A Sew Through Time [Banbudh And Budbak]

47: Fraud vs Frayed

Every violinist drew down their breathe. Their performance had ended. A polite wave of claps followed, neither too loud, nor any softer, after which all the musicians were made to exit. The band party began playing Bollywood music outside whose beats catered to the percussion of Vijaywada's footsteps.

Sitting across the long marble table was Dr. Laxmi- older than the time she had visited the school, months younger before the disaster. Lifting her face, she heard the faint ceremonial sound muffled by the thick pillars. There was whispering exchanged through facundity right above her head, once she had even heard a giggle or two, leaving her wondering what they looked like. It would be of no harm if she lifted her head a little higher.

The gun forced her sight down. So near it was next to her skull she heard the barrel ticking away before clogging into place, as it pushed her face down again. She felt Ajay exert more pressure on her shoulder. Candleflames trapped in iron cages flickered on their faces and from movements all around them. There were fumes but no flame.

Vijaywada pressed over his linen kurta, making his golden wristchains clink. Picking up a red cherry from the variegated bowl, he stared into the flesh before shifting his eyes over her. There was a man in white kurta on his right side smoking a cigar and ridiculing Ajay for looking so remorseful.

The middle aged MLA prepared his betel leaves while asking, "Had there been any problem coming here? Doctor?"

Ajay subtly shook his head.

He laughed out and put the leaves into his case, "If you had build something like her machine, maybe then you would be considered," He looked at Laxmi, "She will agree with me"

Ajay shut his eyes, feeling the gaze on the drop of cold sweat trickling down the back of his neck. It were the guns staring down at him. A cream coloured parchment was slowly swept to the other side. It bore a blood red stamp whose ink leaked through the bearer's name, making the lawyers peer into it with glasses as thick as pickle-jar bottoms. Underneath was a white paper lined with flowery borders and deep brown ink.

As if something were flowery about this, Laxmi thought. She noticed Ajay who had seemingly avoided looking at the last contract. She was intrigued.

"Miss. Srivastava!" Vijaywada lauded like he was complimenting his blood relative, "How beautiful you look tonight"

"That was awkward" she sighed, "What else?"

"Much more than our formalities" he kept the cherry down, "Where's that saree from? I think my mother wore that same design tonight. Trending among ladies huh?"

The officials above showed an air of agreement.

"Why?"

"I might recommend one to my wife"

She pointed at him, "Would you ever, with that whole gourd sized body, come back to us if you slipped yourself out of her entry?"

"No Laxmi-" Ajay spoke out when Sircar slammed the table and shouted,

"Is this how you talk bitch?!"

"There ya go"

Smoke blew out of Sircar's pipe like a steam engine when a few calmed him down and set him back on his chair like a baby with a bib. They offered him the glass of the wine, which he snatched, drank it all and set it down on the marble.

"Ignore him doctor" the MLA began chewing, "Aaj uska bheja fry hogaya hai"

"I can see that"

"You're a reputed person, doctor. It's an honour for all of us that you met us and transfer the patent to our care" He leaned back and rubbed his kneecap, "We'll make sure to keep it responsibly"