1905, East Bengal (Bangladesh), British India
Riots, religion, betrayal, love, death
2015, Mumbai, Independant India
Silence, misunderstanding, search and love.
It is strange and perhaps nothing but a misconception that rebirth occurs with the memories of the past life. Even stranger when love transcends through time. It may seemed far fetched, it may seem nothing but a faux imagination.
But then, truth is stranger than fiction. With more than a hundred years apart - love finds itself again. In the same people, different form.
A / N : So my dearest fans! I am here... sigh I am so happy with this plot that I am writing two versions of it - that is an Arjun Sakshi and Ananya Kabir version of it.
***
CHAPTER 1
However each version has it's little difference ;)
I am so glad that I have been welcomed with so much of response - means a bucket lot to me! So coming to reality now *was in la la land* here's the first chapter of Jatishwar.
Please forgive any grammatical or such errors below.
And yeah, This is my private work, unless someone wants a legal warrant in their name, just stick to loving and commenting please.
By the way I forgot to say...
I LOVE YOU READERS 
"Joy Bangal!" (Hail Bengal!) Amidst the crowd and chaos, Ananya Rai Chaudhary caught hold of her younger brother against her chest and tried to sail through the maddening crowd.
"Moruk ei musim golo!" (Let these Muslims die!) Her younger brother growled to get slapped on his cheek. Ananya pushed back the veil from her face and glared at Partho, her younger brother.
"Bishas ei kono parthokko nei! Arek baar jodi bolish tahole amar chaite baje kyo na!" (There's no difference in faith! If you dare repeat this then you shall face the worst of me!) Ananya shook her baby brother's shoulder who clung on to her desperately.
"Ami bhoi pacchi!" (I am scared!) Ananya tried to blink back her tears as her brother's tiny arms flung around her neck. Hell had broken loose ever since the partition of her beloved Bengal begun.
Just due to religion. Or apparently due to the power vested in those religious leaders. That wasn't true faith. Not at all.
Her feet were sore from miles of walking on uneven path. She didn't dare to keep her baby brother down for even a second. Amidst the bustling crowd there were several risks. Those waiting to take her brother, and her - away.
She had been running away from the refugee camp ever since a drunk soldier walked in, wanting to claim Ananya and that had been the limit. Her arms, breasts and bosoms bore bruises of his grip yet she had fought for her brother and herself. A bitter sob broke from her mouth at the recollection of the brutal memory but she silenced herself before Partho would realise that his sister was crying.
No place gave her solace.
Ananya had no clue that she had crossed the border of West Bengal and had walked into East Bengal.
"Ke okhane!" (Who's there?) Ananya flinched at the male tone and held on to her brother with her life. She started running away, running for her life amidst the pitch darkness.
"Oi! Dara!" (Oye! Wait!) Ananya gasped for breath as she ran harder, little rock pieces piercing her barefoot - her slipper lost long before. "Oh Maa!" Ananya screamed as she felt glass cut through her feet.
She cradled her brother against her heart and fell on the floor, several pieces of rocks piercing her skin as she fell on the sandy terrain. "Babu tui theek acchis?" (Baby are you okay?) Ananya glanced over her brother who seemed fine, but was howling in fear and had paled several shades.
"Na baccha..." (No my child...) Ananya hushed him and bit her lower lip as the sand grains and rocks burned her skin. Before she could comprehend her injuries she felt hauled away by a pair of strong arms.
"Theek accho?" (Are you fine?) Tears blurred her vision as she heard the words of care after a long time. Her parents being killed by a mad crowd of people who claimed to be Muslims. She gulped and gasped as he removed the chips of rock on her face and made her steady. She pulled the veil over her face and cuddled her brother, ignoring the shooting pain from her ankle.
"Kothakar apni?" (From where are you?) Ananya didn't know whether it was the chill in the air or his voice which shook her. "Ami rephugee camp teke eshechi..." Ananya pointed to a deserted distance and paused to take breath.
"East Bangal ba West Bangal?" He frowned as the woman in front of him shivered. "Ww...west.."
His answer was just as she expected "Hindu hoicho?" (Are you a Hindu?) Rage coursed through her veins as she pushed against his chest, a throbbing pain shot up her knuckles when her pale hands hit his sculpted chest but that didn't deter her. "TOH KI! Shobai amader ke maarche! Muslimra amar maa baba ke mereche kintu ami jaani je kono bishaash er log na ora!" (SO WHAT! Everyone's killing us! The Muslims have killed my mother and father but I know they are not from the faith they claim to be!).
Ananya screamed her voice out and found herself to be pointed by a few guns, she braced her brother against her chest and gasped a little as tears stung the bruises on her cheek. She backed up till a camp and stared in fright yet amazement as the most handsome man came into view. Dressed in a loose dhoti, khaki shirt and agamcha around his head he looked every bit of a rebel she had only heard about, till now.
The black taveez around his neck confirmed his faith.
No wonder the biased opinion. His stubbled jaw spoke of days of negligence and his ripped physique exuded strength. Ananya was intimidated and scared. She had seen the wrong version of men and he seemed no exception...
Men in war were strong, masculine and hungry.
Not for food.
Ananya, however, knew better than to form a preconceived notion. Not all were terrible, most of them were honourable but this wasn't a war of patriotism - it was a war for power. She glared into his eyes as he chinned her up with his gun, a stark contrast to the warmth in his eyes when he gazed at her brother.
"Ami apna ke bhul bujheni, shudu jante chai chilam apni kon dhormo ke bishas koren." (I didn't misunderstand you, I just wanted to know which religion do you believe in?) His voice had relatively softened, maybe due to the fear in the child's eyes.
"Baccha?" (Your child?) He stroked the boy's head, with affection, which lay rested on Ananya's shoulder while she drew in a deep breath. "Hmm..." she replied, hoping that her image portrayed as a mother of a young one would save her from other's eyes.
Though his intense gaze sent a chill in her, it spoke several things - many which she couldn't decipher.
Ananya barely had time to reply as she heard gunshots being fired in the air. "Maa!" Ananya cried as she felt herself being thrown on the ground but looked up to find her acquaintance covering her tiny frame with his much larger body. His hesitance on being at such a close proximity brought relief in Ananya and her heart warmed on seeing a protective hand over her brother.
"Didi..." Her baby brother called up and climbed onto her, enjoying the safety and warmth between the stranger and her older sister. He completely missed the changing expressions on the stranger's face. Ananya sat upright and calmed her racing heartbeat as he yelled out "Gadha'r moton guli ki chalachish! Arek baar korbi toh toke thuke dibo!" (You Idiot! Why are you firing for reason? If you do such idiocracy once more then you will be the first person I will shoot down!)
Another comrade of the man before her had been shooting in the sky as he was drunk, but he came to his senses after the bark. Ananya held on to the edge of her stole nervously as he got up and pulled her up by her elbow with a startling gentleness.
"Toh apnar baccha na eta, or bon apni? Eta mone rakhun je amar mitthe kotha shojjo hoina. " (So you're not a mother eh? You are just a lone girl with her brother... just remember that I can't digest lies, I detest liars.) He tugged on her chin and smirked as she stepped back, glaring at him again.
"Aar ki boli! Tomader moton lok theke door thakte hobe amake." (What else do I say? I need to stay away from leeches like you.) Ananya gulped as he shook in wrath and grabbed her arm and dragged her away "Tor eta mone hoi je tor shorir er jonno ami toke ekhane rakchi! Toke bachalam ami ar otar bodol e eta pelam!" (You think I am letting you stay here so as to I can bed you? This is the respect I get after looking out for you!) His fingers bit into her soft flesh and she yelped in pain.
She tried to scream but found her mouth clamped by his hand as he effortlessly carried her and her brother like a sack of potatoes. He threw her into a tent and gently placed her baby brother on a chair. Ananya sobbed uncontrollably and held on to a pillow to throw it at him;
"Ami bujhi je tui occhish refugee, amra kaaj korchi jaano toder moton log shukhe thaake. Eta tor ghor, kyo ashbena ekhane. Aar tor je bhai acche, kalke oke master moshai'r kache pathie debo. Aar kichu?" (I know you are a refuge, we all work here to protect and keep those refugees happy. This, is your room, no one will come here. And your brother shall be educated at the hands of a local teacher tomorrow. Anything else?) He wiped the sweat beads on his head and roughly dabbed a cotton dipped in antiseptic on her wound.
"Kano?" (Why?) She whispered weakly and hissed as he treated her wounds. "Shune chile oder bapare jara ei bhaag ta chai ni? Kichu log ra ota... ki bole, ha - revolution aane?" (There were a few people who didn't want a partition - does this ring a bell for you? Some people... what do you say, yeah... those who bring in revolution?). He said as he brushed the dried blood on her arm.
"Hmm..." He looked briefly at her "Amra ora..." (We are them). Ananya gasped as his callous fingers tied a sterilized cloth around her arm.
"Amar apmar dorkar, kisher... ota kalke bolbo... ajke shui poro..." (I do need you but for what... I shall tell you tomorrow. Go to sleep.)
