Posted:
PART 15
Chakor locked herself in the room for almost 2 hours now. Suraj's lawyer Karan Oberoi has taken the job seriously and he pulled out all the contacts he had to figure out the predicament Suraj is in. Back in his study room, Suraj contacted Imli a few times but everything ended up in vein. Her phone rang for the first two times but after a while it was switched off. The next number he dialed belonged to Imli's brother, and his best friend, Ranvijay.
"Hello, Suraj. What's up?" Ranvijay answered, calmly. "RV, where is your sister?" Suraj was not into any casual talks right now. He wanted Imli to be infront of him now and that is his only main concern. "Imli? She is in Canada at our aunt's house. Why asking about my sister all of the sudden, Suraj?" RV's tone seemed to be relaxed rather than concern about Suraj's sudden interest on his sister. "I have something to settle with her. I want her in Mumbai as soon as possible, at my office, RV. You have 24 hours to get her here. It's better if she gets here before I reach her," Suraj was stern; rage was evidently perceptible to RV. "Is everything okay, Suraj? Anything I can help?" RV wanted to know what's bothering his best friend, "I will tell that once you bring her here," and he hung up the call.
Suraj needed distraction. He wanted to get his mind away from this mess till Karan brings him the evidence that he required to prove his innocence. He walked back and forth to Chakor's room to check how she is and he could still hear her sob.
"Whoever did this, you'll pay for it!" he sworn as his wife's misery made him suffocate and his lethargic body added fuel to it.
As he moved towards the living room, he saw Karan entering with a file in his hand and handed it to Suraj. "The results, Mr Rajvanshi," Suraj refused to get hold of it. "Please give it to Chakor. She needs to see it first. I want her to see it first," Suraj insisted. "Mr. Rajvanshi, I don't think that it is a good idea," Karan's voice was firm which made Suraj looked up to his face, nonplussed.
Karan's face clearly showed that something was really wrong. Suraj took the file from his hand and flipped to the first page. "The pictures are authentic, Mr Rajvanshi. There wasn't any form of alteration whatsoever," as Karan break the news to Suraj, they both weren't aware that Chakor was already standing behind them, her hands held together on her chest. "Wha...aaat?" her voice transected the whole scenario, the file dropped to the ground from Suraj's hands. Karan made his move out of the living room.
Suraj could not make sense of what he just heard. Authentic images? It means real. It means it was me with Imli, his brain was exploding in his head as the lack of information about this incident tormented him alive. Chakor slowly bent down to collect the file and browsed through the details. There wasn't any word coming out of her mouth. Suraj, on the other hand, stood there like a statue, trying his level best to recall any sort of that memory but he seemed to have a total blank of the whole situation. Chakor's puffy eyes started to blur out with every piece of information she read from the file till her body decided to shut down as she passed out.
"Chakor! Chakor! No!" he extended his arms and grabbed her before her head hit the concrete floor. His Head of Security, Shikoo rushed to help but Suraj instructed him to call the doctor. He carried her up to her bedroom and placed her gently on the mattress. "It's all my fault. It's all my fault," he kept repeating the same thing, rubbing Chakor's right palm with his hands. "It's my fault, Chakor. I brought in this problem over to my head. If I didn't bring Imli into our lives, if I was honest to you from day one, if I had the audacity to face Ma and Pa with my issues, our lives wouldn't be as messed up as it is now," he took hold of her hands close to his eyes, tears streaming down.
Suraj who was once very confident about the authenticity of the pictures, claiming that it is fake, has no words to say anymore as the digital analysis claimed the opposite. He couldn't admit himself to be guilty because as far as his memory goes, he could not remember a single detail about his physical contact with Imli. He wanted to find out the missing pieces from his memory but as of now, Chakor's health is his utmost priority.
*****************************************************************************************************************
"Is my wife okay, doctor?" Suraj was almost going crazy with Chakor's motionless body.
"Nothing to worry, Mr Rajvanshi. It's just syncope. Your wife's blood pressure is low, so the temporary reduction in blood flow caused shortage of oxygen to the brain. Let her lie back in this position for some time. Give her some space and let the air flow in the room. She will gain consciousness soon. Just make sure she stays hydrated," Dr. Chopra explained in detail, reassuring Suraj that Chakor is indeed okay. "If she constantly faints like this, then please bring her to the hospital. We need to get her checked up," Suraj nodded, rubbing Chakor's palms, kissing her knuckles. The doctor exited the room, accompanied by Shikoo.
