From: Jai Advani
To: Vikram Advani
Subject: I quit.
Please find attached.
Expect a lawsuit from the Mahalas and me on Monday.
Thank you,
Jai Advani
I attached the video from Harish uncle’s study, a scan of Raghu’s testimony and my letter of resignation. I pressed send.
The weight didn’t magically lift off my shoulders. I didn’t feel any sudden relief. Nor did I feel any happier.
I rubbed my temple. I had ruminated over my decision to quit for the past two days. It was something I’d thought hard about. It was not an impulsive decision, and I knew it was the right thing to do. But I’d expected … more. Something –anything, but this emptiness.
Ananya’s face popped into my mind. I wondered what she would think of this. Would she want me to fight for what I’d earned and deserved, or would she support me? I think she would be happy that Rekha was going to get what she deserved.
But there was no way to know for sure.
I’d debated calling her or just showing up in Banaras. But I needed to get my shit together before I spoke to her. I still hadn’t figured out what exactly I was going to say. All I knew was that we needed to talk.
Sighing, I composed another email.
Pritesh was one of the best lawyers in India, but since his firm was on House of Advani’s payroll, it would be a conflict of interest. So, I hired Dharmesh Poddar from Poddar and Dalmia – their biggest competitor – as my personal counsel. I had already met with him yesterday.
Turned out, with the video from Harish uncle’s office and Raghu’s testimony, I had a hell of a case. Sharanji was over the moon when I gave him the news.
I excluded the email threads between Keshav and Manoj, as they were likely obtained illegally, but I pointed him in the right direction. I was sure he would find a legal way to obtain that proof.
My phone flashed with a text from an unknown number.
Something in me lit up.
I instinctively knew it was Rhea talking about Ananya.
Energy zapped through my body. Fuck being in a better place. I wanted to see her now. I texted back.
Three dots danced on the screen.
She was typing, but then stopped.
My patience snapped. I called her.
‘Where is she going?’ I asked the moment she answered.
‘It’s a work meeting; it’s not a good idea for you to just show up there. And she got back an hour ago, give her some time to settle down.’
‘I need to talk to her, Rhea. Please. I’ll wait until she’s done.’
She sighed. ‘The Daily Grind.’
‘Thank you,’ I said. ‘And I’m sorry for that night,’ I added softly. ‘I shouldn’t have shown up at your house at that hour or spoken to you that way.’
She paused. ‘I’m sorry too. I was upset that Ananya had left. I didn’t think she was coming back and … blamed you for it.’
