Chapter 39

Mala peeked at Roopa for the umpteenth time and pursed her lips pushing the dry upma on her plate from side to side. Beside her Geeta sat humming a tune happily eating sadam  or whatever it was, but it looked yummy than the thing she was eating. She sighed and dropped her spoon with a clatter. The sound made Geeta turn her head in Mala's direction. Opposite to them Roopa sat with her head bent, her plate of food untouched.

"Is something the matter? You look disturbed?" asked Geeta holding her spoon filled with food midway to her mouth.

Mala silently looked at Geeta then she looked in the direction of where Roopa was sitting. "Nothing. Aren't you in a hurry to go to office? You usually get ready by now" she asked folding her hands across her chest.

"I will go in the second half. My sister is coming so I have to pick her up," said Geeta swallowing the last morsel.

"Ah! I see. Will she be here for long?"

"Hmm can't say. I don't think she can stay here though, there is no space," said Geeta thinking where she could put her sister up for however long she was to stay.

"You are right about that. We were a happy lot earlier," said Mala looking once again at Roopa. She then nudged Geeta, "Where is the princess? She isn't to be seen anywhere?"

At the word 'princess' Roopa's head jerked up and she looked toward the door. Her hands were clammy and shook ever so slightly. She gulped as last night's conversation swarmed her head. She surely didn't dream because when she woke up there was a message on her phone telling her to make a decision.

Geeta scrunched her brows, "Can't you be a little civil? She is a nice girl, why do you say things like that to hurt her."

"Nice girl my foot! Didn't you see everything from the time she came here. She is on the look out for a sugar daddy that's all. I am sure she has eyes on Abhimanyu sir."

Geeta picked up the plate and stood up not wanting to hear anything more about Nandini. She knew that Mala was always the jealous type so arguing with her was like banging your head to the wall. "Nandini is a wonderful girl and she has got no eyes on anyone. In fact I won't be surprised if Abhimanyu sir takes an interest in her or any man for that matter. She is beautiful in and out...."

Roopa's hand trembled and with it her anger rose. She got up with a start and hit the table with both her hands startling Mala and Geeta.

"Oh! shut up will you?" she shouted at Geeta, "What do you know about her? She is not the innocent girl that she shows herself to be. She is vicious, arrogant, and after my Abhi but, let me make one thing clear, I will never allow her to destroy my life. I will never allow her to come close to Abhi." Roopa stormed in her room locking the door from inside and stood heaving heavily. She walked toward the mirror and untied her hair which was bound in a pony tail and tousled it such that it fell in waves on her back. She looked at her features in the mirror. What did she lack? she though as she studied her face. She was no princess but was it her fault that she wasn't born into royalty? Didn't she deserve a fair chance to woo Abhimanyu? Fury filled her eyes as she recalled the conversation she had with Nandini at Vilaspore palace. What distinguished Nandini from me? she asked herself. Nothing at all, take away the tiara and she is just another girl, just another face. Then she contemplated on whether she would love Abhimanyu if he wasn't a prince. The answer came swiftly Yes! She wanted Abhimanyu and she wanted him at any cost.

With the decision made she took her phone and typed a reply to the message she had earlier received.

I want to destroy Nandini. I want her out of Abhimanyu's life forever. I will do whatever you say if you can guarantee that Abhimanyu will be mine. If you can't then leave me alone.

After pressing send she waited with bated breath hoping she wasn't too late. The reply came swiftly and in just one word.

Deal

She looked at the mirror lifting her head ever so slightly. The war has begun Nandini and victory will be mine.

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The man held the phone and laughed out loud as he read and re-read the message. Love is a strange thing indeed, he mused. The task was so easy that he did not savour the victory but he would enjoy a bigger victory soon. He placed the phone on the bar counter and stood with his back to it.

"You will be in my arms soon my love," he said aloud as he conjured up the image of Nandini. He closed his eyes and threw back his head as he imagined his hands roving all over her silky soft body. His breathed quickened as he mentally stripped her naked and stood watching her glorious body. She was a drug, a potent drug that could make even the strongest of the men weak with desire. He felt himself harden and cursed her under his breath. The bitch is going to pay for what she was doing to him. Angry with himself he walked to the cabinet and pulled a bottle and took a swig. The whiskey burned his throat and dulled his senses. He closed his eyes trying to push her image away from his head. He screamed out loud and dashed the bottle to the ground in feral rage. Holding his head he hunched on the ground rocking to and fro. Hearing the sound of the crash the men who were guarding outside rushed in. They stood at some distance unsure of what to do. They had encountered their master's frightening situation before and they never had the guts to go near him after their colleague had paid with his life for touching him.

