chapter 29

Accusations proven wrong....It's almost dawn,And our Rishabh was waiting head on heels for the Day to arrive,he barely slept that night after having a menicious and nasty conversation with her ....More than anything, the thing which bothered him most was Dhruv's behavior..he never questioned his decisions until last evening... The feeling was like someone stabbed him with a knife...and again his nature of misunderstanding Sukh came into action and he thought, she is trying to use her friendship as a weapon to create difference between two brothers....Rishabh informed everyone at Office that they will start the office hours a bit late tomorrow due to Official matters .....Well he didn't wanted that but as he wanted to show her that he didn't violated his Promises...he did it that way.....Next Morning At Malhotra Industries Heed Office.....Everyone at Office was informed that Office hours will start a bit later due to Official reasons...so everyone from Sukh's team was very excited....Moreover they were happy by the fact that they will be presenting the final report today and were all done with the Project..Their faces were beaming with happiness and they decided to give each other a small treat ......they all went to the Cafe nearby to celebrate the happiness leaving Sukh...Despite they asked her to accompany them, She made an excuse for small headache and an urge for extra hours sleep and kept herself out of the plan.....When they all left, she stood up from her bed and went to take Shower.. .Rishabh called for a group of Board Members to sort and Judge the matter unbiasedly...He asked Rahul from Law Department to present the case infront of everyone against Abhimanyu .. he wanted to state his point true but being the Owner he can't accuse anyone directly so he came up with this idea....Sukh was preparing herself for the big day....By then Dhruv called and informed her about the successful Operation of Abhimanyu's Mother.., he too was sounding very Happy....She too was very contented hearing the news, it was like she won the first stage of her Conflicts....Now it was the second part of the grapple....With the thoughts of last night's conversation with Rishabh .... his words were reverbing her ears...The words which she ever dreamt she will hear from anyone.... those accusations were enough to break someone from within but being Sukh she can't walk off ....she can't let others perceptions fueled up by her behavior.....She prepared all the files and evidences she collected from her various sources ....she prayed before God ... asking for his support and speedy recovery of Abhimanyu's mother....Lifting her head up.. she went to the executive floor....Soon the Time arrived and everyone was settled....Reaching the Executive Floor she was greeted by Rahul....**No reviews but Rahul was a bit creepy kind of a person towards girls....**She was heading to the Conference Hall when he suddenly appeared infront of her and introduced himself...She didn't paid any heed to it when he commented Aap chahe toh help le sakti hai humari.....kaafi achaa manipulate karte hai hum......(if you want you can take my help...I am a good manipulator....)trust me I will not disappoint you....His words sounded like that of a jerked and Rose her temper..... she turned over him and replied...Jhooti Sachi batein Aur vishwas ko manipulate karna hota hai,Aur hum Sach bolne ja rahe hai....jiska Hume kaafi tajurba hai,Hume nahi lagta Aap jaise Insaan ki kabhi bhi Madad chahiye hogi Hume... gritting her teeth in a low voice.....        (Well I think, fake ideas and new theories, Oops...!!!in your case lies and evidences need to be manipulated before presentation....but what I am going to say is truth and I am used to it , I don't think I will ever need a person like you to help me anyways.... )And rushed inside the Conference Hall...She saw some 10 Board Members there alongwith Rishabh. Mr Rathod was also there as one of the Jury Members.....he was smirking evilly to her ...she wanted to slap him right on his face at the very moment but composed herself... Soon Rahul too arrived alongwith some bunch of files ....They both Greeted the Jury Members Good Morning and asked for their permission to proceed...Mr Amit Saxena who was the eldest of all asked them to put forward their points....Rahul blurted Malhotra Group of Industries is a an empire based upon the hardwork and labour of all it's staffs,....staffs who work day and night but just because of mean attitude by some people who take shortcuts to make money and are not loyal to their work ...is losing their dignity....Abhimanyu is one of those....I accuse him to be guilty about the Deals which our Company lost since three months, and all this occurred in the time of his working hours..He presented a video clip which showed him Copying Company's software from the IT department....He commented ours Security Software is most updated and breaking it will be a