I SHOULD HAVE THINK IT TWICE

CHAPTER1

It was 9:30 pm when Vinod Dixit parked his car at the basement parking slot of the Hotel Vista at the Bandstand. He lighted another cigarette by getting out of the car. His face has got tensed again by the thought of meeting that girl. He has never thought in his dreams that someday he is going to meet an unknown girl for the purpose of marriage. Suddenly, his mobile rang. Priya Sharma, the name displayed on its screen. He picked up the call.

“Have you reached in the hotel?” a delicate voice came from the other side.

“Yes. Where are you?”  He said by taking the puff of cigarette.

“I will be there within next ten minutes. Sorry, caught in traffic.”

 “Not a problem. I will go ahead and book the table. ”

“Ok.”

He smashed the cigarette by his shoes and took the lift to reach at the reception of the restaurant. The crowd in the restaurant was negligible, as he had expected. He remembered the days when he used to meet Rasika in the same restaurant. It has always been a less crowded place as compare to the other pubs and restaurant in Bandra. He moved straight towards one of the corner table and sat on the sofa. Now he was able to view the slow moving traffic on the bandstand from the window glass.

“Look at me, Vinod. Not towards the traffic.” He remembered the conversation.

“Rasika, I have said that you are looking gorgeous.”  Said Vinod plainly by hiding his smile.

“Oh! How romantic! ” she said by making her face angry.

“Ok.” He smiled by taking her hand in his hand and said by looking in her eyes, “You are looking gorgeous.
 Will you marry me?”

She laughed out loud.

“That’s better. Yes, I will marry you.”

“Sorry. It’s late. ” a sudden voice from the backside interrupted his thought process. He moved his face towards the voice. ‘Rasika’, once he thought to himself. How’s that possible? Then he looked carefully.

“Oh hi…Priya.” 

There was much similarity between the two faces. Same small black eyes, straight long nose and slightly bulgy lips. The difference was Priya’s hair was colored brown in between which was matching with her red brown face and Rasika’s hairs were dark black. Priya has worn a long red gown which was showing her cleavage gracefully. Is she really a journalist or a model by profession? Vinod has got quite stunned by the overall beautiful spots of her.

“Hi. May I sit here? ” said Priya by giving a mischievous smile.

“Oh. Of course. Please have a seat.” Said Vinod by quickly taking the look of her cleavage

“So how is your father’s health now? Dad was saying that he has gone through cardiac arrest.”

“Yes. But now he is doing well. ”

“Ok. If you don’t mind I want to tell you something.” She said hesitantly

“Go ahead.” Said Vinod by carefully observing her face. Her face suddenly became serious.

“I know that your dad and my dad are school friends but to be honest, I am in love with someone else and dad is against our marriage. I have come here just to feel my dad well.” She declared the head line of the meeting. Vinod kept calm and changed the topic.

“Shall I order dinner? I am hungry.”

“Look I am sorry but…”

“It’s ok. I was also in love with someone else.” He said by pointing the waiter to take the order

“Oh! so what happen?”

“She is dead now. Would you like to have some starters?” Vinod said by observing the menu.

“I am sorry.”

“Starters?” asked Vinod again

“Yes sure.” She said by observing his strong and handsome face.

Next hour they have finished by chatting on different topics from politics to entertainment along with dinner. Finally, Vinod paid the bill and they moved towards the basement. Vinod came up to her car. She sat down inside. He closed the door of the car.

“It was nice meeting with you.” She said while smiling.

Vinod looked in her eyes; it was beautiful, deep and dark. Suddenly he opened the door of the car and pulled her body towards him. They both fell down on the ground. Her smooth parts rest down on his body. He clutched her back tightly with his hands.  

“Ah…what you doing? Leave me… ” Her sentence remained incomplete by the sudden bang of firing. Two bullets stroked on the car. The side glasses of the car got broken down. Then there was a complete silence. Vinod clutched his hand on her mouth so that a shout from her mouth should not disturb the silence.

“Someone is there to kill us. Stay calm.” He said by keeping his mouth near her ear. He could be able to feel the hot and smooth touch of her body. He slowly removed his gun from the coat’s pocket and fired one bullet towards the direction of earlier fire from the broken window of the car. But no response came from the other side. He opened the door of car and pushed her body inside it.

“Don’t sit. Keep lying there inside.” He said and slowly stood on his feet by keeping the gun straight in the hands and moving quickly towards the other car in the lane. One by one he crossed all the cars and reached at the place where he has seen the man wearing a mask earlier while talking with Priya. Suddenly he jumped on top of the car and then another jump took him in front of the masked man. He fired the bullet; but till that time Vinod has hide behind a cement pillar. Suddenly the masked man got on his feet and opened the door of the car. He started the car by firing the bullets blindly towards pillar and took it out from the parking with full speed. Vinod counter attacked but his hit missed out.

Then he ran down towards the Priya’s car. He opened the door. She was still lying there on the car’s floor.

“Get up. We need to catch him.” He said by pushing her aside and sitting on the driver’s seat. He started the car and pushed it outside the hotel. He saw that the masked man was turning the car on the left side of the bridge. He turned the car and thrown it in that direction. The traffic on the road till this time was negligible. Both cars were racing more than speed of hundred.

“Who is he? Why is he trying to kill you?” said Priya

“I can ask the same question to you.”  He said while concentrating on the car in front of him.

“But I don’t have answer.” She said

“I also don’t have. We will ask him.” Said Vinod by taking the sharp U turn. The speed was so high that Priya bumped on Vinod.

“Ah…can’t you make it little slow?” she said with an annoyed look. Now both the car was moving on along the side of a local train. Suddenly the masked man opened the door of his car.

“What the hell is he doing?” Vinod slowed down the car by taking his moves into consideration.

