Chapter 5 - Five Thousand Rupees

Only Ahar knew how she brought Shravan to her apartment. She had called her roommate and close friend, Suman, for help. Both girls tended to the bruised up guy. Ahar explained to Suman what had happened. It was her fault he was beaten up . . . with hockey sticks.

"Isn't he the guy from that shop?" Suman asked. "Engaged one?"

Ahar nodded. She was too embarrassed about that day and the hospital one. She never brought it up in front of Shravan.

Shravan woke up with his body aching. He was hating Harayana more and more. He slowly sat up. As soon as his eyes met Ahar's hazel ones, Shravan winced. She caused him the pain. Now, she was trying to repair it.

"I'm gonna sue you!" he said.

"You were stalking me!" Ahar said outraged.

"Stalking? I was trying to talk to you, but you misinterpreted," lied Shravan. He had indeed been following her to check if she went to Sanya.

"Misinterpret?" Ahar asked incredulously. "I am a twenty-two year old female walking home alone after eleven. If someone follows me, how do I know it's not a bad guy?" Shravan rolled his eyes. "This is a society that blames women for being responsible for any mishap that happens to them."

"Oh please--"

"Oh trust me," Ahar interjected, "if you put out the news of your girlfriend being kidnapped, you know what people will say? That it was her fault for being out so late at night with her boyfriend or fiancé." Shravan narrowed his eyes at her, obviously taken aback at the words. How would it be Sanya's fault for getting kidnapped? "She should have stayed home like any decent girl."

"That's bullshit," Shravan said in disbelief.

"That's reality," Suman backed her upset friend.

He pursed his lips.

For the first time, Shravan believed the worry and truth in Ahar's eyes--even behind the glasses. He knew it was tough for women even in New York to go out alone at night. This was still India--a developing nation.

Suman handed him a glass of water and gave him medicine. Shravan quietly took it. He recognized Suman as the bandana girl on his first day in India.

"Thanks for taking me to the hospital," he said sarcastically.

Solemnly, Ahar replied, "I didn't take you to there because I knew you would have us all thrown in jail for assault. American. I'm not chakki peesing and peesing (doing prisoner labor with grindstone)."

Shravan was about to deny it but realized she was right. But he couldn't get to Sanya when one of the kidnappers was "chakki peesing and peesing (doing labor with grinding stones)."

They were all quiet.

Shravan called his cousin Manan who took twenty minutes to come. Shravan lied about getting beat up by random men who ran away before he could get a clear view of their faces. Ahar helped him. Manan believed him fortunately and took him home.

Shravan's mind was still stuck on Ahar's words.

She had the right to seek safety. She didn't do anything wrong except for not checking who the stalker was first.

The following morning, as she went to meet Shravan, Ahar felt guilty for getting him beaten. She should have checked first. Reaching their usual spot, she waited.

Her phone rang.

It was Laksh--her younger brother. Worry immediately took over as she answered.

"Is Mumma okay?" she asked, picking up.

"Hello, di (sis)," Laksh's said. "Sorry, I couldn't call you these past days. Papa just went to work." She remembered how her father never allowed Laksh to talk to Ahar, calling her a bad influence.

"It's fine. What's wrong?" Ahar asked.

"Mumma's health is getting worse." Ahar's worst nightmare was hearing those words. "Doctors asked for more money by this Saturday. Papa arranged a lot and so did I. Your contribution also helped, but di (sis), we are still thirty thousand short."

Ahar rubbed her eyes and groaned. She had already asked for this month's salary from Anchal. What now?

"I'll think of something," she assured the sixteen-year old. She saw Shravan getting dropped off by Manan. Manan waved at her before riding away in his car. Shravan's bike was still there from yesterday. Shravan waited for her to finish talking.

"Do you think Mumma will be fine? The money?" Laksh asked.

"Don't worry. She'll be dealt with by professionals," assured Ahar. "Also, don't fret about the money. You'll get it on time." Shravan's face paled. He assumed the she was Sanya. And the money? Ahar was already sure he was going to give the kidnappers his money and everything on time? Ahar hung up the call soon.

Tension filled the air.

Their minds went to the previous time they were together.

"Sorry about scaring you yesterday," Shravan said. He would gain her trust this way.

"It's fine," said Ahar said surprised he apologized. She went further ahead and said sorry for everything that happened to him. Shravan managed to give his forgiveness. Ahar felt much better. "So, what's the plan for today?"

"Shivani. The person who had attacked obviously had the structure of a male, so--"

"But the person who snuck up to the car and drove didn't look a guy," Ahar reasoned. "It could be a girl. We couldn't see anything except the petite body."

Shravan nodded. In his mind, he was wondering why Ahar was playing a confusing game. If she was the person who snuck up to the car, then why would she give herself away?

"We need to know where Shivani was that night," said Shravan, playing along.

Ahar bit her fingernails. "Ask her."

Rolling his eyes, Shravan said, "She left for college half an hour ago." He sat down on his bike. Manan had dropped him off today where Shravan had left the bike. Shravan had to lie about touring Harayana to get rid of Manan.

"What can you recall about Shivani that kidnapping day?"

