Sanyukta took her time to pause and analyze one last time on what she was going to offer as 'the plan'
"Gathering evidences is nice and all but the best case scenario would be to catch him red handed, right ?" said Sanyukta matter of factly, waiting for their approval. A nod or a nudge maybe.
"Right" said Vidushi and Sahil at the same time.
"So this is exactly what we are going to do!" she announced enthusiastically. A big question mark literally appeared on their faces, wasn't that the exact thing they'd been doing past so many years?
"Hmm okay but how?" asked a curious Vidushi.
"We are going to present Raghav with a proposal!" she told them, smirking.
"Hmm...I don't think we have time for this Sanyukta... these kind of deals are based on long stretched negotiations, it takes a few weeks to come to an agreement... and we only have two days" interjected Sahil, pointing to only one and one big flaw in it, absolute time crux.
Sanyukta smiled at Sahil. "Fair point... but answer this question : One fine day you walk in front of a mall and a stylish shirt grabs your attention, you know you don't need it so you walk away. The next day you pass in front of the same mall with the mouthwatering shirt still on display... but guess whaaat ?" Sanyukta stressed on the last word to stir his curiosity.
"It is on sale! Buy one, get one free!" she beamed like a true salesman ...or woman in her case.
"...The situation has not changed, you still don't need it, but as you liked it and you are being offered a tempting deal, what are you going to do ?
"I will most probably buy it." admitted Sahil.
"Exactly! And just like that we are going to him with a tempting deal, a deal he won't be able to refuse !" she disclosed her plan.
"That could actually work ! ...seeing how much of a money sucker he is..." acknowledged Vidushi, hope dripping from her eyes.
Randhir, on the other hand, was looking at her with an indecipherable yet intense look. His gaze, on a continuous scrutiny of her. Was he being proud or bothered and jealous?
Aaah that burning intensity... it made her all hot and bothered inside...arrrgh !Stupid gangster, with his stupid deep enticing eyes and his stupid hot body making my hormones act... stupid, she muttered internally, diverting her eyes, away from the package of stupid-ness sitting in front of her.
"So we will go to him with a proposal... Sahil and me will go as couple and we will try to strike a deal with Raghav" Sanyukta spoke looking away from Randhir, only making him yelp.
"NO" came Randhir's instant reply. Soon enough! Sanyukta was wondering when he was going to put his unneeded two cents.
Stupid mouth.
Stupid hot kissable mouth.
"I didn't ask for your opinion" she dismissed his stupid non-constructive intervention.
"That's not an opinion or choice" Randhir's jaw was clenched with his bones visible
"It's my plan and I get to go as I wish to" Sanyukta rolled her eyes at him
"No! you are not going" repeated Randhir glaring at her.
Stupid gangster.
Stupid stubborn hot gangster.
"Yes we are going !" countered Sanyukta.
"No !" came his stern reply
"Oooh stop being so stupid ! with your stupid stubborn non constructive replies !" she burst out, gathering on her everyone's surprised eyes. He was seriously getting on her nerves, just when she thought he could act a little bit civil he went back to his barbaric assertive ways.
Win by dominating upon other. So not happening! This was not jungle where law of the strongest applied. They were human being having a civil conversation... well as much as conspiracy and scheming could be civil !
Randhir glared at her one good minute debating whether to argue or not... remembering his already delicate situation, he kept his temper in check and reluctantly backed away.
If previously he was angry on how wrapped around her fingers he was, now he was downright furious at his... powerless condition. Pinching the bridge of his nose, he pondered to stick to the one rule that mattered in his business : Love shove ke chakkar me nahi parne ka... well shit ! Too late.
Instead he had went ahead and jumped right into it... not only that but look who he had chosen ! Couldn't he have found a quiet normal girl... no obviously, he had to go and fall for the most complicated of them all, the crazy, infuriating, strong headed minx. ... The craziest part was that, somewhere deep down he as loving her control over him... how could one love and hate something with equal fervor? he sighed... stupid, crazy love.
"Fiiine ! But you are going with me !" he accorded, scowling at her.
Ah that... Sanyukta internally chuckled. She had never planned to go with Sahil, she knew Sahil didn't have the charisma Randhir possessed, Sahil wasn't fit for this mission... she very well knew that. She just wanted to mess with the gangster for the way he had behaved earlier. She chuckled at her wickedness.
"No, I am going with Sahil" she stubbornly replied, watching Randhir's reaction from the corner of her eye.
