FF: Tune zindagi mein aake...Teaser on pg 81/2 :) - Page 11

Chapter 16

Dragged along the street, Kasturi's feelings finally began to stir. How dare Raunak bring her away? He had no right over her. She had sworn that day she had left, that he would never hurt her again.

"Rukhjao Raunak."

"Kasturi, tum meri patni ho. Samaj bhi yehi maanti hain. Toh chup chap mere saath chalo. Yahaan tamasha mat karo?"

"Kaisi patni? Jise tum maarte te, jiski zindagi tumne barbaad kiya. Mein saaf kehrahi hoon, mein tumhare saath ek minute bhi nahi rehsakti. Seedhe se, mujhe jaane do, verna mein court bhi jaa sakti hoon."

"Ja. Khushi khush ja court mein. Mujhe koi aitraaz nahi hain. Par ek baat sochlijye. Tumne mujhse shaadi ki, koi zabardasti nahi thi. Aur tumne mujhe bottle ke saath maara. Jaanti ho, tumhe jail bhi hosakta hain iske liye. Mere paas sabke liye gawah hain. Aur court ka fesla jo bhi hoga, badnaami toh teri hogi."

"Mujhe koi parwa nahi hain. Mujhe akele rehna mansoor hain, par tum jaise rakshak se saath kabhi nahi."

"Tum mein itni himmat hain, akele duniya ka saamna karne ki. Kyun ki, ab toh tumhare paas woh Robbie bhi nahi."

Her eyes brimmed with tears as she remembered. She had broken Robbie's trust. Their love had been irrevocably punctured. And Raunak was right. When her own hands were stained with guilt and doubt, how could she hope to punish Raunak for his misdeeds? Who would believe her?

Raunak smiled. His revenge had begun. And to be sure, he would make her pay. For insulting him. For hitting him. For trying to leave him.

"Mein tumhe teen din doonga. Apne saaman bandhlo, notice dehdo. Phir tum mere saath chalengi. Mein Hotel Saahil mein rehraha hoon. Tuesday, theek paanch baje. Bhoolna nahin."

He strode away, leaving her alone in the dark street with her mind in a whirlwind.

***

The next morning, she rose early after a troubled sleep, and phoned his number.

She phoned his number. Someone picked up on the second dial.

"Hello. Kya mein Robbie sir se baat karsakti?"

Devika recognised her immediately. "Tumhari himmat kaise hui yahaan phone karne ki? Dobara koshish kiya to mein police se kehdoongi. Mera yakken kar, mein tumhe aise fasaddongi ke tum Robbie ko kya, ujale ko bhi nahi dekh paaoongi. Kabadaar."

She tried Robbie's mobile.

***

Preet was still at Robbie's. He hadn't been able to sleep that night, anxiety crowding his thoughts.

"Preet, what do I do? Every minute I see her eyes in my thoughts. Every minute her memories torment me. Her speaking, her smiling… But she's someone else's wife, it's wrong to think about making her my wife. It's a sin. And also…how can I trust her again?"

His mobile beeped.

"Hello. Robbie sir?"

His mouth wouldn't obey him. It stayed resolutely shut. His hand quivered at the sound of her voice. He sucked in his breath and ended the call. This was how it would have to be. He wouldn't be able to forget her. But he could never meet or speak with her again.

Preet shook his head at his friend's distress, racking his brains to think of how he could help. He made a decision. He would meet Kasturi, find out what was going on. Robbie was too perplexed right now. It was up to him.

***

Kasturi, devastated, looked down at her phone. He didn't even want to talk to her. How could she explain to him? Her heart fluttered in hope as her mobile shrilled again and Robbie's name apperared onscreen.

"Hello, sir," she began breathlessly, then launched into an explanation: "Forgive me, I didn't mean to hurt you…"

"Wait, Kasturi. It's Preet speaking."

"You? Why?"

"Listening to your talks, seeing Robbie's face, I'm sure that you love him a lot, and you didn't betray him. But he won't meet you. That's why, I have an idea. Listen."

***

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