FF; BEING MRS. RAVAN KUMAR chap 113-117(LAST CHAP) Pg 157**updated** - Page 61

CHAPTER SIXTY EIGHT

'No... Everything is not alright... ' She said as she got up

'Stop and calm down... Talk to me... Where are you going'' Said Raman

'To find you mother... She has some answering to do...'' Said Ishita as she walked out with Raman not far behind

'Ishita what the hell happened?'' Said Raman but Ishita wouldn't answer him

She charged upstairs into the room of the Bhallas not believing the audacity these people had. She walked in and only Mr. Bhalla was in their sitting on the bed

'Why are you barging into my room like that...'' Said Mr. Bhalla but Ishita just looked around the room and walked out

'What is going on...'' Said Mr. Bhalla

'Ishu... Ishita... Calm down...'' Said Raman as he followed her out forcing Mr. Bhalla to do the same

Ishita was livid and she couldn't believe the audacity of Mrs. Bhalla going behind her back like that. They had no right to do that, all of them had no right to even have a say where her children were concerned. She made it to the living room where Mrs. Bhalla was seated with a cup of tea in her hand

'What is going on...'' Said Santosh when she saw Ishita walk in

'What right do you have to just sermon my children like that? In fact what right do you have to use my children in this silly game that you and your husband are playing'' Said Ishita pissed

'Will someone tell me what is going on...'' Said Raman

'Look, I just thought it will be nice if they came here and met their grandparents, spent some time with their father...'' Said Santosh

'Oh hell no... Their grandparents leave on the other part of town and as far as their father is concerned, he hasn't earned the right to do that. You have some nerve...'' Said Ishita angry

'Mom... What happened...'' Said Raman turning to his mother because he knew Ishita was never going to answer him

'She is just over reacting. I sent your driver to her place and asked him to bring her kids here that is all...'' Said Santosh carelessly

'Over reacting... are you kidding me... I could slap the smugness from your face right now...'' Said Ishita

'Hey do not talk to my wife like that...'' Said Mr. Bhalla who stood in front of Ishita

'Okay... You two need to listen to me and listen very carefully... I am a very good person when someone needs my help in fact I can do anything for you underserving people because I care about your son but if you think for one second I will tolerate you using my children in whatever game you two are planning, you have another thing coming... I can be the most ruthless person you have ever known...'' Said Ishita

'Whatever... Just go back in there and do your job... Stop yelling for everyone this early in the morning all because of some bas***d kids...'' Said Mr. Bhalla as he turned to his wife

Raman looked his father not believing what he was hearing. In fact it was like he was seeing a whole new person all together. Before he could even access what was going on

'Smack...'' Off went the slap and Mr. Bhalla was stumbling backwards

Raman turned and grabbed Ishita who was charging forward to get Mr. Bhalla as he tried to calm her down

'Say that one more time you worthless man... Say it one more time I dare you...'' Screamed Ishita

''Ishu... Calm down...'' Said Raman as he held her

'You... Did you really just hit me...? You hit me...'' Said a shocked Mr. Bhalla as he held his cheek

'Damn right and I will do it again...'' Screamed Ishita

'Ishita... Stop it...'' Yelled Raman

'Oh please... Save it ...'' Said Ishita looking at Raman before she turned to Mr. Bhalla and said

'I told you once and I will not repeat myself. I will not tolerate anyone insulting my children. I do not care who you are, I will not take it. And you...'' She added turning to Mrs. Bhalla

'You lost the right to claim a thing on my children... You have no right to think about them as your own, talk about them in the same light let alone send for them for anything...'' She said as she moved forward standing in front of Mrs. Bhalla

'I just wanted to prove something to Him...'' She said pointing to Mr. Bhalla but Ishita wasn't having it

'I do not care what you wanted to prove to anyone. My children will not be used to fulfill whatever ploy you have for whatever reason. I will not let you destroy my children, I will not allow him...'' She said staring straight at Santosh as she pointing at Mr. Bhalla

'I will not allow him or you destroy my children like you did yours. See unlike you, my children come fast, no matter what... So ... I am saying this one time and I am not repeating myself. If you try to pull that stunt again, I am having your ass arrested for attempted kidnapping...'' Said Ishita

'You can't do that...'' Said a shocked Mr. Bhalla

'Oh Really...'' Said Ishita as she turned and looked at him straight in the eye

'TRY ME...'' And with that she walked to her room

Raman stood there not believing what had just escalated with in the space of just seconds. I mean one minute she was fine and smiling and joking and the next she was like a caged wild animal not that he would blame her given the stunt his mother pulled.

'Ma... What the hell...'' Said Raman

'It was my fault... I know...'' Said Santosh

'What happened...'' Said Raman

'I just wanted to bring her children here such that...'' She said and ending up keeping quiet

'Such that what...'' Said Raman confused

'She wanted to prove me wrong... But I know what I know and that won't change... Those children are not my grandchildren...'' Said Mr. Bhalla

'Yes they are...'' Said Santosh

'Okay hold on... I am confused... Did she tell you both she wanted you two as grandparents for her children...'' Said Raman

'No...'' Said Santosh

'Then what is this argument even about... ' Said Raman not understanding anything

'Look, I honestly wanted to just bring them here such that she didn't have to spend time away from them. ' Lied Santosh

Santosh just wanted to see the look on her husband's face when he saw those twins. There was no doubting whose they were and no DNA test was needed. Aditya's face was enough for any idiot, even her husband to see that those babies were Raman's children and she wanted him to finally understand how they messed up. But she didn't think this through

'Did you even ask if she wanted her children here'' Said Raman who was also getting angry

'Whoa... Why are you defending her...'' Said Mr. Bhalla

'He is right... I should have asked her...'' Said Santosh

'Yes... You should have... These are children, why would you want to use them like that...'' Said Raman and that is when Santosh noticed something

Her son wasn't at all surprised when she talked about them being grandparents to Ishita's children. He should have been more inquisitive about it but he wasn't. Which could only mean, he already knew.

