PART 154
“What?! God, how is time flying so fast? Its already been a week since we’ve joined?”
Urmila laughed at Lakshman’s innocence as he wrangled out of bed and Urmila shut her laptop, walking towards him.
“And tomorrow is the party. Have you made all the arrangements Bhaiyya had asked you to?”
He ran through his phone quickly as he began to nod slowly.
“I did, thankfully. I just need to contact the decorator now, he hasn’t shown up yet. Oh god, how did it completely erase from my mind that tomorrow is Sunday?”
“You should see yourself,” Urmila said, taking his phone away and keeping in on a table. “You have been so absorbed in work for the last few days now that you really have lost sense of time. You’ll over exhaust yourself this way, Lakshman.”
Lakshman sighed as he placed his hands on her shoulders, carefully touching his forehead to hers as he mustered a smile.
“Im sorry Mila, I haven’t been able to give you a lot of time…”
“Hey,” she said, her eyes running between his face and her feet. “Its not that, I just dont want you to exert yourself to the point that you fall ill. Its okay, its a new responsibility, it will take some time, no doubt. But dont ever forget to take care of yourself first. Thats why I didnt wake you up early today, I wanted you to take some rest. Oh, and…”
Urmila moved away slowly as if to remember something. She pulled out a drawer and with it a small wrapped box.
“Open it,” she smiled excitedly, like a little child.
“Its not my birthday, if you’ve forgotten the date,” Lakshman giggled.
“I know,” she added smirking. “Now open it and tell me if you like it.”
Lakshman was taken aback, as he slowly unwrapped it and opened the box with utmost care and love, it being a piece of Urmila as well , after all.
The small hourglass, filled it with the golden sands of Vatika seemed to flow swiftly at Lakshman’s turn, the top having his initials inscribed on them.
Lakshman smiled as his heart filled with possibly what he imagined was an infinite amount of love, as he cleared his desk and placed the gift right where it came into his sight.
He turned to Urmila, pulling her to himself softly.
“I never knew I was so lucky, perhaps the luckiest man on earth.”
Urmila laughed a little, covering her face in a feeble attempt to hide the red on her face.
“Now please, dont ‘butter’ me anymore. I received it today morning itself so…. Anyway, Bhaiyya was calling you downstairs at.. oh, he asked us to be down now.”
“Both of us? Why, is everything alright?”
Urmila shrugged her shoulders.
“Everyone at home is, but I dont know anything other than that. We should go and check.”
He nodded as the two went down.
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“Morning Lakshman,” Ram said as Lakshman came down to stand by him, only to be met with Siya and a few other, unexpected guests seated at their hall.
“Morning Bhaiyya,” he said slowly as the two of them took minutes to take the situation in.
Suddenly, Pawan walked in and wished them the same. It was then at it struck Lakshman, they were here for a round of inquisition.
“I hope you’re doing well Mr. Lakshman,” a senior official said sipping the tea brought to him by an attendant.
“Yes, thank you. I assume you all here for..”
“For interrogation, yes.” The burly man replied. “I really didnt want to trouble you all, but its a matter of national security and Indian action on a foreign land, that too by influential people by you. So Id asked Mr. Ram to have your family lawyer and I brought my team along. I need a few answers, thats all.”
“Sure,” he replied.
The officer turned his attention to Ram and Siya.
“So Mr. Ram, like you were telling me, you had a team of these men, and how many lost their lives in the end?”
“15, unfortunately. ” remorse evident in his voice.
“And all of Indian origin? In cases of violence?”
“Yes sir. I have their details with me as well, and Ive ensured I will take care of the health and educational expenses of their families here as long as I can.” He eyes for Pawan to hand over a file, and the officer ran over it quickly.
“I see.”
“Ma’am,” he said turning to Siya. “Can I ask you a few questions?”
Siya shifted a little in her seat, bracing herself for the questions ahead confidently.
“Sure. Ill try to be of as much help as I can.”
“Thank you. Now ma’am, how were you taken there?”
“In. .. In a ship, a cargo kind of but with small cabins.”
“Did you know where you were going? “
“No, I was unconscious for a long time. I was told only once we reached.”
There was a pause post which the officer cleared his throat.
“Were you abused?”
Siya knew she had to face his words, yet a small part seemed to rile up. She thought more rather of Urmila, who perhaps would be subjected to the same if she couldnt give a satisfactory answer.
She glanced at Ram, who with a heavy heart gazed at her to remain composed.
“I mean..” She began. “Mentally, yes. It was his tactic to try to bring Urmila and me out of our right senses to give into his traps, but we never did. Physically, no, never intentionally. I was always looked after by my attendant, who turned out to be a good woman.”
“And se*ually?”
All of them perked up as Lakshman took an angry step ahead, Urmila holding him back.
“What is he saying?” Lakshman whispered harshly to Urmila.
“I know, but, he’s doing his duty. We can’t say anything…”
“But that doesn’t mean he can just!”
