The Marriage
#Episode 10
#Disclaimer: This is an original work of fiction. Any relation to any person or organism living or dead is purely coincidental. This story cannot be published, copied or reproduced elsewhere without the consent of the author Rhituparna Chakraborty. This is a work of imagination with no intention to hurt anyone.
The lights were dimmed in the aircraft. Everyone got comfortable in their seats. Some passengers pulled up their blankets and slept cozily on their seats with their pillows giving them solace. Some passengers got busy watching movies or shows. Neeraj looked at Sofia sitting in the aisle seat in the adjacent row. Sofia sent a flying kiss to him. Neeraj pretended to grab it with his hand. Sofia giggled. With gestures, Sofia looked at Neeraj and said, ‘ I missed you.’ Neeraj made a heart gesture and whispered, ‘ I missed you too.’ Sofia had tears in her eyes. Neeraj sent one more flying kiss to her and whispered, ‘ I hate tears.’ Sofia smiled with tears in her eyes. Because of this mission, Neeraj was away from Sofia for a year. However, this was a job only Neeraj had said yes to. Mushtaque and Neeraj’s boss had been trying to bust this racket since long. Initially it was a drugs racket. Later on it became flesh trade. It was not easy reaching the leads of this racket. The only way to reach Burns was through Kushal. Reaching Kushal was also not a piece of cake. Someone had to be there with him through out. Initially it was planned that Sofia would be with Kushal through out to pull out the information. However, Kushal was not inclined towards girls. He was more into good looking man. Mushtaque suggested Neeraj’s name. Neeraj was an incredible officer of crime branch. He was smart, agile, super good looking and skilled. As a child, his ambition in life was to become a movie actor. However, his search for adventure landed him in this super adventurous job in crime branch. It was a tough job for Neeraj to woo Kushal. Neeraj had to behave like a delicate young chap in need of true love. He had to behave like a jealous lover who used to hate it when Kushal would stare at anyone else other than him. The worst of all was the physical intimacy with Kushal. It was difficult. But, this was a mission where 20 innocent girls had to be rescued. Using his wit, Neeraj was able to protect himself from going too deep in his physical relation with Kushal.
Mushtaque closed his eyes. He was still thinking about the old lady in the wheel chair. The moment Mushtaque and Neeraj had seen the old lady, they were surprised. They had not expected this. Mushtaque and Neeraj had looked at each other in utter amazement. But there was no way they could discuss anything here. Thankfully Saanchi was fast asleep. She knew nothing.
Suddenly there was turbulence. The lights were switched on. There was an announcement, ‘ Due to bad weather, we are facing turbulence. Please fasten your seat belts and refrain from using the washroom.’ Saanchi was fast asleep. However, because of the turbulence, she opened her eyes for a split second, held Mushtaque’s arm tightly, leaned on his shoulder and went to sleep again. She was so tired that she had no clue what was happening around. Mushtaque quietly smiled when he saw Saanchi doing this. He did not want to disturb her. He let her hold his arm and he did not budge at all because if he did, Saanchi might wake up. Mushtaque closed his eyes and tried to get some sleep.
Just then an air hostess arrived with food. The airhostess said, ‘ Excuse me.’ Neeraj, Mushtaque and Saanchi, all of them were fast asleep. The air hostess said again, ‘ Excuse me’. Saanchi suddenly woke up. She opened her eyes. When she realised that she had been sleeping on Mushtaque’s shoulder. She woke up with a start and sat upright on her seat. She smiled at the air hostess and arranged the tray tables of Neeraj and Mushtaque along with her table. Without disturbing Neeraj and Mushtaque, she laid the food on their tables.
Saanchi looked at Mushtaque. The wounds on his face were still fresh. She looked at his sleeping face. He looked so graceful. Saanchi looked at him and recalled all that he did to save her and all the girls. His actions, his kindness…there was love even in his scolding. Mushtaque suddenly opened his eyes. He saw Saanchi looking at him. Saanchi was taken aback. She quickly focused on her food. Mushtaque smiled to himself. Saanchi caught him smiling. She wished she could see his smile all the time.
The flight landed in India. Mushtaque, Neeraj, Sofia and Chopra escorted the girls to the immigration check. The girls were elated to reach their homeland. Now they will be made to stay in the police guesthouse and tomorrow the rest of the formalities would be taken care of. Mushtaque, Neeraj, Sofia and Chopra kept on turning around to see if the lady in the wheel chair was still there or not. She had not arrived at the immigration check as yet. She was in a wheel chair and hence she would disembark from the aircraft last of all. Someone would bring her here.
After all of them were done with the immigration formalities, they waited at the lounge. They will board the bus soon to the guesthouse. They were waiting for the lady in wheelchair. They could not go without her.
The lady in the wheelchair arrived. Neeraj and Mushtaque went out of the lounge to greet her. The lady looked at Neeraj and said, ‘No questions about this wheel chair now and me boarding this flight. I will tell you all about it at the headquarters. My car is here. I will go ahead.’ The lady then looked at Mushtaque. Mushtaque smiled and said, ‘ I ensured her safety through out. She is absolutely fine. See for yourself.’ The lady smiled warmly and said, ‘ I don’t need clarifications from you. I trust you. I know she is fine. See you’
To be continued……..
