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flashback…

Priya Gole
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Chapter 1

Arpita ran away…??  What the hell…? When…? How…? And most important question… why…? Was it because of her long standing on and off boyfriend Pramod? But she had sworn she wouldn’t meet him and wasn’t serious about him ever since she was engaged few months ago. Now… Avanti looked up at her mother’s frail crying form. The lady had endured a lot in a short while. She was a simple woman who only lived for her husband and two daughters and recently widowed she looked forlorn as she wiped her tears with the stained napkin that Avanti recognised was from the kitchen. Her mother must have been personally looking into the breakfast preparation even though they had hired the cook. But that’s how her mother was… annapurna to the core. She loved to feed people and rarely did visitor to their home leave without a bite of her savories. The fragrance of the freshly prepared medu-vada glided through her nostrils causing her stomach to growl. A pang of guilt hit her hard and her head started to reel as the anxiety which was already touching the roof threatened to capsize her breathing totally. Oh God Arpita what have you done…?

Her uncle moved towards her mother. “Savita… we have to do damage control… all the preparations are in place and this girl… it’s all because of your leniency and pampering… I had told you Arpita was fickle minded. She wasn’t marriage material at all… all she did was look at other boys and now she must have run away with that good -for-nothing Pramod….”

Her mother nodded and began crying again and Avanti walked towards her on trembling legs, worried about her BP shooting up yet again. “…Aai…its ok… just calm down otherwise your health will be affected adversely… let’s think of something… shall we… ask the groom…?”

“…NO… ajibath naahi (absolutely not) … we can’t reveal anything outside now… Avanti…please try calling her… when I tried the phone was out of range…” Her mother began to ramble and Avanti stood rooted to the floor anticipating the worst…what would happen now…? Would Keshav be vengeful…? As she saw her mother speak to her uncle in soft whispers Avanti thought of the day five months ago when her life had subtly changed…

Her father Dnyaneshwar Shankar Rane was science genius in the field of organic chemistry and also a double postgraduate with the second one being molecular biology. He was a supplier of medicinal components and specially created formulae for leading pharmaceutical companies. He had strong work ethics and strictly resorted to working with select companies and valued relationships more than money. He had done very well for himself and his family especially considering he had come to Mumbai as a sixteen-year-old with barely any money in his pocket. He had begun working as an office boy in a bank and attended night school to complete his inter and then following his graduation he immediately took up a job in a chemical company and continued to study further. He finished his post-graduation studies with flying colours and had already patented 5 special dye combinations on par with German technology. He had offers from chemical and pharmaceutical companies all over the world but he chose to stay back in the country. He joined a pharmaceutical giant where he worked for fifteen years before calling it quits and launching his own company… Vedshastra in Khopoli. He had built a personal research lab for himself where he had prepared and developed indigenous formulae for the pharmaceutical companies. The dynamic young director of the company where he had earlier worked often supported him financially and also helped with business relations. Today the simple company had grown into a conglomerate in itself boasting of over 200 employees.

On the personal front too, God had been kind. They lived a beautiful bungalow in Panvel… which was yet another dream of her father, to give the best of everything to his family. He had barely any space to spread his legs during his growing up years in their village but he wanted his daughters to have all the vast space he could offer. Savita was a devoted wife who had stood by her husband’s side throughout and they were blessed with two daughters Arpita and Avanti. Avanti, eight years younger to her sister was always her baba’s darling and he doted on her. Dnyaneshwar Rane loved his daughters fiercely and always made time for them irrespective of his schedules. His only lament was neither of his daughters were interested in taking over the company reins. Arpita loved modelling and lived a flamboyant life styles, busy flaunting clothes on her hourglass figure and gracing every party in town. Even touching just short of thirty-three she didn’t look a day older than Avanti herself… she was blessed with the perfect figure and a beautiful face. She had only studied till twelfth and not bothered further. She modelled freelance besides her love for dance and often attended gigs to the utmost annoyance of their father. Avanti was a total contrast to her sister and was matured and thoroughly grounded. All of twenty-four, she was a teacher by profession and taught in a local school close-by in the primary section. She loved her work and often volunteered in a night school in rural Panvel. Avanti was also a trained singer with a versatile and harmonious voice. She attended the nearby Gandharva mahavidhyalaya branch and was not gearing up to give the 4th exam in the series. She gave a few performances at the local Rotary club mainly to fund charities and had a music room in their bungalow where she went through her riyaaz daily. She hoped to teach music to children someday…  Her father who shared her passion for music loved to hear her render some of his favourite abhangvaani or natya sangeet mainly the one in todi raga…  She had lost count how many times her baba would have requested the song from her…which she did with great pleasure… He often requested her to sing before his visitors dropped in for meetings, “Avu bala…” as he always lovingly addressed her. “… your voice is dripping with character and your sincerity… your songs just drive away my stress…” She always felt those were the best words of accolades she received in spite of a cupboard full of trophies won at various competitions!

Last year Vedshastra was listed on the stock exchange and they had a dedicated team of handpicked employees to manage the smooth running as her father concentrated on his dream project in his lab. Every evening she would spend time in her father’s study discussing her future plans where she wanted to start a fully equipped mobile school unit exclusively for the children of construction labourers. Her father had approved but had insisted she first settle down before launching full-fledged into any project. Her father also often had visitors during which she would stay away from the study as bio-chemistry or pharmaceutical talks didn’t interest her. Her father often told her the gist of his projects like the utility of particular formula he was developing and she loved to listen as to how it would work wonders for a particular disease alongside bringing down the costs of the medicines close to generic ones.

About ten months ago he had excitedly told her about a wonder compound he had been developing which he said would change the face of the pharmaceutical industry. He had collaborated with his old company and they were to develop the final product and send for trials. She didn’t know much because after that declaration she barely got to tete-a-tete with her father, something she regretted today. His personality had changed drastically and he would be locked up for hours in his study with visitors mainly the director of the pharma giant. It was during one such visits she had met… Keshav Goyal, the director of Novo-Supreme pharmaceutical corporation.

 Her mother had been unwell and the cook was also down with the flu. So, Avanti had taken the tray laden with homemade Aluwadi and ginger tea and stood outside her father’s study knocking at the door tentatively. However instead of her father it was opened by the most handsome man she had ever seen in her life. Her eyelids refused to blink as she brazenly stared at the fine specimen before her. Clad in a prim Nehru jacket the tall lean built suave look did his toned body total justice. She had never thought a beard would look so hot on a guy…with a sun-kissed brown tanned skin, overall, he oozed sensuality and opulence dripped all over. He had cleared his throat to startle her out of her fantasies and she had embarrassingly looked away and walked into the study. As she had placed the tea and snacks on the table finding place among the host of files and folders and balance sheets her father had rubbed his fatigued eyes and smiled. “Hey Keshav… this is my daughter Avanti… and Avu this is Keshav Goyal…the director of Novo-Supreme pharmaceuticals…” She had looked up to see the hunk smile revealing a perfect set of teeth and God…the man had dimples… really…? How could someone look so good…? She was not the one to fall for superficial beauty but that day, her heart fluttered and soared…she looked downwards at her clothes. She was clad in lose fitting track pants and t-shirt marked with her creativity in the kitchen…i.e spices and a couple of spots where the tea had splashed as she had poured in the cups. Her unruly curls were bunched up together in a messy bun and a mind of their own as they haphazardly flew all over her crown. She wanted the ground to open up right there and swallow her whole…

“Hello Ms. Avanti…” His baritone had uttered her name and her entire being had trembled. “…you sing very well…” What? When had he heard her?

Her father must have seen her confused and spoke. “…Ah…Avu he heard you when you sang for me that natya sangeet… ‘soham hara damaru baje….’  Do you know Keshav loves music as well…don’t you Keshav…?” He had nodded and smiled yet again. She hadn’t believed in love at first sight but if there was any such concept existing then this was it… she had fallen for him. “…and by the way Avu… Keshav here used to be a part time model too…” Of course, he was!

In the next couple of months that passed, she often saw Keshav visit them…at least twice a week and she could hear his car whenever she stayed up late to complete her school preps… well after 1AM. There was barely any exchange of communication between them except for occasional greetings or a couple of etiquette laden questions. He always made it a point to compliment her singing which made her put greater efforts into her riyaaz. She often timed her singing just before he arrived which was usually clockwork every week and he was seldom late…

About six months ago she had heard arguments from her father’s study and had been worried. It was 11 PM and she was up waiting for Arpita to return form one of her gigs… when would her tai ever learn…. She strolled down stealthily and stood eves dropping outside the study. She couldn’t make out much but she finally heard her father say. “…this is not done Keshav… just not done… I can’t be cheated like this… I have put everything on line here… even this home…” Avanti had held her t shirt tightly near her chest as her breath caught in her throat and she felt sick to her stomach. What was her father talking about?

She heard Keshav speak something but couldn’t process it. Her father then spoke again his voice sounding as if in agony. “…Keshav… I stand to lose everything… no…no… you can’t do this no…” She couldn’t her anything later. All she wanted to do was barge in and shake up her father asking him to tell her everything. What the hell…? Was Keshav the reason why her father, who was an epitome of kindness, was reduced to a heap of agonising mess…?

From that day onwards her father had sunken further, being a mere shadow of his former chirpy self. She and her mother tried their best to cheer him up. He occasionally drank late into the night and barely heard her sing. Avanti was extremely perturbed and wondered if she had to speak with Keshav since he was the only one who had long conversations behind closed doors with her father. One day about four months ago, her father called her to his study. He seemed composed like earlier times and she was thrilled. Before she could ask what he had wanted to hear from her, he spoke. “…Uh…Avu bala there is something I want to tell you… I haven’t told your mother as yet…”

“…Um…baba is everything OK…?”

“…uh…yes…yes…all OK…Actually I have fixed Arpita’s marriage…”

“…what…?” She was stunned. “…with whom…?”

“…you know him bala… its Keshav…”

Avanti thought she would collapse right there as she gripped the edge of the mahogany table. “…But Arpita tai… she agreed…?” her sister had been commitment phobic from the go.

“…I spoke with her today morning when you were away at work… Its high time she settles in life… Keshav knows Arpita from their modelling background… He isn’t much older to her… just about a couple of years…he has dated her as well in the past… and most of all, he knows her well, Avu… but there is something more…”

Struggling to hold back her tears Avanti asked him. “…yes baba…?”

“…our finances are bad and everything depends on the success of this formula… but it’s going to be a while… the current profits will barely sustain the overheads in the company. So… marrying Keshav will make him a part of the company as well through Arpita’s shares and he will invest further indirectly… Since he is the one going on board with the finished product based on my formula, he will be having vested interests as well so he will be dedicated…”

“…But baba…isn’t this a wrong reason to get married…?”

“…Avu… Keshav really likes Arpita…a lot… she needs to be practical and grounded now…enough of her globe-trotting shenanigans…” Her father sounded furious but then immediately sighed and continued. “…Keshav can handle her theatrics with utmost panache of his own… Your sister needs someone like him to get her derailed life back on track… and the best part is… she has approved of him as well and for a change without any arguments…”

Avanti only nodded and walked out of the study leaving her father pondering in thought. She rushed to her room and threw herself on the bed sobbing into the pillow. For the first time in her life she had fallen in love… but with a man who liked and was all set to marry her sister…

Life was such a bitch…

(Glossary: natya sangeet: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sangeet_Natak

                 Abhangavani: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abhang

                  bala: endearment in Marathi, for ‘child’)

Copyright Disclaimer: All content posted here is a work of fiction and original work based on the author’s imagination. There is no intention to disrespect any person or faith. Any resemblance to any person living or dead or any community is purely coincidental. No part of the content can be copied, reproduced or posted anywhere else either entirely or in parts, without the consent of the author.

prologue

Priya Gole
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prologue

 The stillness of the night catching up with her, the raw smell of the sleeping foliage engulfing the confines of the dark forest, Avanti ran… just ran…the crushing of dried leaves barging through the silent night, her silhouette cutting through the breeze as the cold air hit her face numbing her lips sealed tightly. Suddenly there was a loud noise and the cold replaced by heat gradually increasing its intensity. Was she falling into a furnace…? She halted and saw something burning, not very far from where she stood, the fire spread its vicious tentacles around as the acrid smell of the burning metal clogged her nostrils making her nauseous… and there was that other odour too… she didn’t know how but she was sure it was the smell of cremated bodies…the smouldering fire claiming everything in its wake. And then she heard…her baba… “…Avu…bala…” he was distressed. But she was stuck to the gravelled road and her lips still couldn’t move to make her scream… her arms flailing as she tried to make her move in a last-ditch attempt to save her father… no…no… there was a lot she had to discuss with him…he couldn’t leave her. Then there was a siren… siren?

