Part 3: Black
Train Station:
Khanak had enough pin money that she has saved from bargaining for groceries when she went to the market for her fair to the station and a ticket too to take her to Dhulwadi.
She reached the station and was in awe of the hustle bustle of people running from here to there when announcement was made of which train would be at which station. She in her wonderment for a moment forgot her trouble and her reason for being there in the first place, but being bumped into made her come back to reality and she asked the person next to her information on getting the ticket.
The line was huge and daunting. She decided to wait till it got shorter, and seeing an empty bench made her way to it to sit.
She still couldn't believe what a fool she had been, in making mountains out of a mole hill, of thinking that Shantanu loved her too as she did, after what happened yesterday night. She kept playing all that happened and could only see herself at fault, she should have stopped him when he kissed her, but no she didn't. He never said "I love you" did he. She just wished happiness for him with Natasha ji as he did love her, and forget her as a bad dream.
She didn't want to go to Dhulwadi a place where it all started really. Too many good and bad memories attached to it that she so did not want to revist again, as being there would not help her forget anything ever; but where else could she go. She knew no one living elsewhere, other then her parents, her ex-in-laws and Gopi who was in Dubai now with her hubby. She left out a long breath and tried to compose herself from not crying. Crying she told herself was not the solution and she didn't have any tears left after all that happened.
She was so engrossed in this thought, until suddenly her eyes fell on the paper near her and in that darkness that she was in it was a ray of hope. She took it in her hands and read it again to see if she was not dreaming and got up and walked to the telephone booth and called the number on the paper.
She thanked God after the call being a success and went to the ticket counter and booked herself a ticket to the place where she could start all over again and forget.
On doing that she decided to call her mother and informed her about her decision. They did not agree at first but relented as they knew they could not ever win against their daughter and just wanted her happiness, after all that she had faced in such a young age. She told them not to tell anyone about her whereabouts and she would get in touch with them once she was there.
Second she called Gopi told her about her decision to not go to Dhulwadi and her plans.
Thus she boarded the last train leaving for the new place in her life, and a new journey.
The Airplane:
Shan couldn't get rid of the sinking feeling out of his heart and mind the whole day, all the while in his flight to Singapore to his meeting with Mr.Singhania, or even the new proposition for their company to venture in the deal he was making with the Shipping Company in Australia. The only thing he could think was that something bad was happening and he was losing a part of his soul, his life. Both the times he called home he couldn't get in touch with her; he called her on her mobile too, but no response at all. His mom both the times harping on a surprise waiting for him and making her happy just left and ominous feeling in him.
He couldn't get a flight back the same night and had to wait till next morning to catch the first flight back home, and even now while he would reach home soon the feeling didn't dissipate but got stronger. Something was terribly wrong and he just prayed to God all was well. If something bad had happened to Khanak he knew his mom would have told him for sure.
Khandelwal Home:
By the time he reached home from the airport it was early evening and no one was home except for Hari Lal. He rushed up the stairs, to his room, ignoring what Hari Lal was saying and crashed open the room seeing it empty and no Khanak. He walked over to the washroom door and knocked on it but no reply and he opened it and saw it empty too. He closed the door and say Hari Lal standing at the door calling his name and giving him a package and a letter.
He took it from him and threw them on the bed and asked, "Hari Lal , do you know where is Khanak?"
Hari Lal looked at him all puzzled and said "Sir she has left the house" and got ready to go back down when Shantanu pulled him by his arms and asked loudly, "What are you saying, left the house??"
"Sir , she left yesterday night without informing anyone and just left a letter for you and dadi" he informed and asked "Is that all Sir ?"
Shantanu just couldn't believe what he had just heard, Khanak left, she left, without telling him, just left after yesterday night. He dazedly walked over to the wardrobe and opened it to see her clothes still hanging in the cupboard but all her clothes were gone and so was the paetti. He just couldn't believe his eyes or ears. No it can't be true; she can't just leave after all that happened between us last night. His legs gave way and he found himself sitting on the bed and holding the letter Harilal said she left for him.
He did not have the strength to open it and sleep took over him while he was staring at the letter and praying that this was all a bad dream.
Later in the day when Madhvi, Khusboo, Akshay and Sunil entered they were informed about Shan's return and him being in his room.
All tiptoed to his room to surprise him and congratulate him on his upcoming nuptials. On opening the door they found him fast asleep. Thus seeing him like that they were surprised but thought of the hectic trip and left him to it.
All the while Shantanu was dreaming about Khanak and their life together. His family oblivious to his change in heart was busy talking about the preparations for his wedding to Natasha the one he loved.
***************************************************************Here is the most awaited part after so long...Enjoy and your comments good or bad are most welcoome.
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