hi ,
Pratigya came out of the bathroom after a quick shower to see her mother arrange her dresses in the cupboard …………….. she was wearing a simple plain blue chudidaar n looked nothing less than gorgeous , as her natural beauty shone through ………….Renuka looked at her daughter and for some sec her face reflected happiness n pride , her eyes taking in her daughter …………. Pratigya smiled up at her n came n sat down on the bed , lazily towelling her thick , jet black ,long hair…….Renuka came forward n took the towel from her , drying her hair n neck affectionately …………'U have grown up a lot in these 3 years , Pratigya…… may GOD save u from all evils n evil eyes…..' Pratigya looked at her , dislike in her voice as she said 'what evil may befall me more than living in the very house of evil ?'
'shhh...' Renuka tried to make her speak quietly ... Pratigya took her mother's hands in hers 'Enough of this fear n struggle n slave life, ma...I am going to take u with me to Bombay...asap...as soon as i get that house in Mumbai for a reasonable rent... my friends r trying... we could live there while i could practice...' Renuka looked at her with tears in her eyes... she hugged her tightly , sobbing 'I can't...' Pratigya , angry , released her , shaking her by her shoulders , as she asked 'Why can't u? Why do u insist on living a miserable life here?'
'Because she knows what's good for u n her ...' Said shailendra stepping into the room... Pratigya's face filled with revulsion n hatred as she stood up 'oh , yes, she knows... she knows that if she don't continue to live with a monster like u , if ever she thought of divorcing u, u will kill me ...! u very well know that I don't care...! u can't let her go for fear of society as to what will happen to ur 'public image' ... 'pratigya scoffed ... ' I don't care...i don't care if u will kill me...what else could u do? U r such a coward... but i will make sure that my mother escapes this hell , even at the cost of my life...' Renuka tried to pull her away , make her silent as Shailendra's face contorted in rage... he came forward n tried to pull Renuka away by hair , but Pratigya came n stood in between , pushing her mother to her back... her eyes were red in anger as she looked at Shailendra...
Shailendra looked back at her , trying to grit down his anger as he said dangerously 'U r right n wrong , pratigya... I wouldn't have killed u off that easily ... u see u r precious to me in many ways ...' he leered ...'n ur mother too , for instance, i could just get my people to dispose off her any moment ,without arousing any suspicion, but then i can't control u or bait u with her to do as i wish ... ' Pratigya , squeezed her mother's hand to prevent her from panicking n crying as she stared at Shailendra ...'Do as I tell n ur mother will live... ' he looked at his watch ...'its going to be noon now ... i want u to be ready by evening 5 pm ... drape urself in the most ravishing dress u have ' Sjhailendra said , his eyes roaming over his daughter while pratigya , her face contorted in disgust , looked away , turning n walking to her bed , with her trembling n sobbing mother ... 'we have a party at Royal Restuarant at 6 pm ...' Shailendra boomed ... he turned to exit from the room , n stopped at the door ...'n behave adequately dear ...any misstep there n ur mother will be dead...' he said n he went out of the room...
Pratigya opened her eyes , angry tears brimming , as she made her mother sit down on the bed...'don't worry mother...this party ...whatever it is... we will see... just 2-3 days n i will take u to Bombay...away from his hell' ... renuka hugged her , sobbing ...Pratigya patted her , her eyes filling with a new resolve... her phone rang... she reached for it ...it was her friend shalini ...gr8 , pratigya thought happily , relieved ...she must have finalized the deal for that house she wanted for rent in Mumbai...
'hi shalini, done the deal?' Pratigya asked , a little bit of enthusiasm in her voice, dabbing her tears...'hmmm sorry prats, I couldn't ' Pratigya, desperation n sadness filling her voice asked 'couldn't? ...but we need to only pay the money? All the other formalities were ok no?' ...Shalini sighed' so u didn't watch the news today? Its all over the national channels ... some gold magnet Basant was found dead in the sewage canal outside that house...the police reckons the body came washed over from the main canal , but they need to investigate...u know, the proceedings... anyways we will try for a new house or flat , but it will take time...or else u could stay at my home for the time being... ' 'Thanks Shalini, but no , not at ur home...i don't want u to get into un-necessary trouble...call me if u get a new house' Pratigya sighed... she cut the phone, hugging her mother more tighter ... whoever killed that basant , if he crosses her path again , she will kill him...Pratigya thought , anger n helplessness filling her heart...
