After her goodbyes were done she came up to him and held her hands towards him said
"Mr. Agnihotri, you can arrest me"
A female constable stepped forward to put handcuffs on her, but Shlok stopped her saying "Sarita! That won't be necessary" she stepped back.
"I don't want any Special treatment" she said looking at him.
"Mrs.Almeida! You'd wish you didn't say that. Don't worry from now onwards you'd be treated just like any other accused. Thank you for your humble request. Don't mock my intelligence, you're not handcuffed because I know you're not stupid enough to try and runaway" he scored one.
"Should I be flattered or do you want me to do cartwheels to show my gratitude" she said in a very sarcastic tone.
He just stepped forward and took out his own handcuffs and put it on to her hands. She kept staring at him without a blink. The moment he touched her hand shock waves ran through from one another. There was no denying their physical connect. Her ice walls was fast thawing. Her whole body warmed up. He looked at her, pain more than anger clearly visible. Why are they deliberately hurting each other. When all they have is one another. Nobody else. Well now she has someone else. She's not going to be alone ever again. Not as long as she's alive. She'll always be a mother. She'll always have her child. But she knew he's alone as well. She knew just what this baby would mean to him. She felt sorry for him. The click sound from the cuffs being secured brought her back to her senses.
Meanwhile Arjun was watching everything that's been said and the tensions and underlying chemistry that was clearly evident between the two. What's going on. It was a tug of war of emotions. Love and hate. Need and rejection. It was all getting clear to him. Its her, he was having doubts and this proved everything. She was the one. He was having an affair with her and he's fallen for her.
Shlok asked Arjun to do as discussed. So he stayed back to search her room and they had warrants to confiscate her phone laptop IPad and what ever they feel is admissible as evidence.
She was escorted to a police jeep. She sat at the back he in the front. Shlok was trying to wrap his head around all that's happening. He had no control of any thing. He hated that the most. Loosing his grip on his life, his feelings. Putting the handcuffs on her and looking at her in the eye he almost died. She was expressionless. But the moment he touched her hand she was there, his horny little cow girl was visible. Only for a fleeting second. But he felt it.
He kept stealing glances at her. Trying to figure out what's gotten into her. Soemthing was definitely different about her. Not just her attitude but her appearance as well. There was a certain glow about her. He couldn't fathom her. It's him. She's glowing because of him. He wanted to find the b*****d strangle him with his bare hands. It was a new Her! Stop your psycho analysis session with Hannibal Lector and get your act together. You don't want to disappoint Tyson again.
She was well attuned to his cologne. And it was the only saving grace for her that kept from emptying her stomach right in the back seat of the police Vehicle. The smell of the polyurethane did for her. It's as if her senses are magnified. How is she going to manage in the prison. She had read and seen articles and documentaries on the state of prisons in India. Not to mention how dangerous it is. The mental and physical abuse inmates suffer under not just other inmates but the guards and officials as well. It's hell on earth created by man.
Nothing seemed to matter. She was focused on one thing, and one thing alone. And that's to keep her baby safe. What he said to her kept ringing in her ears. "Prison is not good place to be pregnant". She should be breaking down and crying her heart out. But she wasn't. The man she loves with every breath accused her of sleeping with another. But then again she didn't tell him what he should've been told. She was talking in riddles and he was too worked up to understand what she was trying to tell him. He took everything negatively. Men hardly get what the woman says even when we're been direct and blunt as can be, then how could you expect him to understand what she says indirectly? Why are you making excuses for his lack of trust in her. She was numb to the rest of the world. She had somehow managed to block out the pain. Even she was surprised by her stone cold response to his accusations. What does that mean? Is she over him just as fast as she had fallen In love with him, has she managed to fall out of love as well.
She was taken to the station and the media had already got wind of the news. The entrance was swamped with men armed with cameras and mikes. She didn't try to hide her face. She just kept looking blankly. She was processed following proper protocol. She was fingerprinted, frisked search all her personal belongings removed except the clothes on her back. It was around 6 o'clock when she was sent to the remand cell with the other female convicts. She was amongst prostitutes, drug pedlars, dance bar girls, petty thieves and drug addicts and cold blooded murderers like her as well.
