Kalyani Oberoi, matriarch of the Oberoi clan and wife of Late Prithvi Singh Oberoi, completed her morning pranayam and settled into her chair on the balcony connected to her room. Neelima, her personal attendant quietly placed the tea tray before her.
Kalyani opened the newspaper and skimmed through the headlines. Afraid that further delving into the political news might give her a headache, she turned to the next page. Global affairs did not appear any better. She flipped to the society page next. Kalyani would never admit to it but somewhere within her lived a hope that the press had captured some moment between that thick-headed grandson of hers and Anika. There was nothing like such 'accidents' to bring out ishqbaazi and one of her prime wishes was to see her grandsons become as ardent ishqbaazes as their dearly departed grandfather.
Folding the paper to the page in question, Kalyani's eyes were arrested by the series of photos that had created such mischief over breakfast. Immediately on seeing the familiar balcony, Daadi felt an elation at the prospect of her wishes being fulfilled. Had that Billu of hers finally come in line?
However, the elation was short-lived. The man in the photos did not look like Billu. He was taller, broader at the shoulders. And the hair. No that was not Billu. Turning to the figure she had at first assumed to be Anika, Kalyani received another shock. That was most certainly not Anika. With rising dread, Kalyani turned to the caption. The paper slipped from her shaking hands and fell on her lap.
**********
Unni set the kettle to boil and stared glumly at the diverse spots on the dull yellow wall before him. To be sent out in the midst of such drama! Who was the lady who spoke to the Boss in such a way? In his eventful career as the errand boy in this office, he had never before seen such specimens of feminine beauty. If he didn't know that this particular ACP was the driest, most boring and most irritable officer he had ever come across, Unni's bet would be that she was Sir's girlfriend. But that was surely impossible. Sir had a lot of qualities, but romance was not one of them.
Outside the tiny cubicle that served as his kitchen, Unni could hear the light chatter of the police men as they settled in for another long day. Rekha Madam of the Women's Cell peeked in for a moment and placed a pack of biscuits on the slab. Unni added the tea leaves even as his mind remained fixed in wondering what might be taking place inside Boss' office at that very moment.
Busy in his musings, the boy failed to hear the commotion outside as a group of red-faced men furiously demanded to be allowed to meet the ACP.
**********
Mr. Tej Singh Oberoi was literally at the end of his tether. He knew that any outburst from his part would only draw further attention to the shameful business involving his daughter. Yet, the stone-faced buffoon of a police officer who was at present trying to stop him from meeting that Randhawa, was making every cell in his body want to strangle him.
"Sir, you must follow the protocol." the buffoon said.
"You know what you can do with your protocol?!" Tej yelled.
"We need to see him urgently!" interrupted Rudra before Tej could describe in full detail exactly what the constable could do with his protocols.
"Wait here. I shall inform Sir." said Head Constable Apte. He turned to enter the ACP's room but was beaten to it by Tej and his entourage of angry Oberoi men. He followed them in but could barely make out what was happening inside the room since they were blocking the entrance.
Rudra, who stood before Apte, turned to the constable. His face tightened into something that was meant to resemble a smile. "This is a private matter so it would be better if you waited outside." he said and calmly edged the officer outside.
Apte stood gaping at the wooden door for a moment. Never before had he seen the protocols being so blatantly disregarded in his six months of experience as a constable. The phone at his desk was ringing. He picked it up. It was a call from the local MLA's office. The boss had already instructed him to evade all attempts by the MLA to contact him. Apte managed to stave off the demands. He was about to hang up and release a sigh of relief when he looked up to find himself face to face with Inspector Shinde.
Shinde laid a file on the desk with a thump.
"Get it sent to the DIG's office." said the officer before turning to head towards the ACP's office.
"The Oberois have come to meet Sir." Apte choked out.
"The Oberois?!" Shinde said, surprise clear in his voice.
"Well, I tried to make them wait but they sort of barged into the office..." Apte trailed off as Shinde's face twisted into a scowl.
"And you allowed them to do so!" the young officer gritted out at the head constable. "Don't you know Sir is on the Oberoi case right now!"
Shinde added to himself, "Not satisfied simply by getting the MLA to drive us up the wall with ridiculous demands, they must have come to meet him in person to throw their weight about."
