Metaphor ||✔

|21|

"Why are you here?" Annika raised brows looking at her mother's abrupt entry into the bureau.

"Hum ne bulaya. How is she related to you?" Akash asked walking to the table and picking a few files. Anuradha's heart was ramming against her rib cage, she at least wanted to be recognised as Annika's mother. Doubt fully she stared at Annika, waiting for her actions. To see whether she respects or humiliates her in front of all. Truth to be announced, she awaited the rudeness from her.

"She is my mother. And he is my stepfather, though it's kind of messed up." Annika introduced pointing in the direction of Vipul. Both elders had tears with her words, at least she didn't talk sick about them to outsiders. It's was one of Annika's good behaviour, she would never insult even if she has an awful relationship with them.

"Please come." Akash nodded at her words and gestured to come inside. 

"Don't lose your cool." Annika bobbed her head with uncertainty as her mother tapped her shoulder. She felt really good hearing some good words from her mother. She sensed some belongingness.

She shook her head eliminating all negative thoughts swimming in her intellect. Composing herself she walked straight carrying confidence, willpower and maturity with herself. Her eyes wandered from each face. All had a blank expression. Dull and gloomy.

"Gauri didn't you meet your beloved father in law? Look he is waiting for your greetings." Annika taunted Gauri. As a response Gauri only sniffed, wiping her tears helplessly.

"Mrs Oberoi I hope you can taunt later. After, we complete the final process." Arjun spoke intimately. Annika huffed and rolled her eyes hearing his bullshit.

"We found Mr Tej Oberoi in government hospital of Noida. Also, we found that he has an excretion problem and needs an immediate kidney transplant." Mahira Khan added looking at each face. Their faces turned from confused to shock hearing her.

"He needs every month dialysis. And a man was always with him, paying the amount. And the person is none other than Mr Dinesh Bajaj. Mr Oberoi's close friend and also his legal adviser." Akash completed earning various gasps from the audience.

More than everyone, Vipul and Anuradha were shocked to the core. Their eyes wandered all the hall, searching their certain family member. On the other side, Kalyani was devastated hearing his son's condition. She had already lost her younger son and didn't want to lose another. Though he was untrue a mother in her always wished for the wellbeing of her child.

"Mr Oberoi please speak the truth." Arjun nudged Tej, who was sitting in a wheelchair. His lean body, dark circles, swollen feet ascertained that he was unwell.

Suffering to sleep too.

"Tej sach bol. Kyu kiya aisa?" Kalyani's broken voice resonated in his ears. His heart was crushed feeling his mother's helplessness and plight.

"I got to know that all Shakthi's property was willed into his son, and none could change it. Neither Shivaay had to die or he could take the large part industries. Shakthi's share plus his own added to enormous. That day I and Shivaay had a deadly argument." He stopped to check if all were paying attention to his words.

Annika crossed her arms around her chest and smirked looking at horrified faces. Blood from Gauri's face drained off immediately after hearing about the actual truth of her beloved father in law. Omkara had no idea how to respond after the revelation of tangibility.

"That day, I was satisfied after eavesdropping on Shivaay and his wife. They were trying for a child. I was happy when their results came negative." Bhavya gasped. Her eyes drifted to meet Annika's, who reacted the same.