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I acknowledge his point with a nod.
“Use the evidence you have regarding the connection between the Walias and Tripathi to reject the Mashaal project,” I say to Vishnu. “I know that Pratap Walia won’t give up easily, but the evidence you and Meher obtained from Raj can be used against him. Let Pratap Walia know that if these facts come to light, both he and Aksh will face the consequences of their involvement in this scandal.”
Vishnu tightens his jaw, clearly reluctant to follow through.
“Are you asking me to blackmail my own father?” he questions.
I grin at him as I step down from the bar stool.
“Just a warning is enough,” I say. “Blackmailing Pratap Walia is my prerogative, not anybody else’s,” I wink, leaving the money for my share of the drinks on the table and making my exit.
This is the longest I have talked to Vishnu. I know he loves Meher as much as I do. So, I’m confident he will do whatever I have asked of him. My intuition tells me he will do it. Now that this matter is sorted, there’s one more thing I need to do to restore my wife’s peace of mind. That will happen tomorrow.
As I open the pub’s door to leave, I glance back one last time to check on Vishnu. That’s when I notice Simran, Meher’s friend, the one who never misses an opportunity to flirt with Vishnu whenever they’re together. She is standing at the bar counter and talking to him. I am surprised to see her here, but at the same time, I am glad. I think Simran’s lively personality is just what Vishnu needs to break out of his self-imposed isolation. She is the only one who can bring a smile to his face and lift his mood during this difficult time. With these thoughts in mind, I make my way out of the pub.
CHAPTER 7
MEHER
Next Evening
We are in the car as my husband, Ayaan, had mentioned that he wanted to introduce me to some of his friends who couldn’t attend our wedding. But as we drive down the familiar road leading to the Walia House, I realise that something is amiss and that I have been tricked. Anger and anxiety creep in as he parks the car inside the Walia house.
“Why did you lie to me about your friends? Why are we even here?” I demand to know.
Ayaan quickly takes my hand and gently kisses my fingers while soothingly stroking my wrist.
“Had I told you I wanted to bring you here, you might have denied it outright, considering the present circumstances. That’s why I didn’t,” he explains.
I pull my hand away, feeling sceptical. “But why have you brought me here?”
“I want you to talk to your dad. This problem won’t be solved until you hear him out,” Ayaan responds.
I frown. “I’m not in the right frame of mind to speak to him,” I object.
“We need to mentally prepare our mind for such conversations. Nobody is ever ready or willing to discuss painful issues. I’m not implying that your father was right or wrong in keeping such a major fact hidden from you all these years, but he deserves a chance to present his side. You have to give him that chance to move forward. If you continue to hold on to bitterness and do nothing, you’ll remain stuck at this stage forever,” Ayaan persists, trying to persuade me.
I look at him, beginning to understand his point as he continues.
“I overheard you talking to Devika yesterday about your father. It seems like he’s not willing to share anything with anyone until he talks to you first. He wants to provide you with the answers to the questions you’ve raised before he speaks to anyone else. It’s the right thing to do.”
Wow! Despite his reservations about my family, Ayaan’s thoughtfulness impresses me. He is always so sensible that I feel foolish before him sometimes.
“I thought you didn’t like my family,” I murmur.
Ayaan smiles, gently cupping my cheek.
“How can I not like them?” He leans in closer and whispers, “After all, they’ve raised my beautiful Queen, the one I’m going to spend the rest of my life with, and they’ve made her so lovable. Everything connected to you is something I can never dislike. They are a part of you, Meher, and no matter how much I want to ignore them or their actions, they are now a part of my family too.”
Why does he have to steal the show all the time? We’re still in the car, and I can’t help but admire Ayaan for his love, concern and sensibility. Suddenly, his lips part, and I feel an instant magnetic pull towards them. The guards outside must be wondering why we’re not getting out of the car yet, although the tinted windows conceal us from their view. Still, I can’t help but wonder if this is the perfect time to kiss my husband. My heart races with the thought of bridging the distance between us.
Ayaan notices my longing gaze and grins mischievously.
“If you keep looking at me like that, I might have to change my mind, drive us back home, and...” He bites his lower lip, the implication clear in his eyes. “You do remember, right, that I promised to take full advantage of you?” he whispers, pulling me closer.
The promise of his touch sizzles in the air. Just as he’s about to kiss me, I stop him, my desire debating with my practicality.
“If you kiss me now, I won’t be able to talk to my father, for which you have sneakily got me here,” I say, giggling softly. “We are going inside,” I add, pushing him and stepping out of the car. Ayaan follows me, but doesn’t move immediately.
