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LAST PART
My love he stood at my right hand,
His eyes were grave and sweet;
Methought he said, "In this fair land,
O is it thus we meet!
Ah, maid most dear, I am not here,
I have no place, no part,
No dwelling more by sea or shore,
But only in thy heart!
No dwelling more by sea or shore,
But only in thy heart!
5 YEARS LATER:
THE ISLAND OF VANUA LEVU, FIJI……..SOUTH PACIFIC OCEAN
Vanua Levu…..The smaller of the two main islands of Republic of Fiji Islands. The islands are mountaineous, with a dense covering of tropical forest.
A few miles south of the seaside town of Savusavu, is a cluster of lavish bungalows owned by affluent Fijians of Indian origin.
One such bungalow overlooking the brightly sparkling, cerulean sea….is painted light pink on the outside, with a beautiful garden in front, full of lush, blooming flowers and tropical palms.
The nameplate outside the latticed gate reads: ANAND AND TANYA SABARWAL…..in raised gold letters on a black background.
Inside the gate, a pebbled path leads to the steps which lead up to stained glass double doors!
The door opened and a boy ran out with a tall fishing-rod in his hands.
9 year old Sunny Sabarwal, tall for his age, well-built, very tanned, wearing a muscle tank and Bermuda shorts, looked very excited as he ran down the steps in a hurry, yelling:
DAAAD! HURRY UP! ITS 11 ALREADY!
I'M COMING! I'M COMING! HOLD ON, SON! Anand Sabarwal followed him with an armload of fishing-gear…..fishing poles, bucket, tackle and fly box.
Anand (Angad) was still muscular and buff in a Hawaaiian print shirt open at the chest, and Bermuda shorts ….his bare chest, arms and legs were tanned to a brown shade….that pointed to long days spent in the sun …..beaches and boats, frolicking in sand and water!
He looked back and yelled: ROBBIE! COME ON! WE ARE GETTING LATE, KIDDO!
4 year-old Robbie Sabarwal, short and chubby, ran out……equally tanned as his Dad and brother, wearing a T-shirt and shorts.
DADDYY….WAIT FOR ME…..he shouted, running as fast as he could down the stairs, carrying his favorite lunch-box with him.
His hazel eyes glittered with excitement! He loved these weekly fishing trips with Dad and Sunny Bhaiyya.
Yes, Robbie had hazel eyes like his father, Josh!
When he was born in the General Hospital in Suva on the Main Island of Viti Levu 4 years ago, his parents knew at once by looking at his eyes! They didn't have to do any paternity tests.
Angad had felt a slight pang in his heart when their conjecture was proved right….after all he was only human! But then he looked at the tiny infant nursing at Kripa's chest and all his doubts vanished! This was THEIR baby….his and Kripa's. It didn't matter whose DNA he carried, Robbie was his son.
And that's how he had brought him up….he had been a hands-on Dad, changing diapers, bottle-feeding, playing his guitar and singing to him. Robbie's toothless smiles had melted his heart!
Robbie's first word was Dadaadadada!
Angad had cast a triumphant look at Kripa…..SEE, he said Dad first! Kripa had smiled indugently, cherishing the bond between them!
Robbie was devoted to Dad and vice versa. Angad made up for all the moments he had missed with Sunny….those first 4 years of his life. He taught Robbie how to walk, to talk….to play ball, to drink from a cup, everything that a father can do!
Robbie ran after Dad and clasped his fingers tightly, looking up at him in adoration: DAD! LETS GO!
Haan, Chalo Beta! Anand grinned down at him….then stopped: Wait! We have to say Goodbye to Mama!
They turned back to the door…..Tanya/Kripa stood there, grinning at the adventuresome trio. She was wearing a loose pink smock…which didn't quite hide her big belly. She was six months pregnant with her third child. She was glowing with beauty and joy....the glow of Love and Motherhood!
Anand ran back up the steps to Tanya and took her in his arms….Bye Sweetheart! We will be back by sundown! Apni aur merey Gudiya ka khayal rakhna…..he looked down at her burgeoning belly and circled his palm over it, grinning affectionately.
She rolled her eyes and arched her eyebrows: Tumhey kaisey pata iss baar Gudiya aa rahi hai?
