Chapter 19

Shub Malik was irritated, rattled and annoyed.

Irritated as he had not gotten proper sleep ever since he set foot in this godforsaken place.

Rattled as he had left a pretty young girl at his boss's mercy and,

Annoyed  because ever since Suraj had returned from the palace he was behaving as if all hell had broken loose.

He was pacing restlessly twitching like a scared rabbit at every small sound he heard from the bushes. What a pathetic situation I am in! he said to himself.

The driver who was sitting inside the car, was observing all this with amusement. "Malik ji," he called out, "What is the matter? You are so jumpy," he laughed boisterously.

Shub stopped pacing and glanced in the direction of the driver. He sighed, then walking to the car he leaned on the hood in resignation. An old melody was streaming from some FM station on a very low volume. The driver got out stretching his hands and walked to where Shub was. Finding a stump of an old tree few steps away he went over and sat on it. He fished out a crumpled cigarette and matches from one of his pockets. Then with a flourish lit it taking a deep puff.

"What is wrong with Suraj sir?" the driver casually questioned.

Shub shook his head. "Who knows?"

The driver took another puff and blew the smoke upwards into the air. "Is the girl his new conquest? She is pretty but not like the gorgeous women he usually associates with. His life is really merry is it not?" he said wiggling his eyebrows.

Shub clicked his tongue irked by the mindless chatter of the other man. "If you value your life don't ever say such things again."

The driver shrugged taking another puff. "I was just saying . . ."

"Well don't . . ." Shub cut him off with a glare. The song from the FM stopped and a new one started. Dusk fell rapidly over the horizon covering the whole land like a stuffy blanket. There was a chill in the air owing to the desert that could be seen from where he was standing. It looked eerie and mysterious. Shub quickly averted his eyes trying to concentrate on the song. He hated places such as this because it reminded him of his lonely, not so happy childhood. That was the reason he chose Mumbai as the place to settle down. The cacophony that the city provided gave him a sense of security.

His thoughts went back to the girl . . . Roopa. A pretty name for a pretty face he mused. She wasn't there a year back when he had accompanied Suraj to Vilaspore. Must have been employed recently, whatever it might be she was a sight to see. A small smile played on his lips as he recalled her uneasiness with which she got in the car. He could sense the fear radiating off her as she sat down. He had been sent on the errand many a time and the women who he picked up were all voluptuous, some of them socialites, the cream of the society and they all had come happily. Most of them got on his nerves and hardly acknowledged him but he did not care for them either. This time however it did not make sense. She did not fit in the equation.

"How long should we wait Malik ji?" the driver's voice drifted to him.

Suraj took out his mobile to check the time. It was an hour already, what the hell was he doing with her. For a moment he deliberated whether he should go and check but he held himself back knowing full well what Suraj was capable of when he was angry. He had seen it many times and got a taste of it just today.

A FEW HOURS AGO

After trekking the long pathway from the gate to the palace, Shub drenched in sweat and panting like a dog stopped in the parking space looking around for the car. He hurried over to it and signaled the driver for water hoping to make himself presentable before entering the palace. The driver quickly got him a bottle and he had taken just one swig when his phone rang.

"How much longer should I wait for the car you idiot?" Suraj shouted over the phone. Shub spit the water and motioned for the driver to start the car.

"Sorry sir we are just . . ." The line went dead.

Suraj was standing at the entrance way breathing fire. Shub hurried along beside the car managing to open the door at the precise second to let Suraj in.

They travelled in silence for about an hour after which Suraj ordered the car to be stopped near the highway. The driver was puzzled and so was Shub but neither of them dared to ask anything. Getting out of the car, Suraj walked in the direction of the bushes that was on one side of the road. Seconds later he emerged with a thick log of wood, then swinging it with all his might brought it down on the hood of the SUV with a thump. The two men stood shell shocked and wide eyed as they witnessed their boss behaving like a raving mad man.

He brought down the wood again this time on the windshield of the car. The glass did not shatter so he hit it again and again so much that a small crack appeared. Finally Shub stepped forward and caught the log before it could hit the hood again. Suraj turned in rage toward him ordering him to leave it.

