I gave the story briefing to my friends with mild changes here and there. Then we had a session on all the questions that might be asked and their fixed answers. We couldn't afford to make any one suspicious as that would unravel the whole thing, creating dangerous situation for us and the whole family. We tried to stick as close to the truth as possible especially as regards to some intimate questions that might be asked by the curious lot waiting for us. Rudra seemed quite interested in all the questions and answers we prepared. Vaishali had fun imitating all the characters of the Indian soaps while giving her answers. Her acting was atrocious leaving both Anil and me in splits, while Rudra looked mildly confused as to what was making us laugh so hard.





As we entered the village a welcome committee of kids playing in the street greeted us with shouts of joy. Few of them must have taken the job of scouts quite seriously as they ran shouting the news of our arrival for all to know.

" Lekha jiji has been found. Rudra bhaisa is bringing her" rang the cry ahead of us.

I did wonder on how fast the kids could run when they were excited.

So, it didn't come as surprise that we were met with a whole throng of people as soon as we reached the haveli doors. My eyes searched for maasa as she was the only comfort I wanted and the only person I came back for.

I was engulfed in a passionate hug from both sides as Gayatri and Vasundhara gave me a tearful welcome.

" Had you run away?" whispered Gayatri in my ear.

I looked at her in surprise.

" Don't worry... we told everyone .. you were kidnapped" whispered Vasundhara from the other side.

I believed I was soon going to have a crick in the neck with all these surprised movements. I wondered what kind of rumors had been floating around while I was gone.

" Leave the girl alone ... you two. She looks exhausted. Are these your friends dear?" said maasa coming forward and engulfing me in another hug.

" What happened Lekha? You had vanished..." this time it was she who whispered.

The mystery kept getting deeper I thought. Everyone trying to decipher it in their own way.

" Get me out of here maasa?" I requested quietly.

I saw taisa moving towards me with questions of her own, I believe but was intercepted by Rudra to my relief.

" Maasa why don't you take care of these guest here. They are Lekha's friends. Poor things had not slept for a long time and are hungry too." I heard Rudra tell his mother.

That diverted the attention of the crowd as everyone wanted to have a glimpse of the new comers and have their own version of story ready for future retelling. Lekha's story had to wait as it seemed nothing interesting could be got out of her, plus the way she was received by the family it seemed that nothing scandalous had happened with her as first purported.

If given a chance I would have loved to know all the gossip they had come up with but it was safer for me to stay with maasa at that moment till things stabilized. As maasa took me away, it seemed that I was not completely forgotten.

" Is that boy the reason she ran away?"

" Where did the friends pop up from?"

"The family looks so normal as if she had gone for a walk rather than runaway"

"She was kidnapped ... I heard. Who did it?"

I knew even maasa could hear all the gossip but she held her head high and kept walking tagging me along. I had a mild suspicion that those snippets were said aloud for our benefit.

She took me to her room instead of mine as I had previously assumed.

"Here no one will interrupt us " she stated in a calm voice as she gestured for me to sit on a chair near by.

"Now child tell me all and leave nothing out" she said with a sweet smile.

That moment I wanted to blurt out the truth but then I knew that Rudra would be manipulated into marrying me and that I could not bear, after being party to the other half of the story.

" I had woken up from a restless sleep and had gone to take some fresh air outside when I heard a horse neighing in the stable. I went to check and saw that some one was trying to take Pari out of the stable. I gave a shout to alert but was struck from behind by some one. Later when I woke up, it was in a tent surrounded by some men whom I believe were some kind of horse thieves. I must have lost my memory as I couldn't remember even my name but while trying to escape when I saw Pari being tied up nearby I felt a connection as if she belonged to me. I somehow managed to escape with her."

At this point I saw some kind of disbelief on maasa's face but she kept her peace. Again, that thought of telling the truth pricked my heart but I pushed it back. This story had been decided by all of us and I didn't want to jeopardize 'the plan'.

" I somehow had remembered Amber fort so taking help from some people reached it. It was there seeing everything, that I remembered but I was too far off ... I tried to gamble with the chance that I may be successful in getting back to my time ... and I was successful ... this time"

I saw reproach in her eyes and a feeling of sadness.

" You didn't think for a moment, what we would feel or even for that matter Rudra who is your fiancé... you suddenly vanished..." maasa's voice sounded hoarse. I felt tremendously guilty and I hugged her.

" I didn't mean to hurt you ... I never did... you have to believe me " I said holding her face with both of my hands looking earnestly into her eyes, as at least this part was true.

She looked away from me and I had a feeling that it would take her a long time to forgive me. I myself didn't feel like forgiving myself.

"Maasa look at me ... don't forgive me ... I myself will never myself for.. not returning back. I missed you "I whispered the last part as I felt my throat choke with emotions. I didn't realize I was crying till a tear slipped down my cheek.

Maasa looked back at me and perhaps she found some kind of honesty in my love that she instantly hugged me with her tear laden eyes glittering with emotions.

"Maasa listen to me ..." I had to take her into a bit of confidence if I had to survive here, as after returning back I had no plans of ever visiting my time period again. I held her hands in my own two to get strength from hers.

"I have told Rudra sa the whole truth ... believe me he knows all. I cant tell you everything as ..."

"What do you mean ... you can't tell me the truth?" her voice sounded stern.

"Maasa .. I am just waiting for few things to happen I don't want to mess it up"

"You think my knowing things will mess things up" she looked both shocked and royally indignant.

"No.. no.. I mean ... please understand maasa ... few things are best left alone to take their own course. Its sometimes best if we don't know things from beforehand... we might attempt to change them and thus bring around a lot of other changes which might then...I mean ... now I am confused" I was fumbling and myself a bit confused. I so wanted to end this hide and seek but thinking of the greater good, again stopped myself.

Maasa looked at me bewildered as my speech seemed all mixed up. Her expressions softened and she said softly "You are tired my child ... and your mind is not working straight it seems"

"I am tired maasa but remember whatever happens ... happens for good .." I tried a philosophical approach.

"It's alright Lekha ... you take rest here in my room. Nobody will disturb you here. I will ask someone to bring you food. I will see to your friends too" she said interrupting me.

"Thank you maasa... I wanted to tell you..."

"We will talk later ... the bride needs all the rest before her wedding" She smiled at me but before I could come up with something she turned around and left me.

'Bride', the word echoed in my head. The wedding was still on, I groaned internally. It had slipped my mind for a few seconds and the reminder came with a pain of shock and something else.

I dropped on the bed feeling exhausted, worried and irritated with myself. I wondered how we would clear all the mess and my stomach twisted into knots thinking of the time things will come out in the open.





Sorry guys for the delay. :(