Chapter 7
Name : Vijay Verma
Age : 32 years
Occupation : CEO of Verma Constructions
Parents : Sreekanth Verma (Former CEO of Verma constructions and now a broad member) and Dr. Veena Verma (Gynecologist )
Siblings : Vivek Verma (City Police Commissioner - Kerala)
Education : Oxford University graduate
Relationship Status : In a relationship with Anjali Raizada from last 2 years (not went publicly)
He closed the file and looked at Aman.
"Aman Brief me about his relationship with Di "
"Well ASR... they met when she was married to Shyam in a business party or rather I would say Vijay planned his meeting with Anjali mam"
"And why would you say that"
"Because in that business party there was no need to invite Shyam and Anjali. It was hosted by one of the close associate of Mr. Verma for the Co-operates. They exclusively sent invitation to Shyam and his wife which Shyam couldn't refuse due to one of the major case he received from them as a surprise. The host of the party was a very close friend of Verma. There was no need to give that particular case to Shyam when he could have approached any of the top advocates in the city. Surprisingly after three weeks of this party Shyam's truth was out and he was sent to Jail. And after one month of his arrest Anjali mam joined Verma constructions as his secretory"
"His past relationships ?"
"He dated few women before. One was Nisha Iyer during his collage days, they broke up after one year. After that one of his old friend Mallika Rana, they broke up after 9 months. After one year he started dating Anjali Mam."
.
"Why did Verma want to meet Di? What might be the factor attracted him? was it money?" he asked Aman confused.
"No.. not the money.. because his net worth is more than the Raizadas. But I found something after your message yesterday..... "He paused for a while and continued..."Khushi bhabhi was staying with his family during that time."
Arnav stilled hearing this and after a few seconds he looked at Aman giving his full attention.
"what.. ? but why? She was with her family in Lucknow at that time right?"
"No ASR. She stayed in Lucknow only for two weeks. She then shifted to Kerala and stayed there for one year and 2 months with Vijay's family."
What was Vijay's connection to Khushi? And why would Khushi leave Lucknow? It is getting difficult to understand the connection between them. He waited Aman to continue.
"Anjali mam and Mr. Verma started dating 3 months after she joined his company. They often travel together within India and abroad. They never went public about their relationship. Vijay was staying in Delhi and once in a month visited his family. Sometimes Anjali mam also accompanied him to Kerala."
He processed the information he received in his head. It means Di was in touch with Khushi all this while and this man was the link between them.
"What equation he share with Khushi?"
"They share a friendly relation. His younger brother Vivek is Akash sir's close friend and also the city police commissioner in a city in Kerala. It was Akash who shifted Khushi there. Vivek also helped in gathering evidence against Shyam using his contacts. And he only tricked Shyam to sign the divorcee papers to free Anjali mam from that marriage. "
This man Vijay Verma was very much close to the most important person in his life. When he asked Aman to find details about the Vijay, he did not expect Khushi will come to the picture.
"And what made Khushi leave Lucknow ?"
Aman paused for a while and looked straight into his eyes.
"It was difficult for a middle class girl to bear the humiliation from the society for a second time ASR"
Arnav looked at Aman in shock. He sensed Aman's anger towards him in his words. yes he was right. How can he expect her to stay there after everything. But what confused him was why she did not go back to Lucknow after few months? He gestured Aman to continue.
"She is staying in UAE from past one and a half year. She works as an assistant to the CFO in a Chemical company. And this company is owned by one of Vijay's friend. She used to work in Verma constructions in Kerala as an Intern. And now she is in Kerala for a vacation."
Arnav sat silently rewinding whatever he heard from Aman. Something was a miss. Some important point was missing in that. He wanted more details about her. did she move on? was she in a relationship with someone else? He could not keep the question to himself popped up in his mind.
"What is Khushi's relationship status now and With whom she is staying in Dubai? "
" I need some more time to gather information about Khushi bhabi ASR. I can get back to you by tomorrow"
Arnav nodded and then Aman left the room leaving him alone. He sat on his recliner few more minutes thinking about the information he was fed with. Arnav was choking with the helplessness he was feeling.