"Leave, all of you," a voice came from behind them. The men looked relieved and rushed out not wanting to be in the same room even for a second. Devendra Sisodia stood looking at the hunched man in front of him. He then walked to the sofa and sat with his legs crossed. Opening his cigar box, he took one out and proceeded to cut the end. Then he lit it and took a deep puff.

"Did you think of her again?" he slowly asked. "Nandini?"

Hearing the name the man lifted his head and ground his teeth in anger.

"What did you this time? Fucked her like always or....?"

Before Devendra could finish the sentence the man took a shard of glass from the ground and in one swift motion reached the sofa and pointed it at him.

"One more word and I will slit your throat," he said through his teeth.

Devendra lazily eyed the broken glass and the blood oozing from the man's hand. "You are bleeding," he said in a calm voice.

"I DON'T CARE!" the man shouted as he moved the glass an inch more.

Unperturbed Devendra continued, "Vikram is missing. He is nowhere in London or even in the whole of England. His secretary is also missing."

On hearing the words the man slowly retreated the glass. "Was he not under your watch?" he questioned in a dark tone.

Devendra took another puff and blew the smoke into the air. "Well, he was. His car is still at the villa, no flight information, nothing suspicious then I don't..."

"Its Abhimanyu," the man said throwing the glass toward the other broken pieces. "It's him"

"I guessed so too but they are not on talking terms. Then why?"

The man sank into the armchair and leaned back rocking slightly. "On Nandini's request"

Devendra raised his brows. He had never thought from that point of view. "Possible" he said finally. He looked long and hard at the man and snuffed out his cigar. "You are going to cause problems in mixing your business with that girl. She is useless."

The rocking stopped, "And I thought I told you not to send your men to follow me," he said glancing at Devendra.

"I need to keep you safe. I have to do what I have to do."

The man smirked, "I know how to keep myself safe," he continued rocking. "If we don't find Vikram then we need to move the pieces fast. He cannot and should not team up with Abhimanyu."

Devendra nodded. "I agree. If they get together then its going to be difficult. By the way I also got to know from Jaypore that Digvijay's son is in Mumbai. There is something going on at that end too. Nandini and him went to a doctor in Andheri."

The rocking stopped again and the man looked curiously at Devendra. "Doctor? What for?"

Devendra shrugged. "Some psychiatrist I think...."

The man got up immediately and started pacing around.

"What is the matter?" asked Devendra confused at the behaviour.

"You need to get them followed and keep me posted on everything that is happening. Did you send anyone else to Vilaspore. We need to find it quickly."

Devendra got up and stuffed the cigar into the pocket of his pants. "I will do the needful. Meanwhile S--"

The man glared at Devendra.

"I am sorry. Suraj. Try not to depend on that girl Roopa. She will rat you out."

The man turned to face the closed window. "I will take care of that issue. Also, as long as those two are with us we are safe. You just make sure of it."

Devendra smiled "There is no way they can ever escape. Not in this lifetime atleast."

The man nodded in satisfaction. "Also find that weasel Satish Malhotra before Abhimanyu gets him. If he is too much trouble just bury him alive. I spared him last time because of you otherwise I would have spilled his intestines out for eyeing my rose."

"Hmm....I will. Take care," said Devendra his eyes softening a bit but it lasted only for a second. Composing himself he turned and left the man whose eyes hardened as he witnessed Devendra Sisodia's reflection receding toward the door.

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Nandini sighed as she surveyed the chipped nail paint on her nails. The last time she painted she nails was in New York when she and Bethany indulged in a mad shopping spree. It seemed like ages though it was only a month ago. She hadn't called Bethany till date and her only conversation with Josh felt her in turmoil. She glanced at her phone pondering whether to call Bethany but decided against it. She couldn't handle more excitement than this. She would apologize properly maybe get Bethany to Jaypore for a vacation......as an afterthought she added maybe Josh too.

