Part 14: Mommy issues, Daddy issues& Bhabi issues
~~~The next morning after the party~~~
When Anurag came at the breakfast table,he was greeted by the concerned looks of his family members.Sitting down,he smiled at them saying,"Good Morning everyone.". Mohini was the first to reply,"Good morning,baby.Did you sleep well last night?".Anurag replied,"Yes Ma, especially kal raat ko aapse baat karne ke baad.Aapne baba se baat ki?". Moloy smiled at him reassuringly,and said,"Don't worry maine security agency waalon se baat ki hai,woh log aaj hi kaam pe lag jayenge.Aaj ke baad humare Ghar aur Basu Publications ke andar koi bhi bina ID proof ke nahi enter kar payega.". Mohini added,"Aur breakfast ke baad hi main Sharma Niwas jaaungi.". Moloy asked jokingly,"Haan,waise bhi aaj kal Prerna ki shakal dekhe bina Mohini ka khaana hazam nahi hota.Honestly Anupam,agar aisa hi chalta raha na toh mujhe Prerna se kehna parega stay away from my wife!".Anupam laughed at this.Rolling her eyes, Mohini said,"Main Sharma house ek bohot hi serious matter ke liye jaa rahi hu.Main chahti hu ke Komolika ke trial hone tak,poori Sharma family humare Ghar aakar rahe.".
Moloy was a little puzzled at this,"Iss ki Kya zaroorat hai, Mohini?Main bhi unke ghar mein security ka intezaam karwata hu.Aur Waise bhi I don't think ki woh log tumhare iss request ko manenge.Woh unka ghar hai,after all.". Mohini shook her head at this,"Nahi Moloy,that's not enough.Dekhiye humare ghar mein woh log zyada safe rahenge,after all yaha pe CCTV facilities hai,sab pe nazar rakhna aur sabko protect karna aur bhi zyada aasaan hoga.Aur woh log kaise refuse kar sakte hai,after all unki beti ki jaan khatre mein hai.Komolika Prerna ko maarna chahti thi,Prerna ne usse expose kiya,toh Komolika se sabse zyada khatra Prerna ko hai.Woh Prerna ko phir se target nahi karegi,iski Kya guarantee hai, Moloy?Don't you think it's better we be safe than be sorry?". Moloy looked at Anurag,who nodded showing his agreement with Mohini.Sighing he said,"Achcha theek hai Mohini,tum Veena bhabhi se baat karna.Lekin promise me ki tum unpe ya Prerna koi zor nahi daalogi."
Mohini replied,"Theek hai,but I am sure ki Prerna aur uske honewale bachche ki safety ko dhyaan rakhte huwe,Veena meri baat zaroor manegi.".
Just then, Nivedita's phone buzzed.Looking at it,she said,"Baba,Mr.Bajaj humse ek urgent meeting karna chahte hai,abhi iss hi waqt.".This surprised everyone at the table.Moloy asked,"Kyu?Kya likha hai message mein?". Nivi said,"Kuch nahi,mere assistant ne bas mujhe text kiya ki Mr.Bajaj,aaj humse urgently milna chahte hai.That's it.I guess usse bhi kuch zyada nahi pata.". Moloy said,"OK fine,tum apne assistant se kaho ke Mr.Bajaj ke staff ko inform karde ke hum unse aaj gyaraah baje Basu Publications mein milenge.". Concerned at the latest development, Mohini asked,"Moloy,is everything alright?".
"Kuch nahi hua, Mohini bas unhe shayad kuch last minute negotiations discuss karni hogi unhe.". What escaped Moloy's notice was Anurag and Nivedita exchanging a worried look.At the time of negotiations with Mr.Bajaj's representatives, only they were present.Moloy had no idea that they omitted the matter of mortgage from Mr.Bajaj.And now they both feared Mr.Bajaj finding out about this and cancelling the deal.
Getting up Moloy announced,"Onu,Nivi chalo office ke liye late ho raha hai."
