Kunj ran down the hospital stairs in a frenzy.Leela had just told him what had transpired between Twinkle and RT.Kunj was more concerned than being flabbergasted.No one was at home with Twinkle,everyone was here at the hospital with Mahi.He was not even sure whether she would be home.He drove on the roads of Amritsar like a maniac.The spark of rage that was ignited inside of him was being fanned by numerous reasons.
How could RT slap his wife,his Twinkle?How could he believe Yuvraj over Twinkle?How could Leela let all this happen?How could she leave Twinkle alone after all this?And Mahi,how dare she blame her sister for all this!And how could he forget the source of this melodrama-Yuvraj Luthra.
His hands tightened on the steering wheel and he put the car in the fourth gear.He searched every room and every corner of the Sarna mansion,she was nowhere to be found.He sank on the sofa and gripped his hair.He closed his eyes and took a deep breath.
He could only think of one place where she could be.Yes,he knew where she was.With a renewed vigor he got up and made his way to the door.
Twinkle was holed up alongside her bed.Her hair that had previously been dressed into an elegant braid was now tousled on her shoulders as if someone had repeatedly ran fingers through them.Her duppatta was loosely hung around her upper body barely covering her stomach.Her Kajal had shamelessly followed her tears and flowed along with her tears, rolling down her cheeks.She brought her knees closer to her chest and rested her chin over them.
'Good evening saheb' greeted the doorman at the Taneja Mansion.
'Is Twinkle at home?'
'Ji saheb.Jabse ayi hain Twinkle baby ji baahar hi nhi ayi.San thik haina saheb?'
His saheb patted him on the shoulder.
'Sab thik ho jayega'
He nodded in understanding.Even though his beloved Twinkle baby ji had been married only for a couple of months but it felt as if he had known his saheb for forever.He was such a gentleman,always enquired about his family's well being and most importantly he cared so much for his master whom he had been serving for a decade now.
Kunj took two steps at a time in the Taneja Mansion.He wanted to see for himself that she was alright.He heaved a sign of relief when he finally located her.His happiness was short lived as he approached her.Photographs were strewn on the the floor infront of her,family pictures,he picked up some,two infants cuddling happily in their parents arms,toddlers lying on the bed,giggling with their mother,memories,happy memories.He sat beside her.
'You know I think I don't need to do gyming,you make me run so much.'said Kunj with a huff trying to lighten up her mood but in vain.
She had a faraway look on her face and did not even acknowledge his presence.
'Twinkle talk to me,please look at me atleast.'
He shook her hysterically but she did not respond.He gripped her shoulders and made her stand.She could not even stand properly.He felt sonething break inside him.He embraced her and cupped her cheeks.
'Please say something Twinkle, you are scaring me.'
His embrace did the trick, she drew strength from him.The heat that radiated from his touch was a warmth that made her feel secure and loved.She met his gaze at last.
'Everthing is over Kunj.My world is collapsing and I can't do anything about it.First he took my sister,my baby kid away from me,then he took away my father,its a matter of time before he will take away my mother and you Kunj.My existence won't matter anymore,i-'
She turned around and started banging her fists agitatedly on the wall.He seized her arms and hugged her from behind.She took deep breaths as Kunj whispered sweet nothings in her ear.
'You.Matter.To.Me.Twinkle.'
It was a whisper and could be barely heard but the stress on each word indicated his conviction loud and clear.
Twinkle turned around and his eyes bore into hers.
He laced his fingers into hers,they perfectly fit the gap in between her fingers.
'Come with me.'
'Kunj, where are we going?'she enquired making him stop in his tracks and turned around to look at her.
'You trust me?'
She nodded.
'With my life'
'Then come'
Kunj drove her to the hospital.
'Kunj woh papa-'
She hesitated.
He placed his hands reassuringly on hers.He led her inside the hospital and Twinkle's nervousness escalated as the lift climbed floor after floor.
Leela and RT were anxiously waiting outside the emergency ward.The doctor had asked them to wait while he operated on their little girl.
'Yuvraj Luthra'
The eerie slilence of the hospital lobby on the fifth floor was broken,broken by the roar of the ferocious lion.His eyes were ablaze with the fire built inside him and Yuvraj's mere presence made it burn even more brightly.
Yuvraj who was casually leaning on the wall opposite to where his future in laws stood, straightened up and put up an innocent face as Kunj advanced in his direction,closely followed by Twinkle.A devilish smirk appeared on his face but his body tensed as he glanced at their inter twined hands.How he wished Twinkle, his baby would understand what he felt,what it did to him seeing her with another man.She could never measure the depth of his love,he loved her to the point of craziness and he would stop at nothing to make her his,either by choice or by will,she was his only his.
'Kunj...Twinkle...tum dono yahaan-' RT began.
Kunj put up a hand to dismiss him.
'Please papa do not interrupt.'
Yuvraj took a step forward.
'You cannot talk like this to my father in law Kunj.'
Kunj forcefully grabbed the collar of his dress shirt.
'Bas kar Yuvraj kitna girega tu haan.Apna yeh natak bandh karde.Warna...'
'Kunj meri jaan meri Mahi is in the hospital. Yeh tum kaisi baatein kar rahe ho-'
RT was confused and angry,he had just wanted a happy reunion of his family and all this he had never anticipated.He glanced at his wife who stood helplessly alongside him.She wanted to say something but she was hesistating.He looked back again at his son in laws.Whom to trust, who was right and who was wrong.
'Kunj please stop-' Twinkle interrupted.
'Nhi aaj nhi Twinkle.I won't leave him today-'
She placed a hand lightly but firmly on his shoulder and said,'Kunj'
He did not know whether it was a plea or an order or a request but he broke his eye contact with Yuvraj and glared at Twinkle for a long moment.He relaxed visibly and let go of Yuvraj.
'Yuvraj Luthra,'he began firmly but in a much calmer tone this time,'I challenge you that too openly,from now on,from this very moment,stay away from my wife.If another tear falls from her eyes because of you I swear I will forget that you are Mahi's husband.'he threatened.His stance was that of the menancing lion ready to pounce on his prey.
Yuvraj clenched his fists,he so wanted to accept the challenge and show Kunj his place but he kept mum knowing that RT and Leela's gaze were fixed on them.
'Kunj yeh kya keh rahe ho-' said RT but Leela stopped him.'Rehne dijiye ji'
The flames of the fire of rage within Kunj burned the brightest.He was in that state of wildfire that she loved.She wanted to be burnt and she did.She watched the smoke as she turned to ashes only to be reborn and rise again as a stronger and wiser version of herself like a Phoenix rises from the flames.She was even more beautiful that before.
'Like a moth drawn to a flame.If you play with fire you will get your wings signed.'said Twinkle addressing Yuvraj and walked away with his better no best half Kunj.She smiled and looked up at him and she knew she was going to fight the world,fight it with him.
oOThe EndOo