Chapter 27
By the time Maan had finished all the legal necessities with Munshiji, it was too late to drive back to Delhi. He had also finished all the work he had brought with him in those days waiting for Geet. With nothing else to do, he decided to spend the night camping. It was one of the few things in life that he really enjoyed, being out in the elements, alone and independent.
Since it was just for the one night, it only took a couple of minutes for Maan to get his supplies together. After determining that he had everything he needed, he started the ignition and pulled out onto the road. After about ten minutes of driving, passing farms and some wooded areas, Maan found a spot that he thought might do. Taking a flashlight, he went to scout the area a bit, not wanting to drive his truck off the road and into any problem.
Satisfied that the area was a good place for camping, Maan made the short trek back to his vehicle. Opening the dashboard compartment to put his flashlight back, Maan's eye was caught by a glint of metal. Picking the up the item responsible, Maan recognized it as Geet's. The last time he saw it was back in Delhi, so he didn't understand what it was doing in his jeep now.
Gritting his teeth, he complained, "Why does this taveez always come in front of me when I don't want it? That girl is no more a part of my life and I don't want anything associated with her, or her memories!" With that, Maan threw the taveez away angrily and continued with his camping plans.
At that moment, unaware of what Maan had done with her taveez, Geet was trying to reason with an obstanate Gurvinder. "You shouldn't be out like this in your condition. It won't do any good. I told you that I would handle everything."
"I can't rest until my Channi is found!" cried Gurvinder in anguish, knowing that Geet was only trying to help, but unable to accept her words.
"She will be found," assured Geet. "I went to Amritsar today and hired a very good private detective, one who Brij veerji will not be able to intimidate. He will find her, I promise."
"Where is he?" demanded Gurvinder. "I want to talk to him."
Geet frowned slightly before replying, "He's not here. He can't come to start his investigation until late tomorrow, because he has some previous case details that he needs to sort out."
Geet could tell from the look on Gurvinder's face that he didn't like the sound of that, but before either could speak, another voice somewhat far off was heard yelling, "Oye! I won't leave you!"
Turning around in horror, Geet saw Brij with several friends coming towards them. One of the men asked, "Who's that girl with him?"
Another replied, "It looks like Brij's sister, Geet."
Gurvinder and Geet didn't even bother to look at each other before they started running. Geet wanted to find a place where people would let them hide, but Gurvinder didn't trust any of the villagers. He pulled her off into the forest, where they did their best to out run their persuers. At one point they were both to tired to continue and colapsed next to a pile of rocks.
Hearing the voices of her brother and his friends coming closer, Geet did her best to silence her voice with her dupatta. There was nothing else she could do as she crouched in fear, waiting to be discovered. However, fate was with the two fugitives, for the group of men continued on another way, leaving them safe.
Eventually, Geet indicated to Gurvinder that they were gone. Both got up to look around, and seeing that they were alone, agreed that they needed to continue in case the men came back. While deciding which direction they should take, Geet stumbled over a strange mound, that shouldn't have been in the otherwise flat area. When Gurvinder wanted to know what was wrong, she just pointed in horror at something visable on top of the mound.
"Channi!" cried Gurvinder in pain. "Meri Channi!"
Gurvinder began digging frantically at the dirt and leaves, like a madman. When Geet saw the end of a yellow dupatta, she felt her stomach clench. Dropping down next to him, Geet began to help Gurvinder in his efforts. When it became quite clear that they had uncovered a body, tears began to fall down Geet's face, while the distraught husband roared with grief.
Geet couldn't believe that her friend was really dead. She had kept holding out hope that Channi's family had just sent her away in anger. She had never really thought that Channi was actually dead. As the full horror of what had happened to her unfortunate friend dawned on Geet, Gurvinder stood up swiftly.
Looking off towards the way their pursuers had gone, he declared angrily, "I will kill them! I will kill all of them starting with Brij. I will kill them like they killed my Channi!"
"Gurvinder!" yelled Geet as he took off. "Gurvinder, it's too dangerous, we need help!"
Her pleas made no difference and soon Geet was all alone. She thought for a moment, before saying, "Daarji. I have to tell Daarji what happened, what Brij veerji did. I have to tell Daarji."
Geet began running, soon coming out of the forest to a road. Taking a moment to get her bearings, she then started running in the direction of her village. Her main concern was that in his state of insane grief, Gurvinder would end up getting himself killed at the hands of her brother and his friends. It would take too long to get to the police station on foot, but she knew that Brij would obey Daarji. She was tired from all the running by the time she reached the haveli, yet that didn't stop her from hurrying to her mother once she entered.
"Geet, finally you are back," Rano said in a mixture of relief and exhasperation.
"Maa, I need to talk to Daarji right away!'
"Chup! We are all very upset with you. You can't go off like that, even if it is with our damaad. Now come with me right now and change your clothes. You look like you've been laying in a haystack!"
"But Maa, I need to..."
"You need to do as your mother tells you and be thankful that Brij isn't here. All he knows is that you left with Maan, but if he knew that you came back this late...Just go change your clothes and I will have Dolly get you something to eat."
Her Tayiji left before Geet could say she didn't want food. Her mother dragged her to her room, ignoring Geet's protests and insisting that she get changed. Rather than continue to argue, Geet quickly changed into a blue salwaar, before going back downstairs, calling for Daarji loudly.
"Geet, what do you mean by all this shouting?" Rupinder questioned furiously, tempted to give the girl a smack on the face.
"I'm sorry if it seems rude, Tayiji, but I have to talk to Daarji right away." Turning to her grandfather, she said, "Daarji, we have to call the police. Brij veerji has kill Channi, my friend, Channi Singh!"
Precap
"So it was you running off with that good for nothing scum!"
Book Talk
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