Chapter 9

Sabari was stunned as Chandrika pointed a German pistol towards him. He asked in a high toned voice,”Who are you?”

Just when he completed his sentence, Chandrika looked around and placed the gun on his back. She commanded in a stern voice.

“No… No… Tone down… No talking from now on. Let us not make this complicated here. All you need to do is ‘DO WHAT I SAY’. I wont hesitate to use this fully loaded gun if you don’t co-operate with me”

Sabari looked around to see if he was fortunate to find any of his colleagues watching this scenario, to help him. Unfortunately, there was none.

“Mr. Sabari… We have done our homework. You will not get any help at this point of time. We know when people will get busy with their work in their workspace cubes. Even if anyone comes in our way, my gun will treat them harsh. Don’t think too much and just obey my instructions.”

Sabari understood that he is in trouble and asked, “What should I do now?”

“Just relax and walk along with me. We are getting out of the office. No signs and signals to anyone until we go out. And, don’t plan to attack me. If you do, you will have to sacrifice your newlywed wife, who is waiting for you with the lunch.”

Sabari was astonished as his wife was brought into the topic.

“What do you need?”

“This is not the right place to talk about it. We have a black Skoda Octavia waiting outside with a driver. You have to be seated in the front passenger seat and I will be in the back seat. Once you get in, you are not supposed to involve in any discussion with the driver. You should show yourself normal until you leave the building. Don’t give yourself room for suspicion to anyone including the securities. Come on.. Lets go now”

With multiple questions in his mind, Sabari decided to go with the flow. In the next couple of minutes, Sabari and Chandrika reached the parking area. There was a shiny black Skoda Octavia car waiting with its engine on. The tinted glasses were up and closed. Sabari opened the front passenger door hesitantly and got in. Chandrika got into the back seat.

For his surprise, there was a lady in the driver seat and he looked back at Chandrika.

“Surprised? A driver can be a female too”

The car quietly moved out of the building. Once the car was out, it picked up speed.

Sabari turned to Chandrika and asked, “What is the need for my kidnap?”

“No Mr. Sabari.. This isn’t a kidnap”

“If not, what do you call it?”

“The plan is to meet a VIP for lunch. During the meet, the VIP will ask you some doubts. Once you clear the doubts, you are free to leave home.”

“Who is that ‘VIP’ ?”

“You will get to meet him once you reach the destination”

Sabari was pissed off by Chandrika’s answer and before he wanted to blurt out in anger, his mobile phone rang.  It was his wife Ananya. Chandrika peeped into the phone and understood that it was his wife.

“Oh… Its your better half… Nice.. But here are the instructions… You are allowed to talk.. But with the speaker on. Obviously you are not allowed to talk anything about this story. Deal?”

Sabari nodded his head in acceptance. “hmm…”

“Go ahead ..”

Sabari attended the call with the speakers on.

“Yes Ananya…”

There was a second of silence and Ananya spoke, “This is not how you usually receive my phone call… Is there anyone nearby?”

Sabari hesitantly replied, “hmmmmm.. kind of…. “

“Oh.. got you.. Is that your boss Prathap?”

“Yes… right… In mid of a discussion… “

“Oh ok.. Hope you will not be late for lunch”

“I’m doubtful for lunch today”

“Really? I have cooked already.. that too your favourite dishes.. “

“Shall I talk to you later?”

“Hold on… “

“What?”

“Have you put your phone on speaker?”

Sabari was taken back on that question and decided to manage it.

“No.. Why?”

“I kind of hear echo and disturbance. This is how I would hear if the phone is put on speaker.. “

“The disturbance is due to the noise of the fan here”

“Fan?? You should be kidding.. What happened to the AC’s “

“There is some technical issue in the centralized AC and the repair is undergoing”

There was silence once again and Ananya asked, “Something is wrong with you today. Are you into any kind of trouble? Usually your phone conversation wouldn’t be boring like how it is now. You would crack jokes and always be excited when you chat”

“Hey Ananya.. Listen… Myself and my boss are in an important discussion. He has gone to pick up an important document. I just used the time to attend your call. He might be back anytime…I’m gonna disconnect the call now”

“Ok… Be home for lunch then”

“I doubt I could make it…. Don’t wait for me….”

“No way.. I want you to be here for lunch… I will wait”

The call was disconnected instantaneously. Chandrika turned to Sabari with a smile.

“You are one lucky husband. I assume that yours is love marriage.. No? ”

“You need not worry about it”

“Oh ya.. Agreed”

Chandrika leaned back to her seat comfortably with her gun pointing towards Sabari and the car zipped through the streets.