KHURANA MANSION
[Maan's POV]
We had rushed to Pari to console her but were shocked hearing her outburst on Dev! She was talking to Dev...
It really seemed foolish that Dev had received her call, specially at this juncture when they had planned and successfully implemented their plan too. Knowing we could easily trace their whereabouts through this call.
It all seemed weird!
Before I could react the call went dead and broken Pari turned around facing us. Her expressions turning from shock to guilt and then determined! She forwarded her cell to me and spoke.
"Veerji maine Bro se baat ki hain aur call bhi record kiya hain, aap iss call ko trace kar sakte hain shayad hume koi clue mil jaaye. Main khud chahti hoon ke iss baar Mom aur Bri ko unke saare gunaahon (crime) ki sazaa mile!"
I was awed by her gesture! This was not the emotional and naive Pari but today confidence and determination oozed out of her!
May be the harsh blow of reality had made her realize that not everybody is trust worthy. She was trying hard to mask her anguish, her pain and the betrayal of her so called family. She moved forward handing over her phone to me but I held her hand firmly in assurance and she just hugged me instantly and crying her heart out!
This was the second time in a day that I felt agonized, helpless and defeated! Not worthy to keep my loved ones safe from the lurking storm, the pain and the deceit!
I had failed but will not let this out do my focus and spirit I had to rescue and safeguard my family and also to punish all those who were responsible for all our pains!
Comforting and calming Pari I gestured Vicky to take care of her as I moved out with one vital proof against the Khanna's!
"Sir he is near #### Forest Area." An officer immediately divulged the location of Dev.
"Chalo chalte hain, unka woh haal karenge ke zindagi mein kabhi dobara aisa kuch karne ka toh door sochne se bhi darrenge!" Teji snarled.
"Maan hume wahan jald se jald pohuchna chahiye." Yash too affirmed.
"Ruko Yash. Its not that easy as it seems, this forest is spread over thousands of acres between the two states. Its so dense that there are parts in the forest where even sun's rays are unable to reach making it difficult to differentiate between day or night!" Commissioner Uncle revealed.
"Aur iss baat ki kya guarantee hain ke Geet bhi wahin hain. Ho sakta hain hume misguide aur distract karne ka yeh unka plan ho! We need to be 100% sure before we act." Arjun added.
"Dev ki baat sunke aisa lag raha tha ke woh iss kidnapping ke baare mein kuch jaanta nahi, agar yeh sach hua toh..." Dad spoke out.
"Dad please aap ko abhi bhi lagta hain ke Dev innocent hain! Kyun nahi samajhte aap...Yeh sab uska naatak (drama) hain." Vicky yelled descending down the stairs.
"Vicky...behave yourself and understand! We can't trust anybody nor can accuse anybody right now. Hamaari ek galti hume bahot bhaari pad sakti hain. So keep calm!" Dadaji stated clear and curtly.
"Jungle mein jaane ka ek hi raasta hain, hume special task force ki help leni hi hogi." Commissioner Uncle divulged.
"Nahi...aisa karne se woh log alert ho jaayenge aur main yeh chance nahi le sakta." I finally spoke.
"Singhania...Maan sahi hain. Abhi jo bhi karna hain woh hume hi karna hain, bina force ko include kiye." Dadaji too supported me. Before we could plan out our actions a guard entered and informed us that some Lucky Singh wanted to meet me.
"Lucky Singh?" I didn't know any Lucky but Vicky promptly ordered the guard to let him in. I looked in his direction curiously waiting for his reply.
"Bro woh Lucky...Mohinder Uncle ke neighbour ka beta hain aur Rajji ke saath college mein padhta hain." Vicky disclosed while Lucky entered the mansion. He seemed genuine and after greeting all he nervously spoke.
"Woh...main...veerji..." He fumbled.
"Lucky kya kehna chahta hain...seedhe seedhe bol." Teji thundered. Our tension was clearly evident now as everybody was loosing their own calm and control. Papaji signaled Teji to relax.
