LOVE, LIFE, SECRETS: Answers lie within – CHAPTER 87

CHAPTER 87: Truth is out

The door opened and all were surprised seeing Mallika walked in….

She looked around the place and was surprised as many of them were already present there….

Shivaay: Mallika, what are you doing here?

Mallika: That is none of your concern Shivaay.

All were looking at her surprised by her tone of talking to Shivaay….

Adhvik: Mrs. Rana, who gave you the address of this place, and why have you come here?

Mallika: Well, to answer your question Mr. Malhotra, one Pankhuri told me everything, and second, I am here to offer the Malhotras a deal.

Naren: Deal, kaisi deal? (Deal, what kind of deal?)

Mallika: A deal that will benefit the Ranas and Malhotras, and also get us rid of these Oberois, and their problems.

Anika: What are you saying Mallika, you know these people are not right….

Mallika: Anika, I know what I am doing, it is better you don’t interfere.

Adhvik: What are you talking about Mrs. Rana?

Mallika: Our plan is very simple Mr. Malhotra, you and we have a common problem – the Oberois, you help us in getting the business deals these Oberois have got, and we’ll help you get your name cleared from all the illegal businesses. One deal and we have our problems sorted.

All were looking at her not knowing how to react….

Naren: Look Mallika….

Shaantanu: I am ready, we’ll help you, and I am ready for this deal.

*****

Outside the farmhouse, Ranveer and Siddharth along with their teams were able to enter the premises and had managed to get hold of some of the men of the Malhotras….

Abir: Veer, the front door is open; some people should enter from there.

Siddharth: I’ll go from there with my men, anyways Mallika is there and they’ll be waiting for my arrival.

Ranveer nodded at him…. Siddharth and his men walked towards the front door, while Ranveer and others walked towards the backdoor, taking careful view of the situation….

*****

Adhvik and Naren were surprised hearing Shaantanu agree to Mallika without even thinking about it once…. Mallika smiled at her success…. And others were still absorbing what was happening….

Tej and Shakti were angry seeing the Malhotra’s switching sides…. Arjun, Anika, Prachi, and Shivaay were shocked by Mallika’s changed stance…. Mishti, Ishana, and Om were also shocked by the new turn of events…. Gauri, Abhi, and Purab were only thinking about what more was yet to come….

Mallika: Good, I am glad you chose the right thing Shaantanu.

Adhvik: Shaan, at least think before you make any decision, how can you just agree to anything.

Shaantanu: You don’t tell me, what I should be doing, and anyway I don’t care what happens to other people, all I care about is my profits, and I know how to do that.

Ishana felt extreme anger hearing Shaantanu’s words…. She had lost her sister because of this selfish monster…. Om could understand her anger but at this point he couldn’t do anything….

Naren: Stop it Shaan, Adhvik is right, how can you just trust Mallika, what if this is a trap for us?

Mallika: Trap, and why will we trap you Mr. Malhotra, we have no reason to trap you, and the world knows that Ranas has only one enemy, and they are these Oberois.

Omkara: What is wrong with you Mallika, why are you doing all this?

Shaantanu: I think you didn’t listen properly, she clearly said that you all are her enemy, and this is what we do with our enemies.

Shivaay was about to say something when he felt something near his legs…. He looked behind and was surprised to see Ranbir, opening the knots of his ropes…. Ranbir signed him not to react…. Shivaay composed himself and looked at Arjun when he saw Rudra untying the knots of Arjun’s ropes…. Arjun and Shivaay nodded at each other…. Ranbir and Rudra did their work….

Abir and Ranveer till then untied the ropes for Om, Ishana, and Mishti…. Pankhuri and other constables made Anika, Prachi, Gauri, Abhi, and Purab free from the ropes….
Ranveer signed all of them to remain quiet, and wait for his signal…. All others nodded at him…. Ranveer and team hid back waiting for Siddharth to come…. They could not take any chance and let any of the culprits escape….

“Well, I am glad all others are also here, makes my work easier”

All eyes turned towards the entrance hearing the voice and saw Siddharth walking towards them…. Siddharth came and stood beside Mallika…. Mallika signed him that everything was under control and he only nodded at her…. Siddharth’s men were standing around the entrance, covering the area so no one could escape….

Mallika: Now even Siddharth is here, I hope all your doubts will get cleared, Mr. Malhotra.

Shaantanu: It doesn’t matter what doubts they have, I have made the decision, and I am ready for this deal.

Siddharth and Mallika smiled seeing their plan being successful…. Siddharth signed Ranveer and Abir who nodded at him…. Arjun and Om who noticed this realized that Siddharth and Mallika were only there to help them, and not the Malhotras….

“Thoda sabar kar lo Shaantanu Malhotra, itni bhi kya jaldi hai (Have some patience Shaantanu Malhotra, what is the hurry)”

All turned towards the voice and saw Abir walking towards them…. Ranveer, Rudra, Ranbir and Pankhuri followed him….

