“The light music coming from the bar section started tranquillising my mood. I didn’t explain to Nandana why I was late because she would have been disturbed to know that the car blast incident and her unknown stalker are somehow interconnected. When I interrogated that man in my lake house, he said that the person who called Nandana from my mobile was a well-groomed man. He was wearing a formal suit but covering his head with a hat which is not very normal in America. It might be the dress sense of 70’s or 80’s but nowadays people prefer to wear a hat or cap only in informal. It seems that the person was not very eager to open up his identity. Meanwhile, Ayan suspected a man named Joe Griffin who might be the person who misbehaved with Nandana at the party. He is a smart cookie who is trying to be close to Oberoi and Khurana nowadays. I invited him because he requested so, just to make contact with other business moguls. Ayan has checked his background and found that along with drug addiction, this man is a sex maniac. He even got nabbed by Manhattan police in a case of sexual abuse to a prostitute. However, he was released because of the lack of solid proof. After 2 years, his girlfriend again put allegations of physical and sexual abuse on him and this time he got a punishment of 1-year imprisonment. After coming out of jail, he got involved in drug peddling and gradually entered the mafia world. When Ayan interrogated the entire staff of my house who were on duty that party night, a waiter confirmed that he saw Griffin roaming around the power room. He was trying to unlock the place. And it matches the time when the power cut occurred. Although it is not solid proof, I wanted to meet Griffin alone. I knew how to read a pervert’s mind. Simultaneously, I wanted to cross-check if that hired goon saw Griffin only in the accident spot. Keeping that in mind we took the goon to my place where I was supposed to meet Griffin. But spoiling my all assumptions, he denied recognizing him as the same person. These ventures kept me busy for a long and when finally, I reached home, it was too late to make some believable excuse. I still didn’t drop the date idea because I thought it would be a good way to divert my mind from this tension. But here she is adding more fuel to it. I ignore the malaise in her tone and choose the best defence is a good offence way to counter her.”

“What? Don’t say nonsense to just win the argument, Nandana. Whatever I am doing is to secure my family only. You know how difficult it was for me to acquire the same power, position and reputation in a new place that I used to have in India. I had to work hard to achieve all these. But that doesn’t mean I ever prioritized my work over you all. Whenever you needed me, I was always there for you. I spend time with Mini despite being dead tired at night. I visit Rishi’s doctor during his sessions. I take care of every requirement and luxury of my family.”

Aditya contradicts Nandana’s complaint. A sarcastic smile creeps on her lip. Wringing her hands she mouths,

“Hmmm…my need. For the last two months, I have been going shopping with your bodyguards. It feels like either I am the president of this country or I am a criminal who is out of jail on parole. In Mini’s case…well, she is your daughter who knows how to draw someone’s attention. Genetic disorder. And don’t give the example of Rishi. You never go with us during his sessions. You just go there to scare the doctors whether they are giving extra attention to your brother-in-law or not. Of course, you are bound to your nature. Without showing your power and influence, you can’t even digest your food. And about our luxury…you know very well that I never asked for it. My brother and I still have that middle-class mentality, which I am proud of and I can assure you that I will teach my daughter the same basic values.”

Her words ignite the fire in his head. This woman is incorrigible. Nobody dares to mock his superiority like this but she always does. Aditya keeps on observing her with angry eyes. In reply, Nandana keeps on twirling her locks as if she is enjoying his pique.

“You better regrate for this attitude.”

He utters in his mind while grabbing her wrist to pull her up from his chair. Nandana meets his eyes with confusion.

“No matter how hard you try to spoil my mood, it’s not gonna work. Come on, vent your frustration on the dance floor. It’s been a long time since I danced with you.”

Aditya’s voice has an implicit challenge. He twists her wrist and pulls her with him, heading to the dance floor.

