Anandi ran to the car in the thunderstorm, tears streaming down her eyes, her fists still clenched beside her; her hair was plastered to her head and she was shivering. He had blackmailed her into coming; threatened her with Shiv's life. She had relented then. He had laughed that devilish laugh she had always hated, thrown an envelope at her with details of how he would ruin her Collector saab; finish him. He had tried to get her to drink, tried to molest her and she had hit him and run as fast as she could.
Mahi looked at her state and silently started the car. She had forbidden him to come in with her. Made him swear on his Shiv Bhaiyya. Anandi noticed the time: 2:38 AM! Her thoughts went to the man who was the center of her universe: the love of her life: "Shiv", she whispered, "hum aapko kuch nahin hone denge; kabhie nahin; koi bhi aapki khushiyon ke beech nahin aayega; aur agar aaya toh hum use chodenge nahin! Ye vaada hai aapse, aapki Anandi ka!"
She heard the thunder and as lightening flashed she shut her eyes in fear. She had to get home before Shiv noticed her absence. She looked at Mahi then; her devar and her friend. He nodded at her hoping to get her back home to his Shiv bhaiyya safely. Mahi had always known his Bhabhi was the resilient type and would do anything for his brother. She was his brother's soul mate. Anandi looked back to the road and noticed that the road was pitch black, none of the houses had any electricity nor were the street lights lit up. There must have been a power cut. Mahi slowed down as it rained harder and he struggled to see. As he took a turn towards Kesar Bagh, she noticed a car coming their way. The driver was driving on the wrong side of the road, and swerving as well. Mahi tried to miss hitting him by changing lanes but the night was small and just then she noticed a second car. It seemed Mahi had no option but to stay on his side of the road. As the first driver swerved again, she saw his car come towards theirs and mouthed a silent prayer, 'Please God no, I can't leave Shiv alone; he needs me. He needs his brother. Woh nahin reh paayenge mere bina; toot jayenge. Mujhe maaf kardena Collector Saab' And then she heard a loud crash and everything went black.
**************
He tossed and turned, the nightmare seeming so real as if it was happening. The car was swerving and coming towards him. It crashed into his car except it wasn't him in the car it was ANANDI!! He sat up saying her name and looked towards her side expecting to feel relief wash over him as he always did when he saw that despite her displays of heroism, she was safe, at home, with him, next to him, and he could reach out. This time the relief never came. In its place was terror. She was not there. A cold hand clutched at his heart as he gasped for breath. He knew then! Something terrible had happened!
Please comment...should I continue??
Anupamaa
