CHAPTER 13
Plan B ?
Plan C ?
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.
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Plan Z a???
Kashish returned from her uneventful date and as usual she had opened the gate with her spare key, only to find, every1 seated in the lobby…. Awaiting her return. K took a deep breath and walked in
A-"Kashish Beta! Ur back!"
K-"Yes dad.. U r still awake? What are u all doing staying up so late? Are Nick and Deepali coming back soon?"
A (Looking a bit uncomfortable..)-"Well no.. We were just talking abt ..things in general.."
Sam (Bluntly)-"How was ur date?"
K-"It was fine… good bhaiya"
Sid-"What all did u do?"
K(Raising her eyebrows a little at this unsubtle cross questioning)-"Hmmm… Let me see… We ate, talked, laughed, danced and then he dropped me back home… Tht's abt all"
S (Drawled in an artificial uninterested voice)-"so u 2 danced too…?"
K pursed her lips to bite back the retort which was on tip of her tongue.. No! No! Don't! Don't let him get in ur head and don't loose control.. Don't u dare fight. Remember the resolution? STICK TO IT!
K-"Yes v danced too." Then looking at every1 else, "I am really tired now.. I am off to bed.. good nite every1."
K left b4 her examination cud b continued.. As she left Sujal also stood up and stretched..
S-"Well I guess, I shud b going now too…" then talking loudly to himself, loud enough for every1 else to hear, "Although I wonder what made her so tired…"
With tht parting shot S also hurried home, thoughts of Kashish and her unusual date hanging heavy in his head…
*******
Kashish had a plan. It wud solve all her problems, may it be regarding Sujal or Piyush. Both. The plan was simple and tht it is why it was brilliant.
All tht I am going to do from now on is- ignore his comments and double meaning words… I'll act nice and polite to Sujal all the time … Agree with his every nonsense with both my ears firmly closed and not argue with him over anything at all. Neither wud I give him a reason to argue or spend time with me.. Also I wud spend less time in dads study with him and more time on my duty…
As far as Piyush is concerned…He is my guinea pig. Not only is he my 'get over Sujal Grewal' guy, he is also my 'how to act on date' experience gaining guy. Nothing more. I won't lead him into anything and keep things friendly with him. Since we both work for the government we'll have plenty of reason and time for going to lunches and dinners together.. This wud also tell Sujal tht I am no longer interested in him.
Killing many birds with one stone.
*********
Sujal had plan. It shud solve his one and only problem. The problem was finding the correct solution to the puzzle called Kashish Sinha.
I don't understand what is going on inside tht pretty little head of hers! One moment I get a feeling tht she really likes me.. Like me a lot infact! And next moment, she goes out with another guy with no explanations!… On top of it all, she is avoiding me and not reacting to my comments!!! I have to find out what exactly I going on with her.
As planned I am going to spend more time with her from now on.. Instead of arguing, I'll listen more to her opinions and try to understand her way of thinking and perhaps her mind's working too…
I also need to dig up more abt this Jake guy.. He seems too nice and soft to date her.. Not at all her type..
Time to put Plan A-"Kashish Sinha"- in action.
************************
Monday breakfast.
Unfortunately for Sujal & fortunately for Kashish, Sujal was late by 10 minutes next morning for breakfast and in tht time kashish got the chance to escape to her work without confronting him..
K—good thing I got away.. Now all I'll have to do is get ready 5 mins early each morning and b off b4 seeing him.. I can spend the afternoon at home and get the evening and night duty assigned. This way it will be Bye Bye Mr. Grewal for good…
S—Darn! Can't believe I missed her! I have to get here more early… or no. Actually I can easily catch up with her in the evening.. She can't escape avoiding me forever hehehee
***
In the evening Sujal waited impatiently for Kashish to come, but when she didn't show up after1 hr, Ashok called her up and she told him tht due to some imp. case, she has been assigned the night and evening duty for a few days…
Sujal had waited patiently for another 3 days for her to show up, for a chance casual meeting with her. But it seemed like she was doing a very good job of avoiding him. He hadn't even caught a tiny-winy glimpse of her for 3 whole days. And tht was highly frustrating. She didn't come to Ashok's study in the evening, she didn't come for dinner, she always left early from breakfast just 10 seconds b4 he wud arrive….. How cud he casually talk to her if he never saw her?!?
