Twist of Fate

Chapter 1: Zoya

'Take this left and stop here' after paying the auto fare I got down. My eyes scanned the yellow building in front of me, 'Lion's Nest Apartments, such a weird name' I whispered to myself, 'it should either have been lion's den or bird's nest that sounds appropriate.'

I walked in, through the opened gate, towards the elevator, 'excuse me madam'

'Yes?' I turned around and saw two well-built men dressed up in grey shirt and trousers. One of them also had a gun in his hand. I assumed them to be the bodyguards.

'You'll have to make an entry in the register first' said one of the men

I nodded my head and followed them to the table where the visitors' entry register was kept. I wrote my name and number just when I was about to go they stopped me again and asked me to write the apartment number. As the nib of the pen was about to touch the paper my mind went blank, I wasn't able to recollect the apartment number. I searched for the slip, in which I had scribbled the address, in my bag.

'#501, 5th floor, Lion's Nest Apartments, Banjara Hills road no. 12' read the address on the slip of the paper. I quickly wrote the door number and headed towards the elevator.

I was again stopped by the bodyguards. I snorted in frustration. What was their problem now? I had filled in all the details in the register then why am I being stopped again? I was already irritated because of the burning sun who had decided to boil us at 40 degree Celsius in March. I turned around and gave them a questioning look.

'Do you've an appointment?'

'No, I don't' I replied nonchalantly

'Then you cannot meet sir'

'Kamal uncle wants to meet me but'

'I am sorry madam I cannot allow you to go upstairs' said the bodyguard in a stern tone

'But why?' I raised my voice in frustration, 'look I am his family friend and uncle wants to meet me. Let me go'

'I am sorry madam but due to security reasons I can't allow you to meet sir without a prior appointment'

'Okay hold on' I dialed Kamal uncle's number on my phone and waited for him to answer.

First of all, I didn't want to come here. I am here just for dad. Dad & uncle had a meeting & my father left behind some confidential documents, here. I was close by hence, dad requested me to personally go & collect the documents from Kamal uncle.

Secondly, it was too hot for anyone to roam around at 1in the afternoon. And thirdly Kamal uncle's bodyguards were testing my patience.

I explained the situation to uncle, over the phone. He gave a call to his bodyguards on the intercom and asked them to allow me to meet him. I was relieved. I wanted to pick the documents as soon as possible and leave.

The elevator's door opened and I stepped out. My heartbeats increased with each step that I took towards the door. I wondered if he would be at home right now. If yes how would he react on seeing me? What would he do? Is he the same person at home as well or is he a different person? My anxiety increased. I stopped just a few inches before the door and took in a deep breath.

'Chill Zoya, there's nothing to worry about. You didn't do anything wrong. It was just a prank.' I comforted myself and rang the doorbell.

The brown door opened slowly to the inside of the house but nobody was at the door and I couldn't even find anyone inside. It was strange and I was a little confused. I stepped inside and suddenly a well-built man came in front of me and blocked my way. He stood still with his mouth slightly open. Shit! He shouldn't have opened the door. He was surprised to see me. He definitely did not expect me at the door. I didn't know how to react but somewhere I was prepared for this.