Epi 116 Ch 46 A clever ploy to bring out an ugly truth.... Advay-Veer duo against Gangaram

The sun rose gently on eastern horizon and smiled happily on Allahabad. It was a beautiful morning with crisp, cool air. The air sang an eager belief tune to people saying that happy days were to come soon. People went around doing the morning chores, streets slowly crowding up to face the new day.

Malati shook her head in disapproval as she saw her husband Gangaram proceeding to his treasure room. It was his daily ritual.Before starting the day, he worshipped his wealth accumulated over years with what he believed as hard work and smart mind of his. Malati and all the villagers knew better. 

An avaricious smile spread broad on Gangaram's lips. He had completed the best deal of his life successfully. With the gold he held now, he was the richest person in Allahabad and territories around. He worried he would go mad in exhilaration.

Miku lazed on his bed as he was saved from temple rituals because priest community had advised that his Shuddhi karan (purification) would need to be done first before he started as mahant. Miku enjoyed his time till he had it. His mood had lightened up with Bhabhi having called him to congratulate him and wish him luck. She had said that she was doing all her prayers today for his success. He pondered over their Trio.

When Bhai first came to Allahabad, he was the first person to assist Bhai in his first mission, resurrection of the Shiva Idol. He had held Bhai's foot with all his strength thus preventing it from crushing the steps. In this new mission now, Bhai had taken a role of Krishna in Mahabharat,not participating individually but directing everything from top...almost like a mafia leader. Miku thrilled with the thought.

Bhabhi was like his mother, more like Mata aadishakti. She was the true power, the deep strength of both him and his Bhai. While he himself was like Laxman, with Bhai-Bhabhi being his Ram Seeta. A smile broke on his lips, at the unusual combination... like all divine forces joining together!

Malati was pouring tea in the cup on breakfast tray to serve her husband when she was startled by a loud shriek. She jerked her head in the direction and saw her husband with a ghastly, corpse-pale face materializing out of the depths of the fathomless darkness of the treasure room. His shriek of horror echoed endlessly off the eerie walls that enclosed him in a corridor of obscure shadows. 

Gangaram looked dreadful as if he was getting a seizure. His heart pounded. He was abruptly drenched in a chilling sweat. He stopped breathing and collapsed on the floor. Malati dropped the tea and rushed to hold him. His mouth was frothing... He couldn't utter a single word. His mouth twitched crookedly giving him a monster look. 

Malati ran and got a glass of water to place in his hands. But he was wobbling too badly to put it to his mouth. Reflexively, Malati took the glass and put to his lips like a dutiful wife. She hated his mercenary ways but he was her husband after all! Mercifully,he came back with the hasty gulp of water and managed to breathe again. Hestared at the dark treasure room and howled loudly, "I have been cheated! All my wealth is looted.

An eerie silence descended. For a moment, Malati could not decide what to say. She had always known in her heart that avarice would bring his end one day but had prayed for it to be after her end. She had no idea whether this was an end or what was it?

"What happened?"

Gangaram started crying like a child with the caring love in her voice. He needed support now. Somehow he managed to speak, "the gold...the gold that I bought...it's fake, Malati, it's fake!"

"How come? You check everything when you buy."

"yes, I did!... I did check...it was all good then...I don't know what happened and how"

The entire transaction had been hushed, both parties not wanting villagers to know about it. Gangaram had met the man outside the village in an old temple to agree on terms. Gangaram had checked his credentials with his UAE passport and other official documents provided by the man. Gangaram had been very happy with himself as he had secured a further discount on price quoted by the man; which was already two thirds of his regular buying price.

The next day, they had met again in the temple. Gangaram had gone fully prepared to collect his stuff. The man had already kept the gold arranged in stacked up bricks. The whole lot could not be checked so both hadagreed on checking random samples. All samples had been perfect. Only after thorough checking, Gangaram had handed over the cash as price of the gold. The entire deal had proceeded smoothly without any delays or hiccups. Then, how come?

As he recollected the memories of the entire dealing that day, a sudden thought struck Gangaram like a bolt of lightning. Rising panic bloomed in his gaze. He put his hand to his throat and made a small, frantic, squeaking sound not unlike a little bird that has fallen from its nest. 

