Even Ranga was surprised. He doesn’t have much knowledge about jewels but he had done some research to make sure that Pooja gets the best possible deal… From whatever he had heard 20 lakhs was the maximum amount he was expecting…
He looked at Chandalal suspiciously but there was no signs of any wrong doings in his face… Ranga’s friend had praised Chandalal a lot…
May be these jewels are really fine ones thought Ranga and he looked at Pooja… Pooja nodded in acceptance.
“Ok Chandalal… We will close the deal at thirty lakhs… Will you be able to give the money now?”
“Oh yes… That’s not an issue… I will give it now…”
When Ranga and Pooja left the shop after fifteen minutes, they had a traveler bag with thirty lakhs in it…
The moment they both disappeared from his sight Chandalal looked to his right and Nikhil came out of the room.
Chandalal handed over the suitcase with jewels to Nikhil.
“These are good quality jewels but I don’t think it’s worth thirty lakhs… You have wasted atleast twelve lakhs Nikhil…”
“It’s ok Chandalal… Thank you very much for your help…”
“That’s ok sir! I didn’t do much… I just acted as a mediator…”
Nikhil hesitated couple of seconds before ringing the bell in that house. He know he will not be a welcome guest there but still he wanted to know the reason…
Pallavi opened the door and was shocked to see Nikhil. She stammered…
“He.ll…oo… Come… in… Plee…ase…”
“Who is that Pallavi?”
Nikhil was relieved to hear Prabakar’s voice. He wanted to talk to Prabakar only…
Since Pallavi didn’t answer his question Prabakar reached the entrance and saw Nikhil there… But there was no reaction in Prabakar’s face… He turned towards his wife and said,
“It’s ok Pallavi, I can manage…”
Pallavi was not convinced she kept looking at Nikhil and Prabakar. A soft smile appeared in Prabakar’s face. He understood that Pallavi wanted to stay there, so he turned his attention towards Nikhil,
“Yes Mr. Nikhil…”
“Why is Pooja working as an accountant in a college?”
Nikhil’s voice had a rough tone… While Pallavi was surprised to hear what Nikhil said, Prabakar gave an insulting smile…
“Who is Pooja Mr.Nikhil?”
Nikhil lost his temper and came close to Prabakar and grabbed his shirt…
“Nikhil, what are you doing? Move away from him…” yelled Pallavi surprised by Nikhil’s action.
But even now there was no reaction in Prabakar’s face. He took Nikhil’s hands off his shirt and adjusted it…
“Mr.Nikhil I once had a cousin sister named Pooja but now I don’t have any relative in that name…”
“How can you do that to her?” scorned Nikhil.
For the first time Prabakar looked angry.
“Oh yes, why shouldn’t I? You remember what she said that day? She said she trusts you… Why can’t you go and ask the same question to yourself? How can you do that to someone who trusted and loved you so much? I was surprised that you had the guts to drop her in front of my home that day… and now here you are, asking me question… Husband has the sole responsibility of taking care of his wife Mr.Nikhil… I am just a distant relation…”
There were slight glimpse of pain in Prabakar’s eyes…
Nikhil could understand Prabakar’s reaction…
It’s all his fault…
He starred at Prabakar for a few more seconds and left the place without uttering anything…
Pooja opened her room and went and sat in the cot… She had deposited the money in her bank and had handed over the cheque to Ranga. Now it’s just matter of few days… Kannan uncle would be here in a month she thought…
But ofcourse the Nigerians should keep up the promise… Will they?
What if they double cross them? She doesn’t have any more energy or money to fight… God please help… You have tested us a lot…
But is god really there? She has seen so many good people suffer and live in despair…
She reclined back and closed her eyes… Old days came before her…
To be Continued
{kunena_discuss:686}