by MV Kasi
Nina laughed softly. “I can try to be quiet.”
Gaurav groaned. “Don’t tempt me.”
She laughed once again, and then she sobered. “Gaurav, Suraj is innocent of the charges made against him. He doesn’t involve himself in the operations of Trinity Hotels.”
Gaurav nodded. “I have a strong suspicion about who was responsible for the whole thing.”
“Who? Harika—”
They heard a noise.
Before Nina could say anything, Gaurav pushed her down. “Stay down!” he ordered softly.
Nina must have sensed the urgency in his voice and followed his order.
Gaurav kept his eyes trained on a bright light that shone through the window before something shattered it.
Glass exploded, pieces of it, falling across the room.
“Crawl out to the living room right now, Nina.”
Just while they made it into the living room, they heard a similar sound of glass shattering coming from the other room where Suraj Bhupati and his lover slept.
“Suraj!” Nina panicked.
“No. Stay here. I’ll go check,” said Gaurav. Quickly searching around the room, he spotted a cupboard and pushed her into it. “Don’t come out unless I ask you to.”
This time she didn’t nod her head. Along with worry there was a slight challenge in her eyes.
“Nina—” he said in warning, using the tone he had done during the early days of her kidnap. The tone made the challenge grow in her eyes. He held her face. “Nina, I’m a trained police officer. I can handle this situation much better than you. But I can’t focus, if I think you will be in danger.”
Her eyes softened and she watched him with trust in her eyes. “I won’t unnecessarily put myself in danger. Go to Suraj,” she whispered.
Giving her a quick, hard kiss on her lips, he closed the doors to the cupboard. And then, holding his gun, Gaurav opened the door to the bedroom.
Two men swept into the room holding guns in their hands. They pointed them at Suraj Bhupati who was awake and sitting on the bed.
Gaurav didn’t see Radhakrishna anywhere.
Gaurav shot one of the gunmen in the arm and went behind the wall of the room away from the line of the fire. Meantime, he heard the sounds of a struggle between Suraj Bhupati and the other gunman. Gaurav swept in and knocked the butt of the gun behind the attacker’s head.
“Do you know how to shoot?” he asked Suraj Bhupati urgently.
The other man nodded and grabbed the attacker’s fallen gun. “Where’s Nina?” Suraj Bhupati asked with worry in his tone.
“She’s fine.”
Holding the guns in their hands, they went out to the living room. Three other armed men stood there, aiming their weapons at Gaurav and Suraj.
“Drop your weapons,” Gaurav commanded.
An uncertain look passed on the men’s faces, but another man joined them. “Don’t listen to him!” the man snapped. “I’m the one in charge here.”
“Raghuveer…” Suraj Bhupati said in a grim tone.
“Suraj,” the other man greeted in a sardonic tone.
Suraj Bhupati continued to watch the other man with a grim look. “Why?” he asked.
Raghuveer smiled. “Isn’t it obvious? Money, power… the usual reasons.”
“You are my friend, Raghuveer. I gave you enough money and opportunities that you have multiplied several times over. And your wife’s uncle gave you access to power with his contacts. Then why would you do something like this?”
Raghuveer’s smile turned bitter. “That’s entirely the problem, Suraj. You had to give me money first. And Ganesh Verma had to introduce me to people. All as an act of charity thrown at someone lesser than them. You, Pranit, and all the other rich classmates and friends, all you have done is to throw charity in my face.
“I bloody put in the hard work. I was the one who made deals with the devil and made Trinity Hotels the biggest brand in India. What did you both do? You were busy playing the do-gooder politician, and he, the hotshot police officer. Both of you don’t deserve anything!”
“Why are you here?” Gaurav asked quietly.
Raghuveer looked at Gaurav. “Why do you think I’m here, Gaurav?” he asked. When Gaurav didn’t answer, Raghuveer shook his head. “I’m here to snatch everything you have,” he said.