The masked man held one of the rods on the door of local train. But in next second his hand slipped down. The train moved ahead by crushing his body and pushing the car away. The car took two three odd jumps and fell down on its top. Vinod stopped the car by looking towards the smashed body of the masked man. All the body has been crushed down except the face which was remained in somewhat good condition. Vinod got out of the car.

“What you doing?” Priya shouted

“Let’s see who he is.” He said “Don’t come out of the car.”

He walked up to the body. It was really in bad condition. The blood and gore has spread everywhere. Face was the only part of the body which was quite in better condition. Vinod looked around, no one was there. Then he removed handkerchief from his pocket and wrapped around his right hand. He slowly removed the mask. The small hairs almost bald and long face with small moustache below the nose, Vinod observed him carefully. Where the hell I have seen him? He thought to himself and then suddenly his eyes glittered.

He came again towards the car and sat inside.

“Who is he?” Priya asked with curious voice.

“No. I don’t know.” He said by starting the car “I will drop you to the home. Don’t tell anybody about this.”

“I think we should make a complaint in police station.” She said immediately

“No. That will create unnecessary problem.” He said. She looked towards him with strange look.

“But what if anyone is going to attack on me again?”

“No. I think he has not attacked on you. He has attacked on me. ” said Vinod calmly.   
  

 “But you don’t know that guy, right?”

“You are asking too many questions. Are you going to publish it in your newspaper?” said Vinod while smiling “I will be taking your car with me. My driver will receive it to you tomorrow. Is that fine?”

“Yes. But…” She said. Her voice has become little shaky

“Don’t worry Priya. No one is going to kill you.” Said Vinod by keeping his hand on her hand

She looked towards his hand and then in his eyes. She felt like a cold shiver was going through her body.

CHAPTER 2

Vinod removed the overcoat and dropped it on the sofa in the living room. He moved towards the fridge, took out the bottle of water from it and drank the few sips. Suddenly a voice of broken glass broke the silence of apartment. He immediately moved towards sofa and took out the gun from its coat. The voice was from the bedroom. He slowly moved towards it without making the noise of shoes. Then suddenly pushed the door and came inside the bedroom. He checked the every corner but no one was there. A window was open and was moving with chilled air. A photo frame from the dressing table has fallen down on the ground. The glass has been spread everywhere. Vinod took the gun in his left hand and lifted the frame in his right hand. He observed the pic. For a while his face became expressionless. Rasika’s smile in photograph started haunting him. What exactly happened? He thought to himself. He remembered the night before her death.

“What happened Rasika? Haven’t you got ready yet?” said Vinod by keeping the bag on the table

“Can’t we avoid this party?” she said. Her voice has become deep and eyes were looking pale

“Are you all right?” said Vinod by removing the hairs came on her face and moving the fingers slowly on her cheek. She held his hand.

“Yes I am all right, just little tired due to the last week inauguration ceremony.”

“Oh ok…but finally your dream of orphanage center for children has come true…” he said by looking in her eyes.

“Yes…” she smiled quite sadly

“I don’t know why but I am feeling lonely today. I need you to be with me, Vinod.” Her voice became moist

“Hey, I am with you. Tell me what happened?” he said by rubbing her both hands and sitting beside her.

 “Nothing. I just don’t want to go outside, today.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yes.”

“Ok. We will cancel the plan…” He said by keeping hand on her shoulder. She kept her head on his shoulder.  Few minutes dropped in silence. No one spoke anything. Finally Vinod broke the silence.  

“So what’s the plan…romantic movie of your choice?”  He asked while smiling. She smiled back; she knew that romantic movie means the two to three hours of long nap for Vinod.

“I don’t want you to sleep for tonight.” She said by giving a mischievous smile and moving her eyes towards the bedroom.

“Ok. That’s pretty cool, I mean hot. ” he smiled back and without wasting the time he lifted her in his hands.

“Oh! You are getting heavy. Remove some clothes.”

“Shut up.” She said and locked her lips with him

In the morning she felt that she has forgotten all the worries of yesterday. She came out of the bed and went towards the bathroom for the wash. Afterwards she prepared the coffee. Vinod was still sleeping.

“Hey get up. I need to go.” She said by moving her fingers in his hairs. Vinod waked up and rubbed her hand silently. Then they took the coffee together and left the home.

“Why are you looking so worried?” Vinod asked by looking at her face. Her face was still tense like hiding something behind it.

“I was worrying whether your father will be ready for this marriage or not?” she said by looking outside the window of the car.

“You don’t have to worry for that. He always keeps the business and personal things away from each other. You have not given the land of orphanage center for commercial complex; it doesn’t mean that he will crush all the dreams of his son. ” 

“Yes. I can understand.” She said silently and smiled by looking at him. He didn’t smile back. Something has been wrong, he thought.

Finally the car stopped near her apartment in Juhu. She got out of the car and then she suddenly remembered something.

“Oh, Vinod my mobile, I think I have forgotten it at your home. Let’s go again…”

“Hey it’s ok. I will send it to you with someone else once I reach the home.”

“But…”

“Don’t worry…I will send it as soon as possible. Ok? ”

“Ok…Bye…” She said and started crossing the road. Vinod was still there watching her from the backside. Then it happened. A huge truck from the other side of the road came with full speed. Vinod looked at the truck and then towards Rasika. Before he knew what happened the truck crushed her and went without stopping.

He put the photograph on the dressing table. That truck, truck driver. He remembered the face of the truck driver. He was the same masked man who has now tried to kill him.

 It has taken a month for him to convince that Rasika is no more with him. He has left the country but after his father got serious heart attack, he came again and decided to marry another girl of his father’s choice. But it seems that the clouds has started gathering and he was not able to view clearly through the fog. He always felt that the Rasika’s accident was not an accident; it was a planned murder and now from the todays attack on him, it got clear that there is some conspiracy going on silently underneath. Who was that masked man? May be a contract killer. For whom does he working and why he has killed Rasika? Why anyone wants to kill me? I need to find out answers to all the questions, he thought to himself. Suddenly his face became hardened.

