NEW FF ...THE UNEXPECTED updated page 39 - Page 32

Chapter 36

The cold splash of water brought Vickram back to consciousness as he blinked his eyes from the blinding brightness. . His head hurt like hell and his back felt as though it went through a ringer. He tried moving his hands and feet but they were immobile . Looking down he saw that he was tied to a chair. He began struggling to get his hands free...

"Ah AH Ah ...don't bother it won't work!" said the voice of Neeranjan as he came into view.

"I am sorry jeeja ji see we had to take some kind of precautions naa...we did not want you being the big hero and all..." He laughed. Somewhere outside his vision he heard the laughter of Reva but looking around he could not see her, or Sugni for that matter.

He realized that he was sitting in the old living room of the old haveli where just a few weeks ago Sugni and Him had his impromptu picnic. Where was she?

When Vickram entered the gate of the old haveli it was obvious they were waiting for him as out of nowhere he was surrounding by six goons all with sticks and knives obviously in a well-planned attack. Before he could defend himself properly he was hit on his head, knocking him unconscious.

So here he was now tied to a chair looking into the face of his very coward and smirking brother in law!.

"Neeranjan...you won't get away with this!" he said.

"On the contrary I think we will...after all this is a very old place anything can happen here any time no..." he laughed

"Where is Sugni?" he asked looking around again but not seeing or hearing her.

"Who your little wh**e?...oh she is right here...remind me to thank her for her part in this..." he said, jerking his head to the side indicating for her...Reva came out dragging a struggling Sugni along with her. Like him she was also bound by hands and feet and only her mouth was also gagged.

Looking at her Vickram tried to see if she was hurt or not but from where he was sitting he could not tell. All he knew was he had to get her out of her.

"Let her go, Neeranjan ...she has nothing to do with this...please...let her go...!" He said, trying his best to stay calm in this situation. If something happens to her because of this he could never live with himself.

"UH sorry can't do ...see I have some scores to settle with her...not to mention payback .. for what you did to me over her. !"

Walking over to Reva he roughly grabbed Sugni, bringing his face up to sniff her hair making her cringe back, and Vickrams blood boiling at the same time the bottom falling out of his stomach..."

"NEERANJAN!!!"

"calm down...shouting won't help ...and we...don't want you missing all the fun now do we? And I assure you this will be fun..." he said passing his hand across his cheek where she scared him. Without warning he back handed her sending her crashing to the floor. From his pocked he pulled out a pocket knife brandishing it close to her face.

"I owe you one don't I?" He said lightly passing the blade down her cheek, as she closed her eyes, silent tears rolling down her face.

"Don't worry ...I won't pay you back just yet...!" He said as he used the knife to cut the cloth over her mouth.

"That's better isn't it...I mean I want him to hear everything" He said wickedly.! As Reva laughed in the back.

Desperately trying to think of a way to distract him Vickram said the only thing he could think of.

"I know about your plan!...I know you killed Reva!" he said. It was a stab in the dark but he took a shot.

"I know she is an imposter. Your debts...aren't you ashamed for money you killed her!!!"

Neeranjan looked at him, then at Reva as he took it in what he just said.

"So it was you...all this time it was you behind the phone call. ?...Wha! wow you are one smart man jeejaji , having us run around ..Blackmailing us ha!ha!ha! how smart. How did you find out exactly?. Tell me I am curious to know?'

Vickram looked at Sugni wondering what to say ..."Little things... I have been married to your sister for over eight years...Neeranjan...you think I don't know..."

"Naa I don't believe that...I mean why would you take so long to confront me that is not like you." Neeranjan countered.

" I was trying find out what happened to Reva...but I could not...tell me Neeranjan why? Why did you...I mean you owe me that much don't you think?"

Neeranjan looked at Vickram who was tied and helpless on the chair, at Sugni who he could smell the fear rolling of her. He know the anticipation of what he had in mind for her alone was probably killing her...and the longer he made her wait and wonder the more that fear would grow ...that was a heady feeling.

