Mish' Fiction

“Tum? Yahan kya karne aayi ho?”

“Andar to aane do, Kabir.”

“I don’t think so. Jao yahan se.”

“Please. Mujhe tumse kuchh baat karni hai. Ek baar, please?”

He wasn’t persuaded by Shreya’s pleading, but he feared that she will create a scene if he didn’t let her in. Reluctantly, he stepped aside.

“You have done so well in your career, Kabir. I feel so proud of you.”

He didn’t respond, instead just stood before her with folded hands and regarded her coolly.

“I know your predilection for your young subordinates, Kabir. But I still love you.”

“Tum mujhse kya expect kar rahi ho, Shreya?”

“Let’s get back together, Kabir. Hum saath rahenge to kya kuchh nahin kar sakte hain. I have so many plans. A new channel. Our own. Mere contacts aur paise, aur tumhara journalistic talent. We are a formidable combination, Kabir.”

“Isliye tum wapas Delhi aayi?”

“Sirf tumhare liye.”

“Aur Ananya ko hamare raaste se hatane ki koshish kar rahi ho?”

“Woh hamare raaste se hat chuki hai.”

“Ananya meri fiancee hai.”

“Uski Ma tumhari shaadi kabhi nahin hone degi.”

“Kyonki tumne unke kaan bhar diye hain.”

“Bas tumhari sachchai batayi hai.”

“Hamara beta?”

“Ek chhota sa jhooth to banta hai love and war mein, Kabir.”

“Aur tumhein aisa kyon lagta hai ki main in sabse bahut khush hoon?”

“Come on, Kabir. Woh bachchi hai tumhare saamne. You are no more over me than I am over you. Tum Ananya ko us farmhouse mein nahin lekar gaye the jiske baare mein maine tumhein bataya tha?”

“Tum hamein follow karwa rahi thi?”

“Love and war, Kabir!”

“Agar Ananya tumhein us din pub se nahin le jaati to? Kaise dosti karti tum usse?”

“Tumhein pata hai Kabir ki mujhe jo chahiye hota hai woh main haasil kar leti hoon. Ananya se milne ka woh pahla plan nahin tha. Aur unsuccessful hota to aakhiri bhi nahin hota.”

“I am impressed, Shreya. So you still love me?”

“Itna sab maine kiske liye kiya?”

“Ye sab to tumne apni marzi se kiya, Shreya. Kya tum mera ek test dene ko taiyaar ho?”

“Koi bhi test le lo, Kabir.”

“Baitho. Main aata hoon.”

She sat down on the sofa, while Kabir went inside the bedroom.

On coming back he tossed something at her which made her jump up. It was a pistol. Before she could recover, she found him pointing another one at her.

“I play a fair game, Shreya. Pistol tumhare paas bhi hai. Safety latch off hai. Loaded hai. I want to kill you. Lekin tum mujh par pahle goli chala do to bach sakti ho.”

Shreya tried to talk some sense to him, but not before pointing her pistol at him. “Ye kya pagalpan hai, Kabir?”

“Love and war, Shreya. Dono hi pagal hote hain. Ek kaam karte hain. Hum coordinate kar ke fire karte hain. Dono log saath hi mar jaate hain. Saari great love stories ka yahi end hota hai. You know, Romeo and Juliet, Shiri-Farhad…”

“Kabir. Main tumhare saath jeena chahti hoon, marna nahin chahti.”

“Saath mein to ab mar hi sakte hain, Shreya. Jeena hai to chala do goli mujh par. Main teen tak ginta hoon aur tumhein pahla mauka deta hoon. Ek… Do…”

“Nahiiin!” Kabir didn’t know the source of the scream for a moment. Shreya had pressed the trigger and — Ananya was standing in front of him, shielding him from the bullet she expected to come his way.

“Ananya!” he turned her around and drew her sobbing form in his arms. “It’s okay. You are safe. We are safe. Pistols loaded nahin hai. Calm down. I’m sorry.”

He threw his pistol aside. Ananya recovered, but still continued to lean on him for support. Shreya was bewildered and stared wide-eyed at the scene unfolding before her.

Kabir helped Ananya to the sofa, then faced Shreya.

“I can’t die with you, Kabir,” Shreya said, scared but stubborn.

“And Ananya can die for me,” he hissed as he closed in on her, “So leave now. And leave both of us alone. Warna ab mujhe bhi games play karne aate hain, Shreya. It won’t end well for you.”

He came back to sit beside Ananya after seeing Shreya out of his house and bolting the door behind her. Ananya wasn’t crying, but was still shaken. He gathered her in his arms and she clung to him.

“Mujhe aapse jhagda nahin karna chahiye tha,” she said, her voice trembling, “Lekin main aapko chhod kar nahin gayi thi. Bas… I am sorry. Maine aap par bina soche-samjhe gussa kiya.”

“It’s okay. It’s okay, Ananya. Clam down.”

“Kya aap mujhse… Do you still love me?” She looked up, fearful.

“Pagal ladki. Ek baar gusse mein jhagda ho gaya to kya main tumse pyaar karna band kar doonga?”

She held him even tighter and mumbled, “Sorry.”

“Taali ek haath se nahin bajti. I am also sorry. Mujhe patiently deal karna chahiye the isse. Lekin zindagi, hopefully, lambi hai, Ananya. Abhi to aise kitne jhagde honge,” he made her look up at him and smiled, “Kabhi main tumhein manaunga, kabhi tum mujhe manana – nahin? – achchha main hi manaunga.”

She couldn’t help chuckling.

“Har chhote-mote jhagde se rishte khatam hone lagein to duniya bahut unbearable ho jayegi. Waise itni raat ko tum aayi kaise?” he suddenly remembered.

She just smiled, looking embarrassed.

“Scooter se? God! Ananya. Tum– Kya apni jaan dene ka soch kar nikli thi? Raaste mein bach gayi to yahan kood gayi pistol ke saamne.”

“Mujhe kya pata tha ki woh khali hai?”

“Yahi to baat hai na, Ananya,” his voice grew tender and reflective, “Tumhein nahin pata tha ki woh khali hai. Tum meri jaan bachane ke liye…” Rest of the words got stuck in his throat.

When Ananya looked at him, she had to avert her eyes. His amorous, yet fond gaze gave her goosebumps.

“Bedroom mein chalogi, Ananya?”

She knew what he wanted, but she couldn’t find her voice. She could only respond by nodding.

—

When he pulled up the car in front of her later at the night, they were both reluctant to let go. They remained seated in the car for a long time.

“Let’s get married,” Kabir said finally.

“Ma phir se tension mein hain aapko lekar. Shreya ne pata nahin unhein…”

“Taking a leaf from your book,” he grinned, “Maine ye lagaya hua tha aaj usse baat karte hue.” He held his hands out.

“Spy cam?”

“Spy cam. Ma ko dikha dena. I think it should be sufficient.”

She shook her head smiling, “I don’t believe it. Aapko pata tha ki woh aane waali hai.”

“Nahin. Lekin I am ready enough a reporter. Tha ek mere paas. Bas use sahi direction mein point karne ki zaroorat thi. Woh pistol waala part nahin hai recorded. So Ma won’t freak out.”

“Waise ye kya stunt soojha aapko bhi, Kabir? Aise pistols nikaalne ka?”

“She brings out the worst in me, Ananya.”

“Phir bhi–”

“Main use batana chahta tha ki uska obsession aur uski loneliness mere liye uska pyaar nahin hai. Tumne aur zyada achchhe se samjha diya.”

Ananya shook her head, unconvinced.

“I know, I know,” he conceded, “Dubara nahin hoga.”

“Aapke paas do pistols hain kyon?”

“Kabhi investigation karte-karte mil gaye the. Khali the, Ananya. Ab maaf kar do, please?”

“Theek hai,” she pouted.

“Aur Ananya!”

“Ji.”

“Tum bhi dekh lena woh clip.”

“Mujhe dekhne ki zaroorat nahin hai, Kabir. Mujhe aapki baat par kabhi shaq karna hi nahin chahiye tha–”

“No. Ananya. I want you to see it. Agar nahin dekhogi to mujh par to bharosa karogi, lekin ye bharosa nahin hoga tumhein ki Shreya kis hadd tak ja sakti hai. Aur mujhe dar hai ki woh chup nahin baithegi. So I want you to be prepared for it.”

She reached over the gearbox and gave him an awkward hug. “Aap bahut achchhe hain. Agar maine phir aapse kabhi jhagda kiya na to whack me on the head. Taki meri akal thikaane aa jaye.”

“Actually,” Kabir tapped his chin as if thinking seriously, “I think main jhagda hone doonga. Kyonki make-up waala part better hai.”

“Kabir!”

He gave her a quick peck on the lips and smiled. “Good night, sweetheart.”

“Good night, Kabir.”

—

To be continued

“Hey Richa!” Ananya called her friend, “Yahan hain hum.”

“Wow, Ananya! New dress, eh? Achcha to ye hain teri dost…” Richa’s voice drowned as she took in Shreya’s face, “Ananya ye…”

“Shreya. Shreya, ye hai Richa. Meri bachpan ki dost aur ab colleague bhi.”

“Hi Richa,” Shreya offered her hands, “Nice to meet you.” Richa took her hand and shook it weakly. Her face had gone pale.

“Ananya. Ek minute, tujhse baat karni hai.”

“Kya hua?”

“Please mere saath aa. Akele mein baat karni hai tujhse,” Richa dragged her.

“Are Richa. Wait. Dekh Kabir idhar aa rahe hain. Mujhe bas ek minute de…”

She shook herself free and went back.

“Kabir!”

Kabir shot her a lovelorn look and came closer. “Not bad, Ms. Kashyap,” he whispered in her ears, “I could eat you up right now.”

She gently pushed him away reminding, “Hum office party mein hain.”

When no rejoinder came she looked up to find him looking stiff and pale. She followed his eyes and found Shreya just behind them.

