Chapter 12 - Chapter Twelve

Lakshimi was still thinking of what to do with the cocaine, she really needs to find a way to get rid of it but what if Maya wakes up and tell everyone where she gets the cocaine from..

Who could have done this to her, or could it be Meerah.... Will she go this far just to see her punished by Abhishek

She was contemplating on what to do with the cocaine as she is so confused at what step to take when a knock came on her door

She wide her eyes in shock as she quickly turn to face the door and gulp down nervously

"Ma'am Lakshimi, madam Durga is requesting your presence" a maid voice sounds from outside the room

"Okay, tell her that am coming" Lakshimi replied with a bit stammer

She stare at the drugs in her hand, she will think of what to do with it once she comes back from answering Durga's call. She hide the cocaine in her closet, in such a way it will be hard to see

She breaths out and walk out striding towards Durga's room her heart refusing to stop beating as she feels so much scared. After clearing up this mess, she will definitely find out who created it

****

"So that is what happened, you father married her off because of the shame she brought to our family.. Lakshimi ruined our family's reputation because of her shameful behavior but luckily for her, she even got married into a rich home and she doesn't deserve it at all" Rivati voice out as Rahul breaths out. Rahul decides to get the whole details of why Lakshimi got married after freshing up and settled in his room

"I still can't believe that Lakshimi can do such thing, maybe you people misunderstood the whole situation. Lakshimi is a decent girl, she can never think of flirting around with guys" Rahul protest

He has a very good relationship with Lakshimi before he left the country, he knew Lakshimi so much ... She is not someone to do such thing they accuse her off, he believes there must be a misunderstanding somewhere

"Come one Rahul, mother is telling the truth, we saw the video our selves.. she was even kissing the guy in the video. She is not a decent girl as you think, you won't believe the so much humiliation our family has to go through because of her shameful act. Even I was shock when we found out her true colors because she always act decent but that was all pretends" Prachi cuts in

"But still father shouldn't have married her off, even if she did it... It was a mistake. That doesn't mean she has to throw away all her dreams because of one mistake... You guys totally ruined her life and I am not in support of it"

"You are saying this because you weren't there when it happened, she should be happy she found someone that married her after what she did. Don't you know that girls caught in such act are likely to live in their father's house forever, that will be if their father allows it because some of them will be thrown out of the house" Rivati states

"All these doesn't have meaning now, this is 21st century and all these traditions are outdated. A girl cannot be married off because she was seen with a guy, it doesn't make sense at all... Such doesn't happen in London"

"That is London but this is India, we have customs and tradition and every citizen of India has to comply with it" Rivati chip in

"Tell me, how can I see Lakshimi cos I miss her?, I really need to find a way to help her in this mess you people puts her in, she needs to purse her dream which has been part of her life... She so much work hard for it" Rahul ask

"Just forget about her, she is married and no longer part of this family.... Her dreams are gone, there is no hope of raising it again, she ruined it herself and please don't get involve in their issue" Rivati add

"Well because of what she did, father banned her from visiting home .. father has disowned her, she is no more part of this family and don't get involved in her problems as mother said" Prachi cuts in

"What! are you guys serious... How can father disowned her because of such petty mistake"

"She deserves it Rahul and it is not a petty mistake, just forget about her because she will soon be a history" Rivati voice out

"What do you mean mum?" Rahul ask

"Is nothing dear... Come on prachi let's go set the table cos I made some special food for my son, I believe he will like them... It has been long he tasted what I cooked" Rivati cuts in with a smile. She nearly spill out the truth of their plan against Lakshimi to Rahul. She knew quite well that Rahul likes Lakshimi and menka and she really hates that fact

****

Meerah gently smooth her daughter's palm as she sits beside her on the bed. It hurts her so much seeing her daughter in that condition

Her daughter is now suffering because of her plan against Lakshimi but that won't make her stop, because she will make sure that Lakshimi suffers the same way her daughter is suffering now

She is going to put Lakshimi in a very critical condition that she won't survive at all, right now she will make her life more miserable in this mansion

She remembers what Guari said as she glance at Abhishek who is also in the room worried about the little Maya but she will never allow that happen, she will never allow Lakshimi take anything away from her. She is Meerah Singh and she will show Lakshimi how dangerous she can be and Lakshimi will learn to fear her

She remembers how the second wife was acting all tough and stubborn just like Lakshimi but she put her in her place and she is going to do so with Lakshimi.... She will so much make her suffer

Her eyes are fixed on the sleeping Maya, the doctor gave her some medication and assured she will be fine after taking some rest..... She is so worried cos Maya has not open or blink her eyes for two hours now

