I Dub Thee Unforgiven

"You often meet your fate on the road you take to avoid it."

"Chachu." Came a soft whisper from a boy with too big eyes and a voice that slightly quivered. His stance was slightly defensive and his hands were firmly clasped to that of a young woman who's entire form screamed ruefulness. Her eyes were filled with unshed tears held barely by her fluttering eyelids.


The man opposite them hardly acknowledged their presence, continuing to read the newspaper that held the gory details of the fortnight in Sheesh Mahal- The tragic tale of the deceiving husband, the woeful wife and their sanguinary deaths at the hands of cruel men, leaving behind a vernal son and a damsel bride-to-be daughter.


"Chachu, nani called. She wanted to speak with us for a bit." His grip on his sister's hand tightened in an act of reassurance.


A sudden humourless laugh filled the room as the man behind the paper looked past the object of his attraction and into brown eyes filled with conviction.

"The money, she's getting none of it. Wasn't it enough that she sent her bi*ch of a daughter to leach away the Maliks' gold?" The words were meant to sting and sting they did. He shrunk away at the harsh words. Was this the same man who, just last week, was pressing them to his heart and telling them all was well?


How could one signature on one document change a man over night? The naive boy couldn't fathom the legerdemain that is money.


"But we wish to see her."


"Why? Are you unhappy here? Is doing housework a disgrace for your sister, is she a princess?"
The cold laugh once again filled the room, diminishing the boy's confidence bit by bit. But he stood his ground.


"She is a princess to me."


The response was silent. The first sign of rebellion from the boy who's eyes were now raging.


"How dare you? You little piece of shit!"


The burly man stood up, towering over the teenager, his hands raised and ready to strike.
"Please Chachu.." Her voice was subdued and begging.


----


"Chotte, why did you have to overreact? He is our uncle.. we should respect him..Amma.."
"Stop it di.." The responsive was immediate. "Amma is not here.. She left before she could tell us what's right.."


She placed her hands over his stiff shoulders as if trying to take all his pain onto herself. Her chotte was only a boy, he should be playing cricket and chasing girls, not behave as if he carried the entire weight of the world.


He pushed off her hands.


"We must be ready to leave Sheesh Mahal, I don't know how long that vile man.."


"Arnav!" She berated. He paid her no heed.


"..will let us live with him.."
"And what do you suppose we do? Do you have some master plan, chotte?" Her voice was stern and a contradiction to her usual disposition.


He, although fierce and determined, did not seem to have an answer to that. After all, ultimatums and dramatic exits looked good only in books and movies. In real life they would be locked up or thrown to the streets.


The choices were clear.


Be fed in captivity or starve in freedom.


---


The last straw was drawn and the dam finally broke. Loud pleas of a frail girl's voice and the hoarse shouts of a distraught boy were heard along the corridors of Sheesh Mahal as they were dragged from their rooms to the front lawn.


Their hands were tightly clasped and they were pulled with a devil-like strength. Their feet slid along the marble tiles of their childhood home, trying in vain to stop the impending doom. Alas, the devil was on a mission.


"Chachu.. Chachu.. plea..please.. we have nowhere to go.. Nani is so far away..Chachu..." The tears were endless on her face.


"I'll do all the house work..you don't have to pay even one servant.. Please let di stay.." Same tears were mirrored on the boy's face.


They were forcefully pushed outside the gates of their one-time home, the abode of their sweet mother.


The heavy clouds above gave way to silent tears of a mother who could not be there for her children.


The boy and the girl stood there, drenched to their boots, not knowing where to go. They were, in every sense of the word, alone.


---


She had never seen her brother so quite before. It had been two days since nani and mama had come for them. They were now in a small rented house in Delhi. She was afraid, so afraid, that her little brother had retreated into a shell. Little did she know that he would not come out of that shell for a long time.


"Chotte at least drink this juice.." Nani was a kind and strong willed woman. The minute her grandchildren had called her up all those days ago, she knew that they would not be allowed to stay in that wicked house any longer.


"Hello Hi Bye Bye, bitwa, why don't you and Aakash go outs to play in the park-wa.."


He didn't even look up.


"When does school start." The complete lack of any emotion in the voice startled his poor sister.
"Woh, Chotte, I already filled up the application form. You have to check and sign."


