Adultery Love Sex And War Part 1 : Age Of Darkness

[Jeevanantham]

                                                                                                                                            (CHAPTER 6 CONTD)

As Sonarika left her world of passion and eroticism after am emotional skirmish with Vikram. Hemant on the other hand was thriving in the appreciations of his colleagues and co-workers. By evening , he was set to meet up with Tamanna at a garden near her residence. But surprisingly she didn't show up and she didn't answer his calls either. At first he thought of returning home but at the last minute , he decided to visit Tamanna at her place of work. Dhristi Studio.

As Hemant arrived at the company reception and gave his details to the girl present there. He was given the instruction to go the guest sitting room. As Hemant was sitting there , he noticed Tamanna in her cabin far away and she had two guests. But judging by her expression and the way she was talking even though he could not hear anything , Tamanna was looking very angry. Whoever those people were , they were making her intense with anger and emotions. Eventually the two guests stood up and walked out from her cabin. Hemant noticed they weren't from here , and its clear they looked influential people with the way they were dressed. Hemant guessed this was probably members of her husband's family. 

As they walked past Hemant, they gave an unexpected staredown to him. Hemant avoided it and walked to Tamanna's cabin. Hemant silently got inside as Tamanna upon noticing Hemant took a breather. Hemant calmly asked.

"I am guessing those guys were....Dev's family?"

"Good guess....the one with the big build that is the older brother....Amrit Bakshi....he is the one that.....took my Dev away from me..and now he was here for Shraddha. He wants her to be raised in that family's cursed shadow"

"Is he going to be a problem?"

"I don't care....I've had enough running away from them.....I've built a life here with my daughter.....and I am going to protect it no matter who comes in our way!"

"That is good to hear Tammu...but you need to be careful....men like him are unpredictable..."

"Whatever it is....I don't care...come on....lets go to our usual spot"

Soon Tamanna left her office with Hemant as they went to the famous Starbucks cafe nearby. It was then when Tamanna noticed the real change in Hemant. There was a glow in her face as she soon enquired.

"So when did this happen?"

"I did tell you I was working out. Looks like the results are finally showing up"

"Good for you Hemant. I hope Karan is ecstatic about it"

"Oh he is going crazy. I am a full on superhero in his eyes now"

"I wonder whether Shraddha will have the same reaction too"

"Is she interested in Superheroes?"

"Not exactly , she prefers our Mass Masala Heroes...your tag line might just change for now"

"what do you mean?"

"Well in the first few months , Shraddha said you remind her of Daaku Maharaj , one of Balaiya's film"

"Damn"

Both of them laughed at that remark.

"Oh , this is a surprise!" A voice was heard to the side of them.

Tamanna and Hemant were both stunned to see Sanjana standing in front of them , in civil clothes.

"I didn't knew you guys were hanging around here"

"Oh , we're just hanging out as old friends thats it" Tamanna said clarifying the situation to Sanjana.

"Its funny , because I am an old friend too and I never get to hangout like this"

"Maybe its because of your job" Tamanna explained again.

"Sure,  mind if I join?"

Tamanna and Hemant both welcomed her as she sat on the third chair joining them. Sanjana soon turned her attention to Hemant.

"So when did this happen"

"What?"

"About an year ago , you were stuffed like a teddy bear. And now you've returned to your traditional self. When did this happen"

"Its a recent development. Though the work for it was been done for quiet a while. The improvements have started to show recently"

"That's good to know. I hope its just the physique that has returned from the old you."

The wordings of Sanjana felt like a warning. Hemant had that unsettling feeling again the way she insinuated those words. After all , she is one of the few people that are aware of his dark past. Hemant looked at her with a warning of his own , to not play with the shadows of his past. Sanjana noticed it and then changed the subject.

"BTW , I heard Shraddha won something in her insititute"

"Yeah it was an olympiad test for the young ones , she passed with shining colors. Got the first rank"

"Wow , congratulations"

"Thanks but I did just the bare minimum , the credit goes to her coaching and institute teachers , they love her enthusiasm and curiosity for study"

"I guess she got that quality from her mother. You were our college's top nerd"

"I never got first"

"Still you were in the top five. This idiot was a back bencher for a while until you helped him improve his grades"

"That is true" Hemant confirmed it.

Soon Sanjana changed her attention from Tamanna to Hemant.

"BTW , I heard your wife was participating in a TV interview this weekend"

Hemant felt a bit unease but never showed it outside.

