Dear Readers,
Thanks for your support 🤗 . A happy 4th of July to my readers in the United States. I seem to be unable to stop myself from writing longish updates. Good? Bad? I don't know.
In any case, Let us see what happens next... Does Anjali succeed in her attempt to run away? Read on, Enjoy, hit like and let me know your thoughts by commenting.
Disclaimer: All pictures used have been procured from the internet from sources open for public consumption. I do not own any rights to these and have merele used them for illustrative purposes
Pyaar in the Pink City (English)
Part 17
The Game's On
'How often have I said to you that when you have eliminated the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth?'
~ Sherlock Holmes -The Sign of Four
Ajay dismounted Atticus in one smooth leap, handed the reins to Suraj, the trainer, and was about to walk away, when he was almost thrown forward by a not so gentle nudge on his back. Teetering on his tippy toes he spun around in surprise to discover that Atticus was standing merely inches away and was even now lowering his head and stepping forward clearly intent on a repeat performance.
"Whoa! Atticus. Easy boy." Ajay exclaimed side stepping gingerly, and grabbing his bridle, stroked his mane.
Atticus neighed in response, nuzzling against Ajay's face and neck offering comfort.
Ajay sighed, clearly Atticus is no ordinary horse, he knows me and my moods way too well. Who said that brothers have to be human? Atticus is the best brother I could have asked for.
Smiling for the first time in over twelve hours, Ajay hugged his steed and whispered, "It's ok buddy. I am fine", and slipped a carrot into his mouth while stroking his forehead. This simple act, did what the past couple of hours of hard riding had not, it soothed his raw heart and calmed his mind.
With a final caress that spanned the length of Atticus's neck, he called out to Suraj, the trainer, to brush the horse down and let him rest. Ajay hopped into his hummer and headed home. Anjali must be all set to leave Malhar now he mused glancing at his watch. Perhaps this temporary distance between us is a good thing after all. It'll give me an opportunity to sort through things in peace uncrowded by her presence. But first, I need to get to the studio and paint; Painting puts things in perspective. Besides, Radhika has been hounding me to give her a glimpse of my new series of canvases on Rajasthan.
He switched on his blue tooth and spoke to Radhika, asking her to swing by his studio later that afternoon, for he had something to show her.
************
"Papa, Papa. Look at this" yelled Tashi in excitement as she ran into the studio, her face flushed and eyes sparkling, with Dobby close at her heels, lending his vocal chords to the general cacophony.
"Whoa, watch out! Careful," called out Ajay, hurrying forward to stop the duo from smashing headlong into the series of paintings on which he had been putting finishing touches all day.
A quick look at his watch told him it was nearly five in the evening. So absorbed had he been in finishing his work that he had not realized that the entire afternoon had sped by.
"What's up Tashi? Where's the fire?" he asked with a grin pulling her onto his lap as he collapsed cross legged on the floor. Dobby circled them twice and settled right behind Ajay, his tail thumping in harmony with the lilt of Tashi's voice.
"Look Papa, my writing book. Remember, you were going to illustrate my stories? Guess what? They are all done. I found this on my bed all wrapped in this pretty paper. Isn't it sweet of Anjie aunty. I love them; I love her!" Tashi declared, excitedly flipping the pages and pointing out the colorful drawings to her dad."
"Lovely drawings-----" murmured Ajay.
"How many surprises does my Sugar Queen have, tucked away in her persona?" he wondered, silently admiring the colorful sketches of kings, queens, fairies, exotic animals, birds and even make-believe creatures. Each sketch a perfect match to what Tashi had conjured up in her stories.
Tashi loved to write. A fertile imagination and a command of the language enabled her to spin her tales on paper, and now she has found a buddy to give them visual dimension.
"Darn it, I miss her already" mentally cursing himself, he looked back at Tashi and demanded with a frown,
"How do you know it's Anjali? It could have been Nitin uncle, or Naaniji or ----"
"Don't be silly daddy. It's obvious. Listen carefully. It can't be grams, I haven't seen her pick a brush or pencil ever. It can't be Nitin uncle, because he has known about my book of stories but has never ever offered to illustrate. It's most certainly not you, I recognize your style. So, who's left now? Anjie aunty. She is an architect who draws.
