SanDhir - Along Came She

CHAPTER 9 : Fate Beckons

"She followed her heart and lost her way,

She tried to escape before they could make her pay;

Fear gripped her soul, as fatigue took its toll,

But 'he' caught her, before she could fall;

She looked at his face and turned away,

You aren't the one, was all she wanted to say.

She needed a hand, a hand to hold;

And there 'HE' was, her beacon of hope.

She reached for him and ran into his arms,

He held her tight and made her feel warm.

Silence engulfed them as they spoke no words,

'She' was 'his' and 'he' was 'hers'!

----*----

7 PM.

She sat unmoving, staring blankly at the piece of parchment in her hand.

"If you want to know the truth about your parents, meet me at 'Masjid Road', tonight at 8PM and come alone."

The truth about 'his' parents....those are words that baffled her. What truth? And why was he carrying this in his bag?

Sanyukta Agarwal realized that there was something fishy going on...Randhir was hiding something. But what?

She looked around for Kaustuki, but the latter had gone to the library. Having no other choice, Sanyukta went to the next room and knocked.

"Come in.." came Vidushi's voice.

"Hey" greeted Sanyukta, "Umm...can I ask u something?"

"Sure, go ahead" replied the former, a bit surprised.

"Do you happen to know where this 'Masjid Road' might be?"

Vidushi narrowed her eyes and replied, "Yes...it's an hour away from here. Why do you ask?"

Sanyukta was expecting that question and had already formed a reply, "Oh I just have relatives over there...I was thinking of visiting them..."

Vidushi looked at her suspesciously before saying, "You are lying..."

"Eh....what? Why would I lie?"

"Because 'Masjid Road' is home to criminals, drug mafias, human-traffickers, smugglers and what not....Are you saying your relatives fall in any of those categories?"

Sanyukta's confidence was replaced by fear. Was Vidushi right? If yes, then what connection did Randhir have with the place?

"Are you sure about what you just said?"she asked.

"Of course I am Sanyukta. I grew up around that area...There is a 'Chor Bazaar' there...It's cheap and dangerous. It's the last place you would want to be. And again I ask, why are you so curious about 'Masjid Road'?"

"I actually wanted to go to the 'chor bazaar'...I was just a bit hesitant to tell you. But thank u. I won't go since it isn't safe" Sanyukta lied without batting an eyelid. Vidushi believed her!

"As you say...There is nothing to be ashamed of...Being poor...We are in the same boat...But see where that boat has landed us...FMC!"

Sanyukta smiled and left. Vidushi was nice when she wasn't prying.