CHAPTER - 22

After the last night’s fiasco, it was too late for him to return to the palace, so he decided to spend the night inside the temple for his own security against Neelakshi. In the morning, when the sunlight fall on his face, Akash woke up and with a lot of struggle he opened his eyes. Last night’s encounter and blood donation to Gayatri made Akash a little weak but still he made himself stand up and he came out of the temple. After coming out of the temple, Akash looked at his watch and found that it was already 8am in the morning. He remembered everything and every word that he had with the aghori and how he could really stop Neelakshi to take another life away. He walked out of the forest and returned to the palace. On coming back, he found all the family gathered around for breakfast and on seeing him, Rohit came and asked,”Akash tu kal raat ko kaha tha? Maine tujhe kitna phone kiya lekin phone laga hi nehi?” Akash grabbed his forehead and replied,”Vo phone ki battery dead ho gayi thi aur kal kaam khatam hote hote raat bhi bohot ho gayi to wahi par ek guest house mein raat guzaar li. Vaise…” In a low voice he asked,”Kisiko kuch pata to nehi chala?” Rohit, in the same low tone replied,”No tune jaisa kaha tha maine bilkul vaise hi kiya hai. Don’t worry!! Abhi tu hamaare saath breakfast karle.” Akash replied,”Main pehle naha leta hu bohot thakaan ho rahi hai.” Rohit agreed and Akash left towards his room. After taking a bath, when Akash came out wiping his head with his towel, he found two lady servants were standing and a very heavy breakfast plate in a tray is served on the table and the plate contained Punjabi food. Seeing that Akash asked,”Mere liye itna heavy breakfast, ye sab yaha to koi nehi khaata.” One of the lady servants replied,”Vo yuvraani sa ne ye sab kuch apne haatho se banaya hai thaare vaaste aur unhone kaha hai ke aapko naashta aapke kamre mein hi pohcha diya jaaye.” Akash was a bit surprised as he could not believe Ananya herself had cooked food for him. He said,”Aaj suraj kaha se uga hai?? Yuvraaniji ne hamaare liye khaana banaya hai aur vo bhi punjabiyo waala. Apne to kismat pe chaar chaand lag gaye.” “Kyu aapko pasand nehi aaya?” All of them turned towards the door and found Ananya was standing there and seeing her all the servants left from there. Akash replied,”Pasand??? Ye saara mera favourate khaana hai. Mujhe to bas is baat ka shock laga hai ke aapne khud sab khud sab kuch banaya aur vo bhi mere liye.” Ananya smiled and replied,”Aapne bhi to hamaare liye kitna kuch kiya aur jo aapne kiya uske saamne to ye sab kuch bhi nehi hai. Aapki vajah se Gayatri bhabhisa aaj zinda hai. Agar aap unhe khoon nehi dete to pata nehi kya ho jaata? Its just a gesture to say thanks.” Akash too smiled back and replied,”Thanks to aap hume aise hi bol sakti thi.” Ananya stepped inside and replied,”Ha bol sakte the lekin vo kya hai na aapne khoon diya usse to aapko kamzori ho rahi hogi to humne socha ke hum aapke liye punjabiyo waala breakfast bana dete hai. Vaise hum itna bhi bura khaana nehi banaate hai. Aap kha kar dekh sakte hai.” Akash sat down on the chair to eat his food and on having the first bite he said,”Hmm!! Its yummy sach mein bohot achcha bana hai aur sach kahu main taras gaya tha ye khaane ke liye aap logo ka ye jo angrezo ya rajwaaro waala khaana hai na mujhse aur bardaasht nehi ho raha tha.” Ananya sat down on his bed and said,”You’re welcome!!” While eating he asked,”Vo Vijay kaisa hai?” Ananya replied,”Ha vo thik hai minor stitches lage hai aur doctors ne kaha hai unhe araam karne ke liye abhi so rahe hai.” Akash nodded his head and replied,”Nehi usko araam karna bhi chahiye bichaare ki kal haalat bohot kharaab thi aur Gayatri kaisi hai?” She replied,”Ha bhabhisa thik hai par bachchi abhi incubator mein hai. Doctors puri koshish kar rahe hai. Pata nehi kya hoga.” He replied,”Don’t worry achche logo ke saath bhagwaan kabhi bhi kuch bhi bura nehi karte hai. Bachchi thik ho jaayegi aur aapko bura lage ya