Hi,
I'm really into grey characters and Anurag is a little too whitewashed and holier than thou for me. So I thought I would write a story on Prerna and Rishabh. Let's see how it goes, yeah?
I was really lazy with making an index and this wonderful person was kind enough to make the effort! Thank you, Anjali! I'm not sure how to pin a post š so I just copy pasted your index. I hope that's okay.
Index :
Chapter-1 https://www.indiaforums.com/forum/post/150826539?tid=5104298
Chapter-2 https://www.indiaforums.com/forum/post/150828117?tid=5104298
Chapter-3 https://www.indiaforums.com/forum/post/150829854?tid=5104298
Chapter-4 https://www.indiaforums.com/forum/post/150832834?tid=5104298
Chapter-5 https://www.indiaforums.com/forum/post/150833838?tid=5104298
Chapter-6 https://www.indiaforums.com/forum/post/150840189?tid=5104298
Chapter-7 https://www.indiaforums.com/forum/post/150841544?tid=5104298
Chapter-8 https://www.indiaforums.com/forum/post/150845284?tid=5104298
Chapter-9 https://www.indiaforums.com/forum/post/150849231?tid=5104298
Chapter 10: https://www.indiaforums.com/forum/post/150856112?tid=5104298
Chapter 11: https://www.indiaforums.com/forum/post/150865747?tid=5104298
Chapter 12: https://www.indiaforums.com/forum/post/150883892?tid=5104298
Chapter 13: https://www.indiaforums.com/forum/post/150913218?tid=5104298
Chapter 14: https://www.indiaforums.com/forum/post/150958589?tid=5104298
Chapter 15: https://www.indiaforums.com/forum/post/150978002?tid=5104298
Chapter 16: https://www.indiaforums.com/forum/post/151064463?tid=5104298
Chapter 17: https://www.indiaforums.com/forum/post/151081241?tid=5104298
Chapter 18: https://www.indiaforums.com/forum/post/151161860?tid=5104298
Chapter 19: https://www.indiaforums.com/forum/post/151201015?tid=5104298
Author's Note: PM LIST: https://www.indiaforums.com/forum/post/151226013?tid=5104298
Chapter 20: https://www.indiaforums.com/forum/post/151232847?tid=5104298
Chapter 21: https://www.indiaforums.com/forum/post/151238922?tid=5104298
Chapter 22: https://www.indiaforums.com/forum/post/151471349
Chapter 23: Page 90
ALL THE KING'S MEN
It was nearing twilight when Prerna began making her way to the palatial estate of Mr. Rishabh Bajaj. She wanted to catch him at a time he would be at his most relaxed and she figured that evening was as good a time as any. For a man rumored to begin his day at the crack of dawn, surely he would be unwinding at home as the sun set.
She walked quickly along the narrow street, trying to control her thudding heart. A cold prickling feeling cascaded at the back of her neck, as if she was being watched, trackedā¦ hunted. Sheād dressed simply, in a plain cerulean saree, wanting to impress without standing out, but she felt exposed even in the crowded street. She was beginning to wonder if keeping this meeting from Anurag had been the best idea. But what other choice had she had? She couldnāt sit by and watch Anurag be condemned to prison. This was the only possible action, and since he would no doubt disapprove of it, sheād seen no point in telling him in advance.
Prerna drew a ragged breath as she rounded the last corner.The white sprawling mansion tops came into sight with tall iron wrought gates guarding its frontal faƧade. Nearly half a dozen burly men patrolled the gate,daring someone to breach the boundary. She marched up to the barrier, her shoulders back, her chin lifted. She kept Anuragās face firmly in her thoughts as she looked at the guards.
āIām here to see Mr. Bajaj.ā She announced.
Most of the men completely ignored her, acting as if theyād not heard or seen her standing right in front of their noses. But one man, who sported a huge mustache and a too-tight charcoal black blazer, seemed amused by her request. He looked her up and down in a too-familiar but not unkind manner.
