Because I loved you: Chapter 11

It was the day and only 2 hours for my flight. Rishi dropped me to the airport and gave me a hug. My dear Rishi acted like as if I'm leaving him forever. Finally he got bit serious and his last lines still struck my ears. "I hope you know what you're doing." I was left confused by hearing that as I couldn't get but I had to leave at that moment only as it was already the time of my flight. My excitement buried my confusions. I reached Delhi, a car was already waiting for me which lead me to a palacial building which the Rathores called their home. While entering through the main entrance I saw a black Rolls Royce car coming out through the gate the driver told me that it was Mr.Uday Rathore's car. The butler lead me to a huge room and told me to sit their as Abhinav wasn't back. I was left alone in the room till some maids came with large trays having snacks and juice. I waited there for two hours and finally I got off my seat and started exploring the room. The room was full of there family pictures in which I tried to spot Abhinav but none of the kids from that family potrait looked like him, it was bit strange though. Someone opened the door and the sound distracted me and I turned my head just to find out that it was none other than Abhinav.
"I hope I haven't made you wait for long."
-"No not at all." with a fake broad smile as I've waited for a minute or two.
He cut it short and called one of the housekeeper to keep my bag in guest room. He told me that he had another meeting to attend so he'll see me at the dinner. I went into my room which was also huge just like their other rooms and it also had a balcony which viewd the golf court amd their swimming pool. My excitement took over my tiredness and I went towards the balcony to have a view of the lush green lawn. After few minutes I had to turn my head towards the other end of the backyard and I could hear someone shouting. I saw a girl probably in her teens dressed in a robe was screaming at top of her voice at the maids for some reason and she left the place after that and the maids also followed her. I wondered what might be the reason for all that howling as I couldn't hear her properly. I even tried to guess who she might be as Abhinav had no sibbling. I really had very less knowledge about the Rathore's family other than Uday Rathore and ofcourse Abhinav. So I thought of googling about them other than sitting idle. So I placed myself and my laptop on that soft bed and opened the google page and typed ''Uday Rathore's family members''. I prefered to open the first link only and I finally got a probable answer who that girl was. She had to be the teenage daughter of Rajvir Rathore, Uday Rathore's younger and the only brother. And she ie. Tasha seemed to be quite spoilt according to the google reports. I got interrupted as I recieved a call for my Mom as I promised to call her after I'd land in Delhi but as always I forgot. I was in a usual mother-daughter chat when I had to disconnected my phone as some loud noises of breaking glasswares and other things shook the whole Rathore Bhaban. I rushed towards the balcony just attempt to make out stuffs that was going on in the house. It didn't take much time for me to figure out that it was coming from Tasha's room which was just to 2 rooms away from mine. The whole thing shook me a bit and I tried to make myself believe that it won't be that tough for me to survive a whole month in the Rathore Bhaban without creating much trouble *fingers crossed for that*.

Because I loved you: Chapter 10

My life became boring, I felt that something in my life was missing. Rishi was always there for me but still I felt empty somewhere. I was back to my normal life but I wasn't happy. I couldn't concentrate on my studies either. I didn't want to bother Abhinav every time I needed help in studies afterall he was lot more busier back in Delhi. A week later Abhinav called me to ask me about my studies, I lied to him saying everything was going just great though in real I desperately needed help. He asked me when was my next exam and I told him that I had an exam next month only. I was worried because I was not at all prepared for the exam this time. My exams were worst than ever. After few weeks the results were out and mine was a disaster. Rishi tried his every bit to console me and I could clearly see how much he was worried for me. I was feeling low, I sat in a corner of my bed and sobbed the whole day, I wanted Abhinav back to fix everything right. Then only I got a call from Abhinav, he called me to know my result. I stammered for a while as I knew that he would be greatly disappointed hearing that. I finally gulped the lump down my throat and told him all the truth. He was literally furious at me and asked me why I didn't tell him that I was having problems with my chapters. So he ended up deciding that I'll be flying to Delhi during my summer vaccation so that he can take care of my studies personally. I was excited and badly wanted to meet him. I asked my parents about going to Delhi and they gave me permission almost instantly may be they thought that it was the only hope left. Rishi was very much suspicious when he came to know that I am going to Delhi for a month and that too Abhinav asked me to do so. I lied to him saying that he had some work for me. I was super excited and took Mehak for doing some shopping as I desperately needed to upgrade my wardrobe before leaving for Delhi. We shopped till we dropped. I was on my way to home when I had to stop my car for a while as the signal turned red and I was looking around to pass those 30seonds when I suddenly noticed Rishi sitting with someone in a cafe, it was a girl and I could only see her back. I tried a lot to peep from my car's window oscillating my head from left to right to get a glance of her face but I failed as the signal turned green and the cars behind me started blowing their annoying horns. I was totally disappointed as Rishi never hid anything from me. I knew everything about starting from his first crush and now if he is seeing someone its not a big deal to tell me about that. I was angry on him, I didn't recieve his call nor did I give any reply to his texts untill he suddenly rang my door bell just before the day I was supposed leave for Delhi. I opened the door giving him a cold expression but he reacted like nothing really happened and that made me more annoyed. I couldn't control and ended up asking about the girl with whom I saw him at the cafe. Hearing that he moved a bit as he wasn't expecting that to hear from me. He gave totally an irrevelant answer. He tried to divert me and assure me that he was not dating anyone. That was the only part that made me feel that may be he wasn't lying about that but the rest was bit confusing. I knew that Rishi was hiding something from me.

