Anurag placed everything in his vehicle. On settling behind the steering wheel, he pulled out his phone and hit Prerna’s speed dial without needing to think about it. The argument with his mother had upset him but just the thought of speaking with Prerna lifted his mood. Her phone rang a few times before it was cut. He pulled back his phone to check the screen and then again hit her speed dial. He lifted the phone and waited. Again it was cut. Frowning, he again looked at the screen and wondered as to why she would be cutting his calls. He noticed the time and wondered whether she was not busy feeding Sneha, and realized that he had no idea what their routine was.
A few moments later his phone chimed. He checked the message form her, ‘With mom, can’t answer.’ He quickly typed his response, ‘We need to talk, things happened at home.’
He waited a few moments for her response, but when it did not come immediately he started the car, knowing she would reply once she had the chance.
Anurag entered the noisy renovation site Sharma Nikwas had become. Everywhere he looked someone was busy doing something, it was enough to send anyone’s head spinning. For a moment he thought that it might have been best to call ahead, however the foreman was quick to greet him admits the organised chaos.
“How are things here?” Anurag asked, gesturing to the area in general.
“It is going well. The bathrooms are almost fully installed and the roof will be completed by the end of the week, so the décor team can move in some time next week. It was not quick enough for Anurag’s liking, but he knew better that to try and rush things. “Just make sure everything is done properly and let me know if you need anything.”
“Yes, Sir.”
After a short tour of the house Anurag left but came to a standstill next to his vehicle. He checked his messages, thankful to find that whilst his eardrums had been assaulted with the thumping and hammering inside the house, Prerna had replied. ‘We can talk later, let me know when you will be available.’
“For you, I’m always available,” Anurag said more to himself, but then frowned on noticing a vehicle. It had been parked in the same position on his arrival, more than an hour previous. But it was not the presence of the vehicle that concerned Anurag as much as the fact that its positioning provided it’s lone occupant an unobstructed view of the Sharma residence. He knew that if someone was keeping an eye on Prerna’s house, then whoever was responsible for arranging it would be looking for Prerna and her family. But with Komolika’s release, it would not surprise him if she again attempted to target Prerna. And even with only his father and him aware of their current address, he knew it would not take a determined person very long to discover where they were…
An unwelcome and uncomfortable sensation crawled along his spine. Immediately his heart raced at just the thought of someone attempting to hurt Prerna and Shena. Pocketing his phone he turned towards the vehicle and started to make his way over to it. He was about halfway there, when it started and pulled out of its parking spot. Anurag made a note of the vehicle’s registration number, and then returned to his vehicle. However, the sensation of unease only grew more intense with the passage of time. He could not take that risk. He had to move Prerna and Shena somewhere safe.
He fished out his phone and was about to hit Prerna’s speed dial only to remember that she was not his secretary anymore, at least not until they had settled matters between them and she returned to work. He called Anupam instead.
“Yes, tell me,” Anupam answered, but from the background he could hear Nivadita issue orders to the house servants.
“What was the name of that friend of yours that has that showroom?”
“Kasim?”
“He’s the one who knows about all the apartment complexes?”
“Oh, you mean Sachiin?”
“Sachiin, yes, him.”
“You looking for somewhere? He might know of a penthouse.”
“A penthouse, no, that would be too obvious. The first place they would check in any building is the penthouse.”
“Why? What are you up to?”
“I need to move Prerna and Sneha somewhere safe,preferably with access control, twenty-four hour security and a surveillance system.”
“Don’t you think that’s a bit much?”
“Someone was parked outside their home today, and with Komolika…”
“Say no more,” Anupam quickly replied adding, “I’ll get hold of him and find out if he knows of anything”
While you’re there, speak to Debu as well and find out if he knows of anyone, I’ll need to find some help for Prerna around the house.”
“Will do,” Anupam replied then added, “Oh yes, how big do you want the apartment to be?”
I don’t know, two, maybe three bedrooms, it’s temporary and depends on what is available. I need to move them as quickly as possible.”
“I’ll tell him it’s a rush.”
“Thanks Anupam. Oh but tell him I want to have a look at it first though.”
“Will do.”
