MRD....my way 16/1 Updtd Pg 112 - Page 83

Originally posted by: pennu

@bold...

No need to wonder Nidhi.... its all the magic of our skep.....👏

Originally posted by: skeptical

<FONT face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" color=#ff6600 size=2>Arre woh bechara Julius Ceaser ro raha hai........ aapne jo use chod Macbeth ko pakad liya??????</FONT>

<FONT face=Verdana color=#ff6600 size=2>Hahahaha 😉😆</FONT>

Originally posted by: tetuty66

She jerked her feet away and huddled further into the corner.

What an expected reaction.I can totally imagine Kranti's expression. 😆

You described the night and haveli very nicely Skep.

"Okay, wait a moment. I'll get the car." He went to get the car from the garage.

He's always a gentleman and as hospitable as he could be.Tab bhi Rat bulati ho?😲 😆

But Kranti's reaction appear very obvious and we dont yet know what is she holding?
Ok may be I am right,whatever I have guessed.Further part shall tell.

Raj could see her quite clearly in the white moonlight.

I'm imagining Pen's animation here. 😍

"I wonder if I did the correct thing??" she trailed off and looked at him.
What were her eyes seeking? Reassurance or understanding? Or both?

Oh!Kranti's eyes should seek love in 'em 😳

Wonderfully done Skep 😛 👏

Originally posted by: skeptical

Kal raat tak aur bhi khush karoongi.................the next update will be up. I'm halfway through it right now. 😆

At the riverside ---- 2

"My parents made the ultimate sacrifice for the country and then to sink into oblivion like this………" Kranti spoke softly to herself. "It just doesn't seem fair."

"Life is hardly ever fair; you know that better than anybody else." Raj pointed out.

Kranti turned and looked at him sadly.

"I just didn't want it to happen this way." She repeated.

"What did you want?"

"I … I …." She faltered, "I don't know….."

"Did you want a huge turnout for the last rites? Did you want that people sing praises of your parents' valour?"

She stared at him.

"Kranti, your parents have given up their life for a cause that they held close to their heart. You know that and everyone in your group. They don't want any recognition of that kind."

"But to immerse their ashes with no one around?"

"You are here. What more would they want? They must be at peace to see their beloved child praying for them. Did you really want a thousand people to be here?"

Kranti was silent. The tears smarted her eyes as they made their way down her cheeks. She sucked in a long breath.

"Kranti, look at the stars on this beautiful night, twinkling in the background. The moon has taken centre stage. How wonderful it looks! The clouds are thinning into a dreamy haze. These have been here for a million years looking down on us. What is their concept of time, I wonder? For them time is immemorial. So many events around them are much larger in dimension. What happens to man on earth is immaterial. But the satrs are watching alright……… they are the keepers of the universe."

Kranti looked up. A zillion stars were there in the clear velvet sky.

"So my sorrow is meaningless?"

Raj looked at her, his brown eyes softening as they saw the uncertainty in the black ones.

"No of course not."

"Are my anxieties worthless? Why must you always ridicule me?"

"Good God! Why would I want to do that?"

"When you start philosophising, it's showing disapproval of my actions. My tears and my heartbreak is mine and mine alone. I have lost my parents and with them my childhood too."

"I would never belittle anyone's misfortunes. I know what you have lost and I also know that your childhood wasn't as alluring as it should have been. You had the world at your feet and yet it was out of reach. I know that."

Her eyes rounded. How had he guessed so much about her?

"What do you mean 'world at your feet' ?"

"I know you are the owner of quite a bit of land."

"Have you been investigating me? Oh you ….."

"When our group decides to help someone legally, we have to make sure we are defending the right person and not some fake. We didn't investigate you, it was your uncle. That's when I stumbled upon the fact that there is an heiress amongst the KKs."

"Heiress….hah!" Kranti snorted. "I have lost portions of land, thanks to you."

"Oh no…..not me! A fool and his money soon part, isn't it? Sometimes you seem so clever and sometimes so hopelessly scatterbrained."

"So now I'm a fool?"