“I understand Laksh, I am angry too. Siya Di is strong, she will handle it.”
Siya boldly looked ahead at him.
“No, I was not. Neither of us were. And my husband and I have arranged for medical reports to prove the same, should anyone ever raise a question.”
The officer nodded in embarrassment as he stood up.
“I think we can go over the rest later. I heard that you all are arranging a party tomorrow, we will meet after that if possible. Have a good day, sorry for the trouble.”
Ram nodded as he signalled Pawan to drop him to the door, which he reluctantly did.
“Bhaiyya what is this?!” Lakshman retorted. “How did you allow him to talk like that?”
Before Ram could begin, Lakshman looked away as he spoke again.
“And Bhaiya, Bhabi said you already have done some test? Why Bhaiyya? Why did you?”
Urmila eyed Siya in question too, as Ram made the two of them sit and sat between them.
“Lakshman, first and foremost, just hear me out once. I understand you two are angry, and you are not wrong at all. I myself flinched when he dared to think of Siya that way, but, the truth is, I already knew this was bound to happen.”
“Bhaiyya.. you…” Lakshman gasped.
“Lakshman, we were THERE. We saw everything with our own eyes, we felt and experienced things that we could never tell anyone who’s not been in our shoes. Rather, they would never understand.”
“This world, it works in a funny way Lakshman. Despite what happened, despite you being pure and honest in your heart, you will be questioned and doubted. And it is not a question of trust, it is just that, people refuse to believe that the real evil lies not in what a person does, but in what he thinks. Raghavan, despite being the evil that he was, never dared to lay a finger on her. But there will be people now, who may doubt otherwise. And just so that Siya is not subjected to any kind of false torture or accusations, I had the test done.”
“Bhaiyya, what irritates me is, how the officer managed to ask if Bhabi was hurt, but didnt bother to ask who hurt her.”
“Well,” Ram sighed. “That is still unfortunately the truth of the world we live in, even today. The evil never need to show proof of their crime, but the true need to prove their innocence. And it is something, we as a generation of men and women, have never actively worked to Stop. We talk, but do we really take action? It is up to us now Lakshman, to see to it that the women we know and love and even those we dont, can find a place for themselves in society without anyone being able to point a finger at them for something they do not have a fault in.”
Lakshman took a deep breath as he walked up to Siya and held her hands.
“Bhabi, I am so sorry. For everything you had to go through. I will make sure no one ever dares to question you or Urmila anymore.”
Siya smiled a little as she hugged him and Urmila.
“We will break only if we want to break. Never shy away from something you never had a fault in. Remember, its not only you, when you speak up, you speak up for many more.”
Pawan came back carrying the same apologetic expression, when Ram spoke up to break the tension.
“Okay, anyways. This will pass soon. Now tell me, has everything for tomorrow been arranged?”
“Yes Sir,” Pawan said. “Ive seen to the security, Shatrughan Sir and Bharat Sir have called all the caterers and guests you had asked to.”
“Ive also called the decorators and photographers. Now only I need to get it confirmed….”
Saying so, Lakshman walked off to a corner to make a call as Ram came to stand next to Siya and Urmila.
“Hey, I hope you sisters have everything ready? And what about Maanvi and Shruti?”
“I am.. ready I guess.” Siya giggled.
“Me too. But Jiju….”
Ram shook his head at Urmilas antics to cheer him up. He knew, being called ‘JIju’ was not a good Sign for him.
“What do you want Mila?” He said sarcastically.
“Jiju, did you see that picture of those suits Id sent you? Choose from them na, wear the orange one, you will look…”
“MIla, my dear sister, NO.”
“Jiju Please you’ll look really cute…”
“Mila, Im well over 30, its not my age to look cute anymore..”
“Jiju, age is but a number… “
“But how can you say this after taking all the payments? No what do you mean refund? What about your commitment?”
All of them turned to Lakshman as he seemed to be upset over the phone. As he turned, Ram signalled for him to drop the call and come to him.
“What happened?”
“Everyone is so unprofessional Bhaiyya,” Lakshman said sadly. “I called up the decorator to ask if he could have the flowers and accessories set up today itself, and now he’s saying, he can’t take up the partys responsibility because he has some wedding to decorate. If he had was committed elsewhere why didnt he tell me In the first place?”
“Oh.. thats unexpected, But, what can we do now,” Ram sighed.
“Should I contact someone else?”
Ram thought for a moment.
“I dont think anyone will be able to take up this in such a short amount of time. I mean, we’re already cleaning the house all over, I guess that’ll be enough.”
Lakshman nodded, as that very moment, Bharat and Maanvi stepped down.
“Bhaiyya, what happened? I heard Lakshman getting over something on the phone.”
“See, thats how loud you talk,” whispered Urmila from the side to Lakshman.
“Whatever,” he chided in frustration and anger.
