I'm sorry I couldnt reply to all ur comments individually so I have combined all remaining replies together in above post.
Theres a major problem with my laptop, its infected with viruses and needs to be reformatted. I will update both FFs this week but cant say when. Sorry to make u all wait for this update.
Thanks tons for reading and appreciating with all your comments! 😳
AJT Part 75
Kahin dard e mohabbat hai
Kahin milan ki tishnagi
Yehi hai zindagi
Yehi hai zindagi.....
Well, well, well! If it isnt my old BEST friends! .....Josh sneered with an ugly grin: Hey Shabbir, Man! I didn't know you had a taste for leftovers? Terey mangetar ne bekaar mein suicide kiya, tu toh usey bhi apnaa leta.....
BAMMM! ...Angad leaped at Josh, his fist slammed with a bone-crunching thud on Josh's jaw.
Sheetal screamed, Kripa rushed forward to stop Angad, Mishti stood silently, red-faced, trembling with rage.
Josh rubbed his jaws, glaring furiously at Angad : You *******! Tuney mujhey maara? What did I say to you? Don't interfere, you ****!
Angad growled like menacing thunder, totally incensed by Josh's cruel jibe at Shabbir: Just SHUT UP! Mujhey afsos hai mainey kabhie tujhey apna dost maana. Tujhsey hamdardi jataya. Tu naa toh dosti ke kaabil hai, naa hamdardi ke. YOU DON'T DESERVE IT, U ******!
He was shaking with fury, but Kripa and Aliyah held him back by his arms.
Shabbir's hand had relinquished Mishti's elbow. His face was twisted with pain, his life's wound gaped open for all to see. Mishti took one look at his face and her fury burst forth like red-hot lava .
Stepping up to Josh, her hand rose and she slapped Josh hard! Hard on his cheeks.
YOU CREEP! HOW DARE YOU? Its true what people say, the Apple never falls far from the tree. Tum jiss keechad mein paley ho, usee mein dum todogey!
Josh snarled at her: SHUT UP, *****! I could have had you on Holi, you and that sexy sister of yours, if this jerk hadnt interfered. (he indicated Shabbir with his forefinger)
Mishti gasped with affront and rage and slapped him again. Josh grabbed her wrist tightly, twisting her arm, growling at her: STOP IT, U *****!
Kartik, who had been gaping in shock so far, jumped into action. He couldn't bear watching Josh manhandle his sister. He leaped with a snarling yell : DON'T TOUCH MY SISTER! .....and punched Josh really hard in the stomach, knocking him down on the floor.
Josh groaned with pain, rolling around on the floor, clutching his abdomen.
Mishti stepped up and with uncharacteristic viciousness, ground her pointed heel into his right palm: Issi haath se tuney merey behen ko chhua tha naa? Bol, jaanvar? Mujhey ghinn hoti hai mainey tujh jaisey keedey se pyar kiya! Tu insaan nahin, KEEDA hai, KEEDA!
Kripa and all others gaped at Mishti. She was a virago in her passionate fury, an evenging Goddess!
Harshini suddenly appeared, holding hands with Prithvi. She took in the scene before her and screamed, horrified : Mishti what are u doing to my brother? WHAT'S GOING ON?
Mishti removed her foot and turned to her: Issi se hi poochh lo isney kya kaha aur kiya hai? Iskey jaisa neech insaan tumhara Bhai kehlaney ke layak nahin!
Harshini ran to Josh and helped him up since Sheetal was busy simpering with fear.
Josh swayed dangerously, pointing his finger at Angad and Kartik with bloodshot eyes : YOU TWO! TUM DONO KO MAIN DEKH LOONGA! I WILL SUE YOU ! YOU DARED TO HIT JOSH SINHA? I WILL SEND U TO JAIL, YOU ************s !
Angad was straining to hit him again, Kripa clung to his arm, pleading: Angad! PLEASE! DON'T DO IT! Hes not worth it! Uskey mooh mat lago. ANGAD!
Josh wiped off some blood from his lips, his eyes swept lasciviously over Kripa's body in the clinging white sari, he sneered drunkenly : Eyy Ladki! Zyada Sati Savitri mat bann. Mainey apney aankhon se dekha, Holi ke din tu aur Angad kya kar rahey the, merey Guest room mein. You are nothing but a ****! Building ke liye Angad ke paas apni izzat bech dee!
