chapter 35

Before she could stop him,her phone peeped. She touched the blue icon and someone tell from other side " madam..Mrs Rao. Can you hear me. Be careful. Ved has eloped from hospital few minutes ago. We are searching him. If you see , inform us immediately"She stopped right there being perplexed what to do next. Whither to stop Raghav and warn him against Ved or to run back to Farhad's room to protect him. If Ved comes to Raghav then he might attack him with double aggression but if he comes to Farhad then there will be the end of poor Farhad. Shit, How could she forgot Amruta is still in that room. She stepped back and run backward. She run and run without thinking much about different conclusions. She couldn't risk these poor innocent lives once again. But before she could reach there, she heard a horrible sound. The sound of the bullet again. Her body got stiffened again and tears run down. "Amrutaaaa.... Farhadddd......"She run breathlessly to reach on the door only to see Ved was lying before the door wet in blood. She didn't put much attention to him and opened the door. " Oh Deva. Amruta. Are you okey ? Farhad ? Did he hurt you both or ..." Her questions were unending.Amruta , almost trembling in fear run to her and hugged tightly."Pallavi... Pallavi. You know. He..He that man . Who is he ? He was coming to here with a gun. I was so fightened. Thanks to inspector. He came in right time and shoot him. Otherwise...he..kill.." she was sobbing and whimpering her words close to her sister's shoulder.It took sometime for Pallavi to make Amruta normal. She visited police station for some legal procedures. Then she returned back to hospital again. Though she first decided to stay with Amruta but then Amruta claimed to stay there alone. So she came back home at night.She knew that Raghav still didn't know about the death of Ved. How he will react ? Happy ? Angry ? Sad ? Or He simply believe that it's another foul play of that fox. No, He might believe this time. She needs to talk to him. But for now, Farhad must be thier first priority. He has to recover. He has to get up and smile. At least for Amruta.***************"Naidu, Why food is like before. Didn't anyone eat yet ?" Pallavi asked one of the servant after checking the bowls."No , Madam. Amma is not feeling hungry. Kirti Didi is outside the town. Sir hasn't came out from his den yet. " Naidu answer with a sad face.She served some food in a plate and headed to her mother-in-law's room."Amma, Mai Andar Ajau." "Are Pallavi. Tum. Hn." The old lady was actually crying. She wiped her tears with the end of her saree as soon as Pallavi entered. Pallavi noticed that. She comforted her assuring that their perfect boy will get up soon."Amma, please. Aap Jada tension Mat Lo. Varna Aapka Tabiyat Kharab Ho Jayega. Aapko Sugar Aur BP Bhi To Hai. Aap Agar Ashe Royenge Toh Raghav Ko Kyon Sambhalega. Please Ye Ashu Pochho. Aap Dekhna Farhad Bhahat Jaldi Thik Ho jaye Ga Aur Phir Aapka Hato Ka Khana Raghav Se Chinke Kha Jaayega... Bilkul Pehele Ki Terha."This time Amma smiled a little but returned to her self back. There was an uncertain fear in her eyes. But what was it ? What that something which making her so scared ? She needs to find out ? Suppressing her questions in her heart, she decided to feed her dear mother-in-law. "Amma, Aaj Woh Ved...Woh Ved Ko Police Nee Mar Dala. "The lady stopped chewing and stared at her. There was no happiness in her expression like it doesn't affect her much."Toh Kya Hua. Ved Ka Koi Admi Phir Kal Badla Lene Aaa Jayega. Ye Khoon Kharaba Pata Nehi Kab Tak Chalega.." Now, Pallavi got what exactly her mother-in-law was talking. She knew quite well that Amma doesn't like Raghav's business from first. So this is why she hates it. This is why she scared of ? Ohh the helpless mother !!  