11 The Escape and The Capture

Ankit was surprised to see the shutter up. It was 8:28 a.m.and none of them reported before 8:45 a.m.

He rushed in and his chin dropped in awe.

There stood Radha Madam, head held high and the bandage sitting on her chin.

"Did I oversleep?"

Ankit asked sheepishly.

"What do you mean by oversleep? It's not even 8:30. And Good Morning Ankit." She smiled kindly.

"Did I sleep through a day or two? Why are you here? Rather how could you be here Ma'm? I mean how did you manage to? Yesterday you looked gross. "

Radha nodded affectionately at his childish approach as she dismissed him with a motherly grin.

She had sneaked out of Madhav's place 5 in the morning. Getting a taxi was not that difficult, but, the pocket pinch did hurt. She was anticipating a call any moment now but so far everything had been calm.

She was sure Madhav was up and she badly wanted him to check on her. But then again, since dumping her with Rajomma, when did he check on her, except in her hallucination!!!

Radha could feel a dull ache building in her heart while she found it difficult swallowing.

She badly wanted his attention. But why would Madhav even check on her?

He gave an injured shelter, he recommended her to Basu Sen, he even let his people take care of a nobody like her. What else was she expecting from that man!!!

Honestly, she had no logical answer.

Yet, her expectations were boundless when it came to Madhav. Radha knew her mind was cloudy and thoughts were unorganized. She needed to control the stupid emotions. Wasn't she lucky enough to get so much affection and care in a day?

But her heart, right now, craved for more. Just like a stupid five year old kid.

"You can't lose it right in the beginning of the day.... You can't...."

She kept on mumbling to herself while she decided to concentrate on reality.

As she busied herself setting the coffee machine and in keeping the regular add on syrups and creams handy, the usual first customer of the day walked in.

"Good Morning Mr. Sahni", she chirped with fake happiness like all other days.

But the man looked visibly disturbed.

"Radha, let Ankit take your place and step out from the Counter. I need to talk to you."

Gaurav Sahni was a good boss.

But a frown on his face meant bad news. Radha could feel her knees going weak in fear. Everytime she saw that expression on his face, something went terribly wrong.

"Sir."

"Outside girl"

His voice was louder and harsher than usual. And she saw Ankit throwing her a worried glance.

Radha quickly left the counter and followed him like an obedient kid but she froze the moment she stepped out.

Beside Sahni's car stood another Mercedes and against it leaned the man she would prefer avoiding right now.

Basu Sen.

"So, is this the girl you called for ? "

Sahni asked in a high pitched tone.

"Yups. She's the one." Basu remained expressionless.

Sahni narrowed his eyes.

"In your dreams Sen"

Radha blinked hard.

So that's it.

Basu Sen was there to recruit her in the most unconventional way.

A boss versus boss thing.

And she was right in the middle of that drama!!!

Grrrrrrrreat...

Radha had signed a five years contract with The Cafe after completing the first year of her job.  Not that she was too eager to, but the pay was not indecent, the ambience was good and the tips were generous.

And above all, she was respected and loved by her colleagues.

Radha groaned internally.

And this guy number two of the dynamic duo knows about the bond. Holy cow.

By this time the other members of the team started arriving, like yesterday ,she saw them drooling over Basu Sen. Only if they knew how fierce, emotionless and strict this guy was. But then again, for the people like her, Madhav or Basu were just like the Page 3 entities. Handsome, successful, rich.... Well she couldn't blame people for being curious!!!

Mr. Sen was already showing something to Sahni in his tab. The elderly man nodded.

"Thanks Basu. Your research is appreciated. But Radha is my best and I guess certain things do not come with a price tag."

Right then the Jaguar pulled in.

And she just knew her fate was sealed.

As Madhav hopped out and glared at her, Radha dropped her head.

Running away was a bad idea.

"Ah.... So it was you then.

Plotting to steal my best huh!!"

Sahni was beyond rude now.

Madhav smirked.

"Pae Lagu Sahni Saab. " ( My respects Sahni Sir")

"What's it trickster? "

Sahni was getting red with anger.

"Ah there Sir. Did my Friend upset you with his tacklessness?"

Madhav smiled in his usual exotic way.

"You both. Outta my Cafe."

"But Sir, we are not even inside. And we all pay tax you know. So we have equal right to stand here, on this Government Road. Right Sahni Saab? "

Madhav was grinning ear to ear now.

Instead of feeling afraid or angry, Radha realized she too was sheepishly grinning with Madhav. Just that she realized it too late. Sahni had already caught her grinning ( if that could be called a grin from beneath the bandage covered face)

His patience snapped.

"Now what Radha! Don't fall for that trickster. I dunno what he is luring you with, but, trust me, he is cunning. He ends up getting everything he wants. Beware girl. This boy is someone you must avoid."

Radha tried her best to nod in obedience as she exerted her full self control to mask her grin.

That herbal soup definitely did some good, at least she could grin without pain now.

She almost got it covered when Madhav made her choke on his next sentence.

"Sahniji, the price then. I may be a trickster. But you are  no saint. So, what many folds she pulled your TRP up ? Two years, 273% growth.

Or do I need a correction?

Now put aside your good boss act.

How much? "

Radha could barely believe.

Madhav was bargaining crudely and that too in front of her.  How mean!

Sahni gave the boys a stern look.

But he spared no second glance at her. A sense of unwantedness settled over Radha.  She thought this Cafe as her home and this boss as a good one. But all he meant was money.

This moment was a glaring example.

"Not less than ten."

"I can give you that but she comes with me. Now."

"Cash."

No. Cheque and bond released.

"Cash."

"If you insist on cash, then five."

"Ten is the Lowest offer."

"Five max with bond released."

"Eight."

"Do you want me to call Malhotra and pull in the data we discussed last month? "

"Fine. Fine. Five. Bond released."

Radha had not noticed when Madhav had moved in to her side. She was too engrossed in the bargaining.

When he took her left hand in his right, she came back to reality with a lightening bolt.

Madhav looked at her intensely.

Eyes narrowed and a mock anger hovering on his face.

"Enough of adamency you know. What were you thinking when you sneaked out? That place is wired with CC TV stupid girl. You had not even stepped out of the main gate when the Security desk called.

YOU CANT WALK OUT ON ME. OK?"

Radha was still floating in the seventh heaven. All she could feel was those fingers and the touch of the ring he wore.

Must be his Engagement ring. She sighed.

"Five?"

Sahni's voice caught her attention.

She saw Basu's driver handing him a damn big bag while Basu himself stood in an authoritative posture holding some papers in his hand.

That big duffle bag for five lakhs! Wow.

Such show offs....

She thought.

As if reading her thoughts Madhav leaned in and whispered...

"Crores Baby. Not Lakhs."

And he squeezed her fingers giving her the most divine smile she has ever seen.

And like always, she realized she was again losing her senses as the reality sank.

Five fucking crores for her.

And with that she passed off blissfully while Madhav caught her with ease.

"Why do women choose me for passing out? Can't you morons be of any help?"

He cried out loud to Basu before picking Radha up and walking away to his car.

So far so good. He thought, as he briskly carried her to his car while his phone buzzed consistently.

SUDHASMARANMATI DEVI, the caller ID read.

He smiled and plugged the Bluetooth on.