"So, after counting the total votes of all the stakeholders and investors, we announce the new chairman of the Maheshwari Incorporation will be Mr. Ram Maheshwari henceforth. He will be responsible for ...." Company secretary announced it during the board meeting.

As Durga Prasad had given away his 8% of shares for his son's help, he had lost the chairman position as per company rules. He gracefully stepped down from the position also resigning from the board of directors panel appointing Ram as his proxy.

When time came to appoint a new chairman, everyone including Durga Prasad proposed Sanskar's name as Ram had correctly guessed it but this time Ram stood up once again for his son. He successfully convinced the board and his elder brother about Sanskar's commitments towards his own company.

At Maheshwari house, the change of head position of the company had brought turbulence. Annapurna being the house lady could not easily accept the change but the current situation had tied her hands. She had to go with the flow, agreeing for every decision her husband was making on the pretext of release of her son. 

Parvati and Shekhar were concerned about the future of their daughter over the latest change. Parvati's logic of 'whoever rules over the business has always a say in the household', had created anxiety in Ragini's mind. Parvati even tried to fill up Ragini's ears to oppose this move of her father in law using her best weapon Annapurna.

But to disappoint Parvati, her grand-daughter's focus was on her husband's bail out. She deprioritised the ownership change, but the fear, jealousy inside her heart and mind for her sister's family had reached to its peak. But this time she chose to step back.

It was a morning, Sanskar was busy on the business call while descending the stairs to join his family for breakfast. His peripheral vision captured another figure in front of him as well descending the stairs. When he slightly raised his eyelashes it captured his younger cousin brother Laksh.

A week back, Laksh was bailed out after two months of struggle and negotiations. Durga Prasad Maheshwari put forward conditions in front of his younger son in exchange of offering his help in bail proceedings.

First and foremost condition was about the Badi Reconstruction Project, Laksh had to sell off the project ownership to another construction company without any returns or objections.

Earlier, Durga Prasad had requested Sanskar to take over the project and complete it under Karma construction's leadership. But to disappoint the head of the house, Sanskar declined it respectfully.

"Bade Papa, relations have already been messed up for a long time... Let's not strain them more. I can help you find a suitable construction company but I won't be involved in this. I am sorry."

Later, with the help of Sanskar, Durga Prasad found out about Synergy Constructions upcoming construction company of Kolkata. After long discussions, the new company started its negotiations with Badi residents. Sanskar was playing behind the curtains for finances, resources as well as legal aid for both the parties. He only took Swara in confidence about his hidden involvement.

Second condition was Laksh was required to confess and narrate true events happened over a course of period by accepting his fraudulent activities in front of SIT individuals. Based on his acceptance, the court granted him bail with a condition he would need to appear in the court for every hearing. Lawyers have confirmed, as Laksh confessed his fraud, he will be convicted in upcoming hearings.

Because of the third condition of his father Laksh lost each and every privilege of being a son of Maheshwari Family. 5% of shares of Maheshwari Companies he had received as his inheritance were taken away from him ultimately resulting in him giving away his position on the board of directors panel.

Durga Prasad did not throw his younger son out of the house as his wife was pregnant with his first child and was due in a few weeks. But, Laksh was asked to work as a labourer in Maheshwari factory to support his living in Maheshwari house. Durga Prasad Maheshwari has ordered the factory supervisor to not give any special treatment to his younger son. 12 hours of rigorous working has started giving the taste of common man's living to the young spoiled brat.

Sanskar saw his brother from top to bottom, he was dressed in navy blue worker's suit ready to go to the factory. Laksh could not match his eyes with his elder cousin, somewhere guilt for his past actions had started eating his soul over the last two months of the period.

"Sanskar, your breakfast is ready." Swara's loud voice from downstairs broke Sanskar's trance. He flinched and without any word moved towards his wife.

Annapurna saw her son, her motherly heart wrenched with pain looking at her son. She was upset with his way of handling his life, his decisions but as always her motherly love overpower her wisdom.

"Come have some breakfast." She called out hurriedly observing her husband's absence at the dining area. Ofcourse, her husband would not appreciate their younger son joining the family. In fact, even after his release on bail, Durga Prasad had not even seen his son's face.

"No, Ma, I will be late." Laksh shook his head in negative. He could not match all the other eyes of his family members.

Yesterday, he was late to his work because of breakfast. The supervisor deducted half of his day's salary plus he was asked to work 2 hours extra. Even today, he was sceptical about his on time joining of the duty. He was accustomed to travelling in lavish cars, but now he had to use public transport for his personal needs.

He passed a glance at his wife whose eyes were fixed on the TV screen before leaving for the day.

Ragini missed to see her husband leaving without breakfast because her mind was captured with the latest new telecasting on the dining area TV. Her heart was thudding with fear, sweat droplets have started gathering on her forehead.

