13. Quests
Hellooooooo guyssss,
So, here I am with the third update of the week!! 😊😊😊
I would like to extend my deepest gratitude and heartfelt thanks to each and every one of you for you precious support over all this time to me. Thank you for all your support and patience..❤️🙏
Word Count – 7.2K words. ( Longer update to end the week – with)
And I shall now let you all dive in without further delay
..........................................
13. Quests
Five More Days Later
Oxford, UK – Khushi's Home
9am in the Morning
Vikram Gupta - had heard people say it before. Say, what? That how a certain moment in their respective lives, had altered everything in it forever. But until a fortnight ago, he had found no good reason to believe the above statement in complete totality, given that he had never experienced a life altering moment as such. And now, he couldn't help but believe in the possibility of the same given that he was a witness to that very life-altering moment affecting his little sister's life. And in a way their family's – as well.
Never in their life as a family, had they ever imagined that they'd meet a man who had time travelled to their time, from the past. Never in their life, they'd even imagined the possibility of going out of their way to help this lost time traveller. Hell, never in his life, had he ever thought he'd be friends with a lost time traveller.
And yet - he was right in the middle of it all. Initially, the life alteration at their end (as in for him and his parents) – had come on the angle of mystical realisations more so - that time travel was really a possibility. But now,all these days later, as he continued to help Khushi and Arnav in their quests for information/clues - Vikram just felt like – this life alteration moment at his end was also growing deeper into shades of brotherly worry. He'd found himself worry for his little sister, Khushi in the ways he had never worried for her – ever before. And that was probably because, he knew that she was in the middle of axing her own feet - by allowing herself to feel and fall for man who was destined to go back to his era and time. Ofcourse, he had seen through her lie/cover up to him. He knew her way too well, to not see through her act...
Perhaps, the best thing would be, if Arnav found a way to return to his time – fast??? Before, there was any inevitable damage to his sister's heart?? Not that he had anything against the man. Hell, Vikram was sure, that if Arnav had been from their era and time, they'd have been the best of buddies because they'd grown quite friendly anyway. But there was that problematic fact wasn't there?? Arnav was not from this era and time. He would figure out a way to return - eventually. And he had a feeling, nothing in his sister's life would be the same, after at least when it came down to the matters of the heart...
Surely, there would be a way to fix his time travel gadget?? It really was unfortunate that Arnav and Khushi hadn't figured out just how to – yet. He knew it was not for their lack of trying, though. He was well aware that they'd hunted down every old electric /mechanical shop in Delhi plus even Amritsar in these days – to just find a set of similar wires that went in the making of the portal device that got him here. But obviously, they hadn't come across anything alike.
Bummer. That.
Vikram bites back a sigh now and hears his Maa's voice closer behind him as he sees her taking her seat the dining table – " A Sigh, even before you have eaten your first meal of the day, son? Why is that? I'v made us your favourite dishes for breakfast...this morning..."
Before, he could say anything to that, he sees his Papa walk in as he asks taking his sit with a amused expression up his face – " really?darling? again one of Vikram's favourite dishes for breakfast? When will it ever be mine? Its always Khushi or Vikram's favourite dishes for breakfast...never mine...," and he watches his parents get into a lovely banter – a sight that brought a natural grin to his face, despite his thought of worry for Khushi – prior. His parents were very much in love, even today. They doted upon each other – exquisitely. It was heartwarming. They were the reason both Vikram and Khushi believed in the entity of love. They just hadn't experienced love for themselves in all its magnificent glory. And that is when – a worrisome punch hits Vikram's gut- yet again. Khushi was not going to fall in love with Arnav – right??? She was the exact sort of someone who could deeply love a man from the past – but surely – she wasn't naïve to let her self - fall and feel emotions that mirrored the depth of love?????
He sighs in worry on reflex and that is when his mother finally diverted attention back to him as she asked – " there is that sigh again...answer me..now...will you??
Vikram looked at her – " answer what Maa?"
She smiled – " why did you just sigh again. It's a sigh that reflects deep worry.What are you thinking? Surely, somethings on your mind...son..."
