The Phonix (Beyhadh FF) Ch20 - p 7 - Page 4

Chapter 15 - when it began

Intimacy was not what a dictionary says but more about is between two people. That was what life was for them... Her till that day. As usual they were in Samay's like every night. Ivya was a little away in the dining area busily working on a puzzle.

"Maya, Arjun tumse pyar karthe hai. (Maya, Arjun loves you.) Samay told her, rolling her eyes she snapped at him, "Arjun muje phir se paana chahatha hai. Pyar vyar nahi. (Arjun wants to attain me. No love or anything.)

"Nahi jaan bhai tumse saach main pyar kartha hai, lekin pyar aab jununiyaath hai mohobath nahi. If we use it we can get something.(No darling brother loves you really truly but now love has become an obsession and not passion. If we use it we can get something.) added Aayan continuing to rub Maya's feet while Samay continued to stroke her hair as she lay down head on the older one's lap while the younger continued to rub her feet. It was late at night and she was in a simple dark green and white checked shirt. Samay was still in dressed in a set of black shorts, a cup of hot tea in his hand. "Tume usko use karna hoga Maya, you need to keep him and mom occupied. (You need to use him Maya, you need to keep him and Mom occupied.)

"Come on Aayan, Jaanvi kabhi mujse pyar nahi karthi thi. Aab kahaan se karegi? (Come on Aayan, Jaanvi never loved me. How will she start now?) demanded Maya as Aayan continued to rub her feet. He was dressed in blue cargo pants and a white shirt with blue, yellow, green and black check-stripes! His eyes were sad but determined, "Trust me on this Jaan hum jo kehethe hai vahi karo. Apne liye na sahi Ivya aur baki bachon ke liye tho karo. (Trust me on this Jaan do what both of us say. If not for you at least for Ivya and the other kids.)

"Main kya karun? (What should I do?) Maya asked again when the answer came from a little away, "Vahi jo yeah saab ke liye teek hai Jaan. Pehele ek kadham tho lo baaki aapne aap aajayega. (What is right for everyone Jaan. The first step is always followed by the rest will follow.)

They smiled at Kashi who stood there dressed in a simple pale silver dray coloured dress set with short self print patterns on it that was tight and then flared out waist down falling neatly at her knees set with black ankle boots. Her hair was left open with light curls and fell down to ringlets. Her deep black eyeshadow was topped off with light silver glitter. A silver beaded handbag with a small black purse in the end. "Kashi, main kaisa example set karunga Ivya ke liye. (Kashi what kind of example am I setting for Ivya?)

"Ek bahoth achi example ki apni feelings ke aage uski zarurathon ko dal rahi ho. Behen hone ke bavajuuth tum ek ma ki thara soch rahi ho. (A great exam to place your feelings over her needs. Though you are her sister you think like a mother.)

"Lekin Kashi. (But Kashi) Maya retorted, "Lekin kuch nahi Jaan tume Arjun aur Jaanvi aunty ko distract karna hoga thabi humari kaam aasan hoga. Maya you and I both know it, Aayan ke paas hi hum Ivya ko chodkar ja sakthe hai aur Ivya ko Aayan akele nahi sambal saktha. Jaanvi aunty aur Arjun ke saath hi rehena hoga lekin bina bandhan kaise? (But nothing love you have to distract both Arjun and Jaanvi aunty only then will our work become simple. Maya you and I both know it, Aayan alone can not take care of her. Jaanvi aunty and Arjun need to bond with her but without bond how will they?)

"Fine. Seductive to Arjun. Nice and sweet to Jaanvi ma. Polite to Saanj and Suman Aunty. Happy? Maya demanded pulling out each finger at a time for each point sitting up cross legged trailing her eyes between all three when suddenly six hands wrapped her in a tight hug. That's how it began, a smile spreading across her face she dealt with the situation as Saanj handed her a matchbox to light the dhia, closing her eyes she whispered, "I am sorry bagwaanji main Ivya ko bachane ke liye yeah saab kar rahi hoon. (I am sorry God I am doing all of this for saving Ivya.)

Without saying anything aloud she gave the aarthi and prasadh to everyone. As if in response a garland on the neck of the idol slipped and fell around her neck as she bent down to replace the aarthi... A shiver shook her body as she looked at the idol shock, pain and gratitude combined as unshed tears joined the list. A blessing had arrived she could go forward guilt free... What she was unaware of was Arjun had taken this as a different sign. A mark of marriage... Especially since that morning when he placed the garland he had also added a prayer. A proper prayer folding his hands and eyes filled with hope, "Aap meri Maaya ka best friend hai na. Aagar aap ko lagtha hai ke muje ek aur chance dhe sakte hai tho bhas ek ishara dhijiye muje. Bhas ek ishara... Umm aap na is phoolon ka haar ko uski gale main daal dhijiye. Main samaj lunga! (You are my best friend right? If you feel I am worth another chance please show just a sighn for me. Just one sighn for me... Umm the flowers darlend place it on her neck. I will understand.)

Now with tear filled eyes and a large smile he pressed his folded his hands onto his fingers. Unaware of all this Aayan stepped forward and took it off her, "Tumhari bagwaanji ko tumse kithna pyare hai. Anyways breakfast khaana hoga na time hogaya. (Your God loves you so much. Anyways you need to have breakfast it's time.)

Leading her to eat the meal he felt Arjun tag along a little away... Jaanvi made Maya sit in the guest seat opposite to Arjun and next to Aayan as everyone took their normal places. "Kya banaya hai? Really mere liye phir se diet? (What have you made? Really for me diet?)

"Jaan kahan padega. Tumhari exams saar par hai aur agar pass kardhiya na theen saal ki mehenath ka phal mil jayega. Sirf ek paper candy aur uske baadh hum log kuch kar sakthe hai. (Luv, you have to. Your exams are over the shoulder and if you pass three years of efforts will be successful. Just one more paper candy and after that we can do something.) sighing in irritation Maya nodded as Aayan heaped up eggs gravy, chapati, potato fry and a carrot, cucumber and onion mixed raitha. "Aur lagtha hai mom ne tumhari favorite puran puri banaya hai aur bhai ne vanila cake. Excellent. Chup chap kaana khalo tumhari aankon main neendh bhari hui hai. You are taking a nap. (Looks like mom made your favorite puran puri and brother vanila cake. Excellent. Quietly eat your food your eyes are filled with sleep. You are taking a nap.)

"Ivya ki lunch? she asked, "Samay aur Ivya ko lekar yaahan par aayega. Lunch saath main lenge, menu maine mom ko dhedhiya. Tume neendh ki sak zarurath hai. Aur hume tumhari zarurath. (Samay and Ivya will be coming here. Lunch we will have together, menu I have given to mom You need your sleep badly and we need you.)

Arjun's eyes widened in surprise at the way Aayan spoke but did not say anything. Jaanvi though signaled him to sit with them and eat quietly as Aayan too sat down to eat, as she ate it was clear her mind was not in the food, disappointing Arjun and Janvi. Seeing it Suman decided to pull up a conversation to distract them, "Maya tum karthi kya thi ithne dhin? Aur yeah bachi ke saath?

"Suman. muttered Saanj under her breath but Maya answered anyway with a light smile, "Actually Suman aunty Ivya meri dosth ki beti hai. Main uski guardian hoon, she died in childbirth. Samay ke saath kaam karthi hoon. Saath main kaam karthe the, Aayan aur kuch aur logon ne humare team main join kiya. Family bhan gaye the unmaine kuch. (Actually Suman aunty Ivya is my daughters friend. I am her guardian she died in childbirth. Been working with Samay. We were working together when Aaayan and few more joined us in the team. They became family, some of them.)

"Oh... aur tumlogon ki daily schedule kaisi hothi hai? (Oh... How is your daily schedule?) Smiling Maya filled her in as they ate... The conversation going freely through to a point when she finished eating Aayan turned to Arjun, "Bhai Maya ko apne kamre main lekar jaayie. She needs a nap puri raath kaam kar rahi thi. (Brother, take her to your room. She needs a nap she was up the whole night.)

