PART 60
It was past 2 A.M. when Rishi reached home. Anu was still awake, worrying about his lateness. She opened the door, exclaiming: Kya hua tha? Itni der laga dee aaj?
Then she gasped when she saw him, crying out: KHOON! Rishi's clothes were drenched in BLOOD!
KHOON! TUMHEY CHOT LAGI HAI" she cried out with horrified fear !
SSHHHHH! Rishi silenced her, locked the door and pulled her gently to their room…he didn't want his father to wake up and see him in that state! Somesh was a heart patient and might get a bad shock!
He closed the bedroom door, took off his bloodied clothes, with a terrified Anu looking on: Kya hua tha? Itna khoon kaisey aaya? She could see he wasn't injured himself!
Then he collapsed on the bed, sitting with his face in his hands, sobbing quietly. Anu rushed to his side, he put his arms around her thick waist, and cried piteously. She was 8 months pregnant…..he was so afraid for her and his child.
Anu stroked his hair, comforting him: Rishi, please mujhey bataao, kya hua tha? Tumpar itna khoon kaisey laga?
Anu….he sobbed into her waist….un logon ne Zaib aur Ali Saab ko….maar dala….they killed them!
KYAAA? ZAIB BHAIYYA KO ? ALI UNCLE KO……YEH TUM KYA KEH RAHEY HO? Anu was thunderstruck!
SSSHHHHH…..Dheerey bolo….Rishi raised his head…..main nahin chahta Papa ko pata chaley….unhey bahut sadma lagega"
Lekin hua kya, batao toh sahi? Anu sounded frantic!
Rishi made her sit beside him on the bed, holding her shoulder, he slowly narrated the horrendous events of that night, in a broken voice, halting, breaking down.
How Madho Pandey made Mr. Ali sign the Hotel ownership papers, then threw him down the balcony. How he had rushed towards Madho in fury, knocked him over the railings….but the bullets Madho had fired at him had struck Zaib and now he was dead! His lively, youthful friend was dead!
Zaib ki jaan meri vajeh se gayi…..Rishi cried on Anu's shoulder: Jo goliyan Madho ne mujhpar chalayi thi, wo Zaib ko lagi….Kaash mainey pehley Madho ke bandook ko fenka hota toh aaj mera dost zinda hota! Mainey jaldbazi mein kadam uthaya….Kaash….
Rishi was feeling terribly guilty…..he felt responsible for Zaib's death! The bullets meant for him had struck Zaib! Now the least he could do was fulfil Zaib's last wishes and take his body to Dubai for burial. But first of all,he had to send Anu and his father away to a safe place. He had killed the Gangster's brother…..terrible retribution might follow! He had to send them to safety at once!
He wiped his eyes and stood up: Anu, tum abhi issi waqt apna suitcase pack karo…..tum Mussorie jaa rahi ho!
Anuradha was crying too……grieving for Zaib and Mr. Ali….worried and tense about the future! She looked up in shock: MAIN? MUSSORIE?
Haan….tumhara yahan rehna theek nahin….hum sab khatrey mein hai…main nahin chahta tumhey ya merey bachchey ko kuchh ho…..
Lekin Main….Main….tumhey aur Pitajee ko chhodkar kaisey jaa sakti hoon? Yeh tum kya keh rahey ho, Rishi? Anu was indignant. Kabhie nahin….main tum dono ko chhodkar nahin jaa sakti….tum bhi merey saath chalo Pitajee ko lekar"
NAHIN! ANU!!…..samajhney ki koshish karo…..hum sab agar wahan jaayengey toh wo shaitaan apney gundon ko Mussorie bhejega…..tum meri fikr mat karo….mera kuchh adhoora kaam hai yahan….main usey niptakar tumharey paas chala jaaoonga! Aur Pitajee ko kal subah ki train se Poona bhej doonga….merey Chachu ke ghar!
