Chapter 32

KB stared at her at her admission… Would he hate her now? For what her father presumably did years ago?

Kajal thought he would move away and her heart sank thinking of losing it all over again. But she had to admit it. KB had to know… But to her surprise, KB teared up and held her face in his palms.

“Krish, I am sorry that… my father… But from what I know he didn’t intend to kill anyone. He had called the media to that club to catch you drugged. But…” Kajal didn’t even know what she was rambling about.

“Kajal… relax. I understand. Besides if I was drugged it wasn’t all his fault… me and my friends were druggies of the highest order. But…” He rubbed his face as he walked towards the window watching the rains which had now started to subside. “… I was the one who insisted on travelling back in that condition. I wanted to claim my inheritance since I had completed 18… at that time I was in a mental state where I wanted nothing more than that money. It meant freedom from my grandfather’s iron fist. Kajal… its me who made the decision to travel and it… it cost my friends their life and…gave me nightmares for the rest of my life.”

“But Krish, Ganpat kaka had said no one had survived that accident.”

KB nodded. “It was my grandfather’s doing. He didn’t want anyone to know that we were driving under influence and were also filled with the forbidden illegal drugs. My friend’s fathers too were having political aspirations so didn’t want mud-slinging. It wouldn’t get back their sons anyway. Then there was this young girl… I have no clue about who she was. She died too. The bodies were buried and there is no record of the accident in police books…” He sighed.

“Krish… I am sorry that you had to suffer so much… but why do you punish yourself?”

“Kajal, after what happened to my friends, I don’t deserve to enjoy life… I am a monster. I don’t deserve to be loved by anyone, especially a pure soul like you… I have been punishing myself… because I… I rightfully deserve it.” He muttered softly.

Kajal walked behind him hugging him from the back. She knew he was hurting, grieving and guilt laden for his friends. If only she could help him.

“Krish, what do you…. I mean how did you get those injuries?”

She felt him stiffen in her arms but she didn’t let go. After a moment’s pause he spoke.

“Kajal, there is a room in the penthouse… first level. The one I forbade you from going in… Its…a special room. I practice BDSM… I mean… I don’t know if you understand or have heard of it. I was a member of a club initially but as I got known around as an actor I couldn’t take anymore chances of being caught in public… so got one built at home… I… I … punish myself whenever I have a good time I don’t deserve… like…”

“…Like that night we kissed…?” She interrupted him. He nodded and turned around to face her.

“That’s me Kajal… all open before you. I am broken and I don’t know what future has in store now with this thing… My father wasn’t a gentleman. Far from that… he was a… a trafficker… a ghoul who did horrendous stuff. Eventually he killed himself overcome with guilt, probably when the doors were closing in. There is some stuff he left me apparently some kind of insurance he had kept with him in case he was framed. But I think he didn’t have the guts to go against them… whoever they were…. So Kajal… By association I am in their line of fire and they are dangerous people. I don’t want you to face that… So I think you should go back to your uncle’s place till we get divorced officially and I promise you, I will keep up my end of the deal.” He looked away.

Kajal’s heart fell. She knew he was trying to protect her and her doubts about Hetal also were confirmed. It was all a show put up for her… She now knew why he didn’t want her to get closer. But she knew in her heart, nothing mattered anymore for her than being with him. She loved him with all her heart and knew that she would be with him till the year got over and though it broke her heart to even think of the repercussions later, she didn’t want to think beyond the present.

Something tickled her at the back of her mind. There was something she couldn’t point her finger but knew there was more to their story than what was seen.

She held KB’s hands in hers.

“Krish… listen to me. I am your wife and your life partner for this year. Which also means we are in this together… both good times and bad times….” She could feel his grip tighten on her palms and he swallowed hard. “…I am not going anywhere Krish. Let’s find out why those people are after you. Something tells me my father was involved in some way… he was investigating a criminal syndicate as the head of a special team. I have to find out about my mom too… she is out there somewhere and probably missing me and Krunal… I don’t know… but the aai I knew would go miles for her children. She wouldn’t have abandoned us…So Krish, fate has linked us together and I am not going anywhere…”

Before she could complete, he pulled her close as he hugged her tightly. “Thank God…” he whispered and she blinked back tears.

“Krish…?” She called him as they had another cup of tea. The rains had subsided and they planned to start the return trip as soon as possible.

“Yeah…?”

“About that room… um… can you show it to me?”

KB choked on his tea. “Kajal… do you mean it?” he asked her wide eyed.

She nodded. “yes Krish… if its been a crucial part of your life then I want to know about it…”

“So… you don’t hate me for it? You don’t think I am a psycho…?” he rubbed his face.

“Of course, not Krish… it’s been there for you in your moments of loneliness… I want to understand you better and so I want to see that room. Is that, ok?”

He nodded and looked away. She knew it was difficult for him and it probably took a lot for him to open up before her.

“Krish tomorrow… shall we go to the Chintamani temple?”

“Yes sure… but is there anything special tomorrow?”

“Its… Sankashti. My first one after marriage and I want to seek Bappa’s blessing.”

Suddenly KB sat up.

“Kajal can you prepare… I mean… can you make Ukdiche modak?”

Kajal was surprised. “Yes of course. I didn’t know you liked them.” She smiled.

“I love them… actually there was someone who made them well… no one after that came closer to her kind of cooking but you do have that kind of taste in your way of cooking. So…”

“Oh, is it? I use my mother’s recipes… from what I remember. I only knew select ones. I was only 9 when she left. But Ukdiche modak was her specialty. The entire housing colony would want…” Suddenly she stopped as the missing jigsaw piece just fit in.

“KRISH…” She held his hand her eyes filling again. “…I remember now. My mother… wa stalking to your father… that day on Ganesh Chaturthi visarjan… and she gave him that tin containing Modak for someone called ‘baba’….”

“Kajal… that was me… aunty called me ‘Krish baba’, like rest of the staff in the bungalow… wait… she is your mother…?”

Tears rolled down her face as she brought her mobile phone and showed him the old picture of her mother she had clicked and saved from her only photo album. “Here… this is my mother. Had you seen her before?”

KB stared at it wide eyed. “Kajal… I don’t know how to say this… Aunty was the only woman who ever cooked for me and gave me all the love I ever desired from my mother…She was there for me those few months and I didn’t miss my mother… she cooked for me… she patted my head whenever I was upset… Oh My God… Kajal… She is your mother?”

“Krish… that year or so before she left, she was barely at home. She always said she was going to help earn extra money… I never knew where she went or what she did… but my father had  a journal…” She then explained what she read. How her father suspected her aai of having an illicit affair. “…that means she had an… affair… with… your… father…?” She stared wide eyed, tears now flowing freely as she sobbed.

“Kajal… I don’t really know what happened then. I wasn’t that matured as well. My father was a womanizer… but your mother didn’t fit the bill of the kind of women he got home…. I really wish I could help you here… but from what I remember I never saw them together… I am… so sorry… it had to be like this…” he held her close as she wept.

She couldn’t even fathom the emotional swirls going through her heart at the moment. Was her life a façade? All that she believed her parents were… was that all a lie?

Later they were in the car on their slow way down the mountains as they made their way towards Mumbai. She sat at the back with KB holding her close as she rested her head on his chest and stared at the passing foliage…

The last couple of days had changed her life. But she was sure of two truths. First, her past was linked with KB and second, whatever the past held, she loved KB and nothing could change that.

Suddenly her phone buzzed. It was Ganpat kaka.

“Hello kaka….”

“Hello Kajal… there is good news beta… do you remember that ACP Pradhan I told you about? He was in charge of your aai’s case…”

“yes… yes kaka… he was to move to Mumbai.”

“He has and I got a chance to talk to him. He is interested in meeting you. I think we can get a lot of information from him. Call me when you reach Mumbai…”

After he hung up, she told KB about the call details. He held her close.

“I think this may be the breakthrough we need Kajal. I shall accompany you to see that ACP. Let’s tell him what we know. He may throw light on everything.”

Kajal nodded and prayed that everything would fall into place.

Closure was all she seeked

From betrayal and deceit, it reeked

Would she get the final resolution

Or would she grapple with lack of solution?

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

Mumbai

Ramanrao paced the confines of his bedroom. He stood at the bedroom as the call he awaited arrived.

“Yes…Ganpatrao bola…” he tried his best to sound casual.

“Saheb… Manohar’s daughter Kajal is on her way back. They will soon be here. I shall get her to your place ASAP….”

“I am looking forward too Ganpatrao. I think its long due.”

He heaved a sigh of relief. Finally, things fell in place. He saw his wife bent over a tiny shrubbery in the garden. Everything he had done so far was for her… he wanted to give her the best life possible.

A decade ago, things had gone awry. But no more. Things were picking pace now and soon he would have the final haul. He was set for life…

Kajal was a tiny stepping stone he needed…. Someone who could be easily sacrificed. First her parents and now it was her turn. The icing on the cake was she was KB’s wife… that Batra’s offspring was a major hurdle in his path.

He would soon kill two birds with a stone. KB and Kajal would indeed be together… in life and in death.

©priyagole

Chapter 31

The light falling on their eyes woke them up as they lay in a heap of tangled limbs. KB moved her stray lock of hair, interfering in her vision and she chuckled as he bent and kissed her forehead.

Kajal had never felt so revered before. Though she had been scared out of her wits, she had the best night of her life. More than anything, she confessed her love to him. She didn’t know what future held, but she wanted to revel in the newfound bliss at the moment. For once KB was relaxed too as he stared into her eyes with hooded expressions, his face gruff with a day-old stubble but she found it way too endearing.

“KB…?”

“…yeah…” He lazily drawled as he lay on his back, pulling her close to him, as she rested her head on his chest, her hand spread across his chest.

“Last night… it was terrifying… why do you think… I mean who do you think is after you? First the accident, which I doubt was one. Then that man in the hospital and now this… I shudder to think what would have happened if Mr. Mehta wouldn’t have been vigilant…” She hugged him tighter.

He rubbed her hand and paused for a while.

“Kajal… I am not sure about anything now, but it looks like my past is coming to haunt me. So unfortunately you are caught in this crap…” he spoke softly.

“KB stop that already. We are in this together… whatever it is. Last night you also had nightmares…. Want to talk about it? Then there are these injuries…unaccounted for…”

The moment the words were out she regretted it. KB slipped out and moved away. He sat up and picked up his shorts. She put on her robe quickly and rushed to him.

“Wait KB. I won’t insist if you aren’t comfortable. Just remember… I am here… right here. You can tell me anything, however bad it is.”

“Kajal… you won’t like what you hear… my past is dark. You may even despise me for it, and I wont be able to live with your hatred… so.”

“Krish, we all have pasts, alright? As far as you are concerned, I love you for the man you are right now. You are a man of integrity; you are the epitome of commitment. You are pure-hearted… and that matters to me. I know you care about me, and I am happy with that. I haven’t forgotten the truth of our marriage but I know in my heart that you are a genuine person, KB….”

“…kajal I… I don’t deserve all this. I don’t deserve you in my life.” He rubbed his face looking at the rain from their attached balcony.

“Krish, look at me…” She held his arm and turned him to face her. The distraught look on his face broke her heart. She palmed his face. “…Krish, just listen to me. You don’t know what you mean to me… when I said I love you, I meant every word of it. Something is intriguing about you, and I want to peel of those layers to reach your heart. You’re nothing that the media has portrayed you and I guess I know the reason to keep up a public image. Krish… I can see you are in pain and I only want to share it with you… But if you don’t want to talk about it I understand…”

“Kajal… I…”

“…It’s fine Krish… if it hurts to talk about it I understand. Just remember I am here anytime you want to…”

Before she could complete her statement, he hugged her, digging his head into her head breathing heavily. She hugged him back, patting him hoping to reduce his pain. If only he would reveal things to her. In one corner of her heart, she was scared about what he had hidden in his past but knew she loved him too much to let it affect anything.

They stood like that for a while after which they ordered room service. Then, after a heavy brunch, and ni respite in the rain, they sat next to each other in the little balcony enjoying the sprinkling of drops coming they way as it rained cats and dogs.

