chapter 36

"Raghav, Tumhe Pata Hai? Ashoka Kyan The""Nehi.. KaiKo?? Koi Don Tha Kya ?""Kuch Esha Hi ? Ashoka Was a great warrior. He won almost all india and marked it as his territory. Soon his wealth and fame strengthened. He was powerful,rich and ruthless. He never cared about the people of country he defeated. He killed those people mercilessly who didn't accept him as thier king. Soon there spread a terror named Ashoka as Monster.Once, during the Kalinga War. He fought violently and defeated Kalinga alike other states. But on the night of war ended. He decided to go for a walk. He came out from his tent and started walking. Soon he found himself as the middle of the war field. The seen before him was like a terrific nightmare. There was dead corpse and corpse everywhere. Thousands of people were lying dipped in blood. Some had lost their limbs,some lost thier heads,some had lost thier torso. There was a gathering of vultures on every body. He tried to focus on the burning fireplace where bodies were going through cremation. Hundreds of widows were crying like hell helplessly standing around fire. He looks at the Daya river flowing nearby. It's water was turned completely red in blood. He couldn't bear that for more. It like that cry was hammering his heart and that seen forced his eyes to pour water. He melted and knelt down right there, crying upon his hard realisation. How could he do like this ? This is not the work of a real king ? He had done  huge sins ! So now he has to repay this. At that very moment, he decided that from that day he will never fight again. He gave up everything he have, his royal palace, huge kingdom hundreds of savants... He took Buddhism and started living a simple monk life..."Raghav stopped her in middle and asked with anticipated eyes " Hn ? How did people react towards him then ? Didn't they stated him as a fool for this dicision ?""No, He made a great decision. After living a simple life he realised the values of love, kindness ,honestly,peace and humanity. People who were scared of him now admired him for his greatness. He became more famous than before. So..."Then Pallavi noticed that Raghav's eyes were closed completely. Oh, so he slept finally. She sized his position again and closed her own eyes while tapping slowly on his head."Pata Nahi Raghav Ne Jawab Suna Ya Nahi...Kya Raghav Ko Sach Mai Samajh Aya Hoga...Deva. please. Meri Madad Karna..." Sleep started hugging her as her mind was mumbling these predictions.********************There was steady shine of morning sun throughout the room. She opened her eyes responding to some uncertain noise. "Who ?? Who this hour ? Has Raghav woke up so early or she is still sleeping for the late ?" She turned her head and checked the watch on the side table." Aree, Itna Deer Ho Gaya. Mai Bhi !! Bhahat Kaam Hai. Hospital Jana Hai Aur Mai ? How careless ?" Then she saw Raghav was coming out from washroom in a casual shirt. Hn ! Isn't he going anywhere today ? What's his plan actually ?That's when she remembered that she has still to tell him about Ved. But he looks a little relaxed ? Did he already found out that ? But who told him ? "Raghav, Woh...Mai Kuch.." She stopped in middle."Hn, Pallavi. Mai Rajan Ko Bolke Breakfast Bana Liya Hai. Aur Hospital Ka Bhi Khana Pack Karliya Hai. Tum Abhi Ready Ho Jao. Hame Jana Hai." He told and went to the ground floor."Raghav, Are Suno Toh. Kahan Jana Hai ? Itni Subha. Raghav ?" She stopped asking and went inside the washroom.After having a little food, she sat in car with her husband. She was wondering about the destination still then ? It's not like he is going to stay in hospital. He might drop her in hospital and drove to his store. What's running in his mind ? They stopped in front of the hospital. Raghav said Pallavi to went inside, handover tiffin to Amruta and came out.Hn !! Came out ? Then where he is taking her ? Pallavi did so without any questions.Then the car took a turn ,run . It finally stopped near a huge building. Pallavi was wondering Where this place is ? He took her inside it .That was an orphanage. The same orphanage where Farhad was living in his childhood. There were hundreds of kids playing in a huge room. Raghav stared at them for few minutes and then went towards the office. He discussed something about the kid's education and then handover them a check. Pallavi noticed the amount written on it. It was almost 80%of his totall worth. Pallavi didn't understand what happened to him ? When they were coming back, Pallavi asked him on the way."Raghav, Tum Ye Paise Donet Kyn Kar Rahe Ho ?Kya Chal raha Hai Tumhare Mann Mai ?" "Kuch Nahi. Bas Soch Liya Hai. Aab Naya Wala Ashoka Banega. Bass. Police Ko Sab Denaka Kuch Faida Nahi. Unka Pass Sabut Nehi Aur Adhe Toh Chor Hai. Toh Sara Paisa Maine Donate Kar Diya Taki Aur Ek Farhad Ko Bhuk Ke Wajase Apne Sapno Ko Jhod Ke Crime Ka Rasta Na Choose Karna