Dosh Episode 5

#DoshEpisode5

#doshepisode5

#DoshEpisode5

#dosh

#FS

Link for previous chapter/chapters: #doshepisode1 , #DoshEpisode1, #DoshEpisode2, #DoshEpisode2, #DoshEpisode3, #doshepisode3, #DoshEpisode4, #doshepisode4

#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.
17. Saanchi: Mushtaque’s wife
18. Mehek: Mushtaque’s daughter

Link for previous chapter/chapters: #doshepisode1 , #DoshEpisode1, #DoshEpisode2, #DoshEpisode2, #DoshEpisode3, #DoshEpisode3, #DoshEpisode4, #doshepisode4

Mushtaque said, ‘Hey Anurag, so sorry to hear about your grandmother’s demise’. Anurag replied, ‘Everything happened so suddenly that we could not save her.’ Mushtaque sighed. Anurag then said, ‘Hey Mushtaque, it has been ages since we met. Come and stay with us for some days.’ Come for grandma’s prayer ceremony. Please.’ Mushtaque smiled and said, ‘Dude, you don’t have to say “please’’. Your voice tells me there is something you want to tell me. I will be there.’

Mushtaque hung up his phone. Saanchi was swinging on the swing in the porch with Mehek. They were humming songs and playing a board game while seated on that swing. Mushtaque was standing near the gate while talking to Anurag. He was wearing a round necked blue t shirt and pair of black track pants. He was wearing flip flops on his feet. While he was talking on the phone, some college girls walked passed the gate. They could not stop staring at Mushtaque’s alluring face, tall and strong physique, flat abdomen, charming eyes and not to forget the killer smile. Mushtaque had come home early today. He had left for work at around 5:00 a.m. today. Saanchi and Mehek never knew about his missions. Today Mushtaque would have been shot on his chest, had he not shot the narcotrafficker right on time.

After the call, Mushtaque came and told Saanchi, ‘Anurag’s grandma passed away. He has asked me to come over to his place. Would you and Mehek like to come with me?’ Mehek said earnestly, ‘My Daddy dear, I have my school picnic on Friday. Mommy promised she will come with me. I don’t want to miss that. And after that Grandma and Grandpa have promised me and mommy that they will take us to Grandpa’s farmhouse. Please daddy, I want to go there.’ Saanchi patted Mehek’s head, looked at Mushtaque and said, ‘You, I and Mehek just had a nice holiday. I think this time her wish is our command. Let her enjoy her school picnic and her time with my parents. Of course, only if you don’t mind. Otherwise, we can come. Also, you and your friend are meeting after a long time, I think, you guys should get some time with each other.’ Mushtaque laughed and said, ‘You sure give me a lot of freedom. Don’t you! It’s strange that you never ask me questions like where was I, who all were with me and you let me hang out with my friends without any questions. You are so different from those wives they show on television, who constantly doubt their husbands.’ Saanchi got off the swing, wrapped her arms around Mushtaque’s shoulders and said, ‘This is called trust and moreover, you too never ask me any questions even if I am late sometimes from college or sometimes from some meetings. So, this trust is mutual.’ Mushtaque went closer to Saanchi and whispered, ‘And love too.’ Saanchi blushed and said, ‘Always.’

The Kothari household was busy arranging stuff for Lata Kothari’s prayer ceremony. Sumedh and all his brothers were at home arranging stuff, while Anurag and Aavish continued going to office. Things were not good in office. The company will sink in huge debts if Rajesh Verma did not help. Anurag was talking to an employee named Neha when Tanaya came. Tanaya was not happy to see Anurag talking to Neha. Tanaya quickly came and told Anurag, ‘This is not done. Grandma passed away and you are back to work. You should have taken some days off.’ Anurag sighed and said, ‘I would have but Grandma herself wouldn’t have liked it, if instead of working for the company, I stayed back at home.’ Tanaya then looked at Neha and said, ‘You may go now. I will tell you what all needs to be done.’ Anurag looked at Tanaya irked and said, ‘Tanaya! Come on! I have to tell her all the details or else the report will be a mess.’ Tanaya looked at Anurag with jealous eyes and said, ‘You tell me what she has to do, I will convey the exact message to her.’ Neha found their argument embarrassing and hence without saying anything, Neha left. Anurag was furious with Tanaya. However, Anurag would never shout at a lady. He told Tanaya gently, ‘You did not do the right thing Tanaya.’ Tanaya smiled and said, ‘Oh come on Anurag, chill!’ Tanaya then pulled Anurag’s hand and said, ‘Come on now! We have to meet Papa. He is waiting for us upstairs.’

