It's been four months since it moved into Sanskar's house. Throughout this time, I have started working with Raghav in his interior designing company. It has been a welcome distraction. The time has flown by in a haze of new faces, work to do, and I had a way to stay away from Sanskar's. Every day, Raghav would pick me up to work and drop me back to the penthouse, which means that I don't really face Sanskar a lot at his house. But for the past month, he has not come back to the penthouse as far as I know. Even Francis was not seen around the house. It was only me and Abigail, the maid.

One day, as I was back from work, the whole house was too quiet. Well, it's always like this but today, it was different. I tried to find the light switch and finally turned it on but it would not work. So, I tried to find myself a torchlight before calling the security to check on the lights. As I went to the kitchen to find the torchlight, I heard someone walking around. At first, I thought that it was my imagination since I am alone in the house but I heard someone's footsteps yet again which made me nervous. I brave myself and asked if anyone is there but I received no reply.

Suddenly, the lights were back and I thanked God for it. I went up to my room and placed my handbag on the bed when someone placed a knife on my throat from the back. I was about to shout but he covered my mouth.

Man: Don't you dare to shout!!

He dragged me downstairs and towards the elevator. He pressed the button to the basement carpark and the elevator went down. Unfortunately, no one stopped the elevator. Once we reached the basement carpark, he unlocked his car and pushed me in the passenger seat and sat on the driver seat. He started the car and drove off from the carpark. He used the loading bay area where the security is not tight and managed to get away from the apartment.

He then went to this one lonely road that I have no idea about and slide the car into a garage. The garage was so old, considering the number of spiderwebs around it. He dragged me out of the car and tied me on an old wooden chair.

Ragini: Let me go! Who are you? And what do you want?
Man: Shut up!
Ragini: Ain't happening until you tell me who you are.
Man: Look! If you cooperate, then I'll leave you without any harm because my revenge is with Sanskar Maheswari.
Ragini: Then you should've kidnapped him. Why me?
Man: Because you're his wife?
Ragini: You're a fool, aren't you?
Man: Watch what you are saying.
Ragini: I'm not his wife, you idiot.
Man: Then, what were you doing in his penthouse?
Ragini: I kinda live there for now. That's it.
Man: Don't try to fool me.
Ragini: Which you already are. Anyways, I'm not his wife.
Man: Don't lie. Sanskar never brings any woman to his penthouse. If you're not someone dear to him then he would never let you in.

What?! He knows much about Sanskar Maheswari. Was he a business rival or a friend that turned into an enemy? Besides all, Sanskar never brought any women to his penthouse, then why was he so frustratingly bossy to bring me to his place? Such a mystery I must agree. The man, my kidnapper, took out his mobile and started dialing.

Man: Hello, Mr. Sanskar Maheswari?.... I am an old friend... Do you want to know why I called? I have you, wife, with me... Shhh!... Just cut the crap..... I want 500 million dollars arranged for me in two hours... That's up to you to arrange..... Two hours or else I'll kill her.

He cut the call and turned towards me. He gave me a wicked grin and went away. He sat on a table beside and started the stopwatch. I couldn't do anything to free myself from here as he watching me like a hawk. The given two hours were over and I had no hope that Sanskar would spend 500 million dollars for me. The man called Sanskar back.

Man: So, Mr. Maheswari, is my ransom ready?.... Good... Meet me at the old lane road behind the Rock Cafeteria.

He ended the call and untied me from the chair but my hands were still cuffed. He threw me back into the car as if I was a toy and drove off.

Ragini: Do you really think that he would bring 500 million dollars for me? Don't get cheated.
Man: Shut up! Sanskar never gives fake promises.
Ragini: You quite know much about him. Who are you?
Man: That's none of your business. Just keep your mouth shut till we reach there.

I pouted at what he said as I never talk much. I am just curious about who was the man to Sanskar and why should he kidnap me in return of 500 million? On the other hand, I was going to meet Sanskar after a month and I wished none of this should have happened. Finally, we reached a small lane behind Rock Cafeteria and before us, there was a BMW waiting. Did Sanskar come to get me out of here? For real? But why would he? The guy went out of the car and stood, then the driver seat door of the BMW opened, Sanskar came out, button his velvet red vest. He opened the back door and took out two bags.

Man: Hello there, partner.
Sanskar: Just cut the crap. You wanted the money so take it and let her go.
Man: What's the hurry, bro? Don't you want to hug your best friend?
Sanskar: You are anything but a friend. You are a traitor. You deceived me. You try to sell out our company secrets to the rivals. Why?
Man: Because of you. We started the business together but you grew up more than me.
Sanskar: Enough of your crap. Let her go. Take the money.

Sanskar threw both the bags forward and the man picked them up. He checked inside of the bag and smiled. He came to the car and opened my door, then he unlocked the handcuffs. I ran towards the Sanskar and he grabbed me by my shoulder as I gasped for air.

Sanskar: Are you alright?
Ragini: You came?
Sanskar: What?! Of course, I would.

By the time Sanskar was calming me down, a patrol car came into the lane which shocked the kidnapper. He tried to run away but in vain as the cops have already surrounded him. He looked furiously at Sanskar while he smirked at him. Later I was asked to come to the police station to give my explanation. As the formalities were over, I saw the man locked up in jail.

Ragini: Are you sure I can't punch him on the face?
Sanskar: Yes.
Ragini: What if I just break his nose a little?
Sanskar: Let's get you back home.

Sanskar took out his coat and draped it over my shoulder. I was so curious that since when did Mr. Rude changed his nature. We got back home and I went to my room. On the staircase, I stopped and looked back as Sanskar went to his study.

Ragini: Sanskar?
Sanskar: Yes?
Ragini: Thank you.
Sanskar: For what?
Ragini: Well... Everything.

He smiled looking down and wished me goodnight before disappearing into his study. I too ran up to my stairs and straight to my room. Today was a different day and I got to see the other side of Sanskar Maheswari which he never showed me since we met four months ago. Tomorrow will be a new day and I'm awaited to see what it has in stored for me.

#Sathya