"Lucky tum kya kehna chahte ho...shant ho ke bina dare bolo.' Vicky prompted him calmly.
"Veerji woh main shaher se bahar gaya tha aur laut te waqt maine Dev aur uski Mummyji ko raaste mein dekha tha. #### Road par ek dhaba tha, wahan woh dono chup chupate khana kha rahe the. Mujhe unn par shaq hua. Aur Delhi aake Geet didi ke baare mein pata chala toh, mujhe laga aap ko yeh baat bata doon shayad main bhi kuch madad kar pau." He revealed Dev's whereabouts, which was quite near to his recent location we had traced.
"Tum Dev ko kaise jaante ho aur tumhe Geet ke baare mein kaise pata chala." I probed further as how did this man know so much about us. Lucky seemed nervous and uncomfortable so...
"Bro woh Rajji ki kidnapping ke waqt Lucky ne hi usse Dev ke goondon se bachaya tha..." Vicky answered on his behalf.
"Maan veerji woh Geet Didi ke baare mein...Rajji ne mujhe thodi der pehle bataya issliye main...Please main bhi aap logo ka saath dena chahta hoon." He confessed earnestly.
"Thank you Lucky!" I acknowledged his help as now we were sure of Dev's location and tracking him down would be difficult but not impossible!
We just had to plan it out right. I knew what I had to do now!
"Maan tum kya soch rahe ho?" Papaji (Mohinder) inquired like reading my mind.
"Aadi - Arjun tum log ransom ki amount aur legal documents taiyaar karo, Teji - Yash tum dono $$$$$ area ke paas search karo, Vicky - Lucky tum dono ***** ke direction mein jao. Hum apni taraf se koshish karenge jab tak kidnapper ka call nahi aa jaata." I disclosed my plan.
I walked in our room to pick some photos of Geet to hand them over to all as it would help us in searching her. Our room seemed so lifeless, soulless without her. Flashes of her images, her constant blabbering, her presence emerging out from every nook and corner of our room was choking me.
It was the first time I had walked in our room since my return but didn't have the courage to spend a moment more here as this room, our memories, my outburst and her pleadings were echoing and haunting me! Picking up a couple of photos I dashed out of the room and the mansion in search of my Geet!
THE DEN
[Aparna's POV]
It was all my fault to have agreed to Geet's demand to accompany me to the temple. Had I not complied Geet would have been home...safe! Adding on to my foolishness I also ordered the guards to not accompany us inside the temple premises.
The moment we completed our pooja and descended the stairs, a group of some sadhus (sages) or should say goons in disguise of sadhus surrounded us when abruptly a car stopped near us and we were pulled in instantly! Everything transpired in just a matter of few seconds that nor I or Geet could comprehend or react to the happenings.
While we were forcibly being dragged towards this place through the dense woods, we got an opportunity and I signaled Geet to escape in an attempt to find some help but the goons were too quick. One of the goons also captured the whole chase on his phone.
And now here we are!
[This is the continuation of the last part of the previous update]
Geet has been constantly pleading, requesting and even threatening these goons to set us free but to no success and finally the patience of their head gave up and he left ordering his aid to tie up Geet. With their head not around and the lusty gaze and gestures of the goons towards Geet quite evident were scaring me! I tried to calm Geet but her fear, her anxiety and also her pregnancy hormones were taking a toll on her emotionally.
"Hume jaane do...kyun laaye ho hume yahaan...chodo hume...meri Maa ki tabiyat bhi theek nahi hain...please hume jaane do"
"Ae chup kar agar zyaada awaaz kiya toh phir se mooh bandh kar doonga, jab se aayi hain mach mach kar ke dimaag kharaab kar rahi hain."