na lage  personally main ye chahta hu ke Gayatri ko Dheeraj se alag ho jaana chahiye aur na uski shaadi Vijay se kara deni chahye, Vijay usse sach mein bohot pyar karta hai vo dono ko bohot khush rakkhega.” Ananya replied,”Main Vijay bhaisa ke shaadi ke baare mein nehi jaanti par ha maine Dheeraj bhaisa ko unke kiye ki sazaa de di hai aur maine unke aur Gayatri bhabhisa ko alag karne ka bhi decision le liya hai. Main bhi yehi chahti hu ke vo alag ho jaaye uske baad hum unhe apne saath London waapas le jaayenge, vo hamaare saath rahegi.” Akash wiped his mouth with a tissue paper and said,”Aap yahi par galti kar rahi hai yuvraaniji!! Gayatri ne mujhse kaha tha ke aajtak uski zindagi ke kisi bhi maamle ko lekar uski marzi kisine nehi puchi aur aap bhi uske saath wahi kar rahi hai. Gayatri ko Dheeraj se alag karne se pehle aapko usse puchna chahiye. Shaadi ka faisla uska nehi tha lekin divorce ka faisla uska khud ka hona chahiye. Ye uska haq hai aur uska haq ye bhi hai ke vo apni zndagi ke saath kya karna chahti hai uska decision bhi vo khud le. Meri ma kehti hai ke ek aurat bhale hi kamzor ho par ek ma kabhi bhi kamzor nehi hoti hai.” Ananya thought for sometime as whatever Akash said just now was indeed correct and Gayatri should be given a chance to take the decision about her own life and that of her child’s. She asked,”Aur agar vo sahi faisla na le paayi to? Vo bachchi hi to hai?” Akash replied,”Aap mauka nehi dengi to aapko pata kaise chalega? Agar maan lete hai ke usne galat faisla le bhi liya to aap uski bari behen bankar uski madat kar dena.” Akash licked his finger and replied,”Aapko pata hai jo aapne ye khaana aaj mujhe khilaya hai na mera pet itna bhar gaya hai ke agle do teen din tak mujhe khaana khaane ki koi zarurat nehi hai.” Ananya laughed and said,”Aap jaldi khaana khatam kijiye uske baad hume hospital jaana hai bhabhisa ke paas unhe khaana khilaane.” Saying when she got up to leave, at that moment, one of the servants came running to her and said,”Yuvraanisa yuvraanisa jaldi neeche aaiye vo Vijaysa pata nehi kisiko bina bataaye kab apne kamre se nikal gaye hai.” Ananya was astonished and asked,”What?? Par aisa kaise ho sakta hai ke kisine bhi unko mahal se bahaar nikalte huye nehi dekha?” The servant replied,”Pata nehi yuvraani sa par Parvati baisa unke kamre mein gayi thi unhe khaana khilaane aur dekha ke vo apne kamre mein nehi hai.” Ananya came running out of Akash’s room with him following her.

                                                                                                  Ananya reached to Vijay’s room and saw Parvati there and on seeing Ananya, she came to her and said,”Dekh na bitiya ye chora kathe chala gaya aise hi bina bataye. Abhi uski sehat bhi thik koni aur ye hai ke…Meri baat sunta hi nehi hai.” Ananya held Parvati’s arm and asked,”Hua kya tha ma?” Parvati replied,”Vo main usey dekhne aayi uske kamre mein to dekha vo uthne waala hai. Main uske sirhaane bethi aur vo mare se puchne laga bahurani ke baare mein. Soch itna sab kuch ho gaya aur chore ko abhi bhi uski pari hai. Maine usko jab sab kuch bataya to vo usse milne ki jidd karne laga, maine bohot muskil se usko roka aur phir jab uske vaaste khaana laane gayi to dekha aakar ke vo hai hi nehi. Pata nehi kathe chala gaya aur to aur kisi ne bhi mahal mein usko jaate huye dekha koni.” Ananya was dumbstruck on hearing about the incident and Akash said,”Mujhe pura yakeen hai ke vo hospital gaya hai Gayatri se milne.” He looked at Ananya and said,”Dekha aapne main isike baare mein to keh raha tha aapse par aap samajhna hi nehi chahti hai.” Ananya said,”Usse pehle abhi hume hospital jaana parega. Chaliye jaldi!!” Saying she almost ran out of Vijay’s room with Akash and on the way took Natasha, Rohit and Kalyani with them. After reaching there, Ananya searched for Vijay first but Akash found him first and when he took Ananya there she saw that Vijay was standing in front of the incubator box where Gayatri’s baby was kept under observation. Just then