Hi i am relatively new to this forum...after reading the DT for the past few days , I wanted to write something on the inner turmoil of Katha..So opted for a one shot...Please forgive me for the grammatical errors...
Forgiveness
Katha dropped her eyes onto the floor..She could not look into his eyes..eyes which bore so much pain…
Viaan continued to thank his employees…loyal ones who did not have any doubt about their boss…” I am happy that I did not break the immense trust you all had in me. I am not saying that I am a saint..I have done some mistakes in the past, but i was not guilty this time..I don’t know what would have happened if Keith had not come on time to reveal Shamita’s sinister plan ,but now everything is sorted out I don’t have any complaints ,I don’t blame you people for having any small doubt about me in the past... that's quite natural” he paused.
Katha knew that the last sentence was directed towards her but even then she did not have the courage to look into eyes.She purposefully hid behind the large group who had gathered in the boss' cabin.
“Now I want everyone to get back to their work..we have lost some precious time due to the enquiry..I want everyone to make up for the lost time. And if you all would permit I would like to have some time for myself..please excuse me , I will be leaving office in 5 minutes”.
Everyone started moving out..Ahsan was talking animatedly to someone over the phone. Must be informing the outcome of the enquiry to Teji ma’am …Katha thought. Katha quickly moved out since she was closest to the door but couldn’t help herself from turning sideways to look at Viaan through the glass doors..He looked defeated even after the triumph..This last week had taken a toll on him. Not only him..Katha mused..also on her..He was the one facing enquiry and yet it felt like she was the one being cross examined. Nothing short of a movie..All proofs were against Viaan and as head of POSH committee she was helpless..She wanted to believe in him, but the evidence spoke otherwise..She had lost her sleep..and she had prepared her verdict against him on the final day..which he understood by her clear avoidance of his eyes the whole time. He was ready for any punishment if that could erase her pain..It was such an intense first hour on the verdict day..The committee with its long discussion..employees on full tension mode, Ehasan on phone updating the mothers' and Viaan silently brooding in his cabin unaware of Kathas inner turmoil…but Keith’s damekadaar entry after the first round of discussion sprang a surprise on everyone..he had a recording which clearly showed Shamita using Viaan's phone to send the message..the committee did not take more than 10 minutes to change their verdict..since only one member was keen to pass the guilty verdict and the others had to abide due to the evidence present against Viaan..Katha let out a deep sigh she had been holding for the past one hour.
She wanted to talk to him but did not have the nerve to face him.She wanted to apologise for doubting him but could not bring herself to speak up..so she avoided his eyes all during the proceedings. He looked relieved when the committee informed him of the verdict but was not happy..that she could make out from the defeated look on his face and she knew her to be the reason behind his sadness.
Katha entered her cabin and leaned back on the chair. She felt drained completely..yet something exhilarating was in the atmosphere.
She could not pin point the exact emotion..she was very restless..she wanted to run to him and wipe out the stress lines from his forehead..wanted to ask him to take some rest and to have a good sleep… wanted to make tea for him..no them..but she could not…she should not…
Suddenly she saw the subject of her thoughts coming down the stairs, without a glance to her cabin he turned and went for the lift.She realised from his avoidance that he must have felt that she still thought of him as guilty .She stood up abruptly and walked towards the lift but before she reached there the lift opened and Viaan disappeared suddenly..She did not want to confront him outside..it would start another gossip..so she returned to her cabin engrossed in her thoughts..
“ Katha do you know where Viaan went “ Katha was brought out of her slumber by Ahsan's words..She tried to stand up but her legs felt weak and she sat back in her chair..” No but I saw him going out” she replied.
“ It’s almost three hours since he has vanished and not picking up his phone..Teji aunty has been trying to reach him, In fact she was sure he would have come to her with the happy news but he has not gone home” Ahsan said. Katha stared at him blankly…” Katha what happened to you..why are you looking so weak? Did you not have lunch”
“ No “ said Katha “ I was very exhausted..so took a small nap “ she said..” oh ok, I know this whole incident took a toll on you too .I am just happy that my Viaan is out of this mess. I want Viaan to file a complaint against Shamita but he is not here. I need to convince him to do so..mm Ok..You can also leave now , go and take some rest, it’s almost evening .” Ahsan replied looking at Katha.She nodded absent mindedly and took her belongings and left .
