Part 17 Flop over Flop

Arnav understood how talented actor Shyam was. He should be more talented to beat such a cunning snake.

"Akash, do you notice an important point?" Arnav asked.

Shyam raised his head, stopping his acting.

"What Bhai?" Akash asked as he noticed many things.

"The guy didn't try to cover up their cheap act of asking for dowry but admitted it. In addition, he defended Payal even though he had a chance to veil their mistake..."

"He regretted for demanding dowry too, Bhai. That's what I'm also thinking. There is no trace of disappointment in his tone but only repentance. He would not have spoken about apologizing to Payalji if she is wrong"

"Exactly... that's what I want to say. I don't think Payal is a wrongdoer" Arnav said glancing at Shyam from the corner of his eyes.

"Yes, Bhai... something must be wrong," Akash said looking at Shyam.

Anjali noticed it.

"Were you really there when Payal's marriage broke up?" She asked.

Shyam sensed he was completely cornered. He had no chance other than making Payal GOOD. Then only he could escape from this mess. Or else, these guys would find out how criminal he was.

"I went to attend the wedding, Rani Sahiba. When I went to the wedding hall, there was no one in the hall. I asked the people what happened. They said the wedding was called off because the bride had an afire with someone"

"People said and you trusted it?" Anjali questioned with disbelief.

"I tried to talk to the Groom's father but he was not in the mood to talk to anyone as the wedding called off. People started nagging him with a lot of questions. So, he avoided meeting anyone"

"But, without investigating it, how did you conclude that what people said is true?"

"Talking about a girl's character is not a simple thing, that too when her wedding is called off, right? No one dared to do that. That's why I concluded, it must be true"

Cutting him,

"And, you were fully set to stop her wedding again?"

Shyam was stuck.

"It's about Akash's life, Rani Sahiba. If anything goes wrong in the future, won't you guys question me? Won't you get upset for hiding the information from you?"

Anjali looked at Arnav and Akash who were not satisfied with his answer.

"You have not given us information but were adamant about stopping the wedding," Akash said disappointedly.

"When there is an option, why should we take the risk, Akash?"

"There is no OPTION in my wedding. Payalji will be my wife and that's final" Akash left the place.

Arnav was about to follow him, but he stopped and asked Shyam,

"Is this how you handle all your cases?" he mocked.

That one question was enough for Shyam to understand his current condition. It was a great insult anyone could face.

Arnav left the place after throwing a loathful look at Shyam.

Shyam tightened his jaws. These guys were not like before. He didn't know how they started thinking a lot suddenly. Were not they accepted everything told by him closing their eyes? What happened to them? Why did they dig deep instead of saying yes?

Shyam saw Anjali gaping at him.

"I don't know how to make you guys understand..." he said making a face.

"I wish you could make us understand"

Anjali left the room, leaving irritated Shyam.

...........

Arnav came to his room having a mild smile on his face. The mission of bringing Shyam's thievishness into the limelight was successful. It was clear that Akash and Anjali doubted Shyam. From hereafter, Shyam's every word would be questioned. They would think before saying YES.

Arnav got into his room and turned behind hearing a footstep. It was Akash who entered his room.

"Akash...?"

"I need to talk to you, bhai"

"The problem is solved..."

"Payalji's problem might have been solved but don't you see a new problem raised?"

"What problem?"

"I don't know how to say Bhai"

"You can tell me anything."

"I don't know why... my mind is suspecting something"

"What?"

Akash sighed.

"I think Jeejaji is doing something," he said hurriedly.

Arnav smiled inwardly.

"Why are you thinking like that?"

"He said so firmly that he was there at the wedding but after the phone call, he said he just heard someone talking about Payalji. He said he was a family lawyer of the Groom's family but the Groom said he didn't even hear his name. I don't think the groom lied because his voice was steady. There was no disappointment or anger in his tone toward Jeejaji. He spoke so coolly. As Jeejaji said, if they had conflicts, would not he have gotten angry hearing Jeejaji's name? He said he never heard a name before... something is fishy, Bhai"

"I'm also thinking the same... everything between Jeejaji and the guy conflicted"

"Don't mistake me, Bhai. I think we should keep an eye on Jeejai because he unnecessarily lied"

"How could you say it's UNNECESSARY?"

"What do you mean, Bhai?"

"He might have had necessary... or, own benefit..."

