This part got darker than I first imagined it to be. But it was needed to set the past and pave the way for the future. I am not sure how many of you will like it. I have tried my best to not make it too lengthy. Let me know your comments or criticisms.
Janhvi Kapoor
"Remember the dead girl under the bridge?
My blood freezes as Tej leaves me with that threat. The girl under the bridge... The dead girl, raped and mutilated. Oh my God. My Gauri cannot have the same fate. I frantically try to get up. I need to stop him now. I need to stop him somehow.
I hear him laugh.
"You want to kill me, don't you?
He holds my wrists and hauls me towards him. I find myself staring into his cruel, malevolent eyes.
"You don't know how satisfying it is to see you this way. When I finish with you and all you care for, you will be begging me to kill you. I have waited so many years for this. You don't know just how very satisfying it is.
I wither under his hateful eyes.
"Why Tej? What did I ever do to you?
His face contorts with so much hate. He leaves the room leaving me to my regret, pain, tears and fear.
~~~~~~~~~~~
"Why Tej? What did I ever do to you?
I frantically gather up the photographs still scattered around the room. My daughter, Gauri. She looks so pretty. I last saw her on the day I gave birth. She was such a small mite and I did not even hold her properly for more than a few minutes. I cry for the lost years and my cruel fate. Even after all these years, I cannot escape this cursed life.
She has her father's eyes and my unruly hair. I smile inspite of my pain. I think about the past, Gauri, Sumit and the broken promise of a happily ever after. My past comes to me in flashes as I continue staring at my present in those photographs.
Five years and three miscarriages later, marriage to Tej has become a living hell. He blames me for the miscarriages. Worse, punishes me for them, emotionally and physically hurting me, draining me. I see no way out. I have given up. Then Sumit comes into my life.
He understands me. Gives me kindness and love. The parched women that I am, I fall in love with him, damn the consequences. I fall pregnant, again, only this time, it is with Sumit's child. He is truly happy. I beg him to take me away, away from Tej, away from this city. We decide to run away. We decide to start afresh. But fate, mine especially is cursed.
One-minute Sumit is here and the next, he is gone, dead by a speeding truck. Just like that, my world collapses. I fear Tej and his anger. I fear his retribution. I fear for the child that grows in me. I fear this society that will judge me. I fear being ostracized. So I take the only way out.
I hide my affair from Tej. I let him believe that the child is his. For seven months, I successfully manage. I know it is wrong. But I think of this world and what it would be to be a pregnant women without a husband. I hold my silence.
Gauri is born on a beautiful Friday.
When Tej walks into the labor room, there is something eerily different about him. He looks angry, almost maniacal. I am frightened of him.
"Tej, our daughter.
His face changes then and his eyes fill with pure hate.
"My daughter? My daughter?
I know then. He knows. He knows of my betrayal, my affair. I remember Tej's hand on my face and his mouth hurling abuses. I pass out thankfully at some point.
Later I come to know that Tej had flown into a rage and had hit me, over and over until I fell unconscious. The doctors, nurses and security had to pull him off of me. The police had been informed.
When I am awake, with a broken arm, swollen face and twenty stitches, I am told that Tej would like to apologize. I ask for my child. I am met with silence. They leave him alone with me. I can see their judgement and I shrink, ashamed, embarrassed.
"Your bas**rd child is alive.
That is the first thing he tells me. There is a calculative man standing in front of me, a man filled with hate. I shudder, and it is not even cold.
"She will stay alive Jahnvi, but it depends on you.
He offers me a deal. I withdraw the domestic abuse case against him and publicly maintain our relationship. He will let my child live if I go by his rules, if I stay and do his bidding. I agree. I have no other choice. For more than twenty years, I have kept my promise. I lived with a monster day in and day out as he takes his revenge with no end in sight.
Finally, a year and a half ago, all that changed. I met Pinky. And now, I may have put Gauri's life in danger.
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Tej Kapoor
"Why Tej? What did I ever do to you?
She has the nerve. She has the nerve to ask me that. What did she do? WHAT did she do?
I will never forget the day I found out, the day I was supposed to hold my child, my child in my hand. I had waited so long for this moment... Three previous times, there had been hope but she managed to be careless and kills my children, When she finally does give birth, it is to that bas***d's child.
Everything she told me is a lie. Every single day of those past few months is a lie.
I won't ever forget that day. I go through our cupboard to get the baby blanket I bought from Germany for my child. I am so excited. I will finally be a father. Then out falls the love letters, letters that prove what my wife has been doing, letters and reports that show I have been a fool all along. Do you know what it feels like to have your world collapse? Mine did that day.
I will neither forget nor forgive. When I go to the hospital, dazed, looking for answers, she shows me that... that... and she calls it my daughter. My daughter. I lose it then.