“Krish… I texted Mr. Mehta that we would start for Mumbai, after the rains subside a bit. Your driver has gone visiting his friends in the nearby village while mine is available. So we can leave together…” she knew she was rambling. “…You wont have to drive… don’t worry…”

“…Ten years ago…” KB interrupted. “…ten years ago I was in a major accident… I …I lost my friends and was the lone survivor. We were drunk to oblivion. That’s why I stay off alcohol, and I can’t… drive.” He spoke in a breath and bent forward, resting his elbows on his knees as he held his face in his palms.

She rubbed his back and felt him shudder. She knew there was a lot more than an accident.

“were their names Gyan and Ruhaan?” She asked.

He suddenly turned and looked up at her. “How… how do you know?”

“You took their names last night…”

There was silence again. “Kajal… it was that time of my life I want to forget. But…it seems my past doesn’t want to let go off me…”

“you mean to say there was something more to that accident?”

“I don’t know anything, Kajal… I was too sloshed… but it’s the period before that… before I came to live with my grandparents. My dad….” He rubbed his face and looked away.

There was a while of silence. She knew he needed time to compose himself.

“Kajal… let’s go inside, please?”

They sat inside on the couch, next to each other but he didn’t say a word. He just interlocked his fingers with her, lost in thought. She sat next to him, trying her best to stay calm, but the storm brewing in her to know more was driving her crazy.

They ordered food and spoke about mundane matters for a while, both aware of the elephant in the room. Finally, it was night and the rains, which had subsided a bit began lashing again. Kajal could see KB getting restless.

He started to pace the area. “Kajal… my father, I recently got to know… he wasn’t what I thought he was. I only thought he was busy and couldn’t give me time… but … he was a monster…” he rubbed his face for the nth time, and Kajal’s heart went out to him.

“…But Kajal I never had any doubt about his nefarious activities…. I swear… I loved him Kajal… he was my father after all. Mom had left us ages ago… He had a stream of women after that, but it never affected my feelings for that man. But now… I know what he was, and I can’t help but hate him…. Kajal, am I a monster too?” he turned towards her, his face stricken.

“Krish, you aren’t. If you were, then I wouldn’t be here with you. So far from it, you are an awesome and a caring human….”

Suddenly there was thunder bombarding the area and the power went off, plunging their room into darkness.

“Wait a moment Kajal… don’t get up. You may hurt yourself.”

She waited as she heard KB scampering and scrouging something in the dark. Before she could ask, there was a flick sound and she heard that music as the room filled with the glow of the lighter’s flame. KB came next to her and held up the ornately carved lighter.

“Krish this lighter…”

“…This is the only souvenir I have left of my dad… I don’t even have a picture since I had to leave the place immediately, and my grandfather saw to it that I had a clean break from my past… as if bonds could break that easily…”

“Krish, this lighter…” Kajal looked into his eyes. “…Did your father… um … I don’t know if I should ask this…”

“What…what is it, Kajal?”

“…I don’t know if it makes sense, but I think I have seen this lighter before…of course, there may be so many having this…”

“…No Kajal… only my dad had this… it was a gift to him from my mom, and she had designed it exclusively for him. For all his flaws, my dad had loved my mom, and he went berserk once she passed…” he suddenly looked back into her eyes. “…But where did you see this?”

“I only saw his hands. He had different rings on four of his fingers, and just below his sleeve, there was…this …” She gestured something.

“…Swatika tattoo?” he completed, and she nodded.

They looked at each other in the light of the lighter as he held it up.

“That means… Kajal…”

“… It was your dad… I saw that day years ago…. Krish, he was talking to my mother… and barely a week later, she disappeared…”

“Your mother…. She hasn’t been found?”

Kajal shook her head as she teared up. “Nothing… my dad passed away too after living a vegetative life for a decade… but he was already dead to the world after aai left us and… he lost it after he got the proof of her so-called infidelity….” She wiped the tears away and continued. “…So you see, Krish, we all have skeletons in our closet.”

He pulled her close to him as she dug his head into his chest. He shut the lighter, darkening the room as they sat next to each other with only the thunder and lightning for company.  

“I promise you, Kajal, I shall do everything in my capacity to find out about your mom and also the connection between her and my dad…”

Suddenly Kajal stiffened and moved behind. The lights were restored and she held up her hand, covering her mouth as she gasped.

“What…? What’s wrong Kajal?” A surprised KB asked.

“That accident ten years ago… were you coming from a party?”

She saw the blood drain out of KB’s face. “Ye… yes… it was my birthday party in a club.”

“Was that… accident… at a highway intersection… with the roof ….” She chocked

KB held her shoulders, tightening his grip. “…What… what do you know, Kajal?” His voice was hoarse and his eyes were filled with unshed tears.

“Krish… we have to meet Ganpat Kaka… my father’s subordinate when he was in the police. He said… my father wanted revenge… on your father… they were investigating him. I don’t know details or even if this is all true….It’s such a mess Krish…” she wailed.

“…and…?” KB’s grip on her shoulders tightened.

“…And I think my father… may have spiked your drinks that night….”

In Mumbai

Ramanrao Pradhan angrily paced along the huge expanse of his Mumbai Bungalow. He had just arrived a couple of weeks ago after retirement from the force. His wife was now busy in her online work and that’s what he wanted. For what he had in mind he couldn’t have her snooping around.

Everything was working just fine when the  news of the copy of the old ledgers being with KB had sprung up. So far KB hadn’t acted up but it wouldn’t be long before he found his dad had been murdered.  Ramanrao hadn’t reached this position by leaving loose ends. He had eliminated even a trace of suspicious being and here KB was the living proof of his old nemesis.

KB had already escaped two attempts on his life, and this third one was well planned and foolproof. But that bafoon Rafiq goofed up again. The security agency he had indirectly hired also had their men caught. But the police wouldn’t be able to do anything because the idiots were clueless and transactions were in cash directed through different ponzy accounts. So nothing would be traced back to him.

His phone buzzed. It was Rafiq. It looked like he had a clean escape.

“WHAT…?” He yelled into the speaker.

“Saabji… it was all fine. Just two minutes more and KB would have been dead and washed away….”

“…Then what the hell happened? Why did you fail?”

“Saabji, his wife landed up from nowhere…. It took me by surprise, and she had brought police along, so I had to run…”

“Come back to Mumbai and stay low….”

“Saabji, there is something you have to know.”

“What?”

“KB’s wife Kajal…”

“…What about her besides the fact that she had a one-up over you?” He was irritated.

“Saabji… she is Kajal Shinde. Manohar Shinde’s daughter…”

WHAT ?? He was stunned to silence. How could this happen?

The call ended, and he paced in the dark confines of the house, and as the grandfather’s clock chimed, he smiled wickedly as a plan formed in his mind. Why didn’t he think of this earlier?

He could kill two birds with a stone. So he decided to call Ganpat the first thing in the morning. His wife would be only too thrilled to hear from her old friend’s daughter. A friend who had ‘run away’ left her family and friend to be with another man and never returned.

What better way to know the enemy than by keeping it close…? He chuckled. Kajal would soon be coming home.

©priyagole

Chapter 30

Kajal sat on a chair next to the poster bed where KB lay, a pale form of his former self. Even though not conscious, he gripped her hand in his.

They had rushed him back to the resort, and the doctor had started the saline drips. He was talking about some detox too, and she signed in the permission—anything to rouse KB up from his incoherence. She had quickly changed into one of the resort robes, and KB had been flailing on the bed restlessly. She tried to steady his hand so that the IV wouldn’t come off, but he had gripped hers instead.

She teared up, wondering the kind of pain and anguish KB must be going through and probably for a long time.

The doctor roused ruthlessly from his sleep had suspected KB to be drugged, and Kajal had insisted on going back home as soon as he was OK to travel. But, the doctor had said, it would take a few hours for the drug to go off his system. Kajal was still on tenterhooks though the doctor had assured KB was OK.

There was another factor too. The doctor had pointed out to some injuries observed on KB’s body. Some seemed old, while some were new. He had only stared at Kajal, who was clueless and had looked away.

“It looks a lot more than physical injuries to me, Mrs. Batra….” The doctor had said softly. “…you may need to work on them. Take care.” He had then walked off.

Kajal pushed KBs t-shirt sleeve over his biceps and the purple bruise, like an armlet, stared back at her. Then, somewhere in his delirious sleepy state, he turned, still holding the stone grip on his hand. The blanket had come off, and his t-shirt moved. She was pulled closer to him, and even as she tried to straighten herself, in the dim night light, she saw marks on his back… she had witnessed them earlier too after his accident, but she was sure they were faint then. Now there were new ones. What the hell was happening…? Did he… did KB injure himself? Was he some whacko?

She had no option but to climb onto the bed next to him or risk her hand getting pulled out of its sockets. But as soon as she lay next to him, he came closer into her, and she hugged him, caressing his back till he fell into a blissful sleep. His grip on her palm also loosened, and she finally freed herself. She didn’t let go of contact, though. She knew she needed it as well… to be assured that he was fine. She sobbed silently into her pillow, dreading what she had witnessed in the dead of night. She had almost lost KB… again.

Though they now had the proper guards and the police were vigilant as well, she feared shutting her eyes.

Gradually fatigue overpowered her thought process, and she fell asleep.

Some sound woke her up… it was the early hours of dawn, but due to the incessant rains, it was dark outside. She heard muffled sounds. Still groggy, she looked around, and the events of the night sank in. She saw KB mutter something and moved closer.

“Gyan please yaar… drive slowly…. No… who is that…? Why do I see double… why am I flying alongside the car? Ruhaan are you awake buddy…. Watch Watch….WATCH OUT…GYAAN…RUHAAN…NOOOOO….NOOOO. KAJAL too? NO… Somebody help…” He screamed and whimpered.

Kajal held his hand. “Krish… wake up… you are here… I am here…we are all fine dear…”

KB suddenly woke up, his eyes wide, and he looked around, totally disoriented. He was breathing heavily. He turned towards Kajal and frowned. “Kajal…? You OK?”

“yes, Krish, I am absolutely fine… you are fine too”  She moved towards the other side and removed his IV the way the doctor had explained to her and rubbed the site before putting a band-aid on it.  

“Why Kajal….?” He spoke hoarsely

“Why what?” she was puzzled.

“Why did you want to jump? Was it so bad living with me…” KB teared up and looked away.

Her heart broke, and she went close to him. She held his hand.

“Krish… you were drugged, alright? I never… why would I jump? Don’t you ever think like that.”

“Drugged? How…?”He rubbed his face. “… Kajal… is it that bad?”

“Krish… you shouldn’t worry about all that and rest now…” She tried to assure him. But he was getting agitated.

“Kajal… please…is it …BAD?” His grip tightened, and she moved closer to him.

Holding his face with her other palm, she said, “Krish… just listen to me… I don’t know why you are thinking the way you do right now. I am happy and contented living with you and wouldn’t trade in anything else for this. I know ours is a… contract marriage and I am just your bride by chance, but then, I have never lived a full life like this before. Each day with you is fun despite the roller coaters… so why on earth would I want to give up all that?”

He stared at her even as a lone tear fell off the corner of his eyes, and she wiped it away.

“Kajal… I thought… I lost you too…”

She opened up her arms, and he went into them as she held him close, rubbing his back.

“I am not going anywhere Krish… and we will fight whatever this is, together. I promise you we will.”

He nodded into her shoulder even as he tightened his hold around her.

“but Krish…” she continued rubbing his back. “…there are things… I need to know… please let me in, dear…”

She felt him stiffen, and he released his hold. Then, she realized he was withdrawing again. She held his face in her palms.

“Krish, please… I know you are hurting… that was some nightmare you got there… Your face said it all. I have seen you hurt… I have felt your turmoil. Please, Krish, let me in. I saw those injuries, and last night the doctor saw them too… I saw the fresh ones on your back as well… so tell me, Krish… what’s all this about. I promise I won’t judge you. I only want to know you…that’s all.”

