The Marriage
#Bonus Episode
#Episode 9
#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.
Link to chapter 8:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/TheStorytellerslab/?post_id=812104622656032
Saanchi kept on staring at that person. The person smiled at Saanchi, Neeraj and Mushtaque and went ahead to his seat.
Saanchi looked at Mushtaque flabbergasted. Mushtaque did not say anything. The airplane was supposed to takeoff by now. However, there was some delay due to traffic. Neeraj looked at his watch and told Mushtaque, ‘ Boss, if Burns comes, we are done for. He will certainly stop this flight.’ Mushtaque leaned at the backrest of his seat, stretching his arms. While doing that, his elbow touched Saanchi’s cheek. He immediately looked at her and said ‘Sorry’. Saanchi did not say anything. She looked outside from the window. Saanchi heard Neeraj and Mushtaque’s conversation. She knew, there was no point asking them anything because they will never answer. But, she would seek answers to all her questions. Mushtaque said grimly to Neeraj, ‘ Another 15 to 20 minutes delay and Burns will be here. This mission was a nearly impossible mission. After these many years of planning, we made it. I can’t afford to send these girls back to hell. I want to ensure these girls have a job and they settle down well. Pheww.’
Suddenly there was an announcement, ‘ The flight will be delayed for another 15 minutes because of traffic. One of our passengers had not boarded the flight. The passenger will be joining us soon. Once the passenger is in, we will take off.’ Mushtaque rubbed his face with the palms of his hand. Neeraj and Mushtaque looked at each other with worry. Saanchi knew if this passenger was Burns, none of them will be spared. They will be made to disembark from the aircraft and will be taken back to the hell hole. Saanchi kept on looking outside and prayed that they would just leave this nation and reach home. Rest of the girls knew nothing about it. They dozed off. They were dreaming of going to a secured place, away from torture, away from pain, away from brutal attacks.
There was an announcement again, ‘ The passenger is almost here. We will be taking off soon.’ Hearing that Saanchi’s eyes became red, she wanted to stop herself from crying, but she was so scared that she could not stop herself. All she could do was cover her face and without making any noise, she sobbed. She wanted to go home. She wanted to see her mom. She wanted to see her dad. What had she done to deserve this. Mushtaque felt Saanchi’s body shivering. He turned to look at her. Despite trying to cover her face, her tears dripped from her face into her trousers. Mushtaque said softly, ‘ Saanchi’. Saanchi took off her hands from her face and looked at Mushtaque. Her eyes had pain. Excruciating pain. Her face was stained with tears. Her nose was red. Her spirit was broken. Mushtaque was a person with a strong soul. He was not someone who would be shattered at the slightest or the toughest pain. However, he could not bear the pain in Saanchi’s eyes. Saanchi gulped her tears and with a choking voice asked like an innocent child, ‘Will we be able to go home or will we die here?’ Mushtaque kept on looking at her. Saanchi said, ‘ If Burns tries to take us back, please do me a favor. Please kill me. Death is way better than that hell.’ Mushtaque kept on looking at Saanchi’s eyes. Tears fell like huge rain drops. Her face looked like a tired, innocent child longing for home. Mushtaque knew, Saanchi was not looking for false hope. She wanted an answer. Yes or No. Saanchi stared at Mushtaque with her teary eyes. Mushtaque touched Saanchi’s hand with assurance and said, ‘ Yes, I will ensure you reach home.’ Saanchi hugged Mushtaque tight and cried like a little girl forgetting about the world. Mushtaque’s shirt got drenched. Saanchi hugged him tight. Mushtaque had kept his hands away from her body. But, he could stop himself from hugging her. Saanchi did not know where she was. She felt at home in Mushtaque’s arms.
There was one more announcement, ‘ Ladies and Gentlemen, the passenger has arrived. We will take off in a while.’ Saanchi’s head was hidden in Mushtaque’s chest. Mushtaque still held her with warmth, however his focus was on the front door of the aircraft. Neeraj too kept on staring at the doorway. Who was the passenger? Mushtaque spoke on his microphone with the third associate. Mushtaque said, ‘ If it is Burns we are dead meat.’ The third associate said something. Mushtaque listened to him and hung up. Neeraj looked at Mushtaque. Mushtaque smiled. Neeraj knew, Mushatque’s smile meant good news.
Mushtaque had spoken with Chopra, the third associate. In her wildest dreams too, Saanchi had never thought that Chopra would be a part of this rescue team. Hence she was flabbergasted when she saw him in the flight. Chopra confirmed that this new passenger cannot be Burns. How and why? Well, this is not the time for such questions. All questions will be answered once they reach home. Mushtaque brushed Saanchi’s head softly and whispered, ‘We are safe Saanchi.’ Saanchi did not respond. Mushtaque gently lifted Saanchi’s head from his chest and removed the strands of hair from her face. Saanchi had fallen asleep due to sheer exhaustion. Mushtaque kept on looking at Saanchi’s face. He had never felt so happy in his life. He arranged a pillow on his shoulder and gently put Saanchi’s head there.
The new passenger was an elderly lady in a wheel chair. After couple of minutes, the flight took off…….
To be continued……
