“One more week passed. In between, no other attack on Aditya or any unpleasant incident has occurred. Aditya is insisting on settling abroad with me. However, I am not being completely agreed with this decision. It means I have to leave my family and move to an unknown place. Who knows if I can ever return to my root? Since my childhood, I have never been away from my family. So, it’s a big decision for me. However, not as bigger as starting a new life with Aditya. Sometimes I wonder how I eventually forgave him for all the wrong deeds that he did to me. One month ago, I wasn’t even ready to see his face again but now, I am living with my Brute. Although we still don’t have the intimacy that is natural between a married couple. I need time for that. I know I love him but I still can’t completely forget the insanity of his that I witnessed previously. Surprisingly Aditya never tries to come close to me. I know he is dying for my absolute surrender but somehow, he has realised that love can’t be snatched or possessed by force. He starts respecting my will and I start respecting him for that. He has two souls inside him. One is too kiddish who is stubborn and doesn’t follow any logic and the other is too mature. He is maturely handling my dilemma and I am loving it about him. I discussed with Papa and Maa about our shifting abroad and unexpectedly they agreed in a second. In fact, Papa’s logic matches Aditya's. He too feels that Mumbai or even India is not safe for both of us. It’s better to be safe than to be nearby. Apart from that, Maa has feebly requested if we take Rishi with us as in abroad the treatment for autistic children is better. She hopes if any improvement can be visible in Rishi and I couldn’t turn down her wish. Although I have to ask Aditya if it is possible. I don’t know why it still feels awkward to demand anything from him. I know he is my husband…whatever the circumstances, we got married but I still don’t feel that right on him. I have just returned from Papa’s house. Aditya always sends a bodyguard with me. I am not used to this lifestyle but I have no other option either. I was about to head to my room when my eyes fall on the ajar door of Aditya’s study room. I need to discuss Rishi’s matter with him. I softly knock at the door.”

“You don’t need to knock. Come in.”

Aditya’s manly voice makes Nandana startled. How does he always know her presence? With a quizzical thought, she pushes the door and steps in. Aditya is standing in front of the huge glass window that almost covers one of the walls. His eyes are fixed on the outside while his hands are bounded with each other on the backside.

“You didn’t do gym?”

Nandana asks as it is his exercise time. Aditya turns back and replies in a flat tone,

“I was doing but, in the middle, Bhosle called.”

Shadow passes over her eyes. In a sceptical tone, she enquires,

“Bhosle! Why? Anything happened?”

Aditya takes some seconds to gather his words. He is hesitant if Nandana should know about this. Nandana nears him and again asks,

“What happened? Anything serious?”

Aditya replies with steel eyes.

“Manu Mathre committed suicide. Police are suspecting that he was involved with the underworld and he was threatened by them. Bhosle also said that we should leave India as soon as possible as police found a diary in Mathre’s house. There is a kind of….ummm..a hit list where my name is there as a target. I think all those attacks were done by the underworlds themselves and if that is so then that goon was also sent by them. I don’t know if he is actually dead. If so then I can’t take any risk, Nandana. Because you are perhaps under their redder too. We have to shift to abroad as soon as possible. It’s risky to stay here anymore.”

His voice is laced with worry and concern. Nandana’s eyes turn into a dark pool of fear. With a dry throat, she mutters,

“I am ready. Let’s leave as soon. I even came to discuss it. Can we take Rishi with us? He needs better treatment and there we can provide it.”

Aditya stares through her for some moments and then replies in affirmation.

“We are leaving tomorrow. You don’t need my permission. He is like my brother. If our love and care can give any chance to his betterment then no question about it. You pack your bags. Let me confirm Ayan for three tickets.”

Aditya walks to the desk and sits in front of his laptop. Nandana bites her lips and is about to exit when Aditya again asks,

“Tell Papa and Maa too. I wanted to meet them before leaving but it’s not possible. I have many things to arrange.”

Nandana nods and softly assures,

“Thank you, Aditya. Papa and Maa will be happy.”

Aditya stares up to meet her complacent eyes. He asks with suppressed jest,

“And you? Are you happy?”

In reply, Nandana says with laughing eyes,

“More than happy. After all, the angel will be safe in Brute’s paradise.”

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

“What do you think, Sir? This sudden death of Manu Mathre and that is because of suicide…isn’t it too weird? I mean we previously checked his all records; we even tapped his calls and didn’t find any criminal connection. But all of a sudden, this mafia link. I hope we are not missing anything.”

One of the officers' mouths with suspicion. SP Bhosle keeps on looking at him for a while. His eyes are tired and solemn.

“We are missing lots of things, Bakshi but unfortunately this case already has been transferred to CBI. We can’t do anything now.”

He exhales a tired and frustrated sigh and concludes,

“Anyway, close the Aditya Oberoi file too. If there is no predator then there is no need for protection to the prey. I hope they are safe now.”

Bakshi gets up from his chair and stands in an attentive posture.

“Sure, Sir. I will inform him too. Anything else, Sir.”

He asks professionally. Bhosle wobbles in denial.

“No…I will meet him in a couple of days. Mrs Oberoi will be relaxed to know it. You carry on.”

He orders and officer Bakshi leaves. Bhosle reclines in his chair and unmindfully mumbles,

“End of Angel and her Brute’s story. I am happy it’s a happy ending.”

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

Chatrapati Shivaji international airport, Mumbai. The flight to Manhattan will take off in a couple of hours. Aditya Nandana and Rishi are sitting in the VIP lounge. Ayan, Abhiroop and Vivek had come to see them off. Nandana’s eyes were misted with tears when Vivek was fondling her hair. She knows how deserted her father would have felt as since her childhood, she was his friend, strength and confidant. Her Papa never shows his weakness but she knows deep down he is feeling quite helpless. His words were enough to reveal that.

“Miles only keep the people away but minds always keep them closer. Never feel that your Papa is away from you. I will always be around you….just a call away.”

Thankfully Rishi became ready without any hard effort. Of course, Nandana is the reason. Since his childhood, his elder sister has played the role of his second mother. However, Aditya’s contribution to this situation is inevitable. The way he comforted Rishi and made him realise that he will be in his family only is praiseworthy. Even Vivek couldn’t refrain to utter those words for his son-in-law.

“Sometimes it takes multiple encounters to know a person. I am happy that my judgement about you was wrong.”

Nandana is ruminating over all these when Aditya’s call breaks her reverie,

“Let’s go Nandana. The last call for the passengers has been announced. It’s time to say goodbye to this country.”

Nandana places her watery black eyes on him and mouths,

“Yeah, it’s time to say hello to a new life.”

She holds Rishi’s hand and slings the handbag tightly to approach the departure gate. It’s time to write a new story.

“I close my eyes to old ends
And open my heart to new beginnings….”