"Sir, please! You will injure yourself. You have to attend the promotions after we reach Mumbai," he tried to reason.

Suraj let go of the log and shouted out loud bringing his fist hard on the hood. Calming himself considerably Suraj got inside the car followed by Shub and the driver. After travelling for some more distance Suraj spoke.

"Check if there is any five star hotel nearby? We have to camp here today."

Shub immediately took out his cell phone and googled the available hotels however he did not find one that had a five star rating. There was a resort few miles away and he informed the same.

"Hmm okay, book a suite. I don't want any disturbances. Tell the manager to be as discreet as possible."

Shub being the capable man that he was arranged everything in a short time. After seeing Suraj to the resort and making sure that he was comfortable was when Shub breathed in relief – or so he thought.

The man was beyond the scope of reason. He was pacing in the suite like a hungry predator smoking cigarettes after cigarettes and shouting at someone on the phone about some old woman. Subh couldn't make sense of what was going on with his boss. For sure there were things happening that he wasn't aware of and he wouldn't even want to know. He was better off in the twilight than getting stuck in the miry dark night. Evening came swiftly and yet Suraj remained just as he was. At six he got a call and that was when he actually smiled. 'God knows what was going on in his twisted mind!'

The shrill ringing of the phone stirred him from his musings. The driver threw the stub of cigarette and stood up. Shub picked up the call not wasting a second.

"Sir?" he spoke with rapt attention. "Yes sir . . . Yes sir . . . okay sir . . ." He hung up the call and looked toward the driver. "Let's get going."

Roopa's countenance was not how it was before she came to the place. Earlier she was scared out of her wits but now she had a malicious smile on her lips. Her future that seemed bleak a few hours back now sparkled brightly all thanks to the man who was sitting in front of her. In the faint light of the lantern Suraj looked surreal, even the things he had said seemed so. When she felt that she had conceded her loss to Nandini, life, in the form of Suraj had given her a fighting chance. He had asked for only one help in return which was not a big deal. She would gladly do that and more if God permitted her.

"No one should know that we are cohorts in this game," he warned. "If Abhimanyu gets a wind of this, then even the Gods cannot save you." Roopa shivered at that looking skeptical.

Realizing his error Suraj quickly corrected, "I know you would be careful because that is one of the traits of a Maharani . . ." he leaned forward, ". . . to be as discreet as possible."

The face of Nandini swam in front of her face reminding her of the insult she faced at the palace. She will visit princess Nandini again but this time Nandini will bow down to her.

"I will be careful sir, just guide me on what I should do at the appropriate time."

"My people will drop you at the palace," Suraj said turning to give instructions to the guard.

"No, not the palace just drop me to the bazaar. I will do some shopping and then get back myself."

Suraj acknowledged it understanding the meaning behind it. She couldn't be seen around the palace getting down from the car. Abhimanyu had eyes everywhere. It wouldn't be difficult for him to know that one of the members of his staff was compromised.

Few minutes later the sound a car approaching could be heard. "That's your ride. Don't call on any other number except the new one that I gave you. If you cant reach me then call Shub but don't reveal anything to him either. Just inform him and I will call you back," he gave a few departing pointers.

After Roopa left Suraj leaned back on the chair in satisfaction and dialed a number. "Just as you said . . . You were so correct. To kill an elephant one does not march with a machine gun but a small ant can do the trick. What does it matter whether the ant gets squished in the process." Suraj's sinister laugh echoed all around.

**********************************

The night bazaar was filled with colourful sights and sounds. There were numerous stalls in the crowded street where people had thronged from all around Vilaspore to buy the wares displayed. Tempting aroma filled the night air of savouries and sweets being freshly prepared. Samosas, kachoris filled with potato, peas and other vegetables, different types of parathas slathered generously with butter accompanied by curd and spicy pickle, variety of pakoras, kebabs and naans with chickpeas gravy. For the ones who wanted to satisfy their sweet tooth there was ghevar, hot jalebis with cold rabri, gulab jamuns, falooda, kulfi and different flavours of ice creams.

