Advay's team had booked the Gateway Hotel for their overnight stay at Banaras.It was beautiful with views to the Sacred Ganges River. They had to leave for the Ghats early in the morning for the Barsi.
Nani was fast asleep in the bed after the long and tiring day, but sleep alluded Advay as usual. He had trouble sleeping most of the time, and ever since his Khatto Gilheri came back into his life, he was finding it extremely difficult to sleep on his own. He cursed her inwardly and longed for her.
It was almost midnight. He was almost tempted to call Chandni but stopped himself, as he didn't want to disturb her in case she was feeling tired and fast asleep. He got up from the bed and went out into the balcony. Banaras was also another city which never slept. There is always something going on, and people from different walks of life frequented the city for many reasons.
As he looked out to the Ganges River, his phone buzzed and his eyes lit up with smile, as he realised it was from Chandni. And then he was feeling worried too. Why did she call at this hour?
"Chandni!! Are you OK?" He asked anxiously.
"Dev!! I am Ok. Everyone is fine. Please don't worry. How...How are you? Did you meet Sadanandji?" Chandni asked, her voice full of concern.
"For a moment I was worried because you called at this hour. That's all. Hmmm yeah Chandni we met Sadanandji. He is a really nice and kind person. I respect him a lot. I will tell you everything when I come home. Is that Ok?" Advay didn't want to talk about the jewellery saga, and Indrani's treachery over the phone, and upset Chandni even further.
"Did you call me just to enquire about that?" He asked sulkily.
"No Dev. In fact I was... I was really missing you. I couldn't sleep at all." Chandni finally blurted out, glad that Dev couldn't see how red her face was right now.
"Aaargh.... I miss you too Chandni. I have been tossing and turning all night, and finally gave up on sleeping. I am just standing here at the balcony and thinking of you, when you called me. I wish I was there with you right now." Advay sighed deeply.
"I just can't tell you how lost or bored I was feeling all day. I mean when you are here but go to work or meetings, I never felt like this. Just the feeling that you are hundreds of kilometres away..."Chandni's voice trembled suddenly.
"Hey !! Chandu please... it's just one day. I will be back by evening. I promise. You know what. We both should go out for dinner tomorrow tonight.... I mean tonight. A proper date. What do you say?" Advay tried to cheer her up, even though he was feeling equally miserable without her.
"Dinner...OK, Dinner sounds good Advay. Dinner Se yaad Aaya."
He could hear some noises as if Chandni was walking around the microwave beeps.
"What are you doing Chandni?" He asked curiously.
"You know I didn't eat dinner properly and now I am feeling hungry. So I am just making some instant noodles with hot water. I am getting all your bad habits now." Chandni chuckled.
Advay could literally hear her slurping the noodles and he felt hungry in more ways than one.
"Hmmm Chandni you don't know how you are torturing me right now!!! I wish I could taste those noodles off you, just like I did the Kheer this morning." Chandni gasped and ended the call, blushing.
Advay got mad that she cut off the call. He called her straight back. Chandni picked up the call straight away though, as if she regretted what she did.
"Why did you cut me off?" He growled.
"Dev I am sorry...I... How can I explain? You won't understand." She replied nervously.
"Remember what you said in the morning? That you would make up for what you did in the kitchen...now add this to that list of making up. Otherwise you will be in trouble Katto Gilheri!!" Advay warned her.
"Ok I... I got it. I should have never called you in the first place. You always twist my words around, and I end up in trouble for everything I do. It's so not fair." Chandni pouted.
"Haha... You know how much I love teasing you. Hmmm... But seriously Chandni... once all this is over, we are going for at least a month long honeymoon. Europe, US your choice."
"That sounds wonderful...really!! But Dev, let's talk about that when the time comes. Now please rest up, you need to go early in the morning for the Barsi too. But please call me when you finish up there, and coming back. I will be waiting for you. Good night!" Chandni said softly.
"Good night dear!" Advay hung up.
Advay hopped back on bed and sighed, wishing that day would come soon enough.
*****
Indrani was in deep thought, as she contemplated what options she had to strike back against Advay Singh Raizada. The main problem for her is that the man was still a mystery. What was his motive behind exposing her so cruelly in public? She had no Idea. And she knew that utter idiots like Ranjit and his local gang were no good, when they have to deal with a master mind like Advay.
