Chapter 4

Matsyaa thought she committed a mistake as she combed her hair and Prem yelled for her umpteenth time from the hall. He'd been pissing her off for twenty minutes. Pushing a curl behind her ear, she dropped the brush on the table and saw her reflection in the mirror. She smiled brightly, noticing a deep brown pair of eyes staring back at her. She sauntered to her bed and gathered her faxed documents.

"Matsyaa, please hurry up." She grinned, zipping her bag as he reduced to whining. Locking her room, she paraded down the stairs and held her hands up. "Breathe. I'm here!"

"Look at the time, girl! I'm a busy man." He grumpily flashed his gold watch at her and she pouted, reaching to him. "You changed the plan at the last moment. I was supposed to go with big bro, but you jumped up at the opportunity and now you're blaming me for hampering your work?! I had to check the necessary documents."

Prem eyed her handbag with a frown, "It's not needed. We're going there only to make some introductions."

"I know. I just love to come prepared." She shrugged. Prem nodded, keeping hands on his waist and jerked his chin towards the exit. "Okay. Let's go?" 

"Sure!" Matsyaa smiled after the guard opened the door for her. She ducked inside the car which was already prepared to escort them. Prem rolled beside her and shut the door, eyeing her floral peach letter jacket. "Just for your information, you don't need a jacket. It burns here in summer." 

Matsyaa looked up at him and then down on her, "Oh, this! It's not a jacket. It's blouson." 

"A what?" Prem knitted his eyebrows and she explained, "A blouson. Um, a shrug. Like an overthrow? And, don't worry, it's made  up of high-end cotton. It's very comfortable." 

"Alright!" Satisfied, Prem nodded and pulled out his tab. He wore his rounded specs and tapped furiously on the screen. Matsyaa unpacked her camera from her tote and began to adjust its lenses. She was peeking in the lens to confirm the calibration when she heard a scoff. 

"Do you really know how to click pictures? Or you just roam around hanging it?" 

"I don't have to prove it to you." She smirked, handling the cam like a professional and turned the little dials near the viewfinder to fix the diopter. Once done, she clicked a snap of him and showed, "How's it?" 

"Average!" Prem scrunched his nose, waving his hand in a so-and-so gesture. She nodded, looking at the pic. "You tell me? I think I need to find a better model."

Prem was almost about to agree but gaped at her when her words made sense to him, "WHAT?!"

Matsyaa grinned, throwing her head back and the rest of the journey was exuberant with Prem listing the names of women who fell for his convincing charm to convince her that he was handsome enough. 

***

"I was about to tell you, uncle." Ranvijay exhaled, dropping his fork and looking at Ajey. "I have everything under control. You don't have to worry."

"It doesn't explain why you called Vikram." Ajey strictly demanded and Ranvijay sizzled Veer with one of his most terrifying glares. The younger man raised his hands in surrender and shook his head, "I didn't say a word about that. In fact, I didn't know that. Did you really do that?"

Basically, Veer had blurted out everything about the accident to his father. Thankfully, he only revealed about the men Ranvijay had killed, and not about the ones they still had in custody. Ajey had exploded on them, demanding to know why it was kept hidden from him but Vikram's name made him livid. He couldn't wait and summoned the boys for a separate brunch.

"Seems like my trusted man has altered his preferences." Ranvijay muttered, throwing the napkin ahead of him. "It's not like how you think it is!"

"Bhushan told me nothing. I've my own sources. But, why didn't you tell me? Are we supposed to hide things from each other?”

Ranvijay shook his head, “No, uncle. I was dealing with it fine. I didn't see the need to disturb you. Vikram was spotted with the attackers. I think he knows something. That's all.” 

“So did he tell you?”  

“He didn't come to meet me.” Ranvijay said gruffly, “I'm thinking of talking to him this weekend at dinner. I'm sure grandpa will somehow make an excuse to call me.”

"You should've called him for brunch today. But leave it! You're going to be civil, Ranvijay. Families shouldn't be involved,” Ajey warned him and he nodded. “He's my brother, Uncle. I know that. I'm not going to hurt him.” Even though saying so made his heart ache, he had to speak it loud. 

Ajey knew how Ranvijay turned when he was angry. Even death would scare to come in front of him when he took the gun in his hands. Despite knowing that Ranvijay could never harm Vikram, he had to make sure the brothers didn't sport any rivalry between them. 

He put hand over Ranvijay's shoulder and patted, "I know you won't hurt him. Son, Vikram and you; both are my sister's only souvenirs. When I lost her, I started to see her in you two. I won't be able to survive if you both hate each other. So promise me, for once and all. Nothing will come between you two." 

Ajey's voice began to break and he blinked severally to clear his moist gaze. The dining table felt cluttered with pain. One from the brother who lost his sister, and the other from the son who lost his mother, but unlike Ajey, Ranvijay channeled his pain into destructive energy. 

