Italicized texts are Past of Chandini

***

"Mithu, I am home sweetheart" Pranav announced his arrival to the entire house.

Servants in the living room vacated from there, knowing how romantic their boss can act sometimes. Now that Anu is pregnant, he has become over protective making all of them blush with his sweet antics towards his wife.

"tch tch Pranav how many time I have said you, do all these mushy stuffs inside our bedroom and not in living room in front of our helpers" chided Anu seeing him take her in a hug once she was in his vicinity

"Who are you girlie, to say me not to romance my wife in my living room uh?" he asked her in a bossing tone

"Hmmhmm I am that so called wife of yours. Now go and freshen up" She twisted her mouth and pushed him towards their room

It was after their dinner, inside their room

"Pranav.." she sat beside him

"Hmmm" he hmmed, drowned in his case reports

"Pranavvvv.." this time Anu drawled the v to get the response from him

"Yea Baby" he pushed his work away, took her hands in his and urged her to go ahead

Noticing his undivided attention Anu decided to speak about what was troubling her from the time Chandini left from NEST.

"Didn't you say we can't decide a person character in single day? Even you met Chandini today. Will not she be apt for our Bachu? If not for Bachu , we can hook her up with Adi too" hope twinkled in her eyes

"Mithu it is not we who have to decide dear, our Aju or Adi should be okay to meet this girl and even Chandini should be okay. Why are you getting on the shoes of a cupid now?"

"It is because, I like that girl Pranav. She is ..she is something I cannot describe. She was vulnerable, the first day when I met her. I felt a strong connect towards her. It can be because she is an Orphan just like me. May be because I felt something was wrong with her, may be because I can see her as myself-the one who needed reassurance and abundant love 3 years back. I can give her that, we can give her that, and our family can give her that.I want her to be part of our family." Anu finished looking up into his eyes.

"Mithu, since you have guessed yourself let me share something. As a psychiatrist, I can see she is under depression . I can also say, she is under therapy because she had a control on herself. Raw helplessness coated her face when you introduced me to her, like she is not okay or comfortable with strangers, she felt content on seeing me care towards you. She adores you too much. The 10 minutes I was with her made me to draw a conclusion only till this." Pranav ended with a sigh.

"What can we do Pranav? Shall I ask her about this? May be you can treat her. " helplessness dripped in Anu's words

"Nah Mithu, maybe I could have been wrong, you could have been wrong. There can be something bothering her today, so she would have been distant or upset. If there may be something, we should wait until she discloses herself " Pranav consoled his pregnant wife who was a child herself

***

"Didn't you sleep yet? Now its 8.00 here which means 1:30 in Sydney. What are you doing till now wide awake?" Kavya queried once she lifted the call.

"Oh meri maa, I was waiting for Pradeep to get into his room and sleep so I can talk with you" Vrinda answered with a chuckle thinking of how her Kavya haven't changed yet. Always caring and concerned about her.

"When is that Asshole coming back to Mumbai?" Kavya spoke without care.

"I ensured that he will be lurking around here for another 20 days, which leaves him to be back on Mumbai a day before Chandini's birthday. I'll be coming down before he comes back. Ensure we have everything planned before that." Confidence oozed out of her words.

"That's good. Things are going good here I Pune. Will be back to Mumbai in another week or 10 days. Have to settle few things over there." Kavya's voice matched with Vrinda's tone of confidence.

"Did Chandini..?"

Before Vrinda could complete Kavya interrupted saying "No No she doesn't have a clue. She still thinks I am visiting my parents. Also I am constantly in touch with her, she is doing fine all alone. Now it's time for you, I will update all other things in detail tomorrow, you please go sleep."

"Kavya, it has been almost 6 years, don't you think am punished enough. We don't have an audience now, why don't you address me like before?" her voice whimpered at the end.

"Good night maa. Don't trouble your petty brain, go sleep now" Kavya hung on the call, small smile adorning her lips. After 6 years she felt for first time she is talking to her old maa , the one who always put her desires and wishes in front.

Vrinda hugged the palm size photo of hers and Kavya which was taken years back , her eyes clouded with tears and lips giving away a smile.

***

Vrinda and her bhabhi shared an unique relation, they were more like friends. They became close when Vrinda's husband of a month ditched her for money and left with another woman. From then on all her attention was shifted to business, thanks to her brother who made her stand strong among the other business lords and sharks in the male dominating industry.

Now it was hard for her to digest the fact that her brother and bhabhi are no more. An accident took their life away. She now had responsibility of Chandini and Pradeep. Though she had strong dislike towards Chandini, her brother had taken up the responsibility of her and also she know the pain of an orphaned kid, so whatever it may take she decided to bring up Chandini with all love she could muster upon her. She seems to be distant nowadays, not that she usually speaks well but something is amiss. Vrinda decided to talk to Chandini and let her know that she will be taking care of her here on and not to unnecessarily bother about anything. Shrill ring of her phone disturbed her thoughts.

Seeing just her name on screen made her smile wide, "Good morning Kavya." Vrinda chirped.

