‘Did he force you? Use coercion? If it is a case of rape, you’d be better seeking legal recourse and staying away from such a man.’
Meghna looked taken aback and directed a quick look at Lyna as though to reassess her. ‘It is not always force that leads to a woman’s downfall,’ she said, adding with a sob that sounded contrived. ‘I’ve told you he took advantage of me. I wanted to be in films and he made me –’
‘He couldn’t make you do anything if you weren’t willing,’ countered her hard-to-be-won-over sympathizer who showed no sign of softening.
Meghna began to pout and flutter her eyelids. Then realized as Lyna continued to observe her coolly that such gestures were wasted on her female audience. She tried to sound helpless but sounded grumpy, as she offered, ‘I knew no one here who could have warned me about him.’
Lyna frowned. ‘I don’t understand. Why did you let him take the advantage as you call it? If you’d told him, you were a girl of principles, he’d have left you alone.’
‘It’s not as simple as that. I was dazzled by his –’
‘Money?’ Her lip curled. Wasn’t it all about the money? The thought forced her into taking a look at her own motives. Never a pleasant feeling. Though she had the excuse that she and Brijesh had agreed from the outset their marriage would be more like a business partnership, with a legal prenuptial drawn up.
‘You have enough of it, Madam Liana, so you can sneer. But think of me, a girl from a village in Bihar.’
‘I thought you said you were a famous actress there?’
Meghna’s eyes widened and she cast her a look of resentment before admitting sulkily. ‘Well, not that famous. I used to be just a troupe dancer actually.’
Lyna could see she was speaking the truth now. ‘Is it really Brijesh’s child? I’m sorry, but I have to ask.’
‘Yes, I’m ready to swear on my own life!’
Lyna nodded. Aware of a sinking feeling as she saw her plans for her own production house folding up, she drew in a breath to calm herself, gaining time by walking around and jabbing the bell. ‘Would you like – not coffee, I guess, then juice?’
‘Soft drink would be fine.’
Lyna gave the order and sat down, her fingers drumming on the table. Her own production house. She’d planned to remain at her job here till hopefully, she could rise to director’s position. Then Brijesh had come along and initially tried to lure her to his company. The serials, she and Aarti, her predecessor, had crafted, with most of the workload falling on her, were hitting the TRP top sections continually. The characters resounded with the younger gen. Young people making a start. Work oriented females. Men who went against conventional societal roles. The targeted audience cheered at the characters’ successes, cried and laughed with them...
Guy was progressive, but you never knew with him. He often admitted he wasn’t creative. These days, most successful production houses had dedicated and passionate producers at the helm. He was the first to say he liked the administrative side more. So, Brijesh’s offer had seemed lucky to her. He said his family wanted him to marry and he didn’t want to settle down to domesticity just yet.
She tried not to let emotion cloud her mind. Meghna began to speak and she held up a hand and went through her schedule. She could give this woman twenty minutes more. She sipped her coffee and looked at her contemplatively.
‘I see I should have told you the truth at the start,’ Meghna, seemingly a woman of quick thinking, said with a show of regret. ‘I thought you’d have more sympathy for a victim. I admit I was greedy to think Brijesh would grant me an entry into Bollywood for – for – If I was his girlfriend, he couldn’t refuse me a spot of work, could he? But believe me, I didn’t plan to get pregnant. You see, how I am undone. Ruined. He wouldn’t even glance at me.’
‘Are you saying he left you even knowing about the pregnancy?’
‘No, we weren’t in a relationship. He said he’d call me if he had work for me and told me to go back. But now he refuses to talk to me.’
‘You want the child?’
Meghna stared at the suited woman across from her and wondered why that steady gaze made her feel much like her teacher had when she’d asked who hadn’t done the homework and why. But being resourceful, as Lyna had already surmised about her, she reflected and decided here truth would not do. It would not help to tell her, her mother had the idea of keeping the baby, when she had seen the engagement notice. ‘If he can marry her, why not you?’ The question had changed her life.