Suraj held her hands, guilt burning every cells and nerves. He never wished to hurt Chakor but seeing her lying down in a frozen state knowing that he caused it, was more than he could handle. He sat at the edge of her bedframe, checking her breathing every alternate seconds and indulged into deep thoughts on what to do next. "I never intended this to happen, Chakor. You have no idea how much this is killing me inside. I have no memory of that incident happening and that makes it even worst," he moved closer to her and placed a soft kiss on her forehead. "I need to get to the bottom of this, Chakor. I need to get back the missing pieces from my memory. I know you wouldn't like what I'm about to do next, but I have no other choice. Staying here with you will increase your pain and I could never let that happen," he kissed her knuckles once again and stood up. He took his mobile phone and called Gauri.
"Ms Kapoor, Suraj Rajvanshi here," his voice was firm and assertive. Gauri was speechless after hearing her boss calling her on her mobile phone for the very first time. "Are you there?" he asked due to the dead silence from the other side. Gauri cleared her throat, "Yes, boss. I'm here. I'm just shocked to hear your voice. Anything, Boss? Is everything okay? How can I help, Boss? Do you want me to come to office now? But isn't it late?" Gauri talked so much that it irritated Suraj. "Hold your horses, Ms Kapoor!" he stated, "Can you please stop talking and listen to me?! I need you to pack your things and come to my house now. I will send my security to pick you up, do you get it?" Gauri's mouth gaped open. "Bu...but, why, Boss?" she had funny thoughts in her mind. "You are my best friend's husband, Boss. I don't think I should be meeting you at this time at your house!" Gauri inquired as she felt awkward about this whole situation. "Ms Kapoor, if you keep on talking nonsense, you will not have a job the next morning, get it? Now listen, I need you here to be with Chakor. I won't be around for some time. She'll be okay with you by her side. You'll be my eyes and ears. Can you please do this for Chakor?" Gauri understood the urgency in his voice and agreed to his terms. "I'll be ready in 10 minutes, Boss. Your staff can pick me up then," Suraj hung up the call after thanking Gauri.
*****************************************************************************************************************
Chakor was already up with the memory of what happened right before she fainted. How could you do this to me, Suraj? I
trusted you but you broke my heart! Her eyes welled up, and she started weeping. Just then, Gauri entered her room with a glass of fresh orange juice and sat beside Chakor. "Gauri, what are you doing here?" she asked, not being able to grasp what is happening around her. "Chill, Chakor. I am here for you. Suraj requested me to be here for some time. Now, drink this," she handed the glass to her, gestured her to drink. "Suraj? Where is Suraj? Surajjj!" Chakor stood up from her bed, screaming for her husband. Gauri panicked to see her best friend in that state as she instinctively grabbed Chakor by her hands and hugged her. "Calm down, Chakor. Suraj isn't here. He left," her words knocked Chakor out of her senses as she dropped herself on the floor. "What you mean, he left? Where? I need to look for him. I need to talk to him. He needs me. He..." Chakor started babbling, holding her head.
She knew Suraj wasn't in the correct state of mind when he heard about the pictures. Whether it is fake or real, she knew Suraj would not be in his correct senses. "I need to look for him, let's go!" Chakor insisted but Gauri stopped her. "We can't go, Chakor. He wanted me to take care of you. There are a bunch of people outside guarding you. Suraj said he will get in touch with you when he has decided what to do next. I think we should wait till then," Gauri explained calmly to her friend.
*****************************************************************************************************************
Sitting in his office, Suraj viewed the CCTV footages attentively. A few months back, he remembered Chakor's resignation letter incident. Something Chakor said about the resignation letter made him suspicious. Rewinding back to that particular date and fast forwarding to identify who placed the files on his table, Imli caught his attention. She was the only one who had access to his office and she was the only one who entered when he wasn't around. A few other footages from the office common area revealed clips of Imli placing an envelope between the files before dropping them on his table which made him realize who the real culprit is.
So, this was planned a long time ago. Imli had initiated to cause trouble for me and Chakor long before I decided to stay married to Chakor. Suraj seems to get a gist of the whole situation.
It was half past midnight and he sat in his office with Karan to recall whatever memory that will help him figure out what is happening around him. Karan felt bad for Suraj and Chakor. He owes his whole life to the Rajvanshis' because Kamal Narayan Rajvanshi sponsored his education as he was from a poor family. He wanted to help Suraj and he would do anything to solve this whole mystery.
