Cozen - Aparajita III

No one had the same story to tell about Damini devi.

Tall, slim frame ,with hair that curled naturally in layers, eyes that could pierce through your heart, dimpled cheeks and a shy smile which tended to tilt towards the left every time she spoke. For some she was the epitome of how the young India was taking to politics - more seriously than ever before. For some,she was the next leader, for some  a comforting soul, for some the eternal support and for some - a shrewd bitch. 

Jatin had fallen in love many times,he never cared really, and had recently broken off with someone...but fate had other plans for him.

It was not until a few months later Jatin's heavy heart began to beat again the day he saw her walk into the party office of Tiranga Sangh, his eyes transfixed on her lips, his mind buzzed and his heart beat faster that day.Being the son of the party president meant he had to exercise restraint. That day Jatin probably gave the worst intra-party speech of his life, totally distracted by her presence. Damini figured that. She was an intelligent beauty.

Damini had joined from the opposition party, Kshmata Dal ,after being disillusioned by the dubious party practices. Growing up in the party ranks was not easy. Old lecherous men had offered ‘protection’ which of course came with a fee…a sleeping fee.Some had threatened her with dire consequences, some conspired secretly as they were threatened by her diminutive presence.

She quit Kshamata Dal, when there was no choice but to sleep with party president Raja Babu.

Finding time to meet was difficult considering the party preparations for the upcoming rally. Jatin had a hidden poet in him somewhere and penned a few lines for Damini on a piece of paper and Damini returned the paper with ‘I love you Jatin’ written behind those lines.As days passed Jatin was getting impatient...

Jatin was getting desperate. ‘I’ve got an idea Jatin’ twinkled Damini…

Soon rumors became a reality and before someone could say hello – or how – they had made love on a trip, to gather rural supporters for an election rally, just outside the city.

It was a hot sultry night…and it happened at midnight.

Damini took Jatin’s hand and put it on her lips. His fingers trembling, he circled her lips softly…the silly locks which kept falling on her cheeks were the only distraction.…but he wanted to get lost that day. They were breathing on each other’s lips but not touching yet. Just a few moments more of eternal bliss Jatin thought when Damini interrupted his thoughts with her lips.

The stars witnessed a raging passion. Wildfire. Damini’s nails dug into Jatin’s flesh, her eyes looking at the sky, while Jatin buried his face on her nape.. and bit passionately. Drifting ever so carefully and caressed her ear lobes. Their bodies rose in unison and climaxed with Damini clasping Jatin s fingers to stop the shivering….

He held her tightly like never before…and never after…

It was just before dawn..as they lay watching the stars, Damini whispered

`hey my angry young man –where are you ?’ lying on his thudding chest.

It’s a big day today Damini’ Jatin said as he looked up in the sky stroking her hair.

“the rally is going to be critical for us to win the election” everything has to go smoothly…but something is bothering me…it somehow just doesn’t feel right..i don’t know maybe I am just a bit paranoid.”

Damini lifted her head and looked into Jatin s eyes gave a comforting hug and said…….. nothing.

It was Friday morning 10.00 am & the meeting started after some logistical delays.

It was a dusty day ,about 500 people had gathered in a public park outside Ruby hospital. Jatin was sitting on the stage with other party leaders. Vijay Phadnis was quietly seen seated with his hands folded. Vijay was the spokesperson for the party…and was a master in raking up mass hysteria; he had the knack of turning around people, parties and their fortunes. As Jatin’s father finished his introduction of the agenda, he invited Vijay to speak.

True to his reputation he had got the crowd buzzing, that too in a place which was an opposition stronghold. Jatin saw Raja babu and his bunch of goons lurking around the corner. He sensed there would be trouble.

But from where? How ? Who ?

Jatin was tensed and could not concentrate on the speech. He kept searching the crowd sitting in front for any anomaly. Just then his attention got diverted as the crowd went into a wild rapture clapping and whistling…people got up and clapped thunderously.

Then a gunshot…or two…

The first bullet had lodged straight into Vijay Phadni’s chest.Vijay fell down slowly as the crowd shrieked and screamed ahead of him. The chaos had kicked up a dust storm and people were running like crazy..

…and then there was an explosion just near the stage. Jatin fell down and was bleeding with the shrapnels of a crude bomb lodged in his face..but he was alive..he could breathe…in the ensuing chaos he managed to drag himself off the stage and run towards the hospital…

and then it struck him  - Where is Damini?‘Is she shot, is she dead’ hundreds of thoughts ran through his head, he was combing the area for any trace of Damini, screaming her name ,every shriek burst more veins in his body, his face covered with blood so much that no one could recognize him…not even Lal Prasad whose job was to shoot Jatin today. But Lalla was shot in the back.