That had his father's attention as well. He asked the very same with a raise of his eyebrow. The father and son had a silent language of their as well, given their deep bonding. Vikram admitted knowing there was no escaping his parents right now – " well,I was just thinking that it would be for the best, if Arnav found a way to return to his time as soon as possible – before it is too late..."
His father looked at him perplexed – " before its too late?? As in??what do you mean? Be specific, for god's sake...please?"
He explained covering up adjusting nervously in his seat over his mother's scrutinizing stare – " I mean, before it is too late for him...I mean because we all know how desperate he is to find his way back home...? ,". Despite his worries, he did not want to break the sibling code of secrecy to them. His parents did not need to know what he knew about Khushi's feelings. It was her secret to tell. Not his.
Both his parents, nodded at that in agreement almost immediately – though – " indeed, it would be the best if he finds a way to return...but we all know..they have not found a way to fix that gadget yet... and I am sure, that bit has been causing the maximum distress to Arnav...."
Vikram nods.
His father continues now – " well, you know, we have been doing our best to find him an alternative way. As physicsts, we'v done our best to inquire among our colleagues, as subtly as we can, if anyone has ever come around to believing that they could make time travel a reality......"
His Maa nodded – " indeed, you should see the look of absolute absurdity that is cast on us every time we ask a fellow colleague the same?some have even asked us outright – if we wanted to know that they were in possession of a time travel gadget or not..and oh the looks of insanity and doubts that followed..."
His Papa – " I fear, some even suspect, that we might be secretly working on a project of making time travel a reality ourselves...which is why we are so inquisitive..."
Vikram sighs at that – " if only they knew, it is because, we'v found ourselves in a close encounter with a lost time travleller..."
His parents nod – " if only they knew...that we are asking because...we have no idea how to help that lost time traveller fix that gadget that got him here..."
His Papa asks now – " Anyways, have you heard from Edward? Any update on any residential lease around here being on Raizada's name? post 1946??"
Vikram shakes his head – " Not yet Dad. He needed time to dish things out. Its good he didn't ask too many questions – around – why's of it. But we are scheduled to meet in an hours time. I should have an update- today"
His Maa – "and have you heard from Mansoor yet??"
Vikram shakes his head - " not yet, Maa. He needed time too – to look into the residential history of Arnav's address in Lahore. I intend to reconnect with him post my meeting with Edward. I am hoping to have both updates to relay to Arnav...today..."
His Maa sighs now – " it is such a pity that nothing much has come out their Quests back in Amritsar, though. Honestly, I am surprised that they weren't able to discover any clues in those archeived migration records on population information and data and those refugee registers with the name – Raizada."
Khushi and Arnav had spent the majority of their time in the last five days visiting every government archived record room – in Amritsar and adjoining districts - that was supposed to be safekeeping the population's migration records to Punjab post Partition. They were obviously aware of the progress of those quests. Khushi and Arnav updated them everyday, despite the lack of development on the matter..
His Papa admits now – " well, it is a wonder that they found all those records to go through in the first place..."
His Maa agreed – " agreed, and its amazing to know that the officials are keen on digitalising all those numerous files and data eventually.."
Vikram admits – " I am just glad that Khushi was able to get permission to view these files/records - flashing her archaeological resume as a context. So glad they believed, her theory that she was digging on details, because she was doing a research paper on impact off massive migration in Punjab post partition.."
His Papa agreed – " Well, our Khushi can be highly convincing when she puts her mind to it. I am sure, it took her no time, to make them see her point that there was no way she could get her research paper right, if she did not have an insight into actual population data of migration to Punjab post partition...,"and he pauses because his phone buzzes with a call. He gestures to them that he had to take it. He leaves his seat to take a call.
Vikram watches his father retreat to a corner and he hears his mother sigh now as she had her eyebrows in a frown – " you are right , Vikram. Surely, it would be for the best if Arnav found a way to return..before...it is too late...indeed...,"she finished shooting him a look of her motherly eye – " and I do not mean before it is too late for Arnav. I mean, before it is too late, for our Khushi. Its obvious, she's developed a soft corner for the man. Nothing good will come off it...eventually...we all know it. I don't want her to get hurt amidst all of this...."
