Chapter 34: Chapter 34

Niharika's POV

I was utterly devastated and afraid of the consequences if the pictures were released anywhere. I felt grateful to the lord to have Arpit in my life. He was so very understanding and rational. He literally didn't even judge me for once. I didn't even once plead to him to listen that it's not me. It was him who consoled me saying that it's not me and things will be fine. My man is indeed the best. I sat there thinking about everything and appreciating his personality traits as he fed me the breakfast.

The doorbell rang. I was embarrassed to face Raghav or anyone. I couldn't believe these people would look at the vulgar pictures of someone with my face on it. I clutched the yellow envelope in my hands which was lying on the sofa and hid it in the kitchen.

Raghav had come in with Shristi. He saw my pale face and looked at Arpit with a confused expression. He sat on one of the accent chairs and said, "Madam, what's the matter?"

Ignoring him, I asked everyone to sit and took a deep breath as I sat on the accent chair in front of Raghav. Arpit was standing near me like a pillar placing a hand on my shoulder supporting my fragility.

Taking a deep breath and controlling my sobs, I said, "Raghav, Arpit's mom received photoshopped pictures which are enough to defame my character." I couldn't control my sobs and Arpit soothed me making me drink water eventually calming me down.

"Wait a second", rolling his eyes towards me, Raghav said dramatically, "Are you two in a relationship?"

"Raghav, we were classmates in college and yes, we are in a relationship, planning to marry soon." I said firmly this time. I was indeed, proud of my man.

"Congratulations, madam. Really happy for you." Raghav said lightening the atmosphere. He looked towards Arpit and smiled.

He said, "Madam, we have two approaches for this thing. First, your rival or any ex is trying to do this. Since, Vikram, and his accomplices, are locked up for good; I don't think it is related to business rivalry."

Interrupting him, I said, "I don't have any past either."

He nodded in agreement and looked towards Arpit. He said, "Second, Dr. Khandelwal could have a lingering past or may be present behind him which is haunting your lives."

I was irritated with the word 'present'. Piercing my eyes into Raghav, I said, "Mr. Raghav, We have loyalty and faith in our relationship. Your idea of him having a present with someone else, though practical, is a crap, total crap. Mind it." I said as I shoved my finger around his finger.

I could hear Arpit chuckling as Raghav had an apologetic look on his face. Arpit pressed his palm on my shoulder and whispered in my ear, "Thank you. I love you." I could merely smile.

"Mr. Raghav, I had been into no relationships, I stayed in the UK, USA, France and Australia. It's important to find the culprit and stop the rascal of releasing the pictures anywhere. Hope you understand the fathom of the situation." Arpit said.

"Show me the pictures", Raghav said looking towards Arpit.

I registered what he said when Arpit asked for the envelope. Moving my head right to left and vice-versa, I said, "N.. No."

Both of the men stood stunned as if I had grown two heads, while Shristi, the assistant said, "Madam, trust me. I need to see them to analyse them."

I stuttered, "Raa... Raghav, you will please n...not see them. It's about my modesty. Though it isn't me but still there's my...my face."

Arpit embraced me in a side hug, only to stop me burst into tears again. I left him and got the envelope, handing it to Shristi.

Raghav stood still perhaps, digesting the situation in his mind or trying to understand my vulnerable version. I had handled situations well but I just can't be confident with those supposedly mine intimate pictures. Ugh..

Arpit got coffee for everyone while the rest three of us stood still.

Raghav broke the silence. "Doctor, do you have a CCTV at your main gate."

Arpit rolled his eyes towards him and said, "Call me by my name, man; but not a doctor. It gives a feeling of a cardiologist." He chuckled, lightening the atmosphere and continued, "Regarding CCTV, there's one when we enter our colony."

Stiffening himself, Raghav said, "I can't call you by name, sir. I love my salary. I don't want to get fired." I knew they both were pulling up the banter to lighten the tension in the atmosphere. I calmed myself down.

Raghav said professionally, "Come, let's check it. Your mom received them on Friday, right. We will see the CCTV footage for the whole day though I expect the fiasco to be happening at noon."

I am really thankful to Raghav and his team.

Mumbling a soothing, "Take care" to me, Arpit rubbed my back and went with Raghav.

Shristi was working on her laptop all the while taking occasional glances at me. Being uncomfortable with me, since we rarely met, she called someone.

"Sir.. The photos are taken from random websites... I think via google search... The face is also taken from random blogs....Trust me, one's from the award function of 2018...No, a professional won't do such cheap work... None hired, I expect.... Not good photoshop tools used... Yes, I also expect personal rivalry...Okay."

She turned towards me and said, "Madam, none from a business background, I think. They're checking footage. Nothing will happen."

I nodded and mumbled a 'thank you' to her. I wanted this fiasco to end. I ordered some food for both of us after asking her preferences as they didn't show any signs of coming back and it was time for lunch. I wondered, one of my employees who is ruining her weekend at my house must be hungry.

Soon, we had our meals and chatted with each other. She told me that she was an expert in analysing pictures, videos and even at hacking. She was an ethical hacker too. She was interested to know about my struggles after my parents and hence, we had a long chat. My headache has gone by now. She got a call from Raghav. I couldn't hear much except, "The case is solved... What... We need to come... University hostel... Wait, I will... Okay, sir."

I rolled my eyes towards her to which she said, "Madam, please let's go to meet the culprit or should we call them here."

I didn't want the rascal to come home so I chose to go. I got ready wearing a semi-formal black shirt and cream trousers. I applied a bit of makeup hiding my dark circles built up due to crying. I called Raghav but he didn't tell me anything except to come. Arpit, on the other hand, seemed vulnerable and mumbled sorry when I called him. I kept pestering her to know about the culprit but Shristi had zipped up her mouth throughout the ride. We ultimately reached the University Girls Hostel of my city. I was shocked.