“Are haan. Kabir ye–”

“Tum! Tum yahan kya kar rahi ho?” Kabir ignored Ananya and growled at Shreya.

Confused, Ananya looked from one to the other.

“Kabir!” Shreya barely managed to whisper.

“Aap dono ek-doosre ko jaante hain?”

“Haan,” Kabir looked at Ananya angrily, “And I am not happy ki main ise jaanta hoon. Tum is party mein kya kar rahi ho, Shreya.”

“Kabir, please! Ye meri guest hain.”

“Tumhari?” Kabir was shocked.

Ananya hadn’t realized that Richa had followed her until she heard her whispering in her ear from behind, “Yahi bata rahi thi main tujhe. Shreya Kabir Sir ki ex-wife hai. Isse kahan mili tu?”

All color drained out of Ananya’s face on hearing that.

“Kabir! Kya kar rahe ho tum? Go and make your speech,” Malvika barged in.

“Malvika. Thodi der–”

“Bahur der ho chuki hai, Kabir. Plesae. Main kab se tumhein dhoondh rahi hoon.”

Glaring more at Ananya than Shreya, Kabir left.

Malvika noticed Shreya then.

“Shreya Sharma?” Her eyes widened in surprise.

“Shreya Bhagat,” Ananya said absently.

“I reverted to my maiden name,” Shreya muttered to Ananya, “I’m sorry, Ananya. I had no idea Kabir was your boss.”

Ananya was too bewildered to respond. But Malvika was not going to let go of an opportunity to take her to the task.

“Tum layi ho ise yahan? Ananya? Tumne logon ko outrage karne ka theka le rakha hai kya? What does it mean to invite your boss’ ex-wife to the office party?”

Ananya didn’t feel like explaining anything to Malvika. She tried to focus on Kabir addressing the gathering, congratulating the team of the channel achieving number one position, exhorting them to let their hair down for the party, but to get back to work the next day. But his words were blurred in the party noise. She was too far from him.

“Ananya,” she came to herself on hearing Shreya’s voice, “Main nikalti hoon. I am really sorry.”

“If this doesn’t opens Kabir’s eyes,” Malvika said threateningly, “I don’t know what will.” Then she walked away.

“Ananya!” Richa pressed her shoulders.

“Richa. Yaar maine kuchh jaan-boojh kar thode hi na kiya. Aur itni badi bhi kya baat ho gayi. Woh log divorced hain. Apne-apne raaste par ja rahe hain. Aamne-saamne aa jaana koi gunaah thode hi na hai.”

“Tu Kabir Sir se baat kar le ek baar. Achanak se dekha hoga unhone to–”

Kabir had finished speaking and Ananya saw him stepping out. She rushed after him.

“Kabir!”

“Kya professional life ke khatre tumhare liye kaafi nahin hain, Ananya. Jo ab tum dost bhi aise logon ko banane lagi ho? Bina unke baare mein kuchh jaane?”

“Aap please mujh par chillana band karenge? Mujhe nahin maaloon tha–”

“Aur woh tumhare ghar ja chuki hai? Kissi ko bhi ghar le jaogi tum? Kabhi kuchh poochha usse ki kaun hai woh?”

“Mujhe maaloon tha ki woh divorcee hain, lekin ab kya main har kissi se ye poochhti phiroon ki aap Kabir Sharma ki ex-wife hain kya?”

“Na to tumhein apne doston ke baare mein kuchh pata hota hai, na hi mere baare mein.”

“Kabir, please! Aapne kya mujhe photo dikhayi thi? Main tabloids follow nahin kar rahi thi aapke divorce ke samay. Jitna aapne bataya hai apne baare mein utna mujhe pata hai.”

“Good. To ab please door raho us naagin se.”

Ananya herself knew that her friendship with Shreya could not continue. But the way Kabir demanded it made her flare up.

“Main khud decide karoongi ki kisse door rahna hai mujhe aur kisse nahin. Aur aapne kya mujhe sab sach sach bataya tha? Bola tha na maine aapse ki aapki responsibilities ke raaste mein nahin aaungi. To aapne kyon nahin bataya mujhe ki Shreya aur aapka ek beta hai.”

“What? Ye kya bakwaas hai? Hamara koi bachchha nahin hai.”

“Mujhe nahin pata ki aap mujhse jhooth bol rahe hain ya khud se. Shreya divorce ke samay preganant thi.”

“Ye usne bola tumse?”

“To?”

“To ye ki main uski rag-rag se waakif hoon. Woh tumhare saath mess up kar rahi hai.”

“Use pata bhi nahin hai ki hamara rishta kya hai. Abhi bhi woh yahi samajhti thi ki aap mere boss hain, bas. Woh mere saath mess up kyon karegi?”

“Use kya pata hai, kya nahin, ye tum kaise jaanti ho?”

“Is paranoia ka koi jawaab nahin hai.”

“Main ek baar us aurat se deal kar chuka hoon, Ananya. Agar tum bhi usi ki zubaan bolna shuru kar dogi to main tumse deal nahin kar paunga.”

“Theek hai, phir. Koi zaroorat nahin hai aapko mujhse deal karne ki.”

She left in a huff.

—

“Ananya? Beta tu theek hai? Maine kitni baar phone kiya tujhe?” Mrs. Kashyap looked worried when she opened the door for her daughter.

“Phone silent tha, Ma. Kya hua? Tum aise kyon poochh rahi ho?”

“Ananya!”

Shreya was waiting for her in the hall.

“Aap?”

“I’m so, so sorry, Ananya,” she came to her and gave her a hug, “Mujhe koi idea nahin tha ki Kabir was your boss. Aur abhi-abhi Auntie se pata chala ki you and Kabir… Main bas yahan sorry kahne aayi thi. And if there is anything I can do to clear the air–”

“It’s okay. Thank you, Shreya. Aapki galti nahin thi.”

“Will you be fine, Ananya?”

“Yes.”

“Main chalti hoon.”

Mrs. Kashyap bolted the door after Shreya and turned to her daughter. “Jo Shreya kah rahi hai woh sach hai kya, Ananya? Woh Kabir ki ex-wife hai?”

“Usne aapse is baare mein baat ki?”

“Woh bahut pareshaan thi. Maine use baat karne par majboor kiya, Ananya. Aur mere liye bhi to ye sab janna zaroori hai.”

“Haan to theek hai na, Ma. Kya farq padta hai ki Shreya unki ex-wife hai ya koi aur…”

“But she is a wonderful woman. Usne jo mujhe bataya uske divorce ka reason, mujhe laga ki woh sach kah rahi thi.”

“Ma–”

“Aur uska beta?”

“Ma. Main bahut thaki hui hoon. Kal baat karein, please?”

“Ananya. Bas ek baat. Main is baat se inkaar nahin kar rahi ki Kabir ne hamare liye bahut kuchh kiya hai. Lekin ek jeevan saathi mein professional competence se zyada important hota hai uska personal moral. Ye dhyaan rakhna, Ananya.”

She nodded non-commitally and locked herself in her room.

Kabir was right about Shreya, she realized. She had come straight to her home and had blabbered everything before her mother. What was she hoping for if not to drive a rift between them? Ananya still had difficulty believing that it could all be a part of a plan, but as she realized that she was utterly wrong in accusing Kabir, a cold fear gripped her. Till now she was occupied with her anger towards him, but now she wondered what Kabir’s reaction would be. It was bad enough that he had come face to face with Shreya so unexpectedly. To top that she herself had accused him of lying instead of supporting and believing him.

“I’m sorry, Kabir,” she broken down and sobbed.  How disappointed he must be in her. After all he had done for her. All their happy moments played like a movie before her eyes. Kabir’s first day in the office, Kabir challenging her, Kabir complementing her, Kabir offering to drop her home, Kabir blurting that he loved her, Kabir proposing her on his knees, Kabir taking her for dinners and to the farmhouse, Kabir insisting on buying her a new dress and now…

—

To be continued

“This is wonderful, Kabir! Aapko is jagah ka pata kaise chala.”

“Reporter hoon, thoda to credit do.”

She leaned on him, smiling, as they walked around through the greenery. He had brought her to a farmhouse owned by a middle-aged couple, who served lunch to a small number pre-booked customers, all made from the organic produce of the farm. The customers were then free to spend the rest of the day on the property.

“Kaafi dinon se socha tha ki tumhein yahan launga, lekin…”

“Lekin?”

“Kabhi meri hichkichahat, kabhi tumhari naaraazgi, kabhi kaam…”

“I know. Kabhi-kabhi mujhe lagta hai ki kitna achchha hota agar hum Jane Austen ke novels ke characters jaise hote. Gentlemen and ladies of leisure. Jinhein kaam karne ki zaroorat nahin hoti thi.”

Kabir laughed, “Agar hum us duniya mein rah rahe hote, Ananya, to mere aur tumahre jaise log aristocracy ka part nahin hote. Hum shayad un logon ke ghar mein 24/7 kaam kar rahe hote, ya unke farmer tenant hote.”

“Offo! Aap bhi na. Kabhi romantic dreams ka bhi mazaa lena chahiye. Ye kya communist manifesto le kar chalu ho gaye.”

“Achchha–”

Her phone ringing interrupted them.

“Sorry. Pick kar leti hoon. Kahin kuchh important na ho.”

“Go ahead.”

“Hello… Kaun? Oh, right. Haan. Ji… Maine pahchaan gayi… Nahin, nahin koi baat nahin… Aaj to main shahar se bahar hoon… Main aapko wapas aa kar phone karti hoon? Okay… Sure. Bye. No problem. See you!”

“Kaun tha?”

“Woh bataya tha na ek aurat kal raat mein akeli thi pub mein, jise hotel chhoda tha hum logon ne. Woh thanks bolne ke liye phone kar rahi thi aur milna chahti thi.”

“Kyon?”

“I don’t know. Shayad mil kar thanks bolna chah rahi ho.”

