“Dadda. This office is so cool” Neha sat on the table playing with her legs. Vishambar smiled at her. “Nikhil you can accompany Neha to see the remaining office areas. I have an important meeting to attend” Vishambar walked out of the cabin. Nikhil ignored him. “Bhai” Neha called him standing at the door excited. He smiled nodding his head and walked out of the cabin.
He walked along the corridor and introduced different departments in the office. His eyes fell on the cubicle set where Ragini, Laksh, Akshat and Karan were sitting. “Shirish” Nikhil called out and Shirish walked to him immediately. “Yes Sir” said Shirish. “Which department is that? Last time when I came it wasn’t there” said Nikhil. “Actually sir. It is for the interns. They are on a leave today as there is some college function. They will be coming tomorrow” Shirish spoke. Nikhil looked at the place one last time and walked with Neha.
**********.**********
“Come with me na Beta. You will feel better” Simran pleaded Nikhil in his room. “No mom. You know I never wanted to come here. And anyways you are invited for the function not me” Nikhil walked to his bed and sat on it. “Won’t you accompany your mom?” she pleaded him. “Fine” he said giving up. “Me me me” squealed Neha like a small kid. “Of course my bacha” said Simran hugging her smiling. Nikhil caressed her hair and smiled. “Kaash our family would have been the normal one the way we pretend” he thought to himself.
*********.***********
“I’m so glad you agreed to attend this function” Khan spoke as he received Simran with Nikhil and Neha. She smiled at him. “This must be Nikhil. Oh my lord he has grown up so much” Khan looked at him surprised. “Hi Khan Uncle” Nikhil hugged Khan. “You remember me still?” asked Khan surprised. “Of course Sher Khan. All the credit goes to your Mowgli. When I haven’t forgotten her then…” he stopped his words realizing what was he speaking. Khan looked at him emotionally. “And who is this doll?” he diverted the topic looking at Neha who was looking at Nikhil confused.
“She is my younger daughter” Simran smiled introducing Neha. Neha hugged Khan and he smiled blessing her. “Okay. Come you are the guest of honor today” Khan escorted the Kapoor family inside the auditorium.
They settled on their respective chairs and the program started. After some programs the stage went black. A spot light fixed on a person standing in between the stage. The voice started playing.
Girls in our society are still not safe. To depict a common crime against a girl Karan and his team is here with a musical drama.
The spot light lit the person and the person was revealed to be Ragini. She smiled looking up and started singing
Tooti hai ruthi hai, haatho se chuti hai maana teri roshni
The people behind and across her moved with the music. They expressed all the emotions of a girl who was abused
Gehra andhera hai do pal ko tehra hai rang aasmaano ka bhi
Aasan raho ko tune liya kab hai ziddi savere tere
Apne se wado ke sau sau irado ke dil me basere tere
Wo jo keh paaye na zuban teri wo aankhe teri kar de bayaan
Paav tere kahi roke rukenge na ho khud pe yakeen jo tera
Haa teri kahani…. Teri zubani….. sunega yeh saara jahan
Bezuban kab se tu raha Begunah sehta kyu raha
Ho ho khaab ka tere kissa hai tera haq tera hissa hai tujhse na cheene jaha
Teri inteha dekhega aaj aasma dekhega kya hai tera faisala
Bezuban kab se tu raha Begunah sehta kyu raha
Bezuban kab se tu raha Begunah sehta kyu raha
People across her stood with the placards on which written was “STOP WOMEN ABUSE” and “STOP CHILD ABUSE”
Simran was in a dilemma. Surely song was pointed to her. She knew it so well. She was confused what to say or how to react. The crowd immersed in a loud applause as the music stopped. Ragini stood staring Simran. She exactly knew what was running in Simran’s mind. “I don’t understand still people exist who do child abuse” Neha spoke with disgust. “My family, the respect I held from so many years seems like vanishing in thin air” Simran was in deep thoughts.
“I think the plan has started working” Laksh spoke signing at Simran to Karan and Akshat. “Hopefully Simran Bua agrees to help us. She is the strongest link to reach Vishambar” Akshat spoke folding his hands. “She will surely” Karan spoke assuring Akshat.
