Chapter 17

*******

"What's the plan ", Pihu asked as she closed the door of the compartment .Riddhima looked up at her and then at Vansh.

"First we need to know Kabir a little more....", Her eyes stopped at Vansh.

"We can't defeat him unless we figure out the reason for which he did all this....",

"Ya,We didn't thought about that...." ,Pihu said sitting beside her .They both looked at Vansh.

"I ........ I ...mean......", Vansh tightened his fist gathering the courage to take up this topic once more.

"You have to be strong.", Riddhima held his entalgeled fist , taking a deep breath he nodded.

" It was about a deal , I met him 5 years ago........... I was new to the business and had taken up the responsibility of the family business recently. After the orientation and seminar . The results were announced and the deal went in our favor. He approached me with an offer of collaboration, and I denied , I knew that I could do that alone.

Things were normal till then , but after that at number of contracts our face off occured and many of them turned out in our favour and his frustration increased.

I had never guessed but these deals leaded to our business rivalry , this rivalry grew so deep that we could do anything to get the contract snatched from each other .",

Vansh paused for a minute , he looked at the running sceneries and calmed his running heart,

"It was the deal for the Henry groups of hotels , two years back when everything messed up. He won against me and the construction started but an accident occurred and the 18 floor building collapsed on it inauguration day. Many people died and or were wounded. The condition worsened and Kabir with few other people have to go behind bar for the scam. But to save him his father took the blame on him . After few months we got the news that his father committed suicide................... The news was disturbing , very disturbing......

The deal again came to me and the reconstruction started, in mean time Kabir's business dropped down and he considered me as the culprit for his loss. A year back he turned to my company and proposed an offer to join me as business partner.

Initially I denied but circumstances became such that I have to go for the deal.

Unaware of me he did multiple scams in the company and then abruptly one day , he backed off and broke the partner ship , many of the shares of our company were lost to him but he didn't stop , it was after he went  multiple raid started in my office; our business ran down and the losses have went so high that we have to sell up the remaining shares too.

And one day we had a major fight at a hotel. A few days later Ishani and he............and why he did that I still can't understand , how could I hand my sister into his hand.

And then that day .....................",

He took deep breath refurnishing that horror , his trembling voice stopped , slowly he looked up .

Pihu and Riddhima eyes were fixed on him.

"But this business rivalry........how does it connects your family.", Riddhima questioned , business can have this face , she didn't knew.

Vansh was confused at the question, how could he know that , probably every proffession extend to family or probably it doesn't.

"Just for business and he did that...", Riddhima stopped if her question where disturbing him.

"I.... Don't know......", He turned his face away.Riddhima downed her eyes.

"What Happened at the fight....", Pihu questioned.

"Nothing it was just a fight.",

"Yet..... Just tell us what happened.",

"What..... He came to me and said he had destroyed me completely and I said he can never destroy me ..... Business is a small part of my life and I have my fam.......",

Vansh voice broke. He looked at Riddhima and Pihu in shock.

"I said you can destroy my business but I have my family and they are my life what you have . You don't even have a family , so for whom are you going to shower that cheated wealth on.....",

Vansh remembered everything . His eyes brodened as he realized what all he uttered that day, how he could have been so silly, was he the reason for all this ,yes offcourse , who else , he is the only reason for everything.

Pihu and Riddhima looked at each other.This was something else.......... a different world. The world from where they came never had such complications . Probably they were completely unexperienced to the mess they were going to enter.

The train came down crossing the hills to the plains and now stepped into the plateau which was as abrupt as there thinking capacity right now.

The moon had came up while Riddhima stood at the door , the train was quiet , probably it was midnight. " What's the plan", when Pihu asked her this, she couldn't reply actually she had none, but this is the reality and what can be a plan for this, this is so different. She still couldn't digest the fact that business and family connects. Her phone was gripped tightly in her hands , should she call her mother? , She would worry , Ok , nothing gonna happen she will return only , it's not that she would never return , telling mom is far more dangerous than anything, a broken smile spread across her face.

She walked in , as she opened the compartment and stood he was fast asleep and so was Pihu . She bited her lips in frustration , they are going actually , without any idea what tommorow may bring they are going , buy she can't let them know , if she became so vulnerable how will they stand , the real battle is yet to begun.

The real battle is yet to begun.

The sun in Mumbai came out dramatically before time and the train finally stopped at it's destination.Riddhima stepped down on the platform wittnessing the heavy crowd once again.

Last time she thought she would never again visit this but destiny has something totally different for her. Vansh came out holding the bags and stood behind her. They looked at the poster that was encrafted on the hording just infront of there eyes.

***Welcome to Mumbai***

Riddhima took a deep breath and  walked.

"Whare are we going to stay", Pihu asked.

"Hotel....",

"Till when",

Riddhima looked at her with unsurity.

They stepped in the cab as it took them to there safehouse , in this war ground .

Settling into the room , Pihu stood at the balcony to look at this city , which moved without a speedbreaker. Vansh removed his face cover and shades.

Riddhima as usual was indulged in deep thinking of the so called plan on which she brought them here.

"First off all we have to arrange a lawyer for Vansh.",

"What !, lawyer , if anyone find out he is here he will be thrown into the prison.",Pihu exclaimed.

"So what do you think." , Riddhima looked at Pihu in frustration.

"I think we should collect proof against Kabir first.",

Vansh was quiet all this time.

"And will we collect proof breaking into his house.", Riddhima spoke bluntly.

"Wow... Riddhi ...what an idea.", Pihu smiled.

"Are you serious......",

Pihu nodded. And they both looked at Vansh , he stood up and went to the window.

"It's not that easy......", He took a deep breath."I myself pushed my family to death.... and now I am bringing you both  to a similar danger ......", He looked at her ," I can't take more guilt.".

Riddhima walked up to him, she looked at him looking no where.

Helding his shrugging shoulder she spoke," People commit crimes and enjoy because they know someone will loose and take the blame , you can't get tired so easily and never before fighting.",

Vansh looked at her.

"You have to give them justice...."

He nodded wincing.

"Ishani and Aryan......"

Pihu and Riddhima turned to him .

".....they are my only family left before I loose further hope, I have to find them........ Even if they consider me a criminal but I can't risk anything else......... anything......", He looked at Riddhima.

"Pihu.....", Riddhima spoke.

"I want you to go and get the best lawyer for this case but remember you have to deal in such a way that they don't figure out that you are taking about him, no one should know he is here." ,Pihu nodded. Gripping the bag , she walked out of the room.

Riddhima stood up and advanced to the door.

"Where are you going..." ,He questioned.

"We are going.....",

He gave an unsure look.

"Mansion.............".

******