“Fans bahut hain tumhare, Ananya.”

“Look who is talking!”

He laughed and embraced her.

“It was really good of you to help her even though she was a stranger. I am proud of you, Ananya.”

—

“Ms. Bhagat??”

“Hi Ananya. Thank you so much for coming.”

“Not a problem.”

“And please call me Shreya.”

They were meeting in a coffee shop. So they placed their orders before continuing their conversation.

“Mujhe pata nahin tumhein thanks kaise bolun us din…”

“Uski koi zaroorat nahin hai. Kabhi na kabhi hum sab ko help ki zaroorat padti hai.”

“That’s so sweet of you. Agar duniya mein sab log itne sweet hote to…”

“Kya baat hai?”

“Rahne do. Main apni sob story se tumhein pareshaan nahin karna chahti.”

“Aap Delhi mein rahti nahin hain? Kissi kaam se aayi hain?”

“Main wapas aayi hoon kai saal baad. Abhi ghar ka decide nahin hua hai, isliye hotel mein rah rahi hoon. Ek-aadh hafte mein hopefully kahin shift kar jaungi.”

“That’s good. Aapki family yahan hai? Ya job ke liye aayi hain?”

“Neither! Bas khud ko khojte hue yahan aayi hoon.”

“Aapke koi friends nahin hain yahan?”

“Kabhi the bhi to ab nahin hai. Tumhein kya lagta hai ki main akeli baith kar drink kyon kar rahi thi?”

“I’m sorry. Lekin phir aap yahan aayi kyon hai?”

“Apni zindagi dhoondhne. I admit ki shuruat achchhi nahin rahi. Lekin you saved me. Will you be my friend?”

Ananya smiled despite her hesitation, “Why not?”

“Tum job karti ho?”

“Ji. Main ek reporter hoon.”

“How wonderful! Bahut hectic job hai na?”

“Hectic to hai. But I enjoy my job. To theek hai.”

“To phir tum hi apne schedule ke hisaab se bata do ki hum dinner karne kab ja sakte hain.”

“Ji?”

“Meri itni help karne ke liye main tumhein ek baar dinner par to le hi ja sakti hoon. Aur ab to dosti bhi pakki karni hai.”

“Well… Theek hai. Maine batati hoon aapko.”

—

“Woh bahut lonely hain,” Ananya told her friends about Shreya, her new friend, “She is a divorcee aur unka ek six-years old beta hai, jise woh US mein apni sister ke saath chhod kar aayi hain.”

“Aur tu Agony Aunt hai,” Ronnie teased her.

“Aur tu devil’s advocate!” she replied back.

“Tere bhale ke liye kah raha hoon. Ab kya Kabir ko chhod kar apni ye nayi dost ke saath dinners par jayegi.”

“Kabhi-kabhi mil loongi, kya farq padta hai? Tu chhod. Chal chai peene chalte hain.”

“Tu apni is friend ko hamare saath hi hang out karne ke liye kyon nahin invite karti?” Richa asked.

“Bola tha maine, yaar. But she is so self-conscious. Woh nahin aana chahti zyada logon ke beech.”

“Tere ghar to gayi thi na, lekin?”

“Haan. Ma se khoob baatein bhi ki. Ma ko kaafi impress bhi kar diya usne.”

“I think use kissi counsellor se milna chahiye.”

“Mujhe bhi aisa hi lagta hai. Lekin aisi advice delicately deni hoti hai. I will try to slip it in sometime.”

—

“Nahin. Iske liye to aapko aana hi hoga, Shreya. Main kuchh nahin jaanti. Agar aap sach mein mujhe apna dost maanti hain to aap mere saath aayengi. Maine aapko guest ki tarah include bhi karwa diya hai…. Right. That’s good. Aapko logon se milne-julne ki zaroorat hai aur mere office ke log sab bahut cool hain. Aapko achchha lagega.”

“Kisse baatein ho rahi hain?” Kabir came to her room.

“Wahi meri nayi, depressed, sociophobic friend. Main use office ki party mein bula rahi hoon.”

“Good. Usse milne to padega hi. Mujhe to jealousy hone lagi hai usse. Kitni care karti ho tum uski?”

“Ab aap bhi Ronnie aur Richa ki tarah meri taang kheechenge?”

“Kyon nahin? Mujhe to lagta hai ki mera zyada hi haq hai tum par.”

“Aapse baaton mein nahin jeet sakti. Achchha bataiye, maine party mein kya pahnoon?”

Kabir pretended to consider the dresses she had laid out, then made a face.

“Aapko koi pasand nahin aa rahi inmein se?”

“Kuchh naya khareedne ki zaroorat hai.”

“Ab main abhi nayi dress nahin khareedne waali. Office party hi hai koi–”

“Main gift karoon phir bhi nahin?” his voice suddenly changed, hoarse and intimate.

“Aap–” she blushed and moved away.

“Chalo.”

“Kahan?”

“Dress khareedne.”

“Really?”

“Tum itni surprised kyon ho? Main kya tumhein shopping karane nahin le ja sakta?”

“Kabir,” she grew emotional, “Papa ki jaane baad… Aisi pampering ki aadat nahin rahi.”

“Hey!” he cupped her face, “To ab aadat daal lo. Haan?”

She blinked back her tears and nodded, smiling.

—

To be continued

Mrs. Kashyap tearfully hugged her daughter, then Kabir.

“Maine tumhein samajhne mein galti ki thi, Kabir. Teri choice ko samajhne mein galti ki thi, Ananya. Lekin agar Sudhir hote, to unhein teri choice par bahut garv hota.”

“Jiju to Papa ki choice the hi na, Ma,” Armaan added, leaning affectionately on Kabir’s hands.

Kabir spoke at last, “Mere oopar bharosa karne ke liye, aur mujhe is family mein accept karne ke liye, thank you Mrs…” he stopped and smiled before rectifying himself, “Ma!”

Mrs. Kashyap wiped her tears.

“Ab yahin khade rahoge kya tum log? Andar aao. Maine dinner banati hoon. Aur tere dost bhi aayenge na, Ananya?”

“Main unhein phone kar deti hoon, Ma, ki office se nikal kar yahin aa jayen.”

“Uski zaroorat nahin hai, Ananya,” Richa’s voice startled them, “Hamein to aaj yahan aana hi tha.” She went forward and hugged her childhood friend.

Then she turned to Kabir and said, “Maine aapse kabhi maafi nahin maangi, Sir. Maine aapko bahut galat samjha tha aur isliye Ananya ka bhi jeena haraam kar diya tha–”

“Uski zaroorat nahin hai, Richa. Mujhe khushi hai ki Ananya ke dost uski itni fikr karte hain.”

“I know ki main dubara poochh raha hoon, lekin kya main aur Armaan kuchh credit le sakte hain hamesha Kabir Sir ki tarafdaari karne ke liye?” Ronnie asked with a raised eyebrow and everyone laughed.

—

“Kya main aaj yahan ruk sakta hoon?” Kabir asked Mrs. Kashyap after everyone else had left.

“Aise formalities kar ke mujhe embarrass mat karo, Kabir. Tum yahan shift ho sakte ho, chaho to. Main tumhare change karne ke liye kapde nikaalti hoon.”

Later Mrs. Kashyap and Armaan retired to their rooms and Kabir and Ananya were finally left alone.

“Balcony mein chalte hain. Abhi wahan achchha lagega,” Ananya said.

Kabir followed her. He put his arms around her and they stood together for a long time.

“Aaj kya bolun Kabir? Kuchh bhi bolungi to sufficient nahin hoga.”

“Kuchh mat bolo, Annie,” he replied unthinkingly, then hesitated, “Kya main tumhein–”

“Bula sakte hain. Aapko haq hai. Papa ke baad sirf aapko haq hai.”

“Woh tumse bahut pyaar karte the,” Kabir said, “Aur main jaanta hoon ki unki kami kabhi poori nahin ho sakti. Lekin Annie, maine poori koshish karoonga ki tumhari life mein pyaar ki koi kami na rahe.”

She spoke after a pause, “Let’s get married, Kabir. Main aapse door nahin rahna chahti ab.”

“Chalein abhi? Kissi mandir mein? Koi pandit to uth hi jayega thode paise zyada denge to.”

She chuckled, “Nahin. Aur teenage harquatein karne ki zaroorat nahin hai. Ma karwa dengi hamari shaadi. Aur Bhaiya-Bhabhi ko bhi to hona chahiye.”

“Dada aur unki family to agle week wapas aa jayenge. Ma ko bolo ki jaldi karwa dein shaadi hamari.”

“Jab tak maine mention nahin kiya tha, aapne ek baar bhi baat nahin chhedi thi shaadi ki. Abhi itni jaldbaazi ho gayi hai aapko.”

“Tumhari Ma ko freak out nahin karna chahta. Isliye you have no idea ki mujhe kitni jaldbaazi hai.”

“Kabir?” she suddenly became serious.

“Kya hua?”

“Shaadi ke baad… Kya Ma aur Armaan hamare saath rah sakte hain?”

He frowned and Ananya grew nervous.

“Plan B kya hai tumhara?” he asked, “Kya woh log Sunny aur Baby ke saath rahenge?”

“Kabir! Jaan nikaal di thi aapne meri thodi der ke liye.”

“Ananya. Main bahut possessive hoon tumhein le kar. Tumhari har cheez ab meri hai. Relations bhi, responsibilities bhi, aur ye smile bhi… Aur khaas kar ke ye smile main kissi ke saath share nahin kar sakta. Exclusively for me.”

He closed in and pressed his lips against hers. Her arms went around him and rubbed his back. A low moan escaped her throat when he kissed her neck.

“Kabir. Mere kamre mein chalte hain,” she said in a sibilant voice.

“Nahin,” he stopped, panting, “Nahin. Aise nahin, Ananya.”

