Episode 6

...Anitha calling

"Hey Anitha.. " "do you have some time to talk to me or are you busy? ""If you're calling me at this time, I can understand its important... shoot..!"Anitha cleared her throat. From the tune of it, Arjun understood it was going to be a long conversation. Not removing his eyes from the note he just made, he began to listen... "Arjun, there are two things that I want to tell you. Please listen to me fully before you ask questions. Firstly, this morning I received a call. The extension was 135. I kept saying hello but there was no response. It sounded like a little boy wanted to say something. He was not able to speak in English. So i tried hindi, he seemed to stammer. The line was really bad and I couldn't make anything of what he spoke. But then in the end, he kept saying bijoy saab. I shall send the number to you. Perhaps you can call and try to find something? The next information is from a trustworthy source. I heard that there was an alliance sought for Vijay at his native." "WHAT? but his parents know about shruthi. How can they do this? ". "See Arjun, I can only pass on the information I have. Its up to you to take it or not. I'll text the number per whatsapp to you. Good night" and the line went blank. Arjun sat starting at the paper in front of his eyes and his phone beeped. He added these two events ti the list along with the number and closed his eyes. Even before he could realise, he went into deep sleep.

The week before, at Maraandur (Vijay's hometown)

It was a modest house, buzzing with animation that morning. "How long do i have to wait to get a cup of coffee? " shouted Srinath, the boss of the house. A tinkle of glasses followed and a tall woman in saree carried the coffee to her father in law. "God bless you uttara" he said after he took the coffee from her hands. Srinath's family thrived on irrigation and they owned nearly one tenth of the lands at Maraandur. His family consisted of his son Srini, daughter Siya, his wife Malathy. "I have some news" he announced folding the news paper and thumping it on the teapoy, which meant everyone had to assemble around him. "I've found a prospective alliance for Siya. His name is Vijay, he works in the city in a software firm. Their family has been living in our village for quite a few generations. I think he is the right one for our Siya" he concluded. Malathy did not say anything as a matter of routine. Srini nodded his head in agreement. Uttara gently held Siya's arms and she returned the hold. Their eyes met shortly. Siya knew him. She had seen him at the village thiruvizha every year and he always won at the uriyadi. Her friends had giggled childishly whenever he gazed at their side. The powerful gaze that came from those hazelnut colored eyes. "....Siya??? Are you here? ??" "Appa?" "For the fifth time, shall we proceed with this alliance?" Siya bowed down and blushed. She closed her eyes for a second. She could clearly picture the pot being broken and a thousand flower petals falling from it.
The next morning, as Siya walked down from her room, she saw a dozen bags stacked in the hallway. "We're going now to Rajaram's place to ask Vijay's hand in marriage" said Uttara. Siya couldn't control her excitement. She waved goodbye as their car sped off and finally vanished from her vision. "Welcome Srinath, what a surprise! " greeted Rajaram. His surprise turned to bewilderment as they unloaded bags from their car and entered. "Let me come straight to the point. I have come to propose my daughter's hand in marriage to your son. Her name is Siya. She is twenty years old. She has finished Bsc biotechnology. She is my only daughter and you know about our wealth,  so we can talk marriage terms...". Rajaram was dumbfounded. "Srinath, first of all, thank you for having considered my son a worthy match for your daughter. But I am sorry I am not in a position to accept your proposal. I hope you find an even better groom for your daughter" replied rajaram politely. It was only the night before that Vijay had announced of his relationship. "Rajaram I wil give you what you ask for. .. money, gold, land what not. ..". "Srinath, I am not after money or riches. Please understand when I say I'm not in a position to accept and lets leave it there". "So tell me what you want and I will get it for you. Don't feel shy. There is nothing wrong in asking Rajaram...". Rajaram's temper rose at this statement. "Is something wrong with your daughter? Why are you so desperate to push her off?" That moment tricked off further arguments and finally Srinath's family left.
Siya hadn't moved from the window since morning. She could hear a faint noise of the engine and she came running down. The door banged open and her dad entered. "How dare he... such nerve... i will take care of him the appropriate way. .". Siya couldn't understand what could have happened and remained mum. "Srini, we will do it like what they did for Renu. That will teach him a lesson". The very mention of Renu had sent a chill down Siya's spine. They had kidnapped the groom. And drugged him. And conducted the marriage in the north of India. They had returned to Maraandur six months after marriage. Siya's eyes were moist with tears when Uttara came by her side. Uttara was the only bold woman of the family. "But Renu is not happy today. .. are you sure this is what you want for Siya.. I wouldn't want it". "My Siya will be happy" and rajaram ended the conversation. "Vijay is planning to come here next week, we will employ the best people and kidnap him". Siya looked at her brother blankly. She would never talk. She was taught not to talk in front of the men of the house. A myriad thoughts ran in her mind but she would voice none. She would leave the rest to destiny like she always did.

The day b4 Vijay was kidnapped, Shruthi's residence

Deepak came out of his room and his  phone rang. It was Sandeep. He cut the call and texted him. The usual spot in thirty minutes. He walked out of the the house and mounted his Audi and when the engine whirred to life he relaxed a bit. He reached The Park and sat at the table where he usually did. The waiters would never disturb him. He was a regular. He picked his phone and dialled Sandeep and felt someone grab his shoulder. "Your shoulders are too tight, you should relax..." he remarked. "I will once you tell me the plan".
"Deepak, firstly, i have done a complete background check on this guy. He has a clean slate. He hails from a good family and has good morals". "Sandy so why don't you marry him? " said deepak angrily. "Okay I just wanted to tell you. Anyway, he is planning to go to his native tomorrow. We will shift his course to a far off place. We will settle things. He will not come to our course in a day and you jave to be patient too". "You mean kidnap him?". "If you want to call it so, yes" replied Sandeep casually.