Chapter 39 :

Arnav's POV

"Arnav", I heard someone calling out my name. I knew that voice. It was very familiar but it wasn't of Anika. Anika's voice is smooth and bold and this one had some high pitch.

"Arnav wake up", I heard it again and this time I knew who it was.

"Good morning Arshi", I spoke stirring in my sleep before sitting up on the bed. It's good that I had put on a shirt later at night.

"It took you so long to wake up", she spoke softly while sitting down on the bed beside me.

I smiled.

"How are you here so early?", I asked fixing my messed up hair. I short glanced at the clock on the wall which showed it was 7:50 in the morning.

"I heard from chachi that you were coming so came to meet you. Afterall my bestfriend is too busy with his contractual wife—", I cut her off, "Arshi, don't call her like that. Even I don't call her such names. So I hope you understand", my tone wasn't hard but stern enough to exude sternness.

Her smile dropped as she nodded glancing away.

"Hey, don't get angry. It's just something you needed to know", I spoke turning her face towards me. Even if there existed no sexual bond between us like how it did long ago, we're still friends. I know she loves me but I can't do anything. I'm married to Anika and I've devoted myself to her. So it's better to not provoke her feelings because she might end up losing her control. She's a bit sensitive and this might lead to something I don't want to happen.

She nodded, "Okay fine. Forget it. Let's go out today for lunch and then we'll go shopping and watch a movie. It's been long since we went like that", she spoke, her face lightening up again.

I sighed, "I'm sorry but I can't go. Today Anika has a fashion show to attend and I need to be with her."

She frowned, "Fashion show? Oh yes! I forgot. I too need to attend it. Okay we'll go tomorrow."

I don't know if I'll be able to do so because I might go out with Anika.

"Okay let's see tomorrow. By the way where's she?", I asked getting down from the bed.

There were few moments of silence which made me turned my head and have a look at her face. She wasn't smiling but staring at me blankly.

"She's downstairs", saying she walked out of the room.

I frowned at the sudden change in her behaviour.

Shrugging away the thoughts, I picked up my phone from the bed and dialled a number.

The call connected after a few rings followed by a deep voice from the other side, "Hello"

"Where are you buddy? Long time no see", I spoke monotonously.

"I'm in India now", he spoke. His tone had deepened than how it was years ago.

"I need you to help me. It's already time", I spoke.

"Hm. Who's it?"

"It's a bastard in the name Nishant Raichand. The name is real but the surname might be different. He was a student of Oxford University, a third year student in 2015. He must be around 31 now", I spoke. The bastard must be the one whose details Vincenzo had given me a few months ago when he had said that he had got the details of someone with the same name but different surname. And about the shifting to different university, I wasn't sure that the guy mentioned by Vincenzo is actually the bastard I'm looking for.

"Also, he has some connection to the whole mess", I spoke massaging my temples. It's so frustrating.

"Okay. I'll give you the confirmed details within three days. This task would need some blood, sweat and tears I guess. A wider mess, I suspect", he replied calmly.

I just hummed.

"Has Ren got his mission completed?", he asked.

"Yeah he has. He did it months ago. But later on I found out that the man Ren killed actually had some connection to this Nishant guy. I got to know about it a week ago. The man Ren killed, his wife Veronica, was found dead in his house when I had gone to investigate her a bit. It was framed like a suicide because a note was there on the floor", I said.

"How can you say that it was a murder?"

"It's because why'd she died out of the blue just after her husband's death? It wasn't like she loved him. She had a boyfriend. And moreover, the note had mentioned that she was having a mental breakdowns because of the sudden demise of her husband. The thing that she had a boyfriend was kept confidential but I found it out. So that's all about Rehan", I replied, my heart clenching in my chest remembering the pain Rehan had went through while killing that bastard.

That man had sold so many young souls and one of those souls was Rehan's newly born daughter. Without any clue, he sold a baby who was just one day old. The pain of failing to protect his daughter killed him. He was dead from inside and the depression his wife was going through really gave him a hard time.

As a best friend, I tried to look out for his daughter but I never found her.

"I'll meet him soon. I'll hang up now", he replied and hung up.

He's really cold and distant type until it comes to me and Rehan.

He's Raj Malhotra, my another bestfriend. After the death of his wife, who was killed by his father because she belonged to a middle class family, he never smiled warmly or spoke much. He became distant and this gave birth to a crack in our friendship. But our will and hardwork to keep this friendship succeeded. He's in India now, a multimillionaire businessman.

While I was in my thoughts, my phone rang again.

I recieved the call, "Yes?"

"That Vijay Singh Rathore is actually Uday Raizada", spoke Rehan.

•

1:30 p.m.