She looked embarrassed and he clarified, “Itna old-fashioned nahin hoon. Lekin yahan abhi Ma hain, Armaan hai. Main koi embarrassing situation nahin khadi karna chahta.”

“Yahi to sabse achchhi baat hai aapki, Kabir. Main aap par depend kar sakti hoon. For doing the right thing.”

“For you, Ananya, I try. Chalo ab tum apne kamre mein jao. So jao. Aur main apne, I mean Armaan ke kamre mein.” He kissed her on forehead and led her back into the house.

—

Ananya entered Kabir’s cabin in the evening and slumped on the chair with a loud sigh.

He looked up and smiled, “Kya hua? Tired?”

“Exhausted. Jab se RG Pharma ki story air hui hai, main khud news ban gayi hoon, reporter ki bajay.”

“Kal tumhara off day hai, right? Main bhi off le leta hoon. Aur tumhein is duniya se door kahin le chalta hoon. Relax karne ke liye,” he grinned.

“Achchha! Kahan le chalenge duniya se door?”

“Woh surprise hai.”

“Okay. Waise mere dost aaj pub jaane ki baat kar rahe hain. Aap join karenge?”

“Tumhare dost? Matlab Richa, Ronnie wagerah?”

“Aur kaun dost bache hain mere is job mein aane ke baad.”

“Phir tum jao. Ek to mere wahan hone se woh log relaxed nahin feel karenge. Aur phir mujhe aaj thoda kaam bhi hai.”

“Okay, Boss!” she got up.

“Ananya!”

“Ji?”

“Zyada drink mat karna. Aur agar kar lo to cab se ghar mat jaana. Mujhe call kar lena.”

She smiled fondly, “Don’t worry. Hum dance ke liye ja rahe hain. Drink ke liye nahin.”

“Aur kal subah hum 11 ‘o clock niklenge. Ghar par bata dena aur taiyaar rahna.”

“Can’t wait!”

—

“Madam! Excuse me… Please wake up, Ma’am….”

Ananya’s attention was drawn to the next table where a waiter was fretting over a drunk customer. She saw a woman who was sitting alone and had apparently passed out from drinking.

“Woh akeli hai kya?” Ananya whispered to Ronnie.

“Honge saath waale log dance floor par. Tu chhod na use. Aur dance karna hai?”

“Nahin, Ronnie. Actually ab chalte hain ghar. Richa bhi nikal gayi hai.”

“Kal to off hai tera. Rukte hain na thodee der. Kya bolta hai, Sunny?”

“Aur kya?”

“Sunny, yaar. Mujhe kal kahin jaana hai. To sona zaroori hai.”

“Kahan? Kahan?” Ronnie wriggled his eyebrows mischievously.

“Tujhe kyon bataun?”

“Akele?”

“Shut up, Ronnie.”

“Achchha chal baba,” Ronnie stood up.

Ananya hesitated as they passed by the next table. Then she accosted the waiter who was trying to wake the woman up earlier. “Woh akeli hain kya?”

“Yes, Ma’am. Ab koi banda hota to hum to use closing time par bahar phenk dete. Inka kya karein?”

“Ronnie, Sunny. I don’t think inhein yahan aise chhodan achcha idea hai.”

“Pata chale kahan chhodna hai to cab mein bitha dein.”

“Aisi halat mein cab mein akele bithana bhi theek nahin hai, Ronnie. Won incident nahin yaad hai kya kuchh din pahle ka… Lekin pahle pata karte hain ki inhein jaana kahan hai.”

Ananya spotted her purse lying nearby and started rummaging through it.

“Are Ananya. Kya kar rahi hai?” Ronnie panicked, “Aise purse kissi ka…”

“Aur kaise pata chalega? Inki halat dekh. Ye dekh. Ye to kissi hotel ki chaabhi lag rahi hai.”

“ITC Maurya,” Ronnie read over her shoulders.

“Badi ameer hai, yaar!” Sunny commented.

“Ronnie. Ek cab bula le. Maine unhein hotel chhod kar usi cab se ghar chali jaungi.”

“Nahin, Ananya. Main tere saath chlunga. Phir usi cab se hum wapas yahan aayenge. Phir main apni humble motorcycle se tujhe drop karoonga.”

“Lekin–”

“Arre chal na. Tu hi bas ek Mother Teresa hai kya yahan?”

“Achchha Baba! Chal.”

The woman seemed to gain some sense once in a while during the cab ride, but they could not engage her in any lucid conversation. It was when they were relieving her to the care of hotel staff that she suddenly seemed to grow aware of what was happening.

“Kaun ho tum?” she asked Ananya.

“Ananya. Ab aap apne kamre mein aaraam kijiye.”

“You helped me, didn’t you? Main to hosh mein hi nahin hoon abhi,” she slurred through her words, but her thoughts seemed clear, “Please leave me your number. I will thank you tomorrow.”

“Uski zaroorat nahin hai–”

“Please!”

“Ye mera card hai. Good night.”

—

To be continued

“Kya hua?”

“Ye tumhari fingers kitni moti hain?”

“Kya!” she was flabbergasted, “Ye kya bol rahe hain aap?”

“Aur kya? Dekho, meri ungliyan.”

“Meri aapse patli hain.”

“I don’t think so.”

“Aap pagal ho gaye hain kya?”

“Bilkul nahin. Achcha chalo, ek dhaaga lao. Dono ki ungliyan naapte hain.”

Puzzled and irritated though she was, she fetched a thread anyway. Kabir tied a knot around her ring finger and then took it off. Then Ananya did the same for his ring finger. They measured the two circles.

“Haan. Dekho! Ye tumhara measurement hai na.”

“Ji nahin! Mera ye hai. Aapki ungliyan mujhse zyada moti hain. And obviously so.”

“Aisa hai kya? You are right. Sorry yaar.”

“Sorry? Sorry se kaam nahin chalega. Aap har samay mujhe ulta-seedha bolte rahte hain. Kabhi mujhe mota bolte hain, kabhi meri ungliyon ko.”

“Tumhein kab mota kaha?”

“Kyon? Us din? Apne do pairon par khadee ho jao. Tumhein car se andar tak laane mein meri heropanthi nikal gayi–”

“Mota nahin, heavy kahan tha tumhein.”

“Ek hi baat hai.”

“Nahin. Bones bhi heavy ho sakti hai.”

“Ye sab technical explanations nahin chalenge. Main koi court nahin hoon.”

“Achchha! Penance chalega? Dinner par le chaloon tumehin?”

“Mere saath dinner par chalna penance hai? Taqleef hogi aapko?”

“Arre ab aise baal ki khaal to mat nikalo.”

“To kya aap mujhe date ke liye poochh rahe hain?”

“Haan.”

“Ma ki permission leni padegi,” she teased him.

“Woh bhi le loonga. Tum to haan karo.”

“Sochti hoon.”

“I promise, ki hum dessert bhi order karenge.”

She smiled.

“Ye smile, Ananya, meri strength hai. Ise kabhi mat khatam hone dena.”

He gazed at her fondly for a moment longer, then said. “Chalo. Ab main ghar chalta hoon. Dinner tomorrow?”

She nodded.

“Main Mrs. Kashyap se bhi permission le leta hoon.”

“Uski zaroorat nahin hai, Kabir. Main mazaak kar rahi thi.”

“Zaroorat nahin hai. Lekin main phir bhi unhein bata dena chahta hoon.”

“Bade old fashioned hain aap,” she grinned, “Ma ko isliye pasand aa gaye.”

“You made a safe choice, Ms. Kahsyap!”

When he left after taking her mother’s permission for their dinner the next day, Armaan came out with him.

“Ek baat poochhon aapse?”

“Poochho, Armaan?”

“Aap Ma ko Mrs. Kashyap kyon kahte hain? Ab to unhone aapko accept kar liya hai. Aap unhein Ma bula sakte hain na?”

“Woh isliye, Armaan, ki abhi maine unko Ma kahne ka haq haasil kiya nahin hai. Lekin main promise karta hoon ki tumhare Papa ki sachchai ko saamne la kar jaldi hi haasil kar loonga.”

—

“Manav ne RG se contact kar liya hai.”

“Unki story kya hai?”

“Ki KKN ki ek team RG Pharma ke secrets ka pata laga rahi hai, but woh RG ke saath cooperate karne ko taiyaar hai is story ko dabane ke liye. For financial gains, obviously.”

“Bye Didi!” Armaan was leaving for school and greeted them all, “Bye Ronnie Bhaiya, Richa Didi, Sunny Bhaiya.”

“Bye Armaan.”

“Bye Jiju!” he blurted and then stood there embarrassed, “I mean, Kabir Sir. Waise main aapko jiju bula sakta hoon na?”

Kabir blushed, but replied sportingly, “Ye to tumhein apni Didi se poochhna hoga.”

“Woh kyon poochhega?” It was Ananya’s turn to blurt out.

Richa giggled, while Ronnie said with mock seriousness, “Correct. Armaan kyon poochhega?”

Ananya’s mother had also come in the hall. She was smiling at the drama.

“Theek hai,” Kabir sighed, “Main hi poochh leta hoon.”

Before anyone could fathom what was going on, he went down on his knees in front of Ananya and produced a ring from his pocket, “Ananya Kashyap! Mujhe pata hai ki maine tumhari life ka sabse important kaam abhi poora nahin kiya hai. Lekin agar tum saath dogi to ye, aur iske alaawa bhi kai kaam, main poore kar sakta hoon. So! Will you marry me?”

Ananya stared at him agape. When had he planned this? Mrs. Kashyap got tears in her eyes. Ananya’s friends and Armaan also stared open mouthed.

Slowly Ananya turned her eyes to her mother and after a slight assuring nod from her, she whispered, her voice croaking from emotions running high, “Yes!”

He slipped the ring on her finger and everyone clapped. He brought her hand up and kissed the ring.

“Ye moti ungliyon, patli ungliyon ka natak aap iske liye kar rahe the?” she asked in a low voice so that others didn’t overhear. He just gave a knowing smile in return.

