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I listen to him patiently as he continues.
“I want to become the CM of the state, Tej,” he asserts, determination evident in his eyes. “I have spent my entire life waiting for this position, and I can’t afford to lose it when I’m this close.”
“Then you could have waited a bit longer to accept Vishnu before the world. You should have done that after securing the CM role. Why the rush if you were so hungry for the position?” I question.
“Because doing so would have made me appear selfish in the eyes of my children. They would have known I played it safe and prioritised my political career over fulfilling my fatherly duties by accepting Vishnu as my son in front of the world after becoming the CM. The problem is that kids grow up. They’re no longer innocent and naïve. They outsmart you at everything,” he sighs.
“The day they first outsmarted you, that’s when you should have exerted control, firmly establishing who the boss is between you and them. Had you taken charge back then, Pratap, this day wouldn’t have come,” I argue.
“Now, what do you want from me?” I inquire, curious to know where this is heading.
“I want your help in winning these elections. I need your assistance in becoming the Chief Minister of this state, Tej. The kind of power you wield can help me climb the political ladder once again. Your contacts can solidify my position in this political race.”
Oh! So that’s why he needs me. I know for a fact that Pratap has been a selfish man throughout his life, and he wouldn’t hesitate to use his enemies to achieve his goals.
“They say an enemy’s enemy is your friend,” Pratap continues. “You have a grudge against Kailash, and even though I may no longer harbour any resentment towards him, I cannot allow Kailash’s long-term dream of the Mashaal Project to succeed.”
I gaze at him, beginning to realise his ulterior motive.
“My nephew Aksh has agreed to work on the approvals for the Mashaal Project,” Pratap adds. “He is determined to see it through to completion.”
Aksh is going to do that? Unbelievable. He was always against the Mashaal project.
“I am not concerned about returning the bribe money that we received from the builder constructing an IT park. It’s a matter of my ego and pride now. If Kailash succeeds in kicking off the Mashaal Project, he will fulfil his long-standing dream and come out as a winner, whereas I will be left looking like a loser. I refuse to let anyone tarnish my reputation, Tej. When we have been unsuccessful in achieving our goals—my desire to become a Chief Minister and yours to expand your operations in India—how can we allow Kailash’s dream to come to fruition? I am sure you wouldn’t want that to happen, given your strong dislike towards him. It must be painful to witness your son, Ayaan, risking his life for Kailash’s goals—a man who raised your son, even though he’s not his biological father. I can’t image how resentful you must be towards Kailash.”
He is right. Kailash is at the top of my list of enemies. He betrayed me by taking my son, and even after my return, he’s continued to turn him against me. I can never forgive him for what he has done. But that still doesn’t mean I would help Pratap, even if we share a common enemy!
“I’m not some genie you can ask for wishes, and I’ll fulfil them with the snap of my fingers,” I retort sharply. “I have my own methods to address my issues and deal with my enemies. And, what made you think I would agree to support or do anything for you?”
“Because I know you will,” Pratap smirks again.
I turn to Raghav, who is not very happy seeing Pratap’s confidence.
“Why would he do that for you?” Raghav questions as he joins us in the living room. “And most importantly, why should we trust you?”
“In your business, trusting people can be tough, Raghav,” Pratap replies. “Even friendships are forged based on how they are going to benefit you. I’m not here to be your ally but to propose a deal that will be beneficial for both of us.”
He turns back to me as he continues to share the details of the deal.
“You help me win the elections, prevent the Mashaal Project approval and ensure that my involvement with you remains hidden from my children. I don’t want to lose their love and trust. Let them always think I am on their side. And in return, I’ll provide you with every detail of what your son, Ayaan, is plotting against you—like his plans to thwart your weaponry deal this Sunday.”
I rise to my feet in anger and shock. How the hell do they know about this deal? Even Raghav looks furious. Pratap gets up, too, and stands before me.
“Ayaan shared the details with us. Imagine if he can get intel like that; what else would he be capable of doing?”
I clench my jaw.
“Tej, don’t underestimate your son, Ayaan. The way he plays games and manipulates situations is truly remarkable. Though you may be the one tagged as the mastermind, in reality, the real mastermind I have ever met is him. Even you have to agree with me on this; he has always given you and Raghav an equal fight ever since he learned about both of you. And believe me, he is not going to stop. He has already planned everything with Vishnu, Aksh, Krish and Kailash to ruin your deal and expose you – that you are the mastermind of the Bat Syndicate.”
“That’s f*cking impossible,” Raghav bellows.
I gesture for him to stop talking. Raghav’s negligence at the port enabled Ayaan to gather intel about our deal with Rana on Sunday.
“Go on,” I say to Pratap.
“Dad?”
“Shut the f*ck up, Raghav,” I snarl at him. He fists his fingers, trying to control his anger, and lets Pratap speak.
