Hello everyone...

I'm back with the next part...

Sorry for delaying this update so much...

Enjoy reading...

AN INEVITABLE INTRUDER

CHAPTER 23

SAMEER...

Two weeks had passed by & we kept working hard. The pressure wasn't as much as the last time as our friends were helping us this time. We left the office on our usual time & went back home to work on our original presentation.

Each one of us kept a close eye on the people around us to check if something was wrong. But in these past two weeks, there was nothing suspicious which wasn't a surprise for me, this is what I had expected & I knew what was about to happen ahead. I was mentally prepared this time & I had already done some arrangements in office that I would know what was happening in our absence.

It was Saturday today & we had decided to stay home & finish our original presentation. Our friends too joined us since morning & we continued doing the hard work that was needed at this point of time. Nanu & Maa had gone to some relative's place for some pooja. It was only six of us in the house.

It was after lunch when we were done, we decided to take a break & relax. We sat in the living room, devouring our favorite Choco chips ice-creams. "Sameer... Tujhe kuch pataa chala ab tak?" I knew what Munna was referring to. "Ab tak toh nahi. Bas ek aaj ka din bacha hai, dekhte hai hum unn logon ko pakad paate hai yaa nahi."

Naina looked worried, "Sameer... Hume jald hi pataa lagaana hoga, warna hamari hi aankhon ke saamne hum waapis hamara khud ko banaaya hua presentation dekhenge kal ki party mein." I smiled sensing her concern, "Hume yahi karna hai Naina... Hamara banaaya hua presentation hi Kartik uss party mein present karega. Par jo last time hua waise iss baar nahi hoga, tab hum dekhna chaahte the ki kya chal raha hai, tab hume sirf shak tha, aur ab, hume pataa hai ki Kartik ne hamara presentation churaaya tha, aur shaayad iss baar bhi wohi ho aur hona bhi chahiye. Bas farak yeh hoga ki jo presentation Kartik wahaan dikhaayega, usse wohh yeh partnership kabhi jeet nahi paayega."

Everyone looked at me curiously waiting for my further explanation & I continued, "Maine uss presentation ko last moment mein sab figures change kar dunga, jisse wohh jeet hi na paaye. Agar dimaag hoga toh samaj jaayega aur nahi toh wohi galat presentation sabke saamne rakhega. Choice uski hi hai, jo karna hai ab wohh Kartik hi karega, hum kuch nahi karenge. Yeh partnership wohh uski bewakoofi se hi gawaayega. Dekh lena..."

Everyone was amused, Naina asked, "Sameer... Agar usne tumhari galtiyaan dekhkar sudhaar li toh... Fir kya karenge..." I smiled mischievously, "Main jahaan tak Kartik ko jaanta hun, wohh aisa kuch nahi karega. Yaad hai maine last time usse hamare presentation churaane ke baare mein kuch nahi kahaa... Pataa hai kyun???"

Pandit replied, "Haan yaar... Tune tab kuch react hi nahi kiya tha. Tabhi hume bhi thoda ajeeb lagaa tha par humne kuch kahaa nahi." I continued, "Main nahi chaahta tha ki usse pataa chale ki hum ab se uss par aur hamari company mein sab par nazar rakhne waale hai. Kartik itna bewakoof nahi hai ki usse samaj nahi aaya hoga ki hamara presentation uss screen par dekhne ke baad bhi humne react nahi kiya. Wohh aur bhi chaukanna ho gaya hoga ab. Bhale hi maine kuch react nahi kiya uss time, par usse itna toh pataa chal gaya hoga ki hume uski cheating ka pataa chal chuka hai. Ab Kartik jo bhi karega, soch samajkar karega."

"Toh tumhe aisa kyun lagta hai ki Kartik firse hamara presentation churaayega?", Naina asked frowning a little. "Naina... Kyunki usse pataa hai ki humse accha presentation wohh kabhi nahi banaa paayega. Wohh waapis wohi karega jo pehle kiya tha, bas iss baar wohh kaise churaata hai, mujhe wohi dekhna hai. Infact main khud chaahta hun ki wohh aisa kuch kare, taaki hume uss shaks ka bhi pataa chal jaaye, jo yeh sab hamare naak ke neeche kar raha hai."

