FF: Lootera ~ Last Chapter on page- 85~ - Page 61

Chapter 15

Thapki came out of her shower and saw her husband still sleeping like a baby clutching his pillow to his chest. When he slept like this he looked so adorable she just wanted to hug him and kiss him all over again. But she needed to wake him up. His whole family was waiting for them.

"Bihaan. Get up!" Thapki ran her fingers through his hair.

"mmmhmm...hmm...mmm"

"Bihaan, get u-up naa?? Everyone is waiting for you in the dining room"

"Hmm..umm..mm"

"Bihaan, uthooo"

"uhm..Thapkey...go away...let me shleep..."Bihaan tried to shoo her away, swatting his hand at her.

"I know you were out w-whole night, but we have to keep faces in front of the f-family na?? Or else they will think s-something is wrong...get up p-please."

"Uff Thapki...you will not stop playing your broken tape recorder until I get up, will you?" Bihaan finally opened his bloodshot sleep deprived eyes.

"No I won't s-stop, now get up like a good boy, take a shower and then we will g-go for breakfast"

"You will be the death of me, Thapki." Bihaan got up grudgingly and started for the bathroom his eyes still half closed.

"I am d-doing this for your ---"

"---own good...bla bla bla...I know..." Bihaan went inside the bathroom grumpily.

When Thapki and Bihaan reached the breakfast buffet, whole family was already there waiting for them. Bauji got up and hugged Bihaan tightly.

"I was scared yesterday was just a dream and you my son will disappear again." Bihaan hugged Bauji back and smiled shyly. It was a merry affair afterwards. Bihaan was in a good mood and quite warmer towards all of them than yesterday. And Dhruv kept smiling like the cat that had got the cream throwing nasty looks at Bihaan every now and then.

After sometime, Bauji finally broached the subject Thapki was dreading. He asked Bihaan to come home with them to Pandey Nivas.

"Bauji, I still have some unfinished business here. I can't simply leave now."

"Haan Bauji Bihaan can't just leave his cows just like that, can he?" Dhruv said smirking.

Instead of getting offended at Dhruv's jibe, Bihaan said, "yes Bauji exactly...I have to stay here for some time...I have to tie some loose ends..."

"Thik hae beta, but how much time you need?" Bauji asked.

"I can't exactly say...why don't you all return to the city and I will come home later."

"No beta, when I return home I want to return with my son. We will stay here. Sanjay, Ashwin and Dhruv can return Delhi and take care of the business."

Sanjay and Ashwin nodded their head. But Dhruv said,

"Bauji, I have no hurry to go back. I will stay here with you and return with my prize only" Dhruv said looking at Bihaan insolently and Bihaan looked back at him giving his attitude back.

"Prize?" Bauji asked confused.

"Yes, my brother...he is the fine prize...I will wait for him to return to his rightful place."

"oh achcha thik hae" Bauji smiled and nodded the undercurrent between the two brothers lost on him.

"Par Bauji, I can't stay in this lodge indefinitely...I have to return to my home, to my...cows ...my business." Bihaan maintained.

"No matter Bihaan, I am sure you can conduct your business from anywhere in this forest. After all you have become so familiar with this area, you have become a Raja of this forest." Slimy Dhruv piped in.

"That doesn't even make sense Dhruv, why don't you say what you want to say clearly?" Bihaan said looking bored.

"Nothing, I was just praising you."

"Thank you for that, but don't bother."

"Bihaan beta, stay here as many days as you want, I am not moving from this place without you. I don't want to lose you again." Bauji said gently.

But Thapki was holding her breath whole time the conversation was going on. Dhruv seemed more daring than ever, directly goading Bihaan with the Raja name...did Dhruv already find out about Bihaan's daku identity...She looked at her husband to gauze his reaction but he was looking bored.

This pagal ladka would be the death of her, she thought frustratingly.

----------------

That Afternoon:

"Salam Saheb"

"Are you the guys Dorai talked about?" Dhruv looked at them skeptically. The two boys Dorai had sent were not what he expected. They look in their mid twenties not as young as he thought they would be. They had muscular built and had a meanness about them.

"Yes Sir, I am Hira and he is Mirza"

"You guys look like daku yourselves."

"Sir we work in the kitchen of this lodge."

"Did Dorai tell you anything?"

"Yes Sir, you want us to spy on your brother. You think he is one of the daku in Durga's gang."

"I don't think...I know he is a daku."

"Whatever you say, sir."

"You are from this area, have you seen my brother here before?"