āDo you have an appointment, maāam?ā
āNo.ā Prerna willed herself not to show embarrassment at the manās blunt assessment. āBut I need to talk to him anyway.ā
āIām afraid thatās not possible, Maāam.ā the guard replied in a tone that brooked no further discussion.
His companion interjected suddenly, listening to a voice emanating from a hidden earpiece. āMaāam, your name?
āPrerna Sharmaā
āSir is expecting you.ā He gestured for the gate to be opened.
Prerna blinked.āI beg your pardon?ā
āThis way, Maāam.ā
She was directed through the solid gates and she let herself be guided through the estate to the ornate front doors. She was still reeling from the fact that Mr. Bajaj knew she was coming. Mr. Bajaj knew her? Was expecting her to show up at his doorstep? She couldnāt shake off the feeling of being caught in a giant chess game orchestrated by unknown forces. Prerna stepped inside the house and almost immediately stopped, gaping despite herself.
The hall was wide and arched high overhead and ivory rose from the floor to gild the ceiling as well. Beneath her feet was a mosaic of marble tiles covered in plush carpeting. Above, crystal chandeliers hung from the vaulted ceiling, and the lights were reflected from the crystal droplets over and over again until the whole was a dazzling display of understated class and wealth.
The armed guard subtly steered her down the hallway and up a wide curving carved from the same ivory marble as the floors and led her to the upper hall. They halted in front of two great mahogany double doors and the guard spoke into his earpiece, announcing her arrival. Then looked at her and drawled almost arrogantly. āDonāt try anything, yeah?ā
She nodded mutely. The realization of what she was about to do had closed her throat tight.
Those luxurious doors were opened by an attendant but Prerna hardly noticed the doorkeeper.
The room within was unsettlingly magnificent. The marble floor continued inside the large square room, but the white walls were replaced with walls of deep mahogany wood. Shelves on walls were fitted with leather bound books, deep seated cream sofas centered the room and graceful marble statues stared dispassionately on the scene. The room had a lingering smell of warm musk, cigar smoke and unspoken decadence. At the far end of the room stood an heavy mahogany study table with a huge, tall-backed chair that could only be called a throne.
Which would make the man who sat upon it a king.
He lounged, one leg thrown over elegantly over the other. His hair was dark and almost perfectly lined with silver, not a strand out of place. He a wore a grey waistcoat over a pale pink shirt and matching trousers, a forgotten glass of scotch by his left hand as he leafed through papers on his desk. To his right stood a reed thin woman with glasses, speaking in soft undertones, to his left was a hulk of a man, clearly military, who Prerna assumed was the bodyguard. At his elbow was another woman, arranging the discarded papers. And directly in front of the desk, a man hunched over, looking as if he feared for his future. āIām sorry, sir!ā The man clenched his fists, tears running down his face. āPlease sir, please find it in your heart to forgive me. I have a wife. I have three kids! Iām so sorry, sir!ā
Prerna witnessed the scene with increasing horror. Mr. Bajaj hadnāt so much as raised his head from the papers he was examining. Just a bored, disinterested voice answered āGehlot, forgive me if I donāt accept your apology. It is worthless. Iām glad to hear you have a family. Iām sure theyāll be of much comfort in the terrible times to come.ā Mr. Bajaj, absorbed in his documents, lazily flicked his fingers and within seconds, the sobbing man was physically escorted from the room.
Prerna felt a sense of foreboding.
āMiss Prerna Sharma to see you, Sir.ā
A stillness stole over the room as Mr. Rishabh Bajaj looked up and lounged back fully in his chair, fixing her with an indecipherable look. Prerna felt that gaze in her bones. She finally understood the chill she had been feeling all evening. Like a sacrificial lamb being taken to slaughter. But as terrified as she felt, Prerna couldnāt help but be struck at the sheer perfection of the face before her. All sharp lines made to fit together like a puzzle. High, razor sharp cheekbones flanked a straight, haughty nose. A jawline that could cut through glass. His face felt less human and more like that marbled figurines that peppered the room. His dark eyes were framed with thick lashes and his gaze reminded her of jaguars in the wild. Jaguars were savage beasts, little given to pity or honor. Solitary hunters, they moved like phantoms and specialized in not being seen or heard. If one must face a wild predator, it did no good to show fear. At least that was what Prerna told herself as she eyed Mr.Bajaj.