"Geet beta jaane do, inn logo se kya umeed karna"
"Dekho tum log accha nahi kar rahe ho, Maan tumhe kabhi nahi chodega...bahot bhaari padega tum logon ko"
"Hume dhamki de rahi hain, ae jaake usse pakad aur haath-pair aur mooh baandh de tabhi pata chalega raizaadi (rich) ko."
"Dekho mere kareeb aane ki koshish mat kar na, door raho mujhse..."
That goon trying to take advantage of the given opportunity marched towards Geet. I tried to intervene but he pushed me away, Geet started moving backwards to save herself from his advances but Geet's foot got stuck in the open door and she lost her balance!
"Door hi toh hain baby, warna tum jaisi cheez saamne ho toh koi chodna kaun chahega. Aur dekho ab tum hi hume majboor kar rahi ho paas aane ke liye."
"Mere paas mat aana...tum...Aaah!"
"GEET..."
I screamed out, witnessing Geet who was just about to fall on her stomach.
I just prayed to God to keep my daughter and her baby safe...to send some savior!
Like hearing my plea...Dev emerged out of nowhere and caught hold of Geet and steadied her enabling me to breathe a sigh of relief!
I just rushed to Geet and hugged her tight making sure that she was alright but she was still in a state of shock. Dev's concerned voice drew our attention.
"Geet tum theek ho?" He inquired earnestly.
Geet broke our hug and nodded a yes still in a trance, not coming up in terms with the happenings and Dev's sudden entry. Relieved with Geet's reply an angry Dev turned towards the goon glaring fiercely at him while marching towards him. Dev caught hold of his jackets collar to confront him but the goon inturn pushed Dev making him bang in the nearby wall and ran out.
Out of maternal instinct I rushed to Dev inquiring.
"Chot (hurt) toh nahi lagi na Dev?" He nodded in a no but I saw blood gushing out from his forehead. I tried to help him but he masked his vulnerability and stepped back and then rushed out behind the goon leaving us confused.
OUTSIDE THE DEN
George (Head of the goons) - "Boss sab kuch waise hi hua hain jaisa aap chahte the."
Vikram - "Very good George! Ab koi gadbad nahi honi chahiye."
George - "Don't worry boss hum bas uss Dev ka wait kar rahe hain, woh aa jaaye bas phir..."
Goon - "Woh aa gaya...Dev Khanna aa gaya hain lekin ek problem ho gayi...main woh ...woh main uss ladki ke haath-pair baandh ne ki koshish kar raha tha aur woh Dev...toh main usse dhakka maar ke aa gaya"
George -"Kya! Bewakoof tum..."
Vikram - "George meri baat dhyaan se suno, abhi andar (inside) jaake Dev se maafi maang lo. Dev ko bilkul bhi shaq nahi hona chahiye, usse aisa hi lagna chahiye ke tum sab uske ghulam ho aur wohi karoge jo woh kahega. Tumhare bewakoof aadmi ne already baat bigaad (spoil) di hain ab tumhe hi sab sambhalna hoga. Dev ko meri involvement ka pata abhi nahi chalna chahiye."
George - "Don't worry boss main sab sambhaal loonga."
Vikram - "George saalon intezaar kiya hain maine iss ek mauke ka agar kuch bhi mere plan ke khilaaf gaya toh..."
George - "Sir aap fikar mat kariye main Dev Khanna ko acchi tarah se phasa (trap) loonga, usse pata bhi nahi chalega ke woh sirf ek mohra (pawn) hain aap ke iss master plan ka. Ek aisa bali ka bakra jisse halaal karne ke liye izzat se taiyaar kiya jaa raha hain! Main Dev se maafi maang ke, apne logon ko lekar yahan se nikal jaaunga aur hamaare doosre hideout pe aap ke call ka wait karunga. Trust me sir!"
Vikram - "I trust you George issiliye itni badi zimmedaari di hain tumhe, tum apna kaam karke jaldi se nikal jao phir maa-bete phasenge bhi aur Maan Singh Khurana ke haathon marenge bhi aur sab kuch sirf hamaara hoga...Ha ha ha!"
