Flames OF Paradise - Season 1 - Episode 16

Episode 7 years ago

Flames OF Paradise - Season 1 - Episode 16

‘Who are you people? Why am I tied like this? Where are my friends?’ Snigdha b@nged one question after the other in Hindi. The woman shook her head and backed out slowly, going out of the room. The man waited till the woman had left, then came inside closing the door behind him.


Snigdha took a swift breath in panic at this gesture and s----d her breath sharply when she recognised the tall guy.
‘Oh God! Its you!’ She said, horror making her eyes go wide.
‘Yes, its me.’ The man’s deep voice responded. He was speaking impeccable Hindi, without any trace of Kashmiri accent. Snigdha raised her head and said accusingly,
‘You are a terrorist! How dare you kidnap me? What have I done?’
‘You haven’t done anything, but Al Faran needs you.’ Snigdha noticed that he had not denied that he was a terrorist. Suddenly, he took out a small emergency battery light from inside his long Phiran, and switched it on, keeping it near the window, on the ground. Bluish white light spread inside the room, giving an eerie look to the entire place. Snigdha quickly looked at him as he straightened, noticing his long, strong limbs encased in denims and boots. Her eyes moved up to his face, which was half covered still. ‘Needs me? What for? Snigdha’s voice was incredulous.’
‘The chief’s brother Qatar-Ul-Rehman is in police custody for the last few months. He was receiving arms from the battalion in Azad Kashmir when he was arrested. You are a hostage of Al Faran till the J&K administration and government releases Rehman.’ The man said in a flat voice.
‘But why me? I am not important!’ Snigdha’s voice was furious with anger now.


The man knelt near her and the veil covering his face fell down. A strong, Chiselled Kashmiri looking face emerged, fine aquiline nose, broad forehead, square jaws, a firm chin with a deep cleft, wavy dark brown hair swept backwards, and eyes, that she could feel were of light brown colour glittering in the bluish light from the lamp.



His complexion was burnt copper hued, which at one point must have been as fair as the Kashmiri complexion. While Snigdha was watching him, a slow smile curved his full lips and she Realised that she had been staring at him. He had definitely the most handsome face she had ever seen in a long time. The look he gave her made her heart flutter erratically, and her blood course furiously, making her face flush with heat. She chided herself to stop behaving like an imbecile.
‘Why you? Well I can say that you have been kidnapped because you are young, healthy, an important citizen of India, and a retired army man’s daughter. They will definitely hope to strike this bargain.’ His cold, clinical voice made Snigdha scared. Something in her expression must have shown her fear, because he suddenly stood up and said in a gruff voice,
‘Listen I have come to help you, not harm you. I don’t want you to ever move away from this hut. When the time comes to meet the chief, be calm and try not to overreact. You will be in real danger if you try to run away. Do not wander away. I will keep a watch on you and make sure, you are safe, till the needful is done by the government… ’ Snigdha interrupted him bitterly.
‘Why should I do anything you ask me to do? You yourself are a hard-core terrorist betraying your own country! I am no less safe with you than I am with others. Just because you are more educated than others and can speak in a more civilised manner… ’
‘Just shut up!’ The man snapped in English, making Snigdha gape at him with mouth open. The man continued firmly in English, ‘Do as I say or be prepared for worst possible consequences. Do not come to me running after that, do you hear? If you are alive that is…’
‘Who the hell are you to dictate to me what I should do or not do?’ Snigdha’s hackles had risen and she could feel her face turn hot with suppressed emotion.
‘You are a fool to behave like this.’ The man said, his lips pressed hard, and a frown marring his brow.



With that he pulled her up with his hands. Snigdha stumbled due to her feet being tied and felt herself lose her balance, but was caught by strong arms and steadied. She realised that she had come too close to the man, with her outstretched hands clutching his woollen Phiran, feeling his hard chest, the rippling muscles and heavy beating heart. She was so startled by the impact that she could just stand there looking at him stunned, her breathing heavy, her hands flat on his chest, the s£nsat!on of her hands on his solid chest feeling somehow good, making her fingers curl and grip his Phiran slightly. An undercurrent of something electrifying passed between them, startling both of them with its fierceness. Her stunned eyes fixed at his expression, which were intense, roaming all over her face, his expression arrested by her lovely eyes. Eyes locked, she did not realise how long they stared into each other’s eyes, perhaps seconds that seemed like aeons. Her breathing quickened when she saw his hands release her arms and pull away the dupatta slowly, that had loosened and was hiding half her face. Her long hair cascaded down her front, loose silky strands coming out of her braid. She felt his eyes on her face and uncovered hair, a slow smile spreading on his lips. Snigdha bristled with anger under his scrutiny and tried to pull away. His large hands came forward and cupped her shoulders, his fingers lifting the loose silky strands and pushing it away, the gesture tingling her skin and making her heart somersault. Before his roaming hands could reach her face, she pulled away quickly.



He threw his head and laughed deeply and stepped back, his laughter mocking her, as if challenging her to admit she was scared of him. Snigdha took refuge in anger to hide the reckless feelings churning inside her body.
‘How dare you touch me… you animal… ! I hate people like you who betray their country and do heinous crimes. And I am going to find a way to get out of this!’ Snigdha was breathing heavily, unconsciously rubbing her arms where he had held her firmly, the warm imprint of his hands still there.