Link for Episode-9: Episode 9 here
Bakhuda Tumhi Ho-
Episode:10
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At Home:
It was evening time when Twinkle was preparing dinner and waiting for him. She got happy as soon as Kunj came but his face was blank. He tried to force a smile but she understood, “Go and freshen up. I’ll lay the table.” She said smiling. He went to the room and headed towards the washroom.
When he came out, Twinkle was waiting for him. As she saw him, she walked to him. “What happe-”
She didn’t need to ask him anymore as she held his hands. They were trembling. He didn’t have the courage to look into her eyes.
“Did you…?”
“I’m sorry.” He said lower than a whisper. “I… I tried a lot… But it’s not that simple Twinkle. The feeling, the sensation, the craving, it’s just too much. It’s just… Draws me back.” He said guilt evident on his face.
She caressed his face. “It’s Ok. Come have dinner.” Her voice was cracking and he could sense it. He wasn’t expecting it. He was expecting bitter words, scolding or more probably a threat from her.
“Aren’t you angry?” He asked feeling guilt of hurting her to this point.
“I understand. We can’t achieve everything in one day. I know it’s not easy for you. It’ll take time. But please don’t say that you can’t do this. It’s difficult but not impossible.” She spoke. Her words were like removing a big boulder from his heart. He felt so light after hearing them. He was moved by the trust she had in him.
“Come.” She said.
They headed towards the dinning table.
“Listen!” Twinkle broke the silence. “I… I brought the drugs.” She added.
“What?” He asked completely shocked.
“First listen the complete thing. I’ve read your reports and we can’t get you to leave the drugs all of a sudden. So I threw away your strong doses and brought mild ones of only a few whose addiction can easily be cured. And don’t you dare increase their dosage.”
“Where did you get them?” He questioned.
“From the hospital. We keep mild doses for some reasons.”
“Oh!” They continued eating in silence. He wanted to quit drugs now because every time he saw the face of this girl who was expecting so much from him and worried about his health, he gets determined.
In the Morning:
Everything was so grim. He thought things were better between them when this ‘treatment thing’ wasn’t there.
He wanted to irritate her, see her irritated. He wouldn’t accept it but that was one of the best thing in their relationship. Twinkle walked out of the shower struggling with her lemon yellow saree. He was on the call. He hung up when he saw her. She was about to fall, but he reached out his hands and caught her before she fell.
“Phew! Thanks.” She sighed in relief.
Just then his phone, which was still in his palm, rang. He saw the caller ID and dropped Twinkle in shock! “Oh my! I was waiting for their call.”
She was so angry. She just sat there making no move to get up. He didn’t even turn to see her. Just in a minute he disconnected the call after finalizing some matters.
His eyes fall on Twinkle. “Why are you sitting like that on floor, get up!” He said sheepishly.
Twinkle was disgusted. “Oh my God! Twinkle what happened to you? Are you alright? Give me your hand!” She mimicked the reaction HE should’ve given! Just then Twinkle’s phone rang.
“Hi Yuvi… No, I’m fine and you?”
He cracked some joke and she laughed loudly. “Oh Yuvi, you’re so funny… No, I’m…”
Before she could complete, her phone was snatched. “Hi Yuvi! You know what you’re disturbing us right now. So we’ll catch you later, bye!” He hung up without letting him chance to speak while Twinkle was glaring him angrily.
“Do you’ve some multiple personality disorder? Yuvi was just…”
She became silent as Kunj held both her wrists and pinned her to the cupboard. She was totally shocked.
“How gracefully his name rolls from your tongue.”
“Huh?”
“How simply you take his name, then why not mine?”
“Wh… What do you mean?” She wasn’t in her senses because of their closeness.
“Why do you call me Mr. Sarna?” He asked rather complained! She was surprised that he noticed such a minor detail.
“I… I like it that way.” She lied.
“Say my name Twinkle!” He ordered firmly.
She turned her face in other direction. “What if I don’t?” Challenging him.
“Then I’ve other ways of making you say it.” He said smiling cockily and looking at her lips.
She gulped audibly and tried to free her hands but no use. “Call me Kunj, Twinkle.” He ordered again. For Twinkle, it wasn’t a big thing. She could’ve easily said it, but now when HE was insisting, she decided that she won’t do it, because she was used to doing opposite of what he says so she slightly nodded in ‘no’.
