Raj's Fall Now Kranti's turn-Uptd Part XVI Pg 30 - Page 22

There was a knock at the door.

"Can I come in"

Prem babu's heavy voice broke Kranti's trance.

" Ji chacha ji" Said Kranti.

Prem babu walked in he gave a look to Raj weather he was angry or he looked at him with hatred Raj couldn't make out.

Kranti bent and touched his feet. Raj moved forward to do the same only to be stopped by Prem babu.

P.B.: Whats your problem Mr. Lal. Why have you come here.

R: I have come here only for my wife….

P.B.: Shut up (shouted Prem babu) which wife are you talking about Rajbir. This woman yes she is your wife but before that she is a woman scorned by you at every step. You betrayed her at every step. You murdered her tauji ..

R: Prem babu I didn't……

P.B.: What else would you call it Mr. Barrister a just case and that too when you knew what these britishers are up to. And then you ensured that her mamaji got jailed and to get him out she had to marry that old man and the amount of torture she went through puttar I would not wish that for an enemy even.

R: Prem babu I was doing my job and ……..

P.B.: What job Mr. Lal even that Dair was doing his job but was that justified. You did the same thing the only difference is that he had gun in his hands and you had a degree of law but at the end of it you both are murderers.

Son you were lucky that this woman came in time to save you otherwise you would have been dead by now. I suggest that you go back right now we have important work to do and we cant let a low life like you to disturb us. Go away before the KKs forget that you are the husband of one of their sisters. Get lost.

R: Prem babu……..

P.B.: Kranti puttar ask him to leave right now.

Prem babu left with swift steps.

Raj kept looking at the door after him.

Each and every word he said was right. I have troubled Kranti a lot but why do these people want to commit suicide like this don't they know that it is sure death for them if they attemt anything like that.

K: Raj.. you

R: Now you don't ask me to go away I am not leaving you in this mess you are coming with me right now.

K: NO I can't Raj why don't you understand. I have a mission to complete and my country is calling me.

R: What about me Kranti? Where do I stand for you?

K: Raj I have come too far and I am not going to stop now. And about your stance you……..Kranti almost bit her lips and whispered … are very important for me but I don't know who are you to me. A tear rolled down her eyes which she quickly wiped off before Raj could see it. But she underestimated his hawk eyes.

K: Raj you go back please I will not come with you.

R: I am not going without you Kranti come what may.

K: But Raj you are forgetting one thing we are not together for a certain relation but for purpose and our interestes clash.

Kranti turned towards him and looked at his handsome face and the unusual expression of helplessness which she had seen for the first time on his face. He was looking like a lost baby. She wanted to hold him tight in her embrace but refrained. She suddenly softened and for a moment did feel weak.

The life was running on a routine a letter had come from Rattowal addressed to Chaiji stating that everything was OK and Kranti would stay a little longer as Babi bi still needed her to be around. The letter was sent by one of the krantikaris Raj knew it too well. He knew Kranti's handwriting too well and that letter was not written by her for sure.

Everyone in the house was happy to get the news of their bahu. Though Raj was upset but he was happy the Kranti's life was safe. Or he thought so….when ever such negative thoughts came into his mind he shrugged them off trying to be positive.

He tried to immerse himself in work but it didn't help. His mind was beside Kranti all the time and there was no news of her which was killing him.

It is been 3 weeks since Raj came back form Amritsar and there was no news of any governor being killed. In fact the news of soem secret mission be the police was doing rounds in the inner government circles regarding foiling of some big plan of KKs and saving the governor at Amritsar. That clearly meant that Kranti and her gang could not carry out their plan.

The news gave some relief to Raj, though he felt guilty for feeling happy about it. He knew he was being mean he knew what that mission meant for Kranti. She risked everything for it. But one thing was bothering him that was no news of Kranti. He was mortified by the thought of her and her gang being caught or worse killed is some encounter. He could not even share his concerns with anyone in the family.

One evening he walked into the house and it looked different. The flower vase in the hall which had been empty since Kranti went away was full of sticks of tuberoses, her favorite flowers. Chaiji use to ask her the logic of decorating the house with those beautiful white bloom as they use to give out their fragrance at night only, and Kranti use to tell her that their beautiful white color gives peace to her heart through out the day and at night their fragrance a lot of happiness. Raj touched those beautiful flowers lightly then suddenly ran upstairs to his room realizing something. He stood on the door panting.

R: Kranti…. His throat was dry and he was smiling because of excitement.

She lifted her eyes and lookd at him.

She missed me a lot and that love on her eyes or it is my excitement. God Kranti is back.

He wanted to run and hold her tight in his arms but couldn't as chaiji and BBR were there in the room. The women were sitting and chatting up.

C: Raj…(he turned towards the direction of the sound)

R: Yes chaiji.

C: Puttar why are you standing at the door come in see your wife is back you are the one who missed her the most and now what are you doing standing at the door not even greeting her.

