"What are you talking about? Hurt who?"
"Where is she Aman?" Rudra asked gruffly as he released his collar.
"Who are you talking about?"
"She's not your wife. She doesn't belong here."
"Sir, I really don't know what you're talking about."
Rudra shoved Aman's phone, the one he left in his office, into Aman's chest, "Don't play games with me. I know she's here. She called you and left a message. Pia is here."
"No, she's not."
"Then let me come in."
Aman hesitated. He couldn't say no to the Major. Who knows what would happen if he did. But he also didn't know what would happen if he let him in. If Rudra came in, he would find Pia. Aman couldn't even warn her without Rudra figuring out that she was there. Rudra was determined to find her one way or the other, and from the looks of it, he knew she was there. Aman was about to deny him entry anyways when he heard Pia's voice behind him.
"It's okay Aman," she said.
He took a deep breath and opened the door, allowing Rudra entry. As the door was pulled open and Aman stepped to the side, Rudra saw her standing in the middle of the room. The air immediately became tense as he came face-to-face with Pia. Shock and anger filled him as they stood, staring at each other. He had been searching everywhere for her, and she had been at Aman's home this entire time. Did she not know how worried everyone is about her? Did she not care? She walked away from Gaurav. Did Pia not once stop to think how he was feeling?
"So you've been here this entire time," he said through clenched teeth.
"I didn't plan to stay," Pia replied. "It just happened."
"You know we've been looking everywhere for you. You could've called once to tell us you were okay."
"I know. Aman told me. I'm sorry I left, but I know you didn't want me in the haveli. No one does."
"Paro does. Gaurav does."
"But you and Dilsher uncle don't. Mala doesn't. My presence there hurts all of you. I caused a rift in your family. How do you expect me to stay there when you and your family can't stand the sight of me?"
"Look, I don't have time for this. You're coming back to the haveli with me. That's final."
"No, I'm not going anywhere. If you want, I won't leave Chandangarh, but I'm not going back with you. Not until I sort everything out."
"Everything? You want to sort everything out, then do it, but at the haveli."
"Why do you want me back there?"
"Whether we like it or not, you and I are family."
"You can't even look me in the eyes and say that. You may say it, but you don't mean it."
"It doesn't matter. Look, I don't blame you for this. It isn't as if you chose to be their daughter. We have to face facts and accept it."
"You may be able to face it, but you will never accept it because, like me, you can't accept what that woman has done. And if you can't accept it, then how are you to going to accept me? The truth is you will never be able to accept who I really am. I will have to live with it, but that doesn't mean you do. I don't want your family to look at me and have to associate themselves with me by saying that I'm Mala and Tejawat's daughter. You know that no one wants that. It's final. I'm not going anywhere."
"So you're going to run away from your problems? Walk away from the only family you've ever had? Did you ever once stop to think how worried we would all be? Do you know how worried Paro and Gaurav are?"
Pia felt tears stinging her eyes, but she never broke eye contact with Rudra. She knew her decision to leave would hurt them, but it was for the better. If they really were her family, then she would do anything to make them happy. Leaving was the best way to stop their pain. She thought they would understand.
Rudra glared at her, "I guess it's true. You left everything behind just like that woman did. You really are her daughter."
He felt her hand make contact with his face. The sound of skin slapping skin echoed throughout the house. Aman was taken aback by Pia's reaction. Stunned by the unexpected action, Rudra shot his head back to glare at Pia. She was breathing heavily, trying to control her anger. Her tears were threatening to spill, but he knew she wouldn't dare let them. She was his sister, and like him she was determined to remain strong.
"Don't you dare compare me to her like that again," Pia threatened.
"Why?" Rudra interrogated. "You can't handle the truth? It's true isn't it? You're running away from the family that cares about you. Just like she did."
"Rudra, I'm warning you. Don't push me."
"Or what? What are you going to do? Run away again?"
"Don't you dare forget that her blood runs through your veins too. Not only that, but the Ranawat blood is in you too. Mala being pregnant with me wasn't the only reason she left was it? Didn't Dilsher uncle abuse and torture her? If a part of you is like her then there's a part of you that's like him. Who knows? One day you may come home and hurt Paro, and she won't be able to take it. Then she'll leave you! And then you won't have anyone to blame but yourself!"
"Pia!"
Rudra grabbed the back of her neck, locking his fingers in her hair. He yanked her forward, causing her to whimper in pain as she tried to disentangle his hand from her head. His rage-filled gaze pierced her. She didn't want to say those things, but he pushed and provoked her that her mind didn't consider his reaction. Both siblings weren't ready to back down.
"Don't you ever say that again," Rudra growled. "I would never do that to Paro. I may be a Ranawat, but I will never make my parent's mistakes."
"Then don't you think for a second that I would make the same mistakes as my parents. Mala may be my mother and Param Singh Tejawat may be my father, but I will never be like them. Go ahead, Rudra. Hate my existence, hate that I'm alive. But that won't make you any different from Mala and Tejawat. It'll make me question who's really their child: me or you."
