Chapter 10

"Damn fucking tempting".

She pushed him away taking his distraction as a chance as she immediately run to the other side of the kitchen island. With tears streaming from her eyes, she immediately spat the words.

"This is why I slapped you. You touched me. You shouldn't have done that. This is wrong".

She said and the next second she realized what she did. She just pointed out his wrong when he can harm her again".

" What did you say".

Saying that he took a stride to reach her when she immediately turned around and yelped in fear running to her room.

He stared at the spot she left from and didn't take a step to follow her and teach her a lesson. Instead, he just snickered at her. Not a joyous one. But a wicked one.

Reaching her room she turned around to see if he is following her and immediately she entered into her room and bolted the door.

A sob tore from her lips as she hiccuped and cried leaning her forehead to the door, her hand clasping her mouth.

She was kissed again. No that was not a kiss. That is brutality. That was harassing. He harassed her again.

Going into the washroom she again rinsed her mouth multiple times and came out and sat on the bed as she cried for pretty long hours. After crying to her heart's content without her realizing she slept on her bed feeling all dizzy from crying.

The very next day in the early morning she did her work to some extent and did Pooja (ceremonial worship of a Hindu deity) in her house as usual. As if it wasn't enough she went to the temple for her heart's peace. She is a very religious person and had great faith in God. Which actually showed her path to her most loving thing Dance.

It was in her childhood she used to go temple every Monday and that's when she saw a group of girls dancing in a temple. For her till now in her life that first dance always remained the best dance which became her inspiration. And she was so tempted and attracted to dance that she too wanted to join them and show her the beauty of the delicately feminine movements as they did in the dance. And from the age of 5, she started going to dance school. From the age of 9, she started dancing in temples narrating different tales of Hindu mythology. She danced in many big stages for many big occasions and her dream expanded as her talent grew bigger as well as she became a perfectionist in dance. That's when she decided to become a dance teacher but that felt like a real dream which can only be seen at night.

After visiting the temple and having a few peaceful moments she went back to his home and started doing her work again.

It was night time when the head maid was called by Arnav to his room to discuss things.

She came to his room but only waited out of the room and didn't step in. The room was almost dark as he was shuffling with the cufflinks on his wrists when he felt her presence out of the room. Before she knock on the door he asked her.

"You came? Report about the past week's activities. How did it go"?

She started narrating the whole week's activities about their behavior and all. And he began to question about anything odd happenings and all and she replied all with sincerity. It was when he dismissed her to leave but she stayed back to say something. Or maybe complain.

"Umm... If you don't mind sir I want to say something. It isn't something serious that needs to be said but I just want to mention, that... Most of the work is done by Aasha. In fact, she does all the work. Not her in-laws. They don't even come out of the room except for food. They impose every work on her".

Hus actions stilled as he was listening to her.

"And what made you think that this is not an important thing to mention Ridhima? Huh"?

" Sir I just thought you would find it silly complaining about workers".

" Tch tch tch tch. Nah Ridhima ". He shook his head as he turned around stuffing his hands in his pockets.

" My main reason to give them work is to let them go through some hardships and humiliation. What's the point of their escape from it".

He said with a straight face as Ridhima inwardly felt thankful to herself to put this thing in front of him. Or else if this matter would be known by a third person her 26-year loyalty and work would be at risk.

" And she manages to do all the work. Like all... All of this big mansion".

He asked surprised. It ain't easy. The workload may cause one's body aches. The mansion is pretty huge. And she being thin and fragile it is hard for her as well.

" Yes sir. Even I was surprised. Nonetheless she came from a village. With the stereotypical view of being a village girl I guess she is habituated with such works".

She said as he remained silent staring at particular nothing while his jaw flexed deep in thinking. A lazy exciting smirk added on his face as he smiled at himself confusing Ridhima. It crept her a little.

" Fine. New schedule Ridhima. From tomorrow, you'll be the one cooking, with 2 extra spoons of salt than the usual one. And they can have the privilege of tea with two extra spoons sugar than usual and they can have non-veg every Sunday with half-cooked meat".

"..... ".

" Sir"?

" You heard me. And I hate repeating".

"And let me complete. You'll only do the cooking part. Remaining all work will be carried by them except Aasha. As I said remember to give difficult tasks to Yamini specifically".

"Then what about Aasha sir"?

He sighed deeply as he stared into the darkness a flicker of smile spread on his face.

"She has very special plans.... Dinner is ready"?

He asked taking off his tie.

" Yes sir ".

" And she prepared all of it"?

" Yes sir".

" Hmm. Call everyone for the dinner. I'll be coming ".

A few moments later everyone assembled at the dining table waiting for him. His eyes scanned at their distressed figures and then his eyes searched for hers as she stood behind Meera as if she was trying to hide from his eyes. He resisted his smirk as he sat and started dinner while others did the same.

Actually, he hates sitting and eating with them. It kind of suffocates and chokes him. But he has plans to do a step-wise. For now, they can have the privilege but not for long.

His eyes again glanced at her taking a note at how she is pecking the food lightly with that small quantity of food. Suddenly he has the urge to feed her for good with larger bites. The food will never end if it was consumed in such a way.

Soon they finished the food and everyone was about to leave when he stopped them. He took a few long steps near Aasha and said.

"You all can go. Except for Aasha".

Fear gripped her as she turned around to look at him with uncertainty in her eyes.

"W-why"?

She asked and her hands started to become sweaty as he stood up from the chair. She remembered what last time happened and was afraid of what he would do again as he is the one who held power and no one are even going to stop.

"Why? Because I'm taking you. Didn't I say you will be serving my special needs in my bedroom".

Her face went pale listening to him. She shook her head and took a step back when he caught her wrist and started dragging her to his room.