“let it go, Kajal it isn’t a rosy picture… just something from my past..”

“…A past that’s still haunting you, Krish. We are friends. I can vouch for the fact that all those articles about you on the internet are all a farce. I know it for sure. You aren’t the KB projected to the world… you are just Krish. A tender-hearted Krish.”

She saw his eyes filled and knew he was hurting like hell, but this was the only time she could pry information out of him. He sniffled his sobs away, swallowing heavily.

“Why Kajal? Why do you want to know my past? Why should you get embroiled in my mess… it’s way too dark, and it will put you off… you may start to dislike me… and…”

“…Krish…” She interrupted him. “… nothing that you tell me will ever make me dislike you. What ever the skeletons on your closet are.”

“Why Kajal…?”

“You still don’t know Krish?” At his clueless stare, she said. “…That’s because I love you Krish… Not KB the superstar but Krishiv Batra, the man with a golden heart who is a darling.” She blinked back tears.

His breathing became rapid as her words began to sink in, and he immediately held the back of her head and drew her closer. Then, barely looking at her for a second, he kissed her.

For the next minute or so they poured all they had into that kiss… all the weeks of pent-up emotions drowned in the process as they held each other closer and explored. His hands moved lower down her back, and he suddenly turned around, holding her.

She giggled as she fell on her back with him hovering above her, balancing himself on his arms on either side.

“Kajal, this is your last chance to escape… After that, I won’t be able to stop myself….”

“…Then don’t stop Krish….” She abruptly said, and his eyes filled with molten lava, and she wanted nothing more than to dissolve into their depths.

He moved his hand on her body covered by the flimsy robe, and she suddenly shivered due to the chill… or was it him? His hands halted at the loose knot at the center, and his gaze unwavering from her eyes, he untied it. The flaps fell open, revealing her. She hadn’t got time to pack, and her clothes now lay drying in the corner of the room. He stared at her as the tiny streaks of morning brightness penetrated through the shut windows despite the rain playing the perfect racket in the background.

“You are stunning, Kajal…” he whispered as he bent forward and kissed her forehead, her eyes, nose, pecked at her lips, the cleft in her chin, and moved towards her neck. She raised her chin, giving him the needed access gripping his biceps, and her hand moved to hold his head as he moved lover towards her valleys. Then, kissing her in between her bouncy globes, he took an erect nub into his mouth, and she felt the pooling of wetness in her secret apex.

His hand kneaded the other mound while he sucked at her and she found herself pulling him towards her further as her fingers ran their way in his dense hair.

He then moved on to the other bead seeking his keen attention, and she was already writhing in ecstacy. She heard some unclear speech and realized it came from her. Finishing his job there, he moved lower, kissing her naval and finally, when he reached her secret entrance, she held her thighs together. He chuckled as she felt his warm breath on her thighs. He slowly parted them and began to shower his kisses on her thighs. He started from the knee and moved downwards towards her wetness… She held her lower lip between her teeth.

Strangely she wasn’t scared and wanted him with a hunger she didn’t know existed. He took off his t-shirt and her eyes widened to see his well-toned body. She had seen in the pictures but the reality was way too good. His boxers followed next, and as his member sprang, out she wondered if he would fit into her.

He inserted his finger into her wetness even as he stared into her eyes and smiled… she was a goner. He then inserted his other finger, and she lifted her hips, unable to take it any more. He then moved her thighs apart and bent closer to her holding her hands above her head.

“Kajal darling… it’s your first time, isn’t it?”

She must have nodded through her fugue as he continued. “…It would pain a little, but I promise to make it an experience worthwhile.”

She already felt the trembles in the lower abdomen as his hard length began it ascent… there was a tiny prick, but she saw him clench his jaw as he controlled himself not to hurt her, and her eyes filled. The moment he passed the barrier and filled her to the brim she saw him teary as well and she rubbed his arms as he maintained his balance. That was all the permission he needed as he moved slightly out and slammed back inside… barely a few strokes, and she saw stars before her eyes as her insides clenched around him. He bent down and kissed her hard, holding her hands again and increasing the rocking movements of his body.

She felt him stiffen further as he grunted her name into her mouth as she got filled with his warmth.

He fell on her but immediately turned her around into his arms, and they lay limbs entangled breathing down from their pinnacles of ecstatical sojourn.

The music winnowing from the nature at play

Their passion laden with trust will no more go astray…

©priyagole

Chapter 29

KB stared at the guards. They looked like oversized idiots. He had asked one of them to order a cup of coffee for him, but he stood still, not budging from outside his room, where they kept a watch in turns. The heavy rains had caused a landslide in their location, and the unit members were working to check if the place was risky. But, unfortunately, the downpour had caused the network to crash, and he couldn’t talk to anyone… especially Kajal.

Ever since they had reached here late last night, he wanted to speak with her. She would be worried too if he had got safely or not. He smiled as he lay on the double bed in his given room in this resort. It was a beautiful one on the ground floor overlooking the swimming pool and a little outside, he could see the beautiful valley spread before him.

He wanted to call Mr. Mehta regarding the dimwitted guards. It didn’t appear that they were guarding him but more like he was under house arrest. They had refused to let him out unless for shooting and called it ‘dangerous’. He was now restless… mainly because he couldn’t speak to Kajal. The woman calmed him down with her sheer presence. And after they had just gotten back their camaraderie, he wanted to hear her…

He took some of the chivda in a paper plate. Kajal had prepared it yesterday for him using minimal oil, considering his diet. He wasn’t hungry but munched on it because it gave him a sense of being close to her. Despite Hetal doing his bidding effortlessly, it made no dent in Kajal’s trust. What was he thinking? Kajal was naïve at some matters she was a wise woman. It thrilled him no end that she trusted him.

He wanted to open up to her… tell her about his past. Tell her about the injuries on his body,.. about his strange hobby. He almost did last night but held back. What if she resented him?

He opened his phone gallery and saw their picture clicked on the day of his engagement. Kajal looked radiant and happy. He held the phone close to him, and as he remembered the kiss form two nights ago, he hardened…Freak if someone saw him now, they would think he was a horny asshole. But all he wanted was Kajal. He never wanted anyone more than her…

How was he going to spend a week here without Kajal? He had been on so many outdoor shoots but never had missed anyone with a vengeance.

Glazing out of the cold glass gleams

The fog and mist bursting at their seams

He wanted her with an ardor unmatched

He could no longer remain detached…

He didn’t know when he had slept off, given that he barely slept the last few nights. Then, he was jarred awake by the banging on his door. He rubbed his face and answered it.

“Hello sir, I am the Assistant Director for today. We are ready. The area is now safe to shoot and the rainfall is also contained. There is no sign that it will pour heavily now to get a couple of scenes done. Those are your single shots, and tomorrow onwards the heroine will join us…” the man panted, dancing the rim of glasses on his slippery nose. It reminded of the occasionally worn glasses by Kajal which kept slipping down her nose. He chuckled even as the AD stared at him.

“Fine, I will be ready in ten minutes.” He walked inside to get dressed.

The shooting location was on a hilltop and within walking distance from the resort. The area had been cordoned off to prevent locals enthusiastic about the ongoing shoot. There were some tourists too who waited outside the resort gates and hooted as KB walked out. He smiled and waved to them as he moved, the four bodyguards surrounding him. Like the four walls but instead of feeling protected, he felt claustrophobic.

He reached the cliff where they had built up a tent for him, and he sat on the chair as they arranged the shot process. He had to walk up to the railing and cry for his lost love, who had fallen from the cliff years ago… he gave two shots but was asked to reshoot since the director felt he couldn’t bring out the emotion.

He sat in his tent and one of the guards got him a fruit punch. He had it but felt the taste a bit weird… these people should hire a good chef, he thought. He again gave a few retakes, and finally after hours the shot got finalized not before he felt hoarse from screaming over the whistling of the breeze and the dizziness that made his waver with the directionless wind.

He almost fell flat on his face, the ground being slippery. Still, suddenly he felt very light-headed as if he was floating in air… occasionally the vision blurring… was it because of the rain that the valley appeared in pairs before his eyes?

The crew was dismissed and he was escorted back to the resort… it was early evening but it appeared like it was dusk already and the temperature had started to fall briskly.

He was served snacks in his room and a glass of sweet lime juice. Where was his coffee… these bunch of morons didn’t seem to do their jobs? The resort guys weren’t allowed close to him and the guards seemed to be clueless… Nonetheless, he was now getting drowsy, probably the effect of sleepless nights still lingering.

He had the snack and juice, and before he knew he was fast asleep… for the second time in six hours.

‘KB you need to be awake’

‘your Kajal is going to jump off the cliff’

‘She is going to end her life.’

‘You need to save her.’

 He jolted awake, sweating profusely. But the world swam before his eyes… he sat up even as the voices continued.

“Help her KB…. She is at the cliff.’

‘You will regret if she falls off… only you can save her.’

His eyes fell on the clock… it was 2 AM. What was Kajal doing here?

‘She has come for you but is fed up…’

‘She is going to end her life’

‘You need to hurry, KB’

He wasn’t hallucinating, was he? Oh, God… Kajal. NO… he couldn’t lose her. He had to stop her else he wouldn’t be able to live with the guilt. He stumbled towards the door, and surprisingly it was open.

He tried to put his feet one before the other as the ground played pranks with him. The roads were swaying so were the dark shrubbery. But he was a man with a mission. He would save Kajal….he would save her.

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

Kajal rechecked the watch as they climbed the slope towards the resort she was told KB was. The real guards were close on her heels, and in no time they would be there. It was 2.15 AM and it had taken them fast driving to reach from Mumbai.

Oh Bappa, protect KB, please. Let him be safe… she prayed with sincere fervor. She pulled her stole closer to her body, trying to battle the chill.

The car stopped, and she, along with the driver, rushed towards the resort reception. They were directed towards KB’s room, but there was no one, and the door was open. Panic set in as she frantically screamed.

“KB?…KRISH…. where are you?” She ran across the corridor with the driver in tow, and by now, the guards had also reached. The entire perimeter of the resort was now brightly lit as the staff all pooled out.

She saw a burly man come forward towards her.

“Hello ma’am, I am from KB sir’s security. He was drunk and he left the resort some time ago. The other two guards are with him so you don’t have to worry.”

Kajal walked upto him. “Who the hell are you? You weren’t the security for KB… these men are. So who on earth are you, and where is KB?” She pointed towards the guards running around the premises.

“Ma’am, KB sir just walked out he was heavily sloshed… he must have drunk a lot…” the guard stuttered as the real guards closed in on him.

“Shut the hell up… KB DOESN’T DRINK…. Tell me the truth. WHERE IS HE….?”

Just then, a vehicle came in, and Kajal immediately knew it was the police despite them being in plain clothes. She saw the fake guard grimace, fear evident on his face.

The policemen walked towards her.

“Hello, Miss Kajal… I am Sub Inspector Khairnar. Ganpat Bhau had sent the message which reached us late because of the network crash. What is it?”

“Sir, ask him where KB is.. they have taken him somewhere…”

The policeman named Khairnar held the fake guard collar and raised his hand to hit him when the man blurted out. “Wait… please… don’t… KB walked towards the cliff… the shooting location…he was drunk…”

“KB NEVER DRINKS… LET ME WARN YOU FOR ONE LAST TIME… IF SOMETHING HAPPENS TO HIM, I WILL KILL YOU ALL….” Kajal screamed and rushed towards the exit with the driver and the guards while Khairnar used his walkie-talkie to alert patrol to move towards the cliff. They bundled the fake guard into the jeep.

It began to rain slightly, and Kajal ran her feet, sinking in slush, slowing her down. But she didn’t care… All she wanted was to see KB safe.  She was drenched, but though she had a low cold tolerance today, she felt nothing… the occasional streaks of lightning breaking through the shrubbery on the way leading to the cliff lighted up the pathway and soon she approached the cliff. The driver was close on heels, and the guards had spread out across the area to see for alternate paths.

 The rains began to lash, and she screamed.

“KRISH ARE YOU THERE? DON’T WORRY… WE ARE HERE TO GET YOU…JUST HANG IN THERE.”