'I do not know what the two of you are planning and quite frankly I do not care but this wasn't right. You were in the wrong...'' Said Raman

'I know... I am sorry... I will go apologize...'' Said Santosh as she got up

'No... Leave it... I will go...'' Said Raman

'Raman... You cannot possibly...'' Said Mr. Bhalla but he interrupted

'Papa Please... I am not in the mood to listen to your nonsense. Not today... And why do you always insult her like that...'' Said Raman

'Do you know who you are talking to...'' Said a shocked Mr. Bhalla

'Actually I don't because the father I grew up admiring is not the man I am looking at right now. What gives you the right to just insult someone's children like that...'' Said Raman

'You do not even know what those children are...'' He tried to justify himself but Raman wasn't having it

'You know what Papa I don't even want to hear it. Excuse me, I have to go in their and try and apologize to my wife for what you two tried to do...'' Said Raman

'She is not your wife...'' Said Mr. Bhalla

'Last time I checked, she was...'' Said Raman and he walked away

Mr. Bhalla looked at his son walk away and he became even angrier because Ishita was successfully taking his children away from him. This was something he didn't want and he only hoped that his wife would stop acting out and try and do what was right. He turned to look at Santosh and he could see she had this smug look on her face almost as if she was satisfied

'Why do you seem to be happy about this...'' Said Mr. Bhalla but she just sat back and took her cup of coffee while she taking the remote

'You did this intentionally, didn't you...'' Said Mr. Bhalla

'And it went better than I planned...'' Said Santosh

'Why... Why are you doing this...'' He asked

'I knew there was no way she was allowing her children even smell this place but I also needed to open a window where Raman can know that she has twins, his twins. Now he knows...'' Said Santosh as she sat back

'That won't change anything. I will tell him that they are not his...'' Said Mr. Bhalla

'I do not care what you tell him. You can tell him all you want but see unlike you he is learns from his mistakes. I do not think he will take your word for it. So I dare you...'' Said Santosh

'Santosh you can't just trust t that girl like that. She is trouble and I for one am not going to allow her just ruin my family...'' Said Mr. Bhalla as he walked away as well leaving a very satisfied Santosh behind

Meanwhile back at Ishita's place, Shlok had managed to calm the children down and was preparing as discussed with Ishita to move out of that house. Romi who had just arrived there had no idea what was going on but knew it Ishita had asked that they pack; it was for a very good reason. Abhimanyu didn't even understand what the hell was going on

'Shlok... Come on you have to tell me what it is you are doing. I have to be in the know you know that...'' He said

'Actually I do not answer to you, Ishita does. And so I do not owe you any explanation whatsoever'' Said Shlok

'Why are you mad at me...'' Said Abhimanyu

'Really... Are you seriously asking me that'' Said Shlok

'Look all I wanted to do was speed things up. We are going after Abhya and I wanted to give that lunatic something to do giving us freedom to do what we wanted...'' Said Abhimanyu

'At the expense of her children... What planet are you on? What makes you think she was going to allow this fly...'' Said Shlok

'Are you even listening to yourself...'' Said Romi

'Okay... Now that I think about it I see how that could have been wrong but I would have ensured that her children are safe. You know that...'' Said Abhimanyu

'Bro, come on... That was a bad call and you know it...'' Said Shlok

'The question is, what are you going to do? I do not think a pissed Ishita is what you want right now...'' Said Romi

'I know... She was really pissed huh...'' Said Abhimanyu

'Pissed is an understatement... She has me changing houses... I mean, how pissed do you think she is...?'' Said Shlok

'Where are you going to leave anyway on such short notice...'' Said Abhimanyu

'She has a couple of property all over the country, trust me we have plenty to go to on such short notice. We just have to pick one...'' Said Shlok

'But which house are we...'' Said Romi

'I will tell you later... We are not allowed to tell outsiders anything...'' Said Shlok looking at Abhimanyu

'Ohh... Right... ' Said Romi

'This is ridiculous... She just can't keep secrets like that all the time...'' Said Abhimanyu

'Yeah she can...'' Shlok and Romi answered as they put together a few things in a go bag

Meanwhile Shagun had her own problems to worry about and she was quickly learning that Ishita was ten steps a head the entire time. Everything she had patiently worked for in those seven years Ishita had successfully managed to screw up in just 6 months.

They had someone investigating her and Jhakad was supposed to give them the results of that investigation and also about how far they had gone with their last deal that they were all banking on before Ishita screwed it up

'That is everything I got... I am not even sure what to think about this. So is she or is she not an agent...'' Said Jhakad

'I don't think she is... If she was, she isn't anymore... She had children with the man...'' Said Abhya

'Yeah but the people she has been using are all one way or the other connected through one government agency or the other...'' Said Jhakad

'You would expect that... She did some coding and programming for them so she must have friends there...'' Said Sham, Jhakad's son

'Okay how about the merchandise... How far has that gone... Is everything in place...'' Said Shagun

'No... She screwed that up... We can't use Bhalla Companies anymore. The only active line is through RKB Fashions and your adopted father's restaurant line...'' Said Jhakad

'So what are you telling me...'' Said Shagun

'I am saying we now have absolutely nothing. The merchandise we have been transporting through Bay Imports and Exports she had shut down. The money has stopped coming in and she has also closed the accounts. I am telling you she was ahead the entire time...'' Said Jhakad

'The only account that still had some money in it was Abhya's and that too she cleared out a few days ago. I think she got to Parmeet and had him killed...'' Said Sham

'No... I don't think that is it. I think she is just hiding him.'' Said Shagun

'She killed him... I am telling you... You know what she did you to Arora... I am telling you...'' Said Jhakad

'Will you relax, stop freaking out. I am going to handle her...'' Said Abhya

'How... Last night your father walked into the Bhalla mansion and she pretended she didn't know him. As soon as he got off the premises, he was taken away and no one knows where he is ...'' Said a visibly shaken Sham

'What did she do with my father...'' Said Shagun

'What...'' Said Jhakad

'Arora... What did she do with him? The police told me he was arrested for disorderly conduct and died in jail three years ago...'' Said Shagun

Well have you ever wondered how a first time offender gets 8-10 years for just disorderly conduct? You father had a spotless record but ended up in jail and then he disappeared in Jail three years ago...'' Said Jhakad

'He didn't disappear, he died...'' Said Shagun irritated

'Oh please, I have a buddy who works there and he told me that agency, RAW took him. I am telling you that girl is dangerous...''Said Jhakad

'What is RAW?'' Said Sham

'It is Research and Analysis Wing ... It is an external intelligence agency that works on foreign and local cases, from collection of external intelligence, counter-terrorism and covert operations sometimes. It is a really big deal...'' Said Jhakad

'So she now works for RAW...'' Said Abhya amused not believing it

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CHAPTER SIXTY NINE SCROLL DOWN

CHAPTER SIXTY NINE

'It is Research and Analysis Wing ... It is an external intelligence agency in India that works on foreign and local cases, from collection of external intelligence, counter-terrorism and covert operations sometimes. It is a really big deal...'' Said Jhakad

'So she now works for RAW...'' Said Abhya amused not believing it

'I do not know...'' Said Jhakad

'No way, she works for RAW... And even if she did, this has nothing to do with it. She just came here to avenge her father's humiliation and maybe me screwing her marriage. That is all...'' Said Shagun

'Either way, I am going to give her a lesson she won't forget when I get my hands on her...'' Said Jhakad