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

It’s around 9 pm. Navya twists her wrist to glance at her watch. She is almost done with her today’s schedule. It was a hectic day and now she is having back pain. Since she conceived, this back pain has been bothering her most often. She even visited a gyno and showed her concern but she said that during pregnancy this type of pain is normal. It may increase along with time. Navya should use a comfortable chair to sit and place her legs on a stool during a long sitting posture. However, she suggested not to sit in a particular position for a long time. It can swell her feet. Now, who will tell her that she doesn’t own this company, nor the owner is her husband asking for these privileges. A bitter grin appears on her lips.

“Husband! Not even in my wildest dream. He doesn’t even acknowledge my child. I hate you, Aabir. I am just doing this job for my baby. Otherwise, I don’t even want to see your face.”

Navya mumbles and is about to shut down the laptop. She is dying to book a cab and run for her apartment.

“Are you done, Ms Mehta? Then come to my cabin. I have something important to discuss.”

The voice coming from her behind forms some lines of irritation on her face. Without looking back Navya replies,

“Mr Aabir…it’s 9 past 10. I have already (She purposely looks at her wristwatch) done overtime which I shouldn’t have done. We will discuss 'that' something important tomorrow. Now, I am leaving.”

Aabir observes that she locks the laptop inside the drawer, unlike previous times when she always used to carry it with her. Sometimes she continued her work at night in her apartment. Navya checks the essentials in her bag and zips it up.

“But that work can’t wait for tomorrow. You know that. We have worked late at night before.”

Aabir sounds impatient. He stands beside Navya’s chair, looking at her for any positive response. Navya composedly leaves her chair and looks at him with a smiling face.

“Nights have changed, Mr Dhawan, and so am I. Now, I have started prioritizing myself. That work will surely wait for me. Bye. Have a rocking night.”

She waltzes past him and exits with a confident stride. Aabir’s face turns red to dark. He murmurs,

“You too have a rocking night, Ms Navya Mehta because tomorrow, it won’t be a rocking day for you.”

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

Aditya steps onto the dance floor having Nandana in his tight grip. His head is throbbing and this agitation needs to be vented out in some way. Nandana doesn’t try to free herself as she knows between them, one should behave sanely. Many couples are cosily dancing on the floor. Some are getting intimate openly and some are doing drugs too. Nandana roams her eyes all around and grimaces in disgust. Suddenly, Aditya pulls her more and wraps her fragile frame against his hard chest. She places her arms over his chest and tries to maintain some distance. However, Aditya yanks her more harshly and kneads her back with his restless hands. Nandana feels a bit of pain. She mumbles,

“Aditya, what are you doing? Behave!”

“Why? Are you feeling shy? Is your middle-class mentality coming in between? But what to do? According to you, I know how to draw attention. Genetic disorder. Almost uncurable. So, I am drawing your attention.”

Aditya continues with his raspy voice while pressing Nandana’s body more to him,

“I don’t give you time, right? I don’t give you priority. See! I am giving you all. We have come to a romantic date. We are dancing. We are loving each other.”

Saying this he kisses her throat and trails his lips along her nape. Nandana’s whole body instantly shivers. Aditya chuckles. He affects her so deeply. The music turns louder. Aditya flips Nandana and encircles her from the back. Now, her partly bare back is exposed to him. Aditya nears her ear and whispers,

“Remember the day we first met? You honoured and welcomed me with a garland. The first time I felt your touch. It was precious, it is precious and it will be always.”

He gently bites her earlobe forcing her to moan in passion.

“I am yours, Nandana. Your Brute. My time, my priority, my everything is yours. I don’t know what have you done to me but I can’t resist falling for you again and again. You are my Angel who keeps me alive.”

He murmurs against her ear, still engulfing her petite frame in his protective arms. His voice had something that formed a lamp in her throat. Her lips quiver in unsaid emotion. She immediately turns and encircles him with great vigour. The barrier of her emotions is broken. She lifts her heels to reach his shoulder and hides her face in the nook of his neck.

“And you are my Brute who makes me realise again and again that nobody can love me the way you do. I love you, Aditya. You are the best thing that happened in my life.”

Her voice gets submerged amidst the loud music and her tears.

“She came as an angel in his life…
And all his demons scattered away…”