“Can we start?”

Aditya’s cold glare and glacial voice perch their lips and throat. Their legs and hands are immobilized. Their eyes can only witness the approaching fear and their mouths can only scream the pain. One of the felons licks his dried lips and lets out a baffling sound which might be a plead.

“Shhhhh…..Tch…Tch…Tch. I gave you all enough time to come to me and speak up but you thought that it was easy to escape from Aditya Oberoi’s grip and start a new life. But when it didn’t work out, now you have to only listen to me. Time out mice.”

Aditya mouths at a slow pace. It seems that he is teaching some lessons to his students. He suddenly gets up and lifts the chair. In the next moment, he places one of the legs of the chair on the back of the hand of a goon and again sits on it with a thud. The sharp steel claw of the leg mercilessly presses his skin.

“Ahhhhhh….”

A thunderous scream almost bursts Aditya’s eardrum. He grimaces and budges on the seat as if nothing happened. The goon is writhing in pain and trying to wrench his arm free but unfortunately, it only increases his agony.

“SHUT UP….You are spoiling the beat. Listen to the music. It is so soothing and beautiful. Your unmelodious voice is impairing my mood.”

Aditya says in exasperation and takes out something from his pocket. He scoots forward to eye the other goon who is now trembling in dread. Suddenly Aditya caresses his jawline and pulls back his hand. The man gapes in torment and snaps his head back and hits the wall again and again with the back of his head, pounding away at his restraints. Now, his jawline has a deep cut and blood is oozing out making his distorted face uglier. Aditya looks at his palm. There is a half razor between his two fingers.

“Good that you controlled your loudmouth. Otherwise, I would have made the same design on your other cheek.”

Aditya hisses and reclines on the chair.

“You both may know that your gang leader is dead and Rajesh is temporarily absconded. But don’t worry, my men will find him out very soon as they found you out. So, I have an offer for you both. Tell me about his expected hideouts and I will lessen your pain.”

Aditya again sits squarely and utters in a petrous tone.

“I…I don’t know…we…we only…work together. He ne…never said about…his whereabouts.”

The man whose hand is now trapped under Aditya’s chair meeks out. Aditya silently hears his words and gets up from the chair. The man gasps in relief but his ease is temporary. Aditya stands in front of them, parting his legs in a ‘V’ shape. His hands are resting on his waist. With an arctic voice, he mouths,

“Okay, then let me help you to remember. I think after this, you will have an elephantine memory.”

Before they understand his words, Aditya willies one’s lower abdomen with his heavy boot. The man shrinks in pain but Aditya continuously boots him without any leniency. The goon tries to yell out but the excruciating pain gags him and he only can lie on the ground in a fetal position, trying his best to tolerate the torture. Sweat beads appear on Aditya’s forehead. He halts for a moment, slowly panting. In between the other felon keeps on dragging himself to a corner in a hope that he might be temporarily saved from this inhuman punishment. The sound of swishing cloth reaches Aditya’s ears. He turns to the other man who is now almost near to the corner. Aditya for the last time kicks his immediate prey on his face and the man loses his consciousness with some vomit of blood. Aditya gaits to the other man. His both hands are secured inside his pockets. His face is petrous. The goon plasters himself to the corner, ironically hoping to get a secured place. He tries to say something but only a gasp bubbles out of his lips instead.

“Wanna say something? But I only want to hear the answers to my question. So, open your mouth if you only have it.”

Aditya warns and stands in front of the man.

“I only…know..tha..that…he visits..his…ho…home on every…Su…Sunday. Bu..But I…I don’t know…where is…his..hou..house. His…girl…girlfriend Roshni…mu..must know. She lives…in Tara Bai’s bro…brothel.”

The goon croaks in great difficulty. Aditya squats down to level his eyes with the man and hisses out,

“You motherfuckers…I so want to kill you both right now for leaving Nandana to die in that condition. But not so soon. You have to suffer more. At least till your other partner joins you both. Good that you opened your fucking mouth. So, you deserve a reward.”

