THE GODFATHER- Part2...Index/ pg1

Im opening a new post for the next part of Godfather as its exceeded 150 pages! 😊

The link for Godfather Part 1 is....

http://www.india-forums.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=774186&T PN=164

Thanks to everyone for continuing to take an interest in the story! 😳

Thanks sahr, iqra, kan123, mita, nameless, desiqt, sweetangle, iqbals4ever, berkeleygirl, sana, Shalini, armaghan, deeya, AK4eva, Madiha, abhilasha, ananya, aanyaluv, superstar, meme24, ravina, Babygirl, superboy,icegirl! 😃 Sorry if I missed anyone!

part 40 / pg 1 ; pt. 41/ pg.7; pt. 42/pg 11; pt. 43/pg 15 ; pt. 44/pg 19;

part 45/pg 24 ; pt. 46/pg 28 ; pt. 47/pg 33 ; pt. 48/pg 38 ; pt. 49/pg 44 ;

pt. 50/pg 49 ; pt. 51/pg 54 ; pt.52/pg 57 ; pt. 53/pg 62 ; pt. 54/pg 67 ;

pt. 55/pg 72 ; pt. 56/pg 76; pt. 57/pg 81 ; pt. 58/pg 85; pt.59/ pg 89;

pt.60/pg 92 ; pt.61/ pg96 ; pt. 62/pg101 ; pt. 63/ pg 107 ; pt.64/ pg.112;

pt.65/ pg 116; pt. 66/ pg 122; pt.67/ pg 128; pt.68/ pg.136 ;

pt. 69/ pg.142; Last part & Epilogue: Pg. 149

PART 40

Josh swayed drunkenly towards her?.his eyes were bloodshot, his tall frame hunched forward : SSshhhh?.he placed his finger on his lips : dheerey bolo?..Sun?Sunny uth jayega"

Kripa jumped up from the couch in shock: Josh?tumney sharab pee hai? You are?.DRUNK!!! ..She could not believe it! Josh did drink alcohol at parties but never so much as to be intoxicated!

Haan?.mainey sharab pee hai?TOH ? He taunted her, bending close to her face?..at least main doosri aurton ke paas nahin jaa raha! Theres only one woman for me and that is YOU! ?.his hand came up to her face, his thumb roughly brushed her soft lips: Come on now, give me a kiss!

Kripa's eyes widened in panic as she realized his intentions?.she backed away towards Prateek's bedroom: Josh, tum iss waqt nashey mein ho?..please kamrey mein jaakar so jaao?..subah baat karengey"

Haan, sona toh chahta hoon?lekin apney khubsoorat biwi ke saath??his eyes burned into her body?.his hands suddenly whipped out, grabbed her wrists and yanked her towards him, so violently that she fell on his chest. He gripped her tightly in his embrace.

JOSH! LET ME GO! Kripa cried out, struggling against him, pushing his chest with both hands.

SSHHHHH! Mainey kaha na?.awaaz mat karo?.he hissed with clenched teeth?..Sunny ko jaganey ki koshish mat karo?.

Josh, tum iss waqt hosh mein nahin ho?.please aisa mat karo?.mujhey jaaney do?main kal tumhey sab kuchh bata doongi?..she twisted and turned in his grasp, trying to get away?..

Josh had lost his senses?.watching Kripa with Zaib in his room, realizing she had been lying to him all this time and meeting Zaib secretly?.had broken his dam of patience! He had spent the whole evening in a Bar nearby, drinking, imagining Kripa in Zaib's arms?.in his bed! He was insane with jealousy, furious with Kripa for cheating on him, for fooling him??tonight he was going to make sure she belonged to HIM?..to nobody else!

Josh grabbed a handful of her hair and pulled back her head?..arching her neck painfully backward?..she cried out in distress?.his hazel eyes blazed down into hers, glittering cruelly with anger and desire: Tumney soch kya rakha hai mujhey? I will tolerate everything? Your damned lies, your cheating?.tum ek gair mard ke saath uskey kamrey mein jaogi aur main chupchap dekhta rahoonga? What do you think of me? Main koi raastey ka patthar hoon? Jo mujhey phenkkar tum kisi bhi Angad ke humshakal ke saath chali jaogi? ??.He shook her small frame violently like a ragdoll in his arms!

Kripa cried out painfully: Nahin Josh?..wo ANGAD HAI?.koi humshakal nahin?.I will PROVE it to you!

Haan?.BESHAQ, wo Angad hai?..paanch saal tak kahan tha wo? Tumhara Angad? ?Jab tum har ek pal usey yaad karkey roti rahi? Kahan tha wo? Kyun nahin aaya tumsey milney? Agar wo zinda tha toh tumhey akeli kyun chhod diya? BOLO? ??Josh was growling with rage in her face?.his eyes green fires of fury!

USKI YAAD-DASHT CHALI GAYI THI ISLIYE??Usey kuchh yaad nahin hai?.Bomb Blast mein uskey sar per chot lagi thi shayad?.lekin wo Angad hi HAI! Kripa insisted tearfully, twisting in his grasp.

Josh laughed humorlessly, bitterly : Angad?Angad?Angad?yeh naam kabhie humara peechha nahin chhodegi?..wo markar bhi zinda hai?.aur main zinda hokar bhi tumharey liye marr chuka hoon?.Always Angad! Har waqt Angad hamarey beech mein tha?pichhley paanch saal se main tumhara dil jeetney ki koshish kar raha hoon?..LEKIN ANGAD KA KHAYAL HAR WAQT TUMHAREY DIL MEIN RAHA?..AAJ MAIN TUMHAREY HAR KHWAB SE, HAR KHAYAL SE ANGAD KO MITAKAR RAHOONGA!

Josh picked her up in his arms effortlessly and walked into their bedroom and slammed the door shut with his foot!

He carried her to the bed and threw her on the covers. Kripa scrambled up and tried to escape?.but he was on top of her?.pinning her under his heavy weight! She yelled and struggled madly, thrashing her arms and legs?.twisting, bucking?.but couldn't budge him an inch, he was too strong and heavy! He grabbed her hair and slammed his mouth on hers?.smothering her cries of protest and anger, he kissed her roughly, thrusting his tongue inside her mouth! She groaned and bit his tongue in retaliation?.he swore and lifted his mouth?.his hazel eyes burned down into her wide, petrified brown ones: Tumhey meri kiss pasand nahin, Darling? He mocked her cruelly?.but you belong to ME! Aaj main yeh saabit kar doonga??he crushed her soft lips again?.biting, sucking, bruising them. She whimpered and cried under his assault?.her mind and heart repulsed at the thought of being molested by Josh. Her gentle savior and protector had become her attacker! She had unleashed the beast within him!With her lies, her deception!
She fought him with her hands, sobbing, her nails digging into his neck and jaws?.trying to push his mouth away?.the alcohol on his breath nauseated and suffocated her! He grabbed her attacking hands and pinned them near her head. His mouth dug into her neck, her throat?.kissing roughly, biting?.suddenly he grasped the strap of her nightdress and yanked it down, tearing the buttons , exposing her chest. Kripa screamed then?..loudly, harshly! She was horrified at his violence?..she knew he was going to force himself upon her! He slammed one large hand on her mouth, growling fiercely: Awaaz mat karo?..don't shout! Still smothering her mouth with his hand?.his lips descended to her chest?.biting, sucking, nuzzling her softness! She pulled off his hand with her free one?.and screamed again: JOSH! CHHODO MUJHEY?..TUM PAGAL HO GAYE HO?..DON'T DO THIS! JOOOOOSHHH!

But he was oblivious to her pleas, her screams of protest?.he bruised and lacerated her soft skin roughly with his tongue and teeth. She sobbed with anger and regret?..that their relationship would end so violently!

Suddenly there was a loud knocking at the door?.a childish voice floated into the charged atmosphere of their bedroom: MAMMAAAA?..(banging on the door) ?.MAMAAAA"

It was her little savior, Angad's representative come to save his mother!
Prateek?..Kripa muttered in shock, her eyes going towards the door. She pulled hard at Josh's hair, trying to move him from her chest!

BANG?BANG?..louder knocks on the door?.MAMAAAA??Prateek was sobbing and screaming outside.

As if waking from a horrible dream, Josh raised his head and looked towards the door with a shocked look on his face!

Sunny?..he whispered?..he got up from Kripa's half-naked body, his eyes dazed, horrified?.as if realizing for the first time the crime he was going to commit! Sunny was his conscience, his guiding light! Even if he could harm or punish Kripa, he could never hurt Sunny who was his most precious possession! Who loved and adored him as his Papa!

Josh got up from the bed and stumbled to the door and opened it! As soon as Josh released her, Kripa jumped up from bed?.her nightdress was half-torn and hanging?.she grabbed a Hotel-robe and wrapped it around herself. She couldn't let Prateek see her like that! She wiped her face and ran to the door?..Prateek was standing there, sobbing, looking terrified! He glanced at his father, for the first time there was fear in his eyes as he looked at Josh??Josh saw that look?.it pierced his heart deeper than Kripa's deception had done! He couldn't stand to see that look in his son's eyes: I am sorry! He muttered under his breath?.Im sorry, Sunny!

Prateek saw his mother and ran to her: MAMAA?..MAMAA. Mujhey darr lag raha hai?..he clung to his mama's neck, fiercely hugging her?.Mama, monsters aaye hain?.mujhey akeley nahin sona hai"

Haan beta, main tumharey saath jaa rahi hoon?don't worry, baby?Main hoon na tumharey saath! Monsters humara kuchh nahin bigaad saktey" ?Kripa didn't look at Josh as she sidestepped him and hurried into Prateek's room. She shut the door and hugged her son tightly to her chest, swallowing her tears, still trembling from Josh's attempts to molest her!

Prateek clung to her: Mama, aap ro kyun rahi ho? Monsters ne aapko bhi jagaa diya?

Haan?.betey?.mujhey bhi monsters se darr lagta hai?.she shuddered, closing her eyes, thinking how close Josh had come to raping her! Thank God Prateek had come in the nick of time?.he had saved her from Josh's wrath, from his cruel punishment?.his horrible, angry assault!

Kripa hugged Prateek again and kissed him: Thanks Beta?tum toh merey Superman ho"

Superman nahin, Mama. Main Batman hoon?.he corrected her happily, snuggling into her chest?.he went off to sleep while Kripa lay awake, pondering on what she should do next!

Mujhey India wapas jaana chahiye shayad?.yahan main Josh ke saath aur nahin reh sakti?.lekin main Angad ko chhodkar kaisey jaa sakti hoon? Abhi tak toh usey sab kuchh yaad bhi nahin aaya?..aur main uskey baghair jee nahin sakti!! Now that I have found him again, I cannot live without him!

Josh gussey mein haiwaan ban sakta hai yeh mainey aaj jaana?..I cant live with him after this! Achha hi hua?..Josh ke iss harkat ne merey jeevan ka faisla kar diya. I have to leave him ?now I can go back to Angad without any regrets!
Josh gussey mein agar mujhpar hamla kar sakta hai toh Angad ko jaan se bhi maar sakta hai?.mujhey Angad ko saavdhan karna padega! I have to warn him about Josh?about the murder charges being brought against him!

Towards dawn, Kripa finally fell into an exhausted sleep full of jumbled dreams! Dreams about Angad, bomb blasts, gunshots, Josh, her mother, the ocean and drowning!

Josh sat in the living-room, with his head in his hands: Oh God! What have I done!! Main gussey mein pagal ho gaya tha?.how could I do that? I tried to force Kripa, to punish her by rape?..I hurt her?.I injured her body and soul?..Im sorry, Kripa?..he sobbed silently?.Im sorry! Mujhey maaf kar do?mainey tumhey bahut chot pahunchaya hai?.Forgive me?..

***************************************************

Zaib was feeling restless in his room the night before?.he felt like the walls were closing in around him. Like Prison walls! He wanted to escape this life of crime?.to go to an island paradise with Kripa and spend the rest of his life there!

Suddenly his mobile buzzed?the special phone that Godfather had given him. He pressed a button, there was a message: "call me now"

Zaib quickly got up, left the room and took the elevator?.he had to find a deserted place for his phone call?.the Hotel lobby would have people there?.the streets would still be crowded even at this late hour! And those damned agents would be following him everywhere he went. Then Zaib got a brainwave?.the TERRACE! The Hotel terrace was always deserted of course?.only repairmen went up there sometimes during the day!

He took the lift up to the top floor, stepped out and went to the stairwell?.he took the stairs up to the terrace. It was a flat-topped terrace with 3 huge water tanks in 3 corners. He went upto a water tank and expertly climbed the rungs of the ladder to the top. He sat there and called Godfather on the special phone!
Meanwhile, the agent at CBI-HQ watching Zaib's room on the monitor, saw him leave the room. He called Neeraj, who was the agent assigned to following him in the Hotel.

Neeraj swiftly went downstairs to the lobby and waited for Zaib?..but in vain! Zaib never came down ! Neeraj called HQ and told them Zaib was missing, he never came down to the lobby. The agents wondered where he had gone! Neeraj got blamed for losing Zaib again!

Godfather sounded worried when Zaib spoke to him: Mujhey Kripa ke baarey mein sab pata chal gaya hai?.shes telling the truth.

Zaib was all excited: Kya iska matlab Angad se mera koi rishta hai? Kya main?.kya main Angad ho sakta hoon?

Godfather's jaws tightened, he hated lying to Angad again but he had to.: I don't know about that, but Kripa was married to Angad Khanna?.aur Angad bhi ek bomb blast mein maara gaya tha, apney parents ke saath?

Aur Kripa ka beta, Prateek? Kya wo Angad ka bachcha hai?

Haan, wo bachcha bhi Angad ka hi hai?..wo dono college mein ek saath padhtey the?.unki shadi huyi thi?..

Kya meri shakal Angad se milti hai ? Zaib asked eagerly.

Pata nahin?..GF lied again?.lekin wo bhi singer tha?.Kripa aur wo dono Music college ke students the??.

Zaib was elated and disappointed at the same time., he was hoping for some proof or confirmation that he was really related to Angad in some way, but it seemed all those visions and dreams had been his imagination and nothing else. But it hardly mattered as he already loved Kripa more than his own life and would do anything for her??even become Angad and spend the rest of his life with her!

Godfather asked him cautiously: Zaib, kya tumney mujhey bataya tha Kripa ab ek CBI Officer ki biwi hai?

Yes, Sir! Josh Kapoor, uska husband mera investigation kar raha hai?.hes the one assigned to my case! Zaib laughed at the irony of the situation.

Hmmm, be careful then! Don't take any risks?.ab kuchh din Kripa se door rehna?.jab tak hum Hongkong mein hain?.

Zaib thought: Wild horses couldn't drag me away from Kripa now?.main jahan bhi jaoonga, Kripa merey saath aa rahi hai, that's for sure, whether you like it or not, Godfather!

But he didn't argue with GF?he never did: Alright Sir! Im on my guard! Wo CBI waley mera kuchh nahin bigad saktey! Hum Hongkong kab chhod rahey hain?

Jaisey hi mera kaam ho jaye hum yahan se chaley jayengey?.2 more days?.aur iss baar tum hamarey saath aa rahey ho?.its risky for you to travel alone!

OK, Sir! I will be ready! Zaib smiled to himself?.in two more days, he and Kripa would be together. He was sure she would go with him if he confirmed he was Angad. That was easy for him?..he would get some proof from somewhere?.or pretend that he remembered everything. Now that he knew everything about Angad's life and personality that would be a cinch!

Godfather regretted his lies to Zaib ?betey, mujhey maaf karna, main nahin chahta tum jazbaaton mein behkar koi galat kadam uthao aur apni jaan khatrey mein daalo. Kripa aur tumhey milana ab meri zimmedari hai?..but we have to wait for 2 more days. I have to complete my deal with Mr.Cheng to sell my Hongkong operations. As soon as I get my money, we are out of here?.with your family!

Zaib and Mr.Bajaj didn't reveal any of their hidden agendas to each other?.they bid each other goodnight?..and ended the call.

Zaib descended the ladder to the terrace and went down to the lobby. He strolled casually outside, aware of the rookie agent following him. He laughed to himself and went for dinner at a Restaurant outside, then went for a movie at the multiplex inside the Mall. The agent followed him inside. It was a boring English movie?..a little later, Zaib grinned with amusement when he saw the agent sleeping soundly with his mouth open. He got up midway through the movie and walked out, leaving his stalker snoring inside the movie theater!

In the middle of the night, Zaib woke up with a start! He felt danger surrounding him?.his heart was palpitating, he had broken out in a sweat! He'd had a strange dream again?..Kripa was being strangled by someone! Suffocated! Killed! He went to the bathroom and splashed ice-cold water on his sweating face. He stared at himself in the mirror?.was this dream related to his forgotten past? Or to something that was happening in the present ? Was it a premonition of future danger ? He was confused, tensed, agitated !

He went back to his room?.. He suddenly felt worried about Kripa?.was she alright?
His hand went to the phone, then stilled?..by calling her in the middle of the night, he might put her and himself in more danger. No, he would wait till morning?..when her husband would not be there !

------------------------------------------------------------ --------------------------------------------

pallavi

Thanks to all my regular readers and silent ones as well!😃

Thanks abhilasha, Faiza, iqra, sana, sirza, ananya, Chocolate, mita, nameless, sahr, sweetie, sweetangle, Shalini, deeya, desiqt, rima, Hinna, terisusan, sameira, harpreet, sun423, Madiha, sukhi.....for ur continued appreciation and comments! 😳😃

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

Thanks sapphire, abhilasha, rima, sana, jdsean, Madiha, Faiza, sahr, sweetie, desiqt, armaghan, mita, nameless, ananya, komal, terisusan, mnrza!

PART 53

Kripa went ashore wearing Angad's clothes again, a black T-shirt and blue shorts this time. She really needed clothes, cosmetics, personal items and everything else a woman needs….so they headed straight for the Mall. Two dark limos were waiting at Bangkok Harbor for Godfather's group. Angad and Kripa headed out towards Paragon Siam Mall while Godfather and Mittal went ahead to a Hotel for their business transaction. Godfather was selling his Bangkok casino in to a local Business tycoon. Kartik wanted to go with them but GF insisted he should accompany Angad and Kripa to the Mall for their protection. He knew Zaib/Angad was the next target for the Mumbai Mobsters.

At the Mall, the lovey-dovey couple went off by themselves while Kartik cooled his heels near the entrance, keeping a look-out for suspicious types/ potential killers.

At first, Kripa went to a Womens' clothing store and bought several pairs of jeans and some long, embroidered tops and shorter T-shirts. She chose a large purse to replace the one left behind and 2 pairs of fancy slippers/shoes.

Then she advanced towards the Intimates section for her innerwear purchase. Angad followed her….she turned around in embarassment and rolled her eyes at him : ANGAD! Tum yahan kya kar rahey ho? Yeh section tumharey liye nahin….Jaao yahan se…

Angad looked around with a wicked grin: Haan, wo toh dekh hi raha hoon….but I am not leaving you alone. Tumharey jaan ko khatra ho sakta hai!

Kripa looked around with amusement at the ladies choosing intimate wear and laughed: Mujhey yahan kya khatra ho sakta hai? Inmein se koi lady bhi dangerous type ki nahin dikhti"

Angad chuckled naughtily: Kripa, tumhey pata nahin….hum mard iss section ko Danger Zone kyun kehtey hain?

Kripa glared at him and went forward, it was useless to argue with her shameless and determined guy. She started picking out innerwear for herself, very much conscious of Angad following her, watching her with avid curiousity.

She picked out two pairs of silk pajama sets and a nylon nightdress. After quickly scooping up some undies, she browsed the Bra section and picked out a few. Suddenly, Angad came towards her, holding up a diaphonous red teddy with black garters attached to it.

Kripa, yeh kya tumharey size ki hogi?

Kripa turned a deep red with shocked embarassment: Angad! She said with clenched teeth: Put that away! Rakho abhi…..main wo sab nahin pehenti…..

He looked quite surprised: Kyun? Ismein burayi kya hai? …..he checked out her curves from top to bottom: I think you will look sensational in it! Come on, just try it out! He came near her and held it in front of her.

AN-GAD…..she grated out, her face deep red and hot , mortified when she saw the provocative teddy from up close…she looked around quickly to see if anybody was watching them.

ANGAD!…..Rakh do usey …abhi issi waqt….I don't wear those things….apney Girlfriends ko pehnana wo sab…..she said angrily.

Angad rolled his eyes : Girlfriends ki baat kaun kar raha hai? I want to see YOU in this….please Sweetheart! Meri khaatir pehen lo…..

He brought it closer to her body to check out the size…..Kripa raised her hand and whipped his face with the innerwear she was holding . The hooks and snaps slapped his cheek quite hard ….he yelped with pain, holding his face: KRIPAAA! THAT HURT!

Achha hua! Humph! Besharam! She snatched the teddy from his hand and threw it away on a distant rack.

Angad looked hurt as he nursed his injured cheek: Kripaaaa….tum din per din goondi hoti jaa rahi ho……..Hunterwali!

Kripa turned back and smiled sweetly at him, fluttering her eyelashes flirtatiously: Kyun nahin, Darling ? Ek gundey mawaali ki patni jo hoon…..mujhey toh Goondi hi banna hai….she laughed mockingly and flounced off to the payment counter.

Angad grinned and followed her, still holding his cheek. They emerged from that store with their hands full of packets.

Kripa wanted to buy saris, so they asked around and managed to locate an Indian garments shop. Kripa bought 3 saris with matching blouses and 2 salwar sets. Then she chose a little black sherwani set for Prateek, and a matching black gold-embroidered sherwani for Angad.

