Sameer-Naina FF: Kati Patang Thread#2 NOTE ON FURTHER UPDATES 05/03/20 - Page 5

The grove wheels of British Airways liner touched the London Heathrow Airport. Sameer looked out of the plane's window. The autumnal colours starting to spread across the sky.The sun was starting to set in western horizon.He looked at his watch.It was already 7 PM.Calculating the 5 hours lag from Indian Standard Time,he assumed it would have been past midnight in India.His family back home would be in a sweet,deep slumber.He came back from his own pleasant thoughts as the announcement went off in cabin to deboard.

Nisha is standing at far,crying out loud.The man dressed in jet black hoodie seemed ruthless.He clutched her soft fingers roughly and Naina winced.Soon a glass broke and all Naina saw was Nisha being dragged away.Naina cried,shouted,screamed yet nothing reached the man.Nisha screamed back "Mumma and dissolved in darkness.

"NISHA'' Naina screamed and woke off.It was a bad nightmare again.She looked around and saw the familiar darkness alike  the nightmare.The only difference was Nisha was safely sleeping clutching her teddy bear.Naina sighed in relief.She felt thankful to the supreme forces.The only time she was thankful for her reality and didn't want her dreams to come true ever.Well,was n't she quoting it wrong.It was not dream,it was nightmare.

She sunk back into her blanket. Sleep gone away by miles. Nisha turned and snuggled into the warm embrace of her mother.Naina kissed her forehead,resolving to keep her safe from all ordeals of life and demons.Nisha opened one of her drowsy eyes and mumbled ,''Papa aa gaye? . Naina smiled and nodded a 'NO'.Nisha seemed disappointed and crouched herself.Naina patted her back to sleep. She looked at the small table clock.It was 2.30 AM. No matter the time on clock,she was expecting Sameer to call.But would Sameer call at such dead hour of night?

Naina's eyes drooped a bit ;more out of mental and physical strain.Her eyes flew open wide as she heard her cellphone ring.Pulling away the blanket she grabbed the cellphone from nightstand. Though she was disappointed a bit seeing Namrata calling her,she picked up the phone.

Namrata's whispered voice flowed.''Hello Bhabhi! Bhaiya pahunch gaye hein. Aap jaagte rehna.Bhaiya hotel ki landline se call karenge.Good Night.'' Naina thanked and wished before hanging up. She moved out of the bed, not wanting to disturb Nisha's sleep.She closed the bedroom door behind her, and waited on the sofa for the much anticipated call.

After an impatient wait of 17 minutes,the cellphone vibrated with an unknown number.Naina quickly picked up muttering an urgent "Sameer. Sameer heard Naina's voice reach him,rippling through the receiver. A bright smile formed at his lips and he replied back "Naina! Pahunch gaya ache se.''

Naina fell in a quandary listening to his voice.His voice sounded tired,perhaps the effect of jet lag.She heard him ask "Thik ho? Pareshan si lag rahi ho.'' No matter how much she had steeled her mind and heart,with his question it all wore off.

Sameer heard sobs over the receiver.For a millisecond he could not fathom if it was technical glitch or Naina was actually sobbing. The sobs became clearer and louder.He asked the receptionist and took the cordless receiver to one secluded cornor. "Baat kya hai.Batao please.Kya hua hai?''

" Sameer! Nisha aaj kidnap ho jaati.'' Naina broke the news,while trying to muffle her cries. Sameer felt a bolt of lightning hit him ,ricocheting inside,throwing him off the balance.''KYA? Nisha?Kidnap?Kab?'' Sameer asked urgently.If he would have had choice,he would have booked the next flight back to India.But he knew that was impossible.He had to wait for 3 long weeks to be able to see his family,his tiny world.

"School se.Raunak ne bacha liya warna ..Sameer main kya karungi? Job chod dun?'' Naina asked and Sameer knew he has to take control of entire chaos.He took a deep ,long breath and thought for a while.''Job chodne ki koi zaroorat nahin.Tum pehle kal Police Station jao.Main Anupam se baat karta hun.Nisha ki school mein baat karo.School bus mein jaana aana kare. Mujhe pata hai ki school pass hai ; bus ki fees lekin puri lagegi.Tum uski  fikr mat karo.Humara bacha safe rahe bas. Uski classteacher se bhi baat karlo.This is serious.Baaki main kuch aur sochta hun.Daro mat,kuch nahin hoga use.'' Sameer said in one breath and Naina felt a knot in her chest loosen up.She was n't alone like before.The battle wasn't her alone.She had a support to fall back on.A support to hold on to when she would feel herself crumbling and falling apart.

