PART IX
PERFORMANCE(S) MARATHONING...
The day before Marathoning...
Raaghav was extremely busy, preparing his final packing and loading. The plantation was gearing up. The containers were ready.. the packing to be starting soon. Chakor did a brief visit to the plantation and wished the workers good luck. She met Mohit, Shyaam and Govind and asked them to watch out every minute movement in the plantation. They assured her not to worry but Kaaka had a special respect about her words as she always suspects the unexpected and is always right.
In his room, she hugged Raaghav and asked him to be vigilant and careful. This is your hard work, not only yours each and every workers hard work. Any small fault will prove fatal for the business. He kissed her soft and said to carry on with her final practice.
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The boys has become so so close to Govind, they had requested him to take to the marathoning venue and to see the route. The route was through the main roads but also through few hilly pockets. Govind asked one of his assistant to accompany the boys as he wanted to be there while the loading was starting and did not want to move from his security office.
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The stocks were neatly stacked as per the international standards in a dry place and was ready for loading. The temperature of the room was maintained. It was critical as the packing were of breathable carton boxes and to maintain the aroma there should not be any dampness or moist.
Walked in a well uniformed man. He showed papers and got himself cleared through the security gates. Govind was called by Shyaam. The security at the gates were surprised to see a sanitary inspector with a big box as it was not the day of his visit. He said that he was sent by his boss on a special duty due to the loading. The security check was done and he was allowed. Govind was busy with Shyaam...
The loading was about to start in few hours.
The man was taken to the godown. Govind just then saw the pic sent to him from the security office on the phone. He felt very weird as he knows all the personnel at the Sanitary Inspection office. He quickly called them and found that no one was assigned to visit the plantation.
He ran to the godown calling his security guys but their phones were not responding. The guy very quickly visited the godown and left...
Who is he??? Why did he come?? And where is the BOX. Govind called Raaghav who came running to the godown. The container lorries were in the queue ready for loading. They were special containers whose temperature were moderated and will be loaded on to the aircraft.
He ran shouting No No running towards the godown, catch the man but by that time the guy fled in his motorbike with his aid who was waiting outside.
Raaghav ran calling Mohit who was near to the godown. Mohit noticed the box kept near the thermostat which was moderating the temperature of the room. Zzz there was a very still soft noise... He soon realized the danger... He just removed the box at the right time and carried it out running to the open plantation. The whole workers were in state of shock. Is it a time bomb asked one?. He switched off the monitor. No, worse than that he said. It's a device which interferes with the thermostat in few seconds and brings down the room temperature drastically and due to the chill weather of Shimla, mist and dampness will be formed within seconds and as the carton boxes are porous, dampness will enter the boxes and spoil the aroma and the tea powder. As per the contract if the quality is not maintained the contract gets cancelled and Rishab Plantations need to pay heavy penalty too as it would hamper the buyers' market supply. Raaghav had invested huge stake and risk and thus the stringent processing technology.
Raagahv hugged Mohit for his quick and agile action. He knew who was behind this dirty plan. He was raging terribly. Shyaam Laal calmed him. Raaghav stay calm. Let the stocks be loaded on to the containers as once they are loaded and signed off and informed to the UK Purchases, it's the responsibility of the Freight Company from there on till the they are loaded on to the aircraft from New Delhi to London flight. Raaghav said Maidam you were right... Yes said Kaaka she always thinks right...
The loading was done perfectly and the documents were signed off by evening with the Freight company and the UK tea company was informed and the documents scanned and mailed.
The containers left the plantation... the workers were very very happy. Lets get to work they said... No said Raaghav, please all relax and take off he said. They blessed him and wished Chakor good luck.
The first act was performed well...!!!!
I will not leave you Hira Laal ... Let the race get over, I will put an end to all, the Lion raged
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The boys were going through the assigned route , Rohan and Lalit were seeing both sides. They went through the roads very slowly, in three places they saw three patch of white chalk markings. The water booths and energy drinks stalls were placed for the D day. The roads were being marked with those fluorescent tapes. We shall come here before the race starts. Aa held Ar, bhai I am feeling scared for mumma he said... Rohan and Lalit said no Aa we will be with you.. we will not allow anything to happen to Mam they vowed to themselves.
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The Cubs, friends, roses had a good dinner and some time together while Chakor was practicing and was preparing herself for the D Day tomorrow.
Rati was fine and she was praying hard for the safety of Chakor. They all had dinner together.
