Baabul

Chapter 6

As the warning siren of boss' arrival went on...Whole the staff rushed here and there to be on their seats.Totally attentive with pin drop silence Waiting for him in disciplined mode .Maan strode in office sharp at 9 ..With his well know  arrogance and being ignorant to staff wishing him good morning.

But today his spoiled volcanic mood terrified employees more.Because according to KC's past records....He had fired many people on minor mistakes.Except one Addi.



He was some years older than Maan...Once Maan saved him from some pickpockets in Banglore/Bengaluru and they became good friends. Addi was doing his MBA then .When Maan was searching for some part time job ...It was Addi who helped him to secure a part time job as physics tutor...In his BIL's coaching classes..



When Maan overtook KC ..Addi  also had completed his CA....So Maan offered him to join KC ..He immediately said yes ..As his actual home and family was in Delhi. But due to his studies he was staying with his sister settled in Bangalore/Bengaluru



Addi was the one who knew each and every detail of Maan's life..As well Maan's only intimate  friend....his moral support...He was always there for Maan ..When he needed a shoulder to cry  by pouring  his heart out.



( Come Back to office now) 
Everyone took deep breath as Maan banged inside his cabin.A man in his late twenties, average built and wearing glasses chased him .Without knocking he entered cabin after him.He was Addi " Kab se tumhari wait kar raha hu...Its something really urgent..." impatiently he asked


" You were waiting for me..? " Maan turned around " If Daddi phoned you before my arrival..To give you good news that I have broken my  engagement with Sameera.." he laughed  sarcastically.. .


Addi's heart came to mouth with this news " What you broke up with Sam..Maan you have turned insane .Mr. Rathod has given so many ventures to KC..He could put us under crises..." he yelled.


" So what If I did that ? He can't do anything ..Or drag feet out of these professionally made contracts.." Ignoring Addi , Maan picked up pile of today's post.


" You never think twice...That's why you are paying back torturing yourself .And now when we got such a success in our mission....Tum Mr. Rathod se panga le kar beith gaye. " Irritated Addi reminded Maan , how much he was suffering still ....due to quick decisions he always made...


Maan gave him a side glare first.But suddenly his heart jumped out with joy when Addi   shared  this news  " Success what kind of success..Kya Meri Geet aur Meri Puchki ka kuch patta challa....Bollo.."  his eyes twinkled with sudden news...still Addi's had to tell.  Maan shook him  from  shoulders.


" Nahi , but our Detective traced Ms Vijaya Laxmi's Driver..You know she had polio so she couldn't drive.For much engagements as a  socialite she always needed car.Means driver too.." Addi's  revelation confused Maan..Becoz he already knew what happened till Vijaya took his baby and Geet escaped from from Rehab.So what was new in this discovery


" I knew all this already.What new you got to know ?" Maan yelled.


" Becoz this driver knew every little secret of her life..Due to Ms Laxmi's paralysis she can't tell us anything...But this man could reveal much...You know Maan this most trustworthy driver...he left his job within days after that episode." Addi put hand over Maan's shoulder. Marking an ordinary driver's importance in front of him.


" Kya ?" surprised Maan asked.


" Yes Maan, even he left the place...Then settled down in  Karnal. Where he is running a small cloth shop.How a driver suddenly turned out to be a shop keeper.Don't you smell something fishy ? " Addi picked the most important points related to this case.


" Ha Addi you are rite..So Mr. Rathi ( his detective) investigated something from driver or not.. Ask him to do it as soon as possible...Kam se kam apni bachi ko paa sakne ki umeed to ho " thinking about his child .His eyes gone wet.


"Maan , I could understand your plight .But that man is not ready to reveal anything . He is uttering clear lie that he had left job long  ago..And he had nothing to do with this case?" Addi sighed due to his helplessness.


" How could you say with such confidence Addi. ? That he is uttering lie..?"Maan totally relied on Addi in this case.So Addi knew more facts than him.


When he was out of India for his masters. It was Addi who handled everything.He was working with Mr. Rathi from long  5 years on their hunt.But Maan was still not sure if this info was right.