That was it! Angad pried off Kripa's arm and lunged at Josh, grabbing his throat, shaking it hard: KYA KAHA TUNEY? I WILL KILL U, YOU *******!
Josh also started hitting Angad, punching him helter skelter in his drunk state. They exchanged hard blows and punches as the others watched helplessly.
The Club Security had arrived by then, they pulled off the two men straining to smash each other into pulp with their fists.
Angad quietened down, Josh still huffed: DEKH LOONGA TUJHEY! I WILL SUE YOU!
The Club Manager approached them sternly: What is this, Mr. Khanna? You had booked a party here but we don't tolerate rowdy behavior! ALL of you have to leave the premises right now!
Angad wiped off the sweat from his brows, speaking levelly: Mr. Ganguly, we ARE leaving. This man here (he pointed to Josh) is drunk and was insulting our ladies. That's why things got out of hand. I apologize for the commotion, but not for beating him up. He deserves it!
The Manager nodded in understanding but repeated: Please take your quarrels outside. This wont be tolerated inside the Club.
Josh was escorted by Security to his car, Harshini and Sheetal following him quietly.
Angad's group suddenly noticed Shabbir was missing! Where was he? They looked around, calling his name but he was nowhere to be found.
Mishti was really upset, almost in tears: Yeh sab meri vajeh se hua hai. Kaash main uss ******** se pyaar naa karti! Shabbir got insulted because of me!
Kripa was boiling with anger at Josh for ruining Mishti's Birthday party. She hugged Mishti and consoled her: Please Didi, its not your fault! Its that Creep! He insulted all of us! Don't let him ruin our enjoyment! Come on, we had fun tonight, usey bhool jaao.
Aliyah also grasped Mishti's arm: Kripa theek keh rahi hai! Just forget about all this. And don't worry about Shabbir! Wo shayad ghar chala gaya hai. We will find him! Don't worry!
They came out into the parking lot and looked for Shabbir but his car was gone.
Angad looked disturbed : Hes gone home! Pata nahin kis haal mein hoga! I have to go over to his place.
Kripa suddenly noticed his cheek was bleeding from a cut, scraped by Josh's gold ring.
She gasped: OMAA! Tumharey gaal se khoon nikal raha hai, Angad!
She took out her perfumed handkerchief and wiped it, slowly, then turned back : Thehro, main Club Manager se First-Aid kit lekar aati hoon.
Angad caught her hand and smiled gently at her: Kripa, koi zaroorat nahin! I will survive! Tumhara rumaal hai na? Ghar jaakar ointment laga loonga.
Mishti suddenly spoke up: Wait! I have Boroline in my handbag. Isey lagaa lo! ...she fished out a Boroline tube and handed it to Kripa who applied it lovingly on Angad's cheek.
Kartik frowned, watching them thoughtfully. Josh's comments had set him thinking, what did Josh mean by that? Angad and Kripa in his guest room on Holi ? What were they doing there?
After Kripa had completed her first-aid, he cleared his throat: Angad! Main tumsey baat karna chahta hoon. Can we speak in private?
Angad sighed, rolling his eyes heavenward. He knew what this was about! Josh's lewd comments about the Guest room and about having the Basu sisters.
He walked towards Kartik: Of course! Ask me anything u want. We are family now!
Kartik drew him aside, behind a car: What was Josh talking about? What did he mean by all that?
Angad squared his broad shoulders, looking up at the taller man's eyes in the semi-dark: Kartik, tum merey honay waley saaley ho, tumsey kuchh nahin chhupaunga! Holi ke din main aur Kripa Josh ke guest room mein dress change karney gaye the. We did make out but we didn't cross our limits. I swear by your sister! Shes still an innocent. I love her and would never harm her in any way.
Kartik nodded, satisfied with his explanations: Theek hai, main maan leta hoon. Lekin wo sab kya tha? Mishti aur Kripa ke baarey mein? Josh ne kya kiya tha?
Angad clenched his jaw and launched into an account of all that had happened on Holi. How Shabbir had saved both Mishti and Kripa's honor from the lustful intentions of Josh.
