Part 3
Back to the present.
Ahir called Tej, Shaan, Alok and Aastha in the conference hall to speak about the findings of the inquiry committee.
“I have interrogated all the past and present directors except Mr. Shaurya Sabharwal. He is not in town as per my information. Once he is back, I will call him to my office for questioning. Coming back to our investigation, we have found all the allegations against the institute to be true. Not only has there been gross mismanagement, but some serious allegations of ragging have been overlooked. In addition, some of the funding of the institute has been found to have come from questionable sources because of which we will also initiate an inquiry by the IT department. The committee will submit its report very soon to the education ministry. Unfortunately, we will have to shut SIAC down till further notice from the ministry.” Then Ahir looked at Tej and said, “I am sorry to say Mr Tej Sabharwal, but we have to arrest your brother Alok and you for destruction of evidences and covering up the suicide of a student due to ragging in the college premises. The matter is 15 years old and the two of you were the only active directors at that time. I have been studying this case for quite some time. The issue was buried as you threatened the student’s parents. Thanks to Mrs. Aastha Sabharwal. She found some important leads among the old documents that helped us reopen the case. I have already prepared the warrant and brought it with me.”
“You vile woman! I will kill….” Alok was about to attack Aastha but Ahir came and restrained him.
“Behave yourself, Mr Sabharwal. Otherwise we will be forced to put you in handcuffs and drag you in front of the students. I would request Mr. Tej and you to cooperate with us and come to the police station.”
After Ahir left with Tej and Alok, Shaan came to Aastha and asked, “Why did you do this?”
“Would you care to point out where I was wrong?” Aastha asked while arranging her things.
“I thought you were different from others, that you never held a grudge against anyone. I placed you on the highest pedestal as a human being.” Shaan said, feeling betrayed.
“Then you got me all wrong. I have waited 28 years to see this day.” Aastha said, without looking at him.
“So you come back to my life after all these years only to seek revenge? Was I a fool to think I got another chance at life?”
“Think whatever you want. You turned a blind eye to everything your family did to me. Now turn a blind eye to what I do to them. That will be good for your mental peace.”
“Was all this really necessary, Aastha? Digging up a 15 years old case just to punish Tej Bhaisaab and Alok. Everyone had forgotten about it.”
“But I haven’t. I followed every detail of this case that came in the news. Not only this one, but every other scandal that the Sabharwals thought they managed to bury using their connections and money.” Then Aastha handed over a file to Shaan.
Shaan opened it and was surprised to find old news clippings, photographs and many other documents carefully arranged in chronological order. Aastha had collected and preserved every information on the Sabharwlas that she could get her hands on.
Just then Aastha’s phone beeped. She looked at the message and smiled. Then she looked at Shaan and said, “I think you should go home Shaan. Your Bhabhi could really do with some support in such a dire situation.”
“What do you mean?” Shaan asked, confused.
“Go and see for yourself.”
Shaurya and Anokhi were on their way back to Chandigarh, unaware of the misfortune that had befallen his family. He had accompanied her to Kapurthala to meet her parents and ask her hand in marriage.
“I could not believe that my Dad has changed so much. The pride I saw in his eyes on seeing my certificate. I cannot tell you how much I have yearned to see this day.” Anokhi’s voice almost choked.
Shaurya extended one hand and gently caressed her head. “I know. It would be a proud moment for any father that their child topped in the entire state.”
“That child is not the son but the daughter. I was so scared that he might throw away my certificate like he did my trophy last time.”
“If he dared to do that I would have shown him who the real Shaurya Sabharwal is.” Shaurya said, tightening his fist as if he was about to punch someone.”
“Mr. Shaurya Sabharwal, That is my Dad you are talking about.” Anokhi said in mock anger. Then unable to keep a serious face, laughed and held his fist that was still in the air. She then brought it close to her chest and said, “I would never allow you to stoop to that level. Promise me that you will never take undue advantage of your power.”
Shaurya smiled softly. He was about to say something when his phone started ringing. It was his Badima. He parked his car at the side of the road and took the call, “Yes Badima. What?...I am sorry I can’t hear you properly. Wait a second. Perhaps the network is not functioning properly.” Saying this he got out of the car.
Anokhi too got out to find out what happened. She could hear Shaurya say, “What? Bade Papa and Chachu have been arrested? But why?.......IT raids at Sabharwal house?.....What did you say? No this cannot be true.”
