Vani FF// The Phoenix (Thread 2 Link in Pg 1) - Page 4

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Finally an update.... usme bhi double..maza aagaya....was waiting eagerly for ur update..now please don’t delay more n give us update asap

Chapter 11: Bordeaux Trouble

The night was taxing. Veer walked out of the room. He saw Balwant sitting at the table drinking. Sam was right there speaking to him. He walked down.

“Dad…” Veer sat on the chair next to him. “Dad, mujhe pata hai ki Bani jhooth nahi bol rahi.”

“Veer bhai, mujhe bhi yahi lagta hai.” Sam agreed, “Bhabhi can’t be mistaking such a huge thing.”

“But Kishore can’t be lying that they found the girl, right? Even Daksh said that he had kept an eye on that woman. She hasn’t left her room.” Balwant pointed out.

“Bade papa, think of it. Honestly kahiye, itne saalon se aapne unhe basement mein rakha hai but wahan gufa mein bhi toh thi na. If that is possible then so is this.” Sam suggested.

Balwant had to agree to that point. They had a valid point.

“Exactly. Is it possible that she can be there in two places at the same time or maybe Markaat is impersonating her?” Veer offered. Veer and Sam had told Balwant about everything that had happened if he promised not to get in between they asked him to.

Balwant never trusted Chandrakala, that much was the truth. Everything related to her was always blurry. Telling that to Veer wasn't possible. He was a little too daft sometimes to see through people. Balwant downed another drink. Ever since Bani had entered their life, every other day there was some new trouble. Today someone had tried to kill Veer.

"Bohot hi khaas cheel hai yeh. Iska janam bhi khaas wajah se hua hai. Naagin hi hai jo iski jaan legi."

Balwant remembered the moment that aghori had revealed to him that his son was Aakesh. Balwant himself never remembered anything from Satyug till then. It was then that he was told the history. The naag-naagins had found out that Isha was carrying the prince of cheels quite early. That is why they tried to constantly attack them to kill Veer even before he was born but he was saved. Isha didn't even let Veer have a small hint that there had been so many attempts to kill him in his childhood. The naag-naagin had come to kill Veer but Isha died saving him. Balwant lied to Veer saying that they had come to kill Isha. Balwant didn't want Veer to have any hint of his Satyug story. Lest Isha's words would become true.

“Uski kundali mein likha hai, Isha, woh us roshni ki or badhega…” Balwant tried to tell her.

“Haan, toh kya hua? What’s wrong with that? Jaisa bhi hoga, he’ll still our son, Balwant. Aur yeh saari bakwaas mat kiya karo.” Isha argued with him. She rocked the baby softly. “Aur zara dheere bolo. Teer uth jaayega.”

After the whole day of troubling everyone with wanting attention constantly Veer fell asleep quickly but Teer always had trouble in sleeping quickly. Isha had finally put him to sleep. Veer always slept undisturbed but once he’s awake, he would be disturbing everyone in the house. Silence in the house meant that either he was up to some new mischief or he wasn't in the house.

“Main sirf yeh bol raha hun ki use din mein bahar le jaana band karo.” Balwant said as she put Teer in the cradle. Tapish had already fallen asleep on her side of the bed.

“Voh cheel hai vampire nahi ki din mein bahar chala gaya toh he’ll turn into dust. What nonsense… Ek toh tum aur woh takla, dono hi mera dimaag khate ho. Din mein bahar mat jao, Veer ko ghar ke bahar mat le jaao. Matlab ghar hai ya tihar jail?” She pushed him aside as he kept blocking her way as she finished putting all of the three kids to sleep.

“Hum sabh Veer ki bhalayi ke liye bol rahe hai.” Balwant tried to tell her.

“Sure, why not. Pinjra nahi hai, Balwant. Apne se baandh ke nahi rakh sakte ho. Jab udne lagega toh khud ud kar chala jaayega, tabh kaise rokoge? Peeche peeche ghumoge? Please, pinjra banana band karo. Just because you’re a parent doesn’t mean to tie him to yourself all his life. Let him be free. Kya ho jaayega?”

“Mujhe pata hai ki kya hoga. Woh naagin use maar degi jaise pehle kiya tha. Main who repeat nahi hone dunga. Pehle bhi usne maar diya tha. Jaan chali jaayegi uski.”

“Balwant, ek baat na samajh lo. Jaise tum keh rahe ho ki yeh Aakesh hai then no matter what you do, he’ll find his way to her. Kuch bhi kar lo, Balwant, rok nahi paaoge. Veer ke liye fikar karna ek baat hai aur uske liye decisions lena alag baat hai. Jab bacche bade ho jaaye toh unhe sirf rasta dikhana chahiye. They’re free to make their own decision. If you try to be a jailor, he’ll become an escape artist. Kyu baandhna chahte ho use? Udne do. Zindagi mein pyaar mushkil se aata hai. I don’t know about Aakesh but Veer mera beta hai. And if there’s anything I’m proud of about myself, it is that once I decide on something, I do everything to reach my goal. Balwant, agar Veer ko sach mein pyaar hua toh tume chahe saari takat laga lo, Veer ko uske pyaar se alag nahi kar paaoge. Ab agar Veer sach mein Aakesh hai toh isne janam liya hai toh apne pyaar ke liye. Jise milna hota hai, woh milke rehte hai. Har zid puri kar doge Veer ki but jo use sabse zyaada pyaara hai woh nahi doge toh matlab nahi hai.”

"Toh kya chahti ho, us naagin ko Veer ki bali chadha dun?"

She sighed and rolled her eyes. "First off, keep your voice down. Bacche so rahe hai. Secondly, agar Veer thoda sa bhi meri tarah hai toh tumhe khud pata hai tum use control nahi kar paaoge. Sach chupa lo jitna chahe but parchayi reh jaati hai. Kabh tak usse sach chupaoge? Tum kuch saalon ke liye Veer se uski sacchai chupa sakte ho but ek toh use yaad aana hi hai. Jab yaad aayega tab kaise rokoge? Veer ko khone ki jagah pe apne paas rakho. Balwant, bacche hote hai ziddi. Zyada takat lagaoge toh tumse hi alag hoke chala jaayega. Tume bhi pata hai yeh ho sakta."

Now, looking at everything, Balwant realized that she had been right all along. Chandrakala's entry in their lives as a permanent member was something Balwant wished he could change. He wished it had never come to that point.

"kya baat hai?" Veer asked him.

"Kuch nahi." Balwant commented. Veer had felt that he had been going far from his dad. He never showed it openly but Balwant was an important part of his life. He loved his father. Their relationship was not like Veer idolized his father but he loved him father. After his mother, his father had been his only parent. His dad had got the teacher fired from the school because the teacher shouted at him. He had been a good father even if he slacked at every other part. At least to him, he had been a good father. He sat through the mindless speeches he gave about Lightning McQueen. Every toy he wanted was given to him. They had always been close. The first drink he ever had was made by Balwant. He had found his fondness for whiskey because Balwant and Veer always drank whiskey together. He missed his mother a lot but Balwant always had been there for him. Even if he got angry quickly, Veer never wished to build this new distance between them. He already lost both his mother and now felt like he was losing his father as well.

"So, I presume aap baat nahi karna chahte hai mujhse."

"Aisa nahi hai. Tu mera beta hai. Kyu baat nahi karunga? Dimag mein bakwaas bhar raha hai."

"Dad, please. Do baar apni maa ko kho chuka hun, abh aapko bhi kho diya toh..."

"Kya bol raha hai, Veer. Kuch zyaada chad gayi hai kya?"

Veer chuckled. It was quite typical of Balwant Singhania to never speak anything emotional. The cheels were anything but emotional. They never brought up things that were hurting them. It was easy for them to brush it away and fly off to the next thing.

"Nahi..."

"Veer bhai, bohot bakwaas kar rahe ho. Drink up." Sam passed him a drink.

Balwant just wondered about what was going on with their family. Every thing was going crazy. How did the one who came to kill Veer just turn into ashes all of a sudden? There were so many questions that he needed answers for.

"Whatever it is, I am sure Bhabhi did something to save Veer bhai." Sam whispered the answer to his question when Veer left.

"Woh Naagin jo Veer ki jaan lena chahti hai woh Veer ko bachaegi? Dimaag thikane pe hai na?"

"Bade papa, aap dekh hi nahi rahe hai. She actually cares for Veer bhai. Agar marna hi hota toh kitne mauke the marne ke. Navratri ke din maar sakti thi. Kabhi bhi maar sakti thi but aisa nahi kiya. She does care for him. Kuch cheezein kehne ki nahi samajhne ki baat hoti hai. Bhabhi does love-"

"Bakwaas mat kar. Tujhe pata bhi nahi hai usne kya kiya hai. Aakesh ki jaan le li thi. Aakesh ne khud koi kharonch bhi nahi di use. Aakesh ne bhi usse pyaar kiya tha. Aisa ki mujhe laga woh puri tarah pagal ho chuka hai. Jagah jagah chot khake aaya tha par aankhon se uski tasveer gayi nahi. Veer ne bhi utna hi pyaar kiya but usne sirf nafrat di hai. Yahan tak ki yeh bhi keh diya tha ki jab tak uska maqsat pura nahi hota tab tak woh aise hi Veer ko beech mein rakhegi."

Sam laughed.