Kartik was horrified, then furious: ITNA SAB KUCHH HUA AUR TUM LOGON NE MUJHEY KUCHH NAHIN BATAYA? WHY?
Calm down, Bro! .....Angad pacified him: Mujhey khud baad mein pata chala, Shabbir ne agley din bataya. I went to Josh's house, confronted him and bashed him up. Baad mein Mishti aur Kripa ko bhi sab kuchh maloom hua toh Mishti ne Josh se apna rishta tod diya. Aaj Josh usee baat ka badla le raha tha, by insulting all of us. Bechara Shabbir iss sab ke beech mein pad gaya..
Kartik gritted his teeth: Agar mujhey yeh sab pehley pata chalta toh main aaj uss jaanvar ko maar hi daalta!
Angad slapped his arm, laughing lightly: Then its all for the best tumhey pata nahin tha. Agar tum Josh ko maar detey toh meri behen ka kya hota? You have to think about Aliyah too!
Kartik nodded ruefully: Yes, u are right! Now lets go find Shabbir! I owe him a debt of gratitude for saving my sisters.
Uski zaroorat nahin, Kartik. Tum apney behnon ko lekar ghar jaao, I will find out where hes gone.
Alright, I will drop off Aliyah too on my way home. ....Kartik offered.
Thanks, Bro! ....Angad smiled at him and they went back to the ladies.
Kripa was grateful for the darkness hiding her red cheeks. She knew Dada had realized what they had been upto on Holi. She hoped he wouldn't think badly of her. She and Angad had not committed any sin. They loved each other but had not crossed their limits yet.
Kartik drove the three ladies home in silence. All of them were upset about what had just happened at the Club and worried about Shabbir.
Angad drove straight to Shabbir's flat in Ballygunge and rang the doorbell several times. Nobody answered the door.
He was really worried now. He hoped Shabbir hadnt harmed himself or hurt in an accident. He called Shabbir's switched-off mobile repeatedly, leaving messages: Shabbir! Where are you? We are all worried about you. Please call me Yaar, and let me know ur whereabouts.
He returned home late, everybody had gone to bed but Aliyah was hanging around, waiting for his return.
Bhai, did u find Shabbir? Is he home? She asked anxiously as Angad wearily climbed the stairs.
Angad shook his head morosely: No! Uska mobile bhi band hai, I left messages. Pata nahin kahan hai wo, kiss haal mein hai?
He and Aliyah stayed awake, trying Shabbir's number repeatedly. Finally around dawn, Angad's mobile rang.
It was Shabbir, talking softly: Angad? Hey Man, Im sorry! You all must be wondering where I am. I am fine. Really! Im on my way to Chandigarh. I will be back in a week.
Angad was relieved to his core: Shabbir! Thank God! We were worried out of our minds. Bina bataye tu achanak Club se chala gaya. Im very sorry about what happened there!
No, Yaar, don't say sorry, its not ur fault. Mera naseeb hi aisa hai. Main ab Chandigarh jaa raha hoon, Seema ke paas. Ussey poochhunga kya Josh sahi tha? Did she kill herself because she thought......I would reject her after what they did to her? Why did she think that, Yaar? Why? ......Shabbir's voice broke with agony.
Angad's heart wept for his dear friend: Shabbir, please don't think like that! Josh ke baaton ko chhod, hes an *******! Usney Kripa aur Mishti ko bhi insult kiya. Tu uski baaton ko dil per mat le, yaar! Bhool jaa wo sab!
Kuchh yaadein hain jo bhulayi nahin jaati, kuchh dard hain jo mit-tey nahin! ..Shabbir said sadly. Main jaanna chahta hoon, kya Seema ne isiliye atmahatya kee thi?
Angad drew a deep breath: Shabbir, she .....she did that because she was still drugged. Wo hosh mein nahin thi.
Phir bhi......why did she kill herself? Usney mujhey ek mauka nahin diya uskey dard ko baantney ka, apney laparwahi ko sudharney ka?.....Ek bhi mauka nahin diya?
Angad was silent, he knew nothing he might say could console Shabbir when he was in this state of mind.
Shabbir continued : I have to be with her memories in her hometown for some time, mujhey akela rehna hai. Im sorry I wont be able to attend ur sagai. Have fun, Dost , and Best of luck! Aur Kripa Bhabhi ko meri badhaiyan dena.
