Part 100

Arnav got up early in the morning and got ready to go to the office to resume his routine, to everyone’s surprise. . Sham stared at him. He was holding the news paper. Arnav ignored him and waited for his breakfast. Anjali and Payal were in the kitchen. Aakash and nani were yet to come. Mamaji was out of station for business. And mamiji was having her early morning tea.

Sham opened the paper smirking and flipped through the pages. Arnav was little nervous. He had his breakfast silently. Sham had hidden his face in the news paper. He got up from his seat and turned to leave.

"This is strange!" thought Arnav, but he didn't want to talk either.
Aakash came in. "Good Morning Jijaji!" glancing at Arnav, he greeted sham. Sham did not answer and left for his room clutching the news paper. Arnav and Aakash gaped at each other.

Arnav's cell rang. It was papaji. "Good Morning Puttar!" he greeted Arnav. Arnav felt a knot in his stomach. "Now what?" he thought anticipating another blow. It was a blow indeed!

"Puttar, have you read the news paper?" He asked Arnav.
"No!" he said with bated breath.
"What? Then you should, before I talk to you!" papaji created more suspense and hung up.

** ***

Khushi was having her tea, humming and shaking her leg happily.  Papaji was looking at her while dialling. He disconnected the phone and Khushi raised her eyebrows!

"Nop! He has not read it yet!" He said. Khushi felt a little disappointed. "Never mind, he will definitely read the news and call you back!" she said happily.

"Khushi... How did you ...?" Papaji asked her in amazement.

"Simple, Mummiji said another sensation will divert their attention. I supplied one to them!" she said matter of factly. Papaji smiled and shook his head. He still was gazing at the news!

*** ***

Arnav disconnected, and looked at Aakash. Aakash raised his eyebrows looking around. Arnav went to his room and soon Aakash followed.

"Bhai, what is it?" Aakash was curious.

"Don't know" said Arnav opening his laptop for the online news paper. "Papaji asked me to read the news paper!" Arnav mused. The headlines flashed. He clicked through the pages and there it was. The news with the photograph!

He got up from his seat with a jerk "Aakash....!" Aakash leaned towards him sitting next to him on the recliner to read the news! They both gaped at each other first and then grinned broadly!

"Papaji has done it!" said Arnav dialling his number.
"Papaji, how did you manage it?" he asked.
"Oh! no! Puttar, it’s not me. I came to know this morning. But I know who has done it and done it with a spark!" he said laughing happily.

"Who?" asked Arnav with bated breath.
"Khushi!" papaji said. "What?" Arnav screamed. Aakash winced and got up!

"Yes Puttar, She is a tigress, shrewd and intelligent! She has done it all alone! And now I am going to disconnect and enjoy the after effects of this news!" He said disappointing Arnav.

"I mean... can I talk to her?" he asked hopefully. Papaji looked at Khushi, She shook her head refusing.
"Oh! No, Puttar, she is not here. She is busy with wedding preparations!" he said disconnecting the phone leaving Arnav sulking.

"Khushi? Khushi did this" he wondered aloud.
"What? Khushi ji?" asked Aakash.

"Yes, Aakash, I had sent her the photos... Unbelievable.. Khushi.. !" Arnav blurted dreamily. He was proud of his Khushi! What they all together did not think, she did and done it.

Khushi had sent those photographs to the police station and had sent the neatly cropped pictures of only Rama to a very poky crime reporter with a note appealing for justice to the woman. He had blasted it off.

"Who will fight for justice?... A poor woman found dead three weeks ago with her child! Police conveniently filed it as a suicide case. Is there a political intervention???

An anonymous letter to the news paper revealed a deep rooted political intervention in hushing up this matter.

A famous lawyer who stays in Delhi with his wife, a business tycoon as his brother in law, and a powerful political leader from UP as his godfather, is reportedly involved in this case. . His wife, a simple god fearing lady is unaware of her husband's activities. It is reported that the new evidence will compel the police to reopen the case and human activists are taking up the matter.

The name of the lawyer will be revealed soon once the charge sheet is filed against him, assured the police commissioner of Chandighar!"
      
A collage of Rama's photos with her kid displayed prominently in the news paper.

"You all tried to stop me! Stop me from getting back for my insult! But I did it. I did it alone and pretty well! You all had only consoling words for me! But It was my insult, my humiliation and I cannot tolerate this. I did once, and faced the music. I had to leave my home town for no fault of mine. This time I showed them, who I am !" she thought smugly. She was still furious about Arnav and Papaji, thinking that they did not stand by her. She was sulking.

"Puttar, here! Arnav is on the line, wants to talk to you!" Papaji had come to her holding the phone. It was evening and she was busy with the kids. She didn't want to talk to anyone about the news! "I have done it! and I want to forget about it now!" she thought.