She has guilty of not able to stop her son at right time and now... again another guilt of bearing this before her own eyes. She knew how it feels to loose a kid for a mother. She can still hear that heart breaking cry of Ayi which she witnessed on the second day of her first marriage. Her body too forze while recalling that. How could a mother bear this journey of her kid ? Or see her kid to fall in hole and keep digging inside himself ? So she might have wanted Raghav to stop his business. Should she discuss that with him ? But how ? It's his property ? Will it be right to ask him  or force him ? Moreover she knew all dark side of his business from earlier. Then how could she question him now?After Amma slept, she came back to her room. But found Raghav was not there too. That means he is still inside that small room. What the hell this man is actually doing ? She changed her saree into a comfortable nightgown and walked to call him ? "Raghav, Raghav, Open the door. What are you doing inside ? Raghav, Can you here me ? Raghav, please open the door. Don't scare me. Open the door... Raghav."***************************It was the seventh glass that he consumed. His eyes lids were hardly open and body loosing its balance slowly and slowly.He was trying to figure out what his mother and  Amruta accused at him.  Really ! He ? He is behind this ? But always he tried to protect him ? Right ? Why they think that all this happened because of his madness for money and power ? How can money cause this ? No...No..They have misunderstood. He will deny thier accuses proudly.He remembered when he came to this town. All he had a pair of clothing in a school bag. That's it. He spent months of night in footpath in hunger. He knew how a penny matters in life ? This be-honest ideology can't fill someone stomach ? Right ? We need money for this. Money comes with power. And power comes with fame. He cultivated all. All of these working day and night. Bearing winter night, sunny days,rainy afternoon without any companion. He shed blood for this but now ?? Nooo. He will never choose to leave this life and choose to surrender all money he have. " Raghav, Kya Soch Raha Hai ?" He turned to his left and saw a person look alike him was sitting on sofa aside. He knew this person well. His inner soul. Why he is here again ? "Tu ? Lungi Wala Raghav ? Edhar Kaiko Aya ?" He asked with almost drunken voice."Mai, Mai Tereko Batane Ko Aya. Ehi Ki Tera Amma Sahi Bol Raha Hai. Tereko Sayad Ye Sab Chod Ke Achha Pehela Jaisa Banjana Chahiye." "Aaa, Kya Bakwas Kar Raha Hai Re ? Chod Du ? Kaiko ? Tera Hai Kya ? Ye Sab Mera Hai. Raghav Rao Ka. Ye Sab Mai Kamaya. Apne Dam Per. Toh Nehi Choddega Mai. Jisko Jo Karna Hai Karle." He shouted this time."Sach Mai . Toh Tu Ehi Chahata Hai. Tera Papo Ka Saja Ea Logo Ko Mile. Tera Amma, Tera Biwi, Farhad, Amruta, Kirti...Tere Bacche.. Inka Kya Kasoor ? ""Kya ?? Mai Kya Shrif Apne Liye Paisa Kamata Hai. Nehi. Ye Ghar, Ye Luxury Ye Status Sab Apne Family Ke Liye Hi Toh Kar Reha Hai Naa ? Phir ? Aur Pyar Mai Gang Mai Sab Chalta Hai.  Tereko Nehi Pata Ye Duniya Kaisa Hai ? Bina Paiso Ke Jina Kaisa Hota Hai ? Tumko Nehi Malum. Kyn ? Tum Mera Jaisa Bhuka Nahi Raha, Mara Jesa Insult Nehi Jhela, Mera Jaisa Thund Mai footpath Mai Nehi Soya, Mera Jaisa Ghanto Dhup Mai Nehi Chala, Mera Jaisa Phate Kapdo Mai Mahina Nehi Bitaya....Yeha Jine Ke Liye Roj Ladna Padta Hai. Roj Marna Padta Hai Aur Maarna Padta Hai. Agar Aaj Mere Pass Voh Sab Hai Jo Mara Sapna Hua Karta Tha, Toh Kebal Mera Kaam Ke Wajase. Ye Accha Bura Mai Nahi Samajta. ""Magar Paise Sahi Tarike Toh Bhi Kamaya Jaa Sakta Hai Naa ? Hn ? Paise Ki Lalaj Mai Family Ko Khona Kya Sahi Hai ?""Khona ?? Paisa Hai Esi Liye Toh Sab Hai Mera Paas. Agar Ye Sab Nehi Hoga Toh Kya Sab Mera Paas Honge ? Nehi. Thoda Der Sahe Lenge Phir Ek Ek Karke Mujhe Chod Ke Chala Jayega.""Kya ?? Toh Tereko Ye Lagta Hai Ye Sab Paise Ke Liye Tumhara Sath Hai ? Tum Kitna Galat Ho Raghav Rao. Tum Abhi Tak Family Ko Thik Se Samaj Hi Nehi Paya Sayad. ""Kya Matlab ?""Socho Raghav Rao ? Socho Aur Sahi Decision Lena. ""Magar...Kya Sochhu Mai ?"Maybe He was trying to ask something more but heard someone knocking on the door. The person in a traditional attire taking with him started to vanish slowly."Raghav, Raghav, Open the door. What are you doing inside ? Raghav, Can you here me ? Raghav, please open the door. Don't scare me. Open the door... Raghav."He