~~~~~~~X~~~~~~~
As Mishka sat in the auto on her way to the jail,she couldn't help but reflect on Ved's words and wonder if he was right about Komolika tricking her again,and exploiting her Mother's love for her own selfish reasons.Upon reaching the police station,she gingerly looked around her.So this was where her sister lived now.After spending an entire life in opulent bungalows and imported cars,her sister's latest abode is a 6X6 jail cell with no freedom at all.If this wasn't karma, Mishka didn't know what was.This also showed her how desperate Komolika must be to get out of here.Ved was right, she had to be careful.Mishka felt her muscles tense,as she saw Komolika approach her.Five days in jail hadn't changed her sister much.There was still the proud peacock strut.She still wore the same kind of clothes,Mishka had sent them right after Komolika was taken into custody.Both sisters faced one another.They were only inches apart separated by a netted wall.First thing Mishka noticed about Komolika was her blackened right eye.Seeing her stare at it, Komolika casually said,"Ek psycho aunty thi,hum dono ko hi window ke paas wala bed chahiye tha.".Taking in her appearance, Komolika said,"Waise tumpe road side ke kapde achche lagte hai.Now I finally see what Mohini Basu means ki insaan ko apne class ke hisaab se dress karna chahiye.Plain white shirt,blue jeans,I have to say uss fatichar ki taste bilkul uski tarah hai, ordinary!".Mishka fumed at this,"Main yaha pe apne boyfriend ki insult sunne nahi aayi hu.So let's get down to business,tumhe mujse Kya chahiye?". Komolika scoffed at this,"Mujhe tumse Kya chahiye?Ya tumhe mujse kya chahiye?Tum yaha pe Ma ki jewelry ke liye aayi ho na.".Mishka coldly smiled at this,and said,"Haan,lekin main yeh bhi jaanti hu ke tum mujhe woh locker ki chaabi yun hi nahi dogi.Iss ke badle mein tumhe kuch chahiye?". Pretending to ponder on it,Mishka raised her finger on her chin and staring at the ceiling, she said,"Umm..let me guess tumhe kya chahiye hoga mujhse.Haan...tum chahti ho ki main tumhare against evidence ko destroy karu aur iss liye tumne mom ka bahana kiya.(looking at Komolika)Actually unki koi jewelry locker mein nahi hai.Tum bas mujse jhoot bolkar,woh evidence pana chahti thi.".
Komolika smiled at her and said,"Well,I have to say.Uss detective boyfriend ke saath rehke tum kaafi smart hogayi ho sis! Actually tum bilkul sahi keh rahi ho.Uss locker ke chaabi ke badle mein mujhe woh evidence chahiye.Ye sach hai,ki tumhe yaha tak laane ke liye maine Ma ka naam use kiya,but main jhoot nahi bol rahi hu.".Mishka scoffed at that.Komolika continued,"Ma ke death ke baad,unke saari jewelry aur kapdo ko Dad ne donate kiya tha.I guess apna paap kam karne ke liye(rolling her eyes).Lekin woh cheezein,jinki koi sentimental value hai jaise unki shaadi ki chunri aur gehne, usko Dad ne sambhaal ke apne locker mein rakha tha.If you don't believe me tum humare lawyers se baat Kar sakti.Ma ki death ke baad unki har cheez ko maine khud itemize karke locker mein rakhwaya tha.".Mishka gave Komolika a long hard look before saying,"Fine.Main Dad ke lawyers se baat karti hu.". Komolika smiled at this,"Good.So I hope ki agli baar jab tum yaha aaogi, evidence ke saath aaogi,warna Ma ki jewelry toh tumhe milne se rahi.Aur haan,agar tumne mujhe double cross karne ka socha,(lowering her voice),toh yaad rakhna Mishka,woh psychotic aunty abhi hospital mein hai severe spinal injury ke liye,aur maine unhe touch bhi nahi kiya tha.".Mishka flinched at the veiled threat.Seeing this Komolika smiled,"Goodbye then, little sister.I hope tum mujhe jaldi se koi good news dogi.".She turned to leave when Mishka said,"Aap ne aisa kyun kiya Didu?Aap Mom ki Rajkumari thi.Unke death ke baad sabse zyada aap royi thi.Aur phir aapne unhi ke kaatil ke saath haath milaya?Aapne