Mohan Singhania's study
"What do u want to know? Mr. Singhania asked me.
"According to our first victim Tanya's mother, u were not only her best friend but also someone to whom she used to confide everything, from her pain to be not able to spent normal life due to her physical weakness to her crazy fantasies...She used to be with u all the time...It's not possible u don't know about her little secrets... I said as he looked at me with a blank expression.
"Trish? I called her. She nodded her head and gave me a bag. I opened the zip and took out her soft silk dressing gown, black masks and black medieval dresses.His expression changed to shock momentarily as he saw me taking out antiseptic cream, a squeeze ball and a tourniquet and the weird books found inside her cupboard.
"I guess u can shed some light on what are these? I asked him. His face hardened as his eyes turned moist.
"Where have u find these things? he asked me.
"In her secret cupboard... I replied her. For a moment he stared at those things and then looked away.
"She was a vampire fan...and kept those things as some sort of fantasies...She used to attend parties organized by other vampire fans where she dressed herself as vampire... he said. His eyes were still blank.
"I get her medieval dresses, silk gowns and even black masks, but what about these antiseptic cream, a squeeze ball and a tourniquet and these weird books? I asked him suspiciously.
"I don't know... he mumbled.
"U knew, Mr. Singhania...U knew that she was going through some problems and she had a decision to make that would change many lives...I don't believe that u don't know what was going in her life... I said to him.
"Are u saying that I am lying? he asked me feeling offended.
"Yes...U are covering the real killer or may be u are the one... I said.
"What? What nonsense? he said outrageously.
"I...I can never hurt her... he again shouted.
"Sir, please stop talking...U don't need to answer any of her questions... RK said to Mr. Singhania.
"No...She...she is accusing me of killing Tanya... he shouted again as angry tears made its way.
"Madhu, u can't accuse my client like this...I can bring harassment notice against u... he said sternly. I looked at him hurt, but I had no choice. My intuition strongly pinched me saying that Mohan Singhania was hiding some very valuable information, but he would not utter until I pushed him to do that.
"What happen that day, Mr. Singhania? I asked him again ignoring RK's murderous glare.
"Nothing happened... he said tightly.
"I will tell u what happen...U were her best friend and she trusted u more than herself...But u wanted to be more than just being friends...U told her about ur love, but she rejected u outright...U became furious and the inner demon in u came out and leapt on her...U violated the norms of friendship and then killed her... I said agitatedly.
"Really? Then what about the blood loss from her body and no sign of any blood on the floor? RK defended him with furious expression while Mr. Singhania slumped on the chair holding his head. His two nephews comforted him as he cried.
"Mr. Kundra, just take her out, otherwise she would see the worst of me... Abhay hissed at him. RK bit back his lower lips and clenched his fists tight in order to stop himself from answering back. He marched towards me and dragged me out and stopped until we came outside the mansion. Seeing him furious, Raja, who was waiting for him outside in the car, hurriedly opened the door for the three of us and sat back beside the driver, who started the car and drove off.
"I am not going with u...Leave me... I began to scream, but he was unmoved by any of my punches and shouting while Trish cowered in the corner seeing her brother so angry.
"U shout one word and I will put a duct tape on ur mouth... he said in an eerily calm voice, making me startle a bit. I was about to answer back, but Raja signalled me to stay quiet through the reflection on the rear view mirror. I took a deep breath and turned my face away from him throughout the entire journey to RK mansion.
Next morning
RK mansion- RK's bedroom
I woke up after a long time. I blinked my eyes to adjust to the light rays of the sun. As I tried to sit up, I realized someone's muscled arm draped over my stomach. I jolted up and saw RK sleeping beside me with his hands wrapped around my waist.
"What's he doing in my room? I thought in shock. But then I realized I was in his room. And slowly I remembered that last night I was scared due to the strange nightmares of vampires and so I tip-toed to his room and slept beside him, thinking that I would wake up early and leave the mansion without him realizing it.
As I looked down at his perfect muscular bare back and broad shoulders, I gulped back.