a nurse came out of the room and on seeing Ananya, she bowed down and then said to her,”Ye bachchi ke pita hai na lagta hai vo apni bachchi se bohot pyar karte hai tabhi to jabse aaye hai yahi par khare hai aur har doctor se puch rahe hai ke vo bach to jaayegi na. Hum inhe tabse samjha rahe hai ke yaha zyaada der tak rehna mana hai par ye to sun hi nehi rahe hai.” Saying the nurse left from there and Akash went inside the room and stood behind him. He put a hand on Vijay’s shoulder and Vijay turned towards him. Akash saw that he was crying and seeing Akash Vijay hugged him and said,”Main Gayatri aur uske bachche ko nehi bacha paaya. Dekhiye na dono ki kya haalat ho gayi hai.” Akash brought him out of the room and made him sit on a bench and said,”Vijay tum khud bhi injured ho tumhe bohot chotey aayi hai, is tarah se bina kisiko bataaye mahal se nikal aaye pata hai tumhaari ma kitni pareshaan hai. Mujhe pata that um yahi par miloge. I know you are concerned about Gayatri par vo thik hai aur bachcha bhi thik ho jaayega doctors bhi puri koshish kar rahe hai.” Vijay kept on crying and said,”Ek baat bataiye jo bachcha abhi tak is duniya mein aaya hi na par aane waala ho vo agar larki hui to vo ma ki galti kaise ho sakti hai? Ye to bhagwaan ki den hai na aur chahe vo larki hi ho vo to apni hi aulaad hoti hai na. Koi apne bachche ke saath aisa kaise kar sakta hai? Chalo maan liya ke vo Gayatri unki apni nehi hai lekin ye bachchi to unki hai to vo usey maarne ki koshish kaise kar sakte hai? Rajkunwarisa bhi to Ranaji ki ek lauti beti hai par vo to unse apni jaan se zyaada pyar karte hai.” Akash realized that even Vijay himself doesn’t have the realization of how much and how deeply he loves Gayatri. He wanted to say something to ease his pain but he was at loss of words and so instead of saying anything, he asked,”Agar aaj iska pita apni beti ko apnaane se inkaar kar de jo ki usne already kiya hai to kya tum isko apnaaoge?” Vijay looked at Akash in a very strange way and Akash again asked,”Agar main tumse kahu ke Gayatri ko abhi ek aise jeewansaathi ki zarurat hai jo na ki uska khayaal rakh sakey balki uski beti ko bhi utna hi pyar de jitney ki haqdaar vo dono hai to kya tum Gayatri se shaadi karoge?” Vijay was about to protest and smelling the obvious reason behind it, Akash stopped him in the mid way and asked,”Main tumse sahi galat ke baare mein nehi puch raha hu, kyuki agar baat kisi ki jaan par aati hai to kuch bhi sahi galat nehi hota hai. Main tumse bas itna janna chahta hu that will you marry Gayatri and accept her child as your own?” Vijay was already astonished at Akash’s question but on his last question, he broke down again and replied,”Main un dono ko apni jaan se zyaada pyar karta hu aur unke liye main apni jaan bhi de sakta hu.” Akash hugged him again and then saw that Ananya was standing behind Vijay with tears in her eyes. Akash said to Vijay, “Kya yaar larkiyo ke tarah ro rahe ho? Pata hai na mard ko dard nehi hota hai. Ro mat aagey tumhe bohot kuch abhi dekhna hoga. Abhi rajwaar mein aisi hatke love stories roz roz thore hi dekhne ko milti hai. Abhi tak to zarur tum Gayatri se nehi miley hoge chalo pehle usse to jaakar mil lo.” Saying Akash sent Vijay to meet Gayatri and when he turned found Ananya standing beside him and before him. Before Vijay could say anything, Ananya said,”Aap yaha Gayatri bhabhisa aur unki beti se milne aaye hume usse koi dikkat nehi hai lekin aap aisi haalat mein bina bataaye yaha aaye hum usse bohot gussa hai ma bhi pareshaan hai. Aapko pata hai na ke aapko papa ne khoon diya tha tabhi aaj aap yaha par khare hai aur aap jhut bolkar andar gaye ke aap bachchi ke pita hai?” Vijay, like a typical naughtiest child, who was caught red handed, replied,”Maine jhut nehi bola bas sach bhi nehi bola varna vo mujhe ghusne nehi dete andar.” Ananya could not help but chuckle and said,”Pata hai bhaisa aapko dekh kar lagta hai aap ek teenager hai.” Vijay lowered his head and left from there towards Gayatri’s cabin.

