Guilty

Chapter 17 - Outburst

As Aadhya entered the room, her voice cut through the tension like a knife. "No, don't do that," she declared, her words echoing off the walls, drawing bewildered gazes from the entire family. Aadhya gracefully approached Grandma, touching her feet in a traditional gesture of respect before turning to Adi, her eyes carrying a message of urgency. "Don't pull the news back," she implored him, her tone carrying a weight of seriousness.

Tara's voice rose in disbelief, her words laced with incredulity. "Are you out of your mind? What do you mean by 'don't pull back the story'?" Rana's stern voice chimed in, emphasizing the need for a statement. But before he could finish, Aadhya interjected, her calm demeanor contrasting with the chaos around her. "I agree with you, Bava," she began, her voice steady. "Yes, we have to put out a statement, but..."

Arjun's sudden outburst interrupted her, his anger palpable as he approached Aadhya, his fists clenched in frustration. "Stop it! Enough!" he bellowed, his eyes flashing with intensity. Adi and Rana's simultaneous calls of "Arjun" fell on deaf ears as he continued, his voice drowning out all dissent. "Listen, you don't even know anything. You don't tell us what to do. Keep your opinions to yourself!"

Tara's support for Arjun was evident as she echoed his sentiments, her accusatory gaze fixed on Aadhya. "Why are you guys yelling at Arjun Anna? He's right. Who is she to interfere in our family matters?" Her words were sharp, a clear warning to Aadhya to stay out of their affairs. Adi's attempt to intervene was halted by Aadhya's firm grip, a silent plea for restraint amidst the chaos.

Rana's frustration boiled over as he admonished the squabbling family members, his voice tinged with exasperation. But it was Surekha's voice that finally silenced the room. "Stop it, all of you! Just stop it!" she exclaimed, her words cutting through the tumult. "Our reputation has been tarnished outside, and you people are fighting here. Just stop it."

"ARJUN", her voice sharp as a blade, "how dare you talk to her like that. Apologize to her right away," surekha demanded, her tone commanding and unwavering. But Arjun remained obstinate, refusing to yield to her demands. "Nanamma, please," he retorted, "she is no one. We don't need to pretend anymore. Everyone knows that Annaya is marrying her only because you wanted him to."

Keerthi attempted to intervene, pleading with Arjun to stop, but he brushed her aside. "Aagu vadhina, let me complete please," he insisted, his gaze fixed firmly on his grandmother. "I don't know what you saw in her, but ever since she has come into our lives, nothing has been going well."

Rana's patience wore thin as he reprimanded Arjun, urging Keerthi to take him inside. But Arjun was not finished yet. He approached Adi, his words cutting like a knife through the air. "Anna, why are you doing this to yourself?" he questioned, his voice tinged with accusation. "We all know that you're least interested in this alliance and in her.  All she is doing is causing problems for all of us from the day she walked into our lives. We all know it's a marriage of convenience, vodhu anna."

Before Adi could respond, a loud crack echoed through the room, reverberating off the walls. Arjun recoiled, his hand flying to his cheek where the sting of the slap lingered. Surekha had reached her breaking point, her patience worn thin by Arjun's insolence. "Not a word more, Arjun," she declared, her voice trembling with anger. "We're in this mess today because of you. Don't you dare try to change the topic here."

Arjun and Tara stood in stunned silence, their expressions betraying a mixture of shock and disbelief as Surekha's words cut through the tension in the room. Her voice carried the weight of generations of authority as she continued, her gaze piercing through the chaos to address Arjun.

"Whatever is happening today is because of you," she asserted, her tone unwavering. "Don't you dare blame her. Our family's reputation is in pieces now because of what you did."

Turning on her heel, Surekha directed her final ultimatum towards Rana and Adi, her words carrying a solemn warning. "I don't know what you're going to do, but I want this matter sorted. You have time till the end of the day. If not, be ready for what's going to happen next," she declared before storming out of the room, leaving a heavy silence in her wake.

Keerthi moved to comfort Arjun, but he brushed her off, retreating to his room in a fit of frustration. Rana approached Aadhya, his demeanor apologetic as he spoke. "I'm sorry on their behalf, Aadhya," he offered, his voice filled with regret.

But Aadhya stopped him with a gentle touch on his arm, her eyes reflecting a sense of understanding. "Bava, please don't be sorry," she interjected softly.

Adi stepped forward, his expression earnest as he addressed Aadhya directly. "Aadhya," he began, his voice tinged with urgency. "Mr. Rathore, hear me out once. Don't pull back the news. It'll make us look more guilty. Don't do that."

"I know I'm prying too much into your internal family matters," Aadhya began, her tone reflective yet earnest. "But I work in PR for a living. This family has done a lot for me. Please, let me help you out with this."

As she spoke, Rana's gaze shifted between Adi and Aadhya, silently seeking their approval. Adi responded with a reassuring nod, a silent acknowledgment of trust and solidarity. Encouraged by Adi's gesture, Rana continued, his voice gaining confidence. "Okay," he concluded, his tone decisive.

"Okay, what do you have in mind?" Adi inquired, his curiosity piqued by Aadhya's proposal.

Aadhya's gaze was focused, her determination evident in every word she spoke. "Firstly, we need to get the footage from the place where the party happened last night," she suggested, her voice filled with purpose.

Rana, ever the problem-solver, nodded in agreement. "That can be done. I'll put someone right onto that," he assured them, his confidence unwavering.

Turning her attention back to Adi, Aadhya outlined her plan. "I need your PR team," she stated firmly, her eyes meeting his with unwavering resolve.

Adi wasted no time in agreeing. "I'll inform Priya," he responded promptly, already mentally organizing the necessary steps.

"Okay then," Aadhya acknowledged, her tone decisive. "Freshen up. I'll meet you at your office in an hour." With a nod, Adi acknowledged her instructions, already mentally preparing for the tasks ahead.

As Aadhya made her exit, she swiftly dialed Miheeka, her secretary, instructing her to meet at the Rathore office without delay.