CHAPTER-28

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"How long will it take?" Radhika asked looking outside the car window from the passenger seat but never got a reply from Vivaan who was driving the car with intense concentration. They were in the city's spare locality and for the last half an hour, they were just shifting lanes. Her heart sank as they gradually approached the locality where Sneha lived.

"Where are we going?" A deep silence followed.

They had reached Shimla early in the morning and after freshening up and savouring its traditional food as breakfast, Vivaan asked her to stay in the resort while he had to attend an important meeting, then they could tour the city together. But insecure Radhika tagged herself along, claiming she would definitely learn some experience by attending the meeting and promising not to be a nuisance, despite his several denials.

The car came to halt just in front of the house where Sneha lived. So he came to know her whereabouts and travelled all the way to meet his beloved, she concluded. Despite knowing how much she hated her, he brought her here to witness two lovers' reunion. A wave of betrayal ratified her soul. Meanwhile, he remained calm and silent as always.

Vivaan scrutinized the area with a frown. He unlocked his mobile phone and moved his gaze from its screen to the house keenly from time to time.

"Are you sure you are to attend a meeting here?" She asked not liking the silence. She hated how all the time he kept her in dark in the name of a meeting.

"Can't you sit quietly for a minute? I am also as clueless as you." He retaliated looking confusingly at the residential locality. May be due to incapability to pinpoint how the diva of his dream and soon to be the goddess of his life, was living here.

"Are you sure this is the place? Who does a meeting at such a place?" She ridiculed, silently wishing him to confess his intention behind this visit.

"I don't know but the address is correct, I guess." He replied in a voice laced with chaos. He unbuckled his seat belt and stepped out of the car. But before closing the door, he lectured her once more.

"Let me confirm it and you sit here without making any fuss. And no need to roam outside. I will be back in a minute." He declared.

"What happened?" She acted confused.

"Nothing." She shrugged as Vivaan closed the door behind him and not before locking the car doors. She sneered at his actions.

She saw him approaching the main door of the house. Soon the door was opened but she couldn't see the figure as Vivaan's back covered the view. Soon Vivaan returned and seemed too angry for his own good. He ignited the car engine and reversed the car, following the way back to the city. Radhika worriedly asked what happened there.

He shook his head in denial but she was not a fool to differentiate the shift in his mood and the silence stretched inside the car.

In an instance, a worried face replaced with a calm one as she looked at the beautiful untamed landscape of Himachal through the window of the vehicle.

"What happened to your meeting?" She decided to irk him more with her sarcastic voice.

"Nothing. Got cancelled." He replied coolly not veering his concentration away from the wavy roads. She raised a brow in amusement. She crooked her head accessing a better view of his face and with a mockery smile said, "Such weird delegates! Choosing a residential area for official work!" He shrugged his shoulder in dismay.

Though her words and postures were calm, it was she who knew what a rage got ignited inside her. He still dared to lie to her. She couldn't understand why he couldn't get over her. Why he or others chose Sneha above her. What made her a better choice?

Despite the regular bother from such questions, she calmly leaned on her seat, after adjusting its position and mentally smirked.

Though all these silent questions remained unanswered, one thing she was confirmed about. She will never let them reunite anyhow, and let her ruin her settled life once again, being an immotile rock in the path. They could meet until she wanted. And she will never let them meet until her stance is secured.

Radhika's phone rang. Her eyes sparkled knowing the caller id and the corner of her mouth quirked up. She leisurely picked up the call.

"Work is done." A voice followed. She peacefully hummed in response with a small evil smile.

"You know what you have to do now." She queried in a dark threatening voice.

"Yes, Madam. The woman is still unconscious but as she wakes up, we will interrogate." Before he could carry on his assigned work, she again warned, "My name must not come in between."

"Of course, never." He assured merrily. She sighed in frustration. How much now she wished to eradicate that woman's whole existence from this earth. Unknowingly she couldn't. Maybe she wanted her not to perish without mourning her doom. But her thirst for her sister's blood surprised her. Why did she want her hands to be soaked in her blood? When did she become this crooked?

"Do what you have in your might to retrieve the answers but beware I don't want to see a single scratch on her." He chuckled from the other side.

She grimaced hearing his menacing laughter.

"You are really strange. Never mind, Just assume your work is almost done."

"Don't dare to call me before that."

Her mouth set in a hard line.

"Sure." She huffed in annoyance and hung up the call.

Vivaan glanced at her from the corner of his eyes. He chortled at her.

"Wow, I didn't know you can talk in this dangerous tone too. What was it? Are you spying on your rival?"

She turned her icy gaze to his face, making him stirred a bit uncomfortable beneath under her strict scrutiny. He composed himself, thinking she was too gloomy to indulge in any conversation.

"Think something like that." He nodded turning his full concentration on the road.

"What do you want to do now?" Vivaan asked as the car entered the city area.

"Donno." She said, closing her eyes in exhaustion.

"Let's have lunch meanwhile we can decide." He suggested as he parked the car in front of a restaurant.

"I don't have any appetite." She slightly shifted her position making herself comfortable on the seat which had been occupied by her for the last three hours of the long drive. Her muscles silently implored for being stretched in relaxation but stubborn she did want to make him realize that not everything could transpire according to his preference.

