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“I always taunted my mother that she is weak to judge people, but I did exactly the same. I trusted to work with you, considering this is going to be strictly professional, but I was wrong. This is leading me nowhere. I can't risk more.”
Finally meeting his gaze, Maya declared, “I'm leaving, Ranveer. Call it fear or helplessness, but I can't continue this.”
Before he could respond, she added, “I'll tell Mom it was all fake. She'll understand eventually.”
Ranveer grabbed her forearms fiercely. “You'll do no such thing.”
Wrenching away, Maya challenged, “Dare me.”
She retreated inside but Ranveer stalked after her. As Maya reached for her bag, he yanked her back forcefully.
“Don't test me again, Maya,” Ranveer shouted in her ear.
Despite the painful grip, Maya yelled, “Then let me leave quietly. You won't have to deal with my attitude again.”
Ranveer leaned in menacingly.
“I hate to inform you, Maya Bajaj, that before you take any such step, do read our agreement again. If you break the deal in between, you owe me the money I have spent on your mother’s sickness so far.”
Maya went numb and stopped struggling.
“Did you think walking out of this deal without its execution is going to be so easy?” he pulled her closer. “I am Ranveer Malhotra, and I hate people who don’t fulfill what they commit to. My entire plan to destroy the Maliks is dependent on you. You are my pawn, and if you think you will leave just like that or I will let you go away, you are making a fool of yourself.”
Maya’s eyes pricked with tears. He was a monster, and every time he lost his mind and said something so horrible, he proved that.
“Stop fussing around and diverting my mind from our real goal,” he growled, loosening his grip on her.
Maya watched him with horror.
“You're not a scapegoat here who will be my prey in the bedroom. Just because I showed you what we can have between us if you wish so too, doesn’t mean I am going to be lenient on the deal terms.” He picked up her phone from the bed and handed it to her. “Call Kunal Malik and invite him and his father for the Havan tomorrow. I want them here. Understood?”
He forcibly placed the phone in her palm and walked out.
Maya sat on the recliner, watching him leave. It wasn’t long before she realized how deeply entangled she was in the web laid by Ranveer. She had no way to go, not until she did what she had committed to him.
************
The day when the Havan was performed in Paradise finally arrived. Maya emerged freshly showered in a pink salwar kameez, still wary of acting the content girlfriend with Ranveer's family present. Yesterday after Ranveer reminded her about fulfilling her part of the contract they had signed, Maya had invited Kunal and Dev Malik for the Havan today. Though she had no clue why Ranveer wanted them here today, nor she cared to ask him. She hadn’t met Ranveer after that argument last night.
“There's our girl,” Pammi exclaimed upon seeing Maya.
Ranveer was aside on a call, though his gaze lingered on Maya's face, ignoring his caller. The scrutiny made Maya self-conscious. She hadn't expected Ranveer's presence and would have to be extra cautious in acting besotted by him.
“No more calls, Bro,” Dhruv interrupted Ranveer meaningfully. “This is an auspicious first ritual in your home. We need your full focus.”
Ranveer reluctantly ended his call.
“Doesn’t she remind you of Maa today?” Dhruv asked Ranveer while gazing at Maya. “Maya looks just like Maa used to at these events.”
Ranveer tensed, hating comparisons between women, especially his mother.
The priest summoned them to begin the puja. As Maya moved to sit, Dhruv halted her compliantly. “You should be by Ranveer's side to perform the rituals together.”
“What?” Ranveer and Maya exclaimed in unison, equally appalled.
Garima approached eagerly. “Who else did you expect? This puja is for our family's wellbeing and you two are my family now.”
“Mom, we cannot sit together,” Maya made excuses.
