Chapter 30
Sugni sat at the table of the dinner trying hard not to fidget. Everyone around her looked so elegant and sophisticated. Vickram sat opposite her listening to what the speaker was saying at the podium. He looked like he was in his element. Cool , comfortable, relaxed.
When he insisted that she accompany him to the Award Function she was initially reluctant. He convinced her by saying that it was an important event and he wanted to share it with the most important person in his life. His brother in law told him it was safe, as Divakar was out of town and was so busy in his new post he probably did not have the time to see about his other issues.
Amrita also told her she was not being fair as he was always supporting her , and it was her turn. So here she was. She had to admit it was not as terrible as she envisioned. The function was split into two parts, a dinner, which was where they were, to welcome them all and the actual award ceremony to take place the following evening. This meant they had to spend the week end away from home. In a beautiful city , St. James, it was different from the quite Mawhari. "The city that never sleeps Vickram informed her as they drove into it late last night, it was still bustling with life, with shops open , and people walking the street.
With Amrita's help Sugni found the perfect outfits for the functions. Her nervousness however would not go away. She felt Vickram take her hand across the table. "You doing ok?" She nodded.
"I know , I know these speeches are boring...but we'll leave as soon as we can ok!" He said, as he smiled. He was interrupted by the speaker.
"We'd like to welcome now, one of the innovative business leaders to say a few words...For vision grit and the courage to make his unique idea into a successful business ...Mr Vickram Singh of Reva's Treasure Land. " Squeezing her hand , he got up as he took his turn at the podium. Sugni joined in the applause as he made his way on stage.
"Good evening, it is an honor and pleasure to be here. I would like to correct you on one point, if I may, this vision, and idea, was the brain child , of my late wife Reva, whose dream it was to stand here one day. And though she could not be here in the flesh , I am sure she is here in spirit. Starting off a business like this..." Sugni listen to his speech feeling like a proud mother, watching him, as he described the trials and tribulations, the ups and downs. For the first time ,her nervousness gone, as she hung on to his words. She knew how special this was to him, and was honored that he wanted to share it with her.
Over the last week her relationship with him had grown much deeper, closer. Her strength and determination was in part by all of his love support and encouragement. Which in turn got her to get up and shake of her feelings of depression, instead of sitting around waiting for something to happen,she engrossed herself in her classes with Hukum,who she now considered another good friend. Her fears were there ..but were no longer debilitating her. She had more confidence, and it was because every one around her made her feel that she could do it. Amrita, Hukum, Nagina and most of all Vickram.
The round of applause brought her out of her musings as Vickram finished his speech joining her back at the table. After dinner the guest began to mingle with each other, talking business, making contacts. Vickram told her that there were government officials around and other big wigs. For the most part she just stood quietly at his side as he chatted with a few people.
During one of these conversations she excused herself to find a bathroom, Vickram seemed engrossed in the conversation, he looked at her silently asking if she was ok, and she nodded. The crowd in here was much different than the loud pub or club. In fact she was wondering, as she made her way to wash room how could so many people make so little noise.
"Excuse me , miss , lady in blue." Sugni stopped realizing someone was calling out to her, wondering if she forgot something in the bathroom, she turned around. Her eyes opened in shock as she recognized the face in front of her, not that she could ever forget it. Mr. Raddic. The man who 'won" her virginity by bidding the highest. Sugni thought she would be sick. Before she could move away he was in front of her.
"I thought I recognized you!, as you walked pass. Hmmm Chulbuli...my little innocent flower!" he moved to touch her Sugni stepped back.. .
"Awww ..don''t tell me you're still shy shy?. I didn't expect to see some one like you at something like this...who is the lucky man you're here with? He must be brave to take the chance!" He laughed sarcastically.
" Minster Riddic" they were interrupted by a young man.
"What?" He answered annoyed
"Mrs. Riddic is looking for you sir, she says it is important."
"Hmm, OK I'm coming."