With that Anurag ended the call and made another to the security company they used.
The sun was lowering on the horizon when Anurag finally stopped his vehicle in front of the Sharma’s temporary residence. He looked at the doorway, remembering only too well his reception the day before,and knew there was still a long way to go before they would once again welcome him with the warmth they used to bestow on him. He not only felt bad about that fact but also missed it. It had been a time when his friendship with Prerna was less complicated, their relationship promising and their worlds had not come collapsing down around them.
He pulled out his phone, knowing only too well that without her assistance he would not even make it past the threshold. He quickly composed a message, well aware that what he was doing would place her in a difficult spot, but he would have to manipulate things in his favour. He waited several long moments after firing off the message before his phone chimed. He checked the message and then got out of the vehicle.
Again looking at the house, brew in a deep breath,to steady his nerves, for there was nothing he could do for his racing heart.
He did a quick scan of the area, having been weary ever since visiting their home that morning, but nothing appeared to be ominous. Feeling a little more relaxed, he made his way to the door and knocked.
Mrs Sharma opened the door and from the look on her face, he braced himself for a hostile reception. He was not wrong as she outright demanded, “What are you doing here? Did we not make it clear enough that you were not to return!”
Anurag placed his hands together in greeting,something Veena automatically reciprocated, allowing him to calmly reply, “Mrs.Sharma, mother-in-law…”
Her composure however only lasted for a moment before she angrily lashed out, “Don’t you dare call me that! Because not once have you acted like a son-in-law towards my daughter. And if you had, we would not be needing to sort out this mess.”
Lifting his hands slightly, in hope that he could appeal to her, Anurag replied, “Please, just hear me out. I am here to discuss important matters with you and your family.”
Veena squared her shoulders, looked Anurag right in the eye and demanded, “Important to whom? You? Your family? Then I definitely don’t want to hear it.”
Prerna moved into view, her presence immediately easing the sense of apprehension that filled him. She touched her mother’s shoulder and calmly said, “Mom, please, just hear him out. He would not have come here if it was not important.”
Veena turned to face Prerna, visibly angry as she requested, “You knew about this? You knew he would come here.”
“Mom, please, just hear him out.”
“And how will this be different to all the other times. He has made so many promises but fails to keep any of them.” Veena then turned her attention back to Anurag as she stated, “Neither do I have any desire to listen to any half-hearted apology on behalf of his family, or how he didn’t know and how he’s sorry for the insults his family has inflicted on ours. Please. Spare me.”
“Mom, please,” Prerna pled, holding her hands together when her mother turned to look at her, “He is here for a reason, please hear him out.”
Veena turned to face Anurag again, then fixed him with a stern glare as she said, “Fine. But this is only because Prerna asked me to listen.” She pointed her finger at him in warning as she continued, “But that does not mean that I am going to change my mind about what happened yesterday.”
“Please, Madam, all I ask is for you to listen. You can then decide if my interests are genuine.”
Maintaining her stance in the doorway, not allowing him to enter the house, Veena demanded,“So tell me.”
“Please, Mrs. Sharma, this is not a matter that should be discussed in the door.” Anurag implored.
Veena gestured for him to enter the house and closed the door behind him
Anurag placed his hands together and greeted both Suman and Shivani before looking towards Prerna, wishing he could spend a few moments with her, before once again upsetting her life anew. He moved his head slightly in their familiar enquiring gesture, and was rewarded when Prerna replied, “She’s asleep.”
Anurag instantly became aware of Veena’s scrutiny of their interaction and turned towards the woman. No hospitalities were extended, not that he had expected any. He fully understood the stance they had taken, and knew what he intended to ask would be far more than he actually had a right to, given their past. He hesitantly stared, “I was hoping that Shukar would also be able to join us.” Shivani looked at Anurag in surprise. However Anurag continued, “I had initially hoped to discuss the arrangements around Sneha’s naming ceremony,” he held up his hand to calm Veena and then continued, “But after this morning’s events, There are more pressing matters.”
“What happened?” Prerna demanded.
