The Weeping Stars

New Troubles

As usual, Indra woke up early. He lay tensed for a while, trying to locate his surroundings. In a moment, the smell of damp, mixed with the smell of sex pervaded his senses, bringing him crashing down to reality. He turned around to look at the Sleeping form beside him. Is it possible for anyone to look so beautiful? And the beauty belonged to him. The thought filled him with immense satisfaction. After years of waiting, finally she is his. He had never felt so possessive, but today he could cheerfully wring the neck of anyone who even dared to look at his wife.

'Wife', the word brought him immense satisfaction. She is his wife, his perfect match, the girl he would spend the rest of his life with. He relaxed in his pillow and started to make plans for the day. He would love to take her out of this room for a picnic in the forest. Maybe they can sit near the pond and spend the day talking. He needs to clear a lot of things up. He knew she resented the high handed way this marriage was arranged and executed. Maybe she will see the reason when she knows the cause.

Suddenly his phone starts beeping. It was a call from Ishaan. What does he want now?

Indra sprang out of the bed and moved away. 

'What is it?'

'Indra, Usha's Dad is here. He wants to meet you. We told him you are busy. But he is willing to wait. He simply refuses to go. How fast can you get here?'

Indra frowned at the phone. What did he want now. As far as he knew Usha's Dad was busy in the city. Why the sudden appearance?

'Why do you think he is there?' Indra asked.

'I think he has suspected something. Maybe you should come and meet him, you will have more success in getting him to talk'.

Indra cursed under his breath. He just cannot leave Isha. Maybe he should wake her up. But she looks so tried. Let her sleep. He will return quickly.

'Keep him busy. I will be there in a couple of hours'

Indra got ready quickly. He cast another regretful glance back at the bed and left swiftly.

Before exiting he gave his men specific instructions. 

He boarded a small boat with a couple of his men. The boat took him to a narrow waterway. The banks were full of tall grasses that can easily hide a tiger. The jungle beyond seldom sees any human. Which is why Indra chose this place for his secret hideout all those years ago. For now the jungle served as a perfect fortress. But for how long he wondered.

Indra's progress out of the canal was carefully monitored by Rudra. Usually he never bothers doing his dirty work with his own hands, but this time it's personal. He needed to know what the high-and-mighty Banerjee was doing here. It was a lucky chance that one of his men had spotted some activity in the area last night. It was also a surprise to know that the senior Banerjee had used his boat last night. The small network of spies that he had hired had come in handy. He needed to know what they were up to. The marriage between the families changes nothing. He still hates Indra and would love to do him great harm. Maybe he can kill him next time he catches him alone. But right now he needs to see what in the island. 

They landed on the island without any trouble. The island looked inhabited. If he had not seen Indra depart from it, he would have doubted there is anything here. They spanned out noiselessly and started their search.

3 hrs later...

The men had just finished clearing the first room when some men rushed in. 

Raghu, Indra's trusted strongman, looked up in alarm.

'What is it?', he asked in a deceptively soft voice.

'Some men, around 50, heavily armed, have entered the island and searching it'

Raghu stood up languidly.

'How long do we have'

'An hour before they reach here'

Raghu did a swift calculation. Another hour before they find the entrance. So they have literally 2 hours to wipe out Isha's whereabouts.

'They have captured our boats'

This piece of information did not bode well.

Raghu smiled, 'They have planned well'.

He instructed two of his men to be I the top room, while the rest retreated further below. There they formed split the group in three parts. One part would depart the lighthouse to find shelter in the trees to await nightfall. The second group would set up camp in the other side of the island and disguise as fishermen. The third group, comprising of him and his son, will save Isha.

But first he needs to inform Indra.