The TV screen was showing the reporter on half of the screen whereas the other half of the screen was showing footage where a few female police were arresting three women covering their faces with black cloth.

"This is an unheard of fraud going on in this city hospital. Police had found out from authenticated sources that the renowned Gynaecologist and Obstetrician Dr. Seema Chowdhary from this hospital was running a scam. This so called doctor with the help of nursing staff used to trap women from rich families who were not able to conceive, this fraud doctor helped them to fake their pregnancies and later on passing orphanage kids or poor family newborns faking delivery procedure keeping their families under the dark. This shameless doctor did not stop after this but they kept on blackmailing these rich family women's to hide their truth." Reporter was reporting the news with added drama.

"Haye Ram, aisa bhi hota hai?" Sujata could not suppress her amazement. Her loud shriek turned all eyes over the TV screen.

"You can see police have arrested three nurses from staff who were helping Doctor Seema. But there is no news about Dr. Seema, she has been absconding for the last two days. Police are trying their best to find her. We as a society should stay together and help the police to find these fraudsters." It was a reporter again but this time each and everyone from the family were looking at the screen which was showing a picture of a middle aged lady dressed in the doctor's apron.

New channel changed the news but the Maheshwari family were still stuck with the discussion of the previous news in disbelief. In their discussion, they all missed the terrified condition of Ragini.

Seeing everyone busy with their discussions, Ragini swiftly got up from her chair and started walking towards stairs with speed.

"Ragini, be careful." Annapurna shouted from the back. " You are in your last month." But her words were completely ignored by her daughter in law. She was running on the stairs typing something on the phone.

"This girl will take my breath away. Please Kanhaji, keep your eyes on her. And give her some sanity." Annapurna left a deep sigh when Ragini reached upstairs.

"Ma, that event planner is here." Parineeta informed her mother in law.

Next day, the Maheshwari family was hosting Ragini's Godh Bharai rasam as she entered her 9th month a few days back. Only close family relatives and friends who were on the invitee list  due to recent chaos happening in the family. The first one on the list was the Gadodia family.

Yes, even Gadodia family have moved out of Maheshwari house a month back and have shifted to Sanskar's apartment in nearby locality after a long debate between Sharmishtha and Shekhar. Sharmishtha gave her final verdict to move out of Maheshwari House along with Ayush. Shekhar had to obey her without any choice. Though they have shifted, Parvati was a daily visitor to Maheshwari house on account of her Laddoo's pregnancy.

It was the day of celebrations, Ragini's Godh Bharai. She was asked to get ready in her room, beauticians surrounded her for makeup and hairdo. But the usual charm, glow over a pregnant lady was totally missing from Ragini's face. She was horrified, she was terror stricken and was continuously busy over her phone. But looked like the person whom she wanted to reach out to was unreachable yet, resulting in her taking out her frustrations over the make-up artists.

"Laddoo, what are you doing? Leave that phone for some time." Parvati forcefully took the phone from her grand-daugther's hands.

"Dadi ma, what are you doing? Give me my phone." Ragini shouted her lungs out, flinching at makeup artists at their place. It was a kind of scene they have witnessed for the first time in their career.

"No means no." Parvati stressed, she turned to makeup artists. "Why are you looking at me like this? Concentrate on your work. My Laaddoo should look like a princess today."

Parvati turned to leave after instructions.

"Dadi ma wait."

But Ragini's words fell on deaf ears. Unwillingly, Ragini sat back on her chair praying to her lord almighty for her fate.

Here in Swara and Sanskar's room, Sanskar entered inside his dressing room to see his beautiful wife dressed in peach coloured lehenga with her martial symbols and kundan jewellery set. But he halted in his pace looking at his wife's actions.

She was looking at her own reflection in the mirror caressing her palm over her flat stomach. There was a serene smile gracing over her lips. This was not the first time he was seeing her like this.

"Sweetheart, what's going on?" without making his presence aware of her, he stood behind her keeping his chin over her shoulder.

"Ahh nothing." Swara tried to cover up with a flushed face.

"You know these days I often dream about one princess. She is so beautiful, cute, with chubby cheeks, and she has wrapped me around her little finger." Sanskar said dreamingly caressing her flat tummy where earlier she had kept her hand.

"When she comes, will you forget me?" Swara asked, pouting her face. "You will only focus on her... will you only pamper her?"

"How can I forget the pure soul which is the reason for my every breath, every heartbeat, every happiness?" He stared at her reflection in the mirror. "You are my world, Swara."

"But I think now we should have a new addition to your world." She clinged herself to his back. "What do you think?"

"Your wish is my command" He kissed her cheeks.

"Really?" She started jumping in her place, turning to face him.

