SHEHNAAZ'S POV

I reached home, had dinner with Mom and slumped into the bed, scrolling through my insta feed. I saw Riya's story, chilling at domino's. Wasn't she with him in the meeting?

"Hey!" I text her.

"Hii Sana!" she replied within minutes.

"Hogayi meeting?" I asked.

"Kabki hogayi.. That ws 5 in d evenin.." she replied with laughing stickers.

"I ws home by 6" her text said.

"Oh. Ok." maybe Sidharth didn't take her along because it was a late night scheduled meeting. It was over 11 now. Yash must be there with him, I assume.

"Aur bta.. Kkrh?" she texts again.

"Nothin.. Wait krri uska.." I replied.

"Sir ghar nahi aaye??" she asks. How come she doesn't know?

"Nhi.. Meeting me hai vo.. " I answered.

"What meeting? There wasn't any aftr that..!" she said. What? I called her right away.

"Hey.. All okay?" she said.

"Last meeting kab thi..?" I came straight to the point.

"That one in the evening.. 3 baje se 5 baje tak.." she said.

"Uske baad vali Riya!" I whine.

"Uske baad kuch nahi tha schedule me.. Sir himself asked me to take off.." she said.

"Are you sure? Shayad abhi late night meeting thi.. This could be the reason.. He didn't take you along.." I said.

"Yaar atleast I would have know about it.. I only prepare his schedules.." she spoke, getting worried.

"Ruk.. Yash must be with him.. Mai call karke dekhti hu.." I said and cut the call without waiting for her reply. Opened the calls log, and tapped on Yash's name. It's ringing, ringing and still ringing. I kept calling till her finally answers.

"Hello Yash? Is Sidharth with you?" I asked.

"Hm.. Han.. He's with me.." he replies.

"Phone dena usko zara.." I asked.

"No.. I cannot give him the phone now.. Meeting chal rahi hai na.." he said.

"It's almost 12! Kaisi meeting hai yeh?" I asked.

"mm... Abb what can I say? Kaam hai.." he sighs.

"But why wasn't Riya aware of this? Usko koi idea nahi tha abhi koi meeting hai..!" I said.

"Voh.. You better ask this from sir.. When he's back.. okay?" he said. Strange!

"Hm.. Kitna time lagega aur..?" I asked.

"You ask too many questions! Ajaayenge abhi.. Don't worry.." he said, he was calm and unable to answer to my questions at the same time.

"Hm" I laid back again. Riya pinged me again.

"Baat hui Yash se?" she asked.

"Han.. There was a meeting.. Still goin on.." I said.

"How's that possible ya?" she's confused, me too.

"Koi nah Riya.. So jaa baad me baat karenge.." I told.

"Okay.. Gud nyt!" she sent the last message. I kept the phone back, waiting for him. It buzzed again, hoping it would be something from Yash, I unlocked it.

"Missed me?" it said from a private number. I gulped down a heavy lump, I.. I.. Think I know who it is. DJ! He's back!

SIDHARTH'S POV

It was a month ago, everything was going good until I received the news. About DJ. It's since then, I've been finding out a way that could just take him away from my life. Forever. I just wished, killing a person for once was forbidden, just for once.

"Yeh Jayker ka koi bharosa nahi sir.. Apne bhai ko marva diya usne.. Abhi business bhi doob gaya uska.. Pagal hogaya hoga voh toh.. We need to be careful as much as we can.. " Yash was tensed.

"Hm" I nod, because that, I already knew. What I was looking for, was a loop that could grope Jayker in it. And I found it, his own deeds were going to grope him and I was just going to show them the way. I asked Yash to find out about his investors, with the stupidest of ideas, he had never baged any solid project. So, I wanted to know who were those people still investing into it.

"Sir.. Pehle bank se liya.. Kyuki market se rarely hi kisi ne DJ ki company me paisa lagaya.. His usual sources were not common people.. Pata nahi kidhar kidhar ke gundo se paisa khaya hai isne.. Ek-do political connections bhi hai iske.. " he informed.

"Unko pay back kaise kar raha hai voh?" I had asked.

"Kaise karega payback.. Paise hi nahi bache honge.. Bank ne property aur company seize kar li hai.." he told. Okay, so he's basically and completely homeless and jobless. Still, he has contacts to get his brother killed! If he wanted, he could have done the same with me. But no, he didn't. Man! He's planning something big then!