"Sure. Chale Maya? (Sure shall we Maya?) asked Arjun as she washed her hands taking her towards Saanj's room, "Bhai vahaan par nahi aap ki kamere main. (not there your room)

A smile spread across Arjun's eyes before taking upstairs to his room were he sat next to her stroking her hair as he watched her going to sleep. Suprised at how she went out a like a light, like always. "Ahem. Bhai muje kuch kaam hai jaana hoga. Aap Maya ke paas hi rahenge na jab thak Ivya aur Samay aajayege?

"Ithna tention kyun lerahe ho tum? Bhas so rahi hai. (Why are you so filled with tension? She is just sleeping.) Arju laughed picking up his laptop and logging into his office work, "Kya baath hai? (what is it?)

"Bhai muje jaana hoga. (I need to go.) Aayan shot back and rushed out of the room leaving a shocked Arjun behind. Out the door he yelled, "Mom, aunty muje jaana hoga. Samay aur Ivya ko lekar hi aaunga. (Mom, aunty I will have to go. I will come only with Samay and Ivya.)

Taking his bike he drove away for some time till he reached a small township' with several weekend escape homes. Going further he pulled over at a what seemed like a beautiful farmhouse complete with garden, lawn sit out and a volleyball court and a swimming pool peeking out of the backside. Stopping he quickly pushed in the code to open the gate and went inside stopping a little away from the parked black Volxwagan. Going inside he again punched the codes again he walked across the neatly decorated hall calling out, "Naveen? Shub?

"Third room. Aandhar aaja. (Third room. Come inside.) Shub called, going inside he walked into Shub and Naveen sitting in the center of a room surrounded by several books, documents and other books. Shub was dressed in a light gray nightshirt and pyjamas. Naveen too was dressed in a set of dark blue trousers and a gray tshirt. His eyes were hidden behind a set of gold framed glasses, "Kaam hochuka hai. Lekin kuch baathon hai jisko hume dhekna hoga aur haan ek kaam karthe hai ek bhaar saari proof ko hum ikkate kardhe report ko dhedhenge. Lekin tum kiske liye aaye ho vo kare? (Work is over. There are a few things both of us need to see and lets do a work once all the proof is compiled and I will give the report. The work you came for shall we do it?)

Little later Naveen and Aayan sat down into the victorian sofa set with the soft multi (light) colour patterns all over it. Two mugs of hot steaming coffee in their hands both black in colour. An ipad between the two of them as they sat facing each other one leg tugged under another. "Shub ka department aakar cover karlega. Thab thak the genetics. Kaafi aachi thara study kiya gaya tha aur uske baadh tum logon ko chuna gaya. Ithna thak ki tumlogon ki mom's ke baare main bhi study kiya gaya. I have boiled it down for you, Ashwin, his blood was O' negative and genetic genius. Then there's you tum logon ka blood group bhi O' negative tha, lekin Arjun ka blood group B + hai aur Maya ka bhi B + hai. So obviously... aur upar se genetic history boltha tha studious, kind and in want of social acceptance and love. Aab Issabel ko dheklo, aanadh ladki aur upar se kaafi bakthi se bhari hui ladki ek teenager. Getting the egg from her was a piece of cake, usko God ki aavaz ka halusination dhiya gaya. Finally there is our Aasha' that means Yasmine our rebel and nearly old woman. Uski diet se lekar lessons thak tailor made tha vo bhi ek hostile environment par. (Shub's department, he will come and cover. Till then lets talk genetics. The study was done very nicely and only then were you chosen. To a point that even your mom's were taken under consideration. I have boiled it down for you. Ashwin his blood was O' negative and genetic genius. Then there is you. Your blood group was O' negetive too but Arjun's blood group was B + and Maya's blood group is also B + obviously... Then there is you studious, kind and in want of social acceptance and love. Now look at Issabel orphan and a religious girl. Give her a voice of God delusion and you can have a fertile egg. Finally there is our Astha' that means Yasmine our rebel and nearly old woman. Everything was preplanned and tailor made, diet to lesson plans and on top of that hostile environment.)

"Wow aur baki saab bachon? ( wow and the other kids) Aayan asked, "Vahi baath hai. Lekin ek choti si problem hai kaafi logon ne use kiya gaya lekin blood group ka khyal raka gaya. Aaj kal apni horizons ko expand karne lage hai, lekin ithni bhi nahi ki risk lele. (Same thing. Only a small problem a lot of problem a lot of people have been used but blood group has always been the same, that much had been taken care of. They are raising their horizons but not enough to cause a risk.)

Sipping his coffee he took a second to absorb everything which was being said before speaking, "Mathlab vo log kaafi katharnak hai. Pehele bachon ko bachane ki koshish karthe hai phir dhekthe hai ke kya kare sakthe hai. (Means those people are dangerous. First let's try save the kids then we will see.)

"Orphanage ko dundne ki koshish kar raha hoon main ek baar vo mil jaathi tho... Ek minute Maya ne kaha ki in bachon ko calcium ki zarurath hai. Shub ne pattern search ka results bhi lekar aagaya tha... Maybe we have something we can use to go through things. (We are hunting for the right orphanage once we find it...Hold it Maya said these kids need a lot of calcium. Shub had set a pattern search the other day and a report was created we could use it to go through things.) jumped Naveen picking up the tab and quickly running a new program as Aayan continued to drink his coffee in silence. Suddenly his eyes too lit up, "Naveen ek minute, Ivya aise bachon main peheli set main ek thi. Agar unlogon fetuses par nahi balki bachon par kar rahe hai tho? (Naveen one minute, Ivya was the first part of the batch like her. What if those people are not using fetus but small children?

Naveen slowly took a sip of his own coffee again before speaking, "Occam's razor, the simplest is always the best example. "Tho humko ek large space nahi dhekna hoga, balki kai chote chote jage jahaan par bachon ko baar baar lekar jaathe hai. (That means we don't need one large space we are looking for a whole bunch of small places linked together were kids are repeatedly taken.)

"Lekin uske liye small mobile teams ki zarurath padegi. (But for for that they will need mobile teams) added Aayan, as Naveen gulped the last of his coffee, "SHUB REFRESH THE SEARCH.

"Main karlunga. (I will.) Shub called from inside stepping inside the room tapping away in a laptop walking in with it, "Fifteen minutes, Aayan printer main report hai. (Fifteen minutes, Aayan documents are in the printer.)

"Mera coffee katham ho chuka hai. Main jaa raha hoon. (My coffee is finished. I will go.) Aayan added getting up and grabbing Naveen's too going into the kitchen and washing them when the phone rang. "Asalam valekum Roxie.

"Valekum Asalam Aayan kahaan par hai aap? (where are you?0 asked the voice on the other side, "Naveen se milne aaya tha. Ramsees kaisa hai?

"Uska naam Rehemaan Sabbir hai Ramsees nahi. (His name is Rehemaan Sabbir not Ramsees.) Aayan laughed at the response as the woman continued to speak, "Maya ko inform karo ki uski shak sahi nikli. (Tell Maya her suspicion was right.)

The woman mentioned was sleeping when Arjun quietly worked though his office work peeking up to see her once in a while till he finally placed it down. Sitting down next to her he gently removed the hair from his hair before stepping closer when something caught his eye. "Yeah kya hai? (What is this?)

There it was on her left knees on the inside of her leg a thin mark as if someone had operated onto it and disappeared into her leg. Making sure he did not disturb her he lightly began running his finger tip lightly across the wound right into her clothes, "Ithna gehera chot kaise lagi? (How did such a deep wound take place?)

The wound was thin and soft captivating his attention completely making him ignore his work. Slowly exploring every possible aspect of her body trying to find a possible marks of any kind... her whole body had cleared except for that one spot which caught his attention.

That was half an hour ago... What was not disturbed by his touch though was disturbed when a frustrated Aayan marched back into Arjun's room. Seeing him Arjun stepped out muttering something about coffee, "Candy, Roxey ne kaha humari shak sahi nikli aab yeah tho batha kaunsi shak thi? (Candy, Roxey said your suspicion was right at least now tell which suspicion was it)

Rubbing her sleep out of her eyes Maya gave him a smile and answered, "Baby, vo loog kaafi muskil main the, victims the. Paison ki katinai se lekar zindagi ki kuch aur muskilon thak. Kuch aise log jiske liye medical madhath ek bagwaan ki dheen hai. Unlogon ke kehene se baahar nahi jayenge. Kabhi nahi. Aur yeah ek network hai, issiliye proper records se kuch nahi milega.(Baby, Those people were in great difficulty, they were victims. Starting from financial difficulties to some other problems. For some people medical aid was God's gift. They will never go out of those people. Never. On top of that this is a network we will never get anything.