He protested: Kripa, main yeh sab kab pehnoonga ? Its too formal…merey liye mat khareedo"

CHUP! Tumhey yeh pehenna padega….she scolded him like a little boy: Har waqt kya T-shirt aur jeans pehney rehtey ho…ab se tumhey apna wardrobe badalna padega"

Angad made a pathetic face, grumbling to himself: Dictator! Queen Victoria! Lagta hai meri chhutti kar degi !

But secretly he was enjoying her "pyaar bhari daant" and concern about his dressing style. He knew he would have to transform completely for her, so why not start with the wardrobe? Kripa also bought a white kurta pajama set for him for homewear.

Angad paid for everything with his credit card. He insisted on going to a jewelry store where he bought her a gold chain and ruby locket, to replace the one she had left behind in Hongkong.

After their purchases, they met Kartik at the entrance and all three went to a nearby Restaurant for Lunch. Kartik called the limo driver and asked him to take all the purchases to the car. Then he called up Godfather and informed him that they were done with shopping and would proceed to the Hotel after lunch.

They had a pleasant lunch, where Angad told Kripa that not only had Kartik saved Prateek from D-gang killers but also smuggled her out of the hospital before those thugs could get to her.

Kripa was overwhelmed with gratitude: Kartik Bhaiyya, meri koi Bhai-behen nahin hain….aaj se aap merey Badey Bhai hain. Agley saal se main aapko hi Raakhi bandhoongi. Aapney merey liye jo kiya wo…….she stopped, choked with emotions.

Kartik held her hand affectionately: Zaroor! Mera bhi koi behen nahin hai…..buss ek Bhai hai…wo (he stopped, looking distressed) Khair (he quickly hid his emotions) ….I will be honored to be ur brother, Kripa! Waisey bhi, Angad mera bhai hi toh hai…..Vaada raha….agley saal main jahan bhi rahoon, aapsey rakhi bandhwaney zaroor aaoonga"

Kripa nodded with tears in her eyes…..in this uncertain life of theirs, who knew where they would be next year? Whether they would even be alive or free men?

When Kartik went to the restroom, Kripa quickly turned to Angad: Let me guess, Kartik Bhaiyya ke Bhai ko bhi uss Damodar ne kuchh kiya tha?

Angad nodded sadly: Yes, you are right! Kartik aur uska bhai Ganesh dono Mumbai ke ek Security Company mein kaam kartey the. Ganesh was a guard in a Jewelry store. Ek din Damodar ke gundon ne uss dukaan per hamlaa kiya. Ganesh ne unhey rokney ki koshish kee toh usey goliyon se chhalli kar diya….bechara jaan se toh bach toh gaya lekin ek goli reedh ki haddi (spinal cord) mein ghus gayi thi….doctors couldn't take it out. Hes a paraplegic for life….Dubai ke ek Rehab Center mein rehta hai, pichhley aath saal se. Godfather is paying for all his treatments.

Kripa couldn't hold her tears: Angad, Damodar jaisey shaitaan kyun zinda rehtey hain?…..na jaaney aisey kitney logon ko barbaad kiya hai usney aur uskey gundon ne. Phir bhi Bhagwan usey kyun kuchh nahin kartey ?

Uparwaley ne Godfather ko jo bhej diya uska mukabla karney….jab jab duniya mein zulm ki aandhi chalti hai toh koi bahadur zaroor khada ho jaata hai……apney Superman, Batman ki tarah….uska naash karta hai….waisey Godfather bhi ek din zaroor uss jaanwar ka naash karega" Angad declared with absolute confidence in his leader, the savior for many wronged people.

Kripa shook her head: Lekin Godfather toh khud ek Don hain….phir wo kaisey Superman jaisey ho saktey hain?…..wo toh khud ek mujrim hain!"

Zeher ko kabhie kabhie zeher se nikalaa jaata hai….Godfather always says….Loha lohey ko kaat-ta hai….Talwar talwar ko….unhoney aaj tak apna kissa toh nahin sunaya lekin suna hai Godfather aur Damodar ki bahut purani dushmani hai. Damodar ne Godfather ke family ko bhi maar diya tha….aur tabhie se yeh maut ka silsila jaari hai"

Kripa looked very disturbed and worried. How would Angad get out of this vicious cycle of death, revenge, attacks and counter-attacks? What did the future hold for them? How would they shelter Prateek from this violent way of life ?

Angad drew her hands in his and tried to change the topic: Achha wo sab ab chhodo, bataao merey saath Bangkok ki sair karney chalogi? Raat ka flight hai, ab bhi hamarey paas bahut waqt hai. Lets go sightseeing, Darling!

Lekin…..khatra? Tum toh keh rahey the hamari jaan ko khatra hai? Her brows were furrowed with anxiety.

Arey Kripa, hum bullet proof limo mein chalengey…..we will see the whole city from the car, kya khayal hai?

She tilted her head, smiling at him: Theek hai….tum jahan le chalo, wahin chalungi main"

That's my Girl! Chalo ab….. lets finish the dessert and leave.

Kartik walked ahead of them to secure their passage as Angad and Kripa walked hand-in-hand to the Parking area where their limo was waiting. Kartik reached the limo first and opened the door chivalrously for Kripa….she was just about to get in when she noticed the huge display in front of the mall, which had changed to a picture of a lovely baby girl in a gorgeous pink party dress. She paused, staring up with a smile…Angad went up to her and grinned when he saw what she was looking at. He bent low near her ears and whispered: Tumhey aisi ek gudiya chahiye, hai na? Don't worry, we will work on it!

Kripa turned to him, blushing and laughing, she hit his head, he ducked to avoid her blow.
Right that second, something went ZINGGGGG…..past Angad's ear and shattered the windshield of a car ahead . Kartik yelled: DUCK, ANGAD! SHOOTER BEHIND US!

Angad ducked at once, pulling Kripa down flat on her stomach on the road….they crawled around the limo to the front and peeped from the side. Kartik had ducked on the other side….all 3 crouched and waited for the next shot.

The driver was getting down to see what was happening, Kartik warned him: DON'T GET DOWN, MAN ! STAY INSIDE"

The driver scurried back into the bullet proof car, terrified! Angad rose a little, another bullet zinged past him and struck a pillar ahead.

ANGAD! Kripa yelled and pulled him back down: DON'T GET UP! KYA KAR RAHEY HO?

There was loud traffic noise above them from the Flyovers and crowded streets, so they couldn't locate at first where the bullets were being fired from.

Finally Kartik spotted the shooter: Angad…he called out softly….shooter at 8 o'clock on the left.
Angad peeped out, dragging his arm out of Kripa's clinging one: Yess! There he was….a Thai gangster, wearing a hoodie and dark glasses, was hiding behind a pillar and shooting.

Kartik quickly took out a handgun and tossed it to Angad: Yeh lo, Angad….come on…shoot!

Angad shook his head……Kartik yelled: COME ON MAN, SHOOT! I WILL GIVE U COVER….YOU SHOOT FROM THE OTHER SIDE! LETS GET HIM!

NOO! Angad shook his head again….Sorry, Bro! I cant touch the gun!

Kripa knew why he wasn't shooting….she grabbed his arm and looked into his eyes: Angad…main apney vaadey se tumhey azaad karti hoon…SHOOT! Kartik Bhaiyaa ki baat maano!

Nope! Mera vaada koi nahin tod sakta….tum bhi nahin, Kripa!

He crawled near the furiously glaring Kartik and whispered something in his ears, Kartik nodded in approval .

Angad crawled away to the right….Kripa cried out: Angad, kahan jaa rahey ho….don't go! Please mat jaaao ! Wo tumhey maar dalega…mat jaao!

Ssshhhh! Angad placed a finger on her lips. Don't worry, Darling! I will be back! I promise… He wont get me!

He rapidly crawled away behind some cars and disappeared before she could say anything more. She waited there, crouching, completely in tears, cursing herself for making him promise not to touch a gun. How could she do that when she knew his life was at risk?

HEY BHAGWAN! USEY BACHA LO! Agar usey kuchh ho gaya toh? She started sobbing….Kartik was firing from his position on the left…the shooter was firing back….there were a series of ZINGGG…..PINGGG……CLANNGGG…..as the silencer-fitted guns fired at each other, hitting car windows, pillars, lamp-posts. Two bullets even hit their limo but the glass didn't shatter.

Kripa couldn't bear the suspense anymore, she rose halfway, peering at the pillar! It was then that she saw Angad….he was right behind the shooter. He had sneaked around behind him…..as Kripa watched with round, horrified eyes and a wildly pounding heart, Angad snuck up behind the shooter, and suddenly gave a Karate chop to a spot on his neck that made the guy crumple to the ground instantaneously .
Angad bent and picked up the fallen gun, kicked the guy to ensure he was unconscious. Kartik stopped shooting and got up, grinning as Angad ran back to their limo with a victorious smile, holding up the shooter's gun. Thankfully, there were no Security Guards around near them so the entire shootout had gone unnoticed, expect for a few parked cars having shattered glass and bullet holes and badly shaken drivers.

Angad pocketed the gun, and grabbed Kripa's arm: COME ON! LETS GET OUTTA HERE! He bundled a dumbfounded Kripa into the limo, and jumped in. Kartik jumped into the front seat and ordered the terrified driver to get out of there as fast as he could. As they pulled out into heavy city traffic, they heard police sirens approaching the Mall. Kartik and Angad ducked instinctively as the Police cars passed them, going the opposite way.

Kripa could only stare and stare at Angad in amazement, as if seeing him for the first time! She was astounded, blown away by his skills ! This was a new Angad for her…..he was Zaib, the Karate expert, the Specialist in stealth attacks!

When he turned to grin at her, she gasped loudly: KHOOON! KHOON BEH RAHA HAI ! …..she cried out with shock. His ear was bleeding, the first bullet had grazed his ear as he had ducked to escape Kripa's blows. ANGAD! TUMHEY GOLI LAGI HAI….she breathed heavily, hyperventilating, her hands getting cold.

Kartik whipped around to see, Angad touched his left ear lightly and grimaced at the blood on his fingers.

Kartik leaned and checked out the ear: OK , sab theek hai, it's only a flesh wound …Chalo abhi Hotel chaltey hain…wahin First-Aid kar lena"

Kripa reached out with trembling fingers and touched the bleeding wound. Angad smiled gently at her: Don't worry, Jaan, mamooli sa chot hai. Bullet sirf chhookar nikal gayi"

Both Angad and Kripa realized suddenly that had he not ducked to avoid Kripa's blows, the bullet would have gone through his head.

Kripa paled horribly at the realization…shaking, trembling with dread. Angad felt a rush of adrenalin in his blood….he had just escaped sure death….all because of his beloved wife .
He laughed out loudly: Tumhari maar ki vajeh se aaj main bach gaya……Kripa felt faint, looking up into his sparkling eyes with a terrified gaze .

He suddenly grabbed her face in his hands and kissed her lips loudly: Thanks, meri Jaan! You just saved my life…..aisey hi mujhey maartey rehna apney chhotey chhotey haathon se…..he chuckled and kissed her again, hardly bothered about Kartik and the limo-driver in the front seat.

Kartik saw them through the mirror and grinned. Angad's life had been saved by a miracle….by just a few inches. All because of his Guardian Angel, Kripa!

Kripa's color returned after his bold kisses….she blushed and hid her face in his chest, breathing in his life, his strong heartbeats for a few moments. Then she looked up at the bleeding wound: Apnaa rumaal do! Angad handed it to her….she carefully wiped off some of the blood, staring closely at the small tear in his ear lobe. It was trivial….nothing serious, she heaved a sigh of relief. Angad smiled amorously and pulled her into his arms, cuddling her.

Meanwhile, Kartik called Godfather and informed him about the attack in the Mall Parking Lot.

Godfather took an instant decision to leave Bangkok: WHAT?!! THAT'S IT! We are leaving RIGHT NOW! Main abhi Pilot ko phone lagata hoon….to make the Jet ready for take-off before nightfall.

Lekin, Sir, aapka business deal?

Deal ho gaya, we're completing the formalities! Tum ek kaam karo, Angad aur Kripa ko lekar seedhey airport pahunch jaao, hum tumhey wahin milengey.

Their limo went straight to the Airport, where a small Private Jet waited for Godfather's group. They waited near the Hanger, looking at the plane being serviced and made ready for flight.

Godfather's limo soon arrived, he got down and hugged Angad warmly: Kartik ne bataya kaisey aaj tumhari jaan bach gayi! THANK GOD, Beta! Kahan lagi chot ?

Angad showed him the wound, still holding the bloodied handkerchief to his ear…he told about how Kripa had saved his life, unknowingly.

Godfather smiled broadly at Kripa: Sada suhaagan raho, Beti ! Issi tarah apney suhaag ki raksha kartey rehna.

Kripa nodded distantly….she blamed GF for everything….their separation, Angad turning into Zaib, his life being under threat, Josh's death, and now the latest attempt on Angad's life…..everything.

She asked in a serious tone: Yahan First-Aid Box hai? Angad ko zaroorat padegi"

Plane mein hai, Beti…..and Co-Pilot is trained in first aid. Godfather smiled placatingly at her….she didn't smile back.

They boarded the plane at dusk….just when the sun was setting over the sea. The Co-Pilot dressed Angad's wound. Angad changed his stained shirt and sat down beside Kripa.

As the plane took off, they looked at each other and smiled: Chalo, hum ab apney betey ke paas chaltey hain"….Angad tilted his head and brushed her cheek with his own.

Kripa smiled, nodding, looking up at his face with adoration. She felt so happy, so lucky today….that his life had been spared.

She touched his cheek with her fingers: Angad, main aaj sabsey zyada khush hoon….aaj tum aur Prateek dono merey paas hogay. Mujhey aur kuchh nahin chahiye. Buss hum teenon ek chein ki zindagi jee sakey, yehi khwahish hai"

Jo tum chahti ho…wahi hoga, Jaan! ....he kissed her cheeks: Tumney bahut burey din dekhey hain, ab tumharey daaman mein sirf khushiyan hi khushiyan hongi. Gham ka ek bhi aansoo ab tumhey nahinn chhoo saktey.

He reassured her tenderly….their eyes exchanged promises and vows. She sighed and snuggled into his chest, cuddling his arm with both of hers. He felt her softness pressing into his arm, felt her heartbeats….which only chanted his name.

She closed her eyes with a blissful sigh, resting her head on his shoulder…….she was where she belonged…in Angad's arms, and soon she would be reunited with her son. What else did she need?.

She slipped into a beautiful dream, where the three of them had a beautiful house in the mountains. They were singing in the garden with Prateek in between them:

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x2z2gg_jh...ngan-hoga_music

Jhilmil sitaron ka aangan hoga
Rimjhim barasta saawan hoga
Jhilmil Sitaron Ka Aangan Hoga
Rimjhim Barasta Sawan Hoga
Aisa Sunder Sapna Apna Jeevan Hoga

Angad kissed the top of her head as she dozed in his arm….. he rested his chin on her head and drifted off into a dreamscape similar to hers. They were on a beach, building sandcastles, running together on the wet sand, getting wet in the spray with Prateek in their arms.

Prem Ki Gali Mein Ek Chota Sa Ghar Banayenge
Kaliyan Na Mile Na Sahi Kaaton Se Sajayenge
Bagiya Se Sunder Woh Ban Hoga
Rimjhim Barasta Sawan Hoga

Teri Aankhon Se Saara Sansar Mein Dekhoongi
Dekhoongi Is Paar Ya Us Paar Mein Dekhoongi
Nainon Ko Tera Hi Darshan Hoga
Rimjhim Barasta Sawan Hoga

Phir To Mast Hawaon Ke Hum Jhonke Ban Jayenge
Naina Sunder Sapnon Ke Jharonkhe Ban Jayenge
Man Aashaon Ka Darpan Hoga
Rimjhim Barasta Sawan Hoga



Godfather turned around from his seat up front and smiled at the lovers sleeping in each other's arms. They looked so peaceful, so much in love! He smiled wistfully and blessed them: Main tum dono ki sundar jodi ko kabhie alag nahin honay doonga. I wont let anything happen to you or your family, Angad! Yeh mera vaada hai!"

------------------------------------------------------------ -----------------------------------

pallavi

PART 65

Kripa moped in bed for a long time, feeling drained of all energy and emotions! She felt completely shattered at the extent of Angad's womanizing as Zaib! She had seen him with Simone in the lift in Hongkong. She closed her eyes with renewed torture, imagining how Angad had been touching Simone, what he was saying about a wild night.

She remembered everything vividly all of a sudden, swallowing down her bile before it threatened to splurge out again! She knew that had been Zaib, not Angad but still her heart twisted painfully. To think that he had been with all those women…..those memories must still remain in him!

She was so confused….she didn't know what to do, she knew he couldn't be blamed for his actions as Zaib since he had no memory of his past, no memory of her or their marriage……but she just couldn't digest the fact that he had been intimate with so many women!

She suddenly heard Angad's voice in the passage. She sprang up from bed, ran to the bathroom and locked the door, washed her face repeatedly, rinsed her mouth, brushed her teeth, till she felt and looked fresher and more composed. Angad peeped into the bedroom furtively, didn't see her and closed the door again.
Kripa smoothed out her salwar, brushed her hair….and stepped out of her room.

Angad was still loitering there, waiting for her: Kripaaa…..he looked as guilty as a thief…..Kripaaa, Please….mujhey tumsey baat karni hai…..I want to talk to you!

Kripa didn't even look at him, she held up one hand like a traffic police, stopping him in his tracks, then silently and brusquely brushed past him and marched to the kitchen.

She made herself busy helping Kalyani Aunty and the Housekeeper make Lunch for the Household.

Kalyani noticed her red, swollen eyes, her glum face: Kripa, Kya Hua? Tumhari tabiyat toh theek hai na? Tumhari aankhein sooji huyi lagti hain?

Kripa glanced at Aunty and forced a smile on her pale lips: Kuchh nahin Masi Jee….Buss Sar mein thoda sa dard hai. Mainey Aspirin le lee hai, jaldi theek ho jayegi"

But Kalyani still looked worried: Thehro Beti, main tumharey liye adrak ki chai banati hoon. Abhi sardard theek ho jayega"

Kripa's eyes watered again…..Aunty's motherly concern moved her to tears. She wished either of her mothers were alive today….Gayatri or Anuradha.... she could have shared her troubles with them. But she couldn't tell Papa or Kalyani Aunty about this….it was too embarassing!

Kripa nodded quickly and averted her eyes before the teardrops spilled over from her brimming eyes. But her distress didn't escape Kalyani's eyes.
She seeped tea in a saucepan with ginger slices, then sent the Housekeeper out of the kitchen: Maryam! Zara Table toh set kar dena please…..khaana tayyar honay ko hai"

Maryam complied, leaving the kitchen.
Kalyani touched Kripa's shoulder, turning her around: Dekho Beti, main jaanti hoon tum udaas ho …..agar ho sakey toh mujhey bataa sakti ho. Mushkilein baantney se dil ka bojh halka ho jaata hai. Shayad main tumhari kuchh madad kar sakoon….Batao na baat kya hai?

Kripa shook her head, looking down as the tears ran down her cheeks silently.
Kalyani drew her in a warm embrace, patting her head and back comfortingly: Ro mat, Beti! Sab theek ho jayega….Angad se tera jhagda hua, hai na?

She raised Kripa's downcast face in her palm…..but Kripa didn't meet her eyes.
"Sach bataa….Angad se teri kaha-suni huyi kya? Lekin Beta, pati-patni mein aisey jhagdey toh hotay hi rehtey hain….(she hugged Kripa again) Tu dil chhota mat kar, dheerey dheerey sab theek hoo jayega"

Kripa nodded and hugged her back, feeling strangely comforted in her motherly arms.

Kalyani soothed her with maternal advice: Dekho Beti, mard aksar nasamajh hotay hain…..apni manmaani kartey hain. hum aurton ko bahut kuchh sehna padta hai……..phir bhi hum sehtey hain, kyunki hum jaantey hain wo humsey pyaar kartey hain. Buss unkey pyaar karney ka andaaz thoda alag hota hai. Angad tujhsey behadd pyaar karta hai….mainey uski aankhon mein dekha hai wo pyaar jhalaktey huye, tu in chhotey motey jhagdon ko dil per mat le. Chal ….aaja Chai pee le"

Kripa sniffed and nodded obediently…..Kalyani made her sit at the kitchen table and served her steaming hot ginger tea. Kripa smiled and thanked Maasi Jee softly, sipping on her tea. She felt slightly better…..the nausea was gone…..but her mind was filled with doubts. What did Angad feel about all those women? Did he still remember them? Did he think about them when he……? She quickly gulped down some more tea before she threw up again.

Kalyani started talking to Kripa about Prateek, what he had told her about his friends in Delhi, his Papa Josh. Kripa got a jolt again…..JOSH! Of course, Josh!!….did Angad feel the same way about Josh that she was feeling about those other women in his life?
She was so confused, her head hurt.

At Lunch, she completely ignored Angad, sitting as far from him at the table as she could. He glanced at her longingly from time to time, deep apology, regret spilling from his eyes.

Prateek had returned from his walk with his grandpa and Kartik Uncle, all revved up and excited: MAMA….PATA HAI…..he shouted at the top of his voice: NANU MUJHEY BOAT DIKHANEY LE GAYE THE…..UNKEY PAAS EK BADAAA SA BOAT HAI! KAL HUM SAB BOAT MEIN FISHING KARNEY JAYENGEY! HEHEHE…KITNA MAZAA HOGA, HAI NA?

Kripa looked up at Godfather and grinned : Aapka yacht kya yahan tak aa gaya?

Godfather laughed and shook his head: Nahin Beti, yeh wo Hongkong wala Yacht nahin….yeh toh speed boat hai…..kaafi badaa, lekin Yacht jaisa nahin. Hum kabhie kabhie usmein fishing karney jaatey hain. Tum bhi chalogi na hamarey saath? He looked eagerly, anticipating a day on the sea with his family.

