by Varsha Dixit
“Kabir, please stop.” Aisha’s tense expression finally got through to him.
Kabir stayed close. His eyes narrowed in concern. “What happened, sweetheart?”
“I don’t think Shreya likes me.”
Laughing softly, Kabir rubbed his lips on hers and pulled back. His gaze was soft as his caress. “She adores you.”
Aisha focused on her words with effort. “She doesn’t. I asked her about Lavina.”
Kabir stiffened. He sat back in his seat. “What did you ask?”
A wave of apprehension swept over Aisha. “I asked where you were when Lavina died.” Aisha’s voice was low and troubled.
“Still investigating me?” Kabir’s voice grew chilly.
Aisha swallowed nervously. “Why didn’t you tell me that you were in the flat when Lavina had jumped off the balcony?” She could hear the bitterness in her tone.
Kabir’s expression told her that Parth had spoken the truth.
“You did not ask. If you had, I would not have lied.” Kabir replied curtly.
Aisha hung her head for it felt weighed down by a sudden load. I’m keeping secrets too—Kritika’s spirit, Tony’s wall and Lavina’s picture on it, my own freakishness!
Resigned, Aisha reached out for the car door. “I’ll see you—”
Kabir grabbed her wrist, his grip tight. “Shreya holds herself responsible for bringing Lavina in my life. She has enough guilt about that already and then you ask her about Lavina the very first time you meet her? Fuck!” His face was bunched up in anger. “Why the hell didn’t you ask me first?”
Aisha was taken aback by his tone. “I don’t need your permission to talk to people or for anything else.”
Kabir’s nostrils flared and his mouth clamped in a tight line. Dropping her hand, he moved away from her and spoke in a clipped voice. “Goodnight!”
Aisha got off the car and closed the door, resisting the urge to slam it. Her words, ‘talk to you later’ were drowned by the roar of the engine as Kabir immediately sped away.
He always escorts me to the flat.
Aisha watched the glowing tail lights of his car until they disappeared. Angry tears filled her eyes. “Why does it have to be so hard?” Years of being remarkably sensible presented her with another thought.
When has it ever been easy?
Thankfully, Kiara and her father had already retired by the time Aisha came up. She sat on her bed in the company of her muddled thoughts and laptop.
Her cell beeped. She had received a text message.
“Shit!” Aisha felt her heart race as she read Suvabrata’s text.
Accept who you are. Open yourself to them. The spirits will guide you.
Aisha switched off her cell and tossed it aside. “Sorry Suva, I can’t handle you right now.” I might have just messed up one of the best things going on for me.
Absentmindedly, Aisha removed her jewelry. Why did Kabir get so mad? So, what if I asked a question? Just because it’s uncomfortable doesn’t mean it’s wrong. I’m not a school kid who is blindly going to trust a guy.
“That’s it!” Changing into her nightclothes, Aisha pulled out her laptop and sat with it on her bed. She researched Kabir Rana—the love of her life! After nearly four hours of reading and re-reading articles on the net, and making notes, Aisha shut her laptop. Her eyes stung, and she saw two of everything.
Grabbing her cell off her nightstand, she typed the dreaded three words. “You were right!”
And she sent the message to Parth.
Carelessly, Aisha pushed her laptop to the side making room on her bed.
In the darkness, Aisha wiped the scalding tears that overran her cheeks.
Chapter 88
A week and a half later
Aisha walked on the lush green grass. The smell of citrus trees hung thick in the air and the afternoon sun, further dimmed by overcast clouds, held no sting. The breeze was strong enough to bend the weeds and scatter some dried brown leaves. A flowering myrtle tree laden with lavender colored flowers framed the sky overhead.
Brushing some flowers off her head and flicking a grasshopper off her shoulder, Aisha cast yet another glance over her shoulder to make sure that no one had followed her.
Placing her hand against a nearly ten-feet high wall covered completely by thick vines and foliage, Aisha made her way parallel to it. She did her best not to stumble on the clumped and stunted brushes on the ground. Finally, her hand fell upon it—a metal latch.
