Chapter 20
Aditi - You dont know how happy you made me by writing a review. Seriously what would I have done without you.
In fact many a times I think that my whole reason of continuation of the story is you. Love ya..
nina js : Thank you nina..Thank you for the love you showed even after such behavior of mine..
Tara : Thank you Tara...Lots of love to you
Guest ( April 23) : You know what made me happy that even If I am to start the story again there are people who actually wanna listen.
Guest ( April 1 ) - I am so sorry dear. Just for a time being couldn't find out the required time.. But here is a long update for you. Hope you are still there to read it.
Guest ( March 26 ): So so sorry for abandoning the story in between.But just couldn't do it anymore after opened my email and read all the reviews
Guest ( March 15 ) : Dont worry now I wont leave the story in between.
Vaishnavi ( Feb 4th) : Hey updated quite late but here it is..
Guest ( 26 sept) : Sorry sorry.. but here is the update
Guest : (21 July ) Here you go with the next update.
Charu : ( If you are still reading this :-( ) You will definitely get to read what you want..Just keep reading
Laksara : Again...If you are still reading this story laksara. I have missed you guyz like crazy thank you for all the support uptill now .
Sakshi B : Sorry sakshi.. Disappointed you in many many ways but I hope you come back and read the complete story someday.
Hey guys just wanted to write a little note. I have wriiten something after a very long time . So it might happen that some of you would think that the chapter isn't upto the mark but Please bear with me. It will definitely get better.
..In the serenade of the black , the stars are the choir . They are the lights that sing in infinite pattern. Sometimes the eyes need the music and Sometimes very few are that wise to realise that the darker the night the sweeter the music...
Amairaah wrote on a page that lay on her table. She couldn't help but compare the night with her own state of mind. Something was bothering her , Something was hurting her. But she couldn't put a finger on it. Something felt so wrong ,So invalid . She tried to reason this unbearable burning but couldn't find any. She knew there was light in the darkest corner somewhere..She knew the stars were there somewhere but just as she wrote .. Was she wise enough to ignore the dark and dance in the light ??
( Flashback )
"In our sleep we are children again. We think of the things that have passed and will never happen again. We dream about the things that we feel might happen. Let the past lay in the past. But be sure of one thing , The future is going to be fabulous. I know this not because some kind wodoo trick but I know it because ' You are going to make it fabulous '. Of course it is uncontrollable . But do you know, This is the main thing because of which we lose our peace of mind. We try to take charge of the uncontrolled things out there and ignore the things that can settled very easily in here. " Daya said looking towards Amairaah with his penetrating eyes . Amairaah's sobs had stopped and she was back on her chair. She looked not completely okay , a little tired with her head almost down . Daya was affectionately stroking her hair while talking to her. He sat besides her or in other words never left her side. Amairaah quite didn't understand what Daya was talking so she looked up towards him. Daya gave her a sheepish smile. He continued , "You cannot controll the chaos that is out there ." Daya said pointing towards Amairaah's head. " But the chaos that lies in here ..." Daya said now pointing towards Amairaah's heart ." This chaos here is a very manageble thing. You know the caretaker of my orphanage always used to say...There are so little things that you see with your eyes and so many more with your heart. I as a tough, stubborn boy didn't believe that. But the more I lived my life the more I realized how much that statement was true. Amairaah smiled at Daya... She was kind of relaxed. Afterall a heavy weight was lifted off her shoulders. She and Daya were now sitting in the most relaxed position . Daya was telling her no matter what her mind tells her , she needs to be firm in her heart . Afterall he was right. Sometimes you know the earth exist not because you see something but just because of the feel of ground beneath or the feel of the wind ruffling .
( Present )
Amairaah and Daya had talked a lot that night. The same night Amairaah had vulnerably opened up in front of him. Daya was not worried about about all the physical health stuff. He wasn't worried about the withdrawal symptoms from which Amairaah would suffer once she was taken away from all the pills. Or maybe he was worried but just was very good enough at not showing it on his face. He only cared that no matter whatever happened or whatever had troubled Amairaah , She should emerge a srronger , a braver or a wise girl from that. Amairaah was mostly at the listening end that day.