HAAN, MAMA, AAPKO BHI AANA HOGA….HUM SAB JAYENGEY….DAD, NANU, KARTIK UNCLE, AAP, NAANI-MAASI….SAB CHALENGEY. Prateek jumped up and down in hyper-mode.

Naani-Maasi shuddered and declined: Na Baba, Prateek Beta, main nahin aa sakti. Mujhey paani se bahut darr lagta hai, chakkar bhi aatey hain"
Kripa realized now why Kalyani had taken the plane from HK to Dubai instead of joining them on the yacht.

She was going to say YES….to Prateek's excited offer when she suddenly noticed Angad's hope-filled eyes fixed on her, his hopes hanging on her acceptance of the trip.

Her lips tightened at once, her face hardening: NAHIN! Im sorry Beta, main nahin aa sakti! Mujhey bhi boat per chakkar aatey hain!

Godfather and Kartik looked at her sharply. She had spent 4 days on the yacht without fainting or throwing up. Who was she kidding? Angad lowered his head with a hangdog expression.

Godfather looked thoughtfully from Angad's downcast visage to Kripa's tight face. He knew something was wrong in their lover's Paradise! They must have had a fight. He resolved to talk to Angad later when he had the chance.

After lunch, Kripa mumbled something about not feeling well and retired to her own room with Prateek to take a nap. He didn't protest…..but after a short nap, he ran off to Dad's room to play with him.

Kripa let him go….she needed time alone to sort out her feelings, measure her thoughts.

Godfather accosted Angad in the Hallway: Angad! I want to talk to you for a moment! Merey Study mein aa jao!

Angad heard his death-knell: OH NO! Now I will have to tell Uncle about Kripa finding the diary. Ab toh mera khair nahin…..

Angad….main tum dono ki shadi-shuda zindagi mein dakhal nahin dena chahta……lekin main apney Beti ko dukhi bhi nahin dekh sakta. Kya hua hai, mujhey batao….kya Kripa ko pataa chal gaya? Kaisey?

Angad marvelled at Godfather's astuteness, his jaw dropping: Aap kaisey….I mean aapko kaisey pata chala? He asked in amazement.

Godfather frowned: I knew it! One day ur past is going to catch up with you! Kripa ro rahi thi….uski aankhein sooji huyi thi. Of course I knew at once….yeh un ladkiyon ke silsilay mein hoga. Nahin toh meri bahadur Beti iss kadar upset nahin hoti. How did she find out?

Angad lowered his head in shame and confessed about that diary…..that Kripa had found…with all those girls' phone numbers.

Godfather looked quite disgusted : Im with her! She has a right to feel humiliated and disgusted. Uski jagah aur koi hoti toh aisey hi react karti. Apney Pati ke rang-raliyan kisi bhi aurat ko bardasht nahin ho sakta.

Angad mumbled: Im sorry, Papa….Im really sorry! Aap toh jaantey hain us waqt main…..mujhey kuchh bhi yaad nahin tha. Kripa meri roshni hai….usey khokar main …main andheron mein bhatak gaya tha. I always felt like a part of me was missing….and I was looking for it in all the wrong places. Aap toh jaantey hain main Kripa se kitna pyaar karta hoon. Main sapney mein bhi bewafaai ke baarey mein soch nahin sakta.

Godfather looked seriously at him and slowly nodded: Mujhey bhi tumharey pyaar per yakeen hai. Jaao, Beta, Kripa ko manaa lo. Usey samjha do ke anjaaney mein kee gayi galti ko maaf kiya jaata hai. Im sure wo tumhey jaldi hi maaf kar degi. Meri Beti bahut naram-dil hai. Zyaada din naraaz nahin rahegi…"

Angad thanked him for understanding him so well and forgiving him: Uncle, aap aur Kripa hi toh merey family hain….ab wo maaf nahin karegi toh main kahan jaaoonga?

But Kripa wasn't so easy to melt…..she was in a great dilemna. And her health wasn't helping either….she felt nauseous and dizzy most of the time. She thought it was her distress about Angad's affairs.

At dinner, she sat 3 places away from Angad , where Kalyani was supposed to sit.
Arey Beti. Teri jagah toh uss taraf hai…..Prateek ke paas.

Nahin Aunty, main yahin theek hoon. Prateek ab badaa ho gaya hai, wo khud dinner karta hai.

Yes, MOM! Im a big kid now! Seeee, I can eat myself" ….Prateek grinned proudly as he forked up pieces of food from his plate, feeding himself. Angad helped him eat, glancing repeatedly at Kripa….while she commented encouragingly at Prateek, avoiding Angad's apologetic glances.

Godfather asked her: Kripa, kya tum sach mein kal hamarey saath nahin aaogi? It would be real nice…..tumhey achha lagta.

Nahin….Uncle (she was careful not to call him Papa this time ) …Mujhey sach mein rest chahiye…aap sab jaiye, main ghar mein aaraam karoongi aur Maasi ko company doongi"

GF looked disappointed….he was looking forward to this outing with his whole family. Who knows what would happen tomorrow? Kal Ho Na Ho….This might be their last chance to spend time together. But he couldn't tell Kripa that…..she would freak out!

Kartik, Mr. Mittal, Kalyani…..all had their dinner in relative silence. all were aware of the simmering tension between Angad and Kripa. Only Prateek blabbered on in his childish innocence, talking nineteen to the dozen, telling Dad about the big boat, telling Nanu about the big fish they would catch the next day.

Bedtime was a tense affair! Prateek went to sleep in Angad's room as usual …as had been the practice for last 7 days, since the wedding day.

Angad told him the usual bedtime stories, throwing sidelong glances at Kripa, wondering what she would do next.

Kripa looked around….there was a couch in one corner of the room. She took a pillow and a blanket from the bed and marched to the couch. She settled down on the couch after some sniffing and tossing-turning. Soon, she fell into a deep, exhausted sleep.

She wasn't aware when Angad silently got up from his bed, walked to the couch, covered her properly with the blanket and gently kissed her head, gazing lovingly at her pretty face: Goodnight, Jaan! I love you! Soon you will realize that and u will forgive me, I know you will!

He returned to bed beside the sleeping Prateek. He had already burned the offending diary to ashes! Now he had to win back Kripa's faith in him!


****************************************** *********

The 3 guys and the boy had a great time on the fishing trip. They spent the entire day on the water, anchored just a mile offshore. Of course, Godfather was in constant touch with his satellite room, monitoring water traffic near their seaside mansion, making sure no boat or yacht was approaching them all day. He knew Damodar could send contract killers anywhere and that was the reason for all the safety precautions at his castle-like home!

Angad and Kartik took turns to steer the ship as they roamed the waters till they found a perfect fishing spot. They cast anchor where the fish were aplenty. Godfather taught Prateek how to fly the hook, how to cast his fishing reel in the water….they waited patiently all day, sipping on cold drinks, snacking on edibles and picnic lunch packed by Kalyani.

Finally, towards the evening, they caught two big fishes…..two sea-basses big enuf to be taken home. Prateek was thrilled to bits, he wanted to touch them….then almost barfed at their fishy smell and slimy bodies.

Meanwhile, Kripa chatted with Kalyani Aunty all day, her eyes wandering out of the window towards the sparkling sea, wondering what the men were doing, hoping Prateek was safe and enjoying himself. She asked two servants to move the two wardrobes back into her own room and started organizing her things in them.

The three and a half men returned triumphantly from a day of fishing with 2 huge sea-basses. Kripa and Kalyani expressed suitable appreciation for the great feat. Maryam and Kalyani cleaned the slimy fish….Kripa felt nauseous at the smell of raw fish.

Aunty cut the fish into pieces and fried them. They had them for dinner with pulao and vegetables. Prateek had fish without complaint for the first time, Kripa noticed. It was because he had caught the fish himself….a sense of achievement made the fish tastier and not so stinky.

Kripa tried to take Prateek to her own room at night: Chalo Beta, aaj hum uss kamrey mein sotay hain." …..she needed proper rest in a comfy bed.

But he protested vehemently: NOOO….MUJHEY DAD KE PASS SONA HAI….DAD….PLEASE BATAO NA MAMA KO, MAIN KAHANI SUNNA CHAHTA HOON"

Angad looked rather angrily at Kripa….she was taking it too far now, this was between him and her. Why use Prateek as a pawn to hurt him? And upset the little boy in the process?

Kripa….he gritted his teeth harshly: Please don't do this! Mujhsey Pati honay ka haq toh tumney chheen hi liya, lekin Dad honay ka haq mat chheeno"

She glared at him, didn't insist anymore, but flounced off to the couch again with the pillow.

Angad patted Prateek to sleep, then slowly crept to Kripa's side. She was still awake. At his approach, she flung her arm on her eyes, pretending to sleep.

He kneeled down beside the couch at her feet. He gently drew a slender foot in his hands and said: Kripa, mujhey ek mauka toh do…..maafi maangney ka. Please look at me, I want to tell you something"

When she didn't respond, he sighed and started rubbing her foot tenderly, in a sort of slow massage: Kripa, jab tum merey saath nahin thi toh main bilkul adhoora tha. Meri yaadein chali gayi thi….lekin phir bhi kahin na kahin dil ki gehrayi mein mujhey tumhari kameee mehsoos hoti thi. I felt lonely and lost all the time. Aisa lagta tha koi hai….someone is out there who is waiting for me…somewhere. Lekin wo kaun hai, kahan hai mujhey yaad nahin aata tha. It's a terrible feeling, not to know who you are, what you are, where you are from. To be a man without any memories! Main bahut bhatak gaya tha…..waqt ke andheron mein kho gaya tha. Un sab chehron mein main kisi ek chehrey ko dhoondta rehta, jo waqt ke dhund mein kho gaya tha. I didn't know Sweetheart, I was looking for you, I was looking for my lost love! But I didn't remember you! Main un awaara galiyon mein khushi dhoondta tha….wo tumhari kamee thi….ek khalipan tha. Uss khalipan ko main door karna chahta tha…..isiliye main……Kripa…tum sun rahi ho na? Main kya kehna chahta hoon?

He looked up at her …..she didn't reply but he could tell by the rapid rising and falling of her chest that she was still awake.

Kripa, anjaaney mein kee gayi galti ko Bhagwaan bhi maaf kar detey hain. Mainey jo kuchh bhi kiya, anjaan hokar kiya. Wo main nahin, koi aur tha. And believe me, jab se tum meri zindagi mein wapas aayi, tabsey mainey ek baar bhi uss zindagi ki taraf mudkar bhi nahin dekha. I stopped touching weapons…..and I really forgot all about that diary, all about those women! Badkismati se wo diary ab bhi merey kapdon ke saath tha. But believe me, Jaan. Wo sab Zaib ka ateet hain….Angad ka nahin. Angad sirf Kripa ka hai….sirf TUMHARA! I belong to you, Kripa" he gently kissed her foot.

Angad's gentle massage, his sincere words were melting her heart….she bit her lips, trying hard to be immune to his sensuous touch on her feet…..but her heart was leaping, her blood was rushing to her cheeks and neck and elsewhere!

She didn't look towards him….if she did, she would lose all control and jump into his arms again.

She just mumbled out: Angad. Goodnight! Ab so jaao, kal subah baat karengey"

He was thrilled that she had spoken to him AT LAST! He kissed her other foot and breathed: Goodnight, Jaaneman! Sweet Dreams!
And went back to his own bed…..hopeful about tomorrow.

*********************************************************

The next morning, everybody looked at them expectantly at the Breakfast table…..it seemed as if they had made up….they glanced at each other constantly, he looked like an expectant puppy waiting to be petted, she looked smug like the cat who had swallowed the cream.

After breakfast, she went out to watch Angad and Prateek play basketball. Prateek called her for help: Mama, aap meri team mein aao na….Dad is getting all the baskets. Main itna lamba nahin hoon na"

She smiled archly towards Angad : Theek hai, Beta! I will help you. Waisey bhi lambey aadmiyon ke dimaag ghutnon mein hi hoti hai.
Prateek looked confused, but didn't ask what she meant.

She dribbled the ball and ran to the basket, Angad chasing her with a delighted grin. She dribbled and raised the ball to toss it into the basket…..he spread out his hefty arms wide behind her, blocking her from the back and sides….she twisted and turned to evade him. her mischievous eyes met his excited ones…..they blocked each other, jumping from side to side, Kripa constantly dribbling the ball.

Shoot, MAMA , DUNK THE BALL! Prateek shouted at her to throw the ball in the basket.

Kripa turned suddenly and jumped, tossing the ball in the air towards the basket. Suddenly she screamed loudly as a terrible cramp gripped her side……she dropped to the ground, clutching her stomach.

KYA HUA, KRIPAAAA? KYA HUA?
Angad rushed to her side at once, crouching down, his face ashen with fright. She was lying on the ground, writhing in pain, holding her stomach.

KRIPA, TUMHEY KYA HUA? KAHAN DARD HAI?
Peit mein…….please Angad….mujhey….abhi...hospital le chalo.

He lifted her up in his arms…..she collapsed at once, in a dead faint.

MAMAA…….MAMAA…..Prateek was crying loudly. KYA HUA MAMA KO? HOSPITAL KYUN JAA RAHI HAI?

He was terrified something terrible had happened to her!
Angad tersely instructed his son: Prateek…..abhi andar jaao, Nanu aur Nani Massi se kaho Mama beemar hai, Hospital lekar jaana padega"

Prateek ran inside the Villa at once, feeling responsible like an adult. He gasped out the info to Nanu and Nani Massi somehow.

Angad carried her to the Main Garage and placed her on the back seat of the big van. Godfather came running out of the Villa with Kalyani and Prateek.
Kya hua? KYA HUA KRIPA KO?

Uncle! Kripa behosh ho gayi, abhi Hospital le jaana padega"

Godfather called for Security at once! Javed and Kartik accompanied Angad and Kripa to the Hospital, Godfather, Prateek and Kalyani following in another car.

Kalyani looked smug and said: Bhaisaab aap itna fikr mat kariye, Kripa theek hai" ….Her experienced eyes had guessed Kripa's symptoms….the paleness, the dark circles, the nausea werent just because of her fight with Angad.

Kya Matlab? Godfather asked indignantly…..Kripa beemar hai, main fikr kyun na karoon?

Kyunki yeh beemari nahin, khushkhabri hai" she laughed delightedly.

Kya ma……Godfather realized what she meant…..a wide grin spread on his face. He was ecstatic, as he thought: Main phir se Nana banney wala hoon! This time I wont miss anything! Mera plan zaroor kamyaab hoga. Zaroor hoga……

Kripa was checked into the General Ward and then moved to the Gynaecology Ward. Everyone waited in the corridor outside.

The lady doctor who checked her came out after some time: Unhey kaafi zor ka cramp laga tha….ab wo theek hain. Lekin unhey aaraam ki sakht zaroorat hai. Iss haalat mein zyada exercise theek nahin. Khaskar iss stage mein….

Iss stage mein? Angad looked puzzled, GF and Aunty looked smugly at him.

The lady doctor smiled: Haan, Mr. Khanna! Pehla trimester hai yeh! Congratulations! Aap Papa banney waley hain!

Angad turned pale, red, then orange again….in excitement. He whooped in joy, jumping up in the air. He grabbed Prateek, kissed his round cheeks loudly, shook GF's and Kalyani's hands vigorously and danced his way into the room.

He was stunned! Kripa was sitting up in bed, crying softly. she looked very distressed!

Kya hua? Jaan? Why are you crying? Arent you happy?

Kripa looked up at him with overflowing eyes: Angad? Doctor ne kaha…..

He grabbed her hands and kissed them rapidly: Haan Jaan, doctor ne kaha hum phir se Mummy Daddy banney waley hain….Prateek ka bhai ya behen aaneywala/wali hai! Tum khush nahin? He asked in surprise.

She looked at his childish excitement and smiled through her tears: Haan…..lekin doctor ne….kaha….main do mahiney se….pregnant hoon…..Yeh bachcha….Angad…yeh bachcha…Josh ka bhi ho sakta hai"


------------------------------------------------------------ -----------------------------------------


pallavi

[color=green]PART 49

Angad awakened from a deep, satisfied sleep in the wee hours of the morning. He felt Kripa's soft, warm body nestled into his torso, their legs were tangled, his hand encircled her waist, her head resting on his other arm, her hands on his chest. He stared at her slumbering face, adoring his sleeping beauty. Her lips were moist and slightly parted, her breaths steady and warm, her cheeks were flushed from their lovemaking.

She was certainly back to normal…..he grinned cheekily: My love is your medicine, Kripa ….agar mujhey pata hota toh pehley hi yeh karta……he chuckled to himself.

He was the happiest man on earth today …..he got back the love of his life….after being separated for her for 5 long years.
He had lost his memory, his identity, she had believed him dead!

But Destiny had brought them together again! They were meant to be together! Best part was he remembered everything….all their precious moments of love in Goa and in her apartment…..all the promises they had made to each other….their wedding vows, their consummation….everything! No wonder he had felt an instant attraction to her when he met her after 5 years. Although not recognizing her, he had been intrigued by her claims of being his wife, the mother of his child.

He sobered up, remembering….. regretting the way he had treated her at first, insulting her, rejecting her, calling her a liar, handcuffing her to his bed when she had tried to find out the scar on his thigh. He had even suspected her of being hand in glove with her CBI husband.

He felt deeply disturbed, thinking about Josh : Na jaaney Kripa kitni majboor thi ke usney ek CBI Officer se shadi kar lee aur 4 saal tak uski biwi rahi. But he understood her predicament. She was alone in the world…..her parents were dead, her real father was unknown to her, with Angad gone, how would she survive with a child, with the Underworld goons after her life. She had made the right choice, marrying Josh. He had protected her, cared for her and Prateek. Angad was grateful to Josh for looking after his family for the last 5 years….he felt really bad about Josh's murder.

But at the same time, a tiny, selfish part of his heart was glad that Josh was out of the way and Kripa was with him again. Agar Josh zinda hota, toh shayad in dono ko chhod nahin sakta tha….khaas kar Prateek ko. Kripa had told him how Josh and Prateek doted on each other. He felt jealous of their bond……yet he was fiercely glad and proud. He was a DAD! Prateek was his son….he couldn't wait for the day when he would hold his child in his arms.

Thanks, Kripa, hamarey bachchey ko janam dekar tumney uski itni achhi parvarish kee ….he whispered, stroking her soft belly, he wanted to kiss her there.: Main ussey milney ko bahut betaab hoon…... mujey sirf uss din ka intezaar hai......

Kripa stirred slightly, feeling his hand on her stomach…she moaned softly, burrowing deeper into his muscular chest. Angad smiled affectionately and stroked her hair with his free hand….her hair was all matted and rough with grains of salt from the sea sticking to them. He grimaced….he was going to shampoo her hair as soon as she woke up! He tried separating the strands with his fingers, brushing off the salt clinging to them. Kripa groaned in protest and shifted against him. Her thighs rubbed between his….he was getting aroused again….stirring against her belly. She felt him…..and smiled in half-sleep….her hand sneaked down to enclose him.

He groaned hoarsely with pleasure: Mujhey maar dalogi tum….
her eyes opened for the first time….she looked at him cheekily: Toh marney ke liye tayyar ho jaao….she whispered wickedly as she teased him. He groaned loudly and turned her over on her back, pinning her under his heavy, sweating body: Not so fast, Sweetheart! Abhi toh buss shuruaat hai…..jiyengey toh ek saath, marengey toh ek saath….kya khayal hai? His amber eyes blazed down with passion into her slumberous, seductive gaze. She blushed and smiled up at him: Main tayyar hoon….maar dalo mujhey"

Her hands circled his strong neck as she brought his mouth down on hers. They kissed fiercely, desperate for each other, like they couldn't have enough of the other's mouth. Lips and tongues tangled, warred as they moaned and twisted in sensuous friction, feeling each other's desire……their hands hungrily explored each other, eager to rediscover the lost treasures, building up a frenzy of desire till they came together in a burst of passion, possessing each other, claiming a love lost to them for years. She sobbed with ecstasy in his arms, he cried with the beauty of being one with her! Then a fierce release washed them ashore…..spent and fulfilled!

After a long time, he lifted his flushed face from her neck and wiped her tears….she looked up at him and wiped his …..they smiled tremulously at each other.

Angad…..I love you, ab tum kabhie mujhey chhodkar mat jaana….hamesha merey saath rehna….she cried with happiness, stroking his roughly bearded cheek.
I promise you, Jaan, ab hum hamesha saath saath rahengey…..Angad kissed her warm cheeks, tasting the salt of her tears.

Vaada karo, agar maut bhi aaye toh mujey tum saath le chalogey….mujhey akeley nahin chhodogey pehley ki tarah…….she sniffed, afraid of losing him again!

Main vaada karta hoon….ab maut bhi aaye toh hum dono milkar uska saamna karengey, I will take you with me! ….he assured her, although he knew in his heart that he would never put her life at risk, whatever happened.

He extricated himself from her and lying back on the pillows, pulled her into his arms again.
Kripa….tumharey liye ek khushkhabri hai…….he wanted to share his good news with her and distract her from fearful thoughts.

Kya? Her eyes opened widely, she stopped crying.

Mujhey ab sab kuchh yaad hai….Jab tum paani mein gir gayi…..mujhey sab yaad aa gaya….Goa mein tum doob gayi thi, swimming pool mein…..mainey tumhey bachaya tha…phir Mishti ne kaha tumhey tairna nahin aata……uskey baad ki ek ek cheez yaad aaney laga mujhey….….I remember everything, Jaan! He kissed her shiny nose and grinned with excitement.

