5| Ulfat

🦢 Tum mile kho gaya hai khud ka hi pata,

Kya karu kya nahi, kuch basmei na raha 🦢

"Aashna theek hai na?" Maya asked in a soft voice as she kept a hand on Arjun's chest. He just got off the phone with one of his men who was overlooking Aashna.

Aashna is okay, right?

She was still sitting in his lap. They were on the way to Arjun's den, the place from where he operates his illegal business.

"Haa, maine just confirm kiya hai. She has reached Diya's house and she's safe." Arjun reassured Maya.

Yes, I've just confirmed it.

"Maya, are you sure you want to accompany me to my den?" Arjun asked, wanting Maya to rethink her decision of not going back home.

"Yes Arjun. Why are you so at unease about me visiting the place?" Maya asked with furrowed eyebrows.

"Cause tumhe nahi pata wahan kya hota hai, Maya. Ye meri dusri office jaisa nahi hai." Arjun tried explaining.

Because you don't know what happens there, Maya. This one isn't like my other office.

"Dusri office jaisa nahi hai matlab?" Maya questioned once again.

What's that suppose to mean?

"Matlab waha mai itna composed nahi rehta. Tumne mujhe hamesha mere businessman wale roop mei dekha hai par mai wahan businessman nahi mafia boss hu." Arjun said and heaved a sigh.

I mean, I won't be this composed there. You've seen me as a businessman till now but I won't be one when I'm there. I'll be a mafia boss.

"I don't know tum mujhe waise dekhogi to kaise react karogi. Shayad tum mujhe waise dekh kar accept na karo. Shayad tum mujhse itni darr jao k mere pass bhi na aa sako." He continued after a moment.

I don't know how you'll react when you see me like that. Maybe you won't accept that side of me. Maybe you'll start fearing me so much that you never think of coming near me.

"Arjun maine ye shayad kabhi nahi kaha par maine aapko aapke har roop mai accept kar liya hai. Mai aapko ek businessman ya mafia boss ki tarha nahi par sirf mere pati aur Aashna ke papa ke roop mai dekhti hu. Aapki shayad hi koi side aise hogi k jisse mai dar jaun, dur hone ka to sawal hi nahi hai." Maya cupped Arjun's face and reassured her.

Arjun, I might have not said this to you ever, but I have accepted you and all of your sides. I don't see you as a businessman or a mafia boss but only as my husband and Aashna's dad. I don't think there's any side of you that'll ever make me fear you, forget about staying away from you.

Arjun kept a hand on hers and gave her a sincere nod. He was so grateful for her words but at the same time he was still a bit worried about how her reaction would be to his side.

Arjun's phone rang and he picked it up in a moment. He grunted in response as he picked the call up.

"Mai wahi jaa raha hu. Leke aao use wahan." Arjun said in a dark voice.

I am headed towards the den, bring him there.

"My men caught the person who tried to shoot you." Arjun said as he looked into Maya's eyes.

Shortly the car pulled to a sort of abandoned looking place which was a bit far from the city. It was a bit difficult to find but that was exactly what Arjun required for his head office. They also have phone reception jammers and 24 hrs security cameras all around it on top of several armed men protecting the premise.

Maya was taking in all the details as they approached the entrance of the place. She got down from Arjun's lap and sat next to him. As the car stopped, Arjun got out and forwarded his hand towards her. She grabbed it and got out herself. Arjun intertwined their fingers and tightened his hold on her hand.

They walked inside and Maya observed the interior of this place. It was luxurious and modern with a touch of vintage furniture.

Arjun entered his office followed by Maya. He asked Maya to wait for him in the office while he deals with the man behind the shooting.

"Nahi. Mujhe bhi dekhna hai. Mujhe sunna hai ke woh kon hai aur aisa usne kyu kiya." Maya stubbornly said as she crossed her arms against her chest.

No, I want to see it. I want to know who he is and what did he do this for.

"Tumhe mai andar to nahi le jaa sakta par agar tumhe dekhna h hai to idhar betho." Arjun said as he pointed to his seat.

I cannot take you there but if you wanna see, sit here.

"Aapki seat pe?" Maya asked in mild surprise.

On your seat?

"You're my wife; my equal. You may very well sit here." Arjun said as he tugged her hand and made her sit on his seat.

Maya placed a small kiss on his cheek and gave him a sugary sweet smile. He furrowed his eyebrows at her.

"Don't distract me, Maya." Arjun said and received a chuckle from her.

Arjun turned on his PC and started the live recording of what looked like an empty room on his screen. There was a man sitting on a chair with his hands cuffed behind his back. There was also a table placed on his left side which had a lot of weapons which she assumed was for torturing him.

Maya could clearly see whatever was happening but couldn't hear a thing. She looked at Arjun who was standing next to her.

"I want to," She started to complain about how she couldn't hear a thing in the room but shut up instantly.

Arjun turned on the sound and now she could hear his men asking him questions. The man on the chair didn't answer a thing but just demanded to see their boss i.e., Arjun.

"I shall go talk to him now. Whatever may happen, do not leave this room. Am I clear, Maya?" Arjun asked.

