Game Plan

Part 33.2: That Evening

Prerna nervously waited for her turn, as she sat in the waiting room of Daily Blitz. The job was for an assistant to the editor-in- chief. There were three more people before her. God, I hope yeh job mujhe mil jaaye, she thought. Her previous interview this morning was just as disappointing as the others. There were far more qualified candidates than her, with experience, they had said. Although, she told herself again and again that she wouldn't be demotivated by all this rejection and she'll keep trying, but right now she was feeling a little demotivated. Even though Daily Blitz, with its reputation for gossip and sensationalism wasn't her ideal place to work. But after being rejected four times within a span of two days Prerna realized that beggers can't be choosers. Just then, the receptionist entered room and addressed her,"Ms. Prerna Sharma, aapko sir ne apne cabin mein bulaya hai.". "Lekin ma'am",Prerna asked puzzled,"Sir toh abhi bhi interview le rahe hai.". The receptionist replied irritably,"Aapko editor-in-chief sir ne apne cabin mein bulaya, please follow me.". "Zaroor iski sifarish lagi hogi",One candidate whispered to the other. "Haan",the other whispered back cattily,"Interview editor le rahe hai, aur yeh madam ko seedha boss ke cabin se bulaava aaya hai.Aisa bina sifarish  ke thodi na hota hai. ". If Prerna hadn't had to follow the receptionist she would've surely answered them back. But now, getting the job was way more important than answering these petty remarks, so she followed the receptionist to the editor in chief Ketan Mukherjee's cabin. The receptionist knocked on the door of the cabin and entered with Prerna. "Sir",she said,"Mrs.Prerna Basu.". Mr. Ketan looked up from his file and smiled at Prerna,"Tum jaa sakti ho Reena",he said to the receptionist without looking at her. Once the receptionist left, Prerna greeted the man sitting in front of her,"Good afternoon, sir.". She greeted him with a smile. Ketan Mukherjee waved his hand away,"Please aap mujhe sir matt kahiye, Mrs.Basu. After all, aapki family ko main bohot achche se jaanta hu. Hum log itne saalo se ek hi industry mein hai.". Prerna understood who he was talking about and sought to clear his misunderstanding,"Actually",she said,"Mere aur Anurag ka bohot jald divorce hone waala. Main aapke yaha ek mamuli candidate ki hasiyat se job ke liye interview dene aayi hu, aap please mujhe Prerna hi kahiye.". Ketan Mukherjee smiled inwardly. Of course he knew all about the Basu's impending divorce, he would've printed it all on his paper with all the juicy details, if only he didn't have to heed that bossy man, his new investor Mr.Bajaj's warning about sensationalising people's personal lives. With Komolika's impending trial as well as the Basu's upcoming divorce, for the next few weeks news about them is going to be high on demand. Prior to Mr.Bajaj's warning, Mr.Mukherjee had been hoping to be on the forefront of media coverage. However, Mr.Bajaj's warning had compelled him to give up his plans. Right now, he needed the investment more than anything, which is why he was willing to sacrifice few crores of profit and a surge in readership. But the moment he saw Prerna in the Waiting Room, and the receptionist called her a candidate for the post of his assistant, a new idea germinated in his head. One that includes getting an exclusive scoop from Prerna. And because Prerna would be a part of it, Mr.Bajaj will have to keep his mouth shut! "Ok, Prerna",Ketan Mukherjee smiled amicably,"Please sit.". Prerna sat down, curious to hear what he had to say. "First of all, Prerna",he said in a fake sympathetic tone,"I am so sorry to hear about your divorce. Wakayi bohot galat hua aapke saath. Of course main poori kahani toh nahi jaanta, lekin jitna bhi suna, I must say