"I'm sorry Dadaji, but I did what I had to do."

Aditi said with downcast eyes, sitting in a chair of Balwant's Study the next morning. Her uncle and aunt had complained to him about the last night's fracas. And she was duly invited here for this audience.

"You don't have to apologize. The girl deserved it."

Her Dadaji's tone was unusually grave. The news of last night had spread in the house like wildfire. Nehal hadn't bothered to keep her voice particularly low. And although the house staff was trained and trusted to keep their mouths shut, Aditi knew it was only a matter of time before the whole village was gossiping about it.

Shivering slightly she hugged herself. Last night's incident weighed heavily on her mind. Her sister's vitriolic words just wouldn't leave her alone. Falling asleep in Aron's stable hadn't helped either, her body was stiff and achy with cold.

"You know it's not going to solve Vivaan's problem, don't you?" Balwant asked rubbing his temple.

"I know Dadaji. But it'd at least keep Nehal safe. It'd give us some time to think of a solution."

Solution. What was the solution? Getting rid of Vivaan was not easy. The Raisinghs were too close, almost family. Businesses were tangled, there were joint ownerships, partnerships. After her father's death, her Dadaji had taken far too long to return to work. Grandpa Raisingh had of course stepped up to help, and in the process, had spread his tentacles even deeper.

Her heart trembled with each anxious thought. She was on borrowed time. For all she knew, Nehal was planning her next move right now, trying to get a one-up on her. She hoped at least her uncle and aunt would take her threat seriously. She just needed time. Little more time to find a way out.

All this had started with that big mouth Darsh Rathore. His one indiscrete comment had started this chain reaction. She wished she had never met him, had never asked for his help, nor had offered to be his guide. She should have stayed away from trouble. It was a mistake she'd never repeat again.

"Please don't worry, Dadaji. We'll think of something." She said with the courage she didn't really feel. "Maybe be we should talk to Grandpa Raisingh. He'd understand. And Vivaan may calm down with time. We just have to wait a bit longer."

Her Dadaji gave her a look full of skepticism. It was clear he didn't believe a single word of it. "I have thought of something else, Aditi. I met with Darsh Rathore yesterday. He has a proposal."

*****

Darsh sat at the restaurant of the Royal Equestrian Club of Palampur, waiting for Aditi. Her grandfather had fixed this meeting for 10 AM. But his excitement had got the better of him and he had arrived at an hour early.

Drumming his fingers on the table he glanced around. The restaurant was not busy, but there were definitely more people around than he'd seen before. The weekend was approaching and the usual racegoers had started arriving in anticipation of the weekend revelry. It was Friday, the fifth day of his visit. Five days was all it had taken to get him here. Five days, and he had gone from intense hatred to a throbbing heartache. He wondered where it would lead him next. He just couldn't wait to see his final destination.

Thinking of which, where was she? He glanced at his watch. There were still twenty minutes to 10. Sighing to himself he signaled the waiter for more coffee. He was on his third cup and was already feeling his adrenaline pumping. He wondered how it had come to this, he had never imagined himself acting this weird, feeling like a teenager, waiting for his first-ever date with his heart in his hand.

He remembered his first date years ago. It wasn't much. The girl had mostly stared at him open-mouthed. He was bored stiff and had scampered off after the first coffee. Today it was likely the roles were reversed. In all possibility, he would be the one gawking. And she would be as usual annoyed, waiting to be rid of him, as she had done in the Sarai.

The thought dampened his spirits. For all her grandfather's goodwill and his own prolific experience, he knew this could go either way. This was to do with his own false start with her. The fear of Vivaan Raisingh was a factor too, it could swerve her either way. And then there was the secret of that night, the night that had scarred her for life. Stuffing his hand in his pocket he fingered the locket. The smooth warm touch somehow gave him hope. He was going to give his best try. Giving up on her was not an option.

The minute hand soon reached twelve. His eyes lifted to see a delicate figure striding in through the doorway. The murmur of sounds died down as heads turned to stare. His princess had arrived. Waiters bowed reverently and hurried forward to welcome. She walked with her usual grace, acknowledging them with an easy smile yet somehow aloof, distant. Her eyes found him instinctively and her smile froze. He felt a shiver run down his spine. Here was his dream, his destination, his ultimate death wish. He was ready for her. Or rather, as ready as he ever could be.

Bracing himself he stood up and smiled. "Hi, Aditi. Thanks for coming." His heart raced a mile an hour as he extended his arm for a handshake. She ignored it stoically.

"I have to be at the clinic in 10 minutes. I only came to give you my decision. Whatever this crap you've been feeding my grandfather, you need to take it back."

*****

Aditi gave her decision and glanced at her watch. It had taken her twenty minutes to make this detour for this appointment her Dadaji had fixed without her knowledge. She'd stay here for another five minutes, then she'd be off.

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"Please take a seat, Aditi. We should talk properly..."

"I am fine, thank you." She declined politely but it came out a bit harsh. She couldn't help it. To say she was shocked was an understatement. And it was not just shock, but a deep embarrassment and anger. Her Dadaji, in his desperation, had thought of this solution. He was cunning that way, he knew very well how to use his power. It was clear Darsh Rathore had been coerced to say what her Dadaji wanted to hear.

Darsh sighed. "So, why do you think it is...crap?"

"Because that's what it is. You lied under duress. You must have been scared of Dadaji and his men, so you came up with this codswallop." That was what it was, a load of bullshit, claptrap, balderdash. He hated her, there was no way he wanted anything to do with her. "Anyway, there is no harm done. You can tell Dadaji you were wrong, you have no intention of starting any business here, nor any other interests, and leave." She crossed her arms and waited. Four minutes to go now, this shouldn't take too long.

