FF: -Chandni- by Jalebi Jane EPISODE 1-14 Rest at JalebiJane.com

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hailly

@hailly

Dazzler

Posted: 8 years ago

#121

Amazing update. Loved it.
Continue soon please.

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Jalebi Jane

@JalebiJane

Inactive

+ 7

Posted: 8 years ago

#122

EPISODE 9: REFLECTED

WHILE CHANDNI HAD SLEPT Advay had most certainly not. Indeed he had not even attempted it. He lay in bed, in the dark, with a troubled heart, and reflected upon this disastrous evening. His mind replayed the entire meeting---again and again---while he searched for clues in every detail. Retracing every word Chandni had spoken, along every avenue of meaning. Drawing inferences of understanding, from every possible angle.

Yes, Sisters---he approached it as he approached all things: as a mathematical puzzle. And it ultimately produced result. Or rather, clarity. He realized that he had leapt to a false conclusion very early in his exchange with Chandni, and all which had followed had made it more false. Chandni's statement, 'I know you are not Advay Singh Raizada,' had shocked and alarmed him. His mind had been thrown into overdrive. From those few words, he had assumed that she had discovered his entire life's truth.

That truth that he was Devay Kayeshta, the sole legitimate heir to the Mahantship of Allahabad.

That Devay who had worshipped that sliver of moonlight called Chandni.

That Devay whom the world presumed had perished in a tragic highway accident with his parents.

Terrified, that twelve-year old Devay had hid in the deep jungle for weeks, and was ultimately discovered---dehydrated, starved, on the brink of death!---at the edge of the road by a Mr & Mrs Arnav Singh Raizada of Lucknow. There was nothing fortunate about his circumstances, but in a benevolent light we could say that the Lord was with Devay on that day. For he could have landed in no better hands than that duo. Afraid and traumatized, he had told them nothing except that he was an orphan. No, not even his name. He had had the presence of mind to know that his identity put him in the cross hairs of a cruel and determined enemy. He could trust nobody. So he had swiftly re-christened himself with a rough anagram of 'Devay' and presented himself as 'Advay'.

The Raizadas had not only embraced him, but they had made him one of their very own. Indeed, they had elevated him to all that was due to a first son. Adopted him. Loved him. Educated him. Blessed him. And only after many healing years of loving tenderness from his second family, did Advay find the courage to disclose his true identity. And the painful tragedy---nay! the criminality---which had stolen his parents and his patrimony.

All this had only endeared him more to the Raizadas. Especially to Arnav who saw himself in Advay. Arnav knew what it was to have one's legacy stolen. He knew that deep pain. That bereft state. To give up one's name does not come easily to a boy, no matter how worthy a name he receives in exchange. Despite sixteen years of a life filled with good fortune and genuine affection, Advay had never been able to fill that hollow place in his heart.

Yes, Chandni had been correct. He was an imposter. An actor. A bad actor, as she had discerned. A pretender. But not for the reasons she suspected. He had not entered Allahabad as a Raizada because that name conferred privilege; he had done it because the Kayeshta name would unleash such a storm that it would bring Allahabad to the point of ecclesiastical crisis.

Advay wanted to avenge what the Vashishths had done but it was not his intention to destroy his cherished birthplace and the honourable institution his ancestors had nurtured for generations. His intention was to punish only the guilty.

And, of course, return the lineage to its rightful place; to return the Mahantship of Allahabad to the Kayeshtas.

By the early hours of the morning, Advay had solaced himself with the belief that Chandni knew nothing concrete. She suspected he was not Advay Singh Raizada, but by her own admission, it was more instinctual than factual. Moreover, he knew that had she known he was Devay, her response would have been more grave. More fearful. She had entered his hotel suite with confidence, not as one who felt under threat. And certainly not with any hint of nostalgia. Advay felt that her conduct, her demeanour, would have been far different if she believed herself standing opposite the boy from her childhood.

No---he was convinced that she knew nothing that could unravel his plans. At least, not yet!

I will add this, Sisters---the fact that Chandni had now apprehended some discordancy around his identity brought some soothing sensation to Advay's heart. It was not joy, nor mercy---and absolutely not forgiveness!---but it was some sense of validity. That Chandni, though not on a conscious level, did perceive something, affirmed for Advay that Devay was still alive within him.

But what now?

Had his savage, uncontrolled response scuppered his plan? His intention was to re-establish a Kayeshta Mahantship by marrying the so-called heiress, and then slowly dismantle their legitimacy from within. To disgrace each of the Vashishths in the same manner in which the Kayeshtas had been. However, it appeared nigh impossible after this evening to adhere to his original plan, which had been to woo Chandni into marriage.

Now he would have to trick her. Manipulate her. Coerce her.

The call to prayer now sounded from the nearby mosque. He lifted from his bed, threw on his running gear, laced up his trainers---and went into the quiet dawn to run. He took the route along the river, and by the time he returned to the hotel, his forehead dripping with sweat, his t-shirt wet with perspiraton, he had formulated a revised plan.

Edited by JalebiJane - 8 years ago

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2filmy

@2filmy

Trailblazer

Posted: 8 years ago

#123

This story is getting more interesting with each update
Now we know the history of the accident where his parents died
So he wants to take revenge and get justice
I must say his plan seems fool proof to me
Excellent update