CHECKMATE

Chapter 26

"Tell me..." Demanded Anjali once more.

But Pratap simply didn't answer her and kept glancing at the side mirrors to check if they were being followed. Just then his phone rang and he picked it up  immediately.

"I'm Inspector Singh, commissioner Khan's friend. He told me what's going on....my constables have investigated a bit and those goons belong to Kavish. Have you messed with the man?"

"Not really but now I will." Replied Pratap. "He has gotten on my nerves."

"After that illegal redevelopment case...Kavish is behind you." Came the inspectors reply from the other end.

"Hmm....he had some shares in that project but had to lose it because he pinned everything on Jadeja."

Anjali glanced at her husband through the corner of her eyes and frowned thinking, oh...so this is his first wife's call. Workaholic...

"I've managed to nab few goons and.... they've...."

"Hello? I can't hear you!" Exclaimed Pratap and saw that there was no network.

He tried to call once more but neither of them could reach the other.

"I'm tired...let's go back to the hotel." Sulked Anjali.

He had taken her for a long drive and now she was annoyed with him again thanks to the phone call.

He glanced at her for a moment and then said, "Ok...fine...there are goons behind me."

"Then could you not have told me before?" She asked looking at him.

"I didn't want to ruin our honeymoon..." He sighed. "You'd start worrying."

"Pratap when you don't tell me things that's when I get worried." She implied. "And who sent those thugs behind you?"

"Somebody....."

"Hmmm.... Kavish...I know...." She snapped throwing a glare at him.

Pratap exhaled sharply and nodded. He put his foot on the break but it didn't work.

"SHIT!" He cursed and sharply turned the wheel, preventing the car from ramming into the truck ahead.

"What's wrong?" Asked Anjali furrowing her brows in anxiousness.

"The brakes have failed umm...I won't be able to stop the car so jump out."

"WHAT! NO!" She shouted.

"I'm slowing down the car. Jump out."

"I'm not going without you." She insisted stubbornly.

"Anjali...for goodness sake...nothing will happen to me. Jump out." Insisted Pratap once more.

"No." She replied once more shaking her head.

Pratap sighed in defeat and said, "Fine. Hold the wheel." Saying that, he scrambled to the back seat. "Slow down the car..."

"It's not slowing down. It's become faster. Someone's really tampered with the brakes and accelerator." Replied Anjali glancing back at Pratap.

"Come here." He insisted give her his hand.

"But if I leave the wheel the car can spin out of control." She insisted. "Why don't you..."

"Just shut up." He snapped and grabbed her hand pulling her behind.

Opening the door he grabbed Anjali's arm and jumped down from the speeding car. He held her close to him as they rolled over on the side of the desolate road, which were covered with trees and tall bushes.