Roopa walked blindly through the narrow streets not caring about where she was going. Her mind was working overtime with all the information she had gathered over the week and particularly with what happened half an hour back. Could she believe Suraj? Could she do that to Abhimanyu?  These questions kept revolving around her. If she relayed everything that happened at Vilaspore to Suraj would that mean she was a traitor?

Unknowingly she bumped into a veiled woman. "Watch where you go! Don't you have eyes?," the woman shouted angrily. Roopa mumbled a hasty apology not wanting to get into a fight.

'This has to stop! I am not doing anything wrong. If I have to get Abhimanyu then I have to follow whatever Suraj says. Anyway all is fair in love and war.'

With new found determination she scanned around, spotting a stall selling stoles and bags, she hurried over. Armed with few shopping bags she maneuvered the crowded street and hailed an auto rickshaw to drop her off at the palace.

***********************************

Abhimanyu was in his office looking through files. Nearby, Bhim was fixing him a cup of coffee at the small table. He took the cup to Abhimanyu who lifted his head from the files and received it gratefully. He sipped and smiled, it was just as he liked it – black, strong, with one teaspoon of sugar.

"Thank you Bhim," he said. Bhim bowed and went back to his position near the table. Abhimanyu observed him for few minutes. There was something unseemly in the face of the big man. He took a deep sip of the coffee and got up from his seat. Immediately Bhim stood up waiting for orders. Abhimanyu motioned for him to sit but Bhim did not comply.

"You seem to be disturbed Bhim," he asked walking to the large windows that provided a nice view of the gardens below.

"It is nothing sir."

Abhimanyu turned with a laugh. "I don't believe that." He took another gulp and placed the cup on his desk. "Is it about the visitor we had today?"

It was no use hiding anything from the prince, he thought. "His visit was not to maintain cordial terms hukum. He came to find out something."

Abhimanyu nodded. "Yes, I guessed that. There is something that he wants badly..."

Bhim frowned. "Vilaspore hukum. He wants all this. That is a known fact."

Abhimanyu's eyes clouded. "Not Vilaspore something else."

"What could be more valuable than Vilaspore hukum?"

"That is what we have to find out."

Bhim shifted restlessly thinking if he should say what he wanted out loud. Guessing it Abhimanyu spoke first. "Is there something else?"

"Hukum, do you think he has a hand in the attack at Maharaj? He did not seem pleased with the explanation that you gave."

Abhimanyu thrust his hands in the pocket of his jeans. "That is a serious allegation you are leveling Bhim. Not only is he a celebrated actor but also my cousin."

Bhim bowed his head. "I am sorry hukum but I had to tell you what I felt."

Abhimanyu took a deep breath. "I will keep it in mind." He took a look at his watch, "Its dinner time Bhim, you can go. I will go see father once."

As soon as Bhim left, his eyes turned to slits. Even he had doubts regarding Suraj's involvement in what happened but without proofs he couldn't act as his father always regarded Suraj as a son. Going against Suraj without proper proofs would hurt his father.

'I have to move father as soon as possible.' It wasn't safe at Vilaspore anymore and taking his father along with him to Mumbai was the best possible solution.

He reached his father's room and paused before entering it. The guards at the door bowed and one of them knocked on it. The door opened immediately and a third guard bowed. Abhimanyu entered the room keeping his emotions in check. The nurse was administering a medicine through the IV line. On seeing him she wished a quick 'Good evening' and moved away after finishing the job. Abhimanyu went to sit near his father and as usual held his father's inanimate hands in his speaking gently to him. The nurse on the other hand was wringing her hands thinking whether to convey to him what she thought caused the seizures on both occasions.

As if hearing her inner thought the prince asked. "Did father have any other seizures?"

"N-no sir," the nurse replied in a meek tone. She bit her lips anticipating the reaction of the prince. He might throw her out of the palace or he might complain to the authorities and she would lose her job for using mobile while on duty. Crossing herself she stepped forward.

"Sir, I-I want to speak to you," she said slowly.

Abhimanyu released his father's hands and turned in her direction. "What is it?" he asked thinking it has something to do with his father's medical condition.

"Sir, I come from a poor family and I have four people that are dependent on my salary. I have been very dedicated to this profession ever since I entered it."