work of high intelligence....And he has done it with all ease so we can conclude...he must have done it earlier to cheat on us,he stole Company's Official Documents and Presentations and sold it to our rivals.....He even is involved with Mr. Kothari and I guess people like him are Parasites who ruin everything bit by bit.....Jury asked to replay the video clip, they checked the Security Watermark of the Company to ensure the video is not manipulated ,...they found it to be correct and all of them seemed to be convinced by his accusations.....They asked Sukh to proceed and she continued...I agree with Mr. Rahul that Malhotras rule the Corporate world....from Pharmaceuticals to Textiles ...we have no boundaries....all thanks to the Staffs, but being a part of the Institute is not an easy task ,...every member is supposed to qualify high level of evaluations for getting a job here...We have targets to achieve, goals implemented by our seniors and what not...So one who worked really hard for getting this Job has least suspecitibility to break the trust he gained.....Talking about Abhimanyu I would like to say he is born and brought up in a middle class family...he is a scholarship student and worked very hard to get this job;I present you his CV which has his academic records though this are not the only way to evaluate someone but this can suggest how hard he worked to achieve this position....She conjoined ...he was awarded Scholarship twice; one during his Secondary level and one for his Graduation....He is even pursuing Masters in Marketing via distance ... This proves he wants to earn his money through hardwork, not to steal or get it from shortcuts.....She was upto say something else when Rahul interrupted....great research Ms. Mehra....I thought you to be a beginner but I must say you have done a Fab job....with a smirkHe continued now when Ms Mehra had clearly stated his motives....I want to drag your attention towards the files, here you can see his work proficiency....he had shown a great work in his initial months but since last three months it all decrease and somehow ceased does Ms Mehra had anything to justify that .....doesn't it mean that he lost all attention and passion for work he had earlier .....and states his mind was distracted because he had to play dual roles.. being a good assistant and a traitor.....though he mumbled the last part....but it was clear enough for her to hear....She reposted it's not yet proved that he was a traitor and every accused is innocent until proven guilty, so stop addressing him traitor... pointing a finger towards him.....She continued you are pointing his work proficiency.....then let me remind you in the initial months he was under Mr. Avasthi, after which he became Mr. Rathod's subordinate...and remind yourself Mr. Rahul it's a boss's duty to check upon the work proficiency of his ordinates so what's was he doing all that while, making points for this case.....Rishabh was angry hearing his name that way and shouted Ms. Mehra !!!if you have any evidence against Mr Rathod, then present it before the juryor else, his name must not be dragged into this, he holds a dignified position in our Company..Sukh scoffed hearing this and asked Sir please would you like to state what is his position in the Company, actually I am new here so .....Rishabh was about to speak whenMr Rathod cut him off saying I am the Chief Financial Advicer of the Company....Sukh gave him a look of suspension at this, she putted out some files from her bag and handled them to the Jury members....She proclaimed Sir these are the files related to last 6 months financial planning of the Company..and last two years Financial Planning ........go through this once and you all will understand Ki hum Kya kehna chahte hai... Aur kyu(What I want to say....and why!!!)Mr.Rathod was left dumb and stammered saying how can you access these files....I ...I!!!She asked innocently I what Sir...He grasped and stormed out of the Conference Hall....The Jury called for an hour break...and said we will resume this after a while...Rishabh too went out of the Conference Hall....He was in the cabin thinking about the evidences she presented............ for unknown reasons he started to doubt himself coming across them....he was thinking to himself Did I overreacted last night was I really stubborn enough to give our conversation a chance....His brain was in reminisence of her words from last night's conversation...**Flashback # last night's conversation**Sukh went to the 25 the floor and found him on the couch, he was lost in his own world.....She stood at the door frame waiting for him to call her ...he was in his reverie of thoughts when he heard the sound of her ankles.....and turned to look at her....she asked for his permission to enter when he chided...        