"She is my ex wife" he said flatly.
Mukesh dropped the folders he had in his hand, the pages spewed all over the floor and his mouth hung open. "Shit" he shrieked. "But all these years we are working you never told me that you were married" he almost shouted. "Like you are serious right?" he was still puzzled by this sudden truth.
"Yes, I am serious. It was brief, it lasted only six months" he said. "But what happened? Did she ditched you? Or was she with someone..." He stopped Mukesh "No, I left her" he answered in a louder tone. "But why? That is what I am asking" Mukesh was still curious. "Everything can't be told brother. Sometimes things run out of your control and you have to do something to save others from being caught in the storm you are facing. Especially the once you love "he answered.
Reaching to the side desk he poured coffee from the machine for both of them. "So, how was she? I mean this girl" Mukesh asked still curious. "Gauri was young beautiful and everything you could use to describe a perfect woman. Her shining hazel eyes could bring life to any sad and depressed soul. She didn't talked, she chirped and that too nonstop like birds with her sweet voice. And the only person who had the ability to defeat me when it comes to dancing" he smiled. "That is impossible. Defeat you in dancing. Man, you were the best dancer in your college right. I have seen the clips" Mukesh answered. "No, I was not. She was the only one who could defeat me. The only one who I loved to compete and get defeated from" he stared at the stars visible from his office.
"You loved her. Didn't you?" Mukesh asked smiling. "Yes I did. I loved her" he answered sipping the coffee. "And you love her even now" he turned to Mukesh. "Maybe" he shrugged. "So why didn't you ever find her? I mean look at you, you own the biggest security agency here. You have everything that a girl would need. You can easily keep her happy. Then why not?" Mukesh asked confused about his words.
"Money is not every thing. And it was not for her anyway. And yes I tried to find her but it was late. She was already engaged to Ajay" his voice dropped. "Ajay as in Ajay Tyagi?" Mukesh tried to confirm. "Yes, you know him?" he asked. "Not personally but I never got good vibes from him Mukesh "answered back. "Yes, Ajay Tyagi. And since she was happy I didn't tried to bardge into her life" he had a tight smile now.
"But she doesn't looks happy. I mean look at the picture, it seems as if someone has forced her to get it clicked" he passed the photo back to him. "And anyway it was the past. She needs help and we are the best. If you don't agree than I would send Rahul for this" Mukesh said as he chuckled. "Rahul, you will send a kiddo" he laughed. "He is not a kiddo. Besides he needs to learn about how to fight someone as Kaali Thakur" as soon as they words came out of Mukesh's mouth he jumped from the chair he was sitting on "kaali Thakur... The Bareilly one " he shouted. "Yes, she has to be saved from kaali. She is in his prison" Mukesh informed.
"Okay I will take this case. Besides I need all the information about this one and I mean everything. How are they linked, how did she went to him, how is she prisoned, where is she? Everything. I am giving you a day. Hurry" he said making Mukesh shocked once again. "Wait... A day... How on this earth will I do all of it in a single day? "he glared at him. "I don't know, just do it he took his coat and started off to his house.
He reached his house as he dumped his keys on the sofa and walked to his room. After showering he pulled his t shirt and pajamas on and sat on his study table with her file. It stated about her in the briefest form possible. Nothing was mentioned except her name, height, body description and that he needs to be saved from Kaali Thakur.
He took her picture in his hands and stared at it for long. There was nothing in it that would match Gauri's charms. Her eyes had no light, lips were swollen and face had makeup dumped on it as if trying to hide something. Her smile had no warmth. There was no sign of his chirpy birdie who he used to watch for hours. He took out his purse and matched both the pictures. There were no signs of both being the same.
He was still tying to think about what the hell happened in these years? What changed her so much? He left her so that she could be happy, but she was anything but happy.
He still remembers the day they met. The day he came across "Gauri Kumari Sharma " he swiped his finger under his nose in her style and chuckled.
