Chapter 5 - Innocent Love

"Amy, this is the same girl from his portrait." Aryan replied, making everyone shout out in unison, "What!" They turned their heads again in her direction, who was peeking from behind Neel. A small smile tugged at the corner of her lips upon hearing them, but how did he find her picture and from where? She pouted in confusion.

"Shut up!!" Neel shouted in rage, making everyone shudder with his anger. Anna too was frightened; her hold instantly loosened from his shirt. He felt it and looked behind him to see her moving away from him. He didn’t like it a bit that he grabbed her small palms quickly, making her gasp. She looked up, and he gave her an assuring nod. His eyes again softened towards her, making her smile like an innocent child.

"We need to drop her off securely at her home," he ordered, and they all just nodded in silence in agreement.

….

"Where has my daughter gone?" Misha cries, while Savitri was trying to console her. Sanjay called a few of his local men and also the police station to look for Anna. He asked for the area from where the girl came, leaving Anna alone.

Just then they heard the screeching of the vehicle, all rushing out only to see a few groups of guys climbing out of the jeep.

"Neel, dear, what took you so long?" Grandma approaches him, but she halts when she sees a petite figure of a girl appear from behind.

 “Anna…” Misha ran towards her.

“Mamma…” She rushed into her open arms and both cries hugging each other.

“Saw the mother daughter union...?” Aarmaan whispered in their group only to receive Savitri glare. 

They instantly shut their mouths and followed the elders inside.

“Neel, how is Anna with you?” asked Grandma after all settled in the huge hall of mansion.

Seeing his confuse stare, Grandma told him, the one who has come with you is the Anna. His... Granddaughter of Sanjay Malhotra.

Now that he looked at her, she stole her gaze away from him, feeling her cheeks burning.

Neel narrated to her all that happened and how he saved her.

Grandma was surprised as she had not seen his side, and right now she could also see his eyes now and then moving to Anna. She also caught Anna blushing. She drowned in deep thoughts.

Just then Sanjay called Anna, pulling her out of her thoughts. Anna beta, come here; you have to sign some papers.

"Yes, Grandpa..." Anna got up instantly, moving towards him. His lawyer handed her the land document, and she looked at her mother, who nodded in agreement. Sanjay also nodded for her to sign the papers.

And she signed those property papers without giving them a single glance.

Grandma just watched in surprise and said, "Anna, dear, you know what papers these are?"

"Yes…" Anna looked confused at this determined Grandma, who didn't know the girl herself was selling her own property.

Neel was now throwing daggers at her. He felt disgusted at the sight. How could she just sign those papers without reading them?

Sanjay let out a fake chuckle. "What is the need to read it?"

"What do you mean she is illiterate?" 

"No… I am educated." Said Anna promptly with a cute frown.

"Then don’t you know Anna?" Grandma began only to be interrupted by Misha. Yes, she knows everything, and my baby girl is just a little innocent. She is willingly selling this land." Misha lied, knowing her father-in-law and his temper. If he could, he would stop them in the village itself. Or worse, get Anna married to any old man. She was so helpless without her husband. If she had had the slightest idea, she would not have stepped into the village in the first place. But now she knew both she and her daughter were trapped, and the only escape was to listen to Sanjay Malhotra silently.

"Please, Mrs. Oberoi, proceed further." The lawyer asked her, making her sign the papers unwillingly. Neel couldn’t take it anymore; he already found it all irritating. His friends followed him out.

….

It was nearing evening, and the Oberois were ready to move out with Neel’s friends. Just when Grandma noticed the hustle and bustle in the surroundings, everyone was getting everything ready for some function.

"What is this preparation for?" Savita asked curiously.

Yes, there is this traditional function in the evening; all the preparations are done for that.

Grandma’s face lights up. "After many years, I heard about it. Everything was left behind in the village only." She waited for Misha to stop her, and seeing her eager eyes, Misha couldn’t help but say, "If you want to witness the auspicious moment that was part of this traditional function, you can stay for the night, mother."

"That's all I wanted to hear, Misha. Thank you very much. I really want to join this function.

"What are you thankful for, mother? It’s your wish if you want to stay."

"I really want to stay." Said Grandma over enthusiastically.

"What!! Grandma, no way, I can’t stay more in between these lunatics." Neel blasted her as soon as he heard her plan.

"Neel, mind your words; talk with some respect." Savita warned him.

"With what respect do these people know even the meaning of this?" he scoffed.

"Look who is speaking..." mocked Grandma.

"This is Neel Oberoi, if you don’t know." He replied with attitude.

"Yes, I know. Because of me, you are in this world," she said.

"Hu... whatever!!" Neel rolled his eyes and said, "Do whatever you want. I am going." He turned to move, but his steps halted as he listened to her say, "It’s okay, this old woman will take care of herself alone. As you showed me, you don’t care for me.

"Now from where has this come?" Asked Neel, turning towards her.

"It is clearly visible from your behaviour." The way you're talking about leaving me here," she says, widening her eyes to show her point.

"Well, I am not leaving you; you are not coming with me." He gave her back.

"It means the same."

"Alright, fine, I lose; you win." Neel raised his hands in surrender.

"That’s better." She smirked at Grandma at her victory and moved out, but failed to notice that behind her Neel smirked, Grandma, Neel Oberoi has never lost, not before or in the future.

….

To be continued...