Chapter 56 - A Vicious Set Up
The next day...
Meher stood leaning against a pillar on the porch of her parent's home in Ludhiana. Lost in thought, she twisted back and forth the ruby ring on her finger. A watering can full of water lay by her feet. Preet had called to let her know he had and Heer Didi had reached London safely. That was 3 days ago, and she hadn't heard from him since. She longed to hear his voice. It was her own fault she was suffering. After all, she was the one who left her phone behind in his car as he drove off to Delhi. Still...was giving her one little phone call too much to ask for? Oh God! What was wrong with her? Why was she being selfish and petty? He was worried about his brother Prem. Heer Didi was pregnant. Making sure both of them were okay was his priority, she reminded herself. Still a phone call would be nice. She prayed that all was well and that he would return home soon.
"Meher! Kuljeet called out.
Meher jolted back from her thoughts by her stepmother's voice. She quickly walked back inside the house to see what she wanted and found her on the phone.
"Yes yes, Mrs. Malhotra," said Kuljeet. "Yes, you heard right. Meher is visiting for a few days. Yes, her husband has gone abroad. No, not Kay-na-da, London...you know...where the queen of England lives. Well, the Junejas do have connections, but I doubt he'll have time to meet the queen. His brother is in the hospital, you know. Yes, I'm sure he'll bring back plenty of gifts for everyone. Of course, I'll call you when he comes. If you'd like to come by and see Meher, you should. Once she leaves for Delhi, you won't be able to. I mean, we're the in-laws so an invitation to the Juneja mansion will be a routine thing, but you on the other hand..."
Great! Meher rolled her eyes. Even if Preet had tried to call her, he wouldn't be able to get through thanks to Kuljeet. "Ahem," she cleared her throat. "Did you want something Kuljeet Ma?"
"Ah, there you are!" smiled Kuljeet. "Be a good girl and make me a cup of tea, will you dear?"
Dear? Meher thought with a raised brow.
"Uh...what I mean is...you're only here for a few days," said Kuljeet. "Who knows when you'll be able to do things for your mother again. And I do so miss the tea you make."
Meher shook her head and went to the kitchen. A short while later, she returned with a tray of tea and snacks. To her relief, her father walked into the room at the same time holding a newspaper under her arm. "Ah Meher! Good, you've brought tea," he smiled. "You're spoiling us you know. Your step-mother will be at a loss, once again after you leave."
"Papa-ji, do something please," Meher whispered as she handed her father his cup. "How is Preet supposed to call if she's on the phone non-stop?"
Balraj nodded in understanding. He put his cup and newspaper down. He cleared his throat and was about to say something to his wife when the door bell rang.
"Oh my Rabs! Who is at the door now?" cried Kuljeet. "Meher, go and check. Someone probably heard that you were visiting and has come to see you." She returned to her phone call. "Uff Mrs. Malhotra! I tell you, it isn't easy being related to the Junejas now. Someone or the other is always dropping by."
Meher shook her head and went to answer the door. Her mouth fell open in surprise, when she found Daljeet Rampal standing outside. In her hand was a large manila envelope.
"Well," scoffed Daljeet. "Aren't you going to let me in? I mean for God's sake young lady, where are your manners?" Meher wasn't quite sure how to react, but stepped aside to let her in. Her parents were equally surprised to see who their visitor was.
Kuljeet nearly spat her tea out. She quickly ended her call and stood up. "Oh my Rabs! Daljeet, what are you doing here?"
"What? Am I not allowed to pay a visit to my little sister anymore?" asked Daljeet.
"That's not what I meant," said Kuljeet. "It's just that last time we spoke, it wasn't on the friendliest of terms."
"Ah yes, last time...," sighed Daljeet. She threw a look of contempt at Meher. "The last time we spoke, your step-child had caused me quite a bit of grief."
"Daljeet, I don't have a problem with you coming to see Kuljeet if she also wishes to see her sister," Balraj. "However, I will not allow you to put Meher down. Whatever happened, may not have been according to your expectations, but as long as our children are happy, we have to accept that what happened was for the best."
"Really Prah-ji (brother-in-law), what happened?" Daljeet feigned ignorance.