Armaan rushed to them and hugged them both. “I am so happy!” he said.

—

All of them were gathered in PCR for Manav’s bulletin.

Ananya waited with bated breath for the clip Kabir had not let her see beforehand.

“Ek informer hai RG sahab,” Manav was telling the owner of RG Pharma, whose figure was dancing creepily in the spy camera’s video, “Jo kuchh zyada hi pareshaan kar raha hai.”

“Uski chinta aap mat kijiye. Bas uska naam aur photo hamare hawaale kar dijiye. Kaam ho jayega.”

“Kaisa kaam?”

“Uska munh hamesha ke liye band karwane ka kaam.”

“Are aisa mat kahiye RG Sahab,” Manav’s voice had the right amount of feigned shock and fear in it, “Iski zaroorat thode hi na padegi. Thodi purse strings aur loosen karni padegi. Jitne paise aap de rahe hain, uske baad is sab ki zaroorat thode hi na hai.”

“Are Manav Sahab. Hote hain kuchh usoolon waale log.”

“Itna usoolon waala koi nahin hota.”

“Hamara aath saal pahle ka case yaad hai. Ek employee pakda gaya tha – Sudhir Kashyap.”

“Haan, haan. Lekin usne to suicide kiya tha na.”

RG smiked, “Kitni aasaani se kahaniyon par bharosa kar lete hain aap, Manav Sahab. Hamara kaam aapko itna aasaan lagta hai kya? Bhej dijiyega hamein us informer ki detail agar uska munh nahin band hua to. Aur haan – ye aapke editor-in-chief ko pata nahin hai kuchh is baare mein?”

“Nahin. Bilkul nahin.”

“To ye ensure kijiyega. Unse thoda purana rishta hai hamara. Aur media waalon ko main marwaana nahin chata. Lekin woh bhi bada usulon waala insaan hai. To mere haath na chhoot jayen.”

Ananya clasped Kabir’s hands. Her hand was cold and sweaty.

“Ananya!” Kabir put his arms around her.

“Ye insaan…”

“Ghabrao mat, Ananya. Police ke paas already ye clips hain. Abhi tak shayad woh custody mein ja chuka hai. Kabhi bhi new aa sakti hai— Aa gayi!”

There was a commotion in the PCR. Manav was briefed about the breaking news of RG Pharma’s factories and offices being sealed by the police and its owner being arrested.

Kabir and Ananya walked out of the room while Manav read the news.

They went to his cabin.

“Satisfied ho?” he asked her.

She nodded, then grew tearful.

“Thank you, Kabir!”

“No. Thank you, Ananya. Tumhari wajah se meri sabse badi failure aaj revert ho gayi hai. Ab shayad main thoda kam guilty feel karoonga.”

“Mujhe Ma ke paas jaana hai.”

“Chalo.”

—

To be continued

By the next meeting the real business of RG Pharma was clear to them.

“Tinu ne kuchh samples Ananya ko diye the, pain-killer ke jo ki drug dealers circulate karte hain. Without fear kyonki ye OTC pain-killer brand hai,” Ronnie informed them, “Sunny ka ek dost ek chemical lab mein kaam karta hai. Usne hamare liye informally tests kiye. Morphine percentage is too high, obviously meant for recreational use and not subduing pain. Bachchon ke liye ye dose definitely fatal ho sakti hai.”

“Dr. Sinha ne mujhe bataya ki doctors RG pharma ke brand ko prefer nahin karte hain prescribe karna. It is likely ki unmein se kaiyon ko pata hai ki there is foul play involved. Unki quality bahut vary karti hai, and he was surprised ki aise drugs ko approval kaise mil jaati hai,” Ananya added.

“Tum log ye do audio clips suno-” Kabir said.

One of them was “Agar apne bheteeje ko bachana hai”.

The other was “Agar apne market position ko bachana hai”.

He played it repeatedly. The first one was not as clear as the second one. But there was no mistaking the accent and style of speech. They were from the same person.

“Iska kya matlab hai?” Richa asked even as she understood.

“Main bhi surprised tha,” Kabir said, “Aath saal pahle jab mujhe woh threatening call aaya tha, to woh record hua tha. Main apne saare calls record karta hoon shuru se hi. But maine ye sapne mein bhi nahin socha tha ki RG ne khud woh call kiya hoga.”

“Actually Sir,” Ronnie said, “Maine thoda aur bhi pata kiya hai ye RG ke baare mein. Iski antecedents respectable nahin hai. Poori family hi gundagardi mein involved hai. Jinke paas black money hoti hain, generic drugs banane ki company kholna unke liye ek front ho sakta hai apni illegal activities handle karne ka. Mujhe to ye wahi case lagta hai.”

“Papa ko idea bhi nahin hoga ki woh kaise logon ke beech phanse hue the,” Ananya felt depressed and buried her face in her hands.

“Lekin hamein pata hai, Ananya,” Kabir said in a determined voice, “Hamein pata hai, aur hum unhein unke game mein beat karenge.”

“Hamara next step kya hoga?” Richa asked.

“We have to approach RG himself,” Kabir replied.

“Main karoongi,” Ananya announced.

“Nahin Ananya. Main ya tum nahin karenge. Mera involvement to woh jaanta hi hai, tumhari identity pata lagane mein use zyada waqt nahin lagega. Phir woh suspicious ho jayega.”

“To main ya Richa…” Ronnie said, hesitantly.

“Tum logon ko reporting ka experience nahin hai.”

“To kya Sunny akela jayega?” Ananya asked, irritated.

Kabir smiled, “RG ko lure karna hai. Ek bada naam chahiye.”

“Kaun? Malvika? Khalid Sir?”

“Manav Gupta!”

“What!” Everyone exclaimed in chorus.

“Aap Manav Sir ko ismein involve karna chahte hain?” Ananya was incredulous.

“Unhein aapke against political plotting se fursat milegi tab to–” Richa said, but was interrupted by Kabir.

“Aur woh mere against plot kyon karta rahta hai?”

“Editor-in-chief banna tha use, aur kya?” Ronnie said.

“Aur wahi main use offer kar sakta hoon.”

“What!” Another combined exclamation went up.

“Aap kya bol rahe hain? Aap KKN chhodne waale hain kya?” Ananya asked.

“Calm down. Main KKN nahin chhod raha. Lekin meri Khalid aur KL se baat hui hai. Kuchh strategic changes ke baare mein.”

As editor-in-chief, a lot of Kabir’s time was going in administrative and regular work. He wanted to focus on investigative reporting, which was what would bring real, solid viewership to the channel. So, he would lead a team to do that, while nominally also being the boss of the next editor-in-chief.

“Agar ye sab decided hi hai, aur unhein editor-in-chief banna hi hai, to woh hamari madad kyon karenge.”

“Doosra editor-in-chief laana decided hai, woh kaun hoga ye decided nahin hai. Aur us decision mein mera major say hoga,” Kabir flashed a triumphant smile at them.

—

“Mujhe bharosa nahin hota,” Ananya told him at home that evening, “Ki aap itne saalon se celebrity interviews le rahe the. Reporting ka itna passion hai aapko.”

He smiled indulgently. “Mere baare mein ab bhi bahut kuchh hai jo tum nahin jaanti ho.”

“Aap apni autobiography kyon nahin likhte? Aur mujhe apna scribe bana lijiye. To mujhe bhi sab pata chal jayega.”

He laughed. “Nahin. Itna narcissist nahin hoon main. Autobiography likhne jaisa kuchh bhi nahin kiya hai maine life mein.”

“Achchha. Phir to aise hi batana hoga aapko. Kya nahin jaanti hoon main aapke baare mein.”

“Tumhein yaad hai jo footage tumne mujhe diya tha, office mein jab mera pahla din tha.”

“Haan. Yaad hai,” she pouted and mimicked him, “News stale ho chuki hai, Ms. Kashyap.”

He laughed, “Kisne stale ki thi woh news.”

“Delhi Kranti–”

“Kisne?”

Her eye widened in surprise.

“Aap?”

“Technically maine is maamle mein tumse jhoothi nahin bola tha, Ananya. Main Delhi Kranti mein kaam karta tha nahin, kaam karta hoon. Hamesha karta raha hoon.”

“Oh my God! Lekin… maine kitna pata lagane ki koshish ki thi, kabhi aapke baare mein wahan se kuchh pata nahin chala.”

“Maine Pandit ji ke saamne shart  rakhi thi ki kissi ko pata nahin chalna chahiye ki main unke liye kuchh bhi kar raha hoon. So he was faithfully keeping his side of the bargain. I am sorry!”

“Lekin aise kyon?”

“Mr. Kashyap ka incident, aur thode hi dinon ke baad mere messy divorce se main bahut disillusioned ho gaya tha. I felt like a failure. Na to main sach ki ladai lad pa raha tha, na hi apni life mein koi financial progress kar raha tha. Phir Tarini aur Anurag ki zimmedaari bhi main lena chahta tha. Isliye maine decide kiya ki main apna career aise direction mein le jaunga jahan mujhe financial stability mile. Isliye, kaafi struggle kar ke, main print se TV mein aaya. Aur yahan par safest, best-paying opportunities gritty journalism mein nahin thi. To mujhe jo bhi karna tha maine kiya. Lekin–”

“Reporting ka keeda nahin mara aapke andar.”

He nodded with a smile, “Maine Delhi Kranti ke liye kaam karna kabhi band nahin kiya. Bas pseudonym se likhta raha.”

“Aap bahut achchi Hindi likh lete hain phir to,” she teased him.

“Yes Madam. Main Hindi medium schools mein padha hoon.”

“Kissi ko nahin pata hai is baare mein?”

“Kuchh logon ko pata hai,” he smiled enigmatically, “Khalid aur KL mujhe yahan mere T News ke kaam ki wajah se nahin laye the.”

“Unhein kaise pata hai?”

