Chapter 28

Tvfanatic85

@Tvfanatic85

Chapter 28

Mr Mehra was usually the first one to come to the office in the morning as he needed to prepare everything for the morning meeting and he always went straight to Mr Bajaj’s office. He did the same today and just as soon as he entered the door he closed the door and walked out and smiled to himself. The sound of the door opening and closing woke up Prerna and Rishab and they realised that they were late and in Mr Bajaj’s office. 

“Did somebody come and saw us? Cleaning staff tha kya?” Prerna

“No mere office main bina puche sirf ek insaan aa sakta hain. You go and freshen up and I will clean this up.” Rishab and Prerna rushed to the washroom. 

Rishab took care of everything and then opened the door and called Mr Mehra. 

“Good morning Mr Mehra” Rishab

“Very Good morning sir. It's ok I can come back later.”  Mr Mehra

“No need as it is, we were going home to freshen up. How did the press take the inauguration and everything.” Rishab

“Brilliant sir and better than expected. But it was not liked by someone and it is great that I met you here because I need to discuss some things with you and Mrs Bajaj.” Mr Mehra and Just then Prerna came out 

“Good morning Mr mehra” Prerna

“Mr Mehra let us meet the girls and freshen up and then we can talk” Mr bajaj

“Sir it is about them. About the custody battle” Mr Mehra

“I don't understand you said it would be simple” Rishab and even Prerna was concerned now.

“It was until I saw their witness list” Mr Mehra and he showed them both the list.

1. Mrs Naveen Chottopadhaya

2. Mrs Mohini Basu

3. Miss Mishka Ganguly

4. Mr Anurag Basu

5. Nitya Tiwari

And Rishab and Prerna were shocked. Prerna, feeling dizzy again, was about to fall when Rishab caught her and made her sit down. 

“Ok we are going home. You need rest” Rishab

“She was sick yesterday also” Mr Merha

“Then we  are going to the doctor now” Rishab

“Main theek hoon and this is not the time for this” Prerna

“Prerna?” Rishab

“Please Mr bajaj. Mr Mehra how bad is it about to get? I want a clear answer now.” Prerna

“Very bad they will bring both your past in it and try to prove things about your character and “ Mr Mehra and Prerna turned her head sideways. “Mam I know you don't like to hear this but all these people hate you and they have got one chance to attack you both. They will use it” and Prerna hid her head in her hands.

“We need to be prepared. Is baar to make sure that Kukki is fine Mr and Mrs Bajaj have to be prepared.” Rishab nodded and Prerna nodded with him.

“Mr Mehra start your preparation and find anything and everything you can on all these people in the list. We are going home to take some rest and we will discuss this in the evening. ” Rishab bajaj

“Nothing about Mr Bose” Mr Mehra and Rishab didn't say anything and he and Prerna left from there. Prerna came and sat in the car and was sleepy again and a bit worried. Mr bajaj stopped near a scheduled area. 

“Hey are you ok? Sab theek ho jayega. Main hoon. I will take care of everything aur sirf main nahin hum dono milkar sab theek kar lenge. Woh hamari betiyan hain they are not going anwhere” Mr Bajaj

“Main jaanti hoon bas ek bechani se lag rahi hoon. Kuch acha nahin lag raha hain pata nahin kyun.” Prerna

“I think we should go to the doctor first. Aapki tabiyat theek nahi hain” Mr bajaj

“Nahin bas mujhe ghar le chaliye. Just take me home please.” Prerna

“Ok” Mr bajaj

They both came home and they went straight to Kukki and Sneha and both the girls jumped on them like they were seeing them. Even Prerna’s mother was there. Mr bajaj touched her feet. Prerna's mother still had difficulty talking to him but she had accepted the fact that he made her daughter happy.

“Kaise hain aap Rishab?” Veena Ma

“Main bilkul theek hoon. Aap ko in dono ne jyada paresan to nahi kiya.” Mr bajaj

“Bilkul nahin balki hum logo ne bahut maza kiya” Veena Maa and Kukki went and hugged her. “Chaliye ab aap log aa gaye hain to main chalti hoon. Ghar pe sab wait kar rahin honge. Aap log apna dhyan rakhyega aur kisi cheez ki zaroorat hoon to mujhe bula lijiyega.” Veena maa and she left from there. After sometime Kukki went to School and Sneha was playing with Saba. Even Prerna and Mr bajaj went to get some rest not that they weren't worried but the exhaustion took over and they only woke up during the afternoon. They were surprised and came down to find Kukki and Sneha playing with one another. 