Neither was aware that Arjun had not gone to get coffee but stopped outside the room overhearing the conversation, "Yeah kiski baath kar rahe hai. (What are they talking about.)

Chapter 16 Game on

"Duffer. Duskey. Candy. Ivya called walking inside the large house but stopped when she stopped short seeing the two elderly women. One holding a puja thali in her hand and a smile on her face. Maya came forward and knelt before her, "Ivya bache yeah hai Mrs. Jaanvi Meherothra aur yeah hai Mrs. Suman Mathur. Aashirvadh lelena. (Ivya, child this is Mrs. Jaanvi Meherothra and Mrs. Suman Mathur. Take their blessings.)

"Aare bacha jeethe raho. (God bless you.) came the instant response from both the women when Ivya touched their feet. When she bent to touch Arjun's feet he instantly stopped her, "Bacha kithni bhaar kaha hai, duskey aur duffer ko gale lagathe hai pair nahi chute. (Child, how many times have I told you duskey and duffer must be hugged don't touch our feet.)

Ivya only smiled rubbing her eyes in tiredness. Saanj stepped forward and picked her up, "Samay kahaan hai bacha? Aaya kyun nahi? (Where is Samay child? Why has he not come?)

"Samay ko achanak ek kaam aagaya. Ek lunch meeting. (Samay had a sudden work that came up. A lunch meeting.) Aayan added, "Aandhar chale? (Shall we go inside?)

As they went inside Maya raised her eyebrows silently but Aayan shook his head in negative, silently she followed the group as Ivya filled her in regarding the long day she had, "Saari din humari ma'am ne aaj sikathi rahi sikathi rahi aur humko likna pada tha. Haath tho dhukne lagi thi candy lekin phir bhi likna pada. (Whole day we had been made to write by ma'am she kept teaching us. Hand starred hurting but we had to go on writing candy.)

"Bache kabhi kabhi aise hi hai. Jo pasandh nahi vo karna hoga. (Child at times what we don't like we have to do it.) She replied as Saanj took her bag, "Lekin bag ithni light kyun hai? (Why is the bag so light?

"Bachon ki books school main hai. (Kids books are in school.) Maya replies her eyes filling with tears seeing how much Saanj seemed to care for the child, especially as she opened the snacks box to see if she ate. Arjun raced her to the question, "Bacha aap ne snacks finnish kyun nahi kiya? (baby why did you not Finnish your snacks)

"Aaj bahoth full thi duffer. (today I felt very full duffer) Ivya added sitting down on the stairs following Arjun and Saanj. Suman stepped away and came back with a glass of water as Maya sat little away on the armrest of the arm chair. Aayan showed her something on his phone in the guise of 'work' as Jaanvi watched everything going on between them. After taking a second she sat down next to Saanj and smiled at Ivya, "Beta aap ko bhuuk lagi hai kya? (are you not hungry?)

"Nahi. Thank you. (No thank you.) she added when Suman handed her a glass of water, Aayan got up quickly using an authoritative tone, "Lekin yeah excuse nahi chalega. Baby girl you got to eat. (This excuse will not do baby girl you got to eat.)

"Lekin Aayan saach bhuuk nahi. (really not hungry) She replied, seeing Aayan becoming angry and walking up to her Maya instantly stepped in, "Ivya lunch jaldhi jaldhi kaalo phir hum ice-cream ke liye bahar jayenge. Teek hai? (Ivya have lunch quickly and we can go out for ice-cream. All right?)

"Nahi masi. (No aunt.) Maya's smile faded at the word maasi Aayan's face also turned worried, "Ivya breakfast main bhi tumne sirf ek omelet khai bread bhi bhai khaai. (Ivya even in breakfast you had only omelet and bread.)

"Naveen ke paas lekar jaana hoga. (We need to take her to Naveen.) Maya added, Arjun and Saanj exchanged looks the kind of fear that reflected in their eyes but stayed silent. That was when Aayan's took her hand and began checking her pulse, "Jaan call Naveen iski pulse rate bhi teek nahi hai. Duskey juice bottle check karo. (Darling call Naveen her pulse rate is not right. Duskey check the juice bottle.)

"Yeah bhi full. Tumne juice nahi liya? (this is also full. You did not have juice) Maya demanded as Aayan handed her his mobile, quickly Maya made a call, "Naveen. Ivya khaana nahi khaa rahi hai. Snacks vaise hi aagai hai. (Ivya is not eating. Snacks are just the same.)

"Maya ek kaam karo, jeera water piladhena. Tummy ka stuffiness nervousness hai. Investigate. (Maya do one work get her some cinnamon water. Tummy stuffiness is due to nervousness. investigate.)

Cutting the line after muttering a thanks she sighed, turning to Ivya who was now being cuddled by Arjun and Saanj a sad smile across her face, "Lunch?

When Ivya shook her head Jaanvi sat at Arjun's feet and took her hand with a smile, "Bhuuk kaise nahi hai? Tumhare liye tumhari saari favorites ho banayi hai humne. Meethi ka paratha, masala lazzi, prawn fry, vegetable kurma vo coconut base wali aur haan upar se aap ki favorite jeera pulao. listening to the list a smile spread across her face little by little, "Aur finally aap ki favorite icecream bhi kaane ke liye ja rahe hai na bacha? (we are also going to have your favorite icecream later are we not child?)

Ivya nodded happily, as Suman leaned down and picked her up getting her to the dining table which was already set by the servants. Unlike normal Ivya quietly sat down as Jaanvi and Suman served the lunch Arjun sat down on his usual spot, Aayan grabbed the seat right of Arjun and forced Maya into it sitting on her side. Saanj sat down on the usual left seat smiling at how happy Arjun looked who was practically glowing. "Candy aaj Ivya ka khyal na Suman aur mom rak lenge. (Candy today mom and Suman will take care of Ivya.)

"Hum bilkul raklenge. (Ofcorse we will) Suman added as they took a seat on either side of Ivya, Jaanvi asked, "Main tume khiladun? (Shall I feed you?)

Shaking her head Ivya began braking a little bit of the parathas served and began eating. Others followed her example while Aayan served some ginger pickles for Arjun, Saanj and himself. Saanj set them some of the onion and vinegar in the plate of the boys before asking Maya if she wanted some, "Thank you. Hmm yummy, Ivya bache aap ko chahiye? (Ivya would you like some?)

Again the girl nodded eating a little more, as Suman and Jaanvi coaxed more food into her Aayan tried his level best to create conversations like she was used to and others joined in to the best of the ability. As laughter filled the space Arjun and Saanj relaxed as Maya's eyes kept flickering towards Ivya as did Aayan the tell only known to them... Waiting till she ate Anya finally raised the question, "Ivya school main kuch hua tha kya? (Ivya did anything happen at school?)

Ivya's tear filled eyes Arjun quickly rushed to her and pulled her on his lap, Saanj too knelt down next to the child as she expressed the problem, "Koi dosth nahi hai candy. Saab muje aanadh aanadh kehekar chedthe the issi liye Kashi ma'am ne mujhe apne saath rakthi thi na... Aab vo saab kehethe hai ki main khooni hoon aur meri vajai se Aanandhi ma maar gayi. Lekin kal yeah bhi kaha ki main... Meri ma ek khuuni hai. Aur vo meri asli ma nahi thi. Money ke liye mujhe tumhari paas beach kar gayi thi. (I have no friends candy that's why I joined Kashi ma'am kept me with her. Now they say I am a murderer and I murdered Aanandhi ma. Yesterday they told me she gave birth to me only for money)

"Kya? Kisne kaha? Classmates? (What who told you? Classmates?) Ivya shook her head as Saanj began rubbing her hand... Worry filled in everyone's faces, "Nahi candy vohi bade class ki gandhi didi aur biya. (No candy the big class sisters and brothers)

"Dhaal main kuch kaala hai. Main Kaashi se baath kartha hoon. (Something is off. I will speak to Kaashi.) (Aayan replied going out of the house without a word, Saanj picked up the child and rested her on her shoulder, "Chalo sonjaathe hai. Tum bahoth thaki hui ho. (Come let's sleep. You are very tired.)

