Chapter 3

“The lawyer found the judge of his life.” --- News Today 

 

“The most eligible bachelor is about to tie the knot.” -- Daily News 

 

“It looks like he is going to win more cases now with his lawyer.” --- India Today and Tomorrow

 

All the front pages of leading newspapers of the country were covered with the news of Suhani and Rajveer's engagement and wedding story. Rajveer was the most eligible bachelor and also a heartthrob for many girls. The dreams of many girls got shattered once his engagement day was announced. At that party a huge number of reporters were present. Being a son of an industrialist Rajveer had his influence and celebrity vibes. On the other hand, Suhani belonged to the famous businessman’s family. Her mother was also a famous violinist who won numerous awards for her beautiful compositions. In a nutshell, they looked like they were made for each other.  

Suhani couldn’t stop herself from dreaming of her wedding. Since her teenage years, she had seen Rajveer. The moment she was told by her father that they were planning their marriage with Rajveer, she couldn’t deny the proposal. After all, somewhere a butterfly had already started dancing in her stomach since she hit her teenage years. During her bar council exams when she used to go to Malhotra Mansion, he used to be there even after a long tiring day to help her with her studies. She couldn’t stop herself from imagining being his wife.  

As the engagement date was already announced she started dreaming about it like crazy. But she was not a person to express everything so easily. Rohini on the other hand was ready to pull her leg at any cost. Since the news came out reporters started calling her now and then. She was asked numerous times about their relationship and everything. As she was not habituated with all such sudden attention, Rohini came forward. She started answering most of the calls and sometimes even with weird answers too.  

Suhani was not an outspoken girl like Rohini. Most of the time during her college days she used to be focused on her studies. Previously that led her to no boyfriend life. But Rajveer seemed like the perfect boyfriend to her. Caring, respectful, and above all charming.  

As the morning papers arrived in the room Suhani blushed to see their pictures together. The most common picture was where Rajveer was standing holding her hands in a dancing pose. Another picture was where he kissed her forehead. When Rohini woke up and saw those newspapers she couldn’t stop herself from irritating her sister. 

“Girl, you got a nice man. I am jealous now.” 

“Really?” Suhani mocked her sister? 

“Kidding honey. I have more choices.” Saying that she winked at her sister.  

As they both came down for breakfast they saw their parents at the table.  

“Good morning.” Greeting them they sat all together to have breakfast. The breakfast table was mostly full of discussion on Suhani’s marriage, the hall booking, and the designer's appointment.  

“Hey dad, don’t panic. You have four months or more in hand.” Rohini said. 

“That’s less. She would be married in Indian style. It’s not the US.” Her father replied with a smile. 

“I will marry a US guy then. I don’t like such long drama.”Rohini pouted while digging her food with a fork. 

“First, find a stable man then think of marriage. I have heard that you are on your 5th break-up.” Rohini’s mother replied with a poke. 

“Mom, it’s not the 5th. Who told you?” Rohini looked like a child in front of her mother. 

“Then?” Her mother asked back. 

“It's the 7th. And it was not my fault. He was boring.” She pouted after speaking up. 

“Girl, grow up. Stop being so immature.” Suhani finally spoke, gulping down her juice. 

“Fine. I would be.” Rohini replied to her sister after hearing her advice. 

As they were discussing something, suddenly Rohini broke the news on the table. 

“Dad, do you know the man who came yesterday to your party with a French-cut beard and brown eyes.” 

“Why? Has anything happened? Should I call for a CCTV check?” Sudhir, her father, asked worriedly. If his daughter has enquired about something then surely it would be some serious case. 

“Nothing dad. Leave it. Mini, stop accusing him. It was my fault. I bumped into him.” Suhani tried to avoid the discussion as she felt strange after colliding with him. It felt like colliding with a destroyer. His actions were more fierce and his gaze was intimidating enough to make anyone suffer. 

“Yeah. But he bullied you.”  

“And you too, Mini.” Suhani glared at her sister. 

“Fine. I am sorry. But I hate that base….  I mean dumb.” Somehow Rohini gulped down her slang before using it in front of her parents. 

“Wow, look Ragini, that’s your daughter who is learning from foreign universities.” 

Sudhir couldn’t stop himself from saying that. 

“Dad, am I only my mom’s daughter? Not yours? By the way, I have seen enough of you using slang.” Rohini’s one sentence and the entire table burst into laughter.  

Suhani felt lucky to have such a happy family.  

“By the way, he might be some businessman or their son. I need to check the guest list if you insist.” Sudhir asked his daughters. 

“No dad, it’s fine,” Suhani replied. She didn’t want to remember his face again. 

Once they all finished their breakfast Sudhir left for his company whereas Ragini decided to look after the arrangements for her daughter’s wedding. Once both the sisters moved towards their bedroom, Suhani started looking for some documents. She needed to study something as she was already registered under the State Bar council. 

