Chapter 24

Ria woke up late afternoon on Wednesday after about five hours of sleep. That morning as soon as the foreman had come Gaurav had rushed back with her to the main building and they had quickly taken to stairs to the third floor. Though she was exhausted she didn’t want anyone to see her in a bathrobe and blankets giving them ideas or fodder for gossip. The foreman did give her the looks but a stare from Gaurav had set him straight back on track and he had gotten busy with work. After reaching the rooms, Gaurav had helped her open the door with the spare key with him. She had royally forgotten hers in her zeal to go after him… He had then set her a hot bath and also got her a couple of tablets to prevent common cold from setting in, before retiring to his room. He had barely spoken few words to her ever since their last encounter outside Shiva’s stable.

The next three days flew in a jiffy. She rarely saw Gaurav unless he was out talking to ground staff or once in a while when she had been to the children’s wing where he was interacting with children teaching them something on the laptop. From what she realized he was in his room probably preparing for the trial coming up on Monday. She immediately felt the nerves setting in. How would the trial actually be…? Would it be synonymous like those shown in films? Would the prosecutor ask her awkward questions? Was she doing the right thing by speaking the truth? She then remembered her thatha (grandfather) always said, ‘stick to the truth even if it kills you…’  her grandfather was a staunch devotee of the Puttaparthi Sathya Sai Baba and often mentioned Swami’s sayings…. ‘when you stick to the path of truth and righteousness, pain and poverty will haunt you… but they are just the dark clouds before the splendour of the Sun…’ Of course, she was right… she felt it.

Nonetheless her anxiety on the impending trial kept rearing its head at regular intervals. She kept herself occupied all over Parijath. She supervised the women in the factory, spoke to them as they worked and even landed up counselling a couple of very young women who were apparently having some trouble with their in-laws. She visited the local school to volunteer to teach a couple of classes and even spent an hour in the night school accompanied by Kalyani. During the evenings she helped in the kitchen right from chopping vegetables to serving food to the children. She was in awe at the systematic execution of duties in Parijath without being constantly monitored or needing repeated instructions. One of the days when it was bright and sunny, she also visited the stables and offered carrots to Shiva. She had developed a soft corner for the stallion… She wondered if it was because he seemed like the animal version of Gaurav… just like him… strong from the outside but held up a storm of emotions within that needed to be unleashed. The foreman was very cordial to her and even helped her pat Shiva… She left the stables in tears… thinking about how much she would miss this place…

Soon it was Sunday and time to leave. Gaurav had met her the earlier evening just to tell her to be ready by 10AM. On Sunday morning as she packed her bag, Kalyani walked into her room shutting the door behind her. The woman and she had developed a close bond… closer than Ria had with her sister or Preeti. She gave her a tiny Ganesha carved into wood… “Didi this is for you… He is the Vighnaharta… He will remove all the obstacles in your path… mark my words. Tomorrow is a very important day… the start of the fight for justice…” She spoke with tears in her eyes. Ria didn’t know how much Kalyani knew about the case but she was very touched by the gesture. She hugged her.

“Kalyani… I don’t know how you…”

“…Actually didi… I am the only one who knows details. Dada had taken me into confidence… er… he said he didn’t know when he would be … back… didi, I hope you believe in him… he can never do something dastardly like what he has been accused of…” tears flew uninhibited as Kalyani choked.

Ria wiped her eyes and smiled. “…Kalyani… I wouldn’t be here if I didn’t believe in him… and thank you for this wonderful gift I am sure He would bless us and be with us… and don’t worry… your dada will be back for sure…”

Kalyani nodded and they heard a knock at the door. As Kalyani opened it, Ria saw a grim Gaurav stand outside speaking to someone on his phone. He gestured her to come downstairs and left … Pradhan stood there holding Gaurav’s bag and Kalyani handed over Ria’s bag to him as he left too. Kalyani hugged Ria once again and sighed. “…Didi…um… may I say something…?”

“…Of course, Kalyani, you don’t have to ask…”

“…The trial… um… I have heard that… these are tough on the women involved… and since you are the prime witness it may be tough on you as well… but… but… promise me you wont give up on him didi… please…” Kalyani held her hands tightly with a pleading look in her tear filled eyes. “…Didi… Parijath is Dada’s baby literally… and he is the soul of this place. We have a life and hope because of him… If anything were to happen to him…” her voice broke.

“…Hey… Kalyani… just listen to me… Ok? I would be lying if I say I am not afraid… I am… but trust me when I say I will do whatever is possible… travel the extra mile to see that sir gets out unscathed… and I am confident he will… he has all your wishes with him, doesn’t he…?”

Kalyani nodded as they moved towards the stairs.

As they drove towards Pune, the rumbling noise of the car the only icebreaker in the silent moments as they were both lost in thought, Ria watched the passing scenery. This was such a beautiful place, she wished she didn’t have to go back… these last four days were the most beautiful and fulfilling days of her life and she wished the dream wouldn’t end. Her anxiety was killing her in the mute zone in the car. “Um…sir… all OK back home…?”

Gaurav didn’t even look her side his eyes focused on the road and she looked away annoyed. What the hell… after all that had transpired, he had closed up again… He had barely spoken a few words ever since that night in the stables.

“…All is good… Ria… I have been speaking to Keith… We are going to this place close to the court premises… Its easy to walk it up from the back side and change our routes every time… car will be conspicuous. Keith will be staying with us…I…I hope its fine by you…” he still didn’t give her a glance.

“…I am OK sir… whatever you decide…” She said softly folding her hands and blinked back tears as she stared outside. She failed to understand what she had done to offend him… why didn’t he talk to her…? Something was happening out there but he wasn’t sharing. She was in the dark too, scared out of her wits and staring at an uncertain future. Suddenly the car came to a halt on the side of the road. She looked around but there was no hotel or public toilet just a road for miles ahead… why did he stop?

He looked at her and rubbed a hand over his face. “Ria… I am sorry…Ok? I know I haven’t been… I mean… you have been doing so much… but I… Ria…I… I am scared too… and I am worried that I will drag you down with me… in whichever hell I am destined to go…” he looked away.

She kept her hand on his which was on the gear and he immediately turned his palm up interlocking his fingers with hers. “look at me sir…” when he did, she continued. “…For the last time… I am not doing you a favour… I am only siding with the truth. As for you, sir… you are going to get out of this mess… I can feel it in my heart… and yes… I am scared. But… when you are around… I feel confident…and that is the best preparation… dont you think so…?”

He kept looking at her as his eyes well up and he looked away. He took his hand way from her and drove it through his hair. “Thank you, Ria… I just … hope things go well… for your sake, more than mine.”

He started the car and they continued their journey… In the next two hours they had arrived at a small flat in a crowded low- income locality and Keith was already in the flat as Gaurav and she rang the doorbell. They had to park the car outside the lane as it was too tiny and the car would have called for attention. Since it was afternoon and it was raining, there were barely any people outside. Their flat was in one of the few buildings in the lane. Rest were all tiny houses clustered around in groups of four. She was told this was a colony of daily wagers who worked across the tracks mostly on contract for the railways. The strong stench of garbage littered by the rain made her cringe and she had to cover her nose…to avoid throwing up. Fortunately, the house was in a cleaner area on the fourth floor and the building was sans an elevator. Gaurav had held both their bags throughout till they reached the designated house. Keith welcomed them and Ria was immediately shown to her room. There was a single bathroom for their usage near the drawing room and Ria took it up first. God bless Keith… he had cooked up a simple meal of potato stir fry with khichidi and she relished every bite before going into her room to rest… Gaurav had asked her to meet them outside at 4PM to discuss the case and Khatiyal was to visit them. She had only nodded. There was no TV and her burner didnt have any kind of internet connection… she had no clue about any news that was going on here…

Later that evening Khatiyal met up with them. “Look Ms. Narsimhan, it’s going to be nasty…I hope you are up to the challenge…” the bulky lawyer looked worn out… the case was taking a toll on him as well. She nodded wringing her fingers on her lap.

“Khatiyal….” Gaurav spoke in a stern voice. “…If there is any question or comment threatening her modesty, I want you to object immediately…”

“But Sir… I can’t object for every point and the prosecution…”

“TO HELL WITH THE PROSECUTION… I CARE A DAMN… SHE IS NOT TO BE MADE UNCOMFORTABLE AND YOU WILL SEE TO IT …” Gaurav bellowed and Khatiyal sank further in his seat.    

“Sir… may I have a word with you… in private…please…” Ria pleaded.

Gaurav nodded and they walked into the kitchen as an amused Keith looked on. “Sir… we have to see this case through… I am fine with whatever is thrown my way… I really am… its important for you to be exonerated… we can lick our wounds later…” She spoke at a stretch as the two pairs of eyes looked at her as if she was an alien. She had the window she needed and continued. “… By the way, if you keep scaring the lawyer, he won’t be able to fight out there. So, I am going to go out there and tell him to do his job and not hold back on my account…” He was about to say something when she held up her hand. “…And I meant every word I said…” She turned around and got back to Khatiyal. “Mr. Khatiyal… I request you to do your job in ways you deem fine… I am ok with anything coming my way… I am ready to take it… don’t worry about me… I will be fine…”

Khatiyal looked at her wide eyed and then looked at Gaurav and Keith who had walked behind her but she didn’t bother to look and went into her room. Later after dinner which she had in her room, Keith knocked at her door and gave her a set of probable questions she was likely to face whenever her turn came up. Ria read through them late into the night… most of them were bearable but there were questions which were outright character-shaming and she only hoped she could see this through. She switched off the lights but couldn’t sleep as her anxiety kept the insomnia button on and when she checked the time it was 1AM. They had to reach the hearing at 9.30AM tomorrow and she had kept the alarm for 6AM…

She heard some sound in the eerily quiet dark and sat up straining her ears to check if it was just her paranoia getting the better of her… no there was some sound in the drawing room… She walked to her door and twisting the knob slowly, opened the door… though the sound was minuscule it was loud enough to distract Gaurav who was exercising in the dim night light. What was with this man and nocturnal workouts…? And God help her he was topless… He turned around and immediately dragged his T shirt wearing it and looking at her with annoyance evident in his eyes. “…What the hell Ria…? Its… goddamn 1AM…” he was still panting with the after effects of some workout that he was busy with.

“…Sorry… I heard something…so came to check…didn’t mean to startle you…” Ria fumbled as the image of his topless front though not very clear in the heavily dimmed light, refused to leave her mind and her insides had turned mush at the perfection she could sense… She turned around and shut the door, leaning her forehead against it… She had to rein it in… God help her. She heard him for the next hour or so and then it was quiet again. She didn’t have to check to realise he had gone back to his room he was sharing with Keith. She tried her best to sleep but it stubbornly eluded her and she hoped she woke up fresh enough for the trial next day…. She just hoped everything worked out for the best!

Next morning at about 8.30AM they left the house on foot. Keith walked ahead and Gaurav held her hand as they walked through the stinky narrow lane. She had worn a simple cotton salwar -kameez and had wrapped her dupatta around her head covering her face. Her anxiety was at its peak and she was grateful for Guarav holding her hand his warmth seeping in to help her calm down. Gaurav had worn a hoodie covering his head totally and after about forty-five minutes of walking round about they reached the court. Ria was exhausted by the time they reached a chamber assigned to them and she had a bottle of water and some fruits.

Ria peeped out of the window and understood why they had to do all that walking when she saw the swarm of reporters buzzing at the entrance and the police had a tough time preventing them from entering the cordoned area. What was going to transpire…?

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.

Chapter 23

She was in love…

The feeling of being light headed… with the rise of her heartbeats accompanied by a smile plastered on her face… without even her realizing that, was something Ria was not accustomed to. She remembered one of her favourite songs… ‘Chaahe tum kuch naa kaho maine sun liye… ke saathi pyaar ka maine chun liya…’

Ria felt she was on the seventh heaven and in a dreamland from where she didn’t want to return. After what seemed like ages and sleep miles away, she got off the bed and went to the window. She didn’t fancy AC and opened the sliding windows letting the cool night breeze on her face along with a few drops of drizzle. She loved to inhale the fresh fragrance of the mud and the overall aroma of simplicity and lessons in humility she had just been taught tonight. She heard some sound and looked down to the open little garden where she had seen children play during her last visit. She saw Gaurav doing his running… he was in a sleeveless vest and running shots, not caring about the mild rain as he ran in rounds only stopping to catch his breath. He then emerged out of the garden and ran towards the road going outside. He wouldn’t go outside the premises at this hour… at 1AM. There was only one place she could think of… the equestrian farm.

She didn’t know what got into her, she couldn’t sleep anymore after what she had just discovered earlier. She knew he felt something for her as well… but now was not the time for her to talk to him. Nonetheless, she changed into her jeans and T shirt, and walked downstairs hoping not to make sound enough to wake someone up. She left from the main entrance and started to walk towards the road he had taken. She kept walking and suddenly felt the drizzle increase. There was no tree lining the road and she was a little scared to stand in the adjoining bushes in the dark. Though the couple of street lights were on, they weren’t bright enough and the rain started to affect the visibility. Should she go back… she wondered. But her heart said otherwise and she kept walking…. Somehow only wanting a glimpse of him. Was he OK? Given all that had transpired…That was her only thought at that moment. By the time she reached the farm gates she was drenched and was shivering because of the cold. She opened the gate and walked in. Though the illumination was not all that appreciable she could make out the light around what looked like barns at the corner of the stud farm. The ground was soft with rain and made a splash-like sound as her feet fell on it and she was scared for a moment wondering if she made a mistake and what if she got stuck in the mud… there would be no one to hear her… even if she screamed the now pouring rain would mute her cries. Fortunately, she made it to the end of the slushy ground uneventfully and reached the cemented land. She was shivering as she got further drenched but her single minded determination to see Gaurav pushed her to go further.

She stepped into the stable’s area which had a little roof outside the stables too so she rushed in immediately. She came across the first table and peeped in and her heart caught… It was a beautiful sight to see a mare with her foal. The mare was resting and the foal which looked like a few days old was struggling to stand. In spite of the cold Ria felt better and chuckled at the foal’s meek attempt to balance itself on its thin legs. She moved further but was caught in her steps as she felt sudden rush of hot breath blow on her face… It sounded like a loud burp… and it scared her as she took a few quick steps backwards not seeing the unevenly cemented land before she fell on her back screaming in fright. She stood up and looked down at her clothes plastered to her body now muddy as well… She laughed at her condition and looked up to see the head of a huge brown horse looking down at her. He was stunning though… she stood there as he produced some sound…like a nicker…a soft huh-huh-huh– sound. She went a little closer and given her height she had to crane her neck to look at him. “Hey handsome… not sleepy as well…?” As if the horse understood, he blew on her again and this time it was ticklish making her laugh as well.