He looked up, gone was the youthful spark in his eyes.


"What are we waiting for?"


She went to the bedroom, her feet slightly wobbling as usual.


"Here you go chotte"


NAME- ARNAV MALIK


"Did I get everything right?" She asked as she noted the peculiar expression on his face.


"No you didn't, you got one wrong."


She raised her eyebrows in confusion.


"It's Raizada" He paused. "Arnav Singh Raizada."


---


"Mami, how can I ever thank you enough?"


"Bitwa, if notz for youz, who will I do all this for?"


The family stood at the boarding gates of The Delhi Airport. Everyone had tears in their eyes as they bid him a safe journey.


"Chotte, remember to take all your medicines. I'll call you everyday to remind you."


"Di, I'm fine!" He said as he tried unsuccessfully to pry her hands away from pinching his cheeks.


"Bhai, I heard Harvard has an amazing campus." The younger boy gave him a playful nudge and a wink.


He was dressed in a pristine white shirt and formal pants. Suffice to say he grabbed the attention of quiet a few number of ladies in the near vicinity. Pride filled nani's heart as she watched her grandson acquire accolade after accolade. He had studied hard and reaped the benefits when his scholarship was granted in one of the most pristine institutions of the world. But the stupid boy had almost declined the offer insisting to work at the earliest. Good thing Manorama, although she hated to admit it, was there to help him out.


"Mami I promise to buy the best imported jewellery in the world." There was conviction in his voice, not a trace of humour.


Last call, passengers, be ready to board flight 1D5667 to Boston.


---


"But sir, it seems to be a very run down hotel."


He lifted his club, gauging the distance of the hole and then struck swiftly. The ball went high up in the air, catching the sun and then spiralled downwards, falling close to the hole and then slid towards it, finally falling in. A hole-in-one.


"Great shot, sir. But as I was saying, if AR wanted to expand to Lucknow, I know a few places that will bring big business. Bigger than Sheesh Mahal."


The aviator shades reflected the punishing sun of the Delhi summer, adding more allure to the already enigmatic Arnav Singh Raizada- the prodigal business tycoon. His rise to fame was quick and calculated. Suffice to say the fickle minded public swooned at his every move. And who could blame them? He was everything a man ought to be in their minds- handsome, strong and filthy rich.


"Bring out the chopper Aman, we'll leave Monday morning."


"But Sir?!"


"I expect the deal to be finalised and sealed when I set foot in Lucknow."


"They are resisting Sir."


"Oh Really?" A slight smirk lined his face. He had sighted his prey and he would enjoy immensely when it writhed. "Set up a meeting then. Tell them Mr Raizada will personally meet up with Mr Malik."


---


He hadn't anticipated the flood of memories that flashed passed him when he stepped into Sheesh Mahal. They were still vivid and raw. The shrill cry of his mother and the resounding gunshot- the hellish memories still haunted him, even after all these years. Neither the loud music nor the flashing lights could distract him.


He closed his eyes. He was a non-believer. He didn't believe in miracles and luck. Everything he became was because of his own hard work, his own blood, sweat and tears. He had sacrificed a lot over the years and had reaped the benefits for them.


Arnav was a lot of things- rich, talented, suave- but was he happy? If you asked him then the answer would be instantaneous- Yes. But those around him knew better. So even if the great Arnav Singh Raizada didn't hope or prey, his closest family did that for him. They prayed for him every day.


This annoyed him a great deal. He had everything, didn't he? Money, fame, girls who fell at his feet- Everything.


And yet here he was in the middle of the most talked about fashion show- eyes closed and mind troubled.


The faint mummers around him brought his out of his trance. He opened his eyes ready to let his anger boil and then..and then..everything faded out- his memories, his hesitation- everything.


He saw green and hazel and quivering lips. She looked at him, her eyes wide and fear evident in them. He had never seen eyes so deep or clear. Her stance was clear, she was ready to bolt.


But the thread was already knotted, the actions were already set in motion. In one hazy, heart stopping moment, she slipped. She slipped and fell into his arms. Her own coming to rest around him as her eyes met his shocked ones.


Arnav Singh Raizada didn't believe in fate and the pretty girl in his arms mouthed devi maiya over and over again.


Is this the beginning? Time, is the only answer.