S—ok so the Plan A of chatting casually with her has defiantly failed.. I need a plan B. Quick.
Sujal was much lost in his thoughts and Ashok too was worried abt k dating and all… Basically in the entire house had the common thread in their thoughts, the thread was Kashish…
***********
Friday afternoon lunch
Sujal after finding out abt her exact work timings, finally made it out of court for a lunch with kashish. And her entire family.
S-"So Kashish... We don't see much of u these days.. Don't tell u r so busy dating ppl these days, tht u don't even have little time for ur father?"
Sujal said in a caustic tone.. He was angry tht she hadn't even acknowledged his presence and had managed to avoid him for 4 whole days.. While every1 stilled at his ques. And waited to hear k's ans..
K looked at Sujal blankly and replied-"Actually my duty timings have changed, so I am not able to come in the evenings… If there is any help u need for a case then u can leave the file at dad's desk for me.. I'l study it and give u my written opinion as soon as possible… I am sorry dad I am not being much help these days."
Ashok-"Oh no. It's ok beta.. I understand."
K gave him a small functionary smile and then gathering her plate got up to leave..
Kaveri -"Kashish u r leaving already?? U just came in.."
K-"Wo actually bhabhi.. I have a meeting with my Sr. Doc. and Piyush today.. So have to get there by 1.30"
Ashok-"But its 12.45 already! U'll never get there on time. By the way what is piyush doing there.."
S (in silky voice)-"I presume Piyush must have called this meeting uncle so tht he can manage to win atleast 1 case… right Kashish?"
k-"No. our Sr. Doc. has called it. He wants to order some equipments and he needs mine and Piyush's presence to convince the sponsors..
Ashok-"I see.. but u must hurry now."
K-"Ye-"
S-"Don't worry uncle I'll drop Kashish.. I have some work downtown too.. U ready to go Kashish?" –Hah! Now u'll just have to argue!.. I know u'll never accept a lift from me.. now give me ur pretty scowl and put up a nice fight..
k-"yes please. If it won't be too inconvenient for u." O.k. kashish! Now it's time to test ur indifference towards him. Let's see how much I have increased my 'tolerate Sujal Grewal' level.
S shocked out of his wits, simply shook his head murmured a 'no prob' and followed her out to his car. Once seated inside he regained some of his astonished senses and decided to drill her further, maybe he shud continue attacking Piyush… it was bound to evoke a response, it had to! He knew by now tht it wasn't Jake but Piyush she had went out on dinner with. He wondered when she wud tell the truth to every1…
S-"So Piyush thinks tht by ordering a few more equipments in the lab he can actually win a case or two? He is such a sore loser.."
K-"Actually it was my request for some more equipments and he is just supporting me."
S-"Hmm….. So.. U going out with jake again this Saturday?" lets see u lying through ur teeth now Miss Cool.. I know tht loser had already made reservations for u 2 at grand inn restaurant..
K-"No."
S-"oh then it means tht we'll b seeing u on the dinner table finally.."
K-"No."
S-"Then u r going out with some1 else.. Has the dating bug caught u too?"
K-"No, I have evening duty and then Piyush and I want to discuss some points over the headless widow case, so he'll b taking me out."
So that's the way u gonna play this huh? Act innocent and sneak around with that no good loser under guise of work… don't both of us already know how much work gets done on such dinner dates?… Hmmmmm… not very good… That cheap creep isn't worth lying for. I guess now I'll have to do something more drastic about this…
Sujal drove silently for the rest of the way… lost in thoughts of how to separate Kashish and Piyush. Kashish was also breathing a sigh of relief seems like she will survive being around Sujal…
**********
Another 3-4 days passed. Not a thing, not dirty name had been left unsaid for Piyush in front f kashish. Yet she wud hardly bat an eye at all the insults. It was, as if, Sujal was not saying something bad about her date but he was referring to some criminal of whom kashish had never heard b4…
Seems like Plan B of Piyush smear campaign isn't gonna work either… I have to get her to talk to me.. Even if it means a fight. All she says is a polite yes, no or please… I can't stand her being so formal. It's as if I am an outsider and honored guest in her house!! Well she is going to learn differently!
