Part 20
As he watched her walk away Neev had a strange feeling in his gut he realized it from her quick, decisive way of walking now didn't she walk like this when her mind was all set on evil. He had felt a slight panic rise in his stomach and then like a lost memory the feeling was gone. Maybe he was imagining things that was all. The hotel Ayesha had chosen was situated atop a hill on the outskirts of the city. It was renowned for it's scenic location set against a backdrop of mountainous terrain overlooking a lake. The hotel had been constructed on a wide plain expanse cut out of the hill which added to it's splendour , for miles around the luscious green vegetation soothed the eyes after continous exposure to the city's bustle and pollution. It was indeed a beautiful landscape dangerous too as the steeply rising hill had a sharp, slithering scree to one side. Although the area had been marked off limits still it remained a constant hazard with the death count rising with each year. The hotel staff had been strictly instructed to keep all away from that territory. Both the families had reached the venue early as it was a good drive from their residences , the preparations had been done according to the occasion . The enormous ballroom had been done in blue and silver from the carpets to the candlestands everything was in twin shades of the respective colours. A huge cerulean chandelier hung from the massive ceiling while azure shaded chiffon curtains billowed in the arched doorways. The guests started coming in around 6 in the evening and an hour later the event was underway at a good pace. Sukriti and Saket danced away under the glittering Belgian chandelier while others joined them for a shake or twist themselves. The gnawing feeling that had tugged at Neev's stomach that morning had returned. Every now any then he would cast hurried glances across the room, everyone was having a wonderful time. Milind and Prachi whispered to each other at the far end of the room with Prachi blushing away at Milind's casual remarks, seemed as if they had sorted out their differences over the venue that morning. Premlata and Daadi stood chatting to Niharika and her pals from the Kitty Club. Soumya and Bobby burned the dance floor both having found dance partners to match their adrenalin. Alaap stood amidst a host of girls loving their banter on his looks while Suyesha seethed away. Baba was deep in conversation with Mr Raheja and Mr Mehra two of Milind's business associates who happened to know Baba well. He traced everyone but Ayesha, where could she be? Crossing the wide floor he reached the other side of the room a bar had been set up at this end catering to the guests wishes. He saw Ayesha sipping on a fresh lime juice propped on a stool. Bending slightly she had whispered something in a waiter's ear while she put a thousand rupee note in his empty tray. Winking at her coyly the waiter had smiled nodding his head in assent.
Prachi had received a call on her cell a few minutes later the static in the cell phone and the music from the overhead speakers hindered her understanding informing Milind about the call she decided to talk in the open air in a hope to get better signals. "Hello…..Hello…..Hello kon hain aap?" she had tried making communication but to no avail.Disconnecting the call she decided to go back inside when it rang up again "Hello….Hello …kon hai aakhir boltey kyun nahin." Finally a voice spoke up "Prachi Mishra …..agar apney pati key ateet ka raaz janna chahti ho to iss hotel key peechey waaley gate per aa jao." The caller seemed male but the voice appeared muffled, "Jaldi aana intizaar ki mujhey aadat nahin." Her hands had started shaking with fear pati ka ateet she had thought confused "Lekin mujhey to Milind key ateet key baarey main sab kuch malum hai" she had replied defiantly "Aisa tum sochti ho uss ney tum sey eik raaz chupaya hai agar jaanna chahti ho to hotel key pichley hissey main aa jao." The line had dropped then ,staring at her cell she was unable to decide on her course of action. Just then Neev had emerged from behind the glass doors. "Prachi tum yahaan?" he had asked in bewilderment, snapping out of her thoughts Prachi was surprised to see Neev there "Haan woh phone sunney aayi thi." Judging by her expression and voice tone Neev figured out something was wrong and questioned her to which she immediately confessed the truth. "Prachi tumhain wahaan jaaney ki koi zarurat nahin hai." He had said in a firm voice but Prachi was adamant on going there "Ho sakta hai Neev woh log Milind ko blackmail kerna chahtey hon, mujhey wahaan jaana hi hoga aakhir aisa konsa raaz hai unkey paas Milind ka." Neev was furious and would not allow her to leave.Prachi had started walking towards the off limits portion of the hill with Neev in tow, not seeing his pleas have any effect on her he quickly messaged Milind to meet them at the backside of the hotel keeping up with Prachi all the while.
