Another Parud FF - Clear blue skies I(upto Chapter 50) - Page 83

Meanwhile at the Ranavat haveli, Mala wanted to use the landline to call the lawyer. Unfortunately her sister decided to camp out in the living room as she waited for something. She wondered if Danveer bhaisa would help her out like he usually did. But the man was avoiding her as if she was the blasted plague. Now she had no choice but to wait for Paro baisa to return. Would they be able to discuss their Thakursa's affairs if Rudra is with them? Rudra was the arresting officer. Will he appreciate the kind aristocrat that her husband was? Or would he see him through the cold eyes of a BSD Officer? She hoped he wasn't like his father who always attacked and then asked questions in difficult situations.

Back in Jaipur, Rudra smiled grimly, his enemy was a worthy opponent. He was no white knight wearing shining armour. He was a ruthless soldier who was ready to arm twist anyone to get his way. Tejawat's lawyer knew that and was trying to paint him as the villain whose words couldn't be trusted. Then he would wax eloquence on Tejawat's contribution to the betterment of Birpur.  He knew how this worked. He had spent the night staring at the desert sands trying to think of what to answer for all the twisted questions posed to him.

"Paro was living in my ancestral home for her protection. As this was a classified case, my extended family was unaware of who their guest was. So they judged her harshly, worried about how the neighbours will talk ill about our family for harbouring a strange young woman. But my father was already won over by her kindness and fearless spirit announced that she was my bride. I couldn't negate that and hide her true identity at the same time. So I let things proceed until we ended up at the mantap. When she saw Tejawat at the mela, she ran to meet a man she had known all her life," he surmised. His glance met Paro's and he offered a small smile.   

The lawyer then asked why she left with the Thakur of Birpur. "There was pandemonium once he and I were face to face. She was scared and choose left with the man she considered to be a father figure to her than stay with a complete stranger," Rudra replied. Tears threatened to trickle down Paro's cheeks. He was saying what she had explained months back. But after falling in love with him, her distrust seemed like stupidity. After being saved by him so many times, she should have given him the benefit of doubt. She was such a fool that day to be taken in by Thakursa's lies. If only she had taken Rudra's hand when he offered, everything would be so different.

"So she wasn't friendly to you while she stayed with you?" the lawyer posed next. This time the BSD lawyer decided enough is enough, "Your honour, my able opponent has forgotten who is on trial here." The judge warned the defence to stick to the Mr.Tejawat's case and leave the Major's personal life alone. Tejawat fumed his title as Raja Thakur was ignored while Rudra's rank was mentioned. This was one of the reasons he hated the government. They had no clue how to treat royalty.

"She was a hostile witness during her stay with my family. She was kind to my family but to me she maintained a polite indifference as should be expected. It was only after Tejawat confessed his crimes to her, she turned approver in this case started to open up to us," Rudra answered honestly. Paro felt a prick in her heart as she remembered how cold she was to him during their fake engagement. "So there is no chance of Stockholm syndrome then. But tell me did you ever force in any way to turn her against Thakursa," he was prodded. Tears began to flow freely as Paro remembered how after their mehendi he had pleaded with her. He told her that regret was not an easy load to bear. His vulnerability that day and today was too much for her to take in.

General VK Singh noticed that his protg was staring at the second row of the gallery. He followed his gaze and saw how much his niece was hurting. The uncle was glad that she had a thoughtful husband but the officer in him knew that Rudra shouldn't mull over his replies too long. He nodded to his wife who quickly escorted Paro to the nearest exit. He gave a small smile to Rudra asking him to continue.

"I am an officer of the Bharat Suraksha Dal. We are sworn to protect the citizens of this country and its borders. I will not in any circumstance disgrace my uniform by forcing anybody to see things my way," Rudra stated. Aman grinned remembering how much his senior usually pushed the line of decorum for his missions. He personally liked to think they were just bending the rules and not breaking them. But not many would agree. The prosecutor addressed to the judge, "Your honour, the defence lawyer is trying to prove that Mrs. Paravati Ranavat is biased and her testimony cannot be used against Mr. Tejawat. We have other evidence to prove his crimes. Can we move on to them before we all lose our patience?"

The judge nodded and turned to Rudra, "Mrs. Ranavat's account gave you a breakthrough is it not?" Rudra affirmed to that. "Why don't you tell us how the investigation progressed from that?" he asked next. Rudra explained how they found a black diary with details of Tejawat's transactions. They traced out the contacts and followed the weapons trail even across the border. All his associates are behind bars after their government found them guilty. Since Tejawat had eluded capture for long, they was some delay here. As he explained his role in detail and answered questions from the defence lawyer, his eyes searched for his Paro. He knew she would feel guilty and assume it was her fault for justice's delay. He wanted to wrap this up quickly and go to her. The general coughed and he realised right now this was the priority. He had to make sure that there is no doubt left that Tejawat deserves to be hung for his crimes. He had to trust that Paro would find comfort in her aunt's company for now.

