'What do you mean why Paaro?' He turned to ask her.
'Why should we go? Thakur Sa-'
'Exactly. Tejawat is on his way here, to kill you, what more reason do you need to actually get moving?' Rudra asked, his patience thinning.
'But this is your chance to catch him. So we shouldn't leave.'
'We will catch him. BSD has dispatched a team here already. They should arrive any minute.'
'But they haven't arrived yet. What if Thakur Sa arrives first and upon not finding me leaves before the BSD team gets here. No we are not leaving. You can't miss this chance to catch him once and for all. Because of me he managed to get away last time but I won't let that happen this time.' Parvati made her stand.
'This is not a debate Paaro. We are leaving. If the BSD team miss him. Then they miss him. We will catch him another time. But I am not risking your life, just to catch Tejawat!' Rudra raised his voice, patience now having evapourated at seeing Parvati's obstinance.
'You are here, so there is no risk to my life. You may doubt yourself but I have no doubts in your capability to protect me: me being your prime witness.' Parvati stated, defiantly.
'Witness? You think I'm worried for your life because you are my witness. Parvati I don't need you alive as a witness for this case anymore. In the case of your death your signed confession and video statement will suffice your job as a witness. They are enough to put Tejawat behind bars. I'm not concerned about your life because you are my witness, I'm concerned about your life because you are my wife!' He shouted at her.
She stared, dumbstruck for a moment, then, 'Wait if you can do without me as a witness, then why did you keep me in the house all these days, saying that my life was in danger and if something were to happen to me, the case would fall apart?' She asked soul-fully.
Rudra stared at her. 'Because your life was, is in danger. Us being here is proof of that!' Rudra reminded her of their present predicament.
'Yes, but you just said, the case would still stand even if I died.' She pinned him with her questioning gaze.
'Yes, but that doesn't mean I will let you die Paaro.' He stated, angry that she would think just because her confession could put Tejawat behind bars meant that he would let her die.
'Why? Why does my life matter to you? Why is it so important to you to keep me in your life?' she repeated the morning's question with a renewed urgency.
'Why? What do you mean why? I just do, ok?!' Rudra choked out,why did she need reasons and that too now when her life was in danger. 'Look Paaro, just because the case can stand without you doesn't mean you are not necessary for the case. In the case of your death the prosecution can make your confession dismissive, suggesting that it was forced out of you rather than you giving a true account, thereby weakening the case, because you won't be there to defend your words. So just because the case may stand a chance without you doesn't mean we want to take that chance for the prosecution can use it to their benefit, ok?' Rudra explained, his need for her as witness.
'So then it is just for the case that you want me around in your life?' Paaro, with a sad note in her voice, asked, not letting the question go.
'No. Of course not.' He answered, before he could stop himself.
'Then why? Why Major saab? If I mean nothing to you why won't you let me walk out of your life for you? And if I do mean something then tell me now.' She stared at him, waiting anxiously for his answer, while he gaped at her.
'Urgh, Paaro, we are not having this conversation right now. Tejawat could arrive here any minute. Let's go.' He ordered pulling her of the stool she had sat back down on.
'No.' she pulled back with all her force. 'I am not leaving, not until Tejawat comes and you cuff him, like you want to, since the day you took over this case.'
'Paaro...' he gritted his teeth. 'My wish to cuff him myself does not trump your life. I am not using you as bait you get that!' He hollered at her, but it was like her ears had suddenly gone deaf for she took no notice of his words. Paaro, your life is at stake. Does that not mean anything to you?'
'My life is not at stake Major saab.' Rudra stared at her incredulously.
'Like I have said before I have full confidence in your ability to protect me. Witness, or whatever other reason you may have for protecting leaves me with full confidence that as long as you're around no one can touch me, let alone hurt me. I'm not leaving.'
'Paaro this is insane. Get up. We need to leave now.' He said yanking her up. But she pulled back.
'Why? Why does my well-being matter so much to you Major saab. So what if something happens to me? It will be good for you won't it? Seeing as you want me out of your life anyway.'
'Paaro don't.' He said threateningly.
'Don't what, Major saab?'
'Don't say that. I don't want you out of my life.' He seethed.
'Why not?' She asked again.
'Urgh Paaro...' he slammed his hand on the table next to her. 'Why?' he suddenly turned on her menacingly, 'Why does it matter to you, why I want you in my life or not? You're ready to leave me aren't you, just like my mother!'
This silenced her. she had never even thought for a moment how he would see her leaving the same way as his mother abandoning him.
'Major saab, I...' she began but didn't know what to say next.