"Yes 100 sure ! " confidently he replied " Mr. Rathi had record of parking site -sign in-register...I mean of that hospital where Geet delivered baby...This driver sighed in that register with his name Sohan." Addi continued with that information...Which proved his revelation was not wrong " Mr. Rathi went to Sohan's shop as customer.He purchased some stuff.Then get receipt for that...signed by Sohan himself...Both writings are matching. So what do you say now..He was with Ms Laxmi at that time..." Addi convinced Maan with proper logic.


After assuring identity of Sohan..Mr. Rahti approached him directly.But he declined to accept anything or to tell anything.So Mr. Rathi asked his men to keep eye on Sohan 24*7 As it was possible Sohan could try to escape, finding the seriousness of case.


Addi also told Maan about Sohan's whole family.He was living near to his shop.With his wife and two teenage daughters.


" Addi !! If he is denying to tell anything to Mr. Rahti but I ll not spare him.So be quick we are leaving for Karnal now...I don't want to take any chance." Maan picked his phone table ..instructing  Addi...


" Maan!!  Maan !! ppp.please calm down.At one side here is driver and Mr. Rathod on other.I will tackle this.You look after your Daddi n him " Stuttering Addi tried to calm him down.But he was not in mood to listen...


" I don care about Daddi..And that engagement was just a drama.So that I could get rid of these filthy people n to get some time to control my empire well..Becoz in war of relations..Money is playing pivot role...I needed money or in other terms power..." he clearly declined Addi's idea..

" But ?" Before Addi could say something.. Maan stopped him


" Don you worry Addi...I have collected enough evidence in these two years against Mr. Rathod..Mere pass mere ex would b FIL k..har kache chithe ( black money ) k record hai If Dadd used me to fulfil her desires ..I used them to collet this info..So He will never dare to be in front of me..." He laughed how he tricked them.. Who tried to trap him without asking what I wanted..



" U no..I have seen you shattered many times....Apni Geet  aur Apni Puchki ko kho dene k pashtaave ( repentance ) main.But I never saw a shattered Maan in hopelessness Dekhna , we will defiantly win... " he boasted Maan's spirits and hugged him tightly.


" Adi you are rite..Main apne maksaad  (aim ) main ..jeetun ( wins) ja nahi ..Per haar kabhi nahi maan sakta. Maan hu na " Confidently he replied. " Apne pyar aur apni bachi k liye main khud bhi barbaad ho sakta hu aur kissi ko kar bhi sakta hu " His eyes His words marked his determination..

" Maan ...Your confidence assured me now.Even about this that...people like Mr. Rathod couldn't be a hurdle in your way..Toh challe aab.." confidently Addi second Maan and both were ready to leave.



They both left toward  Karnal .After 3 hour long drive they reached the place where Sohan was living ..In that small town in outskirts of Karnal district  . According to  Mr. Rathi's information  Sohan was at shop...But Maan took Addi toward his home instead.Leaving  Mr. Rathi's men at some distance to keep eye on every incident.Now Addi was confused why Maan came to Sohan's home.



Addi n Maan followed way shown by Mr. Rathi's man from far n then he left..Addi gave a knock at the door...Once ,twice...A teenage girl opened the door.She stared them ,two well dressed men at her door steps. Probably she was Sohan's daughter .Then she moved little backward.



" Arre Radha kon hai ?" Sohan's wife Deepa asked aloud from behind.



" Mummi don't know..please you ask them ..?" scared of their aristocratic outlook Radha ran inside.She never saw such well dressed n suited booted ..
people in their home or even in their circle...

Sohan's wife Deepa , a heavy lady in her 40's...She came at the door " Ji aap kon ? " wiping her wet hands with Pallu she asked..



" Who were are? It doesn't matter. Inform your husband to come home first..I will tell later." Maan said rudely...denying to give their formal introduction.



" I don't know you. Then why I call my husband n how you are talking to me.Before I gather people around or call police...Just leave the place.." daringly she warned.



Maan went ballistic.But a woman was in front.So behaving well he made way to inside home.Even didn't give Deepa a chance to create any scene..." I don visit anyone..But my need brought me here...One thing more there is no need to call police..I will call police on your behalf..Addi dial SSP Sodhi " Maan's buring eyes n his marked words terrified Deepa. Why this man was threatening her ? Even after entering in her home forcibly..He was warning her.