All I remember is a blind rage. I have never been a patient, forgiving man. Jahnvi has tried my patience so many times before but this time, there is no forgiveness for what she has done. I am dragged to the police station in front of my servants, inferiors like a common criminal for doing what any self-respecting man will do. I won't forget the days of humiliation and embarrassment, days when I saw those who trembled seeing me, laugh at me behind my back, talk about me in whispers, whisper that I am not man enough.
It is all as fresh as if it happened yesterday. I remember the up and coming inspector Shakti Oberoi question me. I remember his derision and his mocking tone... I remember how powerless and humiliated he made me feel.
Then I remember who the root cause of all my suffering and humiliation is. Jahnvi. Jahnvi and that trash she calls her child. I decide to make her pay. It is easy enough. I take that child and discard it, like she discarded me. Then I make a deal with the bitch. I make a deal to make her pay.
Twenty-three years... For twenty-three years I have worked to gain my respect and power. Jahnvi took away the one thing that was most dear to me. I swore to take away the things that she held dear in exchange, until we are even. I have taken away her joy, her respect, her everything and yet I am not satisfied. I have grown powerful. I hold the lives of many in my hands. I am filthy rich but yet there is no satisfaction. I want more.
Then suddenly, it feels like Deja vu. Shakti and his brood is back in town. Jahnvi is making plans behind my back. I find out, too late that the girl's identity is known. I did not kill her when she was born as Shakti was breathing down my neck and I could not afford to have a dead child in my hands. It turns out to be a bad move.
Now my entire empire, the respect I have earned is all being threatened. This time, I will not let Jahnvi and that two-penny worth Oberoi take everything away from me like before. I will crush both like I crush all those standing in my path. I will make them pay. No one, NO ONE will be able to bring me down.
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Annika Shivaay Singh Oberoi
"Gauri, get those bags, will you? Did you remember the stoles we bought?
Gauri nods at me and I take the rest of our shopping. Both our hands full, we walk leisurely to the car outside the mall.
"This is good, isn't it?
Gauri nods happily checking something within one of the bags. Through the corner of my eye, I see the same man.
Did I not see him before at the restaurant?
"Di, I think that is all. Let's go.
I smile distractedly at Gauri before following her to the car.
~~~~~~~~
"Shivaay, someone was following us today.
I tell him without preamble.
"Followed you? One of your exes?
I smack him because I am trying to be serious.
"Hey...
"I am serious Shivaay. I know we were followed. I saw the same man like at every place we went today and let me tell you, we went to a lot of places. I can understand it being a coincidence if it was a couple of places but... this was different. I know what I saw.
I am irritated and worried at the same time. I know Shivaay wasn't with me but I wanted him to take me seriously. I am not making this up.
"Do you think he was a reporter?
I think about it and tell him no. I try to think back and remember what the man looked like. I could not get a good look at his face, but his attitude, his posture... He looked like...
"He looked like one of your guys. Why would one of your guys follow us?
I am puzzled. Shivaay looks at me in surprise.
"You sure?
I nod. I am very sure now that I have time to think again. He was surely plain clothes man, someone from the police force who was in plain clothes. He seems worried but then he tries to act all fine.
"If you see him again, call me. Immediately. He adds as an afterthought.
I nod planning to do just that.
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Rudra Singh Oberoi
"How long do we have to walk Om. I am tired. Why cannot the constables work these places to find the girl?
"You don't get their confidence by letting them be pushed around by others, Mr. Fancy pants Oberoi. By the way, I did not ask you to come with me. You said you wanted to learn the ropes.
I roll my eyes, cursing my decision to tag along with Om during my day off to get some real time cop experience. I should have known. It is just like my elder brother to not bother interviewing the movie star and go around searching of a prostitute.
"There is nothing to be gained interviewing that man Rudy. He will be out on bail by afternoon. We cannot prove that the photos were not morphed, not unless we find the girl and she gives her statement.
"But Om, you should simply work your magic. Go in there and show him your power. Intimidate him. Get his confession.
Om grins. "You have seen a lot of movies in your free time, haven't you? Didn't they tell you during training police work is not as simple as that. It is a lot of leg work bro.
With that we take off. We have been going door to door in the nearby area well known for nefarious activities for five hours now. No luck.
The place is dingy and smelly. Human and animal waste is strewn all over. I hold my breath as we go around, searching for the elusive lady. Suddenly, a small kid of three years runs to us, sucking her thumb. If she had been clean, she would have looked pretty. She has big eyes and dark hair. Bones protrude from her collar bone showing that she usually does not get much to eat. I watch with pity as she comes near us. She smiles at us and while I give her a tentative smile, worried she might just start bawling. Omkara effortlessly and without hesition picks her up and smiles.
"How are you baby? He coos and is rewarded with a toothy grin. The little girl tugs at his shirt and points to some distance. We understand that she wants to go in that direction. Omkara looks at me and then signs that we should get her home.
We knock on the door and a woman opens that door calling out to her Angel. The little girl wiggles restlessly in Om's hands and then manages to jump down. She goes and hugs the women and looks up at us, still smiling.