'I what?' he spat the question at her. 'Are not like my mother? Have your reasons? Which are valid only in your deluded head.'
'Major saab I vowed to bholenaath. I can't break that vow. You wanted me out of your life, so I promised him I would be.' She related in a tiny whisper.
'I say a lot of things. That doesn't mean I mean them. Why is that you always end up abiding the things that I don't want you to do?!'
'Yes, you say a lot of things, but how am I supposed to know which ones you actually mean and which ones you don't.' Tears poured from her eyes.
'Well just know this I don't want you out of my life. And I mean that. Ok? Don't ask me why.' He declared, before she could again. 'I don't know why? All I know is that you have become a part of my life and I want you in my life that is it! Why? How? What? I don't know and at this particular moment in time I don't even want to speculate over it. I just want you away from here, far away, where Tejawat can't even set his eyes on you let alone think of ways of hurting you. Understand?!'
'Ok.' She agreed.
He stared at her, incredulously. After all the stubbornness, she had conceded so easily, without him giving her any sort of an explanation. Would he ever understand her? He grabbed her hand, before she changed her mind, but they had just made it into the corridor when a frazzled Aman bumped into them.
'What?' Rudra asked, seeing him shaken
'Sir. Tejawat. He is here. I saw his car coming off the highway and turning into the road leading here.'
They both turned to look at Parvati, fear in their hearts'. Rudra gripped onto her hand tightly and she returned the pressure. 'Ok. What about the unit you radioed in for?' Rudra asked, wanting to know all their options.
'They will be another ten minutes sir.' Aman informed.
Rudra cursed under his breath. Then turning on Parvati. 'Well you get your wish. We're staying. Even if we try to escape now there will be no point Tejawat will see us and follow us. Best to stay here and hide: thereby surprising him when he walks in. If I know him well, then he has most likely come with a few of his finest, coward that he is. In which case the element of surprise will be our best shot.' Armed with this new plan he turned back towards Aman. 'Aman, hide the jeep, but make it easy to get too. We don't want Tejawat to see it and run away before we catch him and neither do we want it to far from us if things go south and we have to get away before arresting him.'
'Ok sir.' Aman turned to leave.
'And Aman.' Rudra called him back.
'Sir?'
Rudra let go of Parvati's hand, walked towards him and lowered his voice wanting Parvati to be out of earshot. 'You remember what I said to you here in the corridor earlier?' He motioned towards Parvati behind them, who was trying hard to listen to know what Rudra didn't want her to hear.
Aman nodded. 'Bhabi's safety is top priority.' He related in a low voice.
Rudra nodded. 'That order is still to be maintained. Whatever happens to me or you once Tejawat enters the vicinity, we need to make sure she gets out and to safety. Ok?'
'Yes sir.'
'Ok. Now go hide the jeep and the guard's body. So Tejawat remains in the dark about our arrival here. And radio over to HQ and the dispatched team that Tejawat is here and we are going to try and bring him in.'
'Ok sir.' With that he left.
Rudra turned and went back into the room to survey it: checking for any back doors or windows, as well as a place to hide Parvati in, to keep her out of danger. 'What were you whispering to Aman bhaisa about?' Parvati inquired, at his heels, so that when he turned around he walked right into her. Steadying her he carried on in his survey. 'I asked you something. What were you talking to Aman bhaisa about? And what are you doing now?' She asked again.
'It didn't concern you, that is why you weren't included in the conversation.' He said without even looking at her. 'Come here.' He ordered, pulling her towards him, 'See if you can fit inside there?' He held a cabinet door open for her to get inside of.
'Why?'
'Stop asking questions and do as I say Paaro.' He demanded. Annoyed, she obliged. She crouched down and crawled in to the cabinet. She fit inside it. 'Good. Now stay inside here until I don't tell you it's ok to come out.' Rudra asserted as he closed the door. But she stopped him.
'But Major saab-'
'No. No buts' Paaro. You listen to me now. It is because of your stubbornness that we are both still here, but don't even think for a second that I will allow Tejawat to set his eyes on you. We both know how dangerous he is and I am in no mood of risking your life to test his treacherous nature. Now I only have the one working arm, my right one not back to its full strength, so this is the only way to protect you. Stay inside. Don't make a sound. And don't come out, no matter what, until Aman or I come and get you out. Understand? Nod your head to show me that you do.' He ordered and she did. 'Good.' With that he closed her in side and then added in a soft voice, 'I'm right outside Paaro, so don't let the darkness scare you. I'm here.' Sending a wave of tranquility right down her body to replace the fear which had entered it moments ago upon finding herself in the dark.