"Yes... but let's take a gynac appointment for a check up." He shifted her hair strand behind her ear staring at her glowing face.

Both came downstairs to see the living hall of the Maheshwari house was buzzing with guests, decorations, music. Swara moved towards the ladies whereas Sanskar moved out towards the lawn. A Seating and refreshment arrangement was made for male members in the lawn area.

Soon the rituals started, Ragini was made to sit on the centre chair and Annapurna started completing Godh Bharai customs as per instructions from Panditji as well as a few old age women.

Swara was standing beside Sujata holding a phone in her hand with a video call to her sister in law. She was curiously asking numerous questions to her mother in law about the rituals and meanings behind them.

At one point of time, Swara imagined herself at Ragini's place and unknowingly her other hand went towards her stomach gracing her lips with a serene smile. Just a thought about her and Sanskar's baby set her heartbeat running with marathon speed which immediately reflected on her flushed, glowy, brightened face.

After Annapurna, Sujata, Sharmishtha, Parvati, Pari performed the ritual, now it was time for Swara. Sujata nudged her, when she saw her daughter in law was busy in her own dreamland.

"It's your turn, Swara."

"Haa?" Swara was clueless for a moment. "Ohh ya."

Sujata could not understand the content feelings over her daughter in law's face. Her experienced eyes did observe light blush and pleasure over Swara's face, and then her eyes landed on Ragini.

Sujata's mind naturally compared both sisters, the one who was on the threshold of stepping into motherhood was pale, irked, apathetic whereas the other was glowing with satisfaction, content with her surroundings and peaceful about her life without any particular reason.

Swara was performing rituals whereas Ragini was shuddering with restlessness.

"Ma how much more time?" Ragini asked the moment Swara completed.

"Laddoo... these all ladies need to perform rituals. You need to take everyone's blessings. My great grandson should get everyone's blessings." Parvati mentioned and Ragini roamed her eyes over the 20 more ladies surrounding her waiting for their turn.

"Where are you going?" Annapurna asked, when Ragini tried to get up after the rituals. She just wanted to escape from the situation.

"There is a small dance and musical performance that has been arranged for you." Annapurna continued.

"Ohh... Ma, I am not feeling well. I am feeling a little suffocated. Can I go to the lawn for just 5 minutes?" Ragini made faces.

"Ohh Kanhaji... come I will come with you. Don't go alone." Annapurna turned concerned. "Do you need anything?"

"No Ma... I am fine. Just five minutes I will go and then come. You stay here, all guests are here . It won't look nice." Ragini convinced her mother in law. She went to the back side of the lawn dialling number over her phone. But the beep sound from the other side again irked her to peak.

"Are you calling me?" Ragini heard a voice from her back.

She turned to see a woman covered in a veil. Woman slowly removed the veil showing her face. But, looking at her face Ragini stumbled down to her place.

"You should be careful Mrs. Maheshwari. You are in your 9th Month." Woman held Ragini's arm to save her from falling.

"What... what ... What are you doing here?" Ragini checked her surroundings. Male members of the family as well as relatives were at safe distant, they were busy in their own world. "How could you come over here?"

"Today, when Maheshwari's are hosting the Godh Bharai Rasam for their beloved daughter in law, how come I can miss it being her doctor?" Woman said with a smirk.

"Listen, just leave from here right now. If anybody sees you it will create a problem for me." Ragini tried to rebuke with gritted teeth.

"I am here for leaving only... just give me 50 lacs and I will be out of your life forever." Woman demanded earning a shriek from Ragini.

"50 lacs? Are you out of your mind?" Ragini started shivering with thoughts.

"Yes.."

"I don't have this much money right now. Just leave right now." Ragini tried to push her.

"If you don't give me money... it will take no time for me to spill your secret in front of your family. And then... they will..."

"Shut up. Don't you dare to say anything to them." Ragini warned.

Meanwhile Laksh and Adarsh's eyes fell on Ragini, they observed her having some conflict with another lady. Both could not see the other lady's face as she was facing her back towards them.

"Ragini, is everything ok?" Laksh asked coming face to face with her. His voice made both the ladies jump in their place.

"Yes... yess. La... Laksh...I am ... I am fine." Ragini replied fumbling but her sweat droplets, her shiverings told an entirely different story to both the brothers.

Woman tried hurriedly to cover her face but before that Laksh had already seen her.

"Dr. Seema. Hi. I'm glad to see you here." His words took away the floor beneath both of their feet. For sure, Laksh had met the doctor couple of times over his accompaniment to his wife over her regular visits to doctor.

"Dr. Seema Chowdhary? The fraudster doctor?" Adarsh could instantly recognise the face he had seen on the TV screen a day before during the breakfast. "We need to call the police, Laksh."

"NOOOOOO" both ladies shouted at the same time earning complete attention from other male members as well.

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