Naina steadied herself and decided to make the conversation light.''Tumne Dinner kiya?'' She asked looking at the wall clock.It was past 3 AM now.''Nahin. Room mein hai.Socha pehle baat kar lun.Tumne thik se khaya?Medicine li? ''Sameer asked knowing how disturbed Naina would have been,and when it pertained to Nisha.

"Haan kha li hun. Medicines bhi li hun.Lekin ek wo jo yellow colour ka tha,usse kha kar ulti aa rahi hai.Ajeeb sa smell hai uski.Pata nahin baaki ka pura strip kaise khatam karun.'' Naina grumbled , complained and Sameer gave a short laugh.''Naina!Tum Nisha se bhi bachi ho.Medicines ko leke complain.''

"Oh hello Mr.Maheshwari.Medicine na main kha rahi hun.Tum to hazar koshon dur baithe mazze le rahe ho.'' Naina said,and Sameer could well imagine her sulking face. He mumbled something to the receptionist.A hushed agreement followed.Getting back to her,Sameer said,with a sigh ,''Koi mazza nahin hai aise.Itna bada room,sirf main,London ka chaand aur tanhai.Khair chodo.Wahan raat ke 4 baj rahe honge shayad.So jao.Jyada tension mat lo.Sab thik hoga.'' He assured and Naina hummed in reply.''Acha Sameer,yeh international call hai to bill badh raha hoga.Tum phone rakhlo.''

"Pata hai mujhe.Tum har chiz ki tension lena band karo. Yahan ki SIM le liya hun.Kal tak activate ho jaayega.''He added after a brief pause and thought,''Nisha se baat karao jara.So rahi hai na?''

"Puch rahi thi tumhari baare mein.Ruko baat karwati hun.''

Naina went to the bedroom,climbing the bed,she slowly jerked Nisha out of sleep.''Nisha!Papa ka phone hai.Baat karo.'' Nisha woke up,feeling drowsy,rubbing her eyes.She yawned long before falling back to sleep again.''Beta!Uth jao.Dekho Papa wait kar rahe baat karne ko.'' Naina jerked again and Nisha finally caught the words. In a drowsy excitement,she took the phone and voiced "Papa!Good Morning.''

Sameer knew not how it sounds when a nightingale sings at dead of night in dark,he knew not how angels sounded when they got up from slumber,,but he knew nothing could be more sweeter than his sleepy child speaking to him over phone.The distance of miles suddenly felt non existent.As if every thing that separated him from his family became volatile.

"Good Morning beta.Bahut jor ki neend hai?'' Sameer asked and Nisha voiced ;after another yawn.''Abhi main good night sleep kar rahi thi.Mumma ne jaga diya.Teddy bhi jaag gaya hai.Aapne phone kiya hai isliye.Aap jaldi aajana Papa.Chocolates lana bahut sara.Rishav aur Priya se bhi share karungi.Aur pata hai Papa; Mumma shaam se sad hai.Aap samjha dena.Aap Mumma ko ek kiss bhejdo,Mumma happy ho jayegi.Rishav bol raha tha TV pe aise karte hein.Jo bhi sad ho wo khush ho jaata hai.'' Naina smiled at Nisha and Rishav's innocence.She knew if the best thing Almora has given her it is Nirupama's family.A bond that she would forever cherish, a family away from her own.

"Acha thik hai.Mumma ko ek kiss bhej dunga.Tum bhi Mumma ka khayal rakho.Mumma ko sad mat hone dena.So jao.Good night.Mumma ko phone do.'' Nisha kissed on the receiver and went back to her sleeping.Naina planted a kiss on her cheek and held the phone to her ears.''Mumma! Kiss bhej raha hun.'' Sameer said,and Naina heard a loud smooch.She blushed and stealthily pressed her lips to the receiver.''I love you.'' She voiced.

"I love you too and miss you.Bye.Kal baat karte hein.Take Care.'' Sameer said and hung up with a heavy heart.He thanked the boy at reception and retired to his room.The dinner was a grand array ranging from rotis,some pulao,paneer butter masala, daal ,salad,a packet of pickle and a bottle of Chardonnay white wine.Though he had assured Naina profusely,the news had unsettled him.He could not have more than few morsels of food.He decided to end his dinner with few glasses of wine.May be a tired sleep after that will give him energy and strength to deal with the mess.

