arshi SS : Hamesha ~ A heartbeat away, Chapter 24

Chapter 24

"di main aapko kabhi kuch nahi hone dunga".. He promised di nothing bad would happen. One hand held the steering wheel steady and the other ran through his hair.

(I won't let anything bad ever happen to you)

The white SUV coruscated against the blazing sun. The occupants inside had not said anything out loud since they had sat inside. The horn blared, jarring, insistent, as the car cut sharply to the left. The driver was quite clearly impatient.

A bright red chunari with golden gota was tied to the mirror. It flapped with a frantic intensity, due to the veering motion of the car. Ostentatious and conspicuously out of place, in the otherwise sleek, urbanely male interior of the car, it remained.

"chup karo chote.. Humein ye devi maiyya ki chunari tumhari gari mein lagane do. Otherwise I will stop talking to you..".. di's eyes had twinkled as she delivered that threat.

(keep quiet.. Let me tie this holy cloth)

Arnav Singh Raizada had no idea where Shyam might have taken Anjali. From the time Khushi's dad had spoken, an added sense of urgency weighed upon ASR. A desperation had entered his search to get to di.

Beside him, his usually garrulous companion was silent too. Her vividly colorful lime green and periwinkle kurti had shiny stuff too, ASR took note. Khushi Kumari Gupta always had some shiny stuff somewhere around her.

She was chewing her lip, her hand stretched out to grip the dashboard.

"aaj bhi humein tez gari se dar lagta hai". He had been attempting to apologize when she had spilled this secret.

(Till today I am afraid of fast cars)

He remembered. ASR lifted his foot a fraction off the accelerator.

"don't slow down Arnavji. hum thik hain", her lips were pressed together in resolve.

(I am alright)

He gave a sharp nod, and put his foot back. The car zoomed forward.

This time it was ASR's phone that broke the silence. The urgency conveyed itself even in the vibration. He placed it on speaker, needing both his hands to maneuver the car.

"bhai did you hear form di? Any idea yet?", came Akash's worried voice from the other end. It filled the confined space of the SUV with what had remained unspoken. Di was no where to be found. And ASR had no idea where to reach her.

"No, not yet", came his crisp reply. No trace of the panic his insides were in, was visible on the outside. Only a slight impatience to get to the task at hand. Still staring ahead, weaving through the traffic he asked, "Akash did you get the commissioner on the phone?"

Akash confirmed he had. Then added, "bhai tell Khushiji her babuji is able to talk. The doctor has asked him not to exert, but after this initial break through the doctor is hopeful that babuji will recover soon. Payal wanted Khushi to know..".

"hum sun rahe hai jeejaji.. I heard you..", Khushi spoke up. Her voice shook slightly. Her hand rose in quick fervent prayer. "hey devi maiyya", she chanted.

ASR slammed the breaks and faced her. "Shyam will pay for what he did. I will make sure he pays for it".

It was Khushi's turn to nod this time. She had no doubt that Arnavji would do as he promised.

"Akash I am going towards Shyam's flat in greater Kailash. Call me as soon as you find something."

As the car sped up a rising storm of dust left its trail behind.

"ma.. ma... "

He was running, as if his life depended on it, when the second bullet had pierced the silence heralded by the first. This time a dissonance of shouts had played. There were more legs and a jumble of bodies moving towards that sound, but he still ran. He was too late.

"Arnavji..", a soft whisper broke through his diurnal nightmare. "aap chinta mat kijiye. You will find her.."

(you don't worry)

"main di ka khayal nahi rakh paya Khushi. I failed her", inside, he felt as hollow as his voice.

(I couldn't not take care of di)

"don't say that Arnavji. You know it is not true." She said equally sincere in her denial.

"main sach dekh nai paya...", his fist slapped the steering wheel. "All those years back I didn't see.. And after all this time I made the same mistake. Maine us insaan ko di ki zindagi mein aane kaise diya dammit?"

( I could not see the the truth)

(How could I let that man enter into my di's life dammit?)

