Overwhelmed. That is how I am feeling right now. My notification tab is full with getting notified about being nominated by so many of you for the fan fiction 2017 contest for Indian television shows. Heartfelt thank you guys.:)

Shishir's POV.

I looked at the man standing in front of me shifting his feet uncomfortably. It was understandable.

"Charles. You know you can talk to me about anything." I told him encouragingly.

"I know that Mehrotra. That is the reason I have come to you, to speak directly." He said nodding his head in agreement.

I looked on, already having an idea about what he was wanting to talk about.

"No matter what, brothers, especially younger ones-" He stopped as though trying to think of correct words to frame..

"I agree Charles." I said with a sigh not needing him to finish what he was trying to say. I knew Suvi had her mind made up and she was not going to press any charges against Ricky.

I did not agree but then one hell of a stubborn girl she is. Thinking about her stubbornness my mind immediately goes to the gifts she had sent over the years.

It was bad enough had no clue about them till yesterday, however worse was not being able to open them. She had refused to let me even touch them!

I will have to do something about that I thought.

"Mehrotra?" Charles voice reached my ears.

I realised thinking about Suvi and the parcels I had completely zoned out!

"Sorry Charles. I was thinking about something." I apologised to him feeling slightly embarrassed.

"That is all right Mehrotra." Charles said quickly "So as I was saying this problem could easily be sorted, with the proper and required help. I mean medical help."

I nodded. Yes he is right. Counselling can work wonders in getting people back on track. "That could help Charles." I told him with a smile.

He immediately looked relived and smiled at me. "I know a few good dieticians. If you want I could share their details with you."

Dieticians??

"You think a dietician can help?" I asked confused with his suggestion.

"Yes. I mean this does look like an eating disorder so a correct diet would hold the key along with any required treatment." Charles insisted.

I gave him a long look suddenly not sure what we were talking about.

"Who are you talking about Charles?" I asked.

"Your brother of course." He answered frowning at my question.

"My brother?" I blurted startled.

"Yes. I know he is actually your cousin but-"

"All this while you have been talking about Paresh?"

"Yes. Who did you think I was talking about?" Charles asked looking surprised.

I almost told him 'Ricky' but thought it best not to mention. Just then there was a sharp knock on my door before it opened to show Danny.

He looked from me to Charles and said. "Should I come back later?"

I shook my head to tell him it was fine and gestured for him to take a seat. My mind was trying to understand what Charles was talking about.

"What are you trying to tell Charles?" I asked "What makes you think Paresh needs help?"

"I know he has always had a passion for eating, however off late he has started- well lets say he has started indulging in things that could be highly unhealthy and inedible for human beings."

"Like what?" I asked beginning to feel worried. How did I not notice Paresh had any such problem?

"Like mud, bricks, plants-."

"What??"

"Today morning when I opened the fridge I was stunned to see big cut pieces of cactus plant and broken pieces of pot. I was about to throw it all in the dustbin but Paresh came charging and shouted at me to stop. Not only that he actually popped a chunk of mud in his mouth and offered me some too!"

Danny's chortled laughter drowned my groan of despair as realisation struck.

"You should have tried it Charles, my man. It is really delicious." Danny said trying to stop laughing.'

Charles gave him a confused look before turning to me.

With a sigh I explained what it actually was- Suvi's cake!

"That is a cake?" Charles said his eyebrows arching in surprise.

"Yes. And as Danny said, a very tasty one." I said with a wry smile.

Charles chuckled "I had no idea. Sorry Mehrotra. I really thought Paresh was facing some problem."

"I can understand Charles." I smiled, knowing he always has the best of my interest in his heart. It's not his fault if  the  two people closest to my heart are also the weirdest.

Charles smiled and left just as my phone rang.

Richard.

"Sexy shark has grown wings and Silly Willy tags along." He says as soon as I answer.

I frown "That is the new message?" I mumble feeling frustration hit me again.

"Yes. Ben called your offices landline number few minutes back." Richard continued on the other side.

"And you still don't know about what this crap about Sexy shark and silly Willy or Billy is?" I asked feeling really helpless. This was getting really out of hand now.

"Okay Richard. I will talk to you later." I said hanging up after he said he is trying his best to decode it.

"Shishir why were you talking about um Shark and Willy?" Danny asked quietly.

With a sigh I started to tell but stopped when I saw the look on his face.

"You are the person from our office who is involved." I stated and I knew I am not wrong.

"Yes I have been assigned on this case but – is this about those missing letters you had mentioned?"

"Yes." I said shortly. What did he mean by 'assigned?"

"You are the one who the letters were supposed to reach, aren't you?"

"Yes." I said again, still not sure how Danny is involved. Or even why he is a part of this.

"Crap! I should have known!" He said. "But why is all this so secretive and in code?"

"You are asking me?" I scrunched my eyebrows at him. "You are the one involved in this."

"Few days back Henry assigned me to co ordinate with Ben and Matt. That is all I am doing." Danny cleared.

"Henry our Boss?" I asked in shock.

"Of course. Who else?" Danny said twitching his lips. "He is taking care of the case himself. He said it was for someone very important and very valued by our firm."

"Very Valued?!" I muttered trying to figure out who. Could it be my father? He and Henry have always been quite close.

"You said Ben and Matt." I said out aloud.

"Matt from British investigators." Danny said.

"British Investigators? You mean Matt, who is Richard's assistant?" I said feeling beyond stunned by now.

"The same." Danny confirmed.