Avanti Dnyaneshwar Rane jolted up awake as the shrill buzz of the alarm pierced the silence in her room. She wiped her brows and moved her night gown that was drenched in sweat away from her body as she glanced at the glowing numbers on her clock…4AM. She yawned as she touched her chest trying to calm down her racing heart. The nightmare had returned yet again…with the same feverish vengeance… exhausting her and numbing her to the core as she tried to stop the palpitations. She had been consistently having similar ones in the initial days following her father’s accident in the plane crash that claimed his life about three months ago. Her mother and older sister Arpita were a mess but she had tried to be the strong one… the warrior as her baba lovingly called her… and had held the pieces together. Suddenly she had grown up from being the baby in the family and had tried her best to get things on track. She looked around as her eyes settled on a framed picture of her baba with his dear daughters whom he loved the most. How she missed him… she blinked back tears.

Today was the D-day… her father’s final wish… Arpita’s wedding. Baba had personally fixed the alliance a little before he had… passed. It was an important amalgamation of not just two hearts but also two families and two business ventures which were the talk of the town. Avanti knew it too well to jeopardise anything with her feelings getting in the way. The pall of gloom that had descended upon the Rane household with her baba’s death had slightly cleared with the preparations involving the upcoming nuptials. Her mother had decided to honour her late husband’s wishes and had decided to go ahead with the marriage, to Avanti’s utmost relief. She knew she had other thigs to worry about with this one crossed off the list. The groom had agreed to keep the celebration to bare minimum. Everyone around was happy…except for Avanti. She should have been thrilled for her sister… but she wasn’t. Guilt enwrapped her completely as her throat clogged with emotions. She shut her eyes tightly to prevent her tears from escaping the boundaries of her already reddened eyes, but all she saw was a pair of dark brown piercing eyes adorning the wet rugged face, the bearded intensity of his facial expressions causing her heart to thud out of her chest. Why did it have to be him… of all the guys in the world? How could she lust after her soon-to-be brother-in-law? She had thought she had gotten over her infatuation…

She was a hypocrite of the greatest order. On one end she pushed her blissfully careless older sister towards taking stock of her responsibilities that lay in store post matrimony while on the other end she had her mind deep into an erotic rhapsody with the man Arpita was all set to marry. Avanti shook her head as if to drive away forbidden thoughts. Her soon to be brother-in-law was a thorough gentleman whose even minutest courtesies had charmed her to nauseating heights. She had silently been in love with him for months…and it had been difficult to finally accept the reality and move on. She wondered…as she rubbed her face to drive away sleep… if she would ever fall in love again.  

Avanti released an audible sigh… she had cried enough these months to last a lifetime and she would further wallow in self-pity later. For now, she had to get out of her dreamy enchantment and get on with the preparations in progress. The Rane household was filled with their close relatives and though she hated the chaos, she was glad her mother wasn’t alone. the poor woman was lonely as it is with her husband gone and daughters busy in their own world. In fact she was all set to go to their village for a few months and Avanti had personally seen to the arrangements. An equal number of relatives were put up in a hotel right beside the marriage hall and she had to call and check if they were comfortable. The bridal make-up woman and hairdresser would be arriving in an hour and she had to see to the other arrangements also before they left for the venue. Before everything though she needed that hot water shower to fire up her senses after a mere three-hour disturbed sleep.

She had just got into her loose cotton salwar kameez, post her bath to take over the kitchen supervision duties when she heard screaming and chaos. Wait… it was her mother screaming her lungs out right next door…Arpita’s room… Her breath caught thinking about the last time her mother had screamed …it was when they had received the news about her father’s demise… Wasting no more time she rushed out of her room wondering what had caused her mother distress at 4.45 AM in the morning. There was a gathering of her startled relatives outside her sister’s room, the marigold flower garland adorning the entrance now lying lifelessly, as the curious houseguests mercilessly trampled over them in their zeal to quench their curiosity…

She politely made way into the room and shut the door behind her, after shoving everyone outside. Only her sobbing mother’s frail hunched form stood bent over her sister’s table, and her maternal uncle faced the window outside moving a thin wrinkled trembling hand over his scanty hair. Arpita was nowhere in sight… Avanti glanced around the messy room littered by bedsheets and scanty clothes all around… but that was how her sister lived… in a room resembling a pigsty. She was sure the little children from her school had more discipline than her sister. The fragrance of the original Chanel coco perfume wafted through her nostrils. Her sister used only genuine toiletries and cosmetics…speaking of which Arpita’s dressing table usually cluttered with her countless little bottles of concealers, foundations and other make up paraphernalia was visibly empty. What the hell was going on…?

She walked towards her mother. “…Aai…kay jhale…?” (What happened, mother?)

Her mother glanced up startled from her stupor. “…Avu…bala…did Arpita tell you something… anything…?”

Avanti shook her head in the negative. Her sister forever averse to commitment was having cold feet last night… and she had probably been upset as well but Avanti had counselled her and all had seemed fine before she had gone to bed. However, her inner panic now touched the roof as her mother handed over a crumpled piece of paper to her. She opened it slowly as an anticipation of upcoming dread settled in her heart.

Dear Aai and Avanti,

I can’t do this… I am leaving…

Sorry for disappointing you all as always but I have my reasons… Don’t look for me.

Love you all.

Arpita.

Avanti sat on the chair with a thud. Her sister had always run away whenever the going got tough but this time she had screwed up royally. Not just her life but theirs as well. She had become the quintessential run-away bride…

Copyright Disclaimer: All content posted here is a work of fiction and original work based on the author’s imagination. There is no intention to disrespect any person or faith. Any resemblance to any person living or dead or any community is purely coincidental. No part of the content can be copied, reproduced or posted anywhere else either entirely or in parts, without the consent of the author.

final chapter

Priya Gole
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Chapter 2

Our college commenced for XII std and it was a week and Nirav had not arrived from his parents’ where he had gone visiting. Ranchi, he had said… and he was to get back on time since he had IIT entrance classes too. I was worried because he took his studies way too seriously. Every one of them in class asked me what the problem was but unfortunately those days we didn’t have a mobile phone and I didn’t have his parent’s home’s new contact either. He hadn’t called me during the week-long vacation and that was strange as well. We always spoke at least once a week during vacations…of course the conversations always centred around academics but nonetheless it pleased me to hear his voice. My heart sank with every passing day wondering what was ailing him… unfortunately I couldn’t even confide in anyone and my mounting anxiety further propelled my teenage heart into a whirlwind of misery…

Finally, he came on day 13 and what the hell… he had shaved his head… His fluffy hair which was his crowning glory had disappeared. He didn’t look anywhere and quietly took his seat on the last bench. The class had already commenced and I couldn’t focus. What was wrong with Nirav? We had practical immediately following lectures and it was only after that, I caught up with him as he was escaping to the hostel. I held his arm to stop him right beside the hostel building.

“…Hey… no hello or hi…? What’s up buddy…? What’s with the new hairdo…?” I tried to cheer him up.  If someone hadn’t told me I had a horrible sense of humour, his expressions said it all. He just stared at me breathing heavily his eyes filling with tears. “…hey…hey… Nirav… what happened… wha…?” Before I could complete the sentence, he collapsed to the ground wailing into his palms.  My heart splintered into a million pieces… I couldn’t see him like that and sat right there next to him, the stones on the gravelled ground hurting my butt big time through my jeans. But at that time nothing mattered except that my friend needed me. I held his shoulders and he leaned close to me as he cried his heart out. I rubbed his back as he slowly came to and wiped his face with his palms. I tried again. “…What’s up Nirav… tell me please…”

“…Amma died…” his voice cracked in the last word. Oh God… I had met his mother a couple of time when she had visited school last tear. She was a pleasant lady. Short built but soft spoken. Her son had definitely taken after her. She had thanked me for helping out her son. It was tough to imagine her gone. I continued rubbing his back.

“…. how…?” I asked softly, knowing very well, he had to vent it out and surely, he hadn’t done it so far.

“…She had breast cancer… diagnosed late…they didn’t tell me so that I didn’t get distracted in studies… she worsened last week and then…Ani…it was as if she was waiting to see me one last time…I miss her so much…” He wept again. This time he held my hand close to his chest as he cried. I saw a few passers-by glance at us with funny expressions on their face but I didn’t care. My best friend needed me and I was there. It was an hour before he composed himself and smiled as he said. “…Ani… you are the best… thank you…” At that moment if my heart could sore out of my chest it would have. My feelings for him further took flight and I was too deep.

Months passed and we were again inseparable… but most of the time it was about studies as he helped me with physics and Maths and I helped him complete his journals since his coaching centre gave too many mock exams. My tuitions kept me busy too and I started to do well. In no time the academic year passed and it was time for him to go back to Ranchi. Our examination centres were different and we had decided to meet up on the last day in college. As promised, we did and I couldn’t hold back tears as I realised the chasm of uncertainty separating us.

“…Ani… what is it…? Why are you so quiet…? Your papers were ok…?”

I nodded sniffing back tears. “…Yea they were good. Very good in fact… so when are you leaving for Ranchi…?”

“…Tomorrow… I will be coming back once the dates for the entrance exams are out… What about your PMT… any idea about the dates…?”

“…Oh…I don’t intend to give them…”

“…Really…?”

I nodded. He knew I wasn’t interesting in studying medicine and had told me umpteen times to reconsider and do what I liked. “…I…um…I am planning to study microbiology…I love the subject… I … I just hope my parents approve…”

“…They will Ani. If you talk to them…Great decision…I am so proud of you…”

My eyes welled up again. “…Um… Nirav I will miss you. Promise to call me at least once a week…?”

“… Of course, and as you said any week day afternoon… I will… I promise….”

We hugged sideways like we usually did whenever I left for home, as he dropped me to the bus stop… yet again as I watched his silhouette disappear into the distance, I felt the same tingling awareness… he wanted to tell me something…but refrained yet again. I thought I could read his eyes… I did. In fact, that’s how I knew but unless he told me what it was, I wouldn’t know, right? Did he have feelings for me in the same domain that I did?

As promised, he called me without fail every Tuesday afternoon. My parents were both at work and my grandmother visited my Aatya every Tuesday to visit the nearby temple close to Aatya’s home. So, there was no one to hinder our conversation. As always, he spoke about his life in Ranchi, his studies and how badly he missed his mother. Besides asking him directly I tried every means under the sun to find out what was troubling him but he just didn’t speak out. We met two months later when he came down to Mumbai to appear for his exams. It was then I met his father who had accompanied him. I had visited his examination centre which was close to Siddhivinayak having told my surprised parents that I was going to visit the iconic temple in Prabhadevi. His father too received the same excuse and we all went to a nearby hotel for a quick lunch post his exams. His father was a man of few words just like his son and I could sense a cold vibe between the two. Nonetheless we couldn’t speak much and I had to leave again with a heavy heart and Nirav promised to stay in touch. I thought that was what our destiny held in store. I loved him… with all my heart and thought he did too. But our friendship was too precious for me to go all out and reveal my feelings. Besides we both were young and had our careers to worry about.

Nirav always kept up his promise and if there was some issue with Tuesdays, I made it a point to call him from a local STD booth. My home landline didn’t have an STD facility. And it was all over the same story… Nonetheless I looked forward to share my life with my best friend and hear him as well…that gave me great solace and freedom from stress. Soon our results were out and though my percentage was good enough to get me into a local medical college I put my foot down and secured admission into BSc microbiology in a prestigious college. Nirav was a merit holder once again and I couldn’t be less proud. In spite of the tragedy in his life…of losing his mother he had done so well. He also cleared the JEE with flying colours and secured admission in IIT Mumbai. My happiness knew no bounds…finally my best friend would be in Mumbai.

We were both busy with our respective courses but still made it a point to speak regularly and meet up once a month outside my college in a local restaurant or the park. About six months into my FYBSc I met Rajat, who was in the first year of MSc chemistry in the same college. Though I had met many guys before no one ever came close to Nirav in matching my wavelength. But Rajat… he was different. We participated in the college play which won an award and I didn’t know the hows or whens but I started falling for him hook line and stinker. But I shuddered with guilt wondering if I was doing Nirav an injustice… besides I wasn’t sure what I felt as I hardly even knew Rajat. So, I kept things casual with him. Though Rajat didn’t know the dynamics he knew about my friendship with Nirav. He didn’t mind at all and gave me my space…. That’s what I liked about Rajat. I still clearly remember… it was Valentine’s day and I was in my second year of Graduation. Rajat wanted to spend time with me and take me out for a movie…for the first time. But Nirav had wanted to speak something important too and we had agreed to meet that day at another café this time. Rajat only smiled and nodded…  I saw the veil of sadness in his pretty eyes, his day-old stubble enhancing his rugged looks. He was a brilliant student as well and already had job offers lined up from some of the top pharmaceutical companies. But he was an epitome of humility and had a great listening ear…especially when I ranted and bitched about something not going my way. This was the first time he had asked me out which was pretty scary for me though he had arranged it with our group. I knew he had done it to make me comfortable but then my only thoughts were on what was Nirav going to tell me…finally. Was he going to propose to me? After all these years…? And …would I say yes…? I wasn’t sure.