'What would RAW want with my father anyway...'' Said Shagun but Jhakad just shrugged his shoulders that he didn't know

'Listen, we should just take what we have and leave... I mean we had a good run while it lasted...'' Said a petrified Sham

'No way, that little girl cannot make me run from my town like that. We have to teach her a lesson. Abhya come on... Are we really going to allow her to just bamboozle her way in her and terrorize us? She has to bleed...She has to pay for the humiliation'' Said Jhakad

'She will... We just need to do our research... Let us lay low for a while... We have to make sure this time when she goes, she doesn't come back...'' Said Abhya

'What about your father... Where the hell is he ...'' Said Shagun

'I have no idea where she took him. Your brother came to us under the guise of wanting a business deal and that is how the meet was arranged. I told the old idiot not to go but he wanted to see her, Santosh and Mihir. So against my advice he went. It is his fault he got captured not mine...'' Sad Abhya irritated

'So we just leave him their...'' Said Shagun

'No... I will find him alright... Believe me your sister will bring him to me begging me to take him back...'' Said Abhya

'So what is the plan, we need a destruction because we do not want Raman in that office. If he is working with her, she is bound to find something...'' Said Jhakad

'Who said anything about Rama making it to office on Monday...'' Said Abhya with a smile on his face

Back at the Bhallas, Raman had made it to Ishita's room and she was angry as hell and he could see it. She had grabbed her back and was throwing her clothes inside as if she wanted to leave

'Ishita calm down...'' He said

'Raman please, I am not in the mood to go in circles with you. Your parents crossed the line and your father is lucky I just slapped him. I should have broken his teeth ...'' She said angrily

'Your right...'' Said Raman as he removed clothes from her bag

'What...'' Said Ishita who stopped packing and looked at him

'I said you are right. He deserved it for insulting your children like that. But this is not going to help anyone...'' Said Raman

'It will give me a sane mind to go as far away from here as possible. I do not want to be here... Everything about this place is just so darn arrrhhhggg...'' She said but he interrupted

'Even me...'' He said

'What...'' Said Ishita taken a back

'Even me... Do I annoy you that much...'' He asked

'I am so not ready for this... I need to go...'' Said Ishita and she began packing again

'No... We are talking... No one is leaving this place...'' Said Raman as he got up and turned the key in the lock

'You can't force me to talk to you...'' Said Ishita

'Why is my mother so convinced that your children are her grandchildren'' Said Raman

He knew she was going to hurt so much with that question, he knew she was going to be even more annoyed that he even asked and he wanted her to just scream at him and say whatever came to mind. She maybe would tell him something he needed to know but the answer she gave he didn't expect

'Maybe the same reason you refused to acknowledge they were yours in the first place...'' She said

'What...'' Said Raman shocked

'Raman please, I am not in the mood for all this and I am so angry to start to reason properly so I am leaving ' she said looking at him before she threw her sweater in her travel bag

'Will you just calm down and talk to me...'' shouted Raman

'No... I do not want to talk because I will say something that I can't take back...'' Said Ishita

'Are you saying they are mine...'' He said

'No... They have never been yours... You made sure of that... They are my children and no one else is... Do not ever get that twisted...'' Said Ishita angrily

'Meaning what...'' Said Raman

'Meaning you are the reason my children are branded that... bas***ds... Because you took the right to call you father away from them. So forgive me if I am not in the mood to discuss them with you...'' Said Ishita as she began walking out

'Ishita... Come on... Talk to me...'' pleaded Raman

'No... I do not want to talk... I want to scream and curse you out for doing this to them but can't... because it won't make a difference...'' She said her voice breaking as tears began welling up in her eyes

'Ishi...'' Called Raman feeling bad

'No Raman please, I want to leave, I want to go see if my children are fine. I have to explain to them why I can't allow them...'' She said holding her tongue

'I just need to leave...'' She added as she grabbed her bag and walked out

It was frustrating with the way all this was going and every time Raman felt like he was making head way with her something happened that took him five steps back. They were in a really good place and he was sure that she was beginning to open up but all that just shattered within the short space of time.

He also learnt something today that he might not have known if his mother didn't do what she did. Ishita had a lot of rage and anger given what he did when she was pregnant. She was right; he just gave up on them like that not even giving a second thought to it. He took that right away from his own children and he was embarrassed about it. He had to make a few things clear and he figured it was time he told them everything because now he needed a few answers from his parents.

Ishita got to the door bumping into Mihir and Simmi but she didn't even acknowledge them but just walked out.

'What happened to her...'' Said Mihir

'I just walked in with you. How should I know'' Said Simmi

'If she is walking out, it means we got duped into coming here again. We should bail before anyone sees us...'' Said Mihir but as soon as he finished, his mom came walking in

'Oh good morning... What a surprise...'' She said as she walked to them

'Good morning Mom...'' Said Simmi

'How are you honey... Are you okay...'' Said Santosh as she put her arms around her daughter hugging her

'I am good...'' Said a somewhat surprised Simmi as she hugged her mother back

'And Mihir... How have you been ...'' Santosh said as she let go of Simmi and put her arms around Mihir

'Oookkaayyy...'' Said Mihir hugging her as he added

'This is weird even for me...''

'Stop it silly... Can't I just hug my children...'' Said Santosh as she pulled away

'Mom... Is everything okay'' Said Mihir

'Yeah... Why would you think something is wrong?'' Said Santosh

Mr. Bhalla walked into the room as well as grabbing his keys and when he finally acknowledged what was around the room, he saw his children which was a surprise because they never came to his house unless Ishita had something to do with it

'So, did she ask you all to come? What for ...'' Said Mr. Bhalla

'Excuse me...'' Said Simmi

'Ishita, why did she ask you all to come? What else does she want to humiliate me with...'' Said Mr. Bhalla

'She didn't ask us to come here. Mom did... She said it was for Raman...'' Said Simmi

'Wow... It is way too early for this...'' Said Mihir

'And what happened to your face...'' Said Simmi as she looked at her father

'Nothing...'' Said Mr. Bhalla turning away

'Ishita slapped him...'' Said Santosh finding it hard to hide her amusement

'Why...'' Said Mihir as he too looked critically at his father's bruised face

'He called her twins bas***ds and she got upset and slapped him... That too very hard'' Said Santosh with a faint smile on her face

'Mom... Why do you seem like you are enjoying this...'' Said a confused Simmi much to Mihir's amusement

He unlike his sister could see there was immense trouble in paradise and Ishita may have awakened some demons. He looked at his mother who didn't seem to care and then at his father who looked like he was about to blow up and he could only imagine what the hell happened last night.

