Poonam was in a shock when she came to know about the bike accident and the kidnapping which happened. She was relieved that they were here with Myrah now. Seeing her safe and sound put Poonam at ease. Poonam was also pleased - immensely - to know that Rudra protected her both the times. She was happy that her daughter had found somebody who stood by her daughter in tough times as her body guard -literally. Poonam was already quite happy with what she saw in the haveli. People were nice. A very warm family. She had seen the bonding between Myrah and Dhruv. It was a mother-son bonding. Perfect in that. And now this news of Rudra's courage and his attitude to do anything to protect Myrah. What more can a mother like Poonam ask for ? By nature she was an optimist. Always looked at a glass as half full and not half empty. So in her mind she had given the green signal for this wedding. Even before she saw her would be son-in-law. Then she heard his voice. And then she saw him. She liked what she saw. A very strikingly handsome man. She did not like what she heard. No man who cares for his girl will call her stupid in front of others. But Poonam was a very perceptive person. So she looked again. And saw only concern and love in his eyes. She understood that his words , his angry words, originated from his love for Myrah. And his eyes were just focused on Myrah and nobody else. Poonam decided to ignore his words. But she was afraid of Rajeev. Rajeev was not somebody who was good at looking beyond the words. And she was sure he will react. Maybe overreact to the situation to an extent of damaging it beyond repair. She held his hands tightly. And hoped that the grip will act as a break to Rajeev's flow of words.
Rajeev was clearly happy during the lunch. The time the gifts were being distributed also made him glad. He did not see any greed in anybody's eyes for the gifts. Only surprise and thanks for getting personalised gifts. He was happy till Dhruv told him about Myrah's accident. And then came the shocking news of her abduction a few days back. He just could not believe that his only daughter, the object of all his love and affection, was kidnapped and taken away for ransom and he was unaware of the event. He was happily sitting miles away and going about his business as usual when his only child had a threat to her life ? He just could not believe his ears. Wondering why she got kidnapped in the first place. And then enters this man like a rolling ball of fire thundering that she got kidnapped because of her own stupidity. The daughter Rajeev knows is not stupid. Far from it. She has the brains to handle any situation. She had gone through the personal trauma and emerged victorious defying the doctors. She was very good in her academics. In her work with the NGOs. Both in India and abroad. Isn't she the one who helped solve multiple cases of torture against women during her last visit to India ? Talking to many of the girl's families, convincing them to come forward against the atrocities they faced from their in-laws ? Isn't she the one who advocated adoption to many childless couples in America convincing them to take that one step towards their eternal happiness? Isn't she the one who helped two girls and a boy to come out of their drug addiction in the U.S ?
Who is this guy , standing tall , who says such disrespectful things about Myrah ? What right does he have ? Agreed Myrah fell in love with him. And maybe he loves her. But that does not give him any right to talk so lowly of her. Nobody has ever talked bad about Myrah. No one can get away doing so - not in front of Rajeev Mehra at least. Oh Rajeev had a mouthful to tell Rudra. But then he felt Poonam's grip on his own hand. The way his wife always does. Whenever she knew that Rajeev's anger is going to get worse.
He took a deep breath before replying. And he said, " Oh really ?"
Just two simple words. They were filled with sarcasm. Directed fully at Rudra.
Kakusa butted in and said ." Beta , Rudra..."
Just two simple words. Filled with an intention to diffuse the situation.
And now the one person who did not register Rudra's words. Myrah alias Paro. She did hear him. Just this voice. Not the words. The relief she felt was immense. The whole afternoon she has been trying to get hold of him. Worried when there was no news from him. He had promised to be back for lunch. And now it was hours later. And still there no news from him. His voice was like an ointment on her heart. She turned and felt his eyes on her. They just kept looking at each other. One with anger and another with relief. And in a few seconds the anger in his eyes mellowed down at her sight. Seeing her standing there was like a cold rain on his sweating body. He realised just then that he needs to just see her to put himself at ease. To be at peace he needs his Paro. Without her he is nothing. The kidnapping case which he was investigating has opened up his worries and fears again. His Birpur visit only made him more vulnerable. About her safety. About her. And the only thing which can soothe him is her sight. The anger in his eyes mellowed down. And slowly crept in into hers. Here she was going bonkers over her worries over him. And he was just striding in as if he is back from a walk.
"Rudra, you are back ? Where were you ? Do you know how worried I was about you ? How many times I tried calling you ? In your office and your mobile. I could not even reach any of your detectives. You promised to be here for lunch. Where in the world were you ? Couldn't you have called up to let me know ? " With every sentence her voice levels went up. She lunged at him and held onto his collar. Desperately hoping that holding him will bring down her worries. Touching him will erase her fears. Her own kidnapping had left her quite disturbed days back. It was a narrow escape for her. And for Rudra. She was not sure whether he thrust himself again in the face of such danger. Whether he had enough people with him before he followed the case. She kept bombarding him with questions expressing her anger and displeasure. In the middle of all those interactions Rajeev's TWO words and Kakusa's TWO words were drowned.