Why not? he owed him to know just how much he hated him.

Looking at Sugni he lightly caressed her face, which she cringed from. He was happy to see the fire burning in Vickrams eyes when he touched his precious bedni. Ohh he had much more in store for him! He thought gleefully.

"Have a seat doll...I'll get back to you!" he said as the pushed her so she fell at Vickrams feet.

"OW!" Sugni exclaimed as her knee hit the hard ground. She looked up to see Vickram looking at her. For once in his eyes she saw fare. She knew it well because she was sure it was reflected in her own eyes. Only she knew his fare was not for himself but her.

All of this was her fault she knew. She should not have listen to her aunt. When she walked into the small house she found her uncle lying on the cot covered in sheets and making painful sounds. But it was not long be fore she realized it was all a trick. When her aunt went out the back and called Neeranjan to inform him she was there.

She was shocked to see Neeranjan and Reva walking into the house with a bag full of cash for her greedy Uncles. Sugni tried to run but they were to quick for her. Soon she realized she was nothing more than bait a way for them to get to Vickram. And she walked right into their trap dragging Vickram behind her.

But Vickram alone was not what they wanted. She heard enough of Neeranjan perverted plans he shared with her to know before this was over both of them would probably wish for death more than once.

She just hoped that Vickram could forgive her for bringing him into this. She looked at him tearfully as she mouthed "I so sorry". Vickram closed his eyes and shook his head silently telling her she did not have to be.

"Aww ain't that sweet!" Neeranjan said. Interrupting the moment.

"I guess you should know...it was her foolish stupidity that killed her. I mean if she had just done what I wanted her to she would be alive. You know when father got her married to you I thought good riddance. I mean growing up she was always given first priority. Reva this Reva that...Neeranjan take care of her ...Neeranjan she needs you...God I was sick of it. The problem was for some reason she liked me...always wanted to b around me.

When she got married finally I did not have to risk being caught by her. As she always wanted to follow me. But then father died...and my bills kept getting bigger and bigger and I needed money. At first it was easy all I did was tell her what I needed and she would give me...no questions asked ...well I guess she was good for something. " he laughed "But then she changed. She fell in love!!" He scoffed As Vickram looked at him confused. What did that mean.

"Ohh it's not what you think. She was not off having some hot affair ...she was in love with you. You know every time she had an episode, she would tell me how you would sit with her even when she was horrible to you. Or your patience. Until I became fed up of hearing how perfect you were. Little did she know ...you were not perfect were you...I know you could not stand her that's why you saddled her off with me and left for weeks at a a time right?? I tried telling her that but she got mad at me instead. Then she got it in her head she wanted to get better. Every time she herd about a new treatment or something that might have the answer to her illness she would ask me to go with her. As she did not want you to get your hopes up she might be cured and it did not work. Oh but she had no idea I was not about to let that happen. It was on one of those trips I met Dr. Suman, we struck a friendship and I told her I needed for Reva to stay the way she was..

Then shock of all came one day when I asked her for some money to pay back a gambling debt I owed and she point blank refused me. She never did that before. She said she was not going to waist her husband's money on my gambling...she really expected me to go out and work or stop gambling. I had no idea where she was getting these ideas from but I knew I had to stop it. You know how she got scared of loud noises. She hated them. Well I discovered she would do anything if I made the noise go away...!

The day she had her accident well that is what I was doing. I needed some money badly. All I wanted to do was scare her ... I did'nt know she would get so agitated. All I was doing was trying to make her see some sense...but in her agitation she hit the side window so hard she broke the glass... next thing I knew she was bleeding all over the car. She started screaming and would not shut up so I placed my a hand over her mouth for her to quit. Next thing I knew she was not moving or breathing!"

"So you left her!" Vickram asked appalled at what he was hearing. He was beginning to think Reva was not the only mental patient in her family. Judging by the way he seemed to enjoy telling this story.

"I panicked...I after all she was my responsibility and everyone knew she was with me. So I drove the car out of town to the forested area where I made it look like the car crashed. "

"But she was never found!"

