Hi friends…
A big thanks for the time and support… Keep reading and supporting in the same way… Silent readers a big thanks…
Let’s get started… Happy reading…
In Arjun’s cabin,
Ms. Banerjee was waiting with her brother, Mr. Vidanth Banerjee. Arjun stepped into the room to be welcomed by the Banerjees. Without a word, he took his seat, behind the table. He didn’t acknowledge even her tries to greet him or hug him. Vidanth was observing every single move of the duo.
Arjun: Yes, Mr. and Ms. Banerjee, how can I help you…?
Ms. Banerjee: Arjun, why are you behaving as if you’re speaking to a third person…?
Arjun: Of course, Ms. Banerjee… I’m speaking to a third person… So, how can I help you…?
Ms. Banerjee: Arjun, I’m not any third person… We are…
Arjun: (Cutting her off.) We are, what…? Nothing… We are nothing, Ms. Banerjee… Of course, we had met few times before, that too as we passed each other’s ways… (As she tries to cut him off.) I’m not done yet… And of course, we met once a little closer… That too, it was you who didn’t let me pass through, Ms. Banerjee… I know, it was mutual… But, I clearly remember remarking that I have nothing to do with you, even before anything proceed… Am I right, Miss…?
Ms. Banerjee: Arjun, you can’t chuck me out of your life just like that… I’m not like any other girl whom you had met…
Arjun: (Cutting her off.) Oh really…? And what kind you’re…?
Vidanth: Mr. Mehra…?
Arjun: Sorry to hurt your brotherly instincts, but I’m not done yet… (Turning to her.) And coming back to you, how different are you from my other one night stands…?
Ms. Banerjee: I had been only with you, Arjun… You are the only man with whom I had been in my whole life…
Arjun: (Laughed out loud.)
Vidanth: (Banging the table hard.) Mr. Mehra, don’t you dare…?
Arjun: Apologies, Mr. Banerjee… But your sister has a very good sense of humour… (Turning to her.) I’m the only man whom you had been with…? Meaning, I’m your first and your last…? Hmmm, interesting… (Digging his desk, he took out an envelope.) So, could you explain me what is this all about, Ms. Banerjee…?
Ms. Banerjee: (Was shaking with fear on his tone and confidence. With trembling hand, she took hold of the envelope. Emptying the content into her hands, she was left shocked.)
Vidanth: (Seeing the change in her face, he pulled the content in her hand and had a look. He was fuming in anger.)
Arjun: I’ll never say I’m a saint… But I’m never a traitor, Ms. Banerjee… The very next day of our one night stand, I noticed the change in your moves… And I got it done… (Gesturing towards the photos in Vidanth’s hands.)
Ms. Banerjee: You, how dare you…? (She was about to attack Arjun.)
Vidanth: (Had enough, he stood up, pulled his sister back, forcing her to meet his eyes, warned her.) Not a word more… Understood…?
Ms. Banerjee: But, bro… He…
Vidanth: I said not a word more, Vaishali… Did you hear me…? (As she nodded affirmative.) Now go to the car and wait for me… Don’t you dare try to act smart with me any more… And about the one in yours (pointing her stomach), we will speak later…
She left without any other option. Vidanth took his seat after few seconds. Arjun offered him water. He took it without a word.
After an awkward silence,
Vidanth: (Clearing his throat.) Are you sure…?
Arjun: I’m cent percent sure… I don’t have anything to do with the baby… (Little awkwardly.) I had the protection… Your sister as well…
Vidanth: (Whisper helled.) Protection ditches sometimes…
Arjun: (Letting out a deep sigh.) And how come you both brother and sister are so sure about I being the father…?
Vidanth: She said…
Arjun: Rubbish… She said many thing which is utter rubbish and has no truth in it…
Vidanth: (He knew Arjun is right from his point, but the brother in him couldn’t able to let go.) Let’s get it cleared… Let’s get the tests done… If you aren’t related to this at all, you’re free to go, I will make sure, she doesn’t disturb you…
Arjun: (Even behind the strong and confident voice of Vidanth Banerjee, he could feel the helpless brother. So he just nodded his head once.)
Vidanth: Thank you… I’ll let you know the details about when and where…
Voice: (From the entrance.) No, I don’t trust the little sister of yours…
Both turned to find Neil standing with his arms crossed.
