Part 20.2- Fears and Revelations
__Basu Bari @ 11 p.m__
As Prerna entered Shivani's room,she saw Shivani pacing back and forth, deep in thought, looking extremely worried. "Shivi!",she called, Shivani didn't seem to hear her.Prerna called a little louder,"Shivani!".Stunned, Shivani turned around and was surprised to see Prerna. "Priyu Di, Kya hua?Kuch kaam tha?",she asked.Prerna replied,
" Haan woh main apne medicines yehi pe bhool gayi thi, par tujhe kya hua?Tu itni pareshaan kyu lag rahi hai?".Shivani replied,"Priyu Di, woh Mishka ka phone aaya tha, woh aur Ved bhaiya iss weekend Delhi ja rahe hai yeh check karne ki Ronit wakaayi Delhi mein hai ki nahi". Surprised, Prerna asked," Achanak Kyu?Aur Ronit Delhi mein nahi hoga to kaha hoga?". Shivani told Prerna about how at first Suman raised doubts about Ronit's whereabouts in Mishka's head and Komolika's phone call to Mishka hinting that she might use Ronit to get out of jail forced her to go to Delhi and check on her wayward brother.Prerna noticed how scared Shivani herself was looking at the possibility of her abusive ex-boyfriend coming back into their lives.Seeing her like this, Prerna felt guilty. To an extent it was her fault that Shivani was feeling so scared.After getting out of jail, Ronit had repeatedly harassed and stalked Shivani.Scared and upset Shivani had come to Prerna seeking her help, and Prerna had assured her that she will find a way to solve this problem.But during those days, Prerna herself was going through alot.She had just told Anurag about her pregnancy, and she had just come to now about Komolika's plan to get her to sign that fake confession letter.Prerna was so concentrated on her own problems, that she had completely forgotten about Shivani.And as a result, Shivani had to pay the price for her plan. When Ronit had heard about how Prerna almost got Komolika and the Basu's arrested and made Anurag address her as his wife in the media, he was furious, and Shivani had to bear the brunt of his rage.In a fit of anger he had stormed into Sharma Niwas, locked Suman and Veena in their rooms and then proceeded to beat Shivani up.To this day, Prerna shuddered to think of what would've happened to Shivani if Anurag hadn't turned up that day and stopped Ronit.And to this day, Prerna also felt immense anger towards Anurag when she thought of what he did or rather didn't do next.Instead of handing Ronit over to the police as he should've for assault and molestation, Anurag actually had the guts to let Ronit go with just a warning!!When Prerna had heard of this incident she was furious! She had actually confronted Anurag and Komolika over this.Komolika, as usual had blamed Shivani for the whole thing but that day Anurag had truly disappointed her as a man.He had said that Ronit was his family and right or wrong families always supported each other.Of course now Prerna knows that he was only pretending to gain Komolika's trust. Nonetheless,it still hurt her to think that Shivani had to suffer because of their twisted circumstances.Thinking about that day, Prerna said ruefully," I am so sorry Shivi". Surprised, Shivi asked,