She did what ever Maan asked her to do..She phoned her husband from landline and told him to come as soon as possible. Becoz he was the one who could stand in front of them..She didn't told reason to her husband that why she called...


" Aap log Bangalore main thay na...why you shifted here over night..And I am sure you also knew about that little baby ..Who's father is in front of you..Mr. Maan Singh Khuraana ?" Addi questioned..then gave formal introduction of  Maan to her...She rooted to spot struck after the bomb shell Addi dropped...


" Dekiya saab ! My husband is innocent..There is no hand of  him in stealing your daughter.He was mere a driver.He just did what Madam Ji asked him for " She gave clarification on her husband's behalf.She was trembling like dry leaf...


"It means you know not much but very much about this..But let your husband come first..If he ll refuse to tell everything...I ll left with one option..Only to put him behind bars.." Maan warned....


"Saab we have two daughters.Please don do any thing like this..What I will do if you put my husband behind bars...Without any reason " he folded both hands in front of Maan


Before Maan could answer her back .Breathless Sohan beamed .Much worried that why Deepa called him so.He found Maan n Addi standing there folding their arms. Deepa was crying aloud folding both hands in front of them.


" Deepa why are you crying ? Aur yeh kon hai ? I am really scared.. Hamari bachiaan ( daughters) to theek hai na ?" grabbing Deepa arm sweating Sohan asked in one go..


" Don you worry everything is alright at your home..Your daughters are fine,..First answer..." Maan came near to him .Assuring him about his daughters's safety..


" You love your daughter very much...I also love my daughter more than my life...Even when I never saw her..." Maan screamed.


" K ..kon hai aap..? " Sohan estimated who he was ...


" Main ek bad naseeb ( unfortunate ) ka buj-dil ( weak ) baap hu..Due to my fears,my weakness... 6 years ago my daughter became orphan..When she had both of her parents.. Her mother lost her senses.." Maan cursed himself that aloud..That his  agony echoed out of that small house..


" Aap kis baare main baat kar rahe hai..Mujhe nahi patta..." Being ignorant Sohan turned his face..


" Radha k Papa.. tell them what you know..He is a big man..N also threatened to put you behind bars..Tell him.." She begged in front of her husband..It also scared Sohan.


" Dekhiye , we have nothing to do with you.Just tell them what you know about Mr. Khuraana's daughter...Yeh 6 saal se apni bachi ko paglon ki tarah dhud ( search ) rahe hai...In per taras kijiye..Aap bhi ek baap hai. ." Addi tried to convince him..So that matter could be shorted out without much fuss


" Otherwise we have to take any strict action." He also warned Sohan about outcomes too ..If he still kept quite.

" Saab , I did nothing ..I was just a driver...Madam ko kab jaana hai ..kahan jaana ha yeh patta hota tha..I promised her to keep quite. But this is matter of my family's safety. I ll tell you what I know.." He got ready at last.


What he knew ? 


Vijaya took baby from hospital.As he was driving for her.She took her to home.Then she handed baby to her another driver Jaswant n his wife Preeto..Who was also working there.


Both Jaswant n Sohan were friends .In search of work first Jaswant landed  Bangalore  from their native state Haryana...Jaswant started to work for Vijaya first.Then on his reference Sohan also got driver's job.They called their wives there too...after some time


As friend Sohan knew everything about Jaswant. He had no child.But they  couldn't afford medical treatment Or complete complicated process of adopting a baby.


When Ms Vijaya told  Jaswant n Preeto about a baby.Whom they could adopt without any formality they got ready. Sohan got to know later..tht Ms. Laxmi did this not as humanity but to get rid of that unwanted child .Due to whom her brother was under severe mental trauma...


Sohan was continuously recreating things through words.But it shattered Maan to pieces. How those people snatched her mother, from a little soul..Becoz she was reason of someone's sufferings. He grabbed chair tightly..His legs were shivering..Before he dropped down to floor. Addi supported him and made him sit on near by chair..


" Maan r you alrite.." worried Addi asked..


" Theek hu main...Just tell me where my child is now..." keeping his worse condition apart.He asked about his child.For whom he was craving from years..


" Saab, Madam Ji asked me n Jaswant to leave the job.Gave us some money to start some work..Even instructed us to leave Bangalore over night .Neither to look back nor to reveal this secret. She was powerful lady.What we could do ? ..We followed what she said.."  So he disclosed whole the fact.


