CHECKMATE

Chapter 35

Pratap was pacing the hospital lobby to and fro until his eyes went on the TV.

"I believe that Mr. Shivendra Rathore should resign as the CEO." Said one of the reporters on screen. "CM Ranveer what do you have to say regarding this."

"I think if one cannot maintain their goodness when in power, he or she should step down." Said Ranveer with a smile.

"Mr. Ranveer you have always worked for the upliftment of the down trodden, you have also built numerous schools and colleges in Rajasthan. Do you think that just like you, Mr. Vinayak Rathore should take over?" Asked the anchor.

"Vinayak will be good," shrugged Ranveer.

"But previously the company went bankrupt. What do you have to say about that?"

Ranveer smiled saying, "The frozen foods that was previously handled by Vinayak was bankrupted by Shivendra."

Pratap's eyes widened in bafflement but he continued watching the television.

"How could you say that this was done by the CEO of Rathore Enterprises?" Asked an equally perplexed anchor.

"Madam," he began with yet another one of his annoyingly charming smile. "The money and maintenance required by the frozen foods section wasn't given by Mr. Rathore. Although the company was divided, the parent company ought to provide some funds for the others to thrive."

"Do you think that Mr. Shivendra Rathore should resign?" Demanded the anchor.

"What a leading question...." Muttered Pratap under his breath.

"Yes." Replied Ranveer with a firm look across his face. "If one cannot uphold a company then one must resign for the good of the people."

"Ah....what a politician!" Exclaimed Pratap in disgust. He shook his head and turned to continue his stride but stopped and turned to the TV once more thinking, why did Ranveer of all people given an interview? Why did Urmika come home? Why was I dragged in a dead end case and at the same time one of Shiv's employee was caught with rats! Shit! No!

Pratap had completely forgotten that Anjali was still inside and was about to run out when the doctor called out to him from behind.

"Mr. Sisodya."

Immediately Pratap stopped and turned around to the doctor and recollected that Anjali was inside.

"Your wife is pregnant." Smiled the doctor. "Congratulations."

Pratap broke into a huge smile and nodded at the doctor and went straight into the ward. Anjali blushed red and smiled at him.

Pratap gently put his arms around her and hugged her saying, "Anjali now you...must take special care of yourself."

"What about that case? Where you...."

"Stop worrying." He reassured as they payed at the reception and left the hospital.

They sat in the car and he glanced at her for a moment saying, "I...think you should stay in your parents house."

"Why?" She asked frowning at him.

Pratap started the car and began driving as he continued, "Because staying with me isn't safe now."

"Still you are talking nonsense! No I'm staying..."

"Listen first." He said in a rather serious voice. "The one behind all these incidents is Ranveer and if he could stoop to have a woman killed only to involve me in a separate mess than he is capable of doing anything to you."

"Who Ranveer? The CM!" She exclaimed and he nodded without glancing at her.

"I don't really know what he's up to but whatever it is it's going to be dangerous." He replied.

Anjali looked anxious and she said, "Can't we just go away somewhere far. You yourself know that none of this has anything to do with us."

"He's my friend Anjali." Replied Pratap glancing at her for a moment. "Moreover if people like Ranveer come into power the country is as good as doomed."

"All politicians are the same." She retorted. "Let's go to US."

"Go ahead, I need to settle things here." He replied making her shout aloud, "DON'T YOU GET IT IM SCARED!"

Pratap sighed aloud and parked the car once they reached home. Before he could say anything, Anjali snatched the keys from his hand marched towards the door, opened it and slammed it shut on Pratap's face.

"Anjali! Open the door..." He pleaded and then smacked his head groaning, "Wow! I'm kicked out of my own house..."

After a while Anjali opened the door and found Pratap still standing out with his hands folded across his chest.

"Feeling better?" He asked with a slight smile as he entered the house and shut the door.

"Sorry..." She sulked for her kiddish behaviour. "But I'm really scared that something will happen."

Pratap gently hugged her saying, "Nothing will happen, but I must put an end to this."

"How?" She asked with tears in her eyes. "And I want to help you."

"No I'll..."

"Yes I will." She replied adamantly. "I'm a forensic expert and I'm braver than you."

"But....ok...fine." Said Pratap shaking his head. "Just help me by staying safe. Ok?"

"But that's not..."

"Anjali do you seriously not understand the gravity of the situation?" He scolded. "Urmika came here thinking that she could create a misunderstanding so that I'll be caught up trying to patch up, I got hooked on a case for no reason only so that Ranveer can help Vinayak take over Rathore Enterprises. Do you understand what sort of situation is this?"

Anjali nodded her head like a small child and Pratap gently cupped her cheeks saying, "I will do this as long as you are safe."

Anjali glanced up at him with tears in her eyes and then hugged him saying, "Then better come alive out of this mess otherwise I'll kill you."

"I will." He reassured placing a kiss on her head.

That very evening, Anjali was sent to get parents home and Siddharth moved into Pratap's house.

"Ok...first the shares have plummeted."

"That's natural." Shrugged Pratap. "I suggest let's begin with that dead woman, like it or not Ranveer thinks he can get away with everything."

"The woman had no enemies how are you going to get any lead on her?" Asked Siddharth in curiosity.

Pratap played a recording on his phone and winked saying, "She's the woman who called me at 3:03 AM saying she's going to get killed. I've given commissioner Khan a copy of this voice recording and he's tracing the source."

"Aah once we have her we can try and throttle that criminal Ranveer." Smirked Siddharth.

"Bingo." Winked Pratap and then sighed, "Ranveer....Ranveer...let's play this game...."