Sighing, Iyva fell asleep on Saanj's shoulder leaving a worried Maya who sat down with a huff pulling her hair out in frustration, "Maya beta please thoda sa paani pillena. (Maya please have some water.)

"Thank you Suman aunty. Arjun came behind her and gently began rubbing her shoulder, making her slowly relax as more tears flowed through her eyes. "Duskey uski khyal rak legi. Tume thodi si aaram ki zarurath hai. (Duskey will take care of her. You need rest.)

"Baath vo nahi hai Arjun. Meri choti si Ivya ko bhi vahi kar rahe hai jo mere saath kia. School badhalne se koi faidha nahi hoga inlogon ka iradha bhas use thang karne ke liye hai. Saam dhaan dhand beedh kuch bhi karke meri bachi ko aaram se jeene nahi denge. Issiliye Ivya ko Kashi ki class main bhi enrol kiya thaki vo ihni akeli na feel kare Lekin phir bhi... (Its not htat Arjun. My little Ivya also has to face the same issues i faced. Changing school is of no use for these people are going to find a way to torment my daughter. Either via explanation, promotion, threatening or even use the weakness. Thats why we placed Ivya in Kashi's class so that she does not feel alone even then...)

"Maya, main shayadh ismain expert nahi hoon lekin haan Ivya ke saath tum ek bahoth aachi ma ban rahi ho. Tume ithna stress kyun lerahi ho beta? Kuch hua hai kya? Kya Aanandhi ki past Ivya par.. (Maya I may not be the expert but you are doing a great job as a mother to Ivya. why do you take so much stress? Ishas anything happened? Has Aanahdi's past eclipsed upon Ivya?) Jaanvi asked slowly pulling out the words, Maya who was silently drinking a long draught of water finally answered, "Umm ma... vo actually... ma... Ivya ki issues uski parents ke wajay se aur meri farz hai ki Ivya mentally aur physically safe aur helthy rahegi. Aur mere liye uski kushiyan bhi bahoth zaruri hai. Tho haan main stress tho lungi. (mom actually Ivya's issues are because of her parents but it's my responsibility to ensure that she stays safe and healthy. For me her happiness is also very important so yes I am going to be taking a lot of stress.)

Jaanvi smiled sadly with a light nod brushing the loose hair behind Maya's hair lightly kissing her forehead. "Arjun uski kyal raklena. (Arjun take care of her.)

Arjun nodded as Jaanvi left the room to check upon Ivya who was asleep in Saanj's room. Though the owner of the room was working on her laptop while the child continued to sleep. "Saanj beta tum teek tho ho na?

"Hmm... yeah aunty? Sorry main kuch aur soch rahi thi. Maya aabk teek hai kya? Kaafi pareshan thi aur upar se ithni thaki hui! (Yes aunty? Sorry I was thinking about something. Maya is she fine now? She seemed very troubled and tiered!) Saanj asked worry filling her eyes Jaanvi nodded sitting next to her, "Arjun hai vahaan par, Arjun ko Maya ka khyal rakne ki zarurath hai. Lekin haan iski yeah mathlab nahi hai ki main Arjun ko support kar rahi hoon. Aab bhi faisla Maya ki haath par hi hai Ayan ya Arjun vo uski ka decition hai. (Arjun is with her he needs it the chance to take care of her. This does not mean i am supporting Arjun over Aayan the decision is still Maya's.)

Unaware of this conversation Aayan was sitting in the compound of a school campus was Aaayan. An angry and upset looking Kashi continued to rub her neck with her hands eyes, biting her lower lip at the same time... thankful for having a spot away from any possible eyes. "Baby main un bandhon ko pakadkar aachar banane vaali hoon. (Baby I am going to grab those idiots and pickle them.)

The pallu of her yellow cotton saree was tucked neatly near her waist. The gray block printings making it even more sober against the gray blouse she had worn. Her hair was in it's usual tight bun a set of sun swirled shaped earrings. A set of thin gold bangles were set on both her wrists with dark maroon nail polish.

"Honey, tum apni iss human achar ko kisko serve karogi? Apni bachon ko? Stop. Agar yeah bachon ko attak karne ke liye use nahi kya tho kisi aur ko use karthe. Yeah log na Ashwin se tutoring le chuke honge apni victims ko thang karne ke liye. (Honey who will you serve your human pickle to? Your students? Stop. if these kids did not attack then someone else would have. These guys would have actually been tutored by Ashwin in tormenting their victims.) he added pulling her knees onto his lap securing her tightly with his arms, "Sorry baby lekini muje aise lag raha hai ki main... main... main... kuch bahoth galath karne ja rahi hoon. Ek bachi hai Aayan, bilkul meri thara ek akeli ladki hai. A scientific trigger gone wrong. Patha hai Aayan main ek streat child thi aur vahaan se muje utakar ek lab main daldhiya gaya tha. Aur jaab NGO ke loogon ne hume vahaan se finally nikal dhiya tho ummidh ki koi bhi kiran nahi thi humare paas. Aur uske baadh jaab finally hum donon ne apne pairon main kade hogaye tho ek chance mili hai jo humare saath hua usko... usko correct karne ke liye. (Sorry baby but I - I - I feel I am making a big mistake. A child Aayan just like me, a girl completely alone. A scientific trigger gone wrong. Do you know Aayan I was a streat child. I was taken away and sent to a laboratory. I was there till the NGO's got me there was no chance of hope. Finally when both of us got on our feet we had once chance. What happened with us... to correct everything.)

"Samaj saktha hoon. Lekin hum himath nahi haar sakthe hai. Aur baath sirf tum logon ka nahi hai aab tumhare saath saath bahoth logon ki hai. Dheko na honey, tumhari haathon main kithni shakting hai. Upar se tumhari aanken bhi change karne lage hai. Upar se tumhari aankon ki colour bhi change karne lage hai. Ithna loss of control aachi nahi hai.

True to his word her usually black eyeballs were having a flaming gold ring all around them...only to return to normal upon Aayan's next words. "Aur waise bhi Jaan bhai ke peeche lag chuki hai. Roxy aur Luckey aagaye hai wapas. Unlogon ko miti se milane ka waqth aagaya hai." (Anyways Jaan is set behind my brother now. Roxy and Luckey have come back. It's time to burn them to the ground.)

Promo - chapter 17

"Ivya ki badhan par yeah chot kaise? Kaise aagayi thi Maya? demanded Saanj looking directly into her eyes, Maya's face changed slightly but covering it up she smiled, "Kyun jaana chahathi ho Saanj?

"Please Maya kuch tho ghadhbadh hai. Sighing Maya nodded, "Meri beti ki parents ke wajay se humesha ek bahoth badi kathra mandrathi rehethi hai. Kuch log meri beti ko thodhne ki koshish kar rahe hai. Patha hai kyun? Kyunki meri beti ki ragoon main vo khoon hai jiski isthimkarl karthe hue deed saari galath kaam kar sakthe hai. Blood bullets are just a scratch in the surface!

The day of the forceful visit was over time wise but a lot had changed since then... As the sun rays hit the room in with Arjun was sleeping a smile was on his face. At least that's the sight that Aayan saw on it while he woke him up, "Bhai. Good morning.

"Good morning Aayan. Aayan smiled lightly pulling on a blue full armed hoodie with his Gray tracks and shoes. "Main cycling karke aatha hoon. Duskey Samay ke yahaan gayi hai gardening karne Ivya bhi unke saath hai. Breakfast Ivya yahaan khalegi hum logon ko ek choti si kaam liptana padega. Aap lunch thak... If you don't mind kya Ivya aap logon ke saath? (I am going cycling. Duskey and Samay have gone to do gardening and Ivya is with them. Brakefast, Ivya will be having here I hope you don't mind we have a small work to deal with would you mind?)

A huge smile spread on his face, "Really dukey humare saath? Kithne dinon se hum tum donon se permission ke liye maang rahe hai. Finally. (Really dukey with us? How many days are we begging you for permission. finally)

A sad smile spread across Aayan's face remembering when it happened... the memory from those weeks prior to the plan actually being struck up. The very day when they were cornered by Arjun after the gazal show. When Maya smiled and touched his arm shaking off Arjun was impossible especially since Ivya had woken and more importantly invited the two of them over for a game. They had left the two of them at the stairs near the doorstep as Maya went to grab coffee. Samay moved away saying he needed to water the garden and Aayan away thanks to a phone call but they all ended up reaching the spot when it happened... after a long tickiling match Ivya suddenly threw the question at him, "Duffer aap Maya se phir se shadhi karna chahathe hai?