itna bada dhoka mom ko kaise diya?".Angry at being reminded of the weakest moments of her life, Komolika turned around and said,"Maine Ma ko koi dhoka nahi diya.Jab tak mujhe sach ke pata chala woh already mar chuki thi.Lekin main zinda thi,aur mujhe apne aap ko bachana tha har haal mein!Iss liye maine Dad ko support kiya,kyuki ek dad hi the jo mujhe bacha sakte the.Jinki weakness ko main exploit karke survive kar sakti thi!Oh don't look at me like that Mishka!Tumhe kya lagta hai Dad ne mera crime iss liye chhupaya hai because he loved me?No!In fact agar unke pehle main expose ho jaati toh woh khud mujhe arrest karwaate,taaki unke voters ko lage ki Mr.Siddhant Chaubey kitne fair aur unbiased insaan hai, justice ke liye woh apni beti ko bhi sacrifice kar sakte hai!Listen Mishka,Ma aur mere beech kya rishta tha woh mujhe tumse sunne ki zaroorat nahi.Main bas itna jaanti hu ke humari Ma ek victim thi.Aur unki death ne mujhe yeh sikhaaya tha ki apne survival se bada iss duniya mein aur kuch bhi nahi hai.So little sis(clicking her fingers),you better get to work,kyuki main jail se nikal rahi hu,aur iss mein tum meri madad karogi,agar tumhe apni aur apne doston ke safety ka khayal hai to"
~~~~~~~~X~~~~~~~~~~
~At Sharma Niwas~
Mohini entered Sharma Niwas to see the Sharma's at the table having breakfast.Her eyes caught Veena serving Prerna a Kachori.Mohini cringed at this, thinking,Subah subah itna oily khaana,lagta hai mujh akeli ko iss bachche ki health ki fikar hai.Clearing her throat,she announced her presence.The Sharma's were surprised to see Mohini.Nonetheless,Veena got up from the table and greeted her,"Arey, Mohiniji aiyye na.".As Veena led Mohini to the drawing room,she called,"Suman,beta zara chai laana Mohiniji ke liye.". "Haan,Ma",Suman replied sweetly.Prerna came and sat across Mohini and asked,"Good Morning, Kakimoni.Aapko mujse koi kaam tha kya?". Smiling, Mohini replied,"Kyun?After all tum mere bete ke bachche ki maa ho,chahe tum maano ya maano tum humari family ka hissa ho.Aur Mohini Basu apne family ka dhyaan humesha rakhti hai.Aur haan,mujhe tumse ek important baat karni hai.Aur tumse bhi Veena".
Veena sat next to Prerna asked,"Kya baat karni hai humse,Mohiniji?". Taking the cup of tea,from Suman Mohini thanked her.Mohini continued,"Komolika ke trial ko abhi do hafte baaki hai.".The entire family tensed at the mention of Rajesh's killer.To Veena, sometimes it was still hard to believe that someone could actually harm her kind and mild mannered husband, let alone murder him.Prerna broke the silence,"Haan,mujhe pataa hai.Toh?". Mohini replied,"Komolika kitni dangerous hai,yeh toh tumhe bhi pataa after all usne tumhe jaan se maarne ki koshish ki thi.Aur ab jab woh pakdi gayi hai,aur usse bachane wala koi nahi hai,toh woh aur bhi zyada desperate hogi,yaa ni ki aur bhi zyada khatarnaak.Hum usse leke aur koi risk nahi lena chahte,iss liye humne Basu Bari mein tight security ka intezaam kiya hai.Koi bhi bina humari permission ke ghar ke andar nahi aa payega,plus ghar ke aas paas humne extra security guards hire kiye hai aur ek aur team round the clock CCTV footage pe nazar rakhegi.".Veena spoke up,"Yeh sab aap hume kyu bataa rahi hai Mohiniji...kya aap chahti hai ki hum yaha pe bhi security ka intezaam kare?". Mohini replied,"Nahi,Veena.Main chahti hoon tum log, Komolika ke trial hone tak Basu Bari mein aake raho.". Mohini's words were met with complete silence.Until Shivani spoke up,"Kya?!Trial khatam hone tak aapke ghar?!Yeh,kaise ho sakta hai Kakimoni?". Mohini protested,"Kyu nahi ho sakta?Tum log humare ghar mein bohot comfortably rahoge.Besides,agar sab ek saath ek hi chhat ke niche rahenge toh security ko hume protect karne mein aasaani hogi.Aur baat sirf do hafto ki toh hain.Uske baad tum log yaha wapas aa jaana.".Prerna protested,"Thanks, Kakimoni