SANGINI - A NEW BEGINNING! CHAPTER 87

Recap - Maheshwari brothers are missing along with Swara.

Three more hours had passed, it was midnight and there was no new detail about anyone. The situation was getting more tensed. Sujata was crying and so were Ap and Shomi. The men felt helpless as they couldn't do anything. Ragini was feeling the most, most of everything, fear, tension, anxiety. Abhay and Arnav returned. Everyone gathered around them.

Ragini : did you found anything??

Arnav : no. we went to that bar but couldn't find anything.

Abhay : the bartender said that Laksh and Swara were there. They left the bar after fighting. So .....

Everyone showed concerned. There was distress everywhere when they heard police sirens. Ragini's heart skipped a beat as she saw Sanskaar, walking with Kabir's support, all wounded and covered in dirt. A gasp escaped her mouth. Behind came Swara, who was supported by a lady and Laksh and Adarsh on either side of a man. All were hurt, semi-conscious and wounded. They rushed towards them and started asking questions. Ragini cupped Sanskaar's face but he hissed in pain. Ragini started crying seeing him like that.

Arnav, Abhay and Ram helped them to sit and Pooja, Uttara brought water, juice and food for them. Addy ran and hugged Adarsh. Even in pain, he hugged his daughter. She was crying. Pari took her and told her not to cry.

Ap brought Swara's medicines and gave her. Ragini applied medicine on Sanskaar's wounds, Pari on Adarsh's and Ap on Laksh's wound. Shomi cleaned Swara's face with a wet wipe. The men talked to the inspector who came with them. All four of them were in semi-conscious state.

Dp : Inspector Sahab, what is all this? What happened? And where did you find them?

Ram : who did this to them?

They started pouring questions on them. Ragini looked at the man and woman who brought them here. She stood up and went towards them.

Ragini : you.. you are Mona Di, right? And he's your husband?

The woman nodded.

Sujata : Ragini, how do you know her?

Ragini : Mom, she's Sanskaar's Kaka's daughter. And he's her husband. But Di, when did you come and what's all this?

Pooja : Mona Di, do you know who did this?

Mona : yes, I know.

Rp : what is going on here? Who did this with our kids?

Mona : I'll tell you everything. And I'm so sorry that Sanskaar got involved in this. This had nothing to do with you or your family.

Ap : what do you mean?

Mona : My taya ji, Prem Kapoor and his daughter, Aashita Kapoor are behind all this.

Dp : prem Kapoor? You mean the industrialist who lost everything in gambling?

Mona : yes.

Ishaan ( Mona's husband ) : yes, he's the same person. A few decades back when Mona's dad had established his business and was reaching new heights his elder brother Prem was losing everything in gambling. His greed and lust had taken everything from him.

Ap : but how do you know him, Dp ji?

Rp : Bhabhi, when Prem's company was falling apart his clients shifted to us and many more companies for their work. Prem couldn't handle it and that's why he used dirty tricks to get back at the companies who took over his clients.

Mona : he was trying hard to get back in business but couldn't because his market value was in losses. He tried with my Dad but he refused because he knew he'll destroy his business as well.

Ishaan : and that's when his daughter stepped in. She used to use young male members of their family to lure them and make them fall in love with her and then make them do what she wants in the name of love.

Everyone was shocked hearing all this.

Mona : and one such person, who fell in her trap was Kabir.

Ragini and Pooja were baffled hearing this. They always thought that he was rude, akdu and egoistic but never even dreamt that he could have gone through this much. Ragini looked at him with an apologetic eye.

Ishaan : yes, Kabir's dad also took some of his clients and when Prem couldn't deal with him in professional manner, he used his daughter to get to him. Kabir had just returned from Canada to help his Dad therefore he had no idea about all this.

Mona : when his Dad got to know what had happened, how he lost his company he couldn't take it and passed away due to heart attack. Kabir was determined to find out what was this all about he met my father and myself.

Kabir : Amar Sir, gave me a new life just like he gave Sanskaar Sir a new life. He felt guilty about whatever happened with me and therefore he offered me a job. Along with that, I used to keep track on Aashita so that I could stop her from destroying more lives.

Ishaan : he only called us and informed that Aashita has entered your lives. We were scared that maybe you guys are her next target. And we were right. To get back at you guys ( he points towards Maheshwari's ) she used Laksh and her Dad used Adarsh. Earlier their plan was to alure Adarsh with Aashita but later they changed their plans when Adarsh didn't bat an eye. And to get back his brother's business he attacked Sanskaar.

There was pin drop silence for a moment. No one had words to describe what they were feeling hearing all this.

Dp : yes, I got a similar tip but the girl's name was Kavi...Kavita.... She...

Mona : no uncle. Kavita was just a pawn.

Pooja : what do you mean Di? Did kavi di knew about all this?

