joint ff::ema as per fans :part 4 page 21(swara) 1/4 - Page 19

Chapter 4

Stepping out of his car the next morning, Raghav looked on as memories recovered, fresh as they had ever been, as he looked at that name "Singhaniya Chawl". Memories of his father, how Sahil Kapoor killed him, and how his childhood was ruined was what he kept in mind as he took the steps forward, at the same time avoiding any thought of the little girl who had been his ray of sunshine during those days of darkness. He shouldn't think of her now, he can't think of her, he tried to persuade himself, yet despite his purpose being to meet Pakhi, the girl his gaze was searching wasn't her.

Seeing some chawl people coming out of their houses, he took a few steps back and stood at the opposite wall. Determined not to look anywhere in the direction of Kamla bai's house, he called his informer to verify once more.

"You sure she will be here?"

"Yes sir, she comes here every morning to meet Kamla bai."

...

Kalpi was forced to get ready hurriedly, having gotten up late. In order to keep her mother pleased and herself away from her, she had decided to go for job interviews at a few places today. This would also help in disguising her new identity of "KJ", leaving everyone and especially the Kapoors under the impression that she's the same powerless Kalpi to whom they can do whatever they wish.

Hearing Pakhi outside, she felt glad that she was leaving. At least she won't have to encounter that pampered princess again.

Ignoring Kamla and Pakhi completely, Kalpi hugged her Baba and Dada, and got out murmuring hurried byes. Kamla's hurt gaze after her went ignored.

Her feet stopped barely out of the gate at the sight of the man standing outside. As her eyes met with him, she felt recognition... she felt that she was somehow connected to him, and that feeling brought back an old, dull ache in her heart...

She was suddenly reminded of Raghav.

That moment passed, and she looked away, mentally hitting herself for acting like that. Pushing away the lingering thought of Raghav, she walked away from the chawl in long strides.

No, she told herself, she can't think about Raghav now, she can't mess everything up after working so hard. And it was no use anyway, she told herself more firmly, he doesn't love her.

Her thoughts were interrupted by an incoming call. It was Abhi.

"Hello"

"I was told by a little birdie flying past your house that you're applying for a job. Is that true? Why, our profits aren't enough to satisfy you needs? You greedy girl!"

"Abhi, would you stop talking nonsense or should I come and punch you?" Kalpi asked sternly.

"Point is, Kalpi, you didn't tell us. Now that's not good, is it? And now I'm hearing that you'll be going by bus, despite having two friends who have cars here and will more than willingly drop you."

"Where exactly are you hearing all this?" Kalpi asked.

"Standing behind you." He replied.

Kalpi turned, disconnecting, to see Abhi getting out of his car.

"Come, I'll drop you." He said as soon as he was at hearing distance.

"This is why I didn't tell you. 'Why are you applying for job?' 'Why are you going by bus?' All these questions are what I want to avoid. I wanted to tell you guys when it's all set."

"Well, I got to know anyway, so let's play question-answer." He said.

Kalpi sighed. "Okay. So as I come from a lower middle class background and now I'm qualified enough to contribute to my family's economy in quite a substantial way, it's only natural that now I start looking for work. Before you say that I already own a company, let me remind you yet again that to the world, I'm still Kalpana Jadav, not KJ."

"I wasn't about to." He said, raising his eyebrows. "I would've said that you can apply in our company only. The Hitler would then know how those under her feel." He added with a smirk.

"Ha ha..." Kalpi replied sourly. "Well, it is one of the companies to which I'm applying, but I'll join only if I don't get a confirmation from anywhere else. Though it's not something I expect."

"Oh well, you hate us so much - "

"Come on, Abhi..." Kalpi interjected. "I just... Let's-Let's not risk it, you know... make it too obvious..." she added in explanation.

"Okay, go ahead then. But of course, our doors are always open for you, bestie." He said before leaving.

...

"How did the interviews go beta?" her Baba asked as soon as she returned, welcoming her with a glass of nimbu-paani.

"Good." Kalpi replied shortly. "I hope I'll get a job at one of the bigger companies."

Kamla didn't come to greet her this time, she knew that this time also Kalpi will ignore her and didn't have the courage to face her daughter's ignorance yet again.

Kalpi just spared her a look before retreating into her room. Not that she hated her, but her feelings for her mother had somewhere died that day when she was humiliated in front of so many people and even her mother believed more in her masters than her own daughter.

She knew that the day she exposes the Kapoors lies and reduces them to dust, her mother would finally realize her folly, maybe even apologize... But she didn't know if she'll ever be able to love her mother the same way again.

...

"The interviews done?" Raghav asked Sammy.

"Yes." Sammy replied.

"You went to Elite University as well, right? Did our little victim Ms Kapoor Apply?" Raghav asked, now immersed in a file.

"Yes, she did." Sammy replied with a broad smile. "She'd had a row with her parents in the morning itself; she didn't lose time in preparing for her independence. But no worries, she won't be. Sahil Kapoor won't let that happen."

"Hmm." Raghav replied. "Okay, you can shortlist the candidates. Just make sure that we employ little Miss Kapoor for sure. This is the best way to catch her alone, unaccompanied; it will also be of help that she's getting rebellious, as you say."

"Yeah." Sammy said. He looked at him a little mysteriously, a small smile on his face, before leaving the room.

He first searched for two specific candidates, who to be appointed first of all, for special purposes. The first was, naturally, Pakhi Kapoor. The second, Kalpana V. Jadav.

...

Kalpana looked at the letter in disbelief. The letter of appointment didn't hold much interest from Kalpana; it was as formal and dry as it can be, and probably was same for every candidate selected; no, it was the signature at the end that interested her.

R. Singhaniya

It could be someone else as well, of course, there was no need to get excited, she tried to convince herself. But the sign, the handwriting... it was remarkably similar to a certain R. Singhaniya that she knew. To add to it, the sign on the other side was of Samar Raizada. As far as she knew, that was what Mr Raizada's son's name was.

She immediately rushed to Abhi's house, where she had informed their entire gang to assemble. She needed to be KJ for a moment, and she needed her friends.

"It seems to be Raghav Singhaniya only." Abhi said darkly.

Kalpi just nodded.

"So what will you do? Reject the offer?" Kabir asked.

She looked after a few moments. "I'll accept it."

"What!" Abhi shouted. "Tell me you don't still have feelings for him or trust him!"

Shutting out her heart, Kalpi replied, "No, I don't. And that's why I will accept the job."

"You mean?" Kabir said, raising his eyebrows.

"I mean that I'll use this job to my advantage. I'll use him to my advantage." Kalpi replied, turning away to stop herself from betraying any emotion.

"Are you saying what I think you're saying? That you'll use him as a pawn to reach your goal?" Rachu asked, her shock reflecting in her eyes.

"That's better!" Abhi said with a sigh of relief, "It'll be like a double revenge."

"I'll do whatever my goal demands me to." She replied dismissively, ignoring her heart's agony at these words. "I don't care."