I was playing a big gamble here risking my own company this time, but I was left with no other option. I had to do this, I had to catch the person red-handed. And for that I wanted them to make a mistake & for that, I had a plan. I told my plan to the others who listened quietly & agreed to take it forward.

I made a call, "Hello... Kartik aaj shaam kahaan jaanewala hai, mujhe iske sab details thodi der mein chahiye." We went back to our work & after an hour, I got a message about his whereabouts. It was evening time when Nanu & Maa came back & we were getting ready to leave towards the mall, where Kartik was shopping with his girlfriend.

We reached the mall in the next twenty minutes & started our search in different directions. After ten minutes, I got a call from Munna saying that he saw Kartik & Sunaina in a café. I & Naina walked towards that café hand in hand & our friends followed us inside. Sunaina saw us first & called out, "Hey... Sameer... It's good to see you after a long time."

I chuckled, "Hum do week pehle hi toh mile the, itna jaldi bhool gayi Sunaina?" She too chuckled, "Sorry, wohh tumhe dekhkar main itna excite ho gayi ki mooh se nikal gaya. Waise batao kaise hai tum?" I felt Naina's hand squeezing mine tightly & I could feel that she was probably getting jealous.

I left her hand & wrapped my hand around her waist. I blinked my eyes in assurance looking at her. I turned to Sunaina, "Main toh bilkul thik hun. Tum batao, tum kaisi ho aur tumhare Nanaji kaise hai? Unhe hospital se discharge kar diya kya? Wohh actually Nanu ko jaanna tha, isliye pooch raha hun." I don't know why I was blabbering the explanation, maybe I was scared of the girl who was standing wrapped in my hold.

Sunaina continued, "Main toh ekdum khush hun Sameer. Aur Nanaji ko kal hospital se discharge karne waale hai, toh tum apne Nanaji ko bataa dena. Thik hai." I smiled in response, when I heard my better half speaking up, "Toh Kartik... Aaj tumne maun vrat dhaaran kiya hai kya? Kabse kuch bol hi nahi rahe yaa fir humse baat karne se darr lag raha hai, huh???

I wanted to pat her for her witty question, but I controlled myself & looked at Kartik, "Rehne do na Naina... Bechaare ko tension ho raha hoga ki kal party mein hume Mr Vijay Mittal ko hamare presentations jo dikhaane hai. Kyun Kartik, tumhe darr lag raha hai na ki kahin tum mere saamne yeh partnership haar jaaoge? Pehle kitna confidence... nahi nahi... overconfidence tha na tumhe ki yeh partnership tumhari hogi. Par jabse tumhe pataa chala hai ki tumhe mere saamne dusra presentation banana hai tab se tumhari havaaiyaan udd gayi hai. Kya hua hai Kartik? Where's that confidence... oops... that overconfidence mhan...?"

Kartik smiled smugly at us, "Waahhh Sameer... Tum toh ab bolna bhi seekh gaye. Dekh raha hun jab se Naina tumhari zindagi mein aayi hai tumhara confidence badhte hi jaa raha hai." He turned to Naina, "Maanna padega Naina... tum Sameer ke liye ek lucky charm ho. Warna Sameer ka koi chance hi nahi tha mere saamne jeetne ka." His gaze lingering on her for some more time & I stepped ahead to shield her from his creepy gaze.

"Chalo Naina... hum aaj party karte hai, finally hamara presentation bhi ready ho gaya hai aur quotation bhi. So, we should enjoy ourselves tonight. Waise bhi Kartik ko dekhkar lag raha hai ki uski ab tak koi tayaari nahi hui hai, kyun Kartik???" He looked stunned hearing our revelation & smirked, "That's good to hear... Enjoy yourselves & see you tomorrow at the party Sameer... Tumhe haarte hue dekhne ka bohot mazaa aayega."

