Chapter 17

RR through our eyes (Chapter 17)

A big thanks to Mano (Multimedia) for the edits.

 

Recap: Somewhere in the early morning hours, just before he slipped into sleep, Rudra could not help remembering how Myrah asked him “Aur Aap ?” the way Paro used to. Only if Myrah wakes up remembering she is Paro. Only if wishes came true..........He was reminded of the quote “Whisper your wish to a butterfly and it will fly upto heaven and make it come true “ Butterfly ? He was reminded of Paro’s titli. Where are you Rukmini ? Hear my wish for myself and Paro. For Paro to remember that I am her Rudra. Make it happen dear........

 

Now: Myrah was woken up from her deep slumber by the nightmare. A new one at that. She tried to move her hands – in response to what she saw in the sleep. But felt she could not move her right hand. She glanced towards the paln and saw somebody holding her hand in place. Looked up to see Rudra sitting by the side of her bed with his head on the bed. Sleeping. With his right hand on her right hand holding onto it with all his might. As if he was afraid she will leave him if he let go. His left hand was by the side of her pillow – as support for her head lest it shifts. The sight overwhelmed Myrah and she wanted to touch Rudra to bring peace – to herself and to him. She tried to move her right hand but could not. It was held in place by the drip connected to it..

Looking at the sleeping Rudra she could not imagine him getting so angry at the thought of their marriage postponement. Maybe he felt the need to be one with her the same way she felt it. A feeling which was new to her. As if she is drawn to him inspite of herself. A feeling of soul connect which she failed to explain to anybody else. Which made her behave out of character. With her own parents. In hind sight she knew she had no reason to shout at them for having to put the wedding on hold. All the reasons her Dad gave her valid from their point of view. Why then is she able to not put up with anybody putting Rudra down ? Why did it bother her so much that her father wanted Rudra to go out ? What is this inexplainable connection she feels ? Inspite of not knowing Rudra for more than a few days. Inspite of her being taken aback by his anger. Inspite of all that has happened why does she feel that she and Rudra are one , have been one for many many years ? And what do the nightmares mean ? Do they have anything to do with her past ? Or this connection to Rudra ?

Not getting any answers to the questions she tilted her head towards Rudra and closed her eyes. And slipped back into sleep. Hoping she will not see the nightmares again.

 

Once Rohit was back in his room he sat down and decided the next course of action. He had earlier called Myrah’s doctor about her condition. He was sure word will reach his and Myrah’s parents about her collapsing and the medical care she is going through. Before they hear it from the US doctor he has to call Myrah’s parents. Given a chance he would have refrained from speaking to them. He felt guilty. Felt that he let them down. And knew he will not be able to meet their eyes. Best is to give them a phone call rather than skype. And then he needed to talk to somebody for assurance. Assurance that he is doing the right thing. He needs to call his Dad.

Rohit dialled Rajeev’s number and briefed him about Myrah. Rajeev who was angry to hear Rohit’s voice initially toned down and almost sounded depressed when he learnt about Myrah. “How is she now Rohit ? Can I talk to her ? I made a mistake. I should not have shouted at her. Am sure this whole problem was because of me. How am I ever going to forgive myself ? Rohit, please be with her. Can you get her on skype with me ? Will she be able to talk ?”

With Rudra sitting next to Myrah it was not wise to have a video call even if Myrah was awake. Emotions are running high all around. Best is to let everybody and everything settle down. Nothing wrong in lying to achieve peace. “Myrah is asleep. Under sedatives. Doctor has advised us to not disturb her. And network is not working here. I will wait till tomorrow morning – maybe even afternoon. Once she is up and a little better I will get her to call you, Uncle. There is nothing to worry. Everything is under control. I even consulted the doctor in NewYork. Got the medication cleared by him. All is well. And please do not blame yourself. Myrah is under stress for some days now. Maybe it is taking the toll now. So please relax. I will be here till tomorrow evening and will update you about the status”

“Rohit, we have booked our tickets. Me and Poonam. Will be reaching there by Sunday. Postpone your ticket please. Would like you to be around when we come there.”

“Uncle, but I have some important meetings lined up........”

“Rohit, please. It is a request. “

He could not come up with another excuse. He did not want to go against Rajeev Uncle’s wishes. Rohit agreed. Inspite of knowing things are going to be difficult for him. The next five days and also after that.

“And Rohit. One more thing. Myrah has agreed to not start the wedding rituals till we reach there. In her condition now please make sure she does not take stress. Put her at ease. You are her best friend. You know how to handle her. But still I am requesting you to take extra care.  See you on Sunday”

After that Rohit had one of his longest calls with his Dad. It was almost a relief to discuss freely with somebody about all the things which he had kept bottled up all these days. To be comforted by his Dad that he is doing the right thing.

That he could not have done anything better for Myrah and her happiness.

That it was right to push Myrah to get married in a day to make realize her feeling for Rudra.

That Rohit did the right thing to goad Rudra to confess to Myrah during their drinking session.

That it is right now to hold the fort till the Mehras reach there. So that all of them can be at peace. After all Myrah is family. Agreed she is comfortable with the Ranawat family and loves Rudra. But Rohit has to be there by her side till Sunday.

