Ishqana Dil

Part 49

A/N: I took a break from essay writing and this just happened? And I don't know whether I should be proud or ashamed about the fact that a girl who couldn't learn to write a proper conclusion in twenty years, finished this part under thirty minutes... >.<

"Oh... So this is why... this is why you offered me the promotion?" She blinked as it sank in. "You wanted to tie me down for three years so that I would not be able to leave Banaras or even your company without suffering another great loss... and if I stayed in your company, kept working for you? Then what? Mental torture to force me to leave? Or you would have framed me like you framed my dad? What would you have done, Sir?" He looked down and her own ire rose. "You framed my dad... you made his life so horrible, you pushed him to commit suicide... and you still had the guts to pin those articles about him on the walls of your office and set him as an example of a bad businessman? How could you? Didn't you once feel ashamed?"

"Amu..." She turned to her mother who was staring at her with horror. "You were working... his..."

She nodded stiffly. "Yes, mom. I got a job in this man's company. This is why I got the job, right, Mr Agnihotri? Because I am Rishi Mathur's daughter?" He opened his mouth but she raised her hand to stop him. "You don't have to give any explanations. Everything is very clear. And now, I want you to leave. All of you! You have already caused enough trouble for my sister, as it is. Please. Leave us in peace now."

***

"Amu..." Jazz tugged at her hand lightly and she turned to her. "I am sorry... You were always telling me not to blame dad for our situation but I-"

"No, Jazz! Shh! Don't be silly," she patted her sister's cheeks dry and hugged her tight. "You didn't know, Jassu... That man made everyone believe dad was in the wrong... You have nothing to be sorry about." Swallowing her own tears, she rubbed Jasmine's back and let her cry, but when she looked up, she froze. Mantu had returned. He stood in the doorway, watching her with a perturbed frown. She tried to smile at him to tell him she was okay but it melted away too fast and she lowered her head onto Jazz's shoulder to hide the tears from him.

***

His lips curved into a smile, bringing out a small smile from her little sister as well. She observed him with wonder, not really understanding who he did it all the time. How could he just find the right words to make others feel better? How could he find a way out of every problem? How could he replace tears with smiles so easily?

"Thank you, Mantu," Jazz said and he shook his head, telling her it was absolutely no problem. Amaya smiled herself. God knew what she had done to have him...

"Ab jaao, munh dhokar aao," he smiled. "Abhi bohot saara kaam baaki hai, na? Yeh saari decorations bhi toh hataani hain."

Jazz nodded. "Main abhi aati hoon."

His eyes found her as soon as Jazz turned away, searching her face. She saw that hidden pain again. "Mantu... kuchh hua hai kya?" she whispered as she inched closer to him. He stared at her silently, thoughtfully. Something was up, she realised. But he widened his smile and shook his head.

"Nahin, kuchh bhi toh nahin... Amaya... voh... hum..." His brow furrowed and he sighed. "I know I shouldn't have because... Look, I... I heard everything... Rachitaji aur Devji ke baare mein..."

She shook her head. "Main vaise bhi bata deti na tumhein? You don't have to worry about that."

"Lekin Amaya... This is... this a family matter-"