"Yeah , its for The Mirror news channel. How did you know?"

"Well , I am also one of the participants. Its a show celebrating women of course and they seem to see me as a successful woman in my profession"

"They definitely did the right choice."

"They better"

There was an awkward stare between them for some time. After which Sanjana asked.

"So your wife , does she know about me?"

"Somewhat , she knows I had a girlfriend in the past. But she doesn't know its you"

"Great , wondee what her reaction will be"

"She isn't the jealous type"

"What makes you think she will be jealous?"

"Depends on what you say to her , either way she won't be bothered by it"

"Huh , so trustworthy of her."

"She is the mother of my child , we've been together for more than 10 years now"

"Yeah , and that is the part that bothers me. Because not long ago , I desired that place. To be the mother of your child , to be your annoying wife for 10 years."

Hemant felt uncomfortable with her words and Tamanna had to endure this awkward moment. But then Sanjana changed gears.

"But I am glad our separation happened. Because if that didn't happen , I would've never got my calling and find this wonderful life with a husband so much better and my loving kids"

Hemant felt those words as insulting but he let it go , he wasn't bothered by her remarks anymore. Soon Sanjana got up.

"I wish I had more time to torment you but I have some other commitments. See you Tammu and I'll be seeing your wife Hemant this weekend. Don't forget to watch it on TV"

Sanjana giggled as she walked away. Hemant left a sigh as he calmed himself.

"Well....that was a weird experience"

"Guess now we are even Tammu...you had your weird and now I had mine"

"I guess we are"

They talked about other things as they spent time drinking their coffee. When Hemant returned home , he noticed an upset Sonarika who was in her room. When he enquired about her situation , she stated she had a hectic day and it has made her exhausted and a bit furious with some skirmish. Hemant decided to give her space as he spend the time interacting with Karan. Sonarika's phone kept on pinging with message tones but she ended up turning her phone silent out of anger.

She was annoyed by the way Vikram spoke. In her mind , he crossed a line , but there was also a confliction deep in her heart and she expected this kind of talks to come out eventually. But she never expected it to come this soon. Their affair has been barely even completed a year , and Vikram was already dreaming a life with her. The selfish side of her dominated her mind , she didn't care with his reasoning , she wasn't gonna abandon her family. And she didn't even indulge his insistance of screwing Hemant over , because deep down Sonarika knew she was betraying him in the worst way possible. But she also craved this life , a part of her where there is no duties , no obligations , just freedom , free to fly and feel alive. But Vikram hurt her with his. He brought Hemant again between them , their bond , their moment of union. 

Hemant was excited to see Sonarika's reaction but Sonarika didn't bother to notice him which only added sadness for him. He eventually went to sleep dejected upon not getting her appreciation towards him.

The next day , Hemant left early as he had a date at a spa and parlour where he was getting his apparel ready for today's inauguration. Kunal joined him too as they both got ready for the big function. They spend the next hour getting different kinds of massages and skin enhancements to develop their looks. By the time they were done , both the men were shocked by the final results in the mirror. Kunal was given the costume of a skin color suit and pants and underneath was light blue shirt and then his hairstyle was changed to a spike which due to the short length of his hair made him look really good. And Hemant on the other hand was given a usual black suit but this time the suit he wore highlighted his phsique and inside the suit jacket he wore a shirt which was once again unbuttoned to make a portion of his chest line visible. Due to his longer hair , he was given a sleaker hairstyle with his hair appearing wet but combed back straight hightlighting its length and his stubble and some of the facial hair were completely clean shaven making him look like a male supermodel. The skin specialist in the spa said to Hemant to take care of his hair and that he looks his best in longer hairs. Hemant agreed because long back in his final college days and after it , the long hair was his identity. He had to cut it unfortunately due to 'circumstances'

Hemant and Kunal drove separately to the Hospital for the inauguration function. Both made their eventual entrance to the venue seeking some attention from the females. Kunal was the one who was more thrilled as this was an awakening for him. In the venue , Kunal lead Hemant to the side and told him secretly how excited he was and how much he loved the attention he got. Hemant appreciated him and pointed out to try to act civil and hide his excitement. Hemant walked around greeting some of the guests. There was a lot of eyes on him. The media were focused on the red carpet entrance of the hospital where the chief guests and other important people will arrive. 