“Are you okay, son ? How is your heart taking all these developments ?” was his father’s final question. And he replied about his confusion. About not being sure whether what he feels for Myrah is real love. Or whether what Rudra feels is. The confusion about whether Rudra is the right man for her.

And this went on for another 10 minutes. And by the end of it he was calm. And he realised how important it is for parents to understand their children  and to work with them , to stand by their side through tough times. Hope Rajeev Uncle will do the same with Myrah.

Kakusa could sense the restlessness in Mohini. She was tossing around. Not able to sleep. Finally he asked her. “Mohini, ab kya hogaya ? Why are you not able to sleep ?”

“Something does not add up. About Myrah. She is supposed to be the only child of rich parents. And came here to marry Rohit. Inspite of the wedding date being rushed her parents or his parents did not turn up. Kaise log Hai yeh ?”

If it was the earlier Mohini, Kakusa could have given a sarcastic reply. But not to the redeemed one who is sitting in front of him. There are times when he finds it difficult to still believe that she has changed for good. But then he was ready to go with the flow and accept it till he is proven wrong.

“Theek Hai Na Mohini. They all wanted the children to get married. And they are more open minded probably than us”

“What has open mindedness got to do with this ? I will never allow Sunehri to get married in our absence. Will you ?”

“Well no. But let us not worry about all that now. Let us go to sleep. We have to start preparations for Rudra Banna’s wedding from tomorrow”

“That is another thing I am not able to understand. How did Myrah fall for Rudra so fast ? What is with Rudra that first Paro confesses her love to him and now Myrah ? I could see love in Myrah’s eyes no doubt. And based on that I did encourage her to listen to her heart. But still what can a girl like her who has everything see in Rudra ? I could understand Paro falling for Rudra her protector. But this ........”

“ Mohini, don’t make your brain work overtime. Go to sleep”

“And one more thing........why did” Mohini started the next question

“Mohini, Bas. Aaj Ke liye Bahut ho gaya. So Jao” Kakusa closed his eyes leaving Mohini with a question about whether she really heard Rudra calling out Paro’s name sometime back. Or whether she imagined it. Could it be that Rudra is marrying Myrah only because she looks like Paro ? If that is the case Myrah’s mausam is about to go horrible.

Though these questions bothered Mohini she managed to catch up on lost sleep only to be woken up from the noise of glass falling to the floor. As usual Kakusa got up to drink water and dropped the glass. So much for catching up on lost sleep. And it irritated her no end that Kakusa went back to sleep almost immediately.

The children (all three of them ) slept through out the night. Without being aware of what happened with Myrah. Childhood has its moments. And deep sleep is one of the blessings

Deep Sleep can also come to a few blessed adults. Like Samrat and Shatabdi. Both simpletons who are carefree and who are not too overly worried about anything in life. At least Samrat woke up during the doctor’s visit. Shatabdi was so lost in her sleep that she did not even realize that Sumer was downstairs with others during the doctor’s visit.

 





 

 


 

Somewhere in a far off place in a castle in a dilapidated state, a mobile phone rang. He picked it up. "Hello .." The voice on the other side of the line was filled with fear. "Thakursa, buri khabar hai"

“Haan Bolo” Thakur’s voice vibrated over the phone line. Had the same aristocratic ring to it. The kind of confidence which only power and money can bring back.

“I cannot say it over the phone. Need to meet you in person. My line might be tapped”

“Okay then why the hell did you call me in the night ? Come tomorrow morning to meet me at my palace.”

“At your palace ? I thought you were in hiding still” the person on the phone was surprised with this information

“Hiding ? Don’t you read the papers or watch TV ? I am very much living in my palace.  Currently I am outside. But will reach there by 10am tomorrow. Meet me there. You have been to the place. So I hope you do not need directions”

“Haan. I know the place and I will be there” the line got disconnected

Stupid people. Never keep themselves updated with what is happening around them. Always live in their own shells. Thanks to BSD he went through a lot of trouble years back and had to be hiding for a few months. But God was with him. His witness being murdered was the best thing which happened in his life. And the case against him could not be proven. Fools, he thought, are in abundance everywhere. Who could never prove anything against him. Paro’s death was like hitting two mangoes with one stone. The only witness against him was gone now. And Rudra quit BSD. Singh could never find another officer as relentless as Rudra to pursue Thakur’s case. And he was back in his palace. With his old set of people - trading arms and setting up weddings. Life was back to normal. Ah yes, with just one minor deterrent. Mala was no longer with him. She had turned against him. Deserted him and finally when he was in hiding itself she passed away. Was okay in one way. Otherwise he would have had to kill her for being disloyal. He still had her life size photos adorning his palace as a reminder of the one (and only one) mistake he made in his entire life. Of trusting a woman and expecting her to be on his side till the end. Well, lesson learnt. Class dismissed. Now onto more exciting things in life.

It was a long time since Tejawat had talked to the person on the phone. A person with ties to Rudra Pratap Ranawat.

Rudra Pratap Ranawat - A name which he will hate till the end of his life. A name which he did not hear for the last five years from anybody. A name which he kept remembering every night in spite of that. Wonder what is brewing.

 

Precap: “Shaadi ? Hamare Ghar Mein ? Aapne humein Pehle kyon nahin bataya ? Bhabhisa ne bhi nahin kaha..All of you do not consider me as part of your family now. This is very unfair.” Sunehri was quite upset with her mother.