The Lock and the Key

Parry saw the key...

And a deja vu hit him

" I have seen this key before", he said.

" Where", asked Maddy.

Parry took out a chain he was wearing.

It was a gold chain with a locket that looked like a key.

Both the keys were exactly the same but for the size.

" If there is a key there is bound to be a lock", said Raj.

" You mean for this key", said Maddy showing the one he was holding.

" For both of them", said Raj.

Four centuries earlier....

" You need a weapon Srikant. For slaying that monster", said Agni.

" And where is that weapon", he asked.

Hidden in the deep realms protected by a lock which is enchanted.

" And what will open that lock", he asked.

" A blessed key".

Present

Raj was at the temple holding that key. He went to the banyan tree and saw Agni.

He gave the key to him.

Agni stared the key.

" Is it that blessed key punditji", he asked.

" I don't think so", said Agni.

" So its useless", he said.

" Every minute thing in this universe has its use prince. If there is this key then a lock awaits to be opened", said the ascetic.

" A lock at Junagarh ", said Raj.

" Someone told you its there", asked Agni.

" Not in succinct terms but more like a clue", he said.

" So its a puzzle you are in and you need help", he asked.

" Did Srikant kill a monster", asked Raj.

" Vikram did ; not Srikant", said Agni.

" So Vikram was Maddy's ancestor" , he asked

"What did you know", he asked .

" Someone.. I mean I guess me I ..umm..killed it", said Raj.

" Vikram did kill a monster named Keekat but Aditya slayed one too but even before that from time to time the monsters were awakened", said Agni.

" Sushant writes a black and rotten soul feeds the heart of a monster".

" It does but true human values make them weak", said Agni.

Raj stared at him

" Find the Lock prince. The lock that holds the key".

Raj touched his feet and left.

MEANWHILE

Kenny and Kiara returned from the vacation and with renowed vigour the team began the work.

" Parry here is a list of feudals a 100% with Kamini", said Kenny. " Start finding weakness", said Kenny.

" And what next", he asked.

" Removing them from positions, replacing them. We need to win the vote remember", she said.

" As you say Kenny", replied Parry.

" He is a bit sub dued", said Nyra. " What happened"?

" No idea

I was on vacation", she replied.

" Satan called him one day all of a sudden as we were trekking. He left abruptly and since then he is in this peculiar mood", said Myra.

" Ask your baba to talk to him. He respects him a lot", said Kenny.

" Okay".

Meanwhile

Kiara was going through Payal's reports.

" Confused and muttering to himself. Was he angry", she asked.

" A clear no", said Solly. " Payal was clear about it".

" So why was he not angry on Vicky", said Kiara.

" Because he was safe", said Maddy. " But the question is he still cannot be confused. He knew he plundered that money right".

" He probably was acting", said Solly.

" For knowing him we must talk more to people who knew him", said Maddy.

" Manav, Gaurav and Mr. Oberoi", said Solly.

" I amd Kenny will talk to Mr. Oberoi", said Raj.

" Kiara and me with Gaurav", said Maddy.

Kiara nodded.

" Parry", said Raj. " Manav Deshmukh is your mission. He trusts you".

" Trust", Parry wondered

I trust you Adheer. Kill him..

" No. I cannot fool him. I really like him. Manav Deshmukh is a good man. When I lie to him I feel like a traitor", said Parry.

" Parry", Raj was surprised.

HAVE I BETRAYED A CLOSE ONE BEFORE? WAS I IN HELL?

" You are not harming him Parry", said Raj.

" I don't know anymore Raj. I don't know", he said and left.

Parry was smoking in garden when someone softly touched his shoulder.

He turned to fond Myra.

" You are crying", she said.

Parry wiped his tears.

" I..I..did Kenny asked for me"?

" No you seem disturbed. So listen moron. Come to my place today. Aai will be happy to meet you", she said.

" Myra", said Parry. " Look there is something you should know".

" Come to my place today and we can talk", she said. Then she left.