"How would you have known?", Khushi asked extremely concerned at the agony apparent on his visage.

"nahi Khushi.. It is my fault.. I should have seen.. mujhe aur dhyam dena chahiye the.. It's just.. That di khushi thi.. aur jab di khush hoti hai toh aisalagta hai ki sab thik hai.. Khushi I utterly failed her.. main kuch nai kar paya.. phir kisike karan di dukhi thi aur main kuch nai kar paya"

(no.. I should have payed more attention.. di was happy.. and when di gets happu it's as if everything becomes okay. I could do nothing. again because of someone di was sad and I could do nothing)

Khushi helplessly watched. He was suffering.

How could she forget the siblings sitting on the temple steps that day.. "hamesha ukhda ukhda".. di had giggled finally, while singing the silly song.. nai devi maiyya.. nothing bad could happen to Arnavji's di..

(always aloof and brooding)

"humein bharosa hai.. di thik hongi.. wo aapse bahut pyar karti hai Arnavji.. When she has you by her side she will not need anyone else. Sab thik ho jayega".

(I have faith. di is fine. she loved you very much. everything will be fine)

Khushi meant it with all her heart. His strength, love and sheer will power made one feel strong in his presence. di would gain strength from it too.

"kuch thik nahi hota hai Khushi Kumari Gupta. Kuchi bhi kabhi bhi thik nahi hota hai". His face had grown grimmer if possible.

(Nothing becomes fine . nothing ever becomes fine)

Khushi cringed at the violence in his words. What could she possibly say to make it better?

chal maiyya ke bhawan bhawan.. her phone sang loudly.

In her nervousness the phone fumbled from her hands and fell down. She tried to reach it, but couldn't seem to bend enough. She struggled harder, the phone continued to ring. She was scared he would get angrier.

A strangled sob escaped her, that she tried to choke back. Still her fingertips could only skim the back of her phone, where it lay just out of her reach near her jaipuri silver jooti.

He must have noticed and had enough. The car screeched to a halt. He leant forward and undid her seatbelt.

"apna phone uthao", his voice was grainy and curt. There was no flickr of smile in the hidden recesses of his eyes. There was only a rising tempest that unsettled her.

chal maiyya ke bhawan bhawan.. Oblivious to the rising agitation in her, the phone continued to ring.

"hayloo".. She said into the mouthpiece. She was a little too lost to recognize the voice at the other end.

The man was saying an awful lot of things and they did not make much sense until she jerked upright. Was he really saying..

"Happyji?", she questioned.

"Ha Khushiji..", the voice was familiar and comforting now that she knew who it was.

She listened for a few seconds before handing over the phone to Arnavji.

"Arnavji di is in buaji's house. Happyji says he saw Shyamji take her there.. Aap baat kijiye.."

(you talk)

Happyji had said he saw buaji's paying guest come in with the Raizada's daughter. He had thought is strange that the man should return, specially when everyone was out.

In fact, It was quite by chance that he was in the big courtyard. Buaji had instructed him to make sure the cows did not wander in to eat the flower decorations. He had been busy making sure no cow ate what it was not supposed to, when he saw the odd unwanted guest arrive.

devi maiyya.. Aapka lakh lakh shukr hai.. Now they knew where di was. Arnavji would find a way to deal with all of this.

(thank you so much)

They had been quite close to Lakshminagar when Happyji's call had come. The SUV had grown wings and the few miles were covered in minutes.

"Khushi call Akash. Tell him where Shyam is. Tell him to call the police. And stay in the car". Arnavji ordered, as they made the final turn that would lead to their destination.

"nai Arnavji I can't let you go inside alone. hum bhi aapke sath jayenge". She was all ready to insist.

"shup up Khushi. I can't risk it.. samjhi tum? tum gari mein rahogi and that's it". She shivered. The strict words had not masked the vulnerability behind.

(understood? you will stay in the car)

She persisted valiantly. "nahi hum aapke"..

