RR through our eyes (Chapter 23)
Thanks Mano for the edits.
Thanks Amy for the review.
“You got kidnapped and they asked for
a ransom. I just cannot believe such a thing happened. Who did it ? And you did
not think it important enough to inform us?” Rajeev literally shouted at Myrah
and kept asking her questions without giving her anytime to answer. “What else
are you keeping from us? How could Rudra find you ? Thank God he saved you. But
first tell me why were you kidnapped in the first place?”
“Because of her sheer stupidity and
nothing else!!” came the angry reply in a reverberating voice. Rudra was back.
And that was his first statement to Rajeev Mehra.
With the arrival of Rudra the family
was complete in that living room. Actually the family – including the new
family members to be inducted plus Rohit was present. A total of 12 adults and
3 kids and one infant. And the infant was not asleep till then. It was kicking
its legs happily and makings noises while she was in Mohini’s lap. Well, that
was till Rudra barged in with that line. Then the entire room went still. You
could have heard the noise even if a mustard seed had fallen on the floor. If
the infant could realise the seriousness of the situation, then what about
adults ? Everbody heard the statement made by Rudra – except one. We will come
to that part later.
Rudra was just filled with anger.
Anger at Paro for having gone out with
those two saree sellers in spite of him ordering her to not step out of the
house. Anger at her stupidity. In spite of all the effort which money and power
can buy they were at a loss to find the minister’s daughter. Rudra shuddered at
what would have happened had he not been able to reach on time to rescue Paro
from the kidnappers. He knows Paro has no fear. But being fearless does not
mean being stupid.
Kakusa knew all about Rudra’s anger.
His childhood abandonment had made him an angry man. Angry at almost everything
in this world. But Paro’s love had changed him. He had turned a new leaf.
Became a loving husband and a doting father. Only to be plunged into sorrow
later as Paro left them. Rudra then had directed all his anger at his and the
nation’s enemies. And now after years he had found his connection with Myrah
again. And when things were all going right for him and when the Mehras were
impressed by the Ranawat family – yes Kakusa could see it in their eyes – Rudra
has come and spoilt it fully. If at all somebody was foolish it was Rudra. No
doubt. Kakusa thought he should say something before the situation goes out of
hand. He cleared his throat.
Poonam was in a shock when she came
to know about the bike accident and the kidnapping which happened. She was
relieved that they were here with Myrah now. Seeing her safe and sound put
Poonam at ease. Poonam was also pleased – immensely – to know that Rudra
protected her both the times. She was happy that her daughter had found
somebody who stood by her daughter in tough times as her body guard –
literally. Poonam was already quite happy with what she saw in the haveli.
People were nice. A very warm family. She had seen the bonding between Myrah
and Dhruv. It was a mother-son bonding. Perfect in that. And now this news of
Rudra’s courage and his attitude to do anything to protect Myrah. What more can
a mother like Poonam ask for ? By nature she was an optimist. Always looked at
a glass as half full and not half empty. So in her mind she had given the green
signal for this wedding. Even before she saw her would be son-in-law. Then she
heard his voice. And then she saw him. She liked what she saw. A very
strikingly handsome man. She did not like what she heard. No man who cares for
his girl will call her stupid in front of others. But Poonam was a very
perceptive person. So she looked again. And saw only concern and love in his
eyes. She understood that his words , his angry words, originated from his love
for Myrah. And his eyes were just focused on Myrah and nobody else. Poonam
decided to ignore his words. But she was afraid of Rajeev. Rajeev was not
somebody who was good at looking beyond the words. And she was sure he will
react. Maybe overreact to the situation to an extent of damaging it beyond
repair. She held his hands tightly. And hoped that the grip will act as a break
to Rajeev’s flow of words.