Angad smirked knowingly at her: I know it, Baby! Mera dil kehta hai iss baar ladki hi hogi…..bilkul tumhari tarah khubsoorat aur khatti-meethi!
She sighed dramatically, gesturing with hands: Meri kismat aisi kahan ?……merey naseeb mein toh sirf badmassh ladkey hi likhey hain" ....she threw a sidelong glance at Angad.
Sunny's ears caught that comment although he was several feet away: MAMAA….Kya MAIN BADMAASH HOON? ….he protested, looking aggrieved.
Kripa quickly smiled and shook her head: Nahin Beta, tum toh merey Superman ho….
Robbie piped up beside Anand: Mummy, main badmaash hoon?
Kripa bent slightly and squeezed his round cheeks , laughing: No Beta! You are my sweetheart!
Angad sighed dramatically and groaned: Raha baaki main! Theek hai, Jahanpanah! Main apney saarey gunaah kabool karta hoon! I admit Im Badmaash! But you still love me, Sweetheart! You cant help it!
He pulled her cheeks, laughing and kissed her hard on the lips. Kripa held his cheeks and kissed him back.
Sunny looked back, saw them kissing and made a puking face: YUCKK! They are kissing AGAIN!
Robbie looked on with an approving grin..…he was quite used to watching his parents kiss and cuddle often!
Angad let her go, patted her bottom: Achha toh hum chaltey hain…..
Kripa stalled him with her hand: THEHRO! Apna lunch basket toh letey jaao…..MARYAM!
She called the housekeeper from Dubai who now resided with them, took care of the household and helped Kripa with the kids.
Maryam came out with a big multi-storied lunch box, Kripa handed it to Angad. Maryam waved goodbye to the boys and went back to the kitchen.
Godfather had brought over his faithful Housekeeper of 15 years from Dubai to take care of his daughter's family.
Sunny yelled impatiently: DA-AD! HURRY UP! THE BOAT WILL LEAVE WITHOUT US!
Angad laughed: Don't worry, Kid! Boat is OURS….it will wait for us! Kahin nahin jayega!
Angad's hands were really full now with all the gears and lunch box…he called Sunny for help: Beta, take some of these…..Sunny took the tackle box from him. Angad managed the rest, then bent down to take Robbie on his shoulders. Robbie clambered on his neck and sat with his legs dangling on Dad's chest. The trio waved goodbye to Kripa and went down to the waterside, where the big Yacht waited to take them deep sea fishing!
As usual, Kripa's heart palpitated a little at the thought of the sea….but she had full faith in Angad…that he would bring them back safe and sound.
She used to accompany Angad and the boys on their fishing trips before she got pregnant.
She had slowly started conquering her fear of water. Even though she couldn't swim yet, Angad had convinced her to go snorkelling with him twice. He had held her arms and guided her through the coral reefs.
That had been the most amazing experience of her life….watching colorful fish swim by and under her…..the strange weight of water, fluid yet thick and dragging…..the vibrantly colorful coral reefs of the Pacific! The beauty hidden under the clear, blue water never failed to amaze her!
She stood at the door for a while, stroking her belly reflectively. They had a new life here…where the shadows of their murky past wouldn't touch them. They were Anand and Tanya Sabarwal to the Fijian community .
Kripa was quite a popular singer there. She sang at local functions and gave music lessons to several Indian students in the neighbourhood.
Angad kept a low profile, he never sang at public functions…..he just gave guitar lessons to Kripa's students….and to Robbie who already had a keen appreciation of music and wanted to be a musician/singer when he grew up…just like his Dad.
Sunny, however had no such interest in music….he loved gadgets, warfare, weapons. He wanted to join the Armed Forces or Police when he grew up!
They had finally told Sunny about Josh's death when he was 7 years old. He wasn't surprised at all…..he said nonchalantly: Main jaanta hoon, Papa is dead!
Aap itney din mujhsey jhooth bol rahey the…..but I knew he was dead when Nishant Uncle gave me all those toys. Papa would know what I like….he would never send me games that I already had.
Angad and Kripa exchanged glances…..he had known so long?? Yet had kept up the charade with his parents …of ignorance. Kripa apologized for lying to him…
Sunny took it in his stride: Its Okay, Mama! You didn't want me to be sad….so you lied to me. But I was sure something had happened to Papa when he didn't turn up for my Birthday that year….Papa would never have missed my birthday.