"Mr Rajvanshi, can I say something?" Karan looked at Suraj, seeking his permission. Suraj just nodded, his eyes still focusing on his PC monitor. "The report says that the photos are authentic, which means the pictures were not altered or digitally modified but... it also doesn't prove that you were having any form of physical intercourse with her," he paused looking at a non-responsive Suraj and then continued, "Were there any days in your life where you can't recall what happened? I mean, since you know Imli for the past three years, you can probably recall back to those periods. Maybe we will get some hints from there," he pulled the chair in front him and sat, facing Suraj. Suraj lifted his face, looked blurry to his left and right and cleared his throat before speaking. "I know when exactly those pictures were taken, Karan," Suraj slid the pictures to him. "See the green band around my left wrist? I wore it during RV's birthday celebration, Saturday night, two days ago. I was totally wasted on that night. Couldn't figure out what occurred the night before when I woke up the next day. I wasn't nude when I got up but I couldn't think of any other days this could have taken place," Suraj sighed. "The only person who could explain to me about this is Imli," he grabbed his office phone receiver and dialed a number, "or RV, and let's see if he answers my call now."
The call went on for about 10 seconds before it got canceled by the other side. Suraj redialed the number and to his disappointment, he couldn't get the line any longer. "Just as I suspected," he mumbled. "Karan, I need you to do something for me. Both Imli and RV, I want their last locations and probable current location. You can trace their location based on the last call that I made. If it's in overseas, get me a flight as soon as possible," he paused, thought about his next plan with his eyes closed for a few seconds. "And... I need to prepare a will. I have given you the black and white details about it last month. Finalize it tonight and get that prepared by tomorrow."
*****************************************************************************************************************
The whole night, Chakor sat in Suraj's bedroom, glaring at their wedding portrait. Her heart ached so much that all she could feel was numbness creeping into her soul. She hated him for what he did to her but she couldn't deny the fact about how confused he looked when he laid his eyes on the pictures. His emotions were genuine and knowing how cunning Imli is, she couldn't make sense of any of the current occurring. "Where are you, Suraj? Why aren't you answering my calls? I need to talk to you. I need to see you. Please come back," she whispered under her breath.
Karan knocked on the bedroom door and entered after Chakor told him to do so. Gauri was tailing him from the back. She gave her word to Suraj; she told him that she'll be his eyes and ears and take care of Chakor, and that's what she was exactly doing. Seeing Karan, Chakor immediately ran towards him, "Mr Oberoi, where is my Suraj? I need to know where he is. He is not answering my calls. I am worried about him. Do you know where he is?" she stacked one question after another, Karan looking pretty dumbfound with each of it. "Mrs Rajvanshi, please remain calm. I know where Mr Rajvanshi is but I can't tell you. It was his request. He wanted me to give these documents and pendrive to you. So, I suggest you to please read the content in the documents carefully and listen to the video that he attached in the pendrive," saying that he handed them to Chakor. Chakor grabbed them and threw them on the bed. "Remain calm?! You're asking me to remain calm?! Something shadowy is happening around me and you're asking me to remain calm?! My husband is missing and I couldn't get in touch with him but all you want me to do is remain calm?!" Chakor started crying and screaming, throwing the pillows on the bed to the ground.
Gauri signaled Karan to leave the room, which he did without any questions asked. Gauri approached Chakor, looking equally troubled as she is. "Calm down, Chakor. You can't solve anything by being emotional and impetuous. Suraj will not simply leave you without a reason. I saw the pain in his eyes when he left the house. Believe that he'll be back. For now, read the documents. He might have sent you a message through it. I will go get your laptop so that you can view the content of the pendrive," Gauri led Chakor to the Suraj's study table in the room. Chakor sat quietly on the chair as the documents were placed infront of her. She sat still, thinking about what was Suraj planning to do. I too want to find out the truth. Suraj needs to know that I saw the truth in his eyes. I just don't know if he really did it or someone tricked him into it. I need to get to him, the same thing was running in her mind.
Gauri entered the room with the laptop and stunned to see Chakor sitting there as if her soul has been drained out of her body. She went forward, switched on and positioned the laptop on the table, moved towards Chakor and shook her shoulder, vigorously. "Chakor, please snap out of this, for God's sake! Read the damn documents and see what Suraj wants you to know! I don't know what happened between you two last night but I am clever enough to know that Suraj will not simply dump you. He can only proceed with whatever he is doing if he knows that you are alright! So, please read the damn thing!" Gauri looked straight into Chakor's eyes as her words exploded.
