here's is the link to chapter 61
http://www.india-forums.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=3810128
Pratigya n Krishna kept their faces averted from each other , even as their minds filled with the images of eachother with the child, they way their eyes met on their own accord ... Krishna was well aware of the fact that he was alone with her in his rover for the first time ... he could feel his heart beating faster n faster the more he forced himself to ignore her n not to look at her ... he gritted his teeth to concentrate on the road... pratigya was feeling as if there was an acute shortage of air ... she kept her face turned outside , mashing up the salwaar as her heart beat furiously ... oh no! she was alone with him ! ... Atleast , he is busy with driving! ... she tried to concentrate on the evening ahead , tried to dread the party , but all she could think n see was the image of him with arjun... n his innocent , cute smile at the kid... no! don't think about it! How could u associate the word innocent with him!!! ... he is a devil!! Shouted her sane part at her ... but ...but..he looked so pure when he was with the child! Countered her insane part ... what the hell r u doing, pratigya? Why r u hell bend on defending him? Trying to find excuses to think about him? stay away from him! Don't think about him! Screamed her sane part ...
Krishna kept his eyes on the road , his knuckles getting paler as the taste of the kheer still lingered in his mouth...it was a welcome distraction but equally unwelcome too as now his thoughts filled with his mother...he relived the horrible day ... it was his 4th birthday n he was eager for cutting a cake for the first time ...n his mother was unusually happy, even more so...he had seen his father n kishan uncle preparing to leave somewhere n ma sahib had informed him that his mother told her that they r going to buy him his gift or probably the cake... He had started a tantrum to go along with them but his bauji had refused it plainly asking his mother to make him kheer ... n he had grudgingly agreed to it making it clear that nobody will be allowed to touch or eat his cake... He could sparingly remember chandu informing him that he found something hidden in bauji's room n they had gone to check it ... he remembered feeling excited to find out that probably the big box , wrapped up in colorful paper contained his gift n had managed to open it slightly on the side with the help of a knife... chandu was keeping watch... he clearly remembered feeling happy n excited as what he thought was the side of a beautiful cake came into view n had dipped his palm into the cream n licked a small dollop when chandu had alerted him that ma is calling them to eat kheer... he had looked at the cake in disappointment but excitement too as he clumsily arranged the cover back on it n ran behind chandu all the way down the stairs ...
Krishna closed his eyes breaking the rover sharply as the image still haunted him... his bauji stood at the entrance , covered in blood , holding kishan uncles body , his eyes vacant as he stared at his mother , who was standing near the couch , the bowls of kheer at her feet, her face horrified ... chandu stood next to him, as shocked as he had felt ... he remembered bauji placing the body over the couch , his eyes still horribly hollow as he relentlessly stared at sumitra ... he remembered how pratap uncle n ma sahib had taken him n chandu out of the hall n into the care of an elderly maid named sudha ... all he remembered feeling was a terrible silence n nothingness as he struggled to go to the hall , trying to get chandu to talk to him... he had heard something crash n had kicked at the maid to get out to the hall , but the loyal maid took his blows n refused to open the door ... He remembered staring at chandu n then straining to hear any sounds, the feeling of not knowing or understanding what was happening coupled with fear n panic at the blood stained bodies of his bauji n kishan uncle unnerving him... he couldn't quiet remember how long he stayed in the room until his bauji opened the door n came in...he remembered feeling relaxed as he watched his bauji coming towards him...he remembered him pulling him n chandu into his embrace n crying ...it had felt horrible... that was the first n last time he had ever seen his bauji crying ...n crying like a child... he remembered feeling panic at first n then revolt at the way his bauji seemed broken into pieces ... he couldn't understand why the most powerful man , his hero was suddenly all weak... crying pathetically ... he could vaguely recollect ma sahib pulling him n chandu from bauji's arms n telling them to go to their rooms ... He couldn't remember much except that he threw another tantrum when a maid came to bathe him instead of his mother ... he had a vague memory that he heard someone say that kishan uncle was dead , although he didn't know what that meant... ... he remembered wondering what's happening that he isn't even allowed out of his room or to meet chandu even as he waited in his room for his mother to come...he clearly remembered the maids telling him that his mother was busy attending to many guests n sure enough there were so many people in n around the house ... he struggled to remember what happened next but it was all blur ... he only remembered trying to see chandu n his mother n searching for them all over the house even as the maids n servants struggled to keep him inside his room , much to his irritation... krishna closed his eyes, leaning forward over the steering, resting his forehead over it ... next day he had learned that bauji had killed that man who killed kishan uncle ... he couldn't understand what that meant too...n he could remember trying to see his bauji or his mother or chandu but he was not allowed to go out of his room... he had learned from his bauji after he refused to eat food that chandu was in the grounds that day , putting kishan uncle's body on fire... n his mother! His mother has plotted some horrible game with their enemy to kill him n his father ! ... N kishan uncle died trying to save his bauji..!! not only that she also killed his grandmother!!!...n she was thrown down the cellar , for the time being... ! ...all of it sounded rubbish, alien to him!... until he grew up a bit more, not knowing why his mother was suddenly a mere maid, not understanding why he didn't see kishan uncle again, not understanding why he wasn't allowed to see his mother... but when he began to understand what's going on , what happened , he was not able to take the pain , the shock... the torment...the anger... the hatred...the bitterness...
