Sinner~ A Desperate Race For Revenge.

Ch.15

Randhir took Devaki out for dinner. They were going to Barbeque Nation in Worli.
He wanted Devaki to forget about all her worries and just concentrate on being happy and content.

On the other hand, Bandana and Samridh were also at BBQ Nation. It was one of their usual dates after work. Bandana and Samridh were talking and enjoying when Samridh saw Devaki and Randhir enter the restaurant. He quickly got up to greet them. Bandana followed the suit.

"Randhir Mahajan! What a privilege to witness your holy presence!" Samridh extended his hand out to Randhir. Randhir smiled.

"And you too, Mr. Patwardhan." Then he looked at Bandana. "And to-be Mrs. Patwardhan."

Bandana beamed. She looked at Devaki and hugged her. Devaki was happy to see Bandana.

"Kaisi ho?" Bandana asked Devaki.

"Mast ekdum. Tumhari kripa se." Devaki laughed. Bandana chuckled.

"Chalo, saath mein hi dinner karte hai." Samridh suggested. Randhir bit his lower lip and looked at Devaki.

"Kya?" Devaki asked Randhir.

"Is it okay?" Randhir mouthed.

"Ofcourse! Neki aur pooch pooch? Bandana hai toh ofcourse!" Devaki said. Everyone chuckled. They all went and sat in one corner of the restaurant so that they didn't get spotted by the general public. After some time, the sizzlers began sizzling on the table in front of them. The heat from the heater embedded in the table was making the environment very cozy.

Devaki picked up the Paneer Tikka and put it in her mouth. She closed her eyes in pleasure.

"This is heaven...." Devaki mumbled. Everyone laughed.

"A pregnant woman's hormones..." Bandana playfully rolled her eyes.

All four of them dug into their food. They cracked jokes and discussed the current affairs. Suddenly, the topic of Amit's party winning the elections came up. Samridh stiffened. Bandana could sense his tension but she decided to question him later when they were alone.

"Mujhe toh samjh mein hi nahi aa raha ki  woh log jeete kaise? Bahumat humare haathon mein thi...hum dono ki party ek saath thi...We were so strong...pata nahi kya hua..." Randhir despaired. Samridh picked up his glass of water and took a sip.

"Par mujhe pata hai woh kaise jeete." He said taking another sip of water. Everyone looked at him shocked.

"Kaise?" Devaki asked. She was also surprised by Samridh's declaration. Samridh sighed.

"Bachpan mein baba mujhe ek kahani sunaya karte the...mein tumhe woh kahani sunata hun...tum log khud samjh jaoge ki asal mein majra kya hai." Samridh said. Bandana shifted a little so that she sat directly facing Samridh. She loved listening to stories. Samridh gave her a funny look.

"Ek baar ek jungle mein aisa ek sthar aaya ki jungle me saare praniyo ne socha ki ab unhe ek shashan vyavastha apna leni chahiye. Toh eksaath ek mathh se unhone nirnaye liya ki ve ek jantantra staapith karenge. Ab jungle mein bhedo, matlab sheep, ki sankhya adhik thi. Bhede atyant udaar, bholi, nirmal, vinamra aur nirdosh prani the jo ghaas ko bhi phuk phuk kar khate the. Unhe pata tha ki unka bahumat hai aur chunaav ke samay ve hi jeetengi. Yadi ve jeetengi toh ve aisa kanoon banayengi ki jungle mein koi kisi ko pareshaan na kare...kisi ko maare nahi. Sab jeeye aur sabko jeene de.

"Dusri aur bhediye the. Unpar koi vishwaas nahi karta tha. Ve kapati the. Dal badloo. Bhedo ki nirdayta se hatya karkar apna pet bharte the. Unki jungle mein sankhya bahut kam thi. Ve chintit ho gaye. Unhe bhi pata tha ki agar bhede jeet gayi toh unka vinaash ho jayega. Ve janwaro ko maarkar nahi kha payenge. Ve ghaas charne par majboor ho jayenge. Bhediye bahut udaas ho gaye. Ek din ek siyaar (jackal) aaya. Usne bhediye se unki udaasi ka kaaran poocha. Bhediye ne usse bata diya. Siyaar bhi bhediyo ki tarah kapatti hote hai. Har bhediye ke aas paas do-teen siyaar ghumte hi rehte hai. Uss siyaar ne bhediye se kaha ki aap chinta mat karo. Mujhe ek din ka afsar do...mein kuch karta hun. Ab bechara laachaar bhediya uski baat maan gaya. Uske paas aur koi chaara tha hi nahi." Samridh took a pause. Bandana was listening very closely. Devaki and Randhir couldn't relate to the present situation. They seemed in daze.