Billionaire's 'lost' wife

Chapter 17- The roundabout strategy

Vit walked out the meeting with a mix of anger, relief and confusion. He was angry because he had never been incompetent in his life, except when it came to Rukma. He had failed to keep his hands off her,  he had failed to get the information out of her and the worst, the worst, he believed was the disaster of behaving like a love-struck teenager. Kissing someone at close quarters (pun intended) was still pardonable but the mad rush to touch her everywhere, the feel and scent of her breasts, the feel of her in his arms was crazy 1000 on a scale of 1 to 10!

He knew that he would now fantasize about her at least 10 times a day. In fact the fantasy rate was much higher, it would creep in whenever he was alone-- in the house, in his room or lunch table. It was not as if conversations were easy. Talking to anyone required him to concentrate and that was becoming a torture especially on a Sunday when everyone was home.

He ran into his room to find some solace alone. He opened his journal and tried to think rationally about the situation.

Question1: Why is she asking for annulment? Is she trying to cast aspersions on his ability to consummate the marriage? (Surely any doubts be removed after the last 'kiss') Or is she playing another game as Yash is guessing?

Question 2: Why is she not tempted by 100 crores? It is not a small amount for her or even her brother's business? Why has she not redrafted the papers?

Question 3: Who is she planning to marry? And why is she is not informing her family? These answers can provide clues to Question 1 and 2.

In his businesslike manner he started to strategize getting his answers. He knew straight approach won't work. He will have to go 'roundabout' to meet his objectives.

Objective 1: He needed answers from Rukma and the last two meetings had been an utter failure.

Objective 2: Don't meet Rukma at university and don't meet her at her home either

Objective 3: Try the Chetan route and see if he is able to find some information

Objective 4: Param will try the Vanya route to information, though he remained doubtful of the amount of Param will be able to get

He was back to square one in his quest, and his irritation was growing. He decided to head down to the gym in the basement and work out some his hormones from his system. While no one was using the equipment he could spot a group of his younger cousins and nephews in one of the corners in an animated discussion. Initially, Vit ignored them but when he heard terms like 'phone' 'blocking' 'whatsapp' thrown around, he became interested.

He walked over to the gang and stood in a corner trying to listen in on the discussion. He knew no teenager will easily reveal their discussion to a prying adult. He became a fly on the wall and quickly understood how these someone had used code and tricks to track his girlfriend. In fact when he had tried to spy on her through online subterfuge she had dumped him. He had then updated the magic to send her a heartfelt apology even when she had blocked him. Now that was a magic trick Vit wanted.

His business acumen helped him find the genius cousin who had created the software and he started asking incisive business related questions. Soon, he learnt that the software was good but the functionality was downright illegal. It was useless beyond personal agenda as the functionality violated too many privacy laws.

'This sounds like a promising technology. Can I see a demo.' He threw a lure.

'Sure but till now I have only hacked my girlfriend.' Varun, his geeky cousin responded slowly turning a deep red.

'And he cannot share her account with you.' someone in the group completed the sentence leading to a round of roaring laughter.

Vit decided to smile and let the young people have some fun.

'Hold on, I want to see it on my phone. Let me show you here.'

Varun, his cousin, walked over to him and checked his phone make and software version. He decided the code would need a few tweaks to be useful.

'Hey fellow, give me the code, let me flex my developer skills after so many years. In return you get to take the gang in my Sports car for a ride.' Vit said with a smile.

Celebratory cheer erupted in the gym in response and there was a bit of dancing. Vit added the catch. ' I don't want a single scratch on the car!'

Varun assured, 'Sure bro.'

The moment code was transferred to his phone, Vit ran up the stairs two at a time. He was smiling after a long time and humming a horribly out-of-tune, Rukma here I come, you cannot block me now. He was conscious enough to hum in a low voice though. He had not felt this energized in a long time now. He continued to hum his song for Rukma and fired up his computer. Using all his developer skills he understood the functionality and soon the code helped him route messages to Rukma despite the block on calls and normal chat.

If only he had realized that he was smiling at the computer and now at his phone, much like Param a few days back...........