They didn't tell Prateek/Sunny about Angad being his biological father…..he had already bonded deeply with Angad and didn't need to be told the details. Sunny grew up knowing he was Josh's son, Robbie grew up as Angad's.
Kripa closed the door, went to the sitting room where her mother's portrait hung on the wall. She stared at the painting and sighed pensively, wishing for the hundredth time that her father was living with them…instead of separately on another island of the Archipelago.
No! Godfather didn't live with Angad-Kripa and their kids. He had thought it prudent to keep his distance from them. He wanted them to lead normal, happy lives without the fear of being hunted down by the CBI .
Kripa had protested, cried, cajoled, argued for days to make him stay….but he had been adamant.
Angad, isey ab tum hi samjhao (Angad flung his hands, he had given up)….Beti…zara samajhney ki koshish karo…..CBI ne mera peechha nahin chhoda…aur jab tak Nishant iss case ko open rakhta hai…tab tak merey pakdey jaaney ka darr hai……main nahin chahta ke merey saath saath Angad bhi pakda jaye . Tum dono chain ki zindagi jeeo…aur meri fikr mat karo. Main akela hi theek hoon"
Kripa had sobbed…..Papa, yeh aap kaisey keh saktey hain? Hum aapkey baghair kaisey chain ki zindagi jiyengey?
His hand had soothed her gently as she cried in his chest: Beti…..hamarey desh ki sabhyata (culture) mein koi Maa-Baap apney shadi-shuda beti ke ghar mein nahin rehta. Hamara rivaaz yahi hai…..main chahta hoon tum aur Angad sukoon se raho….koi tumhey pareshan na karey. Lekin tum chinta mat karna….main har haftey tumsey milney aaoonga….per yahan tumharey ghar mein nahin….. Savusavu sheher mein ek Indian Restaurant hai….wo mainey khareed liya hai…wahin hum mila karengey….every weekend. Theek hai?
After a lot of tears and complaints, Kripa finally gave up. Godfather wouldn't hear of it…..he wanted them to live independantly….away from him. He didn't want his crimes to be revisited on his child or grandchildren!
Godfather bought a small bungalow in Taveuni , an island 100 kms east of Vanua Levu. His Yacht was still in his possession. In fact, they had escaped from Mauritius on that yacht…..sailing in the darkness of the night, from an obscure Pier. The yacht shuttled between his home and Sabarwal bungalow every week. Once a week, Angad took his boys fishing…..sometimes their Naanu also joined them. All 4 bonded marvellously on these excursions.
Once a week, Godfather met his daughter's family in Anu's Kitchen….the Restaurant he had opened in his wife's memory.
Mr. And Mrs. Mittal had joined Godfather at his island home…..just six months after his great escape. They made a detour via Australia to shake off any agent following them.
Kalyani spent the first six months with Kripa….who had just delivered Robbie back then. But Mr. Mittal stayed with Godfather ….he was the totally devoted employee and friend…he wouldn't leave GF's side.
For the last 4 years, Kalyani had shuttled between the 2 islands, spending a week with Angad-Kripa, then a fortnight with her husband and Godfather. But lately, Mr. Mittal's health had been failing…..he had heart problems and breathing trouble. So Kalyani couldn't spend much time with her beloved Sunny and Robbie. But she was eagerly awaiting the birth of Kripa's third baby. She also was convinced that Kripa would have a little girl this time.
She had even started knitting little pink booties for the baby. She had promised Kripa she would stay for a month after her delivery.
*********************************************************
Kripa waited eagerly for every weekend when she would see her father again.
Angad parcelled the two boys in his red Mitsubishi and helped Kripa into the back seat. He drove slowly to town and parked behind Anu's Kitchen.
Sunny and Robbie ran into the Restaurant, eager to meet Naanu and possibly Nani-Maasi.
Angad helped Kripa trudge slowly inside. They proceeded to a private room in the back, which was reserved for the owner.
A little later, Godfather and Kalyani joined them. There was a lot of hugging, kissing, touching feet and blessings. Then the family group settled down to have dinner. Kripa asked Papa about his health, she asked Maasi about Mittal Uncle.
The elders asked about her and baby's health…..as they dined on North Indian delicacies.