“…He is a flirt… just expecting something from you… don’t go by his looks…”

She was startled and turned around to see Gaurav standing right behind her. He had worn his tracksuit and had a bunch of carrots in his hands. “…Here…” He handed them over to her. “… give it to the bugger… by the way he is Shiva…” She looked wide eyed at the large juicy carrots fear seeping into her at the prospect of putting them in the large beast’s… mouth!

“…Um… sir… I…I…” Shiva silenced her by blowing yet again and she couldn’t help but laugh. It was then she saw Gaurav was smiling too… for the first time ever since she had seen him, he was actually smiling. He drew his hands in his hair and looked away…. Oh God the bossman blushed too!!! He turned back to her. “…Ria… do you want to stay in these clothes here all night…? Else give them to him and we can get going…”

“…I…I am sca…scared, sir…”

“…here let me help you….” He held her hand and raised it towards the brumby stallion and before she could realise the effect of his touch the greedy animal sucked the carrots out of her hand and he left the hold. “…see…? that wasn’t difficult at all…” he said as she looked at him watching the horse with pride filled eyes.

Suddenly he turned to look at her in all seriousness. “Ria… what are you doing here… its almost 2PM…”

“…I …I couldn’t sleep… and then I was at the window and I saw you run this side… I was kind of worried so came to…um… check…”

He sighed and held his hands on his hips. Was he going to reprimand her now…? Well she deserved it for her stupidity… she shouldn’t have come. “…I…I am sorry sir… I shouldn’t… I will… g..g..go back…” As she turned, he held her hand and pulled her back towards him. She banged against his hard chest as he looked into her eyes. “That’s the…wrong direction… you will fall in the ankle- deep water gathered there and hurt yourself… the land…is… uneven…” He almost whispered, his warm breath a welcome intrusion on her face with the cold breeze ruthlessly drying her wet skin. Not to mention his voice making her insides quiver… All she wanted to do was just hug him as she was reminded of that early morning moment in the old hospital building… His hard-muscular body against hers as he had held her… She gasped and looked away as he released her hand slowly. She nodded not able to look into his eyes… he indicated her to follow him as he took another direction. She didn’t dare to look anywhere except watch her steps on the uneven cement floor of the stables. He went to a little house. House …? He opened the door and she followed him to the beautiful drawing room…just like she had seen in those cow-boy movies. She watched in awe at the sparsely furnished room, beautifully decorated shelves full of medical books and books on …of course…horses.  She saw a showcase filled with medals and trophies… were they his…? Finally, she saw a young Gaurav with a medal on a horse in a beautiful sandalwood photo frame… the photograph was taken in a horse show.  He looked so carefree… a far cry from the omnipresent worry and frown wrinkling his handsome face today. She heard him come back to the room from wherever he had disappeared to holding a towel and a bathrobe in his hand.

“Here…take this… uh… there is a tiny bathroom… not much though and the water is cold… I…uh… actually there is no heating facility. Just get out of those…clothes… you will be sick by morning… The foreman will be here by 4AM. I…uh… have texted him to come ASAP… and bring the jeep along…. We can then leave quickly… Till then… uh… make do… with this… and… there are blankets…”

“…Its… alright …sir… I am fie… I will manage… Thank you…” Why was he nervous, she wondered as she took the towels and robe and went in. Right ahead was the bathroom… and as he had mentioned it was tiny… tinier than the one she had back at home. Home… As she took off her ruined clothes, she remembered her folks with a pang of sadness as her eyes filled… surprisingly she missed them. Would Appa have taken his BP medication? Would Amma be rubbing her soles with that awfully smelling ayurvedic oil that she had ordered last month?  Would Pooja be chatting up late into the night with her beau? And… would they be remembering her as well…? She splashed chilled water on her face to send those thoughts to the back of her mind… she had to live in the moment and her moments all sucked big time. She couldn’t even talk two straight words without fumbling when he was around… how would she reveal her feelings to him? He had closed himself shut with tough walls erected around him… any emotion would find it difficult to penetrate. But it was important for her to know what he felt for her. She knew in her heart he did feel something… but was it enough…? She had compromised all her life and had acquired her independence with great difficulty. She couldn’t lose it all for someone who didn’t reciprocate her feelings… she thought, as her heart fell. She would move the heavens for him…he had to know that by now but if she had to give up everything, she had to know about his feelings first hand. And there was that aura of mystery surrounding him… she always wondered why… why a man who was so caring and selfless, good looking, well qualified and not to mention loaded… yet to settle in life. He was the perfect marriage material then why was he still single?

She finished washing herself the cold water relaxing her and suddenly sleep came rushing with a vengeance. She came to the drawing room in a daze, wearing the robe which was just touching her knees and Gaurav who was staring at the dark world outside the window turned around. The drawing room was lit up by the tiny LEDs locate in different sockets in wooden panels along the walls and though it wasn’t strong enough she couldn’t miss the molten look in his eyes as he stared at her. All sleep gone her heart raced as she felt self-conscious and tugged at her robe. He walked slowly towards her, his eyes not leaving eye contact as they stared intently into hers. Oh Heaven Almighty… what was he doing…? Her heart threatened to race out of her thoracic cavity as he came close towering over her almost touching her. He raised his hand and moved it towards her face and she closed her eyes shut. She could feel her breath catch in her throat. But after a couple of seconds she felt him move away and opened her eyes… he held a blanket in front of her. He cleared his throat… “…Uh…Ria… I had kept this for you. This place doesn’t have a bedroom so you will have to make do with the couch. Besides it just a couple of hours before the foreman arrives. See if you can catch a few winks….” He looked away and back into her eyes yet again as if he wanted to say something more. But he turned around and walked away.

Ria was confused and as she wrapped the blanket around her, she looked at his back facing the window. Sleep was just not possible now… She sat on the only couch; legs tucked in as she stared at the photo frame. She moved to a corner of the leather and picked up the frame. She felt the other end dip as he sat and she kept the photo away… “…Um…Sorry sir… I… it was just… cute kid…” She looked back at the picture. Was she stoned? What was she talking?

“…Oh, that was taken after I won the first ever equestrian race… I won about five state level tournaments… those trophies are from those victories…” He pointed at the shelf as she looked in wonder. Wow… this was something else.

“…Um…your love for horses is evident by what you do here… how many do you have…?”

He looked at the window again as if in thought and said. “…at the moment we have 8 of them… they come and go… I don’t own anyone except Shiva…. The stallion was useless after his days at the derby and … Destiny got us together…” He looked at Ria, turning towards her his hand on the backrest almost touching her. She must have had some strange expression on her face. “…Uh…I mean… Shiva was going to be put down but as fate had it, I got him out and its two years that he is here… flirting around with every female… horse or otherwise…”

She laughed and saw him smile as well and wished this moment could never end. “So… who are these other horses…I saw that mare in the first one with her foal…”

He stood up and held his hand out. “Come on since sleep sounds remotely possible you as well can meet them…” She looked into his eyes looking at her like an expectant kid wanting to show his new toy… and her heart soared. God, she loved him so much… she placed her palm in his and stood up carefully holding the blanket around her. He found her a pair of shoes large for her feet but that had to do. They walked towards the first stable where she had seen the mother and the foal.

“…that’s Sonia… and her foal, Prince, is two weeks old. Don’t go by the appearance… he can actually run quite a bit, better than average. His father was a high category derby king… He has good genes to make it big one day… Belongs to a collector. They will be gone next month…” As if acknowledging him the mare snorted and the foal took a few awkward steps back and forth and tried to nudge his mother. Both Ria and Gaurav chuckled at its antics to seek attention.

They next moved to Shiva who was present with eagerness written all over. “Later boy…” Gaurav rubbed his nose and they moved to the next stall. There were two young horses, one sat and the other stood as if he didn’t care they were there. He was making some kind of a strange sound as he stood in all elegance chewing a sugarcane.

“Why is he making that noise… is he hurt…?” Ria asked.

“…No…not hurt. He is actually cribbing…” at her surprised look he explained. “… actually, horses who have been confined to small areas like these can develop a peculiar habit of cribbing or wind-sucking in order to get a “high.” They put their teeth on something firm like a board or this hard sugarcane then suck in air. It makes a really weird burp noise…”

Wow he knew so much about them. He told her some more stuff and she saw his demeanor had changed totally and he was extremely relaxed… a far cry from the perennially tensed ambiguous man. She let him talk as he explained how horses were actually silent animals and communicated in silence amongst themselves. He spoke on how they were disciplined and the importance of a herd in disciplining the younger colts.

He then explained the business as he showed the three other stables with horses. “…We actually help maintain the horses for their owners. We take care of them in every way and then whenever the owners are ready, they take them away. There is a huge equestrian farm up ahead near Chinchwad… sometimes when they run full house, they send across some this side… couple of months ago there were 15 of them… it was tough and we had to hire extra hands… but it was fun as well…”

“…so all this land spread here is used for these horses…?”

“…Yea…” he drawled with hand sin his pockets as he rocked back and forth on his heels. “…We also hold equestrian sports and camps for the underprivileged children. This is a beautiful sport with teaches a lot about the dynamics of the human-animal relations… and how trust goes either way…” He had a faraway look in his eyes.

“… why…um…why did you give up racing…?” Now where did that question come from… she didn’t know herself. Would he clam up now?

“…Racing was just a hobby… I wanted to be a doctor … a surgeon… But I love them… the horses….” He looked at the horses as they walked towards Shiva’s stable. “… They help us understand Growth… That…Growth is not something to be quantified. It is not a number you key into your book of accounts or a numerical you flaunt… Growth is a plethora of emotions that you imbibe in you as you go about your mundane tasks…”

Wow that was intense. He made a lot of sense metaphorically speaking… the passion in his work was evident in his voice.

“…A horse teaches us how to overcome obstacles and carry ourselves in the face of adversity…” He drawled on. “…they are the most perceptive beings…”

They reached Shiva’s stable and he opened the gate, letting the mighty tall stallion out and he was… limping slightly… Gaurav rubbed his hands over the animal’s mane and Shiva seemed to like it from the way he tried to nozzle his head towards Gaurav. “…come Ria… touch him… don’t be scared… he is gentle…all bark and no bite… right big man…?” As if answering Shiva gave a gentle breathy squeal and she moved towards it smiling tentatively. “…Just relax Ria… horses sense our body language and emotions… they are far more intelligent than we give them credit for…” She touched Shiva’s mane and his squeal grew weak… she was surprised but Gaurav joked that was because Shiva liked her touching him!!

“…Ok Big man… time to rest… we have to exercise that leg tomorrow right…?” Gaurav patted Shiva and turned him around back into his stable.

As he came towards her again she asked… “What happened to his leg…?”

“…In his last match about two and half years ago he was hurt as he fell… the owners lost a lot of money betting on him and they gave him away to some center… There was no proper care for the injury and the contractures developed causing permanent damage…Do you know Ria…? They were to put him down. My friend who is a vet was called to euthanize him… But when he called me, I went there along and one look at Shiva… and I knew he had to be saved. I brought him form the center… but by then he had quietened beyond repair…”

She looked at him astonished as if he were describing an abandoned human. He looked at her with the same intense eyes and strong facial expression. “… the most important form of communication among horses is awareness… Horses are extremely sensitive to some humans they trust…But if the human is not receptive, the horses will very likely quit talking and may also lose some of the trust and respect they might have had for that individual…” His face relaxed as he sighed. “…That’s what happened with Shiva… he was emotionally broken… the individuals with whom he had placed his trust… his owners, his jockey… they all deserted him…kind of stabbed him in the back…” Ria didn’t know now if Gaurav was talking about Shiva or himself.

“…Sir… Shiva is lucky to have found you… you gave him a new lease of life…” She tried to make things lighter.

“…That’s because he deserved it Ria…Not just to live but… a Chance to love… everyone Ria… just Goddamn everyone deserves a chance to love…to be loved…” He spoke abruptly and a little louder, looking at her with a strange emotion shining in his eyes.

Suddenly…as if out of a trance he looked away… turned and walked back to the house. As she stood there holding the blanket breathing in the fragrance of the rains mixed with the mixture of the stables’ smells like grass, hay, weeds, peppery leather, greens… it was intoxicating and she wished she could just stay here and savor every moment….

She looked towards the house and realised that the dynamics of their relationship…if one could call it… had just changed…

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.

Chapter 22

Gaurav stood up with a firm resolve… those bastards had ruined his life years ago and he had been paying the price even today. He had resigned himself to his fate hoping to atone for his sins in the past. But this was now getting out of hand… and if they hurt Ria…? No… not on his watch. “Keith, contact one of those guys from your old garage where you are now a partner, and arrange for a vehicle… an inconspicuous one. I am taking Ria to Parijath… I also want a couple of untraceable burners. I will come back a on Sunday and prepare for the trial right there…”

“On it… sir… I will remain back here to look over the place…” Keith rushed to his room in the pent house to make the necessary arrangements. Gaurav nodded and looked at a pensive Manek looking over Naren furiously typing away on his laptop. He rubbed his face… frustration rearing its ugly head up… again. He just hoped Naren could trace something and link up something from his past and the present fiasco. He looked at the bespectacled lanky guy who ran a huge security firm. He had given the seed capital to twenty-two-year-old Naren three years ago and today the guy was the most sought-after security expert in Pune and even across India. He had over hundred employees but whenever Gaurav needed him Naren personally attended. He thanked the Almighty for these blessings here and another one back in the pad over Karma. He sincerely hoped there wasn’t any connection of the past and the present but within his hearts he knew the truth. As he walked towards the window of his 11^th floor penthouse, usually his favourite place in the house, today he was anything but calm.

Manek walked up to him and touched his shoulder. “Gaurav…” As he turned to his friend, he said, “… nothing… Gaurav there is nothing indicating any kind of movement of documents or any kind of petition filed… nothing at all. This is something different…” Manek sighed. “…Gaurav… I had hoped to find something… you know it would have been easier to deal with a known entity. But… this is… sinister enough… what do you think…? Who it must be…?”

“…I wish… I knew… Till now I thought someone in Dubai must have mobilised things here… But there are no records… means its someone on the sly… someone very powerful… and Manek…I… I think this case is definitely linked… any news about this woman…Swara?”

