Taj palace

New delhi.

A lavish hotel. People barely in hurry. All they want to do is enjoy for a moment. Life is running very fast. This could be their small rendezvous. 

A man clad in blue tailored suit. Completely speaking of his status. High and authoritative. He took the elevator on the west. Never once looked back and approached straightforwardly. He pressed few buttons and in seconds he was off to his room.

Room no. 370.

He unlocked the door. Went in and sat on bed...

Tired. Completely worn out. His muscles aching. Head busting. Blood about to come out of his veins. He looked at his watch. And suddenly peeled it off his hand and threw it. It collided with the front wall. It got smashed. Dial coming out of glass and shattering it.

The way she did.

When she despite of knowing he was not the one there accepted everything. And the excuse she gave was only about her family. Where does he stand then! If not family where he belongs? All these day when he was holding her, letting her in, making her place in his life he was considering her as his family. As his only family.

But he...

It seems like he never was her family. What they had was either an affair kr a fling!

The bullshit she told him! They were plain lies.

Otherwise why would she agree to marry HIM instead of him!

He bared his soul to her. He was completely naked and vulnerable in front of her. But she dared to stride over him. Not even thought how badly crushed he will be. Not only this he can succumb to that darkness once again from where she pulled him out!

Only to throw him there? Once again! Was it so thrilling for her watching him falling and crying miserably!

Her words still ringing in his ears...and he punches the table breaking the glass in two.

'I....I cant. I cant. You know this.'

'But I love you and you love me. This is just an alliance. You can deny anytime. It is not matter of death and life.'

'It is. For my father. He is my only family besides my sisters. He'll die of shame if I deny and break the alliance.'

'Then what i am kashish? No one.'

'Sujal...I....I am forced. I cant. Please...'

Her cries echoing through his heart.

'Please...give us a chance. Just say no to Piyush. Rest I'll handle.'

'Sujal you dont understand.  It is not that easy. Tomorrow is my mehndi. I can not deny juat before two days of marriage. My dad will have to bear the defame. Please...understand me.'

'I do understand you! But you dont. Kashish...I breath when I see you. I could have been bit better if it were not for you being Piyush' wife. I'll see you daily in my house...with someone else' name, as someone else' wife. Do you think I'll be able to live?'

'You have to live sujal. You have to. There is no other way...pleasee..I can not step back. It is question of my father' prestige.'

'What about question of my life?'

'You'll get someone else..you'll get over me. Perhaps We were not supposed to be together. Perhaps destiny wanted us to be apart.'

'Destiny! Its you who is choking our love! Its you who can not stand for our love! You claimed umpteenth times that you love me. Where went that Kashish? The one who swore she will never leave me! How you became so selfish?'

'I am not selfish. It is for our betterment. Sujal....Just...Forget me. Please..'

Amd she ran away...leaving him there..broken, shattered and scattered.

Pain brings him back. His hand bleeds. He ignores pain. It does not hurt as much his heart does. He goes to the bar in his room. Brings out scotch and rum. Soon he is sipping shots on shots.

But those denial and spine less confessions never gies away. He sees her in that red dress...with vermilion and nuptial chain.

And chanting those words.....

For my father...

For my family...

Shoving a hard truth into his face that....he was a stranger. A mere stranger.

Suddenly he can see various people mocking him..for being a love sick puppy. For if he was not she would not have been successful in breaking him again. He sees his reflection in the shining chute full of liquor.

Red hungry eyes..swollen...

He is back to square one.

Left out as he always was.

The one who is not Upto anything. He has to either make his way on his own or lay low because he was not good. He was what people wanted. Actually his people wanted.

He keeps consuming alcohol until he is able to hear nothing. He falls from bar stool and passes out.

And still in his this drained state he manages to mumble her name..

Kashish...

Whose kashish(beauty) ruined him completely..

*********

Morning

4 A.M.

Hotel Taj

Receptionist desk

A girl approaches there in hurry. She is wearing simple kurti and jeans. A scarf around her neck and head. Part of it covering her forehead.

'May I meet Sujal Grewal?' She inquires.

Lady behind computer eyes her suspiciously.

'No. He has denied to meet anyone. His special instructions were to not disturb him until he comes out.'

The girl becomes restless but she hides it.

'Actually Its important. Please. Atleast make a call.'

'See...he has been a regular customer. And hotel doesn't disobey personal space.'

Suddenly a message chimes in. The girl swipes her phone and sees it.

'Look. Its his brother's wedding. And I can show you wedding card. He has not been picking up calls. Please either call his room or let me in.'

Lady eyes her once again..then tries room 370. No one picks up.

'He is not picking up.but can I see wedding card or whatever event you were talking about.'

Girl shows him a photo in her phone.

'Is it authentic?'

Girl scorns.