"No you are going with me !" He ordered
Before Sanyukta and Randhir could go back to their usual bickering, Sahil decided to word his opinion.
"Guys, guys ! This is a serious matter, we don't have time for your bickering." he cut them.
"Sanyukta, boss is right, he is more fit than me" Sahil said.
Fit haan ? Sanyukta internally repeated, let's see how fit he is, she chuckled.
"More fit how ? which angle?" Sanyukta assessed Randhir from head to toes, as if inspecting him.
"He has muscles yeah.. but nothing out of extraordinary" she said deliberately avoiding the real meaning behind Sahil's words.
She saw Randhir jaw clench at her words.
"That's not what he meant !" Randhir snapped.
Oh pushing his buttons was so much fun, thought Sanyukta.
"Yeah what I want to say is that boss is well known in the circuit, his reputation and position would be useful in gaining Raghav's trust" Sahil provided an explanation.
"Exactly  why he shouldn't come!" Sanyukta jumped on the oppotunity.
"Everyone knows him and everyone wants his position... The guy practically has an expiration date printed on his head" Sanyukta exclaimed. Not that she was saying that he was old....
Vidushi chuckled earning her a death glare from her boss.
"ENOUGH ! I am going with you and that's final !" Randhir roared, leaving no room for argument. Like hell he was going to let her go with Sahil, Sahil couldn't handle her, she would probably end up in trouble again !
Sanyukta knew he was controlling himself... that was the breaking point she guessed. She had had her fun, and it was time to let go. Teasing and annoying was one thing but she didn't want her man to fly away from her.
"Okay fine, we will go then...the plan is pretty much simple, we go there, we ask to buy children, we put lot of money on the table, we make the deal, we record it all and we get the hell out of there !" she enumerated the steps.
"Ok but how will you collect the proof, you can't have camera or micro as security will check you before you enter and they will detect any kind of electronic device."
"Dear gangsters, I find it rather insulting that you always forget that I am Falcon." she scowled.
"We will have to take care of their detectors beforehand." she told them.
"How ?" asked Sahil.
"Jamming devices. ...Totally illegal but very efficient ! Activate a jamming device and all electronic devices in a range of 40 to 50 meters jams." explained Sanyukta.
"Wow such things could revolutionize robberies." exclaimed Sahil.
"Don't get too hyper" chuckled Sanyukta... Gangsters.
"It has a lot variable factors... first it is totally illegal ! Get caught with a jamming device and the fine could go up to 48 000 dollars. Second efficient devices with a good power/range ratio are really really expensive, and third, the most vulnerable places like banks, are equipped to face this kind of disturbance... you won't be able to fool them with that" she provided further explanation... it was not a perfect gadget, it has its own flaws, otherwise everybody would be using it,duh !
"Ok but it won't affect your camera or whatever you are thinking of using ?" asked Parth.
"Nope, details later" she winked at him. Who in return just glared at her. Love you too !
"Sanyukta, I really hope you know what you are doing" Vidushi expressed her concern.
"Yeah this is our last chance..." added Sahil solemnly.
And indeed it was. For them it was the consecration of several years of work, it was what their lifelong goal, they were going to get the revenge, they were finally going to avenge their sister, parents, family. And they were trusting her on this.
As if on cue Randhir spoke up.
"We are trusting you on this Sanyukta" he simply told her. His eyes boring into hers... conveying what was not to be said in words : Hope. Sanyukta smiled at him in return, forgetting for a moment she was upset with him... reassuring him that she will do whatever it takes to accomplish this mission.
The plan was there yes, but she knew it wasn't going to be that easy, there will be hurdles and unforeseen situation, they will most probably have to improvise at some point or another, but she knew as far as they were together they could make it.
"Sounds like a plan so far ! But how do we stop him from leaving ? He is supposed to fly out of the country the day after tomorrow, if he succeeds in leaving the country all our efforts would go in vain"
Every gangsters' eyes landed on Sanyukta once again.
"What ?"
Oh. OH ! They were waiting for her to come up with another one of her devilishly brilliant plan.
She smiled at them. Sickly sweet smile.
"Yeah, yeah of course ! Why not ?... Just let me find my magic wand and I'll fix that too in no time" she said sarcastically, rolling her eyes at the end of her sentence.
The gangsters' faces immediately fell.
"What ? Am I going to do all the work ? I already gave one magnificent plan, I've reached my quota for the day. Your turn now" she declared, leaning back in her chair.
"Alright !" Randhir got up gathering everyone's attention.
