Chapter 18 – Entrapment
Adni FF
Adni FF, IPK3, Iss Pyaar Ko Kya Naam Doon, Entrapment, Advay Singh Raizada, Chandini Yash Narayan Vashisht.
Chandini jolted wake, shaking to herself, scanning around to see where she was. She was in her room, the soft rays of the early morning Sun shone into the room through the soft pink curtains that fluttered against the cool breeze. She looked at the clock beside her, it was half past six.
She dragged herself to sit on the bed, rubbing her eyes, recollecting the previous night. She had no memory of walking into her bedroom. She gasped, her heart stopping to a sudden halt in her chest
He had carried her to her bedroom. She raised her fingers to her lips. He had kissed her, under the banyan tree. She had been kissed by a man….by Advay. She closed her eyes reliving the moment, shivers running down her body as the moment flashed again and again sending shudders down her spine. It was the perfect first kiss.
How many times had he kissed her? She had lost count of it past the second time he had grabbed her mouth into his. She had seen couples kiss in movies, but had never expected it to rock her world like the way it had. She blushed biting her sore lips at the thought of Advay ravishing her mouth. He had been soft and tender at first, but the ferocity of the kiss had grown with every stroke of his tongue, till she had felt a brain numbing pleasure sweep across her body wave after wave.
Was a simple kiss powerful enough to make her lose her sanity, she wondered. But she HAD lost her sanity, hence why she had begged him to stay the night. A bold request for a maiden. Her behaviour had betrayed her conservative upbringing. What was it about Advay that made her rebel, that made her wild … free?
She dragged herself out of her bed and into the bathroom, only to gasp again at the sight of her sore lips. She touched them lightly, “Oww,’ She moaned, they hurt. She blushed again, her cheeks turning a deep shade of red the same colour as her kiss swollen lips. She had kissed a man for the first time in her life… under her Banyan tree… the drop dead gorgeous Advay Singh Raizada and he wanted to marry her for real.
She was going to have to speak to her Maa. Going to have to explain to her that she couldn’t … wouldn’t marry PP. Not even over her dead body. She scrunched her face at the thought of PP.
Chandini strolled down the stairs wincing every time she took a step bending her knee, she wore a pink lip balm on purpose to mask the redness of her lips. Advay stood at the bottom of the stairs, watching her with a wicked smirk stretching across his lips. Chandini came to a sudden halt the moment her gaze fell upon his handsome face. Her heart missed a beat, she bit her lip, wincing at the sudden sting in her lips. He took a steady step up the stairs till he stood beside her.
“Are you wearing a lipstick or am I responsible for that beautiful colour.’ She shuddered, flinching to herself, as he rubbed his thumb against her lips, rubbing off her balm assessing the extent of damage he had caused her mouth.
“That’s a beautiful shade you have there Chandini,’ He gasped in a low gritty voice, gazing at her blood red lips with fervent eyes. Chandini felt a jab at the base of her belly, rippling through her bud of pleasure, at the hunger evident in his eyes.
“I AM impressed with myself … looks like I have done decent damage.’ He whispered, locking her gaze with his passionate eyes.
“Does it sting?’ He asked.
She nodded.
“Good… you will think of me every time it stings.’ He whispered against her ears, nibbling her ears softly, as Chandini curled her toes, gasping for breath, “Now go speak to your mother, so I can finish what I have started.’
She nodded, taking a slow measured step down the stairs as he watched her with a satisfied smirk. He had her exactly where he had wanted her. She was born to submit… to submit to his will. It had been too easy to execute his control over her … she had been too easy. He almost sighed with disappointment. He had expected her to put up a fight, to rebel… to challenge him. She was no longer the feisty little free spirit he had left behind sixteen years ago.
It was lunchtime, Chandini filled the cups on the plate, with a spicy dal her mother loved, lightly spiced potatoes, roti and rice. She was going to have to speak to her mother.
She knocked on her Maa’s door.
“Kaun?’
“Maa … I have got your lunch.’ She popped her head through the crack in the door.
“Chandini… yes, my child … put it here.’ Indrani stood up from her bed and made her way towards the coffee table in front of her.
“How are you Maa?’ Chandini asked as she sat at her mother’s feet, carefully placing the thali on the table and handing her a glass of lightly spiced buttermilk.
“I am better now. Have you served lunch to your father?’
“Yes, I have Maa.’ Chandini answered with hopeful eyes, her mother was yet to ask her how she was doing, after the ordeal she had been through. She bit her lip lowering her head, hoping her Maa didn’t notice the redness on her lips.
