CHAPTER 55
"Slow down, Rudra!" Paro cried out as they raced downstairs taking two steps at a time. She didn't understand what the emergency was. One moment he was teasing and the next moment he had grabbed her and hurried down. He stopped suddenly and she crashed into his arms. "That kid. He had..he had my instrument," he admitted. She stared at him with her mouth open, pulling away from his grasp. He wanted to retrieve a toy? That was his reason for rushing.
"VK Sir got it for me long back. It even has my name on it. I thought it was lost," he told her. She reached out for his hand and entwined her fingers in his. "If I get you another one, will you play it for me?" he asked. He lifted her fingers to his mouth and kissed then reverently. He would do anything for her. And his reward would be to preserve that brilliant smile which graced her face.
She jumped when the lights suddenly came on. He shook his head at her behavior. "We must tell the others," she turned about decidedly. He held her Pallu and tugged gently. "Rudra!" she breathed holding it from slipping away. He handed her his jacket. She turned red with embarrassment. He must have seen marks on her back. He walked ahead sheepishly without another word. His wife was right. He was a Jallad.
"Why is Paro wearing your jacket, banna?" Sumer asked when they joined the family. Paro couldn't meet their eyes as she silently sat next to her Jeeja. She had expected this. Fortunately, her friend came to her rescue. "It is a little chill tonight. Go get a blanket for Shanti," Shatabdi ordered her husband. He nodded obediently much to Mohini's chargin. "That won't be necessary. Look around the lights are back. We should get to Jaipur quickly. Duakumari, you don't have any objections do you?" she asked. Paro knew this wasn't the time to say anything. "I will check with the others about the road," said Danveer leaving to find his colleagues.
"Beta, if you are still cold Rudra might have something in the jeep to help to get warmer," a concerned Dilsher told his daughter-in-law. She looked up at him inquisitively. Rudra's eyes turned wide as saucers. "Ranavat!" he warned. She didn't need to know about the silver flask in his keeping. Paro looked at him trying to understand the unspoken words between the father and son. "Let's get you into the car," he told them both dismissively.
Before she knew it. She was in Jaipur having breakfast with her aunt and discussing the evening's party. She saw the new jewellery her aunt had purchased. "Do you think Mohiniji will like it? Shatabdi usually prefers designer to traditional things. But I felt her mother-in-law might like something like this," Geethanjali told her niece and Kavya, Alan's wife. But the young woman wasn't paying any attention. Her eyes glued on Rudra and Aman standing in a corner.
Geethanjali picked up another box, "Rudra, your wife seems to have vowed to stay mum today. Why don't you tell me if this will look nice on her?" Rudra stayed rooted at the same spot. His day off wasn't going way he planned. Breakfast at the Singh's residence was supposed to be an excuse to avoid wedding chores. He wanted to spend time with her alone. Maybe catch a movie. Or go to coffee shop. He wanted to give her a new experience everytime they were in the city together. But Paro had already planned to meet with her entire family. And now instead of a nice morning they were shooting daggers across his boss' living room.
"What are you asking him for? I choose that pair for my favorite girl. You won't find a better one in Jaipur," the general's voice boomed as he joined them. He patted his juniors backs and pulled them to the fray. "But Geethu, this isn't fair. You can't expect my boys to know about jewellery," he gently chided his wife. Aman bit the inside of his cheek to hide his smile. When it came to Paro, there wasn't a single thing he didn't know.
Paro took out a small pouch from her aunt and walked about to Rudra. His eyes focused on the gold rings that came out. "What's this?" he asked as she took out the larger ring and placed it on his finger. "My fake fianc never got me a ring. So I decided to get one for myself and my husband," she explained.
He smiled and returned her gesture as his anger disoolved into thin air. He then entwined their hands together and walked up to her aunt and uncle. "Ma'am, Sir I feel it would be unchivalrous of me if I didn't celebrate this occasion. So we will take your leave," he said. Paro bid them all bye.
"Rudra," she said softly as they pulled out if the garage. He turned towards her. She frowned when she noticed his glasses. They were such a hindrance when she wanted to look into his eyes. "Are you still angry with me?" she asked cautiously. He sighed knowing well that her next statement will definitely make him angry. "I don't want to be," he admitted. She explained how this day was about Sumer bhaisa and Shatabdi. They could steal a few moments in between but the limelight must remain on the new couple. He didn't argue with her. He just wanted Paro's company not the attention of the entire family.