‘I love it,’ she said enthusiastically now, her bangles jangling as she stroked over her stomach. ‘But when I told Brijesh, he told me to get rid of it.’
‘If the pregnancy was accidental, and he doesn’t want it, you have taken a big job deciding to bring it up yourself. I should congratulate you.’
Meghna was by no means slow. Anger ignited in her eyes, burning bright. Two spots of color rose in her dusky cheeks. Her fists clenched as she darted Lyna a venomous look. ‘Oh, you find it hard to let go of the billionaire once you can see him in your clutches, is it?’
‘Meghna, I won’t have any legal rights over his wealth after marriage. Nor do I want them. I just think women should be more independent than hanging onto a man. I would talk to Brijesh, but you realize how awkward it is for me to intervene on your behalf. You’d do better to talk with him yourself.’
‘Break your engagement, then I’ll talk. It’s the only way he’ll listen to me. This child won’t wait. He needs his parents,’ she said with a flash of brilliance. Dealing with people had honed her instinct. She quickly read Lyna’s character. Her clear gaze and the unwavering way she looked at her showed she was honest and straightforward. She’d seen twice through her excuses already. Meghna thought rapidly and decided on her move.
Lyna frowned. ‘I don’t see...’
‘Ok, I might be in it for money. But can’t you see I’ve gone too far to back off now? My career is over and it would be a good two years before I can even think of coming back. I have my mother and younger sister to support. You are thinking of only yourself.’
She stood up and went to Lyna. ‘I’m like your sister, who has been heedless and stupid. But if I can show the world a face, it is only by marrying Brijesh. It cannot happen if he’s engaged to you.’
‘You promise to take care of the child?’ Lyna said in a different tone. ‘Give it all the love you can manage, no matter what happens with Brijesh?’
Meghna wavered for a moment. Facing the blazing blue eyes, she wondered how could a woman inspire fear in her? She’d respected the male chromosome all her life, had been brought up to bow to it. She knew how to get her own way either by using her charms or lulling the other person into false beliefs. Now here was a female who wasn’t weak or conniving. She remembered what she said about not having any claim on Brijesh’s wealth and began to believe her.
Some of that strength lent purpose to her voice as she said, ‘I will. I cannot do anything else now anyway.’ Guiltily, she realized she shouldn’t have let that slip and added with ponderous dignity, ‘It’s my flesh and blood. How can I not take care of it?’
‘Then go home. But remember there are no guarantees if things don’t work out between you and Brijesh. And remember your promise.’
‘You won’t let him know you’re leaving him because of me?’
Fine brows rose. ‘What do you think?’
‘I –’ She licked her lips, a gush of color flooding her cheeks. Meghna realized that the mention of the child would add more emotional value. And changed to ‘I and my baby would be eternally grateful to you, madam.’
‘Teach her or him, not to go begging for help to anyone,’ Lyna said and nodded a dismissal.
CHAPTER FIVE
Lyna sat, chewing the inside of her lower lip, a single vertical line between her brows.
The rather cynical thought crossed her mind, if men took advantage of a woman’s emotions, women were not far behind in recognizing the
color of his money.
In this leisurely pastime, the stringent ringtone she had set for her android interrupted. She almost gave a start and emitted half a groan as she saw the image of a middle aged, dark haired lady smiling at her from the screen as though using unaccustomed muscles.
‘Hi, Mom.’
A gentle, jibing tone spoke in her ear, ‘Forgot again, didn’t you? I told you when you left home, you wouldn’t be able to call every day.’
‘Mom, I would’ve called yesterday, but you told me not to call when you’re out for a meeting. I got late –’
‘Now don’t you develop the lying habits of your father, Lyna. Lord knows, I’ve heard enough excuses from him to last me another lifetime. I had to tell you something this morning and I thought I’d wait for you to ring me up. But even today it seemed you are not inclined to have a chat. Of course, I’m too boring now. And when I get old and sick, all I can look forward to is an old age home –’
Her mother was rapidly working up to a sobbing breakdown, so Lyna interrupted hurriedly, ‘What did you want to tell me?’