The haze in the air made Jatin tumble over Lalla.He fell down in front of him. Lalla’s eyes froze for a moment. He could not speak, as the two looked at each others eyes. There was silence in the chaos. Not recognizing Lalla Jatin said ‘let’s go to the hospital before we die here.’

Lal Prasad had never imagined that the man he had come to kill - wanted to save his life. His throat choked and his eyes filled up. He embraced Jatin trying to get up together. As he opened his eyes behind Jatin’s shoulder, he Saw Raja Babu’s chief operator point a gun.

“NO” He screamed and turned around to take the bullet on his back and save Jatin. Jatin opened his eyes after the shot and the chaos………. to see Damini standing with a gun pointed at him.

Jatin’s eyes cried, this time with blood. ‘H-how could you..’ Jatin muttered under his breath..as Within a flash Damini took another shot and hit Jatin on his right shoulder. Before she could shoot the heart  the dust storm engulfed any visibility that lay in between them.

Damini fired a couple of shots into the haze…not knowing what the end result would be…

On the other side of the haze Lalla and Jatin were lying on the ground….

‘Jatin sahib she is Raja Babu’s party leader… a dangerous woman, run before she finishes both of us. They dragged each other near the hospital ,one in shock and the other in gratitude. Lalla pointed towards the operation theater where his wife Susma was about to give birth.

‘Sahib forgive me, I did not know what I was doing…’  Jatin was too shocked to comprehend anything…

‘and promise me that you will take care of my family no matter what happens to me’ ‘Jatin sahib wake up’ Lalla screamed as he gasped for breath.

 ‘Please take me inside that operation theater.’ Before Jatin could move Lalla slumped on floor…

‘Sahib – promise me you will take revenge you will ….’ and Lalla lost his voice and his life 20 steps short of the operation theater.Jatin in a state of utter stupor walked into the door to see doctors holding a baby girl. The last thing he heard in the room was what Susma said -  I’ll call her Aparajita” and closed her eyes forever.




A few hours later that day…

Raja babu examined the two dead bodies closely. One had a faint resemblance of Jatin and the other he could not recognize much , other than a scar which he had noticed on Lalla ‘s face.

‘are you sure’ he asked the doctor with a frown..

The doctor was not used to being at gun point..but he managed to say..

‘yes their  belongings suggested their names. I found a wallet and a cell phone from each of them..there was a piece of paper with some poem and had I love you Jatin written on the back of a paper clip and the cell phone showed the last dial as Raja babu..’

Raja babu smiled. Wickedly and pondered ‘he fell for it..Damini was always mine.’

Just then Raja babu's cell rang.

"yes"?

"sir we are all set to take her out today, will keep you informed." said Balwinder in a hushed voice.

"make sure you succeed in this mission" retorted Raja babu.

"yes sir we will  - and have taken all precautions, cleared all appointments for the minister -

and then he shouted .... "hey stop - who are you" ? 'hold on..! "

"Sir - there's someone here I 'll update you in a few mins" and Balwinder hung up.

Aparajita stood up from her chair in shock. “how could it be you..y you re dead..” .....

Read  Unfulfilled Aparajita

Gyanban thoughts - Cozen means deception or mislead. and thats what this plot is all about.There are three angles remaining untied.This plot revolved around what happened to Jatin before he attended the  fatal rally that day.how he bumped into his killer.what happened? is he still alive? is he dead? This story needs one more episode to explore further.Please feel free to post ideas and questions...maybe I ll try to incorporate them in the next episode.


image courtesy :desktopnexus.com

Unfulfilled - Aparajita - II

A salt n pepper stubble, ruffled hair, tall lanky frame, the shirts he wore were typically long stripes and black trousers with khadi shoes. He had this innate ability to stand still, hands hanging by his side and an expressionless face. Sometimes waiting in the bus stop people would often take him to be someone suspicious. 

His behavior was normal or nothing that would catch the attention of the authorities but his unspoken words had led to many speculations in the past. He had a sling bag across his shoulder which from the outside, looked as if it was empty. But it was not.

Adjusting his bi-focal, wiping his fore-head, he took out the press card from his pocket and showed it to the security officer outside the office. A quick customary glance at the card and the officer thought of asking a question but he was interrupted by Vijay Phadnis pro-actively,a  reporter for IndiaTomorrow. 

