026

There was the unmistakable tension brewing between the two brothers standing side by side of their father wating outside of the corridor leading to the operation theatre.

Nupur might be the only one who has noticed it, the way Achintya refuses to look at her husband with her husband clenching his teeth everytime hearing his brother's voice.

What have happened? Mused Nupur not able to think anything that leads to this kind of the cold war.

And yet, they both stood together shoulder-to-shoulder with Phoolan Chaudhary, keeping aside their personal feuds, ignoring the difference and the drama happened yesterday.

_

Mithilesh wouldn't forget how even after everything.. Achintya took Niyati to the ICU corridor to show badi Amma lying on the bed supported by the machines. And kudos to that shameless girl..for having the guts to face badi Amma after the blunder.

Really..he would have understand if it was Shivangi..but Niyati..just what his brother seen in her to fell head over heels on her. After yesterday, Mithilesh ran a background check on the girl's history and what he got to know confirmed his doubt.

Bought up in the city,had done her schooling from the co-ed school, had many male friends as well as the opposite lifestyle she has in the Begusarai with the open freedom by her father who left his own land and people to be settled in the foreign land. Even her mother is a working woman...and so with that it was obvious that she wouldn't have had gotten the time to raise her daughter properly.

Because if she had..none of this had happened.

_

"It could only be considered a miracle Chaudhary Sahab..with her condition of yesterday we had planned to postpone the surgery. But she made a remarkable improvement over night-" the doctor said congratulating the family on the successful Angioplasty of the elder woman.

Durga Devi will be shifted in the ICU for the night for the observation and to monitor any complications if it arises.

"If everything seems alright..we will shift her to the ward tomorrow. " The elder doctor patted Achintya's back directing a nod towards the Mithilesh. "The lord answered the prayers of the people they did for their badi Thakurain."

_

The news about the Durga Devi reaches their locality on the morning of her paper. Niyati was leaving the house along with Reecha when she heard two women discussing that.

"Oi..where you are going?we will be late..hurry up.. Niyati.." Reecha gave a shout behind the back of a running Niyati who sent straight towards her temple. Shaking her head on her weird antiques Reecha waited by the side of the road hearing those two women talks.

With her hand folded infront of her, Niyati kowtow infront of the lit diyas and the bronze idol of the Goddess. "Thankyou.. thankyou for saving her. Please.. please..keep her healthy and happy for the rest of her life." Not adding further that.. Durga Devi must remain healthy and happy so Achintya wouldn't have to loose mother's love after loosing it once.

_

"..I told Shyam to not bring my scooty anywhere..see..now it has gotten a puncture." An angry Reecha mutters dragging the heavy vehicle to the garage nearby the college.

"Next time I'm gonna hide the keys."she turns towards her friend to get her agreed to this only to see her attention already somewhere else. "Niyati.."

"Hm? Yeah. You were saying something?" The flabbergasted girl replied then turning sheepish she whisper "sorry..I didn't got much sleep yesterday or the day before yesterday. "

"Tell me about it. Who gave only four days leave for a biostatistics paper? Our idiot college..that who."

The garage was small with only two workers working on the separate cars. "bhaiya..my scooty is puncture.." the man neared to them gave them a glance, his eyes widening for a second and returned back to his work.

"Go..take a look of the madam's scooty." The other man ordered the first one as he with some reluctance to came forward.

_

So these two are Asha's friends. Or were.

Considering how she refuses to talk to any of them after that incident. There was a hushed conversation going on between the two girls standing some distance away. Mukesh only manages to catch something about a man named Mayank and then the topic about the Durga Devi came, - so Niyati went to the hospital - Mukesh made it from their talk.

It was not that surprising since half of the Begusarai could be seen outside of the hospital but what was shocking that with the details Niyati was telling the badi Thakurain's condition, as if she saw her herself when people were not even allowed to visit the ICU corridor and many returning back from the VIP ward.

He know all this because few women from his locality went there too and Achintya Chaudhary only allowing them to the luxurious VIP ward that was then discussed more profusely.

So how does Niyati, a commoner like every other one of them is able to tell all that with this much details?