In the flurry of the whole hushed up deal to becompleted fast, it had just happened that the man had himself taken out sample sat random and given to Gangaram for his thorough checking. All good samples hadcome in the man's hand, possibly by accident, although Gangaram now suspected more likely by design! It had all seemed very natural, very smoothly proceeding. Blood rushed from his face as he realized he had been royally screwed.

"What will I do now?" Gangaram was trembling violently.

"Go! Find the man! Go to panchayat. They will give you justice." Malati insisted encouraging her husband to fight the sudden calamity.

The family in Allahabad haveli sat at the table enjoying a happy meal.

Mamaji smiled broad addressing PP, "Pratham beta, you must introduce Meghna to your mother. Let everything be official."

"Yes Of course, Mamaji. I will! Very soon! Just want to enjoy this bliss of being in love before I get the marriage noose round my neck. After that, I'll be completely in clutches of Meghna." PP winked at Meghna teasing her.

"As if, now you are not?" Meghna laughed happily, sounding for the whole world like a young lady in the throes of her first great love affair. Maybe that was precisely the case!

Just then there was a knock on the door. A messenger came from the Panchaayat sarpanch inviting Veer Mahantji for an urgent meeting. Veer was surprised at the invitation. Priests had said, he would be official mahant only after the rituals were done; but it looked like unofficially he was Mahant already in people's heart.

The messenger informed that Gangaram had requested for an urgent meeting. Mamaji and Veer exchanged looks. The big day had arrived. An oddly exhilarating thrill of anticipation swept through Veer. Things were happening as per Bhai's plan.

"Mamaji, you please proceed with this messenger to the Panchaayat. I'll just make a call and be right after you. Let's not keep people waiting for us." 

Miku smiled at Mamaji. He wanted to be the first person to give Bhai the big news. Bhai would be pleased.

Gangaram was acting hugely obsequious while narrating his case to the judges. "Maay-baap, now only you can save me. All my life's worth,all my earnings are gone in this. Only you can help me find that brother in law of Pandeyji.

Panches(Jury) called Pandeyji to the meeting. "What brother-in-law? What is it that you are talking about Gangaramji?

"Why Pandeyji? Don't you remember you came to my place the other day and we spoke about the whole thing.

"Yes I came and we spoke about the possibility of giving me another loan while my previous two loans are still pending due."

Pandeyji looked at the sarpanch, "After all Sarpanchji, before I agree to any bridegroom for my daughter, I have to know beforehand how much expense I can do in the wedding. So I went for that."

"No! He's lying. He spoke about his brother in law."

"Brother in law? What Brother in law? My wife is an orphan. Both her parents had died shortly after her birth and she was raised by her Uncle-aunt who don't have any child. You can enquire if you want, Sarpanchji. When I don't have a brother in law, how can I speak about him?Looks like Gangaramji has started hearing things. Everybody laughed along with Pandeyji.

Malati was watching from behind. She realized they had been duped but she could not give up on her husband. She had taken vows in front of god with this man. She would stand by him. She signalled to her husband to speak about deal done with Mamaji.

Advay was in a meeting explaining the importance of due diligence in their new project to his team when he received a call from home.It was Pooja.

"Bhaiyya, what's happened to Chandni since yesterday?She's all smiling otherwise; but suddenly sometimes I catch her looking absolutely desolate. I just passed the pooja room. She's been there since very long now praying desperately.

Advay knew the reason of Chandni's prayers. She was doing it all for the success of his mission. With her by his side, he was bound to win.The thought made Advay smile.

"Bhaiyya?" Pooja chided, "Where are you lost now? What's happening? I saw tears in Chandni's eyes. She looked like earnestly asking God for something."

Tears? Chandni must be thinking of my ill health. I told her not to worry; but her heart won't listen. 

"Pooja, it's nothing! We had a small argument in the morning. She wanted me to spend time at home today also...must be crying for that!" 

Advay just hoped that his reason would placate Pooja's doubts.