At the nearest washroom, Paro splashed water on herself. "I have to go back. I have to be brave for Rudra," she said rushing out. Geethanjali held her back, "Calm down child. Rudra knows that you support him even if you are missing in the courtroom." She let her aunt lead her to a bench nearby. She brushed back her bangs to take a good look at her face, "You have had a rough day haven't you?" Paro gave a weak smile, "I met the other Birpur brides this morning before coming here. They have suffered so much Maasisa."

Geethanjali sighed. She knew her niece's tender heart would be pained when she meets them. Those girls had become so indifferent to pain that they never thought before speaking or acting. "Were they rude to you?" she asked.  Paro shook her head, "They were polite to me. But I felt they didn't want to be rescued. They didn't want to live anymore. Or hope for a brighter future. They were content just wasting away.  That's the one of the main reason I wanted to come here today. Thakursa killed their spirit. I needed to see justice served."

"Don't worry beta. VK tells me that this trial is just a formality. They have more than sufficient evidence. Even Tejawat's lawyer knows he is on the losing side. That's why he was stressing on your marriage rather than the actual case. He is just trying to show that this is Rudra's personal vendetta against Tejawat and not about smuggling," Geethanjali explained. Paro wasn't ready to believe it. Why was her husband so stressed if it was just a formality? "Because for Rudra his soldiers' deaths are a personal loss. They were his family. You know better than anybody how far he was willing to go for their honour. And there is your involvement too. The lawyers would try their best to draw you into this. And as your rakshak he has to hold them back," her aunt replied.

Would their troubles never leave them? Why can't they leave their past behind? "It's over beta. Rudra's duty now is only to explain their investigation in court. The rest of the trial Aman will handle with BSD lawyers. Once VK is sure that Rudra won't have to testify again, he will be sent on his next mission," Geethanjali assured. Paro was glad to hear that. "Come. I'll drop you home," her aunt offered.

The door clanged open and all the occupants of the Ranavat haveli raced to the aangan assuming Rudra had returned. "Where is she?" Sumer bellowed as he rushed in. "Beta, calm down. What disaster has struck that you came running from Jaipur abandoning your work?" Dilsher asked. Sumer pushed the sleeves of his shirt back. He wasn't in a mood to be reasonable. "Your beendini is being troublesome. How can a man pay attention to anything else," he accused when his uncle gestured him to stop.

He warned him, "I don't know how much your mother has told you. But she is Mala Tejawat. She has nothing to do with this family. She is here until my Rudradev returns and decides what is to be done with her." Sumer shook his head and explained, "I'm talking about Parvati, your beendini. Why did she bring that woman here?" Dilsher was tired but knew the boy needed an explanation. "Beta, she has a good heart and wanted to take care of a life she hurt. She just wants to right a wrong. And that is not a bad thing." He noticed Mala lurking behind a pillar and he placed his hand on his nephew's shoulder, "Our Paro is the kindest woman I have met but that doesn't mean we'll let someone use take advantage for her goodness." Sumer's eyes followed his uncle's glance and saw their villain. His uncle probably knew what he was doing. Time will tell. He was still worried but knew Dilsher wasn't the person to talk to. He quietly went to his room.

An hour later Paro returned home feeling little better.  Her aunt insisted that since Rudra would be stuck in court for a few more hours, she could wait for him at home. "Eat something Paro. You look exhausted," Maithili forced as she served them the family their evening snack. "Yes beendini, take a bite else your dear sister won't let you tell us what happened," Mohini said dryly. Paro explained what happened in court as she nibbled on her food. "I knew there would be serious repercussions. I warned him but that boy never listens. The stunt that he pulled to save his job is not costing him his credibility," Dilsher scolded. Mohini gulped in fear. She was the one who pushed the idea of Rudra marrying Paro in his head. Though she did it without knowing the seriousness of the matter, she was to blame too. Dilsher knew by her downcast eyes that his sister-in-law's eyes that she was feeling guilty. He decided not to scold her for her role atleast to keep the peace in their household.

Paro saw the silent exchange between her Bapusa and Kakisa and was glad they weren't going to fight. She wished he wasn't angry with Rudra but couldn't really disagree with him. Though things worked out for them all in the end, there were still a lot of explanations to be made to so many people. She saw Sunheri walked in with a long face and asked, "What's wrong Sunheri? Why do you look so sad?" The young girl sat on the floor and rested her head on her mother's knee. "Sumer bhaisa had promised to get me a designer saree when he visits and he has shown up without anything," she complained. Her parents enquired and found out that she wanted a specific saree for their college ethnic day. "It's ok Nanandrani, tomorrow your bhaisa is taking me to Jaipur. You come along and buy whatever you want," Maithili cajoled. Mohini agreed and gave her extra money instantly. She hated to see her gudiya so glum.

A smile crept up on Paro's face. If Sumer was back, then Shatabdi must be home too. She tried to call her but her friend was not reachable. She wondered if Sumer bhaisa would be in a mood to share what happened during their lunch. She piled up some samosas on a plate and told the others, "I'll go give this to Sumer bhaisa." The rest of the family wondered at the sudden spring in her step.