"- and Mayank told me that Achintya Babu is busy finding that man who saw you at the Ghat-"

Achintya Chaudhary? Mukesh heard his name when those two girls come nearer when Sahil called them to pay. Not able to heard further increases his frustration because he wanted to know how come Reecha and Niyati knows the man? Their tone suggests the familiarity like Reecha knows him personally.

But she couldn't. Reecha might come from a well put family but they were not anywhere in the league of the Chaudharys.

As the scooty become tiny and went out of the sight Mukesh heard Sahil gushing about the Niyati. "Give me some pointers Mukesh so I can make her mine. You manages to catch such a beauty yourself, help me too dude."

With a spat on the road, he came inside washing his hand he looked in the small mirror hung there- Asha was an easy prey. Mukesh didn't have to do much before the girl folded like the leaf making it easier for him to have his ways. But from what he has gathered about the Niyati from all the talking and later bitching Asha did of the girl.. Niyati seems tough.

Someone who has the high standard, who wouldn't just get involved with anyone for bit of the fun. Neither she seems easy nor someone who could be manipulated and then she was forbidden too because of the social status of her clan.

Touching a Brahmin girl will be equivalent to dirtying the lord's feet.

But he couldn't help himself but to agree with the Sahil's view. The girl looked extremely radiant despite the gloomy look of her face, and the simple pink green suit and the heidous loose fitted sweater obscuring her voluptuous figure.

If only he met her before...he sighed heavily.

_

Phoolan Chaudhary entered the ward at last. After every member of his family left the ward meeting his mother. Lokesh went to home taking Meena and Vijay along . Achintya and Mithilesh too went home after spending the last three days here after Phoolan commanded then.

And now..it was just him and few guards in the hospital with Durga Devi.

"You frightened me Amma. Did you not thought about me and my children. Got tired of us so soon and planning to left us behind?"

She gave a weak chuckle that rattles her frail body, there were many tubes and wires attached to her body and with the strain the body took, she looked weak and small in the large white bed. Gone was the proud and loud Durga Devi and in place was a frail and an old woman beaten up by the time and situations and the world.

"We all will be gone one day Phoolan. Nothing could prevent that with happening. But I assures you..that my time will only come after seeing all of my children settled and happy in their life. "

Adjusting the bed sheet around her for the lack of not having anything to do Phoolan Chaudhary looked at her stroking his mother's head. "Then you have a long time here on the Earth. "

"I think so too." They both remain silent after that, the doctor has told them that with her age the body will take a long time to heal. Exerting her strength will only be futile when they both had so many days together to discuss any of the important topic.

"Phoolon.."

"Amma.."he said at once looking at her in alarm. Phoolon Chaudhary has never feared anyone in his life, no situation or people or the time has made his feet quiver in his shoes like today and the day when he lost Mala.

"I'm getting weaker day by day. And with the surgery it would be impossible for me to gain my previous strength back and then who really knows when the call from the lord-"

"Amma.."

"No listen. You know I hate sugarcoating and prefers to be straightforward. With the time running away so fast..no one knows how many days are left in their hands with their dear ones. You saw Meena..I have always thought that her dislikes towards Achintya might subsidies one day, that she will finally see the worth in the boy and treat him with care. But I have been proven wrong. Again. She is too engrossed in her own mind and scenerio that she refuses to see anything after that."

"Vijay's dislike pumped by her now has turned in the hatred visible in his eyes. I'm not saying he is totally wrong when it is his upbringing to be blamed. Meena took him away from us at such tender age when both him and Achintya were just understanding the fragile bond of the brotherhood, fuelled his hatred and made him what he is today. Achintya is wrong too...for when it comes to Vijay he always let his temper take over his rational side."

No one can blame truly the one party only. With Meena's hatred, Vijay's dislike and Achintya's temper the things only worsen with time. So much so..that even today when the two of them stood in the same room there was a clear disdain between the two of them despite both feeling the similar sympathy for her.

"Amma, I'm aware. I'm aware but I couldn't do anything because the days when punishing those two helps the situation has passed long before. They are not the same children who showed their appreciation through minuscule bullying neither is Meena's partiality remains only to only exchanging the milk glass of theirs or deliberately reminding Achintya of his mother's loss. "

"True. It has increased to much more. More than we both know. Are aware."