There was no response, and she wailed roughly, brushing aside her tears blending with the rainwater. Finally, the driver saw another tiny pathway and took it up while she decided to go straight ahead… something her gut feeling told her. She still had a meter more to cover and her legs gave away as she sank into the dark mud. Frustration and desperation crept up her spine as she wondered if KB was OK.

Suddenly she heard a faint sound… in the lashing downpour. She strained her ears.

“Kajal… don’t leave me, please…”

It was KB. Adrenaline pumping, she pulled herself up and rushed further ahead and reached the top of the cliff and what she saw pulled the ground beneath her feet.

KB stood precariously close to the edge flailing his hands in the air.

“Kajal, don’t do this… Please come back to me… I need you in my life… please don’t go… I am sorry for everything… please…”

What was KB saying and why? Then, before she could fathom or move, she saw a shadow emerge from the side shrubbery and move towards KB as if he would push him.

NO… NO…NO…

She rushed as far as her legs could take her and saw a tree branch lying in the mud. She picked it up and moved towards the man stealthily approaching KB.

“Stop right there…” She screamed, and the man stood still. KB, however, continued his tirade. She immediately knew something was wrong. She raised her stick and heard footsteps behind her. Scared, she turned and saw the driver and one of the guards rush towards her.

The perp immediately got back into the shadows and disappeared while the guard ran after him. She rushed towards KB and pulled him behind.

“Wait… my Kajal is dying… I have to save her…” he yelled into the fog and rain.

“KB…Krish…I am fine… I am right here” she frantically pulled him, the driver also joining her pulling KB holding his other hand. They dragged him behind, and he fell into the mud, crying like a baby.

“My Kajal is gone….She left me…”

Kajal helped him sit and held his face in her palms. “Krish, look at me…” KB finally stopped flailing his limbs and focused on her. She immediately knew something was amiss. The police reached there, and she asked them to arrange for a doctor.

SI Khairnar shone the torch on them, and it was then KB started at her, finally registering it was her. He was panting and muttering something about losing her.

“Krish it’s me…Kajal… right here, right next to you. Do you hear me?” Kajal spoke with the effort her voice now hoarse.

KB’s facial expressions changed, and he pulled her close as he hugged her. “Thank God you didn’t jump Kajal…Thank God… I love you so much… don’t leave me Kajal… please…”

Happy tears streamed down her cheeks, the rain washing it away, and as she held him close, she didn’t bother who all were watching them…she had a feeling she had arrived home. Finally…

The lightning forks of pain no longer exist

Togetherness brought the balm they couldn’t resist.

©priyagole

Chapter 28

Two days had passed ever since he argued with Kajal, and she hadn’t spoken a word with him. He missed having her around, her banter. She worked late, and whenever she arrived, she went straight into her room. She saw to it that there was food for him and always kept it ready in the microwave. He only had to heat it up before having. He was touched that despite their differences, she went about her duties.

How he wished he could talk to her, share his day with her, his turmoil with her. Mr. Mehta warned him he might be in danger because of his father’s history with the criminal syndicate. His bodyguards were vigilant, and so far, there was nothing suspicious around him. He was to leave in three days to Mahabaleshwar for a week-long shoot and hence had taken a break. He still had to recover completely after the accident.

He still felt weak and lost his balance occasionally. Last evening, he had a bout of giddiness and grasped the table in time, and Kajal emerged out of her room. He thought she hadn’t seen, but this morning when he came out for breakfast, he found her special ‘kaadha’ placed strategically near his plate. Kajal was observant, and she knew what was on his mind without him telling her. He wished for their old camaraderie but knew it would only complicate matters.

Her driver gave him regular updates whenever she reached her workplace and just before they left. He was glad the driver kept an eye on her outside the house, just in case.

This morning, Kajal had kept vegetable parathas with a salad bowl ready for him when he was up from restless sleep filled with nightmares. Her concern for him touched him, and he wished he could make her happy. But again, he knew it would be difficult for him to control himself, and she would give in too. That could not happen….

Later in the morning, he walked into the special room… the entire shooting required him to be covered fully, and he knew the right places he could use now.

He had received a new package some days ago that he had ordered months before. He tore open the package, and it revealed a straped suit. He wasted no time in binding himself by it on his bare body. It mainly covered his arms and thighs, so it was safer given his accident repercussions.

He walked towards the corner platform where he had installed a tilted candle stand which now held a candle. He lay below on the rexin mattress but lit the candle before that. He hooked the strap ends to the corners of the rexin mattress, that he had got customized last month in anticipation for this. He pressed the remote button, which caused the matress to bend, and his limbs got stretched, sending a bout of pain as the leather straps bit into his skin. Simultaneously the melted wax fell on his bare back, causing the skin to redden. The candle stand moved sideways, and the hot wax drops kept falling on him, along with the straps tightening with every passing movement.

As the pain crossed his thresholds, springing up tears, he remembered his beautiful brown-eyed angel and instantly hardened. The strap around his member now tightened in the area dug into his soft skin right there.

Suddenly there was a loud sound of the door being shut outside, and he immediately shut the controls using the remote. The rexin matress came back to its original state, and the candle stand straightened. He quickly unstrapped the belts and threw them on the bed. He looked into the mirror to see a few reddened welts form on his arms and thighs and immediately threw a robe he had ready. Knotting the robe, he walked out of the special room even as his skin throbbed, and he wanted nothing but to go into his room and give in to sleep that eluded him.

He came to a sudden halt on the stairs as Kajal emerged from her room.

“When… when did you get back?” he asked.

“I just came … got work home since Ashwin sir is on leave today and many other senior writers are busy with their projects…. So I … I have somethings to work on… so…” Kajal spoke, looking all over the place and fidgeted with her fingers.

A strange, awkward silence stretched between them.

He decided to go to his room and began his descent. But suddenly, the weakness he had been experiencing shot up right then, and he lost his balance. There were only three steps, and he sat on the last one with a thud.

Kajal rushed towards him.

“What happened, KB? Are you OK? I know something hasn’t been fine with you…” She sounded frantic, and he wanted to just escape from there, but his body didn’t support him.

Kajal rushed to the dining and quickly prepared glucon D for him. She helped him with a couple of sips, and he began to feel better. But he knew it had to do with her more than anything else… She was his elixir.

She helped him stand and they walked to his bedroom. She helped him lie on the bed and covered him.

“Rest up a bit. I shall prepare lunch and come for you. You haven’t been eating well these days… you have lost weight too KB…” She said softly. “…And you shouldn’t drink so much…”

Now, where did that come from? Was she still annoyed with the other night…? Did she think he drank alcohol?

“I… don’t drink Kajal.”

“What? Really?” Kajal’s tone was sarcastic.

“I don’t drink …. Not done since last decade.” He shut his eyes, the pain taking over everything else.

“KB, go to sleep. I shall call for you in a couple of hours… OK?”

He only nodded and she left the room.

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

What the hell was happening? Kajal wondered as she emerged out of his room. She was no longer angry with KB. She didn’t know why that night happened, but something told her it wasn’t the real KB at all.

There was something upstairs where she was forbidden to go. But curiosity got the better of her… what was there? KB had just come downstairs, and he wasn’t looking good at all… it was not sickness for sure. KB was in physical discomfort. But why?

As she prepared lunch, she couldn’t help but think about different possibilities; She couldn’t be so wrong in judging people. She knew in her heart KB wasn’t a bad guy… probably, the carefree moments they shared during his recovery were the real him. She wished she could go back to those days… She wanted to feel that kiss… NO, she wouldn’t go there.

As she prepared the next chapati, she vowed to find out what ailed him.

The following three days passed uneventfully, and though they weren’t back to their old camaraderie, at least they were talking. She saw to it that KB had regular food and checked by texting him. To her delight, he also replied with tiny emojis. She found herself smiling more…. He had told her he was leaving for Mahabaleshwar for a week tomorrow.

She wondered how she would spend time alone at home… she would miss him for sure. His commentary on the ongoing IPL for instance. She didn’t follow the cricket, but his worldly knowledge on players, along with the sarcasm on their performances, cracked her up. She loved the last two nights she spent before the TV with her laptop and he sitting on the adjacent couch surfing channels. They did that till she retired to bed. She hoped in vain that he would want to come to her room sometime… she could feel some of the vibes between them… some kind of a current…

Tonight, as she laid a special spread for him consisting of his favorite fish curry and Jowar Bhakri, she looked forwards to another funfilled evening before the idiot box.

“This is amazing, Kajal… you are a fantastic cook… I have to watch how much I eat though, I cant gain more weight.

“No, you won’t KB… don’t worry…”

“So Kajal… hows it is going at work…?” He asked suddenly.

“It’s good… I am enjoying writing, and Ashwin ji is a great mentor. Rugved sir also has been very supportive and forgives the mistakes I make…” She smiled, thinking of a few blatant errors in her script, which Rugved sir forgave and smiled them away to the utmost annoyance of Ashwin ji.

KB also shared some details of his upcoming shoots and how he had a couple of song sequences. He was supposed to play the role of a drunk lover walking towards the cliff searching for his lost love… KB cracked jokes on the role and mimicked the director…. Leaving Kajal in splits.

Later since there was no match that night, they decided to catch up on KB’s old TV serial re-run. Kajal remembered her maami and Poonam would wait for the soap every day, and for months the plot was a hot topic of discussion in her neighborhood. She was never interested though… but today, she loved watching as KB regaled her with anecdotes during the shoot.

The scene before them involved lifting the heroine after she had slipped and fallen on the wet floor. The woman was heavy, and Kajal wondered how he lifted her to which he demonstrated how they used a table and only had to touch the woman and walk while they wheeled the table ahead. The table was covered in green and the light tricks were later used to eliminate its presence.

“Do you know Kajal… why we needed retakes for this simple scene…?”

“No… why?”

“Because before the heroine, I fell on that floor…”

Kajal couldn’t stop laughing and he joined her as well, and she didn’t realize when they came close to each other on the couch. Suddenly she stopped laughing and straightened up. KB lay slanted on the couch watching her with hooded eyes and a strange expression on his face…

She smiled and looked away. “Um… I think we should retire to bed… you have to travel tomorrow night… so rest up…”

“Kajal…?”

“Wha… what KB?”

“Will you… uh… can I … I… forget it. Good night…” he abruptly stood to leave, but she held his hand.

“What is it KB… you know you can tell me. I won’t judge you…whatever it is…”

He rubbed his face and looked away, trying to weasel out of her hold. But she moved closer to him. Finally, she held his hand between her palms.

“KB… Krish… what is it you wanted?” she asked softly.

The lock of hair had fallen on his forehead, and at the moment, he seemed so endearing…

“Kajal…” he whispered. “…can I… can I kiss you?” the last words were barely audible, but she loved them nonetheless.

She didn’t reply but held his face in her palms and stood on her toes, placing a  peck on his lips. He wasted no time in holding the back of her head as he bent down to claim her lips. With his other hand, he pulled her close, and she snaked her arms around his neck.

He devoured her lips, pulling her tightly towards him. Finally, she gave in too… it was like. His tongue had a mind of its own as it explored her mouth, She tasted the custard he had for dessert on his tongue, and that made her toes curl… the special sensation in her abdomen that she felt a couple of times before also began to surface and she wanted this to go on. He took her lower lip lightly between his teeth, and she gasped as she felt his member poke her stomach.

He broke the kiss and placed his forehead on hers, breathing heavily as she felt his warm breath on her face.

“Kajal… if we continue this a little more, then I won’t be able to control myself…” he whispered and placed a light kiss on her nose and began to move apart.

“… Then Krish… don’t control it…”She didn’t release her hands and pulled him closer.

He chuckled and held her hands as he got them to the front before him. He kissed her knuckles taking his own sweet time, and she thought she would die and go to heaven right then…

“Kajal… there are many things you don’t know about me… I.. can’t do this to you…Let’s go to sleep… I have to finish some work tomorrow morning, and you have to go to work as well.” He kissed her forehead once again and walked into his bedroom.