Uh- Oh. Perhaps, nothing can ever escape their mother's eye..
Vikram does his best to sound surprised – " what are you talking about?are you saying, you have noticed that Khushi has developed a soft corner for Arnav???"
His mother rolled his eyes at him – " Do not act. I am sure you have noticed, as well. You have, haven't you?"
He does not say a word. He could not give Khushi away. His Maa adds after a pause – " You have noticed, of course. But you are bound by sibling code of secrecy...to Khushi...which is why...you won't say a word....right?Son?? until she's ready to talk about it to me, herself. Well, I understand. I will wait for Khushi to open up to me. But don't think that I did not understand that it is Khushi you are deeply worried about – deep down. Infact, I know you would be on your way to India yourself, to be around them , if you did not have your summer school commitments...."
His mother was right about the latter – as well. But Vikram, was not going to tell her that. Instead, he just diverted the moment – to the breakfast on the table now that he'd heard his stomach rumble. His mother shot him a look but thankfully obliged with the diversion in topic and they finally began eating. His father joint the table back soon, and momentary Vikram was glad that his mother began to inquire about the work call. This diversion was exactly what his brotherly worry – needed – momentarily.
......................................
Meanwhile Simultaneously
Back in nearby District – near Amritsar
In An Archived Record Room -
1:00 PM
Arnav's POV
Khushi's soft voice falls into my ears as she carefully closes a big record file she was going through so as to not damage the papers within – " Nothing in here too, Arnav.Please tell me, you found something??"
I was in the middle of going through another refugee record register.We divide the stack of records to go through amongst ourselves , for obvious reasons. I shake my head in a negative – " nothing yet...,"and our eyes lock in a moment that relayed – Alright, let's keep looking. We still had about ten big record files to go through. She dives into the next file and I continue to scan through the numerous names listed out in front of me on the paper..
We'v been at it for the last five days, visiting every archived record room holding data on the migrated population/refugees post partition - in Amritsar and its nearby districts. Honestly, I did not think we'd be granted access so easily, but Khushi managed to get us through – on account of her archaeological background+ under the pretext of a research paper. The fact that she will also be starting work in a restoration project with Archeological society of India soon – also helped our cause.
And well,needless to say, we'v spent majority of the days – huddled up in these archive record rooms - browsing through all the recorded data in search of the name : Raizada. And to our collective dismay, we have not found anything yet. This is our fifth stop and the last record room – that is known to keep files on migration/refugee population data. And if we don't find anything in here today, chances are that we will not find any clue at all. I haven't voiced this to Khushi yet, but with every passing moment, my hope has just dimmered down. It seems nothing will become off this quest we'v been on. Additionally, when we have not been huddled up in a record room - we'v also spent a lot of time looking for the wires we need to fix my gadget in old mechanical/electric shops in and around Amritsar. And even in that quest – we have been unsuccessful.
I steal a glance at Khushi now. She's completely engrossed in scanning through the pages in front of her – with an intense fervour that signals me that – She has not lost hope. Yet..
Her concentration and energy is contagious and I am compelled to look through the papers in front of me with fervour again. But - it is right then we are interrupted by Mr.Mehra's voice (he is the officials that is head incharge here) and he says walking in – " It is lunch time. Ms Gupta.We will have to close this room for an hour. You can resume once we are all back in office post lunch. Unfortunately, we cannot allow any of you to be in here – in our absence..."
Khushi looks up instantly at that and answers – " ofcourse, Sir, it was so very helpful for you to allow us to go through these records in the first place...an insight into this data has been off great help to my research...."and she closes her file and I close the register I was scanning through and we take off the gloves we were wearing – and put them back in our pockets. The archaeologist in her made sure, that we touched these papers with our hands gloved so as to avoid any damage to the already detoriating paper.
The incharge – Mehra Sir – gave her a small smile – " well, we would not have allowed you to look through if we did not believe it would help your research, Ms Gupta..."
Khushi smiled at him kindly as she patted on her notebook- " indeed, its been of great help, Sir, you see - I have all my notes right in here in my notebook, with regards to the actual number of migrated population/refugees...that indeed made the shift here....I want my research to be based on actuality and not just be factual...."