"Bade papa, aapko pata hi hai. 13 saal ka tha tabse bas ek hi hai jise bohot pasand kiya hai. V. Samajh nahi aata tha ki use kaise express karun toh sabse asaan tareeka tha use pareshaan karne ka. Sab Veer bhai ki tarah nahi hote hai. Sab itne asaani se apni feelings express nahi kar paate. Darr hota hai sabhko kisi na kisi cheez ka. Sabh toh unke jaise nahi ho sakte na jo darna nahi jaante ho. Sach kahun toh Veer bhai sirf bhabhi ko khone se darte hai. Aap accept nahi kar pa rahe kyuki aap Bani aur Nageshwari ke beech difference nahi bata paa rahe hai."

"Matlab pahadon mein reh ke tera dimaag bhi woh sanyasion jaisi ho gayi hai kya?"

"Mila hoon bohot un logo se. You'll be surprised. They make a lot of sense."

"Bas tu bhi sanyaas le leta. Yeh bakwaas nahi sunni padti mujhe."

"Let's be honest. Aap mujhe kuch zyada hi miss karte phir."

Balwant smiled. He never showed much but he loved his family and cared for them all.

"Tujhe kabse naagin se pyaar ho gaya? Mujhe laga sirf veer hi aisa sarphira hai."

Sam laughed.

"Dad ko heart attack aa jaayega. Mujhe bohot pehle se pata tha ki woh naagin hai. Kaafi time tha mere paas is reality ko accept karne ka. Abh odd hai but hota hai. Yeh half human part hai jiske wajah se saara mess create hota hai. Abh insaan hai toh woh waali feelings aur aadatein bhi aayenge. Kabhi us half human part se cheezon ko dekho. Dikh jaayega ki ho kya raha hai."

"Bohot jaldi bada nahi ho gaya tu? Aaj mujhe sikha raha hai."

"Sikha nahi raha bas batana chahta hun. Jab aapko pata nahi tha ki woh Adi-naagin hai tabh aapko yakeen tha ki woh itni buri bhi nahi hai but now you've closed up yourself to seeing another side to her. Bhabhi bhi yahi karti hai. She sees him as Aakesh and you see her as Nageshwari. Unless you two move on and see that there's a difference, you can't see what is happening. Bhabhi ko pyaar hai but admit karne se darti hai."

"Tujhe waha pahadon mein jane dena galti thi shayad. Cheel se sanyasi ban gaya hai. Abh pata chala ki tu bhi Shiv mandir mein jaake din raat pooja kar lega."

Sam laughed.

"Itna bhi change nahi hua hun. Haan thoda yakeen hone laga hai us par but aisa nahi hai ki pandit ban jaau."

"Jo bhi hai. Main jaa raha hun warna pata nahi aur kya kya bolta rahega."

Balwant got up and started walking away. It was already late. Sam sat there looking at more things on the ipad. Bani walked down thinking about a lot of things. She was lost in thoughts as she walked to the kitchen. Bani had so many questions in her mind but didn’t know who to ask. Who could possibly help her through this all? Why did Chandrakala stress saying that she was Veer's mother? What could possibly be the connection between them?

“Deep in thoughts” Sam asked as she passed him. He was looking though something.

“Just thinking about this woman who has become a source of headache.” Bani commented. “What are you looking though?”

“Bio-metric that is present in the other bunglow where Teer bhai was kept.”

“Isn’t that illegal?”

“Who cares? Tell me, Bhabhi, what do you think about Shukla?”

“Shukla? I don’t think about him at all. Waste of energy to put thoughts on him.”

“I think he was involved in Teer bhai’s murder.”

Bani’s head shot up in surprised.

“What?”

“Look at this…” He showed Bani, “The lock which sealed Teer bhai’s room had a bio-metric lock. So, only authorized people can enter the room. There were only three people who had that access. Bade papa, Tapish Bhai and Shukla. The bio-metric registers the entry and exit of people. Longest time is spent inside the room by Tapish bhai. He used to take me and Veer bhai to see him. But last person who opened the room was Bade papa. The duration was only 2 minutes. Which means this was when he found out that Teer bhai was missing. The time was around 9:30 pm. That time everyone was at the wedding venue. The one who entered before him was Shukla. That was around 6 pm. The time duration was around 1 hour. Why would Shukla spend that long? Not to mention this detail was edited to be erased. No one doubted as to how it was opened if this is closed by a bio-metric lock then it isn’t easy to open it. Khud toh udke nahi niklenge honge. You saw Teer bhai at the hill. Is it some coincidence? That too why would he possibly run behind Jay? I mean Jay was not that known to us.”

“That means someone told him about Jay.”

“Teer bhai is not bothered by this naag-naagin conflict. He had his own issues to deal with. Someone told him about Veer bhai and you. Naturally, what came to his mind must be that if Jay was taken out of the equation, Veer would be able to marry you as he wanted. Then you showed him that you’re Adi-Naagin. And things went down spiral.”

“But I hadn’t killed Teer. Someone killed him by stabbing in the back. His jacket had that sign from a teethed dagger. The one that I found in the gufa and in security room. These daggers are only therewith Cheel. Shukla was already involved with this Shakura case. He had tried to capture me.”

“He and Mayuri were involved and both of them were Jay’s partners. It shows easily how Jay survived being kicked off from the height. He was saved way before he could hit the ground. That leaves with the question as to why they wanted to kill Teer bhai. So, possibly Jay is involved in Teer bhai’s murder.”

“Jay can’t murder an innocent.”

“Well, kudos to you, bhabhi. Even after personally finding out his truth, you still trust him. I don’t trust him. He’s tried to kill V already. He tried to kill you. I don’t find any reasons not to doubt him. Regardless, I believe Shukla is definitely involved. There has to be why Shukla killed Teer bhai.”

“I had killed his sons when they tried to kill Naina.”

“He’s not that capable to take up that mammoth of a task on his own, Bhabhi. He’s more of the coward kind. If he’s gone against Veer bhai, he’s having some strong backing because the moment bade papa and Veer bhai find out, he’s as good as done. The only who is going to help him is either Jay or Markaat.”

“But would Markaat kill his own kind? I mean all the cheel and giddh are his kind.”

“Definitely. Bhabhi, I had gone around for a longtime. If I know enough about markaat, he doesn’t bother much about his people and other people. It is more of useful people and useless people. If he finds them useful, he’ll keep them and when someone seems useless, he’ll throw them to the wolves.”

“She isn’t the real Markaat. She’s just taken his place so I doubt if she will be able to access all those powers.”

“Bhabhi, even to take his place, Markaat has to be ready to push himself back and let her do that job. If he is not reacting, there is something. Because once the real markaat gets involved, we’re all-in larger mess. Markaat doesn't take kindly to anyone taking over what he considers his kingdom without having some huge profit out of it.”

“There has to be a way we can find out about all this.”

“Veer bhai is going to kill me for this but…” Sam gave her a parchment. Bani opened it to see a map to a certain place.

“What is this?”

“Are you mad or what?” Balwant walked up and instantly snatched up the map. “How did you even get your hands on this?”

“Bade papa, I know what I am doing.” Sam argued.

“Pawan, dekh le. Sara dimag wahin pahadon mein chod kar aaya hai tera ladla.” Balwant complained to Pawan.

“Tune kya sochna band kar diya hai? Ponky toh tha hi pehle se bina dimag ke aur abh tu bhi join kar raha hai uska team?” Pawan scolded him.

“Daddyji, Chachu, maine khud use pucha tha ki use kuch pata hai.” Bani tried to defend Sam.

“Bani, tumhe yeh sabh janne ki zaroorat nahi hai.” Tapish suggested her softly. “It is highly dangerous. Don’t be silly.”

“Tapish bhai, if there is even 1% chance that I can find something, I’m ready to try it out. Because right now I’m stuck at zero.” Bani argued.

“Bani, tumhara decision phir bhi teek hai but Veer ko pata chala ki tumhe in sabke baare mein humne bataya hai toh who sabko maar dega.” Pawan told her.

“Kya ho raha hai? Sabh konsi panchayat yaha laga rahe hai?” Veer asked from the end of the staircase. Balwant quickly hid the map in his pocket and turned to face Veer.

“Kuch nahi, yeh bas dono baat kar rahe the ki Chandrakala ko kaise haraye.” Balwant covered up. Veer raised his eyebrow.

“Sabh ek saath?” He questioned.

“Kaise sawal puch raha hai. Bas yaha se jaa rahe the toh hum ruk gaye. Aisa kuch nahi hai.” Balwant laughed.

“Daddy, aap mujhe kuch chupa rahe hai?” Veer asked laughing. “Kahin aap bhi Bani ke saath toh nahi mil gaye?”

Balwant laughed.

“Nahi, nahi. Aisa kuch nahi hai.”

Veer walked up to Sam and put his arm on his shoulder. Balwant and Pawan never ganged up on Sam for no reason. Veer would notice them ganging over Sam.

“Main tujhe bohot acche se jaanta hun, Sam. Yaad haina tujhe kya kaha tha jis din tu yahan aaya tha?” Veer asked. The fake smile fell from Sam’s face.

“Veer…” He bit his tongue. “I mean Veer bhai, ek dum clearly yaad hai.”

“Better remember it. If anything happens, I’ll rip you apart.” Veer threatened, patted his back and walked ahead.

“Yaad rakhe toh better hoga tere liye.” Balwant added.