" Priyu Di, aap kyu maafi maang rahi hai?".Breaking into tears, Prerna said," Maine tujse promise kiya tha ki main teri madad karungi.Main tujhe Ronit se bachaungi.Lekin teri madad karna to dur, ulta meri wajah se uss Ronit ne tere saat batameezi ki, tujhe chot pohochaayi aur main kuch nahi kar paayi.Tujhe apne mushkilo ka saamna akele hi karna para".Shivani consoled her," Nahi Priyu Di, aisa nahi hai.Main akeli nahi thi, mujhe Anurag ne bohot support kiya-". Angrily, Prerna cut her off, " Please Shivi! Tujhe Usse defend karne ki koi zaroorat nahi hai!Kaise support kiya usne tujhe?Uss raat Ronit ko police ke na hawale na karke usse yuhi chhorkar?I can't believe ki tab usko teri safety se zyada apne bekaar plan ki pari thi!". "Nahi!Priyu Di!",came Shivani's shocked reply ,"Anurag ke wajah se hi aaj Ronit Delhi mein para hua hai, woh video banana Anurag ka idea tha!". Prerna was shocked,"Kya?!...yeh tu Kya keh rahi hai,Shivi?". Shivani started," Priyu Di, uss raat ke baad mujhe Anurag ne call kiya aur apna plan bataaya. Uska plan yeh tha ki woh Ronit ki sachayi poori duniya ko dikhana chahta tha, taaki uske Papa bhi usse nahi bacha payenge aur wohi hua!Uss raat ke do din baad hi mujhe Ronit mila mere college ke baahar, usne mere saath zabardasti karne ki koshish ki, aur jab maine usse police mein complaint karne ki dhamki tab usne mujhpe haskar kahaa ki woh minister ka beta hai, iss liye police bhi usse chhor degi,...(scoffing) lekin uss pagal ko yeh kaha pata tha ki yeh sab kuch Basu Publication ke sting operation team ka ek member record kar raha tha?!Baad mein Anurag ne uss video ko uske business rivals ko leak karwa diya taaki kissi ko uspar shak na ho.". Confused,Prerna asked,
" Lekin kaise?Mera matlab uss sting operation waale ko kaise pata chala ke Ronit tera college ke baahar wait kar raha tha?". Shivani let out a frustrated sigh,
" Arre Priyu Di uss raat ke agle hi din se woh Basu Publication ka cameraman mera pichha kar raha tha.Aur Anurag ne usse strict instructions diye the ki jab tak usse Ronit ka footage nahi milta woh mere saath rahe, aur mere safety ka pura khayaal rakhe." Prerna remained silent for a moment, trying to sink in all this new information that had been hidden from her all this while.She couldn't believe it!! Anurag, whom she had been blaming for this incident for so long was actually the one who helped her sister out and protected her when she, Prerna couldn't!But she still had one question," Agar wakaayi yeh sab Anurag ka plan tha to usne Ronit ko uske kiye ki sazaa kyu nahi di?Usse jail jaane se kyun roka?".Shivani gave her a sad smile, "Kyuki usse darr tha ki gusse mein kahi Komolika hume ya aapko chot na pohochaye.Zara sochiye Priyu Di, yaha aap uske har plan ko nakamyab kar rahi thi, aapne khudko poori duniya ke saamne Anurag se yeh kubul karawaya ki AAP uski biwi hai aur woh kuch nahi kar paayi!Aur agar inn sab mein main Ronit ko jail bhejti to pata nahi woh pagal gusse mein kya kar baithti?Anurag usko lekar koi risk nahi Lena chahta tha.Iss liye usne ek nayi tarkeeb nikali: Ronit ko Kolkata se dur bhejne ki, aur iss kaam mein humari madad ki Komolika ne khud!" Stunned Prerna asked,"Kaise?".Shivani answered, "Uss video ke viral hone ke baad jab maine Ronit ko harrassment ke case mein jail bheja, tab Mr.Chaubey pe sab tarah se bohot pressure aa raha tha aur elections bhi nazdeek the, toh unke partywaalon ne unse keh diya tha ki ya toh woh iss matter ko jaldi se sort out kare ya apne Chief Minister banne ka sapna bhool jaaye!...Aapko toh yaad hoga na Priyu Di, uss waqt public Mr.Chaubey se kitni naraaz thi?(scoffing) Log kehne lage the ki Auraton ki safety ke naam pe rallies nikaalne wala Siddhant Chaubey ne apne hi bete ko Auraton ki izzat karna nahi sikhaya!Mr.Chaubey bas kissi bhi tarah public ka dil wapas jeetna chahte the.Aur unke issi desperation ka faida Anurag ne uthayaa.Usne Komolika aur Mr.Chaubey ko idea dia mere saath out of court settlement karne ka.".After Shivani finished Prerna sat silent trying to take in the what Shivani had just said.Her mind went back to those days.Two months ago after the video went viral and people especially women were after Ronit