No leads!There is nothing we can do...
No leads!!
Inder wanted to scream.These were the word he had been hearing nowadays.He felt slamming his fist on the table everytime anyone started to say how it was hopeless and they had no leads on how to find Damini.
And as if it wasnt enough the tabloids were having a field day.Newspaper after newspaper reported how Damini Gujral had ran away to avoid an unwanted marriage.Some even invented some non-existent guy and some said he was slightly middleclass and that is why Ila had refused to allow them to get married...and the story got more and more dramatic.The cheaper the newspaper the more scandalous the story.
He sighed.He knew Damini would never leave him like that.They may not be in love but there was a mutual respect somewhere.That meant-foul play.Something was wrong.Damini was kidnapped.
But if she was-where was she?And why are there no demands for any money?
He barely nodded at Roshni who was sitting with puffy eyes on the living room couch.He had important things to do.
Ila gujral had called him for an urgent talk.She had sounded really nervous but there was a slight change withing her today.She was slightly calmer and somehow even more frightened.
He entered the room and looked at Inspector Hari who smiled at him.
""Mr.Bajaj...""
Inder nodded at him and greeted Ila who asked him to sit down.
Hari tapped his notepad and began.
""So Mrs.Gujral you said you wanted to discuss something important.Have you remembered anything to do with Damini?""
Ila shook her head.
""Damini no..Ijust wanted you all to know something that just entered my mind.It has to do with Gujral Industries.I just wanted to know if you think there might be a connection.""
""Please continue,"""
""Well around two years ago Gujral Industries funded a jewellery business owned by Prithvi Saxena....called Precious and Beyond...The business was really profitable.Yet due to an unfortunate incident around six months ago Gujral Industries we had to sever all ties with the company.""
""What happened?""
Ila smiled.
""You will find it in the police records.I admit I tried to keep it away from the press as I didnt want Gujral Industries to be mixed with a criminal investigation.Thats why the incident was never reported in press but I think there is an ongoing trial.""
Inder was exasperated.
""How does this relate to Damini."?""
""Well...Prithvi Saxena was convicted and escaped prison around a month ago.I think he may be trying to get revenge from me by using Damini.""
""What-what...what was he convicted for?""
Ila shook her head and began
""That is quite a story...""
.................................................. .................................................
Damini stood watching Prithvi from the kitchen counter.He was slowly eating the chappati she had made.It took him quite long to chew it.
""Thats quite edible.Congratulations.""he said with a grin.
She threw him a dirty look.And then she tried to control the upsurging anger.Everyone knew that the cardinal rule to survive a kidnapping was to make sure that you do not aggravate the kidnapper.
But the endless wait-the wait for something to happen.For him to say what he wants was making her lose her patience and her better sense.She was becoming irritable....and it was getting worse every day.
""Have you eaten?""he said.
She shook her head,wrapping her shawl closely around.It was getting colder everyday.It had been snowing for the last two days.She tried to think where they could be.Where could they be?Where did it snow?
How long had been that drive?It had seem endless like this wait!
She willed herself not to cry.
""I am not hungry.""she said.
He looked back at her.
""I dont want you to die Damini.Eat ""
""I will die anyways Prithvi.""she said.The wait will kill her
""Well...let me re-phrase that.I dont want to die due to starvation.""he said.
She took a deep breath,cooling the anger.
""Fine I will eat.""
He nodded and went to his room.He switched on his laptop and accessed something.This was a rountine.
She often wondered what did he read so carefully every evening.What did he browse?
She shook her head and helped herself to some curry and rice.She was almost done when the shout came.
"What?What....""
She jolted up.Prithvi was swearing.She walked to his room.
""Damn!Damn that old....I cant believe she would do this...""he said before the sentence dissolved in profanities.
Damini flinched,a strange fear rising within her.She had never seen Prithvi like this.
""What -what happeneD?""
His eyes were almost mad as he looked at her.
""Get out!Get the hell out of here.""
She jumped back and raced back to her room.
What had happenedd?
Had something not gone to plan?
Indian Idol 15