I wore my favourite red outfit… a red long gown which accentuated my curves and didn’t bring out my short stature. It was Rajat’s favourite actually. I had seen the appreciative gleam in his eyes when I had worn it for the first time a couple of months ago for a college event and had kept it for Valentine’s day ever since…what was I thinking? Guilt ate me as I waited in the café beautifully decorated with red heart shaped balloons. I felt the pangs of sadness as I saw young couples around… living in their own moments. And I realised I was missing him terribly…I was missing Rajat. I felt for him… I wanted to be with him… I had never felt the kind of pull towards any guy before…not even Nirav. At that moment in the café I realised that I was in love… actually in the true sense of the word… it was way beyond the flutters in my heart or belly. It was a deep-seated connection…a connection of souls. But the very next moment I wondered what would I tell Nirav if he proposed…oh God…would I be breaking his heart…? Would I lose a friend…? Oh God…

Just then Nirav walked in along with another dashing muscular guy…what was with these hunks… Did they have to be so good looking…?

“…Hey Ani…” He gave me a tight hug like we usually did whenever we met, but this time he was visibly happy and chirpy. I hated to break his heart… Oh no..  “…Uh…Ani this is Param and Param… meet my best friend Ani… you may consider her family…”

What …? No…? the moment she was dreading had arrived. Param shook hands with her. “…You are way more beautiful that what Nirav here has been saying. No day goes by when he doesn’t speak about you…”

“…Oh really…? Nirav… I didn’t know you spoke so much… about us…” I jested. At least I tried to but form Nirav’s expression it appeared I had failed. I was lousy at cracking up jokes.

We ordered ice-cream and I could see the time indicated 4PM. Rajat had wanted to take me for the 6PM movie today which I had refused… Would he be going ahead with his movie plans …. What was I doing? I was here with Nirav and thinking about Rajat…I was indeed insane. Param cracked a joke and Nirav laughed out loudly… and I was back here in the café after drifting away.

“…So…”

“…So…”

We both spoke together and chuckled. I indicated that Nirav speak…

“…Uh… Ani there is something I had to tell you… I mean it’s difficult but I couldn’t tell this to anyone else…I have waited for a long time now…”

Oh crap… he was going to say it now… the idiot had got a friend along for giving him the courage… what the hell…was he going to confess his feelings right before the muscular dude? What was wrong with him. But then maybe it was good in a way… given her upcoming answer. He would need someone today and she was glad he had Param in his corner. She smiled and nodded.

“…Ani…I …. I am in love….and …” he rubbed his face and her heart stopped. This was the moment. “…Uh…Ani… I …Love…Param…”

WHAT…? Of all the atrocious things…?

I must have looked stunned. Homosexuality was a relatively new concept and I had only read or heard stories where they were jeered or made fun of. He held my hand across the table. “…I know… it’s a shocker to you…Ani… please… please understand me…. I am… gay… I have been since long… even before I met you…” He looked away and at that instant I got a kick in the gut seeing his vulnerability. Oh God…my best friend suffered alone for years…and here I was busy building castles in air dreaming of my happily ever after. Never once had I guessed this in my wildest of dreams…

“…Nirav… hey… its…its OK… why didn’t you tell me before…? So many years now…I had no clue…” I didn’t know what I was muttering.

“…Uh… It’s looked down upon Ani… my father was furious when I told him last year and hasn’t been talking to me ever since. I… I dint want to lose the relationship I valued most… our friendship Ani…it the most precious one…I mean… I could tell you anything under the sky and you never judged me… I… I couldn’t have gone through XII std after my mom’s death if not for you Ani…I couldn’t lose you over this…”

“…Nirav…” I wiped away my tears extremely angry at myself for not knowing something so important about my friend. “… there is nothing wrong in being gay… I am glad you have decided to come out of the closet… Just… be rest assured, this, changes nothing between us… you are still my best friend whom I can trouble with anything and now… even with guy issues…” She laughed and both Param and Nirav laughed along with her. For once her attempt at humour hadn’t back fired.

“…Actually Ani… Param is my senior in college and we are kind of close… I mean…”

“…Hey… don’t have to justify Nirav… just relax OK…?” I was so happy for him. He wasn’t alone in the true sense of the word.

He nodded smiling and suddenly asked. “…So did Rajat ask you out yet…?” I blushed and nodded remembering to use the public booth right outside the café to make the long due important call. We had our ice-creams and left the café promising to speak and meet at our designated times. Param was a thorough gentleman and I liked him a lot…. The happy relief I felt was unimaginable…

As soon as they left on Param’s bike, I placed a call to my college cafeteria. I knew Rajat would be there at this time. “Hello…?” Rajat’s deep fatigued voice spoke a few seconds later on the other end.

“…Its me… Anisha… the movie program still on cards…?”

Rajat screamed so loudly I thought a few passers-by would have heard him over the phone…

As my cab moved towards my college…I kept thinking of my best friend and tears flew down my cheeks but these were the happy ones.

The doorbell rang and I sighed wiping my tears. DDLJ songs often brought back so many memories. It was the maid for sure given the bell pattern, and as I stood shutting the System and placed the remote on the shelf my eyes fell on my wedding picture clicked twelve years ago. Rajat smiling at me with his eyes full of love. My parents were not happy initially but Nirav played a vital role in convincing them and finally here we are today happily married with two beautiful girls.  I saw the next picture of Nirav and Param who are now in the US, married with a baby boy recently delivered via surrogacy. I had done my part along with Rajat to convince Nirav’s father and we still speak every Tuesday without fail.

I know at one time I had loved him… but it took me a while to figure out that was a different kind of love that had I felt for him then. So, the day he had declared his orientation I had frozen my love for him… that love for him remained…it would be so forever.

As I answered the door watching a harried Kusum waltz her way into the kitchen swearing at her drunk husband, I hoped my best friend received all the happiness in the world with his true love…

Author note: Being gay is not a crime or a sin…it’s just there… let’s not use religion or our bigotry beliefs and hold it against them. They deserve a life just like we do and let’s not discriminate! Lets not look for an excuse to hate… life is too precious for wasting time on prejudice and hatred…

Copyright Disclaimer: All content posted here is a work of fiction and original work based on the author’s imagination. There is no intention to disrespect any person or faith. Any resemblance to any person living or dead or any community is purely coincidental. No part of the content can be copied, reproduced or posted anywhere else either entirely or in parts, without the consent of the author.

Frozen love

Priya Gole
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0
Frozen love

chapter 1

Shutting the main door as hubby dearest left for work I sat on the lounge chair in the favourite part of my home…my balcony. Admiring the bougainvillea spread in its pink hues on the left and the canopy of the beautiful jasmine on the right as the climber prolifically covered the top edge of my safety grills, the scent refreshing me as always, I poured myself a cup of tea watching the world pass by and picked up the remote control to my FM system… This was the only time during the day I could listen to old melodies with leisure. The children were in school and my maid wasn’t due for an hour after which my house turns into a mini hotel with the housekeeping, cleaning and cooking all in its varied chaotic proportions blending into each other! So this was it…I laid back smiling switching on the system which was already tuned to the Channel of my choice. The RJ kept droning on about how the romances no longer resembled the innocence and liveliness, not to mention integrity of the 90s. Oh I knew that so very well, I chuckled as the last twenty five summers of my forty flew past my eyes… And then the song played… “tujhe dekha to ye jaana sanam…”

Ahhh… the blockbuster film from 1995 had its own charm those days. I was in the tenth grade and was feeling the hormonal surge every time, I watched Simran rush into Raj’s trademark waiting arms… How I wished someone would hold me too. And then suddenly the teacher’s stern voice in class would rouse me up from my reverie. Well it was fine, I guess… A girl could dream, couldn’t she? But then one fine day Nirav entered our classroom and all hell turned loose… Oh My God… I had only heard of handsome Greek God looks in my Mills and Boons which I had secretly borrowed from Shubha my bestie who had a liberal family background and two older sisters in college who taught her all she had to know, well in advance. She in turn generously passed on the baton of keeping the romantic fantasies alive on to me along with her worn out copies on M&Bs. I had just read one, last night where the hero had the drool-worthy looks and lo behold… the new guy in class was handpicked it looked like, to just give a face to my fantasy. Apparently, his father was a central Government employee and had a transfer. Our school was only too thrilled to have a brilliant guy in our batch-mix of notoriously less studious children. I was the class prefect and never liked the extra duties that came in its wake until today. The class teacher asked me to help the new student with the notes which he had missed. A month full of academics…oh I couldn’t be happier. I got to sit next to him in the recess that day and I knew my jealous classmates wouldn’t overtly speak up but must be wanting to kill to be in my shoes. However they could have been rest assured, Nirav was a guy of few words… after ten minutes of my blabbering, he only nodded in affirmation and then a tiny movement of his pretty lips resulting in what I assumed was a tiny bit of a smile, he said a soft thank you and oh boy…oops…oh man… what a voice. A baritone that would give Kabir Bedi a run for his money and I was a sucker for those… he was barely fifteen. The flutters that flew through my heart… it was a surreal experience. I couldn’t name it but it was beautiful.

The week that followed I helped him out with different subjects and he barely spoke a word. He didn’t speak to anyone in class and because of his tall built he was seated on the last bench. I even gave him my landline number with the hope that he would call… for clearing academic doubts, of course and had proudly declared at home that I was the chosen one to help a student in need. My parents only glared with neutral expressions and shook their heads as if they thought I was making a mountain of a molehill… But I wished he would call just to hear that voice which sent shivers through my body every time he spoke and the number of words, he had uttered in the entire week was less than twenty. But there was an icing on the cake… a day earlier I had seen his face closely as he had arrived after me from the washroom for our recess rendezvous…  He had Prussian blue eyes… really…? He was bespectacled but I didn’t know if the tinge on the edges of his glasses were from his eyes or vice versa… whatever it was, he was the most beautiful specimen in that gender I had ever come across… and the only one I hadn’t fought with as yet. Guys stayed away from me and Shubha told me that was because I intimidated them. Oh come on… seriously? I didn’t care though. But with Nirav it as different. Probably because he was a great listener and only nodded and smiled slightly. He was a wizard at Maths and Physics, the two subjects I loathed and that was where the ice finally broke. We connected on academics… I remembered to say a private thank you to both those subjects because Nirav finally spoke!

“…Uh… no… that’s not the correct method of finding the resonance, Anisha… look here…” and then he had explained it meticulously with a diagram. Though I barely paid attention, as I was distracted by the baritone and those thin but muscular long fingers holding my Reynolds ball point… I understood the topic. Physics was never more interesting. From there began our friendship and amidst the academic pressures of tenth grade, the emotional upheavals form the parental expectations to score well, he was the one good thing, silver lining enough to light up gloomy days. We became the best of friends. Though our official recess rendezvous was done with, we still made it a point to speak daily. And my heart sored every time I realised, he only spoke with me or the teachers. Never to any other guy or girl in the class for which he was sneered upon but his grades shut them all up. Shubha even asked me a couple of times if I felt something for Nirav but those days it was a taboo to even think of it, especially in the tenth grade so I laughed over it. But the truth was, even as Shubha looked away my eyes searched for those beautiful orbs behind the glasses sitting away in the corner and scribbling something in his book. Oh yes, he loved solving Maths problems and always kept at it. He continuously topped the class in all the exams and finally even the boards. He was a merit holder and topped the local ward. I scored well too and was on the seventh heaven when I got into a junior college of my choice only because Nirav got in too. We both were in the same class again and so we traveled together and this time we sat together as well.

In a classroom filled with strangers, we got solace in each other’s company. His father got a mid-term transfer again so he opted to stay in the college hostel rather than disrupt his studies. I couldn’t have been happier except that I missed my travel buddy. But we would spend time studying together after college and as always, he helped me out with my Physics miseries. He was reserved throughout like in school and I had resigned to the fact that he was an introvert speaking only what was necessary. He had often joked that I compensated for his poor communication skills. I however had made many friends in class.