“Fine your wish.” He said and started kissing her cheeks softly. She was stunned on his act. He moved to her jawline still kissing. Her voice stuck in her throat as the strange sensation hit her. She tried to push him away but his grip was unshakably strong. “Kun…” She chocked and heard him chuckle lightly. He kissed her collarbone and nuzzled his nose in the crook of her neck. “Stop… Kunj!” She shouted at last breathing heavily.
He left her hands smirking. “That’s my girl!”
“What were you doing huh? Stay away from me!”
He moved towards her. “Twinkle, people don’t marry to stay away!” He said smirking.
Her eyes went wide after hearing that.
“Urrgghh! It’s useless talking to you!”
He was enjoying her anger so much. The way her nose scrunched and her face and ears turned slightly red. ‘she looks more beautiful when angry!’ He said to himself.
She angrily walked out of the room making Kunj laugh loudly.
At Yuvraj’s Home-
Twinkle reached there while Manohar and YuviSha were already waiting for her.
“Come Twinkle!” Manohar was proud of her, he kept his hand on her head. “Thank you beta. Today, you did something we three have been trying to do since ages. I don’t know how to thank you. You are…”
“Dad! You call me your daughter na! Then don’t say thank you all the time. I don’t like it.”
Just then Manohar’s phone buzzed. “I’ll be back in a minute.” He said and walked out.
“Ok Twinkle your drink is ready.” Yuvraj said.
“Drink?”
“Ya something impossible happened. It calls for a celebration! Here take this.”
“Yuvi I don’t drink alcohol. Give me juice.”
“Twinkle! This is wine. It’s just 5% alcohol dear.” Disha tried to convince her.
“5% or 100% Disha. Alcohol is alcohol.”
“Ok I’ll get juice for you.” She said surrending her hands in air and got what she asked for.
“So tell me. What’s next?” Yuvraj asked excitedly.
“Actually Yuvi , I think we haven’t completely succeeded.” Both of them stopped their drinks and looked at her in shock.
“What do you mean?” Yuvraj asked.
“He said he’ll quit drugs but his mind won’t agree that easily. And our thoughts are skeleton of our actions. If he just pushes himself away from drugs, and his mind doesn’t agree. It’ll be a waste and will give no result at all.”
“What now?” He asked panicking.
“We’ll think something. Don’t worry and don’t tell anything to dad. He worries too much.”
“Ok.”
Just then Manohar came back.
“Who was it dad?” Twinkle asked.
“Oh! It was a principal of a reputed school asking me to be the chief guest on their function. We’re the trustees na. That’s why. But I’ve no time you see.”
“I don’t see any big day. What’s the occasion dad?”
“It’s ‘anti drug abuse’ day . So they’ve organized the programme for the awareness of people against drugs.”
Twinkle’s face broke out into a smile. A superb idea had hit her.
“Dad! You said you didn’t have time. Can we go? I mean, me and Kunj?”
“Ok I’ll talk to them. They’ll be a lot happier.” He said dialling their number to inform about THEM.
“Well… When is the function?”
“Day after tomorrow.”
“That’s great!” She exclaimed happily.
Then Manohar called them and talked for sometime. He looked at Twinkle after disconnecting the call. “Like I said, they were very happy and also they needed a doctor to help them with their preparations.”
“Ok dad. I’ll go then!” She said and got up to leave. Yuvraj followed her.
“Twinkle!” He shouted from behind. “You won’t involve me?” He questioned innocently like a child.
“Yuvi! It’s nothing so big this time. But don’t worry, you’re my all time partner. If I make any plan, I won’t forget to tell you.” She retorted smilingly. “Now I’ve to leave for the school. See you later!” She said waving him good bye.
At the School-
The staff welcomed Twinkle and she helped in all the preparations, speeches, plays and everything.
She talked to the principal then, “Ma’am I was thinking about asserting one more act among all these. Believe me, it’ll be really effective.”
“Why not, Mrs. Sarna!”
She got the cutest and chubby kid from class and taught him everything. He happily followed her, memorized each word she said, without knowing their meaning and staff also appreciated the idea.
After it was late evening, she left for home.