Shaurya could not keep his balance and was about to fall when Anokhi caught him by the arm. She was surprised by the change in expression on his face. She made him sit on a boulder and asked, “What is the matter Shaurya?”
“Everything is lost Anokhi. Bade Papa’s reputation, my dreams, our SIAC.” Shaurya said, holding his head with both his hands.
Anokhi held his chin and turned his face towards her and said, “I don’t know what exactly happened, but whatever it is. We will fight this together.”
Shaurya nodded, “You are right. Let us go home first. Get in the car. I will explain everything to you on the way.” He got up and proceeded towards his car. As they got in, he looked at Anokhi and wondered if he should reveal the truth to her. It would break her to pieces to know that the person responsible for this destruction was none other than Aastha Kashyap.
Devi sat and watched as the income tax officers pulled down every curtain, destroyed the expensive cushions, threw the cutlery in a hurry as they searched for hidden money.
Shaan stormed inside the house and was shocked to see it's pitiful condition. The entire house looked as if a violent storm had ravaged it. Gayatri and Kanchan were busy putting things back in place and tried to salvage the remains of the Sabharwals’ opulence.
After the raid was over, one of the officers came to Shaan and said, “We have found a number of evidence of income tax evasion and fraud. Unfortunately we will have to freeze the accounts of the directors of the company and their spouses till the investigation gets over. I hope you all will cooperate.”
Shaan nodded. After the officers left, he went near Devi and called gently.
“Bhabhi.”
Devi turned to face him. Shaan was startled seeing the deranged look in her eyes. She got up to face her brother in law and asked, “Do you see why I kept Shaurya and you away from that woman all these years? She is a witch.”
“Please Bhabhi, control yourself.”
“You are still supporting her! Don’t you see the destruction she has caused? It hasn’t even been two weeks since you married her and look how she misused the power and position you gave her. She framed your brothers, she destroyed your son’s dreams. Open your eyes now Shaan.” Devi cried out holding Shaan by both his arms.
Suddenly a shadow appeared at the door. Both of them turned to see who it was. Devi could not believe her eyes.
Aastha Kashyap. The woman who was banished from this house 28 years ago. Devi watched as Aastha put her first step inside the house. She slowly came towards Devi and looked at her pitifully, “How does it feel to have all the pride and honour that you spent years preserving, fall to ruins within minutes?”
Devi felt she had lost the strength to speak. She tried to clear her throat and said, “How dare you step inside my house?”
“Stop me if you can. I want to see your power. Do you want to call the guards? I heard they are planning to quit after the news of the arrest got out. If you want you can call the police. Come on. Go ahead.” Aastha challenged her.
She paused a few moments to look around, then said to Devi, “I think you don’t even remember how, many years ago, you threatened to take everything away from me, my name, my reputation, my money, and my child. Look how the tables have turned today. Your name, your reputation, your money, everything has been taken away from you. Even Shaurya, who you claim to be your son, has left you.”
“Shaurya is my son. He would never leave me but that pawn of yours, Anokhi has snatched my child away from me.”
“You should not forget that you snatched Shaurya from me. That is why I found someone who could take him from you,”
“I did what I did because you didn’t deserve him. I kept him away from you for his own good. I always knew you were an evil, self centered person. You never cared about Shaan and Shaurya.” Devi said.
“Tell me something that I haven’t already heard. I got so used to these words that they have lost their effect on me.” Aastha said scornfully.
“You destroyed your own child’s dreams. You don’t know what this institute meant to Shaurya. You have reduced years of reputation of SIAC to dust. Shaurya will never forgive you for this. He is going to hate you even more now.” Devi said with disdain.
“I can live with that. I don’t want his forgiveness. Perhaps I don’t deserve it, but what did you do for him? You got a son but you put a condition on your motherhood. You wanted him to pay a price in return for the love that you gave him. I was shocked to see him utter the same words that his Bade Papa did many years ago. That arrogance, that tendency to abuse his power is the legacy you and your husband have handed down to him. However, I cannot absolve myself of all the blame. He was my responsibility. I couldn’t protect him from your noxious influence. Now it is time for me to correct my mistakes. SIAC was founded on the cornerstone of hypocrisy and conceit. The task of shaping up the future generations of the nation was in the hands of people who don’t acknowledge the worth of a woman outside the four walls of their house. That is why this blow to SIAC was necessary. Shaurya needed to open his eyes. He needed to see the realities on the ground. He will have to rebuild his dream from scratch.”
