Page 77 of Forbidden

“Give me the good news, Aman,” I say, keeping the phone on speaker.

“It is good news. The board members of DG group are with us. They are ready to quit their roles and join hands with our Company which means, one approval from your end and DG Group will crumple down forever. I don’t have to tell you how the clients will withdraw their projects once this happens and of course, no financers and investors will be ready to invest in a dying company. The end of the DG group is here, Aarav. You did it.”

I exhale. Yes, I did it. In a week’s time, I can take control of these actions and that will mark another victory for Durga Raichand’s ego. I can’t wait to see her reactions when she knows I am behind her destruction. Sure, she won’t have to guess it for long, but until this matter reaches her ears, she and her grandson Mohit will be doomed.

I feel Jhanvi in the room before I see her. When I turn to the door, she is already inside and looks annoyed. She must have overheard this conversation.

“Aman, let me call you back.”

I disconnect the phone call and get up to greet the subject of my painful sleepless nights these days. She’s cooked for me, which turns me on even more. I can’t wait to see her cook, disturb her doing all those naughty things she won’t mind me doing while she cooks and then I feed her with my own hands, making her sit on my lap. Damn hell!! When will this happen? Whilst I am totally engrossed in my imaginations as I step towards her, Jhanvi places the tiffin bag on the table and crosses her arms defensively.

“Tell me you are not doing that.”

I don’t understand.

“Be specific, Jaan. There are infinite things going on in my head right now. What exactly don’t you want me to do?”

“Shutting DG group permanently,” she snaps. “Are you serious, Aarav? How can you do this?”

Okay, now she has my full attention.

“Get inside first, we will discuss this while we eat.”

I am about to grab her elbow, but she shrugs and steps behind.

“I am not eating until you promise me you won’t do this.”

Her arrogance hurts me enough.

“Why shouldn’t I do this?” I bark. “This is what I have always wanted. I am one step away from taking my revenge once for all and you want me to step back?”

“Yes,” Jhanvi replies. “Because in the name of revenge, you are not just destroying the Raichands but everyone and everything related to it. Your grandfather established that company. It was his efforts which later your father took forward and made it stand strong. These two men had a major contribution to the success of that company than anyone else. Daadi is just a shadow who is controlling some of the rights there. If you destroy it now, it will not just devastate thousands of employees who have slogged for that company all these years, but also the name of Raichands which let me remind you is still something you add as your last name, Aarav. This is insane. Don’t do this.”

I’m losing patience fast.

“Again,” I scream. “You are defending the wrong side, Jhanvi.”

“I am not choosing sides here, Aarav. I am just asking you to think twice before taking such a huge step.”

“Why?” I scowl back. “Why should I think twice? Did Durga Raichand think twice before getting my father re-married, by almost threatening him of committing suicide if he doesn’t agree to her demand? Did she think twice before banishing me and my mother from that family? Did she ever worry how me and my mother would have survived after my father’s death? She forbade me from every right my father wanted me to own Jhanvi and you want me to think about her?”

I close the gap between us, grab her arms, and haul Jhanvi to me.

“My mother died dreaming that someday she will see that ‘Forbidden’ tag off my name and my grandmother accepting me as a part of that family. She died hoping for such a day, Jhanvi and you want me to think twice before hurting Durga Raichand?”

I don’t care that my tears are out and clouding my vision. I’ve never cried before anyone. Not even before my best friend, Aman because I didn’t want to fall weak, but today it hurt me seeing Jhanvi still supporting my rivals despite knowing how much they have wronged me and especially my mother.

Jhanvi is also in tears, but she looks more bothered of mine. Raising her fingers, she is about to wipe them, but I grab her wrist and push her away from me.

“I don’t need your sympathy. If there is anything I want from you is your support in my revenge.”

I hate to admit I am being a jerk right now for making her cry and demanding something I know she can never give me. Her silence is my answer so I step back.

“Maybe I am expecting too much from you,” I swallow painfully. “Let’s eat.”

That’s the best way to divert this topic. Jhanvi wipes her tears.

“I am not hungry.”

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