"No, papaji! I am busy right now!" she said loudly and refused to take the phone. Arnav banged the phone in frustration.

"What does she think of herself? One small success has gone to her head! I will show her, her place!" He thought. He was upset and felt hurt that she did not take his phone.

"I don't give it a damn! Khushi... I will not call you again!" he thought aloud.
He went down to help is Di in pooja and havan!

Only 10 days left !!!!

 ******    ******

Khushi woke up early in the morning. She felt fresh with the sound sleep she had in the night. Papaji was already up and was waiting for his tea. Khushi went and sat at the table looking at papaji. He smiled at her. She responded.

"Khushi, puttar! you should have taken his call yesterday!" he said in a mild tone. Khushi felt bad and regretted at it. She really should have taken his call.

"Khushi, we have a lot of work today! I need to invite people. Also need to have a look at the check list.

"Papaji, can we invite Shondeep Sir for wedding?" Khushi asked curiously.
"Putter, the program is for five days and I doubt whether he will be able to take out time!" Said papaji wondering why was she insisting.

Khushi took the handset and dialled Shondeep's number.
"Hello, Shondeep Sir, good morning! This is MS Gupta! Sir wants to talk to you!" she said thrusting the handset in papaji's hand. Papaji looked surprised and took the phone.

"Hello Shondeep! This is to invite you for the wedding. Khushi insists that you and your parents to attend the wedding and all the programs... " Papaji went into his room talking over the phone.
Khushi knew, he had some business matter also to discuss with Shondeep! And she knew he will attend her wedding with his parents!

Khushi was busy the whole day and so was Arnav. The wedding arrangements were at full swing. Nani had a list of about fifty of her relatives to attend the wedding for all days. The reception was left to Arnav's business associates and acquaintances. The wedding days were purely of relatives and very close friends. Nani was in touch with mummiji.

Guptas were preparing for the wedding too. Payal shunted between Guptas and Raizadas for wedding preparations. Arnav paid very little attention to the planning though it was his marriage. He and Aakash were busy with their own problems and business affairs.

Anjali had recollected herself in these days and started taking part in the wedding planning. After all it was her Chote's wedding. She was gradually moving away from Sham and had almost stopped discussing her pregnancy.

** ***  ***

Sham sat in the hall deep in thoughts about his next move. He needed to go to Chandighar for further enquiry. He knew they had no evidence. but the reopening of the case, had been the cause of worry. He had to double check his alibi. He was wondering, who might have tipped off the police. Arnav and Aakash would not even think of doing that. Sham always used Anjali as his trump card against these two brothers. He need to find out who was behind all this. But that could wait. The pressing thing is his business.

Mr. Shondeep Banerjee had twice reminded him for the accounts and audit. There were strictures passed in the audit report of abnormal suspense account entries. Shondeep wanted to set it right and was demanding explanation on every suspense entry. Sham had done a lot of cash transaction which he could not account for. This created irregularities in the accounting processes set by the company. The company had received the income tax scrutiny notice. Sham must do something to come out clean.

The tension was getting on to his nerve. His god father, Rattan Singh Thakur, was busy cleaning up his own mess. He was trapped in the court case and was compelled testify for his DNA. He was busy, managing that. The High command had warned him already. He did not bother to help Sham when he himself was in trouble.

This doubled Sham's anxiety. He became peevish and touchy sometimes losing his temper on Anjali, hurting her more and increasing the rift between them. Anjali kept herself busy with the wedding preparations.

*** ****

Arnav came home late in the evening. He had a long chat with Aakash in his room and both came down for dinner. sham was already at the table.

"um.. I may have to go to Chandighar for the police inquiry!" said sham looking at Anjali.
"um.. Jijaji! I will come with you. I case you need any help!" said Aakash looking concerned about Sham. Anjali looked at Aakash with gratitude.

"Will you, Aakash?" she asked him.
"Yes Di. I will go with him!" Aakash assured her glancing at her younger brother.
"No need!" Sham said dismissively. "This is a routine matter for me. I will handle it!" he said firmly and then turning to his wife said

"Raani Saaheba, i will return as early as possible!" he looked at her pleadingly. She did not react. He felt hurt. He took out a beautiful pair of bangles (Kangan) wrapped beautifully and holding her hand put them around her wrists. Kissing her hand he said passionately "Raani Saheba, this is for the wedding of your younger brother!" She had tears in her eyes. Was that a patch up? or an eyewash? Arnav wondered.

He came back to his room after dinner. Neither Papaji nor khushi had called up during the day. He desperately wanted to talk to Khushi, but his ego held him back.
"She will call me! I know she will!" he thought and went to bed.

NINE days left!!!!