"Ack! She's so overcome by grief, she's lost her memory," cried Kuljeet. "You know what happened...Preet dumped Ash for Meher...uh...I mean Preet and Meher got married."
"Did they?" said Daljeet. "Were you at the wedding? Because I sure wasn't. Neither was Lalit Juneja, or any of the Junejas in fact. How does that old saying go? If a tree falls in the forest, and no one hears it, did it really fall?"
"What are you talking about?" frowned Meher.
"I'm only repeating what Lalit Juneja is going around saying," explained Daljeet. "That Preet got cold feet before his real wedding to Ashlesha, and decided to have one last fling with the girl most willing to throw herself at his feet."
"Daljeet!!" roared Balraj. "Kya bakwas kar rahi ho (What nonsense are you spouting)?!?"
"Really sister!" agreed Kuljeet. "You've gone too far this time."
"On the contrary Kuljeet," sighed Daljeet. "I've come to offer you people my sympathies. You've been had, aur bechari Meher ab kahin ki nahin rahi (and poor Meher is the biggest loser)." She turned to face Meher. "He used you, didn't he? Then sent you back home when he was done with you..."
"What?!" said Meher.
"Daljeet! I'm warning you!" cried Balraj.
"Mrs. Rampal, I know you are bitter about what happened," Meher spoke up. "But that does not give you the right to come into our home and speak utter nonsense. Perhaps you are unaware, but I'm visiting my parents because Preet had to go abroad."
"Really?" scoffed Daljeet. "Why didn't he take you with him?"
"I didn't have a passport," said Meher.
"And you couldn't get one made?" argued Daljeet.
"It was an emergency!" cried Meher. "Preet's brother was in an accident and..."
"Preet iss waqt apne hone wale bache ki maa ke saat London mein hai (Preet is in London right now, with the young woman expecting his child), Daljeet interrupted her.
"What are you talking about?" demanded Kuljeet.
Daljeet reached into the envelope she had been holding, and handed her some papers. She watched her sister's mouth fall open as she looked over it.
"What is it?" asked Balraj.
"It...it's...a pregnancy report," stammered Kuljeet.
"Let me see that," said Meher, as she snatched the papers from Kuljeet's hands.
"Meher...is it true?" asked Balraj.
"It is a pregnancy report," said Meher, as her eyes scanned the papers. "And it's positive."
"See," Daljeet said triumphantly.
"Just a minute, Mrs. Rampal," Meher said. Her lips pursed into a fine line. "According to this report Ashlesha is pregnant, but no where does it say that Preet is the father. I know Preet very well. There was never anything between him and Ashlesha. You're lying."
"Am I?" smirked Daljeet. She reached into the manila envelope again and pulled out a stack of photographs. "Then what do you have to say about these?"
Meher didn't move, but Kuljeet quickly snatched the pictures from her sister's hands and sifted through them. "Oh my Rabs!" she raised her hand to her mouth in disbelief. "She's speaking the truth. Preet and Ashlesha are together!"
"The truth is Meher, there was never an accident...there was never an emergency," Daljeet smiled coyly. "That was just an excuse Preet used to get rid of you...or...how did my sister so eloquently put it?...dump you."
"No," Meher shook her head in disbelief.
"Think of it this way," continued Daljeet. "Why didn't Preet take you with him to London? If it was just a matter of the passport, he could have used his family connections to get one made for you in a hurry. Let's say for argument's sake that was not possible, even then, why didn't he take you home to help the family in their so called time of need?"
"I...I don't know his family very well," explained Meher. "I mean, I haven't had a chance to get close to any of them other than Heer Didi really. Preet thought I'd be uncomfortable in new surroundings without him."
"New surroundings?" scoffed Daljeet. "Come now Meher, you've been to the Juneja mansion plenty of times. Preet didn't take you home, because he knew you wouldn't be welcome there. He knew his father wouldn't accept you, so instead he sent you back...where you belong...and where you will now stay...for good."
"No," Meher shook her head.
"To be honest, I'm quite upset with Ashlesha," sighed Daljeet. "After what he did to Meher, I warned her that Preet was no good. But, with the baby coming and all, Rishap and I have our hands tied. We have to accept their relationship. They're getting married next month, right there in London. I'd send you an invitation, but you don't have a passport."
