Opposite Poles..Part 130

Part 130

“Beware of this girl... you know...Haray Ram! I was so shocked.  She looked so innocent..! “ Latika was teling Nani in an excited tone.  The gossip was full on.  Arnav couldn’t move and stood outside Nani’s room. 

“ You know? Today morning, Humnay  Woh Lucknow wale devarji ko Phone lagaya! I talked to my Brother in law in Lucknow.. You know..?” said Latika in a high pitch.

“I thought this girl is a simple, susheel, sundar.. girl..! but what I heard is totally different.  I came here to warn you Devayani...!” Latika said holding Nani’s hand and Arnav walked nearer to the door.

“It seems.. this girl is not Gupta.  She is Sharma!  Her parents died in an accident when she was just a kid... Some reckless vehicle ran them over...! Then this Gupta,  Shashi  Gupta adopted her...! “ Arnav remembered her plight when he was driving really fast.  He winced....

“You nkow... yeh  Ladaki... She went into a fashion show, it seems... I don’t know why! But they say to earn money... And on the same day this Gupta’s elder daughter’s wedding was there...! The baraat went back... Dahej nahi dey paye shayad..! and this girl.. she was in that fashion show with 

someone... she was filmed it seems... It was all over the news in Lucknow! She stayed with that person that night it seems..! Shee... Shee... what a shameless girl... Thank god! I could know more about her... ! I came running here to warn you, Devayani..! Throw her out of this house..!” Latika’s voice had reached a high pitch.  Arnav clenched his fists and took a step ahead, his insides burning with rage...!

“Latika.. !” Nani started off weakly.  “Yeah.. this is true.. this girl... they had to leave Lucknow after she brought disgrace to the family..! Manahoos  apashakooni  ladaki... Bad omen... And looked so innocent... I couldn’t believe my ears when I heard it... I thought my Brother in law is talking about someone else...you know..!” 

“Stop it!” yelled Arnav standing at the door.  Latika turned.  “Aray Arnav Bitwa..!” she started off.

“Stop it Aunty... Agar  Kisi  ki Ijjat  Nahi  Kar  Sakatay .. toh  Kum Say  Kum  Burai  toh  mat  Karo...! If you can’t respect someone, at least don’t slander..! he yelled again and Latika got up with a jerk.

“What do you mean?” she asked flaring up.  “Do you think I am lying?” she was furious.

“Yes... what you are telling is not true.. in fact..!” He tried to control his breath...!

“Arnav..!” Nani raised her hand.  “Arnav? Not chote?” Arnav looked at his grandmother in shock.

“Nani.. what she is telling is not...!” he started off angrily pointing his finger at Latika...

“Please... Stop!” Nani said in a stern voice.  “Go!” she ordered.  Arnav took a step ahead aggressively and stopped.  His face changed... his eyes became red in rage..

“Fine!” he said and turned.  “But Latika Aunty... What you heard is ...!” he tried.. but “Arnav Go! Leave my room!” Nani said sternly and he stormed out fuming in rage and desperation. 

He couldn’t climb the stairs.  His legs were filled with lead.  They were so heavy; he couldn’t take a step further.  He stopped there closing his eyes.  

“Chote?” Anjali had walked in with Lavanya.  Arnav turned and looked at his sister desperately.  He wanted someone to go and stop Latika from slandering Khushi..!

“Di..!” he said in a hoarse voice. 

“What is it, Chote?” She came up to him.  He glanced at Lavanya.  “Nothing!” he said throwing a glance at Nani’s room.  He could still hear them talking.

“Aray? Who has come?” Anjali turned to Nani’s room, so did Lavanya! 

“Aray... Latika Aunty? What a pleasant surprise? All set to go on pilgrimage? Haan?” Anjali asked smiling broadly.  She loved this Nani’s friend.  Nani used to be always happy when Latika visited their home.  They were best friends.

“Haan, bête... Just came to meet Devayani, before going..!” she said holding Anjali’s hand.  She looked at Lavanya and turned her face to Nani. 

“Aray, Lavanya, come in!” Anjali invited.  “She is Nani’s best friend..!” Said Anjali hugging Latika lightly.

“Yeah, I know.  We met yesterday!” said Lavanya smiling. 

“Aray, Devayani.. what I was saying is..!” Latika resumed her gossip after the formal exchange of pleasantries.  Anjali looked at Nani, getting up to go!

