30. The Game of Wits

I understand the feedback about the slow pace of the story and Sahil's lack of change so far. This was intentional, as the first phase of the story focused on developing each character, exploring their dynamics, and laying the foundation for the leads and supporting characters.

However, starting from Chapter 32, the second phase begins, and the pace will pick up. This phase will delve into the reasons behind Sahil's cold behavior toward Ishika and the evolution of their relationship.

If you're not satisfied with the plot, you're free to stop reading. I've always been clear from the beginning that this story is about Sahil and Ishika, and that won't change.

I understand your emotions after reading this far. I know many of you dislike Sahil and don't want him and Ishika to end up together. This reaction is intentional-I've written the story in a way that makes you dislike him initially. However, as the story progresses, I'll ensure he becomes a more likable character by the time it's complete.

If you're on board with this plot, I encourage you to continue reading. Thank you for your patience and understanding!

Merry Christmas🎄

Love you all ❤️❤️

Author's POV

Ishika had just finished changing her clothes. As she stepped out of the changing room, she was startled to find Yash standing barely a foot away from her.

Before she could say anything, Yash approached her and said, "Hello, madam. Sir is waiting for you upstairs."

Ishika was taken aback. She hadn't expected Sahil to be there too. Uncomfortable and reluctant, she tried to walk away, hoping to avoid the encounter. However, Yash stepped into her path, blocking her way. "Please, madam," he said firmly, giving her a stern nod.

She replied firmly, "No, I won't go."

Yash glanced toward the nearby food area and said calmly, "Is it because you're waiting for a friend?"

Ishika suspected that he had already seen Dhruv, so she stayed silent, unsure of how to respond.

Realizing she had no choice but to meet Sahil, Ishika reluctantly agreed. Following Yash's directions, she made her way upstairs, her mind racing with unease.

As she entered the room, she noticed a group of people seated around a table, engrossed in a game of cards. Sahil sat at the head of the table with a glass of liquor in front of him. He seemed indifferent, casually tossing his cards on the table without sparing her a glance.

In a corner, a staff member approached with a chair. "Ma'am, please have a seat." Ishika thanked them, took hold of the chair, and attempted to move it further away from Sahil.

Before she could, Sahil raised his gaze and quietly observed her. His intense stare made her pause, her movements faltering. After a moment of hesitation, she reluctantly sat down beside him.

Sahil sipped his drink and threw his cards on the table. The group erupted in admiration.

"Wow, you have incredible luck, Mr. Malhotra!" someone exclaimed.

Sahil responded with a faint nod, his expression unreadable.

Then, a man named Mr. Shekhar spoke up. "Mr. Malhotra, I wanted to let you know that there's no need to worry about Ms. Shanaya. We've signed the contract, and she'll be the lead in our upcoming film. Shooting starts at the end of the year."

Sahil gave him a curt nod.

Listening to their conversation, Ishika felt a pang in her chest. He's doing so much for her, she thought, her emotions in turmoil. Taking care of her career and her personal matters too.

After a while, someone invited Ishika to join the game. She declined politely. "I don't know how to play."

Sahil glanced at her and said, "Play." Then, with a faint smirk, he added, "I'm sure that big head of yours has a brain inside it."

Ishika pressed her lips together, suppressing the urge to retort. His teasing remark stung, but she remained silent, unsure of how to navigate the tension between them.

The staff member noticed Ishika's hesitation and approached the table with a polite smile. "Ma'am, would you like me to explain the rules? It's a simple game; you'll pick it up quickly."

Ishika glanced at Sahil, who was casually sipping his drink, his expression unreadable. Reluctantly, she nodded. "Alright, please go ahead."

The staff member began explaining the rules in detail, gesturing toward the cards and the chips on the table. Ishika listened intently, determined not to make a fool of herself, though she could feel Sahil's gaze on her every now and then.

Once the explanation was over, the others encouraged her to join. "It's just for fun, ma'am. Don't worry if you lose; we're all here to enjoy."

With no way out, Ishika picked up her cards, trying to mask her nervousness. The game started, and as the rounds progressed, the tension in the room seemed to grow. Ishika played cautiously but still lost the first round. The players laughed and teased her gently, while Sahil remained silent, his attention shifting between her and the game.

In the second round, Ishika tried to focus more, but luck wasn't on her side. She lost again, this time by a larger margin. Yet, she kept her expression calm, refusing to let the disappointment show. Why should I care? she thought to herself. Sahil is the one footing the bill anyway.

Sahil, noticing her nonchalance, leaned back in his chair and smirked. "You're surprisingly calm for someone losing so much. Confident I'll cover for you, aren't you?"

Ishika glanced at him, her eyes narrowing slightly. "I didn't ask you to. If it bothers you, feel free to stop."

