The World is not Enough

Srikant got a grace period.

To live his life with as Vikram Oberoi. With one woman for whom he has waited for four centuries. The curse was over. The immortality was over. Riya has fulfilled all the promises she made to her mother-in-law.

The first thing he did was take that holiday in Australia. Ramcharan, Manav and his family. Sharman, his wife and colonel joined them.

" The project is still incomplete", said Manav.

" Be damn with it", said Vicky. " My family is here and live like there is no tomorrow".

" Who are you? And what did you do to Vikram Oberoi ", asked Sonia.

Riya giggled.

" He got mutated by me", she said.

" The best ever thing that happened", said Vicky with love in his eyes.

And so they went for a vacation. They not only travelled as tourists at Sydney bridge and sunbathed at beach. But they also travelled the villages, went for penguin watch and went camping in the woods. He made sweet love to her.

Manav loved Australia. The sun, the night sky, the wildlife and open carefree beaches..

An idea was coming in his mind...

They returned bac after a month.

The Adventure project was now in its final stages. Prince Ranbir was a frequent visitor.

" Bhishma is doing pretty well. I want to expand it in the world", he said.

" Not a right time", said Vicky pensively.

" USA"?

" Hell not", said Vicky. " The boom in the market is superficial. Could be a red herring. A downfall is coming".

King Randheer who was quiet till now asked him, " What do you suggest"?

" Fashion industry", said Vicky. " Target specific audience. In fact a fashion weak is coming up in Mumbai. International models, Bollywood stars. Go exclusive. Add Zari, pure silk and even artificial fibres to textile. As time comes you can expand".

The king was really impressed.

" One day I am going to steal your son", he said to Ramcharan. " The business knowledge he has.!That brain! Wow!"

Ramcharan just laughed.

Six months into the year a grand party marked the opening of Rya's Historical Adventure.

The entire gang was present

Dr. Sumeet came with his wife Dr. Gayatri. Riya completely ignored him. There were still tensions between him and Lisa. Though Lisa avoided him; he looked longingly at her. His flirty, playful demenor was lost. So were his good looks. Dark circles were under his eyes. He smoked a lot and grew thin and pale. Lisa was pale too. She lost her apetite , sleep and even job. The girls currently supported her. She started a bit of typing work off late. It did not pay well but kept her afloat.

Princess Jeniffer hired Zoya as her designer. Numaan was elated.

" This my love is your biggest opportunity. Grab it with both hands", he said.

Zoya bloomed in her marriage with Numaan.

" We missed so much Naumi", she said hugging him. " Our parents", she sobbed.

" Think nothing of them", said Numaan. " Bad for our baby", he said touching her belly.

Zoya was four months pregnant.

Laxmi and Alok had a good relationship. His mother took a vow from them

" You will not change your surname Alok. I don't want this taint to be on you".

" But maa", said Laxmi.

But Mrs pundit was adamant.

She had to save her clan.

" Blood is important. Get me grandkids", she said.

Alok was present at the party too. He developed a good friendship with prince Ranbir.

Vinod was overloaded these days. Funds came from various sources. Managing them was a challenge. Revenues, salaries and audits kept him busy. Dipti was so obsessed with having a child that his relationship suffered. They were drifting away. He looked tired these days and a bit.....WORRIED...of what??

THE ONLY GLITCH IN VICKY'S LIFE WAS THE MAN WHO COULD BE BALDEV'S REINCARNATION.

Because:

1. He was a terrorist.

2. He was in his close circle.

3. He could harm Riya or his father

He looked at Riya. A gift. A miracle. Salvation.

As the party progressed Vikram took his wife in his arms.

" Dance with me beautiful", he said.

She shyly did. She no longer panicked while dancing. He was hers and she was his. She closed her eyes as she moved in his arms. She smelled deeply. Sandaĺwood and musk.

She opened her eyes. And looked at him. They both just looked at each other softly moving to the music. Laxmi clicked a beautiful memory the two of them interwined in each other. She clicked a picture with her family. The Deshmukhs. Then with her girl gang. Laxmi clicked pictures of Vikram with Alok and Salman. With Numaan, Gaurav, Manav and Vinod. They also clicked a group photograph. These were the memories through which Riya and Vicky would live forever.

Because the doom was lurking in the shadows.

Vikram travelled the world with his wife. He bought a house in every corner of the world.

" Seriously how much money do you have", she said angrily.

" I happen to like our privacy. Is it too much to ask A hotel is not home", said Vicky.

" You are my home Vicky. Home is where heart is", she said.

He made love to her almost daily. They both could not get.enough of each other. Not only their bodies but their souls merged as one.

" I travelled so much in the past year that I have never travelled in my whole life", she said.

" Tired", he asked.

" No", she shook her head.

" Good because with you my love The world is not enough. I want to travel three realms and entire universe with you".

And this blissful time flew away. An year and a half seemed like seconds.And then came the bad news.

Agni summoned them urgently one day. They met at the temple.

" I am sorry to inform you that your blood rather the blood of pundit clan is what we call generative. It can be used to create things. THE POWERFUL ELEMENTAL BLOOD", said Agni.

" And that is a bad news because", Vikram raised a brow.

" Baldev has it. Through Vishnu", said Agni. " And he plans to raise more monsters."

" Another war", said Roya her eyes glowing like fire.

" No", Agni shook her head. " Not war but sacrifice. The Ultimate Sacrifice".

Riya tightly held Vicky. She moved in front of him. She was shivering. This is what she feared. Right from the day she heard it in the temple for the first time.

" N.nooo", she said.

" Beauriful just listen", Vicky started.

" NOOOOO. NEVER", she screamed. " HIS SOUL IS BOUND TO ME AND I REFUSE TO BE SEPARATED FROM HIM".

" Beautiful it could be something very different", said Vicky.

" No Srikant", said Agni. " It is what she thinks. A sacrifice of life. Yours or Alok's"...

The three of them were left stunned..