Shravan stressed his mind. "I think she stayed in her room the whole time."

"You think?"

"I got hit on the head twice. What do you expect?" Ahar said nothing. "What now?"

Ahar shot him a look. Did he expect her to come up with everything? Nonetheless, she thought about the mystery novels she had read. There were always witnesses, right?

Ahar thought of potential people. Manan? No. Not the family because suspicion might arise. But who would know who came in . . . and who went out that night? Her mind immediately went to the party night where she was stopped by guards.

"Bingo!" Ahar exclaimed.

"I like that game."

"I meant it as an expression." She rolled her eyes. "We could ask your guards about the people who went out of your house that night!"

Shravan blinked at her. The guards seemed like a good idea but what would Ahar attain from this? Did she want to move the arrow in someone else's direction?

He gestured her to get on the bike. Ahar raised an eyebrow.

"Can you drive in your situation?"

"Just get on. Remember, don't touch me."

Ahar got on, pretending to choke his neck.

She clutched the bike to maintain her balance. When the bike jerked to a stop, she bumped forward into Shravan's back, receiving a death glare. Only Shravan knew about the injuries on his chest and back. Afraid, Ahar quickly jumped off.

They had landed at the front gates of the Sethi mansion. They hurried to his parents' employees with Ahar.

"We need information." Ahar simply shook her head at Shravan's direct approach. "Remember the night I snuck out with my girlfriend?" The guards nervously nodded. "Who else went out that night?"

"Just you, sir," the guard with a thick mustache replied. His name plate read Babu.

Shravan gave Ahar a victorious grin.

"Your sister leaves for late nights with her friends though," the second guard named Ramu, added.

Shravan's face fell. Shivani snuck out late? Wasn't she worried for her safety in this messed up nation? Ahar put a hand on his shoulder and gestured him to step aside. For once, without complaining, Shravan inclined.

"Can you remember if she left that night?" Ahar asked Babu and Ramu.

The guards thought it over. "Yes!" Ramu said. "She left right after Shravan sir. About midnight. I remember because she yelled at me for falling asleep on duty--the first time in ten years!"

Ahar thanked him and went to her partner. Shravan crossed his arms and decided to directly approach his sister when she got home. Ahar had a different idea. They needed to catch Shivani red-handed.

Shravan agreed. "Okay. Tonight, we'll follow her . . . if she goes out."

"We?" Ahar grimaced. "I have a job."

"I'll pay you." Ahar wanted to decline but remembered her brother's phone call. They needed money by Saturday and it was Tuesday. Shravan saw her thoughtful look and added, "Five thousand rupees."

She bit her lip. "Why did it go down one?"

"Because I know you'll still take it," he said.

Putting aside her self respect, she nodded and bid goodbye. She better catch sleep if she was going to work past midnight.

__________________

"If you fall asleep on my back one more time, payment cancelled." Ahar sat up quickly on the bike. It wasn't her fault they had been waiting for an hour for his sister. "And get a hair cut or tie your hair. The wind's making it go in my eyes. Not pleasant." They were sitting on Shravan's bike outside the Sethi mansion gates, ready to chase whoever came out. They received a lot of wind at their hiding spot--beside a thick tree.

"Don't disrespect the hair," Ahar warned. She took off the hair band she used as a bracelet and tied her long, dark waves. "Took years to have it reach my hips."

"Couldn't get extentions or a wig?"

"Ew."

Shravan's retort cut prematurely when he spotted his sister. "Shivani!" he whispered.

Ahar became alert.

His sister came out of the gates and a jeep pulled up. Shivani jumped in and they drove away fast. Shravan and Ahar followed at a safe distance behind. The jeep stopped outside a run-down place. Shravan was concerned about his sister.

Why was she here?

Shivani, another girl, and two guys stepped out of the jeep. They went inside after showing something to a man standing outside. Shravan and Ahar followed. They stopped for an identification check and fee--which Shravan paid--and headed inside.

When both of them saw inappropriate clothes, people, and drinks, they mentally cringed.

"Disgusting," he said. He had been to clubs before . . . but of a better class. The vulgar dancing, people, and language here repulsed both Ahar and Shravan. "Don't go off alone," he warned her. She had thrown a tantrum about her safety last night.

Ahar nodded.

Shravan spotted Shivani dancing with someone. The couple was awfully close to each other. The guy was trying to inappropriately touch her while she tried to push him away. Shravan's fists clenched and his face hardened. For a moment, he wanted to tear the guy apart.

Shravan trudged to Shivani and pulled the idiot off her. He threw a solid punch to the boy's jaw before letting go.

Shivani's eyes went wide, seeing her brother.

"Bhaiya (term for older brother)--"

"Shut up," Shravan warned.

Her head went down in shame. He took his sister's hand and began heading out.

Ahar was snapping evidence pictures when she realized she was standing alone. Where did Shravan disappear? He told her to stick with him.

Suddenly, her wrist was pulled and she was turned to face a bloodshot-eyed man.

"Dance with me."