“…Gaurav, she is in an undisclosed location…surprising considering her poor financial condition and also difficult to find out but I am personally tracking her background… But so far there is nothing at all… neighbours have spoken about a boyfriend… but no more information… Still… I am probing more… Khatiyal has sought to obtain her bank details… that should be out hopefully….”

Gaurav nodded and Keith came with the news of a car waiting for him downstairs. Gaurav picked up his clothes and other necessary stuff for the upcoming four days and before leaving he looked at both Keith and Manek. “Ria will be kept out of this… she is already involved in the mess and I don’t want her getting dragged further down…” They both nodded in agreement.

He left the place with Keith. Manek stayed back to secure the house electronically and work things further with Naren.

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Where the hell were, they? Ria wondered for the nth time as she paced the confines of the drawing room. There was sporadic information on the news channels, about the Chopra Group of hospitals’ member also involved in a rape case, finding his prized possession vandalised. A shudder had gone through her body seeing the pictures of the damage caused to the garage and the car. There was no mention of anything else though. Some reporters were talking about some personal vendetta because of the bail hearing outcome on Monday. She had tried calling Keith and though his phone kept ringing he didn’t answer it. She had texted him and then given up. She couldn’t even eat the lunch she had prepared from where Keith had started off in the morning. A simple dish of Kadhi Chawal… apparently their equivalent to her comfort food…curd rice. But her appetite was all gone.

Just as she was about to call Keith again, the door lock clicked open and Keith and Gaurav entered carrying a couple of bags. She stood rooted to the floor with arms folded as anger began to take over the pangs of anxiety that had gripped her since morning after that phone call. Keith and Gaurav stopped in their tracks as they saw her expressions and Keith gave her an apologetic look as he rushed to the kitchen talking something about cleaning up… Gaurav kept the bags down and walked towards her. Ria blinked back hot angry tears even as she continued to stare at the tall man, fatigue evident on his face and body language. She instantly felt for him and relaxed her stance turning around to go back to her room.

“Ria… wait…please…” He spoke softly making her stop and turn around. “…Uh… are you annoyed…? I mean…”

“…Sir…I was… I was worried all morning and afternoon… not knowing anything about you all… especially when I saw those images on the news channels… I didn’t know… whom…whom… to call… Keith wasn’t answering… I was shit scared…” She went on rambling even as tears began their journey leaving hot trails down her cheeks.

He walked forwards and wiped her cheeks with his thumbs and it was then she realised, she was actually crying. She held his hands, and dropped her forehead on their joint palms… He tightened his hold on her palms. “…Ri…Ria… Hey… I apologise Alright? It was all my fault… I had to settle things and we got delayed… Don’t worry everything is taken care of…”

Something told her he wasn’t telling her the truth but she had no energy left to ask anything else. She nodded and let go of his hands…immediately missing the comfort they had provided her with.

“…Uh… Ria… pack up your stuff again… we are going away to Parijath till Sunday… I …Uh…I need a calm head to prepare for the hearing…”

Thank God… she was losing her nuts here. She longed to catch up with Kalyani and others and this would give her a good opportunity. She nodded and went back to her room to pack her stuff. Soon they were on the road and darkness was just setting in as they made the turning for the main gates of Parijath. She was here a little over a week ago and she didn’t realise how much she had wanted to get back, before now. As soon as she reached the entrance a boisterous Kalyani came up to her grinning from ear to ear and they hugged each other.

“Welcome back Didi… we are so happy you are here… come… lets go inside…I will introduce you to the others…” Ria looked at Gaurav who was staring at her with a strange expression on his face. She had seen that when she was hurt that night and he had been taking care of her and though something fluttered in her tummy she didn’t know what it meant. He nodded his agreement and asked the supervisor to arrange to take their bags upstairs.

Ria lost count of time as she mingled with the other women in Parijath and also visited their little factory they called it. There was a huge hall divided into many units with two feet partitions and so many of them were involved in developing something creative. Right from beautiful sweaters to wall paintings, to ceramic paintings, they did it all… They were winding up for the day when Ria and Kalyani had steeped in and waved at Ria proudly displaying their creations. Wow they were a bunch of talented women. Kalyani told her they also conducted classes for the children in their care after school hours. There was a tiny manufacturing unit right behind the main building which she hadn’t seen last time. She heard the murmurs before she saw, they embroidered saris and dress materials. Some fabrics were been painted with designs. She was told they worked in shifts and this shift had just commenced. She was told they supplied to retailers across the state and even some outside and were falling short of time. She could see the women were very happy doing what they loved. There were some women from the local village too who came in the day shift, Kalyani told her.

 As they walked along the little lane of the premises, in the dark with the ubiquitous streetlights being the only source of illumination in the large stretch of the road, Kalyani told her the stories of the women she had met. Most of them were victims to trafficking including Kalyani herself who was a child bride. She was brought to Mumbai by her in-laws who sold her off to a brothel madam because she couldn’t provide the family heir. However, she was repeatedly raped by the customers and had become pregnant four times which made her doubt if the problem with being childless had been her husband… However, four terminations of pregnancies by a quack in a local clinic in the red-light area, ensured she could never conceive again… One day Kalyani and some of the other young girls all of them barely eighteen, escaped from a weak back door and ran catching a state transport bus, which brought them to Talegaon. Someone directed them to Parijath where they were welcomed with open arms. Kalyani was in tears as she told Ria how since last four years, they were healing both from the physical scars as well as the emotional ones thrown at them by their own. Similarly, Kalyani told her about some others who were victims of ill-treatment for dowry and some had barely escaped death… She also told Ria about a couple of them who were acid attack victims. Some of them were still being protected here by giving them anonymity and it was then Ria understood why Gaurav didn’t want to involve Parijath… The man had been the epitome of humility and selflessness. She had never heard of anyone who cared for other humans like Gaurav did.  Ria looked around with tears of her own as she saw the place Parijath…which like it’s namesake had spread the fragrance of optimism and self-respect in these women. She suddenly felt guilty of complaining about her life… just like the last time she was here. She had good education and a job…Her resolve to be independent from her parents’ shackles became even stronger. She then went with Kalyani to the kitchen were many of them were involved in various stages of cooking. The aroma was something that caused her stomach to growl and since she hadn’t eaten lunch, she was terribly hungry. Kalyani laughed and gave her a plate of Upma they had prepared for the evening snacks which she relished…  Kalyani told her they would meet the children after dinner and Ria really looked forward to it.

Though they told her to go to her room the same one where she was put-up during her last visit and they would get her dinner there for her… she staunchly refused. Cooking was always therapeutic for her and she got involved with whatever process was left of making dinner and in the next half an hour or so she felt she was one of them. She also got into the grove as a professional speaking to build up confidence in a couple of women talking to her. One had left her abusive husband of twenty years and missed her children. Gaurav was helping her fight for custody but she had very little chance. The other woman in her fifties was thrown out of the house by her brother-in-law after her husband died and since she wasn’t educated, she had blindly put her thumb impression on the documents handing over all her money to the relative.  She was now a student of the women’s night school started by Gaurav which also included women from the village and seeing its success the headman had requested Gaurav to start one for the men too, which was still in the pipeline. Ria was in awe of these women who were trying to build up the broken pieces of their lives and felt it was she who was learning from them.

Ria’s respect for Gaurav rose notches higher so did the feelings she had tried to repress… After dinner which was an elaborate affair which was systematically conducted, she accompanied Kalyani to the children’s wing on the first floor. She first saw the little kids, some as young as four months who were taken care of very well by the assigned staff. She chuckled as some of the curious ones were trying to glance at her from their respective cribs. She tried mixing around with the toddlers. Some came to her easily while some were shy and hid behind Kalyani. Kalyani told her these children were all up for adoption, some were already taken, and they were here till the legalities were completed. “You know didi…? It’s the most painful moment for us when these children leave with their adoptive parents but we also are happy with the fact that they are getting permanent and loving homes…” Ria smiled somberly at Kalyani who looking lovingly at the children as if they were her own and she hoped that some day Kalyani who was barely 22 years old, could find happiness of her own as well…

They then went to the little wing of children who needed round the clock supervision. The wing housed children of all ages but most of them were vegetative. Kalyani said, most of them were abandoned by their own parents and some were abandoned after their parents passed. Ria’s heart went out to them as she saw they were oblivious to their surroundings and only cried in pain or if they were unable to express hunger or thirst… Why God why…? But she also saw the women who were diligently involved in taking care of these angels. Kalyani said Gaurav got in doctors and therapists for these children regularly so that they wouldn’t be in pain for the number of years they live. Ria blinked back tears while all she wanted to do was give Gaurav a hug telling him what a beautiful soul, he was…

Finally, the last stop for the day was when they reached the wing of older children… the oldest was twelve. Ria was dead on her legs but still wanted to meet the kiddos. She heard some commotion and as they stepped in the common hall, her heart did a somersault as she saw a Gaurav clad in blue jeans and shirt, sitting on the floor surrounded by all the children as they watched the movie, ‘Finding Nemo…’  She couldn’t take her eyes off the scene as they all burst into laughter and she had never seen such carefree expressions play on his face before. A little girl who seemed disinterested came up to him as he picked her up and played with her, she took out some tiny trinket like toys and put them on his palm even as he laughed and posed for her. He then whispered something into her ears and she burst out laughing leaning into Gaurav as he protectively hugged her even as her eyes drooped with sleep, while they continued to enjoy the movie.

Kalyani whispered. “… I think Didi… we should come back tomorrow before they leave for school… Now that their Dada is here, they wont care for anyone else…especially Pari, he is her favourite person in the world…” Kalyani chuckled and they both left the hall. Ria went upstairs to her room and as she lay eyes closed on the bed after freshening up and changing into comfortable pajamas, the vision of Gaurav surrounded by children and playing with Pari flashed before her eyes…She sat up on the bed with a start as realisation set in. She didn’t know the exact reasons though but it had to do with the man who’s soul was pure, the man who was kind hearted going miles for people who were practically strangers, including her… the man who was ready to give himself up to protect these same people, her inclusive… the man who only gave selflessly expecting nothing in return. She knew there was something that held him back from accepting appreciation in return… she just didn’t know why…but she was now omnipotently aware of one fact.

She was undoubtedly, deeply in love with Gaurav…

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.

Chapter 21

Ria was up on Tuesday early morning after a good night’s sleep and as she entered the drawing room, she was greeted by the strong aroma of her favourite filter coffee… Keith was busy preparing breakfast… OMG idli-sambhar… her all time favourite. Take a girl away from south India, but you couldn’t take south India away from the girl!!! It didn’t matter, she had almost the same breakfast for years at home, she loved it every time it was served. Her mother made the best sambhar on earth the aroma of the assorted spices always waking her up early morning. Her mom used special combination of select lentils, green gram and spices while making the sambhar powder which had come down to her traditionally. Ria too helped her in the elaborate process but she had never come even close to her mother in texture and taste. Her eyes welled up remembering her mom… the lady was always sandwiched between customs, traditions and her love for her daughter… at least that’s what Ria wanted to think. She just wished her mother could stand up to her father especially when he hurled insults on her as well. She would be his verbal punching bag for releasing his frustrations. Her mother always believed that the head of the family made the decisions considering the well being of all the family members and she had no right to question him. Ria shook her head of the thoughts and walked towards the kitchen even as Keith dished out the fresh batch of idlis in the moulds.  There was one kept for cooling and as she sipped her coffee offered by Keith, she started to unlodge the soft idlis from the moulds into a bowl taking care not to break them.

“Hey Keith… is sir still sleeping…?” She asked. She hadn’t seen him after she had left his room last afternoon and then she had retired to bed early after the days of exhaustion took their toll. She had reheated her lunch and had a quick dinner. Keith had just been back and had been arranging groceries when she had gone to her room.

“…Uh… Yes… Actually, he was up late last night doing something on his laptop… I think he was doing his little research… He then had dinner and was still working when I retired to bed… So, must have slept late… By the way he loved the pulav… and the kheer too…”

She blushed and looked away.

“Ria…” Keith called out to her and she stopped her work to look at him. “…Ria…I … haven’t still told you… well… thank you for all what you did… We had lost hope… and by the time we would have come up with something to counter the allegations it would have been quite late… God knows how much more he would have had to endure in that lock-up…” Keith’s expressions were somber and she was glad Gaurav had people in his support.

“…Siding with the truth isn’t something great Keith… we should all do that… As for what I did, Keith, he saved my life without caring a damn… trusted me with Parijath just to take care of me. I can never forget that as long as I live…” She blinked back tears.

Ria and Keith had breakfast as they watched the news on TV, where there was only speculation about what was the latest development in the case. As she had her second cup of coffee, she heard Gaurav open the door of his room and step out fresh out of sleep, his hair tousled and yawning as he came to the table to take the hot cup of coffee held out by Keith. He sat next to them, making her heartbeat soar even as she helped Keith serve him breakfast. Keith left to the kitchen to start preparations for lunch while Gaurav was glued to the news. She only wanted to stare at the range of expressions crossing his face, lined by the day’s old stubble, as he reacted to the howling anchor… She wondered how he could bear the blatant character assassination taking place without getting angry while she was losing her cool. As she stood up to collect the plates the landline phone rang jarring her out of her thoughts. Keith walked out form the kitchen to answer the call as Gaurav muted the TV.

Keith was silently listening to the speaker on the line but if looks were any indication, he was furious.

“I will be there in an hour…” He banged the receiver and looked at them.

“What is it Keith…?” Gaurav asked.

“…Uh…Sir… it was the security guy from the garage…uh…the other one…” Keith rubbed a hand over his face and looked away.

“Out with-it Keith…” Gaurav sounded impatient.

“…Sir… the Benz has been vandalized…”

Gaurav walked towards Keith… towering over the bulky man by a good two inches. “…What was the guard doing then while all this happened…? Why the fuck do we pay him a bomb? Any idea who did it…?”

“…No sir… he had apparently gone to take a leak when this happened… and… the police are on the scene… I will go there right away and check the house…on the way back. Will call Manek as well…”

“…I am coming along Keith and don’t have to call Manek for this one… The guy needs to spend time with his wife and needs his rest too… Let’s go…”

“…But sir… it won’t be advisable for you to go…not safe…”

“…KEITH…. Let it go… come on… You know what that Benz means to me… meant…” The lethal tone did it and Keith didn’t argue.

