Dhruv was on his flight back to Mumbai along with Siddhant. They had found enough evidences implicating his parents. Ayaan gave no hint of his plan of action except that he would think it through while he drove.

A couple of hours ago, Siddhant revealed the comprehensive plan Layana Batra had set in motion. To Ayaan, he said, “When Layana realised that Ankush was ready to sacrifice you, her first priority was to save you. She set up the property registration to bring you out of Mumbai without cautioning Ankush. She wanted to leave you at a station where the platform was not too crowded. She found that station and asked you to get down. She alighted at the next station and met Aakriti who was following by car. By the time, Aakriti came back to collect you, you were missing. There was no news until about six months after Layana's death when the station master called. He had received a letter with your description and the orphanage address.”

“He couldn't be brought home due to an ensuing legal battle as Ankush challenged the will. Aakriti found the orphanage and saw Ayaan from far, afraid that if she approached, it might alert Ankush who had kept security spying on her. She waited for the battle to end and Ankush to lose. After five long years, Ankush lost the case. The search for Ayaan Agnihotri began. The search led by a certain Raghav culminated at the orphanage. Following the DNA test, both Ayaan and Raghav entered Mahanidhi.”

Dhruv felt his heart go out to Ayaan. The highlight of the story, according to Dhruv, was the will which ensured Ayaan came back to his family despite the circumstances. But he was left speechless when Ayaan said it was drafted by the same Vipul Gupta who was killed along with his mother. The same Vipul Gupta whose daughter was Ishika Gupta aka Deepshika Verma.

The puzzles made sense to him. The trust Ayaan had on Deepshika was because her father was his rescuer. The harmonica which was the dearest thing to Ayaan belonged to Vipul Gupta.

Siddhant had recommended Vipul to Layana as her second priority was to safeguard Ayaan's future. She set the clause that Ayaan would receive the complete ownership of her estate when he turned 21 but he could only sell or gift it, wholly or in part, only when he turned 30. That explained Chhaya's attempt to take Ayaan's signatures and her conversation at Aashayein regarding the six month deadline. If Ayaan was injured, tortured or passed away in any kind of situation, the properties would be distributed to a list of trustees, who were Layana's loyal aids.

After listening to the entire account, Dhruv couldn't help but agree that Ayaan was indeed Layana Batra's son. However, it pricked him that his parents were criminals. He lived the life Ayaan deserved. Instead, his brother had always appreciated the kindness of Agnihotris to adopt and raise him like their own.

His dilemma gave him a splitting headache. Should he choose Ayaan or his parents? Ayaan would surely punish them for his suffering. Should he warn them of this danger? He took an aspirin as the flight landed in Mumbai airport. He made his decision.

___

“Mom, I have news for you!” Dhruv hugged his mother in greeting. “Deepshika Verma is none other than Ishika Gupta, Vipul Gupta's daughter.”

Chhaya blinked at the name. “Who is Vipul Gupta? Why would she change her name and join us?”

“Aunt.” The one word answered the questions both spoken and unspoken.

Chhaya bit her lower lip for a minute. “Dhruv, I must tell you this now. Otherwise, you might receive twisted versions from elsewhere. Vipul Gupta actually is a murderer. He killed Layana Batra, your Dad's first wife. That house, Aashayein is where they used to live at that time. That's the reason Ankush is adamant on not selling it. He wants to keep it as her memory.”

“Mom, is that all?” When his Mom didn't reply, he added, “You know, the buyer for Aashayein is none other than Mrs Jhanvi Vipul Gupta. We should not sell Aashayein to them. You can stop this, right, Mom?”

“Yes, we certainly will. Listen, I am sure the Guptas are back in our lives for revenge. They have come to destroy our family. Now, I wonder if Aakriti was also manipulated by them. I heard Ayaan used to visit Deepshika often when she was working here. She must be getting closer to him to execute her revenge. Dhruv, you must protect Ayaan and our family.”

Dhruv had decided much earlier that Deepshika was bad news to his brother. “Mom, just tell me what to do. Don't worry, I am always with you.”

___

Jhanvi Gupta entered Mahanidhi for the face off discussion regarding Aashayein sale. Dhruv sat by his mother's side.

Chhaya welcomed the visitor with a taunting monologue. “We were waiting for you. I hear you are buying Aashayein. Do you even have the money or are you taking some loan? If you are taking a loan, I would suggest you don't proceed with the sale. That scrap is not worth it.”

Jhanvi replied with a mocking smile. “Don't you worry about that, Mrs Agnihotri. I know the value of that ‘scrap’. Thank you for your suggestion but you can keep it.”

“Yeah. You must be expecting a good amount of wealth from Layana's will. You have already started spending it, that too where your husband killed his employer for that very money.”

Dhruv reminisced the list of trustees. Sure enough, Vipul Gupta was part of it. Should Ayaan meet an accident, the trustees would receive their respective portions. Deepshika had said ‘it's worth 100-crore in those times’. He had missed the emphasis on its exponential value in present times. Even a piece of it would be no less than lottery for the modest living Guptas.

Jhanvi stood up at the unexpected accusation. “What the hell are you saying? You killed Vipul and Layana. Don't twist the truth!”

Chhaya thrusted a revolver in Dhruv's hand. He raised it and shot her as they had decided before Jhanvi's arrival. The bullet hit her arm. Siddhant chose that moment to make an appearance.

The union strike was escalating with every passing minute so Siddhant, upon Ankush's demand, had requested the Police to provide security at Mahanidhi.

Claiming his actions as a criminal attack, the Police arrested Dhruv. His Mom ordered, called for help and even begged the Police to not take Dhruv away, yet the situation was not in her favor.

Dhruv had to pay the price for listening to his Mom.

###

Finally! Two more chapters 16A and 16B to complete this story. I am so excited to cross that Completed check box for Pursuit.