Time to formulate Plan –C 'Get her alone, get her to talk, even fight'.
*****
A week has passed since s & k's dinner date together and K hardly spoken more than 50 words to him. In the mean time sujal had come perilously close to ripping his hair off in the process of trying to make her respond.
Alright if this doesn't work then I dont know what will. Please god a little support and meddling from ur side wouldn't hurt.. Sujal thought as he placed a case file on K's table for her to study and review.
When k came back for her lunch she see's the file and starts reading it. For the first time a case wasn't making any sense to her. She read it 3 times yet she had no idea who exactly of the 2 ppl was killed and what the expected reason.. It was a complete mess and k couldn't make the head or tail of it. So she simply left a note saying-
I studied the case but some points are unclear… I'll read it again latter more carefully and give u a more concrete response tomorrow.
On reading this S smiled well the plan seems to working fine up till now. Now the next step.
He leaves some even more confusing papers for her completely irrelevant to the case…
Kashish even more confused by the whole scenario finally decides to talk to her father about it.. Since there was no way that she wud discuss a case with that pompous lawyer.
(Ashok Sharma office in city)
K-"Dad? Can I come in? R u busy?"
A(very surprised)-"Arre Kashish beta? Tum yahan?(u here?) no no I am not busy come on in. So what brings u here? I hope everything is alright."
K-"Oh yes dad everything is fine . I just wanted to discuss something about this case file which sujal had left for me to study(K hands him the file). Honestly even after reading it 5 times I can't make the head or tail of this case."
A-"Hmmm(closely studying the file with a frown) Umm hmmm…. Well.. Beta to b frank.. I don't think I understand much of it too.."
K-"What?!"
A(looking up at k his face breaking into a gentle smile..)-"Well actually beta.. I have wanted to talk to u about this.. U see these days I hardly have to lift a finger and do any work. Sujal is handling everything so well…so I don't know much about this case.. I was.. Well I was thinking of retiring and handing over the whole firm to him. What do u think? U r the first person I am telling this.. But I have been thinking about this for quite some time now.."
K was a complete loss of words…. But how can u dad? U simply love u work! How will u b able to sit at home without anything to do? Oh!!! I am so happy for that ass of a man. He does deserve this.. He'll b so happy!! But what about u dad..
K-"Well if u think that he is capable of handling all the affairs then I trust ur judgment."
A(smiled more cheerily at k)-"My dear daughter, from where did u learn such graceful diplomacy? I want ur opinion on the matter not ur quite acceptance of my decision. I thought u already knew that I was gonna hand over everything to sujal one day the only question was when."
K-"Umm… Yes I did perceive that.. I think that i..agree with u, but I also think that u shouldn't be retiring so early.. Plus maybe he may want u to stick around a bit longer too.."
S-"Who wants uncle to stick around where? And by the way, a pleasant surprise to see u here kashish. When did u come?"
K-"Oh just a while ago.. Dad was just talking about taking a vacation.."
S-"Well I think he deserves one. Uncle, don't listen to her. U go right ahead and recharge ur cells I take care of things around here."
Ashok smiled contentedly as he heard the normal banter b/w k and s. He had noticed a big change in K since her dinner with S.. She had being acting very nicely and politely to him. The father in him was proud of her. But the lawyer in him told him that something was amuck and something lot deeper was going on b/w these 2. But when he saw Sujal he wud feel a bit calmer S seemed to b acting normally.. teasing her as he always did.. Well time reveals everything he'll just have to b patient.
A-"Hmmm.. I might take a vacation.. But not now.. Uh! That reminds me. Kashish, why don't u ask sujal about the case u came here to discuss? He is handling more cases these days and don't have a full knowledge about some of them…"
K-"Uhhh.. No. I .. I am late now.. I discuss it later."