Gaurav held the other man’s gaze. “I’m sure you already know about the will my father made, Raghuveer. You’ll get nothing if you kill me. My father will never make you his heir. All of my property will revert to a trust.”
“I know.” There was rage in the other man’s eyes. “Which is why I won’t kill you. I’ll spare your life once again like the last time. I’ll let you rot in a jail.”
After his mother and sister’s funeral, Gaurav was shot in the shoulder by a masked man. He had blamed it on Suraj Bhupati. But now he knew Raghuveer had planned it, not knowing about the will.
“And how will you accomplish it?” Gaurav asked, even though he already figured it out. Gaurav knew he had to prolong the conversation and buy more time. Only fifteen minutes had passed since he had sent a code text to Vikram.
“I’ll make you kill your mistress’s husband, of course. A crime of passion. Quite a sensational reason to be imprisoned.”
For a brief moment, Gaurav was taken aback. Gaurav hadn’t known Raghuveer knew about him and Nina.
“Surprised?” Raghuveer asked with a cold smile. “It wasn’t hard to guess who had taken the beautiful Nina Bhupati. Although, I was surprised you left her alive. I was hoping you would have your fun and kill her so I could frame you for the murder.”
He turned to Suraj with a taunting look. “Quite a thing he and your wife must have had between the two of them during those ninety days. Why else wouldn’t he kill her? And why else wouldn’t she reveal the identity of her kidnapper?”
When Suraj Bhupati didn’t show any reaction to that, Raghuveer became agitated. “Aren’t you jealous, Suraj?” he demanded. “How does it feel to have your wife wanting another man? Despite giving her everything she asks for, if she still yearns for that other man? Doesn’t it feel like a kick in the gut?”
Gaurav knew that Raghuveer didn’t know anything about Nina and his relationship. Raghuveer was talking about something else.
Gaurav didn’t care to know what it was, but he had to keep him engaged.
“How did you know I was here?” he asked.
“I didn’t. You were a surprise. I’ve been tracking Suraj’s phone for a while. And I knew he was in hiding here with his wife. The idiots who are sleeping outside are my men, too. Somehow I have a feeling you were responsible for them being incapacitated.”
Gaurav realized that Raghuveer had planned to murder Suraj Bhupati and Nina that night. His heart began to thud. The security men who Raghuveer had hired would be unconscious until the morning. Raghuveer had come with four additional men. Two of them were lying unconscious inside, and might wake up any time. There were just two other men with guns. Gaurav was willing to take the risk of attacking them as long as there was a distraction. He prayed the opportunity for the distraction would come soon. And he badly hoped Nina would stay where she was.
“Why did you lie to me about Suraj being responsible for my brother’s death?” Gaurav asked, wanting to distract the man from finding Nina.
“Because I knew at the time of your investigation, that it was perfect bait for you to continue with the investigation.”
It had been.
“And my sister?”
Regret flashed in Raghuveer’s eyes. “Nothing against her. She was just collateral damage.”
Rage filled Gaurav’s mind, but he controlled himself.
An armed man returned from searching the rooms. “There’s no one else, sir.”
“Search again, you idiot. I know she must be here in the house, hiding somewhere.” Raghuveer ran his gaze around the house. “Nina!” he called. “If you want to save your husband’s and lover’s life
, come out on the count of ten. Or I’ll shoot one of them.”
He began counting. At the count of nine, Gaurav heard Nina. “Stop! I’m here.”
Gaurav knew the hired man would have found her eventually, but he still wished she stayed in hiding. He also knew Suraj Bhupati and he were her weakness and she wouldn’t allow anyone to hurt them because of her.
Raghuveer’s henchman dragged her towards the middle of the room.
“I wish I didn’t have to kill you, too, Nina,” Raghuvver said with regret in his eyes. “You’ve always been good to me.” He stepped closer to her, running his eyes over the length of her body.
Gaurav clenched his fists.
“Just so you know,” Raghuveer continued. “All these years, whenever I was with a woman, I always imagined you in their place. So, I grew rather fond of you.”