“Khalid ke silly external persona par mat jao. Woh industry ka manjaa hua khilaadi hai. Pandit Ji, Khalid, KL ye sab log ek hi time ki paidaish hain. Baad mein alag-alag raaste le liye unhone. Lekin hain to ek hi mitti ke bane hue.”

“Waise agar aap full time investigative journalism mein involve ho jayenge KKN mein, to kya Delhi Kranti ke liye likhna chhod denge?”

“KKN Delhi Kranti mein invest karne ki soch raha hai. Halanki main sure nahin hoon ki Pandit ji maanenge. Unke apne kia kaayde hain. Arre, Ananya!”

—

To be continued

She fell silent and spoke after a long pause.

“Kal aapne ek ajeeb si baat kahi thi. Kabhi kissi ghar mein zaroorat na hone ki… Aapke parents?”

“Meri Ma ki death bahut pahle ho gayi thi. Main chhota tha, zyada yaad bhi nahin hai. Babuji purani Hindi filmon ke type ke school-teacher the,” he tried to smile, but his lips pressed together at some painful memories, “Idealist Gandhian. Shahar mein communal riots ke aasaar the. Aur woh ghar par baithne ko taiyaar nahin the. Kyonki unhein pata tha ki jo mari hui gai mandir mein mili thi, woh Muslim logon ne wahan nahin daali thi. Ek local Hindu neta ne dalwai thi. Woh sabko ye batane gaye. Na Hinduon ne unki baat suni, na mussalmaanon ne. Hamein nahin pata chala ki jis laathi se unhein woh fatal chot sar par lagi, woh ek Hindu ki thi, ya Muslim ki…”

She shifted on the bed to get closer to him planted a kiss on his cheek, “I’m sorry.”

“Thodi si unki idealism shayad mere andar bhi aa gayi thi,” he rued.

“Ab bhi hai!”

He shook his head, “Nahin. Woh unadulterated idealism nahin raha, Ananya. Ab main games khelta hoon. Achchhe kaam ke liye bhi khelta hoon, tab bhi games khelta hoon. Risk calculate kar ke, nafe-nuksaan ka hisaab kar ke. Woh idealism hoti to seedhe RG ke paas jaata aur seena thok kar kahta ki mujhe uska sach pata hai aur main woh duniya ke saamne bolunga. Lekin main woh nahin kar raha.”

“Matlab aap woh bewkoofi nahin kar rahe, jo main karti,” she smiled.

“Tumhare andar jo ye self-righteous gussa hai na, Ananya, tumhare liye problems create karta hai, lekin mujhe isse bahut hope bhi milti hai, aur life mein ek purpose bhi.”

“Purpose?”

“Main chahta hoon ki tumhara ye gussa kabhi tumhein kill na karna pade.”

“Aap saath denge to nahin kill karna padega. Ye sahi jagah channel ho jayega.”

“I hope so. Lekin ek baat batao, Ananya. Ye gussa – tumhare Papa ke saath jo hua uska to hai hi – lekin usse bhi zyada kuchh hai na? Subah tum batate-batate rah gayin.”

“Rahen dijiye, Kabir. Purani baatein hai. Bachchi thi main. Unhein dohrane ke kya fayda?”

“Ek baar bata do,” he pleaded, “Apne man se bahar nikaal do un baaton ko. Phir bhool jaana zindagi bhar ke liye.”

She took a deep breath and leaned back against the headboard. Kabir got out of the chair and sat down beside her on the bed. He held her hands and looked straight in her eyes.

“Aap jaante hain na ki log vicious ho sakte hain. Aur jab woh log teenagers ho to unki meanness ki koi boundaries nahin rah jaati. Armaan chhota tha, jab Papa ko arrest kar ke police le gayi thi. Use to humne school bheja hi nahin kuchh dinon ke liye, aur phir uska admission doosre school mein karwa diya. Lekin main 12^th class mein thi. Na to school bunk karna possible tha, na hi board exams se pahle chhodna. Aur… Jo log pahle se hi mere friends nahin the, unki to aur baat hai, lekin mere sabse kareebi dost bhi… Ek Richa ko chhod kar… Aur phir relatives, neighbors. Pata hai unmein se kuchh log mujhse mean sawaal poochhna kaise justify karte the? Woh kahte the ki meri Ma ki halat to already itni kharaab hai. To unse pochhna sahi nahin lagta. Isliye woh mujhse poochh rahe hain jo sawaal unke man mein hai. As if main chhoti thi to meri koi feelings thi hi nahin. Main… Main Ma ko bhi kuchh nahin bol sakti thi aur…”

She started crying, but Kabir gently wiped her tears.

“Ro mat, Ananya. Woh din ab chale gaye hain. Aur jo kuchh bhi bacha khucha jhooth hai hawa mein, woh bhi clear ho jayega.”

“Ek aapka woh article tha, aur uske baad, shayad uske asar se, Papa ko bail milna – ye do mere savior the. Papa ghar wapas nahi bhi aaye tab bhi main in donon ke sahare…”

He embraced her gently and held her for a long time.

When she grew calmer, she got out of the bed and walked to the window sill. Kabir followed him.

“Papa is ghar mein kabhi nahin rahe. Humne ghar change kar liya, purane neighbors ko avoid karne ke liye. Lekin main aksar yahan baith kar Papa ko apne saath mahsoos karti hoon. Kai baar baatein karti hoon unse,” she suddenly chuckled in embarrassment, “Aap mujhe kabhi aise dekhnege to shayad pagal samjhenge. Lekin aisa nahin hai. Main bas…”

He pressed his hand against her lips.

“Explain karne ki zaroorat nahin hai, Ananya.”

—

They met over breakfast again the next day.

“Sir, maine Pravin aur Shehnaaz ke saath kaam kya kar RG Pharma par. I don’t know ki hum kya dhoondh rahe hain. But ye kuchh general numbers hain, aur kuchh observations,” Richa handed Kabir a bunch of stapled sheets. Ananya took it from him.

“Saare clips bhi RG ke jama ho gaye hain. Zyada nahin hain, jaise ki aapne predict kiya tha. Aapko jab bhi time ho hum use dekh sakte hain.”

“Aaj office mein hi dekhenge.”

“Unka sabse bada revenue-generator,” Ananya mumbled poring over Richa’s papers, “ye pain-killer hai.”

“So?”

“Isi dawai mein problem thi, jinse un pachaas bachchon ki death hui thi. Morphine ka percentage high tha.” She handed him some old news clips.

“Ye sab tumne kab jama kiye?” Kabir asked.

“Pichhle kuchh dinon mein.”

Kabir shook his head, smiling. She had been at work!

“Us incident ke baad,” Richa added, “Unhein ye medicine kuchh dinon ke liye withdraw karni padi thi. Us saal their revenue took a big hit and share prices bhi bahut gir gaye the. Lekin later they reintroduced it and since then they haven’t looked back.”

“OTC medicine hai?”

“Ji.”

“Unhone same medicine ko reintroduce kyon kiya? Itni bad PR ke baad? Rebrand kar sakte the?” Kabir wonered aloud.

Ronnied who had been listening thoughtfully until then said,“Ananya, tune kaha ki usmein morphine ka percentage high tha, right?”

“Haan.”

“Aur Kabir Sir, aapko jo papers Sudhir Uncle ne diye the, usse ye clear tha ki unhone apni report mein ye mention kiya tha. Phir bhi woh batch market mein gaya.”

Kabir nodded in understanding, “Somebody knew what they were doing.”

“Kya matlab?” Richa asked.

“Morphine recreational drug ki tarah use hoti hai,” Ananya said and flopped back on the chair, a sudden understanding dawning on her.

“Ananya, apna laptop dena,” Richa asked.

She searched for a while, then said, “Pain-killers ka market bahut fragmented hai. Har chhoti-moti pharma company pain-killer banati hai. Lekin agar RG Pharma ke revenue numbers aur market size ko compare karein, to RG pharma supposedly has ten percent of the entire market. That’s huge for such a fragmented market. Nobody else comes close. That’s odd, isn’t it?”

“Kyonki unka market share pain-killers ka hai hi nahin,” Kabir said growing thoughtful. Then he turned to Ananya, “Tum Dr. Sinha se aur Tinu se baat karo. Tinu se poochho ki use morphine ki illegal trade ke baare mein kuchh pata hai kya, ya pata laga sakta hai kya. Dr. Sinha se pain-killers ke baare mein poochho. Specifically RG pharma ka brand.”

“Ji.”

—

To be continued

She fell silent and asked after a long pause, “Kya aap mujhe maaf kar sakenge? Aap par bharosa na karne ke liye?”

“Tumhara bharosa na karna to jayaz tha, Ananya. Maine tumse jhooth bola tha. Kya tum uske liye mujhe maaf kar sakogi?”

“Kyon jhooth bola tha aapne?”

“Tumhare pyaar mein kamzor ho gaya tha main. Jab ek baar apni feelings tumhare saamne rakh di, to phir aar ya paar ka maamla ho gaya tha. Mujhe dar tha ki tumhein ye pata chalega ki main chiu rah gaya tumhare Papa ke murder ke baare mein, to main tumhein kho doonga. Main selfish aur kamzor pad gaya tha Ananya.”

“Meri help kijiye uth kar baithne mein,” she demanded.

He obliged her and helped her sit up. She sat sprawled, resting against the head board.

“Mere paas baithiye.”

She waited until he sat next to her on the bed. Then she clasped his hands. “I promise ki main ab kabhi bhi aapse door nahin jaungi. Kuchh bhi ho jaye. Chahe meri bachpan ki dost aapke khilaaf kuchh bole, chahe meri Ma ko aap pasand na ho, chahe mera khud ka dimaag aap par shaq kare, ya phir mera best friend mujhe aapke baare mein kuchh shocking bataye. Gussa aaya to apni jaan de doongi, saath mein aapki jaan le bhi loongi, lekin aapse door nahin jaungi.”