                                                                                                                  When Ananya returned from the hospital to the palace along with others, she found Vinay waiting for her. On seeing her, Vinay almost ran to her and hugged her tight and said,”Ananya beta kaisi hai tu? Main aaj hi waapas aaya aur mujhe pata chala ke bahuraani ke saathh…Itnasab kuch ho gaya mahal mein aur tune mujhe bataya bhi nehi.” Ananya replied,”Aap kaam ke vajah se bahaar gaye the na Vinay uncle aur phir hume to kuch bhi nehi hua par ha bhabhisa ke saath…par ab vo thik hai aur doctors se meri baat hui hai, bachchi bhi treatment ka achcha response kar rahi hai vo bohot jald thik ho jaayegi.” Vinay gave a sigh of relief and said,”Chalo tab to thik hai aur ha maine ye bhi suna hai ke Vijaygarh ki yuvraani ne apni zindagi ka pehla faisla liya hai. Isiliye hum uske liye ek taufa laaye hai.” Ananya almost jumped like an excited little girl and asked,”Kaisa taufa?” Vinay chuckled and said,”Aaj bhi taufe ka naam sunkar bilkul pehle jaisi choti bachchi ke tarah kood parti hai. Apne kamre mein chalo tab dikhata hu.” Ananya went to her bedroom with Vinay and then made her sit on the bed and then gave her a beautiful old rajwaar banglea. On seeing those bangles, Ananya was astonished due to the beauty and design of those and Vinay said,”Ye Maharanisa ke hai, unhone mujhse kaha tha ke unke pita ne ye unko diya tha jab unhone pehli baar ek bahaduri ka kaam kiya tha. Tujhe pata hai na ke teri maasa sirf ek raajkunwari hi nehi, bohot bari veerangana bhi thi. Unhone ek baar unhone ek larki ki izzat bachaayi thi jab vo Gayatri ki umar ki thi, tujhse bhi choti, tabhi unhe ye mila tha. Jab unhone mujhe ye diya tab vo apni aakhri saasein gin rahi thi aur unhone mujhse kaha ke main ye tujhe du jab tu apni zindagi mein pehla koi aisa kaam kare jispar sabko tujhpar naaz ho aur aaj tune vo kiya hai. Tune Dheeraj ko sazaa di hai is baat ki parvaah na karte huye ke vo teri bua ka beta hai. Tune rishtey se pehle nyay ke baare mein socha, tune yuvraani hone ka dharm nibhaya aur is baat Maharanisa ko bhi tujhpar bohot naaz ho raha hoga.” Ananya sadly put down the bangles and said,”Par Uncle is faisle se ghar koi khush bhi to nehi hai na khaskar buasa. Vo bhale hi kuch na kahe par chahe jaise bhi hai Dheeraj bhaisa unke bete hi to hai aur kisi bhi ma ko apne bete ki aisi halaat bardaasht nehi hoti hai.” Vinay sat beside her and said,”Sahi raasta kabhi bhi asaan nehi hota hai Ananya. Vo mushkil hai tabhi vo sahi hai. Is duniya mein pata hai sabse mushkil kaam kya hota hai? Apno ke khilaaf khare hona par asli nyay karne waala wahi hota hai jo rishto naato se pare hokar sah faisla le. Kabhi kabhi sahi faisla bohot saare rishtey tod deta hai lekin aagey chalkar sabko is baat ka ehsaas ho jaayega ke jo tuney kiya vo sahi tha. Jaha tu bethi hai wahapar beth kar tu sabko khush nehi kar sakti hai beta.” Just then Parvati arrived with a maid servant and a full tray of food with her and said,”Manne pata tha ke aap aane ke baad bitiya ke kamre mein hi aayenge isiliye main aapke liye yahi par khaana lekar aayi hu. Ghano lamba safar tey karke aaye hai aap, khaana kha kar thora araam kar lijiye.” Vinay saw the food and replied,”Itna khaaunga to pet fat jaayega mera.” Ananya made a face and replied,”Aapne suna nehi hamaari ma ne kya kaha? Ma ne kaha aapko khaana hai to aapko khaana hai.” Vinay replied,”Bhai abto yuvraaniji ne hukum diya hai to hume apna sar thore hi kalam karwaana hai.” Parvati smiled and she was about to leave but Ananya stopped her and said,”Ma hume aapse ek bohot hi zaruri baat