Sunny and Robbie sat on Naanu's both knees and asked him seriously if he had ever seen a shark or whale. They had a long discussion about marine life.
Kalyani showed Kripa the pink booties she was making alongwith a crocheted pink sweater.
Kripa laughed: Aap bhi Angad ki tarah vishwaas rakhtey hain ke iss baar beti hogi?
Kalyani nodded with confidence: Haan, mujhey poora yakeen hai…iss baar ladki hogi"
Kripa hugged her : Aapkey mooh mein ghee-shakkar! Bhagwan karey iss baar beti hi ho"
She was already drooling over cute, frilly pastel frocks and colorful lehngas in stores when she went shopping. She badly wanted a daughter this time.
Kalyani took out some food packs: Yeh lo Beti, yeh mainey tumharey liye banaye hain….tumhey pasand hain na?
Kripa opened the boxes….MMMmmm! Gaajar ka Halwa? Saag Paneer? Gobi ke parathey? Ufff wonderful! Thanks, Maasi!
She dug in greedily into the boxes while Angad, Godfather and Kalyani looked on with indulgent smiles. All the dishes were tasty yet nutritious.
Godfather asked Angad in a low voice: Ab Kripa kaisi hai? Uski tabiyat toh theek hai na? Doctor ne kya kaha?
Angad smiled: Papa aap pareshan mat ho….shes fine, the baby is doing well. Aur Kripa kaisi hai? Aapki beti hai, aap khud hi samajh leejiye…..poori Hitler hai"
Godfather glared at Angad, then burst out laughing, he thumped Angad's back: Haan…zaroor, meri beti ka theek se khayaal rakhna….warna…. you know what will happen to you!
Angad chuckled: Haan, jaanta hoon…..ek Don ki Beti se shadi karney ka jurmana toh bharna hi padega"
Both men laughed at their silly, typical male jokes.
Kripa gazed adoringly at her family….at her two boys, hanging on to their Nanu….Angad and Papa sharing a joke, Kalyani cuddling Robbie intermittently.
She was the happiest woman on earth! They had all walked through fire…..all four of them, to reach this Haven of Happiness. They had lived through terrible tragedies to gain this Paradise! She hoped and prayed that it will never be snatched from their lives again!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HgQxt7FnOIA
Pal pal pal har pal (Lagey Raho, Munna Bhai)
Thanks to ashu/pinkbunnies for this sweet, cute, romantic video of A-K in domestic bliss.
[YOUTUBE] http://www.youtube.com/v/HgQxt7FnOIA"></param><p aram [/YOUTUBE]
Pal pal, pal pal, Har Pal, Har Pal
Kaise katega pal, har pal har pal
Pal pal, pal pal, Har Pal, Har Pal
Kaise katega pal, har pal har pal
dil dil dil dil main machi hai machi
machi hai hulchal hulchal
Kaise katega pal, har pal har pal
Pal pal, pal pal, Har Pal, Har Pal
Kaise katega pal, har pal har pal
O Humsafar .. lagta hai darr ..
Raat kate na.. kabhi ho sahar..
is pal main simate umar
Raat kate na.. kabhi ho sahar..
tu jo hai saath mere to dagar
lage ki jaise khoobsoorat ghar
tu jo hai saath mere to dagar
lage ki jaise khoobsoorat ghar
tu jo hai saath to yeh ambaar
lage ki jaise saaya ho sar par
tere kaandhe par rakh kar sar
yun hi kat jaaye saari umar
Pal pal, pal pal, Har Pal, Har Pal
kal kya ho .. kisko khabar..
lagta hai darr lagta hai darr
is pal main simate umar ..
raat kate na .. kabhi ho sehar
accha batao ..
------------------------------------------------------------ ------------------------------------
pallavi
EPILOGUE
3 months later:
Everybody's wish was fulfilled! Kripa gave birth to a little girl at the General Clinic in Savusavu. Everybody was delighted of course. They showered gifts and blessings on the little Princess who was very cute, pretty and adorable.
Kripa named her Sur…..but Angad called her his Gudiya.
Kalyani bought her a whole wardrobe of little dresses and frocks. Godfather blessed her with a gold chain and Ganesh locket like his two grandsons.
And so, Angad and Kripa's picture-perfect life continued in Fiji.