"Then be there for mere accomplishment." He continued with a chuckle," I assure you will not resist as aroma hits your nostrils."

"No." She declared in a firm voice, turning her gaze away.

"Don't understand why you have to create drama all the time. This morning you were too excited and now sitting here weathering tremendous sadness."

This comment made her turn her head to him at lightning speed in disbelief. Her eyes narrowed at the accusation.

"What is your problem huh? When I speak you claim the shrillness tends to pin your eardrums and now when I turn silent, you can't even leave me without skulling. I am not your puppet." He rolled his eyes at her overacting. He unbuckled his seatbelt and after stepping outside the car, he marched towards her side. He opened the car door. Facing her, he asked in acrimony, "Why are you being dramatic? I am trying to be nice and all the time you have to ruin it." She looked another way, overlooking his presence.

"Fine, you will only understand in a hard way. Don't blame me later."

He lifted her in bridal style and moved towards the entrance of the bistro. She wiggled in his tight grip. But it was so tight that she couldn't set herself free. Noticing a few people around witnessing the hustle-bustle and whispering around, she stopped her resistance.

"You really want to create a scene around." He impeached with a huff.

He put her on the ground once they entered inside. He held her wrist and then dragged her inside without any further resistance that time.

A waiter approached the couple and guided them to their cosiest table situated near the magnificent glass window which provided glorious scenic views of mountains.

The waiter passed them the menu as he tightened his grip on the pen and notepad in his grip, which is more than ready to scribe the order.

Vivaan transmitted her the menu, asking her to order on their behalf. But the change didn't affect her and she remained giving him the silent treatment. The waiter narrowed his eyes at the weird couple.

Observing the prolonged silence and uneasiness around the trio, Vivaan said looking at him, "Do one thing, serve us this restaurant's speciality."

As he was out of his view, leaving the couple alone, Vivaan complained, "Why are you throwing tantrums like a five-year-old kid?"

She shrieked, "I am being childish then what about..." She was cut off by the ringing of his phone. She pursed her lips in annoyance and leaned on her seat, folding her arms. Vivaan looked at her for a few seconds in between glanced at the caller id.

He excused himself and went to the restroom to talk with the caller.

"Enjoying Himachal's surroundings." As he picked up her phone, Akshay's mocking voice echoed. He heaved a sigh in tiredness while replying, "It was due to work."

"How unromantic! Bhabhi is with you in such a beautiful location and all you are thinking about is work. Truly disappointed." He winched and Vivaan couldn't help but grimace. It was like more than the couple, his best friend seemed excited.

"How do you know I am here? Are you spying?" He said with a quizzical smile.

Akshay rolled his eyes in utter disbelief.

"As if I have no work in the world and turned unemployed. My Hayat told." He proudly proclaimed but in a flash, his tone turned accusative, "How shameful it was for me, do you know? Bhabhi told her friend about her whereabouts but you didn't even consider mentioning it once to your diaper buddy. I was totally clueless when she mentioned it. God knows how much she would have mocked me in my back for lacking being a best friend." He rolled his eyes in irritation as it had turned into his everyday drama.

"Idiot, she has to know being her PA." He reasoned, laughing at his so-called possessiveness on him.

"Listen I will call you back after some time because my Hayat might have turned into a fireball and before I have to face the casualty, I should return to her." Akshay cracked up at his misery tale.

"Sure dude. Bye." Vivaan cut the call and returned towards the table but stopped in his way confusingly when he didn't find her sitting there in his wait. He frowned. He turned around but found her nowhere so he inquired the management.

"Have you seen a lady in a red dress? She was sitting beside me a few minutes before."

The person for a few seconds glanced at him from tip to toe and ultimately which seemed to eternity, he replied.

"She already left."

Before he could ask more, he had already resumed his work.

What a weird fellow! Vivaan thought!

"Uhmm, okay." He uncertainty replied being in the dilemma, he even listened to his gratitude.

He wondered looking around the area. Where she might have gone in this unknown city. But a second thought struck. Why was he even worried. She was an adult and hence could go anywhere she wanted. But still, she should have informed him once. His heart surmised. He called her and after a few rings, she switched off her device.

She sure was determined to give him a hard time. He heaved a sigh while running his hand through his hair in frustration.

He paid the bill and decided to roam around the local market situated in the vicinity.

The afternoon turned into evening still he found her no clue. He returned to the hotel room in complete exhaustion to freshen up before resuming his search. Making mind to involve the police if he didn't find her in the next few hours. Still, they couldn't lodge a missing case until the mandatory 24 hours waiting period.

As he unlocked the room, luckily he found Radhika asleep on the master bed situated. He sighed in relaxation. This woman was indeed about to give him a cardiac arrest.

He gradually approached her and took a seat on the bed facing her. The hair locks were widespread over her face which were tucked behind her ears as he felt they might ruin her beautiful sleep. He kept looking at her peaceful sleep with a contented smile.

She indeed looked like an angel in her sleep but in reality, she was no less than a witch. Definitely a magical witch who has hexed everyone in her infatuation.

