~ARJUN~

I am not liking this building very much . RIGHT NOW! I am so not loving these frequent visits , media hounding me , enraged looks . And you know what's more unsettling? The judge for my case going to be limping her way inside the room , courtesy of yours truly . I am here before the desired to make an impression because ' the second bite in the cherry was horrible too ' . Wait ... it was cake .

I correct my posture for what seems like the hundredth time . There is fear and gulit brewing inside of me as interrogation is not my thing . Not that I have came under radar before but I know it better to ever make it my thing .

I stand to walk closer to the window to look down at the happenings that are not at all happening. The guards have managed to take the media away but they are perched around the boundary, waiting for the moment I exit to shame me . This is the most heart wrenching part . They are the same people who would be at the airport when we would leave for a match , they would congratulate us and on the way back they would happily cheer for the victory. Even if we lose they would say ' well played ' . The public which admired me , called me their favourite, considered me an asset to the team , they are now shaming me at every possible platform. It is not their fault, you do not expect your player to cheat their own country. But why am I labelled as the worst before the result.

" This way please. " I turn around to look at a help opening the door . A few seconds later Kiara Singh emerges with a supporting stick and limping . A jog to her fastly wanting to support her . She looks up to me then at her knee and the to my hand extended out front to help .

Slowly, she plants her hand in mine . Now , those are some really small hands . I take a step back to stand beside her as we walk to the round table placed in the centre of the room .

I pull out a chair from my free hand for her to settle down .

" How is your knee ? " I ask obviously embarrassed.

" Feels like a feather touched it . Moves smoothly and pain ? ...... what is that! " She then gives me a look which clearly screams ' You - have - no - brain ' .

" I am sorry, I cannot imagine what discomfort is it . " I speak with sincerity because I could see her sigh and softening.

" It was an honest mistake. You strike a ball it might hit someone.... even in stadiums. " While saying this she struggles to keep her injured leg into a comfortable position. I hold my hands out in a silent permission to which she nods . Holding her ankle softly, I very cautiously move her leg to rest on the handles at the bottom of the table .

" Thankyou. " She smiles at me genuinely but I do not miss the discomfort on her face that she is trying to mask .

" In the stadium when it accidentally hits someone there is no ... I guess the law term is ' liability '. " She nods me to move on .

" They are there on their choice, no one forced them ki bhai jao match dekhna padega ( You have to watch the match).

It is a possibility that a ball might hit you ... there was this term ... umm where you can predict something like this might happen. " I click my fingers continuously.

" Foreseeable damage . " She pipes in .

" Yes ... wait . I don't remember the exact meaning now . " I exclaims yhe first part but I can't help but make a fool out of myself in front of her . A gracious smile makes a way on her head as she shakes her head .

" I am giving an example from the old time ok . " She holds her hand out in front as I nod .

" When you are hunting , you have friends to accompany you . Let's say I am taking a target but the bullet missed the target and hits you . Now , you were not there without your consent, there was no intention to hurt you and its an honest mistake. This was a predictable scenario, its was not something you couldn not imagine . " I would have failed law . Facts .

" I get it now . You can't pull a case against me because you were in a park, people play . " I tap my fingers on the table rhythmically.

" Why would do that ? " She asks me incredulously.

" I don't know. " I shrug indifferently.

" I am already in middle of a case for god knows some fixing . Kuch bhi possible hai ( Anything is possible ) . " I sigh loudly looking out of the window .

" Shall I give you a suggestion? " Kiara tilts her head slightly.

" Ahmm . " I hum .

" As a judge , I would always say this to both the sides . If you think you are innocent do no lose hope and never let the pressure succumb you to lower your guard and morals. I can see the media outside, the news channels covering this and how invested the public is . People lose themselves in between them and truth can never come across .I have no idea that you are a fixer or not but if you are not going to fight then you might as well consider yourself guilty. " She speaks solemnly . I was about to speak something when a lawyer enters .

" Good morning. " He announces with a big smile . He greets kiara with so much respect and settles himself across us .

" Mr . Arjun Malhotra , I am here to ask you a few questions. " He contiues while taking out papers from his briefcase .

" Please do . " I rub my hands on my thighs and moisten my lips .

" I have to keep the identity of the opponent a secret, you must already know that . " I nod .

" My first query is the informant claims of having an evidence against you which he would produce soon . Can you think of any such conversations ? "

" I do talk alot about my profession to many people . My brother, my friends .

A particular conversation where I am agreeing to score less or do not perform my part with dedication... I don't think so . " Why the hell would I do that!