Kripa's eyes shone with delight….she yelled softly: SACH? Tumhey sab kuchh yaad hai? She grinned from ear to ear: THANK GOD! Bhagwan ne meri sun lee….mujhey kabsey iss din ka intezaar tha jab tumhey apni yaad-dasht wapas mil jayegi. OH ANGAD! I AM SO HAPPY TODAY" she grabbed his neck and kissed his cheeks gleefully.

Then she asked him playfully: Agar sab kuchh yaad hai toh batao us din garden mein tumney kaisey pyaar ka izhaar kiya tha?

Gaana gaakar….he tweaked her nose and laughed. Sunogi phir se? he started humming the song: Dil ne tumko chun liya hai….tum bhi mujhko chuno na……khwab koi dekhta hai….tum bhi sapney buno na….dil yeh mera tumsey kuchh keh raha hai, suno naaa…..suno naaa….suno naaa.....he brought his face close to hers.


Kripa looked into his amorous eyes, blushing and smiling with utter joy.
Ohhh…Angad, tum aaj bhi utna hi achha gaatey ho jaisey tab gaatey the……she caressed his face lovingly.

Aur tum? Tum toh aaj bhi meri koyal ho….Lekin Kripa, tumney music chhod kyun dee ? Mishti ka offer kyun nahin liya? Uskey liye recording karti toh aaj ek famous singer hoti! Merey jaaney ke baad…..he stopped abruptly, unwilling to upset her again.

She smiled sadly: Meri zindagi ne ek naya mod le liya……Mein Maa banney wali thi…..Mishti ne meri bahut madad kee thi, she took very good care of me, lekin phir Prithvi ne……she fell silent, remembering Prithvi's obsession to marry her.
Prithvi ne ….Kya? he looked in surprise at her.

She quietly told him about Prithvi's proposal, her rejection, his insistence, Mishti supporting Prithvi…..then she had to leave Bose house: Mujhey Mishti aur uskey parents ne apney ghar mein sahara diya tha lekin Prithvi ki vajeh se mujhey wo ghar chhodna pada.

Angad was furious: WHAT!? THAT RAT PRITHVI! USKI YEH MAJAAL? MAIN KYA GAYA WO TUMHARI ZINDAGI MEIN MERI JAGAH LENA CHAHTA THA?……THAT TRAITOR! I WILL KILL HIM! he stopped suddenly, remembering his present profession.

Kripa laughed softly: I think wo mujhey pehley se hi pasand karta tha, lekin tumharey darr se kabhie kuchh keh na saka…..isliye mauka paatey hi usney mujhey propose kiya….lekin Angad…. tum hamesha sabko I will kill him….kyun kehtey ho? Sabko maar daalney ka iraada hai kya? She giggled.

Agar tumhari ore koi aankh uthakar bhi dekhega toh usey main maar daloonga" Angad growled fiercely.

Kripa flinched suddenly, remembering the present realities, coming down with a thump from past memories: Angad….kya tumhey pata hai Josh ko kisney maara? Kisney aur kyun? Her eyes filled with tears again, Josh shot dead on the chair…..that image kept flashing in her mind. She was still in shock that Josh had been murdered!

Angad looked away, unable to meet her eyes: Nahin, mujhey pata nahin kisney maara….shayad koi purana dushman hoga……aakhir wo ek CBI Officer tha….uskey bhi bahut dushman rahey hongay!

Uskey bhi? Kripa caught on those revealing words at once….Kya matlab? Kya tumharey bhi dushman hain?

Angad's eyes flickered, hiding the truth: Arey Kripaa, duniya mein kaun hai jiska koi dushman nahin…..Khair chhodo in baaton ko….Josh ka khooni zaroor pakda jayega…..ab utho aur nahaney chalo…..tumhey shampoo ki sakht zaroorat hai "

He started getting up from bed, lifting her in his arms. But she grabbed his arm and looked at him seriously.

Angad, ek minute! . Pehley mujhey sach-sach batao…..Prateek kahan hai? Kya wo sach mein surakshit hai? Please….batao, mujhsey kuchh mat chhupao. Kahan hai wo?

Angad looked sincerely into her eyes: Kripa mera yakeen karo, hamarey pyaar ki kasam leta hoon….OUR SON IS SAFE ! Prateek theek hai…wo Dubai mein hai….hamarey ghar mein.

Dubai mein? Wahan kyun? Kripa frowned, puzzled.

Kyunki wahan poori tarah se suraksha hai….Tight Security….koi usey chhoo bhi nahin sakega….na Josh ke dushman aur na merey!

Lekin un logon ne merey bachchey ko kidnap kyun kiya? Unsey hamari kya dushmani thi?

Angad closed his eyes, looking away. How could he tell her that all her pain and horror had been caused because of him: Kripa, mainey kaha na, Josh ke dushman hongay….they tried to kidnap Prateek, usmein jab naakamyab rahey toh unhoney Josh ko maar dala. Kabhie kabhie yeh criminals CBI walon ki families ko target banatey hain…. (Angad silently apologized to Kripa for lying to her)

Lekin phir Prateek kiskey saath Dubai gaya? I don't understand!" She looked totally lost!

Angad gazed into her eyes: Kripa, we were very lucky, merey dost, Kartik Bhai ne Prateek ko un gundon ke saath dekh liya aur usey lekar bhaaga wahan se. Phir Bajaj Uncle ne usey Dubai bhej diya….remember I told u we were all going to Dubai? Wahan per mera ghar hai, sab kuchh hai.......dont worry, Kripaa....Prateek Mittal Auntie ke saath hai ...she will take care of him!"

Bajaj Uncle? Kartik? Mittal Auntie? Kripa frowned…..yeh sab kaun hain? Bajaj…yeh naam mainey pehley kahin suna hai…lagta hai (she was trying to remember where she had heard that name before)

Oh-ho, Kripa….Angad exclaimed impatiently…..Main un sabsey tumhey milaoonga…pehley nahaa toh lo….fresh ho jaao aur main tumharey liye kapdon ka intezaam karta hoon, nahin toh poora din aisey hi rehna padega….his eyes scanned her bare beauty as he chuckled wickedly….Of course I wont mind at all! Tum chaho toh aisey hi reh sakti ho…….hamesha….

Kripa slapped his back and threw him off the bed as she wrapped a blanket around herself: Ab buss bhi karo….Tum jaao, main nahaa leti hoon….…lekin merey kapdey? Wo toh sab Hotel mein padey hain? Ab kya hoga? Main kya pehnoongi? She wailed haplessly.

Tum merey kapdey pehen lena…..Angad sniggered as he pulled on his pants.

Kripa giggled: Tumharey kapdey toh meri maxi ke size ke hongey…..anyways, wahi chalega…..lekin baaki sab..…..(she paused shyly, she needed undergarments too)

Angad grinned….he went to the bathroom and brought out her clean and dry innerwear that he had washed the day before, while she was sleeping. He dangled them high in his hands: Tum yeh dhoond rahi thi? Laughing shamelessly.

Kripa gasped, going red in the face: Besharam! She jumped up and snatched them from his hands.

He laughed heartily, enjoying her embarassment and their playful banter: Ab chalo, main tumhey shampoo kar doon"

Kripa looked archly at him: No Thanks! Mujhey khud shampoo karna aata hai….ab jaao jaldi se merey liye kapdey le aao….aur mujhey bhookh bhi lagi hai….breakfast bhej dena"

Jo hukum, Madam! He bowed and saluted her : Banda aapki seva mein haazir hai…abhi laata hoon.

She laughed and went to the bathroom, locking the door. Angad whistled a happy tune as he went to his cabin and took out a white T-shirt, a long Bermuda shorts, that could be her pants. He also took a belt for tying the pant around her slim waist, otherwise it would slide off her hips. Then he called the galley (kitchen) through intercom and asked the cook to send breakfast for two in Kripa's room.

When he returned, Kripa had showered and shampooed and sat on the bed, wrapped in a towel, brushing out the tangles from her hair.

He smiled at her amorously: Yeh hain aapkey kapdey, Maleka-E-Alam! Aapka naashta abhi aa jayega….aur kya khidmat karoon aapki?

Kripa quickly snatched the clothes from his hand and ran into the bathroom, laughing as he chased her playfully. She slammed the door in his face after showing him her tongue.

When she came out wearing his clothes, Angad burst out laughing. The beige denim Bermudas hung loosely about her hips and legs, making her look like a female Charlie Chaplin.

Kripa…..you look…..you look…..he kept on laughing, holding his stomach.
Kripa glared angrily at him: What do u mean? I look like what?

Like….ohhhohohooohahahahaha….like Ms. Charlie Chaplin…Hahahaha….

Hahaha….very funny….Kripa twisted her lips and grumbled: Hanso hanso…Khoob hansoo .bahut funny hai na….Bangkok ke Mall mein merey liye poora wardrobe khareedna padega….....tab tumhey rona aayega! Humph!

Baap Rey! Lagta hai Bangkok mein mera diwala nikalney wala hai…..he still laughed hysterically.

Kripa pouted and tucked in the T-shirt in her pants, tightening the belt around her waist. Now Angad stopped laughing, staring at her chest jutting out through the white T-shirt…..it was just the effect he had wanted.

Damn! Now u look like a sexy Ms. Chaplin!.... he let out a wolf-whistle!

Kripa looked murderously at him and took out the T-shirt from the tuck-in. He looked disappointed: Kya Yaar? Come On! Be a sport!

Badmaash! Main tumharey saarey tricks jaanti hoon…..mera khana kidhar hai? She asked imperiously.

Just then there was a knock at the door, the cook brought in a big tray of breakfast: Eggs, toast, coffee, juice, fresh fruits, pancakes….for two people.

Angad thanked him and handed the tray to Kripa: Leejiye…. aapka nashta haazir hai"

Yummmmm! Kripa pounced on the tray and started eating….she was ravenous, she hadnt eaten anything for the last 2 days. Angad watched her affectionately as she stuffed eggs, toast and pancakes into her mouth. He sipped coffee and ate some fruits. He needed his morning workout before he could eat all that food. Of course he'd had some "workout" this morning, he smiled naughtily.

But before anything else, he needed to talk to Bajaj Uncle first….Angad's face tightened…..he needed explanations…..why Bajaj had made him Zaib? Why an assassin? Why he had lied to him when he asked about Angad? Kripa had completely recovered now….he could leave her in the cabin.

He told her: Kripa, tum naashta karo, main abhi aaya….

Lekin, Angad, tumney toh kuchh khaya hi nahin……yeh lo pancakes…..she offered him a forkful of syrup-dripping pancake.

He couldn't refuse her loving gesture….he took it in his mouth and blinked his eyes in Thanks. He licked the syrup dripping down his lips, then suddenly bent and licked some syrup from the corner of her lips: Yummmmm, Sweeeetttt!

She kissed him back, both lips covered with sugary syrup. It was the sweetest kiss ever!

He withdrew reluctantly: Sorry Jaan, I would love to stay and enjoy ur breakfast…..lekin mujhey kuchh zaroori kaam hai Bajaj Uncle ke saath….I will be back! Don't go anywhere!

Kripa nodded, still busy eating…..happiness and relief had made her hungrier than ever before.

****************************** ******************************

Angad went up to the top deck where Godfather's spacious lounge was located. He had just finished breakfast….he looked up at Angad's arrogant entry. He had been expecting this confrontation since last evening, when he realized Angad's memory had returned.

Good Morning, Son! Kripa ab kaisi hai? His deep voice held no apologies.

Angad's lips tightened: Kripa is just fine! Main aapsey baat karna chahta hoon, akeley mein" he glanced meaningfully at Mittal, who was sipping coffee on the couch.

Mittal took the hint and left the room, nodding towards Angad once.

Godfather got up from the dining table and walked slowly to the fake fireplace where a radiation heater glowed brightly, looking like flames. He turned to Angad with an arrogant expression: Main jaanta hoon tum mujsey kya poochhna chahtey ho…..Angad!

Angad's eyes blazed with enraged accusations : Why? Why did you do this to me? Main aapko Uncle kehta tha…..Merey pita samaan the aap, merey Dad ke dost….why did you turn me into a killer? KYUN? Kyun aapney mujhey ek mujrim, ek kaatil bana diya? Why did u change my identity? Aapney merey dimaagi haalat ka fayda uthaya……mujhey Angad se Zaib banakar apney kaam karvatey rahey! Kaisey Godfather hain Aap? Kyun mujhsey jhooth per jhooth boltey gaye ke main Zaib hoon, Dubai ka rehney wala hoon?
Aaj apko har jhooth ka jawab dena padega. Boliye.......chup kyun hain?

Godfather looked him straight in the eye: Whatever I did, I did it to save ur life! Merey paas aur koi chaara nahin tha……Damodar ke log tumhey phir se maarney ki koshish kartey, agar unhey pata chalta Angad Khanna zinda hai……isiliye tumhey Angad se Zaib banana pada! You were in the Hospital for 3 months…usee dauran mainey yeh faisla liya.

Angad took a deep breath: Toh meri jaan bachaney ke liye mujhey Zaib banna pada….lekin kaatil? Why did u train me to be a killer? Angad ne toh kabhi khoon nahin kiya tha!

Kya tum apney parents ke maut ka badla nahin lena chahtey the? Godfather's voice was like whiplash…..kaisey betey ho tum jo apney Maa-Baap ke kaatilon ko zinda chhod de?

Of course main badla lena chahta tha ……lekin Kanoon ko apney haath mein lekar nahin….Police ke log, CBI ke logon ko yeh kaam karna chahiye tha. What are they for?

KANOON? Godfather scoffed loudly and laughed without humor: . KANOON NAPUNGSAK HAI…..ITS IMPOTENT! Aisey gundey, khatarnak, Underworld ke logon ko Kanoon kuchh nahin kar sakta, chhoo bhi nahin sakta….…..aur jaantey ho kyun? Kyunki wo log kabhie koi gavaah (witness) nahin chhodtey! Aur isliye wo tumhey bhi zinda nahin chhodtey! Jaisey becharey Teddy ko bhi nahin chhoda!

Angad was shocked: TEDDY? TEDDY ZINDA THA?

Haan, Teddy makaan ke baahar tha…..wo un gundon ka peechha kar raha tha jab Bomb blast hua. Mainey tumhey blast se baahar nikala…..phir....
Godfather told him all about the strong room in the basement (Angad nodded, he knew about it)….how he had been spared because of the room, how he rescued Angad in a badly burnt state, Teddy helping him carry Angad to the back gate…..he recounted the whole saga to Angad, who listened with shock and amazement.

Teddy ne un dono ko dekh liya tha. CBI ne usey protective cutody mein rakha….he was their only witness. He was found dead in the safe house. Dekha….kitney kaamyaab hain kanoon ke pehreydaar ? Ek witness ko bhi nahin bacha sakey un logon se" Godfather concluded bitterly.

Angad was silent for a while, pondering on the revelations by Bajaj Uncle.

Godfather continued: Teddy ke maut ki khabar suntey hi mainey turant faisla kar liya ke kisi bhi tarah tumhara parichay badalna padega. I didn't want anything to happen to you! Tum merey dost ki aakhri nishani the….....isiliye mainey CBI ke Lab technician ko paisey dekar laash ke saath Angad ka DNA match karvaya….you were declared DEAD from the Blast ! But believe me Son, uss waqt agar mujhey Kripa aur tumharey honay waley bachchey ke baarey mein pata hota toh main turant unhey Mumbai se Dubai le aata….tumharey paas. But I had no idea u were married, Son! I really didn't! Yehi ek khed hai merey mann mein….ke mainey tumhey apney family se door rakha….but I didn't know……I didn't know! That's my only regret…..otherwise I made the right decision in making you Zaib!

But Uncle, why a killer? Kya main apni pehchan badalney ke baad ek aam aadmi ki tarah nahin reh sakta tha?

NAHIN! Believe me, itna aasan nahin un logon se bachna. Agar tum aam zindagi jeetey toh Mafia ko zaroor pata lag jaata tum kaun ho. Lohey ko loha kaat-ta hai, talwar ko talwar. Apni suraksha ke liye aur un darindon ka muqabla karney ke liye tumhey ek assassin banna pada…..tumharey training ki vajeh se aaj tum zinda ho. Its self-defense. Aur phir tum toh jaantey ho jin logon ko tumney maara….they all deserved to die! Tumney kanoon ka kaam kiya…..wo kaam jo police aur kanoon nahin kar sakti thi! You executed Justice, my Son! JUSTICE! Uskey liye kabhie sharminda mat hona…..

Angad sighed, realizing how deeply Godfather loved him, like a son, how much he had wanted to protect him………being a killer himself was the best bet against those vicious people of Mumbai Underworld.

Alright Uncle, main aapki baatein maan leta hoon….lekin ab main aur Zaib bankar nahin rehna chahta….please release me from ur duty! Main aur khoon-kharaba nahin karna chahta.

Godfather smiled slowly: Don't worry, betey, ab tum na Zaib aur na Angad rahogey, I will have to change ur identity again. Kyunki CBI aur Mafia dono Angad aur Zaib ke peechhey padey huey hain…..Jabsey CBI ko Zaib ke room se rifle mila, tabsey tumhara naam most wanted list mein hai…..aur jabsey Mafia ko pata chala ke tum Angad aur Zaib dono hi ho…..you are a marked man! Nobody can save you from them, except you yourself!

Matlab?
Matlab tumhey ab Angad bankar filhaal Dubai jaana hai, wahan phir se tumhara pehchan badal jayega…..tum aur Kripa apney bachchey ko lekar kahin door chaley jaogey….I will take care of the rest!

There was a loud gasp from the door and somebody came rushing in! It was Kripa…..she had come searching for Angad…..had asked Raj on the way, he showed her the Lounge. When she reached the door, Godfather had just started explaining why Zaib had to become a killer. She was shocked, turned to stone as she listened to the awful truth! Zaib was really a killer! An assassin! Josh had been telling her all along but she refused to believe him ! Tears of horrified shock rolled down her cheeks: Josh! Mainey tumpar yakeen nahin kiya, Zaib ke jhooth ko sach maanti gayi…..I cant believe it! Zaib ek khooni hai, ek kaatil hai….NAHIN, YEH MERA ANGAD NAHIN HO SAKTA! ANGAD KABHIE KHOON NAHIN KAR SAKTA! Aur agar kiya hai toh main Angad ke saath nahin reh sakti! She cant spend her life with a killer. Her eyes widened with shock, hearing Bajaj's plans…..she rushed in to confront them…..!

She looked furiously from Godfather's shocked face to Angad's horrified one! She realized both belonged to the Underworld

She also remembered what Josh had told her about Mr. Bajaj…..one of the most powerful Dons in Asia! Hotel/Casino owner, Mafia Don, Zaib's Boss! Both were cold-blooded killers, criminals, crooks of the most dangerous type!

------------------------------------------------------------ ---------------------------------

pallavi

PART 50

After breakfast, Kripa paced restlessly in her cabin. She felt closed in, imprisoned within the walls of the ship, in the middle of the vast ocean.

She was really anxious about Prateek! She was away from her child for the 3rd day in a row ! Kripa chewed on her lower lip in tension……Prateek must have been so frightened when the kidnappers took him! Thank God Angad's friend saved him! She wanted to thank Kartik Bhai!

Na jaaney kahan hoga ab? Kaisa hoga? Aaj tak kabhie mujhsey itni door nahin raha. Bahut ro raha hoga…..pata nahin theek se khana khaya hai ya nahin….she fretted and worried.

JOSH !!……..Kripa's movements stilled suddenly ! How would she tell Prateek about Josh? NO….NO. She cant do that!

Uskey masoom dil ko bahut bada sadma lagega! Kitna chahta hai wo apney Papa ko! They were so much attached to each other! She will have to make up some excuses for Josh's absence. Her eyes teared up, remembering Josh's violent death! She shuddered and closed her eyes. Bahut bhayanak maut thi…..Josh, tum jaisey achhey insaan ko iss tarah nahin jaana tha. Jisney bhi tumhey maara hai, usey bhi waisi bhayanak maut miley, main sirf yehi insaaf chahti hoon.

She really wanted to talk to Prateek, reassure her that she was coming to him soon…..then perhaps he would stop crying. Angad !!….shayad Angad ko pata hoga Prateek iss waqt kahan hai…..shayad usey mobile se contact kiya jaa sakta hai. She needed to talk to Angad at once. She went out of the cabin, determined to find Angad, on a mission to contact her son somehow! There was a long passage outside with cabin doors on each side…..she knocked on each door as she passed, there was no reply. Probably everybody on the ship was busy with breakfast. At the end of the passage was a door, which opened on the deck outside, flooded with bright sunlight.

Kripa squinted in the sudden glare of the sun, shielding her eyes: Good Morning, Madam! Kya main aapki koi madad kar sakta hoon?

A pleasant looking young man stood in front of her in white sailing uniform with a badge on his front pocket that said "Raj Mallya"

Oh, Good Morning" Kripa smiled hesitantly. Kya aap mujhey bata saktey hain Angad kahan hai?

Angad? Raj frowned in confusion. Madam, uss naam ka toh yahan koi nahin.
Oh sorry, I mean Zaib……Zaib kahan hai? Kripa realized these men on board knew Angad as Zaib.

Zaib Bhai ? Haan, zaroor! Thodi der pehley mainey usey upar jaatey huey dekha….. Lounge ki taraf. …..he pointed to the railed steps that led up to the upper deck lounge.

Kripa thanked him and went up the steps to the lounge which had oceanview windows on both sides. Through the glass, she saw Angad talking to a tall, distinguished older man…..he seemed familiar somehow!

She went to the door and opened it softly, hesitating to disturb the two men who seemed to be discussing something very seriously. Their raised voices floated out through the chink in the doorway.

She froze at the exchange of words, accusations, explanations! Zaib was really A KILLER?? Josh had been right all along! She had refused to believe poor Josh….and put all her faith in a liar, a criminal? Shock, disbelief, horror all combined to make angry tears fall unchecked down her red cheeks!

