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Chapter 2
She took Bapusa his tea and found him deep in thought. She kept the tray beside the bed and started to pick up the bits of photos from the floor. "Leave it child. They are not important. It's the part of my life which will never leave me or my son alone. If she had been a better wife he would know that he had to come home with his bride after getting married," he said.
Paro was worried. She was sure he was injured. She knew he won't let her help but maybe Aman bhaisa will take him to a doctor. She got a broom and started to sweep the room clean. Bapusa sat back and sipped his tea. "You are a good daughter. Sometimes I wonder if she would have stayed if we had a girl child," he said.
She smiled and said, "I'm sure he had several nice qualities as a kid. He wouldn't have had so many reasons to be angry." Bapusa took a few pictures clippings from under the bed. "He was a wonderful boy. Always laughing and upto mischief. Mohini was his target even then. Would you like to see some pictures Parvati?" he asked.
She was shocked when she saw the first photo. Then looked at the second one to confirm. "I remember this boy. I saw him long back at a bus stop," she said. Bapusa asked her where. She told him about seeing a heart broken boy and giving her doll to cheer him up. "I don't remember seeing any doll. But it's good that he found something to smile about as I took him away. I always thought she took away hi smiles when she went away," Bapusa replied.
"Thausa? Someone from BSD is here to see you about Rudra's bhaisa. He says he is his senior," Jeeja said coming in. Bapusa quickly got up and went to the hall. Paro was worried. "Have faith. It may not be bad news," Jeeja told her. They both went out slowly.
General Saab shook hands with Bapusa and said, "This isn't a courtesy call. I wanted to know what is happening with my best officer. He was supposed to get information but ended up marrying the witness." Paro and Jeeja came in with tea and snacks. He refused them and spoke to Paro, "I'm sorry. I promised to keep Rudra away from you and take you home. I failed you."
Paro shook her head. She never held him accountable for her state. She had a choice and she chose the lesser evil. Remarriage over betraying her people. "Bade saab, where is he?" was all she wanted to know. General saab looked at Bapusa and replied, "We don't know. Everyone else involved in this operation have returned. Yesterday Officer Aman also disappeared mysteriously. Apart from those two only Constable Dan veer Ranavat knows the whole truth. That's why I came here."
Bapusa told him how Rudra moved Paro to their ancestral home where his estranged brother and family used to live. To make sure she is comfortable and feel safe he had been brought here. Paro was hidden from the family as long as possible. But when they came to know and asked questions. He had lied that she was Rudra's fiancee to protect her from awkward questions as Kakisa was ready to go to panchayat. Then things just snowballed from there.
General saab listened carefully. He couldn't understand why Rudra didn't tell the BSD that his personal life was getting affected by this mission. He turned to Paro, "Did he hurt you or misbehave in any manner?" She shook her head understanding clearly what he was trying to ask. "Good. The Rudra I know avoids women. But I have women's rights organisations asking me all this," he said.
"Rudra doesn't care about women to be honest since my wife left us. But getting married to Parvati was his decision. Now he has to carry out the responsibility of a husband whether he likes it or not. He cannot become like his mother and just leave. I raised a better man," Bapusa said bringing tears to Paro's eyes. General saab nodded, "I don't know much about your family issues. But Major Rudra is a man of character. He will not forget his duties to his wife." General saab left promising to send Rudra home after he hears his side.
Miles away in a small hut, Aman saw his friend's phone light up. "It's headquarters again Sir," he said. Rudra nodded. They had to get back their recent activities kept secret. "Let's go now. We will sort this out later," he said walking to the Jeep.
They drove straight to headquarters. The constables in the corridors looked at them uneasily as they walked in. They knew by their worried faces their boss was furious. "Sir," they saluted as soon as they got in. He calmly listened to their report on how Tejawat escaped. "Okay now tell me about your wedding now," he said.
"That woman... she threatened... and my father...," he stammered. General saab held his hand unable to watch his confident officer turned into an awkward bridegroom. "I have already spoken to your father. What I need to know is what happens next? Your initial mission was to get information from Parvati of Birpur and then let her get back to her. Now that you have married to her, you know she can't be your witness. So I repeat what happens to her next," he asked.
Rudra turned white. She was just his wife now. What exactly did that mean? Would she live with them for a few years and then run off or had she already abandoned him? She thought the worst of him. Jallad, she called him. And he was a part of the BSD who were responsible for the death of her parents, former husband and many other people from her village. Saving her life meant nothing in front of these so called crimes. She wouldn't want to do anything with him.
"Rudra! Take a few days off. Figure things out. Aman you can handle the paperwork. Dismissed," General saab said. The two exchanged looks. "But sir Tejawat will get further away," Rudra said. General saab narrowed his eyes and said, "You are not the only one for this job. In fact now that I think about it the last officer was better. I didn't have to explain after his every action. Dismissed!"
As the two officers walked out, "Sir, we should have told him about." Rudra stopped and whispered, "That has to be between us. You heard what Vk sir said. He is thinks the last officer in charge was quieter. Who knows maybe he was one of Tejawat's aides. We can't afford information in the wrong hands. I'lL think of something."
"Maybe bhabhisa can help us?" Aman asked. Rudra shook his head. She was no longer involved in his case. She was just a part of everything else.
Channel V Dil Dosti Dance
Arjun