"Haan bacha. (Yes child.) Arjun replied, a smile on his face when she turned to Samay, "Aur duskey aap aap Samay se? (and duskey you and Samay?)

"Shayadh, shayadh nahi patha nahi beta kyun puuch rahe hai aap? (Maybe or maybe not I don't know but why do you ask?) she asked when the little girl dropped the bomb. "Muje patha hai aap donon ko apni bachon hojayega aur uske baadh muje jaana hoga hostel ya kai aur... lekin kya please aap kabhi kabhi Maya masi aur Samay uncle ke photos beej sakte hai muje? Muje unki bahoth yaadh aayegi lekin main aap se promise karthi hoon... main kabhi aap ko pareshan nahi karungi. (I knew that you will have your own kids and after that you will not want me. I will be sent away to boarding school or some place else... but can you please once in a while send me photos of Maya aunty and Samay uncle? I will miss them a lot but I promise I will never trouble anyone.)

As if adding on to the wounds she even folded her hands in front of her chest sadly. Out of all of them standing hidden in the background or seated onto the stairs it was Saanj who recovered first, "Nahi bacha kabhi nahi. Aap ko patha hai jaab se humne tume dheka kuch ho gaya hai. Aise lag raha hai ki humari adhurapan puri hogayi hai. (No child never. You know what since we saw you something changed in us. It felt that an emptiness was finally complete.)

"Ivya, jab maine tumse mila main sirf Maya ke liye tumhari paas aane ki koshsih kiya lekin aab tumhari vajai se bhandhar ka na hone ka ehesaas kaam hone laga. Dheere dheere patha nahi kyun lekin ek bhandhan judne lagi hai tumhari saath. Main tumhara baap nahi bana jaatha tha hoon lekin haan Duskey ko tumhari ma baane ki iradha bhi nahi hai. Lekin tum humari ho duskey aur duffer ki bachi ho, uski ducky ho. (Ivya when i first met you it was for Maya I tried to get close to you but later bhandhar's not being around the pain began going down. Slowly but surely a bond started developing with you. I don't intend to be a father to you. Duskey does not intend to become your mother but you are our kid now duffer and duskeys dukey.)

The promise which change it all...

The three made a quick work of through the night. "That's everything?

"Yup. Agar hum logon ko kuch ho gaya tho they will know what to do. (Yup. If something happens to us they will know what to do. Samay replied handing a file to Aayan who signed it instantly sitting in Samay's den. It was followed by Maya and finally Yudi and Sangamithra. "Kaab bathayenge? (When will we tell?)

"Sahi waqth par. (In the right time) Maya replied leaning back, revealing her peach shorts and the deep red top that further highlighted the scars on her leg, chest, shoulder and other places too though they were thinner to a point of invisibility. It hurt them that her clothes choices were related to shorts and shirts with other options when she went for short trips outside. When she returned the first thing she needed was ointment and the pain hurt her... Every time. Them more than her... Unable to say anything they silently looked away as she continued to pass the details and moved away to boil milk. "Aayan kya tum yahi par ruk sakthi ho kuch aaj raath? (Aayan can you stay for the night?)

"Sure main mom ko boldetha hoon. (Sure I will tell mom.) he added, making the call as Yudi went inside with her lightly taking her hand, "Kabh thak? (Tll when?)

"Jab thak zarurath padegi. (Till the need arises.) she replied, for the first time ever she opened about the one fact he had always refused to speak about, "Maya vo meri choti behen thi jisko unlogon ne harvest kiya aur vo bhi ek baar nahi balki bhaar baar. (Maya she was my younger sister the one they harvested, that too not once but several times.)

"Sirf Ivya hai ya? (Is Ivya the only one or?) the man shook his head, "I wish I knew sirf yeah ek bachi ke kabhar hai. Saale ne kidnap kiya tha use humari history ke vajay se aur baar baar isthimaal kiya kai bhaar. Phir paink dhiya meri bechari behen ko she was amazingly smart child prodergy bilkul Ivya ki thara. (I wish I knew she is the only kid I know about. Those creeps kidnapped her because of our family history and used her repeatedly. Then just tossed her out my poor sister. She was amazingly smart a child prodigy just like Ivya.)

"Tume aapni behen ko duunde ki koshish kiya? (have you tried to search for your sister?) she asked, sighing he shook his head, "Sab kuch kiya ithna thak ki maine ek dedctive ko bhi hier kiya. He was killed for helping me, lekin kya faidha? Meri behen kabhi wapas nahi milegi, pariwar ka naam... naam bhi karab hochuka tha. Main akela hogaya hoon... (I did everything even got a detective to look for her. He was killed for helping me, what's the use? My sister will never come back. Family name... name has gone to the dogs. I am all alone.)

"We are your family now and Ivya's too. Maya added, "Thank you your the closest thing I have to a sister. Maya, something happened kithna useful hoga nahi patha lekin jisne meri behen ko kidnap kiya use aachi thara patha tha humari family history ke baare main. Aur baaki logon ka bhi. Adding on unlogon ko kisi bhi thara unki medical information bhi milithi gayi. Aur Sanga ke babu jis excavation sight paar maare gaye vahi par kaafi saari scientific breakthroughs aur advancement ke baare main kaha gaya tha. Aur usi waqth ke baadh kaafi saari developments hone lage. Aur tumhari vo observations bhi kaafi connect karthe hai. Un jagaon ki culture main baar baar aise baathen ko dhektha hoon. (Maya, something happened, i am not sure how useful will it be but the kidnappers knew they knew a lot about our family. Same with the others involved too. Also the place were Sanga's father was killed it was the same sight were the many scientific breakthroughs were noted. Right after that manny developments began taking place. We can see it in their culture repeatedly.)

"Aur ek baar Vandhana ma ne kaha ki uski family main kisi thara ki warior blood thi aur vo apni bete ko bachane ke liye kaafi thi. (One time Vandhana mom said there was warrior blood in their family and that was enough to save her son.) Maya added her eyes growing wide with surprise, "Oh my God Aayan ne mention kiya ki Vandhana ma ke paas koi family nahi thi. She was raised in an orphanage. Use apne family ke baare main kuch patha tha... (Oh my God Aayan mentioned that Vandhana mom did not have any family she was not raised in an orphanage. She knew something about her family.)

Suddenly Aayan who joined them looked like he had seen a ghost, "Maya mom apni family ke baare main kuch janthi thi. Bhai ko duskey ke saath support karthi thi lekin jaab main line martha tha tho daanthi thi. Jo bhi tha jaise tha, isse aage hum soch bhi nahi saktha aab jaan... (Maya mom did knew about her family. Brother and Duskey she supported but when I flirted with her she would scold me. Who ever it was I dont think I can think about it.)

"Sochna pada Aayan mia. Main phir se dhektha hoon, maine saari books nahi dheka sirf glace kiya lekin dhek saktha hoon. Candy - call from Iran. (We have to think Aayan darling. I will see again, I only glanced through the books only for those spots which mentioned Maya and Saanj. Candy a call from Iran.) he added seeing his phone before handing it over to her, "Thanks. Asalam valekum Roxy kya hua?

The conversation on the other side was drained out as one sided umm hmm and oh or few more such responses before finally replying, "All right everything will be ready.

"Anything? Maya shook her head when Sanga asked her, "Samay kal ka puri cooking duty tume kaarna hoga. Muje clean up karna hoga.

"Cool. he replied smiling down at her, when all sensed a sudden movement towards the tree branches above compound wall making all of them point a gun towards it, Aayan was the only one who sent the quick shot. A response came quickly too an ahh sound which made the Sangamithra jump upon the rooftop of Samays' den only to see a black van been driven away, "Unmarked, black van, similar to a mortuary van large one. Kal se extra effort lena hoga. (Unmarked, black van, similar to a mortuary van large one. Tomorrow onwards we are going to take extra effort.)

"Sanga. sighed Yudi rubbing his forehead with his other hand on his back. The olive green trousers and white sleeveless he wore moving slightly to expose his body and in front of Sanga the little wound he was hiding under the tops most of the time. "Oh my god yeah kaise? (this how?)