Kripa rushed in like the whirlwind, emitting a harsh cry of fury ! She glared at Angad, turned to Mr. Bajaj and then back at Angad again. Both men stared back at her in shocked dismay …..they didn't want her to find out the truth now …..not when Angad was going to quit the organization anyways. But it was too late, the damage was done!

Kripa shook in fury as she pointed with a shaking finger at Angad: ANGAD….TUM KHOONI HO? TUMNEY LOGON KI JAAN LEE? I CANT BELIEVE IT! HOW COULD YOU KILL PEOPLE! TUM MEREY ANGAD NAHIN HO SAKTEY…..KABHIE NAHIN….MERA ANGAD KABHIE KHOONI NAHIN HO SAKTA!

She was yelling and crying at the same time, sobbing with disillusionment, anger, pain!

Angad looked at her painfully…..guilty, ashamed, distressed: Kripa, please, meri baat suno…..listen to me….Kripa….yeh sab ek bahut badi galat-faimi hai, mainey jo kuchh bhi kiya anjaaney mein kiya! I didn't know who I was…..isliye Zaib bankar Godfather ka kaam karta raha!

Kripa was too furious to listen to his explanations: PAANCH SAAL! PAANCH SAAL TAK MAIN TUMHAREY MAUT KA GHAM SEHTI RAHI…….HAR PAL TUMHEY YAAD KARTI RAHI, AANSOO BAHATI RAHI…..AUR TUM? TUM EK KAATIL BANKAR LOGON KO MAUT KE GHAAT UTAAR RAHEY THE….EK AIYAASH KI ZINDAGI JEE RAHEY THE….APNEY BOSS KE PAISON PER! EK BAAR BHI JAANNEY KI KOSHISH NAHIN KEE TUM KAUN HO, KYA TUMHARI ASLIYAT HAI, TUMHARA APNA KOI HAI BHI YA NAHIN??"……she accused him of leading a life or crime and debauchery….which he couldn't deny!

Angad hung his head in shame…..he knew all of it was true!

Godfather interrupted: Beti, ismein Angad ka koi dosh nahin…..usey kaatil banaya hai mainey…..I ordered him to kill those people. Usney sirf meri wafadari nibhayi hai….usey toh kuchh yaad nahin tha….phir kaisey tum sabko yaad rakhta? Beti, usey maaf kar do….

Kripa turned on Mr. Bajaj furiously: AAP CHUP RAHIYE! AAP HOTEY KAUN HAI HAMAREY BEECH MEIN BOLNEY WALEY? AAP HONGEY KISI MULK KE BAHUT BADEY DON! LEKIN MERA AAPSEY KOI NAATA NAHIN…..YEH SAB AAPKA KASOOR HAI. AAP SABKEY SAB KHOONI DARINDEY, GANGSTERS HAIN……YOU ALL ARE A BUNCH OF CRIMINALS!

KRIPA! Angad was shocked….he yelled at her: BAJAJ UNCLE SE AISEY BAAT MAT KARO! HES MY DAD'S FRIEND!

DAD KE DOST! Kripa sneered : Achhi dosti nibhayi hai inhonay…..apney bhatijey ko ek criminal banaa diya! Kaisi hai yeh dosti? Kaisa yeh pyaar hai? AUR TUM ANGAD? TUMNEY MUJHSEY JHOOTH KAHA? ITNA BADA JHOOTH? Jab mainey tumhey Hongkong mein poochha tha kya tum Underworld ke liye kaam kartey ho? Toh tumney saaf inkaar kar diya! KYUN? WHY DIDN'T YOU TELL ME THE TRUTH?

Angad approached her to try and placate her: Kripa….agar main bataa deta toh tum mujhey nafrat ki aankhon se dekhti! Kya yeh jaankar bhi tum mujhsey pyaar karti? Tell me the truth !

Kripa snatched away her arm that Angad was trying to hold: DON'T TOUCH ME! Agar tum mujhey sach bataa detey toh main pareshan zaroor hoti, bahut dukh bhi hota….lekin kam se kam tumharey upar bharosa toh rehta….ke tum mujhsey kuchh nahin chhupatey ho, apney jeevan ka sabsey bada raaz merey saath share kartey ho…..lekin aaj tumney wo bharosa bhi tod diya! WHY? WHY DID U LIE TO ME, ANGAD? She faced him tearfully, her accusations piercing his heart, sharper than a knife.

Im sorry, Kripa! Main bewakoof tha, nalayak tha………bahut darr gaya tha ke agar tumhey sach bata diya toh tum mujhey chhod dogi! Mujhsey nafrat karney lagogi! I didn't want to risk your love! Please, sweetheart! Samajhney ki koshish karo!

Nahin…..Angad! Mujhey kuchh samajh mein nahin aa raha……she spoke in a defeated tone, shaking her head : I don't understand it at all. Tum kehtey ho ke tumney yeh sab Mr. Bajaj ke kehney per kiya! Toh theek hai ….bataao, kal agar yeh tumsey kahey samundar mein kood jao, tum kya kood jaogey? Agar tumhey yeh zeher peeney ko kahey toh tum pee jaogey? IT was YOUR OWN CHOICE! Agar tum manaa kar detey toh yeh kabhie tumhey jurm ke raastey nahin laa saktey the"

Angad couldn't refute her arguments either so he kept quiet, hoping that she would cool down if he didn't argue with her.

Godfather looked gravely at Kripa: Dekho, Beti! Duniya mein aisey bahut si ghatnayen hoti hai jo hamari zindagi badal deti hai! Haalat, naseeb, inkey aagey jhukney se aadmi toot sakta hai…….Angad ne inka saamna kiya, usney apney Maa-Baap ke khoon ka badla liya! DEKHO! Yeh aag dekh rahi ho? (he pointed to the fireplace)…..yeh aag poori duniya ko nazar aati hai…lekin bahut kam log hain jo aag se khel saktey hain ! Usey apney kaboo mein kar saktey hain! Zaib ne wahi kiya…..usney apney khoon ka karz chukaya hai…badla lekar!

Aur baaki sab khoon? Wo bhi kya badley ke liya tha ? Why did he kill those other people ? Mainey tasveer dekhi hai……she shuddered in disgust , remembering the murdered guys in the pictures that Josh had thrown at her.

Godfather turned to Angad: Son!, why don't you show her the details of your other "victims"? Sab ke sab badbmaash, chor, mawaali the. They caused their own deaths. Lalach, paap ya jurm ki vajeh se…..humney unhey sazaa-e-maut dee, jo kaam Kanoon ya Police nahin kar saka...……wo humney kiya!

Bhagwan se dariye, Mr. Bajaj! Kripa faced him fearlessly: Sazaa-E-maut deney waley aap kaun hotay hain? YOU ARE NOT GOD!

NO, Im not God! Bajaj grated out harshly, lekin kabhie kabhie insaan ko Bhagwan ka kaam bhi karna padta hai…..humnein wo insaaf kiya hai, jo kanoon nahin kar saka! Hum waisey kaatil nahin hain jaisa tum soch rahi ho……we don't kill for pleasure! We only kill when we have to!

Kripa closed her eyes again…..she couldn't even imagine Angad taking anyone's life, killing in cold blood!

Main yahan nahin rehna chahti …..mujhey abhi Dubai jaana hai apney betey ke paas! I WANT TO LEAVE! She screamed!

Kripaa….Angad stepped up: Please , apney aapko sambhalo…..hum Bangkok se Dubai fly karengey….I promise…tum do din baad Prateek ke paas hogi….we will be with our son!

KHAMOSH! PRATEEK TUMHARA BETA NAHIN HAI! WO EK KHOONI KA BETA NAHIN HO SAKTA! WO JOSH KA BETA HAI……

Suddenly she stopped in horror: OH MY GOD! JOSH! TUMNEY JOSH KO BHI MAAR DALA? TUM HI HO WO KAATIL! EK GOLI…..SAR KE BEECH MEIN….. TUM WAHI HO.....
She covered her face and swayed dangerously, close to collapsing.

KRIPAA……Angad jumped up and tried to catch her to steady her…..but she roughly pushed him away:
KYUN, ANGAD? Tumney Josh ko kyun maara? Wo toh hamari madad karna chahta tha…..( she sobbed piteously) ….mujhey tum tak pahunchana chahta tha….apney pyaar aur parivaar ka balidaan dekar! Uski hatya karney ki kya zaroorat thi? Isliye ke mainey ussey shadi kee thi? Mujhey haasil karney ke liye tumney Josh ko maar dala?…….she cried fitfully!

It was Angad's turn to look mortally wounded and offended: KRIPA! Tum soch bhi kaisey sakti ho mainey Josh ko maara ? Tumhey bahut badi ghalatfehmi huyi hai! Mujhey Josh ka katl karney ki kya zaroorat thi jab tum khud hi usey chhodkar merey saath chalney ko tayyar thi?

Toh uss din terrace per tumney kyun kaha ke Josh ko maar dalogey? Her eyes blazed at him. Wo bhi kya jhooth tha ?

NAHIN ! WO MAINEY GUSSEY MEIN KAHA THA…..Jab mainey suna usney tumharey saath zabardasti kee hai, I wanted to KILL HIM ! Lekin uska matlab yeh nahin ke main usey waakai maar daloonga…… yun gussey mein aadmi bahut kuchh kehta hai, iska matlab yeh nahin ke wo usey sach mein karta hai…..

Tumharey liye sab kuchh mumkin hai…..Kripa said bitterly….aakhir tum ek khooni ho………. apney faidey ke liye tum kisika bhi khoon kar saktey ho…..Josh ka bhi!

Angad looked really hurt…..Godfather intervened: BUSS KRIPA! BAHUT HO CHUKA….Angad per ghalat ilzaam mat lagao…..Josh ke kaatil already pakdey gaye hain….DEKHO, TUM NEWS DEKHNA CHAHTI HO? YEH DEKHO…..he marched up to his work-desk in the corner of the lounge, picked up a printout of online news and shook it in front of her nose.

Kripa wiped her blurry eyes and scanned the paper in front of her. It was a report of a shootout between 2 criminals and the CBI in a Hongkong Warehouse, in which both the gangsters were killed! It had a picture of Nishant and his team smiling for the cameras….and also mentioned that the two gangsters had killed a CBI Officer in the Regency Hotel 2 days ago!

Kripa was stunned, she stared at Godfather's cold, stern face: Lekin….lekin un logon ne Josh ko kyun maara? Kya dushmani thi unka Josh ke saath?

Darasal yeh wahi log hain jinhoney tumharey betey ko kidnap kiya tha…..lekin zyada door nahin bhaag sakey, nahin toh hum Prateek ko sada ke liye kho detey…..Luckily, Kartik wahan bilkul waqt per pahunch gaya. He rescued your son……kidnapping mein naakamyab hokar un gundon ne tumharey pati ko …….maar dala! .GF paused in the middle. How could he call Josh her "pati" when she was still married to Angad? GOD! WHAT A MESS he had created! Now he will fix it all!
Beti, tum Angad ko maaf kar do….wo tumsey bahut pyaar karta hai…..tumharey liye sab kuchh chhod raha hai…..

Nahin, usey kuchh bhi chhodna nahin padega, kyunki main usey chhod rahi hoon…..main apney bachchey ko lekar India wapas chali jaoongi! Ab batayiye, mera Beta kahan hai? Kahan chhupakar rakha hai usey aapney? JAWAAB DEEJIYE! Kripa yelled at Godfather belligerently.

Mr. Bajaj felt his lips twitching, he couldn't help but admire her spirit amidst the odds : Kripa….Prateek abhi abhi Dubai pahuncha hai! Meri baat huyi hai Mittal Bhabhi se…..wo theek hai, (he lied straightfaced, Mrs. Mittal had told him the boy was crying constantly for his mama and papa) Dheeraj rakho, Beti…..hum do din mein Dubai pahunch jayengey !

JHOOOTH! MERA BETA KABHIE MEREY BAGHAIR THEEK NAHIN REH SAKTA…..WO ZAROOR RO RAHA HOGA ! AAP SABKEY SAB JHOOTHEY, MAKKAR, DHOKHEYBAAZ HAIN….!

KRIPAAA…..Angad warned her…..DON'T TALK TO HIM LIKE THAT!

TOH TUM KYA KAROGEY? MUJHEY BHI MAAR DALOGEY? APNEY BOSS KO KHUSH KARNEY KE LIYE? She taunted him wildly.

Angad advanced towards her angrily…..Godfather put his hand up, stopping him in his tracks: ANGAD…..jaaney do, wo bahut upset hai…..Maa ka dil hai, apney bachchey ke liye pareshan toh hogi !
Beti, main koshish kar raha hoon….satellite link laaney ke liye….jaisey hi Dubai se link mil jaaye, tum aur Prateek ek doosrey se baatein kar sakogi….ek doosrey ko dekh sakogey video link se….phir toh tasalli hogi na ? Just give me one more hour!

Kripa glared at him for a few moments, then turned away….somehow she felt reassured by his words, although she hated him for making Angad a criminal! She gave Angad a lacerating look, then tossed her head angrily and walked out of the door.

Angad gazed at her departing back with anger and dejection on his face. Godfather thumped his back in a consoling manner: Jaao Beta, go after her…..usey samjhao….wo tumsey bahut pyaar karti hai, lekin iss waqt bahut pareshan hai, usey gehri shock lagi hai….Jaao apney pyar se usey manaa lo! Im sure wo tumhey maaf kar degi"

Angad nodded sadly: Yes I know she loves me. Lekin merey jhooth ne usey bahut hurt kiya hai…..she doesn't trust me anymore….

Im sorry, Son! Yeh sab meri galti ki vajeh se hai….kaash mujhey paanch saal pehley Kripa ke baarey mein pata hota…..toh aaj tum Most Wanted list mein nahin hotay. But don't worry, galti meri hai, ab isey main hi sudharoonga"
Angad glanced at him trustingly, then left the room in a hurry!


Dubai International Airport........Early that Morning.

Javed and Raghu, two of Godfather's most trusted security guys waited with a stretch limo at the airport for the flight to arrive. They were both tall, hefty, muscular men with expertise in guns and explosives. As soon as Mrs. Mittal and the nurse emerged from Customs with a whining Prateek , they were whisked off in the bullet-proof limo to Godfather's walled fortress on the outskirts of the city. One side of the huge property faced the sea, the other side was a sprawling Wadi, with scattered palms, like a natural water park.

The fortress was built on a promontory in such a position that it could only be reached by the road from the east. It was almost impossible to attack or encroach as it was guarded by anti-aircraft guns, by satellite security system and a 24 hour Guardhouse at the gate. Any vehicle or ship approaching within a mile would be detected by the system! Godfather's villa-style home was in the center, surrounded by smaller bungalows for his employees, guards and domestic staff! It was like a self-contained, self-sufficient fortress. The limo went inside the huge iron gates…..which closed at once. They were in safe territory!

Prateek had completely awakened from his drugged sleep during the flight to Dubai. He started asking for his Mama at once. He was terribly scared, two strange women were accompanying him, his parents were missing, he was on a plane!

He was slightly groggy as he sat up and looked around.
Main Mama ke paas jaoonga…merey Mama kahan hai? Tum kaun ho? Aur tum? He asked Mrs. Mittal and the Nurse fearfully.

Mrs. Kalyani Mittal was a kindly middle-aged lady….she smiled reassuringly, patting his head gently: Betey….tumharey Mama doosri flight se aa rahey hain.

Prateek started sobbing when he heard Mama wasn't on the same plane.
Aur Papa? Merey Papa kahan hai? He cried and looked around.

Kalyani looked disturbed for a moment….she knew the child's father had been murdered…….the next minute she quickly smiled: Papa ko Hongkong mein rehna pada, Beta….unhey wahan kaam hai na, isiliye! Kaam khatam hotay hi wo aa jayengey….chalo…achhey bachchey nahin rotay…ab chup ho jaao "

NAHIIIN……MUJHEY MAMA CHAHIYE! MAMAAAAA……Prateek wailed and cried, inconsolable……MAMAAA….he was sure his mother was lost or something terrible had happened to her!

Mrs. Mittal and the nurse tried everything within their means to console the little boy, to make him quiet….but he was inconsolable….desperate to see his mother: MUJHEY MAMA KE PAAS JAANA HAI!

He was already traumatized from his kidnapping experience. His little mind didn't understand anything but he knew something was wrong when Kanan Auntie had handed him over to two rough-looking men in the lift….he had cried and screamed : KANAN AUNTIE! MUJHEY INKEY SAATH NAHIN JAANA…..AUNTIEEEE!

He had kicked and yelled, but Kanan auntie had just smiled: Chup ho jaao , Sunny……..yeh dono Uncle tumhey Chocolate dengey, inkey saath jaao, okay? " then she had smiled strangely and left the elevator

. He had been terrified….the ugly man held him like a sack of potatoes over his shoulder….when he kicked, he slapped Prateek's legs really hard: Chup bey, Machchar! Zyada uchhal kood kiya toh kuchal daloonga!

Prateek had cried, struggling, beating the stranger's back with his little fists, still kicking, yelling as the man carried him outside to a parking lot!

Then the other uglier man had growled menacingly : Saala ***** ka bachcha chup honay ka naam hi nahin leta….de saaley ke mooh mein yeh thoos de….a piece of weird smelling cloth had been stuffed against his nose and mouth and he didn't know anything else after that!

Now he was on a plane with two strange women, his parents were missing…..he was horribly scared and bewildered. It was a harrowing experience for a little child!

MAMAAA…..MUJHEY MAMA KE PAAS JAANA HAI…..he wailed and cried.
The other passengers stared either with sympathy or annoyance at the little boy bawling and screaming for his mother.

The Stewardess came running to their seat: Any Problems, Madam! Why is the little boy crying? Do u need anything?

Kalyani looked upset and frazzled: Im sorry! His mother is on the next flight, Im his grandmother….hes very upset! He wants his mother!

Don't you have any toys to make him quiet? Hes disturbing the other passengers. He needs to calm down! The stewardess suggested kindly.

No, Im sorry we don't have any toys for him….we had to leave everything at home.

Okay, let me see what I can do! She went around asking other passengers with little kids if they had toys to spare for a child who was travelling without his parents. A kindly mother of a 5 yr old boy offered a video game belonging to her son.

Here, take this! The stewardess handed it to Prateek, who was hiccuping by then: Play with this, son! That's a good boy! She patted his head and left smiling with delight.

Prateek stopped crying and started tinkering with the game, trying to figure out how to play it. Kalyani and the Nurse heaved joint sighs of relief. Distracted by the game, they even managed to feed him a few bites of a sandwich and a glass of milk.
Finally tired, he dozed off in Kalyani's arms.

When they got down at the airport, he looked around constantly for a glimpse of his parents: Mama kahan hai? He asked again for the hundredth time.

Kalyani stroked his hair: Beta, mainey kaha na Mama iskey baad wali flight se aa rahi hai……wo jaldi aa jayegi, I promise!

Aap kaun ho? He looked curiously at her….she didn't seem a bad sort, elderly and maternal.

Main tumhari Naani hoon, Beta!
Lekin meri Naani toh God ke paas chali gayi ! He piped up….Mama ke paas tasveer hai….phir aap kaun ho?

Kalyani laughed: Main tumhari Naani ki behen hoon, theek hai? Tumhari Naani-maasi!
Okay! He nodded in acceptance and held her hand as they walked towards Customs.


In the limo, he was fascinated by the buttons, switches and gadgets. He constantly played with the buttons opening the top, the hanging TV, the radio controls, the wine glasses. Raghu reprimanded him once, he looked as if he was going to cry….Kalyani warned Raghu with her eyes not to scold the child. So throughout the journey from airport to GF's fortress, Prateek had a field day, fiddling with all the controls in the limo, his worry about his parents forgotten for the time being.

As soon as they were in the safety of the villa, Kalyani called her husband and informed him they had reached Dubai house. Godfather took the phone from Mittal and asked her how Prateek was doing.

Bhaisaab, wo toh plane mein bahut ro raha tha…..apni Maa ke liye chilla raha tha….mushkil toh yeh hai ke uskey khiloney aur kapdey saarey Hongkong mein padey hain. Ab usey behlaney ke liye kuchh toh chahiyey na! Shukr hai plane mein usey kisiney apna khilona de diya aur uska dil behel gaya……nahin toh aur bhi pareshani hoti"

Ab wo kaisa hai? Kya kar raha hai? GF asked eagerly in worry.
Ab phir se mayoos dikh raha hai…..pata nahin ab naashta karega ke nahin…..

Bhabhi, aap ek kaam keejiye, Prateek se poochhiye uskey favorite khiloney kya hain….wo kya chahta hai, uska ek list banayiye. Main kuchh bandobast karta hoon.

Godfather called Javed and Raghu and asked them to go to Dubai Mall and buy all the toys Prateek wanted and also some outfits for him.The Nurse also accompanied them to choose the clothes, while Kalyani tried her best to feed the child, by turning on TV cartoons.

Over the next two days, they had a tough time convincing and comforting Prateek about his parents' absence. But he quietened down a little after getting his toys and games…..but his eyes constantly looked towards the door, waiting for his Mama, for his Papa to appear any minute….and take him in their arms! How he missed them, but his little heart couldn't express his longing for them except in his tears and in his dreams and nightmares.

Kalyani took very good care of him, comforting him within the warmth of her embrace , telling him funny stories to make him laugh, bathing him, feeding him, while the Nurse monitored his health and wellness.

Godfather called his Security room in Dubai…and asked for a satellite link to be set up between the villa in Dubai and the yacht midsea…so Prateek and Kripa could see and talk to each other!

He also called Regency Hotel in Hongkong…..from his secure number. The Assistant Manager was his Special assignments guy.