Kajal stood there touching her lips with her trembling hands… what just happened? Everything was so beautiful, and then suddenly KB withdrew yet again…

She shook her head. It was a matter of one week and after he returned, she would take the lead. KB had to take her into confidence and tell her what was ailing him… so much that he forced himself away from her?

The next day flew in a blur. She was at work when she got a text from KB that he was leaving for Mahabaleshwar and that the bodyguards were following him. Mr. Mehta was with him in his vehicle and he had taken the snacks she had packed as well… the emojis followed and the vision blurred as her eyes filled. She was missing him already.

That night she spent a restless one in bed. All alone in the house… but it didn’t scare her. She realized she was missing KB like hell. Though they slept apart, he was right across the door, and it meant a lot. It was early morning when she finally slept off.

She was late for work that morning and Ashwin ji raised an eyebrow but didn’t say anything as she had been up to date with her work. Rugved sir was away for a couple of days and the in charge in his absence was assigning the work to the departments along with the deadlines.

Her mobile buzzed with an incoming text….it was Mr. Mehta. Surprising.

‘Kajal madam, please come to the reception… I am waiting.’

What? He didn’t go to Mahabaleshwar with KB? She didn’t wait to ask for permission but just rushed downstairs. A pensive-looking Mr. Mehta paced the reception between the crowd gathered. Then, he walked swiftly towards her.

“What is it Mr. Mehta? I thought you were with KB…”

“…I was, but my wife had a fall in the bathroom, and she is admitted to the hospital with a fractured leg. My little son is all alone, so KB sir asked me to alight when we reached Khopoli….”

“Oh Ok… then… do you need some help? In the hospital…?” Kajal couldn’t make out why the man was here. He was the most efficient person she knew.

“…Its KB, sir I am worried about. He isn’t answering his phone, and the bodyguards I had assigned were not the ones who followed us. They are still in Mumbai… I don’t know how the discrepancy happened… but it worries me, Kajal madam… the guys who went aren’t from the agency, and I can’t even contact the police without any evidence…But given what has happened…” Mr, Mehta looked worried, and Kajals heart pounded.

“… is KB fine…? Is he in danger?” The vision of the attacker in all black in the hospital room scared her. If they could cross the security barrier in the hospital, they could… Oh God.

“Mr. Mehta… I am leaving for Mahabaleshwar immediately. I will talk to Ganpat kaka… in the police and see what he can do… can I have the address?”

A relieved Mr. Mehta texted her and spoke to the driver to get the car ready even as she got into the elevator to get her things from the office. She knew Ashwinji would be crossed with her, but now all that mattered was KB and his safety.

Later as the car zoomed it’s way towards Mahabaleshwar, Kajal spoke to Ganpat kaka, who promised to update some of his friends in the police in Mahabaleshwar. He told her that there was a network outage due to heavy rains in Mahabaleshwar so she could relax.

But Kajal was far from relaxed… she hoped and prayed.

“KB…Krish… sweetheart… stay safe, please… I love you…” She whispered as tears streamed down her face.

©priyagole

Chapter 27

Kajal stepped into the vast foyer of Sharanya Productions. It was the first day of her job here. They had been kind enough to consider her appearing later for her exams. She walked towards the reception, where a temporary ID card was issued to her. Waiting for the formality to be done regarding that, she looked at her silhouette on the finely polished tiles adorning the wall behind. She was dressed in a pearl-colored salwar kameez with intricate sari work hugging her curves; the onion-colored dupatta was what had attracted her to this outfit. KB had insisted she revamp her wardrobe, given that she had to keep up the appearance of being a superstar’s wife.

She received the ID and made her way to the fifth floor, where the writer’s wing lay. After completing the HR formalities, she waited in her little cubicle as she was allotted a laptop. She had an hour since Ashwin Aacharya the lead writer she was to assist, was in an important meeting. She browsed through a few documents given to her the cacophony of the typing keys, but everything blurred before her eyes as she stared at the screen without scrolling down.

It was two weeks since they had been tied in sacred matrimony, and KB had barely spoken with her let alone spend time. He had never been home that first week. She had kept herself busy by dusting and mopping the furniture and cooking despite the surprised housekeeper visiting them twice. She had planted some more plans along the window and the drawing room was now redolent with the fragrance of certain flowering buds. She also read a lot in his enormous library. She never ventured upstairs but the curiosity never left her.

His cast had come off a couple of days ago and he had resumed shooting his serial. The Mahabaleshwar schedule that was missed was to come up next week and she was glad she now had the job to keep her occupied. She didn’t know what to make of the enigma called her ‘husband’, but it was heartbreaking every time she saw him going miles avoiding her. She often cried herself to sleep. She knew this was a marriage only in name but the fact that she had fallen head over heels for him didn’t change anything… it was way too painful.

Blinking back tears, she got back to her work. If people here knew about her no one asked. These people were used to celebrities hovering around the place so their reaction wasn’t surprising. KB had insisted she take the car and had arranged a driver for her. She decided to learn driving at the earliest so she could be independent in that area. By the time the year got over and they separated she wanted to be a full-fledged career woman with a degree in tow. Then, hopefully, she could apply to her dream university abroad after settling Krunal.

Despite everything, her heart fell… Right then, Ashwin Acharya walked in and called for a team meet. As she settled into her work, she realized it would be a long day… something she was looking forward to.

Later that evening, after a fruitful first day at work she walked into the house to blaring music. What the hell?

She saw a few people gathered and the chandelier on in full glory as they danced and laughed. She saw some of them consume what appeared to be liquor. She frowned as she walked in and it was then she realized KB’s condition the day their marriage was fixed. So this is what he meant. Finally, the man was showing his true colours. The cast was out and he was back to his flamboyant self. She was a fool to think of anything else… Speaking of which, where the hell was he?

Her question was answered when she passed the main part of the drawing-room. To her utmost annoyance, her plants were pushed to a corner along with the furniture now covered by coats and bags while they danced and in one corner, she saw KB dance with his arms on Hetal’s hips as she gyrated to the music a bit too close to Kajal’s dismay. She wanted nothing more than to slap the daylights out of the wanton woman but what could she do if her husband forgot his vows?

Blinking back tears, she rushed into her room, closing it shut, wondering if those gathered there knew about the reality of her relationship with her husband. The party went on late and Kajal was troubled by the rock music seeping through the shut doors and it irritated her no end. She had just been out a little while ago to catch up on a quick dinner she had kept for herself in the fridge when she had seen the crowd had thinned out but KB and Hetal were still stuck to each other like glue.

The music levels reduced suddenly but didn’t stop, and she now wondered what they were up to. Shutting down her laptop after being unable to get any work done, she rushed outside guns blazing. To her surprise, two guys were sprawled on the couch glued to their mobiles and she saw Hetal hovering around KB holding his arm as she forced him to try out a few dance steps. Kajal stomped to the music system and pulled out the plugs from their respective creaking sockets, plunging the place into sudden silence.

KB and Hetal walked towards her as she stood with hands folded near her chest, panting in anger.

“What the fuck, Kajal?” KB spoke in the same lethal voice he had used on the first day with her after the press debacle.

“I should be asking you that, KB…” she intentionally didn’t use his name. It meant nothing anymore.

Hetal moved closer and spoke. “…Chill Kajal. We are just winding up after a tiring day…”

“Winding up… my foot. You are just causing a nuisance around here… you ruined my plants, and look at the condition of this place… it reeks of junk food and booze…”

“Kajal…I had told you to stay away…” KB continued in the same voice, and she lost it.

“I am not interested in your rendezvous here…this is your home, and you are free to do as you wish… but don’t forget I live here too, and I am disturbed. As for you, young lady…” She turned towards Hetal. “… you should realize that you are no longer an arm candy. This man here is my husband. Why don’t you find someone of your ilk to get close to now?”

“How dare you talk to me like that?” Hetal’s eyes blazed.

“You deserve it, Miss. When you get close to married men… I don’t know how normal it is in your high society, but from where I come from, there is a name given to such women although the man is equally responsible…” She glared at a stunned KB and continued. “…There wasn’t a single lady around today here ever since I came, and its way past 1AM… that makes it 5 hours… 5 goddamn hours you have been sticking to each other…and the responsibility of maintaining marital boundaries aren’t restricted to the woman alone. So both of you stop your frolicking and please maintain some calm… I need to rest. There is a life beyond booze and partying on a working night…” She turned to leave.

“Kajal, stop right there.” KB’s loud voice bellowed into the silent night. Kajal turned around with her heart thudding. Her bravado gathered was long gone.

“How dare you insult my guests… apologize to Hetal right now…” he glared at her.

Tears filled her eyes as she struggled to retain her composure. “Forget it KB… I care a damn if she feels insulted or not… she knows that she is wrong, and so are you. If anyone here deserves an apology, here its me…” She stood hands on her hips.

The two men who were watching the fun so far suddenly realized it was going too far, and they stood up, picking up their jackets and bags and one of them pulled Hetal along as she reluctantly left.

“FUCK you all…” Hetal screamed as she banged the door shut, the noise vibrating through their walls.

Kajal turned to go back to her room when KB held her hand and pulled her back, turning her to face him.

“Looks like you have forgotten this isn’t a real marriage, so stop acting like my wife. I had warned you right from day one to stay out of my business and I will stay out of yours. So this is my last warning to you… don’t forget we both stand to lose a lot if your drama goes public. Baring Hetal, no one here knew about our marriage contract… what if it would have gone viral?”

She tried her best to control herself. “In that case, KB, you should be careful as well. What would they say watching you dance with a woman who is not your wife? Aren’t you worried about that getting viral?”

“That’s the way my life has always been… don’t you know about my reputation? I am a woman’s man Kajal… so for the last time, stay away. Complete a year in silence and then we can go our respective ways….” He walked out of place, leaving her in her muddle of sorrow.

One year? This first month was in itself getting tedious by the day. How on earth was she going to last…. She clenched her betraying heart; she wanted to hate the guy for torturing her but couldn’t seem to get herself to do it.

Dreams once envisioned are all in tatters

Retaining her sanity is all that matters.

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

KB rushed into his room, shutting the door, and slipped to the floor along its length. He rubbed his face as he breathed heavily. He knew he had gone the extra mile today and Hetal… God bless the lady. She had been a true friend and helped him in his ruse.

He had tried all other means in these two weeks but in vain. He was in love with her, and every little thing Kajal did for him or the house was taking him dangerously closer to her. That couldn’t happen. He looked up with vision blurring with unshed tears at the old picture of him with his friends a day before that fateful night years ago. He had kept that one framed picture to remind himself he was living their share of life. Something he didn’t deserve at all…

He couldn’t enjoy a happy married life, couldn’t fall in love… he had agreed to contract marriage for the same reason. But, he had never expected to fall in love out of the blue and further not expected Kajal to be the bride by chance!

This was so painful. Kajal must be hurting as well. She should be hating him by now. He sincerely hoped so… he couldn’t destroy another life. But, Mr. Mehta who was affected by Raj’s murder was digging deep and things appeared murkier than just a coincidence. His past was dark, not just from the decade-old accident but also from his father’s deeds. What was his father involved in? And why did it come to haunt him after all these years?

It meant he was in danger and by association Kajal would be too. The estate had good security and he wasn’t worried about his ajji and had arranged a driver for Kajal, who was a bodyguard. No use scaring her. And finally, Subodh mama… he wondered how the weasel fit into the scheme of things.

Whatever it was, he would do anything to protect the woman he loved, even if he had to let go of her and face her hatred for the rest of his life.

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

Meanwhile at Dongri

Rafiq plopped on the hard concrete seat in the garden with one leg folded up. Every movement caused pain in the joints… he wasn’t young anymore, and the years of physical labor were taking their toll. The place looked eerie at night, and he could see a few red glows and smokes emanating from the bushes. This was famous as a drug zone or soliciting for those who couldn’t afford Madam’s brothel.

He smoked a joint his neighbor Kader had given him earlier. The moron didn’t know Rafiq had fucked his wife behind him. The fat hag was a poor consolation for calming his libido left undone by Chameli. He would get back at that bitch soon. She would know what it was to insult him.

