Soulmates

Chapter 11

After a week, one evening:-

The radio played all gloomy songs like it was reading the weather already. Siya had rolled up the window panes as she was driving back home from her office. She wanted to hear something cheerful on a gloomy day, not songs that were sour. She browsed through channels as she slowed down a bit while headed to the traffic signal. There were people selling umbrellas, peanuts, pens that were longer than usual, and there were people selling fake watches. There were a couple of Eunuchs scattered here and there. Suddenly a woman came towards Siya's car and let herself in through the back door. Siya screamed at her.

"Get out of my car. Who the hell are you?"

"Siya, it's Ritu. Don't you recognize me anymore? Sorry for barging in like this but I needed to talk to you. It is urgent."

"Oh! Ritu, I didn't recognize you at all. I'm so sorry. What happened to you?"

"Siya, I will answer all your questions, just take me to a safe house."

"Oh my god Ritu, you are scaring me already. Yes we will go to my father's farm house and everything will be taken care off, I promise. Nobody can find us there and you especially, if there is some kind of threat you are facing from anyone."

"Are you sure of it Siya, please, I have been running around, already. I'm scared for my life than anything."

"Trust me on this Ritu. From whatever I know of you, I know that you are a nice person and you are right so I'm on your side."

"I don't know what you would think of things if I would tell you what I wanted to tell you. I tried to get in touch with you several times but it did not materialize."

"You will have my attention now and I promise I will help you Ritu."

The farm house was tucked away in the outskirts of Bangalore, it was a vineyard and needless to say it was lush and picturesque. The guard ran towards the gate to open them as they approached.

"Why didn't you tell me you were coming Akka. I would have sent someone to drive you down."

"It was sudden, no problem. Where is Shyammanna, please ask him to cook something for us, it has been a long journey."

"Shyammanna is the care taker here and he cooks for us whenever we come down." She said looking back at Ritu who had gotten rid of her scarf and fake glasses.

"Okay, and thank you Siya. I feel much better now already."

"You go and freshen up and we will speak after lunch. Meanwhile I will have to call my office guys and home."

"Don't call anyone from home yet, please. Let them think you are in office."

"Okay, this is so strange. Fine I will not pressurize you, I will wait till lunch and then I'm all ears."

"Thanks for understanding."

Ritu ate from her plate very quietly and hardly spoke anything. If at all she uttered anything, it was monosyllables to either say yes or no to the servings put on her plate. She ate to her content knowing she was safe. "Should we take a walk as we speak or would you like to see the vineyard first?"

"Siya, my Siya, I'm very sure we need a place to sit. I'm not sure how will you take it." Siya gave her a what-are-talking-about kinda expression.

"Oh! Believe me we need some place to sit." Siya took her by her hand to the guest house living room and both settled on a couch that had a lot of cushions. Ritu grabbed one to her chest.