Mr. Shiv, I want you to get some items from the late Mr. Kapoor's Suite.

But, Sir! That Suite has been sealed off by CBI because of investigations!

You have the duplicate key, don't you? Get in there as Housekeeping, get the wife's clothes….and the child's clothes and toys….don't take too many so they wont know the difference….make a package and mail them to Dubai Post Office…..PO Box no. 777. Ok, did you get that?

Of course, Sir! It will be done! No problem, Sir! You will get it within a few days! And,.Sir! Madam left her purse at the desk the other day before she was taken to the Hospital. We still have it!

Very good! Send that too with the parcel!
Godfather hung up and smiled with satisfaction. It was the least he could do for Kripa…the poor girl had suffered a lot, so had her child. Now they deserved a happy family life with Angad!

------------------------------------------------------------ ------------------------------

pallavi

PART 52

As he sang, they circled each other, eyes locked in a silent conversation.

His eyes pleaded with hers…..to forgive him, to accept him with his tainted past, to lead him from the darkness of his lost years into the light of her love.

He placed his guitar on the deck, took her hands in his and started moving gently in a little dance:

Jab koi baat bigad jaaye jab koi mushkil pad jaaye
Tum dena saath mera o humnawaaz
Jab koi baat bigad jaaye jab koi mushkil pad jaaye
Tum dena saath mera o humnawaaz

Na koi hai na koi tha zindage mein tumhaare siva
Tum dena saath mera o humnawaaz
Tum dena saath mera o humnawaaz

Ho chaandni jab tak raat deta hai har koi saath
Tum magar andheron mein na chhodna mera haath
Ho chaandni jab tak raat deta hai har koi saath
Tum magar andheron mein na chhodna mera haath

Jab koi baat bigad jaaye jab koi mushkil pad jaaye
Tum dena saath mera o humnawaaz
Na koi hai na koi tha zindage mein tumhaare siva
Tum dena saath mera o humnawaaz

Wafadaari ki vo rasmein nibhayenge hum tum kasmein
Ek bhi saans zindagi ki jab tak ho apne bas mein
Wafadaari ki vo rasmein nibhayenge hum tum kasmein
Ek bhi saans zindagi ki jab tak ho apne bas mein

Jab koi baat bigad jaaye jab koi mushkil pad jaaye
Tum dena saath mera o humnawaaz
Na koi hai na koi tha zindage mein tumhaare siva
Tum dena saath mera o humnawaaz

Angad swung her around gently on the deck, holding both her hands in his. She smiled at him, her eyes softening with feelings, her heart melting, with his words, with his song.

Godfather observed them from the lounge windows upstairs. A wistful smile curved his usually somber mouth as his eyes misted over, remembering his beloved, his deceased wife.
"Anu, humney bhi toh pyaar ki kasmein khayi thi…..lekin main tumhara saath nahin de saka, tum bhi mujhey chhodkar chali gayi. Ab aakhri kuchh farz baaki hain, uskey baad iss duniya mein mera kaam khatam ho jayega. Tab main tumharey paas aa jaoonga. "

Kartik observed them from the upper deck…..his eyes were distant, he was dreaming about the day when he would be free from a life of crime and would settle down with a nice woman….and have a happy family life on a farm with a couple of kids.

Raj came out to listen to Angad sing. He started applauding loudly as soon as Angad ended the song: Woww! Zaib Bhai! Aap itna achha gaatey hain …..aur ek sunaiye"

The name "Zaib" snapped Kripa out of her romantic reverie….and broke their eye-contact. She was reminded of his crimes, of his lies to her. She snatched her hand away from his and walked to the railing, gazing into the swirling waves, her mind in turmoil. She loved him, couldn't live without him.... but how could she forget and forgive his life of crime and debauchery?

Angad glared at Raj and muttered under his breath: DAMN! Kambakht yeh kahan se aa gaya... aag mein ghee dalney!

"Raj, Yaar"….he told him softly, "situation ko samjha karo….main tumhari bhabhi ko samjha raha hoon…..ayinda mujhey Zaib nahin, Angad kehkar bulana, samjhey?

Raj's eyes widened in surprise: BHABHI? YOU MEAN…….wo aapki biwi hai? Hey Wow! I didn't know that! Congratulations!

Thanks! Angad gritted his teeth in annoyance: Five years too late, but thanks anyways!

"Five years!!!" Raj did a double-take! "Paanch saal se aap shadi-shuda hain? Phir wo ladkiyan? " He had seen Zaib bring girls to the yacht in Bangkok and Singapore.

"SSShhhhh…..marvayega kya?" Angad grated out ferociously. He felt like strangling Raj! If Kripa heard that, it would make matters worse! "Shut Up, Man! Wo Zaib tha….ab main Angad hoon……biwi ka ghulam! Ladkiyon ko goli maaro………ab main sudhar gaya hoon!

Raj grinned: Good for you! Jaayiye, Bhabhi rooth gayi hai lagta hai…….he winked and left them alone.

Angad quickly scurried over to Kripa's side near the railing. Leaning amorously towards her, he said in a deep, romantic tone: Itna mat jhuko, Meri jaan! Agar phir se paani mein gir gayi toh mujhey phir se……(he whispered some words in her ears making her turn a beetroot red)

She turned to him with a glare, and pinched his waist really hard. UFFFFFFF! He yelped with pain……….she tossed her head angrily at him and walked off. He cried out:
Thehro meri jaaaaaann…………..

He ran and picked up his guitar…..as she started walking, he played the guitar in front of her, backing with each forward step of hers:

Kitne bhi tu kar le sitam, has haske sahenge hum - 2
Yeh pyaar na hoga kam sanam teri kasam
Ho, sanam teri kasam, sanam teri kasam
Kitne bhi tu kar le sitam, has haske sahenge hum
Yeh pyaar na hoga kam sanam teri kasam
Ho, sanam teri kasam, sanam teri kasam

Jitna tadpaayegi mujhko, utna hi tadpegi tu bhi
Jo aaj hai aarzoo meri voh kal teri aarzoo hogi) - 2

Yeh jhooth nahin sach hai sanam, sanam teri kasam
Ho, sanam teri kasam, sanam teri kasam

Nafrat se dekhna pehle andaaz pyaar ka hai yeh
Kuch hai aankhon ka rishta, gussa ikraar ka hai yeh
Bada pyaara hai tera zulam, sanam teri kasam
Ho, sanam teri kasam, sanam teri kasam
Kitne bhi tu kar le sitam, hans hanske sahenge hum - 2

Yeh pyaar na hoga kam sanam teri kasam
Ho, sanam teri kasam, sanam teri kasam

Kripa hid her smiles, biting her lips as she walked from one end of the deck to other……with Angad following her around, trying to appease her, convince her with his songs. She was quite enjoying this……his grovelling! He deserved some hard labor for his lies and pretence. She wouldn't give in so easily this time!

The sun set on the two lovers playing a game of love on the deck. Lights twinkled in the lounge and Captain's room upstairs. A cold air began to blow from the ocean, chilled by the spraying waves of a rising evening tide. Kripa shivered slightly, hugging her bare arms……Angad ran inside and brought out his jacket, chivalrously wrapping it around her.

She smiled at him slowly……her eyes met his eager gaze. She teased him with an arch look, sweetly said : Thanks! And walked off to her cabin.

He followed her but she shut the door in his face. Dejected and morose, Angad went up to the Lounge. Godfather sat working at his desk……he looked up questioningly as Angad came in: Kya hua, Angad? Kya Kripa maan gayi?

Nahin, Uncle! Ab bhi khafa hai mujhsey! Pata nahin aur kaisey samjhaaoon!

Honesty is the best policy, Son! Usey sab kuchh saaf saaf keh do! Tell her the whole truth! Kab, kisko, kaisey tumney maara. When she hears the truth, let her decide for herself if you did wrong or right!

Angad looked doubtful: Wo sab sunkar agar wo mujhsey aur bhi nafrat karney lag gayi toh? She will be shocked…..shayad bardasht nahin kar payegi"

I think shes a very brave girl! Usney jiss tarah sab kuch jhela hai…..apni zindagi mein jiss tarah se dukh aur maut ka saamna kiya hai……mujhey lagta hai she wont break down if she hears your story. Usmein bahut himmat hai…..tum kehkar toh dekho……

Haan, Uncle, shayad aap theek keh rahey hain…..main aaj raat hi usko sab bata doonga.

************************ ***************************

In the evening, Godfather hooked up the satellite link again with Dubai. Kripa and Prateek had a long, heart-to-heart video conference.

Prateek was all excited about his new toys that Javed Uncle and Raghu Uncle had bought for him. There were transformers, video games, his all-time favorite Batman action figures and games, even an X-Box.

Kripa grimaced slightly at hearing that…..she hoped he didn't get any violent games which were inappropriate for his age. Then she mocked herself mentally…..Prateek had already seen enough violence for such a young age. Violence surrounded him….he was living in an Underworld Don's house in Dubai, his real father was an assassin, his Papa had been killed by mobsters. What was she protecting him from? Some make-believe video games? Tears came to her eyes, she quickly blinked them away.

Beta, tumney theek se khana khaya na? Nani Maasi ko tang toh nahin kiya?

No Mama, mainey poooooora khana kha liya……aur khud bathroom bhi gaya…..he declared proudly. Since he felt embarassed to let Naani Masi help him in the loo, he had insisted on doing it himself and managed it somehow. Kripa drew in an excited breath….her little boy was growing up…..he had gone to the bathroom by himself!

She laughed in delight: Shabash Beta! Tum toh badey ho gaye ho…..khud bathroom gaye? You are my big boy now!

Yes, Mama! Prateek grinned proudly at his great achievement. I am a BIG boy!

Kripa looked up laughingly at Angad…..who was grinning too with a bemused expression. He had missed four years of his son's life, now he wanted to be a part of every milestone, every little progress.

Okay Beta, ab zara mujhey Nani maasi se baat karney do……Kalyani's face appeared on the screen.

Kripa smiled gratefully at her: Maasi jee, Main aapka bahut shukrguzaar hoon…aap Prateek ka itna achcha dhyan rakh rahey hain. Thank you for looking after him!

Kalyani smiled sadly: Yeh toh mera saubhagya hai, Beti. Mujhey ek naati mila…..khelney ke liye, dhyaan rakhney ke liye. Thanks toh main tumhey dena chahti hoon, Beti! Khair, tum chinta mat karo, yahan sab khairiyat hai. Bajaj Bhaisaab ne Prateek ke liye khiloney mangvaa liye, ab mera kaam bahut aasan ho gaya hai. Bahut pyara bachcha hai tumhara…..koi problems nahin hain. Ab tum sab jaldi yahan aa jaao…

Kripa noticed that Mrs. Mittal's eyes teared up as she was talking about a naati…..she felt bad for the lady….she was sure there was some tragedy behind those tears!

Angad didn't talk to Prateek or show his face on the video monitor. As far as Prateek knew, his parents were still in Hongkong Hotel.

Kripa made up excuses again for Josh's absence : Beta, Papa abhi tak Office se nahin lautey…..aatey hi main bataa doongi ke tumney aaj khud bathroom kiya hai….wo bahut khush hongay" …..her heart ached and twisted with each lie she told her child….but she had no other option.

They kissed each other goodnight before video link ended. She sighed and got up, didn't look at anyone as she sadly made her way to the cabin.

She was deeply disturbed….every time she talked to Prateek, she felt more restless….more worried about the future. What would happen to Angad? He was a criminal! What if the Law caught up with him? The CBI had proof of his crimes….how would he escape justice? Did she want him to escape punishment for his crimes? YES, SHE DID! She would die if he went to jail….or worse! She closed her eyes with a shudder, she couldn't bear to lose him again! What would she tell Prateek about Josh? About Angad?

There was a knock at the door…."Dinner, Madam"

The cook had brought dinner for her on a covered tray. Godfather figured she would be in no mood to join them all for dinner that night. Kripa smiled slightly, thanked the cook. She didn't touch the dinner……too upset to eat, lost in her worries, the upheaval in her heart and mind making her dizzy and nauseous!

There was another knock at the door. Angad's voice : Kripa….I want to talk to you! Please darwaza kholo!

Kripa didn't open the door….just looked at it as if the door was another puzzle in her life….should she admit Angad? Or reject him?

Kripaaa!!……more insistent knocking: Please, Kripa! Aaj main tumhey sab kuchh batana chata hoon….mujhey ek mauka do…sab kuchh samjhaney ka. Give me one chance!

Kripa got up slowly and walked in a dream-like state to the door and opened it…..she wanted him in her life…..she couldn't deny that. She would have to be strong enough to listen to his side of the story.

Angad looked anxiously at her: Kripa, tum theek toh ho na? He came in and looked at the untouched dinner tray: Tumney khana nahin khaya? Tumhari tabiyat toh theek hai na?

Kripa nodded slowly: Haan, main theek hoon….buss khaney ka mann nahin kiya. Tum batao, kya kehna chahtey ho?

Kripa…..he slowly took her hands and drew her to the couch and made her sit down : Aaj main tumhey sab kuchh sach sach batana chahta hoon. How I became Zaib….mainey Zaib bankar kya kya kiya, aur kyun kiya. Yeh sab sunney ke baad bhi agar tumhey lagey ke main maafi ke kaabil nahin toh main tumhara faisla maan loonga. Tumsey door toh nahin jaa sakta, lekin tumharey kareeb aaney ki koshish bhi nahin karoonga"

Kripa looked up into his sincere eyes and nodded : Haan, Angad…..main bhi sunney ko tayyar hoon. Tell me everything…..don't hide anything!

Angad sat down beside her and holding her hands in his, he started on his narrative;

Jab Dubai ke Hospital mein mujey hosh aaya toh mujhey kuchh yaad nahin tha….everything was a blank. I didn't know who I was, where I was. Bed ke paas Godfather khadey the…unhoney mujhey bataya ke mera naam Zaib Akhtar hai….mera ghar Dubai mein hai….main ek haadsey mein tha jismein merey parents maarey gaye.
Main buri tarah se jal gaya tha….plastic surgery se sab kuchh phir pehley jaisa kiya gaya. I was in the hospital for 3 months I think. I had so many surgeries, for my injuries, for my burned skin (Kripa shuddered and closed her eyes painfully). Bomb ke tukdey merey badan mein ghus gaye the….sab nikalkar unhoney stitches lagayi.

Kripa, I believe it was your love that saved me that day…..your love and Godfather. He got the best doctors to operate upon me, isiliye ek bhi ghaav, ek bhi jalney ki nishaan baaki nahin rahi"

After I was released from the hospital, wo mujhey apney ghar le gaye…..samundar ke kinarey ek quiley ki tarah hai unka ghar, guarded from all sides (hum kal wahin jaa rahey hain)….he told me that my parents had been murdered by a deadly gang of Mumbai…the D-gang….jiska Don hai ek khatarnaak, khooni darinda: Damodar Pandey. Usney merey parents ko dhamki dee thi, blackmail kar raha tha, paison ke liye…jab unhoney inkaar kiya toh humarey makaan mein bomb blast karvaya.

Main yeh sab sunkar baukhlaa gaya….I was mad! Gussa, badley ki aag merey seeney mein bhadak uthi. Godfather ne mujhsey poochha kya main apney parents ke maut ka badla lena chahta hoon? I jumped up at the offer. He told me my parents had been his close friends, isliye wo meri madad karengey, badla leney ke liye mujhey training ki zaroorat thi. Kartik Bhai ne mujhey train kiya, bandoor chalana, nishana lagana, self-defense, Martial Arts (Kripa looked amazed….Angad doing Kung-Fu/Karate would be a strange sight to her…he laughed softly at her expression)

When I was ready, Godfather ne mujhey Mumbai bheja……jin do logon ne merey ghar ko Bomb se udaya tha…un dono ko mainey khatam kiya. (Kripa nodded in approval…she still remembered those two gangsters who had planted the bomb in Khanna Mansion….she would likely have killed them too, she didn't blame Angad for avenging his parents' deaths)

Lekin Angad…..baaki sab…..

Haan Kripa……baaki sab murders ke baarey mein bhi main tumhey bataoonga.
Us din ke baad se meri nayi zindagi ki shuruaat huyi….Godfather ne mujhey ek Hotel singer ka naqaab pehna diya…..baahar se main ek performer tha….unkey Hotels mein gaana gaata tha…lekin merey doosrey guitar case mein ek rifle rehta….during the breaks between songs, I would sneak out and execute the men…jinhey Godfather khatam karvana chahtey the.
He never forced me to kill them or become an assassin…..yeh meri apni choice thi. Main unka karzdaar tha….I owed it to him…and also I felt safe, travelling all over the world, under the disguise of a singer. The Mafia couldn't track me, they had no idea who I was or what I was….until one of our own people betrayed me, exposed my name to the CBI in Hongkong.

Kripa looked curiously at him. he replied: Abhi tum ussey nahin mili, and pray that I don't ever meet him , because when I do, I will kill him! he ground out with clenched teeth.

Kripa quickly covered his lips with her hand: Please Angad….aur killings nahin…tumhey meri kasam!

Angad looked at her lovingly and kissed her palm, holding it in his hand, he kissed each finger separately: I promise.…no…more…killings! Aaj se …main….bandook …ko haath…bhi…nahin….lagaoonga" (he kissed one finger between each word)

Kripa smiled: Aur phir aagey tumney kya kiya?

Haan, aagey ….mera pehla assignment tha…..Rio ka ek Hotel Manager. (Angad made a disgusted face) …he was the scum of the earth! Godfather ke Hotel ka Manager tha …bahut bura insaan! He used to……Angad stopped with a grimace.

Kya....kya karta tha wo.? Kripa asked awkwardly.

He used to exploit young children……Rio ki bastiyon se lekar aata tha unhey Hotel mein….aur unsey burey kaam karvata tha….Hotel ke guests ko bechta tha..…..Angad clenced his teeth in disgust.

Kripa shuddered, closing her eyes…she felt nauseous again, holding her mouth in her hands.
Angad continued: That was a job I relished doing! Mainey duniya se ek haiwaan ko bidaa kiya. Rio ka police in sab baaton ka care nahin karta…..they just let these things happen, wo kuchh bhi nahin kartey! Jab Godfather ko pata chala, toh unhoney mujhey wahan bheja…..uss shaitaan ko sazaa-e-maut dee….and I was his executioner!

Kripa nodded silently when she recovered from nausea. She was sure she would have liked to kill such a criminal too….
Aur phir? She asked with round eyes, full of curiousity and shock!

Uskey baad pata hai mainey kisko maara? Angad took out a photo from his pocket…..he showed it to Kripa. It was of a newly-married couple….the bride was a very pretty young woman in her early twenties, the groom looked polished, intelligent and smart! Both were in wedding attire, smiling at the camera, full of joy, life and togetherness.

Yeh hain Mr. Mittal ki beti aur uska pati. She was a nursery school teacher, he was a pilot. Dono ki mulaqat huyi, pyaar ho gaya, shadi karna chahtey the. Mittal Uncle uss waqt Mumbai mein rehtey the…..he was an accountant. Unhoney bahut dhoom dhaam se beti ki shadi karvayi, eklauti aulaad jo thi unki.

Shadi ke baad dono Honeymoon ke liye Khandala gaye, dulhey ko Airlines se sirf chaar din ki chhutti mili thi isiliye door kahin nahin jaa sakey. Do din baad Hotel room mein dulhey ki laash mili…..kisiney bahut bedardi se uska gala kaat diya tha….the whole bed was soaked with his blood! Mittal ki beti ka koi pata nahin tha….the worst was suspected, usey gundey uthakar le gaye the. Talashi chalti rahi…..wo bilkul lapata thi…..Mumbai ki Police agar corrupt aur nakamyab hai toh Khandala ki Police aur bhi Kaamchor. Agar unhoney theek tarah se chhan-been ki hoti toh pehley hi pata lagatey. Khair, teen haftey baad Hotel se kuchh door ek kuwe (well) mein se ladki ki laash mili. She could only be identified by her bangles….kyunki laash itni buri tarah se…….(Angad stopped, unable to go on…..clenching his teeth)

Kripa couldn't stand it anymore, she ran to the bathroom and retched over the sink, sobbing, crying! She couldn't imagine the agony the Mittals must have gone through! Her pain was nothing compared to theirs! They had no one, no hope left in life……..Aur bhi gham hain zamaney mein Mohabbat ke siva" she had heard that somewhere…..she now knew its true!

Angad rushed behind her, held her while she retched and heaved, then he washed her face with cold water, wiped her tears, soothed her while she sobbed into his chest, too overcome by all her emotions!

Then he lifted her in his arms, carried her to the bed and laid her down. He lay down beside her and pulled her into his arms: Kripa, Im sorry….mujhey shayad yeh sab kuchh batana nahin chahiye tha….sorry, sweetheart!

She turned and covered his lips with her hand: Sorry nahin…..Thanks for telling me. I needed to know all this. She gulped heavily and asked: Kya tumney un gundon ko….?

Haan….do saal tak Mittal Uncle aur Aunty Police aur adalat ke chakkar kaattey rahey lekin un murders ke liye zimmedar koi bhi pakda nahin gaya. Afvaahein (rumors) thi ke uss waqt usi Hotel mein D-Gang ke kuchh aadmi thehrey huey the…shayad unhoney hi kiya tha. Lekin Khandala ya Mumbai ke Police ne kuchh bhi nahin kiya….koi tafteesh (investigation) nahin kee…..shayad paisey khaye the Damodar se…ya dartey the un khunkhaar jaanvaron se.

