“You wanted to know why the bodyguard was angry?” Ramesh asked.

“Yes. Did he tell you?”

“He did. But he is terrified of your reaction.”

“Terrified of me?” Karishma was amused, “People who work under Siddhartha Sen are terrified of me.”

“Well… It was about you…”

“Me?”

“He was apparently drunk and passing some remarks about you being Boss’…”

“Mistress?” she helped him complete his sentence when he hesitated.

Ramesh nodded reluctantly to agree, “In worse words than that… He claims that he was just joking with friends, but Sid Sir heard him and humiliated him before others. He got angry…”

“Great!”

“If your marriage was reluctant, the body guard is is your culprit, in some sense.”

Karishma laughed bitterly, “You think your boss married me to protect my dignity or something? Like the heroes of the 70s movies? I wouldn’t be surprised, if even this leak by whomsoever was a part of his plan.”

Ramesh sighed, “Everything you accuse him of – I can’t say that he is not capable of doing it. He is capable of all that and worse. And yet – it is different with you.”

“How so?”

“He will do anything to get what he wants. But I have never seen him obsessing over anything, anyone like he does over you. I mean he tracked you down even after three months of you leaving. He just couldn’t forget you. You mean something to him.”

“Obsession. Am I supposed to be happy about being the obsession of an ego-maniac, powerful man?”

“I guess not,” Ramesh sighed, “I hope and pray that it is something better.”

“Thank you,” Karishma said sincerely, “Despite professional loyalties, you are a good friend Ramesh.”

—

“Ouch!” Karishma was walking down the stairs and accidentally sprained her legs.

“Karishma!” Siddharth ran towards her. Ramesh and a few other people were also there and rushed to help. Ramesh reached first and held her to help her stand. But he let go when Siddharth reached. Karishma cringed at Siddharth’s proximity, but her sprain was bad and she was not in a position to stand without support. Siddharth seemed unaware of her reaction.

“Are you hurt? Can you stand?” he asked.

“No!” she hissed, “It’s hurting.”

“Let’s get you back in the room,” he said and held her so that she could walk with one leg. Still, the sprained leg was hurting and she had tears in her eyes by the time she reached the room. The process of settling her on the bed caused so much pain that she started crying openly.

Ramesh had called the physiotherapist who was traveling with the unit. Meanwhile Siddharth tried to use the first aid box. He applied some pain reliever, but her tears did not stop. The doctor hotel had called and the physiotherapist came at the same time. There was no fracture. But it will take sometime for the swelling to subside. She was given the painkillers and the physiotherapist massaged her sprained legs. Once the pain subsided, she drifted off to sleep under the effect of pain-killers.

—

“What time is it?” she asked anxiously, when she woke up. It was almost dark.

“Six. Why?”

“The flight is at eleven. We need to leave soon.”

“You are in no position to travel.”

“I will manage.”

“Try to understand.”

“I told you, I will manage. If you want to stay, feel free to. I am going,” she threw away the bed-cover and tried to get down.

“No. You are not!” Siddharth pushed her back on the bed and said angrily, “Don’t you dare leave this bed without my permission.”

She hadn’t seen him that aggressive in a while and she cowered.

“This place is not going to bite you,” he added in a reoncilliatory tone, “Nor will I.”

She suddenly felt very weak and vulnerable. She was on the verge of crying.

“What happened?” he became concerned.

“I want to see my mother,” she spoke honestly.

“We can fly her in. I will ask Ramesh…”

“She is not in Mumbai.”

“Where is she?”

“She is…” she stopped suddenly. She didn’t want to tell anything to Siddharth about where her mother was. “Never mind.”

“Is something wrong?”

“No.”

“Don’t cry. Just tell me whatever you want.”

“Just leave me alone and let me cry if I want to cry.”

“I can’t.”

“Why not?”

“Because… Because I hate to see you cry.”

“What?”

“Do you want some tea or coffee?”

“What did you just say?”

“I will order coffee,” he said and walked out of the room leaving a perplexed Karishma behind. Did he really say something like that?

He didn’t stay out for long though. He came back carrying a take-away cup of coffee for her.

“We don’t need to postpone the flight for too long,” he said, “Doctor said that you should be good to go day after tomorrow. I know you are not liking it here… What happened?” Karishma was not listening to him. She was lost in her own world.

“Huh?”

“What happened? You look lost. And you coffee will go cold?”

“You brought me coffee?”

“Yes.”

“Why are you doing this?”

“Doing what?”

“All this caring… pampering… What’s the new game now? How do you plan to break me next?”

He stared at her and looked dumbfounded for a bit. Then he spoke very slowly and deliberately, “I am doing it for the same reason that brought you here? Were you playing a game?”

“I don’t play games.”

“I am not playing one either. I was ill. You came to take care of me. You need care right now.”

“I came here only because Ramesh asked me to. And you don’t need to stoop down from your high pedestal to take care of me. I just want to go home.”

“Day after tomorrow, you can fly back. I already told you that.”

“I want to go today.”

“Stop whining, will you?”

“Why do you want to keep me here? You are planning something, aren’t you?”

“You have lost your mind.”

“You have found my mother?”

“What?”

“You know where she is, don’t you? You have found out. You are going to hurt her. Is that your plan?”

“Shut up Karishma. What are you talking about? And what do you mean I have found your mother. Why should I… Oh God! You have been hiding her from me, is it? You thought I was…”

His reaction brought Karishma back to her senses. He wasn’t trying to hurt her mother. But had she given him an idea now?

“I… I… No. No,” she stammered.

“Where is your mother?”

“Don’t hurt her please,” Karishma started crying, “Your problem is with me. I am the one you want to punish. Don’t hurt her, I beg you.” She made to get down from her bed.

He rushed to her and shouted, “Stop moving.” He held her hand and spoke again in a calmer voice, “And stop crying. I’m not going to hurt her. Nobody is going to hurt her. I don’t know where she is. I had no idea she was not in Mumbai. And if it scares you so much, I am not going to ask you anything about her whereabouts. Stop crying, now.”

But his assurances seem to have no effect on her. She continued to beg, “You wanted me to cry. I am crying. You wanted me to break down. I am broken. I am completely broken and at your mercy. Do whatever you want to do to me. Just leave her…” She buried her head in her knees and Siddharth’s face twitched as if feeling her pain.

“Why don’t you call her and assure yourself that she is fine,” he said, “You don’t have to use the hotel phone. Where is your mobile? Here… It’s not working here… No problem. I will send Ramesh. You trust him, right? Use his phone. Nobody will know where you called and where she is. Okay? Just wait a minute…”

He went out and called Ramesh to his suite. “Give her your phone and make sure that she talks to her mother.”

Ramesh looked confused, but nodded and went to Karishma’s room. He found her wiping her tears.

“What happened?”

“Nothing.”

“Boss wanted me to give you my phone. To call your mother…”

“Yeah… I just… panicked…”

“Why didn’t you use the hotel phone? Or his phone?”

“Yes… I actually can… I am sorry… For bothering you… You can leave…”

“No. Call her…Here is the phone. I will come back after ten minutes.”

—

To be continued