CHAPTER 3

Vinod removed the keys from his pocket and opened the main door of the apartment. Rasika used to keep the alternate keys of apartment with him. He entered inside and switched on the lights. He carefully observed the living room and started checking each and every corner of it. He didn’t know what exactly he was searching for but his mind was telling him that there must be something which will provide him some clue. But there was nothing useful. He moved towards the bedroom. He removed all her clothes from the cupboard on the bed. Nothing. He saw the books on one of the shelf and scanned all the books if she has hidden something in that. Then his eyes went on a diary lying on the table near the phone. He checked it. In one of the middle page there was a mobile number with name Shikha Batra. He dialed the number from his mobile. Failure by saying the number you are trying to reach doesn’t exist. What the hell? Who is this Shikha Batra? I don’t remember if Rasika has ever mentioned about her. Is she really useful? Then suddenly one idea clicked his mind. He pressed the redial button of her phone. The same number displayed on the screen with message ‘the number you are trying to reach doesn’t exist.’ It means Rasika dialed this number before her death. I need to find out her. He unlocked his mobile and started the web browser. Then typed Shikha Batra in Google. Three entries on Facebook. He checked the general profiles of all of three. One of them was studying in some college in Haryana. Another one was from Delhi without any mention of profession and the third one was from Mumbai working as a model. This third one is looking quite useful. How to get her address? Priya, yes, Priya will be helpful. He dialed her number. After trying for two three times finally she picked up the phone.

“Yes Vinod?” her voice was sleepy

“I need your help.”

“At this time?” She looked in the clock. It was showing 3:00 AM in the morning “Where are you?”  

 “You are working as a Page three reporter, right?” he asked ignoring her question

 “Yes.”

“I want information about one model from fashion industry. She is working in Mumbai and her name is Shikha Batra.”

“Who is she? Your next date?” She said while smiling

“Jokes apart Priya. Can you be able to find out?”          

“I will do my best.”

“Ok thanks.”

It was the 12:30 PM in the afternoon when his mobile ranged again. Instead of going to his apartment Vinod preferred to stay at some other place and booked one suit in the hotel Sunshine in Boriwali west. Now I need to be alert every time, the attack can happen again, he thought. The bell was ringing. It was Priya on the line.

“Yes Priya, have you got anything?” he asked eagerly

“Yes. She is a model working for Lakme; part of high profile page three tycoons and the insider information is involved in high profile prostitution. Her clients are from ministers to businessman, small screen celebrities to cricketers. Why are you interested in her?”     

 “Can you arrange a meeting with her?” he said by ignoring her question  

 “What? Do you want to sleep with her? I am not her agent.” She said angrily

“Next page three party, where she will be available. I want to meet her at any cost.”

“Ok. I can arrange but why should I help you?”

“Do you want a spicy story for your newspaper then help me?”

“Ok. Let’s check.” 

CHAPTER 4

The hotel 36 degree west was one of the famous hotels in Juhu west for all wrong reasons. The page three cum rave parties, high profile prostitution has become common in this hotel. It was around 1 AM in the morning when Vinod entered in the hotel with Priya. Priya showed their special entry passes to one of the staff.

 “Please follow me.” He said politely by checking the passes. They entered the lift and went on the fourth floor. Then there was a big dining hall. The people were still enjoying their dinners. Besides the dining hall there was another room with a common door where the pub was present. The dark blue lights and roaring music in that crowded pub was providing the delirious environment. Girls and boys were partying hard. Vinod and Priya were walking along with the staff boy by cutting the crowd. They reached near the door. The staff boy opened it.

“This way Sir.” He said

There was the staircase which was dipped in dark red lights.

“Please check your steps Sir.”

Finally they reached at big glass door. The staff boy swiped one card and the door got opened.

“Have you been here earlier?” Vinod asked Priya

“Yes.” She said plainly

And then there was a bang. The music was noisy and the room was dipped in dark lights. All kind of beverages and drugs were kept on the counter tables. The staff was serving it gracefully. Many known unknown celebrities, businessmen, fashion tycoons, ministers, players all were busy in enjoying the night in their own ways. They were dancing, pulling the girls, snatching the drugs and beverages. Loud music was pumping the adrenalin and adding the wilderness to the party. Priya and Vinod started taking the overall look of party. Suddenly Priya said

“Vinod there she is. Shikha Batra.” By pointing the finger at one corner. She was minimally dressed showing all her fair, essential body parts through her electrifying mini skirt. Her eyes were deep, dark and under the influence of drugs. She was dancing with an old junky. Before Priya knew anything, Vinod went straight towards her and pulled her aside by holding her arm.

“Aah…who the devil are you?  ” she said by trying to remove her arm with other hand “leave me.”  

“Hey what you doing?” the old junky yelled while showing his Viagra vigor.

“Stay away.” Vinod said by removing his coat’s button and showing the gun kept inside. Both were stunned by the view of gun. Then Vinod moved towards the girl.

“I want to sleep with you for tonight. The amount which you want.” He said. The girl has not dared to deny the proposal by looking at the overall deadly looks and moves of Vinod. He clutched her arm and moved towards Priya by almost dragging her.

“I am taking her with me.” He said plainly and moved ahead

“What? Hey wait…” Priya remained looking towards the path from where he has gone. She felt that she has just seen a tornado

CHAPTER 5

Vinod moved his car towards Boriwali at Hotel Sunshine. She slept inside the car due to the heavy dose of drugs and drinks. Finally they reached at the hotel. Vinod looked towards her.

“Hey wake up.” He said by patting her cheek. But she was unconscious. So Vinod lifted her and entered in the Hotel. The security and manager was looking at the couple with exclaimed eyes. Vinod smiled by looking towards them. Then he entered his suit and locked the door from inside by putting her on the bed.

