Chapter 12
"Don't look at me like that Yash? You have no idea what I am going through right now?" Pankaj said after seeing the look of disgust in Yash's eyes.
"Bhaiya I was expecting an outright NO to my question? Your "not quite" just disgusts me. What do you mean by that anyway...does that mean you are seeing someone but you have not yet done the "deed"...is that the NOT QUITE in your book? That just makes me sick, Bhaiya" Yash did indeed feel like throwing up. His was seeing his brother in a whole new light and not liking what he was seeing of new.
Since childhood Pankaj had been Yash's hero. His guiding star and friend, to think that spotless image of Pankaj that he held was going to be shattered was proving to be very hard for Yash to digest.
"Did you even think about Vidhi bhabhi while you were out with someone else? Or you just didn't care?" Yash asked cuttingly.
"Hold on Yash. Give me a chance to explain" Pankaj held up a hand to stem the words coming out of Yash. But Yash was too far gone to stop.
"What is left to explain Bhaiya? Your almost-affair's gory details...save it. I am not interested... And to think I was defending you? I could not even entertain the thought of you with someone else Bhaiya. Why did you...How could you have..." Yash was rattled and did not know how to accept the unacceptable. He was shocked and aggrieved and it showed.
"I could never ever in this lifetime and beyond have expected this from you. You have let me down Bhaiya, not just me but our family, our confidence in you...everything...everyone...down and you have broken Vidhi bhabhi's trust, and for that I can never forgive you...NEVER" said Yash with his anger mounting.
"Wait a minute Yash. You are over-reacting... it is not what you think" Pankaj tried to explain.
"Not what I think...you either have an affair or you don't there is no scope for a "not quite" bhaiya" with that Yash turned and to leave the room but Pankaj stopped him with his words...
"I am being black-mailed Yash"
That made Yash stop in his tracks and look back at Pankaj in shock.
"What are you talking about bhaiya?" Yash questioned.
"That woman...she ...she has some photos of us together. And she is using it to extort me" said Pankaj in a shaken voice with his head bent.
"Unbelievable. Which low-life were you involved with, bhaiya? How could you let yourself into such a situation bhaiya? You not just have an affair but now you are going to put our family name on the line for it. How could you stoop so low?"
Pankaj's head jerked up at that.
"Enough Yash and not a word out of you now, got that. Just listen to me. Give me a chance to clear things up" said Pankaj unable to stand the attack.
At that Yash used his full self-control to stop himself from speaking.
When Yash finally did not speak back Pankaj continued.
"I did NOT have an affair. Yes I repeat, I DID NOT have an affair. When the push came to the shove I could not do it" said Pankaj getting fired himself.
"But you were tempted ... You came close to doing it. That is just as bad bhaiya" Yash was not giving Pankanj and inch.
"Do not judge me Yash. You don't know the circumstances behind it. What do you know about my marriage?
Vidhi and I according to most of you have a perfect marriage, which is far from the truth. We have been growing apart since a long time.
First were the kids...it was always about the kids for Vidhi. She wanted to be a MOM and then when she became one...she just lost interest in me. What was I to her...a means to get to her end?
When the kids left for hostel I thought atleast now she would come back to me, that I would once again be the centre of her universe. But no.. Do you have any idea how it feels like Yash? Her day used to rise and set with me. She took care of my tiniest needs and fulfilled my craziest whims. She made me feel like a KING and then suddenly I meant nothing to her. From such height of passion and love I was left wallow alone" Pankaj said bitterly.
"Bhaiya...I don't think you should be telling me..." Yash said becoming uncomfortable listening to all this.
"No do not interrupt me...let me get it all out of my chest" said Pankaj and Yash kept quiet.
"I tried Yash...I tried to bring the magic back in our marriage. But she was just not interested. She was happy in her own world... Her own world which did not include ME. She found joy in the household work...in taking responsibilities and meeting them. What was the need Yash? Whom was she trying to impress?
I felt like such an outsider. I felt crushed, neglected and ignored. I wanted her so much, but my pride refused me to beg" said Pankaj each word costing him dearly.
The pain Pankaj was feeling was etched on his face. He was stooped low as he relayed the state he was in. He looked defeated and lost as he continued.
"And then she came into my life...She made me feel good about myself Yash..as a man. I was flattered...I will not lie... Remember the party we organised at Parley house. It was her's."
"You got involved with a client?" questioned a shocked Yash. This was getting all too much for him.
Pankaj nodded.
"We met a few of times to go through the details. It was never more than a professional meeting at first. But slowly things changed. She was giving me attention. She filled up the void I felt. Yes I do appear like a child craving for attention do I not, but, I lapped it up Yash every single drop of adulation I got, I lapped it up. And at that time I did not think I was doing anything wrong. I never meant for it to go any further Yash believe me. It was all innocent from my side. Till that fateful night of her party.
You know how we never mix booze and business...well that day...it did get mixed. And I did not even realize how I fell into this well sought out trap of hers.
She spiked my drink Yash, when I woke up I was in her bed. She thought I was going to continue with it and have her as a mistress. But I was thoroughly shaken up by how low I had fallen by then that I wanted nothing to do with her but... it was too late.
When she saw that she could not get money out of me as a mistress she then turned to blackmail. I swear on my children Yash, I did not touch her. I could never ever be with another woman. I would rather die. I love Vidhi...I love her so much" Pankaj choked back his tears.
"Now...now.. I don't know what to do?" finally Pankaj concluded.
Yash let Pankaj compose himself. This was enormous. Yash was still processing all of it.
So much had happened and I was clueless. How could I have not seen the signs? How could I be blind to the mess Pankaj bhaiya had stepped into?
Yash thought that somehow he has let his bhaiya down in a way.
But why didn't bhaiya confide in me?
Yash was hurt that his brother did not trust him to share his troubles with. But his hurt did not seem comparable to that of his bhabhi's.
"Why have you not told bhabhi about all of this?" questioned Yash quietly.
"For the fear of losing her. I don't want her to hate me. I cannot live if she turns her face away from me out of disgust" said Pankaj emotionally.
Yash could understand the fear. But that did not explain why Pankaj bhaiya allowed himself to get blackmailed when he had not done anything.
"Why have you not approached the police?" Yash asked next.
"For the fear of the word spreading and our family-name biting the dust" answered Pankaj still recovering.
"But you did not even bother sharing all this with me Bhaiya? Why?" Yash asked in a hurt tone.
"Look how you reacted when you first came to know. I was fearing much worse from you. It's very black and white for you Yash. There is no room for grey in you. You are my younger brother and I did not want to lose the love and respect you had for me" said Pankaj truthfully.
"Bhaiya... you are my elder brother...in your times of need I will always be there for you. It's unfortunate that you did not trust me enough to open up to me. But I will help you get out of this mess bhaiya. That's a promise" said Yash assuring Pankaj that everything will be alright.
Pankaj was very moved by Yash's words. He knew Yash could help him,somehow, he knew his troubles could be sorted out by him. He had full confidence in Yash. He felt glad so immensely thankful that God had given him such a wonderful brother who would stop at nothing to help him out.
He moved forward to hug Yash out of gratitude and Yash hugged him back in return. Both brothers shared a bond that was deep and unshakable and this hour of crisis only strengthened that bond between them.
"I think you should confess everything to bhabhi" said Yash when they finally separated.
"Do you think she will ever forgive me?" asked a doubtful and insecure Pankaj.
"You will only know about that if and when you try" answered Yash.
TO BE CONTINUED...
PS: Please forgive any typos i was half asleep while typing this update😆
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