by Amit Nangia
Tara was taken into custody. Her frantic, hysterical sobs had died, and she looked like a shattered, injured animal.
Uncle Chauhan went to Naina and wrapped his arms around her. “I know I made some terrible mistakes, Naina, but I hope you will forgive me one day. I didn’t know your mother was pregnant when I broke up with her. I was young and ambitious and foolish. I had no idea.”
“And you didn’t know your mother threatened her?”
“No. I was caught up in the campaign. Back then, I allowed my mother to run my life. But when I found out about you…” he paused and squeezed her hand, “I was so afraid you’d hate me.”
The sincerity in his voice tugged at Naina’s heart.
“Please don’t hate me. I’d like to see you again, Naina,” Uncle Chauhan said.
Naina hesitated. “So do I, but please give me some time.”
He bent down and kissed her forehead. “I’ll be waiting, my child.”
Naina ran to Abhay and pulled him to her. She ran her hands over his body to check for injuries. Naina clung to him, her breath erratic. She felt her heart pounding as she hugged him.
“Are you hurt?”
“I’m okay,” Abhay whispered.
He spotted blood on her blouse and said, “But you’re bleeding.”
A soft nervous laugh escaped Naina. “It’s not me. It’s you. I think your stitches have come undone.”
Abhay looked down and realized blood was seeping through his bandage. His shoulder and arm throbbed.
Naina looked up at him, her eyes brimming with tears. She said, “Abhay, how can I ever thank you for all that you’ve done…”
Ek pappi dekar, he thought.
She continued, “This has been the darkest hour of my life and now I’m going to make it worse… I’ve come to a decision; I’m going to move back to Mumbai. This town has too many ghosts from my past. I want a new life, a fresh start. As much as I want to stay here with you…I’ve realized that I can’t…’
Yeh toh hona hee tha, he thought.
“We can decide the future later. What matters for now is that I have you safe in my arms.”
Shukla entered, “Sirji, actually today is a big victory, so I have asked the team to arrange a decent victory party. If you know what I mean sirji.” He giggled.
Inspector Abhay Pandey knew how decent their victory parties were. He smirked at Shukla’s honesty.
“Kya baat kartey ho Shuklaji, let’s go! Rani Mera intezaar kar rahi hogi.”
