The Draped Assassin

Chapter 18

Today was Raghu's birthday. And on his birthday he'd do Krishna Puja, and everyone had to be present in the temple. But good for me, I was on my periods. So I couldn't go to the temple, and that saved me from interacting with the people who are pitying me. So, here I was in the garden, watering the plants because that's the only thing I know about gardening. The gardener, Chanchal was talking about his  house in Himachal. And how beautiful his village was, that I should visit there. How his mother makes the best pickles.
It was nice to hear his story.

"Excuse me, Miss. Banerjee." Someone called from behind. I turned to see Raghu's personal assistant, Zakir. A very well behaved and educated man, rumours have it that he went to London University. He was in his late 20's. "Can I help you with anything, Mr. Ali?" I replied. We've never shared words more than two. "I'm aware that you still haven't bought any present for Mr. Chhatrapati yet. And I need to run some errands for him as well, for which, I could use a little help. Would you like to join me?" He asked. Now here's an unspoken rule, if you say no to Zakir, he'll manipulate you to say yes. Even though I had no intention to give any present to Raghu, but still I need to go with Zakir to his god-knows-what errands and buy a present. I fake smiled and said, "Sure, Mr. Ali. I'll just run to my room, and change my outfit." And so I did.

We are currently on our to a place called "none of your business" according to Zakir. I was quiet in the passenger sir while Zakir was driving. Heck I don't even know what the errand was. I looked at him probably to find some answers looking at his face.  "If there's something you want to ask you can, Ms. Banerjee." He said. "You won't answer it."
I retorted. "I said you to ask me the question you want to ask, answering that would depend. And I can't have you staring at me every 10 minutes so cluelessly. That's distracting me." Okay. "Tell me about this errand of yours for which you need my help." I asked. Zakir replied, "You'll know."  I threw my hands in the air, for fuck's sake. Zakir looked at me irritation and smiled nodding his head lightly. Will he smile the same if I swiftly run my dagger through his throat? I guess not.

After fifteen minutes the car came to a halt. It was in front of a sweet shop. Are you kidding me?  I looked at him with annoyance. "Your errand was to buy mithai. And that also from a shop two hours away from the mansion. And what do you need me for? Choose mithai for your dear boss." I spat. "Careful there, sweetheart. Don't talk about the boss like that. And you'll do exactly what I'll say, even if it means choosing mithai for the boss." He threatened me. And it worked. Then we both got out of the car and went inside the shop.

The moment we stepped inside the shop, beautiful smells of mithais hit our nostrils. This was a dream. Zakir walked towards the owner, who was sitting at the cash and started talking. And on the other hand started strolling around the shop and eyeing the sweets. After looking around the shop, I asked the halwai for two gulab jamuns and two chum chums. I took the plates and sat at table, with the last glance at Zakir, I dug in. I was so hungry. After I was done I asked for the bill when Zakir came beside me and said, "I'll pay for it." I looked at him in confusion, "You don't have to." I said. "Consider it as my gratitude to accompany me for my errands." And will that he placed a 100 rupees note at the counter. I didn't argued any further. "Follow me." He said and I did.

As I followed him, we walked into a narrow corridor which led us to a door. The corridor was dark, but did had some photographs on the walls.
I almost bumped into Zakir for his sudden halt. "What the hell?!" I exclaimed. Zakir maintained his composure and said, "No one should ever know you were here. Only me, Mr. Chhatrapati, Gopal, Kaushal, Anthony and Raunak are allowed. This is a secret place where we keep our money and weapons if we feel like they are under the radar of the police." He said in a serious tone. And I nodded. That means there's always money. Zakir then scanned his eyes in the biometric scanner and walked inside, and I followed him.

It was a small room with lots of bags and a bed inside it. Zakir bent down in front of the bag and pulled out a trunk, then opened it. "This is the errand, we need to take this to the mansion." Zakir announced. I looked inside to see lots of boxes of sweet were placed. I looked at him indicating him if I should open it or not, to which he nodded yes. I opened them and holy shit! They were filled with gold bars. "It's a return gift for the guests." I raised my eye brows in surprise. "Does that means I'll get one too?" I asked. Zakir chuckle at my question. Which was enough for me to understand I'm not getting one. "Raghu is crazy rich."  I mumbled.

After the trunk was taken to the car, Zakir and I got inside the car and we drove off. "You are coming to the party right?" Zakir asked. "I have to. Even though I don't want to." I said honestly. Zakir looked at me in confusion, and asked, "Why? What's wrong?", looking concerned.
I let out a sigh, "It's just awkward to go in a party and stand in the all alone. And I'm not really comfortable to start up a conversation with just anyone." I completed. To which he just gave a knowing nod. "In that case, find me in the party." He said, it sounded promising. I mumbled an okay and looked outside the window.

*******

We reached the mansion faster than I thought. Zakir's driving skills were no joke. We got out of the car, and walked inside the mansion. "Take this to the office and start changing the packaging." Zakir ordered, once we reached the common room. Everyone was shocked to see me carrying the trunk with Zakir. Gopal was too. "Ranjana, you have one hour left to get ready for the party, so better hurry up. You've got a dress already in your room." What?! Before I could ask anything he continued, "No need for your protest right now, accept the dress and hurry." With that he walked away to  the direction of his office.

I walked towards my room when I heard a footstep behind me, and I had an idea who it might be. But I chose to ignore. "Rani, wait!" The person who's been following me shouted. I abruptly turned around and asked, "What?"
Gopal's eyes still held nervousness. "Why were you with Zakir?" He asked. "That's none of your business." I said, then I continued, " And how many times do I have to remind you to not to call me Rani? It's Ranjana!"  Gopal let out a sigh and said, "Okay, Ranjana. I know that I'm the last person you want to talk to now, let alone taking advice, but Zakir is a dangerous person. He's a charmer. Everyone here knows what he is capable of. Stay away from him." He said. "And what more harm could he do to me?" I asked, clenching my palms into a fist. Gopal tried to say something, but couldn't. That's what I'm talking about. I turned my heels and ran to my room.
I locked the door and sat on the floor, shaking. Who the fuck does he think he is? I stood up and examined the dress.

It was a two-piece outfit, the top was sparkling golden and had a deep cut and had spaghetti sleeves. It was really tight. The skirt was floor length, and had a slit upto my hips. Zakir knew what he was doing. I went inside the bathroom and took a quick shower, then stood in front of the mirror. I still looked like the girl who killed her own child. And again all my guilt rose up like my bile. I did my breathing exercise, then I looked at the mirror again. There's only one thing I can do.
With that I took a pair of scissors, and started cutting my long beautiful hair.

.....
Will Rani get her revenge?
<3