Chapter 17

Next part – kaju in London

 

(The entire household was flabbergasted at her decision – Panna Chhachi stalked her as Kaju threw her clothes into a suitcase not caring if she had the right match, or fit. She made sure, her passport was with her, credit cards, IDs. Ironically her passport and visa arrived in the post – special recorded delivery just on the day of the arrest – courtesy Devs close contacts. What a strange system which could buy everything for money, but not an innocent mans life.  

"Kaajjal – ye kya ho raha sab kuch. Tum ab kahaan ja rahe ho…Aur…Dev…ke saath kyaa ho raha hai sab kuch. Koi mujhe bhi kuch toh bataye" she finally held Kajus arms and demanded. Kaju sighed deeply and forced herself to look at chhachi, softly her eyes reflecting her own pain," Chhachiji – Bass aap sab ka aashirwaad chayiye aur baakhi sab baad mein bataaoongi. Abhi mein khud nahin jaanti kyaa karma hai" Panna chaachi whispered horrified," Kyaa…Kaajjal bete, tum….akele…is tarah," Kaajjal shook her head," Nahin Chaachi, mein akele kahaan hoon. Dev hain na mere saath. Wooh toh humesha hain mere saath hi rehthe hain. Aap aur sab ka saath hain. Aur Phir Gannu Bhaiyya, unhe toh aap bhool hi gaye. Don't worry Chhachi mein yun gayee aur Apne Dev ko yun le aayee." Chhachi wasnt fooled for even a single sec, by her forced flippancy. She was tearful, "Ohh…Kaajjal…" She hugged Kaju who closed her eyes but she quickly hid the tears that threatened to fall, looking away, not wanting to look weak in front of Chhachi.

Payal was waiting in the car, subdued lost in thought. Kaju tapped her arm," Hey – you look a bit lost. Sab theek ho jayegaa. " Payal smiled slightly but looked away.

In less than 10 hours they were in London Heathrow. They had to take the early morning flight, on the next day. But Dev was taken back same day in the evening by a special charted BA flight. He would have arrived by now.

poem by William Blake on London)

I wander thro' each charter'd street, 
Near where the charter'd Thames does flow, 
And mark in every face I meet 
Marks of weakness, marks of woe. 

In every cry of every Man, 
In every Infant's cry of fear, 
In every voice, in every ban, 
The mind-forg'd manacles I hear. 

How the Chimney-sweeper's cry 
Every black'ning Church appalls; 
And the hapless Soldier's sigh 
Runs in blood down Palace walls. 

But most thro' midnight streets I hear 
How the youthful Harlot's curse 
Blasts the new born Infant's tear, 
And blights with plagues the Marriage hearse.

 

London – Heathrow. It was summertime and very warm, almost 25 degrees. Though it was Kajus first visit, she barely noticed anything around her and asked for the Hilton.  As they checked in Payal, felt they were being followed. Years of having to keep her head low, saving her self from the public eye, she had learnt to trust her sixth sense. She knew, Shivansh was here somehow, keeping an eye on their every move. But she didnt want Kaju unnecessary worried.

 

As Kaju paced the room, Payal said," Now what. We are here – do you know what you will do next" Kaju was thinking hard, " Dev – was drunk that nite. Shivansh took him to this room and put him in with the dead girl and the drugs, assuming all his staff were on it. Payal, there is no evidence that he actually shot that girl, only his prints on it. If we somehow prove he was out all nite. If there was some witness, then maybe there is a chance", she nibbled her lip anxiously. Payal sighed deeply," If there is – Kajjal no one will come forward. I know Shivansh. He leaves no loop holes. I told you there is only one way." Kaajjal went to Payal and scolded her," No Payal – stop talking like a defeatist. He is only human and everybody makes mistakes." Payal shouted back, "No – Kaajjal, I told you he is not human – Dammit Kaajjal cant you see. He is not human." She sobbed. Kaajjal took a deep breathe, gently holding Payal consoling her as she whispered," No- Payal, no he isn't not after what you told me, but then he isn't god either. God is protecting my Dev now, just as he is looking after me and you. Believe me God is mightier than the Shivansh's of the world, Payal. Koi na koi raastha zaroor niklegaa". She said that to herself a few times lest her own resolve weakened.