Pratigya was tensed to find him pull the brakes of the vehicle in the middle of the road... she looked around dreading what's on his mind... she was even more shocked to find his face twisted in unmistakable pain ... his hands pale over the steering as he stared ahead, apparently seeing nothing... her shock turned to concern as she felt something inside her stir , not liking his pained face... she could feel the urge to comfort him...why? she didn't know... she wanted him to look like that innocent man she saw just moments ago... she could very tell that he is suffering... to her horror she saw him sag against the steering , gripping it so tight that she was sure it was going to break ... she could feel a heavy feeling residing over her heart as she leaned in on her own , her heart feeling an alien ache ... She wanted to comfort him, want him to know that she can't see him in ...pain?... before she knew it, her right palm rested tenderly , but caringly over his shoulder ... Krishna felt her arm over his shoulder , so caring... as if absorbing his pain... he lifted his head from the steering , looking at her... her eyes were so soft , so tender , so magical... He could feel the painful knot in his chest easing ... he could feel a weird feeling clawing at his throat , a mad urge to tell her...no share with her what he was feeling... how he was feeling... She would listen! She would listen to him n would allow him to relax ...! To get rid of that strangling pain in his heart... he clasped her hand over his shoulder , his jaw tight... tears threatening to spill from his eyes ... Pratigya looked at Krishna , only the thought of soothing him, soothing his pain, filling her... oh! He is in so much pain...I can't see it in his eyes...! I can't take it ...! He looked so serene with the child ... I want him to look happy... just like that!... she gasped softly as she felt him grip her palm ...she leaned to him more , shocked to see his eyes twitching as tears welled up inside them... no! he is going to cry! ...no! she won't let him!... her other hand cupped his cheek , turning his face towards her as she smiled at him, shaking her head a no, telling him through her eyes not to cry... That she is with him... she saw his eyes relax , as he gazed into her eyes ...
He seemed struggling to speak to her... She prompted him with her eyes, wanting to know what he wanted to tell her... to listen to him!... 'I like kheer...very much..' Krishna blustered out , a slight smile on his lips... She smiled at him , caressing his cheek ...'I like it too...' she whispered , leaning more closer to him... Krishna looked at her, his heart feeling warm n lighter ...n happy...she too likes kheer... like music... how very similar they r!...he caressed her palm softly over his shoulder...why was it that he was feeling like talking to her... To ease the knot in his heart... 'my..mother used to make kheer for me...us, me n chandu ...' he continued, gazing at her, his heart fluttering , feeling relaxed... pratigya nodded, feeling her heart getting heavy... he pines for his mother! ... Krishna felt strange... Why was he talking to her? About things he never ever talked with anybody... why? I don't know... but...but it feels good, talking to her about his pain... having her listen to him, comfort him ...! He took a deep breath ... 'do u know how it feels like to find out that ur mother wanted u dead? Ur mother didn't want u n ur father to be with her?' he asked her, his voice cracking in pain... pratigya stared at him... she knew that feeling ... only it was her father in the place of his mother!... she nodded, tears welling up in her eyes ... but krishna's eyes had changed ... as he heard his own words , her hurtful words at him last day noon came to his mind... that how his mother wanted him dead!... he blinked , pain n anger choking him... She ripped u apart by reminding him of his misfortune n he is talking about the same thing to her! He is talking to the very person who hurt him to ease his pain!!!... how pathetic can u get Krishna!!!? ...
