Pranbir Short Story Collection

Exposing the culprit

[Author's Note - I so wanted to see a scene like this but I really don't have much hope of ever seeing something like this. So, I have penned it down instead. Hope you all like it]

Darkness was gradually encompassing the isolated orchard as the sun had retired for the day and even it's glow had faded away.

An expensive car screeched to a halt and a young girl disembarked from the vehicle, clad in a stylish grey western outfit. She checked her watch tensely and glanced around.

Suddenly, someone standing under the even darker shadow of a tree attracted her attention.

Furious, the girl strode off towards the silhouette. As her feet ate up the distance, the silhouette turned out to be a girl in a stylish blue western outfit with her hair left open.

"How dare you? You are blackmailing me? Me, Rhea Mehra? Maya Choubey, I'm gonna destroy you." Rhea blustered.

"Careful Rhea. Because if I'm doomed I'm gonna take you down with me too. How nice it will be if Ranbir's family and your family both come to know about the real mastermind behind the molestation case on Ranbir Kohli, isn't it?" Maya's voice held a sinister edge which warned Rhea that she could actually act on her threat.

"What do you want?" There was a tremble in Rhea's voice.

"I want something that only you can give me." Maya's tone brooked no argument.

"What is it? Do you want more money?" There was impatience in Rhea's voice.

"No." Maya turned to face her but since she was deep under the shade of the tree where darkness was more pronounced, her face wasn't visible.

"Jewellery?" Rhea's impatience rose.

"No." There was a strange determination in Maya's voice.

"Then what?" Rhea's impatience was rapidly transforming into anger.

"Ranbir Kohli." The reply was instant and clear.

And yet Rhea just couldn't believe her ears. She just couldn't believe the audacity of the girl whom she had recruited to ensure Ranbir's return to her. And this girl was delusional enough to think that she will give him the person she had gone through so much trouble to get herself?

"Are you crazy? You are asking Ranbir from me?" Rhea gaped at Maya in utter disbelief.

"Yes. He is handsome and rich. Just what I have always wished my husband will be. So, yeah. I want Ranbir Kohli." Maya was determined to have her own way.

"Then you are demented and delusional. You think I will give my Ranbir to you after doing so many things to get him. In your dreams, girl." Rhea could feel her temper rising.

"What did you do? I was the one who did everything to frame Ranbir in that fake molestation case. So, I should be the one to get him." Maya's voice had a strange hard edge to it.

"You! You did all that because I gave you money for it. Oh yes! I paid you to frame Ranbir. That's why you did it. It was me and Buji who made the whole plan and acted on it. So that Prachi would mistrust Ranbir and Ranbir, in turn, would start hating her and come back to me. I did all that to snatch Ranbir away from Prachi. I have tried so many things to separate them. I even framed Prachi in that mms scandal in cahoots with that hooligan, Sanju. And you think after doing all these things, I will let Ranbir go? NEVER." Rhea was breathing heavily as rage filled her every vein.

"I thought you are just a spoilt brat. Childish, stubborn, selfish. But never thought that you could be a downright evil person. Just to satiate your obsession you were ready to spoil the reputation and life of an innocent person? One whom you have known all your life? What kind of a person are you? What kind of a woman are you?" An anger roughened voice chastised Rhea.