He disengaged his hands from her and cupped her face, then he planted her a soft kiss on her forehead.

“Ab tum aaraam karo,” he said, “aur kal subah tak apne do pairon par khadi ho jao. Ya phir apna weight thoda kam kar lo. Pata hai tumhein car se yahan tak utha kar laane mein meri saari heropanthi nikal gayi.”

“Kabir!” she pummelled at him in mock annoyance and he laughed.

—

“Sachchai saamne laana, aur sachchai court mein prove karna, do alag tasks hain,” Kabir told Ananya, while they waited for Richa, Ronnie and Sunny to join them, “Hamare sting operations se kai baar sachchai saamne aa jaati hai. Jinko maanna hota hai, woh maan bhi lete hain. Lekin courts are a different beast. Wahan bahut technicalities hoti hain–”

“Papa ki hamein bas sachchai hi saamne laani hai, Kabir. Court se bail to Papa ko bhi mil hi gayi thi. Shayad case chalta to woh chhoot bhi jaate. Lekin jo harm hona tha woh to media trial aur public perception se ho gaya. Jab tak humne ghar change nahin kiya aur maine school complete nahin kiya –” she fell silent all of a sudden.

“Ananya?”

“Kuchh nahin. Baaki log bhi aa gaye. Main dekhti hoon, naashta bhi ban gaya hoga.”

Mrs. Kashyap got breakfast and tea for everyone, and they started discussing how to take RG Pharma to task.

“We need to tread cautiously,” Kabir said, “Hamein Mr. Kashyap waale case ko lekar unpar direct attack nahin karna chahiye. RG Pharma jaisi company koi ek baar galti kar ke sudhar nahin gayi hogi. I’m sure unki aaj bhi illegal dealings hain. Hamein koi aur issue dhoondh kar unpar waar karne ki zaroorat hai.”

“Lekin kissi aur issue se Papa ka naam kaise clear hoga?” Ananya objected.

“Mere paas abhi fool-proof plan nahin hai, Ananya,” Kabir admitted, “Lekin hamein khud RG se uska gunaah qubool karwana hai. Kyonki I don’t think ki us case se related koi bhi record unhone bachne diya hoga. Aur agar gunaah qubool karwana hai to kissi aur tareeke se uske paas pahunchna hoga.”

Ananya looked unconvinced.

Kabir smiled at her and said, “Maine kai baar tumse kaha hai na ki tumhein patience ki zaroorat hai.”

She grew embarrassed at that and nodded.

“Richa. Tumhein hamare business reporters ki madad leni hogi, bina ye reveal kiye ki hum kya karne ki koshish kar rahe hain. Jitne kam logon ko hamare is investigation ke baare mein directly pata ho, utna hi achchha hoga.”

“Ji. Lekin hum kya dekhne ki koshish kar rahe hain.”

“Koi bhi irregularity. Koi legal issues, kissi product ka sudden withdrawal ya suspicious performance, anything unexpected in their financial statements, kuchh bhi. Anything that hints at something potentially wrong. Tum meri authority use karo aur Pravin aur Shehnaaz ko is project par lagao. They are the best at sniffing out the corporate rut. Tum unhein kah sakti ho ki hamein kuchh tip mili hai ki RG pharma ke andar koi badi story brew ho rahi hai.”

“Theek hai, Sir.”

“Ronnie. Tumhein Sunny ki help se hamare video archives mein se RG ki saari clips nikalni hain. Zyada woh banda aata nahin media ke saamne. Lekin jo kuchh bhi hai, woh hamein jama karne hain. I don’t know right now ki main kya dhoondh raha hoon unmein. Lekin once you have the entire collection, main unhein khud dekhoonga.”

“Ji.”

“Aur main kya karoongi?” Ananya asked, sounding irked.

“Tum aaj to aaraam karogi, properly recover karogi, aur apna dimaag thandha rakhogi.”

“Main recover ho chuki hoon. Aapko mujhe uthane ki zaroorat nahin padegi ab,” she retorted.

“Oh really? Thank you, so much,” he grinned at her infuriating her even further.

“Kabir! Aap kya karne ki koshish kar rahe hain? Aapko sach mein lagta hai ki main is sab se alag baithi rah sakti hoon?”

“Nahin, Ananya. But I mean it when I say ki tumhein aaj aaraam karna hai. Main khud bhi aaj kuchh nahin kar raha. Sirf raat mein apna bulletin padhne jaunga office. Hum time lose nahin kar sakte, isliye main Ronnie, Richa aur Sunny ko kaam par laga raha hoon. Lekin hum dono ko kal ke ordeal ke baad ek break ki zaroorat hai. Can you please not fight with me over this?”

Although reluctant, Ananya nodded.

“Ronnie, Richa, Sunny. I am afraid ki abhi tumhein ye saara kaam, apne regular kaam ke alawa karna padega. I don’t mean to make it an official KKN investigation, not right now.”

“Don’t worry, Sir. Ho jayega,” Ronnie assured him, and then the three of them left.

Kabir turned his attention to Ananya.

“Ananya! Please jhagda mat karo mujhse?”

“Aapse door nahin jaane ka promise kiya hai, jhagda na karne ka nahin,” she pouted.

“Achchha, jhagda kar ke hi sahi, meri baat maan lo. Apne kamre mein chalo. Aaj aaraam kar lo.”

“Aap mere saath ruk rahe hain.”

“Mrs. Kashyap bahut achchha khaana banati hain. Rukne ka to mujhe bas bahana chahiye.”

“Haan to meri chowkidaari karna hai na bahana aapke liye.”

“Bahut khoobsoorat bahana hai. Ye to banana hi padega. Chalo andar ab.”

Despite her protests, he settled her on her bed.

“Aur aap?”

“Yahan,” he  flopped into a armchair beside her bed.

“Aap yahan comfortable nahin rahenge. Aap ghar chale jaiye aur aaraam kar lijiye,” she said.

“Tum jahan ho, Ananya, main wahan comfortable hoon.”

—

To be continued

He made another call from the mobile and quickly appraised police of the situation. “Mall ki security waale log pata nahin kaha hain, aur kya kar rahe hain, Khurana. Chaos hai yahan.”

“Hum pahunch gaye, Kabir. Tum baaki logon ki chinta mat karo. Ananya kahan hai?”

“Ground floor, well ke paas. Sirf paanch minute bache hain Khurana…”

He saw policemen coming up the stairs from the basements and directing the evacuation.

“Ananya!” They heard Mrs. Kashyap scream.

“Ma!”

“Ronnie. Kya kar rahe ho tum? Le jao inhein bahar. Time nahin hai.”

He left Ananya’s side for a second and physically dragged Mrs. Kashyap for some distance. “Armaan. Ronnie. Dimaag se kaam lo. Kissie ke bhi yahan rahne se bomb squad ko kaam karne mein problem hi hogi. Aur… khatra bhi hai. Please le jao inhein.”

When he came back, the bomb squad had reached there and were examining the wiring.

“You should leave, Mr. Sharma,” one of the officers told him.

“Aap please mere oopar time barbaad na karein. Main kahin nahin ja raha,” he replied.

“Kitna time hai, Kabir?” she asked when he stood by his side and clasped her hand again.

“Kaafi hai.”

“Mujhe aapse kuchh kahna hai.”

“Bolo, Ananya.”

“Maine aapko bahut pareshaan kiya hai. Kabhi aapki baat suni nahin, kabhi maani nahin, kabhi bekaar ka gussa kiya. Lekin maine aapko pyaar bhi bahut kiya hai. Aapko pareshaan karte waqt ye nahin socha tha ki zindagi itni chhoti hogi. Warna gussa karne mein, door rahne mein itna samay barbaad nahin karti.”

“Hum kuchh hi der mein yahan se sahi salaamat bahar niklenge, Ananya.”

“Kitna time bacha hai, Kabir? Please bataiye mujhe.”

The bomb squad members had moved behind her and were trying to figure something out at the back of the vest.

He stood facing her and the timer made him gulp. But he replied truthfully, “Ek minute.”

She pushed him away and screamed, “Jaiye aap yahan se.”

“Ms. Kahsyap!” The person cutting the wire admonished her against moving.

“Itna hi saath tha, Kabir. Shayad agle jann mein…”

Kabir came back, held her face tight and hissed, “Saat janmon mein main vishwaas nahin karta. Yahi ek janm hai hamare paas. Agar ji nahin sakte to saath hi marenge.” And he kissed her hard.

A cap popped out from the vest and suddenly the clock stopped ticking.

Kabir stepped back.

“We are safe now, but let me take the vest off,” declared the lead of the bomb squad and they carefully freed Ananya of the vest.

As soon as the vest was off, Ananya’s knees buckled. She would have collapsed on the floor if Kabir had not held her in time.

“Ananya!” he screamed.

“Shock mein chali gayi hain. Main medical team ko andar bhejta hoon,” said one of the officers.

Kabir laid her down on the floor. She opened her eyes after a few moments.

“Tum theek ho?”

“Ma?”

“Main bulata hoon unko.”

“Nahin. Mujhe theek hone dijiye. Woh ghabra jayengi. Aap unhein bas bata dijiye ki main theek hoon.”

He nodded and called Ronnie. “Ananya theek hai,” he informed them, “Bomb diffuse ho gaya hai. Tum please sabko lekar uske ghar jao. Hum log thodi der mein pahunch rahe hain.”

—

After settling her in her bed, Kabir went out of the room and left her friends and family with her.

“Main bahut galat thi, Ananya, Kabir Sir ke baare mein. Jo insaan aapke saath marne ko taiyaar ho, usse behtar aapke liye aur kaun ho sakta hai? Woh best hain tere liye.”

“Haan Ananya,” her mother added, “I’m sorry ki maine teri choice par bhrosa nahin kiya. Main bhi Armaan ka soch kar tujhe wahan chhod kar chali aayi. Lekin usne kissi ka nahin socha.”