Prerna aap ek bohot hi strong ladki hai.". Prerna smiled at the compliment,"Thank you, Mr.Mukherjee.". "Seriously, aap ke saath bohot naa insaafi huyi hai",he continued, feigning anger,"Ek toh Mr.Basu ne aapse shaadi ka vaada kiya, uske baad aapko poori duniya ke saamne zaleel karke aapke pita ke kaatil se shaadi ki-". Prerna tried to cut him off,"Actually woh-". But Mr.Ketan Mukherjee went on as if uninterrupted,"I mean, itna kuch karke bhi unka mann nahi bhara. Unhone aapke hote huye bhi uss ghar mein uss Komolika ko rakha! Aisa kon karta hai?!Aur ab jab unhe aapke paas hona chahiye, aapka khayal rakhna chahiye to aapko akela chhor rahe hai? Sach mein! Mr. Basu bohot hi-". "MR. MUKHERJEE!!!",Prerna almost yelled. Her tone froze the man for a moment. Prerna took heavy breaths to try and control her temper. While he maintained a calm demeanor, Mr. Ketan Mukherjee was seething from inside, Iss do kauri ki ladki himmat kaise huyi mere hi office mein mujhpe chillane ki! Ek ameer ladke ko kya phasa liya pata nahi apne aapko kaha ki Queen Victoria samajti hai. Lekin abhi main isse kuch nahi keh sakta abhi mere newspaper ko iski zaroorat hai."Maaf kijiyega",he said trying to pacify her,"Woh main thoda emotional ho gaya! Kya karu? Journalist hu, mujhse nainsaafi bilkul bardasht nahi hoti.". "It's-it's ok. I am sorry too, Mr.Mukherjee mujhe aap par aise chillana nahi chahiye tha.",Prerna replied embarassed. "It's ok",Mr.Mukherjee replied,"Main aapka gussa samaj sakta hoon. Aap yaha job ke liye aayi hai, apni ek alag pehchan banane aayi hai, aur main abhi bhi aapse aapke pati ki baatein kar raha hu. Chaliye kuch aur baat karte hai....umm kya main aapka CV dekh sakta hu?". "Ji", said Prerna, as she handed him her file. Mr. Mukherjee opened the file. Good, very good, he thought studying her CV, iska CV utna khaas nahi hai. Average student hai, MBA dropout hai, hardly ek mahine ka work experience aur upar se pregnant bhi hai, hmmm....aise mein isko zyada se zyada aath-dus hazaar ki salary ki naukri mil sakti hai, agar mili toh. I am sure agar main isse apna offer sunaao toh yeh manaa nahi karegi. Lekin mujhe isse dhyaan se approach karna parega. He cleared his throat and pretended to look disappointed,"Well...",he sighed. Prerna straightened up eagerly waiting for his opinion. "Prerna",Ketan Mukherjee said,"Tumhari salary expectation kya hai?".Prerna gave it a thought, she wanted to make enough money to be able to contribute to her household, pay her medical and lawyer's bills plus she needed to start saving for her and the baby's future. There was no way, they would pay her so much to cover all of that. "25,000/- per month", she said anyway. "Hmmm", Ketan Mukherjee pretended to consider it,"Waise, please don't mind, lekin tumhare CV mein koi dum nahi hai, bohot hi average CV hai. Upar se work experience bhi zyada nahi hai, on top that tumne last chaar mahino mein kuch kaam kiya bhi nahi.". Nervously, Prerna replied,"Sir, aap toh jaante hai na, ki inn chaar mahino mein mere saath kya hua.". Mr.Mukherjee nodded,"Haan, main toh samajhta hu. Lekin tumhari yeh baat toh baaki employers nahi samjhenge. Tum..aur kayi gayi thi job ke liye?". Prerna replied embarrassed"Haan, sir. Lekin mujhe waha koi achcha response nahi mila. Unhone kaha ke unhe experienced logo ki zaroorat hai.". Feigning a sympathetic look he said,"Yeh toh bohot bura hua. Lekin to be very honest Prerna woh log bhi apni jagah sahi hai. Maine pata kiya hai ki baahar aapke saath jo bhi candidates baithi thi sab experienced hai. Aise mein agar main unn sabko chhorkar aapko select karta hu toh woh unke saath nainsaafi hogi. Aur main aisa nahi kar sakta.". Prerna closed quiet for a while looking visibly upset, and she spoke again,"Sir main jaanti hu ke mere paas baakiyo jitna qualification nahi hai. Lekin mujse zyada mehnti ladki