"And why would I do that, Aditi?" He looked amused. "I assure you I am very much serious about my business proposal. And everything else." Leaning back leisurely he gave her an indulgent smile. He had all the time in the world while she was on a tight leash. Her irritation increased trifold and along with it the thudding in her heart.

"Look, I know my Dadaji can be a little too intimidating." She tried again, but her patience was wearing thin. "And Zorawar and his men are enough to scare the living daylights out of anyone. It's very normal to feel pressured. But you don't need to lie. I can assure you of your safety, no one will harm you. Just finish your holiday and return. Just go back to wherever you are from, and forget about this place."

By the time she finished, her voice was stretched thin. Her irritation was apparent, and so was his anger.

"I am from Delhi, Aditi. I'll return if I want, when I want, by my own sweet volition." His voice was dead cold. "And my name is Darsh Rathore. I don't take orders from anyone, neither from Balwant Rai Sharma nor from you. "

Aditi blanched. It looked like she'd touched some raw nerve. "Look, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to offend or insult. I am only saying you don't have to do anything out of fear. You can leave here safely, there's is no obligation on you to keep your word to Dadaji." She looked at him hopefully. That was the best she could do. She was offering him an easy way out. It'd make his life so much easier, and hers too.

His face softened, the cold fury giving way to a wistful expression. Then there was something else too, but she couldn't fathom what it was.

"I am touched by your concern, Aditi. But you are wrong. I was not forced into submitting to your grandfather's wishes. My proposal is genuine. I am really interested in...doing business with you."

She ground her teeth. This was taking longer than she expected. The man was adamant, and foolish, too. Maybe this needed a more systematic approach. One that'd take his proposal apart, piece by piece.

Pulling a chair, she sat at the table. His mouth twitched.

"So, what made you suddenly so interested in this business proposal?" She asked taking a sip of water that a waiter had rushed to place in front of her. She wished her Dadaji hadn't chosen such a public place. People were watching them, some surreptitiously, many quite openly. "A few days ago, you came here as a tourist. Two days ago, in the clinic, you asked for new places to visit. And now you have suddenly changed your tune. May I know what caused this sudden change of heart?"

He shrugged off-handedly. "I am a businessman Aditi and a businessman is never on holiday. I am always looking out for new opportunities for expansion. And as I said to your grandfather, Palampur has great unexplored potential."

Fair enough, Aditi sighed. That was a good answer. Over to the next. "Then I'd say I am not the right partner for you. I am just an amateur doctor and a wannabe racer. I work with people and animals, not with profit and loss statements. I don't know the ABC's of business, I'll only be a liability."

His face changed once more, there was that weird look again. She turned her eyes away. It was difficult to maintain eye contact when he had that tender expression. Almost as if he wanted to... she swallowed hard.

He smiled. "That's hardly a problem, Aditi. You'll be there as a subject matter expert while I'll take care of the business side. You have excellent knowledge of horses and you are a qualified doctor. I think we'll make perfect partners."

"Well, I don't think so." She flared in irritation. Would the man ever give up? Her five minutes were long since over. How much more time did she need to waste here? "I think it's a rubbish idea. It'll never work."

"What will never work?"

"The stud farm and that luxury hospital of yours," she snapped furiously. "The stud farm is a ghastly idea. I don't support such practices. Horses have feelings for God's sake!" She could never imagine Aron farming his babies. Her friend deserved better, and all other horses too, if she had a say in it! "And I want a charitable hospital for the local public, not a place for the rich to throw money to get luxury treatments. So that hospital of yours is out of the question."

There was a pause as he considered her objections. His eyes crinkled with amusement, and something else. That something else was becoming a permanent fixture on his face, making her nervous, almost jittery.

"Both of these concerns can be addressed easily, Aditi," he said almost lazily. "I think a stud farm is a brilliant idea considering our mutual interest in horses. And although I am not as sentimental about them as you," he cleared his throat, "I can understand your concern. We can mold the breeding practices as we like."

Her face reddened, but she kept her glare full on. He, too, continued nonchalantly. "And as for the hospital, you need funds for a charitable hospital. The money from the rich can be directed to charity, that way you won't have to fund everything out of your pocket."

Her face reddened further, remembering her recent encounter with the pregnant woman. Yes, she was funding the treatments herself, but she had never given it much thought. Now that he mentioned it, she knew he had a point. It was not sustainable, not if she wanted a long-term solution.

"So you see Aditi, you need to think like a businessman. Emotions would only take you so far."

"Well, thanks for your professional advice," she replied through her teeth. "But I still don't see the need to work with you. I can manage all this by myself. So thanks, and goodbye." Pushing the chair she got up. This conversation was futile. He was never going to give up, nor would she give in. It was best to leave.

"Wait Aditi, not so fast. What about my other proposal?" He shot to his feet, eyes flashing in anger. The restaurant around them quietened to pin-drop silence.

She turned back to give him one last look. "That one is a definite no. And believe me, I have taken this decision very practically. There are no emotions involved."

Nodding her goodbye, she walked out. Yes, it was a practical decision, considering Vivaan and the risk involved. And then there was that look he'd given her, that had spoken volumes. He'd hated her then, thought her a loose woman. And once he knew more, he'd hate her even worse.

A strange ache formed in her heart, but she ignored it resolutely. This was for the best. The chapter of Darsh Rathore must be closed. She already had a lot on her plate, there was no room for any more trouble.

***** *****