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Sheetal threw a bundle of notes to a person standing with his arms crossed against his chest in an obedient manner. The man caught the bundle with surprise etched in his features and looked at her for answers.
"Yeh Paise Lo. You know what I want you to do. Mera Kaam Ho Jaana Chahiye. Trust me, if anything goes wrong, you would regret the day you were born," she warned, her eyes twinkling with maliciousness and her voice thick and stern.
He visibly shivered at her threat and knew that he was in deep trouble. On one side were his ethics and on the other side was his life and his family's life. To err was human, he told himself and nodded nervously, sweat running down his temple as he thought of Arnav Singh Raizada, whose life was going to turn into a hell on earth, all thanks to the sly woman in front of him.
"And yes, if you do the job correctly, I would ensure a promotion for you," she offered, shaking the wine in her glass as she observed the liquid with great interest.
"Thank you, Ma'am," he mouthed in trepidation. She signed to him without any sign of courtesy to move out with her hand as she continued to sip her wine, seeking pleasure and letting a smirk dance on her lips.
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*Arnav Singh Raizada, a victim or an attention-seeking gold-digger?*
Arnav had prepared himself to face nerve-wrecking pain after Shyam's advice but nothing could ever prepare him to feel the pain of being called an attention-seeking gold-digger on a national platform. There was no doubt in his mind that the media was bribed by Sheetal and that hit him harder.
How low could that vile woman stoop? She stole the peace of his mind and now, she bribed the reporters to steal his reputation and dignity. Would she leave something dear to him to relish?
Questions haunted Arnav's mind as he stared at the news on TV. He had received numerous calls from various people, many of them who had not spoken to him in days, months and years. The sudden interest in him made him feel like going to a forest where no one could find him and torment him.
Even Anjali had not been spared. She received numerous calls from her college-mates and acquaintances, not to ask how her brother was but to confirm that Arnav Singh Raizada was indeed her brother and was the same man as in the news.
Shyam and Khushi had reached to Arnav's home in the early hours of morning to offer their moral support. They knew that it was not going to be easy and would only get difficult as the day passes by. Khushi was expecting reporters to flood at the gates to seek an interview of Arnav.
And she was right.
The shouts of reporters seeking interview had begun about thirty minutes back and they were trying to ignore it as much as they could. Khushi and Shyam, publicly known to be linked with the case got numerous calls and messages seeking an interview.
"Arnav, I think you should do it," said Khushi finally.
"Seriously? You saw the news, didn't you? They will only twist my words and malign the case further. It would be of no use," argued Arnav, digging his fingers into his locks.
"I have my friends in the media, Arnav. They all have assured me that they are on your side because it is only just. You have seen the negative side, Arnav. They will show you the positive side. Moreover, if you don't make public appearances, you would be labeled as the 'culprit' because people on the right side have no right and reason to be scared," she said, her voice shivering with emotion. Her tone forced Arnav to look up at her, at someone who was feeling his pain and living his sorrow.
She had seen many cases through her career but this case would be her most memorable and would require the most of her. She was used to media's attention and media being on the side she was but never the opposite. She knew about media's dirty politics but this was different. Media maligning a character, because the case was different was surely a new low in the journalism history.
"Khushi is right, Arnav. You should do it. If they ask stupid questions, we are here to handle it. Trust us on this," requested Shyam, the warmth in his eyes melting Arnav's coldness.
Arnav looked over to Anjali, waiting for her thoughts. Her eyes were misted and she had gone completely speechless. Her darling brother was enduring so many taunts and there was nothing she could do, so she did the only thing she could do. She nodded in approval at him, her approval pulling Arnav to his feet.
Tens of cameras flashed as Arnav walked in to face the cameras and the ocean of reporters surged towards him. Panic gripped him hard but the grip of those who supported him never left his side, filling in motivation in his devastated self.
"Arnav Singh Raizada, is this any kind of publicity stunt that you and Ms. Sheetal are trying to pull off?" asked one of the reporters while the other questioned the reason behind his absence for long.
"Why did you file this case after a month? Are you doing this to tarnish Sheetal's name and her company?" questioned another while Khushi clenched Arnav's palm to soothe him of his wounds.
"A man has to be fully aroused for an act of sexual intercourse and that requires pleasure, hence ruling out the instance of rape. Aren't you ashamed to raise false allegations on Ms.Sheetal? Are your family members involved in this hideous plan of yours? Is this the kind of upbringing your parents gave you?"
That was it. Arnav Singh Raizada had finally lost his temper. His fury crept into his darkened features as he shoved the reporter who dared to speak against his family. An uproar rung through the sea of media surrounding him.
"Don't you dare talk about my family! You have no right to violate privacy!" he shouted at the reporter, who appeared to be shaken at Arnav's sudden outburst.
Shyam and Anjali pulled Arnav away from the reporters while Khushi turned to the camerapersons who were taking videos of Arnav shoving the reporter and the reporters taking down notes. Her form trembled with fury while her eyes were blazing with anger.
"What happened here was a gross violation of the journalism ethics and a perfectly human reaction to that. The guidelines of the journalism dictate that a survivor's privacy could not be violated at any cost and you," She pointed towards the reporter who committed the deed and continued," did the exact same thing. We are going to file a case of defamation against this media house. Meet you in the court!"
She turned around on her heel and walked to Arnav and his sister and her brother who were staring at her fiery warning. She took Arnav's hand in hers and said,
"Chalo Arnav! I am sorry you had to face this but I promise you, they will face the punishment for this."
She guided him into the house, while all Arnav could do was to stare at her and replay her compassionate gestures directed towards him and feel a certain warmth spread through his system.
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