Reawakening

Part 4 - Yearning

"Yes Krishna, I want to know everything. You will still have your contacts, so just get all the information." Nani did not take long to get in touch with her old contacts.

"Madam ji, you know I am old now, I am not as good as I used to be. Not sure if I will be able to carry out your work well" Krishna replied very docile.

"You had served as a driver to my husband, now your son Mohan is with us. With you I don't have to worry, I know you will do your best. And the first person I could think of was you. Like I mentioned earlier, I have my doubts about this, but I don't want to stir the still waters until I know the truth." Nani spoke to her retired driver Krishna.

"Madamji, why not ask your Chote?"

"Chote, don't take his name. It is probably because of him all this is happening. I don't want him to know anything. Always taking decisions in haste. It might work in his business where he has all his intuitions, but does not work in relationships. Akash is better, but right now I want this to be to yourself." Nani spoke rather crossly at the mention of her grandson..

"OK madam, I will go there tomorrow morning see if I can speak to local people and keep an eye on the house.. Lakshmi nagar should not be a problem, I have been there a few times when Anjali bitiya wanted to go to Shiv mandir. A busy place, so I should be ok" Krishna was making his plans while he spoke.

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"The audacity of this chit of a girl. How dare she say 'ask your family members not to call.' And why did she say even Di can't force her? Dammit, this girl will not let me live peacefully. Try to help her and she thinks she can handle everything. She is being forced into this, why can't she understand this? why did she have to agree?" Not able to think clearly, frustrated, he paced up and down, when he heard a knock.

Lavanya walked in slowly, holding her breath lest he shouts at her. She knew he was angry, to cool him down, "ASR, anything bothering you? Can I be of any help?"

Not bothering to look at her, he grumbled, "She is being forced into this. She will never disobey her family. She will never be happy"

When he looked up he saw a question on Lavanya's face. Realised what position he had put her in. Somewhere he felt a tinge of guilt. What had he lead her into? Dismissing her, "No Lavanya, nothing, I just want to be left alone" Lavanya was relieved, at least he did not shout at her, but she was more worried than when she had walked in. "Oh God, I want a break. A break to think about all that is going on."

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Anjali was all set to go with Akash for executing their next plan, when in walked Lavanya.

"Di, are you going out, can I have a word?", looking at the encouraging face of Anjali, she continued while Anjali was till dressing up, "Di, it has been a long time now, I was just thinking of, aaa you know,.. ok, would you mind if I went to my parents flat for a few days, may be 2 or 3 days."

Seeing the downcast face of Lavanya, Anjali was very upset, coming close to her, gently stroking her chin, "Lavanya, what happened? Are you upset? Did anybody say anything? Did Chote.."

But Lavanya cut her short and cheerfully told, "No Di, nobody spoke anything. They dare not ha!! I am missing my own home, so I want to go. Please"

Seeing Anjali was getting late Lavanya proposed, "Di, we can discuss later if you want,"

But Anjali would not have it, "No Lavanya, I am worried, you know of all the time you want to go now. You know chote has agreed, and we are looking for dates and other preparations are going on as well, so why now? And who knows there might be another wedding coming along soon..." saying so, she blinked..