Chapter 29

Geeta slowly opened the door of the bedroom that she was supposed to share with Nandini. On entering the room she saw that Nandini had already occupied the empty bed on the left side, the luggage was stowed away and she was currently sitting on the bed with her knees pulled up to her body, busily typing on her phone. Nandini lifted her head and saw her once then continued what she was doing

"You haven't slept?" asked Geeta as she placed two bottles of water on the table between the beds near to the wall.

"Not sleepy," replied Nandini without looking at Geeta.

Geeta sighed and walked to the bed which was on the right side. She smoothed the invisible crease lines and sat on the bed gingerly staring at Nandini. Mala's words instantly came to her mind. There was surely a definite glow about her but it was not like what Mala had meant. This had more to do with an unusual aura that seemed to surround her almost like a halo. Geeta rubbed her eyes wanting to dispel the absurd thought. 'Halo! Pft, This was the effect of watching too many of those damn serials!'

Nandini felt a pair of eyes on her. "Do you want to say anything?" she asked vexed with the constant stare.

Caught unawares Geeta shook her head. "I've got a bottle of water for you. It's on the table," she pointed. " . . . and don't mind what Mala said to you earlier! She has always been that way."

Nandini placed her phone on the bed and stretched her legs leaning against the wall. The cold wall surprised her for a bit for she had not expected it. She took a pillow and put it against the wall and leaned back again. Much better, she thought to herself as she turned her head toward the other girl.

"It will take more than that to make me mind. Besides I have had my share of unpleasant things far worser than this, so no worries."

"Oh okay! So, you are not from Mumbai right? Where are you from?"

"A place far away from Mumbai."

Not minding the clipped reply Geeta continued. "Nice, I know you aren't from the South because you see I am from the South, but please don't call me madarasi," she laughed. "I get that a lot you know. Hey madarasi, dosa-sambhar – after a time it gets really weird. I hate the name calling. Mala did try to get on my nerves at first. It bothered me for some days but then I stopped responding and she stopped."

Nandini was not habituated to speaking to strangers and she should have got irritated at the incessant chatter but somehow Geeta's talk calmed her nerves. "How long have you been working for Abhimanyu?" she asked out of the blue

Geeta smiled sitting cross legged "Three years ever since Abhi sir had bought the company."

Nandini frowned not understanding what she meant by it. "I didn't get you. Bought the company?"

"Taurus wasn't always Taurus you know. The company which I had earlier worked for was called Zoon Holdings, a large group who fell into ill times one can say. Abhimanyu sir bought the whole company and expanded it till it became what it was today. We thought that he could lay off the old staff but he did not. He spoke to all of us personally and told us that we had the job if we wanted to work under him. The only condition he put forth was loyalty. He said that he would destroy our lives if we ever deceived him." Geeta shivered involuntarily. "He did as he spoke you know. One guy tried to sell the tender details but was caught and no one had ever heard from him since. Sir was the one who gave the name Taurus. Mala says that it is because he is a Taurus."

'No he is not a Taurus but a Capricorn,' she said to herself. Probably it was Padmini maa's sun sign.

She was familiar with most of what he liked and disliked in the past. It was surprising that she could remember most of it. She remembered keenly observing him the days when he was at Jaypore. She could pick off on her fingers the food he liked, the drinks he favoured, the brands he preferred and even the way his eyes moved subtly to catch hers till she would look away, her face red and warm.

Nandini was so lost in her world that the rest of what Geeta was saying reduced to a gentle hum in the background. Tomorrow she would have to face him, the idea made her stomach flutter. She had come to Mumbai with a determination that is not to allow him to encroach her heart again. For this reason she had rebuilt the ruined wall around her heart with boulders. What she did not anticipate was the physical intimacy that would be involved. She did not expect him to kiss her, ruthlessly if she may add. She should have felt violated but her brain refused to acknowledge that. The kiss was like well needed drops of water on the parched earth. It sizzled and singed right through her managing to shake the boulders from its place.

A shiver ran through her and she rubbed her arms reflexively. She then glanced at her phone. He father had still not replied or called to let her know that everything was okay at Jaypore.

Geeta noticed the action mistaking it for fear and she quickly spoke to reassure Nandini. "Don't worry Nandini. Abhi sir might be tough at times but in reality he is a good person. You know . . ." she leaned forward speaking in a whisper. " . . . I have an innate quality in judging people. So you needn't worry, but, you need to stay away from Mala. The girl is bad news," she said straightening up.

Abhimanyu and a good person! Well the words were overrated. Nandini did not want to dash someone's dreams. That was not in her nature. But no one knew about the person in question than her.

"What do you do at Taurus?" she finally asked desperate to shift the focus of her attention.

