Part 15
Milind had been shocked with Inder's words the whole wide world was against him, considering him a vicious beast who had murdered his wife in cold blood. Yet that man had profound faith in him and he didn't even know him well enough. Milind had heard the name of Shah Industries but had never been able to meet Inder personally, his was a growing business and Shah Industries was an empire in it's own self. Though Mishra group of companies was small yet it was well recognised by all especially Inder who had monitored Milind's progress keenly. He had been extremely impressed with Milind's hard earned success in such a short span of time and often he had wished Alaap would have had the same fiery streak in him as possessed by Milind.
Inder knew that the rage and passion Milind bore for his work and reputation stemmed from his hard days spent at the chawl. He had lived the difficult life and had vowed to make it from rags to riches that too the right way. Inder had always nursed a soft spot for Milind in his heart hoping to see him dominate the business world soon his intuition and gut feeling both pointed to Milind's fame and glory in the upcoming days. Inder had been shocked to read about Milind in the papers and had instantly known it to be a misunderstanding. The evidence was in, the verdict given Milind had been found guilty by the court.The strange part was that Milind had never uttered a word in his self defence, his defence lawyer had quit on him and the state lawyer was a lazy bum who had called it a closed case. Inder had thrown away the morning paper in disgust when he read the calumnies printed against Milind.
Later that harsh January morning Inder stood before a distraught Milind in the Central Prison, nothing had changed in those two months. There was the same iron wall barring them, the same dismal surroundings, the same 100 watt bulb shining profusely but much had changed a change that could be felt and understood, that the heart saw and the mind perceived. Milind looked shaggy and disshevelled he had grown weak bearing the continuous torture day in and day out.His gait was laboured and the injuries he bore were proof of the physical and mental misery he suffered in that dreary place. Inder could not but feel crushed at his sight, his heart bled at Milind's disparity a fine young man reduced to a caged beast, he clutched the prison bars in agony.
"Aap yahaan?"
"You here?" Milind had stared at him in surprise, no one ever came to meet him besides his sister and friend Ali. His business was a mess, his so called associates and friends had turned out to be two timing sleaze balls who had never once turned around to offer a helping hand. His father had fallen sick not being able to bear his suffering and was currently bed ridden, in such dire conditions Inder's presence had genuinely shocked him. "Bas yahi dekhney aaya tha keh tum kis kis ko dhoka dey saktey ho."
" Just came to see who you're trying to fool" Inder had stated icily.
Milind had looked up to him completely confounded "Insaan sirf do suurton main khamosh rehta hai Mr Mishra eik tab jab woh khud gunehgaar ho or duusra tab jab woh kisi gunehgaar ka saath dey raha ho. Main yeh dekhney aaya huun keh tum kisey bacha rahey ho ... apney aap ko ya kisi or ko. Bolo tumhari yeh khamoshi kis toofan ka sandes hai? Kyun sach nahin boltey tum ... kyun?"
"A person stays mum in two situations either he himself is guilty or he's sheilding the real culprit. Who are you trying to shield? Tell me what storm does your silence indicate? Why don't you speak the truth?" Inder's frustration had not escaped him.
"Aap merey baarey main kuch nahin jaantey Mr Shah phir aap kaisey keh saktey hain keh yeh khoon mainey nahin kiya?"
"You don't know anything about me then how can you be so sure I've not murdered anyone?" he had turned to face Inder whose eyes bore into Milind's own.
"Buhut kuch jaanta huun tumharey baarey main main, yeh jaanta huun keh tum ney kitni mehnat sey apna business shuru kiya ussey in unchaiion per puhunchaya bina kisi madad ya saharey key. Tum chahtey to paisey key liye kitney hii qatal ker saktey jab key tumharey paas to mauqa bhi tha or zarurat bhi lekin tumney aisa nahin kiya... kiyun ?"
"I know a lot about you, I know that you've single handedly started your business and brought it to such heights just by sheer hard work. You could've killed people to attain riches you had the motive and the opportunity then why didn't you?" he paused momentarily "Tum per uss aurat key qatal kailzaam hai jissey tumney kabhi eik aanch nahin aani dii... or tum kehtey ho tum qaatil ho? Main kaisey maan luun yeh jhoot?" "
You've been charged for murder of a woman you've never let any harm come to.... and you say you'r a criminal. How can I believe this farce." Milind had looked at him dumb founded how did he know all this about him.