"Listen , you'll be hear tomorrow? I know you're under contract, but we can probably meet and remember good old times... Maybe I can work something out with who your with." Before she could respond, he caught sight of some one and said "Stupid woman..." He turned to leave. "see you tomorrow" He said hurriedly as he left.
Sugni stood there stunned, her stomach hurt. Feeling suffocated she turned and walked out side.
"There you are, I 'v been worried" Vickram said when he found her a few minutes later.
"I am sorry I just wanted some fresh air."
"I know , it could be boring!" He said , "What's wrong?" He asked as he looked at her pale face.
" UH ? Nothing," She shook her head. "Can we go now, I'm tired"
"Sure.." He said, they made there way to his jeep. Sugni breath a sigh of relief to be away from there.
"Sugni...thank you for sharing this with me, for making it even more special." he said . He looked so happy. She smiled reluctantly, she wouldn't spoil this for him.
******************************************************************************
"Sugni, what's wrong?" Vickram asked as he looked at her , the next evening lying on the bed. "Why aren't you dressed?"
"I'm sorry, can you go with out me?, I have a really bad head ache.,I don't think I can make it." She said.
"What , you were fine not to long ago!" He said
"I know, but..." She shrugged.
"Ok I'll get you a tablet." he said
"No I took a couple...I will be fine after I sleep I'm sure" She said she closed her eyes, not willing to blatantly lie to his face. She felt his hand caressed her forehead, making her feel worse.. Placing her hand on top of his she opened her eyes.
"I'am sorry..." She was...
"No it's ok, I just wished you were there to see me get it."
" I wished that too...but I'll see it when you get back" She said
"You sure you'll be ok?"
"Yes I will...you better get going before it get's late." he looked at he worriedly. "I'll be ok" She said. He got up and put on his jacket.
"Wow you look very handsome!" She smiled...
"Thank you."
"I love you."
"Love you to...I'll be back soon OK?" She nodded.
******************************************************************************
Vickram Stepped off the stage after collecting his award, feeling elated and happy however that feeling was dampened by the fact that Sugni could not be here to share the moment with him. He was worried about her since last night when she seemed off. He knew that she was wary of crowds , but she was working on it. he wondered of she was coming down with the flu as she did look pale.
He was anxious to go check on her , and wondered if he could sneak out , now that he got his award, its not like they would miss him. Deciding to leave he began walking out, and was almost to the door when he was stopped.
" Mr.Singh!" Vickram turned towards the man.
"Minister Riddic." he said taking his hand in the proffered hand shake.
"Congratulations!"
"Thank you!'
"Are you leaving already? the ceremony is not yet half way through!" Riddic said as they continued to walk to the door.
"Yes I have something to attend to!" Vickram said.
Riddick laughed as he pulled out a packet of cigarettes, "Ohh I am sure, or should that be someone!" He gave Vickram a knowing look. as he lit one and took a drag.
"Excuse me?"
"Don't worry I know all about your um "Date". I was wondering last night, after seeing Chubuli, who would bring a wh**e to a function like this, with out fear of recognition, but I guess you have nothing to fear, being a widow and all." He laughed. Vickram stopped cold. His rage building.
"So how long is your contract?, you know seeing her brought back memories, I was her first bidder, she was all shy and timid, green totally...but I am sure by now she's better huh? I mean she loo..." Unable to control his rage Vickram's fist connected to the Ministers Jaw sending him sprawling to the floor...
"What the hell..."
"She is not a wh**e, nor is she a thing you bid on..." He said Picking him up to deck him again. "You disgusting piece of shit!'
"How dear you!" Riddic said "Wiping his bloodied mouth you'll pay for this'
"Oh I'd like to see you try!" Vickram retorted..".I am sure your wife and your voters would love to hear what their representative pass time is!" Vickram walked off leaving Riddic staring after him in rage..
Vickram walked back into the Hotel about a half hour after...he spent twenty minutes just driving around trying to control his rage. He found Sugni asleep.He looked down at her sleeping form and wondered how could some one like her, who never wished ill on any one go through so much. He brushed her hair out of her forehead, wondering if he could every really erase all the pain and scars she went through, but he would try. Sugni jumped, looking up startled.
