26. Twisted Loyalties

Author's POV

Next Morning,

Ishika dialed Sahil, her voice steady and no-nonsense. "I'll help you with the factory deal."

Sahil, in the middle of his breakfast, paused mid-bite. "What's your plan?" he asked, intrigued but cautious.

"I can't approach him directly. That would raise suspicion," she said calmly. "We need to play it smart-make it look like everything is happening naturally, not because of us."

Sahil leaned back, interested. "Go on."

"He's drowning in losses from his latest ventures. All you need to do is have the banks freeze his project funds. Cut off his lifeline." Her tone was razor-sharp, calculated.

Sahil smirked, amused. "Are you sure you're a Singh?"

Ishika scoffed. "Let's not get sentimental. Blood ties can't compare to what we had, dear ex-husband." Her voice dripped with sarcasm.

Sahil blinked, caught off guard.

"Anyway," she continued, "My uncle's stubborn. If he can't save his project, he'll sell off family assets to fund it. Eventually, he'll come crawling to you. Don't agree right away. Wait until he pressures me. That's when you'll have the upper hand in negotiations."

Sahil nodded slowly.

"What's the target?" Ishika asked.

"Fifty crores," he said without missing a beat.

"Done." She hung up with a satisfied smirk.

A text followed shortly after. Sahil: [I'm out of town. Keep me posted.]

Ishika: [Sure.]

After the call, Ishika headed to her lecture. She spent the entire afternoon teaching and reviewing her students' notebooks.

***

Ishika stayed by Abhi's side in the hospital, determined to care for her brother in Sahil's absence. They were chatting lightly when Ishika's phone rang. She glanced at the screen and answered, "Hello?"

On the other end, her aunt, Sumita Singh, spoke, "How is Abhi, dear?"

Ishika looked at her brother and smiled. "He's recovering, Aunty."

"That's good," her aunt replied, relief evident in her tone. After a brief pause, she added, "I'm sorry, Ishika, for not coming to see Abhi. Tanvi wasn't well, and you know how cranky she gets. I couldn't leave her alone at home."

"Don't worry about it, Aunty. I'm sure you would've come if you could. No need to apologize. Besides, Aditi was here with me the whole time," Ishika reassured her.

Her aunt hesitated before asking, "But why wasn't Sahil with you?"

Ishika's smile faltered slightly. "Actually, Aunty, he's on a business trip."

"Oh, really? I thought he would be there, helping with Abhi," Sumita said, sounding disappointed.

Ishika's expression hardened. "You know how he is, Aunty. He's a workaholic. Nothing matters to him more than his job."

"Hm... I understand. Your uncle is the same," her aunt replied with a knowing sigh.

Changing the subject, Sumita added, "I'll visit Abhi tomorrow and bring breakfast for both of you."

Ishika's smile returned. "Sure, Aunty. That would be lovely. Thank you."

Next Day,

True to her word, Aunt Sumita visited the hospital the next morning. However, there was an unexpected guest-Arjun Singh, her uncle. Ishika's heart clenched at the sight of him. She couldn't shake the suspicion that her uncle had orchestrated her brother's accident. Still, she masked her anxiety with a warm smile, determined not to reveal her true emotions.

They all chatted casually as Sumita handed over the breakfast she had brought. Ishika ate some and fed Abhi as well, her movements calm and deliberate. After a while, Arjun gestured for Ishika to follow him to the garden area, wanting to talk privately. She complied, leaving her aunt to watch over Abhi.

Once they were outside, Arjun asked, "Do you know when Sahil will return from his business trip?"

Ishika's face remained neutral. "He never tells me, Uncle. It always depends on his work."

Arjun frowned. "You should try to contact him. I really need his help."

Ishika's mind raced. She was impressed by how quickly Sahil had acted-only yesterday, she had asked him to freeze her uncle's funds, and now her uncle was here, seeking assistance.

Feigning hesitation, she replied, "Uncle, you should try reaching out to him directly. I can't communicate with him about this."

Arjun's eyes narrowed, his voice rising. "What are you saying? There's nothing you can't say! You're husband and wife!"

Ishika met his gaze silently, recalling how Arjun had always blamed his business conflicts for her and Sahil's marital issues. His hypocrisy stung, but she remained composed as he launched into a lecture about the importance of family and loyalty. She pretended to listen, nodding occasionally until he eventually left with Sumita.

Once they were gone, Ishika exhaled deeply, relief washing over her. She quickly called Sahil. "The plan worked. He's trying to reach out to you," she informed him.

"Got it," Sahil replied curtly.

They exchanged no further words, and Ishika hung up, the silence between them familiar and heavy.

Sitting on a bench in the garden, Ishika felt a pang of guilt for deceiving her family. But she reminded herself that her uncle had brought this upon himself. If he hadn't tormented them or endangered Abhi's life, she wouldn't have resorted to such measures. This was the only way to put him in his place.

Later, after ensuring Abhi was comfortable and surrounded by his friends, Ishika bid him goodbye. She then left with Aditi, driving to school in her car, her mind still preoccupied with the events of the day.

****

Ishika returned home from school, her steps heavy with fatigue. As she headed toward her bedroom, she noticed someone sitting in the living room. Her heart skipped a beat-Sahil? She called approaching the man.

The man turned around. Ishika froze, startled. She had never seen him before.