(no I will)

"dammit Khushi.. Listentme.. Agar tumhe kuch ho gaya toh main jee nahi paunga.. So I need to know you are safe.. And I can focus on getting di..", he held her by her shoulders and shook her slight frame.

He had parked right in the middle of the narrow road outside the Gupta house and had slammed the door and raced towards the house.

****

Anjali sat huddled tottering on the edge of a wooden chair. Should she be worried that she felt nothing? Absolutely nothing, staring at the man she had wanted to deify every moment for the part three years. She had worshipped this man.. At this moment it felt impossible..

Shyamji wore a maniacal grin as he polished the gun in his hand. He had proudly stated it was a colt 89. She wondered if that meant it would make death more painful or easier. Well, it didn't matter. Nothing did.

Had she really loved this fiend? Lied to her brother to come meet Shyamji. What had she hoped for? A miracle? How gullible was she really?

When Shyamji called her, she felt like she had heard his voice after years. He had been sweet as ever and begged her to come outside. Meet her once. She had wanted desperately to believe that there was something he could say that would make it all better.

"rani sahiba humein yakeen tha you would come with me. Humare bharosa ko nahi tutne diya aapne".

(I was certain you would come. you did not let my trust break)

Her chair creaked as she shifted. In a flash, the gun was pointing at her, and the grin was replaced with a ruthless impassive stare. She meant nothing to him. There was no familiar flikr of recognition. There was apathy.

"toh.. rani sahiba ab aapka itna haq toh banta hai ki you come to know why you are here. I underestimated Arnav.. Humein laga tha wo aapki baat maan kar mujhe Shantivan mein rehne denge. Well it didn't go as I planned. So now I have run out of time and unfortunately you have to go... away for good."

(so you have this much right.. I thought he will listen to you and let me remain in Shanitvan..)

She watched him. He stood a few feet away, but it felt like he had receded into a blurred past. His words reached her, but they evoked no emotion.

"You see rani sahiba.. I can no longer waste time playing nice. Aapne bahut sath diya humara, par ab I need this last thing from you .. I"

(you were by my side for long but)

The door swung open and ASR came to a halt. The gun from Shyam's hand had swivelled towards the brother before returning back to the sister.

"Shyam.. you..", ASR snarled.

"aayiye saale saab.. I had not expected you so soon.. Par ab let us end this story once and for all."

(come)

"I will rip you apart if you dare lay a hand on di.." , ASR spat out the words, but did not move a muscle. Shyam had grabbed onto Anjali by her hair and had the gun trained at her temple.

The gun felt cold next to her skin. Hard and cold. Would death feel cold? Had her mother felt cold when she used a gun to take her own life, Anjali found herself wonder.

"oh saale saab.. Don't worry. If you can't see me hurt rani sahiba, then I will kill you off first. Yehi thik rahega.. And don't take one step further or I pull this trigger." In an off hand manner Shad had threatened to kill Arnav.

Kill chote? Her chote? The words found a way through the muddled haze of thoughts and awoke something primal in Anjali. She started to fidget. There was no way Shyamji could kill chote..

Shyam grasp tightened giving her no room to move.

"bas kijiye rani sahiba. Atleast for these last minutes of your life do not irritate me. The plan is simple. I need to kill you both. Do you know why I am here? Saale saab you pride yourself on your astute thinking do you know what happens next?"

(enough)

"Shyamji let chote go. I am here with you.. Let him go", she was ready to plead.

Ignoring her plea, the fiend continued. "What happens next is I kill you both. And Anjali will have her finger prints on this gun". He thrust the gun into her hands, keeping it locked under him.

"For the world.. history is going to repeat itself tonight. Apni ma ki tarah apni beti aatma hatya karegi. Ooh Anjali Jha could not bear her husband falling for another woman, so she killed herself. She came to the other woman's house.. Aur us dusri aurat ke ghar mein unhone apne aap ko khatam kar diya."

(like her mother her daughter will commit suicide. In the other womans house she finished herself off)

ASR made a move evidently lunging towards Shyam, but Shyam had moved the gun at him.

