🥀
Now we got problems

And I don't think we can solve 'em

You made a really deep cut

And baby, now we got bad blood
🥀

🥀🥀🥀

The party office was bustling with activity. Well, it should be. Elections were approaching. They had to plan campaigns and make arrangements. Raghbir went straight to Abhimanyu's office. He knocked on the door before stepping in to see Abhimanyu engrossed in paperwork.

“Oh, hello, Raghbir. Thanks for coming. Please have a seat.”

Raghbir gave him a curt nod and sat down on the chair placed before the office table. Abhimanyu's cabin was plain white with portraits of freedom fighters hanging in a sequence. There were no awards on display. Raghbir for a fact knew that Abhimanyu has a series of awards but he never put them on display.

“So what did you want to talk about?” He asked, getting straight to the point.

“Wait a minute, let me order beverages first. Would you like tea or coffee?” He asked while calling someone.

“Coffee.”

Abhimanyu told someone on the call to bring one cup of coffee and tea each to his cabin and then put his phone down before turning his attention to Raghbir.

“Actually I have an offer to make.”

Raghbir arched his eyebrow, “I'm surprised to hear that from you out of all people.”

“I was planning what promises I should be making to the public. And by now you must be aware that my promises are never lies.”

“Trust me, everyone knows that.”  He smiled.

“Actually Angana gave me this idea. There's this one serious problem with the practice of corporate funding. Policies are made in the favor of big companies like yours. But in all this small businesses and startups have to suffer. They get ignored by the government and they don't get the chance to grow. So here's my offer. When I become the CM, I will leave policies favoring your business untouched. But I want you to invest your money in startups so your profit benefits them too and Awadh's overall economic condition improves.”

Raghbir was baffled. How can someone be so selfless and honest? Politicians are morally grey by nature. But maybe Abhimanyu was an exception.

“Abhimanyu, why are you not like other politicians?” Raghbir asked him straightforwardly.

Abhimanyu chuckled, “Maybe it's because of Chahana Aunty's support. I know I'll be the next CM. She has reassured me that I'll remain the CM for at least next three terms. So now that she is so confident that I'm going to be in power for the next fifteen years, it would only be fair if I actually do my job properly. So that in the next elections I don't have to use religion to get votes. I can just show people the work I did.”

“Fifteen years? She is so confident about your victory.”  He was shocked to hear that.

“Yeah, she said my good looks are a plus point. And I have got quite popular among the youth after doing a podcast with Ranvir Alhabadiya.”  Abhimanyu shrugged, as if it wasn't a big deal for him.

“Okay, it makes sense. You already have an influence on the young voters. It definitely will make a difference ”

“So are you interested in my offer?” Abhimanyu asked expectantly.

“It's a good deal. I'm interested.”  Raghbir smiled.

“Alright then. We'll be working on it once elections are over.”

“Sure. I'll take my leave now.”

“The coffee must be coming. Leave after having it.” Abhimanyu insisted.

Raghbir nodded and waited for the coffee to arrive. And it was delicious. The flavor was similar to the coffee Angana makes but it was definitely a better version. So his wife had learnt making coffee from the party office's peon. Hmm, impressive.

While sipping the coffee, a thought crossed his mind and he looked at Abhimanyu who has already finished his tea and was now focused on the paperwork.

“A piece of advice for you, Abhimanyu. Keep an eye on Jagdish Sinha. He is foolish but his foolishness may cause you harm someday.”

Abhimanyu stopped writing and asked, “Did he approach you?”

Raghbir nodded while putting the empty cup on the table.

“I'll take care of him.” Abhimanyu replied.

🥀🥀🥀

In the evening when he returned home from the office, Angana was sitting in the living room and drawing something on a drawing book. He sat down beside her and wrapped his arm around her waist. She was wearing a waistchain so he began playing with it.

“How was your day?” She asked him while concentrating on the fashion illustration she was making.

“Nice.” He mumbled while peppering kisses on her neck. He was about untie the knot of her blouse but he saw Sahana and Aas emerging from the kitchen. There hands filled with snacks. He unwillingly pulled away from Angana.

“What are you both doing here?” He asked them.

“Sahana is working on the designs for her new collection. And we are helping her.” Angana showed him the design she was drawing.

“Alright. Come to the bedroom for ten minutes. I need to find something.”  Saying so he stood up and went upstairs. Angana followed him to the bedroom in order to help him find ‘something.’