And just tailing him and following his moves was not good enough, but that's at least a start. But he seems to be covering his tracks thoroughly, since no one could find him talking to anyone suspicious.
But someone said he had been a small medical store twice, that too with Chandni. That was a bit odd. Why would he go there personally for that kind of a chore, and that too with Chandni who never leaves the house!!! Something odd there.
She called Ranjit again and asked for more details.
Ranjit in turn called Raju, one of his gang members who was tailing Advay on that day.
"Haan Ranjit Bhayya they went to the medical store once in the afternoon, but again they went to the same place next day evening. But they spent a lot of time in a house next to the medical store, now I remember." He added sheepishly.
"You Idiot why didn't you tell me before?" Ranjit shouted at him.
Indrani groaned inwardly.
"Did you manage to get any picture of the house or the people." He finally asked, controlling his temper.
"Haan Bhai, I got pictures." Raju nervously went through his phone gallery, and pulled out the pictures. The pics were a bit blurry as he was quite far off . One of the pictures showed Chandni and Advay making purchase at the Shop but the last picture showed Advay and Chandni coming out the house and an elderly man and young couple next to him.
"Dekha Ranjit Bhai, yeh Shop ka Owner hai. Usi ka ghar hoga." Raju said pointing to Shiva in the pictures.
Ranjit looked at the last picture keenly, that old man looked familiar but he couldn't remember who it was exactly.
"Yeh Buddha kaun hai. Mujhe yaad nahi aaraha. I have seen him somewhere, but can't remember who this guy is?" He handed the phone over to Indrani.
Indrani stiffened the moment she recognised Krishna Bharadwaj in the picture.
"You fool, that was Krishna Bharadwaj, the one I had so much trouble with, all those year ago. We got him removed from his job just few years ago because his son married a low caste girl." Indrani said furiously.
But what was Advay doing in Krishna Bharadwaj's house? How does he know him and more importantly what had Krishna Bharadwaj told him? Did he reveal any of the secrets from 16 years ago.
For the first time, a slight panic entered into her mind. Krishna Bharadwaj was that enemy of hers that she could never understand. She could never bully him or bend him to her wishes. Worst part is she still had no idea, what was that he exactly knew of the events that happened.
But what if Krishna Bharadwaj has told Advay about the jewellery ?? And what if someone actually runs an audit in the temple, as part of the trust formalities, and find out about the fake jewellery currently on all the idols!!! Her mind began to think of all the possibilities furiously.
Advay Singh Raizada was her main rival, but he was only strong once he got witnesses for him talking against her. And Krishna Bharadwaj could be one such witness.
One thing was certain, she needs to stop Krishna Bharadwaj at any cost. But this time she would be extra careful, not to let the mud stick to her name in anyway. Because she knew police would be watching every movement of her, Ranjit and his men.
Once she reached the decision, she put her thoughts into action.
*****
Chandni woke up suddenly, her heart pacing at double the speed and her face flushed with sweat. It took her few moments to realise that it was just a horrible nightmare, but the way it happened it looked so real and it was Dev... She never had nightmares about Dev before. She almost reached for her phone to call him but stopped. It wold be silly to disturb him and tell him about her nightmare, when he was hundreds of kilometres away. She drank some water and calmed herself.
******
Even though Advay, Nani and Niru Mama left early for the Ghats, there was delay for the priests to arrive to perform the ceremony. By the time they finished the rituals of the Barsi and returned back to their hotel, it was close to noon. ACP Siddharth called him that he was on his way.
They ordered room service for lunch and as they waited Siddharth joined them.
"Advay!!! That guy Gangaram... let's just say he was singing like the fat lady in the opera, by the time we finished with him yesterday. He gave a written statement about everything that happened, 16 years ago, when Indrani asked him to replace the jewellery to put the blame on your parents, and later when she actually wanted the jewellery for herself, and got them replaced. He had been placed under house arrest for now, as we don't want the news to spread that he had been arrested. But all the phones in their home are tapped so he can't tell anyone what's going on. When he does the Bidaai for his daughter tonight, he will be crying for more than one reason." Siddharth laughed loudly and they all joined him, relieved that at least one culprit of the conspiracy had been caught.