Anika's POV

"Mrs Rai Mehrotra, if you're ready then we can leave", spoke Ms. Navami Sen, my makeup artist hired by the today's fashion show organizer.

We're at the mansion of Arnav's parents right now. The fashion show starts at 4:30.

I nodded.

Standing up, I took a look at myself in the wall mirror.

I'm wearing a black corset inspired blouse with a black saree that exposed my thighs. It was modern style saree with just the traditional way of wearing. My hair was tied up into a high ponytail and two black drop earings hung from my ears.

We walked out of Arnav's and my shared room to downstairs, his family had already left.

Arnav must be in the car waiting for me outside because he had some work so had to go earlier.

Once we walked past the hallway, the bodyguards of Arnav led us to the car I'm going in with Arnav and the makeup artists and stylists would be going in another one. There was a long line of black cars, all owned by my husband.

A bodyguard opened the door for me as I sat inside.

When the door closed, I turned my head to see my husband dressed in a tailored black suit and shirt. A golden YSL brooch was pinned to the coat pocket and the steel grey tie matched his shirt. His hair was neatly combed back with a few strands falling on his face. As usual, he had his mullets tied up. And moreover, without specs he actually looks good. He was so focused on the tab in his hands that he maybe hadn't acknowledged my presence.

"I know you're here", he spoke still staring at the tab.

"That's enough knowledge I guess", I replied monotonously looking out of the black tinted window.

"Arnav", I called him out after some minutes in silence.

He hummed.

"I have something for you", I spoke turning my head to face him. He turned off his tab and looked up.

"What's that?", he asked with his brows raised.

I smiled, the curve never reached my eyes.

"Here", I handed him a pink handkerchief.

His gaze travelled from my eyes to the fabric piece on my palm. The smile he had faded into a blank look. His eyes kept staring at the cloth piece before he looked up at me. I didn't show any reaction but put up an innocently neutral look.

"What's this?", he asked calmly. Even if he tried, I still noticed the negligible flicker in his grey darkened orbs.

"Just a handkerchief. I had found it at a store in Paris so thought about buying it for you", I replied.

"But don't you hate me?", he asked, suspicion surfacing his eyes.

"Are you suspecting me?", I asked pulling back my hand to my lap.

He sighed glancing away, "No I'm not. Give it to me", he spoke forwarding his hand to me.

I smiled and handed it over to him.

The handkerchief had embroidery of green leaves and flowers with different shades of pink made in a wreath. His initial was in between and a deep pink bow was at the bottom of the wreath. It'd look like any other handkerchief for someone else but for him, it'll pain him.

I smirked glancing at him through my periphery the way he was staring at the handkerchief. He was all silent.

You deserve this.

"Thanks doll", he spoke calmly staring at me. I looked at him to find his orbs darkened like ever.

I nodded with a mild smile and looked away.

"This is my advanced birthday gift to you", in spoke looking back at him. He turned his head towards me, amusement lingering on his face, pain was there too.

He just smiled and nodded before looking away.

An exact handkerchief was given to him on his birthday when he was in 9th standard. It was given by the very first person he loved deeply, so much that he was ready to fight for her. Just the difference is that she had done the embroidery herself and my given one was readymade.

But unfortunately, she died from brain cancer after three years of their relationship. I heard that she was a nice girl. How unfair like is right? They always take away the ones we love and care for.

I didn't want to bring back the topic of his loved one who was dead but I wanted to inflict pain in him. The pain he has given me by showing his brother in coma, blaming me all the time for it, he gave me unbearable pain.

It's just the starting. He's gonna face the cruelty he used to use on others, on himself now.

The car ride went silently and we reached the fashion show venue. He didn't speak much but carried a calm composure even if I was able to sense the raging storm inside him.

"I'll be there in the audience. I won't be able to cheer for you but know that I'm the happiest one to see you", was all he said when I was about to enter the green room. He had given me a small smile before disappearing into the crowd.

"Ma'am here's the first outfit", spoke the stylist bringing me back to trance.

Turning my head away from the vanity infront of me, I stood up and took a look of the black saree she was holding.

The saree had a mix of cotton and shiffon and it was translucent. The blouse was full neck and sleeves were of quarter length. The beautiful blouse embroidery was done by hand, I got to know about this from the designer. The borders of the saree was absolutely gorgeous because of the match of the colors with the over black fabric. It was simply gorgeous. I'll be wearing this to mark the starting of the fashion show before I wear the rest two outfits at the end of the show.

My makeup was done so I wore the saree with the help of the stylists before my hair was made into a low bun.

Smoky makeup perfectly went with the outfit.