"Yes, hubby." Maya answered in a mischievous voice and gave him a smile.

"Let me focus woman." Arjun mumbled under his breath and leaned in to place a kiss on her forehead before exiting his office. Maya chuckled since she heard what he said and then turned her attention towards his PC.

Arjun instructed two guards to stand outside his office, guarding his wife. He then walked to the torture room where the man was held captive.

Maya saw her husband enter the room from the screen. He stood before the man on the chair and shoved his hands inside his pockets.

"You wanted to see the boss?" Arjun said in a mocking voice.

"Ahh, the infamous Arjun Singhania. Nice to finally meet you in person." The man said with a smirk.

"Quit the chit-chat. I'll give you exactly one minute to tell me why did you find the need to aim a bullet at my wife." Arjun said in dark, authoritative voice.

A delicious shiver ran down Maya's spine as she took in a new side of her husband. She found this look on him to be so hot and distractive that she actually shook her head to get rid of all her dirty thoughts.

Focus Maya. She mentally scolded herself and concentrated on the screen once again.

"Look man, I'm a professional assain. Meri kisis se koi dushamni nahi hai. Mujhe jab jo kehta hai mai use assingmnet leta hu par ek acchi keemat ke badle of couse." The man confessed.

I am not an enemy to anyone. Whenever someone approaches me, I take the assignment from them but for a price of course.

"Tujhe lagta hai tu mujhe kuch bhi jhooth bolega aur mai maan lunga." Arjun replied.

You think I'd believe whatever lies you spew.

"Mai sach bol raha hu. Kuch dino pehle to mujhe ye bhi nahi pata ki tumne dusri shaadi kar li hai. Mujhe abhi bhi Mrs. Singhania ka naam nahi pata." He said.

I'm not lying. Until a few days ago, I didn't even know that you've married again. I still don't know Mrs. Singhania's first name.

"Jis target ka tumhe naam nhai pata, usse shoot karne ka assignment tumne le liya? Seedhi tarha sach bolde." Arjun said as he grabbed his collar and jerked him towards himself.

You don't even know her name and you've taken up the assignment to shoot her? Tell me the truth right now.

"Sach hi bol raha hu. Mujhe 3 din pehle ek call aya aur Mrs. Singhania ko shoot karne ka assigmemnt ek aadmi ne mujhe diya phone pe hi. Usne target ki photo aur cash mere address par bhijwaye agle din aur mane assignmnet accept kar liya." The man confessed.

I am telling the truth. I got a call 3 days ago and was given the assignment to shoot Mrs. Singhania by a man on the phone itself. The next day, a photo of her and some cash was dropped at my address so I accepted.

"Mai kabhi assasianation ki wajah ya target ki personal information nahi puchta. Mujhe jitna kaha jaye mai utna hi karta hu." He said and before Arjun could answer, one of Arjun's men entered the room.

I never ask questions about the target. I simply do whatever I'm asked to.

"He's clean, sir. Yeh sach keh raha hai." Arjun's man informed him.

He's telling the truth.

"Are you sure?" Arjun asked and his man nodded his head.

"Arjun, aur ek baat." The assain said, gaining Arjun's attention again.

One more thing.

"Jisne Mrs. Singhania ko marne ka assignment diya tha, usi ne Mrs. Zoya Singhania ko marne ka assignment mere ek fellow assain ko diya tha kuch saal pehle." He confessed leaving Arjun shocked.

Whoever asked me to shoot Mrs. Singhania, he's the same person who gave the assignment to shoot Mrs. Zoya Singhania to a fellow assassin of mine a couple years ago.

Arjun stood on his place, not able to move at all.

"Sir? sir?" His men called for him.

"Take him to the cell." Arjun ordered and left the torture room in a haste.

Thousands of thoughts were clouding his mind. How is this possible. Arjun searched for the man for years and never found anything and today he got everything served on a plater in front of him just when he had stopped looking.

He barged inside his office and quickly shut the door behind him.

He shrugged off his coat and threw it on the couch on the left, followed by his tie and cuff links. He was taking ragged breaths and he opened the first two buttons of his black shirt and folded up the sleeves of it.

Maya grabbed the pitcher and a glass from the desk and poured some water. She offered him the glass and he gulped it down in a go.

"Please breathe Arjun." Maya said as he kept a hand on his shoulder.

"Calm down. The man's obviously lying, right? I mean, Zoya died of natural causes." Maya said with furrowed eyebrows.

She couldn't comprehend what was happening. The bizarre confession from the assassin which she was sure is a lie and then Arjun's reaction. She was confused beyond words and equally worried for her husband.

"No Maya." Arjun said in between his breaths.

"What? What do you mean?" Maya asked.

"I need to tell you something." Arjun said as he pulled Maya to the couch nearby. He took her hands in his as the both of them sat down.

"Zoya didn't die of natural causes. She was assassinated." Arjun said.

"Oh my God." Maya's hands flew to her mouth as her eyes widened in surprise.

Zoya was assassinated?!

~ x ~

Any thoughts on the story so far?