ch109-113pg93, Updt,a road to salvation june 18 - Page 53

Chapter 92

Madhu had a briefing session with Counsel General of India who too was staying at The venetian. Had it been some other time Madhu would have definitely enjoyed her stay at the Venetian. One of the topmost casino hotels in Vegas, it gave the other world charm to its occupants. Copying the look of the Grand Canal Venice while it was absolutely no where close to the real thing but it did try. The stores were all so enticing and the luxuries at its level best. The main courtyard looked like a square in Italy. They were having some kind of a costume play when she had entered the courtyard. She missed RK had he been here he must have surely known what they were enacting. The lady in the age old Victorian gown was holding the hands of her lover and asked him "will you really do this for me?"

"I will my love, if that is condition to get your love I will do that." Said the lover determined and left. He walked for a few minutes in circles and then came close to a planter full of pink roses. Madhu was standing very close to that planter. He asked

"My lady do you think this rose will be loved by my Ariana, she is as fair and beautiful as you." Madhu could not help but laughed for a second her heart felt light and she said

"yes my lord it would."

"you know my lady I need to color the most beautiful rose here with the pure blood from my heart into red. If my Ariana finds it beautiful then she will marry me."

"Oh no! my lord don't do that, a love that demands sacrifice for selfish ends is but an illusion. You are so much better than Ariana and look around you will find someone who will take this rose as is from you and cherish it." She laughed again she was enjoying it.

The man looked around and then came to her again to ask if she would accept the rose fom her.

"My lord I would but I am waiting for my prince my self."

"OOO!!!!" he made as long a face as he could and this time Madhu waved a bye to him and left. He in turn bowed in courtesy to her.

"Childish fun." Said Andrew sarcastically to which Madhu merely smiled. Some balls were better left. Her father always said that when ever he used to watch cricket. Remembering Shamsher Mallik as her father was something she was giving up off late. Her genetic configuration had been bothering her a lot. It was good she was reminded that a man is what he thinks he is. Her thoughts belonged to Shamsher Mallik not Balraj chadhary.

not in love with the bold print

"He is waiting for you, come in please."

Andrew was about to follow her to the small study in the suit but the P.S. stopped him.

"This meeting is classified for Indian interests. This place as of now under your law as well as ours will for the conductance of all legal purposes be treated as a part of Indian consulate. You do not have permission to attend this meeting." Madhu heard it but did not look back, she just smiled to herself though she could clearly visualize Andrew swollen face

" Jai hind sir," Madhu saluted and took a seat next to him on his indication.

"What made you send this SOS call officer? Do you know what kind of situation you have created and if it is not that critical as you claim it to be, you might have just finished your career."

Madhu took out her Ipad and started showing him all the details about Veniamin Abakumov. She then gave all the further details about his entire life and his association with Al Taiyaba.

"Sir I am not yet sure of how much information Indian govt had about this entire scenario. I am certain that I will not be given a clue as to where our govt stands in this situation. The point here is very simple I need to know my status here before I proceed with anything. My information says that the LVPD had apprehended Balraj about 25 days ago. There is no mention of that arrest and investigation in this file that was given to me. On what grounds was he released I have no idea. It appears to me either he has entered into some kind of a plea bargain with the system here to avoid extradition or he is using them as a bait to get to me. I have only one option now since the entire situation is thus been kept from me, that I both quit right now and leave this incomplete. It will certainly cast a murky shadow on already very tough relation between India and USA. It will leave a very bad taste in their mouths for ever for which I don't give a damn if you ask me. I do care a little for my life though." She had put enough pressure on the consul general to persue talks with the higher officials.

"I am certain that this is not all that you seek, what else is it that you are yet to tell me?" The Consul general asked.

"I need a weapon and a right to shoot atleast for self deffence."

"I will try get a clear picture of this entire situation but I doubt you will be given a weapon."

"I will settle for Balraj's Extradition then without trial."

"What? Are you out of mind?"

"I am Sir, clearly I am, I will not take my governament manhandling and manipulating us officers for their benefits. Either I get this or a weapon. Why should I put my life at stake for American Safety , that is clearly not my concern. If I do so then I don't see any reason to do it without any personal consideration."

"You are in for trouble lady, do you understand that."

"Sir the reality is that the trouble I am going to take now is far more risky than the trouble I will land in if I quit. She kept on staring straight into him. The consul general understood that she was a bone that could not be chewed and then she was right it was their fraternity of beauraucrats and executives that Indian govt always messed with. For a second he felt like if every other officer could be as gutsy and as shrewd as this woman the picture would have been different.