Oh I am so glad that finally you showed up.....His words were confusing to her and she asked Sir what are you talking about, was my arrival that important to you.... in a low voice....she was exhausted from the day's pressure...first the meeting then their argument, then Abhimanyu's words and now a bitter conversation with Lavanya.....the way she spoke to her was like she is disgusting her work and looks...While he snapped again Yes Sukh you arrival was that important I just need to ask you one thing ...did you informed Dhruv about Abhimanyu.. . and I need a word answer only Yes or No..She was silent for some moments then replied Yes Sir...but I.....When he cut her off saying at morning you were the one giving me lectures on betrayal ... have you ever thought of yourself....The matter was between you and me; I didn't disclosed it to anyone but you included my own brother into this.....Now can you justify this action.. gritting his teeth...While she was quite....He continued what have you thought, you will use my brother as a weapon and you friendship as a knight;and will safe that traitor from being punished ....one more Day Miss Mehra and I will kick him out of this Company.....and I will ensure he gets a job nowhere else....This will be a lesson to you as well.....Her mind was echoing Abhimanyu's words I know Rishabh Sir is a good man...I will always be thankful for being a part of this institution once ....While he was blabbering something in anger....Finally she spoke.... Enough just enough....!!! her words were soft but had a voice of their own...she was looking downwards to avoid having an eye contact with him....she knew he always had an effect on her and so didn't wanted herself to be proven weak...She continued....Sir it was you who hired him ....you who acknowledged his authencity to be a part of this Company; hum toh bahut baad mein aaye hain....(I came long after....)you think hume takleef hogi...agar use kahi job nahi mili toh ....(you feel I will be hurt if he doesn't gets job anywhere....)Haanji bilkul hogi takleef lekin kuch time baad I will overcome it,lekin agar aapko kuch time baad pata chala ki woh banda innocent tha toh humse jyada takleef aapko hogi.....( Ofcourse I will be hurt ,but after sometime I will overcome it .. but think about yourself when you will come across the fact that I accused an innocent person , you will be more hurt....)Guilt mein aap rahenge.....(you will feel guilty...)She felt weak and broken, then grabbing the doorframe, gazed up and continued...        Aap ne abhi kaha ki humne Dhruvji ko insab mein involve kiya....hum unki friendship ko use Kar rahe hai...agar hume unki friendship use karni hotitoh kabka kar chuke hote ,ab tak wait nahi kar rahe hote..Aao bataiye insab mein humara Kya banega,Fayda apne liye hota hai dusron ke liye nahi..(You just said I have involved Dhruv Sir into it...I used my friendship !!!well if that would have been my motivethen I must have done it before not waited for the moment....Please suggest what would I gain with all this,We use benefits for our ownself not for others....)a drop of tear slipped from her eyes rolling her cheeks which were turned red. .Her words were scattering him bit by bit...he was left speechless, No words to mock her;no words to disagree....like he has forgotten how to speak....She blurted aapko pata hai aapki problem Kya hai ....aap ek ache businessman ke saath saath ek judge bhi hai Jo Partial and biassed hai .....Jo sirf one sided story sunta hai Aur Conclude karta hai....aapne humse kaha tha kabhi bhi blind trust nahi karna chahiye (who always listens to a part of story and judge it, you asked me not to trust anyone blindly..)aapko pata hai kyu?? kyuki jispe aap sabse jyada vishwas karte hai wahi aapko dhoka dete hai....( You know why, because whom we trust the most breaks our trust...)Hume koi fark nahi pata ki aapki rai humare baare mein Kya hai...aur sach kahe toh Hume janna bhi nahi hai....(Honestly I don't care about your opinion about me....and I don't want to know about it even....)Humne bahut baar aapko apna Sach batana chaha lekin aap ne mana kar Diya, aur ab kaafi der ho chuki hai..,hum apna Sach aapko kal sunayenga, aur woh bhi evidence ke saath, sabke samne....(I tried many times to tell you the truth but you didn't paid any heed to it....and it's quite late now...I will tell you my truth tomorrow with evidence in front of everyone.....)        With that she dragged the glass door and shut it close ....******""""""***"*********************Dhruv received a message from his father that they are coming back a bit early, they will be landing on Delhi Airport after around an hour......The message tensed him as he was in his inner conflicts about how will he inform Rakshit about everything....how will he react, will he beleive them or not....what if they couldn't make it,Though He somewhere had an intusion that Sukh will win this battle, but what about the worst case scenarios...A childish idea came into his mind and he asked his father to accompany him to the Office, he convinced him saying it will be a pleasant surprise for Rishabh as well, he too missed his presence a lot.....He knew it will be very hard to make Rakshit beleive about his friend's misdeeds so he wanted him to hear everything himself.....He smiled sheepishly after sending him the message and went around to look for Abhimanyu.....Rishabh was in his trance of thoughts when a girl came to his cabin door....she knocked two times but getting no heeds barged inside his cabin ..        