It was the time of the college festival and we eleventh graders were asked to present a couple of dances on the cultural day. I was enthusiastic and though I danced with my two left feet, I enrolled. There was a choreographer appointed by the college who tried his best to set my steps with another guy who was my dance partner… the song was the blockbuster… “Ruk jaao dil deewane…” and the choreography ended exactly like the movie where Raj drops Simran in the end. I didn’t have a problem except that my partner dropped me a bit too hard and, in my anxiety, I often stepped on his toes. Nirav always watched our practice and I could feel him chuckling at my clumsiness. Two days prior to the event, a guy in the group backed out due to personal reasons and my partner wasted no time in changing over to the stranded girl’s side… what a wench! I was on the verge of tears that I had to step down when a warm hand engulfed mine… It was Nirav who came up to the choreographer saying he would be my partner… I mean really…? The choreographer nodded and asked him to give a try and to my utmost surprise…rather, shock, Nirav was smooth on his feet…just like a professional dancer… I had known him for a while now and didn’t know he could dance…let alone so gracefully. Because of him we got to stand right in front and since he was my partner, I didn’t face any anxiety. The final event went by without any incident and we received the maximum applause… Those two days, I had spent the maximum time with Nirav than ever before. We laughed, studied, did our assignments, had lunch and evening snacks those two days stuck to each other like glue. As I got off the bus to go home on the day of the event, I missed him so much and had no doubt that I was in love with my best friend…

But then there is no true love without jealousy…is there? Nirav became quite popular in college ever since the dance event. Girls clamored for his attention and though he didn’t respond much the green-eyed monster in me reared up its ugly head. I was terribly annoyed whenever he spoke to any good-looking girl in class. Of course, it was an innocent gesture on his part and I knew it. But I was sixteen and my temper peaked with a drop of a hat whenever it had anything to do with him. Deep in my heart I knew I was being immature but still, I had no control over my feelings. The fact that I didn’t score well in the semester exams and had to face the ire of my father back home for negligence of studies, made matters worse. I changed my seat but not before assuring Nirav sat next to a guy who I later got to know was his hostel friend too. I avoided speaking with him… He didn’t stop trying though. He was an aspiring IIT candidate and worked pretty hard which only made me more guilty. With a heavy heart I decided to let go of my feelings and focus on my studies.

For a month or so during our final exams we barely spoke or even acknowledged. He didn’t come to me as well…I missed him but more than everything I missed my best friend. Shubha too had moved to her hometown and I was not in touch with anyone else from school. It was the month of February and I had finished the last paper, the dreaded Geometry for class XI and as expected it was pathetic… I only hoped to pass. The next session for std XII was to commence in a week and so were my tuition. It would be very difficult year and I had braced up to work harder to secure admission to my choice of medical college. A far-fetched dream mainly for my parents, now considering my dismal performance but I wanted to give it my best. As I walked on the lane in the campus moving towards the exit, I was lost in thought and every aspect was threatening to come right up to the surface. My parents’ expectation, the fear of letting them down, losing my best friend and being clueless as to how to go ahead with studying the subjects I had no interest in whatsoever… The dams broke open and I sat on a seat right there my back hunched as I cried my heart out. For the first time in my life I had lost control and I didn’t know how long I wept… Someone touched my back. It was firm but familiar… what?  I looked up to see Nirav sitting next to me worry etched on his handsome face his Adam’s apple bobbing as if he wanted to say something but held back. I must have been looking like some demoness… with my Kohl smudged with all the crying.

“…what happened Ani… paper was that bad…?” He finally asked.

“…Yeah…” I wiped my eyes as a strange calm settled in. Nirav was the only one who could do that for me.

“…its ok.. you will clear it. Focus on the upcoming year…”

“…yeah…” I parroted the same reply

“…So…what’s up with you Ani…?”

And then I started my tirade. We spoke for the next couple of hours till it was getting late for me to leave for home and I had an hour-long bus journey. Nirav insisted I make it before dark. My heart fluttered again at the concern he demonstrated and all those feelings dormant for months together surfaced up again. He walked with me to the bus stop and waited till I caught one leading to my destination. I don’t know if it was just a fragment of my imagination, I thought he had something to tell me but hesitated. Nonetheless I had my friend back and knew he would eventually come through.

That night for the first time in days I had a sound sleep…irrespective of the fact that I had done miserably in the examination.

Copyright Disclaimer: All content posted here is a work of fiction and original work based on the author’s imagination. There is no intention to disrespect any person or faith. Any resemblance to any person living or dead or any community is purely coincidental. No part of the content can be copied, reproduced or posted anywhere else either entirely or in parts, without the consent of the author.

The Accidental Husband

Priya Gole
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0
The Accidental Husband

A suspense romance story

read on…

    happily ever after…

    Priya Gole
    -
    3
    happily ever after…

    Epilogue

    After two years…

    “Sonia…. Sonia….oops be careful darling. Amma will be hurt…” Ria looked down at her daughter who was just around 15 months old but a handful already. A dimpled smile with beautiful black eyes… an exact miniature version of Gaurav, looked up at her. Little Sonia loved her toy horses and to Gaurav’s utmost delight had shown affinity towards the elegant beasts ever since they had introduced her to Shiva when she had been four months of age. Shiva had somehow taken a liking to the tiny human and had showed leaps in his improvement with her around. Ria and Gaurav visited Parijaat at least once in fifteen days and she often stayed back for a week end or two with Sonia. Ria had decided not to get to her centre right now for few years at least as she wished to be a full-time mother to Sonia and loved to keep the house now that Keith had left. On their insistence Keith had branched out on his own and free-lanced full time with his expertise. But he made it a point to visit them once a week at least.

    Ria hoisted Sonia’s giggling form on her hip as she continued to stir paneer makhani for dinner. Gaurav would be home in another couple of hours if the surgery finished on time or else Keith would have to arrange to deliver food to him at the hospital.

    Ria switched of the gas stove and took her sleepy daughter back into her old room which was now their daughter’s room. Gaurav himself had decorated it before she came along. Ria smiled looking around at the adorable nursery filled with pink hues…with traces of white to balance the shades. The crib was specially made to order in white wood and it was a beautiful combination of wood and a special varnish which was non-toxic and lined with eco-friendly soft material so that the little one didn’t hurt herself. The bed was made by the women in Parijaath…it was their gift to their Dada…There was a small single seater sofa for her when she lactated their daughter or when Gaurav rushed to pacify the little one. They had seen to it that Sonia slept independently right from the second month and she was never fussy except when she was colicky.

    Ria gave her a quick bath and fed her porridge. It was nearing 8PM and Sonia’s eyes were drooping shut. Ria tucked her in and within a minute she was asleep. She stared at her daughter’s sleeping form as the last two years unfolded before her.

    The media had had a field day making different speculations about an unknown person from Dubai who had created trouble for Gaurav. As for Gaurav’s past, Ansari had conceded and Sujata was in jail in Dubai for supplying drugs, cheating and forgery. Apparently, she had these other cases against her in Dubai and was in for a long haul. Ria had visited the hospital to meet Ansari along with Gaurav and Ashok Chitthappa. He had requested to see her to apologise to both Gaurav and Ria. Gaurav in turn had arranged for the best treatment possible for Ansari and had seen him off safely to Dubai along with the officials. Ria couldn’t have been prouder of her husband.

    Ria had been back from the hospital but her blood pressure was shooting up badly and so she had spent almost the entire pregnancy in their hospital. She had almost the entire staff fussing over her. Preeti who was recently married was frequently visiting her, so did Ria’s parents. But they had to vacate the quarters and move to their hometown and Gaurav had helped them with the transition as well. Her mother had come back for her delivery and had stayed with her for a couple of months. All this time though, Gaurav rarely left her side. She had persuaded him to reapply for his practice license. On her insistence he had started attending workshops and upgrading his skills. Just after Sonia was born, he had assisted in his first surgery. Again, she had pushed him and he travelled to different places throughout last year, gaining experience in specific surgical procedures. She often stayed in Parijaat during his absence. Finally, when Sonia was almost a year old, he did his first independent surgery after over eight years. Ria remembered that day when he had come home after his first independent surgery and hugged her tight. That night when they had made love he had cried as he had shattered in her arms. She had rubbed his back and kissed his tears away.

    Ria smiled as she thought of his love making skills. They didn’t get time like earlier days due to his schedule and she being busy with Sonia and taking care of their home. But she loved snatching time for quickies…she blushed as she thought about their early morning rendezvous today in the bathroom with Keith playing with Sonia right outside their bedroom. Ria had come to their bedroom to fold the bed linen and sort the room…

    Gaurav never missed his extra activities as she addressed his past liking for kink… She was willing to try it for his sake but he had refused. He said he didn’t need any of that stuff anymore after she had come into his life… but still she had been curious and he had promised her someday…

    Gaurav had stopped the demolition of the old hospital building as he said it held special memories of a special night for him. But she knew, besides the fact that they had their first date there, he was nostalgic about that place. Gaurav now ran a charitable hospital in his grandmother’s memory, from that place. He had handed over the admin work of his current commercial hospital over to his cousin. His relationship with his family was a little on the road to mend…especially with his cousins. His parents and some of the relatives had also visited them a couple of times to meet Ria and Sonia. Gaurav still wasn’t comfortable around his father and they were still cold to each other but Ria hoped that in the coming years things would smoothen up.

    Ria had arranged for Kalyani and other women from Parijaath to have the exhibitions of handicrafts made by them and other women from the rural communities around…in her centre. She was happy to contribute to Parijaath. Gaurav was caught up with his surgical appointments, conferences and charity surgeries in the old hospital. Occasionally, he painted as well.

    Ria sighed with contentment. She had a better relationship with her parents. Pooja was busy with her son and was also trying to complete her studies via distance education and she often spoke to her. Her parents were happy to be surrounded by their folks. Ria and Gaurav had visited them once when Sonia was a year old. They had celebrated her birthday in their hometown. Ria chuckled as she remembered her father dance holding a bewildered Sonia in his arms. He simply doted on his granddaughter…. Somehow, though she wasn’t very close to them, she thought the equations had changed and she mentally thanked her Chitthappa for the same. She just wanted her parents to be happy…

    Ria came out of Sonia’s room and gently closed the door. She checked her mobile phone for seeing the time. Her maids had left for the day at 7PM and now it was nearing 10PM. She quickly freshened up and cleared the living room. Gaurav should be home any moment since he hadn’t called about any delays. As she moved along the living room, she looked all around her. Gaurav had filled an entire wall with their pictures. Some of their families but mostly of the three of them. A passage wall leading to their exit had some of his paintings. The old hospital building too had some paintings and he had planned an exhibition to raise funds for the charity.

    She heard the alarm getting disengaged and moved towards the entrance, just in time to see the door shut. Gaurav entered giving her a bright smile. He kept his keys in the bowl and walked towards her. Holding her face he kissed her deeply and as she circled his neck his hands cupped her backside and he squeezed her buns tightly. Ria moaned…. She took her lips towards his ears and said, “Paneer makahni is waiting…”

    Gaurav laughed a hearty laughter “…Trust you Ria to spoil my mood…”, Then he looked serious and said, “… I want my dessert first…” He lifted her short nightgown from the front and cupping her mound through her panty, gently massaged her…. Just the way she loved. She rubbed herself to his hands and kissed him hard. She didn’t know when they reached their bedroom, dropping their clothes on the way. Gaurav was now more comfortable with his scars and even went out swimming in public. Reactions didn’t bother him anymore. Most importantly, Sonia didn’t even flinch when she saw his back. She loved her father to the moon and back and that was enough a verdict for him.

    As he pushed Ria on their bed, he climbed up spreading her legs. She placed a hand on his chest feeling the warmth of his heartbeat.  As his eyes shown with passion and love in the dimply lit bedroom, he wasted no time moving back and dropping his head between her things, relishing her….

    Hours later, they both lay side by side, breathing hard, their dinner long forgotten… The bedroom clock chimed 12 midnight and Gaurav turned to her and kissed her hard. Holding her face in his palm as he climbed up on her with his legs on either side, he said, “Happy anniversary darling… Here’s wishing for many more blissful years of togetherness…”

    Ria smiled as she saw the love in his eyes. Today was the day they had first actually met when he had given her the certificate as an intern. Life had come a full circle from that day but they celebrated that day as their anniversary. She whispered, “…Happy anniversary to you too, love…ummmm…” She moaned as he entered her….

    She was living her dream…

    … A dream where she had a chance to love and be loved!

    Copyright Disclaimer: All content posted here is a work of fiction and original work based on the author’s imagination. There is no intention to disrespect any person or faith. Any resemblance to any person living or dead or any community is purely coincidental. No part of the content can be copied, reproduced or posted anywhere else either entirely or in parts, without the consent of the author.

    Author note:

    A huge thank you to all you wonderful readers who in a way helped me complete this story. I had conceptualised this one two years ago and written out a sketchy version of it. This platform gave me an opportunity to complete it and that was mainly because of your encouragement. So just a couple of words here… There is a little bit of Ria in everyone of us. We women are tenacious and strong and have it in us to achieve anything. We can face hardships thrown at us and can bear just about anything judiciously. We are the epitome of a complete package and the next time you lose hope or feel low just remember the inner strength you have.