Anu sobbed, clinging to Rishi: Nahin….mujhey akela mat bhejo…..main bhi yahan rahoongi….tumhey chhodkar nahin jaa sakti main"
ANU…..Rishi gripped her shoulders and raised her face: Dekho, tumhey hamarey bachchey ki kasam hai….YOU HAVE TO GO NOW! I PROMISE…..mujhey kuchh nahin hoga….wo shaitaan mujhey kabhie pakad nahin payega…..I promise I WILL STAY ALIVE…. …for you and our child! Main vaada karta hoon…..tum bhi mujhsey vaada karo….tum aaj raat ko Mussorie jaogi…..aur vaada karo hamarey bachchey ko surakshit rakhogi! Please, Anu…..meri taraf dekho (she opened her streaming eyes) ….Promise me, Jaan! Tum hamarey bachchey ko kuchh nahin honay dogi"
Anu cried and cried, finally promised through sobs: Haan, main vaada karti hoon bachchey ko kuchh nahin hoga…..main usey kuchh nahin honay doongi"
He kissed her forehead and embraced her fiercely: I love you, Anu! Tum meri Jaan ko saath mein lekar jaa rahi ho…..dono ka khayal rakhna….I will be with you in a few days. Hum kahin door chaley jayengey…iss khoon kharabey ki duniya se. Just wait for me, Anu!
She nodded, hugging him back, crying. Finally they wiped their eyes, she started packing a suitcase for herself. She put in warm clothes…winter was approaching, the baby would be born in a month. She went to the bathroom to get her toiletries. Rishi quickly took out a gift from his wardrobe. It was a silver-framed photograph of hers that he had planned to gift on her birthday which was coming up the following week. He had taken that picture with the new camera he bought during Diwali. Anu was dressed in a new sari and jewelry for Diwali and smiling….he had it framed and inscribed: To Anu, on her 21st Birthday, Love, Rishi.
He caressed the photo, kissed it and slipped it into her purse. It will be a nice surprise to her on the train….maybe cheer her up a little bit!
The train for Dehradun was leaving Mumbai early morning. Rishi and Anu slipped out of the house before dawn while the whole neighbourhood slept. Anu wanted to touch her sasurjee's feet before leaving but Rishi didn't let her, in case Somesh woke up and found out about the whole thing!
He drove quickly to Mumbai Central and got a 1st class ticket for Dehradun. They ran to the platform, suitcase in hand and just caught the train 5 mins before departure. Anu got up, they held hands through the window…..Anu was crying pitifully, Rishi was holding back his tears, comforting her: Main do din baad aa jaaoonga…I promise! Please, apna khayal rakhna….he kissed her hands….the train whistled….and chugged out of the station. They stared at each other as long as they could….till Anu disappeared from sight!
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Godfather sighed, tears falling down his face: And that was the last time I saw your mother, Kripa! Wahi uski aakhri jhalak thi….tabsey lekar aaj tak main sirf uski yaadon ke saharey jee raha hoon" ……he broke down, covering his face, crying silently.
Kripa was sobbing quietly in her chair….she got up slowly and approached him….Angad looked on with tears in his eyes. Kripa placed her hands on her father's arms : Papa…..Papa!
Godfather looked up, his eyes streaming, yet an incredulous joy on his face: Meri Beti….Kripa, My Child!
Haan…Papa! Mama ne apna vaada poora kiya…..main aaj bhi zinda hoon….aur ab aapkey paas aa gayi hoon…….Kripa smiled through her tears….holding out her arms.
Godfather flung his arms around her, hugging her tightly as he cried with happiness, relief, utter bliss…..his loneliness vaporized with the years of living with his memories.
Haan, Beti, Anu ne apna vaada poora kiya….martey huey bhi tumhey janam diya…..aur aaj tum merey saath ho…..I am the happiest man on earth today! Kismat ne meri khushiyan mujhey lauta dee" …he was crying, thanking Anu, thanking Destiny, ecstatic with joy to be reunited with his lost child!
Kripa sobbed and hugged him: Papa…main bhi bahut khush hoon…..main bhi….
Angad wiped his tears and approached father and daughter duo: Aur main aaj sabsey zyada khush hoon….ke main Kripa ko apney Dad se…..aur Uncle ko apni Beti se mila sakaa"
Godfather and Kripa laughed through their tears and pulled Angad into a group hug! They hugged, laughed, cried together….generally behaving like people who are crazy with happiness, whose cup of joy is flowing over, whose every dream has been fulfilled!