Naina kept away the phone on the night stand.A pang of extreme loneliness gripped her. The few days of extreme togetherness had gotten into a habit.She felt a primal urge rise in her.This was completely new feeling of emptiness.She knew not what to name the feeling,the emotion.She thought it might be the side effects of the medicine. She tried to sleep but the feeling of restlessness grew.Tight knots began to form in her body,as if begging for a release.Pushed completely by instincts,she got up from the bed.Opening her unpacked suitcase,she fished out a photo frame of Sameer.It was on his study table among several other frames.She had picked it up,before they just left for airport.

She looked at the photograph.He looked handsome to a degree.The candid clicked smile added a shine.Naina was surprised at the range of emotions she felt.There was lust,love,admiration,a longing to be with him.She knew not if that was all natural.Or she was having side effects of the prescription full medicines.She didn't want to think  more,rather could not think anything hence.Her body swayed in some vacuum of unfathomable desires.

She returned back to her bed.Her mind fogging with hazy recollections of time they had spent in the week ago.Driven by a boosted libido;she planted several kisses on the frame,before clutching it tightly to heart.She knew not when she had fallen asleep until she heard Nisha shaking her ,shouting,freaking out that she might get late for school.

Chachaji sat walloped by the guard at Maheshwari Mansion.However Chachiji didn't give up.The guard was not ready to divulge details.''Dekhiye Behenji!Ek baar humse galti hui hai.Dobara nahin hoga.Aap Sahab se baat kijiye phir aaiye.''

"Dewan! Kis se baat kar raha hai?Pooja ke liye phool lane ko boli thi,kahan hai?'' Shriya,Namrata's mother uttered,in a hoarse voice.She was quite miffed seeing the carelessness.''Wo Maa ji!Yeh do log Ahmdabad se aaye hein.Sahab ji aur Bhabhiji ke baare mein puch rahe hein.'' The guard said,raising his pitch. "Ruk!Dekhti hun main.Saara kaam ghar ka dekhna pad raha hai.Uff! ''Shriya climbed down the steps and walked to the gate. Her eyes met two unrecognized faces. Before she could ask,the lady in her middle fifties moved forward with a smile.''Bhagwan jhooth na bulaye aap humari Naina ki saas hein?''

Shriya looked a bit surprised with the question.''Aap Naina ki ghar se hein? Main Sameer ki PA..Matlab Mausi jaisi hun.'' Chachiji looked happy and smiled her brightest smile.''Main Naina ki Chachiji hun aur yeh uski Chachaji.Naina nahin hai ghar mein?''

Shriya gave a disappointed look.Chachiji understood Shriya had nothing more exciting to offer.''Aap log aaiye andar.Bahut der se khade hein.'' Shriya led them insides.Chachiji nearly bumped against the porcelain vase kept at the door.Shriya excused herself for the pooja and asked Ramdhari to attend to the guests in her absence. Chachiji marvelled at the interiors as well as exteriors. Chachaji silently took note of the surroundings.The house seemed not some ancenstral property,but had a vintage look to it. Suddenly his eyes caught a sketchpad,stacked under the pile of newly arrived newspapers.

Chachaji pulled out the pad and flipped through it. Some beautiful sketches of flowers,animals and landscape were drawn. The sketches looked drawn by a child but were quite impressive.As Chachaji flipped and reached the last page,there was a picture of family. Chachaji nudged Chachiji to look into the sketch.The surrounding drawn resembled the Maheshwari Mansion.A group of people in the frame were marked as Me,Papa ,Mumma,Nanu,Nani,Didi while a lady standing far with the car was marked Dadi. What caught Chachiji's eye first was the undersigned.Just below the black margin it was written in crayonsNisha Family.

"Yeh sab Nisha ne banayi hai? Itni badi kab ban gayi?'' Chachiji asked,her eyes starting to pool tears. She had last seen Nisha when she was only a year old.She remembered how Nisha used to cry and wail whenever she tried to handle her. Nisha would only stop crying when Naina would rock her in her hands.Chachaji had the only memory of Nisha peeing on him whenever he tried playing with her. His eyes turned misty remembering the scene where Naina quietly listened to Taiji's  rants,while an absolute clueless baby Nisha was pulling Naina's hairs. When Chachaji had asked to handover Nisha to him,Nisha as if understanding the cue,had crouched herself In Naina's arms,in absolute fear.That was the last Chachaji had seen of Nisha and Naina.

The baby who feared, peed on his pants,who used to wail the loudest in entire society was now a big grown up kid.Time really flies.''Arey aap log kuch khaye nahin.Ramdhari! Dabbe se wo namkeen nikal ke la. Sab kuch main hi bataun?'' Shriya saw the sketch pad in Chachiji's hand and said "Nisha ki talent hai.Hoshiyar bachi hai Naina aur Sameer ki.''