"Sahil arrange for 3 journalists from different channel" he pointed at Sahil.
"We will give them the records right after me and Sanyukta get out of there." he instructed.
"The news will most probably be broadcasted right away"
"The news will travel fast and in no time Raghav will hear about it" he explained.
"The commotion will be the best opportunity for us to strike as his mind will be busy on keeping the media off him and rescheduling his departure, he won't be prepared for our attack."
"From there the plan is pretty much simple, we go there, we cage them and we kill them !" he concluded, looking at every member of his gang, conveying his resolve.
"We are not leaving him to the justice where he will most probably finish his life in a golden cell or be bailed after a year... NO! We will drag him in our own court of justice, where we will pronounce his death sentence !" he roared, flames of rage and determination dancing in his eyes.
"Is that clear ?"
"Clear !" they all shouted in unison.
"Rest tonight as tomorrow will be a big day!" he said and dismissed them all.
***
Later at night
"Parth"
"hmmm"
"I am scared"
Vidushi and Parth were both half lying on the bed, enjoying the calm before the storm. Vidushi's head was resting on Parth's shoulder as Parth's hand was slowly caressing Vidushi thigh.
"It will be ok" he simply told her, kissing her head. Because truth be told, he himself was not in a better state. Tomorrow was the grand finale, they will win or lose everything... he was indeed scared, nervous, anxious. But these momentary feelings could not falter his years long resolve, they could not overpower his rage... his pain. They were going to give their 200% no matter what... they had to !
"I don't want to lose you" said Vidushi in a whisper.
"We will make it... together" Parth told her, caressing her hair.
"Together..." repeated Vidushi linking their hands together.
***
Sanyukta has spent the afternoon doing last minute checkups. Preparing the jamming device, testing its exact range limit, calculating the time needed for her and Randhir to get in, to make the deal and to come out... and all kind of mathematical details that were going to ensure the success of their mission.
Finally, she closed her laptop, stretching her hand and neck. She was exhausted. She paused a second looking at the ceiling, letting her thoughts consume her. This was finally the end. She had solved a lot of cases and helped hundreds of innocents gets justice... but this, this was by far the most grand and the most dangerous of all of her cases.
She sighed praying for everything to go well. Then her thought went to after.After all this, what was going to happen ? A torrent of mundane questions flooded her mind. Will the gangsters stay together ? what will they do ?... will they get regular jobs ? She had a hard time imagining them with normal jobs.Naturally, her thought diverted to him. She had a hard time picturing Randhir in a office taking orders from a superior ...if anything, he will be the one giving orders ! She chuckled. ... Not to mention how well he took criticism... she pitied and feared for the poor employees who will be entrusted with the fastidious task of pointing out his mistakes...poor souls. Sanyukta just hoped Randhir will have the decency not to take his gun at work...!
Randhir... thinking about the devil, she could couldn't help but think aboutthem. What about them ? were they going to move on with their relationship ? ...The words "moving on" brought up a whole new scenario in her mind, making her blush profusely. They will have to do it at one point, right ? they couldn't spent their life living on chaste and innocent kisses... although their kisses were anything but chaste and innocent.
But you got the point... babies were not going to pop up from sky ! ...great !!! now she was thinking about carrying Randhir's babies... get a grip girl ! You are going to scare the poor man even before doing the deed... and there was marriage as well ! Will he be willing to tie himself to her ? Was he going to propose her ? That thought dropped her mood, everyone knew of much of a romantic he was... Big fat zero. Knowing him, he will probably throw a ring at her and say "great you caught the ring ! ...Now that you caught it, consider us engaged"... charming !
Getting out of her dreamland, Sanyukta got up to get something to eat from the kitchen, it was getting late and wanted to catch all the sleep she could to be in the best shape for tomorrow.
On her way to the kitchen, she wondered where Randhir was, she hadn't seen him since the meeting... she hadn't seen any of the gangsters for that matter. They were most probably doing their own preparations... guns and all you know. ...But on a totally different level, she also suspected some kind of nostalgia... this was after all their lifelong goal... bringing up the root cause of it all... the murder of their family members. They were most likely gathering their thoughts.
She was passing in front of Vidushi room when she spotted the couple snuggling in each other embrace, the door was slightly open, just enough for her to see them, they seemed to be in a conversation.
"I don't want to lose you"
"We will make it... together"
"Together..."