Mr. Bajaj picked up his discarded liquor and swirled the amber contents between his long, aristocratic fingers. One corner of his wide, sensuous mouth curled in amusement. āAh. Ms. Sharma. Itās a pleasure to finally meet with you. I have, of course, heard only lovely things about you. But I must confess. I am curious as to why youāve come to see me .ā
His mocking words strengthened Prerna's spine. āYou know very well why Iām here, Mr. Bajaj.ā
The King lifted one elegantly winged black eyebrow. āDo I, now?ā
---
Cheers
Sohaa
I hope you liked the intro. let me know in the comments!
Edited by Sohali19 - 3 years agoAh ah ah why did you end there???
I am mesmerised by the way you described everything from the security to the house to the rooms to the inhabitants and ofc the KING. Picture perfect.
Now it is a pleasure to have such talented writers who treat us with such blessings as this! Looking forward to more in your series this is beyond words. Speechless.
Loved this. This was supposed to be the scene that was shown, not that pathetic excuse of Prerna acting dumber than she anyways was. šµ
It's amazing. Your writing impeccable, your attention to detail insanely meticulous, your Prerna smarter, your Bajaj as sinister as the Bajaj that was introduced - not the current one degenerating to stereotypical TV heroes. Kudos. š
Hi, I've taken liberties with a few details in part II such as what exactly Prerna wants from Mr.B etc. I hope you like the update.
Part II
The King lifted one elegantly winged black eyebrow.
āDo I, now?ā His voice, like honey blended with gravel, curled dangerously around her. Mr. Bajaj took a long swig of his drink, his liquid black eyes closing for the shortest moment in pleasure. Prerna felt the breath sheād held escape her lungs. Dear God, she was so in over her head but it was too late to retreat.
āYes. Yes, you do. You know who I am. You knew I would come to your door this evening. I am impressed by your acumen, Mr. Bajaj. I really am. But that also means I donāt have to dance around and play your games. Iām here to take back those property papers, Mr. Bajaj. Iām here because your unethical tactics are forcing an upstanding, respected family to vacate their ancestral home, Iām here because your predatory pricing practices are pushing businesses out of the market. Iām here about Anurag Basu, Mr. Bajaj and the ridiculous charges of murder, criminal trespass and theft, you have levelled against him. You and your people are stealing peopleās livelihoods and it stops now!ā
Behind her, the bodyguard drew in his breath sharply. The lady holding the stack of papers visibly flinched, and the bespectacled woman by Mr. Bajajās side looked at her in open horror.
It occurred to Prerna that perhaps she shouldāve spoken with better tact. But it was too late now. Mr. Bajajās eyes were upon her, examining her in minute detail. She felt like she was being flayed open.He popped a pill into his mouth and flushed it down with his liquor, the muscles of his jaw flexing and relaxing as his eyelids half lowered in enjoyment.
He swallowed and smiled sardonically and suddenly Prerna understood where heād gotten the epitaph of ālethalā. When he smiled, Rishabh Bajaj was as lethal as they come. A slow smile that didnāt touch his cold eyes, spread on his face, revealing dimples in his cheeks. Prerna didnāt think a face chiseled from marble could have dimples. He looked almost innocent. Almost. Except Prerna knew she couldnāt fall into that trap. No matter what his smile said, this man was no innocent.
āStealing is such a harsh word, no?,ā He muttered silkily. Still half smiling. His upper crust accent made the words almost a caress. āI feel like I must warn you, Ms. Sharma. Not many people find it prudent to use such a tone in my presence but Iād so very much like for us to be friends, so Iāll make an exception for you. This time.ā
Prerna registered the veiled threat but bit back a biting response. This manās actions had caused untold miseries for so many people including her fiancĆ©e. But she couldnāt afford to lose her cool now.
