"Close all the doors and windows. We are coming as soon as possible," said Rajiv as he turned to Ravi and Leena. "Abhi called; he said there are armed people outside the house in an SUV."
"Is it a black one?" asked Leena.
"Yes," replied Rajiv.
"It's my uncle's men," said Leena, panic gripping her voice.
"I will call the police; the SI is an old acquaintance," said Rajiv as he quickly dialed the number. After a few minutes of conversation, he thanked the other person and ended the call.
"We need to get home. Leena, you will come with us," said Rajiv.
"But..." Leena tried to counter, but Rajiv's look made her stop.
"Ravi, leave your car here; we will all go together," said Rajiv. They went downstairs, with Rajiv and Ravi in the front and Leena in the back, with strict instructions to hide if they saw the suspected people. By the time they reached the house, their watchman Parthasarathy and the police were already there and had taken the men in the SUV into custody. Rajiv spoke for a few minutes with the SI, and after the police left, they entered the compound.
An anxious Abhi opened the door, and Ravi and Leena filed in behind Rajiv.
"Is that for those men?" asked Ravi with a hint of amusement in his tone, looking at the hockey stick in Abhi's hand.
Rajiv gave him an angry look and then turned to Abhi. "You did well, son. You made sure that everyone is safe. I am proud of you."
Abhi, who had been growing irritated with Ravi, smiled at his father.
"I shall leave now; good night," said Leena.
"Wait!" said Ravi, but he didn't know what to say to her, and Rajiv came to the rescue.
"Ms. Leena, we don't know if those miscreants might come back. Why don't you stay in the house until it's daylight," said Rajiv.
"Are you sure?" she asked.
"Of course, you are our responsibility," said Rajiv. "Ravi, go upstairs to my bedroom and get a bedsheet and a blanket. Abhi, go to sleep."
Abhi left for the upstairs bedroom while Ravi followed him until his father's bedroom. At that moment, Rajiv took Leena to the guest bedroom that was previously used by Indrani. He opened the door, and they went inside.
"The room down the corridor is where my parents sleep," Rajiv informed her.
"Rajiv, it's not safe for you and the kids if I stay here. I will leave," pleaded Leena.
Rajiv grabbed her and pulled her towards his chest, tightly gripping her. "You are not going anywhere."
"Rajiv, I won't forgive myself if anything happens to them," she said, burying her face in his chest.
"Nothing will happen to them; I am here to protect all of you," Rajiv assured as he kissed her hair.
The door opened, and Ravi stepped in with the blankets.
"Amma, don't worry. Your sons are not kids anymore, well except Kiran. We are men now, and we know how to take care of ourselves, and we will take care of you," said Ravi.
Leena smiled at him.
"Acha, should we tell everyone who Amma is?" asked Ravi.
"Not until we sort everything out," said Leena before Rajiv could answer.
"Why? Let's just inform the kids and my parents; they will not spread the news if we tell them not to," said Rajiv, deep in thought.
"No, if they catch the kids, them not knowing that I am their mother is their only shield," said Leena.
YOU ARE READING
Secret wife
Romance"Why are you looking nervous?" Rajiv asked her. "Nothing", Leena replied. "Then why are you moving away from me?" he asked as she matched his steps and walked backward whenever he took a step towards her. "Nothing", she said and came to a halt with...