Finally, look at this pretty wrapping paper. She loves pretty things like this. It's definitely Anjie aunty. I am so happy. May I call her and thank her properly? Please Papa" she asked hopefully.
Ajay's heart constricted and he nodded, ruffling her hair before she rushed out like a tempest.
Ajay picked up his brush once again, but his mind was busy sifting things. He stood motionless, staring at the painting in front of him. It was one of Anjali standing in the balcony drenched to the skin, yet burning in the flames of awakened passion and love. He had painted it entirely from memory. He just had to close his eyes to see her thus in every minute detail. Tashi's logical deduction got his thoughts flowing.
'My dear Watson, How often have I said to you that when you have eliminated the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth?' The words of Sherlock Holmes, rung loud and clear in his brain.
"So, let us try logic here----- I have to sort through the available pieces of information before deciding my next move. This is no different than piecing together existing facts and evidence and drawing conclusions, Elementary Yale - Law school 101.
What do I know of Anjali? That she has no dearth of wealth and security, has endured a lot of pain and suffering at a young age and a broken marriage. She is incredibly loved by her family who watch over her like hawks and she probably is suffering from some emotional hurt as yet unknown to me.
Is it true that she loved Nitin?
Let 's see--- I have known Nitin longer than I have known Anjali. He had been the one to support me the most during my grieving period after Mrinalini. If he had a love interest from college days, chances are Nitin would have confided in me long ago. It's highly unlikely that he would have kept it from me especially when she is here in Jaipur amidst us.
Add to this, the fact that Anjali is not immune to me. She has per her own admittance idolized me all her life. She is definitely affected by me and the brief intimacy we shared last night.
Put these pieces together and what do we have? It seems like she was running away to hide. No to protect something. What?
She is deliberately misleading me. Why?
Is it possible that she is running away from me, afraid of her own response, unsure of where this would lead us? I have to find out, I need to see her, and I need help."
He turned away from the painting and spotted Ramu kaka standing by the doorway watching him silently. Ajay could tell from the look on his face that Ramu kaka had noticed everything over the past few days and had arrived at an accurate conclusion on what was bothering him. But probably felt helpless bound by his own strict code of conduct when it came to expressing his opinion in the affairs of his master.
Walking towards him, with a smile Ajay asked "What is the matter kaka? You look worried."
"Ajay Baba, you have not had a bite to eat since morning ---- and, I--- Baba, everything will be alright. Maa Bhawani is watching over you? Everything will work out in your favor. Here, please drink this juice at least" he offered.
Accepting the glass from the man who had reared and loved him like an older brother, Ajay replied "Ramu kaka, thank you. I'll take care of everything", he smiled giving the petite man's shoulders, a reassuring squeeze.
************
"Di... Khushiji, Payal babhi, mein aagaya.
Maasiji, Nannav mere bhai, come come, don't be shy.
Akash whats up bro-----HP, OP, JP" and NK continued in this vein for the next fifteen minutes enquiring about the welfare of everyone in Shantivan, while a tongue-tied Nitin's glance followed him around.
"Hi I am Maya. Tho aap hain Nitin? Pleased to meet you." Nitin whipped his head around to return the smile and greeting from this exotic curly haired beauty.
"Nitin, welcome to our mad-house, yeh hain meri paagal family and this NK here is the worst of the lot. Boy! I missed him" said Arnav. He then turned and hugged Maya, whispering in her ear, "If I find out that you told him I said that, I'll quit being your friend".
Nitin smiled at this little interchange between pals while Maya giggled, her eyes dancing impishly.
"So, Anjali di, handsome hunk of a colleague!Yeah?" teased Maya nudging Anjali's shoulder.
Nitin looked up in astonishment that rapidly turned to puzzlement when instead of correcting the misconception, Anjali just smiled shyly and stayed silent.
"What's going on with Anjie. She has been acting mighty strange today. Thanks to her ruse yesterday, Radhika and I had a marvelous time and for the first time in over a year of knowing each other, have acknowledged our mutual love. But since this morning Anjali has been paying extra attention to me. The two do not add up. Something's definitely amiss."He pondered.
The afternoon at Shantivan simply flew by. NK and Maya regaled them all with their tales from their trip down under, while Khushi and Payal pampered them. Khushi's sharp eyes had noticed the lingering sadness in Anjali's eyes everytime someone mentioned Jaipur or Rathod. Her mind speculated the probabilities while she chose to remain silent for the time being. Instead she spoilt her more than usual.