" Very well . Do you think perchance you might have been under influence? "

" I am an occasional wine drinker. Never touched hard drinks or ever been in a situation where I have no control. I do not risk my health. "

" If we talk about the time period .....

Australia.. " He goes through some papers.

" The person claims to have this conversation with me 2 months ago right . So , I have already toured Australia and I was the man of the series. Not just the batting , I was doing great as a fielder . " I say feeling indignant.

" This is where it does not adds up . " He finally looks at me .

" Because this is the truth. I have money ok , I earn alot . I have endorsements , investments and my brother is a multimillionaire. I am in no need of money, we are a family to two . " I say some what louder .

" This is not coming through... " He looks at Kiara who nods , thoughtfully.

" Sir , by the end of the day we might be of the view point that maybe the accusation was mere misconceptions but that is not the end. Unless the other party claims your innocence we have no power because evidence is prime . " I hang my head low defeated.

" Maybe that person wants to toy me around, make me lose my concentration, mentally pressure me that I cannot perform in the coming series . Why is he not producing the evidence in front of the Judge , the board. " I point my hand at kiara .

" He has asked to give sometime to come out with it but if you can find anything in your evidence, that can help you . Otherwise, waiting is what we have to do . " He threads his fingers together.

" I do not know .... I guess I have to wait. " I slip my fingers through my hair .

" Moving on..... " He announces again .

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It went on for about 2 hours and might I add the most unproductive hours of the lives of the three people present here . It was like going in a circle again and again and yet again . Who is this man ? Why is he hiding? The conclusion of the meeting was ' nothing seems to connect ' . Ofcourse it wouldn't!

" When I am supposed to come next? "

I ask ' The judge ' who is as at the same page as everyone is this room .

" You will be informed ... when ever there is a development from anyside . "

There is this worry in her face as she waits for the elevator.

" Any problem? " She lifts her head to look at me , holding my eyes for some time them she shakes her head . The elevator dings and we step inside .

" Where did the lawyer go ? " He is not leaving?

" He has some other work . " She speaks softly, playing with the stick.

" If you don't mind me asking the how are you going back ? " Driving in this condition is not possible.

" My driver is here . " Ok then . She does not look in a mood to talk , at all . We step out at the ground floor as she makes her way for the exit but I stay back , gaining the courage to face the cameras. Kiara sees the media outside and turns to look at me with an unreadable expression .

" I'll get out.... later. " I wave her using my two fingers, lazily .

After 10 minutes I get the courage to walk outside . On seeing me my security lines up to save me from the cameras, the building guards try to keep the media away .

" Sir sir .... any updates. " Somehow a mic comes right in front of my face . I shake my head and remove the move by my hands . Many questions come in my way till I get into the car but the last one gets to me loud and clear .

" Sab theek ho jaega sir ( Everything will be great again ) , we love you sir . " A young man shouts with a big smile on his face . I bend down holding the door open amd mouth ' Thankyou bhai ( brother) .

" Sab theek ho jaega... " I whisper under my breath .

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" What are you looking at ? " Karn says as soon as I enter the living room .

" Flight tickets. " I settle on the sofa , scrolling through airplanes schedule .

" To where? " He asks bending down to look at the screen.

" To die . " I reply carelessly.

" In economy class ." He cries .

" Let me atleast book a business class ticket. " He finally comes face to face.

" How was it ? " He taps my head for me to look up at him .

" Exhausting... I was asked alot of questions which I relied with utter most honesty and in the end we are no where . " I throw my head back .

" It's a process, everything takes time . "

He sits across me , tilting his head side to side .

" You have something else on your mind ? " He finally says, knitting his brows.

" I ummm.... " Should I be feeling this ?

" I ummmm....... go on . " He prompts.

" My judge . " I finally sau and feel lighter instantly.

" Your judge , the one who has your career in her hands , the one you threw the drink on, the same woman you hit . That judge or am I missing something. " He shrieks loudly. Bad move bad move.

" Yes , I am going to save you some time . It is the same woman all along. " I massage my temples to ease the nerves .

" What about her ? " He bends forward with a sly smile .

" She is ... umm... I don't know karn . " I sigh feeling defeated. I am not being able to frame any words or understand what I feel .

" Let's do it my way ok . How is she ? See, a very simple question. " He waves his hand in the air .

" She's beautiful. " I say within a heartbeat.

" Ahaa.. I see . " He smiles like a goof ball .

" What does she talk like ? " He asks again to which I take some time.