R: Chaiji …I…. I hope I am not blushing. Oh god whats wrong with me.

BBR: Oh yes devar ji please come in we were anyways going my condition is not good anyways.

BBR would not leave any chance to complain about her condition and the troubles her pregnancy was giving her to anyone who cared to listen.

No one in eth family said or complained as the date of her delivery was very near and she was required to be kept happy.

C: BBR I think let us go and give them some time together. Here have some pinnis Badi bi has sent for you.

She got up and stuffed one into Raj's mouth. And the first bite tols him that theu were his favorites from Amritsar. And that halwai who makes them is the only one in Amritsar and the line there is killing for most of the people to make that effort.

'But Kranti did it for me' he smiled to himself.

Chaiji and BBR left and Raj was still standing at the door.

He was looking at that beautiful woman sitting on the bed she was wearing a plain blue suit her hair were wet and open 'she must have just taken a bath' he could smell tha aroma of her favorite chandan ubtan all over the room.

He walked in slowly. Kranti was still sitting on the bed keeping her stuff in order.

R: How are you Kranti?

K: I am ok, What about you.

R: How's everyone else?

Kranti looked at him puzzled.

R: I mean prem babu Shubhankar.

K: They are fine.

Suddenly there was sadness in her voice.

Raj could sense that something was wrong.

R: What happened Kranti?

K: Nothing Raj we had to abandon the plan because …… (she chocked)

R: Now don't get me worried Kranti tell me what happened.

K: Raj Badi bi. She passed away.

R: What? How? when?

K: Two days before the plan she had a heart attack Raj.

R: And that's why you guys abandoned the plan.

K: What do you thing Raj we are KKs no a bunch of miscreants no that was nt the reason anyway I couldn't even tell chaiji about the death of Badi bi. As that she was the pretence I had been using to stay away from the house telling the family will pop too many questions, I cant even cry my heart out on my mother's death.

Raj understood and realized tha pain Kranti must have been going through. He went close to her and help her lightly in his arms. She started sobbing and by the time she stopped his shirt was almost wet with her tears.

K: I am sorry Raj your shirt.

Raj looked into her swollen eyes and held her again.

R: It is ok Kranti it is important to went your grief. Hope you are feeling better now.

K: yes Raj much better. I have cried for the first time after her death.

R: So that's why you could not ………..

K: Raj I don't think I can talk about it. I am sorry.

R: It is ok I am happy that you are safe and fine.

Saying that he got up from the bed and she tried to get up, but nearly fell down cos of a big wound in her foot. Kranti would have fallen flat on her face if it was not for Raj who held her in time.

R: Kranti how did you get hurt? (he sounded very worried)

K: Nothing Raj it is just a small wound will get ok.

How could she tell him the real reason for this wound, for abandoning the mission or for Badi bi's death for that matter. Kranti could not share any of those details with Raj. She could not tell him that the some traitor had informed the police and British sepoys had cornered badi bi and her on that fateful day and she got shot on her leg while they had beaten that hapless old woman mercilessly and she died of those wounds and not because of a heart attack. She still didn't trust him enough to share the detailes with him and tell him that this despotic government had made her an orphan once again. She was a krantikari and a brave woman and she had to sail through the whole ordeal without letting her true feelings out.

She could afford a couple of weak moments but could not be weak otherwise.

On her last day Badi bi had told Kranti to ensure that she took some pinnis for Raj as he had mentioned to her how much he loved those. Kranti was surprised on her request but then fulfilled it. Also she took the ultimate promise from both Kranti and Shubhankar of completing their mission at any cost and she to had promised that the governor will die at her hands for sure even god would not give him death before she does.

All these thoughts were running through her mind while she was still in raj's embrace and he was intently looking at her face as if trying to read her mind. She immediately looked the other side and thankfully that very moment buaji came into the room to see her.

Buaji: Kranti puttar whats this and how did you get hurt.

K: Nothing buaji I was trying to do some field work and got hurt in the process how have you been.

Kranti tried to bent down to touch her feet and was held by the old woman instead for a hug.

Buaji: We missed you a lot and especially Raj he missed you the most I think.

R: Buaji please.

Buaji: Puttar there is no harm in telling your true feelings to your wife.

Kranti suddenly remembered something.

K: No buaji you are wrong here I am sure he was not missing me may be some one else.

Saying this she walked out of the room leaving a puzzled Raj and Buaji behind.

Whats wrong with her. I cam nevr understand this woman for sure.

He followed her with Buaji behind her. Everyone one was there in the hall sitting ans chatting over some tea Raj kept looking at Kranti from the side of his eyes. He could sense that something was wrong but he couldnot put his finger on that. He thus shrugged the thought and decided to go after it later. Continued sipping his tea.

AT night after dinner Raj was looking for Kranti. He went to the roof top abd found ger sitting on the swing there.