"Hm..but my hands are tied Amma, I have to ignore the obvious because bringing them to the light will also means hurting Lokesh. But after her raising her hand on my son..that will be something I couldn't ignore. There is also a rumor going that she demanded a hefty dowry and land and a separate house from the Tripathis for Vijay."

Sighing heavily "Phoolan given the current circumstances..I think it would be advisable that you prepare a will. Declare Mithilesh as the heir while giving Lokesh's position to the Vijay and handing the rein of the legal business to the Achintya. Name equal part of the property on the Guddi's name. "

"I will Amma. Whatever you have said will be done. Don't worry. Now sleep."

"I will. But one more thing..find a suitable girl for Achintya and marry him off before the declaration of the will. Make sure it is of a family worthy of their name and values in the society, they can lack in the wealth but not in the virtue. Find someone from that kind of the family."

_

"- no..it couldn't be. Please please say its not true..." Said a horrified Nupur hearing her husband's story.

Niyati? It was her all along. The girl had the audacity of entering their house, mingling with his son, holding him when she was stabbing all of them behind their backs.

"She..our worst fear indeed came true and now it was too late to do anything about it. Achintya has fallen so deeply that nothing could bring him out of that. Away from the girl. "

Nupur didn't said anything further hearing his words, she sat down on the corner of the bed with her head in her hand. Her mind keep reeling Mithilesh's words but one in particular stands out amidst them and it was how she stood up in front of the Achintya as his shield sensing the danger as it came so naturally to her.

She didn't get to meet the girl one in one. Only saw her from far and while she didn't lack in the department of the beauty one couldn't say the same about her personality.

But Abhay seems so close to her and her son despite his tender age is the excellent judge of the character. And then their was Achintya too.. Achintya wouldn't have choosen her if she wasn't special.

"Please don't blame her only. " Mithilesh turned towards his wife as he heard those words.

"WHAT?"

"I mean..you can't only blame her for everything. Considering we are talking about Achintya Babu..I'm sure the first steps of this blunder was taken by him. And considering how charming he could be when he want anything..I'm sure he is the one who charmed her then the vice versa."

Mithilesh would have said anything but he couldn't when faced with the facts. He has been blaming the girl left and right while overlooking his brother's fault.

"It all doesn't matter Nupur. The point is what we will do now? Achintya has planned to marry her..marry! You understand that? The society is gonna spit on our face after that- that kind of things is not common here and people are gonna be against it."

"Since when we start caring about the people? " Stopping his monologue she said in between. "And it matters. You are blaming the girl as its all her fault when I'm sure she is only the owner of the half part. "

"Are you defending her?"

"I'm correcting you from badmouthing someone's daughter. " Nupur has a daughter too and so she understands just how fragile the glass box is of a girl's reputation. One black taint and it is all over.

"As for Achintya Babu..the last decision will be taken by Papaji. And once he declared the verdict Achintya babu won't go against it. "

_

"HEROINE? THERE WERE DRUGS INVOLVED IN THAT PARTY AND YOU TOOK THEM!" Meena looked from furious husband to her son who had his head lower.

"WHAT WERE YOU THINKING? WHAT IF THOSE GOONS MURDERED YOU IN YOUR SLEEP INDUCED COMA? WHAT WOULD YOU BE ABLE TO DO?"

The gasp left from her lips hearing his words and the next second the decorative vase of the table shattered on the floor. "THIS..THIS IS WHAT YOUR DARLING SON IS DOING. IT IS ALL YOUR FAULT..ALL YOURS. GO ON.. ENCOURAGE HIM.. ENCOURAGE HIM..AND SEE WHERE IT WILL TAKE HIM-"

Lokesh was fuming with the anger. The blood test report confirmed the drugs being in his son's blood and that too in heavy doses. And if that wasn't enough it has to be heroine along with alcohol..

It bought another thing in his mind. His men had informed him about how Vijay has hired men to look for some girl with Shekhar helping him. And while he very much wanted to ask this directly..he wouldn't do that as it will be alerting Vijay and hindering his own cause. He will have to stay silent and look further in it..untill he got solid clue.