"chote stop..", Anjali pleaded, terrified now.

"I even had buaji's key from last time. You do know I stayed here? Andar waha humara kamra tha." Shyam continued talking.

(inside there was my room)

"Tomorrow's news will have this headline.. millionaire kills himself after seeing his sister dead. After all your future bride is having an affair with your jeejaji.. A double suicide... its almost poetic, don't you think? a tragedy."

Anjali could hear the shehnai playing in her head.

"humein aapse bahut pyar karte hai Anjaliji. I will keep you like a queen.. Ranishiba.. Humari ranisahiba.."

This man, who was training the gun at her chote was sitting on the temple steps asking her hand in marriage. She had sobbed and told him how her mother and father had taken their own lives. She had trusted him with the truth. And he was mocking it. How had she ever made the mistake of trusting him?

"when I get my hands on you.."

Anjali almost wanted to smile. Her chote.. He never gave up.. Always the fire to beat the adversary. Always the desire to fix every broken thing. No.. Chote was bursting with life.. An evil man like Shyamji would not be able to touch him.. He was insignificant.. Strange enough for her, Anjali was certain that the night would not end with chote getting hurt. devi maiyya could not be this harsh..

"by then you will be dead. Anjali ji already had her will made. In the eyes of the law, as her surviving heir I will get everything. Aur yehi nai Arnav.. I will get Khushi.. Arre koi bari baat thore hai.. One little slip .. Kaun thi wo dusri aurat.. Aur Khushi.. Bechari Khushiji ki toh puri zindagi hi barbad ho gayi na.. Who will marry her then? Aur aap toh mar chuke honge. You would have committed suicide. Poor mausaji can't even talk. They will need someone to hold their hand. Don't worry, I will take good care of Khushiji. I will keep her happy jaisa ki main itne saal ranisahiba ko.. "

(and not only that Arnav.. its no big deal..who was the other woman.. and Khushi.. poor Khushiji will have her whole life ruined.. and you will be dead..how I kept ranishahiba happy all these year)

With a deafening roar ASR attacked Shyam at the exact instant that the door opened further and Khushi came running in.

"Arnavji.. di".. Shyam's concentration had flickered towards Khushi . The split second was enough for ASR to knock the gun out of Shyam's hand, even as it struck ASR across his temple.

"chote..".. Di had pushed Shyam away with all her might, horrified to see the blood. ASR paused briefly to make sure di was fine, before he directed his wrath at Shyam.

Vaguely he registered Khushi rush to di. He wanted to focus on Shyam. He wanted to see him in pain. Hell! He wanted to kill Shyam with his bare hands. Bring him unimaginable pain. Most definitely would have if Akash didn't show up.

"bhai.. di.. aap thik hai?" Akash had burst in with the police close behind. Things were happening quickly. They separated ASR from Shyam.

(are you okay?)

Khushi had come close peering at ASR's cut. She lifted her dupatta to wipe of the trickle of blood, but he stopped her.

"I thought I said tum gari mein rahogi".

(you will remain in the car)

"I reached at the exact time Arnavji.", she flared up. "aapko kya lagta hai? Only you care? I don't ? What if something happened to you or di.. Toh hum..", her voice broke and refused to put the unthinkable into words.

(what do you think.. otherwise I..)

His temper had subsided. Full of tenderness his hand rested on her shaking shoulder. "shh.. I am fine Khushi"..

"no you are not.. ye.. ye khoon hai.. you are hurt..", adamant and agitated she shook his hand away and used her dupatta to dab at the would. He let her.

(this.. this is blood)

His eyes moved back to di. Akash had brought her a glass of water that she was taking sips from.

di was okay.. di was in front of her..

The dupatta reached a particularly raw spot on the wound. ASR winced. Khushi panicked some more.. devi maiyya.. came a hushed whisper from her as she blew even more softly into the wound. His ma would do that when he would hurt his knee while playing.

He felt bile rising from the pits of his stomach to the back of his throat. He forced himself to take a deep breath and swallow. His prominent adam's apple bobbled down.

di was right here..