Mr Mehra nods as we step out the room and he locks it up and then hands us our phones. We were not allowed to take them in. Photography of this data is obviously not allowed. Mr Mehra says now looking at Khushi - " well, you are quite passionate about your research, Ms.Gupta. And I understand, that you want it to stem out of actuality - But I am afraid, I must tell you, that even though we would like to believe, we got all our records intact, surely that is not the case. I strongly believe, these records could also have missed out many names...hundreds or even thousands..perhaps..."
My ears quip up at that in alarm, as does Khushi's. She beats me to be the one to ask him – " really?but why do you say that, Sir? isn't this all? I am sure, the officials at work back then in time had it covered well. And I must add that - I am so impressed by the way the data has been preserved...as well...."
Mr Mehra smiled at that – " the detailing of preservation would not have missed your archeological eye..."
Khushi nodded – " it hasn't...and you did say..earlier this morning that the plan is on to digitalise all of this...as well right??"
Mr Mehra nods – " that's the aim, yes. It shall be quite the task at hand, given the volume...of files...not just in here...but the other archives records in context in all the other record rooms you have already visited...."
I say on reflex at that anguish evident in voice – " indeed, it shall be quite the task, given that the two of us have witnessed the extent of the data volume, first hand. It's surely been overwhelming to get an insight into the data that reflects migration of millions....,"and I pause.
Khushi touches my arm in support as she asks again – " so tell me, Mr Mehra what makes you say, that these records would have missed names???"
He sighed and looked at us and explained – "well, it surely was a mayhem back then.A mayhem that we cannot even imagine.Not just during the immediate bloodbath that came in the wake off partition but even for months that followed after, the officials back in time surely had a hard task at hand. Working non -stop to maintain these records by sending representatives to every refugee camp, recording the names of the alive,the dead + verifiying it all manually... surely...there could be many names missed....one cannot help but not keep a contingent for margin of human error....for let us not forget...everyone back then was surely dealing with a physiological and emotional setback due to the partition anyway...which could have also impacted the working efficiency of individuals back then..."
Before Khushi could say anything I whispered on reflex - " I understand, what you mean, Sir..."
He looked at both of us and nodded – "But well, I believe that even though our records may not have all the names - what we do have is surely, accurate and verified. Anyway, I will get going for lunch..."
We nod and Khushi politely asks him for suggestion where we could eat our lunch as we were quite far away from the main Amritsar city. This archieve room was in a nearby district about 90 minutes away from the main city of Amritsar. He advises us to eat – at the dhaba that was seven minutes away. We make our way to do just that, sharing a nod amongst ourselves...
Just as we get into the cab, and Khushi instructs the driver to take us to the dhaba – I confess on reflex – shifting in next to her – " Khushi, I don't think I have any appetite for food right now. You eat - okay? I will just wait for you in the car..."
Khushi glances at me, and keeps her hand over mine and clutches – " No, you will not wait in the car, please? Why punish your stomach Arnav?? You have to eat. I understand, its disheartening...that we have not found any clue..but..we still have about ten more files to scan through...right? We must not give up...please? We cannot give up on hope. Not when we'v come so far..."
I rake my hand through my hair, all my cynicism and skepticism returning – " Well, I'v lost all hope, anyway. Did you not hear Mr.Mehra? He believes,this data is not all – anyway. Surely, there were names missed...Khushi. Hundreds, Thousands, or perhaps even Millions, who knows how many names were exactly missed out on record during those mayhem times. Its about time,we accept that nothing will come out of this quest we'v been at...there is no point in holding onto hope. Neither on this front nor on the front off those wires we so desperately need to fix the gadget. We'v already scavenged every electric shop – old and new – in all of Amritsar and its nearby districts – haven't we?"
Khushi just gapes at me for a second over my outburst and then proceeds in her scolding tone – "shuushh you, how many times I have told you, there is no room in this quest for your skepticism...please? We will keep looking...I cannot give up on hope, because...,"and she pauses.