"No Sir, we haven't."

"But he was saying he has been living here in one of the village as a milk man. Then how come you haven't seen him? He is obviously lying." Dhruv laughed scornfully.

"Sir, this forest is huge, we are born and brought up in this North region, the village he is from is in the East region, it is quite normal if we never met him."

"Shut up, are you here to advocate for him or put him in jail?

Mirza who was standing quietly since the beginning came forward "Don't mind him Sir; we are here to destroy any trace of Durga and help you anyway you want. If you say your brother is a Daku then he must be. You know better than us, just give us orders we will follow it. We will put him in jail."

"That is more like it. Good boy." Then Dhruv proceeded to explain what he wanted them to do. He wanted them to follow Bihaan and see what he was up to. Dhruv was sure at night Bihaan went to meet his fellow dakus and carry out other disreputable business. He wanted Mirza and Hira to bring him solid evidence and then he would call the police and get Bihaan arrested. He promised the two men that they would be amply rewarded for their service. The two men left and Dhruv smiled in anticipation of his success.

------------------

Next Morning after breakfast:

"Thapki pack your bags we are leaving today"

"Aisi achanak?"

"My work here is done; from today we will continue our honeymoon in our home sweet home." Bihaan said with a wink.

"Oh? But y-yesterday you agreed with Bauji that we will be staying here...Bihaan, what are y-you cooking?"

"Me? Nothing" he said looking like butter won't melt in his mouth.

"You are d-definitely up to something. You are mysteriously happy since y-yesterday"

"So? Can't I be happy? What doubtful mind you have Thapki..." Bihaan shook his head acting to be offended.

"Bihaan tell me the t-truth, why are you happy?"

"Maybe because of you? You make me happy..."Bihaan said with a smile.

"I know I make you happy ...but that is not it...come on tell me fast"

"Maybe I found my family that is why"

"If that is the r-reason then why do you always run away from t-them at the first possible c-chance?"

"Do I do that?" Bihaan pretended to be shocked.

"Yes you d-do. Now stop pretending. T-Tell me what is happening? How can we leave Ma - Bauji here?"

"They will be l-leaving for the city today too"

"R-Really? But they didn't mention a-anything to me this morning." Thapki said perplexed.

"That is because they don't know it yet."

"Bihaan?" Thapki grabbed his hand really concerned now. She looked at him seriously urging him to tell her what was really happening.

"Don't worry Thapki, nothing bad is going to happen. Trust me"

"I trust you B-B-Bihaan...but..."

"But nothing...I am just happy because finally I am going to get what I deserve and have been waiting for."

"And what is that?" Thapki whispered, her eyes big, she couldn't help but dread Bihaan's intention.

"My revenge."

"But Bihaan ---"

"I remember everything Thapki, I got my memories back. I remember everything that was done to me and you."

-----------------------

It was after lunch and Ma, Priety and Suman were talking to Thapki in her room when suddenly pandemonium broke in. Police entered the room with a handcuffed Bihaan. Bauji, Sanjay and Ashwin were all shouting at the same time. Thapki ran and grabbed Bihaan's hand, wrapping her arms around his arm in alarm.

"What is wrong with you all why are you arresting my son?" Bauji exclaimed.

"Your son is a member of Durga's gang. He is the notorious Raja Daku. He has been creating chaos and mayhem in this area."

"What rubbish are you saying? My son is nothing like that. Release him at once."

"Mr. Pandey, please let us do our job"

"Inspector, what proof do you have our Bihaan is a daku?" Ashwin demanded.

"Yes... you can't just arrest our Bihaan devarji just like that." Preity bhabi said in anger.

"Relax everyone, let us do our job, we have solid proof he is Raja Daku...why don't you ask Mr. Dhruv Pandey?...he has provided us with the proof."The inspector pointed at Dhruv who was standing looking smug.

Everyone gasped hearing that. Bauji was beyond angry and he charged towards Dhruv.

"What the hell is wrong with you Dhruv? What are you up to now? How can you do this to your brother again? Trying to frame him this time??? I thought you have changed...but I guess you can never wash off dirt from coal, can you??? Don't know what mistakes we have done in your upbringing. I feel ashamed to call you my son..chi"

"Huuh, you are ashamed of me Bauji? I am successful, educated, rich and the most eligible man of India...and look at that lowlife, uneducated, uncivilized, barbarous daku over there...are you proud of him then?"

"yes I am proud of my Bihaan, you are not even worth the dirt of his feet."