Shlok was at his lowest possible state. He just handcuffed and arrested his soul. She was being booked downstairs and he was sitting at his desk having to strategise his next task at hand to interrogate her. Arjun had retuned with her laptop, I pad but he said he couldn't find her mobile phone. She must've destroyed it. Or hidden it somewhere he assumed. He'll get to the bottom of things in a little while.
Arjun walked in and informed him that she's ready and waiting in room no 3. He got up with a heavy Heart and when arjun asked him "are you sure you're up to it. If you want I can do this for you. You don't have to do this you know". Shlok looked at him baffled and said "I didn't know you were this desperate to get laid. She's not worth it though" he said patting his shoulder. "I've still got my balls intact man!"saying they made their way towards the room.
She had been sitting and waiting for nearly 15 minutes. And was hungry as and thirsty as well. She was sweating. She hated dimly lit rooms. She didn't have anything to fan herself either. She hated everything about the room. And glimpses of him holding her flashed before her. She missed him. Now more than ever. But she knew they can never be together again.
He stepped in with Arjun with a folder in hand. No dramatics. He didn't carry his gun, no rolling of the shirt sleeves and no removing the watch and no stretching of the arms. He was going through the motions. And nothing she says is going to change the facts. He was behind it all. Just like her. But they were both in for a reality check.
"
"We have you're bank records and it shows you have withdrawn 500,000 over a period of one week. From different ATMs but mostly from a machine close to the house one without any surveillance or cctv cameras. How convenient is that Mrs. Almeida. For a novice you're very good. But not quite there yet. 500,000 is peanuts compared to the number of zeroes in your account. That's the same amount you paid you're friend to kill you're husband." Shlok said very officially.
She still refused to look at him let alone acknowledge him.
"Sir! What can I say you seem to have all the evidence. It's in black and white. What ever I say nobody's gonna believe anyways" she said addressing Arjun. He didn't know what she was trying to prove here.
"Can you please turn on the AC. It's do damn hot in here. And can you get me some water, I'm very thirsty" she said again looking at Arjun.
This infuriated Shlok, "your highness is there anything else that you would need?" He said looking at her. Arjun came back with a bottle of water. Opened it and gave it to her. She grabbed at it and gulped down half of it in one go. Shlok watched as water spilled out from the sides. She kept the bottle on the table an wiped her mouth and neck. She had removed two top most buttons off her blouse as well. He watched as a water droplet streamed down the length of her neck and into her cleavage. Arjun was finding it difficult to stand the sexual tension that was very palpable between the two. He felt like the third wheel at a dinner date. He pretended as if he got a call and exited the room. He went to the control room and switched off the audio and video recording. He wanted to give them an opportunity to talk things over. This could be their last chance.
Before he could say anything she asked "is this gonna take long! I don't want to miss the meal call. I was told its at seven. It's not as if I can order take away if I miss my meal"
"I shall try to comply your highness" he returned the insult.
"I'm no royalty. Save your sarcasm for someone else and get on with the questions Sir"
He took out the pictures and spread them on the table.
"Do you recognise this woman here?" He asked
"Should I? Do you? If you do tell her scarfs are so last season"
"Mrs. Almeida answer the Question"
"What question?"
"Is that you"
"You seemed to be knowing better than me. Why bother me sir?" She said looking at him for the time. "If I say no would it make a difference. I was measured, weighed and considered to be guilty without asking a single question. If it pleases you go ahead with you farce sir. I'd be more than happy to play along. Men like dramas. Tell me which part should i play? The lost sweet innocent damsel in distress or the guilty conniving little wh**e? Who'll play my lover? I like your partner sir? Call him back in. We have nothing to hide" saying she reached for the water bottle. After drinking it she removed the zipper of her sweat shirt that was worn above the sleeveless blouse.