“Kabhi kabhi baat sun leni chahiye. Teri bhalayi ke liye hai. Baccha nahi hai abhi. Aur woh Veer ki girlfriend nahi hai, uski biwi hai. Kuch bhi hua use toh jaan le lega Veer teri. Yaad rakhle. Adi-Naagin ke saamne khoon bhi feeka pad jaayega.” Pawan commented to Sam. Sam looked down. Bani just stood there as they scolded him. She actually felt angry. Why were they threatening him on her name? More over she didn't like how they made her sound like some sort of home-wrecker who creates ridges between brothers.

“Bola kyu nahi sabhko? Main khud ko protect kar sakti hun.” Bani argued with Sam.

“Nevermind. Mujhe shayad point uthana hi nahi chahiye tha.”

“Darte kyu ho itna Veer se?”

“Kyuki humare paas enough reasons hai, Bhabhi. Veer is generally all cool and chill but sometimes if it gets far, he’s shown who he is.”

“Main yahin thi, Samrat. Veer kuch bhi kehta toh mainsaath khadi thi.”

“Bhabhi, let’s just forget I ever offered it.” He decided to walk away but she stopped him.

“Nahi, meri baat khatam nahi hui hai, Samrat.”

“Kyuki, Bhabhi, aap us position mein nahi ho.”

“Aisa kya warning diya tha Veeranshu ne?”

“Bhabhi, I’ll get going. Aap Veer bhai se baat karlo.”

Sam ran away. Bani felt really angry. She was so close to having that ray of hope that she’ll find some information and he was scared away. Tapish affectionately put his hand on her shoulder.

“Bani, dekho, kuch cheezein genuinely bohot khatarnaak hoti hai. Markaat unmein se hi ek hai jiske saath you would never want to be involved. He’s even more unpredictable than sea itself. Tum par genuinely bohot khatra ho sakta hai. Hum khud sabh kabhi uske saath involve nahi hona chahte hai.” Tapish tried to explain to her calmly.

“Tapish bhai, aap nahi samajh rahe hai. Bohot khatra hai. Sirf mujhe aur naagon ko hi nahi, aap sabhko bhi aur shayad Veer ko bhi.” Bani tried to convince him.

Bani was determined to get this issue solved. She angrily walked to Vanshika’s room. She was calmly putting nail polish on her nails. She had just finished painting her toes and was now painting her finger nails.

“Who stole your rattles?” She asked with a chuckle.

“Samrat knows a place where we can find information about markaat and this Chandrakala but refuses to tell us where it is.” Bani explained.

“Then try to get it out of him.”

“Yes, but how? He had made it clear that he’s not telling me.”

“Bani, baby, use your negotiation tactics.”

“I don’t know how to do that.”

“Simple, threaten him. Threat works well too. You can have something of a leverage against him. Anything with Veer will work.”

Bani smiled.

“You’re awesome. I know exactly what to do.” Bani hugged her.

“Hey!! Careful. I just painted my nails.” She complained. Bani walked into Sam’s room.

“Bhabhi, we’re not talking about that again.” Sam told her as he played with a rubix cube. Bani sat on the couch.

“Hmmm… theek hai. But I can still tell Veeranshu that you somehow found your hands on a map and almost showed it to me.” Bani threatened him. He looked at her and the rubix cube fell out of his hands.

“You’re blackmailing me?” He asked. “You’re spending far too much time with V. Please stop that. It is going to be your ruin. Lawyers are just as much of a devil as much as we are.”

“Whatever you want to take it as but I just wanted to remind you.”

“I don’t have the map. Bade papa took it from me right in front of your eyes.”

“Not my problem. If you can manage to steal your dad’s credit card at 11 then you can surely manage to get your hands on that map at 25.”

“Bhabhi, maine kya bigaada hai aapka?”

“Kuch bhi nahi bigada hai but I am determined to do this.”

“Dad humesha kehte the ki saanpo ka bharosa nahi karna chahiye. Das liya na…” Sam cursed himself.

“Personal agenda nahi hai mera tumse koi but woh chandrakala mujhe harana chahti hai. Use a to z mere baare mein sabh pata hai but mujhe kuch bhi nahi pata hai. 10,000 divya varsh uske paas the mere baare sabh janneke liye. Main unprepared bhi kuch nahi kar sakti. Takat hai ladne ki but the fact remains ki hume pata hona chahiye ki kya kya ho sakta hai mere saath.”

Sam sighed.

“Fact remains ki aapne mujhe dasa hai, Bhabhi. This blackmail stuff is what we do. I was thinking you’re more of the respectfulkind.”

“Veer se tumhe main bacha lungi. Tum bas us map ko nikalo daddyji ke paas se. Veer ko kuch bhi batane ki zaroorat nahi hai. Main akele chali jaaungi aur wapas aa jaaungi.”

“Aap akele nahi jaa paayengi. Marna toh anyways mera confirmed hai. Ya toh wahan marenge but agar aapko kuch hua toh Veer bhai mujhe maar denge. Yahan marne se accha hai ki wahan maru.”

“Tum uske bhai ho, Samrat. Tumne kabhi kuch nahi karega.”

“Funny thought. Bohot accha nahi samajhne lagi hai aap unhe? How cute.” The dryness in his voice made Bani roll her eyes. “Anyway… aap prepared raho toh accha hoga. Main subeh tak kuch karta hun.”

Chapter 12: Sunrise Island Trips

Bani paced in the frontyard waiting for Sam.

“Kya baat hai. Meri sweetheart mera intezaar kar rahi thi?” Veer asked as he walked outside. He was all set in the morning run attire.

“Aisa kuch nahi hai. Main tumhara wait nahi kar rahi thi.” Bani answered.

“Toh yahan chalte chalte apne wazan ghata rahi thi?”

“Nahi… bas soch rahi thi.”

“Kya soch rahi thi?”

“Woh tumhe kyu bataun?”

“Gharwali, main tumhara gharwala hun. Tum mujhe bata sakti ho.”

Bani saw Daksh and Sam walk down but the moment they saw Veer, they swiftly turned back and ran away. Bani mentally cursed them for being so scared of Veer.

“Kise dekh rahi ho?” He asked looking in that direction.

“Kuch nahi..."

"Tum bas mujhe hi dekh rahi thi. Jhooth mat bolo."

"Main sunrise dekhne aayi thi yahan."

"Itna khoobsurat chaand hai yaha aur tumhe sunrise dekhna hai."

"Ji, khoobsurat chaand. Suraj par ghrahan mat lagao."

He laughed.

"Sweetheart, kabhi kabhi mujhe importance bhi acchi lagti hai. Kabhi toh attention de diya karo."

"Abh importance maang rahe ho, phir time maangoge, phir dil maangoge aur phir jaan. Yeh chronology pata hai mujhe."

Veer waved his hand before her showing her the ring. Then pointed at her mangalsutra.

"Gharwali, jab main tumhara pura haq se hun toh yeh hope kyu nahi kar sakta ki tum bhi meri ho jaao, haq se? Shaadi toh two way street hai. Bas kal hi jab maine tumhara haath pakada toh tumne bhi mera haath pakada tha. Sweetheart, tumhe bhi pata hai aur mujhe bhi ki tum mujhe trust karti ho."

He brushed her hair.

"Tum na hamesha mujhe pareshaan karte. Tum morning run pe jaa rahe the na. Jaao." Bani pushed him.

"Tumhe parehsaan karne ke alawa tumse pyaar bhi karta hun, Bani Sharma. Yeh bhi toh dekh lo."

"Haan aur yeh pyaar hi mujhe pe bhaari pad raha hai. Mere dimaag mein sab tarah ke bakwaas daal deta jo mujhe nahi sochna cha-" She suddenly realized that in that moment she was going to blurt out that he makes her think of all the things that are forbidden. Veer looked at her.

"Haan, baat puri karo. Sun raha hun main."

"Kuch bhi nahi... Jaao."

"Kabhi toh keh do, Bani. Mujhe pata tum mujhse pyaar karti ho but tumse sunna chahta hun main. Mera bechara dil kabse intezaar kar raha hai."

Bani couldn't help but smile at that.

"Tumhe mujhe pareshaan karne mein maza aata hai aur mujhe tumhe tadpaane mein."

"Uff...." Veer dramatically placed his hand over his heart. "Tumhari yeh hasi... bas..."

Bani had to go to that place in that moment but Veer standing there and talking to her was making it difficult. After a while of bothering her, Bani managed to get free from him. Then once she walked out, she texted Sam. After a few moments, the two appeared in the car. Bani quickly sat in the car.

“Map kahan hai?”

Sam poked at Daksh’s head.

“Yahan.”

“Kya? Tumhara matlab hai ki tum map laaye nahi?” Bani asked almost exasperated.

“Bhabhi, he’s got a photographic memory. He can remember stuff with precision. Map nikal ke le aate toh bade papa ko pata chal jaata. Woh har 15 minute mein check kar rahe the. The moment it goes missing, he’ll get to us. So, maine Daksh bhai se kaha. He memorized the map.” He explained.

“Pakka? You sure koi mistake nahi hogi.” Bani asked.

“Arrey 100%. Daksh bhai se kuch yaad karne mein galat inahi hoti.” Sam assured.

“Tere chakkar mein Veer bhai mujhe bhi maar denge.” Daksh scowled at Sam.

“Daksh bhai, chote bhai ke liye thodi si maar kha logetoh kya bigad jaayega? Bachpan mein mera homework kar dete the. Yeh kya cheez hai.” Sam commented. Daksh gave him a look.

“Saale, bachpan mein tera homework karne mein aur apni jaan tere liye dene mein fark hai.”

