The Girl With No Surname

Part 13 - Injuries of the heart

Anokhi sat quietly inside the car. Shaurya tried to break into a conversation but hesitated. He was feeling extremely guilty over raising his hand on her, and the guilt was growing with every moment. Ultimately, he couldn't hold it any longer.

'You know, Anokhi, I was raised mostly by my elder sister after our mother's demise. I have grown up respecting every woman and their contribution in our lives. I can't come to terms with the fact that I raised my hand on you. Sorry is quite an insignificant term to express how bad I feel about it. If you want to punish me for it, fine. Go ahead. But don't keep silent like this. Mujhe bohot takleef hoti hai tumhari chuphi se.'

Anokhi replied calmly, 'Aapko hath nahi uthana chahiye tha. True. But aapko apne galti ka ehsaas hai. So I am still here with you. Par dhyan rakhna ki yeh future mein repeat na ho. Aapko mujhpar kyu, kisi par bhi kabhi bhi hath nahi uthana chahiye unless you are defending yourself in a life and death situation.'

Shaurya nodded, 'I agree, I agree Anokhi. Par tum bhi kabhi aisi koi baat mat karna jisse mujhe insult feel ho. Meri feelings ko insult karna matlab mujhe insult karna, hai na?'

Anokhi turned at him, 'Haan. Uske liye I am sorry too.'

Shaurya smiled, 'Chalo fir ek dusre ko maaf kar dete hai aur aage badte hai.'

Anokhi tried to change the topic, 'Hum kahan jaa rahe hai?'

'Chandigarh mein mera ek client hai. Usiki case ki wajese main Manali janewala tha kuch investigate karne ke liye. Par.....khair... Baat ye hai ki unko kuch log blackmail kar rahe the court mein ek incident ki gawai na dene ke liye par wo nhi mane. Isiliye un logo ne uski beti ka kidnap kar li hai.'

'What? Aise kaise? Police kuch nhi kar sakte?'

'Kar rahe hai Anokhi. Phones wagera tap ho chuka hai. Par ye log koi aam gunde nhi hai. Main.....main....' he sighed..

'Kya hua sir? Kya kehne ki koshish kar rahe ho aap?'

'Main janta hu inko. Mujhse pehle bhi pala pada hai inka. In Mumbai. Ek student tha Rajesh... Wo gawai denewala tha inke khilaf when they were supplying drugs in the hostel. Maar diya tha usko... Rajesh ko...'

Shaurya paused a little and continued, 'Maine promise kiya tha usko ki use kuch nahi hoga. But I couldn't save him. I wanted to punish the culprits though. Mujhe bhi threats milne lagi tab. Meri beti ko leke. Shivangi ghabra gayi thi aur jitne bhi evidence maine ekatthe ki thi unke khilaf, woh sab usne unko de di. As a result, I lost the case. And Shivangi too left me.'

Anokhi's eyes grew wide, 'She left you for THIS? Par aapki galti kya thi ismein? Aap to apna kaam rahe the na?'

Shaurya smiled, 'If only everyone had a clear mind like you. Shivangi aisi nhi hai. Bachpan se she have grown up in an enclosed atmosphere, secure and safe. Kuch bhi idhar udhar ho jaye uski life mein to woh darr jati hai. Usko hypertension bhi hai. Usiki wajese maine practice chodke professor ban gaya tha. Uska rishta pehle ek army officer se honewala tha par usne mana kar di kyunki she was scared. And her father too supports her a lot instead of making her understand. No one can protect you for life. I know mera kam kabhi kabhi dangerous ho jata hai, but iska ye matlab to nahi ki you will leave me alone?'

Anokhi observed him closely as he poured out his heart to her. There was no more secrets between them. The curtains have been raised to let the light enter. Although she was clueless about the future of their equation, she was at peace knowing that they were transparent with each other.

'Aapko bohot bura laga hoga na?'

'Of course, Anokhi! One second I was a happy father, a contented husband, and in the next, I was looking at an empty house with nobody inside. She even took all the baby's things, including the crib, which Di gave to her.'