Opposite Poles...Part 71

Part 71

He was punched sqare on the face and his torch fell down.  He tried to pick it up. 

“Madamji..!” he yelled.  Khushi was dragged in the darkness.  She went numb not knowing what was going on.  She prayed…!  The faint growl somewhere nearby became louder and louder.  She tried to wrench herself free in vain.  She couldn’t see anyone in the darkness.  The growl turned into bark.  So loud and so near!  The grip on her wrist tightened and the drag became more forceful.  She could see two figures.  The barking became louder and deafening.  She could sense a fight.

“Shuu….Shuuu!” the person dragging her stopped abruptly trying to shoo away.  Khushi screamed, “Kutteji…!”  The bark reduced to a fierce growl and the next moment the grip on her wrist was lost.  She paced backwards.  The driver came running with the torch.  The two fighting dogs had now turned to the man dragging Khushi.  The man desperately tried to stop the attack taking out his gun and firing in the air.  One of the fighting dog pounced on the man with the gun digging its teeth on his wrist.  The man winced in pain and scream.  The dog left him to continue the fight for the territory.

The excavators and cranes from other construction site started nearing with their headlights on illuminating the ground.  The men leaped in the darkness and vanished.  Khushi stood there numb and shocked.  The fighting dogs continued their fight with growling and barking.  Few more joined their gang. The fight continued.

 “Khushi…!” she heard a scream and turned.  Three cars stopped with screeching brakes and ASR hopped out of the car screaming her name.  The driver ran forward and Khushi followed.  

“Khushi..! Are you ok?” he held her shoulders and she just nodded, still in the state of shock.

“Sir.. someone attacked her… she escaped narrowly..!” the driver could utter.

“What?” his grip on her shoulder tightened and he looked at her.

“Are you hurt?” he slid his hands down her elbows.  She shook her head.  No words coming out of her mouth, he cupped her face an anquish.

“Khushi, are you ok?” he asked concerned.  She closed her eyes.  He closed the gap between them and tried to put his arm around her shoulder.

“Sir!” Aman was behind  ASR looked around.

“Khushi.. wait here with Aakash! I will handle it!”  he said in a assuring tone.

“Madam ji.. woh…give that file to me!” The driver said.  She pulled her bag across her shoulder and took out the file.  He took it and went away.  The driver and ASR had a long talk.  He narrated everything. 

“I heard the gunshots and we escaped narrowly” he said to ASR’s shock.  He continued…

“…Then the fighting dogs intercepted.. otherwise those two men would have dragged Madam ji in the darkness…!” he narrated shuddering remembering the incidence.  

 ASR looked shocked.   The threat flashed… “… she is out in open… unsafe..!” he winced.

“What is all this..? It seems like  the next step… first a threat.. then the actual gunshot.. these two survived.. gunshots might not be to kill… its only to scare… the dragging…!” he went on deducing logically..

“Dragging her along and then leaving her under the pretext of dog fights… “ he was not sure…!

“Khushi..!” his heart ached.  “I am putting her at stake for my company..!” he thought. “I should put an end to this..!” he thought resolutely.  He looked at he driver…

“Look…!” he started off.

“I know sir.. ‘I came here to deliver the file, alone!’ “ he looked at his sir.  ASR nodded. “Right!” he was satisfied.

.  The ambulence had arrived followed by a police vehicle.

“Khushi ji..! Don’t worry!” Aakash stood by her side.  She waited nervously….

ASR and Aman were dealing with the police.  The driver was providing all the information about the mishap without a mention of the gunshots or the fights.  Fortunately there was no casualty as the site was already abandoned.  

“What were you doing, Madamji?” asked the inspector and before she could open her mouth, ASR spoke holding her elbow and pulling her closer..

“She is with me! We were going out for dinner, when I got the call!” Khushi gaped at his blatant lie. The inspector turned away satisfied, ASR saw him off after the initial enquiry holding her shoulder.  Aman would take care of the rest.  Khushi blew her head off in rage. All the tension came crashing down upon her.

“Now who is a liar?” she yelled pulling herself away from him.  Aakash was shocked at her fierce face.  Khushi was trying to control her anger looking at the other people around.

“Shut up!” ASR yelled.  Khushi’s rage went out of bound.  

“Inspector Saab!” she called out aloud.

“Khushi ji..!” Aakash! “Shut up!” Arnav pressed his palm on her mouth.  She gasped.

“um..oi…aaa!” Khushi tried to pull his hand. 

“I am trying to save you, Damn it!” he hissed.  A constable turned and approached.  ASR broke free

“Nothing..! She is little upset with me!” he pulled her closer and twisted her wrist behind her. 

“Khushi.. let us go!” he maneuvered her towards his car.  

“You too are a liar… “She got a chance for a second and started off… Aman and Aakash tried to hide their grin.  She had changed her strategy to vent out.

“Shut up and sit in the car!”  he gritted. 

“Madam ji..!” Driver called from behind.  She broke free.  

“Driver ji? Yeah.. Give it!” She almost snatched the file from him.  He opened his mouth in shock.  She thrust the file in ASR’s hand and rubbing her palms turned again to face the driver.

“CHALIYE   DRIVERJI… HAMARA    KAAM KHATAM…! Let us go Driver ji, Courier delivery not done.. Addressee not found!” She said loudly and Aman burst out in laughter with Aakash and the driver. The tension suddenly released.. Arnav burned in anger. She had already started walking towards the car and she stopped..

“Car?  Driver ji, car?  Look at the car? What will you do now? How will we go back to the office?” she purposely ignored everyone.  Arnav couldn’t hold back his anger.  He leapt forward and came around, holding her by shoulder, shaking her vigorously, he spoke under his breath 

“CHUP CHAP GAADI MAIN BAITHO..? Sit in the car!”

“GAADI   MAIN? Which car sir? Our car is smashed…Oh! Aman Sir, can we come in your car? Will you please give us a lift? Driver ji and me?” Aman had to work hard to keep his face straight.  He looked at ASR.  His rage went over the boundary, Khushi had hit a sixer.

“Khushi.. sit in the car! Else I will lift you and…!” He couldn’t complete.

“Lift me? Will you… I will hit you, if you misbehave..!” her casual mask was wearing off.  Her lips quivered … the past events were sinking in.  She freed herself from his grip and turned her face to hide her tears.  He froze so did everyone.  

“Khushi… Chalo!” ASR was serious.  He put his arm around her shoulder and carried her to his car.  She didn’t resist.  He opened the passenger door for her.  She sat without a word.  He locked her seatbelt and closed the door.

“I will drop her home!” he mumbled.

 He raced away with her.