DECEPTION (KYPH)...Pt 17/pg86, May28 - Page 62

DECEPTION PART 16

Zaib woke up with a bone-deep shiver! He was freezing! Despite the warm jacket he wore! He rubbed his weary hazel eyes and looked around! The whole cottage was like an Arctic zone, ice cold air was coming in through the open door!

OPEN DOOR!!!!

Zaib sprang up, his heart pounding with sudden fear!

KRIPA!!!!

He ran to the bedroom, it was empty! He checked the bathroom, that was empty as well! His fears intensified! Kripa was gone, she was missing! She had left the cottage!

Zaib rushed to the open door and looked outside! Snow was falling in thick drifts, piling up everywhere from the distant hills to the slopes fronting the cottages down to the road below.

He stepped outside and yelled: KRIPAAA! KRIPAAA!

There was no reply. Only the eerie silence of falling snow, drifting, blanketing everything around him! WHERE WAS SHE?

Zaib panicked and ran down the snowy slope to the road below. He looked right and left, there was no sign of her anywhere! Fear darkened his vision! Pata nahin kab cottage chhodkar gayi...ab tak kitni door gayi hogi...iss toofan mein kahin phans gayi hogi! I have to go search for her...lekin paidal jaaney se koi fayda nahin, wo kaafi door jaa chuki hogi...I have to get a car somehow!

He ran back up and headed for the main office. It was closed, the clerk had left for the night. Zaib was furious...yeh kaisa hotel hai, raat ko Reception band hai ! Laanat hai aisi resort per...ab kaisey gaadi ka bandobast hoga?

He went outside and looked around. A few cars and jeep type vehicles were parked outside the cottages, probably belonging to the guests sleeping inside. He chose the most sturdy vehicles and tried to open their doors. He got lucky on the 3rd one, it was unlocked!

He looked heavenward: Khuda ka shukr hai...ab kisi tarah isey start kar doon toh kaam ban jaye! He got in and looked around, the car key was not in the starter. Obviously its owner had the key! Zaib shrugged, starting the car would be no problem! He was quite an expert at hot-wiring cars.

A criminal minded friend in his chawl had taught him during his youthful days of mischief!

He opened the engine and hot-wired the car, making the engine start manually. Then he rolled the car slowly down the slope, being careful not to make too much noise and wake up the owner. When he was safely on the road, he got in and accelerated the car slowly over freshly snow-covered road. The car slid and skidded a little but soon the wheels gripped the road and he was on his way.

Zaib decided to head towards the city. He guessed Kripa must have headed that way...probably she was still trying to reach the hospital, hoping that Angad would be there!

He prayed silently as he drove carefully...Kripa ko mehfooz rakhna, Khuda! Usey kuchh honay mat dena...us masoom per rehem karna, bahut bada sadma laga hai usey, kahin wo kuchh kar naa baithey...

His heart heaved with pain for her and his situation, for their mutual grief and loss! His frantic eyes searched the roadside as he drove slowly on the crunchy snow.

According to his calculations, Kripa couldn't have gone far, not more than a mile or half in this weather...unless...he turned pale with dread...unless she got a ride from someone, a stranger! Then he may never find her!

After of a mile, he spotted a splash of color in the pristine white snow! KRIPA! It was the red woollen salwar she was wearing when they arrived in Switzerland! He stopped the car and jumped out! Yes, it was her! But she was half buried under a fresh pile of snow!

He hurried to her and dug her out! She lay slumped over a little hillock of ice, her face resting on her outstretched arm...she was deathly still, turning blue from frostbite!

KRIPA!! KRIPA!! ...Zaib yelled, lifting and shaking her! She was like a ragged doll in his arms, limp, lifeless! His heart stopped for a moment! Was she dead? He pressed his cold finger on the side of her neck...there was a pulse, but very feeble! He had to get her back to the cottage RIGHT NOW! No time to waste! He had to save her life!

He lifted her easily in his brawny arms and carried her to the car, laying her down gently on the back seat! Then he took off his thick warm jacket and covered her with it. Shivering with cold himself, he got into the drivers seat and turned the car around, driving back to the hotel. He drove as fast as he could without skidding and reached within a few minutes.

Leaving the illegally borrowed car on the road below, he carried Kripa's inert, frozen body up the slope, entered their cottage and kicked the door shut!

