Chapter 9
Malhar was feeling really uneasy in the transition of his role from ACP to a secretary. He was not like his Baba and he had no problem working for a woman. In fact Agni was much smarter and hardworking than Commissioner but Malhar used to be the Singham of Aurangabad and here he felt like a toy lion. He was used to chasing criminals in harsh heat of summer, the air-conditioned glass building felt too tame compared to it. And adding to the fact, that Agni looked just like Kalyani. It was as if someone was peeling the skin off his wound then stitching it back then peeling it again. He wasn't eating properly these days. He still couldn't believe it happened with him. He could think himself without his eyes but not his uniform. Why did it happen to him? Why did every bad thing in the world happen with him? What had he done to deserve it all?
"Malhar," Agni called him in her cabin, "Get me a cup of tea."
Malhar didn't know what he was thinking when he made Kalyani's favourite elaichi wali chai and served it before Agni.
"What the hell is this?" Agni's face was dark.
"Tumhari favourite chai," Malhar replied absentmindedly.
"Tum? Aur ye hai meri favourite chai?" Kalyani said, throwing the hot tea on Malhar, "You bloody stupid moron. Aaj din bhar tum saara kaam khade rehkar karoge. Understood?"
"Yes ma'am," Malhar said quietly.
Malhar worked standing all day, with his shirt drenched with tea. Due to undereating, his body was feeling very weak. Agni looked at him through her cabin glass. Seeing Malhar so weak, so broken- Agni didn't know seeing Malhar in a state like this could affect her anymore, but it did. There was still some of Kalyani left in Agni and Agni hated this fact. She hadn't return from the mouth of death to repeat the same mistakes. You are not Kalyani anymore- she reminded herself.
Finally his body unable to tolerate any more, and due to fatigue, Malhar got unconscious. Agni left whatever work she was doing and ran towards him.
When she tried to get Malhar admitted to the hospital, the receptionist said, "There was no vacant bed. And doctor was busy in pizza party with his colleagues so he couldn't attend the patient."
"Kya naam hai Doctor ka?" Agni said in a threatening tone.
"Tu kya kahin ki laat sahib h," the receptionist said, "jo main tere ko doctor ka naam bataoon."
Agni called a number, "Am I speaking to Mr. Baljeet Chavhan from Chavhan Hospitals? Nice. Agni Naidu bol rahi hoon. Tumhe ab tak to pata chal hi gaya hoga ki tumhare trusts ke saare members ke unanimous decision ke baad tumhara ye hospital maine khareed liya h. Vaise tumhare hospital ki badtameez receptionist ko to maine fire kar hi diya h baaki kaam ke badle pizza party karne vale apne doctors se keh do ki naukri pyaari h to turant patient Rane ko attend karein varna I'll make sure zindagi bhar kabhi pizza ka muh nahi dekh payenge."
For the first time in five years, Agni had skipped her work but now all she was concerned about was Malhar's health.
"Pata nahi kaisi auladein paida ki hai maine," Agni heard Madhav's voice, "Budhaape me bacche maa baap ka sahara bante hain. Aur idhar in sahab ko apni hi seva karane se fursat nahi h."
Agni turned around so that they couldn't see her face.
"Maine to pehle hi Kaha tha," Asawari spoke, "Ye Malhar bada kamzor hai. Isse kahin accha to mera beta Ahir tha. Jis Kalyani ne ise itna bada dhokha diya, usi ki Aai Anupriya ko us Ahilya Deshmukh se bachane ke liye Women Rights commission walon ko anonymous tip dekar bhej diya tha, maine khud apne kaano se suna tha. Aur vo vakaalat ki kitaabein use chhupkar bhejna. Us bewakoof Anupriya ko lagta hai ki koi dabi kuchli aurton ki madad karne wali sanstha free me use kitaabein deti hain magar yahaan fateecharchand ke paas apna pet paalne ke paise hain nahi, sabka maseeha banna h. Ham sabse kehta firta h ki nafrat karta hai Kalyani se wo magar koi unki maharani ko ek shabd bhi keh de, fir dekho Malhar ka gussa. Are itna kamzor hi to hai tabhi to koi biwi iske paas tik nahi paayi."
Agni was having a hard time hearing their nonsense when Moksh came running towards her, "Agni aunty. Papa ko kya hua?" Moksh was crying, "Dadi keh rahi thi vo mar jayenge. Batao na, Papa bhi Mummy ki tarah mujhe chhorkar chale jayenge?"
Agni could barely stop herself from breaking down. She kneeled on the floor to become equal to Moksh's height and hugged him tightly. Finally she was face to face with her son- and she couldn't tell him that she was his mother whom he was searching so badly.
"Tere Papa ko kucch nahi hoga," Agni said, locking her pinkie finger with Moksh's, "I promise main tumhe aur unhe kucch nahi hone doongi."
"Pakka promise?" Moksh said wiping his tears with his other hand.
"Pakka promise!"
"Moksh tumse kitni baar kaha h ki ajnabiyon se baat nahi karte," Madhav shouted at Moksh.
"Apne baap jaisa ziddi hai ye," Asawari came and raised her hand to slap Moksh, "Lagta hai har baar ki tarah is baar bhi pitaai se hi tera pet bharega."
"Ye galti karne ki kabhi sochna bhi mat," Kalyani said blocking Asawari's hand, digging her nails into Asawari's wrist.
"Kalyani!" Asawari was open mouthed.
"Oh," Madhav taunted, "To Tum laut aayi Kalyani. Marne varne ka naatak khatam ho gaya tumhara? Moksh, is badchalan aurat ne agar tumhe chhua bhi na to tum gande ho jaoge."
"Wow! Mr. Rane," Agni said, "Ek aurat ke haath lagane me aapko gandagi nazar aati hai, magar usi aurat se liye gaye paise kharch karne me aapko koi problem nazar nahi aati."
"Matlab?" Madhav was puzzled.
"Matlab aap jis ghar me rehte hain na, vo meri company ne Malhar ko provide kiya hai," Agni smirked, "Even kal jo aapne apni music class ke liye Malhar ke diye huye paison se jo taanpoora kharida na, uske paise bhi Malhar ne mujhse maange the."
"Kalyani tum!" Madhav charged towards her.
But as soon as Agni called security, and two giant security guards charged towards him, Madhav stepped back.
"Patient ko hosh aa gaya hai," A nurse called them.
Moksh held Agni by hand and took her with him towards the ward.
"Papa!" Moksh called Malhar.
Despite being in delirium, Malhar kissed Moksh on his forehead.
He turned towards Agni, and said, "I'm sorry Kalyani."
Sorry isme Sampu Athu ke scene nahi rakh paayi.
And this chapter is dedicated to Rekha as she said Agni should at least know what Malhar was going through.
Edited by Autumn09 - 3 years ago
Financial markets and global economy
Ishaani