“Aap log theek hain aap school se kab aayi aur aap logo main se kisine mujhe uthaya kyun nahin. Saba aapne bhi nahin” Prerna

“Maa maine mana kiya tha. I did sneak into your room” Whispering "but you two slept so much like chotu babies that I didn't want to wake up”

“Bad manners Sneha” Mr bajaj said and Kukki giggled.

“and I was there for Sneha so I let you sleep. Also.” Kukki making sure his father cannot hear her “I heard Diya telling someone his father is better now and I am so happy” and Prerna hugged her

“Waise Mr Mehra called and said he will come home in the evening” Kukki and went to play with Sneha. Suddenly Prerna and Mr bajaj went silent and looked at each other but Mr Bajaj gave Prerna a nod that all will be okay and she returned the same. Mr Mehra came in the evening and they were all discussing the case.

“Mr mehra hamari witness list main kaun kaun hain?” Mr bajaj

“Sir mujhe nahin laga tha that Mr Bose will go this extent and I had thought that neutral witnesses will be more than enough to take care of everything 

1. Mrs Dsouza -Kukki School Counsellot

2. Mr Tripathi -Kukki Teacher

3. Dr Nair - Kukki’s Doctor

4. Mr Nayanthani - Someone that knew them since Menaka and was close with both Mr Bose and Mr bajaj. His speaking in favor of Bajaj would have helped. 

“In sab ke alawa Mr bose ki Kukki ki life main prolonged absence would have been enough for this. But now the game has changed” Mr Mehra

“But I don't understand what does this people will have to do with Kukki” Prerna

“Come on Mam, I thought you were smart. These are not for Kukki, they are for your character assassin on the stand. They are trying to prove that you are not good people by character and so you are a bad influence on her.” and Prerna was shocked.

“I know you are worried and I am not scared much about them. they all have past vendara against you. I can prove them wrong as witnesses but that is not what I am worried about.” and prerna was confused.

“He is worried about you being on the stand” Mr bajaj

“Let's do an act. Main opposition ka lawyer hoon and I will ask you some questions.” She asked Prerna to sit on the armchair and sat in front of her.

“Aapka naam?” Mr Mehra

“Aap jante hain” Prerna

“Small and Precise answers no matter that there is a big banner in the room displaying the answer. You answer”

“Prerna Sharma bajaj” 

“Aap Kukki ki kya lagti hain”

“Mother” with a slightly high voice

“At no moment you will show yourself as angry” Mr Mehra

“I am her mother” Perena

“You mean she is your step daughter and you are her step mother” Mr mehra

Prerna looked straight into his eyes and sitting up straight said “ I am her mother and she is my daughter” she said in a calm and stern demeanor and then he went on to ask some questions about what Kukki likes or sometimes when Kukki was sick but she was not available or when grades were bad. She was calm all through out and Prerna was starting to relax when he asked

“Naveen Chattopadhaya” and Prerna sat up straight again “Kaun hain Mrs Bajaj” and Prerna didn't know what to answer.

“Kya yeh sach nahin hain ki aapki unse shaadi honewali thi.” Mr mehra

“Haan lekin” Prerna

“No explanation. Small and Precise” 

“Yes” Prerna

“Apne se double age ke aadmi se shaadi karne ko aap taiyaar ho gayi. Family Pressure?” 

“Ji aisa kuch nahin hain.” Prerna

“Then??” Mr Mehra

“Mr Mehra”

“Mam yahin hoga and they will not stop at this. Please let's try again. To the point small and diplomatic answer.” 

“Aisa kuch nahin hain. Us waqt mujhe woh proposal theek laga so I accepted.” Prerna

“To phir shaadi kyun nahin ki aapne” Mr Mehra

“We all”  but she stopped, “ He turned out to be sex trafficker and police arrested him. Mujhe aur meri family ko shaadi wale din malum pada”

“Ok it was your bad luck. I am glad that you were saved.”

“Mr Anurag Basu kaun hain” 

“Mr mehra?” Prerna stood up straight and looked at Mr bajaj and was shocked to realize that Mr bajaj was calm. 