"Arguments are your daily feed nowadays. You both can't survive without them. But then, why is she doing nirjali upaas? (Dry fast)"

Now, this was taking it too far! She was weak as such and she fainted always; if she did not take proper meal. Then why was she going to such extremes?

"That must be for Miku's success. She's worried about him. Do me a favour, Pooja. Tell her, Miku is all fine. Everything is proceeding smoothly." 

He had to do something to distract Chandni's mind from his ill health. "Or maybe send her to my office with Mohan. I'll take her to club and spend time with her."

Pooja found Bhaiyya's explanation involving Miku vague but she didn't want to dwell further on it.

"Yes Bhaiyya! Please do that! The universe finds its balance when the two of you together."

She laughed at her own exaggerated statement but Advay knew it was true.

Gangaram tried his all-time apple polishing technique he had always used with Indrani in haveli.

"Mamaji, you are known to be honest. People vouch on your name. You tell the truth to these people. Did I not give gold to you in exchange of cash and I gave you a huge discount, too. You have my gold with you. Tell them!" 

Mamaji came forward and gestured in what he hoped appeared to be blithe unconcern. Though inside he was tense, not due to fear of these people; but due to the concern whether he would successfully fulfill the Vizier role which Advay had assigned to him.

"Respected Panches, I am a poor man. You know already, I stay at the haveli only as a caretaker. The haveli actually belongs to the respected late mahant couple, parents of Advay Singh Raizada. Poor couple was brutally murdered in broad daylight right in the temple premises. 

After that Yash narayan ji had started living in the haveli with his wife, my sister, Indrani. Indrani's ways were such that in her extravagance and her greed for heavy jewellery the haveli was mortgaged."

"Why are you talking all that? Gangaram was panicking as his tale was taking an altogether different turn.

"Do not interrupt me!" Mamaji sneered and turned to Panches. "The Panches deserve to know the entire truth, don't they?"

Miku grinned. He knew already that behind all his innocuous conduct and polite demeanour, Mamaji enjoyed the viciousness of sweet revenge.

Innocently, Mamaji continued, "It was so very kind of Advayji that he not only saved Indrani from Landlord's wrath but also saved haveli and thereafter even allowed Indrani to live there. And what did he get in return? Beating from goons?"

As Mamaji continued the tale, people's anger against Indrani went on building more and more and the Mahant brothers had all their sympathy.

"Even today, I spite of all that Indrani has done, Advayji keeps these young girls Meghna and Shikha under his wings without any malice. I am in haveli only to give fatherly care and companionship to Meghna. So where will I have any gold or money to buy gold?"

"It's Advay Singh Raizada who has that gold of mine!" Gangaram raised his voice and his finger both pointing towards Miku who sat behind with Panches.

The battle had now moved to the foremost warrior of Advay, Miku! He fought the urge to massage the tension out of his temples and looked Gangaram dead in the eye.

"Be careful of your tone and your words! It's the respected Mahantji Advay Singh Raizada! And he has purchased gold with official receipts from you. So think proper before you say anything."

He had learned never to make a threat, his brother had taught him that, but Gangaram had gotten the message all right: he was a hair away from death with any uncareful statement.

"But I want my gold back!" Gangaram whined with fervency as life was at stake now.

"Excuse me? Your gold? You sold it! Perhaps the same way as you have sold your ethics since long." Miku countered.

The sound of his voice, dark, chilled, controlled and seemingly emanating from some halo behind him, unnerved Gangaram to such a degree that he very nearly collapsed on ground.

Malati came forward with folded hands to support herhusband. "Mahantji, please do something. Please let us have the gold back otherwise how will we survive?" She spoke earnestly with solicitude.

Miku felt a distinct pang of pity for Gangaram's wife. He folded his hands at her addressing her politely, "Mai, anything feasible from my side, I will always do. But the gold has been transferred officially to temple trust fund. This gold was always originally the temple treasure and my Bhaaisahab is restoring it back to the temple by spending his own hard earned money."

Everybody was left agape at this wise declaration from Miku. The respect for the Mahant brothers increased multifold in people's minds.

 "Orphan children, striving to fulfil their parent's legacy!" The murmur spread around in the gathering.

