In my Devil's Arms

As Numaan was returning back from changing his clothes he saw Riya. She hugged a bouquet of wilted roses to her chest and smelled deeply from them. There were tears in her eyes.

" Hey Riya", he said. " May I come in".

" Numaan ", she wiped her tears. " Yes please".

" How are you little one", he asked. " You look as wilted as those roses".

" They are just fine", she defended his roses.

" Hmm", he said. " How about you? Are you fine too"?

She shrugged.

" I guess".

" You don't seem fine to me". He looked at her keenly.

" Its just last night", she hesitated.

" Aah", said Numaan. " Last night. VIKRAM OBEROI AND THAT KISS".

" I did wrong ", she said dejected by the situation.

" Correct your mistake then. But you seem to keep it close to your heart".

She looked at him in surprise. He pointed at the roses.

" Throw them".

" No", she said. " I can't".

" I know that little one", said Numaan affectionately.

" How"?

Well because he had been in love. Well he still is. And though he is not with his love today he will keep on trying to attain it.

" Ahh experience little one", he winked.

Numaan was a flirt and ladies man. She smiled at his antics.

" So what do you feel about him; Oberoi ", he asked.

She looked down.

" I love him".

" Are you ashamed of your love little one", Numaan probed.

" No", she looked strongly in his eyes opposing it vehemently.

" That's good. It proves that you are a strong person. You can fight for your love", said Numaan.

" But Vicky. I don't know if he loves me or not", she said.

" The way he was kissing you proves otherwise", said Numaan.

" Numaan Vicky is attracted to me . Umm s*xually I mean..but..but..I am not sure about his feelings towards me. For him I am just a good friend. I on the other hand am stupid enough to fall madly in love with him".

" Love is a risk Riya", said Numaan. " The question is can you take it"?

She smiled.

" Vicky is bit what you call a .a. man who who mostly has superficial relationships with women..a ", she hesitated.

" Womanizer as Zoya called him".

She shrugged. It was true.

" And you are scared of a heartbreak"?

" More than that reputation of Manav and his family. I don't love him like that. I will still break up with him. I can't marry him. He is my brother. They are my family.", she said.

AT LEAST SHE WAS BRAVER THAN HIS FRIEND THOUGHT NUMAAN.

" How did you two meet", he asked changing the topic.

" Ohh you won't believe he was with another woman when we first met. And I have also slapped him in front of his own office", she said.

" Tell me everything ", he said.

So she started with the palace, their first meeting, party, panic attack, the way he saved her, friendship, office fiasco, the way he sat whole day in her college for an apology, his visit at her place, her visit at his place, Saturday's details everything.

The more Numaan learned about Vikram Oberoi the more interesting that man became for him. He was right. THIS RIGHT HERE WAS A SOLUTION TO MANAV AND RIYA'S PROBLEM. He smiled a self depreciating smile. While he tried to push Manav to have an affair to break the engagement it was this little girl's determination which was going to solve the problem.

" If you love him then take a risk. Listen to your heart little one. If you marry Manav you, Vicky and Manav all will be unhappy", said Numaan.

" I will not marry Manav".

" Good Riya", he said to her. " Marriage for just the sake of it does not solve any problem. If you marry you must marry for love".

" Stop corrupting her mind with delusions of love", came a sharp voice.

" ZOYA", they both exclaimed.

" Yes me", she said. " Look Riya Manav is a good man. Your aunt thinks of your benefit. Men like Vikram Oberoi ", she looked pointedly in Numaan's direction.

" A girl is like a challenge for them. If she resists the chase becomes interesting. Once they make her fall for them their adrenaline rush is over. They start losing interest and boom you are useless".

" I didn't know you knew many men like him", said Numaan to Zoya. He was controlling his anger. " How many haan Zoya", he said holding her hand in a tight grip.

" Aah you ape. Leave. You are hurting me", she cried.

Numaan came back to his senses. THE WITCH. She still has the power to make him lose his mind.

" Men like Oberoi", she hissed. " Want to meet one? Then why don't you look at the mirror?"

ME HE THOUGHT. SHE WAS THE ONE WHO DITCHED HIM FOR SALMAN.

" Ohh shrew isn't it that you are the one that likes to have men follow you like puppies", he said. " But then some of us are still sane".

" You go to hell", she said.

" I am taking you with me".

Salman entered at that moment.

" Zoya love", he said to her with affection. " There were some murders in one of the village surrounding the city. Since SP asked me I have to investigate. Are you okay if we postpone our engagement ".

" Yes why not". In a way she was relieved. SHE DID NOT WANT TO MARRY HIM.

" Aah thank Allah. Even the divine forces are trying to save you", said Numaan.

" SHUT UP", shrieked Zoya.

" Do you want holy water from masjid or dargah flowers to ward off the witch", he whispered to his brother.

" Numaan", Salman warned. " Zoya a minute", he said as they left together.

" Riya look I have seen that man's eyes when you left with Zoya. The only person he was thinking about that night was you. He himself was unimportant. HE LOVES YOU LITTLE ONE.That is for sure", said Numaan.

" I..What do I do", she asked.

" Believe in your love little one and act on it", he said.

At that moment Numaan's mobile rang.

" You have a mobile", said Riya.

" Bought one when started self employment ", he said.

" Hello", he picked the call.

" Mr. Qureshi. This is Vikram Oberoi . Remember."

" You are a bit difficult to forget sir ", he replied.

" Need to meet you", he said.

" She is here", whispered Numaan.

THERE WAS A SILENCE.

" How is she", he asked softly.

" Why don't I tell you in person. Give me your address", he said.

Vikram heard a soft, " Who is it Numaan "?

SHE WAS THERE.

" A friend from work", smirked Numaan.

Vicky smirked too. Numaan Qureshi would do.