“Nikhil Bhai” Ragini whispered when she saw Nikhil with Simran. Laksh placed his hand on her shoulder. She turned to him painfully. “My fight will ruin their life Lucky” the word Lucky from her mouth after years came as the cool air in the hot sun. He smiled at her. “That is their Karma Ragu. Vishambar’s karma is related to them, They have to go through this. We can’t help it” said Laksh caressing her shoulder.
*******.********
“Damn” Simran banged the landline. She squeezed her hands nervous. As she was walking inside her room tensed Vishambar entered and started loosening his tie. Though they were husband and wife the relationship between them had ended years ago. He looked at her through mirror. She was looking disturbed. “What happened?” he asked at last as he could not stop himself. She ignored his query. He nodded his head in disbelief. Her ignorance had been like a habit now for him.
“Mom. You called me? I was driving” said Nikhil peeping inside the room. He also ignored Vishambar who sat on the sofa to relax. “Neha isn’t home yet” her sentence made Vishambar’s heart stop for a moment. He looked at her shocked. “What?” Nikhil screamed. He looked at his watch. It wasn’t usual time that Neha will stay out. Perhaps she was new to Mumbai and hardly had a friend circle or a place to hang out.
“Couldn’t you tell me before?” Vishambar stood beside Simran who was looking at Nikhil who was in front of her. She ignored him again. “I’m asking you something” he grabbed Simran’s hand and turned her forcefully. “No need of this fake concern Mr. Kapoor. She isn’t here. So stop playing this Daddy role” Nikhil released Simran’s hand from his hold.
Vishambar’s anger had crossed all the limits now. How can someone doubt on his love towards his daughter or for that matter call him to pretending to love her. Besides it was his son; his own blood who was talking such crap. He held Nikhil’s collar and dragged him dangerously close. His eyes were emitting the fire inside him. Simran tried freeing Nikhil from his hold but in vein.
“Is that the way to talk about your father?” screamed Vishambar. “Oh please Mr. Kapoor don’t dream so much. Your name is in my birth certificate but you have lost the right to be my father” Nikhil jerked his hand with force and Vishambar looked at him astonished.
“And this respect you have earned Mr. Vishambar Kapoor” Simran placed her hand on Nikhil’s shoulder and glared Vishambar. He fumed looking at both of them. “Fine you don’t consider me your father and you don’t consider me your husband” he pointed his index finger first to Nikhil and moved it to point at Simran. “But don’t you talk about my love for my daughter” he said determined. Nikhil mocked him and smiled and looked away. “My Ragu was also like your daughter Mr. Kapoor. Your insane lust made you forget it. And I’m just worried your lust might swallow my Chutki also someday…” before he could speak more he felt a heavy blow on his cheek.
He held his cheek and looked at Vishambar who was boiling. “Kyu? Sachai kadvi lagi(Was the truth bitter)” smirked Nikhil. “But that’s the sad truth. The sharp sad truth which has killed me all this years bit by bit that my so called father molested my cousin. And you know I was always scared for Neha when she was around you. This is what you have earned Mr. Kapoor. And you deserve it.” Nikhil patted his chest mocking him.
“Nikhil don’t waste your time on a person like him. We have to check where is Neha. It is too late” Simran consoled him. Nikhil nodded his head and walked out from there and Simran followed him. Vishambar scattered all the things on the table and the things broke into pieces. He banged his fist on the table. Nikhil roamed in his room worried and tried calling Neha. Her phone was in out of coverage area. As the time passed his anxiety increased. Simran looked at him tensed.
********.********
“See you tomorrow” Karan bid bye to Ragini, Laksh and Akshat and drove his bike to his home. “Damn I’m feeling so sleepy. Lucky can I stay here tonight?” asked Akshat yawning. “Why are you asking Popu?” Laksh smiled at him. “Abbey Popu. What about me? You are telling now. I would have gone with Barfi” she pouted. “I’m damn tired yaar Ragzi. Please. You also sleep here only na today” Akshat dragged her. She looked at Laksh who winked at her. His gaze made her feel shy. “No” she screamed jerking his hand.
