Part II
A Search for the Dove ………..
A break was needed and he had started feeling stiff. It was getting late and the sun had snuggled down to leave the world in dusky colours of grey. The car stopped outside a small caf and MSK walked to the entrance.
He asked for black coffee. Apple pies were offered at the counter and he was tempted enough to ask for one wedge. He sat at the table looked around. It was not the best of restaurants but was user-friendly. He smiled. He had been in the hotel business long enough to know how to make an eatery run. He took a deep sip of the bitter liquid which was hot and ran down his throat. He remembered how Geet had grimaced when she had once tasted it. He would soon be meeting her. He was eager for that. He had waited for a long time. Although he knew she was here, he did not rush things. He wanted to make sure she would not take flight once again. He had wanted her to settle down in her present job and stay put.
He bit into the pie and munched on it. It was excellent! Just the right amount of filling and the right amount of cinnamon. He would find out who the cook was and then offer him a good job. But not now ……. He had to first meet Geet and clear up the air between them. He paid the bill and made his way back to the car.
The driver was still away having his break. MSK decided to walk around a bit. The pavements were strewn with roadside vendors selling their wares. Their carts and stalls were lit up by lumax lamps. Tourists and shoppers were making their hasty purchases before the bazaar closed for the day.
The night was creeping in and there was a nip in the air.
"Sir….sir….," the chauffeur came running, his hand on his chest. "I am sorry for taking so much time."
"It's okay."
The men walked to car. MSK decided to take the wheel and gestured to the other man to take the other seat. Although the driver protested somewhat, he did as he was told.
"Just guide me," instructed MSK and the man nodded.
It rapidly getting dark. They had reached the foothills in no time. MSK was speeding but was careful. They had neared the onset of the climb. The sides of the lofty mountains were barely visible. The air seemed laden with moisture. He changed the gear of the car and continued uphill. The wipers were keeping the windscreen clear of the light drops that were forming on the glass. He turned the corner. He was getting edgy. He smiled to himself. Why should he be nervous? He had prepared himself to meet her, hadn't he? He was eager to meet her and yet he was nervous. He hated being on weak ground. His brother!!! Damn him!!
Again his mind raced back. When he had realised that Geet had gone and that it wouldn't be easy to find her, he had exploded. He had quizzed Dev and that stupid Nanny.
--------------------------------------------
"Come on Dev, it is high time you confessed everything," said MSK tersely.
"Oh Maan, c'mon I can't believe you are so innocent that you have been taken in by the tricks that little wench has been playing!" cackled Nanny.
"Dev, I am waiting," MSK totally ignored his SIL.
"She's pregnant and wants to catch a fool who can give her security," went on Nanny.
"Start talking Dev," said his brother.
"These girls from the village are far from innocent……" said Nanny
"You….." MSK pointed his finger at her, "You will speak when you are spoken to. Until then be quiet."
Gran was sitting in the corner on the sofa. She felt apprehensive. What she was going to hear? Had Dev indeed hoodwinked Geet? And that Nanny…….!!!!! Oh dear!!
Dev began to confess. He told his brother how he had carried out his wife's sinister plan. Right from how they had zoomed in on Geet, learnt what she was worth and how much her family would back her. They had set the ball rolling and Dev had married her, wiped out her name from her property and made off with her money and jewels. Not just that, he had seduced her and left her pregnant. Gran was aghast and felt mortified. MSK felt revolted that his own brother could do such a terrible thing to a poor innocent girl. He almost punched his brother, but he smote his fist on the wall instead.
"You should be in jail the two of you on grounds of fraud."
"And who will make the complaint? Geet? But she's gone!!" Nanny gave a triumphant laugh.
MSK saw red and in a wink his hand was round her throat. He gave the right amount of pressure for her to feel uncomfortable.
"Don't you dare gloat. Don't you dare think you are above the law. Don't you dare think you can away with this. Don't you dare ever underestimate MSK." His eyes were breathing fire and he was truly furious.
He pushed her away and she stumbled against the wall.