"Behenji!Naina aur Nisha ki koi photo hai? Bhagwan jhooth na bulaye;saalon hogaye dekhi nahin apni bachi ko.'' Chachiji broke into sobs and Shriya took pity for the mother like figure sitting infront.''Arey Behenji! Aise kya ro rahe hein? Mujhe pata hai Naina aap sab se dur Almora mein reh rahi hai.Aapne ane mein thodi der kar di.Do din pehle aate to mil lete sabse.Sameer bhi London chala gaya hai. Aap Almora jaake Naina se mil lijiye.Apne maa baap se bache jyada der naraaz nahin reh sakte.Wo bhi ek Maa hai aapki dard samajh sakegi.Namrata ko pakki wali address pata hai.Aap baithiye, main album laati hun.''

Chachiji broke into happy tears and Chachaji even could not control his tears.The photos of a mature looking Naina and quite a grown up Nisha and the school boy,now quite a man Sameer spread across few pages of the album.Chacha Chachi even saw the wedding photos and Chachiji shed some few more tears,the tears came as words she couldn't speak nor her heart could bear.Chachaji consoled that they would soon bridge the distance.Enough was enough.

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Bewajah hai

Tabhi to dosti hai.

Wajah hoti

To Saajish hoti...

Sudip scribbled the lines in his diary.He remembered how much Sharad appreciated his 'shayaris'. He remembered the times Sharad had proposed him to write a fine collection of shayaris and publish a book from their own publication agency.If only wishes were horses.. If only he had not have been betrayed.

Today was another day he was being betrayed by his another friend;Vikram. If he could die for friendship,he can kill in friendship too.Sudip heard a Toyota Corolla park outside his house.He kept away his file and loaded the .44 Magnum pistol. He awaited for the guest ;reading a page of Shrimad Bhagwad Gita.

"Yeh koi time hai ghar bulaneka kisiko? Shaam ko bula lete.I was damn busy man.'' Vikram shouted entering the house.He saw as usual Sudip sitting in his rocking chair,his back to him and he was reading something like always.''Main pahunch gaya hun.Ab kuch bologe ya phir aise hi timepass karoge?'' Vikram shouted again ;throwing his blazer on an adjacent chair.Loosening his tie,he relaxed himself on the plush sofa.

"Gita mein Bhagwan Krishna kehte hein

Gate shoko na kartavyo bhavisyam naiba chintayet

Vartamanena kalena vartayanti vichakshyanah.

Iska matlab pata hai Vikram? "

"Mujhe pata hota to main koi ashram kholke baithta.Idhar udhar bhatakta nahin.Jaise ab bhatak ke tumhare pass aya hun.Ab Shri Sudip ji aap hi apka mahan gyan use karke bata dijiye iss quotation ka matlab kya hai.Hum free mein enlightened ho jaayenge.'' Vikram mocked and Sudip smiled.This was so expected of Vikram.He was an impatient guy.Always eager to hanker at the moment..Anything,everything.

"Iska matlab hai humein apni bita hua kal ke baare mein koi regret nahin rakhna chahiye,aur aane wale kal ke baare mein pareshan nahin hona chahiye. Samajhdar admi ko apna vartaman samay pe dhyan dena chahiye.'' Sudip completed and kept away the holy book bookmarking it.

"Ab yeh bhi bata do kounsa samajhdari ka kaam karne bulaye ho yahan?'' Vikram asked,growing impatient with suspense.Sudip got up from the chair and asked Vikram to follow him.Vikram followed him like an obedient child.Soon they climbed to the first floor of the house.Vikram had never seen this part of the house.All he had seen the terrace and ground floor.He got quite intrigued as Sudip took him down a small hallway.

"Andar chalo.''Sudip instructed opening an old,rickety wooden door.The door was crowded with termites and Vikram clamped his nose with his tie to keep off the rotten,pungent smell of the room.Baitho wahan pe. Sudip instructed again and Vikram found an iron chair.The chair was dusty but Sudip's demeanour showed he wanted his instructions to be followed immediately.

"Nisha ko 50 ki bhav mein sauda karne ka idea kisne diya?'' Sudip asked and Vikram startled. This was supposed to be his secret.How did  Sudip know? Well when the cat is out of bag,there is no point in hiding it.Let the conversation flow.

"Idea was Only and Only Mine''. Vikram answered in attitude,rolling up his sleeves.Sudip walked to an old wardrobe,which stood strong and un corroded even after undergoing time's torture.Putting in the biggest key of the bunch,Sudip twitched it.The wardrobe opened with a frictional creak.He searched through it and pulled out a seemingly old file.