    Love

    Priya

     

    the stork is visiting…

    Priya Gole
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    0
    the stork is visiting…

    Chapter 52

    Gaurav paced the hospital like a frustrated predator. He still couldn’t believe all that had transpired and his Ria had been in the eye of storm. When he had seen the footage of her leaving home it was like someone had ripped off his heart and even now as she lay unconscious in the special room of a friend’s hospital, he still felt that vacuum in his chest… He couldn’t see her like that pale and attached to tubes…he was going crazy with worry and Manek who was with him suggested he wait outside. Her mother and Pooja who was discharged after her check-up were with Ria. Her father was waiting in the lobby with his shoulders hunched and Gaurav sat next to him. He couldn’t wait to get her stabilised and move her to his hospital which was better equipped but it was far away from the location of the shootout and he couldn’t waste crucial time travelling with her…

    “…So… she will be fine…?” Her father asked.

    “…Yea… she will… she has to…” Gaurav’s voice cracked and he struggled to hold back his emotions…

    “…She… I mean… I want to apologize… I feel guilty…” her father spoke softly.

    Gaurav had never asked Ria the details about her family relationship but he had an idea about the dynamics. He knew she loved her family but somehow, she craved for some strange kind of acceptance. Though he had despised her father for his behaviour towards Ria during the case and for imposing Vikram on her, at this moment his heart went out for the old man. He patted her father’s shoulder. “…Your daughter… she is tenacious…she is a warrior and she will pull through…”

    Her father nodded. “…You know Gaurav…? I have been scared ever since the time she was born… its…she was dark you see… I loved my girl but I was scared about her future… in our community… I mean… My Ria… she has always been a good daughter… I … I … I couldn’t be the father who she wanted…. I am a failure… I…mean the money… she was like the son I never had…rock of the family…glue of the family who held us together… But now… I only want her to be happy… Gaurav…?”

    “…Yes…?”

    “…Just…promise me…” He looked at Gaurav with tear filled eyes… and Gaurav held his hands and nodded encouraging him to talk. “…See…I couldn’t be the reliable man for Ria… just promise me you will be there for her…. Come what may… she has taken care of us for a while now… Its her turn… I am retiring in few months and we will be moving to our home tow near Warangal… So…the onus is now on you… please…” Her father’s shoulders drooped further as he continued with a chocked voice. “…Please…take care of her…”

    “…Sir…I promise you…”

    “…Gaurav… call me Appa…”

    Gaurav chuckled and said. “…Yes…Appa…I will take care of her… Ria is my life…she is everything to me… So yes… don’t worry about her….”

    It was over four hours that Ria had been brought here and she had still not regained consciousness. Gaurav sent back her parents and Pooja back home in the vee hours of the morning and he sat next to Ria. Tears flew down his cheeks as he recalled the last few hours…Gaurav had died a hundred deaths when Ria had collapsed and he hadn’t bothered about bullets flying as he had rushed towards her. He had known immediately when that psycho Sujata had gone for the gun and he had reflexively rushed towards Ria… What he hadn’t expected was for Ansari to come in the line of fire… the man had actually taken the bullet for Ria and saved her life. He too was in the same hospital in the ICU well-guarded by the Crime Branch and Keith and Ashok Chitthappa were at the Mumbai office along with Inspector Sehgal for the emergency briefing. Sujata had been arrested and was to be handed over to Interpol. The evidence obtained from Dubai by Naren and Ashok were corroborated by the recording in Ria’s watch. Gaurav had held Ria in the car while getting her to the hospital and Keith had taken the watch before that. So finally, … however surreal it felt…it was actually over…

    Gaurav held Ria’s hand, the one without the IV as he wept into her palm. It was she who had been the catalyst for this fight and taking it to a closure. However, all that made no sense, the new lease of life he had just received was empty without her being a part of it… she was his wife…his partner in life…his better half in the true sense of the word. He spoke amidst hiccups hoping that she heard him. “…Ri…Ria…my sweetheart…I am not used to being alone anymore…I have just forgotten that old life i had before you came along… I can’t imagine a life without you in it… my darling…please come back to me…” A sudden wave of sadness engulfed him and he cried holding her hands… “…Ria…I look at you and… I am home… nothing matters anymore… nothing at all… I… can’t take this anymore…Ria…please come back to me… please…” He cried till he had it all out and he continued to hold her had. The night had ended and as he felt the early morning brightness seep into the room through a crack in the curtains, he hoped it would bring the bright ray of happiness in her life as well.

    It was mid-morning and Ria hadn’t woken up as yet. Gaurav was glued to her side and it was Manek who coaxed him to freshen up a bit while he sat keeping a watch. Gaurav reluctantly agreed and walked out of the room… He was a blank palate and nothing but Ria could fill the vibrant colours there… The TV in the lobby was on and he saw the media had a field day, based on what had transpired. There had to be some information that was to be revealed to them. He had heard about that discussion last night but hadn’t been in the right frame of mind to process it. Ashok Chitthappa…. God bless his soul… had taken the lead and left him to be with Ria without having to bother about the paperwork.  There was lot of Buzz in the Chopra group of hospitals… and that was also one of the reasons he hadn’t taken her there.  The reports were throwing light on his vindication and how he had been wrongly accused. There wasn’t any information on Ansari and Sujata because of diplomatic and political reasons and he knew that only too well. It was all too overwhelming and he sat on one of the seats with a thud. He didn’t know how long he remained seated like that lost in thought…

    Gaurav didn’t realize he had closed his fists tightly till he felt hands on them. He opened his eyes and saw Ashok chitthappa. The man looked tired to the core but had a smile on his face which gave Gaurav some solace. He stood up abruptly as Ashok patted him on his back. “Ria will be fine son… Don’t worry. She is a born fighter.”

    Gaurav nodded…

    Ashok continued, “…I…er…I wanted to apologize for everything I did…. It was only meant to keep Ria safe…”

    “…It’s alright Uncle…I would have done the same …for Ria…” Gaurav said.

    Just then the in-charge doctor came rushing with Ria’s blood work results.

    Gaurav rushed towards him. “…Wha…what is it Doctor Rao…? Is my wife alright…?”

    Dr. Rao who was easily in his 50s smiled and said. “…Ria is absolutely fine…in fact I have some good news for all of you…. Your wife is pregnant Dr. Chopra…. Six weeks… Congratulations…”

    Gaurav couldn’t believe his ears. He stood still while Ashok patted him and congratulated him. Soon Keith who had reached there hugged him and wished him. But Gaurav was still serious.”…But doctor Rao… why is she still unconscious…?”

    “…Look Dr. Chopra, her vitals are normal. She probably has been under tremendous mental stress for a while now…. Its nature’s way to shut down the body to let it recover… You are a doctor yourself…you should know better. Give her sometime Dr. Chopra. She is fine. Let her rest…” the kind doctor said.

    Soon the day passed without Ria gaining consciousness. The doctors were confident but Gaurav was barely hanging by a thin thread. His medical knowledge was blank at the moment… actually ever since Ria had lost consciousness. Ashok updated that Ansari was fine and brought out to the ward but under tight security. He had met up with him and Ansari had officially surrendered to Interpol. He was willing to cooperate and was to be flown to Dubai once he was certified for travel… Sujata was been questioned and she had thrown another shocker about arranging to kill Swara in prison… Gaurav wondered to what extent the lady had gone to cover her tracks and extract money… She was definitely going away for long. In face Ashok Chitthappa told him the paperwork was underway to deport her to Dubai. Also any case lingering against Gaurav was cancelled… he was free…finally…

    It was 10PM. Ria’s parents who were there for most of the day and Ashok left promising to get back in the morning. They were worried but in high spirits considering the impending motherhood for both their daughters. Manek wasn’t willing but Gaurav insisted that he leave for the night. Keith wouldn’t hear anything and was sitting outside Ria’s room. Gaurav knew, he was worried too. Gaurav sat on the chair next to the bed where he had spent the remaining of the earlier night and … As he looked at her peaceful form, their life together so far…. flashed before his eyes. He lifted her hand again as if she was the log in the vast ocean, he needed to stay afloat… and kissed her palm. He felt wetness on his cheeks and realized he was crying…he had thought his tears had dried up after the bout earlier. He bent his head and let go the pent-up emotions. What an irony… It was supposed to be the best day of his life. He was finally free from his past shackles and …he was to become a father. But the person who made it possible was lying still….

    A finger wiped his cheek and… he looked up with a jerk. Ria was awake and looking at him with tears in her eyes. Her smile was laboured… He stood to call the doctor but she tightened the hold on his hand. She pulled him close and whispered, “…I have… to tell… you something…”

    Gaurav nodded. Ria was struggling to speak and his throat was clogged tight to speak anything. He rang the bell for the nurse on duty who in turn called for the doctor. Dr. Rao came in after 5 minutes followed by a harried looking Keith. The nurse had already checked Ria’s vitals. The doctor did the check up and smiled. He said, “So… Ria…you are now free to leave tomorrow morning. Dr. Chopra you can finish the formalities tomorrow. Ria…?” he looked at her again. “…you need to take extra care now on….” Then again looking at Gaurav he said, “… Dr. Chopra, see to it that you follow up with a good obstetrician as soon as possible…. you know that, don’t you…?” He winked at her and left the room. Keith left to call her parents and Manek, to inform them that she was awake now.

    They were alone in the room. Ria’s bed was now adjusted so that she sat up with support. She slowly looked at Gaurav who hadn’t left her side and… her hand. He was staring at her…those beautiful blacks in turmoil. Ria raised a questioning eyebrow.

    “How long have you known…?” he asked her patting her stomach.

    She closed her hand over his. “…I had a doubt about a week ago when I realized I had skipped my period much before actually…. But I couldn’t confirm …got busy…” She looked into his eyes and continued, “…. I …um…stopped my pill quite some time back…. I was getting nauseous…. are you… are you upset…?”

    “…What? Upset…? Of course not. I am the happiest man in the world right now. But Ria….you scared me sweetheart. And… And that note? Did you think I could live without you…?” Gaurav sighed and continued, still looking at her, “…Promise me Ria…you will never do anything like this…. EVER AGAIN….” He tightened his hold on her hand.

    Ria nodded. She whispered, “I… am… I am sorry… I wasn’t thinking…I saw that clip and ….” Suddenly she gasped and asked, “…. Is Pooja alright…?”, Then she looked at her wrist and said, “…. my…my watch? Did you find it? …It’s got…what about Ansari…? he face the bullet….”

    Gaurav left her hand. He cupped her face and said, “…Ria…shhh…. Just relax sweetheart…Pooja is fine. They were all here sometime back. They are home now and will come back tomorrow. And… The watch…. It was brilliant Ria. Keith is on seventh heaven ever since he realized, you had used it. It helped the authorities…Ansari is in the same hospital recuperating and Sujata is in custody. I will fill you up on all the details…everything eventually…  Now…you rest ok? Tomorrow we will go home…”

    Ria leaned into his palm and closed her eyes. On her insistence, Gaurav lay next to her on the edge of her bed. He put a hand over her shoulder and hugged her sideways and she snuggled into his chest. The clock chimed 11PM.

    “…Gaurav…?”

    “…yea…?”

    “…I have been curious about something for a while…”

    “…what is it…?”

    “…um… that day in the bungalow… just after we were married… when you sent me to a separate room… um… you were speaking to someone when I had come back to your room… you were upset after that and snapped at me as well… which is so unlike you, sweetheart… who was that…?”

    Gaurav turned his face towards her. “…darling…it was my… my father…I rarely speak to my parents and I can count on my fingers the number of times I have spoken to my parents in these six years… he was angry with all that had transpired … the case , our marriage… he … he accused me of tarnishing the family image and said never to keep in touch anymore…”

    He didn’t know speaking these few words would invoke a surge of emotions and Ria held him close to her as the wave passed. He had never felt such calm before when he had thought about his parents.

    “…Gaurav…?” Ria spoke again. “…um…one last question…”

    “…Ria… can we have the quiz session tomorrow…? You need to rest…?”

    “…This is the last one I promise…” Ria insisted and he nodded. “…Who exactly is Keith…?”

    He sighed. “…Ria…uh… Keith is ex homeland security. He took voluntary retirement after an injury but still free lances for them. He was with me after I got back from Dubai… he always believed I was wrongly convicted initially there and doubled up as my butler along with security detail… He takes up other projects as well… but as you see… we have kept him busy with our own… besides he is a damn good cook… and over all he loves you as well…”

    Ria nodded and wiped her tears. “…Gaurav you should rest as well… you have been awake for over 24 hours…”

    “…How…? Do you know that darling…?” He was surprised.

    “… That’s the way you are programmed dear… you are the most caring man on earth and I am lucky to have you as my husband… I know you wouldn’t have slept a wink with me asleep here for hours…” Gaurav hugged her tightly and before he knew… he was fast asleep.

    Copyright Disclaimer: All content posted here is a work of fiction and original work based on the author’s imagination. There is no intention to disrespect any person or faith. Any resemblance to any person living or dead or any community is purely coincidental. No part of the content can be copied, reproduced or posted anywhere else either entirely or in parts, without the consent of the author.