"Kabhi kabhi farz yaqeen sey zyaada maainey rakhta hai Mr Shah."
"Sometimes duty stands taller than emotions and faith Mr Shah." Milind had finally succumbed under the pressure exerted by Inder Shah and the faith Inder had showed in him had finally paid off he had admitted his innocence confiding in him.He had felt as if a mountain had been lifted off his chest that day, Inder had promised to vanquish his misery at that moment and had stuck to his word. Milind had been awarded death sentence but Inder had the case reopened, he appointed the best lawyers who had analysed the entire incident meticulously. Reports were rechecked, events replayed and finally one day Inder stumbled upon the biggest clue of them all one that had set Milind free of his imprisonment forever. He had been exonerated from the charges and had received an apology from the Indian court who were guilty of torturing him and causing lasting wounds to his soul and body.
All this though had been a confidential series of events known only by Inder, Milind and Ali no other soul knew of it not even Inder's own family. Inder knew Alaap harboured a major dislike for Milind and he feared Alaap would ruin his scrupulous planning. The last thing he wanted was an innocent man bearing the brunt of a crime he had not committed. Milind had never forgotten Inder or the debt he owed to him they had promised never to speak a word of it to anyone. Milind had maintained his silence while Inder had died keeping his word, Ali had been a loyal and faithful ally to Milind one who was closer to him than a brother. He too had vowed not to breath about all this to any living soul.
"Chalein Milind..."
"Shall we leave" he heard someone call his name he opened his eyes to see Prachi standing near him, Ali had noticed the faraway look in Milind's eyes and had thought best not to disturb him. He knew it was the most difficult phase in his life and reliving it was not an easy task. He wished he hadn't brought up the topic but he was genuinely surprised to see Prachi with him, he had known Prachi to be Inder's daughter though they had never met upfront. And it had been Ali who had relayed events of the outside world to Milind while he fretted in prison, he told him how Inder worked day and night to prove him innocent.
"Haan chalo"
"Yes come" Milind had assented standing up from his comfortable position on the couch. "Aisey kaisey jaa rahey hain bhaiyya"
"How can you leave like this brother?" Sadia had spoken as she drew nearer Milind saw she had a small copper plate in her hand "Bethiye yahin sharafat sey."
"Sit here ." she had commanded as she completed the aarti and proceeded to tie him a coloured thread on his wrist "Rakshabandhan per kyun nahin aaye they bhaiyaa kitna intizaar kiya mainey aapka."
"Why didn't you come at the rakhi tying ceremony?" I kept waiting for you." she had complained in a loving tone. "Tujhey deney key liye bas yehi hai Sadia."
" I just have this to offer you Saadia." he had taken off the gold chain he wore and had placed it in her open palm.
"Arey yeh kiya bhiayya mujhey yeh nahin chahiye bas aapki duaaein hii kaafi hain merey liye"
"Oh brother I don't need this your good wishes are enough for me." she had protested but he would not listen and with Ali's consent she had kept it. "Waisey eik rakhi aapko bhi bandhni pareygi mujhey"
"You'll have to tie me a rakhi too." Ali had addressed Prachi who stood silent deeply touched by this whole scenario. "Zarur bandhungi"
"Ofcourse I will." she had smiled as Sadia handed her another plate. Prachi finished her aarti and tied a multi coloured ribbon on Ali's hand and his hand had touched her head with pious love "Tujhey deney key liye to kuch khaas nahin bas yehi hai"
"I don't have much to offer you but here is a small gift" he had said presenting her a dove white silken salwar suit it was embroidered with shades of blue.
"Aap ney mujhey behen maana iss sey barh ker merey liye kiya tohfa ho sakta hai bhaiyya. Or yeh beyhad sunder hai."
"You've considered me a sister that's more than enough for me. This is extremely beautiful." She had touched the cloth tenderly a stray tear had slipped from her eye and had fallen on the fabric. She was reminded of Alaap there was a world of difference between Ali and Alaap. One had given her what little he had and the other had destroyed whatever she had.The tear though wiped away quickly had not gone unnoticed.
