Chapter 16th
VIKRAM SHERGILL
Piyush , I called out after I finished my conversation with Ram Piyush and Shruthi turned towards me stunned hearing my voice.
I walked towards them … Piyush I said ram has been shot at.
Yes I said but Ram and Priya are okay they didn’t get hurt. But let us leave we need to discuss some things and this not the right place . Piyush you drive. I need to talk to somebody and I need to find out one more thing and then we will talk about this. I think we should go KI and talk .
We got into the car. Piyush and Shruthi in the front and I got into the back . While in the car I made the calls for our next plan of actions
We reached KI office exactly 45 minutes. By this I had given instructions to security team to dig out information required for us to proceed to the next step.
Piyush and Shruthi , were puzzled by my orders and but they didn’t question me. Piyush drove straight KI corporate office.
We entered Ram ‘s plush office on the topmost floor of KI towers. I updated Piyush and Shruthi of all that happened in Chennai with Ram and Priya . I also told them about the call that saved Ram.. Shruthi and Piyush were equally puzzled about who was that called Ram
Did ram say anything about the lady did she tell her name or does Ram have any idea who that lady may be ?
The person didn’t give their name ,he was able to gather something… by her voice that she was young lady in late twenties or early thirties… and she sounded well educated. And She seems to be knowing Rajath very well and also Knew about Ram and Priya quite well.. but nothing else . But one thing Ram did say that voice of the caller does sound familiar . His guess it was NINA RAJATH KAPUR
NINA RAJATH KAPUR you mean wife of Rajath Kapur himself Shruthi asked somewhat surprised. I and it seems piyush was also not surprised.
Yes … But we need to confirm things before we proceed. Ram said we need to be careful when we approach Nina… and knowing Rajath , we can’t put Nina ‘s life in danger and there is small child to.
Piyush how do you think we should proceed? Nina may prove to be trump card we are looking for. If she gives any solid evidence then we can go in for the kill
Yes .. Piyush said we need some hard core evidence from Nina which will tie Rajath up to the killings and priya case. Till now we have proved Rajath was there in the farm house Priya was being held but so was Ram. When Kali surrendered… he said he had beaten up priya and Rajath was not even aware that priya was there in the Farm house . Rajath had come there to look at the horses at stable and prepare them for the race next day .
So … we need proof that Kali was acting on behalf of Rajath .If Nina could give us evidence in that regard then we are in. But again …. We can put Rajath behind bars for assault and battery but not for sexual assault or killings/disappearance of those 7 girls, because we don’t have any evidence against him with regards to these disappearance.
We have to really talk to Nina to find out what more she knows about these things
I asked Shruthi what more did the compounder say. Nothing much the lady was a junkie. She died due to overdose not due to heart attack. That is it . but there were bruises all over her body especially her ankles and her wrist but those were old mark nothing new. And she definitely didn’t die because of them. The Dr was paid in kind for the work he did. No cash was ever involved.
Was her death suicide or murder or accidental overdose. It can be any one of those. I thought loudly . We again have no evidence right ? Except she was a junkie.
So what do we do… Shruthi asked we need get in touch with Nina after we things confirmed that it is indeed Nina who called Ram.
Yes ! I agreed I have already asked KI security agency to get the info we will get it in hour or so. Then in the morning will have to plan how we are g .
I said Piyush you and shruthi leave take the car it is already very late in the night There is nothing mush we can do now at this hour . I will finish these things up and catch a cab and leave . I will call you in the morning then we will take from there
Piyush said I will talk to the Commissioner and Home Minister keep them updated. I know they also are eager to bring end to this madness.. And home minister in fact is overeager to cut his ties with Dinanath Singh .
I just smiled irony of the whole situation . Yeah you better, we need all the help we can get
Okay we agreed . Piyush and Shruthi left . I started making next set of phone calls
PRIYA RAM KAPOOR
I was standing near the window.. gazing at the tree .. from where sniper had shot at us .Ram 'd done all this for me? He had once again saved my life . But I didn't want him to be hurt . I wanted my Ram , to be safe . One thing I realized was that only way of keeping Ram safe is fight Rajath .. I needed to find strength to face Rajath again.. This time I knew Rajath couldn’t hurt me.. As long as Ram is with me .. I can take on 10 Rajaths. He couldn’t break me again .. I wouldn’t let him.But for that I have to face him … and relive that day … in the court among 10 hundreds of people. I justed hoped I wouldn’t crumble again
Ram had entered the room and he walked over to stand behind me, and I could feel his consternation and concern.
"You are okay priya are you crying .”