Thanks Shabbir, I will. God be with you! I will see u later.
Angad wiped off his eyes, brooding about his friend's tragedy. He understood his feelings completely.
Kripa had been hoping Shabbir would start liking Mishti and develop a romantic relationship with her. But Angad realized Kripa's dream was impossible. Shabbir could never love anyone again. He wanted to live with his beloved's memories. Just like Gargi Chachi had lived with his Chachu's memories. Both had lost their lovers tragically and could never reconcile to the fact.
When Death/ Fate snatches away ur beloved so cruelly from u, this is what remains. A constant faithfulness to the person u loved, a life dedicated to their memory.
He woke up Aliyah dozing on the sofa and told her about Shabbir's phone call. She was relieved and asked him to get some rest: Brother, tum saari raat nahin soye, ab so jaao.
But he had to call Kripa and let her know about Shabbir.
In Basu household, the 3 siblings were awake too, anxious about Shabbir. Kripa had called Angad many times to ask about him.
When she heard from him at dawn, she was relieved. She and Mishti hugged each other, Kartik sighed in relief and left to get some shut eye, advising his sisters : Tum dono bhi so jaao, do din baad Kripa ki sagai hai. We don't want you two getting sick.
Kripa exclaimed : Thank God Shabbir is safe! Meri toh jaan nikli jaa rahi thi.
Mishti wiped her eyes: Poor guy! I feel so bad for him! Uss Josh ko toh main......I wish I could beat him up.
Tumney maara toh Didi, u bashed him up pretty good! ....Kripa hugged her and laughed loudly: You were SUPERB! Im proud of u, Didi! He got what he deserved!
****************************************************************
But the sisters' jubilation was short-lived. Around noon, Kripa got a phone call from Angad that gave her the biggest shock.
Angad had been arrested for assaulting Josh.
Josh had complained to the Police that Angad and Kartik had beaten him up at Calcutta Club and he had witnesses to prove it!
Kripa ran to her parents, tears streaming down her face: Maa, Baba, Angad ko Police ne arrest kar liya hai. Ab Police Dada ko bhi arrest karegi! Josh ne dono ke baarey mein report kar diya hai. Hey Bhagwan, ab kya hoga?
Her parents were shocked out of their wits, bewildered : Kya hua Angad ko? Arrest kyun hua? Yeh Josh kaun hai?
Mishti rushed out of her room, hyperventilating: Wo kambakht Josh, uski yeh majaal? Main usey dekh loongi! Kahan hai Angad? Kiss Jail mein hai?
They called Kartik at work and warned him about his impending arrest.
Kartik was livid: WHAT!?? Angad jail mein aur Police mujhey bhi arrest karegi? Im calling Raj right now! He has legal connections!
Raj sent a lawyer at once to help Kartik.
All the Basus, Naina, Aliyah, Anitah.......all gathered at Alipur Police Station soon with a couple of lawyers by their side.
Police had a charge-sheet on Kartik too. Waiters and Security at the Club had testified that the two men had beaten up Josh quite badly. Sheetal also backed them up.
Mishti asked the Police: Aur Harshini? Josh ki cousin Harshini? Uska kya bayaan hai?
The police denied any knowledge about Harshini, cousin of the victim.
Mishti knew what she had to do. She left the Police station abruptly, telling Kripa: I will go to Harshie, shes the only one who can help us now!
There were loud arguments at the Thana. The lawyers convinced Police to let go of Angad on a bail set at 25,000. Kartik's lawyer rushed to Alipur court nearby to get the bail orders.
Kripa was distraught, thinking about Angad in lock-up. She was dying to see him, to make sure he was alright.
Naina was wringing her manicured hands and crying: Sagai ke do din pehley yeh sab hua?.....bahut bura shagun hai.
Kripa and her parents looked at her sharply.
Gayatri rebuked Naina : Aisa mat kahiye, Behenjee. Angad ko kuchh nahin hoga! Wo begunaah hai. Kripa ne humein sab kuchh bataa diya. Wo Josh hi badmaash hai. Jhootha ilzaam laga raha hai hamarey Angad per.
Naina glared at them: Lekin mera beta toh jail gaya naa? Kripa ki vajeh se?