Because I loved you: Chapter 9

So I thought a lot and finally decided to stick to a simple plan. I planned to send him a bouquet of white roses with a thank you card. Next day I went for work and I opted to courier it to him rather giving it directly to him as I wanted to see his expressions, I didn't even write my name on the card. I was in Abhinav's room at that time when Malini came in and told Abhinav that there was a courier for him but when he enquired what was it Malini stammered a bit and went away without giving any proper answer. After few minutes later a man brought the bouquet of white roses. I was really excited just like a little girl gets excited while opening her birthday present. I eagerly waited for Abhinav's expressions but the result was quite unexpected his face became pale seeing the bouquet he came closer to it and took it in his hand. He stood still holding the bouquet and then all of a sudden he threw it on the floor and ordered to remove it from his eyes at once. I was really shocked and nearly had a mini heartattack seeing his reaction. Malini opened the card which was still lying on the table but couln't get a clue about the person who had sent it. I thanked God for not making me take that stupid step of writing my name on it, God saved my life orelse I'd have been so dead by then. Abhinav seemed quite disturbed so I silently slipped the file and got out of the room. I could see many people were already gathered with eyes full of curiosity to know what went wrong inside. I preffered to pass them than to answer. When I went back to the room where I was working Rishi rushed towards me with the same question. I briefly told him what happened but hid it from him that I was the one who has sent those roses. I went back home but the incident was revolving around my head, I was also felt guilty for making Abhinav upset and I didn't have the guts for telling him the truth. The next day I decided to go to Abhinav and tell him all the truth afterall I had no intention to hurt him. When I went to the hotel everyone seemed busier than ever. I headed towards Abhinav's room where I saw even more securities. My heart skipped a bit seeing all these. I was worried if Abhinav was alright. I tried to get in but the guards didn't allow me. Then I saw Malini entering into the room when I stopped her in the middle just to know what was going on. She told me that Abhinav wasn't well so they are returning to Delhi by the evening flight. They were supposed to leave for Delhi after 2weeks but they preponed that. I never liked Abhinav much but when I heard him leaving it bothered me as somewhere felt I was responsible for all that was going on, my stupid idea of thanking Abhinav screwed it all. It was his last day and I wanted to talk to him so I somehow convinced Malini to let me in giving silly reasons. I went in and Abhinav's face clearly showed that he was pretty surprised by my unexpected presence. Malini left the room after she was done with her work. There was an awkward silence in room when Abhinav broke the silence by asking me the reason of dropping there at that odd hour. I had no reason nor I could say the truth. I stammered for a while and ended up saying that my next session will start soon and I wished if I had him as my tutor once again as I didn't want repeat the past regarding my studies. He kept quiet for a while and told that I could skype him whenever I'll need. I was happy thinking that atleast we wont end up being strangers again but still he wont be with me as person. I returned to my appartment and the flashes of memories with Abhinav were coming in front of me. They were making me restless. I looked at the clock still 2hours were left for his flight. I wanted to say him Bye and wanted to hear his voice for the last time before leaves. I closed my eyes and tried to divert my mind when suddenly my phone rang and it was Abhinav. Within a flash of second I recieved the call. He called me to say just some boring stuffs regarding my studies which were not at all that important. He ended the call with a simple bye but I wished if the conversation lasted a bit longer.