Parry remained in deep thought. Aimlessly he sat on a garden bench and closed his eyes. He was really tired.

" He is driven by revenge Roop", said Nandini. " Look at Kuldeep. He is 5. A child".

" Nandini I agree but if he finds out he will kill you", said Roop.

" Then he must not".

" I trust you Adheer", said Roop.

" You hid my enemy's son", yelled the new king. I shall kill you".

"Adheer".....Roop yelled.

" Soldiers arrest him", said Adheer cruelly. "Traitor".

" I trust you Parry".....said Manav

" NOOOOOOOOOOOOO"...

Parry woke up. His breaths were laboured.

" I can't betray you. I won't betray you again...I won't", he said.

Deshmukh house

Evening

Parry was surprisingly sitting very quietly. No bickering with Myra. No cockiness. No jokes.

" What happened to him", asked Sonia.

" No idea", said Myra. " I think something is disturbing him. He told me in the morning he wished to talk".

" Did he say something", asked Manav.

" No baba", said Myra. " Please ask him. He is bottling up sadness ".

Myra was sad too.

" Okay Meenu lets talk to him", said Manav.

" Parry", Manav said softly taking his hand.

" Sir", he stood up.

" Remain seated son and talk to me", said Manav. " I can see you look disturbed".

" I am a bad man", blurted Parry.

" We are aware of it", said Myra cheekily.

" Doesn't bother us. Talk about why you are walking around with that long face disturbing everybody's happiness."

Parry shook his head. Smiling he said,

" Have you ever cheated on anyone"?

" ARE YOU CHEATING ON ME"? Myra was angry.

" On all of you". Parry burst into tears then. He wailed holding his chest as if in pain.

" Parry", Myra was concerned.

" Son calm down", Manav seated him on sofa and patted his back.

" Tell me what it is", said Manav.

" I am the son of a killer. The b*stard even tried to kill me", said a teary Parry.

" Who are you", Myra asked sharply. SHE HAD AN INKLING.

" He is hiding the son of a mafia", Payal has said.

" I am Aniket Joshi", said Parry. " Vinod Joshi's son".

The Deshmukhs were stunned but Myra recovered

" I Meenakshi Deshmukh a RAW agent take you under arrest Aniket Joshi", she said as she cuffed his hands.

Parry did not utter a word.

" Meenu he is innocent. He is not his father", said Manav.

Parry smiled.

" You haven't changed at all. You still trust everyone Roop",, he said.

Manav Deshmukh ( Roop's reincarnation)

" Parry", said Manav.

Myra slapped Parry.

" Where is Payal? Did you kill her"?

" LEAVE HIM", a voice boomed.

They turned to see Raj, Kenny and Ramcharan.

" Raj", said Parry.

" Close the door Mr. Deshmukh and take a seat", said Ramcharan.

" I hate him", said Myra hugging Kenny. She cried and cried.

" I had an inkling you were going to make a fool of yourself. And Ms. Deshmukh you can only fool me once", said Raj.

" Military will arrive shortly. Have your moments", she said.

" No one is arriving", said Raj.

He called a number.

" Come in", he said.

Sharman and Duleep walked in.

" Uncle", said Myra.

" I know Raj. He was posted under me", said Sharman.

" What is all this about", asked Manav.

" I am sorry...so so sorry", Parry fell on his feet.

" Get up son", said Manav.

As he was pickong him up he noticed the chain and locket.

" This..you really are Dipti's son. Oh my God I am so happy you are alive".

" Happy", asked Parry.

But Manav went in. When he returned he brought back with him a gold chain. It was similar to Parry's ...

EXCEPT....

It held a lock...

The lock and the Key...

" This", Raj's eyes twinkled.

" My sister gave these chains to me and Dipti. Right before she told me she was taking a Samadhi ( Fasting to death)", said Manav.

He continued,

" She told us to forget the past and move on and protect these lockets", said Manav. " She stopped us to search for Vinod".

" WHY", asked Parry.

" Because Vinod Joshi is dead".

Manav's statement left everyone in the room stunned.