Sukh on the other hand was at the basement waiting for Shweta to come....she has the records which can prove Mr. Rathod guilty ...she tried calling her many times but she didn't picked...atlast she showed up and was looking quite devastated....she conveyed someone from her department had misplaced the recordings and files...and now she had nothing to show there up....Her words hit her like thunderstorm and she was startled, while Shweta started Sobbing .....Rishabh besides was surprised, noone except Dhruv comes to his cabin like that...for splits seconds he thought it's him and turned his head towards the direction....        He felt a bit relief thinking that Dhruv finally showed up,he tried calling him many times last night but he didn't responded any.....He left a message for him apologising and asking him to come up;he insisted they should carry on the conversation from beginning but yet no response....last time they had an argument and he knew he must have shown some patience to hear him after all he is not just his small brother now,he is a grown up guy who has opinions and different point of view....But surprisingly it was not him but a girl walking to his desk.... he can't recognize her face and she seemed an outsider....he stood up from his seat and bursted in anger, shouting who are you and how dare you come inside without my permission.....        while she asked Sir wait a minute I will explain you everything in details.....He was quite hearing her and asked to continue.....At the basement:Sukh on the other hand couldn't think of any other way now;here she was crying like a kid and within 30 minutes their break will be over!!!she would have to show them evidence it was the last chance she had to prove herself right...suddenly an idea came to her mind and she consoled her and saidDon't worry Shweta now he self will confess about his misdeeds....just I need your help.....they both joined hands and went to the executive floor....In Rishabh's cabin:The girl continued Hello Rishabh Sir, you must not be knowing me, well I am not a staff here, I work in Orange and Peaches ;Coming to the point...I want to handle you this ....saying this she handled him a pen drive giving a small smile....She spoke up Sir I don't want to mention the name but there is a girl who works in the IT department here, she wanted to handle it to you...I am not aware of the matter but I have been through some parts of this ....it can be helpful in proving someone's innocence here, well; I don't know much about it because my own friend doesn't want to disclose it to me....She collected it through previous files and records even some old CCTV videos....The irony is someone here threatened her to back off else she would be fired....Rishabh was glaring her and listening to her in patience...        She conjoined I feel backing off is being coward,I tried to encourage her so that she could come and state her point but she is scared as nothing, the last and most I could do is to handle it to you..I am waiting since morning but your Guards didn't allow me .... finally somehow I managed to come here ....Please go through this...she also handled him a small parcel and stated there is something more....While Rishabh saw her in amusement...Sir this was dropped outside your cabin by someone, and I guess it's quite important too....His facial expressions changed to calmness and said you are really brave and a loyal friend ...in a low voiceThe girl continued well Sukh....I mean my colleague Sukhpreet always used to say when you know whatever you are doing is right then never give up just be honest to yourself and everyone will beleive you....she now works in a multinational Company......        He cut her off and looking down to her and continued you mean Sukhpreet Mehra....the girl nodded her head in Yes....and then excused herself out of his cabin....Sukh!!!! Rishabh grasped reciting her name ....and immediately checked the files.....A sudden Realisation hit him and he called Rahul to his cabin urgently....when Rahul showed up, he ordered Rahul the next part of the enquiry will start within fifteen minutes...and I want you to keep quite, just don't state your view now on the case anymore...Rahul was startled hearing his words and asked Sir is everything alright why are you asking me to...when he cut him off mocking Do what you are asked to do....You may leave!!! saying this he dismissed Rahul from his cabin...At Conference Hall after the Brake....The Jury