Once they finished their lunch, Advay requested Nani and Niru Mama to rest at the hotel, while he and Siddharth left together for Sadanandji's house. Advay was glad to see that Siddharth had come in a police armoured car.
ACP Siddharth took a written statement from Sadanand regarding the past events, and thanked him wholeheartedly for his actions. He took pictures of the jewellery and recorded all the transaction and took statement from Sadanand regarding the handing over of the jewellery.
Advay touched the feet of Sadanand again.
"Sadanandji I can never repay you in any way for all the bravery and effort you have put in saving this jewellery, and my family's reputation along the way. Once Indrani goes to jail and this case is settled, I will come and visit you again, and pay my respects. I can see that you are teaching young students here in your own home. But I would like to setup a school for this purpose, so you can expand your teaching to more students and perhaps recruit more teachers too. I want to do something and pay my respects to you, please don't say no." He pleaded with folded hands.
"Dev I am glad to see you have imbibed the benevolent characters of your parents. Whatever you do, don't do it for me or Kishen Bhayya, but do it for your parents and in their name and you will always be successful. Do what it takes so that their name would be held in high respect, and associated with every good deed in Allahabad ." He patted on Advay's shoulder affectionately.
"I must tell you something . Just like you, I have been in exile from my hometown. You know since the day I left Allahabad, I never put my foot in there. Krishna Bhayya had warned me not to come back, in the fear that Indrani might suspect me somehow. He was so protective of me, and cared for my safety and reputation than his. But I would love to comeback to Allahabad one day; that is my home town where I spent all my childhood, and I want to offer my Pooja at the same temple where I learnt everything. That temple must be cleansed by performing a Yagna by Pandits like Kishen Bhayya and other senior Mahants. That is all I am asking you. Please think about that.
I will come back to Allahabad for that. Make it possible for people like me to come back. Get rid of the evils like Indrani and other malevolent people who do not even have remorse for their sinful deeds." He said emotionally.
He went to the cupboard behind and took out a very old and tattered manuscript. He touched it almost with reverence.
"And one more thing, this is a very old copy of Ram Charit Manas. Can you please give this to Kishen Bhayya on my behalf? He had been searching for this particular copy for many years, and luckily I found it with one of my friends here." Sadanand handed over the sacred book to Advay and he took it and stored it carefully in his carry bag, promising him that he will give the book to Kishen Chacha in the evening.
Advay sighed in relief as he bid goodbye to Siddharth and the trunk of jewellery which is now in the safe hands of Law and Justice Department, and will return to the Shiv Temple and the sacred Gods, once the due procedure is complete.
Advay returned to the hotel immediately and hurried to start their journey back to Allahabad, but Nani insisted on going to the local shops to buy something for everyone in the home. By the time they finished shopping and started back it was almost 5pm. Advay called Chandni as promised when they were about to start.
"Dev I am so glad you are coming back at last. Can I speak to Niru Mama for a moment?" She asked hesitantly.
"What's the matter Chandni? Is everything all right?" Advay asked anxiously.
"Dev... It's Kajal Maasi. Her fever is not coming down at all. Doctor was here again this morning but said that, if it worsens we may have to take her to hospital and admit there, so that they can do further tests and diagnose it properly. We thought we will wait till you guys come back but we may have to go early. I don't know yet. But we will wait for few more hours." Chandni replied anxiously.
"Yes Chandni, we will be there very shortly. Please don't worry. But if she needs to be taken to hospital before that, please don't hesitate. Let Murli and Shilpa be with her and the security guys. We are on our way and will be there in few hours at the max." Advay reassured her.
He ended the call and spoke to Murli briefly explaining what needs to be done.
As their car raced towards Allahabad, Advay fondly thought of Kishen Chacha and his gruff manners, and how he would react when he got his favourite scripture book. He couldn't wait to see Chandni either. But it was Sadanand Agnihotri's parting words that kept ringing in his ears. "Make it possible for people like me to come back to Allahabad, get rid of evils like Indrani.....". Yes, his focus had never wavered and his goal remained the same, no matter how the circumstances have changed for him positively at the home front. Indrani must be destroyed... at any cost.
