It was evening when he reached Amritsar the houses were twinkling with little lights emerging from the windows. Though the winters were passing by, still it was chilly hence people use to get inside very early these days.
Raj's car was moving like a lone ghost on the roads of Amritsar. He was closing towards Harimandar Sahib. The place he had thought of getting Kranti along to get the blessings of the almighty. Once things would get ok between them.
His eyes fell on the tiny opening of Jallianwallah bagh which was blocked by general Dyer to ensure the maximum casuality on that fate ful day.
April 13th 1919 what a date considered inauspicious by british and they themsleves proved it.Kranti's parents also died on that day isn't it.
A cry again he realized that it is coming from the side of Jallianwalah Bagh, he turned still couldn't see anyone.
May be because of the dark….Thought Raj.
He suinted to get a better view still nothing. He decied to park the car at the side and get down to check if there is someone who required some help.
He stepped out, the air was loaded with with different fragrances. The Poppadums and warians speciality of Amritsar. How many times chaiji had asked him to try those but he couldn't manage the spice.
MMMMM this fragrance of those famous pinnis my favorite.
Once Sanjay had come to India during the break from his session that time Raj had threatended him with dire consequences of he did not get those pinnis for him.
R: These pinnis remind me of home Sanjay.
S: Yeah right for you to rememeber your of home I had to take flak of Bauji and had to become driver of my driver imagine he was sitting while I was flying the car like a rally driver on the road from Lahore to Amritsar. And you are remembering home after smelling these ghee filled sweet, cant even remember that you should atleast thank your friend for making an effort.
R: Thank you my friend (laughing while he stuffed the pinni into his mouth)
Suddenly that lingering sweet smell changed into something horrible the smell of gum powder and burning flesh.
Someone is been shot close by.
The voice has come from this side let me go and check.
To his surprise he didn't see anyone. Even the gate was blocked so that no one can enter that place it was still a sour point in the hearts of KKs. Even an average Indian use to feel patriotic after going there. And to avoid the misuse of this sentiments by KKs the government had blocked the place.
Is it my illusion may be driving all the way has tired me. But that smell was not unreal how can all my senses betray me at the same time. Anyway now I have to look for a place to stay for the night. He decided to go to the circuit house where he knew being a public prosecutor he will get the accommodation.
He walked into the cosy room of circuit house. The fire was on at the fire place giving out a warm glow which matched with the air in the room which was very warm or so he felt after driving for so long in the cold weather.
Sleep was still far away from Raj's eyes. He was still thinking about Kranti where would she be.
He was worried about her well being. After a lot of rolling and tumbling in the bed he slept. The sleep was not comfortable at all.
These damn mattresses ….My back.
Now what shall I do where will I find Kranti god how do I go on looking for her now.
Finally he decided to go back to Jallianwallah bagh once again.
May be I find her there she will definitely go there to pay homage.
He decided to take a rickshaw in the morning the bazaar would be buzzing right now and driving at this hour will be painful, he decided to take the cycle rickshaw instead.
He never liked the concept of these cycle rickshaw he could never understand the reason as to why a human had to put in so much of physical effort to carry others, and that too when most of them required some exercise. Tongas were definitely better or may be these rickshaws with fitted motors. Raj use to think like that about those.
He reached Jallainwallah Bagh.
Whats this commotion?
He stopped a guy going by.
R: Whats happening Praji?
G: Nothing Praji these english men ont let us live in peace. I don't understand why the governer wants to visit Harminder shahab when one of them had colored the earth here red. Don't they understand that we are still angry on jallianwalah Bagh and anything can happen here. I wish one of our Kranti karis should just kill this man and wash of the blood of the patriots.
R: Thank you!
What the hell I hope that Kranti's coming to Amritsar has nothing to do with the governer's visit here. God it is too dangerous and I have to stop her before anything goes wrong. I have to find her ASAP.
He started walking towards the gate of Jaiianwallan Bagh. It looked as ghostly as it did at night only difference was that he could see a few embedded bullets in the walls even through a distance and he knew that there were many more inside and the ones which pierced the bodies of innocent.
He felt a feeling of remorse and a slight shame for helping and working for British.
But then these mad people don't understand that the english are good for us and the amount of development we have seen with their coming we would'nt have seen otherwise.
Raj was in the middle of his thoughts suddenly he spotted a woman walking towards the gate she was dressed in olive green full sleeves kurta, same as what Kranti was wearing when he first saw her. Her dupatta covered her head properly and he couldn't even see his side of her face. But there was something familiar about her. Suddenly he spotted something gleaming round her neck.
Raj had recognized Krantis mangal sutra which he tied around her neck when she got married to him by force. How he felt like wringing that beautiful neck at that time.
Oh god it is Kranti. What is she doing here and why is she dressed like that.
"Kranti" Souted Raj that woman turned around it was indeed Kranti.
What the hell is he doing here?
She started walking fast her steps picking pace with evey move. Raj tired to follow her but lost her in the crowd. There was a sudden rush in that market area.
After following Kranti and losing her midway Raj stopped to catch his breath.
Whats happening Kranti has come here for some big thing otherwise what was the need for her to lie.
There was a sudden surge of people they almost Pushed Raj down. He had to struggle to keep still he heard some one shout- "Gora governer is here"
There was a sudden chaos before Raj could understand anything he was pushed aside –
Oh god thought Raj as if he realized something. The KKs are planning to assassinate the governer and Kranti is a part of this plan…….I have to find her before she gets herself into any trouble.
Raj reached circuit house he had to do something to get Kranti out of this problem. But he had no clue what to do and how.
Raj knew that there is only one person who can help him in this matter.
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2
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