The room fell silent for a moment, the players exchanging glances, unsure how to react to the sudden tension. Sahil's smirk deepened, and he leaned closer, his voice low enough for only her to hear. "You think you're clever, don't you? Let's see how long you can keep that composure."

Before she could respond, the staff member returned to the table, offering her another glass of water. "Ma'am, would you like any assistance with the next round?"

Ishika shook her head, her jaw tightening. "No, thank you. I'll manage."

The next round began, and this time, she played with a mix of caution and daring, determined to prove herself. As the game continued, she couldn't help but notice Sahil's subtle glances and the way he seemed to be testing her reactions. It was as if he was more interested in her behavior than the game itself.

Though she wasn't winning yet, Ishika felt a spark of determination ignite within her. If he thinks I'm just here to lose and rely on him, he's in for a surprise.

The game continued, and Ishika began to adjust her strategy. She paid closer attention to the cards on the table and the moves of the other players. Her confidence grew slightly with each round, but Sahil's occasional remarks kept her on edge.

"You're improving," he commented dryly after she managed to break even in the next round. "Almost like you're using that brain I mentioned earlier."

Ishika shot him a glare but refused to rise to the bait. Instead, she focused on the game, determined to hold her own. The room buzzed with conversation and laughter, but the undercurrent of tension between her and Sahil was palpable.

As another round ended, Sahil leaned back in his chair, watching her with an unreadable expression. "You know," he said casually, "winning isn't just about the cards. It's about reading people. What do you think I'm holding right now?"

Caught off guard, Ishika hesitated. "I don't know. How would I?"

He smirked. "Exactly. You're too focused on the cards. Pay attention to the players."

The others chuckled, but Ishika felt a flicker of annoyance. She clenched her jaw, determined not to let him get under her skin.

The next round began, and this time, she tried to follow his advice, observing the players more closely. Her heart raced as she made her moves, trying to balance logic with instinct. To her surprise, she managed to win the round, drawing cheers and applause from the table.

"Well done, ma'am!" one of the players said, grinning. "Looks like you're getting the hang of it."

Ishika allowed herself a small smile, but Sahil's reaction was what caught her attention. He raised an eyebrow, his lips curving into a faint smile. "Not bad," he murmured. "Maybe there's hope for you after all."

The staff member returned with a tray of drinks, placing a fresh glass in front of Sahil and offering one to Ishika. She declined politely, her focus still on the game.

As the next round began, Sahil leaned closer, his voice low. "Do you always need a push to prove yourself, or is it just with me?"

Ishika stiffened, glancing at him. "What's that supposed to mean?"

He shrugged, his gaze steady. "You act like you don't care, but the moment I challenge you, you rise to it. Interesting."

She opened her mouth to respond but closed it again, unwilling to give him the satisfaction. Instead, she turned her attention back to the game, determined to win another round.

As the evening wore on, the tension between them seemed to shift. What started as a battle of wits began to feel like an unspoken connection. Ishika couldn't deny the strange pull she felt toward him, even as his words continued to frustrate her.

By the time the final round ended, Ishika had won a few games and lost others. The players began to disperse, chatting and laughing as they left the table. Sahil remained seated, swirling the last of his drink in his glass.

"You did well," he said finally, his tone softer than before.

Ishika met his gaze, searching for any trace of sarcasm, but found none. "Thanks," she replied cautiously.

As she stood to leave, Sahil spoke again. "Next time, don't rely on the idea that I'll cover for you. It'll make winning feel better."

She paused, glancing back at him. "I wasn't relying on you. I just didn't care about the outcome."

His lips curved into a faint smile. "That's what you tell yourself."

Before she could respond, he rose from his seat, his presence commanding as he walked past her toward the exit. Ishika stood there for a moment, her thoughts swirling. Why does he always have to get the last word? she wondered, her emotions a mix of irritation and intrigue.

***

Sahil and Ishika were surrounded by a few others, all taking in the surrounding views and enjoying the serene landscape.

"There you are. I've been looking for you everywhere."

Ishika and Sahil turned around to see Dhruv standing there, his hands casually tucked into his pockets. His eyes, however, were focused solely on Ishika.

"Can I have my woman back?" Dhruv asked, his tone calm yet deliberate.

The group fell silent.

Sahil let out a laugh, though it didn't quite reach his eyes. "Your woman? Where is she?" he replied, his voice laced with sarcasm.

Dhruv didn't respond immediately. Instead, he kept his gaze fixed on Ishika, a faint smile tugging at the corner of his lips. Ishika, on the other hand, felt her anxiety rise. She wished she could disappear, the tension in the air suffocating her.

After a moment, Dhruv finally broke the silence. "Never mind," he said with a shrug. "If she's not here, so be it."

Then, shifting his attention to Sahil, he added, "Actually, I'm more interested in talking to you right now, Sahil. A few wild horses have arrived. They're untamed and ready for a challenge. How about picking a couple and racing them? What do you say?"