“Maa … I wanted to sa.’
“Chandini,’ Indrani said in a stern voice, “PP is coming later in the evening. I need you to spend time with him. Prepare him a good dinner. Teek hai.’
“Yes Maa.’ She trembled. It was her birthday, had her Maa remembered. Maybe not like always. Tears stung her eyes.
“Maa,’ She choked on her tears, “Maa I need to.’
“What is it Chandini?’ Indrani asked scooping a spoonful of rice and dal.
“Maa I don’t want to ma…ma marry … PPji.’ She shook like a leaf, expecting her mother to throw the plate at her face. But instead trembled even more, when her mother had not reacted as expected. She slowly lifted her fear stricken gaze to Indrani’s furious eyes.
“I am sorry Maa…but I …’
Indrani put her hand up to Chandini, motioning her to stop.
“Chandini …you know that the doors to the treasure didn’t open, we are ruined. You wedding to PP is the only hope now. I have very high expectations from you … I hope you don’t let me down.’
“But Maa…please.’
“Why? Is It because he didn’t stand beside you when you needed him?’
“No…Yes.’ She said, unsure of what to tell her mother. How was she meant to say that there was another man who had rocked her world? Who had stood beside her, who had stirred emotions within her that she didn’t know existed until now.
But PP had not stood beside her when she had needed him, her Maa knew it. It was the truth.
“I see…. So, you don’t want to marry PP.’ Indrani sighed, “Teek hai … I can’t force you. I know you are hoping that Dev will return. I hoped too … after all, I was the one who had agreed to give your hand, to him in marriage. But he has not returned, and I have given up hope now.’
Chandini lowered her gaze, tears glistening in her eyes. Her Dev had left her, forever… and here she was, considering another man… kissing another man under the Banyan tree… under their Banyan tree.
“Go Chandini.’ Indrani said, as Chandini lifted her tear drenched eyes to her.
“Maa… please.’
“Just leave… I will speak to PP… I will have to find a way to deal with the debt collectors and with this society.’
“I am sorry Maa.’ She whispered, as she got up to her feet, wincing as her knee clicked. She staggered out of the room, throwing one last hopeful glance at Indrani, shivering to herself at the anger she saw seething from her mother’s eyes.
Chandini slowly shut the door, and took a deep breath.
“PP …we need to talk.’
She smiled weakly, tears finally trickling down her cheeks, the moment she heard Indrani on the phone to PP. Maybe there was hope. Maybe her Maa was not so heartless after all. Now all she had to do was tell her Maa that Advay wanted to marry her.
Chandini flitted around the kitchen, humming to herself. It felt like as though her heart had found wings. Was she in love? Was this love? She didn’t know, but she did feel a euphoric knot in her belly every time the memory of the previous night and the memory of his hot passionate kisses crossed her mind.
He had kissed her, Advay Singh Raizada had kissed her, at the stroke of midnight, on her birthday, she felt like a princess…like Cinderella herself. Murli glanced at her smiling to himself, as he continued making a stack of sandwiches. Chandini did seem happy in a very long time.
“Bh…Didi,’ He said, reminding himself that he had never called her Bhabhi, expect that evening when the goons had attacked, but he was certain that she hadn’t noticed. “You sound happy.’
“I am… I am extremely happy today.’
Murli glanced at her again smiling to himself, yet felt a sharp tug at his heart. Was he meant to warn her? Maybe not, at least she was smiling…after a long time.
“Murli what are you making?’ She asked.
“Hmm…. I am making a sandwich for Bhaiyya.’
“Is he here?’ Her heart leapt with joy.
“No, he is working from outside the temple, I will be taking these there, hence why I am making so many, even his staff share his lunch.’
“How does he…,’ She shivered, glancing towards the door to ensure no one heard her, “What does he like?’
Murli glanced towards her.
“You mean Bhaiyya?’
She nodded her head coyly. Tears glistened in Murli’s eyes, Chandini was a lovely girl, maybe he should warn her. But that meant betraying his brother, who had his reasons behind whatever it was that he intended to do.
“Have you heard of mirages…Mrig Trishna… Bh …Didi?’ He asked.
“Hmm …Huh… What?’
“Mirages …… you know what a mirage is?’ Murli asked her, struggling to fight his tears.
“Yeah, I do.’ She smiled, “it is an illusion, that occurs in the desert, where a person imagines a lake…an oasis glimmering in the distant sands, while it’s just the heat of the sun reflecting off the surface that creates the illusion.’