Out of nowhere came a voice no one wanted to hear. One that had been laced with poison and greed.

"rani sahiba humein maaf kar dijiye..", Shyam had made a movement towards Anjali. ASR wanted to gauge his eyes out, but waited for di's reaction. Did she still think this man was redeemable?

(forgive me)

Clearly not. Anjali remained unmoved. Unwavering and frozen, she calmly stared right back at her husband. The man who had been seconds away from killing her and passing it off as suicide groveled before her. She remained impassive.

"saale saab think about it .. If I go to jail your di will no longer have a marriage.. Arnav humari baat suniye.. I .. I don't know what came over me.. Stop the police.. Humein maaf kar dijiye.. Forgive me..", he had flung himself on the floor and wrapped his hands around ASR's ankles refusing to let go.

(listen to me.. forgive me)

"Get your filthy hands off me Shyam. If you want to stay alive get out of my sight", he barely spared the sorry excuse of a man a single glance.

"Arnav Singh Raizada does not do forgiveness. Take him away".

The police led Shyam out. His body had sagged. No longer playing the master mind, he was a broken weakling. He was nothing.

It was all over. di was safe.

He turned to look at his di.

In a surreal slow motion, Anjali's body swayed, before falling limp into Khushi's terrified arms.

arshi SS : Hamesha ~ A heartbeat away, Chapter 23

Chapter 23

It was promising to be one of those mornings where silver tufts of clouds peppered an azure sky. The leaves on the trees bristled in the gentle breeze. Dew drops clinging softly tot the blooming plush petals.

Om prakash and Mohan had been delegated the work of draping satin curtains around the madap. Then the fabric would be pulled closer together and tied to the orante columns with crocheted lace ropes in the darkest shades of lilac. The rest of the hired workers were decorating the other spaces, but the mandap needed a hand from the family. Mamaji had decided Om Prakash and Mohan would do the honours.

They hadn't stepped away from work since sunrise. However, catching the opportune moment, unsupervised, they had pulled up the carved, pearly white, wrought iron chairs, meant for the banquet table.

"Hum toh bahute hi pehle se janat the ki Arnav bhaiya aur Khushi didi will get married". OP announced with a smug smile.

Of course, he had not considered remotely the possibility of being challenged. Mohan sharply cut him off. "Hum hi toh sabse pehle janat rahe".

OP found himself getting irritated. Ignoring Mohan's obnoxious claim he launched right into his story. "I have know all along. Diwali ka samay tha and Khushi didi ko dhanteras ka gifat chahiye tha. Humahi toh oo detergent packet Arnav bhaiya ko chupke chupke jaan pe khelke lake diyat rahe. He had given instructions koi dekh na le. Naniji, mamiji..from everyone's eyes I only hid the packet. Aur baad mein samajh aaya.. He put 2 silver coins in it, for Khushi didi".

He was complacent with the effect the story must have had. He waited for his friend to show wide eyed wonder, but the reaction was not as expected. Mohan clearly thought he was winning.

"You?", OP asked disbelieving the atrocious assertion.

"Haa..hum naahi to ka tum?". Mohan settled down, his hands supporting his head, while his legs stretched out in front of him. He stared out into the sky, satisfying himself of the pregnant pause before he started.

"Aree it must have been her first week in AR.. Khushi bhabhi was made to stand in the rain by Arnav bhaiya...Alone in that parking lot. DO you know unhe aati gari se kis hero ne bachaya? Humare Arnav bhaiya".

Mohan was apparently the better story teller of the two, because OP had pulled his chair closer. He did make sure the carmine velvet seat covers did not get wrinkled. He urged his friend on.

"After that when we were going home raate bhar Khushi bhabhi kept saying all sorts of things about Arnav bhaiya. Same jaisan filmo mein howat hai. Hum toh tab hi se keh rahe hai ki pyar toh hona hi tha". Mohan ended his story with a florish.