‘yes I have an appointment with the minister.’ Vijay said. And showed the email confirmation from Madam Aparajita Banerji’s office.

‘everyone has’ said the inspector wryly still examining the card.

‘yes but I have to speak to her on a very urgent matter’ Vijay remarked.

‘yes everyone's issue is important’ inspector looked at his counterpart and smirked.

‘you are right, the other day I got one whose cow had run away to another field,and they refused to give her back ~’ they broke out into a snigger. ‘Oh my- cowuch’ added the other inspector continuing the joke.

Vijay Phadnis had a strange way of communicating with his eyes. They were intense. They were angry..but his face was  still. As Vijay kept looking right into their eyes, the inspectors turned to look at Vijay and their laughter died down...something told inspector Balwinder Singh that there was something not right about  Mr. Vijay Phadnis…but he could not point his finger on the dot.

‘what is it about ?’ Singh asked.

‘it is a matter of national importance’. Vijay replied matter-of-factly.

‘which is?’ Singh raised his eyebrows.

‘i cant share this with you - it is only meant for Madamji.’

‘why?' am I not important? am I not intelligent? am i not educated? am I not worth living in this planet?’

It even surprised Singh as to why he took off so suddenly. Inspector Singh spoke sternly, somehow his deepest insecurities came out. There was something in the tonality of the guy or the way he looked... he was not sure. But there was definitely something wrong and he was getting angry.

Just then the other inspector gestured to Balwinder Singh to calm down.

‘what are you staring at? Take your sorry ass and get out of here’ said Singh , trying to keep his voice low.

‘I will not go until I meet Madamji.’ Vijay replied quietly.

‘are you arguing with me?’Balwinder was getting furious now.

‘if I have said no it means a no’. Sensing an escalating commotion the other inspector remarked to Balwinder -‘we still have time before lunch’.

Balwinder looked at Vijay squarely in the eye…and after a few seconds to calm down he said…‘go to the reception desk and register yourself' the inspector said pointing to Pinky.

‘We should alert other officers,I find something fishy about this guy.’ remarked Balwinder quietly to his counterpart.

‘Naah nothing to worry he’s just an old journalist trying to save the nation on his big strong shoulders’ remarked the other inspector sarcastically.

After a brief moment of silence ,exchange of cold glances, Vijay Phadnis went to the reception and registered his name. Pinky could smell Polo green on the gentleman. She was sure because she 'd gifted one to her lover in the party.

It wasn't until much later that it would strike Pinky why the perfume and the man seemed an odd combination.

When Pinky woke up – she saw blood spattered on the wall, Balwinder Singh lying on ground dead .A plethora of bullets had strewn his body and his counterpart had been shot in the head.

The door  to Aparajitaji’s cabin was ajar..

Shocked at the sight she barely managed to get out of her groggy self  & dragged her feet to peep inside the room –  only to see an open window and bullets strewn on the carpet…with no sign of Aparajitaji….or the stranger…

She frantically searched for her mobile and pressed the redial…in horror..

‘Hello Pinky – what happened’? said a dark voice from the other end.

‘Balwinder and Shindey are dead and I was gagged’ said Pinky trembling.

‘Damn you’ screamed the voice.‘you have failed the mission – killing Aparajita was our only option to win the election’.

‘No Darling please listen to me.... we were on track, we had cancelled all other appointments,kept the area clear of all people, and we were on the clock… but this strange guy came from nowhere and showed us a letter from Aparajita herself’…

  

‘what ? who came? What letter? The dark voice interrupted.

‘some Vijay Phadnis had come. Balwinder tried to wave him off but he didn’t agree…so instead of creating a chaos and raising an alarm ,Balwinder thought of getting this over and done with quickly and quietly... and he sent him to my desk for the usual process  of registration... and I think that’s when the perfume’ ….she trailed off…

‘WHAT ? how could it be Vijay Phadnis? Yelled the voice. ‘Vijay Phadnis is dead. I killed Vijay Phadnis 20 years back.! How could he be walking into that door?

Shocked Pinky  slumped to the ground…and as the wind gushed in from the open window..the pages of the register turned and the scribbled name…. showed Jatin Banerji.

Gyanban Thoughts - Read about  Aparajita - I ?