Finally they wiped their eyes……Godfather suggested: Ek cup chai ho jaye….iss khushi mein, kya khayal hai?
Haan, Papa!…..Kripa laughed, Main abhi banakar laati hoon.
She ran into the kitchen, hugged and kissed Prateek who was playing with his Nani-Mausi. She laughed joyfully when Kalyani asked her what was the matter: Maasi Jee, aaj main bahut khush hoon…bahut khush! Aapko .....
She was going to tell Kalyani right there in the kitchen about her father…..when Angad came running from the back and placed his hand on her mouth: Kucch nahin, Aunty-jee….buss Kripa ko khushi iss baat ki hai ke usko Hongkong se apna samaan wapas mil gaya!
Kripa looked surprised and indignant. Angad whispered in her ears: Yahan kisiko maloom nahin hona chahiye ke tum Godfather ki Beti ho……don't say a word! Your life, Prateek's life will be in danger! Samjhi? Do u understand? Not a word!
She nodded, her eyes wide and scared! She realized the dangerous predicament of being a Don's daughter!
Prateek scowled at Angad for holding his mother like that….he suddenly rushed at Angad and pushed him away: Aap merey Mama ko kyun pakad rahey ho?
Angad laughed: Beta, Main aur tumharey Mama chor Police khel rahey the…..main Police hoon, isiliye pakad liya!
OHHH! Prateek believed it at once, his eyes lighting up: Main bhi Chor Police kheloonga! I want to be Police! I want to be Police!
Okay, Beta….lets go and play! Angad picked Prateek up on his shoulders and went to the Living-room where they had a rowdy game of Chor-Police, running all over the rooms, knocking things over….generally having a great time!
Kripa and Kalyani Aunty smiled indulgently at the two rowdy boys!….Kripa made tea for everyone alongwith snacks. Her head was still reeling with the tumultous story of her father's past……she badly wanted to hear the rest….what happened to her grandfather, Zaib's family…..she already knew her mother's fate. She grieved for her mother…wished with all her heart that she were alive today, and be with all of them! As a complete family!
Then she thought about Angad….he had lost both his parents because of that fiend Damodar!!…at least she still had her father alive. She sighed….she would have to speak with Prateek very soon about calling Angad "Dad". Now that she knew her own father, she wanted Prateek to know his father too….and call him Dad! She knew Angad was pining to hear that from his son.
She gave a cup of tea to Kalyani and carried the tray to the Study, where her father was still gazing at her mother's portrait, smiling, talking to her silently. She handed over a cup to Godfather and looked up at the portrait: Maa kitni sundar lag rahi hai iss painting mein….sach mein bahut khubsoorat thi"
Haan…..bilkul tumhari tarah…..Godfather turned to her and stroked her cheek lovingly: Tumney bhi waisi hi naak naksha payi hai….sirf kadd mein thodi chhoti ho, gudiya jaisi" he grinned affectionately.
Kripa laughed….Angad rushed in with Prateek sitting on his shoulders, out of breath: Ek martey huey aadmi ko chai milegi kya? He was panting…..from all that running.
Kripa handed him a cup, giggling: Angad, tum out of shape ho gaye ho…..Prateek ke saath khelney ke liye kasrat karna padega"
She took Prateek from his arms….Angad quickly bent and whispered in her ears: Kitna out of shape hoon yeh aaj raat ko tumhey pata chalega" he winked with wicked promise.
She blushed and frowned………..jerked her head towards Godfather: Besharam, apney sasur ke saamney bhi…..she whispered back to Angad….kuchh toh sharam karo"
Wo pehley merey Uncle hain, baad mein Sasurjee" he mumbled back.
Meanwhile, Godfather was grinning delightedly at Prateek, his eyes misting with affection to see his little grandson, longing to hold him in his arms.