    The climax…

    Priya Gole
    -
    0
    The climax…

    Chapter 51

    Gaurav’s anxiety was increasing by leaps and bounds… he had his plan in place. There was no one more experienced and reliable that Keith… he wished to tell Ria about Keith someday. She would be thrilled to know about this man… But for now, they had to get her back safely. He didn’t even care what would happen to Sujata or whoever was there… he was told Abdul Ansari was hiding in that hole…. All he wanted was to get Ria and her sister to safety. Putting his hand in his pocket he pulled out the crumpled letter Ria had left in the store. Yes, they had followed the tracker to the store. The owner lay unconscious and Gaurav had looked all over along with the Crime Branch guys checking for clues, though it was taking a while he knew Ria was here for a reason. The CCTV cameras didn’t help but he could finally guess the cubicle she was in. He had then found the polythene with the clothes in it and the letter… it was as if Ria knew he would come for her. He fought back tears trying to control the surge of emotions…. The magnitude of trust the woman had in his abilities was unfathomable. He opened the crumpled piece of paper that he had hidden from the others…

    Dear Love,

    In case I don’t make it today… promise to live your life fully…for both of us. Remember you are the most handsome and whole man on Earth…and if you don’t believe that watch yourself through my eyes.

    I love you so much, my heart calls out to you… it always will…

    Yours forever

    Ria

    He couldn’t stop his tears this time… His phone buzzed and Manek informed him that Pooja was safely returned. That was a relief but Pooja was apparently clueless about everything. She was being rushed to the hospital for a check-up…. just in case. His heart fell… he wanted his Ria back safe and sound…the world be damned.

    It took them a while to find the place. Manek and a few officers sanctioned discreetly by the crime branch reached in a few moments after them. They were all armed and also in touch with the head office back in Mumbai constantly. They had the Armed forces too on hold nearby if needed, but they wanted to Take Ansari into custody as discreetly as possible to avoid the media from encroaching. They parked a little away from the bungalow and walked slowly towards the main gate. Fortunately, the place was dark so it would help their cause. Gaurav was told, they had the necessary paperwork to arrest Ansari and Sujata. It was supposed to be a victory day for him. He was all set to clear his name totally and get back his life…but at that moment everything else was obsolete. Only Ria mattered… He took out his binoculars and held them up trying to see…but the curtains were all drawn and though the lights were on he couldn’t see anything or anyone inside…it was difficult to get the headcount of men inside and his heart thudded fiercely with the thought of Ria getting hurt. He wanted to see her safe just as much as he needed his next breath. As they neared the gates, they were joined by another person in combat attire. It was Ria’s uncle… He spoke to the Crime Branch guys and one phone call was sufficient for them to permit him to join the operation. There was some unsaid communication between Gaurav and him. Gaurav nodded… The more expertise they received, the better were the chances of getting Ria back safe.

    One of the officers got a blueprint of the Bungalow interior and Keith took out a gadget that was used to open the main lock without a sound. The other guys spread across around the bungalow very silently to try every way to check the number of men inside. Their earpieces were all connected with the same frequencies and they could communicate with everyone. Manek was to take over the electrical mains. They had just got hold of the owner of the bungalow, based in the UK via head office, and who had no clue about who had rented the place. But he had given them all the details about the electrical mains, switch boards and other connections. Keith used his gadget effectively and they successfully entered the bungalow without making noise. Keith, Manek, Gaurav, Ria’s uncle and an officer from Crime Branch took positions in the dimly lit patio corners as Manek found the mains. The head of the operations, Inspector Sehgal from Crime Branch who was with them now…strictly warned everyone against opening fire… Gaurav’s heart lost a beat when he heard that… He was told to stay behind but he would have none of it so here he was in his Kevlar suit… and his pistol… Finally, he was getting to hold the beauty he had licenced when he had arrived in Pune from Dubai but had only used it in the shooting range so far. He didn’t know if his hands would be steady because Ria was around…Oh God…please keep her safe…It was suddenly pitch dark and all he heard as a tiny bead of seat found its way down his temple, was few clicks…of Guns…

    ***************************************************************************

    Ria smiled to herself in the dark… she knew they would come for her… but this was quick. It wasn’t surprising knowing the kind of man Gaurav was. She stood up trying to move towards the back where she knew she could hide but then someone dragged her around…as there was commotion…some kind of a verbal cacophony of Arabic utterances lashed out everywhere… was it Sujata who pulled her…? No, it was too hard and her arm hurt. Ria hit her knee to the centre table in the dark. “Ouch…it hurt…leave me…”

    “Shut up you bitch…” Sujata screamed from some corner nearby. “…I should kill you myself for ruining all our plans…”

    “THAT’S ENOUGH…” Ansari roared somewhere to the right of where she stood. Suddenly there was total silence “…Zubair, Hold Ms. Narsimhan’s hand tightly and keep her close. …sanie almataeib… trouble… We have company…. They won’t try anything stupid else … hurt her. Come upstairs to office… “

    “…EVERYONE STAY RIGHT WHERE YOU ARE…” A booming voice startled her.

    However, Zubair dragged her. She put all her weight on the man and he was huffing and panting. She was glad about her excess flab for once… she was such an oxymoron right now. She stumbled not being able to see the ground and someone hit her head… sending explosion of light behind her eyelids as she writhed in pain… but she dared not make a whimper. She didn’t want Gaurav to get distracted… Suddenly the lights were on again blinding her with their bright luminosity as Ria looked around her. Zubair was still holding her hand and her head throbbed where she was hit by the asshole… but her eyes were searching for Gaurav. Ansari walked up to her holding a gun to her temple just as Gaurav emerged from behind the pillar pistol in hand and all vested up… He was accompanied by Keith, another guy in vest and Oh…Goodness…Ashok Chitthappa…Had they made peace…? She wondered… Her eyes teared up as she watched Gaurav staring daggers at Ansari. She only hoped it was not the last time she was seeing him…

    The room was filled with Abdul’s men along with some other men in black with their guns trained on one another. A couple of Abdul’s men had fallen and in spite of who they were Ria hoped they weren’t dead. Ansari was totally flustered and he swore in what she thought was Arabic. Ansari quickly unlocked his pistol and held it to Ria’s head. He said aloud, “…My loaded pistol… here. All see… I have no problem with Law here… Ashok…handover that bastard to me… I go away… no shooting… Your niece safe…”

    “…Shut the hell up…asshole… I am ashamed to call you a comrade anymore…what have you done to yourself…?” Ria was surprised to hear her Chitthappa speak that way.

    “…He kill my son, Ashok…” Ansari spoke as if Chitthappa hadn’t spoken at all.

    “…No Abdul…he didn’t… you are deluded…totally… your son died because he overdosed…”

    “…NO…HE WAS KILLED… BY THIS anthy khinzir…” Abdul swore and she could feel him trembling with rage…

    Suddenly he dragged her towards the wall behind him the pistol still pointing towards her temple.

    “…Let her go Ansari… you want me… I am here… let…let her go…” It was Gaurav with a voice dripping of desperation and her throat clogged.

    “…No son… you don’t have to do it…” Chitthappa spoke sternly. “… Abdul…listen to me… its very sad that Saquib died but he was depressed and an addict… do you know who supplied him drugs regularly…? It was this lady here Sujata… she used him…”

    “…NO… THAT Gaurv… he killed…” by now his hold on her hand tightened and she cringed in pain.

    “…Be reasonable Abdul… you have been blinded by your love for Saquib… instead of getting him treated you only covered for him… see where its landed you… this woman used us and in spite of our training we let her…”

    “…What the hell… why are you putting the blame on me…? Mr. Ansari…your son was a user already… I didn’t make him an addict…he was depressed because of Shilpi…” Sujata blurted out.

    “…Shut up lady… you have caused enough damage and ruined enough families… it’s over now…” Chitthappa was in his element as he scolded a shocked looking Sujata. He then turned to Ansari. “…look Abdul… you were a decorated officer…the best sniper we had… but more than that you were a wonderful human… so considerate in spite of the grind that we had to face…. What has happened to you…? I never believed anything till I saw the proof… its over Abdul… killing my niece or Gaurav won’t absolve you of the crimes you have committed…in your grieving…”

    “…Ashok…I want revenge… for my Saquib…” Abdul’s voice cracked but his hold hadn’t loosened and Ria’s head was reeling and her hand had gone numb with pain.

    “…. your anger and resentment are palpable, Abdul, but…grossly displaced… My son-in-law here is not…NOT responsible… yet you caused him so much pain… do you believe in punishing the innocent…? Do you remember that siege of that Oil company in Kuwait by terrorists fifteen years ago…our last op together where we were sent to defend it…? You let go off a sixteen-year-old amongst them and promised an education for him…you fought for him in spite of being injured yourself…do you remember…? he is a successful engineer today in a good job…I have followed up with him all these years…Abdul…you gave that boy a new life…that is who you are my friend…not this psycho who is gun blazing and killing innocents…”

    “…Hey…hey stop that melodrama now… both of you… Ansari…just get him to sign the bloody papers and I will leave…then do what you want with Ria…” Sujata had lost it..

    “…You have not understood anything, have you…? Losing a sister who you ruined much before her death… she was a drug addict too… were you aware…? Then what kind of an upbringing did you give her…?” Chitthappa asked her in a lethally soft voice. “…By the way Ms. Sujata for a minute you had fooled me as well… but there is enough evidence against you … your father was a part of the drug trafficking gang, wasn’t he…? We got the records and you are wanted too by the Dubai police… so what will you do with money…?” His smile gave Ria the chills…this was a different version of Chitthappa she was seeing today.

    “…Quiet all of you… I just wanted some money…” Sujata was boiling with fury. “…so what if I did…I grew poor… Dirt poor… My father was a bastard who blew up everything on drugs and women… He did one one good in his pathetic life…taught me the tricks of the trade… And then I made good contacts of peddlers and finally through my sister had things going well… we supplied to high end malls and boutiques where we went for shopping… who would suspect the Chopra daughter in law peddling drugs…” She chuckled sending a chill down Ria’s spine and she dare not look at Gaurav… Sujata continued. “…it was smooth…and we had a great life… but his buffoon son got in the way in Dubai and then everything was over…my stupid sister fell for him …. wanted to give up everything… what could i do then…? I had to drug her as well…to make her listen to me… dumbo was pregnant so couldn’t give her more… I gave her a little ecstasy that evening but instead of seducing Gaurav into signing she…called Saquib over… stupid female… she died… then i tried my charm on Saquib…influenced him…do you know Ansari…?” She chuckled again looking at Ansari with blood red eyes. “…Your Saquib, he believed me more than you… But that failed too and he overdosed…used a week’s quota one day… who does that…? Then here i thought Ansari had a hold but that Swara gave up so easily… all because of … this bitch… I am not going to leave her alive…NO ONE TAKES WHAT’S MINE…”

    Before anyone could react, Sujata snatched a pistol from one of Abdul’s men and tried to take a shot at Ria… but right then Abdul pushed Ria away and got in the line of fire…what followed was a frenzy of shots and chaos. Ria screamed and swayed the movement causing the bile to rise up her throat and the last thing she remembered before falling …was being held by a familiar pair of strong hands screaming out her name. She knew even without seeing. or even if she hadn’t heard him…Gaurav was here. “Wa…Watch…my… watch… proof…” she uttered… Then everything went dark…

    Copyright Disclaimer: All content posted here is a work of fiction and original work based on the author’s imagination. There is no intention to disrespect any person or faith. Any resemblance to any person living or dead or any community is purely coincidental. No part of the content can be copied, reproduced or posted anywhere else either entirely or in parts, without the consent of the author.

    in the lion’s den…

    Priya Gole
    -
    0

    Chapter 50

    Ria held her head as a fresh bout of nausea took over when the rickety car traveled over a graveled road, the jerks causing the fireworks shining behind her closed eyelids. After about half an hour they reached another secluded location. This time it was a bungalow. Ria couldn’t make out anything…just the soft glow of the lamp at the entrance of the house. Though the perimeter was pitch dark, a couple of rooms upstairs had their lights on… albeit not brightly lit and the curtains were drawn across the windows. Ria was totally lost about her whereabouts and all her thoughts were centered on a certain ruggedly handsome man she had left behind and her eyes welled up when she wondered if she would ever get to see him again…. The two men drove away with the car.

    “Hey…look… don’t try anything smart…OK? You don’t know who you are up against… And I have my eyes on you…Just walk straight and reach the door…” Sujata spoke n a tired voice.

    Ria was in no frame of mind to argue and did as she was told. Sujata used her mobile torch light as  they walked towards the entrance and rang the bell. After what seemed like an eternity, the door cracked open. Ria squinted to see but she only saw a dark form she recognized, was a man. Efore she could react, Sujata held her hand and pulled her behind her as she entered the bungalow closing the door with a bang that echoed all through the house sending vibrations through Ria’s entire being.