‘That’s the trouble that’s occupied me all day yesterday. Nearly ruined my day, I can tell you. I knew I had to tell someone or burst. But I don’t want to worry you, my dear. I’ve been pacing the carpet…no, not the carpet…I threw it away after the rains came in and it began to smell like mold…pacing the floor. Though I got tired after two rounds, so it wasn’t precisely pacing. But I roamed. In the kitchen. In the old drawing room. I have been so distracted. I even got late for the meeting and burnt the omelet this morning. You know, how a burnt omelet sticks to the pan...No, I don’t think you do...you hardly ever cook, do you?’
‘No, I don’t have time to cook, Mom, but I can understand about the omelet.’
She became aware that a shadow had fallen on her desk and looked up to see Guy standing inside her doorway.
She raised her brows questioningly. He gave a shake of his head and waved his hand as though permitting her to continue the call and lodged himself in the chair across her desk.
Her mother was deploring her lack of domesticity. She said, ‘Excuse me a sec, Mom.’ and turned to the man across from her. ‘I’m on the phone.’
‘So, I notice. Please go ahead. I’ll wait.’
She sighed in exasperation. She wasn’t going to go outside and let her PA hear her placating her mother. Taking comfort from the fact that her conversation was mostly one sided, she put her ear back to the phone.
Her mother hadn’t heard her excuse herself and was now blaring down the line, ‘Lyna? You can hear me, Lyna?’
‘Yes, Mom.’
‘You were busy talking to someone.’ The accusation was full of ire.
‘No, I was listening,’ she fibbed. All too aware of the raised mocking brows of her boss, she darted him a glare. His grin showed his unholy pleasure at catching her out in a lie.
‘Don’t be so callous, Lynie.’ Her mother switched to her childhood name. ‘I don’t know who would take care of me, if not you. That horrible man is flinging all his wealth on that hag and soon he’ll have nothing left for me. You will never believe it. Tasha answered my call yesterday and she was wearing this big, chunky, diamond necklace. Can you imagine?’
‘You video called her? Again?’ she said with fatalistic acceptance in her voice.
‘Well, I called your father to show him how the paint was peeling in the sitting room. He never thinks of these things by himself. But she came on, all dressed up for lunch at the Taj, she said. It’s the engagement party of one of his cronies. Nair, in fact. At this age! I thought it was his son’s. I said congratulate him from me. Of course, he doesn’t deserve to have good wishes from me, having known me for fifteen years, and not inviting me – not that I would like to go to his engagement! But at the time I thought it was his son’s. Are you listening?’
‘Yes, Mom.’
‘Are you telling the truth? You never have time for me.’ She sounded petulant. Her tone changed. ‘You know, I’ve been reading an article that says the more the age gap between husband and wife, the less is the wife’s life expectancy. I shouldn’t be at all surprised…of course, I don’t wish ill of anyone, but to think…’
‘Mom, please don’t be like this,’ Lyna chided her.
‘Well, if he could buy her that necklace, at least he could have bought me a gold set too. I’m not like this, but what can I think when he’s brought her and pushed me out of his life? He knows I still keep religious fasts for him. This is the repayment I get.’ She began to sob.
‘Mom, you and he are divorced now. There’s no need to keep a fast. I told you –’
‘How can I reconcile myself? I married him for forever and I don’t feel it’s fair he should spend every dime he has on that hussy. She’s looking like a bean pole strung with embellishments. I don’t turn a blind eye to my failings, Lynie, but it’s no less than the truth that it would have looked far better on me.’ Her voice trailed away to more sobs. ‘To think for fifteen years, I took care of his every wish...I would have the cardamom milk ready before he asked for it! Ironed his shirts, pants, suits, even his kerchiefs –’
‘Mom, I’ll buy you a necklace, why do you worry? I’ll buy you a dozen. Now don’t cry. There’s a good girl.’ She got up to go to a corner and hoped that Guy hadn’t heard her. Of all the arrogant, rude, presuming… She gave her attention to her mother.