par iski koi zaroorat nahi.Main Ved se baat karke security ki arrangements ghar pe hi kara lungi,I don't think mujhe isse zyada kuch karne ki zaroorat hai.Komolika jail mein hai,aur usse help karne wala aur koi nahi,woh Puri tarah se akeli hai.Woh humara kya bigaregi?".Suman frowned at this.No matter what her sister in law always managed to ruin her happiness.For Suman,two weeks in Basu Bari meant two weeks in the lap of luxury.Two weeks of staying in an opulent mansion, riding in imported cars and that too for free!!But of course her sister in law had to ruin this for her.Ruefully, she thought,agar yeh maan jaati toh do hafte ke liye hume ghar ke kaam se chhutti milti,lekin nahi,Prerna Didi ko isse kya!Yeh chahe jo bhi kahe,hume poora yakeen hai ki inhe ek chai ka cup bhi nahi dhona para hoga Basu Bari mein.Hum aam housewives ke mushkilon ke baare mein inhe kya pata?!Mohini tried to explain her,"Yeh kaafi nahi hoga Prerna.Tum aur main bhi jaante hai ki woh ladki kitni sar phiri hai.Tum log do hafte tak ghar ke andar band to nahi reh sakte na?!Kabhi na kabhi to baahar jaoge aur agar tab usne kisise keh kar tumhe ya tumhare parivaar waalon ko hurt karne ki koshish ki,tab tum kya karogi Prerna?At least agar tum log humare saath rahoge toh yeh nahi hoga.Tum log humari gaadi mein,humare trusted drivers ke saath travel karoge.Aur ek bodyguard humesha tum logo ke saath rahega.".Veena spoke up,"Priu, beta hume lagta hai ki Mohiniji theek keh rahi hai.Jab tak Komolika ka trial nahi ho jaata kam se kam, tujhe Basu Bari mein rehna chahiye.".Prerna opened her mouth to protest,when Veena stopped her,"Beta,tu maa banne wali hai,ab tujh par tere aur Anurag ke honewale bachche ki zimmedaari bhi hai,apne liye nahi toh apne bachche ki salamati ke liye waha jaa kar reh.Agar Mohiniji ki baat sach ho gayi aur tujhe iss ghar mein rehte huwe kuch ho gaya beta to hum khudko kabhi maaf nahi kar payenge!.". Prerna took her mother's hand in hers.Reassuringly,she said,"Ma, please aap shant ho jaao.Main aur mera bachcha yaha pe bilkul safe hai.(looking pointedly at Mohini)Hum sab bas Komolika se kuch zyada hi darr rahe hai.(addressing Mohini) Kakimoni,main aur mera parivaar yaha rehne wale hai.Agar aap chahe toh humari security ka intezaam yahi kar sakti hai.Aur rahi baat Komolika ke vaar karne ki,abhi aap hi ne toh kaha ke woh jail mein hai,uski help karne wala koi nahi uspe already murder aur mere attempted murder ka charge hai,toh woh mujhe chot pohochake apne against iss case ko aur strong kyu karegi?". Mohini lost her temper,she angrily said,"Tum bohot badi galti kar rahi ho Prerna,agar usne-". Prerna coolly cut her off,"Kakimoni,aapko kya lagta hai main darrti hu usse?Jab woh Basu Bari mein aapke full support ke saath rehti thi, agar main tab usse nahi darri toh ab kyu darrungi.Now if you will please excuse me,mujhe Shekhar bhaiya ke saath apne divorce lawyer se milne jaana hai.". Mohini glowered at her before saying,"Achcha theek hai, jaisi tumhari marzi.Lekin agar tumhe ya mere Onu ke bachche ko kuch bhi huwa to uski zimmedaari tumhari hogi.". Recollecting the abuse and mockery she had to endure in that house, Prerna said,"Shayad aap pichle teen mahine bhool chuki hai par main nahi bhooli,iss bachche ki zimmedaari pehli bhi meri thi,aur aage bhi meri hi rahegi.Thank you so much for your concern, Kakimoni.". Giving her another stern look Mohini left.Prerna turned to Shekhar and said,"Bhaiya chale, lawyer ke appointment ke liye der ho rahi hai na?". Shekhar replied,"Haan,Ma mein waha se hi office chala jaunga.Suman,mera bag laana". Suman headed towards their bedroom in silent fury.She will make her sister in law pay for this!Just then her phone beeped.It was a message from Mohini.It read:Kuch karo.A smile formed across her pretty face,as an idea came to her mind.