"Ab bata, paanch ki bhav nahin dete to kya karta?'' Sudip asked, carefully opening the file.''Pura ka pura paanch mein nahin dete to tukdon ka sauda taiyar hai. Brazil se Andrews ka phone aaya tha.Kidney aur heart chahiye use.Heere ke bhav se bech rahe hein.Uss bachi ka 2 kidney aur wo nazuk sa dil ka keemat ek bottle heera milta.Life set thi.Usika sauda pakka karta tumne phone karke bula liya. Bhagwad Gita sunane aur yeh gandi si jagah bithane ke liye bulaya tha?''Vikram asked, throwing a nasty glare to the suffocating place.

SLAP!

"Uski kidney mein meri dost ki khoon behta hai.Uski dil ki dhadkan mein mera Sharad zinda hai.Aur tu usika shuda karna chaha? Nisha pe haq sirf mera hai.''Sudip cleared his thoughts,holding Vikram by collar.''Ek baar wo lekhika Naina Agarwal mujhe property paper handover kar le, phir main uss bachi ki taraf aankh uthakar bhi nahin dekhunga.''Sudip concluded and released Vikram.Vikram fell to ground, hurting his rear.

Vikram quickly got off and started clapping.Sudip looked up from his file and found Vikram in his most sarcastic form.''Bahut badhiya.Maan gaye.Isse kehte hein dosti.True friendship.Hahhhaaa. Vikram gave a hysterical laugh.Kisi mahan aadmi ne sahi kaha hai.Byapar mein pyar matlab dooba business.Sudip Mitra aur emotional. Suit nahin karta.Hahhhaa..Waah Guru!Mann gaye aapki dosti ko.Yeh dosti ko mera salaam.Mera naman,mera ..Hahhhaa.'' Vikram said, laughing out ,clutching his stomach.

"Pike aaya hai? Mana kiya tha na.Aaj Sankranti hai.Aise mere ghar mat aana.'' Sudip scowled and Vikram gave a devilish growl.''Jo insaan ka saude kare,wo Sankranti ka maryada karta hai.Oh yeah!Rules are sacred.Hahhaa.Poor Joke Sudip Mitra.Tune apna bol diya.Ab meri sun.Mujhe wo Nisha bhi chahiye, wo Naina Agarwal bhi chahiye aur wo Sameer Maheshwari bhi chahiye lekin mara hua.Uss Naina se badla lena baaki hai.Saali uss do take ki taar bajane wala Sameer Maheshwari se shaddi karli.Kya sochi,main dar jaunga? Use chod dunga? Hahhaaa..Mard hun main mard. Vikram Chauhan,M.Sc.LLB.Jo sochta hun wohi chahta hun aur jo chahta hun use pakar rehta hun.Ab tu ya teri dosti ko mein apna revenge aur business dono mein nahin aane dunga Sudip Mitra.Note karle apne diary mein.''

 Vikram completed and got up to leave. Vikram marched to the door and felt a cool thing trace his spine.He turned around and found the hooded eyes of Sudip.Sudip's demeanour gone extremely rigid.He looked like a predator,ready to kill .Without any hint of remorse or guilt.

"Acha!.44 Magnum? Thik hai trigger daba ke dikha.Waise kisiko maarne se pehle uska akhri khwaish puchte hein.You know according to Indian Penal Code... ''Vikram was interrupted by a shot.He clenched his eyes.However he relaxed as he felt ,he could breathe.He was alive.

The shot just went by him from close distance.

"Yeh maiden shot tha.Jyada samajhdari ki baat ki to sidhe tere andar se jaayega.'' Sudip said,blowing out the speck of gun powder.''Samajh gaya.Bahut ho gayi bekar ki baatein.Ab kuch deal ki baatein kar lete hein. ''Vikram said,returning back to his normal poise.Pulling the iron chair he sat,and gestured Sudip to sit on the other chair.

"Dekh.Tujhe Nisha chahiye aur mujhe Naina.Simple.Aur dono ke raaste ki kaanta hai wo kambakht Sameer Maheshwari. Nisha humari jackpot hai.Nisha ko chot matlab dono ke dono humare pair pe aa girenge.Phir hum apna apna mazaa lutenge. Deal?'' Vikram extended his hand and Sudip looked impressed with the plan.''Par tu wada kar Nisha ko zinda rakhega''. Sudip said,and Vikram agreed. Soon they came up with a plan and ended the meet with a hug.

Naina awaited outside the police station,waiting for the Inspector-in-charge to finish his grand Mughlai lunch.Naina had urges in between to slam into the cabin and give an earful.But she knew it was time to be patient.Her one wrong step can affect so many things.Most importantly ,may indirectly bring upon some harm upon her Nisha.And she would do nothing of sorts that her child has to pay heavy prices for. Her wait ended as a lanky hawaldar called her inside ,lecherously eyeing her.Naina quickly buttoned all the buttons of sweater before entering the cabin.