_

Niyati didn't get to see him again for the next few days. The much awaited election day finally came three days after her last paper. A festival like energy circulating in the whole Begusarai.

She couldn't go to the voting poll as neither her nor her mother changed their address from Indore to the Begusarai in their voter id card but she still went with Shivangi and Roopa.

As all the ladies decided to go together in the noon after finishing their chores. Raghuveer who already has gone with Manorama informed them about the boisterous crowd and how long the queue are.

And so it wasn't much of a surprise to her when they were greeted by the long queue and the even louder crowd. Men and women were sitting in the group under the shade of the canopy, men and women wearing the police uniforms patroling the area, as people were hurdled together because of the cold.

Even she tried her best, Niyati couldn't catch the glimpse of his in between the sea of the people. Maybe he isn't here. There were other polling booths set up across the city..maybe he would be there.

As they waited for the long queue to move she and Shivangi met few of their classmates and with the warning about not going anywhere further and reminder that Roopa will call once their number will be nearer they both left.

She had a long conversation regarding the semester break, about Shivangi's friends teasing her about her upcoming marriage and the life after that, laughing along with them Niyati felt a heaviness settles in her chest. She has jeopardize so many things by being with the Achintya.

Mithilesh Chaudhary's reaction told her enough. If he reacted like this..who knows what her parents will do. Will her mother support her? Will kaka-kaki do or are they are gonna blame her for risking their daughter's future,their son's life, their reputation.

Her grandmother is gonna be the completely different case, she knew this much atleast.

And then there was Maithili too. What will be of her future once the truth related to her and Achintya will be out. What if people blames her and their mother like Mithilesh Chaudhary did?

Will Niyati able to endure all of that?

The guilt has been eating her out daily, she couldn't sleep properly as she would wake up from the nightmares her mind conjures for her on the daily basis and then their was the added tension regarded the exams to which she didn't gave her complete attention.

And Niyati haven't seen Achintya in days.

It all were taking the toll on her health that just this morning she stopped herself from face planting against the bathroom's floor when she suddenly felt dizzy.

Even now..she felt a bit woozy and unsteady standing in between so many people that if she touches her skin she will find it a bit more warm than necessary.

".. Niyati" someone called her name and she realises it was Shivangi who was giving her a worried look. " Why you are sweating when its this cold?"

"Oh nothing. Are you done now? "

Shivangi still looked unsure giving her an over all look but followed nonetheless as her mother called her soon.

When they made their ways towards their family, Shivangi favepalmed herself seeing the reason just why her mother called her so soon. Not noticing the visible light lit up in her sister's eyes seeing the same scenerio.

Because Achintya Chaudhary was there. Sitting on his jeep's hood wearing the loose white shirt and fitted black pants, sunglass perched on his nose, his veiny arms on his thighs, the leather shoes polished enough to work as the mirror.

Unaware from everyone that behind those sunglass those brown eyes were fixed on the figure half hidden by the zealous women. A line of worry crossed his features watching her smiling pasty face, the dark spots around the under side of her eyes and the moisten eyes.

What was she really thinking, wearing only the thin white woolen sweater on top of her usual dark green coloured cotton suit kameez.

"I hope you ladies are comfortable here?" The question received quite few reactions as even those who looked like they couldn't even smile..blushes at his flirtatious tone.

"If there's any..our men are standing at each and every corner. Inform them."

"We will Chote Babu but to..you," a voice came from the crowd, earning many cheers.

"Yeah..let us enjoy this day by gracing us of your presence for a bit more time.." another one squealed.

The queue progressed as the humours remarks continued back and forth. Having Achintya there proved to be the great feat as he was the favourite among the citizen of the Begusarai.

There was a jolly smile on his face as he greeted everyone while sitting on the hood like its his own throne, unnoticed by the others that his eyes were only and only fixed on the one person who has turned her back muttering something in her sister's ear and running away with the palm covering her mouth.

_

Shekhar rolled his eyes at the extreme fanfare the people are giving to the Achintya. It was simply outrageous as for Shekhar, Achintya will forever be the scrawny kid whom he bullied in their childhood.