~At Basu Publications~
When Mr.Bajaj entered the conference room of Basu Publications,he was greeted by Mr.Moloy Basu and his two children.Accompanying them were members of their staff.On the other hand,Mr.Bajaj had just come with Mr.Gupta.He looked at Moloy Basu.This man used to be one of his idols,a self-made man who had genuine warmth and compassion for everyone irrespective of where they came from.But today,when Mr.Bajaj looked at him,all he saw was a cunning and desperate man, trying to cheat him.Deep down,he felt a little sad about what he was about to do.But he will do it anyway.Moloy broke the silence and said,"Good morning,Mr.Bajaj,aap please baithye na.".Mr.Bajaj smiled at him,as he took his seat.Moloy said,"Toh kahiye,aaj ki meeting aapne kis silsile mein bulaayi hai.".Bracing himself,Mr.Bajaj said,"Aaj ki meeting maine, ek bohot hi important silsilay bulaaya hai.Main ek idealistic insaan nahi hoon.Lekin main ek fair insaan hu,maine apne business mein kabhi beimaani nahi ki hai.Aur jo log mere saath business karte hai,main unse bhi yahi fairness ki umeed rakhta hu,Mr.Basu.".Anurag and Nivi exchanged a worried look.Baffled at what Mr.Bajaj was implying Moloy said,"That's good,Mr.Bajaj,main bhi aapke sentiments share karta hu.Business mein honesty aur transparency bohot zaroori hai.".
Mr.Bajaj scoffed at this,"Strange,waise Mr.Basu aapko pata hai na Jo log kehte kuch hai aur karte kuch aur hai,unhe hypocrite kehte hai.". Moloy sternly replied
" Aapko jo bhi kehna hai please saaf saaf kahiye Mr.Bajaj.".Mr.Bajaj smiled at him and said,"Jab humare beech negotiations ho rahe the Mr.Basu tab naa aap present the,naa main.Lekin jab bhi meri team mere liye koi deal negotiate karti hai,usse pehle main unhe achche se brief karta hu ke unhe Kya bataana chahiye,kya nahi bataana chahiye, aap bhi aisa hi karte honge na Mr.Basu?".Not sure where this conversation was going, Moloy replied,"Haan,main bhi bilkul waisa hi karta hu,lekin pichchle ek saal se humare saare negotiations Meri beti Nivedita sambhaalti hai,toh ab main negotiations mein utna involved nahi hu.".Mr.Bajaj coolly glanced at Nivedita,who nervously returned his gaze.She tried to speak,"Look...Mr.Bajaj humara aapko dhoka dene ka koi iraada nahi tha..". Mr.Bajaj smirked,"Ab jab aap pakdi gayi toh of course aapka dhoka dene ka koi iraada nahi hoga.Waise ek baat bataiye Nivedita,Kya yeh negotiation tactic aapne apne Baba se seekha hai?Kyuki I don't remember ke cheating London Business School ke MBA syllabus mein tha". Moloy asked confused,"Kya? Cheating?Nivi yeh Mr.Bajaj Kya keh rahe hai?".Mr.Bajaj replied,"Baniye mat Mr.Basu.I cannot believe ke company ke Chairman ke consent ke bina, company ke employees aur aapke bachche itna bada step le sakte hai.". Moloy glanced at his son and daughter,when Anurag spoke out,"Baba...woh
...humne Mr.Bajaj ko mortgage waali baat nahi batayi thi.". Moloy was shocked to hear this.Going red in the face out of embarrassment he yelled at his children,"How could you do this?!Tum logo ko pata bhi hai yeh kitna bada fraud hai!Mr.Bajaj chahe toh hume report Kar sakte hai!Aur Onu tum?Maine tumse toh yeh expect nahi Kiya tha beta!Mr.Bajaj trust me,mujhe iske baare mein kuch nahi pata tha-". Nivi was about to say something,"Baba...trust me-". Moloy thundered,"Just shut up!Onu to phir bhi naya hai inn sab mein.But you?Tum itne waqt se mere saath kaam kar rahi ho,tumhe abhi tak samaj mein nahi aaya ki mere liye business mein ethics kitne important hain.How could you do this,Nivi?Tum itni achchi negotiator ho.I was so proud of you!Lekin aaj tumne mera sarr sharm se jhuka diya.".Nivi broke into tears.In between sobs,she said,"Baba,hum Mr.Bajaj