"Look away, madhu! my mind told me. But I couldn't. He was beyond perfection. Gradually, my anger due to the last night's fight was replaced by lust. I bent down and nuzzled my face into his neck and breathed in his masculine smell. As tough and rough as RK was, to me he always smelled like a perfect mix of clean, muskiness and tonka beans with lavender. It was a smell that I always find extremely sexy and erotic turning me on in his presence. As my lips brushed to his neck, he smiled and flipped me over, taking me beneath him.
"RK please let me go... I blushed as he held my hands in his firm grip.
"U always complained me avoiding u...Now who is avoiding? he said huskily as his soft lips brushed my lower lips. I could feel his hot breath fanning my lips making me tremble in want.
"I am sorry for yelling at u...for manhandling u...It was just not me... he said. His voice was filled with pain and shame.
"I know...And I am sorry for losing my cool... I whispered. He moved his lips closer to me as his eyes waited for my permission.
"Now as we have sorted our differences, can we do something more exciting... he whispered eyeing my lips.
"What have u in mind? I asked biting my lower lips.
"A lot...For starters, I want to taste those perfect kissable lips... he whispered and closed the gap between us. Our lips fought for domination with burning intensity. His lips were so smooth and soft, moving hungrily against mine. Sensations erupted inside me that was entirely new to me. I felt as if I was burning up and tingling all over, building powerful intense passion within my core. My heart pounded wildly. I felt my body coming alive as I sat onto his lap, wrapping myself around him, curling my fingers into his soft dishevelled hair, pulling him even closer. As my nipples brushed against his bare chest, they hardened instantly, fuelling his passion for me. His strong warm hands held me tightly as his lips left my mouth and moved to my neck and shoulders. In a swift movement he tore my top from top to get more access. A soft gasp escaped my lips as his hands dripped a line down the middle of my back to the start of my ass and squeezed them from over the material of my pyjamas.
"Oh my god! I am so sorry... suddenly we heard a female voice, making us break apart immediately. I looked ahead to see a girl , same as my age , staring at us in shock and embarrassment.
"Oh, Dipali! I...ermm...Do...Do u need something? RK asked her as he tried to steady his breath. I was shocked to see his reaction. If it were someone else, he would have buried that person alive for entering his room without his permission.
"No , actually , I was getting bored...And it was almost 10 am , u didn't come for breakfast , so I thought to wake u up... she said with a slight embarrassment. Her eyes looked everywhere but us.
"U should have knocked the door... I said bitterly.
"I did... she said.
"U should have knocked harder... I said again. My temper rose when I saw RK quiet.
"Why the hell is he quiet? I wondered in frustration. I looked at RK questionably. As if he understood me, he said, "Madhu, meet her...Dipali kapoor...I gasped in shock.
"No, no...it can't be...RK's ex? After all these years when I finally got my love? I thought bitterly. I immediately got up from the bed and walked into the washroom, ignoring RK's call, banging the door behind me.
Madhu's pov ended
At somewhere far away in a deserted place (Late night hours)
The moonlight ebbed and flowed amid the scudding clouds high over the outskirts of town. From the grimy, circular window in the attic of the old mansion, the predator was watching the road leading down into town. A bitter wind whistled through the window's broken panes, riffling the pages of the small book in his pale hands. The stranger paid it little heed. His mind was only filled with her musical laughter, her tender swan like neck and he could smell her sweet scent. He licked his lips and his throat went dry.
He checked his watch. It was nearly midnight. Frowning slightly, the stranger rose from the rickety old chair by the window and picked his threadbare suit coat from the floor. He slipped the coat on with care, checking his starched collar and tie, and then made his way to the attic's narrow stairs. His limbs felt stiff and it seemed as though his veins were pulled taut like cords. His need to have her made him go blank. He had to do something about it soon...without any fail.
"I want her... The words rang like an anthem to his ears. He was determined to make his next kill.
Malik Mansion (Late night hours)
Madhu's pov started
"Madhu, meet advocate Kulbhushan...He has come on behalf of Mr. Mohan Singhania... Dr. Shamsher Malik (my uncle) said to me as I entered mansion, with RK following me.
"Hello, Kulbhushan...What are u doing here? RK asked him. His brows were creased into worry.
"Mr. RK, my client Mohan Singhania had sent a stay order to Ms madhu... Kulbhushan handed over the legal papers to RK.I watched RK's face turning hard as he went through them.