A tall man with sharp features and an air of quiet authority approached, a leather-bound file in his hand. Ishika's eyes narrowed, startled by the stranger's presence. Sensing her unease, he spoke in a calm, measured tone.

"My name is Yash," he introduced himself, his voice smooth but firm. Ishika gave a hesitant nod in response.

"Sir instructed me to deliver this contract to you," Yash continued, his tone calm but firm. "When you feel the time is right, give it to Mr. Arjun Singh."

Ishika took the file, her eyes immediately drawn to the bold, imposing number on the first page-fifty crores.

Regaining her composure, she asked, "Would you like some tea or coffee?"

Yash shook his head with a polite smile. "No, thank you."

He turned to leave, but as he reached the door, Ishika felt his gaze flicker back toward her, subtle but deliberate. He sized her up quietly, his eyes assessing, calculating.

Ishika pretended not to notice, keeping her expression neutral. Another one of Sahil's mysterious people, she mused, a hint of amusement tugging at her lips. It was almost a pattern now.

Before the divorce, Sahil had been fiercely protective, keeping her away from his business and subordinates. Everything about his world had been carefully shielded from her. But now? Now, things were different. He seemed more relaxed, more willing to include her, especially after she had shown interest and proven she could handle herself.

She closed the file with a quiet sigh, the weight of the situation settling over her. Fifty crores. A dangerous game was unfolding, and she was no longer a spectator.

***

Around 10 o'clock

Today, Ishika was not staying at the hospital as her brother had insisted she go home and get proper rest. She had spent the last two days by his side, refusing to leave. Despite her protests, her brother reassured her that he was fine and there was no need for her to stay any longer. Reluctantly, Ishika agreed, giving in to his insistence.

As she prepared for bed, her phone buzzed. It was her uncle.

"Beta, did you talk to Sahil about the issue?" he asked, his tone laced with concern. "He seems uninterested and unwilling to help."

"Uncle, just forget about him," Ishika replied, exasperated. "He doesn't seem genuine, and his offer is too low."

"Did you try to persuade him?" he asked hopefully.

"I did, but we ended up arguing," she said, her frustration seeping through.

"Ishika beta, please try again," her uncle urged gently. "After all, we're family. We should look out for each other."

Ishika sighed deeply. "Uncle, Sahil is tough. He's arrogant and impossible to deal with," she complained, trailing off into a frustrated rant.

Her uncle listened patiently, offering calm reassurances to soothe her. Eventually, after much coaxing, she relented. "Fine. I'll try again and see if I can get him to improve his offer," she said, though her voice lacked enthusiasm.

As she hung up, Ishika leaned back against her pillow, staring at the ceiling. A wry smile tugged at her lips. The irony wasn't lost on her-once, she had been the one pleading with her uncle, desperate for support. Back then, he had dismissed her without a second thought. Now, it was he who needed her help.

"Karma," she whispered to herself, the word tinged with both amusement and bitterness. How things had changed.

Next day,

After school, Ishika went to the hospital to visit her brother. He was recovering quickly, and during a conversation with his doctor, she learned that he would need to stay for two more weeks before being discharged. The news filled her with relief and happiness.

Later in the evening, Ishika picked up her phone and dialed her uncle's number. As the call connected, her heart raced slightly, a mix of relief and nervousness washing over her. When her uncle answered, his voice was filled with curiosity and a hint of urgency.

"Hello, Ishika? Did Sahil agree?" he asked.

"Yes, Uncle," she reassured him, her tone steady. "I just wanted to let you know that Sahil has agreed to help. The contract is ready, and all we need is your signature to finalize everything."

There was a brief pause on the other end of the line before her uncle let out an audible sigh of relief. "That's wonderful news, Ishika! I can't thank you enough for convincing him. This will make such a difference for us."

A small smile touched Ishika's lips. "I'm glad I could help. Can you meet me at the café near the hospital this evening? It's quiet and convenient, and we can finalize everything there."

"Of course, I'll be there, Ishika," her uncle said, his gratitude evident in his voice.

Later that evening, Ishika arrived at the café a little early. She chose a table by the window, the soft glow of the evening sun filtering through the glass. She clutched the folder containing the contract, her mind was racing with thought. A few minutes later, her uncle arrived, his face lit with excitement. He greeted her warmly before sitting down.

Ishika greeted him with a polite but distant tone, handing him the contract. Her uncle quickly read through it and signed without hesitation. "Thank you for helping me, Ishika," he said, overjoyed.

She gave a curt nod in response, watching him leave. As soon as he was out of sight, she let out a deep sigh, Afterward, Ishika called Sahil to update him.

"You did a great job," he said.

Ishika's heart skipped a beat. It was the first time he had ever praised her, even though they had once been married. Now, divorced, his words felt bittersweet. Fighting back the swirl of emotions, she responded faintly, "What should I do with the contract?"

"Yash will come to pick it up tomorrow," Sahil replied.

"So, we're partners?" she asked expectantly.

He replied, "Considering your merit, yes, we're partners."

"Considering our partnership, I have a request to make," Ishika said hesitantly.

Sahil replied casually, "What is it?"

Ishika took a deep breath. "Could you arrange for someone to discreetly follow Abhi? He's in the hospital right now and will be discharged in two weeks. I'm worried about his safety."

"Sure," he agreed without hesitation.

With nothing more to say, Ishika quietly ended the call. A wave of relief washed over her, knowing she no longer had to worry about her brother's safety.

_______________________________________

End of the chapter.

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