He was to meet some Subodh Deshmukh, apparently a relative of the target. He wondered how easy it was to betray your kith and kin. He wouldn’t know since he was an orphan but he had been loyal to Saabji for two decades now. He had received blows, beatings, bled, jailed and tortured. He had endured it all only for Saabji. He had even done the two-bit household chores for the older man and his mentally unstable wife but then the payout was good and his life was easy. This Subodh guy sounded like a crook and Rafiq could identify one anywhere. He knew he had to be alert as well. And this time he couldn’t let down Saabji.

He was a bike come to a halt near the garden’s exit, with a loud roar. Rafiq cringed. Why was the idiot publicizing? What if there are cops around? No one usually came to the stinky place since they didn’t get any hafta here. The uniforms only made rounds of the brothel and madam treated them well to look the other way. He had proof to bring them all down.

The man walked holding a handkerchief to his nose and Rafiq waved to him.

“So, you are Rafiq?” the man asked.

“Yes sir… I wanted the schedule…”

“Yes… yes…” The man spoke through the handkerchief. “…here in Mumbai, he had guards all the time. The home is guarded too. But next week, he is off to Mahabaleshwar for a shoot and that will be a golden opportunity. I have found out the shooting of a particular scene is on the mountain tip and there is a tiny railing. I have spoken to someone who will give you entry as a light man there… they are short on workforce and will willingly take you in. All you have to do is arrange an accident. So just be ready and don’t mess this up. Here are the tickets and a motel detail where you will stay. Here is cash for all payments. And here is the ID I got made for you…and … do not contact me. When you finish the job, go back to the motel and wait for further instructions” The man turned and left.

Rafiq peeped into the envelope with the wad of cash. Peanuts yet again, he huffed. He was just waiting. What did Saabji think? Would he be twiddling his thumbs? He had proof of all the nefarious activities and Saabji’s involvement in the same.

He smiled… his time would come soon!

©priyagole

Chapter 26

The marigold fragrance wafted into her autopilot senses, the mogra garlands adorning her bun engulfing her in their ambrosial throes.

Kajal sat in the makeshift mandap arranged in the Chintamani temple premises. She was dressed in a bright red saree chosen by her maami, who stood beaming as if she had set the whole show. Well, show it was. Kajal was meant to smile for the cameras like a happy bride, it would make good press and convince all the critics out there who were talking about some hush-hush romance between a superstar and an ordinary girl.

Ajji sat smiling, and Kajal saw her teary. She had insisted Kajal wear the heirloom necklace. However, since KB’s mom had eloped and married, it couldn’t be transferred to her thus, it was now entrusted to Kajal. It pained Kajal to see the woman expecting so much out of this contract marriage. Mr. Mehta flanked ajji and a couple of close friends of KB from the industry.

As expected, there was a frenzy of reports outside the premises, and the security had a tough time containing them.

KB sat opposite to her adorned in an off-white sherwani, and he looked so handsome that her heart paced. But right then, her eyes fell on his uncle standing gloomily right behind in a corner glaring at the proceedings.

She recalled the events last morning after KB had declared their wedding. The uncle had stood up and stared at KB who stood steadfast with his hand around her shoulder. All her bravado she had displayed not minutes ago had vanished into thin air. She had been shocked. She had thought the marriage wouldn’t happen for now and hopefully, she would get time to develop a good relationship with KB before plunging into marital life.

Hetal too had stared wide-eyed and Kajal had excused herself on the pretext of starting lunch preparations and walked into the kitchen. The next hour she ‘busied’ herself in there she barely got to hear the muffled voices in the drawing-room. From the banging of the door vibrating the house, she had known the uncle had already left. Thank God he left. The man didn’t give her good vibes.

Once in a while, Hetal’s piercing voice floated in.

“You are making a mistake KB… think it over.” Hetal had said.

Kajal couldn’t hear KB’s response, though. Was Hetal upset because she loved KB and wanted to marry him? What about KB? Did he like Hetal but was forced to marry kajal on his ajji’s insistence? Hetal didn’t fit the shoe as far as his ajji was concerned.

She had teared up thinking she was such a fool to think otherwise…

The blowing of the conch brough her back to the wedding. She looked around, suddenly feeling lost. Her brother and mama stood smiling so did Poonam tai and her fiancé, who acted like the guests of honor. It was then the reason for her getting into the contract began to sink in. She blinked away tears… at least her uncle and his family and her brother will have a secure future. As far as she was concerned, she was stepping into a cave with only blackness ahead not knowing what surprise may pop up somewhere.

The pandit began reciting the mantras and she felt KB’s eyes on her. She lifted her head to look ahead ans saw him staring at her, his expression unfathomable. She wanted nothing more to drown into the depths of his beautiful eyes. There was so much turmoil in them. He had adjusted the sling on the arm rest but she knew he was uncomfortable.

He hadn’t spoken much with her all day after lunch except for informing her that he had conveyed everything to her mama and the time she had to be ready for the make-up and hair guys. She wondered if her brazenness had put him off… did she cross the line yesterday? She was a novice in those matters and just followed something she had read. He was way too experienced in the area if the old press reports were to be believed. Was he disappointed that she wasn’t the sex siren he was used to?

Her heart thudded with each passing ritual, wondering what she was landing into. As they stood after the final ceremony of the pheras, it was time to seek the blessings of the Almighty and the elders present. She was lost in her thoughts and didn’t hear the pandit. She felt a warm hand engulf her cold one and looked towards KB. He smiled at her and gestured towards the pandit who continued his tirade about the importance of blessings.

He didn’t let go of her hand as they moved inside the temple to seek blessings of Bappa and her eyes filled. Her aai-baba would have been so thrilled… but would they have allowed this alliance to happen in the first place?

A little later post-lunch they posed for the scribes before leaving for Ajji’s home. Ajji insisted on a couple of rituals that her poor health didn’t permit much excitement and travel. So it had to be held in the estate.

The housekeeper welcomed kajal with the traditional Aarti and tilak. She then was made to sit on the couch next to KB while ajji completed the formalities of another ritual, similar to the puja sometime back.

KB walked away to the porch to speak on an incoming call, and ajji held Kajal’s hand in her frail ones.

“Kajal beta, I know this is very hard on you, but I want to thank you, my child…” Kajal was surprised as the woman continued. “…My Krishiv has always been a loner… I have never seen him happy. His mother died too early and his father wasn’t a father figure at all… so he is harsh and angry and feels he doesn’t deserve happiness for some kind of a twisted notion… But all this contract thing aside, I strongly wish you never leave his side. He doesn’t even know what he will miss… please stay by his side… Kajal, promise this ajji…please” the woman had tears in her cataract-filled eyes.

“Don’t worry ajji… I will do my best… Krish is a wonderful human being… I just hope he shares his pain with me.” She spoke honestly.

“Did he tell you to call him ‘Krish’…?” Ajji asked her, smiling and she nodded shyly. “…Oh, that’s wonderful. I am the only one who calls him by name. Even his grandfather called him ‘KB’”

Hope blossomed in her heart. But, did it mean she meant something to him beyond a contract bride?

Later that evening, after a quick dinner they rode back to the penthouse. As soon as they stepped in KB turned towards her.

“Your new clothes set is kept in your room so you can go and rest now. Tomorrow morning, I have some urgent work with Mr. Mehta and the producers of my ongoing serial. The shooting is stalled, so I have to do a couple of scenes with my close-ups… so good night.” He rushed into his room as if he couldn’t wait to get away from her.

What the hell was wrong with him? After what they had gone through in these last few days, she felt something was brewing between them. Tears rolled down her cheeks as she walked into her room, shutting the door behind her. She flopped on the floor, holding her legs close to her chest as she cried her heart out.

He heard her door shut and his heart splintering into tiny bits, even as he leaned his forehead on the connecting door. He listened to her sob and all he wanted to do was go and take her into his arms. She had been selflessly there for him and yesterday he had the time of his life… her wide innocent eyes sparkling as she had been happy to see him come…

Right then she had asked him about his bruises and he had been jerked back to reality. The severed heads of his friends swam before his eyes. How could he enjoy life when he was responsible for theirs cut short? And that girl, whoever she was, they still didn’t know. He didn’t think he would be so fiercely attracted to Kajal, not just at a sensual level but also intellectually and emotionally. She was intelligent, and he craved for her fun company, not to mention the sexual undercurrents between them, trying to raise its head now and then. She was a fabulous cook too, and more than the taste, he loved the life she put into the food. She had made this house into a home already.

He had almost thought of letting her go and not ruining her life by marrying her. He would still help her with money and the job too. But then Hetal and his Subodh mama had arrived, reminding him how important this marriage was. He hated himself for forcing the decision on Kajal, and the lady hadn’t said a word. She kept looking at him expectantly, hoping for some explanation but he couldn’t embroil her in his mess.

He knew Kajal liked him… more than a friend, and he couldn’t let the poor woman hope. Hetal knew what role she had to play, and though she hated it, she agreed to go with the flow. It was all set for tomorrow evening. It should be enough for Kajal to start disliking him, and it would make his life a lot easier if she did. His guilt would reduce. He couldn’t wait to get into the particular room…

Kajal’s sobs subsided, and he hoped she would sleep well. He just hoped he could rest as well, knowing that the woman was right next door… the woman he was in love with…

Meanwhile, in the Dongri slum

“Don’t ever show me your face Rafiq…” Chameli screamed, her voice piercing the paper-thin walls of the brothel room. She adjusted her shimmering dupatta and tied up her hair into a messy bun.

“Chameli… meri jaan… don’t do this. I told you, it’s just a matter of few days…” Rafiq buttoned up his shirt not bothering if his drunk hands did the job correctly. He was hard, and Chameli had left him high and dry.

“Rafiq, you moron… you are a leech… do you know that? You promised me stars… you promised that necklace. And you couldn’t even do it. So why should I waste my youth on a scum like you? That other man from Delhi who comes here only for me, is gifting me a ruby ring do you know that? And that other party from Mira Road… he has arranged a getaway with just me to a five-star resort… just for sleeping with him. He isn’t rough like you either. So get the hell out now before I get you thrown…” She stood up and Rafiq was tempted to slash that delicate neck that plunged into her fake nape line. But they didn’t allow weapons inside and it was deposited at the counter.

He strutted out as the madam made a face at him. Every dog had his day, and he would have too. Chameli would be his soon

His phone buzzed. Freak… Saab calling so late in the night. Must be something urgent. Finally, Allah heard his prayers.

“Hellllooo Saabji…”

“Listen carefully and don’t fuck up this time Rafiq…prove your worth.”

What the fuck? Was the older man crazy? Prove his worth he had more than done that. For years and the body-count was also lost. Such an audacity. “Yes…yes Saabji. I await your command…”

“Shut up and just listen… I want you to contact this man who will help you with our target’s schedule… and I will tell you later how to go about the job. Just study the target for now. After that hospital debacle, he has increased protection around him, so do you work stealthily. I am reaching there next week and will plan the job…”

The call disconnected, and his phone beeped with an incoming message. Who the hell was this man?

‘Subodh Deshmukh’

©priyagole

Chapter 25

Kajal sprinkled the finely chopped cilantro on the kanda poha she prepared for breakfast that day. It was almost a week since KB had come home from the hospital. A couple of nights though there was a male nurse with him, she kept vigil just in case. But later, they settled into a rhythm.

She saw to his food preparations and cooking had never been so much fun before. The staff too loved and appreciated what she sprang up and she made it a point to feed it to him, his right hand still being in the cast. The left was better though there were a few tremors. KB’s physiotherapist was doing a great job and she helped him with the evening workouts.

They spent the afternoons playing monopoly or scrabble and KB was super fun to be with. They spoke about so many topics under the sky. Be it her culinary skills, Krunal had come one day and by the time he left he was only singing KB’s praises. Kajal had been thrilled to see his reaction and an indirect approval. She was also in a happy space and hoped her newly established camaraderie with KB wouldn’t end.