Rajeev was clearly happy during the
lunch. The time the gifts were being distributed also made him glad. He did not
see any greed in anybody’s eyes for the gifts. Only surprise and thanks for
getting personalised gifts. He was happy till Dhruv told him about Myrah’s
accident. And then came the shocking news of her abduction a few days back. He
just could not believe that his only daughter, the object of all his love and
affection, was kidnapped and taken away for ransom and he was unaware of the
event. He was happily sitting miles away and going about his business as usual
when his only child had a threat to her life ? He just could not believe his
ears. Wondering why she got kidnapped in the first place. And then enters this
man like a rolling ball of fire thundering that she got kidnapped because of
her own stupidity. The daughter Rajeev knows is not stupid. Far from it. She
has the brains to handle any situation. She had gone through the personal
trauma and emerged victorious defying the doctors. She was very good in her
academics. In her work with the NGOs. Both in India and abroad. Isn’t she the
one who helped solve multiple cases of torture against women during her last
visit to India ? Talking to many of the girl’s families, convincing them to
come forward against the atrocities they faced from their in-laws ? Isn’t she
the one who advocated adoption to many childless couples in America convincing
them to take that one step towards their eternal happiness? Isn’t she the one
who helped two girls and a boy to come out of their drug addiction in the U.S ?
Who is this guy , standing tall , who
says such disrespectful things about Myrah ? What right does he have ? Agreed
Myrah fell in love with him. And maybe he loves her. But that does not give him
any right to talk so lowly of her. Nobody has ever talked bad about Myrah. No
one can get away doing so – not in front of Rajeev Mehra at least. Oh Rajeev
had a mouthful to tell Rudra. But then he felt Poonam’s grip on his own hand.
The way his wife always does. Whenever she knew that Rajeev’s anger is going to
get worse.
He took a deep breath before
replying. And he said, “ Oh really ?”
Just two simple words. They were filled
with sarcasm. Directed fully at Rudra.
Kakusa butted in and said .” Beta ,
Rudra.........”
Just two simple words. Filled with an
intention to diffuse the situation.
And now the one person who did not register
Rudra’s words. Myrah alias Paro. She did hear him. Just this voice. Not the
words. The relief she felt was immense. The whole afternoon she has been trying
to get hold of him. Worried when there was no news from him. He had promised to
be back for lunch. And now it was hours later. And still there no news from
him. His voice was like an ointment on her heart. She turned and felt his eyes
on her. They just kept looking at each other. One with anger and another with
relief. And in a few seconds the anger in his eyes mellowed down at her sight.
Seeing her standing there was like a cold rain on his sweating body. He
realised just then that he needs to just see her to put himself at ease. To be
at peace he needs his Paro. Without her he is nothing. The kidnapping case
which he was investigating has opened up his worries and fears again. His
Birpur visit only made him more vulnerable. About her safety. About her. And
the only thing which can soothe him is her sight. The anger in his eyes
mellowed down. And slowly crept in into hers. Here she was going bonkers over
her worries over him. And he was just striding in as if he is back from a walk.
“Rudra, you are back ? Where were you
? Do you know how worried I was about you ? How many times I tried calling you
? In your office and your mobile. I could not even reach any of your detectives.
You promised to be here for lunch. Where in the world were you ? Couldn’t you
have called up to let me know ? “ With every sentence her voice levels went up.
She lunged at him and held onto his collar. Desperately hoping that holding him
will bring down her worries. Touching him will erase her fears. Her own
kidnapping had left her quite disturbed days back. It was a narrow escape for
her. And for Rudra. She was not sure whether he thrust himself again in the
face of such danger. Whether he had enough people with him before he followed
the case. She kept bombarding him with questions expressing her anger and
displeasure. In the middle of all those interactions Rajeev’s TWO words and
Kakusa’s TWO words were drowned.
Rudra held her both upper arms and
she was still holding onto his collar. He kept staring at her face. And she
kept staring at him. He with relief and she with anger. There was always a
mirror connection between Rudra and Paro. Their actions were mirrored at one
point of time or another. It is just that today it happened within a matter of
minutes.
Finally Rudra calmed down. Got his
strength from her. And could see worry written all over her face. And he
murmured, “ Mujhe Phone Karna Chahiye Tha. Maaf Kar de. “
The whole Ranawat family realised
then that they were holding their breath. For a volcano to erupt. Two to be
precise. From Rajeev and from Rudra. Luckily the danger was averted. As usual
by the one and only who knows very well to keep the family intact. Paro.
Dhruv smiled at his Naana. Pulled his
hand to bring the latter’s face down and whispered, “ Papa goes around shouting
at everybody. Ordering everybody around. He only listens to Mummy.