( Flashback )
Daya continued , " So from now on , Me and you both are going to take a step back ." Amairaah's eyes scrunched in fear as to what he was meaning. Daya once again affectionately said , " Dont worry , I am not going to leave you. But from now on when you are stressed , you are going to take a step back. When something hits you , you will not go running after sleeping pills , stimulants or cigarettes. You will take a deep breathe - Inhale and exhale. You will remember who you are and why you are here. And you will remember one very important thing - In this world you are not given anything unless you are strong enough to withstand it. No matter how difficult or tough it is..but you will love your life . Okay ??" Amairaah nodded peacefully. She had thought worse about today's night but it had ended very smoothly.
"Mujhe laga aap bohot gussa honge !" Amairaah couldn't help but speak about this thing. Daya smiled and said , " Gussa toh hu bohot , Kal shayad koi crimial ko jarurat bhi nahi par jor ka chata pad jaye. Par gusse me ake insan kya kya soch sakta hai ya kar sakta iska tumse bada example kaun hai " Daya said little jokingly and even Amairaah laughed.
" So Amairaah Sharma " Daya continued, "What did you learn today ?" Amairaah straightened herself and said , " You don't imagine the future on the basis of your past ." Amairaah searched her mind for another thing. " You are in controll of all the chaos that's within you." Amairaah smiled at two happy realizations. " Why do you always seem to forget the last and the most important one ?" Daya asked getting up from the chair and walking towards the door of the study. Amairaah couldn't quite make it out for the last one. " Why do you always seem to forget that there are people for you ?"
Daya asked the most important question.
"I know you like to solve all your problems on your own. And that's why I have, with a very calm mind given you the liberty of doing that from now on. But when I tell you to take a step back I need an assurance that you would deal with them in a logical , civilized way and not by running behind the things that harm you in the most stupid way. Okay ??"
Amairaah nodded with affirmation. "Mujhe haa sunayi nahi diya !" Daya said expecting something more than a nod.
" I understand sir !" Amairaah replied a little louder toh Daya who was standing at the door now. He smiled contently and said , " Chalo jao ab bhago , Mujhe bohot kaam hai aaj !" Amairaah laughed and got from the seat. She gave a hug to Daya and left . " And please search for some good options other than sleeping pills." Daya said to the retreating figure of Amairaah.
The storm had settled flat. And Amairaah was greatly thankful to Daya that he had given freedom to her . Finally she could be on her own with the knowledge that if something happens she has the people on whom she can lean on.
( Present )
Amairaah just finished writing something on the paper. She had tried taking up different hobbies. So that her mind was utilized all the time. She was always fond of reading books and poetry. She started indulging in that. Deep down she knew that Daya has suspected about her leg injury. He just didn't bring that topic on that night.
Amairaah had also tried the contact number that she had found in her father's study. But She couldn't get a hold of it.
So at present she had no leads for going on. So she had decided to let the matter be.
Amairaah was deep in her thoughts when the buzzer of the extension phone started on like a rattle snake. She scrunched her face on hearing the sound and very lazily she got up from her place to pick it up.
"Hello...!!" The person behind the fone said. Amairaah's heart skipped a beat. This hello was like a silver melody through the dark skies. It came from a person that was off the radar for quite some time now. The voice of Shreya was finally being heard. " Dii ??" Amairaah asked. " Kaise hai ? I have missed you so much !" Came from the other side. " Kaha ho aur kab aa rahe ho ?? Aapke bagair nahi raha jara !" Amairaah said with a slight cry in her voice. " Bas aa hi rahu beta.. Mera kaam almost ho hi gya hai !" Amairaah heaved a sigh of relief. The person she had been desperately waiting for was coming back after all these days and that too coming back safely.
Shreya enquired about everyone and the conversation ended.
The tension that had kept her up for straight for so many days melted into nothing. With just plain PJ's Amairaah sat on the couch for some time. She replayed the conversation in her mind for 2-3 times.
Daya was right afterall why to compare the past with the present.
