Dosh Episode 4

#DoshEpisode4

#doshepisode4

#DoshEpisode4

#dosh

#FS

Link for previous chapter/chapters: #doshepisode1 , #DoshEpisode1, #DoshEpisode2, #DoshEpisode2, #DoshEpisode3, #doshepisode3

#Author: #RhituparnaChakraborty

#Disclaimer: This is an original work of fiction with no relation to any person/organism living or dead. Every episode, every character is a work of imagination. Any resemblance to any person, organism, place or character is purely coincidental. There is no intention to hurt or rebuke anyone through this work. This story/episode cannot be copied, published or reproduced without the permission of the author RhituparnaChakraborty.

Characters:

1. Hiren Kothari, Lata Kothari (Hiren Kothari passed away. Lata Kothari is his wife who is 75 years old now)
2. Sumedh Kothari (55 years old), Sumitra Kothari(53 years old)(Eldest son and daughter in law of Hiren and Lata)
3. Anurag(30), Aavish (27), Aanya(24) ( Children of Sumedh and Sumitra)
4. Subhash Kothari(52) and Naina Kothari(50) (Second son and daughter in law of Hiren and Lata)
5. Saanya(22) and Sanmit(25) (Subhash and Naina’s children)
6. Sumit Kothari(49) and Tripti Kothari(46) ( 3rd son and daughter in law of Hiren and Lata)
7. Vedant(20), Vishaka(17) and Varun(14) ( Sumit and Tripti’s children)
8. Som Kothari(46) and Urmi Kothari(40) (Youngest son and daughter in law of Lata and Hiren)
9. Dviti(15) (Som and Urmi’s only child)
10. Kashish (21) (Gardener Sanjay’s daughter. Sanjay and his wife are no more in this world. Kashish is an orphan)
11. Kaamini (50) (Distant aunt of Kashish who lives with Kashish in the outhouse of Kothari Mansion)
12. Rajesh Verma (54) (Business Partner and friend of Sumedh Kothari)
13. Tanaya Verma (27) (Rajesh Verma’s daughter)
14. Chaitanya Guruji (Passed away)(He was the family’s Guruji)
15. Lakshya Guruji (53)(Chaitanya Guruji’s son who is now the family’s Guruji).
16. Mushtaque Khan: Cop and Anurag’s friend.

Link for previous chapter/chapters: #doshepisode1 , #DoshEpisode1, #DoshEpisode2, #DoshEpisode2, #DoshEpisode3, #DoshEpisode3

The entire family came running. Sumitra clutched Lata’s shoulder and screamed, ‘WAKE UP MAA. WAKE UP! YOU CAN’T LEAVE US LIKE THIS.’ She was inconsolable. Sumedh forcibly pulled Sumitra away from Lata so that Anurag and Aavish could rush Lata to the hospital. Kashish stood there aghast. Lata was everything for her. After Kashish’s mom had left this world, Lata was the one who took care of Kashish. Lata ensured Kashish went to school. Lata ensured Kashish ate well. Lata ensured Kashish got all the things a girl needed for her survival. For Kashish Lata was her mother/father/guardian, everything, and now she was gone. Kashish could not cry. Her eyes were parched. When Anurag and Aavish carried Lata’s body, staring at Lata’s body blankly, Kashish said, ‘I am coming to the hospital too.’ Aavish said, ‘B…but Kashish…..’. Looking at Kashish, Anurag interrupted, ‘Let Kashish come with us Aavish.’

Anurag drove the car, while Aavish sat on the passenger seat. Kashish sat on the rear seat putting Lata’s head on her lap. Looking at Lata’s pale face, Kashish brushed Lata’s hair and said, ‘Wake up grandma. You cannot leave me like this. You wanted to see me financially independent with a job, didn’t you? I have been studying hard grandma. Wake up. Grandma, if you don’t wake up, you know what Kaamini aunty will do. She will get me married to her neighbour’s son. You had promised me you won’t let that happen. Wake up….’ Saying that Kashish broke down and sobbed like a little child. Tears streamed out of Aavish’s eyes. Anurag’s eyes became blood shot red. Every word that Kashish said pierced his heart. Controlling himself, Anurag drove as fast as he could till they reached the hospital.

Lata was rushed to the emergency room. Anurag, Aavish and Kashish waited at the lobby. Sumedh, Subhash, Sumit, Som and Sanmit also arrived. Kashish sat on a bench like a statue. She knew Lata was dead, she knew what the doctor would say, she knew what was in store for her now, she knew her education was gone, she knew she would have to go with Kaamini to the village, she knew her life would now be in the mercy of that drunkard guy with whom Kaamini would get her married.

Seeing Kashish sitting alone in the bench somewhat away from the rest of the Kothari family, Sanmit came near Kashish. Kashish was lost. Her spine, her support, her grandma was gone. Sanmit sat beside Kashish and touched her thighs. Kashish was startled. She tried to get up but Sanmit pulled her hand and made her sit again. With teary eyes, red nose, disheveled hair, Kashish said shivering, ‘L…let me go please.’ Sanmit whispered, ‘I am here to console you sweetheart. Sit with me for sometime.’ Sanmit held her delicate wrist tightly. Kashish tried to set her wrist free but Sanmit smirked and refused to budge.

