Chapter 21:
The Sanyasi told it was the time for Tamra to answer questions. She had a good mind to deny, but kept silence. "Dear Child! For the past few days, anything strange happened? Like it had never happened before?" asked Bhairav Baba. Tamra thought for a while. "No nothing happened!!" she replied. "Please think twice Tamra! I am not talking about any super natural occurrence, but a normal one but different! If only I could explain better!" said the Baba exasperated.
Suddenly Grandma Aditi's change came to her mind. "Yes! Babaji! My grandma Aditi took an interest in me!" said Tamra with a smile. "Ooof! A grandma taking an interest in her granddaughter's life is neither strange nor different Tamra!" said Kamal. "In my case it is! My grandma Aditi never speaks or comments on any family issue. Not even during Diwali has she blessed us. But when Grandpa told us about the alliance for me and Adhrit, she came to my room and helped me to escape." Tamra's voice trailed.
The thought of her grandma, her mother made her heart swell. But the Sanyasi over looked that. "Umm…That's strange enough! Did she tell you where to go? Any suggestions from her?" asked the Sanyasi again. "I don't remember exactly. She advised me to take a taxi and go to any village. Because if Grandpa and father start searching for me, the villages will be the last place, they will search." The sanyasi sat there quietly for some time. His eyes were closed and it looked like by calculating, he wanted to come to some sort of a decision. All others waited patiently for his eyes to open. Almost after half an hour, he opened his eyes. Now the confusion in his face had vanished.
"Devi is a great power! Jai Kaal Bhairav! Humans by virtue of their desire, vengeance change the course of time. Hmmm….Humans a very strange creature!" he sighed to himself. "Did you have any vision Babaji?" asked Trikala with interest. "Not much! But enough to keep going! I want Kamal to go to Jaipur, to Tamra's palace. Someone is waiting there." Said the Sanyasi with surety. "No! I won't allow it! To my house? Kamal? My God! It's a suicidal mission Babaji! Already they will be searching for me, If Kamal goes there, he will never return. My Grandpa might murder him without any traces. No" cried Tamra hysterically. The thought of losing Kamal was unbearable to her. Trikala and Ravi also agreed with her. "She is right Babaji, I can't let my brother walk in to a tiger's den, expecting he will come back unharmed. Please don't forget about Priya's wedding!" Ravi interrupted fast. Baba Bhairav smiled and gestured him not to worry.
"I know Ravi! There won't be any hindrance in your sister's wedding. All we have to do is to plan our next action, once the wedding is over. Actually, we are racing against time Trikala! I will explain everything, but Kaal Bhairav says to hold on for a few days. We have very difficult days ahead! So, you people enjoy a wedding and its happiness. Then we will start executing! "At this point Tamra was about object, again the Sanyasi gestured her to stop. "I know, you are not prepared to take part in the vengeance of old Tamra. But now is not the time Tamra! First you have to realize your Karma, you have to realize the strength of your soul, the love you had for Birju and old Tamra. I believe all these things will happen once Kamal reaches Jaipur and meets the person. Let us not over think anything now!" concluded the Sanyasi. All of them thought that was a good plan.
Secretly Tamra hoped during wedding she could escape to Jaipur with the help of Ravi and never set foot on this village again. Trikala thought of the wedding rituals, the food, pompous sendoff, above all, the prospect of leading the rituals intrigued her. Kamal was worried about the after days of the wedding. He was sure, his mother would suggest a girl for him after the wedding of Priya. Probably a girl from Priya's husband's side. What was he to do? Now that his money problem was solved thanks to Babaji, he wanted someone he loved. Tamra's beautiful face danced in front of him. With a heavy heart he shook his head and let go off the image. Ravi was thinking differently from others. "What will happen if Kamal falls for this madam? Already her family would be searching for a cab driver, if they come to know of the love, surely our family will be burnt down. Priya's wedding is not the end of our lives! I have to take madam somehow in between the wedding to Jaipur, at the same time no one should know it was me who had dropped her."
The sanyasi smiled at all of them as is he was able to read their thought. Trikala folded her hands. "Babaji! From tomorrow onwards, the rituals for the wedding starts! We won't be able to take care of you! Would you like to stay in my house? My husband will be more than happy to serve you." said Trikala. "Oh yes! Your husband Ram! I forgot him completely. No! As a Sanyasi I should not stay in any house. I will stay here in the desert. Don't worry about me. I have survived worst conditions than this. "Said Babaji.
"Allow us to bring delicious food at least Babaji! You have done so much for us. If we don't feed you, then it will be a sin!" said Kamal with feeling. "As you wish child! But no sweets! No spicy food! Only plain food! And of course, no non veg!" said Babaji. Nodding the head Kamal and Trikala asked his permission for leaving. Babaji raised his hands as to bless. Both walked along the sand path towards Dantla. Tamra followed them reluctantly with Ravi trailing behind her. He wanted to convey his intension to Tamra now. Because once they reach Dantla, he could not speak to her without others interfering.