Kunj was pacing in the lounge. Before he could start, she said sarcastically, “look I’ve taken the driver with me and I’m alive. So no issues!”
“Why did you…”
“Now don’t ask me where did I go because…”
“I know you went to Yuvi’s home, but after that why did you go to that school?”
‘How did he knew?’, She thought to herself. ‘The driver must’ve told him.’
“Twinkle!”
“Didn’t dad tell you?”
“Tell me what?”
Just then her phone rang and as expected, it was dad he picked up the call and Manohar told him everything about function. An understanding look crossed his face.
“Ok.” He said and hung up.
“Twinkle next time, don’t stay out of the house so late night.”
She looked at him with slight anger. “Kunj I’m your wife not your teenage daughter that you’ve to worry about my late arrival!” Saying this she walked to her room before he could debate.
Day of the function-
Twinkle was beautifully dressed in black saree and Kunj wore a black suit.
“Kunj! Are you ready?” She asked adjusting her pallu while he was just staring at her. She got self-conscious under his gaze and hurried out. He, too chuckled and followed her.
***
They reached the venue.
He was about to hold her waist but she firmly said, “Kunj! Don’t you dare do something that sets a bad example for little children. Ok!”
He huffed removing his hand and they moved inside.
They got seated and were welcomed with a bouquet of flowers. The whole function went fast, one by one children gave speeches about drug abuse, displaying images of the affected people, showing the stats, stating the preventive measures etc. Twinkle was restless all the while. Kunj noticed this and placed his hand on hers. “You Ok?” He asked with concern. “If you aren’t feeling well, we can leave.”
“No! I… I’m fine. I’m good.” She said smiling.
Just then, the principal announced. “Now, presenting to you, the last act of the day.” Twinkle’s face brightened to see this.
“Kunj, it’s the last event. We can leave after this.” She beamed on which Kunj nodded astonishingly.
Within few seconds, the cute boy Twinkle had trained came on the stage dressed as a round white tablet.
He started saying,
“MY NAME IS: METH!”
Kunj’s forehead creased to listen it. It was the same Ecstasy drug, he was badly addicted to.
The child continued,
“I DESTROY HOMES,
I TEAR FAMILIES APART,
TAKE YOUR CHILDREN,
AND THAT IS JUST THE START,
I AM MORE VALUABLE THAN DIAMOND,
MORE PRECIOUS THAN GOLD,
THE SORROW I BRING IS A SIGHT TO BEHOLD.
IF YOU NEED ME,
REMEMBER I AM EASILY FOUND,
I LIVE ALL AROUND YOU- IN SCHOOLS AND IN TOWN.”
Kunj remembered borrowing Meth from a friend for the first time.
“I LIVE WITH THE RICH;
I LIVE WITH THE POOR,
I LIVE DOWN THE ROAD,
OR MAYBE NEXT DOOR.
I AM MADE IN A LAB,
BUT NOT IN ONE QUITE LIKE YOU THINK,
I CAN BE MADE UNDER YOUR KITCHEN SINK,
IN YOUR CHILD’S CLOSET OR EVEN IN THE WOODS.
IF THIS SCARES YOU TO DEATH,
WELL IT CERTAINLY SHOULD.
I HAVE MANY NAMES;
BUT THERE IS ONE YOU WILL KNOW BEST,
I AM SURE YOU HAVE HEARD ME,
MY NAME IS CRYSTAL METH.
MY POWER IS AWESOME,
TRY ME AND YOU WILL SEE,
BUT IF YOU DO,
YOU WILL NEVER BREAK FREE.”
He doesn’t want to hear anymore. He tried to get up but Twinkle held his hand giving him a pleading look. Kunj helplessly agreed.
“TRY ME ONCE,
AND I MIGHT LET YOU GO,
BUT TRY ME TWICE,
AND I WILL OWN YOUR SOUL!
WHEN I POSSESS YOU,
YOU WILL STEAL AND YOU WILL LIE,
YOU WILL DO WHAT YOU HAVE TO GET- JUST TO GET HIGH.
YOU WILL FORGET YOUR MORALS,
AND HOW YOU WERE RAISED.
I WILL BE YOUR SUBCONSCIOUS,
I WILL TEACH YOU MY WAYS!
