Kicking out at the tire of his car, full of rage, and holding his fists clenched, he looked furiously towards the gate, swearing to himself, How dare she! The bum had the nerve to talk back at me, Vikrant Singh Shekhawat! She does not even know the person she is dealing with. Although she may no longer be that girl, I will still make her life a living hell.

In the meantime, Ishani and her friend Kriti were seated in a taxi. Kriti was waiting some distance out of the hotel. Ishani was shaking with anger and hurt, and she said to herself, Showing off because of money! He is such a hygienic/pure person; why does he not eat food cooked by people like us? Should he feel dirty touching me, then he should not eat the food prepared by my unclean and unsanitary hands either. It is my turn to cook it, whoever cooks it anyway! Why then eat of a supposedly dirty person? Arrogant old man! People are correct—excess money makes people mad. And in his, it is money and age—no wonder he is widespread madness.

She continued grumbling like a curse. Kriti gazed at her and touched her with a consoling hand on the shoulder and said, Ishani, calm now. You've quit the job, right? Then let it go. Forget about him. I am aware of that sour fellow—he is never in a good mood. Nothing new about it. You made the right choice of quitting. It is preferable to keep away from such people. I would tell you myself to quit that job. You need to take a few days off at home and then consider what you want to do next. I am happy to see you because I am in his airlines department and do not have to deal with him directly. Otherwise I am likely to have been in the same state as you.

There was a trace of fear on the face of Kriti. Ishani sighed and leaned down on the shoulder of Kriti, and her face was full of despondency. "Well, I do not ever want to see his face again, Kriti," she said. The manner in which he treats me... it makes me feel as though I am not even a human being. It hurts so much inside. When all is over, I will go away with my mom—so far away that no one will ever see me again.

She was talking, but in her head, she could see the flashbacks of her wedding with Vikrant resembling ghostly shadows. Kriti caressed the hair of Ishani and told her that she hoped everything would improve and your mom would feel better soon.

Nothing, Ishani said—she simply closed her eyes. But the tears that streamed out under her lashes revealed the agony she was restraining. Kriti looked up at her once more and said meekly, "Did you bring what I said to you?"

Ishani quietly replied, "Yes."Kriti's tone grew serious. Did you make sure that you checked everything? And you were thinking nothing there, did you?

Ishani just nodded silently. Kriti still remained silent and was stroking her hair, but she was evidently uneasy.

After a period, the cab arrived at an empty riverside. This was a dark place, and there was not a single person about. As soon as they came, Kriti urgently said, "Ishani, get everything out." Let us be through with what we went to do and hit the road. It's not safe to stay here."