"If she is seen anywhere near Mr. Singhania or his family, then she would be arrested for harassing my client... he finished as RK watched him silently.
"We will keep that in mind... RK said and walked towards me and then dragged me upstairs as I kept quiet, seeing him eerily calm.
Madhu's bedroom
"Hello, Raja, did u finish what I told u to do? RK asked on the phone while I was surprised to see him calm after Mr. Singhania sent me the notice. They talked for a while and then he cut the call.
"We are going for a week trip tomorrow...Sleep tight... He said and then pressed a kiss to my forehead and then left the room, leaving me stunned.
Madhu's pov ended
Next morning
At the airport
RK's pov started
"Raja , take care of Trish...She will be alone most of the time as bro will be busy with his hospital and patients... I said in a worry.
"Don't worry bro , I will take care of her...U take care of urself and Madhu bhabhi...The case has turned sensitive after police found the caretaker dead in his new apartment... Raja told.
"I hope u haven't left any trace of us in this matter... I asked him.
"Not at all, bro...I have left no trails...U have taught me well... he grinned at me.
I was lost in my thoughts when he sat beside me and asked, "What's bothering u , bro?
"The...The killer...He knew each of my moves...How? my brows formed into a thin frustrated line.
"Are u thinking someone of us is the backstabber? he narrowed his eyes in worry.
"I don't know...may be... I whispered.
"By the way, where are u going to take bhabhi? he asked me, grinning ear to ear.
"In Paris... I replied. "I want to spend some time with her alone before tying wedding knots with her... I said again to which he just nodded his head in acknowledgement.
RK's pov ended
After 9 hrs 55 minutes (Evening)
Madhu's pov started
We reached Paris. It was an exciting moment for me to be with him, all alone, in the city of dreams, love and beauty.
"RK, I am so so sooo happy...Thank u for bringing me here...I always wanted to come here with u... I blushed. We soon came out of our plane and headed towards another landing.
"Where are we going? The exit is on the other side... I told him pointing my fingers towards the exit point from where everybody was leaving.
"I know... he said briefly.
"Then? I asked him in confusion.
"U will know... He replied and walked towards the pilot.
"Hello, Mr. Kundra...I am ur pilot Nikhil Lamba... A very fair handsome man greeted us.
"Is everything ready? RK asked him.
"Yes Mr. RK. He replied and escorted us to a small personal jet plane.
"Where are we going? I asked RK again as he tied my seat belts.
"RK? Please, I hate this silence of urs... I said irately.
"Will u tell me what's going on behind my back? I asked him agitatedly.He let out a sigh and then looked at me.
"Fine... he said.
"When u eloped with my baby sister, Commissioner uncle called me saying that a girl wants a lawyer before speaking to the cops...When I reached, I heard that the girl was a rape victim and found severely beaten on the outskirts of our town...And when I saw the girl, I was shocked to see that it was Dipali, my ex, but with no memory of her past and also the abuser...So, I offered her to stay with me... he said.
"Later when I saw her wound on her neck and then studied her reports, I found a slight similarity between her case and TEEN MURDER CASE...So, I asked for the case files... he continued.
"But I found out that someone had bribed the caretaker and disappeared the case files along with video footages and wiped clean the databases from the computer...In fact , the same person , well my guess , had bribed the caretaker to take ur name if something happens... he said.
"I bribed the caretaker and made him to resign from his job and without his knowledge, I kept a surveillance on him...I also got some news that a black BMW is following u , but there was no registration of that car...So , I decided to interrogate the caretaker to get some info... he said again.
"When Raja and I reached to caretaker's apartment, we... he paused.
"U what? I asked him impatiently.
"He was dead , along with my men posted outside...All of them shot with a .50in sniper rifle-Winchester Model for longer range shooting... he sighed, making my eyes go wide.
"Did u search the place? I asked him after regaining myself.
"Yes, we did. We find one bullet in the opposite building...I told Raja to run a check in police database...The owner of the rifle was an ex-military assassin... he replied.
"So did u interrogate him? I asked.
"He has been dead for over a decade... he replied with a sigh.
