Hello lovely, brilliant folks!!
I truly apologise for the delay - but life got in the way and I couldn't really do anything about it 😕😭
Anyhoo, without much delay, here's the next chapter for Friendship, Love, & War. An extra long update, will hopefully, make you guys forgive me sooner 😊
Chapter 27
While Pratap spent the next few days recovering from his concussion, and under the watchful eye of his Maa sa and Ajab, with his father and friends making frequent visits, the rest of the gang had been engaged in a rather busy schedule. And it had nothing to do with their school work. Well, mostly.
~~Flashback (two days ago)~~
Two days after the attack on Pratap, Akbar was wearing a path into the carpeted floor of the conference room, constantly checking the time on the clock. They had been waiting for nearly an hour. Where were Som and Chak?
Just then, he heard the door open and turned, as Som and Chak entered, looking tired, but alert. They immediately walked to the table and laid out five iron nuts - right next to the one Akbar had himself laid, nearly an hour ago. As everyone peered to check for themselves, they reached the same conclusion, that Akbar had presented to them, the day they returned from the hospital for the first time.
Akbar had waited to make sure that Dee had fallen asleep before asking all of his friends to meet up with him at the Krishna mandir. They had then all moved to their regular hub, the conference room. The five other screws lying next to the first one were all confirming the one suspicion they all had - that the beam did not suddenly give way under Pratap by accident. It had been replaced with an old beam, with no screws in place, so that the moment anyone stepped on it, it would fall, and crumble to pieces.
As Akbar looked up to meet everyone's eyes, he saw them all reach the same conclusion. This was deliberate. Not just the attack, where Pratap was physically struck, but the falling of the beam was also a carefully planned effort to hurt someone. And it would not just be for Pratap.
"I think this confirms that even the beam's falling, though made to look like an accident was deliberate. The person definitely intended to hurt someone", Akbar said to the group at large. "Why are you saying someone? Isn't it obvious that they were trying to hurt Bhaujiraaj?", Ven asked.
"No. It's not, actually. There was no way for this person to know that Pratap would show up there", Akbar pointed out. "Who else could this guy want to hurt, then?", Sau asked.
Akbar took a deep breath. "Who's the only person that goes up to check on things, other than Pratap himself?", he asked.
"Jija?", Patta looked pale as he said that. Akbar only nodded. "So are you saying that the attacker actually meant to hurt Ajabdeh, but ended up attacking Bhaujiraaj instead?", Som asked, looking for some clarity.
Akbar shook his head. "No. I'm saying neither. And both. I get the feeling that the guy meant to attack either Pratap or Dee or both. He didn't care which one of them got hurt."
"Or it could be that they intended to hurt anyone at all who walked over there to do the check", Prof. Indra's voice startled the whole group and they looked up to find him standing at the door of the conference room. As the group exchanged uncertain glances at each other, Indra continued, "But I agree with Akbar. I think this was an attack that was most likely focused on hurting either Pratap or Ajabdeh. We don't know which. We also don't know who this person was - we have no proof yet that the light crashing so close to the two of them was or was not a focused attack."
"Urm.. so what do you suggest, Sir?", Akbar managed to ask. "I suggest that you all keep a close eye on Pratap and Ajabdeh's safety. Just the idea that someone managed to infiltrate our security enough to enter into my gurukul, and dared to attack my students makes my blood boil. 'And makes me feel like I failed in my duty to protect the future of our country', he thought to himself.
"But I also know our security system. It is NOT easy to infiltrate. Which implies three things - one that we need to find the hole in our security and plug it, and two, that our enemy/attacker is smart and most likely has outside help. They also failed", he said, looking at them with the expression hoping they were getting his drift. "They are likely to come back", Patta said, with sudden realisation.
