Chapter 3: Company Truths and Costly Secrets

I reached out to someone at Arjun’s company, Z Company. Priya Nair, head of employee supervision, agreed to meet me.

"Can I bring his wife?" I asked.

She hesitated. "Advocate Rohan, better if you come alone. Kuch baatein hain jo unko sunni nahi chahiye."

Meera was disappointed but agreed. Her voice over the phone was small, defeated. I pictured her sitting at home, twisting her dupatta, phone in her lap, worrying herself sick.

"Rohan, unse pucho kya chahiye—compensation ya kuch aur. If it helps Arjun, I’ll do anything."

"Don’t worry, Meera. I’ll handle it."

At Z Company, the AC blasted too cold, and the smell of filter coffee mixed with the click of keyboards. Priya explained, "Arjun manages an outsourced team—he has real power over their bonuses. Not a big post, but a lot of control."

Turns out Arjun exaggerated his role—he always said he was a director. Priya went on: "A girl reported him—said he misused power, dated five outsourced women at once, and gave them unauthorized raises."

Five at once? I nearly choked. Was this really Arjun?

"Yes, the girl who complained was also his girlfriend. He told all of them he was single, even met some parents. If his wife found out... what would she think?"

If I were Meera, I’d want to kill him.

"The company isn’t his dating playground. This is serious, so we reported him to the police. Finance found he’d embezzled over 8 lakh, not including the raises."

My gut twisted. In our society, ‘izzat’ is everything. One scandal, and a whole family’s name is ruined.

I said, "His family can compensate and ask for forgiveness. Will that help?"

She nodded. "If Arjun returns the money, we’ll give a letter of forgiveness. You know how much that helps in court."

"How much time do we have?"

"Up to you. Evidence is clear. Case goes to the prosecutor by month-end."

The longer it dragged, the worse for us.

I told Meera about the compensation. I couldn’t bring myself to mention the affairs. Maybe it was wrong, but I couldn’t hurt her more.

She whispered, "8 lakh? Kahaan gaya sab paisa? Mujhe toh kuch nahi pata."

"Only Arjun knows," I said, but I was sure—he spent it on those women.

She asked, "Rohan, if we pay, kitna help hoga?"

"If the company forgives him, we can request the police to drop the charges. It’s called a compromise settlement. I’ve seen it work."

She twisted her wedding ring, eyes shining with unshed tears. “If I have to sell my gold, I’ll do it. For Arjun, I’ll do anything.”

The weight of her sacrifice settled like dust after a storm. In that moment, I saw what real love and duty meant in our world.