It was the late morning around 11 am, when she woke up. Vinod has sat on the sofa smoking the cigarette. He looked towards her. She was adjusting her clothes. Then she looked at him.

“I thought I am nude till this time.” She said angrily

Vinod didn’t say a word and continued smoking.

“What do you want?” she said while coming down from the bed and sitting on the sofa besides him by slowly touching her thighs with his. Vinod looked at her nude, perfectly toned thighs. She put her hands in between the two thighs.

“Do you know Rasika?” Vinod asked suddenly by removing his glance away from her

“Oh you brought me here to ask for some other girl. That’s my insult.”

“Don’t try to be smart.” Vinod raised his voice

“I don’t know anyone with this name.” she said plainly and got up from the sofa and walked down towards the table where her purse was kept. Vinod held her hand and tried to pull her but she gave a jerk and took the purse from the table and moved towards the entrance.

“Wait, otherwise you will be dead within next few seconds.” said Vinod by holding the gun. She stopped.

“What do you want? Are you some sort of psycho?” she said angrily

“Please…” said Vinod by putting his gun down “my name is Vinod Dixit and the girl whom I am talking about is very close to mine although she is no more in this world.” His face has become sad. She turned down and sat again on sofa.

“Ok. Look, I don’t know much. It has all started I think around three months back when I was a struggling model. Then one day I have got a call from my agent saying that baby, your stars are going to shine very soon. He was telling me that the big daddies in Lakme have selected you for next fashion festival in Gurgaon. I was not able believe on what I have heard. It was a dream comes true. But with a price. They wanted me to sleep with one person. They have not mentioned his name or anything. I have taken the offer. All went good, one night stand and I have entered in India’s biggest fashion week festival. But immediately after the fashion week, I have got a call from my agent saying you need to be disappearing for few months. I have asked him why but he didn’t answer saying that it’s order from higher authorities and I don’t know the reason. Then they have shifted me away from Mumbai somewhere near Pachgani. Then again one fine day I have got a call from the lady which you are talking about saying that someone has told her to get down to my place. She has not mentioned any name. I thought it would be the same persons who has brought me there and said her to join…That’s what I know…she has never came afterwards and a month later I have come to Mumbai. ”

“Ok but you must know who these higher authorities in lakme are?” said Vinod by looking in her eyes. She looked in his eyes firmly and said

“No. I don’t know.”

“You are lying…” but Vinod’s sentence remains incomplete by the further knock on the door. Both got startled by this sudden knock. Vinod got up and went up to the door. He removed the gun and glanced from the door lence. The hotel staff was there on the door.  

“Yes…what you want?” asked Vinod without opening the door

“Sir, Need to change bed sheets.” Vinod opened the door by putting gun inside the coat and before he knew what happened 5-6 people entered inside. All were holding the guns. The big black bull from the gang gave a hard punch on Vinod’s mouth. He fell down on the ground by holding his nose.

“Don’t let the bullets run out of the guns. You both are coming with us.” He said in cold voice by holding the hand of girl. Other two moved inside the adjacent room and two started beating Vinod.

“The bird was trying to escape from inside.” One of them from the inside room said. They have held the gun on Priya’s head. Both Vinod and Shikha got surprised by this new entry.

“What the hell are you doing here and when did you enter inside?” asked Vinod suddenly by standing up from the ground 

“I was just trying to collect some news. I have come here at night by taking alternate keys from security. ” She said innocently

“Are you spying on me?” said Vinod angrily

“Oh shut up. Everyone move outside. Move. ” said the big bull by showing the gun towards the door. Everyone moved silently. 

CHAPTER 6

The cages were strong to break and the dozens of pigs were their new prison mates. The room was with lack of sunlight and flooded with the odor of pigs’ dirt. All three of them were sat by moving their necks down inside the pig cages. Two men stand outside by holding the handkerchief on their mouth.

“May I know where the hell we are now and who the hell you are?”  Said Vinod by looking towards the pig who sat beside him calmly      

“Yes. You are in hell and we are the hell boys. ” one of the men from outside spoke and laughed loudly and again made his face weird by the odor of dirt.

“Do you have any idea?” asked Vinod by moving towards Shikha who was in the cage next to him. She just nodded her face negatively by holding hand on her nose tightly. Suddenly she felt something cold near her thighs. She moved back and there was a little pig’s nose rested on her thigh.

 “Aaaaahhh….oh god! Please save my life. I will die. ” she cried out loudly and started weeping out. It has disturbed the little ones sleep and it ran away from her. The men outside the cage started laughing.

“What’s going on?” the big bull opened the door of the room and entered along with a new prisoner. Other two ran to help him. They removed the mask on the prisoner’s face.

“Oh my god!!” Shikha exclaimed loudly. Both Vinod and Priya looked at the Shikha and then towards prisoner.

The big bull sat down near him and smashed his face with a bang.

“Now speak out otherwise I will fuck you to hell.” He said angrily by looking towards him

“Boss, don’t do that. He is gay.” One of them spoke silently. The big bull looked towards him for a while angrily and then started laughing loudly. Other two joined him. Suddenly the prisoner cried out loudly in his girly voice

“What do you want from me?”

The big bull moved towards him and clutched his jaws in his big hands.

“What do you think we are mad? You are the girl’s agent, right? We are following these fucking three fellows from last two days. ” he said

“But what do you want?” he said again

“We want to know the whole business which you have done with big daddies of Lakme by using this girl.”

“But I don’t know anything.” he said innocently and a big hit fall on his mouth

“Aaahh…Ok…Ok…I will tell you. That bloody Rakesh Mishra, one of the big bosses of Lakme has some plan by using Shikha. I have heard that he was threating the man with which Shikha has slept by using their video clip. That’s what I know.”

“That’s it?” big bull removed the gun. “Bring that girl here.” He said by pointing towards Shikha’s cage. A cold shiver went through her spine and fear gathered in her eyes. Other two moved towards her, opened the cage and dragged her outside.