Rudra's grip tightened around Pia's neck. She let out a loud yelp. Before he could do anything, Rudra saw and felt his hand being forcefully pulled away. It wasn't Pia though, it was Aman. He and Pia watched as Aman disentangled them. Then he took Pia's arm and pulled her behind him, with his eyes continuously fixed on Rudra. He didn't once let go of Pia, who held onto his arm as she peeked from behind him.
"That's enough Rudra," Aman stated. "If she wants to go back to the haveli she will. But not with you when you're angry like this."
"Aman don't interfere," Rudra said.
"Pia isn't going anywhere. She's staying here. That's final."
Rudra tried to get to Pia, but he was blocked yet again by Aman. The minute he tried to move passed him, Aman slammed his hand on the Major's chest, halting him from going any further. To say Rudra was surprised would be an understatement. He had never seen Aman behave this way before. He was never the type to go against him. But now he was practically shoving him away. Rudra then looked at Aman. One hand was still on Rudra's chest, and the other was still behind him holding Pia.
In a deep, firm voice, Aman said, "Your anger is clouding your judgment. I think, for now, it's time for you to leave."
Aman dropped his hand from Rudra's chest. The two men remained in a deadlock for a few moments before Rudra walked out of the house. He knew he wasn't going to get anywhere tonight. Pia was still as angry as him with Mala. She wouldn't come back unless she knew that they weren't in pain by her presence. If he wanted, he could've taken her back with him by force. However, he didn't and neither could he. It wasn't just because of Pia, but because of Aman as well. It was the first time Aman stood against him. The determination in his voice. The unfaltering death glare. Rudra knew the signs all too well. Aman's actions were the natural born, protective instincts of a man in love.
When Rudra entered the Ranawat Haveli, he was greeted immediately by Gaurav. Like everyday since Pia's departure, he was curious to know if there was any new information on his sister. Today, Rudra stood staring at the man silently. This was the face of a brother. A brother who adored his little sister, who cared about her. Despite knowing everything, Gaurav still considered Pia his sister. He still wanted to know if she was okay. Rudra wondered how he was going to tell him that Pia was safe but refused to come back.
"So?" Gaurav asked. "Anything?"
In a monotone voice, Rudra answered, "Pia is safe, but she doesn't want to come back to the haveli."
"What? You found her? Where is she?"
"Don't worry about it. Just know that she is safe."
"No, she needs to come back. I have to talk to her."
"She's not going to come back. I tried, but things got heated between us and we fought. Pia isn't ready to come back yet."
Rudra walked away, ending the conversation right there. He knew if he stayed, Gaurav would continue to ask him where Pia was. Even if he went to Aman's house, she wouldn't go back. If the Major couldn't bring her back, what makes him think he would be able to? His thoughts were broken the minute he entered his room. Paro came running towards him, and he immediately became concerned.
He pulled her to him, "Paro what's wrong? Are you okay?"
"I'm okay," she replied. "But I have to talk to you. It's about Pia."
"So do I. I found Pia."
"You...found Pia?"
"Yes."
"Did you talk to her?"
"Yes, well we actually got into an argument."
"Did she still not want to come back?"
Rudra's eyes widened, "What do you mean still?"
Paro now became nervous at the sudden slip of the tongue, "Woh...Major saab...I-."
"You knew where she was didn't you? You knew she was with Aman and
you never told me. Why would you hide something like this Paro?"
"I just found out today. Aman bhai-sa made me swear that I wouldn't. He wanted to tell you too, but Pia made him swear."
Rudra was stunned to know that his wife knew about Pia. He was running around Chandangarh searching for Pia, and his own wife knew where she was the entire time. Even after she found out she could've called him and told him. What upset Rudra more was that she kept it from him, but he understood the idea that she was sworn to secrecy, and for Paro that was more important than anything. Paro could see that her husband was upset with her, and she wanted to explain herself a little more, but she had something else to tell Rudra.
"Major saab I have to tell you something important," Paro said. "It's about maa-sa."
"I don't want to talk about that woman right now," Rudra stated coldly.
He walked passed Paro but didn't get too far. She grabbed his hand, stopping him from going any further. He turned as she walked to him, without releasing him from her grip.
"Today you are going to hear what I have to say about maa-sa," Paro said. "Because once you do, you'll realize that you've been wrong about her."
Rudra was unsure of what she was saying. Parvati began telling him the discussion she and Gaurav had with Mala earlier. She didn't miss a detail, starting with maa-sa's pregnancy and ending with the death' of the child. Rudra stood motionless. He was shocked to hear what his mother had to say about the situation. A part of him wanted to believe it, but the evidence didn't support any of what she was saying. Not only that, but Mala had stated clearly that she was pregnant with Pia when she left. She kept secrets from him in order to save herself, so why wouldn't she lie this time?
Paro saw her husband's pondering something so she nudged him and said, "Major saab, can't you see that she wasn't at fault in any of this? Apart from having the affair, Pia's attempted murder wasn't her fault. Gaurav and I have known her for a long time and we knew she could never do something so sinful as having her child killed."
