Posted:
Part 1
The wind howled ferociously running wildly through the bare almond trees that waved in the cold rush blowing mercilessly through them. Outside the weather looked vicious and cold winter breathing icy spells down the spines of the residents of Shimla but inside Suite 104 at Marriot the atmosphere was warm and aglow, rich and vibrant with a cheerful fire crackling merrily in the hearth.He cast an astray look on his belongings his wallet, his watch, his mobile and his briefcase... he roved his eyes over the massive structure of a bed he had been sitting on before running a smooth hand over the upturned silken sheets. Nothing missing he mused inwardly checking the drawers one last time he stood up picking up his expensive jet black Ralph Lauren jacket he slid into it with ease his masculine form filling out the garment fitting in snugly, just then he heard a tap on the door.
"Come in" he had drawled flicking his collar in position he slipped on the cufflinks through the twin slits of his cuffs. Turning around he saw a porter wait for him to hand him his luggage "There's just this bag" he had pointed to his leather carrier stowed near the oak door. "Anything else sir?" the porter had asked politely and he had shaken his head in the negative. Turning around to face himself in the mirror "Not bad Milind Mishra" he had murmured confidently picking up the clear crystal container he held it close to his neck spraying effortlessly the cologne settling on his musky skin the combination lethal. Replacing the silver topper of the cologne he read the name with amusement ESCAPE..... true it was an escape to a different virtual world altogether he breathed in deeply it was his favourite smell. Placing his shapely feet in the confines of his Lacoste business shoes he fell in stride behind the porter taking out his mobile he punched in numbers "Get the car to the driveway" he had ordered his driver who at that precise moment had turned the key in the ignition of his classic Audi A 5 the mettalic beast being manuevered to be at his service in a fraction of a moment. Cutting the call Milind punched in a different set of numbers "I'll be reaching Mumbaii by tomorrow evening, get the papers ready I want this deal at all costs" his tone was authoritative, voice clairvoyant and manner rigid yes he made decisions, he made them in time and he stuck to them through thick and thin.
As he signed his name in the register at the reception he looked up to see an inquisitive set of jade eyes stare back at him "Have a safe journey sir!" the woman had mouthed through moulded lips he cast a swift glance at her awestruck expression, hand me down uniform he had seen better. He had turned away depositing the pen on the counter he sauntered with an air of an emperor and an emperor he was, at thirty he owned twenty five of the world's most renowned hotels scattered over different parts of the globe, travel was a need and escape a desire he had combined both to suit his work the result was spell binding success. "Who was that?" Anju had asked an open mouthed Anita who stared at the broad shoulders of the dark mysterious and irresistably handsome stranger. "Narcissus incarnated" Anita had replied "though he goes by the name of Milind Mishra" she had sighed then men like Mishra were a dream... a dream realized by few though sought by many. She watched him open the front door of his car the driver had stepped out obediently sliding in the back seat while he had occupied the driving seat closing the door with a thud he had driven down the flattened gravel of the driveway as if flying on air.
"Sir I heard a storm was expected" the driver had informed him "Hmm" he had grunted in acknowledgement switching on the heater for the much needed warmth he turned on the radio flipping stations till he finally found a familiar tune.
"How do I get through one night without you, if I had to live without you what sort of life would that be.
And I .. I need you in my arms need you to hold.
You'r my life my love my soul.
If you ever leave. Baby you would take away every thing good in my life.
And tell me now how do I live without you I want to know.
How do I breathe without you if you ever go.
How do I ever.. ever survive.. How do I do.. oh how do I live..."
Trisha Yearwood's voice rang clear and unmistakebly familiar in the limited space of his car he had sighed inwardly memories... damn them. His fingers had reached the knob again flipping through channels and finally settled on another favourite.
"Hum ney mana keh taghaful na kerogey lekin
Hum ney mana keh taghaful na kerogey lekin khak ho jayeingey hum tumko khabar honey tak.
Aah ko chahiye ik umr asar honey tak."
Tonight certainly wasn't his night he had finally shut the radio off he couldn't handle the pain and anguish all over again it was too heart wrenching and a trip down memory lane was hardly what he required. The car sped through deserted lanes and clear roads at remarkable speed he smiled despite the urge to cross 200 the adrenalin rush was tempting could he, he had pondered sinfully. The roads were wet the pinhead curves ahead treacherous but he had to just had to race it just once, a slow smile played on his lips as he shifted gears and pressed the accelerator. The driver had started chanting Gayatri mantra in the back seat this indeed was his last day on earth itself. Milind had heard him and had looked up in the rear view mirror to watch him clasp his hands infront of the lord eyes closed tightly his lips moving in perfect sync well this was going to be fun he had thought gaining momentum.
The car raced through the night like a cheetah closing in for a kill the head lights gleamed throwing beams of snowy light on the tarmac ahead trees whizzed past in a flash, he could make out a steep scree on one side while a dark bottomless ravine on the other though neither of the impending dangers managed to slow or stop him. The hotel was situated atop a hill and the drive down was precarious but Milind had no qualms he was the best driver anyone had known, participated actively in the Grand Prix of Ferrari though not their officially acclaimed champion he raced as an anonymous entity he simply loved the mad frenzy that coursed his veins when the speed picked up. But tonight was different, tonight he was not going to win the gold or smile through to the end, tonight he would face the consequences of his rash actions. It was a split second that had slipped from his control the tyres had passed a wet patch on the road the friction between the rubber and the tarmac had been suspended for a mere fraction of a minute and he had lost control. The car swerved like an automaton while he jammed on the brakes frantically. "God damn it" he had whispered furiously before bringing the vehicle to a screeching halt it was only then that he had felt it bump hard against something and his own forehead had lurched forward to meet the solid metal rim of the dashboard his world had then gone black altogether.
Part 2 page 8
Part 3 page 13
Part 2 page 8
Part 3 page 13
Part 4 page 16
Part 5 page 21
Part 5 page 21
Part 6 page 26
Part 7 page 31
Part 8 page 38
Part 9 page 44
Part 9 page 44
Part 10 page 52
Part 11 page 61
Part 12 page 68
Part 13 page 73
Part 14 page 85
Part 15 page 97
Part 16 page 108
Part 17 page 125
Part 13 page 73
Part 14 page 85
Part 15 page 97
Part 16 page 108
Part 17 page 125
Web Series
Kabhi Neem Neem Kabhi Shahad Shahad