and Mr.Chaubey's blood, especially Mr.Chaubey who had been the voter's favorite candidate till then.So bad was the situation that Mr.Chaubey actually had to fake having a heart attack to win back people's sympathies.At first when Prerna had heard about the heart attack,she was actually worried.No matter how much she hated Komolika she still didn't wish any harm upon her.But Ved,who was then working for Chaubey as Karan Sinha, told her that how this was all a ploy for Mr.Chaubey to gain back voter's favor.It was Ved, who had later told her the reason behind the Chaubey's agreeing to Shivani's condition of the settlement, which again showed just how desperate and helpless they were.He said that Mr.Chaubey knew that if Ronit continued to be in jail and that video footage still fresh in people's memory, then he would certainly lose the elections.But if they took control of the narrative, and showed a repentent Ronit, changed by his father's "near fatal heart attack", publicly apologising to Shivani for his past misdeeds the public would lap it up!Mr.Chaubey might even get more votes than before!After all everybody loves the redemption story of a bad boy. Prerna responded," Toh Ronit aur Mr.Chaubey ka publicly tujse maafi maangna , aur unka tere shart ka maan na woh sab bhi Anurag ke plan ka hissa tha?".Shivani nodded, "Haan,Priyu Di.Jab Mr.Chaubey ne woh heart attack ka jhootha natak kiya tha tab Anurag ne hi Komolika ko yeh idea diya tha.Aur jab woh log mere paas aaye complaint wapas karwane ke liye, tab maine unke saamne yeh shart rakhi ke jail se chhooth ne ke baad Ronit humesha ke liye Kolkata chhorkar chala jayega.Jab woh Komolika mere paas aayi thi complaint wapas karane maine tabhi usse keh diya tha jab tak woh meri yeh shart nahi maanti tab tak main complaint wapas nahi lungi" Prerna sighed, her voice filled with wonder, "Mujhe abhi bhi yakeen nahi aa raha ki Komolika jaisi ghamandi aur sir phiri ladki, jo aaj tak kissi ke saamne nahi jhuki woh tere saamne jhuk gayi".Shivani smiled, " Jab maine pehli baar yeh suna tha mujhe bhi yakeen nahi hua tha,mujhe laga tha ki zaroor iske pichhe uski koi nayi chaal chhupi hogi,lekin baad mein samaj aaya ki woh ye sab Anurag ke wajah se kar rahi hai.Agar Anurag ke alaava kisine bhi usse yeh idea diya hota toh shayad woh isse kabhi nahi maanti, kyuki aisa karna Komolika ke fitrat ke khilaaf tha.Aur tab mujhe ehsaas hua ki pyaar wakaayi kitni ajeeb cheez hai,Priyu Di. Dekhiye na, agar Komolika Anurag ke pyaar mein itni andhi nahi hoti to shayad woh bohot pehle hi samaj jaati ki Anurag sirf aur sirf aapse pyaar karta hai, aur usne jo bhi kia hai aapke pyaar ke khatir kiya hai". Prerna shifted uncomfortably at Shivani's last sentence.She was well aware of her sister's opinion that she should give her marriage with Anurag another shot because, Shivani felt that Anurag's intentions were pure.He loved her selflessly, and he wouldn't have hurt her if he had another choice.But Prerna didn't agree with it.Watching her discomfort, Shivani asked,"Kya baat hai, Priyu Di?Aap theek toh hai na?".Prerna shook her head,"Nahi, main theek hu, Shivi.Woh....(looking around the room) meri dawaiya kahaan hai?".Prerna walked to the table where her medicines had been.Popping the capsule in her mouth, she quickly washed it down with a glass of water. Watching her act so restless, Shivi warned her,