aapko nahi milegi, aur yeh main guarantee ke saath keh sakti hu. Kyuki baahar wait kar rahe candidates ko toh koi bhi company hire kar legi. Lekin mujhe kahi job milna mushkil hai aur mujhe iss waqt job ki bohot zaroorat hai, iss liye jitni mehnat main karungi, utni mehnat mere jagah aur koi nahi karega.". Mr.Mukherjee spoke in a firm voice,"I am sorry Prerna lekin aap iss post ke liye underqualified hai, main aapko iss post ke liye hire nahi kar sakta.". Prerna sighed disheartened,"Thank you for your time, Mr.Mukherjee.". Saying this Prerna got up. She was about to leave when he stopped her,"Prerna aap assistant ke post ke liye unsuitable hai lekin mere paas ek aur offer hai, please baithiye.". His words surprised her. She turned around and asked,"Kaisa offer?". He signalled at the chair in front of him,"Aap baithiye toh sahi, main aapko sab batata hu.". Prerna sat down. Mr.Mukherjee weighed down his words carefully. He needed to get this right. If Prerna agreed to give interview revealing the details of her relationship with Anurag and the Basu's, and Komolika as well then there was no stopping  Daily Blitz from becoming the number one newspaper in India! Mr.Mukherjee started to speak,"First of all Prerna, you have all my sympathies with you. Aur kyu na ho? Aapne itne kam umr mein kitna kuch dekh liya apni life mein, Papa ki death, pyaar mein dhoka, duniya bhar ki baatein. Aur ab jab finally aapki life mein thodi shanti aani chahiye the, ke nahi! Aapko ab court kacheri karni paregi, akele ek bachche ki zimmedaari uthaani paregi. It's very sad.". "Main apne bachche ki zimmedaari apne khushi se utha rahi hu, Mr.Mukherjee. Mujhe koi force nahi kar raha, aur divorce bhi mein apne marzi se de rahi hu.",Prerna replied to him calmly. If Mr.Mukherjee was surprised by her frankness he didn't show it, instead he said,"Aur aapki yahi baat toh mujhe sabse achchi lagti hai Prerna. Chahe situation jaisi bhi ho aap kabhi bhi kissi aur ko blame nahi karti. Iss liye mujhe lagta hai ke aapse better yeh job aur koi nahi kar sakta.". Confused, Prerna asked,"Lekin job kya hai aap woh toh bataiye?". Mr.Mukherjee replied,"Job bohot simple hai, aur salary bhi kaafi achchi hai, ek lakh rupiye per article.". "Kya?",Prerna asked stunned,"Kaisa article? Aur ek article likhne ke liye mujhe ek lakh rupiye kyu denge? Main koi journalist nahi!". Mr.Mukherjee chuckled,"Arre nahi aapko article likhna nahi hai. Maine aapse kaha tha ke mujhe aapse sympathy hai aur main aapki madad karna chahta hu. Toh lijiye! Maine aapki job waali problem solve di! Aapko bas Basu Bari mein aapke saath jo jo hua, aapko unn Basu's ne jaise treat kiya, Komolika ne aapke saath jo kiya bas wohi aapko article mein sabko bataana hai". Understanding what he wanted Prerna was outraged,"How dare you?!",Prerna said in a clipped voice,"Aapki himmat kaise huyi mujse itni ghatiya baat kehne ki?". Mr.Mukherjee was prepared for this,"Listen Prerna",he said in calm, soothing tones,"Main tumhara gussa samajh sakta hu. I know ke tum aisi ladki nahi ho jo apni personal life saari duniya ke saath share karo lekin isme tumhara hi faida hai. Tum hi socho, jab Anurag ko sabke saamne tumhara haath thaamna chahiye tha, tab usne tumhe poore duniya ke saamne beizzat kiya. Tumhe  gold digger, characterless aur kya kuch nahi kaha! Aaj jo tum apne baare logo se tarah tarah ki baatein sunti ho, woh tum kiski wajah se sun rahi ho? Anurag ki wajah se!  