Because I loved you: Chapter 8

So my tuitions with Mr.Hitler Abinav started. Though he seemed to be better since that night. He was superb as a teacher. I continued with my regular college-work-classes schedule. I made sure that everything was normal again between me and Rishi amd that happened, we were back as BFFs. Though we behaved all normal but still there was something which made me keep my classes with Abhinav a secret from him. Though Rishi could sense my 'Not at all Normal' behaviour but he never asked me the reason, may be didn't want to spoil our friendship anymore. 3 months just passed away like a blink of an eye it was the day of my exam and I was having nerves. I was feeling all numb when I suddenly saw my cell ringing. The call was from Abhinav, I recieved the call and pretended to be all cool about the exam but he caught me. He did his best to make me confident. It felt good, I didn't wanted to end the conversation but the invigilator came inside the room and unwillingly I had to hung up. The exam started and Rishi was late, I couldn't concentrate on my paper as I was worried and busy guessing the possible reasons why Rishi was gettinh that late. He finally turned up and gave me a 'Everything is Okay' smile. I was happy to see him and finally I could concentrate on the paper. I gave answer to each question the best way I could. My exams went well actually they were a lot better than my previous exams, but Rishi was not satisfied with his papers. It wasn't anything new he always gives that serious expression after every exam and finally turns out to be the topper. Days passed pretty well and the day came which always used to be my nightmare, the results of exams were to be out. I wasn't worried about my results this time because I knew that I'll easily pass this time and Abhinav's efforts wont go to waste. I drove to the college, I saw Rishi coming towards me with a broad smile sticking to his face and repeated his same old line,
"Guess what" and he dragged me to see the list. It was quite obvious that he has again topped and his joy had no boundaries but I was worried as I couldn't find my name on the list.
-"Thats no way possible I can't fail." and tears rolled down my cheeks when Rishi suddenly called out my name from the list loudly. Rishi gave me a tight hug and then showed my name just below two ranks from Rishi. I stood still there for a while as I couldn't believe on my eyes. And when I got back my senses I was already in cloud 9. I excused myself and the first thing that I did was to call Abhinav and thank him a million times. When he heard the news I could clearly feel hearing his voice that he was extremely happy. I called my parents and they were even happier than me. After completing my calls I went to Rishi and congratulated him and he did the same back. Our friends, just like a pack of hungry wolves demanded a treat from us to which we both happily agreed afterall it was celebration time. I got back home and started thinking that just saying thanks was not enough to show my gratefulness so I started thinking hard to thank him in Rayesha's style.

