The Malhotra Bride (15 page)

Raj Malhotra was a self-made billionaire and his was a perfect example of a rags-to-riches story.

His billions had not come to him by fluke. It had taken a powerful combination of intelligence,

business sense, hard work and an infinite amount of patience to build his business empire. He had

built his fortune honestly without resorting to any cut-throat practises. His competitors treated him

with healthy respect. His enemies changed their minds after clashing with him but once. It’s easy to

break a dishonest man as he tends to be weak. But to break someone of Raj Malhotra’s integrity was

just not possible.

ASHOK MEHRA WAS WAITING in Raj’s outer office when the latter arrived.

“I’m sorry for the delay, Ashok.” Raj clasped his friend’s hand in a warm gesture. The two of them

went into the chairman’s office. Raj showed him to a seat before going behind the large desk and

settling in his swivel chair.

“Tea?” he offered. The two of them couldn’t have been more different. Ashok was just a few inches

over five feet, dwarfed by Raj’s superior height. Yet, they had been the closest pals since school.

Their friendship had weathered many a storm and held true after four decades.

At Ashok’s nod, Raj lifted the intercom and told his secretary to bring a cup of tea for his friend and

coffee for himself.

“Tell me what happened,” said Raj.

Ashok Mehra ran a private detective agency. Born with a silver spoon, he had always dreamt of

doing just one thing - catching lawbreakers. After attempting the tests with flying colours, he had

joined the Central Bureau of Intelligence at a very young age. He had become a senior officer by

sheer dint of hard work. Totally disillusioned by the red tape and lack of ethics, he quit his job to the

utter surprise of his colleagues who insisted he was being foolish. Raj could relate to his friend’s

feelings and helped Ashok set up the Mehra Detective Agency some years back. Now it was a

thriving organisation and it gave Ashok an immense sense of satisfaction chasing crooks at his pace.

Raj had contacted Ashok the minute Akshay received the first threat. The two of them tried to

persuade the younger man to have a bodyguard. Akshay flatly refused. He agreed to use a bulletproof

jacket though. Ashok and his men had taken turns at keeping vigil on Akshay 24 hours a day without

his knowledge.

Last night had been Ashok’s turn. He attended the engagement as a guest and later on followed

Akshay on his motorcycle at a safe distance.

“I saw the shooting,” replied Ashok. “The gunman was across the road. I went close enough to

Akshay’s car to ensure there was no danger to his life and immediately followed him. He’s been

arrested and has already given up his employer’s name.” The detective rubbed his palms together in

satisfaction of a job well done. “All loose ends tied up. The gangster won’t trouble your son

anymore,” he assured Raj.

“Thank you Ashok.” Raj let out a sigh of relief and smiled at his friend. “I need another favour.”

Ashok looked at him in surprise as if to ask, ‘so soon?’

Raj explained briefly about Gokul Rishi wanting to cancel the engagement. He was worried about

Sunita. The man appeared demented enough to do anything. “The society’s views matter to him more

than anything else. He’s not bothered about his child and her feelings, the insensitive jerk!” Raj fumed

in a rare display of temper.

Ashok thought for a few minutes before coming up with an idea. Raj was all for it, as he nodded his

head vigorously.

“What are we waiting for? Let’s go.” Raj left his office along with Ashok after telling his secretary

to cancel all his appointments for the day.

They went through the plan again on their way to Ashok’s office to pick a few things. The next stop

was the Rishi residence. Raj drew hope from the fact that the watchman had not stopped his car from

entering the compound.

It was 1 pm when they rang the bell. Sandhya opened the door and panicked when she saw Raj

Malhotra and another dark-suited man with a stern expression. She invited them inside and seated

them in the hall before going to fetch her father.

Gokul hadn’t gone to work as he didn’t want his daughter doing something that he wouldn’t approve

of. He glared at his guests as Raj and Ashok got to their feet. Raj performed the introductions

formally.

“Meet Ashok Mehra from the CBI and Mr. Mehra,” he said gravely, “please meet Mr. Gokul Rishi.