Anurag brushed his hair with both his hands, his eyes still blood shot red and his heart still broken with Lata’s demise. He looked around. Sumedh, Subhash, Sumit and Som were together at one corner of the reception area. All of them shattered to the core. Aavish was waiting in front of the doctor’s chamber. Kashish was nowhere to be seen. Anurag went ahead to find Kashish. He saw her sitting on the bench trying to free herself from Sanmit. He walked towards the bench. Seeing Anurag, Kashish exclaimed, ‘Anurag Sir!’ Sanmit immediately left Kashish’s hand, stood up and stammered, ‘A..A..Anurag Bhaiyya…. I was just coming.’ Anurag looked at Sanmit and said sternly, ‘Go to Aavish near doctor’s chamber.’ Anurag then looked at Kashish and said gently, ‘Look Kashish, whatever happened, we cannot change anything. And by waiting here, there is nothing much that you can do. The driver is here. Go home. I will ask him to come till the gate and pick you up.’ Kashish said with a cracked voice, trying to stop her tears, ‘I will go on my own Sir. Let the car be.’ Anurag said assertively, ‘You will do as I say.’ Anurag then called the driver and escorted Kashish to the car.

Kaamini sat beside Sumitra in one corner of the living room. Crying and sobbing, Kaamini said, ‘Lata Ji was such a nice soul. Oh dear. How am I to live here now with my child Kashish. In some days I will leave this house with her. What will the poor thing do without Lata Ji.’ Sumitra listened to Kaamini and said, ‘Come with me to my room.’ Sumitra locked the door and sat on the couch. Kaamini sat on the floor. Sumitra then said, ‘Now listen to me carefully. Don’t ask me any questions. Just do as I say and I will pay you 30 lakhs.’ Kaamini looked at Sumitra aghast and said astounded, ‘30 Lakhs!!!’ Sumitra said curtly, ‘Yes 30 lakhs cash.’ Still in shock, Kaamini asked, ‘What do I have to do?’ Sumitra said, ‘You have to leave this mansion without informing anyone. Kashish stays with me. You will forget Kashish and will never ever ask about her. If you try to inquire about her, I will ensure you will be behind the bars for harassing Kashish. You will not go to your village. I will buy you a flat in Ashanagar, far away from your village. Live there comfortably. You should not be reachable by phone. Your electricity bills, food bills, everything will be taken care of. Never ever try to reach me again. And you ask me any questions, you lose this deal. Think about it and tell me your answer.’ Kaamini said greedily, ‘Shall I leave tonight?’ Sumitra said, ‘Okay! I will give you the Ashanagar address. Go there. You will receive the money there.’

At the hospital, the doctor informed Anurag that Lata Kothari was already dead when she was brought to the hospital. She had a bad allergy attack which had led to breathlessness and then death. The body was taken home and her last rites were done with all the rituals. Donned in plain white chiffon salwar suit, Tanaya sat beside Anurag with her hand holding his hand trying to console him. Kashish sat on the floor of Lata’s room, putting her head on Lata’s bed with tears drenching the bed. Anurag excused himself from Tanaya and went to Lata’s room. Dressed in white Kurta and denim trousers, Anurag stood at Lata’s door way looking at Kashish. His heart went out to her. He walked out of the room. It was not easy seeing this bubbly girl in pain.

It was late at night, around, 12:00 a.m. when Kashish went to her room in her outhouse after finishing all the work. She was exhausted and drained out. The house was ajar. Kaamini was nowhere to be seen. She was about to call Kaamini when she felt some fragrance in the air. After that she fell into a deep swoon.

Anurag could not sleep the whole night. He told himself, ‘How could grandma get an allergy attack? She was so conscious of what she ate and everyone in the household knew what she was allergic to. Then, how could she get an attack!’

At around 8:30 a.m. Anurag came downstairs. Except for a few house-helps, no one had woken up as yet. Everyone was exhausted yesterday. He looked around. Kaamini and Kashish were not there in the kitchen. He assumed they were sleeping too. He went back to his room, freshened up and came downstairs by 9:30 a.m. Almost everyone was downstairs except Kashish and Kaamini. Anurag went to the kitchen. Kashish and Kaamini were not there. Sumitra saw Anurag in the kitchen and said, ‘Breakfast is almost ready son. I will serve in a while.’ Anurag asked with a note of inquiry, ‘Why you Maa? Where is Kashish and Kaamini?’ Sumitra hesitated and said, ‘Oh, actually Kaamini had come to meet me after you all had slept last night. Apparently there was some emergency in her village home. So, she had to leave and she did not want to go alone, so took Kashish along with her.’ Anurag was somewhat confused, but he could never distrust Sumitra. He said, ‘Oh okay! When are they coming back? ’ Sumitra hesitated and said, ‘ I am sure they will be back soon. Don’t worry. I will call Kaamini and find out. ’ Anurag did not say anything. Sumitra heaved a sigh of relief after Anurag left.

Just then Anurag’s phone rang. It was from his buddy. His buddy had come to know about Lata’s demise from social media. Hence he was calling Anurag. Anurag received the call and said, ‘So nice to hear from you Mushtaque…..’