"I will be back Meerah and don't panic too much, nothing will happen to our daughter... I promise to find out who did this and I will make sure that person is punished in a hard way" Abhishek gnash out, Meerah gulp down nervously. What if everything trace back to her but she is sure she did a clean job

"Just forget about it Abhi, where will you even start to look for the culprit... I am sure someone invade this house, our enemy to be precise to implicate us. All I want now is for my daughter to get better" Meerah cuts in calmly. She needs to get Abhishek's mind away from looking for the culprit

It is better for Maya to be the one to spill out who the culprit is, she believes that when Maya will say that Lakshimi is the culprit.... Abhishek will punish Lakshimi and then he won't have any reason to investigate the case and she will also have no reason to panic cos Lakshimi will be blamed for everything

"That is the main reason I want to find out who did this, I am sure it is one of my enemy but they have forgotten that I am Abhishek Singh and whenever someone disturbs my peace, I kill theirs. Anyone that did this probably don't know how deadly I can be" Abhishek blurts out. Meerah force out a smile as Abhishek walk out from the room. She glance at Maya, she is her only hope now of making sure Lakshimi gets all the blames

****

Lakshimi gently walk inside the large room and she can see some saree on the big bed and Durga sitting to arrange them. She smile as she noticed Lakshimi in the room

"Come on Lakshimi, help me arrange this Saree, Preeta will also be here to help you.... I wasn't able to arrange it because of the commotion earlier" she speaks up, Lakshimi smile faintly as she joins her

This is not what she should be doing now, she supposed to be looking for a way to get rid of those cocaine in her room before someone sees it but she can't say no to Durga..... She has been so kind and lovely towards her unlike most aunts

"Ehmmm aunt ... can I do it later" she mumble out hoping Durga will say yes

"But why, are you busy with something?" Durga ask. Lakshimi wants to tell her the truth but she don't thinks it is necessary, she might misunderstand her and the situation

"No, no, don't worry I will do it now"

"Thank you for that, I wanted to do it myself but I need to be with Maya right now and also Meerah because I can feel what she is going through now" Durga chip in before walking out

****

Maya blink her eyes thrice before she slowly flap it open, her head hurts but a bit and she feels little dizzy... Her vision was blur not until it slowly cleared up

"Maya, Maya baby" Meerah whimpers as she noticed she is awake, a smile quickly escape her lips

"Maya my child" she whimpers once more and hug her while she is still on bed, she break from the hug and kiss her forehead

"I was worried to death, I was so worried that something might happen to you. Am so glad you are okay" she add trying to sniff in the tears but Maya was just staring at her, it looks like she is just recovering

The doctor said that when cocaine is taken inside the immune system as Maya's, it is likely for the person to run mad and starts acting awkward but Maya has a positive chance to escape such since she didn't consume much of it and she is glad about it... She can't imagine her daughter being insane because of what she did

"Mum" she mumble and Meerah smile teary, she is able to recognize her, that means her brain is still intact

"My baby" she beam out and kiss her forehead once more

"Am sorry dear, I am sorry you need to go through this" she add

"I'm hungry" Maya mumble

"Of course, I will inform the maid to bring it now" Meerah cuts in as she dail the kitchen number informing who so ever that answer it to bring food up to Maya's room

"Tell me Maya baby, do you remember seeing a white substance that looks like milk in Lakshimi's room, I mean in the room of your father's new wife?" She ask after some minutes. Maya was just staring at her, it looks like she can't remember anything... She is just confused

"Maya" Meerah whispers

"I ... I don't know mum, I can't remember anything, my head hurts" Maya replied at Meerah's disappointment

"Okay baby, it is fine if you don't remember but I want you to do something for me.... Promise you will do it for mum" she chip in with a smile and Maya nods

*****

Lakshimi was still arranging the saree her heart not at rest, Preeta also joined her as Durga said. Preeta can notice how restless she is, she looks nervous and scared

"Are you okay Lakshimi?" She ask and Lakshimi quickly stare at her as it looks like the question was a shock to her

"Y... Yeah am okay, am good" she stutters

"But it doesn't seems so, something is bothering you... am sure of it" Preeta cuts in. She don't know if it is the right thing telling Preeta the truth besides she needs someone to share this with... She needs help on what to do with that cocaine and Preeta looks like someone she can trust and she won't misunderstand her

"Lakshimi.... You can share whatever it is that is disturbing you, no need of bearing it to your self, a problem shared is half solved" Preeta gently said and Lakshimi breaths out as she shut her eyes and reopen them at once

"Promise me you won't doubt me Preeta"

"I am ready to listen to you and I won't doubt you, the little time I've known you shows me of how good person you are and surprisingly I've got to trust you" Preeta chip in and that kind of give Lakshimi the courage to speak out

She open up to Preeta and tell her everything, how she find the cocaine in her room