Hemant enjoyed the surroundings as soon he heard a commotion at the entrance signifying the arrival of the main guests. In a barrage of luxury cars and out walked members of the Mehta family lead by the man himself Mr. Hansraj Mehta , followed by his wife Suhasini Mehta, on the left was Siddharth Mehta , on the right was the woman of the hour and looking ravishing , Pranitha Mehta , Pranitha wore a dazzling white sleeveless vest top and matching slacks. And along with her to the side and twinning with her costume but in a different color of blue was actress Mrunal Thakur.  They all walked together to the ribbon cutting ceremony near the Hospital building entrance. Hemant decided to maintain some distance to which Kunal also reluctantly moved along with him. He was enthusiastic to meet with Hansraj as he is one of richest man in the country. 

The cutting ceremony commenced as Hansraj and Pranitha handed over the scissors to Mrunal who cut it which made the place erupt in claps. They all then walked into the inside of the building as Hansraj was led to one of the power switches located near the giant reception hall. Everyone waited in anticipation as Hansraj pulled the power jumper thus turning the entire Hospital electrical system on. The place was built more modern than it was. Hemant and Kunal looked around with pride knowing that they were part of its creation. The guests were then led to each types of treatment rooms with state of the art equipment all designed and made within the country which gave a wonderful facelift to its stature. By noon , the hospital was hosted for free medical checkups and blood donations for the day. Soon the hospital started to function as a hospital as the media and reputed personalities were escorted to a nearby hotel for a gathering and a lavish lunch. Hemant still maintained a distance as he didn't want to end up making a skirmish with Siddharth. Kunal got the right opportunity and he got to interact with Hansraj.

Hemant silently consumed his lunch as he noticed Pranitha having a good time with Mrunal and some of her friends. As he was planning to approach her , a hand gripped on his shoulders , Hemant turned to reveal Jackson Sheperd standing in front of him. Hemant maintained his stature and controlled his emotions as he looked back at him. They leaned to the nearby wall as Jackson spoke.

"Never thought I would see you again....but now I am glad I did"

"If you believe so...I don't think we were aquainted enough for me to be glad to see you"

"Of course....we were not exactly on the same page then....but we had some common interest"

"Whatever"

"I heard you've been getting back up.....talk of a new rise"

"You've been keeping tabs on me....there is no surprise"

"Well to be honest...you are a worthy person to surveil....plus good news travel fast"

"Something tells me you seem to gain from my rise"

"I will admit , you have always been a profitable part for my business. But I will also be honest , the thing is , I also admire you"

"Your actions denote the contrary"

"Might be , but I didn't have any ill intentions then , I don't have it now. For anything I am thankful , thankful to you , that you finally showed the reality of the world to me"

"So you're here as a well wisher for me"

"You can say that , but I am also here as a warning. You're about to rise up to the world , and reveal yourself. And when you are seen , the devil will return from the underworld."

Hemant felt a little anguish as he once again endured visions of his past. Jackson then concluded.

"You better be careful Michael.....the devil won't spare you easily next time"

Jackson somewhat expected the same reaction from Hemant during their last meet when Hemant covered out to avoid the situation. But here Hemant stood as a statue for barely few seconds after which he turned his head towards him. And when he turned Jackson saw his eyes , it didn't have the calm and composed nature of a family man anymore , but rather the depth and power of a long lost urban legend. Jackson felt the intensity in his eyes , it wasn't Hemant that was standing before him , a simple project manager of an IT firm and a family man. This was the eyes of a forgotten tale of vengeance , the eyes that had striked fear on even the most ruthless men , who was the human embodiment of Memento Mori.

And Jackson was feeling that coldness and depth , the chasm of death itself. There was a point in time right now where he believed he had committed a grave mistake awakening a sleeping beast. But then Hemant slightly grinned and raised his hand on his left shoulder. Jackson jolted in the pressure of his hand as Hemant spoke.

"You've mistaken Jack....The Devil isn't on his throne in the underworld on his own will......I Banished Him There!"

After saying that , Hemant's composure changed and his face generated a warm smile. Now he had that calm look of a family man again , it was as if he was posessed a few seconds ago. Hemant tapped him on his shoulders a few times and then said.

"See you around Jack....have a nice day!"

Hemant walked away as Jackson sighed from that intense conversation. He had a feeling of deja vu , like the awakening of an ancient legend. He just hopes it won't be as chaotic as the last time.

                                                                                                                                                    (CHAPTER TO BE CONTD)