"Sir.. Aap apne ghar ki security vapas badha dijiye.." he offered.

"Voh toh mai karunga hi.. But this much won't be enough.. Uske kuch karne ka wait nahi karunga mai.." I announced.

"Mujhe naam batao.. Who had lended him money..? How are they planning to retrieve it?" I asked. It took Yash a couple of days to collect information on that.

"Sir.. Rahgu dada.. Saare politicians ko yehi bags bhar ke paise bhejwata hai.. For they permit his guns to sail across Mumbai.. He had rented over two crores to Jayker over last five years.. Jayker ne abhi tak sirf adha amount payback kiya hai.. Vo bhi without interest.." Yash said.

"Toh iss Raghu ko apna paisa vapas nahi chahiye kya.. Aren't they looking for him?" I questioned.

"Sir...Raghu ke aadmi dhund rahe the Jayker ko.. Vo pehle hi chhupa hua tha.. Apke accident ke baad India se bhaagne ka plan tha uska.. Kyuki paise nahi hai uske paas.. " he further revealed.

"Get me a meeting fixed with this Raghu dada.." I told him. He stared me with his jaw dropped. Yes, I've decided. I'll give Jayker to this guy and reveal some details that could help them retrieve their money back from the fraud Jayker, if that's what it takes. It is dangerous, I've researched further about this Raghu, not a goon but a don he is. Exporting tons of guns illegally, isn't a casual trading. He owns a transport business for the white side, but its all sheer metal in his huge vehicles.

"Sir! Ye..yeh aap kya bol rahe hai? Raghu ke gun ka racket chalta hai.. Almost poore state me..!" he warned. Even the mention of meeting him had laboured his breath.

"Janta hun.. But this is going to be for once and for all Yash.." I sighed.

"Sir yeh gangster log hai.. you see them once.. then they never stop seeing you..!" he warned yet again.

"I know what I'm doing.. Uske right hand ka kyaa naam hai.. Hasan bhai right? I want to meet him..." I snapped. Yash was shocked, but did as he was asked, to get me their number. He was scared for me, I knew. He's my most trusted guy, that is the reason, only he knows everything.

"Dekh.. I know this shit is dangerous.. But necessary.. Don't worry I won't involve you any further.. Bas yeh baat kisi ko batana mat.. " I called him again the other day, offcourse I cared for him. He has a family, I could not have risked them into this.

"Sir please! I won't let you do this alone now! Yeh lijiye contact number.. Mai bhi chalunga aapke sath.." he said, he was adamant. I felt lucky to have him.

Yash arranged a meeting with them, finally. With Hasan over the phone, it was a day before the pre-marital functions of my marriage would begin. I lied at home, saying I've got some urgent papers to sign. Hastily left with Yash for a quiet place, where I could talk.

"Sidharth Shukla? Industrialist? Apne se kya kaam hai? " the guy over the call asked.

"Hasan?" I asked.

"Ha bol.."

"Mujhe..mai Raghu dada se milna chahta hun.. I know where Jayker is.." I said.

"Voh toh jail me sadh raha hai nah?" he asked surprised.

"Nahi.. Bail ke apply kiya hai usne.. Agle hafte bahar aa raha hai.." I said.

"Hm.. Iske badle tujhe kya chahiye.. Paise?" Hasan mocked.

"Nahi.. Mujhe tere boss se milna hai.. Aur bhi information hai mere paas.." I offered.

"Dekh.. Aise roz hazar call aate hai mereko.. Baaki ka info de.. Aur kitna chahiye tereko bata..? Tu naam vala admi hai isiliye mai direct tere se baat kiya.." he sounded irritated.

"Mai aage ki baat tere boss se hi karunga.. Ho paaye toh vapas call karna.. Varna khud dhund lena Jayker ko.." I said, it took me loads and loads of courage to speak this way, with so much of bravery but the reality wasn't how I sounded. I was sweating, my throat had dried inside.

"Boss abhi bahar hai.. 5 din baad ayenge.. Tabhi address bhej dunga.. Ajaana akele aur koi hoshiyari dikhayega toh vapas nahi jaayega.." he said before hanging up. I was in it now. Shit scared deep inside but one thing made me do it was the safety of my family.