Raman walked into the living room and surprisingly found his siblings had arrived and his dad was also still in the house. He figured now was good a time as any because these people were rarely in the same room alone at the same time

'Is Shagun still here...'' He asked

'Oh good morning to you too... I had a fantastic night, how about you...'' Said Simmi playfully

'Mom, is Shagun still in this house...'' Said Raman seriously

'No... She went out a couple of hours ago... Why...'' Said Santosh

'Good...'' He said as he walked to the door and turned the key in the lock.

'What is going on...'' Said Mihir

'Raman what do you think you are doing?'' Said Mr. Bhalla

'Oh what am I doing... You all are going to explain to me exactly what the hell is going on... And when I say everything, I mean I want to know it all...'' Said Raman as he locked the two remaining door that led out of the living room making all of them stuck in the same room

'This is ridiculous I have somewhere I need to be...'' Said Mr. Bhalla

'Sit down... No one is going anywhere... We need to talk... I need to sort out a few details.'' Said Raman

'Listen the doctor said it was important not to bombard you with all these issues at the...'' Said Santosh but Raman interrupted

'I remember... I remember everything... The loss of my children, the so called affair she had, the separation, giving up parental rights, divorce papers dad has been forcing me to sign for the last seven years, the engagement, everything I remember. You name it. I know it but you see I need to fill in a few gaps...'' Said Raman

'Wait... Wait... What do you ... All this while you had your memory back and you didn't say a thing...'' Said Mr. Bhalla

'Raman... Oh... I am so happy for you...'' Said a teary Santosh

'That girl should be out of this house...'' Said Mr. Bhalla

'My wife is not going anywhere... She and I are not done yet'' Said Raman

'Even after everything you went through... She destroyed this family... She had an affair Raman... Got pregnant by another man...'' Said an irritated Mr. Bhalla

'Those children are mine... ' Raman said sternly

'I can see your mother got to you. Those bas***ds ...'' Said Mr. Bhalla but Raman interrupted

'Maybe Ishita didn't slap you enough... ' Said Raman

'Excuse me...'' Said Mr. Bhalla

'Keep on insulting them and I swear I will forget what relationship we share and I will break your teeth...'' Said Raman looking sternly at his father

'Raman calm down... What happened...'' Said Mihir

'I wanted to find out what she wants before I tell her I remembered but I failed... So now I need you guys to fill on a few gaps...'' Said Raman

'Alright... What do you want to know...'' Said Santosh

'For starters, you told me that Mr. Iyer sold his hotel to you because he wanted money to bail his daughter out of prison... Why didn't you tell me you had taken it from him...'' Said Raman

'I didn't... That is not how it happened... It wasn't that simple... Raman you can't believe that story...'' Said Mr. Bhalla

'Dad, really... I was there... You put up his restaurant foreclosure then sold it to your friend Jhakad... I was their...'' Said Mihir

'Well the company needed money...'' Said Mr. Bhalla

'No it didn't... RKB was doing fairly well... We could afford to hold off...'' Said Raman who was uneasily calm

'Raman this is not going to help anyone...'' Said Mr. Bhalla but Raman interrupted

'No... It will help me understand why my own father fought so hard to end my marriage... It will help me not to think the worst of the man I grew up admiring... It will help me understand that everything you did in your won twisted way was for my own good and not some selfish notion...'' Said Raman

Mr. Bhalla who had been seeing everything through a colored glass mirror was slowly understanding that his son was not so happy and given how angry his wife was, there was a chance she was telling them everything and he wasn't ready for them to know, especially Mihir

'Dad... You are not answering my question...'' Said Raman

'Okay... Okay...'' Said Mr. Bhalla giving in

'We needed that land...'' He said

'What land...'' Said Raman

'The land one of his hotel was on...'' Said Mr. Bhalla

'Why not go get land elsewhere...'' Said Mihir

'Because we needed that spot where the hotel was. It was the only way it could work...'' Said Mr. Bhalla

'Why...'' Said Raman

'I can't tell you... It makes you liable and I will not do that'' Said Mr. Bhalla

'Papa... I am so not in the mood for this nonsense... Tell me why you needed that land...'' Said Raman but his father just kept quiet

'He won't tell you... He doesn't have the guts to tell you...But if you are to ask me... This has something to do with Shagun...'' Said Santosh

'Santosh keep your mouth shut...'' Said Mr. Bhalla

'Why... So you can give them that bullshit story you have been feeding everyone else...'' Said Santosh much to everyone's shock in the room

Mihir sat back and looked at his parents and he had to salute Ishita for whatever she was doing. Maybe, just maybe his dad would stand up and take responsibility for a lot of things he did to them. None of them deserved it most especially Raman.

He and Simmi had neglected to tell Raman a whole lot about their parents, that is something they hope he would find a way to the truth himself and maybe that day was today

'Mom...'' Said Raman

'Shagun and your father have known each other a long time through Arora... Shagun's dad... The Iyers owned that hotel before he chose to relocate to abroad but that is the one hotel he refused to sell off. When he got back, Mr. Arora wasn't doing so well mainly your father here had fired him...'' Said Santosh making the room go silent

To say they were shocked would have been an understatement of the century. No one, I mean no one expected such a statement to come out of Santosh. There was a whole new story about to begin and Raman had a very funny feeling Shagun and Ishita were going to be in the middle of it

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CHAPTER SEVENTY SCROLL DOWN

CHAPTER SEVENTY

To say they were shocked would have been an understatement of the century. No one, I mean no one expected such a statement to come out of Santosh. There was a whole new story about to begin and Raman had a very funny feeling Shagun and Ishita were going to be in the middle of it

'What... Shagun's father worked for Bhalla Companies...'' Said Mihir

'Yes... Bay Imports and Exports to be exact... Your father discovered that he was stealing company money and fired him. He fell back on alcohol through the humiliation and never really recovered from that...'' Said Santosh

'Santosh...'' Said Mr. Bhalla

'No... Today they know it all...'' Said Santosh

'The Iyers got back and saw he was incapable of taking care of his children so they took them in, Shagun and Romi... Romi sort of just became a part of the family. He was grateful for what he was given but Shagun, she always wanted more. Always thought the Iyers treated them like leftovers... So unlike her brother, she kept in touch with her father...'' Said Mr. Bhalla

Raman was hearing a whole new story that he had no idea about. It was like nothing about the last 10 years of his life was a coincidence at all. His dad knew Shagun's father before, I mean how was that even possible.