OP was not giving up. "I know more about her. Humare sath oo luka chupi khelat hai. So many times I have protected Khushi didi from his anger. Arree ekahi baar toh humne didi ko Arnav bhaiya ke room mein bhi band kar diya tha. Lock ghumai ke".

"ha you keep calling her didi. Humlog ki toh wo bhabhi ban gayi hai", Mohan instigated.

Things would have heaten up, and the mandap decoration halted for longer, hand not mamaji returned. "din bhar eeha baithat rehna ka mahurat naai hai. Get up and work!"

OP and Mohan scurried up from their chairs. Each picked an edge of the sheer fuschsia drapes that seemed to be sprinkled with the palest of star dust.

"Hello hi bye bye Anjali bitiya bher eej?", Manorama shashayed upto her husband.

He questioned her with a thoughtful air, "Mano tumko ka lagat hai ekdum se hi Khushi bitiya Arnav bitwa se shadi karat hai?"

Conveniently forgetting her surprise from a few weeks back Manorama eyed her husband amicably. "Aap toh shutupiya hi kar liyo. Humka toh kabse lagat hai ki phatee saree making housejwa Arnav bitwa ke clojet ma".

At her own clever joke Manorama decided to laugh loudly.

****

"Humari phool jaisan titiliya ko god mein uthai lai rahe. That time itself I had known that oo Raijaddan will be with out sanka devi. Dono hi thore mann mauji rahat hai nand kissore".

Buaji had poured herself a large glass of water from the crystal decanter. She had huffed and puffed her way into Anjali's room, where the Gupta's were going to get ready. Really these raijadans had too many stairs! It must take athe whole day to get from one portion of the house to the other..

Her eyes caught the rows of glass bangles on Anjali's dressing table. Buaji eyed the, with longing. If only her wrist was slightly smaller she would have borrowed a few for the wedding.

Garima, staggering under the weight of a dozen shopping bags, followed her sister-in-law into the room. With a mischievous smile she teased, "par jeeji if you knew from before then why did you fint unki shadi ki khabar sunkar?"

Buaji twisted Garima's ear, "dulham ki amma majak urawat hai nand kisore".

"di..di naniji ko aapse kaan hain", NK had barged in expecting Anjali inside.

"hain.. Kaan hainn?", buaji exclaimed still holding on to Garima's ear.

Garima tried to pacify her over excited sister-in-law. Her gestures went completed unnoticed by the lady.

"babua kaan nahi .. kaam hai", she corrected, extricating herself out of buaji's grasp.

"Same difference..that's it", NK grinned at Khushi's amma.

"Arre come inside babua. We are talking about Arnav bitwa and Khoosi bitiyas jodi". Buaji was smiling fondly at him.

"nai.. Mujhe kaan.. I mean kaam hai", NK panicked, like he always did in front of the over friendly old lady.

"hai re nand kisore bahutehi sharmat ho babua. Come here and sit. Tumako shaadi waadi karni hai ki naahi".

NK decided it was time to drop the niceties, and bolted out of there, fearing for his bachelor life.

****

The poolside was a riot of colors too. Flowers in full bloom made the place beautiful. The ripples in the clear water that refracted to the sunlight cast faint patterns on the far end wall. The moved and flickered, and in the blink of an eye took other surreal shapes. Nature had made sure the place held magic. The brooding gardener was bringing home his coveted sunflower.

"It is strange Lakshmiji. Lakshminagar has been my home only for a year. Gomti sadan humara ghar tha, but I am going to miss Lakshminagar as much as I miss Gomti Sadan.. Our mithai ki dukaan.. Devi maiyya hum jante hai hum zyada baatein kar re hain par humein toh wo kone wale chane wale bhaiya ki bhi yaad aayega.. Aur buaji ke ghar ke bahar brush karte hue happiyji se baat karna.."

"You can talk to me every morning Khushi", he was leaning against the entrance to the poolside, watching her. Arnavji was in that dark vest of the coarse fabric that Khushi wanted to run her hands over.

