The Draped Assassin

Chapter 31

It's been four days since the little rendezvous with Gopal. Zakir is working day and night to make a full proof plan. He's been working non stop until he falls asleep in his studies. Sometimes I would check on him and bring him to the bed. Let's say I'm kind of looking after Zakir like his mother would.

     I'm currently boiling some left over dal from yesterday until I hear the front door open and close. Zakir was back. I didn't even bother to look at him, as I kept stirring the pot. "Ms. Banerjee?" He called.

    "Mmhmm?" I replied, too focused on the dal.

     "Today at 2:00 pm Gopal shot himself." He announces. My movement stopped for a split second then I got back to my work. I can't let him know how much it affected me. No weakness, at least don't show it.

      "We need to come up with a new plan then." I said as I gulped away my tears. I turned off the stove as the smell of burnt dal reached my nostrils. But I didn't dare to turn towards Zakir, my eyes will give me away if I do.

      "We'll talk about it later, the main thing is, at 1:30 pm I found a letter on my table. Thank god Raghu didn't find it. Do you know who wrote it?" He asked as placed his hands on my shoulder from behind, in a punishing grip. "It was from Gopal for you. And it said that you shouldn't blame yourself for what happened. I needed to atone for my sins, and this was it. Take care of yourself my Rani. With love, Gopal." Zakir read out his letter. I shut my eyes close to stop my tears. "I guess this is where you give me the answers before I force you to. And trust me you won't like it." Zakir whispered in my ear with an underlying threat. Zakir's hands measured down my hands, once he reached my wrist he twisted them painfully.

         "Stop! Please!" I cried out, this wasn't from the physical pain, it was my mourn for Gopal's death. Zakir didn't flinch. He let go of my wrist and grabbed my neck the pushed me against the wall. I just cried louder, I can defend myself from this situation but I couldn't.
       
          "Miss. Banerjee who else did you tell?" He asked.
      
          "No one, I didn't even tell Gopal about you helping me. He must have figured it out himself."  I said through my sobs. "I ...I met him because I had to." I stuttered.
     
         Zakir's grip loosened a bit, "Why?" He demands. I give into him and tell him everything. Zakir's eyes were evidence of how furious he was. But he controlled himself. "You could have ruined our plan Ms. Banerjee." He said coldly. To which I just nod. 

          "Gopal killed himself because he knew I couldn't kill him. That's why he did it himself. He didn't wanted his blood on my hands." I said as my cries because more frantic. "I didn't want him to die!" I screamed as I fall on my knees crying uncontrollably. I wanted him to live but why did he killed himself ? It was so sudden! The Gopal I knew would never do it. I keep telling that to myself until Zakir wrapped his arms around me and rubbed circles on my back. Fuck fuck fuck fuck!

          "Ms. Banerjee what you did was extremely dangerous. If Lorenzo or Bianca would have known this incident they'd have killed you. I won't tell them. But from today onwards until the day we take out Raghu you'll be in house arrest." Zakir whispered. "And get your emotions together Ms. Banerjee, you don't look as driven as you looked before." I nod.

          Zakir picked me up effortlessly and placed on the bed. I curled up on the bed and hugged my pillow, hiding my face. Still sobbing a little. Zakir keeps caressing me hair until I fall asleep.

          Next day I stayed in my room while Zakir was busy with the gang works. According to Zakir, Raghu couldn't bear Gopal's death. He's not the only one. Zakir did promised to return at night, quiet late. And I have by that time I need to get a hold of myself. As if it was that easy. Before Zakir left in the morning he said, "You look way to devastated for a girl whose rapist shot himself due to his guilt." That stabbed a knife in my heart.  I wanted to kill Gopal too few days ago. Then why am I feeling devastated now that he is no more? Soon my brain crowded with his memories and a cried for the whole day until Zakir was back.

         I was almost asleep when Zakir got back. I could feel his gaze on me while my eyes was closed. I could also feel his kiss on my lips and could hear his whispers, "I hope my enemies don't go through what you are going through." He kissed my lips again slowly moved toward my jaw and neck. I immediately stirred a little, pretending to be asleep, and he pulled back. He got into the bed beside me and wrapped his arms around my waist then caressed my stomach for a while before he fell asleep.

         I open my eyes and the only question that played in my brain is, "Will I ever be free from these memories?"

          
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What?!!!!!

Honestly I felt my heart rip out while writing this chapter.