Sahil responded curtly, "Not interested."

Ishika remained silent, though she wasn't surprised. She knew Sahil wouldn't be interested-he disliked anything disorganized, and the thought of dust flying around would surely put him off. Sahil had always been particular about cleanliness and order.

"Come on, Sahil, don't be so boring," Dhruv teased, trying to coax him into joining.

Ishika glanced at Dhruv and interjected smoothly, "Mr. Singhania, why keep insisting? Not everyone is suited to handling wild horse races, especially someone as refined as Mr. Malhotra. Activities like this wouldn't really suit his... sensibilities."

Her tone seemed supportive of Sahil, but her words carried a subtle undertone, implying that Sahil was too delicate for such rough activities. Everyone caught the hidden meaning, but no one commented. Dhruv, however, smirked knowingly, while Sahil remained composed.

Without a word, Sahil slid an arm around Ishika's waist and pulled her close, his expression calm but firm. It was clear he wasn't going to let her words go unanswered. The subtle provocation had worked-ignoring it would have invited mockery, but responding too strongly would have played into their hands. His measured reaction left everyone quiet, and Ishika found herself momentarily startled by the unexpected gesture.

Whether he responded or not, it was a frustrating situation. Ishika's remark had left Sahil in a difficult position.

No one in the room dared to acknowledge Sahil's moment of embarrassment. Breaking the tension, someone took the initiative and remarked, "Horse racing on its own is boring. We stopped doing that when we were teenagers."

Dhruv turned to the speaker, a mischievous smile playing on his lips. "And what exactly are you suggesting, Mr. Oberoi?"

"Let's bet on the horses," Mr. Oberoi replied with a sly grin.

The group immediately perked up, intrigued by the idea. Sensing the shift in attention, Ishika subtly stepped forward, slipping out of Sahil's grasp. "How do we bet?" she asked curiously.

Mr. Oberoi lit a cigarette, exhaling slowly before explaining. "Of course, Mr. Malhotra and Mr. Singhania don't need to participate personally. Each person will choose a horse and appoint someone to represent them in the race. From here, we'll have a perfect view of the entire event."

It was clear these people knew how to turn any activity into a lively affair. All eyes shifted to Sahil, who finally showed a faint flicker of emotion on his otherwise composed face. He glanced at Ishika and asked, "Interested?"

The question carried a subtle implication, as though Ishika's response might influence his decision. Ishika nodded, her eyes sparkling with intrigue. "It sounds interesting," she replied.

Sahil's expression remained calm as he gave a nonchalant reply, "Alright, then."

Dhruv grinned and teased, "Sahil, have you become more compassionate?" The others joined in, teasing him playfully.

Ishika, however, scoffed inwardly, her guard going up. She didn't believe for a moment that her answer had swayed Sahil. It was more likely that he was setting a trap for her.

Soon, the staff arrived and invited everyone downstairs to choose their horses. Sahil walked ahead, and the others followed slowly behind.

Ishika walked beside him. When they reached the venue, she noticed a few familiar faces. Among them was Monika, whom she had met at Rajveer's party. Monika was dressed lightly, showing no signs of discomfort despite the cold. As soon as she spotted Sahil, she approached him with a bright smile.

"I knew you'd be here, so I came over to say hello," she said confidently.

Sahil glanced at her twice, seemingly entertained by her initiative. Ishika, on the other hand, sneered but chose to remain silent. Monika quickly struck up a conversation about horses with Sahil, and the two walked ahead together, leaving Ishika trailing behind.

Suddenly, someone leaned in close and whispered in her ear, "Are you jealous?" It was Dhruv, his tone teasing.

Ishika maintained her composure and turned her head slightly to reply, "Honestly, with how obsessed you are with him, I think you're the one who's probably jealous."

Dhruv chuckled and said, "No one can beat you when it comes to spouting nauseating nonsense."

Ishika smirked and shot back, "Oh, don't worry, Dhruv. With a little more practice, I'm sure you'll outshine me in that category. You've got real potential."

The two continued their banter in hushed tones, unnoticed by everyone except Sahil, who was walking ahead. Somehow, he seemed to have a radar in his head. He glanced back in their direction, his gaze as frosty as ever.

Ishika stood calmly, as if she hadn't exchanged a single word with Dhruv. Dhruv, however, responded with a smile and stepped a little closer to her.

"Mr. Malhotra, you can choose your horse now," said the staff member politely.

Sahil withdrew his gaze from them, his expression unchanged, and turned his attention to the line of horses brought before him.

The owners of the horses eagerly tried to impress him, boasting about their horses' qualities and why they were the best for racing. Ishika, who didn't know much about horses, thought they all looked impressive. But judging by Sahil's expression, he seemed far from satisfied.

__________________________________

End of the chapter.

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