    Bright lights suddenly flooded the area and Ria had to cover her eyes to escape the sudden onslaught on her senses… When she gradually opened her eyes, she saw a beautiful living room… the interior was chic like a dream luxury lounge with modern space. It was surrounded by huge expanse of glass with linear sofas and beautiful accent chairs there was a beautifully carved wall piece with tiny LED lights withing every intricate pattern bringing out the right hues to please the eyes. With her mouth hanging wide open she walked around slowly taking in the high-end décor and sumptuous curtains with simple breath-taking architectural features forming the end of the drawing room region. She realized; she was in the centre of the room when she heard a deep voice behind her startling her from her reverie… where the hell was, she…?

    “Welcome…Ahlaan bik… welcome Miss Narsimhan. I was longing to meet you…”

    She quickly turned around to see Sujata standing next to… Abdul Ansari all in flesh and blood. Ria stood stunned. She had thought of different scenarios but this was a real shocker. Ansari was dressed in a black robe with a jeweled belt tied in a knot at the side. He had the traditional scarf on his head tied with the cord which she had only seen on TV before. He exhumed an aura about him and his pictures didn’t do him any justice. He was indeed a very handsome man with intelligence sparkling in his eyes. She must have been staring at him when he interrupted her thoughts, “…Look Miss Narsimhan, forgive my English…by now you must know a little about me. But I know your uncle… he is a good man. That’s why I not harm you… I know he warned you. I …. faealt dhlk eamdana on purpose…He took information from my office…er…ex office. I planned everything to release select documents. But you didn’t make no majhud…uh… Effort. You are foolish… ‘ahmaq. That Gaurav should die…I will…qutil…kill him…”

     

    Ria was breathing hard trying her best to focus. She had to keep him talking ad get as much information as possible… she had made her little preparation. “…I…I am not Miss Narsimhan. I am Ria Gaurav Chopra and … I am proud of that…”

    “You only hear name and not what I say?” He asked in much accented English.

    “Why Mr. Ansari, why are you doing all this? Gaurav is innocent. A man of your intelligence should have deduced that by now…” Ria said in a fearless voice though she was a trembling mess within.

    “NO… HE IS NO INNOCENT. … he mutaal…” He yelled. “…. I lose my abn… son…because of him… “

    She had to take him off track… “…Mr. Ansari, you are my uncle’s friend…aren’t you…? How did you land up in India…? Does my uncle know…?”

    Abdul moved towards the sofa and gestured her to sit. For what it was worth, he was extremely cordial… He ordered refreshments and though her stomach was queasy she humoured him and accepted a soft drink… it was an awesome combination of different fruit essences… embedded in the rose flavour. Something she had never tasted before and she felt calm in the situation. Sujata sat too but she looked bored and not interested at all in what Adbul had to say. Abdul starred at the the wall piece she had liked and spoke in a voice laden with melancholy. “…I was doing well in US… good money… but my abn… he was tifl mashakis… naughty child. His ‘um… mother… couldn’t handle… so I …back to Dubai… I love my abn so much… Gave up the force, important projects… for him… but no use… he die…all because of your alzawj… husband…” He rubbed a hand over his fatigued face and for a moment she saw a father’s anguish written all over. If she hadn’t known better, she would have fallen for the charade… As if he was still in his memory lane, Adbul continued. “…I left Dubai… took all money… went to Brazil… facelift wanted to change appearance slightly… in case facial recognition came up… I couldn’t take risk… I had to reach India at all cost…” She wondered what kind of change had happened… as she immediately recognised him! But why did this man who had money to fill huge chests from what she had known, have to do this work on his own… had to travel all the way…As if reading her thoughts, he continued. “… My abn was everything… only one child…I want revenge… antiqam… I gave work to people here… all useless…aghbia…bafoons… So I personally come…finish everything…”

    Ria had enough “…I am sorry about your son Mr. Ansari. But he had overdosed in jail. I have seen the postmortem report….” She saw his eyes widen at the mention of his son’s reports. He didn’t refute so she continued. “…so how can you blame it on Gaurav…? He was punished for no fault of his….”

    “…HE WAS RESPONSIBLE. …” Abdul roared. “…He kill his… zawja… wife… and Saquib go into depression… He loved Shilpi…” The man was exasperating and Ria’s patience was hanging by tenterhooks at this nightly hour.

    “…Gaurav didn’t kill Shilpi… She fell into the fire which she herself had caused….” Ria tried to explain.

    “…Don’t you dare accuse my sister…” It was Sujata this time. She was fuming. “…You make her sound like a psycho. My little sister…she was a troubled soul. Gaurav didn’t treat her well. He refused her a divorce….”

    Was she such a dimwit? “…Why would he refuse her the divorce? He did not want to stay in the marriage anyways. Your sister…was …cheating on him with Saquib…”

    “…My sister…. may have slept with …Saquib but she wanted out of the marriage to marry Saquib…”

    “…oh please… She wanted out with a partnership in his hospital. She didn’t want the money he was offering. Sujata… you have misunderstood everything from the start…” Ria was tired of talking to her now. Abdul walked towards the window overlooking the patio and the swimming pool, muttering something about women and their catfights… Ria looked around and saw to of his gunmen guarding the drawing room where she sat with Sujata.

    “I told her not to settle for anything less than partnership… She was pregnant. How would she support herself in case she didn’t marry Saquib later…?” Sujata snapped at her.

    Ria had to tread carefully. She didn’t want to antagonize Sujata much. She wanted to bide time for Gaurav and Keith till they found her. She knew they would move heaven and earth for her… Suddenly Abdul came and stood before them. “I… am not concerned with anything else but revenge for… my abn… I was almost najih… success… with that recent case. I would have drugged him in jail. I arrange to kill him by that criminal fake fight and all. But Gaurav fight back… He now strong… Then in court…you came and spoil all plans. My money was waste. So, you will help me now… I know Gaurav yuhbik…love you… Gaurav come for you and I kill him…”

    Ria looked at him wide eyed.

    “…listen man…Don’t forget to make him sign papers…” Sujata reminded Ansari.

    He looked at her and didn’t react. He looked at Ria and without any expression he said. “I like Ashok… If I tell I here in India… he is CBI…sharp…find out everything…So hiding from him… But I like my son more. He… died… I have nothing to lose. Gaurav coming for you… for sure. We wait…” He told him men something in Arabic and turned towards Ria. “… I am in my office upstairs… My men everywhere…. So, no being stupid. I know when Gaurav come… Till then… tusbih ealaa khayr…good night.”

    Ria sat on the beautiful couch. She was tired but on high alert. Her happiness that Gaurav would somehow track her using her clues, was short-lived…. He would be walking straight into a trap. She hoped he didn’t turn up… she didn’t want to die but if something happened to him then she would die of heartbreak anyways… what would she do…?

    Sujata too sat sulking on the opposite couch and put her legs up on the center table.

    Ria looked at her. “…You knew about your sister, right? The truth, that is…?”

    Sujata gave her a cunning smile. “…My sister was a puppet in my hands….” she looked away lost in thought.

    Ria wanted to encourage her to talk. She said, “You… mean Shilpi did as you said?”

    “Yes of course. I brought her up…. like my own child. She was twelve years younger to me… Can you Imagine a tough life…? In a place like Dubai… My father was a useless man. He caused a huge debt before he died. Unlike in India, there things are strict. We couldn’t leave Dubai. My mom was always ill. I left my studies midway and worked two jobs so that Shilpi could study. She became a nurse. I saw the opening in Chopra group and asked her to apply. I taught her how to face interviews with confidence and how to use her beauty and charm…” Sujata smiled staring at the wall…lost in thought. Then she sat up and exclaimed. “…It worked and she got in. Then once, I saw Gaurav. Rich and young scion of the entire group. Imagine the money they would have. So, she used what I had taught her …the art of seduction…. But the asshole wouldn’t agree to sleep with her, let alone marry….”

    “…so, that party trick was yours? I thought Shilpi planned it….” Ria prodded

    “…. What…Shilpi and planning? She was a dimwit. She did as I told her. She spiked Gaurav’s drink with a date rape drug. He didn’t even know what hit him. I planned it all. It was me. It worked and they got married. The first months were blissful…. I left my job. Shilpi would spend on me. We would go shopping and she would buy me whatever I wanted. For once I lived like a queen… But then she had to ruin it all……” She looked around and continued in a low voice, “…… She fell in love with Saquib. He was handsome… beautiful eyes…c olourful scarf on his head… too good but… he was a drug addict…useless son of a bitch…just wanted money. So, I planned again. It was all me…I planned a divorce and threatened filing a case of domestic violence. I prepared both of them… I told Shilpi to speak about Gaurav being violent at home…you know…just throwing subtle hints, wherever she went…anyway that moron was never at home or even spoke to her to realise all this brewing behind his back…” Ria was stunned… how could this woman be so selfish. As if in a trance Sujata continued. “…I told them to get him sign the partnership papers. He could have signed and the other board members would have done too to avoid scandal… My Shilpi could become a sleeping partner and Saquib and she could continue seeing each other. I need not have bothered about making ends meet. …But she was an impulsive idiot and ruined everything….”

    She continued, “….in spite of Shilpi dying, I didn’t relent. Saquib was devastated. I taught him to lie in court and accuse Gaurav. He agreed. I would have made an out of court settlement with the Chopras for a huge sum and then make him a hostile witness… and then left the country for good…  But somehow, they found him out early as well as all the dirt on him. He was already slipping into depression and withdrew his testimony… you know what Ria…? I have always been surrounded by idiots…”

    Ria was filled with rage. “…Sujata…you have ruined so many lives. I hope Mr. Ansari sees through your façade…”

    Sujata laughed her evil laughter that pierced Ria’s ears. “I only want money…I deserve it. Gaurav has made a lot of money last six years while I lived a hand to mouth existence… I want that money now. That stupid uncle of yours was of no use… If you had left Gaurav, I would have ruined him easily. But now… because of you, he will sign it off to me…. you will see…”

    Ria chuckled. “…You are living in a fool’s paradise Sujata. You never understood Gaurav. He is a very honourable and a strong man. Even if I would have left him….in a hypothetical situation that is, you wouldn’t have got a dime…” Ria told her looking into her eyes.

    Sujata turned red in anger. But before she could say or do anything the lights went off. Ria smiled and remained in her seat. She heard movement and clicks …Guns…

    ************************************************************************

    Gaurav was restless throughout the drive. Keith refused to let him take the driver’s seat. His laptop was open and there was a GPS tracker. They were moving towards the stationary dot. He rubbed his face remembering Ria’s face when he had gifted her the necklace in Ooty. It was a custom made one and fitted with a tracker since he was always worried about her. It made good sense and his decision was now corroborated…

    “…Uh…Sir…?” Keith spoke.

    “…Yea…” He sighed his eyes not wavering from the dot. There were two other vehicles following them. And the Cyber cell currently handled by Naren were helping them get the coordinates of the exact location….

    “…She…Ria has the watch…” Keith spoke softly.

    “…Which…what…? That one…?” Gaurav was shocked and rubbed his face… “…How on earth had she known about your toy Kieth…?” Keith had a set of watches which he himself had designed and fitted them with recording devices.

    “…Sir… actually…I had shown it to her the other day…” Keith looked at the road ahead as she continued. “… She…must have taken one… the sleek one …its missing…Smart move I must say…”

    “…Are you sure it won’t be found out…?” Gaurav was now worried sick.

    “…No… sir… be rest assured… it can even fail the signal jammers just like the pendant…look…her phone isn’t transmitting but the pendant is…isn’t it…?”

    Gaurav nodded his heart filling with a sense of pride…His wife, she was brave and sensible… she had walked into the lion’s den but had also gone prepared. He fought hard to keep his anguished tears at bay…

    ‘Very soon…Ria… very soon… I will be there… just hang on sweetheart…I promise I will finish this game now…’ He hoped and prayed his plan would be successful… it had to be… he would see to it. It was his turn…

    Copyright Disclaimer: All content posted here is a work of fiction and original work based on the author’s imagination. There is no intention to disrespect any person or faith. Any resemblance to any person living or dead or any community is purely coincidental. No part of the content can be copied, reproduced or posted anywhere else either entirely or in parts, without the consent of the author.

    Ria in trouble…?

    Priya Gole
    -
    0
    Ria in trouble…?