Shakti, Tej, Naren, and Shaantanu were shocked seeing them…. Arjun and others smiled seeing them….

Siddharth: Hmm, so Mr. Shaantanu Malhotra, kuch keh rahe the aap, haa, deal ke baare mein, but ek problem hai, main meetings ke liye aapko milne jail mein nahi aa sakta. Kyun ACP Abir, baar-baar toh nahi aa sakta naa mein jail mein inse milne (Hmm, so Mr. Shaantanu Malhotra, you were saying something, about the deal, but there is one problem, I cannot come to the prison for the meetings. Right ACP Abir, I cannot come so many times to meet him in the prison)

Shakti, Tej, Naren, and Shaantanu were shocked to hear this from Siddharth….

Abir: Correct Mr. Rana, itne visiting hours toh waha milenge nahi (Correct Mr. Rana, you won’t get so many visiting hours)

Shaantanu: What is all this? And what are you saying Mr. Rana?

Dushyant: You are such an expert in plotting and planning, and couldn’t understand this simple thing, that you have been fooled Mr. Shaantanu.

Dushyant walked in and stood beside his Bhai and Bhabhi….

Ranveer: All things are crystal clear now; all thanks to you all that you made our work easy and now we can arrest you all from here.

Tej: Ranveer beta….

Omkara: Mr. Oberoi, don’t even try, we all know your true face and all your deeds.

Naren: Why will you arrest us, we have nothing to with Tia’s and her father’s death

Pankhuri: Well, Mr. Malhotra, there are many other things you are responsible for, and we all know them very well.

Naren got extremely angry hearing Pankhuri….

Naren: Shut up, how dare you to talk to me like this?

Arjun: And don’t you dare talk to Pankhuri like that.

Ranveer: Arrest them; make sure none of them escapes.

The constables followed his order and handcuffed Tej, Shakti, and Naren…. They were about to handcuff Adhvik and Shaantanu when Shaantanu pushed him and pointed the gun he had towards them….

Shaantanu: Stay away from me; otherwise I’ll shoot anyone without thinking twice.

Adhvik: Let it go Shaan, you cannot run away from this forever, stop all this.

Abir: There is no use of doing all this Shaantanu, you cannot escape anymore.

Shaantanu: SHUT UP, JUST STOP IT ALL OF YOU…. STOP GIVING ME ADVICES…. STOP TELLING ME WHAT I SHOULD DO…. I KNOW WHAT I HAVE TO DO….

All were shocked by Shaantanu’s sudden loud voice….

Naren: Shaan….

Shaantanu: No dad stop it, don’t tell me to calm down, don’t tell me to stop…. Always, you always do this, in fact you all have always done this with me…. Just given me advices, and orders…. Shaan do this, Shaan don’t do this…. Shaan stay away…. Shaan, don’t decide anything…. Shaan, no one ever asked what Shaan wants to do, so now Shaan has decided what he wants to do, and now I’ll do what I want, and not what you all expect of me….

There were moments of silence as everyone was surprised hearing Shaantanu’s words…. They did not react as they did not know how to react….

Adhvik: Shaan….

Shaantanu: Don’t Mr. Adhvik Malhotra, don’t even try….

Shaantanu composed himself and again pointed the gun towards them…. It was pointing towards Ishana….

Shaantanu: Three years ago I killed your sister, and now today, let’s start with you Ishana….

All others except Ishana, Om, Anika, and Prachi were shocked hearing this….

Omkara: Don’t Shaantanu, don’t do anything, don’t you dare try and hurt Ishana, I won’t spare you.

Anika: Shaantanu, please don’t do the same mistake again, leave all this….

Shaantanu did not budge, and pulled the trigger…. Abir signed Adhvik who was standing near Shaantanu, Adhvik nodded at him…. Shaantanu released the trigger, and the bullet was about to hit Ishana, but Pankhuri pushed her and they fell down…. Adhvik quickly held Shaantanu from behind while Abir took the gun from his hand….

Arjun: Pankhuri….

Omkara: Ishana….

Adhvik and Abir caught hold of Shaantanu who was trying hard to free himself….

Om and Arjun helped Pankhuri and Ishana to stand up….

Arjun: Ishu, Pankhuri, are you okay, did you get hurt?

Pankhuri: Arjun, we are fine, don’t worry.

Ishana: Haa Bhaiya, we are fine.

Om looked at Ishana worried…. Ishana assured him that she was fine…. He held her hand tightly, while she looked at him, she put her hand on his and blinked her eyes asking him not to worry….

Abir smiled seeing Om and Ishana…. Shivaay and Rudra were surprised seeing this at first, but then smiled knowing Om had found his happiness….

Adhvik: Stop this madness Shaan, enough is enough now.

Shaantanu tried to resist but Abir handcuffed him….

