Arhi FF Towards The Edge/ Link to thread 2 page 133

Prologue

15 December 1995 (Night)

A cold and chilly winter wind blew along the lone, deserted road; rustling and whistling into the silent night. The half shattered and askew wall clock in the nearby shop showed that it was past midnight, as the low light of moon shed over it. In, the far distance a slight shadow of fog was visible, clocking some of the view of the wide and the largest road of Meena Bazaar in Delhi. The night being unusually quiet had an eerie hunch to it. A few street lamps that were still in a position to work, threw an illumination of lemon yellow on the nearby surroundings; making the annihilation perceptible.

The tattered aluminum shutters that acted as lids to protect the contents of shops bore small holes, size of bullet. The upturned Rickshwas and smoke inducing cars, was a frequent sight around. The otherwise colorful and catchy market bore the marks of the raw tragedy that took place. The upper storey's had hinged-off window panes, hanging roof tops and blackened balconies. Everything solid or tampered insight had tiny holes. As, faint wind blew smoke was dissipated from the piles of ashes that burned every few meters down the street; emitting pungent scent of burning plastic.

This ever busy road, stood silent today; claiming to be the only witness to the massive destruction that took place, bearing the stains of blood that decorated the area.

Almost in the middle of the market, a yellow security strip, with "POLICE" embossed in black all over it, encircled a black, smoking SUV. The car must have been white in color, in it golden times as few scratches of white paint were still visible from beneath the vastness of black. Red patches were more distinct and concentrated in that area. Even as the demolished car lay there burning, a piece of small yellow women Dupata hung, sticking to the backside door of it, unscathed.

There was sudden moment in the stillness, as a handsome face appeared in the austerity; contradicting the horrifying surroundings. A hand extended towards the yellow piece of cloth, even as another hand shot out to stop the man

"You must not do this Shashi" said a gruff voice, the owner clad in Khaki uniform, with a badge sticking to it read DSP.

"This is the only thing left of her, how can I leave it?" said Shashi, his face pale and emotionless.

"It is the also the only evidence of her death, Shashi. Nobody will believe it was her otherwise" said the man again.

"I don't care!" Shashi shouted, his voice ringing into the calmness. "She is gone and now nothing matters."

"Khushi will want to know if her mother was avenged when she grows up. If not for yourself, then do it for your daughter" said the man again.

"How will I ever face her? How will she ever forgive me for what I did to her mother?"

"She is your daughter Shashi, she will. But, now she needs protection. She needs to go away from you"

"Madhumati is taking her to London tomorrow by first flight. I have arranged for everything and nobody will know that I even have a daughter. She is just two years old; it was easy to conceal her identity. But, she will never know she has a father. She will be taught that she is an orphan." Shashi said, as he broke down.

"You are doing it for Garima Shashi. Protect Khushi and you will know that a part of Garima is still living" the man said as he put an arm around Shashi

"I don't want to live anymore. I can't live without Garima" his heart bleed as he finally uttered the words which said that his love was gone forever, never to breathe again

"Think of Khushi. They will kill her the moment they know that you have a biological daughter who would overtake from you the "Gupta Textiles". They killed Garima for this money, they won't think twice before giving the same fate to Khushi"

"No! Not my daughter. Never my daughter! I won't let anybody harm her, not until I am alive" the sudden image of his daughter lying crumpled and paled in his arms, like Garima, made his heart go numb with pain

"Then live! Live for her and Garima. "

There was silence for long moments. Shashi caressed the piece of cloth and said "You know, Khushi has her eyes... Garima's eyes"

His friend gently nodded his head. "Rishi and Anita's sons have been sent to their nani's place. Akash being the elder understands a bit, but Arnav is just an year older to Khushi, his parent's loss is something he does not understand yet"

Shashi bowed his head and stayed quiet for a long moment before saying "How many lives has this one incident destroyed? Those two boys lost everything today. At least Khushi has me, but they have nobody. My two best friends sacrificed their lives to protect Garima. How much I owe them and their survivors"

"They both did it for Garima, Shashi; they were her best friends as well"

Nodding Shashi stared into the vast pools of misty darkness, thinking about the future that was yet to unfold itself. Praying silently for those who survived! Their kids were to fight a long battle, which was imprinted in their destinies even before their birth

"Come Shashi, it's time to go. It will be dawn soon and we have to settle everything before the world sees a new day!"

And, the two men walked into the mist leaving behind the smoking car, in which three lives were lost and two families were blown apart.

The yellow Dupata stayed there, attached to the car...

16 December 1995

THE TIMES OF INDIA

Three deaths and several injured in Meena bazaar, yesterday

Delhi: In an incident that took place yesterday evening at Meena Bazaar around 7:15 PM, after the dusk fell, left the whole area scared and numb. There was massive outbreak of sudden firing that sent the whole market into a frenzy of horror. A team surveyed the area and informed the police officials that gun powder from the bullets used in AK-47 was found and sent to forensic lab for further investigation. The true nature was incident has not surfaced until this report was printed, but it is being estimated that the target were Shashi Gupta, who very narrowly escaped the events and Rishi Singh Raizada and his wife Anita Singh Raizada, who unfortunately lost their lives in the incident. It is very well known, that Mr. Raizada, the CEO of Raizada Chemicals and Mr. Shashi were very good friends. Also, a woman, named Garima Muriel lost her life in the incident. It is said that she was travelling with Mr. and Mrs. Raizada and was their college friend.

The police are keeping a numb attitude towards the whole incident, as the whole investigation is ordered to be kept discreet, what with the biggies involved. A man, who happened to be at sight during the incident, says ...cont. at page 11

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