“Waise yeh jagah hai kahan?” Bani asked.

“Mumbai port se aage ek mysterious island hai wahan.” Daksh said.

“Ponky se aapne kya kaha?” Sam asked Daksh.

“Kuch bhi nahi. Usko idea hua toh darr ke maare gharse bhaag jayega ki hum aisa kaam kar rahe hai.” Daksh answered.

“Tum dono ko Veer kuch bhi nahi karega. Itna kyu darte ho?” Bani complained.

“Kyuki Veer bhai saare cheelon ke Rajkumar hai. The way tumhare ismein Naagrani aur Adi-Naagin sabse takatwar hoti hai aur sabko unki baat sunni padti hai. Same way we have our Prince Adam jo humare pyaare Veer bhai hai. Aadmi tedha aur sanki hai. Sabh bachke hi rehte hai. While it has its own benefits, it also has drawbacks. Baaki cheelon ke saamne hum thode se upar hain kyuki Veer bhai se humara khoon ka Rishta hai.” Sam explained.

“Is Adi-Naagin ke saamne hum sabh pheeke pad jaayenge, Sam. Yeh bhool raha hai. Aur dursi baat, tujhe pata hai na ki woh ilaka humare liye bhi dangerous hai? Jaan ja sakti hai humari.” Daksh chided Sam.

“Maine sabh ready kar liya hai.” Sam answered. He opened the bag he was carrying. There were daggers. He passed Bani the dagger. There was chakra with some carvings on them. There was a spear which could get small and big. There were a few guns and crossbows.

“Sam, that place has traps of its own.” Daksh reminded.

“Tum dono mujhe bataoge ki woh jagah hai kya?”

“Well, Markaat ke pehle se yeh jagah thi. Originally saare cheel, giddh aur suparn wahan rehte the. Us island pe ek mandir hai jismein bohot saari books hai. Wahan kehte hai ki har tarah ki information mil jaati hai.” Daksh told her.

“Konsa mandir hai yeh?”

“Well, mujhe bhi nahi pata.” Daksh answered. “Maine sirf uske baare mein suna tha.”

“Its called Sunehra Sankarsh. Kehte hai ki wahan Garudka janam hua tha. All the avian creatures could live there. Garud aur Arun ki wajah se use Sunehra kehte the. Unke saare vanshaj wahin rehte the. All of the birds lived there. Markaat bhi vahi paida hua tha. Wahan ek Saraswati Devi ka mandir tha. Considering she’s the goddess of knowledge, it was also some sort of learning place. Sabhko lagta tha ki Markaat ne cheelon ko insaan hone ka wardaan diya tha but unse pehle suparn already exist karte the. Woh pehle se icchadhari the. Suparn are race which have avid love for knowing stuff. They created the library slowly one by one. Markaat bhi wahi padta tha. That’s how he learnt most things he knows. Suparn ki yeh aadat ki unhe sabh janna hota hai, uske wajah se they collect every information they can.”

“Yeh suparn hai kya?”

Daksh and Sam both looked at her like she was crazy.

“Aren’t you Adi-Naagin?” Daksh asked

“Haan. Toh?”

“Mujhe laga Adi-naagin ko toh pata hi hoga Suparn ke baare mein.”

“Dinosaur hai kya?”

Daksh and Sam looked at each other.

“This is going to be the worst idea you ever had, Sam.Worse than that night you drank too much whiskey.” Daksh complained. Sam sighed.

“Suparn sabse upar hai. Apex among all the birds that can change their shape to human. They’re a different race of birds. They have the genetic ability to change into human forms. They’re the largest birds you can see. They’re really powerful and are way more dangerous than eagles or cheels. The first Suparn were Garud and Arun. After them came rest of the suparn. Like there are original Nagas. From them other snakes come down. That’s what Suparn are. They’re like enemies to all Nagas. So, it does put you in trouble. Our kind were regular birds but markaat gave them the ability to become human. They didn’t get it genetically. That magic which enabled them to become human came from markaat’s own blood and that’s how all of us are called markaat’s descendants.” Sam explained.

“We can still go back home if you want.” Daksh suggested the moment they reached the port. The three got out of the car.

“Port mein jaane ke liye hum IDs chahiye. Andar kaise jaayenge?” Bani asked.

“He’s already got us the passes but you seriously want to still do this?” Daksh asked.

“But mila kaise?” Bani asked.

“Anything illegal stuff you want to own, Sam can get it for you.” Daksh pointed out. The two boys laughed at that.

“I can’t believe we’re doing such illegal stuff…” Bani complained.

“Damn it. Damn it….” Sam exclaimed loudly when his phone got on alert.

“Kya hua hai?” Daksh asked.

“Veer bhai. Paas hi hai. Main apne phone se unko track kar raha hun. Alert aaya hai ki aas paas hi hai.” Sam cursed loudly.

“Unhe bataya kisne?” Daksh exclaimed. Panic taking over him.

“Aur kya? Bade papa. Unhe hi pata tha. Hum teeno gayab hai doubt ho hi gaya hoga.” He complained.

Bani took their hand and dragged them into the port with her before they could back out. She was doubtful if they can get away with all these weapons but she was just decided to leave it to Singhania boys to get their way anywhere. The moment the guard saw Sam, he moved away and let them get away with those weapons.

“Tum log yeh kaise kar lete ho?” Bani asked.

“Well, we have human resource. I own several people favours.” Sam answered.

“Actually, you just sell your intuition to people in high places. They pay you with owing you stuff. Which means you can get them to do anything you want.” Daksh corrected.

“Whatever. I own favours. So, gets me anything I want. Abh agar mere paas aisi khaas shakti hai toh use kyu na karun for my own profit?” Sam grinned.

“You own everyone favours except Veer bhai. And right now, we’re in a mess with the one person you don’t own a favour from. He’s going to rip our wings.” Daksh complained. He was downright super scared.

“Daksh… Samrat…” The loud roar shook both of them.

“Jaldi karo…” Bani shouted at them pushing them to run. Sam and Daksh didn’t dare to turn around and face Veer. They had gotten past the main gate and entered the port but Veer had permission allowing him to enter the port. Bani just turned around once to see Veer. His face marred with anger.

“Bhabhi, aap kyu hum baccho ki zindagi ke saath khel rahi hai?” Sam tried to emotionally blackmail her.

“Tum dono aur bacche? Daksh bhaiya, aap toh mujhse bade hai aur Samrat, you’re just as old as me so neither of you are kids.” Bani cleared the confusion. Daksh and Sam looked at each other and gulped.

“I would rather like to die in the island at the hands of suparns rather than die at Veer bhai’s hands.” Sam expressed his wish.

“I don’t want to die.” Daksh answered.

“Neither of you are going to die. I am there with you and will make sure you’ll survive.” Bani assured. They got to the end of the port.

“Are you guys planning to fly there?” Bani asked. She hated flying. It gave her no control or no place to save herself.

“Well not a good idea because there are several hawks there.At the sight of a snake in our talons, they’re going enter a fight for their prey.” Daksh nodded a no while looking through the line of ships and boats. “We own a yacht cruiser here. Sam knows how to run a yacht.”

After a few moments, they found a familiar yacht. Bani was surprised that they had that much money. She read the name saying Torpedo at the end of the cruiser.

“Welcome to my beautiful Torpedo. Make yourself comfortable.” Sam acted like a Italian Host having a yacht party.

“Shut up. Hum dono marne wale hai. Zyada khush mat ho.” Daksh hit him on the head.

“Hey! Last few hours should be spent well. Ek din toh sabko marna hai. Zindagi kitni badi hogi yeh hum tay nahi karte. Yeh toh who decide karta hai..” Sam pointed up to the sky. “Hum sabh toh bas choti choti zindagiyan hai jo is duniya mein aate aur jaate hai.” He acted like a wise man.

“Just freaking shut up.” Daksh kicked him on the butt. Bani almost smiled at their antics. Bani never had lived around brothers like that. She only had Meera and she was the soft and caring person.

“Chale?” Bani asked. She was putting crazy amount of trust on the two Cheel brothers but for some reason she was not worried that they’ll betray her.

“Samrat!! What a surprise, yaar!” A man showed up.

“Kanishk. Man!!” Sam gave a hug to the man. His eyes fell on Bani. He grinned and leaned towards Sam.

“Yaar, tujhe itni hot ladkiyan kaise mil jaati hai?” He joked.

“Excuse me. Yeh dono mere devar hai.” Bani corrected, “Bani Veeranshu Singhania.”

The way his expression changed so fast, Bani hadn’t even seen octopuses change their colours that fast.

“Bhabhi. Kya baat hai. Pehle bata dete ki aap Veer bhai ki biwi hai.” He almost touched her feet but Bani moved away.

“Kya kar rahe ho.” Bani almost jumped up in surprise.

“Bhabhi ke pair choote hai. Aur aap toh humare Veer bhai ki patni hai.” Kanishk explained.

“Abhi thoda kuch urgent kaam hai. Tujhse baad mein milte hai.” Daksh pushed him away, sending him in the opposite direction and giving him that ‘shoo’ signal.

“Saale, tu pitega Veer bhai se. Unki biwi ke saath ghoom raha hai.” Kanishk warned.

“Abe, chal jaa. Aisa kuch nahi hai. Bhabhi hai humari aur hum dono bohot izzat karte hai unki. Unhe woh triangle island jana tha. Toh bas le jaa rahe hai. Veer bhai ne humse kaha hai.” Sam explained, lying about the last past.