"Stop it!" cried Meher. "Stop lying!" She walked to the door and held it open. "Get out!"
"Meher my dear, I only have your best interest at heart," said Daljeet. "Sauteli hi sahi (even if you're a step-child), you are my sister's daughter. I only wish the best for you, and it's clearly not Preet."
"I am not in need of your wishes Mrs. Rampal, good or otherwise," Meher said through gritted teeth. "Now, before I forget my manners, please leave!"
"Well, I never!" cried Daljeet as she stormed out of the house.
"Uff!" fumed Meher, as she slammed the door shut. "The nerve of that woman! Did she really think I'd fall for her lies?" She turned around to see her parents' crest-fallen faces. "What? Why are you guys looking at me like that? You don't really believe anything she said do you? Come on guys, you know Preet, and you know Mrs. Rampal. She's obviously lying."
"Meher, I know how you feel about Daljeet," sighed Balraj. "But perhaps you should look at these pictures."
"No," Meher shook her head. "I don't need to look at anything. Preet would never do such a thing. I trust him, and that's enough for me."
"But it isn't enough for me!" cried Kuljeet. "You're blinded by your love for him, but what do we really know about Preet? Only that he is a Juneja. Your father's boss. I always warned you to stay away from him. Told you, you can never really trust these rich young men. He was engaged to marry Ashlesha, and now she's pregnant!"
"We don't know who the father is," tried Meher.
"Yes!" cried Kuljeet. "But we also don't know if Preet is not the father." She stuffed the photographs in Meher's hands. "Look! Just look at the 2 of them together!"
Meher looked down as Kuljeet flashed one photograph after another before her. There were pictures of Preet and Ashlesha eating together, laughing as they sat at a table and talked, and even one of the two of them hugging or walking down the street with arms linked together. She paused at one picture in particular. In it, Ashlesha had her hand on her stomach, while Preet had his arm draped around her shoulders, and was looking at her with concern. "What if...what if Mrs. Rampal doctored these photos?" stammered Meher. "I bet the report was fake too. She probably paid someone to make everything up."
"And what if they're true?!" cried Kuljeet. "I mean, why would Daljeet deliberately try to ruin her daughter's reputation? Just look at these!" She smacked the pictures with her hand. "If a picture speaks a thousand words, these photos speak volumes. Main bhi sochoon (I should have known), why did he send you home to us instead of taking you back to the Juneja mansion. You could have helped them out in their time of grief. What's that little girl's name? His brother's daughter? Chuchu?"
"Chahat," said Meher.
"Yes yes, Chahat," replied Kuljeet. "You could have taken care of her while her mother was gone. But no. Turns out he was pulling the wool over our eyes the entire time. This story about his brother's accident was just a lie he concocted to send you home so he could go running back to Ashlesha! She is pregnant with the next Juneja heir, so why wouldn't he?!"
"No, it can't be," Meher shook her head, still not willing to believe her step-mother's words. "I know Preet...he wouldn't...Heer Didi...Heer Didi called us in Kasauli...she..."
"Did you speak to her?" asked Kuljeet. "Did she tell you about the accident?"
"No, but Preet...," tried Meher.
"Have you spoken to her since?" asked Kuljeet.
"No...but...," said Meher.
"Of course you haven't," scoffed Kuljeet. "Have any of the Junejas called to see how you were?"
"No. Maybe they're...," tried Meher.
"Forget about Heer or the others...," Kuljeet interrupted her. "...except for that one phone call to let you know he's reached London, you haven't even spoken to Preet!"
"Kuljeet, that's enough," said Balraj. He saw the look of worry wash over Meher's face. "You're upsetting Meher. I'll admit, I'm as surprised as you to see these photos. And Daljeet sure did her best to fill our heads with poison, but the Preet I know is a very decent young man. He loves Meher very much. He would never do anything to hurt her."
"I'm sorry, but I don't share your confidence Balraj," said Kuljeet. "And I'll be damned if I take things lying down. We have to get to the bottom of this, and there is only one way to do it. We must go and see the Junejas ourselves."