“Anjali beitya.. I want to talk to you.. please, Ms Kasyap! Your ASR is waiting for you!” Nani said hinting that Lavanya should leave her room.  Anjali looked puzzled.  They both had just met Chote ourtside Nani’s room....!

Lavanya got up with excitement.  “Yeah Nani! I will go and meet him..!” she said moving out of the room.

“Close the door... I don’t want eavesdropping..!”  said Nani sternly and Anjali obeyed.

“Anjali bitiya.. listen to what Latika says.. I really don’t know what’s going on!” Nani closed her eyes playing her card.  Latika Narrated Khushi’s past all over again, tormenting Nani once again.  Anjali was aghast.

“Aray, Aunty...! This is not correct... I was there in Lucknow... ! I know, Khushi is innocent... Its only the situation... !” Anjali had tears in her eyes.

“Aunty, believe me... She is innocent... Thats right, she came to the fashion show... but by mistake.. she came in search of her would be Jijaji who also stayed in that hotel...! I know the facts, Aunty..!” She too felt tormented with the false allegations on a girl like Khushi.

“Nani.. please tell Aunty, this is not true... Khushi is innocent... I really don’t know, what had hit chote, and he tried to lock her up in the room... He thought she was paid to ruin his show by rivals...! Poor Khushi was maligned for no fault of hers...!” Anjali wiped her tears.

“I don’t know, anything about Payal’s broken marriage.. but I know what it feels when your baraat goes back...!” Anjali held Nani’s hand for support.  Nani had not uttered a single word.  Latika looked confused.  

“You have no idea how much she has suffered, Aunty..!” Anjali went ahead. 

“I don’t know who provided the clip to media.  Poor girl, came there in search of her Jijaji, and fell down from the ramp..!” Anjali said.  Latika looked at her.  “Fell down?” she asked.

“Yeah, clumsy Khushi, fell down from the ramp.  She didn’t even know, it was a ramp...!” Anjali felt Khushi’s pain.

“You know our chote..! He locked her up in a fit of rage... !” Anjali held Latika’s hand.

“You know naa, Aunty..! You know! But you know what? Khushi faced it bravely, confronting our Chote... he had to set her free...!” Anjali had a smile on Khushi’s first victory over her Chote..!

“But you know... that changed her life completely and she landed in Delhi...!” Anjali concluded.  Nani opened her eyes...

“But... People in Lucknow talk about her...!” Latika started off looking at Nani.

“Kis  kis  koh  jawab  dengii  woh? How can she explain, that it was not her fault?” Nani asked Latika.

“but...?” Latika was still not ready to buy the explanation...!

“Humm..! It’s ok, Latika..! Its good that you came to know about Khushi bitiya...! I will help you find a bride for your grandson Nikhil... Don’t worry! Go on your Chaar Dhaan Yatra peacefully, Latika.. ! We will talk when you come back!” Nani concluded.  Latika got up totally confused.  

“Devayani... I don’t know whom to believe... but I believe you more than anyone else..!” she said gravely.

“Thank you!” Nani said curtly.  She didn’t want this discussion to continue.  She wanted to put an end to this....! Latika went away without a word.

“Nani!” Anjali looked ghostly.  “humm!” Nani sighed.  “Where will this take her Nani?” Anjali was afraid at Khushi’s future...!

“We should know the repercussions of our actions and behaviour.  His rage has destroyed her completely.  Not only her, its ruined her entire family...! There is no remission, forgiveness for this ..!”  Nani said turning her face.

“But Chote didn’t know, at that time...!” Anjali tried to defend her brother, though weakly. 

“No one knows, what he knew at that time...! But your brother can’t go wrong, Bitiya... He is always right! May be she deserved it..!” Nani said sarcastically emitting anger.  Anjali looked lost.

“Nani please... Chote should not know what Latika Aunty said... Please!” Anjali was all set to defend and protect her little brother at any cost.  Nani gazed at her.  “I don’t know when he will realize...!” Nani closed her eyes again drawing the blanket on her chest.  Anjali sat there lost in her own thoughts.  “How am I going to handle this? “ she had no solution.   

The one who had the solution was riding her scooter with containers of mithais and jilebees with her elder sister as pillion rider; talking to her animatedly, loudly over the traffic and crowd.