It was nearly night when Aditi finished her work. The clinic was empty. Dr. Wadhwa had already retired for the day. The assistant had left long back, his hours finished at five-thirty.

Rinsing her latest teacup at the sink, she grabbed her bag to leave, when someone knocked on the door. It was Vivaan.

"Hi, Aditi! Glad I didn't miss you. How are you?" He greeted pleasantly and entered.

Her face paled. "What do you want Vivaan?"

"Why, I came to thank you, Aditi. You have no idea what you have done today, I am so happy."

Smiling broadly he took a step forward. He was hardly a few feet away, two more strides and they would be face to face. A nervous shudder went down her spine. She hadn't expected him to come in person. The memory of their last meeting surged in her mind. He too was clearly remembering it as his hungry eyes ran down her body. They stopped below her waist, near her thigh, before lifting up casually back to her face.

"I need to go Vivaan. I am already late. You can come tomorrow or can call me sometime." She tried to sound brave but her heart was sinking. The shops around were closed, there was no one around. No one, except the two of them.

"I only need a few minutes Aditi. It won't take too long, I promise."

Pulling a chair he made himself comfortable. Aditi watched cautiously.

"So there are two things." He started leisurely. "First, I want to thank you for rejecting that Darsh Rathore. You did the right thing. I am so happy you are finally seeing the sense."

She kept her look steady. So the news had reached Vivaan. It was obvious - her exchange with Darsh Rathore had been witnessed by many. And although nobody was close enough to hear the actual words, their expressions had been a dead giveaway.

"I did it for my own reasons. It's nothing to do with you." She said stoically.

He curled his lip. "And secondly, thank you for grounding Nehal. She's been calling me non-stop today, begging me to rescue her. She even said she was ready to elope with me. Can you imagine? Such a shameless girl!"

Aditi licked her lips. So he was here to threaten her. He was happy that she had rejected Darsh Rathore. But he was still watching. A little toe out of the line and he would pounce on her. He was here just to make sure she knew this well.

"Don't worry Vivaan. She won't be able to go anywhere. I have Zorawar on the watch. He will make sure Nehal is safe."

She watched with satisfaction as his face paled. Vivaan hated Zorawar, not only because he was fiercely loyal to her Dadaji, but also because of his peculiar dislike of everyone with Raisingh surname. Zorawar's sister was once in the service of Vivaan's parents. The girl was slightly retarded, but Veena Raisingh, ever the good samaritan, had taken her under her wings. Everything was fine until one day when the girl was found in Kabir Raisingh's bed in a compromising position. Zorawar had lost his marbles and ended up killing some of Kabir's bodyguards.

Kabir fled to Delhi, never to return to Palampur again. His wife divorced him promptly, taking with her a chunk of wealth that Grandpa Raisingh still sorely missed.

Stolen content alert: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.

Aditi sighed. That was one of the reasons Grandpa Raisingh was adamant about this match. Her mother's inheritance alone was three times that of Grandpa Raisingh's total net worth.

"Zorawar can't save you for too long." Vivaan's harsh tone brought her back. "He can't be everywhere every time. So stop dreaming and face the reality, Aditi. This little game of yours is utterly useless."

"It'd be better if you face the reality, Vivaan." She spat venomously. "I told you I'm not interested. So stop dreaming and go back to Delhi. You are not needed in Palampur." Her voice was stern, but she felt exhausted. She had uttered similar words this morning, to a different man. They were wasted on him, and by the looks of it, they were wasted on Vivaan too.

"I am not going anywhere, baby." His silky smooth voice dripped with venom. "I am here to stay, with you, forever. And you can't do anything. Because if not Nehal, I can always use someone else. There is no dearth of pawns, you can't protect everyone."

Aditi blanched. "What do you mean?"

"Ah, you know very well what I mean. I can always go back to a servant or horse. Or rather one particular servant and one particular horse." A crooked grin erupted on his face. Aditi's heart jumped to her throat.

"How about I use Aron this time? Surely you love him and will do anything to protect him?" He mused thoughtfully. "Or I can use that maid Kanta. I know she is your special favorite."

"Vivaan! How could you! Don't you dare..." She spluttered pathetically.

"Her husband Jeevan works on your dairy farm, right?" He continued nonchalantly. "I see him sometimes, commuting on his rusty bicycle. He should replace it really, it could get him into a serious accident."

She stared at him speechless. He was clearly enjoying, this was what he was best at.

"And she also has a daughter, right? Vandana? Seventeen-year-old, first-year student, Rajpur college? Such a tender age! She too walks daily to and from the bus station. I don't understand girls these days. Such unnecessary risks they take in the name of education!"

His face was full of concern, but his eyes danced merrily.

"Vivaan! You are insane! Do you even know what you are saying? I can report you to the police!!" The threat sounded hollow even to her own ears. Police won't be able to do anything. He would use someone else to do his dirty work. There won't be any proof against him and Grandpa Raisingh would be there to throw his weight around. Her head swirled in panic. He broke into a fit of laughter.

"Really Aditi, is that the best you can do? Believe me, sweetheart, it will only make things worse." He laughed hysterically, spluttering in between coughs as tears of insane mirth rolled his eyes. Not for the first time, Aditi wondered if he needed psychiatric treatment.

"Vivaan, please! Not Aron, not Kanta Chachi..please..." She mumbled haplessly as her own tears rolled down. Her face burned with shame, it was as if she was asking him to choose someone else.

"Hmm! Not the maid, not the horse, it's not fair Aditi." He made a face. "Fine, I don't mind. It could be anyone really. It could be your Ratan Chacha, it could be Dr. Wadhwa. The name doesn't matter as long as I get the desired result."

Aditi stumbled back, her back hitting the wall. Vivaan got up from his perch. His message was clearly delivered.

Coming closer he stood right in front of her. His hand raised to her wet cheek to stroke it delicately.

"All this can be easily avoided, Aditi. I have given you enough freedom. I let you do your course, I let you do your racing, I let you work in this...hovel." He wrinkled his nose in disgust. "But one thing that is non-negotiable is the promise our grandfathers made. You must honor that. There is no way out."

"Vivaan please!" She begged, eyes streaming in terror. "Try to understand. I don't..."

"Are you not listening?" He snapped in irritation. "It is non-negotiable."

His finger trailed to her ear, tucking a loose strand of hair behind it. Her tears rolled in the earnest, fear, disgust, and humiliation clouding her already foggy brain.

"It'd all be your fault, Aditi. These people, who love you dearly will suffer unnecessarily because of you. Think about it, Aditi. Think before your next step."

Pulling her close he tried to peck her lips. She jerked her head away as revulsion roiled her innards.

"Leave." She managed to utter through a surge of spasms as bile burned her throat. He gave an indifferent shrug.

"Fine. But don't make me wait too long. You know I'm not a very patient man." Giving her one last look, he walked out.

Aditi ran to the sink to vomit her guts out.

***** *****