The next day...
Kuljeet grinned widely as she stepped out of the taxi cab that had dropped her, Meher and Balraj in front of the Juneja Mansion. "Oh my Rabs! Isn't that a beautiful house?" she clasped her hands together. "Not a house, it's a palace! To think, our little Meher is going to live here! I bet it's even more beautiful on the inside. Balraj, quickly, let's go in."
"Let me pay the driver at least," said Balraj.
Kuljeet eyed the money her husband gave the taxi driver and frowned as he drove away. "Uff! Did you see how much he charged us just to get from the airport to here? Hmph! As if the expense of airline tickets wasn't enough. Each time I come to Delhi, I realize how much better off we are in Ludhiana. Yahan toh sab lootere hain (Everyone here is a thief)!"
"It was your idea to come," Balraj reminded her.
"Well, you both insisted on giving Preet the benefit of the doubt, and this is the only way to erase all my doubts," said Kuljeet. "Plus I want to make sure to shut my sister's mouth once and for all. What does she think that the Junejas are too good for us? Speaking of the Junejas, I hope they show us the hospitality we deserve. After all, Meher is coming to their home as their daughter-in-law for the first time."
"Perhaps it would have been better if we had at least informed them that we were coming," Meher said nervously.
"Oh my Rabs!" cried Kuljeet. "This is your home now Meher. It's not like you need permission to come. Oh, I almost forgot! You kept some chocolates for little Chuchee, right?"
"It's Chahat," Meher rolled her eyes.
"Close enough," said Kuljeet. "Remind me to give them to her when she comes to greet us. Little kids love that sort of thing. Oh my Rabs! I do hope we've made it in time for breakfast. I do love all the nice things rich people eat."
Meher shook her head and sighed before following her parents towards the Juneja
Meanwhile...
"Where is the business section of today's newspaper?" Lalit asked as he joined his family at the breakfast table.
"I don't know Bauji," said Kulraj. "Kids, you haven't been messing around with Nanu's paper have you?"
"No mom," her children replied in unison.
"I don't even know how to read Dadu's newpaper," sighed Chahat.
"That's because you're the baby of the family," teased Tanu.
"I am not!" protested Chahat. "My baby brother or sister is the baby of the family."
"But he's not even here yet," Ketan pointed out.
"Wait...how do you it's a he?" asked Tanu. "Maybe it's a girl."
"No way," Vikas shook his head. "You 2 are 2 girls too many. It's definitely going to be a boy."
"Kids! Kids!" Lalit held his head with hand. Just then he spotted Herman and Maya walking into the room. Herman quickly hid the newspaper he was holding behind his back, but it was too late. His father had already seen it. "Ah Herman! Is that the business section?" asked Lalit.
"Bauji, why don't you have your breakfast in peace first?" smiled Kuljeet. "You know how stressed out you get after reading the paper."
"Um...uh...Kulraj Didi is right Bauji," said Herman. "Why don't we have breakfast first?"
"Just give me the damn paper son!" ordered Lalit.
Herman and Maya exchanged worried glances, before reluctantly handing the paper over to Lalit. They quietly slipped into their seats and waited for him to explode.
"Damn it! Damn it all to hell!" Lalit slammed his fist on the dining table hard enough to make the silverware jump. His hand clenched around the newspaper.
"Bauji!" sighed Kulraj. "Such language around the kids...I really don't think...,"
"I really don't care what you think right now!" cried Lalit. "If a man can't speak his mind in his own house then what good is to him?"
"I was just saying that...," tried Kulraj.
"...And if anyone has a problem with what comes out of my mouth," Lalit interrupted her. "Then they're free to take their meals in their rooms." He turned and glared accusingly at Maya and Herman. "Our stocks just took a major nose dive. You two knew about this and were trying to hide it!"
"Bauji...I...I was going to tell you...," stammered Herman.
"But we just didn't want you to start your day in a bad mood," added Maya.
"What else are you hiding?" Lalit asked suspiciously.
Just then Maya's phone rang. It was Daljeet Rampal. Great! The wicked witch has impeccable timing, thought Maya. "Uh...I'm sorry I have to take this call. It's...uh...an important client Excuse me." She quickly got up and walked away.