“Oh, accha.” He nodded. The three quickly got on the yacht.

“Kitne log hai jo Veeranshu se darte hai?” Bani asked. Daksh and Sam laughed.

“Welcome to Singhania Family, Bhabhi. Koi bhi nahi paida hua hai jo ek baar Veer bhai se mila hai aur Veer bhai se darte nahi hai. Except for you. Aapko toh Veer bhai apne rang nahi dikhaye hai. Isiliye aapnahi darti unse.” Daksh told her while Sam started the boat and drove them towards the location.

“Kyuki Veer bhai sirf aapko apna loving side dikhate hai. Apne unka gussa aur unki sarphire harkatein nahi dekhi hai. Maine already ek baar maar khai thi Veer bhai se.”

“Uske baad tu pahado ki or bhaag gaya tha. You returned after 6 years since then.”

“Bhabhi ke saamne naak mat katao.”

“Waise tujhe bhi aisa laga ki Meera aur Tapish bhai ke beech kuch chal raha hai?”

“I know, bhai. Bohot zyaada baat karte hai woh Meera ke baare mein aaj kal.”

“Excuse me. Main yahin hoon. Woh meri di hai.” Bani reminded them. Sometimes the boys tend to forget that Bani was a woman and didn't have same thought process as them.

Awesome...loved it... so good waiting to know what happens next...update soon

Superb!superb!👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻Pls roz update diya karo...I’m loving this trio now...can’t wait for the next update now

I know everyone is upset. If possible please update this :)

Nice update waiting for veers blast and dhamakedar entry

Chapter 13: Island's a Cherry Gin

The boat stopped a little ahead of the island. Bani could see nothing.

“Kahan hai yeh island? I can’t see it.” Bani asked. They gave her a ring.

“Pehen lo.” Bani wore the ring and suddenly a large island came into view. Bani was surprised.

“Suparn magic. They have it hidden and almost undetected. Cheel aur giddh ise dekh paate hain kyunki somewhere they inherit that suparn magic.”

Bani looked around and noticed that it was a large volcanic island. The trio went out of the boat. The beach was so beautiful. It was almost untouched by anything human. The waters were extremely clean like it was managed so well. Beautiful large cliffs were in sight. Bani could already see birds flying along the coast lines. Falcons, cranes and other sea birds. She saw Brahminy Kites hunting fishes.

“Alert rehna, Sam. Stay together.Apni marzi se kahin bhi mat chale jana.” Daksh told both of them. Bani and Sam both nodded. Sam handed him the magical compass. A regular compass would keep turning around since there were several magnetic energies in the island. The island was beautiful as much as Bani was seeing it.

“There is one hell of variety in birds here.” Bani noted.

“I used to hear that almost all birds can find themselves home here. Except for penguins of course.” Sam told her. Daksh started to lead them ahead. The trees were very tall and perfect to hold largest birds’ nests. Bani was surprised by how beautiful it was. The large volcanic mountain was seen from everywhere on the island. It was on the other end of the island. Bani saw several temples in the way as they went further. Bani saw a Shiv temple.

“Can we stop here for a moment?” Bani asked.

“Are you mad? No. We can’t take a risk of stopping and inviting trouble. None of us are familiar with this place.Not to mention that there some suparns which don’t take kindly to intruders.Both of us are enemies to them.” Daksh couldn’t believe Bani was even thinking of it.

“Just a moment. I won’t take long.”Bani assured. She walked ahead towards the Shiv temple and prayed.

“Bholenath, aapko toh pata hai ki meri koi buri Manisha nahi hai. Main sirf apni koshish kar rahi hun takiChandrakala ko hara sakun.” Baniprayed. She bowed down and paid her respects. Sam just joined his hands and paid his respects. Daksh was never the one for such religious sentiments so he kept an eye out for any trouble. There were no words that Sam said to the God. He just simply did out of a tradition that he had learnt during his travels.

At a point, his intuition would drive him crazy. He couldn’t control them. He decided to break away from normal things for a while and started to travel around. His emotions messed him up everywhere. His feelings for Vanshika. His mother breaking away. The issues between his parents got into him. He felt like he was in a bad place and wanted to take a break. The cheel part of him always drove him to the mountains. He went up to the Himalayas just on a whim. He learnt several things while going around the mountains. With all those people, he developed the tradition of joining his hands before the Gods. He didn’t build up a lot on religion but the peace it gave him, he liked that. It gave him the hope to work back himself.

“Tu kabse itna sanskaari ho gaya?” Daksh asked.

“Aadat ki baat hai, Daksh bhai. Pahadon mein aise hi bohot zyada religious aur spiritual log rehte hai. Unless you join your hands and bend before the idol, they don’t admit you into their stuff. So, aadat lag gayi. Also, I have learnt a certain peace in feeling the spirituality of a place.” Sam explained.

The trio began their trek ahead. Sam froze after a while.

“There’s some danger ahead.”

“What? We have to go ahead on this path.” Daksh pointed out. Bani quickly pulled Sam and Daksh behind. Both of them held her back.

“Yeh kya kar rahe ho?” She asked.

“Hum Naagon ki tarah nahi hai, Bhabhi. Hum cheel hai aur cheel apne saathi ko peeche nahi chod jaate. Na hi use akele aage dhakel dete hai. Saath aaye hai aur sabh saath handle kar lenge.”

They were attacked by some strange looking creatures. Bani pulled away Daksh at that moment when one of them attacked from behind his back. She quickly turned into a Naagin and scared off some of them. The ones who tried to be brave were either bitten by her or killed by the fast attacks from Daksh and Sam. They fought the creatures that were going on and attacking them. The sharp daggers were enough to get through them.

Sam and Daksh turned into their cheel form. Their talons attacking the creatures. Those sharp talons were no less than daggers. Sam had a rather peculiar style of fighting which was changing into his human and cheel form and attacking both ways alternatively as needed. Flying away when he was attacked in defense and jumping up on them as a human and cutting through with the dagger. Daksh had a rather animalistic style. He was a raging eagle attacking recklessly.

Bani fought them off keeping the way clear. Her aggressive hiss was a warning before she attacked them. Sometimes constricting them and successfully cutting off air supply, choking them to death. Her large snake form was fearsome enough generally.

Once they tackled that, the trio went ahead further.

“The danger hasn’t passed. Be careful and alert.” Sam warned them as the walked further.

In a flash, a large bird landed on the large branch before them. A loud warning cry erupted from it. It was almost as large as a mountain lion, its wing span almost 12 feet. Those large talons almost as sharp as the dagger that Sam gave Bani. Both Daksh and Sam pulled out their daggers. The two pulled out their wings and attacked the large bird.

“Samrat, Daksh….” Bani exclaimed. Both of them were faster considering their size. They were as large as crowned eagles. Yet, they were smaller than the bird they were face. Both of them aggressively attacking the bird and the bird defended well. Right in mid-flight, the bird turned into human and grabbed them. Bani instantly turned into a Naagin and threw him away, making him release both of them. He looked angry.

“Naagin aur do cheel ek saath. Kuch toh baat hai.” He laughed. The man was beautiful. His hair almost reminded herof the top feathers on golden eagles. The look in his eyes a characteristic animalistic like a predator. As a man he was 6 ft tall. Bani turned into her human form.

“We don’t mean any harm.” Bani showed the white flag before getting into more fight.

“Oh. Do cheel aur ek naagin aayi hai humare ghar aur tum keh rahi ho ‘We do not mean any harm’?” He raised an eyebrow.

“Hum yahan ek wajah se aaye hai.” Sam explained.

“Tum sabh ho na Markaat ke vanshaj. Koi bhi reason nahi tumhara yakeen karne ka. Saanp toh hote hi hai dasne waale.” He commented. He proceeded to attack the brothers. They were fast and moved away, ducking the dagger that were thrown at them. They retaliated.

“Hum mein se koi bhi markaat ka saathi nahi hai. Hum sabh yahan isi baare mein janne aaye hai. Chandrakala abhi azaad ho gayi hai.” Bani told him. That stopped him.

“Tum Adi-Naagin ho?” He asked surprised.

“Haan.”

“Yeh rang kaise badal gaye?” Daksh asked Sam. He stood tall and walked to her. Sam and Daksh both stood before Bani.

“Dur se. Abhi abhi tumne hum par attack kiya hai. Bharosa nahi hai mujhe tum par. Jo bhi kehna hai, dur sekaho.” The two warned him.

“Singhania Parivaar se ho?” He asked.

“Haan…” The two nodded confused as to why it mattered. The man laughed.

“Advait.” He introduced himself.“Suna hai maine Singhania parivaar ke baare mein. Bohot hi over confident rehte hai apne baare mein. Let me guess. Samrat aur Daksh?”

“Tume kaise pata?” Bani questioned.She was all ready to attack in case it turned out to be some trap.