ko cheat nahi karna chahte the,hume bus aur thoda waqt chahiye tha.Komolika ke sentence ke baad,hume humari company wapas mil jayegi.".Mr.Bajaj quipped in,"Don't you mean mere paiso se aapko aapka Ghar aur company wapas mil jayega,Ms.Nivi?".Anurag tried to salvage the situation, he said,"Mr.Bajaj I understand ke humne aapke saath galat Kiya hai.And we apologise for that.We are really very sorry,lekin hum Jo bhi Kar rahe the humare company ke bhalaayi ke liye Kar rahe the,humare employees ke bhalaayi ke liye kar rahe the,agar Basu Publications band ho jayega toh kitne log berozgaar ho jayenge!Mr.Bajaj please humare galti ki sazaa inhe mat dijiye.Yaha pe sab bohot kaabil aur talented hai,asal mein yeh log humare company ka real asset hai, maine to bas abhi abhi join kiya hai .Aur agar aap humare company ke saat judenge toh aap bhi realize karenge ke Basu Publications agar India ka number one newspaper,toh yeh inki badaulat.", staring at him Mr.Bajaj thought,Strange,agar inki jaga koi aur hota khud ko company ke success ka credit dene mein ek second nahi lagata.Shayad inki yahi baatein Prerna pasand ko aati hongi.Surprised at his own thought,Mr.Bajaj turned his attention back on Mr.Anurag Basu.Anurag continued,"We admit Mr.Bajaj humne jo kiya galat kiya,hume aisa nahi karna chahiye tha.But let me remind you Mr.Bajaj ke aap ek businessman hai.Aur ek achche businessman ki pehchaan uski far-sightedness hoti hai.Basu Publications ka future bright hai yeh aap bhi jaante hai,warna aap London se yaha tak humari company mein invest karne nahi aate,aur woh bhi tab jab hum itne bade scandal ko face kar rahe hai.". Seeing his surprised look Anurag smiled,"Mujhe pata hai ki logo ne Prerna ki wajah se bohot paise haare hai,theek jaise aapko pata hai.Inspite of this,aap humare company mein invest karna chahte hai,which means ke humari company se aapko bohot profit milne wala hai.Are you sure,aap itna lucrative deal chhorenge sirf ek jhoot ke liye?Yes,I admit humari company mortgaged hai.Lekin corporate world mein yeh koi nayi baat toh nahi hai.Aur log phir bhi unn companies mein invest karte hai,aur unse achcha profit kamaate hai,bilkul jaisa aap kamayenge ya phir aap ki jaga koi aur kamayega.".
Anurag's speech left everyone silent in the room.Nivi and Moloy glanced at each other,Anurag had just made it sound like they had other options.When in reality,there was no other investor willing to spend as much as Mr.Bajaj.To get their company back on its feet,they NEEDED Mr.Bajaj, period.If he refused to invest than this would be it for Basu Publications.Moloy wiped his forehead with his handkerchief.Unbuttoning his top collar,he tried to calm himself.He had never been this disappointed in his children.Within weeks they had tainted his entire life's earnings,his legacy and his reputation of being a fair and just businessman.Mr.Bajaj's face had brought him back to reality.Shaking Moloy's hand,Mr.Bajaj said,"It was a pleasure meeting you Mr.Basu.I am sorry humari beech yeh deal nahi ho saki.I was really looking forward to it.Jaise ke aapke bete ne kaha ek businessman ki pehchaan uski far-sightedness se hoti hai.Main uss hi far sightedness ko dhyaan rakhte huwe yeh deal cancel karta hu.After all iss ki Kya guarantee hai ki aap log mujhe phir se dhoka dene ki koshish nahi karenge.Main ek humble background se belong karta hu Mr.Moloy,chahe business ho ya relationships trust aur respect mere liye bohot important hai.Aur iss waqt naa main aap logo ko trust kar pa raha hu,or naa hi respect.Toh aise partnership ka kya faida.Out of my respect for you,main aap logo ko report nahi karunga.All the best to Basu Publications,I am sure,like Mr.Anurag