She realized for once in her life she had a friend, and she was so comfortable with him around, she had felt carefree for the first time in her life.

But life wasn’t a bed of roses, was it?

She placed the breakfast tray on his nightstand and turned to leave, he held her wrist and tugged her back towards him. She giggled as she fell on him, worried if she had hurt him. But he was stronger than he looked. He turned her around and pinned her to the bed with a single arm holding both of hers above her head. The movement brought his face closer to hers, her peaked chest beads straining to get out and feel his bare one.

Yes, he slept with just his shorts on, something she had discovered a couple of days into the house. And she had drooled the way they fit around his toned hips. He never used a blanket, and she had stared at his sleeping form as the robust torso sprinkled with the black hair formed the V as it entered into the elastic…. She blushed even now as he stared into her eyes.

“Care to share your thoughts…?” He whispered and she smiled as he continued. “…you think I didn’t know how many times you touched my body with your roving eyes? Do you even know what it did to me? Especially since both my hands were tied? So you think you can get away with it?”

She felt his warm breath on her face as he came closer, as well as the sharp prod in her belly. Her breath caught in her chest as he gently nipped at her lower lip. He didn’t need to nudge her as she opened up her softness and his waiting tongue made the plunge. As he explored, she raised her hips towards him, and he had crushed her under him. All clothed he rocked back and forth, and she thought she would die of lust. But, instead, she wanted him with hunger like never before.

She hadn’t been with anyone before and she couldn’t imagine anyone else more suited to pop her cherry… she went beet red at the thought even as she surrendered to the pleasure he was inflicting on her.

He stopped kissing and raised himself on his elbow. He looked at his hand in the sling and fell back on the bed, rubbing his face with his arm. She didn’t know where she got the guts from, but at that moment, they were alone at home, and some strange confidence overcame her.

She moved over him even as he stilled, startled, watching her wide-eyed. She straddled him her legs on either of his sides and placed her palms on his bare chest, feeling the softness of the gathered hair. She carefully moved her palms in the limited area because of the sling, touching his areolas, and then her index fingers touched his aroused nipples.

“You are… killing me here Kajal… I am trying to keep my hands off…”

“Shhhh… this is for you… only for you KB…” She whispered.

“Krish…”

“What?” She was confused.

“Call me Krish…” He spoke, his eyes sparkling with some strange emotion.

She smiled and nodded. “Krish… this is for you… I don’t know how to, but…”

He swallowed hard, his Adam’s apple bobbing and she could see he was nervous as well… That gave her the needed impetus. She touched him from his chest downwards towards his hips and with trembling hands, she lowered the elastic of his shorts. He hadn’t worn anything else beneath and his arousal sprang out, hitting her palm.

Astonished she felt the wetness pool in her crevice… she gripped him. He gasped as she increased the pressure of her hold. At that moment, nothing else existed around her except for his larger-than-life presence. His face contorted as if he was controlling his emotions. She moved her face closer to her hand her eyes not leaving his.

She kissed his shiny tip and felt him stiffen further… she licked the salty drop, and he closed his eyes shut, his jaw clenching, his non-plastered wrist closed tightly. She saw his veins jutting and wait… what were those marks? They didn’t look fresh bruises… something tanned between the bruises. She rose and looked at his thighs… she had missed it earlier in the throes of passion. She saw bruising in his inner thighs as well. They were old bruises for sure. 

Not to break the moment for him, she kissed his length and wrapped her palm gently over the shaft, sliding it up and down. It barely took a moment, and his warm liquid sprayed up and flowed down her palm as he grunted and then lay panting, his shapely abs now covered with a  sheen of sweat.

She walked to the washroom and, after washing her hands, brought out a wet towel and wiped him clean. He covered himself and lay on the bed, his drooping eyelids covering his satisfied gaze. He held out his hand, and she moved into his embrace.

“It was terrific…thank you…” he spoke softly, kissing her crown.

They lay silent in that manner with only their soft breaths and the chiming of the clock for company.

“Krish..?”

“Yea…”

“What are those bruises… were you injured? Earlier? Even saw a few on your back that day when…”

He stiffened and sat up straight. What just happened? Did she speak something she shouldn’t have?

“Kajal… there are things about me that you don’t know about and I request you not to ask me about it.” He bluntly spoke and rose, drawing up a pair of new shorts with great difficulty and walking out of the room.

Before she could understand the situation, the doorbell rang, and she straightened her clothes, rushing to answer the door. A beautiful woman in tight-fitting clothes emanating some expensive perfume fragrance with a face covered with war paint stared at her. Then without saying anything, she barged inside. Kajal knew her as Hetal…KB’s girlfriend…

“KB? What the hell? Why are the codes changed? You were in an accident, and I wasn’t even informed. Just returned from an assignment in Vancouver, and this is what I see…” She screamed and turned to look at a flabbergasted Kajal.

KB, who was now fully clothed, walked downstairs and gestured Hetal to sit on the couch while going to his bedroom. He stopped in his tracks as the doorbell rang again, and Kajal walked in a  daze to do the needful. This time there was a man in a safari suit and goggles perched on his nose. She didn’t unlock the door.

“Yes, please?” She asked.

“Tell KB his Subodh mama is here…”

KB walked towards the door and unlatched it.

The man walked in and sat on the opposite couch as if he belonged here. KB joined Hetal on the other couch and said. “To what do I owe your visit, mama?”

“I heard you were in… an accident so can’t I come to check on you? I was told you were to get married tomorrow… but now…doesn’t look like… and then there is one in the waiting and one next to you… so this marriage…” The man chuckled, and Kajal’s insides cringed.

“Don’t worry, mama everything is going to be fine….” KB spoke, standing up and walking towards her. He put his arm around her shoulder. “…Meet Kajal, my would-be wife. We are getting married tomorrow…”

Three pairs of eyes stared at KB with varied expressions.

All I yearn for is his alluring glimpse

My mind-body-soul craves for the magical unison

Where the morning sees our entangled limbs

Why is the universe so wanton?

©priyagole

Chapter 24

ACP Ramanrao Pradhan was a name to reckon with. The burly six feet tall man just short of his sixtieth birthday stared into the full-length mirror in the police quarters at Nagpur. He was retiring next week and moving to Mumbai… the city of dreams… his dreams. Dreams that were shattered years ago and had picked up with a snail’s pace, and he had to add the needed impetus.

He twirled his handlebar mustache, his pride, even as his doting wife Uma brought in the tray of piping hot filter coffee…She followed the routine diligently 30 years after marriage. They were issueless but that didn’t deter them from enjoying life to the fullest… till a few years ago, he hadn’t given her much time, and he regretted it. She had spiraled into depression, and it had taken her suicide attempt to come to his senses and take a transfer stopping all the extracurricular work that increased his pay now stashed safely in banks outside the country. It was his nest egg yet to pop… He had to fill it more.

But the transfer had worked in Uma’s favor. She had thrived and started her own online business. She designed clothes… Just like her classmate from those years ago. That woman had started his downfall. Someone whom he had blindly trusted just because she was Uma’s friend. He had thought she was a family woman would look the other way so far as he was giving her payments. But she had betrayed his trust.

Why did people hold morals so high up in the order?

Everything was going well. He had to make a little more money, and then he had thought of taking voluntary retirement and settling in Dubai. His crony, who worked as his right-hand man both at home and in his office in Mumbai, Rafiq had done well covering his tracks. Murdering someone neatly was easy for the man. His dimwit worked in Pradhan’s favour. He didn’t have to fear the guy ratting him out or becoming greedy.

Being a policeman gave a perfect cover to his covert operations. All he had to do was stop patrolling near the docks as the containers came in or pass the hint of a raid on a particular brothel. A few wads of notes worked wonders in shutting mouths, and since Rafiq and a few clueless guys under him did the dirty work, he was nowhere in the picture. He had covered all loose ends, so nothing got back to him. He could study people well and knew whose weak points he could strangulate and get the maximum out of them.

He got rid of unwanted people, too it wasn’t rocket science, and he had emerged untouched. But he didn’t envision two possibilities: first his wife, whom he loved above everything, losing it in the mental health department, and second, sub-inspector Manohar Shinde, whom he had misjudged the big time.

Uma had been admitted to the psychiatric ward of the super specialty hospital the day he was to receive a consignment. The women were from Russia and not over 20. Very young women brought in the maximum moolah, and since they weren’t from the country, no one would know where they disappeared. So he had made arrangements for their stay across his special partners, one of them and the most premier one in Mudh island, Rakesh Batra.

Rakesh had been an easy catch. The man was a hardcore womanizer and had a dwindling business in the form of a good for nothing factory in Virar. The location was perfect to ‘teach people a lesson or get rid of the unwanted ones. The factory was a huge front for all his nefarious deeds. He had helped the man get a loan through unscrupulous means to buy out that huge house that served as the ‘storehouse’ for his new conquests till they were auctioned off.

In return, Rakesh got a massive payout for each consignment to fuel his alcoholism.

Manohar Shinde was newly in charge of the special wing made by Mumbai Police for curbing human trafficking twelve years ago. Like his predecessors, Pradhan had tried to buy him out too… but he had staunchly refused. The man had been crazy and neurotically involved in the case. He had made it his mission to catch the mastermind and once almost got close to catching Rafiq. Though he needn’t have worried, something in the man’s zeal caught his eye. Manohar Shinde was a workaholic.

When Uma was admitted that night Manohar and his team caught a consignment at the docks but fortunately, it only contained few women, and a couple of them had died in transition. The women didn’t speak the local language, and he had prearrangement with Rafiq to silence the men on the ship. So besides frantic women screaming their lungs out, Manohar Shinde landed with nothing. But it was enough to raise red flags amongst their Russian counterparts.

He had to do something and found out about Manohar’s family. His beautiful wife seemed familiar, and it struck him he had seen her in the picture book belonging to his wife. His elephant’s memory had served him well. So he had arranged for that woman to visit his wife and Uma had been so happy that she had recovered very soon. She, along with Mrs. Rajani Shinde had planned to start a business…

He had been happy and had thought of using Rajani as bait to threaten Manohar. He had requested Rakesh to involve her in some ‘textile’ aspect of his business that gave her income. The naïve woman had readily agreed, and he had finally heaved a sigh of relief to see his plan go on track.

Yet again, his fate had other plans… he hadn’t envisioned Rakesh… the womanizer, to fall in love with Rajani, and not only that, the woman reciprocated too. She began to visit Rakesh’s home frequently, and during one of her visits, she saw the basement room at Mudh island with a couple of women held captive.

She had realized almost immediately what was going on and had decided to become the whistleblower. Before that, she had gathered all the data and their ledger details. He had been in the dark, but Rakesh had found her out once. The woman had been brave when confronted, and Rakesh had almost let her go without any evidence in her hands.

But he was Ramanrao Pradhan, and he hadn’t risen up to this level in the illegal business so easily or by being forgiving. He had ordered Rafiq to get Rajani out of the way. She also knew Rafiq since he was always home serving her food and drinks whenever she visited Uma. It was easy. But then Rakesh had been acting like a lost puppy. And Manohar had upped his ante. It was a dangerous situation.

It was easy to get rid of the drunk Rakesh Batra. The guy didn’t even know how Rafiq made him hold the pistol and aim at his temple. Rakesh had stolen copies of the ledger from the factory locker. They had arranged to search the Mudh Island bungalow but found nothing. Would his son know something?

For Monoher, he decided to make use of his anger issues. It took a while. He was the predator who awaited his prey…

Pushing a sloshed Manohar before the arriving train was no big deal.

He had arranged for the closure of the case involving Rajani’s disappearance and passing Manohar’s death as suicide. He had also gone over the top and made arrangements to put it on records as an accident so the guy could get benefits. So he had tilted the department respect in his favor. So also a grieving Uma who missed her dear friend. She had been sick for months after Rajani left, and he couldn’t watch her wilt away.

He straightened out on the chair in the balcony attached to the bedroom, watching his beautiful wife tend to the kitchen garden, his phone buzzed with an incoming text. His mood plummeted reading it. The moron Rafiq was no good these days. How many chances did he have to give the buffoon?