Excitement riding her face, Aisha put both her hands on the spot and felt around it. “Yup, definitely a gate.” In less than a few minutes, she found what she was looking for.
Holding up the lock that had aged and rusted in the passing years, Aisha retrieved a key from her pocket. Pursing her lips, she fitted the key and twisted it. “A thousand-rupee note can truly open locks!”
After a few tugs and pushes, Aisha was able to open the wooden gate. She stepped through the gate.
Studying the statuesque but isolated and severely neglected structure, Aisha took a seat on the dusty marble bench overlooking a large oval-shaped deep pond with a tall, rusty waterspout in the middle.
The water was a dark, unhealthy green. Flotsam—thick short branches, yellow brown leaves, two severely chipped barrels that were once blue—floated on the surface. The pond stank of moss, rot, and putrid things. Aisha shivered as she caught a thick, speckled yellow and green tail of a water snake disappear behind the barrel.
Aisha pulled out her cell from the back pocket of her jeans and dialed a number. After a few rings, a woman answered it.
#
“Hi Shreya, Aisha here.”
Shreya was quiet for a few seconds. “How are you and where are you?”
“I’m good. And where I am is a bit tricky,” Aisha’s laugh was nervous.
“Kabir is very upset. He told me that you have asked for some time away from him.”
“Yes, I have.”
Shreya sighed. “Aisha, if you are angry with him because of me or anything that I might have said, then please forgive me. So many years of looking out for him has made me over-protective about Kabir.”
“It is a bit more complicated than that. Kabir and I barely knew each other, and we jumped headlong into a relationship. He is too intense.” Aisha sighed. “Very quick to react. He tires me, Shreya.”
“Please don’t be quick to judge him. Kabir is complicated but he is not bad at heart. Give him another chance, please.” Shreya pleaded.
Aisha exhaled heavily. “I will have to. Unfortunately, I no longer have a choice in the matter.” She hesitated and then spoke bluntly. “I’m pregnant.”
Chapter 89
Aisha heard Shreya inhale sharply. Shreya went quiet, long enough for Aisha to speak. “Are you there, Shreya?”
“Yes, I’m here. You are sure it is Kabir’s?”
Aisha’s eyes widened and then she laughed wryly. “I was not expecting this. But I can assure you, it is his. Kabir was and is my first,” her voice wavered.
“I’m so sorry!” Shreya hurried. “I was surprised . . . Sorry . . .”
The silence of a few moments between them weighed heavy.
“You know, Aisha, there are options.”
A gasp escaped Aisha.
“I was talking about couples’ therapy!” Shreya clarified.
“Oh!” Aisha’s laugh sounded relieved. “For a second I thought . . . never mind.”
“I’m guessing Kabir doesn’t know?” Shreya deduced.
Aisha tapped her fingers on the bench. “I don’t know how he is going to react to this. I’m requesting your help in breaking the news to him. You are his best friend and family. Please help me, Shreya. Bring him where I am.” Her words were rushed.
Shreya sighed. “So, that’s why you called. You know, Aisha, I don’t mean to sound rude, but I do have a life of my own. I was hoping that with you around, I can stop being Kabir’s emotional crutch. I have news of my own. I met someone when
I was in USA—a businessman from Delhi.”
“Wow!” Aisha breathed. “Congratulations and I’m sorry I offloaded my crap on you. Has Kabir met him?”
“No. With all that is going on between you two, how could I tell him about my happy news, especially when he is either moping or mad all the time?”
“Sorry,” Aisha repeated, scuffing the ground with the tip of her sneaker.
“It’s okay,” Shreya sounded resigned. “So, where do I have to bring him?”
“Tomorrow is Kriti’s death anniversary, right?”
“Is it?” Shreya paused checking the calendar on her desk. “You are right, it is.”
“I think Kabir needs to overcome that tragedy. So, could you bring him to me tomorrow?”
“I can’t make promises, but I will try my best.” Shreya answered honestly. “Where are you? Hold on. Let me get the notepad to take the address down.”