Taking a deep breath, I walked out of the green room with the MC and stood behind the stage. I was a bit nervous because my in-laws were there this time. I knew it won't mess up because I'm used to all these shows but still, the nervousness is there everytime.

"Good afternoon ladies and gentlemen. It's a pleasure to welcome you all, once again, to this exquisite fashion show featuring the renowned Sabyasachi brand by Mr. Sabyasachi Mukherjee. As I mentioned earlier about this iconic Indian luxury label, it is now my honour to invite the elegant Mrs. Anika Rai Mehrotra, our today's chief guest, to grace the ramp.

She'll be showcasing the very first piece from our stunning winter saree collection which embodies the perfect blend of tradition and contemporary style. Please give her a warm round of applause as she steps into the spotlight!", the MC spoke on the mic as I pulled up a smile.

I calmed down my racing heart before holding up my head and walked on the ramp. The moment I set the foot on the ramp, I was welcomed by a huge round of applause.

I walked over to the end of the ramp with an elegant smile while joining my hands and bowed to the audience on all the sides of the ramp. While my gaze ran over the people sitting, my gaze stopped on that particular person who had made a promise to me few hours back.

He sat there in the very front row infront of the ramp. A warm smile graced his lips, his eyes warmly stared at me. He didn't at all look in pain after receiving that gift.

This man is indeed changing.

After a few seconds of eye contact with, I fixed my gaze on the MC.

"So Mrs. Rai Mehrotra, how do you feel today?", the MC asked handing over another mic to me.

"Good afternoon to all. I actually feel pleased and blessed to be able to start the show and be the chief guest here. The outfit I'm wearing is actually the result of all the hardwork Mr. Sabyasachi Mukherjee along with other designers had put. This elegant piece is actually comforting and very classy. I honestly like it a lot. Thank you", I ended my small speech and handed back the MC.

The MC then thanked me and spoke a little more before she walked away.

I smiled and bowed to the audience before showing the outfit a bit and walked back to the backstage. All the while I was on the ramp, I was able to feel his burning stare on me. It wasn't out of hated, but something his eyes possessed made me feel like that.

Despite the huge audience, I made eye  contacts with him several times. Everytime my eyes landed on him only to find him staring at me admiringly.

After that, the fashion show started and the other models started walking.

After entering the green room, I met Sabyasachi Mukherjee. He wanted to thank me for making it to the show despite my heavy schedule. I'm actually a fan of this brand. The simplicity his designs hold but still exude elegance and class, I love that. And I have several pieces from this brand.

After he went away, I went to the room I was given in the hotel. The fashion show is actually held in the auditorium of a seven start hotel in Mumbai.

Falling down on the bed, I rested a bit. My eyes didn't close because of a weird feeling inside me. While walking on the ramp, besides Arnav's stare, I felt another burning stare that gave me goosebumps. I tried searching for the person who was constantly staring at me but it was impossible to find them in between so many people staring at me. And I couldn't get scared because his family was there too.

I ignored the feeling back then thinking it was just something very random. But now thinking of that, I actually feel like someone was watching me.

But how do I find out?

I sighed.

Shrugging away the thoughts for now, I took off the saree and the blouse followed by the shape wear. I was just in my lacy black undergarments so I decided to wrap myself in a bathrobe. I'll be getting ready very soon anyways.

A hotel staff came and gave me a cup of coffee along with other snacks.

Sitting on a chair, I was sipping on my hot coffee looking at the awestruck view of the west side of Mumbai. The hotel was near the sea and since I had got a room on the twelfth floor, the view from here was magnificent.

The city life below seemed actually like a night city painting on a canvas. Several lights in different shades glowed. Since it was a full moon night, its reflection was painted on the serene sea water. The dark sky contrasted with the bright city life below and the stars and the moon.

Huge billboards were glowing and I found myself in two to three of all the billboards I was able to see.

Success feels so good when you work hard for it and it pays off.

I was so lost in my thoughts that I didn't even realise the presence of someone in the room until I felt a kiss on my neck and got startled.

I shot my head behind to find Arnav standing behind me, his hands in his pockets.

I sighed closing my eyes in relief before opening them again and placed the coffee mug on the table infront of me.

Standing up I faced him while crossing my hands infront of my chest. My face held a stern look, "Why are you here?"

He was smiling at me a while ago which had turned into a smirk now.

"I was just missing my wife", he replied casually.

I scoffed, "Didn't we see each other some while ago?"

"We did. But the time you were away was like hell to me. So I came to see you", he spoke, walking near before pulling me by my waist. I was surprised which caused me to gasp with wide eyes.

Resting my hands on his busts, I looked up at him, "Aren't you good at giving excuses?", my voice just a little above a whisper.

He didn't reply but just kept smirking, staring straight at my eyes.