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“I knew you would say something like this. Your ego is so high that you are unable to see the sentiments of the people who love and respect you and who want you to take the right step. So now, whether you forgive me or not, the Mashaal project will happen.”
Anger seethes within Dad, and he strides forward, to confront bhai.
“In that case, I’m left with no option but to have you expelled from the party. How will you proceed with approving this project with any rights over it? Aksh, I didn’t want to make this decision, but you’ve forced my hand again by going against me. Every time I’ve tried to support your father, and you, both of you have betrayed me, leaving me with no alternatives. If you insist on approving the Mashaal project, I’ll inform the party members that you attempted to sabotage the election funding by turning the funders against us on Ayaan Shergill’s influence. A mere word from me will be sufficient to have you ousted from the party.”
“Think again, Mr. Walia.” Amid this heated confrontation, Vishnu’s voice rings in, calm but resolute.
The room falls silent as all eyes turn to him, including Dad’s.
“If you do that, I’ll be compelled to disclose the bribery evidence involving Tripathi, Aksh, and you—evidence that is currently in my possession. If Aksh faces consequences, so will your political career, Mr. Walia.”
What? I can’t believe I heard that right! Vishnu, for the first time ever, has spoken against Dad. And holy shit, not just that, he is actually blackmailing Dad! Why? Though I agree with him that Aksh bhai shouldn’t be expelled from the party and that Dad should show support in approving the Mashaal Project, I never imagined Vishnu turning against Dad, especially by resorting to threats.
Dad’s shock is palpable as Vishnu drops this bombshell.
“You are blackmailing me? Your father?” Dad exclaims, and at that charged moment, Vishnu bursts out.
“Father?” Vishnu chuckles, a bitter edge to his tone. “That’s rich coming from you. When have you ever made me feel like a son?”
Tears gather in my eyes at the pain in Vishnu’s words. Even Dad, for once, seems to be taken aback.
“You may not care enough to fulfil your fatherly duties towards me, Mr. Walia, but I am forced by my heart to fulfil a son’s responsibility. I don’t want my father to let his ego control his heart and mind. I may not have a say in the approval of the Mashaal Project; that’s yours and Aksh’s call to take. But if you are going to expel Aksh from the party and ruin his career, despite knowing he has changed and wants to do good hereon, I will not let you commit that mistake. If you could stand up once and wipe off your brother’s sins, giving him a chance to start afresh, so would I. Because that’s what we, Walias, would do to protect this family’s name and integrity. You may not accept it wholeheartedly, but I have a Walia’s blood running in my body, and until I am alive, I will stand by my words, too.”
Vishnu’s sudden comeback outshines everything today, overshadowing even Dad’s high ego and pride. I am awed by the way he has stood up for Aksh, who genuinely wants to make amends. Dad clenches his jaw.
“What is wrong with you all? Each one of you is behaving like a recalcitrant child. Everyone is openly opposing my decisions,” Dad yells. “And I know Ayaan is behind all this. He’s the one influencing all of you. Meher is already blinded by her love for him, and now, because he has resolved Aksh and Devika’s issue, even Aksh is supporting him. But Vishnu, I can’t imagine how you allowed yourself to be influenced by anyone, let alone Ayaan.”
“No one is getting influenced here,” Vishnu retorts. “We’re simply presenting the facts and standing up for what is morally right. If you set aside your ego, perhaps you’ll see that we don’t enjoy opposing you. However, if you continue to make misguided decisions, we’re left with no other option.”
Dad throws his hands up in surrender, a familiar gesture that this argument is over, and storms away, fuming. Not new, is it? He tends to withdraw when circumstances don’t go as per his wishes. But I see a glimpse of hope here. Someone needed to mirror Dad’s actions back to him, reminding him that he can’t always control situations based on his personal preferences and self-interest. It was crucial to make him realise that, just as he stood up for his family in the past, today, his own son is following in his footsteps—devoted to the family cause!
PRATAP WALIA
Shergill Mansion
I storm into the Shergill Mansion, my eyes blazing with fury. The unbridled encounter with Meher, Vishnu and Aksh just an hour ago has left my heart pounding with rage. I firmly believe that Ayaan, my son-in-law, is the root cause of this turmoil.
“Ayaan! Come out here. We need to talk,” I call out in a thunderous voice.
The servants stop their work to turn around and look at me. I don’t care that I’m creating a scene here at my enemy’s home. I just need to make a few things clear with Ayaan.
“Ayaan,” I call out in anger again.
Kailash descends the stairs, a puzzled expression on his face.
“Pratap?” he exclaims, taken aback. “What happened? What are you doing here?”
Ignoring the question, I stride toward Kailash, demanding, “Where is Ayaan? I need to talk to him. Now.”
“Ayaan is not at home. But what is wrong? Is everything okay at the Walia House?”
My fury intensifies, and I redirect my frustration toward Kailash.
“Ask your son to stay out of my family matters and mind his own business,” I say, pointing a finger at him.
“Pratap, just calm down. Let’s sit and talk. Okay? What has Ayaan done to upset you so much?”
He attempts to diffuse the tension, but I don’t stop venting it on him.