“Hmm,’ Murli said as he went back to chopping his tomatoes.
“Why do you ask?’
“I feel like life too sometimes is a mirage. Don’t you think so?’
“This world is an illusion Murli,’ Chandini gave him a warm smile, “As Aadi shakaracharya has said, Bramha satya, jagath mitya. The only truth is truth itself. Everything else is an illusion.’
“Yet, we run after these illusions. Why?’
“Waah Murli,’ Chandini giggled, “you are getting all philosophic today, Kya baat hai?’
“I have read somewhere B… Didi,’ He continued, ignoring her remark, “that Cobras hypnotise their prey before devouring them… is it true?’
“Hmm I have heard about that too, I think quite a few animals do that. I think sometimes the prey too freezes to the spot…. out of fear, when a predator attacks it. Why do you ask?’
“Does the prey know it is going to die?’
“Hmm maybe not… how does it matter? But then it’s the same as a moth and a flame….an illusion. A moth that flies towards it certain death?’
“What do you think goes on in its head, moments before the death?’ Murli held her gaze.
“How would I know Murli?’ She giggled shaking her head, as she shelled the peas for dinner.
“Just for fun B… Didi… What do you think a moth feels before its death, does it feel betrayed, anger…? HATE?’
“LOVE… it feels love.’
“What?’ He raised his brow.
“Intense love. A love that consumes you to the point that you melt into your lover. You cease to exist. Only he exits. Then there is no anger or hate. Because you wanted to melt into him. You give up your identity of your own accord… I think hence why a moth still flies towards a flame, even after eons of years of evolution, just to feel that intense love …even if it’s just for a few moments.’
“Is such kind of love possible?’ He murmured watching the glow in her eyes, at the mention of love.
“Well the moth has that for the flame, and eventually it is the moth that is immortalised and not the flame.’ She sighed, forever a hopeless romantic, “But have you ever thought of the flame?’
“Flame?’ He asked, “No … What about the flame?’
“Have you considered the pain the flame goes through?’
“Does it?’
“It is a love affair Murli, both ways. True love is always two sided, it’s the law of attraction…. A flame too loves the moth, hence why it shines gloriously, hoping the Moth will fly towards it. But once the moth dies, the flame flickers in pain, in grief, at the loss of its lover…at its own hands,’ Tears stung her eyes, “I think the grief of the flame is far more intense than the death of the moth. If I could, I would write sermons to the flame, that continues to burn ……in the grief of its lover lying at its feet… burnt to death with its own flame.’
“I have never met anyone like you B…Didi.’ Murli gazed at her with admiration. She was a true moth, forever in love with her flame. Able to feel his grief even when facing her own impending doom. She WOULD fly towards her flame, she WOULD burn … and he would burn…to watch her burn, that was the law of nature… the law of love. No one could challenge it or alter it.
“Murli,’ Chandini said, blushing to herself, “you didn’t say what he likes.’
“Huh?’ He said jolting out of his trance, blinking at his tears, “Hmm Bhaiyya will eat anything. He is not fussy.’
“Really?’ She chuckled, she hardly knew any man who didn’t throw a fuss at his wife, about lack of salt or too much of it.
“So, if someone was to give him something with no salt or too much salt.’
“He won’t even notice it. Hmmm…maybe he’ll notice, but won’t ever mention it.’
“Really Murli? How …Why?’
“Starvation… Have you ever starved B… Didi?’
“Hmm… I do fast once a year for Mahashivratri and then for Karwa Chauth, but it’s a nightmare Murli. I can’t do Nirjala, I munch on fruits.’ She giggled. What kind of a Mahants daughter was she? More so what sort of a Shiv Bhakt was she, who couldn’t even fast for a day for her god.
“Bhaiyya,’ Murli choked on his tears, “Bhaiyya … years ago went without food for weeks.’
“What?’ Chandini felt tears prick her eyes.
“He has known starvation like none of us can imagine. It has made him immune to taste now. He is grateful he has food on his table. I have never seen him complain… EVER.’ Murli said with tears glistening in his eyes, “There was this one time, I ended up burning the food, I didn’t realise I had done it, the gravy had caught at the bottom of the pan and the curry was bitter, almost inedible.
But Bhaiyya,’ He choked, “Bhaiyya ate it, he didn’t even flinch. I wept at his feet once I tasted what I had served. Since that day I never serve without tasting first, because it’s my duty to care for him, or he wouldn’t care for himself.’