"I didn't get you"

"I too am not sure... I just thought because everything is happening for a reason, right?"

Akash became thoughtful.

The duo had no idea Anjali was listening to them from outside. She became restless not because her husband lost their trust. It was because she didn't know what kind of necessary he could have to stop the wedding. She too found many conflicts in his statements. That was the first time, Shyam was doing that. She didn't know why. She left the place with mixed feelings.

.........

Arnav called Khushi to tell her what happened in RM. He knew she would be restless. As he expected, she attended the call in the first ring.

"Hello, Arnavji, what happened?"

"Akash started suspecting him and I saw the trace of doubt in Di's face also"

"Poor she..."

"Mmm"

"She loves him very much. I had seen it on their wedding anniversary. Why did he lie? What does he want?"

"That's what we should find"

"But how? He is doing cheap things, Arnavji"

"Could you do something?"

"Tell me"

"Stop arguing with him for a few days"

"But why?"

"Then only he will open up. He will move his cards casually only if he thinks you guys trust him"

"But, how can I be comfortable with him after knowing that he is a lair? As soon as I see him, I get angry" She pouted.

"Save your anger... you can show it after knowing his intention in the fullest"

"But what if he tries to change our minds just like he did with you?"

"He will definitely do that. He tried to play his card on us then he will try hard on you too"

"Then what will I do?"

"Be calm and handle him smartly... for a few days... until he reveals his real intention"

Khushi sighed.

"Take care... you are MY HOPE"

"Mmm?" she frowned.

"I mean, without you I can do it"

"Mmm... bye"

"Bye," Arnav disconnected the call smiling.

Arnav sat on the recliner and leaned on it.

KHUSHI...! Still, he didn't know anything about her. What he just knew was, she was going to be his wife. He didn't know how he would marry her...! He didn't know why would they be conflicted which made him torture her. Khushi seemed a nice girl. She hated Shyam for his cheap acting. Then, what made him torture her? How did he get the courage to torture a sweet girl? What would have happened in their life? Why did the flashes stop flashing? It would be good if he got to know the reason behind the flashes. Whatever, he would be careful.

Shyam sensed an extreme level of difference in A3. He understood he was on the edge and he could not do anything in RM. So, he should stop his try in RM but GH. He decided as Arnav expected.

The next day

GH

Khushi was standing in front of the mirror, thinking about what Arnav said. She had to pretend to be innocent, in front of Shyam.

"Just looking at him makes me want to punch him in his face... how could I pretend?" She bit her nail.

She remembered what Arnav said.

YOU ARE MY HOPE.

She straightened herself.

"Don't lose your hope Khushi, you are Arnavji's hope. Prove him you deserved to be hoped. If Shyam crosses his limit, then don't think and punch in his face" She punched in the air murmuring.

She heard a chuckle and saw Shyam standing, smiling at her. She managed herself and plastered a smile.

"What happened, Khushiji, you are practicing boxing?"

Khushi said nothing but again smiled.

"Why are you looking tensed?" Shyam intentionally asked to get the matter from Khushi. So that he could play.

Khushi understood that and smirked inwardly.

"Me? No way Shyamji... why would I be tensed? My Jeeji is getting married to a nice person like Akashji. Then why would I be tensed? I'm so relieved and happy" she said not giving the expected answer.

Shyam was disappointed. He thought Khushi would tell him about Arnav's call.

"But, why do I think there was a serious issue and you want to pour heart to someone close to you?"

"Yes, Shamji. You are right. I always want someone to pour my heart but who is TRUE here, tell me...? Everyone is rogue...scoundrel... rascal..." she said gritting her teeth.

"You said you are not tensed...! Then, whom are you scolding?"

Khushi sighed.

"You are a genius. That's why you find out I'm tensed"

Shyam huffed in relief as Khushi came to the point.

"What's the matter Khushiji? Tell me, I will give you a solution"

"Could you?"

"Yeah..."

"My friend loved a man. He proposed to her as a movie hero. She melted for him like anything. But..."

"But?"

"That rogue is a MARRIED man... scoundrel... he hid the truth from her and acted like an unmarried man. How dare he...! Rascal...! I'm searching for him only. If I found him somewhere, I will definitely give him a few slipper shots" Khushi panted hard, biting her jaws.

Shyam was gazing at her horrified. If she got so angry for her friend, what would she do when it came to herself? He gulped down hard.

To be continued...