Katha looked at Aarav and Dodo fighting over some cartoon charcter but her mind could not register their words.. She has been sitting in the same position since she reached home few hours ago. She could feel her restlessness increasing..She wanted to scream loudly ..run around …break things…but she did not know the reason for her strange thoughts..or did she???…She was scared of her inner thoughts..If she sits peacefully she will have to ponder over some inner conflicts..She is not ready for that..she is not ready to think of certain pair of eyes which she knew used to silently watch her every single move… that genuine smile when he talks of his young friend.. that immense pain which flashes when he thinks of his father’s betrayal.. the pride on his face when he narrates the success of Earthcon,his first love..the concern for his staff, the camaraderie with his childhood friend…with a jerk she realises all her thoughts are about the person whom she is supposed to hate.
The sudden ring of her phone brought a stop to the bizzare feelings she was experiencing . She answered without bothering to look who the caller was…
“ Katha…is Viaan with you..is he ok’ the distraught in Teji s voice confused Katha..” No aunty , I haven’t seen him since he left the office around noon” answered Katha wondering why Teji thought Viaan would be with her . Suddenly Teji started crying..” Katha please bring him back..I don’t know where my son is. He is missing since he left office. His phone is also switched off. Ahsan also has given up saying that Viaan will return tomorrow. Beta ,Viaan will only listen to you..I know he will..please bring him back” Teji paused. “ Aunty I don’t know where Mr Raghuvamshi is ,but I will try to reach out to him” Katha tried to pacify Teji without realising what she was offering.
After hanging up , Katha informed Dodo about going out who as usual asked no questions . Katha took her bag and phone and rushed out..She took a taxi and decided to go to Earthcon to search for Viaan but half way realised he won’t be there and on an impulse she called The Orient Hotel and enquired “ Can I know if Mr Viaan Raghuvamshi is staying there?” . The receptionist in a cordial but curt manner replied “ Ma’am sorry we are not supposed to reveal the identities of our customers “ and cut the call. Katha redialled the number and asked “ I would like to book your room number 1001 tonight. Is it available?”
The person who answered this time took few minutes to check the availability and answered..” Sorry Mam..it’s already let out for tonight’.
Instead of feeling relieved she started to feel anxious .Somehow she knew Viaan was in Room No 1001…and she knew that she was the reason why he was there..She knew how he felt about her and Tejis words cemented her belief.
After paying the taxi she walked towards the reception area. “ How can we help you ma’am?” a young boy asked..” I .. someone is expecting me in Room no 1001” she answered..” This way ma’am” the boy guided her to the lift and pressed the button for the floor of room No 1001 .
She stepped out of the lift and walked towards the room ..She did not think about her actions or repercussions..she wanted a relief from this agony..When she stood in front of the door a feeling of déjà vu hit her..With shivering hands she knocked on the door..” I don’t need anything , thankyou” Viaan's tired voice answered. She knocked again..” Ok come in and please get me a ginger tea” his voice faded away when he realised it was not the hotel boy but Katha..
Katha looked up at him hesitantly.He was standing near the window looking out and had turned sideways as to answer to the knock. His face showed genuine shock as if he couldn’t believe it was really her or rather how she managed to come to the very room where he had wronged her..
He turned away abruptly towards the window as if to hide his pain..How well I have come to know him ,thought Katha..I can read his eyes, his thoughts,his pain, his agony…how can I know him so well..what is the feeling that is drawing me towards him like a moth to the flame, why am I not running away from this room which suffocated me earlier?What made me think I will find him here? What is happening to you Katha??
Should I turn back and leave?? Katha pondered at the door…If I take a step ahead there will be no turning back..
With faltering yet determined steps she moved inside the room towards him…..
Veena
And the end is open for your imaginations
Pati Patni Aur Panga
