ArHi FF! We, the people [Completed] - Page 2

Originally posted by: 6th.Element

The minute I read political activist and lawyer, I had images of Josh Lyman and Joey Lucas from West wing, flood my head, only Kushi is a lawyer here and not a political consultant.

A very startling end to the first update. I have little doubt that they are going to hurl verbal assaults at each other.

PS Can we have a drunk Dhananjay - or may be a sober one will do too - be prepped for witness presentation, by Kushi? While Arnav and Kushi go at each other on the best responses for prosecution.

PPS Agreed. Men in white Kurta and blue jeans are a treat any day.

Originally posted by: ivre

I like the fact that you dont try to justify your characters. Its a flaw am unable to overcome this flaw.
Nicely done. I like Khushi too. Arnav is kind of funny.

Originally posted by: -Siaa-

The latter part was literally perfect to the the T in describing the contradicting, confusing thoughts of K. Love the way you've etched it out :)

Awaiting the next soon..!

P.S Thanks a lot for the pm:)

Originally posted by: dorindakate

Thanks for the pm...

Like the easy, relaxed way that Arnav and Khushi are interacting...

Great writing...

Feels like I'm watching an episode of 'Law and Order: Criminal Intent"!!!

Got a lot of questions...am a mystery buff...so am always try to figure out where the plot is going...

Waiting to see where it goes...

Originally posted by: A...

Very well written and i must say yur storyline is DIFFERENT!!! and i mean it... Its complex n reminded me Prakah Jha's Rajneeti ... I luv political drama and eager to read how yu r going to weave this story.
PS: it may possible tht yu won't get hundreds of likes for yur writing as the subject n setup yu choosed is offbeat n not too mushy... But i really want yu to continue irrespective of the response... Gud luck!!!

Chapter 3:

He stirred when his Blackberry buzzed indicating him of an incoming message. He threw the sheets off him and came out of the woman's embrace. He picked up the Blackberry and walked towards balcony, bare chested. Lavanya was sleeping yet he wished to read the message in private. The message was short. 'Call me when you see this message.'

"What are you doing here?" He turned around to see Lavanya standing behind him rubbing sleep off her eyes.

"Something came up. I have to leave," he said typing a quick response to Khushi.

"Can't we have breakfast together at least?" Lavanya asked hugging him from behind. His hands stilled. He smoothly slid out of her embrace and held her at arms' length.

"Something came up at work and I have to go," he said smiling at her. Lavanya looked at him with heavy lidded eyes and gave him a sultry smile.

"I'll see you later, alright?" He said and walked back inside the apartment making her frown.

"But I am leaving tonight Arnav. I start shooting for my next film tomorrow so I wanted to spend the day with you," she said starting with a hint of pride and ended up whining. She was a popular film actress with string of hit films in her name. The two of them had met at a party and had continued to see socially. She was careful enough not to get her name associated with him given how he was associated in politics. He was not only okay but encouraged that arrangement and ensured privacy for both of them. However she always got the feeling that there was an ulterior motive behind his advances towards her. His clinical detachment and aloofness always made her wonder what really ticked Arnav Raizada off.

"We will spend a day together next time we meet, alright?" He said trying to pacify her.

"You said the same thing last time and you left me hanging in middle of night," she didn't let go. Arnav stared at the beautiful woman in front of him.

"I know but unfortunately the job I have always needs my immediate attention." He said looking around the apartment checking if he had left anything. He didn't want a reason for Lavanya to call him up again during the day telling that he had forgotten something. Satisfied with the inspection, he kissed her cheek and smiled at her.

"I'll see you."

"Arnav," she called. He stopped and turned around. "I think we should go public." She said watching his reaction. His face was blank like usual without any expression and the general aloofness about the world was all his face offered.

"I think it's a bad idea. Don't do it. If you do, I am going to deny it." He said as if he was responding to a party spokesperson.

"I was just wondering Arnav. Going public would mean lot of hassles and at this point in my career, I don't want any hassles. Especially from the likes of you," she added the jibe just to get under his skin.