After much soothing, she quietened, protesting that Lyna shouldn’t buy her anything. Eventually, after promising to take a look at the paint on the coming weekend and ensuring that she had subsided enough not to get emotional, Lyna heaved a sigh and cut the connection.
She stalked over to her boss and stood glaring at him. ‘Don’t you know when someone is having a private conversation?’
‘You should be glad I heard that,’ he countered with maddening calmness. ‘Your mother sounds like quite the thing. At least there’s one person you can’t frown at and freeze.’
She went over to her chair. ‘What do you want?’
‘Is that an invitation?’
She did an eye roll. ‘How can you spout so much nonsense? Do you constantly practice or is it an inborn trait?’ she asked sweetly.
‘That’s better,’ he approved. ‘I didn’t like the long face.’
She looked up, startled by both the lack of mockery in his tone and the idea that he had sensed her feelings.
‘My private affairs are mine and really none of your business.’
Then she stopped, because something like a loud warning bell rang out in her mind.
‘That’s what I meant,’ Guy was saying, ‘Back to freezing.’
Wasn’t it true, she reflected, what they said about having to eat your words? This morning she had had to eat her jibe about money when she mocked Meghna.
And now… She stared meditatively at Guy. It might be that she would have to take back what she said about keeping him out of her personal affairs.
He raised those mobile dark brows. ‘You’re looking at me quite dangerously. Should I be alarmed? I’ve only seen you look like that when you took away the part of Sheila’s boyfriend from David and handed him the script to play her jerk of a boss instead.’
‘He had the right inflection of voice to utter threats, and he looked good in a suit,’ she said absently. Then focused on him, ‘I don’t appreciate foul language in the office. Your manners are only worse than your courtesy.’
‘Well, I could well remind you that the floor space belongs to that villain in the boy wizard story.’
‘Villain in the boy wizard story?’ she repeated dumbfoundedly.
‘You know who,’ he explained patiently. ‘I could remind you, but being a gentleman, I won’t.’
She choked and spluttered into laughter.
He was shaking his head in deep regret. ‘See you have forgotten how to laugh properly even.’
‘I was laughing at the thought of you being termed a gentleman,’ she derided.
&nbs
p; ‘Taken as a good hit.’ He put his hand over his heart and took a bow. ‘Though there isn’t anything I wouldn’t do to keep you, I have to acknowledge that you’re leaving, so your last wishes should be respected before you sacrifice yourself on the altar of matrimony.’
She sat down slowly, her heart beat increased by a factor of ten per minute as she weighed the situation for the last time and drew in a deep breath. She put her arms on the desk and leaned forward, looking into those dark eyes fringed by thick lashes. ‘What you just said about doing anything to keep me at work. Do you mean that?’
He leaned back, just a fraction of tension in his frame. But Lyna decided she had imagined it because his voice was as relaxed and his tone as lazily sardonic as ever. ‘Sure. Are you about to do me the felicity of flinging yourself into my arms? I knew old rhino would never succeed in taking you for seven rounds of fire religiously.’
‘We were going to have a court marriage,’ she said.
His eyebrows went up as he sat up, the foot whose ankle had been resting on his knee coming on the carpet with a muted thump. ‘Were?’
She sighed and rubbed the back of her neck. ‘Yes. I’ve had to give a rethink over everything.’
‘You finally saw enlightenment because of my advice? No, I don’t think so.’ His eyes narrowed. ‘The pregnant lady got her way with you, did she?’
‘What do you know about her?’ She glanced suspiciously at him.
‘Nothing.’ He shrugged. ‘I saw her take the elevator as she left your office. She wasn’t here to get a job, so… Putting two and two together. Just elementary reasoning.’
He paused, then asked, ‘What about your company – the one you were so set on?’
‘It’s not that – as – important as this is. I’ll have to drop the idea.’ She avoided his gaze. ‘Good thing I hadn’t given my notice.’ She attempted to say it lightly, hoping he wouldn’t pick up the strain in her voice.
‘For Gayatri Productions, it’s a day to celebrate. Well, I can only offer my services. In what way might I aid the damsel?’
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