Pooja was shaken from inside. Abhay held her hand.

Mona : yes, Pooja. But she was obviously, not involved in all this. She just overheard Aashita and Taya ji talking and threatened to expose them. Uncle, she only called you to tell you and alert you about all the scheming happening.

Dp : but I never met her beta... and before her call I was already told that Kavita is the one who was planning all this and is a...a ....

Pooja : Gold digger....

She said with a lump in her throat. A tear escaped her eye. Everyone looks on confused and shocked.

Ishaan : Prem gave you that tip after Kavita confronted him because he knew she'll try to contact you. And you never met her because..... because Aashita killed her.

Everyone gasped. Pooja felt weak in her knees and was about to fall but Abhay held her protectively in his arms. Ragini tried to comfort her.

Ishaan : it's true. They made her believe her plan was working but when she reached Kolkata, they killed her there and then they started spreading rumours around Sanskaar that Dp has killed her so that their differences don't end. It was all part of their plan. Because Maheshwari Industries acquired a major part of their company that's why they were their main target.

Shock was an understatement for what everyone was feeling right now.

Inspector : he's saying the truth. We have recorded their confession.

No one knew how to react. It was just too much information to handle. There was guilt, sadness, helplessness, everything. Pooja couldn't believe that her sister was killed because she wanted to save her friend's family. she cries uncontrollably.

Abhay and Ragini tries to calm her down and supports her. Pooja looked at unconscious Sanskaar and Adarsh. She gathered herself and stood up. She wanted to know everything.

*********

Pooja : Kabir Sir, how did you know that, that girl has entered our lives.

Kabir : Remember when I came to your cabin that day and Ragini was showing you her engagement pictures. I saw her there in the group photograph.

Everyone was confused as to whom he was talking about?

Rp : but we don't know her so how could she even come at the party?

Ishaan : you mean you seriously don't know how she looks like and who she is?

Everyone nodded no. ishaan took out his phone and showed them the picture. This came as another strike.

Shomi : but she....she's Swara's school friend, Aashita Roy... how is this possible?

Mona : it is possible. Aashita lived with her mother, in Kolkata. Her parents were separated and that's why she used her mother's surname. And like her father, she too was filled with greed therefore she left her mother and moved with her dad.

Strike 2.

Sanskaar, Laksh, Aadarsh and Swara gained consciousness. Ragini supported Sanskaar and made him sit comfortably. He looked up and sighed in relief seeing her as if he met himself again. His eyes turned glassy. Ragini nods no and brushes his hair. She kissed him on the forehead before asking him about his health.

Ragini : sansku, are you fine? Is it paining?

Sanskaar nods in affirmative. Ragini feels his pain.

Ragini : Swara, are you fine? Eat something you must be exhausted.

Swara : I'm... I'm sorry Ragini.

Tears automatically flows through her eyes. Ragini hugs her.

Ragini : it's not your fault, Swara. How could you know?

Laksh : but I knew.....

Everyone gives a surprised look to him.

Sujata : what are you saying, chore?

Laksh : I realised this much later but it was me who was giving her the details of Sanskaar's marriage so she could scare Ragini. I'm so sorry.

Ap : but why would you do that, beta?
Everyone questioned him.

Laksh : I had no idea who she was when I first met her. I met her when we were in Jaipur. I was angry at Swara and also tired of her. ( Swara closed her eyes in pain. Everyone looked on, confused and sad ) She was not the person I had married. I know I shouldn't say this but Swara was now all about family, traditions and all. I loved and married Shona not Swara. And to top it, she did that thing with Sanskaar. I was so fed up of her and that's when I met Aashita. She gave me warmth and comfort which Swara couldn't and that's why I started meeting her regularly.

Shomi : and that's why you were behaving differently around Swara and were ignoring her. I can't believe this.

Laksh : I'm sorry, Ma. I told her everything about our family. She obviously knew who I was, but she had no idea that Swara was my wife. And that gave her a free pass to enter our house openly. And when I saw her at engagement, I was shocked and afraid that she might tell Swara everything. But she didn't. I didn't want to continue with her so one day I went to finish things but she drugged me. She gave me drugs every other day and controlled my mind. I only used to do things which she told.

I heard them talking, Ragini and Swara, about these messages and how Ragini had a doubt on me. But Swara didn't believed her.
It was me who told Aashita what Ragini had done to break my marriage with Swara which she used to scare Ragini and divert her doubt from me to Swara. But Swara....

Swara : But I caught you. I saw him outside Ragini's room in the morning. He was nervous and then he left after lying to me. That's when I followed him.

< FLASHBACK >

At the bar, Swara stops Laksh before he could exit the bar. She slapped him hard twice and then threw a glass of water on his face to bring him back to reality. Laksh was shocked seeing his state and his surroundings.

