Chapter 5 SILENCE BEFORE THE THUNDERSTORM

Abhishek couldn't understand what they were saying but then he saw his position. He was sitting on his knees with a ring in his hand in front of a girl.

"Oh shit." He cursed under his breath started to walk away but Ram came there.

"Oho. So, you all came to know about it." He relaxingly told the press. "Yes, Abhishek IS getting married and this is the girl, Roshni... Dr. Roshni." He said bringing Roshni in front and making her stand beside Abhishek. Abhishek was in a state of complete shock. He couldn't utter a single word.

'There are definitely going to be words with my dear Dad once we reach home.' He said in mind and looked at Roshni who mouthed a 'sorry' to him. He gave her and angry glare and she turned her face in the opposite direction.

'How could Dad do this.' He thought.

Ram kept blabbering to the press about Roshni and Abhishek's first meeting, how they fell for each other, where they met, etc. while Abhishek kept throwing dark, cold glares between Ram and Roshni. Roshni flinched by his intimidating looks.

Abhishek kept silent and didn't say a word but that was the silence before the thunderstorm.

"Did you know about all this beforehand?" He asked Roshni angrily.

Roshni was really scared by his anger, she tried to say, "I... Ac... Actually..."

"It means yes." He said before he could complete. "Listen whoever you are, if because of you, my business suffers, I'll make you pay for it. If you ever come in my way again, then see. And stay away from me. Now just because of you, they'll spread wrong and stupid news of us so called 'being together', 'happy couple' and what not. all because of you. Just get lost." He shouted in the end and Roshni blinked her eyes fast to stop the tears. It was only loud enough for both of them to hear.

Roshni left from there. She didn't want anybody to see her crying. She took a taxi and went to a special place which always took her pain away before going home. "Why are his words affecting me so much? I shouldn't even care." She tried to console herself but no use.

After 20 minutes, which seemed like hours, Ram and Abhishek left the event. Ram looked around for Roshni, and looking at Abhishek's cold expression, he realized what might have happened.

There was dead silence in the car. Abhishek was driving the car. And Ram was sitting beside him.

They reached their home. Abhishek didn't utter a single word but Ram knew it was the silence before the thunderstorm.

They reached home and Abhishek was going towards his room when Ram called out,

"Abhishek, I know you want answers But-"

"It's right what people say Dad... The worse thing about betrayal is that it never comes from enemies. And today I feel it." He said without turning back and in a dangerously low voice.

"You left me no other option son. I'm tired and it hurts me to see you gambling with your life like that."

"I AM gambling with my life Dad?" He said sarcastically "and what about that gold digger you are pushing into my life?" He snapped.

"Roshni is not a gold digger Abhishek. She is a good natured, innocent-"

"Innocence in a 'woman', you know Dad, I hate innocence, cause innocence is a mask to hide something deep, dreadful and dark. No person in the world is innocent. There is always something beneath that skin."

"Stop it, Abhishek. And listen to me."

"What do I listen Dad? That how you planned all this with that girl and cheated me. I. Am. Not. Marrying. Her. And this is my final decision." He said and left from there in rage.

-Next Morning-

-At the Office-

He went straight to the cabin and called the only person who could help him in this situation. Within 10 minutes, the door opened and entered Laksh, His only friend and the person who could understand his situation. Laksh is his best friend and like a brother. He is Abhishek's lawyer but he handles his work in his absence. "Oh man. I heard what happened yesterday? What are you planning to do now?" He said in his melodramatic tone.

"Same question here? You tell me."

"Abhishek, I know you don't take me that seriously but why don't you meet her once. What if you start liking her?"

"Not you too Laksh. I'm asking you a solution."

"OK so the solution is-"

He was about to continue but Abhishek's phone buzzed and Johnson's name flashed on the screen.

"Oh no. If that news has reached him, I'm so blo*dy screwed." Abhishek said before lifting the call.

Abhishek tried to sound normal even though he was freaking inside. "Hello. Mr. Johnson. All OK"

"Wow Abhishek I don't believe this. Congratulations." Johnson said. "I didn't believe you had taken me so seriously that day."

Abhishek was confused.

"Ya about clearing your reputation I mean. Good going. Now listen one more thing, now when you are engaged, I want you to marry before we start our project. Probably this month OK. Bye. Take care."

Abhishek's facial expression changed hearing those words. "Dad." He grunted gritting his teeth in frustration.

"What did he say?" Laksh asked intently.

Abhishek ignored his question and shouted again, "Why does that old man want to attend my marriage? What a mess Dad has put me in?"

"Whoa Buddy cool down. Deep breaths."

"What cool down huh. Now That bast*rd will cancel such an important project if I don't marry that girl and I can't risk it. Now there's only one way- I'm ready to marry Roshni."

The name caught Laksh's attention. "Roshni? Dr. Roshni?"

"Ya. You know her?"

"Buddy..." Laksh hugged him in excitement. "If I would have known her, trust me, I would have never stopped you from this marriage." He spoke.

"Great. Now you will also not help me, right?"

"Abhishek, I've visited the hospital, and met her few times. She's amazing. You are so lucky to have her. I must say. She's not like other girls Abhishek. She's-"

"Enough Laksh." Abhishek snapped and left for Ram's cabin.

He was expecting him.

Abhishek was fuming. "You must be very happy Dad."

"You haven't come here to say that right?" Ram asked calmly flipping through some files.

"Yes. I'm ready to marry that girl." He came straight to the point.

"But the way you talked to her last night. I don't think she'll marry you."

Abhishek laughed proudly, "Are you kidding Dad? which girl would say no to Abhishek Malhotra?"

"Roshni. Like I said, she's not like other girls. Yes, I wanted her to marry you but she's like my daughter and I won't force her now." Ram said looking into his eyes. "If you want her to marry you, go and say that to her politely and if possible, also say sorry."

Abhishek ignored his words and asked her address. Ram gave her address and phone no. To him and he left to meet her.

-Roshni's Apartment-

The doorbell rang and Roshni opened the door. Abhishek was standing there looking at her intently. Seeing him brought back the memory of the moment he had insulted her. She felt his harsh words again in her ears which hurt her more. She just opened the door and walked inside not wanting his gaze on her.

"Yes. Mr. Malhotra. Anything left from last night that you're here to say." She said flatly.

"Yes." He said in the same tone. "MARRY ME."

Roshni looked into his eyes and said, "NO" sternly.