They were tired of the long & uncomfortable journey and were visibly relaxed as they climbed up the stairs.
Chaits rang the bell & the door opened. An elderly lady peeped out & saw Chaits. Alisha could see joy on her face as she came out & hugged Chaits. Then her sight fell on Alisha who was standing silently smiling at her behind Chaits.
The elderly lady couldn’t believe her eyes “Gimme one minute Chaits” she said and disappeared. After a minute she came back holding a jar of water & homemade jowar bread. She poured water on Chaits boots & Alisha’s as well & then circled the bread around them – split it into two pieces & threw away those pieces on either side to clean them of any evil eye & welcomed them beckoning them to enter.
They settled down on old squeaking chairs in the hall as she got tea for them which freshened up their travel tired minds. She was all praises for Chaits. Alisha now felt secure & no longer needed to wrap her dupatta around her face & removed it…
The lady looked at her and Alisha saw tears in her eyes as she got up & hugged Alisha “You’re Priti, aren’t you?” She said in a trembling voice, “God is great – I heard… let it be – I don’t want to say the bad things… I’m happy that you’re alive…”
Chaits got up & slowly held the lady & made her sit “Aunty – she’s not Priti.” The lady looked at him bewildered & then at Alisha. “Aunty – do you remember – you always used to teasingly ask if I was considering marriage – and I used to say – yes – if it would be Alisha”
“Oh! That sweet girl on the TV?” she said, “so what about the reference here?”
“Aunty – this is Alisha – my best friend – she’s here to help me.”
“Oh! My God! What a similarity! I couldn’t tell the difference at all – anyways – after you left, I didn’t rent out your room – I was very attached to your good ways & didn’t want to mess up – so I’ve kept your room – the way you left it – it’s all yours – take the key” she said as she handed the keys over to Chaits.
“And yes!” she approached Alisha, “Please do not feel shy to ask me for my help you need – go & get fresh – by the time I’ll prepare your meal” and she entered into her kitchen.
Alisha was at a loss of words – she had not dreamed of such a warm welcome – ‘Chaits is good & honest – right from the bottom of his heart & that’s why he endears himself to any person he meets’ she thought as they entered his room. It was a small sized hall with a small sized bedroom that had an attached toilet & bath – good enough for a college kid.
They freshened up & were now feeling quite active. They sat down and were about to discuss their next plan of action when the lady returned and invited them for lunch. They ate heartily – especially they were eating homemade food cooked with ingredients of motherly love… it tasted delicious though simple.
They came back to their room & relaxed for few minutes when the lady returned, she seemed nervous, “Hey! Aunty! What happened?” Chaits asked with concern…
“I hope you’re heard what happened to your friends & Priti…” Chaits nodded sullenly… “When I heard, I went to the hospital to visit them… but the cops didn’t allow me they allowed only the parents of those poor kids.” she said with tears in her eyes… “I think you should visit them as soon as possible – but, please take care these rascals may still be loitering around, hunting for you – they must be sure that you’d definitely visit the hospital to meet your friends…”
“Are they alive?” Chaits and Alisha asked with astonishment and joy.
“I heard so… I am not sure…”
“Don’t worry aunty – they can do nothing to me. You’re right – I need to meet them first – which hospital have they been admitted to?”
“Shushrusha – you know the one on Desai Rd next to the main market…”
Chaits let out a whiff of air to release the tension within & got up with urgency “I’ll go there – right now…”
The lady held up a key “Your bike is parked and is in working condition. Amit was using it and taking care of your bike after you left – hope, it’s in good condition”
Alisha could see relief on Chaits face & some happy emotions pass by & fade out in his grim expression – he obviously was attached to his bike.
The lady left and Chaits disappeared in the bathroom & stood under cool shower to curb the rising heat in his body – his blood was boiling within – he needed to compose himself before visiting the hospital.
He was getting ready and Alisha looked at him his muscles were more developed now & he looked more active & full of strength to fight. She wondered how he’d managed to exercise during his globetrot – but didn’t say a word…
She followed him as he paused for a moment he looked lovingly at his bike, then at the level of petrol – He kicked & the bike purred like a pet who’s met the master after a period of long time…
They approached the hospital & passed the police screen, glad that they weren’t recognised due to the helmets they wore. They entered the lobby nervously hoping police don’t recognise & detain them.