members alongwith Rishabh forbidded Mr. Rathod to sit with them, as he standed an equal suspect but no one revealed it to him... .Sukh continued Sir I would like to request Mr. Rathod to answer some of my questions...which everyone granted ....Mr. Rathod's face was fuming with anger all the while as he was glaring her...She conjoined so Mr.Rathod finally we got an opportunity to communicate... you hold such a prestigious post in our Company and always so engrossed in work;we never spoke like this, trust me I am glad.....with a small smileSir I heard and read so much about you...you are Rakshit Sir's childhood friend right....Mr. Rathod out of no reason was irritated hearing her words and shouted why did you called me here like this, everyone knows about our friendshipit's nothing new, and needed not to be mentioned.....Rishabh though didn't stopped her and was eyeing Mr. Rathod..Sukh grinned at this and murmered... Ofcourse Sir everyone knows about your friendship here, but what noone knows is your enemityShe stated again Ofcourse Sir but what about your professional life...I have read somewhere you were the Owner of Rathod Pharmaceutical Enterprises some decades ago, what about it..When he cut her off and said the business suffered a huge loss so I sold it to K.K.Enterprises.....it an old matter!!!When she face pouted in Aww and said K.K. Enterprises which is now Kothari Enterprises, so you are connected to Kotharis somehow....He was embarrassed and rebuked No I mean it was an Old Story I don't have a connection with them now..!!She nodded her head in Yes and continued Sir these is an audio clip which I want everyone to hear....She played the clip and it had some parts of a conversation ... .the voice recorded was of Mr.Rathod and Abhimanyu and in which he was saying Sir do inform him that I have done it with your permission ....as you are our Project Head and he is not available.....She also presented investigation report which proved the audio clip is not manipulated....She then exclaimed this clip is of the event when he was caught copying Company software....it means he didn't stealed it he had proper permission for it... That was why he was able to do it easily....Sir one more thing Do you know about Ephedrine.....His jaw dropped hearing that ...few droplets of sweat formed on his forehead...it seemed like he forgot how to breathe then grabbing a glass of water from the table he nodded his head in No.....while she insisted ...Sir please try to remember you will get it....She commented on a low voice you are trapped in your own trap... either confess or I will show everyone the proof I collected.....While He murmered no one can prove it... I burned all the evidences...I am not going to be trapped.when she chuckled and replied not the copy from the store room ...I know you were there that day to get that but you can't get it.....I sorted all the files there, and beleive me I have it with me...He was frustrated hearing her words and yelled No you are wrong!!! that day I was there to get the files I conceited....I thought No will will ever come across it.....so I .....when he stopped and looked around everyone there was eyeing him in suspicion...he gulped a lump from his throat keeping his mouth shut.....One of the Jury member asked Rahul will you like to say something.... when he stood up and nodded his head in No....She continued...So Sir coming back to the question; Do you know about Ephedrine....????Angry and Defeated he blurted....it's a chemical which when intake in excessive amount can cause Heart Attack ....While she lambasted - and you gave it to your very own friend Rakshit Sir,it was you because of whom he got an heart attack,you because of whom he would have lost his life.....have you ever thought about it!!!!Why have you done this....Everyone was shocked, Rishabh too was bombshelld, he had no words to describe how it felt ......his Rathod Uncle whom he considered to be father figure was the reason for their Sorrows...Mr Rathod was quite for a while then throwing the glass lying there shouted Yes I did it.....and not only that I was the one because of whom the Company lost all those deals and many more...He confessed sighing and sitting back to the chair- We were childhood friends, both the families were family friends too,we had equal financial status...but he was more better than me in everything, be it academics or sports or looks or luck....We both started our Companies together but my one suffered huge losses and his Company grew Better and Better everyday....Finally the day came when I was dejected and sold my Company to Kotharis....all that while he tried and offered me his help....but I knew they are just favors to show off his reaches....Finally, I joined his Company,for him I was his bestest friend, but slowly I tried to shutter the foundation of the Company!!!to break his golden empire brick by brick!!! but still I couldn't do it....Every staff literally