" Dhyaan se,Priyu Di aise tezi se paani peena theek nahi hai.".Prerna nodded slowly,she said,"Achcha Shivi, bohot raat ho chuki hai, main chalti hu, goodnight".Saying this Prerna was about to leave, when Shivani's voice stopped her, "Woh aapse bohot pyaar karta hai,Priyu Di".Prerna looked up at the ceiling, first Anurag, now Shivani.Did no one understand what she was feeling?Giving a frustrated sigh, Prerna turned around.She was about to say something when Shivani beat her to it,"Main jaanti hu,usne aapko bohot hurt kia hai, bohot dukh diya hai.Usse aisa nahi karna chahiye tha.Aap apni jaga bilkul sahi hai, Priyu Di.".Prerna was surprised to hear Shivani, Anurag's staunchest supporter say this.Shivani had always supported Anurag no matter what.When she had first told her about her plan to leave Basu Bari, Shivani had tried to dissuade her.And now Shivani was saying she understood her?Shivani continued,"Lekin agar iss duniya mein koi hai, jo aapko khudse bhi zyada pyaar karta hai, aur aapke liye khushi khushi apni jaan lutane ko bhi taiyyar hai toh woh bhi sirf Anurag hai.Har ladki ko aisa pyaar naseeb nahi hota".The sisters' silently stared at each other for a moment, each waiting for the other to say something.Until Shivani quietly took Prerna's medicines from the table and handed them to her saying,"Good night, Priyu Di.".Prerna replied back,"Good night,Shivi.".
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Prerna left Shivani's room in a daze.Anurag had helped Shivani.Anurag, whom she had been blaming for Shivani's plight had actually been the one who helped her out.Magar usne mujse yeh baat chhupake kyu rakhi?Prerna thought annoyed.Un dinon maine usse kitna bhala bura kaha, usse kitna kosa, tab usne mujhe kuch kyu nahi kaha?!Yeh bhi zaroor uski koi tarkeeb hogi mujhe protect karne ke liye.Anurag....tum mujhe itna nazuk kyu samajte ho?Agar tab hum dono ek saath milke Komolika ka saamna karte to shayad bohot pehle hi uski sachchayi sabke saamne le aate.But knowing what she knew now, Prerna couldn't stay angry at him for long.Anurag had been there for Shivani when Prerna, inspite of her best intentions, couldn't be there for her own sister. She wasn't going to forget that.Humara rishta bhi kitna ajeeb hai,Prerna mused,Uss waqt Anurag mujhe apni biwi nahi maanta tha lekin phir bhi usne ek bhai ki tarah Shivani ko protect kiya, uske iss ladayi mein uska saat diya.Bina kuch kahe, bina kuch bhi jataye usne ek achche bhai hone ka farz nibhaaya.(smiling sadly)Main humesha se apne liye bilkul aisa hi pati chahti thi, jo ek bete ki tarah mere parivaar ka khyaal rakhega.Lekin maine kabhi nahi socha tha ki mera yeh sapna iss tarah pura hoga.Prerna reached outside Anurag's bedroom when something struck her: Anurag and her will be staying in the same bedroom for the very first time.They had never slept in the same bedroom before.That night when Kakababu got ill was a one off incident, it just happened.That night she had no intention of staying in his room, let alone sleep in the same bed as him.But what about tonight?They didn't even discuss their sleeping arrangements for the night.Was he expecting her to be ok with sleeping in the same bed as him just because they had slept like this once?Prerna gingerly entered the room only to find Anurag putting his pillow and blanket in the sofa.Watching him, making himself comfortable on the sofa surprised her a little, yet there was a part of her which wasn't surprised at all. Barring a few instances during Komolika's presence in their lives, Anurag had always been a gentleman through and through.Then why did she think that tonight was going to be any different? Maybe because after a long time, neither of them is pretending to be someone they are not or hiding secrets from each other.For the first time in months, Anurag and Prerna will just be themselves.Anurag looked towards the door and saw Prerna standing there looking at him, deep in thought. Shayad Prerna humare ek hi room mein rehne se comfortable nahi hai, Anurag thought." Hi",he tried to break the awkward silence. Anurag's voice brought Prerna back to reality,"..Hi".She slowly entered the room.Prerna waved a hand at the sofa and said,"Um...toh tum yaha so rahe ho?".Anurag replied,"H-haan...