"Mrs. Almeida keep your clothes on" he warned
" why? You scared of me. It's so damn hot in here. And besides wh**es work sans the clothes"
"What you trying to do? Seduce me?"
"I don't have to. You're too easy. All men are"
"Astha! For gods sake tell me who he is"
"Who"
"Your lover"
"It's Mrs. Almeida to you sir, not Astha" she was not ready to back down
"I'm freelancing. It could be anybody. wh**es cannot be choosey. If the pocket is full and heart is ticking then anyone would do" she was happy seeing the disgust and hurt in his eyes.
"I feel...sick..." was all she managed to say.
The next moment he saw her eyes closing and head falling over. He was at her side in an instant. She went completely limp on his arms. She was sweating as well. He slowly lowered her to the floor but kept holding her head. She was lifeless. All that she was saying was forgotten. It was his Astha. He kept patting her cheek and calling her name trying to regain her conscience. Just then Arjun came barging in "Shlok, what have you done to her man?" He said looking at him unbuttoning her blouse. They fanned her with the folder. Arjun grabbed the water bottle and sprinkled some water on to her face. She opened her eyes and saw him looking down at him worried. She sat on the floor. He gets up walks out of the room. Arjun helped her back on to the chair. She fixed her clothes and seeing the buttons removed "was your partner trying to take advantage of me?"
"Enough with the act Mrs. Almeida. Cut the crap. I know everything. You're way out of line here. You have no idea what you're doing"
"Everybody but me seems to be knowing what I'm doing and what's good for me. Tell that to your partner sir." She said composing herself.
Arjun walked out looking for Shlok. He informed the female constable to come and take her to the cell that they are done with her.
He found him in the terrace. Others go there to smoke. It was late and no one was there. Just the two of them. He was sitting on the half wall. Looking down as the world down below moved oblivious to his sufferings.
"Shlok what's going on man. You can't go on like this. It's impossible. It's just surreal man. This has to stop. Now! Before Tyson finds out. You both are behaving like spoilt brats" he said firmly.
"It's too late man"
"He'll ruin you"
"I already am"
"No! You're not. What are you saying? Stop being a drama queen"
"I don't know what's real anymore"
"Shlok something is a miss about her"
"Don't you feel it"
"I don't know what to feel anymore. I'm so f***ed up"
"Come on let's go for a drink. Hell I need one more than you"
"I need to finish up on the paper work"
"To hell with the paper work. It never gets over. We can do it tomorrow"
She entered the cell not sure what to expect. It was badly lit and she almost puked at the stench that hit her nostrils as she entered. They all looked at her like some freak. She was scared. And she understood what he said about being pregnant in prison. She heard the iron bared door closed, latched and the wrought iron key turning. The cell which looked little bigger than her bathroom, may be 15x20 feet. There may have been about Fifteen inmates altogether give or take. There was one woman sitting alone and she didn't look indian. She had cornrows, tattoo on her neck, left calf forearms and her biceps as well. Dressed in a pair of denim shorts. She was the only one who didn't pay any attention to her. She just gave her one glance and that was it.
Is this the end of her freedom. She wondered as she looked for a empty space to sit or to stand. They were in groups of 3-5. She felt the resentment in their eyes and cussing which didn't take long to start. "There's the rich wh**e" "let's see how she'll survive in this dump without her butler" "greedy bitch" "We don't give shit to who you're wearing, you little s**t" "stay out of our way or you'll pay dearly" they kept hurling abuses at her. She tried not to get affected by it all. But she's only human. She was Determined to keep her head held high. That seemed to irritate the women even more.
"She's not only filthy rich and beautiful she's got balls as well" one mumbled amongst themselves. She slowly made her way close to where there was a bit of empty space available. She just stood there. Not making eye contact with anybody. She kept tugging at her tummy. As if to reassure herself as well as the little life growing inside her "they'll be fine". She kept saying in her head "we'll be fine. We'll be just fine" she was feeling very tired and she wanted to lay down. She was standing. Looking down. Praying in her heart.