"I know your little games. I know how you have pilfered money from time to time from the family coffers. The bits and pieces of jewellery that went missing and were eventually recovered from jewellers. You think I wear blinkers? But they were minor embezzlements. If Geet is not here to make a complaint against the two of you, I shall. I shall make sure you stay behind bars for a long time."
MSK had got the HSP land papers back, the jewels and whatever else they had taken from her. He knew he would never be able to return to her the dreams she had nor her innocence. But if she'd let him, he'd stay with her for the rest of their lives and make up for everything.
He had set the best sleuths to search her out. They had done so in no time. But the instant she became suspicious she'd leave for a new destination. He wondered how she'd do so and that too in her delicate condition.
The last time she had taken up a job in a small lodge in Manali. He had soon bought the place over. The owner had been an old man who didn't want to carry on with the business anymore. MSK had sent for him to Delhi. He explained that the lodge was to continue in its present way and that no one from his employees was to know anything about the takeover. The status quo would remain and no one was to get affected especially one employee by the name of Geet. It had been quite simple actually. It was now three to four months since the deal had gone through. Geet remained there as a housekeeper of sorts and almost ran the show. The old man didn't say a word even if she made a mistake.
---------------------------------
MSK slowed the car since they had reached the outskirts of the town. He lowered his window and asked for the directions to a passer-by. He drove a further and then stopped. He got out. He whispered to the chauffeur and handed the keys over. The car was to be taken elsewhere so that Geet won't become suspicious.
He entered the foyer of the lodge and took a good look around. It was simple and had a clean look. It looked more like a home than a lodge. Perhaps it was Geet's idea. No one was at the desk. A door opened and the erstwhile owner came into the room. He came forward and saw MSK.
"She knows nothing. I have put you down as Mr Guru Chowdhary so that your identity wouldn't be revealed. Here is the key to your room. It is one of the best rooms."
"Where is she?"
"She has left for the day. But your food will be brought in. The food is home-made and you have to eat whatever is offered. There is a good variety of dishes and they are all very tasty."
MSK shrugged. This meant he would meet Geet only tomorrow. It didn't matter. He had waited so long, another day hardly mattered. He was shown to his room. After refreshing himself, he put on a pullover to keep warm. He exited the bathroom and was at the dresser when there was a knock on the door. He went to get the door. He stood back and a little to one side before he turned to go to the cupboard. The lady walked with a trolley of food. He stopped short and turned back. Geet!
She was wearing a pale green suit with small white flowers printed all over.
"Geet!" he exclaimed softly.
She turned around quickly and looked at him. She took a step back as if to ward him off. His heart sank. This meant that she still had no faith in him. She started forward quickly to escape him, but he was closer to the door and slammed it shut.
"Geet," he called and put out his hand to hold her arm.
She shrank back. She looked at him, her eyes bright and lucid at first but which turned dull and resigned as moments went by.
"We have to talk," he explained.
She stood still and looked at him for a long moment.
"There is nothing left to be said. When you finish your food, leave the trolley outside. It will be cleared away."
MSK went forward and held her arms. "Stop it Geet."
"Let go of my arms. I am not interested in anything you have to say."
He let go of her. She walked past him. Her recalcitrant dupatta got caught in his cufflinks. He made no move to unhook it. She halted as the dupatta stopped her journey. She turned to see what had happened. She went to him but he stood still. She lifted his hand and turned his wrist. As she made to detach the wisp of material, he closed his fingers over her wrist. This time she didn't pull away. He slowly uncurled her fingers and smoothed his fingers over her hands. She looked at him but there was no lustre in her eyes.
"Come and sit down while I eat. We won't talk but let's sit together at least."
"Why?"
"I am tired and would be obliged if you'd serve me some food."
She served him and sat down as far from him as possible. She didn't look at him. In fact she didn't look anywhere in particular.
It was going to take an effort to break the ice, but MSK was determined to do it.
************************
Edited by skeptical - 14 years ago
Book Talk
Shiv Shakti
546