She flinched at the tight grip the intoxicated guy had. She raised her free hand and slapped him. Instead of letting go, he grabbed both her hands. Ahar stomped on his foot and took the two second of loosening to run. However, she turned smack into a couple of other guys. The guy she hurt was smirking. These were his people. She tried to bypass them smoothly but got held back.

"Look, nerdy," someone commented, "you don't get away that easily for hitting someone."

Ahar flinched. She was getting paid for this nonsense?

"Virdee!" Seeing Shravan's face brought relief to Ahar. Shravan hurried and grabbed her arm. He saw the situation she was in and feigned a cool attitude. He tried to casually walk away with her. He hadn't realized she was missing until he reached the door with Shivani.

Suddenly, her other arm was jerked back. Ahar turned back to see the culprit along with Shravan who was holding her other wrist.

"Think you can slip away with attacking me?" the drunk guy who Ahar had hit asked.

Shravan looked at Ahar. "You attacked him?"

"Self-defense," she shrugged.

Shravan released his grip on her and walked to the guy. "She hit you?" He nodded. Must be deserved, Shravan thought. He pretended to look left, right, then up and down--the guy following his every move. At the end, Shravan gave the man a swift punch and yelled, "Run" to Ahar.

They halted without wasting time, the weirdos chasing right behind.

Shravan had told Shivani to get home with her friends while he got Ahar. She wasn't there when Shravan and Ahar got out. Both of them hopped on the bike and drove away in time.

Ahar hadn't realized she was clutching onto Shravan's shoulders, but he did and chose not to say anything, for a reason he himself didn't know. His whole body hurt, but the sudden boost of adrenaline had gotten him through the mess. He was still shocked with himself for saving his enemy. Innocent till proven guilty, he told himself.

"Are you crazy?" he shouted while driving. "I told you to stay with me!"

"You ran off without telling!"

He realized she was right, but wasn't she supposed to paying attention?

Since he was paying her, Shravan decided to take Ahar to his house as a witness. Shivani was already waiting in the living room as directed by Shravan.

"Mom! Dad!" Shravan screamed as soon as he got inside.

Shivani winced. Mr. and Mrs. Sethi came downstairs with sleepy faces. Manan and some other family members also came.

"I was having a good dream!" Manan complained. "Sunny Leone was dancing Baby Doll--" he shut up realizing adults were staring at him. He suddenly giggled. "Only joking."

"Manan, shut up," Shravan said with a grave face.

"What's wrong?" Mrs. Sethi asked as she noticed Ahar with her son.

"Ahar explain before I lose my senses." Ahar could sense his dilemma and she quickly launched into how Shravan and her found Shivani in a run down club with cheap people and environment. She even showed the photos she took. Shravan was impressed that she captured proof. The family was shocked. As soon as Ahar finished, Shravan said, "She could've gotten hurt! And she would've been blamed for it!"

Ahar held back a smile. She had told him about this.

Shivani began crying.

Mrs. Sethi went to shush her. "She's a kid, Shravan. It hasn't even been a week since you've been here--"

"So what?" Shravan exclaimed. "She's still my sister! She should be aware of the limits that shouldn't be crossed."

"If it was Arun bhaiya or Manan bhaiya, you wouldn't have reacted like this!" Shivani argued.

"You're right, I wouldn't have," Shravan said. "I'd have slapped or hit them at the spot!"

Ahar felt awkward standing there. Everyone fell silent. Mr. Sethi finally declared the matter to be discussed the following morning. It was time for sleep. Ahar needed to head home as well. Shravan decided to drop her off. He needed to cool off as well as pay her.

"Thanks for the ride," Ahar said once they stopped outside her building. Shravan was still looking angry. "Are you always grouchy?"

"Only in this country."

"Hey, your wedding's in a month," she said, trying to lighten his mood. "Cheer up."

"I can't get married without my girlfriend," he said, his mood worsening. Ahar was a mean kidnapper, rubbing salt on his wounds.

"We'll find her. Don't worry. The kidnapper gave us two weeks--"

"Yeah yeah. So generous. But if I don't her find her by then, I'm screwed. Her parents'll be here at that time--"

"Sorry?"

"Sanya's parents are coming in two weeks," he said exasperated. It took him a moment to realize what he had said. The kidnapper had given him two weeks. He or she couldn't have done this by coincidence. Ahar realized what he was saying. "Priest has planned it out," he said directly, using the code word.

Ahar frowned. What was he saying? "What?"

He simply shook his head. Fumbling with his pockets, he pulled out the money and handed it to her. "Thanks for tonight especially with taking the photos. See you tomorrow at ten."

He rode away just like that.

Ahar held the money and headed to her apartment. She worried for only one thing.

How was the rest of the money supposed to be arranged?

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Thoughts on the chapter?
Sorry for typos, etc. Its 1:35am. Too late to edit, proofread etc xD

Shravan is nice, isn't he? He misunderstood the phone call.

But the money issue with Ahar ruins it all :/

Think Shivani is innocent?

I'll be honest, mystery suspense type is not my genre. I am far more excited to begin Husband for Hire than this. This story won't be very long, thats for sure. But updates will be more frequent seeing I finally completed DWG.

--Kiran