Mr. Arora got into a little bit of a jam and Shagun had to steal from the Iyers to save her father...'' Said Mr. Bhalla leaving out details

'Oh no...no... No... If we are spewing out secrets, then it is all in... Arora lost his job and he and his daughter came up with this place to make a quick buck... You see that hotel the Iyers had Shagun worked there as head Manager. The land on which the hotel was built had a tunnel underneath that led straight to the loading dock... There was no inspection from anyone because it let straight to where our loading docks were, right down the middle...'' Said Santosh

'Okay... What has that got to do with anything...'' Said Raman and his father become hesitant

'Oh my God, dad was using that dock as a smuggling point... That is where you loaded all your counterfeits and drugs. Isn't it...'' Said Mihir

'I am sorry what...'' Said a shocked Raman

'Yeah, while we were working with Ishita we found out that that dock had been used as smuggling point. Some gangs used it as a smuggling point and some very bad people. Sometimes payments were made on the same point. She didn't quite know who ran the operation and was still trying to figure out who that was and that is when...'' Said Mihir as he turned to his mother

'You asked her to come to India...'' Said Mihir

'Okay how long ago was this...'' Said Simmi who in all honesty didn't know what the hell was going on

'Three years ago...'' Said Mihir

'Okay wait... wait... You knew where she was the entire time...'' Said Raman looking at her mother

'No... I didn't but she and I had an understanding and in case I ever got into trouble, I would contact her that way...'' Said Santosh

'What way... I do not understand...'' Said Raman

'Yeah me too...'' Said Mr. Bhalla

'I was to go to the rift. Once I got there, I was to find a man named Bala and tell him Mission MRK...He would know what to do'' Said Santosh

'What the hell does that mean...'' Said Simmi as she turned to look at Raman who remembered Ishita telling him about something along those lines

'Mission Mrs. Ravan Kumar...'' Said Raman making the realization and his mother just looked at him

'Bala came to meet me and I told him whatever was going on. It was one opportunity that she gave me and I was only supposed to use when I had no option... So I called her...'' Said Santosh

'No option for what...'' Said Mr. Bhalla

'Saving Raman...'' Said Santosh as tears filled her eyes

'What the hell is going on...Save me from what'' said a hell shocked Raman

If he had even a little bit of rage for what his father had done, then his mother was even worse. She knew how much he had searched for Ishita and all the while she knew how to contact her. Why were Ishita and his mother even having secret meetings behind his back, what the hell was going on.

'Everything...'' Said Santosh and she with tears welling up in her eyes began telling them the story that began almost 10 years

10 Years Ago Delhi Police Station

'Mam how can we help you...'' Said Bala sitting down

'I think I know someone who you might want...'' Said Santosh

'What do you mean...'' Said Bala

'I am saying, I know where the Lizard is and how they have been carrying out their business. I will tell you everything...'' Said Santosh

'Okay... Tell me then who the Lizard is and what it is we want to know...'' Said Bala as he sat back

'No... No... First, you have to protect my son from all this. You have to assure me nothing happens to him. I need assurances that my son will be safe...'' Said Santosh

'Who is your son...'' Said Bala pretending he didn't know

'Oh please, I have seen your men lurking around my house. The same way it happened with my husband 20 years ago. He almost went to jail for something he hadn't done. I do not want the same happening to my son...'' Said Santosh

'Alright... Tell me all I need to know about Shagun Arora... What business does she have with Raman Kumar Bhalla...'' Said Bala

'She works for his father, my husband... Not Raman... ' Said Santosh

'Okay... So am I to guess that smuggling in counterfeit goods is your husband's business...'' Said Santosh

'No... I mean... Look I have an alternative that will save my husband and son that will also ensure that you get the real culprit...''Said Santosh who was petrified although as struggling to hide it

'Okay... What is your deal...'' Said Bala who in all honesty just wanted to be amused because he had all he wanted on the Bhallas on smuggling charges

'Drugs... Loads and loads of drugs... You name it cocaine, opium, pills whatever it is, they smuggle it in. Tell me they have immunity and I will give you all you need to know...'' Said Santosh

'Am sorry what...'' Said a somewhat surprised Bala

'My son is nave and sees the good in everyone. He doesn't see when people are using him. His Logistics and distribution Manager is actually a drug dealer, supplier of some sort... I know because I met him once with the famous Sharma...'' Said Santosh

'Okay and how do you know Sharma...'' Said Bala

'We used to be friends...'' Said Santosh uncomfortably

'What is his name... The manager ... What is his name?'' Asked Bala

'No... Immunity for my boy, then we talk...'' Said Santosh

'How did you know your son was under investigation Madam...'' Said Santosh

'Do we have a deal or not...'' Said Santosh

'Let me talk to my boss first then I will get back to you...Wait a moment'' Said Bala as he got up and walked away

'Whoa... Hold up... I do not understand anything... How in the world did you know, that Maneet was smuggling through my company...'' Said Raman

'I had him investigated...'' Santosh lied

'Why...'' Said Mihir who sensed it

'It is my job to take care of this family. So I have to be in the know...'' Said Santosh

'Yeah even I am not buying that...'' Said Simmi

'Okay a friend told me...'' Said Santosh

'And by friend you mean Sharma... You still keep in touch with that son of a bitch...'' Said Mr. Bhalla agitated

'Okay what is the story with Sharma... Clearly something bothers you and you get all giddy when you hear his name. So what is the deal...'' Said Raman but all of them just kept quiet mostly because none of them quite new how to start that conversation

'Can I just continue and get this over with...'' Said Santosh and Raman didn't push it

'Okay who is Lizard...What sort of name is that anyway'' Said Raman

'He was a drug dealer, one of the ruthless ones in Delhi... He was arrested about 9 years ago...'' Said Mihir

'And you know this because...'' Said Simmi

'I once worked for him...'' Said Mihir embarrassed

Mr. Bhalla on the other hand now understood why his wife had suddenly wanted to become wife of the year by going to the police. Mihir and Sharma were written all over this. Sharma wanted to protect his son and so he tipped off Santosh such that it gave him enough time to save his beloved son

'And when did you stop working for this lizard fellow...'' Said Mr. Bhalla

'I was lucky, when they got raided I had gone to Mumbai for one of mom's charities...'' Said Mihir making the same realization his father did as he turned to look at his mother

'I bet you were...'' Said Mr. Bhalla sarcastically

'Okay how does Ishita fit into all this...'' Said Raman

'Bala came back and told me he would only grant one of you immunity. It was either you or your father and even that was dependent on me getting them information on lizard which of course I couldn't. Then he had another solution... I allow him do things his way and none of you should see the inside of a jail...'' Said Santosh

'And you just agreed...'' Said Simmi

'Yes... Is should have maybe asked more questions but I didn't... By the time I realized what was going on, your brother was falling in love...'' Said Santosh

'Oh God, are you seriously telling me Ishita was an agent...'' Said Simmi shocked and impressed at the same time