“When I checked up on the renovations to your house,“ Anurag started, “I noticed someone watching. When I approached him, he simply drove off, but with Komolika’s release and considering her past actions, we cannot be too careful. So for now I think it is best if we acknowledge the fact that both Prerna and Sneha are in danger.”
“What?” Shivani and Veena simultaneously demanded.
“The most reasonable assumption we can make is that she is trying to establish where Prerna is at the moment, so they will be watching all the places you usually frequent. At the moment it is for the best that you have taken up residence here. The renovations should be done within the next month, but I want to move Prerna and Sneha elsewhere before that.”
“No!” Veena outright opposed, “Prerna will not return to that house, I will not allow it, and that is final!”
“I was not intending to take her back there. Especially since it would be the first place other than your home Komolika would look for her.”
“Where then?” Veena demanded.
“This has not been established yet but I’m looking at several apartments in newly built complexes, that offer access control and twenty-four hour security.”
“Prerna cannot live alone, that is unheard of.”Veena said.
“I am also arranging for a servant to help her with Sneha and the house. I know it is not ideal but doing things this way will make it more difficult for Komolika to find them.”
Veena shook her head but said nothing else, while Shivani looked at Prerna and said, “I’ll stay with sister.”
“No!” Anurag was quick to counter, “You can’t do that. Both Ronit and Komolika are aware of the close relationship you share. Youwill lead them straight to Prerna. No. It is better if you don’t know where she lives.”
“Are you crazy! You want to separate sister Prerna from us?” demanded Shivani.
“I have not finalized everything yet and at the moment only Anupam knows of the plans. But until we have found a suitable apartment and arranged everything, I have arranged for someone to observe this place. He will also accompany Prerna whenever she leaves here.”
“What?” Prerna demanded.
“Not with you,” Anurag quickly countered, “He will maintain a distance, his tasks are to follow you and ensure your safe as well as capture any footage that could help with convicting Komolika, even if we can just get her committed to a mental asylum. Her father has helped wipe her slate clean and provided her with a clean identity so we have to be very careful as to how we go about things.” Anurag looked at everyone present and then continued, “The man outside will report to me if there is any strange activity,or if any of you were followed, but please,” Anurag held his hands together, “I beg of you not to leave unless it is absolutely necessary. I should have everything arranged in the next few days.”
“I still don’t like the fact that Prerna will be on her own.”
“I can well understand your concern,” Anurag started, “But I have spoken with Anupam and sister Nividita, they will assist wherever they can to throw off anyone showing any interest in the place. They will, if needed, approach the developers or owners with an offer to purchase one of the units.”
“You seem to have thought of everything.” Veena concluded before turning to look at Prerna, “Everything except what Prerna would think of such arrangements.”
Anurag looked at Prerna, instantly recognizing her resistance.He had asked her to be willing to go with him, he just hoped she still trusted him enough to follow through on the request. “My intentions are to safeguard Prerna and Sneha, and I’m asking only to be permitted to do that. I want no trouble with your family.” Anurag again turned to Veena and said, “I promise that I will select the most suitable place for them and that they will be looked after.”
Veena looked at Prerna and said, “Preu, you would have a better idea as to what this entails, and because it will be your life from now on you will have to decide for yourself. Technically he is your husband and has the right, but here, under this roof, you have a say in the matter.”
Prerna looked over everyone in the room before finally stating, “I have to think of your safety as well. We all know the lengths Komolika can go to when she’s angered, and none you do not need to be placed in danger, just because of us.”
Anurag for a moment breathed easier.
“We are your family, it is our duty,” Shivani insisted.
“Just as it is my duty to look out for you.” Prerna countered.
Veena looked at Anurag and said, “I can understand your reasoning in this, but know I’m very reluctant to allow my Preu to leave the house in this manner.”
“If there was another way, I would have taken it.”Anurag assured.
“That I also understand,” Veena said and turned to look at Prerna before continuing, “But you will have to make arrangements with Prerna and let her know what she will need to take with her.”
Anurag looked at Prerna as Veena started to usher the others from there. But before he could move closer to her she held up her hand to stop him, she gestured with her head that she was not in the mood to discuss matters before flipping her hand in gesture.
He knew better than to push Prerna when she was in such a mood.
Anupamaa
