Family (COMPLETED)

Chapter - 24

Nikhil was staring at Bulbul blankly, he didn't know how to tell the truth to his daughter.

Bulbul holds his hand,''bataiye na papa, bhai ne yahan kyun call kiya tha? Kis baare mei bol rahe the wo?'' She asked, constantly looking at him.

''Wo.. Wo..'' Nikhil was tongue tied, he doesn't know what to say.

''Papa, kya hua hai. Bhai ne yahan call kiya, matlab unhe pata hai aap yahan ho?'' Bulbul question. 

She waits for his reply but then jerks him when didn't receive any reply from him,'' boliye toh sahi papa, chup kyun hai aap?'' She jerks him again, his silence was worrying her.

''Haan, usse pata hai main yahan hoon. Aur, issiliye wo gussa hai ki main yahan aaya.'' He replies as his eyes fill with tears.

''Gussa hai par kyun, unko kya problem hai?'' Bulbul question confusedly.

''Kyunki usse lagta hai main kahin tumhe sach na bata doon.'' Nikhil says trying to control his tears from.rolling down his eyes.

Bulbul couldn't understand what he's trying to say,''kaisa sach, aisa kya hai jo aap humse chupa rahe hai papa.'' Bulbul question sharply.

Nikhil stares at her for a few good seconds and says,''yahi ki jo sign meine property ke papers pe kiye the wo galat the. Wo jabardasti saari property apne naam karna chahta tha par meine papers pe signature badal diya.'' Nikhil then told her how his son rake over the business and has destroyed it now. In the name of business he's doing illegal work and now he wants the house and other property to use them for his deals. He also added that after he signed the papers his son threw him out of the house.

Bulbul was left shocked at the revelation, her brother was always a nice guy but how come he turned so bad. 

''Bhai aisa kaise kar sakte hai, wo itna niche gir gaye!'' She couldn't believe what his father just said. She looked at him and found him sobbing by now. 

Bulbul makes him sit and brings water for him, Nikhil takes a few sips. Bulbul holds his hand, she understands what he is going through. He has worked hard for his business and now it's gone that too his own son snatched it from him and established some illegal business. His reputed business is corrupt now.

''Papa aapne humei pehle kyun nahi bataya ye sab, aap chup kyun rahe itne din.'' Bulbul questions as she feels they would have stopped her brother from doing bad if he could have told him earlier.  

''Main kya batata tumhe, main khud bhi anjan tha iss sab se. Kuch din pehle jab main usse bina bataye office gaya tab pata chala wahan kya ho raha hai. Meine usse rokne ki bahut koshish ki lekin wo nahi mana. Aur fir main tumhe ya baki ko call bhi kis muh se karta, meine kabhi kissi pe dhyan nahi diya aur aachanak jab mujh pe musibat aai toh kaise call karta main. Khudki hi nazron mei main gir gaya tha gudiya!'' Nikhil breaks down in tears saying so, Bulbul hugs him and tries to comfort him though it wasn't easy but he has to forget everything now.

Flashback over..

Nikhil sobbed at his destiny, Viren held his hand.

''Aap aisa maat sochiye ki aapka koi nahi hai, main hoon na.. Nikhil looked up at him, Viren flipped his words. I mean, Bulbul aur Anu hai na. Aap akele nahi hai, sab aapke saath hai.'' Viren assures him. 

Nikhil presses Viren's hand,''Thank you so much Viren, tumhari jagah shayad koi aur hota toh mere itne bure bartav ke badh kabhi mujhe apne saath na rakhta lekin tum waise nahi ho. Meri gudiya bahut lucky hai wo usse tum jaisa jeevan saathi mila hai, kash main tumhari ahemiyat pehle samajh pata toh shayad aaj haalat kuch aur hote.'' Nikhil says with some regretment in his voice.