65. Ghosts Of Seven Years
Double Update 3
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I stood outside the fifty-floor building in Bandra where my mother...
No. Where Ms. Arora lived.
Ishaan had talked to her over the phone in the morning, but she refused to fight the case. She didn't even tell him the reason, and somehow I was convinced that reason was me. So it was better to handle this myself instead of waiting around because we simply didn't have time.
Ishaan and I entered the elevator, and he pressed the button for the thirty-ninth floor.
My heartbeat increased as the lift crossed each floor.
It's okay. I can do this.
I repeated it to myself until the elevator finally stopped.
The doors opened with a soft click. We walked down the corridor until we stopped in front of a door with a nameplate.
ARORA
Ishaan glanced at me once, probably checking if I was about to run away.
I wasn't. At least not yet.
When I blinked at him, he pressed the doorbell.
Within seconds the door opened. An old man stood there.
Naanu. I remembered him.
My lips curved into a small smile as he adjusted his spectacles and looked at me carefully, as if trying to recognize my face.
"Who is it, Dad?" My Mumma's...
No. Ms. Arora's voice came from inside.
"I... I don't know. There's a woman and a man but..."
So he didn't recognize me? The thought hurt more than I expected.
"But what?" Ms. Arora walked out of the kitchen, an apron tied around her waist.
The moment her eyes landed on me, she froze.
"Dhwani... aap?"
"Dhwani?" Naanu repeated before looking at me again, this time properly.
His eyes widened.
"Yes. It's Dhwani. Our Dhwani." His voice trembled. "She returned. You found her, Mrinali. You actually found your daughter."
He stepped closer and reached out as if he wanted to touch my face.
Instinctively, I took a step back.
The happiness on his face cracked instantly. And guilt settled inside my chest. But I couldn't do this. I couldn't let them come close. Because if they did, it would hurt me too. And I wasn't ready for that.
"Actually, we came to discuss a case with Ms. Arora. Can we?" Ishaan interrupted, clearing his throat.
"Yes. Of course. Please come inside."
Ms. Arora quickly held Naanu's arm and guided him away before leading us into the apartment.
We settled in the drawing room while I watched them whisper something in the corner.
A few minutes later, she returned carrying two glasses of water.
Ishaan took a few sips. I didn't.
My hands were already shaking and I didn't want her to notice.
"We came to request that you fight this case from our side," Ishaan said in his calm professional voice.
Her eyes moved towards me for a brief second before returning to him.
"I already told you. I genuinely want to help, but I can't."
"Why?" Ishaan frowned. "Is there some problem? If it's about fees, we can discuss that."
A tired smile appeared on her face. "Money isn't the problem, Mr. Awasthi. The problem is the people standing against you. The day after I returned from Raizada Mansion, I received a call. Someone warned me that if I fought this case, it wouldn't be good for me.
And I don't think I need to explain how these things work."
"We'll take responsibility for your protection," Ishaan said immediately.
I stayed silent, my eyes fixed on my hands resting in my lap.
"And what about my little daughter?"
My gaze lifted to her face instantly.
My daughter. The words echoed inside my head.
Aren't I your daughter too? Or did that position become vacant seven years ago? Maybe that's why it was so easy for you to leave me.
"I lost everything years ago," she continued softly. "I don't want to lose my father and my daughter too. They're all the family I have left."
My chest tightened.
Again. No mention of my father. Not once since I entered this house had she spoken his name. It was as if Udayveer Ranawat had never existed.
Why? Where was he?
Did he leave?
Did he...
No. I still remember, I saw him a few months ago in a restaurant when I was with Yugant and Ishaan. I know he is alive.
I immediately pushed that thought away.
"Ms. Arora," Ishaan spoke again, "Dhwani is also your daughter. Yugant is her husband. At least do it for her."
I closed my eyes for a second.
This dumbo. Seriously?
I wanted to throw the glass of water at his head.
I didn't come here so she would help because I was her daughter.
"She is not my daughter, Mr. Awasthi. If she was, she wouldn't have run away years ago."
The words landed like a slap.
I ran away? Wasn't it her who forced me to leave?
Wasn't it her who made me feel unwanted. Who didn't listen.
My jaw clenched, but I forced myself to stay quiet.
I wasn't here to fight.
"We are not here to discuss personal matters. We are here to discuss business."