He only nodded and as Ria looked on, they left in the next ten minutes. What the hell was happening…? Did it have something to do with the case? If so, were her folks in danger too…? Ria was suddenly worried… But at the same time her name wasn’t released in the media. So maybe till then her folks were fine for sure… She started to breathe easy. She worried for Gaurav too… the man was suffering because of the case and now this…? She hoped to God the two were not related. She had heard about people taking out their anger by personal attacks, like attack the captain’s home when the cricket team doesn’t do well… who knew… someone wasn’t happy that Gaurav had made bail…

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Gaurav’s head pounded as he sat on the passenger seat of the Ascent. Keith was silent and focused on the road ahead as he drove beyond the speed limit but trying not to kill anyone… Who the hell could have done this? His Benz was his only memory of his grandmother, besides Parijath. Girija Devi had been more than a grandmother… she had literally brought him up when his parents had been too busy to care for an overactive toddler or a meddlesome teenager. She had nursed his little crapped knees and even his broken heart when his parents forgot his birthday or school events. She had been the only stability in his growing up years. But like everyone else in his life he had disappointed her as well. She had suffered her first heart attack when he had been caught for driving under influence. He had never felt so guilty in his life before and even later when he had been through hell in Dubai, he had seen to it that she hadn’t known. She had anyways been heartbroken when he had left India for good… but in a way it was a blessing in disguise that she was ignorant of his life; she wouldn’t have been able to take it. She had died a little before he had come back to India and had left him Parijath… then a little building and the Benz. Her memory and the guilt of not being there when she had breathed her last had forced him to work hard towards Parijath and in five years he had built it up in a way that would make his grandmother proud. He had poured every ounce of his income from the Hospital group into it and Karma had off late started to yield results most of which he pumped into the development projects in Parijath. He had more than enough money to live life and for him… money had lost its luster ages ago when he had realised the damage it could do. …

The loud honking of a passing vehicle jolted him out of his reverie and he rubbed his face. Who on earth knew the location of the Benz? The car wasn’t running since ages but he had kept it in his grandmother’s memory, in a garage belonging to a friend who didn’t stay in the country. Only he had the access to the place… in fact baring Keith, Manek, his parents and a few close relatives, no one knew about the Benz. He knew this wasn’t a random act… it was personal… was it…? No… it couldn’t be…. NO…NO… NO…GOD NO…  His breathing accelerated and he had to clutch his chest to calm down so that Keith didn’t panic.

Soon they reached the location swarmed by curious onlookers taking pictures and the local police. They had cordoned off the area around the garage… well what remained of the damaged unit. He moved on shaky legs towards the vehicle… if one could call it that… A piercing unmistakable odor of toluene indicated the use of the chemical to mar the beauty of the classic. The front headlights were broken and the seats ripped off… The police officer in charge came up to them and spoke. “…So Dr. Chopra… know anyone who likes you so much to leave you a gift like this…? Maybe this can help you think of something…” He held up a piece of paper in a zip-lock labelled ‘evidence’. “… We found this tucked into the wiper…. And no fingerprints…”

Gaurav looked at the plastic and his heart skipped a beat.

قاتل الزوجة

He tried his best to contain himself… This wasn’t possible. “…I have… no clue inspector… Don’t recognize it. Please update me whatever else you… find…”

The inspector squinted at Gaurav and went back to his crew. Keith and Gaurav moved to the open space behind the garage which was clear of people.

“Sir… who is it…? I know you recognised that… but it was written in …Urdu…?”

“…No…Arabic…” He completed with a worn-out voice. “…Keith look at it…” Gaurav showed him the picture of the evidence the police had allowed him to take. “…Keith, we have to rush to the penthouse and check there as well…”

Keith drove like a maniac and in the next hour they were at his home where a few reporters were stationed eager to get bytes. But Keith and another security guard kept them at bay as Gaurav made his way to the elevator. They entered the house and ran a check through all the rooms. Nothing seemed out of place but Gaurav knew that this wasn’t it… there had to be something and then his eyes fell on the security guard holding a parcel.  It was addressed to him and was apparently left at the gate today morning. But because the guard didn’t have the contact number for the apartment above Karma, he couldn’t call him. Gaurav knew it would be futile but asked the guard to recover the security footage of the CCTV camera at the entrance lobby.

Keith returned with a box of his ‘tools’ and plugging something into the electrical socket ran a scan in the area. There was no beep. “It all safe sir… No trackers or any surveillance pieces here… I have texted Manek. He will be here soon with Naren… I feel its high time we involve Naren’s services…”

Gaurav nodded and with trembling hands he opened the light weight parcel. It contained a fresh baby diaper and a milk bottle… there was another piece of paper written in Arabic as well.

قاتل الاطفال

Gaurav sat on the sofa with a thud. Keith got him water as Manek reached the house with another man in tow. As Gaurav sipped the cold liquid feeling the bout of nausea pass, he held his head threatening to pound its way out of his skull. Keith updated Manek and Naren with what transpired in the garage and then all three sets of eyes looked at him… waiting for him to say something.

“Sir, what does it mean… the writings…?” Keith looked confused.

“… the garage one… its… qatal alzawja…  one of the few things I recognize… actually sight read because I had seen lots of it in Dubai… particularly for me… and this one in the parcel is…. qatal al’atfal…”

“So… what is it…?” Manek asked.

“The first one means…wife killer… and the second one means ba…ba…baby killer…” His voice cracked and taking in a deep breath he continued. “…Manek…Keith… they are back… I can feel it….”

“…FUCK… Gaurav this is messed up man… I am sure this case is linked too…” Manek sounded grim.

“Talk of dredging the past…” Gaurav spoke with a poignant ache setting in his heart.

“We need to get the hell out of this place and check on Ria… Naren… mobilise your guards with immediate effect and start your investigation…everything… this ongoing case inclusive, even after we are done with it…” Manek blurted orders while Keith ran inside to pack a bag.

As Keith, Manek and Naren rambled Gaurav blocked them out. The flashes of the jail with the torture he had endured which often shined in his nightmares… came back to haunt him again, tightening his muscles to painful levels. The only rational thought in his mind was… Ria… Was she safe in getting involved in his mess?

His past was back… and this time it was back with a vengeance…

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.

Chapter 20

Ria had come…. She cared about him…. Gaurav’s heart was doing the flip flops and his eyes well up remembering how Ria had reacted. The last time he was in worse situation yet no one had actually cried for him…not even his mother. This time none of them even stood for him before the media and spoke anything positive or gave any bytes… If he didn’t have a stake in the Chopra group, he would have quit the family conglomerate ages ago. The income funded Parijath besides the reserve left by his maternal grandmother. He could now provide the children good education as well as the SME he had set up for those women had made them independent and they in turn gave back to the society by helping other women in and around the villages. He smiled proudly thinking about the outreach medical program he had started two years ago and his old classmates form MS days pooled in once in a while… he paid them of course but the entire stretch of the village was now having access to quality medical care. He tried to stay out of limelight as much as possible though and luckily considering the bind he was in now, he was glad. At least all that work didn’t stop… Parijath depended on it.

He knew he was in a soup legally but in spite of being in physical pain, he was a happy man. His doe eyed beauty… his warrior princess had come for him. He didn’t want her to… he knew the possible repercussions she would face in the outside world. No wonder his family had stayed clear. In fact, his parents were holidaying in the Bahamas according to Khatiyal and they didn’t want to be reached on phone as well. In a way it was good and he deserved it for what he had put them through twice before… The first time for his alcoholism he was revolting, his young blood pumping up too many emotional upheavals. The second time though he wasn’t at fault and they knew it as well… And they had gone miles to clear him. He had started a new life here and now this after years… good Lord what was His problem with him? He only wanted to be left alone… and now Ria was getting dragged in this mess. She barely knew him or his past but staunchly believed in him to want to fight for him. Her thoughts were the only thing that kept his sanity intact in that filthy place.

Manek and Keith were loyal as always and they knew him for a long time now. Manek and he virtually grew up together. They were classmates in school and Manek was the son of the local electrician and had slogged his way to study after his father had passed when they were barely fifteen. Gaurav’s parents were only too happy to help fund the young boy’s education as he also kept Gaurav in check. Manek was fiercely loyal and that’s what earned him a partnership at Karma. He never gave up on Gaurav even after he had returned to India five years ago totally broken in mind and spirit… and had encouraged him to try out work at the hospital. Manek had been married two years ago and was now on the family way. Gaurav at times envied the man for his simple and settled life… Would he ever get that…? With Ria…? Keith belonged to the wrong side of the town. But years ago, when Gaurav was a medical student, Manek and he had got together for a night cap and were dining out when they had accepted a burly man who had come to rob them, into their fold. They funded his late education and helped him get a job, but he chose to work for Gaurav instead, for that he was now grateful. Keith was now his right-hand man. He was married too and had a young son in school but they stayed at his village in Gulbarga while he was chaperoning Gaurav.

Gaurav’s close relatives were just bearing his existence since he was a workaholic and that helped their social lives. He stayed late, or came in early or took over their duties for them at various locales so they didn’t have to worry about work suffering because of a family function or a vacation. He was not invited to any of their family events for the last five years and he didn’t mind one bit. He wouldn’t know what to converse with the high society crowd anyways. He was wallowing in his own shell before Ria came along like a ray of sunshine three years ago. And today she had given him the brightest hope…  He didn’t have anyone genuinely looking out for him unconditionally… until now… until Ria. Her beautiful eyes shone with concern and care. They were honest and selfless.

He didn’t know who was after him because he lived such a low-profile life the last five years. Did his past…? No that wasn’t possible. He hoped Ria didn’t regret her decision because this looked murky… She was a beautiful soul and he wouldn’t taint that. Anyone in his radar would be affected and he didn’t want that for anyone and definitely not for Ria…

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Ria looked around the apartment where she was housed for the trial duration… if any or at least till the FIR was squashed, that’s what Khatiyal and team along with Manek were aiming at. She had gone home from the police station to pack her bag and as expected her father had been furious and banged the door behind her back, telling her not to return home. Yet she had been concerned about their safety in the wake of the case going to trial and Manek had assured her round the clock security without them knowing. She had then signed the needed documents as a material witness for the defendant and immediately gone with Manek along with 2 police constables and  a forensic expert from the government hospital, to the old hospital building. She was glad influence still worked in some places. The demolition of the old building had been stalled because of the heavy rain and the landslide which had occurred a few days ago. They had a tough time coughing their way up to the third floor and the place got back memories of that night giving her the chills and she immediately worried for Gaurav. Her resolve not weakening she showed Manek and the forensics guy the dried blood in the washroom area as well as the examination room which had the blood traces and the medical kit which lay shut near the table even as the constables looked over with amusement. The sleeping bag too was lying there untouched after they had used it over a week ago. The forensic guy took the video of the entire narrative Ria summed up right from the time she fell to the time she left with Keith. He then gathered all the samples needed and by the time he had got the place sealed, and Manek had dropped her to the apartment it had been late and Karma was up and running because of the weekend. She had had dinner prepared by Keith though she didn’t have the appetite even looking at the lovely curd rice. Was Gaurav getting anything…? Did someone tend to his wounds…? Manek had assured her he was in talks for the same but she wasn’t really sure and worried sick about Gaurav…

Both Manek and Keith had thought it was better she didn’t visit Gaurav so that media didn’t get whiff of her. So, she reluctantly stayed back in this barely done apartment. She had prepared lunch for Gaurav on Sunday morning… wanting to be useful besides worrying herself to an ulcer. She had neatly packed Aalu paratha… which she got to know was his favourite and Keith had prepared Chana masala… she only hoped Gaurav could have them and feel better. She knew she couldn’t direct the winds but she could try to adjust the sails… And when later the tiffin box came back empty with a smiling Keith, she was happy to no end. He also told her Gaurav had been attended to and Manek was staying right outside the station to sneak in every time there was a chance…. courtesy Paranjape. Manek had also arranged dinner for Gaurav which he apparently ate without making a fuss. Manek called her on Sunday night to brief her about the bail hearing on Monday and also thanked her again to infuse life into the case. Meanwhile, the reporters were bored and had thinned. But this would increase coming Monday in anticipation of new juice bytes.

Though Ria had barely slept she couldn’t sleep on Sunday night with worry. Keith gave her company late into the night as they watched TV till, she forced him to retire to bed. She stayed up most of the time with a few winks on the sofa. Next morning, she waited with bated breath with her new phone in hand to hear about what had transpired. The News channel suddenly came on with the information she had been waiting for…

‘… as the reports come in at the special court proceedings today for the Chopra case bail hearing… It is noted that Dr. Chopra who was arrested on Friday with rape charges has now secured bail after a sudden development in the case. The defense has reportedly produced signed affidavit by a material witness who claims to have been with Dr. Chopra on the night this heinous crime was reported to have occurred. The victim or the prosecution are however yet to comment. The case goes to trial in a week from today and it remains to be seen if justice prevails. With the new development coming up the defendant now has a chance to fight and if the inner circles of the police are to be believed they have been rattled. There have also been counter charges by Dr. Gaurav Chopra, of third-degree torture in custody. What will the final outcome of the case be only remains to be seen. The country now awaits with great interest as the case takes a detour….’

Ria heaved a sigh of relief as she sobbed into the throw pillow. Finally, he was out of the hellhole and God willing if things fell in place then he wouldn’t have to set foot there again. Keith texted her that they were getting Gaurav to Karma since there was media parked outside his home. She immediately got busy preparing lunch for all of them and in the next hour she had prepared vegetable pulav and boondi raita, as she waited for them to arrive. She knew Gaurav had a sweet tooth and had prepared the traditional rawa payasam, her mother’s trademark recipe.

Soon the doorbell buzzed and she opened the door to a fatigued Gaurav, still in his torn clothes and a little dried blood on his face. He squinted to look at her supporting himself on the side wall and she moved as Keith and Manek helped him shuffle inside. He plonked himself on the sofa and putting his head on the back rest, he shut his eyes, his, throat wobbling indicating of the effort he took to contain his emotions. Manek nodded and left for his home promising to call later. Keith had to stock the groceries and he left as well… She was left standing alone with Gaurav, her heart breaking to see him so… broken. She saw he had fresh bruises on his arm visible from the torn shirt sleeve and some more burn marks compared to when she had last seen him. He had held his hands in a tight fist… she saw a tear escape the corner of his non swollen eye. That was it… she couldn’t take it anymore. She rushed to the tiny kitchen and took a bowl of water adding antiseptic into it and a clean wash cloth.  She approached him cautiously and keeping the bowl on the center table she sat at his foot trying to remove his shoes. She thought he would resist but to her surprise he gave in and it was then she saw bruises on his sole… oh God… she hated Swara with all her heart. His hands were still fisted tightly and she could see his knuckles had grown white. She placed her hands on them and gently made him release them. He held her hands tightly as if his life depended on them, his eyes till closed but he was breathing heavily.

