"No Kavitha, this kid needs to have some sense of money. What if he loses all the money someday but still keeps up his spending habits."
"Stop inserting unnecessary black flags Pratap, look at how handsome he looks, if you ask me even twenty five thousand rupees would be worth spending for such well designed clothes" Kavitha replied fondling Arjun's hair.
Pratap was left speechless, Haa these women he lamented but did not say anything further. Just giving a stare at Arjun letting him know that this conversation was not yet over.
Arjun was thankful for the help his mother gave him. He was already tired from all the travelling and stuff he had to do during the day and had no energy to listen to his father's grumblings.
Kavitha meanwhile lovingly rubbed his head and asked him to go and take some rest.
The next day Arjun informed Venkateshwar Rao about the issue being settled which relieved the head master who was quite tense these few days as the deadline Arjun asked for had already passed but there was no news from him till now.
When the evening arrived Arjun did not let Karan to go to the press and asked him to return to his house while Arjun went to his house to get the suits that were designed for Karan and left to his house.
When Arjun handed the suits to Karan who excitedly tried them on immediatley and started running towards his parents to show off his new clothing Arjun silently followed him.
Madan looking at his son in the clothes which he himself rarely wore he took a glance at Arjun and noticing his smile he started his rant.
"Did you get this for him Arjun?"
"What was the need to do so?"
"Anyway he won't leave anywhere important!" Madan still kept on speaking.
"I can't purchase suits just for myself with my bestie beside me no uncle?" Arjun said once Madan was done with his rant.
Pramila meanwhile kept touching all around Karan's new clothes and exclaimed that he looked perfect in his new clothes which made Madan take another look at his son.
"Tell me Arjun how much did they cost? Judging from the quality these must not have been cheap were they?"
"four suits together costed eleven thousand dad, two for me two for Arjun" Karan mentioned without waiting for Arjun to reply.
Madan was visibly surprised after hearing this, even his suits were a bit cheaper, while these kids had such expensive clothes.
"Let me return the five thousand five hundred for the clothes Arjun" Madan mentioned bringing up his cheque book.
"No uncle you've already done enough for me, i still owe you ten thousand rupees from earlier. Please don't make it difficult for me to meet my friend again. How can i take money from you for clothes i gifted to him" Arjun reasoned with Madan.
Thankfully Madan was convinced and called for Bhargav to take a photo of the four of them while Karan was still in his suit.
When he was returning to his house Bhargav followed him but was a bit hesitant to speak his mind
What is it Anna Arjun questioned
I've done some investigation regarding Lalitha's story and it all checks out Arjun Bhargav replied.
So?
Well that guy is backed by the local MLA, even though the MLA was murdered recently their family still holds considerable sway in the local politics.
Hmm... just like we guessed Arjun commented
That's not all Arjun
What more could there be?
Remember Lalitha buying a couple of acres for her mother and their relatives taking care of her once she ran away?
Yes? Is there some issue with that land?
Yes chinna, Bhargav's words got stuck in his throat
Let me guess the relatives scammed her once again? Arjun enquired his frown growing deeper.
Yes but that's not all Arjun
Don't keep me in so much suspense Anna i am getting a bad feeling on what you are about to say
Well After they stole that land Lalitha's mother was sent to a local orphanage, a few months later she passed away due to some illness.
Are you sure? Arjun stopped his walk and stared at him dumbfounded
Yes Arjun, i made sure people double check the identities of her.
Does she know? Arjun questioned about Lalitha
Obviously no, Bhargav replied.
Arjun did not know what to say, he had imagined something like this to happen when Lalitha told them her story but confirmation of it was a different ball game altogether.
He did not know whether to inform about this matter or not. She deserved to know the truth but at the same time she was just hired into the job and was slowly getting used to her new surroundings and his family.
Arjun did not know how she would react if she got to know about this matter. It is a real possibility that she would place all the blame on herself for abandoning her mother considering her personality.
Arjun did not want this to happen especially after he started treating her as his older sister and she was getting slowly integrated into their family.
For now he decided not to inform her about the issue. He did not know how to resolve this issue. Anything he does even he takes revenge on the guy who caused all this, dead would still remain dead. There was no turning back from that fact.
There was also that new Balram guy whom they promised to meet on their next visit. What if he spills the beans instead?
Still confused Arjun asked for Bhargav's opinion on this matter.
Bhargav meanwhile was adamant about not informing Lalitha about this as this could effect her in more ways than one.
When Arjun mentioned about Balram though even he got stuck. They still did not know much about this new guy and his personality. Even though he looked like he loved her with all his heart in their first meet they did not know if they could convince him to keep this matter to himself.
Arjun asked Bhargav to quickly investigate what this guy did from the moment he retired from the military and whether what he said was the truth or there was something else to it.
Bhargav gave a nod and left on his way.
When Arjun returned to his home the family were already having their dinner together with Lalitha, He gave a slight smile to her and joined everyone at the table.
Haaiiss it seems my family doesn't care about my dinner anymore Arjun commented starting to fill his plate up
Lalitha and Kavitha gave a small knowing smile understanding this guy was doing his antics again while Pratap gave a strong glance at him to indicate him to shut it. Sari was the only one who said i was hungry Anna and you were away at Madan uncles place. I wanted to call you back but dad didn't let me out.
Once they were done with their dinner Pratap asked Arjun out for a walk, Arjun understood what was coming his way and followed him.
Pratap once again ranted about not spending money like water just because Arjun got recently into some.
Arjun too got where his father was coming from. If he had a son who got recently into business, made some money and started being a spendthrift he too would probably do the same.
Pratap put up a condition on Arjun to not spend over one percent of his money in bank for anything other than business purposes. If he did so Pratap promised to give a nice coating with his belt.
Alright dad i will do as you say Arjun still staring at the ocean replied to his dad.
You have something else on your mind kiddo? Pratap asked seeing Arjun's expression.
Arjun was hesitant whether to inform his father about car order or not but since it would have to come out at some point he asked
Dad...do you have a driving license for four wheelers?
Yes kiddo why do you ask?
Ummm....dad i have ordered a car for us Arjun replied hesitantly.
You did what? Pratap who was calming down just now flared up again
I ordered a Ambassador for us, it'll be delivered in two weeks at the dealership.
Don't tell me you've paid the advance already!
Yes dad i have already paid the down payment of ten thousand rupees.
Sssss....Pratap took a long breath to control his anger
What was the need to Arjun, aren't we doing just fine? even if you wanted a better way to commute wouldn't buying a scooter do?
It's not just about commuting dad Arjun replied hesitant to speak more
What is it?
Well you know Vladimir is coming in a month right i don't want to accompany him a borrowed jeep or a rented car.