He hurried towards the ACP's office.
**********
"How dare you manhandle her?!"
Tej watched in stupefaction as his imbecile of a son charged like a Roman gladiator at that scoundrel Randhawa.
"O B-b-bhaiya! What are you all d-d-doing here?" Priyanka stuttered out. Her anger momentarily froze at the terrifying sight of her father and her brothers descend upon the scene. Forgetting that her hand was still in Randhawa's, she stared in horror as Omkara raised his hand with the full intention of punching the ACP.
To say that he was surprised would be an understatement. Randhawa had not expected to be attacked in his office by the most peaceful among the Oberoi men when he had woken up that morning. But he took it in stride. Handling criminals given to unexpected bouts of aggression had taught him to remain unfazed in such situations. And Omkara even if he was angry did not even come close to the potential for violence as displayed by the average thug. Still it would not do to have said that he didn't try to preserve peace.
"I would suggest that you calm down, Omkara Singh Oberoi, and discuss whatever you have come to--" Randhawa began. However, as the punch headed towards him, he changed tack. He barely heard Priyanka shout out, "Nooo!"
Catching hold of the arm heading towards him, Randhawa soon had Omkara in a tight-hold. With Omkara struggling as he tried to release himself from the awkward hold, Randhawa turned coldly towards the rest.
"I strongly suggest that you calm down. I could charge the whole lot of you for assaulting an officer of the law but if I'm not mistaken neither I nor any of you have the time or luxury to battle it out in court."
He nodded at the empty chairs before him. Tej eyed the officer with an assessing look. Finally, he nodded briefly and made to sit down. Omkara who was yet to be released, struggled. Rudra and Shivay made a move towards him. This time Priyanka spoke up, surprising them all.
'O Bhaiya, I had told you that I will sort the matter out." There was a certain sadness in her voice that made Om suddenly grow very still.
**********
A very distressed Jahnvi knocked on the door to her mother-in-law's room. The door was promptly opened by Pinky who stood with a sombre expression but her eyes gleamed with excitement.
"Jahnvi?" Kalyani's firm voice called out from within the room.
"Mummyji!" Jahnvi quickly walked in and sat down next to the old lady.
Pinky's keen eyes turned from one face to another until she couldn't hold back any further.
"Mummyji, Jethji aur baaki sab ladke toh Priyanka ke peeche peeche station pohuch gaya hai ab tak. Pata nahi kaun sa kurukshetra khara karenge waha."
Instead of scolding her to stop talking nonsense as was the usual practice in the household, Jahnvi and Daadi sat on the bed silent.
Pinky continued, "Ek murder case kya kam tha, ki ab Prinku ne theka lagaya humare izzat ka dhajjiya udhane ka!"
Jahnvi finally turned to Kalyani.
"Mummyji, Pinky is right. This will be a blow on the Oberoi honor. We have to prevent this scandal from blowing out of proportion."
Daadi nodded her head grimly. "Pinky, call for the driver. We have to go out."
"Are we going to the police station, Mummyji?"
"No. We are visiting a friend of mine."
**********
Randhawa relaxed his hold on Omkara Oberoi's arm as he felt the man grow still. Omkara did not look at him but walked towards a chair.
"I presume you have come here regarding the photos." Randhawa began.
"How much did you get paid to orchestrate this fiasco?" Shivay barked out.
Anika huffed out something indistinctly at this that sounded much like 'Calculator Singh Oberoi'. Shivay's face grew very crimson as her words reached him even if it was too soft to be heard by the rest. He forgot what he was about to say and there was a momentary silence in the room.
Tej looked from Randhawa who was studying the paperweight on his table like it had grown wings to Priyanka who was growing paler by the second even as she cast beseeching looks towards Anika. He finally spoke.
"Priyanka has always been the quiet one. Getting good grades, studying the subjects we wanted her to pursue, staying away from trouble. But I realise now, I don't know her." He paused as he turned his eyes towards where the object of his discourse stood trembling. His voice hardened as he continued, "I realize I don't know what this girl is actually like."
"Papa!" Priyanka's voice was full of anguish. "It was n-n-nothing. The whole thing w-was an a-accident!"
