Chapter 4
Prem was shattered. He could see the nervousness, the edgy flickering questions in Heer's eyes. Heer knew just how connected and powerful RR was. She knew just how much RR craved power, how ruthless some of his business practices could be.
"Its not possible. RR could not do anything like this" she whispered, as if to convince herself. She remembered all the nice things RR did for Heer and Prem's family. He had always been a pillar of strength for the family after Prem had gone.
Prem got to his feet, went over to the windows and flung back the drapes dramatically. He turned to face her, standing squarely in front of the black window...... in full view of whoever was there down in the street.
"What are you doing, Prem?"
"I'm going to show you something."
Confusion touched Heer's eyes. The clock in the hall ticked loudly. Heer glanced at the clock. It was almost two in the morning. She'd be expected in the office by nine for a routine start. But there was nothing routine about the day. She looked at Prem and felt as though she'd slid into some kind of twilight zone. She was unable to fully adjust to his presence, and she simply couldn't believe what he was telling her - especially about RR.
Prem had said that he had six days to bring down RR. Why did that seem so familiar to her? She realized with mild shock that RR had made arrangements for the whole family to leave for a vacation abroad in six days. Her chest tightened. It was a coincidence. It had to be.
The familiar tone of her cell phone broke the silence. Heer jumped, confused for a moment. The chime sounded again.
Prem reached down, took her cellphone, handed it to her. "Answer it, Heer."
She took the phone, flipped it open, checked the incoming number in the display. It was RR. Tension whipped through her. She glanced at the clock again. Why on earth would RR be calling her at this hour?
She put the phone to her ear, her eyes fixed on Prem. "Rishab?"
"Heer, are you all right?"
No. I am not. Emotion choked her, stealing her voice.
"I am fine, Rishab."
Silence. "You don't sound fine."
She cleared her throat, shoved her hair back from her face as if it would help clear her mind.
"I..I was sleeping."
Silence. Longer this time. He didn't believe her.
"Rishab, do you know what time it is? Why are you calling me at this hour?"
"You are not alone, are you?"
Her eyes flared open. RR knew. Somehow he knew. Her eyes shot to Prem standing brazenly in front of the open curtains. She thought of the men in the street below watching. That's how he knew.They were RR's men outside. They were watching her window. Heer's heart bottomed out. He knew she had a man in her room tonight because they called him. It was not his business. He had no right to spy on her like that. But why was he doing it? Why was he having her tailed? How long had she been followed?
"Heer?"
"Rishab....... it's really late. I have to be up early. I have to go. I'll call you later." Heer hung up quietly before he could speak again, and she stared numbly at the phone in her hand. She felt truly ill. She didn't want to believe it. But in a small part of her brain, whatever Prem said was making sense. Absurd sense, but sense. Heer couldn't breathe. She couldn't seem to order the information spinning in her head.
"Is that why you are back, Prem? For some kind of revenge?
Prem's face darkened to thunder. "Call it revenge, retribution or call it justice if you want. However it comes, I'm going to take it, Heer. You're damn right on that count" He was really angry now. "I'm here because I have a job to do. I'm here because I know how to get to RR. Quickly, quietly and efficiently."
"Through me."
"Through you."
"You came back for him, not me." Why Heer said it she didn't know. But it mattered to say. It hurt.
"I.... I need a shower." She was shaking so hard she could barely stand. She turned, headed to the bathroom, closed the door behind her, locked it with trembling fingers. She stared at the lock through the tears streaming down her face.
Prem stared at the door. He sat heavily in the chair. Sick. A lifetime wasted. He pinched the bridge of his nose, trying to cut out the pain in his head. He couldn't. He heard the shower go on. He was going to kill the man who'd done this to them. He was going to rip RR into shreds with his bare hands. He was going to do it before the weekwas out.
Prem inhaled sharply, squared his shoulders. Maintaining control was imperative for the success of this mission. That was why he was here. Prem walked slowly back to the window and looked into the streets. A pale-gray dawn would soon be leaching into the sky. A new day. And the clock was still ticking. He realised that his focus must stay firmly on the mission.
Prem listened for the water in the bathroom. He could still hear it. Prem wondered how far would RR go for absolute power? And how far would he go to stop him? He could not allow his love for a woman to cause the downfall of the nation.
Advocate Anjali Awasthi
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