'Wait... Are you telling me that Ishita was working for the police'' Said Raman

'She was the police... They brought her in to work undercover as they tried to get the identity of Lizard. She was supposed to get your schedules of how things were supposed to be and how they moved product avoiding detection. Also she was investigating Shagun and her father. At first I genuinely thought she was here because she wanted to help us... Then I slowly realized, she had a vendetta on her own...'' Said Santosh

'Vendetta how...'' Said Raman

'Remember the party we had after we launched RKB Fashions nationwide...'' Said Santosh causing Raman to nod

'That is the day I found out what she really wanted...'' Said Santosh

'What do you think you are doing...'' Said Mrs. Bhalla as she pulled Ishita away from the crowded area where guests were arriving

'I am welcoming guests what are you doing...'' Said Ishita

'I mean, what are you doing here with my son?'' Said Santosh

'He invited me... So I came... It was only proper for me to help my boyfriend don't you think...'' Said Ishita

'He is not your boyfriend... I am not allowing you to use my son for your games...'' Said Santosh

'Mam... Please... Let me do my job and finish it such that I get out of your hair... Besides you should be thanking me because I am saving your son from marrying a thief...'' Said Ishita

'Meaning...'' Said Santosh

'Oh God you and your husband really need to be on the same page. Your husband wants Raman to marry Shagun, Shagun Arora. She is a thief who I am not resting until I haul her ass off to jail...'' Said Ishita as she peeped into the room looking for someone

'What do you mean...'' Said Santosh

'She stole from someone very important to me and somehow that money ended in your husband's account... I want that money back and I will get it back and until I do, I say when I am done or not...'' Said Ishita looking at Santosh before she walked back in

'Your father thinks I did not know this and he fed me the same story that he didn't know Shagun stole from Ishita's father...'' Said Santosh as she looked at her husband

'Dad, care to explain...'' Said Raman turning to his dad

'Explain what... I do not even know what you are talking about. So how am I supposed to explain...'' Said Mr. Bhalla

'Shagun stole some good amount of money from the Iyers, took all his savings. And duped his hotel a lot of money...'' Said Simmi

'Papa... Tell me... What were you going to use this money for...'' Said Raman

'Raman... I do...'' Mr. Bhalla began making excuses but Raman had had it

'I really do not have the patience anymore. I will go to the police myself and tell them you are the one who was smuggling those drugs all along...'' Said Raman threatening his father

'You can't do that...'' Said Raman

'Actually I can... And I will...'' Said Raman

'Fine... That money was Shagun paying her father's debt to me... She fell in love with you and I could see it. I told her I had no obligation to that as long as her father paid his debt. No one stole from me and got away with it. So that was the deal... When she managed to scarp up close to 10 Million or so in cash I figured her brain was one I could use when the time was right...'' Said Mr. Bhalla

So let me get this straight... This so called girl who was supposed to be perfect for me was actually a business deal for you. So I am worth a miserly 10 million to you...'' Said Raman disappointed

Mr. Bhalla didn't even understand the gravity of the statement he had just made until he saw the look on Raman's face and Simmi. It was one full of disappointment and anger

'Papa... How could you...'' Said Simmi

'I really thought she was a good person and she is, she was just born of wrong parents who didn't do right by her...'' Said Mr. Bhalla

'Like me ...'' Said Mihir looking at his dad before getting up and grabbing a glass of water

'She managed to get Shagun and threatened that she was sending her to jail and her father. Shagun was scared and didn't want that. So she told Ishita that she gave the money to your father. Ishita could have taken your father to jail because that was extortion but she opted not to...'' Said Santosh looking at Raman

'Why not...'' Said Raman

'Her feelings got in the way of her job and she offered that I stay quiet and never tell you how she and I knew each other, then she would make sure your father never saw the inside of a jail cell. He too was being investigated'' Said Santosh tears welling in her eyes as she saw her son sit back down a tad disappointed

'I swear I wanted to tell you but you were so happy with her. She made you so happy and one I got to see you two together I knew you made her happy as well. I also figured she was the only person I had ever meet who would stand up to your father when he was wrong and as much as your father hated it, you needed someone like that in your corner...'' Said Santosh

'But doesn't that mean she didn't do her job right...'' Said Simmi

'Yeah... So when they found out that she had done that, they wanted to relocate her and take her someplace else but she turned it down and quit. When she agreed to your father's demand of her quitting her job, it wasn't at the company, it was her job as an undercover agent...'' Said Santosh

'Did dad know she was an agent...'' asked Simmi

'No... I didn't...I was just lucky'' Said Mr. Bhalla honestly

Raman listened to his mother talk about his wife and he felt like they were talking about someone completely different. That manipulative woman couldn't have been his Ishita. I mean he knew about her father and how Shagun stole from them, he even knew about her relationship with Abhimanyu, something that these people didn't seem to know and he had let that slide because he figured she had chosen him but this, everything, her being in his life was no coincidence, their cute first meet was no coincidence at all. She had marked him all along. How could she just lie to him like that?

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CHAPTER SEVENTY ONE SCROLL DOWN

CHAPTER SEVENTY ONE

'I knew that part... Mihika kept on telling me when you and Ishita separated that Ishita gave up on the one thing she loved just so she could be with you but as we know how that turned out, the Iyers have never really forgiven you for that...'' Said Mihir

'Although now that I think about it, I do not think they knew she was undercover cop... I mean think about it. Mr. Iyer is a very principled man, you really think he would allow his daughter get married just because of a case... I think they found out later just like everyone else...'' Said Simmi

'Wow... That makes sense... She never really wanted you in the first place and you were just an end to a means...'' Said Mr. Bhalla

'Oh Vishu stop it...'' Said Santosh

'No come on think about it... Once she got to know Raman, he was a Bhalla who had his own company and was doing really well for a man his age. She saw the glamour and the security that came with being Raman's wife and took it...'' Said Mr. Bhalla

'Oh God papa... The Iyers were not so poor that their children didn't know what coming from money meant. The man's savings were taken and yet he somehow managed to stay on his feet... You make it sound like she came out of the gutter or something...'' Said Mihir

'This is Raman's life we are talking about. You say that because you side with her as always. I really do not know what she gave to you that could make you go against your brother like that...'' Said Mr. Bhalla angrily

'I am not going against anybody... You have always had it in for her... Sometimes you judge her too quick and never give her a second chance and yet with Shagun, she always gets a pass...'' Said Mihir

'Because with Shagun I know what to expect... With that... Girl... That Thing... I can't... You are supposed to stand up for your bother no matter what... You are supposed to support him... That is what Bhallas do... But then again ...'' Said Mr. Bhalla holding his tongue much to Simmi's shock and Santosh

'VISHU...'' Screamed Santosh

'No mom... Let him talk... Clearly this has been eating away at him for all these years...'' Said Mihir looking at his father

At that point only Raman had no idea what everyone had suddenly become so hyper sensitive about when it came to that topic. And he was noticing that this was not the first time it was happening. Romi in his tipsy thing said something like that but Shagun shut him down. He was missing something

'What is he talking about dad...'' Said Raman but Mr. Bhalla was just looking at his wife who by now was in tears

Santosh looked at him pleadingly asking him not to utter a word to her children. This was going to shutter them, this was going to break Mihir and Santosh not knowing he already knew didn't think he would cope with it.