Khair, do saal baad thakey-haarey huye Mittal Uncle Godfather ke club mein kisisey milney gaye the….wahan Madhav ko uskey case ke barey mein pata chala….Madhav jo Bajaj Uncle ke wafaadar employee hain, Mumbai ka club chalatey hain. unhoney Mittal ko Dubai bheja Godfather ke paas….Mittal ne apna sab kuch bechkar 50 lakh rupaye le aaye Godfather ke pairon mein daal diya aur badley ki bheekh maangi. He wanted to punish his daughter's killers. Godfather ne wo paisey nahin liye, he said: Yeh kaam mera dharam hai…iskey liye main aapsey paisey nahin loonga. Main Damodar ke aadmiyon ko achhi tarah se jaanta hoon, yeh kaam unhoney hi kiya hai"

Phir bhi Godfather ne chhaan been kee aur pata chala…..Damodar ke teen aadmi wahan per the….unhoney hi Mittal ke damaad ko maarkar uskey beti ko kidnap aur murder kiya tha.

Godfather ne Kartik ko Mumbai bheja pehli gunahgaar ko maarney ke liye. Doosra mujrim Singapore mein tha uss waqt….Javed ko bheja wahan….aur mujhey kaam diya Dubai ka….uss waqt teesra kaatil Dubai aaya tha. Usey mainey maara ek shopping complex ke bathroom mein. I felt good doing the job.

Uss din se Mittal Uncle India wapas nahin gaye….wo ab Godfather ke wafaadar employee hain, unkey accountant hain, har kaam mein Godfather unko sabsey zyada trust kartey hain. Mittal Auntie bhi hamarey saath Dubai mein rehti hain.

Kripa clung to Angad…..as if to quell the nightmare of hearing Mittals' tragic saga.
Angad…..tumhey darr nahin lagta tha…jab tum un badmashon ko maartey the? She asked trembling a little.

NAHIN! BILKUL NAHIN! Kyunki main jaanta tha main Uparwaley aur Kanoon ka kaam kar raha tha. Jo kanoon nahin kar paya, un logon ko sazaa de raha hoon….apney Mom-Dad ke maut ka badla….Mittal Uncle ke beti-damaad ka badla…..un masoom bachchon ka badla le raha hoon. Im not ashamed of who I killed….haan agar sharminda hoon toh tumsey jhooth bolney ke liye, tumhey dhokha deney ke liye. Ab tum mujhey maaf kar do……toh main apney aapko duniya ka sabsey khushnaseeb insaan samjhoonga. He looked deep into her eyes: Please Kripa, mujhey maaf karogi na?

Kripa gazed into his misted eyes…….she nodded slightly, tremulously, she still felt very vulnerable, very fragile!

He drew her hands in his and kissed them softly:
Kripa…..paanch saal pehley tumney ek bigdey huey, aawara ladkey ko sudhar diya tha….usey jeena sikhaya tha……..usey ek achha insaan bana diya apney pyaar se…..aaj bhi tum wahi jadoo kar do mujhpar. Main Jurm ki andheri duniya mein ghum ho gaya tha….mujhey apney pyaar se roshan kar do. Save me, Kripa! My life, my soul is in ur hands!

I want to leave all this……..main ek nayi zindagi shuru karna chahta hoon, tumharey saath, apney betey ke saath. Bolo, tum mera saath dogi na?

Haan! Kripa drew his hands towards her and kissed them: Haan, Angad, main hamesha tumharey saath hoon. Mujhsey vaada karo, aaj ke baad tum kabhie kisiko nahin marogey. Main hamarey naye jeevan per kisikey maut ka saya nahin padney doongi"

I promise, Darling! I will never touch a gun again! Rifle bhi nahin…..knife bhi nahin" he kissed her hands again, smiling through tears of gladness that she had forgiven him, taken him back again!

He kissed her gently on her lips….she kissed him back, both tearful, vulnerable, trembling with emotions.

Suddenly, her stomach rumbled loudly….she hadnt had dinner.

Angad pullled her up at once into sitting position : Chalo, ab achhi bachchi ki tarah dinner kha lo……..nahin toh main apney betey se keh doonga Mama ne dinner nahin khaya"

YOU CHUGALKHOR! Kripa laughed and hit his back with her fists. He laughed and caught her hands, kissing them again.

He fed her with his own hands, Kripa ate, looking at him with love shining in her eyes. Now he was really her old Angad again, caring, compassionate, tender lover ! She smiled through her tears as she ate her cold dinner from his hands but her heart felt warm and full….that's all that mattered!

After dinner, they washed up and went to bed. They slept in each other's arms, cuddling each other. Angad didn't try to make love to her….he didn't have to…..…he knew she was his and he had all the time in the world for loving her!

The next morning, they docked at Bangkok and departed the Yacht.

------------------------------------------------------------ -----------

Thanks Faiza, sweetie, desiqt, juicylove, sana, madiha, sahr, iqbals43ever, rima, abhilasha, nameless, sapphire, iqra, ananya, deeya, Shalini, msgujju, Gaurav'slove, terisusan!

PART 55

Godfather's jaw dropped, he was shocked: YEH KYA BAK RAHEY HO, ANGAD? TUM HOSH MEIN TOH HO? MERI BETI TOH…..JANAM LETEY HI……..mar gayi (he ended in a tearful whisper)

NAHIN, UNCLE, AAPKI BETI ZINDA HAI" Angad laughed like a joyful madman! WO ZINDA HAI!!

Godfather was furious: DEKHO ANGAD! MAZAAK MAT KARO…….YEH MERI ZINDAGI KI DARDNAAK HAQEEQAT HAI! MAIN ISS WAQT BAHUT PARESHAN HOON! JUST LEAVE ME ALONE!

Angad sobered up, looking gravely at him: Main Mazaak nahin kar raha hoon, Uncle! I wouldn't dream of joking about a matter like this! Aapki Beti zinda hai….aur aaj raat issi ghar mein maujood hai!

Godfather collapsed into the nearest armchair, like the sky had fallen upon his head: KRIPAA? Kripa…? Kripa….meri beti hai? ….he asked in a whisper, stunned, disbelieving, pale with shock! …..Nahin, yeh nahin ho sakta…..tum jhooth bol rahey ho! Yeh sab jhooth hai!

Angad went forward and placed his hand on Godfather's : Uncle, main saabit kar sakta hoon, Kripa aapki beti hai…..uskey purse mein Aunty Jee ki tasveer hai….I saw it with my own eyes! I swear it upon MY LIFE!

Godfather looked up at Angad with a bewildered face, not daring to hope yet hopeful: Lekin….uss Doctor ne mujhsey kyun kaha meri Bachchi zinda nahin hai? Why did he lie to me?

Angad's jaws tightened: Usney aapsey jhooth kaha kyunki wo already aapkey bachchi ko kisi aur ko de chuka tha. Uskey be-aulaad (childless) dost ko saunp chuka tha.

Godfather looked bewildered, confused : Matlab?
Angad drew up a chair next to Bajaj Uncle and narrated the whole sequence of events.

Starting with the death of Kripa's parents, he went on to how she discovered she was adopted, then finding the box in her parents' wardrobe with the letter, stating how and when she was adopted…..and the photograph of Kripa's deceased mother.

Godfather uttered in a trance: Wo tasveer mainey Anu ke 21-vey janamdin per kheencha tha….aur jis din wo mujhey chhodkar gayi tab mainey uskey bag mein rakh diya tha.

Angad supplied: Aur tasveer ke neechey likha tha….To Anu, on her 21st birthday, from Rishi….wo kya aap the?

Haan….Godfather looked dazed: Mera asli naam Rishi hai……Rishi Aggarwal. Anuradha Mussorie ki rehney wali thi….mainey hi usey wahan wapas bheja…Mumbai mein uskey jaan ko khatra tha…..lekin mujhey pata nahin tha ke maut ki kali saaya uska wahan tak peechha karegi! …..he covered his face with his hand and cried: Mera sab kuchh lut gaya….train accident mein Anu ki maut ho gayi aur doctor ne kaha hamarey bachchey ko bhi nahin bacha sakey……Main toot gaya, jeeney ka koi bhi maqsad nahin raha….phir main apna naam badalkar yahan aa gaya….Damodar se badla leney ki kasam khayi….aur aaj tak wahi kar raha hoon"

Angad asked him gently: Train accident ke kitney din baad aap wahan khabar leney gaye the?

Do haftey baad main wahan pahuncha…..Mumbai se bahut mushkil se jaan bachakar main Mussorie gaya….wahan jaakar pata chala…..Anu ki maut ho gayi thi….Kathgodam gaya toh suna meri bachchi bhi……….

Kripaaa…meri beti ……Godfather suddenly sprang up from his seat and rushed out of the door like a man possessed.
Angad ran after him: Uncle, wo ab so rahi hai…..Prateek bhi….

Jaanta hoon…..Godfather hurried ahead without stopping….Main buss ek baar usey dekhna chahta hoon…..

He reached Kripa's door and opened it softly, noiselessly. He crept in, Angad following him close behind.

Godfather reached the bed and looked down at Kripa sleeping curled up on one side, Prateek curled up next to her, snuggling into her arms. One hand rested below her cheek, the other around her child.

Tears fell unchecked down his cheeks as he filled his eager eyes with the sight of his long-lost child…..the daughter he had believed dead for 24 years! To see her alive and thriving after all these years….that too as a mother, with her own child…was the greatest treasure he could have ever found. He gazed at this bounty with a grateful heart and streaming eyes , his cup of happiness was overflowing! He looked upwards and thanked God! After many years of being an atheist, a bitter man, he was finally a believer in miracles!
He talked silently to her: Kripa, meri bachchi….kitni pyaari hai….main pehley tumhey pehchan kyun nahin sakaa? Kyun meri nazron ne wo saarey gun nahin dekhey jo Anu mein the? Wahi sundar aankhein, wahi bholi muskaan, wahi pyaara gussa! Mainey kyun nahin notice kiya? Godfather wiped his eyes…..smiling tearfully down at his newfound family..…..aur wo mera naati Prateek hai….MY GRANDSON! I cant believe it! I am a Grandfather! Main Nana hoon…..duniya mein aisi koi hai jo mujhey Papa kahegi….koi jo mujhey Nana kehkar pukarega! Kudrat ka karishma hai yeh….meri Beti zinda hai…aur aaj mujhey wo mil gayi….THANK YOU, GOD! THANK YOU!

Angad saw Godfather crying for the first time since he had known him…..but he empathized completely. He had felt the same way when he remembered his past and realized Prateek was really his son. His own eyes were wet as he watched Godfather shedding tears of joy, staring down at Kripa and Prateek.

The air in the room was slightly chilly because of the A/C….Kripa shivered slightly in her sleep….Godfather bent down and pulled the blanket over mother and child, smiling tenderly at her. Sleep, my child, Sleep well…..you have seen too many tears and tragedies. But now it will only be smooth sailing for you. I will guard your happiness with my life!

He looked up at Angad, realizing with a pang of joy that he was Kripa's husband, his son-in-law. He had always regarded Angad as his son……now he really was his son, by marriage . He cast another yearning look at Kripa, then he bent low and gently kissed her head. He couldn't help it…..his heart compelled him to do so. Then he straightened and walked out of the room with Angad in tow.

Both walked back to the Study in silence. Each man was lost in his own thoughts awhile, finally Angad broke the silence:
Jab Kripa ko maaloom padega ke aap, uskey Papa hain…. aap zinda hain….she will be so delighted. Usney aapko dhoondney ki kitni koshish kee thi uss waqt….humney akhbaaron mein ishtehaar (ads) bhi diya…..….lekin kuchh pata nahin chala. Aaj itney saalon baad Kripa ko apney Papa mil gaye. ITS REALLY AMAZING!

NAHIN…..Kripa ko kuchh bhi mat batana…..usey merey baarey mein EK LAFZ BHI MAT KEHNA"…..Godfather insisted forcefully, taking Angad by surprise!

Angad was flummoxed, totally amazed: LEKIN KYUN? Aap uskey Papa hain yeh toh sabsey zyada khushi ki baat hai…..she will be overjoyed, Im sure! Aap usey kyun nahin batana chahtey?

Kyunki…..yeh uskey liye khatarnaak saabit ho sakta hai…..Godfather looked sad and somber.

Matlab? Angad looked confused .
Godfather turned to him abruptly: Agar yeh khabar Damodar tak pahunchi….toh jaantey ho wo kisey pehley khatam karega ? Merey Beti ko….aur uskey bachchey ko…..main wo hargiz nahin honay doonga. I cant put their lives at risk for my selfish happiness. Uskey liye agar mujey apni Beti se paraya bankar rehna padey toh mujhey wo bhi manzoor hai"

NAHIN, UNCLE. YEH AAP KYA KEH RAHEY HAIN? Angad protested loudly: Kripa ko jaanney ka haq toh deejiye ke aap, uskey Papa …. aaj bhi zinda hain ? How can you deprive her of the right to know this? YEH NA-INSAAFI HAI"

ANGAD! Godfather silenced him with a stern look : Tumharey liye Insaaf zyada important hai ya Kripa aur Prateek ki zindagi? Mainey Damodar ke Bhai Madho ko jaan se maara tha….uska badla leney ke liye wo meri Beti ko zaroor maarney ki koshish karega" Godfather shuddered with fear. NAHIN…ANGAD…ISS RAAZ KO RAAZ HI REHNEY DO……Only the two of us will know about this….PROMISE ME!

Godfather placed his hands on Angad's shoulders and entreated him with pleading eyes and voice: Please, Angad! Vaada karo yeh raaz tum Kripa ko nahin bataaogey….at least abhi nahin…..baad mein dekha jayega…..yeh raaz ab sirf hum dono ke beech rehney do….don't tell Kripa yet!

Angad looked morosely at him….he understood Godfather's viewpoint, his justifiable fear for her life…..but his heart didn't agree to hiding this vital truth from Kripa!

Uncle, mera dil nahin maanta………phir bhi Kripa ke hifaazat ki khaatir main aapki baat maan leta hoon.
Thanks Beta! Kripa ko pata chala toh wo yeh baat chhupa nahin sakegi…..sabkey saamney bayan kar degi…… deewaron ke bhi kaan hotey hain…..I trust my people here….lekin kab kiskey dil mein khot aa jaye kya pata? Agar dushmanon ko meri kamzori ….merey aulaad ke baarey mein pata chal gaya toh wo zaroor uska faayda uthayengey. I cant risk my daughter or grandson's life! Tum samajh rahey ho na main kya keh raha hoon?

Yes, Uncle, I understand! I don't want to put my wife or child at risk either.

Godfather suddenly smiled widely: Angad …Beta….mujhey bahut khushi hai, tum merey damaad ho….I couldn't have asked for a better son-in-law!

He hugged Angad warmly and patted his back.
Angad grinned and hugged him back: Im also glad you are my Dad-in-Law! Toh batayiye, main aapko Uncle kahoon ya Dad ya Sasurjee ?

Filhaal toh Uncle hi kaho…..baad mein jab meri beti mujhey Dad kahegi toh tum bhi kehna…..Godfather laughed loudly. He looked ten years younger…..as happy and exhilerated as the day he was married to Anuradha and took her home to Mumbai.

He turned to her portrait and paid her silent homage after Angad left the room : Anu….meri Jaan….Hamari Beti aaj merey paas hai….main aaj duniya ka sabsey khushnaseeb insaan hoon. Aaj mujhey duniya bhar ki daulat mil gayi! Kaash aaj tum merey saath hoti aur dekh paati kitni pyaari hai hamari Beti…..kitna pyaara uska bachcha hai! Dono phool ki tarah sundar, masooom aur pyaarey hain! Humara damaad bhi bahut achha hai, bahut hoshiyaar hai. He was already like a son to me…..from today he will really be my son! I am the Luckiest man in the world today….itney saalon baad mujhey apna parivaar wapas mil gaya!

Godfather wiped tears of joy and spent the whole night talking to Anu's portrait and gloating about his newfound family . Angad tossed and turned in his lonely bed, worrying about hiding the truth from Kripa.
Exhausted from the terrifying shootout, the plane journey and Angad's lovemaking, Kripa was in deep slumber, unaware of the earth-shaking discovery that had just taken place. Unaware of her identity, the identity of her parent, she slept peacefully.

The next day was full of activity as Kripa got acquainted to the house and its inmates. Apart from Kalyani Aunty, there was the Nurse, a housekeeper named Mariam, a cook and half a dozen servants. All the servants worked in the house from morning till evening, then retired to Servant's Quarters in the compound for the night. Kalyani Aunty and Mariam served meals to everybody. Kripa also offered to help them cook lunch but Kalyani declined: Beti, tum jaakar Prateek ko sambhalo, usney tumhey bahut miss kiya. Uskey saath kuchh waqt bitaao"

Prateek was now his normal self again, playing by himself with his toys, video games and action figures. Still, he jumped up and ran to Kripa when she went into the room: MAMMAA….aao na merey saath khelo"

She plopped down on the floor and played Batman, He-Man and Transformers with him……but soon she lost interest in the boyish game.

Suddenly she looked up….Angad was standing there, looking down whimsically at Prateek. She didn't even notice when he came in….she hadnt seen him since morning as she got up late . He must have gone out somewhere because he was dressed in dark jeans, formal shirt and dark glasses. He removed his sunglasses and smiled slowly at her, melting her insides with that heated look! She blushed and lowered her eyes, feeling like a new bride again: Angad?…..main abhi tumharey liye naashta lekar aati hoon!

She jumped up from the floor and tried to leave….he grabbed her wrist in his strong grip….she turned slowly towards him, smiling shyly: Kya hua?

He grinned at her: I ate already! Tum dono Kumbhkarn jab so rahey the, mainey naashta kar liya aur shopping bhi karkey aa gaya"

That piqued Mall-rat Prateek's interest at once: Uncle, aap Mall gaye the? Mujhey bhi jaana hai! I want to go to the Mall !

Angad smiled beguilingly at him: Zaroor betey, hum Kal jayengey….aaj toh possible nahin (he lied)….aaaj hamari Car wapas chali gayi…..Tomorrow we will go, I promise, Okay?

Okay…..Prateek smiled and turned his attention back to his action figures.

AREY WAAH! Tum BATMAN se khel rahey ho? Yeh toh mera favorite hai…..kya main tumharey saath khel sakta hoon? Angad exclaimed loudly and expressed his admiration of his Batman collection…..Batman, Batmobile and other paraphernelia.

Prateek looked up at him consideringly: Okay, aap khel saktey ho….Lekin, I get to be Batman!

Sure thing ! Kya main He-Man ban sakta hoon ?

Okay, Uncle….you are He-Man….Im Batman….COME ON, LETS FIGHT THE EVIL TRANSFORMERS!

Prateek was all excited as he made revving noises and played the Batmobile against the Evil Transformer. Angad sat down on the floor and joined him in the game, making firing noises as he played the He-Man figure in a joint attack against the Transformer.

Kripa crept away to a distance and watched them with delight. She could feel Angad was trying to worm his way into Prateek's affections. Her heart warmed up with a gooey feeling at the sight of father and son bonding slowly.

But Angad had more tricks up his sleeve. Some time later, he asked Prateek: Achha Beta, ab batao, main Mall se tumharey liye kya laya hoon?

KYAAA ? Prateek's eyes brightened up excitedly.
Angad fished out a packet from outside the door and handed it to Prateek….he opened it! It was a Batman costume! Prateek jumped up and whooped with joy!
MAMAA…..SEEEEE….BATMAN COSTUME! MUJHEY ABHI PEHNA DO….PLEAASEE!

Kripa hurried to him and helped him put on the costume. Prateek was in seventh heaven, prancing in front of the mirror, admiring himself as Batman.
He pulled on the Mask and deepened his voice, saying: "Atomic batteries to power" "Roger, ready to move out" …then he pretended to climb into an imaginary Batmobile and zoomed all over the room, knocking down toys in his way.

Kripa and Angad both laughed at his cute antics and all had a good time.

************************ ************************

At Lunch, Godfather couldn't help staring at Kripa and Prateek. His gaze constantly returned to Kripa repeatedly till she felt uncomfortable. As it is, she didn't like staying at his house. He was an Underworld Don….she didn't trust him…..to top that he was Angad's Boss and responsible for the death warrant on his head. She didn't feel too kindly towards him!

Ek toh dhokey se Angad se apna khatarnaak kaam karvaata raha, uspar ussey wafadari ki ummeed rakhta hai! Yeh sabkey saath aisa hi karta hai...pehley unpar ehsaan karta hai phir unsey apney kaam karvaa leta hai! Agar Angad ko khatra nahin hota toh hum kal hi yeh ghar chhodkar chaley jaatey. Lekin ab yeh Angad ka ghar hai isliye mera ghar bhi maanna padega. Lekin yeh Godfather mujhey iss tarah se dekh kyun raha hai? Pata nahin iskey mann mein kya hai?

Godfather saw Kripa glaring at him and smiled slightly: Kripa, Beti (he was thrilled just to address her that way)….Beti, mainey Hongkong se tumharey kuchh samaan mangvaa liye hain….tumhara aur Prateek ka (he grinned affectionately at the boy sitting by his Mama, eating demurely from his plate). Do-teen din mein pahunch jayengey….tum dono ke kuchh kapdey aur bachchey ke kuchh khiloney!

Prateek's eyes brightened at once: Kya Papa bhi aa rahey hain? Hongkong se?

Godfather's eyes shuttered sadly: Nahin Betey…..Papa abhi nahin aa rahey….Tumhari Mummy ne bataya hai na Papa do mahiney baad aayengey?

Ohh….he looked crestfallen, then thought about his old toys arriving: Dadu…....Kya aap merey Dadu ho?

Nahin Betey….tum mujhey Nanu kehkar bulao…Main tumhara Nana hoon! Godfather smiled at the little boy who looked so much like his father.

Kripa looked hostile, muttering to herself…… Nanu my Foot! I don't want any relation with this Criminal….this Don!