Days passed by quickly, I was back to work after my wedding, when an unknown number had texted me a location. An old government school, outside Mumbai at 10pm. They had called me, also it said I wasn't allowed to carry my phone in. I was just done with a contract singing segment, when I saw 3 missed calls from Shehnaaz and some messages too. It is so hard to keep things from her, she has this thing in her. She senses it, when I'm down. Somehow I said, I had a meeting tonight, by promising her a dinner date tomorrow. And she agreed, that's the beauty, if small thing affected her, small gestures made her happy too! I wrapped up the office stuff soon and left for the given address. They didn't allow Yash inside, he was asked to stay out. Only Raghu, Hasan and a guard holding a riffle were in with me in a room with dim lights.

"Itni badi industry ke CEO ko mujhse kya kaam? Raghunath by the way.. " A bald man 6 feet tall, with thick and heavy golden chains round his neck forwarded his hand.

I took them in mine "Sidharth Shukla" then he introduced me to Hasan, equally tall but a guy of nearly my age he was.

"So.. What's between you and Jayker..?" he asked. I shortly narrated the story behind our enmity.

"He was in jail against charges of attempt to murder.. He tried to kill me by accident and had kidnapped my wife.." I said.

"He's coming back to harm me and my family again.. Mai usko tum logo tak pahocha dunga.." I added.

They smiled, "Hm. Family.." Raghu sighed.

"But Mr Businessman.. Isme mera kya fayda? Jayker doesn't even have a single penny.. Kya karunga mai uska..?" he asks. I smiled this time,

"Aisa logo ko lagta hai.. He still owns millions.. In a swiss account.. Vo bahar sirf badla lene nahi aa raha.. He's going to escape..." I said. Handed them the adress of his hideout too. By there expressions I could guess, they believed me and were mad at Jayker.

"Okay.. We'll take him down.." Hasan said.

"No.. Police is going to be around.. We must wait till he approaches me.." I suggest, they agreed saying I could call them back on Hasan's contact and they would take care of Jayker then.

"So..mm.. How much do I.. Matlab.. You know.. Advance?" I stuttered, I was actually asking them to get a man out of my way, so definitely I had to pay for it.

"Abhi 5 peti.. Baad me baki.." Hasan said. I nod, the first thing I did after coming out was asking Yash to transfer 5 lakhs to the given account.
He looked disturbed, once we were back in the car, he finally spoke.

"Sir.. Sana ka call aya tha.. Pareshaan lag rahi thi.." he said. This girl! I had told her not to call me, so she called him! Why is she so impatient? As soon as I was home, she opens the door and hugs me.

"What took you so loooong.. Ha?" she asks.

"Why did you call? Mana kiya tha nah?" I asked, pulling her away.

"Bola tha nah? Kyu wait nahi kar saki tum?" I asked again and she stared me in confusion.

"Ek toh itna late ayaa hai.. Upar se mujhse hi puch raha hai!" she shook her head is disbelief. I had told not to call because it wasn't a safe place to talk. But she is she!

"Riya ko pata hi nahi tha iss meeting ke baare me? Usne kaha ke aisa ho hi nahi sakta..! Isiliye maine Yash ko call kiya.." she recited her conversation with Riya.

"Toh? Usne kaha aur tumne maan liya? Mai toh bata kar gaya tha na!?" my temper was raising with time for her stupidity would never leave her.

"Ha baba lekin.." she began to justify.

"Enough ha! Iss baat ka koi justification nahi hai.. I tell you something but you always do the opposite.. Abhi Riya ki baat zyada sach hogi ke meri?" I asked, pretty pretty loud.

"Ha.. I'm.. I'm sorry.. Voh meko message.." she spoke again, how can she have reason to everything?

"Shut up! Tumhare dimag me fir yahi ayaa hoga..? Mai kiske saath hu? Meeting ke bahane kisi se milne gaya.. Haina?" I yelled yet again.

"Nahiiii.. Haaye.. Sachi Ek baar bhi nahi ayaa.. Mai bas parshaan.."

"Please yaar abhi ye bakwas nahi sunni mujhe.. Sone do mujhe.." I went to the closet, trying to ignore her. But she kept following me everywhere,

"Yaar sorry nah!" she held my hand to stop me.

"Listen..I'm very tired right now.. Get away and let me sleep!" I said, removing her grip. To hear her sniff. Yeh sahi hai, ulte kaam karo, fir rho!