Gaurav was a trained police officer. He knew what the current situation was. And although his logical mind asked him to think rationally, he knew that if Raghuveer dared to touch Nina right then, Gaurav wouldn’t stop until he killed the other man using his bare hands. Whether he was surrounded by armed men or not would make no difference to his actions.
Luckily, so far, Raghuveer didn’t touch Nina.
And Nina didn’t flinch or show disgust at the other man’s words. “Why are you doing this, Raghuveer?” she asked softly. “You’ve always worked hard and you are much well-off and powerful than many people in your circles.”
“Many people, but not all,” Raghuveer replied. “With your husband gone and your lover rotting in jail, I’d be powerful than everyone I know.”
Gaurav watched Nina and he could see the subtlest of change in her expression. It was enough from him to read her and to know what Nina was going to do.
Gaurav’s heart pounded, every instinct in him screaming against what she planned.
Nina was taking a huge risk, but considering Raghuveer intended to kill her afterwards, Gaurav couldn’t afford to interfere and stop her.
He wanted her safe, no matter what.
“Why kill me?” she asked softly. “With Suraj gone and Gaurav in jail, I’d be quite harmless. Maybe I’d be willing to take up an offer of protection from another powerful man.”
Gaurav watched Raghuveer as he processed Nina’s words and what she was offering. A rapt look covered the other man’s face.
“We both come from humble backgrounds, Raghuveer,” Nina continued. “We are both outsiders seeking acceptance to be let into the circles of wealth and power. I understand how you feel, better than anyone ever could. And I rather choose life over death.”
Raghuveer shook his head. “I don’t trust you.”
“What if I’m speaking the truth? Do you not want a chance of being with me? I know I want a chance to rub it in the other’s faces that people like you and me, from our humble backgrounds, are much above them. Ten years of being Suraj Bhupati’s wife never made me feel like I was his equal. I always felt like an outsider. But with you, I know I’ll feel differently.”
When Raghuveer continued to watch her, she kept her eyes locked on him. “It’s not going to be easy of course. We’ll have obstacles. Harika and her uncle. And maybe even my father-in-law. But best things in life are not without any risks. I’m willing to fight the world for my rightful place, but are you?”
Raghuveer sucked in a breath. “Yes,” he replied. “I’m willing to fight. I have always fought for my rightful place. I created my own opportunities for whatever I wanted. After Suraj married you, I deliberately got Harika drunk and slept with her, so she was forced to marry me. She was my ticket to the so-called higher class. ”
Nina smiled as though she was proud of his devious method to trap a woman to marry him.
Raghuveer watched her. “I want that life with you more than anything, but I still don’t trust you.” He looked at one of the henchmen. “Drug her. I’ll take her back with me and then decide what to do next.”
“Raghuveer, you don’t have to drug me. I’ll come with you willingly.” But a cloth was placed on Nina’s nose. She didn’t struggle. Slowly, her body became limp and her breathing turned even. She slid down to the floor and lay asleep, breathing evenly.
Raghuveer stared at her for a while and then looked at Gaurav and Suraj. “Looks like I won’t just get your money and power, but I’ll also get your woman.” He laughed. “She’s going to make it all the more worthwhile. Now, it’s show time.”
“Why would I keep quiet?” Gaurav asked. “You think the truth won’t come out?”
“Oh, the truth is going to come out, all right. But my version of the truth.” There was a smug smile. “I have proof that you were having an affair with Nina Bhupati. The security cameras caught you both during the party at your house.”
Gaurav didn’t say anything.
“What would that prove?” Suraj asked.
“Oh, that Gaurav Verma and Nina Bhupati were having an affair. Gaurav wanted her to be his, and he also held a long-term grudge against Nina’s husband. So, he decided to kill the husband.”
Gaurav saw gaping holes in the logic and the plan. But he didn’t want to interrupt the mad man. He continued to listen to him quietly. He tried very hard not to look at the floor towards Nina. He desperately hoped none of the goons or Raghuveer spared a glance at her either.