"I am glad we think alike," he said and closed the door behind him leaving her along with the thoughts of him and the perks that were associated because of her relationship with him.

****

"Is Lavanya in town?" Khushi asked not looking up from newspaper.

"It's creepy when you do that," Arnav said sitting in a chair opposite to hers. "What do you want to talk about?" He asked and pulled the coffee mug that was in front of her towards him. The mug wasn't full indicating that she had already had some but he didn't care. He sighed deeply when first sip of coffee warmed his insides.

"Interesting that you pick up the coffee in front of me and not the file," she said turning the paper. "Steal the food and not information," she added flippantly.

"That's why I am a politician and not anything else," he grinned at his own joke but pulled the file anyway. He flipped through pages and all humor left his face before he reached middle of the file.

"Dhananjay did rape one woman while his friends raped the other two. It's a case of gang rape gone very badly and the women were assaulted when they refrained. After filing FIR, they were taken to hospital and vaginal swab was taken. Doctors affirmed rape and also mentioned that there were defensive wounds." Khushi summarized the file.

"Prosecution will demand for a DNA test." Arnav said. "Is there anything concrete on Dhananjay that can make prosecution procure a warrant soon?"

"There was a CCTV camera at the party and Dhananjay and his friends are seen with all the three women. They are also seen going towards first floor which was private area and thus no cameras there to affirm what happened." Khushi said. "That's more than enough for prosecution to get a warrant."

"Can you stall it?" Arnav asked.

"I have already started the process. It will take another two weeks for the warrant, at least." She replied. "You understand that it's more than sensitive now to even try buying out the prosecution. It's best we deal with it slowly than trying to shove it under the carpet."

"I understand." Arnav said and leaned back in chair. "How long will it take for DNA results to come in?" He asked after several moments of silence. She folded the newspaper and placed it back on table. The plain white cotton sari she wore was a snug fit and she looked nothing like the women he was used to see. It tipped him to see her wearing business formals on one day and a plain simple sari the next.

"I can stall it up to a month," she said. "It involves bureaucracy, manual intervention and time. All three are highly variable parameters." She added, smile not leaving her face. He stared at the coffee mug and seven minutes later, he lifted his head and smiled at her. He took pride in the fact that she watched him think the whole time.

"One month it is," he said and picked up the coffee mug. He didn't mind that the coffee had gone cold.

"Try not to get Dhananjay commit any crime in the meantime," she said motioning a waiter. "You want some breakfast?" She asked him. He nodded.

Once their breakfast order was taken, they got back conversing.

"What are you trying to do?" She asked him.

"I will try to show the world that Dhananjay is a reformed man," Arnav replied sipping fresh coffee.

"Good luck with that," she said. "And there will be another thing you should be ready for," Khushi said.

"NGO groups dealing with women," he said rubbing his temple. Khushi nodded.

"Do you have enough information about the victims?" Arnav asked. Khushi slipped him another file.

"They aren't lying Arnav. I tried to get an interview but the family and the lawyers refused. I won't say I am surprised." She said.

"Dhananjay is a monster," Arnav said in white hot anger. Khushi noted that his knuckles had gone white while gripping the coffee mug. "Men like him shouldn't exist."

"Yet here we are, helping these monsters escape." She said not looking at him.

"We always seem to end conversation on a philosophical note these days, don't we?" He asked digging into his breakfast.

"I'll ensure that Dhananjay will be able to go out of the city in couple of days," she said.

"How did you…." He trailed and looked up from breakfast, surprised.

"I have been his lawyer and your friend for far too long," she sighed dramatically.

"I am going to get Dhananjay to haul his ass out of parties and get sober. And then we will go south east coast and get him do some volunteering work."

"The flood affected areas?" Khushi asked. Arnav nodded. "But the state doesn't even have one seat from your party," she asked surprised.

"Exactly," Arnav said and grinned at her.

"Is there anything I should know?" Khushi asked staring at him. The spoon filled with food stopped mid-air.

"A storm is coming. I will tell you about it tonight. Come to my apartment," he said. She would have responded with a wisecrack but the seriousness in his tone stopped her.

How bad could a scandal really get?

To be continued.