This post has a lot of questions unanswered - and it is deliberate. Possible sequel ? Yes thinking on those lines. The story is shown from two angels and depicts how the meaning changes and impacts the crux of the story.Each untied thread is a clue and leads to your imagination about the various outcomes. Note the first name and last name of the characters..this too will give you some clues.They have a meaning inculcated in the story.

Image Courtesy :http://nature.desktopnexus.com

Undefeated - Aparajita I

'It would be on Friday ' remarked the party president Raja babu at the congregation of the party meeting.

Lal Prasad slowly raised his head,but could not utter his resentment...instead he asked "what do I need to do ?

Raja babu noted Lal Prasad's clenched fist...but chose not to address it.

'I will let you know tonight'.In the meanwhile make all preparations, I want maximum impact' trailed off Raja babu into his cabin.

Raja Babu had brought Lalla over from his village to the city of joy...and perhaps dreams.

Raja babu was an excellent judge of people and knew potential when he saw one. Lalla, as he was affectionately called, beat up 3 people in the middle of a busy street, Raja babu had noted the ferocity and intensity in every punch and kick he delivered.

It was intense. No one dared to stop him , such was the power of his aggression.

Raja babu knew at that instant, Lalla would someday be useful to him.

Lalla had a developed a certain perception around him - stay away - which was complimented by his height at 6 feet 2 inches ,a lanky frame , his face bore a scar over the left eye, ruffled hair, and eyes looking down with eyebrows raised, big deep set eyes, put on mascara, and a slight frown on his face perpetually.

The fire within made him stronger in the mind. People often got misled by his lean appearance only to get shocked and beaten later.

"how long and how many will you fight?' asked Raja babu in the canteen sitting beside Lalla sipping tea, as drops of blood sprinkled on the white saucer.

“You need to get out of here and do something more important else risk dying an anonymous death .

Lalla did not respond. He looked at Raja babu with his eyebrows raised and eyes lowered, and went back to drinking his tea. After a brief moment of silence, Raja babu took the napkin on the table, and wrote his number down. “Call me, if you want to be something in life'...and left without waiting for Lalla's response.

Few years later,marriage,poverty and no money had forced Lalla to call the number.

"What are you going to do' ? Inquired a worried Susma lying in a general room at Ruby Hospital...

' I don't know, and stop bothering me with questions ..Lal Prasad said to his wife in a deep baritone...without inflection.’

You know I can't refuse Raja Babu after all he has done for us. This is his hour of need and I have to standby him'.Lalla said as he opened the top two buttons of his shirt and sat down on the floor.

Just this one last time and I am done with the debt’.'I will leave all this and start a new life Susma.. We’ll go somewhere else and make a new beginning...I am not going to get defeated by the system anymore..’

Just then , the phone rang - 'at sunset on Friday we will light up the park... a familiar voice said at the other end of the line. We meet near Ruby hospital sharp at 5PM - the minister is arriving for the function at the park opposite the hospital.' 'That should be the last function he attends along with his followers." click...the phone hung up.

Friday morning during the regular checkup Dr.Gandhi said ‘Mr.Prasad you would need to get ready by evening for the delivery…possibly earlier..We have given Susma some medication already’.

The clock seemed to tick faster that day…every tick tock hurt Lalla’s head. He was tensed and for the first time in her life Susma saw her husband’s vulnerable face under the tough exterior.

The minister was on his way & the motorcade preceding his car signaled his proximity. Lal Prasad signaled to his fellow party members to get ready for action…as he lay hidden behind the dark glasses of the parked white ambassador.

The vibrating phone in his left pocket showed Susma on the screen..

‘Please come now...They are taking me to the delivery room’..sounded a harried Susma.

‘Susma I can’t I am tied up, you know…’ screaming in labor pain Susma interrupted & pleaded Lalla ....he disconnected the phone.

The minister stepped on the dais and began to address the crowd. His party members were in the front row – this is exactly where he had to disrupt the proceedings. His fellow party members had their own share of arsenal to ignite…he had a gun.

Lalla slowly moved out of the car and walked into the park as an ordinary follower and sat near the exit gate.

It was time.

Just when he was about to take a shot – his phone vibrated again…he thought it was Susma again and did not take the call…before he could take another aim a sharp gunshot pierced his back..Chaos triggered.and simultaneously a loud explosion was heard...

There was dust in the air and people were screaming…Lalla got kicked and pushed as he rolled on the ground struggling to keep consciousness and go to the hospital a few yards ahead…as he lifted his head up he saw his fellow party member lying dead on the ground.

