War And Love

Executive Suite - Le Meridian - Nagpur

They sat all around him, as Mrityunjay gave instructions to party members about how they would approach the electorate in Nagpur. He was flanked by Madhusudan Rahane on the right and Godha Ma’m’s right hand man, Mukund Aapte on the left.

"The message should be loud and clear," Mrityunjay's deep voice resonated in the packed hall of the executive suite. "We want to arrest farmer suicides and that is our top most priority. This message should travel to every village and every panchayat. If we are elected to power, every Sarpanch will be put to work. The district Collectors will meet all the sarpanchs of their villages every month and report to my Minister. I will personally be overseeing the work being done. I might land up in any village, at any time and speak to the farmers directly. If I find out that the Sarpanch has not been taking care of the farmers in his / her village, I will not spare the Collector of that area also. All of you," he declared, his eyes sweeping across the hall, " must work, like we are already in power. If there are 50 farmers in a village, the Sarpanch will put everything else aside and look after the welfare of the farmers first. Everything else can wait..."

Mukund was observing every word spoken by Mrityunjay like a hawk. He was not pleased by what he was witnessing. If Mrityunjay was successful in launching this program and even if there was a minor correction in farmer suicides, his mass base would increase manifold and it would become impossible to bring Milind back into the party. No, they had to do something to ensure Mrityunjay failed.

Madhusudan Rahane was observing Mukund as he watched Mrityunjay hawkishly. It was a bad idea to allow him to observe this meeting. But the damage had already been done. He would have to speak to Mrityunjay after the meeting

is over and brief him about what Mukund could do, if not kept under watch.

As the meeting cncluded and people began to disperse, all charged up at Mrityunjay's words, Madhusudan looked at him.

"Tell me Bhau," said Mrityunjay, understanding the look on Madhusudan's face.

"Alone...," said Madhusudan, his brows arching high on his forehead. It was a sign that he was not happy about something.

Mukund began to say something, but kept quite as Mrityunjay raised his arm. "Leave us alone," he commanded, looking Mukund straight in the eye. He walked out without another word.

When finally they were alone, Madhusudan said, "You shouldn't have invited Mukund to this meeting. Rest assured that everything that has been spoken in the meeting will be relayed to her.”

Mrityunjay raised his chin and looked at Madhusudan expectantly. He knew Madhu Bhau had more to say. "Now, she will ask you to accompany her to Ashram, to seek her blessings," he continued, avoiding taking any names."Avoid going there at all costs. I don't like that whole set up.. something's not right about the entire thing..."

Mrityunjay's phone rang as Madhu Bhau was speaking. He put his phone to his ear and heard the voice on the other line.

"Yes.... yes ma’m. Ok ma’m," and disconnected the call. Madhu Bhau knew who's call it was and shook his head in

disapproval.

"I know, what you are going to say... but, I want one of our men to get in there and find out what exactly is going on in there. I know Milind was closely associated with that Ashram along with ma’m. And I want to go and meet this person once," he argued, looking at Madhu Bhau.

"Please Mrityunjay, Milind is already in prison. You are the only one left now. We can't lose you. Don't be irresponsible. There can be no war without a king," he said, urging Mrityunjay to keep away from the Ashram.

"But the king is in prison Bhau," reasoned Mrityunjay, his anxiety showing on his face and fingers balled into fists. "And this soldier will do everything to get him out, even lay his life down, if need be," he announced, making his intentions very clear.

Gaekwad Farms

Tuscany was pregnant. Shivani spent her week examining the horses in the stables when she discovered that Tuscany was expecting. She would need to be cared for specially. So, she made special arrangements for her food and stable. She would have to be monitored regularly to ensure the foal and the mare both stayed healthy.

It had been a dull, routine week for Shivani. She felt restless and agitated for no reason. She also found it difficult to concentrate on anything she did. Although she loved animals, especially horses, nothing seemed to be likeable

anymore.

That Friday afternoon, she had decided she would do a physical examination of all the horses and mares just to kill time. She had asked the helpers to put up a table outside the stables and had laid out all her equipment in order to check the animals. One by one, the helpers brought out the animals and Shivani checked their teeth, hoofs, skin, etc...

It was just as she was examining one of the horses, when she felt the unmistakable, warm sensation on her back. Her hands stopped and her pulse raced. She turned around abruptly, knowing who she would find there. Surely enough, he stood there, his feet spread apart, his arms dangling at his sides, an intimidating form, looking at her, amusement dancing in his eyes.

His presence made her angry for some reason. She wanted to walk up to him and shake him out of his swagger. She turned back to the animal, refocusing her concentration on the physical examination.

"Shivani!" his voice reverberated but she refused to look at him.

Mrityunjay's eyes narrowed at her lack of reaction. "Shivani!" he called out again. "I need to talk to you," he insisted, his tone slow, an edge of irritation, underlying his speech.

"Not now. I'll be done in an hour. We can talk then," she responded, and brushed him off. The helpers stood watching at how Shivani spoke to their boss.

Mrityunjay was not amused by her dismissal. Generally a very patient man, he found himself at a complete loss, when it came to her. "I said, NOW," he raised his voice.

Shivani turned around, treating him with a blank look. "You pay me to do this," she pointed at the horse with her thumb. "Unless, you don't care for the animals or the money you pay me, we can talk now and here," she challenged him. What did she have to lose? She was going to quit anyway. She would be damned if she let his ego walk all over her.

Mrityunjay drew in a deep breath and walked away. He was pacing in his balcony, when she came into his cottage an hour later. He heard her footsteps and marched out to see her. As he stomped over to her, Shivani handed him a piece

of paper.

"I have been waiting for a week to see you. What took you so long? Where were you this whole week?" she demanded of him, her anger reflecting in her eyes that had turned from hazel to olive.

Mrityunjay was stunned by her questions, his head tilting in amazement. "Are you angry at me, for being away on work for a week?" he asked her, perplexed at her reactions.

"Yes, I am," she blurted out and paused at what she was saying. She stood breathing heavily, trying to understand what it was about this guy, that made her lose all self control. Both stood staring at each other in uncertainty, both taking in deep breaths, trying to calm themselves down. Shivani kept gawking at him, shaking her head in apprehension.

Mrityunjay looked at the letter she had handed out to him. "Letter of Resignation" it read. He studied her countenance, his eyes narrowed, “are you sure, you want to do this?" he questioned her. No, what was he doing? This was all wrong. He should just accept the letter and let her go.

Shivani heaved a sigh of irritation. "No," she shook her head, gaping at him, in utter bewilderment. "Mrityunjay.... " she uttered his name, looking unsure, confused.

He stood there waiting with a bated breath as to what she would say next. "Come to my cottage and have a cup of tea with me. We need to talk," she invited, looking him in the eye, waiting for him to respond.