"I know that is because I thought if they found out that she died from suffocation rather than the accident. And you know they have ways of finding that out all fingers would point to me. So I buried her in the jungle . and covered it with some old fallen tree so no one would find it . Then I came home and claimed she left me somewhere. Given her track record that would not be unusual. And I was free.

Now I thought all that would be over and I would get the insurance money father set up in her name. Only to find out she changed it. I was so frustrated thinking I lost it all was lost. Then I knew that if the insurance started doing their own investigations they might find something the police did not. For sure I thought my game was up.

But as luck would have it was not up... By some miracle I went into a brothel one day and I thought I was seeing a ghost when I saw Molly here. I literally ran out of there screaming...but as I calmed down a plan began to form and I wondered...so I went back and found her. And guess what she was more than willing to play the part...

So we came up with a new plan one that would give us all the money we needed. All we had to do was get rid of you.

But like my stubborn sister...you refused to budge. But after many failed attempts I guess it will pay of now...See there is no way I can let you live long enough to divorce you "wife". So we need to make her a widow a.s.a.p. I guess today is your lucky day!" He said to Molly who laughed.

"You won't get away with this!" Vickram said.

"ohh I will...see an abandoned haveli ...you and your mistress came to have a good time but...how tragic...alcohol ...candles,,,old wood...sad really..." He said. "But before that I have a score to settle!" he said grabbing hold of Sugni by her arm and dragging her up.

"Let me go...no!" She said struggling.

"Neeranjan let her go...Please" Vickram said. "She has nothing to do with this.."

"No ...no bedni is going to be better than me!" he said. "Don't worry . It won't hurt much. She might even enjoy it." He winked rudely.

Sugni did her best to struggle against Neeranjan hold on her but he was stronger. She remembered the way he made her feel when he was harassing her. Trying her best to control the fear that was threatening to over take her brain She knew she had to think of a way out of this.

He opened a door to one of the rooms up the stairs .It was probably once a bedroom or sitting room. There were broken pieces of furniture hear and there. The windows were broken. But what struck her was the mattress that looked fairly new lying in the middle of the room. Apparently they planned this whole thing out to the last detail she thought sickeningly. .

"Haaye Sita Miya...help me" She prayed silently. As he grabbed her pulling her close to him. "Him you were confident he could save you...no one can...not so brave now are you...?" he said as he took the knife from his pocket and cut the binding on her hands. He again shoved her so that she fell onto the mattress face down. She felt him hold her feet as he cut those as well.

She was wondering if she was strong enough to kick him, but he had her feet held tightly in his hand.. Sugni's eyes fell on what looked like a broken wooden chair leg with nails on the end. Her payers seemed to be answered as it was lying flush against the mattress withing hands reach. Knowing this was probably the only chance she had. She closed her eyes saying a little prayer again as she surreptitiously grabbed hold of it. She waited until she felt him make a move to get up as she turned as fast as she could letting out a scream she swung her hand with all the strength she had connecting with the side of his head. .

The blow sent him craning to the floor strong enough to render him unconscious. Sugni looked at Neeranjan in shock clutching the piece of wood as she was expecting him to get up any moment. Knowing she had to do something to keep him there. She spotted the cloth he used to bind her arms and legs with. Seeing that they were no longer useful she looked around for something, her eyes falling on the sheet that covered the mattress. Checking his pockets hoping he would not awakened she found the knife as she began cutting strips of cloth to bind him. ...

Vickram listened but could not hear anything after Sugni's blood curdling screaming. His mind was going crazy thinking what that monster was doing to her. he needed to do something!.

Behind him he herd movement as he looked to see Molly as she set up what looked like a picnic. With candles and bottles of some sort of alcohol.

"listen ...don't let him do this... I'll give you anything you want...money...you would not have to work a day in your life...but please don't let him hurt her. As a woman I am begging you!" He tried desperately.

"Ohh you are begging me..." She scoffed..."sorry as tempting as that offer is it's nothing in comparison as what I'll get as your widow...and I am not going to throw that away!' she said.

