“Something is tickling in my nostrils. Simultaneously, a redolent invades my sense of smell and I inhale along with rubbing my nose-tip. Some silky webs touch my fingers and I slowly unfurl my eyes. It takes some minutes to sink into the surroundings and the situation. I trace my face with my fingers and realise a veil of hair is covering my face. The heavenly fragrance is coming from the tresses only. I turn sideward and find her seraphic face. Her plumpy petals look poutier amidst her deep slumber. Her curly lashes are quivering in the subtle breeze coming from the open balcony. I carefully uncurtain my face from her tresses so that her sleep doesn’t get disturbed and turn my body to face hers. She is lying supine resting a hand on her upper stomach while her other hand is spread on the pillow like ivy. The comforter is up to her upper chest just under the collarbone exposing the milky smooth skin of her bare shoulder, throat and side neck. It’s evident that she is naked under the duvet. My hoggish eyes get fixed on her chest which is slowly rising and falling with the rhythm of her breath. She is looking tempting. I near her face almost holding my breath. Nandana, you are that intoxication that can never be quenched. I praise her beauty without articulation. So, you finally got what you wanted. She is now no more a challenge and mystery to you. You broke her barrier as well as her obstinacy. You got what you wanted… by hook or by crook. Then why is this attraction? Do you forget your rule that you never sleep with a girl twice? She is used now and according to your rule, she should be thrown out of your life. My Devil mind rasps in my mind. I close my eyes, maybe to prepare my answer. I can change my rule anytime…because I am not done with her yet. I utter in my mind and open my eyes. I skirt my eyes on Nandana’s sleepy face. My craving for her body has increased more. I can’t leave her so soon. Just look at her lips. I mumble in my mind and lay my greedy eyes on her luscious lips. Do you think it was enough for me to kiss the hell out of them? I lift more and almost hover over her motionless frame without putting any pressure on it. It’s not enough for me to get her under me. To be inside her…ohhhh…it was heaven…I need more…She is a drug and I want to be an addict…I counter my Devil mind and he smirks. Who is stopping you? She is yours…make her yours…as many times as you want. He whispers in my ears. Yes…I agree and scoot forward to fuse my lips once more to her swollen petals. However, suddenly she stirs in her sleep. Perhaps my body warmth makes her awake. I stop for a moment and keep on observing her face. Slowly she parts her lashes and meets my intense orbs. Her eyes are still dreamy…the most beautiful ocean to dive down. Gradually her eyes shift from my face to my body and she blushes. I frown and look at myself. Oh…I am totally void of clothes too.”
“Why are you blushing? You are no different than me.”

Aditya’s tone is playful which makes Nandana more crimson.

“Aditya…get off me…I have to go to the washroom.”

Nandana somehow utters under her tremendous hesitance. Aditya rolls on the bed and pulls the duvet to cover his lower portion. Nandana immediately holds the comforter lest she becomes totally uncovered.

“Go…I left you.”

Aditya says nonchalantly placing his head on his entwined palms while lying supine. Nandana tries to pull the duvet and wraps it on her body. But within no second, Aditya yanks the cloth piece and Nandana's eyes become wide in surprise. She fervidly grips the corner of the comforter and cries,

“ADITYA…”

“What? Go…Don’t tell me that you are going to sleep in the washroom. Why is the need for this duvet in the bathroom?”

Aditya mouths in a laid-back manner but his eyes are emitting mischief.

“Aditya…how? I …mean…I…I…have no clothes.”

Nandana’s voice is almost inaudible.

“So…what a big deal? What is there to hide? I have seen everything. Like you have seen everything of mine. So, if I remove this duvet….”

Saying this Aditya gestures to shove the blanket from his body.

“Aditya…..”

Nandana screams and immediately palms her eyes and in a second, hears a guffaw. She parts her fingers a bit and peeps through them to observe Aditya. The sight makes her uncover her face. Aditya is standing on the floor. He is almost clad wearing a lower and slipping into a tee shirt. He winks at Nandana and hurls a shirt of his towards her. Nandana catches it earnestly and vanishes under the duvet. Within five minutes, she comes out clad in the shirt and steps on the floor. Her face is still clouded with embarrassment. Aditya is observing her resting his hands on his waistline. A mischievous smile is plastered on his lips. He skirts his eyes on her whole body from top to bottom. The shirt is quite oversized for her; still, it can reach only to her mid-thigh. In haste, she has buttoned it wrongly which makes her appearance funnier. With a chuckle, Aditya saunters at her. Nandana timidly gazes up and tries to pull down the hem of the shirt. Aditya comes close and stands before her.