"Why would you say so?" I asked
It just I thought …. He started
"I am scared Ram .. how much ever I try to overcome my fear .. It is still there. The fear what he might do to you or to us. It is there…. Why am I not able to remove it " God, but it was so difficult to confess my greatest fear aloud.
After my outburst, there was such a protracted silence For moment thought he had tiptoed out without me noticing. Finally, I peeked around only to see him evaluating me most peculiarly.
“You believe I don’t have that fear ?" he inquired.
" No… I started to answer ."
" Priya I do , but you know what I fear most …. Not rajath nor he hurting us it is the fear of you leaving me… I cant live through that nightmare again priya I cant .. And do you think I am not capable of protecting us How could you have such a low opinion of me?"
"I don't. I think you're the finest man ever."
'Then give me some credit, would you? I know How to keep us safe "
"I know," I countered. "I just hope everything works out properly If I am just scared I don’t goof up when I face Rajath at the court what if I made a terrible mistake, and then where will I be?"
"You'll be right beside me and I ll be right beside you… Nothing is going to change that .Priya nothing “””
Don’t worry about the case you will do just fine. I know
"What if at the nick of time My fear overcomes me will you hate me for being who I am! And what a coward I am !"
"No... you will never were a coward.. and it was not a coward who took fought with Rajath and survived
Are you sure I asked
"Absolutely." He answered confidently
"Ram?"
"What?”
Can you hug me please
"1 don't wish to be saved. Haven't you figured that out?"
He drew me into his arms, and he kissed me forever, the embrace going on and on. He was staking his claim, proving his worth, and when he ended it,my knees were weak. He was so good at kissing, and I could scarcely keep from sliding to the floor in a seduced heap.
"We're done talking," he advised, sounding so much like RAM KAPOOR the man who headed the KI my heart ached.
"We are?" I asked
"And I'm not letting you think any more. You're being silly.
He swept me off my feet, lifting me as if she weighed no more than a feather. He was so strong. He marched straight the bed.
"Where are you taking me?"
'To bed."
"Why?"
"Do I need a reason?"
"Well... no, you don't."
"We seem to get on much better there, and besides, it's just occurred to me that I should spend some time changing your mind."
I assessed him. His expression was so steady and true. He really did want me— his love and his desire shown from eyes .And who could predict what might happen? I would work so hard, would try so hard. I would be the best wife ever, would love and cherish and esteem, and if I was lucky, maybe he'd never have any regrets.
I smiled for the first time in the entire conversation . "I don't imagine it will take very long to convince me."
"I disagree. I am positive it will take hours. Perhaps days."
He dropped me in the bed and started to climb into it while simultaneously yanking his clothes away from his body .
He kissed her, his lips falling lightly on mine, and it was the sweetest, most magnificent embrace we'd ever shared. It promised and pledged, accepted and enchanted, and it was like coming together all over again.
When it ended, he was glimmering with desire and another deeper sentiment I could clearly define.
"I... I... love you " he said, the words seeming to come from the bottom of his soul. "I love you more than my life."
"I Know… I too love you " tears which were pooling in my eyes were threarhening to come down
It was his turn to say I know
"We'll discuss the details later."
I helped him up tug off my top that was caught .He raised a brow. "Okay ??" he smiled
I saw a rekindled of the enticing man who'd swept me off my feet, who'd stolenmy heart and never given it back.
I wanted to tease him,are you okay
Why ? for minute he stopped his hurried moments of getting rid of clothes
"You're look tired , RAM ."
'I am not. Suddenly, I'm feeling fit as a fiddle."
"You couldn't..."
"I could."
After all that action in the evening You're exhausted."
"I might surprise you."
"You're an incredible optimist."
"I'm merely stating the facts, Mrs Kapoor."
Are your sure ? I asked
"I was stabbed. Not castrated." He suddenly stopped . Wait I have a better Idea. Coming to think of it I am tired. He turned went to the bed and stretched out, exhaling a satisfied breath as the mattress cradled his body. "I'm going to lay here just like this."
"And what am I supposed to do?"
He grinned, his sexy, potent gaze wandering down my torso. "I think you'll figure it out pretty fast"
I hesitated, then laughed. "I think I will, too."
Later, much later, I lay on my side, watching my husband. Moonlight bathed his face, and he looked so young, so handsome and vulnerable. I ran a hand across his hair, his shoulder, his chest. I loved him beyond all thought, all reason, but if, at that very moment, someone had asked me why, she'd have been hard pressed to answer. Who can ever truly know the way of the heart?
There were still problems to work out, arrangements to be made, but I wouldn't worry about that now.
Now, I would lie beside him and relish how wonderful it felt to by his side where I belonged. Tomorrow, they could begin working on figuring it all out.