"Oh! My world Lakshimi, I think that someone is trying to get you into trouble... It was all planned, I mean the police getting such information about our Mansion. I knew it wasn't a coincidence" Preeta said worriedly

"I am confused on what to do Preeta, how do I get rid of those drugs before Abhishek sees it and I am also worried that Maya might say she saw those drugs in my room"

"You don't have to panic Lakshimi, you need to be strong so we can find a way to deal with this mess" Preeta chip in but Lakshimi couldn't help but worry

*****

"Abhi, Maya is awake" Meerah beam out the moment Abhishek enters the room once again, he was forced to let out the smile, he won't lie cos he was really scared when Maya was in that critical condition

He gently sits besides her on the bed and he kiss her forehead

"Are you okay now baby?"he ask gently and Maya nods. He smiles and glance at Meerah who is staring at him

"Is there a problem?" He ask once again

"Maya said something to me earlier.... She told me where she got those cocaine from" she replied and Abhishek paid more attention

"Where" Abhishek sounds eagerly

"It was hard for me to believe when she said it but I have to, she is a child and children doesn't lie, she pause before speaking up again.... She found it in Lakshimi's room"

"What!" Abhishek exclaim not wanting to believe it

"That's what the kid said Abhi, a child cannot lie and besides only her knows where she got it from" Meerah cuts in smirking inwardly, she actually ask Maya to lie by telling everyone she found the cocaine in Lakshimi's room besides that's where she found it just that she forgot. Abhishek turn to Maya, he don't know why his heart doesn't want to believe what Meerah said

"Is that true Maya, did you find the cocaine in Lakshimi's room?" Abhishek ask staring directly into Maya's eyes, Maya glance at her mother before nodding positively. Abhishek clench his fist in anger, Meerah knew Lakshimi is doom for good

Just then Durga walk in with Lakshimi and Preeta, Abhishek's cold scary eyes glare at Lakshimi who could feel shiver down her spine as she gulp down

Could it be that Maya has tell them the truth, she glance at Preeta who give her a sign to be strong

"Come on Lakshimi give Maya the tea, it will help cool her down" Durga said not noticing the tension in the room

Abhishek's eyes were still on Lakshimi, he don't know if he is angry because of what she did or he is angry because he is going to give her punishment for what she did

Lakshimi was about giving Maya the tea but Meerah raise her hand up urging her to stop. She stands up from the bed and walk up to Lakshimi in so much anger on her face

Lakshimi was just staring at her not knowing when Meerah landed a hot slap on her cheeks

She wide her eyes in shock as she held her cheeks starring directly at Meerah. Durga and Preeta gasp surprised at meerah's action

"What's the meaning of this Meerah?" Durga ask surprised or maybe shock. She glance at Abhishek and saw the angry look on his eyes as they were fixed on Lakshimi

"How dare you, how dare you put my daughter in this condition and still pretend to be nice by bringing to her this God forsaken tea" Meerah grime. Durga gave a sign to one of the maid standing at the door to take Maya to the next room so she could rest there.... She really need to understand what is going on here

"Can someone tell me what is going on here, what do you mean by what you just said Meerah" Durga ask muddled

"This disgusting woman is the culprit behind all these mess, she is the reason the police insulted our family today and she is the reason my innocent daughter nearly lost her life

She has been fooling us all, acting all nice so we cannot find out who she truly is" Meerah squeal staring blazingly at Lakshimi whose heart is beating so fast, Durga glance at Lakshimi in shock

"Are you sure of what you are saying Meerah?" Durga ask her voice not too strong, she just can't believe it.... Lakshimi doesn't look like someone who can do such a thing

"That's the truth aunt, Maya said it her self.... She told me the room she got the cocaine from when she woke up. I will not let this woman get away with what she did to my daughter"

"This is unbelievable Meerah, I think there is a misunderstanding here. Where can Lakshimi get a cocaine and what will she do with it, even you have to think about it. She haven't even left the house since she came into this mansion"

"I can't believe you are siding with this woman after what she did to my daughter, are you trying to say Maya is lying"

"That is not what am trying to say Meerah but you know that Maya is a kid, she might not fully remember where she got it from because she plays around in so many room... Let's not rush to conclusions yet and besides this just look like a plan plotted against us by our enemy"

"You are just too unbelievable aunt, you don't even know this woman well or where Abhishek could have picked her from but you are are defending her" Meerah snap and glance at Abhishek who hasn't say anything yet, his eyes still on Lakshimi

"Are you going to stand their quietly and do nothing about this, this woman needs to be punished for what she did to my daughter" Meerah voice out faking tears waiting patiently for Abhishek's reaction and luckily for her he reacted