S-"U mean to say u haven't till now studied the case? I was seriously counting on ur advice.. Do u think it's possible for u to b a bit late? Coz it's really imp. and its hearing is coming up day after tomorrow…"
K bit her lip in apprehension.. Struggle of her thoughts apparent on her face.. Well I am free for next 2 hrs only I don't wanna b with him! Why doesn't dad know anything about this case.. I can't let dad down.. Humf… guess I'll have to tolerate him for next 2 hrs.
K-"Well I guess I can afford to b a bit late…"
S (his mouth aching while he tried to hide his smile) -"Great! Then let's go to my cabin. I have the rest of the related documents there(standing up)"
K-"why not here..?"
a-"I have to go to beta u go with Sujal.."
S walks off and picks up her coat. Leaving no option for her, but to follow him.
<S's cabin>
S-"So what do u have confusion with?"
K feeling really uncomfortable now.. This wasn't at all like her plan. She wasn't supposed to alone with sujal discussing anything which may lead to any disagreement. Also she wasn't supposed to give him any reason to mock her and here she didn't even know who the victim was… this wasn't going to b a very good afternoon.
K (struggling with her words and thoughts)-"Well I was confused.. About a few things.."
S-"Well about what all?"
S was trying hard to hide his gleeful triumphant smile. Finally he had her where he wanted, in the situation he had wanted and in the embarrassment he had hoped for… his plan was finally succeeding.
K-"Ummm for starters. I don't know who got stabbed in the heart and who got stabbed in the back. Also how many times and through what instrument..?"
S-"what? U didn't get that? Didn't u read the file carefully?"
K looking down feeling ashamed at her inability to find that information in the file.. Also trying hard to curb the rising anger inside her.
K-"I did read it. I am sorry I must have missed some part. But now u can tell me tht now. Right?"
S-"Of course I'll tell u. I'll tell u that it was the mistress who was stabbed in heart and the wife who was stabbed in the back and that they both were stabbed exactly 3 times with the same kitchen knife. I'll also tell u that I am disheartened by ur lack of attention or dedication for the case. Perhaps I was expecting too much… I understand if u don't wish to help me and ur dad out with the cases any more.. As it is u r so busy helping Piyush with the same type of work…"
K-"No. It's nothing like this. I really do whish to help. Whatever is there b/w me and Piyush has no effects on my work and my interests."
S-"The current situation says otherwise Kashish."
K-"I am sorry."
Ok now stop apologizing and fight back.. S feeling a bit ruffled now.. She seriously seemed hurt by the joke.. Damm I didn't want to hurt her. If only she wud lash out and return an insult. Darn it!!
S-"It's fine. Just concentrate more if u really wanna help us or just leave. We can do without u."
K felt highly tempted to leave.. I don't know what the hell went wrong. I know I studied it seriously 5 times I f I am not able to make head or tail of it how is it my fault? Darn that arrogant man. Cant he quit hurling insults at me! What does he want?!!
K-"I said I am sorry. I sincerely do wish to help."
S-"Ok then let's see then how sincere u really are."
S went ahead and then explained the whole case from the beginning to her and answered her every doubt and query, leaving no chance to tell her that either she had lost her ability to think and had become senile or that Piyush was sucking her brains out of her like a parasite.
By the end of two hrs S had used every imaginable term to Piyush describe as a spineless, brain-sucking worm and yet he couldn't her to defend him and his intelligence.
K finally getting up managed a weak smile and simply said in a sad voice
"I'll give u my analysis by evening today. Sorry for the mess up. Bye"
As she was putting on her coat to o sujal felt tempted to apologize for being so insulting and acting like a jerk. But he wasn't sure if it wud mean any thing to her.. These days everything he did hardly seem to mean anything to her at all. Why he even contemplated that if wore a jokers costume to dinner one nite she wud hardly blink an eye for him. It was as if his presence, appearance and words were becoming invalid for her… he had to do something even getting her alone hadn't helped. A new Plan –D was desperately needed now.
