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“I’ll have to be here and—”
“Ayaan, the men are doing their jobs here. You need rest, too. I’m not going anywhere without you.”
“Meher, stop arguing.”
“You stop arguing, Ayaan,” I snap back, crossing my arms in front.
He exhales before rubbing his jaw as if making the decision. I like it when he gives in to my demands. At least the good demands.
“Fine, I’m coming with you,” he concedes, sliding his arm around my waist and leading me to Dad, who is sitting with Bhaskar Uncle a short distance away, to inform them of the same.
*****************
The safe house is a small two-bedroom bungalow located approximately 30 kilometres away from our mansion. It has a cosy living room, a basic kitchenette, and two bedrooms on the ground level, with a terrace and a small gym room situated upstairs. Krish’s men secure the premises as we all enter inside. Meanwhile, Ayaan confirms with Vishnu if they managed to get to the other safe house, which I never knew Dad or Vishnu even had somewhere in Mumbai. Bhaskar Uncle and Paapa will be sharing a bedroom. Once they are settled, Krish shows us the second bedroom, equipped with a small living area that opens up to a separate bedroom with an attached bathroom.
“We four will stay in this room tonight,” Ayaan says as he disconnects the call and turns towards me. “You and Trisha take the bedroom. Krish and I will sleep on these couches. We also have extra bedding and quilts for everyone.”
“No, Ayaan,” Trish interrupts. “You and Meher take the bedroom. Krish and I will be fine here on the couch.”
“No way, I would never let the lady sleep on a couch ever. You—” Ayaan refuses.
“Trisha is just doing her job, buddy,” Krish, surprisingly, jumps to support Trisha’s decision. It is very unlike him to remind Ayaan of Trisha’s duty. And then, I see something in Krish’s expression. It is as if he wants to spend this little time with Trisha here and, hence, doesn’t want Ayaan to send her to the bedroom with me. I nudge Ayaan to concede to her request.
Trisha maintains a firm stance, hands clasped behind her back, acknowledging Krish’s instructions.
“The Boss agrees,” she replies. “Sofa it is for me and him.”
“Yeah, I see the Boss is always right,” Ayaan teases, turning to Krish, who frowns at the playful remark.
“Coffee, anyone?” Krish diverts the topic.
“No thanks, we are just calling it a night,” Ayaan turns to me, seemingly to confirm, but that reminds me of something else.
“Uh, Krish, I need a cigarette. I’m sure you have one,” I smile.
Both Krish and Ayaan turn to me questioningly, their mouths agape at my unexpected request.
“Uh, I don’t, I mean—” Krish stammers.
“I’ve seen you too smoking tonight, Krish. So, stop feigning innocence and give the packet to me.”
He sighs dramatically before taking out the packet and handing it to me.
“What will you do with it?” Ayaan inquires, his curiosity piqued at my unexpected request.
“What everyone does with it. Take a smoke!” I reply before making my way to the bedroom, not missing the frown on Ayaan’s face as I say this.
“It’s going to be a long night for the King,” I hear Krish teasing Ayaan behind me, and he is right.
“Shut up,” Ayaan replies before following me into the bedroom and shutting the door behind us. “Meher, what are you up to?”
I admire the cosy setting of this room before turning around and opening the packet.
“You know, Ayaan, I have seen a few people who smoke as a respite from all their stress.”
He swallows, knowing he falls into that category. He knows I am miffed with him about smoking at the party tonight.
“I wonder what that feels like,” I continue. “You know how stressed I am at the moment. With all that happened in Shergill Mansion and Walia House, I definitely need to try this and see if it relieves some of my tension.”