A phone call disturbed his peaceful moment. He stood up without disturbing her sleep and went towards the balcony area to accept the call.

"Sir believe me. I don't know how you received that false message about the meeting. I was also unaware of the fuss until you informed me." Lisa, Vivaan's PA pleaded to try to make his belief in her loyalty.

"How can it be possible? last night I received details about the location of an urgent meeting with Mishras from your number. Being one of our oldest and credible clients, I couldn't decline. But then you tell how details of the meeting are sent when they have not organized any meeting in the next month. Last night I tried to connect to you in seek of discussion over this issue but why your mobile was switched off." She was one of his trusted employees. He did not want to take a harsh decision which he would regret in the future. So, he suppressed his anger while allowing her to explain her innocence. But when he didn't receive any answer, he continued, "I thought they made fun of us but knowing it was all your carelessness I am very disappointed, knowing you are one of my trusted employees."

He asserted in a disappointed voice which pained her heart a hundred times. She ashamedly lowered her head. She could be anything but not a cheat.

"Sir, trust me I never did it. What will I gain doing it?" She implored.

"How can I predict Liza? As you say, you never messaged me and switched off your device then who will you like to blame. Because until then you will be considered the culprit." He tried to justify it.

"I don't know." She slowly muttered. Hearing her muffled sob, he heaved a sigh and said, "Don't cry. The mistake has happened from your side so better accept it. Is there any chance that someone accessed your mobile last night?"

She cluelessly listened to her boss.

"Where were you at the time the message was sent?" She remained mum for a few seconds but eventually said in anxiety, "At the club."

"Were you drunk?"

She nibbled her lower lip in anticipation as her skin paled but deciding not to play around with the words which could cost her more in the future, she replied, "A bit." But she hurriedly interpreted, justifying her deeds, "I didn't have much that couldn't be handled."

His nostril flared in rage and he couldn't control but yelled at her negligence which could be dreadful. It could have been a murder plan.

"God, do you have any idea what has been done or worse is to be done. If it was not you then someone else sneak into your mobile data when you were irresponsibly chucking your drinks. He might also come across a few official data. How can you be so ignorant!!"

Terror overtook her pale face as her lower lip quivered and tears shimmered in her eyes.

"I am sorry, sir."

"It is clearly sending me here was not a part of prank but an initiative of some conspiracy. Talking like this doesn't seem safe now. You better show the gadget to Khanna. Being a software engineer he may help if it is hacked." His forehead snapped together in deep thoughts and his eyes darted around the surroundings, thinking about the possible consequences and their parry.

"And yeah, book two flight tickets for the day after tomorrow. I need to be there as soon as possible." He summoned.

"Sure, sir."

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Darkness was enveloped in a large dungeon filled with precarious silence and frosting cold. The paints of the walls had turned dull and started fading away. Iron chains of fixed length were attached to them at a certain distance throughout the penitentiary. At a corner, a closet filled with torture weapons were maintained which according to handlers were zealously called allayer by the handlers. Every bloodstain onto them screamed their own story behind. Everything around the cell was enough to freak out a common man.

Luckily today there was no one to avail of the personal services. Still, that place was consecrated by its master presence who settled on a furiously wooden rolling chair while quaffing his favourite brandy with his unfocused gaze on the ceiling.

The mobile, on the other hand, was clenched in its owner's rigid grip. Soon its fate landed it onto the floor, resulting in the shattered glass screen due to his sheer anger.

She ran away." The man's hoarse voice echoed around. "She again ran away from me." He frustratedly threw the glass to continuing rocking his chair, this time more aggressively.

His solitude was disturbed by the arrival of one of his men. He glared at the arriver.

"Sir." He shivered while calling him. Seeing his effect, he smirked mentally but it was not lasting as his pupil flared and his jaw clenched. Observing the change the man turned white.

"I ordered not to disturb me. Wanna face the consequences..." He cocked his face as he smirked.

The man instantly shook his head and gestured towards the mobile in his hand.

"No. But Arjun sir is calling. He said it is important." Before he could complete his statement, His master snatched the gadget and gestured him to vanish from his eyesight as soon as possible.

"Any improvement." His face hardened as he spoke.

"Nah, that Chandra is really a nut case. Nothing is working on her. And not to forget her annoying so-called best friend. Always remain stuck as her shadow." Arjun complained in annoyance.

The man instead of feeling outrage actually snickered, "Even shadow leaves its companion in dark. We have to move fast on our plan. And for it, a new bait is required. And I guess, I have chosen a correct person for this." Till the end, his voice had turned threatening with no sign of prior humour.

"Of course." He replied proudly. He gritted his teeth and his nose flared, "Then what happened last time. How that fugitive slip out of your grip." He roared. Before he could say something, he was cut off, "I don't want to hear your bullshit. I want to see the result. The fall of Chandras. They started the story and I will end it. In between anyone who dares to come will face his distractions too."

"Indeed."

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बेनक़ाब चेहरे हैं,
दाग़ बड़े गहरे हैं
टूटता तिलिस्म आज सच से भय खाता हूँ,
गीत नहीं गाता हूँ ||

-By Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ji

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