****
Evening (Ashok Sinha's study-Home)
Well here I am back to square 1. Isn't this what I had sworn I wouldn't do? Discuss cases with him…. But it does feel nice to b back here.. I really did miss all the fights and the whodunit mystery, the time spent here was special….. But only for me... For Sujal, I was just a loud mouthed brat, who wants to throw her opinion on others. Well this is not gonna b like the old times. This time I wud go down without a fight…
K-"Evening dad. Sujal."
A-"Hello beta."
S-"So u finally decided to grace us mortals with ur presence…"
Why can't he just stop bothering me! Ever since he has been here.. I don't remember a day he hadn't bothered me. Please leave me alone I am tiered of fighting u…. K mumbled –"Sorry for being late", and settled in her usual place.
S-"Well is ur eminence now comfortable enough to enlighten us with her words of wisdom or wud u first like to have something to relieve ur parched throat?"
Ok time to start counting backwards from 100 and then do alphabets it'll keep u calm..
K-"I said I am sorry."
A-"Sujal beta.. Let her settle down.. She just came in"
S just shrugged and held an open mocking look for her-"Well if she had cared to show up yesterday. I wouldn't b in such a hurry today"
That's it!!!! Why u overbearing sonofa-
NO! Don't loose it now! Just say ur piece and get out of here as fast as u can there is no other way.
K(Eyes closed)-"I think that the wife killed the mistress and the husband killed the wife"
A-"The husband couldn't have killed the wife. The wife was stabbed in the back. Men are not cowards and only cowards attack from behind. I believe that the mistress killed the wife and then the husband realizing, what a 2 timing women his mistress was, kills her in rage."
K-"Maybe the wife was sure that he wud forgive her killing the mistress, since she was 2 timing him. But the husband was blindly in love, so, he killed the wife. Also he didn't divorce her to b with his mistress, it means he was a coward. And that is why he stabbed her in the back."
S-"But then again. In the moment of rage I don't think any1 can b that coward to stab some1 who has killed ur beloved from the back"
K-"Maybe he was afraid that the wife wud kill him to.."
S-"He was 7 inches taller than her and weighed 25 kilos more. He couldn't believe that she can harm a hair of his body and it also means that he couldn't b coward. Not at least in front of her"
K-"If he wasn't then why didn't he do something about his 2 timing mistress? Why did he take shit from his boss, and got yelled at by his wife every morning?"
K determined to prove her point raised her voice her bit. Her eyes flashed with indignation and color crept in her cheeks… Sujal though she looked like a beautiful fierce angle… she was finally breaking out of her shell!
K-"U r just being a masochist."
S-"I am not the topic of discussion here my dear. A killer is. A guy can love peace, so he decides to take all the nonsense from every1 and bear it with a grin."
Sujal smirked at her… now he couldn't really smile here.. that wud ruin all his labor.. celebrations can wait..
'My Dear'!!!! Ok time up. Get out. Or u'll blow completely.
K took a deep breath closed her eyes again for a moment uttered a few good defamations for Sujal in her mind. Then getting up with a smile she picked up her bag and looked at Sujal
K-"Hmm… I was just giving my opinion…. Of course u may b right too(a big plastic smile now) Congratulations for cracking the case"
s looked at her wide eyed… What the hell just happened .. Everything was going so fine. Where is she going? She can't leave now! All my hard work wud go down the drain!
S-"Where r u going? Don't tell me u have already exhausted ur meager mental ability…"
K-"Nite daddy", kisses Ashok gudnite. Then smiling convincing at S walks out of the study and pauses at the door just b4 leaving.
K-"Actually u r right. I really am tired and I do feel brain dead. Lastly what does it matter whether the wife killed the mistress or it was the other way round?… After all, the husband is the only surviving killer so u can just put him in jail.. Why fight over him? Night sujal. Best of luck for court tomorrow."
S was left standing there staring at the place where k had last stood.
*********
The promo was a perfect prompt for me to write something in my ishtyle! ...
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