R I T I K A

Night could not be more beautiful than this because here I am in the arms of a man whom I love a lot and stargazing with him. His fingers were brushing against my waist while I was settled between his legs. A calm silence was between us, our breaths and heartbeats mingling together.

"Ritika?" He called my name softly after a long stretch of silence.

"Hmm?" I hummed, still looking at the pretty stars.

"You know, I always see you happy and content. I am curious. So curious about you. What was your dream?"

I looked at him, smiling a little, and then turned back to the stars again, "I never had a dream inside me, I just wanted to prove myself. That's it. I was never... I swear was never interested in any particular thing. People around me liked drawings, some were into writing, singing or sports."

I breathed for a second and continued, "But me? I never had a dream but a passion to prove myself to my dad. My dad never expected me to do any good in life, but yeah, that's why from childhood I wanted to be independent. I didn't want to be someone like my mother. She was strong, but I didn't want to become that kind of strong."

"And then, without any interest, I took commerce, and like that, I ended up here." I laughed it off.

His hands pulled me closer, "I am proud of you, and it was your dream, Ritika- To live a life like you wanted to." 

I smiled," I know you wanted to be a chef, but did you ever like try to act on it?" 

"Yes, I did. You know, I saved lakhs of money, searched up the perfect place for my restaurant and even designed the architecture but my dad got to know. And for the first time in my life, I felt his hands on me.... He slapped me, Ritika." 

My eyes turned teary as I heard his words, and I turned towards him only to see tears in his eyes, and something broke inside me.

As if my heart was being pulled apart.

I leaned towards him and hugged him because I had no words, how could I even confront him when my heart was falling apart looking at him? Worst was what his father did, how could he slap his own son who was just dreaming, fulfilling his wish and building his life without anyone's life? Was he not allowed to dream? Was dreaming his fault? Or that he was born as a guy and wanted to cook was his fault? Was cooking just for girls, not for every person? People were becoming chefs everywhere but him? Because of society, because of his parents, he could never ... took the step to build his life.

"I am fine now; it was years ago." He said, his hands caressing my head.

"But, Advik, you deserve to build your own life."

"Maybe someday, I will. I have a feeling."

"One day for sure." He whispered, his eyes teary and his voice hopeful.

And you will, Advik.

"And I will make sure you complete your dream," I whispered against his chest.

"Thank you, Ritika." He patted my head, and again the silence fell between us.

"I am feeling sleepy, let's sleep." I said while pouting.

He laughed, "Sure, my cutie."

I giggled as his words, and he picked me up in his arms and took me to the bed and just like that we slept.

In each other's warm.

***

"So, Mrs Bansal, where are you going?" My friend teased me.

I rolled my eyes at her and spoke, "Well she is going to meet Mr Bansal."

"Awe so romantic." She giggled.

"Please manage at my place, today I bought his tiffin too, so I will give him at his office and then leave for house directly as rheya is coming, okay?"

"Don't worry, I will tell mam that you were not feeling well." She spoke while nodding.

"That's why I love you." I gave her a fly kiss and went outside the bank to take the auto.

I giggled to myself, imagining his reaction when he'd see me. But nervousness crept in too - it was my first time going to his office.

"Bhaiya, stop here!" I spoke when I saw the company's name.

I thanked him and gave him the fare and sighed.

Let's go Ritika!

I took the stairs and walked inside and kept looking around until I found the receptionist.

"Hey, I want to meet, Advik Bansal." I asked her while passing a sweet smile.

"Ma'am he would be in third floor." 

"Thank you." 

I took the lift and went upwards, my heart racing each second and a strange feeling settled inside me.

"Bhabhi?" I looked behind me and saw, Dipu, as Advik says," Dipu?"

"Aap yha kya kar rhi hai?" He asked while walking beside me.

(What are you doing here?)

"Advik forgot his tiffin so I was here to give him. By the way where is he?" 

"Oh, boss called him. and has been scolding him for some time now."

"Scolding? why?"

"Oh, he and Mahindra got a project work yesterday but then a small mistake happened by them, you know some error? But it was both of their mistakes but only Advik is getting scolded."

I frowned, why was only Advik getting scolds?

"Oh, I see. can you show me the way of his boss's office?"

"Sorry, Bhabhi, but i have a meeting but in that corner is boss's office."

"It's okay and thank you Dipu means a lot. And do come at home, we will have a dinner."

He flashed a smile," Sure Bhabhi."

I made my way toward the office- but the sight in front of me froze me.

My heart dropped.

The man -I guessed it was the boss- had his hand raised.

And within seconds, it struck Advik's face.

What?

How could he?

An anger builds inside me and without any second thoughts, I opened the glass door and went towards the boss.

And slapped him.

Tightly.

A/N

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