Muttering something about four years ago he walked in and began making the coffee, "Yudi...

Maya went next to him and touched his shoulder as he poured the milk into each of theri mugs just the way they like it making the dark coloured liquid turn creamy. "No candy not this time.

"Yudi. she pushed again but he snapped, "Listen woman main tume thab se jaantha hoon thab se jab tum Arjun ki biwi bankar Prem aur Vandhana ke haaresment ko face kia. Vo main tha jisko tum apna hag gham share karthi thi vo stupid actress nahi jisko maine tumhare liye hier kiya. Saara plan mera tha, it was me who got you away in your attempted suicide. Mera kaam tha jiski vajay se un jaanvaron ke kaam bahar agaya tha. Main tumhare saath uss asailam main ruka tha thaki tum safe raho baki patients se aur padayi suru kar sakthi ho. Hum donon ne milkar music main kaam karne vaale the. We were suppose to be each other's support system before this mess. (Listen woman I knew you ever since you were Arjun's wife and putting up with the harassment pushed by Prem and Vandhana. It was me who you turned to when you were in pain and not that stupid actress. Entier plan was mine, it was me who got away in your attempted suicide. It was my work that got those beasts real work out in the open. It was me who was with you in the asylum every day helping you stay safe from other patients and start studying we were suppose to work on usic together after the full mess was over. We were suppose to be each other's support system before this mess.)

"Aur vo sirf tum ho jisko main trust karthi hoon, apna bhai manthi hoon. (You are the only one I trust and see as my brother.) the others gathered around as Yudi continued to hand them the coffee's as she continued taking her own, "Meri vaja se tumhari behen ki puri kahani bahar aagayi thi. Meri vajay se uski kidnapping ke pehele ke details patha chala. Aab iss waqth kaun aaya? (It was because of me your sisters real story came out. It was me who found out the causes of her kidnappings. Who came at this time?)

Sighing in irritation she marched up towards the security button and switched it on, Arjun was outside in his car dressed in a faded gray hoodie tapping up the the wheel anxiously, "Arjun? Saanj? You know what I will attend to this, De two more coffees banadhe uske liye. Guysjust wait we are letting you in.

"Thanks Maya. he called back sending a happy smile across to her through the camera knowing she was seeing it he smiled, making her flinch before grabbing his coffee and rushing to open the door for him, "Sorry about that, your coffee hum sab peerahe hai tho. (Sorry about that, your coffee we were all having so...

Saanj stretched out and took her coffee as Maya noted the short sleeveless salwar kameez Saanj had worn. The bottom was made with a dark green with light green buttas all over it and a matching duppata topped off by a plain light green short kurtha. The entier dress was correctly fitted and she was adorned with large silver earrings and a chain with a matching circular pendent. Her hair was left in a usual open style but clearly brushed down... most importantly the light pink lipgloss and dark eye shadow were difficult to miss along with the silver bangles on both hands and the simple sandals that seemed to crash with her clothes. Especially since she seemed to be holding in her hand a prashadh from, "Sidi vinayak mandhir gayi thi Ivya ke liye. Umm thanks for the coffee main muje bhas Ivya ko dhekna hai,

Saying so she left but Arjun stopped Maya from following her inside taking his own coffee, "Kya hum bahar hi baitkar pi sakthe hai? (can we have it out?) she asked, "Sure.

Leading him towards the lawn she sat down cross legged along with Arjun who pulled up his black jeans a little before sitting down next to her, "I am sorry Maya aise achanak tapakne ke liye. Muje patha tha ki Aayan yahi par hai lekin muje baath tumse karni hai. Aaj Ivya ne... jo kaha tum logon ne jiske baare main suna we meant it. We really love her. Issiliye tumhari permission chahiye umm actually main fashion in the city ka kuch shares aur mera investments ka benifits ko ka ek part par Ivya ka naam karvana chahatha hoon via a trust. (I am sorry Maya for coming so suddenly. I knew that Aayan is here but I had to speak to you. Today Ivya... we meant what we said we meant it. We really love her thats why we need permission for a few shares of fashion in the city and my own investments funds to go to Ivya via a trust.)

"Arjun. she sighed, "Please Maya, main vo saab pehele hi karvaya tha bandhar ke liye lekin... lekin jab bhandar - after that I just left it there. Jaab SMS aaya thabi yaadh aaya, actually bandhar ka school fees aur classes ke liye karvakar raka tha. Please Maya mera dhardh thoda sa kam karo. (Please Maya it was for our child but when our child - after that i just left ithtere. When the SMS came that's when i remembered they were for our childs school fees and classes fees. Please Maya help me reduce the level of pain.) suddenly everything made sense to her... after all Arjun had requested to her that the child attend a normal play school till reaching a higher standard level after which the right' space could be chosen! Gulping the coffee quickly she nodded, "Sure, go ahead Samay ko boldu documents thiyar karne ke liye ya Saanj ko bol doge? (Sure shall I tell Samay or would you like Saanj to deal with the documents?)

"Donon saath main bhi kar sakthe hai. (They can do it together.) he smiled taking her hand and kissed it, seeing the love in his eyes and pain for their own child Maya felt it again. The terrible and thick walls around her slowly crumbling down quickly for him and she felt like an addict falling of the wagon. Slowly she kept the coffee down and wrapped her arms around him tightly he wrapped his arms around her waist crying into her chest like a child as she too cried for her own child. Something she had not done in a long time... she also knew that she had betrayed the one person she was trying to be faithful to... the one person she felt she owned a debt to and with a thought through her mind in apology she sealed their fates.

"I am sorry Saanj main apni karz kabhi nahi chuka paungi. (I am so sorry Saanj I can't pay the debt back to you ever.) Unfortunately the worst was yet to come... wishing to say it to her friend she walked up to find Ivya sleeping and Saanj examining her as she continued to drink coffee thoughtfully. Suddenly Saanj asked,"Ivya ki badhan par yeah chot kaise? Kaise aagayi thi Maya? (Why does Ivya's body have so many wounds? How did they come Maya?) demanded Saanj looking directly into her eyes, Maya's face changed slightly but covering it up she smiled, "Kyun jaana chahathi ho Saanj? (Why do you want to know Saanj)

"Please Maya kuch tho ghadhbadh hai. (Please Maya something is wrong.) Sighing Maya nodded, "Meri beti ki parents ke wajay se humesha ek bahoth badi kathra mandrathi rehethi hai. Kuch log meri beti ko thodhne ki koshish kar rahe hai. Patha hai kyun? Kyunki meri beti ki ragoon main vo khoon hai jiski isthimkarl karthe hue deed saari galath kaam kar sakthe hai. Blood bullets are just a scratch in the surface! (My daughters parents are the cause and because of that she is in a big danger. Few people want to brake my daughter. Do you know why? Because in my daughters vains run the blood that can be used to make a lot of terrible work. Blood bullets are just a scratch in the surface!)

Again Saanj repeated, "Please Maya kuch tho ghadhbadh hai."

Sighing Maya nodded, "Meri beti ki parents ke wajay se humesha ek bahoth badi kathra mandrathi rehethi hai. Uski kahani bhi kaafi meri kahani se judi hui hai. Lekin vo meri thara nahi hogi. Vo apni kahani duniya ki niyamon se nahi apni sharth par likegi. (My daughter's parents are the cause and she will always be in grave danger. Her story is a lot like mine but she wont be like me. She will not follow the rules of the world she will live her life on her own terms.)

Chapter 18 New relations & Old relations

One month later -

"Maya tume apni saadi ki fear se baahar aana hi hoga. (Maya you have to come out of your fear of saries.) those words caught Arjun's attention when he walked into the room only to smile at the sight in front of him, Maya was dressed in an off shoulder white top with a dark purple skirt with white splash work all over that reached her ankles with white ankle boots. They were at his place in Saanj's' room. She was wearing very pale red lipstick and a smokey eyed dark eye shadow... just like before she was sitting on the bed leaning against the headrest a pillow on her lap while Saanj dug through her closet. His Dusky was still in the light green pyjamas with top her hair tied up with oil dropping from it, "Kya ho raha hai? (Whats happening?)

"Main apne liye kapde chose kar rahi thi. Maya ko saadi ke liye convince kar rahi thi. (I am choosing my clothes. Trying to convince maya for saare.) Saanj replied, "Saanj baath saari ki nahi hai, uss jage hai hai. I am not okay with it. (Saanj it's not about the saree it's about the place. I am not okay with it.)