Vidanth: I don’t have anything to do with your belief, Mr. Malhotra…
Neil: (Stepping forward.) Absolutely… But I have everything to do with my associate… I won’t let anyone to play any kind of nasty games with any of my associates… The tests will happen for sure… But not when and where you or your sister decide…
Vidanth: (Standing in front of Neil.) And why would I let that happen…? And what if you don’t play any nasty games, behind us, Mr. Malhotra…?
Neil: (With a small smile.) I don’t play nasty, Vidanth… You knew that better… (Said looking straight into his eyes.)
Vidanth: (Looking away.) Please, Neil… Don’t bring us between this… It is about my sister…
Neil: Will you trust me if I say, (Vidanth looked at him, as he paused) if I say, that sister of yours tried to go all flirty with me and wanted to go nasty…? I know it is too much for a brother, but it is true… Think before you conclude… (After a pause.) Will let you know when and where the test will be conducted…
Vidanth: (Spoke nothing, he simply stepped towards the door. Stopped, without turning back.) Thanks for keeping up our friendship and (clearing his throat) for my sister…
Neil: You need not… Your sister is no different for me… And I always keep what is mine…
Vidanth: (A smile adored his face. Without speaking a word, he opened the door and walked out.)
Arjun: (Remained a silent spectator throughout.)
Neil: Get back to work, Arjun… (And was about to walk off the door. But stopped at the door, turning half way.) Stop worrying about this Banerjee matter… I’m getting on to it… If you’re nowhere connected, none will dare to force you… But, …
Arjun: But, if I’m related to it, I’ll take up my responsibility…
Neil: (Without a word more, he stepped out and closed the door.) (Thinking.) I know, Arjun… And that is what exactly worries me… Justice to my friend’s sister is pain to my sister… But I can’t do any injustice, at least not to my friend… (With the deep thoughts running, he just walked off from the place.)
Another person has been witnessing every single move of them right from the beginning and had a wicked smile.
Third Person: Now I’ll make sure you’re left hurt for hurting my loved ones… I won’t let you live happily or peacefully…
In the private room,
Sammy: (Placing her hand on her shoulder.) Radhika…
Radhika: (Turned towards her with a faint smile.)
Sammy: You okay…?
Radhika: I’m fine, Sammy…
Sammy: Your face is saying a different story…
Radhika: (Turning back to the window.) Just a little fear of losing him… My fate had never been good to me, Sammy…
Sammy: (Hugged her from behind, comforting her.)
This was witnessed by the twins from a corner and Neil from the entrance.
Banerjee Mansion,
Vidanth along with his sister reached Banerjee Mansion. Without a word, he walked past his mother and up to his room.
Vaishali: Mom, your son has gone mad… Instead of standing along with me, he is ditching me and supporting the person whose is responsible for my state…
Mother: Oh God, what is happening in my family…?
Vidanth came downstairs freshly showered.
Mother: Vidanth… (She stopped him, before he could pass her and fly away.) What am I even hearing…? You should be supporting your sister, instead you’re supporting the person who is reason for her tears, son…
Vidanth: (Glared at his sister.)
Mother: Stop staring at her and answer me, Vidanth…
Vidanth: You want answer, Mom…? Then here you go… Your darling daughter had been sleeping around her whole life… And claiming to be cheated…
Mother: VIDANTH… (And slapped him hard.)
Vidanth: By your shouts, the truth isn’t going to change, Mom… Your daughter is wrong and none can change it… (And locking his sister with his gaze.) Still, I’m getting to the roots to know who is the father of the baby… The tests will be conducted soon and till then dare you not step out of your room… (Turning back to his mother.) Or for what I said about your darling daughter, (handing the envelope in his mother’s hands) here is the proof… (And walked off, not waiting for any response.)
Vaishali tried to pull away the envelope from her mother’s hands. But a hand pulled it before she could even try. She turned towards the same direction. A man of late fifties was standing with a stern look. Her mother wiped off the tears that had been flowing continuously.
Man: (Opened the envelope and emptied the content in his hands. His expressions changed. He was fuming out of anger. With two long strides, he was in front of Vaishali.)
Vaishali: (Was trembling out of fear. Before she could even frame a word.)
A tight slap landed across her face.
Mother: What are you doing…? (Stepped forward to comfort her daughter.)
