The Stigma Called Love - Chapter 13

Nishant kept on thinking about what had happened even after reaching home. While having dinner, his mind kept on picturing the man assaulting Aparna. Even though it had been dark, but he had seen the man’s face against the street light. Confused and a little worried about her, Nishant was about to go off to sleep when his phone vibrated next to him.

A thank you message from Aparna!

He was about to reply when instinctively he called her.

“Hi!” she said in a hushed voice.

“There is nothing to thank me for. I just wish I was there earlier then this wouldn’t have happened,” he said regretfully.

“No, No, it’s not your fault. These things keep on happening.”

“Did you see his face?”

“No. Did you?”

Nishant fell silent for some seconds and then replied.

“No.”

“Well, thanks anyway. Good night. I’ll see you tomorrow in office,” Aparna replied.

Saying good night, Nishant disconnected the phone and thought to himself; did he hear a sigh of relief in Aparna’s voice? Was she thankful that he hadn’t seen the guy? If that was the case, then there is definitely something she is hiding. Determined to discuss this with Siraj in the morning, Nishant slipped inside the blanket and went off to sleep.

The next morning, Nishant had already formulated a plan with Siraj to get information about the man. His mind was still engrossed with the same thoughts as he waited for his car outside Radisson Blu Hotel in Paschim Vihar where he had come down for a meeting. Nishant was about to get inside his car when suddenly his eyes widened with shock.

The man who had assaulted Aparna was entering the hotel with a group of people.

Throwing the keys back the valet guy, he rushed inside the hotel following the man. As Nishant saw him talking at the reception desk, he clicked his picture and send it to Siraj with the message, “Come immediately to Radisson Blu Hotel. It’s urgent.”

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Aparna kept looking at the report sent by Nishant as she tried to figure it out. She had meant to discuss the report with him but he hadn’t returned to office after his meeting in Paschim Vihar. She had called him twice but he had disconnected her calls.

Pressing her temple, she picked up her phone and called him again, but this time it kept on ringing. Finally, she lost her patience, packed her things and left for the day.

The moment she entered her bedroom, Aparna saw Madhu standing in front of her open wardrobe.

“What are you doing?” Aparna asked frowning.

“I am trying to find you a good dress to wear for the wedding tomorrow.”

“Wedding?”

Madhu turned and gave her an ugly look. Knowing Aparna well enough, she had guessed that she had forgotten about the Rajput wedding.

“Well, if you don’t remember then Siddha Singh Rajput and his fiancé invited you to their wedding. So, you need to wear something that will look classy and sensuous.”

Aparna sighed hard and sat down on the bed. Tying her hair in a bun, she said, “I am not going.”

“What? Are you mad? They personally invited you. It would be bad if you don’t go,” Madhu said sitting down next to her.

“I won’t fit there. Plus, I don’t know anyone.”

“Rubbish! You are going with Dhruv and Nishant Sir is also going to be there.”

When Aparna did not budge from the bed, Madhu grabbed her hand and dragged her out of the bedroom.

“As your wardrobe did not help us, we are going shopping.”

Knowing Madhu too well, Aparna did not argue and went along.

For her going with Dhruv was not a concern, but being alone with Nishant was.

How will she avoid him at the wedding?

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It was 11 at night when Nishant finally reached home. Not in the mood for dinner, he straightaway went for a shower as soon as Siraj left.

As the water trickled down his body, he tried to let go of the emotions running rampant in him. Anger and disappointment boiled inside and the cold water did nothing but to fuel it more.

God, Aparna, no.

Groaning hard as her name aroused tell-tale feelings of desire; Nishant increased the flow of the water and let its pelting force douche the rising hormones in him.

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