"wait for my directions in the guest room." He said in a resigned tone.

After about 20 minutes of waiting she was called back. She took a seat when asked to.

"Our defence minister will be talking to you in a few minutes." He informed her and asked his P.S. to get that Andrew out of the suit entirely.

Within a few minutes they were into a live telecom with the deffence minister of India.

"What are you upto officer? Have you lost it?" Came a very irritated first question.

"I have yet not lost it sir and I am trying my level best to keep my life intact."

"Do you think we would send you on a suicide mission?"

"Yes sir it clearly appears like that. I deny becoming a martyr so early in my life."

"You are the officer with some kidney issues, do you know your career is already on the line."

"Sir I would gladly resign right now and come back. You can choose to send any one else here for this"

"You know that it is impossible to send anyone there at this hour. You are holding us hostage officer. You will have to pay for it."

"It would have done a lot of good to the indian govt if they would have chosen to clarify the entire picture in time to me."

"We cannot demand his extradition just like that."

"Then give me a 2.25 revolver with atleast 10 rounds of bullets."

"You are out of mind."

"I repeat sir I will happily resign right now." She saw the Consul general smiling slyly.

"You are trying to extort from us. OK please tender in your resignation to the consul general there." Even before he could complete his sentence Madhu pulled out a sealed envelope from her bag and gave it to the Consul General. He looked at her shocked. He knew that her resignation was going to cost heavy. The Indian govt was appraised of this change in situation about 20 days back and they had agreed to sending Balraj chaudhary's daughter into this trap upon his insistance, now withdrawing will not sit well with the American counterparts. They were counting on this whole interaction to arrest Veniamin Abakumov. Abukamov was a clear threat that USA govt was taking seriously. A huge amount had been agreed upon in this whole matter. That would definitely enough to lift Indian Forex if not stabilize it. He asked Madhu to once again sit outside. After about 25 minutes Madhu was again called in, the Counsel General told her,

"We have come to a conclusion; we will file the extradition request infront of the American Department of State. The rest is in the hands of the state."

"So I was right no official papers have been yet filed. It was all a charade conducted by our highest of officials.What a way to treat an officer sir. I am sure our head of state would have very conveniently disowned me as a citizen and would have rejoiced in triumph over my shallow grave. Treating your own people with such contempt?? Indian politics is stooping to ultimate low standards. Let me put it straight sir and for the last time, I need Balraj chaudhary to waive his right to a hearing. How you are going to achieve it is none of my business. I don't need a weapon any more and this is what I want. Get it done and I will fight to my last breath to get Abakumov arrested alive. I have never failed sir and my record is sufficient to vouchsafe for me."

"Madhubala I am afraid that is all we can do"

"I am afraid sir it is too little and too late. I deny to be used, deceived and thrown like this by anyone,be it my own country."

The counselor General was clearly looking frustrated with this deadlock. He but was now aware that this woman would not budge and there was no way out. He called India again and after another half an hour of arguments they finally agreed at putting forth this issue infront of the governor of Nevada and the attorney of State who was to attend this meeting. That was all the Indian govt could do. The Counsel general proceeded to schedule a high priority meeting with the people concerned. Madhu took her leave from him neither too hopeful nor too resigned. She was mostly neutral she knew she had cleared the first hurdle of this race between her dad and herself. There were still many more to handle. For now she needed to go thank the master mind behind this plan.

'''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''.

Originally posted by: DonnaHarvey

not in love with the bold print

yes

you best prep for my critique

I know but got a few request for larger and bolder fonts...how have you been girl. I have really been busy packing and arranging for the big move. I need to answer your mail. will do it soon.

that's more like it.

Originally posted by: mytinypaintings

I know but got a few request for larger and bolder fonts...how have you been girl. I have really been busy packing and arranging for the big move. I need to answer your mail. will do it soon.

"I am coming out, please pick me up" she informed her driver, by the time she was able to make her exit, her car was already there it shone brilliantly like a dark night. She flashed her brightest smile ever to her driver. Who remained as neutral as he could be. She rushed towards her car with an unexplainable urgency, opened the front seat and literally threw herself on her driver. Well as of now he had been her driving force and, he could have given all that he had for that real hug only if she would remove that sense of intense gratitude from that hug.

"Hugging your chauffer like that in public does not befit a person of your stature my lady. Above all I don't want to be on the wrong side of your husband."