And even though a part of me wants to know what is it that she was about to say before the pause – the words leave my mouth as I lean my head back in dejection – " I am sorry for being the constant cynic and skeptic, Khushi. You always go out of the way for me. I know you are doing all of this just for me. Heavens, I am aware, this was not your travel plan for your schedule in Amritsar – you made all this happen – for me and here I keep bombarding you with my cynicism and skepticism – instead. You ought to believe that I am embarrassed about the same, trust me, But, I also feel like I cannot seem to help it. I don't know what else to say. I am sorry."
Khushi clutches my hand harder this time and as usual her soothing touch begins to work its magic – " well, don't apologize to me please?.You don't need to. I know, it's been so hard on you, Arnav to go through lists and lists of those names and not find yours or your family's on it.....anyone ought to feel distraught in your position...so I understand...ok?,"and she adds with a smile – " and c'mon, it is not that, I haven't been able to cover on any other travel plan of mine in these days. I have kept you on your toes, literally. We leave the hotel at 8 in the morning and only return back when it is late in the night. And, I have managed to drag you along to quite a few places from my list in the evenings anyway.And you don't complain about my obsession to visit the Golden Temple everyday whilst we are here. So, please note - I am not complaining. Ok? Just so you know, I intend to visit the golden temple,tonight, as well, before our return to the hotel..."
I nod at that – "well I am glad, you intend too. You know, I'v loved going there at the end of our day with you...". We'v been visiting the golden temple, on late evenings post a long gruelling day – every single day since. We just sit there for a while and talk about the day – before returning to the hotel for a night's rest.
I clutch on Khushi's hand – "anyway...tell me please?"
Khushi – " tell you what??"
I ask – " what were you about to say...post... I cannot give up on hope..because??You paused...I want to know what were you going to say??"
And she sighs and adds leaning sideways to whisper even more softly because we always talk in whispers in audience of our cab's driver – " I meant I cannot give up on hope because, even though we have not found any of your names in the migration records/refugee lists from the countless refugee camps, we have also not found any of your names...on those dreadful lists of the dead...during the massacres....right???so how can I give up..?"
I sigh to that – " well, perhaps, that is only saving grace..."and I add as a sickening thought hits my head again – " but just as there could be many names missing on the migration records, there could be many names missing from the list of the dead...as well...Khushi. It was a chaotic mayhem – remember?"
That earns me a smack on my arm from her, instantly. Her eyes widen restlessly – " don't say that...please?say anything but that...imply anything but that.....please?dammit....."
I sigh but look at her shrugging – " you do know I am supposed to be dead anyway – by now though - right? whether I survived partition or not. The point is kind of moot in its implication to this future -atleast. The fact remains that I am not supposed to be alive here – in your time..."
Khushi glares at me hard as she shoots the reminder – " and yet – you are still here in our time. Arnav...Very much alive. All hail and hearty. Right next to me..."
I admit on reflex holding onto her hand hard – " the fact that I am right next to you, nonetheless, despite everything, is the only saving grace for my being. You know that don't you? The fact that I am right next to you, is the only bit that keeps me going....you know that don't you??"
She looks at me startled and our gaze locks. But before, she can even nod her head or say anything our car comes to the stop at the dhaba and she literally pulls me out with her – holding onto my hand – "Cmon , lets go. I am starving. And - You will eat, ok? Like I said before - there is absolutely no point in punishing your stomach..."
I sigh following her silently– taking the minutes to regain my composure - within. I stay silent as she orders our lunch. I stay silent – in the seven minutes that follow. She's letting me be. She's just keeps watching me intently – though. I will never be the one to complain about that. I'v discovered that I like it, when she just watches me silently and intently. Precisely because, that often gives me the time to do the same, as well. I'v never liked watching anyone silently and intently as much as I like watching her...
So we do just that...
Minutes later - Our food arrives, and given that I don't make the effort to dive into my plate - she instantly takes a bite of the paratha from her plate in front of her and dips in the daal and holds it tenderly in front of my lips to eat with a supportive smile on her face as she finally whispers breaking the silence – with her offer to feed me first – " just eat...please??? you didn't eat much at breakfast , as well. The food will help....."