“Ma. Aise mat bolo. Tumne bilkul sahi kiya.”

“Main credit le sakta hoon kya? Hamesha Kabir ki side lene ke liye?” Ronnie said and made everyone laugh.

“Ab tu aaraam kar, Ananya,” he added more somberly, “Hum phir aayenge tujhe dekhne. Tab tak KKN bhi chala lenge. Tu chinta mat karna.” Everyone laughed again.

Mrs. Kashyap also left the room with Richa and Ronnie. Armaan stayed behind.

—

“Ananya theek hai?” Kabir asked.

Richa nodded at him.

“Main chalta hoon, Mrs. Kashyap. Koi zaroorat ho to–”

“Sir,” Ronnie interjected, “Aap Ananya se mil lijiye ek baar jaane se pahle.”

Happy to be given a chance he nodded and went in immediately.

—

“Didi,” Armaan was overwhelmed, “Tum ye itne khatre waale kaam mat kiya karo. Tumhein kuchh ho jaata to?”

“Main theek hoon na, Armaan? Aise ghabrate nahin hai, mere bhai.”

“Haan. Waise to jiju – I am sorry – Kabir Sir – tumhare saath rahte hi hain. To bas isi se bharosa bana rahta hai.”

Ananya smiled weakly.

“Ek baat confess karni thi, Didi.”

“Kya?”

“Jab tum Kabir Sir se naaraaz thi, tab Ronnie Bhaiya aur unhone mujhe call kiya tha.”

“Aur tu mere plans ke baare mein unhein bata raha tha.”

“Bas utna hi jitna Ronnie Bhaiya ko already pata nahin tha.”

“Ma ke zevar…”

“Tum mujhse gussa to nahin ho, Didi?”

“Nahin, Armaan.”

“Badi jaldi confess kar diya, Armaan. Ab agar mujhe dubara zaroorat hui to?” Kabir entered the room.

“Ab Didi aap se kabhi gussa nahi hongi Jiju – I mean, Kabir Sir.”

Ananya flushed at Armaan’s use of ‘Jiju’ in front of Kabir, but Kabir didn’t even bat an eyelid.

“Main ja kar dekhta hoon ki Ronnie Bhaiya aur Richa Didi hain ya chale gaye,” Armaan made an excuse and left them alone, remembering to shut the door behind him.

—

“Ananya. Tum resign kar do.”

“Ji?” she was alarmed.

“Khatre to tumhara peechha sa karte hain. Aur mujhe do-chaar baar aur tumhein aise khatron mein dekhan pada to mera dum nikal jayega. Sach mein!” he had started smiling by then and she was relieved.

“Maine resign kar diya to aapka mujhe rescue karne ka shauq kaise poora hoga.”

“Aaj ke rescue ka credit to police aur bomb squad ko do. Mujhe bomb diffuse karna nahin aata.”

“Isliye aap mere saath marne ko taiyaar the?”

“Main koi bahaduri ka kaam nahin kar raha tha. Agar tumhein kuchh ho jaata to kya main bomb se bach kar bhi zinda rah paata?”

A knock was heard at the door and Ananya blinked back the tears that threatened to brim over. Her mother came in with a cup of tea for Kabir.

“Iski zaroorat nahin thi, Mrs. Kashyap. Aap kyon taqleef le rahi hain? Main bas nikalne ke waala tha.”

“Kabir, ek request karoon?”

“Ji?”

“Kya aaj tum yahan ruk sakte ho? Hum sab – ya shayad sirf main – bahut ghabraye hue hain.”

Kabir’s mouth opened in astonishment. He looked at Ananya and then back at her mother.

“Ji,” he said finally, “Main rukoonga.”

“Ma. Kabir ke paas raat mein change karne ke liye kapde nahin hain,” she told her mother.

“Tumhare Papa ke kapde hain. Usmein se kuchh aa jayega. Main dekhti hoon.”

“Aapki aankhon mein aansoon?” she asked after her mother left.

“Kabhi kissi ghar ko meri zaroorat nahin rahi hai, Ananya. Aaj se pahle kabhi nahin.”

—

To be continued

“Sorry Vinod, Ananya. Tum logon ko itni short notice par weekend par bulana pada. Lekin mujhe tip mili hai ki unke do log yahan milne waale hain.”

“Sir. Last message jo mila tha hamein, uska kya matlab nikala hai police ne?”

“Most likely koi attack. Lekin usse zyada clarity agar police ke paas hai to woh humse share nahin kar rahe. Vinod tum woh corner waali table le lo. Main entrance ke paas rahunga aur Ananya you hang out near that shop pretending to window shop.”

“Ji.” Vinod left and Kabir stopped Ananya for a moment to tell her, “Dada aaj shaam nikal rahe hain. Kal se hamara kaam RG Pharma par bhi shuru ho jayega.”

“Ji,” she made to leave, but Kabir stopped her again, “Ek minute. Ye rakho. Aaj ghar wapas ja kar sun lena.”

“Kya hai ismein?”

“Khud sun lena.”

He had given her a small music player.

“Ananya. Hum log oopar food-court mein hain,” her mother and brother came there just then.

“Haan. Ma. Main kaam khatam hone par tumhein dhoondh loongi.” She explaied to Kabir when they left, “Ma shopping ke liye jaana chahti thi. Achanak aapka call aaya yahan aane ke liye to main unhein bhi yahin le aayi.”

“Okay. Aaj to lagta hai poori duniya isi mall mein aayi hui hai. Woh Ronnie aur Richa hain na?”

“Woh log bhi bahar jaana chahte the–”

“To tumne unhein yahin bula liya.”

“Ji.”

“Hum yahan lead follow karte hue aaye hain, Anaya.”

“Hamare saath aur log rahenge to hum kam hi conspicuous lagenge.”

“Ye bhi theek hai. Main apni position par jaata hoon.”

“Ji.”

—

A little girl was following her mother out of the shop, but she spotted some bangles and stopped. Ananya smiled fondly at her while keeping a watch on the surroundings from the corner of her eyes. Something about the young couple still inside the shop caught her eyes. Even before she had processed the information, she sensed the danger, picked up the girl and held her out to her mother. “Go!” she screamed at them. They escaped, but Ananya found herself at a gun point.

Kabir noticed immediately and ran in her direction, but stopped short when one of her captors fired a shot in the air. The shot also got the attention of everyone in the mall and few cries of fear went up, while everyone else tried to figure out what was happening.

“Hamare log chaaron taraf faile hue hain,” Ananya’s female captor yelled, “Everybody down on the floor. Sar neeche kar ke let jao sab log. Now.”

“Use jaane do,” Kabir said, his voice cold and steady, but Ananya could read the fear in the depth of his eyes.

“On the floor.” The man grumbled.

“Use jaane do. Main uski jagah lene ke liye taiyaar hoon.”

Seeing the man turn his gun towards Kabir, Ananya screamed, “Aap sun nahin rahe hain woh kya kah rahe hain. Sar neeche kijiye. Zidd karne se kuchh nahi hoga.”

He had himself seen the  wisdom of her advice by then.

“Ananya!”she heard her mother scream from a floor above. She could see her through the central well of the mall. Ronnie, Richa and Armaan were by her side.

Another shot went up in the air and Ananya screamed at her mother to obey her captors too.

“Andar chalo,” the woman ordered her. Trembling with fear she followed them inside the shop.

As they retreated behind the glass walls, Kabir looked up. He saw them using stoles from the shop to tie Ananya’s hands. Without standing up, he shot an SMS to Khurana. The reply he received chilled his bones. Apparently police had already received information about the plans of the terrorists. There was a plot to bomb the mall, though exact details were not clear. Police and bomb squad were on their way. All around him was restlessness. Children were squaling. Some adults were also sobbing. He heard multitudes of prayers. He surreptiously glanced around and wondered where the the teammates of Ananya’s captors were.

—

The man stood at the door of the shop and guarded it from outside, while the woman, after tying her hands at her back and then tethering her to a hook in the wall, disappeared behind a wall within the shop.

Ananya cried silently. Then she remembered the little music player pressed deep in her hands. Could she listen to what was in it without a headphone? Without much hope she felt around it with her hand and pressed at the first place she guessed there could be a button. Through its weak, but funcitonal in-built speaker, a song wafted through.

“Mujhse naaraaz ho to ho jao, khud se lekin khafa, khafa na raho…”

Her silent weeping turned into sobs and the woman returned. She tried to snatch the music player from Ananya, but met with resistance.

“Ise mujhse lene ke liye tumhein mujhe maarna padega. Aur agar mujhe maar dogi to tumhara jo bhi plan hai woh fail ho jayega.”

The woman smirked, having decided that the music player was harmless, she let Ananya have it.

“Mujhpe chahe yakeen karo na karo, tumko khud par magar yakeen rahe,” sang the little device in her helpless, tied hands, when the woman produced an explosive vest.

“I’m sorry, Kabir,” she sobbed as the woman fitted the jacket on her. The song died out after exhorting her

“Mujhse tum door jao, to jao, aap apne se tum juda na raho…”

—

“Kabir!”

Kabir sprang up on hearing her voice and his mouth went dry on on seeing ticker on the time bomb fitted on her.

“Unke aur log nahin hain yahan. Sabko yahan se nikaliye. Ma aur Armaan…” she started crying.

Some other people around them had started stirring by then. Kabir looked around and picked on some young men and women who seemed to still have their wits about them and put them to the task of evacuating the mall.

It wasn’t possible to avoid the chaos, but he left them to manage as best as they could hoping that mall’s security would wake up and take charge of the situation. Then he called Ronnie and asked him to ensure Mrs. Kashyap’s, Armaan’s and Richa’s safety.

“Kitna time hai, Kabir?”

“Bomb squad aa raha hai, Ananya,” he said and held her tight taking care not to press anything on the vest.

“Kitna time hai?”

Although reluctant, he replied, “Aath minute.”

—

To be continued