The last meal of the day was done. It was dhal curry and rice. She ate it all up. Having filled up her tummy, she was coming back to her place when her leg touched one of the verbal abusers hand who was seated on the floor. She said sorry and was trying to move from there. But suddenly she felt a sting on her cheek with that she was thrown off balance. And the next moment fell to the floor. She hit the floor hard on her side. Before she could even think of getting up she felt the first kick hit her abdomen. She covered her belly with her hands. She was desperately trying to protect her baby. She felt the pointed heel of one of her attackers trying to penetrate her hand barrier. The second time she succeeded with it She felt acute pain engulf her belly. Pain so severe she felt as if she was being stabbed with a knife. She had no idea what physical pain was until that moment. Pain so severe she knew where each muscle was. Her whole body was stinging. Her hands were scratched and bleeding as well. Her lower lip felt heavy and she could taste the iron in her own blood. She laid there unable to move just crouched. She heard someone trying to stop them. She fell to the floor at well. She crawled her way to a corner and stayed seated on the filthy cold cement floor. The one who tried to save her came and sat next to her.
"Are you ok? " she asked her.
"We'll be fine" she said
"Are you pregnant"
"I'm due in July"
"Are you married does the father know"
"Yes and no"
"he doesn't want anything to do with me anymore. Why do you care?" She said trying not to feel the pain in her stomach.
"I'm Sunny. And you are?" She said ignoring her question.
"I'm nobody. We'll be fine" She said trying to get up and move away from there. As she stood up she felt warm liquid seeping down her legs. She saw her grey sweat pant getting drenched with her own blood. She sat down immediately squeezed her legs together as close as possible. Hoping the bleeding would stop. As If trying to keep her baby from draining out of her. Sunny saw what was happening to her. She sat in front of her. Took out a mobile from under her shirt and gave it to her whispering "send him a message. You need help". She took the mobile from her hands with trembling hands and with tears in her eyes.
Shlok and Arjun entered the noisy pub. It's wasn't very crowded. But looked busy. They found a empty table and ordered a round of Scotch on the rocks. Shlok emptied the alcohol before the waiter could leave. He ordered a full bottle.
Arjun placed a phone on the table and nudged it towards Shlok. He immediately knew it's hers. And remembered that Arjun had filed it as missing. He took it in his hands. Looked at Arjun. Nothing more needed to be said. He knew that his partner knows about them. He knew she had taken pictures of the two of them together. He looked at the pictures. He has never gone through her phone. He still felt like a pervert. As If he's invading her privacy. He wanted to see if she had any of her new lovers pictures. There was a album titled simply LOVEMEHORTI and it had 204 pictures. He opend it. One after other it was just him, most of the pictures he wasn't even posing. Him sleeping, getting ready, eating, coming out of the shower, exercising watching tv. Reading. It was all him. His Heart started to sink. He had a very bad feeling. He was drowning with out even getting his feet wet.
Arjun was watching him go through the pictures and his changing demeanour.
"Shlok was all that for real? Was she for real?"
"I thought so man. At least For me it was"
"And you mean to say it wasn't for her. Are you blind man? There are more than two hundred pictures. She faints trying to put up an act for you. Do you think she does it regularly with all men? Can't you see it all? It's clear as day!" Arjun said
"She left me. She's seeing someone else now" Shlok said fixing him another drink
"Oh! Really...where are the pictures then"
"I don't know Arjun! She's a cheater and a liar"
"Says you. You're wrong about her man. I'm telling you"
"Don't tell me. I know her better"
"One day you'll regret all this"
"I already am. I feel like shit man. And it's all thanks to her. My life was perfect f***ing random chicks. Then she f***ed me and all went head over heels. Apparently I can't get it up with anybody else now. How pathetic is my life? Is that truthful enough for you man?"
Just then his phone buzzed. Arjun pointed towards his phone which was on the table next to his wallet. "You got a Message"
"I don't care man"
"Just read it. It could be Tyson"
That got his attention. He checked his massage.
"We need you chucky" he read the message outloud. "What the hell. Who the F**$ needs me"
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