Barely listening to him, Ananya got onto her footsteps and peeked out of the tent to find him marching towards another set of men who stopped talking at his presence. From the distance she heard "Kabir da!"
A soft smile filled her plump lips as she repeated the name, Kabir.
The man she misunderstood and was yet to understand.
Kabir.
CHAPTER 2
Need her? When did he not after seeing her?
CHAPTER 3
"Amar shona maa amar... amar rajlokkhi, uthepor babu..." (My lovely darling... goddess of luck, get up sweetheart). Ananya groaned and pushed aside her mother, pleading for a few more minutes.
Her eyes shot open as her mother stood lovely before her, dressed up in a fine Dacca Muslin saree. Her gold bangles chimed as she cupped Ananya's face.
The skin around her mother's dark eyes crinkled with unadulterated joy as she placed a kiss on Ananya's forehead. Ananya cried in disbelief as she clung on to her mother and wept. She felt the warmth of her father's embrace as well.
"mm..." Ananya stammered and then hugged her father fiercely "Amake chere jaona..." (Don't leave me) Ananya pleaded as they gently soothed their daughter to sleep. Ananya blinked in uncertainty as her scars were vanished, her skin was glowing and soft as before. She turned around to find herself on her four post banister bed, tucked in duvet.
Her father, the man she worshipped, sat next to her. In spite of the greys near his temples and the soft signs of ageing... her father was a force to be reckoned with. His long face and sharp nose hid nothing of the shrewd tradesman that he was.
"Lokkhi me amar, jibon tui onek jinish dekhbi jetar obhiggota amader karor kache chilona. Konodin mone korish na je tui aka, amra tor kacche achi... shob shomai. Akhon amra amon jaygai acchi je bhogobaan chailo amake tor kash theke door rakhte parbena. Kintu... tui jodi tor bhaggo ono karor shate jure dish... obhigkotha choto kintu mishti hobe"
(My sweet one, in your life you shall face such circumstances which none of us ever experienced. Never think that you are alone... we are with you, always. We are in such a position that even the lord himself can't steal us away from you. But... if you tie your destiny with someone else... the experience will be short but sweet.)
He stopped and looked at his sobbing daughter in his arms. "Khub bhalo bashi toke baccha, khub." (I love you, my child... alot). He flicked aside a tear and pressed his lips on her forehead.
"Baba?" Ananya cried as she feared darkness taking over her. She turned aside to find her brother crying at their parents. "Didi..." He yelled.
"DIDI..."
Suddenly her father turned into a man she knew better, now... his voice changed and she felt an iron grip on her arms.
"Bhogobaan tor shate acche..." (God is with you...) Her father whispered and her surroundings disappeared into a mist. She blinked harder, repeating to herself that the Lord is with her.
Her blurry vision cleared... "Bhogobaan..." (God...) Her sentence remained incomplete as Kabir's face came into her view.
It wasn't her father.
"Ananya!" Kabir yelled and Ananya got up in a jump. She fisted her palm near her palm and stared around. Her brother was crying his heart out "DIDI!"
The throbbing ache in her head resumed and she focused her balance, leaning onto Kabir's strong frame. "Ananya, thik acho?" (Ananya, are you fine?) He gulped as she slipped into his arms, tears staining her cheek.
The dream of her parents had emotionally exhausted Ananya. Every inch of her body screamed of the pain and fatigue she had ignored. She felt the cool drops of water on her face and her cheeks stung slightly from a slap.
Her eyes shot open, something was different. A gamcha was tied around Kabir's head and blood was trickling from his left eyebrow. His right cheek was bruised and there was black soot on his face. She raised her fingers and swiped the soot from his cheekbones. It almost smelled like... gunpowder?
What was happening?
Suddenly a loud boom shocked Ananya and she got up. "Cholo!" (Let's go!) Kabir yanked her arm and picked her brother in his arm and ran away from the tent.
Her eyes widened as the horrific scene came into her view. The night was blazing with fire, men were screaming from every direction. There were darker patches on the mud, it dawned to her that it was blood.
"Ki hocche!" (What's happening?) Ananya cried out and found herself running with him, avoiding the sting on her feet. "Oi shada chamra golo jaante pereche... je amra ekhane achi, revolution anchi. Toh... ora, police ra, amader ke maarte esheche." (Those white skinned [British] have become aware that we [responsible for the revolution] are here. Hence they're here to kill us.)
Ananya slapped her head, if the other religion wasn't enough then here were the Britishers. "Curzon pathieche, Ronnie bolchilo." (Curzon [Lord Curzon who went forward to dividing Bengal to East and West] has got a whiff of us and sent the police, Ronnie [Rana] was saying.)
Hot trail of tears poured down Ananya's cheeks as the nightmare of a situation was turning into a horrific reality.
Her blood chilled as she heard the yells of the police, a scream left her mouth as she saw a policeman kill one of Kabir's mates by shooting him in the head. Kabir didn't turn behind, he knew who died, how he died. He didn't have time to weep or break down. He pushed Ananya and Partho into a barrel "Ekhane thak, tora bethore chole jabi aar kichu hobena. Ronnie oi dike dariye acche. Ami jaachi... janina..." (Stay here. You guys will go and nothing will happen to you both. Ronnie's standing there. And I, I will leave... I don't know if I can ever...)
For the first time in years did Kabir's voice crack. He looked at Ananya's who whitened drastically as she caught on to what he meant. For a split of a second his heart became heavy on thinking if only.
He couldn't help but see the images of what could be a happy life. Ananya had resurfaced his buried dreams. What would it have been to live a life without anxiety, agony and dread. He came back to reality as she hurled herself towards him and sealed his mouth with a cry;
"Chup! Morar jonno onek karon acche, tumi morte parona." (Shut up! There are thousand reasons to die, you can't die [for a reason like this].) She shushed her baby brother and sighed as Rana came into the view.
"Aar okhane jeona! Tumi more jabe! Murko houna! Jibon ke jaane! Ami akhon dariye dariye morte pari! Ne, eshe shaap kete dilo! Akhon beche achi toh ei beche thakar kaaj e di." (Don't go there! You might die! Stop being a fool! Who knows about life? I might die by just standing, here a snake comes and bites me - that's the last of me then! If I am alive then let me make use of myself!)
Ananya huffed, Kabir couldn't help but admire her. Respect swelled in his heart, her hands were trembling with fright as they turned ice gold in his grip but the determination in her eyes was enough to kill thousands.
"Amake giye lodte hobe Ananya, ami oder ke aaka rakte parina. Ar etar pore ami tomake konodin..." (I have to fight Ananya, I can't leave my men alone. Who knows if I can see you after... )
As time was against him, Kabir cupped her cheeks and brushed his nose against her "Hoitoba bhalo beshe felechi..." (Perhaps I have fallen [in love] with you... ) His lips barely touched hers and he sprinted off towards the ceasefire. His blood pounded with a strange emotion and he felt complete.
There were no regrets now.
With his aim settled, he blurred the vision of burning tents and blood, he focused solely on his enemies. He shot down five men in a row. A shuffle of feet distracted him momentarily and found a police glaring at him.
But that didn't deter him from shooting each one approaching him. Most of them were dead by now, their bodies lay side by side, on the same earth.
Irony of the situation.
His hand stilled when he realised that he had no more ammunition left. The heat of the fire crept up in his skin and the grains pricked him, he fisted his hand in the blood bathed mud and glared at the police in front of him.
He heard a loud explosion followed by a deathly silence.
This war was over, for now.
The policeman grinned on him, a blood lust craze in his eyes. He was shaky from a bullet grazed in his bicep yet that didn't deter him from shooting the young rebel in front.
Kabir tried to move but in horror he realised that he felt numbness all over his arms and body. A stinging pain coursed through his body as he tried to move. He looked up to find the man grinning at him.
The soft bitter smell of gunpowder and something else hung in the air.
In spite of his situation Kabir felt no fear. When the bullet pierced his hand, he still felt no fear. He was proud of his deeds and he wasn't going to die without giving a last fight. But suddenly her shy face floated before his eyes and that's when he realised that he must be dying.
For he saw her, as wild and beautiful as the Goddess he worshipped faithfully.
Rage burned in her eyes, her hair was flew in the wind, in her hand was a sword. Tears blurred his eyes as he felt a piercing pain in his throat. His dream became even more beautiful as she came ran with all her might, blood smeared on one side of her face. Her hair created a dark halo around her and her yell shook his bones. His eyes widened and a small prayer left his lips as Ananya seemed nothing but an incarnation of the Goddess herself.
That's when he got mukti. Peace.
The tightness around his throat blackened him and he gasped for breath as he felt the searing pain in his throat.
He finally closed his eyes.
~*~
Ananya had stiffened at the intensity and heat when he cupped her cheeks and brushed his nose against her. Suddenly everything of her past flew out of the window... his words or actions didn't matter. She parted her lips against her will and wanted to hold on to him when he whispered the words she never imagined.
And like that, Kabir sprinted off and Ananya sagged against a rock, finding her heart running away along with the man who unknowingly possessed it.
A dread filled her heart as reality slapped on her face, he was fighting against several men... all alone.
