CHECKMATE

Chapter 10

Pratap stood in the shower allowing the water to wash over his guilt. The whole night had been a tussle between his logical mind and emotionally overwhelmed heart. He couldn't believe he could speak like that to a girl from whom he had sourced his happiness from.

"Oh Urmika," he sighed, leaning a palm against the tiled wall of the shower cabinet. "How I wish I could erase those moments with you and trust Anjali. I've never found her to be vain and selfish. She isn't the aristocratic girl I tend to hate..."

You can't trust them Pratap, screamed his mind.

"How dare she call me Mr. Sisodya." Groaned Pratap still under the warm water of the shower.

You deserved it, said his heart, why were you so rude to her?

"I'm going insane..." Said Pratap aloud turning off the shower. 

Grabbing his towel he tied it around his waist and ran his fingers through his wet silky hair. Stepping out of the shower he grabbed his phone and punching a number spoke into it.

"They are ready sir," replied a man from the other end. "I've sent it by post, you should receive it by sundown."
"Good, thanks," sighed Pratap and cut the call.

He sat down with a coffee mug, sinking on the sofa and loathing his words.

~

"CM Mukesh Chauhan is arrested  allegedly charged for rape of a minor girl in Deengarh of Hanumanghar district. Close sources claim that the girl was abducted from her home late in the evening while her parents claim to be asleep and not heard their girl scream."

The news was deafening to Shivendra's ears. How on Earth could the CM who minimised rapes in the state do this?

"He even has a bloody grown up daughter." Spat Shivendra muting the TV.
"You can't predict them," smirked Kavish, "it's sun when they enjoy power and dusk when they bring shame."

Shivendra looked at his uncle puzzled at what he had just said.

Before Shivendra could open his mouth to ask what he meant, Kavish interjected saying, "What I mean is...all politicians are like chameleons who change colour. They are unpredictable and you never know what's going on in their minds."
"But don't you think it is impossible for a man who has enforced serious penalty for such a heinous crime would do the same to a minor?" Asked Shivendra sceptically.
"You are too naive," said Kavish sitting beside his nephew. "Why do you think your cousins are loved over you? The only reason is that they know how to change their colour based on whom they are interacting with."
"Changing colour and playing with emotions is something I just can't do." Said Shivendra firmly. "I'd rather be straightforward and be termed evil than play innocent and have a wicked heart. I wonder how people can go on face value of people." Saying this he left the room, leaving his uncle smirking to himself.

Your straightforwardness is due to doom you my dear nephew, thought Kavish. Now off to Jaswanth....

~
"

I believe it's high time you resign," began Vikram in a firm voice.

Jaswanth looked at his uncle with passiveness across his face. His wife was equally bewildered.

"What do you mean uncle?" she asked silently. "I'm sure my husband hasn't done anything wrong."

Vikram stood silently, his hands behind his back, with a grim look on his face he said, "He hasn't done anything wrong, but the business belonged to Darshit and will hence go to his oldest son Vinayak."

A wave of shock paralyzed Jaswanth, he didn't move nor flinch, all he did was stare at his uncle aghast at his words. Kalyani on the other hand flew into a towering rage.

"My husband shed his blood and sweat to make your bankrupt company stand where it is today not to give to the son of an incompetent father." She spat venomously at the man in front of her.

Though he was agitated by her words, he maintained his composure saying, "I don't deny that your husband hasn't done anything for the company, he has done lots despite his condition." He paused for a breath judging Kalyani's reaction, but she continued seething in rage. He decided to continue what he had to speak. "I appointed Jaswanth the CEO only as long as Vinayak doesn't come of age. Since he has, Jaswanth must rightfully return the business back to the befitting heir."

Kalyani inhaled sharply saying, "My husband won't give anything to those useless grandsons of yours."
"Do not interfere," said Jaswanth, regaining his voice as he stared into his wife's enraged eyes.

She stood appalled and annoyed by her husband's forbearance towards this injustice done to him some childhood.

"If you do not consider my son worthy of handling the company then I'd might as well make Vinayak the CEO of the company as per your wishes.
"It's a wise decision," saying this Vikram walked out closing the door behind him.

Kalyani glared at her husband asking, "How could you do this? Do you not have respect for your own work? Forget yourself, do you not respect our son?"
"I do Kalyani," he replied holding his wife's cold hands in his warm palms. Squeezing it a little he said, "Don't worry, Shiv will be CEO of the company."

The assurance served no good for Kalyani who wished Vikram himself was dead. It wasn't fare on his part to give away the business to Vinayak just because his father was the rightful CEO.

Before she left the room she looked at her husband saying, "It's an attained position, it's no hierarchical chain leading to the position of the CEO. I hope you realize what you've done by saying yes to your most generous uncle."

~

Kavish stomped his feet in rage as soon as he heard it. He had come to see Jaswanth regarding Shivendra's position of CEO but remained a spectator to this turn of events.

How could he let himself be beaten in his own game? He had to think of something quick, he had to split the family in two as soon as he could.

Running a hand over his salt and pepper beard he smirked to himself.

See how I defeat you in your own game Vikram. You began this, but I shall end it...in Kavish style...thought the man and made his way to Shivendra's chamber.