Reena Desai: Kill Lady

Chapter 25

Since Rocky was back, I decided to take my first Sunday off. Bringing a Mario Puzo book, I settled in the stairs facing the backyard. I felt nostalgic, about doing the same during my childhood. Khasim chacha kindly brought me a table fan, so I wouldn't feel hot. Feeling relaxed after a long time, I buried myself in the book, as Mallamma and Leela spread out papads to dry.

I didn't notice Rocky settling in the table behind me, until I heard his deep voice settling matters with Vittal. I turned back to see him nonchalantly drink whisky, as he discussed. Frustrated at his lack of concern over the prime minister issue, I tried hard to ignore him.

Suddenly, the fan stopped working and I heard cries of power outage.

The hot winds furthered my simmering temper.

"They'll treat me like a queen, they said. Just meaningless words," I taunted, not looking at him," Mallamma, I'm feeling very hot. Go get me a hand fan," I ordered her.

"Not everything is in their control," I continued, waspishly.

I tried to concentrate on my book, after venting my ire by instigating him.

"Hey, Mallamma. Take care of the papads," he cautioned, with casual arrogance.

Gritting my teeth, I pretended to ignore him. What was he doing?

A huge gust of wind made the pages of my book and my hair fly madly. I slowly looked up to the skies.

A FREAKING HELICOPTER!

A helicopter stood in the air above us, whirring its blades like a common ceiling fan. The storming winds blew away all of Mallamma's papads, and tried to take control of my dupatta.

I looked at Rocky, trying to hide a smile. He stared back, coolly, subtly declaring his victory.

I wasn't stung by his answer. Instead, it made my heart throb with a wild passion, as I understood the extent he was willing to go over a few silly taunts of mine.

The helicopter maintained its position, for a few minutes, till the power returned. Unwilling to show my blatant laughter, I stood up to leave.

"Has the queen cooled down?", He asked, innocently.

He was talking about yesterday.

"Enough to not set you on fire, for now" I smirked as I walked past him.

**********
The next day, when I returned for lunch, Rocky was nowhere to be found. Khasim chacha was pacing to and fro, across the length of the dining room.

"Chacha, what happened? Why are you so tensed?"

"Beti, Rocky has gone to Bangalore."

I frowned at him, confused.

Shaking his head,"you know the CBI raid? They confiscated a single gold bar. Now, Rocky has gone to the CBI branch in Bangalore."

I gasped.

Shit! This was not going to end well. It was one thing to be a criminal, but it was completely another to challenge the government that was opposing him.

I waited with chacha, I don't know for how many hours.

Alerted by the flurry of activity, we left to the hall, just in time to see Rocky place one gold bar on the table. He ignored our presence, shrugging his blazer off, on the way to the bar. He looked unhinged with a sham rage.

Unconsciously, I felt myself move towards him.

"Rocky..." I whispered.

He placed his glass down, clenching his fists. He closed his eyes and bent his head, heaving out a huge breath.

"What did you do?", I asked, horrified, imagining him killing everyone responsible.

Reading my mind, "I didn't kill anyone. Only, they don't have a building anymore," he said, his mouth twisting.

I sighed in relief. The sight of him, apoplectic with rage, squeezed my heart. What should I do to calm him down?

I slid into a stool, a little away from him.

"What?", He asked, swirling the drink in his glass.

"Nothing."

"Why are you being nice to me?"

"I felt that you might need company."

"I have always needed your company, but I don't think I deserve it," he said, quietly, downing the glass.

Was he the same madman, a few moments ago? He looked so lost and alone.

"Is that why you stayed away for two years?", I asked, looking away.

"Yes. You don't know how hard I had to work to forget you," he said, downing another glass.

"So, you've forgotten me, then?"

"Unfortunately, no," he said, pouring another glass.

I hid my elation at his honest answer.

"Easy," I said, grabbing the glass from him.

"Sona, what -"

I placed a finger on his lips.

"Enough, Rocky. It's barely evening and you're swimming in alcohol. Go, do something else," I said, firmly.

"Since when are you against alcohol?", He asked, quirking a brow.

"I quit."

He stared at me, dumbfounded.

He smiled. "Who are you and what have you done to my precious Sona?",he joked.

"There are kids around here, all the time. I didn't want to set a bad example,"I said seriously.

"I think you're the best thing to happen to this place. The hospital and school were your ideas. I'm so proud of you," he said, beaming at me.

"You gave them dignity," I returned, standing up to leave.

"And I have to thank you, Rocky. I may not like your methods, but I found myself a family here, inadvertently. Right or wrong, I owe you that," I said, walking away and emptying the glass into the sink.

**********
"Rocky has too many enemies. He's becoming ruthless by day. He was ambitious, but it feels like he's losing his humanity," he said, anxiously.

"I noticed it too, chacha," I sighed.

"He smiles only when you're around, beti. I know he loves you. And I also know you love him. Only love can bring him to his senses," he said, hopefully.

"It's been too long, chacha. I don't even know if he still loves me," I said, looking away.

"He still loves you. Today, when everyone was scared to even go near him, you spoke to him and managed to calm him down. He even played cricket with the kids," he said, still looking at me with hopeful eyes.

"Please, beti, help my son," he said, with a wavering voice, "save him from himself."

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