Taking a brief pause, he said again, "But we found something else...
"What? I looked at him curiously.
"When we flipped the body, we found his writing in blood... he whispered.
"What was written? I asked him.
"Yerba... he answered.
"Yerba? Well, as far as I know Yerba means mate... I said, creasing my brows in confusion.
"Yes, u are right...But here it means something else...So, I cross-examined each one of the victim's family... he said and looked at me with a mischievous smile.
"Guess what I found out? he said. I looked at him curiously.
"Each one of the victim has visited the summer health camp of San Francisco organised by an NGO, 15 yrs earlier i.e. 2 yrs before the murders started... he said, making me gasp.
"San Francisco...which was known as Yerba Buena before... I said with excitement.
"Yes. And this summer camp is the link to all the victims...And I can bet u my money that the killer was also there, maybe he befriended the victims... he added.
"And this is the place where Tanya met Mohan... I said looking at him meaningfully.
"Yes. But that doesn't mean he is the killer... he said and stood up.
"So, are we going to Yerba Buena? I asked him excitedly.
"Yup... he winked at me and went away to talk to the pilot.
Next morning
Outside Mount School
Author's pov started
Trish came out of her school, crying and ran towards the gate, ignoring her driver's constant request to get in the car. She ran in such a speed that she didn't see a car approaching her way an Audi. She didn't see it overtaking a BMW and pulling back to the inside lane. She didn't see its wheels catching the deep puddles that had swelled from the blocked gutters at the side of the road until it was too late.
"Oh no... she gasped, as gallons of muddy water drenched her school uniform.
For a moment she stood on the side of the pavement, mouth opening and closing like a fish, eyes blinking, hands held away from her sides, water dripping from her face, until looking up she caught sight of the offending vehicle.
She snatched brief glance of his silhouette the same Greek god looks, striking, intense light blue eyes contrasting his darkened lashes and eyebrows, and his trademark "bad boy" smile that she saw in Mr. Mohan Singhania's party.
The person in the driver's seat came out and glared her.
"Why don't u look where u are going? Abhay yelled.
"Stupid girl... he muttered and sat back inside his car.
Her eyes welled up. She looked to her sides and saw some of the passers-by giggling among themselves, probably making fun of her.
"Are u okay? a voice caught her attention. She looked ahead and saw Sid, Abhay's elder brother.
"My...my...clothes...I...am...so...cold... she managed to say through her hiccups.
"I am sorry on behalf of my brother...Please...Please come with us...Our mansion is nearby...I will get u some fresh clothes to wear... he said apologetically.
"No...I want to go home... she cried harder.
"Please, I insist... he said again.
"Come on brother...Didn't u hear her? She says she is fine...Let her go... Abhay interrupted them in the middle.
"Will u just keep ur mouth shut for 2 minutes? Sid glared him.
"But we will be late if we go back... Abhay whined.
"Then cancel the damn meeting... Sid replied with the same agitation. Both of them glared each other for a moment and then Abhay's eyes turned to her, cursing her silently. He went towards her, slowly, without taking off his eyes and stopped right in front of her.
"Please come, Princess Trishna...My car is waiting to take u to our home... he said tightly and then gave a hard look to his brother who straightaway ignored him.
As they reached the car, Abhay took out a plastic from boot space of his car and laid it on the back seat. Then he opened the door for her and eyed her to enter. As he was about to close the door, he narrowed his eyes at her and said, "Don't touch anything...I don't want my car to get mud stain...
"Enough, Abhay... Sid glared him and sat beside Trish as Abhay started his car and drove off.
Authors pov ended
Yerba Buena
Madhu's pov started
We reached the small town of Yerba Buena, a marginalized community in northern Mexico filled with hundreds of impoverished and mostly illiterate inhabitants. The Yerba Buena Tunnel runs through its centre and connects the western and eastern spans of the San FranciscoOakland Bay Bridge.
"Hello Mr. and Mrs. Singh...My name is Bittu Sharma...I am the caretaker, owner and ur guide for the next 7 days... a short pot-bellied man said with an adorable goofy-smile.
"Thank u, Mr. Bittu... RK said.