I too smiled, "Wohh toh kal dekhenge Mr Kartik Singhania... All the best..." I turned to Sunaina, "Bye... Apne Nanaji ka khayaal rakhna." She bid us goodbye & joined Kartik on their table while we sat three tables away from them in the same café. Even if we sat away from them, still I could see Kartik messaging someone on his phone & calling relentlessly.

Our plan had definitely worked & made Kartik anxious. That was exactly what we had planned to do & I was content seeing him worried. I wanted him to make a mistake to give us a chance to find out who was leaking all our company details to him & I think it was working now.

We placed our orders & kept chatting. I kept my gaze fixed on Kartik. After few minutes, I saw him going out of the café, his phone stuck to his ear & he was shouting on the other person. I quietly escaped from the other door & followed him. He entered the fire-exit door & I stood outside it hearing his conversation.

"Tumne mujhe kyun nahi bataaya ki Sameer ne presentation aur quotation ready kar diya hai? How dare you keep such important news away from me? You are bloody getting paid for this job & you have a decency to hide such an important thing from me, from Kartik Singhania."

He took a pause to hear the person speaking from the other end & then blasted again, "Mujhe kuch bahaane nahi sunne hai tumhare. Mujhe aaj raat tak sab information chahiye aur jald se jald mujhe wohhh presentation aur quotation ki copies chahiye pen drive mein... Do you hear that???"

After disconnecting the call, he mumbled to himself, "Ek kaam dhang se nahi kar paate log. Ek baar yeh kaam ho jaaye fir dekhta hun usse." He was about to open the door & I hid myself behind the wall that led to the washrooms. I was stunned to hear whatever I heard. Till now, I was just making judgements of his plans but this... this was the reality check for me.

Someone was sharing our presentation & quotation details with Kartik & now it was confirmed from what I heard few moments back. I entered the café from the backdoor again & settled myself. I saw that Kartik & Sunaina were nowhere to be seen. So, I told others that we should head back home.

Once home, I told them about the conversation Kartik was having on his call with someone from our company. They were shocked. Nanu spoke, "Sameer... agar tu jo keh raha hai wohh sach hai toh hume jaldi se kuch karna hoga. Ab toh sirf Kartik ne tumhare presentation aur quotation ki hi baat ki hai, kal uthkar wohh kuch aur bhi nuksaan kar sakta hai Sameer. Tum sabne itni mehnat se Maheshwari Industries ko itne oonche mukaam tak laaye ho, Kartik jaise log isse nahi tod sakte. Sameer jo bhi karna hai jaldi kar."

Our friends too had the same point of view & I knew that too. I told them to be quiet & went back to my room to bring my laptop. When I connected it to the cctv cameras that I had installed in everyone's cabins, everyone around me was shocked.

"Sameer... tune yeh sab kab kiya, hume pataa hi nahi tha ki hamare cabins mein cctv camera hai?", Munna asked curiously. I replied, "Jab maine uss Monday meeting ke liye sab head of the departments ko bulaaya tha, tab hi maine yeh cameras lagwa diye the, taaki kisiko kuch khabar na ho. Isse hum sab par acche se nazar rakh paayenge."

"Barkhurdaar... tu toh humse bhi do kadam aage nikla, itna kuch kar diya aur hume bhi bhanak nahi lagi. Bacchon... Mujhe aisa kyun lag raha hai jaise Sameer ko pataa hai yeh sab kaun kar raha hai, bas isse sirf tasaali karni hai ki iska shak sahi hai ya nahi. Kyun Sameer... Main sach keh raha hun na???"

My Nanu knew me too well. I just smiled & nodded, "Sahi kahaa Nanu... Mujhe shak toh bohot pehle se hai, bas dekhna hai ki kya mera shak sahi bhi hai yaa nahi. Aur agar mera shak sahi nikla toh main uss insaan ko chodunga nahi. I promise I'm going to make that person's life hell for sure."

