130

He waited … Thought of calling her himself…. !!  He must wait…Wait for the call.  He ordered another sugarless coffee for himself… hiding his face behind The Economic Times…! Someone occupied the seat infront.  He silently sipped his coffee reading the newspaper.

“Hello Sir..!” the man said softly and their gazes met.  Recognition appeared in his eyes…

“Akhilesh…” he said sighing.

“Sorry Sir… Seema had called…” Arnav looked excited…!

********   *****  ****

A couple of weeks earlier….

“Akhil…. “ She held his hand and he just looked at her, making his way into the busy Carol bagh market road. 

“I feel so ashamed…” Akhil cut her off.

“Stop… You don’t have to be…! We are together, and that’s enough for me…” he said squeezing her palm.  She smiled faintly.

“And… now finish off your shopping …” he pushed her a bit…! She was off balance and bumped into a man…

“What the…!” the man turned angrily and she froze…

“You… You… Dadaji…!” she blurted and he turned to vanish into the crowd.  But this time she was quick.

“No wait… !” she held his hand.

“Seema…!” Akhilesh pulled her away looking at the person apologetically.  The man turned his gaze to his wrist where the grip had tightened.

“Akhil… He is the one… the portrait man… Dadaji… in Thakur Mansion…” she blurted incoherently… Arnav stopped in his tracks…

“Thakur Mansion?” he blurted and Akhilesh came forward… wrenching her hand from his wrist he said…

“Sorry  Sir… She mistook you as someone else…” He turned to leave…

“No.. wait…” Arnav stopped them…

“How do you know Thakur Mansion?” he asked  Seema came forward excitedly.

“My father works there… And my mother also… I have seen you in that portrait… a big one… They call him Dadaji…” She looked confused…

“But you are so young…” she realized her mistake…! But he spoke solemnly…

“I am his grandson… Arnav Singh…” Her mouth fell open in shock.

“What? Really?” her face brightened up… “The world is so small…” she grinned.  Akhilesh gaped in disbelief…!

“I…I bumped on you in Kanpur Market….” She said smiling broadly… He had turned to Akhilesh.

“I am Arnav Singh..” Akhilesh introduced himself…!

“Join us for lunch….”She invited after what seemed like fifteen minutes… they were standing in a corner and talking to each other.  He weighed the option and agreed…. Akhilesh gaped again in disbelief…  But Seema was all excited. 

“Come… There is a Madras Restaurant here nearby…The sambar is just awesome there…” She declared looking at her husband.  He fumbled…But before he could say no and suggest some decent restaurant, Arnav agreed…! Next two hours… the stories were exchanged and identities were established and then Seema spoke gravely….

“You know what… I am ashamed of my family, sometimes…. I don’t know, may be I am a misfit in that family… but everytime I see my brother and parents…I feel these can’t be my family.. You know? He didn’t even allow me to see my brother in the hospital…” She said on the verge of crying…! Arnav’s eyes narrowed in suspicion ..

“They set hetman on Akhil… Honor Killing… that’s what they said… But thank God… We escaped in a nick of time… ! Then I think my mother convinced my father and they stopped hunting us down.”

“Humm…” Arnav responded sympathetically.

“But you know… I am fortunate to have him as my husband… Otherwise these two would have sold me off to some hooligan…” she shuddered with the thought.  Akhilesh glanced at Arnav. 

“Now you have one more person…!” Arnav said playing his emotional card.  She looked up…

“You feel Dadaji’s portrait saves you.. Now Dadaji’s grandson is with you…!” he smiled kindly and she burst out in tears…! The bond strengthened…. The plan hatched…!

“What are you doing here, in this busy market?” she asked before parting and he smiled faintly… He actually was to meet Aman … But this accidental meeting was more important…! Aman couldn’t meet his ASR sir…

 

******   ********* 

“Seema had called…” Akhilesh said gravely…

“She managed to get those files…” Arnav’s face brightened but looking at Akhilesh’s grim his heart filled with worry…

“Is she ok?” he asked concerned.  Akhilesh nodded….

“She is alright… But she is worried about her brother….No one is allowed to visit him in the hospital… “ Akhilesh continued and Arnav’s eyes flashed…!

“We will find that out soon….” He assured….! Akhilesh looked up…!

“I don’t want her to go that house again… I know they are her family… but…” Arnav kept his and on his..

“I know… Don’t worry.. this will end soon…” he got up.  Akhilesh slipped a note in his hand…!

“Seema’s friend stays near our house…!” Akhil informed.  Arnav glanced at the note and nodded.  He must get hold of the files before its too late…!

“All the best…” Akhil blurted as Arnav strode out of the hotel…!

***********   **********   *********

At the same time, in AR Designs meeting room…

“What have you decided bete?” Mehra asked.  Aakash shook his head nervously…!

“I don’t know, uncle… Bhai is not here… “ he said swallowing hard… Three of the consecutive consignments had hit back with rejection. 

“I do not know what is going on… We must raise money…. “ Aakash said glancing at Mamaji…!

“Sell off some of Arnav’s shares…. You have the power of attorney…” Mehra said and Rattan shifted in his seat excitedly…!”

“What? No…! I will sell my shares and invest money in AR group…!” Mamaji shot up…!

“Dad… you have only 15% stake… Bhai has 55%.... “

“Exactly… selling off his shares mean transfer of control… I can’t allow that…” Mamaji flared up.

“But that will fetch us more money…” Aakash said reasonably…!

“Aakash.. No.. This is Arnav’s company… Don’t do this, behind his back… “ Mamaji urged.  Aakash looked away helplessly…!

“I can buy his share… After all I am his half bold brother….” Rattan said disdainfully…! Aakash got up angrily…!

“Aakash bete… calm down… Let us invite bids…” Aakash sat down thinking…!

“Bidding? Who will bid for this loss making company?” Rattan showed off his knowledge….!

“Let us see…” Mehra closed the meeting…..!

********   *****  *****

In Kolkata….

“Sir…. AR Group is on sale…” Tushar walked in excitedly…! Blawinder just nodded….!

“Keep a watch on the bidding….” He said.

“Are we not bidding…?” Tushar asked astonished…. Balwinder Singh would never miss such an opportunity…!

“No… We are not bidding directly… And call Raghu…” Tushar hurriedly went away…!

“Sir?” Raghu and Tushar were at the door….

“Tushar… Scrape the information from wherever you get it… make a due diligence.. and get me the numbers… We need to talk to Raj this evening…”

“Raghu… You need to go to Chennai…”  Balwinder shot instructions…!