Like a drunk man she stumbled on her bed . Her body was unwinding now and her brain was now shutting down.
The bad days had passed.
Amairaah's heart beat in accordance with her slow shallow breathe. Serenity was plastered on her face as she slept. At peace her conscience swirled in dreams oblivious to physical world.
The fone beeped. It suddenly put Amairaah out of the deep slumber that she was in. It was a message from an unknown number. It read , " Hotel Heritage embassy ke piche kal sham 5 bje. Akele ana...R."
Something clicked inside her. Like an engine shifting to a higher gear. The message was probably from Ramesh cause it read R at the end of it. He had finally came out of the dark. Should she tell Daya despite the fact that she had been called alone. Could she risk it ?
Amairaah finally decided that she could go alone with a promise to herself that she wouldn't do anything stupid.
( Next morning )
Amairaah came down at the breakfast table with mixed feelings. At one point she was happy that Shreya was going to come back in a week or so. But looking at another matter she was just too unsure of the feeling of meeting Ramesh.
She was actually too scared to try and too scared not too. And the fact that he had mentioned her to come alone made things more complicated.
Amairaah was actually tired of lying to Daya but she had no options. But at least this time she had promised herself that she wouldn't do anything stupid.
She ate her breakfast and proceeded towards college.
College was a slow day today. Of course it was going to be. Amairaah still thought that time was her enemy. Now she just had to manage one thing. College was out at 6:00 and she needed to leave the college at 4:30 to meet Ramesh. She dialled Kavya's number and asked her if she was free in her department. Kavya answered very quickly and Amairaah left to meet her.
" Sun can you manage in my place if I left 1:30 hrs before ?" Amairaah asked Kavya.
"Waise toh kuch problem nahi honi chahiye. I'll manage. But tu jaa kaha rahi hai ?" Kavya asked.
"Woh bata nahi sakti abhi...bas sab thik se sambhal lena..I 'll be out at 4:30 !" Amairaah replied. They talked about few more important things and then They both left for their respective departments.
It was finally 4:30 . Amairaah packed her stuff and very carefully left. She reached the car and finally had deep breaths. In her mind she had decided that she was doing this no matter what.
She sat in the car and turned her GPS on. She searched for Hotel Heritage Embassy and started her engine.
At exactly 4:50 Amairaah had reached the hotel embassy. She parked her car somewhere under a tree and started her walk ' behind the heritage embassy ' as it was mentioned on the message. She finally reached a street that had definitely seen better days. It looked like the street hadn't seen any laughter since many days . The road that lay before her was like a tarmac ribbon: albeit ,one had been worn overtime. Their was a white line in the centre , relatively unbroken to the scarred road that was filled with potholes on both sides. There was no one there. But somebody was watching her she was sure of that. From what her father told her about all the spies and espionage business she just knew one thing, that you are always being watched.
"Left !" A man came very close to Amairaah and almost whispered the direction in her ear. A shiver ran down her spine as she felt someone standing very close to her. Amairaah couldn't even see the face of this person. Just the back of a man walking in light colored pants and shirt.
She walked straight and searched for a left turn if she could find any. After about 5 minutes of walking she found one. This street was even quiter and derelict. Amairaah walked towards a pile of garbage that she could see.
As she reached the pile she found man standing behind it. His face was filthy but there was a relief in her eyes. Relief because Amairaah had made it. And she had made it alone.