Naina hesitated, "Tumne hum sabko kyun nahi bataaya Sameer? Hum bhi uss insaan par jyada dhyaan rakhte, uski har harkat par hamari bhi nazar rehti." I knew she was hurt that I didn't even share this with her. I looked at her painful eyes & realized that I've hurt her immensely.

"Naina... Agar main tum sabko bataa deta, toh tum uske saath acche se behave nahi karte, jo main nahi chaahta tha. Agar uss insaan ko zara bhi shak ho jaata toh hume uske khilaaf koi saboot nahi milta. Mujhe ek aisa saboot chahiye hai jisse main saabit kar sakun ki wohh insaan kya kar raha hai. Bas ek baar mujhe wohhh evidence mil jaaye, toh fir usse mujhse koi nahi bacha paayega."

We went back to my laptop & opened all the recordings that were saved to review. We checked the recordings of all the cctv cameras but didn't find anything suspicious. I spoke, "Hume sabse jyada mere cabin ke cctv camera pe focus karna chahiye, kyunki presentation mere computer pe saved hai aur quotation bhi."

"Par Sameer agar koi tumhare peeth peeche tere cabin mein gaya toh hume kaise pataa chalega?" I replied, "Pandit... Mujhe pataa chal jaayega. Maine mere computer mein ek software install kiya hai, jisse jab bhi koi bhi usse onn karega, mujhe ek notification aayega, jisse mujhe pataa chalta hai ki mere peeche kaun mera computer use kar raha hai."

(I don't know if there is any such software, I've just used my creative mind...😜)

Naina asked, "Yeh sab bhi tumne Monday ko hi kiya tha?" I rubbed my neck nervously, "Haannn... Tum jaanti ho aur samaj sakti ho ki yeh sab karna bohot important tha. Bhale hi humne fake wala presentation aur quotation uss computer par save kiye hai par hume uss cheater ko bhi toh pakadna hai. Mere paas aur koi option hi nahi tha."

She agreed, "Tumne jo bhi kuch wohh sahi kiya Sameer. Aur ek baat sahi kahi tumne ki agar tumne hume uss insaan ke baare mein bataa diya hota toh hum kuch na kuch aisa keh hi dete jisse wohh alert ho jaata aur tumhara plan almost flop ho jaata." Everyone chuckled understanding why I didn't disclose this to them.

After dinner, we all sat down to relish the dessert of gajar halwa when I got notification on my mobile. I instantly connected my laptop to the cctv camera in my cabin while the others surrounded me to see what I was doing. The scene that appeared on my laptop screen was a total shock for the others while I was happy that my doubt was now confirmed.

I saw that the recording was on which would happen to be the evidence I wanted so desperately. Naina almost shrieked, "Yeh... yehh... isse toh main chodungi nahi..." I pulled her beside me & spoke softly, "Naina... Shant ho jao... main jaanta hun sabse jyada tumhe hi shock lagaa hai. Naina... meri taraf dekho."

I could see her misty eyes & I hugged her, "Ssshhhh... Main hun na... Mujhpar bharosa hai na tumhe, kuch nahi hoga. Main sab thik kar dunga. Aur isse toh hum acche se sabak sikhaayenge kal party mein. Naina... isse message karo ki isse hamare saath kal party mein aana hai. I want this person there in the party tomorrow."

Naina instantly sent a message to that person who was appearing on my laptop & when that person removed the mobile to read the message while copying the presentation & quotation from my computer, Naina was cursing that person throughout, "Yeh hamari aankhon ke saamne hamara presentation aur quotation chura raha hai aur hum kuch nahi kar paa rahe Sameer..."

I knew she was very much upset with that person & I'm sure everyone was. We saw the person shutting down my computer after everything that was needed was copied in the pen-drive. As the person left my cabin, I switched to the recording of the cctv camera at the entrance of our company.

As expected, a car stopped right in front of the entrance & that person handed over the pen drive to Kartik, who handed over a bag in return, maybe it was the payment promised for stealing our presentation. That person waited for some more time & then we were shocked to see what we saw again on the screen in front of us. This couldn't be???