“Sir… look at me… please…” she spoke softly. He took a moment and opened his eyes as he looked at her tears shining in his beautiful blacks. He blinked them away. “…Sir… its over… we will fight this through… You won’t go back… there… it’s a promise….” He just stared at her with a neutral face and she left his hand to take the wash cloth dipped in water and squeezed it. She took it close to his forehead where there was a tiny wound which had started to heal but there was dried blood around it. She touched it carefully as he inhaled an audible breath. She couldn’t control her tears as he shut his eyes again and she tried to wipe away the crusted blood around his wound taking care not to hurt him any more… By the time she wiped his face clean it had taken over fifteen minutes and his eyes were still shut. But he looked better than when he had just entered. She changed the water and attended to his hands. Luckily there were no open wounds… As she tried to wipe his feet, he suddenly withdrew them from her hands. “…No… NO Ria… NO… please don’t…” He stood up balancing himself on the sofa headrest as he tilted and she immediately went upto him.

“…Sir why don’t you take a bath… I will have the lunch ready… You… um… you need the strength… don’t you…?” She tried to use a chirpy voice trying to brighten his mood. He nodded as he shuffled his way to one of the two little bedrooms. She was put up in the other. She rushed behind him and searched for the bath towel and fixed it on his bathroom door handle. She then went back to the kitchen and reheated the lunch for him. She knew things would have been worse if she hadn’t intervened here and thanked God for helping her make the right decision. She waited in the drawing room for over half an hour but there was no sign of him. She walked tentatively towards his room and knocked but there was no answer. Worried she turned the knob and opened the door only to find him fast asleep wearing only the bath towel around his hip. He snored softly and looked at ease and she had no heart to disturb him. He looked like a small kid who had just got back home after a school picnic and had slept off. Speaking of picnics, she remembered her mother rubbing coconut oil to her soles when she would return from school outings saying it was a good pain reliever. Would it help here too? She wanted to try and rushing to the kitchen she got oil and sat at the foot of the bed. She took a little oil in her palm, rubbed her palm and started to rub the oil on his sole…. He stirred but she kept at it. Eventually he slept off oblivious to the other foot getting the rub too. As she covered him with the comforter kept on the side, she just hoped he would get the relief and looked at his serene face before she left shutting the door behind her.

Gaurav let his breath out when he heard the door click. He was a total goner. If only life were that simple, he would never have let Ria go… No one in his miserable life did so much for him like what she had done. She had tried to heal him… his heart needed healing and she was the right medicine. She had been the rock they all needed. He had seen the change in Manek and Keith’s demeanor too ever since she had come forward to become the witness… For all his bravado, he was failing miserably at tolerating the torture meted out to him and he didn’t know why, as yet. He had lost all hope and had thought he was doomed having no interest in fighting back when Ria had appeared and pumped him up… Starting tomorrow he would get headlong into the case. He would see to it that the truth saw the light of the day.

He was forever indebted to Ria for saving from that pathetic place and only hoped he wouldn’t have to go back. He saw Ria looking at him with feelings pouring out of her beautiful eyes. He wondered if Ria would still feel the same for him if she got o know about his rotten past which was worse that what she had just witnessed… He had seen she was shaken and hoped she wouldn’t totally break… not on his conscience…

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.

Chapter 19

The next morning Ria left her home by 9.30 AM… she couldn’t sleep all night with the impending task heavy on her head… she booked an Uber to reach Golden palace… she didn’t want to tire herself today as she had to face trial before an adamant Vikram and later needed her wits in place when she met Gaurav… The feeling already setting off the butterflies in her stomach…

She reached Golden palace well in time and had to be reminded by the driver that she was at the destination… she had been lost in thought as to what she would speak to Gaurav. She had even been surfing the net on section 376 and 375… Keith had updated her on the same early morning. Apparently, the charges were being put under the two IPCs and in addition to that under some act regarding sexual harassment of women at workplace… What the hell Swara…? What have you done…? Ria shuddered at the punishments that Gaurav could face and realised how important her involvement would be… If only Gaurav would agree…. She would see to it that he did.

She stepped out of the cab and walked into the restaurant… there was barely anyone and she waited for Vikram ordering a cup of coffee… The TV in the corner was switched on and the news kept playing… Ria was surprised as to the kind of interest people had in crime… especially opinions for subjudice cases. Every two-bit politico and self-proclaimed social worker were demanding harshest punishment for Gaurav making her skin crawl with disgust… She wanted to yell form the roof tops that he was innocent at least for that night… Swara please don’t do this… She had often seen high profile cases being given a trial by the public and this was no different. She cringed at the words from random people on the streets who were asked for bytes… where they demanded death penalty for such a heinous crime… While she agreed the punishment was apt for such crimes, Gaurav didn’t deserve it… simply because he didn’t do it…  Just then Vikram arrived panting and came to her table shaking her out of her reverie.  Though she hated to be drawn away from the TV this was something she had to take care of.

“Hey… Ria… what’s up…?” He spoke as if nothing had transpired and drank water from a glass kept on the table.

“Well… Vikram, as discussed…”

“…No… don’t do this Ria…” Vikram looked hurt and she did feel bad for him but nothing would shake her resolve now.

“… Vikram…I am not here with a change of heart… I am just here to do this in person… Here…” She took out his ring from her purse and kept it before him on the table.

“…Why Ria…? Why are you doing this…? Everything was going well… I apologised for that night… I was just drunk and upset…”

“…That’s enough Vikram… I told you that was just one of the reasons… the bottom line is we don’t have anything in common… I am not what you want and can’t change myself… so are you…” Ria was flabbergasted. She had no mood for arguments especially when part of her attention was on the TV… as she strained to hear the news anchor.

“…and my life is a mess…” She realised Vikram had just spoken something when she as focussed on the news.

“…Er… excuse me…? Vikram sorry… I didn’t get you…”

“…What is it Ria…? You are so distracted. Ok… see… there is a lot at stake for me here ok…? I cant get out of this marriage…”

“What the hell Vikram…? I don’t care about you and your mess… Got it?… I want out and I am getting out irrespective of what your decision is…” she was at her wits end.

“…Ria please… I can’t…”

“…What is it Vikram… I know you don’t have feelings for me so cut the crap and tell me the truth…”

“…Actually, Ria I am in heavy debt… I used to gamble in stocks and just lost a lot of money… I am bankrupt and hoped when we got married, I could use my income to pay off my debts while you ran the household… I have to send money back to my parents as well… so… I even agreed when your parents put the condition for sharing your salary… Isn’t that great?”

Ria’s head was reeling… she had never seen a megalomaniac like him. Was he doing her a favor by ‘letting’ her use her money? She had never been happier at her decisions. “You know what Vikram…? Your messes are not my headache. What I do with my hard-earned money is my decision and not my parents and definitely not yours… so get your head out of the sand and come back to reality… I am done with your crap for good. If this is a ploy for getting out of repaying me… well congratulations I give it to you. Keep the money for all I care…. Keep the ring too since you need it… I am in a mood for charity. I am so done and am glad I made this decision…”

“…Is there someone else Ria…?” Vikram’s tone had changed.

“Look Vikram… what I do in my personal life is none of your business… So, buzz off… I have lost the little respect left for you… Nonetheless I wish you well and hope you come to your senses soon…” She checked the time it was 11.45 AM and Keith would be here soon. She paid for the coffee and gathering her purse and her wits left the place with a stunned Vikram staring at her retreating form.

True to his words Keith was there right on time and she got into the passenger seat. Keith raised an eye brow and she shook her head. She had told Keith one of these days about breaking off her engagement and he knew the reason she was here. Even Preeti didn’t know about it… They reached the Police station which was still swarmed by reporters. Ria who was confident so far was now scared to the core… she had only seen a police station on TV. But this was nothing she had envisioned…

“Ria…” Keith called her startling her. “…Don’t be scared. There is a back door from the other side where there are no reporters. Talk to Paranjape…Thin dark balding man. He is a constable known to me. I have told him you would be there…. I can’t leave the car and there is no parking… Just… please convince Gaurav Sir, OK…?”

Ria just nodded as she felt her clammy palms… She just hoped her panic-stricken form didn’t compromise the fragile prospects for Gaurav, if any. She walked in on wobbly legs hoping they didn’t give away before she reached inside. As Keith had rightly mentioned she met constable Paranjape who was kind enough to take her in shielded from the prying media and left her on the waiting seat. She was told to keep away her mobile phone and was frisked for weapons or whatever it was, by a lady constable. As she waited with bated breath for the next half an hour another tired looking burly man joined her on the seat. He looked at her and then looked around before asking. “Who the hell are you and what business do you have with Gaurav…?” He spoke in a whispered but firm voice.  Dressed in  a maroon coloured shirt his eyes on a strong square jaw looked innocent but voice sounded lethal, scaring Ria further. “I…I am Ria… Ria Narsimhan… I came to talk to Gaurav sir…” She barely whispered and wondered if he heard her.

He stared at her as if she had grown two horns.  He gave her a side smile and held out his hand as she shook it. “I am Manek… Gaurav’s childhood friend and business partner. We still have about half an hour before they let us in… so why don’t you tell me what is it that you wanted to speak about?”

She had heard about Manek from Keith in passing… He apparently co-owned Karma. “…Um… Actually, Gaurav sir is innocent in this matter…”

Now that got her his complete attention.

“…Um… He couldn’t do this… on 29th July…”

“…Ria… actually the police have evidence… a lot of them… and they don’t look good… So what proof do you have…?”

“…I am myself the proof, sir…” she looked at her clasped hands.

“…Ria you need to be clearer…”

“…Sir…I mean… Gaurav sir couldn’t have done what he is accused of because he was with me that entire night…”

“WHAT…?” Manek spoke loudly startling her and drawing looks form the others around them. “…Ria do you know what you are talking about…? Gaurav says he doesn’t remember anything from that night… and now you are here… claiming…”

“…he is doing it to protect me… my reputation…” She didn’t mention Parijath…not knowing if Manek knew about it. She then told him how she had the accidental fall and how Gaurav saved her and took care of her. She didn’t mention anything about the visit to Parijath though.

Manek rubbed his face and shook his head. “God… you are a blessing Ria… If you agree to testify it will negate and help us tackle the people trying to frame him head on… But… I hope you know what you are getting into. The trial though it’s on fast track may take a while…. To even commence. There will be a lot of social pressure… um … do you think you can sustain all that…?”

Ria was silent as she thought about the possible repercussions… she wondered what her Appa would say… not that he was on talking terms anyway. What about her colleagues? Would they side with her? She realised her feelings for Gaurav and the resolve to side with the truth tilted her decision heavily on his side while all other factors felt pale in comparison. Gaurav hadn’t thought twice about saving her life or caring for her and now it was her turn. She didn’t care anymore about what anyone thought. “…Manek sir… I am in…” She saw him blink away tears as he nodded and soon it was time for them to meet Gaurav.

Ria and Manek were led into a tunnel like structure behind the police station. It was cordoned off part of the station and not visible from outside. Ria shuddered at the eerie feeling as they passed through a cul-de-sac, following the three constables who took them in. They reached a dimly lit place. There were empty cells on either side but here was a bulb lit in the last cell. Ria dreaded taking each step, not knowing what she would see. When they reached the cell, she gasped. Gaurav was hunched on a bunker with his head in his hands, his clothes were dirty and torn. The place smelt filthy just like the minds of those who had tried to incriminate Gaurav. The constable banged the cell bars with a stick indicating the start of their ten minutes. The constables moved out of the area leaving Ria with Manek.

As if sensing her presence Gaurav lifted his head up. Ria stilled as she saw his state. He stood on wobbly legs and moved towards the bars. The left side of his face was swollen and right forehead as bleeding. The entire area around that eye was blue. His lip was swollen in its right corner and presence of dried blood indicated he had been bleeding there as well. Ria couldn’t help herself and just kept crying holding her mouth. He had worn his trademark hospital attire his three-piece suit which was torn in places and filthy. She couldn’t bear to see him in that state. Manek patted her shoulder. “talk to him … I am right in the corner.” He moved away as Gaurav held the bars squinting at her.

“Ria… what are… you doing… here…?” He coughed and held the bars tightly as the bout subsided.

She couldn’t help herself and touched his hands. it was then she saw the burn marks on his wrists. He opened his palm and held her hand tightly as he hunched down touching the forehead to the bars. Ria was speechless… as she tightened her grip and cried silently. Why was he letting them torture him when he could just have given out her name…?

“Ria… leave… jail… not for you… leave…” he struggled to speak.

“… Sir… why don’t you tell them the truth…?” he left her hand and turned around his back towards her.

“…Just…leave…” he breathed hard as if wheezing.

“…No, I won’t… I promise you Parijath name won’t be involved. Just me… because that night only concerns me…I am going to testify… right now…”

Manek walked in right then. “…Talk to her Gaurav… I agree with her… Please don’t be a stubborn mule… We don’t sand much of a chance…”

“…Then let me be here…” Gaurav spoke loudly still with his back towards them and Ria wondered how much of energy he needed to use for that little statement.

It was time up and Manek gestured for her to leave the place. She was overwhelmed with emotion and that only strengthened her resolve to see this through. She knew she had a long battle to fight and hoped she could do this alone. More than a fight for justice it was a fight against injustice… Manek was already on the phone by the time they were seated in the car and she stared outside in oblivion.

“Ria…” Manek called out to her. “…I was talking to our lawyer… You getting into the fold totally changes the course of things… He is positive now.  We will apply for bail now… the police wont be able to extend custody.. You have to sign an affidavit… you are the main witness and… uh… you will have to stay way from the public eye in order for us to protect you till the trial is over…”

What? “…Why …I mean don’t you trust me…?” she wailed

“…Its not about trust Ria… its about protecting you. We don’t know who we are up against. I am dead sure Swara is acting on someone’s behest… someone string and powerful, but till we find out you have to be kept safe. Is there somewhere you can stay…? I will take care of the rest of the expenses…”

“…Um… I have no where actually… what about my family…?”

“…that’s the reason you have to stay away Ria… For your sake and your family’s… Ok… I have Gaurav’s bachelor pad above Karma. Keith will give you company and double up as a security…. You can stay there as long as this goes on… starting today… you won’t be reporting for work directly…I will arrange for the paper work to be brought to you… At least for the time being…”

Ria saw Keith nod and she nodded in agreement as well. As they drove towards her house to collect her stuff, she was lost in thought wondering what more was in store for her…just hoping that she emerged from this unscathed.

