Part 93

In the morning after a couple of days at the breakfast table, Aakash was looking at Arnav apprehensively. Arnav was looking at Sham and Anjali. Sham looked like a sleep deprived person. Arnav smirked.

Anjali's cell rang. She looked at the number and picked it up. Sham was still staring at Arnav with disgust.

"Hello!..... what? wait a minute... he is here! talk to him. and please don't call on this number!" Anjali handed over the cell to Sham. She looked irritated. Sham got up and went out speaking over the phone.

When he came back, he said "Raani Saheba, I will have to leave now. Some urgent work has come up."

Anjali said "This is the same lady i was talking about. She keeps on calling me and tells nasty things and that if you do not call her, she will come here! This is strange. What can you do if the case is not progressing?" she asked her husband holding his hand.

"Hmm!" said Sham patting her hand and looking at Arnav.
"Jijaji, what happened to your phone? Why does she have to call on Di's phone?" asked Arnav. Sham had no answer. He left frowning. Arnav and Aakash exchanged looks.

Sham came back ready to go. "Raani Saheba, I will have to go after lunch and i am going out for now!" she nodded. He flashed an angry look at Arnav and left.
Arnav decided to stay home. He was waiting for sham to come back. Aakash had gone out too and would be returning for lunch. The workers had almost finished the renovation and were busy giving the finishing touch. He supervised over them and suggested a few changed.

At lunch time, sham had come back and was packing his bag for his so called business tour. Everyone had gathered at the table.

"Are Wah, Chote... you have started practicing to be a family man... coming for lunch and all!" Anjali teased him. He looked away. Aakash laughed. "Bhai is changing... di" he said. Arnav gave him a stern look.

The bell rang. There was a courier for Anjali. Ram Prakash took it and brought it at the table. She took it and flipping it said "Courier for me? Whom could it be from?"

She kept the envelope aside. Arnav and Aakash grew restless. They both gazed at Sham. He too looked nervous.

"Raani Saheba, give it to me. I will keep it in your room. You carry on serving us food." said sham stretching his hand to pick up the packet.

Aakash was quicker. "Di.. why don't you open it? I mean if its something important... you can take jijaji's advice before he goes on his tour!" said Aakash picking up the packet. Arnav looked away avoiding reacting.

"No saale saab! not now... She will open it later." sham tried to pull the envelope from Aakash's hands.

"Di.. open it! I am curious!" Aakash pestered his Di.

Sham looked annoyed and nervous. Arnav got up with a jerk and tried pull the envelope from Aakash. saying "Aakash, JiJaJi is right! Give it to me. Di will open whenever she wants!" He pulled the envelope with a jerk. Aakash tightened his grip. Arnav pulled it with all his might and in this tug the envelop tore in half splashing the contents on the table.... !

Anjali turned to look at the commotion and froze. Sham got up slowly feeling weak, his throat went dry and his jaw dropped. Arnav and Aakash wore a shocked expression on their faces.

"Hello hi bye bye... which photos Anjali bitiya? Who sent you?" asked mamiji bending forward to pick up the nearest. Sham was quick and he snatched the photo from Mamiji.
"Hello hi bye bye.. kheech to aisan rahe hoe damadji, jaise ke kono girlfriend ka photo bheje rahei!" said mami making fun of sham. Sham was busy gathering the photos but by then Anjali had already picked up one and Aakash was holding the other.

Arnav laid back leaning against his chair looking at the commotion. He had all his attention on his Di.
Anjali looked at the photo and her face overshadowed with pain. She held her hand on her heart and blurted! "What is it? Who is this lady?" she looked at her husband who was pretending to have not heard her and was leaving.

"Jijaji!" Aakash called out. Sham turned in fright but trying to keep his face confused. Arnav got up to support his Di. He was anxiously looking at her. She was looking at the photo horror struck and then pulled the photo from Aakash and gazed at it. Sham stood there dumbstruck not knowing what to do. Everybody was glaring at him wanting his explanation. The lunch was all forgotten.

Arnav held his di, took out the photos from her hand. Aakash came forward and pulled the other photos from sham's hands with a jerk and glanced at them. Arnav carried his Di to sofa and made her sit offering her a glass of water. Aakash passed on those photos to Nani. She flipped them and looked at Sham questioningly.