Laksh : Swara, what are we doing here?

Swara : you tell me? What's going on? Why are you here?

Laksh tried to remember but couldn't recall anything. Swara tried to pressurize him because of which he bursted out.

Laksh : shut up, Swara. Just shut up. Stop controlling me. This is the reason I went away from you. You don't even let me breathe, damn it.

He shouted and left the bar. Swara followed her. She kept her mobile in her pants as her hands were all wet.

< FLASHBACK ENDS >

Swara : before we could talk any further some goons came and kidnapped us. They hit Laksh on his head and he fainted there itself. But luckily they didn't do anything with me because apparently their boss told them that I was pregnant and nothing should happen to me. And that was their biggest mistake.

Kabir : yes. When Pooja gave me everyone's numbers I tried to track their location using social media apps. I messaged everyone to see if anyone responds.

Swara : my phone was with me and was continuously vibrating. I took out the phone and saw his messages.

The message - I know you need my help. I'm Sanskaar's friend. Send me your location or any clue. I'll be there. Let me help you. Your family is in danger.

Swara : my phone's battery was running out so I quickly sent my location to him before my phone died. The goon saw me using the phone and snatched it. He hit my head at the window after which I fell unconscious.

The parents were in shock hearing what all happened with their kids in just few hours. Sanskaar's and Adarsh's side of story was yet to be heard but everyone was just so terrified to even imagine what would have happened with them because they were in the most vulnerable and terrible state.

Laksh : I'm really sorry everyone. I know I'm the reason that Aashita came in direct contact with us and played with our lives. Swara, please forgive me.

Everyone feels bad for them. Swara cries. Ragini hugs her. Ap sees Adarsh waking up and gaining back his strength. She immediately moves to her son and caresses his hair. Adarsh sighs.

Dp : Adarsh, what happened with you"? and how did you land up with Prem?

Adarsh ( takes a long breath and then sighs ) : Papa, I'm sorry I didn't told you or chachu about this earlier. I really thought I could handle it but I had no idea that Prem will fall so low just to take revenge from us.

Rp : but why were you even in touch with him?

Adarsh : I was not, chachu. He was trying to reach me from last year but I never gave him any head. But then he went to our family, Addy and I couldn't bear that.
Pari : what do you mean?

Adarsh : one day, he sent me a video of Addy going to school and then leaving the school in the afternoon. He was following her and he threatened me that he'll kidnap her if I didn't met him.

This came as another bow for the family.

Sujata : that's why you always insisted of someone being with her every time.
Adarsh nodded.

Adarsh : I met him after that. He wanted to buy our shares and our company along with his previous clients. I told him to get that in his own way but he wanted everything in silver platter. I couldn't stop him anymore. He went behind Pari, Uttara and then after Ma and Chachi. I couldn't take any risk so I sold my shares to him.

Rp : what??

Adarsh : yes, I'm really sorry Chachu, Papa.... I know it was all your hardwork, all your money but I didn't had any option. I tried to get police's help but the DCP was already in his pocket so that path was also closed.

Dp : why didn't you told us beta? We would have thought something.

Rp : but why did you went to meet him today?

Adarsh : he called me in the afternoon. He knew where the wedding was, ( everyone looked at Laksh who bowed down his head in shame ) so he again blackmailed me to meet him. And when I went there, he had everything ready. He wanted me to transfer 51% shares of the industries to him so that he would be in the power. I tried to explain him that it was not in my hands but his dumb head didn't got that. His goons started beating me... he said if I didn't do it, he'll kill Laksh and Swara. He showed me their videos of being tied up and unconscious. I had no idea what was happening. I thought he was bluffing so I tried to call them but he tried to strangulate me and....

His wounds told the rest of the story. His head, face and legs were severely injured. Ap and Pari cries hearing his side of story. How he was handling all the problems alone and not even once he let that come on his face or reach them.

Sanskaar looks at Adarsh. His one eye was swollen. He keeps one hand on his shoulder.

Sanskaar : Bhai... you did so much and you took it all.

Adarssh : that's what we do, Sanky.. right?
Ragini : means??

Sanskaar : like bhai, I was also called in the name of family. I got a call from an unknown no., from a girl and she said that she has information on Kavita's murder and Adarsh bhai was behind it. Obviously, I refused to believe but she said she has hardcore proofs and she'll give me if I meet her alone. She sent me a picture of Kavita where she was on gun point. I tried to call Bhai and searched him but I couldn't find him. There was time for the wedding so I went to see her.

Ragini : but why didn't you said something ?

Sanskaar : what could I have said? And she was accusing bhai and I couldn't just say something.

Everyone sighs.

Sanskaar : as soon as I reached there, I saw Aashita. First I thought it was some prank which swara was playing with her friend. But then.....

The episode ends at Sanskaar's bruised face.

<FLASHBACK>