Damsel in Distress -an Indian Story

First Sight

Karthik' s pov

Suddenly my phone beeped.It was a call from Maria- my secretary. I checked the time. It's 2 am. Why is she calling me at this time.

" What happened Maria?, Why are you calling me at this hour ? "

" Sir, please come to the office , it's an emergency" she said in a panicked tone. I can sense her tension in her voice.

" Tell me what happened?" I asked again

But she disconnected her call.
I tried to call again but she didn't respond.

Oh God, What will be it?. I got ready immediately and left to office in my car. I didn't wake up mom- dad as they will panic unnecessarily.

I reached there within 10 minutes.
I saw a fire engine in front of my office.
As soon as I entered, I saw Maria running to me .

" Sir, there is a  mini fire- break  in our office, Many of our documents destroyed, the fire- force is trying  to putoff the fire." She said in one breath.

I was stunned by her words. There is no chance for a fire break in my office. I have the  best security system inside the office. Then how it happened?

" Does anyone got hurt? " I asked trying to grasp the entire thing.

" No sir, as it is night time no employees were inside, it's the security guards who saw  smoke coming from the building informed me". She said and I sighed.

I was relieved because no one got anyhurt. I don't care about documents and their belongings , but I care for my people. My employees.

Everything can be replaced except life.

I saw the police commissioner coming towards me. Maria informed them.

" Mr Malhotra, from our primary inspection, we think that the short circuit led to the fire- break" He said and I was stunned.

" No way, It's been only month since I renovated the office.And also there is security alarm " I said and the Commissioner looked surprised.

" Then, I think some one deliberately did this, Do you have any enemies? " He asked and I nodded.

"Of coarse we have professional enemies, but none of them has the dare to do such a thing". As soon as I finished my sentence I heard Maria yelling to a security guard.

" Are you receiving salary for sleeping, if you guys had a little bit of responsibility it wouldn't have happened" She yelled to Ramu uncle, the security Cheif.

I know him since my child hood . He is working for our company for the past twenty years. He is a very trustworthy person . Iam sure he won't do anything wrong deliberately.

" Answer me, dammit! " Maria yelled and the poor old man starts shivering.

"Enough Maria, STOP IT"  i roared at the top of my voice.
How can she yell at a person who is of father's age.
She muttered a sorry and go away from there .

Suddenly one of the cops came towards me and handover a note.
" Sir, we got this from your letter box."

I read the note

" It's only a begining, Mr. Malhotra.
You will lost a lot of things in the upcoming days.
Next is the turn of your family.
Good luck"

I was astonished after reading that note. I handover it to the DCP.

Who will be that?. Why?
Many questions clouded inside my mind. I read it again and the word ' family' hit me hard. I quickly took my phone and called Ma.