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“He is trying to mortgage his properties in Kanpur… Including Thakur Haveli…!” The man said and Krishan Kant nodded in deep thoughts.

“But these properties are in litigation… He can’t do that!” he thought.  

“He is ready for higher interest rate…!” the man said reading Krishna Kant’s mind.  There were people who would invest in such properties at throw away rate and wait for the court verdict.  The real owner by the time the judgement was given in his favour, would be squeezed to death with mounting compound interest on the loan, the expenses of fighting the case, the process and lawyers’ fees…! He wouldn’t have anything in hand… The land would be already impounded .. !

Krishna Kant’s face lit up with malice.  “Keep a tab on him.  Let me know who is willing to give him loan.  Send our man as investor… I should know what is in his mind…!” he ordered.  He had literally taken over Thakur Haveli when Rattan Singh had shifted his base from Kanpur to Delhi.  Krishna Kant ruled Thakurs…! 

“And…!” the man said and Krishna Kant again looked up. 

“There is rift between the cousins That ASR and his brother !”

“I know!” He smirked.  His efforts for ASR’s downfall was gathering momentum…!

“Keep an eye on him and keep me updated…!” he ordered dismissing the man.  He already had planted three of his people as employees in AR Designs.  The man had another news…!

“There is some problem between husband and wife…! She has left for Kolkata..!” The man gave another good news…! 

“Keep an eye on her!” Krishna kant dismissed the man. 

“So.. He is in dire need of money…!” Krishna kant stroked his chin gleefully.  

******  ********  ********  

“Don’t call me… I will call you!” he barked and disconnected.  Khushi looked at her blank screen.

“Humm…! He is like that only! He is like that only…! He…i..s… huff…hff..!” her voice trailed as the sobs took over. 

“Chal Khushi… be happy…! He is like that only…!” she got up brightly trying hard to bring a smile on her face, looking into the mirror. 

“He didn’t even think twice, while sending me away like this, and not calling even for once…!” she sulked.  

********  ********  ******

“Bhai… Please don’t do this, Bhai…!” Aakash urged, almost in tears.  But ASR didn’t heed. 

“Bhai… you know, I can’t handle it alone..!” Aakash was a kid again … coming into the room of Anjali Di and Arnav Bhai…! But he needed to grow up.

“This, you should have thought before raising your voice in the meeting, Aakash…!” he said with resentment.  Aakash hung his head.  

“But bhai… I just wanted to stop you from taking disastrous decision…!” Arnav looked at Aakash, thoroughly hurt. 

“Ok. Have it your way, Aakash…!” he held out the paper.  Aakash took it with shaky hands.

“Bhai… No! You can’t do this to me!” Aakash said in a ghastly voice.  Arnav shook his head a bit.

“No Aakash! You know, it is my way or highway..! But in this case, I am quitting…!” he said bitterly.

“Please Bhai… let it be your way.. please don’t quit…! Please..!” Aakash literally begged.  Arnav was unmoved.

“Chote…!”

“Please Nani…!” Arnav raised his hand to stop her from intervening.

“Its final Aakash…!” he said firmly not looking at anyone.  Mami had already taken the paper from Aakash’s hand and was looking at it curiously. 

“This house is still in my name” ASR said indifferently and Mami winced. 

“In his name? Is he going to oust us?” she looked up in fright.

“You take it Aakash, I will do the needful to transfer..!” he stabbed Aakash again and again.

“Bhai..” Arnav again raised his hand…!

“I request you to let Di’s marriage get over peacefully…!” he said in a even tone, mechanically, with no emotions…! Aakash sat down giving up…!

“Bhai.. No!” he tried to hold Arnav but Arnav had moved out of his room, glided down and was out of the house….!

“Payal…! what are you doing?" Aakash asked looking at her phone.

“Calling Khushi…! Why didn’t you tell me this, earlier, Aakash ji?” she asked hurt.  Aakash looked away dejected.

“Hello hi bye bye..! Will it be good to call her in this condition? She needs mental peace…!” Mami spoke sensible, seeing her son getting everything ASR had built.  She would rule Shantiwan…! She wouldn’t let this slip out of her hand.  

“No … You can’t call her…! Remember? What Arnav Bitwa said? Let Di’s marriage happen peacefully…!” Mami stressed on Di’s marriage.  Payal hung her head.  Aakash went out of ASR’s room.

Mami looked around.  “This room could be mine, too!” she turned greedily…! 

*********   ********  ******

“Haan? Then?” Khushi asked in a hushed voice.

“I don’t know, Bhabi… I saw Arnav Bhayya striding out of the house…Aakash bhayya was very upset…!” Ram Prakash was giving her the highlights.  Khushi was in deep thoughts.

“And you know, Khushi Bhabi?  Mamiji sat on Naniji’s place at dinner table and then got up suddenly… ! Mamaji Bahut Ghussa hue…! Mamaji went over the roof…!” Ram Prakash was at his best in describing the Aakhon Dekha haal!” 

“Humm… Batain rahana…!” she disconnected.