-waise agar tum comfortable nahi ho to main jaake west-".Prerna quickly said," Arre nahi!Tum yahi raho after all yeh tumhara kamra hai.Woh.....main to bas yeh keh rahi thi ki tum kyu sofa mein sowoge main yaha so jaati hu aur waise bhi bas do din ki hi toh baat hai.".Anurag shook his head, "Bilkul nahi, Prerna Sharma",taking her hand he led her to the bed and made her sit there."Jab tak tum yaha ho, yeh bed tumhara hai, tum waha chain ki neend sowogi aur main sofa pe apni peeth seedhi karunga aur tumhare meethe meethe kharate sununga.Got it?"Anurag joked.Prerna responded indignantly,"Kya?Main kharate nahi leti!".Anurag replied,"Of course, tum toh yahi kahogi.After all chor thodi hi kahega ki main chor hu".Getting up Prerna argued,"Arre!Main sach mein kharate nahi leti.Ek second..main kaise maan lu ke tum kharate nahi lete.I mean aisa bhi toh ho sakta hai ki asal mein tum(pointing her index finger at him) kharate lete ho aur khamakha mujhe badnaam kar rahe ho?".Anurag pretended to think for a moment,"Hmmm...good point.Ek kaam karo tum yaha so jaao",he said making her sit on the bed again."Aur main..(rushing to the sofa) yaha sota hu".Lying on the sofa he checked something on his phone and put it on the coffee table next to him.His eyes fell on Prerna in a panicked tone he said,"Arre tum kya kar rahi ho?!Leto warna yeh process kaam nahi karega".Prerna tried to speak,"Magar-".Anurag cut her off,"Tum letogi to samaj mein aayega!Jaldi se leto!". Frustrated, Prerna quickly lied down and said,"Ab kya?".Anurag instructed,"Ab apna phone lo, uske voice recorder ko on karo aur takiye ke paas rakhdo".Prerna did exactly that and asked,"Ab?".Anurag answered,"Ab aankhe band karo aur so jaao.Kal subah hum dono milke tumhare kharate ki recording sunenge".Shocked, Prerna got up and said,"Kya?!Yeh toh cheating hai.Agar tumhare kharate iss mein record ho gaye tab bhi tum yahi kahoge ki main(pointing at herself) kharate leti hu.". Getting up, Anurag said,"Madam,Anurag Basu aise hi class ka topper nahi bana(picking up his phone) Yeh dekho maine bhi apna voice recorder on kiya hai.Agar main sach mein kharate leta hu toh iss mein sab saaf saaf record hoga.Thik jaise tumhare phone pe tumhare kharate ki awaaz saaf saaf record hoga.Kal subah jab hum inn dono recordings ko compare karenge tab jiski recording se zyada tez awaaz aati hain woh hara samjhii?". Grudgingly, Prerna said,"Hmm..not bad Internet Gyaani Baba".Anurag gave her a fake cheery smile and said,"Good night.".He turned off the lights with his phone, and lied on the sofa again.Prerna turned on the voice recorder of her phone.Lying down,she kept it next to her pillow.After a moment's silence, she called out in the dark,"Anurag?". "Hmmm....",came Anurag's drowsy reply from other end of the room. "Main jaanti hu, yeh sab tumne mujhe bed pe sulaane ke liye kiya hai",Prerna said.In his reply, Anurag just said, "Good night, ladki". Prerna smiled at this,"Goodnight ladke",came her reply.Anurag smiled in the dark, perhaps for the first time in months feeling a sense of calm before slumber came over him.
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Precap: "Nahi!Yeh nahi ho sakta!Prerna,tum mujhe chhorkar nahi jaa sakti!"Anurag cried frantically, as he watched life drain out of Prerna's face.
Health and Fitness
Arjun
Ufff Yeh Love Hai Mushkil