karni hai. Bhaisa ke baare mein.” Parvati seemed a bit taken back at the way Ananya spoke to her but she obliged and then Ananya signaled the servant to leave them alone. After the servant left, Parvati asked Ananya,”Ke huyo bitiya tu ghani pareshaan lag rahi hai?” Ananya said,”Humne ek faisla liya hai par usse pehle humne ye baat sabse pehle aapko bataana zaruri samjha kyuki aap bhaisa ki ma hai. Aapko pata hai bhaisa Gayatri bhabhisa se pyar karte hai aur humne ye faisla liya hai ke hum un dono ki shaadi karaayenge.” That one news appeared like a bomb on Parvati’s head and she wasso horrified on hearing about it that she was about to trip but was held by Ananya. She made Parvati sit on the bed and said,”Hume pata hai ke aapke liye ye bohot bara jhatka hai, yakeen maniye hamaare liye bhi tha jab hume ye baat pehli baar pata chali thi par aaj jab humne bhaisa ki haalat dekhi aur jab humne ye dekha ke vo kis tarah se bachchi ke incubator ke bahaar usko dekh rahe the, aap yakeen nehi karenge shaayad agar hum unhe us haalat mein nehi dekhte to hum bhi kabhi bhi is baat ka yakeen nehi karte.” Parvati got up angrily and replied,”Thaare ko pata bhi hai tu ke keh rahi hai bitiya? Vo kisiki lugaai hai, kisiki ghar ki bahu hai, ek bachchi ki ma hai vo aur uske baare mein aisa sochna bhi paap hai. Ye sab baate hai na apne dimaag se nikaal de bitiya kyuki aisa hona namumkin hai aur rajgharaane ki izzat ko uchaalna sabse bara gunaah hai.” Ananya said,”Hum bhabhisa aur Dheeraj bhaisa ka divorce karwaane waale hai kyuki hum nehi chahte hai ke vo is haiwaan ke saath rahe aur Vijay bhaisa ki shaadi agar unse nehi hui to vo kisi aur se shaadi nehi kar paayenge.” Parvati, almost, in a pleading tone said to Ananya,”Dekh chori maari zindagi ke saath jo hua uske baad agar main zinda hu to sirf Vijay aur thaare waste. Maari zindagi mein tum dono ke alawa aur kuch na bacha hai. Aise mein tum dono mein se kisi ek ko bhi mare se kisine alag kiya to main zinda na reh paaungi. Baat Vijay ki shaadi ki hai na to main Ranaji se kehelwaakar koi achchi si larki dekh kar uski shaadi kara dungi aur shaadi ke baad apni lugaai ke saath rehte rehte uske dimaag se ye sab fitoor bhi chala jaayega. Par agar tune Gayatri aur Vijay ke shaadi ke baare mein socha bhi na to yaha khoon ki holi kheli jaayegi aur main apne bete ko khona na chahti hu.” Ananya held Parvati’s hand and said,”Ma hum hai na, hum sab thik kar denge. Bhaisa ko kuch nehi hoga, kamsekam hamaare rehte to kuch bhi nehi ho sakta.” Parvati removed her hands and said,”Bolna to nehi chahiye mare ko par ye sab kuch mare aur Ranaji ke laad pyar ka nateeja hai jo aaj thaare ko ye sab bolte huye sharam bhi na aa rahi hai. Dekh bitiya thaare ko samjhaana maara farz tha, abhi agar tune aisa vaisa kuch bhi kiya to main thaare ko keh deti hu ke tu maara mara muh dekhegi.” Saying she opened the door and left from there. Ananya said to Vinay, “Aap sahi kehte hai sahi faisla lena kabhi bhi asaan nehi hota hai par hum sabko khush bhi nehi kar sakte hai. Abhi hamaare liye sabse bara matter of concern sirf hamaare bhaisa ki zindagi aur unki khushiyaan hai. Hum un dono ko aur ghut ghut kar marne nehi denge. Agar kisine hamaara saath nehi diya to jo karna hai hum akele hi karenge.” Vinay, who didn’t interfere all the time when Ananya was talking with Parvati, now wiped his mouth with the tissue paper and said,”Tujhe ye kisne kaha ke koi tera saath nehi dega. Main hoon na, mujhe tujhpar itna bharosa to hai ke tune agar koi faisla liya hai to soch samajh kar hi liya hoga aur main jaanta hu tu jo karne ja rahi hai vo bilkul sahi hai. Koi agar kisi rishtey mein khush nehi hai to uska toot jaana hi behtar hai aur Gayatri ko bhi pura haq ek aisi zindagi ek aise jeewansaathi ke saath guzaarne ki jo uski izzat kare, usse pyar kare aur uski dekh bhaal kare.” Ananya said,”Humne uswaqt ma ke saamne kaha nehi par na pehle to hume bhi jhatka hi laga tha lekin ye jo Akash Saluja hai inhone hi pehle inki love story ko notice kiya. Hum bhi raazi nehi the tab lekin unhone samjhaaya aur phir Natasha aur Rohit ne bhi unka saath diya to hume bhi laga yehi sahi hai.”  