Inn chaar mahino mein usne aur uski family ne tumhe zaleel karne ka ek mauka nahi chhora. Lekin tum phir bhi chupchap sab kuch sehti rahi. Iss liye main tumhe yeh mauka de raha hu, apni baat logo tak pohochane ka. Jo log tumhe gold digger aur besharam kehte unn logo ka mooh band karne ka isse achcha mauka tumhe nahi milega.". Prerna looked down at her hands, reflecting on his words,"Main aapki baat samajti hu Mr.Mukherjee. Lekin log mere baare mein kya kehte hai mujhe usse koi fark nahi padhta, na pehle padhta tha aur na ab padhta hai. Iss liye mujhe iss article ki koi zaroorat nahi. Thanks for the offer, lekin ab mujhe chalna chahiye.". She was about to get up when Mr.Mukherjee said,"Prerna aap iss baat ko personally kyu le rahi hai. Aapki ki kahani ek lesson hoga un logo ke liye jo yeh samajte hai ki middle class ladkiya apne saath huye anyaya ka jawaab nahi de sakte!". Prerna replied,"Mr.Mukherjee, aap chahe jo bhi kahe main yeh nahi karungi! Main Anurag ko itna bada dhoka nahi dungi!". Mr.Mukherjee balled his palms into fists trying to suppress his rage Kitni ziddi ladki hai yeh! He thought angrily, Kabse try kar raha hu isko samjhaane ki magar ye! Itna natak kyu kar rahi hai? Zaroor isko aur paise chahiye honge. He took a deep breath before saying,"I must say Basu family bohot lucky hai ke unhe tum jaisi bahu mili jo unke itne zulm karne par bhi uske khilaaf nahi jayegi. Lekin mujhe bura tumhare liye lag raha hai, kyuki tum jaan bujkar apni aur apne bachche ki zindagi ke saath khel rahi ho.". "Mr. Mukherjee", Prerna said in a warning tone. Unperturbed, Mr.Mukherjee said,"Kya? Mujhe daant kar kya hoga? Agar tumhe kisiko bhala bura kehna hai to Basu's ko jaakar kaho. Jinhone tumhare achchayi ka sirf faida uthaya hai. Unhone kabhi tumhe apna nahi samjha. Humesha tumhe neecha dikhate rahe, sirf iss liye kyuki tum ek middle class gharane ki ladki ho. Aur jab Komolika aur Mr.Chaubey ki sachchayi sabke saamne aayi, tab unn logo ne raaton raat apna rang badal liya! Suna hai uss din party mein Mrs. Mohini Basu tumhe bohot show off kar rahi thi, tumhe sabse apni bahu kehkar introduce karwa rahi thi aur apni dadi banne ki khushi sabko zaahir kar rahi thi?". "Of course, woh aisa kar rahi thi",Prerna said defensively,"Unse galti huyi thi, aur woh uss galti ko sudhaar rahi thi.". Mr. Mukherjee rolled his eyes,"Prerna usse galti sudharna nahi khudko sharmindgi se bachana kehte hai. Ab jab unki high class bahu aur uske papa criminals nikle toh unn logo ne khudko badnaami se bachane ke liye  tumhe apna dhaal banaya, Iss liye kal tak jis ladki ka naam woh log sunna bhi pasand nahi karte the, (chuckling) aaj uss ladki ko proudly apni bahu kehkar introduce kar rahi hai Mrs. Basu. Kal tak jis ladki ko characterless kehte huye Mrs. Basu ki zubaan nahi thakti thi aaj uss ladki ki pregnancy par woh itni khushi zaahir kar rahi hai. Yeh natak sabko nazar aata hai afsos aap yeh dekh nahi sakti kyuki aap(pointing his finger at her) yeh dekhna nahi chahti!". "You're crossing your limit, Mr.Mukherjee",Prerna said with gritted teeth. Dredging up her past this man is bringing back some of her most painful moments from her time in Basu Bari. She needed him to stop now! Mr.Mukherjee keenly watched Prerna. Her face was dark with anger and her eyes were burning with unshed tears. Her fingers were tightly wound around the pallu of her saree. Well done Ketan, he congratulated himself, Isse thoda aur bharkao. Uske baad yeh khud tumse kahegi iska article chhapwane ke liye. In a grim tone he said,"I know meri baatein tumhe iss waqt hurt kar rahi hongi, Prerna. Lekin tumhara ek baat samajh lena bohot zaroori hai. Wo yeh ke Basu's jaise ghamandi aur matlabi log apne alaava kisi aur ke baare mein nahi sochte. Aur tumhe duniya ke saamne accept karna yeh sab bhi unki chaal hai taaki woh apne aapko Komolika aur Mr.Chaubey ke scandal se bacha sake. Agar yeh sach nahi hai toh tum hi batao ke kyu Komolika aur Chaubey ko expose karne ka credit woh log le rahe hai? Jab ki sach toh yeh hai ki Mr.Chaubey aur unki beti ko tumne expose kiya hai!",he continued feigning self righteous anger," (scoffing) Woh toh mere sources hai police mein warna main bhi sabki tarah yahi samajta ke Basu's kitne maahaan hai apne hi rishtedaaro