Saying this Aditya again strokes the chest of the goon. The razor slashes the skin mercilessly. He, again and again, slits the area until the man falls sidewise in a pool of blood. Froth dances on his lips. He takes a hiccup and stills. Aditya gets up and observes both the felons for a moment. His eyes fall on his boots. Some blood stains are there. He rubs the boot tip on the trousers of a goon and retreats. After switching off the music, he comes out of the room. It automatically clicks shut. To reopen it, a particular combination of numbers is required and that only can be operated from Aditya’s phone. Aditya takes out his mobile and switches on the microphones and cameras which are hidden inside the room. Now, he can keep surveillance on the captives from his mobile. He comes out of the farmhouse and gets in the car. Starting the engine, he taps Ayan’s number. It is 4 am now but Ayan knows his boss can disturb him anytime. After all, for that only he is being paid.

“Hello…find out a girl…Roshni. She is a prostitute in Tara Bai’s Kotha (Brothel). Bring her to me. And I want this work done by tonight.”

Aditya instructs and cuts the call. The sky is welcoming the morning hues and the air is echoing with early birds’ chirps. Aditya pushes the accelerator and speeds to his bungalow.

....................

“Something pleasant touches my nostrils. A sweet fragrance of flowers. I slowly unfurl my eyes. The room is partially illuminated with dawn’s light. I yawn and pandiculate to welcome another morning in my life. Last night Aditya and I talked for a long and I don’t know when I slipped into a deep slumber. I get up and eye to my side. Aditya was sleeping on that side. He might be drowsy but he kept on talking to me…just to give me company. My lips curve in an affectionate smile. I really can’t understand this man. Sometimes he behaves like a stone-hearted man and sometimes shows the softest corner of his heart. But I know, in this softest corner, I have a small place. But what about me? Do I love him? God, please give me some signs so that I can get the answer. I can know my heart. I pray to my almighty and get down from the bed.”

For some time, Nandana observes her new adopted pets Snowy and Moose. But they are still sleeping snuggling with each other. She opens the cage door and tucks the tiny blanket around them. After that, she comes to the balcony. It’s 4 o’clock in the morning. The air is still moist with dews. Nandana fills her lunges with the morning air mingled with the fragrance of the garden flowers. Suddenly something strikes her mind. She hastily enters the bathroom and within 15 minutes, comes out. Now, she is wearing a white golden-border saree. She combs her partially wet hair and applies some kohl to her doe eyes. A smile creeps on her lips. Today Aditya will be surprised to see the change. She comes out of the room and heads to the garden.

.......................

After 1 hour of effort, Nandana observes her work minutely. She changes a corner of the room to a small temple of Ganesha. She demanded Aditya for a small idol for her Ganpati and he got it for her. She has collected some flowers from the garden and has adorned the temple. The sacred lamp, incense sticks and other things for puja (worship) are kept aside. In a hurry, she also has made some payasam (sweet) to offer to her Ganesha. Now, she is only waiting for Aditya. After that, they both will start the puja. She hears the squeak from the rusty hinges of the main gate and a car whizzes enter. Nandana rushes to the door and keeps on waiting for his footsteps. Within a couple of minutes, Aditya enters the room and halts for a moment. His eyes fall on Nandana. She is looking like a fresh dew-drenched white lotus. Aditya’s eyes fill with admiration. He is about to near her when his eyes divert in another direction. His jaws tighten.

“What all this drama?”

He chides and Nandana can’t understand the reason for his exasperation.

“Drama? We will worship today. Since I have found myself in this house, I have never seen any temple or God idol here. I don’t know about the past, whether I objected to it or not but a house without a temple or worship place seems incomplete. We always should start our day with prayer.”

Nandana explains with a composed voice.

“And if the person doesn’t believe in God and worship….then?”

Aditya mouths ruefully. Nandana nears him and looks through his eyes.

“Why? Why don’t you be…..”

Her voice is vanquished by Aditya’s roar,

“Because this God never gave me anything in life. He only snatched everything from me. You know, my Mom used to worship her God… every day with so much devotion. But what she got in return? Her best friend and her husband’s betrayal. A fake relationship and fraudulent love. And eventually a painful death. Did she deserve this? After her blind faith in God?”

Aditya is shaking in anger. Nandana is taken aback. She never expects this revelation. She takes a deep breath and holds Aditya with his biceps.

“Aditya, I don’t know what exactly happened to your Mom or what bitterness you are carrying in your heart. But I know that God always plans something better for us. There is a reason why we go through all this pain. Trust the process. He never disappoints us.”

Nandana says every word carefully lest it again hurts Aditya. But Aditya’s reply shocks her temporarily.

“It seems that I have to tell you everything then. Do you have the courage to listen to my side of the story? Then only you decide; why I don’t believe your so-called Almighty.”

Nandana nods in approval.