PART 6

He was in a horribly familiar place.He very well knew these moonlit grounds,acquainted with every nook and crevice.Yet he hated it,loathed from the core of his heart.It was this place!

                                                         Suddenly a terrified scream pierced the looming silence,a voice he could recognize anywhere,even in sleep.Today again it was filled with same dread,that same desperation as it was years ago.He heard it clearly,the pleading seemed to be  ensuing from the very bowel of Earth,richocheting off the surroundings.

''No....you can't do this dewarji,I'm your elder brother's wife,your bhabhi!How can you do this to me?I always thought of you as my younger brother.Please let me go!''she grovelled.

''How can I do that Ratna?Its not my fault that you're so beautiful,I've been waiting for this moment for ages.Besides bhai has been sent to jail for smuggling drugs.He'll get imprisonment for at least 10-20 years.By the time what use will your beauty come to ?It'll be such a waste!''The man said sickly.

''Dewarji please!At least think about Anjali and Arnav!They are like your own kids!Please don't do this!''she cried desperately.

''Ah bhabhi.Don't worry about them.They will never know,in fact for that matter nobody else will.Now don't be so difficult.''

He ran like a maniac.He'll save his mother from that womaniser,characterless fiend.Yet,howsoever hard he ran,he couldn't seem to reach.It was just as unreachable as his mother was.

''Come here Ratna!Let me claim your beauty!''The monster whispered,ignoring her sobs.

''NO!Don't you dare!''he yelled,but his voice was lost.

A gunshot echoed in ,bringing his world crashing down.

He saw Anjali,sitting beside their mother's body which was drenched in blood,crying.Her mother had committed suicide to save herself.

''Maaaa!''he yelled.

He heard that monster,who was his very own uncle,laughing callously at despair,eyeing his sister lustfully.

''So what if mother is gone,daughter is just as beautiful to suffice.''he smirked.

''Don't you dare you scoundrel!''he snarled,dashing down the corridor,yet his legs somehow didn't seem to carry him.He was loosing.

''No!''

He tried as hard as he could,but the corridor seemed to stretch on and on.He couldn't save his di,like he did that night.He was sucked away,into darkness,into nothingness.

''Di!''he yelled panic-stricken,but there was no one around.He was drowning in his own anguish.Suffocating!

''Arnavji!''a sweet voice called.

''Khushi!''he saw her.She was standing there,glowing with a faint shimmer,looking angelic.Her eyes tender,voicing her compassion,radiating warmth.

She came and took his rough hands in her soft,warm ones.

''Arnavji,come with me!''she chirped,taking him.Where?he neither knew nor cared.He felt healed,human,not a beast like he had become.A strange longing for her gripped him.He could go wherever she would take.She has to be with him anyway.She made him-tamed,whole.

''Come.''she whispered,smiling,taking his breath away.........

''Khushi!''ASR woke up dazed,still groping around for her in dark,trying to bring her near him.

''Khushi!''he looked around,unable to locate her,dim light from pool side,illuminated his room,gleaming subtly.That made him catch up with his bearings.It was a mere dream.She wasn't here,near him,comforting him.The knowledge strangely disappointed him.

He laid down,staring at the ceiling,a sleepless night awaited him......

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''Chote,you should look after yourself.Working 12-14 hours a day is not a joke.It will take a toll on your health!''Devyani singh Raizada was lovingly chiding her eldest and stubbornest grandson.She was a woman in her mid sixties and well-known in the society for her benevolence.

The Raizadas were having their breakfast together on the affable morning.

Arnav opened his mouth to reply but Akash cut in.

''Don't worry dadi.Bhai has found 'his khushi'.''he teased,his eyes dancing.

''What the!''ASR blurted looking at him questioningly.

''Akash meant to say that you have found happiness ,your khushi in your work.''Anjali came to his rescue.

''Oh!''ASR raised his eyebrow,not looking convinced in the least.

''Ummm chote try this kheer.I've made this specially for you!''Anjali tried to distract him.If he came to know the actual reason,he'll gobble Akash alive!

Devyani Raizada's experienced eyes were not to be fooled.She sensed something fishy between brother and sister duo and determined to find it out.