“Singhania parivaar mein 9 members hai. Balwant, Pawan, Tapish, Teer, Veeranshu, Daksh, Samrat, Monil aur Pankaj. Balwant, Pawan aur Tapish aisi galati karne waalo mein se nahi hai. Yahan aane ki galati kisi galati se bhi nahi hoga unse. Teer aur Monil toh mar chuke hai. Ponky toh ho hi nahi sakta kyuki suna hai who jaldi darr jata hai. Bache Veeranshu, Daksh aur Samrat. Veeranshu hota toh pehle hi pechaan liya hota. Cheelon ke Rajkumar ko jaldi pehchaan liya hota. Bache Daksh aur Samrat. Ek ke paas kisi bhi cheez ko yaad kar lene ki shakti hai. Suna hai ki jo ek baar uske 5 indriyon mein aa jata hai use bhulta nahi hai. Dusra hai Samrat. Kisi bhi cheez ke hone se pehle uska andaaza laga leta hai. Ek baar us insaan se mile toh uske saath kuch waqt mein hone waale cheezon ka andaaza ho jaata hai use.” Advait showed off his knowledge.

“Yeh stalker harkatein bohot common hai kya tum Suparno mein?” Sam commented. They all looked up to see that Sun was at the top of his head.

“Hume sabh cheezon ka pata hona accha lagta hai.” Advait answered. Soon, he gave a loud warning cry into thesky. “I’ve assured the others that you’re not a harm.”

“Kitne suparn hai yahan?” Bani asked.

“We’re all in-extinction species. Markaat had extensively hunted suparns when they refused to support him in his ways. That’s why we’re less in number. Yahan abhi bohot kam hi rehte hai. There are only four of us here.”

“It is that bad? How can cheel and giddh possibly kill anyone as large as you?”

“They have the capability. Our size does come as a disadvantage sometimes. They are faster and a bit too clever. Itis like how humans are so much smaller and seem defenseless against wild animal but find ways to hunt them down. After all, Cheel are infamous for their savageness.”

“How did you know I was Adi-Naagin?”

“We were told that soon Chandrakala would be back to her original nature and the only one who can defeat her would be Adi-Naagin. We were told that someday she would come down to this island. We do not harm the descendants of Sheshnaag. He after-all serves the same lord as ours.”

Sam and Daksh gave Advait a dirty look as he smiled at her brightly.

“Bhabhi, are you alright?” Sam asked stressing on the word Bhabhi.

“If anything happens to you then Veer bhai will kill us.” Daksh added. The two simply wanted to let Advait know that Bani was their Bhabhi. Advait looked confused.

“Bhabhi? You’re married into the Cheel family?” He asked.

“Yes. It’s a complicated story but yes.” Bani nodded.

“Yea… Dad said something about Aakesh and Adi-Naagin story. I wasn’t paying much attention so didn’t hear completely.” Daksh pointed.

“Arrey. It is Aakesh and Nageshwari. Nageshwari, our dear Bhabhi in her previous life, killed Aakesh, who is our Veer bhai in his previous life. Aakesh killed Hriday, who is that dhabewala in his previous life. Like our Veer bhai instantly fell in love with Bhabhi the moment he saw her, Aakesh fell in love with Nageshwari but she was with that loser who didn’t love her but wanted to have the powers she had. You know how Veer bhai gets over things he wants. Aakesh couldn’t possibly let go off his love and tried to get her. Things went around and Aakesh killed Hriday. Out of anger Nageshwari killed Aakesh. Though, majorly, Aakesh let her kill him. The universe knew that she was going to be born again. Aakesh was born as our Veer bhai.” Sam explained with a proud grin.

“This time around Veer bhai managed to win Bhabhi and make her his.” Daksh added. The boys gave a hi-five. Bani rolled her eyes.

“I’m not some property that anyone can own.”

“Property hai yeh humne kaha bhi nahi, Bhabhi. Hum sirf yeh keh rahe hai ki Veer bhai ne woh kar hi dikhaya jo woh chahte hai. He loves you and is quite possessive about it.”

“Aur tum sabh idiots un harkaton ke liye use cheer karte ho.”

Bani took a look at Advait and realized what the boys were doing. Veer was not here but the boys had marked the territory so well that she noticed that Advait shifted a bit away from her. She threw the boys a look. The duo laughed.

“Hum unhe cheer nahi karenge toh aur kon karega.” Sam ran his hand through his hair with a grin.

“Woh stupid line Ponky humesha kehta hai…” Daksh pointed out.

“Do rupay ki pepsi, Veer bhai humare sexy.” The two said together and roared into laughter.

“Seriously? Yeh koi original line nahi hai.” Bani pointed out, not amused at all.

“Haan, original nahi hai. Ponky se kuch bhi original expect kar rahe the kya?” The boys laughed at her. Bani decided to talk to Advait who seemed to be a much better conversationalist.

“So, where are the other suparns?” Bani asked him.

“They left for the mainland. This island had become a hunting spot so to save themselves, they all left. Even now there are very ones left but they almost live among regular humans.” He answered.

“That old Saraswati Devi’s mandir is still in place?” Sam asked.

“Yes. But it is majorly abandoned. Almost the whole place is abandoned by magical creatures. The rest of us here stay separately to keep the island protected and so that we don’t get hunted.”

Chapter 14: Sangria Route to Hell

After a while they reached the place. Bani had honestly never seen any place like this before. Green trees were there. At certain places there were small patios made of marble. There were fountains and a small pond. A few swans were in the pond. There was a large building before them made of stone. It looked like an ancient place. Creepers around the building. There were soft sounds of birds singing. She could hear the koels singing in the sweet voices. A few peacocks were around. The building ahead looked ancient but was beautiful. Its architecture was made so perfectly. There were carvings of several gods, gandharvas playing music and other carvings. Beautiful patterns carved on the rocks. Bani touched them with her hand as a smile went up her face. Bani took off her shoes.

“Apne joote nikalo. Yeh mandir hai.” Bani reminded them.They all removed their shoes outside. There was a large sculpture of the goddess right before at the end. It was around 6 ft tall. She was sitting on a swan with her veena in her hand. Around her several books were kept. The years of being abandoned had left several creepers around the sculpture and dry leaves. Bani removed them all and cleaned the place near the idol.

“Bhabhi, kya kar rahi hai. Hum yahan important kaam se aaye hai.” Daksh reminded her.

“Pata hai par jis devi ke mandir aaye hai unke saamne sar jhukaye bina andar chale jaana sahi nahi hoga.”

Bani lit a small diya there. The trio then proceeded ahead towards the door behind the idol. There was a large library like place. The smell of books and parchments filled the place. There were musical instruments placed in there. Several shelves of books. Shelves made of granite. It looked like a peaceful environment. Bani noticed a large tapestry on one of the walls.From the top of the wall to the end stretching out to the whole length of the library. There were even pictures of the person. Recent ones were photographs while other were all paintings. The painting so realistic that they could pass for photographs.

Bani noticed the portrait of Aakesh. His name was written in golden letters. Right next to his name, what joined surprised her. Nageshwari was written next to Aakesh’s name. She continued ahead and then noticed the name Balwant Singhania. A picture of him. Then there was Ishana Singhania. The woman whose picture was put up was beautiful. Same eyes as Veer and a beautiful smile. She was a beautiful woman. Her name was written in golden letters. She saw that she was descended herself from suparns. The original ones. She wasn’t a suparn herself but had certain the descendance. Bani could easily relate the woman to Veer. Her smile was almost reminded her of Veer’s happy smile. Down with Balwant, there were Tapish, Teer and Veer. Another line reaching Veer was that of Chandrakala. No line joining her. Why did the tree show Veer as the son of Chandrakala? Bani also noticed that next to Pawan was another woman’s picture. Sunaina Rishiya. Bani read the name. Beautiful. Sharp grey eyes which almost seemed calculated. She was descended down from another cheel family. They were also attached to giddh somewhere. Bani saw under her name were Daksh, Samrat, Monil and Ponky. Bani also noted that there were another two names under her name with another man’s attachment. Jeet and Vishal.

“Samrat… Daksh…” Bani called them and pointed to the two names. Sam decided to act ignorant.

“Haan, Bhabhi? Veer bhai ko dekh rahi hai?”

“Tumhe pata hai main kya bol rahi hun. Baat mat badlo. Kabhi mile ho un dono se?”

“Bhabhi, hum mein se koi bhi unhe apna nahi manta hai. The only thing is that we share a mother. Except that there is nothing connecting us. Un dono ki zimmedari humari nahi hai.” Daksh answered.

“You share a mother. I presume that it is huge thing.”

“It doesn’t change anything for us. We are still nobody to each other. Wasn’t exactly the mother of the year.”

“Daksh, whatever happens, she is still your mother. She gave birth to you which is a big deal.”

Sam didn’t say anything.

“You lived with her. Don’t you have anything to say about your half-brothers?” Bani asked Sam.

“Bhabhi, that’s a sore topic for Sam. We don’t bring up our past. We have left that behind a long ago.” Daksh answered. “Please don’t ask us about her. We have spent a long time to put it behind us.”

Daksh’s tone was a sign to Bani that they didn’t want to take this conversation any further. Bani looked around and saw portraits of several people.

“Who are these all?” Bani asked.

“They’re the Princes.”

“Princes?”

“Yes. Only one prince is born is 100 years. They say that there is one prince and one princess in a life life. Both of them lead the Cheels.”

“There has to be a pattern right?”

“It is kind of vague and not patterned. It purely vague to who the Prince would be born. But what is clear is that the prince is born to both cheel parents. Which means that both the mother and the father are from cheel clan. That is why Markaat used to encourage marriage between cousins but several years after Aakesh was killed, the whole system collapsed because there was no prince for a long time. No one to guide the cheels. They went into different ways. Doing as they please. They were dispersed around the globe. What keeps all the cheels together is their Prince taking the throne. After around 300 years of Aakesh’s death, the next prince was born. Cheel Rajkumar the strongest one among cheels.. Every cheel is said to attend the coronation. It declares him the head of all the cheels. Like how a Naagrani is crowned. Unlike how titles in Naags are passed and can be taken by anyone who seems worthy, in our world, the title is given to particular individual who acquires it at birth. In simple terms. The gene that makes one worth of the title is carried by every cheel but is only expressed in the real prince and that’s how the prince is identified.”