One major  discovery was more shocking. Jaswant n Preeto took baby to their village near to Rohtak. and Sohan settled here with family.But Jaswant died due to cancer three years later. Preeto cursed that little girl as ill omen...First for own mother's madness ..Then for her husband's  cancer .Leaving that child with Jaswant's ailing mother she  was staying with her father now


" Adi sunna, sunna tumne ..meri maasom bachi kissi ki bad kismati (unfortune ) kaise ho sakti hai..." His mind was going to explode.Listening bad about his daughter.


" Bollo kahan hai meri bachi..mujhe abhi le kar aana hai usse..Wo kissi ki bad-kismatti nahi.. Meri kismat hai wo..Wo kissi ki zindgi kaise le sakti hai..jab wo mujhe zinda karegi.." he jumped up from chair and jerked Sohan from collars.


With much difficulty Addi freed Sohan from  Maan's clutch...And slapped him tightly  " Hosh main aayo Maan..Its just a starting ..Tumhe tumhari Puchki mil bhi gayi..Still then you will have to fight long way...You can't do anything with this madness..." Maan cried and cried aloud .holding Addi...Hearing his cries Sohan's daughter Radha was also crying listening everything..


After pouring his heart out he felt little better. Apologised in front of Sohan n his wife.. Sohan gave address of that village where his daughter was staying with Jaswant's mother n his brother's family.


For this help..And as upcoming Lohri gift Maan promised to help Sohan financially for his both daughters  eduction. Even for their marriage...


Addi knew no one could stop Maan now.He wouldn't wait till next day.So immediately they left toward Rohtak.


In winters especially in chilling January .Sun sets down early in North India.. Duration of days become much shorter. Same like that when Maan n Addi reached village Khedda ( self created name by me)  It was already 8 in the night .Atmosphere was getting foggy so early.



Maan's beats were skipping away.If his daughter would be alright.He could convince people around her without creating any scene.It was sure he was committed to take her with peace or by making any battle ground here..Mr. Rathi's men were following them too.


His fast strode turned out to be heavy steps. As the distance between that place and him was decreasing .He was getting more nervous..impatient " Maan ? Kya hua...You waited for this moment from 6 years. Now why are you so disturbed.." Addi wrapped arm around his shoulder..


Going through narrow streets of small village Maan's  was under almost nerves break down " Addi kya main apni Puchki ko paa to saku ga na ..If she ll hate me..." There were no street lights but few bulbs lit outside some houses were lightening their path.. In that light Addi looked in his over flooded eyes..


" You will get her...And she will never hate that father...Who fought for her with whole world.." Addi replied positively ..And showed him way toward Jaswant's house.


(M using just hindi with little native accent or english coz I don know native accent or words n it is also helpful for all readers  to understand ) 


Addi knocked at Sohan's given address..After few minutes..A middle aged man opened the door.."Kis se milna hai aapko...Aur wo bhi itne ghane neere ( dark night ) main .."  Wrapping shawl around him more tightly in such chilly weather he said.


" Is this Jaswant's house ?" Addi asked politely..


" Haan hain..uska ghar hai..main uska badda bhai ( big bro) Kewal hu..But he passed away three years back.Then why are you talking about him..Aur wo bhi itni thandi chilling) , ganni raat raat main ( dark night) " Inspecting both men from head to toe.. Who were wearing expensive over coats .He questioned..


" We want to meet your mother.We know Jaswant.Kuch kaam hai..May we come in  ? " Maan thought to punch him.He wanted to run away taking his daughter .

But this was such a  delicate matter.He had no other choice instead of keeping patience..

" Aap Jaswant k jaan - pehchan waale ho( known ones )..But my mother, she is in bad health so she is sleeping...Come in the morning..I don't want to disturb her."Kewal tried to close door ignoring them..


But Maan gave a hard blow at door.It banged on Kewal's face n he dropped down to the  floor ..Maan dashed inside. When Mr. Rathi's security guards saw this from far..They rushed toward them.But Addi stopped them to wait there.


" I don let any one to judge my patience...Tell me where is that child  ? Who Jaswant  brought from Bangalore.." He was unstoppable now.. Madness was flourishing over him..


