Moments April 28th 2024 Ongoing G

Betrayal: The culprit

By jagrutid (@jagrutid)

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Thanks all for waiting on this

The culprit

Those tablets Mrs Bajaj , they’re just painkillers said George.

Once George left Prerna shared a conversation with unconscious Rishabh at his bedside.

“At least Its not Tanvi then” she said with a sigh of relief. Moving to leave his side Prerna could feel her saari caught behind her only to look over her shoulder to find it in Rishabhs grip.

….

“Blood pressure?” Asked Rishabh

“Amongst other things” replied the doctor “but you’re on track now.” he scribbled out a list of meds. “ Keep rested and keep me posted.” He Instructed peering over the top of his glasses.

“Thank you ..” replied Rishabh before the doctor could leave he had one more ask.

“Doctor, a copy of my medical report please.” He called out.

“Sure” replied the doctor trying to look casual about the report as not arise any suspicion.

Prerna wanting to keep the truth to herself for a little long puts the report in bedside drawer. Something Rishabh takes passing note of.

Just the two of them now Rishabh who props himself up towards the headboard a little more is helped by Prerna who straightens the cushions behind his back to help.

“Are you okay?” He asks in a silky RB manner his eyes were incredibly intent on checking on his wife.

“Ji” Prerna replied trying a little too hard to keep up the act.

Before Rishabh could call her out George entered the room. Along with him came Mr Bajajs warm meal as recommended by the doctor.

“George seen as Mrs Bajaj won’t be honest about how she’s feeling would you mind telling me how she’s got on ..” He asked very tactfully whilst George served his food , and Prerna prepared his meds.

“Er well she’s been worried, sleepless and missed quiet a few meals ,” Explained George honestly.

Rishabh looked for Prernas eyes wanting to comfort her but she avoided his gaze.

“Fetch another plate please George” he asked right away.

“Mr Bajaj,” She tired to protest but couldn’t withstand his adamant that ways.

“I missed you ..” she confessed with heavy eyes after a little while of them both eating of their respective plates.

Rishabh put down his napkin, reached out to brush a way a speckle of food from the corner of Prernas mouth whilst she held his hand to her face a little longer.

His eyes tried to make out what the matter was.

“I need to clean up” said Prerna looking down at their plates almost avoiding any opportunity for him to realise something was the matter.

As she headed for the washroom Rishabh reached into the side table for the doctors report and his glasses.

“The girls will be happy to see you..”

Prerna said from in the washroom whilst she put her hands under running water.

Rishabh on the other hand had read the medical record and had it open in front of him by the time she’d walked back into the room.

Prerna naturally felt worried. She wanted Rishabh to rest. “It’s already been looked into..” she reassured him.

“By who?” He asked From under his reading glasses. He said as very very intense on the matter.

“I’m looking into it .. with help from Mr Mehra”

“Prerna you” ...- he began and she jumped in knowing what he was about to say.

“Shouldn’t trust anyone I know.”

Reminding him she would always bare in mind everything he’d taught her.

“Im a man with many enemies Prerna this wouldn’t be the first time someone has tried to harm” he said in a very Bajaj like way.

“Kya mila” (What did you find?) he asked keen to punish the culprit.

Prerna held her breath as she walked back to his bedside and perched on the side.

“Possibly someone close.. Family” she said quietly. Rishabhs eyes began to get more serious, the look of thought pulled over them. “Bring me the whisky in the porch” he asked.

“Aap (you can’t) .. this is no time for alcohol” Prerna resisted.

“”Just do as I say “he stressed.

Watching Prerna walk out of the room into porch and back again. Rishabh thought back to the night this had occurred. Turning the cap of the liquor she hands him he pours a little into left overs on his plate.

Both Rishabh and Prerna watch as the food burns and discolours. “You know who did this?” Asked Prerna shocked.

Rishabh who took a glance towards her and now stared into oblivion before answering “A business acquaintance.”

Prerna couldn’t sleep that night and understandably so. Even with the increased security and the culprit known to Mr Bajaj she was uncomfortable.

Why wouldn’t he give her a name?

When rest was unachievable she decided she to give her mind the peace it needed. Walking out quietly as not to disturb his sleep Prerna walked into the CCTV room with the goal of watching back exactly what happened that night herself.

Around 8:45pm Mr Bajaj was seen leaving the house and then returning at 9:30 pm with that bottle of Whisky to hand. It looked like a gift.

Whoever he had met that time was the culprit thought Prerna. Returning to their room, something she knew was wrong but she had to do Prerna picked up Mr Bajaj’s phone and looked through his call log that night. The initials of the perpetrator leaving Prerna speechless. a single tear drawing down her eye with the realisation of who had tried to take his life.

The next morning as Rishabh looked more himself now he’d had breakfast at the table with the girls and was dressed in a way that was signature to him. Wanting to talk to him in privacy about what she now knew she found him in conversion with Mahesh near his chair.

Rishabh fixed the sleeves of his shirt pacing up and down the floor whilst Mahesh sprawled on his chair with what looked like one of Kukis lollipops from the sweets jar.

“There’s something I need you to accompany me on” said Rishabh

“‘Me ?” Asked his brother surprised after all their arguments

“Okay but you just got better can’t it wait” he asked sounding that tad bit worried about his brother.

“Confronting the person who tried to kill me can’t wait.”

“I want confront them legally and if that doesn’t work then we”ll rethink” spoke Rishabh in a monotone voice.

“Let me go in your place” Prernas voice sounded from a distance. Rishabh looked over towards her.

Not wanting her to be dragged into this anymore he stayed unconvinced until she spoke again.

“I know who it was Mr Bajaj” she said her eyes telling him it was too late to shield her from the truth now.

With a searching of each other’s eyes Rishabh agreed.

“Okay” he said knowing there was some substance in the suggestion. “Look after her” he said looking to his brother.

“Make sure they know there won’t be a next time.” He makes clear in a cold voice whilst leaving the room.

...

“Stay here, said Mahesh to Prerna who was sat in the passenger seat next to him. Prerna nodded in agreement rolling down the tinted glass window to watch from here

Watching Mahesh walk out towards a figure in the distance.

“Mr Basu”.. said Mahesh get Anurags attention

I have a message from Rishabh Bajaj attempt to murder charge, Said Mahesh with fiery eyes slamming Anurag with the legals.

Anurag looked on at at Mahesh blankly and then past him at the car to see Prerna.

Yes it was him, when Rishabh refused him access to Sneha this was his revenge.

He didn’t pretend otherwise, he looked smug.

“Withdrawn on one condition..”

You and your family have nothing to do with Sneha going forward

Is that what she wants?

Said Anurag looking out Prerna, staring at her the way he would have done at one time but she looked on with cold eyes.

“She wants more, claps back Mahesh whilst his phone rings, a call from Prerna within the car for Anurag ‘If it was up to me I’d want to see you in dead for what you did to my husband but I unlike you have morals but don’t mistake my morals for weakness Anurag.”

Back in the car the car as the driver pulls away Mahesh looks to his side at a silent Prerna, “you love/ or loved him a lot didnt you?”.. Prerna was silent for a second. “Yet you’re still so fierce on the matter” Prerna gave her heart and mind a second to settle.

“I’m in love with your brother and more importantly my loyalties lie with him.” She said most powerfully, determined.

“And you? She looked on his brother in law ..”you put aside everything to stand by the brother you don’t get on with,

“guess I have my loyalty to prove” he says silently both looking at one and other in understanding.

jagrutid2020-11-10 12:59:36