CHAPTER 18
The black eyes narrowed at the familiar man in front of him.
The man bit back a sigh and shaking his head stepped closer.
The stallion gave a mutinous glare, his head rolling giving glimpses of the tethering ring it was bound to.
Unperturbed by it the man gently began arranging the stirrups.
The stallion stamped his legs, his tail swishing furiously.
The man adjusted the saddle, tightening it on his back. Giving a pat the man walked right in front of the horse.
A clash of dark gazes ensued.
"We are going for a ride."
The horse gave a disagreeing neigh jerking his head sideways, eyes rolling.
The man followed his gaze to the nearby stable his eyes spying a white mare.
"So that's what has you refusing a stroll is it?"
The horse lowered his head, blinked and then adopted his patented glare.
Suppressing a smile the man reached closer running a hand through his dense mane.
The stallion moved back sidling around trying to jerk loose from the ring, refusing his touch.
The man gently untied him, holding him by his bridle.
The horse stilled, his nostrils flaring ominously.
The very next second without warning the man swung himself onto the saddle.
Immediately the powerful muscles bunched and with a squeal of annoyance the stallion wheeled and reared up in an attempt to throw the man from his back.
The man showed no panic and simply tightened his grip.
With a rush of sudden fervor the stallion in a bid to be free of his baggage reared and shoved forwards. Free of the oppressive walls of the stable he galloped in a dizzying circle.
The man clung to the saddle and laid himself flat on it pressing his legs tightly against the clenching muscles.
Not giving up the stallion then went into a series of fierce bucks.
The man now felt a jolt of irritation.
The fierce wind ate at his eyes, half-deafened he already was with the relentless clattering of hooves.
Pursing his lips he ran his hand forward winding his hand onto the mane and unlike the previous time gave a tight jerk.
The horse paused in mid-gallop.
"Do we have to go through taming ritual every time?"
The next second was a flurry of activity.
The man slammed his legs onto the sides causing the horse to neigh and simultaneously pulled on the reins.
The horse stumbled back losing his own momentum.
That was enough for his rider.
Pulling on the straps he purposefully wheeled the massive stallion towards the trodden tracks and jerked the reins.
The horse whinnied in protest, trying to fight against the onslaught.
The struggle went on.
Finally the horse steered into a stop his hooves clattering mindlessly.
He lowered his head subserviently, but eyes defiant.
Immediately the man put a hand on the triangular head.
Beastly black eyes peered into human ones.
"Never bow down before me Chetak." His voice was stern holding clandestine feelings buried underneath.
The horse blinked.
The man gave him a soft look. "You are my equal, my partner, my soul-friend. It doesn't matter that you lost. You are with me is what matters as with you I am myself again. Don't ever bow to me, get it?"
The horse stared at his rider and then gave a soft neigh of understanding.
The rider smiled.
"Shall we race against time my friend?"
The horse reared back and next moment the pair screeched through the cool wind galloping towards the woods.
Chakrapani Mishra stared at the massive castle as he drove through the driveway.
He parked his latest fancy by the pavilion and stepped out.
Adopting a brisk pace, he sauntered towards the huge double - doors.
Unlike normal high profile buildings or homes there were no security guards or police for surveillance.
But that didn't mean that the castle was not secure.
For Chakrapani knew that Songara Castle was one of the safest unplottable locations in India.
And for someone as well informed as him the truth was that the castle was no home.
For it was a fortress.
A fortified battle fortress.
The doors were mundane and plain cut.
Smooth and normal.
Chakrapani smirked and raised his right hand placing his palm on the brown wood.
Immediately the doors opened and he stepped into the castle.
The living room was decorated with darker hues. Two huge L-shaped black leather sofas dominated the setting coupled with a diamond shaped glass table.
Ornate vases, both antique and modern coupled with the shimmering light of the chandeliers gave a mystic air to the environment.
Various paintings dominated the walls, and he believed, some of Vikram's were there too.
The twin winding staircases lead up to the upper floors.
A normal outlook.
