Khushi's Web

Chapter 7

Ahir and Neil were sitting in the office drinking coffee and brainstorming after a brief interrogation of Sheetal. She had refused to talk demanding her lawyer when the questions had become difficult to answer.

'So, its confirmed Sheetal knew ASR's Ex, Lavanya.'

'They are all his Ex's, maybe they decided to form an EX-club.'

'Be serious Ahir.'

'Why, it's the truth. So here is my theory, Lavanya kidnapped the newborn of ASR who was declared still born, passed the child to Sheetal who raised him as her own son for the past six years in the US. Now the question is why did she—no— why did they decide it's the right time to come back? What was their plan, who helped them and Lavanya, what did she stand to benefit from all this?'

'We need to crack Sheetal, for now she is our only hope.'

'Her lawyer is nowhere to be found and ....'

'Wait, Avni is calling.' Neil answered the call. 'Babes did you find anything else?'

'Yes. NK is not linked with Sheetal whatsoever, but Lavanya had an account in the States which has been used by Sheetal all these years.'

'OH, thanks babe.' He dropped the phone and relayed the message to Ahir. 'ASR is coming.'

'And?'

'It's hail Mary.'

Sheetal jumped as Arnav kicked the chair in the interrogation room

'ASR what are you doing? You're scaring me? Did you come to get me out? My lawyer hasn't showed up yet.'

If I were you, I would pray to remain in here Shit-al. Who knows if you go out you might be dead like Lavanya?'

'What, what do you mean?'

'Leave that, by the way, I must take this time to thank you.'

'Really for what ASR? You're confusing me. Can't we talk outside?'

'Nah, it's cool here, its befitting, I should say. Anyway, I want to thank you for bringing my son back to me.'

Sheetal smiled. 'Really, you believe me then?'

'No,' her smile died. 'But I believe he is my son—' he paused for effect. '—with Khushi, my wife and you are going to tell me how the hell he became your son and it better be the truth or I will kill you right here and right now! And Sheetal, you better measure your words because one wrong move...'

'ASR, believe me he is our so...' Sheetal saw stars. She raised her head to see bloody eyes of ASR. Her hand traced where her cheek was still burning from the slap she got.

'I will forgive you this once. I think you have played this role for too long such that you have forgotten the reality so, let's start. How do you Know Lavanya Kashyap? As far as I know you two never met.'

'Through the modelling company I worked for. She used to get some models for you from there.'

'Are you friends?'

'No?''

'No, and yet you had the privilege to use her account in US?'

'ASR, why are you questioning me like I'm a criminal? I'm still waiting for my lawyer and it's my right to have a representation.'

'You know about rights too splendid but guess what, Vikram Singh, your lawyer right, oh I'm so sorry how can I be so forgetful, I met him outside and the moment he laid his eyes on me he took a shot left.'

'What?'

'Uhm, so it means you no longer have a lawyer Shital Kapoor. If you want, I'm sure Neil can organise a public defender for you.'