" She is very straight. You know it takes her some time to feel comfortable around new people but in the beginning she has this camouflage on . " I remember how she gave me strength today , made me hold tight on hope .

" Ok.... what do you feel around her ? "

Now , this makes no sense .

" Intimated. " I say in a nano-second.

" Interestingggggggg. " He drags his fingers on his brow bone .

" What is so interestinggggg . " I darg the word just the way he did .

" I am under the impression that you might like her . " And just when I thought that he could be of any help .

" Your impression is not at all valuable or have any truth to it . " I give him a tight but a wide smile .

" oh I think I am very accurate this time. Right on point. " He mimics a gun shot with a loud 'bang ' . I play my part well as I act of being dead .

" I....amm..still ..not agreeing....with you.... " I stammer like a dying man .

He comes forward laughing and taps my face .

" Chal nah, overacting ( Move on ) . " He says as I open my eyes .

" The bullet went right through my chest you ungrateful man . " I say scoffing and a tad overacting to which karn shakes his head . I open my arms wide for him to pick me up but he gives me a stinky eye but , after few moments of silently abusing me in his mind he grasps one of my hand and pulls me up . I throw my hand on his shoulder and so do my weight making him bend sideways.

" Haan gira de mujhe ( Make me fall down) . " He says gaining his composure back but I do not desist.

" I am hungry. " I say dramatically.

I throw my other hand on his front trapping him .

" We have food but tere me ghusa kya hai ( what have gotten into you ) . " He gives me another stinky eye .

" Kuch bhi toh nahi ( Not a thing) . " He shakes his head exasperated . I guess goal achieved !

" Aryan and Randhir called . They were asking is it the right time to come . " We settle across each other at the dining table . Its around 3 in the noon , not the apt time for lunch .

" I am hungry too . " I knew he would not eat anything till I come back .

" I will call them to avoid coming by ... with the media and all maybe they should stay away . " This is the smart thing to do . I do not want being dragged into the pit with me , I can't risk them .

" I was thinking that we should have a leisure trip after all this . " He looks at me while taking a bite .

" That is if I get out of this mess then I have England tour but I am free after that for quite some time and if I am out this mess with a lifelong ban on my career then also we are going. " I shrug indifferently.

" If they got nothing today they won't ever because nothing exists against you and dono scenario me toh paise mere hi udd rahe hai ( In both scenarios , my money is being thrown). " This does not sound bad , not bad at all .

" We are going to USA ... dollar ke bhaav bhad gaye hai . ( Dollars rate have gone high ) . " I give him a mischievous smile to which he grunts in response.

" What's next ? " Yeah , what's next?

" Kiara told me that I would be called in after they have any major development. " I hope it does not happen.

" You are on the first name basis with you Judge. " Karn gives me a shake of his brows.

" I helped her with something in our past meeting but no I do not call her just by her first name anywhere but to you because we are not there ... yet. " I add after a pause .

" You can deny all you want but you do like her. " Here he goes again with this . I do not like her ... but I feel differently about her . They are two very different things right ? Hmm ... right !

I mean its not like that I don't like anything about her . She is the most beautiful woman I have ever seen , she is intelligent, smart , amazing to talk to , short yeah very short, she has these long beautiful hair and those glasses.

Everything about her likeable but , I don't like her . It definitely makes sense to me . I shrug my shoulders after the internal monologue.

" I am going to Mumbai for some days , the rush is high there. " Atleast someone has work .

" Just come back fast . " I state flatly.

" Of course, I am coming back as soon as everything is under control . " Karn passes the chicken to me .

" Wait a minute... two months back we were in Mumbai right ? " I remember the lawyer saying that it was an opening of some place where I apparently had that conversation .

" Zarza opened two months back . " Karn promts and looks at me confusingly.

" I remember them saying that I accept the offer at an opening .. two months back... that's it ! " I exclaim throwing my hands up in the air . Eureka!

" Kya huaa ( What happened) . " Karn cries feeling left out .

" When you go back get the footage for the opening night and didn't you tell me you got some shitty high tech cameras and mics installed and they can catch even the smallest sound . " I say as my excitement grows with every word but karn on the other hand is still lost . I just look at him , giving him time to process which he does eventually .

" Paise wasool ho gaye ( Got the worth of money) . " He exclaims matching my excitement.

" I'll be there tomorrow, find every clip of your's and then you can contact the board that you have evidence too . " God bless the high tech mics .

" Ahhh... what will I do without you . "I look at my brother, stronger than blood siblings.

" What will I do without you ? " He replies with same compassion and love .

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