“Hey! Chaits…” came a cheerful voice & they turned around to pretty looking doctor who approached them with a wide smile. “Come with me” she waived as they followed her to her cabin…
“Hi! Chaitali…” Chaits greeted her as soon as they entered her cabin, “I didn’t know you studied medical.”
She looked at Chaits, Alisha could sense Dr Chaitali’s heart miss a beat as she looked at Chaits. “I knew you’d come here – sooner or later” she said grimly, “sorry to hear what happened to your friends. Police are on lookout for you – they think even your life is in danger. So they have been given strict orders to detain you & escort you out of the town and I know you well, Chaits, you don’t want that to happen…”
Chaits looked at her and then at Alisha, “So tell me, how can I meet them?”
“You won’t be able to meet them…”
“Why?”
“2 reasons… the cops will nab you first & they aren’t there in the hospital…”
“What?”
“I mean only Amit is here in this hospital… ‘Chaps’ was in coma all these days… we tried every possible method to bring him back – but he succumbed two days back & was cremated yesterday.”
Chaits was speechless, he couldn’t think or react.
“What about others?” Alisha asked.
“Don’t say I told you – it’s a police bait to lure the culprits – but I’m sorry to say… none made it alive to this hospital… Deb was dead before he was brought in. Natasha succumbed that very night with heavy burns. Priti & Payal – we received their ashes for autopsy.”
Alisha put her arm around Chaits to comfort him.
“How can we see or meet Amit?”
“Gimme a minute” and Dr Chaitali disappeared into her operation theatre adjacent. She came back with operation costumes & handed them over “wear these & follow me…”
Chaits put the operation gown & put on the mask to cover his face. Alisha followed – now they won’t be recognized. They followed Dr Chaitali who escorted them to the ward where Amit was admitted… They passed through the check point of police & entered the long corridor out of sight of the police.
Dr Chaitali waved them to be seated on the bench in the corridor & vanished into the ward. She came back hurriedly & pushed them into a consulting room.
“I’m sorry, but you’ll have to wait. Inspector Sharma is in there chatting with him.”
So, they waited. Every moment that passed seemed like eternity. Alisha put a comforting hand on Chaits’ shoulder as they waited patiently.
They heard a tapping noise approach from outside and the door to the cabin pushed open…
“Quick. Put on your mask” said Alisha & got up & lay on the examination bed pulling the bed covers around her. Anyone who peeked in would think a doctor was examining a patient. Their heartbeats rose as the tapping noise increased in volume & approached them.
Slowly the tapping noise increased as the person approached the consulting room & entered…
“Oh! I’m sorry to disturb” Chaits heard a familiar voice & turned around. He looked at the person who looked horribly tired & ill. His face looked sullen & was unshaved for days. He was standing with of help of crutches, one leg amputated from the knee.
Chaits looked at him & couldn’t utter a word. He looked aghast at the plight of that person… shell shocked, he sank in the chair, tears flowing freely from his eyes. He slowly removed the operation mask from his face to allow the person to recognize him.
“Chaits!” that seemed like a joyous cry. The person approached Chaits & left the crutches & fell in his arms crying inconsolably. Then sat next to him “I’m glad you’re here Chaits. I didn’t want to die without relating what happened” he said in a trembling voice – the trauma clearly visible in his tone & on the expressions on his face.
“You’re not going to die” said Chaits, “you’re going to live & live healthy – you understand!”
Alisha was lying still on the examination table and heard the conversation. She turned around & sat facing them & removed her operation mask.
“Yes… Chaits… I don’t want to die till those bastards die” and he looked over Chaits, his expression changing as if he had seen a ghost… then his expression turned to joy as he exclaimed, “Priti!”
