Love or Retribution?

Chapter - 6

Her legs stumbled, pulling her back as she took those final steps towards the inn. It had been more than a week since she had moved in yet she had vehemently avoided going to the inn despite multiple invitations, but this time she knew she has no choice, she needs to do it.

She stood in front of the wooden carved entrance, the name "Subha Graha" created multiple jitters inside her. Despite convincing herself that it is just a nice warm name for an inn and nothing else, her heart yearned for that dangerous 'What if' scenario.

"What a surprise? some one is here early, the party is in the evening Indira, did you misread 7pm as 7 am?", Nandhini came there with a smile.

"Morning Nandhini, looks like the preparations are on full swing", Indira replied looking around with a huge smile, totally avoiding her question.

"Yeah, Madhavan uncle is very close to Bhargav and hence he wants it to be perfect, and we work to please him", Nandhini replied, while she too looked around the decorations with a proud smile.

"These work looks pretty intense, please let me know if I can be of any help, I am free whole day", Indira offered with real sincerity.

"And what is your expertise in this, write the party to perfection?", Nandhini asked with a smirk which confused Indira

"Hmm, where is Bhargav?", Indira asked trying to change the topic.

"Not here", Nandhini snapped instantly which amused Indira.

Indira knew Bhargav was not there, she saw his car leaving and that is why she came there, still Nandhini's hostility surprised her, she wanted to talk more about it and learn the reason, but the task at hand took priority that she ignored it and continued to do what she came there to.

"That is good too, I am actually here to talk to you Nandhini, can we sit and talk?", Indira asked in her utmost polite tone.

Nandhini looked at her with suspicion for few seconds and then showed her the benches that were on the path way.

"Actually, I need a favor from you", Indira dragged looking into Nandhini's eyes for a reaction.

But they were stone cold still, if for any other reason, Indira would have left the place without a second thought, but now she needs Nandhini's help for her plan to work, so with no other choice, she pulled in a fake smile and continued her act.

"I heard Mr. Madhavan is a well decorated police officer", Indira said and paused for a bit

"Yeah so?", Nandhini asked, little curious.

"Can I trust you with something? ", Indira asked increasing her curiosity.

"Yeah, sure, you can", Nandhini replied more curious now

"Okay, I am going to tell you something that not many know, I actually bought that particular house because the murder that happened there 20 years ago fascinated me, and I am planning to base the story of my next book on that", Indira said in an excited tone and paused again to gather Nandhini's reaction.

As expected Nandhini's reaction changed from hostility to excitement.

"Oh wow!, I didn't know that...", Nandhini squealed in an excited tone.

"Shh shhh.. this has to be our little secret, if the plot for my next novel gets out, it will loose its market, so I need to keep this as quiet as possible", Indira said in a conspiring tone that excited Nandhini more.

"Okay, what is that favor you want now? ", Nandhini asked with real excitement

"I heard Mr. Madhavan was the one who arrested the accused, so if I can get five minutes of alone time with him today evening, I can pick his brain about the case without others eavesdropping into our conversation, can you help me with that?", Indira asked in a pleading tone.