Siya seemed to be lost in her thoughts, when suddenly, she turned to Bharat.
“Bharat, if I ask you to do something for me, can you do it?”
Bharat seemed taken aback at this innocent question of hers. He’d always been fond of her, but never been able to gel with her the way he wanted to. He knew slowly he would own up to his chances.
“Sure Bhabi, anything you say,” immediately he replied.
Siya smiled.
“Bharat, we all know of your immense talent. I am sure you have a few paintings with you now, here. If you dont mind, can you arrange to put them up here in the hall? The decorators have backed out from tomorrows plan, and I am sure everyone will be more than surprised and impressed at this beautiful skill of yours. Will you?”
Bharat’s heart beat fast as the smile on his face became wider than ever. To be accepted and loved in a way he had always wanted to, he felt like it was his dreams coming true one after the other.
“Bhabi, are you..sure? “
“Ofcourse,” she replied chuckling. “I am sure nothing can beat the beauty of your work on your own walls.”
Bharat took a deep breath.
“Sure Bhabi, I will.”
Maanvi looked at her Di and at Bharat with the brightest eyes. Siya had been able to make Bharat do what Maanvi had tried for so long. She was prouder than ever, knowing how his work would finally come to the fore properly.
“Thats a brilliant idea Di!” Urmila said. “Thank god for your brains!”
Bharat looked at Maanvi as she nodded, when Siya added,
“And Maanvi, I mean you too.”
“What?!” Maanvi shrieked. “No di, I wont. I dont have anything nice here. I wont put up anything, no.”
Before Siya could convince her, Bharat broke in.
“Dont worry Bhabi, I will make sure both are paintings are put up on these walls tomorrow.”
Maanvi looked at him dumbfounded as Bharat reassured her.
Siya smiled seeing the bond between the two of them, them sharing the love they had always deserved.
Lakshman rubbed his hands in excitement.
“Okay then, let us all get to work for tomorrow !”
————————————
“This will look too plain.”
“No it wont, I think it will look nice on the walls next to the table,” Maanvi said as the two of them stood around Bharats collection of canvases.
“I dont know,” Bharat said. “After all, I painted this.. there. Alone. I only painted these 3 oils, and the rest I already had.”
Maanvi understood his sentiments, of having brought out his sadness in those sole strokes. Yet somehow, she felt, they resounded with much more, as if a testament to a time that had passed, and a hope for new beginnings.
“But I think this stands for hope, positivity. You’ve mixed this abstract really well.”
She put those 3 canvases to one side, and smiled.
“So those 3 are definitely going, and what else had you painted there?”
“ I have the paintings from our time at the Taj.”
Maanvi expected him to be sarcastic, but he looked at her in a smile.
“What? I am not allowing you to put those up there..” She said.
“Why? Are they not good?”
“No, its not that,” she replied swiftly. “Its just that.. my picture painted by you for everyone to see.. wont it be awkward?”
“Well, if you’re feeling awkward about it then…” Bharat made an innocent face, instantly melting Maanvis heart.
“Dont make that puppy face in front of me, I swear,” she laughed as Bharat joined in.
“So thats a yes then?”
Maanvi nodded slowly as she sorted a few more of his paintings out.
Looking proudly at about 10 odd of his paintings chosen, Bharat turned to her.
“So, time for you. Ive already seen the one with the flower and the other one with the river, so these two are confirmed. What else have you painted?”
“Pretty much, thats it. Only one more, with a few mountains in it. Nothing else.”
Bharat could sense, she was keeping something from him. He walked over to her walk in closet and opened the doors.
“Hey, what!” Maanvi interjected but he towered over her and pulled out her sketchbook from a top shelf.
He flipped though the pages, as he stopped at the last drawing. A rough sketch in pencil, yet so pure. It was a sketch of him, smiling and bright.
His heart flinched with convulsing feelings of love and longing. He looked at her, as she quickly looked away and fumbled with her hands.
“I tried to draw you from memory. Its not that great, but..”
“Its perfect,” Bharat replied. “Seeing me from your eyes is the best picture I can ever have of myself.”
Maanvi mustered to look up at him, blushing away from her pure efforts.
“Maanvi, can you paint this for me? Maybe we can’t hang it up for tomorrow, but I want to keep this with me, always.”
Maanvi nodded slowly as she let out a deep sigh.
“And maybe we can show this to the world some other time, you will have many such chances coming your way now.” he added.
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I HAD WRITTEN MORE, but it seems Ive exceeded the daily word limit of some kind :|
Ill try posting the next part today itself, after 12 if possible.
YAAAY, please lemme know!
P.s. I am very sorry if some parts of this felt a little disturbing or out of place, its just that, even in these dire times the world is in, I read a few cases of heinous violence in different parts of India and that really upset me. Maybe, if this story really was taking place today, its women would have been subjected to the same. So sorry, but I really just needed to vent out.
THANKIEE!
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