Nandini wondered at how rational she was sounding. She was unusually calm and it seemed like her senses had switched off. She looked at the empty chair opposite to her and felt a strange flutter. Where was he?  she asked annoyed that he hadn't shown up yet nor did he have the decency to call and inform her.

Ha! Why should he? It's not like you are anything to him. She did not like the words that came out of her conscious mind.

He is my boss isn't he? or that's what he says, so doesn't an employee need to know where the boss is? she countered

Not necessarily.

"Argh! Shut up will you" she said aloud precisely the moment that Bhim entered.

"My apologies hukum, but i just came to ask if you needed anything?" said Bhim in confusion

"No...its....I was talking on the phone," she said feebly.

Bhim bowed his head eyeing the phone on the table. "very well, I will leave you now."

Smacking her head Nandini blamed the tablet that she had in the morning as the cause for her condition. She looked at the coffee machine and decided that strong coffee would clear her mind. Heading over to the coffee machine she scooped beans and put it in the blender to powder it. She then pressed the powder into the filter and waited for the dark liquid to pour into the cup. Just then she heard the door open and a very familiar aftershave wafted toward her nose.

Nandini gulped her throat feeling dry like sand. She stood rooted to the stop unable to move or turn. He heart started beating so fast that she felt it would pop out of her ribcage. Damn the doctor, and damn the medicine.

Abhimanyu slowly walked to where she was standing. After the interrogation last night, he had made a quick trip to Vilaspore to search his late uncle Aditya Raj's room. He had hoped to find something at least but was thoroughly disappointed. He was tired and upset and would have stayed back but he wanted to see her, to touch her and lo there she was.

Nandini pressed her nails into the palm of her hands so that she could break the hold of whatever it was that she was feeling. Slowly she turned to face him, a cup of freshly brewed coffee in her hands. The moment her eyes met his her spirit soared. She felt like a young bird who had just learnt to fly. Abhimanyu read myriad emotions passing one after the other in her eyes.

"I had gone to Vilaspore," he answered.

Seeing the relief in her face, he inched closer to her. His eyes fell on her lips which quivered in anticipation. With his eyes never leaving hers, he reached out and took the cup of coffee from her hands. He took a sip and slowly placed the cup on the table.

Nandini wiped her palms on her dress. She willed herself to speak something, anything but she couldn't.

In a fluid motion, Abhimanyu snaked his arm around her waist and pulled her to him. His coffee scented breath fanned her face. Before she could speak he titled his head and spoke something unintelligible. His lips were warm and Nandini could feel an intensity that she had never felt before. There was absolute silence. It seemed like the earth stopped spinning. Nandini's hands rose of their own accord and wound round his neck. The action surprised Abhimanyu and he closed the bare inch of gap between their bodies, pressing her closer to him. He did not want to delve on anything negative about her. He needed this, needed it for his sanity. There were questions he had to get answers for, but that could wait couldn't it.

Nandini felt her heart and soul bloom. Her head was strangely silent. She could only hear the pounding of a heart and wondered whose it could be hers or his.

She did not know for how long they stood but when they broke apart she felt alive and embarrassed. Her cheeks took a lovely red hue and she touched them with her cold hands to calm herself. She couldn't meet his eyes. As she senses kicked in she stood mortified at what she had done.

"Nandini I..." Abhimanyu started to say

"Excuse me" she said without waiting to hear what he wanted to tell her. Rushing to the conference room she opened the door and hurried in. She touched her lips and a small smile formed under her fingertips. She quickly brushed it off blaming the medicine.

"What the hell is wrong with me?"

She sat thinking about what had happened and that was when it dawned on her. Abhimanyu had replied he had gone to Vilaspore but only to a question posed by her.

Where were you Abhi? I missed you!

"I had gone to Vilaspore"

Nandini hit her forehead on the table unable to believe what she had done.

As she was dwelling on the things the door opened and someone entered.

" You said you were not after Abhimanyu sir. You lied to me. So Roopa and Mala were telling the truth?"

A/N

Yayyy....my exams are over. I am so happy. Well what to say I get flustered easily. I hope I managed to put everyone on the edge of the cliff.......The one who wanted to meet me in hell....Nooooooo dearyyyy..........I will not send you there..........

sarangheyo