Chapter 19: Sangharsh
An insistent knocking at their door broke Nakul's brief reverie following his heated altercation with his wife and his subsequent realization. Nakul glanced at Barkha who was looking out of the window with a meditative look on her face. As he opened the door, a very distraught looking Bhumi entered the room with a "Nakul, do you know where Joydeep is? He's nowhere to be found and I've tried calling his cell with no avail. I don't know what to do." "Is there something wrong Bhumi?" Nakul asked her and then immediately realized how inopportune and rhetorical the question had been. "Sab kuch galat hi to hai na Nakul." Bhumi put Nakul's thought into words, albeit acerbically. "Don't worry Bhumi...I'll go and look for Joydeep. I know the places he goes to when he wants a little peace for himself.....Barkha...Will you?" her understanding look obliterated the need for any more words.
"I'll accompany you" two voices sounded at the doorway at the same time and Lakshya and Manthan looked at each other warily. "We'll find him Bhumi..", Nakul lay a reassuring hand on Bhumi's shoulder. "Lakshya, take the Cielo out now." Lakshya hurried to obey his elder brother. "Manthan, just let Karan chachu or dad know that we're out looking for Joydeep. Tell them not to worry about the same." "We don't have to..." Manthan began only to halt midsentence as Nakul raised his eyebrows to Well-I-am-in-charge-now-boy-and-you-better-do-as-I-say. "Its always better to keep someone older informed,Manthan." Nakul sounded surprising sensible. "Let's go."
Even as a 12 year old orphan, who had entered Shantiniketan as Sahil Virani's adopted son, Joydeep Acharya always had a soft corner for Bhumi. Unfortunately for him, that liking metamorphosized into a profound, silent,intense and seemingly hopeless love. His love was unselfish enough to wish Bhumi every marital happiness when she chose Abhir as a life partner. And wise enough to know that even though Bhumi was wedded to him, it would be near impossible for her to let go of the feelings she had for the person she had loved so passionately. Rather than prolonging their misery in a sham, forced, loveless marriage, Joydeep had decided that it would be better if he let her go instead. A belief which was strengthened by their conversation tonight during the dance. He looked at the superficially calm, expansive ocean ahead and wondered if its depths were as perturbed as his mind. His stereo in his car played "Tum se mujhe pyar kyun ho gaya ....." in repeat mode. How apt the song was, atleast in his situation, he thought sadly.
Abhir's love for Bhumi was the antithesis of Joydeep's. And right now, all Abhir saw was the only reason Bhumi would never be his. He had seen Joydeep's attentive and absolute devotion to her. It amused him. But he had also seen Bhumi's softening responses to him. When he had cornered Bhumi at the party with an aggressive "Stop playacting Bhumi. Everyone knows that you don't and can't love Joydeep. You love me and only me." "You are wrong Abhir. I thought I was in love with you. Fulfillment of self serving carnal desires are not love, Abhir. Neither is it the selfish thought of binding a person to you for your own happiness. There is much more to it", she answered casting a wistful look at Joydeep. "Now if you excuse me, I think my husband needs me." as she turned to go, Abhir's hand was on her arm. "You don't go if I don't want you to go Bhumi." At that exact moment Joydeep came by and disengaged his hand. "Renewing acquaintances?" Joydeep asked Abhir in an easy voice. As Bhumi walked out of earshot, Joydeep turned to face Abhir and in the same easy tone continued, "I am a firm believer in non-violence, Mr.Bhasin. But that does not mean that I cannot defend my wife's honor when it comes to it."
Joydeep sensed Abhir's stealth advancement and caught hold of his hand at the very instant he knew he would be attacked. "I told you I was a firm believer in non violence Abhir." Joydeep said blocking Abhir's other hand with his fist. "We'll see ...." was Abhir's enraged reply.
When Nakul, Manthan and Lakshya reached the beach, the affray was nearing its end. Both Lakshya and Manthan would have rushed off to help Joydeep if Nakul had not held a staying hand on both of their shoulders. "Let them settle it amongst themselves." he said. Meanwhile, Joydeep had wrested the spiked log of wood from a supine Abhir's hand and threw it off with a "I think that's enough." As he limped towards his car, Abhir got up slowly and picked up the wooden weapon. He followed him and would have caught Joydeep unawares if Nakul hadn't intercepted him with a "Not fair Abhir" and delivered a blow to his face. That knocked Abhir out. Cold.
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Sorry if this part is a little theatrical 😕
Edited by anut - 18 years ago
Indian Idol 15