Well, I was not hungry. My appetite was truly dead. But there was no way – I could deny taking that bite from her hand given the tenderness that was radiating from her frame and the soothing affect it was having on me. I take the bite in and on reflex reach out to feed her a bite with my hand – this time – from my plate and she eats it instantly as well. It felt like the most normal thing to do – post her feeding me from her plate.And so - for the next many minutes, we just sit there in silence yet again, our eyes locked with one another, feeding one another out of our plates. It was simple moment. And yet, so precious. So tender. So soothing..
Perhaps, she was right? Eating did help, or no it did not. Because, as usual, I realised that it was just her affect on me that ultimately worked it's magic.Well,now that I am beginning feel better, I guess, it is only fair that I give insight into the other secret quest that I have been on within.
Remember how, I'd felt all that significant altering gear shifting within on her accord – within - right? So, I have obviously been on a quest to understand, what was it that I was feeling. I had to. I do not like being the clueless one.And well, as unsuccessful as all these other outwardly quests have been - this quest within has somewhat been successful. As in, at least in some part. I'v realised the needful, obviously...
Took me a couple of days to get my head around it, perhaps, due to my lack of experience in the context but when I thought it all through deeply analysing everything I have been feeling in her presence in the last few days – I realised there was no denying the life altering discovery that lies within.
So, what this was this life altering – discovery????
It was the discovery - that I was beginning to fancy Khushi. And I was beginning to fancy her in the way, that I had never fancied any woman ever before. And, as profound the acknowledgement had been within – it also felt like – these feelings for Khushi - which I had not been expecting to pop up into the picture – just added to the complicated scenario I was in. As if – time travel into the future hadn't altered my life – enough....
Bravo, Arnav Singh Raizada, bravo. All your life, you kept your safe distance from the opposite gender wanting to save yourself for your future wife, and here you are – experiencing romantic feelings for the very first time – for a woman from the future. As magnificent and special, as she was, Khushi is still someone who does not belong to your era, your time, your world. And you do not belong in hers. You should not be feeling what you do, and yet you do feel what you do...
That's surely raising the bar of complexity in the situation to Infinity – perhaps? Why? Because, even though, logically, it feels like, I should just ignore these feelings. Snooze them down. Just bury them back to where they came from and yet everytime – I just looked at her – I find myself, hypnotised and extremely drawn to just her , unable to bury back - these feelings for her.
Oh - Perhaps, as complicated the scenario was, there was no point in denial?? It was too late, for denial.I was falling for this magnificent lady. And I was falling hard and fast.And... the continued irony of it all? That the very first time, my heart does decide to race and come alive in the presence of a woman – it had to be for this very one from the future. The woman I can never have – because of my tricky circumstances. Surely, her practical mind would never allow her to feel anything apart from friendship for this lost time traveller.And, that thought, just hurts. Hurts more than I'd ever imagined any sort of probable rejection in romanticism – ever could.
Khushi's voice breaks through my chain of thought as she finishes feeding me the last bite from her hand – " you are not okay?yet?right? you seem ghostly pale...Arnav?? please don't tell me, you are still drowning in skepticism??"
I gaze back into her hypnotising eyes which seem to have become my undoing.If only she knew, that right very now - in this very moment – I was ghostly pale because I was hurting within her accord. I clear my throat – "ummm... No, I am not drowning in scepticism anymore, Khushi. I just had something else on my mind. That's all..."
Khushi asks instantly – " what is on your mind, then??tell me?? why were you so ghostly pale??????"
But I don't answer. I simply say – " you are yet to finish this last bite, off my hand..Khushi..."
And I take the moment to just feed her the last bite off my hand.Her lips linger on my fingers this time around as she takes the bite in slowly – simultaneously scanning me with her scrutinizing gaze. But I swear on the heavens above – the moment has raked up my insides with a volt of electricity that that's just deep and intense. And before, I can seem to help it - my gaze falls on her beautiful soft lips. And for a moment, I find myself dreaming of closing the distance in between of our lips. Dreaming off just kissing her lips softly. Off experiencing my first ever kiss with her...
Her voice breaks through my chain of thought – " Arnav - what is on your mind?? Tell me, please?
What is wrong with me???????????