"Aaiye Madam aaiye.Bataiye hum, Inspector-In-Charge D.S.Sampath aapki kis tarah se madad Karen? Pati se jhagda?Saas ki against complaint?Padoshi se ladhai?Ya phir iss nazuk si khubsurati par kisi lafenge ki comment...Jisko bolenge usko abhi andar kar lenge.. ''The inspector went like a rehearsed speech,rolling his stick in between his fingers.

"Meri beti ko kisine St.Anthony school ke saamne se kidnap karne ki socha.Isi ka FIR darj karwana tha.'' Naina said in a cold,chilly voice.The inspector quite didn't look impressed with the words.However his next words startled  Naina to core.

"Madam!Aap karti kya hein?'' The inspector enquired.''College mein Creative Writing ki teacher hun.'' Naina answered straight to point''.Badhia hai.To aap bataiye ki agar koi student cheating karne ka sirf socha,to kya aap usko exam se suspend kar denge?'' The inspector asked and Naina nodded in a 'NO'.

"Waise hi kidnap karne ka sochna aur kidnap karna.Dono mein lamba antar hai.Farq hai.Hum kisiko kidnapping karne ki sochne ke liye to arrest nahin kar sakte.Bilkul aapki copy wali case ki tarah.'' The inspector ended and took a sip of water.''Meri bachi ko kidnap karne ka attempt kiya gaya. Mujhe solution aur protection offer karna to dur,aap FIR tak register nahin kar rahe. Meri raaton ki neend ud gayi hai aur aap yahan example example khel rahein hein mere saath.Main abhi aapki senior se baat karti hun.Isi liye logon ka Police ke upar se bharosha uth gaya hai.'' Naina got up with a huff and dialled a number Namrata had given her.

After a quick round of  phone calls ;the inspector didn't seem much impressed with Naina.For him,now she looked like some educated elite who came with attitude and contacts.Must be some top gun.He better treat her well and send her back soon.

"Madamji!Aap kahe yeh DIG,IG walon ko iss mamuli si case mein lapet rahe ho.Aap kaho to do constable bhej dun aapki protection ke liye?Aapko pura din dekhte rahenge. ''The inspector said and Naina's eyes widened at the suggestive talks.The inspector corrected "Mera matlab pehra denge.'' She knew it was useless to seek for police protection.She rejected the offer and left the station.The FIR was registered and that seemed pretty great job.

Her cell phone vibrated and the caller's name,rather than taking her for surprise,drove her mad.She picked it up and without any pause,yawped into the receiver.''Kutte!Chipkali ki maut marega tu.Sharam nahin aati bachi ko mohra bana raha hai.Tu shaitan,tujhe mujshe badla lena hai na.Aa mere samne.Admi bhejke meri bachi ko kidnap attempt karke khud ko mard samajh raha hai?'' Naina spat the fire in her heart ,in one breath.

Vikram however didn't focus on all other words.His eyes widened at the line on kidnap attempt.When had he sent someone to kidnap Nisha? Was it Sudip behind his back?Did Sudip lie?

Betrayal?

Vikram however buried his doubts and spoke in his own flirt way.''Oh Darling!Itna gussa? Waise did you just give me an invitation to come to your beautiful,cosy,warm house?I think Mr.Maheshwari is away.Well I don't have any problems in filling his shoes for some moments.All at your service,darling.''

Naina swallowed back the bile erupting in her throat.She felt drinking accidentally something toxic would have burnt her body lesser than the words coming from real Satan of her life.''Pata nahin kis dayan ne paida kiya hai tumhe.Kyunki insaan paida karta to aise giri hui baatein aur harkat kabhi nahin karte.Kuch to insaniyat hoti.You are beyond redemption.''

 Naina cut the call and put it in switch off mode.She didn't want to talk to anyone for some hours.Its better that way than venting her frustration on others,and later driving on a guilt drive.

*********************************************************

"Khayal nahin rakh sakte apne?Kya zaroorat thi romantic hero ban ne ki?'' Preeti mumbled enough loud for Pandit to hear.She applied the Dettol and softly blew over the red on his forehead.His forhead had got a deep cut ,all thanks to the steel hanger that fell on him post birthday session.Though Pandit had seen the hanger loose from the holder,he had ignored it.Preeti's question had made him way too upset and bit angry too.It was a good fortune that the hanger's spiked ends missed Pandit's eyes.