Pratigya gazed at him in confusion... why is he suddenly angry? Hateful?... was he thinking that she won't understand his pain n was lying to him ?... Krishna slapped her hand away from his shoulder in anger n stared ahead , his hands back to mashing the steering ...pratigya looked in concern n confusion at him...'what happ...?' She began but he turned to look at her, his eyes burning coals ...'don't! ... u tell me my mother did right in wanting me dead n now u r telling me u understand what I feel about it?' he snarled at her... Pratigya shivered , shrinking away from him as her heart wrenched in guilt n pain... She had hurt him badly... what pratigya?...'u' hurt 'him?'... what about the amount of hurt n humiliation he has been n is giving u all this time?... her eyes flickered to meet his , defensive , angry ... 'ofcourse, I forgot... u r a woman! ... u could cry even as u laugh in ur mind! U could love even as u hate the very person...u swear loyalty even as u betray... u could smile even as u wish death for the person in front of u!... u r vile , greedy... Horrible creatures ! '...hissed Krishna , his eyes boring into hers... pratigya stared at him in anger n shock ! ... Shock at how deep his pain ran...n anger at the way he seemed to generalize women! What? Rn't u doing it too... she hear her insane part smile at her... she felt a jolt !!!... how similar he sounded to her as she too blamed the whole men for the way her father was !...what the hell r u thinking pratigya? Why r u hell bend on empathizing with this devil?... Krishna was getting even more angry , now at himself... oh! What had he done! Making a complete ass of himself in front of her again n again! This time showing his pain, his vulnerability , his weakness in front of her! In hope of her touch! Her comforting smile! Her... no!... he started the engine , his eyes piercing hers ...'one misstep during the party, maid, n I will forget that I wanted to have fun with u n will just finish u off...' he snarled at her ... Pratigya looked away , staring through the window , fighting the angry n pained tears ... they drove through absolute silence , each fighting the urge to look around at each other...
They reached their apartment , n went into their rooms , without even a glance at each other...pratigya placed his card on the tea table at the hall so that he sees it n closed her door ...pratigya slumped to her bed, throwing the shopping bags down ... Oh! 2 days was feeling like an eternity .! she only wished it to be over , that party or whatever that night! ...he jolted up, sitting up frantically over the bed ...she just had an evening to get him interested in her ! she wanted to scream in agony even as confusion filled her... Didn't he marry her to acquire her body? Wasn't he lusting after her from the word go? Then why is he stopping from fulfilling his lust? Just bec she refused to dance like a wh**e in front of the world , he threw her away as a maid ? but even then his lust had remained intact...! She had seen various glimpses of it !... what does he want from her exactly? Why is he playing all this torturous game with her? ... no! what r u doing pratigya? R u trying to decipher how a devil's mind works? ... just save ur mother! That's ur only focus !... she stood up , looking at her reflection in the mirror n her eyes fell over his shirt ... delicious shivers ran up her body even as she fought to stay steady , wrenching her eyes from it... she looked at the clock ...its almost time... she might as well get ready ... she won't spoil the last chance she has got to save her mother... She is going to do anything, everything that would please him...! She felt disgusted at herself as she washed herself thoroughly n changed into fresh garments ... she put on the gown , not even looking at her reflection , but couldn't help but shiver in shock as she tried to pull up the material more over her chest...it seemed to be showing the start of her cleavage , no matter how much she tried to pull it up n adjust the zip n buttons... exasperated n feeling dreadful , she looked up at her image n her mouth opened ... she was seeing herself in a diff kind of dress other than salwaar for the first time ...n she looked ...gorgeous ... her eyes travelled up n down her body , wide in wonder n a strange tension... Would he like it? What ? what r u thinking ? no! ... She looked down at her chest n bare shoulders ... Oh no! she must cover her shoulders some how!... she looked around frantically n then she caught her untied hair in the mirror ... fool! U didn't even buy a comb! ... just then she heard the bell ring...