A cold wind had started blowing on the hilltop ripping at their lungs as they carefully made their way to the meeting point amidst the deep litter of pine needles. Overhead the pine trees swayed in a ghostly dance as the cold wish rushed through them.A full moon shone brightly in the night sky making it possible for them to make out large boulders and protruding rocks on their way. They hadn't been long when they heard the sound of twigs snapping quickly they scanned the premises but no one was there only a thick, close silence. Prachi's heart had now started thudding trying to appear brave she shivered inwardly, who was this man, why did he want to tell her any secret regarding Milind? questions seemed to race through her mind. Neev held his breath and waited straining to hear the slightest sound, when suddenly springing from behind a pine tree Ayesha emerged walking into their line of vision. "Ayesha tum yahaan kiya ker rahi ho?" Neev had asked his voice betraying his calm demeanor. "Wohi jo tum dono ker rahey ho" saying so she had slowly started moving towards them backing them to edge of the hilltop. Judging by her manner Neev had by now understood this as a trap he knew instigating her to action would prove fateful , slowly he had started moving towards her in an attempt to make small talk. "Main or Prachi to yahaan kisi ka intizaar ker rahey hain or tum?" . Ayesha had cast one disdainful look on his annoyed face and laughed out loud. "To samjho intizaar khatam hua, Prachi ko mainey phone kerwaya tha kyunki aaj main yeh khel khatam kerna chahti huun." Saying so she withdrew a gunned hand from under the fall of her bronze silk sari and aimed it straight at Prachi's head. "Ayesha hosh main aao yeh kiya ker rahi ho." Neev had tried to wrench the gun out from her hand but she held on to it firmly and pushed him back. "Aaj faisla ho kar raheyga yaa to yeh raheygi Milind ki zindagi main ya phir main."
A furious storm had whipped up on their walk back to the hotel, the wind howled as it gusted through the pines sounding like sad dirges lamenting on a great loss. A doctor had checked up on Prachi coming to the conclusion that the unfortunate event had caused her immense sorrow the magnitude of which had made her slip in a temporary state of unconsciousness. He had advised Milind to take great care of her as she was in an extremely frail mental condition. Both the families had been shocked to hear of the entire ordeal, Milind had not withheld any truth this time. He had informed them about Ayesha's plans and evil schemes, it was then that Neev had informed them of the entire one night stand between Milind and Ayesha as a staged act on her part to lure him in her trap. He had also revealed his side of the story, his gameplan and the course of action he had adopted to wheedle the truth out of her. Milind had never felt more indebted to Neev, he had apologized for his behaviour towards Neev throughout their period of aquaintace and had resolved to hold him in high esteem from then on. Due to the deteriorating weather conditions the guests had departed early, the next morning a search party had been organized to search for Ayesha and the team had expertly scoured the entire ravine late that evening Ayesha's bloodied corpse was found entangled in a patch of prickly bushes at the foot of the ravine. The body was sent for post mortem and the death had been ruled out as an accident by the coroner. Ayesha's dead body had been driven home for a proper funeral, at the shamshaanghaat Neev had watched Ayesha burn on the pyre the fire lick at her mottled blue body Premlata wept silently though Ayesha hadn't accepted her as her mother but she had always considered Ayesha as a daughter. She felt robbed of a precious object that day. Milind stood silently watching the smoke emit from the burning heap images of Ayesha flashed through his mind he felt a part of him had died that day, he may not have loved Ayesha but she had been close to him throughout his life and that intimacy had certainly left a mark on his life. Prachi had felt as if her father's last wish had burnt on that pyre she had cried tears of repentance screaming in agony on her loss asking her father to pardon on her on not being able to fulfill his last wish of keeping Ayesha happy and had fallen unconscious . Milind had cast one sad look at the burning piece of flesh on the pyre and had walked away with Prachi in his arms, it was indeed a sad ending to a sad life.
Well do tell me how you found it will wait for your comments. Magno darling I did try and think of something happy with Ayesha but honestly she and happiness certainly don't go together.
Bigg Boss 19
Ganesh Kartikeya