Because I loved you: Chapter 7

So I finally texted Abhinav that I'll be going to the party. He instantly texted me back the time when he'll come to pick me up. I unwillingly picked up a dress and got ready. The clock stroke 7pm and I could hear the horn of a car, it wasn't hard for me to sense that it was Abhinav. When I came down I saw the chauffeur standing outside and he opened the door of the car for me, Abhinav was already sitting on the backseat. He was busy checking his phone and totally ignored me. That wasn't disappointing after all he is that Hitler kinda. All the way till we reached the venue I regretted for my decision. When we stepped out of the car we were surrounded by a pretty big crowd the host welcomed us to the party and the guards made the way clear for us. Everyone was awkwardly looking at me. "Who is the girl with Mr.Rathore?", that was the only topic of gossip of the party. Abhinav didn't want to create any more confusions so he cleared them that I just work for him. Still I overheard people talking only about us. We were treated like a precious thing and the host of the party Mr.Singh didn't leave us out his sight even for once. Abhinav sat on the couch and talked with the men whom Mr.Singh introduced him with. I was always a party animal and it was the first time that I was just sitting and looking at people getting high and dancing hard on the tracks. Abhinav might had sensed my intense desire of going to dance floor and shake my leg so he told me that I can go and join others on the dance floor if I want. I was just waiting for that as soon as I got the green signal from Abhinav I rushed to the dance floor and danced till my feet ache .After sometime the Dj switched to the slow and romantic tracks for the couples. I was rather feeling uncomfortable staying there for long among the couples who were getting cozy. I returned back and secured a place beside Abhinav. A guy came and asked me for dance but I refused. I never liked dancing with strangers since my middle school Rishi was my only dancing partner since then. I missed him badly at that time.
" Why did you come back? Go and enjoy the party.", said Abhinav seeing my frown face.
-" Nah I just don't like dancing with the strangers.", I tried to cut short saying that.
"Oh."
-" But whats wrong with you? Don't you ever enjoy? Why do you like so much pretending to be an oldie?"
He finally gave a smile hearing that. Then he raised up and forwarded his right hand towards me and he asked, "Rayesha Roy will you like to have a dance with me?"
That instantly enlightened my mood and I followed him, " Ya,sure."
We went where all the couples were dancing and they made place for us to dance. We danced on the the tracks played by the Dj. And I never imagined that Abhinav could dance that well. I was lost in that moment for a while when we both noticed that all the couples had stopped dancing and they were busy looking at both of us dance. It was an awkward moment for both of us so we again got back to our seat. Everyone came and praised our act. The dance actually hit their topic for gossip once more. Finally Abhinav had a final chat with Mr.Singh and we left. Abhinav seemed to be in a light mood so I finally asked the question which was craving inside me for a long time.
- " Abhinav may I ask you something?"
"Ya ask."
- "Umm" I stammered a bit before asking, finally I gathered all my guts and asked him ," Why do you hate me so much?"
He looked at me weirdly for a while and said," I don't hate you."
-"Then why do you always treat me so badly."
"But I didn't behave with you badly today. Did I?"
-" No you didn't but you always do remember that day when you yelled at me without any reason."
"There was enough reason, you badly needed to change your carefree and irresponsible nature, you take everything for granted."
- "Did Rishi tell you that I was irresponsible? Is he the one who made me so bad in your eyes?"
"What? Do you even know what you are talking about? Rishi is your true friend who cares for you and he is no way related to all these. He just asked me to not to pressurize you with loads of work and to leave you earlier so that you can go back home and study. But I guess he trusts you way too much. He was also worried about you so I tried to help him by changing you."
-"Change me like that? Who the hell on earth does that for changing a person?"
" Fine I'm sorry, I guess I got carried away with that a way too much. On the first day of work I took away Rishi to another room just to tell him to remain indifferent and let me do stuffs on my own way, so he pretended to be unaffected but he always kept telling me that he can't see you getting hurt. I know that things are not good between you and Rishi but you two should sought it out. And start concentrating on your studies."
-"Okay fine, you weren't that wrong you actually somehow helped me to gain all new interest on studies but still its pretty hard."
"Fine let me repent for my mistakes. I also had the same stream in Engineering so I can help you with your studies if you want."
I readily agreed to it because I knew that I can never get a better tutor than him. I was already feeling a lot guilty for behaving like that to Rishi and I didn't want to disappoint him anymore. Everything that happened actually made feel that Abhinav wasn't that bad.