~*~
Rana never believed in the tales of Goddess Kali or Durga. He didn't believe in the Lords at all. It was him and his friends who made all the difference out here. Where were the Goddesses his mother was chanting about?
As Rana walked forward, his gun tactfully hidden in his hand, he walked towards where Kabir was last reported. A worry settled on him as Ananya was nowhere to be seen.
His mouth hung open and his knees almost buckled by the sight before him.
There lay Ananya, her hair loose open with blood smeared on a half of her face. A man lay by her feet, with a sword plunged right into him. Her feet had alta of his blood. Worry escalated as Kabir remained dead-ish on the ground.
Rana's throat dried by the sight and if he had been further religious in his beliefs, he would have proclaimed that the deity herself had paid him a visit. But he knew better, he knew the human in Ananya.
"Ananya..." Rana whispered softly, wondering how someone could look so serene and tranquil in rage. She looked up at him and his heart missed a beat as she looked so much like the woman his mother used to pray to.
Goddess Kali.
~*~
Her heart hammered as she recalled his confession and the passionate moment between them. Her body throbbed for him and she longed to be with him.
There were no second doubts on that.
She ran faster than lightning as she followed Kabir but stopped short as the situation came to her understanding. The police murdered the brothers she met yesterday with a ruthlessness no beast could ever have.
Their sticks and guns lashed out, blood spilled on the ground and at one point Ananya couldn't even recall what the colour of the mud was.
Could she be selfish to just save a man only because he could satiate her loneliness and give her the love she craved for?
The very thought repulsed her blood. None had noticed Ananya till now, none thought that a tiny woman hiding behind a stone would prove to be fatal than the men with strength and vigil before them.
However, one did spot out Ananya and just as she feared, he grabbed her hair and pushed her to the ground with himself on top.
All the yells and screams seemed distant as she faced brutal torture but now she knew better than to weep or cry for mercy. She was silent as the man focused on undressing himself and hauled her legs towards him. Just as he intended to tear her pants, she was close enough to reach to his waist and remove the pistol.
With that she rammed six bullets into his thick skull.
Blood smeared on her face but she felt no regret, no joy.
One for one.
Her thoughts drifted to her man again. How would it be possible for anyone to defeat them as they were outnumbered? None of them were gifted warriors, they were all boys who had the passion for their nation and wished to be one again.
Was this the price to be paid?
She let her thoughts drift away and let her body take over herself. She looked aside, waiting for some idea... something to help her out.
She spotted a car in the distance and she ran towards it, as discreetly as possible. She removed the hood of the car and filled an empty glass bottle with the petrol. In no time she found herself holding a petrol bomb.
"Oi!" She yelled and a cluster of policemen turned towards her.
With that she threw the bomb towards them and watched as their body blasted apart.
The rest immediately fled the scene, thinking of their heads more than orders. The fact that she could protect, could kill, filled Ananya with a power she never knew. She picked up a blood stained knife and started walking in the direction where Kabir ran.
There she found him, her heart began to thaw seeing him but the situation before had her seeing red. An enemy was dancing and toying with Kabir's death. Instead of shooting him at one, he played and laughed at Kabir's painful groan when he shot Kabir's hand.
With a swing of rum the enemy kept a focus on Kabir.
To only cry out in an agony as Ananya pierced her sword through his neck. She gave him death as quickly and swiftly as possible.
Her hair had been undone by that man and she had her feet soaked in his blood. But none of that bothered her, her eyes had been fixed solely on the man before her. Who, in a mere few hours, seemed to be a reason for her existence.
Man was of a strange kind, if you leave him unattached without any dreams, he lives on. But if you give him a slice of life, then will he hold on to it as if his life depended on it.
That's what happened to Ananya.
Content that there was no enemy around she focused her gaze back to the body of Kabir.
She remembered a soft whisper like "Ananya" come from somewhere.
She turned aside and for a split second saw reverence in Rana's eyes.
A few other men returned and almost folded their hands at her, hadn't it been for Rana's glare they would've been at her feet. She tried to understand what had she done so great.
She kicked the body frontwards and then realised why had they been shocked at her.
She had killed the right hand man of Curzon.
~*~
"Bunu..." Rana called out, fear eating him as he knew that Ananya was in a trance. He shook her by her elbow and Ananya snapped up, rage dwelling in her eyes as she looked at the dead man.
"Kabir." He pointed at Kabir and that was enough for her to mellow down. She found Rana ushering others to leave and a pitiful expression flitted across his face.
"Tomar upore kyo..." (Did someone do something...) His voice choked as he looked at the fresh scars on her back. "Merediye chi." (Killed him) Her lifeless voice replied. "Bhalo." (Good) Rana stated, trying to get the anger out of his system as he pictured Ananya being in trouble and none protecting her.
He almost chuckled at himself, if anyone saw Ananya now... they would be the one who needed protection.
Rana had already got Kabir's bullet wound of his hand dressed up. But to his fear, Kabir wasn't getting up.
Ananya crouched beside Kabir, her eyes raking over his face. She opened his mouth and gasped "Jol dao... ekkhuni." (Give me water right away!)
Without another word he passed her a tumbler of water.
~*~
Kabir felt as if he was floating in the heavens. He knew his time had come, the immense pain in his throat had sucked out the life out of him. Suddenly he felt life flow into his veins.
The pain in his throat disappeared and he felt a strange relief. The pain in his hand came back as a sharp reminder of reality, so did the ability to move his limbs. His eyelids fluttered open and he drank in the sight of the lady before him.
His eyelids relaxed as he felt her fingers push back his hair. Her hair fell around her face, he barely got a hint of her features as moonlight filtered through her ebony brown hair.
Ananya cradled Kabir in her arms, patting his head which lay her heart. She swept her hair aside and smiled as his eyes were open, staring at her with an intensity which shook her.
"Kamon accho?" (How are you?) She whispered and hugged him closer. Kabir closed his eyes as her tears soaked his skin.
There was no denial of feelings.
"Bhalo..." (Good) he croaked out and trailed her blood stained cheek and his eyes grew wide with alarm. "Chinta korona, ami theek achi." (Don't worry, I am fine.)
His eyebrows furrowed as he examined her further. She held his palm and nodded her head in reassurance. Rana cleared his throat and asked for the reason.
"Kichu na, shorir e jol khub kome geichilo. Haan, aar onar ekhane okhane batha lege che, ota te oshud lagate hobe." (Nothing, he just got severely dehydrated. And yes, he [in the way one would refer a betrothed or husband] has several injuries here and there which need to be tended) Ananya murmured gently.
As they sat in the rocky carriage, Ananya gently placed Kabir carefully on one seat and took the other. Rana avoided sitting inside and placing himself on the front, controlling the horse. The rest of the space was stacked with whatever leftover resources the men could garner.
She gently stirred a bit of salt and sugar in the tumbler of water and balanced herself as she trod towards Kabir. He tried to get up but she shushed him. She apologised profusely as the water spilled a little and made a place for herself.
With no other way than getting his head to rest at her shoulder, Ananya gently made him drink water and stared at the landscape outside. The thick foliage gave her a sense of eeriness and the birds' hoot sent a chill. However the carriages ahead provided her a sense of relief.
In case they were attacked, they would get help.
Kabir stared at her large eyes, trying to decipher what she was thinking. The little battle they had before had left him shaken, only because he never had anyone depended on him... and he never had anyone to return home to.
His breath got stuck as he realised Ananya was crying. "Ananya... ami theek acchi... takao amar dike." (Ananya, I am fine... look at me.) He coaxed her while Ananya shook her head and cried bitterly.
"Amm.. ami ki korlam. Ami a... ato golo log ke marlam..." (What did I do! I killed so many people!) Ananya cried bitterly while Kabir slowly understood her.
It often happened to those who battled for the first time. At that moment Ananya did work on her instincts, but now she would repent them. Her hands shook as they tried to muffle a cry. Her blood stained hands came to her view and she began to hyperventilate.
"Ami ki hoigechi!" (What have I become?) She pulled her hair in frustration and fright. Every scene was flashing before her eyes.
"SHONO!" (Listen!) Kabir snapped at her and brought her out of her frenzy. "Tumi jodi eta na korte, tumi bachte na, amra bachtam na." (If you wouldn't have done what you did... you wouldn't have survived, neither us.)
When Rana had helped him on their way to the carriage he had told about Ananya's plan of throwing a petrol bomb, which worked like a miracle. He even spoke of Ananya killing the man who intended to kill him.
And that feared Kabir, for a person who's never killed in her life... she was likely going to go through trauma for this.
"Ami mere fellam..." (I killed... ) Ananya's haunted whisper reached his ears and her grabbed her face, wanting to distract her someway. "Ami moregele khushi hote?" (Would my death bring you happiness?)
He received the answer by a stinging slap on his unhurt cheek "Tomar jonno ei shob korlam aar tumi bolcho je..." (I did all this for you and you are saying that...) Ananya found her worlds incomplete as Kabir pressed his forehead to hers "Etai... amake bachale tumi, oder ke marlena... akta manush ke bachale." (This is it, you saved me, you didn't kill them... you saved a man.)
