In my Devil's Arms

The security people caught fish. He had some spices which they rubbed on it.

" Get some chapatis from dhaba", he ordered.

" I'll cook fish", she said.

She put it in an earthern pot wrapped in a banana leaf few vegetables and spices. She had marinated it in yoghurt and salt with fresh green chillies.

"We got some duck and pigeon eggs for breakfast too", he said.

After she cooked a delicious dinner they all ate three people from security and two of them. She was a fantastic cook. Vicky stared lovingly at her as he ate. She shyly returned his stare with her smiles.

" Sahib eat your food and stop staring at me", Gunjan would say as red as a tomato when he would do that.

" Its getting cold Vicky. Eat", Riya scolded.

He chuckled. No change in her bossy attitude. He ate each bite slowly as he savoured the food she cooked. HE HAS WAITED FOUR CENTURIES TO TASTE IT. There was no better cook than her.

After dinner he showed her the room he used to stay in.

" This room", she moved about there. " I..I."

" It was hers", he answered quietly. " She was kept as his prisoner in this room".

It was Gunjan's room.

" I am sorry. Are you alright", she asked.

" Hmm".

She yawned. She had worked hard. Cooked too. Plus Vicky's breakdown. She was physically and mentally tired.

" Take the bed", he said.

" You", she asked.

" Not feeling sleepy", he said. " Maybe take a walk in the backyard."

" Okay goodnight". She hit the bed and slept.

HE JUST LOOKED AT HER. SHE WAS ALIVE AND BREATHING AGAIN.

His memories ran fast. Time rewinds

Flashback

Four centuries ago

" You have to be strong boy. You will see a lot of cremations", an astrologer told to Srikant when he was cremating his father. He was 12.

Srikant Pundit was second of his father's five children and his eldest son. He had an elder sister Nandini who was from his own mother. She was 14 when their father died. Their mother died in Srikant's birth and his father remarried an year later.

Twins Sushant and Prashant were born next followed by Rajlaxmi or Rajjo the youngest child. The twins were 6 and Rajjo 2 when their father died.

The family was poor.

Srikant lost his childhood. He somehow became the head of a large family at 12. His step mother was actually his mother's younger sister. So she liked Nandini and Srikant as her kids. The family struggled hard to feed themselves.The boys worked in field, his mother in other's houses.

Srikant decided to leave studies. But his guruji(teacher) stopped him.

" You are a good student my boy. Top in Maths and Vedas. In Sanskrit and Prakrit too. Also in hand combat", he said. " Why do you want to leave?"

" I don't have any fees to give you sir."

" Continue your studies. I will take the fees from you one day".

And he continued to learn.

He joined army at 14 to improve the earning. At around 15 he saved crowned prince's life and became his right hand man. Their condition improved as money poured in. He returned all the loans.

But his teacher still refused.

" I will take my fees when time comes", he said.

One stormy night

As he was about to sleep a harsh knock was on the door.

" Srikant" , said his mother. "Its Roop and Adheer ."

Roop was his sister's husband 7 years his senior. Adheer was Roop's younger brother two years younger than Sri.

"Guruji wants to see you. He called", said Roop.

" Now", asked Srikant.

" He said its urgent", said Roop.

" I'll come too", said Sushant.

" Hurry up", said Roop.

The four of them reached the teacher's place.

He was lying on the bed. He looked sick.

" Guruji", he said. " What happened "?

" Old age my son. Old age."

" You called me", said Srikant.

" Yes", he smiled as he sat up . Srikant assisted him.

" I called you to ask myGuru dakshina(fees).

" Order me sir", he said obediently.

" Take my daughter as your wife Srikant. I am on my death bed. Gunjan is my only child. I wish to see her married before I go".

Cough cough cough..

The old teacher spat blood.

" Guruji", the four of them shouted.

" Its okay boys. I have made peace with death. Srikant", he looked at him yearningly.

" I promise Guruji. Gunjan shall be my wife", he said.

" Sister Kamala, call Gunjan", Guruji said to his brother's wife. She went in.

After some time a kid girl of about 5 to 6 years came in.

She looked at four boys and got intimidated. She hid behind Kamala.

" She is as small as Rajjo", whispered Sushant in dismay to Adheer.

" Bet she is a crybaby like your sister", he whispered back.

They both felt bad for Srikant. But he stood stoic. He spare one glance at the girl then looked at Guruji and nodded. Guruji relaxed.

" Gunjan", he said lovingly to his daughter.

" Yes baba", said the sweet little kid.

" Would you like to get married"?

" Like my doll", she asked excitedly.

" She is as stupid as her doll", sneered Adheer.

" Ssshh", Roop silenced the two kid boys.

" Yes beta", said Guruji.

" I will get new clothes and jewellery like Mohini got", she said happilly. Mohini was a girl in their village who recently got married.

Guruji smiled and nodded.

" But baba where is my groom", she asked.

" There he is", he pointed in Srikant's direction.

She looked at him as if checking him out. She looked unsure and a little nervous. She held her father's hand tight as if she still would like to remain under his cover.

He felt nervous too. Under scrutiny. The girl what was she looking for he didn't know.She was still a kid. He was never a child. He was always the responsible one in his family.

He looked at her. The little doe was still staring. He smiled at her. Her face lit up as she smiled too.

" I like him", she whispered to her father. He chuckled. He was selected.

" I like you too", he imitated her whisper.

She shyly hid in her father's arms. Roop and Sri laughed out loud.

" He is really big", Gunjan whispered to her father.

" That's because he works in the army", he answered.

" Like with the king", she asked excited.

" Yeah", he said. " Now be a good girl and touch his feet".

She obediently did smiled at Srikant and went in. As she peeped shyly from inside he waved. She ran away hiding her face. The men laughed again.

" He is making a mistake", Adheer whispered to Sushant.

" Yeah he earns well and she is so small. She won't even cook and surely will cry like Rajjo", said Sushant. " And eat my sweets too", he grimaced.

A week later his step mother and maternal uncle visited Guruji's house.

Guruji gave Srikant a small piece of land, a pair of bulls and few jewellery to Gunjan in dowry. His mother was happy. They had their own land now. She welcomed Gunjan happily. Gunjan also liked her.

" Auspicious date is in a week. Lets get them married", said his uncle. " Then their union will be blessed by Shiva.

Everyone agreed.