"And you can go back to buaji's house whenever you want to", his voice had grown serious.

"laad governor.. Abhi se humein apne se dur bhejne ki baatein kar re hai", she muttered darkly.

"I don't want to go anywhere away from you. I will always be with you Arnavji, samjhe aap?", she glared at him.

"Hamesha?", he was happy.

"Hamesha", she scampered up and held his hand for a second before letting it go with a jerk. 

"Haw!", her hand clamped on her delectable mouth.

He was amused as always, and curious enough to ask, "what the!?"

"aaj humari shadi hai Arnavji", her hands flew in the air widely.

"hmm.. I know that darling..", his eyes sparkled with a devilish gleam as he murmured. "In case you forgot I have been looking forward to tonight".

She shivered, and it had nothing whatsoever to do with the temperature outside.

"paar.. Di had said larka larki can't meet before the wedding.. You shouldn't be here", she admonished. Almost ready to drag him out of his own room.

"Achcha.. Aur kaun rokega mujhe?", his eyes arched high in lazy defiance.

She felt a little faint. It might be because she needed some food. It was equally possibly that he was too close. She was surely getting lost in the shiny darkness of those eyes, and forgetting to breathe.

Specially in a sombre tone when he added, "And Khushi the wedding is for you, for di.. Mere liye you are already the girl I will spend my entire life with."

He was playing with his ma's kangan, that never left her daughter-in-law's hand. His eyes held a fervent emotion, blazing with as much vitality as the sun. She smiled back content. Her eyes held a timeless promise, tranquil as the moonlight.

"Maa.. Maaa" Lakshmiji had gotten herself entangled in the flower garlands left near the poolside. Laughing Khushi went to help unravel Lakshmiji.

She missed the tender expression on Arnavji's face as he sat down on the poolside recliner. 

His eyes glistened with memories of the girl in fairy lights. They had blinked right at him and held him hypnotized. She had quivered at his touch, her eyes tumultous.

"Arnavji dulha dulhan ke liye toh kuch karne ko hi nahi hota shadi ke din. Hum toh joote bhi chura nahi sakte. It's more fun in others wedding hai na?"

She had come near the chair as she was speaking. Smooth and swift he pulled her on his lap. Her heartbeat thundered in her ears..dhak dhak dhak..

"If you are bored there is a lot the bride and groom can do today". He tilted her chin staring right into her eyes. Then tantalizingly slow he brushed his lips against hers. She closed her eyes and sucked in her breath. Her hand had skimmed against her back. Intimate and knowledgeable in its touch.

"di..", she yelled. He did not exactly let go but was distracted enough to turn towards the room. She got up with a giggle, blushing madly..

"laad governor.. Devi maiyya.." and dashed away. Not before turning to take one look at the man she loved. Madly. Wildly. With the intensity of the oceans, certainty of the lands and boundless like the skies above. Like a never ending prayer, like an everlasting dream. Like the hamesha of heartbeats.

****

"Manorama, my old eyes had spotted Khushi bitiya in that first meeting. Lukhnow se aur itni meethi boli".

Deviyani Raizada kept arranging items on the silver puja thal as she conti

nued talking to her daughter-in-law. Chandan, akshat, kumkum. She mentally ticked off each item. Anjali bitiya would know where the kapoor was kept.

"Jis din Payal bitiya aur oo mithai rahaein.. Remember that was Anjali's anniversary.. Aur damadji as usual had left.. Anjali bitiya was in tears". She had gone sad as she spoke, but went on. "Aapan umar se itti samajhdar baatein karat rahi Khushi bitiya. And also Payal bitiya. Both sisters will keep our boys and our home very happy. "

With a wail Manorma lowered her head onto her mother-in-law's lap. "humare bitiya je sang ee ka hui gava sasuma? How comej we nat isseeing damaadji ka karat rahein behind backwas".

Deviyani Raizada felt a terrible sadness steal over her. She patiently patted her daighter-in-law. She meant well, after all.

"Sab theek ho jayega Manorama. We will all be there for our bitiya".

