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“Don’t tell me you’re thinking of going to ‘The Roost’?” Krish reads my thoughts.
“I don’t see any other way to locate him quickly. Besides, I’ve already told you that I want to catch him off-guard in a place he would least expect me. What better location for this rendezvous than his own pub?”
Krish is not in favour of my suggestion.
“Ayaan, I don’t think it’s a good idea. Look, we have no idea what goes on there, especially in the VIP section of the pub. Raghav knows you, but we don’t know him. That means he’s one step ahead of us.”
“Not anymore,” I say with a grin. “He’s no match for me, Krish. Come on, you know me.”
Krish’s lips curve into a smile, understanding why I said this. But he swiftly masks it.
“Alright, but I won’t allow you to go alone. My team will—”
“Krish, there is a risk of exposure if we send a team. The chances of Raghav identifying and discovering them are higher. Therefore, I will go in alone, and you and your team can stay outside. I will stay connected through EarPods.”
“Damn it, Ayaan, why do you always have to be the hero?”
“That’s because I am the hero,” I reply and snatch his phone to study the pictures of ‘The Roost.’
“Ask your sources to procure the wristband for granting me VIP access to the pub. And,” I pause for a moment before asserting my next demand, “I’ll need a gun, too.”
Krish is about to repeat it’s still a bad idea for me to go alone, but I don’t let him speak.
“We are going there this Saturday. Prepare your team accordingly.”
Krish groans in disappointment and is about to argue when I quell his objections by stuffing a piece of brownie into his mouth, effectively silencing him.
“Leave it to me. I’ll handle everything. Meanwhile, you enjoy this brownie,” I assure him.
Krish promptly savours the treat and teases, “I didn’t know you love me more than Meher. Imagine what would happen if she found out that you fed me her favourite brownies before her?” He grins mischievously.
I roll my eyes, fully aware that if Meher finds out about this, she is going to keep me hungry for days. Not for food. But hungry for her love.
“In fact,” he says, popping another piece of brownie into his mouth. Before I can object, he drapes his arm around my shoulder, comes closer to me and continues, “Now that you love me so much, I deserve a kiss too, along with this brownie. What do you say?”
I playfully push him away, retorting, “Get your kisses from Trisha.”
As expected, this remark renders him speechless, his blushing face revealing his crush on Trisha. I really look forward to it. Trisha is a remarkable woman and a perfect match for Krish.
“Cat got your tongue, Krish?” I tease.
He hides his blush and shifts the conversation, “You better handle everything there, Ayaan. I can’t risk anything happening to you at the pub.”
I don’t respond and continue studying the pub’s pictures. This is going to be interesting. We’ve finally got another lead on Raghav. He attempted to harm my father in that accident, and he’s going to pay for it very soon.
*****************
After speaking with Krish, I quietly slip back into our bedroom to check on Meher. She was still sleeping when I began baking early in the morning, just for her. As I enter, I hear her talking on the phone with her sister-in-law, Devika. She is freshly showered and is wearing a beautiful embroidered salwar suit in the lightest shade of pink. Meher doesn’t know I’m in the room. I gently place a tray with her coffee and freshly baked chocolate brownies on the small table next to her recliner.
Meher has her back turned towards me and is engrossed in a video call with Devika. They are probably discussing yesterday’s revelations. I didn’t intend to eavesdrop on their conversation, but I did that to ensure Meher didn’t get further upset.
Devika is offering advice to Meher. She sounds worried.
“Meher, I understand that whatever happened yesterday and the secrets that were revealed must have deeply hurt you. But do you think it was necessary to give your dad an ultimatum? You know how much his political career means to him. Uncle has been cooped up in his room ever since you left. We have been sending his meals to his room, but he is not eating well. We are worried about his health, especially after his last health scare. The doctors had strictly advised him to eat well and take his medication on time. Even Vishnu hasn’t returned home since yesterday. Aksh tried calling him but had no luck. The atmosphere here in Walia House is so gloomy. I’m not liking it at all. I hope everything gets sorted out soon.”
I stand to the side, silently listening to their conversation. Devika continues, “You didn’t even complete the post-wedding ritual you came for yesterday, which has upset all of us even more.”
Meher finally speaks up, sounding dejected.