"Oh, call me Bittuji...It's hard to find Indians here apart from some frequent tourists who comes here often...They are very unfriendly, so I avoid them as much as possible... he said again maintaining his goofy smile.
We began to walk towards his small motel as he began to talk about his town and the main attractions of that place.
Madhu's pov ended
In an old mansion (Sid-Abhay's mansion)
Author's pov started
"This dress looks great on u... Sid complimented Trish. She blushed at his compliment.
"The dress will look good on everyone, even on our gardener, bro...It's worth millions... Abhay rolled his eyes, making Trish to lower her eyes feeling hurt.
"Abhay, don't u have anything to do today or go somewhere else? Sid asked him feeling highly annoyed due to his brother's insensitive behaviour.
"Yes, I had...I was supposed to sign a new project today...Oh, sorry, I couldn't because my brother was determined to be the knight in shining armour for the damsel whose family was responsible for our uncle's sudden illness... he replied with a tight smile.
"What? Mr. Singhania is sick... Trish asked in shock.
"Yes. Thanks to ur madhu bhabhi... he grimaced.
"I...I am sorry... her eyes welled up again.
"It's not ur fault... Sid comforted her.
"Uncle was having heart problem for a long time...He was advised to rest , but he never listened to anyone...That's why he is sick , not because of ur family...In fact I am sorry from Abhay's side for sending ur bhabhi court notice, he added.
Author's pov ended
Yerba Buena
Outside the motel
RK's pov started
"Bittuji , do u live here since birth? I asked him.
"S, seor... he replied.
"And do u remember the health camp 15 yrs ago? I asked again.
"U mean the yearly health camp that is organised by NGO
ABC? he replied.
"So the health camp happens every year? I asked in surprise.
"Yup. Many rich Indians and some Central Asians come here to attend the camp and leave after some days... he smiled.
"They live here for some days...that means they needed a place to stay...May be from the lists , we can narrow down the possible suspects... Madhu said to me.
"Where did they stay during their visits? Madhu asked him.
"In my brother's motel Paradise disruption... Bittuji replied.
"Every year? she asked him.
"Yes, every year without a fail... he replied.
"Can u take me there? I asked him.
"Yes. But I will show u from far. Actually I am not in talking terms with Balraj... he replied to me.
RK's pov ended
In an old mansion
Trish's pov started
"I shall expect you to-morrow at 8," Sid said.
The tone of his voice was deep and melodious, suggesting hidden depths.
"I shall be punctual." I replied. My voice trembled as I spoke.
"I will look forward to your coming with much pleasure... he smiled at me. The glad blood mounted to my cheeks.
He held my hand for a moment in a firm genial grasp, then turned away briskly, while I remained standing open-mouthed. I was not used to male attention, but the way he looks at me made my insides melt.
"Are u going to stand there all day? ...because I seriously don't have time for ur day dreaming... a voice brought me back. I knew it was Abhay, the most irritating person in the world. I ignored his presence and walked past him towards the exit.
He followed me silently and sat inside the car while I sat behind.
"Sit in the front...I am not ur driver... he said irately.
"But I sat before also... I said him annoyed.
"That was different...My brother was there with u... he replied. I huffed in frustration and came at the front and sat beside him. As I struggled with the seat belt, he hooked his fingers to the belt and tied it properly. I looked at him closely noticing that he had some strange red marks on his neck and chest.
"Did u hurt urself? I asked him. He followed my eyes and said, "These are grown up marks.
"What are grown up marks? I asked him. He grinned at me for some time and then grabbed my face before slamming his lips on mine. My eyes widened and then I clenched them shut. I held my breath as I didn't know what were the rules for breathing when u were getting kissed. He bit me once drawing blood and then soothed it with his tongue and then moved away before pecking me for a quick second.
"My first kiss... I said. When I realized that I was quite loud, my face turned hot in embarrassment and I slammed my both hands in front of my face.
I peeped through my fingers and saw him grinning at me.
"U can now see ur grown up marks on ur lips... he pressed his lips from laughing at me.
"U dog! I lunged at him and punched his face, making his nose bleed. Then I opened the door and ran as fast as I could to get away from him, that arrogant jerk who stole my first kiss.
Trish's pov ended
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