"Enough!" Tej's voice was like steel. He cast his eyes across the room. "What happened is there for the whole world to see! I look like an utter fool now!"
"Mr. Oberoi." Randhawa's voice was cold and had an edge to it. "Hate to remind you but whatever has happened does not concern any of you. It is a matter that involves only two people and they are --"
He was stopped short by Omkara growling out, "Don't even think of taking her name, you bas***d!"
"Omkara Singh Oberoi, firebrand artist, tends to make decisions based on his heart rather than his head." Randhawa turned towards the young man. He was beginning to tire of the theatrics of this family. "As much as it might surprise you, I gain no pleasure from taking any of your names," he said.
He would have continued when Shinde stuck his head through the door and said, "Sir, can I come in?"
"Ah! Minions have arrived, I see!" This exclamation came from Shivay who till now had largely been busy scowling at Anika.
"Shinde, wait outside!" Randhawa barked out. He could feel the beginnings of a head ache.
**********
Pinky sat in the speeding car beside the driver. Behind her sat Jahnvi and Mummyji. The events were happening so fast, she felt as if she might faint with the excess of it all. She had no idea Mummyji could come up with such a solution! Ever since their visit to Mummyji's 'friend', Pinky's words had dried up. For now, she tried to absorb the reality of it all. With growing discomfort, she was realising that with all her mind-games and attempts at politicking, she was a mere babe before the great chess master that was Mummyji.
Jahnvi had barely spoken since the cryptic conversation Kalyani Oberoi had with the gentleman she had described as an 'old friend'. She suddenly turned to the old lady.
"Is this going to be good, Mummyji? What we are about to do.." she trailed off.
Mummyji did not even turn her head as she replied, "Jahnvi, when it comes to the family, we can only do what is right. The rest, time will decide."
In her seat, Pinky shivered.
**********
Shinde paced outside the door of Randhawa's office. This simply wouldn't do. What were those Oberois doing here en masse!?! Were they trying to blackmail the boss? Should he get in touch with the office of the Chief Commissioner of Police? Did the present situation qualify as a crisis? Would the boss thank him if he did get the Commissioner involved in this? Probably not. But still... Shinde's thoughts went in loop even as a burning curiosity filled him. What were they discussing inside?
Suddenly he started to a halt as if he had seen a ghost. He looked around confused. He certainly hadn't made the call. Then had someone else from the department...
The gentleman standing before him cleared his throat. "Officer, will you kindly let the ACP know I wish to speak to him?"
It was anything but a request. Shinde leaped towards the door and poked his head inside the lion's den.
**********
Tej's voice was choking with rage. His eyes flashed as he gritted out the words that made Randhawa snort.
"You are mistaken if you think we are easy prey. I'll make you wish you were never born!"
Randhawa had had enough. There was no point to this meeting. They had been talking in circles for the past god knows how many hours! He had work pending and these entitled assholes thought that they could just waltz in and take up the better part of the day.
"The court, then, Mr. Oberoi. You'll hear from my lawyer." he drawled out. It was tough not letting the anger show, but he needed to make them leave and shouting at them would only draw this out.
"You'll hear from our lawyers!"
That came from Shivay Singh Oberoi. Of course, no Oberoi could let someone else have the last word. Randhawa's eyes fleetingly glanced towards Priyanka. She had fallen silent ever since her father had started to speak. Pity that. Now she resembled a study in mortification.
The door to the office opened. Shinde peeked in again. "Sir, there's someone--" he began, his eyes flicking across the room.
"I am still busy as you can see, Shinde." Randhawa said even though he wished this would end.
"Officer, if you will excuse--" and so saying, in walked the Chief Commissioner of Police, Kapil Aadekar.
Randhawa leaped up from his chair. Tej Singh Oberoi also rose from his chair in surprise and before Randhawa could say a word, he exclaimed, "What are you doing here?!"
Randhawa could hardly believe the audacity of the man to speak to the Chief Commissioner like that but then he spotted the three ladies standing behind Commissioner Aadekar. Was that--
"Namaste. I am Kalyani Singh Oberoi and Kapilji has come to you with a request from me." The elderly lady stepped forward with a benign smile on her face.
**********
NEXT
Ganesh Kartikeya
Shiv Shakti
Mannat Har Khushi Paane Ki
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2