"Guards!" Abhishek shriek and Lakshimi wide her eyes in shock as fears clouded her. Just then the guards rush in and Meerah smile

"Don't make decisions in a haste Abhishek" Durga cuts in

"Go search her room immediately and once you find anything odd just bring it straight to me" he orders. Lakshimi gulp down in fear as she glance at Preeta

"Why do you have to search her room, no need for that just get rid of her already. The sight of her makes me angry for what she did to my daughter.. no matter what Abhi, this woman must not be spared.... It is clear she is the culprit" Meerah snap as she glare at Lakshimi who has her head faced down her hands trembling

"That's the right thing to do Meerah, if the guards find something in her room then your accusations will be considered, I guess you should just calm down" Durga cuts in

**

They were all waiting patiently for the guards and Lakshimi heart couldn't stop beating as she feels restless. Meerah hopes the cocaine will still be in Lakshimi's room but it has to because she hid like two packs of it in her room and Maya only took one pack

Just after some minutes of waiting the guards finally came to give then feedback. Lakshimi's heart skip a bit as her eyes were fixed on the guards lips

"Did you find any thing?" Durga ask

"No ma'am, we searched the entire room but couldn't find any hard drugs"one of the two guards replied and Lakshimi's rising heart and curiousity was able to fall down as she shut her eyes and open them with a smile of relive, she glance at Preeta and she smile at her

She remembers how Preeta demand to see the drugs after telling her the truth. They were both still contemplating on what to do with it when a knock came on the door once again as Durga wants Lakshimi in the kitchen

Preeta ask Lakshimi to go ahead that she will find a way to get rid of the drugs. Preeta later think of flushing the substance into the toilet and then dispose the nylon

Lakshimi smile relived that Preeta was able to get rid of the drug, she really saved her

"What do you mean you find nothing, did you even check well" Meerah blurts out

"Yes madam Meerah, we searched every corner of the room but we find nothing" the guard replied and Meerah twist her fist in so much anger, she can't let Lakshimi escape once again

"This is the main reason I told you there was no point searching the room because am sure she must have dispose the cocaine when the commotion was going on

Abhi you need to do something, this woman cannot escape from what she did" Meerah blurts out

"But the evidence is clear Meerah, nothing was find in her room... Why are you still persisting that she is the culprit?" Durga cuts in

"I don't trust her aunt, this woman is cunny.. she actually played this game well leaving now trace behind. Don't tell me you are going to let this woman go Abhi"

Lakshimi heart starts beating again, why is Meerah so bound in making her the culprit. Her eyes were starring at Abhishek hoping he won't punish for a crime she didn't commit

"Take her away, lock her up and make sure she doesn't escape... I will think of what to do with her later" Abhishek orders and Meerah smile. Lakshimi wide her eyes in shock and fear as the two guards gets hold of her

No, she can't let this happen... She can't let them punish her for what she didn't do. She struggles as the guards were dragging her out. Preeta feel so pity for her that she feels like crying. Durga blames herself that she can't do anything to stop Abhishek, whenever his mind is made up nothing can change it

"Just let go of me!" Lakshimi squeak as she was able to free herself from the grip of those guard who actually didn't held her with their might

She walk back inside the room her face burning in anger which was hidden in fear as she walk up to Abhishek and stand in front of him starring directly at him

"You can't punish me for what I didn't do, it was my mistake that I didn't notice when someone sneak into my room and hide those cocaine but that doesn't mean I should pay for it" Lakshimi blurts out though she is a little bit scared but she needs to defend herself

Abhishek quickly glance at her flabbergasted, others not left out, she has the gut to challenge Abhishek. This new wife of his has no fear at all and full of boldness

"I suggest that we look at the CCTV footage outside my room, I believe it will clear up everything" she add and Meerah wide her eyes as she gulp down

she never thought of that, she didn't delete the footage... This will totally ruin her plan. She glare at Lakshimi, she has so much guts to always escape her plan and make it back fires her

"Don't tell me you are listening to this woman, just look at the way she talked to you... No one has done that before, she has the audacity to challenge you and you want to let it slide" Meerah voice out trying to hide her fear and anger

"She didn't challenge him Meerah, she is only asking for a chance to prove her innocence.. I suggest we look at the footage" Durga cuts in

"She is always fond of asking for a chance to prove her innocence, as far as I can remember she hasn't proven her innocence of messing the food she was asked to cook and now she is asking for another chance"

"But it hasn't been one week yet, I was given one week and I believe I will prove my innocence before one week. And about this present Incident, I will prove my innocence right now, I just need the footage so everyone can see for themselves what the truth is. I know nothing about that cocaine or how it got into my room" Lakshimi cuts in

Meerah glance at Abhishek, her heart beating fast... No mater what she can't allow them look at the footage, she needs to do something