Ananya hiccuped as she tried to accept the reality. "Jhap maara ochit amake?" (Should I jump out [of the carriage]?) Ananya growled in response and Kabir smiled "Ami rokto aar manksho te, tomar shamne. Tumi jano ami shopno dekhe chilam... jei shopnor jonno morte chaini." (I am in flesh and blood, all due to you. Do you know I saw dreams for which I didn't want to die.)
Having successfully distracted Ananya from her trail of thoughts he looked at her as he grasped her complete attention "Amake aaro kache dhoro..." (Hold me closer) Kabir pleaded softly and sighed in content as he laid his head against the steady beating of her heart and wound his unhurt arm across her waist.
"Ami tomake bhalobashi Ananya... janina kano, janino kokhon theke... kintu bhalobashi..." (I love you Ananya... I don't know since when and why... but I do love you.) He confessed and kept mum about his fear. What if life wouldn't give him a second chance?
His response was a stifled cry and a warm kiss on his head and Ananya pressed her lips against his head, keeping her sob in check.
With hours having passed by and strength regained, Kabir sat up gently and cupped her jaw. He took a deep breath as his gaze alternated between her lips and eyes.
She was all in all worthy of worship.
A worry nagged him, what if he died leaving her alone? What if the promises he made with her were to last another day?
She was too precious to be hurt again.
He stiffened and cursed himself, what was he doing? He was giving her dreams which would take away her peace if he went away.
A sob broke his thoughts as he saw longing, desire and unfathomable love in her eyes. "Amio... ami ak din tomar shate thakte khushi thakbo, na ki hajaar bochor tomar chara." (Me too, I would live my life in a day with you than in a thousand years without you).
Kabir looked at disbelief as she answered his worry. How? Brushing away the tendrils of her hair and taking a breath of her fragrance, he cupped her nape and pulled her closer.
Ananya parted her lips as his breath washed over her mouth. Instinctively her arms curled around him as she waited for him to come closer.
He fitted his lips gently into hers and waited for a brief moment, revelling in the joy which surged through his body. Ananya was lost in bliss as she felt physical joy, coupled with the emotions which coursed through her veins. She tilted her head slightly and moaned as he sucked and nibbled the forbidden sweetness.
Soft tears rolled by Ananya's eyes as she felt inhumane pleasure and love. He broke the kiss by pressing lips gently towards her now swollen lips and the corners of her mouth. As their lips lay parted, touching yet not touching each other... Ananya broke into a cry and took Kabir into a fierce hug.
Kabir praised the lords and felt the presence of being in heaven as she embraced him, pouring her heart out. His unhurt palm caressed her hair and he allowed himself to get lulled to sleep.
As Rana rode the carriage into the road of Hugli, he smiled to himself as the Sun rose from the majestic Ganges, promising him of new dreams and a life ahead.
~*~
"Moruk ei musim golo!" (Let these Muslims die!) Her younger brother growled to get slapped on his cheek. Ananya pushed back the veil from her face and glared at Partho, her younger brother.
"Bishas ei kono parthokko nei! Arek baar jodi bolish tahole amar chaite baje kyo na!" (There's no difference in faith! If you dare repeat this then you shall face the worst of me!) Ananya shook her baby brother's shoulder who clung on to her desperately.
"Ami bhoi pacchi!" (I am scared!) Ananya tried to blink back her tears as her brother's tiny arms flung around her neck. Hell had broken loose ever since the partition of her beloved Bengal begun.
Just due to religion. Or apparently due to the power vested in those religious leaders. That wasn't true faith. Not at all.
Her feet were sore from miles of walking on uneven path. She didn't dare to keep her baby brother down for even a second. Amidst the bustling crowd there were several risks. Those waiting to take her brother, and her - away.
She had been running away from the refugee camp ever since a drunk soldier walked in, wanting to claim Ananya and that had been the limit. Her arms, breasts and bosoms bore bruises of his grip yet she had fought for her brother and herself. A bitter sob broke from her mouth at the recollection of the brutal memory but she silenced herself before Partho would realise that his sister was crying.
No place gave her solace.
Ananya had no clue that she had crossed the border of West Bengal and had walked into East Bengal.
"Ke okhane!" (Who's there?) Ananya flinched at the male tone and held on to her brother with her life. She started running away, running for her life amidst the pitch darkness.
"Oi! Dara!" (Oye! Wait!) Ananya gasped for breath as she ran harder, little rock pieces piercing her barefoot - her slipper lost long before. "Oh Maa!" Ananya screamed as she felt glass cut through her feet.
She cradled her brother against her heart and fell on the floor, several pieces of rocks piercing her skin as she fell on the sandy terrain. "Babu tui theek acchis?" (Baby are you okay?) Ananya glanced over her brother who seemed fine, but was howling in fear and had paled several shades.
"Na baccha..." (No my child...) Ananya hushed him and bit her lower lip as the sand grains and rocks burned her skin. Before she could comprehend her injuries she felt hauled away by a pair of strong arms.
"Theek accho?" (Are you fine?) Tears blurred her vision as she heard the words of care after a long time. Her parents being killed by a mad crowd of people who claimed to be Muslims. She gulped and gasped as he removed the chips of rock on her face and made her steady. She pulled the veil over her face and cuddled her brother, ignoring the shooting pain from her ankle.
"Kothakar apni?" (From where are you?) Ananya didn't know whether it was the chill in the air or his voice which shook her. "Ami rephugee camp teke eshechi..." Ananya pointed to a deserted distance and paused to take breath.
"East Bangal ba West Bangal?" He frowned as the woman in front of him shivered. "Ww...west.."
His answer was just as she expected "Hindu hoicho?" (Are you a Hindu?) Rage coursed through her veins as she pushed against his chest, a throbbing pain shot up her knuckles when her pale hands hit his sculpted chest but that didn't deter her. "TOH KI! Shobai amader ke maarche! Muslimra amar maa baba ke mereche kintu ami jaani je kono bishaash er log na ora!" (SO WHAT! Everyone's killing us! The Muslims have killed my mother and father but I know they are not from the faith they claim to be!).
Ananya screamed her voice out and found herself to be pointed by a few guns, she braced her brother against her chest and gasped a little as tears stung the bruises on her cheek. She backed up till a camp and stared in fright yet amazement as the most handsome man came into view. Dressed in a loose dhoti, khaki shirt and agamcha around his head he looked every bit of a rebel she had only heard about, till now.
The black taveez around his neck confirmed his faith.
No wonder the biased opinion. His stubbled jaw spoke of days of negligence and his ripped physique exuded strength. Ananya was intimidated and scared. She had seen the wrong version of men and he seemed no exception...
Men in war were strong, masculine and hungry.
Not for food.
Ananya, however, knew better than to form a preconceived notion. Not all were terrible, most of them were honourable but this wasn't a war of patriotism - it was a war for power. She glared into his eyes as he chinned her up with his gun, a stark contrast to the warmth in his eyes when he gazed at her brother.
"Ami apna ke bhul bujheni, shudu jante chai chilam apni kon dhormo ke bishas koren." (I didn't misunderstand you, I just wanted to know which religion do you believe in?) His voice had relatively softened, maybe due to the fear in the child's eyes.
"Baccha?" (Your child?) He stroked the boy's head, with affection, which lay rested on Ananya's shoulder while she drew in a deep breath. "Hmm..." she replied, hoping that her image portrayed as a mother of a young one would save her from other's eyes.
Though his intense gaze sent a chill in her, it spoke several things - many which she couldn't decipher.
Ananya barely had time to reply as she heard gunshots being fired in the air. "Maa!" Ananya cried as she felt herself being thrown on the ground but looked up to find her acquaintance covering her tiny frame with his much larger body. His hesitance on being at such a close proximity brought relief in Ananya and her heart warmed on seeing a protective hand over her brother.
"Didi..." Her baby brother called up and climbed onto her, enjoying the safety and warmth between the stranger and her older sister. He completely missed the changing expressions on the stranger's face. Ananya sat upright and calmed her racing heartbeat as he yelled out "Gadha'r moton guli ki chalachish! Arek baar korbi toh toke thuke dibo!" (You Idiot! Why are you firing for reason? If you do such idiocracy once more then you will be the first person I will shoot down!)
Another comrade of the man before her had been shooting in the sky as he was drunk, but he came to his senses after the bark. Ananya held on to the edge of her stole nervously as he got up and pulled her up by her elbow with a startling gentleness.
"Toh apnar baccha na eta, or bon apni? Eta mone rakhun je amar mitthe kotha shojjo hoina. " (So you're not a mother eh? You are just a lone girl with her brother... just remember that I can't digest lies, I detest liars.) He tugged on her chin and smirked as she stepped back, glaring at him again.
"Aar ki boli! Tomader moton lok theke door thakte hobe amake." (What else do I say? I need to stay away from leeches like you.) Ananya gulped as he shook in wrath and grabbed her arm and dragged her away "Tor eta mone hoi je tor shorir er jonno ami toke ekhane rakchi! Toke bachalam ami ar otar bodol e eta pelam!" (You think I am letting you stay here so as to I can bed you? This is the respect I get after looking out for you!) His fingers bit into her soft flesh and she yelped in pain.