“So it doesn’t even matter to you how much pain you are going to cause Shaurya. His years of toil behind taking this institute to where it is does not mean anything to you. You are so blind in your hatred that you don’t care how all this is going to break him.” Devi remarked, with disgust in her voice.
“Yes, it is going to break him, but now he has someone to hold him together, to prevent him from sinking deeper. Someone who will unconditionally stand by his side and never use his vulnerability to make him feel indebted...”
“Badi ma.” Shaurya’s voice interrupted the conversation. He was followed by Anokhi.
Seeing him, Devi ran and hugged him. She then pointed to Aastha and said, “Look how she destroyed everything. See for yourself. Your Bade Papa and I accepted so many sacrifices for her son and in return she gave us this. She sent your Bape Papa behind bars.”
“He got what he deserved.” Aastha declared.
“You are lying. Bade Papa can never do such a thing. He will soon be out.” Shaurya said looking at Aastha. He was trying hard to control his temper.
“I would love to be proved wrong. I do hope that he gets a fair trial. This time he will not be able to use his money and power to get a judgement in his favour. I have made sure of that. Oh, that reminds me, given that your accounts have been frozen, would you like me to pay for the lawyer’ fee? Since I have not withdrawn a single penny as the director and also provided them all the information, they have spared my account.”
Shaurya was losing his patience. He tightened his fists to control himself and said, “No thanks. I will borrow from my friends or make some other arrangements.”
“Today you will borrow from your friends. What about the future? You don’t have any idea how deep you are stuck in this. It is going to take quite some time to get your accounts reopened. There are so many expenses in a joint family. Are you going to sell jewellery belonging to the women of the house? I am a part of this family too. I have saved quite a bit of money and I don’t mind paying your bills. Of course you can not retain your lavish lifestyle with that but it will be enough to... ”
Shaurya could not hold his anger any longer. He went to face Aastha directly and shouted, “Just shut up. I don’t need the charity of a woman who came to destroy us. I am capable enough to earn for my family.”
“Keep your voice down. Looks like I hurt your ego. Now you know how I felt making my parents depend for every penny on someone who didn’t even consider me a human being. Anyways, I won’t stay here longer and be the cause of your irritation. I should better leave.”
“Wait, first tell Shaurya how you and this puppet of yours came into his life with a plan to destroy us. If you have the guts, own up.” Devi pointed at Anokhi and challenged Aastha.
Aastha stared at Anokhi’s direction once and quickly turned to face Devi and said, “I am not afraid to accept what I did, but Anokhi is not my puppet. It is true I used her to make my way back into your lives, but all the while she was completely unaware of it.”
Anokhi was listening to everything quietly till then, but Aastha’s last words gave her the shock of her life. She cried out loudly, “No, this cannot be true. Please tell me you're lying, Maam.”
“No I am not.” Aastha said, trying to avoid looking at her. Then she continued, “I know it will break your heart but you have a right to know everything. Therefore I will lay it all in the open today.” She paused, then addressing no one in particular, began, “I first saw Anokhi five years ago when she joined as an undergraduate student in our college. There was a spark in her eyes that was unmistakable, like a firefly. Intelligence, grit and determination shone through her personality. I immediately knew this was the girl who could shake the foundations of the Sabharwals.
I made my plan meticulously. My first job was to put the idea of going to SIAC into her mind. I could not speak to her directly about it. I would not let her ever suspect my intentions. Therefore I stealthily put pamphlets of SIAC on her desk. I casually mentioned its merits to some teachers and let the grapevine grow. Slowly the idea of completing her studies from SIAC got cemented in Anokhi’s mind.
I knew the girl was bright. I took her under my wings. Though I have always encouraged my students and tried my best to ensure they have a career, I went all out in case of Anokhi. I even faced the wrath of Anokhi’s father and brother to make sure the girl managed to reach SIAC. I knew her entry would also be my ticket to your lives. That is why I refused to press any charges against her brother. After all, he was the one who made my path easier by shooting at me. Anokhi was not just my passage back into this family. I needed her to take Shaurya away from Devi Sabharwal’s web of manipulations.
I knew Shaurya’s basic nature. He liked to be challenged. I was not shooting in the dark when I figured that he would find something special in Anokhi. I understood her sheer strength of character would impress Shaurya. And my bullet did actually hit the bull’s eye. Shaurya and Anokhi were falling for each other. They needed some push and Ahir provided that, first unknowingly and later on my insistence. Shaurya saw Ahir as a competitor for Anokhi’s affections and it forced him to confront his own feelings for her.
