PART 11
Two hours later….
Kabir came into the room to check on Sanchi’s fever. She was better than before as the warmth of the blanket and the high temperature of the AC had their effects. She was having a light fever but that was okay. She was perspiring but still asleep. He thought not to wake her up and left the room.
As soon as he left, Sanchi began to move as she was feeling wetness all over her. She thought that she had a bad dream and thus woke up with a jerk. She sat straight on her bed and glanced around the room to remember where she was the last time. She remembered Rishub and began to search for him. She could not find him anywhere around. She began to panic as bad thoughts crept in her mind. She shut her eyes to let go the fear but that did not do any good. Finally she decided to search for the boy. She went to the door and waited for a minute to ponder over Kabir’s orders. She threw the orders away as Rishub was more necessary for her at that moment. She opened the door and began to look around for Rishub. She was feeling pathetic about herself as she was not able to take up a responsibility. She was well aware that Rishub would not go out of the floor so she began to search him silently. She thought of going to Kabir only after she had tried all her attempts.
As she was passing by a room, she noticed the back of someone sitting and eating something. She found the appearance of the person familiar. She was about to go inside the room to have a look at the face of the person but was distracted when she saw the door of a nearby room open and through the space she could see Rishub sleeping peacefully. She was overwhelmed and she rushed to Rishub at once. She came in but made sure not to create noise as it would disturb Rishub’s sleep. She was wondering that how did Rishub reach here? She turned and found the man, Rishub’s father, standing at the door with concern.
M: Ma’am I hope that you are okay?
S: what happened to me? I’m fine. (Confused)
M: actually Ma’am you were having fever due to the low temperature of the AC. Rishub was hugging you so he luckily did not fall ill. But you had fever and that is the reason why we brought him here in this room. I am thankful to you Ma’am for saving my Rishub. You don’t worry I’m here with Rishub, I will take care of him. You must rest. Once again thank you.
S: no need to thank me. He is very cute and innocent. Just look after him okay. I will be back. By the way where is his mother?
M: she is no more. We lost her last year only. Sanchi felt bad for Rishub and turned to leave not before looking at the sleeping angle lovingly.
Sanchi went to her room. She thought of taking shower as she was sweating. She had only one pair of clothes left now. She took a refreshing shower and wore a beautiful kurti that lasted upto her ankle and leggings. She did not tie the dori at the back of her kurti and began to dry her wet hairs. The door of her room opened and she was unaware of it as she was lost in her own thoughts. She was thinking about the fate that hit upon the child in his tender age. Losing a mother at such an age, this was the pain that she could feel as she had also been in this situation. She had Kusum Ma with her but circumstances were such that she had to be away from her. She had always craved for her father’s love but never got even an ounce of it. She felt that Rishub was lucky to have his father’s love.
She had her eyes shut as she was trying to control her tears but this time she failed and tears started to make their way down her cheeks. She held the towel in her hands and her hairs were at the side of her neck. She was facing the mirror and standing there with her eyes closed. She suddenly felt something on her bare back. She opened her eyes and was surprised to find Kabir standing few steps behind her. She pulled herself away and turned around to face him. Her questioning eyes were wide as if they would come out of the socket any time.
S: why are you here? What were you doing?
Kabir did not find it important to answer her. Her just came forward to which Sanchi responded by going back and pushing herself into the mirror. Kabir took a step forward and held Sanchi from her upper arms. His hold was tight and rough. He swirled Sanchi and as a result she turned to face the mirror.
S: what are you trying to do?
K: shut up.
He spoke with irritation and disgust. Sanchi kept quiet as she realized what he was doing. Kabir’s hands slid down her hands and to her back. He took hold of the dori and began to tie it. Sanchi kept her eyes down all the while as she could feel Kabir’s burning gaze on her face. She felt that the mirror through which he was looking at her would melt from his fire emitting eyes. She shivered with his every touch that she felt on her back. She smelled in his woodsy cologne that was addicting to her. She realized that the work was done and lifted her eyes to meet with those dark brown orbs that were staring at her. She found his shade getting darker as if he was trying to hide something from his anger. He spoke in his rough and cold voice.
K: we leave in 20 minutes.
He went out of the room. Sanchi gave a sigh in relief. She collected her shopping bags and headed towards Rishub’s room. She saw that Rishub was wide awake and making a lot of noise.
S: baby what is wrong with you? Why are you making so much of noise?
Rishub quickly ran towards her and hugged her with all his might.
R: I was telling daddy to take me to you. He told that you are not well. He said in his innocent voice.