'Why should we go? Thakur Sa-'
'Exactly. Tejawat is on his way here, to kill you, what more reason do you need to actually get moving?' Rudra asked, his patience thinning.
'But this is your chance to catch him. So we shouldn't leave.'
'We will catch him. BSD has dispatched a team here already. They should arrive any minute.'
'But they haven't arrived yet. What if Thakur Sa arrives first and upon not finding me leaves before the BSD team gets here. No we are not leaving. You can't miss this chance to catch him once and for all. Because of me he managed to get away last time but I won't let that happen this time.' Parvati made her stand.
'This is not a debate Paaro. We are leaving. If the BSD team miss him. Then they miss him. We will catch him another time. But I am not risking your life, just to catch Tejawat!' Rudra raised his voice, patience now having evapourated at seeing Parvati's obstinance.
'You are here, so there is no risk to my life. You may doubt yourself but I have no doubts in your capability to protect me: me being your prime witness.' Parvati stated, defiantly.
'Witness? You think I'm worried for your life because you are my witness. Parvati I don't need you alive as a witness for this case anymore. In the case of your death your signed confession and video statement will suffice your job as a witness. They are enough to put Tejawat behind bars. I'm not concerned about your life because you are my witness, I'm concerned about your life because you are my wife!' He shouted at her.
She stared, dumbstruck for a moment, then, 'Wait if you can do without me as a witness, then why did you keep me in the house all these days, saying that my life was in danger and if something were to happen to me, the case would fall apart?' She asked soul-fully.
Rudra stared at her. 'Because your life was, is in danger. Us being here is proof of that!' Rudra reminded her of their present predicament.
'Yes, but you just said, the case would still stand even if I died.' She pinned him with her questioning gaze.
'Yes, but that doesn't mean I will let you die Paaro.' He stated, angry that she would think just because her confession could put Tejawat behind bars meant that he would let her die.
'Why? Why does my life matter to you? Why is it so important to you to keep me in your life?' she repeated the morning's question with a renewed urgency.
'Why? What do you mean why? I just do, ok?!' Rudra choked out,why did she need reasons and that too now when her life was in danger. 'Look Paaro, just because the case can stand without you doesn't mean you are not necessary for the case. In the case of your death the prosecution can make your confession dismissive, suggesting that it was forced out of you rather than you giving a true account, thereby weakening the case, because you won't be there to defend your words. So just because the case may stand a chance without you doesn't mean we want to take that chance for the prosecution can use it to their benefit, ok?' Rudra explained, his need for her as witness.
'So then it is just for the case that you want me around in your life?' Paaro, with a sad note in her voice, asked, not letting the question go.
'No. Of course not.' He answered, before he could stop himself.
'Then why? Why Major saab? If I mean nothing to you why won't you let me walk out of your life for you? And if I do mean something then tell me now.' She stared at him, waiting anxiously for his answer, while he gaped at her.
'Urgh, Paaro, we are not having this conversation right now. Tejawat could arrive here any minute. Let's go.' He ordered pulling her of the stool she had sat back down on.
'No.' she pulled back with all her force. 'I am not leaving, not until Tejawat comes and you cuff him, like you want to, since the day you took over this case.'
'Paaro...' he gritted his teeth. 'My wish to cuff him myself does not trump your life. I am not using you as bait you get that!' He hollered at her, but it was like her ears had suddenly gone deaf for she took no notice of his words. Paaro, your life is at stake. Does that not mean anything to you?'
'My life is not at stake Major saab.' Rudra stared at her incredulously.
'Like I have said before I have full confidence in your ability to protect me. Witness, or whatever other reason you may have for protecting leaves me with full confidence that as long as you're around no one can touch me, let alone hurt me. I'm not leaving.'
'Paaro this is insane. Get up. We need to leave now.' He said yanking her up. But she pulled back.
'Why? Why does my well-being matter so much to you Major saab. So what if something happens to me? It will be good for you won't it? Seeing as you want me out of your life anyway.'
'Paaro don't.' He said threateningly.
'Don't what, Major saab?'
'Don't say that. I don't want you out of my life.' He seethed.
'Why not?' She asked again.
'Urgh Paaro...' he slammed his hand on the table next to her. 'Why?' he suddenly turned on her menacingly, 'Why does it matter to you, why I want you in my life or not? You're ready to leave me aren't you, just like my mother!'
This silenced her. she had never even thought for a moment how he would see her leaving the same way as his mother abandoning him.
'Major saab, I...' she began but didn't know what to say next.