I controlled my anger, my palms turning to fists immediately. Naina too was outraged while the others cursed everything. This wasn't what I had expected & now it was really hard to control my rage. I hadn't thought about this. I instantly messaged someone to find the relationship between the two people on the screen & let me know by tomorrow morning itself.

It was a struggle for us to not strangle those people who had cheated on us right now. But I knew what had to be done. I called up Vijay uncle & told him what we had found out till now. "Uncle... maine hamara fake waala presentation aur quotation aapko aaj subah hi forward kar diye the. Ab aapko pataa hai na aapko aage kya karna hai."

"Don't worry Sameer... Main sab dekh lunga. Tum bilkul chinta mat karo. Kal party mein bohot se parde uthenge. Tum sab ko lekar time par aa jaana. Baaki sab main dekh lunga. Thik hai..." Nanu & Maa retired to their rooms while my friends went back to their homes. It was already late at night when I & Naina walked back to our rooms.

She halted for a few seconds near my door but then walked off. I knew she was upset & I didn't want her to stay alone. I entered my room & freshened up. I slowly tiptoed to her room & turned the doorknob to find it already open. Did she know that I was going to come to her room tonight?

As I entered, I saw her coming out of her washroom after freshening up & changing into a t-shirt & short pants. This was the first time; I saw her wearing something like this to bed. Till now I had seen her wearing simple cotton kurta pajama at night. But this... this was different. She looked damn cute in this though.

I turned & locked the door first. Taking slow steps towards her, I stopped just a foot away from her, our eyes locked on each other. "Naina... yeh... yeh... tum kabse... I mean tum toh raat ko cotton ka kurta pajama pehenti thi na??? tohh... aaj... yeh... aise... achanak se alag..." I couldn't stop my stuttering while she controlled her laughter.

She stepped ahead closing the distance between us & wrapped her hands around my neck. "Main Canada mein aise hi sone jaati thi, inhi kapdon mein. Bas yahaan aakar thodi aadat badal gayi." I was amazed, "Really??? Aur wohh kyun???" She lowered her eyes & hesitated, "Main nahi chahti thi ki koi mere inn kapdon ki wajah se mujhe judge kare."

I understood what she wanted to say. Without saying anything more, I leaned & claimed her lips, crushing her in my hold. She moaned aloud fueling my desires. We came up for air after few minutes, trying to regain our breathing. I was trying to calm down the sensations that had hit me tonight after seeing her new avatar.

I picked her up in my arms & laid her down on her bed, settling myself besides her. She snuggled in my arm & I pulled her close to my body, feeling content with her presence next to me. I kept stroking her open hair, when she asked, "Sameer... Maine expect nahi kiya tha ki usne yeh sab kiya. Itna bharosa karte the hum usspar, aur usne kuch paison ke liye hamari company ko daav pe lagaa diya, wohh bhi iss tarah."

I knew she was hurt, "Naina... I'm sorry. Maine bhi yeh baat tumse chupaa kar rakkhi. Main tumhe bataa kar tumhe hurt nahi karna chahta tha, wohh bhi tab, jab mere paas koi evidence nahi tha. Main agar tumhe bataa deta toh shaayad tum usse kuch kehti aur hume uske khilaaf kabhi koi saboot nahi milta."

She hummed in response & asked, "Tumhe usspar shak kaise hua Sameer??? Kuch toh aisa hua hoga jisse tumhara dhyaan uss insaan par gaya hoga." I knew if I didn't tell her now, she would be more hurt & even mad at me. I told her everything & she was beyond shocked. "Tum... Tum... yeh kya keh rahe ho Sameer??? Kya sach mein usne tumhari help ki? Mujhe toh ab bhi yakin nahi ho raha inn sab par."

"Naina... meri taraf dekho." When she met my eyes, I spoke, "Naina... jo bhi hua usse hum rok toh nahi sake par usse kal badal sakte hai aur ab toh hamare paas bohot bada saboot bhi hai. Bas kal party mein main jaisa chahta hun, waise ho jaaye, toh sab thik ho jaayega Naina."