"Shh it's just me, " He said. She blinked a couple of times , trying to wake up.
" Oh You're back !" s he said..."Where is it?" She asked. sitting up. Sitting next to her he handed her the beautiful gold and black plaque . "This is so beautiful" She said admiring it. "I wished i could have seen you get it!'
"I wish you could to!" He looked at her as she continued looking at shiny gold plated trophy passing her fingers over his companies name. Her proud smile.
"Sugni?"
"Hmm"
"You 'didn't have a headache did you?, you were avoiding some one?" he asked . She froze as he spoke, her smile disappearing. . "I met Riddic on the way out, he had a lot to say". She bent her head and closed her eyes "Why didn't you tell me?" he asked softly.
"I didn't think he knew I was with you" she said.
"He did, he must have seen us leaving . "
"I am sorry" She said as she started to cry.
"Sugni...you have nothing to be sorry about, , I really don't care who sees us or what they think" He said.
"I know that...I know you don't think like that." She said.
"Then why were you hiding in here?"
"Because ... I know it doesn't matter to you what people say or think. I care about you just as much, I know the business, its name and reputation means the world to you, and I don't want to be a cause of embarrassment to that, because of my past.I knew how much this night means to you, this dream you shared with Reva was finally coming true, and it should have been perfect, happy. When I saw him last night, and he was saying ..."she shook her head, " I knew if he saw me with you he would probably embarrass every one, and ruin it. I-I did'nt want to spoil this because of me , and my past, especially where your business and reputation is concerned." She wept. I spoilt it any way. I am sorry." She said
" Sugni..look at me", He said. She did. "You did not spoil anything. if any one should be ashamed to go out in public its him. I am not ashamed of you, or us, and there is nothing any one can say to me to make me feel any different.I know all there is to know.But you can't hide from every one, because somewhere along the way you might meet more like him. The best thing you can do, is be proud of who you are, what you have accomplished, You have no reason to be embarrassed or ashamed." He said" And as for my business or reputation. Sugni I am not afraid of that because I know I do good work and will continue to, my personal life is no one else's business, and if they choose to gossip about it , I am not bothered, because actions speak louder than words and any one who spends any time with you will see just what a wonderful person you are, and I am proud to be seen with such an amazing woman.! So no more hiding away?" he asked
She shook her head. Staring at him.
"It seems every time I start being happy, and leaving it all behind, something comes to remind me . It's like I can never get rid of it." She said bitterly.
"Then don't try to forget!" he said
"What do you mean?" she asked.
Vickram took her hand in his. " When ever you come face to face with it, look it in the eye, with your head held high, say…yes I know where I came from, and no matter how hard you tried to break me, I am still standing. I got out of it despite your best efforts to bind me. And I'll never stop moving forward no matter what!" She nodded.
"Good! So how about putting on that lovely outfit you had in store for tonight and lets go have dinner hmmm? Maybe this time you might actually make it pass one glass of wine, walking" he joked
"hey!" She laughed embarrassed as she playfully shoved him. She probably heard all the corny drunk jokes from him since that night.
"Ok.." She said getting up to change , feeling much better.
The figure watched the girl and the man as they walked out of the Hotel into the car, he followed them to the restaurant. They were unaware of his presence, he smiled of course they would be un aware of it, otherwise he would not be doing his job. It had been two weeks since he found her, that was the hard part…locating her but he did, although it was not easy!. By luck or by chance, he spotted her sitting in the front of a jeep one evening as he was driving around , driving in the opposite direction to him…turning around he discreetly followed them.. waiting...All he needed was one chance the right opportunity , to get her alone, but it seems that she was never alone. Always with someone, especially him. He chuckled well what did he expect… she was after all a professional. He also knew he couldn't make a scene.He was patient, and he had time now…He was sure one day soon he would get her alone. For now he would just make sure she never gets out of his sight again.!
Anupamaa
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2