And with him, everyone understood. Hurting Bhaujiraaj, or Ajabdeh, or just any other student, or staff member - whatever the attacker's plan was, it failed. They would return. He looked at Prof Indra only to find him looking back. "I urge you all to take special care when it comes to their safety. While it is not a hundred percent certain that they both are the only or the ultimate targets, I will say that they both are the most likely targets", Indra added.
"While I'm sure that Mr. Singh and his people are doing everything they can, the safety of this school and it's students is our responsibility. And I'm hoping you all will agree to help me with it", he added looking at them expectantly. One by one they all nodded to him, and he left, acknowledging their support and indirectly giving them permission to further investigate the matter, to the best of their ability.
"I just want to say one thing before we dive into this", Akbar spoke up as Prof. Indra left. "What I didn't say in the hospital in front of Dee and Pratap's family. I'm sure that Pratap swerved and avoided the majority of the power of the blow, but that blow was NOT meant to just 'hurt'. It had the power to kill", he finished into the stunned silence, speaking the thought that everyone had dreaded to allow into their minds.
"So we are not just dealing with a cowardly attacker who hides in the shadows. We are dealing with a man who's ready to kill to get what he wants. Which makes him all the more dangerous", Ajabdeh's emotionless voice sounded from the doorway, once again startling everyone. As she walked in, everybody in the room was surprised to see her looking like she had no idea of where she was.. she looked to only partially be aware of her surroundings, but her thoughts were elsewhere.
Patta looked at his Jija very carefully. He had never seen her react like that for anyone, like she had reacted for Bhaujiraaj. And now she was awake. Again. She had not slept the last night either. The way she spoke also told him that she had most likely been continuing her forensic psychology research. This was not good, they needed to find a way for her to get some rest. Granted, they had all been getting very little of it, but after what his Jija had done in the last 48 hours, she NEEDED to sleep.
Patta looked at Akbar and Sau, and then the rest of the group and found them all looking at his Jija with the same worry that he was feeling. Sau immediately suggested they all pack up for the night, just so they could take Ajabdeh to her room. The next day when his Jija arrived at the hospital, Patta watched as she pleaded to Bhaujiraaj's mother to let her stay. She would sleep on the sofa outside. She would bring her clothes and school work and finish it all while at the hospital.
Jaiwanta Singh had conceded. Only because his Jija told her the truth behind wanting to stay - she could not sleep in the dormitories. She kept having nightmars - that she couldn't hold on to Bhaujiraaj's hand, or replaying all the blood flowing onto her lap from his nose and face. And his unconscious form. That day, Patta also noticed, for the first time, that Pratap or Bhaujiraaj, as he himself had taken to calling him, now wore the Ekmukhi Rudraksh maala that was his Jija's. He had sworn to talk to his Jija about it, as soon as he got the chance. But the way things were going, he had no idea when that would be...
~~Flashback ends ~~
Pratap's home
As Pratap rested his head against his familiar headboard, and breathed deeply. The fragrance of the wet earth, and the flowers in the garden. Home. And not the disinfectant and sterile smell of the hospital. He closed his eyes and smiled.
His friends were bustling about chattering, setting themselves up for a home-cooked dinner by his Maa sa. Well, most of them. He couldn't see Patta. Or Ajab. But he knew she was here. She had driven with them when they discharged him from the hospital. And Patta was here too, he had been there, standing with all his other friends, who had set up decorations to welcome him back. The streamers and ribbons and balloons strewn across his room right now were proof of that.
Pratap was surprised and yet a little embarrassed. He didn't think getting yourself knocked over, in your own gurukul was something to be proud of and much less celebrated, nor was the fact that you managed to beat a concussion. He had done that several times before - one didn't get through MMA or Krav Maga or most other sports, without getting hurt. He wished sometimes, that his friends were a little less enthusiastic about this. But he also understood and appreciated their efforts to cheer him up. And to impress his Maa sa, so they could enjoy her delicious cooking.