“I want to go home that’s all” she said determined. “Then okay Bye.” said Akshat and walked inside yawning. “Popu… Popu… Gadha kahi ka” she huffed and stamped her foot annoyed. Laksh was lost looking at her. Her gaze moved to Laksh and she tucked her hair behind her ear looking at the ground. Laksh smiled and walked towards her burying his hands inside his pant pockets. As she sensed his approach she felt a bit more nervous and moved back a bit hesitantly.
“So?” Laksh stared her. “Hun?” she looked up at him confused. “You want to be in my home or in my heart?” he winked at her smili’ng widely. Her heart fluttered and she barely could speak anything. “I… I….” she struggled to speak. He held her elbow and dragged her near to him. His nose traveled on her cheek sending shivers in her whole body. “Say” he whispered and she closed her eyes losing herself in his hold. “What?” asked she with her eyes closed. He bit his cheeks looking at her.
“Answer to my question” he whisper smiled. She blushed and her cheeks turned crimson. She pushed him and ran out of the gate. He composed himself and ran behind her smiling. “Ragu wait.” he stopped her holding her hand. “Lucky” every time she called him like that his heart used to jump. “Leave” she struggled to get her hand out of his hold. He dragged her and she hit his chest. “Never ever” he whispered in her ear.
“Why?” she asked smiling. “Because… because….” he struggled to answer. She pushed him and back walked. “The day you find the answer I will tell you my answer” she blushed and ran from there. “Haaye” Laksh placed his hand on his chest sailing on the clouds of his dream.
*******.*******
Karan was driving his bike on a lonely road. He found some guys trying to drag a girl. He stopped his bike and approached them. “Why do I feel I have seen this girl somewhere” he looked at the girl confused. The girl was half conscious. He walked more towards them. “What are you people doing here and who’s she?” he asked the men. They were three who were drooling due to alcohol effect.
“Mind your business mister” one of them spoke. “Help” he heard the girl’s faint voice. “Leave her” he warned them. “We wont” one of them spoke. Karan closed his fist angry and punched one of them. The person landed on the ground with a bleeding nose. The other left the girl and charged at him but Karan punched him too and he ran from there fearing his life. The one holding the girl gulped in scared. He left her and ran from there. The girl was about to fall but Karan held her on time.
She was unconscious in his arms. He looked at her. The night was dark. He was not understanding what to do. “I can’t take her home. She doesn’t have any id card also how to find her address?” he looked around. His phone beeped. He manged her in one hand and received the call. “Hey Barfi where are you aunty called just now asking for you? You did not pick her call” Ragini spoke from the other side.
“Phew Ragzee thank god you called. I was driving that time. I’m in problem” he spoke to her. “What?” she asked concerned. He narrated her whatever happened. “OMG. No problem. You get her to my home. Will see morning what can be done” she consoled him. “Okay” said he and disconnected the call. He tried making her stand but she fell on him. He panicked when he was confused how to hold her. He held her waist when she fell on him completely and walked to his bike and balanced her somehow and drove to Ragini’s home.
“Mumma. I’m going to take shower. Barfi will be coming. He found a girl unconscious on the road. I told him to get her here. Just see” Ragini spoke to Janaki and walked to her room after dinner. “Okay beta” Janaki smiled at her. After some time Janaki heard calling bell and opened it. Karan was standing lifting a girl in his arms. “Oh Karan beta come in. Ragu told me. You place her in Ragini’s room. She is gone for a shower just now” said Janaki and Karan followed her instructions.
“Okay Aunty I will leave” said Karan as he descended the stairs. “Arrey beta have food and go” said Sumi. “No Aunty mumma must be waiting for me” he excused himself and walked out of the house.
“Uhmmm uhmmm” Ragini walked out of her bathroom wiping her hair. Before she could glance on her bed she heard a whistle sound and turned to the direction. Laksh was smiling standing at the window of her room. “Lucky” she worried and walked to her window but the figure disappeared making her realize that she was hallucinating. She hit her head blushing and turned and looked at her bed. The towel in her hand dropped when the face of the girl was visible. “Neha” escaped her mouth and her eyes widened in shock.
*****.******
Eid Mubarak to all.