Chapter One: Out of the Frying Pan
The train passed under a splendid rainbow but the world weary occupants of All India Railways Lucknow to Delhi train were not moved. A solemn girl of about eighteen stared out at a glorious sunset, nature giving it the best of what it had to offer as far as scenic beauty was concerned but the girl was looking inwards, her cheeks ablaze with shame.
We had to leave because of me, Khushi Kumari Gupta thought as she cupped her cheek, trying hard for the tears to stay behind her eyelids where they belonged. If only that mawali hadn't tried to' Khushi shook her head at the memory of the groping hands, the constant terror, refusing to go out of the house because Shankar might be just outside, and leaning against the wall opposite their house.
Khushi had known of the bad men who roamed the small district at night, she had always seen them at her father's shop, demanding the weekly protection money; it had been the way of life. But what she hadn't known was that the protection money only went as far, that there was nothing to protect you when the same men wanted you, touched you in public and made life a living hell.
Two days ago when Shankar's mother had come to ask for Khushi's hand in marriage Shashi Gupta had treated the woman with generous civility. As soon as she had left though, Shashi had rounded on the females gathered in their living room and ordered them to start packing, they were moving to Delhi and that was that.
No one had blamed her, no one had talked to her but Khushi knew that for an adopted daughter she was far too much trouble. Khushi glanced at Payal longingly who was curled up in Garima's arms, snoring lightly, Garima looking at her fondly stroking her hair. Shashi was hidden behind a newspaper, oblivious to the world.
Khushi went back to her contemplation of the darkening sky hoping against hope that Laxmi Nagar would be a safer home where she could blend in and become invisible.
oOo
Arnav Singh stared out the grimy window at the hues of the sunset. Another day, another job well done, he thought sourly. He could hear whimpering from the dark room behind him, a slow pleading whine that was grating on his already shot nerves.
Di must be done with her shift at the bakery, Arnav thought as he saw the sun sink lower, and that good for nothing Akash must be getting ready for work at that call center, he thought bitterly.
"I'm telling you I know nothing," the feeble voice stuttered from behind Arnav.
"Ghushti, don't try to be clever, I'll rip your tongue out!" Rakesh screamed down at the terrified man bound in the chair in the middle of the dark room.
"And where will we be then?" Aman asked coolly from the door where he was leaning, his hands idly playing with a small dagger.
"I'm telling you I don't know anything!" the man repeated in desperation. "Let me go please! I'll give you twice of what they gave you, I'm rich I tell you, I can give you enough to live off for the rest of your lives!"
Arnav pressed the bridge of his nose trying to drown out the desperate pleadings of a trapped man. "If you have enough money to pay us off then how come you haven't paid back the debt you owed Happy Singh?" Arnav asked still staring out the window, his cool indifference petrifying the man in the chair, as if this was normal for him.
"Ha.. Happy Singh? I' I don't owe him anything. I mean, I already paid him, he must have lied to you' he'"
The gunshot resounded through the small room, its thunder terrible and sudden. Arnav stared at the lifeless eyes of Laksh Malik, former goldsmith and debtor of Happy Singh the don of East Delhi. "Nobody calls Dada a liar and live to tell the tale," Arnav spat at the dead body before he swaggered out of the room lazily.
Index:
Chapter Two: https://www.indiaforums.com/forum/fan-fictions/2964893/ff-before-the-last-sun-sets-3-33-blog-link-pg-1?pn=18�
Chapter Three: https://www.indiaforums.com/forum/fan-fictions/2964893/ff-before-the-last-sun-sets-3-33-blog-link-pg-1�
Blog Link: https://beforethelastsunsets.wordpress.com/
Anupamaa
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