“Please don’t kill me. I don’t know anything.” She started crying again.

“No baby, don’t cry.” Big bull said by rubbing his arm on her waist “We are not going to kill you but your friend is not responding well so it’s time to say good bye to him.” Now the fear gathered in agent’s eyes. He started sweating. Big bull put the gun on his head.

“You are a dead man now.” He said and pulled the trigger by taking the hit of his hand. The spring of blood started flowing through his hand. He started yelling loudly with fear and one of the men from gang put a cotton plough in his mouth.

“Now, if you are not going to tell me the whole story baby, of course I will make your condition worse than this.” Big bull said coldly by looking towards Shikha. “Tell me the name of the person with whom you have slept?”

There was no option remaining in front of Vinod and Priya other than watching the whole drama. Shikha started moving away from the big bull.

“I don’t know anything. You can kill me if you want but I don’t know anything. ”

Big bull looked towards all of them one by one silently and then said suddenly, “Ok. Kill them all. They are of no use now. We need to catch this Rakesh Mishra.”

Two other men removed the gun and pulled the first hit on agent, before knowing what happened he shot dead on the floor. The fear gathered in all eyes.

“Kill them all.” Big bull yelled again and moved towards the door to open it. But he didn’t need to take the efforts. Somebody already there on the door waiting for him. A bullet took the straight hit of the big bull’s head and he has fallen down on the ground. Two other men moved immediately behind the cages. Shikha sat down on the ground with unconscious mind. She has never seen this much blood in her life.

“Shikha, get up from there.” Vinod yelled immediately but a bullet already took shot of her back. She cried loudly and fell down on the ground.  Now the firing started from both the sides. The bullet started taking the shots from different angles. But the outsiders were looking stronger and finally they succeeded in killing both the men behind the cages.

Then they slowly moved towards Priya and Vinod. One of them held the gun on Vinod and another one pulled Priya out of cage and kissed her intensely. She tried to push him away but he clutched her back in his both hands and then suddenly his hands moved away from the back and came on the front side of her body. He tore down her silk shirt within a jerk and pushed her on the ground.

“No, Stop.” Vinod cried out loudly “Leave the girl. I can be helpful if you are looking for Rakesh Mishra.”

The man moved towards him and smiled wickedly

“How are you going to help us?”

“I know Rakesh Mishra personally and I think you guys are in the same darkness as I am. If you want to find the whole business, give me two days. I can do it without making any fuss.”

 The man thought for a while and said

“Ok. I will leave both of you but remember if you try to make any smart move you will be dead.”

CHAPTER 7

“Thanks a lot Vinod.” Said Priya by looking in Vinod’s eyes “How mad I am? I should not be involved in this whole thing. ” Vinod saw few drops gathered in her eyes.

“That’s all right. Now you are safe.” He said by giving a coffee mug to her.

“Hmm…I think so.” she said silently. Vinod went up to the window of living room and slightly removed the curtain.

“They are still there.” He said by observing the place outside the window. “I think they are going to follow us everywhere.”

“Who are these guys and what they want, Vinod?”                                                                                        

 “I don’t know but it seems to be a pretty dangerous business. But that’s not a problem for the time being. The real problem is I don’t know Rakesh Mishra. ”

“What? But…” she exclaimed

“I have lied.” He said and smiled. “It was just a gamble to save you.”

Her eyes got blanked. She kept the coffee mug on the table and came up to him and touched his cheek by her lips.

“This is for what?” he said blankly

“Just for the sake of good luck.” She said and went away from him.

“Wait…” said Vinod by looking carefully at her face. She looked at him with a question mark.

“I need your help.” He said by coming close to her. She can feel the warmth of his body.

“What are you thinking?” she said by looking into his eyes. Her heartbeats started running fast.

“I have a plan.” He said by holding her arms and sitting her down on the sofa “Look, this Rakesh Mishra has done some dirty business by making a video with the help of this Shikha and the unknown man with whom she has slept. Now, if we consider the Rasika’s death is not accidental but a murder and also the attacks on me in the same line of business then in these attacks somewhere Rakesh Mishra is involved. It may be possible that Rasika has found out something that is so deadly that it took her life and these people who are following us are also in search of same thing. May be they are looking like two rival gangs as they have tried to kill each other. ”

“Yes may be it is possible but how are we going to open the mouth of Rakesh Mishra?” she said

“Now think what will happen if they found out a video of Rasika saying that she is alive and is in need of money. She will open all their secrets otherwise. We will catch them at some place and will try to open their mouth with the help of Rasika.”

“But she is dead.” She said with a confusing look.

“Yes. But you exactly look like her; just need to change few things and you will be she.” He said by showing a pic of Rasika from his mobile. Priya got stunned by looking at photograph but suddenly she became silent.

“I know I am staking your life and it’s not fair. But I think this is the plan of destiny. Last decision is yours.” He said and got up from the sofa. She looked towards him for a while.

“Wait…” she said by holding his hand “I don’t know why I trust you but I have never seen a man who is staking his life for someone who is already dead.”

Vinod looked towards her face, beautiful and innocent; he remembered Rasika and he felt that water is gathering in his eyes. He immediately moved towards the door. She gazed at his back with empty eyes.

CHAPTER 8

It was bad morning for Rakesh Mishra. He has just arrived in his highly lavish office in suburban Mumbai and the parcel of terror has got received on his table. His secretary has handed the parcel in his hands saying that I think you should have a look into this. He looked towards her, her dark blue mini skirt with red shirt was perfect fit over her highly curvy body but her high make up face has become quite faint.

“What is it? Have you checked it.” He asked while taking the sip of coffee and opened the parcel.

“Yes. I thought it was a general portfolio of girls but it is something different.” She said fearfully

He looked towards her and then to the DVD from the parcel.