Sur was the spoiled baby, Robbie was his parents' darling and Sunny a bratty teenager.
As for the others……Kartik's brother was much better after intensive physiotherapy in the US…he could now move around in a wheelchair by himself. Kartik couldn't stay far from Godfather and Angad for too long. He moved to New Zealand, bought a small poultry farm amidst mountains and valleys. His brother lived with him…he visited Angad and GF once after Robbie's birth, disguised as a Catholic Priest! A few months later, he met a nice Indian girl at the Grocery store nearby. They became friends, started dating, then got married after 7 months. They had twins…a little boy and girl. Kartik's life was complete, his dreams had been fulfilled.
Javed stayed on in Dubai, his hometown. The Law had no evidence against him….he was just Godfather's bodyguard.
Due to Damodar's death, their contract was null and void. Godfather's lawyer dug up his Will from somewhere.
Godfather had left his Dubai Hotel to Javed. The seaside Villa and estate was converted into a Home for Orphan children and Widowed/Destitute women. Javed was in charge of it and also took care of Zaib's mausoleum.
Godfather had transfered the money from the sale of his Hotels and casinos to secret Bank accounts in Cayman Islands and Switzerland. The CBI could never trace his money.
From his millions, half was reserved for his daughter and son-in-law so they would never have to worry about money all their lives, nor generations after them. From the other half, two large shares went to Kartik and Mittals, the rest was distributed amongst his other faithful employees.
Godfather himself lived off the smart investments he had made through the years. He was a man of simple needs. The Yacht was his only Luxury. He had even sold off his private Jet.
Nishant searched high and low for Godfather. He followed leads to Australia, New Zealand, Malaysia. But before he could go as far as Fiji, he met a young fashion designer named Gauri in Mumbai.
He married Gauri and retired from active duty when he became a father. He didn't want his child to be left fatherless.
And so he gave up his search for Godfather.
Damodar's gang-members had mostly been arrested as they went haywire after their Boss's death and started fighting amongst themselves, killing, maiming, battling for territorial rights. Mumbai Police started rounding them up soon….and the D-gang dispersed forever.
Thus….Godfather and his family lived happily on the Island Paradise.
They were safe for the time being….they lived one day at a time….after all, Kal kisney dekha hai??
Its just the moments that count! Jee lo tum issi pal mein….Kal Ho na Ho! 😳
Zindagi Mil Ke Bitayenge
Haale Dil Gaa Ke Sunaayenge
Hum Tho Saat Rang Hai
Yeh Jahan Rangeen Banayenge
Sargam Hum Se Bane
Nagme Hum Se Jawan
Ghume Aasman
Hum Hi Tho Duniya Ke Saat Ajube Hai
Hum Se Hai Jahan
All : Zindagi Mil Ke Bitayenge
Haale Dil Gaa Ke Sunaayenge
Hum Tho Saat Rang Hai
Yeh Jahan Rangeen Banayenge
Kishore : Khushiyan Batenge Hum
Har Gham Mil Ke Sahe
Phir Kyon Aansoo Bahe
RDB : Arre Ban Ke Sahara
Ik Duje Ka Yunhi Chalte Rahe
Kishore : Zindagi Mil Ke Bitayenge
RDB : Haale Dil Gaa Ke Sunaayenge
SPC : Hum Tho Saat Rang Hai
RDB : Yeh Jahan Rangeen Banayenge..
Whistle whistle whistle
------------------------------------------------------------ --------------------------------
Godfather was a story of crime and redemption, tragedy and survival, love and sacrifice, courage and betrayal.......and relationships.
Godfather.........means Father in the eyes of God.
Bajaj was a father-figure to Angad.....Josh was father to Prateek, Angad to Robbie, although not related by blood.
Kripa grew up as Surya Sharma's daughter, never knowing her real father. Only in the end did she finally reunite with her real father.
Blood is also a symbol in this story....bloodshed and blood relations.
Bloodshed and violence separated family members. But fate brought them back together again!
Khoon ka rishta ya dil ka rishta.....which is deeper?
I hope u all enjoyed reading this story as much I enjoyed writing it! It was an experimental genre for me. I hope I could do justice to it! 😛
Hope to see u all again for my new stories: Ami Je Tomar....and Chori Chori! 😃
pallavi
Edited by pallavi25 - 17 years ago
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2
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