    Chapter 49

    Gaurav stepped into the pent-house early that evening feeling victorious. He hadn’t told Ria yet, but he had met up with Manek, Naren and a top official in the Crime Branch.  Actually, just last evening Naren had cracked the software and had unearthed classified information on Gaurav’s case in Dubai. He had tried to keep thigs as legal as possible for a long time and finally about fifteen days ago the Crime Branch had stepped in. Gaurav’s recent case had brought him in their radar especially when they got to know about his Dubai past. They had helped secure the necessary permissions for Naren to gain entry to highly restricted territory and he hadn’t disappointed. They were in collaboration with the Interpol apparently and were after Ansari too. So far, the man had been on the run giving them a miss every time they had some clue about his whereabouts. It was as if he had disappeared into thin air. They couldn’t wait to apprehend him and in fact, Gaurav wanted Ansari to come after him. He had just made plans with the Crime Branch to become the bait to lure the lion out of his den. He wanted to end this chapter of his life…for good. Ria was right… he had to face the demons and defeat them. Nothing more could snatch his life…his control. He hadn’t stopped smiling the entire time after the officers had left his office.

    Ria was in her room and that was surprising. She barely spent time in her room which was now her study. He pushed the door open a bit and saw her silhouette lying on the bed in the dim light of her room. Today’s emotional roller coaster must have exhausted her, he thought. He let her rest and hoped his plan would bring closure to her as well and he couldn’t wait to start a new life with her. He and Keith had a conference call with Manek and discussed his case and its progression. They knew Ansari would strike soon and were making plans to nab him in different possible situations. Manek had arranged additional security around their building and the hospital too was a fortress.

    The call went long into the night and when it ended Keith left for the guestroom. He was staying the night as it was late and he had to be up early morning. Gaurav stretched and yawned as he looked at the clock. It was 11PM. He didn’t keep the track of time today at all… And Ria hadn’t bothered with the dinner when he had called out to her earlier. Keith had mentioned she was very upset and drained out when she had gone into her room earlier that day.

    But that was hours ago…

    It rang alarm bells in his head. Was she, all right? This was all new to her and for all her bravado, she was anxious to the core. He had sensed that even on the phone today afternoon. Enough… he ha dto talk to her and get her in the loop. He knew she would be dead against him going as a bait and smiled thinking about how she had his back. He went to her room and stood outside. He paused and gently knocked at the door.

    “Ria…?”

    No answer.

    He knocked louder. “…RIA…are you sleeping still… Are you OK…?.”

    Again, no answer…

    His heart was beating loudly now… he held the door knob and turning it slowly he opened the door and rushed in… Ria was not there.

    Flabbergasted, he looked around and opened the bathroom to check if she was there. He was getting frantic by the minute. He saw her mobile phone on the bed. It was switched off and had no battery in it. Really??

    He was stunned and glued to his place…fear creeping into his body cells. “KEITH… KEITH… COME HERE IMMEDIATELY….” He yelled drawing his fingers through his hair.

    Keith was there in an instant. One look at the room and he understood the situation…

    “… Wh…Where is she, Keith…?” He asked him in a neutral voice. Keith nodded and opened his suitcase. Keith went back to the garden and came back with his laptop. Joining Gaurav in the drawing room he typed in some keys and the screen showed the 12 camera screens together. He connected it to the TV in the living room. Gaurav had installed additional cameras a couple of weeks ago and though he hadn’t put any cameras in their bedrooms he had covered every inch of the house. The PTZ cameras were camouflaged and no one except Keith and he, knew their locations. There were motion sensors attached which sounded an alarm whenever anyone crossed the path of the invisible electromagnetic beams. Keith had devised the high-tech system himself but the sensors were switched on only when they retired for the night.

    Gaurav asked to see the main door camera footage, from the time Keith and Ria had entered in the afternoon. The screen was now filled with one camera footage. He saw Ria enter followed by Keith who set the door alarm. There was no movement in that area and they fast forwarded to every half an hour…they didn’t have much time to waste. Gaurav’s head was pounding with the tension building up… his anxiety was eating into his heart. It was at that moment he saw her on the screen… Keith paused. It was at 9PM. He and Keith glanced at each other. He knew Keith was thinking along the same lines. At that time earlier, they had paused their discussion. He had gone to his room to take a quick bath and Keith must have gone to the kitchen to heat up the dinner he had cooked earlier in the evening.

    Ria was looking extremely tensed and she had worn casual clothes and sneakers. She was blinking tears as she typed in the alarm code. He had given her the code when they had come back from their honeymoon as he had wanted her to feel that she was an integral part of the house. He swore loudly his voice radiating fiercely throughout the house. The door lock had a system to set back the alarm code within two minutes of shutting. Just in case they forgot to set it after they entered the house. Before retiring to bed, he only had to check it for the red light and later, switch-on the sensor button which was near his headrest. No wonder it had escaped their attention. Keith looked at him questioningly. He nodded. They ran to her room…. There had to be some clue there.

    Ria’s bed looked slept in…. Nothing else was out of place. Only her purse was missing. But they already knew that from the footage. Her laptop…. As if hearing his thoughts Keith rushed to her study table and took the laptop. He opened it and switched it on. It was password protected… Keith worked on it and it was open in a few minutes. He checked her folders… Gaurav saw all the information she had. He cringed…. His eyes welled up as he realised, she had chosen to believe him in spite of all that. He was dying inside now…. he had to know if she was fine. He would kill Ansari with his bare hands if something was to happen to Ria. Leaving Keith to his work, he rushed to his room and changed into black jeans and full sleeved black T shirt. He wore a black baseball cap and black sports shoes. He took a black handkerchief, just in case he needed to cover his face.

    He came out just in time to meet Keith who was rushing towards him with Ria’s laptop. Keith showed him the Email. It was retrieved from her recycle bin… she had left her email right window open… probably for them to see. Oh God… he had to hurry. His blood chilled when he saw the video clip of her sister held captive. So that was the reason for her rush. She must be so scared….

    Keith left to get ready as he called Manek. They also contacted Crime branch…. Gaurav went hoarse yelling into the receiver on the importance of sleuthing and not calling for attention. He just wanted Ria and her sister safe. Within minutes Keith and he were out of the door. Keith had his special duffle bag and Gaurav didn’t ask him what it contained. He didn’t have to tell Keith anything…. He knew the man was also very fond of Ria and he would do anything to get her back safe.

    **********************************************************************

    Ria was a bundle of nerves as she stepped into La Cordona. She had left home as early as possible trying to avoid Gaurav and Keith. She was worried about being caught… she had held her breath lying on her bed when Gaurav had checked on her earlier. Thank God he hadnt come closer or worse asked her anything. She couldn’t lie to him… She had earlier deleted her mail, removed the battery of her mobile phone and hidden it in her cupboard. Hopefully they wouldn’t be able to restart her phone and by the time they retrieved her email… she would have saved Pooja. Luckily for her she had the codes for the alarm. She blinked back tears as she remembered how Gaurav had entrusted her with the codes… never in her wildest of dreams had she envisioned using them in this manner. She had rushed out of the building and struggled to find a rickshaw. The traffic was horrible because it was Friday night. She was so used to be driven around by Keith that she was finding it difficult to focus on both, the GPS and task at hand. The song playing on the autorickshaw speaker didn’t help either…. It was one which touched her heart and was just something she wished….

    Somehow, she made it there with ten minutes to spare. She took deep breaths to calm herself knowing this was her only chance to save not only her sister, but Gaurav as well. She just hoped she would get out of this alive…. she wanted a lifetime with Gaurav and not just these few months. Her throat clogged with emotions remembering those beautiful blacks staring at her…. She couldn’t lose focus. Pooja’s and also her little baby’s life was at stake. Her parents would be worried sick too… did chitthappa know…? She wondered…She pushed all personal emotional thoughts away.

    She entered the Boutique at 10PM sharp. It was filled with few shoppers, but the lights… she just hated them… they were irritating to her eyes and the room freshener… it was so pathetic she wanted to throw up. Looking around she found the rack with the dress in the said row. She looked at the people around her and everyone looked suspicious. She let the thought go away and tried to focus. She entered the cubicle as instructed and changed into the new suit. She covered her head and saw herself in the mirror, hanging in the cubicle. She couldn’t recognize herself with the glares on. She folded her clothes and put them in the polythene she had carried in her purse and slipped it beneath the seat kept inside the cubicle. She hoped and prayed Gaurav would find it. She knew…. he would come for her.

    She quickly exited the boutique from the back door and as told there was a car waiting for her. She walked cautiously towards it. There weren’t many cars around and the lane was pretty deserted. She got goose bumps and she wasn’t sure whether it was because of the chilly night or because of the chill that had permeated into her body. As she neared the car she saw someone sitting at the back. The back door opened and she was gestured to enter. As she got into the car, she saw Sujata…though she was not disguised now, Ria recognized her. She sat in and closed the door behind her. The car started and they moved out of the lane towards the main road. Traffic was slowing them and she was getting impatient.

    “Where is Pooja…?” She asked, looking at Sujata.

    “She is fine…so far. You do as you are told… and she will continue to remain so.” Sujata replied with a smirk.

    “How… how can you do this Sujata…? You know what the loss of a sister means….” Ria tried to talk more. She was desperate to know Sujata’s intentions.

    Sujata suddenly turned towards her. She was annoyed.”…Did you understand me when I told you about my sister? NO… you didn’t. You did nothing about the documents I gave you. You want money and the rich life so you have continued to stay with him isn’t it…?” She glared at her and pointed towards her “…. You know what, Ria? You are a bloody gold digger. Gaurav will also see through that facade soon… That …if he lives….” Sujata looked away and chuckled.

    Ria shuddered hearing her words. Was the lady insane? She couldn’t rile her up now. She was worried about Pooja.

    After an hour-long drive where neither of them spoke anymore, they reached a secluded area. Ria had never even heard of any place like this in Pune before. There were few under construction buildings. The car finally stopped in front of an abandoned dilapidated structure. She was asked to get out of the car and Sujata climbed out too. Ria looked around. The place reeked of urine and faeces…the purgatory odour making her want to throw up…   Luckily for her she hadn’t eaten anything for hours… but still she dry heaved while Sujata gave her a disgusting glance. The stench was unbearable and she covered her mouth and nose with her stole as she followed Sujata inside a dimly lit passage. It was like a tunnel and at the end of it they reached a room. The stench had reduced but was still lingering. Sujata opened the lock on the door. It was dark except for a light Bulb hanging over a chair. Pooja still lay slumped and tied to it…. Oh God was she sedated in that condition…? She was blindfolded. As Ria tried to rush towards Pooja, Sujata held her back.

    “Not so soon dear…. Not so soon…” Sujata laughed a menacing one.

    Ria looked at her. “…You have me now Sujata…. Let her go… just look at her condition…” she pleaded.

    Sujata snickered. She moved close to Ria sideways and whispered, “She is sedated and…don’t worry… it’s prescription… I have a heart too. But we can’t give her more… can we…?” She squinted at Ria and continued looking back at Pooja. “…So the faster we get moving the better it is… We will drop her in a safe location, mostly near your house. She will come to soon and then she won’t even remember the event….” She turned to face Ria, pointing towards herself and continued. “…You see…I am not so bad after all…” and she laughed again. She was a basket case indeed, Ria thought as the laughter squealed and boomeranged viciously amidst the dark walls…Sujata was a dangerous basket…

    Right then Sujata received a message in her mobile phone. She smiled and looked at Ria. “…Common Ria… its show time….”

    “Wait…. what about Pooja? I can’t leave her here…”

    “…like I said…We are taking her with us. She will be dropped on the way…When you, my dear, are with me …I don’t need her… Your parents must have raised a hue and cry by now. We don’t want attention, do we…?” She laughed at her own joke.

    In the next ten minutes they were out of the place and drove in an uncomfortable sedan with Pooja. There was another guy this time along with the driver. Both of them had helped lift Pooja who was still out but occasionally stirring and put her in the car. Ria sat at the back with Pooja leaning on her, hoping that she didn’t come to her senses completely till they dropped her at the location mentioned. Sujata squeezed herself next to Pooja and shut the door. As they came to the other end of that road towards the main road Ria recognized the area close to her house.  They were right there all this time…?? The men left Pooja on the seat near the gate of her housing society and before anyone could come out…they left.

    Ria was a little relieved that Pooja was safe. Her parents would see to it…. She just hoped they would find her ASAP. As for her she didn’t know what was in store. As the car sped on the main road the quick flickering of the passing street lights falling on her face which was covered with her silent tears, she shut her eyes and visualised a paradise of her dreams… a place where she and Gaurav had their happily ever after…

     The car jerked violently causing her to swear and dry heave into her stole yet again… the nausea wasn’t subsiding, motion sickness making it worse. She shut her eyelids tightly as another nauseating bout of anxiety hit her and the only vision which calmed her racing heart was the pair of beautiful black eyes filled with over-pouring love… would she ever get to see him again…?

    Copyright Disclaimer: All content posted here is a work of fiction and original work based on the author’s imagination. There is no intention to disrespect any person or faith. Any resemblance to any person living or dead or any community is purely coincidental. No part of the content can be copied, reproduced or posted anywhere else either entirely or in parts, without the consent of the author.

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