Basu ne abhi kaha,aap logo ko investors ki kami nahi hai. I wish you all the best for your future endeavors.". Saying this Mr.Bajaj left.Sensing tension in the air,one by one their employees left the conference room.Now only Anurag,Nivi and Moloy were left in the conference room.Anurag tried to speak,"Baba,I am so sorry.Main nahi chahta tha ki aisa ho.". Moloy coldly looked at him and said,"Wohi toh tumhaari problem hai beta,tum na chahte huwe bhi bohot chot pohochate ho.Pehle tumne Prerna ke saath yeh kiya,aur mere saath bhi wohi huwa.".Anurag was shocked to hear such words from his baba.Moloy continued,"Main humesha se chahta tha ki tum aur Prerna ek ho.Lekin Kal jab uss ne tumse shaadi karne ne inkaar kiya tab maine usse nahi roka.Aur main kis muh se rokta usse?Kya Kiya hai tumne uske liye?Tumne usko uss ka ghar de diya toh bas! tumhaari zimmedaari khatam?Tumne usse Shaadi ka waada kiya,usko pregnant kiya aur phir sabke saamne uske character pe sawaal uthaya.Jab maine tumse Rajesh ke parivaar ka khyaal rakhne ka vaada liya tha,maine kabhi nahi socha tha ki Prerna ko uski itni badi keemat chukani padegi." Anurag couldn't control his tears seeing the accusation in his father's eyes.Nivedita sat transfixed looking at the change in her father.Moloy Basu was a transparent man.He wore his heart on his sleeve.Except today,his expression was stony and his voice devoid of all emotion. Anurag spoke up,"Main jaanta hoon baba..maine bohot galat kiya uske saath.Lekin agar main aisa nahi karta toh Rajesh uncle ka woh ghar-". Moloy scoffed at this,"Achcha uske Ghar ki fikar thi tumhe?!Aur jis sheher mein rehke usne tees saalon mein jo izzat kamaayi,uss hi sheher ke saamne tumne do minute ke andar jo uski beti ki izzat ki dhajiya udayi uska kya?".Anurag was rendered speechless by his father's outburst.But Nivi spoke up,"Baba aap yeh sab abhi kyu keh rahe hai.Iska Basu Publications se kya lena hai?Aap Onu ko kyu-". She was silenced by Moloy's stern look.He answered her,"Main yeh baat iss liye utha raha hu, Nivedita kyuki mujhse Kiya hua ek bhi vaada nahi nibha paaya, tumhara bhai.Ulta iss ne sab kuch bigaad diya.Main aaj bhi Veena bhabhi se nazrein nahi mila pata,kyuki iss ne mujhe unse nazrein milaane ke layak nahi chhora.Aur aaj pehli baar,mujpe aur iss company pe kissi ne fraud ka ilzaam lagaya hai.Sirf tum logo ki wajah se!Meri aur Rajesh ki tees saal ki mehnat pe tum logo ne paani pher diya.(wiping his tears)Waise agar dekha jaaye toh shayad iss hi ko insaaf kehte hai.Jaise bina kisi galti ke tumne Prerna ko sabke saamne beizzat kiya ,uske character pe sawaal uthaaya,aaj theek waise hi Mr.Bajaj ne Basu Publications pe aur mere integrity pe sawaal uthaaya! ". Anurag couldn't take it any longer, folding his hands he said,"Baba,please ab bas kijiye main aur nahi sun sakta.Main jaanta hoon ke maine Prerna ke saath jo kiya bohot galat kiya.Lekin main wakayi usse bohot pyaar karta hoon,main bas uski bhalaayi chahta tha-".
Moloy commented,"Theek jaise tum meri aur mere company ki bhalaayi chahte the?Tumhe pata hai,tumne Prerna ke saath jo kiya uske liye main tumse bohot naraaz tha.Par phir bhi maine apni naraazgi zahir nahi ki,kyuki mujhe laga tumhe apni galti ka ehsaas hai,but I was wrong!".Anurag protested,"Nahi Baba,aisa nahi hai,mujhe apne galti ka ehsaas hai.".Moloy answered,"Agar tumhe apne galti ka ehsaas hota,toh aaj mujhe yeh din nahi dekha na parta,Onu!Kyuki tum samajte ki aise apne company ko bachane se achcha,main yeh company khud band karwa doon.Theek jaise Prerna ke liye aise apne Ghar ko bachane se achcha tha ke woh beghar ho jaati!.". Saying this, Moloy stormed off, leaving a devastated and ashamed Anurag behind.
