When Amaya meets Atul

A 180 degree turn 😜

In Saharanpur, Manoj was reading the documents with a permanent scowl on his face. Due to immense work in office, he had got some documents about an upcoming construction project at home. Vandana seemed distant these days and her blood pressure was shooting up every now and then which was another concern for Manoj. Since the last month, he had taken her to the doctor thrice and he was worried of more deteriorating health.

He was frustrated at himself for being greedy and ruining the life of his own son. He loathed himself after all, his son was not even talking to him and his wife had lost respect for him. Vandana had not said anything but he could fathom her distant behaviour which was partly due to his deeds and partly due to her illness.

Manoj had decided to call Mr. Manohar Aggarwal and apologize with a hope to rekindle the relationship of their kids but his phone call was never received. He was feeling utterly devastated and helpless when he heard he doorbell.

Wondering who had decided to pay him a visit, he got up to open the door and was shocked to find his neighbour, Sushil Goyal at the door.

Mentally sighing at him, Manoj welcomed him inside the house and exchanged pleasantries. He went to the bedroom where his wife was resting and asked her to prepare the tea and some snacks for the guest. Vandana wanted to throw out Mr. Goyal out of her house, but she lacked courage to oppose her husband. Half-heartedly, the feeble Vandana got up and rushed to the kitchen following her husband's orders.

After small talks, Sushil Goyal spoke, "Manoj ji, I wanted to know when your son is coming here? See, my Riya is growing old and many other alliances are coming up for her. I wanted to know what you think of my daughter."

Manoj was flabbergasted. He wanted to reject his proposal outright but then he realized he ruined his son's life for money so he decided to knock some sense in his neighbour.

"Sushil ji, I understand your concern. We are not interested in this alliance. Riya has just turned eighteen while our son is in his thirties". Manoj announced his decision as his wife got the tray of tea and snacks in the living room. A small smile crept on her lips as she heard her husband's words.

"Manoj ji, I know my daughter is eighteen now. I know what is best for her. Trust me, we have ample offers for her but I preferred your family because I know you are good people and your son is earning well in Delhi. Don't worry, I will fix someone better for my child." Sushil spat annoyingly though he wondered how could someone like Manoj reject his proposal of such a hefty sum.

Sushil whispered, "How about fifty-five lakhs, Manoj ji?" He knew Atul Bansal is a chartered accountant and he also knew how to extract more money after the wedding. Sushil was a renowned builder in the city and his mind worked at lightning speed. He was planning to expand his business in the nearby cities and he was planning to find a chartered accountant for free who would help him with his legal as well as illegal funds for the sake of his daughter.

"Sushil ji, my son has been always against dowry", Manoj tried to reason only to be interrupted by Sushil who said, "Don't tell him then. These talks shall remain between us."

"Sushil ji, my son said Riya is a kid. Please don't lure me into money. I won't fall into our trap again. I don't want any dowry. I just want my son to be happy." Manoj pleaded while Sushil was shocked to see him getting so vulnerable. It had been years, he was friends with Manoj and he had never seen him breaking down in this way.

Sushil asked Manoj, "What happened?" with genuine concerns.

Manoj was into tears after he confided about his mistake of demanding dowry from the family of Amaya Aggarwal, the girl his son loved from the bottom of his heart.