As soon as she entered the room, the door was locked by him and she was pushed against it. Angana was left startled, “What are you-” Before she could complete her sentence, her lips were captured in a hard kiss. Her hands went around his neck and his rested against her waist. But he ended the kiss pretty soon.

“Go. The girls must be waiting.” He kissed her cheek and let go of her waist.

Angana pouted, “Are you sure? You don't want to do more?”

“We'll continue at night.”  He smiled.

Angana nodded unwillingly and left the bedroom. Raghbir quickly got undressed and took a shower before changing into comfortable clothes and then headed downstairs.

Aas and Sahana were helping Angana prepare the dinner. He entered the kitchen and stood in a corner after pouring himself some orange juice in a glass.

“How did your meeting with Abhimanyu go?” Angana asked while stirring the gravy.

“It went well.” He replied after taking a sip of the icy cold juice.

“What meeting?” asked Sahana.

“It was about upcoming policies.” Raghbir answered.

“I thought you disliked Abhimanyu.” said Sahana while chopping vegetables for salad.

“Yeah, I disliked him earlier because he is my wife's ex. But now our dynamics will soon change. He'll be my brother-in-law, after all.” He smirked at her.

Sahana rolled her eyes at his last sentence, “What if I say I don't want to marry him? Why do you keep bringing that up?” She was evidently annoyed.

“Ragh, don't mess with my sister.” Angana warned him.

“What? I only answered her question. But I must say, Saani, if I had a sister I would have happily got her married to him. He is an ideal person.”

“Ah, you are getting on my nerves.”  She threw the knife on the shelf and ran her hand through her hair.

“Ragh, get out of here.”  Angana told him sternly.

“Alright.”  He shrugged nonchalantly and left the kitchen.

Aas was washing dishes quietly all the while.

The dinner was set and four of them began eating the Butter Chicken Angana had prepared. They were all silent courtesy to the fact that Sahana still looked a little annoyed.

The ringing of Angana's phone broke the silence. She picked the call. It was from her Angad Mamu. Two seconds into the call and her expressions grew serious. And when the call ended, the other three looked at her with questioning gazes.

“Abhimanyu got into an accident.”

🥀🥀🥀

Four of them drove to the hospital where Abhimanyu was admitted. They met his father Neil Raval and Angad in the corridor.

“How is Abhimanyu's condition, uncle?” Angana asked Neil.

“He fainted due to head injury. Doctor said he fractured his right arm. Other than that, he is alright?” Neil replied.

“That's a relief. How did the accident happen?” Raghbir asked.

“A lorry crashed into his car. There's nothing suspicious about the way accident happen. I guess, it could have happened with anyone.”

“But still you should investigate. I have my suspicion on Jagdish Sinha. He wants to contest for CM elections. He might have schemed it.” He expressed his doubt.

“Hmm, if that's the case then I'll look into it.” Neil nodded.

After sometime Aas left for home with her father Angad. Sahana too left for her Jodhbir uncle's place. Raghbir and Angana too drove back home.

When they reached home, Angana picked the half empty plates from the dining table.

“Are you hungry, Ragh?” She asked him.

“Yeah, but I don't want to eat anything now. Make me coffee please.”

She nodded, “Alright, head to the bedroom. I'll come with your coffee.”

Raghbir headed upstairs and entered the bedroom. He undressed and sat down on the bed leaning against the headrest. He covered his lower body with duvet when reminded of the cameras in the bedroom. He was yet to remove them. They just skipped his mind.

About ten minutes later, Angana entered the room with his coffee. She handed him the cup and picked the clothes he had removed. Entering the closet, she put them in the bucket of dirty clothes and then began removing the saree she was wearing. She wore just a baggy white t-shirt from Raghbir's closet and went to the bed. He smiled seeing her wear his t-shirt.

“Don't give me that look. I wore this because this is comfortable.” Saying so she covered herself with duvet and laid down.

He finished the coffee and put the cup on nightstand. Lying down, he pulled her into his arms. While moving his fingers through her hair, he asked her, “Do you think Abhimanyu's accident was a just coincidence or a plot against him?” 

“What if I say I know who did it?” She mumbled against his chest.

“Really? Who did it?” He asked, a little surprised.

Angana took a long pause before uttering the name, “Sahana.”

•••

I had thought I won't be able to update today. But then this amazing twist came to my mind.

Thoughts 💭