“So, in this whole tree the names written in gold are all Cheel Rajkumar?”

“Yes.”

Each portrait was the one which is painted at the coronation. They were coronated at different ages. She noticed Aakesh’s portrait. He rather looked boyish than like how she remembered him. A cheery grin on his face. He seemed like a boy rather than the dangerous Cheel she remembered him as. Bani almost smiled at that but quickly wiped it off. Regardless of how much she tried, she couldn’t stop the smile forming on her face when she saw Veer. She broke into a chuckle at that sight. Black robe with his blood red shirt and fading black denims and boots. His hair was slightly longer than present. Veer, sitting on a chair. He was trying his best to look like a bad boy prince. Physically a boyish 15-year-old but he had that same signature grin reaching his eyes. Though the way he tried, he looked like an adorable boy. The same person who loves to be center of attention. He was beginning to have facial hair. That early facial hair. Bani wondered if 15 was too early to have facial hair. Most boys don’t have facial hair until they hit proper puberty. Around 16 or 17.

“Veer bhai’s coronation was one hell of a night.” Sam pointed out. “I have pictures of it. I show you if I get home and Veer bhai leaves me alive.”

“Now, we should do what we are here for.” Daksh reminded.“Stop getting sidetracked by Veer bhai’s teenage hotness.”

“I am not-” Bani tried to deny it but the two boys gave her a look.

“Well, if you want to deny it then make sure your words match your face.”

“Back to important part. Let’s go find anything that can tell us about Chandrakala or Markaat.”

“Okay. You boys in the books. I’ll look in the scrolls.”

The two nodded and got to work. Bani looked at the scroll sand all of them were involved in high magic stuff that Bani couldn’t understand.Then noticed a familiar symbol. The drawing of a snake with wings.

“Samrat. Daksh.” Bani called instantly. The two rushed. A book in Sam’s hand. She showed them the scroll. It was written in a language she couldn’t understand.

“This is that creature that I saw that time during that masquerade party.” Daksh exclaimed. There were several symbols. Another snake drawn next to it.

“This is the pattern that you have on your scales.” Sam pointed out to the other snake. Bani nodded. Sam froze.

“Guys… I can sense danger.”

The two looked towards the door. The whole place began to darken. The fire crackled violently. Daksh and Sam held Bani’s hand, as if to tell her that they’re a team. No one is alone. Bani for once was glad that she had someone.

“Sun’s setting.” Bani pointed out.

“Shit… Shit… Shit….” Sam swore loudly. A certain tune was being hummed.

“Hmmm… dekho kon aaya hai ghar. Humare pyaare dhokebaaz cheel aur Adi-Naagin.” A voice came. It sent chills down the spine. The sky around had begun to turn red. Not the kind that reminds of sunset but as if sky itself was bleeding. A laughter followed. Maddening laughter.

“Run. Run….” Sam exclaimed.

“Whoever it is, show yourself. Saamne aao.” Bani asked.

“Saamne aau? Sweetheart, main saamne nahi aa sakta hai.” The voice answered.

“Mujhe sweetheart mat bulao.” Bani warned. Her temper flared. Only Veer called her that. That too only lovingly. Never in this oddly frightening tone. Her eyes turned into a Naagin’s. A laughter broke out.

“Tum mujhe apni Naagin aankhon se darana chahti ho, Nageshwari?” The voice asked.

“Saamne aao.” Bani demanded angrily. Suddenly, every shelf began to shake. Panic rose in them. Daksh grabbed her arm tighter. It almost looked like someone ripping a hole through the very universe. A large burning ball howed up. There was just one cheel-like eye in that burning ball. Such rage boiling through those eyes. Almost reminded her of the scene from Lord of the Rings movie.

“Lo. Aa gaya tumhare saamne. Sorry, sweetheart, par itna hi aa sakta hun. Thodi si bandishein hoti hai.…” He answered. Daksh stumbled back.

“Tumse phir se milke accha laga, Samrat Pawan Singhania. Sam just froze up there. Barely being able to collect his wits.

“Markaat…” He mumbled.

“Chalo, pehchana toh sahi.” Markaat laughed. Sound of chains clanked. Once again, violent temper burning in his eyes.

“Halat dekho meri, Nageshwari.” Markaat said. There was such rage, violence and resentment in his tone.

“Bhabhi, uski aankhon mein mat dekhna.” Sam warned her but it was too late. Those cheel-like eyes were so familiar. Veer’s own eyes looked exactly the same. His deep beautiful eyes. Bani had no escape to those eyes. It was Bani's weakness and Markaat knew that.

She saw her surroundings melting away. She quickly gathered that it was inside the volcano. She saw rivers of boiling hot lava around. Small pieces of rocks floating above the lava in the air. They were practically cooled and solidified lava. The large gaping hole of the volcano opening. Right there in chains was a figure. His wings tattered. He was chained. Rotting flesh being fed on by leeches. Bani stumbled back at that sight. She could see the cut flesh at parts and then some bones with blood on it.

“Dekho kya ho gaya hai mujhe, Nageshwari. Dekho." He started. His tone almost pitiable. "Is duniyaka sabse shaktishaali pakshi tha main. Sabse zyaada takatwar. Un baakiyon kitarah nahi tha main. Sampati, Jatayu, sabh ke sabh bewakoof aur kamakal the. Apni shaktiyon ko jutane ke jagah pe apne aap ko aam parindo ki tarah banne ki koshish karte rahe. Bewakoof. Maine nahi kiya woh sabh. Nahi. Khud Shiv ko majboor kar diya ki mujhe vardaan de shaktiyon ka. Inti takat jutayi. Sabse zyaada takatwar bana main…” That pride in his voice was filled with violent undertones. His madness elevating in his tone showing his obsession with power, “Ban chuka tha main sabse zyaada takatwar par phir…” That temper broke out from his voice. “Dhoka mila. Sirf dhoka. Apno se hi dhoka mila." He shouted angrily. Screaming outrage. "Jo suraj mere aage jhukta tha, wahi mujhe aaj jalata hai. Mere pair choone wala aasmaan mujh par hasta hai abh. Meri takat ka andaza lagao ki khud Vishnu aaye the mujhse baat karne.”

Bani looked at him. He was nothing less than terror. The Lord had himself come to speak to him then he has to be the worst kind of terror.

Markaat laughed a wicked laughter. “Mujhse kaha ki jis raaste pe main jaa raha hun wahi mujhe khatam karega.” He laughed dryly as if he found it foolish.

“Bhagwaan kabhi galat nahi kehte hai. Aur phir woh Narayan hai. Kabhi bhi galat nahi ho sakte hai.”

“Galat hai…” Markaat shouted. Such violent scream and raging temper that it shook the walls of the volcano. Bani, for the first time, felt fear creeping up inside her. “Galat hai. Mere bhagwaan ka mujhe rokne aana galat hai. Humesha pooja ki thi unki. Apne haar jeet par maine unko hi maana tha. Unka bhakt tha. Kya unse Vaikunth maang liya ya Shri maang liya? Nahi. Sirf apni kabiliyat ke hisaab se takat maangi.”

“Jis takat ke tum haqdaar nahi the.”

“Mujhe Chandrakala samajhne ki bhul mat karna, Nageshwari. Nahi. Mera janam hua hai takat mein. Suraj ke teej se janam liya tha. Khud unke ansh se janam liya tha. Sabse pehle Suparn Arun dev ka pota, jisne suraj ko bhi hara diya tha. Suraj ne toh khud Sampathi ko jalaya tha. Mujhe nahi jala paaya. Main Markaat hun. Is Chandrakala se meri tulna mat karna.”

“Kya farak padta hai. Tum ho hi kahan markaat? Chandrakala khud ko markaat kehti hai aur tum kuch nahi karte.”

Markaat laughed. Almost as if calling her an idiot. He laughed like she cracked the funniest joke. He looked at her. Those same eyes as Veeranshu. He mimicked his eyes. The same look in his eyes.

“Akal ki kami tum sabh mein hai. Mujh mein nahi. Tumne apne badle ke liye 10,000 divya varsh intezaar kiya hai aur main usse bhi zyaada waqt intezaar kiya hai apne badle ke liye. Sabh kuch bohot accha tha. Aakesh suraj ko bhi apne aage jhuka sakta tha. Suraj bhi Aakesh ka kuch nahi bigaad sakta tha. Aakesh chahiye tha mujhe. Bewakoofon ko laga ki jis roshni ka zikr uski kundali mein tha woh suraj ki roshni hai. Bewakoof cheel the woh sabh, Nageshwari. Shiv mandir mein jab suraj ki roshni padti thi toh sabse pehle tumhari kechuli par girti thi. Jiska aks us naagmani par girti thi. Woh roshni jo tumse aati thi, usne keecha Aakesh ko. Mujhe Aakesh chahiye tha. Isiliye maine aisa kiya ki Aakesh ko kabhi roshni mein jaane hi nahi diya jaata tha. Andhere mein naag mandir ke bahar nahi aate the tum sabh. Bas sabh theek tha par us din..." Bani noticed the despise for her in his tone. The look in those eyes. That hatred in the eyes that resembled Veer's own eyes. It shook Bani. It began to pierce through her heart. "Tumhe dekha aur sabh bhul gaya. Kha gayi tumhari roshni usko. Vileen ho gaya tum mein. 10,000 divya varsh baat lauta hai Aakesh. Abh mila hai mere haath.”

