Another Parud FF - Clear blue skies I(upto Chapter 50) - Page 32

Kavya was dressed in a dark green embroidered saree and the Mehendi function was in full swing as the girls teased Kavya as Deepa applied henna on her new daughter-in-law's palm. They suggested that she hide the alphabets of her son's name in the design. Kavya thought it was a great idea. Her friends teased that if he manages to find it, she must get him a 'special gift'. The bride turned red as she could think of what he would like but wasn't ready to give yet. Paro looked at her own hands and decided to get Jallad written instead of her husband's name. It would suit him right for being so late. And he wouldn't get any 'special gifts' from her for disappointing her. In fact he had to owed her big time for not returning in time to paint butterflies on her palm as he promised. She had spent the entire morning dreaming of him. She shut her eyes as she felt someone take her hand. She was lead to a diwan. She felt the coolness of the paste as it made green patterns on her palm. She now saw her own Mehendi ceremony in a different light. His explanation for his actions washed away the disgust she had for that day and made it easier for her to forgive him for the pain he caused. If they had been love between them instead of hatred due to Tejawat, it would have been so romantic. She remembered the way he came into the corridor and coated her fingers with mehendi in soft and sensous strokes as if he had all the right in the world to do so. And the boldness with which he held both their hands together in front of all the women in Chandangard flaunting his devotion. The women were right, he cared about her even if he never admitted it openly and hid behind that silly excuse that she was his sole witness. He probably was convincing himself of her treachery to protect his own heart which was affected by the Khoobsurat aurat syndrome. Now everything had been sorted out and the relationship between them changed. He would declare to the world that she belonged to him through his actions. She ruled his heart with so much love and tenderness that he will never feel abandoned again and their love would last forever.

Paro smiled to herself and opened her eyes to the present. She was suprised when she saw that when she was lost in thoughts, her friend Shatabdi had drawn a peacock on her left hand. "Do you like it? I thought peacock is your theme for the evening," she asked her friend. Paro smiled and replied that it was exquisite. "Shall I write Rudra's name here," she asked pointing to a an empty spot on her hand. Geethanjali interrupted, "Paro beta, did you talk to your Maasaji or Rudra?" She shook her head and asked what's wrong. The older woman said that her husband was cutting her call and the groom was at the embassy instead of here attending the function. Paro remembered how Aman had rushed out with the laptop mentioning how there was a temporary setback. She didn't understand much about the actual nature of his meeting but she had her doubts. And the dark expressions on her husband's face told her that he was hiding something important from her when he mentioned the Birpur girls' return. It was the same look that he wore during their Jhanki when he was afraid for her. Was he trying to protect her again? Was he in another situation where he might end up taking a bullet for her? The younger woman quickly prayed before reaching for her phone.

Rudra and the general were glad when Aman turned up with the laptop and other documents. The constables at Chandangarh were under strict orders not to hand over the files to anyone but Aman since he was handling the case. Rudra had bowed out since his wedding to the chief witness of the case and his mother's involvement. He knew Aman would see things through and stayed on only in advisory capacity. His old records and Aman's enquiry of the girls' parents were enough to prove that as they were underage at the time of marriage, they must be brought back to India and rehabilitated here. The general had already set in motion how his wife's NGO will take up this responsibility. They just had to meet Mr. Asad with these new records and their job will be done. Unfortunately, he wasn't available till the evening. So they went to at a pizza joint nearby to grab a late lunch before he gets back. The general's phone rang and he saw it was Geethanjali on the line. He knew his wife would want to know when they will return. He knew Aman had to get back as it was time for the function to start. But the young man already guessed he was in trouble for coming here. He prefered to face the music with his colleagues than his mother's ire alone. Rudra's phone was silent and he wondered if he should call his wife and explain or whether she will be busy with the function. He was stuck in the embassy most of the day, where phone jammers were in place knocking out the signal. So even if she had tried she wouldn't be able to reach him and Aman being here didn't help matters. A few minutes later, his phone rang. "Paro," he breathed. He could hear her relief at his voice. She asked him if everything is alright? When will they get home and where was Aman? "Shhh!" he debated which question to answer first. His voice immediately calmed her. She knew he was alright. "We will be a little late Paro. Don't worry, we will come directly from here. Aman is with us. We will all come back soon," he told her. The general's phone rang and they were informed of Mr. Asad's return. Rudra told his wife that he misses her and the three officers rushed out.

Paro was confused, her husband told her that he will be late and come back soon. Geethanjali shook her head and went to inform Aman's mother. "Shatabdi, leave it. I don't want mehendi anymore," she pouted Shatabdi let her friend go. Both of them went up to the bride who was being informed that Aman may not make it by Deepa. "No, Deepa. They will have to come here. And until they do and make an honest effort to bring a sweet smile on your face, I won't spare them. It's bad enough that VK does this. But he shouldn't encourage his junior officers to behave this way," Geethanjali decided. Mr. Sisodia told them that it must have been very important mater that VK had to attend to. Otherwise he is not the type to forget about the importance of the evening. But his defense of his long time friend just rubbed his wife the wrong way who told her daughter that it was good that he is no longer a part of BSD. She then told the young girls not to give in easily when their partners return. He just prayed silently that his friends return soon before their wives mood worsen.

