Playing chess

"Riya's point of view,"

"How dare Rachit talk crap about you? Where are you driving me? I'll just show him what I mean."
I was finding it very challenging to take Harsh to the hospital.
I would not have brought Harsh to this party if I had known that he would respond to Rachit's remarks in this manner.

"Enough is enough; you are now silently accompanying me to the hospital, and I will not put up with any more of your nonsense." I glared sternly at Harsh.

He had just left the hospital a few days prior, and in this circumstance, seeing the injuries on his hand, I was concerned about him.
He was gushing blood from his hand. As a result, his body was already running low on blood, and he didn't need to waste any more of it by spitting it out in fury.
After all, whatever is taking place, I did everything to save his life, so how will it work if he continues to endanger his life in this manner?

"Riya, why are you crying now?"

Although Harsh and Rachit's argument causes my ire, Harsh's disregard for his health is the actual source of my annoyance with him. I don't know why he isn't ready to comprehend that the only thing that keeps me from dying is seeing him, but if something were to happen to him, I wouldn't be able to live.

"Just get your bandage applied and go home; I don't want to talk to you." I replied while fighting back tears.

"Please don't be angry with me, I'm okay."

I need to calm down; I don't want to talk to him right now.

"Harsh, you go home. I need some time for myself." I asked him to leave the hospital and return home. Even though I know he won't abandon me that quickly, the incident from earlier today has me far more upset than anything else.

"Riya, if you choose to stay away from me, I won't stop you, but please let me know where you're going."
Suddenly, all of my furies subsided as I noticed the concern in his eyes.
Why is he so cute? Even my anger at him is impossible.

"Let's return home." Harsh and I sat in the passenger seat after I unlocked the car door.

"Please keep away from Rachit, and if you like, you can join my business with me." The following morning, when I was getting ready for work, Harsh stated in a groggy voice.

"How are you able to imply that I'll allow Rachit to take my business? How can I lose years of effort in this manner?" Regardless of what happens, I will continue to reclaim my business from him. I told him to keep away from my business, but judging by the look on his face, I don't think he got the message.

"Well, if you want to manage your own business, allow me to at least assist you in reclaiming it from Rachit." He said as he rose from the bed.

"Indeed, why not? Do I need to remind you of the drama that occurred at the party?
Harsh, I am not a small kid who requires help at every turn; I can solve my difficulties.
The only thing I want from you is your trust."
I murmured as I held his palm in mine.

"I have complete faith in you, but I have zero faith in Rachit."
Although I can appreciate his concern, I couldn't put him in further danger.

"Give me a month, and if I can't reclaim my business from him, I'll ask for your help. I guarantee it."
I comforted him by gazing deeply into his eyes.

"Okay, but throughout this month, if he tries to do anything inappropriate with you or insults you, I will take extreme measures that you can't even fathom." His voice carried a strong warning.

However, I have to go to work and I can't ruin my impression by being late for my important meeting.

"Harsh, I'll discuss this with you later this evening. Now I have to leave." Saying this, I grabbed my car's keys and left the bedroom.

I don't know why, but whenever Rachit crosses my mind, I lose control of my wrath.

"How long will it take for our strategy to be finished?" While I was driving, I asked by turning on the speaker on my phone.

"Riya, don't be concerned; you will soon have your company's shares back."

"I only have a month to reclaim control of the company and my dream project from that man."

"Relax; what is rightfully yours will return to you shortly."

"You don't understand that I don't even want to share the same air as that man, but I regrettably have to do so to conduct business."

"I can see your issue, but you will have to put up with his shenanigans for a few days.
Do you realize how wonderful the result of patience is?
He will fall harder the higher he soars."

"Yes, I am aware of this, but I must resolve the issue on my own before Harsh meddles in my affairs."

"I get your point, okay? I will complete soon your task."

"Good, you have my complete trust." While on the call, I didn't even realize it when I got to the workplace.

Rachit was already there, waiting for me as soon as I stepped out of the car.

"Riya Mittal, you are 10 minutes late for the meeting."