His voice turned firm. "You don't need to worry about your family's safety. Raizada Group will provide complete protection. Two trained security guards will remain with your family at all times. We just need you to do what you do best and fight this case."
Ms. Arora shook her head.
"Sorry, but I'm still not interested. I want to live a peaceful life."
The desperation inside me finally broke through.
"Please, Ms. Arora..." I joined my hands in front of her.
Both her and Ishaan looked stunned.
"It's about my husband." My voice cracked despite my efforts to control it. "He's in this situation because he married me. I can't bear to lose him. I really love him."
For a moment, something changed in her eyes.
The hardness disappeared, replaced by something softer. Something painful. She looked away immediately.
My hands slowly dropped back into my lap.
Silence settled inside the room.
Ms. Arora held her forehead as if she was fighting a battle inside her own head.
Minutes passed. Then she finally spoke. "Why only me?"
Her tired eyes moved between me and Ishaan.
"You people have money. Influence. Connections. You can hire any lawyer in this country."
"But that lawyer wouldn't be you," Ishaan replied immediately. "We did try. And none of them are willing to stand against Kingsley the way you can."
I took a deep breath.
"We know you're capable of fighting them." My voice came out softer this time. "And... I'm really sorry for what happened at Raizada Mansion."
Her fingers tightened. "I shouldn't have behaved that way."
The words hurt but they were true.
"I still don't know how to deal with everything between us, but right now this isn't about us. It's about Yugant. So please... help me."
For a long moment, she didn't answer. She simply sat there staring at the floor.
Thinking. Remembering. Fighting something only she could see.
Finally, she let out a long sigh. "Alright." My heart stopped. "I'll do it."
??????
I looked at Yugant and Ms. Arora sitting across from each other, discussing the case details.
It had been almost thirty six hours since she agreed to take the case.
And in those hours, she had practically turned the Raizaada Mansion into a war room.
Files, documents, financial records, emails, agreements, witness statements, every possible thing that could be useful in court was spread across the table.
She had discussed every possible outcome with Yugant.
Slowly knocking on the study door, I stepped inside and placed two cups of coffee on the table.
"You don't have to bring this," Yugant said, finally looking up from the file in his hand.
"It's fine.I actually came to tell you I'm going out."
That got his attention immediately.
"Where exactly?" He pushed the file aside. "Should I drop you?"
Judging by the way he was already preparing to stand, I knew he was serious.
I placed a hand on his shoulder.
"It's nearby. I just need to deliver the painting safely, that's all."
"Are you sure?" His brows furrowed. "I can come with you."
"No." I smiled. "I'm going with the driver. Please stay here and focus on the case."
For a moment, he looked unconvinced. Then he sighed. "Fine."
His fingers wrapped around my hand before he pressed a kiss against my knuckles. "Stay safe."
The simple gesture made my heart squeeze. "I will."
I glanced toward Ms. Arora.
She was buried in files again, making notes on a legal pad. Whether she genuinely didn't notice us or was intentionally pretending not to, I couldn't tell.
Not that it mattered.
I quietly walked out and closed the study door behind me.
A servant and the driver carefully loaded the painting into the car. I had spent weeks working on it, then got it framed myself. It looked beautiful now, and considering the amount I was getting paid for it, I wasn't willing to risk even a single scratch.
Settling into the back seat, I opened the email containing the delivery address.
The drive took around thirty minutes. When the car finally stopped, I found myself staring at a beautiful villa surrounded by manicured gardens.
The security guard confirmed my arrival after making a call and then allowed us inside.
The driver and another guard carefully carried the painting behind me while I walked toward the entrance.
The man who had placed the order greeted me warmly.
"Thank you for coming personally, Ms. Rathore. We really appreciate it."
I shook his hand. He didn't know I am married now, and I didn't feel any need to correct him.
"No worries. I enjoyed working on it. Besides, it's my responsibility to make sure it reaches safely."
He smiled. "Please have a seat."
I settled onto one of the couches while a servant brought me a glass of water.
After taking a few sips, I placed it back on the table.
"Sir will be here in a few minutes. He would like to see the painting himself before signing the cheque."
"Of course."
The painting was carefully unwrapped and placed nearby.
Minutes passed and still there was no sign of this mysterious client.
"If he's busy, it's alright," I finally said. "You can transfer the payment directly into my account."