Reena Desai: Kill Lady

Chapter 6

Day. Night. Day. Night. I moved about like an automaton. All my thoughts were occupied by Rocky. I had heard about KGF and the illegal mining. I often doubted whether my father and his associates, would be as careless around me if I were a boy. No. They would've probably made me a partner. Not that I wanted in.

I sighed.

What would Rocky be doing?

I had so much to ask him.

What happened to his mother?

Why did he become an assassin?

His childhood struggles.

Was there a woman in his past?

I wondered how his task was going on and the hardships he would be facing on the most precious piece of earth. I strolled aimlessly, in the lawn, my thoughts wandering in different directions.

I crashed straight into something and fell down. It was Kamal. Apparently, he was in a hurry and we banged into each other, resulting in a fall. I quickly disentangled myself.

Kamal's mouth twisted into a sneer.

"Now I understand why people say love is blind. They literally lose their eyesight."

I rolled my eyes.

Ofcourse, things were 'Rocky', between us.

"Then why do you want to marry a blind woman?", I asked him sardonically.

"You're still my woman", he smiled eerily, "and he's going to die anyway", shrugging. "It is okay to have an infatuation before marriage.

"You better forget him before that, Reena", he threatened, stepping into my personal space. "It's not okay if a woman has impure thoughts for another man other than her husband."

I glared at him, not giving him ground. He just smirked and made his way to the mansion. My hatred for him rose along with bile. How did I even consider Kamal as my friend, not so long ago? He obviously enjoyed my inability to break my father's words. After all he was all I had. But the only good thing about Rocky's failed first attempt, was that my marriage was postponed indefinitely. I was confident that my father had too much on his plate to worry about, than strengthening his liaison with Kamal. I had two options - Run away from this home to escape the nightmarish marriage or wait for Rocky to be successful and come save me. Considering that the second option bruised my ego, I chose the first. The wheels started running in my brain.

******************

Two weeks later:

My father and Kamal were holed up in the in-house bar, to discuss their life or death plight. As usual. And I hid outside the room, to eavesdrop on their conversations. It was something I did since childhood.

That day was different. My father was emptying one bottle followed by another. He was drinking himself to death. Andrews, Daya and Kamal were with him.

"Rocky is dead. That control room plan failed. They captured him and Garuda shot him to death", my father whispered hoarsely.

My entire world collapsed. I sank into the floor.

No! No! No! No!

It was pain like no other. An invisible demon, squeezed my heart with his thorny, icy hands, twisting it sadistically. I cried at this misfortune that had befallen him. Why did life have to be so cruel to this man? At that moment, I once again lost my belief in God.

Why do You have to make him suffer so much?

Hadn't he had enough?

Everytime, I trust You with someone's life, You kill them.

I cried harder and harder, not even bothering to hide myself. At that moment, Kamal walked out. He watched my agony for a second and turned his back on me.

I ran to my room, surroundings blurred by my tears. I took Rocky's pendant from under my pillow. I looked at it, remembering it dangling around his neck.

His shaggy black mane and a long beard.

A cigarette dangling from his mouth.

The intense black eyes.

The immense power that radiated from him.

The medallion was a goodbye, indeed. I clutched it tightly.

No! You can't leave me, Rocky! I'm waiting for you. Come back!

The room started spinning and everything turned black.

******************

Everything felt surreal. I was a body double for the old Reena. Nothing mattered anymore. Not even the death that hung over our heads like a guillotine. Garuda must be plotting the death of his treacherous associates and their families. I just didn't care. I no longer cared about food or drink. My heart tried to delude me into thinking he was alive, trying to alleviate the mortal pain stabbing everywhere.

Father was in an equally pathetic state. He just drank day and night. His kingdom was crumbling right before his eyes. It felt like deja vu. The time of my mother's death. There was a type of pain - the most excruciating one - that only worsens with experience - the pain of death of a loved one. One that made you wish for your death, instead of theirs.

*******************

Few weeks later:

I heard loud, rapacious yells coming from the bar. My father was besides himself. What more could've gone wrong? I stared, bemused.

"We're all saved. All the gold is ours", he said, hugging me, "I must call Kamal".

He went to the ornate phone and dialled Kamal's number and asked him to come by.

Rocky must be alive. Fierce elation thundered through my body, roaring life into till then numb soul. Suddenly, I could breathe again. Tears flowed through my eyes.

Kamal sauntered into the room. I quickly brushed my tears and tried to control the wide smile that was hellbent on staying.

"What was so important, uncle, that you couldn't tell me on the phone?", he asked.

"Papa", I called out.

"However harsh the place is, no matter the people there, he'll survive, because the guy that went there is my lover. Will you tell him or should I tell him, papa?", I swelled with an angry pride.

Kamal was stunned speechless. My father seemed a little troubled. For the love of God! I facepalmed myself mentally. I had proclaimed my love for Rocky in front of my father. But I was too jubilant to waste much time on it. I ambled out of the room, smirking at Kamal.

That night, my father got another call.

Rocky had killed Garuda.

I looked at his black pendant, my eyes gleaming with the unshed tears of love and pride. I yearned to see him and throw my arms around him. The biggest gift he had given me was the love that made me want to actually live.

********************

Hi guys! I'm sorry for the late update. I became a little too busy. Thank you for all the lovely comments. It makes me want to write more. I know the pace is a little slow, but I hope you all enjoy this chapter and let me know in the comments.