Brute's Paradise

Chapter 41 - "Dead end?..NO!"

As we step into Aryamaan's cabin, an unexpected sight makes me frown. Aryamaan is a Mafia Don. Not some small-time criminal hiding in the shadows. The underworld across Manhattan, Boston and New York is said to answer to him. There is hardly an evil deed I can imagine him being incapable of committing. And that is precisely why I hate him. I have always wanted Manik to stay as far away from Aryamaan as possible. But now, ironically, Manik has willingly stepped into the very world I had been trying to keep him away from. If it were only about me, perhaps I could have walked away from Manik for this. Perhaps. But I can't. That is my problem. I can't leave him...not when I know that walking away might push him even deeper into this darkness. I cannot abandon him to a world I fear. I am not merely his wife. I am his anchor. His guardian star. And if necessary, I will be the light he follows back home. Still, nothing could have prepared me for what I see inside Aryamaan's cabin. Honestly, I had expected something straight out of a mafia movie. Aryamaan sitting behind a massive desk, surrounded by armed henchmen. Men with guns tucked beneath their jackets. Perhaps a couple of machine guns lying casually within reach. A phone pressed to his ear while he calmly negotiates some illegal deal involving millions of dollars. Yes...that was the picture I had created in my head. But reality has a strange sense of humour. There are no gunmen. No weapons. No threatening-looking men lurking in the corners. Instead, sitting opposite Aryamaan's desk are a few nuns and elderly sisters. And they aren't discussing drugs, weapons or some mysterious underworld deal. They are discussing charity. Food drives. Donations. A programme for underprivileged children. I blink. Once. Twice. Did we somehow walk into the wrong cabin? Aryamaan sits comfortably in his revolving chair, listening to them with surprising patience and complete attention. There is not even a hint of the ruthless Mafia Don I had imagined. For a moment, I simply stare at him. This is...unexpected. Very unexpected. Our arrival finally pulls his attention away from the conversation. His eyes move towards Manik first. For the briefest fraction of a second, an affectionate smile touches his lips. Then his gaze shifts to me. The smile disappears. His expression changes almost imperceptibly, as though he has suddenly noticed an unexpected complication walking into his perfectly controlled world. Well...Unexpected guest. Me. Of course. His eyes remain fixed on mine for a moment before he gestures towards the chairs, silently asking us to sit. Manik gently guides me towards the chair beside the nuns. Still trying to make sense of what I have just witnessed, I sit down beside them. My eyes instinctively return to Aryamaan. The Mafia Don. The man I have always feared. The man I have never trusted. And the man who, at this very moment, is discussing charity with a group of nuns as though this is the most ordinary thing in the world. My thoughts are interrupted by Aryamaan's voice as he addresses Manik."

"Manik, let me introduce my guests to you."

He gestures towards the nuns seated across his desk.

"They're from St. Catherine's Cathedral School. They're organising a charity show to raise funds for an old-age home. They were hoping we could contribute."

Manik doesn't hesitate. He mouths instantly,

"Of course. Count me in."

Aryamaan gives him a faint smile, picks up his chequebook and writes down a generous amount without a second thought. He tears out the cheque and slides it across the table. The nuns exchange surprised, grateful glances.

"Thank you so much. Your generosity will help many people."

The senior Nun says. After a few more words of gratitude, the nuns and sisters take their leave. Nandini watches them walk out, then turns towards Aryamaan. For the first time, she finds herself looking at him differently. Perhaps the man she had labelled a monster has a side to him she never knew existed. And strangely... she feels a little awkward about judging him so one-sidedly. Maybe there is more to Aryamaan than she thought. Before she can dwell on that thought, Aryamaan turns towards Manik.