He carried her to the couch and took off the jacket covering her. She was wet all over, completely soaked by the snow and ice from head to toe! He had to make her warm somehow, right now!! He looked at the dying embers in the fireplace. Striding over to the grate, he lit a piece of firewood with the gas lighter and threw it in. He stoked the flames quickly with more dry logs and soon built up a roaring fire! He returned to Kripa's still form and quickly pulled off the wet salwar down her legs. Then he lifted her shoulders and tugged her kameez upwards till it came off completely.

Underneath she wore a beige satin sheath that barely covered her creamy fair skin and swelling curves, its lacy hem ending just above her knees! He could clearly see the outline of her undergarments through the thin slip clinging to her body!

Zaib's hands stilled for a moment in shock, a pulse beating in his throat! Heat suffused his face, spreading to the rest of his body!

Her body was just...beautiful...it was pure perfection! Every limb, every curve was sensually perfect! Khuda ne bahut fursat se banaya hai tumhey, jaaneman...he whispered in his mind.

Gritting his teeth against a growing arousal, he felt the satin slip for dampness! Thank goodness, it was almost dry! He wouldn't have to strip her down to her lingerie! He lifted her in his arms again, his fingers curled under her bare thighs as he carried her to the fireplace. He sat down in the couch closest to the fireplace, cradling her in his lap. He watched the fire crackle and warm up the room as it warmed him and Kripa too! He looked down at her face...icy pale, ravaged by tears, yet so poignantly beautiful! He tried not to look below her neck, at her delectable womanly swells. He stared at her long dark lashes, the sharp little nose, the sweet curved lips, the silky strands of hair framing her heart-shaped face... she was so perfect, so dainty, so innocent!

His heart ached for her pain, his body ached for her loveliness! He whispered achingly: Kripa...utho, aankhein kholo, meri jaan...main tumhey hamesha mehfooz rakhunga...I will never let anything happen to you, my love!

He watched her and waited, worrying, wanting, waiting for her to open her eyes. Slowly she started warming up...the blue hues on her skin was replaced by a red flush, a tinge of apple red blush returned to her cheeks. Zaib smiled with satisfaction, her body was regaining warmth at last! She would soon be alright!

After half an hour, she stirred a little, moaning softly. Zaib knew she was returning to consciousness. He got up and carried her to the bedroom, gently placing her on the pillow, covered her with the thick comforter. She drifted back to sleep, safe and warm in the coccoon of the plush bed.

Zaib sighed with utter relief: Chalo, balaa tali...ummeed hai Kripa theek ho jayegi aur phir se bhagegi nahin...he checked the lock on the bedroom door. It could be locked from inside and outside.

Smiling with grim satisfaction, he went out to the living room, locking the bedroom door from outside. He settled down on the couch before the fire again, staring at the flames. They were a reflection of his passion, rising, crackling, roaring with silent intensity for the girl of his dreams who was grieving for the man she loved!

Wo meri hokar bhi meri nahin...Angad ki amaanat hai.

He silently promised his deceased brother: Angad, Bhai merey, main hamesha Kripa ko salamat rakhunga, apni jaan dekar bhi uski hifaazat karunga! Wo meri responsibility hi nahin, mera pyar hai, mera armaan hai, meri jaan hai!

He was too worried to sleep, his eyes constantly turning to the bedroom door, his ears pricked for any slight sounds from that room to alert him about Kripa's condition. After an hour he couldn't bear the tension and went back into the bedroom to check on her. Just to see how she was doing.

He knew something was wrong right away! She was flailing, gasping, then as he watched with concern, she began thrashing on the bed, crying out every other minute. She seemed to be in the grip of a feverish nightmare from which she couldn't escape. Zaib scooted to her side and held her shoulders to calm her down. She was shaking convulsively, crying...Angad...Angad...her eyes still closed.

Zaib realized she was delirious.

He panicked...she might go into shock and then into a coma! He had to stop her convulsions somehow...but how?

His worrried glance fell on the dresser-mirror facing the bed...Angad's face stared back at him, except for the eyes! He had taken off his contacts when they had boarded the plane in Mumbai. He sprang up, rushed to the little box on the table, took out his brown contacts and put them on. Next he opened his suitcase, took out an outfit that Angad wore in the Mahabaleshwar photos...a white turtleneck pullover and dark blue jeans. He swiftly put on those clothes, brushed his hair the way Angad always did. Then he went back to bed and grabbed Kripa's flailing hands and held her in his arms tightly, reaching her with his loud, deep voice: KRIPA...KRIPA...ANKHEIN KHOLO, DEKHO MAIN AA GAYA HOON! MAIN TUMHARA ANGAD HOON, I AM HERE, MY LOVE! LOOK AT ME, OPEN YOUR EYES!

