Part 70

"Aakash, take snaps!" Arnav threw his cell at Aakash. Aakash caught it in the mid air and left. Arnav sat on the chair for a while and then got ready to go to the office.

He went to the office skipping his breakfast and ordered black coffee. He was thinking hard on his options. He was sure that Khushi would be safe with papaji. But he was worried about Shams next move. A desperate person can go to any lengths to hit the target. The only way to keep him away is to keep him busy with some other work.

Aakash came in after a while when Arnav had finished his morning meeting with his staff. He gave Arnav's cell back with the snaps and they again had a hearty laugh looking at his pathetic condition. Arnav got serious. He felt sorry for his sister. She was in grave danger. He had to complete the kill as early as possible. He was losing patience.

*** *** **
Early morning sham had come home. After facing the initial firing of questions from the family members, he went to his room to take rest. He was burning with humiliation and pain from within. He was furious with his saale saab. He could see smirk on his face. This made him desperate. But few more blows were in store for him.

He took out his laptop and saw his mails. He had received a mail from Raj aka Roger with an attachment. When he read the mail he could feel sweat on his forehead. His palms sweating, he opened the attachment sent by Roger. He froze. There was a clipping of him dragging Khushi with his men on the bus stop. Roger had written

"If the clipping is genuine, I am afraid you may have to resign immediately. If the matter goes to the police, I do not want  my CEO get involved in such criminal activities. Before I insist on your resignation I would appreciate your explanation Else all your powers will be withdrawn. I cannot afford any of my employee to have a criminal record.

Awaiting your explanation by this evening, India time!"

Sham had to find out a valid reason for his actions. He saw the clipping several times. "How could he get that? Who had given him this?" Sham was clueless. With every replay of the clip he winced in fright. "He was talking to Khushi with her back to the camera. His face and his hand on her shoulder was clearly visible. He moving with her gripping her arm and his men closing in and they moved out of the site of camera." It was a small clip of fifty seconds and when he saw it 10th time he sighed a relief. Khushi's face was not visible. The fight and flight of Khushi was not recorded. He could explain. He really could give a valid explanation.

He read the email again. It was addressed only to him. The damage could be controlled. But before that he should find out from where did Roger get the clipping and how much more he knew about Sham. "I can get away with this. I know, I will!" Sham thought smirking.

He shut down his laptop and went down for breakfast. He did not find anyone at the table. He sighed. Ajnali brought him his breakfast still looking very frightened and sad. He pulled her nearer and said "Don't worry Raani Sahiba, its just a minor injury. I will be alright soon."

*** ***

Arnav sent the snaps to Khushi and visualized her seeing those and enjoying. She had paid Sham back by permanently scarring his face. Now it was Arnav's turn to finish him. But he might have to wait for a longer time. People in the office were shocked to see a smile on ASR's face. He seemed to be particularly in a good mood.

"Bhai, Aakash came in looking serious. "Bhai, Khushiji should not come to our wedding. It will be dangerous for her. He will have a chance.  He will go to any lengths to silence her.." Aakash said.

"Aakash, that has been taken care of. We are deploying more security at the time of wedding and will ensure her safety. She will come. We cannot deprive her from her sister's wedding only for a threat from a con man like Sham. She will come!" Said Arnav resolutely. He knew nothing will happen to her.

*** *** **

Sham went to office after lunch with his swollen, heavily bandaged face. The office staff gaped at him wherever he went. He had received a call from his boss from US, Roger, requiring him to have a video conference call. Sham was reluctant and suggested a voice con call. But Roger insisted.

The snaps got circulated among the key persons like Mr. Balwindar Singh and Mr. Roger. Khushi had done that efficiently.

The screen in the conference room flashed Roger's image. Sham got ready for his defense.

*** *** ***
Arnav was in the office pacing restlessly. He knew Sham would come up with some story to ensure a clean chit for himself. He wanted to know what was he up to. The video con call went on for a very long time making Arnav restless and impatient. He was on the verge of breaking open to the conference room door and had stood outside the room, Sham opened the door smiling. He had done it. He had won this round. He was safe at least for now. He grinned at Arnav. "What is it Saale Saab? Do you have to say something to me? Why are you waiting here?" Asked Sham looking at Arnav Piercingly.

