Siddharth

"Pass me that paratha." My mind was hacked. I couldn't stop thinking about those files and the numbers in it. I was confused for the most time but if my studies were worth it and that time when I spent with my books and projects was worth it, then something was seriously going wrong inside the market.

As I was lost in my thoughts, I felt a nudge on my shoulder. "Are you dead or what?"

Sometimes when I see Ankit, I feel like smacking him up but then, I eventually put down that imaginary gun in my head and calm down. "No, but I feel like dead."

"Stop talking about death and all in the morning. It's a bad omen." Dad spoke, going back to reading his newspaper.

"Why? Did you mess up something in the market?" Gourabh asked. Well, something was going truly wrong with the market but it's not because of me.

"No, nothing like that."

I quietly stuff the food in my mouth, avoiding speaking it out until I try and get some clues on what is the actual deal with those numbers. No matter how much I looked at it, all I could sense was a scam.

After finishing up early, I took the files in a bag when my dad noticed it. "What are those files?"

I don't know why I felt like a thief as I was packing it inside a bag. Soon, my nerves calmed down as I quickly said, "Those are some regular account files for the market."

"So you asked for them? The executives were going crazy for some reason. You know, they regulate those files so, maybe they didn't expect anyone to ask for them," my dad spoke as he pulled out his phone after finishing the hearty meal. "When you are done looking at them, send them back."

I nod with respect before sprinting away. I really have no idea why I get so nervous. Lately, I feel as if I am getting more and more scared of him. Maybe, it's my lies weighing on me or just the years and years of going unnoticed.

Whatever it was, it doesn't matter now. I have a bigger thing to deal with at this point. All I felt was the weight of it. Maybe, I should get a rickshaw to work today.

As soon as I went inside the market, I saw Abhiraj chilling with some of the employees, casually talking about their work experience and marriage life. At the moment, I could only close my eyes for a bit and pull him away from them in the most respectful way possible.

"What the fuck, dude? I was talking with them."

"Tell me. What was that?"

His face twitched as he looked questionably at me. "What are you on about?"

"The files you brought to me yesterday."

He lets a look of realization and leans against the table in his cabin. "Did you not get it? There is some kind of money embezzlement."

"But how? I mean, who?" I didn't want to believe it but now the truth was dawning on me. There is a money fraud going on, by using the Pegasus Plaza. "That must mean the people who were running the accounts of this market know about it."

Abhiraj nodded as he was now almost lying down on his table. "Yeah, just go to sleep," I said, shaking my head as he sat up.

"Hey, I think it's someone from your headquarters. When I asked for the file, it took the manager some time to bring it here."

Do my brothers know about this? I can't help but think about that. Wouldn't they have told me if they knew? "Why did you ask for the accounts anyway?"

"The manager asked me, what would I need to begin work? So, I asked the only thing I remembered from college. That time, I wanted to catch fraud in the act. I was so scared that I would lose my money through fraud. That's the most idiotic way to lose money."

He was dreaming in some other world but I snapped him out of it. That's when I saw her burning eyes glaring at me from the corner.

★★★

Payal

My sister had her flight early this morning and that didn't hurt much. Of course, she was being paranoid for no reason, pulling on her protective nature in the most non-productive way possible. She can't do much physically if she is boarded on a flight and I accidentally hit my head against a brick or something.

But I guess that's how siblings are. They are the most annoying when they want to be and they are the guardian figure when they choose to be protective.

"Payal, let's go together." I heard Gita's voice coming from behind as I saw her standing alone today, locking up her apartment.

"Where is Tarun today? He is not coming?"

Gita's face flushes as she whispers, "You know, we actually bought a bike and it arrived yesterday. Come here." She pulled me to the balcony and there stood a brand-new black bike as I saw Tarun standing beside it, dusting it delicately after holding up the covers.

"That looks awesome."

"I know right!" She squealed in excitement. "Finally, it's here." She waved at Tarun who was now looking up towards us.

Gita walked ahead of me as we walked down the stairs before she turned to me. "Hey, is everything okay at home? Like, it's okay, I mean, we are kind of close now, right? You can tell if there's an issue."

"Why?" I would lie if I saw I was not caught off guard by her sudden question. It was so sudden that it took me a second to register.

"Just, it seems like your husband doesn't live with you." She bites her lips and continues, "Sorry, I mean I am no one to intervene but..." I could sense she was getting uncomfortable so I thought it was my time to take over the narrative.

"It's okay... I understand. My mother-in-law has been a little sick and she really wanted her son to be by her side so he was staying there. He told me that when his mother feels a little better, he will come." My heart was beating with every word coming out of my mouth. It's as if my life is on line with whatever I was saying.

All I knew was that the 'mother-in-law' excuse won't work for too long. I must do something so they are distracted for a while. Earlier, even yesterday, the old granny asked me about him and now, I really can't go on with this lie anymore.

Gita nods as I quickly take the lead, trying to rush after wishing them congratulations for their bike. "See you later," she screamed from behind as I waved back enthusiastically, leading myself out of it. By the time I stopped running, my heart was almost in my mouth.

Maybe I should start exercising or something. Sweat beads formed over my forehead and I took deep breaths to compensate. Only if I could cut down on my butter and sugar intake.