"Are you a fool ...you really think he is going to let you stick around long enough to enjoy any of it?...He had no remorse telling that story. You think he'll think twice about killing you..." he said to her.

"Think about it...as soon as he gets what he wants...you're history... you can save an innocent life today. Please."

"STOP IT!" She said..."Stop trying to use guilt on me it won't work ok..."

"How could you be so heartless?" he asked .

"Years of practice!" She retorted. "Now Shut up!" She said. As she left him making her way outside.

Vickram herd the creak of the bedroom door as it closed. He closed his eyes. As a feeling of utter helplessness flooded him. Maybe it would be good if he died. If he could not save her life meant nothing after this moment.

He felt the binding at his feet loose and then his arms as he opened his eyes and saw her.

"Sugni? Oh God are you ok?" He asked as he hugged her tightly..

She nodded "I am good. I am ok...He didn't..." She said softly. Shuddering at the thought.

"I am so sorry it's all my fault." She said.

"No..No ...it's not your fault ...they knew what they were doing ..shhh.." he said

"Where is he?" He asked.

"Unconscious. I knocked him out." She said. Vickram chuckled at that. He didn't care how she did it as long as she was unhurt.

"Where is she?" She asked. "She went outside. She'll be back.." Vickram said. Time for some payback.

Molly walked back into the haveli with some more props for the accident. Trying her best to ignore Vickram's words about her being next on Neeranjan's list. He would not. Vickram was just trying to guilt trip her into helping him. No No...but she would make sure he did not double cross her that was for sure.

She stopped short when she saw that the chair where Vickram was tied was now sitting empty. What? How was that possible?

"looking for somebody?" He asked as she saw him standing at the front door. She swallowed as she turned to go out back where she came in from only for that door to shut revealing Sugni standing in front of her.

"Where are you going?"

"How...?" She asked, looking from one to another. Vickram came up to her as she looked at him. She smiled slightly. Knowing all was lost but she had to try...

"L..Listen I was j..just" She felt the sting of the slap from Vickram as he grabbed her arm.

"Women like you make me sick... There is not a hell hot enough for you to burn in... I hope you enjoy it!" He said as he tied her to the same chair he was on a few minutes ago.

Vickram went upstairs where Neeranjan was hog tied and dragged and pushed him downstairs.

"You bas***d...! Vickram said grabbing him punching him in the face. "You Killed her...Your own sister... for money!! She loved you..." grabbing him in a choke hold, Vickram looked at him with fire burning in his eyes . The urge to strangle him strong.

"Neeranjan I could kill you right now and get away with it to...but I am not like you...and It won't bring justice to her. But you spending the rest of your sorry life rotting in jail certainly might bring some peace to her... And believe me you won't come out of there unless it's in a box.!!! I promise you that!!!... He released him as the sounds of sirens could be heard as the police came down the little dirt road.

Vinnie

Chapter 35.

Sugni looked at her reflection in bathroom mirror towel drying her hair. She felt relieved to be out of all those heavy clothes. The last few days has been so hectic ... with pujas and rituals all these pre wedding ceremonies and now with the wedding.

She pinched herself she really could not believe that she was Married. Not only married but she was now a Thakurine! This all felt like some sort of dream. But it was not. It was real alright.

In the three months since her kidnapping. A lot had happened. Neeranjan broke under police pressure and confessed to his crimes and also directed the police to the body. Vickram had the body exhumed and he gave Reva a proper burial . The least he could do .

She knew he felt guilty...he confessed as much wondering if he had paid more attention maybe she would have been alive. She knew it would take him a while to accept that it was not his fault.

Molly was also looking at a long time in jail for her impersonation and fraud and conspiracy to murder.

With the revelation that Reva was fake and the real Reva was no more the gossip mills were going strong. People were shocked by the scandal. But somehow that all worked in Sugni's favor as now she was no longer looked at with accusing eyes and people seemed to be more accepting of her relationship with Vickram as it turned out he was actually a widow and not a married man when they started their relationship.

