Chapter 28: chapter 28

SRUTHI“I still can’t believe this,” Vikram says looking at the photo.  “It is been two whole days since you opened that gift and it never occurred to you to inform me about it. You can’t just walk in and drop bombshells like this.”We are at my brother’s mansion. Vikram was packing his things for the abroad trip he was about to take in a couple of days when I and Madhav came knocking. He was genuinely surprised and happy to see us. But, Madhav broke the news even before my brother could utter a word. “That is not her fault,” Madhav answers. “I was the one who forbade her to say anything to you.”“Why?” Vikram asks throwing a glare at Madhav.“Because, I am sure if you had known about this, then you would have cancelled your abroad trip to stay with her.”“Of course, I am going to do that now,” Vikram says in a firm tone picking up his phone.“No, don’t do that,” I say with a shake of my head. “We don’t want to let Vinod know that we are scared of him.”“We are not yet sure that he is the prep behind all this,” says Vikram.“Then what do you say is the plausible explanation for him holding the gift in his hands?” I ask. “I don’t have a good explanation for it, Sru,” my brother says. “I just don’t want to make any false assumptions. We need more proof and evidence.”“Whatever,” I say huffing out a breath. I know I am being irrational. Both Madhav and Vikram have a point. I can’t make assumptions after seeing a photo but when you are desperate and anxious like me then you jump to conclusions. “But, if hypothetically speaking Vinod proves to be behind all these attacks, then what could be his motive?”“Simple. His motive is power,” Madhav answers.“Power?” I ask with a frown.“As of now, it is your brother who holds the highest power and influence in the country. Not even the prime minister can interfere in the matters of defence and security of the country. Vikram is the one responsible for keeping the ministers in check and crime rates low. The current prime minister is an honest man with nothing to hide. But we can’t say the same about Vinod. There are gaps in his life that no one knows. He is still a mystery to many of us. Many rumours are circulating about him in the underworld. Rumours like how he is involved in murder and drugs cases.”“Murder?” I ask my eyes widening. “Yes,” Vikram nods his head grimly. “Ten years ago, when he was still in high school, a student who studied with him died mysteriously. No one knew what happened to that girl. But, there were rumours in that school about how Vinod was responsible for her death. I didn’t have much power then. So, the prime minister used his influence and stopped the investigation. But now, with my power, I can reopen the case if I want and investigate.”I understand the implied meaning without Vikram saying it aloud. If Vikram did reopen the case irrespective of what the truth may be, it would create a huge rift in the politics of our country. Vinod’s popularity and the trust people have in him would decrease which would lead to an unstable rule for him. Even if Vikram doesn’t reopen the investigation, someone else will fill a petition in the court to reopen it and eventually Vikram had to do it. But, if Vikram lost his power as the all-powerful minister then there is a chance that no one would dare to investigate the case. Vinod would become powerful with no one to keep him in check. It is no secret to our close circles about how I am the weak spot for my brother. Vinod knew that fact very well. “I still can’t wrap my mind around all this,” I say rubbing the sides of my forehead. "That is politics for you," says Madhav. Vikram shoots a glare at him and walks to me. “Don’t stress yourself too much about this,” Vikram says pulling me into a hug. His smells of safety and home and childhood memories. Who told mothers gave the best hug? To me, it is my brother who gives the best hugs.  “I am going to the prime minister’s house today evening. I will meet Vinod there. I will try to know why he was having that gift in his hands.”“Okay,”  I say. “But don’t you dare cancel the abroad trip? I know how important it is for the security of our country.”“Alright, I won’t cancel it. Be a good girl and try to stay alive. When I am gone, Madhav will take care of you. Don’t be difficult to him. Listen to him.”“I am not a kid, Vikram. I know how to take care of myself,” I say shoving him in the chest. He catches my elbow with a good-natured laugh.“To me, you will always be a kid,” he says and then turns his head in the direction of Madhav who is staring out of the window. “Madhav, you know what to do. My sister’s safety is your responsibility. Just know that my fury knows would know no bounds if something happens to her when I am away. I wouldn’t hesitate to unleash the hell on you.”I expect Madhav to cower in fear but he holds my brother’s menacing gaze with a fierce gaze of his own. It is fascinating to watch both men engage in a powerful battle of staring.“Rest assured. Your sister is safe with me. I know how to protect my wife,” Madhav answers holding his head high. My wife. Something about the way Madhav says it warms my body in places I never thought was possible. His gaze leaves my brother to find mine and there is lethal promise in them. He means every word he says. He would go to any extent to keep me safe. I should be scared of the deadly look in his eyes. I would have been if it was in the past but for some reason now, I don’t feel afraid.Nope! Fear is not the emotion I feel for Madhav. ❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