Arjun walked in and sat next to Maya leaning black in the dark blue jeans and gray shirt he had pulled on, "Kyun bhai? Uss jaga main kaunsi problem hai? (Why? Whats the problem with that place?)

"Naveen advised against it. Naveen tho Ivya ka doctor hai... (Naveen is Ivya's doctor.) Maya dragged but Saanj finally spoke up, "Yeah Naveen ko humari beti ki zindagi main ithna power kyun hai? (Why does this Naveen have so much power in our daughter's life?)

"Saanj, baito kuch hai jo tum logon ka jaana bahoath zaruri hai. (Saanj sit there is something you guys need to know.) Maya sighed once Saanj too sat down tear filled eyes she finally opened up, "Ivya meri zindagi main aayi thi jab saab kuch chala gaya tha lekin use pehele koi tha. Ek paanch saal ka ladka, humari ghar ki jo kaam vali bhai thi na uski beta tha. Kuch log humari flat par usse kaafi galath nazar se dhek rahe the. (Ivya came into my life when everything had gone dark but there was someone before that. A five year old boy, our house helpers son that kid. There were some people in our flat, they saw the kid in a wrong light.)

"Tumne mujse kabhi - oh tumne kaha aur maine nahi suna right? (why did you not tell me - oh you did but it was I who never listened?) Arjun sighed, Maya nodded and continued, "Achanak ek din hospital main dheka usse. Kudh tuuti hui thi lekin phir bhi usse milne gaya thi. Patha chala ki vo bik chuka tha. Thab thak meri zindagi... Tho banayi ek plan aur nikal gayi. Socha ek aachi kaam karke marlu lekin baaki kahani tume patha hai. (Suddenly I saw him in the hospital I was broken but still went up to speak to him. I cam to know he was sold. By then my life... So I made a plan and went away. Thought I will do one good work and die and the rest of the story you know.)

"Samay ne kaha ki Ashram ke bache... (Samay said the kids of the ashram.) Saanj asked Maya nodded with tears in her eyes, "Child prostitutes. Drugs exposed upar se tho koi rastha bhi nahi thi. In bachon ke liye vahi normal zindagi thi aur ek din bade hokar ek kuubsurath jage par chale jaathe the. Kuch waqth thi vahan par aur jab kar pay bachon ko vahan se nikal dhiya aur ashram ko destroy kia. Ivya ke saath saath nahi zindagi mili. (Child prostitutes. Drugs exposed on top of that they had no way out. These kids saw it as a normal lifestyle few got older they would go to a beautiful place. Stayed there for some time then when possible got kids out and destroyed the Ashram. Ivya came in and created a new life.)

"I am sorry Maya. Tumhari thakleef kabhi dhek nahi paya. (I am sorry Maya. I could never see your pain.) Arjun touched her shoulder lightly only to see her suddenly scream, they coursed, "Maya! Kya hua? (What happened?)

"Open wound. She replied shifting her dress enough to reveal the quickly reddening spot while Saanj quickly grabbed the ointment from her bag, applying the medicine on the spot which was heavily red now careful while Arjun winced at the sight. Her skin was not light or taken care of like before... The forced care was clear as he had seen several times as Aayan had mentioned it. Her red skin was as she mentioned a diminishing of beauty, his eyes though saw a stunningly beautiful woman who had fought for everything tooth and nail to survive. Someone with an ability which went off the charts, especially with the new developments. The pain he caused her continued to be fresh in his mind, the hash words of being ugly and damaged. The repeated accusation of being a black hole in his life, the one who took it all out. Reality stayed the same, it was all his fault. It was his choice to take her for a ride but the price she paid a great price for it, way too much. Today he watched her burn through a grave amount of pain physically but silently as usual, "Saanj, bhas thank you but dhardh kaafi zyadha ho chuka hai. Mujse nahi hoga handle.(Saanj enough thank you but pain is too much I can't handle it.)

"Chocolate lekar aaun? (Shall I get you some chocolate?) Maya shook her head at Arjun's question, "Kaal raath pure raath Aayan aur main baitkar kaam kar rahe the tho stress bad gayi thi. Tho Samay ne aaj breakfast par choco-banana pancakes banaya tha meri favorite hai. Upar se fruits bhi, mixed aata ka bread bhi masala, peanut butter ke saath. Finally beetroot, carrot mixed juice bhi aise lag raha hai pet phat jayega. (Yesterday night full night Ayan and I were working so I got a little stressed. So today Samay made choco-banana pancakes for breakfast, my favorite. On top of that fruits, mixed wheat bread, masala peanut butter. Finally beetroot and carrot mixed juice and it feels like my tummy will burst.)

"Kamaal hai tum logon ne pura ke pura khaana kiladhiya aur yahan maine nahayi thak nahi. (Fantastic, you guys had complete breakfast where as I am yet to have a bath.) Saanj laughed finishing up with the wound, "Tum ek kaam karo Duffer apna jaan ka kyal rakna thaki main aaram se naha sakthi hoon. (You do one thing take care of your love and I will take a nice bath.)

Once both of them nodded Saanj went in when Arjun began giving them a back rub when Maya finally began speaking, "Arjun bahoth dhardh ho raha hai. Please aise math karo. I am sorry, tume patha nahi hai na, vo actually vahan par ek bullet wound tha. (Arjun it is hurting a lot. Please dont do it. Oh I am sorry you are not aware but there was a bullet wound there.)

"Hua kya tha? (What happened?) Arjun finally demanded, sighing Maya replied, "Bachon ko bachane ki chakar main hui thi. Ek aadhmi ke peeche lagi thi, ek bahoth bada scam ko pakad liya. Patha chala unlogon ko tho log goli lag gayi thi. Aab teek hai aur bachon bhi settled hai. Ashram main thi thab ki kahani hai yeah aur muje laga Aayan ne tume kahani bol dhiya. (Happened when I was saving the children. I was after a man when I found out about a scam I caught him, his gang found out so they shot me. Now I am better and kids are settled and I thought that Aayan had told you about everything.)

"Kya kahani hai tumhari meri jaan bolo na? (What is your story tell me my love?) he asked, leaning into him Maya began her story, "Main uss asrham main gaya thi iradha sirf kuch waqth jeekar marne ke liye. Jab vahan par thi patha chala ki vo bachon human traficing par involved the tho action liya. Thab se unlogon ke peeche pad gayi thi. (I went to the aasrham with the intention of of living for sometime and then killing myself. It was there that I found out that the children were used for human trafficking. When i was there i found out about the kids I took action. Since then I am after them.)

"Aur gang? (And gang) Arjun asked as she stretched her legs out, "Sangamithra mili muje jail par, drugs dealer thi. Baap ek haramkor tha aur upar se do do chote chote bhai behen bhi. Kahaan jathe yeah bache? Humare siva koi nahi thi aur humne use ek kaam dhedhiya uski baisis se kaafi sari contracts milne lag. Aab uski bhai aur behen ek school main pad rahe hai, scollership par ek bade aadhmi ki kripa se. Rehethe hai usi ke saath kaafi cute hai aur natkat ka pura package hai phir bhi kaam karke apni behen ki bhooj ko kam karthe hai. (Sangamithra met me at jail. She was a drug dealer. Father was a ******* on top of that two small brother and sister. Were will these kids go? We gave her one job based on that many more contracts began coming her way. Her brother and sister are studying in a school under scholarship thanks to a rich man's aid. They stay with her and they are very cute and they work to reduce their sisters burden.)

"Hmm aur Yudi? (And Yudi?) a smile swept across her face at the name as his face burned in anger, "Yudi humara rajkumar hai aur mera bestie bhi patha hai Arjun humara neighbor tha. Dheere dheere dosth bhan gaya ithna thak ki mental hospital par bhi thi meri paas. Encorage kia, vahan ki patients ko deal karne ki. Aapna behen ko dundhta hua ummeedh ko chuka tha lekin mujpar apna behen dundne laga. (Yudi is our prince and my bestie and you know what Arjun he was our neighbor. We became slowly becoming friends to an extent that he even stayed with me in the mental hospital with me. He even encouraged me to take care the patents. He came searching for his sister and when he lost hope began searching for his sister in me.)