Finally their lives seemed settled. Sugni closed her eyes saying a silent prayer to Sita miya and her Mother that all worked out. Maa Thakur accepted her whole heartedly and she was just as involved in the wedding preparation as Sugni was even more so. With Maa Thakurs acceptance in some small way Sugni felt she had her mother's blessings with her as well.

Hearing noises outside the bedroom door reminding her that this was her wedding night. Suddenly she was filled with a nervousness that she was to not aware of. Butterflies started swirling in her stomach. On the other side of that door was the man who held her heart, the one person she would do anything for. The love of her life, her husband.

Her husband... she was not his bedni but his wife. Her Vickram. Taking a deep breath she turned and made her way out the door.

Sugni stooped in shock at the scene that greeted her. All around the room in each corner was covered with lighted candles. The lights were off...leaving the room with a soft golden glow, much different from the room she came in not even half an hour ago. In the back ground she could hear soft music playing.

Sugni was mesmerized by all the lights. "Wow!" She whispered.

A pair of arms wrapped around her from behind...

"Hmmm you smell nice!" Vickram said kissing her neck.

She blushed, the butterflies in her stomach now working overtime it seemed.

"When did you do all this?" She asked.

"While you were in the shower." He said. As she turned around to face him. Slowly he began moving from side to side his arms around her in a kind of slow dance.

"And you had time to take a bath as well?" She asked , observing his damp hair and change of clothes, his customary white Kurta. "How is that possible?" she asked.

"Well I am a guy...it takes me 5 minutes to shower... I was about to send a search party in there for you!" he joked.

"Hey! I did not take that long..." She pouted.

"So you like it?" He asked

"Like it? it looks beautiful...breath taking!"

"Thank you!" He said taking her hand in his, still swaying to the music.

"For what you did all this."

"Oh not for this...for saying yes to marrying me...for trusting me ...for making me the happiest man on earth ." he said looking into her eyes.

Resting her head on his shoulder she said, " you don't have to thank me... there was nothing I wanted more than to marry you. You have made me the happiest woman on earth, as long as we are together there is nothing more I need." She sighed contently. Her life at this moment was perfect.

It was a long road to get there but they finally made it.

"Sugni" Vickram said softly

"Hmm"

"I love you."

"I love you too." She said looking up at him, as he bent his head and placed a soft kiss on her lips. Wrapping her arms around his neck she returned the kiss. They were both lost in the moment , and each other.

Somewhere far off in the distance the crackle of thunder was heard as through the window flashes of lightning was seen interrupting them.

Sugni looked out the window as the rain began to fall, suddenly she began to giggle, uncontrollably.

"What?" Vickram asked wondering what she found so funny at this time. That was not the reaction he was going for.

Nothing!" She said as she looked at him, and burst out laughing again.

What? Tell me..." he said

"Well it's kind of ironic don't you think...the weather..."

"How so?" he asked confused.

"Well it was raining then to, when you showed up at the guest house...that night. Falling on the steps"

"I did not fall! I slipped..." He said defending himself

"Hmmhmm... looking like a wet chicken...when I let you in" She teased. Vickram looked at her surprised that she could joke about that night. They never really talked about it, cause he always felt guilty for taking advantage of the situation.

"Do you regret it?" he asked .

"regret what?"

"Letting me in that night..." He knew she said she did not blame him ...but still he always wondered if she had regrets about what happened.

Sugni looked into his eyes.as she caressed his face gently. "No...I never did really. Do you know why I ran away that day?" She asked as he shook his head.

"It was not from you, or what happened as it was from myself. I was afraid if I stayed I would give in and forget all my principles. Which I did. But not for one moment did I regret that night. I guess when it comes to you I am not as strong as I think I am." She blushed.

"Well neither am I when it comes to you." He said. As he kissed her again.

"But we don't have to worry about that now..." He said lifting her in his arms as he walked towards the bed...

"Cause we are together now, each other's strength and weakness...and as long as we have each other nothing else matters." She nodded as she kissed him...

THE END