CHAPTER 35
Vickram stepped of the train in Mawhari, this time with instead of a feeling of nostalgia he has so many years ago upon his return this time it was filled with dread, and worry over Adi and the rest of his family.
He turned as he took the suitcases off of the train and unto the ground. He then took Sugni's hand and helped her down from the train gingerly. As she was holding a sleeping Shanti. He looked around but the station was mostly deserted, it was not the most happening village around after all Rattu was supposed to be picking them up, but there was no sign of him.
"Why don't you have a seat there with her? I'll call and see where he is." He told Sugni. She nodded as she took a seat on one of the benches on the platform. He dialed the Rattu who picked up on the 2nd ring.
"Hello? Thakur Saab I am so sorry...I am on my way I got an unexpected flat tire...I'll be there in ten minutes...sorry Mallick." He said.
"Ohh. It's ok we'll wait. Rattu how is every one?"
"They are fine safe...Chotte Thakur is awake now and home...they are waiting for you."
"Ok..." He said as he hung up.
"Every think Ok?" Sugni asked.
"Yes...he got a flat.' He explained. She nodded. She turned her head looking around to this place she left more than six years now. Nothing much seemed to have changed.
"Let me to hold her, stretch your arms out." Vickram asked . Shanti had been in her arms for the past few hours, he was sure she could use a break.
"No it's ok...Rattu will be here soon and shuffling might just wake her up." She saidadjusting the blanket around her daughter in the cool night breeze.
Two days after Amrita called Vickram that night, they arrived here. As he ended the call that night he looked at Sugni who was looking at him worriedly. "What's wrong Vickram.?" She asked.
"Adi...I can't believe this...he went to the sight as someone called and told him some people were stealing ...apparently they caught them in action and instead of running they attacked them...a whole gang of them they left him unconscious. The night watchman took him to the hospital..." He told her what Amrita told him.
"Haai sita Miya!" Sugni gasped "She must be so scared and Maaji..." Sugni closed her eyes she did not think she could handle another shock.
"Amrita is distraught...I am sure maa is to...Oh gosh..." He got up filled with nervous energy. The clock stated it was almost 5 AM. The need to do something driving him. Vickram immediately called rattu and ordered him to make sure that Amrita and Maa Thakur was not left alone, he called the police and requested extra protection for them until he could get there.
As soon as was admissible he called Chan and explained to her that he needed to leave. Leaving instructions on how to handle his meetings and scheduling video conferences and whatever might be necessary in his absence. Her work load just increased but he knew under pressure she was a very hard worker.
He turned came back into the room after his call with Chan to find Sugni busy packing suitcases with both of their clothes.
"I called Seema and Raja and explained we won't be here...we might have to settle with them for the week...what about the yard work and stuff...maybe they should come check once a week or something?' She asked him.
"I'll talk to them..." He said. "but Sugni...maybe it would be best if you stayed..." he said. Mawhari was the last place on earth he knew she would want to be and in truth he would rather she stay away from there.
Sugni stopped her packing as she looked at Vickram who was looking at her with a mixture of worry, fare and all kind of negative thoughts she knew was with him since that phone call. And even now she knew he was trying to keep her safe from It all while he handled it all.
She walked up to him as she shook her head no.
"Vickram...I am not letting you go back there alone." She held his hands in his. "Together we are going to face this. They need us. Maaji and Amrita will need me...and I am sure you will have your hands full getting to the bottom of what happened.And there is no way I am leaving you alone to deal with this." She said as she looked him in the eyes. "As long as I am with you, even hell will feel like heaven."
"You sure about this?" he asked
"Yes. I know you are worried...but you are not doing it alone. I'll finish packing." She smiled slightly as she squeezed his hand. Vickram looked at her, he really did not expect her to stay here alone with him gone. He Knew she was trying to put on a strong cherry front for him , but somewhere inside her going back was also filling her with dread.
Vickram was shaken from his thoughts by the arrival of Rattu who was apologizing profoundly for being late.
"It's ok Rattu...help me with the bags." He said.
A short while later they were making their way to the haveli. During the short trip to the haveli Shanti awoken and was staring about curiously. She was excited about the train ride. Now she was looking at the roads and people wondering how they all looked so different from the city.
They arrived to a quite haveli, there were two guards by the doors. As they passed one by the gate dressed in a police constables uniform. They walked in and was greeted by Amrita, who ran to hug Vickram.
"Mamaji...thank God you are here." She said tearfully.
"It's ok beta...it'll be alright..." He reassured her her patting her head gently. He released her as she turned to Sugni.
"Shh...don't cry..." Sugni said hugging her. "How Is he?" She asked
"In pain but much better.' She told them.
"Why is he here..should'nt he be in a hospital?" Vickram asked her.
"He insisted after he woke up...they were not doing much for him there any way except giving him pain medications, so we brought him home. The doctor you referred us to ...well he looked him over and said just make sure he rests and he should be fine. Thank god it could have been much worse..." She shuddered.
"Hey no...don't think it..." Sugni said. "He is going to be good..." She said. Amrita nodded.
"Maaji?" Sugni asked.
"She is worried but trying to be strong. She won't won't leave his side for more than a few minutes. I have been trying to get her to rest properly but she won't budge." Amrita said. "the stress can't be good for her." She said worriedly.
"Let's go see them..." Vickram said after he dismissed Rattu.
They made there way to Adi's room. He was lying on the bed looking pale in the florescent light. He had bruises on his face and a white bandage on his head..
