Chapter 26 // She is fighting

Saanvi's pov

Soha gave me a stinky look while carrying a steel bucket full of washed clothes upstairs.

I was sitting on the khaat and glared back at her with the same intensity. She looked away and continued her path to the terrace.

I ate the fruits that Nima aunty (our helper) had given me.

Apparently, Yuvraj Ji had provided her with a whole schedule written on paper, detailing the food and other pampering I should receive in his absence.

The gesture was different, but it made me feel so special at the same time.

I was now waiting for Dhuni. She said she would be here anytime now. Yuvraj Ji's mother had left to visit the neighbor's house to spend some time gossiping.

As soon as I finished my fruit bowl, I heard hurried footsteps and a scream of a very happy Dhuni.

"Areeeyy meri Saanu!!!"

(Ohh my Saanu)

she yelled and embraced me in a hug.

I chuckled and hugged her tightly too.

We were of the same age and the same height. She was always the jumpy and enthusiastic one, while I was quieter—not in bed though.

I saw one of Yuvraj Ji's men, who was trailing behind, put a duffle bag on the ground and come to us with a phone. I broke the hug, and Dhuni started her blabbering.

"Kya yaar, itne dino baad mile hain. Gale toh mil le ache se,"

(What friend, we have met after so long. Atleast hug me properly)

she pouted.

"Bas ek minute, Dhuni,"

(Give me minute dhuni)

I couldn't help but shake my head at her face.

"Sarpanch Ji aapse baat karna chahte hain,"

(Sarpanch ji wants to talk to you)

the man said politely, offering me his phone.

"Ohh hoyee," the girl elbowed me teasingly.

I took the phone, blushing all the while.

"Hello?" My heart thudded to hear his voice.

"Hmm. Kaisi ho?"

(Hmm. How are you?)

Oh god! His raspy, deep voice made me swoon, and I felt the wetness leaking out of me.

"Heer?" he said, breaking my thoughts.

"Ji-ji. Haan, main thik hoon,"

(Yes-yes. I am okay)

I cleared my throat and smiled, seeing Dhuni's teasing eyes.

"Zyada uchal kud mat karna. Tumhari saheli aayi hai toh baatein karna, shaitaani nahi,"

(Don't jumo here and there. Your friend is here so do gossiping not devil activities)

he scolded me like a kid. My cheeks puffed up at his comment.

"Thik hai,"

(Fine)

I said rudely.

"Tch. Gussa mat ho. Aate samay tere liye pani puri le aaunga, bas shaitaani nahi,"

(Tsk. Don't be mad. I will bring pani puri for you, just don't be naughty)

he bribed me, and I was sold at that.

After agreeing with him and kissing him through the phone, earning a painful grunt from him, I chuckled.

The man left after completing his task, and I helped Dhuni settle in the guest room.

We had been talking for hours, and it was nearly 1 o'clock. One hour left for Yuvraj Ji to arrive for lunch.

"Tune kaha tha tujhe meri zarurat hai?"

(You had said that you need me?)

Dhuni said in all seriousness, her cheerful demeanor gone.

Putting the spinach juice glass away, I nodded and folded my legs on the bed.

"Haan. Mujhe Yuvraj Ji chahiye apne liye, Dhuni. Aur ab waqt aa gaya hai ki uss Soha ko iss ghar se dhakke marke bahar nikala jaye,"

(Yes. I want Yuvraj ji all for myself dhuni. Its time to throw that Soha out of house)

I said with an angry voice and saw Dhuni's eyes widen.

One by one, I explained to her the things that had happened and Soha's wrongdoings.

At the end of it, Dhuni was also angry. She tried to go away and fight with her physically, but I stopped her somehow.

"Sarpanch Ji kab aayenge?"

(When will Sarpanch ji is coming back?)

she asked out of the blue, making me frown.

"Ek ghante mein,"

(In one hour)

I replied. She nodded.

"Main unke liye koi tohfa nahi laayi,"

(I didn't bring any gift for him)

she said, smiling wickedly.

"Toh?"

(So?)

I asked, trying to understand her intentions.

"Toh....aaj main unhe unki jeevan saathi dungi,"

(So... I will gift him, his life partner)

she laughed after saying it.

"Matlab?"

(Means?)

I asked.

"Matlab yeh ki aaj hum uss Soha ka khel khatam kar denge,"

(It means, today we will end that soha!)

she said with determination.

"Par kaise!?"

(But how!?)

eagerness gripping me.

She held my palms and looked into my eyes.