If he feels that way..who will know what Vijay must be feeling everytime he has to see that bastard's smug face.

Even the choice encounter of their could not contain the hostility Achintya and Shekhar feels for another. About to call his mother he turned in the direction of the crowd when he noticed the dash of the green running towards the -

It was that girl.

The girl Achintya was hugging on the day of the chhath Puja. Fuck, fuck his luck..he really got lucky this time. Ofcourse, that is why Achintya is here despite Phoolan Chaudhary's order of remaining at the Smriti Nagar's poll booth.

His feet followed after the running girl.

_

She should know this.

With her luck nowdays, Niyati should have know this, that, today will be the day when her downfall will come.

The throbbing headache has taken it turns, her skin feeling warmer than before and with her whole breakfast and the yesterday dinner on the floor, she wipes her forehead by the corner of her dupatta, holding it above her eyes to feel the momentarily

relive from the headache.

It didn't came. Instead, it was Achintya's face dancing Infront of her closed eyelids. Just when does he became such an integrated part of her life that living without seeing him for a day has turned her in this.

In this pathetic self of her who cries in the night thinking of their future -if there's any with her parents' approval- in the silence of the room fearing whether her sobs are louder enough to reach the almighty.

The shrunken looks in her eyes has made its home their permanently, as if the happiness has taken their leave from her life. The echoes of Mithilesh's words whenever rings in her ears, it would felt that her world has collapsed.

Pretending on everyone's face, being extra cheerful on purpose so that no one would notices the angst she was living with..

And on top of that, Achintya had made no effort to meet her after that day. Why he haven't made any effort? Has he taken his brother's words to the heart? He didn't even gave her a cue today that he'll be here..what if she didn't came? Then today too she would miss the chance of seeing him.

Because only Niyati knew..just how badly her heart craves him. That the day spent away from him literally feels like the end of the world to her. Her hand involuntarily travel to her neck, clutching the thin chain that has been her companion in her alone time.

That the relief she felt today after seeing him was so strong that it made her sick.

Wiping the unwanted tears from her cheeks, she straighten up. Shivangi told her that she'll be here soon with a water bottle and the stale taste in her mouth really needs to be washed out. Sitting down at the side of the road on top of the uplifted corner of the building.

_

Shekhar saw the glimpse of the girl heaving her stomach out when his mother called him from behind and dragging him to the poll booth.

But even that glimpse confirmed his thoughts, it was indeed her. Despite the shrunken face and pasty skin glistening with sweat, in a moderate clothing and simple hairstyle, it was indeed the girl Achintya is currently involved with.

And she was vomiting.

What it means? The way they both were that day of the chhath Puja, the intimacy between them indicates a closeness them that was visible even to the naked eyes.

So thus that mean..

A tremendous energy shoot up inside him, his face breaking in a smile but eyes holding no sincerity. If what he is thinking is true..if it is..then Vijay will soon be on the cloud 9. They have got a awesome opportunity in their hand, in the form of the girl, and the..child in her belly to bring Achintya Chaudhary from his throne to the floor tasting the dust once it becomes viral to everyone that he had made a girl pregnant out of the wedlock.

It will destroy that girl's life, sure..but in the face of the revenge..small sacrifices holds no meaning.

_

Achintya has the fucking misfortune of spotting Shekhar from the crowd and making an eye contact with him, leading to the man with a shark like grin an imaginary invitation that he is welcome to come here and talk to him.

"Achintya, my friend." Shekhar exclaimed putting his hand on Achintya's shoulder receiving the glare.

"Remove your hand before I remove them from the socket itself."

And Shekhar knowing what he has in mind could indeed leads to the genocide, step back with his palms up in the air. "Oh..sorry. forgive me for my foolishness. I forgot you prefer only those with soft hands and even softer smell."

Not able to receive the reaction he was hoping Shekhar goaded further "anyway.. congratulations haa! For the success of the campaign..I'm sure it will be your father's party that will win this time..but my congratulation isn't only limited to that only- it means more."

In which Achintya has zero interest to know about. But he can't make a scene here by punching the bastard's smug face and knocking few yellow teeth out, that will attract too much of the media attention and he can't afford that today.