"Madam! Please excuse me!" called Ravi in a hushed voice, ensuring Kamal and Trikala could not hear. "Yes Ravi?" asked Tamra with a slight confusion. "Madam! Do you mind going back to your house without anyone else knowing?" asked Ravi. Tamra was really thrilled happy as Ravi was thinking in the same line. "Would love to Ravi! But how? You saw what happened there, when we tried to walk away?" said Tamra with a disappointing sigh. "If you are willing, We, will go, nobody needs to know. I think, when we announce our intention, then there is a problem." Said Ravi wisely.
Amazed at his intelligence, Tamra nodded her head.
"What do you suggest Ravi?" asked Tamra with eagerness. "Madam! Before going further with our plan, let me ask you one thing plainly. Shall I?" asked Ravi with lots of hesitation and awkwardness. Tamra could guess what was coming, but still nodded her head in affirmation. "Madam! Do you have any ideas on your relationship with my brother Kamal? If there is please be plain with me! I don't want to become a hindrance!" said Ravi with modesty. Tamra thought for a while. She herself was not sure of the kind of relationship she was with Kamal.
"I am not in any sort of relationship with your brother! I don't intend to enter into one! I have my dreams and career! So…" Tamra did not finish her sentence. Ravi's face became bright and happy. "Then let me tell my plan to you! To tell you the truth, I brought you to my house for the extra money! But now, Since, that Babaji had provided us with enough money for me and my brother to start a business, we don't need to host paying guests. My mother can take rest. "Said, Ravi. Tamra felt a little hurt at this remark. "Why are you explaining your personal things to me?" asked Tamra with irritation.
"Sorry madam! I did not intend to hurt you! All I am doing is sharing my happiness with you!" told Ravi. Tamra understood. This is the happiness of a brother, who could see his sister married off, in a respectful way, this is the happiness of a son, who could provide food for his parents, this is the happiness of a man who could see his dream coming true! Tamra smiled and nodded. "Madam! Wedding will take place 2 days from now. If we leave today or tomorrow, my parents and Kamal will surely notice our absence. Let us start on the wedding day. There are so many rituals involving bride's parents and groom's parents. So, no one will search of me or you." Said Ravi with a smile.
"But….what about Kamal and Trikala? I am sure they will be vigilant!" asked Tamra with concern. "That is exactly where my plan comes in useful. Today is Monday, right? Wedding will take place on Wednesday. We will take off from Dantla on Tuesday night! We won't leave together. First, I will push my car till the highway, so that the noise does not wake up any one. Exactly half an hour after I go, you start from the house by walk. Please don't take all your belongings. Take the most valuable and important ones. I will drop you at Jaipur outskirts in the morning hours, come back before the wedding. If anyone asks I will simply deny, saying I have not seen you!" said Ravi with eagerness.
Tamra really appreciated his flawless plan. "You can drop me at my doorstep! Why in the outskirts?" asked Tamra. "Please madam! Do you think your grandfather and your father will welcome me if I returned with a runaway bride? They will think, I have some sort of a relationship with you, or kidnapped you for money or anything which will put me in danger. I don't want that. I don't want anyone in your house know about my existence. Please don't reveal me." Said Ravi. What he said looked fair enough for Tamra. She knew her grandfather was a prestige maniac, who won't hesitate to murder the man with her and make it look like an accident to the police. She smiled at Ravi and. "I understand Ravi. Your name will never come up. I assure you that" replied Tamra with emotion. "Thank you, madam! The plan we cannot discuss it again. If you have any objections, or doubts please tell me now. Are you clear with the plan?" asked Ravi.
"Yes! Yes! Yes! I have understood it completely. There is not much to remember except not to fall asleep." said Tamra with a smile. "No madam! You are not clear! I have not told the time of my departure and yours. We sleep in different buildings. How do you know whether I have started or not?" asked Ravi with a bit of anger. Tamra was speechless. Yes! He was right of course. They have not discussed about the time. Tamra felt furious with herself. She was a bright and intelligent student since her childhood, now an uneducated taxi driver had pointed out her lack of understanding. This happened because she got distracted by Kamal. Not only that, the moment she stepped into Dantla, what happened were all just hallucinations or due to hypnotism. No logical scientific explanation is possible. The thought made her decision of going back to Jaipur even stronger. She simply looked at Ravi. "Madam, exactly at 1.30, I will start, I will text to your mobile phone, when you see the text, leave the house exactly half an hour after. Please remember to put the phone in silence mode. I don't want my mother or Priya get up due to the beep sound." Tamra was really impressed the way, Ravi paid attention to the smallest detail. She could understand his worry. "Ok Ravi! I will do as you told" With smile, they both joined the other two who were walking ahead.