Pade. " He smiled towards end.Pallavi didn't know how to thank God for this ? Really,He finally realised and decided to take a new root. "Sach Mai Raghav. Mujhe Yakin Nehi Aa Raha Hai. Mai Sach Me Bahat Khus Hun. Mai Tumhare Sath Hun. Hn , Aab Tumhe Thoda Taklif Hoga. Magar Mujhe Biswas Hai Ki Tum Vapus Sab Kuchh Duwara Hassil Kar Loge, Apne Sachhe Mehnat Se Aur Sahi Raste Se. " Pallavi assured him holding his shoulder.Raghav looked at his beautiful wife and smiled. Though first he was a little bit sad and confused but now, he is relaxed. He felt something called secure and peace. The car again stopped near the police station.Didn't he tell not to go to police. Then ??Raghav went inside and talked with the inspector. "Inspector, Mai Raghav Rao. Mai Edhar Ko Woh Ved Ka Case Wapas Lene Ko Aya. Toh Tu Mera Case Withdraw Karde. Aur Mereko Woh Ved Ka Body Bhi Mangta Hai. Agar Tumhare Woh Chir Phad Sab Ho Geya Toh Body Mereko Dedo." He asked with a deep voice. There was a mix of sadness as well as guilty in that voice.Pallavi got stunned. What !! What happened to him in a night ! Is he okay? Behaving so strangely! This is not the Raghav Rao she has been coming across. He is changed and most importantly. He is trying to change himself. He is trying to be honest for her. Really ! He loves her so much. So As she promised, she will support him too. But she too needed to know the reason behind it.Raghav turned towards her and noticed that weird confusion in her look."Pallavi, Tum Eahi Soch Rahe Hai Naa Ki Mai Ved Ko Maaf Kyn Kar Reha Hai. Yaa Phir Mereko Kaisa Ved Ka Death Ka Malum Hua. Mai Raat Bhar Sochha.Ved Ka Inta Khatarnak Hone Ke Pichhe Mai Bhi Judda Tha. Aur Ved Hi Woh Insaan Tha Jo Mera Pehla Sachha Dost Tha. Chahe Kitna Vhi Fight Hua Ho Hamare Bich Mai, Magar Mai Ye Mana Nehi Kar Sakta Ki Woh Kuch Din Woh Hum Dono Ne Saath Mai Bitaye Woh Sach Mai Bahat Khubsurat The." Those memories started playing in his mind one by one in Loop. How Ved fed him from his shares always, how he gave him money when he needed, how they used to be best partner in crime, how they run race in moterbikes,how once Ved lied to thier Boss to save him... Yes, They had a great friendship until they had fight for throne themselves. Soon Power turned into greedy and destroyed everything between them. **********************There came two tear drops from his eyes while Ved's body was burning in fernace chamber. It remained unnoticed by Pallavi. But she knew that one dark era ended at that time. Today's sun has brought a new version, a new promise. She will follow that surely.While coming back to thier home, she was staring at the person sitting beside her in driving seat. Is he someone else ? Really, Amma will be surprised after meeting this new Raghav. She had wished this thousend times to come true. Raghav went directly to his room after  stopping his car at the main gate. He needs a shower badly. Within a few minutes he finished his shower and came out from washroom. He checked his mobile and rushed to his study.He knew that now it's not time to sit and think. It's time to act and that too in double speed. He has choosed a difficult and completely new way, the way of honestly. He knew about the upcoming hard situations he has to go through. He might have to sell half of his stores, close old warehouse or cancel all pending orders. His business might have collapsed to it's minimum and his rivals overtake his rank, but he won't care. He will work hard and regain that. He has a strong piller to hold his dream back,his family. He dipped himself though the files to achieve what he wants.*******************"Amma, Apne Suna Kya ? Agar Mai Apko Bataungi Naa Toh Aap Bahat Khus Ho Jayoge." Pallavi told looking at her mother-in-law. The old lady was sitting on the terrace holding her old family photo in her hand."Kya ? Farhad Thik Ho Geya Kya ? Hai Na ?" She asked looking back.Pallavi sounded a little disappointed. Still she controlled her emotions and told kneeling down close to her. " Nehi Amma. But Ganapati Ne Chaha Toh Voh Vhi Jaldi Thik Ho Jayega. Mai Raghav Ke Wareme Bol Rahi Hoon. Apko Pata Hai Raghav Badal Geya Hai ,Puri Tarah."Seemed like Amma didn't understand properly. "Badal Geya. Kya ? Kya Badal Geya Raghav Ka ?" "Sab Kuch Amma. Usne Voh Smuggling Chod Ne Ka Phesa Liya Hai. Aur Aaj Se Usne Uspe Kam Karna Vhi Chalu Kar Diya Hai.""Kya !! Nijamma. Sach Mai Pallavi. Muje Toh Yakin Nehi Aa Raha. Keise Kiya Tum ?"" Maine !! Mene Kuch Nahi Kiya. Mai Toh Khud Surprised Hun."Then she narrated about thier journey of that day. How Raghav donated all money to orphanage,how he forgot all  crime of Ved and performed his last rituals.For few seconds, Amma's reaction was just like Pallavi in car. But she too thanked God for this revolutionary change.Maybe there is a new start for this family. All she is going to pray for its happiness and Farhad's fast recovery.To be continued ⏭️