She tried to scream but found her mouth clamped by his hand as he effortlessly carried her and her brother like a sack of potatoes. He threw her into a tent and gently placed her baby brother on a chair. Ananya sobbed uncontrollably and held on to a pillow to throw it at him;
"Ami bujhi je tui occhish refugee, amra kaaj korchi jaano toder moton log shukhe thaake. Eta tor ghor, kyo ashbena ekhane. Aar tor je bhai acche, kalke oke master moshai'r kache pathie debo. Aar kichu?" (I know you are a refuge, we all work here to protect and keep those refugees happy. This, is your room, no one will come here. And your brother shall be educated at the hands of a local teacher tomorrow. Anything else?) He wiped the sweat beads on his head and roughly dabbed a cotton dipped in antiseptic on her wound.
"Kano?" (Why?) She whispered weakly and hissed as he treated her wounds. "Shune chile oder bapare jara ei bhaag ta chai ni? Kichu log ra ota... ki bole, ha - revolution aane?" (There were a few people who didn't want a partition - does this ring a bell for you? Some people... what do you say, yeah... those who bring in revolution?). He said as he brushed the dried blood on her arm.
"Hmm..." He looked briefly at her "Amra ora..." (We are them). Ananya gasped as his callous fingers tied a sterilized cloth around her arm.
"Amar apmar dorkar, kisher... ota kalke bolbo... ajke shui poro..." (I do need you but for what... I shall tell you tomorrow. Go to sleep.)
Barely listening to him, Ananya got onto her footsteps and peeked out of the tent to find him marching towards another set of men who stopped talking at his presence. From the distance she heard "Kabir da!"
A soft smile filled her plump lips as she repeated the name, Kabir.
The man she misunderstood and was yet to understand.
Kabir.
A clattering of utensils, barking of men and a stiff back rose Ananya from her sleep. She frowned and fluttered her eyes, still waiting to see the pale white ceiling of her room.Confusion etched in her mind as the pale brown cloth of the tent was the first thing which greeted her.
She licked her dry lips and pushed aside her messy hair when realisation dawned on her and yesterday's events flashed before her eyes. She got up immediately, cursing herself for the careless action which sent her in a spell of dizziness.
She sat on the rigid cot and lifted her blackened feet. Apart from being dirty, the blisters were uglier than before. Stretching her hands she looked for her brother whose voice floated from outside the tent.
He was laughing.
Ananya bit back a chuckle and groaned as she placed her swollen feet on the ground. Grateful to the small pot containing water next to her cot, she drank copious amounts of the liquid which was no less than ambrosia for her.
She wrapped her stole around her and decided to meet him. She tucked her strands behind her ear and washed her face, attempting to look decent. Of course, this had nothing to do with meeting him.
"Didi!" Her baby brother ran and jumped on Ananya while the other men laughed at the cherubic baby. Ananya smacked a kiss on her brother's cheek and searched for him amidst the crowd.
"Aye, bunu... Kabir da ikane neyi." (Sister! Kabir isn't here.) Ananya's ears perked at the weird accent though she felt pleased at the reference of sister.
She coloured on getting to know that he realised that she was looking for him. Disappointed on not seeing him yet chiding herself, she turned behind to find the man who's bengali accent was pretty strange. "Dada, apni ki bangali?" (Brother, are you a Bengali?) She asked while the fair man burst into laughter.
"Jani, onek adhboot hi bangla boli ami."(I am completely aware of my fantastic Bengali!)He primed his moustache and folded his hand "Rajasthan theke pitaji chelo aar maa icche bangali." (My father hails from Rajasthan while my mother is from Bengal.) Ananya twitched her nose at his accent and tried to keep her laughter in check.
"Kintu apni bangla shei hishebe bhaloi acche. Ami Ananya Rai Chaudhary ar ei bador ta amar choto bhai, Partho Rai Chaudhary. Chol dada'r shate haath mela!"
(But you do speak fairly well then! I am Ananya Rai Chaudhary and this monkey out here is my younger brother Partho Rai Chaudhary. [to her brother] Now shake your hands with this brother!) Partho reluctantly shook his head with the moustache brother, not before glaring at his sister for having called him a monkey!
(But you do speak fairly well then! I am Ananya Rai Chaudhary and this monkey out here is my younger brother Partho Rai Chaudhary. [to her brother] Now shake your hands with this brother!) Partho reluctantly shook his head with the moustache brother, not before glaring at his sister for having called him a monkey!
"Ami Rana Singh Rathore aar o chilo Kabir Sheikh. Amake Ronnie da bole dakte paro." (I am Rana Singh Rathore and he was Kabir Sheikh. You can call me Ronnie [brother]) Ronnie grinned at her face as she clearly got bothered at his name.
With the help of Ronnie, Ananya got to know a few places wherein she could get her resources. Buying them was difficult for apart from the delicate gold chain clasped around her wait, she really had nothing to call as her own. The chain was the only remaining gift from her maa, she could never part with it.
She didn't know what it was in Ronnie but she fell into an easy conversation with him.
They spent hours talking and laughing, yet Ronnie couldn't help but notice Ananya's hesitation and fear. With a few more coaxing words Ananya told as much as she could about the incident at the refugees. "Shaala rakhosh!" (Bast***s) Ronnie muttered and shook his head in disgust.
What followed was a moment of silence as Ronnie excused himself to look into work.
The fact that Ronnie had lost his parents in the similar fashion in which Ananya's had lost hers made him get attached to Ananya and love her the way any brother would do.
"Oi, tui jenene je Kabir da tor jonno kichu jinish ante , jama kapor..." (Oye, know that Kabir has left to get a few stuffs for you, such as clothing...) Ronnie grinned as Ananya feigned innocence and shook her head, muttering something like ki dorkar(why is it necessary!).
Kabir had been an open book for Ronnie, he had seen the slight flushing of cheeks and hesitance when he spoke about Ananya. The war would come to an end very soon... but that wouldn't stop him from playing cupid amidst his recent two most favourite people.
He barely had been aware of her heart which thudded loud on the thought that Kabir would be buying clothes for her.
Eesh!
~*~
"Oi mei ta koi?" (Where's she?) Kabir appeared hassled as he kept heavy bags on a wooden table. "Kon mei ta?" (Which one?) Ronnie asked nonchalantly, chewing on chickpeas, thoroughly enjoying the indirect reference to Ananya.
"Ekhane koto golo mei ache?" (How many women are out here?) Kabir bit back his anger at Ronnie's indifference. "Oh, tui Ananya Rai Chaudhary er bapare bolchish? Pukur and pahar er kache gache." (Oh! You mean Ananya Rai Chaudhary? She's gone to that nearby pond and hill.)
Kabir slapped his head, "Amra shobai morchi aar madam ghurte beriye che! Shob khorcha ke othabe bol! Ei jonno ami kaoke upokaar korina! Dara dara ki dakhacchish? Tui kano pathali amake ei shob jinish ante? Ei shomai taka jogar kora koto kothin janish! Kintu na, Rana babu'r moddhe Horishchondro'r bhoot dhuke che! Akta din ei shob kina kati na kore bhab toh koto onne jinish korte partam! Ki Ananya ananya ki korchish! Aar tor atto ki maya or upore, arrey baba ki Anaa..."
(We're all dying here and madam fancies herself to a vacation! What do you mean by wait! Pray tell me for what reason did you send me to buy all this stuff! This time could have been utilised for a much more useful purpose. Money isn't an easy resource at this hour of our lives! But no, Raja Harishchandra's* ghost seems to have penetrated into your soul! In spite of wasting a day in this frivolous shopping I could've done something better! Why are you blabbering her name? Why are you so attached with her? Tell me! Oh Lord what do you mean by Anaa...)
Kabir's voice came to a standstill and his mouth parted. He clenched his eyes shut and ran a hand through his hair, unable to forget the hollow eyes brimming with tears as Ananya stared right back at him.
"Apni bolechilen ei shob kapor ante?" (Did you ask him to bring all these stuffs?) Ananya glared at Ronnie who shook his head guiltily. Ananya placed her hand on her hips and bit back a cry "Amar upokar bhalo lagena." (I hate favours.)
"Sh..." Kabir started to which Ananya glared at him, hot tears pouring down her cheeks. "Amake aar amar bhai ke ekhane rakhar jonno aar ghumono'r jonno jaiga dewar jonno dhonnobaad." (Thank you for having provided my brother and I food and a night's sleep).
Kabir flinched at her icy words and regret coursed through his veins. He wanted to apologise but of course, that wouldn't come out of his mouth yet.
Ananya went away as fast as she came and Ronnie slapped his head and banged it on the table. "Kichu kor!" (Do something!) He snapped while Kabir shook his shoulders. Kabir thought giving her space and time would do some good for her, ladies... we so know how wrong that convention is.
Ronnie ran out of the tent for some damage control and to his dismay saw Ananya running into the tent.
