FF: Power, Conspiracy, Jealousy&Lust,Ch30&Epi,p40 - Page 9

Next day during breakfast, the steward announced Chhote Thakur will like to have a word with didi, he is waiting in the hall….

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Jai wished he had worn his leather shoes instead of sneakers as they did not make any noise as he went towards the inner sanctum of the house, like Bade Thakur, it would automatic announce his arrival….as he walked through the long corridors he found the maids scurrying away seeing him, some pulling their ghunghat and some hiding behind the pillars, then Jai stopped, he realized he did not know in which room Bani stays, seeing one maid vanishing behind a pillar he cleared his throat….jara …mai…I am looking…mai mai Ba….I mean Thakurain ka kamra kaha hai….

The maid pointed out….it was at the end of the corridor…the door was ajar, a curtain hanging, room seemed to be quiet, Jai took a deep breath and entered…he stood to observe, like his room this was also large but this had another section, this was a sitting room like Sita Devi's room and beyond there was a sheer he could see a bed and a door leading to the attached terrace….

Thakur Sahaab pranam, a female voice greeted him, as usual he could not see her face, with her ghunghat pulled upto her chest, she was bowing with her hands folded…

This could not be Bani, the voice is somewhat different he tried to recollect….

Thakurain?

Ji udhar…..she gestured inside the bedroom

Unko jara bulao, tell her I am here to see her….

Thakur sahab aap ki kamra hai, aap jayiye, mai jara aapke liye pani lati hu….

Before Jai could ask her to stop, she ran out….Jai hesitated there were other women too as he heard soft murmurs from the terrace…..getting impatient, Jai walked across….

There was a group of women sitting in a hurdle obviously doing something…

Jai heard one saying…do din baad hi urdh sakegi…ha bahut chot aya….aapke haath me toh jadu hai, aap ne isse bhi gayal lo ko sambhala hai….all the women were sitting with their head bare of ghunghat….

Jai peered it was an injured bird they were tending to, he could make out….he cleared his voice, within seconds all heads got covered and the ladies vanished, except one who was sitting with her head bared, her back turned towards him, holding the injured bird…

I want….I err….I am given to understand, the keys of the offices are with you….I would like to have the same…..

She put down the bird and covered it with a wicker basket, getting up she turned, Jai turned his face away, as she walked past him, Jai noticed a very shapely feet with a thick silver payel on, he looked up to see a long plait swinging as she walked away, the back of her choli was tied with several strings….he remembered she was his cousin's widow, Jai felt disgusted…

Within few minutes a hand held out a velvet pouch, chabiya she said…

Jai extended his hand without turning, she put it there…..

From tomorrow onwards I will send Radhe, please hand over the keys to him….

I am sorry I am under oath and I cannot do that, came the prompt reply…

Anger shot through Jai….he gritted his teeth…..in that case I will not hand over the keys once I am through…..

In that case despite of your orders I come to you and take it….she replied in a firm voice….Startled Jai looked towards her, she was walking away….

You will not defy me….Jai's voice thundered…..

She did not stop nor she replied, picking up the injured bird, murmuring soothing words, she walked away to another room next to the terrace…..

Jai waited for sometime for her to come out but she did not, angry he walked out in long steps……

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As Jai was about to enter his office, Pia came, hello Jai…..how are you this morning….

Could be better Pia….he replied grouchily….

Tumhare toh raste ka kanta haath giya Jai, she stated….

Jai frowned opening the velvet pouch there were several keys of different sizes and shapes….You mean the Bade Thakur….

Aur kaun Jai, now you can do whatever you like….

For doing that I need to know about the keys first and now what do I have in my hands a bunch of iron without any clue of what is what….he took the bunch and threw it on the floor, with a huge thud it slid and went towards the door, just then with tinkling of payel Bani entered, picking it up with her ghunghat pulled upto her chest she walked directly to him…

Alongwith me you too have taken oath to protect these keys, she held them out….

Jai tried to gauge her, she waited till he extended his hand, when he did, alongwith the keys she kept a small notebook, I guess this contains the details and I am sorry I did not give it you then, you came all of a sudden and I was taken by surprise, she added in a soft husky voice….

Thank you, Jai replied automatically….

You are welcome, she replied, turning she lifted her ghunghat partially, come Pia lets leave him to work in peace now, he has a find out a hell a lot of things, since Bade Thakur is not there, he has to find his own way in most of the things….

Bani you are forgetting that my father is a co-brother and can guide him

Yes of course Pia but then I am told there are certain things which the Garh only should know and nobody else.....I meant those secrets come Pia, I will show you the bird which was brought to me injured how well it is doing now…..as she led Pia away, Pia turned to wave at Jai but Jai was looking at the retreating back…..does she know about him and Pia or doesn't she, his actions will be in vain if she doesn't…..but privacy is not something the habitants of the Haveli can boast about….somehow Jai was intrigued

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Krishna came into the drawing room to see a man studying her sculptor, yes you have come to meet me, she asked in a firm voice, already guessing the reason why the Chhote Thakur was wanting to see her, obviously for the article she had got published….

