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I wrench my arm free, my temper flashing dangerously.
“I don’t want to talk to my father if he makes derogatory remarks about the man I love and causes him pain,” I assert. “The way you treated Ayaan last night is strictly unacceptable to me.”
Dad’s nostrils flare, his haughty features contorted by a thunderous expression.
“You know why I reacted that way. I want nothing to do with that criminal Tej Khurana or his sons. You married the son of our arch-enemy, Meher. I can’t tolerate that!”
“But why blame Ayaan for this?” I shout, struggling to catch my breath. “He’s not siding with Tej Khurana, Dad. In fact, he’s fighting against him—for all of us, for our safety and well-being. We are not looking for gratitude, but at least show some kindness to him. I’ve seen his pain. I know what he’s going through, and your remarks have only made it worse. And as his wife, I will never tolerate that,” I declare sternly, so my father knows my stance once and for all.
Dad stands stiffly, glaring at me, but I continue.
“You despise Tej Khurana, and rightfully so. We all do. But Ayaan is not responsible for anything here. Quit blaming him for something that isn’t his fault.”
Dad lets out a rough exhale before turning away. Fine! If he refuses to discuss this, so be it. I turn my attention to Aksh bhai, who has just arrived.
“You mentioned you had something important to discuss with me,” I inquire.
He shakes his head, a smile playing on his lips.
“I wanted to share something with you, Meher. I have decided to revive the Mashaal project and am in the process of doing the same,” he reveals with a smile. “I mean, I’m working towards giving it the approval it deserves.”
My eyes glisten with tears. Is he about to greenlight Kailash Uncle’s dream project? The one he and Ayaan have tirelessly planned in Kansapur—the Hydroelectric power plant project! Before I can convey my gratitude to Aksh bhai, Dad’s furious outburst echoes through the room.
“Have you completely lost your senses, Aksh?” Dad bellows. “The Mashaal project is off the table. We’re allocating that land for the IT project.”
“Why? Only because we accepted a bribe to make it happen, uncle?” he questions.
This is the first time they are openly discussing their clandestine financial dealings in my presence. Dad falls silent again, an undercurrent of anger simmering within him as Aksh bhai continues.
“To be honest, I’d been contemplating approving the Mashaal project ever since Meher and Ayaan’s marriage was fixed. Not only because Ayaan is now a part of our family but also because without him, Devika wouldn’t have been willing to forgive me and reconcile so easily. Despite our past differences, I’m grateful to Ayaan for bridging the gap between Devika and me.”
I recall the incident Aksh bhai mentioned. When his betrayal to Dad was exposed, bhabhi distanced herself from him and stayed with her parents. All my efforts to reconcile them were futile. Ayaan intervened during our pre-wedding outfit trials at Simran’s boutique, arranging a meeting between Aksh bhai and bhabhi. Ayaan’s wise words in favour of Aksh bhai persuaded bhabhi to forgive him, leading to their reconciliation.
“There is no room for personal sentiments in politics, Aksh,” Dad rebuts. “Decisions should be made using your brains, not your foolish emotional heart.”
“You are correct, uncle. For the first time in my career, I am actually using my brains and not merely signing off something because I’ve been bribed to do so.”
Dad stares back at him with a clenched jaw.
“Enough of taking bribes and cheating your conscience,” Aksh bhai continues. “I’ve grown tired of these petty deceptions against my fellow countrymen. These minor frauds can escalate into something big if left unchecked. I refuse to repeat the mistakes my father made.”
The mention of his father, Nilesh Walia, leaves Dad speechless. Now that the past is laid bare before us, it becomes obvious that Nilesh Uncle supported Tej Khurana’s illicit dealings. It seems Aksh bhai, too, is saddened by this revelation about his father and seeks to make amends in his own way. The approval of the Mashaal Project is merely the beginning.
“My father traded his soul by joining hands with a man like Tej Khurana, peddling illegal weapons to those who lacked any sense of morality or compassion for their country or countrymen,” Aksh bhai states. “While it gave my father a sense of control, if that’s the cost of control, I’m not interested. We are politicians, uncle, elected by our countrymen with hope and love, expecting us to stand up for them and their needs. And what do we do in return? In pursuit of money or a fleeting taste of power, we betray their hopes and douse their love. Is this what a successful political career is all about? If so, I refuse to compete for that throne.”
He steps forward, positioning himself before Dad.
“Since my childhood, Dad fed me false lies about you, and I accepted them as truth without realising that he was merely turning me against you—his own brother, the one who erased all his wrongdoing to safeguard the family’s honour and political legacy.”
He clasps his hands together, gesturing a sign of respect before Dad.
“I apologise, uncle, from the depths of my heart. For all these years, I wrongly believed that you harboured resentment toward my father and unjustly contributed to his death. I’ve actively worked against you, attempting to undermine your political standing, sabotaging your chances in this election and more. Now, the realisation hits me like a punch in the gut—I’ve been fighting the wrong battle all along. You were never my father’s adversary; you were his protector—the man who stood by him despite his wrongs and offered him a fresh start in life and career. In return, my father still betrayed your trust, divulged party secrets to outsiders and committed numerous crimes. I have realised that once you get entangled in the web of lies, deceit and power, a person remains trapped until their last breath. While my father faced the consequences, I refuse to follow in his footsteps and commit the same crimes. Approving the Mashaal Project is my step toward redemption, and I want you to support me. Because deep down, both you and I know that the land in Kansapur deserves a Hydroelectric power plant, not an IT park at this juncture.”
I see a storm brewing in my father’s stern gaze, and an ominous tension hangs in the air. If Aksh bhai had asked for forgiveness without involving the Mashaal Project, my father would have forgiven him with all his heart. However, Aksh bhai’s plea for forgiveness and the pending approval of the Mashaal Project seem to collide, setting off sparks of conflict. Thus, my father shakes his head, denying both the plea for forgiveness and the project’s authorisation.
“On one side, you are asking my forgiveness for backstabbing me all these years, and on the other, you are making my enemy win by signing off his dream project against my wishes? I refuse to accept both, Aksh. If you want my forgiveness, you will never commit this mistake of approving the Mashaal Project ever again. That’s my order,” Dad declares with authority.
Unfazed, Aksh bhai sighs and smiles knowingly.