I slumped back on my chair heavily. For days we were trying to figure out not only what all this meant but also who were involved and they were people working right under our noses.

My closest colleague and Richard's Assistant!

I called Richard and told him about Matt. Without disconnecting my phone he immediately confronted Matt.

I winced when I heard Richard shouting at whatever had been Matt's response.

"Sh?" He said into the phone.

"Yes?"

"Yes it is him and he is quite happy and proud about it! My own assistant!" Richard said sounding pissed.

"Why did he do it?" I asked

"He has been assigned to coordinate on this by our senior. It seems this is for a person bery valued by our firm!" Richard said.

After talking to Richard it was clear Matt was also not aware of the actual details, just like Danny.

It was the seniors of our firms who were behind all this. Were they Sexy Shark and Silly Willy? Or they were working for someone whom both valued a lot?

It has to be the latter. But who is this person?

I looked at Danny who was staring at me intently. "Those letters were written to you by Suvarna weren't they?"

"Yes. And I was not even aware!" I said feeling more drained than ever before.

Danny whistled "This sure is weird."

I did not answer.

"Don't worry Shishir. We will sort this out. At least now we know who all are involved." He said.

I sighed and ran my hand in my hair feeling too helpless. Whoever it was knew my circle of confidants and trusted people well, there was no doubt about it.

I sat thinking about all this even as Danny went out of my office.

Suddenly I had the urge to hear Suvi's voice. Only she can calm me now. I dialed her numbr and frown when she does not answer.

Why is she not answering? I dialed again. Still no response. I dialled Paresh's number. Why is he also not answering? Where are they?

I closed my eyes in despair as realisation struck me. I should have known. Suvi would not give up once she makes up her mind about something.

Suvarna's POV.

I took out my phone from my purse as I stepped out of the building with Paresh.

Five missed calls from Shishir!

"Shishir has been calling me." I tell Paresh.

"He has called me too." Paresh said checking his mobile.

I braced myself for what was coming and answered the phone. "He is not answering." I said frowning.

"That is because he is coming here." Paresh said pointing in front.

I looked at Paresh knowing what this meant. Shishir had guessed we had come to meet Aditya after all. Not as his lawyers but we did meet him.

Within a few seconds Shishir's car came and stopped in front of us. He got down and came and stood in front of us.

"You two don't listen, do you?" He said looking amused.

"You are not angry?" I asked in surprise. In response he pulled me in a hug.

Something was not okay. I could make out Shishir was not okay, something was bothering him.

He pulled away and gestured for us to sit in the car.

"Paresh you have been suggested to be treated by a dietician." He said jokingly looking at Paresh who sat in the back seat.

"What? By whom? Why?" Paresj blurted.

I was laughing, my sides aching as I held my stomach as Shravan related his conversation with Charles.

"Suvi! This is all your fault. You and your crazy cake designs." Paresh said groaning.

I and Shishir laughed at his expression and he grumbled away.

I glanced at Shishir as he laughed. "Shishir, What is it? What is bothering you?" I asked softly.

"Some new developments in what Ben has been doing." He said looking angry. I could feel his frustration at not being able to get answers to something as simple as why my letters never reached him. Or even the gifts.

I and Paresh heard out what Shishir said in stunned silence. I could understand now why Shishir was feeling so frustrated.

After ten minutes Shishir pulled in the car outside his apartment block and we got down in silence.

Just as We were about to get up on the elevator someone called out "Shishir!"

We turned to see a very flustered looking Rahul jog up to us.

"Where did all of you go? I-"

"None of your business!" Shishir said looking very pissed. I gasped at his rudeness and poked his ribs with my fingers and glared at him. "That is rude." I hissed softly. He looked at me and said. "Okay fine I will behave."

He turned back to Rahul and said in an over sweet tone. "Dearest Rahul. That is none of your business." He turned to me ."Happy?"

I rolled my eyes at him trying not to laugh. And the man insists he is not jealous!

"There are some guests from India. I went to pick them up from the airport. Varsha asked me to." Rahul said looking at Shishir. "Since you were not there I have taken them to my apartment for now. You go up I will bring them to your flat." Rahul said.

He was gone before we could ask who it was.

Twenty minutes later the bell to Shishir's Apartment rang and I opened the door before Shishir or Paresh could reach it.

I stared at an old man in straw hat and bright T shirt standing in front. Who is he? He looks familiar but I cannot recognise him.

"Dadaji!" I heard Shishir  say from just behind me.

Shishir's paternal grandfather! It has been years since I have seen him! But before I could react my eyes fell on another old man standing few feet away.

"Nanu!" I gasped in shock.

&&&
Updated 4th February 2017

Yes! I hope this was a total shock! I did mention they were friends and I NEVER did say Shishir's grandfather is not alive!

He is alive and here in this story!

Now things will fall into place, don't worry.

Please comment and Vote.

Love from me to you.:)

Pre cap chapter 49

Shishir's POV.

I looked at the two old friends as they sat in front of us looking at me with smug expressions.

"You are Shark?" I asked my Dadaji.

"Sexy Shark." He said "And he is Silly Willy."

"I am not silly!" Suvarna's Nana said angrily. He turned to me "You remember the movie 'Free Willy?"

I nodded stunned.

"That movie is one of my favourite movies. I love the whale in it."

"And Billy?" asked an equally stunned sounding Paresh .

"The blundering goat of our family! My son who loves to make chaos of beautiful relationships!" Dadaji said his lips twitching in distaste.

Here you go guys! We have the faces of people behind the names!

Enjoy.

Buh bye till next time.

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