“You don’t need to write it down. I’m in Sirsa. Looking at the palace right now, the royal family’s residence.”
Aisha’s eyes traced the arches and columns of the magnificent sandstone creation—Kabir’s home!
“Oh my God, you are seriously mad, Aisha. Kabir is going to be so angry that you went there. That’s his private space; no one is allowed there. Also, do you know that severe storms come in that area at this time of the year? It is not safe for you to be there.”
“I know about the storms. They are expecting one tomorrow or the day after.” Aisha replied causally, her eyes hooked on the swarm of inky dark clouds visible at considerable distance.
Clouds, like bad news, can travel fast.
“Please come back, Aisha. Are you traveling alone or is there anyone else with you?”
“Alone. And I would appreciate it if you and Kabir would not mention this to Kiara or my father. Please!”
The two women again fell quiet.
Shreya was the first to speak. “I will tell Kabir, but I can’t promise that it will be a happy reaction. Gosh, I’m scared for you, Aisha.”
Aisha chuckled nervously. “That is exactly why I’m glad you are going to be there.”
Shreya paused. “I’m not going to be there, I’m sorry.”
“What? Why? You are the pillar to my plan.”
“I’m so sorry, my boyfriend and I are going for a mini vacation to Lonavla.”
“But . . .”
“Sorry, Aisha, maybe next week?” Shreya suggested.
“No, no it has to happen tomorrow. Will you call and text me after you speak with Kabir?”
“Why don’t you call him?”
“I’m too nervous. I’ll probably botch it up and we will end up fighting. Please, Shreya. Consider this a last favor. Please.”
“I will try. Aisha, this might end everything between you two.” Shreya warned.
Aisha chewed her lower lip. “I’ll wait to hear from you. Thank you so much,” she ended the call.
Getting to her feet, Aisha walked to the palace and stopped under an arched grand entrance. Her nervous glance snagged on the extended terrace above the porch.
The terrace that took a life.
Glancing down, Aisha retrieved a thin bunch of keys from her other pocket.
A shadow fell over Aisha. Her startled gaze flew to the terrace.
No one was there.
Inadvertently, Aisha shivered and then stilled. A familiar, yet unpleasant, cold sensation brushed her nape.
“I’m bringing him here for you,” Aisha whispered in the slight breeze and then went to sit on the front steps, waiting for the cleaning crew she had called.
#
Shreya toyed with things on her desk. She knew she was buying time to organize her thoughts that were more scrambled than eggs in a skillet.
After few minutes, Shreya finally picked up her cell phone, her hand unsteady. “Gosh Kabir, this is the last time I am doing things for you!”
Chapter 90
Sirsa Palace, The Royal Residence
9:30 pm
The night was wet and black. The gusting winds howled like a pack of hyenas. Thick treetops bent down skimming their roots like old arthritic men tying shoelaces. The rain pelted the grounds like a rockslide. Electric wires swung as though trapeze artists were pulling at them.
It was a deathly storm—one that could kill, one that would.
The black figure that seemed a part of the night emerged from behind the front pillars and went up the stairs. The footfalls were quick and soft as the killer made their way around the cane furniture littered on the patio.
The thunder gave fair warning to the dark form who ducked behind the walls every time lightning struck, illuminating the porch. Taking small steps, the masked intruder looked through the glass door.
The light inside was faint with only one or two bulbs switched on. Aisha was clearly visible sitting in a chair, her head bent, reading something on her lap. She was alone.
Loathing arose in the killer. The gloved hands clenched and unclenched at the sides. Hissing breath escaped the mouth, clouding the pane.
Aisha glanced up.
The dark form was quick to duck and slide down to the floor. The form crawled on the floor, moving toward the side glass door—the one that opened closest to where Aisha sat.
Stupid girl! She will die because of her meddling.
Under the balaclava mask, the smile on the killer’s face was grisly. Murder was simply a means to an end!
Quietly going on the knees, the dark shadow inserted a tiny silver key in the keyhole and turned it lightly. The lock opened with a soft click. The noisy storm outside masked the sound. The intruder opened the door; just a crack and peered in.
