Ping.

Anupama's phone beeped. Fishing it out of her cloth bag, she looked at it.

2 messages from Anuj Kapadia.

She unlocked her phone and read the messages.

Can you stop by work after school?

The next message right after read: Come around 1. Skip the dance rehearsals today.

Anu paused. Since she'd been selected to lead the school's team at the Modhera Dance Festival, she had never skipped rehearsal. In fact, Anuj himself, on numerous occasions had told her how happy he was that she'd started dancing again. She wondered what could be so urgent that Anuj was asking her to skip rehearsals today.

She texted him back. Can't it wait?

Within a minute he responded: I wouldn't have asked if it could.

She sighed. Picking up her purse, she walked through the long corridors until she stood in front of IX A where Jyotsana Karthik was teaching.

"Jyotsana, I have some urgent work today. Can you please go ahead with the rehearsals without me? I promise I'll make up."

Jyotsana smiled. "It's alright. We'll take care. Don't worry about the rehearsals. All of the choreography is anyway done."

Then as an afterthought, she added: "Who will be picking up Kinjal? She usually leaves with you, right?"

Anupama pondered. And then texted again.

What about Kinjal?

Her phone beeped immediately.

I've told Kaka. He will pick her up at 5 after the rehearsals.

She smiled. Anuj always thought of everything. That's why he was where he was today.

She informed Jyotsana that her Kaka would pick Kinjal up and made her way out.

*****

It was a little past 1. Anupama was waiting for Anuj in his office. And he was nowhere in sight. She made her way to the sofa and sat down, her legs feeling more tired than usual. She decided to stretch them while she waited.

As she sat on the sofa, her legs stretched out like a cat, she blushed. She was in Anuj Kapadia's office lounging brazenly on his sofa. If someone was to walk in and see her like this, they definitely would get the wrong impression.

"Let them think what they want."

Anuj walked into his office and winked at her, and she once again stared at him confused as to how he'd managed to read her thoughts.

Pulling her legs back to the floor and bringing some semblance to her demeanor, Anupama asked: "What was so urgent?"

"This."

He handed her a rather large brown envelope. It was addressed to Anuj.

"I think you've passed me the wrong parcel."

"No, I haven't. Open it."

She did. And out fell the letter Kavya had written to her.

Anupama,

I won't address you as dear, because we frankly never shared a very cordial relationship. I was the reason behind your divorce. And it goes without saying that you're not going to thank me for it.

And while I have no particular affection for you either, we both have a common enemy - Vanraj Shah. You were far too nice to him. The same cannot be expected of me. I have enclosed some very valuable information that you might find both shocking and fascinating. And I'm curious to know what you will do with it.

Whatever you do, I want to wish you the best of luck. People like Vanraj are dime a dozen. People like Anuj are rare. You've found a diamond. Safeguard it.

I won't ask you to take care either, because coming from me, it will sound hollow.

Kavya.

Anu read the letter and reread it and then struggled to pull the rather large pile of papers that had been stuffed into one envelope. She eventually tore the envelope to free the papers allowing them room to breathe.

"What's written in these?" she asked Anuj after staring at them for a while. She couldn't make much sense of them.

"This says that you're legally entitled to half of Vanraj Shah's assets. As per these documents, your current net worth is close to 10 crore rupees."

"10 Crores..???" Anupama stuttered and stammered. Picking up the glass of water laying in front of her, she drank it all in one gulp. She then walked up to Anuj's desk for a refill, to repeat her gulping actions.

She then walked up to Anuj and asks him to pinch her. He obliged.

"Owww," she screamed, rubbing the sore spot on her arm.

"So this is all true."

Anuj looked at her and nodded his head.

"I own 10 crores worth of assets," she mumbled to herself. And then repeated the statement, as if repeating it would somehow help her either accept or reject the fact of the matter. 

She thought of all the times she'd struggled, to rent an apartment, to find a job, to pay bills, to buy groceries - all while she had such a tidy sum in her name. The Shahs had allowed her to live in squalor, and she'd deserved none of it. Did the entire family know about this? 

"I own 10 crores worth of assets," she repeated again, to herself, like a mantra, somehow hoping that the pile of cash would materialize right in front of her on the coffee table if she kept it up. 

"I own 10 crores worth of assets."

Anuj continued to nod.

She went back and sat on the couch, fiddling with the stole of her sari. After what seemed like a few moments, she told Anuj with an air of finality: "I don't want any of it. This money belongs to Vanraj Shah. It is tainted. Nothing good can come of it."

She picked up another glass of water and gulped its contents down. 

Anuj laughed. He expected Anupama to react like this.

"You don't have to take it, Anu," he tells her. She looks at him quizzically.

"You only have to let Vanraj know that should it be required, you can and have the means to take it."

"But why?"

"How many people who're actually afraid of the snake have been bitten by it?"

Anupama shook her head. "Not many."

"And yet we all know that a snake is a dangerous reptile. We know to stay away from it. Right?"

"Yes, what's your point?"

"My point is that Vanraj should be afraid of you. Only then will that family let you live in peace. Otherwise, what started two days back will continue to go on. 

"Vanraj, Baa, Toshu, Pakhi, only know how to take, they don't know how to give. So it is important to let them know that should they cross the proverbial line, it will have serious consequences."

She understood a little. "What do you suggest I do?"

"Call Vanraj and ask for a meeting."

"Where?"

"Here."

"Will you be there with me?"

"If you want."

She smiled at him.

"What's the other thing?"

He looked shocked. "How do you know there was another thing?"

"Even I've begun to understand you a little Mr. Kapadia."

"You're learning fast soon to be Mrs. Kapadia."

At that, she picked up her hand and placed it on her head.

"What are you doing?"

"Touching wood."

"You're head is made of wood?" She nodded and blushed. And his eyes turned a stormy grey.

"My lawyers were here yesterday. They told me that if we waited to adopt Kinjal until we got married, we would have to wait an additional two years. That's how long couples need to stay married before they become eligible for adoption."

"So that means...???"

"But...."

"But???"

"Yes, but if you adopt her on your own, we can fast-track the application to ensure that the adoption process gets completed before our marriage."

"Anuj, we're getting married in 6 weeks."

"I know."

She looked at him. He was powerful and influential. And circumstances like these reminded her of that. But she tended to forget that on a day-to-day basis. Because of his so very down-to-earth and kind nature. How had he managed to stay so humble despite knowing the kind of power he wielded.

"Because I'm Gayatri Kapadia's son."

She shook her head. Although she did freak out from time to time, she was slowly getting used to his mind-reading acumen.

"Go home. I've asked Mohan to take you. I have some work here. I'll be late."

She nodded. Just as she was about to make her way out of his office, he called behind her: "Talk to Kinjal. I want her to know that we're thinking of adopting her. And I want her consent for it."

"Why?"

"Because every human being has a right to decide how they want to lead their life and who they want to be part of it."