That man KB unlike his father had many lives like a cat. He survived not just once but twice… Once a few days back and once when he had spiked his drink with a heavy dosage of the date rape drug enough to stone an elephant… knowing he would go home. It was planned to the tee. The blame would befall Manohar Shinde.

The empty trailer he had arranged too was perfect in execution… only KB’s friends had died, and he had escaped unscathed.

He had to get more information now. This Rafiq was an idiot and a white elephant. He had also heard Rafiq’s alcoholism had crossed boundaries, and it wouldn’t be long before the fool blurted out everything. When Rakesh’s son KB tried to buy out the Virar factory, he had been cautious. He later learned of some investigating agency prying on their associates. He couldn’t afford any lapses… his reputation was at stake, not to mention the money waiting for him.

He stood leaning on the balcony railing. He had come a long way treading on innumerable bodies, and he wouldn’t go back now. The Russian syndicate had given him a good offer five years ago, and the work had restarted… But this time he would lose the garb of the uniform soon…

He had to be careful. Very careful. He walked to the mirror again and wore his uniform. He raised his sleeve at the arm to reveal the swastika tattoo… the one with a bent arm.

©priyagole

Chapter 23

‘Papa, its my birthday tomorrow…so…’ Ten-year-old Krish walked hesitantly into his father’s study. His father lay slumped on the table, papers flying all over, the room redolent with the whiskey all over; Krish wanted to gag. The man’s hand lay hanging loosely holding the glass of the half-drunk liquid while the rest had spilled on the red carpet staining it black… It was his mother’s favorite and he hated to see his father like this. His mother’s gift to his papa, the musical lighter also lay without a care in the world. He picked it up and pocketed it. At least there would be something besides a few pictures of his mom to remind him she existed.

But Krish had been used to this. He had barely known his mother and papa was always wasted whenever he was at home. The rest of the time he was gone to the ‘factory’ in Mumbai. So Krish was all alone with the staff in the vast villa… till he had made local friends a few years ago.

Tomorrow too he would celebrate with them like the earlier year. One of them would bring him a homemade pudding and another would get fish curry. These would taste better than anything his cooks prepared here. He often wished for his papa to be at home when he was sober and spend time with him and ask him about his school and friends.

But either his old man would be sloshed or string along his newest arm candy for the week sometimes, for the day. No one lasted… Initially, little Krish had hoped one of them would eventually be his mother. But after multiple heartbreaks, he had given up on the idea.

He had hoped his tenth birthday at least would be different. He wanted a special gift… he wanted his father’s permission to meet his grandparents. His aaji had once called on the home landline and expressed her desire to see him. So for the first time, there was someone who wanted to meet him… But his father lay strewn drunk to oblivion and he knew the man would be gone in the morning before he woke. Then he would be gone away for days together on business trips.

Disappointed surged through his body and erupted through his eyes, rivoluting down his cheeks. He turned to go back to his room when his eyes fell on something peeing out of his father’s sleeve. His father always wore full sleeves, even at home. Today the sleeve had moved up and curiosity got the better of him as he bent forward and raised it a little more.

It was two Z-shaped structures intertwined together. He had seen similar structures outside some of the homes of his friends here and even in the temple. But why did his father have that tattoo and it was strange… one of the arms was bent….’

Suddenly he was eighteen and running in the dark tunnel, the breeze out of nowhere hitting his body, impeding his movement and chilling him to the core. An infernous ball of fire followed him. Then, suddenly, a man standing ahead with no face but just a machete and his hand had the same tattoo as his father did. As he ran he wanted to scream to the man to move … but he collided and the sharp instrument made its way into his abdomen. Oh hell… it was so painful…. Aaaaaaa….he screamed….Aaaaa…

“KB…KB… wake up KB…”

Wait… was that Kajal? What was she doing in the tunnel?

He heard beeps around him and the strange antiseptic odor. The fireball or the man was nowhere in sight, but the pain was there… his body was on fire… there was no part which wasn’t in agony and he tried to open his eyes. A blurred vision of the beautiful Kajal swam before his eyes. She was worried and saying something. His fudged mind was clueless…

Someone came on his other side and began to check him… wait, was he in a hospital?

It was then some things began to clear. First, his meeting with the investigative agency and then that wait on the traffic island , being pushed…

“Mr. KB, you are better now, out of danger and extremely fortunate, I must say. It must have been your lucky day. I am sure you will recover completely in the next three weeks or so…” the doctor continued his tirade and he saw Kajal paying attention to every word. She was so adorable… What the hell was wrong with him now?

The doctor went away and the police arrived. First, they asked him standard questions. Then, finally, the inspector said.

“Mr. KB, can you tell us what you were doing in that area? Of course, the likes of you would never go there…”

“I… I had gone to gauge the people’s behaviors… we actors do that often to see them in the natural settings. “ He fibbed.

“Ok…Mr. KB we will go with your story. You are lucky to have escaped death twice… last night was tough, but thanks to the presence of mind of your fiancé, you were saved. I assure you there wont be any more such trouble…”

“What… who came last… night?” He struggled to speak. The policeman gave him a brief of the incident.

“We don’t have an ID of the man… he killed himself. He isn’t on the criminal database… so except for the strange Swastika tatoo there was nothing else…” the rest of what the police Inspector said fell on deaf ears as his heart thudded and fear gripped him. Was that dream he just had a mere coincidence or some sign from his subconsciousness…? Wait, what about Raj? Was he OK?

He couldn’t tell anything to the police right now. It would only open a Pandora’s box. So he had to find things on his own…

A day went by with Kajal fussing over him. He wasn’t used to anyone hovering around him all the time, but he found her gesture very cute and smiled as she fluttered like a confused butterfly, talking to doctors or coordinating with Mr. Mehta or giving him the medicines or reminding the nurses about his meal schedules. A couple of times she went out, she made sure Mr. Mehta was with him inside.

He missed her like crazy though the moments gave him a chance to talk to the grim PA.

“Mr. Mehta, there is something I need you to check discreetly. Do you remember you had given me a contact of that Investigating Agency guy, Raj? I want you to check on him without him knowing… just if he is OK. Can you do that?”

Mr. Mehta raised his eyebrow as if wanting to know more, but KB only looked away. He was still in pain, and the meds were playing with his head. He only wanted to hear Raj was safe.

Later that night, Kajal kept regaling about some media stories about him and other actors, and he smiled at her efforts to brighten his mood. The little fool didn’t realize it was her mere presence that brightened up everything around him.

After a week, he was all set for discharge, and it struck him Kajal hadn’t gone for her exams. So as she stood packing his stuff while he sat up in the wheelchair, he asked her. “Kajal, what about your exams?”

She ignored his question and continued doing the chore.

“Kajal… I asked you a question… can you answer me?” the effort caused him to cough. And she rushed towards him with water. His hands were in the cast and would remain so for a couple of weeks at least. She had been helping out all the time. She did it all without batting an eyelid, whether feeding him or helping the ward boy change his clothes.

“KB… I wasn’t prepared to write the exams so I forfeited them… I will appear after six months… it doesn’t matter.” She dismissed it and turned around to go back. Her bloodshot eyes and the mouve shadows below her lids broke his heart. She had lost weight as well…

“Kajal sit here please…” he indicated to the bed next to his wheelchair.

She sat placed her cold palms in his. “What is it Kajal? What is wrong?”

She began to sob laid her head softly on his chest. The position was awkward, but he had wanted to take her in his arms desperately, fracture or not… he mentally swore at his inability.

“KB… I was scared to death… I thought something would happen to you, especially since that attacker came in and tried to…” She gripped his fingers, and he interlocked his inbhers. “…I have brought you bad luck KB…”

“Relax Kajal… I am OK… thanks to you…In fact, I got saved because of you. So cut the bad omen crap all right? You are my lucky charm… and right now, my charm is withering away… You took care of that plant in my house… and now you need to take care of yourself too.”

Kajal nodded, and after an hour, they left for his home. On the way, Mr. Mehta kept him abreast of all the developments in the shoots and the stalling because of his accident. The Mahabaleshwar shoot was postponed for a couple of months because it involved him hiking… the ad shoots were postponed indefinitely.

Mr. Mehta had arranged for a nurse and a ward boy 24/7 to look after him.

“I… I will be there as well.. so don’t worry Mr. Mehta…” Kajal blurted out, surprising him.

He looked at her determined expression and couldn’t help but smile. “Kajal, are you sure? Your folks will be OK with it?”

“Of course they will… don’t worry KB. Just focus on recovering… your… fans are missing you…” She said and looked at the passing scenery.

He was settled in his bedroom, and he saw Kajal look around his plain white room with the extravagant ceiling and wondered what she must think of it. But she didn’t react, too busy setting up his stuff. Instead, she had arranged for her stuff to be delivered here and her uncle would be arriving later in the evening.

As she walked out of the room to get started for the lunch preparation, Mr. Mehta shut the door and latched it getting back to him.

“KB sir there is something I had to tell you for last couple of days but Kajal madam was there all the time so couldn’t.”

“What is it Mehta?”

“Its about Raj…”

That caught his attention and his heartbeats accelerated.

“Sir, Raj killed himself on the same day as your accident…his body was found hanging in his cabin in his office premises by the peon the next day…”

“What did the police… say?” his voice cracked in grief… yet another dead body on his count.

“Sir, they have shut the case a suicide. His family consists of old parents, and they didn’t want to pursue the case. But sir…”

“But what…?”

“…I have known Raj from his childhood… he isn’t someone who can kill himself… there is something sinister. I have the pictures taken by theta peon… Raj was murdered for sure…”

Mr. Mehta showed KB the pictures on his cell phone. It was a child’s play to know it wasn’t a suicide given the body position and the injuries on him… KB had done lots of research for his TV soaps to learn about these intricacies… but never in the wildest of his dreams had he thought he would have to analyze something like this.

His eyes filled as a strange fear gripped him. The perpetrator, whomever it was calling the shots, was no small guy. He was influential, and now KB even began to doubt if his father had killed himself or was that cold-blooded murder?

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

In the other corner of Mumbai, Dongri.

He wiped his mouth as he consumed the cheap liquor. So he was soon going to get out of this dingy chawl, have a house of his own, and drink the best scotch money could buy. Saab had promised and had delivered so far.

All he had to do was push that man pointed to him. Easy-peasy, and no one could guess. It had gone well, except for the fact that the man was saved. The car whirled around, reducing momentum right then, and though he was hit, the man escaped death.

The other one was a cakewalk for him. He had walked into that guy’s office and as prior arranged, it was empty except for that man. He had bruised him and strangled him. He had strict instructions against using the blade, which would have been easier… the guy wasn’t too heavy to hang either.

Saab had still been furious. His payment was halved to teach him a lesson and he had been told to lay put for a while.

He was annoyed too. His Chameli was not satisfied with the mere change she got from him. There were wealthy patrons readily waiting for her to shower her with money. He had promised her a gold chain that she had eyes for long, so her loyalty was tilted in his favor. Besides, he had contacts in ‘high’ places; else the brothel madam wouldn’t have allowed him to have his way.

Saab had recognized his talent years ago and given him jobs in return for new currency. He had loved his life.

Today Chameli kicked him out, literally, and if not for Saab’s dikkat he would have shown her what it meant to insult him. One slash on that tender neck, and it would be the end of her.

Just like he had done years ago, the woman never knew what hit her. She had run, but the saree wasn’t the outfit one could sprint in. He had first hit her with a stone as she ran through the lanes in that basti in Virar. Then, she unknowingly had run into his lair. It was his area those days.. he was barely in his twenties, and the adrenaline rush was like a tsunami.

The stone had hit the target, and she had fallen. He moved close to her, and in her last moments, he lifted off his mask and revealed himself to her utmost horror. He had chuckled at her wide-eyed expression as she had recognized him.

She had given up the fight even as he had deftly used the blade cutting the jugular, draining the life out of the woman….

The gritty woman’s body had spasmed as she had whispered last words. ‘Ka-jal’

©priyagole