Present Day
Evening- 16:00 Hrs.
Transoms Headquarters, Barakhamba Road
'Are you listening to me? Still waters begin to stink if left unchecked.' the man on the other end spoke in one breath.
'Yes, yes they do.' She sighed and strolled ahead.
Beyond that glass door stood the office of Transoms. She strode ahead, burying every emotion inside and plastering a tender smile outside. Heading straight, only this time, she took a tiny pause by the reception.
'Hello!' she greeted.
'Well hello there, Miss.' the receptionist greeted back. 'How can I help you today?' he entreated.
'I am here for an interview with Mr. Dev Sen. Would you be kind enough to tell me which way, please?' She gently pushed the eyeglasses up her nose in a rather nerdy manner but given her attitude the outcome was entirely different. It turned out exactly the way she desired, hitting at just the right place.
'Of course dear, I will. Let me see the appointments for today. There! You must be Alex.' She dazzled him with an affirming smile.
'Great then, I'll take you to him myself.' He was out and by her side in no time, quite like she expected.
'That's so nice of you.' She complemented pretentiously.
In the interim she used the extra seconds of his movement to place the briefcase, which she had been carrying, on the floor. Out of sight just enough to dissuade the passers until her smooth exit. To keep up with the power of dissuasion for the one bamboozled by her presence she dexterously clutched the handle of her laptop bag,and with a quick drag, pulled it down her shoulder. That laptop bag henceforth became the perfect hoax for the briefcase.
'Shall we then, mister...?' she paused for a quick intro.
'Aditya, just Aditya.' he voiced sheepishly.
'Aditya' she confirmed in the British accent quite like every other word while conversing. 'So Aditya, shall we?'
'Yes... yes, of course.' he trembled but led towards the office.
They walked silently for a couple of seconds when he held the door for her to enter. She was about to step in but was intruded by the sound of someone calling behind her. Aditya jolted at the sound of his name. They turned back to face the caller.
'Err... Miss, it seems you have forgotten your briefcase.' Shocked at the failure in dissuasion per the plan she stood there trying hard to conceal hersurprisewith a humble expression.
'So what if you forgot the briefcase? It's normal.' She heard his words through the Bluetooth devise. He had skipped fast through the opening and stressed harder than usual towards the end, specifically the last word. 'Take the case, thank him and proceed. The game of eye spy is on. Go ahead...' He instructed.But it was more of a reminder than command.
She raised her head, wore a smile and turned around to face the man. She was greeted by a smile of not one but two men staring back at her. It did not matter anymore. All she knew was that another plan was in the making.
'Oh God, I totally missed it. How forgetful of me!' she spoke pretentiously for herself and very genuinely for others. 'Thank you, mister. Have it not been for you I would have missed this case and with it- my important documents. Now that would have really got me into a fuss with my editor.' She extended her palm rather furiously while accepting her briefcase. But her smile easily concealed that side of her expressions.'So, thank you.' She spoke in gratitude with every hint of sarcasm.
YOU ARE READING
ZAHANA
Mystery / ThrillerSimple life is a myth. Easy catch is a decoy. Beliefs are whims and truths are ploy. 'Who is Zahana Shah?' is the very question raking her psyche after spending years hightailing across Europe. In an alter life she was an artist selling her artifac...