Alisha got up & quickly shut the door to the consulting room & sat next to Chaits “You’re Amit, aren’t you?” she asked…
Chaits looked at confused expression of Amit & said, “Amit – she’s Alisha, Alisha Fire, my best friend – I know she & Pinky look absolutely similar…”
“Hi! Alisha” said Amit as he got a glum look on his face again…
“Tell me what exactly happened-” said Chaits determined to know what had happened…
Amit looked at him & his determined face & with tears in his eyes started relating to Chaits.
“You’d remember, we came to see you off at the bus stand when you went off for your job – Priti kept on weeping till the bus disappeared out of sight. She was crying. Even we were in no mood to think what we could do to cheer her up. So we all decided to go back to the college & sit under the botanical garden trees… We reached there and were relaxing when Priti’s phone rang. She thought it must be you & quickly got up & stood few paces away. We looked at her first turn red with anger & then shiver with fear. So we got up & got close to her. She put the call on loudspeaker for us to hear…
We heard a coarse & raspy voice threatening her “You – so you’ve started sleeping around with someone – I’m going to kill that bastard – hey! Baby! How about sleeping with me! Say Yes – and avoid a rape on you I got very sexy photos of you having sex with that bastard. Think what’ll happen if I circulate those in your college – forget the college, how about auctioning them on internet? I’ll get very good money for that – My God – were you looking sexy? Even looking at those expressions of yours in the photos, I feel lusty & feel like raping you right now!”
Payal snatched the phone from her hand & cut the line Priti was shaking with fear. We tried tallying the number with our phonebook but the number didn’t match with anyone…It was odd looking number… We had our doubts on Vicky & his hooligan friends & kept a watch. But nobody from them seemed to be making those calls. They all were sitting in the canteen as we watched them. The phone was ringing in Priti’s purse. We told her to receive the call. None of them were using their mobiles – they were enjoying arm – wrestling among themselves.
So we decided to stay along with Priti till you return. The only time we used to leave her alone was when she was in safety of her home.
We thought of calling you & letting you know about the calls Priti was receiving. But Priti said no… She wanted you to work hard without any hindrance. “It’s Just a matter of few more years – once I get married to Chaits I’m sure this’ll stop… she had said… So we decided to keep a watch and never let her alone – wherever she goes…
You may have wondered how we used to be there with her every time you called… during the day you thought we were enjoying our time here but this was what was happening. Whenever we used to start enjoying our time – Priti’s mobile rang & she used to get tense & we used to lose our mood to enjoy.”
Alisha grabbed Chaits hand and said “Hmm – so whatever happened – was planned in cold blood – it was not a spur of moment reaction. Chaits – no matter what we need to get those bastards…”
Chaits didn’t say a word; he was looking grim & even more determined. He prodded Amit to continue…
“We had got our results & planned to go to Jungle Homes for the weekend to enjoy. There’s no range, no coverage for any mobile there – at least we’d be able to enjoy our weekend peacefully – ‘I won’t be receiving any calls at all’ Priti proposed this plan & we liked it. Natasha had been to that place & liked the idea & convinced Payal who was reluctant for this trip. We should’ve gone along with instincts of Payal – at least we all would have been safe & sound here in Sundernagar.”
Tears started rolling down his cheeks…
“We were in good mood when we left Sundernagar. Then we got a call when we were about to reach & Chaps picked the call up thinking it was the caller again – you see – it was an unknown number that was calling – but then our joy knew no bounds – it was your call from Singapore. We were happy to know you’d be here in about 10-15 days. Our day was great, we first targeted Payal, then Chaps, then both – they should’ve got married next month. Then we teased Priti about her engagement with you.
As the night came with it was peace at Jungle Homes – we got separated – we holed up in L7 & girls went along with their girly talks in L6. We chatted & discussed a lot about our future till we felt sleepy.
I was about to fall asleep when we heard screams from L6. We thought it must be a mouse or something of that sort – and we ran out… What I saw made my blood boil. Lucky was molesting Priti & Vicky was molesting Payal. We rushed toward them but stopped. Suddenly their friends appeared. I recognised Pakya, Munna, Raj, Chunnu, Ravi, Suraj & Kaliya – but there were three others who were not from our college. They stood between us like a solid wall – all of them were armed with knives, swords & iron rods & looked menacing & ready to kill…
Vicky & Lucky were deliberately molesting Payal & Priti outside L6 for us to watch and react…
‘Well, let’s see how brave you are without Chaits around’ taunted Vicky.