The crude bomb shrapnel had fleeced his skin, slit his throat and blood oozing from his mutilated left arm clutching a vibrating phone…

Meanwhile, in the operation theater Susma and the doctors struggled to deliver the baby as the chaos in the park led to disturbances in the hospital..The mob broke glass panes and ran helter skelter some in shock and some to shock others…

As the clock ticked ...the doctors were beginning to look at each other while trying to untangle the infant from the same source that gave her life… now could be the reason for her death.

There were complications in the pregnancy, she had probably died at birth some thought, for a few seconds...as the umbilical cord had almost choked her...but she fought.She survived. She arrived in this world with blood on her face and determination in her genes. The frantic efforts of the surgeons had given her a new life.

When Lalla unclenched the phone from the corpse he saw Raja babu flashing on the screen…

‘hello...Bhanu Singh…are you there..did you manage to kill Lalla ?’ ‘I knew he was having second thoughts about being with us, besides he knew too much, he had to die today...Disrupting the ministers gang was an added bonus…we killed two birds with one stone...good riddance to bad rubbish isn’t it Bhanu’..

Lalla gathered his breath and courage to speak a few words....‘Raja babu…my debt is over…..oh and another thing... get yourself insured..At least your family will benefit from your demise’.

Lalla threw the phone away..And walked towards the hospital bleeding profusely…he fell 20 steps short of the operation theater and his life - where his daughter was born…undefeated by her fate and circumstance...

‘She was born to fight’ Doctor Gandhi remarked…I’ll call her Aparajita’ said Susma closing her eyes with a wry smile…

Gyanban thoughts - This post is an ode to the 70's Hindi Film Industry.The character,the backdrop,the sequencing all are an attempt to expand my writing skills to a different genre - that of a masaala thriller.I have tried to be completely visual about the scenes and enacted them in my mind.! Was itching to do a character sketch of Raja babu in further detail giving an angle of twisted positivity to it..maybe in it's sequel.

Revenir

When I was a nobody,

you walked in to be somebody,

my life was going no where,

don't know why you wanted to share,

love luck or money I had very few,

and you came out of the blue,

my night is long and I know why,

walk away or you'll just cry..

but you walked with me...

when I didnt have a penny,
those days were really funny
walking into a restaurant was easy,

it's the price list that made me queasy,

walked out quietly, head hung low,

promising some-day i 'll show,

standing in front of a big mall,

and eating by the road-stall

still you walked with me...

when i didn't have a job to pay bills,

those winters of silent chills,

that scooter without a back rest holder,

and you clutched on to my shoulder,

the ride long and winding,

getting lost and then finding,

but then one day when it broke down,

I was kicking but you didn't frown

and you walked with me...

the local trains were jammed,

you got jostled and rammed,

the rickshaws wouldn't oblige,

night shows and the fights,

the bus was always late,

getting a seat together wasn't my fate,

I stood hanging by the bar,

your eyes moist like twinkling star,

your soft smile and that little sob,

kept me going every day,

and you walked with me...

the day i decided to leave,

to make my dream weave,

the packings were silent,

the smiling goodbyes were diligent,

the tear drops asked me to stay,

the lips never parted,but the eyes gave it away,

the walk into the plane was long,

but I had to be strong,

away I went over the seven seas,

leaving behind my treasure of memories,

and you walked with me...

many moons had passed away,

I sat by the same subway,

as the trains rushed by,

the strangers asked me why,

I would've jumped on the track

but a hand held me back,

It rained hard that evening,

as I looked up in the sky,

I saw you crying and saying..

I ll always walk with you...

Gyanban thoughts - Revenir means come back in French.Often time we keep waiting for the right moment,only to realize later that the wonderful moments we spend together..were the ones to be cherished..sometimes in life we forget the price we have to pay for our dreams..

Et tu ?

'Give me your number again ,I just lost my address book’ requested Rohit.

'9211 04201’.........

.....'& Radhika’s?

‘hey isn’t my number enough? .....Why do you want my wife's number ? Rahul joked.

‘Ufff, I am planning to run away with her.... happy?’ they both laughed loudly.

‘921104202’-

'Thanks buddy’ said Rohit...with the two airtickets clutched in his palm.

Gyanban Thoughts - Thought of giving it an alternative tittle - A friend indeed ...is a friend in need ! am guessing most readers would think Rohit ran away with Radhika...see how we all think alike ? But I must confess somewhere the thought did cross my mind what if Rohit was actually clutching the connecting flight ticket ?