She looked at Vinay and said,”Vaise na aapka ye mehmaan jo hai na inko hum jitna dimaag se paidal samajhte the utne hai nehi, bas unki ye hume chedne waali baat hume achchi nehi lagti. Jab bhi inko mauka milta hai von a hamaare saath flirt karte hai.” Vinay noticed the changes in her expression when she talked about Akash and seeing that he said,”Vaise Akash to mujhe bhi pasand hai. Ladka achcha hai, achchi job hai, well to do family se belong karta hai aur uske papa to mere dost bhi hai. Agar tujhe koi aitraaz na ho to main Akash se baat kar sakta hu tere baap ko main pata lunga.” Ananya made a face and said,”Kya uncle aap bhi na…” She suddenly made a sad face and said,”Aapko to sab kuch pata hi hai na uncle ke main shaadi nehi kar sakti hu.” Vinay replied,”Kyu nehi kar sakti hai? Natasha bhi to kar rahi hai na? Aur phir…main destiny ko manta hu beta. Meri ma kehti thi ke jab koi sahi insaan zindagi mein aata hai na to kismat ke paiye ko ghumte huye zyada der nehi lagti hai aur kya pata Akash bhi teri zindagi mein teri kismat badalne ke liye hi aaya ho. Although I don’t believe in superstitions aur something like that… par jab teri kundali pehli baar bani thi na to kuldevi ke mandir ke tab ke purohit ne bataya tha ke jab tu 25 saal ki ho jaayegi to teri zindagi mein ek bohot bara badlaav aayega.” Ananya understood that it was useless to continue all this nonsense any more with Vinay and so she said,”Hum yaha bethe bethe aapki ye sab baate aur nehi sunenge hume bohot kaam hai hum chalte hai aur aap seedha jaakar araam karenge.” Saying Ananya left from there.

                                                                                                         At night, after dinner when Vinay was returning home, he crossed his path with Parvati. She stopped him and said,”Vinaysa manne aapse ek jaruri baat karni hai.” Vinay asked,”Ha bolo?”  Parvati said,”Aapne to suna hai sab subhe ko bitiya ke sab bol rahi thi. Vo jo karna chahti hai vo mumkin na hai aur aap je baat usne samjhaaiye, vo to aapki baat sunti hai.” Vinay replied,”Par Vijay Gayatri se pyar karta hai na Parvati aur agar aisa hota hai to isme galat kya hai? Dono khush rahenge.” Parvati replied,”Aur aapko ke lagta hai ke Ranaji maan jaavenge? Gayatri unke behen ke parivaar bahu hai, unke ghar ki izzat hai aur is tarah se kisiki bahu ke saath je sab…aapko pata hai na raajgharaane ke liye uski ijjat jaan se jyaada pyaari hove hai. Jo bitiya chahti hai aiso agar ho gayo to Kalyani baisa ki jindagi narak banegi vo to alag saath saath dono parivaaro ke beech mein khoon ki holi kheli jaavegi jo main na chahti hu. Bitiya bachchi hai, usko lagta hai bideso mein jaisa hove hai yaha bhi vaise hi hove hai par na aisa yaha na hove hai aur agar kabhi je baat khul gayi ke bitiya…Na na manne usko apne seene se laga kar paala hai aur Vijay aur usme maine aajtak koi bhed bhaav na kiya hai. Na na main dono mein se kisiko bhi nehi kho sakti hu. Maine abhitak Ranaji ko kuch na bataya hai pata nehi agar unko pata chala to vo kaise bartaav karege.” Vinay said,”Kuch nehi hoga Parvati tum na bekaar itni fikar kar rahi ho. Hum sab hai Vijay ke