In my Devil's Arms

Riya came back home. They all believed she was with Zoya. Nobody questioned her.

She went to the palace next day. She has promised Vicky that she would be there.

Over the lunch they sat together.

" I liked your gift", she said batting her eyes. She smiled cutely softly touching his hand.

She liked him. She will take her chances with him. Even if her heart breaks.

He chuckled. She looked cute flirting with him.

" But I am being ignored by someone your honour. After being thrown out of her house she owes me one".

" Of course anything", she said.

" Anything", he raised a brow.

" Just don't ask me to dance", she softly whispered in his ears.

He was floored.

" I will never cause you pain Riya", he said.

She shrugged.

" Then anything", she smiled.

" Come out with me to the sea. I'll get us a private boat", he said.

" Wonderful"! She started clapping. Her eyes shone.

" So that's a yes", he asked.

" Yes", she said.

" Will you ask permission from your auntie ", he asked .

" No", she said. Then shrugged. " What she doesn't know won't hurt her."

He smirked. A WIN.

" Saturday", he asked.

" Saturday", she confirmed.

Meanwhile

" Manav", said Sonia.

He was lying in her lap in a park.

" Yes love".

" When will you talk to Riya and your mother. I love you. And I can't lose you", she said.

" I don't feel anything romantic towards her Sonia. Its a fact", he said. "And I plan to tell them soon".

She trusted him. He was not a fickle person.

Deshmukh house

" Riya", said auntie.

" Yes aunty".

" Are you free on Saturday"?

" No", she said. " Our research team is going to research the remains of elephanta caves so that it supports our petition for restoration". HER EXCUSE WAS READY.

" Ah I wished to go to market with you", said aunty.

The bell rang then. She opened. It was Manav and Sonia. Sonia was now a regular visitor at Deshmukh's.

" Hey Sonia", Riya welcomed her cheerfully.

"Hey Riya".

But aunty pursed her lips looking at her.

" Manav take your mother shopping on Saturday", said Riya.

" Oh no shopping", he grimaced. " Why don't you go"?

" Because I am working", she said calmly.

" I am free", said Sonia.

She knew Suhasiniji was reserved with her. But Manav liked her mother. So she tried to make an effort.

" Its not necessary ", said aunty.

" Of course it is", said Riya. " Manav", she chided.

" Okay, okay I will take you both".

" Great have fun", she hugged aunty.

But Suhasiniji remained stoic. Manav held Sonia's hands and muttered a Thanks. It did not escape her eyes.

Saturday

" Pack a huge lunch", Vikram said to Damyanti.

" I packed two tifins Vicky baba", she said. The large one is lunch". Smaller one is just a few home made snacks". I also kept fresh juice. There is some tea in thermos for Ms Riya".

" Thanks you are the best", he said.

She chuckled.

He wore white t shirt and blue tracks. He packed extra clothes for sea could be rough. He relayed her the same.

Riya finished her breakfast and asked Manav to drop her at college. He did before he left to market with Sonia and aunty.

She met with her guide to submit a few artifacts and photographs of temple. She got a good news.

" Really", she said. " It dates back to the time".

" It does".

So memoir was a historical document after all.

She thanked the professor and ran out.

She met Vicky outside. She also wore a lemon yellow t shirt and tracks with flip flops.

" We will take the boat at Gateway of India. If you feel uncomfortable let me know", he said.

" Okay". It was a tourist hub. She knew it would be crowded.

At Gateway

" Vicky, please don't leave my hand". Riya shrunked a little seeing the crowd.

He drapred a protective arm over her. " Don't worry I am here".

He decreased his strides matching her speed. She was a liitle afraid but as soon as she heard screamings in her head she would hide in his chest smelling his cologne. It soothed her. He would sooth her by caressing her head or back.

I should have always kept you hidden my love he thought.

After an hour in which they clicked some memorable pictures they climbed his private boat.

" Did you buy it", she queried after she saw the sailor and butler saluting them. She knew the answer.

" More money than brains", he shrugged.

She narrowed her eyes.

CUTE LITTLE KITTEN.

" I like it", she said like a queen. " Maybe we can have more such rides".

He laughed.

" You take my breath away", he said.

They sailed for sometime.

" Riya look dolphins", said Vicky.

" Where"?

He handed her the binoculars. They were speeding in the sea.

" Ohhh my..thats amazing", she exclaimed as she saw them jump and speed in the water.

They went closer. She was not scared. She welcomed his proximity. She loved him. VICKY WAS ON MOON. She initiated touches, smiles, talks. MINE.

Then she asked sailor to learn the controls. Vikram took her to the control room. He knew how to drive it perfectly. She tried her hand. But she was Not So Good. She was life threatening. She had no idea of direction or line. She turned the controls haphazardly in all directions. Boat moved foward, backward, left and right. It even hobbled like a bull. The sailors and crew were terrified that she would put them down. After she handed back the controls everyone took a sigh of relief.

" At least I don't suffer from sea sickness. Or I would have worried you more" , she said with a sigh.

" That's called being positive", he cheered her. "Lets move to the deck so we can have a light salad,".

" Okay", she giggled.

" Did you go to sail often", she asked munching cucumber, lettuce and tomato salad.

" Hmm when I want to be alone", he said pensively.

VICKY YOU SHALL NEVER BE ALONE FROM NOW ON.

As they were about to reach she saw a life boat.

" I want to ride this", she said to him.

His sailors shook their heads in horror.

" Lets do it", he said to their dismay.

The two crew members that went with them sailing remembered their Gods and prayed them.

" Rest in Peace", were the captain's motivational words to them.

" Hope you have your life insurance in place", said his deputy.

They left the yought with a heavy heart.

SHE WAS WORSE AT ROWING THE BOAT THOUGHT VICKY AMUSINGLY.

Each time a wave came she would wield her oar as a sword angrily cursing the wave.

" YOU.. we are wet, can't you stay a little low", she would shout at wave.

" She is crazy", said one sailor to another.

Then came a tide.

" Ohhhh nooo nooo Shiva save me", she held Vicky's back tightly.

" A low tide", said a sailor. The boat rose up and came down. She closed her eyes and hugged him tightly.

As turbulence subsided she peeped. Then she began fighting with the tide.

" You call yourself low tide. You need workout. You are as high as an elephant. Go to gym to become low".

" Miss you are a bit crazy", said a sailor. " But I have not seen someone as brave as you. Hats off".

She took a bow and everyone laughed.

" Fun. Isn't it", she asked.

Vicky shook his head and smiled.

Thus they reached the shore. They changed and ate a tasty lunch of Rajma chawal and boondi raita. They rested for some time before they started their hike up.