Maithili walked to Myrah, “ Myrah,
Jaane do na. Devarjisa ne bol diya toh maafi de do unko.” And she swifty took
hold of Myrah’s hands. “Why are you troubling him so much ? Now be a good girl
and introduce him to your parents. “
It was then that Myrah realised that
it was Rudra’s first meeting with the Mehras. But before she could do the honors
Dhruv came running and took his father’s
hand and took him to meet his new found Naana and Naani.
A Naani who was further pleased with
the Damaad. A Damaad who might be a lion in the forest but still calms down in front
of his lioness. A Naani who was extremely seeing the love. After all she did
see ultimate love in Myrah’s eyes for Rudra and vice versa.
And the Naana was not as happy as the
Naani. But it will do for the time being. Because he saw how Rudra the rogue elephant
was tamed by Myrah the mahout. That made his mood better. Not that he is going
to be nice to Rudra when they talk later. But for now Rajeev will be at his
best.
And they did have their talk. Rajeev
and Rudra. The two men in Myrah’s life. Both approached the other with caution
after the earlier fiasco. Rudra did hear the sarcasm filled question from
Rajeev. Though it did not register then he did remember it later. As a trained
BSD office Rudra could hear and see even minor things which he can recall
later. Though it might not register then and there. So he knew he has to be
cautious with Rajeev.
“ I had gone after a lead in a
kidnapping case. Of a daughter of a very influential person. Almost a week
since the girl got abducted along with the friend. Still no clue about their
whereabouts. And the trip brought back bitter memories of our past. When I
thought I lost her. Which made me think of what if I had lost her forever. “
Rudra explained his day in a nutshell sitting in the living room to the Mehras
late night. The rest of the family had
gone to sleep including Myrah. Mehras were there because of the jet lag. And
Rudra was there because he could not sleep. Ironically Paro could always sleep
even when she was in the midst of problems. That was one of her many traits
which was just opposite of Rudra’s.
Rajeev and Poonam noticed the absence
of an apology. And they realised that here was a man who will not say sorry
unless he felt he did something wrong.
“It was her stupidity that day, you
know. I asked her not to step outside the haveli but she went willingly with these
two men to have a look at their saree collection.” Rudra mumbled something more
after that but luckily the other two did not hear it thankfully.
Rajeev did not expect that. That his
daughter can be so naive to trust two strangers and leave the house with them.
But he was not yet ready to let go of his anger towards Rudra.
“ How did you find out about her whereabouts
?”
“ I got a call from the abductors”
“And why did they call you? And not
me or her uncle? Were you saved as the favourite contact?”
“No. She asked them to call me. They
were about to call her uncle.” Rudra did not mention Phata Doodh against his
name which he saw in her phone
“And ? The kidnappers told you where
they were so that you could go and find her and bring her back?”
Rudra stared at Rajeev. He could now
see where this line of questioning was going.
“No they did not tell me.” Rudra
wanted to add more but before he could answer Rajeev asked again
“And I assume you were quite intelligent
to find out about her place so fast – on your own” The sarcasm was back. And
Rudra heard it.
And then he thought about the day.
About the events which unfolded - the phone call and then his drive to the
building. He acknowledged in his mind first that it was her presence of mind that
saved the day. She could get the men to call Rudra and she herself gave him
clues about her surroundings that led him to her. Yep. She was intelligent. As she
was most of the times J
Rudra grudgingly told the Mehras the
truth. And looked them in the eye.
“I got your point. She was stupid to
go with them. But intelligent enough to lead me to the place.”
Rajeev gave in. Finally. Here was a
man who was truthful. He might be short tempered. But he was straightforward.
And that is one quality which has to be admired. Rajeev face relaxed a bit
breaking the ice.
But Rudra continued being serious. He
wanted to get this conversation completed. There was no time for niceties. “I
need to talk about a few more things with both of you. Now”
It did sound rather ominous to their
ears.
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or email to jjkkliftkaradey@gmail.com
Please leave your comments in the blog. Incase you face difficulties
send a tweet to @JJKKLIFTKARADEY
or PM to JJKKL in India forums
or email to jjkkliftkaradey@gmail.com