Nazneen is carrying some files in Gulmohur when she bumps into a very excited Raj, talking rapidly into his cellphone. She stops and stares at him. He casts her a glance of amusement.
Raj: (ending the call) Kya hua…..tum bahut hairan lag rahi ho?
Nazneen: Er….sir….sorry maine aapko dekha nahin….par….sab theek hai na?
Raj: (grinning) Tum log bahut jaldi khabar soongh lete ho! Armaan ka phone tha……Nandu aur Beauty shaadi kar rahe hai!👏👏
Nazneen utters a shriek of delight and nearly hugs him. But a muffled thud pulls their attention. They both turn to see Pari (eavesdropping as usual!) disappear behind a file cabinet. 😆😆😆
Nazneen: (trying her best to look sympathetic, but failing😉) Lagta hai, usse sadma bardaasht nahin hua!! 😈
Raj nods impishly and summons a few of the staff to lift up Pari and place her on a sofa. Everyone gathers around inquisitively. He looks around at them, seems to debate for a moment whether to tell them or not, then finally makes up his mind. Looking up dramatically, he announces—"Aap sab ke liye ek good news hai….Nandu aur Beauty ki shaadi hone wali hai!"😃
The cheer that erupts is enough to fill a football stadium. Ruby mom and Nazneen hug each other. Jaggy B has his mouth open like a fish taking in water. Maddy tries his best to look nonchalant, but doesn't succeed. Pari is still unconscious.
In the midst of the euphoria, Raj's eyes are searching for someone. He finally sees Neha standing in one corner. He walks up to her.
Raj: Tumne news suni?
Neha: (avoiding his eyes) Suni…I'm very happy for them. Mujhe lagta hai, sab yahi chahte the.
Raj: (darting a mischievous glance in Pari's direction) Haan…..sirf ek insaan ko chod ke..! Par tum subah se thi kahaan?
Neha: Main PR office mein thi….kuch publicity material design kar rahi thi….. (hands him a file) …jab aapko time ho, toh isse padh lijiyega….
Raj stares at her for a few seconds. Then he speaks in an even tone, "Tum mujhse baat nahin karna chahti?"
Neha: (coldly) Aisa toh kuch nahin hai…main apni duties toh kar rahi hun sir….
Raj: Sir…?? Tum aaj itni formal kyun ho? (looks hard at her) Mere office mein chalo…issi waqt!
She obeys stiffly, walking well behind him. He keeps looking back in exasperation.
Once they are inside, he gets straight to the point. "Tumhe kya problem hai…saaf-saaf batao!"
Neha seems about to clam up again, but after a few seconds of struggle, she bursts out, "Raj….aapne mujhse itni saari baatein kyun chupayi?"
Raj: Chupayi? Kaunsi baatein?
Neha: (breathing hard) Mere husband ke murder se related!
He utters a great sigh and motions to her to sit down. Trembling with emotion, she takes the seat. Raj puts his hands on the table and explains:
"Neha, main jaanta tha ki tumhe iss baat se bura lag sakta hai….shaayad mujhe tumhari personal life mein interfere karne ka koi haq nahin hai…lekin baat ek jurm ki hai….aur uss jurmi ne sirf tumhe hi nahin, balki mere aur doston ko bhi nuksaan pahunchaya hai….issliye maine Mr. Malkani ko CJ ke baare main saari information laane ke liye kaha….kal unhone mujhe bataya ki….."
Neha: (impatiently) Kya?
Raj: (gently) Inn baton se tumhe takleef ho sakti hai….lekin shayad ab tumahara jaanna bahut zaroori hai….Mr. Anuj Shastri ka, tumhare joint account ke alava ek aur bank account tha…jo unhone kisi aur naam se khol rakha tha….uss account mein, unki death ke time pe, Rs. 45 lakh deposited the….
Neha gasps and looks at him in shock. Casting her a sympathetic glance, Raj continues:
" ….aur iss account mein sabse zyada cheques, CJ ke deposit hote the….yeh account pichle 8 salon se open tha…..yaani jab se Nainital mein wo haadsa hua….jabse uss aadmi ki maut tumhare hotel mein hui thi….."
Neha: (with a shaking voice) Iska matlab hai…..Anuj tab se….tab se CJ ko blackmail kar rahe the…???😲😲😲
Raj: (soberly) Haan…..aur shayad jab blackmail had se zyada badh gaya, toh CJ ne Anuj ka murder kar diya..!
Neha sits with bowed head for a few minutes. Raj is all concern, but delicately refrains from saying anything. When Neha lifts her head, tears are swimming in her eyes, but she doesn't let them drop.
Neha: Raj, jo guzar gaya, uspe rone se koi faayda nahin….lekin iss aadmi ko uske jurm ki sazaa dilaana zaroori hai….
Raj: Right….aur uske liye, ab hume yeh pata lagana hai, ki aakhir wo aadmi kaun tha, jiska CJ ne Nainital mein 8 saal pehle murder kiya tha..?
Monday: Back to Mumbai
Cricket
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2