Bani felt her heart race faster. Nothing that Markaat planned seemed to be good for Veer.

“Veeranshu tumse bohot dur hai. Tum pohoch bhi nahi paaoge us tak.”

“Pahuchayegi. Chandrakala aur uski bewakoofi pahuchayegi. Maine use shaktiya paane ka rasta bataya aur bas uska jaldi hi fayda mujhe hoga. Markaat kuch bhi bina wajah ke nahi karta. Itna dheeraj saadh kar yahan reh raha hun, Nageshwari. Apne maqsat ke liye dheeraj rakha hai.”

“Main nahi rahi toh Veeranshu bhi nahi rahega.”

He laughed.

“Deh marta hai, Nageshwari, aatma nahi. Aatma amar hoti hai. Main bhi toh hoon. Kya lagta hai, Vishnu ke astra se deh bach sakta hai?”

If he was still alive and hadn’t become ashes, it was the lord’s wish to leave him. Bani believed that strongly. Bani wanted to get out of there. Markaat’s presence was so contagious that she felt like she was dying. As if he was sucking her life force. Bani felt a strong pull on her. Like someone was pulling her.

“Nahi….” Markaat shouted angrily. He started shaking and moving but the chains restricted him. Like she was torn away from a different reality, she felt being back in the library. She noticed that both Sam and Daksh had caught hold of her arm in their talons and started flying off up. The fireball tried to grab her but the two didn’t give up. Bani felt weak like her life force was itself sucked up a bit. After a continuous tug, she was set off free. They flew up as fast as they could with Bani. The two were in their cheel form. She was heavy but they didn’t let go off her. They flew right towards the yacht. Sam was still shaking when they dropped on the boat. Daksh wasted no time and quickly started it. Sam and Daksh both took a turn to start back towards the mainland.

The two looked at each other.

“Damn. Damn… Damn…” Sam sat on his knees and held his head.Bani walked up to him.

“Samrat.” She was weak but Sam seemed worse. Daksh held Sam.

“Sam, sabh theek hai. Hum nikal aaye hai wahan se.” Daksh tried to comfort him.

“Shut up. Shut up. Shut up.” Sam told himself. His senses were still raging out of control. That ability of his which lets him feel the coming future was disturbing his mind. 6 years of spending in the mountains trying to control it, he felt that slipping slowly.

“Sam, breathe.” Daksh told him. Sam returned to taking the boat away from the island. They had crossed halfway when a familiar group of cheels were spotted. They flew down to the boat.

“Saalon…” Veer shouted angrily.

“Veeranshu, ek minute.” Bani stopped him. Bani walked to Samrat. “Listen, Samrat. Mujhe dekho.”

Samrat was still shaking. She wrapped her arms around him, comforting him.

“Bani, hato. Use defend mat karo. I’m going to kill two of them.” Veer was angry. His fists clenched.

“Sam, ek baar kaha tha tumse, baat samajh nahi aayi thi kya? Daksh? Tu bhi behek gaya iski baton mein?” Pawan scolded. Balwant was angry too.

“Chachu, ek minute. Aaye nahi ki baras gaye ho sabh milke.” Bani angrily told them off. She turned back to Samrat. “Hum bahar aa chuke hai, Samrat. Saans lo pehle.” Bani rubbed his arm.

“Bhabhi, please make it stop. Please…” Samrat almost begged her. Veer pulled Bani back and went to Samrat.

“Saale, tu pehle mujhe dekh.” Veer told him, holding his face and making Sam look at him. Veer’s expression was temperamental. “Tujhe maine pehle hi kaha tha. Bani ko kisi bhi khatre mein leke gaya toh teri halat main kya karne wala hun.”

“Veeranshu, kya kar rahe ho? Samajh bhi rahe ho. Use pehle hi problem ho rahi hai. Tum aise yeh sabh karke kya karna chahte ho?” Bani angrily asked Veer.

“Bani, shut up. Tum beech mein mat bolo. Bhai hai yeh dono mere. Mujhe pata hai kaise deal karna hai. Hum bhaiyon ke beech mat aao.” Veer told her. His expression serious. In that one moment, Bani felt offended.

“Agar woh bhai hai tumhare toh mere bhi devar hai.” She argued. Veer gave her a look and silenced her with a hand.

“Yahan dekh.” Veer told him. Sam looked up at Veer. Sam’s eyes were red like he had smoked weed. His wings fluttered out uncontrolled.

“He’s already scared. Can you stop scaring him?” Bani defended him.

“Bani, just stay out of it.” The way Veer told her, she knew anything further she says was going to be ignored.

“Veer bhai…” He said.

“Theek se dekh mujhe.” Veer was angry. All of them knew. Veer was angry. Yes but looking at his brother shaking like that, he felt more guilty that he wasn’t there to help him. It seemed exactly like how he found him 7 years ago. Almost on the verge of breaking around. He was the only one among all his cousins who had an emotional side. Their bond had always been very stronger. Stronger than how close he was to Daksh, Monil and Ponky. They were like someone who always jumped behind him and were almost like his minions but Sam always was like his friend. He could actually dare to tell off Veer when needed. He was never allowed to help Teer and that made him strongly keep Sam close to him and take care of him. It was half way his love of his brother and half way a guilt for what happened to Teer. “Tujhe pata hai ki tu abh mujhse deal karne wala hai iske liye.”

If Veer too looks worried then Sam would get even more scared. Veer knew that if he didn't confident and angry, Sam would be stuck in whatever was causing him such pain and worry. Veer simply couldn't look worried. He had to get Sam's mind away from that and hence focused on his anger that Sam took Bani to that island.

“Veer bhai, I know it was dangerous. Phir bhi kiya kyuki I would rather stand and face danger with her than later go and have this guilt that if I had at least accompanied her, I would have been able to do some damage control. I don’t want to live with that guilt again. I’m already living with it. It was my idiocy that led Teer bhai to the place where all that happened. Badi maa died because of me. If anything happened to Bhabhi because of me, I wouldn’t have been able to forgive myself. Kyuki Bhabhi hai toh aap hai aur aapke bina main kaise ho sakta hun?” Sam spoke with him. Shaking slightly but still better than before. Veer punched him on the face. Veer started punching him. “Heyy!!! Not of the face, Veer bhai. Chehra mat bigado. Itna khoobsurat chehra diya hai kudrat ne. Ise bigaadna paap hai.”

“Saale, tera chehra hi nahi, tera dimaag bhi main theek kar dunga. Tu ghar chal. Bohot akal de di hai na tujhe. Teri akal main thekaane lagata hun. Bola tha tujhe ki tu koi bhi aisi harkat nahi karega.”

“Veer bhai….” Daksh hid behind his father. “Baccho ko maaf kardo.”

“Tu yahan aa. Bohot acchi yaadash hai toh kya aisa istemaal karega uska?”

“Maaro, Veer bhai. Dono ko maaro. Yeh dono humesha mujhe maarte rehte hai.” Ponky cheered Veer.

“Chup reh.” Daksh and Sam exclaimed together.

“Dekho, Veer bhai, aapki biwi save and sound hai aapke saamne. See. No harm done. Chahe toh check kar lo kopche jaake mein.” Sam winked. Veer held Sam from the back of his neck and threw him into the water.

“Veeranshu, kya kar rahe ho?” Bani complained. She gave her hand to Sam so he could climb back up. “Matlab had hai. Tumhe pata hai paani mein bheegne ke baad kuch waqt tak tum cheel nahi ban sakte phir bhi aise paani mein dhakel diya.”

Veer crossed his arms on his chest.

“Yeh dostana kabse ho gaya? Bohot side le rahi ho mere bhaiyon ki?” Veer questioned her.

“Haan… matlab. Humne kitna kuch saath mein saha hai is trip mein toh…” Bani tried to tease Veer, “Aur tumhara bhai hai hi itni handsome.”

“Bhabhi…” Sam put a hand on his chest dramatically. “Kitna achha laga yeh sunke.”

"Of course, Sam." She put a hand on his shoulder. Bani was trying to get a reaction out of Veer.

"Tu ruk ja, tujhe main theek karunga. Bohot ud rahe ho." Veer threatened Sam.

"Bani, please mujhe bacha lo." Sam played along instantly knowing what she was trying to do.

"Saale tu aaj marega Veer bhai ke haath." Daksh commented shaking his head.

"Bani ke aage bhabhi kon lagayega?"

"Aapka plan hai unhe apni bhabhi banane ka?"

Veer pushed him back into the water. Sam came up to the surface and laughed.

"Bohot bol raha hai."

"Accha... accha... ho gaya. Ab aur nahi bolunga. Please upar kheechon. Thandi lag rahi hai. December ki thand mein aise paani mein bheegunga toh sardi lag jaayegi."

Veer finally pulled him back up inside the water. He pointed to Bani.

"Haan. Ab bata woh kon hai?"

"Bani bhabhi."

Veer slapped his hand on Sam's shoulder hard.

"Aaahh..."

Bani broke into laughter at that. In that moment, she felt like she belonged among them. For the first time since she married into the family, she felt like she was family member.