As the day progressed, everyone settled down and things quietened a bit. Anjali withdrew into the comfort of her room and sat on her bed staring blankly into space. Here, in her sanctuary, the one image that kept filling her vision was that of Ajay, his pride and enthusiasm as he had shown her around the village, his passion as he had kissed her by the lake, his fury and confusion that morning when she had lied to him, and his shock at the breakfast table when he overheard her conversation with Nitin.
If she had wanted to disgust him and turn him away from her, she probably had hit her mark with the last act at the breakfast table. She thought sadly, unable to supress her inner voice that taunted her "Anjie, great! You got what you wanted and yet you are miserable. Nicely done."
Finally, giving in to her churning emotions, she buried her face in the pillow and wept her heart out. Never in a million years had she imagined that she would feel out of place in Shantivan. Malhar felt like home after a brief five day stay, and her heart longed to hear Tashi's laughter, Chachaji's baritone voice and gaze covertly at a certain ruggedly handsome man.
"Anjali di, phone, for you" came khushi's voice from the sitting area. "Ok, on my way Khushiji," Anjali replied dashing off her tears and dragged herself out to answer the call. To her delight she heard Tashi's voice piping out a loud and exuberant "Thank you Anjie aunty you are the best. Kitne acche sketches hain. I love you Anjie aunty" Anjali's face lit up and her heart filled up with love for the little girl. When she finally hung up after an hour long conversation and looked around, she found pin-drop silence in the room, and fifteen pairs of eyes including that of Lakshmiji and the Prakash brothers, trained on her.
************
Ajay deliberated various options of starting THE CONVERSATION with Viren chacha, while he mechanically perused the draft proposal on Radhika's lapop for his next Gallery exhibit. He barely paid attention to what she was saying as she peered over his shoulder and pointed out the specifics. As they neared the tail-end of the presentation, out of the blue, a chat window popped open to display a rather dashing picture of Nitin and an intimate message flashed onscreen - "Miss me yet darling? I sure as hell do."
He turned his astonished eyes to a visibly embarrassed Radhika, who was typing her response furiously, her face flushed and her teeth gnawing her lower lip.
Ajay rose, trying hard to conceal the joy and relief that he felt."Anjali, you better not be having any feelings for Nitin. I know for sure now where his heart lies, and judging by the color on Radhika's face that it has found its home."
So lost was he in his thoughts, that he inadvertently quoted Sherlock out loud "Come, Watson, come! The game is afoot. Not a word! Into your clothes and come!'
Virendra Rathod looked up from his book startled, "Did you say something Ajay?" he queried beginning to worry if everything was ok with his beloved nephew.
"Oh! It's nothing, don't mind me. Actually, Do you remember the mansion in South Delhi that my agent was bidding on, on my behalf? I just received a message that it's mine. So, I was thinking, it would be wonderful if we all could go to Delhi tomorrow to close the sale?" Ajay replied with a mysterious smile.
Viren chacha beamed back at his nephew "Of course. South Delhi? That's where Shantivan is located. Let me call Devyaniji and let her know that ----"
"No Chachaji. Why don't we surprise them?" Ajay looked straight into his uncle's eyes, revealing it all in his expression.
"Ajay, dare I hope---- Are you finally contemplating that, which my heart has been praying for most fervently?" queried Virenji his voice quivering with suppressed excitement.
Ajay closed the distance between them and wrapping his arms around his chachaji whispered, "Yes. Chachaji. I have decided to bring home your daughter-in-law. She does not know it yet. And I need your help." He stepped away and looking straight into his uncle's eyes continued, "But one condition, you have to help me on my terms. You will let me handle, no meddling beyond a certain limit. Agreed?"
Virenji let out a boisterous laugh and yelled"Agreed my boy! Whatever you say." while slapping his nephew resoundingly on his back. "Thank God, the boy had the good sense to recognize where his heart lay and the will to win the girl over. Devyaniji will be ecstatic when she hears this. I'll let her know tonight itself. Ajay's conditions be damned. After all I am his uncle and it's my prerogative." He resolved mentally.
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Edited by ForLoveofBarun - 11 years ago
Anupamaa
44