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'Bauji?' Chandu called, knocking on a big , wooden door ...'yes, Chandu...' came a sharp , deep male voice from the other side of the door... Chandu opened the door, entering into a big room ,his eyes falling on the woman who sat on an armchair near a table... She was clad in an expensive sari n even more expensive jewellery , mostly pearl... her hands twirled her long pearl chain around her neck , as she lifted her face, cunning n emotionless , saying 'What is it, chandu? U look tensed?' Chandu looked away from her , to the man sitting behind the table ... He was elegant man , with sharp penetrating eyes, bushy moustache n beard n hair, resembling a lion's mane... 58 years old, he radiated a commanding authority even when he just sat casually ...'
what happened Chandu?' he asked ...'Is that son of a bitch shailendra trying to cheat us again?' 'No bauji, he is settled...he will give us our money back or else u will have to visit him one last time ... he has got the message 'Chandu said , walking towards the table, near to the man ...'Sajjan, don't think of that worm... ' said the woman , her eyes on chandu...'its another matter, isn't it chandu? The new hopeful dealers for the gold will come tomorrow...where is the sample? Its supposed to reach us by now...' Chandu looked at her , his face arranging smoothly in respect n reverence as he said 'yes, Ma Sahib...an unexpected problem occurred... Lalu turned out to be a traitor...bansi is murdered n our sample gold is most probably now in the hands of Durjjan' Sajjan sat up straight ...'so?' he asked, raising an eyebrow at Chandu...'Nothing ...just thought u should know' Chandu said, standing straight ...'the fact that sakthi was able to steal the sample from under our nose , with the help of our own man is a cause of worry , though...we need to be careful of whom we r investing our faith in...' he said his eyes roaming to Gayatri Devi for a moment ...'Hmmm,' Sajjan sighed , his eyes looking fondly at chandu , as Gayatri Devi looked at Chandu in dislike ...This dog is being given more freedom in the house n business than she ever thought was possible...n he almost sounded like his father kishan, always talking in that matter – of –fact, free , careless tone to Sajjan. ...
'You know u sound very much like ur father, Chandu' Sajjan said affectionately ...Chandu smiled 'we will be able to seal the deal for the whole gold , tomorrow...bauji...' Chandu turned to leave...'Did u have lunch...?its almost noon...' Sajjan asked, getting up 'No, bauji...I ...' 'Come , it's been days since we ate together... wish Krishna was here too...its been 2 months that he is away from home...'Sajjan said longingly, as he looked at chandu, his hands on his shoulder, as they walked out of the room , Gayatri Devi following them ...'will he be back here by tomorrow?' Sajjan asked ... 'oh, I forgot bauji...he is on his way...u know, ...don't want him to miss his chance to play with that rat Sakthi' said Chandu ,smiling ... Sajjan snickered ...Gayatri Devi , looked in mounting dislike at Chandu , as they climbed down the stairs...
Meera was not down the hall, thank god, thought Chandu... Chandu looked longingly at the far west end of the corridor leading to the kitchen, his eyes searching for someone, when they reached the elegant dining hall... Sajjan , noticing this, his face changing to reflect deep sorrow n pain, the pain of a wound too deep, kept his eyes straight , although they occasionally darted to the corridor , as if he too was expecting to see someone... Gayatri Devi, cleared her throat as she called out to one servant 'Bring the lunch' ... "I don't know what u get by trying to catch a glimpse of ur father's murderer n talking to her n calling her 'ma' ' said Gayatri Devi, her eyes on chandu, as she sat down at one end of the long dining table...Chandu looked at her , trying not show the hatred he felt for her...'Didi!' said Sajjan, his tone dangerous n painful at the same time...'Leave that matter...let's eat in peace...'
