pecked his lips. He tried open his mouth again she pecked them. He chose to remain silent.

"You deal with them, Vikram" said Arjun with flushed face in defeated tone. Vikram turned to us.

"No, we aren't deleting it. If you both ask us to delete them, then I'll post yours high school pics where you both had, that short hair cut, acne on face, carrying mine and Aarya's bag along with yours" I said. Vikram closed his mouth immediately.

Arjun, did you contact him? I asked.

(Guys, him here is not Viraj it's some other mysterious man. He will be introduced in further chapter and he is an important character)

"Yes, but as usual no reply" said Arjun in sad tone. All our faces fell with tears in our eyes.

"I feel tomorrow something gonna happen unexpected" I said looking out if the window.

"Even, you felt it?" Asked the trio.

"Yeah! I hope nothing goes wrong" I said. They nodded their heads.

We had our dinner at restaurant and Arjun dropped me at home. Vikranth and Riddhanth carried my bags inside cursing me receiving glare from my father. I giggled

Whole mansion is decorated beautifully with lights, flowers. Many guest alreday arrived. Greeting them, I went to my room after applying mehendi because of my mom's complusion.

It's not that I hate mehendi infact I love applying mehendi but I can't bear aunties gossiping like

Ohh!! Your mehindi turned red, Situ.

Oh my god, your husband gonna take care of you, love you like queen.

Situ, my son is a gentleman. I wish this redness of your mehendi is because of him.

My my...you are a lucky woman. Look at your mehindi. I wish my mehindi too turn red like yours.

Redness! Husband! Love! My foot. If they would tell this 2 years ago I would jump like a manaic, blush like an idiot. When am not marrying at all from where this husband will come.

Stupid ladies!!

I ringed to Vindhya aunty and we talked for some time.

"Aunty, remember only one thing, you struggled all your life for your children and they can't even imagine their life without you. So stay strong and don't loose your hopes. If you give up on your hopes that means you are giving up on your children too, making them weak, crushing their dreams. I will come to you during operation, till then stay strong" I said with a smile. She nodded weakly.

"Situ beta, will you do me a favour?" She asked.

"You don't need to ask aunty. Just order me" I Said. She smiled and clutched Raj frame to her chest. I blinked away my tears.

"My son...he won't come back" she whispered.

I know!! That's why am going away to him in next six months. We both will live happily together like we dreamt!!

"You have to move on and get married. You are spoiling your bright future thinking about him. It's high time. Marry a perfect person, Situ. I only wish this and I want it to happen at any cost" she said and wiped her tears.

That's not gonna happen.

This life belongs to Raj and never in my dreams am gonna allow some other man in my life.

"Okay" I whispered nodding my head and shut the laptop. I don't want her to stress more. I laid on bed recording my day and dozed off thinking about him.

***************

Precap:- Vikram angry at Sitaara. The engagement. Abhi misbehaving with Sitaara.

Yours,

Surya.