Miku turned to Gangaram very casually, "Has someone really cheated you in this way? Because it's quite unheard of... Gold turning out to be fake like this...doesn't happen generally like that..."

"Of course, it does! Gangaram rose in self-defense and roared loud, "I have myself exchanged the fake gold in temple treasure during your father's time on Indrani's saying. How can you have not heard of it?"

Suddenly, there was shattering, stark silence as comprehension dawned upon the crowd. So it was him and Indrani conspiring against the honest senior Mahant. The confession had come directly from horse's mouth.

Gangaram realized the folly of his words. He began to tremble so violently, he had to sit down with his legs squeezed together, his head hunched into his contracted shoulders, hands clasped together between his knees as if he were praying to the devil.

Veer smiled with what could only be described as cold triumph. This man had earlier conspired with Indrani and been an accomplice in the heinous murder of his parents. Sixteen years had passed but his deed would now get paid with complete due plus the interest. Veer gave a nod at Mamaji.    

Chandni stood in Advay's personal inner room in his office. Soniya had asked her to wait inside the office as Advay would join her soon. She had known that the side door led to another room which was his personal sanctum. Out of sheer curiosity, she had opened the door, walked in and got lost into everything that she saw.

Advay came in as she was studying his research plan, her brows knitted together in a concentrating frown. Her bosom heaved with her sigh, drawing his attention. Advay felt her call as the most intimate, most natural one. Like a cuckoo singing to call its mate. She was there, waiting for him, calling to him, her sexy-as-sin scent heavy in the small, too warm space.

Like a magnet Advay got pulled and circled his arms surreptitiously from behind her. She was startled from her reverie and jerked back.

"What happened?" He asked in a low, husky tone.

She wasn't sure whether it was OK for her to enter here, to be privy to his innermost core. Or was this his too private a sanctum, where maybe even her entry was like an invasion. Well, now she'd gone and done it. She'd entered his inner sanctum and he was questioning her. The awkwardness of that moment hung over her like a guillotine.

"What happened?" She asked in a faked innocent yet brave retort facing him in the eyes. For all her bravado, Chandni shivered inwardly as his chocolate brown eyes pierced through her soul clearly seeing her discomfiture.

"Nothing happened?" His eyes took a darker shade focusing a supercilious stare at her gamine face which scintillated every male nerve of his.

"Nothing happened!" She declared boldly; though his slow, sexy smile turned her insides to treacle, warm and viscous, dulling her common sense. 

He reached out and touched her arm, starting at her shoulder and trailing a fingertip slowly down to her wrist. Her breath hitching as he slipped his thumb into her palm and stroked it in lazy, concentric circles. 

It sent heat flowing through her. This man was her husband; they knew each other inch by inch, nerve by nerve. How could something as simple as this make her want to tear off his clothes and ravish him? How could a stroke convey an invitation?

"What are you doing?" She murmured, finding his invitation too bold and blatant. She couldn't admit her own lascivious thoughts. 

Then she made a mockery of her bold declaration when she let out an embarrassing yelp as he nuzzled her neck, nipping at the tender skin with small, precise bites designed to tease.

"The same that I am sent on earth to do!" 

Questions had been enough for the day.

He pressed into her firmly but gently, while his hands tenderly floated across her cheeks. He did not open his mouth. But Chandni's blood sang in her ears, and she felt herself flush and grow hot as she pressed forward against his chest, closing the gap between them and winding her arms around his back.

She could feel the muscles underneath his shirt. She could almost feel his heart beating against her own chest. But he was so gentle, so tender. His mouth left her wanting more much, much more.

She wasn't sure how long they kissed, but by the time he released her Chandni's head was spinning. It was transcendent. It enriched her entire being.

His emotions and his good judgment were in a raging battle. His eyes were shining, reluctance and need emanating fromthem.

"Come, let's go!" He turned abruptly, a turmoil in his heart.

"Wait a minute!" Chandni laid a restraining hand on his arm.

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Well! Gangaram's lie has come out with Advay's mind game. 

What happens with Miku nodding to Maamaji... read further... the drama continues!

What's Chandni going to say to Advay? What's on her mind?

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