Deviant (A Kabir/Pooja FF)

Chapter twenty six

Pooja had just finished finished her breakfast, when her phone started ringing.

Amma looked up from her newspaper to see what is up.

"No, what? Really? So soon?" said Pooja, sounding excited. "Yes, oh good. I'll be in the office in some time, and then we can go over the next step. Yes, yes, thank you so much. Your news made my morning."

"What happened, beta?" asked Amma, as Pooja hung up on her call.

"Amma, that was my secretary. We've just been informed at the office, that the Dada's formula and the medicine derived from it has received necessary government clearance for clinical trial. I, honestly, didn't expect it to be so soon, but they had records of the last time this formula was given permission for mass production. Last time P.K. had abused it, but the previous formalities were already in place. They were satisfied with testing the formula for themselves, the other regulatory work being done" said Pooja, happily.

"Hmm, still it's pretty soon, beta, I mean it's only been a few days since the press conference" said Amma. 

"I know, Amma. I asked and everything seems to be in order, but I'm a bit surprised too. In any case, I'm going to check out everything when I reach office. Amma, I'm so giddy, Dada's work will finally materialize, I'll be able to fulfill his dream" said Pooja. "I should relay this news to Rani as well. Where is she, though? I haven't seen her this morning."

Amma sighed. 

"Rani left for work early today. I saw her leaving when I was doing my prayers, you didn't, because you were in the lawn doing yoga. Rani....she's trying to distract herself and put all her bitter emotions in her work" said Amma.

"Oh" Pooja's face clearly registered surprise.

"Apparently, she had an altercation with Jai; I think he told her the same thing I did the other day, about getting over her feelings, only I think he was rather blunt with his words, obviously" said Amma. 

"Oh" said Pooja again. She didn't have a clear idea as to what was going on. 

"Oh, don't worry, Pooja beta. Rani got over Kabir long ago, and I think pretty soon she would get over her hurt pride as well" said Amma.

"Why would I worry about that, Amma? In fact, with Kabir in Delhi, we have even less to worry; he won't be a danger to us" said Pooja evasively.

"Hmm" said Amma. She didn't say anything, but she had noticed, how upset and lost Pooja seemed about the whole Kabir fiasco. In fact, it's the news of the medicine that brought the first smile to her face, since the press conference. 

"I'll leave now, Amma" said Pooja. "I'm getting late."

"Okay beta, and good luck with the medicine" said Amma.

Pooja nodded and made her way outside the house. 

If her mind hadn't been so preoccupied elsewhere, she would have noticed that someone was just hiding in the bushes, waiting to ambush her. 

A hand clamped on her mouth, and another pushed her backwards, into the trees. 

Pooja's bag, which had her cellphone, fell from her hand, as she struggled to free herself from the chokehold. She had been caught unawares.

But her assailant wasn't lucky for long. Pooja stilled and aimed a kick backwards, hitting her assailant's kneecap, loosening his hold on her. She grabbed the hand, shutting her mouth, and twisted it backward.

"Arghhhh" he screamed. 

Wait, I know that voice, thought Pooja. 

She freed herself completely, and threw him to the ground, in one heavy push.