Chakor was at the gym doing her workout. While Raaghav walked in. She just ran and hugged him. I heard about what happened at the godown. Thank god, for Mohit acted fast, else... He hugged her, maidam, thanks to you for foreseeing and warning. But I will not leave that Laal he said. His eyes were red. Raaghav please calm down, did they find Kedar she asked. No, he kept thinking. Just get into my hands, you will see stars. What are you thinking she asked. Nothing, just waiting for the race to be over he said kissing her forehead.
They had their dinner together and was in their balcony diwan after wishing goodnight to the cubs and roses.
He was holding her hands, I know you have gone through so much, strained yourself too much. I had been harsh that day, I am sorry he said, please she closed his mouth. But for that anger I would not have enrolled she said but what did you talk to Rathod she asked. He just smiled and said, just made him realise his act and spoke some harsh truth. Hmm she went into his chest. Raaghav I want you at the Finish Line even if I don't make it first she said... You will, You are the eagle he said.
Maidam he said lifting her chin, Promise me one thing, tomorrow whatever happens you will not look back, you will not stop your sprint, you will look only at the finish line, you will think only about your Goal and Focus. NOTHING should stop you. Promise me, he said. She scrunched her eyebrows, why? Don't ask anything he said. Ok I promise, but you stay safe, keep an eye on our children she said.
I promise he said, taking her to the bed cuddling her, kissing her soothingly while she slept. He was awake... holding her to his chest.
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Marathoning The Day
Chakor got up early morning and was doing her warm ups. There was a simple Pooja and the gods were invoked. She took blessings from Girjia, Shyaam Laal and Ramu Kaaka. She was searching for Raaghav, when Girija said he is in the Mansion tracks.
She was ready in her tracks. The boys kissed her and left in another car to the venue. What happened to him, she was wondering. Raaghav, he turned around. Kissed her forehead, held her right hand and folded her tracks up. She was surprised. He had a band a black thread with pink and black beads.. she felt teary, nostalgia, the sacred thread Maai had given to her and the orange sacred cloth of Daak Baba. He tied the cloth around her wrist and the thread on her upper arms. How did you??? She chocked. I got this from your house when I visited AZ during those days. I remembered it today. She hugged him thank you she felt too emotional. You are a winner and you will win always he said.. Shall we he asked, she nodded, raised to his height and kissed his lips, he hugged her tight... giving her the strength. They left for the venue.
It was at the tracks she was introduced to the fellow runners there were quite a few though not many. Rathod shook hands, and there were many onlookers at both sides of the road. The media was there and indeed she was talk of the town. Neha was there she came and said oh you are Chakor, mother of two? No mother of four she said with proud.
The boys wished her and moved away... they spoke to Raaghav and Govind they were going along with route and saw the first white patch. Ar felt very strange why is this patch only at three places and at the route which is in the hilly sides?
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The Sprinters were ready on their Marks
ON YOUR MARKS ... SET... GO
She set her foot on the D day, she sprinted with a normal pace... steady, with her hands and eyes focused... she was thinking of nothing and sprinting. All were cheering the runners. Go go go go!!! They covered the initial 10 kms and she was sprinting third... Neha was sprinting ahead.
The next distance she took stride but with her normal pace... She was coming down the hilly route...
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It was the hilly route... Chakor was running towards
Arjun !!!! look there shouted Rohan. Near the white patch was a very thin metal wire laid across the road attached to a fine nail on both sides of the road, the sprinter with the pace will trip and get hurt. They ran towards... Chakor was pacing towards it.
Not hearing the volunteers cry, Arjun doubled up and went to the other side. Rohan went to the hilly side.. they both could not remove the nails or the wire but pressed it hard down that the wire touched the road flat. The metal wire cut their palms as they were pressing and they were bleeding, Chakor saw but ran ran towards with a tear in her eyes. Donot stop or look back, Raaghav's words were blowing in her ears.
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They called Raagahav who raged, by then he got a call from Govind asking him to come to the last leg of the route which was hilly too. He found something suspicious.
She was pacing... she was few yards away from the water booth, feeling thirsty she wanted to take the bottle.
The volunteers were distributing the bottles when one guy was not in the same uniform but was holding a different shaped bottle and was standing away from the booth well before...
Lalit found it so weird why is he standing alone while mam is coming... she extended her hand when Lalit said AA watch out when they both got their catapaults and start hitting the guy with the stones on his bottle. He got hit in his hand and dropped the bottle which broke and spilled the water while Chakor ran ahead to the booth and grabbed the bottle... She ran ran not looking back.
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No No this cannot happen shouted Hira Laal. How can she pace...what's happening! he called him...get her out at any cost he shouted. He was getting minute to minute update...
