Her hand tightened around mine.
I continued, ‘When I told them it was Rekha, both he and Ayaan were furious. But I refused to back down. That’s when Dad kicked me out.’
‘Jai, I’m so sorry,’ Ananya whispered. ‘That must have felt horrible.’
‘It did.’ I swallowed hard. ‘It still does.’
It felt like he had tossed me out of the family.
‘I didn’t want to go home right after that. It reminded me too much of you. So, I went to Harish uncle’s house. There, I realised he was one of the few people who had the proposal early enough for LB to roll out the collection this quickly – I’d given him a draft the morning we first met to get his opinion.’ I hesitated. ‘I–I thought he had helped Rekha.’
Ananya’s eyebrows shot up. ‘Did he really?’
I shook my head. ‘I asked to see the file. That’s when he realised it was missing. Thankfully, he had a CCTV camera in the room. Rekha stole it whenI went there with my family to celebrate the board approving my pitch for Rivaayat.’
Ananya’s mouth dropped open. ‘That woman is deranged. Why would she do something like that?’
‘I think she did it to make me appear less worthy to the board, so she could push Ayaan forward for CEO.’
Ananya looked stunned. ‘Did you tell your dad about it? He needs to know what Rekha is capable of. And you need to clear your name. None of this was your fault.’
I shook my head. ‘Rekha gave the proposal to Lehenga Bazaar’s VP in her car. Her driver has attested to it. I also got my hands on emails between the VP and the CEO.’ I exhaled, forcing the anger and frustration away. ‘Dad is probably calling me because I sent them to him along with my letter of resignation.’
Ananya gasped softly. ‘But the company meant everything to you.’
‘It did. But they refused to let me file a lawsuit against Lehenga Bazaar, because having a leak – which isRekha– would ruin the company’s and the family’s reputation,’ I said. ‘The board is supposed to do the right thing; Dad is supposed to ensure it. But they’re all the same. I refuse to work in a place without a moral compass. I won’t be complicit.’
Ananya’s gaze was steady and full of compassion.She understands. She always does. I knew she would, and I suppose that’s why I came here in search of her that night.
‘I want no part in the family or the company anymore. I’m suing Rekha and Lehenga Bazaar. The Mahalas deserve to have their legacy preserved as theirs. And Rekha needs to be taught a lesson.’
‘I agree with your decision,’ she said softly, but firmly. ‘But all of this is a lot. How are you doing, Jai?’
‘I’m … okay.’ I genuinely was. Rekha and Dad had never truly treated me like their son. Like family. For the longest time, I was the only one who made the effort to hold us together. It was almost liberating not to have to try so hard to be part of that system anymore. ‘I’m more concerned about fulfilling Dadaji’s dream.’
‘You don’t need to work at HoA to fulfil it,’ she said gently.
She was right.
But working for someone else and potentially going through similar experiences sat like bile in my throat. Only one option remained. ‘Maybe I’ll … start something of my own,’ I said tentatively. The more I thought about it, the better the idea seemed. ‘It’ll be nice to do what I want without being restrained by Dad or the board. Something that actually matters.’
‘I’ll stand with you, whatever you choose. You’re not alone. You’ll never have to do anything alone,’ she said, her voice fierce and unwavering.
I leaned forward and brushed my lips against hers in a soft, grateful kiss. ‘Thank you,’ I whispered, and in that moment, I felt a little more whole knowing she was there.
The doorbell rang.
‘Rhea must’ve forgotten her keys,’ Ananya said. ‘I’ll be right back.’
She quickly put on a pair of shorts and an oversized T-shirt before slipping out of the bedroom.
I waited for a while, but when she didn’t come in, I too got dressed and stepped outside.
‘… can you stop?’ Ananya grumbled.
Rhea placed a large white plastic bag on the dining table and turned. The mischievous grin on her face widened when she spotted me. ‘It’s you. Here I thought Ananya was finally making use of the vibrator I gifted her on her birthday.’
‘Oh my God,Rhea!’ Ananya whined, covering her face in embarrassment.