“Ok. You can go now.” He said

He put the DVD in his laptop and played it. Within next five minutes he felt that he has sat on a hot burner and was going to burst at any time. For another five minutes he just sat in his chair without doing anything. Then he immediately called his secretary and told her

“Forget what you have seen and heard” his voice was deadly serious “I want to see you in the office tomorrow. Understood? ”

“Yes sir.” She said by making her throat wet

“Don’t speak a word” he warned again “You may go now.”

Then he immediately dialed a number from his mobile.

“Hello Dr. Shinde?”

“Yes speaking?” a voice came from other side.

“How are you going to make it, I don’t know but you will be here in my office within next twenty minutes and don’t ask me any question for god sake.”

“Yes.” Dr. Shinde spoke without asking a further word of question. 

Dr. Shinde left the house immediately after the call. He was thinking what the hell has happened now? Why Rakesh Mishra called me? Oh god, please save me. I have done a big mistake of my life. He remembered that night. He never used to attend any page three parties but that night Sawant  sir invited him personally for the party. After performing a major heart surgery successfully, he was recruited as a family doctor of Sawant  and he was serving for the minister from last two years. A personal visit to minister’s house has made close relationship with him. Sawant’s influence as a minister was not only in the state level politics but at national level also, he has provided enough shock ups to the government by forming the separate party.

The party was on the occasion of his daughter’s successful debut in the state level politics. It was big and was involved with well-known persons from corporate sector to the entertainment industry and from sports to politics.

Doctor was busy in observing the people few known, well known and unknown. He lifted a glass of wine from the server’s plate and started enjoying the drink and a voice from the backside broke his silence.

“And you must be Dr. Shinde? Right?” He looked towards the voice, a man around six feet tall, complete white with colored hairs wearing a completely flashy suit and was looking like a perfect gentleman with his big glasses and small eyes.  

“Yes. How do you know me?” doctor asked with amusement by taking a sip of wine from the glass.

“Well, you may don’t know me but you must have seen my sister before.” Said the man by pointing finger towards one of the lady. Doctor glanced towards the lady. Then he remembered after a while

“Oh Sarita Dixit, is she your sister?”

“Yes the elder one and myself Rakesh Mishra.”

“Oh ok. How is she doing?”

“Yes, she is doing well. Actually I am here to thank you for all the efforts you have taken for her valve replacement surgery. ” He said gracefully “Unfortunately I was out of country at the time of her surgery so not able to meet you.”

“Oh, thanks a lot. That is my duty. By the way what you do?”

“Well, I have my little money engaged in Lakme, you know.” He said while smiling

“Oh I see.” Said doctor

“Doctor, we have a small party next week, my sister would be glad if you be able to join… ”

“Well, I can’t give you a word but…”

“I insist doc…” Rakesh said while smiling and putting the hand on doctor’s shoulder.

“Ok…sure.”

Doctor never thought at that time, that it was a trap and the party was not normal but a hard core with lots of sex and drugs. He spent that night by wrapping his lust over the midlife crisis and next day he paid the cost for that. A video tape containing his last night fun was received to doctor by Rakesh Mishra himself in his clinic.

CHAPTER 9

“What do you mean by this?” doctor has got a shock and his body was shivering

Rakesh Mishra looked towards the doctor, then removed his spectacle and cleared the glasses with handkerchief and adjusted it neatly on his eyes. Suddenly, the telephone bell on the doctor’s desk rang.

“Pick up the call.” Said Rakseh by smiling wickedly “It’s for you.” Doctor put up the receiver. Few drops of sweat gathered on his head.

“Yes?”

“Sir, somebody Janardan Dixit wants to meet you.”

“Janardan Dixit?” Doctor said by stressing on his memory

 “Let him in.” Rakesh said  

“Ok. Send him inside.” Doctor said hesitantly

A middle aged man wearing sophisticated formals, with wide face and grown moustaches and beard got inside. He has worn wide black spec over his small eyes which were giving him a quite intelligent look.

“Hello Doctor Shinde” he said with a pleasant smile and making gesture for handshakes. Doctor remembered the man.

“Are you Sarita’s husband I guess.” Said doctor by looking towards his hand

“Yes. You have a very strong memory doctor.”  He said while taking his hand back and sitting on the chair next to Rakesh. Doctor narrowed his eyes and observed both of them carefully.

“What the hell you want?”

“Well, let me tell you something interesting like the stories in my newspaper” Janardan said while lighting his cigar and smiled again “I know I am in clinic and smoking is injurious to health. But you know doctor; this tape will cause more injury to your personal and professional life. ” His eyes glittered wickedly.  “Now listen carefully, I am damn bloody journalist and I have a plan to sting minister. You are going to be a part of my plan.”

“Do you mean Sawant sir?” said Doctor with fearful voice.

“Yes, smart doctor.”

“No. I am not going to be involved in your dirty business.” Doctor said while standing from his chair.

“You shouldn’t act like a fool, doc. I have just said you smart. Listen, this is not a dirty business. In fact I am going to find out the roots of a dirty business which is going on with the help of your minister.”

“What do you mean?” asked doctor.

“Lots of big bucks are involved. Few biggies from ING corp. are helping Ibrahim’s gang to smuggle the petrol and diesel to Dubai. In a way they are making lots of black money through these deals. In fact Sawant is pressurizing them for this business. He has big plans. He wants to make virtual hike in petrol and diesel prices which will affect the country’s economy and will cause the direct effect on under performance of current prime minister. He thinks that he will be the next definite candidate for the seat of prime minister. ” said Janardan without taking a single breath.

“What you want me to do?” said doctor by giving a confusing look towards both of them. Janardan smiled and took another puff of cigarette.

“Your daily visits to Sawant’s house are helpful. We have found out that Sawant makes calls to Ibrahim and biggies in ING corp. for the deals through mobile which is kept in his bedroom. One of the members from his party has confirmed the news. Anyone has not approached till this time up to his bedroom and that is causing a problem. But this will not be a problem for you doc, right?” he smiled “You are going to find out the color, model of the mobile and will be going to replace it with a similar mobile having a software to record and air the conversation at particular distance. That’s it.”