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Finishing the lunch, Chandu started to walk towards the corridor leading to kitchen n Gayatri Devi rolled her eyes to Sajjan ...'Chandu ...' Sajjan called his voice cracking ...'I want to see ma... her special kheer for me is absent' he said indicating the table...'.i hope she is well' Chandu said curtly , his eyes on sajjan n walked into the corridor... Sajjan , his eyes , a sudden concern lingering in them, on the kitchen corridor , just nodded absently...Gayatri Devi looked on, her face inscrutable...
Lalu , trembling from head to foot n covered in injuries , blood oozing from his body at parts, his heart thundering due to fear, came staggering to the huge gates n collapsed in front of it...he will be able to fool that emotional fool chandu easily...if chandu is convinced then he will be safe from chote Thakur who is still at Mumbai... lalu thought frantically... the main guard came running n took him in, instructing one of the other guards to call Chandu...
Chandu , caressing an old door at the back of the corridor , knocked softly as he called 'ma'... 'Chandu ' called an affectionate but old n tired voice from the other side of the door... Chandu opened the door n he saw an old , fragile woman , her once beautiful face still retaining some of her beauty , under the sunken eyes , trying to get out of her old n battered bed , at the corner of the small room...'no ma...don't ...take rest' Chandu said , rushing forward n supporting her n making her lay down again... Sumitra looked smilingly up at him , n said 'pls forgive me beta, my back hurts badly n i couldn't make u ur fav kheer...n i didn't know u came ...' 'no ma, no problem...u take rest ...did u take ur medicines?...' Sumitra nodded, taking his hands in hers n caressing them, her eyes longing n loving asked 'is ur friend with u?' trying to choke back her sorrow n pain...'no , but he is on his way ' said Chandu cheerfully ...
sumitra smiled happily ...'its a good thing that u couldn't make kheer today...he will be here for some days ... u could make it leisurely...' Chandu said , trying to cheer her up...'but he never eats it...' sumitra said , tears brimming in her eyes ... 'He will, Sumitra...he will...a child can't turn away from his mother for too long...' said Pratap singh entering the room with a plate of daal n rice... Chandu stood up respectfully n as sumitra tried to get up , Pratap gestured her to lie down ... 'eat this n u will feel better... ' he said placing the food on the nearby table... Chandu's phone rang ...he attended it n he turned away from sumitra , his face changing as the guard at the other end told him about lalu... he nodded n said 'alright...coming...' ... Pratap looked at him , gauging his body language n sighing as Chandu looked at sumitra n said ' eat well n sleep soundly ma...don't stress urself...' he nodded at pratap once n went out of the room... 'rest' Pratap said brotherly to sumitra n he too left the room...
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"what happened lalu?' Chandu asked innocently, concerned ...'Where is bansi?' where is our sample?' ...he helped lalu to sit , on a small bench, near the vast green grass loan , as one guard cleaned his wounds ... 'bansi...he cheated us...sir...' Lalu said , wincing in pain...'he is a traitor sir, he tried to kill me n take the sample ... i tried to stop him , but he beat me up n took the car n the sample...i saved my life from him with difficulty...sir...I don't know where he is sir...'
before chandu could ask anything , the gates opened n an elegant Land rover blasted its way through them...the vehicle came to a halt , near the bench ... chandu stood up, hiding his smile , as lalu shot up, terrified, clutching at chandu for support...'pls ...sir...i tried ...to stop him...i swear ...tell him that i tried ...look at me ...bansi did this to me... i am ur faithful servant... That's why i didn't even go to any hospital ...i came straight here...sir, pls..believe me...' Lalu stuttered his fearful eyes, never leaving the front door of the vehicle... the door opened n the guards fell back automatically , bowing in courtesy ...An handsome young man got out of the car , wearing waistcoat n matching pants n white shirt , sleeves pulled up to elbow... he looked around at the men near the bench , his magnificent jaw stretching in a reprimanding smile , his eyes covered in cooling glass... 'Really, chandu? Is this the way u treat our most faithful servant? He came all this way for his reward' the man said his eyes taking in the injuries on lalu's body...'I am disappointed ...u failed me...' he continued, shutting the door n walking towards the bench ,his arms in his pockets, his eyes boring into lalu's for a moment n then flickering back to Chandu...
Love Friendship Dating and Relationships