"Tor jonno Ananya cholegalo or ghor e!" (Because of you she left back to her tent!) Kabir grew angry at the accusations, his main anger on the fact that Ronnie was closer to her than anybody else "Ami oke jete boleni! Daak o hote pare bhalo mei, kintu taka toh amar gacche! Ei bapare hirdhoy teke na, mogoj theke bhapte hoi! Emnito, o thodi na taka dite parto..." (I barely asked her to leave! She could be a nice girl but so what? I've lost my money! One must think more from the mind and not the heart. Anyways, as if she could have paid back!) Ronnie's sagging face and hence one could hear a f*** from Kabir's mouth.
There Ananya was, standing right before Kabir, utterly hurt by his words. She didn't bother to wipe her tears.. damn them! Kabir cleared his throat and felt a piercing in his heart as she silently cried. "Shotti, akta refugee mey jar upore akta choto bhai o acche, shei apna ke taka kikore debe?" (True, a refugee girl on whom a little boy is dependent... what can she give to you?)
Ananya couldn't explain her hurt. It almost felt like as if she was burnt in ashes. True, money spoke everything! Why the guard had let the soldier in for a crisp note! Everything runs for money! She had come here before to ask if she could help them... but now she had clear intentions.
"Daak re..." (See) "Tumi toh chup thako!" (Don't you dare speak!) Ananya snapped at Ronnie and her hands fiddled under her kurti for half a second. Enough for Kabir to sigh at how beautiful she looked... enough for Kabir to know that he should be miles away from her.
His reverie broke as Ananya thrust a gold waist chain into his palm. Kabir gasped at it's worth and cupped his mouth "Eta..." (This is...) "Shona" (Gold) Sakshi completed for him and stared at his face.
"Ei taka te jaa kinecho otar khorcha uthe jabe, aar tomader log ra ja kaaj korche, oder jonno. Guli kena, ghor banano... eta ke bhenge alada alada dokandar er kache bikri koro. Aar tar pore judi taka kom pore ba tomar amar dorkar pore... deke dyo..." (All that you have spent for me, the resources and ammunitions for your men shall be covered. Break this chain and have it sold to various goldsmiths. Even after that if you feel there's less money or that you need me, call me.) Her disgust on the last line affected Kabir the most.
Need her? When did he not after seeing her?
But... did she mean as services! What the f***!
Ronnie was too shocked to respond as Ananya walked off in a thunder and Kabir followed suit.
He grabbed her arms and yanked her against the clothed wall of the tent. "Ei murod!" (How dare you!) Ananya glared at him and pushed his arms aside "Amar murod! Tomar ke ei bhul bishash ke diyeche je tumi amar shate ja iccher moton behbaar koro! Amake laalchi, taka odano, ei shob toh bole diyecho! Aar ami bhebechilam... akhon shoro amar rasta theke!" (My daring! Firstly who gave you the false belief that you can behave with me in any manner you want! Greedy, spendthrift... you have tagged me well enough! It was my mistake that I thought... now don't stand in my path!)
Kabir uttered an expletive and thrust back the chain into her hand "Kono doyar dorkar nei! Aato taka chaina ami!" (Don't show sympathy [with reference to extra cash]! I don't need this much of money."
Ananya shook her palm and clapped in the air "Theek bujhle! Kono doyar dorkar nei! Eta ak matro jinish jeta ami tomake dite pari!" (Exactly! I neither need sympathy! [As far as returning money is concerned] this is the only thing I have!).
Kabir had restrained himself [to his thinking] on not blasting on the petite woman in front of him! Damn, couldn't she place her stole properly? The reason why he was furious was because she affectedhim in terrible ways! He couldn't sleep the former night and then he ended up buying the best clothes for her because he couldn't imagine her in shabby clothes! He had to vent out his anger that she barged in at the wrong time.
And then, instead of blasting at her to clear the confusion, Kabir found himself staring the chain wistfully... thinking how the delicate gold might have been clasped around her soft pale stomach, or maybe it rode low along her hips.
What. The. Hell.
Clear your mind... Kabir repeated to himself and shook his head, trying to focus at the number of barks she was throwing on him. "Tumi onno kaaj o korte paro!" (You can do other stuffs!) Kabir said while he found Ananya horrified.
Why not? For she found his gaze sweep over her waist and the next thing he knew was being slapped by Ananya. "Ami jaantam! Tomra shobai ak!" (I knew it! You all are the same!) She cried foul and Kabir banged his head and barked "CHUP!" (SHUT UP!)
He hated the way Ananya had curled her palm around a pot, ready to throw at him any moment. Feisty eh?
"Amader dorkar ak je ranna kore." (We need someone to get the meals prepared.) Ananya raised a sleek eyebrow "Shudu ghor er kaaj kano?" (Why just the domestic services?)
"Arek jon jei gha, shorir er jaa obushta hoi ei juddho pore... akta Doctor dorkar. Ota toh tumi..." (We also need someone who can treat the wounded... the usual case of our bodies after coming back from war. A doctor is what we need but...) Kabir frowned as Ananya cut him off.
"Ami jaani..." (I know this...) She spoke with an air of confidence.
They both were quiet and Kabir spoke "Orokom dorkar nei tomar, shundor na tumi." (I don't need you in that way... you aren't beautiful.)
He smirked a little as Ananya glared at him "Ami shundor na?Shundori howa aar oi shob kaaj korar kono mel nei!" (I am not beautiful! Please! Being beautiful and being taken to do such jobs have no similarity!) "Mel acche... ei jonno... log ra jai boluk, tumi shundor na." (Oh they do, that's why... youaren't beautiful.)
He said softly, a strange tenderness in those words. He stepped in front and she stepped behind. In a flash of light he clasped the chain around her dainty waist while Ananya sucked a breath. "Tumi mafi ta bolte paro..." (You can apologize...) Ananya said softly while Kabir turned to leave.
"Maafi pawa'r jonno ke nije ke toyri korte hoi?" (To receive an apology does one have to prepare himself?) He mocked her while Ananya calmed her hammering heart and replied "Haan, ei karon je tumi jaano manush ta koto batha dite pare, ar kothai."(Yes, for one knows how much can he hurt you and where.)
Annaya paused to take a breath and continued, trying to be ignorant of his gaze on her. "Maafi newa ta ocche erokom, akta jola haath milano oi manush er shate je haath joliye che. Akhon o haath e jol dhalbe ba oi haath ke maarbe, ke jane." (To accept an apology is like shaking a burnt hand with the one who burnt it. Either this time he'll put the soothing water on your hand, or scar it. Who knows?) Ananya looked at the chain over the cloth wistfully.
She broke from her trail of thoughts when she found him upturning a glass of water on her hand. His eyes bore conflicting emotions.
Eyes met and hearts connected.
He spoke more than an apology, he spoke of;
trust.
A/N : I am super happy at the way this chapter turned out and I am dying for your people comments! It means a bucket lot to me! How many of you like this version of Kabir and Ananya?
With love,
You know who!
* Raja Harishchandra was well known for being generous.
"Amar shona maa amar... amar rajlokkhi, uthepor babu..." (My lovely darling... goddess of luck, get up sweetheart). Ananya groaned and pushed aside her mother, pleading for a few more minutes.
Her eyes shot open as her mother stood lovely before her, dressed up in a fine Dacca Muslin saree. Her gold bangles chimed as she cupped Ananya's face.
The skin around her mother's dark eyes crinkled with unadulterated joy as she placed a kiss on Ananya's forehead. Ananya cried in disbelief as she clung on to her mother and wept. She felt the warmth of her father's embrace as well.
"mm..." Ananya stammered and then hugged her father fiercely "Amake chere jaona..." (Don't leave me) Ananya pleaded as they gently soothed their daughter to sleep. Ananya blinked in uncertainty as her scars were vanished, her skin was glowing and soft as before. She turned around to find herself on her four post banister bed, tucked in duvet.
Her father, the man she worshipped, sat next to her. In spite of the greys near his temples and the soft signs of ageing... her father was a force to be reckoned with. His long face and sharp nose hid nothing of the shrewd tradesman that he was.
"Lokkhi me amar, jibon tui onek jinish dekhbi jetar obhiggota amader karor kache chilona. Konodin mone korish na je tui aka, amra tor kacche achi... shob shomai. Akhon amra amon jaygai acchi je bhogobaan chailo amake tor kash theke door rakhte parbena. Kintu... tui jodi tor bhaggo ono karor shate jure dish... obhigkotha choto kintu mishti hobe"
(My sweet one, in your life you shall face such circumstances which none of us ever experienced. Never think that you are alone... we are with you, always. We are in such a position that even the lord himself can't steal us away from you. But... if you tie your destiny with someone else... the experience will be short but sweet.)
He stopped and looked at his sobbing daughter in his arms. "Khub bhalo bashi toke baccha, khub." (I love you, my child... alot). He flicked aside a tear and pressed his lips on her forehead.
"Baba?" Ananya cried as she feared darkness taking over her. She turned aside to find her brother crying at their parents. "Didi..." He yelled.
"DIDI..."
Suddenly her father turned into a man she knew better, now... his voice changed and she felt an iron grip on her arms.
"Bhogobaan tor shate acche..." (God is with you...) Her father whispered and her surroundings disappeared into a mist. She blinked harder, repeating to herself that the Lord is with her.
Her blurry vision cleared... "Bhogobaan..." (God...) Her sentence remained incomplete as Kabir's face came into her view.