Awww, thought Sanyukta standing outside, longingly looking at the lovebirds. She was glad they had found and understood each other, Vidushi easy and carefree nature needed a strong presence like Parth in her life to help her make the right decisions, on the other hand the old grumpy man that was Parth needed the lively Vidushi to make his life brighter and more colorful... they completed each other beautifully.
"Your match-making paid after all" said a husky voice behind her.
Ah finally ! His highness had decided to show up. She was getting a bit impatient to be honest, she was waiting for an apology and the devil was taking all his time...she was not far away from assaulting him demanding for an apology. ...The faster he'll apologise, the faster she'll forgive him and the faster they could snuggle !
But before... some antics were in order.
Making her mind, she side stepped him and walked away. The powerful steps behind her told her he was following her.
"Sanyukta please..." he said defeated.
Nice beginning, thought Sanyukta, he had carefully added a please in his request.
"Sanyukta look we need to talk..." he lightly grabbed her wrist, key word lightly. Another brownie point for him.
"Listen..."
Am listening you fool, hurry up, she muttered under breath.
"Sanyukta look..."
Okey... is going past the look/listen ? Sanyukta muttered irritated. ...It was not every day you found such a willing forgiver !
"I... umm...I..." Randhir struggle with words, adding fuel to Sanyukta's irritation.
"Okay let me help you out of your misery clearly you haven't done this before..."
Randhir looked at her confused.
"Just repeat after me" she told him taking the lead.
Sanyukta cleared her throat.
"I Mr. Gangster, apologize to the beautiful and multi-talented Sanyukta Aggarwal for my rude, primitive and disrespectful behavior. Also, I seek her inner goodness to kindly forgive my inconsiderate-self, even if I don't deserve such goodness. And finally, I promise not to repeat my mistakes and treat her as she rightfully deserves : like royalty." She finished her speech, satisfied with her outcome.
"Whaaat ?!" asked a mi-confused, mi-shocked Randhir.
"Yeah that would do...just repeat what I said and you shall be forgiven" she told him sternly, holding her grounds.
"Are you serious ?!"
"Do I look like I am kidding ?" she said looking straight in his eyes, dead serious. While her external appearance showed nothing but seriousness, her internal state was far from it. The look on his face when she was giving her speech was priceless, the gradual transition from confusion to shock was pure bliss.
"I am not saying that" he hissed. She was asking to step on his pride, no way !
"Your wish. Know that as soon as we are finished I'm outta here." she paused and looked directly in his eyes."The first time you found me because of Vardhan sir, this time I'll make sure you don't find me."
"Never...I am never letting you go !!!" he declared, his words laced with possessiveness. And as If his words didn't help enough power, he grabbed her by her waist and slammed her against himself, caging her in the safety of his arms.
Sanyukta didn't struggle, she just looked away from him, knowing it would irritate him. She knew she didn't have the physical strength to push him away so why even bother. Simple. It surely had nothing to do with the fact that she was enjoying the proximity, no absolutely not... !
"Look at me." Randhir ordered, annoyed.
Sanyukta still ignored him. She was the master at this game, no one could compete with her. She could ignore you to that insane extent that you'd even start doubting your own existence !
"Fiiine !" said Randhir annoyed and defeated.
He laid his hand on her cheek and turned her face toward himself.
"I Mr. Gangster apologize to Sanyukta Aggarwal. Forgive me. Won't repeat it" he said through greeted teeth, frown and scowled plastered on his face.
There it is... was that difficult? was it ? thought Sanyukta...although in her souvenirs, her version was slightly longer and more praiseful...but seeing how much it took him to even say that and crossing it with the fact that he hadn't been a jerk in the meeting, she decided she could do with this.
"These were not exactly my words, if I recall correctly..." she dragged at the end of her sentence. "But I think it will do for this time." she told him seeming in thought. "You are forgiven !" she beamed, startling Randhir with her sudden mood swing.
"What ?... that's it ?" asked Randhir, his frown deepened, if that was even possible, two more minutes like that and it be would carved for life.
"Yeah that's it... but if you want to get on your knees and beg some more, be my guest" she smirked at him.
He didn't reply, just looked at her uncertainly and seemingly in debate with himself. Sanyukta held his gaze, smile on her face. Slowly, gradually the frown lessened and the scowl disappeared. Sanyukta swore he had the most expressive face, every emotion he felt, he felt it to its full extent.
Deciding it was time to hit the bed, Sanyukta took Randhir's hand in her and dragged him with her.
"Where are we going ?" came Randhir gruff voice, like a kid pouting after a scolding, she chuckled.
"To sleep"