"Do you want any financial assistance?" he asked guessing what she was getting at.

The nurse shook her head. "No sir, I don't want anything except your word that . . . I will not lose my . . . job," she said fearfully.

Abhimanyu frowned at her words. 'What was she getting at?  "What do you mean?" he asked gruffly. "Have you done anything that you shouldn't to my father? If you did it knowingly then . . ."

"No sir!" she interrupted in haste scared that he would think that she sabotaged his father. "I did not do anything to maharaj ji."

"Then what is it?"

"Sir it is regarding the s-seizures that m-maharaj ji had t-today and y-yesterday," she stuttered.

His ears perked up on that. "Do you know what caused it?"

She nodded in reply thoroughly frightened. "The first time I was watching an interview on my phone. The second time it happened when the person was present right in front of maharaj ji.

Realization dawned on his face as he understood whom she was referring to. "Whose interview were you watching?" he asked acting if he did not catch on.

"Suraj Singh"

***********************************

It was almost nine o clock when Roopa returned to the palace. The guards at the gate looked at her in disapproval though she did not care. As soon as she returned to the staff quarters inside the palace premises, she deposited her shopping bags inside the cupboard without even seeing what she had bought. Then she spent half an hour in the shower washing off the dirt and grime that had accumulated from her trip. Dressed in pajamas and a loose fitting T shirt she lay on the single bed, placing her hair over the bed board to dry. It was good that she had some snacks from the stalls so that she did not need to go to the staff dining hall for dinner. She checked her phone for any messages or calls that she might have missed but finding none she replaced the phone on the side table and closed her eyes to catch on some sleep. Tomorrow was the day for her mission to begin. She recalled all that Suraj had said.

You need to be more assertive. Make yourself known – show him that you are not a silly girl.

That part was true. She had been behaving like a silly school girl ever since she had laid her eyes on the prince. That was the difference between her and Nandini. Well tomorrow she would show Abhimanyu what she was capable of.

A beep came from her phone. She quickly reached out to check who it was. It was an unknown number. She scrunched her eyebrows as she read the message.

- Ms. Sharma hope you have reached the palace safely!

'Was it Suraj?'  She re-read the message trying to gauge who it was. She was about to message back when another message appeared

- I am sorry Ms. Sharma. I just realized that I did not tell you who I am. This is Shub Malik.

Her face cleared at once. 'So it was Shub! Maybe he was acting on Suraj's orders.' She quickly messaged back.

- Yes Mr. Malik I have reached the palace safely. Please thank Suraj sir and tell him not to worry.

Then replacing the phone by the stand yet again she fell into a restful slumber.

Shub read the message letting out a snort. 'Yeah right! Suraj and worry , that day would be etched in history in golden letters.'  If she only knew what sort a person his boss was. Hell! five years as his secretary and even Shub was discovering new things about him. Getting back to the point he let out a huge sigh of relief. He did not want to drop her so late at night at the bazaar but, what could he do except follow orders. Why did she want to go to the bazaar so late anyway. All the way to the resort he was restless thinking how he could call her without being obvious. There was also a problem of not having her number but that was quickly solved when Suraj himself gave the number telling him that whenever she calls no matter how busy the former would be Shub had to inform him.

This meant that she would regularly be in touch didn't it? He felt a shiver of excitement coursing though him. It wont hurt to get to know her better which in the current situation was the only silver lining that was visible to him.

***********************************

Nandini chewed on the inside of her cheek trying to come up with a possible solution to a small problem. The SMS that Nandini had earlier ignored when she was at Uday's house, turned out to be a stiff message from Abhimanyu's secretary asking her – no scratch that – telling her that as soon as she received this message the prince was expecting her call. This time however she did not break the phone to pieces but held it so tightly that the screen guard flew off and landed at her feet. She contemplated whether to call or not. It had been almost eight hours since the message had come. What would happen if she ignores it? She ruminated about this for several minutes more then came up with the answer.

Nothing at all!

Feeling happy she opened her Mac book and browsed through her mails. There were lot of mails from her college, messages reminding her on papers due to be submitted and a no attendance mail on a seminar that she missed. There was also one from her professor asking about her absence from classes. Nandini was so engrossed in her work that when her phone rang she picked the call without checking who the caller was.