[Dev's POV]
I just couldn't digest the fact that Mom had planned this kidnapping knowing Geet was pregnant still she...but I agreed only on her promise that she will not cause any harm to Geet or her baby and will release her at once after our demands were met.
Mom was alone and was fighting for our rights and above all she wanted Dad's hard earned money and properties out of the evils clutches of the Khurana's. Once the property would be back to us they would abandon Pari too and then Pari would be free from them forever...
But when I reached this place the sight that braced me was shocking! That man's audacity he was trying to manhandle Geet and she was on verge of falling had I not barged in at the right moment. No matter how much I hate Khurana's and Maan but can never dream of taking revenge from an innocent soul which hasn't even come in this world.
I had to keep Geet and her baby safe at any cost!
I would have broken his bones to have stooped so low but that coward pushed me and ran away. Mrs Khurana as always tried to act concerned towards my wounds. I always wonder is her concern for me real or just a farce to cover up all her family's wrong doings specially her husband's!
Not falling in her emotional trap I race out to catch hold of that coward and when I come out I see him with another man who is on a call with someone. I walk towards them and see the other guy has hung up and he smiles towards me making me curious about their behavior.
"Hello boss!" He greets me and continues...
"Ayesha madam ne bataya tha ke aap ke aate hi hum yahan se chale jaaye. Sorry iss paagal ne andar jo bhi kiya uske liye, abhi naya (new entrant) hain na toh galti karte rehta hain lekin aap fikar mat kijiye ab koi galti nahi hogi. Hum log ab jungle ke bahar jaanewale raste pe nazar rakhenge agar koi khatra hua toh aap ko warn kar denge." He disclosed and then urged me to walk in towards a room he continued.
"Boss yeh store room hain yahan saari zaroori aur khane peene ki cheeze (things) stock kar diya hain aur baaki koi bhi zaroorat ho toh hume call kar dijiye. Ab hum chale madam ne kaha tha zyaada der yahan mat rukna." He concluded. The whole group left.
So much had happened in such a short period of time that I couldn't just comprehend it. My reactions weren't in my control I just stood their trying to adapt this sudden turn out of events!
I was lost in my thoughts but still had a feeling of someones eyes boring into me I turned around to witness Mrs Khurana and Geet gawking at me one shocked and another accusing respectively!
[Aparna's POV]
I stood shell shocked unable to believe that Dev was involved in our kidnapping!
Aman's upbringing couldn't go this wrong. I know Ayesha had misguided him, filling up his mind with all her venom against us but Dev committing such a crime?
Geet advanced accusing Dev, " Toh yeh sab tumne kiya hain!"
Dev stumbled a bit with the intensity of Geet's voice which held a distinct command and sheer hatred. It was not just Geet but Mrs Geet Maan Singh Khurana talking!
"Tum jaante ho Dev, jab bhi main sochti hoon ke tum ab isse zyaada nahi gir sakte tum kuch aisa kar dete ho ke... itne din jab main Khanna House mein thi, tumne kabhi apni limits cross nahi ki lekin uss din sharab peekar tumne mere saath...phir bhi kahin na kahin mujhe laga ke tumne jo bhi kiya woh hosho-hawaaz khokar (unconsciousness) kiya. Ehsaanmand (thankful) thi tumhaari ke tumhaari wajah se main apne Maan se mil paayi."
"Hotel mein bhi tumne apne Bhai hone ka farz nibhaate hue Pari ko bachaya (rescued). Aur bechaari Pari tumhaare liye ghar mein sabse request kar rahi thi ke tumhe ek mauka (chance) diya jaaye usse vishwaas tha ke tum sudhar jaaoge aur sahi raaste pe chalne lagoge lekin afsos tum kal bhi galat the aur aaj bhi galat ho...Vishwaas-ghaat (betrayal) karna tumhaari fitrat (trait) hain!" Geet proclaimed.