"What is all this Damad ji?" she asked sternly and getting up from her chair moved to face Sham. Sham started off fumbling...He was sweating all over. He closed his eyes for a second and then mustering up his courage asked back..

"What naniji? I don't know about it. I am confused. Who could have played this mischief?" He looked straight at Arnav. Arnav was busy attending to his Di. He was worried about his Di. His only focus was on his Di. He didnot pay any attention to Sham. But Aakash was listening to Sham.

Sham went on "Nani ji, I suspect a foul play. I mean there could be some people who cannot stand my success and they are playing with us. You know Raani Saheba is carrying and in a delicate condition... " saying this he moved hurriedly towards Anjali and tried to hold her. Arnav pushed away his hand with a jerk. "Don't touch her!" He screamed. Anjali looked up with a jerk and started crying.
"Please don't fight. Both of you. I feel weak!" she said in a small voice but did not hold Sham's hand. She was leaning against her chote for support. He held her tightly and looked at Sham raising his eyebrow. Sham staggered back.

"Raani Saheba, please listen to me!" he pleaded. She looked at him painfully. She clutched her stomach and fainted.

"Di..! Arnav screamed. Everybody gathered around. Aranv lifted his di and took her to her room. Nani came with water and sprinkling on her face trying to wake her up. Arnav dialed the number of his doctor.

"Saale saab! I have already called my doctor!" said Sham looking worried and bending over his wife.
"Don't you dare touch her!" barked Arnav. Anjali opened her eyes and looked at everyone.
"I want to talk to him, alone" she said looking at Arnav. Arnav looked defeated. He glanced at Aakash he too looked gloomy.

"Yes Di you can talk to him. But can it wait till the doctor comes?" asked Arnav pleadingly. This was his last chance. She nodded.

"Please don't go now.. be with me!" she said to her husband.

Sham came forward and hugging his wife said "No Raani Saheba! I will be there with you. I am cancelling the trip. There is nothing more important than you in my life." He had tears in his eyes and tried to wipe off tears from her eyes passionately. She removed his hand and asked him to sit beside her. He sat there with tears rolling down his cheeks.

Aranv and Aakash gaped at this drama. They both came out and waited for the doctor. Fortunately Arnav's doctor came in first and he took him to anjali's room.

Sham looked furious. "She is already taking a treatment with another doctor" said blocking the doctor.

"I know!" said the doctor "but let me check her up. I will discuss with your doctor and then prescribe medicine if required... Now if you don't mind I want everyone out. They came out. Mami and Nani went into the hall. Arnav and Aakash waited outside the door.

"Saale Saab! I know your game plan. I warn you, if anything happens to my dear wife after this... I will hold you responsible!" He came on to Arnav threateningly. Arnav stood his ground and stared at him. Aakash came a step forward to support his bhai. The two brothers stood up against their BIL.
Sham was shaking furiously burning with anger and helplessness. Arnav turned his back and dialled the number of Dr. Avinash. "Hello Dr. Avinash.." greeted Arnav. Sham was restless. "Why did you call him?" he asked. "Third opinion!" said Arnav curtly.

Sham was furious. He came on and caught Arnav gripping his shoulder. Aranv broke free with a jerk. "Don't you dare do that again!" he said raising his hand. Sham smirked and said "Saale Saab! my next slash will cut your throat" He turned to leave. Aakash could not resist. He came forward and pushed sham sending him off balance and then ...Sham straightening himself up looked at both the brothers and laughed hysterically. Arnav and Aakash gaped at him.

Doctor came out and Sham took over as a loving husband. Shedding crocodile tears he came forward and asked the doctor. "Is everything ok, Doctor?" The doctor placed his hand on Sham's shoulder and said. She seems to be ok. But she needs rest. Then looking at Arnav the doctor said. "she needs ultrasound test, Mr. Raizada!"

"Yes Doctor!" Said Arnav entering his Di's room. Sham was already on her bed hugging her and crying his heart out. "Sorry Raani Saheba!! these managed photographs created havcoc! Someone is doing this on purpose! Raani Saaheba.. believe me!. "

She looked at other gathered family members and said in a weak voice. "I want to be alone with him for some time!" Arnav looked devastated. They all came out closing the door behind them, leaving Anjali and Sham alone in the room.

