“Mum, is that really you?” Sita asked in shock. “Why have you kidnapped me?”
“Because as soon as you became Modi’s daughter in law you forgot about me. About your mother. I just wanted to meet you and see how are you, is that a mistake?”
“Please stop it. We all know what your real intentions are.”
“Sita, please don’t be disrespectful to me. Since your father died, I am the only person you have in your life and will have forever.”
“Really? Don’t mention my father because I know you have killed him!”
Bhavani didn’t like this answer. But she knew that eventually such time will come and Sita will learn about her crime.
“Who told you that?” Bhavani asked.
“Does it really matter who it was? What’s important is that, I know you have took away my only father, the person that cared most about me!”
“Oh come on Sita, stop your melodrama. In actuality, the only person that really cares about you is me. I wanted to arrange your married life but you chose to run away with some unknown man. You knew him for just few days but you ignored me anyway! Are you happy now with your new family?”
“Of course I am happy. I get respect, I am being loved everyday, I am not mistreated like I felt with you. I know you dislike it but I have finally found my place in life. I finally got together with people that really love me and care for me truly.”
“Your so called family destroyed my reputation and I am never going to forgive that! You will also pay for your humiliation!”
And while Bhavani and Sita were talking, the Modis began to get more and more worried for her.
“Maaji, I am telling you something is seriously wrong.” Gopi said. “Sita is kidnapped, I can feel it with my heart!”
“But Gopi, who could have kidnapped her?” Kokila asked.
“It surely is Bhavani, Sita has no other enemies!”
“If that’s really true, do you think she is going to demand something from us?”
“I don’t know. We will wait and see. Kanhaji, please protect Sita, don’t let anything bad happen to her, please!”
“Now you stay here, I will come back soon.” Bhavani said.
“I want you to set me free, now!” Sita demanded.
“Listen girl, I am telling you to be silent otherwise I will stop being that careful with you, understand? And in case you try to escape, it will be in vain. You are being watched at all times, even when I am not around so you better stay here.”
Then Bhavani left and went to meet Gaura. They had arranged their meeting in a near by secluded place.
“I see you are doing everything as I ordered you.” Gaura said. “Now take this and send it to the Modis.”
“What is that?”
“It’s a letter. In case you are that curious about its contents, I have one more copy of it and I will read it to you.”
And she began reading.
“Dear Modi family,
I know you are very worried about your Sita, but you must do some things before she comes back to you, unharmed. I say unharmed, because if you don’t follow the instructions properly, you may never see her again,
or you may see her in a condition you would not like at all.
So, if you want your precious girl back, you must, and I repeat, you must give me your Modi mansion. I want it to be my property and you shall not have any rights of ever using it again. I will send you the documents you must sign.
You have 48 hours to complete your task otherwise, one more family member may disappear as well.”
“Did you like it?” Gaura asked Bhavani.
“Yes. They will definitely obey you. I also see you are very smart. You have not written it by yourself, instead you have cut out the letters of paper.”
“Of course. If I write it with my own hands someone may identify my handwriting.”
“But tell me, if they don’t do as demanded, who will be the next victim?”
“It will be Gopi.”
“Really?”
“Yes. Now go and put this on their doorstep. And be careful not to get seen or leave some other trace.”
Bhavani did as she was told.
But she didn’t really want to do this. Yes, it was true that she wanted to revenge Sita and the Modis, but she wanted it to be her way, she didn’t want to be commanded by someone else.
“I am now helping Gaura behen, but if she doesn’t do what I want in return, I will expose her in front of everyone, and not only that!” Bhavani thought.
“I will turn her life into such a horror she has never imagined!”
And immersed in thoughts, she didn’t notice how quickly she arrived in front of the Modi house.
She carefully looked around. No one noticed her presence. She left the letter on their doorstep and quickly pressed the doorbell, then ran away at once.
Kokila went to open the door and saw the envelope. She picked it up and quickly entered back in.
Kokila knew what it was. The kidnappers have demanded something. She opened it with trembling hands and read it. The look on her face turned from worry to fear and then to anger.
“Maaji, what is that?” Gopi asked.
“Gopi, Sita’s kidnappers want us to give them the Modi mansion, otherwise they will not return Sita to us!”
“What are you saying maaji?”
“Here, read it!”
And Gopi took the letter and read it.
“Who could be playing such games with us?” Kokila said again.
“I don’t know. But whoever it is, I am ready to give them anything, I just want my Sita back!”
“No Gopi, excuse me but our house… How do you think we will give it away just like that! The place where I raised my children,
the place where our family has forever lived, i am not giving it to anyone!”
“Maaji, I know how hard it is for you. It’s not easy for me either but Sita’s life depends on it! now we should wait for the documents to come and then… Sita will be back to us!”
“I will find out who’s playing such games with us, I promise!”
“Yes maaji, we will find out. But now Sita is most important, why don’t you want to understand?
If I was in her place and someone had demanded to give them the house for me, wouldn’t you do it to safe me?”
“I would do it Gopi but…”
“See, isn’t it the same? As you are ready to do anything for me, I am ready to do the same for Sita. Maaji, please, let’s not discus this anymore.
When the documents arrive, you just sign them and Sita will be with us. I will then find a way to get the mansion back, believe me!”
And after Bhavani left the letter, she went back to Gaura.
“Now it’s your turn.” She said. “It’s your turn to convince the family to believe me that I have nothing to do with the fire.”
“Fine, I will do it. Let’s go to them.”
And both women went to the hospital where Dharam still was.
“Jai Ambe Vidya.” Gaura said. “Is there any change?”
“No baaji, it’s still the same.” Vidya replied. “But why have you taken her with you? Bhavani is responsible and she must not be around?”
“Vidya, stop it already!” Bhavani said. “How are you so sure I have started the fire? And why would I?
Why would I put my husband’s life in danger?”
“Bhavani, I know you very well and no matter how hard you try, you will not convince me of your innocence so you better leave.”
“Vidya, Bhavani is right.” Gaura said. “You know how much she loves Dharam, she will never do such thing to him?”
“Stop it, both of you. I don’t believe you, you better stop trying!”
“Bhavani, let’s leave them alone.” Gaura said. “Vidya is currently affected by the recent events, we will come back later.”
Bhavani followed Gaura outside.
“So you said you will make them believe my innocence but you’re doing nothing!” Bhavani said in anger.
“Vidya is such a girl, she can’t be easily tricked.” Gaura replied.
“I don’t care! You promised something, if you don’t keep your promise I will expose you and put an end to your plans of destroying the Modis!”
“Bhavani, how dare you threaten me!”
“Oh come on Gaura, It’s not like I haven’t did it before. It seems you don’t realize the seriousness of the situation.
If you don’t do what you promised, I am really going to put an end to your games. Don’t underestimate me, you know we both have something to lose.
Tomorrow I am sending the documents to the Modis, exactly as you want it. You have one day to really keep your promise or things will suddenly get different for you.”