My hand rested over his heart, and I felt its steady beat. Thinking Ram slept soundly, I was surprised when he reached out and covered my hand with his own.
In a sleepy voice, he whispered, "Don't ever leave me again. Promise."
"No, I never will. I will always stay right here."
He patted my hand, then drifted back to sleep. I smiled and joined him.
Next day morning
VIKRAM SHERGILL
I had called Shruthi and Piyush to meet me at 8.30 am at KI towers . It was indeed Nina who had called Ram . She had cleverly called Ram from her Watchman’s mobile number. The watch man didn’t even know she had called from his mobile. I had thought about a plan to contact Nina without endangering her .. or give chance of suspicion to Rajath about what we were about .
Shruthi and Piyush , arrived at sharp 8.30 am . I was already there waiting for them.
As soon as Shruthi came she asked me the first question … was it her ??
I just nodded yes
So how are we going go about it? Vikram asked shruthi
I replied I have thought of it … I have found out where Nina shops regularly through her creditcards details.. She shops regularly at Westside kids sections for her son fortunately for us there is a sale running . Karthik supplies to Westside regularly .. the Store owner Karthik and Priya’s close friend he has agreed to help us contact Nina. He has Nina personnel number gather for reward points card . All we have to do us to contact Nina and ask her to meet us there. Right now because of the sale it so crowded.. We really can meet Nina and pass the message that we want her help and that her and son’s safety will not be comprised at any cost .
So let us call now… Shruthi said enthusiastically
No …. Piyush said not from here or from any of our numbers. Can we call from Westside itself. Even if Rajath checks her phone… this way it cannot be traced back to us .
Yes I agreed. What Piyush suggested was true and great Idea
I said let us go to Westside store now . We will can make a call by 9.30 to Nina. .
We left .. I called Ram . Ram didn’t pick the call. For minute I was worried.. but another two sec later message came “ I am sleeping will call you later J “” from Ram. In these 35 years of our friendship I have never know Ram sleeping in so late…. But this Ram was not same Ram.. ;). A knowing grin got plastered on my face. Was so happy for my friend !! Said small thanks to God for his happiness. Resolved myself I would see to that stay this happy
We reached Westside at 9 15 . Shekar Jain and Karthick were waiting for us. I had called from the car that we would be coming .
Shekar took us all to his cabin in mezzanine floor of the shop. The cabin was small . Either side of the cabin was rooms. Shekar explained one door lead to the Security room were CCTV monitor were kept to watch three floors of the Shopping a team of security sat there to keep watch . Another room lead to stores Godown.
We can sit.. here. My marketing staff would be here in another 10 minutes. They would be making calls from there… pointed at long table which had multiple phone connections and desktops. We could use that .
We sat there waiting for the Team to come ….
Slowly staff started coming in .. By 9.45 entire staff of West side were back at their duty.
The telecallers were making calls, but .. We waited. I had asked my men who were watching Rajath house to give me call. As soon as they see Nina in the hall wear she and her son sit watching Tv after breakfast . It was their usual Sunday routine. For past 1 month .. We had special team watching 24X7 Rajath house and it activities. We had done full rece on the activities of Rajath and his people . Rajath left his house only once in that whole month . That too Jail to meet Kali . Otherwise he seldom left his Quarters at the otherside of the house. Nina was the only one who left the house… but mostly with her son either to the school or somewhere. Rajath never accompanied them. It was as if they were living in two different worlds.
At 11 am , My men called and told me Rajath has gone to his Quarters . Nina and her son were now alone in the study watching the TV.
I told Shruthi to make the call. Piyush asked her keep it short . Clearly identify herself . Use words that will appeal to her sense of rightouness and same time be careful that nothing should trigger of her fear . I asked shruthi make sure that she clearly knows where she can meet us.
Shruthi took the phone and Called Nina Number. She talked for a Minute and kept the phone down.
She turned to me and Said.. I don’t know I think she will come.
What I asked
Shruthi said. She didn’t answer at all. She just listened till the end and kept the phone down. So Iam not sure. But I think she would come she said
I said how can you be so sure.. I asked . Shruthi said because she heard me through without hanging up . I had given her the choice to hungup at the beginning itself but she didn’t hangup. She only hung up after I said bye.
Did she tell when she come Piyush asked.
No Shruthi answered.
So what do we do ? I asked
We wait. Piyush answered
It was around 3 in the afternoon. When finally Nina and her son stepped into the Store.
She went to the kids sections. She was looking at the shirts there. But actually kept looking at the around searching for us.
Shruthi had changed into store uniform. I signalled her to leave.
I and Piyush stayed back at security room , watching the proceeding
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