Speaking of his Maa sa's cooking, his stomach growled. He tried to ignore it, but it kept on growling. He looked around at his friends who were all engaged in conversation, and slowly crept out of his bedroom. He didn't want them making a fuss about getting him his food.
As he walked towards his kitchen, much more slowly than he would normally do, he heard voices. He strained to listen, but couldn't. As he looked across the kitchen, he found his Maa sa in the hallway, on her mobile, most likely talking to his father.
He slowly walked towards the kitchen, keeping his footsteps light, so as to not interrupt the conversation. "You seem very comfortable in here, Jija", Patta was saying. "Yeah", Ajab said with a slight smile in her voice. "When I was here for a week, before the session started, I was in here a lot, chatting with and helping Maa sa."
"But what are you doing in here right now?" Patta asked. "Oh.. I just.. you know, I thought I would start laying the table. Maa sa is talking to Uday uncle, and I don't want to interrupt her", Ajab answered.
"Sure. I'll help you. But why the hurry? You just arrived. And everyone is upstairs, chatting and catching up with Bhaujiraaj", Patta asked, starting to pick up a pile of plates to carry to the dining room.
"Because it's getting late. Besides, I'm sure Pratap is hungry. And it's not good for him to stay hungry for long, especially since it will be time for him to take his meds soon", Ajab answered, like it was the most natural thing for her to know when and how's of Bhaujiraaj's daily schedule.
Patta took his chance. "Speaking of... I have been meaning to ask you about something Jija."
"Hmm?", she asked while setting up the gas to heat one of the dishes. "Did you know that Bhaujiraaj is now wearing a rudraksh maala?" Ajab didn't respond. "Actually, I'm quite sure he's wearing your ekmukhi rudraksh maala...", Paata probed.
"Shh... quiet Patta, please. Someone might hear", Ajab spoke, nervously looking around. Pratap sank further behind the door. "And yes, to answer your question - I do know that Pr.. Pratap wears the rudraksh maala."
"Jija, does he know that it is yours?", Patta asked. Pratap could not hear anything, but assumed Ajab must have nodded. Before Patta could ask anything else, Ajab interrupted him. "Patta, stop. I know what you are going to ask. And no. I haven't told Maa about the maala going missing. I noticed it was gone when I reached the hotel from the mall in Dubai."
"But everything was a mess afterwards. We were in such a rush, and Maa was already worried after talking to Dad. I didn't want to worry her further. So I didn't say anything."
"As for Pratap knowing, he found the maala in the parking lot. And he tried giving it back to me, but I refused."
"Okay...", Patta seemed to be thinking that through. "Does he know why?", he asked.
Ajab shook her head. "I'm sure he is curious.. but.. but we have .. just.. never got around to talking about it." "Jija! You can't be serious... You haven't told him anything?".
When Ajab just continued to look at him guiltily, Patta continued, "Jija, you found that rudraksha. You didn't buy it, you found it! At the Mukteshwar temple. You were seven years old! You climbed through rain and fog to get to that temple to pray for Maa ji sa and Bal's safety. And the Baba you met at the temple gave you the prasad that helped Maa ji sa feel better. And we could get her to the hospital safely for delivery. And you found only the rudraksha in Baba's place when you looked up from touching his feet. Maa ji sa truly believes that it was a rudraksha given to you by Shivji himself for protection!" Patta, asked.
"I know Patta! That's exactly why I refused to take it back from Pratap." When Patta looked at her confused, she continued, "I believe Maa. So if I found the rudraksha and it was meant for my protection, then I also lost it. And Pratap found it. So now, he should have it, for his protection. That is Shivji's will", Ajab urged Patta to understand.
Pratap stifled his sharp intake of a breath. He looked across the hall, to find his Maa sa on the opposite end watching him very carefully. He quickly schooled his expression, but saw his Maa sa smile. Pratap had a feeling that his Maa sa knew something that he didn't.
So, what are your thoughts?
Love and creativity,
RuVa
Edited by RuVa - 10 years ago
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