"Adi?" Amrita called softly as they entered. Maa Thakur turned to look at them. She stood up as Vickram approached her as she hugged him. Her eyes also filling with water.
"OH Vickram...beta...Adi.."
"Hey Maa...shhh...I am here na...it's going to be alright...they won't get away with it." He told her. "the police will find whoever is responsible." She nodded, as she wipred her face.
"But I am happy you're here." She said.
"Where else would I be?" He asked
She turned as she greeted Sugni and Shanti with Hugs.
"Sugni...I am sorry.."
"Maaji no...please...we are here for each other as a family." She said.
"Mamaji?" Adi said from the bed as he gingerly sat up, wincing
Vickram looked at Adi. "Hmm you're here less than a month and already getting beaten up by the locals...maybe I should have sent you to a self defense course instead son." He said lightly looking at him with raised eyebrows.
"Hahaha...very funny...it was a lucky shot." He said
"I can see that." Vickram said as he sat on the bed to get a closer look at him. "How are you son?" he asked seriously his eyes taking in his brused face and bandaged head worriedly.
"I am fine." Adi said. As they exchanged a hug, filled with relief as Vickram finally saw for himself that Adi was more or less alright.
"But Naani maa and Amu are a wreck...help me with them.'
"Of course they would be...oyela!!!...what did you do to that handsome face?' Sugni said as she came to stand next to Vickram. With Shanti.at her side.
"Adi bhaiya what happened to you?" Shanti asked concerned.
"Nothing shorty...just a little accident...I will be fine now you are here." He said to her.
After a few minutes of light talk about the trip over, Adi began to feel sleepy so they left him to rest as they all went to Maa Thakur's room where Vickram also insisted that she get some rest .
"Let's just all rest and tomorrow we will discuss what is happening. I spoke to the inspector before I left and he told me he would visit me in the morning. Don't worry Maa everything will be fine now..hmm"
"Yes beta...I know..." She said
"Amrita you to get some rest..." Vickram told her.
"You all must be hungry...?" She said
"No We are good... and I think I can find the kitchen..." Sugni said to her as they walked to Vickram's room. Shanti was sleeping with her grandmother.
After bidding Amrita a good night ...Vickram and Sugni also went to rest form the long travels.
*****\\\\\/////*****
"Well it looks like it was a robbery for the material gone wrong...given the description we got they seem to be known thieves...I am guessing they could not resist all that Thakur Saab.' Said the fat out of shape police inspector. Inspector Chowdhary. The next morning as he came over to give Vickram an update on the progress of the case
He accepted a cup of tea that was brought into the living room by Sugni as he eyed her up and down, trying to hide his shock over her attire of jeans and a T-shirt.
Vickram looked at him and could not keep the disgust off his face. Over the phone the man sounded so professional and cordial. In person he acted the total opposite.
Let me introduce you to MY WIFE...THAKURINE Sugni Singh" Vickram said pointedly.
"Oh...Namaste Thakurineji..." He said as he sat up straighter. Sugni nodded Namaste as she left the room silently.
"Hmm...now What is this ...it looks like, you are guessing, you are going on assumptions here, you have nothing concrete for me ...it's been three days Inspector...I want to see results... how far could they have gone in this village?' " he asked.
"We are doing our best..." The inspector said.
"Your best is not good enough...did you even look into the fact that this could be planned?' he asked.
"I don't think...I mean...who would..." Vickram laughed sarcastically at that.
"Apparently you are not from around here... as you would not ask that..." He sighed. "Look please I am hoping you conduct this investigation the way it is supposed to be conducted professionally ...and I want results soon!" Vickram said sternly.
"Yes Thakur Saab...I will make it my top priority."
"It should be...it's not like this is the crime capital of the world ...this is Mawhari...Inspector..." Vickram stood as the inspector also did as he left. Vickram shook his head. Like the rest of the village Chowdry also looked like he could not care less about what took place here.
Vickram sighed as he turned to meet Sugni who was standing at the kitchen door.
"Well what did he say?'
"nothing of value." Vickram told her what he said.
"Sheesh doesn't look like he cares much any way...'
"I know ...I am sure if I offered him a few hundred dollars I might get some arrest." He said She shook her head.
Adi was feeling well enough to come down and join them for lunch . Vickram met with the builders and was busy seeing about getting the construction going again. After lunch he made his way to the sight where the work was progressing as a slow pace.
After observing the some of the workers who were loitering around when they should have been working. He decided he needed to have a serious talk with the project manager on how he was handling his operations.
He was about to make his way back to the haveli when a car pulled up at the sight and a few men walked up to the Project manager . They started to tell him something that Vickram was to far to hear , but he was pointing at him.
Making his way to them Vickram looked at the men.
"Umm can I help you gentlemen?"
Yes ...are you the one in charge?" they asked him.
"Yes, Thakur Vickram Singh...this is my land...is there a problem?" he asked.
"Yes Thakur Saab..there is is... I have a stay order here...apparently this land belongs to some one else and you are not supposed to be on it."
"What nonsense ...this land is my fathers land and I have every right to be here..."
"I don't know that sir...All I have is this stay order stating you should cease and desist all activity here now...as it is illigale ...the land belongs to some one else..." Waving the piece of document in his hand.
"What WHO?" Vickram asked looking at the lawyer with an expression that had him trembling, he took the paper from him as he looked at it.
"ME..." Said a voice coming from the car. Vickram looked past the black coat to the man that exited the car. He could feel his blood starting to boil as he came face to face with Thakur Vijai Singh's smirking face.
Edited by Vinnie79 - 11 years ago
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