They had said their goodbyes promising to come soon a promise Prachi intended to keep. Ali's mother had invited her to attend Saadia's wedding which was to be held soon and ofcourse Milind's presence was a must on such an important occassion.He couldn't forget the way Ali and his family had helped him out on Sukriti's wedding with the preparations. Prachi had met many people in her life but never had she encountered such pure and simple love,she felt indebted to Milind for introducing her to such lasting relations.Standing on the wide tarmac road Milind had looked at her thoroughly frustrated "Prachi betho"
"Sit Prachi" he had ordered her the third time. "Sir mujhey darr lagta hai iss sey."
"Sir I'm afraid of this" she had whispered holding Preeti tightly, he could see she really was afraid of the vehicle. He realized she probably had never ridden one before but it was the only vehicle available at the moment , he wanted her safe at home as time slipped by the night silence grew thicker around them.
"Merey hotey huey bhi?"
"Even though I'm with you?" he had questioned and she saw the defiant look in his eyes.One that meant that he would not let anything happen to her even if it meant giving up his own life. He kick started the bike which Ali had generously loaned him for the night settling behind him on the leather seat she hugged Preeti close to her waist. Milind had felt her soft arm slide around his brawny waist her fingers trying to grope his toned abs in an attempt to hold on securely. He smiled as he heard her shallow breathing, girls.. he thought. The streets were empty and Milind enjoyed the ride, he had last sat on the bike a year back and the fresh air in his hair did wonders.
He had taken the longer route to her house the one that went beside the sea. She smelt the fresh salty sea breeze and took a long lungful of it, she wished the ride would never end she smiled as she thought of all her friends at the office. They'd give away their souls for a moment like this with Milind Mishra, yet she was the one enjoying this ride with him. She admitted to herself that it was a totally different experience one that set her soul free like a bird.She wondered why she felt so secure and safe with him though she was afraid of the motorbike she was loving the ride and unexpectedly she wanted it to last forever. She liked to be close to him, touch him be near him in some way.A part of her heart had wanted time to freeze so that she'd hold him like this, smell him, feel him for eternity. The thoughts though disturbing allured her senses she'd never felt like this before for any man.She pressed her face against his broad back smiling and he felt her smile against him. He had found freedom tonite if only for a short time but he had loved the adrenalin that pumped through his veins , the feel of her soft hair flying against his cheeks and the short spasmodic laughter that emitted from his daughter every now and then, he felt blessed at that very moment.
As he stopped the bike in the floodlit street near her chawl he could not help but notice her concern for Preeti as she carefully got off the bike with her. He held out his arms for her to hand him his daughter but she kept holding her "Aap bura nahin maanain to main issey yahaan rakh luun apney paas?"
"If you don't mind can I keep her with me tonight" she had asked in a low tone. "Kyun?"
"Why?" he had asked surprised "Aap akeley haina..... mujhey darr lag raha hai ... please issey merey paas chor dein aaj I promise main isska khayaal rakhungi. Chot bhi nahin lagney duungi."
"You'r travelling alone.... I'm afraid... please let her stay with me I promise I'll take care of her. I won't let any harm come to her." "Darr lekin kis sey?"
"Afraid but why?" he asked confused "Yeh bike sey... yeh gir gayi to"
"If she'll fall off the bike .. then." and he had smiled shaking his head in agreement. "Acha yahin rakh ley issey phir agar raat main soney na dey to mujhey mat kehna"
"Sure keep her and if she doesn't let you sleep the entire night don't complain to me" he had heartily granted her permission. He was about to start the vehicle when he saw her turn around after a few steps standing there gazing at him "Kiya hua kuch bhuul gayi? Isska bag to dey diya mainey tujhey?"
"What happened? Did you forget something? I gave you her bag." he had been surprised to see her return to him. "Haan bhuul gayi "
"Yes I forgot." "Kiya?'
"What?" "Yeh kehna keh aap muskuraatey huey buhut achey lagtey hain"
"To tell you that you look really nice when you smile" he noticed the glitter her eyes bore as her soft lips curled at the corners. His eyes had followed her ascent, halfway up the stairs she had turned back to watch him, finding him looking in her direction she had smiled warmly at him before disappearing in her house.
Part 16 page 71
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Edited by blind horizon - 16 years ago
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