SHEHNAAZ'S POV

He slept, just like that. Good. Why not! Duniya ka saraa kaam iske hi sar pe toh hai, maine toh aaj tak koi meeting attend nahi ki.. Mujhe kya pata.. Kitna kaam karte hai log? Huh! And why am I crying? This is not new. Everytime I was late, I had to make it up to him. Shouldn't this go same for both the sides? No, he is he! Rude, insensitive and harsh! I don't care now! Jitni marzi late anaa.. Who am I to ask afterall?

The  morning was usual, though we had slept on our sides, but had habitually drifted closer in sleep. I woke up in his embrace when his stubble had tickled my cheek. I realised I  was wrapped around him. I slowly pulled off the cover to get off the bed, ignoring how much this beautiful sleeping face was asking me for a kiss. But things weren't the same for now, he wasn't speaking to me, as if I was expected to come and talk. Sorry, I won't.

We left for our respective offices in respective cars. It's not easy, to keep it from him. My hands itched at times to call to him or drop my signature kissing  emojis, as I supposedly used to. Thankfully my day wasn't long, came back pretty early in the evening.

Preeti opened the door for me.

"Hey Preeti! Aap kab aaye?" I hugged her.

"Just now.. Ajay bahar gaya hai kaam se.. So I'll be staying here for the while.." she said.

"Oh.. Chalo badhiya.. What will you have..  Chai banau..?" I asked keeping my bag on side.

"Yes please!" she said, walking with me to the kitchen. Indulging into the typical talks, what's up with life.

"Kal gayi thi routine check up ke liye.. I've been given a new diet schedule.." she pouts.

"Good for you.. Varna aapka to khana kabhi time pe nahi hota tha.." I chuckled, being a heck of a work driven lady,  Preeti used to have mugs and mugs of coffee and if hungry, then cookies. That was all.

"Arey! You don't know.. Daily walk aur office time kam karne ko bol diya mujhe.." she said.

"Okay okay.. I know you love your work place like anything.. Lekin abhi break lelo.. Ghar pe chill karo.." I said, handing her a cup filled. She nods,

"Abhi kya karegi tu..? I need your car.." she asked.

"Kaha jaaoge.. Can I accompany you please?" I lit up. Though Sidharth and me were supposed to go for dinner tonight, but after the fight, it was long forgotten. No I hadn't forgot, I was actually missing him. I had to tell him about that message, but in the fit of my stupid rage I had forgot, good thing that there wasn't any further message from that number. Maybe it wasn't DJ. It could be any wrong number and I was thinking alot.

Preeti took me to the big bazaar, she was looking for some chopping pads and moping broom sticks. After helping her with them, I also grabbed some stuffs, that looked useful.

"Momos khaayegi?" she pointed at the food centre across the road.

"Nahi.. Aap khao.. Mai bags rakh ke aati hu.." I said excusing myself, taking a lift down to the parking area. Had unloaded the bags into the dickey, just then I noticed there was a car, carelessly parked infront of mine. It's driver was sleeping inside with cap kept over his face, covering it. I went near it and knocked.

"Excuse me! Hello?" I said, but that guy was so deeeeeep in sleep, there wasn't any security guard around at the moment too, so I knocked harder,

"Oh hello! Get up! Is this the way you park a car.. Mai apni gaadi kaise nikalu?" He moved a little, stretched his arms. Pushed a button and the glass window slid down, he held his cap and tucked it over his head.

"Yeh koi tareeka hai?" I was going to bash that guy, until I recognized him. DJ! Fucking Jayker! NO!

"Kal mere message ka reply nahi diya tumne..?" he smiles. Fuck, it was him. Without wasting any further second I ran, sat in the car, locked it from inside. He very calmly walked out, leaned against my driver seat's window frame.

"There's no escape!" he chuckled lv devilishly.

God! I searched for my phone inside my handbag. Immediately dialed Sidharth, but there wasn't any signal in the parking lobby. Fuck the network. What do I do now? Preeti must be waiting for me, oh God she's carrying a baby! I can't let anything happen to them.

I pushed the key into it's hole, twisting it to ignite the engine. DJ's expression changed when the engine had turned on, I pushed the peddle and the car moved ahead, hitting his Swift model that was blocking my way. For now, I ignored the fact that it was one of the costliest BMW's headlight I broke.