Thapki was scared out of her wits and she felt like having a heart attack. Her throat was dry and she felt faint, she didn't think she could survive if Bihaan was taken from her again. She looked at Bihaan but he seemed calm and serene; in fact he seemed to be enjoying the enfolding scene. What was this pagal ladka upto this time??

"Tell whatever you may...This bas***d is a daku...he is a national enemy...he belongs in jail. And I am just doing my duty." Dhruv said conceitedly.

"Shutup, if anyone belongs in jail it is you...Inspector, arrest this Dhruv Pandey, he is lying, he has wanted to kill Bihaan since long time back...and he is telling lies again to remove him from us again." Bauji exclaimed.

The inspector looked uncomfortable, he was the same inspector who few days ago came to rescue Thapki. Even then Thapki was saying Dhruv Pandey wanted to kill her husband. Now, his own father was telling the same. But could he disregard the word of such a celebrity who was well known for his honesty and candid nature. His television channel was famous because it always run only the truth. How can such a personnel try to frame his own brother by telling lies?

"Whatever, I am with the truth and vermin like him needed to be shown its rightful place which is the gaol." Dhruv said pompously.

"How dare y-you..." Thapki cried in outrage. Everyone begin to talk in rage again. The inspector tried to calm everyone down.

"Wait, Dhruv Pandey has shown us the pictures of Raja receiving a delivery of drugs from his associates. The packet has to be here."

Thapki felt as if someone was squeezing her heart hard, cutting off blood flow through her whole body. She couldn't breathe. She knew Bihaan went out few times for his work last two days. What if he really brought drugs here? He would be caught. She started to pray and think of saving her Bihaan.

"Do - Do - Do you have a search warrant to go through our s-stuffs?" Thapki said indignantly trying to stall for time to which Dhruv smiled sinisterly. But before the police or Dhruv could say anything Bihaan said amiably,

"Thapki, it is okay even if they don't have a search warrant, let them do their work, let them look for themselves and be happy. We have nothing to hide." Thapki looked at Bihaan incredulously. What was he up to? How can he not be even a bit worried? He was standing in a relax pose as if his hands were not handcuffed behind him.

The police started his search and eventually found a sealed squared packet. The police cut a small portion and white powder came out of it.

"What is this?" The inspector cried out.

"Check it yourself Sir, if I say what is this you won't believe me over words of such a big celebrity." Bihaan said genially.

The inspector tasted a little of the powder and his eyes rounded as if going to pop out. Thapki was by then leaning heavily on Bihaan, her feet had stop supporting her.

"What is the meaning of this?" The inspector shouted. "It is milk."

"What can you expect to find in lowly milkman's room?" Bihaan replied looking sad.

The Inspector turned to Dhruv and said, "Mr. Dhruv you said he was dealing with drugs, you even provided us the picture of it...but it is powdered milk...Where is the drugs?"

"Inspector, this man is lying. He somehow found out we are coming and he changed the packets. My contact said how he met with other disgusting men and did this transaction. You can see in the pictures how those men look. Do they look like milk men to you? They are thugs too." Dhruv said angrily.

"Now what can we do about how God made us, not everyone is blessed like my brother, to be born with such good looks, some people are born with such thug like faces, one shouldn't disregard or discriminate people based on their looks." Bihaan tsked tsked and Dhruv looked like as if he would burst in anger. Bihaan turned to inspector and said "I am planning to expand my business so was planning to buy a vacuum chamber to turn liquid milk into powdered form. These men are selling their machine so they just gave me a sample of their powdered milk to show me how their machine works." Bihaan said innocently.

"He is lying Inspector... lying through his teeth. He is no milkman. He is making everything up... Look at his physique, milk men don't have such muscles."

"So do you want me to arrest him on basis of his physique and that he has muscles?" The inspector asked incredulously to Dhruv.

"Inspector, this man is cunning. He is only pretending to be innocent."

"So everyone here is lying? Only you are telling the truth, Dhruv?" Bauji bellowed.

"I told you I have witness. People who know he is a daku."

"Bring them here Mr. Dhruv."

"Dorai, Dorai where are you? Come here and tell them the truth." Dhruv yelled.

Dorai was lurking behind everyone. He came forward and stood ill at ease.

"Dorai, tell them he is Raja...you know it...you told me that night. You know about his involvement with Durga. Where are Hira and Mirza?"

Dorai blinked his eyes at Dhruv and then at Police clasping his hands forward hesitating.

"Dorai don't be scared tell them, tell the truth. How this man has been making your life hell." Dhruv requested and Dorai still looked perplexed.