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.

Chapter 18

Ria was in an upbeat mood as she moved towards the hospital. She had never thought getting back to work here would be a thrilling anticipation in itself… and though she tried to contain her excitement the bounce in her steps gave her away. She had missed the regular bus so she had to resort to a share rickshaw… Usually she avoided it for the crowd but today nothing mattered. She wanted to reach the hospital even if she had to grow wings and get airborne!! Besides she had left her phone at home… she berated herself for it. Of all the days she had to do it today… what if there were messages for her from…um… Preeti… Of course, who else would want to message her…? Would Gaurav be looking forward to see her as well? She checked the time… the rains had caused traffic snarls and she was still stuck. She would definitely be late for work… but would Gaurav call her to reprimand her? She realised she was blushing… Oh no… Ria get over yourself…. The only dampener in her spirits was the impending meeting with Vikram tomorrow… Not that she cared about his opinion but thought she deserved closure on that front.

She was over an hour late as she reached the hospital gate, her almost healed leg starting to give her little trouble and she regretted leaving her phone home. She was dropped quite a distance away which couldn’t have happened if she could book an Uber… Nonetheless, she increased her strides and moved towards the entrance unable to burst the bubble of excitement coursing through her. To her surprise she was even looking forward to her work with her colleagues.  

As she huffed her way through the reception, she saw there was a new flustered receptionist instead of the overt Swara. Did she actually leave the job? Ria had heard Swara had loads of financial commitments though she didn’t know details. Nonetheless here was a huge change and the other two receptionists were trying to train the young scared girl. Ria felt for her as she shuffled her way inside waving to the other two.

“Hey… here comes my bestie…” Preeti screeched startling her and she couldn’t control her laughter as the boisterous woman rushed to hug her with a box of chocolates. Wow… the assorted ones which she loved… Preeti’s mother ran a little business of the same and she knew Ria loved her creations. Ria was grateful for Preeti as her friend… Preeti whispered a sorry into her ears even as the others came in to welcome her. But soon they had to return to work and decided to catch up in the lunch break. Ria too had to get back to her pending workload which she knew would have shot up… But she looked forward to it. She walked into her little cabin and took in a deep breath of the now appealing antiseptic fragrance and sat to immerse her self in work. As expected, the workload was huge but she was engrossed in work loving every second. She didn’t know when the time had passed when she heard Preeti frantically call out her name.

“Ri…Ria… just…just come out to the tea room… somethings on the news… come fast…” Preeti gasped in between breaths and rushed ahead calling someone else on the way.

What had happened… Ria wondered… as she shut the current file and shuffled her way outside. Her leg was aching a little but curiosity got the better of her as she moved towards the tea room located on the ground floor itself where she worked. She saw it was crowded to the brim with many employees looking at the screen wide eyed. She looked in the crowd and caught Preeti’s eye who waved to her and she had to cut through the crowd to reach her… there was some commercial going on…what were they watching?

“..hey someone change the bloody channel… check another news channel…” someone yelled.

“…the assholes… all have commercial going on at the same time…” someone else said…

“…are just wait it out yaar… barely take a minute…” it was Tushar…

Ria was lost in the cacophony of the conversations going on when the commercial got over and the news anchor… good lord… Arnab Goswami, got back on TV. The Republic TV guy always got on her nerves with his screaming and her appa loved the guy. Her home at night felt like a battle ground with every man on Arnab’s show screaming to give the bytes. She must have zoned out when she felt Preeti pressing her palm.

‘…. In the events following the arrest of the prodigal member of the Chopra clan of the famous Chopra group of hospitals, Dr. Gaurav Chopra… for the rape of an employee from the head hospital branch in Pune…. Has shaken the medical fraternity. The Stree mukti morcha is up in arms and is demanding the strictest punishment… So viewers what do you think…? Will the accused go scot free due to the power of wealth or will the survivor get justice…?’

The room which was silent suddenly burst into a chaotic rumble of opinions even as Preeti spoke into her stunned ears. “…Who do you think Ria…? I mean… really…rape? Why does he even need o do it when he has women throwing themselves at him…?”

Arnab got back on TV with visuals as everyone listened… Ria’s heart was in her mouth as she saw grainy images of Gaurav hiding his face as the police led him outside what appeared to her like his residence, into a waiting van. Her eyes filled and she blinked away tears still unable to come to terms with the news… but the next part of the howling anchor actually pulled the rug below her feet.

‘…And there are fresh reports coming in. The special court had granted the police a five-day custody and the section 376 has been imposed which has made this a non bailable offence. Well, it looks like money and power don’t always stand a chance where justice s concerned and as we can see the stree mukti morcha had been celebrating with banners stating, JUSTICE WILL PREVAIL… Also coming in is our correspondent Arti Gupta reporting right outside the premises of the prison where Dr. Gaurav Chopra has been held for questioning and further investigation. Over to you Arti…’

The onsite reporter came into view and Ria’s breath stopped watching the crowd gathered outside the police station, even as the reporter spoke. “… here as we see there is huge crowd of protesters gathered and the pressure on the local police is paramount given the sensitivity of the case and the high profile status of the accused. As per what we have been able to find out, the survivor’s identity has been kept under wraps but she worked at his hospital and was frequently subjected to sexual advances and harassment, silenced with threats. Finally ,on 29^th of July as the city was brought to a stand still with the incessant rains, the accused had visited the survivor on the pretext of being stranded and drank himself to glory after which he allegedly forced himself on her that night. Police have recovered circumstantial evidences which directly place the accused in her house at the time of the incident. The medical reports of the survivor indicate the possibility of rape… over to you Arnab…”

29^th July… good heavens it was the same night she… Ria blocked out everything around her. A feeling of euphoria suddenly emerging within. That was the night he had saved her… he was with her. How could he rape that woman…? Not that she believed he would… never… She was with him alone for the entire night and she had never felt safer. The man couldn’t have done this… Then all of the sudden the bubble burst… Why didn’t he say anything? Keith… she had to call Keith… Fuck … her mobile phone was at home. And she couldn’t tell anyone here without raising suspicions… Oh God how could she help…? Suddenly there was commotion around again as someone announced the police had arrived and all had to get back to work as they called one employee at a time for questioning.

What? Wouldn’t it be great…? Everyone only had good to say about him, didn’t they? Ria was beginning to feel better. She went back to her cabin amidst muttering where everyone speculated different theories and mostly everyone wondered who the employee was… One of them suddenly deduced it had to be Swara… The guy was from HR… he had to know everyone. The murmurs again began as Preeti caught up with her. “…Hey that flirt Swara… what do you think Ria… they both weren’t present at the party… do you think he may have done it…? But Swara was sleeping around with him… for quite a while then why did he have to … Oh… is it because she left him…? You know… men and their egos…”

It was on the tip of her tongue to tell Preeti the truth that he was very much there in the party venue. But something stopped her…She had to talk to Keith once home and she couldn’t go till the police were done with. Unfortunately, the questioning took longer than anticipated. The TV room was shut by the police in order to not influence the probably witnesses however in todays times of active mobile phones it was tough. Preeti barged into her room with her phone. “Hey look at this… Looks like bossman was busier and murkier than what we knew about him…” This was another news channel showing a leaked report from an old case… though grainy it was a file picture of a young Gaurav face partly covered and in handcuffs… Accused of rape and eventual murder of two…? What? The background of the scene of crime wasn’t Indian… wait… Dubai police? There was another picture of Gaurav standing next to a high-end car with a caption… ‘Son of the Chopra Scion caught for rape… Too much money and alcohol….’ As Preeti went on and on as to how appearances were deceptive, Ria was lost in thought. It was surreal and Ria was beginning to get worried. She knew she couldn’t be wrong in judging Gaurav… could she? He had been nothing but caring towards her and that NGO he ran, Parijath… there everyone worshipped him. She was no great judge of people but she definitely knew a rapist wouldn’t be treated with respect this way and if he indeed was one, it definitely didn’t show anywhere… But she had seen Vikram first hand after he was stone drunk… so did Gaurav… accidentally…? She hugged herself and shook away the thoughts. The date was indicative that it wasn’t possible…. Irrespective of what happened in the past.

By the time it was her turn it was 8PM in the evening and every employee was asked to leave after the questioning unless they were employed in emergency. There were strictly forbade from discussing anything asked. Ria was waiting outside the interrogation cabin that was set up tentatively, when Preeti emerged. She could speak but Preeti looked lost and on the verge of tears. She entered the room and sat opposite the two investigation officials and there was a woman constable too.

They asked a few basic questions about how long she had worked here and the type of work she did here. “So… Ms. Narsimhan, how do you describe your reporting boss…?”

“…um… He … he is kind as well as authoritative and it has been a great learning experience since the past one month ever since he was my reporting boss…”

“…Do you think he can… do what he has been accused of…?”

“…No sir… I… I don’t think so…”

“Ms. Narsimhan… is there anything you want to add on here…? This is the time. Later you wont get any opportunity…” The officer asking looked onto her eyes. Ria was trembling within but held her fort.

“…Nnno… sir…”

She was then asked to leave and she couldn’t wait to rush out of the building. It was dark outside but nothing compared to the dark future Gaurav faced for this crime which he was falsely accused of. She usually would have been worried about reaching home this late, knowing the poor state of public transport in the rains but today she was in a daze. Suddenly as she neared the gates, lights flashed on her and she had to step back to cover her eyes. The vehicle came and halted next to her as the window drew down. “Ria… just get in please…”

Oh Kieth… thank God. She looked around and quickly got into the passenger seat.

“…Keith…I …”

“…Wait Ria …listen to me… Did they ask you anything…? I mean I know police was there… you didn’t have your mobile switched on… Did you tell them anything about Parijath…?” Keith spoke quickly as they drove away.

“…no Keith I spoke nothing… In fact I wanted to speak with you… but left my mobile at home… Keith… he didn’t do it.. you know it…”

“…Ria… he… he doesn’t want anyone to know about that night…”

“…Why Keith… Why be blamed for something he didn’t do…? Also he is so influential… family and all…”

“…That’s because he believes it will expose you and Parijath… Uh… Parijath has been hidden away… with the locals fiercely protecting it and Gaurav sir has kept his name from being associated with the organisation because of his past… You must have seen the leaked pictures… goddamn concealed records… I wonder how people got them… and his family… well i think you missed the news… the Chopra Group has washed its hands off the case officailly… ”

“…What…? They don’t believe in his innocence…?” Ria was stunned… but given her own background she shouldn’t have been surprised. But why… did they do this… with the kind of money and power they had they could have worked things around… that’s what she had seen in the papers whenever something like this had taken place. God there was a lot more than what met the eye… definitely something to do with that past of his.

“…Keith…I… I don’t know about his past but this… he didn’t do… and we can’t let him get punished for this… I won’t be able to live with my conscience…”

“…Ria… I am so glad… you think like that… we have to convince him… you have to actually. He won’t listen to me… so tomorrow…Saturday… will you come with me to the police station…?”

“…Of course, I will Keith…” Ria finally felt a little at ease since the time she had first heard the news on TV that morning. Keith and she barely spoke and he dropped her outside the gate.

“…Ria… the visiting time would be around 12pm tomorrow… I will text you when I will pick you up once I check the status… and …thank you for agreeing to do this…”

Ria saw Keith looked fatigued with bags under his eyes. She was touched by his loyalty… “Of course, Keith… you take care… see you tomorrow…”

She went home to a still brooding father and a silent sister. But she had better things to worry about and immediately went to her drawer to take her phone and switched it on. It beeped with messages from Preeti and Keith… She checked all of them and there was one from Vikram… Oops she had totally forgotten about him.

‘Meet me at Golden Palace hotel tomorrow for brunch… the Swargate one… 11AM… and hope you have given our relationship another thought…’

 That was so typical of Vikram. He knew that place would be very far from her home. Over an hour of travel. Though she dreaded it, she agreed. She had to close that chapter of her life. But then what about visiting Gaurav…? that held greater priority… She googled and checked Gaurav was held in Swargate police station, which was about two kilometres from Golden palace… Thank God for small mercies! She texted Keith to pick her up from Golden palace about 10 min to 12 PM and hoped she could stick to her schedule… worse she hoped the perennially late comer Vikram kept the time tomorrow.

As she went to bed that night hearing Arnab bellowing from the TV in the drawing room, mostly about the hot case of the doctor investigated for rape, she was sure of one fact… she was definitely going to tell the truth… she knew it was not going to be simple. She had an even greater Herculean task before her… to convince Gaurav…

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.

Chapter 17

“WHAT? Who…. I didn’t… it’s a m…m…mistake.” Gaurav stuttered.

“Mr. Chopra you have to come with us now. You are entitled to a lawyer. But for now, come along.”

Gaurav turned to Keith but before he could say anything, Keith said, “I will follow you, sir. I will call Manek on the way. He will come to the police station with the lawyer.”

“Keith, see that my folks or people at work don’t get to know… for now” Gaurav stated with a neutral tone. He then followed the police to their vehicle downstairs. Fortunately they hadnt handcuffed him… it would have been a terrible reminder… But he didn’t miss the curious glances sent his way by his neighbours in the building lobby. Suddenly there seemed to be a lot many neighbours that day. He avoided their suspicion laden glimpses and hid his face to avoid being pictured and continued to follow the police outside. What was wrong with these people… sharing a man being taken by police made great pictures to share online… Bastards. He couldn’t shake the sense of deja vu. He looked like he was in control but from within he was facing a total breakdown. This was a bad dream… a major misunderstanding. He was sure. Wait… was he in a nightmare….?

It had to be.

As soon as he reached the police station, he was taken into a holding cell. He had to surrender his things…his new mobile phone which Keith had got him a couple of days ago, wallet, his gold chain and wrist watch. He couldn’t help but feel the hostile glances coming his way from the constables and other police staff members. He knew this place… it was only second to Yerwada and his hands trembled as he performed the tasks required of him… trying in vain to control the rising anxiety. Keith was there immediately and was soon followed by a harried Manek and Mr. Khatiyal, his family lawyer. Gaurav blanked out everything that was being discussed. Could they just arrest him like that?  He was now on the verge of getting a panic attack every breath becoming labored with every passing second. From what he could make out, he was a suspect in the rape of Swara Sawant… Oh God the receptionist? And there was something remotely familiar about her…. According to the reports i.e the FIR, she had mentioned his name specifically. He had never even met her in person… but…the police had evidence and had applied for his official custody. He realized the arrest was today…. on a Friday. It was a court holiday next day due to some anniversary event and he wouldn’t get a bail hearing before Monday. Most probably he had to spend three days and nights in police custody. He was put in a cell away from the main cells… why? What was going on?