Abir: Jail jaane se pehle apne crimes confess kar lijiye Mr. Shakti Singh Oberoi, aap hi hai wo jisne Tia ko maara hai hai na (Before going to the prison, confess your crimes Mr. Shakti Singh Oberoi, you are the one who has killed Tia)

Shivaay felt a sharp pain hearing this, he had never imagined his Dad, the man he had always looked up to had killed someone…. Ranbir and Anika stood beside Shivaay for his support….

Shakti: Yes I have only done it, I have only killed Tia….

*Flashback to the night of Tia’s murder*

“You look pretty darling”

The voice sent shivers through Tia’s entire body…. She had recognized the voice and sweat beads formed on her forehead…. She slowly turned around and looked at the person…. Tia was shocked seeing Shakti holding a knife and walking towards her with an evil smirk…. Tia did not get any chance to do anything…. The knife was already in her body and blood was oozing out…. Shakti twisted the knife and Tia felt immense pain…. Tears flowed from her eyes…. Tia wanted to shout but her voice betrayed her…. Tia could feel the bloodstream flowing out of her body onto her gown…. She touched her gown and her hand had her blood…. She looked at the person in front of her…. Shakti was smiling…. Shakti took out the knife and Tia fell down on the floor…. Tia could see Shakti smirking as she closed her eyes forever….

Then Shakti kept the knife near Tia’s body…. He had been wearing gloves so did not care about the fingerprints…. Also, he knew no one ever doubts him for all this…. He then opened the door of Tia’s room and again hid in the room…. He wanted to see who would find Tia’s body first…. After sometime Gauri entered the room…. Shakti watched her keenly…. Gauri was shocked to see Tia lying on the ground with blood around her…. Gauri moved back and hit the table with a jerk…. In that, her jhumka fell down near the table and she ran out of the room…. As soon as Gauri left Shakti who had seen the jhumka falling picked it and put it near Tia’s body…. He quickly walked to the window to get out of the room, but while moving out his coat got stuck he freed himself and jumped out of the window before the others arrived….

*Flashback ends*

Tej: Seeing Tia’s body all of them were so shocked that they did not realize Shakti had been missing and had only joined after some time.

Rudra: That means the cufflink with the letter S we had found also belongs to Chote Papa.

Arjun: Yes Rudra, he may have lost it while going out, we never thought it would be him because we all were thinking S stood for Shaantanu.

Ranveer: Take them to the van; all other matters will be discussed in the police station.

The constables followed the orders and took Tej, Shakti, and Naren…. Abir himself took Shaantanu with him while Adhvik followed them….

Ranveer: You all also go home and take a rest, we can talk about all this later. Families will also be worried for you all, you all go home first.

Abhi: He is right, we all should get home soon, Pragya is very worried for Prachi.

Arjun: Yes uncle, we all should go now. Come let us go.

They all nodded and walked towards the exit….

*****

Siddharth and Mallika were about to sit in their car when they stopped hearing someone calling them and were surprised to see Shivaay there….

Mallika: Shivaay….

Shivaay: Well I had never thought that I would ever say this to you both, but thank you for doing whatever you did and saving us.

Siddharth: It is okay Shivaay, no need of a thank you, and we did what was right.

Mallika: Siddharth is right Shivaay, we did what was needed, and also it was about our family also.

Shivaay: Cannot promise you about our professional relations, but I hope we can improve our personal relations.

Siddharth and Mallika were surprised by his words…. Shivaay forwarded his hand towards Siddharth…. Siddharth looked at him and smiled shaking his hand…. Mallika felt happy seeing this….

*****

Dushyant: Annie, even after whatever I did with you, you still helped get justice for Tia, thank you for that.

Anika: Don’t say thank you Dushyant, it was my duty, and whatever happened in the past, let it stay in the past.

Dushyant and Anika smiled at each other…. They took leave from each other and walked to their respective brothers who were waiting for them….

*****

Prachi and Gauri hugged each other…. Finally, after years of wait, the two sisters were together…. Abhi, Purab, and Ranbir smiled seeing this….

Abhi: Okay now let us go home, Pragya and Disha must be getting worried.

Prachi and Gauri broke the hug…. They all settled in the cars and moved towards their home…. Years later, a family was going to be together….

*****

Om and Ishana sat in Om’s car…. Ishana was lost in her thoughts…. Om looked at her worried….

Omkara: Ishana….

Ishana looked at him….

Omkara: Ishana, are you fine?

Ishana: I am not, but with you by my side, I know I’ll be fine soon.

She smiled and kept her hand on his…. Om smiled hearing her….

*****

The culprits had been arrested and would soon get punished….

The game had ended, and like always good had won over bad….

*****

Hello everyone, I hope you all are doing well.
Here is the next chapter of the story, do share your views on the same.

So, finally, the culprits have reached their destination and the victims will get their justice.

3 more chapters and the story will come to an end, I hope you all liked the journey of this story and I was able to do a justification to the theme of the story. I thank you all for your love, support, and appreciation for the story and my writing.

Keep reading and smiling!!!
Take care and stay safe!!!