Ragini was in the washroom when Suhani found her phone ringing. Looking at the table she thought to wait for Ragini to handle the call as she was frustrated while handling such calls.  

Reluctantly she walked towards the table to grab her phone as Ragini seemed to be in the washroom. Looking at the screen she scrunched her nose and the caller ID seemed unknown. Whether to pick it up or not with such a dilemma she grabbed her phone to press the receive button. Pressing the phone to her ears she spoke. 

“Hello.” 

“Congratulations.” A deep husky voice was heard from the other side. 

“Thank you. Your good name please,” Suhani spoke in her sweet tone as the person on the opposite side seemed bothered to ask any useless questions.  

There was no answer from the other side but immediately the call got disconnected. 

“Hello, hello. Who are you? Can you hear me?” She spoke repeatedly after not getting any answer. Bringing down her phone she looked at the screen. There was no ongoing call. She was thinking to redial the number but was not sure of doing that. The number was unknown and only one word was spoken. 

Who would call her to congratulate them without disclosing his identity? Whoever he would be, he got her contact number from somewhere. Then there was no point in hiding. Then why would someone do such things? 

“Hey. What are you thinking about looking at the screen? Don’t tell me now you are just seeing Rajveer Jiju's photo to smile after missing him.” Ragini coming out from the washroom saw her sister looking at the screen minutely.  

“Mini. It’s not like that. Just received a call.” 

“You could have ignored or given it to me. Was that irritating again?” Rohini seemed concerned.  

“No. He just said ``Congratulations.” Suhani assured her sister not to curse the unknown soul. 

“He who? Who called you? Media?” 

“No. Don’t know. The call got disconnected. He just congratulated me and didn’t utter any more words.” 

“Great. I can see the man has some brains apart from dick.” Rohini laughed, finishing her words. 

“Mini. Language.” 

“Oh, sorry. I mean he has a brain also apart from the penis or male reproductive system or organ.” Mocking her sister she walked towards the bed. 

“You would never learn.” Suhani left the phone and stormed toward her sister with a pillow. 

 

Far away in A Big Mansion

Two men were sitting together and having breakfast. 

“Doesn’t the newspaper have any other news than this bullshit wedding?” One young man of age 29 almost spoke to his father. 

“It's big news indeed. Two major groups are getting involved here. The son of the biggest industrialist is getting married with the daughter of the biggest businessman.” 

In his mind, the young man thought,

“What bullshit.” But he replied by saying, 

“Yeah. Indeed, good news. The lawyer is getting his judge.”  

His mocking tone didn’t go unnoticed by his father. 

“She is a lawyer too. She topped the bar council exam this year.” 

“Topping the exam and winning a case are two different things dad. Remember this.”  

As they both were having breakfast the old man told his son to relax. After a whole 5 years, his son had arrived from Germany. He is a famous businessman too and now his son is here to take up the entire responsibility. Now he could relax. Since his wife died in an accident it was him only who had raised his son all alone. But he would be fully relaxed after seeing his son married and settled.  

“Heard about Kukreja's defeat.” The young man spoke. 

“Yes. After all, Rajveer took the case and worked free of cost. Kukreja tried to bribe him with a good amount but he refused.” 

As his father was explaining to him about Rajveer and his other stuff, another servant came to serve some protein shake to the young man. 

As the servant heard the name Rajveer he spoke without permission. 

“Rajveer Sahab is really good. Even being the highest-paid lawyer he took the case without charging a single penny.”  

As he left the old man started explaining other kinds of stuff and asked him, 

“How would you get the papers done?  I hope things don't turn out like Kukreja.” 

“No way. He was bullshit. I will handle this thing personally. He might not have offered him a better amount that’s why Rajveer refused to be on his side.” 

 

“No son. People say he had never taken any bribe.” 

 

“Come on dad. Everyone has their price. You just need to know what and how much.”  

 

Saying that he moved his fingers over the girl’s lips in that photo printed on the newspaper. 

 

“Rajveer Malhotra and Suhani Rane. In Rane Mansion.”  

A smirk appeared on his face seeing the newspaper heading and their happy faces in the photo. 

 

Surely he had met this girl. She had a unique smell. Even after a short collision, he kept that suit unwashed to capture her fragrance. And her sister, my god. She is just her opposite with a sharp tongue. If her sister is the feisty one then she is just like the timid cat. Everything about her was breathtaking. More precisely her eyes. She had green eyes whereas none of her family members had such eyes. What a combination they made. Rajveer got something beyond expectations for sure. He met numerous girls all around the world but this girl is just something else. A pure delicate spirit. But he was not at all bothered about her as he knew his interest would fade away soon. What was important to him was Rajveer Malhotra. Rest these two extra pieces of shit he would prefer to ignore. He spoke inwardly again.

"It will be a long journey and I wish to enjoy every bit of it."