Mohini was pleasantly surprised to see her son. "Sumer, what are you doing here?" she asked. He replied that he had some work nearby so decided to come home. "That's great. You remember don't you, tomorrow we have a puja for Rudra," his mother reminded. He nodded and went to straight to his brother's room and shut the door. Samrat was startled by the sudden noise. But he recovered his composure quickly and asked, "Did you see her? Did you warn her to stay away?" His younger brother nodded and asked if he spoke to his father. "I did. Bapusa thinks its necessary to make sure she is comfortable. That's why bought new sarees for her. Then pawned her jewellry so that she has spending money. He says his relationship with her is like Paro baisa's with me," he repeated his father's words. Sumer asked if he will take her side if it meant hurting Rudra and Maithili bhabhisa. Paro has given us all the strength to forget the past and move on he pointed out. This woman intends to bring the pain of the past back. She isn't like Paro. "Say Paro bhabhisa. Remember she is your sister-in-law now just like Maithili. Bapusa claims that she will stay away from our home. We have to trust him. Besides Maasa will be very upset if she finds out about this. And I can't even imagine how Thausa and Rudra will react," Samrat explained. Sumer observed the irony of the situation, his mother who never thought twice before planning his cousin's murder is now planning a puja for his well being. And his father who missed them for half his life is bothered about the woman who destroyed his childhood. "Bhaisa, she thinks Rudra will want to meet her. That's why she chooses to stay in town," he revealed. Samrat thought about it. If Rudra tells her to stay away maybe she will and his uncle and mother will never know of his father's involvement. But if Rudra is told, he will be enraged and the entire family will face his wrath. "We'll tell him when he returns and hope she stays away from the haveli. I don't want him to cancel his honeymoon and rush back. Paro will be disappointed. Besides she needn't be drawn into this too soon," he decided postponing the inevitable. "Bhaisa, you think Paro knows her. She is from Birpur right, where Mala lived as Tejawat's wife?" Sumer asked. He didn't get an answer. They both realised that the newest bride of the Ranavats will be torn between her past and present as soon as she returns.

"Ishq Hai!
" came the baritone voice of General VK Singh who knew he had to go all out to placate his wife. The crowd parted to reveal him and his junior officers who finally showed up dressed to perfection. Geethanjali wanted to laugh, her husband looked like a decadent king flanked by handsome princes. Then she remembered that she was upset with him and turned away. He came up behind her and started to sing,



Teri Aankhon Ke Matvaale
Kaajal Ko Mera Salaam
Zulfon Ke Kale Kale
Baadal Ko Mera Salaam
Ghayal Kar De Mujhe Yaar
Tere Paayal Ke Jhankar
Hey Soni Sone,Teri Soni,
Har Adaa Ko Salaam


The whole wedding party joined in two sing the chorus. She had to admit her husband may not have learnt how to not to make her angry. But he knew how to pacify her. She joined in.


Ho Teri Mastaani Anjaani
Bataon Ko Mera Salaam
Rangon Mein Doobi Doobi
Raaton Ko Mera Slaaam
Khwaabon Mein Kho Gayi Main
Deewani Ho Gayi Main
Soney Soney Aisse Soney
Har Adaa Ko Salaam


Kavya couldn't take her eyes of her groom, Aman who looked regal in a dark maroon sherwani. He had eyes only on the dark, rich mehendi on her hands.


Teri Meri Nazar Jo Milli Pehli Baar
Ho Gaya Ho Gaya Tujhse Pyaar...
Dil Hai Kya Dil Hai Kya
Jaan Bhi Tujhoe Nisaar
Maine Tujhe Kiya Aitbaar


All her disappointment was washed away as he crooned for her. She joined in too.


Ho Main Bhi Toh Tujhpe Mar Gayi
Deewanapan Kya Kar Gayi
Meri Har Dhakan Betaab Hai
Palkon Vich Tera Khwaab Hai
Ho Jaan Se Bhi Pyaari Pyaari
Jaaniya Ko Salaam
Ho Salaam-E-Ishq Salaam-E-
Salaam-E-Ishq


Paro was standing in the sidelines thanking Bholenath for making sure that her husband returned back safe. She felt his fingers crawl on her waist as he embraced her from the back. He sang in her ears softly, gently rocking them both,


Main Tere Ishq Mein Do Jahan Vaar Doon
Mere Vaade Pe Kar Le Yakeen
Keh Raha Aasman Keh Rahe Hai Zameen
Tere Jaissa Dooja Nahin


Paro elbowed him and joined the rest of the wedding party.


Ho Aisse Jaadoon Na Daal Ve
Naa Aaon Tere Naal Ve
Jhooti Tereedein Chodh De
Ab Dil Mere Dil Se Jod De
Ho Jo Abhi Hai Dil Se
Nikli Uss Dua Ko Salaam


He shook his head and joined in. The crowd roared.


Salaam-E-Ishq
Salaam-E-Ishq,Ishq,Ishq...Salaam-E-Ishq
Ho Salaam-E-Ishq Salaam-E-
Salaam-E-Ishq

And as the merriment lasted all night at the swanky hotel, across town in a dingy motel a man was looking at a picture. "Enjoy this night, Major Ranavat. It will be you last," he said as he drove a hole through the head with his pen. He got up and opened the pizza box. It was stale and the coloring had become on odd shade of green. "This should have finished the job yesterday. But its okay. Maybe that woman's prayers are keeping you alive for one more day. Everything ends tomorrow," he said loading a pistol and enjoying the rush of power he felt. Power over life and death. The same power with which he ended his brother's life. Now it was his turn to have his brains blown out.