The Quest | Final post - pg4 - Page 2

"Please, Ms Sahai," Gaurang said, breaking the silence, "this is important."

Vicky glided out of his reflections lazily, and tried to remember what Gaurang was on about.

Juhi Sahai shook her head. Vicky, alarmed by the thought that tears could begin to glisten in her eyes at any time, reached for her hand.

"Look, Juhi'" he began softly, but she pulled her hand back and looked at him angrily.

"You cannot force me," she said, her voice strong and obstinate, "I really don't see why I should help you."

"Vicky," Gaurang said quietly, "we're leaving."

Vicky stared at Gaurang incredulously. But Gaurang had already risen from his chair and was reaching for his wallet. Juhi looked away, her eyes laced with triumph but also sadness. Vicky looked at his unfinished butter chicken, at the dhaabewaala from whom he had wanted to order more lassi, and at the beautiful girl in front of him. This was so unfair.

Vicky jogged to keep up with Gaurang who was striding towards the car.

"Gauri," he panted, "Gaurang! Dude, stop. What are you doing? We can't just leave."

Gaurang stopped and looked at Vicky sharply, his eyes resolute and unwavering,

"Vicky, we will not beg. She will never understand why it's important for us to put an end to this nonsense. All she cares about is money. We don't need her."

"But she's right," Vicky said, rushing to the defence of his damsel in distress, "why are we doing this? We are always providing leads to the police and we are not paid enough. And they take all the glory, those lazy bums."

Gaurang grabbed Vicky's collar angrily, and then let go, disgusted,

"Money, glory?" he spat, "It doesn't mean anything to you that our efforts may help get that ... that dog arrested? All those young girls, you don't think they deserve a different life?"

"I'm sorry," Juhi said, tearful. She had been standing there, unseen, listening.

Gaurang turned away angrily and continued to walk towards the car.

"I'm sorry," she implored, "I - I - I didn't want to get into any mess. But now I -"

Gaurang looked at her dispassionately, "He wouldn't have known. All we wanted was for you to call him to the office with some business deal story so that we can break into the flat. He trusts you. He will never suspect that you are involved in all this. But we don't have fifty thousand rupees to pay you for making a call. So it's fine, we will manage without your help. And if you want to tell your boss about us, feel free. But then also inform him that he will be caught, no matter what, and I will make sure of that."

"But I want to help. I trust you, Gaurang, and I know you won't let anything happen to me. I am on your side, Gaurang. Please, please forgive me. I will do anything to help you."

Vicky looked away from the fondness in Juhi's eyes. He was the invisible sidekick. Nobody saw him. It was always Gaurang that they all had eyes for. All the girls fell for the angry young man. He was just the invisible sidekick.

Gaurang nodded curtly and made for the car.