Preeti shuddered to think of the further. Mentally berating herself for the question she had put,she had profusely apologised him.He was quite surprised to see her dash into his quarters and demand questions. He had watched her anger change into surprise and later into guilt.She saw the nurse, supposedly a Christian,with that cross mark hanging around her as pendant; tending to the cut.He was enjoying the attention and was busy in some flirting with the nurse.Preeti felt a twinge of emotion spike inside her.She clearly didn't like what she saw.

Why at all something this natural bothered her?

Preeti shut her heart's voice and tried to focus.But strangely, unknown to her,she had moved near his bed,had asked the nurse to leave and had completed his dressing.He had that same smile plastered on his face.She remembered asking him, less rudely and more mockingly,when he had winced.''Dard ho raha hai?Jab wo chipkane wali kar rahi thi tab to bada daant dikha rahe the.Ab kya hua?'' She had finished the dressing,when his question had caught her quite offguard.''Tumhein itni parwah hai meri?College se chali aayi?''She had not answered and had left asking him to take care.Pandit had smiled and felt at home in Pune after many years.He heard how Preeti was giving a long list of instructions to Shilpat Rao and the Chowkidaar outside his quarters.

"Preeti! Aaj shaam ko free ho?'' Preeti jerked from her thoughts.She had not realised when one period had gone and he was done with his class.''Shaam ko? Haan almost. Kuch padhne ka soch rahi thi.Kuch kaam hai kya?'' She asked and he nodded in affirmation''.Inter college drama fest ke liye notice aayi hai.To uski auditions lena tha.Main soch raha tha saath milkar audition le lein.Lead couple selection hai.'' Pandit paused to gauge her reaction.She thought for a while and looked into her planner.''5 baje bula lo sabko.Main 8 baje tak free hun.Phir Samar ko meet karne ke liye jaana hai.'' Preeti said and left the room for her assigned class.

"Samar? Yeh koun hai? Kahan se hai? Kyun hai?'' Pandit's thought revolved around the questions,before his neuro cells began to protest.The antibiotics were making him weak he felt.However he swallowed another tablet to keep away the splitting headache.

**************************************************

Sameer breezed through the meetings at Royal Academy of Music. It was difficult to focus.Time and again he had thoughts of calling Naina and asking her about the improvements.Nothing seemed pleasant even in his own work front. Damn Malhotra had made some slacks in recommendation ,that developed high chances of his students losing the prestigious and important scholarship.

Why the hell everything was so screwed?

"Mr.Maheshwari!Would you like to elucidate this point to the senators here?'' One of the senior officials of the Academy called out.Sameer shook out of his own roaming thoughts and apologised for being a little unmindful.He rose in his chair and held the application to justify his points. "Respected Senators!The point is absolutely simple.My students want to explore the Ragas from Indian roots and wish to create a fusion with symphonies of Western Maestroes.A pretty simple yet impressive take on fusion.They also want to include the beat or jazz tradition of American society for a transnational fusion.''Sameer completed ,allowing the officials to take a decision.

"Saameer!'' The old official called as they all dispersed for the day.Sameer chuckled as he heard Dylan, the old man or as they called him Old Monk ,call out to him.Sameer always found it funny how Dylan called him with an extra a' in his name.''Yes!Dylan.Any progress? Do I have to sit here throughout my life fighting with Senators? Music heals man,but it pains me now. ''Sameer said and Dylan seemed pitiful for his young friend's condition.Away from his family,away from his country he was fighting some true battle of wits and words.

"Don't worry Saameer.Its just a phase,which shall pass.Let the Senators decide and ask for improvements,if any.Till then I think you can come to my house for some fine dinner dining.Bertha would be so happy to see you.''

"Old Monk!You still love her a lot.Isn't it?'' Sameer asked and Dylan gave a sheepish grin.''Yeah. That remains permanent.So at what time can we expect you ,Mr.Young Man?''

"Hmm..8.30 would be perfect.I would wrap up and join you guys.And yeah no chicken or pork.'' Sameer said with a smile,that truly came from his heart. "Ofcourse.How can I forget you are the vegetarian cave man.Farm grown veggies exclusively for you.See you soon mate.'' Dylan finished with a laugh and took his leave.Sameer looked at his watch. Finally he had the time to call Naina.

Nisha licked the spoon and scooped out bit more of icecream.Rishav competed with her and spooned out a bigger scoop of icecream from the tub. Naina had sent away Nisha to Nirupama's house for several reasons,better known to her.One of the recent reasons was that she had to go shopping for the daily kitchen needs and meet her local publisher.