Aliyah corrected her: Nahin Maasi, u are mistaken! Josh insulted all of us, Shabbir, Mishti, Angad, Kripa. He deserved that beating. Wo bahut hi gira hua insaan hai. Bhai zaroor jail se choot jayega aur sagai bhi hogi! Trust me Maasi, don't worry about Big Brother! He will be alright.
Kripa cried silently with anxiety, her family and Aliyah consoled her.
Naina left to get the bailout money from her bank. Dilip was out of town on business. Dadi hadnt been informed about Angad's arrest.
Kartik's lawyer returned with Judge's order to bail out Angad.
Just as the bail transaction was being carried out, Mishti walked into the Thana with Harshini in tow.
They all looked up, surprised! What was Josh's cousin doing here?
Harshini stepped up to the Police desk and said: Inspector, I am here to repudiate what my cousin brother Josh Sinha has reported about his assault. Angad Khanna and Kartik Basu are not responsible for what happened. My brother Josh was in a drunken state and insulting all the ladies present here. Mainey apni kaanon se suna, apni aankhon se dekha. Josh apni seemayen paar kar chuka tha, Angad aur Kartik ne usey maara zaroor, but they were badly provoked. And my brother also hit them back. Angad ke gaal per jo ghaav hai wo Josh ne diya hai. So it wasn't just one- sided. My brother is to blame for all this trouble.
The Police wrote down her testimony: Wo sab toh theek hai Ms. Harshini, lekin Club Security aur waiters ke bayaan ka kya hoga?
Harshini bit her lips: My brother paid them money to testify against Angad and Kartik.
This is a grave accusation, buying witnesses! ....The Inspector looked stern: Iska kya saboot hai aapkey paas?
Yeh raha saboot! ....Harshini pressed a key on her blackberry, it had a voice recording of Josh telling the Security guards that they would get paid if they testified to Angad's attack on him.
The Police were still debating the issue of releasing Angad, when Prithvi walked into the Thana with Mr. Ganguly, the Club Manager.
Mr. Ganguly's testimony cleared Angad and Kartik of all charges: Mr. Khanna is a respected patron of our club. His family has been our patrons for 2 decades. Mr. Sinha was very drunk last night and said some very objectionable things to the ladies present. There was a scuffle, a fight? but Mr. Josh also hit Mr. Khanna. Im sure Mr. Angad was sorely provoked because he has never behaved like that before at our Club. Whereas Mr. Josh has been involved in several scandals before this, indulging in drunken behavior and often accompanied by shady women. He had been thrown out of our Club on 2 occasions before this because of lewd behavior at parties. I am confident about Mr. Angad's innocence and strongly urge the Police to let him go without delay.
The Police let Angad go scot-free after this. The Police report against him and Kartik was voided. Josh, who was still recovering from a hangover at home, got a call from Police, warning him about false reports against respectable men and paying witnesses to give false evidence.
Josh was shocked to hear his own cousin Harshini had testified againt him.
Later, Harshini called him: Im ashamed to be called ur sister. You don't deserve any family at all. Uncle-Auntie left u when u were young. I sympathized with you, so did Angad. And this is how u repaid his friendship? Tum koi family ya dost deserve nahin kartey! From today I break off all relations with u! You are on ur own!
*********************************************************************************
Angad came out of lockup, looking tired but triumphant . He had been in jail for only 6 hours but they had been harrowing and humiliating. He had been arrested from his Office with all office staff watching. He wouldn't forget it easily.
Kripa rushed into his arms at once, crying with blissful relief !
He hugged her tightly and kissed her head: Don't cry, Kripa! Im fine, really!
Naina rushed to embrace her son. All of them hugged Angad and everyone laughed and cried with relief.
Mishti hugged Harshini and thanked her: Harshie, u are a true friend! Tuney apney Bhai ke khilaaf gavaahi dee, merey liye, merey parivaar ke liye. I will never forget this, tera yeh ehsaan main kabhie nahin bhulaungi.
Harshi smiled sadly: Dosti nibhani thi naa? And don't say ehsaan. Dosti mein ehsaan kaisa? Yeh toh mera farz tha, I know what Josh is like. Mainey tujhey warn bhi kiya tha uskey saath rishta mat kar, lekin....