“Maybe he is a good boss,’ She chuckled, “Trust me Murli, once he gets a wife he will complain all over the place.’
“He would even drink poison if you were to give it to him Bhabhi.’ Murli finally said.
Chandini shivered, at his words and at being called Bhabhi.
“Why are you calling me…?’
“I think you know why.’ He smiled ruefully, taking the platter of sandwiches and walking out of the kitchen.
Chandini felt a shiver run down her spine, Murli had just called her Bhabhi. She giggled, loving the sound of that word. So Murli knew. He knew that Advay wanted to marry her. She blushed, as sat on the stool next to the worktop, shelling peas. She closed her eyes and imagined Advay filling her parting with his Sindoor.
Chills spiralled down her spine at the scene his deep intense gaze as he filled her parting. She had never imagined any man fill her parting, even with Dev, she had never had a face that she could imagine. But with Advay her vision was vivid, making her face flush with a beautiful blush. He wanted to marry her….Did he love her? She frowned to herself.
“Indrani Vashisht,’ Chandini shuddered at the roar she heard. She scrambled to her feet, knocking her knee in the process, yelping to herself, it was her bad knee as she limped into the lounge. She froze, horrified to find her mother collapsed on the floor, holding a six-and-a-half-foot ruffian’s feet.
“Please …please don’t hurt my daughters,’ Indrani wept at his feet.
‘Maa,’ She let out a sigh, trembling like a leaf, she had never seen her mother like this. Maybe her mother had finally succumbed to the pressures of life.
“Chal hatt!’ The ruffian kicked Indrani. Chandini shrieked, running towards her mother. She slumped beside her and held her mother in her arms.
“Maa,’ She choked.
“Chandini,’ Indrani cried, weeping against her heart. “What are we going to do now?’
Chandini looked up at the six-foot monster and joined her hands in prayer, “Please …please don’t hurt my mother.’
“Tell your mother to pay the debt or to send one of your sisters tonight to my house.’
“What?’ Chandini gasped. “Why my sisters?’
“Because I don’t want a slut like you in my bed.’
She shuddered, flinching at his words, taking a step back. Her ears began to ring with his words, was she so undesirable? Was she not even worthy of a goon like him? Was she really a slut? She frowned… too many people kept telling her that…to the point that she had started to believe it.
“Please,’ She bowed her head, tears streaming down her face, as she looked down at her mother, trembling on the floor.
“What is going on here?’ Chandini darted her gaze towards the main door. PP strode in wearing a frown of concern on his face.
“PP,’ Indrani choked.
“What is the matter?’ PP asked the tall menacing man.
“Indrani Vashisht owes me money.’
“Oh… How much?’ He asked stuffing his hands in his pocket.
“Thirty lacs.’
PP glanced between the goon and the sobbing Indrani on the floor, to Chandini who stood with her head held down, her palms joined in prayer, throwing furtive glances towards him.
“That’s fine, I’ll pay you,’ He said.
“When?’
“Come back in two days’ time.’
“Teek hai.’ The goon took a step back, gazing down at Indrani, “I need my money in two days’ time or I am having one of your daughters.’
PP got on his toes and held the hulk, who was almost twice his size, by his collar, “Don’t you dare talk about my fiancé’s sisters in that tone of voice. You will have your cash in two days, now get lost.’
“Teek hai,’ The hulk, about twice the size of PP, snatched his collar from his hand and strode away.
PP smiled at Chandini, and took her folded hands into his, rubbing them sleazily, “Don’t worry Chandi, I am here. I won’t let anyone harm your sisters.’
Chandini pulled her hands from his clasp, disgusted with the way he rubbed them. She knelt, helping her mother to her feet.
“Thank you, PP, for helping us,’ Indrani choked on her tears, “or I don’t know what he would have done to my Meghu and Shikha.’
Tears rolled down Chandini’s cheeks, at the thought of the ruffian manhandling her sisters.
“Please don’t thank Indranij,’ PP smirked, “it is my duty as your future Son-in-law.’
PP and Indrani glanced at each other, a sly smirk flashing across Indrani’s lips, as Chandini held her head down and allowed her tears to flow.
“Hmm…. Mahantaniji, you said you wanted to speak to me about something urgently.’
“Oh Haan,’ Indrani put her hand on her head, and glanced at Chandini, “PP, Chandini doesn’t want to go ah…’
“Maa,’ Chandini whispered, clutching her mother’s arm, stopping her from finishing her sentence. She lifted her tear drenched gaze to her mother, shaking her head in a no. Indrani gave her a warm smile and stroked her head. No one could beat her at her game.