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It was the hilliest side she was running past the bushes, leading in the last leg... She was in the curve and the third white patch...High above the hilly slope range the sniper was aiming at her... focusing the lens with the silencer fixed ...He was on one of the hilly side tree top camouflaging into the branches... his wrist was hurt so he was having a support for the rifle. He set his target the cross mark focusing on her, locked the target and was viewing to draw the trigger when a strong hand from behind held his neck, throttling him. The rifle ridged up in the air releasing the bullet in the air.
She heard the gun shot but ran ran past...
One bang on his head from the branches behind, both fell down, the sniper and the hitter. He stood up to come to sense when came another strong punch on his arms. He looked up and was shocked to see the Lion in full force. He hit the broken wrist again, I should have broken your hand then raged Raaghav, he double jumped and sat on his calves breaking the bones of both the legs... this is for hurting Rati that poor girl... Kedaaar you did wrong in rubbing the Lion on his shoulders. He turned his other hand and broke the arms ... this is for hurting the boys make them bleed there... And one strong punch on his face...his voice so harsh, scary, with blood in his eyes... This is for trying to hurt my Queen, my Pride, My Life. Kedar who was absconding was there to kill Chakor and was preyed by the Lion... Raaghav could not control himself and hit him hard hard when he saw a black car go by. He quickly fired the rifle and punctured the tyres. Govind who was there quickly came running to and held Kedar. He made a quick call.
Raagahv ran behind the car which was going crisscross being punctured. He pulled out Hira Laal, Hiraa how can you stoop low and cheap for money, one strong punch on his face. The old man shuddered... How dare you try to hurt my son, those boys and Rati. I can forgive you for anything but not for trying to call my wife and threaten her, Twisting his hands... I will draw an end to all this. He held the rifle pointing... Raaghav saab please please drop your guns said Govind. Please go go as Madam is reaching the finishing line, you promised her to be there please. He left him while the police were there and held Kedar and Hira Laal.
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She ran ran to the finishing line... Only few yards away... She came towards it her eyes searching. The boys and the roses along with the mansion and plantation workers were cheering as she was nearing... The media was beaming on her full.
Here comes the Ace runner, the 501 reaching the finish line...
she came closer with her head high noise pointing up, hands wide wide crossing the ribbon...she ran ran straight, she could not stop her pace... Chakor ... Chakor... she ran with her eyes closed and she was lifted lifted high above in the air, she opened her eyes to see herself seeing the sky, swirling around. Flying in the sky... She looked down to see her Raaghav swirling her. He brought her down, cupping her face, she gasping hugging him..
You made it, You made it...kissing her cheeks, her eyes, YOU MADE IT.
The boys came running to her... Lalit and Rohan was behind... he called them together.
Hugged them together you all made me Make it... We All Made It. she hugged them crying thank you my boys... crying at the bleeding hands of Arjun and Rohan..
Hugging Raaghav gasping, palpitating, what was the gun shot?, did you get hurt? What's happening. Where are the girls... Rati are they fine safe...Hold your breath all are fine...Chakoriyaaa came the roses running to her with their cute stride... awww she lifted them and kissed. Calling mumma by name... smiling..
The organisers came to her congratulating her... Rathod came and shook his and her hands... You both made it!!! Thank you Saab, Raaghav said.. I made good the bad I did to her, he said... Shall meet you tomorrow at the celebrations he said leaving the family.
Shyaam kaaka and Govind came. Kaaka kissed her on her head.. I am proud bitiya. Where is Girija Mausi.. she is in the Pooja room praying for you he said!!
Look there your Finish Line said Raaghav... She saw Kedar in the stretcher and Hira Laal being taken by police handcuffed. What happened to Kedar she asked when Govind said the Lion pounced on him. She hit his chest... thumbina... Be happy I didnot tear him into pieces he said.
Neha was being mobbed as the crowd knew about the ugly truth. Rati came in her wheel chair, asking the crowd to leave Neha. She cried feeling ashamed... I am sorry she said...She did not say anything but looked at Chakor... be like my didi she said...
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The family was in their mansion a very very happy day indeed. It was a long run, she was tired all her parts were sore terribly.. The cubs and the roses slept.
He carried her to the gym to the jacuszzi massaged her with love and passion as she drifted into sleep with the pressures of the heat and water and his love...He was indeed happy very happy...
They cuddled for another warm night together ...
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Uff the guy may eat you he said going to her ears... I feel like just popping his and others eyes out.. she smiled ..hmm. Jalkud... Hmm holding her tight...
Did you look there...Look at the girls drooling over you she said. .. I will kill you if you look at anyone she said.. Hmmm looks like my birdie is too possessive about me telling her in her ears.
Edited by sumsukor - 6 years ago
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