Mishti wiped off tears of gratitude: I know, its my fault! U had warned me about him, I didn't listen. I was so foolish, like a besotted girl. Uska asli chehra toh ab saamney aaya hai. Badley ke liye wo kiss hadd tak jaa sakta hai yeh aaj pata chala.
Kripa and Angad thanked Harshini and Mr. Ganguly for coming forward to clear Angad of all charges.
Mr. Ganguly shook Angad's hand: Your family has been our most valued patrons. Naina Jee has held so many meetings and fund-raisers at our Club. Its my pleasure that I could do something for you.
Naina commended Ganguly and promised to hold all future functions at their Club.
Kripa thanked Prithvi for bringing Mr. Ganguly : Aaj tumney merey pyaar ko bacha liya. Thanks so much, Prithvi Da.
Prithvi laughed, patting her head in a brotherly manner : Mainey aaj finally tera bhai honay ka farz adaa kiya. Aakhir apney Jamaibabu ko jail mein kaisey dekh sakta?
Angad laughed, slapping Prithvi's shoulder: Well done, Saaley Saab! Now come on everybody, lets go out and celebrate. Lets go for Dinner at Taj Bengal, what say?........he put his arm around Kripa's shoulder and stepped out of the Thana into the bright evening of freedom.
All the Basus, the Khannas, Prithvi ..the whole group proceeded to Taj and had a great dinner, celebrating Angad's release from prison.
Angad even joked about his Jail-yatra: Ab toh Quaid honay ki aadat daalni hogi, kuchh din baad Kripa ke quaid mein band honay wala hoon!
Kripa glared at him and pinched his thigh under the table, whispering furiously: Mujhsey shadi karna tumhey jail jaisa lagta hai? Theek hai, main tumsey shadi nahin karungi, Jaao!
Angad got down on his knees at once: Tumharey pyaar mein umr quaid ki sazaa mujhey de do, Queen Victoria! Main tumhari baahon ke jail mein jeena- marna chahta hoon.
Isshhh! Utho wahan se, kya kar rahey ho? .Kripa whispered furiously with clenched teeth.
Kya hua, Angad Beta? Naina asked from the other end of the table. Tum zameen per kyun baith gaye? Kuchh gir gaya kya?
Haan Mom! Kuchh gir gaya, useeko dhoond raha hoon! ..Angad replied loudly over the din of the crowded restaurant.
He crawled near Kripa's lap and mumbled : Mera dil kho gaya hai useeko dhoond raha hoon.
Kripa giggled, rolling her eyes: Drameybaaz! Har waqt Naatak mat karo! Utho ab wahan se....paagal!
They had a marvellous dinner, rejoicing in their victory. Angad raised his diet- soda glass and proposed a toast:
Here is to family and friendship! Let us forget everything that has happened in last 24 hours and look forward to 48 hours later when our sagai will take place. Main chahta hoon khushi ka mahaul ho, har rusvaai aur gham ko bhulaakar, lets celebrate!
Kartik raised his glass: Hear! Hear! I second that!
Everybody raised their glasses and toasted Angad-Kripa's upcoming sagai.
************************************************************************
Gargi returned the next day from Delhi with her mother, Kripa's Didu. Basu household made extra room for their extended family.
Kripa roomed with Mishti, Anirbaan shared Kartik's room, while Gargi and Didu stayed with Gayatri in the main bedroom.
Excitement was rife in both households as sagai day dawned.
Dadi ran around, feeling 20 years younger as she supervised the sagai arrangements. Anitah spent the entire day at the Salon, making herself pretty for the occasion. Aliyah helped Naina with the guest list and selected party music with Angad.
Naina fretted about Dilip's absence. He had said he will return from Mumbai by sagai day but he still had not returned.
Apney betey ke sagai per nahin hona, yeh kya baat hai? ....she complained bitterly to Dadi. Log kya kahengey? Hamarey friends, rishtedaar sab unko poochhengey. Tab kya jawaab doongi?
Dadi pacified her: Chinta mat karo, Bahu, Dilip aa jayega. Apney betey ki sagai per bhala kaisey door rahega?
Next: Sagai, rehearsals and relatives, mehendi/sangeet, .
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pallavi Edited by pallavi25 - 16 years ago
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2
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