He picked up on third ring
"HELLO".
His calm voice echoed.
" We have a situation ", said Shaun.
" My pet" ! He exclaimed
" Is fine but not a good actor. Mr. Kaul though is trying hard and our Fighter here is supportive "
" Then what's the problem Josef"?
" She needs to relive that night", he said without any preamble " The night she lost her child. And feel that grief but she can spiral back in depression ".
There was a chilling silence.
" NOO", the decision was torn out from his heart.
"S.sir"
" Pet no don't put yourself through it. I will pull her out".
" I am not made of glass Sumeet She killed our child" , she said in a breath without faltering.
" Pet ".
" Trust me sir please", she begged.
" I'll be there ", he vetoed.
" Okay", she agreed weakly.
Half an hour later
The pain of losing a child...
The smallest coffins are heaviest to carry...
Apurgatory
Chanchal cried and cried letting her sorrow take over her body and soul.
Sumeet turned to a stone witnessing her misery as Shaun hypnotised her back to that night
" My poor daughter ", she cried.
" They are here to kill her Chanchal be scared", said Shaun.
She shivered in fear.
" It's your sister. She always causes you pain", he said.
Chanchal was scared now.
" Can you avenge yourself Chanchal "? Shaun queried.
Her eyes burned with fire now...🔥🔥
" Sheetal Kapoor will die" , she said in a clear voice. " I will kill her. Justice has arrived".
" Hell yeah ", said Kash.
Chanchal was badly shaken but never went back to depression. Her anger and revenge gave her purpose.
" Dragon she has healed", whispered Shaun.
" From here she will never spiral back".
They all were relived.
Meanwhile
" You won't cancel the trip", asked Guru.
He was on a call with Deepak.
" You know I won't ", replied Deepak calmly.
" You love being an as* h*le about your life", chided Guru.
" Life and death are not in our hands", said Deepak philosophically
" I failed philosophy ", sneered Guru. " If you remember dear Prime minister . We have an intel; the accurate one. The hit is on you".
" Then you take precautions for it. I won't sit ina block hole. I am not a rat", replied Deepak.
" It's your f*cking life", Guru lost it.
" LIKE FCUK I CARE" , he roared. " It was me who chickened out last time Guru and Paras paid with his life".
" Deepak it was his choice", argued Guru.
" As this is mine", replied the PM.
" What about Vinita", asked Guru. " I heard she is pregnant ".
" Guru find a way to fight those terrorists instead of trying to intimidate me. I am visiting the city next week. Gird your l*ins and save me".
" Yes sir", saluted Guru as Deepak cut the call.
He started thinking. Deepak wasn't always like this. A cheerful young man. A brilliant talent in academics and an idealist he has rejected the politics and a lucrative job back in states.
He took up teaching and research and could have made great discoveries or invention.
But....
Life happened
Paras Lalwani
Deepak's younger brother who took up his abandoned throne.
And died a brutal death by hand of terrorists.
He should have known. Deepak won't back out.
This was his purgatory.
Meanwhile
Shaun was right. Though Chanchal excelled in her acting practice following the scene it took a toll on her health. By late evening she collapsed in her husband's arms.
" Shaun".
The doctor immediately rushed over.
" The vitals are fine. She is doing good", said Shaun. " Just exhausted ".
" Hmm".
" Will she be fine", asked a concerned Rash. " She will be", assured Shaun.
" I take your leave Mrs. Oberoi ", said Dragon as he picked his wife in his arms.
Rash just nodded in affirmation.
And Sumeet left.
Kash and Rash sat for another hour and half before she took her leave.
She was absolutely depleted as she entred Aashiyana. She washed up and decided on a warm cup of milk before sleeping . Somehow she carried herself to kitchen where a surprise awaited her.
" Jeet".
" Rash love".
She narrowed her eyes.
" Are you stuffing yourself with caffeine you pest to keep your zombie self awake"?
" Most definitely not", he replied. " My wife has forbidden caffeine at night. I wouldn't dare disobey her", he said deviously. " This is just hot cocoa. Would you like one"?
" Yes please. You are a darling".
Rash was pleased.
Five minutes later they sat in balcony sipping hot cocoa.
" Chi Chi lost her vitality in rehearsal ", she said. " I sometimes think is it worth it? Just already put a bullet in that b*tch".
" Rash it's her revenge. She lost her child. To think I made fun of it", a sadness came in his eyes.
She held his hand. He held it tighter.
" A hit is ordered on Deepak. He is visiting next week. He refused to cancel ".
Rash nodded.
" Guru called", she said simply.
Jeet nodded too.
" It's about his brother ", she asked.
Jeet could just nod.
" Same like that man that army mate of yours Jeet whom you lost on that day", she said.
Sumeet... Remembered Jeet.. His death was his purgatory.
" Yes", his voice turned weak.
" How was he like", asked Rash.
" An uptight, cheerful, good and patriotic young man", replied Jeet. " He would have done good things for the country. Why did he die Rash"?
Tears spilled from his eyes.
Rash hugged her husband.
" Ssshh Jeet"! " He is in a better place".
Jeet nodded.
" It's that b*tch again. You prohibited me from killing her", she complained.
" I wantt you on the right side of the law" , he said with a smile.
" It's getting late", she said. " We both have an early morning. " Let's hope in the bed".
" I want you", he softly whispered.
Her reply was a deep smooch which completely aroused him.
He carried her to their bedroom. Soon they tore off each other's clothes. Rash giggled as Jeet kissed hher exposed skin. He sighed as she did.
As they slowly got lost in each other all the pain was washed off.
The penance was over. Retribution was reckoning