"Maa, very good morning. Where are you? Can we meet now?" Kavya sounded full of happiness in her call.

"I am on my way to our legal advisor office Kavya. Anything important? I have a shareholders meeting after this" Vrinda voiced in worry.

"Maa did you forget I have interview today for SSC . I thought I can get your blessings. It is okay maa I can understand you are busy" Kavya voice toned down

"Sorry bachi, I forgot with the happenings around. My blessings are always with you. And I promise I am taking you out tomorrow to celebrate your victory on this interview. God bless " Vrinda knew her daughter well, once she aims on something she will get it for sure.

That confidence of her maa on her always did magic on Kavya, soon she brightened up and hang on the call deciding to meet her maa the next day. Least did she knew that she may not see her maa for a long time by then.

"Have you called for me .You could have discussed whatever it may be when we meet in office today Mr.Roy?" Vrinda questioned their legal advisor once she was inside his cabin.

"Ms.Dhore, this is about your brother's will and so was advised by your brother and bhabhi to be discussed with only you before being publicly declared. When I say only you, it means they never wanted even their own son to be part of this discussion."

Vrindha was taken aback, her brother had left a will was a shock to her and to top it her bhabhi was also with him.. Does this mean they knew they were going to die? Her thoughts were abruptly stopped by the proclamation of their legal advisor.

"Ms.Dhore, a month before Mr.and Mrs.Dhore died, your brother approached me and expressed his view on writing a will. As per his desires I complied and registered his will, before 2 days of their death your Bhabhi accompanied him and handed over a letter to be handed over to you personally if in case they have an unnatural death. They asked to discuss this will only with you. Also they were so specific that they don't want their son to know anything about this will or letter. Today we have a shareholder meeting so I insist we have this discussion before the meeting"

When he completed Vrinda was swamped by million thoughts that none of them made any sense. Before she could read the letter, he disclosed her brother's will. This day was a shocker one for Vrinda because from the time she entered his cabin all she receives was shocking news. Her brother and Bhabhi had transferred all their shares to Chandini, who was some orphan her brother brought home to.

To top this the will stated that "Vrinda Dhore will be guardian for Chandini and all Dhore's property will be under her surveillance until Chandini turns 21.When she turns 21 half of the property will be owned by Chandini and the other will be undertaken by a trust if Chandini remains unmarried until her 21st birthday .If at all Chandini is married then half the property of Dhore's will be owned by Chandini and the rest half by her husband."

Vrinda felt a sudden surge of anger towards the death souls for doing this to her Pradeep. Their Pradeep is 26 now yet they have written all their property onto some orphan. What the hell has gotten into their heads. Mr.Roy can relate to her situation because that is what he felt when Mr.Dhore has instructed to write such a will.

"Ms.Dhore , I understand your anxiety but I advise you to read the letter you have in your hands. Mr.Dhore would not have done anything without a reason. May be you can get your answers from it."

Vrinda opened the letter which her Bhabhi has wrote for her. By the time she read the letter she felt she was pushed into a deep invincible pit. The letter gave out the reason for will, but still all she felt was deceits, lies and injustice.

Second time in a day her ringtone pulled her out of thoughts. This time she was called upon to some hospital citing Chandini had fainted in school. Since she was enrolled as her guardian in their inventory, she was asked better to hurry up.

Her years of experience in the business world taught her to cover up her emotions in a swift and she was back to being the ruthless woman, she was in business world."Mr.Roy call upon shareholders and let them know the meeting is postponed for tomorrow and let Pradeep know his father's will read by today evening in Dhore Mansion. And remember I havent seen you today or we haven't spoken about anything regarding the will." Her business tonne made Mr.Roy to nod his heads

***

Chandini face broke into smile seeing Arjun text her within 15 minutes of her departure. She scrunched her brows thinking he might be in his video-conf and how come he is texting her

"Sorry"-A

"Are you not in your video-conf?"-C

"Yup I am .But you haven't replied for my sorry text."-A

"Its okay Arjun.I understand business meetings are much important"-C

"Where are you? Reached home? " –A

"No I am on the way " –C

"Okay, Reach and text "-A

"Sure Arjun" –C

"Reached Chand ?" –A

"No,struck in traffic.I will text once I reach." –C

"I am sorry for standing up on you today.Pakka promise 2morrow ll make it up to you." –A

"Done then. I will be expecting a special evening plan from you" –C

"Sure thing. Reached ?"-A

"Just now ,entering into my room. Now go back to conference you stupid.TTYL"-C

"Did you have your dinner yet?"-A

"Had dinner?"-A

"Slept?" –A

"Good night Chand " -A

***

A/N:

So how was the update?Good /Bad ?

What do you think about Buaji and Kavya?Why does Kavya call Buaji as maa?Is she Kavya's mother?

What about the will?why does MR.Dhore wrote such a will?What was there in the letter?

How about Chand-Arjun Texting ?

Any guesses Sweets???

Well- Read,vote,share and comment :)

~Rami <3