Kyun uthe dil chor aaye ff - BANI MAIN HEER USKI

Chap 18- Lies and deception

Amrit rushed into her room and shut the door. She then broke down crying.

"Haye rabba!" she whispered as she wept," how much more hurt will I have to face! My family has disowned me, the man I loved never showed up for me and now...................Why do I have to see his face everyday? Why!.............."

"Amrit!" Chitra knocked on the door.

Amrit wiped her tears and quickly opened the door only to find Chitra staring at her.

"Have you been crying?" Chitra asked her," Missing your family?"

Amrit nodded silently.

"You can always write to them," said Chitra walking in.

Amrit sighed. She was sure that her family did not wish to hear from her ever again.

"By the way, what were you talking to Randheer Raizada about?" Chitra asked,"Bondita and I were looking from up here. Why did you cover your face?"

Amrit froze at her place. Then, gathering a little strength she said,"I didnt know he would be there. I dropped my dupatta on the stairs and went to collect it."

"I can see that you are hiding from him,"Chitra said," the way you hid under the desk in the classroom.........Why Amrit?"

"No!" Amrit said defensively," thats not true. I do cover my face in front of strangers. My bauji has always been pretty strict about it."

"Then you wont mind accompanying me to the New Years Ball," said Chitra.

Seeing the doubtful look on Amrit's face she said," Every 31st December, Randheer Raizada and his family host the New Years Ball where the town's aristocrats and their families are invited. But this year, its got too delayed as Randheer's grandmother was not well.  But the good thing is that they have invited all the university students too!"

"But," said Amrit," I.........."

"Please say yes Amrit," Chitra pleaded with her," Bondita's husband will accompany her and I have no friends to come with me."

Amrit agreed reluctantly.

"I dont know what a ball is," she said,"And if any British guests are going to be invited, then..........."

"Not many," said Chitras," The Raizadas belong to a line of freedom fighters. They despise the British rule. But they are against slavery, not againt progress. Lord and Lady Caldicott, their two sons, Lord and Lady Rumford, their four daughters and one son, Lord Hamlington with his three sons and Lord and Lady Brainbrige are amongst a few who usually attend the ball. As far as I have heard, they are kind and generous people who work for social causes like widow remarriage and child welfare."

Amrit's eyes lit up. She recalled that years ago, when she was only ten, her bauji had wanted Mogar bua to marry again. He had expressed his wish secretly to his wife but had dared not say it in front of anyone else.

"But the law allows it," Rajrani had said.

"Yes," Lalaji had said," but the society doesnt."

Amrit then said," what exactly happens at a ball?"

"We can eat, we can dance, meet new people and find suitable partners to get married," said Chitra.

"Young men and women meeting just like that?" Amrit was completely shocked," is it even allowed?"

"In the British culture, ball is a way of exposing yourself to good suitors," Chitra explained.

"Bauji would have never liked it," Amrit said to herself.

THE RAIZADA MANSION

"But Randheer, why not? There will be so many young ladies there and I am sure that most of them see a good husband in you! Why do you refuse every year? What do we hold the ball for?" Randheer's father was completely pissed off with Randheer's refusal to marry. He couldnt understand why.

"I have already promised my hand to someone," said Randheer adjusting his tie in the mirror.

"Then where is she?" his father asked.

"Lahore," said Randheer," I saw her there this time but..............I think she didnt recognise me. I think she has forgotten all about me. But I cant move on until I hear it from her. My loyal men Nishant and Ahem are looking for Amrit Sahni in Lahore. They shall soon return with some news."

Something was going on in Randheer's father's mind. He patted his son's back and soon left. As he walked downstairs, he was greeted by Nishant and Ahem who had just returned from Lahore.

"What news do you have about that girl Amrit?" he asked them in an authoritative voice.

"Sir," said Ahem," she eloped with someone on the night of her marriage."

"And was never seen in Lahore again,"Nishant said.

Mr. Raizada smiled and said," but this isnt what you are going to tell Randheer. Tell him that she stole jewels from her fiance's home and eloped with her lover. Tell him that they were caught and arrested. And.......Be sure to tell him and make him believe that Amrit Sahni is a thief and liar!" Saying so, he removed his gold chain and gold bracelet and gave it to the two men.

"Your wish is our command sir," they said in unison and walked towards Randheer's room.

"Once that girl is out of Randheer's head," Mr. Raizada said to himself,"I will convince him to marry Lord Caldicott's adopted Indian daughter. It will be a very good alliance from the family. Who cares about this country! I will have Randheer and his wife settled in London while I shall mingle with the British nobles here. Papa ji was a fool to give his life for the sake of freedom! And Randheer has inherited the same foolishness from him!"

Mr. Raizada smiled and walked away.