Yes Udayji I heard you wanted to see me…Krishna announced her arrival….

He turned….

You, Krishna was stunned

Of course me, who else were you expecting as the butler announced my arrival I think…

I mean you are Uday Singh Bundela? Krishna asked….

Of course, I mean who did you take me for or don't you know me?

I …I mean I thought you are a friend of his….

Comon Krishna being the daughter of a Co-brother don't tell me you did not recognize me….

Uday my father does not move around with your picture in his purse exactly, so how am I supposed to know you….

Uday was taken aback, he looked surprised…..

Then Krishna remembered her time with him….O My God, Uday you knew I was the daughter of a co-brother how could you…..

Now don't blame me Krishna, remember I never knew you did not know me….I am not used to it…he replied arrogantly, looking the very much the Thakur that he was…..

Still you breached the law…..Krishna replied softly…..

Well if a woman is willing who am I to say no? He asked….

Krishna became upset and angry at the same time….yes Uday Singh Bundela educated in best of schools and colleges was known to have his roving eyes and was very like his forefathers when it came to women, when he liked a girl, her class, creed nothing mattered to him….

If something happens to me I will not spare you…Krishna muttered

If you will charge me with rape I will protest as you know it was not so and you had a wonderful time…

Krishna became dumbfounded at his blatant statement…..

Uday Singh gave a mean smile…

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Jai was chewing gum as he sat studying the statements of different organizations where money was invested….doing his major in business management, again a course he was asked to study by the garh giving him best of school and facility he knew the Garh which once had enjoyed fabulous financial position in the past has lost considerable money because of the uncertainties of succession, his father Uday Singh died what was called a freak accident, which was never investigated and Dharam Singh became the Garh by automatic choice, he loved all luxuries of life and specially when they came with little effort, he never made any serious effort to increase what the garh had, things turned a bit better after his death and Bade Thakur took over as the male heirs were not of age….but inspite Bade Thakur's safe guarding, he could not evade the massive recession which happened and Garh was badly hit, more badly then any of the co-brothers had any idea, Jai read the footnote which Bade Thakur had written, yes as Shashank told him, he found all data stored in his latest laptop, with a password which Jai could guess after solving a simple puzzle, Jai could access some of the deepest secret of the Garh….

Abh chabana bandh kijiye aur yeh pi lijiye, garma garam laya hu, aapka pasand chicken mushroom soup with bread roll, Radhe put the small table in front of his sofa and served the soup….for the last two days Jai has been studying the various files and data's of the Garh…the only thing which he hated is to ask for the keys from Bani but then now when he went in her room and extended his hand, she handed over the keys without a word and in the evening she waited for him to hand them back….other than that he studied and at times discussed with Shashank….it was decided after this basic homework, Jai would sit one by one with the Co-brothers to know about their work….

As Jai took his sip, a female voice asked may I come in….

Radhe who was arranging the dinner table looked up to see Roshni standing, he smiled, ayiye Roshni didi, you can also give some company to Thakur Sahab…

Jai glared at Radhe for inviting Roshni without his consent but then Radhe was busy welcoming Roshni and seeing Jai, Roshni gave a smile, Jai responded automatically….

I am told you have been keeping very busy Digvijai ji….

Make it Jai, Digvijai sounds too heavy for me….

But your name is that isn't it….

Yes, my father's brilliant idea, my mother is not too fond of it and I like my name short….

You seemed to be very close to your mother…..

I am sure you have not come to discuss my parents at this hour with me Roshni, Jai looked directly at her, she was a sweet girl but then she was interrupting him….

Jai I want to leave the Garh, Roshni announced….

I am not your parents Roshni so why are you telling me this…..

I need your permission, I know you are not my parents but then I need your blessings and protection to remain out of the Garh….

Jai closed his notebook putting it aside, he looked at Radhe and waved him to leave them alone….what is it Roshni, can I have some more details please…

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Chandana watched Pia's expression when Radhe came out of Jai's room….he is alone with her….she gritted her teeth….

Chandana tried not to look amused…..so he is…..

You are sounding too cool about it Chandana, Pia accused her looking upset….

Pia he is not your property nor Roshni's, why should you look upset ?

What makes you talk like that, Pia glared at Chandana….

Chandana smirked, you know Pia whatever you do you will not be the keeper of the keys even….every day Jai Bhaiya will go upto Bani's room to get it and return it…..this is Roshni, like you, she too may go upto his bed, lekin uske baad kya, the door opens you walk out, the servants smile, there goes another one, nobody will bow to you even if you happen to be the daughter of a co-brother….for most of the people in Garh you are just another woman who warmed the bed of the Thakur….

Just then they watched Bani entering the Haveli, the servants running to wish her, bow at her, she holding her ghunghat returning their salutations by asking about their well being etc., Pia stomped off…..Chandana gave a small laughter chalo kuch maza aya, Pia ko chira saki, she had started thinking too much of herself….

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