WILD SUMMER ECHOES

EPISODE EIGHT

“When the power of love overcomes the love of power, the world will know peace.”- Jimi Hendrix

They kissed with passion, love and yearning. The kiss went on for a long moment and when they pulled apart, Sandip buried his face in the curve of her neck and whispered

“Don’t go Sahana. I can’t live without you…….”

Sahana inched her face away and cupped his chin, “I won’t go Sandip…Please, I can’t see you like this…I will send a mail saying that I am unable to accept their offer due to personal reasons…”

Sandip’s beautiful smile seduced her senses, “Sahana, we will try to get jobs here and be with each other always…” With a teary smile Sahana agreed.

Hands clasped tightly in each other’s they went down happily. But their parents had already retired for the night so they decided to tell them of her decision later... Bidding each other reluctantly, they went to their respective houses, falling asleep with a blurred image of a rosy future and a dreamy love in the horizon.

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

As the night deepened, the men in the warehouse formed groups and took note of their segment of the city from their leader. They collected their arms and ammunition and split up for the night. They were going to unleash their fury very soon.

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

The next morning dawned bright and beautiful for Sahana and Sandip. They looked forward to seeing each other.

But when Sahana woke up, she heard her mother and father talking loudly over the phone. They sounded excited. When she went down, the telephone conversation got over.

“Ma, what is the matter? Why do you sound so excited?” Sahana asked her parents who were having tea.

“Sahana, do you remember Anju aunty and her daughter? They used to stay here but shifted to Meerut two years ago.’ Mallika asked

Sahana nodded “Of course ma. She used to teach me bhajans…”

“Yes Yes, her daughter is getting engaged and she has invited us for the function.” Mallika explained with excitement at the thought of travelling out of New Delhi.

“When is it?”

“Tomorrow. It all happened in a hurry so she could not inform earlier.”

“I will book tickets in a train. It is better than bus. We will take tonight’s train. Then we can be there in time and help them…….” Dinanath said.

“Papa I can book online…” Sahana suggested but Dinanath informed, “Booking office is so close by. It will take me hardly ten minutes to go and book…”

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

By afternoon, someone in the Colony mentioned that two or three shops in a suburb on the other side of the city were set on fire. Everyone thought that it was just a stray incident that was bound to be the result of some personal rivalry.

Sahana reached home from office early as her friend dropped her in her vehicle. She found Mallika worried and anxious. She informed Sahana that she was concerned about Dinanath because he had not come back home from shop. He had told her that he would buy the tickets and reach home early.

Dinanath forgot to carry his mobile often and left it at home that day. Sahana tried Sandip’s number. His number too said that it was out of reach. They waited anxiously for Dinanath to come home.

Dinanath reached home by eight in the evening but he had got injured and with the support of Sandip and Govind Singh he limped back to his house. Mallika and Sahana were shocked to find his leg in bandage.

After Dinanath settled down on the bed, he narrated the story of how he had fallen down on the road while coming back from the booking counter. Someone he knew had helped him to reach hospital as he was bleeding in the leg. He had contacted Govind Singh and Sandip to help him reach home. He had sprained his ankle apparently. There were some wounds too.

Mallika suggested that they cancel their trip to Meerut but Dinanath was adamant that they should attend.

“But how will you travel with that leg. It is not advisable.” Mallika reasoned with her husband.

“Mallika; you and Sahana can attend the function. I will stay back. Someone should go otherwise it will look very bad. They are our close friends and Anju’s husband pleaded with me to be present a day before the event.”

“But Papa they will understand if you explain about your injury.” Sahana too reasoned.

“No, you both go. I will stay back…” Dinanath stated

“Dinanath, how can we go leaving you here like this?”

“Nothing is wrong with me. I won’t be able to move around for a few days. That is all.”

“But Dinanath…..” Mallika was interrupted by Sandip,

“Aunty, don’t worry about Dinanath uncle. I will take care of him. You and Sahana attend the function. It is just a matter of two days.”

“Yes, Mallika, we are here. Why are you worried?” Govind Singh too added…

Mallika agreed finally. Sahana and Mallika packed their clothes reluctantly. Mallika kept asking Dinanath if he needed anything. In amusement, he asked her to forget him and enjoy the celebration. When Sahana asked her father to take care, he smiled and hugged her…

“You know Sahana; I have decided to send you to Kochi. You should also live your life. Go and experience life dear. My blessings are with you….”

Sahana felt like crying but she hugged him tightly. This was the first time that she was leaving him and going away. She did not tell him then that she had decided to not to accept the job offer. She thought she would tell him after coming back from her trip.

With a heavy heart, Mallika and Sahana left for the station. Sandip offered to drop them. When they settled down in the train, Sandip teased Sahana about how she was going to work in a different city when she looked so distressed at going away for just two days. Sahana made a face at him but she agreed with him. It would be extremely difficult for her to leave the safe haven of her family and go away.

As the train left the platform, Sahana felt a strange sense of desolation. She waved till Sandip’s figure disappeared.

Mallika and Sahana forgot their unease once they reached their friends’ house. They got busy with preparations next day.

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

The city of New Delhi witnessed the violence of mob fury for the first time after decades of peace and harmony. From setting shops to fire, the riot spread across the city fast and furious without any warning. The rioters went berserk by stoning vehicles, setting fire, attacking houses and breaking anything that they came across. By the time the police force and Para military woke up to the riots, it was already too late.

While Sahana and Mallika attended the engagement function at night, the mob had inched closer to their colony…………

To be continued…..