Shadowed Desires

Chapter 12

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Kritika was at Dev's office for work. She was sitting in one of the cabins where a discussion on election campaign techniques was underway.

One of the men said, “According to some internal information, last time the TMC party bought votes from this area for ₹500 per head. I think they’re easy targets, so we can offer ₹1000 and secure the majority in our favour.”

Kritika interrupted, “This is the worst idea, actually.”

Dev responded, “Politics isn’t as clean as it appears, Kritika. You should understand that.”

Kritika replied, “I know it’s not clean, but we should at least use some common sense before spending crores on something we’re not even guaranteed to win.”

Dev asked, “What do you mean by that?”

Kritika explained, “We’ll offer ₹1000, and someone else will offer ₹2000. They might agree with us while we’re there and change their minds later. There’s no way to confirm whether the vote we bought is actually cast for us. They’ll agree with every party and do whatever they please in the end.”

Dev said, “So you’re saying we should abandon these areas? Just because we shouldn’t spend money there?”

Kritika replied, “Main yeh keh rahi hoon, elections ko election hi rehne do. Isme business na jodo toh achha hai.”
(I’m saying let elections remain elections. Don’t mix business into it.)

Dev countered, “You’re not experienced enough to understand all this.”

Kritika stood her ground, “We should influence them with our ideas, not with money.”

Dev snapped, “I don’t want to lose these elections over some stupid ideas.”

One of the men in the room interjected, “Sir, mujhe lagta hai hume Kritika ma’am ka idea ek baar try karna chahiye. Aur iss baar rules kaafi strict hai. Agar yeh khabar faili ki hum votes kharid rahe hai, toh humara election cancel bhi ho sakta hai.”
(Sir, I think we should try Kritika ma’am’s idea at least once. This time, the rules are quite strict. If the news spreads that we’re buying votes, our candidacy could even be cancelled.)

Dev nodded slightly. “For now, the meeting is dismissed. See you all tomorrow. I need 100% effort from everyone. We can’t afford to lose this seat.”

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Time skips…

Kritika had just left the cabin and was walking toward the parking lot. She noticed people glancing at her and whispering. Confused, she looked around, only to see Atharv walking toward her with a bouquet in hand.

As he reached her, he handed her the bouquet. She looked at him in disbelief but accepted it since everyone was watching.

Atharv said, “Why are you looking at me like you don’t love spending time with your spouse? I’m just doing the same. So let us have some space, please.”

The corridor gradually emptied.

Kritika asked, “Yeh tum kya kar rahe ho?”
(What are you doing?)

Atharv replied, “Apni wife ke saath privacy maang raha hoon, uske hi father ke office mein.”
(Asking for privacy with my wife, in her own father’s office.)

Kritika snapped, “Exactly Mr. Shekhawat, I think you’ve left your shame somewhere.”

Atharv chuckled, “Why don’t you join me? We can go find it together.”