Kripa saw his expression….she carried Prateek over to her father : Beta, yeh tumharey Nanu hain….inhey Namastey karo"
Prateek folded his hands: Namastey Naanu! Mama, meri Naani kahan hain?
She pointed at the painting: Wo rahey tumharey Naani…..
Haan, mujhey toh pata hai, wo Nani hai….lekin wo kahan hain? Prateek looked around, bewildered.
Kripa looked somber: Beta, tumhari Nani Bhagwan ke paas chali gayi….wahin per hain"
Ohhh! Prateek looked wise…..he knew what that meant…..his friend Akash's grandfather had also gone to Bhagwan and never returned. It seemed it was a one-way ticket!
Prateek nodded wisely: Haan mujhey pata hai…..jo Bhagwan ke paas chaley jaatey hain wo phir nahin aatey….Akash ke Dadu bhi wahan hain….wahan bahut achhi jagah hai, isiliye nahin aatey hongay"
Kripa sighed with relief….perhaps it was going to be easier than she had thought….telling Prateek about Josh….but now wasn't the time. Right now she just wanted to bask in the warmth of family ties.
She handed over Prateek to Godfather: Jaao beta, apney Nanu ke paas jaao….wo tumhey bahut pyaar kartey hain"
Mr. Bajaj took Prateek in his arms as if he had just been handed the greatest wealth in the world! He held Prateek close, gazing at his cute face, his round eyes staring curiously at the grandfather he never knew!
Tears of joy rolled down Godfather's cheeks once again….tears of joy, to hold his grandson….this was an added bonus given by God after all these years,…. to get back his child and grandchild was a bonanza he had never expected!
Prateek looked disturbed: Nanu, aap ro kyun rahey ho? Mama ne aapko daanta kya?
Nahin Beta….yeh toh khushi ke aansoo hain…..main tumhey dekhkar bahut khush hoon na, isliye!
Prateek was confused…..these grown-ups were really weird….they cried when they were happy? And then what? They will laugh when they are sad?
He wiggled impatiently in Godfather's arms…he wanted to go and play….Kripa took him to her room to take a nap. He had been playing all afternoon and looked tired. When Prateek was sleeping, she sneaked out and went back to the Study.
Angad and Mr. Bajaj were discussing something serious. They looked up when she entered: Aao Beti….hum tumhara hi intezaar kar rahey the….Angad ne tumhey samjha diya hoga….iss baat ko chhupakar rakhna padega ke tum meri beti ho aur Prateek mera pota.
Lekin hum Mausi Jee ya Uncle ko kyun nahin bataa saktey? Kripa was bewildered: Kya aap unpar bharosa nahin kartey?
Baat bharosey ki nahin hai, Beti……Godfather went up to her and held her shoulders: Baat hai khatrey ki…..Mittal aur Bhabhi dono merey bahut kareeb hain….wo yeh sunkar bahut khush hongay ke tum meri khoyi huyi aulaad ho….lekin kahin unhoney yeh baat doosron ke saamney keh diya toh bahut badi museebat hogi! We cant take the risk….hamara yeh rishta ek raaz hi rehna chahiye….sirf hum teenon ke beech mein….kisiko kaanon kaan khabar nahin hona chahiye. Ek baar uss shaitaan ko bhanak bhi pad gayi toh wo tumhey aur Prateek ko……….Godfather shuddered, closing his eyes! He had lost too much to dare losing his last two loved ones.
Theek hai, Papa…..main kisiko nahin bataoongi….yeh raaz... raaz hi rahega" Kripa sighed. Lekin Papa, aap mujhey baaki ki baat sunayiye….uskey baad kya hua? Merey Dadajee kahan hain? Kya wo bhi…..?
Haan, Beti, wo bhi un badmashon ka shikaar ho gaye…..
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Godfather's story continued:
After seeing Anu off at the station, a dejected and tired Rishi returned home. As his car approached his house, he saw crowds of people and smoke billowing from that direction. His heart pounded with sudden dread….he jumped out of his car and ran through the crowds…..his worst fears came true….his house had been torched by those gangsters seeking revenge! He yelled: PITAJEE!! PAPA!! And ran towards the burning door!