I manage to answer picking up the glass of water to drink – " Nothing is on my mind, Khushi. Nothing, that would interest you..."
She answers looking at me amused – " Oh cmon, you know everything you think, interests me...cmon, what is it, tell me??"
And that is when – for the first ever time – I wonder. Whether I should just tell her? That I fancied her? Well, nothing could be done about it. As in -nothing would come out of it. No matter how deeply i wanted to court her – the fact remained – that I could not court her – given the tricky circumstances.
But perhaps, I ought to honour her with the knowledge at least? She should at least know. That it is her – who has stirred up feelings inside of me in the way no woman ever has. It is her who has managed to break through that wall I 'd cast around my heart in the attempt to save myself for my future wife. It is her whom I could not resist. That it is her that I having romantic feelings for....
But before I can say something - we are interrupted by a shrill ring on Khushi's phone. She leaps for it – "its bhai...you think he has an update from Edward or Mansoor?? Come let's take this call...come here to my side....quick....,"and I do so instantly. She attaches her wired headphones into the phone and hands me one to plug into my ear – as I take my seat next to her.
I do feel quite momentary glad for Vikram's call. It reminds me that I'd also made a vow to her parents + brother - that Khushi would be safe in my presence. I wonder what they will think of me – if they were ever to know what I am feeling...
Vikram's face pops into the screen now and the very sombre look on his face says it all. He had an update. And surely, it was not good. Before, I could say a word – Khushi asks urgently – " Bhai, the look on your face and silence is scaring me. You did not even say hello..."
I ask immediately as well – " Vikram, what is it??"
Vikram sighs now – " well, update from Edward confirms that surely there is no residential lease in your name anywhere in Oxford, or nearby countryside – post 1946. Which confirms, you left Britain for good in 1946 indeed. You did not move here with your family...Arnav"
I sigh but admit – " Well, why am I not surprised about that. Now more than ever, I have come to believe in my gut, that my father/neither anyone in my family members would ever agree to move to Britain....no matter what the circumstance...I don't know why I didn't see it then but I do see it now....,"and I pause to look at Khushi – " remember I told you this, whilst we were visiting the Jalliawala bagh memorial, late evening - day before yesterday??"
Khushi nods silently – deep in thought. She whispers now softly to Vikram – " well, we haven't found anything in records today also...bhai...I mean yes, there are ten more files to scan through though..."
I add - " but chances are very slim...," I sigh – " no records of us in Britain post 1946, no records found in Amritsar around August, 1947...."
And Vikram adds now sighing – "and apparently, no records in Lahore...as well..."
Now that sends me into grave shock as I ask my jaw dropping open – " whattttttttttttttttttttttt???? What did you just say????Vikram???"
Khushi asks shocked as well – " bhai??? What did you just say???? What did Mansoor say??"
Vikram answers solemnly – " I knew it will be this bit that will shock you the most, Arnav. So,Mansoor digged in as much as he could. He says, the residential history of your address in Lahore that he could uncover as deep down on records states that the - Haveli has been occupied by the Mirza family since August, 1947. There is no document found from prior that states any other family name on the address's registry – Arnav...."
I am trembling. Surely, this cannot be true.That was our home. My home. Our ancestral home. And now, there's no record that we ever lived there??????
I am stunned. My mind shuts down.
I look at Khushi and Vikram in shock trembling as I manage to stammer the words – " No trace in Britain, none in Amritsar post partition , no record that we once lived in Lahore...wow...I never thought it could come to this. It's as if we never existed....,"and I pause anguish gripping my heart as I looked at Khushi and Vikram – " its so strange, we take ourselves so seriously while we live, because here is the food for thought, eighty years down from your life...no one will even remember you. No one, will even know , you...."
Khushi keeps her arm on my shoulder and clutches on it hard whispering just my name – " Arnav...."
I look at her at that. Our eyes lock intensely – and this time around I see nothing but anguish mirroring in her eyes too. My anguish. It was as if she could literally feel all my anguish. And for a moment, all I wanted was to take solace in her. Loose myself in her. Because, apparently, everything about my reality didn't even exist in this time I was in. Apparently, all that was actually real in this time here - was just her and me on this impossible quest to help me find my way back home...