“Go to the washroom. Or else I won’t be able to control myself to repeat our last night’s rumpy-bumpy. God, you always look so inviting.”

His eyes and voice emote deep intensity. Nandana meets his eyes with a gape, moors in her place.

“I think you also want this. So, let’s do it…”

He mouths and tries to reach her button. With wider eyes, she steps back with a jerk and almost storms towards the bathroom door. Her ears turn hot and red.

“This man is outrageous…”

Her mind bits her tongue. She disappears inside the washroom, just hears his roaring naughty laughter.

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

“Mr, Thapad, our sketch artist will go with you. Can you visit Mr Basu’s residence at once? I need the sketch of that mysterious person immediately. I can’t even spoil an hour in waiting. Please make Rishi Basu help the sketch artist. It’s urgent.”

SP sounds pleading. Mr Viresh Thapad nods in positive and asks ardently,

“I will try my best but tell me something. Have you whiffed something really twisted behind this kidnapping case? I mean…some influential…”

The SP cuts him in between.

“I didn’t just whiff, Mr Thapad. I am certain that this is not just a petty kidnapping case done by these local felons. No;…some really powerful person is behind this. The way he is wiping off his every footstep behind, this only can do an influential and shrewd person. And if we want to catch him, we have to match his steps. We have to think like him or maybe a bit ahead of him. Mr, Thapad I have to go to the Mall to get the CCTV footage of that day. After that, I will match it with the sketch. I don’t want to leave any loophole. Already we have lost two leads. Not anymore.”

His eyes shine in anticipation. Within half an hour, Mr Thapad and the SP leave the police station having the hope that any positive angle and result is waiting for them. Concurrently something similar exciting is happening on the other side of the city.

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

Leaving a nonchalant glance at the closed door of the bathroom Aditya exits the room. Ordering a strong coffee, he enters his office room. Today he has a board meeting and speech to deliver at a school function. He sinks into his chair while his mobile rings.

“Hello…yes Ayan…tell me..”

He sounds casual and light. Last night’s memories make his mood airy.

“Sir, Rajesh is dead…we went there to get him alive and bring him to you but at the same time police came and Rajesh was about to surrender. So, Pappu didn’t have any other option but to kill him. Now, what is the further order for me?”

Ayan’s words harden Aditya’s jaw. For a moment, reality hits his mind.

“How can I forget? It’s still complicated. There are still so many trails and footprints that can lead the police to me. To us. No, Nobody can free Nandana from my grip. From my world. She is mine. She no longer exists in the outer world. Every way which leads to her, to our world will be cut and uprooted. I have to be more careful. How can I forget about that boy who recognized Nandana in the Mall? Shit…if the police reach that boy? It will be a deep shit.”

Aditya’s calculative mind runs at rocket speed. He clears his throat and instructs Ayan,

“Ayan, listen carefully. Hand over the goons who are in the farmhouse to Pappu and ask him to take the charge. I don’t care what he wants to do with them. Just shut their mouth forever. Secondly, I want to shift Nandana to my farmhouse. So, just fire all the house helps of that place. I don’t want anybody to see Nandana over there. From now, she will stay there only. My bungalow is not safe anymore. Thirdly, that call girl….Rajesh’s girlfriend…give her a handsome amount and ask her to leave this city. I don’t want to see her here. Last but not the least, go to Zion Mall and get all the CCTV footage of yesterday and destroy all. Do it first. I have to come to the farmhouse with Nandana as soon as possible. Before that, the place should be empty. Is it clear?”

He hisses and cuts the call after getting approval from Ayan.

“What happened? The great politician, business mogul Mr Aditya Raj Oberoi is tensed about losing his lady love? My Devil mind again comes to provoke me. Shut up…I shout at him. She is not my lady love. But yes, she is my possession and I will keep her with me at any cost. No one…I mean no one can reach her without my permission. For this, I can go to any extent. I counter my mind but he chuckles. Possession? But you already possessed her mind and body. What do you want more? Don’t say that you want her forever in your life. Come on, Man…you are losing your devil charm. He titillates my vicious instinct. YES…I shout. I want her forever in my life. She has become an indispensable part of it. I can’t live without her. I want her now and I want her perpetually. And for this, if I need to say that I am bound to her…so yes, I am. I, Aditya Oberoi the Devil, the Brute accept that I need her. I need my angel. She is my angel. And I am her brute. Angel’s Brute.”

Aditya sighs and reclines on the chair with closed eyes. It seems he has finally won his emotional battle.