Geeta was more than happy to divulge any information that Nandini asked. "I am in the HR. That is how I got to know about your appointment, but Aakash sir said that you would be arriving a week back, so when you did not turn up I thought you had given up on the job."

"I don't have a choice," sighed Nandini picking up her phone.

"Oh! Things at home that bad? Don't worry the pay package is great. I told you right Abhi sir is a good employer."

"Pay package? What do you mean?"

Geeta looked amused. "Well . . ." she laughed, "Don't you want pay for your work? You have a decent one. Three lakh per annum is not a simple thing – plus benefits and this flat is paid for! So all in all it's a good deal. You can send a good amount back home provided you control your . . . er . . . other costs."

Realization dawned on Nandini. So Yuvraj Abhimanyu wants to pay me for my services! "I am thrilled," she said sarcastically but it was lost on Geeta who responded positively thinking she really was.

"That is what I meant. So do you have to send money back to your family? I guess you do that's why you came to Mumbai in the first place right?"

"Is that the reason you came to Mumbai?" asked Nandini.

Geeta's countenance darkened for a moment but then it brightened again. "Of course, I have a large family to sustain, but, thankfully I am at a larger pay grade." When Nandini turned her head away Geeta sensing that she might have felt bad quipped. "You will reach there eventually Nandini and everything will be fine. It has to just keep up the courage."

For the first time since she came to the place Nandini smiled genuinely. "Thank you Geeta," she said acknowledging the other girl's name.

After coming to the place Nandini had felt a sense of defeat and why not! She was stuck in a place where she did not know anyone, her brother was in a foreign country without any idea of when or how he would return, her father was oblivious of anything happening in his children's lives, the truth about her past was threatening to swallow her, Uday refused to co-operate and from the next day on she had to be in the vicinity of the person for whom her emotions and feelings were in tangles. In all this the only bright light was the words that Geeta spoke.

Yes! she said to herself. Things would be okay.

As if confirming it she got two messages on her phone. The first one was from her father who confirmed that the raid was not serious as he had imagined but that he could not return to Mumbai as he had other important work to take care of. The second one was from Uday. This message she read with more interest.

- Hi, so . . . . . I am sorry! I am sorry I left you defenseless, sorry that I said all those things, half of which I don't remember (and don't remind me either). I will see you in Mumbai as soon as I can make it. Just give me a day or two. Please, please hold on till I come.

The words had a calming effect over her. When she was in Jaypore she did not realize how much Uday's presence had meant to her. He was right. She did take him for granted and she had to make amends for it.

"You look like you are feeling better already?" said Geeta happily.

"Yes. I have to thank you though for that,"

Geeta looked surprised, "Me? what did I do? Anyways leave all that, we have to be up and running by 9 am tomorrow. That is when the cab would come."

"But, I was asked to come to the office by 8,"

"Oh! Then you should, Abhi sir hates tardiness. You better get some sleep now," saying so she quickly got up and switched off the light dousing the room in darkness. Nandini still sat in the same position while Geeta said a quick prayer after which she lay on the bed. In few minutes she was fast asleep. Nandini however did not think that sleep would nearly be possible. The bedroom was filled with light from the yellow street lights outside and to add to it there was commotion from vehicles passing by. Sighing she closed her eyes but sub- consciously her mind was awake and alert replying the kiss in her head.

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

Abhimanyu surveyed the pent house of the Taurus, where his father was currently put up. Security was to the max and the guards stood attentive and ready for any untoward incident. He looked at the nurse who was looking around, feeling quite overwhelmed by the arrangements and the guards.

"You need not worry, you are safe here," he said in a reassuring voice. "Your family will be reimbursed handsomely for your services. Your one and only job will be to take care of his highness and after he gets well, you will be given a job at any place of your choice or work in any hospital that you want."

The nurse nodded gratefully knowing full well that the prince would do as he said.

He continued. "Father should be taken care of properly."

"Yes sir," said the nurse.

He then looked at his father irresolutely trying to restrain his spiraling mind which was at the verge of slipping out of his control. Closing his eyes he took a deep breath and walked to the bed. He did the usual by sitting beside and taking his father's hand in his. 'Just a few days more father and I will bring the culprits to justice – my justice - and I promise you not one would escape.' While he was thinking this he felt a slight movement on his hand. He lifted his head and looked at his father's hand in his. Did he sense a tightening of grip? He looked at his father who was lying motionless and gently called him. Getting no response he held the hand to his forehead and then kissed it.

A patterned knock was heard on the door outside. The guard posted inside called out asking who it was.

"Bhim," came the reply from outside.

"Password please," the guard asked without batting an eyelid. Bhim deftly said the password and the door opened. The guard did a quick salute and stepped back allowing Bhim to enter.

