Raat Akeli Hai | 𝒂𝒏𝒖𝒓𝒂𝒋

XXIV. dark secret & the letter

dimple :

And I finally escaped.
The party was almost over.
I was walking down the road just outside the huge suffocating mansion.
I had become used to suffocation though, but still. I refused to stay in the same zone anymore.

It was a starry night, clear sky, soft cool breeze.
I had worn a blue gown, simple velvet. Nothing too glamourous.
I drew in a deep breath.
I had just finished the dance with Sumedh ji, and decided to stride out to avoid any more discomfort.

The man looked exactly like my late husband. Despite none of his mannerisms matching the loving, simple Samar - Sumedh made it extremely difficult for me to ignore him.
The distinct arrogance, charming smirk, the evil twin rendition of my Samar seemed like a narcotic drug.

Even since I had seen him, he had stuck in my mind, almost painfully.
And then there was Titu. He loved me, I too felt for him but I refused to accept him.

It was not just because of Papa. I was not someone who got dominated over that easily unless I let people.
Deep down I was unsure about Titu, I knew. He was good, no doubt. But so was my first husband who abandoned me.
How could I trust? Why would someone with no baggage at all love the mother of child? I had seen Anuj sir, and the example hadn't been ideal.

I took another step when I heard footsteps behind me.
The road was dimly lit. His mansion was in the countryside, far away from people and noises.

I paused, feeling my heart skip a beat.
I turned back.
No one.

I turned in front when I suddenly felt the cold tip of something on my forehead.
I froze.
There stood a man before me, masked face. Looking at me with bloodshot eyes.

A few men appeared from behind him.
Armed.

I suddenly seemed to have lost my voice.
"She is Shershah's family member?", The man before me asked in a thick Arabic accent.
"Hmm."
"Take-"

He could not complete.
I stared, dumbfounded as the man fell onto the ground. A gunshot in the centre of his forehead.

"Jahanpanah bol.", I heard the voice loud and clear from behind me.
The other mind, three or four of them charged behind me.
I turned to find Sumedh. In the same tuxedo that he had been wearing, and danced with me in.
He held a gun in his hand, the silencer attached to its tip.

He effortlessly pulled the trigger and the men fell to the ground.

The last man was left.
He looked panicked as he removed his mask and fell down on his knees before Sumedh.

"Badshah ne bheja.. Jaane do humko..", He said sobbing in fear.
Sumedh placed the gun to his head.
"Upar jaakar upar wale ko mera salaam kehna.", He said. His lips curved into a crooked smile.

His accent has drastically shifted.
The American was gone, his accent was an unfiltered Indian one, something like Mumbaikers.
As if he had been faking it all this while.

I was shivering in fear.
Was this a nightmare?

Sumedh pulled the trigger.
The boy fell to the ground.
Lifeless.

Sumedh pulled out his phone and dialed a number.
The call was on loudspeaker. He didn't seem to notice my existence.

"Kya Badshah.. aise bekar ke bandon ko bhejkar hone wale Shehenshah ko harayenge aap?", He said, sounding amused.
These were code names.
Obviously.