FF- A Silent Song (Pt 55; Pg56 on Sep 13) - Page 42

Originally posted by: Myra.nelly

Ok,waiting for it...

Part 55

While Vishaka and Ritu became closer as sisters, trading stories from their childhood, Deepika tried valiantly to keep her distance only to succumb to Ritu's natural warmth and become another sister. Dev was pleased with the progress made within the family but knew it would be soon time to pay the piper. He looked on indulgently at the voluble trio and turned back into the study to finish up some work.

Susheel arrived at Vrindavan after a dusty two-day train journey followed by a bumpier road journey from Delhi to Vrindavan. He did wonder if the entire Raj Prohiti was even worth all this trouble. But he persevered. He arrived at the home of his spy, a lowly clerk, who worked in the accounts department of the Widows' Home.

Kishan Lal liked his unobtrusive life that flowed in anonymity. His unassuming, simpleton image helped him enormously while helping himself to some funds now and then. His wife was happy with the little "perks" he brought home and he did not feel that he was a crook as he did not deny the widows their fair share while helping himself line his pocket. It just meant a watery soup with fewer vegetables while he accounted for thicker soups with more vegetables. Praise be to Radhe Krishna that the price of vegetables had shot up even in Vrindavan, as for the price of lentils, they had skyrocketed that if he did show that 60 Kgs were bought and only 50 used, his wife was happy with the 10 that went home with him- and none the wiser for the missing 10 Kgs.

He was surprised to see Susheel at his doorstep. His wife looked at him enquiringly and he did not know what to tell her. He welcomed his unexpected guest and gave him the creaky wooden chair from his grandfather's days while he himself took the reed stool.

Susheel looked at Kishan Lal while lightly inclining his head towards the latter's wife. Kishan said, "Can you please get some refreshments for our guest? You will have some tea right, Susheel ji?"

Susheel nodded and waited while Kishan's wife left the room. "So, tell me, what is going on at the Prohit's?"

"Sir, all I do know is that a girl called Nirmala who used to be a resident at our Widow's Home was engaged to tutor this lady from America in Hindi. It has been over a month now. Since her arrival, except for Dev babu and his grandma no one has visited her. Oh yes, and now there is this white man who came last week. I do not know the gardeners or their families, nor the cook. I could not find out more."

"Well, Kishan Lal, what you have told me is more than I knew. Thank you. Here is a small reward for now." Susheel reluctantly parted with a much-crumpled Rs. 500 note.

Kishan happily accepted it before his wife entered with the teacups. She silently handed them their cups and retreated back into her corner.

Susheel requested to be shown their bathroom for a quick wash and change. He emerged spotless and bid adieu and proceeded to Prohit Bhavan.

*****

"Dev babu, Susheel ji is here," proclaimed the servant before he left to open the front doors to Susheel. Dev got up from his desk and quickly exited the study to meet Susheel Chacha in the hallway. He turned to another servant dusting the furniture to abandon her work and quickly call his grand mother to the living room while issuing commands to ensure that Nirmala and Ritu kept to their room for the rest of the day.

"Dev, you look very well indeed," called out the oily voice of Susheel.

"I am surprised, chachaji. You here, in Vrindavan?"

"It surprises me even more to find you here in the peak of summer. I was hoping to enjoy the fruit trees and get a vacation in our ancestral home."

"Like you said, chachaji, the mangoes, they are irresistible this time of year, aren't they?"

"I hear we have guests, my dear nephew?"

"You heard right. Please do sit down and be comfortable. We have a lot of time to meet all the guests and the rest of the family."

"Family? You mean to say, everybody is here?"

"Yes indeed, Dadima, Mother, Vishaka even Deepika, are here. As is my friend from the US."

"Who is she, this friend of yours?"

Dev looked up startled at his probing uncle and realized that he had a spy. He smiled at him and replied, "Rather, who are THEY, chachaji! Matt and Ritz have been my friend for many years now, since the time I went to study in America."

Dadi entered the room in a flurry and exclaimed, "Susheel, I did not know you were planning to come to Vrindavan. Had I but known, I would have sent the car to the station."

"Bhabhi ji, Namaste. The lure of the mangoes brought me here."

"Very good. I shall send for the cook to cut you some right away. Suno, Ramlal, please ask the cook to cut some mangoes for Susheel ji."

"Please, Bhabhi, there is no need. We can have them after dinner."

"No, no. How is Arjun? Is he here too?"

"Bhabhi, please, it pains me to speak about my son. He is well, I suppose. I have not seen him for a few days now. He is painting like a girl. Ugh. You just spoilt the mangoes for me."

"Come on, Susheel. Arjun is a nice boy. It is time for him to settle down and have a career. If painting it is, so be it."

While the aimless bantering continued in the living room, Ritu was trying to understand why Dev did not want her to come down. She told Nirmala to get her some herbal iced tea and settled into her settee in her cavernous room.

Originally posted by: bvs7691

Thank you Blokes...:)

I will admit.. I am really finding it difficult following the current track! Besides Rub/Avi being wonderful in their portrayal of Rad/Dev... I somehow cannot relate to the story! I don't know too much about RP's but the whole storyline is not making sense!

Anyways... as you have correctly written we can fashion it in our way in the world of fiction! Loved the Update:)

Originally posted by: bholabear

Well one good thing about the current track it pushed you to updating your FF. Lol. Thanks a lot and keep going. Nice twist with Susheel Mama coming in to upset the apple cart, am curious to see what happens next.

Originally posted by: chalhov

Blokes thanks for the updates.