āNow.ā He continued. āI had nothing to do with Mr. Basu being arrested. You can verify it with the police, if my word doesnāt suffice. Sure, the murder did take place on one of my properties and legally speaking, Mr. Basu was trespassing, but I didnāt file a complaint. Generous of me, donāt you agree? Ah, with the little matter regarding the properties, I was handed a lucrative deal, Ms. Sharma. And I am nothing if not a business man. Itās nothing personal. ā
āNothing personal? Itās the Basu familyās home!ā Prerna nearly bellowed.
āAnd now itās my home.ā
āHomes arenāt taken over in a day, Mr. Bajaj. Theyāre build with love and effort over years. Something youāll never understand.ā
āMaybe.ā Mr. Bajaj nonchalantly replied, seemingly unbothered by her assessment. Prerna couldnāt quite believe the apathy that the man in front of her exuded. He got up from behind his desk and waved his entourage away.
āYouāā
āIām a busy man, Ms. Sharma so if you have something more to say than empty rhetoric then please go ahead. If not, Iām going to have to excuse myself.ā Mr. Bajaj said simply, rolling his sleeves as he walked past her towards the doors.
She lifted her chin. āI want your help in getting the charges dropped against Anurag!ā
Mr. Bajaj, turned as if entertained by her statement. āHis current state suits me just fine, Ms. Sharma. And Iām not inclined to do anything to change status quo if I donāt see added profit.ā
Her heart was beating so loudly she feared he must hear it, but she said steadily, āAnurag has done nothing wrong, Mr. Bajaj. You know this as well. And this going beyond the boundaries of customary business deals. You may not have filed the complaint but you can have it shut down. If we could hand over the CCTV footage from your factory, it would show that Anurag has committed no crime. Anurag would neverāPlease. Just please!ā
Mr. Bajaj raised that eyebrow again, and if a marble face were at all capable of showing emotion, Prerna would have sworn that it looked almost delighted.
āAnd does your fiancĆ©e know youāre here, Ms. Sharma?ā
āNo.ā Prerna bit her lip, startled by knowledge that Mr.Bajaj knew she was engaged to Anurag. It wasnāt publicized at all. In fact, they had taken great pains to keep the engagement under wraps.
āAh.ā He reached for his phone, turning as if to walk away from her.
She couldnāt give up. She had to at least try one more time. For Anurag.
Prerna took a deep breath, and even as she did so, she felt her stomach tighten in warning. āPlease, Mr. Bajaj. Can you not requisition the CCTV footage? Please. Iām begging you. Do me this favor and I promise you, you will never regret it.ā
Mr.Bajaj slowly turned his head to look at her, no longer smiling now. His dark eyes were oddly dispassionate, and without his smile, his lips had a cruel edge. āBe careful with your words, Ms. Sharma. I'm not a man known to take words lightly. Neither my own, nor those of others. I've played the gracious host long enough and now if you insist on persisting, you'll have no one to blame but yourself."
Prerna swallowed. His whispered warning made the hairs rise on the back of her neck. She wanted nothing more than to turn tail and run. But she didnāt. ā
Mr. Bajaj stared at her, cold, remote, and expressionless. The room was so silent that each breath Prerna took sounded in her ears. Then Mr. Bajaj slowly smiled. āYou must love Anurag Basu very much.
āYes,ā Prerna said with pride. āYes, I do.ā
āAnd does he love you in returnā?ā
Prernaās eyes widened in surprise. āOf course.ā
āOf course,ā Mr. Bajaj repeated, āThen I'm certain we can work with us each other to reach a mutually satisfactory solution, Ms. Sharma."
She knew then. She knew that whatever Mr. Rishabh Bajaj proposed, it would be calamitous. She knew that she might not escape this room, this man, with her whole self entirely intact.
āThat is, of course,ā Mr.Bajaj murmured softly, āif you truly love your fiancĆ©e.ā
Anurag was all that was good in her world. There was nothing she would not do to save him. And it seemed both Prerna and Mr.Bajaj were painfully aware of this fact.
And so Prerna looked the King in the eye, lifted her chin and said. āI do.ā
----
Cheers, Sohaa
I hope you guys like this update. Please let me know if you do. I'm not a regular writer or anything and any feedback is welcome.