Sacred Heart

7.

Continues ringing of the phone disturbs her sleep. She whines and tries to search for a pillow or something she can cover her ears with to guard the ringing sound. It is irritating her. It stops for a few seconds before it starts ringing again. Mannat gives up on her sleep. Somehow she sits up, trying to fight the sleep and looks for the device with half open eyes. It is placed on the table, beside her handbag.

Walking, she takes it and narrows her eyes at the name displayed on the screen.

Why is Kashi calling her? They met only a few hours back.

Accepting the call, she greets in a professional tone. "Hello, Ms. Rao. How can I help you?"

"Yes, Ms. Mir. We have an urgent meeting with Nalini ma'am in one hour. She has called for us at her home. I hope you aren't busy right now, because we definitely have to attend this as a team." Came her words from the device. Mannat didn't miss the way Kashi stressed on the word team. In a few days, their interaction has taken a profoundly wrong direction. They have argued on each and every topic and decision. There is always a clash between them as none of them shies away from proving against the other. Not her, not Mannat.

"Obviously I should," Mannat mutters, her eyes swaying to the clock. She still have time before dinner to attend the meeting.

"Okay, I'll be there by six. See you." Mannat cuts the call without waiting further. She drags herself to the bathroom and stands infront of the mirror. The conversation from the dinner last week playing in her mind. After observing Kashi for the past week, Mannat knows that she has painted her picture to others so well that people take her pretense of truth as her real one. She has no intention of doing or being involved with charity or good work. She doesn't care. It is just a way to get closer to people around her. Just like she is instructed that night.

Mannat looks at her own reflection in the mirror.

"Who is the target Kashi?"

She needs to find the answer.

Half an hour later Mannat walk down the stairs with the laptop and phone. No-one is around this time. Either they are out or in their respective rooms. Finding the maid working there, she asks for her mother. She is told that her mother and aunt are sitting at the pool area with her grandmother.

As told she find them around the pool area and surprisingly with Ahad and Asher sitting with them. Her aunt smiles at her when she nears them.

Her mother looks at the devices in her hand, "are you going somewhere Mannat?" She questions. Everyone waits for her answer.

Mannat looks at her and nods. "Yes," she tells her and then looks at her grandmother, who has her eyes fixed on Mannat before looking back at her mother, "Nalini aunty has called us for a meeting. So I came here to inform. I'll be home before dinner." She informs.

Mannat expected a snark or rude behaviour but surprisingly she nods without showing any unpleasantness. "Okay. Be home before dinner then." Her mother says, shocking her. She covers her expression and nods slowly. Turning on her heels, she makes her way out of their house. Mittal house is located in the same locality, just a few kilometres away from her's. Manoj stands there with other guards as she rounds the garden area.and reaches him.

"Let's go."

Mannat walks ahead with him following behind. She refuses to take any guards with her right now. Him following her is enough, just like he always had.

The sky turns into a palate of colours, scattered in different ways with clouds floating around, enhancing the beauty. The plants sways gently with the breeze and chirping of birds can be heard from distance. The area is dawned with peace, refreshing the mind. A peace settled down in her as she finds herself lost in the calmness of her sorrounding.