"Bauji, the bank wants to meet with us," sighed Herman. "They want us to come down and discuss our...options."
"Options? Hmph!" scoffed Lalit. "They want me to declare bankruptcy."
"We may not have any other choice," sighed Herman. "They want their money back."
"Have you tried contacting the Mehras? What about the Tejwanis?" asked Lalit.
"Bauji...no one wants to touch us," sighed Herman.
"I refuse to give up!" Lalit slammed his fist on the table again. "There must be something we can do. Anything to buy us a little more time."
"There is, but you're not going to like it," said Herman. "But at this point beggars can't be choosers."
"Kulraj bua, are we going to become beggars?" Chahat asked worriedly.
"Of course not dear," Kulraj gave her a weak smile. "You know what guys, why don't we go upstairs and start getting ready for school?" She ushered the children upstairs, leaving her father and brother to talk alone.
"So? What options do we have?" asked Lalit.
"We liquidate everything," replied Herman. "All the factories, the warehouses, inventories, even some of the private land, properties...luxury items. We pretty much have to scale back all operations just to our most profitable hotels."
"Everything?" Lalit said in disbelief.
"I know that's a lot of layoffs, but it can't be helped," sighed Herman. "Our hotels are the only thing making money right now. First, we make sure we have sufficient funds to pay our staff, then we have to start paying off our creditors. Pay off the smallest loans in full. That will give us some credibility back with those lenders and vendors. The largest creditors...we won't be able to pay off completely, but even small installments will buy us some time. After that we can pay out some dividends, no matter how small an amount, the investors will appreciate it."
"Everything," mumbled Lalit. "Is there any good news at all, or do I go to my grave on a sinking ship?"
"Well, the press hasn't gotten wind of Prem Bhaiya's accident yet, and that is about the only good news I have," sighed Herman. "The last thing we need is for the business community to find out that the backbone of Juneja Enterprises is lying unconscious in a hospital in London."
"Hmm," agreed Lalit. "How is Prem doing?"
"I'll call Preet and get an update," said Herman. "I'll also tell him I discussed our strategy with you. He had been working on it with accounting for sometime now. I can have the department look at the exact break up and numbers and have a report ready for you by tomorrow."
"Preet!" Lalit's face grew stern. "This is all his fault! If only he had married Ashlesha Rampal! Baap ko khangal kar diya (he has bankrupted his father)! Just let him come home! I'll make sure he spends the rest of his life washing dishes in our hotel!"
Just then Herman's phone rang. The color drained from his face when he saw the caller was Preet. "Uh...yeah...right...uh...I'm sorry Bauji, I have to take this call. I'll be right back."
Meanwhile...
"You couldn't have called at a worse time," Maya was speaking to Daljeet on the phone.
"The old man saw the newspaper this morning, did he?" chuckled Daljeet.
"It's not funny," cried Maya. "I nearly thought he was going to have a heart attack."
"Well that's one way to get out of the mess he created," Daljeet replied coldly.
"What did you want?" Maya rolled her eyes.
"I wanted to let you know I paid Meher a visit yesterday," said Daljeet.
"So?" asked Maya.
"So, do you want Preet and Ash to get married and save your company or not?" asked Daljeet.
"Yes, of course I do," said Maya.
"Okay then," said Daljeet. "If everything goes according to plan, I expect Meher to come running to you guys...you know, to claim her place in your family and all. Slam the door in her face." Maya listened quietly as Daljeet gave her additional instructions. "The ball is in your court Maya. Let's see what you can do."
"Daljeet," sighed Rishap, as his wife put her phone away. "I don't know what kind of a game you're playing, but it's a complete waste of time. We should be focusing all our energies on securing our assets and getting the hell out of here."
"I'm just trying to buy us some time," smiled Daljeet.
"Buying time. That's what you said we were doing when you talked me into arranging that accident for Prem, but it got us no where!" said Rishap.
"Yes, well, how was I supposed to know that idiot you hired would miss?" Daljeet rolled her eyes. "Now that's another mess we'll have to clean up."