"Moti!Uncle London gaye hein na.Kitna bada country hai wo.TV pe dekha tha.'' Rishav said wowing in admiration.Nisha caught the words and softly slapped Rishav on his upper arm.''Gadha!London city hai country nahin.Didi bata rahi thi.Its the capital city of England.'' Nisha said ,remembering her rehearsal of the fact.

"Ohh!Uncle ghumne gaye hein?Tujhe aur Aunty ko saath kyun nahin leke gaye?Akele ghumne mein kya mazza? ''Rishav asked and Nisha surprisingly gave a giggle,rather than an expected frown.''Papa wahan kaam se gaye hein.Koi School gaye hein.School to sab akele jaate hein na.Pura family ko leke nahin jaate.''

"School gaye hein? Itne bade hoke?'' Rishav now laughed,imagining Sameer entering gates with a school bag.''Hasna band kar.Wo badon ki school hai.Humari St.Anthony jaise nahin.Tu London ki baat chod.Mujhe tujhse ek secret  share karni thi.'' Nisha said,bringing down her words to a whisper.Rishav lowered his head and moved closer to her to catch all the whispered words.

"Mumma ne aaj bola ki koi bhi aadmi,zyada anjaan uncle se baat nahin karne ke liye.'' Nisha whispered.''Sahi to keh rahi hai.Kal agar wo uncle tujhe le jaate to..Aunty bahut dari hui si lag rahi thi.Papa Mummy ko bol rahe the,main sun liya''. Rishav informed,in a similar low voice.

"Par mujhe ek doubt hai.Dekh Papa bhi anjaan Uncle the.Agar waise hi koi anjaan Uncle meri Mama ya Chacha nikle to?Mumma to Nani ki ghar leke nahin jaati,aur Dadi bhi akeli aayi thi.Mujhe kaise pata hoga? ''Nisha asked and Rishav put down the ice cream tub to think.

"Doubt to sahi hai tera.Agar wo Mama ya Chacha na hokar ,tere dusre Papa nikle to? Uncle ki tarah''. Rishav asked another doubt in reply.Nisha,however,didn't feel happy with prospect of another father in her life.Other than his Papa,she could not think of calling someone else Papa too.It didn't sound any pleasant.Then a brain wave struck her.

"Budhu! Sabke ek hi Mumma aur ek hi Papa hote hein.Meri ek Mumma thi ab ek Papa aa gaye hein.Bas ab koi Uncle aayenge to Mama ya Chacha banenge.Dekh lena tu''. Nisha asserted and Rishav didn't agree.''Agar ek Mumma aur Papa ke do teen bache ho sakte hein,phir bachon ka do teen Mumma Papa kyun nahin ho sakte?'' He asked,plunging Nisha into a brainstorming session.'Yeh kaisa question puch liya.Mujhe to answer pata hi nahin.Main Mumma ko puch ke bataungi.''  Nisha promised and they went back to eating ice creams,and talking about her fun times in Delhi and his time at his Nani ka ghar.

Sameer awaited at the famous London underground for the train to arrive.The last call with Naina had not been so exciting.More than that she seemed disturbed to core.Though she had asked him to focus on his work,he unfortunately couldnot.Nothing seemed interesting to him. However he looked to warm ambience and get together with Dylan and Bertha,who had filled for his family during his 5 years stay in London.Perhaps another family,away from his family could give him some warmth,some riddance.

Sudip rolled his paper weight,thinking hard of some reasonable answer,rather person to be precise.The last call from Vikram had taken him by quite a surprise.Vikram had point blank accused him of playing games,betraying him ,defying the rules of the contract and of trying to kidnap Nisha. It was as fresh to Sudip as any other breaking news flashing on the TV Screen.Why would he need to kidnap Nisha when he can easily barge to Naina's abode like the last time?But the burning question was..Who tried kidnapping Nisha? If not he or Vikram,who else was after her,their jackpot.

Sameer watched another train arrive at his point. A mad rush of passengers got down and dispersed around him like scattered droplets of flesh and black heads.It was time for his train now.As he checked his mobile for any further messages and calls,he heard someone call him.Had it been a casual Mr.Maheshwari' or Sameer' or Mr.Sam Maheshwari he would not have been surprised.It was an unusual and unexpected call.

"Sameer Bhaiya''

Sameer turned around and could not trace the caller.But soon saw a familiar face emerge from the crowd.The unmistakable smile that reflected in the portfolios,the person he hated ;yet strangely  not with vengeance. Sameer could not hold and gasped surprisedly,''Rohan?.''

(To be Continued)

 P.S.:Thank you so much for reading.😃 Would love to read all your feedback.😳