" Ramesh ! " Amairaah said to that man. He just nodded . " Mere pass time bohot kam hai lekin dhyaan se suno ! Ahmedabad court 4 saal purana case matlab tumhare maa aur baba ka case firse open krne wala hai. Jin logo ko 4 saal pehle pakda gaya tha unke rihayat ke liye kuch logone plea dali hai." Ramesh said. " Toh fir abhi kya hoga ?" Amairaah asked . " Jo mujrimoki rihayat chahte hai woh bohot khatarnak log hai. Woh rihayat ki case jitne ke liye kuch bhi kar sakte hai." Ramesh tod Amairaah. " Me samjhi nahi kuch !" Amairaah asked with confusion. " Tum hi socho Amairaah , Court me koi case jitne ke liye sabse badi chiz hoti hai saboot. Aur saboot me bhi sabse badhkar hota hai koi gawah. Agar un logone gawah ko hi apne raste se hata diya toh unke liye jeetna kuch bhi nahi. Tumhari case me sabse bada gawa kaun hai ?". Amairaah gulped down and said scarily , " Mai !" The earth underneath her feet felt like it just disappeared. " Ek aur baat Tumhari didi ko bhi kuch kam khatra nahi hai. Unlogo ko yeh bhi pata hai ki tumhari behen tumhare liye sabse badhkar hai. " Amairaah's heartbeat increased . What was she supposed to do after hearing all of this. Hell what was she even supposed to think after all of this. " Ab mujhe kya karna hoga ?" Amairaah asked Ramesh. But Ramesh put a scarf on his face to hid it and said , " Yeh batana mera kaam nahi. Mujhe tumhe chetavani deni thi maine de di" Saying this he started to leave. " Yeh Abdul kaun hai ?" Amairaah asked with a stern voice. " Aur mujhe chetavni dene tumhe kisne kaha tha ?" Ramesh stopped in his tracts . He just turned his back a little and said " Abdul tumhare Papa ka naam tha. Rajasthan border pe koi secret mission pe gaye the tob woh Abdul naam se raha karte the. Apne jaan pe khelke unhone meri jaan bachayi thi. Bas aise sochlo ki unki jaan toh nahi par unke beti ki jaan bachana chahta tha. Mujhe laga shyd tumhe Abdul naam ka kuch andaja hoga..isiliye Abdul ke naam se itte baar fone karra tha tumhe ." Saying this he left.
What would you do if you came to know that there are people that might kill you. That there are people who would do anything just to hear that you are dead. The things that Ramesh told her peirced through her brain and just tore her heart into peices. No matter how much she would try to get her way out of her past ,the past would bring her back in. Aside from the beat of her heart , no muscle in her body moved. But for a time being she didn't care about herself. If something happens to her there are people here with her. She just cared about her sister . Although Shreya had called the evening before ,Amairaah didn't have a slightest idea of where her sister actually was and what day and time she would actually return. So she started her car and made way towards her house. All that her mind thought was to try to call on the number from which Shreya had called. If luck was on her side maybe she could get a hold of her sister and warn her about the happenings.
Amairaah raced her way home. She just wanted to talk to Shreya and when she comes she would tell everything to Daya.
Amairaah parked her car as she reached home. As she got out her her car she realized that the whole house was submerged in darkness. Maybe Radhabai and dattu went out. But they never did without informing her. And then all sorts of negative things came inside her mind . She started calculating the chances of some bad guys being present their. Should she enter the house or should she just leave. But then suddenly the landline in the house ranged. She just shivered at the sudden sound in complete darkness. She waited for it to be completely silent. But as soon as it was silent , it started ringing again. This happened 2-3 times more. Maybe Shreya was calling her. She thought. And the second thought that flooded her mind was maybe this was a last chance to talk to her sister as she had no contact no. of hers.
So chanting God's name in her mind she carefully opened the locked door.
Their dark hall looked out of time. The whole room looked like it was covered in large velvety black curtains. There was an very noticeable restlessness present in that room. The kind that made her very uneasy. The fone had became silent. And it didn't ring again.
Now Amairaah came to know about the planning. The fone was a way of luring her inside the house. She was being trapped. Where was Radhabai and dattu ? Were they safe ? Should she run from the house even before searching for them.
"Radhabai...Dattu ...!" She called out once. " Radhabai ...Dattu..." Amairaah called out once again after she got no answer from the first one. And with every absence of answer her feet were moving backwards towards the door with an intention of running away .
One last time she thought and then she would run away. " Radhabai...Datt.." Amairaah couldn't even finish the name as she crashed with someone behind her.
She crahsed and fell on the floor. A flower vase beside just shattered into pieces as it accompanied Amairaah down the floor. And then she heard what she was most afraid of. She heard the sound of gun being loaded...
Was this the end ??