"Things aren't adding up," Rudra responded. "Her story doesn't match with the official statements from the file. Something is wrong. Someone in this story is lying...and I have a strong feeling I know who. Paro, you stay here. I have to go."
"Where are you going?"
"Out. I'll be back late so go to bed. I have some loose ends to tie up."
Rudra walked out of their bedroom and the haveli. He got in his jeep and began driving back to the BSD. After hearing from Paro Mala's side of the situation, he knew something wasn't adding up. Everything had made sense before, but now everything was lost in a complicated web. Despite everything, he wanted to believe that Mala wasn't lying. So for the time being he began thinking she wasn't. So if she wasn't lying, then who was? He didn't even have to ask himself this, because he knew the answer. He stopped at the BSD prison, and made his way to Cell 2865A. It was maximum security, so he had to sign in and leave his gun with security. Rudra walked alone to his destination, to the prison cell on the top floor with a single prisoner locked within. There he stopped, where he glared at the prisoner in orange who was evilly smiling back at him through the steel bars...Param Singh Tejawat.
"Well Major Rudra Pratap Ranawat," Tejawat said happily. "To what do I owe the pleasure of your presence?"
"Stop blabbering," Rudra retorted. "I need answers and I need them now."
"Oh answers? I thought your officer had all the answers when he came here. When was that? Maybe a week ago? I don't know. You see, ever since you put me in this hell hole I have lost track of time."
"I want the truth Tejawat. About your daughter."
"The thorn in my side. That's what she is. I heard that she was still alive. I can't trust anyone to do a job right. Look where it has gotten me."
"You ordered to have her killed."
"Of course I did. What good is a daughter? A son would uphold the family honor, the family name, the family business. What would a girl do? Nothing."
Rudra wished he could beat the life out of Tejawat right now, but he couldn't. Right now, he needed the truth, so he used all his power to control his patience and rage.
"Why are you so curious to know the truth Major?" Tejawat questioned.
Rudra ignored the question, "Did your wife know what you were going to do to the child?"
"Of course she did."
"You're lying."
"Why would I lie?"
"Because you enjoying playing mind games."
"What do I get in return?"
"Your freedom."
Tejawat studied Rudra's face for a minute, unsure of what he was saying was true.
The Major repeated himself, "If you give me the truth, I will give you your freedom."
"What makes you think I will believe you?"
"Like you, I stand by my word."
"...This is very important to you isn't it?"
"Do you want your freedom or not?"
Tejawat smirked, "Since you asked so nicely I will tell you. It's true I married your mother. She was pregnant with my child. I did love Mala, I really did. I was happy that she was carrying a child. However, I didn't want a daughter, which she gave birth to. She was collateral damage and I had to dispose of her. Mala never knew I went to have the child killed because I couldn't stand to see her sad. I told her it died. She was upset and didn't want anymore children. I didn't push her. It was better to have no children than a daughter."
"Why did you say she knew?" Rudra asked.
"She was part of the reason why I'm here. I figured she may as well suffer out there as I struggle in here."
The Major was ready to rip the flesh off of Tejawat's body. He shouldn't have been surprised by the thakur's actions, but Rudra was. He couldn't believe that a man would go so far as killing a child just because it was a girl. Then again, Tejawat wasn't a man, but a devil on earth. He continued to lie and plot even behind bars. He didn't regret anything he had done, but instead flaunted his actions with pride. Mala may have cheated on Dilsher, but she wasn't involved in anything that had happened with Pia. Everyone had been hating her for all the wrong reasons.
"So about my freedom?" Tejawat said. "As soon as possible."
"Freedom?" Rudra said coldly. "What freedom? You'll be here until the day you die."
"You gave me your word."
"I never gave you my word. I simply stated the thought about your freedom. We never made a deal."
"Yes you did."
"I don't see any witnesses. Any proof. Like you, I too can lie."
"You can't do this to me!"
"It's already done."
Rudra left Tejawat to yell threats at him through his cell. If he didn't leave, he would've killed the man with his bare hands. It would've just been an easy way out for Tejawat, and the Major wanted him to suffer. He wanted him to rot in his cell for the rest of his life and in the rest of his lifetimes. He deserved it after messing with his life, his families' life, and Pia's life. Now, Rudra had a difficult task ahead of him. The real truth was out, and he was going to have to talk to Mala and confront Pia. He would have to talk to Pia first, and tell her everything Tejawat had just told him. Together they would have to talk to their mother, and try to learn to forgive her because she was partially the victim in all of this. She may not be forgiven for having an affair, but maybe she would be forgiven for everything else. Rudra knew that this was something he would have to do with Pia because Mala was their mother; he hoped that it would somewhat mend the broken threads of their relations.
**********
Wow! What an update, right? So much drama and intensity? What happens now that Rudra knows the truth? Will Pia ever find out? You will have to wait and see!
As always, leave your comments and feedback below. They are all highly welcome! Thanks for reading!
Mannat Har Khushi Paane Ki
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