"Bas tu dekhti jaa mera kamaal,"

(Just wait and watch)

was all she said.

Walking out of the guest room, we found Soha on the terrace. She was arranging the wet washed curtains on strings to dry them.

Dhuni made me stand behind the wall near them, hidden from view. In front of me were the stairs that led down.

She started the camera on her phone, held it between her palms near her chest, and winked at me before walking towards Soha.

"Aap toh badi sundar hain,"

(You are really beautiful)

she began her drama.

Soha scrunched her eyebrows, scrutinizing her.

"Tum kaun ho?"

(Who are you?)

Soha asked.

I bent a little to my right to hear everything clearly.

"Main? Main toh bas ek nirash ladki hoon, jise koi pyaar hi nahi karta,"

(I? I am a sad girl whom noone loves)

she said, making a sad face.

"Seedha seedha batao kaun ho?"

(Don't talk in maze, say directly)

Soha asked, her voice strict.

"Waise toh main Saanvi ki dost hua karti thi par ab rahi nahi. Woh Sarpanch ko pasand kya aa gayi, tevar hi badal gaye uske,"

(I used to be Saanvi's friend but now I am not. Her attitude is changed since sarpanch ji has like her)

she said with anger and disgust, making me gasp at her acting skills.

Soha looked her up and down, and I just hoped she wouldn't catch on to how Dhuni was holding her mobile.

"Aisa kya kiya usne?"

(What did she do?)

Soha asked, giving Dhuni her full attention.

"Mera raaz sab ko bata diya,"

(She told my secret to everyone)

Dhuni cried and almost fell on Soha, hugging her.

Discreetly, she put her arm beside the steel bucket containing water and a bedsheet and applied the water on her eyes.

I almost laughed out loud at her funny actions.

Soha looked confused and broke the forced hug.

"Kaisa raaz?"

(What secret?)

she asked, disinterested.

"Yahi ki mujhe ladkiya pasand hain,"

(That I am lesbian)

Dhuni cried, making fake sobbing noises as if someone had died.

Soha cringed but looked shocked too.

"Ab mere ghar wale mera bayah kara denge. Ab mai kaise zinda rahungi. Maine socha tha koi ladki hogi jo mujhe bhi pasand karegi aur phir mai uske saath bhaag jaungi, par ab toh pure gaon ko mere baare mei pata chal jaayega."

(Now my family will get me married. I don't knoe how I will live. I had thought that I will find some girk who will like me and then we will run away, but now it won't be possible)

Dhuni cried, continuing her act.

"Tumne uss Saanvi ko bataya hi kyu tha? Aur waise bhi tum bhaag ke jaogi kahan?"

(Why did you tell all this to that saanvi? And where you had run anyway)

Soha asked mockingly.

"Mai toh videshi chali jaati. Mere baap ke paas bahut paisa hai. Maine toh chura bhi liya hai thoda kar ke. Itna paisa toh hai ki 10-12 ghar kharid sakti hoon videsh mei,"

(I could easily go abroad. My father has a lot of money. I've even stolen a little bit myself. I have enough money to buy 10-12 houses overseas.)

Dhuni faked, and I slapped my forehead at her exaggeration.

But to my surprise, Soha seemed to buy her fake story.

"Itna paisa hai?"

(This much money)

Soha asked, astonished.

Dhuni nodded nonchalantly as if she indeed had that much money.

"Tum roti kyu ho? Bahut log hain iss duniya mei jo tumhe pyaar karenge. Marne do uss Saanvi ko,"

(Why are you crying? There are many people in this world who will love you. Let that Saanvi die.)

Soha said, wiping Dhuni's tears with her pallu, only to get a yell in return.

"Ayeee!" Dhuni yelled, startling Soha.

Her protective instinct kicking in for me.

"Woh mera matlab hai ki Saanvi ko beech mei mat laao. Uska naam hi mat lo,"

(I mean don't bring Saanvi into this. Don't even mention her name.)

Dhuni covered up her anger, and I sighed in relief.

"Haan, sahi kaha tumne. Dekho toh kismat ka khel kaise hai. Tumhe bhi ladkiya pasand hain aur mujhe bhi,"

(Yes, you said it right. Look at how fate plays its games. You also like girls, and so do I.)

Soha said, blushing and shying, making my eyes widen.

I had never seen her like this, and for sure, she was faking it.

Dhuni continued her act.

"Sach mei? Lekin tum toh Sarpanch ki biwi ho na?"

(Really? But aren't you the Sarpanch's wife?)