Mr. Khatiyal came up to his cell. “I am sorry Dr. Chopra… they have applied for five-day custody and the evidences are… they are strong enough to be granted….”

“…Mr. Khatiyal, I didn’t do it… try for the bonds… how can we get the bail… wait… what evidence are they talking about?”

Manek who was standing with his back hunched… in a corner walked up to them. He held Gaurav’s hands on the bars as Mr. Khatiyal continued. “Uh… Dr, Chopra they have applied the IPC 376  so… this makes it non bailable… and the considering the case sensitivity and incriminating evidence the Judge gave a fast track verdict of a 5-day custody… we ..we… will try to get this settled  out of court and get the FIR squashed…”

“…I DIDN’T DO IT…” Gaurav yelled. “…Don’t you fucking understand… wait…” It just dawned on him. “.. I now remember… I think it was the same woman in my bar the other night…”

Manek now straightened. “…Wait a minute… what the hell are you talking about…?”

Gaurav then told them the details of Tuesday night at the bar and Keith who had been standing watching everything unfold corroborated his version.

Manek looked furious. “What the hell is wrong with you Gaurav…? All this happened on Tuesday and you didn’t even bother to tell me? We should have got the police in right then… This fucking reeks of a set up… by the way they say this happened on the 29^th of July at night… where the fuck were you that night?”

Oh hell, it was the same night he had found an injured Ria in the old hospital building. A cold dread settled on him. If he revealed anything about the rendezvous that night Ria would get dragged in the proceedings… probably as a material witness. He couldn’t subject her to that misery and not to mention Parijath which he had kept relatively hidden from public eye. The safety of those women mattered a lot. No… Nobody… not even Manek could know all that.

“I… I have no idea… I seem to have drawn a blank…” He spoke…unable to control the quiver in his voice.

“Goddamn Gaurav…” Manek rubbed his hand down his face. “…Your phone was found in Swara’s bedroom lying under the bed… apparently fell as she struggled. She apparently hit you after the rape and you fell easily since you were drunk. She then took pictures of you on her phone… What were you thinking Gaurav… Since when did you start drinking so much again…?”

“…I dint do it Manek… you have to trust me…”

“…I do Gaurav…I do… You are too honorable to do it. But just realise this is IPC 376 we are talking about… Get the hell out of your fudge state from that day and try hard to remember where you were on 29th evening…”

“…I …I don’t remember…” He looked at Keith with the corner of his eye. He was fuming as he stood quietly in a corner staring at Gaurav.

Suddenly there was a clanging sound as they all looked towards the burly inspector move towards them with a strange gleam in his eyes. “Well…well… your time is up and… you can have your next meeting tomorrow… Meanwhile we have secured the official non bailable custody for our…investigation….” He gave a look to Gaurav and looked back at Manek and Khatiyal. “…So, you may all leave now and see what bytes you give to the press parked outside… If I were you, I would refrain… sub-judice you see!” He gave a bone chilling smile to Gaurav narrowing his eyes. Gaurav didn’t leave eye contact, though he had all but clammed up…

Manek and Khatiyal left behind the inspector but Keith quickly came up to him. Before he could speak Gaurav spoke. “…Not…not now Keith… just see to it that they don’t reach Ria or Parijath… Press involved means everyone at the hospital will now know… Just… handle it Ok? Parijath shouldn’t be exposed…”

Keith nodded slowly and left with downcast eyes.

The seconds converted to minutes which in turn converted to hours… every passing hour bringing in with it loads of mounting uncertainty. He knew they were delaying the questioning to weaken his resolve… Gaurav gripped the cell bars tightly. This was not happening. Not again. He was still in a nightmare…. and would wake up soon… wouldn’t he? His heart started pounding hard and he was perspiring. He didn’t even know who the lady was except that she worked at the hospital as one of the receptionists. His only interaction was the smiles he passed their way or an occasional etiquette talk. What did he ever do to her? Why was this happening to him? What would his folks think of him now? His parents would be devastated. They had suffered so much because of him already…. probably cursed the day he was born. What would…. Ria think about him now? His heart beat slowed down and his panic subsided.

He knew the reason. Ria.

Finally, later in the evening, the police started their interrogation. The interrogation officer was a rough man in his 40s. He sat across a table where Gaurav was made to sit. “So, Chopra, we hear you are not new to interrogations… am I right?” The officer said with a smirk.

Gaurav clenched his fists and just stared ahead.

The officer continued, “Well…. so, tell me why did you do it?”

Gaurav looked up and said softly, “I didn’t do anything that you are accusing me of”.

The officer sat straight up and glared at Gaurav. He said, “Cut the crap Chopra. I have read you old classified case file. Acquittal doesn’t mean you are not a criminal. This time we are lucky. The victim is alive. She has identified you. We will now join the dots. So… let me ask you again…. Why- did- you- do- it?”

How did the Police have the custody of those files… They were classified. His father had seen to it. Gaurav was stone faced and said, “I didn’t do anything. I don’t even know who this Swara is… except that she worked at the hospital…?

“Where were you on the night of 29th of July? Just to refresh your memory, it was the day the city was flooded. I know you were not in the hospital that day nor were you at your residence. So…. where were you?”

Gaurav stared at his clasped hands on the table. He was sure his lawyer would sort it out. For one he was innocent and two he paid him a hefty retainer. It was time Khatiyal made it worth the money. He looked at the officer and said, “I don’t remember anything.” Thankfully except Keith no one knew about his connection to Parijath on paper. The NGO was run under his maternal grandmother’s maiden name to honour her legacy.

The officer visibly offended by now stood up and held his collar. Spittle flew off his angry mouth as he got his face closer to his and spoke. “Oh…then let me refresh things for you. When this city was under water you were busy trying to bang a lady, who was unwilling. You were drunk but not drunk enough to use a condom… So, Chopra am I right or Am I right…?”

Condom? What the fuck? He hadn’t even got it up for years until Ria came along and the only way, he had relieved his pent-up tension all these years… even recently, was… using his hands. This was going to be easy for Khatiyal.  “NO officer… nothing of the sort happened… “

“Oh, really asshole…?” He pushed him even as the chair moved and Gaurav had to hold the table to prevent the fall backward. “… Ok let me list the evidence… your moneybag cronies would have enlightened you by now. Your phone, your inebriated pictures, and a used condom with your sample in it… Had too much to drink is it? Forgot to throw it away… somewhere it couldn’t be found…eh?” The inspector chuckled, the sound pricking his entire being like an armor of thorns. He closed up the distance again and sat partially on the table. “… Well Chopra old habits die hard… don’t they? Alcoholism… Rape… Still having the amnesia…”

“I said, I don’t remember anything. My lawyer will handle the rest” Gaurav stated with clenched teeth.

Suddenly the officer’s fist connected hard with his face from the left and he only felt the fall on the hard ground, before everything went black.

Gaurav woke to the sound of dripping water the stench of urine making him want to throw up… His left eye was closed shut and in pain… definitely swollen. He was lying on that side so he tried to sit up. He opened his other eye and looked around and the grim reality crashed in.  The darkness and extraordinary silence in the lockup indicated late night… He had spent almost a day behind bars. He felt his palms sweat and heart pounding out of his thoracic cavity all over again and before he realized he had a full-blown panic attack. He tried his breathing exercises just like he had learnt those earlier days. He tried to rationalize his situation like how his therapist had taught him, but nothing was coming of it. He tried visualisation techniques to calm himself… God Freud would have been so proud and he would have made a great candidate for psychoanalysis…. Even the minute chuckle was momentary but nothing could control the panic laden constriction happening at his throat. Was he dying…? He then thought of her…. Ria looking at him with her beautiful kohl laden almond eyes and almost the next moment the panic attack started to subside.

For once he was glad, he didn’t encourage her feelings for him. She didn’t need all this crap. She would always remain a beautiful memory for him…. She was his angel… but just in the visuals… that’s all.

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.

Chapter 16

Ria was in high spirits the entire week as she stayed at home ignoring the cold stares and well aimed snorts coming her way from her so called family. She was at peace after she had decided not to bother anymore and having called off her engagement with Vikram. There was no further communication with Vikram and for that she was grateful. She could only handle so much melodrama. She visited a local doctor couple of times and got her wound checked and both times he assured her she was doing well not before appreciating the stitches quality. Ria felt better too… she could walk faster without pain and could sustain her weight for longer on her feet. Though her folks may have wondered what she was doing at home instead of being at work, she didn’t bother to explain. She knew irrespective of their attitude they needed her financial help and that she would do. She was yet to convey her decision of moving out but wanted to find the place first before she did it and for that she needed her next salary. Before everything, on a priority she transferred the amount borrowed from Gaurav to an account number Keith had obtained for her after repeated pleading. She occasionally talked to Keith during the week on everything under the sky… but nothing about Gaurav. She was disappointed Keith revealed nothing at all.

She also spoke to Preeti once in a while to keep abreast about the office gossip and God… the girl spoke nonstop. However Preeti’s tirade was a welcome break from her home’s cold silence and she missed the hospital. Preeti also apologised on behalf of Tushar and the other members who were present at the party and they all texted her that they awaited her resuming work in the hospital. Ria was thrilled at finally being accepted…Besides that Preeti also updated her with other hospital chatter like, Tara mavshi’s son was all set to complete his diploma engineering and she was on the seventh heaven. Ria felt happy for the lady…she was uneducated but had slogged her guts out as a single parent to educate her two children. This was her elder son… her daughter had just passed tenth grade with flying colours. Then Preeti also told her about Sudhir who was down with the flu and how the staff made fun about his baggy clothes. Ria chuckled thinking about the loathsome asshole. Swara apparently hadn’t reported for work either from the day of the party. There was some rumour about an engagement on the cards and that she was probably going to resign. Ria was glad the woman was finally settling with someone after the image she had cultivated. Finally Preeti mentioned that the bossman was acting all absent minded… giving same instructions twice and was mostly incognito. Apparently poor Karuna, his assistant was harried out of her wits catering to everything on his behalf…  Ria’s heart skipped a beat and she couldn’t wait for Friday to arrive.

Finally on Friday morning Ria was bouncing in her steps and she couldn’t wait to finish her breakfast and leave for office. Her mother had slightly mellowed down, now that Ria had also received her salary she had immediately transferred some amount to her father’s account and had purchased the monthly grocery for home. She had also purchased a saree for her mother who often bought stuff for herself only if it matched Pooja’s requirement and the later would land up claiming it. Finally her mom smiled as she left for work today. It was only after she reached the bus stop she realised she had left her phone at home for charging and it was switched off as well. 

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

Gaurav had a miserable day it was still Monday… three more days and he would see Ria. He had wanted to enquire about her leg but had chickened out and he had often overheard Keith speak with Ria. He had been envious at the ease in which Keith could speak with her and he had made it a point to convey her well-being every time he spoke with her. It was past midnight and he was still in Karma brooding over a bottle of cognac. It was just an hour more here before he retired to his home. Business in the week days especially in the month of Shravan was fairly low at this time of the hour. So he just had a waiter to wind up things and the others were let off early. That ensured they got their rest before the weekend madness began. As he stared into the amber liquid he realised he had never been so restless before irrespective of what life had thrown. Not even when he had been…. No… he didn’t want to go there. No matter what he did, the innumerable therapy sessions he had been through… he couldn’t yet face his demons. The nightmares still troubled him… Even the very thought of his past brought out the shudders and the burning sensation on his back… but at least now the panic attacks were under control. His therapist had told him to face his past openly and even try medications but he had staunchly refused. His past was just that… his past. Whatever he was now… was a renewed Gaurav who had rebuilt his life and now it revolved around his work in the hospital, Karma and Parijath.

The next day he was early at work, dressed impeccably his appearance giving no indication of his inner turmoil or lack of sleep. He had been lost in thought not reading a word of the file spread open before him… when Karuna came knocking in. Strange, because she always used the intercom…

“Yes Karuna what is it…?”

“…Um… sir you phone has been switched off since the last three days or so and you haven’t been responding to my texts …. Actually there is this meeting with…”

“…Ok … Ok…. Wait a minute… I had left my work phone in the drawer here…when I left last Friday… you know… the day of the party…?” He dug into his pocket and took out the bunch of keys selecting a little one from the lot. “Here… take this and check the second drawer in that shelf…”

Karuna took the keys and did as he said. “…Um…sir…there is no phone here….”

He clearly remembered leaving it there. “It has to be there Karuna…just move the files a bit…” Why was his memory failing him… the blank spell surging in after years… No… No… He remembered locking the drawer after leaving the phone there and he wanted no one to know about his visit to the old hospital where he used his personal phone… a private number to anyone he called, which he never did. He used the landline to communicate with Manek and Keith. He had been so engrossed with his thoughts surrounding Ria and his behaviour towards her that he barely remembered doing anything that evening before going on autopilot to the old building.

“Sir… there is no phone…” Karuna handed over the keys back to him.

“Uh…Ok… just do one thing… put up a request with the concerned department to issue another phone to me…”

“…But sir…if they ask the reason… shouldn’t we report the loss…?”

“…Karuna… let me handle it later Ok…? The work has to go on… So what meeting was it …?”

He had then got busy with back to back meetings for which he was grateful… even before he had reached Karma he was half asleep… he still made time for a glass of his favourite Glenlivet. He was all alone in the lounge tonight except for a couple at the corner table from what he could make out in the dim light…wait the woman looked familiar…  As he had two neat pegs and was about to make a third one… he suddenly felt nausea rising up his gullet. His head started to throb… and he started to palpitate. He sat on the bar-stool with a thud and took out his handkerchief loosening his tie to wipe his brow… Why the hell was he so hot in the usually freezing room… he felt the room spin…No not again…no… he wasn’t a worthless drunk…his father was wrong… no… who was it…someone came close to his face… and then everything was black.

Gaurav woke up with a start as someone sprinkled water over his face. “Sir…are you alright..?”

“Keith…? I… my head is spinning… Fuck… I want to throw up…” What the hell had happened? Why was it so dark here…?

Keith helped him stand up and took him to the washroom. As they entered the lit washroom Keith held him by the shoulders. “Sir… what the fuck….?”

