For the previous part of story read here :
Part 1 of story ,read http://wordcoiner.com/game-of-blogs-chapter-1-the-flagpole/
Part 2 of story ,read at http://transitionofthoughts.com/2014/09/13/game-of-blogs-chapter-2-down-the-memory-lane/
Part 2 of story ,read at http://transitionofthoughts.com/2014/09/13/game-of-blogs-chapter-2-down-the-memory-lane/
Part 3 of story here http://www.knowthousif.blogspot.in/2014/09/gsmr-of-blogs-chapter-3-meeting.html?m=1
Part 4 of story read : http://sehar-emotions.blogspot.in/2014/09/game-of-blogs-chapter-4-from-team.html
The Dutta family was undergoing a crisis like
situation , the scorching heat of summer and the general elections
which were round the corner was what Tara had been waiting for, no not the heat
but the elections in particular. The elections would definitely prove to be a
big boost in her career and take her to the place where she wanted to be since
the time she was the blue eyed girl of school of journalism. A prime time chat
show, debate on national and international issues with A-listed participants is
where she always aspired to be.
While she was lost in thoughts of her graduation
days and the long chats she had with Shekhar over the glasses of tea ,she became nostalgic. Life was such at ease then ,love with common
passions can be addictive and this is what happened when she first met Shekhar
.The thread of her thoughts were pulled back with Roohi’s voice when she came
running right into her lap showing her
the science project. Shekhar was busy these days with unplanned tours and long
phone calls , the story on which he was working was straining for not only him
but the whole Dutta family. While she was appreciating her little genius work ,
her cell phone rang. It was her boss, she picked up to which her boss in a
hurried tone told her that she had to leave for Ferozabad right away as the
minister in ruling cabinet was planning to attend the Maha Panchayat and the channel expected some “breaking news”
from this Maha Panchayat.
Tara tried calling Shekhar but his cell was as usual
out of reach, Ferozabad was a sensitive place .Tara drafted a quick mail, sent
a sms and went to pack her essentials. She explained Roohi that she would be
back by the night and she should not wake up late reading blogs. Both the
minister & Ferozabad were in news lately the former due to differences with
the PM and the latter due to communal conflicts ,so the interests of news
channels in this Maha Panchayat was obvious.
The media van honked and Tara picked up her bag
,kissed Roohi goodbye and rushed to the van ,the van door opened and she was
shocked. In her hurry she had completely forgotten about her new talented yet
the weird Photographer Jennifer. Jennifer was in her usual avatar – a military print
cargo, black tshirt that said “ You are right,I really don’t like you “(How
did her t-shirt know what was Tara thinking),a colorful stole ,big earrings ,
multiple wrist bands with quirky messages and neon colored shoes
Jennifer- Helloz Tara! All set?
Tara smiled , a smile that was forced and artificial.
Instead she said to god” Can’t you make life a little easier for me. With Shekhar
always travelling , Roohi is constantly on my mind and here is my camerawoman
who seems to be a member of metal band!!!!
On the way to ferozabad while Tara was busy asking
her friends to go and check on Roohie, Jennifer was clicking pictures of rural
terrain popping up one chewing gum after another. Soon they were at Ferozabad
at the Panchayat venue, thousands of people had turned up ,the whispers and
mild arguments could be heard but people refused to talk to the media people
.Some youngsters did try to speak up but on facing angry glances from the
elders the decided otherwise. Woman seemed quite amused at Jennifer’s appearance
and Jennifer completely enjoyed that showing her tattoo to the little anxious
girls.