ko khud expose kiya unhone!". Prerna took a deep breath trying to control her anger and said,"Dekhiye Mr.Mukherjee main aapke feelings ki izzat karti hu. Ho sakta hai, shayad kissi bhi kaaran se aapko Anurag aur uski family achchi nahi lagti, woh aapka personal opinion hai and I respect that. Lekin.",Prerna added firmly,"Lekin, please Mr. Mukherjee aap mujhe isme mat involve kijiye. Main bas yaha aapke paas ek job dhundne aayi thi, agar aap mujhe woh nahi de sakte toh main kahi aur chali jaunga.". "Achcha", replied Mr.Mukherjee finally losing his patience,"Kaha jaogi tum? Aur kaun dega tumhe job? Haan, agar tumhara pati ya father-in-law tumhare liye baat kare toh shayad tumhe kissi company mein tumhari pasand ki salary waali job tumhe dilaa bhi de. Lekin agar har cheez ke liye tum unke paas jaogi then I suggest ke tum iss divorce ko rokdo. Kyuki yeh jhoot moot ki self respect dikhakar tumhe kuch haasil nahi hoga. Isse achcha yeh hai tum apne pati ke saath sula karlo kam se kam woh tumhe aur tumhare bachche ko ek secure life de sakta hai. Warna agar tum apne iss hi attitude ke saath court jaogi toh definitely haar jaogi. Kyuki mere alaava saare major publications se Basu's ki bohot achchi equation hai, iss liye woh log kabhi bhi unke khilaaf kuch nahi likhenge. Sirf main hi ek tha jo tumhe support karne ko ready tha.". "Aur kya maine aapse aapka support manga tha?",Prerna retorted angrily,"Aur mujhe iss baat se kya ke ek civil case mein kon Anurag ko support kar raha hai. Humara divorce mutual agreement se ho raha hai, toh isme support karne ki aur against jaane ki baat kaha se aati hai woh mujhe samajh nahi aa rahi?". He passed her a condescending look, and smirked,"Tum sach mein itni naadaan ho ya bas logo ki sympathy paane ke liye masoom banne ka dikhawa karti ho?". Prerna was about to retort back but Mr.Mukherjee started speaking,"Anurag ne apni company aur ghar ko bachane ke liye Komolika se shaadi ki. Uske liye usne tumhe poori duniya ke saamne beizzat kiya. Apne pati ke hospital hone ke bawajood Mrs.Mohini Basu ne Anurag aur Komolika ki shaadi dhoom dhaam se karayi. Shaadi ke baad Anurag ko Mr.Chaubey ki madad se woh government project mil jaata hai jiski deadline already nikal chuki thi. Tum Basu Bari mein rehne aati ho, magar tumhe waha koi nahi chahta, sab Komolika ko support karte hai, aur yeh baat Komolika aur Basu's sabko dikhate hai. As a result, badnaami tumhari hoti hai. Poori duniya ke nazro mein Basu's toh bas innocent victims hai tumhare harrassment ke, (scoffs) after all Anurag ne engagement party mein sabke saamne tumse rishta toda, uski ab shaadi ho chuki hai lekin tumne phir bhi uska peechha nahi chhora kyuki tum ek laalchi aur characterless ladki ho!". "MR.MUKHERJEE!",Prerna yelled angrily. But Ketan Mukherjee didn't lose his cool this time,"Mujh par chillane se kya hoga Prerna, main toh bas tumhe aaina dikha raha hu, jo kabhi jhoot nahi bolta. Aur sach yeh hai ki Basu's ne aaj tak tumhe apne faide ke liye sirf use hi kiya hai aur aage bhi karenge! Anurag ne tumse shaadi ka waada karke dhoka diya lekin inn Basu's ne sabko yeh jataaya ke tum Anurag ke peechhe padi ho. Tum apni jaan pe khelkar Komolika ka sach Basu's ke saamne lekar aayi yeh baat unhone kissi ko pata chalne nahi di, logo ko bas itna pata hai ke Komolika ka sach jaankar Basu's ne usse jail bhej diya. Mr.Chaubey ko expose kissi aur ne kiya lekin Basu Publications ye afwaa faila rahi hai ki Mr.Chaubey ko bhi expose unn mein se kissine kiya! Aur tum? Unka trump card. Tumhe party mein unn logo ka yu highlight karna, tumhari pregnancy pe khushi zaahir karna taaki log yeh bhool jaye ke isse pehle woh log Komolika aur uske baap ko kitna support karte the. Aur ab, tumhare sawaal ka jawaab: kyu yeh important hai ke ek civil case mein kon  kon tumhe support kar raha hai? Toh suno yeh koi mamuli case nahi hai, yeh ek high profile case hai. Usse bhi badi baat, iss case se Komolika ka case bhi juda hua hai. Anurag aur Komolika ke shaadi ke baad se Basu family ne  Mr.Chaubey ko bohot openly support kiya hai. Jab unka  scandal expose hua tab Basu's ko kaafi nuksaan hua. Anurag ko woh government contract lautana para.  