But his neighbours pulled him back: Betaa…andar mat jaao….aag jal rahi hai!
CHHODIYE MUJHEY! MEREY PAPA ANDAR HAIN!
Rishi shook off his captors and ran inside the burning house….through thick, pungent smoke, he managed to locate his father's room. He went in and saw Somesh sitting up in bed, coughing, hacking, helpless to get up and run! He ran and picked up his father in his arms….ran out of the smoking building……he ran through the crowds of people, managing to hear snippets of information as he carried his father to the car:
Subah subah Bomb maara makaan per! Lagta hai Gundon ka kaam hai….na jaaney kaisey dhandey mein hai yeh Aggarwal ka beta? Gundon se iska kya vaasta?
Hai Raam! Kya zamana aa gaya hai! Ab ghar-grihasti mein bhi bomb phenka jaa raha hai…..yeh ilaaka toh gaya kaam se!
Now Rishi knew the cycle of revenge had begun! Damodar wont let him go….he will avenge his brother's death! It wasn't just a matter of avenging family….it was also to show his power and strength to the common people! Nobody could kill the notorious Damodar Pandey's brother and live to tell about it!
He rushed his father to the Hospital….Somesh was suffering from very bad smoke inhalation! He was admitted and Rishi left him in the doctor's care to go and release Zaib's body from the Hospital authorities. They refused to give it! They said it was a police case and could be only released to the Police.
Rishi was very frustrated….he was forced to go to the Local Thana …..just as he was approaching the Thana, he saw some gangster types walk into the Thana.
One of them was a large, stocky, man with an crude, dark face…..Rishi realized with a shock that it was Damodar himself! He hung back and didn't enter the Thana….watching the door from behind a tree.
After some time, the Police Inspector came out, speaking deferentially to Damodar : Haan Pandey Saab….….aapka kaam ho jayega! Wo Rishi Aggarwal bachkar nahin jaayega…..kitna haiwaan hai, apney Boss ka katl kiya, apney dost ko maar dala….Hotel ko paaney ki lalach mein. Aap befikr rahiye….hum usey dhoond lengey"
Damodar spoke in a heavy, guttural voice: Do din ke andar wo ka***** jail ke andar hona chahiye"
Haan Jee….aap chinta mat keejiye! The police Officer was almost grovelling at the gangster's feet!
Rishi was devastated! It was hopeless….Damodar had the police in his pocket and had pinned the two murders on him! This was unbelievably evil!
As Damodar and his two bodyguards passed, Rishi heard a henchman complain: Kyaa Boss! Aap Police ke haath uss ******* ko kyun de rahey hain?….usey toh hum marengey"
Damodar laughed….a devil's hollow, chilling laughter: Bewakoof! Main usey itni aasani se nahin maroonga….tadpa tadpakar maaroonga! Jaaney de usey Police lockup mein…wahan saala khoon ke jurm mein jail mein sadega….….aur hum yahan uskey poorey parivaar ko khatam kar dengey…..wo Jail mein baithkar royega, kuchh nahin kar payega….Hahahahaaaa…..
Rishi gritted his teeth…..helpless to retaliate…..knowing his family was in terrible danger! He prayed fervently that Anu would reach Mussorie safely….once there, she would be guarded by Kapoor Uncle and Auntie……. the whole Army Cantonment there knew and loved her! He had written a letter to Colonel Kapoor telling him about the situation, asking him to arrange for security for Anu. Rishi heaved a sigh of relief that Anu was safe at least! But what would he do about his father? Now the police were after him for murders he hadnt committed…..how would he visit his father in hospital?
Just at that moment, he saw a bearded Sardarjee pass him on a scooter. An idea flashed in his head: DISGUISE! He quickly went to a costume shop nearby, bought a fake beard and mustache, a pagdi like Sardars wear. He sneaked into a restaurant bathroom and changed into his new getup…..emerged as a tall, strapping Sardarjee!