After declining the 'exercising' idea as fast as the thought came, I walked inside, pulling my collar up straight. I looked around for Siddharth to find him standing close to Abhiraj's cabin, peeking inside.

From yesterday, I couldn't even contact him. Not a message or a call, nothing. Pulling out my phone, I saw the list of messages I sent yesterday and the call I made this morning.

I know he isn't bound to do it when it's not like we are something official but we are still husband and wife in here. Giving a reply to my text wouldn't have hurt him.

What's wrong with you, Payal? Maybe he was just busy. I sighed and shook my head before going back to work.

"Payal, can you take the coffee to sir's cabin? I am looking after this customer," Akshara asked to which I immediately nodded my head in a 'yes'.

That's right, maybe I should talk to him first if he is not doing it. After making two cups of coffee, I entered the cabin to see them both enjoying their talk.

I could feel the rage rising inside me, threatening to explode when I saw Siddharth leisurely standing near the table. "Here is the coffee."

"Payal, why are you-" Siddharth started but I cut him off.

"Abhiraj, I wanted to ask a favor. Can you come to my apartment after work? I mean, they are pestering me about not seeing you at home. So, it will be nice if you can come."

He was hesitating when I heard Siddharth butting in. "Should I go-? What if you run into Tarun?"

I turned away again as I saw him trying to make me look at him. "Abhiraj is my husband for them only except Tarun. Your mother visits there too. It's better for him to come."

I guess, by now, Abhiraj read the room as he nodded. "It's okay. I will go with you."

"Thanks. Don't worry, I will make sure you can escape." I smiled, clearly avoiding Siddharth like a pro as I successfully escaped out of the room. But in all of this, I forgot to bring back the coffee tray.

I slapped my forehead for my carelessness, walking back inside the cabin before someone stopped me. It took some time for me to register that I bumped into a man. I looked up to see Siddharth standing too close for my liking.

The proximity made my face bleed red blush. And I finally was able to take a step away from him. "Are you upset or something?"

I didn't want to admit it but now as he was staring at me, I didn't want to lie. I didn't trust my tongue on this so I took the easy way out by nodding.

"I am sorry."

"Why? You don't even know the reason."

He smiled, making me have this unknown feeling that made my head lighter. "That's why you should tell me."

"That's-" Before I could continue, a loud voice interrupted us. I looked around to see a man just rushing through the door, screaming out Akshara's name out loud enough for the whole market to look in his direction.

Before I could even comprehend what was happening, I saw Akshara rushing over to him, trying to stop him. She tried to pull him outside but instead, he kept repeating,"Why are you not picking up my calls? Are you disrespecting me or something?"

I walked towards her when Siddharth stopped me and went in front of them. "Excuse me. Is something going on here? You can't talk to an employee like this."

"Who the fuck are you to tell me how to talk to my wife?" He raised his hand up as if to smack anyone who raises a voice against him. I felt the anger boiling up inside me seeing this douchebag of a man.

"Such a load of bullshit... Wife or whatever, she is an employee here. How dare you?" My voice raised high up my limit, probably due to my rising temper.

"Why am I getting lectured by this random girl now?" I saw Siddharth signaling me to quiet down as he spoke again. This time, letting his voice slower. "Sir, please calm down... this is a place of business-"

He slapped Siddharth right across his face that made him fall right on the cashier desk near the entrance. Screams of panic aroused as I rushed over to hold him up and even before I could ask him about the cut on his chin, I heard her voice. "Don't create a scene here. Please just go home," Akshara begged.

There were people who were speaking now but they seemed too afraid to confront him directly. "Don't piss me off now. You little-" He raised his hand again but then the moment, he was already down on his fours. I turned to see Siddharth sighing in relief and Abhiraj cheering up as I saw that man from earlier, Siddharth's elder brother.

"Who the hell?" The man who turned to see him standing over him, all decked up in a business suit.

"I didn't sign up for this, early in the morning." He turned towards Akshara and said, "Are you okay? Who is he?"

She looks down in silence. "She is my wife. Why?" That jerk speaks, as he now stands up.

"Wife?" He looks at Akshara who simply nodded a yes in response. "So, why are you bringing your personal stuff during business hours? If your wife wants, we can sue you for this."

"My wife will do... what?" He laughs insanely as if it was cracking him up. I looked at Akshara and walked closer to her. "Akshara, we are here for you. Tell us."

Gourabh and Siddharth, both were holding that jerk so that he couldn't escape as Abhiraj was getting ready to call the police. "I... I don't know," Akshara hesitated, looking torn.

"Well she doesn't necessarily need to make a decision now. We can definitely call the police anyway." Anvish came right then along with Mrs. Agasthi who was flabbergasted at the condition of the market.

As the cops took their time to arrive, the security guard held that guy so that he didn't try escaping. "Thank you customers. Visit again." I heard our manager as he swiftly worked in the cashier and ran over to check their receipts as he looked at Akshara from time to time to check on her. "Are you okay now?"

She nodded slightly as I couldn't help but glare at that jerk who was getting all riled up again for no reason. "Shit! I outta just pull out his tongue," I spat out. He sat back quitely, not even trying to protest anymore.

~•~

Just out of my writing slump. Finally!!

So, belated Merry Christmas to everyone! Hope you enjoyed this Christmas and a great day. Wish the next year is great for you all.

Hope you enjoyed this chapter. So many things were revealed. 

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