CHAPTER 28
The Stranger who isn't a Stranger
(Morning)
Kashish woke up slowly from her drugged induced sleep.
Her limbs felt heavy to move and her mind was fuzzy and slow to function. All that Kashish could think about was not being able to feel her legs and the shooting pain somewhere in her body prevented her from thinking about anything else. Kashish heard a fuzzy voice somewhere but she was too tired and sleepy to make any sense out of it.. Suddenly she felt a small prick on her shoulder and then sweet sleep came to her quickly…
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Sujal's head reeled from the story which Sam, Sid and Ashoke had told him.. It was completely fabulous and it was difficult to believe that some1 could go so mad….
The story didn't make complete sense to him… but he now understood one thing clearly… this old lady was not alone as he had imagined her to be… oh she had resources, very good resources and Sujal couldn't start comprehending as to what all and who all might be involved in the witch's scheme…
And of one thing was Sujal completely sure… something he didn't think he should tell any1 except Kashish maybe…. Some1 from the inside was involved, some1 very close to them, some1 who they would ever doubt… was stabbing them in the back. No outsider could orchestrate so many tragedies together. He will have to talk to Kashish abt this.. She defiantly was late yesterday.. He didn't hear her coming in.. He couldn't even hear her today morning.. Maybe she is resting…
##DING DONG##
Sujal was alone in the house, Ashoke, Sam, Sid had left for some work…
Nancy –Sujal!!! Oh thank god you are ok!!
Sujal –of course I am.. Why do you think I wasn't?
N –coz you didn't show up at the institute for 3 continuous days and didn't even inform me. You didn't pick up your ph either..
S –yah.. Umm I lost my ph at the hospital.. Sorry I made you worry.
N –it's ok… aren't you spending a lot of time in hospital these days… I everything fine?
S –well.. I can't say yes to that.. Let's leave it at a bad turn of luck.. Nick got hospitalized from a stupid fall, he got some bone damage… Rin got sick at the same time and the baby too… it been..Busy.
N –and that is all? You sound much more worried…
S –no that is all. I am worried coz.. Coz… well there is no1 to stay with nick… uncle is having big probs at work. Kaveri and Sid with Rin and Sam has some imp meeting. Kashish is probably sleeping.. She must be pretty exhausted and well.. I cat leave the house for any1 to walk in..
N –ah! That is all? Then you shouldn't worry! I'll go and see nick.. Hmm? I can-
S –NO!
N –Sujal?! Why?
S –no..Nancy you don't understand …
N –Hah! So there is something else!
S –fine! Some1 is making some stupid threats abt hurting ppl who are with us and I don't want to take chances..
N –and you believe those stupid threats?!!! No wait.. U must otherwise you wouldn't be worried… maybe they are true then huh? But it doesn't matter. You see Sujal there are so may ppl who would stand with this family if only you ppl asked.. And no one has enough power to hurt such a lot of people.. So don't worry I'll be safe with nick ok? Besides I'll be having my cane with.
S –Nancy I don't think it's a good idea. Please why risk getting hurt. You hardly even know nick..
N –maybe it it's a good idea. I'll inform some1 at institute of my whereabouts if something happens, big hell will break lose. As far as not knowing nick is concerned… Sujal who do I really know then huh? Who do you really know? Like you I don't have folks of my own. You are here coz these ppl are good, then I think I should stand up for them too.
S –but-
N –no buts. I won't argue further. I am going. Oh my gosh! I completely forgot something. Coincidently it may help you more than I thought!
S –what are you talking abt?
N –Juli!! You keep him with u!
S –no I can't! He is needed at the institute! Besides this is not my house, I'll have to ask first.
N –ah nonsense you are a blind man. You are entitled to every aid. Besides you know how she adores u. she went crazy when you didn't show up for 3 days. Ok I am leaving now. Come with me to the door he is outside.
Sujal helplessly walked Nancy to the door. If there was a woman other than Kashish who could bend his will was this lady and Sujal respected her for that. Yet it felt strange to allow Nancy to stay with nick when Sanskrit had just left, a image of tears without any arguments.
As they reached the door Sujal felt a heavy furry body collide against him "Juli my girl!!"
*********
Sujal had to then immediately take out Juli for a walk and familiarize her with the house and the neighborhood. Sujal felt oddly relaxed I the tight situation while walking a dog perhaps it's the comfort of doing something commonplace and normal… why not enjoy it more… Sujal decided to take a longer route back home.
************
(Afternoon)
Kashish again started feeling the strings of consciousness.. Not that the pain had decreased or anything.. But this time her mind was clearer. Kashish had difficulty feeling her limbs yet her mind was clearing rapidly.. Perhaps they hadn't drugged for a long time…. Concentrating on her pain Kashish cleared her mind further and tried to feel her hands and legs…
My god!!! They've tied me up!!! But at least I am tied on a bed … it's better than the hard ground.. Maybe kidnapper doesn't want me to suffer much yet…
Kashish decided and tried to move her fingers and toes from her sparegaled position. Her hand and les were tied to opposite posts of the poster bed…
Kashish heard a noise and stopped moving.. She would fake sleep if that would keep her safe for the time being… k could feel the person
Well guess he or she is now gonna check i-
#Slap!!!#
Kashish eyes flew open instantly in shock, her cheek ached badly.
How dare this person hit her!!!! This is no way to wake up some1!!!
"So you were awake? You must be becoming stupid to think that I would fall that stupid trick"
Fighting the dizziness which the slap had brought and concentrating n her pain and anger Kashish replied coolly
"What am I doing here? Who the heck are u? How dare you hit me? I am gonna send you to hell for touching my mother's body!!! You slimy piece of-"
#Slap!!!#
Kashish reeled up in pain and again fought to keep from blackening out…
"Oh did that hurt? Well.. You shouldn't anger me like this then…"
Kashish gave a cracked chuckle just to get on this man nerves.. Heck she was getting tortured and hit and god knows what else would follow, so why not hurt him as much as she can.
"Of course that hurt bas***d! What did you think I am made of the same metal as your dead brain?"
#Slap!!#
"I told you to-"
"Hah! I don't care what you told me! Why should I listen t some masochistic idiot, who get his kicks from lapping tied up women?"
The man took a deep breath and Kashish prepared herself for another blow, but it never came. Instead she heard cruel, distorted laugh, sending chills down her spine. She knew this laugh well.
"Next you would be asking me to open you and fight fairly … hahaaaaaaaaaahaaaaaaaaahaaaahahahaaaaaaa you stupid s***"
Kashish had a sudden feeling that her time had run out, from watching the way this man was now walking towards her. Making the best of her time she asked
"What did you do to my mother's body you sick man?? What did you do? How did you get her hand? How dare you mangle her body, even touch her!!!! I'll make you pay !!!"
"hahaaa… lovely… how stupidly lovely you are my dear….. Always asking for the wrong thing at the wrong time"
By now the stranger at on the bed near Kashish and his finger from her temple down her face to her chin and farther… continuing in his condescending tone…
"Shouldn't you be more concerned about yourself in the present instead of the past? Or is it that you actually enjoy this kind of thing? That u actually want me huh?"
The stranger bent close to her and Kashish thought of turning her head away to escape from him.. But her mind as working in full power and told that it would be a futile attempt. So to have her final word Kashish gathered all her hate and spat on the face which was inches away from her whispering a curse.
#SLappp!!!#
A expected she was dealt another blow, she had angered her capturer.. And this time dizziness came Kashish welcomed it. Thinking that it was much better to fall in senseless darkness than live the horror which this beast was intending….
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