Kewel's wife Tejo hurriedly came there..who was at her room's door..n witnessing heating argument between both..She dared to interfere. Tejo  supported Kewal . But she was scared off ..from that fuming well built man .

" Bhai saab kon hai aap.Aur mere pati ko kyo maar rahe hai ?" fearful lady asked..


"I don want to argue..Just tell me where that child is Jaswant brought "  Maan repeated same.His patience flared in all this.


Addi dragged backward. He knew Maan's mind was not at place.Who could broke all ties with his family..Then what these people mattered.So Addi thought he should face Kewel " Listen..just tell us where is that girl ? Otherwise look at your door.Those  security men outside..Those are from government approved   agency...You will be responsible for any type of mishap with you.." Addi pointed toward door.Where Kewal n Teji saw 5 macho security guards.


" Bhai wo uski shorri (daughter) sey..Why are you torturing us ? " He held his aching back .

Addi grabbed Maan's hand who was going more  aggressive " Oh really !! You can't deny..your family share no blood relation with that child... But if you have any legal document stating that Jaswant adopted  her..Then show us.. " with his familiar foolish laughter Addi  asked victoriously. Becoz he knew he had trapped Kewal excellently..

" Maare ( me) pass koi saboot ( document) nahi sey. But I am looking after that girl since  6 years. Becoz Jaswant could  not work due to cancer. Then he passed away.Even his wife abandoned this girl." Kewal replied.

What was those 2 innocent girls fate..Geet's family abandoned her.But Maan's daughter she got abundant twice..First by him.Then by lady who claimed to be her mother.(Jaswant's wife preeto)  "But I have all the proofs to claim..that she is someone else's daughter. My daughter..First your brother n now you are claming her illegally " Maan seethed with anger.


Kewal asked why they were dragging his family in between. Infect he was looking after that girl.Even after knowing his brother never adopted her.Now they  left with no other option...both husband wife took them toward a small room ...Where that unfortunate little soul was..


Maan glued to the spot. He waited for long six years for this moment..But now he was unable to take single step forward..Addi grabbed his hand n pulled him hard..He was just doing what Addi was asking." Addi meri saanse ja rahi hai...I can't face her.." his heart was pacing fast .


Kewal and his wife were surprised. How this man with such dangerous outlook..now he was weak at knees..

At the door.. Addi asked couple to leave space for them.Instructing to got to their room..

He pushed two panel door " Maan challo ? " 

Maan denied fixing feet at floor..But Addi tugged him to small room .Where there was no furniture except a table near by single cot.It was too cold..His daughter was in such a place. Where he was used to stay inside temp. controlled rooms.

A tiny little girl ,whose face was to other side ..Hair tied back in loose ponytail.. She was trying to cuddle up that old lady...Probably Kewal's mother.She was shivering  in cold.. Had no warm cloth on her except a half sleeve frock..In her sleep her rajai (desi duvet ) had been slipped from her upper  body..In effort to get little warmth , she was rubbing her body against coat cover..


Maan who was looking at her.He trailed down to floor..rubbing his back against door panel He was crying bitterly. Due to her bad health old lady could feel any one's presence around. Even she didn't check if the little girl was properly covered..


" Addi c  I m wearing  expensive over coat.To protects myself  from cold , even when I stay in heated rooms.. Itni thand main..meri  bachi ko dhampne ( to cover) walla bhi koi nahi..How mean I am ? " Streaks of tears wet his over coat .


" Chal uth..Kya aab tu bhi nahi dhampe ga usse (  Won't you cover her now ) ? " He bent on knees and gave Maan moral support.Reminding him about his responsibility..

Is khushi k liye har sitam main utha lungaa

Maan wiped off his tears and gathered himself..Addi gave him hand to get up..

Baabul to dil se de rahaa hai duya yahi 

Khushi k saaye main ho zindgi teri

Kehtaa hai Baabul O Meri Bitiyaa 

Tu to hai mere jigar ki chitiyaa..

Precap : Puchki denied to accept Maan as Papa  ( twist)

She doesn't know her own name.

Legal custody of own daughter.

Bajaj's next move against Maan.

Maan n Riya Bajaj's face off.

itne main itna he milega.I have more to write
But ll wait for ur response ..


Sonia

 

 

Tense liberties always here .According to rules of contemporary writing