“So, you want to make it your word versus my word?” Gaurav asked.
“Yes. With the video proof and the personal grudge you had against Suraj, everyone will believe me. And even Nina will support me. She can say that you were pressuring her to leave her husband.”
Another barest of movement was caught in the corner of his eye.
He prayed that Nina wouldn’t try what he thought she would.
He’d seen her struggle while the goon tried to drug her. But she wasn’t drugged. He knew that because she had pulled the same trick when he had kidnapped her.
She was biding her time.
He knew his Nina was a fighter and a survivor. She wouldn’t let it be. She would do everything in her power to save the lives of the two men she cared for and loved.
Gaurav was proud of her wiliness, but more than that, he was bloody terrified for her.
A loud scream came from one of the goons. The chaos and shock that ensued were all Gaurav needed. He hit the goon behind him with his elbow before turning and shooting Raghuveer.
He shot Raghuveer multiple times.
Gaurav frantically turned towards Nina. There was no one next to her. The goon she must have hurt, was lying on the floor, holding his groin area and rolling in pain.
Gaurav and Suraj overpowered the remaining two goons.
“Call the police,” Suraj instructed.
“Already done,” said Gaurav. The moment he had seen the lights on the window and expected an attack, he had sent a message to Vikram.
“I called them as well,” said Radhakrishna who came out of a room to join them. “They are on the way.” He touched the screen of his mobile. The video of Raghuveer’s confession and threats played loudly at the background.
Soon, the house was surrounded by the police and media.
After a few more hours of giving statements, Gaurav walked next to Nina while Suraj held her and escorted her towards a car. Three of them slid into the backseat. Radhakrishna was in the driver’s seat.
It took a while for the car to wade through the throng of reporters.
“Where are we going?” Radhakrishna asked.
“Let’s go to my place,” Gaurav instructed.
When they were out of sight from the crowd, Gaurav pulled Nina closer to him. “You scared the shit out of me,” he scolded. “What if he suspected you were lying?”
He could see a small smile on her beautiful, tired face. “I knew what I was doing, Gaurav. I had plenty of practice with you while you were my captor,” she said.
Gaurav laughed softly, but he shook his head. “But still. Never take such risks again,” he said in a stern voice.
Suraj Bhupati was watching them and smiling in amusement. “I’m sorry to say, but you’ll soon discover that challenging my wife, will only make her even more determined.”
“Shh… don’t scare my captor away, Suraj. At least not until it’s too late for him to escape from me.” There was a mischievous twinkle in her eyes.
Gaurav held her face. “It is too late,” he said, kissing her softly on her lips. “You have captivated this captor my love.”
EPILOGUE
Three years later…
“God! This place badly needs updated plumbing.”
Nina was ready to take a quick bath in the inadequate shower of the forest cabin.
Gaurav was about to head to the lake for his bath. “No, it doesn’t. It’s perfect the way it is,” he replied.
“Hahh!! That’s because you want me to take a bath in the lake with you each time we visit this place.”
Gaurav grinned. “So? What’s wrong with that? In fact you should join me now, too.”
“Nothing wrong. Except that when we are expecting guests within an hour. I doubt if our guests want to catch their hosts frolicking naked near the lake or going at it like two horny rabbits.”
“Oh, come on. A quick dip, and we’ll be back in time for you to fuss over the table settings and meals.”
Nina supposed they had enough time for a quick dip. Besides, she hated showering with the metallic smelling water. “Okay, let’s hurry up, then,” she said, grabbing a towel and soap.
FORTY-FIVE MINUTES later, she ran into the cabin. “Oh my God! We are late. So, so, late.”
“Relax. There’s plenty of time. In fact…” Nina heard the husky tone and saw the familiar heated look on Gaurav’s face as he watched her towel-clad body.
She laughed, placing a hand on his chest. “Easy there, tiger. We spent the last thirty minutes doing what we have been doing in past two days. Waiting until we reach home later tonight, won’t kill us.”
“But it’s the last day of our honeymoon!”