ArHi FF: Checkmate!-T2 (completed) - Page 40

Part 49

Arnav was shocked to hear who the driving force behind these men was.

"Arnav, we very well understand how you would feel hearing this piece of news.. But it is true that Gayathri was tricked, and she suffered perhaps more than anyone in that affair.. Still she felt guilty that she was unintentionally the reason for destroying the family of a man she fell in love with... Ever since that she has strived to seek compensation for the misery that you and Anjali have been through, devoting almost all her life in looking out for both of you ...I have sometimes even suspected that her love for both you and Anjali is perhaps a shade more than what she feels for Dhruv" Sid tried to make Arnav understand the lady who was a very noble woman by heart

"And if she is not honest enough... Your own Dadi wouldnt trust her..." Shyam told Arnav

"My Dadi?" Arnav asked astonished "you know where she is?"

"Ofcourse we know... She is the founder of MCF- Maliks Charitable Foundation, One of the best charitable organizations in India which runs numerous Orphanages, Old age homes, health care, destitute care, rural development programs and educational institutions in India helping out thousands and hundreds of poor souls who cannot afford a decent education or health care or a normal shelter, food or clothing- enabling the underprivileged to earn a sustainable livelihood!

I am an orphan who grew up in one the first orphanages established by her... and she had always been fond of me...your dadi... and I even had the privilege to be present when Gayathri came in search of Dadi to that orphanage, seeking forgiveness...

Dadi took her time to understand Gayathri's predicament and I understood, that Dadi finally realised that this girl was wronged as much as Mrs.Ratna Malik, ie your mother was wronged.

Since then, Gayathri has been very much a part of the MCF, even though Dadi founded it with the money that she was entitled to as a Malik, It was At Gayathri's guidance that MCF was established in various states all over India..

They both shifted their headquarters to Bangalore and have been there ever since.

I wanted to be a part of whatever Gayathri Maa was doing and help her in her mission to protect Agrim Malik's rightful children as she used to address you and your sister... I wanted to repay them for what they did for me and Subadra Maa was adamant that I shouldnt risk myself or my job... and try to carry on with my life.. I was finally able to convince her that I feel it is my duty to untertake the mission...

I asked Gayathri Maa to agree to let me in on her mission and through her, I got to know all the finer details.

We had decided that I would not be able to do anything beyond my cader if I presented myself as an IPS officer. I was to present myself as a Lawyer, and that would help because, Rana was a politician, and was in dire need of a able criminal Lawyer to get him or his hooligans out of trouble... This was ideal for us because, being a lawyer, I will get to know his inside plans and activities, and get to know things that hired detectives will never be able to gather- well in advance

"Wrong company isnt it?" Sid asked "It ruined Agrim Malik. It is ruining Dhruv Malik too, too bad Dhruv didn't get a chance to grow up near his mother!"

"But how is Sid connected in all this.. ?" Arnav asked "I mean...you have a family right.. I mean Kushi was speaking to your sister.. your parents.."

"I owe my education to MCF... I am from a very poor family in the slums of Mumbai..It was my luck when I heard about the scholarship exams conducted annually by MCF and dared to attend it.. the ranking was on All India level and I cleared it.. I was admitted to one of the best schools in Mumbai and MCF sponsered for my entire education...even till I completed my degree and MBA...I had several opportunities to meet Subadra Maa and Gayathri Maa during the course of my education... and Subadra maa was also kind enough to give me the startup amount to set up my company...and I met Shyam during one of my frequent visits to the Ashram where they both stay.. we became instant friends..."

"And Gayathri Maa told me that I can trust Sid on my mission any time and he would lend a helping hand" Shyam informed Arnav putting a hand on Sid's shoulder.

Arnav nodded his head

"You said Gayathri was keeping close watch on me and Di. Did you mean we were watched by detectives...or was it one of the family members who knew about this? " Arnav asked Shyam, he couldnt imagine one of the family members was also involved in this.

"No" Shyam grinned " its the The Prakash brothers.. they were watching after you both for her, Passing on news to Subadra Maa and Gayathri Maa..."

"But prakash brothers? you mean HP, OP.. "

"it seems that their parents and grandparents were faithful and loyal servants of Maliks for generations... so the brothers knew Subadra Maa. It seems subadra Maa was the one who asked them to apply for house help job with you in the first place...and gave them frequent information when they were hired by you. They work for loyality and not for money... "

Arnav nodded taking time to digest this piece of information... Prakash brothers.. passing information.. No wonder Kushi came to know about what happened in the family and called up when she was away... He never suspected the Prakash brothers.. it all the same.. just like he didnt suspect Aman... then smething striked him

"BUt what about Aman? is he a informer too? "

"Oh Aman... poor fellow.. He is a fellow mate from my orphanage.. very sincere but timid.. Yes, initially when I asked him to apply for a job in AR it was purely for his better future.. We had decided, the lesser knew about this' the better... If I needed to gather any information, I could get it with only a casual chat with him...but later, when I wanted him to give some clues to you, he couldn't help but ask me what was happening.. I had to give me some information- that I had made arrangements to give you an opportunity to win the divorce case- it took time for me to convince him of my good intentions... and he finally agreed. I told him not to worry but act innocent because he was innocent all the time... But I suppose he panicked when he was enquired by the police...

But before I could get my hands on him, Rana bet me to it...Rana was angry that he lost the grip on Anjali's life because of blabbering Aman and the result of it was that Aman was thrown to the mercy of the street dogs in some trench... When I came to know about this, again it was Sid who jumped in to save him, after almost 16 hours of search we were able to rescue him...

He has been working at Sid's office after his recovery."

"So the money conspiracy was made up? "

"yes it was made up.. By the way your money is safe.. you were not able to find where I could have invested it, becasue it was not invested anywhere... It was given to Subadra Maa for safe keeping.. I am not after money Arnav.. I earn enough from my profession."

"You earn from your profession but still your story seems to tell me that all you were interested in was your personal mission.."

" Ofcourse.. I have my own duty to take care of ..and I do it.. I am blessed with an able team of men in my department to carry out my official orders and I never use them for my personal mission.. I have been lucky enough to have managed with both my profession and personal mission.."

"Shyam you told me that Rana found out about you" Sid reminded him

"I have reasons to suspect that he might have found out.. I have been having my doubts fr sometime now. But lately, I havestrong suspicions Sid" Shyam looked tired suddenly if not worn out. "I think I will get going.. Its past 2 now... You need your rest too"

"Not before you tell me what you wanted to tell me.. You came here for a reason"

" We will talk about this someother time Sid.. I can only say all of you to be a little more cautious..."

"But Shyam..."

" I shall call you Sid.. later...Now its late.. I need to get going before .."Shyam stopped abruptly, looking around. They all stiffened too hearing a noise outside as if someone was walking outside their shack.

Arnav instinctively clutched Kushi tight who looked tensed but determined to be brave... with the other hand he picked up his Iron Rod, while he noticed shyam's eyes had narrowed as he grabbed his pistol back watching the door for any intrusion. Sid had jumped to attention too and was watching out for more sound. Sid moved to the right side of the door, while the others watched him with caution.

To be continued...