Protect your Blood

Mr. Pundit was pronounced dead as medics arrived. Mrs Pundit and Laxmi were rushed to the hospital. Alok remained with them both.

Sumeet came urgently. He went in the surgery and emergency ward.

He informed Alok.

" Bullet grazed Laxmi's arm. A bit of blood loss. They are doing the transfusion. One of my regular donor is here. Your mother suffered a shock. She is fine but lost her voice. She is sleeping now. I am sorry about your father. Be brave man."

He hugged his best friend.Salman hugged him too. Alok broke down.

" I knew something was not right. Oh my God!"

Meanwhile

Riya informed Vicky, " Bad news. Vishnu has the sword. By now probably the devil".

" You call dad. Ask him to inform Agni. Alok's grandfather is here. So are Laxmi's parents. I need to have a word", he said. " You be with your friend.

Riya nodded. She took out her BlackBerry which Vicky gave her. Nowadays other companies were launching mobiles too but Vikram was old school. She smiled. She dialled Ramcharan's number.

Meanwhile

Vikram went to Alok's grandfather and Laxmi's parents.

" Mr. Shashtri, Mr. Shukla I need to have a word with you two", he said.

" What", said Laxmi's father.

" That boy Vishnu is a terrorist", said Vikram. I do get Alok's feelings for his brother. But Alok and Laxmi are not safe in his vicinity".

" I know this but the boy does not get it. My maa my papa my brother", said Mr. Shashtri as he raised his hands in desperation.

" Try to talk to him", he said to Laxmi's father. " He should be away from this place. He can take his step mother. They should let Vishnu go. I'll see to it he is hanged".

" Thank you Mr. Oberoi", said Murugan Shashtri.

He knew Vikram Oberoi was right for Alok.

Next Morning

Alok cremated his father. His mother remained in shock. Laxmi was released from hospital. Alok wished to leave her at her parents house. But she declined.

" In sickness and health. In happiness and misery we remain together Alok", she said holding his hands.

HIS GRANDFATHER WELCOMED HER DECISION.

She remained with him throughout.

After Funeral

Vicky, Riya and Ramcharan were gathered around Agni.

" I have to tell you something really important", said Agni.

" What", he asked.

" I studied a lot of old books. And I found out about the monster prince Aditya killed. He was called Keekat".

" What's Keekat", asked Riya.

" A monster who feeds on your soul", said Agni. Now he wants your soul . A powerful elemental. Baldev if he ends your immortality will control your soul. It will be transferred to keekat and you will be trapped forever.".

Riya shivered as Vicky soothed her.

" How did Aditya killed Keekat", asked Vicky. " I don't remember much about it". His life as prince Aditya was a mystery for him.

" A secret brahmin helped him. No one knows who", said Agni.

" He has the sword", Riya said tearfully.

" Its okay beautiful", said Vicky.

But she kept on crying.

" Gunjan, as per Shiva's wishes you will lead our way", said Agni.

" But how punditji? How", she wailed.

" He will try to kill you on new moon night Srikant", said Agni.

Riya started sobbing.

" Have faith in yourself and your God beautiful", said Vicky.

AND THAT WAS ALL THEY HAD.

A week later

Spring season has started in Mumbai. The land was colourful. But Riya could not enjoy anything. The thought of being separated from Vicky haunted her.

But only one thought was in Vikram's mind. Protect his clan.

Vikram visited Mrs. Pundit one night. He regularly visited her with Alok but now he was alone.

As he sat on her bed Mrs. Pundit was awake.

" Close the door", she said in a hoarse voice.

Vikram was not surprised. He knew she was faking that she was a mute.

He simply closed the door.

" Who are you", asked the old lady.

" I am your ancestor Srikant Pundit", he said without hesitation.

Mrs Pundit nodded wisely.

" I am sorry that I produced an abomination like Vishnu", she said. " If possible I shall kill him myself".

" I don't give a dime about Vishnu. His justice is coming for him", said Srikant.

" Then why are you here", she asked.

" Alok's life is in danger. I need to protect him and Laxmi".

Mrs Pundit was worried.

" How can I protect him"?

" I need our blood protected. Alok is safe until no one knows he is a pundit. Vishnu crossed over to evil side. But we have Alok and his wife. Both strong pisitive people", said Vicky.

" Laxmi is a goddess a blessing", cried Mrs Pundit.

" Protect your blood", said Vicky.

" How", asked Mrs Pundit.

" By keeping his identity secret. And sending him away from you", said Vicky. " A sacrifice is approaching and if anything happens I will perish to save him".

" Bless you", said Mrs. Pundit wiping her tears. " I will send him away like DEVAKI DID TO KRISHNA. And Alok shall remain a Shashtri".

" Also he need heirs. Our blood is important. Blood of elementals. Ask him to have kids", said Vicky.

" I promise", she said.

" Thank you", said Srikant and left.

Meanwhile

" Shiva please guide me", cried Riya as she lied over Shivaling.

" I feel him near me", said Vikram.

She gave him prasad and holy water which he consumed obediently but she knew this was not the solution.

Doom was approaching nearer and nearer. But Vikram was positive.

" Shiva will guide", he said.

And Shiva did.

As she cried and slept over Shiva she dreamed.

" Sahib did not come Rajjo. I fasted without water for him. He knows I always do. He..", she hiccuped.

" They all will suffer", said Rajjo hugging her friend.

But Gunjan was restless. She went to the forest where an abandoned idol was kept.

" Shiva my puja, my devotion , my loyalty everything is useless. Sahib stopped loving me. I am just a physical need. He need me to quench his thirst. I feel so dirty Shiva. She cried and passed out.

" GUNJAN", a voice echoed. " WHERE ARE YOU GUNJAN?"

Five men searched her on horses. One of them had high fever. He was the king.

" Gunjan", he called again as he coughed. He knew she fasted for him today. But he was ill and took the medicine Vaidya ( doctor) gave him. It induced sleep. As he woke up he rushed to courtesans' palace but she was not there. He asked his sister then.

" Better if she dies in that forest", said Rajjo.

And he ran forgetting everything.. Heavy rains poured it. They did nothing to deter him. They found her at last.

A lifeless girl at Shiva's feet....