 

Devs arrest sent fresh waves of anticipation and fear all over UK. Two other Indian nationals were booked in on a similar charge but different places. There were protests everywhere, in small groups at the way people were being detained for questioning under the new terror laws.

 

Dev was taken to the same place in South London for further questioning. He had braced himself for another round of torture, but to his surprise no one bothered with him even as the other two were being repeatedly tortured in the adjacent cell. That made him suspicious that Shivansh was behind it somehow. And he was right when Shivansh came visit him, the same day. He was dressed casually to appear inconspicuous. The police officer who let him was probably on his payroll like many others. Dev watched that exchange, his lips tightened, but he held himself back. Something told him Shivansh had a deal for him. "So Mr. Dev, do you like my hospitality. I told you there will be no mistakes. The case is watertight." Dev didn't respond, muscle beating at his jaw, His eyes which were filled with pure hatred, said it all.

 

Shivansh looked at him, the same crazy glint in his eyes as he had seen in Mumba. Leaning towards him, he put his foot on Devs bunker, and rasped softly," Don't be a fool, DEv. Cant you see, I can get you released like that. My man who did that, can go in for a few years. But you my friend wont see the daylight till you are old and gnarled, that is if if you are lucky to see it at all. Tell me Dev -What is she to you? Or did you find some favours with her, before Kaajjal".

 

Devs hands found his throat again, his veins standing out against his skin as he struggled to keep his head about him…he wanted to kill Sshivansh that moment would have if …his voice shook with emotions, he was struggling to keep at bay, blood in his eyes," Shivansh – one more time…I swear ……if you take my wifes name again, I will kill you. Make no mistakes." Shivansh only smiled, that weird crazy smile of his and Devs hands dropped.

 

Shivansh laughed softly," woah - I like it – Dev. I like it. That's what I like about you. This passion, the fire, the zest, the zeal – I love it, Dev.

Yaar - Is maamle mein hum dono barabar. Tum bhi aashiq aur mein bhi aashiq. Sirf ek aashiq hi doosre aashiq ko acchi tarah pechaantha hai. Haaii - Ye junoon, ye tadap ye ishq ye chaahat, aur ye nafrat. Whoa – mazaa aaya. Cant you not see Dev, you of all people – What Payal means to me. I can do anything to get her back – anything. Just like you are going thru this for the sake of your love, I am doing this for my love."

 

Dev took a deep breathe to calm himself down. He closed his eyes his pain, his helplessness reflected even in the tiniest flicker of his lashes. You must try and calm down Dev, the only way to win the war is to stay calm. Finally he turned and looked at shivansh with a smile of his own, the glimmer of the old arrogance back in the slight slant of his face," You know something Shivansh, I pity you. Yes I do." Waving his hands, he gestured," Here -you have me at your mercy. A foolproof case, a murder rap, terrorism and what not. BUT YOU KNOW WHAT Mr. Shivansh Kapoor – I say, still you lose". Shivansh smile faded, he looked shocked at Devs words.

 

Dev continued to smile, a strange glint in his dark eyes which were completely fearless," In all this you just come up as a weak man. For love is not possession. Love is giving. Let her go, Shivansh, let her go." His voice softened a fraction," Maybe she will come back to you. Trying to grab her like this what will you gain…that's not love".

 

Shivansh had gone pale, Dev knew he had found a chink and pushed home his advantage," She doesn't love you. She despises you – Shivansh Kapoor, the most powerful man on earth. But, she care two hoots about you". He saw Shivansh clench his hands, sweat breaking out on his thin face, as he grew even more pale. Dev turned his back and slanted a look, murmuring softly, "Go away – do your worst. I am not scared. I will wait for the day, when you pick up your gun and shoot your brains out. For that will be your fate. Unable to bear this rejection, you will just kill yourself". Shivansh gave him one hard look, his throat working furiously but Dev did not turn.

 

Then he just turned on his heel and left. But Dev had seen his tremor, his fear and sighed deeply without feeling any joy in that. Damn – he wasn't interested in Shivansh, only Kaju. Wondered where she was right now and what was she upto. He sat down heavily, missing her bad, wanting her to be next to him. "Oh – Kaajjal, please come soon".

keep watching folks....it  gets positive

sammy 

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