Kyun uthe dil chor aaye ff - BANI MAIN HEER USKI

Chap 23- A Cindrella affair

Amrit entered the Raizada mansion with Lord and Lady Caldicott. They introduced her to the guests as their adopted Indian daughter Sahiba. Amrit looked all around her. It was a very different gathering from what she was used to. Men and women were drinking wine together and chatting, non-vegetarian food was being served and above all, young boys and girls of her age were dancing with each other.

She lowered her gaze as Randheer and his father walked upto them.

"You must be Sahiba," Mr. Raizada said.

Amrit nodded without saying a word.

"She is just too shy," Lady Caldicott said,"but she is very smart and skilled."

"Randheer," Mr. Raizada said," why dont you take Sahiba to the dance floor."

"Bauji I............." Randheer wanted to protest but Mr. Raizada insisted.

"Sahiba," he said looking at Amrit,"would you like to dance with me?"

"Why not!" Lady Caldicott said," Sahiba already regards you as her husband. She would love to dance with you."

Randheer gave Amrit his hand.

Lady Caldicott grabbed Amrit's hand and pushed her towards Randheer. Giving Amrit an angry glare, she resumed sipping her wine. Randheer and Amrit came to the place where the other couples were dancing.

"Sahiba," he said," I am sorry but I dont want to dance with you. I am stressed about something. I hope you dont mind."

Amrit nodded again but didnt utter a word. Randheer walked away leaving her alone on the dance floor. Amrit slowly moved towards the dining hall.

"I must leave at once!" she said to herself," before Lord and Lady Caldicott catch me."

"Sahiba..........." she heard Lady Caldicott's voice. She turned around and saw that Lady Caldicott was walking towards her.

"Haye rabba," she said," what do I do now?"

"What are you doing here?" Lady Caldicott said angrily," where is Randheer?"

"I dont know," said Amrit.

"You are supposed to know!" said Lady Caldicott through gritted teeth," go and find him."

Amrit nodded and left.

She went into the main hall and then walked over to the library. Randheer was standing there. His face was towards the window and he didnt notice Amrit walking in.

Amrit fiddled with the frills of her ballgown as she walked in.

"Shall I tell him the truth?" she said to herself," but.....what if he doesnt believe me?"

Just then, she saw that Randheer was taking off his ring.

"Yeh toh wahi angoothi hai," she thought recalling the day they had exchanged rings.

Randheer threw it out of the window and said to himself," you betrayed my trust Amrit. I wish I had never met you. I wish..............."

He wiped his tears and turned around.

"What are you doing here Sahiba?" he asked Amrit.

"I..........I was looking for you...." Amrit said.

"But why?" asked Randheer, his voice filled with pain and frustration.

"I need some space Sahiba," Randheer said," please leave me alone for sometime!"

Amrit nodded and left.

Amrit stood beside Lord and Lady Caldicott and watched them interact with the guests.

"Lord Caldicott," said Mr. Raizada," I believe the children should exchange rings now."

"Absolutely Mr. Raizada," Lord Caldicott said," lets make the announcement."

Just then, the electricity went out.

Amrit saw her only chance to escape. She rushed past the Caldicotts pushing everyone and everything along the way. She finally arrived at the main door where the moonlight was illuminating the staircase. She rushed down the stairs in a hurry to escape.

"Sahiba!" she heard Randheer's voice.

She turned around and looked up. Randheer was still standing at the window of the library on the first floor.

Their eyes met each other with the moon being the only witness to their unspoken emotions.

Amrit looked away and began running down the stairs. The heels were making it difficult for her to run fast. So she removed them and ran faster. She finally managed to run out of the mansion and escape.

The electricity came back after a little while. Randheer rushed downstairs towards the exit gate and found Sahiba's slippers lying on the stairs.

"Why did she run away like that?" he thought," Wait.......those eyes.........I remember..........AMRIT!"

"But how is that possible!" he said," Amrit is in prison and.........."