Patna, India 22 nov, 2010
The Vivah mandal (marriage hall) was buzzing with excitement. The Sinha twins were getting married and it was the talk of the town. They were the nieces of Jigar Sinha, the big politician. He had left no stones unturned to make it the biggest event of the year. The best cooks, decorators, musicians. Amidst this fanfare, he had instructed a dedicated team of bodyguards for lookout of any possible surprises. It had to be perfect. After all it was a family affair.
The Sinha daughters were getting married to a brother duo of a local industrialist.
"Gia, do you really want to go ahead with this. After years of courting Dev, can you live with someone else", Pia asked her sis.
"Do i have a choice? You know Mama. He will kill Dev. I think this the best for both of us", Gia replied.
"Memsaab (Ma'm), the make up specialist is here", announced the maid servant who was entrusted the task of getting them ready for the wedding downstairs.
"Hi I am Kaajal. You can call me K. Both of you look wonderful today.
Can i request all the helpers to vacate the room? I like a bit of privacy to focus", I introduced myself to Pia and Gia.
"But mem..", the maid-servant responded.
"No buts. I have already asked Jigar for permission and he has given me his word. Now please leave me to my work", I ordered.
I waited for the helpers to leave and spoke gently to Gia.
"Gia, I am here to help you. Ssh.. Got to be discreet here. Listen carefully, Dev is waiting for you at the backyard. You should move fast. Amay will create a diversion and we will make a quick exit.Can you dress down a bit. Will be easier to move unnoticed".
"But..", Gia was about to speak when I cut her.
"Do you love him? ".
"Yes with all my heart".
"Then.. do it for him then".
"But Pia..I don't want to leave her behind. Don't know how mama will react", Gia asked concerned.
"I will manage sis. You leave. He is waiting. Hurry ", Pia replied.
Gia quickly changed into a pink t and jeans. Washed away all the makeup and wore her glasses.
"I am ready. But the guards are still outside. How do we leave?", Gia asked.
"Just wait for Amay's signal", I replied.
"Who is the in-charge here", a strong voice boomed from outside.
"Hum hain saab (It's me)", replied the head-chief.
"Jigar wants all of you down. Something urgent. Fast. And he is angry, really angry", the voice spoke sternly.
The 3 guards, including the chief rushed downstairs.
That was the signal. I took Gia's hands and rushed down. Luckily Gia looked indistinguishable in her casual outfit. We cautiously reached the courtyard where Dev was waiting.
Gia embraced Dev, and unfortunately I had to break their union.
"Guys, we have to move. It's too risky here. Amay will make his way later to the rendezvous point"
All 3 of us got into the car parked outside the courtyard and made our way to the rendezvous point.
Meanwhile, things were getting complicated near Gia's room.
"Hey Aman or whatever your name is. I have changed my mind. I want to run too. I don't want to get married to a total stranger and waste away the best years of my life. Please take me with you", Pia requested.
"Oh shit. The guards are back. By the way it's Amay not Aman. Well fine, let me think of something", Amay replied.
"Hurry, they are coming upstairs", Pia shouted.
"Relax, Time for Plan B now. Act scared and start rolling some tears", Amay replied pulling out a gun from his coat pocket.
"Guys, guys, guys. She is my hostage now. You shout, she's dead. I have killed many before and I will do it again. Don't make me do this", Amay said sternly to the guards.
"Do what he says. Thats an order. I am too young to die. Please. If something happens to me, Jigar Mama's going to kill you all", Pia shouted, looking at the guards.
"Now you will move in a line and lead us out. No word, no movement. Wear this girl", Amay removed his coat and glasses, and threw it to Pia.
As soon as they reached the entrance of the backyard, Amay locked the gate and instructed the guards not to sound the alarm or call the cops. He obviously knew, it won't work but just in case.
Dev, K and Gia had already left as planned but surprisingly Amay's getaway vehicle, a 100cc Bajaj bike was missing.
"Oh we are fked. Where the hell did the bike go", Amay shouted angrily.
"Why don't we use that", Pia asked pointing at a white horse tied to the nearby fence.
"I have never driven that before. Does it even have breaks?", Amay asked.
"Fret not, I was a champion rider in my college. You are so lucky today man", Pia chuckled at Amay.
So Pia and Amay rode that shaadi ka ghoda(horse) and soon they reached the rendezvous point where everyone was waiting.
"Pia, I was so worried about you. I am so glad you decided to come along", Gia said embracing her younger sister.
"Guys we've got to move. Think we are being followed.Those guards must have sounded the alarm", Amay interrupted.
As soon as Amay said that, dozens of jeeps entered the scene. All of us got into the car and Dev stepped on the gas, maneuvering it through the dark jungle, the rough village roads and muddy fields.
For 40 mins the cat and mouse game continued till we finally reached the airport.
We rushed inside the airport where my assistant was waiting for us.
"Kumar, are the tickets ready?", I asked.
"Yeah ma'm. A ticket to Mumbai for you and 3 to Singapore". The flights are ready for take-off. Please start checking-in"
In the distance, Amay and Pia were bidding their goodbyes.
"You were good, really good today. Thanks to you and K, Gia is happy again", Pia said.
"And you weren't bad either. I didn't know girls could ride horses", Amay replied and
both of them chuckled in union.
"So where to next? Why don't you come and stay with us in Singapore for a while, till things settle down here", Amay asked.
"Nah, I am going back to Bangalore. Have some hotels to renovate, malls to design and hopefully someday I might have my own architectural firms", Pia replied.
"Ma'm we have arranged your travel and stay in Bangalore. Your flight also leaves in 10 mins. Please rush to the check-in counter", Kumar interjected.
"Man Kumar! you always know how to spoil the moments", Amay remarked.
"Thanks Kumar. That was really fast. Really appreciate that", Pia said, thanking Kumar.
"You're welcome ma'm and sorry sir. I will get going", Kumar rushed out of the scene.
"So I guess, it's goodbye then. Will I see you again?", asked Amay.
"Well, of course yes. Do tell Dev to take good care of my sis. Or I am gonna come after you guys and make your lives a living hell. You got that right", Pia remarked with a sly smile.
And our great adventured ended with Pia leaving for Bangalore and the rest to Singapore. I still had some things to finish.
It was about time to stop rolling and in the corner I gently shouted "Cut!".
Read the Final Chapter