"What?
But I've arrived right on schedule." I replied to him by checking my watch.

"You can't fight with me like this; I'm your boss, and you'll silently do as I say." Rachit stood in front of me, and I studied him from head to toe. His nose was bandaged, and several areas of his face bore the scars of punches. His circumstances made me feel terrible for him, but his statements made me think he had no remorse, and now he can fall to any extent to make me look down.

"Are you paying attention to what I'm saying?" He inquired, waving his hand in front of my face.

"Yes, I fully get what you are trying to communicate, but just to be clear, I am not an employee of yours; rather, I am a business partner.
Second, you blame me for coming to the meeting late. You believe that since you had to be at the meeting on time, you would now be late as well because you were waiting for me."
He opened his mouth like a fish when he heard me, but he quickly shut it without responding.

"It is time for me to go inside and join the meeting now that you have received the answers to all of your queries." I said sarcastically.

He was listening to me and gazing at me in such awe that it appeared as though I had been speaking to him in an unfamiliar language.

Oh my God, even a brief encounter with this man feels like a decade. I'm not sure how I'll survive with this man for a month. Simply said, all I want is to get through this trying time with no disruptions.


Finally, Today marks the beginning of the last phase of implementing what I planned. Working with a guy like Rachit was difficult for me, but I am proud of myself for being able to keep my temper under control for so long.

Rachit and I sat down face-to-face today, just like when we fought over Shilpi a few years ago. Even now, we are rivals, but my business and my dream project are on the line.

"Please explain to me what is so crucial that you called me here so urgently." Rachit was visibly annoyed with me when I looked at his face, but his agitated expressions were very comforting to me right now.

It quickly filled the conference room with the board members. Rachit was unaware of the matter that would be covered at this meeting. I was so relieved to see him frazzled.

"Could you please explain the purpose of calling this meeting?" Rachit inquired, dissatisfied.

"Be patient; not all the board members have yet arrived." I said slowly as I took a sip of my black coffee.

"What do you mean?" I was thoroughly enjoying watching him lose it in a rage.

The conference room door opened before I could reply to him.
The earth slid from under Rachit's feet when he noticed the figure in front of him.

"Rahul, what are you doing here?"
I was ecstatic to notice that his nasty grin abruptly vanished from his face.

"I'd like to introduce our company's newest shareholder to all of you. This is Rahul, who has become a partner of 25% in this company,
and Mr. Khurana. I mean sir, not now, I mean Mr. Khurana. Now I can only address you by your name. Why isn't it, Rachit?
As a result, this company now has three business partners after Rachit sold Rahul 50% of his share. As the company's primary stakeholder, any decisions about the business require my consent."

I gave Rachit, who was sitting in front of me, the same expression I used when playing chess.

"No, it's impossible. I did a very covert sale of my shares to Rahul. No one has any updates on it.
Riya, you have defrauded me." When I first saw him, he gave the impression that a lunatic had just been let out of the asylum.

It astounded the entire board to see me; they could not believe that I would deceitfully steal shares of my company from someone like Rachit. I didn't want to explain anything to the board members, so I was content to simply smile at their perplexed expressions.

"Riya, I believe you overlooked the fact that I still have your dream project. And under the board's decision, they will regard the person in charge of the dream project as the true owner of this business." The grin left my face when I heard that.

How am I so reckless?
Why didn't I consider such a crucial matter?
Now, what do I do?
I wasted my entire effort. I ignored Rachit's actions in this game and simply focused on my own. And now he's got me caught up in my chess game. Because of my negligence, I even lost a game that I had won.

When I heard his response, I tried to hide my rage and sadness by covering my face with both of my palms.

"Riya Mittal, you'll never be able to win me over." I could hear the echoes of his horrible laugh. However, even if I wanted to, I am powerless to right now.

"Rachit Khurana: The game is not over by declaring checkmate; there are still a lot of cards to be opened." The conference room door suddenly opened once more, and a well-known voice rang in my ears.
I gazed at the man as soon as I took my hands off my face. This time, this stranger not only startled Rachit but also me.