Kyun uthe dil chor aaye ff - BANI MAIN HEER USKI

Chap 22- An evil plan

THE NIGHT OF THE NEW YEAR'S BALL

RAIZADA MANSION

The British national flag hung prestigiously adorning the hallway. The floor was adorned with expensive carpets while luxurious artifacts adorned the walls of the mansion. Mr. Raizada, Randheer's father, sat on his huge armchair in the dining hall sipping his wine.

"Bauji," said Randheer angrily walking upto his father," please get that flag down. I will not tolerate the British flag in our house!"

"Randheer my son," said Mr. Raizada getting up," its just here for one night. I will get it removed once the ball is over. Lord and Lady Caldicott will soon be here. Their adopted Indian daughter Sahiba is coming too. I have promised them that you and Sahiba shall get engaged tonight."

"What!" said Randheer,"No! Its not happening at any cost!"

"But why?" said Mr. Raizada angrily,"give me one reason you have for not marrying Sahiba! ONE REASON!"

Randheer fiddled with the ring on his finger. He took a deep breath and said,"Bauji, I dont even know her and..............."

"Did you know Amrit Sahni?" his father asked him," you gave away your grandmother's heirloom to a complete stranger! Did you know anything about her background? Anything at all?"

Randheer fell silent.

"My son," Mr. Raizada said," trust me this time. Sahiba is perfect for you. And I will get you two engaged tonight."

OUTSIDE OF THE MANSION

Bondita had already gone inside with her husband. Chitra and Amrit were walking towards the maingate.

Lord and Lady Caldicott arrived at the same time in their expensive car.

"He wants to get his son engaged to Sahiba," Lady Caldicott said in her British accent.

"A very prosperous deal it is," Lord Caldicott said," the Raizadas are Indian royalty."

"Shut up you ra*cal!" Lady Caldicott whispered," have you forgotten that there is no Sahiba."

In reality, Lord and Lady Caldicott were thieves who had sailed to India to escape punishment from the British government. They had disguised themselves as social reformers and taken up false identities. They had found out that Mr. Raizada was looking for a suitable girl for his son. So they had spread false rumours of having an adopted Indian daughter. They had hoped to be able to bribe an Indian girl into being a part of their plan. Unfortunately for them, they werent able to find a suitable Indian girl on time.

"Dont you worry my love," Lord Caldicott said," I have a masterplan."

"Do you see those two girls over there?" he said pointing towards Chitra and Amrit.

Lady Caldicott nodded and looking at her husband's smile, she understood the plan. She removed one of her earrings and slowly and carefully walked towards them.

"Good evening young ladies," she said warmly.

"Namaste," said Chitra and Amrit.

"I am so sorry for taking up your time but I lost my earring somewhere. It was a very expensive emerald earring. Will you please help me look for it?"

"But we are getting late for the ball!" Chitra said.

"Its okay Chitra," Amrit said," you go inside and I will help her."

Chitra said," All right, but be quick."

Once Chitra had left, Amrit began to look for the earring.

"Dont you think she is perfect for the role?" Lord Caldicott said walking towards them. By that time, the area outside the mansion was almost vacant as everybody had gone inside.

"What role?" Amrit asked them.

"The role of our adopted Indian daughter," Lady Caldicott said with an evil look on her face.

"What!" said Amrit feeling scared," what do you mean?"

"We want you to play the role of our adopted Indian daughter Sahiba who in reality does not exist," Lord Caldicott said.

"I wont ever do that!" said Amrit.

Lady Caldicott smiled and took out a huge pair of scissors from her handbag. Lord Caldicott held Amrit's arm forcefully.

"Do you want us to strip you naked in front of the whole town?" Lady Caldicott said snapping her pair of scissors while Lord Caldicott eyed Amrit with lust.

"Let me go!" Amrit cried.

"Just agree to our demands then," Lady Caldicott said," all you have to do is enjoy the dinner and smile at everyone present there. Its not a big deal. And guess what, you are going to get engaged to Randheer Raizada, the handsome bachelor whom girls of your age are dying to meet."

"Engaged?" said Amrit sounding shocked.

"Yes you dumb girl!" Lady Caldicott said,"just put this fake ring on his finger, he will make you wear the real ring and in the meantime, we will steal jewells and artifacts from the mansion."

"We shall leave by ship early morning tomorrow," Lord Caldicott told his wife,"it wont be safe to stay here after such a big theft!"

"And then this girl can go wherever she wants," Lady Caldicott said.

Amrit shivered at the mention of such an evil plan. But with Lord and Lady Caldicott threatening to strip off her clothes, she had no choice but to follow their orders.