What…? Keith turned him towards the mirror. He looked wide eyed at his reflection… his disorientation gone by now. Apart from his bloodshot eyes, he had scratch marks on his neck… his jacket lapels had been torn on one side and his hands… as he held then up he saw nail marks and Oh My God…light teeth marks on his right palm…and the worst… his- fly- was- open… Fuck… what did actually happen here. He rushed to a cubicle and threw up, retching furiously even as tears stung streamed down his face. Horrible hallucination if this was one…

Keith held his trembling shoulders and he covered himself up as he shuffled outside and plonked on a sofa. He held his pounding head… Keith left him and was back with a wet cloth which he wiped himself with and laid his head on the back rest. Keith sat next to him.

“Keith… what time is it?”

“3AM Sir…”

Oh God he was out for a good two hours at least.

“Sir… do you…remember anything at all?”

“…No… I was just right there… having a scotch and then I got this dizzy spell and I blacked out…wait… there was a couple…” He held his head harder as the pounding increased. Keith handed him a bottle of water which he gulped.

“…Sir I had been waiting in the car as usual. I didn’t see anyone leave… but when I didn’t see you emerge for a while I came in to check and found you like… this…” Keith went to the bar and looked around. “..Sir… you said… you were having the scotch… but there is no sign of the bottle or the glass… there was no waiter…?”

“…only Ram Singh… since there wasn’t anyone arriving I sent the rest of them away. That couple didn’t seem to need anything anyways… Wait… where is Ram Singh…?” The smart waiter was an asset to Karma ever since he had joined the famed lounge six months ago.

Keith rushed to the money box… nothing was stolen. He then dialled a number but swore as he disconnected. “Ran Singh’s phone number apparently doesn’t exist… Sir I think we have to call the police…”

“…NO…No… No police…” he held up his hand frantically. “…No police… no calling Manek too… He is caught up with his wife’s pregnancy blues so don’t have to disturb him… Just check the documents, ledgers and stock…”

After about half an hour Keith reported everything was fine and nothing seemed out of order. “Sir…we should check the CCTV footage… this doesn’t look good…” Of course who but him would know better… He nodded and with great efforts he walked to the monitor as Keith checked the footage right form midnight… but everything was grainy… what the hell. The cameras were working just fine when the technician had checked few weeks ago… Security was always top notch at Karma…

“Keith…just get the cameras checked by the technician tomorrow… And … no breathing a word of this to anyone Ok…?”

“…but sir this doesn’t …”

“…NO… nothing was stolen from here… I don’t want unnecessary police investigation here…”

Keith had relented and they had gone home. The next day he had not reported for work and just made up some excuses for Karuna to handle everything. She definitely deserved a huge raise for keeping up with his tantrums… But he couldn’t go to work or anywhere outside with those marks on his neck and hands. So Manek helped cover at Karma with the other waiters… To Manek he gave an excuse of catching the bug…. In next two days the marks were barely visible in his office clothes. The hand marks were light anyways but they were almost gone especially the teeth marks. For the life of him he couldn’t figure out what the fuck it was all about…

Finally it was Friday and Ria was to join back so was he. Gaurav was excited from the time he had woken up and no matter what…. he did… he couldn’t stop the pounding of his heart. He almost skipped around his house to Keith’s amusement. As he was got ready to go to the hospital, he realized he had missed her terribly at the hospital. He missed seeing her work or seeing her wait outside his cabin or … just see her eyes lit up when she smiled. The almond eyes which looked directly into his soul… the only time he felt his soul was pure and not the black modulus of his existence. He looked into the full length mirror of his bedroom and after a poignant pause, he smiled sadly. No matter what he had to stick to his decision? By Monday he would get a reply from the board of directors about that transfer… He would miss Karma and especially Parijath but Ria mattered the most…

The transfer if approved would take about fifteen days to come through with the formalities. He just hoped he could control himself with Ria around and finally decided not to call or speak with her unless it was extremely essential.

His building intercom rang, the shrill sound resonating in his house getting him out of his reverie. Keith answered after what seemed like ages…

Gaurav walked upto the phone and saw the caller Id… it was the security calling. Why was security calling at 9 AM in the morning?

Keith kept the phone back and looked at him pensively.

“Yes.. Keith?”

“Sir…the p..police are on their way up to the house…”

Police? He shuddered.

The doorbell rang startling him from his thoughts. Keith answered the door and the police walked in. He walked out into the drawing room. There were three of them one of them was the Inspector and the other two looked like constables.

“How may I help you inspector?” Gaurav asked.

“Dr. Chopra, you are under arrest.” the Inspector said

“a… arrest? What for?” He was almost palpitating.

The inspector came ahead up to him and said, “You are under arrest for the rape of Ms. Swara Sawant…”

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.

Chapter 15

Ria kept starting at the closed door, tears streaming down her cheeks… she had been standing like that for a while now with a tiny hope that he would come back. Oh no…she was living in a fool’s paradise… A lot of time had lapsed since he had shut that door the sound still reverberating in her heart and she had been glued to the floor, the throbbing of her leg notwithstanding. Why Gaurav Why?? What is troubling you?

She looked back at the melted kulfi…he had been an epitome of self-control at dinner as they had barely spoken but beneath his calm exterior there was a storm brewing as she saw in his restless poise. It was as if he wanted to say something but held back… It was like he spoke to her in a hundred silent ways.  And… what was that out of context monologue when he left?

One week? He actually gave her an off…? She wondered what her colleagues would say. No… she wasn’t going to bother anymore about anyone. Though her heart thundered with anxiety building up at the mere thought she realised she had changed to an extent that she didn’t really care anymore and it was just the first step hiccups that she was facing.  She sat on the couch finally reliving her throbbing leg of the burden and looked at the calendar hanging in the corner of the wall. She limped her way to the wall and smiled as she marked a circle over the date 29th July… the day she had her fall resulting in immense pain but it was also the day her life changed hopefully for the better. Yes there were loads of obstacles but she was sure she would tide over it… there were women like Kalyani out there who faced hardships every step of the way. That gave her the needed solace. She only hoped she could control her bubbling feeling for her bossman especially when she returned to office next Friday.

HOwever, Gaurav was avoiding her, she realized with dismay. Her heart sank… he had behaved as if he couldn’t wait to get away from her. She knew he was hiding a lot from the outside world and lived in a shell which couldn’t be penetrated. She wanted to get to know him…the real him. There was a lot more to him than what he projected and he intrigued her. She had seen tiny bits of the real him in the last two days and wanted more. But in one corner of her mind there was a doubt… what if she grossly misread him? What if he was just being kind? Just like he was to Kalyani and others at Parijaath?

Overcome with emotion she moved towards her bedroom and fell on her soft bed beginning to give way to the pent up throes of tugged heartstrings. There was no one at home to hear her and she let go… she sobbed into her pillow till she was hoarse… and didn’t stop till it was late in the night and sleep consumed her.

The next three days passed in a blur. She rested most of the time for first two days. Both the days Keith dedicatedly came with food for her thrice a day even though she refused help. She was now easily able to walk around the house and could cook as well. But Keith didn’t respond and only smiled infact had his meals with her. She loved his company though and they spoke a lot on various topics. Keith was so knowledgeable and frequently discussed her career plans with her… they spoke about recipes over which they bonded. Ria learnt a lot of variations in traditional recipes that could be made by just tweaking the ingredients a little. But neither Keith nor she spoke anything about the perennial elephant in the room… Gaurav. She yearned to ask Keith about him but her lips were sealed. Her parents were to arrive on the third day. She didn’t want to create a scene when she spoke to them about breaking off her engagement. Luckily for her Keith didn’t turn up that day… God bless him to have understood her predicament he had finally relented, she thought.

She had to tie up many lose ends. One of the two days, Preeti called her and profusely apologised on the phone. Ria told her bits and pieces on getting hurt and ruining her dress but omitted the information pertaining to Gaurav. The lesser the people knew the better it was. Thankfully, Preeti was so overcome with guilt that she didn’t bother anything beyond Ria forgiving her and that she did. If she forgave her indiscretions on being drunk, Preeti was the only friend Ria had and she needed one desperately when she had to move out. Preeti wholeheartedly supported her decision and promised to hunt for hostels for Ria.  Vikram didn’t call her either. Good riddance, she thought. It would make things easy when she told her parents.

Her thoughts always converged at Gaurav. She wanted to call or text him especially after Keith had got her phone repaired … But whenever she thought about him, it now gave her a strange kind of peace… She couldn’t wait for her leave to get over to have a glimpse of him…it would make her day. Even if he had decided to have nothing to do with her anymore….

Her feeling of euphoria was short-lived with the arrival of her parents and a beaming Pooja. As expected they didn’t noticed her slight limp and she didn’t bother telling them either. Her parents were ranting and raving about their new would-be son in law Anand. Anand this and Anand that. Finally, at the end of the day when they had finished with dinner, she insisted they all gather in the living room. Her father was irritated. “Ria we are very tired with the journey. We need to sleep. Can’t your thing wait till tomorrow morning?”

Ria sighed. Though she was well planned and rehearsed about breaking the news to her parents, she was starting to get cold feet. But she knew she had to do it. It was now or never. She looked at her father and said, “appa, this is very important, otherwise I wouldn’t have bothered you.”

“Okay… go on. But make it quick.” Her father sat on the couch and her mom joined him. Pooja who was talking to her fiancé also cut the call short and came to the room.

Ria stood in front of them and with her heart pounding, said, “Amma, Appa, Pooja…um…I have …decided to call of my wedding…”

“WHAT….” Her father bellowed. “… What did you just say?”

Pooja stood and went up to her. “Is this some sort of a joke akka? I am in no mood for this entire nonsense ok?”

Ria’s throat was clogged with emotions. “No… I am serious. I… I can’t be with Vikram anymore. I… don’t like him at all.”

Her father abruptly stood up fury raging in his eyes and walked up to her. “What is not there to like about Vikram. He is an IT professional earning well. He is handsome and belongs to a respectable Iyer family. And… The most important factor, he has agreed to marry a plain dark skinned girl like YOU”

What??

Ria began to cry. For all her newly acquired bravado she couldn’t help it. She felt terrible but knew she couldn’t let go this moment. “Appa, I don’t like him. I can’t imagine spending my life with him. I agreed…only because you were worried about Pooja. But she is engaged now. So… problem solved. I don’t… don’t want to get married.” She said trying to compose herself.

Her father’s tone was on the rise. He looked at his wife and spoke, “Gayathri, can you put some sense into this girl’s head? What on earth has gotten into her? ….” Then looking back at Ria, he continued, “… You idiot, you are not going to get a better match with those looks of yours. Pooja’s marriage has been fixed but what will people say when they hear that the older sister has called off her wedding? What will they think of Pooja? What will they think of our family? You…you are going to do NO SUCH THING. Your wedding will take place as scheduled.”

Scheduled?

“…. What do you mean scheduled, appa? When did you schedule my wedding? When was the date fixed?” Ria spoke in hurt and desperation.

“We spoke with Vikram’s parents yesterday before leaving for the station. Their family purohit was visiting. He said, the 25th of September…that is …about two months from now is a very auspicious day….”

“…Just cancel it appa. It isn’t late.” Ria pleaded.

“Ria… “, it was her mother this time. “… Ria, why are you doing this to us? It’s your good fortune that Vikram agreed to this match. It’s a match made in heaven. He is even ok with you working after marriage. He …he has agreed that … you will give us half your monthly salary, wherever you work. His parents have even agreed that we don’t give those couple of necklaces and bangles to you. We can keep it for Pooja. So, you see, it’s not just about you. Stop being selfish Ria. Think about us too”

What? She was selfish? They wanted her to be tied to Vikram just for her salary? And Vikram agreed? If only she could tell her appa everything about his dutiful Vikram… but then she would have to reveal even about the night in Parijath…

“Amma, Appa, you can keep the jewellery even the bracelet I had purchased last year… and I will give you half of my salary every month throughout my life if you just call of this wedding….”

“…That’s enough Ria…” her father said turning to go to his bedroom. “…there will be no more discussion on this.”

He went in followed by her mother.

Pooja stood rigid with anger and told her, “Akka…. why are you doing this to me? Wait… are you jealous?”

“Jealous … about what Pooja?” She couldn’t believe it… her little sister was also blaming her.

“Since childhood you have always felt I had the better deal. Amma, appa showered their affection more on me or gave me more. But don’t you think I deserved it? Just look at you. You dress up like a plain Jane. How will any guy like you? How will a guy be physically attracted to you? But that’s not the case with me. You know it. So now… you are jealous. And… You want to mess my wedding plans…” Pooja went to their room in a huff.

Ria plunked on the couch stunned to even cry any more. She chuckled at the irony of the situation. She was being selfish, and jealous? She …who had always lived for her family, she…who had always tried to be the dutiful daughter…. who had always kept her family first…was called selfish? Ria hugged herself, feeling tormented. The only vision of those intense black eyes boring into hers as they spoke volumes… when she closed her eyes, gave her calm. She decided…. no matter what…. she would call off her wedding and with another month move out of the house.

 If only she could connect with Vikram. She shuddered remembering the day he had tried to get physical with her…. NO…. she blocked that thought. Her arm and left boob he had grabbed that night, pained with mere thought of his hands on her. She decided to try and speak with him at the earliest. She had to… before her parents interfered some more. That’s it… if he didn’t bother to return her calls then textual break up it is…She typed him a message.

‘Dear Vikram,

I am done. I am calling off our engagement. We are two different people and don’t seem to agree on anything… there is no common ground to continue further. Its better we separate than languish in a loveless tussle called marriage. I wish you well. I would have preferred to have met you in person for the exchange of our rings and though I hate asking repeatedly, I would appreciate if you return the money you had borrowed for your bike…

Regards,

Ria.’

That did the trick and her phone rang in the next five minutes.

“Hey whats wrong…?”

“Vikram… we are wrong… as a couple…”

“No…No Ria… there is a misunderstanding here… Is it about that… night? I was drunk ok…? And I apologised didn’t i…?”

He didn’t get it at all…

“No Vikram… I have made my decision. It’s not just that night… We aren’t compatible at all… we both want different things in life…”

“…But my parents and your’s just fixed the date…” He sounded hurt.

“…See… that’s what I said. I wasn’t consulted at all… we can’t be tied like this Vikram…”

“…look…look Ria…just think about this a little more OK? Pooja and your parents… just think about them… Look…I am in Delhi…” When did he go there? “… I will be back next Friday and we can then meet… but till then just… wait OK…?” He sounded worried. What the hell?

“Fine Vikram… I will wait till Friday and after that… it’s done… And don’t you dare go complaining to my Appa…because he has no say in this…” She disconnected without waiting to hear from him and switched off her phone.

As she slept that night on the couch, she felt a strange calmness descend on her being and she slept well after hours of turmoil…

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.