He proceeded to the Hospital, sneaked into the emergency room where his father was being treated. The doctors looked grave……the patient was sinking….he had a massive heart attack from the shock of the bomb blast! They tried to revive him…..Rishi watched helplessly from the door, dressed as a Sardarjee….he watched while his father took his last breath….was declared dead, the sheet pulled over his head! He couldn't approach him, see him for a last time. He cried silently behind the door….he couldn't risk being caught now! Anu and his baby depended on him….his father was gone and nothing could bring him back now. He hung around at the Hospital, hearing them say they would send the old man's body to the morgue, where Zaib was also being kept.
Iska beta toh wapas nahin aaya….na jaaney kahan bhaag gaya apney Baap ko iss haalat mein chhodkar? Kya zamanaa aaya hai? Martey huey Baap ko bhi Beta aakhri baar dekhney nahin aata……the nurses and docs commented.
Suddenly, he saw cops coming into the Hospital! He quickly slithered out of a side door…..disappearing into the night! He knew what he had to do now….somehow he had to get the 2 bodies out of the Morgue….Zaib's and his father's!
Rishi took a bus to Pune, to his Chachu's house….he told him the whole horrifying story. His Chachu grieved to hear about his brother's death! He promised to get Somesh's body released from the Hospital and give him a proper Funeral. That very day, Chachu went to Mumbai and brought back Somesh's body to Pune. They sneaked to a burning ghat, where Rishi cremated his father secretly, disguised as a priest this time!
He went back to Mumbai in his Sardar's getup, sneaked into the Hospital….stole a ward-boy's uniform. He went to the Morgue late at night, dressed as a ward-boy, he managed to sneak inside and wheeled out Zaib's body from the Morgue, stole an ambulance, drove to Thane, placed Zaib's body in a coffin he had already bought.
He took the coffin to Pune by taxi…..where he kept it in his Chachu's charge. He had already withdrawn all his money from his Mumbai Bank before police could get to them. From Pune, he flew straight to Delhi, from there to Mussorie.
He was all excited at the thought of being reunited with Anu at last……but all his hopes crashed….a terrible fear shook his heart, when he heard Anu had never arrived in Mussorie.
The Kapoors were most surprised: Why would Anu suddenly return to Mussorie…..Rishi didn't tell them anything about the Mumbai murders…..he just told them Anu wanted to have the baby in her maayka, in Mussorie. The next week he searched high and low for Anu's whereabouts!
Suddenly, an idea struck him…..he drove down to the Railway Station of Dehradun. He asked them to look for records of a woman named Anuradha Aggarwal travelling alone at that date. In those days, railway records werent very clear as they werent computerized yet….they finally managed to locate the records…..
And then Rishi heard the most devastating news in his life: That train had met with an accident near Kathgodam….a lot of compartments had fallen into the icy river below…..very few survived in those compartments.
Aap Kathgodam Junction jaaiye….wahan aapko aur jaankari milegi"
Rishi rushed to Kathgodam……the Station Master told him the injured and dead had been taken to General Hospital there. The Hospital confirmed his worst fears….a pregnant woman had indeed been in the accident….she was 8 months pregnant…her name unknown, her belongings had washed away in the river. She had given birth to a dead baby and died right after. She had been cremated with the other unidentified bodies. Her ashes scattered in River Ganges.
ANU WAS GONE! SO WAS HIS CHILD! RISHI COLLAPSED ON THE HOSPITAL FLOOR……HE HAD NO REASON TO LIVE ANYMORE!
He might as well return to Mumbai and face the gangsters. He didn't care for his own life anymore! Then he remembered his promise to Zaib…..NO…before dying, he had to fulfil that promise. Take Zaib's body back to Dubai! Back to his parents! For a proper burial!
But before that he had to confirm his horrible suspicions that the train accident hadnt been deliberate. He went to the accident site and asked around….the locals said some fish-plates had been removed from the railway bridge .... the train tracks had collapsed when the train passed over it and it had plunged into the icy river ! Rishi's worst fears were confirmed! Anu and his baby had been victims of Damodar's villainy.
A terrible rage grew inside him! REVENGE! HE WANTED REVENGE! HE WAS GOING TO KILL DAMODAR SOMEHOW!
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pallavi
Edited by pallavi25 - 17 years ago
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