Rajesh Verma was elated to see Anurag. He got up from his comfortable chair, walked up to Anurag, hugged him and said, ‘Son, very soon, you will have to manage this office also. I am tired of managing things alone. Tanaya helps but she also needs a helping hand. I know this is not the right time to say this, but I have already spoken with your parents. The day after Lata Ji’s prayer ceremony, we have planned your ring ceremony with Tanaya.’ Anurag was shocked. He replied, ‘So soon? I mean…..’ Rajesh Verma patted Anurag’s shoulder and said, ‘Only then can I transfer the money.’ Anurag knew he didn’t have a choice.

With so many people and visitors in the house, sneaking out of the house became difficult for Sumitra. But, she had to get out to meet Guruji somehow. But before that, she had to get a ‘mangalsutra’, ‘kumkum’ and a ‘ring’ and Anurag had to touch those once. Sumitra also had to ensure that Anurag did not find anything suspicious. After all, today Kashish had to get married to Anurag or to be precise, his picture. Only then Anurag and Tanaya could get engaged. Feigning a bad headache Sumitra went to Naina and said, ‘Naina, I will have to go to my doctor. Looks like my blood pressure is fluctuating. I have a massive headache.’ Naina said, ‘Oh! Please go to the doctor. But, how will you manage alone? Let me send someone with you.’ Sumitra said, ‘No no, I will manage. The driver will be there. So, it is fine. It may take time.’ Saying that, Sumitra quickly left. Sumitra called Anurag at his office and asked him to come down to the parking space. Anurag came downstairs worried. Seeing Sumitra, Anurag asked surprised, ‘How come you are here Maa and why didn’t you come upstairs?’ Trying to hide all her emotions, right from fear to anxiety, Sumitra tried to smile calmly and said, ‘Well there are some things that you need to touch once. Hence I had to come here.’ Anurag asked, ‘What things?’ Sumitra replied, ‘The things for your wedding.’ She then took out the ‘Mangalsutra’, ‘Kumkum’ and the ring and asked Anurag to touch them. Anurag said, ‘Why do I need to touch these now? Anyway I would have touched these during the wedding.’ Sumitra groped for words and said, ‘Yes I know, but Guruji asked me to do so, hence…’ Anurag replied with an irritated tone, ‘Uff Guruji….’ Sumitra hushed him immediately and said, ‘Not a word against him. You go back to work now. I will also take your leave.’

Kashish was in a state on trance. She did not know where she was or what was being done to her. She was half conscious. She knew there were some people around her. She could hear voices. Some voices seemed familiar. She felt some heavy attire on her body. She could feel someone dressing her up and every time she tried to say something her speech would be slurry. She could faintly smell smoke. Guruji sat in front of Kashish. Sumitra had dressed up Kashish in a heavy red lehenga with some jewellery. Anurag’s picture was kept right in front of Kashish. With some chants, Guruji began the rituals. Kashish heard faint sounds and she heard the name Sumitra Ji faintly. Kashish felt something being put on her neck, her forehead being touched and she being made to walk around something 7 times. After the rituals were done Kashish was heavily sedated and taken to a dark room. Guruji congratulated Sumitra and said, ‘You can now get Tanaya and Anurag married anytime you want. Your son’s horoscope is free of the ‘dosh’ now.’

Next morning, Sanmit stood at the gate looking at Latika, the new househelp. Latika was around 19 years old with a height of 5 feet or so and dusky complexion and tiny structure. She was wearing a pair of loose salwar suit with her dupatta tied tightly on her waist. She was sweeping the path from the porch to the gate. As she bent, her cleavage was somewhat visible. Sanmit kept on staring at it. Just then someone from behind patted his shoulder. Sanmit turned around and said rudely, ‘What the hell…..’. The gentleman replied, ‘She is doing her work. Instead of focusing on her, why don’t you focus on your work?’ Sanmit roared and said, ‘You are standing at my house. That girl belongs to my house. Get lost.’ Saying that, Sanmit went closer to Latika and gently touched her back. Latika was startled. Latika said shivering, ‘You….need something Sir?’ Sanmit fixed his gaze at Latika’s bosom. The gentleman standing behind turned Sanmit around and punched right on his nose that Sanmit’s nose started bleeding. Sanmit screeched in pain. Anurag came out rushing hearing the commotion. Anurag saw Sanmit writhing in pain. He was about to ask how this happened, when he saw the gentleman. It was Mushtaque. Forgetting all about Sanmit, Anurag hugged Mushtaque and said, ‘So nice to see you bro!’ Mushtaque hugged him back and said, ‘Same here bro.’ Latika beamed at Mushtaque, joined her hands and said, ‘Thank You! I will go get some juice for you.’ She then looked at Anurag and said, ‘Anurag Sir, your friend is very nice.’ Anurag looked at Sanmit. Sanmit knew there was no point telling Anurag anything now. Anurag took Mushtaque inside the house. While going inside, Mushtaque saw Anurag looking at the outhouse pensively. Mushtaque knew something was troubling Anurag……………..