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Part 9 - Trial by fire
Maami carefully made her way back to the crowded Gurudwara, out of sight from Shyam. She had the presence of mind to call Anjali from her own phone and tell her what had happened. Anjali was mentally prepared for anything and refused to be shocked or cowed. "Shyam has just accelerated the plan I had put in place and dug his own grave. You come home maamiji and be very careful."
Anjali then called the security firm that Arnav usually used and arranged to double up security at Shantivan. She had them assign guards in plainclothes near Khushi's ward for both Arnav and Khushi.
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Akash had taken Naaniji, Mama ji to pick up the Guptas on the way to the hospital. The Raizadas were surprised and pleased to see Bauji's progress - He could take halting steps and get into the car by himself. Payal had filled in the Guptas about Khushi's accident and the happy news. So it was with mixed feelings of happiness, sadness and worry that this little group filed into Khushi's room. The Guptas tried hard to suppress their tears and gave their Arnav bitwa a comforting hug. "If they only knew that I was the cause of this whole mess, they would not be so forbearing," Arnav thought. The Guptas had got dinner for Arnav and Payal and everyone partook a little bit. The doctor who came around was very optimistic and said that there were definite signs that the patient was going to improve and be alright.
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At this time, Anjali called Akash. She told him that there had been a change of plans and to get the Guptas to Shantivan. She also told Arnav that she would be calling him and Payal once everyone was back home.
Once everyone was assembled in Shantivan, Anjali conferenced Arnav and Payal in via speakerphone. She started at the point where she had started helping Bauji, how she had overheard them talking about Shyam and the legwork she had done to uncover all of his past misdeeds talking to his clients, Kamalaji, his creditors. She described how she had seen copies of checks that she had supposedly signed all forged by Shyam which could be used to bring fraud charges against him. Maami then took over and explained what they had overheard this morning of how Shyam had been taunting Arnav about Khushi. She didnt go into the details of Arnav and Khushi's problems - That was an issue to be sorted out for another day. She then talked about how she had gone to meet Kamalaji and showed those assembled the video of Shyam stabbing Kamala ji on the cell phone. Anjali then took over, she said she had requested commisioner uncle to come home so that they could apprehend Shyam whenever he turned up at Shaantivan. Anjali showed them the folder she had collected about Shyam and his crimes. Bauji agreed to testify about the attempted murder assault. Everyone was amazed, shocked, but most of all impressed by how calm and collected Anjali was with the whole issue. Arnav broke in, "Di, I have some information on his misconduct in some of his past cases as well. The folder is locked in my office drawer and Akash can get it for you. I was waiting till you had safely had the baby. But it looks like you are ready to move on. So, lets go for it. I dont want Bauji, Aunty and Buaji going back home until Shyam has been caught, is safely behind bars and is likely to stay there for a while. If Bauji is going to testify, we need to get him into a secure place.". By this time, the commissioner had arrived and had heard the last part. Anjali had already been keeping him posted and getting his advice on how to best get a divorce, whether to wait till he was arrested for his crimes or to first divorce then pursue the criminal angle later. The most recent murder had precipitated matters. This was a dangerous guy and he needed to be put behind bars quickly.
Anjali was visibly tired - She had run around so much today that she had no energy to get up from the couch and go to her room. Akash offered to lift her, She begged off and just fell asleep right there with Nani smoothing away her forehead and tendrils of hair and Mami ji gently massaging her feet. "Anjali di will be okay, we will make sure she is", Akash vowed to himself as he showed his inlaws their room. Shyam had not yet arrived.
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Book Talk
Anupamaa
293