I WILL TAKE KIDS FROM YOUR PARENTS AND YOUR PARENTS FROM YOUR KIDS,
I WILL TURN PEOPLE FROM GOD,
I WILL SEPARATE YOUR FRIENDS.
I WILL TAKE EVERYTHING FROM YOU,
EVEN YOUR GOOD LOOKS AND YOUR PRIDE.
I WILL ALWAYS BE WITH YOU, RIGHT BY YOUR SIDE!”
By now everyone in the hall including Kunj was in the spell of the kid’s words. The complete hall was silently hearing his each word attentively.
“YOU WILL GIVE UP EVERYTHING,
YOUR FAMILY, YOUR HOME.
YOUR MONEY, YOUR FRIENDS,
YOU WILL BE ALL ALONE.
I WILL TAKE AND I WILL TAKE,
UNTIL YOU HAVE NO MORE TO GIVE.
WHEN I AM FINISHED WITH YOU,
YOU WILL BE LUCKY TO LIVE.
IF YOU TRY ME- BE WARNED,
THIS IS NOT A GAME.
IF I AM GIVEN THE CHANCES,
I WILL DRIVE YOU INSANE.
I WILL RAVAGE YOUR BODY,
I WILL CONTROL YOUR MIND.
I WILL OWN YOU COMPLETELY,
YOUR SOUL WILL BE MINE!
THE NIGHTMARES I WILL GIVE YOU,
WHEN YOU ARE LYING ON BED,
THE VOICES YOU WILL HEAR,
FROM INSIDE YOUR HEAD.
THE SWEATS, THE SHAKES, AND THE VISION YOU WILL SEE,
I WANT YOU TO KNOW,
THESE ARE YOUR GIFTS- FROM ME.”
He remembered his condition. It was all really true and he knew because he had suffered it.
“BUT THEN IT’S TOO LATE,
AND YOU WILL KNOW IN YOUR HEART,
THAT YOU ARE MINE, AND WE SHALL NOT APART.
YOU WILL REGRET THAT YOU TRIED ME,
THEY ALWAYS DO!
BUT REMEMBER- YOU CAME TO ME, NOT I TO YOU!
YOU KNEW THIS WOULD HAPPEN,
MANY TIMES YOU WERE TOLD,
BUT YOU CHALLENGED MY POWER,
AND CHOSE TO BE BOLD.
YOU COULD HAVE SAID NO, AND JUST WALKED AWAY,
IF YOU COULD LIVE THAT DAY OVER,
NOW WHAT WOULD YOU SAY?
I WILL BE YOUR MASTER,
YOU WILL BE MY SLAVE,
I WILL EVEN GO WITH YOU,
WHEN YOU GO TO YOUR GRAVE!
NOW THAT YOU HAVE MET ME TODAY- WHAT WILL YOU DO?
WILL YOU TRY ME OR NOT? IT’S ALL UP TO YOU!
I CAN BRING YOUR MISERY THAN WORDS CAN TELL,
COME TAKE MY HAND,
LET ME LEAD YOU TO ‘HELL’!”
The boy completed, bowed his head and left from the stage leaving everyone in thoughts. They gave standing ovation to the act.
Twinkle looked at Kunj who was standing with a blank face. Each and every word has sink into his heart and touched his soul.
After awhile they took a leave. “Twinkle! You sit in the car. I’ll just be back.” Kunj said.
But it was unlike to Twinkle to do what he said. She had the habit of doing exact opposite. She slowly tiptoed behind him. He went to the principal’s office and handed her an envelope.
The principal was overwhelmed. “Mr. Sarna you’re donating 25 lacs to the school!” She said looking at the cheque.
“You deserve it ma’am. The time, the energy, the hard work and the children have done is really inspiring especially the last act by the little boy.”
“Actually complete credit of that act goes to Mrs. Sarna. She was the one who trained the kid and taught him everything.”
“Oh! Mrs. Sarna why are you standing at the door. Come inside!” The principal said all of a sudden.
Kunj’s head snapped at the direction and he glared her angrily. She was embarrassed now and was cursing herself in mind.
“Ya! Ya! Twinkle come inside.” Kunj said through gritted teeth.
Twinkle smiled meekly and awkwardly walked inside.
“Well we should leave now. It’s been quite late, right Twinkle?” She nodded quickly.