Aisha was focused on the tablet on her lap. The door did not make much noise as the intruder smoothly opened it and slipped in, locking it from the inside all the while staying on the knees.
When the killer turned, Aisha was on her feet staring right at the killer.
Aisha did not appear stumped, only surprisingly sad as she said, “Hi, I thought you were going to Lonavla?”
Chapter 91
The killer stopped and glanced around. Aisha was alone in the room. Slowly, the mask came off.
“Don’t try anything stupid.”
Shreya revealed the gun in her hand. It glinted in the light.
A sudden thunderclap outside startled Aisha.
“I told you, this is the time of crazy storms.” Shreya clucked her tongue and pointed at a chair with her gun. “Sit!”
Aisha did as told. “In less than a month, this is the second time I’m staring at a gun.” She shook her head.
Shreya closed in on her. Her teeth gnashed as she spoke, “That stupid Vikas should have killed you when he had a chance. But he could never do anything right,” she spat. Shreya towered over Aisha. “But how did you know it was me? Tell me, what mistake did I make?”
“Not you,” Aisha paused. “Your puppet. Tony left a clue.”
“So, you know his real name? Keep talking!” Shreya ordered with the gun. Gone was the sweet and kind woman Aisha had met over dinner. The woman standing in front of her was cold and aggression poured out of her. Aisha knew that Shreya would feel no remorse or hesitate in killing her.
“He had Lavina’s pictures on the wall where he proudly displayed images of the girls he had killed.”
“That bloody twerp.” Shreya frowned. “That by itself isn’t enough. That fool said something, didn’t he?”
Aisha fidgeted. “He spoke about you cryptically. I had no idea at that time. He hinted that he was trying to kill Kiara for his true love, the one who connected with him in the head and heart. The one who saw the real him.” Aisha took a breath remembering the moment she was trapped in Tony aka Vikas’s flat.
Nothing has changed much. I’m back with another killer. This is a sequel that should never have happened!
“I thought he heard voices of his dead mother in his head.”
Shreya brought the gun dangerously close to Aish
a’s face. “The fool imagined himself in love with me. But if he did not give you my name, how did you know it was me?”
Aisha stared at the hollow end of the barrel facing her. “From your resume.”
Chapter 92
Shreya’s expression was one of confusion. “My resume?”
“Yes,” Aisha nodded. “After dinner at your place, I researched Kabir and everyone else related to him. And, that made me look you up. Your resume is the first thing that popped up. Usually, people skip the boring details, but I was seeking the boring details, all the boring details.”
Shreya still wasn’t following her.
“On your resume, your work experience was listed—all the places where you had worked, including the organization where you did pro bono work. One of the juvenile homes listed there was the one where Tony aka Vikas worked and lived. On a hunch, I requested a cop friend to check the pharmacy shops near Vikas’s house. He found a small pharmacy shop that had a standing prescription in Vikas’s name for Valium with regular refills. The Valium that Vikas used to drug the women he raped and killed. And the doctor who wrote the prescription was you.”
“You are sharp!” Shreya playfully touched Aisha’s head with the gun’s handle.
Aisha jerked her head back. “How could you? He used the Valium to dupe innocent young women. Torture and kill them!”
“He was useful to me so I was useful to him.” Shreya shrugged. “Those women were dumb. All Vikas had to do was dangle Kabir’s business card in front of them and they went rather willingly with him. Vain, dumb women seeking quick fame! There are enough of pretty young things in this world. If a few are gone, who cares?”
Aisha gulped. “There is one more thing.”
What the heck? Am I trying to impress a psycho?
“Go on,” Shreya kept the gun firmly pointed on Aisha.
“Vikas had probably been to your house?”
Shreya shrugged. “Yes.”
“Well, I went to his apartment and he had me wait in his living room, so I kind of remember the layout and the furniture, but of course, everything was covered in plastic!” Aisha shared. “That night when you invited us over for dinner? Your furniture and layout were the same, except his stuff was way cheaper. Very tacky actually!”