Aastha stopped. Devi cried out, “Do not believe her Shaurya. Anokhi has always been in cahoots with her. Aastha separated you from me with the help of this girl. I knew she came to our college with an agenda. She made a place in your heart in order to take you away from us.”
“Anokhi is innocent.” Aastha protested. “I repeat she didn’t know anything about my plans. I had made sure she didn't get the slightest hint. Her only fault was to believe me.”
Shaurya interrupted her and said, “I don’t need proof of Anokhi’s innocence from you. I know her well enough to have faith in her. She cannot stoop so low. I know her better than anyone else.”
Shaurya turned to his Badima and said, “You are blaming Anokhi for taking me away from you. Do you think I was completely blind to your conspiracies against Anokhi? I know how you used Shagun to turn me against her. I ignored all of that because I respected you. Anokhi is my soulmate. You claim to love me but you plot against the woman I love. I came back here today despite all that you did to Anokhi because I value my relationships.”
Then he looked at Aastha and said, “You could never become a mother, but this time you failed as a teacher too. Not only did you use Anokhi but also put the career of numerous students of SIAC at stake.”
“I think you are smart enough to figure out a way to save your institute and the future of its students.” Aastha said. Then she looked at Devi and said, “It is true I did not prioritise being a mother over everything else. I had to leave my child at a vulnerable age. But it was you who forced me to choose. I had vowed to make you pay for it, and for that I waited 28 years. Today I admit everything that I did. Now it is your turn. Do you have the courage to accept what all you have done?”
Devi didn’t answer. Seeing her quiet Aastha said, “I knew you didn’t, but I hope you will not repeat the same with anyone else. I warn you Devi Bhabhi, you are yet to see the worst of me. I should leave now.” Aastha then turned towards the door when Anokhi came and blocked her path.
Her eyes were moist. It was clear that she was trying hard to keep herself together.
“Why did you do this to me, Mam? I considered you my second mother. I believed everything you said. I fought with Shaurya for you. I thought you too looked at me as your own child. I had no idea that all this while you were just using me. I feel like my whole existence has been a lie. You played with Shaurya and my emotions. How will we live with the fact that our love, our relationship is the product of a conspiracy. ”
Aastha knew that the person she had wronged the most was Anokhi. She could not look her in the eye. She turned her face away and said, “I am sorry Anokhi. I don’t have any justification for my actions. I am guilty as charged and if you choose not to forgive me ever, it will be perfectly understandable.” She paused. Then said, “Please don’t think your relationship is a product of some conspiracy. I only made the two of you meet. I could not make you fall in love. The two of you were made for each other. You were destined to be together.” Saying this she quickly walked out of the door.
After Aastha had left, Anokhi stood there motionless, staring in her direction. Shaurya came and touched her shoulders gently. Anokhi couldn’t hold herself any longer. She turned around, and putting her head on his chest broke down into uncontrollable sobs.
Aastha turned back for one last time to see Shaurya and Anokhi in each other’s embrace and thought to herself, “Even though I chose you as a means to exact revenge, over the course of time you had endeared yourself so much to me that I had started seeing you as a daughter. I had lost one child many years ago in my battle against patriarchy and narrow mindedness. Today, Iose another.”
She exited the gates of the Sabharwal mansion and got inside her car. As she was about to close the door Shaan came and held it.
“I will not stop you this time. I just need some answers.”
“Make it fast. I have to reach Kapurthala before midnight. Bauji is not doing well.”
“I always thought the way I yearned for you all these years, you did too. Did I misread the love in your eyes when you said yes as I proposed to you? Was that nothing but plain deception? Is this how everything ends between us?”
Aastha felt her lips tremble. She tried hard to keep her voice normal and said, “ I don’t know what answer you are expecting. Ever since I walked out of this house many years ago, a sense of emptiness has become my constant companion. Nothing could ever fill the void that Shaurya and your absence created, but I could not let that feeling overpower me. Never make someone so indispensable that your life loses all meaning without that person. I have learnt this the hard way. Life has a lot more to give Shaan. Learn to find it. You will be happy.”
Shaan let go of the door. He stepped aside and watched as Aastha drove away.
P.S. - I had finished it a long time back, but kept tweaking here and there. I perhaps enjoyed writing it more than you will do reading it. Still, hoping you will like it. Shall be waiting eagerly waiting for your feedback.
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