"I have a next meeting scheduled in this room with my French Client" Said Arnav hastily. Sham looked at him and said smirking"Oh! Ok. Go ahead! By the way, could you solve the rejection problem? I mean.. what was the level of loss to the Garment Company?"

Arnav clenched his fists in rage and went in banging the door. Sham smirked and left the office unaware that the snare was set for him, the noose would be tightened anytime.

Arnav barged into the conference room and called Raj. "What happened? What excuse did he give?" asked Arnav eagerly. Raj looked very serious. "You would not want to know what he said!" said Raj gravely. "We will talk about it from home." Said Raj hinting that they could be caught. Arnav nodded. "I am leaving for home now!" said Arnav impatiently.

"Wait Mr. Raizada. We need to talk on other matters!" Said Raj and continued his discussion. Arnav could hardly take in anything. When he came out, Aakash was waiting for him after finishing his meeting with the French Client and was happy that the deadline for the delivery was relaxed by another 21 days. They could easily fulfill the contract terms within that time.

"Bhai, what happened? What did he say to get away?" asked Aakash on their way home.

"I don't know, Aakash. But he looked very happy!" Arnav looked worried.
Raj called up his dad immediately after talking to Arnav. "Dad, he said in a grave tone. I really don't want to work with this person. I am going to throw him out. " Raj was furious.

"What did he say?" Papaji came directly to the point.

"You wouldn't believe, dad. I almost fell off my seat with every word he uttered. He told me the facts but manipulated to his advantage accusing Khushi of the sins she had never committed. I want to kill him dad, he .. he blamed MY SISTER!" He was burning with rage. "Dad I want to kick his as..." He could not stop himself.

"Tell me what he said" papaji asked him sternly.

"Dad I don't know how am I going to tell this to BIL! Dad, you tell him." Said Raj nervously.

"Come to the point boy!" Papaji bellowed.

"Dad, I asked him what that footage was all about. He said he just went there to warn her. She was the one who trapped him for engagement knowing full well that he was married. She started blackmailing him for money. And when she was disappointed as her wish was not fulfilled, she tried to trap his BIL that is Arnav and started blackmailing him too. And later on claimed that Arnav married her in the temple. She claimed a share in the property too. When it did not work, she fled for the fear of going behind bars for blackmailing. Now she has again started her dirty games and therefore, he had to come here to warn her toleave the Raizada family alone. But she turned out to be farfetched and attacked me in turn and fled again." Raj could not continue...

Papaji was burning with rage. His sardar warrior blood boiling, he took out his kirpaan(sword) in fury.

"Dad..! Dad..! are you there? Dad...!" Raj called his dad in desperation. He could not know what was going on. "Dad!" he screamed that brought papaji back.
"Yes! Bete, I am here. I will call you later. I need some time alone" He hung up clenching his fists, eyes fuming and blurring his vision, he went to his study and closed the door tightly. It remained closed for a long time.

"Papaji, are you there?" Khushi knocked on the study door. He came back to his senses wiping off his eyes. He did not answer. "Mr. Sham Manohar Zaa, your countdown has begun! Every step I take will be towards your distruction... You will beg for mercy, you will beg for your death!" papaji declared roaring.

"Papaji, who is there with you? Are you busy? I will come later!" Khushi said from outside and turned to leave.

"Khushi, puttar!" Called out papaji opening the door smiling at her. She turned.
"Who is it, papaji? Whom were you talking to?" she asked puzzled. "I was on phone puttar, come in" he came forward and wrapped his arm around her shoulder and took her in gently. Affection storming his heart he pulled her into an embrace.

"Papaji, what happened? Are you ok?" she asked raising her face in his arms. He looked away and suddenly leaving her, turned his back and said in a hoarse voice. "Nothing puttar, I got little emotional.. that's it!" he said turning and smiling at her.

"Wait a minute!" He said dialing Arnav's number and gesturing her to sit in front of him.

"Hello, Arnav puttar, good evening!" he greeted him looking at Khushi. Her face brightened up. He was able to successfully divert her attention.
"Hello papaji!" responded Arnav. "Here, Khushi wants to talk to you!" said papaji thrusting his phone in her hand and left the room.