The Campaign Part 10

The rest of the day was spent attending phone calls of journalists, leaders, sponsors and people who were involved during the campaign. Sixty five days of struggle was about to end. From what it started till what it was about to end. Trisha had learnt so much about people, life, hard work, patience and destiny. From a broke employee to a political leader, she never thought that her one decision would change so much for her. She made decisions that concerned thousands and now was the time for the result, to see if she really had the potential to lead them.

‘Papa what if I don’t win’

‘Then you start over’ her father said

‘How? What about our land, I mean that was the reason I really fought’

‘Don’t worry about that, that’s been already taken care of’

‘What?’

‘Look, I told you that our fate didn’t depend on your winning, if we are told to give some of our property then we will’

‘But…’

‘Trishala I never been so proud of you, you have proved yourself to be a very hardworking and determined woman’

‘Thank you papa’ Trisha said while shedding some tears. She gave her father a tight hug and called off for the day. The anxiety didn’t let her have the pleasure of a good sleep. ‘I need to get out’ she thought

Trisha woke up before dawn. Over the night she decided to take a get-away trip. She left a note for Geetanjali and Abhay (Just in case he passed by). She informed her father and mother that she will be back soon.

‘Where are you going?’ her mother asked

‘Ma, I really don’t know but I will be fine. I am taking your phone and leaving mine here. Call me if you got anything important’

She drove through Kibla and reached the highway. She had no particular destination, just one thought “Feel Free”. She drove miles after miles with no definite place to go. Later she came across a huge lake. ‘Perfect spot’ she thought. She pulled over; it was picturesque view with fields on the other side of the lake and the water being still. It was so quiet and calm, all her anxiousness vanished. Trisha soon realised that she was very sleepy and dozed off near the lake. She had the much desired dreamless sleep; no screaming crowds no political banners or any black SUVs.

 Meanwhile at Trisha’s residence, Yogendra ji and several other political leaders had stopped by

‘So you are saying that Trishala is alone and has gone to some place that even you don’t know?’ asked Yogendra ji

‘That’s right’ answered Trisha’s father

‘How careless of her, the result is in just two days from now. We need to find her, we need to plan her speech and…’

‘Yogendra ji, don’t you think Trisha has done too much already for your party. Why don’t you concentrate on other candidates?’

‘Ajit ji, Trisha is like our daughter, we want the best for her and then it was all our effort that helped her gain votes’

‘Your efforts?’

‘Looks like nobody told you, Ajit ji the accident was not from the opposition, it was a setup from our party’

Trisha’s father was shocked to hear this; he tried to say something but couldn’t find any words

‘Rao sahib the plan was not to kill your daughter; it was just to gather sympathy support of the villagers and our aim was fulfilled. From this one episode, your daughter’s chances of winning strengthened’ explained the secretary

‘Yogendra ji, can you please leave my house, I wish to hear no more’ requested Ajit

The secretary laughed and said ‘You might not thank us right now but you will when your daughter is crowned as the MLA of Murukpur’

With that Yogendra ji and the party officials left.

***

Trisha was driving back home after forty eight hours, she stayed in a village nearby that lake. Those two days were spent without any worry. Her aim to feel free was fulfilled. ‘Holiday over Trisha’ she thought. Just then her phone rang for the first time; it was her father calling her.

‘Trisha where are you?’

‘On my way papa, what happened? You sound tensed’

‘Trisha don’t come back’

‘What?’

‘Trisha these people are bad, they tried to kill you and Abhay in that accident’

‘Papa calm down, I knew this already’

‘You did? Why didn’t you tell me?’

‘I always suspected Yogendra ji but don’t you understand, that little act gained us so much’

‘Act? You could have been killed!’

‘Let’s not talk about this right now’ and she hung up the phone

She couldn’t understand why her father was acting so intimidated, but something else struck her. It wasn’t him, it was her. During all this, she had forgotten the morals of being human, in fact her own death act looked like some kind of trick to her. ‘God what this has made me’ she realised, but it was too late to go on that path, she definitely couldn’t run, when the result was just hours away from her. On reaching home she spoke to no one and went straight up to her room. Her parents informed her about the meeting scheduled with the party the following day.

***

Dressed again in the traditional attire, Trisha left for the meeting with Geetanjali.

‘Abhay couldn’t make it because his grandmother’s health deteriorated last night’ informed Geetanjali

On reaching the meeting hall, everyone greeted Trisha will full respect. Yogendra ji was the first one to wish Trisha.

‘I assume your father told you everything and yet you decide to come’ he said

‘I am here because I have worked towards this cause, I will not leave it until it’s finished’ she replied

The counting had begun, Raj Mandal was dominating the southern part of the state but the eastern and western parts were held stronger by the opposition. The counting for the northern parts was yet to start; Murukpur was part of the northern part.

Journalist gathered around, the Chief of the party gave out statements and the winning candidates made their speeches.

‘Trisha ji, Murukpur’s counting has begun’

Trisha and Geetanjali both glued their eyes on the screen; the votes fluctuated like electricity.

‘What is happening?’ asked Trisha

‘I think you are winning’ replied Geetanjali

‘Trisha Ji!’ someone shouted

‘Yes!’ Trisha shouted back

‘Congratulations, you have won with clear majority’

Trisha was lost for words, Geetanjali started shouting and screaming with joy. She hugged Trisha tightly. ‘I need to call Abhay’ she said

She dialed his phone, he picked up

‘Abhay guess what!’

‘She is dead’

‘What?’

‘Dadi died Trisha’ sobbed Abhay

Trisha moved away from the phone, grief struck her and tears rolled down her eyes. She had to contain herself and move for the speech. Thousands of party supporters gathered, Trisha carried out her victory speech with lots of efforts, she was happy about the victory but side by side she was lamenting Dadi’s death. The final result: Raj Mandal won the elections with clear majority.

Trisha left a bit early, so that she could meet Abhay.

‘Abhay?’

‘Trisha, what are you doing here?’

‘We won Abhay’

‘I know, I heard congratulations, you deserve it’

‘We deserve it’

‘You know Trisha you are going to be a great leader’ Abhay said

***

Some days later

‘Please welcome Trishala Rao, MLA of district Murukpur’ said the local announcer

The crowd cheered, Trisha waved and took the mic and began.

The end