Naamkaran – The tale of Avni’s sacrifice – Part 5

SO FAR… Neil and Avni have returned home, and Avni has taken the responsibility of Juhi’s rehab. Neil’s job hinges on witness testimonies against Rang Mahal. Shweta wonders if Avni brings ill-luck for Neil.

Avni reaches the police station where Ali waits for her in a car, DD with him.
AVNI: Ali, you have the list?
ALI: Yes. Everyone’s address.
DD: bhabhi. Neil sir already tried a lot. Nothing happened. No one agreed to file a complaint, or even be a witness.
AVNI: I don’t understand how these girls can live peacefully knowing Gurumaa may go scot free. What’s there to fear more after what they have been through? Let me try talking to them.
DD: Remember, don’t tell Neil sir I did this for you. He will not spare me.
AVNI: I won’t. Promise. [looking at a list] Ali, first we will go to Maya’s house. I talked to her at Rang Mahal. I think she will show some courage.

They drive off. They stop before a small villa in the outskirts of the city.

AVNI: Ali, stay here and wait for me. Let me talk to her alone, ok?

Avni gets down and goes into the house. Ali waits on. She comes out disappointed after a while. They head to the next house, and the next. The same result each time.

AVNI: AVNI: What do I do now..
ALI: DD was right, this will not work. I will drop you back home. We will find another way to help Neil.
AVNI: Ali, let’s go back to the police headquarters.
ALI: Avni, what do you mean? What are you going to do now?
AVNI: Just take me there.
ALI: Ok. I’ll take you. But tell me what to you are about to do.
AVNI: I’ll tell you when we return.
ALI: You will never listen to anyone, will you?

They arrive at the police HQ. Avni rushes out and into the building. Ali wonders what she is up to. DD comes out and up to Ali.
DD: Noodle bhaiyya, bhabhi just went into the commissioner’s office. I tried to talk to her but she didn’t listen to me.
ALI: I don’t know what she is up to, DD. I know her – she will do anything for Neil. But what can she possibly do?

They wait and finally see her coming out of the building with the phone against her ear. DD thinks “God, is she talking to Neil sir? I’m dead then.”
AVNI: DD, sorry I was in a rush to meet your senior officer. [turns to Ali] Ali, let’s go home.
ALI: Avni, please tell me why you have done.
AVNI: pehle chalo. [she gets in. looks at DD who looked all worried] Everything is okay, DD. Don’t worry [they start on the way back home]
ALI: Now tell me. What storm have you created?
AVNI: Ali, I am one of the girls that Pandit sold at Rang Mahal, am I not? Her goons kidnapped me, she kept me in captivity, tortured me and auctioned me. [Ali looked at her, bewildered] I filed a complaint against them.
Ali stops the car.
ALI: What? What have you done? Do you realize this could…
AVNI: We went around asking the other girls to do the same. Why shouldn’t I do it first? I gave a statement on what I saw at Rang Mahal, gave witness’ account on what happened to the other girls. [she gets a call on her phone]
AVNI: [on the phone] Thank you Maya. We will fight this together. I am with you. [turns to Ali] That was Maya. I told her that I have filed a complaint myself – that seems to have killed their fear. Maya, Jennifer, Seema and Noor will come and give their complaints now.
ALI: Avni, what will happen when Neil knows?

TO BE CONTINUED