A few hours later, Rudra stepped into his room and saw the sun descending in front of the mirror. Dressed in brilliant orange ghagra like a lily in full bloom. Her long, lustrous hair still in a messy bun. Her fingers struggling to knot her choli.
She felt cool hands on her skin and quickly grabbed her dupatta. "It's just me," came a husky whisper. She relaxed and let him help. The clock struck 6. "Rudra, it's not that complicated. You just have to tie it in a bow," she teased. She tried to wriggle out of his grasp when he playfully bit her ear. "Are you trying to teach a BSD officer about knots?" he asked. She laughed. "Let me prove my expertise," he said and deftly knotted the strings of her choli. He stepped aside and took the netted fabric. She gasped when her fingers moved to her blouse. It was too tight."Don't worry I will be around to help you take it off," he said nonchalantly as he draped the dupatta on her.
She took a deep breath and pushed him towards the door, "Rudra, it's getting late. I have to get ready." He smiled at her sweetly and proceeded to her dresser. He took out the new polki earrings and helped her wear it. His innocent ministrations sent goosebumps across her skin. He reached for the maang tika. She stopped him. Her hair wasn't done yet. His eyes met hers on the mirror.
He removed the hair clip and her dark tresses tumbled out. He ran his fingers them his eyes still locked on hers. Her kohl lined eyes dropped unable to hold on any longer. Her breathing got heavier as she felt the cold metal touch her skin. Why wasn't he getting flustered like she was?
"Rudra, Paro, we are leaving in 10 minutes," Samrat shouted through the door. Rudra ran his fingers through his hair in frustration. He had the sudden urge to steal Sumer's honeymoon tickets. "What are you doing?" she asked as he snapped off the top button of his Kurta. She fixed it quickly. "Paro it's too hot," he complained as usual. She smoothed his mane neatly. "Rudra I made sure not to pick a close necked kurta for you. It's just for a few hours. You manage to stay buttoned till the party is over, I will do whatever you want," she cajoled. He looked at her keenly. This incentive had a lot of potential. "It's a bet then," he accepted.
She smiled happily and added that if he lost he add to grant her heart's desire. He wrapped his hands around her and pulled her close. "What does your heart desire Paro? Your every wish is my command," he confirmed. She winked at him and pushed him out. She would tell him when she wins the bet. "I don't have a habit of loosing," he replied with confidence. This was a rigged bet. The sultry weather and the formal gathering would make sure he looses. "We'll see. Now go tell Jeeja that I will be out soon," she said grabbing her bangles.
As the evening progressed, Rudra's discomfort increased too. What was the need for hosting the event in the garden when there was a perfectly good air conditioned hall inside? And the guests didn't help at all with their snotty, painted faces and fake smile. One of them even told him off for concealing his family's wealth behind the BSD uniform. Ranavat men enlisted for service while the enterprising women built their fortune. That's how it always was. But these people saw him as a poor boy with an alcoholic father. He looked around for Paro but she was surrounded by too people for his liking. He scowled and walked up to the bar.
Maithili saw her grouchy brother-in-law, "Paro, I thinks something is wrong. Look at devarsa." Paro saw him rub his neck as he nursed a drink. She shook her head. He just twirled his moustache and took another sip daring her to stop him. He wasn't planning on getting drunk but little alcohol with a lot of ice was just what he needed. "He will be fine Jeeja, Aman bhaisa is walking over to keep him company," she said knowing that Shatabdi needed her tonight. She took the bouquet that the bride received and kept it aside.
"Hello Sir, everything seems to be going smoothly according to plan," Amanda said approaching his senior. Rudra motioned for another drink and told him to relax and enjoy the party. They sat watching Sumer smile awkwardly at the guests. He pointed to the bar and asked for a drink. They laughed and pointed to his new wife. Shatabdi will definitely shoot them all if he was drunk at her party.
"Is Kavyaji enjoying the party?" he asked watching the woman hover around Shatabdi. Aman was to reply when his phone buzzed. Aman place his glass down and looked erect. Rudra's eyes followed the dancers who entered. Were they part of the entertainment, he wondered. "Sir, there is a situation," Aman interrupted his thoughts. He knew it. These dancers were a diversion. "Stay here and keep an eye on things. I will go," Rudra said and rushed out.