tried to gather energy to open the door and stood up supporting the wall.As soon as opened the door,he loosed his sense completely and hung up in his wife's arm.She tried to wake him up but that didn't become fruitful. So with help of one house helper she took him to his room and made him slept on bed.She sat beside his sleeping self and started shedding tears. Actually she is too exhausted and depressed today. She didn't know whom to console whom to care. She wanted to stay beside her broken sister and also beside her family. But whom to care more ? She phoned to Amruta and asked about Farhad's condition. It was alike before. She knew it will take time and it's the time of test for her as well as Amruta.But what to say this man ? He is increasing her tension. Is he still thinking about those theft stuffs or about Amma's advice. She didn't want to eat alone. Moreover who cares about eating in such situations. She too finished her left routine and went to bed with a glass of water.*****************He opened his eyes and found himself in middle of a barren land. It was shining like day. There was diamond crystals everywhere. He became excited about that. He bent down and started gathering them in both pockets. But when he rose his head, there was blood and dead bodies lying scattering. He started walking from there. First dead body belongs to a kid. Did he know him ? Then second one a mature old man. Then another a young boy... Mandaar... John... then Daniel...then...The more he was walking ahead the number was increasing. He felt like he has seen all those persons at least once in his journey. Some who had betrayed him in business, some died in inter-wars of Ved and Him, Some Killed by police, some he called as collateral damage and then he saw Ved. What ?? Ved !! Did he also die? There was another dead body a little far away. He has became startled. His heart beating faster and body sweating in fear. The seen before him was devastating itself. Nooo. He can't see this. Can't.. He tried to call for someone but no-one got reached. He was the alone alive in that dead land. He run to escape. He run and run but ended up right in the middle again.. "Amma, Pallavi... Kirti... Where are you ? Can you hear me ? Someone is there ? Help...Help.."He woke up from bed, panting heavily and sweating like hell. "Raghav, Raghav. Kya Hua ? Kya Hua? Tum  ? Nind Nahi Aa Rahi Kya ? " Pallavi asked who was still awake. She was trying to get some sleep but only closes eyes to found Farhad's face before her eyes. Raghav adjusted himself and realised that it was just a dream. But that dream !! Will this dream turned truth like all cursed ? No, No."Pallavi, Ek Baat Puchhu ?""Hn ?  Kya ?""Do you also think that I am responsible for Farhad ? Or Do you think I need to change my business ? I mean leave all this ? "Pallavi thought for a while. Why suddenly he thought about this ? If he is asking then she will surely have her answer. Actually it matters in her life too. "Actually Raghav, Ye Toh Bhgwan Ka Kaam Hai . Woh Decide Karenge Kyon Responsible Hai Aur Kyon Nehi . But Mara Koi Hak Nahi Ki Mai Tumko Force Karu. Tum Bhi Sab Samajh Te Ho. Maine Tumko Ese Hi Pasand Kiya Hai. So Tumhare Kamm Se Tumhare Paise Se Mujhe Pharak Nehi Padna Chahiye. Phir Bhi Sach Kahu Toh Mujhe Daar Hai. Tumhe Kho Dene Ka Daar. Har Baar Tum Ghar Se Nikal Te Hi Mai Pareshan Ho Jati Hun. Tumhara Safety Ka Chinta Laga Rehe Ta Hai. Mai Baas Ehi Chahati Hun Ki Tum Mere Paas Raho Aur Thik Raho. Agar Tumhe Kabhi Bhi Dilse Ye Eshas Ho Ki Tum Galat Ho Ya Tumko Badal Jana Chahiye Toh Tum Vahi Choose Karna Jo Sahi Hai. Bass. Mai Hamesha Tumhare Sath Hun Tumhare Har Phesaile Mai. Ardham Aynda."Raghav listened to her words but still felt like he was trapped between right or wrong. He couldn't figure out that whom to go with. What to choose first ?"Pallavi, Mujhe Esha Lagta Hai Jeise Mai Sahi Aur Galat Mai Phas Geya Hun. Kaise Choose Karu ? " He asked being confused and sad too."Esha Hai ? Toh Mai Tumko Ek Kahani Suna Ti Hun. Sayad Tumhe Madad Mil Jaye." She chuckled softly as he put his head on her lap.To be continued