'Raman... You see...'' Said Mihir letting out a soft laugh

'In this house I am like the forbidden topic... You know the truth about me... You understand dad's immense hate for Ishita... Simple ...'' He added

'How is Ishita, in anyway related to you...'' Said Raman

'Mihir... Come on...'' Said Simmi as he took his brother's hand but Mihir was done taking shit from his father

'No... Really dad...But then again what... Come on... It has been killing you for 26 years to say so just say it... But then again what ...'' Said Mihir as tears welled up in his eyes

Mr. Bhalla turned and looked at him and for the first time he could see Mihir's pain. It was bizarre that Mihir not even being his son inherited his one character trait, bottling up pain while Santosh looked at her son and realized that he had known for quite a while and none of this was shocking to him anymore

'Mihir... What is wrong...'' Said a surprised Raman

'Mom... Dad... Are you going to tell him or should I...'' Said Mihir

'Can someone tell me what the hell is going on...'' Said Raman

Mihir looked at his mother, then turned and looked at his father before he turned to Raman saying

'You see my dear big brother, as you can recall; when you and Ishita married dad wasn't as bad to her until the still child. Remember... ' Said Mihir

'Well no he wasn't... I mean they were not the best of friends but it wasn't bad.'' Said Raman

'Yeah... He didn't like her then because she was way too outspoken for his liking and sometimes she had no filter you see... He hated that but he understood that you loved her and nothing mattered except the happiness of his beloved son, you...'' Said Mihir

'Mihir...'' Called Mr. Bhalla

'No... No... You said we bring everything out... I am doing just that... I mean it is only fair that he knows...'' Said Mihir looking at his father

'Just drop this, it isn't the time or place...'' Said Mr. Bhalla

'Why because it doesn't shade in in a very good light in front of your son'' Said Mihir

'Can someone tell me what is going on...'' Said Raman

Simmi who knew this was going to be hard for Mihir stood up and took his hand sitting him down as she added

'Mom had an affair for three years with a man and Mihir was the result of that.'' Said Simmi

'What...'' Said a shocked Raman as he turned to his mother and added

'Mom... What is he talking about...'' but Santosh instead broke down

'I am so sorry... It was a mistake... It was a very bad mistake please...'' Said Santhosh crying as she told her children the story of how she fell in love with a young and upcoming drug dealer

'I was weak... It was a moment of weakness that I regret and I am sorry for that... But you ... Mihir, My boy ... You are the only good thing that came out of this... You I have never regretted...'' Said Santosh

'Mom, Please... You can tell Raman all this, not me... You did regret having me, every day of your life and he always made sure he reminded you of it...'' Said Mihir looking at his mother before he turned to his dad

'I always wanted to ask you though... What was my fault in this...'' Said Mihir as tears began welling in his eyes looking at his father

Raman had a million questions in this scenario but when he saw the state Mihir was in, he understood more than anyone in that room that this conversation between him and his parents was long overdue.

'I mean I am a grown ass man who in a very weird an awkward way still hurts by the fact that my father never really accepted me. I always thought something was wrong with me, like I had always done something bad...'' Said Mihir looking at his father but Mr. Bhalla didn't say a thing. Something that pissed Simmi off

'Mihir do not stress... He is not worth it...'' Said Simmi

'No... Let him talk... They need to hear this...'' Said Raman

'You see... I spent all my life trying to be like you, Raman or even Simmi. Everything I did, always, every single thing pissed dad off. I even tried doing the course you did when went to college and all your co-curriculum activities, cricket, soccer, whatever. I did everything I could possibly do to be like Raman but even then dad hated my guts...'' Said Mihir looking at his father

'I never hated you...'' Said Mr. Bhalla as tears welled up in his eyes

'Well then you did feel something for me but it wasn't love. It was nothing compared to what you felt for Simmi and Raman. I had to work thrice as hard to get you to even pay attention to me even just for a few seconds. The only time I would get a rise out of you was when I did something bad or humiliated you in a certain way and that become my norm of that day, my way of life. So I ended up going with the wrong type of friends, picked up a few habits that I maybe shouldn't have and I turned to drugs and alcohol for comfort...'' Said Mihir as he let out a soft laugh while wiping his tears with the back of his hand

'So now am to blame for your drug problem...'' Said Mr. Bhalla

'Do not get me wrong... My drug problem... That was all me and I do not blame anyone for that. I take responsibility for that but you, dad, didn't make it easy...'' He added

'Mihir...'' Said Santosh

'You see mom here had an affair some 30 odd years ago and that affair. I was a reminder of that for him the every single day of my life and he hated me for it. Then Shagun shows up and tells him there was a possibility that your wife...'' Said Mihir looking at Raman

'Was having an affair with Sharma's son... The very same man who Mom had an affair with'' Mihir added

'Hold on... Mr. Sharma... The one Ishita had over here yesterday...'' Said Raman

'Yes... I do not know why she brought him here but if I am to guess, it was to taunt dad in some way...'' Said Simmi

'Mom... What is ... What the hell...'' Said a shocked Raman

'I am sorry... I am so sorry...'' Said Santosh

'You see once you and Ishita finally got married he was a bit fine. I mean she wasn't his favorite person but he tried to get along with her for the simple reason that you are his beloved son and nothing meant more in this world than you. But then this news of Abhimanyu comes and all of a sudden the events of the past are happening again and boom...'' Said Mihir clapping

'He lost all sense of reason and nothing else mattered but to destroy Ishita. That is the reason he hates Ishita so much. He to date still thinks the man she was having an affair with, is actually the son of mama's lover, my father...'' Said Mihir tears welling up again

Mr. Bhalla stood there listening to Mihir and all the anger he should have probably had in that moment, all the rage in his heart wasn't rage anymore but shame... He looked up to his son and for the first time in 26 years he could see his pain. He had flashes of how Mihir was brought from the hospital and how happy he was when Santosh had had him through to the time he found out about Santosh and Sharma and the events their after.

It is only after Mihir began talking that he realized how much hate he had transferred to his son that was so undeserving. Mihir didn't deserve that. He was disappointed in himself for that; he was disappointed in himself as a father and how he had failed. Mihir was his son, regardless of circumstances he was his son and it hurt hearing him talk like that.