"I don't care about any body's stature but I will give you that much, you should never dare to wake up at the wrong side of my husband." She was all smiles not because of that little hope that she was granted just now but because she was with him.

"I never had in my wildest dreams thought that I would be doing this" he pointed towards his uniform.

"well even Lord Krishna becamea charioteer for his friend and loved ones and ofcourse for a greater cause."

"I think I should take off before you start with another sermon of yours."

"But RK seriously what about your shoot."

"Weekend Biwi, no one works on weekends here Biwi." Rk drove out of the parking lot.

"Where are we going"

"We have some time before the embassy will be able to schedule a meeting, so let's have fun while we can."

"I don't want to go to casino's or any such place. Besides I want to ask you so many questions."

"Questions as in?"

"How did you know about all this."

"FYI some one loves you a whole lot more than you can imagine." For a second a bright twinkle appeared in Madhu's eyes which did not go unnoticed. They were away from the strip now.

"Where are we going RK."

"to Floyd Lamb Park It just 15 minutes drive and I am sure we have more than a couple of hours." Within a few minutes they were in the park. Green, calm and serene, Madhu was moved because right now she needed to be as far away from crowd as she could. She needed time alone to formulate and plan, in her mind the future steps. Though she knew that her terrain was mostly unpredictable and, now with the turn of events it was going to be extremely difficult to guess future course of action. Still she needed time to recollect herself. She had been in a state of shock since 6:30 Am in the morning when RK had knocked her door. He was the last person she had expected though in her heart the first one she had wanted.

They had come staright to Tule Springs Ranch, one of the best examples of Pleistocene paleontologic sites in western North America. They went and sat near the small pond. It was cooler in here. They remained silent for quite sometime, it was not easy to absorb all that had transpired within past few hours. Both needed time to chew on it.

Originally posted by: DonnaHarvey

big move?

I am in the dark here. fill me in if you don't mind.

Moving back to India by Mid july...Packing up all the stuff and throwing away so much and then giving away a lot all this has left me puzzled and drained...plus my job

"How did you come here?"

"I drove and that too quite fast, was lucky not to get a ticket."

She kept her gaze fixed at him and curbed her smile.

"OK your Father Inlaw called me"

"Sir!!"

"Yes, It is the second time in my life I saw him literally in tears because you were in question. What is so special about you that he loves you so much?" RK looked back into her clear, transparent, crystaline eyes, eyes that never cloaked anything.

Madhu tried to avert her gaze and look elsewhere. She had always been scared that if not today then tomorrow this question was going to pop up. She had no answer to this. She felt as if he was accusing her of stealing his due.

"Don't look away Madhu, He called me and told me the way the Indian govt had very conveniently tried to decieve you and many others involved in this case. A lot of information was clearly kept from him. His suspicions had taken strong root the day you mentioned about your illness to the press. Despite a recommendation from the department you were not pulled back. He started working on it as soon as directions were given to him to send you to Vegas Instead of the preplanned trip of San Fransico. He had called me as soon as you boarded flight to be ready to join you as you would need someone to bank upon. When you send him the files last night he finally spoke to Malik and it was from his sources that he was able to get all the classified information. He wants you to step down and if need be step down from the job. I was sent here to force you into backing off."

Madhu looked straight into his eyes this times but what RK noticed was were the shades of grey in her eyes.

"Bahadur not a time to reconsider, this is a time to reaffirm. If you trace back your steps from here, you will keep wondering all your life what if you had followed through." RK said to her

"you sound like my mother"

"Biwi that was a blow to my masculinity."

"It was? I thought I was complimenting you. What ever happened to the man who never wanted this in the first place."

"Bahadur this place has a huge lot of fossils related to the biggest and the mightiest creature that once spanned the expanse of earth. They are all past can you fathom why?" Madhu did not answer but kept staring into his eyes.

"Because bacche they did not know how to adapt. Their might became the reason of their doom. They failed to care about each other and nurture each other. I am evil and I am par excellence at it, but I am not an idiot. I am capable of recognizing and accepting an imperative change within myself aswell as my surrounding "

"you mean to say you are changing" she blinked her eyes to convey her disbelief

"somewhat, have you heard of that saying haathi dubla kya hoga aur cheeti moti kya hogi. So I am changing but only within my limits. I am not mutating into something unidentifiable."

"The great RK is changing but for whom? Might I ask?"

"Are you that dumb or are you fishing for a compliment Biwi"

"none pati, I am in state of utter disbelief. Don't you think your change is a little to soon."

" I get your point but today is neither the time nor the place to answer it, may be a few days later."