Sniffing Manorama raised her head, nodding vehemently. Then a thought struck her, and the worry for Anjali dissipated a little. "Aap janat rahi saasumaa? Naahi naahi.. Telling lies crow coming to bite.. Humhi hi toh apko shadi ke khatir manawat rahein. Ab aap humari impartance ko mindwa kar lijiye sassuma."

Deviyani shook her head indulgent of her for once.

"Mamiji..naniji.. Have you seen di?", Khushi had come inside. Her face was flushed and vibrant. What a pretty bride she would make, the old lady thought with deep affection.

****

"Par Akash if you won't talk to me .. Main tumhe kaise bataunga ki I think nannav and Khushi toh wo pehle fall ke baad hi perfect couple ban gaye the.. You know "

NK was following a still angry Akash towards ASR's poolside. Akash had gotten his sneakers back, but the exchange had also involved a lot of money.

"NK bhai in case you forgot you just stole my shoe", Akash scowled at his cousin you was waving a thick bundle of crisp new notes with a flourish.

ASR with his usual common sense noted, " Akash this is your house and those are regular shoes. Why didn't you just go wear another pair dammit?"

Akash blinked a couple of times trying to process how stupid he had been.

"ye pyar ka kamaal hai. Larke bilkul hairan preshan hai". Nk was least bothered and busy counting the money.

"Arnavji we can't find di anywhere". Khushi had rushed in with Payal close behind.

ASR leapt up, instantly alert. "what? Tumne sab jagah dekha Khushi?"

Hardly waiting for the reply he sprinted towards di's room. Within minutes the entire household was scoring the numerous rooms, interwoven passages and poolsides to search for Anjali.

"Anjali eej not picking up pphone.. Missed callwa hui ja raha". Mami informed in a loud voice not sure where everyone was.

More groans came as Akash was dispatched to check outside. The happy wedding household had turned to a fearful group of people within seconds.

"I'll call the police", ASR said, his voice tensed. His brain was busy going over the possible places Anjali could have gone to.

Shyam.. He knew this could only be Shyam.

Khushi supporting the sobbing shaking nani distracted ASR. He leapt to hold her and seat her down. Garima had a glass of water ready for the shaken lady.

"nani I promise you main di ko le aaunga. I'll find her". ASR was in hell. Where had di disappeared to?

"bhai the guard outside saw di get into a car with Shyam". Akash came panting inside with the news.

"hai re nand kisore.. Oo Shyam humlogan ka peecha hi nahi chorat hai".. Buaji was as stricken as naniji.

"Dammit", ASR spat the words out. "I won't let him get away for this. I had warned him to stay away". His teeth were gritted and eyes thundered with fury.

"Anjali bitiya alone toh naahi hai.. Nothing eej happeningj to bitiya. Saasuma you nat to worryj pileej." mamiji sounded a little relieved, not knowing that being with Shyam was infinitely more lethal to Anjali than being alone.

Shashi Gupta, who had all this while been watching anxiously, had started to shake violently. Khushi rushed to his side. After another fierce struggle with his own muscles, his lips moved a little. Khushi bent her head to hear what babuji was trying to say.

"Arnav..", he stuttered. Khushi turned to look at ASR. Babuji had finally spoken. Amma had now broken down completely, but babuji was urgently gesturing towards Arnav.

ASR dashed towards the man in the wheelchair and knelt down. "Shyam.. Dangerous.." babuji's words were gaining strength as he spoke. His son-in-law's intelligent, quick flash of understanding soothed the man.

"Humari ee halat..Shyam".. Babuji had barely spoken the words that ASR nodded curtly and stood up.

"Akash call the doctor. Now", he shouted and he made his way towards the front door.

Khushi had given her babuji a hug before she ran after him. Payal was already holding babuji's hand as Khushi reached ASR. He was near the Shantivan door. Full of a single purpose he stode out.

ASR had dialed the police commissioner's number. He would drive out and find di.. Somewhere.. somehow.. He would get to her.

****