“Oh ya! Off course and you two make a great couple. May God always keep you together.” The old principal blessed and Twinkle felt a surge of pleasure after hearing it.
“Chalen Twinkle!” Kunj faked a smile and dragged her outside. She knew what was coming towards her.
When they reached the car, he silently started driving making her confused on his behavior.
“Aren’t you angry?” She finally asked gathering some courage.
“I was!” He answered.
“Was?”
“Ya! You… Taught that poem to that kid?” He asked without looking at her.
“Yes.” She said in a feeble voice.
“Why are you doing this?” He questioned weakly in a defeated voice.
“Doing what?”
“Changing me! Shedding the shell of years of social conditioning and unmasking the person who existed long ago!”
She leaned back into the back of the seat. “Change is inevitable Kunj. Accepting it is a wise choice. Don’t fight it, just go with the flow!”
“What would that change huh?”
“Most unpleasant things in your life.”
“Everyone says that and leaves.” He said bitterly. She ignored his words and turned on the radio and a lovely song started playing.
“Khamoshiyan aawaaz hain…
Tum sun’ne to aao kabhi
Chhukar tumhe khill jaayengi
Ghar inko bulaao kabhi
Beqarar hain baat karne ko
Kehne do inko zaraa..
Khamoshiyan.. teri meri khamoshiyan
Khamoshiyan.. lipti hui khamoshiyan
Kya uss gali mein kabhi tera jaana hua
Jahaan se zamaane ko guzre zamaana hua
Mera samay toh wahin pe hai thehra hua
Bataaun tumhe kya mere sath kya kya hua
Khamoshiyan ek saaz hai
Tum dhun koi laao zaraa
Khamoshiyan alfaaz hain
Kabhi aa gunguna le zara
Beqarar hain baat karne ko
Kehne do inko zaraa.. haa..”
His eyes were holding a sea of emotions which he can’t see or maybe he can he was purposely ignoring this beautiful feeling because every time he tried to build the sandcastle of dreams with the sand of love and happiness, the wind of pain and strong waves of betrayal attacked the shore leaving behind a complete mess and nothing else. But the angel on his side was totally unaware of all this and just wanted to be in his happiness and pain, love and hatred, darkness and light, real and virtual, now and forever…
And her eyes, her heart has something else to say to him.
“Khamoshiyan.. teri meri khamoshiyan
Khamoshiyan.. lipti hui khamoshiyan
Nadiya ka paani bhi khamosh behta yahaan
Khili chandani mein chhipi lakh khamoshiyan
Baarish ki boondon ki hoti kahaan hai zubaan
Sulagte dilon mein hai khamosh uthta dhuaan
Khamoshiyan aakaash hai
Tum udne toh aao zara
Khamoshiyan…”
But the song was stopped by Kunj roughly placing his hand on the stop button. “Don’t ever start this love romance crap in front of me again.” He snapped as calm as he could.
Twinkle let out a painful sigh. This was going to be really very difficult!
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Thank you for reading!
Hey lovely peeps:* it seems like I’m posting after ages but thank you very much for having patience. Alhumdulillah I’m fine now so here you go with the update! Apologizing to all those commenters, whom comments aren’t replied, though I’ve read it but didn’t get time to answer them. Today’s the 10th episode of our fiction, and I’m so happy that you’re showering your constant love on my story<3 SIA had asked me for proper schedule, so here it is "Sunday" "Wednesday" and "Friday" but sometime life don't go according to our plans so hopefully you'll understand rather than complaining.
Coming to story, I know it's a bone chilling one. The above poem is the unnamed Alabama teen's version. I've read dozen of poems out of which I loved this one. This is the harsh reality of our society, every 6 minutes 1 person dies due to drug overdose and sadly approx 90% of them are youngsters- the future of our country. So stay away from it and stay safe and also spread awareness against drug abuse.
Hopefully you liked the way I portrayed the scenes. Also tell me if there are some changes visible to you in Kunj's behavior, his attitude or his harshness OR if he's still the same like he was in initial episodes. I'll try my best to update 11th one by Friday but I'm not sure, since we've festival on that day "Eid Milaad-un-Nabi" so I'll be really busy. Don't forget to share your views!
Keep smiling:-)
Love you all<3
Take care!