Chapter 43

chapter 36

           Swayam rushed home and was glad to find that for once, Neeti hadn't barricaded herself in her room but was seated on the sofa with her face buried in her hands. The momentary respite was soon eclipsed by grief and helplessness. He sat beside her and stroked her head soothingly. It was then he realized that she was silently crying. Anger consumed him again and he got up mumbling

"I will kill that bas***d!"

That seemed to shake Niyati out if her reverie and she immediately held her brother's hand, preventing him from leaving. "What?! Please Bhai! Aap aisa kuch nahin karenge!"

          "Tu kya expect karti hai? woh tujhe hurt karega aur main chup chap dekhta rahoonga?"

          "Bhai! aap purani baatein bhool kyun nahin jaate?"

          "Yahi sawaal agar main tujhse karoon toh?"

Niyati remained silent at this. Swayam continued, "Tu kis baat se dar rahi hai Neeti? Kya hojayega zyaada se zyaada?"

Her eyes snapped up to meet her brother's piercing ones. "Kya hojayega? Really Bhai? you are asking me? Jodhpur ka scene bhool gaye hain kya aap?"

          "Main kuch nahin bhoola hoon", Swayam replied. "But main ye zaroor janna chahta hoon ke tu mujhse expect kya karti hai? Maine last time bhi tere kehne par, teri khaatir silent rehne ka decision liya tha. Ab bhi tu mujhse wahi expect kar rahi hai. Let me make this clear Neeti. Main sidelines par khade hokar tujhe baar baar hurt hote huye nahin dekh sakta. Ek behen ko apni carelessness se kho diya hai. Use itni taqleef pahunchaayi hai. Main nahin chahta ke phir se woh repeat ho."

          Neeti stepped up and gently laid her hand on Swayam's shoulder. "I understand Bhai. Aur please baar baar puraani baatein ko lekar khud ko chot mat pahunchaiye. Taani ne khud kaha hai na aapse, that she does not hold you responsible. Phir aap kyun aisa sochte rehte hain?" She turned him around to face her and continued, "Bhai, mera aapko pehle rokne ka reason alag tha aur ab wajah alag hai. Pehle main jaanti thi koi hamari baat per bharosa nahin karega. There was no point in fighting at all. But now, situation alag hai Bhai. Mere past ke baare mein yahan kisi ko kuch nahin maloom hai. Agar aap is tarah Parth ke saath violent hojayenge toh sabko shak hojayega. Phir mera yahan aane ka purpose hi khatam hojayega."

          She gave him a moment to let all of that sink in then added, "Please Bhai! Let me have this chance. Agar sabko sach pata chal gaya toh ya toh mujh par taras khayenge ya mujhse nafrat karenge. Waise bhi meri koi khaas reputation toh hai nahin college mein. Mere baare mein koi bhi rumour log asaani se believe karlenge. Aapka sabke saamne Parth se ulajhna sirf mujhe hi nuksaan pohonchayega."

          Swayam remained silent throughout her monologue. When she finished he asked her, "Fine. I understand tu kya kehne ki koshish kar rahi hai. Lekin is sab mein tu ek baat bhool rahi hai."

          "Kya?"

          "Parth."

          "What?"

          "Main kuch nahin karoonga. Koi scene nahin create karoonga. Lekin that doesn't mean ke Parth bhi silent rahega. What if usne sabko sach bata diya? Uska twisted version of truth?"

          Niyati hadn't considered that possibility. She figured that if she kept her mouth sealed, nobody would ever find out. But Swayam's question changed things. She felt trapped. There was no way out of this. She couldn't back out nor could she move forward. And with a snap, the fear returned.

          Sensing her turmoil, Swayam held both her shoulders and said reassuringly, "Mujhe usse baat karne de. Don't worry... Main uski class akele mein loonga. He won't be able to mess with you again once I am through with him. Tu tension mat le. "

          Niyati held her brother gratefully.

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          What is she doing here? Why didn't I think ke woh bhi yahan ho sakti hai!? Arrggghhh!!! I am such an idiot!! Parth rebuked himself mentally. He was so excited to come to St. Louis. Now he was beginning to regret that decision. All because of a certain minx!

When he found out Swayam was in St. Louis, he couldn't resist. He never admitted but he did miss India. The States was an exciting place and he still believed moving there to study was the best decision of his life. Lots of freedom, less nagging and the exciting night life. He felt in control of his life as he didn't have to follow everything his family had laid down for him. But every now and then, he felt lonely. He had many friends, but there wasn't a single one he could trust. Turn to in turbulent times for assurance and comfort. All his so-called friends only stuck around as long as he wanted to party or mess around.

          It was then he missed Swayam a lot. He was his anchor. Growing up with him was fun. There were perfectly balanced. He was brash and reckless while Swayam was cautious and controlled. They got up to so much mischief. He smiled wistfully smiled at the memories. He thought taking the transfer was an excellent opportunity to rekindle the old friendship. With Taani gone, Swayam would be all alone and knowing him, he would prefer placing his trust on the people he knew. He could get his friend back and life would be all perfect all again.

          But never in his wildest dreams had he anticipated seeing her  there. It was as if his worst nightmare had materialized in front of him. But that wasn't what caught his attention. It was her indifference towards him. Whatever little he had seen of her that day, she had acted as if he didn't exist. In the past, he had always prided in the fact that he could elicit a reaction out of her. But on the contrary to the fireball he knew her to be, she was calm and collected. Not an expression to give away any recognition or agitation.

          A sly smile graced his face. Now that isn't acceptable. Nobody ignores Parth Virendra Rathore and gets away with it. Jitni koshish karni hai karlo Niyati. You can never stay indifferent forever. I will make sure of it.

[MEMBERSONLY]