"Maan ki zubaan bolne lagi ho tum Geet lekin tumhaari inn baaton ka mujh par koi asar nahi hoga. Khurana's ke ehsaan ki koi zaroorat nahi hain mujhe samjhi. Jo mera hain usse main lekar rahunga har haal mein har keemat par! Iss waqt toh Khurana's ko mere ehsaan ki zaroorat hain aur yeh mat bhulo ke tum bhi mere rehmo-karam (at my mercy) pe ho, mere ek ishaare pe tum dono ko..." He left his sentence incomplete like warning us.
"Toh phir kyun bachaya tumne Geet ko?" I questioned him scrutinizing him closely. He for a second was appalled at my sudden intrusion not expecting this question. His flabbergasted expression gave me courage to probe further.
"Bolo Dev main intezaar kar rahi hoon...kyun tumne Geet ko gir ne se bachaaya...kyun tum apne hi aadmi par gussa hue...kyun tum humse nazaren nahi milaate? Jawaab do Dev?"
Getting a grip over himself he replied trying hard to sound confident and vicious but...
"Hold on Mrs Khurana! Kisi galatfehmi (mistaken) mein mat rahiye aap. Maan Singh Khurana ki jaan basti hain Geet mein aur maine Maan ki kamzori (weakness) pe vaar (attacked) kiya hain. Toh jab tak mera maqsad (motive) poora nahi hota aur mujhe apna haq nahi milta tab tak aap dono ki acche khaatirdaari (hospitality) karna mera farz hain, hain na. Aakhir Khurana's ke saath mera bahot purana rishta jo hain!" He concluded sarcastically stressing hard on purana rishta!
Though hatred was evident in his tone but still I could feel there was some pretense!
Determined to not let this chance slip off my hands, I halted Geet who was about to burst out on him. Before he could mask away his vulnerability I resolutely continued to confront him.
"Dev kyun tumhari ankhen tumhari zubaan ka saath nahi de rahi hain...tum nazaren kyun chura rahe ho Dev...agar waakey tumhara maksad hume takleef pohuchana hain toh meri ankhon mein ankhen daal kar bolo Dev". I challenged him.
"Mrs Khurana aap ki yeh emotional baatein mujhe apne maqsad se nahi bhatka (misguide) sakti samjhi aap. Rishta jod kar dhoka dena aap logon ki fitrat (trait) hain. Mere Mom ki beizzati aur mere Dad ke dhoke ka badla main lekar rahunga. Sab kuch cheen loonga main aap logon se bilkul waise hi jaise ek din aap ne humse cheena tha. Khurana's ki barbaadi hi mera maqsad hain. Ranjit Singh, Rajiv Singh aur Maan Singh Khurana ki barbaadi hi meri zindagi ka lakshya (goal) hain!" He proclaimed turning his back towards us.
"Aap rishton ki aad (shield) mein sab kuch bhool sakti hain. Yeh jhootha pyaar mujhse jaata kar apni mahaanta (greatness) dikhana chahti hain aap, ke dekho maine apne pati ke najaayaz..." I didn't let him complete his disgusting statement, not having any control on myself I jerked him around and slapped him hard across his face.
Grabbing his collar I lashed out on him.
"Dev khabardaar jo tumne ek aur shabd bola toh..." I warned him and continued intently.
"Main Aparna Singh Khurana, yeh meri pehchaan! Rajiv ne kabhi bhi hamaari shaadi ki maryaada nahi todi, yeh mera vishwaas! Aur tumhaari raago (veins) mein Rajiv ka khoon nahi hain yeh tumhaari zindagi sabse badi sacchaai (truth)!" I declared.
"Jhooth bol rahi aap..." He tried to argue but...
"Sach hain yeh aur meri baat par vishwaas na sahi lekin apni Mom ki baat par toh hoga na?" I defied.
"Matlab...chahti kya hain aap?" He questioned baffled by my confidence.
"Ek mauka!" I stated.
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