***********
"Yaar, come on move. Annika must be waiting" in the club Shivaay pulled his hand trying to drag him. "Tujhe jaana hai toh jaa. But let me complete this first" he continued working on his file. "Assignments come and go but if she went she would not come he shouted as everyone in the library turned towards him with a hush sound. "Okay okay "he raised his hands up in surrender. "Come on please... Please... You are my best friend... Please" he joined his hands requesting. "Okay" he closed his book with a thud voice. "Tell me where to go" he asked. "To the activity area" Shivaay said as he raised a bow. "Why?" he asked. "Because all the students have gathered for the selection of the lead dancers of the college event and there is no good dancers" Shivaay informed. "So" he asked. "So, come on give auditions. You are the best here. You know that right?" Shivaay said as he sighed before Shivaay dragged him to the hall.
The hall was filled with students of each section. As if the whole college had gathered to be the lead dancer. Every body got the chance to perform but non were able to match the expectations. "I think we have to cancel this guys. There are no lead dancers" the secretary of the department informed others. "Not before he performs " Shivaay again brought him in front. "Oh, Mr Omkara Singh Oberoi, how did we missed you" secretary got up and shook his hand with Omkara's. "Yeah was only he said. "But we still need a female dancer who could match him" Omkara chuckled. "Match me... Never" he laughed.
"Oh hello mister. Asmaan mein udne ka itna shaukh hai toh chirota banna tha, yahan kyun aaya" a female voice stopped his laughter as the whole auditorium tuned to the voice shocked. "Who are you miss? " the secratory asked a fuming lady. "Gauri... Gauri Kumari Sharma" she answered and shifted her gaze to him. "Toh kya keh rahe the aap. No one can match you right. Okay let's start... Dekhte hain who falls first" she challenged. "I don't accept challenge from unknown people" he rolled his eyes. "Abhi se dar gaye... Afraid of losing... Aww bechare" she smirked. "Accepted" was all he said and pulled her when the music started.
Every one was shocked. There was Omkara on the ground and Gauri standing and laughing. He was just looking at her smiling at her laugh which shocked people more. Because defeat was not Omkara's way. He stood up and wiped the dirt off his clothes. "Bola tha aasman mein udna nahi chahiye. Gir gaye naa" her laughter increased even more. He walked to her and placing a finger on her cheeks tucked her hair strand in the back of her ear "welcome to the town my dear dance partner" he felt her shivering after these words.
"Okay guys, so decided it's Omkara and Gauri" as the leads. Practice starts tomorrow, be ready the secretary informed and left with the assistants. Shivaay hugged Annika and promised her to pick her up tomorrow. "Kal milte hain Ms short height " he smirked. "Get ready to fall once again Mr long hairs" she stomped off as he bursted out laughing.
**********************
She walked into the house but before she could take another step some one grabbed her arm and pinned her to the wall "kahan gayi thi bina mujhse puche". His eyes were red, fuming with anger. "Ma... Mandir gaye the" she answered trying to breathe. "Kyun, bhagne ka plan hai tera. Ab tak mann nahi bhara. Itni baar toh koshish kar chuki ho" he bend himself more to her. "Hum... Hum bhaag nahi rahe the... Aapke guards ko saath leke gaye the" she managed to speak this.
He left her as she took a deep breath. She looked at him when he started unbuckling his belt. She knew what was coming and now being long in his custody it didn't matter. "Get ready for your punishment" he wrapped the last side of the belt in his hands and threw the other on her body. She didn't shouted, nor did she uttered a single word just stood and let him do what he was doing. He did that until his own hands started paining. Then he went to her and took her dupatta off. He was almost to tear the other clothes when the phone rang "what?" he barked. "Okay... I am coming" he disconnected the call. "Abhi tumhari saza baaki" hai he said and left the house.
She picked her dupatta with trembling hands and wrapping it around her started walking to her room. She sat on the window panel and stared at the moon. Not even caring about putting anything on her new marks and neither a single tear dropped from her eyes. Because each of it already dried long ago.
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