~~~That evening at Sharma Niwas~~~~~~
In her room,Suman looked at the wall clock,it was 8:00pm,Shekhar should have been home by now.She had asked him to pay the electric bill,it was the last day.Thank God,her mother in law mistrusted digital payments otherwise her plan would have never worked.This morning,the moment she read Mohini's text,Suman set her plan in motion.First,she removed his charger from his bag and then,when Prerna went upstairs to get some documents,Suman quietly slipped the electricity bill in his hands,asking him to pay the bill by today.She tried calling his cell,it was switched off.It will take Shekhar another one hour to reach home and nobody would be able to call him.An hour would be enough for her instill doubt in her mother in law's mind that Komolika had something to do with Shekhar not coming home.Aur uska baad kya,kal ka nashta hum sab Basu Bari mein karenge,Suman thought with relish.Putting on a worried expression,Suman headed to the hall where Veena and Prerna were sitting.Suman called out,"Ma, Shekhar ne aapko phone kiya tha kya?".Veena said,"Nahi,beta kyun?".
Putting on a worried voice Suman replied,"Ma, aath baj gaye hai, aur unka phone bhi nahi lag raha.". Worried, Veena looked at Prerna and asked,"Beta,usne tumse kuch kaha tha kya?". Prerna replied,"Nahi Ma.Ek minute(picking up her phone) main unka phone try karti hoon.Switched off aa raha hai".Veena took a deep breath and she tried not to think the worst.She said,"Suman, beta tum ghabraao mat, shayad uske phone ka battery low hogaya hoga,iss liye phone nahi lag raha-". Suman cut her off,"Lekin,Ma unka charger toh humesha unke bag mein rehta hai,woh waha se usse kabhi nahi hata te.Mujhe bohot darr lag raha hai Ma.Kahi unhe-". Determined not to lose her calm Veena said,"Nahi beta woh bilkul thik hai.Priyu uske office mein phone karna zara.". Prerna called up Shekhar's office,where the receptionist said that Shekhar had left an hour ago.Hanging up, Prerna said,"Ma,yeh keh rahi hai ke bhaiyya toh ek ghante pehle hi nikal chuke hai,abhi tak toh unhe pohoch jaana chahiye tha.". "Toh phir woh abhi tak pohoche kyu nahi!",came Suman's hysterical cry,"kahi aisa to nahi,ke uss Komolika ne unhe kuch kar diya ho?". "Suman",Veena reprimanded,"Beta,yeh bas tumhara vehem hai.Woh ladki jail mein hai toh woh kaise-".
Suman cut her off,"Agar woh jail mein hai aur woh kuch nahi kar sakti hai,toh phir Basu parivaar usse itna darrti kyu hai?Woh log toh kitne ameer aur kitne powerful log hai,lekin uss ek ladki ke wajah se aaj woh bhi satark reh rahe hai.Toh aap kis baat ki dileri dikha rahi hai Prerna Didi?Agar aaj humare pati ko kuch hua naa Prerna Didi toh iss ki zimmedaar sirf aap hogi!". Veena lost her patience,"Suman!Tum yeh kya keh rahi ho?".
Suman snapped back,"Hum galat kya keh rahe hai,jo Mohini Basu sabse manmaani karti thi,aaj woh bhi kitni darri huyi hai! Unke iss darr ki koi to tthos wajah hogi na Ma?Agar aaj hum unki baat maan kar unke saath chale jaate,toh aaj Kam se kam humare mann mein yeh darr toh baitha hota keh humare pati aaj ghar wapas aayenge bhi ya nahi?".Just then, Shivani came running downstairs,"Ma!Priyu Di!",she yelled.Veena asked eagerly,"Kya hua Shivani, Shekhar ki koi khabar aayi?". Catching her breath, Shivani said,"Nahi,mujhe Anupam Da ka phone aaya Kakababu ki tabiyat achanak bohot kharab ho gayi!". Shocked to hear this, Prerna sighed,"Anurag...".She quickly rose to her feet and addressed Veena,"Ma!Main aur Shivi abhi iss hi waqt Basu house jaa rahe hai,jab bhaiya Ghar aa jaaye toh mujhe bata dena!". Saying this Prerna stormed out of Sharma Niwas with Shivani behind her.