Vikram's voice breaks through our moment as he clears his throat – " ahemm....but well....I have asked Mansoor to dig deeper. I assured him, that I am aware a family named Raizada lived there, prior, atleast until 1946 they most surely did.He did say, it will be difficult to get his hand on records, pre – partition, but he will still try..."
I manage to muster a thanks to Vikram and he sighs and asks – " did you know a family named - Mirza? Do you think there could be chances your family, sold everything you owned before migrating out of Lahore, Arnav??"
I try to recall – "Well, there were Khans, Ahemeds,Akhtars, Mohammads, Rehman's in our nearby neighbourhood...and we were all close family friends. There was love and there was harmony in between of us – that much I can vouch for..Vikram. But no – we did not know off Mirza's. There was no Mirza family in our neighbourhood. Nor were we friends with them. Neither did we know them. But I can only vouch for what I say uptil and until the day I came here.I just don't know what happened after, maybe we did sell of everything before migrating...maybe...Mirza's were another zamindar family of Lahore who had the power to purchase all our assets.Even in our time, Lahore was big city..it was impossible to know everyone....maybe this...maybe that..maybe...maybe...maybe....apparently that's all I can theorize...sitting here..."
Vikram just nods silently and Khushi's arm comes around my shoulder in intense support.
I ask sure the frustration was oozing out of my voice – " shall I give you more information on the lands we did own back in Lahore. I know all the addresses by heart, maybe if it could be looked into...for some sort of connection on registration deeds...in the sense..what if all of it is owned by mirza's too? Then that would explain them owning our Haveli...as well. Perhaps, we just sold all our assets to them, before migrating???"
Vikram nods and sighs – " lets hope, Mansoor is able to access records – pre partition...and yes give me those land addresses, I will have it looked into. Just,try to relax a little??please??brother,"and all I can do is nod. And post offering his friendly support for the next five minutes – Vikram finally hangs up.
And just as he does Khushi finally whispers – " well, you could be right, you know? this surely could mean that you all did manage to sell everything in time, before migration. Probably the Mirza's just took over all the assets. Do you see what this could mean? if you all did manage to sell it all off in time – it could imply that you all did migrate out of Lahore safely – way before partition actually happened...for surely at that point nearer to partition...there would be no time to sell...etc...one would have just had to run for their lives..."
I ask my eyes welling up – " but what if we did have to run for our lives?? What if, we just had to leave everything we had, overnight????????"
Khushi cups my face now restlessly, and I lean my cheek into her hand for comfort and solace – " you silly fool, you just don't understand this do you? under that layer of skepticism- clouding your mind all the time. If that were the case, as in - if you all did have to run for your lives, then the closest place to run would be here. Amritsar . Oh my god...I get it now...this is why perhaps we haven't been able to find any records of your family name here in Amritsar, Arnav, or in the dreaded name list of the dead found in masaccares at all...because chances are...you all moved well in time prior..and most surely...safely....just somewhere else.....think please? just think? If not Britain, if not Amritsar, where could you all go?????????"
I shake my head in confusion – " I don't know. I don't know, Khushi. I can't seem to think it through right now. I have no clue, where could we have gone....I...I...,"and she just places her fingers on my lips- "shh...relax...don't get worked up now..ok? just relax...you can think it over, later....,"and she asks her intent gaze locking with mine before it got to scan all over my face worriedly caressing my cheek tenderly with her thumb – " do you need a hug?? Shall I hug you?You look like you could do with a hug, Arnav....."
And I can only nod at that immediately and before she could pull me to herself for a hug, I pulled her into myself for an intense hug. And I held her close. And I held onto her hard...
I could not let go.
I just did not have it in me to let go.
.....................................
TADA!!!!!!!!!!!!!
HOWWZAAAT GUYS?
Hope you all enjoyed reading this update. I loved writing and compiling it so much....❤️
Next Update : Tuesday/Wednesday Night
Thanks so much guys. Have a great weekend.
Much Love * Infinite Gratitude
❤️🙏❤️
Prachi
Bạn đang đọc truyện trên: Truyen247.Pro