Chapter 33: Chapter 33

Arpit's POV

I wondered who could be behind all this. What kind of storm is approaching in our lives? I sped my car and rushed towards her home. Reaching at her house, I rang the main door. I was surprised when no answer came. My heartbeat began to race and I wondered if something bad was coming up. I called her over the phone only to find no response. I called her again. After calling her thrice, she finally picked up the phone.

"Niharika, are you fine? Why aren't you picking up my call?" I said immediately in a worried tone. I was already shocked today.

"I am fine. I was in the shower. You seem worried. What happened?" She asked as she heard my voice.

"Open the door, I will tell." I said to her, seemingly devastating.

She hurriedly came downstairs and opened the door. I could hear her footsteps. She had draped her purple colored towel around her. She placed her arms around me and asked, "What happened, baby?" I entered the house bolting the door with one arm as I tucked the yellow envelope in her other arm.

She snatched the envelope and asked, "What's in it?"

I wasn't prepared to approach her in this manner. I was shocked. Before she could open it, I said, "Niharika, please listen to me." I took her towards the sofa and made her sit. I sat near her and cupped her face.

She got anxious and asked, "What happened? Why are you behaving weird?"

"Dear, this envelope contains your morphed pictures. Someone left it in the letterbox of my house and my mom received it. I don't know who's after all this but I trust you. Don't leave the bastard who has done this." Taking a deep breath, I said everything in a go as I placed the envelope in her lap. Hugging her, I said, "I know you and it's not you. There is some foul play."

I said hoping that she understands my point and doesn't take me wrong in any way. I wanted to assure her that I am not judging her and someone is victimizing her. She appeared devastated. She was chirping a moment ago and I felt guilty of ruining her mood but it was better to ruin her mood a day before someone ruined her dignity and reputation. With trembling hands, she opened the envelope and her world came crashing down seeing the pictures. Her eyes brimmed with tears.

"Arpit... Trust me, it's not m--me.." she said almost banging her head on my chest.

Rubbing her back a bit, I calmed her up and cupped her face, I said, "Dear, I know that. It's not you. It can't be you. I trust you. Someone has morphed your pictures." I kissed over her forehead.

"Arpit, it's not even my body.. My mole on the left thigh, and my birth mark on my right hand are absent." She said sobbing hysterically, pointing at one of the pictures trying to prove that it's not her without even realizing that I knew it's not her.

"My dear, I know that." I said that closing my eyes. I could feel what she felt. She covered her face with both her palms. I realized her towel had slid downwards as she sobbed naked.

"What if someone put these over the internet or in the news? Arpit, my reputation, my character, everything will be ruined." She said as she sobbed. I wiped her tears but it was no use. I hugged and covered her body with the towel.

"We need to find that bastard, Niharika." I said hugging her.

"How? I can't even show these to the security head and I can't contact the police of course, it's about my dignity, damn it." She screamed, pushing me away from her. She began to cry hysterically.

I soothed her embracing her weakened body. "Dear, you will have to talk about it. There must be some lady in your security team, talk to her. I can understand your dilemma. Talk to the police and ask them to keep things low-key." I said practically.

"No police, right now. Things tend to be released in the media. It happened in case of Vikram too. I will call Raghav." She said, wiping her tears. Her eyes were red. Her tears seemed endless.

She searched her phone but it was in her room. She got up and her towel slid down at her feet. She stood in front of me stark naked and looked like an upset little girl. I bent down to pick up her towel and wrapped it around her. She mumbled a meek sorry and hugged me. "I love you, Arpit. Thanks for being by my side."

"I love you too, dear. I will be with you forever." I answered by giving strength to her fragile body. She was in a trance. I picked her up in my arms and carried her to her room. I made her wear her clothes which were laid in her home while she stood still like a lifeless sculpture. I shook her body this time. She needed to be strong. "Be strong, Niharika." I shouted at her shaking her body again.

She cried and screamed a bit. I handed her phone to her, dialling Raghav's number and putting the call over the speaker.

"Good morning, madam. How are you?" He said playfully. I could hear a child crying in the background. He must be at home.

"Raghav, someone.. someone.."

He interrupted in a worried tone, "Are you fine, madam, what happened?"

She slumped in her bed and began to cry. I had to speak on her behalf. I said, "Mr. Raghav.."

He sensed trouble. He interrupted again, "Who's it now?"

O! Lord, why can't he listen at once. Getting irritated, I said, "I am Dr. Arpit Khandelwal."

He interrupted again, "What are.."

I screamed at him, "Let me talk, man." I heard his deep breath and I continued, "Someone has sent us morphed pictures of Niharika. I want you to look into the matter and make sure they aren't released in the media." I said taking a deep breath.

"Hey, what? Wait, I am coming with Shristi, my assistant." He said confusingly.

I said, "Come at Niharika's place", disconnecting the call.

I saw Niharika's hysterical expression. I hugged her, rubbed her back and said, "You have faced everything in life. This is a phase. It will go. I am with you. Nothing will happen. Stay strong. Wipe your tears. You are the best businesswoman, Dr. Niharika Sehgal. Your employees are coming. Stay strong, please." I controlled my tears.

I took her downstairs in the living room and made her feed a bowl of cereal. She came out of the trance. She regained a bit of her strength, taking long, deep breaths. Her eyes lacked charm. They were red and swollen. Her tears had subsided as I hugged her and assured her that I have complete trust and faith in her.