The claps reverberated across the arena, it was almost impossible to hear the announcement with the noise. The fact that every single part of his body was in excruciating pain did not help as he tried to concentrate. With effort he heard bits and pieces of the commentator's words.
"The winner...Baadshah."
A small grin tugged at the corner of his mouth as he heard the words but it quickly vanished as Thapki's face came to his mind. She wouldn't be happy. He grabbed on to every ounce of energy left in him to stand without staggering. He bit down the pain as he surveyed the crowd for her. His breath hitched as he saw her in the corner, her eyes closed tight, tears spilling through them, hands folded in prayer. The rattling of the metal sounded as the gate of the cage opened. Thapki's eyes met Bihan's and the arena melted away, it was only the two of them, seconds ticked off as they held each other's gaze, then Thapki lunged forward.
He almost lost his balance as her body crashed on to his but he stood his ground. His body ached but his heart filled with an unknown pleasure as her hands tightly wound around his body. She was shaking as she sobbed into his chest, wrapping her hands as tightly as she could around him. Bihan was in a state of shock, but his hands slowly travelled up her waist. A sense of peace engulfed his heart as he held her closer to him gently stroking her hair.
"Badshah, uff Mr Bihan Pandey..." Bihan and Thapki came to their senses at the woman's voice. Thapki quickly stepped away from Bihan slowly comprehending the things happening around her. Bihan staggered but Thapki immediately caught him. He summoned all his strength in an attempt to stay sobre.
"Well played Mr Pandey...I knew you had it in you...par mujhe nahi pata tha that you will beat Luka...Majbooriyan insaan ko kahan kahan le jata hai yeh aapne sabith kar liya Badshah." Thapki's eyes sparked with rage as she listened to the woman who was smirking at them.
"Toh who aap hai ji..ji.nhone Bihan ko yahan tak pahunchaya. Aap ki mmmadad keliye Thank you. Lekin ainda mere Pati ke paas bhi mat ana." Thapki's rage found its height as the woman laughed listening to her words. Bihan held her hands tightly as Thapki attempted to retort. The woman continued.
"Toh aap hai Mrs Pandey...umar bhi kya hai aap logon ki? Khair Bihan toh sabith kar liya that age doesn't matter. By the way I am Debbie. ab mujhe saaf saaf dikh raha hai aapki majboori Badshah" Thapki winced at the way she was addressing Bihan. " Pyaar bhi ajeeb cheez hai, insaan ko kahan kahan le jaate hai yeh mohabbat. Duniya mei ek mohabbat hi toh hai jo sari khatnayi paar karne ki shakti dete hai." Bihan and Thapki looked at each other startled by Debie's words but he snapped out of it and addressed Debie before she uttered anything else.
"Madam ji bas hume humari paise dijiye." His chest was aching as he spoke with all his might, Thapki held him firmly as he further lost his foot. Debbie smiled a rare smile at him and took out the money. "Here you go Badshah poori pachas hazar." Bihan took the money from her hands and gave her a firm pranam willfully taking leave from her. Thapki supported Bihan as they walked out of the ring. It was progressively becoming hard for him to walk, with each step he felt as if the world was crashing on him, surroundings slipped out of vision, the last thing he saw was a pair of tearful eyes and then there was total darkness.
Bihan opened his eyes to the familiar sound of bangles. The smell of fresh covers hit him and his eyes registered the white color of the covers. Hospital room! He sat up abruptly. It wasn't a wise move. He understood that he was covered in bandages. Every inch of his body ached and he let out a low groan. In an instant she was at his side helping him sit up in the bed. He slowly looked up to take in her face. Her face gave off the relief she was experiencing but the profound gloom in her eyes tugged at his heart.
A tight slap landed on his cheek. Bihan sat open mouthed as his cheek went numb by the impact of her palm.
"Ainda aise bewakoofi kabhi bhi karne ki koshish ki toh mmmujh se bura koi nahi hoga Bbbihan. Yaad rekhna." He felt his heart constrict as her threat got lost in the tears running down her cheek. He lifted his hand with difficulty and cupped the side of her face. She leaned on to his hold.
"Tttumhe pata hai, jab aaj mei tumhe fight karte dekha tab mujhe laga ki mei tttumhe humesha keliye khonewaali hun Bihan, ek pal keliye laga ki..." she couldn't complete the sentence as a fresh set of tears appeared. Bihan stared at her speechless. A thousand things crossed his mind, including the circumstances of their marriage, his betrayal, their meaningless relation, his mother's hatred but everything seemed insignificant for a moment. Suddenly he felt the urge to be someone else, the urge to be her husband, maybe only for the moment but that was enough for him. He slowly stood up from the bed with difficulty and stood before her. There were many things to deal with, the rent, shradha, his mother but as he gently took her in his arms none of this crossed his mind. It was simply contentment and may be something more.
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