Chapter 8
He had taken three deep breaths after reading Khushi's email. Involvement of Bhanu Pratap was unprecedented but after giving the entire design a thought, he figured he could still manage the situation. Only that before a press reporter got to Bhanu Pratap, it should be cleared with him first. He decided to speed things up here and wrap it up the next day. It warranted a discussion with Rathore, regarding what needs to be done regarding Bhanu Pratap. There were few issues in which Arnav decided not to get involved and family was one of them. He was treating Dhananjay as more of a client than family or Rathore thus making the process of dealing with him, easy. Bhanu Pratap however always managed to send a cold wave of resentment towards him and he wondered where the apathy stemmed from.
"We should change our game plan. You will give your first interview within an hour," Arnav said walking inside Dhananjay's tent. The tent was sparse containing a sleeping bag, a box of supplies and a very small chair.
Dhananjay looked from the newspaper he was reading and looked at Arnav questioningly. "I thought we would be here for another week," Dhananjay asked, baffled.
"Things are changed." Arnav replied but didn't elaborate further. Less he knows the better, Arnav thought. "Are you ready?" Arnav asked looking at the younger man, his eyes searching Dhananjay for traces of apprehension. He was relieved when he found none. There was only tiredness and exhaustion after being out working for fourteen hours.
"I will be outside," Dhananjay said and walked out after Arnav nodded in acknowledgment.
*****
The slice of pizza fell from her hands when on television, she saw Dhananjay nodded at a reporter when requested for question. She immediately reached for remote and increased the volume.
Reporter: Thank you very much for coming on air with us.
Dhananjay only nods.
Reporter: You have been here for four days now, how has the experience been?
Dhananjay pauses for a moment looking at the chaos around him. The camera also follows his eyesight till he turns back to look at the camera.
Dhananjay: Only a good journalist like you can be detached from self when surrounded by tragedy. He smiled and paused. The young reporter is flustered but recovered quickly.
Reporter: How many party workers have you brought along with you?
Dhananjay: None. I came here with a friend when I saw a glimpse of what has happened here in news last week.
Reporter: I am sure you have heard this before but let me ask you again. What is in it for you?
Dhananjay looks visibly surprised and looks at reporter in the eye.
Dhananjay: I don't understand what that means.
Reporter: Are you trying to get Samaj Kalyan Party established in the state?
Dhananjay: Is that your question?
Reporter: Yes sir, it is.
Dhananjay: There are at least three thousand people missing along the coast. The loss of property damage can be estimated to hundred and thirty crore as of today. Medical, food and water supplies are depleting as we speak. If the rain keeps up, it makes the rescue even harder than already it is. Madam journalist, your question shouldn't be about my motive or intention; your question should be – are you, Dhananjay Rathore doing enough to help these people. And my answer for which is – no.
Reporter: I still would like to get an answer to my question, if you please.
Dhananjay: [Sighs] No. There is no political motive associated with this.
Reporter: [With a hint of sarcasm] you are here to help the people then?
Dhananjay: Why else would I be here?
Reporter: Probably to deflect from the rape allegations.
Dhananjay: [Smiling] so you are implying that people who volunteer always have an ulterior motive in mind. Is that what you are saying to the seven hundred volunteers who have been working for day and night to help the victims?
Reporter: Sir… I didn't mean…
Dhananjay: [Cutting her statement] I want to know why you are here one and half weeks after the floods. Why didn't you come earlier? Why are you talking only to me and not any other volunteer?
Reporter: It was…
Dhananjay: [Cutting her statement again] I am here because I want to. I am here because the value of lives people here is same as mine or people from my constituency. I am here because I care.
[Dhananjay pauses for three seconds. Camera holds a close-up shot. His eyes are watery.]
Dhananjay: It's my country. They are my people. And I care for them. That's my motive.
[Reporter doesn't follow up immediately and Dhananjay walks away.]