She opened her eyes, clouded, unseeing, frantic with grief and sickness! He rubbed his scruffy cheek against her soft one, making her feel his presence, his touch: KRIPA...MAIN AA GAYA, MERI TARAF DEKHO, SWEETHEART! MAIN TUMHARA ANGAD HOON!

Kripa sobbed: Angad! Tum aa gaye? Kahan the tum?

Main yahin paas hi tha...main tumhara intezaar kar raha tha! Ab tum aa gayi, hum phir se ek ho jayengey! KRIPA...I LOVE YOU!

Zaib kissed her wet cheeks tenderly, kissed her temples, her swollen eyelids, all the while whispering tender words of love and reassurance. She calmed down miraculously, believing him, trusting him, clutching him tightly.

Ab mujhey chhodkar kabhie mat jaana...she sobbed and clutched his arm like a drowning woman!

He held her tightly in his arms: Nahin, kahin nahin jaunga, sirf tumharey paas rahunga. I promise!.

The soothing touch of "Angad", the comforting words, the promises uttered by him, acted like a balm on her wounded heart and soul. She quieted down, hiccuping a little, then slowly fell asleep in his arms.

Zaib sat with her in his arms on the bed for a long time till she was breathing normally, deep in slumber. Then he cautiously laid her down on the pillow, and lay down beside her, holding her in his embrace. He couldn't leave her alone anymore, or else she might have another bout of convulsions. Now that he had convinced her he was Angad, he had to stay with her and keep his promise.

Kripa murmured something in her sleep and convulsively clutched his arm again. Zaib drew her closer till they were flush together, body to body, toe to toe. She was almost bare skinned under the comforter, clad only in the thin satin slip and her innerwear. Her soft swells were pressing against his chest, her bare legs against his powerful thighs. Pretty soon, Zaib began to feel the effects of their closeness.

His teeth clenched as he tried to control the rising desire in his loins. He cursed himself bitterly: Laanat hai, Kripa ki yeh haalat hai aur tujhey uski havas sataa rahi hai, tu aadmi hai ya janwar?

His heart corrected him: Havas nahin, chaahat hai, main isey dilon jaan se chahta hoon aur yeh nazdeekiyan mujhey bebas kar rahi hain...aakhir main bhi insaan hoon...farishta nahin!

With clenched teeth and bated breath he lay there with Kripa in his arms, tortured by the feel of her softness, torn by guilt at his aroused state, determined to keep her safe at all cost, even at the cost of lying to her, pretending to be his dead brother!

Gradually, eventually his eyes closed out of sheer exhaustion and he slept, holding his girl tightly.

When he woke up, it was early dawn. Some instinct told him something was wrong! He looked for Kripa...she had rolled away from him and lying on her side. He sat up and leaned over her to check her condition. She seemed to be breathing heavily. He stretched out his arm and touched her forehead. IT WAS BURNING UP! She had very high fever! Just by touch, he could tell it was dangerously high! His heart sank to his bowels again! Phir se...zaroor uss barf mein rehney ki vajeh se beemar pad gayi...

What if its pneumonia? That could be life threatening!!!

Abhi doctor ko bulana chahiye!

He sprang up, covered Kripa with the thick blankets and picked up the bedside telephone. Thankfully, the receptionist had arrived for morning duty and answered in guttural German accented English. Zaib asked him about the nearest doctor.

There is an emergency! My wife is seriously ill! She MUST see the doctor at once!

The clerk replied sleepily: Im sorry Sir, the road to town is closed now because of snowstorm. Snow machines will take at least 3-4 hours to clean it.

Zaib cursed the weather and the country under his breath, then enquired: Is there a doctor I can call? Who can tell me what to do in the meantime?

Of course Sir! There is Doctor Hans Zimmer...he lives 5 miles to the south. He comes here to our village to treat patients. You can call him at this number.

Zaib quickly took down the number and called Dr. Zimmer.

(to be continued)

pallavi

[B]