Angad watched the play of emotions on Kripa's face and worried about the future. He felt Godfather was making a bigger mistake by not telling Kripa about their relationship….but it was HIS call. Angad didn't have much say in that matter!

It was hard enough trying to win his son's affections as it is! He had done some major shopping that morning to help him in his endeavours.

After Lunch, Kripa took Prateek to bed for a nap….whilst Angad, Kartik and Godfather closeted themselves in the Study for some important discussions regarding Security measures for the two new family members.

Later in the afternoon, Angad took Kripa and Prateek for a stroll around the vast landscaped gardens surrounding the Villa. Kripa admired the lush green artificial lawn, the short stubby trees, manicured bushes and flower beds, maintained so beautifully even in the desert aridity. Angad showed her the servants Quarters about 200 yards north of the Villa, two outhouses where the Security guys lived. There were half a dozen cottages amongst which two were allotted to Javed and Raghu, Godfather's Explosives experts.

It was like a Citadel, a self-contained complex….delivery trucks brought in food and other supplies thrice a week…and of course the inmates went out to Dubai for shopping needs and purchases.
From the garden and from most windows and terraces of the Villa, one could see the vast expanse of light blue sea….sparkling under the midday sun! Kripa admired the views as she walked holding hands with Prateek. Angad smuggled his hand into Kripa's from the other side, unnoticed by the boy. She glanced quickly at him and squeezed his hand lovingly. They stared at each other with longing, wishing they could kiss and cuddle amidst such natural beauty. Both were reminded about their days of fresh young love in Goa.

When Prateek was distracted by some colorful butterflies , Angad quickly bent and kissed her, his hand sneaking around her waist.

Prateek ran to Kripa: Mamaa. Dekho kitney saarey titliyan!

Angad sprang apart, grinning mischievously at Kripa: Ek titli haath mein aakar bhi nikal jaati hai"

She giggled softly : Tumharey jaal mein zaroor chhed hai…..marammat kar lena, phir pakadna"

Uncle, aapkey paas Jaal hai? Mujhey bhi titliyan pakadni hai…..Prateek demanded.

Filhaal toh Jaal nahin hai….lekin ussey bhi achhi cheez hai"

KYAAA? The boy jumped up.
Soccer Ball! Tumhey Soccer khelna aata hai?

Nahin toh…..mujhey Papa ne Cricket sikhaya hai….jab Papa aayengey toh main unkey saath Cricket kheloonga"

Zaroor! Papa ke saath Cricket hi khelna…..filhaal merey saath Soccer khelo? Kya khayal hai? Angad looked hopefully expectant at the little boy.

Prateek thought about it for a while, then nodded: Okay, Uncle! Main aapkey Saath Soccer kheloonga!
Angad brought out the Soccer Ball he had bought that morning….and proceeded to teach his son the game. They had a rip-roaring time in the Garden….running, kicking, tackling. Angad's long legs and Prateek's short ones competed to take possession of the ball…..the goals were two bushes at both ends.

Kripa sat in the shade of a small tree and watched them play, grinning, laughing and cheering them on!

She knew Angad didn't want to replace Josh in Prateek's life….he wanted to make a new place for himself. If Sunny played Cricket with his Papa, he would play Soccer with Dad.

-------------------------------------------------------

pallavi

PART 58

Rishi Aggarwal, aka Rishabh Bajaj, aka Godfather continued with his narration while Kripa and Angad listened with wrapt attention.

*********************************

The weather was quite chilly in Mussorie in early February. Remnants of the last snowfall lay scattered in patches. A hardcore Mumbai-ite like Rishi was frozen to the bones. The very first morning, he went out and bought himself a parka, gloves and hat to cope with the cold.

After a whole day at the Hotelier's Conference, attending seminars, workshops and product shows, Rishi skipped the evening program and went out for a whiff of fresh air. He wanted to catch the sunset from Sunset Point at Camel's Back Road.
As he trudged up the steep slope to the Mall area, huffing and puffing smoke, a light freezing rain started falling. He hurried forward, eager to reach the Mall and take shelter from the rain. Suddenly, he spotted a young woman, struggling to open an umbrella in the middle of the path. She had a heavy satchel in one hand, a handbag hanging from her other arm, hence fighting to open the accessory which was stuck (in those days, there were no automatic umbrellas)

Always ready to help a damsel in distress, Rishi sprinted to her side and inclined his head : Kya main aapki madad kar sakta hoon? he asked in his deep voice.

The girl looked up…..she had big, beautiful brown eyes….her thick, long eyelashes were wet from the rain…. So were her full lips, her face and the rest of her. She looked startled, he smiled affably and offered again: Chhatri deejiye, main khol deta hoon.

With a hesitant smile, she handed over the umbrella to him. Rishi fixed the snag in the cloth part and snapped it open: Yeh leejiye….he handed it over to her.

She smiled widely at him: Thank You! He observed she had a lovely smile, her lips curving up in a Cupid's bow. He stopped staring and grinned: You are welcome!

She looked doubtfully at her umbrella and at him, wondering if she should offer to share it with him since he didn't have any. He read her expressive eyes and smilingly pointed to his parka and hat : Don't worry about me! Im prepared! Mumbai se aaya hoon na….aadat nahin hai" ….she nodded and smiled.

The girl managed to gather her belongings and started walking towards the mall area. He walked beside her….she didn't seem to mind. She was wearing a salwar kameez with a thick camel colored coat. But she didn't have a hat or gloves. She must be a local….her satchel was full of notebooks…..he peeped quickly….she was probably a school-teacher, he surmised silently.

They walked briskly, reaching the mall within a few minutes. They hurried to the front of a large store where several people were gathered, sheltering from the freezing rain. They stood side by side on the covered porch in front of the antique shop. Rishi gazed at her…she was quite tall, statuesque and graceful with long hair tied in a simple bun. A few, wet tendrils were hanging loose, adding a charming effect. She was aware of his gaze on her and looked up at him self-consciously.

He gave her his most charming smile: Agar aap bura nahin maaney toh ek baat kahoon?

Haan, kahiye…..she said in a sweet, melodious voice.

Wahan saamney chai ki dukaan se garam chai ki khushboo aa rahi hai…..kyun na hum wahan jaakar thodi chai pee lein….sardi bhi kam lagegi, aur raahat bhi milegi"
He pointed to the restaurant on the opposite pavement.

The girl looked consideringly at the Eatery, then back at his eyes. Even though he was a complete stranger, she trusted him somehow….his eyes were decent, admiring her but in an honorable manner.

Theek hai, chaliye…..this time she handed the umbrella to him for opening….he obliged at once …they ran to the Restaurant across the mall road.

Rushing inside, the girl smiled at the man at the counter: Kailash Chacha, do napkins bhej deejiye aur do pyali chai"

Arey Anu bitiya, kaisi ho? Bahut din nahin aaye yahan? Sab khairiyat toh hai na? The middle-aged restaurant owner greeted her cheerfully.

Haan Chacha, main achhi hoon…Sorry, aajkal kaam ki vajeh se time nahin milta….aasha hai aap sab theek hain.

After exchanging pleasantries, she led Rishi to a table in the corner, sitting down with a sigh: Thanks! Aapka suggestion bahut achha tha….yahan andar kaafi rahat mil rahi hai….aap chai ke saath aur kuchh lengey? She asked him with a smile.

He sat down with a grin: Lagta hai aapko yahan sab pehchantey hain?

Haan, she gave her lovely smile again: Main yahin pali badi huyi hoon…..poora sheher mujhey jaanta hai"

The waiter brought two cups of tea and two clean, cloth napkins. Anu handed one to Rishi, indicating he could wipe his wet hair, face and hands with it: Paani ponchh leejiye. She took hers and wiped her face and hands….then she took out some notebooks from her satchel and started wiping them. The ones on top had got wet when she was struggling to open her umbrella.

Laaiiye, main aapki madad karta hoon! Rishi took some of them and wiped the water off the covers and front pages. A few of the writings were smudged. Anu spread them out on an empty table nearby to make them dry out.

Rishi watched her constantly….there was something quite fascinating about her…..she was simple, yet beautiful. He asked: Aap school teacher hain?

She grinned: Haan, aap notebooks dekhkar samajh hi gaye hongay! Main Modern School mein padhati hoon.

They sipped the steaming hot tea with sighs of satisfaction. "This is good!" Rishi relished the masala tea. "Yahan aur kya kya achha milta hai? " He glanced back at the menu near the front desk.

Yahan ke samosey achhey hain….aur kachori bhi….aap lengey?
Sure! Why not? Jab aap recommend kar rahi hain…

Anu called the waiter and ordered samosas and kachoris. They enjoyed hot tea with snacks and gradually started chatting. Rishi started telling her about himself, hoping she would open up about herself if he did so. He told her he had come from Mumbai to attend the Hotelier's Conference, that he worked as Assistant Manager at a 3 Star Hotel in Mumbai. She opened up too….she told him her name was Anuradha Sharma. She taught English, History and Music at the Mussorie Modern School.

She lived just north of Mall Road and was returning home when she got caught in the rain: I hope bachchon ki notebooks theek se sookh jayengey…..she looked worried.

Aapkey gharwaley apka intezaar kar rahey hongey…..Rishi asked indirectly to know if she was married or had any family living with her.

Jee nahin….her eyes had a shuttered look: Main akeli rehti hoon…

Rishi was surprised…..she looked down sadly: Merey Maa aur Pitajee dono ab iss duniya mein nahin hain….dono guzar gaye. Merey Dad Army Officer the…..Bangladesh War mein shaheed ho gaye….meri Maa bhi 3 saal pehley guzar gayi….tab se main akeli rehti hoon.

Ohhh, sorry to hear that! Rishi felt really bad for the young woman who was all alone in the world….she was around 20-21, too young to be an orphan.

Anuradha put on a brave smile: Waisey main akeli nahin hoon, iss sheher mein sab mujhey jaantey hain, pyaar kartey hain. Waisey dekha jaye toh main poorey sheher ki beti hoon….sab mera bahut khayal rakhtey hain.

She told Rishi that her next door neighbours Colonel and Mrs. Kapoor took care of her like their own child: Uncle aur Auntie meri bahut dekhbhaal kartey hain….abhi ghar lautoongi toh Aunty merey liye dinner lekar aa jayegi….they are very kind to me"

Im glad to hear that! Rishi smiled happily. Waisey aap music teacher hain….toh iska matlab aap achcha gaati bhi hain?

Jee….mainey music ki training lee thi….bachpan se hi gaa rahi hoon"
That's great! I love music" Rishi enthused loudly.

Toh kya aap bhi gaatey hain? Anu asked curiously.

Oh No No….mainey gaana gaya toh sheher ke sab gadhey yahan ikatthey ho jayengey. I cant carry a single tune" Rishi laughed out loud.

Anu giggled, hiding her mouth: Aisa mat kahiye…..Im sure training milney per aap bhi gaa sakengey"

Rishi suddenly gave her an amorous look : Agar AAP training dengi, toh Im sure main bhi gaana seekh jaaoonga!

Anu blushed and looked flustered: Mujhey ab chalna chahiye….andhera ho raha hai"

She called the waiter for the bill. Arey, aap kyun de rahi hain….I will settle the bill" Rishi tried to take it from her.

She shook her head: Jee nahin! Aap iss sheher mein mehmaan hain….hamarey mehmaan hain. I cant allow you to pay" she smiled with a determined look at him.

He was floored! Not only was she pretty, she had a strong personality too!

Thanks for the treat! He grinned…..agli baar main pay karoonga. Mera udhar raha"

Agli baar? She asked with an arched eyebrow…..and laughed softly. "Yeh agli baar ki baat kahan se aayi? It was nice to meet you! Goodnight! " She cast a meaningful look at him and left the restaurant, leaving him staring after her with a mesmerized gaze.

He was fascinated ! He stepped out of the restaurant, watching her walk up the road leading from the mall. It was almost dark, the rain had stopped. He realized suddenly that he had missed the sunset….he grinned to himself: Koi baat nahin! I saw something more beautiful than the sunset. Anu…Anuradha….main vaada karta hoon agli baar phir hum milengey….phir mulaqat hogi, baatein hongi….phir hum ek saath chai peeyengey…dinner bhi karengey"

That night, Rishi lay in his Hotel bed, tossing and turning, with a silly grin on his face. A wet, charming face repeatedly flashed in front of his eyes…..large, expressive, brown eyes, long wet lashes with raindrops hanging from them like teardrops, wet curved lips, a lovely smile….this song played in his head:

Ek ladki bhigi bhagi si
Soti raaton mein jaagi si
Mili ik ajnabi se
Koyi aage na peechhe
Tum hi kaho ye koyi baat ….hmmmm

(Dil hi dil mein chali jaati hain
Bighdi bighdi chali aati hain) -2
Doondh laut ti huwi balka ti huwi
Saawan ke suni raaton mein
Mili ik ajnabi se
Koyi aage na peechhe
Tum hi kaho ye koyi baat hai
Hmm
Ek ladki bhigi bhagi si..

(Daagmag daagmag lehki lehki
Bhooli badh ki behki behki) -2
Machli machli gharse nikhli
Paghli si kali raaton mein
Mili ik ajnabi se
Koyi aage na peechhe
Tum hi kaho ye koyi baat hai, hmm
Ek ladki bhigi bhagi si..

(Tan bheega hai sar geela hai
Us kaa koyi pech bhi dheela hai) -2
Tan ti jhukti chalti rukti
Nikli andheri raaton mein
Mili ik ajnabi se
Koyi aage na peechhe
Tum hi kaho ye koyi baat hai, hmm
Ek ladki bheegi bhagi si……

Rishi was sure he had found that special somebody for whom he had been waiting…..for whom he had rejected all marriage proposals his Dad had suggested. He wasn't going to let go of her so easily.

Meanwhile, Anuradha reached her parents' little bungalow in the Hills, where Kapoor Auntie was waiting for her, worried about her lateness…Anu explained she had taken shelter from the rain. She had dinner, checked her students' homework and retired to bed after Auntie left.

But sleep didn't come easily to her either….she tossed in her bed, thinking about the tall, handsome young man who had helped her, befriended her that evening. Wo ajnabee hai, phir bhi lagta hai bahut dinon se usey jaanti hoon….aisa kyun hai? Khair, wo pardesi hai….Mumbai se aaya hai, conference khatam hotay hi wapas chala jayega…..mujhey uskey baarey mein itna nahin sochna chahiye" she shook off her wayward thoughts about the handsome stranger and fell asleep.

Rishi woke up very early next morning, and after breakfast, briskly walked downhill to Modern School ….the Conference wouldn't start till 10 AM so he still had time on his hands. He loitered outside the school, then asked the gateman if classes had started.

The gateman informed him classes started at 8 am….Rishi told him he wanted to meet a teacher by the name of Anuradha Sharma. The gatemen directed him to the Principal's Office, but instead of going there, Rishi quickly sneaked down towards the classes.

Suddenly, he heard a sweet, melodious voice singing a hymn …..the sound was coming from the School Auditorium. He hurried there, his heart pounding with excitement…..it was definitely Anu's voice. He peeped in surreptitiously…..Anu was leading the School Assembly choir, with this song:

Aye maalik terey bandey hum
aisey ho humaarey karam
nekee par chale, aur badee se taley,
taakee hansate huye nikale dam

ye andheraa ghanaa chhaa rahaa,
teraa insaan ghabaraa rahaa
ho rahaa bekhabar, kuchh naa aataa najar,
sukh kaa sooraj chhupaa jaa rahaa
hai teree roshanee mein jo dam
to amaawas ko kar de poonam
neki per chaley aur badee se taley
taaki hanstey huey niklay dum.

badaa kamzor hain aadamee,
abhee laakhon hain is mein kamee
par too jo khadaa, hain dayaaloo badaa,
teree kirpaa se dharatee thamee
diyaa toone humei jab janam
too hee jhelegaa hum sab ke gam
nekee per chaley aur badee se taley
takee hanstey huey niklay dum!


He was thrilled, amazed at the sweetness of her voice, the sincerity of her tone as she sang the hymn . He waited till the Prayer Assembly was over, then he hid behind a pillar as the students piled out. When she emerged, he quickly went up to her : Good Morning, Ms. Sharma!

Aap yahan? Anuradha was stunned! She didn't know whether to be pleased or scared about her new stalker. Although he didn't seem dishonorable, she was quite embarassed at his bold approach.

Rishi stumbled on: Im sorry, main yahan aapko disturb karney aa gaya….but I really wanted to ask you if you can join me for dinner tonight at the Residency?

She was surprised, remained silent for a few moments, then nodded slowly: Theek hai….main aapko shaam tak bata doongi"

He chuckled in his mind, she hadnt agreed, neither had she refused. This was how he had expected her to react. She liked him, he could tell that..... but she was hesitant to commit or surrender so easily.
He smiled : Okay, I will wait for your answer. School kitney bajey chhutti hoti hai?

Paanch bajey. ….she looked shyly at him as other teachers passed them, staring curiously.

Alright, main paanch bajey aa jaaoonga aapsey milney. Aapka jawab poochhney….

Rishi was there at the dot of five after attending his seminars . She told him she needed to change into good clothes for dinner. He carried her books and accompanied her to the bungalow-style house left by her parents. She changed into a black and red nylon sari with a black coat. They hitched a ride on a Mussorie special hand-pulled rickshaw to the Residency. Rishi took her to dinner and they had a really pleasant time, getting to know each other better, glancing into each other's eyes, feeling the attraction, the liking, the thrill!

After that, they met every evening for dinner, sometimes Anu treated him at a local eatery, other nights Rishi treated her at a fancy Restaurant. Whatever they did, wherever they went, they enjoyed each other's company immensely and thought about each other throughout the day when they werent together .

His Hotel Convention lasted 4 days, by then they had become very close. The 5th day was a Sunday, Anu's school was closed, Rishi's convention was over, he was leaving the next day. He asked Anu to show him around the local tourist spots. She agreed happily, acting as his tour guide, taking him to the local attractions: Gun Hill, Kempty Falls, where they had a picnic lunch by the waterfalls.

After a wonderful day in the Hills, he asked her out to dinner and dance at the Residency. Rishi was dashing in a dark suit, she looked gorgeous in a blue georgette sari with turquoise jewelry. He asked her to dance with him…..as soon as she placed her hand in his, their heartbeats quickened. They danced to slow waltzes, silently thinking that this was it! The next day, he would leave for Mumbai! Both realized they belonged together and wanted to spend the rest of their lives together.

After dinner, Rishi popped the question: Will you marry me? She said she would think about it and let him know the next day. It was a really big decision for Anuradha….by marrying him, she would be leaving all that was familiar to her....... she would have to leave her birthplace, her childhood home, her school job, and go to Mumbai to start a new life with Rishi.

The next evening, when his flight was leaving, she saw him off at the airport….and that's when she agreed to the marriage. He was delighted! He wanted to kiss her goodbye but couldn't do so in front of others. He just kissed her slim, long fingers, gazing into her beautiful eyes and thanked her for making him the happiest man on earth. Anu blushed and smiled: Pyaar mein Thanks kaisa?

Rishi returned to Mumbai with a joyful heart, full of hope for the future, dreaming of a beautiful married life with his beloved Anuradha. He told his father at once about Anu….his father was overjoyed! Finally his son had agreed to marry….and their household would get the long-awaited Bahu.

Rishi informed Mr.Ali soon, asking him for a 5 days' leave for his wedding in Mussorie. Anu wanted to get married in her hometown, with her friends attending.

Mr. Ali was delighted: Yeh toh bahut hi khushi ki baat hai! Rishi, tum zaroor jaao…..5 din kyun? Tum dus din ki chhutti le lo…..you deserve it! Mubarak ho Beta! he hugged his young employee, thumping his back.

Mr. Ali had grown quite fond of Rishi too…..treating him equally as his nephew Zaib. He knew the two young men were very close, like brothers.

Rishi called Zaib and gave him the good news. Zaib was very excited: WHATTTT? Tu shadi kar raha hai? Tu toh bada chhupa rustam nikla! Paanch din mein pyaar bhi ho gaya aur ab shadi? You are a fast worker, Man! But afsos, yaar., main nahin aa sakoonga….abhi abhi semester shuru hua hai….I cant miss the course! Khair, koi baat nahin…..7 mahiney baad India jaaoonga toh saara kasar poora kar loonga! Tab tak mera course bhi khatam ho jayega…tab terey liye party doonga .Tujhey aur Bhabhi ko shadi bahut bahut mubarak ho. Khush rehna, Yaar!

Rishi and his father left for Mussorie in early March. Anu had already made most of the wedding arrangements with the help of Kapoor Uncle and Auntie and half the town was attending. It was a grand affair at the little bungalow belonging to Anu's parents…..big shamiyanas were put up in front of the bungalow. Two hundred guests attended.....retired army officers, school colleagues, Anu's classmates, some relatives of her parents !

Somesh Aggarwal was very pleased to meet his bahu: Maan gaye, Beta, Tumhari pasand ko! Jaisi sundar, waisi susheel bahu hai. Hum bahut bhagyawaan hain!
Anu touched her future Sasurjee's feet and took his blessings.

They exchanged rings at a small sagai ceremony on the 2nd day, followed by Sangeet and Mehendi the next day. On the 4th day, the wedding took place, they exchanged garlands, Rishi put his mangalsutra on Anu's neck in a simple wedding ceremony. Anu became Mrs. Anuradha Aggarwal.

After a glorious suhaag raat, when they discovered each other's passionate side, they left for 3 days' honeymoon the next day…..to Cloud's End nearby, a popular spot for honeymooners.

Somesh Aggarwal returned to Mumbai with his son and Bahu after nine days in the Mussorie Hills. Anu entered her new household and took over responsibilities from the termagent Shanta Bai. Life was perfect and blissful for the newly married couple!

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pallavi