“I don't get it in sab ka isse kya matlab hain” Prerna

“Answer the question Mrs Bajaj. Be calm and answer the question” Mr Mehra and it was not that Mr bajaj was not happy with this but he knew Custody battles can be ruthless and this was about to go even more than that. 

“Please Mam, Lets try again” Mr mehra and Prerna even if not able to understand anything decided to go with the flow. 

“Mere papa ka best friend ke bete” Prerna

“Sirf papa ke friend ke bete.” Mehra “isliye aap unke ghar unki wife banke claim karne gayi” Prerna as she knew this would come next was prepared. 

“Woh ek plan maine aur Basu family ne mil kar banaya tha taki Komolika Cahubey ke reality expose kar sake.”

“Aur phir aapki aur Mr basu ki shaadi honewali thi lekin phir aapne Mr bajaj se shaadi kar li kyun? “ and Prerna went silent again. 

“Mam answer the question. Please” Mr Mehra

“Mr Basu aur mere beech bahut sare issues the, main unki family main kisiko pasand nahin thi aur unki mother ne meri mother ke upar chori ka bhi ilzaam lagay. In the long run this relationship would have faulted so I broke it and married Mr bajaj” Prerna said after thinking hard

“Matlab wife ka claim kisi aur ka, engagement kisi aur se shaadi kisi aur se dont you think you are confused about your relationships and jitne jaldi aap relations change karti hain to kya guarantee nahin hain ki kal phir se koi problem aayehgi aur aap kukki ko nahin chod dengi. I mean she is your step daughter.” 

“Woh meri beti hain. She is my daughter. The first word that she said was Maa and that too for me” Prerna said calmly.

“Stay calm mam. Please. Aapki ek aur bhi beti hain right” 

“yes Sneha”

“Sneha”

“Yeh mere pass kuch calculations hain. Aapki aur Mr bajaj ki shaadi 15th May ko hui thi aur Sneha theek 6 months ke baad”

“Alright that's enough. That's enough” and Prerna walked out of the study.

“This was too much for the first time Mr Mehra” Mr bajaj

“Yeh hoga Mr Bajaj aur aap jaante hain. they will be worse.”

“Will Kukki have to testify”

“The court will take the choice of a 8 year old” and Mr Bajaj was getting tensed. 

“You think they will try and reveal Sneha’s praternity in court” 

“Nahin court main nahin as it will be in your favour. Not being related by blood you are still taking care of her. Kaise double standards hain na hamari society ke if a man freely accepts someone else child he is great he can not do wrong all is forgiven but a woman is always judged as a step mother” and smiled. “But they can use Anurag basu against you by showing those true reports. He can come claiming her but you can handle him real well. As per court, I think they will try and show that she was cheating on Mr basu with you to revenge or money anything” 

“Mr Mehra?” Mr bajaj

“Aap jante hain yahi hoga. and Mr basu can sit on the stand and say that Sneha is your daughter. Paternity reports kitni aasani se forge hoti hain aap jante hain. Mr bajaj years back I had planned this for Menaka only, she was even guilty of all  and you refused point black that she is Kukki mother and you will not allow this and Menaka walked out with a fortune. Woh aap the yeah Mr Bose hain he will not stop.  And it is just not about her” Mr Mehra

“what about me?” Mr Bajaj and Mr Mehra kept looking at Mr bajaj.” what boliye?” Mr bajaj

“Agar nitya ne stand par bol diye ki you knew about the baby and refused to accept or do anything with it” Mr Mehra and Mr bajaj were stunned.

“AAp kaise jante hain” and Mr mehra made a face as if asking like really “Koi proof nahin hain uske paas” Mr bajaj

“Come on Mr Bajaj agar court main na bhi hoon all she needs is one blind article or story and it will be done. Inme se 2 witnesses already backout kar chuke hain I have made sure that lekin mohini basu, anurag basu and Nitya are still there. They will be ruthless and maybe Sneha’s praternity will come out, maybe not. You need to be prepared. You need to be prepared” 

“Mr Mehra what is it that you are not telling me? Mr Mehra”

“You need to decide. You need to decide whether Mr Bose matters more to you or this family, your past or present. Because Mr Bose needs to be handled and only you can do that. Besides custody he has met Mr basu today, Mr Anurag Basu. He has also started opening up all cases lodged against you and Bose industries. He is not leaving, you need to decide what you want to do?” Mr Mehra left after sometime

Chapter 29 - https://www.indiaforums.com/forum/post/153687507