By this time Abhimanyu was watching the scene with amusement. He looked at the other man, "Password for you too?" he questioned.

"Cant take chances hukum! We do not know how many more are there?" he said seriously.

Abhimanyu got up thrusting his hands into the pocket of his jeans. "Let them come by the hordes Bhim. I am enough for them all."

"Count me in too hukum," said Bhim.

Abhimanyu knew full when he could count on the man who stood beside him but it was not necessary. He was enough to handle all his enemies and as a kshatriya it was only right that he take his revenge.

"Where is she?"

"Put up in a place just as you had ordered. She doesn't have any doubts and I have a guard trailing her every move. If you give me permission I can track her calls too."

Abhimanyu walked to the huge glass windows and moved the curtains a bit peeking into the busy street below. Mumbai never slept that was one reason he chose the city rather than any other. He could have gone abroad but he was not the one to run away. This was the place where he could drown all his doubts and pain. The city had taught him to be cold, molded his heart squeezed all emotions out of it till only a mound of flesh remained somewhere in his chest.

Nandini was the first one who had dealt the deathly blow to his heart. She had unleashed an animal in him five years back and he had somehow managed to lock it away but her return had it banging to break free from the prison which he understood has gone rusty and the kiss today had been the trigger that unleashed it again. He berated himself again for allowing to taste the poison of her lips and removed the thought from his head.

Coming to the issue at hand he refused to allow tracing calls. He did not like prying on the private life of his employees. He had other means to get what he wanted to know. Like how he had tricked Nandini's father into leaving Mumbai the same day. How he tricked her into moving out of Jaypore House immediately after. He had no scruples, no guilt, no one to answer to. He was like a wild animal roaming in the world forming his own rules, killing at his leisure and taking utmost pleasure in it.

"Let it be Bhim, no trace." He moved toward the private lift and jabbed on the button which opened immediately. Abhimanyu got inside along with Bhim. This lift directly opened into his office that was below the penthouse. No one else was allowed to use the private lift, not even Bhim. The other way to enter the penthouse was by stairs and three guards were posted 24/7 nearby. Adding to that CCTV visuals were monitored by two more guards every minute without a break.

Abhimanyu sat on the leather swivel chair and swung it toward the windows. The view from the twenty floor high rise was exquisite. It had better be for the amount he paid for the building. No other building in Bandra Kurla complex was high as Taurus. The cell phone rang and Abhimanyu picked it up. It was Aaksah.

"Sir, Nandini has reached the accommodation," he informed.

"I know that. Anything else?" he tapped his fingers on the rosewood table.

"News from London sir . . ."

"Not now, tomorrow, I think it can wait?"

"Yes sir but ---"

Abhimanyu tilted his head, "But?? -----"

"We cant keep stalling for long sir. A decision has to be taken."

"Okay, see you tomorrow. Oh and by the way Aakash, its Miss. Singh to you, understand?"

"Yes sir."

After the call got disconnected Abhimanyu pursed his lips deep in thought. Vikram would not survive for long!

Reading his mind Bhim spoke, "Vikram hukum is in trouble?"

Abhimanyu laughed. "He fell in trouble the moment he decided to compete with me."

Knowing full well that his boss would not like him meddling he continued. "Shall I make arrangements for you to go to London?"

"No need for that. I will handle it, please don't worry on that behalf. If there is nothing else you can leave and switch off the lights on your way out."

"Hukum" said Bhim leaving immediately.

Abhimanyu removed his shoes and propped his feet on the table putting his full weight on the chair. He closed his eyes hoping to catch a nap. Mentally and physically tired he did not know when he fell into a slumber.

It was a moderate house, the walls a pale yellow with paint peeling off here and there. There were two rooms in the house also painted yellow and by the look of it one could make out that it was hastily painted. The smell of dampness and rot filled the air. The larger room had a single window which was heavily barred with wood and iron. Just beside the window was a washbasin. Water was dripping from the tap above in succession. The corner of the walls and on the ceilings cobwebs hung from which spiders of all shapes and sizes were biding their time, waiting for their next meal. Below the window a thick line of fire ants marched one after the other carrying the remnants of a dead fly.

A woman was standing by the window dressed in a washed out plain saree, Her almost grey hair was tied in a tight bun from which wisps escaped. She was looking out of the window staring at something outside. The pallu of her saree was draped on her arm which was bare of any accessories. A strong breeze blew and she flinched turning slowly with a beatific smile on her aging face. "I am here darlings. When are you coming to take me home?" she questioned.

The dream broke . . .

Nandini woke up with a start the same time that Abhimanyu opened his eyes. Both of them saw the silhouette of a woman vanishing in a wisp of smoke right in front of their eyes.

" Maa!??"  They said in unison.