Reporter: That's Dhananjay Rathore opening up in front of media for the first time since he has come to this village. Whatever is the motive behind the man, what he has done here cannot be ignored or cannot be tainted with sincerity of the actions. Is this Dhananjay's way of redemption or an extravagant political trick? Send SMS to the number seen below…
Khushi switched off television and closed her mouth that was hung open since the moment she had seen Dhananjay come on screen. The answers had 'Arnav' written all over them. Arnav had coached Dhananjay very well and the interview would really work in his benefit. The strategy was so simple that she wondered why people didn't pull something like this more often. She jumped a little when her cellphone buzzed due to an incoming call.
"How did he do?" Arnav's husky voice flowed easily.
"He should quit politics and send some feelers out in Bollywood. Talk to Lavanya and get him a movie deal, he will be a great actor," she said taking a bite of pizza that had fallen from her hands few minutes before.
Arnav's laugh eased an unknown tension at her temple. "This is good but it's not going to be enough." She said honestly. "In less than thirty six hours every news channel will be showing only one story."
"I know. But till then I want them to run only this story." Arnav said. She replied incoherently with her mouthful. "Are you eating something?" He asked humor in his voice. She had no idea how he could not be panicking and yelling about it. Maybe his calmness is what made him standout from his peers.
"It's lunch and dinner and hot cheesy goodness which are already giving me energy that I need for rest of the night." She said sighing at the smell of fresh oregano and cayenne pepper flakes. Arnav simply hummed but didn't respond. "Arnav?" She asked.
"Please be careful Khushi." He said voice tight.
"Have there been any more threats on us?" She asked keeping her voice light.
"No, not us." He said. She swallowed at its implication and wished him not affirm it. But he did. "This time it's just you," he said softly. "Don't go anywhere without your bodyguard," he warned.
"He is outside this door as we speak so don't worry about it," she replied. "How bad is the threat this time?"
"It was posted this morning. I don't have all answers now and am hoping to get some information by tomorrow. Just hang in there till I come back, okay?" He finally showed the fear that he was successfully hiding till that moment.
"I'll be fine Arnav. I am going home in another ten minutes and I will meet you early in morning?" She asked.
"I should be there in another five hours and I am going straight to Rathores' after landing. I think you should be there too," he said. "In fact Rathore also wants to see you there."
"Does he know about Bhanu Pratap?" Khushi asked throwing the pizza box to bin.
"I told him and his reaction is what you and I can easily anticipate. I told him not to say anything about this till the three of us can sit and talk."
"I'll see you later then," Khushi said.
"Yes. I'll text you once I land. That should give you an indication to start. Good night Khushi," he said and hung up as soon as she reciprocated.
*****
"What's the secret Bruno?" Khushi yawned loudly. Bruno, her ever stoic bodyguard looked at her serenely. "How can you look so pretty this early in the morning while I look like a rundown truck after getting equal amounts of sleep?"
"This way Ms. Gupta," Bruno ignored her rant and handed her a cup of coffee escorting her to the car. The driver was already up front with door open while she dragged her feet even with Bruno gently pushing her towards the car.
"After all this is over, you and I will exchange notes about looking amazing first thing in the morning Bruno," she huffed at his push but got into the car without any complaints. She knew he was doing his job and she was his responsibility when they were out in open.
"Rest till we reach Rathores Ms. Gupta. I'll wake you up a mile before we reach, okay?" Bruno said sliding next to her. She nodded and closed her eyes hoping to sleep some more.
Nineteen kilometers away Arnav got into a car with his bodyguard and headed towards Rathores' residence. He had slept fitfully in the plan the exhaustion and the threats playing havoc in his mind. He leaned back in seat and closed his eyes hoping that the act reduced the headache that had taken permanent residence in his head.
Two hours later, it was all over the news.
Every news channel was showing pictures of Arnav Raizada and Khushi Gupta who were abducted from their respective cars early in the morning. Their drivers and bodyguards were shot execution style.
Till now, no group had claimed responsibility.
Cricket
Marathi TV
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