'I did nothing wrong dad and it wasn't fair that I got to pay for mom's mistakes. Why didn't you give me up? You should have dropped me off at a shelter somewhere and left me there. I got blamed for things that were not even my fault. I would have been better off at a shelter because there was nothing worse than growing up in a home where your own father hated you and your mom couldn't give two hoots about you out of guilt.'' Said Mihir tears streaming down his eyes as he turned to his mother and said

'Why didn't you fight for me more? Why didn't you stand up for me like you did with Raman or Simmi? I remember the day dad threw Simmi out; you two didn't talk for months. You went to see Simmi every day to make sure she was doing okay. You went to her aid when she needed you. You know what you did when I was thrown out...'' He added looking straight at his mother

'Nothing... I called you... I pleaded... I cried... I begged... Nothing... You just stood there and let him kick me out. There was no aid, no help, no remorse, nothing. I bet you couldn't even care if I died. Which begs the question...Why the hell didn't you just abort me...'' He said much to Raman and Simmi's shock and Santosh who was in tears

'Mihir...'' Barked Mr. Bhalla as he turned Mihir around and

'SMACK...'' Off went the slap causing Mihir to stumble backwards landing on the chair where Simmi was seated

'You can be angry at me for the rest of your life... But you are never again allowed to say something like that. Are we clear...'' Said Mr. Bhalla as tears streamed down his face

Mihir stood up and charged to where his father was but when he saw the tears in his eyes even he didn't quite know how to react to it. He thought maybe he was pretending but he could see right through the pain. It was so strange to see care for him in his father's eyes and he had to wipe away the tears in his eyes to clear his blurred vision to make sure he wasn't mistaking what he was seeing

Raman on the other had was contemplating a million things and just like Mihir even he had a few things to say to his father but he had a different approach to things.

'Mom that is disgusting... I mean how could you ... That is just characterless... I can't believe this...'' Said Raman much to Simmi's hock

'Raman... Chill...'' Said Simmi

'Chill what... She had an affair... That is the most cardinal no... no in this house... Totally unforgivable ... This isn't right... Look at my father and the pain he is in because of what this woman did...'' Said Raman causing Mihir to turn and look at him a bit surprised

'Raman, watch your tongue...'' Said Mr. Bhalla

'No dad... This wasn't right... This isn't right... How could you allow this thing, this... this woman to stay here all these years with her bas***d son after what she did ... You disgust me...'' Said Raman as he turned back

'Raman...'' Screamed Simmi but Mihir could sense where his brother was going with this and he didn't say a word. He just walked back and sat down not saying a thing. Maybe this would be a good thing

'Simmi please... We grew up with him, played with him, sat at the same table with him and yet the entire time he wasn't apart of our family. I can only imagine what our father went through all the while when mom was parading her infidelity and her bas***d son around here...'' Said Raman

'RAMAN...'' Yelled Mr. Bhalla as he arched back folding his hand into a fist and

'SMACK...SMACK...'' Off went the punches on Raman's face that he fell backwards landing head first on the floor

'Raman...'' Cried Simmi as she ran to him to check if he was alright

I am okay...'' Said Raman as he got up removing the blood with is thumb that was running down from his nose as he walked back to his father

'Wow dad... See... It doesn't feel good when people start calling your children bas***ds does it...'' Said Raman but Mr. Bhalla just kept quiet stayed looking at him

'Here... Put this on your face...'' Said Simmi who had run back to the kitchen coming back with ice but Raman brushed her off

'And isn't it double standards dad...'' Said Raman

'Watch the way you talk to me...'' Said Mr. Bhalla

'Or what... You will punch me again... Come on do it again...'' Said Raman as he stood in front of his very shocked father

'Your wife did in fact have an affair but you couldn't bring yourself to leave her. You even accept it and forgave her for that raised and loved her son in your own twisted way. The reason you treated Mihir like that had nothing to do with hate for him. You hated yourself for loving him given what mom had done and so you did everything in your power to make yourself hate him but couldn't...'' Said Raman as tears welled up too

'When he had his binge drinking escapades, you stayed up all night to make sure he was fine. When we had to take him to hospital because of over drinking, you refused to leave his side until he woke up. When he did you made me promise not to tell him because you thought it would make him even worse if he knew we cared. The night you threw him out you came to my room crying and hoping he would turn around and come back...That boy you fought so hard to make everyone think you hated him is actually your favorite son... And yet he isn't even yours...'' Added Raman to a everyone's shock in that room

'You love Mihir just like if it were me or Simmi but because your heart couldn't quite fathom how you could love him and hate him at the same time, you pushed him away every single time and it caused this...'' Said Raman pointing at Mihir who had begun crying again

'My only question to you is, why couldn't you accord me the same choice. I wanted a choice as to whether or not I wanted Ishita and me to work. Whether or not I wanted those children with me or not? Why couldn't you accord me the same dad? You just kept pushing and pushing until neither of us could take it. You instead helped another woman come into this house and destroy my marriage. I may have been untrusting and nave and she and I had our problems but you started the candle burning when you choose to help Shagun. How could you do that to me Dad? She was my wife, she was pregnant with my children so how could you'' Said Raman his voice breaking

'Raman... It was different... She was... That Ishita didn't love you ...'' Said Mr. Bhalla

'How do you know... Hell you do not know a thing about her except what Shagun told you ... Shagun has been manipulating you since the day you met her and each time you fall for it.'' Said Raman

'And Ishita hasn't...'' Said Mr. Bhalla

'No... If she was manipulating you, she wasn't manipulating me... Even when she came back to my life she had every reason to do so but she hasn't. She is blunt with me and when she doesn't want to lie to me, she walks away... Shagun has been manipulating you...'' Said Raman

'Listen I have not been father of the century but I have tried to be there for you. Everything I did, everything I have been doing for the last 10 years since you met that woman has been to make sure that you are protected. She came here out of false pretense. Seduced you to fall in love with her...'' Said Mr. Bhalla much to Raman's shock

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TEASER

'Well that doctor was prescribing Aspirin but laced in a drug called Succinylcholine. It is a muscle relaxant that paralyzes the respiratory muscles. It is normally used in a hospital to allow the insertion of a breathing tube into the throat of a patient who is still conscious. In higher doses it can paralyze the entire breathing apparatus, and the victim slowly suffocates to death.'' Said Ishita much to the shock of everyone in the room

'Now at times when used wrongly, it can also cause irregular heart attacks or one's heart to stop'' Said Ishita looking at Raman before she let out the bomb shell

'Hold on... Are you saying she tried to kill me...'' Said a shocked Mr. Bhalla

'Not tried... Has been killing you slowly ...'' Said Ishita looking at him

'Oh My God...'' Said a shattered Simmi as she sat down crying

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Chap 73-74