He’s Sunita’s father.”

“To what do I owe this visit, Mr. Mehra?” Gokul got aggressive.

“I received a complaint that Sunita, Mr. Malhotra’s future daughter-in-law, is missing. I’ve come to

make some enquiries regarding that.”

Gokul Rishi’s eyes registered surprise before he wiped all expression from his face. He hadn’t

expected this direct attack. “Sunita’s my daughter. You may rest assured that there’s no problem. She’s

fine. And so, gentlemen,” He got to his feet, keen to send his unwanted visitors away.

“Wait a minute,” said Raj Malhotra, “Sunita’s my son’s fiancée. I’d like to meet her now.”

“There’s no need, Mr. Malhotra. As I told you over the phone this morning, the engagement stands

cancelled. You may leave now.” Gokul Rishi’s rude voice rose in anger.

“Sunita’s over eighteen,” Raj’s voice was soft, iron cloaked in velvet, “I’m sure she has a say in the

matter under the law.” He looked at Ashok Mehra as if for confirmation. “I’d prefer to hear it from

her.”

Gokul was in a dilemma. He had been confident the Malhotras would come nowhere near Sunita or

her family after the way he insulted Raj that morning. What he hadn’t expected was for the man to

bring the law with him.

“She’s visiting her aunt,” Gokul’s eyes shifted in prevarication. “She’ll be back in a month or so.”

His brain ticked away busily, wondering whether that gave him enough time to get Sunita married to

someone else.

Raj Malhotra read Gokul’s character perfectly. He was sure that he wouldn’t let his daughter go

from under his nose. She definitely was right here on the premises.

“Where’s Ratan
ji
?” Raj asked casually.

“He’s having his afternoon nap.” Gokul Rishi hesitated a second too long before giving the pat

answer.

Raj looked at Ashok Mehra who needed no further prompting as he brought forth Plan B into action.

“Well, Mr.Rishi, I’m sorry about this. But I’ll have to search your house. It’s part of my duty, you

see.” He sounded mildly apologetic.

“Whatever for?” Gokul Rishi’s effervescent temper rose once again. “I’m telling you my daughter’s

not here. You’ll have to take my word for it. As her father, I’m telling you she’s safe. So what’s your

problem?” He stood his ground.

“Well, Mr. Rishi, as Mr. Malhotra pointed out earlier, Ms. Sunita is an adult. She has the right to

protection under the law, even from her father. I have a search warrant with me,” he confidently took

out an official looking piece of paper and waved it in Gokul Rishi’s face. “There’s no way you can

stop me.” He deliberately fanned the other man’s temper, correctly judging that he would be too blind

in his anger to actually read the warrant.

Gokul made a frustrated snarl and stood back to allow Ashok Mehra to do his job.

Seventeen

Grandpa Ratan was visibly shaken as he walked down the staircase with Sunita and Ashok Mehra.

Raj was sorry to see his majestic figure cowed down by his son’s behaviour.

Sandhya ran into the kitchen to get a pitcher of orange juice and four glasses. Neither Grandpa nor

Sunita had eaten lunch. Grandpa settled down on a sofa and cleared his throat.

His voice was low but strong, “Thank you Raj - for your patience and persistence. Sunita’s lucky to

gain you as a father.”

Ratan Rishi’s sad eyes surveyed the others. Leela was hovering in the doorway. Raghu came to sit

on the edge of a sofa. Sandhya handed a glass of juice to
Dadaji
before passing the other three to

Sunita and the guests. Gokul stood in the middle of the hall, his stance defiant.

Sunita sat next to her father-in-law-to-be on the twin sofa. Raj engulfed her in a bear hug and placed

a kiss on her forehead. He read the question in her eyes, nodded his head and mouthed, “Akshay’s

much better,” to which her face lit up. “He’s all set to tear the nursing home apart with his bare hands

as he’s unable to contact you,” he added.

Grandpa sipped the juice as he continued to address Raj, “What happened today is beneath

contempt. I apologise to you Raj. You obviously love your son a lot to put up with the treatment meted

out to you by our family.”

