*****
Kalinga steps into his house with a box of sweet delicacies. He decided to surprise his wife by returning earlier from work. His mirth had found no boundaries after remembering that he was to hold his baby for the very first time in a few more days.

Lost in thoughts, he smiles closing the main door and turns towards the bedroom. His heart sunk seeing a half naked man jump out of the window connecting the room and plantation, backyard. His timid wife, Anasuya, who appears from the same room stands numb seeing him helpless. A furious Kalinga who questions her and recieves no answer, grabs a machette hanging on the wall and chases her.
With great difficulty she runs and reaches a huge well where she finds Angaara. Hiding behind him, she tries to catch her breath. Spotting her with Angaara, Kalinga mistakes the man to be the betrayer and beheads him. Hanging his body upside down to a branch of a tree near the well, he ties Anasuya in a mantap on the wrecked hills. On the eleventh day of Angaara's death, he dresses up in a yakshagana costume, sings and dances horrendously, feeds her a handful of rice along with stuffing a whole laddoo into her mouth and executes her head.

******

"He isn't here!"
Vihaan had literally searched every nook and corner of Kalinga's house.

"Vihaan, there is a place in the wrecked hills. An old temple owned by his ancestors. That's our last hope." Shankar master panted.

"Do you mean.. "

"The wrecked hills towards the south from where those sounds come."

"You're right master. He.. "

Their conversation was broke by a siren.

"The police!" Janani shrieked looking back from the window.

"You two escape. I'll handle the issue."

"But Vihaan!" Janani was sweating profusely.

"What happened?"

"We have to reach there as soon as possible. It's sunset in a while."

"We shall. But first.. "

"Today's the eleventh day of Angaara's death. Kalinga will..."

"..execute his hostiles before dusk!"

Janani and Shankar master could only pity Vihaan who was trying to look strong. They were clueless until they heard the jeep pull over.

"I have an idea. Where's your car?"

"In the backyard." she panicked shutting the screens.

His face was determined.
- - - -

"Faster! Faster! " the inspector scowled at his driver who sped across the paddy fields.

"He's busted!" he smirked getting down, rubbing his palms.

The jeep had blocked Janani's car and the policeman was headed towards them.

"Bloody!"
- - - -

"Anasuya.."

A thousand virtual needles were piercing her throughout her body. She was fast asleep in a miserable state, her hands tied back to a stone pillar with a rope. Hair was messed up and spread over her face and the saree was soiled. The baby kicked making her whimper in pain rather than excitement.

"Anasuya.. " the soft voice echoed in the dark, dingy mantap.

She pushed herself up against the pillar, opening her eyes. Weakness had overtaken her entire being.

"Did you have food?"

She wearily shook her head negative and closed her eyes letting the warm salt water out her eyes.
"P-please.. Take me to the hospital."

"Right! But first eat this!" the voice deepened as a figure appeared in front of her.
"Today is your Angaara's ceremony. Here, these are the sweets." he said stuffing rice and sweets into her mouth.

She coughed, "I don't even know who Angaara is. Please--"

"Lie!!!!!!!!!! "
Kalinga sprang stretching his arms sideways and spun holding a fire- torch.

"You do!!" he boomed banging the torch on the floor.

The twigs and dried leaves caught fire. He looked horrifying screaming and dancing between its flames.

Grabbing a sword, he ran to her and raised it high in the air. She shrieked as loud as her vocal cords could vibrate........ surprisingly the sword dropped down.

"What was the flaw in me that you chose him? Anasuya? Huh?" he whined walking around her.

"Please! The baby.. The baby is--"

"That baby!!" he stormed once again picking up the sword.

There was bloodshed when his sword was dropped to the ground.

"Sandhya!"

Vihaan breathed kneeling down. He unfastened the knots of the rope and caressed her face moving the strands of hair aside.

She was motionless as tears streamed down her cheeks. It took a moment until she realized, he had been on his way to her!
He gently pulled her into his embrace. A long one that they had thought they would never get back. She squeezed his nape as his hands roamed over every inch of her sore body. He stroke the place where their child resided and heard her intake a sharp breath.

"Vihaan."
She choked on her words while he cuddled her cheeks wiping the tears and sweat off.
Kissing her wrists where skin was peeled, he brushed his lips against hers and hugged her tightly. She delved into his warmth as he calmed down holding onto his own tears. He rubbed her arms and waist feeling the trauma she went through.
Finally, they parted. He dived into her chocolate brown orbs which had lost their charm. The lacrynl gland just didn't seem to stop it's secretion. He was grim.

"Sorry" she said touching his shoulder, then hair.

He bent his head and lifted her.
"About?"

"About-- Ahhhh!"
She clutched the end of her saree arching her back.

"Sandhya, hold on. You'll be fine."
Vihaan paced towards the main road carrying her. He managed to stop a vehicle which took then to a hospital nearby the city.
- - - -
Extremely sorry! I know making you all wait for so long is a mistake.
                     ~Sri
PC: Google