worshipped him for his good nature .......I tried my best to destroy him but couldn't do it.. and that Avasthi guy he was the main reason for whom I was never able to get what I wanted,I tried to bribe the workers, steal official documents and what not...but he always had an eye on me.... with a frown on his face,He continued.....it was like he was the angel by God to Rakshit, he was loyal and his great friend, he even placed him before me or anyone in the Company....and the bond they shared was the reason my all efforts were futile.....so I decided to seperate the duo... gritting his teeth,He was quite for some moments but then with a chuckle he said....and I somehow succeeded in it, he was given a different department and I came more close to him I ........being rich has its own perks with it's own disadvantages...More success in work leaded to extra work pressure, skipping meals, continuous travel;and so on....and over it I slowly added Ephedrine in his Coffee ...Yes I did spiked his drinks and slowly slowly his body reacted towards it....he sufferd a major Heart Attack and was operated .......I thought he couldn't survive the surgery and will die but unfortunately he did survived....Since I had chance, I thought his son Rishabh who just Completed his degree ,will not be able to take over and manage this huge empire he made;but he not only was upto the mark but proved to be a better administrator....Avasthi was his backbone, always there to guide and support him, he suggested him the best ways,and all that compiled together grew the business stronger,few months ago he got retired and I got an offer from Kotharis that if I could snatch the Beverage Drink's deal,they will return me my Company and so I came up with the idea......I made Abhimanyu my subordinate, thinking I can use his shoulders to achieve my dreams but he refused; he dared to refuse me .....so I made another plan....I framed him in the scandals, and made Rishabh beleive that he was involved in it....Everything was going according to my plan but this girl interrupted... eyeing Sukh....she interfered in my every plan....she created a strong bond with other subordinates and made them work their level best.....I thought they will need my guidance at some point, but was amazed the way they worked,if it would have been someone else it would have taken him/her months to realise what was going on,but this Filthy girl...he raised from his chairshouting he made an attempt to hit her,when Rishabh saved her holding his hands and said Don't you dare try this !!!Mr.Rathod was about to say something more when someone from behind turned and slapped him across his face..he turned up to see the guy and it was none other than Rakshit Malhotra...he chided Not a word against her Rathod !!!....Everyone was startled with the stunt; he conjoined..she is a part of us!!!and a traitor like you dare not bad-mouth anyone of us!!!Rishabh through the corner of his eyes saw Dhruv standing at the door frame with a small smileAbhimanyu too was there, both of them looked tired and stressed, though the smile was persistent on their faces...He looked back at the present scenario... Rakshit continued yelling...I heard everything you just said... where was I wrong....in helping you, in trusting you...just speak up where was I wrong, I never expected you will do this....Mr.Rathod was embarrassed and couldn't utter anything.... within moments the Cops arrived and took him alongwith them.....Rakshit was scattered he never was about to loose his balance when both his sons holded him, and prevented him to fall...he asked Dhruv to take him back home....Rishabh too suggested to help him rather he asked you stay here, the Company needs it's heir now, we will meet at evening...with an assuring smile...Everyone was shaking hands with Abhimanyu, Congratulating him over his victory while he was amazed....he couldn't make out whatever happened today; he just came over here after his mother's surgery and witnessed the stunt....he asked Dhruv what is going on....on which he simply winked at him and said I am going back now will explain you everything later and went back with his Dad .....Soon staffs at executive floor were back too, they greeted Rishabh while his eyes were looking for her ....Soon he noticed her making her way out towards exit..He called her name to stop her hearing those she too turned around.....he saw her teary eyes, which accuse him to be guilty,        He ran behind her....but she left without sparing him a glance..______________________________________Glimpse of the next chapter....:Sukh: Is it me or I actually saw guilt in those dark brown eyes.....Rishabh :I hardly think I can fix anything now....______________________________________So guys we are at the end of the chapter !!!hope you all enjoyed it .....Sorry for the late update... .stay loved... , keep reading and loving my storythanks for the Support 💕💞♥️This is mesigning out...Bye...