In next few hours the place flooded with police and military alike. Vikram , Numaan and Manav remained behind the scenes just the way they wished for.
Salman filed an initial FIR. Sharman remained on military frontlines.
But Duleep being an agent remained in background.
Manav got alone time with Vikram. He said
" Vikram I am happy that Riya found her love in you. But if you break her heart I will beat you to death."
" Noted", said Vicky. " I will keep her happy".
" I am her elder brother", said Manav proudly.
" I can take care of her always. Think this before hurting her."
" You are a good person Manav. One with a high character ", said Vicky. " I am glad she has you as her family. I will also be forever indebted to your family for taking care of her".
" Welcome to the family", Manav patted his back as the men smiled.
After a long session with media Salman was exhausted.
" I called uncle", said Numaan. " That idiot Zaid. Uncle and Ibrahim are in hospital. I take your leave. Aasma is alone. Ii will check up on her".
" You do that", nodded Salman.
" I take your leave too", said Manav. "A long day", he said.
Salman nodded.Dùleep and Sharman left too.
But Vikram waited.
"Vikram", said Salman.
" I would like to meet Vishnu's brother", he said.
At about that time an ambassador stopped there.
A distinct looking man of about 30 years got down followed by a learnrd looking person.
" Alok over here", said Salman.
Alok moved towards his friend.
" What's he facing this time", said an exasperated Alok.
" Its bad Alok", Salman shook his head. " The kid is associated with underworld ".
" I don't get it. My parents are so righteous and this..", he raised his hands in air.
Then he noticed Vikram.
Vikram was quietly observing Alok. He radiated a strong positive energy. Vikram felt a kinsmanship with him.
" Things will be fine Mr. Pundit", said Vicky.
Alok finched. Strange thought Vicky. He looked at Salman.
" Advocate Alok Shashtri", said Salman . "
Shashtri. Vikram was taken aback. This man surely was his descendant. But how?
"And Alok this is Vikram Oberoi. He was with us during the raid."
Alok just nodded. His friend took over.
" Mr. Oberoi this is Dr. Sumeet Khurana. Alok would like to know what is wrong with Vishnu?"
"Association with terrorists is bad. But he is a lowly member. At the most detention and community service", said Vikram.
" Thank you Mr. Oberoi", said Alok.
" He is at city hospital. Mild concussion. Try to get him talk against those people. If he agrees to be a witness it will help", said Salman.
" Its better if it remains within the family", said Sumeet.
" That is what I think", said Salman. " Alok go alone".
" Okay", said Alok. He left.
" If I am not intruding may I ask something ", said Vikram.
"Ask Mr. Oberoi", said Sumeet.
" Vikram is fine Dr. Khurana", he said.
" As is Sumeet", said the doctor and winked. He was nice and playful unlike uptight Alok.
Vicky smiled.
" How is Alok not a pundit", Vicky came straight to the point.
Sumeet started Alok's story.
" Alok's mother died when he was young. She came from the influential Shashtri family from Chennai. It was a love marriage. His father is a lecturer in Archaeology. Nice honest man . He remarried later with a simple village girl. But she loved Alok as her own. Somehow Alok's maternal grandfather ended up on their doorstep."
Dr. Khurana halted.
" Well he took him away as he manipulated courts. Alok's parents suffered. He is very close to his step mother and half brother Vishnu. He became a lawyer to counter his grandfather. But his parents told him to honour old man and continue using Shashtri for time being. But I guess now he is trying a legal peocedure to return to his family and take their name", said Salman.
So Alok was an honest and respectful man. He was an obedient son, a righteous professional and a good brother. Vikram has wrote off Vishnu and his kin. But meeting Alok... All is not lost yet he thought. He will place his bets on Alok. It will be him taking his kin forward. And he needs it. Blood is very important.
And as they say life goes on.
Dipti and Vinod got married. Gaurav got engaged to a lively girl called Malti. Reluctant earlier Gaurav caved in. His mother and sister were happy.Salman tried to spend some time with Zoya but she would be busy with translation work. Encouraged by Riya and Numaan she designed outfits for a few mannequin. Salman mostly liked quiet Aasma. Numaan's hectic work left her alone too. The two bonded over food and aspirations.
Mr. Vikas Deshmukh visited his friend Ram.
" I did not know our kids love each other", he said. " I like Vicky. The friendship now turns to a relation", he said.
" I love Riya", said Ram. " Very nice daughter. We are family Vikas". They hugged.
" What about Suhasini", asked Ramcharan.
" She will come along. I need you to come with me to meet colonel. Manav could do with a support", he said.
" Anytime", said Ramcharan. " Vicky told me. Sonia works for us. She is a nice girl too".
Sharman and Duleep supported Manav. And so both the kids of Deshmukh family got engaged. Thankfully not to each other again.
Vikram invited Alok for his engagement and he came.
" I looked about you. You are a top civil lawyer", he said.
" Yes Mr. Oberoi", he said.
" Vikram is fine. I am building a resort / historical park and I need a legal advice . I believe you specialize in property".
" Sure Vikram", said Alok. So that is why he invited him. Alok got confused when he received invitation but came out of curosity.
His brother agreed to be a witness. So did Zaid. They offered some help but they did not know much about the organization.
Vikram put a ring on his soulmate's finger.
" You are mine beautiful", he said.
" If I am yours than you are mine too", she said putting her ring.
She wore a light pink gown with lightweight Emerland jewellery that made her face lit up. It was a gift from him.
" I want to dance today", she said.
" Are you sure", he asked cautiously.
She nodded.
" If you feel one bit uncomfortable just say it and we will stop".
" Okay", she said softly.
They danced together to a soft music in background. She looked in his coal black eyes as he stared in her greens. He held her waist as she his shoulder in a light touch. The two hands with matching gold rings were joined together.
"Forever and ever", she said softly.
He nodded as words have left him.
My wife. My Gunjan. You will be mine again. His emotions were high.
But evil was lurking nearby.
" Stop them king stop. Two strong elementals joining as one. They will vanquish us".
" Who are they"?
" Gunjan and Srikant".
" Find them devil", the king was agitated.
The protector God smiled. Try your worse satan. I am coming soon.