'You'll know by 10th. Today is 8th. '

'Ok. I am not giving you key but I'll ask someone to help you get in and meet him. He came yesterday around 8 and it is too soon to disturb him. I forgot. What is your name?'

'Na..Nayanika.'

'Real name?'

'You want my Aadhar?'

But the lady makes a face and calls for help to drop her by room 370.

Once she is in front of room 370, she breathes in.

This will bw hee sixth attempt of getting help. And all previous ones were futile.

She once again thanks Col. Chandra for being her saviour.

Meanwhile door is opened and help instructs her to go in.

She is hesitant. Previously when she was alone with these type of persons she had to either punch someone or knee him in gutt. She prays god for being little merciful today.

She goes in..the door is shut making her heart fasten.

She goes inside...no one is there. She scans whole room. It was locked from inside. There must be someone. She keeps looking on until she spots bedroom door ajar.

Stealthily she goes in. No one there..

Then her instinct kicks in. She searches whole suit.

And spots a strange scene..

A man drunk and fallen on floor.

Her sixth sense keeps on sending alert but heart telling her to check on him once.

She goes..and turns him.

Earth slips beneath her feet.

She somehow manages to take him to bedroom wondering how on earth she is still here. It was not her matter to poke in..but...

She needs something from him..

She does.

AFTER TWO HOURS..

Sujal is conscious but his bead is bursting. It spins more on seeing that girl in front of him..holding a tablet with a plate of omelette.

'Who the hell are you!'

He watches her. She is not someone you will call girl. She is more like a woman. Her face shows her maturity. Her eyes big and vocal. And lips...bit trembling..

Either she is afraid or....she is completely insane.

'Maine kuch poocha he? Who are you and why the hell did you heped me?'

Suddenly her demeanor changes. Her face becomes rigid.

'I am Naina ahaluwalia. I am a lieutenant in army and I need your help.'

Sujal takes a turn.

'We never met, did we? So how can I help you?'

'Look..I have a lot to tell...but will you please have something.'

'No thanks. Main apna khyaal khud rakh sakta hu. Iski koi jarurat nahi he.'

She laughs a little making him angry.

'He.. Because I need your help
.for helping me you must be sane to listen me. A hungover drunkard cant help me.'

He grits his teeth and takes the plate. Then juice and tablet.

After fifteen minutes.....

'Ab bolo. Why do you need my help?'

She sits straight..

'Before that I have a question. It is kind of personal.'

Sujal shakes his head.

'I dont share my personal info with strangers.'

'Okay..straight to the point. You know Maj. General bhagat? Last month you guys had been spotted together. You have a cordial relation with his daughter, right?'

'Are you a spy?'

'No. I told you what I am. Now please tell me..you know him, right? More like as friends do?'

Sujal nods...and skeptically tries to read her..

'He Has been in judging panel last year. Case was of Naveen Singh Ahaluwalia. My late brother. He was framed. But they blamed him for being ally of local ammunition dealer. And before I could prove him innocent, he died. They told us he suicided but he was murdered. I met him a day before his death. He was completely shaken. He even mentioned being slow poisoned. And I cross checked few details. He was indeed being slow poisoned. My brother was innocent. He was being framed. He was not a .....' she sniffs. But soon composes herself.

'Look..I know you will not help me until it is for your own benefit. I..I'll do whatever you want me to do. I cant give you money or any kind of favour except............

Please help me. You dont have to do something huge. Just help me in getting autopsy report of my brother. Rest I'll see. Please help me.'

Sujal looks at her. Her fragility seems so familiar..

Like his own.

Three hours ago he was lying here lifeless. She  indeed saved him. But...

Maj Gen. Bhagat was not an easy nut to crack. And he himself has no intention of getting indulged into some kind of legal drama. No...

'Please..Col.  Chandra has been so prideful of you. Saying you have a huge heart. Please...help.me. I'll do anything you want me to.'

Sujal looks at her....

And then his eyes spots the watch..

His blood boils..

'Ok. I'll help you as much as I can but I have two conditions.'

'I agree. Now can you please tell me about Maj Gen Bhagat? He is supposed to get transferred as I heard or he still will be here?'

'Wow. I must say. You are one hella good sister. Look...I promised to help you..I'll but first listen my conditions..'

She nods..

'First- I dont want my name entangled in any mess you create while investigating for your dead brother.

Second- you'll have to marry me..that too today. And You'll live with me as long as I want.'

Suddenly she stood up.

'Is this a joke to you? If you dont want to help, deny..at least dont make fun of my hopes.'

'I am dead serious.'

'You are completely insane.'

'You agreed to my terms..miss Ahaluwalia or should I say would be Mrs. Grewal!'

'Did anyone ever tell you that you are completely sick?'

'You have no ideaa...Now come one. We have a wedding to perform...

And perhaps one to attend.' He speaks last part under his breath.

And thus he starts a symbiosis, a life of agreement for mutual benefits.