Rudra held her both upper arms and she was still holding onto his collar. He kept staring at her face. And she kept staring at him. He with relief and she with anger. There was always a mirror connection between Rudra and Paro. Their actions were mirrored at one point of time or another. It is just that today it happened within a matter of minutes.
Finally Rudra calmed down. Got his strength from her. And could see worry written all over her face. And he murmured, " Mujhe Phone Karna Chahiye Tha. Maaf Kar de. "
The whole Ranawat family realised then that they were holding their breath. For a volcano to erupt. Two to be precise. From Rajeev and from Rudra. Luckily the danger was averted. As usual by the one and only who knows very well to keep the family intact. Paro.
Dhruv smiled at his Naana. Pulled his hand to bring the latter's face down and whispered, " Papa goes around shouting at everybody. Ordering everybody around. He only listens to Mummy.
Maithili walked to Myrah, " Myrah, Jaane do na. Devarjisa ne bol diya toh maafi de do unko." And she swifty took hold of Myrah's hands. "Why are you troubling him so much ? Now be a good girl and introduce him to your parents. "
It was then that Myrah realised that it was Rudra's first meeting with the Mehras. But before she could do the honors Dhruv came running and took his father's hand and took him to meet his new found Naana and Naani.
A Naani who was further pleased with the Damaad. A Damaad who might be a lion in the forest but still calms down in front of his lioness. A Naani who was extremely seeing the love. After all she did see ultimate love in Myrah's eyes for Rudra and vice versa.
And the Naana was not as happy as the Naani. But it will do for the time being. Because he saw how Rudra the rogue elephant was tamed by Myrah the mahout. That made his mood better. Not that he is going to be nice to Rudra when they talk later. But for now Rajeev will be at his best.
And they did have their talk. Rajeev and Rudra. The two men in Myrah's life. Both approached the other with caution after the earlier fiasco. Rudra did hear the sarcasm filled question from Rajeev. Though it did not register then he did remember it later. As a trained BSD office Rudra could hear and see even minor things which he can recall later. Though it might not register then and there. So he knew he has to be cautious with Rajeev.
" I had gone after a lead in a kidnapping case. Of a daughter of a very influential person. Almost a week since the girl got abducted along with the friend. Still no clue about their whereabouts. And the trip brought back bitter memories of our past. When I thought I lost her. Which made me think of what if I had lost her forever. "Rudra explained his day in a nutshell sitting in the living room to the Mehras late night. The rest of the family had gone to sleep including Myrah. Mehras were there because of the jet lag. And Rudra was there because he could not sleep. Ironically Paro could always sleep even when she was in the midst of problems. That was one of her many traits which was just opposite of Rudra's.
Rajeev and Poonam noticed the absence of an apology. And they realised that here was a man who will not say sorry unless he felt he did something wrong.
"It was her stupidity that day, you know. I asked her not to step outside the haveli but she went willingly with these two men to have a look at their saree collection." Rudra mumbled something more after that but luckily the other two did not hear it thankfully.
Rajeev did not expect that. That his daughter can be so naive to trust two strangers and leave the house with them. But he was not yet ready to let go of his anger towards Rudra.
" How did you find out about her whereabouts ?"
" I got a call from the abductors"
"And why did they call you? And not me or her uncle? Were you saved as the favourite contact?"
"No. She asked them to call me. They were about to call her uncle." Rudra did not mention Phata Doodh against his name which he saw in her phone
"And ? The kidnappers told you where they were so that you could go and find her and bring her back?"
Rudra stared at Rajeev. He could now see where this line of questioning was going.
"No they did not tell me." Rudra wanted to add more but before he could answer Rajeev asked again
"And I assume you were quite intelligent to find out about her place so fast - on your own" The sarcasm was back. And Rudra heard it.
And then he thought about the day. About the events which unfolded - the phone call and then his drive to the building. He acknowledged in his mind first that it was her presence of mind that saved the day. She could get the men to call Rudra and she herself gave him clues about her surroundings that led him to her. Yep. She was intelligent. As she was most of the times J
Rudra grudgingly told the Mehras the truth. And looked them in the eye.
"I got your point. She was stupid to go with them. But intelligent enough to lead me to the place."
Rajeev gave in. Finally. Here was a man who was truthful. He might be short tempered. But he was straightforward. And that is one quality which has to be admired. Rajeev face relaxed a bit breaking the ice.
But Rudra continued being serious. He wanted to get this conversation completed. There was no time for niceties. "I need to talk about a few more things with both of you. Now"
It did sound rather ominous to their ears.
Next Chapter - > Chapter 24
Seher Hone Ko Hai
Mannat Har Khushi Paane Ki