Because I loved you: Chapter 6

The next day I went to the college but tried to avoid Rishi. After the college I went for work. When Abhinav saw me he gave an awkward look as if he wasn't expecting me there. I remained indifferent and did the works I was told to do without complaining. My friendship with Rishi was almost coming to an end, I hardly talked to him both in college and during work. But Rishi didn't give up he asked me almost everyday the reason for my this kinda behaviour but I kept quiet about it. A month passed and I got my first salary, it was a lot better than I expected. I could've never got this amount of cash even if I'd have done a full time job. Finally the Durga Pujas came and I had lots of plans with my friends but Abhinav again became the vamp of my life and didn't accepted my leave as I'd already taken a leave of 3 days last month. Rishi also requested to Abhinav for granting my leave but he firmly sticked to his decision. It was Saptami and I saw people on the street all dressed up in their best attire and going for pandal hopping. The sounds of the dhak reminded me that this was my first puja away from my family and Rishi. I missed them. When I reached hotel it was full of guests but I could hardly see any employee the ones who were there was Abhinav's PA Malini, the guards and some other unfortunate employees. Malini gave me a huge mountain of papers and told me that Mr.Rathore has asked me to fill them. This was impossible, I can't complete it in few hours even if I fill this up staying awake the whole night even then it wont end. I was alone in the room till Abhinav came in and sat in a corner of the room much far away from the place where I was sitting. 2hours passed I couldn't concentrate on the work as my mind was somewhere else. There was an awkward silence in the room before I broke down all of a sudden infront of him complaining and blaming him for making my life a hell. But he seemed to be unaffected by my reactions. He stared at me for a while and when I stopped and calmed down he searched something in the shelves came towards me and gave me an envelope. I had no idea what was inside that envelope. When I opened it there was a party invitation inside. I looked at him with a big question mark on my face. "Why the hell did he give me this?" that was the only thing that was running inside my head then.
"Thats a party invitation which got a week back. I don't like parties so if you want you can go with your friends tomorrow over there and I'm also giving you a leave for that."
-"I don't need it, none of my friends are in town. Thanks for showing your sympathy."
And I left that card on the desk, I seriously had no interest in staying back in the hotel any longer and do all those boring works so I took a bundle of papers from those piles and kept them safely inside my bag and left. The next day I got a call from Abhinav I thought may be he called me to cancel my leave as I'm not going to the party. So unwillingly I picked up his call.Without even saying a Hello or a Good morning he started,"Well if you don't have anyone to accompany you to the party then we can go together."
I couldn't believe if I was hearing it right, I never expected that a guy like Abhinav would ever say that. I was just thinking of saying a straight NO to his face but on the second thought I was bit worried what if my this NO creates further trouble. Abhinav can make my life even more miserable because of this NO.
-"I don't know, I just need some time for thinking about it. I'll let you know about it within the afternoon." and I hung up the phone saying that.

Because I loved you: Chapter 5

Rishi finally came and when he entered into the room his eyes were wide opened seeing me bending down on knees and collecting pieces of papers which were scattered on the floor. As soon as Abhinav saw Rishi he took him into a room for some personal talk. When they finally came out he just told me that Abhinav has given him some work for which he has to leave. So Rishi left me with that Hitler without even asking me for once why I was doing all those works of a servant. A week passed and Abhinav's behaviour towards me was getting worse. But he was all normal with Rishi infact Rishi was was given all the important works. This was so unfair. I could no longer supress my anger so I went straight into the room where Abhinav was checking out some files and asked him the reason for his this kinda behaviour towards me. Hearing that he almost yelled at me saying,"Well what more do you expect? You are good for nothing I gave you those works that suited you the best."
I was taken aback for a while by his this kinda reaction. I never expected that he would talk to me like that despite of the fact that I did no harm to him.
"Do you know whats in these files."
And he threw the file which was he was going through on the table directing it towards me. I took the file and saw that it had my college report cards which had my worst marks.
"Getting into a reputed college just by luck doesn't mean that you've earned just enough in life. I know that you are going to drop out from the college pretty soon after all parties and alcohols are more important than studies. And I know just because of your big ego you will not even come here from the next day. But I really don't care there are hundreds of people infacts thousands to replace you..."
I couldn't held back my tears and rushed out of that room.

-"How can he talk to me like that? Who is he to get bothered of my low marks? He isn't my Dad nor my brother, he is just a bloody no one."
I hated him more than ever now but I promised to myself that I'll prove him that I was better than anyone and he himself will admit it someday. But somewhere I felt that Rishi was some way related to all that happened. For 3days I locked myself in my room and kept my phone switched off, I didn't go to the college nor for work. I was angry, sad, disappointed, broken and frustrated I didn't know what to do this was for the first time that I was so lost but had no one around me. My eyes fell on those untouched piles of books on my study table and felt that may be Abhinav was right I was good for nothing. My parents had so many dreams for me and I was just spoiling there every single effort. I was sorry for my careless attitude and regretted for the time I wasted. I took a book from that stack and started reading. The chapters which were always my nightmares felt quite interesting then. I studied that whole night for the first time since I joined the college. The next when I switched on my phone and I saw numerous messages and hundreds of call from Rishi and few from my other friends also. But I was still not ready to forgive Rishi cause I knew that he played a major part in screwing my life.