"Kranti, if you have money, you must know how to manage it and protect it. Once that is achieved you should learn how to make it grow."

"Money….. is that all you think of? How cheap!"

"No I am not money-minded….."

"You liar …… you destroyed the document stating that I was the owner of the land. The press was gone and so was my land. What thrills you got from gifting my land to the Brits. And you have the gall to talk about the beautiful stars."

"Kranti….."

"These are minor events, remember? Meaningless….. sure meaningless to you. You are a rotter Raj. Heartless and unscrupulous!" She almost spat out the words at him.

Raj cleared his throat. "Another lamentable trait of yours is that you never think before you talk. Sometimes I don't know why I bother with you."

Kranti looked away angrily. She looked at the river. She sat quietly taking in the fragrance of the night lilies. The breeze was scented with a mild sweet smell. She breathed it in. The night stood still. Her parents' ashes were one with the waters of the river. From dust to dust…….. with only the stars as witnesses. She put her palms on the sand and leaned back. A rite was completed. She had witnessed very privately the passing on of her parents mortal remains. And suddenly she was thankful for the solitude. She looked at the vast sky and tried to figure out the constellations. To each star she prayed that her parents will rest in peace. She seemed to hear the drumming sound of the cosmos. Was someone talking to her from up there? Who was talking back to her? She seemed mesmerised. She closed her eyes and felt tranquillity seep into her. She slowly relaxed. Life wasn't bad after all. She had lost her parents but their fervour was in her blood. She had many things to do tomorrow.

She got up and dusted her kurta. She adjusted her dupatta. Her hair had come loose and she ran her fingers through it. Strands lifted in the breeze. Her face seemed soft with her hair flowing around her face. She turned to see Raj standing a few feet away looking at the countryside.

"Raj…..," she called softly.

He looked at her but didn't move. She didn't know what he was thinking.

"You waited for me ….." she added needlessly.

He didn't say a word. She wondered if he was cross with her. She walked up to him and whispered, "Thank you".

He looked at her with inscrutable eyes. She didn't want to break this peace and so she tried to placate.

"I'm sorry ………."

"C'mon, let's go home." Raj said.

"Home?" Kranti could hardly speak. "How nice to have a place to call your own…..your home."

There was no bitterness in her voice, just wistfulness.

She took steps towards him and her hand lifted to touch his elbow. She looked at him. Her eyes were searching …….

"What is it?" Raj asked. He straightened his hands which were on his hips.

"You know I can't go with you….." Kranti uttered.

"Theatrics? Once again? Don't you tire of the stuff?"

Kranti was startled.

"You want to stay here? Alone in the wilderness?"

She didn't know what to say. She tried to think.

"Okay have it your way. Stay here if you want. Make sure you make your way to the jail-house tomorrow." He touched his hat and began to stride away. He didn't look back again. It was a gamble and he hoped he'd win …….. as always. He knew how to throw the dice.

He began to walk up the pathway to the car. He was not going to slow down. He thought Kranti was being too stubborn. Damn women and their stupid ideas! He fished out the keys from his pocket. At a distance he could hear the siren of a police van. He screwed his eyes to guage where the van could possibly be. He saw the beam of the headlights not far away. He cursed beneath his breath. He turned and started back down the path. Kranti was walking up. He caught her wrist and dragged her up with him. She tried to resist.

"Shut up and get into the car." He ordered.

After seeing his angry face, she gave in. She got inside. Raj opened the boot. He banged shut the lid. The van came close and stopped.

"What's going on here at this time of the night?"

"Nothing, officer. Just getting the car to start. The engine's just fired."

"There are KKs all around the place."

"Yes I know."

"And who would you be?"

"The public prosector at the High Court in Lahore."

"Okay. Better leave and go home. Those blighters are likely to be nosing around. They are a rough bunch."

"Goodnight Officers."

Raj got into the car. He started to drive. Kranti was silent. There was silence in the car while he drove. After about five minutes, he glanced at the baggage next to him. He chuckled. Kranti had dozed off! Well at least the drive home would be peaceful.

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