10 -15 minutes pass. Now, SP Bhosle is sitting just opposite to Nandini. It's a cosy but small restaurant. In Manhattan, many people know Nandini Malhotra as business mogul Manik Malhotra's wife. Hence, Nandini didn't want to be spotted with an unknown person in any posh place. So, she selected this eatery to have the convo. Nandini glances at Mini lying on her pram. Thankfully she is sleeping. Otherwise, it would have been an added tension for her. Last night Manik told her about SP Bhosle. However, she didn't expect this meeting so soon. It is undeniable that at first, she was shocked and scared to see Bhosle in front of her. However, gradually she mustered her courage. All thanks go to Manik. He did the right by preparing her how to tackle the situation. Nandini strokes Mini gently and mouths in a low tone,
"It would be better if you leave me soon. I have a doctor's appointment."
In reply, SP Bhosle chuckles. He can smell how hard this lady is trying to compose herself. He keeps on fiddling with the coaster and states,
"I know. You have an appointment with Dr Aliya Saxena."
Nandini's eyes squint in surprise. Is he spying on her? Her train of thought gets interrupted by Bhosle's voice,
"Mrs Malhotra, we know each other for quite a long time and till now, I have always tried to save you from danger. But today I am here to aware you of some unknown danger which is directly not related to you but to your husband."
SP Apoorva Bhosle places his grave eyes on Nandini's confused face. He continues,
"But before I let you know anything; I have some questions...Do you know anything about Manik's past life? To be specific, his childhood in Panchgani Boarding school?"
Nandini budges on her seat and clears her throat before replying,
"Ahemmm...Not so much. Just that he spent his teenage in St Peter Convent school. He had a gang called Notorious 5. Among them, three are here. Ayamaan Khurana, Dhruv and Cabir Dhawan. Manik has a very special bond with them."
Nandini wanted to say something more but became silent abruptly. Bhosle asks,
"That's it? Don't you know anything else about these three friends? About their nature, work and other things?"
"Cabir and Dhruv have their business and...and..."
Nandini stutters.
"And..?"
Bhosle is obtrusive.
"Aryamaan is probably involved with the Mafia world."
Nandini uncomfortably mumbles. Bhosle replies sternly,
"Not probably. He is the padrone. But I am not talking about their present life. Because their past life is more complicated and mysterious than this."
Bhosle's every word almost passed over Nandini's head. At first, she was expecting Bhosle to inform and convict her about the murder that Nandini did accidentally. But here he had not even raised the topic. Secondly, what mystery is he talking about? Bhosle notices the surprise in her eyes and mutters again,
"Yes, I am not talking nonsense. Perhaps your husband didn't tell you anything about it but by any chance have you heard these names from his mouth? Abhimanyu Thakkar and Mukti Vardhan?"
Bhosle keeps on looking at Nandini for any positive response. But she wobbles negatively. Bhosle sighs in despondence.
"Mrs Malhotra, to trust and love someone is good but it shouldn't make you blind. If you want to save your husband from danger then you should know him in and out. You should know not only his present but his past too. Manik Malhotra is in danger and this string is attached to his past. I am here to not put him in peril but to save you both from it. Let your husband know that joining the Mafia is not a good plan to shift my focus. Okay, I will take your leave now. Just one advice, be with your husband. He is trusting the wrong people."
Saying this, Bhosle stands up to leave. Nandini utters in a confused tone,
"Joining the Mafia...means?"
A grin of pity appears on Bhosle's lips. He says sympathetically,
"It seems you don't even know much about your hubby's present life. He is now officially with his Mafia friend Aryamaan Khurana."
..........................................
After whatever happened between Cabir and Navya in the car that night, Navya's anger and complaints against Cabir got pacified a bit. Though Cabir didn't accept her pregnancy positively yet, she could smell the dilemma in his eyes. It's like he neither can live with this truth that Navya has chosen her baby over him, nor he can live without her presence in his life. It's hard for a person who is scared of commitment to accept that love is not a business of profit and loss. Navya was working on her laptop sitting on her term, when her mobile rang. Unmindfully she answers the call,
"Hello...Navya Mehta speaking."
The voice forms some deep lines on her forehead. Mr Aurther Martin. Founder and CEO of Codfather Company. They met at Manik Malhotra's party and he directly offered a job to Navya. Of course, the position, prospective and salary are far more lucrative than her current job in Dhawan Industry. Although she avoided the offer that time, she didn't turn it down completely. Needless to say, the tiff between her and Cabir was the reason.
"But Mr Martin I gave you my answer that night only."
Navya again tries to dodge Mr Martin's offer. Some moments pass and Navya keeps on listening to the person over the phone. Her facial expression reveals that she is in a quandary. Eventually, she cuts the call after assuring Mr Martin,
"Okay, I will think about it and let you know tomorrow. Thank you, Mr Martin. It's a pleasure."
She is about to concentrate on her work again when a baritone voice from behind makes her startled.
"Can you please come to my cabin?"
Navya turns to see the person. Cabir is standing with a burning cigar. An unpleasant snicker is plastered on his face.
.............................................
"Right now, I am sitting in my bedroom, waiting for my husband. My eyes are fixed on the wall clock. After 3 minutes it will strike 2 a.m. My jaws become hard. Tonight, Manik has to answer my all questions. After encountering SP Bhosle, I cancelled the appointment with Aliya and returned home. I was boiling from inside with anger, dejection and frustration. How could Manik can hide this secret from me? Despite my all objections, he joined Aryamaan. Like him, he also has become a Mafia. Bile rushes to my throat at the thought. Suddenly, I heard the cracking sound of the iron gate in the garden and a car probably entered. I know, Manik has come. I bite my lower lip in anticipation. I can hear his footsteps. He is coming upstairs. The heavy footsteps stop near our daughter's room and after a brief pause, again approach our bedroom. My eyes are glued to the closed door. The latch gets twisted and here he is. Immaculate but exhausted. I don't get down from the bed and keep on observing him. He rests the blazer on the sofa and unbutton his cufflinks. Meanwhile, his eyes fall on my unmoved frame. A weary smile peeks on his lips."
"Sorry, Angel...I got late."
He utters with a fatigued voice. I reply sneeringly,
"Save your sorries. You must need them later."
Author's note: Lines in Italic and bold are the thoughts of the respective character. This scene will be continued in the next chapter. The next update will be "MMM". Keep supporting by voting, commenting and following. Love you all. 💓