It wasn't her father.
"Ananya!" Kabir yelled and Ananya got up in a jump. She fisted her palm near her palm and stared around. Her brother was crying his heart out "DIDI!"
The throbbing ache in her head resumed and she focused her balance, leaning onto Kabir's strong frame. "Ananya, thik acho?" (Ananya, are you fine?) He gulped as she slipped into his arms, tears staining her cheek.
The dream of her parents had emotionally exhausted Ananya. Every inch of her body screamed of the pain and fatigue she had ignored. She felt the cool drops of water on her face and her cheeks stung slightly from a slap.
Her eyes shot open, something was different. A gamcha was tied around Kabir's head and blood was trickling from his left eyebrow. His right cheek was bruised and there was black soot on his face. She raised her fingers and swiped the soot from his cheekbones. It almost smelled like... gunpowder?
What was happening?
Suddenly a loud boom shocked Ananya and she got up. "Cholo!" (Let's go!) Kabir yanked her arm and picked her brother in his arm and ran away from the tent.
Her eyes widened as the horrific scene came into her view. The night was blazing with fire, men were screaming from every direction. There were darker patches on the mud, it dawned to her that it was blood.
"Ki hocche!" (What's happening?) Ananya cried out and found herself running with him, avoiding the sting on her feet. "Oi shada chamra golo jaante pereche... je amra ekhane achi, revolution anchi. Toh... ora, police ra, amader ke maarte esheche." (Those white skinned [British] have become aware that we [responsible for the revolution] are here. Hence they're here to kill us.)
Ananya slapped her head, if the other religion wasn't enough then here were the Britishers. "Curzon pathieche, Ronnie bolchilo." (Curzon [Lord Curzon who went forward to dividing Bengal to East and West] has got a whiff of us and sent the police, Ronnie [Rana] was saying.)
Hot trail of tears poured down Ananya's cheeks as the nightmare of a situation was turning into a horrific reality.
Her blood chilled as she heard the yells of the police, a scream left her mouth as she saw a policeman kill one of Kabir's mates by shooting him in the head. Kabir didn't turn behind, he knew who died, how he died. He didn't have time to weep or break down. He pushed Ananya and Partho into a barrel "Ekhane thak, tora bethore chole jabi aar kichu hobena. Ronnie oi dike dariye acche. Ami jaachi... janina..." (Stay here. You guys will go and nothing will happen to you both. Ronnie's standing there. And I, I will leave... I don't know if I can ever...)
For the first time in years did Kabir's voice crack. He looked at Ananya's who whitened drastically as she caught on to what he meant. For a split of a second his heart became heavy on thinking if only.
He couldn't help but see the images of what could be a happy life. Ananya had resurfaced his buried dreams. What would it have been to live a life without anxiety, agony and dread. He came back to reality as she hurled herself towards him and sealed his mouth with a cry;
"Chup! Morar jonno onek karon acche, tumi morte parona." (Shut up! There are thousand reasons to die, you can't die [for a reason like this].) She shushed her baby brother and sighed as Rana came into the view.
"Aar okhane jeona! Tumi more jabe! Murko houna! Jibon ke jaane! Ami akhon dariye dariye morte pari! Ne, eshe shaap kete dilo! Akhon beche achi toh ei beche thakar kaaj e di." (Don't go there! You might die! Stop being a fool! Who knows about life? I might die by just standing, here a snake comes and bites me - that's the last of me then! If I am alive then let me make use of myself!)
Ananya huffed, Kabir couldn't help but admire her. Respect swelled in his heart, her hands were trembling with fright as they turned ice gold in his grip but the determination in her eyes was enough to kill thousands.
"Amake giye lodte hobe Ananya, ami oder ke aaka rakte parina. Ar etar pore ami tomake konodin..." (I have to fight Ananya, I can't leave my men alone. Who knows if I can see you after... )
As time was against him, Kabir cupped her cheeks and brushed his nose against her "Hoitoba bhalo beshe felechi..." (Perhaps I have fallen [in love] with you... ) His lips barely touched hers and he sprinted off towards the ceasefire. His blood pounded with a strange emotion and he felt complete.
There were no regrets now.
With his aim settled, he blurred the vision of burning tents and blood, he focused solely on his enemies. He shot down five men in a row. A shuffle of feet distracted him momentarily and found a police glaring at him.
But that didn't deter him from shooting each one approaching him. Most of them were dead by now, their bodies lay side by side, on the same earth.
Irony of the situation.
His hand stilled when he realised that he had no more ammunition left. The heat of the fire crept up in his skin and the grains pricked him, he fisted his hand in the blood bathed mud and glared at the police in front of him.
He heard a loud explosion followed by a deathly silence.
This war was over, for now.
The policeman grinned on him, a blood lust craze in his eyes. He was shaky from a bullet grazed in his bicep yet that didn't deter him from shooting the young rebel in front.
Kabir tried to move but in horror he realised that he felt numbness all over his arms and body. A stinging pain coursed through his body as he tried to move. He looked up to find the man grinning at him.
The soft bitter smell of gunpowder and something else hung in the air.
In spite of his situation Kabir felt no fear. When the bullet pierced his hand, he still felt no fear. He was proud of his deeds and he wasn't going to die without giving a last fight. But suddenly her shy face floated before his eyes and that's when he realised that he must be dying.
For he saw her, as wild and beautiful as the Goddess he worshipped faithfully.
Rage burned in her eyes, her hair was flew in the wind, in her hand was a sword. Tears blurred his eyes as he felt a piercing pain in his throat. His dream became even more beautiful as she came ran with all her might, blood smeared on one side of her face. Her hair created a dark halo around her and her yell shook his bones. His eyes widened and a small prayer left his lips as Ananya seemed nothing but an incarnation of the Goddess herself.
That's when he got mukti. Peace.
The tightness around his throat blackened him and he gasped for breath as he felt the searing pain in his throat.
He finally closed his eyes.
Ananya had stiffened at the intensity and heat when he cupped her cheeks and brushed his nose against her. Suddenly everything of her past flew out of the window... his words or actions didn't matter. She parted her lips against her will and wanted to hold on to him when he whispered the words she never imagined.
And like that, Kabir sprinted off and Ananya sagged against a rock, finding her heart running away along with the man who unknowingly possessed it.
A dread filled her heart as reality slapped on her face, he was fighting against several men... all alone.
Rana never believed in the tales of Goddess Kali or Durga. He didn't believe in the Lords at all. It was him and his friends who made all the difference out here. Where were the Goddesses his mother was chanting about?
As Rana walked forward, his gun tactfully hidden in his hand, he walked towards where Kabir was last reported. A worry settled on him as Ananya was nowhere to be seen.
His mouth hung open and his knees almost buckled by the sight before him.
There lay Ananya, her hair loose open with blood smeared on a half of her face. A man lay by her feet, with a sword plunged right into him. Her feet had alta of his blood. Worry escalated as Kabir remained dead-ish on the ground.
Rana's throat dried by the sight and if he had been further religious in his beliefs, he would have proclaimed that the deity herself had paid him a visit. But he knew better, he knew the human in Ananya.
"Ananya..." Rana whispered softly, wondering how someone could look so serene and tranquil in rage. She looked up at him and his heart missed a beat as she looked so much like the woman his mother used to pray to.
Goddess Kali.
Her heart hammered as she recalled his confession and the passionate moment between them. Her body throbbed for him and she longed to be with him.
There were no second doubts on that.
She ran faster than lightning as she followed Kabir but stopped short as the situation came to her understanding. The police murdered the brothers she met yesterday with a ruthlessness no beast could ever have.
Their sticks and guns lashed out, blood spilled on the ground and at one point Ananya couldn't even recall what the colour of the mud was.
Could she be selfish to just save a man only because he could satiate her loneliness and give her the love she craved for?
The very thought repulsed her blood. None had noticed Ananya till now, none thought that a tiny woman hiding behind a stone would prove to be fatal than the men with strength and vigil before them.
However, one did spot out Ananya and just as she feared, he grabbed her hair and pushed her to the ground with himself on top.
All the yells and screams seemed distant as she faced brutal torture but now she knew better than to weep or cry for mercy. She was silent as the man focused on undressing himself and hauled her legs towards him. Just as he intended to tear her pants, she was close enough to reach to his waist and remove the pistol.
With that she rammed six bullets into his thick skull.
Blood smeared on her face but she felt no regret, no joy.
One for one.
Her thoughts drifted to her man again. How would it be possible for anyone to defeat them as they were outnumbered? None of them were gifted warriors, they were all boys who had the passion for their nation and wished to be one again.
Was this the price to be paid?
She let her thoughts drift away and let her body take over herself. She looked aside, waiting for some idea... something to help her out.
She spotted a car in the distance and she ran towards it, as discreetly as possible. She removed the hood of the car and filled an empty glass bottle with the petrol. In no time she found herself holding a petrol bomb.
"Oi!" She yelled and a cluster of policemen turned towards her.
With that she threw the bomb towards them and watched as their body blasted apart.
The rest immediately fled the scene, thinking of their heads more than orders. The fact that she could protect, could kill, filled Ananya with a power she never knew. She picked up a blood stained knife and started walking in the direction where Kabir ran.