Basu Publications aur Anurag par investigation bhi shuru ho sakta tha par tumhare pati aur Sasuma ne usse waqt par rok diya. Lekin phir bhi Mr. Chaubey ne jo apne damaad ko illegally government contract dilaya yeh baat sabko pata chal gayi aur Basu's ki kaafi badnaami huyi. Uske baad Komolika ka arrest.Aur kuch din pehle Basu's ka Mr.Bajaj ko dhoke se deal sign karane ki koshish! Tumhe dikhayi nahi deta Prerna iss waqt Basu's ki position kitne khatre mein hai. Sabko yahi lagta hai ki Basu's ne paise aur power ke liye ek khooni aur corrupt politician ka saath diya. Hum newspaper waale hai Prerna, ek baar public ke saamne humari image kharab ho gayi toh humare newspaper ko bhi band hote zyada din lagta. Aur Basu's bhi abhi uss hi situation se guzar rahe hai. Unn  logo ne  tumhe iss liye nahi apnaya kyuki unhe apni galti ka ehsaas hai balki iss liye apnaya kyuki apni image sudhaarna chahte hai public mein. Ab aise mein agar tumhara aur Anurag ka divorce hoga, woh bhi tab jab tumhara bachcha aane waala hai, woh log kabhi nahin chahenge ki yeh rishta tootne ka blame Anurag pe jaaye, woh log ek aur scandal nahi handle kar sakte. Iss liye Anurag ko achcha dikhane ke liye woh log tumhe bura banayenge, aisa dikhayenge ke tum Anurag ko uske bure waqt mein chhor rahi ho. Aur yeh sab woh khud nahi karenge, yeh sab woh apne media mein jo supporters hai unse karwayenge! Iss liye main keh raha hu Prerna, tum bhi peechhe matt hato, mere saath yeh deal karlo. Ek main hi hoon jo tumhare point of view se likhne ko ready hoon taaki yeh case fair ho sake. Warna Basu's ka kya bharosa aisa na ho ke unke bete ko achcha dikhane ke liye woh log tumse tumhara bachcha chheen le court mein yeh sabit karke ke tum ek unfit mother ho!". As Mr.Ketan Mukherjee finished his long speech he closely studied Prerna, who was deep in thought. Last mein bachcha khone ka darr shayad kaam aaya, he told himself, ab toh isse article ke liye haan karna hi parega. Prerna finally spoke up,"Aap wakayi ek bohot hi gire huye insaan hai Mr.Mukherjee",she said in a cold voice. Her words stunned Mr.Mukherjee. For a moment he thought he heard wrong,"Excuse me?",he said. "Aapne suna maine kya kaha!",she replied angrily,"Kaise insaan hai aap?! Apne faide ke liye aap kissi bhi hadd tak jaa sakte hai!". Mr.Mukherjee bristled at her words,"Kya kaha tumne?Ek toh main tumhari madad -". Prerna cut him off,"Meri nahi- aap apni madad kar rahe hai, apna newspaper bikwane ke liye mujhe use karna chah rahe the aap! Iss liye toh yeh kahani banayi aapne!". "Kya?", exclaimed Mr.Mukherjee in self righteous anger,"Main kahani bana raha hu?Kya Anurag ne tumhe poori duniya ke saamne zaleel nahi kiya?Kya Basu's ne paise aur power ke liye openly Mr.Chaubey ko support nahi kiya tha?". "Kiya tha!",Prerna snapped angrily,"Lekin usne yeh sab paise aur power ke liye nahi kiya. Usne aisa kiya tha kyuki Komolika usse blackmail kar rahi thi....woh majboor tha.".  "Woh majboor tha! Woh majboor tha!", Mr.Mukherjee imitated Prerna,"Haan, itna majboor ke majboori mein usne Mr.Chaubey se karoro ka government contract liya jisse Basu Publications phirse top mein hota! Itna majboor ke usne jab sab keh rahe the yeh Basu's kitne honest aur sachche hai ki inhone apne rishtedaaro ko expose kiya usne ek baar bhi yeh nahi kaha ke asal mein yeh sab(pointing) tumne kiya! Ulta woh toh chupchap iss jhooti khabar se mili goodwill aur PR ke maze loot raha tha! Wah! Kya majboori hai! Tum jaisi bewakuf aur bad dimag ladkiyo ke wajah se ye Anurag Basu