saath.” Parvati, in a hurt tone said,”Aapko to maari koi bhi baat hamesha bekaar hi lagti hai aur bitiya ki har baat achchi. Kya aapne kabhi ye socha hai, ke peechle itne saalo se hum dono jo raaz Vijay aur bitiya se chupaate aa rahe hai agar vo raaz un dono ko pata chal gaya to? Dono ka apne wajood se bharosa uth jaavega. Main apne bachcho ki khushiyo ki dushman na hu par mare ko apne bachcho ki jaan jyaada pyaari hai.” At this statement, Vijay replied,”Tum bohot zyaada soch rahi ho Parvati.” Parvati looked at the palace and replied,”Ke karu mare ko mare kismat aur is shaapit mahal ke in deewaron pe koi bharosa na hai. Pata nehi kaunsa raaj kab kispar jaahir ho jaaye aur agar aisa hua to jindagi to mare bachcho ki hi kharaab hogi na.” Saying Parvati left from there and Vinay, in a tensed mood, left towards his palace. After both of them left, Akash came out behind the walls and said to himself,”Ye kis raaz ki baat kar rahe hai dono? Kya sach mein main jaisa soch raha the ke is mahal mein har kisine ek naqaab pehen kar rakkha hai kya vo sach hai? Kya sahi mein Neelakshi ke alava bhi is mahal mein koi aur raaz bhi hai. Aisa kaunsa raaz hai jo Vijay aur Ananya dono ki zindagi barbaad kar dega? Mujhe pata karna hoga. Ab to pata karna hi hoga.” Saying when he was about to leave, Ananya called him from the back and asked,”Aap kaha ja rahe hai?” Akash replied,”Kuch nehi ainvayi tehelne ja raha tha.” Ananya replied,”Aapne ek din humse pucha tha na ke 2^nd floor mein vo room kiska hai jo hamesha bandh rehta hai? Vo room hamaari Maasa ka hai aur hum aapko us room mein lekar jaana chahte hai.” In a flirting tone, Akash said,”Kya baat hai?? Subhe subhe breakfast banaya aur aaj hume aapke ‘forbidden’ room mein jaane ki permission mil rahi hai and in fact, Her Highness hume khud waha lekar bhi ja rahi hai. Kya main is meherbaani ki vajah jaan sakta hu?” Ananya replied,”Aapka itna bara ehsaan jo hai humpar aur vaise bhi aapko to hamaare mahal ke baare mein likhne ke liye information bhi chahiye hogi na. Vaise bhi us kamre mein aapko lekar jaane ka hamaare paas ek aur reason bhi hai jisey dekhne ke baad aapke hosh ud jaayenge.” Akash walked closer to her and said,”Haaye agar hume pehle pata hota na ke aap hamaare ehsaan ka aisa badla dengi hume to main abhitak Vijay aur Gayatri ko unke honeymoon par bhej chuka hota.” For the first time in her life, unknowingly, Ananya blushed and seeing that Akash moved away from her and in wide eyes, said,”Aapko sharmaana bhi aata hai? Kahi is jurm mein aap mujhe goli to nehi maar dengi na? Rajwaaro ka koi bharosa nehi hai aur khaaskar aapke khaandaan par to bilkul bhi nehi.” Ananya was about to give a fitting reply to him but at that moment, her father called her from back. On seeing him, Akash made a safe distance from Ananya and Ranaji asked Ananya, “Ananya beta aap apni davaiya to waqt se le rahi hai na?” Ananya slapped her head and replied,”Ufff!! I’m so sorry papa hum to bhul hi gaye the ke hamaari davaiya khatam ho gayi hai aur upar se bhabhisa ke saath jo kuch bhi hua uske baad to…Hum kal mangwa lenge.” Ranaji smiled at her and gave her a packet and replied,”Uski koi zarurat nehi hai hume pata hai ke aapko apni dawaai bhul jaane ki kitni buri lat hai. Vo to aapki ma hai jo aapko waqt se dawaai de deti hai. Unhone hi humse kaha tha to humne mangwa li hai.” Ananya bit her lips and said,”I’m really very sorry papa aagey se hum dhyaan rakkhenge.” Ranaji mocked her and said,”Ye hum har baar sunte hai.” He laughed and said,”Thik hai abhi aap jaaiye aur jaakar araam kijiye ye London nehi hai aur yaha raat ko bahaar akele rehna is waqt thik nehi