"Mr. Dhruv let the man speak don't pressurize him. And who is this Hira and Mirza?"

"Sir ... they are two young boys from the village ...they work in my kitchen." Dorai explained.

The inspector gestured his men to bring the boys in from the kitchen.

"Dorai, why are you still quiet? Tell them." Dhruv insisted.

"Sir, why are you dragging me in to this mess?" Dorai pleaded to Dhruv.

"Dorai, I know you told me you don't want your name to be involved but don't be scared...tell them. I will give you protection."A hysterical Dhruv said.

"Mr. Dhruv please calm down." The inspector said.

"DORAI SPEAK UP DAMN IT."

By that time the police returned with the two men seeing whom Thapki almost fainted again. She knew them. She had seen them the first day she was captured by Durga's men in the den. They were DURGA's men. What the hell!

"Salam Saheb." They came and stood like obedient good students. They were looking so different from the first day she saw them.

"Do you guys know this man in hand cuffs?" The inspector enquired. They looked at Bihaan and then at Dhruv and nodded.

"Yes sir, we know him."

"Dekha? I told you Inspector...Bihaan is lying...these two boys know him."

"Shut up Mr. Dhruv. This does not prove anything."

"How do you guys know him?"

"Sir, we have been following him since yesterday."

"Yes, why were you following him?"

"Because Dhruv Sir told us, he gave us money."

"But can you vouch this man is involved with Durga. That he is a member of his gang?"

"Sir, we don't know so much. We just did what we were asked to do. And no one ever saw Durga's men and lives to tell about it."

"Why are you bas***ds lying? You guys told me that he is Raja, Durga's right hand man. He is dangerous and had been involved in the robberies in highway only this morning. You told me his whole history. Tell police those things." Dhruv screamed.

"Sir, we are poor and in need of money, you told us to follow your brother, take his pictures, we did as you ordered. What more do you want from us?"

"TELL THEM...TELL THEM EVERYTHING, THAT HE IS RAJA." Dhruv charged towards them and was restrained by two police men.

"Sir please let us go...We don't know anything else but that this is Bihaan babu. He has been living in this lodge since past week for his honeymoon. His brother gave us money to spy on him. We thought it is their family matter why should we care if Dhruv sir wants to spy on his brother...we just wanted to earn quick money."

"LIARS, FIEND...YOU ALL ARE ACCOMPLICES. Dorai tell the truth, I will give you as much money as you want." Dhruv screamed.

"Mr. Dhruv are you offering a man money to tell lies that too in front of us?" The inspector thundered.

"Ask Dorai inspector, he knows everything. I think these two men are dakus themselves and are working with my brother." Dhruv was desperate by this time.

Dorai came forward, "Sir, I have seen these two boys grow up in front of me, they live in the nearby village they work for me...bohut mehenati bachche hai yeh dono...I can vouch for them. And as for Bihaan babu...I don't know him, but I know him as Lalu Prasad. I have been buying milk from him since last few months. That is how our friendship grew. When I came to know he got married I asked him and his wife to stay here in my lodge as a wedding present."

"JHOOTH, COWARD, BAS***DS, KUTTE" Dhruv had turned feral by then. His face constricted in anger, his eyes bulging out. He tried to shake free but the policemen hold him more securely.

"I will ruin you Dorai. I will ruin each and every one of you." Dhruv screamed like a mad men.

"Sir, two nights ago, I saw Dhruv Sir lurking in the dark near Bihaan Babu's cottage. When I asked him he made excuses. Later he asked me to work for him, to help him pin his brother as a daku. I don't know what enmity he has with his brother." Dorai took out a paper from his pocket and handed to the police. "He gave me a cheque of this much to say his brother is a criminal. Yes I may be poor, may have difficulty running this place but I can't ruin an honest man's life, falsely pining him as a daku, I couldn't look at myself if I did that, Sir."

"HARAM KHOR, KUTTE, SHAITAN...RASCAL...I WILL KILL YOU." A crazy Dhruv screamed trying to release himself.

The inspector gestured his men to release Bihaan. He took off his cap and looked abashed. "Sorry Mr. Bihaan, I am very sorry for the trouble I have caused you...for the 2^nd time."

Bihaan looked affronted. "This just proved money talks officer, a rich man alleged and you believed him over me, a poor man. I guess this is how this country works...I am just one of the lucky ones to have such supporting family and friends."