jaise log bach jaate hai! Actually main tumse yeh sab kyu keh raha hu? Tum bhi toh unse kam nahi! Pehle se sab kuch plan karke rakha hoga na tumne?". "Maltab?",Prerna asked stunned,"Kya plan kiya maine?". Mr.Mukherjee smirked mockingly,"Oh, phirse masoomiyat ka natak! Tumhara natak Basu's aur Anurag pe chala hoga. Lekin mujh par nahi. Asal mein tum Anurag ko divorce alimony ke liye kar rahi ho, hai na? ". "That's it",Prerna said angrily getting up,"Main ab yaha ek aur second nahi reh sakti.". Prerna turned around to leave Mr.Mukherjee stood up from his place and said said,"Haan, jao, jao. Waise bhi tum konsa yaha sach mein naukri karne aayi thi. Tum toh bas natak karne aayi thi. Taaki logo ko yeh lage ke tum iss divorce ko lekar serious ho. Aur tumne mera offer iss liye nahi thukraya kyuki tum khuddar ho. Balki iss liye kyuki tum ek laalchi aur matlabi ladki ho jo Basu's se paise hetna chahti hai!". Prerna looked back and saw Ketan Mukherjee. This time the real Ketan Mukherjee. The warm and courteous man who welcomed her in his office was gone. Instead, he was replaced by a cheap and pathetic man, who would go to any lengths to get what he wanted. Had Prerna left the office then and there, then the events in the next few hours could have been averted and maybe her life would have taken a different course. But alas, she didn't. She came and stood in front of the man and said,"Achcha?Main paise hetna chahti hu? Aapko sharam nahi aati? Ek toh aap mere paas itna ghatiya proposal rakha aapne! Upar se aap mujhpar aisa ilzaam laga rahe hai!". "Zyada Bano matt!",he snapped angrily. He was sure now that Prerna won't agree to the article so he didn't need to hide his true feelings,"Tum yeh baat achche se jaanti ho ke Basu's ko ab bankrupt hone mein zyaada der nahi hai. Iss liye ab Anurag ke saath rehkar tumhe kuch haasil nahi hoga. Tumhare liye isse achcha yeh hai ke tum jald se jald Anurag ko divorce dekar usse alimony mein paise le lo, aur apne liye ek naya paisewaala bakra dhundlo! Lekin yeh sab karne ke liye tumhe apni clean image bhi toh maintain karna bhi zaroori hai. After all, kon aadmi ek aisi ladki se shaadi karega jo press mein apne ex husband ko burayi karti hai. Aur haan! Basu's bhi toh tumhe apna munh bandh karne ke liye paise denge, hai na?Haan, bilkul! Tum itni smart ladki ho jaha lakhon rupiye mil sakte hai waha bas ek lakh lekar tum chup baithogi? Na!". Prerna couldn't believe what she was hearing,"I don't believe ki koi itna disgusting kaise ho sakta hai! Main toh bas yaha job maangne-". Her words were cut short by his derisive laughter,"Job?! Job?! Jo ladki akele pure Chaubey khandan ko haraa sakti hai, uske munh se yeh bewakufi bhari baatein shobha nahi deti. Tumhe koi job kyu dega? Aisa kya hai tum mein? Na work experience hai! Na qualifications hai! Upar se tum ma banne wali ho, kuch mahino baad to  tum apne bachche mein busy ho jaogi, company ke liye time hi kaha rahega tumhare paas?". "Aisa...nahi hai", Prerna tried to defend herself, but somehow her words were failing her and her self doubt was creeping in. Mr.Mukherjee went on as if uninterrupted,"Tumhe hire karne layak sirf ek baat thi, woh thi tumhara Basu's ke saath rishta! Tum unki andar ki khabar sab jaanti ho iss liye main tumhe hire karna chahta tha, aur sirf main kya?Agar tum kissi bhi publication mein jaogi woh bhi tumhe sirf iss liye hire karenge  kyuki unhe Basu's ke baare crucial information mil sake. Aur agar tum woh bhi nahi kar sakti toh tumhe koi poochega bhi nahi! Kyuki tumhari sabse badi aur ek lauti qualification yeh hai ke tum Anurag Basu ki biwi ho. Tumhare naam ke aage Basu hai iss liye maine tumhe apne cabin mein bulaya itni izzat di! Warna tum jaisi ladkiyo ki aukaat hi kya hai?! Kauriyo ke bhaav mein bhi nahi biko tum! NOW GET OUT OF MY OFFICE!!",Ketan Mukherjee yelled at her.