"so you were saying something about dinosaurs"

"Bahadur, I can talk huge loads of philosophy and science together but crux would only be this much that this is your life and this is your battle. You choose your course of action or inaction. Know that I will stand by it but choose wisely. Evaluate all that is there to it for you as well as for many others." He looked at her expecting nothing in response.

"I am your wife is that why you will stand by me?"

"Yes that is there, but that is not all. I could have said this with choclates and flowers, or with the most precious diamonds, womens best friend and all. I will say it with just this (he starred into her face. Then picked up the long broken eyelash that rested on her cheek and placed it on her wrist, I do it out of love for you."

Madhu just folded her palm looked back towards the horizon. She was lost in this moment. Was it that easy for him to say that he loved her. Did he really mean it. Was he just trying to lift her spirits? She was unable to accept this proclamation or rather confession at this point of time, but then she neither reject it.

"Arrey you didn't wish for anything."

"wo kya kehtey hain

hazaron khwahishein aisi ki har khwahish pe dam nikale

Mere arman bahut nikale magar phir bhi kam nikale" she smiled a reluctantly.

"you don't need to do anything that you don't want to not even smile." RK said to Madhu.

"There is the catch I don't know what I want." RK knew the time to remain silent was now. The time to take his steps back was now. He looked towards the horizon. It was pretty cloudy too. Funny are the ways of nature it always reflects your own state of affairs, or we see the world as we perceive it. Madhu was constantly at war with her ownself. A part of her wanted to just call it quits and live a happy life with Rishabh. To be very honest not a part but as of now her entire being was feeling tired, she had never thought that she would be so used by her own people. When they never cared about her why should she care about them. She felt like an illegitimate child who was left in the desert to perish by both, her father or the people in power in her country and her mother or the people subjected to that curropt power. None cared about her wellbeing, both would only extort till she had any givable drop of blood left. She did not find any motivation to do anything for them. She made up her mind it was the time to call it quits. She looked at RK and said

"Tell me truly RK will you still love me if I quit."

"I don't love you because of your Job Madhu"

"Then why do you love me."

"I don't know? Or rather It is too complicated to be spelt out in words." He again was silent for quite a few moments.

"You wont be any less Bahadur if you decide you don't want to proceed if thatis what you were asking." He smiled

"SO your love is not based on me being Bahadur." She said in a tone that was not very definite.

"Oh it sure is one of the reasons. It would have taken a lot to stand upto me given that I am the son of some one who could potentially make or break your career. I am not talking post our wedding but of those four slaps which still are imprinted on my mind. Don't jump yet, some imprints cause dents for better. It would have taken a lot of courage to love your father's love interest and accept his love child as your own sister. It would have taken an immense and I repeat an immense amount of courage to love some one who dared to uproot you with all his might. Then love him so much as to give up all that you stood for in a jiffy. I have seen the entire interview. Bahadur I definitely love you because you are bahadur but quiting wont make you any less bahadur."

She was overwhelmed at what he had to say. How could he change so much and how could she be so lucky now when luck had hardly been at her side ever.

"What will it make me then?" she asked looking into his eyes for some honest answers.

"If you want an honest answer then know that it is going to hurt. Quitting would make you Impulsive, Rash, and selfcentered to some extent. Again none of these are qualities bad enough to stop loving you. Above all Biwi loving you is not an option for me. It is '.." he left the sentence incomplete and looked away.

Selfcentered was the word that hit Madhu right in her face. This was so against her rules and principles of life. She had always lived her life for others. She never thought herself as the center of her being. Her malik her mother, yes her mother how could she forget her. She was into all this for her. How could she ever forget that, though her mother never wanted her to do all this but this was what she always wanted to do for her? To bring her a closure, to get her justice. All her doubts were gone far away. This was her chance to achieve; this was really her time to re affirm her principles of life and to reinstate her faith in their virtues itself. She took a deep breath and looked at RK she wanted to say so much but did not hhave words. She looked at him deepest gratitude. It was fully recognized by him but what he did not like was gratitude, he knew she loved her and and that was all he needed all other sentiments could reat in some oblivion for the remaining of their lives and he would be fully content with it.

"lets go" he said he knew she was back and he was glad she was.No matter how much he regretted her being the way she was, he would not have her being any other way. He got up and waited for her to rise on her own.

''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''.

Originally posted by: mytinypaintings

Moving back to India by Mid july...Packing up all the stuff and throwing away so much and then giving away a lot all this has left me puzzled and drained...plus my job