Sanchi smiled at the child’s concern and she hugged him back affectionately.
S: no baby I am fine now.
M: let’s go home Rishub you can continue you’re talking with Ma’am once we reach home. Okay.
The boy was not letting Sanchi go. He was adamant to stay with Sanchi. She picked up the child in her arms and sat on the nearby chair. She placed the child on her lap.
S: okay baby. I will come with you but you know that there are many ice-creams in the kitchen frigde. If I will reach before you then I will eat all the ice-cream then Rishub will get nothing. Do you want to eat ice-cream? (Rishub nodded) Then you have to go earlier than me.
R: I love you Sanchi di but I will not share any ice-cream with you. Saying this Rishub kissed Sanchi’s cheeks and ran out of the room.
The man approached Sanchi.
M: I don’t know how to thank you. After Meena’s death (Meena is the man’s wife), Rishub became very stubborn. He would not go to anyone or sleep with anyone. Thank you so much for loving him like Meena. (The man folded his hands)
Sanchi quickly placed her hands over his. S: please don’t say thank you. Even I lost my mother at a very young age. I can understand his emotions as I have been through it. It is your responsibility to love him more and take his care. Okay? She said smiling, the man returned the smile.
S: sorry I’m late for it but may I know your name please?
M: Abhay (chuckled lightly).
They withdrew their hands and were talking about random things when the door opened. Rishub came in running and behind him was Kabir.
R: let’s go daddy. We have to reach first. He said pulling his dad’d hand. They were leaving when Rishub turned around and gave a flying kiss to Sanchi. She returned the kiss and waved him bye.
Kabir who witnessed the scene was stunned to see the bond between Rishub and Sanchi. After Meena there was only one person with whom Rishub was connected and today after meeting Sanchi, Rishub was so much happy and lively. Kabir was relieved to get his playful Rishub back. Kabir was disturbed in his thoughts when he felt a force on his stomach. He looked down and saw Rishub hugging him.
R: sorry Kabir bhaiya I forgot to bid you good bye.
K: it’s okay champ. Saying this Kabir hugged Rishub softly so that he may not hurt him. Kabir escorted Rishub to the lift where Abhay was waiting for him.
Sanchi was astonished to look at this side of Kabir. The Mafia King, who was always rude and cold when it came to talking to people, was addressing a child with so much love audible in his voice and visible in his gesture. She had never seen him soften his rough and tough body form till now. She was eagerly waiting to find out the relation of Meena with these gangsters.
Sanchi moved out of the room. She handed over her bags to the driver and was waiting for Kabir at the entrance of the fourth floor. She saw the same man again whom she had seen when she was searching Rishub. She felt something familiar with his physique and his hairs as she was not able to see that man’s face. He was descending the stairs and she was waiting for the moment he would turn round the staircase to see his face. She was leaning on the railing to have a look at his face but just as he was about to turn she was pulled back with a sudden force. She landed on the chest of her interrupter. She raised her eyes to see Kabir glaring diggers at her.
K: you will not die if you jump from here and don’t even think of doing something stupid.
Sanchi was annoyed that she was disturbed in her mission and now she was accused of trying to commit suicide. S: I am not planning to do anything like that and secondly even if I attempt why would it bother you?
K: it would. I care for what is mine.
S: I’m not a thing to be possessed.
K: you were mine from the first time I ever saw you.
S: I will never be yours. Never. Never.
K: well you are now. Saying this he let her go and went away. He stopped in his way and spoke to her without looking at her.
K: in the car in next five minutes.
Sanchi tried to control her anger which was of no use to her. She was angry that he thought her to be a possession and nothing else. He brought her here to destroy her world and now he cared for her just because he owns her. ‘OWNS’ this word brought a lot of piercing pain with it. She stood there in utter helplessness. She was just a walking statue after hearing Kabir’s words which were a thunderclap to her. She came out of the mall and sat in the car. Kabir came after sometime and they started their journey back to the beautiful palace which was a cage for her. A golden cage.
She was constantly looking out of the window as her mind was recollecting her ‘conversation’ with Kabir. She wanted to go somewhere away from all this. Away from this unknown world which had given her new relations. Away where there was no one to hurt her with words, actions or even thoughts. She wanted to be in the tender arms of her mother whose love was a distant blur memory. She wanted to be with her besties, the only ones who were acknowledging her existence. She was feeling miserable. She closed her eyes and let her sadness flow out in the form of tears. She sagged back at the seat.