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~Evening time, boys hostel, Delhi~

Ronit rushed steps of his hostel when he bumped into someone. "What the hell!",he snapped as his phone fell down. The other man was Ved. Without saying anything Ved bent down and picked up the pieces of Ronit's phone. "Tu yaha pe kya kar raha hai!",Ronit asked with gritted teeth,"Tujhe Mishka ne bheja hai kya? Meri jasoosi karne ke liye.". Ved quietly got up and handed him the phone. "Nahi",he answered simply,"Hum aaj raat ki flight se Kolkata ja rahe hai, woh bahar car mein baithi hai. Woh jaane se pehle bas ek baar tujse milna chahti hai.". "Lekin main usse nahi milna chahta",Ronit replied angrily,"Usse, kya lagta hai? Main ek baar tum logo ke saath lunch pe kya chala gaya, toh sab theek ho gaya humare beech? Main yeh bhool jaunga ke uski wajah se mujhe kangalo ki tarah rehna par raha hai! Kabhi nahi!". Ved sighed,"Main jaanta hu ke tu kuch nahi bhoola aur tu kabhi bhoolega bhi nahi. Par Mishka tujse bohot pyaar karti hai aur woh tujhe kabhi hurt nahi karna chahti thi, trust me. Haan, jo hua uska affect tujhpe para lekin Mishka ko bhi toh kam mushkilo ka saamna nahi karna para. Usne bohot kuch saaha hai, iss liye woh tujhe samajthi hai. Iss liye woh chahti hai ke tu usse maaf karde aur usse phirse ek mauka de. Isse zyada main aur kuch nahi kahunga.Aur haan!",Ved handed Ronit a plastic bag,"Yeh le tera favourite pizza dinner ke liye, Mishka nahi chahti ke tu woh hostel ke wahiyat khaana khaye ya bhuka soye.". Ronit stood rooted to his spot, not really sure what to say. After a moment, when it became clear that Ronit won't go to meet his sister, Ved said,"Achcha toh main chalta hu, agar tujhe yaha koi bhi problem ho to tu mujhe ya Mishka ko call kar sakta hai. Bye". Saying this Ved headed towards the car where Mishka was waiting for Ved and her brother. There was a hint of disappointment in her face when she saw Ved get in the car,"Toh woh nahi maana",Mishka said sadly. "I'm sorry",Ved replied,"I wish main usse manaa paata.". "But at least tum usse ab safe rakh paoge",Mishka said hopefully. Ved nodded,"Haan, maine uske phone pe tracker laga diya hai, ab agar woh kabhi bhi Kolkata mein aaya Komolika ki madad karne ke liye toh hume turant pata chal jayega, aur hum usse rok payenge."
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~Kolkata, Howrah Bridge, 5 p.m~

Prerna wiped her tears, but she still couldn't control her tears, as Ketan Mukherjee's insulting words kept coming back in her mind. The way that man yelled at her, his face contorting with anger and rage for a moment she feared that he would attack her. If she had stayed a little longer she would've surely had a panic attack! Prerna took short deep breaths trying to calm herself, but it didn't. Her mind was way too disturbed to calmed by such futile exercises. Her ears were still ringing with his words, Tumhe koi job kyu dega? Aisa kya hai tum mein? .......tumhari sabse badi aur ek lauti qualification yeh hai ke tum Anurag Basu ki biwi ho!  Just then another voice joined Ketan Mukherjee's voice in Prerna's head Apna ghar tak toh tum akeli nahi bacha saki, Mohini Basu's words echoed in her thoughts Woh mere Onu ne kiya! Tumhare liye! Apni zindagi sacrifice karke! Aur tum kehti ho ke mere bete ke bina, tum uske  bachche ka khayal rakh paogi?What a joke! The hurt she didn't feel at Mohini's words then, Prerna felt them now. For the last two days, she has been running around the city looking for a job and she was met with rejection each and every time. She was disappointed of course, but picked herself up everytime. But today, that crass man and his words really made her doubt her ability to take care of her child. Caressing her belly Prerna said crying, "Kya yeh sach hai baby?Kya woh aadmi jo keh raha tha woh sach hai? Kya mujh mein itni bhi kabiliyat nahi hai ke koi mujhe ek job de sake?(wiping her tears)Kya main akele tumhara khayal nahi rakh sakti? Ya tumhe bhi sabki tarah yahi lagta hai ki main Basu surname ke begair kuch nahi hu!". Prerna was crying her heart out when another voice- a voice that had once been a source of love and comfort for her, but that had also given her the deepest wound of her life. It was Anurag's voice. And not just his voice, his entire face spewing venom came in front of her eyes. And just like that, Prerna was transformed to that day, that place filled with the creme de la creme of the country all of them looking down on her, as she Prerna Sharma, an ordinary middle class girl stood in middle of the room pleading with Anurag not to leave her. And Anurag had said, Tum kitni dumb ho, Prerna! Kya tumhe sach mein lagta hai ke main Komolika jaisi ladki ko chhorkar tumhare paas aaunga! Usse chhorkar main tumse shaadi karunga? Aisa kya hai tum mein? You are a Zero!. And with the memory being the last thing on her mind, Prerna fainted. The file slipping from her hand. Her head was about to hit the ground when someone caught her. "Oh my God! Prerna!", the man exclaimed.
Precap: "Lekin Prerna tumhe Baba ke saath kaam karne mein kya dikkat hai?",Anurag asked