Suddenly the door of L6 opened & we saw Natasha stagger out – blood oozing from her head carrying lit firewood. She whirled the lit firewood at Lucky who got hurt & he viciously pulled the piece of wood from Natasha but her grip was tight – he could only manage to pull her toward Vicky who planted a dirty kick on her stomach making her reel & sway back into L6 & we saw her fall down – unconscious…
I & Chaps – met glance to glance to decide who’d pounce on which of those bastards. Deb was staring blankly at the scene & was not attentive to our moves – Oh! How I wish, he’d have been attentive – we may have had a fair chance – perhaps. Me & Chaps slowly parted & inched towards nearest of them however – Deb suddenly rushed forward & planted a firm box on Munna’s cheek … he reeled & fell to ground…
We needed to move quickly & I tackled Pakya, Suraj & Chunnu… while Chaps tackled Ravi, Kaliya & Raj even as those unknown thugs closed in on us – Deb planted a firm kick on Munna’s ribs enough to stun him for a minute or two & then planted another firm punch on one of those unknown thugs who fell to ground reeling – I could hear Deb scream as his fingers fractured when he hit that thug – I was using my weight against those bastards, when from a corner of my eyes, I saw another thug sneak behind Deb & stab him on his back. Deb still delivered the kick once again to Munna to keep him stunned. He could just gasp as he got stabbed again & fell to ground…
Chaps had managed to stun his opponents who lay on the ground wriggling in pain & he moved toward the girls.
By then even I’d managed to ground my opponents & I followed him toward girls. Vicky pushed Payal hard & she tumbled into L6 & screamed with fear as she looked at bleeding Natasha. She was a soft minded girl as you know – she fainted & lay next to Natasha.
We managed to ground the remaining two thugs quickly & rushed towards girls. Chaps mad with anger & his anger showed as he leapt on Vicky & started beating him up with powerful kicks & fists…
Meanwhile, I started thrashing Lucky. One thing I noticed was every one of them smelt liquor. They must have emptied barrels or got cheap & raw liquor.
I thought we were gaining an upper hand on them when I got pulled away from Lucky by Ravi & Chunnu. By the time I could tackle them – my head seemed to explode as something hit – at the same time Munna rolled over & stabbed my leg & I fell to ground.
They were kicking me from all sides & I was unable to move when I saw one of those unknown thugs stab Chaps in his stomach.
That stunned Chaps for a moment but he regained & pulled the knife out of his stomach & stabbed the thug. Then another & then another. Soon all the three unknown thugs were lying, wriggling in pain as Chaps mad with fury stabbed them again & they died there on the spot.
He then turned toward Vicky. He must’ve taken a step or two toward him when Lucky suddenly ‘came up from behind & hit him on his head with an iron rod.
I could see blood oozing from his smashed head as he fell to ground.
I tried moving but something hit my stabbed leg hard & again my head exploded…
When I opened my eyes – I was here – in this hospital I couldn’t believe – they had amputated my leg saying it had developed gangrene. I’m sorry Chaits – we couldn’t save the girls” and he started weeping inconsolably.
Chaits sat motionless & emotionless, staring blankly at the door. He then moved slowly & kept a reassuring hand on Amit’s shoulder & said, “Don’t worry – I’m here – I’ll let nothing happen to you & be sure I’m gonna get those bastards”
Amit looked at him – suddenly grim & his eyes filled with anger “Yes… Chaits… You must get those bastards & I’ll come along with you to show as the hideouts of Vicky’s gang members – they’d be the right people who can tell us where those bastards are hiding.”
“I think you need to rest & recover first” said Alisha in concern.
“Don’t worry – they’re going to discharge me in two days & I’ll be free to move around with you…”
“Alright” said Chaits in a determined voice, “I’m gonna fix those bastards & you’ll tell me the places I need to hunt & identify the faces that will have information” They looked at each other – determination personified…
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