“Yes, sorry you were saying.’
“That Chandini wants to choose her wedding lehenga,’ Indrani smiled, wiping her tears, as Chandini leaned against her shoulder. She had trapped Chandini once again, “What colour would you prefer?’
“Ok cool,’ PP chirped, winking at Chandini, who was lost in her own thoughts, in Advay’s thoughts, “I don’t mind any colour, Chandi is a pretty girl, any colour would look stunning on her.’
“Of course, she is.’ Indrani kissed Chandini on top of her head.
“Hmm… my Maa, has invited the Pandit tomorrow, to give us another date for the Roka. Our family Pandit is away, but he has recommended a renowned astrologer from Haridwar to give us a Mahurat. We will be here tomorrow in the evening.’
“Yes sure,’ Indrani smiled, “We will be waiting, Hain naa Chandini?’
Chandini nodded, her eyes trained to her feet.
“Cool I’ll see you tomorrow,’ PP said, leaning in to grab Chandini’s hand as she clasped them towards herself.
“PP,’ Advay thundered from behind him, “How are you, bro?’
PP shook at the force with which Advay patted his back, glaring at Chandini as she trembled at the darkness in his eyes.
“I… I am… am fine bro.’
“What brings you here?’
“What?… Just came to say hello to my beautiful fiancé.’
Advay shifted his hooded gaze from Chandini to PP, digging his nails into his palm, struggling to stop himself from punching PP in the face.
“We were discussing about Chandini’s wedding lehenga,’ PP winked at Advay, while Indrani straightened herself. Advay watched him with narrow eyes, and pressed his lips in a thin line.
“So, what is the colour of the lehenga?’ He asked Chandini. “Red.’
“I think any colour would look pretty on her.’
“Of course,’ Indrani said, stroking Chandini head. “But we have already chosen one in blue.’
Chandini glanced up at her mother, had she? When?
“PP’s mother has chosen it, but I thought PP should also have a say in it.’
“Well if my mother has chosen it, then it must be perfect.’
Advay folded his hands across his chest, and watched Chandini furiously knotting the edge of her pallu, frowning to herself.
“What if Chandini doesn’t like it?’ He said.
“Oh, don’t worry, she will,’ Indrani grinned, “After all it is her mother in laws selec….’
“Would be,’ Advay interrupted.
“Sorry.’
“Would be mother-in-law.’
“Oh Advay, by the end of next week she will be married to PP, so she might as well get used to the idea of calling her Sasumaa.’
Advay took a deep breath and nodded at Indrani.
“How is your work at the temple coming along?’ Indrani finally asked.
“Good.’
“Thanks for what you did.’
“That’s fine Mrs Vashisht,’ Advay said in a surly tone.
“Oh yeah, thanks bro for saving Chandini.’
PP felt a shiver at the bone chilling glare Advay gave him.
“Where were you, bro? I saw you running away from the scene.’
Chandini lifted her gaze, glancing between Advay and PP. Had PP run away?
“Oh… no,’ PP fidgeted, “I had an urgent phone call, had to go. It was even before the chaos started.’
“I see.’
“Anyways you guys take care, I’ll see you tomorrow,’ He slithered away, giving Chandini one of his sleazy grins on his way out.
“Chandini,’ Advay flinched at Indrani’s clipped tone of voice, “Bring me a cup of tea, my head is hurting, and make sure you add the right quantity of ginger to it.’
Advay cocked his head to one side, glaring at Indrani from behind his hooded, narrow eyes. Who the hell did she think she was ordering around? He was going to have to put an end to this nonsense.
Chandini stumbled away towards the Kitchen, while Indrani made her way towards her room, leaving a fuming Advay standing in the centre of the lounge with clenched fists.
He followed Chandini into the kitchen.
“I want to see you, once you are done with this tea making nonsense.’Chandini shuddered, at the rage she saw simmering in his eyes. “You don’t want to keep me waiting,’
He glared at her, meaning every word he said, as he turned around and stomped out of the kitchen.
_____
Author’s note
I loved this chapter for Chandini’s moth to flame definition. The chapter itself lays a foundation to who she is.
Those of you reading New Dawn, I am sure you can see how she had always wanted to break free, yet her mother had her under her command, by fear, manipulation, or whatever, but Chandini did feel suppressed, and helpless too.
Love Chitra
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