My Nepenthe

Chapter 36

"Svetlana, why did you involve yourself in the kidnap? If you are caught this time, I won't be able to get you out. Shivaay must be behind the entire department to get you arrested for sure," a gruff voice sounded from the other end of the line.

"I am sorry uncle. I thought Karan would be of help but he is too moral to side me in this."

"Is that guy of any use to us? First get rid of him."

"I think you are right," Svetlana agreed.

"I thought he is smart and that he would be of help but he is too hard to be coaxed and he wouldn't assist me unless he thinks it would help him find something on Tej," she said grumpily.

"Svetlana, if he knows that you lied, he might give you away to the police or worse he might harm you. I am worried about you, my child."

"Please don't uncle. Karan knows nothing as I did not trust him completely. I will be alright. We waited twenty years for our revenge and we will succeed this time."

"I know you will make me proud."

"Okay, I will call you later."

"Sure, remember that Sahil is not important. If need arises don't hold on to him. We don't need Pinky's help any longer. So, you need not please her."

"Okay," Svetlana replied and ended the call.

********************************************************************************

As days passed, Omkara and Gauri could curb their anger but did not try to understand each other. The days went painfully long with silent stares, each waiting for the other to talk and the nights were falsely comforting when they found each other only physically close.

"We will find him Anika, we just got a clue," Shivaay told his fiancé and she blankly nodded her head.

"Please eat something Bhabhi. Sitting like this will not do any good," Omkara urged his sister in law.

"Sahil will not forgive us if he saw you with a shrunken face and swollen eyes," Rudra said hugging his sister in law.

It has been three days to the incident and Gauri watched in silence as the three brothers tried to console the bride to be.

"Can you please give me some time alone? I will eat in a short while," Anika spoke and the three men helplessly nodded their heads.

Gauri stood up to leave with them when she was stopped.

"Bhaujai?"

"Stay Gauri," said Anika and the latter looked at her husband who nodded his head, gesturing her to take care of the other.

Once they were alone, Anika burst into tears and Gauri could do nothing but hug her close, gently rubbing her back.

"Kyun hota hai ye mere saath humesha? Kushiya meri zindagi mein zyadaa deer tak rukti kyun nahi. Meri two rupee kismat humesha use cheen ke le jaati hai."

"Why does this always happen to me Gauri. Happiness doesn't stay in my life for long. Every time I think that I am happy, the next moment my bad luck snatches it away," the elder one cried in the younger one's arms.

"Sahil is the only one I have. It is my marriage in a few days and I am here without anyone by my side like an orphan. I don't feel like there is any energy left in me to cry."

"Please don't say that Bhaujai. You have me, our entire family and you have Sahil. He will come back to us in no time."

"Day by day I am losing hope. What they already kil..."