"I am sincerely sorry for this Mr. Bihaan, none of us will ever harass you in future you have my word. We never thought a well known personality like Dhruv Pandey can be such a closet psychopath and that he will try to use police department for his own nefarious gain. We are all extremely sorry."

Bauji spoke up next, "Inspector, please arrest this psychopath and put him in the jail. He needs to be taught a lesson."

"That we will do Mr. Pandey. We will arrest him for knowingly misleading police department twice and trying to frame an innocent man, but I think your son needs a psychiatrist more than jail."

"LEAVE ME YOU BAS***DS, YOU HAVE NO IDEA WHO I AM, I AM DHRUV PANDEY, I WILL GET ALL OF YOU SUSPENDED." Dhruv threatened all the police men menacingly.

Vasu who had been silent so far cried out then, "Dhruv beta, shant ho ja beta, don't speak anymore."

"Ma see what this Bihaan has done this time?? He has taken my Thapki again. I will not allow it after working so hard to get her. It is all because of you, you asked me to have patience, you said you will give my Thapki back...but see what happened...this vermin is still alive after you shot him and now he has taken my Thapki all over again." Dhruv had lose all his sanity by then. He tried to free himself from his captivity like a wild animal screaming whatever coming to his mind.

"Dhruv beta, chup ho jau...Don't worry I will get you out soon. Go with the police now don't talk anymore."

"Ma shoot Bihaan again and take his life, he has no right to live, always been a parasite..."

"Bhagwan k vaste chup ho jau Dhruv...kuch aur maat bolo." Vasu pleaded her crazy son.

The police took him away then and the whole family turned to Vasu in stunned silence.

"Don't judge me, I did what I had to do. I am a mother; I couldn't see my son in pain anymore." Vasu said in a trembling voice.

"Is liye aap aapki dusre bete ko goli mar diya?? What kind of mother are you?" Bauji asked in a broken voice.

"Dhruv was dying without Thapki. I couldn't see him like that anymore. He had lost his mind and I had to save him anyhow." Vasu said crying. She looked at Bihaan who was standing straight with a blank expression. Thapki hugged him sideways as if to give him support looking at Vasu in shock. But Bihaan didn't need her support. He already knew that Vasu shot him knowingly. When he got his memories back, he remembered the cold eyes of his so called mother looking at him straight in the eye and shooting with perfect aim at his chest.

"Bihaan, I have nothing against you beta, but I have to choose one of you. And a mother will always choose her child first. I am begging you to save Dhruv this last time."

"How?" Bihaan asked calmly.

"Give him his love back. Give him his Thapki. Save Dhruv. I beg you. Listen to your mother only this once. This way you can pay us back for raising you, giving you a name. Please save my son." Everyone present gasped hearing Vasu's outrageous request and before Bihaan could answer anything Bauji came forward and slapped Vasu hard on her face.

"I can't believe I have been living with a woman like you since so long. Now I know why Dhruv has turned out like this. You have turned him into a monster like yourself. You disgust me, woman. You are asking payment for upbringing a son from him. Lanat hai tum par. " Vasu didn't seem to care her husband had just slapped him, she looked at Bihaan pleading with her eyes.

Bihaan coolly said, "I think you have forgotten you have already used this card on me, you have already asked for my payment to you when you asked me to marry Thapki. I paid you that time. I have nothing else to give you now. My debt is cleared."

------------------

Bauji and everyone left for Delhi after all the big revelations just as Bihaan predicted. They themselves had returned to their small hut after promising Bauji they would contact him soon.

A pleasant big surprise was waiting for Thapki in their home. Their small hut was completely refurbished with new furniture and beautiful curtains. Gone were the debris and wreckage Bihaan left in the cottage. A king sized bed adorned where there was a small cot of a bed; a matching almirah where new sarees and ghagra cholis were hanging along side Bihaan's clothes. A new addition was a beautiful dressing table in the room. In one corner there was a divan in front of which a beautiful Turkish rug adorned the floor. The whole hut looked like a picture from Better Homes and Garden magazine. Thapki squealed in delight and ran through the room like a small kid while Bihaan looked at her smiling at her antics.

After a while Thapki sat down in the bed beside Bihaan. "Bihaan you really s-scared me, couldn't you have shared your p-plan with me, you beast" She slapped his shoulder hard and Bihaan just laughed.

"I still can't believe Ma shot you d-deliberately."

"Let's not talk about her. Let's celebrate today."

"What do y-you have in mind?" Thapki asked hiding a smile.

"Get ready, we are going out to have some fun." Bihaan winked.

Chapter - 16