Man: Don’t… (Stopped her from moving forward, gesturing with his hand.) You know what are these, Vidhya…? Proof for our daughter is the culprit… She has been fooling us, playing the role of a victim…
Vidhya (Vidanth’s mother): What…? (Gazing at her daughter once and back to her husband.) What do you mean…? And what proof…? Show me… (She tried to take it from his hands.)
But he didn’t let go.
Man: No Vidhya… Don’t wish to see them… You’ll shatter… Just trust my words… She is no pure like you… And Vidanth’s every single word was true about her deeds…
Vidhya: (Those words were enough for her break down. She understood her husband’s every single word, her son’s every single word. She stepped back and was about fall.)
But a pair of hands protected her from touching the hard floor. All the eyes turned to find the burning eyes of a young man, of mid-twenties.
Vidhya: (Understood her younger son had heard every single word. Sensing his anger and next move, she tried to stop him.) Vishal… Look at me, son… Please…
Vishal: (Without looking at her.) Spare me a moment, Mom… I’ll get back to you… (And stepped forward.)
Mr. Banerjee (their father) stopped his wife who tried to stop her angry son.
Vishal: (Standing dangerously close, he spoke calmly.) Speak up…
Vaishali: (Trembled more hearing his calmness, which is not a good sign for her.) Vishal… (Shuttered.)
Vishal: (His eyes spit fire. Without a word, he dragged her upstairs. Before she could understand anything, he pushed her into her room and locked her.)
Vaishali: Damn Vishal, you can’t do this to me… Open the damn door, now… (She was banging the door continuously.)
Vishal: (Screamed.) Shut up…
Vaishali: (With one last hard bang, she stopped.)
Vishal: (Was fuming and trying to control himself.)
A hand tucked him. He turned to find his older brother standing helplessly. Without a word, he hugged his brother.
Vishal: I should have been a bit more responsible as a brother, bro…
Vidanth: Don’t accuse yourself for what you aren’t responsible, Vishal… (He comforted his baby brother.)
After few minutes, they were seated in the couch, in Vidanth’s room.
Vishal: Bro…?
Vidanth: Hmmm…?
Vishal: What are we going to do…? I mean, if Arjun is proved innocent… (He trailed off.)
Vidanth: I don’t have any doubt on his innocence… I already knew it… Just getting the tests done, so that…
Vishal: I understand… But, what about her…?
Vidanth: I don’t have an answer… For the first time, I feel like a failure, completely helpless…
A knock disturbed them.
Voice: May I come in son…?
Vidanth: Dad… (And stood up.)
Vishal: (Too stood up.)
Both their heads were hung low. Their father embraced them closed in a hug.
(Their father’s name is Mr. Abhinav Banerjee. He is a noble man. Always led his life in the righteous way. He thought the same to his kids. He is a great husband, great father, great boss and great in anything he took up. He always stood against negative acts and people. His wife is his soul. At his early fifties, he handed his business empire to his elder son, who is his pride, deciding to rest with his wife. His younger son is follower of his father and older brother. He respects both equally and followed their footsteps. The only black dot of the family is the daughter of the family. Why…? We’ll know it in upcoming days.)
Abhinav: My sons aren’t to be blamed for my daughter’s faults… So, stop feeling low about yourself…
Vishal: But Dad, she wouldn’t have turned into such a person, if we had been a little more careful…
Abhinav: No son… No matter how careful we are about our loved ones, few… (He trailed off.) Anyways, it is not her first mistake… I very well know, how much you guys had protected her not letting me know her mistakes… In spite of knowing, I decided to keep mum… Maybe a tight slap on her very first mistake, would have been good… In that case, we all are to be blamed… (After a pause.) Only life can teach her… I just hope she learns from her mistakes…
Vidanth: But Dad… Mom…?
Abhinav: I will handle her… By the way, when is the test happening…?
Vidanth: Not yet decided, Dad… Neil will be calling to inform…
Abhinav: Neil, how is the young man…? It had been years… He is one good soul… A good son of a monster father… (Sighing.) Would love to see him…
Vidanth: (Nodded affirmative.)
Abhinav: (Placing his hands on his shoulders.) Son, don’t let our problems to affect your friendship… He is one good soul… Don’t lose him…
Vidanth: Yes Dad… But after all these troubles get settled…
Abhinav: (Pulling his hands back.) As you wish… Don’t delay too much… (And walked off.)
The brothers took back their seat.
Lots of Love,
Anci