"Thank you, Saab.
I stare at her. She is of medium height, not more than eighteen. She wears a worn out but clean saree. Something is cooking in the stove behind her.
"Good evening. We are looking for this girl. I show her the photograph.
She slams the door on our face.
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Omkara Singh Oberoi
It is getting dark and our search has been futile. I have also come up blank with my other contacts. He keeps complaining that there is no respect these days. I am tired and a little worried. She is late.
"Slamming the door on our faces. Rudy mutters, I tell Rudy that he needs to get used to it.
"People here don't trust a man in the uniform Rudy. We haven't given the much to base the trust on.
Rudy is not convinced.
"For every crime that happens in this area, one of them gets blamed, irrespective of whether there is evidence or not. We arrest them, get a confession through means that may not stand in court except for the fact that these guys are so poor that they cannot afford a decent council. So, don't be surprised if they are not so welcoming. I explain as patiently as I can. Then I hear it.
"Saab...
She whispers from the shadows. It makes Rudy jump. I turn around and am not surprised to see her standing in the dark corner. Rudy gets up with a start, but I hold him by his wrists, signaling him not to startle her. Her life would become miserable, more than it actually is, if anyone finds out that she is an informer.
"We are alone Dolly.
She seems assured but still does not come out of the shadows. I let her be.
"Saab, the girl you are looking for... you won't find her here. She is gone. She won't be back.
I turn around and peer into the shadows wanting to ask her my questions.
"I cannot say anymore saab. I need to go.
"Dolly, wait...
She stops and then turns around. She looks all around fearfully.
"Please saab. Listen to me. For your own good, drop this case. You won't get anywhere with it. I have to go now for sure.
Then she is gone.
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Gauri Sharma
He looks so tired and so vulnerable. I walk into the kitchen and see him leaning with his forehead against the shelf. He seems to be lost in thoughts. His shoulders drooping.
"Om.
He jumps and then turns around.
"Huh.. I was here for a glass of milk. I couldn't sleep. Is Shivaay back?
I tell him no. Bhaiyya has gone to office in the evening and his not yet home. I see the dark circles under Om's eyes, the worry lines on his forehead and I know that something is troubling him. Something that makes it difficult for him to sleep. This is not the first time I have found him, sleepless, wandering in the nights around the house. Since I have been here, this is the fifth time I have seen him this way. I am worried.
I stand next to him as he places the milk on the stove to be heated. "Om, you can tell me. I whisper softly. I feel him stiffen immediately.
"It is nothing.
His face goes blank. I sigh and then decide that this cannot go on. I make him turn towards me, pulling at his hand and he faces me, his eyes weary, not ready for any of this.
"Don't shut me out Omkara. Talk to me. Please.
The last sentence is a plea. His eyes widen and then fill with guilt.
"Gauri... His answer is also a plea, a please to let him be. I know that he finds it hard to share, especially if it is work. But I also know that he needs to. He cannot torture himself every day. I won't let him.
"Let's just sit out here for some time, until the milk heats up. You don't have to talk.
I reduce the temperature on the stove and then take his hand in mine. We walk to the open patio and sit side by side.
Five minutes later, I can finally feel him relax. He holds my hand in both of his and places his head on my shoulders. More time passes and we sit in silence. I wait. I wait hoping that he will talk. He finally does, his voice sounding heavy with sadness and guilt.
"Sometimes, it is so hard to know what is right and what is wrong. It feels like whatever I choose, I will still be hurting someone. I hate all this sometimes.
I let him talk, listening silently. There are so many burdens he carries with him day in and day out. He takes decisions that affect others, people's lives that depend on him. I feel the dilemma he faces everyday, the pain and the reason for his nightmares. My heart grows heavy for his suffering.
He keeps talking. It is as though he wants to let it all out and I let him, not interrupting for the fear that he may shut me out again, if I do. He talks of a nineteen-year-old with a child of three who he must push for more information. He talks about the choice he must make for possibly cracking a case and saving another's life. He talks about how scared the girl is and his helplessness.
"There is no difference between me and those she fears. I am leaving her with no choice either.
I hear his pain. He fears doing something wrong, of becoming like the very same people he fights against. My heart goes out to this man who puts everyone before himself. I want to protect him, to assure him that he is doing no wrong. I tell him that the world does not work in black and white. Sometimes, the means to an end is difficult and strewn with tough choices.
"Whatever choice you do make Omkara I tell him, placing a kiss on his forehead, "I know that it will have everyone's best interest at it's heart. Don't doubt that because I don't. You are a very good man.
He eyes tear up slightly.
"Gauri... His voice is heavy with emotion. I shush him, and we sit there, his head on his shoulder and my head leaning on his.
We start when the kettle whistles. Omkara sits up and takes my hand in his.
"Thank you, Gauri.
His words are simple. We go hand in hand inside. I have a smile on my face. He has peace on his.
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To be continued...