hai. Ok? Goodnight!!” Ananya was a bit sad since she really wanted to show Akash her mother’s room. When Ananya left from there, Akash said to himself, in his mind, “Ye larki ka baap hamesha dushman kyu hota hai? Jab dekho tab beech mein kood hi jaata hai.” Akash smiled at Ranaji and was about to leave from there but Ranaji stopped him and asked,”To kaisa chal raha hai aapka investigation Mr. Akash Saluja?” Akash was about to reply back but Ranaji interrupted him and asked,”Or should I say Anti Terrorist Bureau Special Officer Akash Saluja? Kaisi chal rahi hai aapki murder investigation?” That was the last thing Akash expected and that was his cover being blown but as he was trained for every situation, he didn’t pretend to be surprised. In a very casual tone, asked,”Aapko kab pata chala?” Ranaji smiled and replied,”Ek do din pehle par aap log itne busy the ke hume aapse baat karne ka mauka nehi mila. Par hume aap par bohot pehle hi shak ho chuka tha jab humne pehli baar aapse haath milaaya tha. Hum khud bhi army mein the isiliye hume pata hai ek normal aadmi aur ek ‘physically trained under extreme condition’ waale aadmi ke haatho mein kya fark hota hai. Humne uswaqt nazarandaaz kar diya lekin…vo kya hai na is duniya mein ek baap sabse zyaada possessive apni beti ke liye hota hai aur aap hamaari beti ke kuch zyaada ho nazdeek aane lage hai…To I just want to keep my daughter safe. Though she’s adult aur unhe apni zindagi ke saare faisle karne ke humne puri azaadi di hai.” Akash replied,”Main terrorists ko pakarta hu khud terrorist nehi hu aur aapki beti koi bachchi nehi hai aur vaise bhi main yaha apne kaam ke silsilay mein aaya hu. Mujhe yuvraaniji achchi lagti hai that’s it!!” Ranaji said,”Hum bas aapse itna hi kahenge ke…unse dur rahiye.” Akash replied,”Kya ye offer sirf hamaare liye hai ya saare mardo ke liye?? Bachpan se lekar unke jawaan hone take k dakiyanusi…bakwaas si baat unke dimaag mein bhardi ke is khaandaan mein paida hone waali har larki ki maut hona tey hai. Marna ek din na ek din sabko hota hai par iske liye koi jeena nehi chor deta hai. Apni beti ki hifaazat karne ke naam par aap hi vo ek laute shaks hai jinhone unse unki zindagi cheen li hai.” Ranaji walked close to him and said,”Aapko pata hai Vijaygarh ke raja ke saath aise bartaav karne liye aapko sazaa bhi ho sakti hai.” Akash smiled and replied,”Maut ke muh se main har jung ke baad laut kar aa hi jaata hu aur rajao ke raaj ab nehi rahe Ranaji aur agar mujhe kuch hua to aapko mere gharwaalo ko hi nehi balki sarkaar ko bhi jawaab dena hoga and also Iam not a very silent kinda fighter.” Ranaji asked,”Is that an open challenge?” Akash chuckled and replied,”Nehi main aise bekaar ke challenges mein yakeen nehi karta but itna keh sakta hu ke jaane se pehle is mahal aur aapki beti ki bimaari ko main thik karke hi waapas jaaunga.” Saying Akash left from there leaving Ranaji in a very angry state.

                                                                                                 It was midnight and everyone in the palace were almost unconscious in deep slumber when the silence of the dead night was broken into pieces by a scream. When everyone came running out of the palace, they were shocked seeing what has unfolded in front of their eyes. On seeing the scene, Kalyani immediately fainted and most of the ladies screamed out. When Ranaji and Akash came out in the middle, they understood the reason behind everything as it was Dheeraj lying down on his stomack with blood oozing out of his mouth and wide opened eyes which was quite obvious due to falling off or getting pushed down from the terrace.