"Don't worry, that truck driver will go to jail, but he won't talk," Rishap assured her. "What amazes me is how quickly Preet took charge of the situation and stepped into his brother's shoes. He always seemed so aloof from his father's business. I underestimated him. We should have gone after him I tell you."
"Relax dear," smiled Daljeet. "That's exactly what I'm doing." She raised her phone again and dialed a number. "Hello...Hindustan Times? This is Kuljeet Maan. I have some news that may be of interest to you..."
Meanwhile...
"Maya?" said Herman. He startled her as he walked up to her from behind.
"Uff Herman!" cried Maya as she placed a hand over her heart. "Don't sneak up on me like that."
"I wasn't sneaking up, I just came here to make a phone call," explained Herman. He eyed his wife suspiciously. "Is everything alright with your client?"
"Everything can be more than wonderful if you cooperate with me," grinned Maya.
"What are you talking about?" asked Herman.
"I was talking to Daljeet Rampal just now," explained Maya. "She said she and Rishap would talk to some investors on our behalf...and..."
"No Maya, that woman...that whole family is bad news," Herman shook his head. He made a mental note to tell Preet that he couldn't hide the Rampals' fraud from his wife any longer. "I can't explain right now, but just stay away from her."
"But...," Maya's mouth fell open in surprise as her husband refused to listen further to anything she had to say and walked away from her. "Hmph!" she muttered to herself. "Herman Juneja, you may be perfectly fine with letting everything slip through your fingers, but I certainly am not!"
A short while later...
"Hey Preet, sorry I couldn't take your call earlier, I was...uh...speaking to Bauji," explained Herman. "I told him everything you said about scaling down operations. He didn't take it too well."
"I wasn't expecting him to," said Preet.
"He blamed you for all our problems," added Herman.
"Now that I was expecting," sighed Preet.
"How's Prem Bhaiya?" asked Herman.
"He's doing remarkably well. He's talking. Slowly trying to move around. Even the doctors are surprised by the sudden turn around in his condition. Between you and me, it's all Heer Bhabi's doing. She's been at his side the whole time praying for his recovery, although I think I heard her threaten him once or twice under her breath too," chuckled Preet. "They've moved him out of the ICU to a regular room, but he's already insisting that he wants to go home. We might just be able to by the end of the week."
"That's a relief," sighed Herman.
"Yeah, I know," agreed Preet. "Listen Bhai, the police have the driver, who hit PB, in custody. Guess who the mini truck he was driving was registered to. One of Rampal Industries subsidiaries."
"What?!" cried Herman.
"They tried to have PB killed Bhai," Preet said through gritted teeth. "And I was a fool to believe Ash even for a minute that her parents were innocent."
"Ash?" asked Herman.
"Uh...yeah...she's in town...but...uh...never mind that," said Preet. "The file with all the evidence we had collected against the Rampals got lost somewhere in the crash site. I need you to send me a duplicate right away. Let's nail the bas***ds once and for all."
Moments later...
A servant led the Maans into the foyer of the Juneja Mansion. He asked them to wait there until he located a family member to come see them.
Kuljeet's eyes nearly popped out when she got a glimpse of the beautiful chandelier hanging there, as well as the fancy staircases leading to the upper level of the home. "Oh my Rabs! Will you look at the size of that thing!" she cried. "I bet it costs a fortune! And to think, our little Meher now owns all this." She turned to the round marble table at the center of the foyer. On it was a large crystal vase full of fresh roses. She leaned over, took a whiff of their scent, and sighed loudly. "Ah! I love how rich smells."
"Kuljeet, please control yourself," hissed Balraj.
"Well well...," scoffed Maya. She spotted the family on her way back to the dining room. "Look what the cat dragged in."
Well, there you have it. I hope you all liked the update. 😳
Please hit the like button and leave your feedback for me.
It would be greatly appreciated.
Links to lots of Meet scenes are on page 1, 5th post of this thread, so do check them out.
Take care and happy reading. 🤗
Chapter 57: Lalit confronts Meher
Link to Chapter 57: Coming soon
Link to Table of Contents: https://www.indiaforums.com/forum/post/136805557
Edited by Fatima_Q - 7 years ago
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