*****
At the same time, Indrani too was thinking about her Nemesis Advay, and all the events that have happened ever since he set foot in Allahabad. It was just lucky that she found out about Advay visiting Krishna Bharadwaj's home. Was it just a coincidence? She knew that Chandni was friends with his son and his low caste wife while studying in her Sanskrit college. She was careful not to express her views too vehemently against that low caste girl to Chandni, because she wanted to maintain the façade of a good and kind mother in front of her.
Is that why Chandni was there too? Was it just a social visit? Maybe or maybe not. But she just can't take any risks as far as Advay and Krishna Bharadwaj are concerned.
Shakun came in smiling and handed over the tea to Indrani. Indrani tasted it but controlled herself from throwing it away. This was at least better than what she had in Jail, she consoled herself. She smiled at Shakun and enquired where Ranjit was. Shakun left to look for him.
As Indrani sipped the tasteless tea, she reflected on her current situation. She was happy with the way things have been arranged in such a short time. Ranjit got lucky in finding the perfect contact that can do the job for them, so that their name won't be associated at all.
Ranjit warned her that Ganesh Bhai and his gang are very ruthless and do things their own way, and don't like involvement or instructions from the client, but that was actually welcome for her. She was expecting a call from him very soon.
Just then Ranjit walked in talking over the phone.
"Yes Ganesh Bhai, have you got the photo I sent by WhatsApp? Yes, that one. Right!! Family ? Yeah of course."
Indrani fumed inwardly as she realised that Ganesh "Bhai" had called Ranjit instead of her, to finalise the job details.
She beckoned to Ranjit to hand over the phone to her and Ranjit did reluctantly, while informing Ganesh that Indrani wants to talk to him.
"See Ganesh... Only that guy is our main target, we want him at any cost but his..." She was cut off.
"Indraniji Sab log ham ko Ganesh Bhai bolte hai" Came the terse reply from the other end.
"Aur Sab log Ham ko Mahantaniji Kahte Hai Ganesh Bhai. " Indrani replied with gritted teeth, loathing the audacity of a thug to speak to her like that.
"You may be Mahantani or whatever in your home, but for me you are nothing but a client. Now this case... is it just Kidnap or Murder?" Ganesh Bhai asked casually.
Indrani thought for a moment and answered
"Murder."
"Then you don't tell me what to do, or who to kidnap exactly either Indraniji, because we are the ones to take care of bodies here. And by the way if it is murder then the price is double. Send your man with the money to my local guy. Only after the payment is received, our guys will start travelling from here and finish the job." Ganesh Bhai cut the call.
Indrani fumed at the way this whole transaction was happening. The insults and the indignation she had to go through. She closed her eyes in frustration. It won't be for long, she consoled herself.
A roaring thunder followed a huge lightning in the sky outside.
*****
"Chandni don't worry!! If the doctor says it is just precautionary, then it must be that. They might just want to keep her under observation. You were feeling uneasy all day? Why? You know what, I will come and see you right after visiting Kishen Chacha. You stay where you are. Is the security guy with you? OK, Good. . Murli will arrange for a room and all that for Kajal Maasi in the hospital, I have already spoken to him." Advay assured her and hung up.
"Kajal Maasi is being admitted into the hospital for overnight stay. Doctor said it seems that they just want to keep her under observation, it is just a precautionary measure. They are running some tests. Shikha, Chandni and Murli are here with her." Advay informed worried looking Nani and Niru Mama.
"I will go and stay with her at the hospital." Niru Mama said immediately.
"Mamaji, she is fine, just not responding the way she should to medicines, and anyway its night time so they won't allow you to stay at the hospital too. Let's go home, Meghana and Shilpa are at home. Let's rest up and we will come to the hospital first thing in the morning." Advay advised him and he agreed reluctantly.
The thunderstorms and lightning in the sky increased and it started to drizzle slightly.
They stopped in front of Kishen Chacha's home. He just came out carrying a bag and was about to kick start his old scooter.