"One competition less... Arjun joked laughing Maya continued, "Arman aur Samay ki kahani tho tume patha hai. Baaki kaun hai? (Stories of Aayan and Samay you know who else is there?)

"Aur tumhara vo Naveen aadhe se zyadha waqth uski godh main bitha thi ho. ( And that Naveen you spend more than half the time on his lap.) stiffening a giggle Maya spoke, "Oh Naveen babhu use hum girls eye candy bulathe hai. Bahoth pyar kartha hai mujse aur hamesha kush dhekna chahatha hai. (Oh Naveen babhu we girls call him eye candy. He loves me a lot and wants to always see me happy.)

"JAAAN. Someone yelled rushing in making Maya jerk up quickly, "Aah kya hua? (What happened?)

"Humara tho kaam paani main jaane vaala hai yaar. (Our work is going to go through the water.) Aayan sighed, Arjun got up angrily as Maya quickly got up, "Kaunsa emergency? Kaise emergency? Aur yeah kya hal bana raka hai tu? (What emergency? Which emergency? And what is this?)

Aayan looked at the dirt all over his faded green shirt with black tracks, "Bhai garden par tha na Samay aur Ivya ke saath. Aur kya hothi? Yaar candy undonon ko sambaal na mujse nahi hoga. Yaar ek plant ko lekar ithni badi ladai ho jathi hai. (Brother I was in the garden with Samay and Ivya. What else will happen? Candy manage them no I certainly can not. One plant and such a huge fight between the two.)

Maya began laughing out loud till a point that she finally calmed down enough before finally stopping for a minute, "Sorry guys mujse nahi hoga. (Sorry guys I can't any more.)

Jaanvi who was standing at the door yelled, "MAYA.

"Mom? She looked at the woman standing there blaizing in anger trying her level best to understand why her mother was filled with anger. "Chalo mere saath kuch kaam hai. (Come with me there is a work.)

Maya followed Jaanvi, her dark green saree flowing behind her as she marched Maya into a room before demanding, "KYA KARVA RAHI HO TUM? KYUN UN TEENON KI FEELINGS KE SAATH KHEEL RAHI HO? ITHNA GIR KAISI SAKTHI HO MAYA? (WHAT ARE YOU DOING? WHY ARE YOU PLAYING WITH THE FEELINGS OF THOSE THREE BOYS? HOW CAN YOU STOOP SO LOW? )

"EXCUSE ME. Aap ko kya patha hai? Main kisi ki kheel nahi rahi thi, Samay tho mujse obsesd tha lekin aab mujse pyar kartha tho hai lekin mujse shadhi nahi karna chahatha hai. Sirf saath dhetha hai vo bhi ek dosth hone ke naathe. Aur dusri tharaf hai aap ka ladla Aayan, meri haath Samay ke haath main thamna chahatha hai. Agar uss budhu ka marzi chaltha hai na apna uss laccy frilly wedding gown main muje daal kar kaal hi shadhi karvadhega koi bhi raste ka curch par bina yeah dheke ke vo R.C hai ya nahi. Aur khaana ek dhaaba main kiladhega. Shadhi ka. (Excuse me. What do you know about my situation? I am not playing with anyone's feelings. Samay loves me but he does not want to marry me he supports me as a friend. On the other hand there is your darling Aayan he will hand me over to Samay any time. If things go his way that bozo will end up putting me inside a lacy frilly wedding gown and get us married in the nearest roadside church without even seeing if it is R.C or not. Also food he will buy it in the nearest dhaba, for the wedding.)

Jaanvi's mouth opened and closed several times but Maya continued with full force, "Aur haan meri pyari si ma aap ka pyara sa Aayan muje apna jaan tho bulatha hai lekin pyar kartha hai lekin bisthar par bandha hai kisi aur ko. (And my dear mom your loving Aayan made me his darling but he ties someone else to the bed.)

"Maya yeah ka bol rahi ho beta? (Maya what are you saying child?) they turned around to see Suman standing there, she was dressed in a set of black jeans with a light cream kurtha set with several embroidery works, "Vahi jo sach hai Suman aunty. Ivya ka teacher hai vo ladki, Kashi. Vaise hi mile the donon. Thi teek thak abb humari rang main aise rang gayi hai ki aise lagtha hai ki saalong se jaanthe hai. Aur Aayan ki har choti so choti baath vo jaanthi hai aur Aayan uski. (That which is the truth Suman aunty. She is Ivya's teacher Kashi. That is how both of them met. Kashi. That is how they met. She was all right but she has become just like us that we feel we have known her for years. She knows the smallest of details about Aayan and Aayan hers.)

Suman and Jaanvi's smile grew wide, quickly the sat Maya down on the bed and got more details out of her, "Aur kaisi hai yeah ladki? Khandhan kaisi hai? Kaam karthi hai ya? (How is this girl? How is their family? What does she do?)

"School ki teacher hai, phir art school main bhi kaam karthi hai. Special needs kids ke saath kaam karthi hai, Ivya ki jo socializing issues hai vo bhi handle kar dhethi hai. Club aur pubs jaana pasandh hai lekin bilkul nahi pithi hai. Bachon se lagav hai aur upar se kaafi akeli hai. Jitha pyari saadi main lagthi hai na uthna hi teeki mirchi dresses main lagthi hai. Ek bhai tha lekin vo mar chuka hai. Ek problem hai, hum sab se kaafi choti hai... (School teacher, then she works in an art school. Kids with special needs she works with them. Ivya's socializing issues she handles them. She loves to go to pubs and clubs but does not drink at all. Loves kids and on top of that she is alone there was a brother but he is dead. But as beautiful as she looks in saree she looks that hot in short dresses too. One problem is that she is much younger than all of us.)

The smile on Jaanvi's brown lipstick quotes lips seemed to tear her face. The light eyeshadow only highlighted happiness. Suman's stronger with the brown based eyeshadow and cream lipgloss but the expression was almost a copy of each other's. "Aare yeah tho batha non vegetarian hai na? (is she non vegetarian?)

"Puiri ki puri. Australia main apni padayi ki thi art ki. Vahan se aadhath hai aur khaana bahoth pasandh hai lekin kaana nahi bana pathi.(Completely. She studies art in Australia so learned from there and became a habit. She loves to eat but can't cook.) The elder women exchanged a chalta hai look, "Lekin bahoth pyari hai. Aur Ivya ka ihna kyal rakthi hai upar se kai kai bhaar Ivya ko baki bachon ke saath outing par lekar jaathi hai. (She is very loving. She also takes great care of Ivya on top of that she takes Ivya outings with other kids.)

"Maya iss ladki ko ithna market karne ki kya zarurath hai. Tume pasandh hai tho hume bhi pasandh hai. (Maya there is no need to market the girl so much. If you like her we like her. That's enough.) Suman added a large smile on her face, before cuping Maya's face in her hand and kissed her gently, "Tum kush ho vo humare liye kaafi hai beta. (You are happy then we are also happy.)

"Issiliye aaj Samay usse lekar aaraha hai aap saab se milne. (Thats why Samay is brining her over to meet all of you.) Maya declared making the faces of both the ladies become suddenly pale, "Aaj? Lekin na koi thiyari aur na koi... kuch bhi achanak aise kaise? (Today? Without any preparation... on top of that suddenly?)

"Aare Jaanvi ma, Suman aunty ho jayega saab kuch. Waise bhi apne ghar aarahi hai ghar jaisa hai vaise hi dhekna chahe gi aur logon ko bhi. (Jaanvi mom, Suman aunty it will be done. Anyway she is coming to her home and she would like to see it the way it normally is and the people too.)

Chapter 19 Promo

Arjun's eyes grew as wide as sausers as Maya pulled the gun from inside her clothes and without thinking fired it at the person who was driving away. Kashi was holding a shivering Ivya tightly as Aayan and Samay put away their own guns. Jaanvi watched with eyes big as saucers and fear in their eyes. "Ivya beta aap ko teek tho hai na? (Ivya are you all right?)

"HO KYA RAHA HAI YAHAAN PAR? TUM LOGON KE PAAS YEAH GUNS KYUN HAI? Vo loog hai kaun? (What is happening here? Why do all of you roam around with guns? Who were those guys?) Saanj demanded being the first to come to her senses, tear filled Maya finally opened up with the shocking truth.