Together Forever (indefinite hold)

Essence of Time (Part 20)

Until we can understand the assumptions in which we are drenched we cannot know ourselves. And this drive to self-knowledge for woman, is more than a search for identity: it is part of her refusal of the self destructiveness of a male dominated society. A radical woman with feminism in her impulse would understand how we have been living, how we have been led to imagine ourselves and how we can begin to see — and therefore live — afresh.

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Ayesha looked around to check that nobody is watching them before pulling her teammates in to the house and bolting the door. 

Ayesha- What happened?

She asked, concerned and curios at the same time. However before anyone of Riya or Sakshi could reply, the boys filed into the room, each surprised to see the girls like that. Not wanting to have an all out discussion in the lounge Rathore decided to intervene before the conversation caught flow. 

Rathore- In the meeting room...Now!

They all knew the protocol, Shree and Ayesha went on to close all the curtains while Arjun opened the secret door, he stepped in followed by Rathore and the others. 

Shree- Sir I have paged Chotu and Liza, they should be here soon. 

Rathore nodded and motioned his hand for everyone to take a seat, and everyone did so...obediently...even Arjun. Arjun wanted to know what had happened. He was eager to, his curiosity was reaching its peak and so was his concern. Therefore he decided to do as told to avoid getting into useless and time wasting conversations.

Sakshi felt nervous...extremely nervous she did not know what to say, as the room fell silent she could feel her team members curious gazes on her and Riya as if demanding answers. She looked nervously at Riya who placed her hand on top of her palm and passed a reassuring smile. 

Riya- Sir woh

Before she could continue Chotu and Liza entered through the door, specially designed for them and took their place around the table. They already had gist of what had happened thanks to Shree. They too were concerned and came as soon as possible.

Riya took a deep breath and then started again

Riya- Hum log market jaa rahe the tab achanak ek I mean two men came from nowhere and pulled us into an isolated alley. They put us at knife point and so we ran from there and came back.

Rathore- What do you mean at knife point!? why? do you remember how they look?

Rathore asked, a little stumped at the explanation

Arjun- Riya koyi tareeka hota hai kuch batane ka?

Arjun said extremely annoyed, his patience was runhning thin and he was eagerly anticipating a civil answer.

Riya sighed, she had tried to escape with a vague answer, she had forgotten how sharp her bosses were. She inhaled a deep, long breath and went on to narrate everything in precise detail. 

Rathore- Oh my god, tum dono thik ho na??

Rathore asked, concerned laced in his voice, for him his team was family, a family he had the duty to protect. The two of them nodded. 

Ayesha- Lekin yaha peh koyi nahi jaanta hum kon hai, fir koyi aisa kyu karega. 

Chotu- Maybe they were just road side criminals

Sakshi- No, they were Sikanders men

Sakshi who had been quite so far finally spoke up. 

Liza- Tumhe kaise pata?