Advay greeted him cordially, and the happiness on Advay's face made Krishna Bharadwaj understand that everything went off successfully in Banaras. Advay went inside the house along with Kishen Chacha, and handed over the book Sadanandji gave him. He touched Kishen Chacha's feet and thanked him, but Kishen Chacha hugged him instead. Both were feeling as if years of burden had been lifted off their shoulders and were in joyous mood.
"I would have offered you some tea, but I am hopeless in kitchen and Bharti hasn't come back from office. In fact she just called me that she missed the bus and I am going now to pick her from the hospital bus stop." He explained.
"Oh Ok. Please don't let me delay you then. In fact I am going towards the hospital. Please come with me in my car." Advay offered.
"No...I am fine I can go on my scooter. I can give you a lift if you want." Kishen Chacha chuckled.
"What!!! in that old scooter? No thanks, it looks it will break into two if I sit on it." Advay mocked.
"Don't insult my scooter, instead of admitting that you forgot how to ride a two wheeler now." Kishen Chacha mocked.
Just then Advay received a call from the security guy in the car waiting outside.
"Sir we had to move the car a bit forward as we were blocking the traffic, I just wanted to let you know."
"John don't worry about me, I am going to the hospital and pickup Chandni and come home in their car. You take Mamaji and Nani home quickly." Advay informed him.
"But Sir..."
"It's OK the hospital is just five minutes from here. And I have to show someone my driving skills here." Advay chuckled and hung up.
Advay and Kishen Chacha came out of the house chuckling and Advay kick started the scooter, and insisted Kishen Chacha to sit on the back seat, as he rode it towards the hospital.
****
Chandni kept glancing at the hospital entrance, as her eyes searched for Advay every time the sliding doors opened. She was waiting in the corridor, and she had a view to the side lane next to the hospital through the window behind her. She kept glancing there too to see if Advay's car might be parked there. The security guy was sitting next to her and Murli was inside with Kajal Maasi.
Just then a black van was parked there, and Chandni saw some men getting out of it. Due to the rain and the darkness outside, she couldn't see properly but suddenly when the lightning struck outside, she saw something shining in one of those guy's hands. Was it a knife? Her heart stopped for a moment. But when she saw again, there was no one. Was this her overactive imagination playing with her mind again? She cursed herself.
"Madam, I will just go to the Men's room and be back. Please stay here." The security guy informed her and left. Chandni nodded her head.
****
Advay and Kishen Chacha reached the bus stop shortly, but Bharti was nowhere to be seen. There was a small by lane next to the hospital and Advay parked the scooter there. While Kishen Chacha walked towards the bus stop at the other end Advay started walking towards the hospital.
It started to rain now.
Chandni saw Advay parking the scooter in the side lane. She couldn't believe her eyes first, what is Advay doing on a scooter? Is her mind playing tricks again? But she saw again and confirmed it was him. She opened the back door and ran into the side lane calling his name.
"Dev!!!"
Advay turned around to see Chandni running towards him on the road, in the rain. His face lit up just by the sight of her. Chandni ran but didn't stop as she reached him, and he lifted her up straight into his arms. Chandni hugged him with a sigh of relief. All day she was worried about him, just for nothing. She is back in her Dev's arms now, just where she belongs. Advay smiled heartily at this new bold gesture from his wife but he was more than happy for it.
Just then a naughty idea came into Chandni's mind and she began to kiss him all over the face.
"You asked me to compensate for yesterday right? Here you go!!" She kept smiling and kissing him on the face.
Some of the passers-by in the lane were stopping and staring at them.
"Chandni sab log Dekh rahe hai." Advay protested in vain.
"Dekhne do!! Mera Pati... Meri Marzi.... do you know how worried I was all day." She pouted and rested her face on his shoulder and Advay hugged her even closer.
"WHACK" Something very heavy hit the back of Advay's head and his grip on Chandni loosened; but he forced himself and hugged her tighter.
"Dev!!" Chandni screamed loudly. Before he could call her out, another blow hit him, and everything blacked out.
^--------------------^
There is not much to write in author's note for this chapter. Hahahah
I am sorry if I have ruined the famous rain scene for all of you. But in my defence, whatever happened, it happened afterwards.
Please leave your comments and feedback.
Next update in few days.
Love
Sesi