His Di's baby was killed.. Her husband was jailed.. She got divorced.. And surprisingly she has moved on also.. someone else is there in her life.. And that man shares a close relationship with his Khushi.. He went far from his family to escape from the haunting memories of his mother's death.. But here his Khushi, his brother, his Di and Payal,.. everyone was dealing with so many tragedies came on their way without even informing him.
They might have thought he abandoned his family. Just like his Dadi did when his parents were murdered. She went to Ashram leaving him and his Di alone. And he hated her for doing that. But he himself ended up doing the same. He failed ... as a brother.. as a husband.. as a lover.. as a grandson.. He never returned the love all of them showered on him.. He felt his stomach churning. He ran to the bathroom bent over gagged and vomited. He sat on the bathroom floor after cleaning up. After a few minutes he came out.
It was time to speak to Akash. He made his way to his brother's room.
Akash looked at his bhai who was standing outside his room with an expression he cannot read.
"Come inside bhai"
Arnav came and sat on the couch beside him.
"Akash.. I know you are angry with me. And it is very late to apologize also .. still I want to apologize to you"
"Apologize ? for what bhai?"
"For everything Akash.. for leaving everyone in a blink of eye ... for never looking back in the last 3 years... You all dealt with so mush in the past years.. "
"In that case .. its alright bhai.. "
Arnav looked at the emotionless face of his brother. He cannot bear this coldness from him anymore. This needs to be sorted out today.
"Akash please.. please stop this. I cannot bear this indifference from my family anymore.. I am genuinely sorry for leaving you all."
"I understood it bhai that is why I said its ok.. I accept you apology but there is no need for this. The mighty Arnav singh Raizada doesn't need to apologize. You got what you wanted, now why this formality of apology?"
"People change Akash, I am not standing here as Arnav Sing Raizada, this is your brother apologizing to you. "
" Brother? A brother who blackmails some innocent girl? bargaining with his own brother's married life? "
Arnav stood shocked. How did he come to know about these details? Did Khushi tell him?
"That was long back Akash.."
"Yes.. that was long back and after that many other mistakes added to your list right?
" Akash I genuinely regret leaving you all and ..." he paused " and Khushi "
"Then you should be apologizing to her not to me"
"I know, that is why I want to meet her.. I know I lost all the rights I had still I just want to see her for once. I asked Payal about her but.."
"But she refused to give you the details.. I know, Payal told me.. "
"Please help me Akash.. I want to see her.. I don't want to go behind your back.. that's y I am asking you.. "
Akash looked at his pleading brother. His bhai never pleaded for anything.. He has lost weight and the arrogance on his face before 3 years completely disappeared and replaced with a blank expression. He was looking like a lost person. He know his bhai truly regret the things he did but he cannot give in easily.
"That is not my decision to make bhai, I can ask her if she would like to meet you.. You made everything a mess. If she refuses then you cannot force her.. "
"She will refuse if you ask her Akash.. I know that.. "
"you cannot get things done on your way every single time bhai.. if she decides not to see you then you should respect her decision .. you cannot force your decision on her .. She is not bound to you anymore.."
Arnav swallowed the lump formed in his throat. Akash was right.. What right does he have? But his selfish mind was not ready to accept it..
"I love her Akash.."
"And still you ditched her at the mandap...Did you ever really love her? "
Arnav felt his eyes welling with tears. Unable to show his vulnerable side to Akash he left the room immediately..
Akash stood there watching his brother leaving. he felt his eyes also moistening seeing his brother sad. Payal who was standing outside the door came inside and placed a hand on his shoulder.
"He is my brother Payal.. I cannot see him in tears. I thought he deserved the indifference for the mistakes he did, but after seeing him I realized he was also suffering . you were right that day. But I don't know how to make things right for bhai and Khushi. Its very much complicated now."
Sensing the anguish in his words Payal hugged and comforted him..
"Everything will be fine Akash.. we will make things right for everyone.. I will talk to Khushi " Payal assured him..
Love,
ST
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