“Ratan
ji
!” Raj raised a hand in protest. He didn’t want the elder to lose his dignity.

“Please don’t interrupt Raj. You’re extremely tolerant. At the ceremony yesterday, both our families

made a pact with each other. As head of the Rishi family, I’ll abide by that promise. The wedding

will take place as planned.” Sunita smiled.

“Sunita
beti
, you may have wondered why your
Dada
didn’t jump to your support today. I needed to

know your feelings for Akshay. The way you ferociously took his side showed me how deeply you

love him.” Sunita turned a delightful shade of pink.

Grandpa Ratan
wasn’t finished. “I’ve given my final decision. Anyone has an objection, speak up

now. There won’t be any discussion after this.” He looked at his son expectantly.

Gokul Rishi hung his head in shame, unable to meet his father’s eyes. He felt small in the face of the

older man’s magnanimity.

“Gokul,” Grandpa called out to his son, love and forgiveness in his voice.

He rushed to his father and touched his feet. “I’m sorry, Pappa. I’m truly sorry.” There were tears in

his eyes as he looked at his father. He then turned around and looked at Raj. “I’m extremely sorry for

my behaviour, Raj
ji
—especially when you’re undergoing a rough patch. I’ve added to your trouble

instead of being supportive.”

He put a beseeching hand out to Raj who got up and embraced him. “Just forget the whole thing as a

nightmare, Gokul
ji
.” Raj was relieved that the drama was finally over.

Gokul turned to his daughter. His eyes had opened the moment she ran over to Raj Malhotra and

cuddled up to him like a kitten seeking security and warmth. He had always kept his family members

at arms’ length, never knowing the value of a hug.

He opened his arms wide to hug his daughter who buried her tear-streaked face on his shoulder.

“Forgive me, my dear.”

Sunita placed a finger on his lips, shaking her head, “No Pappa. You please forgive me for the rude

things I said to you.”

“Sunita my dear,” called out Grandpa Ratan. “Get ready. Let’s go visit Akshay.”

“No Pappa.” Everyone turned to look at Gokul in shock. “I mean not just you and Sunita. Let me

also come,” finished Gokul drawing forth a cackle of laughter.

RAJ AND ASHOK LEFT TO GET BACK TO WORK. Sunita, Gokul and Ratan Rishi along with

Leela, Sandhya and Raghu got into the car to visit Akshay.

It was a noisy journey as everyone spoke, working hard at relieving the morning’s tension. Sunita

was quiet. She felt completely drained after all the happenings over the past 24 hours. She had run

through a whole gamut of emotions.

Her engagement was a happy event. There was the shock and tension when Akshay was shot. Her

brain had muddled trying to find a reason for it. Her father had angered her later. She felt betrayed

when she was locked in her room. Lastly, the relief when Raj Uncle had rushed to their rescue. The

tension-filled drama later had taken away the last bit of her energy.

All became silent when they reached the nursing home. Grandpa and Sunita walked in to find

Akshay reading. His eyes lit up on seeing them.

“Sunita!” as she went to him. He held her hand as he greeted Grandpa, “Hello
Dadaji
!” Sunita gave

him a tremulous smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes. He looked at her, his eyebrows up in query.

“You tell me, Son. What’ve you done to yourself? You gave us all a fright.” It was obvious that

Grandpa was worried.

Akshay was distracted by the fine tremors that ran through his fiancée’s body. He did his best to

concentrate on what
Dadaji
was saying.

“I’m sorry that everyone had to undergo this anxiety. But in a way it’s for the best. That’s why

Mehra Uncle could nab the gangster.” He made light of the situation, not seeing the look of horror on

Sunita’s face. “And where did you guys disappear in the morning?”

“That’s a long story Akshay.” Grandpa winked at his favourite grandson, not wanting to bother him

with it. “The others are waiting to see you. I’ll go now. You need to rest.” Grandpa got up to leave the

room. “You stay back with Akshay, Sunita,” he ordered as an afterthought.

The rest of the family traipsed in, enquiring after his health. They all chatted amicably before the