Dhuni asked, as if I hadn't told her the story about Soha a few minutes back.

"Yeh sab toh ek natak hai. Hamari shaadi kabhi hui hi nahi hai,"

(This is all a drama. Our marriage never happened.)

Soha confessed, making goosebumps rise on my body from hearing the truth from her mouth.

Dhuni was recording everything on her mobile.

"Acha? Par kaise kiya tumne yeh sab?"

(Oh? But how did you manage all this?)

Dhuni asked in a hushed tone.

"Maine Sarpanch ji ke saath ashleel tasveer khich li thi, taaki unhe majboori mein shaadi karni pade. Aur dekho, mera plan kaam kar gaya,"

(I had taken some compromising photos with the Sarpanch to force him into marrying me. And you see, my plan worked.)

Soha said, making me want to hit her with my slipper.

"Acha. Lekin woh tasveer. Woh kahan hai?"

(Okay. But those photos. Where are they?)

Dhuni asked.

"Woh? Woh toh maine sambhal ke rakhi hai,"

(That? That I have preserved/saved some where.)

Soha said, her demeanor turning defensive.

I bit my nails in anticipation, hoping that she would not back off.

"Lekin mujhe bhi woh tasveer dekhni hai. Saanvi ne mera bharosa toda hai, kahi tum bhi jhoot bol rahi ho toh—?"

(But I also want to see that photo. Saanvi has broken my trust, and I don't want you to lie either.)

Dhuni said, her voice turning sad.

Soha bit her lip, contemplating. I was constantly praying that she would reveal where she had kept those photos.

"Tasveer yahan nahi hai,"

(Photos are not here)

Soha exclaimed, making my heart jump.

She stood closer to Dhuni and held her shoulders, looking into her eyes softly.

"Mai tumhe woh tasveer dikha dungi. Woh yahan nahi hai. Woh tasveer..."

(I will show you those but they are not here. Those pictures are...)

she trailed off, making both Dhuni and me gulp.

"Woh tasveer, makaan number 23 mein hai,"

(Those pictures are at house number 23)

she finally revealed.

"Kothe (brothel) mei jaane se pehle, mai wahi rehti thi. Waha hi maine apna pura mobile chupaya hai jisme woh tasveer hai,"

(Before joining the brothel, I used to live there. I have hidden my entire phone there, which has those photos.)

she explained.

Dhuni hugged her tightly and motioned for me to call, hidden behind Soha's back, breaking my trance.

Moving away from there, I called him with shaky hands.

Everything is going to be fine, my heart jumped in happiness.

"Yuvraj ji!" I exclaimed as soon as he picked up.

"Kya hua?"

(What happened?)

he asked. Huh! How unromantic.

"Makaan number 23! Waha tasveer hai! Jaldi, Yuvraj ji,"

(House no. 23! Picture are there! Go fastly there Yuvraj ji)

I said shortly, earning a maddening yell from him.

"Heer! Maine kaha tha kuch mat karna. Tujhe samajh nahi aata kya!? Tujhe kuch ho jaayega toh mai kya karunga! Har baat mazaak mein lena zaruri hai kya!"

(Heer! I told you not to do anything. Don't you understand!? If something happens to you, what will I do! Is everything a joke to you!)

He continued to scold, but I cut the call and stood there, my feet tapping against the floor constantly.

Not even a second later, he called back.

"Mai jaa raha hoon par kaan khol ke sun le, tum dono milke aage kuch nahi karoge!!! Soha tumhe kuch bhi chot pahuncha sakti hai,"

(I'm leaving, but listen carefully, both of you better not do anything further together!!! Soha can harm you in any way)

he said impatiently, making me smile.

"Hum kuch nahi kar rahe hain. Bas aap waha jaiye,"

(We are not doing anything. You Just go there!)

I concluded.

All the way to the location, he was on the call, directing Arun bhaiya (driver and guard) about the turns.

I waited patiently as he told me he had reached. The sound of ruffling and falling objects caught my ears. I knew he was searching for that mobile.

"Heer," his low voice came, sounding so relieved.

I thanked God many times in my mind, and he ended the call after saying that he was coming back to me.

But my happiness was short-lived when I heard Soha's confession playing loud and clear.

Rushing to peek at them, I saw the horrified-looking Soha and Dhuni down on the floor, where Dhuni's mobile was playing the video.

Soha's fist clenched, and in a swift motion, she threw a punch at Dhuni's jaw.

Dhuni yelled, and I did too.

"Tumne mere jazbaato ke saath khela!!! Tumhari itni himmat!!!"