The Minister came on stage to speak and suddenly
from the back of the surrounding trees ,a group of boys hurled up bottles
towards the stage ,this unprecedented incident opened up a can of boxes .some
youngsters ran towards the group but thousands of people came out of nowhere
and fired in the air. This commotion led to total chaos with women and children
running for shelter , minister was taken away by his security and police was
trying to control the clashes with tear gas and lathicharge. Tara and team ran
for their life but could not find any shelter, suddenly the little girl to whom Jennifer was showing
her tattoo called them ,they ran towards her and she took them to her home. Tara
looked for her cell phone but could not locate it “SHIT! I must have dropped it
in the ensuing commotion” she thought .Jennifer offered her phone to her,she
tried calling Shekhar but again with no success
Outside loudspeakers blared that a curfew has been
imposed ,she remembered Roohie and went out to talk to policemen to allow her
van to pass by as it was important for her to return. Policemen denied saying
that they can’t allow any one to move unless ordered by DM .Curfew would be
relaxed for some time when state machinery comes over ,then she can talk to
them. After 2 hours It was dark and suddenly
someone knocked. The girl’s mother opened the door and one police constable
said he has got orders to let their van move out.Tara heaved a breath of
relief.They thanked the family and
Jennifer said “ I want to pee” .Tara felt like shooting Jennifer at that moment
”with so much difficulty they were allowed to leave ,can’t this girl pee later”.
The little girl told them that the toilet is in the backyard .Jennifer was
going to the back side of the house facing the fields and Tara felt that she
should accompany her as the situation was unsafe.
Jennifer ,opening the door “Yucks! This toilet has
not been used for the ages”
Tara: Dear madam ,we will arrange a clean toilet for
you in Delhi ,will you hurry up now?
While Jennifer went inside Tara leaned on the brick
wall surrounding it,she wanted to go back to Delhi as soon as she can ,suddenly
she heard two people talking
Man 1 : Call them and ask why they ditched us in the
last moment,what about the plan?
Man 2: (dialing ) The plan was for sending 5000
armed men, where are the arms? Why don’t you people sent us everything as was
planned?
Tara was shocked ,arms? 5000 men? She wanted to know more as she sensed
some controversy. Jennifer came out of the toilet humming a song. Tara signaled her
to stay quiet ,went to her and whispered in her ear “Listen I need to know who
are they talking on phone” Looking at Tara’s worried expressions ,she knew
something was serious.
She asked Tara to move a little away , sat on the
brick wall and started crying loudly. The two men noticed her and one of them
walked towards her and asked her what was the matter.
Jennifer (crying more loudly) ;I came in morning as
a journalist and in the conflict that happened in afternoon I lost my phone………………..she
sobbed more .One man got worried, other was still stern. Jennifer knew this was
working ,she continued “ My mother is seriously ill, I want to call her and it
seems I have to stay in this home all night “
Man 1 :You can call from my phone
Man 2 : (Angrily) Lets go from here, it is none of
our business………….Jennifer’s pitch rose she started crying again
Man1 – its just a phone call ,we should help her and
handed her the phone
Jennifer dialed a number ,talked to her mom and on
disconnecting thanked them and gave a flirtatious smile to the first man.
She moved towards the front of that house, when the
two men were out of sight she moved towards the van. As the van moved out of
the barricaded and empty roads amid police patrols ,Tara asked her “ Is your
mother seriously ill”
Jennifer: No,she died long back ,I dialed my
boyfriend
Tara : U dialed your boyfriend ,with the phone of a
person that I assume to be a miscreant!!!
Jennifer :The fact that you should know is he dialed
an international number
Tara: How can you say that?
Jennifer : I am too smart Tara
Suddenly Jennifer’s phone rang, she read the message
and said to Tara “OMG! Big discounts this season at Select City Walk, wanna
check?”
Tara cursed her boss on giving her this camera woman,
she calmed her thoughts “ Jennifer were you able to see that they dialed which
country? “
Jennifer –Yup! Pakistan
Tara – PAKISTAN !!!!
Read the next part of story at http://silentlyexpress.wordpress.com/2014/09/17/chapter-7-the-rebel/
Read the next part of story at http://silentlyexpress.wordpress.com/2014/09/17/chapter-7-the-rebel/
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my team are participating in ‘Game Of Blogs’ at BlogAdda.com. #CelebrateBlogging with us.”
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