“And what will happen if I get caught, I will be dead within next few minutes, Right?” Doctor said immediately

“Doc, you are going to hang yourself if this video tape will go public.” Said Janardan by taking the tape from Rakesh Mishra. Doctor has no other option without accepting the deal.

He parked the car near the Rakesh’s office and entered in his cabin. Rakesh has sat on his seat by testing his patience. As doctor entered inside he said eagerly

“Close that door and have a look at this bloody video.” Doctor closed the door and watched the video. His mouth got paralyzed for few minutes.

“Something has gone wrong. Be careful and pack your bags for some foreign vacations. I don’t want you to be in country.”  Rakesh said by looking towards the video.

“But that girl is dead, right?” asked doctor by taking handkerchief from his pocket and rubbed slowly on his face.

“Yes. My men had confirmed the news that she has been dead next day only…after the death of Janardan. ”

“Then how is she appearing now?”

“I don’t know…”

“You should know that if she is going to open her mouth, our chapter will be close forever.” Doctor has become angry. Rakesh looked towards him. He has never seen doc before like this.

“Calm down…just don’t get excited.” Rakesh said by standing from his chair “Now it’s time to obtain the things. Don’t worry doc, I will take care of this. Plan your vacations…” He opened the door of his cabin “You can go now…”

Then he dialed a number from his mobile…

CHAPTER 10

“They are coming…” Priya said by looking towards the entrance of the hotel. She has sat opposite to Vinod. Three men entered in the hotel. 

“Hello…pleasure to meet you again…” the same one who earlier has tried to seduce Priya, said while smiling wickedly and looking in Priya’s eyes “Earlier I have not introduced myself, my name is Shekhar Sinha.” He moved his hand to shake with Vinod. Vinod ignored it.

“Your hunt will be here at any time so don’t waste the time and sit on that front chair” he said “I will be there on the back seat.”

“Ok as you wish.” He said by pointing his two men to move towards the chairs. Then Vinod also moved to the back seat. It was 12:30 pm in the afternoon. The small hotel was owned by Shekhar Sinha himself so he has managed to empty the hotel and planted his men around.  

“Have you checked outside?” Sinha asked one of the men who sat on the front seat “Shetty’s men are hazardous. They will definitely try to mess up the things. ”

“Our 20 men are outside… ” the other man said coldly.

“Hope so this Rakesh Mishra will not be a much problematic animal…” Sinha murmured to himself. Finally, Mishra entered in the hotel. He looked around; Priya pointed him towards her table. He went there and sat down.

“Welcome Mr. Mishra…” Sinha got up from his seat by holding the gun in hand. “Don’t try to move these are all my men around…”

Mishra removed his glasses and cleared it slowly with handkerchief.

“Oh so it’s a trap…” he said and smiled

“Yes we have invited you to tell us the whole story…let’s start from this girl Rasika…”

“Sure. But before that you guys must know Janardan Dixit, right?” he said calmly “Yes, the same one whom you have killed a month before.”

“What about him?” Sinha asked suspiciously.

Mishra told them the whole business Janardan has done with the help of him and Doctor Shinde.

“Oh so we have done a mistake by killing Janardan?” Sinha said

“Yes a very big mistake… ” Mishra said sarcastically

“What do you mean?” Sinha asked confusingly

“After Janardan obtained those recordings, he was on the way to his home. He was talking to me on his mobile. Then suddenly he said I will call you back, someone else is calling me. But afterwards he didn’t call and after few hours I have got news that he is dead. I have obtained the call list. Rasika was that girl who has called him exactly before his death but she is also dead now.”

“And where are the recordings?” Sinha asked with a little shaky voice

“Earlier when I have got this video saying Rasika is alive, I thought she has recordings with her and that’s why I have come here if she really has anything… ”

“So you mean to say recordings are not with you?”  Suddenly the monster gathered in Sinha’s eyes.

“Of course not…we have searched everywhere in her house but not got anything.”

“So you are of no use rather a little dangerous one if you open your mouth, right Mishra?” said Sinha while clutching his jaws with teeth and made the holding on his gun tight.

“No…don’t do that mistake again…I already thought of this so before I have told you the whole story; I have repeated it earlier to Shetty and agreed to help them in obtaining the recordings and to tell you they are really skillful guys they have obtained all your plan and now the men around you are now Shetty’s men. So it’s trap not for me but for you guys. ”

Then suddenly the men around Sinha pulled their guns out and one of them took the gun from Sinha’s hand.

“Come on, all are moving outside now…” Mishra ordered. Priya, Vinod and Sinha started moving outside. There were the guns on everyone’s head. Few further steps and Vinod’s leg crossed with Mishra’s, before he knew what happened he fell down on the ground. The man who kept the gun on Vinod’s head got distracted; Vinod jerked him, took the gun from his hands and put it on Mishra’s head. The man who held the Sinha pulled the trigger but he missed the target; Vinod moved downwards and fell on the ground, within next second he hit the man straight in the head. Sinha jerked that man and back down to take his gun, within this time Vinod targeted the man holding Priya and immediately moved below a table. Sinha fired on him but got saved by the table, Vinod fired two bullets and Sinha shot dead on the ground.       

Mishra tried to run outside the hotel but Vinod ran over him and shot a punch on his mouth and held the gun on his head. Outside around twenty Shetty’s men entered inside by hearing the shots of bullets.

“No more bullets or he will be dead” said Vinod by looking towards the men. Then he turned to Mishra

“Get up and move towards the car…come on Priya…”  

“No one will fire… ”

Mishra cried loudly and moved towards the car with Vinod and Priya. Vinod ran the car immediately away from the hotel.

“Mishra, I will give you the recordings but I need the assurance from you that Shetty’s men will not disturb me or Priya ever after.”

