Adultery No One Dies a Saint (Completed)

[krish_999]

Chapter 35

Atul

Atul was a happy man at AGM. In Shreyas's absence, Atul had to assume his place and many were amused to see a young face with so much authority and confidence, against the usual expectations, during the introduction of representatives.
During lunch he was bombarded with inviting smiles from all the corners, especially from the opposite sex. He smiled at everyone and mingled with them politely. Before the evening session was concluded, a miracle that added further value to his personality occurred. One of the most enigmatic figures from the stage strolled over to greet him.
“Hello Atul, how are you?”
Atul was anticipating this moment since he had first spotted Maniesh Sain among the Board Members. He got up cheerfully and Maniesh embraced him like a close friend.
They chatted formally and Maniesh left him only after giving him his suite address and a promise to meet up in the evening.
Atul went to his suite later. Maniesh welcomed him with a warm hug. He was quick to make a drink offer and Atul happily obliged.
“You’ve impressed me in every sense, Atul,” Maniesh said. "Dedication and smartness are two things that make you stand apart. I’ve gone through your profile, Atul. Not a single major client was lost from your list, and that’s splendid. Winning Chetak Engineering back was a feather on the crown. Shreyas is really gaining from your brilliance. Does he appreciate you well?”
“He gives me freedom.”
“Come on. Who’s he to give you freedom? I know even if you hadn’t impressed Ridhima on your own, you would have lost nothing. But you did it. You deserve better. I didn't see him today, where is he?”
“He’ll be here tomorrow.”
“That’s bullshit. He’s the one who messed up with Chetak Engineering. His head was shaky at one time. He was on the radar. But Chetak deal saved both his face and ass. He should let you bang his wife, I suggest.”
Maniesh took a long sip, smirking. “Just kidding, bro. I know you wouldn’t do it,” he added.
"Nobody would. It’s not worth it.”
Atul quipped.
Maniesh laughed, "then he must pay you back some other means.”
Atul thought if he should tell about Anvita’s job and then decided against it.
“What are you suggesting?”
“Shreyas's chair is shaky, Atul. He doesn’t look promising to me. Do you see what I am suggesting?”
Atul was overwhelmed.
“Come on, I can't be overambitious. I am too young to lead. There are fifty employees under him.”
“Leave it to me, Atul," Maniesh fixed his eyes on him. "Do you trust me?”
Atul looked on, "If you are there, why I should worry?”
“I need one more major deal through you. That will cement your profile on top. You’ll be reckoned as a miracle.”
Maniesh’s words sank deep into his head. In his mind, Atul envisaged a bald man shaking hand with him; Nikunj.
I will have that deal very soon. Atul was positive.
“I will see it seriously, Maniesh.”
He said.
“Are you in contact with Ridhima? I kinda miss her, man.”
“She had visited Delhi last month.”
“Yeah, I know. I was abroad. Otherwise, I would have joined you.”
“You can get in touch with her easily. I rarely go to Mumbai.”
“That’s not what I want. I want you to deal with everything else for me. You know that night in Mumbai; I still cherish them very dearly. It was amazing. It was really like an adventure. I had met her later, once. It was ordinary.”
It was new information to Atul. Maniesh met Ridhima; and it was ordinary. Atul heard Ridhima moaning, somewhere in his mind.
“Ordinary? I don't believe you to be ordinary.”
“Even I did not, to be honest. But the truth is, she’s got her own life, man. She’s a busy woman who doesn’t have much interest in these things. I have no idea how did you get her under your wing; she was like a lamb with you.”
“Did you ask her out? Did she deny you?”
“No, she didn't. But she was not giving her heart into it.”
“Speak specific, Maniesh. This isn’t you.”
Atul said impatiently.
“You’re making me look like a boy. Oh!”
Maniesh gulped his drink and slowly poured another.
“I want her to submit completely. I want her to kneel in front of me; I want her beautiful lips around my dick; giving me head, making me rain. And I want her to worship me as any other women do. That's what I get always. And someone who resists makes me hungrier. Ridhima is a serious no-nonsense businesswoman. And to get her to fulfil your craziest wish is like heaven coming down. Do you know what she would do without you? She'd lay on the bed, legs apart. That’s ordinary stuff. Eew!”
Atul shook his head.
The man is no ordinary. His wishes are nothing less. He was learning.
“So can you plan another adventure?”
Maniesh proposed in the end.
“With Ridhima?”
"Exactly her.”
“I’ll see it, but you must know it isn’t easy.”
“I want you to make her ready. But don't tell her I'm coming. Let’s give her a surprise.”
“Right.”
Atul raised his glass. He knew there was nothing to disagree.
The following day Shreyas arrived at AGM as promised. Atul and Maniesh met every day. Atul was overwhelmed by the recognition he received because of his proximity to Maniesh. He felt he had struck partnership with a shark.