As harsh as it sounded, that was exactly what Chakor needed to listen. She faintly wiped the tears away from her red swollen eyes and started turning the pages, reading the details carefully. Gauri moved away just to leave the space that Chakor requires. The first document was a letter of authorization, effective immediately. Suraj appointed Chakor as the Acting CEO of Rajvanshi Steel Works till he returns. He gave her the full authority to handle their family business as he had faith in her more than he had on him. It was signed by him this morning. Chakor browsed her fingers through his signature and heaved a heavy sigh. She flipped to the next document to see a will, Suraj's will and he left almost everything he had, under her name. His 50% share from Rajvanshi Steel Works, his properties in several cities in India, his main account bank balance all belongs to Chakor now. Seeing these details, Chakor started having a panic attack. "No! No! No! He left a will! Gauri, he left a will! People leave will only when they die! Why would he leave a will now?!" Chakor's shrieking was so emotional that even Gauri couldn't hold back her tears. She ran towards her best friend and hugged her tight. Chakor moaned as Suraj's absence was taking the life out of her soul. "He cannot die! I need him! He cannot leave me and just die! I didn't even tell him that I love him! No! No! No! He can't die!" her body started to shiver thinking that the man she loves so much might not return to her, alive. "I need to see the pendrive, he might have said something there for me," she pushed Gauri away, took the pendrive and plugged it in the laptop. There was only one video in it. With a heavy heart, Chakor clicked on it, and Suraj appeared. His eyes were enflamed, he looked weary with his messy hair and the background looked like his office. He had a long message for his wife and she sat calmly on the chair, attentively looked over at the face that she misses so much.
*****Video started playing*****
(Combing his hair with his fingers) Hi, Chakor. How are you? I know I shouldn't be asking you that question after all that I put you through but I need to know that you are alright, even if I am not around. I want you to know that you are the most important person in my life. The past two months have been the best two months of my life. I have been scolding myself for wasting the first three years of our marriage because of my ego and insecurities. (He looked down, trying to inhale and looked back up) I was a fool to have ignored you and I failed to see the angel that God has gifted to me as my wife. I didn't expect our lives to turn out to be how it is now but perhaps this is for the best. Maybe this is the way karma works. I want you to know that I didn't leave you. I need to find out what has really happened between me and Imli that night. I can't recall anything about it and without knowing the truth, I don't dare to face you, Chakor. I don't have the strength to see you cry knowing that I am the reason behind it. I am out looking for Imli and RV because only they could tell me what really occurred and who staged the whole deception. RV told me that Imli is in Canada but from the details I have gathered, she has not left India yet and neither do RV. The funny part is RV is my best friend and he might actually be a part of this whole thing (disappointment was taking over his tone). I have no idea what I might face or when I will be back but I will return with the truth together with Imli and RV. I know you'll be thinking why I didn't bring you in this together with me; I will tell you why, Chakor. You are my strength and you are my weakness too. The last thing I will do is put your life at any risk, so please try to understand me. We can't go to the police now as I don't have any evidence against them. So, I need to do this, Chakor. I need to do this for us and I am not alone; Shikoo is with me. Meanwhile, I want you to take over our company because I know you are capable of doing great things with it. You now are the majority shareholder of Rajvanshi Steel Works, so try to distract yourself with work. Several bodyguards will be with you 24 hours a day, so please don't do anything that will jeopardize your life. Take care of Ma and Pa. Show them this video if they want to know about my whereabouts. (He had a long pause, tears rolling down his cheeks which he wiped away swiftly with the back of his right palm) If I don't come back, if something happens to me, just know that (a short pause) just know that I love you, Chakor. This is not how I wanted to say this to you but I don't want anything to happen without you knowing that you mean the world to me. You are the best gift in my life and whatever I have now belongs to you, my heart and soul too. Take care, baby.
*****Video ended*****
There was a long silence as Chakor looked blankly at her laptop screen. She clutched her hands together, bringing them close to her heart, her eyes shut. "Dear God, please protect Suraj wherever he is. Bring him back to me safely. I can't live without him, I want my Suraj back; I want my sunshine back," she whispered to herself, in hope that her prayers will reach to whom it meant to.
Something to ponder:
I don't have anything to ask. Writing this chapter was dreadful. I wouldn't want to be in Chakor or Suraj's position if this wasn't a fiction. Please write your feedback about this chapter. Thank you for reading.
*****END OF PART 15*****
PART 16: UPDATED ON PAGE 36
Cricket
Ganesh Kartikeya
Shiv Shakti