'I what?' he spat the question at her. 'Are not like my mother? Have your reasons? Which are valid only in your deluded head.'
'Major saab I vowed to bholenaath. I can't break that vow. You wanted me out of your life, so I promised him I would be.' She related in a tiny whisper.
'I say a lot of things. That doesn't mean I mean them. Why is that you always end up abiding the things that I don't want you to do?!'
'Yes, you say a lot of things, but how am I supposed to know which ones you actually mean and which ones you don't.' Tears poured from her eyes.
'Well just know this I don't want you out of my life. And I mean that. Ok? Don't ask me why.' He declared, before she could again. 'I don't know why? All I know is that you have become a part of my life and I want you in my life that is it! Why? How? What? I don't know and at this particular moment in time I don't even want to speculate over it. I just want you away from here, far away, where Tejawat can't even set his eyes on you let alone think of ways of hurting you. Understand?!'
'Ok.' She agreed.
He stared at her, incredulously. After all the stubbornness, she had conceded so easily, without him giving her any sort of an explanation. Would he ever understand her? He grabbed her hand, before she changed her mind, but they had just made it into the corridor when a frazzled Aman bumped into them.
'What?' Rudra asked, seeing him shaken
'Sir. Tejawat. He is here. I saw his car coming off the highway and turning into the road leading here.'
They both turned to look at Parvati, fear in their hearts'. Rudra gripped onto her hand tightly and she returned the pressure. 'Ok. What about the unit you radioed in for?' Rudra asked, wanting to know all their options.
'They will be another ten minutes sir.' Aman informed.
Rudra cursed under his breath. Then turning on Parvati. 'Well you get your wish. We're staying. Even if we try to escape now there will be no point Tejawat will see us and follow us. Best to stay here and hide: thereby surprising him when he walks in. If I know him well, then he has most likely come with a few of his finest, coward that he is. In which case the element of surprise will be our best shot.' Armed with this new plan he turned back towards Aman. 'Aman, hide the jeep, but make it easy to get too. We don't want Tejawat to see it and run away before we catch him and neither do we want it to far from us if things go south and we have to get away before arresting him.'
'Ok sir.' Aman turned to leave.
'And Aman.' Rudra called him back.
'Sir?'
Rudra let go of Parvati's hand, walked towards him and lowered his voice wanting Parvati to be out of earshot. 'You remember what I said to you here in the corridor earlier?' He motioned towards Parvati behind them, who was trying hard to listen to know what Rudra didn't want her to hear.
Aman nodded. 'Bhabi's safety is top priority.' He related in a low voice.
Rudra nodded. 'That order is still to be maintained. Whatever happens to me or you once Tejawat enters the vicinity, we need to make sure she gets out and to safety. Ok?'
'Yes sir.'
'Ok. Now go hide the jeep and the guard's body. So Tejawat remains in the dark about our arrival here. And radio over to HQ and the dispatched team that Tejawat is here and we are going to try and bring him in.'
'Ok sir.' With that he left.
Rudra turned and went back into the room to survey it: checking for any back doors or windows, as well as a place to hide Parvati in, to keep her out of danger. 'What were you whispering to Aman bhaisa about?' Parvati inquired, at his heels, so that when he turned around he walked right into her. Steadying her he carried on in his survey. 'I asked you something. What were you talking to Aman bhaisa about? And what are you doing now?' She asked again.
'It didn't concern you, that is why you weren't included in the conversation.' He said without even looking at her. 'Come here.' He ordered, pulling her towards him, 'See if you can fit inside there?' He held a cabinet door open for her to get inside of.
'Why?'
'Stop asking questions and do as I say Paaro.' He demanded. Annoyed, she obliged. She crouched down and crawled in to the cabinet. She fit inside it. 'Good. Now stay inside here until I don't tell you it's ok to come out.' Rudra asserted as he closed the door. But she stopped him.
'But Major saab-'
'No. No buts' Paaro. You listen to me now. It is because of your stubbornness that we are both still here, but don't even think for a second that I will allow Tejawat to set his eyes on you. We both know how dangerous he is and I am in no mood of risking your life to test his treacherous nature. Now I only have the one working arm, my right one not back to its full strength, so this is the only way to protect you. Stay inside. Don't make a sound. And don't come out, no matter what, until Aman or I come and get you out. Understand? Nod your head to show me that you do.' He ordered and she did. 'Good.' With that he closed her in side and then added in a soft voice, 'I'm right outside Paaro, so don't let the darkness scare you. I'm here.' Sending a wave of tranquility right down her body to replace the fear which had entered it moments ago upon finding herself in the dark.
*****
RSS Feed