Atul’s mother phoned him on Thursday. She was worried. A portion of his father’s farmhouse had caught fire two days ago.
"Two days ago? Why didn’t you tell me?"
There was just silence from the other side. Atul knew that his dad did not want him to be involved in this. Atul too had no interest to chase him with love and respect. You reap what you sow.
"Does he need money? Anyone’s got injured?"
"Two of our workers are injured. They are in the hospital, very critical. We lost three of our buffalos."
"I'm coming home this Saturday."
"No, you do need to rush if you are busy. We are okay now."
Mom said.

Shreyas allowed Atul to leave on Friday but he chose to stay until the conclusion of AGM.
“Don't blame me when I behave rudely with your Shreyas next time. Why can’t he just let you go? He makes a promise today only to break it tomorrow.”
Anvita ranted over the phone when she learnt Atul wasn't coming on Friday.
Atul wondered what promise Shreyas broke earlier. He then laughed it off.
They went for shopping that weekend. Anvita had a dilemma.
"Do you think I should wear shorter dress to work?"
She asked Atul.
"In shorter dress, you'd look hot...hotter... I mean very hot."
"Should I or shouldn't I?"
"Why are you asking?"
"Because Shashank thinks I should. He's not asking to do it but he's suggesting like - Anvita, you have beautiful legs so you shouldn't shy away from flaunting it; we have no such restrictions - and so on."
"He's asking you to show off."
"He thinks I'm blessed with good looks and I shouldn't shy away from using it."
"Using it? In which way?"
"He didn't say. But it's obvious. He wants me show up a little more attractive during parties."
"Do you have party coming?"
"One is coming but don't know when. What's your take?"
Atul thought for a moment. Anvita seemed to have been impressed with the compliments from her boss.
"It's your choice, Anvi. Be in your comfort zone when it comes to dressing. You already look gorgeous."
"Do you think it's right?"
"You are complying with him?"
Anvita shrugged, "I don't know what to do."
Atul laughed.
"Then maybe you're not ready."
Anvita seemed disappointed of his take. Atul wondered if she wanted him to encourage her to comply with her boss' wish.

Sunday Atul and Anita visited hometown. The two workers who were injured in the accident had died. Dad did not speak to him much. Anvita sat with mother. Grandma was happy to see her though she was mourning otherwise.
---      ---     ---     ---     ----
Atul was sitting at a cafe when he spotted Prithvi. Prithvi’s eyes fell at him, only to ignore him as though he did not see him. Atul saw it and it was strange.
How come he doesn’t want any tips to seduce my wife? Atul wondered amusingly.
Or did he already seduce her?
The thought instantly brought laughter into his mind. The dumbness of that possibility implied only one thing; he has learnt who I am.
How did it happen? Anvita might have told him.
Atul wanted to confirm.
---      ---     ---     ---     ----
“Where is your fan gone nowadays? I haven’t seen him for long. Do you still see him?”
Atul was having breakfast at home with Anvita.
“I don't know. He had come to invite us to his brother's wedding. Didn't I tell you?”
“No.”
“Oh, how did I miss it? Well, it’s not soon. It’s got two months to go.”
“Then how come he came so early to tell you?”
Atul wondered.
“He got just a few invitations’ responsibilities, like, among his friends. So he finished it early.”
Anvita explained.
“Did you tell him who I am?”
Anvita stared at him.
“Why should I tell him? He’s the dreamer. Let him find it out.”
She said.
Now that was an idea Atul could not really swallow. He was thoughtful on his way to the office. If Prithvi had visited Anvita at home for the invitation, then he must have seen it as an opportunity to meet her again. That was the real reason for him to deliver the invitation so early. He would have been dying to see her. The invitation could be the god-sent blessing for him. And then how come he did not share this to me? Even when he saw Atul, he chose to ignore him cleverly. There could be only one reason behind this: he knows who I'm.
And there could be only two ways how he knew it.
One, he knew somehow when he visited Anvita. Anvita’s social media accounts are as good as fake or dead ones, without any personal info. Her WhatsApp profile picture hadn't been changed for long. Then there must be another clue. Like a photo.
Atul remembered the photo in his bedroom. If he had seen it, it’s no more a secret. But, Prithvi must enter the bedroom to see that, which is quite unlikely.
Two, Anvita told him the truth. In that case, it also proves one thing. When asked, Anvita lied about it. Why?
Atul remained tensed throughout the day. He couldn't really make out an answer to that question. Why would she lie to me?

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