They were waiting anxiously outside the door. Aakash turned to Arnav to say somthing and the doorbell rang. It was shondeep. Arnav came forward hurriedly. He had totally forgotten that he had invited Shondeep home, since he could not go to the office.

"I am sorry Shondeep!" said Arnav shaking hands. "I could not send you a vehicle"

"No problem Arnav I got my office vehicle!" he came in with Arnav. "Is everything ok?" he asked looking at everybody's tensed up faces. "Have i come at the wrong time?" asked Shondeep.

"Oh! No! Not at all! It’s just Di's health!" said Arnav nervously.
"Is she ok?" asked Shondeep worriedly.
"Yeah! she is alright now! JIJAJI is with her!" said Aakash.
"Oh! In fact I had some urgent work with Mr. Sham! But its ok. Some other time!" said Shondeep mildly.

"No! it’s ok. I will call him!" Arnav grabbed the opportunity and banging on the door called out "Jijaji.. Mr. Shondeep is waiting for you!"

Sham opened the door at once looking irritated.
Arnav stared at him saying "Shondeep is waiting for you!" Sham came out and saw Shondeep in the hall. He came hurriedly forward bending slightly forward and joining his hands. "Hello Mr. Banerjee! What a pleasent surprise! Welcome Sir" he said shaking hands.

"Hello Mr. Sham. Sorry to disturb you just wanted to discuss some urgent matter. but its ok. We will talk some other time." Shondeep said smiling at Sham.

"Oh! No We can talk sir! I am ready!" sham said leaning forward.
"Please have something, tea or coffee and then may be you two can use the study for your meeting." said Arnav glancing at Aakash.

** *** ***

Meeting went on for more than two hours.

Aranv and Aakash were in Anjali's room. She was resting. She had not opened her eyes for a long time. Arnav grew restless. "Di, are you ok? Di?" he asked looking worried. "I am Ok. chote.. just want to rest for some time." she said sounding exhausted. "Its ok. di. take rest!" said Arnav. He badly wanted to know Sham's justification but held himself back.

She slowly opened her eyes and saw her younger brothers sitting there anxiously. "chote!" she called out. Arnav got up with a jerk and came to her. sitting on her bed he asked "Are you Ok, Di?"
She looked at him and took his hand in hers. "Chote, I don't know whom to believe. I am just confused. I know He cannot do like this. He loves me so much. but then those photos and phones haunt me!" she said weakly.

"Di!" Arnav looked at her helpless Di, equally helplessly with moist eyes.
"Chote! I want to forget about the calls and photos. I have to take care of my health! But sometimes i feel empty inside. I feel someone is snatching away everything from me.I ... I was dying for this to happen. Bearing a child is such a wonderful phase in life. but then why am i so worried. Why do I feel empty and hollow? Why do I feel this is like a dream and I will wake up some day with nothing in my hand...!" she buried her face in her hands.

He hugged her and said "Di... everything will be alright. No one will take away anything from you. Trust me, Di! I will not let anything happen to you! Trust me! Its just you have to be alert all the time.!" said Arnav.

"Di! Please don't have blind faith on anyone, not even me!" He said looking at his di in desperation
"Di, have some tea!"Aakash had brought in the tray. They had tea together. Arnav had a tweiching sensation inside. His heart bled for her. He knew he had to do something but what? He was clueless.
"Di, we will have a repeat test tomorrow. If jijaji has some urgent work, let us not stop him. I will take care of you Di. I will!" said Arnav earnestly. She smiled at him nodding. He felt relieved.

**** **** ****

Sham and Shondeep came out of the study after the meeting. Shondeep looked serious and Sham nervous. Arnav ignored sham and smiled at Shondeep. They gathered in the hall. Arnav and Shondeep immediately started talking about business in general ignoring sham completely. Anjali came out of her room. Shondeep greeted her. Sham felt happy. Anjali smiled weakly at Shondeep. "Are you Ok now?" asked Shondeep. She nodded. Shondeep got back to his discussion with Arnav. Sham lingered there for a while wanting to take part in the conversation and impress Shondeep but Aranv did not give him any chance. and sham went to his room.

He came out with a bag and said "Raani Saheba.." looking at her pleadingly.
"It’s ok. I am alright now! you can go!" she said smiling at him. He hugged her and shaking hands with Shondeep went out. Arnav and Aakash took a sigh of relief.