As you all wanted a longer update I am uploading two chapters at once.
Hope you guys enjoy...
Chapter 3: If only it could all stop...
Sammy's words had shifted his thoughts out of gear. His heart was beating way faster than it should and his brains refused to stop churning out the different scenarios that played out. He asked the driver for the fifth time how much time till we reach the Chawl, and his answer didn't change. The traffic he was stuck in made it impossible for his driver to deduce the time.
Raghav made a quick decision; he got out of the car and ran. Probably the quickest and best decision he had ever made.
"Apni beti ki kaali kartutein dekhna chahti hai Kamla?"
Kamla couldn't speak. Pakhi went and stood next to Neetu. And for the first time in her life she went against Kamla Maa. Neetu fished something out of her purse.
A dozen or more photographs went flying in the air and settled at Kamla's feet. All just depicting one story- her daughter's betrayal. Her daughter's love affair as what Neetu Memsaab had put it.
Kamla fell. Lifeless and devoid of any emotion. Kalpi's body was numb. Tears refused to shed, as murmurs turned into screams and accusations. Vitthal sat beside Kamla and urged her to say something. Pakhya's head was lowered in shame.
"Yahi sikhaya apni beti ko. Kamla you knew Paakhi loved Raghav and you knew that she will kill herself to be with Raghav. Then why? Why did your daughter do this?" Neetu screamed.
Pakhi was untouched by Kamla Maa's condition. Today she was a Kapoor, not Kamla Maa's daughter. Kalpi stood there lifeless. Sammy watched as Kalpana stood there all alone; motionless and stiff!
He prayed that Raghav makes it on time.
Suddenly Pakhi turned around and faced Kalpana, "You still don't have anything to say? I saw you with my own eyes at the Rockfront. I wouldn't have believed it till I saw you both. How dare you? How dare you touch him? How dare you go close to him? Don't you know he is mine? I always respected you, helped you, and supported you when you were right. And what did you do?"
She pushed Kalpi around. Kalpana was now standing at the entrance of her chawl. Pakhi's accusations didn't stop, "Aaj tumne tumhari aukaat dikha di. My mom kept telling me to stay away from you and your Mother. But no, I only trusted you both blindly. How can you even think that business tycoon Raghav Singhania will fall for you? How... I am sure it's you! It's you who trapped him for all his money. For all his wealth and fortune. Because last I checked he hated you! Ek chawlwali aur kar hi kya sakti hai. Memsaab banana tha na tujhe. You have found the easiest and quickest road for that, hai na Kalpi? So who after Raghav? How much did you plan to rob Raghav of? Rate kya lagaya apna?"
Kalpi's world shifted at these words. She was dumbstruck. Her eyes searched for her Aayi's reassuring look. She went towards her Aayi and hugged her lifeless figure. In between her sobs and crying she urged her aayi to listen to her. She begged her baba to listen to her once. But not once did they look at her. She was broken. She walked towards Pakhi and uttered, "Pakhi, mujhe kisi ko phasane ki zarurat nahi hai. Apni khwabo ki duniya se bahar nikalo. Unn tasveero mein sirf mein nahi thi Raghav Sir bhi hai. Aur aaj ka sach yahi hai ki Raghav Sir mujhse pyaar karte hai"
A wave of anger enveloped Pakhi, how dare does Kalpana say that. Pakhi lost all her control and raised her hand to slap Kalpana once again to strip her off all the attitude and dignity she had. But what met her was a strong pair of hands. A intimidating figure that covered Kalpana with his.
**Maybe she wasn't alone after all. She knew that headache of hers would stop. She knew there would be those strong pair of arms that will wrap around her and everything will stop. She just knew.**
Chapter 4: I am safe.
The moment he saw Sammy gloomily standing outside the chawl wall he knew what he was going to be facing. As soon as he descended the car, Pakhi's words entered his ears. The next few lines she spoke were a blur. They thundered on him like a demon. Raghav's blood boiled, and every nerve and muscle in his body gave way. He walked towards the chawl knowing what he was going to be facing there. But Kalpana's words stopped him. Kalpana's tone was calm, while she trembled a bit when she took his name. His heart instantly bellowed to go and protect her. And that's just what he did.
Pakhi's slap was met with a strong hand; with a grip so strong that she felt her hand would break. Kalpi's eyes were tightly shut as she waited for the impact of the slap on her cheek.
As moments passed, she felt that tingling sensation in her heart again. And she opened her eyes to see a fierce mantle of a frame blocking every wrong thing coming her way. She felt safe.
Raghav's voice pierced the air. "How dare you Ms. Pakhi Kapoor? HOW DARE YOU? Who are you to even touch my Kalpi?"
His voice struck like thunder, and just that was enough for Pakhi to retreat her steps.
Raghav turned towards Kalpana who had clutched his sleeve. She was so vulnerable, her eyes searching for a shelter in his. And just the nod of his head, just the touch of his hand and the intense gaze of his eyes were her assurance. Kalpi was safe.
**He is here, you are safe Kalpi. I am safe. Should I be happy, should I feel safe? Will everything ever be the same?**
------------------------------------ TO BE CONTINUED --------------------------------------
Arjun
Cricket
Indian Mythology