(You played with my emotions! How dare you!)

Soha choked Dhuni, and I ran to free her.

"Soha, chhodo usse!!"

(Soha, leave her!!)

I tried.

"Tum dono kamini ho! Tum dono ko hi maar dungi aaj mai!!"

(You both are bitches! I will kikk you both today)

she yelled, her eyes maddened.

"Maar ke toh dekha chudail! Tujhe nani yaad na dilaayi toh mera naam bhi Dhuni nahi!"

(Try hitting me, you witch! If I don't remind you of your grandma, then my name isn't Dhuni!)

Dhuni yelled and kicked her stomach.

Soha fell backward from the attack.

"Tu jaa yahan se Saanu. Mai dekh lungi isse,"

(Leave us Saanu. I will see her)

Dhuni pushed me to go, but I didn't.

"Bas, Dhuni neeche chal. Hum isse yahi bandh kar denge! Chal mere saath,"

(Alright, Dhuni, let's go downstairs. We'll lock her up right here! Come with me.)

I tried to pull Dhuni, but Soha pulled her back.

Soha yanked her hair harshly and pushed her against the cemented railing of the terrace.

"Dhuni!!" I yelled, horrified. She was close to falling from the terrace.

Things were getting out of hand now. Dhuni was punching and kicking without accepting defeat. Soha was thrashing her without any ounce of care about the harm.

The most worst aspect of their situation was the proximity to the railing. Its presence loomed ominously, casting a shadow of danger over them as they stood too close for comfort.

I felt a sharp pull on my own hair while trying to separate them.

"Yeh sab teri wajah se hua hai! Bahut shauk hai na achi zindagi jeene ka. Ab tum dono swarg mein jaake jeena!!"

(All this happened because of you! You're so fond of living a good life, aren't you? Now both of you can go and enjoy life in heaven!!)

Soha said and pushed me against the railing. My front collided harshly with the cemented railing.

I felt a sharp, searing pain as my body collided with the hard surface of railing.

Stars exploded in my vision, and darkness began to creep in from the edges, threatening to consume me.

Dhuni was lying on the floor, trying to get up. Her forehead was bleeding, and her eyes were closing.

Soha was taller and physically stronger compared to us.

She yanked my hair again and gripped my jaw, forcing me to look down at the entrance of the haveli.

"Dekh waha! Aa gaya tera aashiq! Aaj iss Heer Ranjha ki kahani khatam! Ab alvida kaho!" Soha said maniacally.

(Look who's here! Your lover has arrived! Today marks the end of this Heer Ranjha tale! Now bid your goodbyes!)

My breath caught in my throat, a sharp gasp escaping my lips. The terrace and the sky blurred together, creating a disorienting whirl of colors and shapes.

As my eyes fell, they teared up seeing Yuvraj ji getting out of the car in haste. His appearance was disheveled, his expression frantic. All I wanted was to embrace him, to feel his arms around me, but it looked like that wouldn't be in this life.

The wind rushed past my ears, a deafening roar that drowned out all other sounds.

Her words sounded like a proclamation of our demise, yet she was never the one who initiated our love story. Did she even have the right to bring it to an end? My mind raced with these thoughts.

I attempted to break free, but her grip on me was relentless.

In those fleeting moments, my mind raced with thoughts and emotions. Memories flashed before my eyes—glimpses of Yuvraj ji's smile, the warmth of his embrace, the laughter shared with Dhuni.

The thought of never seeing them again, of leaving them behind in this brutal, abrupt manner, was unbearable.

He hadn't noticed us yet.

A few seconds later, he did, because a body fell from the sky in front of his feet, creating a puddle of red blood.

As consciousness began to slip away, I felt an odd, almost peaceful resignation. The fight, the chaos, the terror—it all seemed to fade, leaving behind only the echo of my heart's longing.

"Heer!!"

The last voice that reached my ears was that of my Ranjha, my cherished Yuvraj ji.

His desperate call resonated within me, a haunting echo that lingered as my senses slipped away, and I succumbed to the gentle embrace of darkness.

~~~

What had happened while Saanvi was on call.

Dhuni was skillfully playing her act, buying precious moments for Saanvi to alert Yuvraj. Soha, completely convinced by Dhuni's performance, engaged in a friendly conversation with her. However, in an unexpected move, Soha pulled Dhuni's arm to embrace her, causing Dhuni's phone to tumble to the ground. The phone, with its recording feature active and the confession playing openly on the screen, became a live witness to Dhuni's deceit, leading to her immediate capture.

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