You and I - a pranushka tale

chapter thirty-five

"It's not safe." Jennifer replied, her lips pressing against each other tightly as she sat stiffly back against the table in her office. She knew from the moment she met Mithrah that she would have a powerful impact on the magazine. What she didn't expect was for Mithrah to return the very same day and tell her she's decided what the genre of the new section was going to be. More than that, crime was the last thing she had expected.

"It's not safe, yeah," Mithrah reiterated, knowing the consequences that could arise with this new venture. But she was willing to take the risk. It was a matter of if Jennifer would allow her. "But you wanted something new for this magazine. So far Vision has been covering mainly relationships, health and fashion. These are the typical topics covered by most lifestyle magazine aimed at women. Crime would break this norm. It would mean Vision would be placed in a whole other league. Women care about the criminal activity in this city just as much as men. We need to cater to that."

She could tell from the way Meera was beginning to smile that Jennifer's mind was slowly changing. The frown on her face was easing and she could almost see the way Jennifer's mind was working behind her eyes. She knew it would only be a few more minutes before she had her boss' support.

"It's more than just about the readers as well," Mithrah added slowly. Seeing the drugs being transported almost switched a light bulb in her head. The past few days she had just wanted to simply start writing for the magazine. But after everything that she had been seeing since arriving, it was more than just a job. She wanted to have an impact. "I have been seeing so much criminal activity. I don't know why everyone turns a blind eye or why nothing is being done. Journalism has the power to bring down an empire. We as writers know this. If the police are turning a blind eye, doesn't mean we should as well."

Jennifer sighed deeply before she smiled, appearing like an older sister. "You really are meant for this career, aren't you?" She asked as Meera put her thumbs up, knowing the request was definitely accepted. "Okay. I support you on this. I just need you to be aware of the risks this will bring."

Mithrah felt like laughing. She grew up with risk entering her life like the morning sun. There wasn't a day where she knew her life wasn't in danger. But before she could begin to even plan anything and figure out a path of safety, she realised her knowledge on the goal was limited. "Who is Michael?" She finally asked. The question had been on the tip of her tongue since Meera had pointed the men out.

Jennifer grimaced. "I am guessing he's your main aim."

Mithrah nodded with a mischievous grin. Might as well go big than go home.

Meera was more than happy to provide the details that Jennifer appeared reluctant to begin on. "Michael is a pretty powerful man in this city. He is capable of anything. Money laundering, protection racketeering and of course he's the most notorious hit man here."

Jennifer shot Meera a look. "You look awfully impressed there."

Meera smiled sheepishly as she shrugged. "He is terrible. But everything he's done...it is impressive. He had nothing when he left his village. Look at him now. He's come such a long way and he's never been caught. It's quite the cv to have." She added wryly as the three women laughed.

Mithrah nodded in agreement. A villain had to be appreciated where credits were due. "It is in a way wrongfully admirable. But that's got to change. We found a spot where they have been hiding drugs. We should use that as the beginning to crack the wall around Michael."

"What are we going to do about that location?" Meera asked, pointing at the little post-it notes they stuck on the wall which had the address of where they found the building. "Are we going to report it to the police? Or publish it on the first crime article?"