There she found him, her heart began to thaw seeing him but the situation before had her seeing red. An enemy was dancing and toying with Kabir's death. Instead of shooting him at one, he played and laughed at Kabir's painful groan when he shot Kabir's hand.
With a swing of rum the enemy kept a focus on Kabir.
To only cry out in an agony as Ananya pierced her sword through his neck. She gave him death as quickly and swiftly as possible.
Her hair had been undone by that man and she had her feet soaked in his blood. But none of that bothered her, her eyes had been fixed solely on the man before her. Who, in a mere few hours, seemed to be a reason for her existence.
Man was of a strange kind, if you leave him unattached without any dreams, he lives on. But if you give him a slice of life, then will he hold on to it as if his life depended on it.
That's what happened to Ananya.
Content that there was no enemy around she focused her gaze back to the body of Kabir.
She remembered a soft whisper like "Ananya" come from somewhere.
She turned aside and for a split second saw reverence in Rana's eyes.
A few other men returned and almost folded their hands at her, hadn't it been for Rana's glare they would've been at her feet. She tried to understand what had she done so great.
She kicked the body frontwards and then realised why had they been shocked at her.
She had killed the right hand man of Curzon.
"Bunu..." Rana called out, fear eating him as he knew that Ananya was in a trance. He shook her by her elbow and Ananya snapped up, rage dwelling in her eyes as she looked at the dead man.
"Kabir." He pointed at Kabir and that was enough for her to mellow down. She found Rana ushering others to leave and a pitiful expression flitted across his face.
"Tomar upore kyo..." (Did someone do something...) His voice choked as he looked at the fresh scars on her back. "Merediye chi." (Killed him) Her lifeless voice replied. "Bhalo." (Good) Rana stated, trying to get the anger out of his system as he pictured Ananya being in trouble and none protecting her.
He almost chuckled at himself, if anyone saw Ananya now... they would be the one who needed protection.
Rana had already got Kabir's bullet wound of his hand dressed up. But to his fear, Kabir wasn't getting up.
Ananya crouched beside Kabir, her eyes raking over his face. She opened his mouth and gasped "Jol dao... ekkhuni." (Give me water right away!)
Without another word he passed her a tumbler of water.
Kabir felt as if he was floating in the heavens. He knew his time had come, the immense pain in his throat had sucked out the life out of him. Suddenly he felt life flow into his veins.
The pain in his throat disappeared and he felt a strange relief. The pain in his hand came back as a sharp reminder of reality, so did the ability to move his limbs. His eyelids fluttered open and he drank in the sight of the lady before him.
His eyelids relaxed as he felt her fingers push back his hair. Her hair fell around her face, he barely got a hint of her features as moonlight filtered through her ebony brown hair.
Ananya cradled Kabir in her arms, patting his head which lay her heart. She swept her hair aside and smiled as his eyes were open, staring at her with an intensity which shook her.
"Kamon accho?" (How are you?) She whispered and hugged him closer. Kabir closed his eyes as her tears soaked his skin.
There was no denial of feelings.
"Bhalo..." (Good) he croaked out and trailed her blood stained cheek and his eyes grew wide with alarm. "Chinta korona, ami theek achi." (Don't worry, I am fine.)
His eyebrows furrowed as he examined her further. She held his palm and nodded her head in reassurance. Rana cleared his throat and asked for the reason.
"Kichu na, shorir e jol khub kome geichilo. Haan, aar onar ekhane okhane batha lege che, ota te oshud lagate hobe." (Nothing, he just got severely dehydrated. And yes, he [in the way one would refer a betrothed or husband] has several injuries here and there which need to be tended) Ananya murmured gently.
As they sat in the rocky carriage, Ananya gently placed Kabir carefully on one seat and took the other. Rana avoided sitting inside and placing himself on the front, controlling the horse. The rest of the space was stacked with whatever leftover resources the men could garner.
She gently stirred a bit of salt and sugar in the tumbler of water and balanced herself as she trod towards Kabir. He tried to get up but she shushed him. She apologised profusely as the water spilled a little and made a place for herself.
With no other way than getting his head to rest at her shoulder, Ananya gently made him drink water and stared at the landscape outside. The thick foliage gave her a sense of eeriness and the birds' hoot sent a chill. However the carriages ahead provided her a sense of relief.
In case they were attacked, they would get help.
Kabir stared at her large eyes, trying to decipher what she was thinking. The little battle they had before had left him shaken, only because he never had anyone depended on him... and he never had anyone to return home to.
His breath got stuck as he realised Ananya was crying. "Ananya... ami theek acchi... takao amar dike." (Ananya, I am fine... look at me.) He coaxed her while Ananya shook her head and cried bitterly.
"Amm.. ami ki korlam. Ami a... ato golo log ke marlam..." (What did I do! I killed so many people!) Ananya cried bitterly while Kabir slowly understood her.
It often happened to those who battled for the first time. At that moment Ananya did work on her instincts, but now she would repent them. Her hands shook as they tried to muffle a cry. Her blood stained hands came to her view and she began to hyperventilate.
"Ami ki hoigechi!" (What have I become?) She pulled her hair in frustration and fright. Every scene was flashing before her eyes.
"SHONO!" (Listen!) Kabir snapped at her and brought her out of her frenzy. "Tumi jodi eta na korte, tumi bachte na, amra bachtam na." (If you wouldn't have done what you did... you wouldn't have survived, neither us.)
When Rana had helped him on their way to the carriage he had told about Ananya's plan of throwing a petrol bomb, which worked like a miracle. He even spoke of Ananya killing the man who intended to kill him.
And that feared Kabir, for a person who's never killed in her life... she was likely going to go through trauma for this.
"Ami mere fellam..." (I killed... ) Ananya's haunted whisper reached his ears and her grabbed her face, wanting to distract her someway. "Ami moregele khushi hote?" (Would my death bring you happiness?)
He received the answer by a stinging slap on his unhurt cheek "Tomar jonno ei shob korlam aar tumi bolcho je..." (I did all this for you and you are saying that...) Ananya found her worlds incomplete as Kabir pressed his forehead to hers "Etai... amake bachale tumi, oder ke marlena... akta manush ke bachale." (This is it, you saved me, you didn't kill them... you saved a man.)
Ananya hiccuped as she tried to accept the reality. "Jhap maara ochit amake?" (Should I jump out [of the carriage]?) Ananya growled in response and Kabir smiled "Ami rokto aar manksho te, tomar shamne. Tumi jano ami shopno dekhe chilam... jei shopnor jonno morte chaini." (I am in flesh and blood, all due to you. Do you know I saw dreams for which I didn't want to die.)
Having successfully distracted Ananya from her trail of thoughts he looked at her as he grasped her complete attention "Amake aaro kache dhoro..." (Hold me closer) Kabir pleaded softly and sighed in content as he laid his head against the steady beating of her heart and wound his unhurt arm across her waist.
"Ami tomake bhalobashi Ananya... janina kano, janino kokhon theke... kintu bhalobashi..." (I love you Ananya... I don't know since when and why... but I do love you.) He confessed and kept mum about his fear. What if life wouldn't give him a second chance?
His response was a stifled cry and a warm kiss on his head and Ananya pressed her lips against his head, keeping her sob in check.
With hours having passed by and strength regained, Kabir sat up gently and cupped her jaw. He took a deep breath as his gaze alternated between her lips and eyes.
She was all in all worthy of worship.
A worry nagged him, what if he died leaving her alone? What if the promises he made with her were to last another day?
She was too precious to be hurt again.
He stiffened and cursed himself, what was he doing? He was giving her dreams which would take away her peace if he went away.
A sob broke his thoughts as he saw longing, desire and unfathomable love in her eyes. "Amio... ami ak din tomar shate thakte khushi thakbo, na ki hajaar bochor tomar chara." (Me too, I would live my life in a day with you than in a thousand years without you).
Kabir looked at disbelief as she answered his worry. How? Brushing away the tendrils of her hair and taking a breath of her fragrance, he cupped her nape and pulled her closer.
Ananya parted her lips as his breath washed over her mouth. Instinctively her arms curled around him as she waited for him to come closer.
He fitted his lips gently into hers and waited for a brief moment, revelling in the joy which surged through his body. Ananya was lost in bliss as she felt physical joy, coupled with the emotions which coursed through her veins. She tilted her head slightly and moaned as he sucked and nibbled the forbidden sweetness.
Soft tears rolled by Ananya's eyes as she felt inhumane pleasure and love. He broke the kiss by pressing lips gently towards her now swollen lips and the corners of her mouth. As their lips lay parted, touching yet not touching each other... Ananya broke into a cry and took Kabir into a fierce hug.
Kabir praised the lords and felt the presence of being in heaven as she embraced him, pouring her heart out. His unhurt palm caressed her hair and he allowed himself to get lulled to sleep.
As Rana rode the carriage into the road of Hugli, he smiled to himself as the Sun rose from the majestic Ganges, promising him of new dreams and a life ahead.
A/N : Phew! Quite an update! So now I would love to hear from all of you :) i know the kiss wasn't expected
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