She smiled, "Jaisa tum chaahte ho Sameer, waisa hi hoga? Ab toh mujhe bhi kal ki party ka intezaar hai. Main bhi dekhna chahti hun ki Kartik aur kitna girta hai." I was sure that tomorrow many things were going to be uncovered that too in front all so many people, even media was going to be a part of this. I just hope that everything would go on smoothly as I want without any hindrance.

"Sameer... Jyada mat socho. Ab jo bhi hoga kal dekha jaayega. Main bas bhagwaan se prarthna karti hun ki sab thik se ho jaaye. Ab aankhen band karo aur so jao. Kal party ke liye bohot taiyaariyaan karni hai." She rested her head on my chest & I closed my eyes, "Goodnight Jaan..." "Goodnight Sameer..."

The next day my friends had arrived at my place by lunch time & we were supposed to reach the party venue by seven in the evening. I went through our original presentation & quotation twice before finalizing it. Naina went away with the girls to get ready for the party in her room while I, Munna & Pandit went through our plan for the night.

By six in the evening, we were ready to go to the party. We waited for the girls to come, so that we could leave. Maa & Nanu were ready too. Swati & Preeti joined us downstairs but still there was no trace of my lady love. Munna & Pandit left with Swati & Preeti in their cars, while Maa & Nanu waited for us in our car.

I hollered from the living room, "Naina... Naina... sab taiyaar hokar neeche aa gaye aur chale bhi gaye aur tum ab bhi upar hi ho. Chalo Naina... Late ho raha hai..." I turned around the moment I felt her presence & saw her descending down the stairs wearing a pink shimmer saree which was paired with the same color sleeveless blouse. The long diamond earrings that adorned her ears shone brightly under the lights.

I just couldn't move my gaze away from her. She stood right in front of me enjoying my speechless state. She closed my open mouth & whispered, "Mood band kariye Mr. Maheshwari, warna makkhi ghoos jaayegi andar." My trance broke & without resisting anymore, I pulled her in a warm hug. She too melted in my arms & teased, "Ab late nahi ho raha Sameer?"

I whispered in her ear, "Naina... agar aaj party nahi hoti aur hamara wahaan jaana important na hota toh sach keh raha hun, main abhi tumse shaadi kar leta. Ab aur tumse durr nahi raha jaata Naina... main uss din ka intezaar kar raha hun ki kab tum meri dulhan bannkar mere saath apni poori zindagi guzaarogi, mere paas rahogi hamesha."

She smiled, "Main jaanti hun Sameer ki tum kya feel kar rahe ho aur main bhi uss din ka besabri se intezaar kar rahi hun, jab se main hamesha tumhare saath rahungi." I held her face in my palms & asked, "Ab bhi time hai, soch lo Naina... Kya tumhe meri baahon mein yeh umarqaid ki sazaa manzoor hai, kyunki main tumhe shaadi ke baad ek pal bhi khudse durr nahi jaane dunga?"

She kissed my palm, "Main khud tumhari baahon mein umarqaid rehna chaahti hun Sameer." I looked at her pink luscious lips & somehow resisted the urge to kiss her. Calming myself, I whispered, "I love you Naina..." "I love you too Sameer...", saying that, she hugged me again.

"Mr Maheshwari... Aaj aap bhi iss black suit mein bohot handsome lag rahe hai." I blushed under her gaze & replied, "Aap bhi kuch kam nahi lag rahi honewaali Mrs Maheshwari." She punched me lightly on my chest & spoke, "Ab chalein... Sab hamara party mein intezaar kar rahe honge."

We both left the house hand in hand with a smile plastered on her happy faces to complete our mission tonight of exposing Mr Kartik Singhania & the person who was helping him & cheating out company...

How was the update???

The super six know who the culprit is & are now on their way to punish them?

Will they succeed in doing that?

Will everything go as per Sameer's plan?

And who was the one how helped Sameer in finding out the culprit? Any guesses???

With Lots of Love,

Daksha...❤