He found a group of well dressed, young men surrounded by his men. "Sir, we saw these men sneaking in alcohol. They say it is for your brother," a constable explained. He recognized one of them and realized they were just Sumer's friends. "Was there a shortage in liquor that you had to smuggle from a nearest dhabha," Rudra asked inspecting the items that were seized. They replied that the groom wanted a drink and none of the waiters obliged him. "What do you think is more important that Sumer has whiskey at his reception or his wife's company on his wedding night?" he asked them nonchalantly. They exchanged furtive glances as they understood his implication. "If bhabhisa doesn't approve we shouldn't encourage him," they decided and went out straightening their clothes.
Main lovely ho gayiaan... the tune played loudly when the door to the garden was swung open. Rudra froze when he recognized the dancer, his former mistress. Sumer friends joined her on the makeshift dance floor when she caught his eye. She made her way towards him swaying to the beat. He ignored her and joined his wife and cousins. She laughed and rejoined her troupe.The audience cheered when they finished their performance. Rudra however, was fuming. He set off to find the event manager. He shouldn't have allowed such lapses.
"Parvati, can I have a word with you?" said a polite voice minutes later. She turned and her heart flattered. Laila, the woman from Rudra's past, one she hoped never to see again, was looking at her with expectation. "If it wasn't important, I wouldn't bother you," she admitted. Paro nodded and lead her to a quiet corner.
"You remember when you met at the Mela a few months back," Laila asked. Paro nodded slowly. "I have been trying to get a hold of your husband since then," she continued as Paro's heart started to race. "But that Jaanwar has been ignoring me," she said restoring Paro's peace of mind. "Don't look so relieved. It's not a good thing," Laila commented brusquely.
Paro looked away unsure as to how she should respond. Laila held her hand, "Someone wants to kill him." The wind got knocked out of her lungs. Someone was after her Rudra? "Don't worry I am trying to find out who? You just warn him. He won't talk to me. Maybe he will listen to you," she said sadly. Paro looked in her eyes and saw honesty. "Thank you," she told her whole heatedly no longer worried about a woman who clearly wished her well. Laila smiled and walked away.
Rudra saw Paro come out of the corner where Laila just was and snapped the top hooks which held his Kurta together. "What did she want?" he yelled at her rushing to her side. Paro looked around and pulled him behind one of the pillars. "Have you been avoiding her?" she asked him sternly. He looked at her as if she had grown an extra head. "She is supposed to be your informant right?" Paro asked. Rudra shook his head and replied that he ended all ties with her long back.
Her hand went to the managalsutr. He must have cut Laila off when he pursued her in earnestness. "Rudra if she had something important to say I won't mind you listening. I'm not one of those jealous women who becomes insecure if her husband talks to another lady," she assured.
Rudra gave her a small smile. His Paro was one of a kind. "The woman you spoke to isn't my informant. She is supposed to be a nice lady building a good life with a good man who is very much in love with her. She shouldn't be dragged back into her old life," he explained.
Paro felt guilty. She had been selfish and unmindful of Laila's family. She was too focused on her Rudra. "You are right she should have her own happy world. It's just that when she spoke of your life being in danger, I couldn't think of anything but you," she confessed.
Rudra gently kissed her forehead. He knew of the threat and has the perpetrators behind bars. Mirza the man who tried to hurt him by hurting one of his oldest acquaintances. "So I don't have anything else to worry about," Paro asked innocently. He nodded and replied that everything was going to be just fine.
She smiled, "Not everything. You lost the bet." He looked at the triumph in her eyes as her fingers trailed down his neck. "What do you want?" he asked. Her eyes sparkled as she revealed her wish. Vicky was home for his holidays. She wanted to stay over at her uncle's home for a few days. Rudra looked at the general and his wife standing with his father. They seemed very excited and now he knew the reason. This might actually work well with him.
"Sure, you can spend the whole of next week in Jaipur," he said with a smile. Paro was pleasantly surprised. She expected him to forbid her from going and he actually was letting her stay longer than she had planned. "Thank..." she started when she saw the expression on his face. The wheels on his mind were turning fast. He looked at her and knew she needed an explanation. "I will be traveling to Pakistan next week and if you will be happy with your family you should stay there. Ever since our wedding, you never visited them. They will be excited too," he reasoned. She nodded. Her aunt would love to have both children visiting at the same time.
She saw the dancers and remembered Laila's warning. "You will be careful won't you?" she asked. He took her hand and enclosed it in hers, "I give you my word. I will be extra cautious." She smiled in relief. Danger was always going to be a part of his life. But she had faith in Bholenath and his namesake. Nobody would take him away from her. His promise mein...tu... hamesha resounded in her mind. He would be safe for her sake. 
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