Ignoring the stairs he walked towards the outlandish ornate ostentatious mirror hanging on the wall.
The best place to hide something was to not hide it at all.
He stood in front of the mirror staring at his reflection and gently brushed his fingers against the glass.
Nothing happened for a moment.
Time passed.
And then a thin beam of red ray erupted from the mirror.
Chakrapani stood still.
The ray ran through him from his head to his toes. Finally it fixated on his eyes.
The ray vanished and a screeching sound came from his right. The staircase right in front of literally folded itself revealing a small doorway.
Chakrapani swiftly strode towards the door and with a backward glance ducked in.
The door closed. The palatial stairs unfolded itself and with a thump landed on its place.
The whole setting looked normal again.
Pratap Songara leaned back into his chair as he surveyed his long time companion and friend.
For some time the silence continued to leave its mark.
"Go on Chakrapani. What happened next?"
Chakrapani took in a deep breath and started speaking. He spoke and spoke, paying no heed to the travelling hands of the clock.
Finally he finished his tale.
Pratap was silent again. Without another word he got up from his seat and reached to the by-side table and poured a glass of water. Silently he handed it to his friend.
Chakrapani stared at him. It had been years to their acquaintance and yet every time he would do something to surprise him, and make him wonder about how well Pratap knew him.
He had been quite thirsty after the long report he had given and without him even voicing it Pratap had known what he wanted.
He felt a warm feeling rise up in his chest. A feeling of love and respect rose in him. A sense of brotherhood. A smile broke through his face as he took the glass of water. Pratap's face softened and he made his way to his seat.
Chakrapani gulped down the cool liquid. These tiny acts of his Baujiraj were the reason that so many people loved him, cared for him, adored him, and even worshipped him something none of his opponents and even family had been able to understand.
He sat down the glass and cleared his throat.
Pratap looked at him. "So PhoolKanwar is alive."
Chakrapani nodded. "Yes. Shobha is looking into her case."
Pratap twirled the glass weight.
"What about the accident investigation?"
"Vyeni and Som have gone there. Apparently the investigator is not one of ours. So it will take a bit of time, but they are positive that they will do it."
Pratap appeared in deep thought. "Who's the there from RBSI?"
Chakrapani frowned. "Some woman. Apparently senior of Forensics, along with her assistant, something Dude... no wait,,,, Dunar...no, no,, u-m-m-m-m...Doral...no wait got it, Dudarmal Chauhan, that Surtan Singh's step nephew. And the woman is... something with K..."
"Krishnaa Vaibhavi Mourya."
Chakrapani nodded vigorously. "Yeah that's it." He suddenly stopped short as his brain caught up with the events.
"How do you know her?" he asked bewildered.
Pratap gave a deadpanned look. "She was one of the Bundi rebels. I told you about her remember."
Chakrapani shook his head in negative.
Pratap leaned closer to him. "Surtan's Singh headache before I came to the picture. Remember?"he prodded.
Chakrapani sifted through years worth of memories and a blurred face came to his mind. The dots connected and a jolt fired through him.
He turned his half- horrified, half- awestruck face to his friend.
"You mean Chirchiri?"
Pratap had to bite down the sudden spurt of amusement rising up in him. Even years later his friend hadn't been able to forget the wild child she had once been.
"Yes. Chirchiri."
Chakrapani punctured down, when all of a sudden he stood up from his seat.
"Oh shit!!"
Pratap got up instantly reacting to the look of alarm on Chakrapani's face. "What happened?"
Chakrapani actually looked tearful. "Not all of us met her."
Pratap looked at him in apparent confusion.
"Yes I guess. I met her, you and Maan met her but" a thought struck him, "Som and Vyeni didn't" he concluded.
Chakrapani face palmed. "I sent Vyeni and Som to their early deaths" and saying so without a proper goodbye rushed out of the study.
Pratap stood still at that sudden departure. The very next second a smile spread across his face as a new conclusion hit him.
"Well Vyeni, get ready. You're finally going to meet your match."