Priya and Mishra looked towards the Vinod.

“What? recordings are with you?” Mishra exclaimed

“Yes but not here. I will give you the recordings within next three days till that time I need protection from your men so that Ibrahim’s men should not attack on me again.” Vinod said calmly

“But where are the recordings?”

“Chennai. Your men will be coming with me there.”

“What? It’s in Chennai…How do you know?”

“Don’t ask too many questions.” Vinod stopped the car “Get out and meet me at airport with your men.”

“Ok…” Mishra got out with confused face.

Vinod turned towards Priya. “Priya, you will be disappearing now. We are moving towards airport first…I will inform my manager in Trichi office. He will take care of your accommodation.”

“But Vinod…what about you?”

“Don’t worry about me” He smiled and kept his hand on her cheek “You are looking beautiful…”  She smiled.

“Take care Vinod…”

CHAPTER 11

AFTER TWO MONTHS...

“Morning dad…” said Vinod by getting out of his room.

“Morning…” Dad said by turning his head towards Vinod, adjusted his glasses then again turned his head towards laptop. “Your coffee is on dining table…”

“So you like Venice?” Vinod asked while smiling and taking the coffee from the table.

“Vinod, I thought of your honeymoon with a beautiful girl in Venice…and you are spending your time with an old man who only knows about how to do business…  ”

“Dad…” Vinod smiled and sat on the sofa besides him “What you reading on laptop?”

“The same story, look what they are saying in newspaper. J.D. murder case has taken grip. Around one and half month ago the famous crime reporter J.D. (Janardan dixit) has been killed on the way to his home in Malad west. Few men on bike killed him on the road by firing the bullets. The police have suspected earlier that it was a murder done by the Ibrahim’s gang. J.D. has tried to reveal, many times before, the clichés of underworld and this murder was done in the same line of business. Now police has caught a journalist Priya Sharma for providing the information related to J.D. to Ibrahim’s gang. She has confessed everything that she has planned the murder with the help of her boyfriend, Shekhar Sinha who has connections with Ibrahim’s gang, recently got killed in a gang war.” 

“Great…” Vinod smiled while taking the sip of coffee.

“But Vinod how you suspected where the recordings were?”

“When Mishra told us that Janardan has got a call from Rasika on his way to home and after that he has been killed within an hours’ time…what could he has done before his death…He must have explored the location of the recordings to Rasika…how? By sending an SMS…Fortunately the day before Rasika’s death she has forgotten her mobile at my place…So after sending Priya to Trichi, I have come to home and checked the mobile. There was an SMS where Janardan has mentioned the locker number, location of keys and bank where he has kept the recordings.  Now the question arises why Janardan has trusted Rasika. Two answers. One, Rasika may have informed Janardan that there is plan of his murder. Second, he suspected that Mishra will misuse the recordings. After hearing that he is going to kill, he immediately gave the number of Shikha Batra to Rasika and told her to move to her place because he already suspected the danger in the near future.  But unfortunately she came to me and stayed there for a day and next day got killed.”

“And how do you suspected Priya?”

“While I was leaving from the home by taking Rasika’s mobile, the Mistress from her orphanage center came. She has given me the photographs of inauguration ceremony. I have taken it and kept it in the bag and then moved towards the bank to obtain the recordings.  Mishra’s men were on my track but this time I have baffled them and pretended that I am moving to Chennai and after half an hour took the Plane to Delhi. While I was travelling, just checked the photographs and suddenly one photograph took my attention. At one corner there was a girl looking like Rasika…when I saw it carefully found that she was Priya…Then I have got the whole mystery. If Priya was there in that ceremony she must be knowing Rasika then why she hided?…That evening after the ceremony Rasika told me that she is going to publish the news of Orphanage center in newspaper. Actually, she has gone next day to meet Priya for the news but afterwards, as Priya told to Police, that she was chalking out the plan to kill J.D. with her boyfriend and Rasika heard their whole plan and moved out from her home immediately and told the whole thing to J.D. afterwards. But after hour or two Priya found out that Rasika was at her home at the time of their planning so they killed her very next day.”        

“And why they have tried to kill you?”

Vinod smiled.

“That evening you have sent me on date with Priya, you have actually arranged my date with death. They wanted to kill me much before after they got that Rasika may have told me about the murder of J.D.…but I was moved out of country after her death so they have made a plan. Priya’s dad called you for my marriage and I have agreed to come to India to meet her. That evening itself they have tried to kill me but fortunately I have survived. Afterwards when I was finding the reason behind the murder of Rasika, each time I have taken the help of Priya so she got my every plan, the conversation with Shikha in the hotel at that time she was there, afterwards when Shetty’s gang kidnapped us she was the one who called Shekhar Sinha. They rescued me because they have found that they have done a mistake by killing Rasika and there are more things remained unexplored regarding J.D. and I was the one who promised them to help them out to come out of their darkness.  Priya was every time with me, damn girl…I should have think it twice before trusting a girl… ”

“Yes you should…and why you moved to Nepal?”

“Because of my and your Visa for Italy…it took time…and Shetty and Ibrahim’s men were on my hunt. I have given the recordings to party president itself. Lady was so kind and helpful, she was from Italy so helped us to plan our long vacations to Venice. She will take care of Sawant and Rakesh Mishra, informed CBI about how to use them…”  

 “Yes. Very kind one” Dad smiled “those recordings, It was like a hunter came in her hand whenever Sawant will try to annoy her she will raise it… Anyways…”

Dad got up from his seat.

“Can you please bring my coat here?” he said “I am going out on a date…One Italian girl in the market has invited me for dinner…”

“Dad…” Vinod smiled

“What?” he looked towards Vinod with strange eyes “You plan yours...I am not going to plan it next time…”

“Be careful dad…” Vinod smiled while blinking his eyes and handed the coat.

“Yes, yes I will…I am your father son… ”

                                                           THE END