So ignoring the barking dog, it is.

"Nevertheless...I'm not gonna stop you here when I know how desparately you want to run after your girl when she is sick-"

"Shekhar..stop." the two words coming from his lips was enough to shows his anger that was confined behind his eyes. And yet, Shekhar didn't..

"Why? Not worried for her? She seemed really sick you know..vomitting and all-" his shark like grin streches even more, knowing well that Achintya wouldn't raise his hand no matter whatever he said today. The media was following the election with the hawk eyes and one mistake of his, the momentary slip of his emotion could cost his father -

"it is a good news, right? Don't worry you can confined to me..afterall I'm your previous classmate and friend. I can't blame you, you know.." Shekhar presses, Achintya's face still calm and casual, his eyes fixed somewhere else staring in the distance.

"I saw her before..and even sick, her beauty remains pleasing to the eyes..that it is understandable that the situation reaches to this-"

It all happened quickly..a shot was fired in the air, shocking people, diverting the media's attention as screams from the four corners echoed ; the sickening sound of the the smash of the slap on the skin got lost in the chaos, as Achintya wiped his hand aiming a well aimed kick to Shekhar's stomach making him tumbled on the ground.

With the visible fingers marks on his face, Shekhar looked from the ground as Achintya sat down by his side adjusting his rolled out cuff "be grateful for this day you have choosen to utter the nonsense.. because if today was any other day, you would be dead on the ground with a bullet not fired in the air but at your fucking throat."

Dusting the non existent dust from his ironed pant, Achintya stood up walking away to the group of the media running towards him from the opposite direction..ready with their query sheets.

_

"Give kaka's position to Vijay?Papa..I'm not saying Vijay is not capable but from time to time Achintya has proven himself to be worthy of that position and with Vijay's current track record it will be similar to shooting in the dark and foolishly hoping the better outcome." Mithilesh argued with his father sitting in the party's office room.

His father has revealed his plan regarding the future and Mithilesh couldn't help but to notice the obvious flaw.

"Vijaya is the best man we have when dealing with the tough crowd but he isn't the most suitable man for this kind of the job that requires strength as well as wisdom. Kaka's way might be violent holds the proper plan behind it..with Vijay I don't think it will possible with Meena kaki's influence."

Lokesh Chaudhary might be a cold blooded murderer but the police has yet to put him behind the bars for those crimes and that shows the man's strategies. Vijay on the other hand..is prone in jumping head first in the danger without looking left and right..

"Mithilesh, with responsibilities comes the maturity. I'm sure once Vijay will be entrusted with the responsibilities, he will come on the right track."

"And untill then? We wait for him to put himself as well as the others'in the danger ? And then what about Achintya Papa? You think..he will be content after knowing this?"

"He will. The legal businesses of ours will be handed over to him. He will be able to put his degree as well as sharp mind in the use, earning the capital and goodwill-"

"I'm sure that is not what he is looking for."

Because, Achintya might not shows but his ambitious mind won't be satisfied just by getting the leftover. His dignity wouldn't allows it.

"Why don't you give Vijay the command over our extortion business. He worked there his whole life, he knows the machanic that needs behind that-"

"Won't it be also called the 'leftover'. What you think will be Meena bahu's reaction hearing that, Lokesh's position will be passed out to his son while mine to my son. It is there birthright. What if one day, someone come and told you that the position of the heir should be given to someone else instead of you. Will you accept that? "

Never. He would never ever accept that. The throne of the Begusarai belong to the Chaudharys, from Phoolan Chaudhary to Mithilesh Chaudhary and then to his elder son. There would be no exception. Mithilesh won't give up his birthright for anyone.

And so expecting Vijay to give up his..isn't he being the hypocrite here.

But then Achintya, he already is in slump with his choice of the partner, and then this..what really his brother has got written in his destiny.

That girl.. Mithilesh couldn't help but to dump the blame on her misfortune that she bought upon his brother's.

_

Politics,people.. politics.

.

.

Poor Niyati..with all the blames on her, the guilt, the earning..my poor girl is suffering so much.

.

.

Shekhar being an idiot

Achintya *let me solve it by splitting your head in two*

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