Present Day

When Alicia reached home,it was already 10 pm.She quietly entered her small and silent house.There were times that she hated coming back to this stillness and there were days when she was grateful her it.Today was such a day.As she heated the left-over rice and porridge from yesterday she wondered if she was somehow destined to make arranged marriages and not find love.She thought back to the conversation she had with Neil at the office.

"Al,my ex sister-in law has filed a case to acquire sole custody of Ru on the allegations that my brother is neglectful towards Ru and since he is a big businessman does not have the time and capability to emotionally support the child. She has bribed the judges and the case has been accepted in court.She has become the fiance of the CEO of our rival company PFS Inc. and is claiming that she is better able to take care of little Ru." Neil looked at her with pleading eyes asking for Al's understanding and support.

But of course she did not understand the severity of the situation as she was unaware of his brother's past with his wife.

"I don't see where the problem is Neil.Even if she gets custody of Ru, she is his mother and has a right to take care of her child.Your brother can ask for visitation and partial custody and this way little Ru can have love from both his parents.Or is your brother so petty that he cannot let his child live with his ex?"

Neil got angry at this and yelled at her "I never knew you to be a judgemental shrew Al.You have always said that you admire my morals and ethics and open minded approach to life.Who do you think has instilled these in me?My brother is and always be my role model as he is the one who has brought us up single handedly when our parents pa.s.sed away in an accident.He was only 18 then,Al. I am aware that you and everyone else in the office is a little prejudiced against him.I have never bothered to correct these as my brother does not like being discussed and what others think does not matter to him or to us.So Al please keep aside your prejudice and listen to what I am about to tell you.Remember that you cannot let my brother know that you are aware of this matter.The entire world thinks that my brother was divorced because he was a cold man and only wanted an heir and once he gained that he threw aside his beautiful wife.But the truth is something far more sinister.Ru's biological mother is a psychotic bi***.Ru's parents were not a love match.My brother married her to appease his mentor who was dying at the time.Though she "loved" him, he never loved her but he gave her his loyalty and care during the duration of their 4 year marriage.Two years ago my brother came home earlier as he had forgotten a file at home but was shocked to witness a horrific scene.

Al,that woman was trying to forcefully feed the 3 year Ru alcohol!!She was holding Ru in her lap and forcefully spooning scotch into his mouth and blocking his nose so that he would be forced to swallow.My brother went beserk and pulling Ru from her arms rushed to the hospital.Al..that little child would have died of alcohol poisoning if my brother had come any later.Afterwards my brother confronted her and do you know what she said?She said she was angry that my brother told Ru 'I love you' something he had never told her."So if she could not have his love

....no one could.

That is when my brother filed for immediate divorce and coerced his wife into sign over the custody.I had never seen him so angry before.He paid hefty amounts to the staff at the hospital so that this news would not leak and hurt his child when he grew up.."

He looked at Al after explaining everything and saw the tears running down her face.

He took a deep breath and said"This is why I need your co operation Al..I know you are the only one I can trust with my nephew.So please Al,consider my proposition and give me an answer by tomorrow"