Suddenly she heard a sound. She shot opened her eyes and looked out to see what it was. As she was peering out of the window, the glass on her side screeched as if something hit it. She then heard sounds of bullets. She was too shocked to accept that their car was being hit by bullets. She turned her gaze on the calm figure on her right. She was terrified by the thought of being attacked and he was just sitting casually. She was so very much fear-struck that she just closed the distance between them and went near him. She stuck onto his arm very tightly. He turned his face away disgustingly. She did not care. She did not want to die and she was sure that being with him, death was far from her. She just hung on his arm as her life was dependent on his arm. She closed her ears with her one hand which was free and with Kabir’s arm on which she was clinging.
The car stopped but the firing did not. At last when there were no more sounds to be heard, Sanchi opened her eyes and let go off her ears. She was shaking with fear. She was still holding Kabir’s hand. Kabir tried to move out of the car but Sanchi intertwined her fingers with Kabir’s and held him more tightly. He turned around and placed his hands on hers to sooth her. He held her face and told her in a calm voice.
K: the car is bullet proof. Don’t get out of it.
Sanchi nodded her head in a no and pleaded him with her eyes not to go out. She did not want Kabir to go out and leave her in this pathetic situation. He gently rubbed her fingers which were in his hands and loosened the hold. He then got out of the car. Sanchi just closed her eyes and prayed for Kabir’s safety. She heard the sounds of gun for the next few minutes and every time she shivered in fear of one hitting Kabir. She closed her eyes and drew her knees close to her chest. She rested her back on the seat and pushed herself in it. She was moving back and forth to reduce her rising anxiety.
After sometime the sounds subsided. She peeped out of the car to look for someone but it was quiet dark. She was now not able to control herself. She opened the door of the car at once and ran out to search him. She was terrorized by the sight. The dead bodies of unknown people were lying all around her. She could not take this sight and felt weak on her knees as her vision began to blur. She still was searching Kabir when she saw a figure of a strong man standing casually in the middle of the road which was full of dead bodies. She knew it was his. She was very well acquainted with his body language. She at once ran to him. She stumbled as she hit someone but gathering her balance, she kept running. She reached him and threw herself into his arms. The most relieving feeling that she had ever experienced came to her. She just sagged deep in his chest and almost buried herself in his large form.
Kabir was surprised by Sanchi’s this gesture but thought that it was her first time. She would have never even heard someone firing a bullet in real life. He understood her plight and responded to her hug. He wrapped his arms around her and pushed her more into him as though willing to say that he was there for her. She dampened his shirt with her tears and made a mess of it. She was so much relieved to see Kabir alive. She got all the pictures of an injured or dead Kabir in her mind when she was sitting in the car all alone. She broke the hug and with a sudden urge began to hit Kabir hardly on his chest.
S: you idiot. Why did you leave me alone? I almost died. Stupid. Brainless. She kept hitting and accusing Kabir. She was suddenly quiet as Kabir placed his lips on her. She was too shocked to react. Kabir just kissed her hardly and after a few seconds when Sanchi gained her senses she began to wince at his hardness. He quickly withdrew the kiss.
K: you speak a lot. I told you to control your actions. Next time you do this the punishment will be much more difficult for you and enjoyable for me.
He kept staring at her as she tried to register his words. She was now feeling hot all of a sudden. She placed her hands on her forehead which was quiet hot. Before she could realize what was happening, she fainted in his arms again. Kabir held her and realized that she again had fever. Maybe the atmosphere in which she was minutes ago gave her this fever. She was shaking with fever. He took his phone and dialed Veer’s no.
K: call the doctor now.
He cut the call and drove the car home. He came in with an unconscious Sanchi in his arms and straight away went to her room. He placed her on the bed and the doctor examined her. It was their doctor. They had hired a doctor to look after any injured person in their family. The doctor injected her and turned to Mrs.Webber.
D: she will be fine. Weakness and high fever. Make her eat something as soon as she wakes up.
Mrs.Webber nodded her head and sat besides Sanchi. She gently stroked her hairs and started to keep the wet cloth on her forehead.
D: these are some medicines; just give it to her once she eats something.
The doctor left. Veer turned towards Kabir. Kabir just kept looking at Sanchi and gritted his teeth. He went out of the room and Veer followed him.
K: KUMAR he said with anger rising in his veins.
Veer’s eyes were pouring lava. He fisted his hand and walked away. Kabir glanced at Sanchi for the last time and walked away. Arjun came to Sanchi’s room as soon as he got the news. He sat down on the other side besides Sanchi and held her hand. He spoke gently.
A: angle, you will be fine. Okay.
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