"Hello," she answered absently.

"I am not in a mood to say a hello!"

Nandini's head snapped up from her laptop. There was no mistaking who the caller was. The infuriatingly arrogant voice only belonged to one man.

"I am busy with some work. Call me later," she said and hung up. Serves him right, she thought as she went back to answering her mails. Though she felt smug at the moment she wondered if she did the right thing in hanging up on him.

The phone rang again. She wanted to ignore it but decided against it as it was not good to antagonize him too much when Vikram was at stake. She gingerly picked up the call.

"I thought I told you . . ."

"If you ever do that the repercussions would be really bad."

Nandini was not someone who was easily riled. Right now though her thought were not so pure. In a fit of boldness she replied to him. "You and your idle threats . . . I am so tired of listening to it. You may not have any work there at Vilaspore but I have! If you have anything to relate to me send me a message . . . which again I will look at only when I have the time."

This time she waited for a reply but not getting one in five seconds hung up again.

Satisfied with herself and knowing full well that Abhimanyu would not bother her anymore, she went back to her work. It was almost eleven thirty when she finished her papers and had emailed it back to her professor. She let out a yawn stretching her hands. Closing her notebook she decided to get some fresh air and opened the balcony doors to let the air in. The palace grounds were calm and quiet, Nandini closed her eyes inhaling deeply. A knock sounded at the door to her bed room. Nandini opened her eyes. 'Who was it at this hour?  Probably father,'  she thought as she proceeded to open it.

"What happened father?" she said opening the doors wide. Her eyes went wide with disbelief as she saw the person at the door. "W-what are you doing here?"

"I warned you the repercussions would be quite bad."

Nandini gulped and took a step back while Abhimanyu took a step forward. A gust of wind blew from the open balcony finding its way to her tresses and blowing them all around her face. Something unknown stirred within him. She hastily ran her hand over her hair trying to calm it down.

"Y-you should not be here. I-if father sees you here do you know h-how it will s-show on me," she stuttered trying to calm her thundering heart. Gathering more courage she crossed her arms around her and held her head up high. "Get out of here before I call the guards."

Abhimanyu threw his head back in laughter. Nandini was puzzled at his behaviour. What was there to laugh about? After his laughter died down he titled his head and regarded her from head to toe. Nandini squirmed under his scrutiny.

"You seem to portray that you are all brave but in reality . . ." he started walking to her. " . . . you are scared inside," he whispered.

Nandini tried her best to stay put but her brain shrieked to keep moving. 'Don't say anything ! Please don't say anything!'  she told herself but unfortunately her mouth refused to comply.

"What would I be scared of . . .you? Please! I am just surprised that you showed yourself up at my door step just because I hung up on you." Nandini snickered. "No one has done that to the great Yuvraj Abhimanyu Raj Singh, is it?"

A single nerve twitched on his jaw. "You forget whom you are speaking to!" his tone was dangerous now.

Nandini however was not ready to stop. "Really? Do you think that I could ever forget that? I have been reminded every single minute of every day what my life is going to be. I have agreed to all your terms only for the sake of Vikram otherwise . . ." she paused.

"Otherwise? . . . Go on . . . finish what you want to say."

"You want to know? Okay! Otherwise I would have rejected you outright. If even you were the last . . ."

Abhimanyu had heard enough, he reached her in one stride, snaked his arm around her waist and pulled her to him.

Shocked with his behaviour Nandini shouted furiously. "What are you doing? Let me go right now!" she tugged at his arm trying to break free from his grasp. Abhimanyu pulled her again closing the inch of space that was between them. Her palms rested on his chest forcing her to look at his face.

"Now! What were you saying again?" he murmured his hot breath fanning her cheek.

Nandini's head stopped working. She felt like she was drowning in his dark brown orbs. Heat seared from the thin material of his shirt to her palms scorching her. Unknowingly her lips parted. Abhimanyu smirked at that lowering his head slowly. Nandini's breath caught in her throat. Her eyes closed of its own accord.