Krishna tightened his bow tie , staring at his image in the mirror ... his mind was in a swirl... her with the child! Her smiling, laughing face...! How he had stupidly asked her about kheer! How he had tried to talk to her about his...mother! ...about his pain!...no!... he ran a frustrated hand through his hair n looked around as he heard the bell ring ... He walked to the hall, his eyes automatically straying towards her room ... he gritted his teeth n opened the door ... Vikram stood there with a middle aged woman ...'Sir, she says Mrs remya send her to attend to ur... I mean Pratigya ji...' vikram said ... Krishna looked at him in confusion ... she had shopped already...now what! ... the woman smiled warmly at krishna ...'if u could please call ur wife , sir '... she said politely ... krishna's mind worked fast... whatever purpose this woman came here for , if he refuses , that girl remya would know it... Its just this night ! after that he will be going home! ... n its not his concern what those women talk n do !... 'alright, she is in that room...' he almost snapped at the woman before turning to vikram...' show me the guest list...' He said to vikram n he nodded ... the woman looked curiously at krishna as she he n vikram walked to his room n shut the door ... The woman walked to pratigya's room n tapped the door ...'madam, remyaji send me here...' ... pratigya , who was tensed to the core about her appearance opened the door, relief spreading over her ... the woman smiled at her ... 'Hi I am rajani... Remya ji send me here saying that u might need some help?' ... 'ofcourse , so nice of u to come here didi' pratigya smiled at her , ushering her in ...
By the time they had finished , pratigya looked drop dead gorgeous ... she stared at her image , her hair pulled up in a artistic bun style, light make up n light pink shade lipstick ... her eyes looked smoky , her lashes dark ... but...but her shoulder n collar was still exposed ... she felt a tremor run up her body as she imagined his eyes on her...no! ... 'er, can't we do...anything to cover this...all...up?' she stammered at rajani , who giggled at her ... 'oh dear, some dresses r to be worn the way they r meant to be worn...! U look out of this world , n if I am a man , I would say , ravishing ...which is exactly what ur husband is going to say n feel once he rests his eyes on u!... I think u will be late for the party n I will have to help u look like this all over again! If u r foolish enough to go infront of ur husband now... or to be plain, he would just jump on u...!' pratigya blushed scarlet , images of last night filling her mind even as the thought of him seeing her in the gown send shivers of panic n excitement all over her body ... the blush receded down her neck to her chest n rajani cleared her throat ...' er, I think may be u r right... we need to cover that up...' she giggled , indicating the still red hickey over her neck ... ' remya ji is very thoughtful , u know pratigya ji...' She smiled rummaging inside her bag n taking out two jewel boxes ... they contained a diamond bracelet n a necklace n earrings...pratigya looked up at rajani, her eyes moist ... 'she told me to tell u that it's nothing by ur standards but she will be happy if u wear it...she had noticed that u didn't buy any jewelry , so, she gave this to me...just in case ...' Rajani said awkwardly ... 'oh! She is so sweet , n r so nice...thank u so much' ... gushed pratigya , her voice heavy ...'right then , lets get moving... ...if u don't mind, I am really surprised at how innocent u r...thought u must be a spoiled brat , just like most powerful politicians' children r these days! ... don't u dare spoil my hard work n start crying ... remyaji will be here in 5 mins n if I didn't get u ready by then, she will have my salary reduced...' rajani laughed , patting prtigya to sit down ... pratigya smiled back , wondering how lucky she was to get a good friend amidst all the sufferings ...
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Sakthi paced up n down his room, barking into the phone ...'alright , r u sure u have made all arrangements for the circuit failure to look like an accident? ' ...'yes sir' said victor , one of his main men , standing now infront of the party hall... 'ok listen, I want u to get pratigya out of the hall , somehow , before going along with the plan ... I want him dead! N I want her here infront of me by tmw morning!...' sakthi hissed into the phone ...'alright sir' smiled victor, crookedly into the phone...
hope u liked it 😃 part 2 coming soon ...