His ocean-like eyes were empty, as if he didn't feel anything. He inhaled a deep breath and held his uncle's hand, making a promise. "Nothing will come between us. You have my word. I'll keep him safe.”  

“I want both of you safe.” Ajey made himself clear and got up from the table, clearing his throat. "It's late for the office. Shekhar, are you coming with me?" 

"Yes, dad." Shekhar pushed his plate aside, wiped his mouth and stood up. Ranvijay also followed up. Ajey flashed his eyebrows at him, "When is your flight?" 

"At five! I've a meeting with the dean of the university in half an hour. I'll leave for the airport from there. Veer is accompanying me," Ranvijay said and looked at the man who was still polishing off the omelet. He was the only one at the dining table. Ajey sighed, turning to Ranvijay as if telling him to reconsider his decision. 

"Veer!" Ranvijay called up, sternly and the younger man coughed. He nodded, hastily drinking water. "I know. I know. Let's go!" He wiped his mouth with the napkin and stood up. 

Ranvijay glared at him, "If I'm late for the flight, you'll drive me to Germany without sleeping, eating or going to the bathroom. I'm not gonna repeat!"

"Wow. So much love for your beloved cousin!" Veer rolled his eyes and touched elders' feet before following Ranvijay. Ajey and Shekhar chuckled at his misery. Though Ranvijay loved Veer as much as he loved Vikram, his way of showing love was definitely questionable. 

***

The car entered the premises of the University campus and was welcomed by small gardens on the sides of the pathway, leading to the main building. Matsyaa looked out the window, nonchalantly. There were several towers, walls painted with graffiti, inspirational quotes and depicting some of protesting banners on societal evils. 

"Are you liking it?" Prem's gentle voice rang in her ear and she hummed. "50 - 50. The campus is smaller than that of my previous University, but it's… vibrant. So colorful and welcoming!” 

"Because it's India." Prem winked at her, putting on shades. They stepped out of the car and proceeded to the narrow aisle, tucked in the sharp bend of the extreme corner of the administration block. Matsyaa saw the throng of students fluttering around, sitting in the garden and enjoying music; some were busy walking with a book in hand and some shy couples were just wandering hand in hand. 

"Why are we taking this route? I guess the entrance is left behind." She jerked the thumb to the corridor they just crossed. Two guards were there to check the IDs but they both saluted to Prem and waved him in.

"This is VIPs route. Dean's office is at the end of the lane." Prem said and stopped abruptly, like he just remembered something. His hands dropped to his pockets and he winced, "Damn! I forgot my phone." 

"Where?"

"In the car."

"Then go and grab it." She chuckled and he turned back, already jogging out. "You wait here for me. I'll be back in a moment."

"Kay!" She hollered back, fidgeting with her camera. Gnawing on her inner cheeks, she roamed her eyes around to see the wonderful wall-art. She probed further and was dazzled to see a pool just round the corner. Opposite to it was a wall with beautiful graffiti. 

Her eyes stuck on that piece and her legs dragged her closer. She traced her fingers on the paint that drew the silky black hair of a woman, who was draped in layers of white cotton and a massive crown rested on her head. 

There were lots of books around her; some open, some closed and a slant of lemon sunlight was blazing on her. The painting looked like an animated object. Matsyaa took a few steps back to look at it properly in the landscape view. The corners of the wall held the images of svelte arms holding a flambeaux and the flame was charging fire. 

"Wow!!" She whispered, awed by the intricate details of the painting. She took a step back and focused her eye on the lense, angling her camera to click a picture. 

She was so concentrated that she missed everything; chirping of birds, fluttering of leaves, soft ripples of water. And, the echoing footsteps of a stranger.

***

"Mr. Kothari. We need to take sports education seriously." Ranvijay said as a preamble and folded his hands on his lap. "Kids lack physical competitiveness on an international level. We've to ensure that they are at par with the global athletes. It's our responsibility to give them a conducive environment."

Dr. Akash Kothari, the dean of the University, nodded with extreme attention. "I agree with you, Kunwar. We've excellent faculty. We've enlisted thirty sports in our academic schedule out of which ten are mainstream. The district level and state level players are selected from our college teams." 

"So why do you need the grant?" Ranvijay raised an eyebrow. Akash cleared his throat to explain, "Because that's not enough. The selection base of state level players is one out of hundred. In a bigger view, those remaining ninety nine students make crowds. Some of them are still able to get jobs but those coming from financially weaker families are clueless." 

"So, you're looking for a sports sponsorship for those students." Ranvijay concluded and Akash nodded, "Yes. If you permit, we'll use the funds to collaborate with other colleges and sponsor sports education. Those who want to go for higher education, we'll bear their expenses." 

Ranvijay pondered over for a minute, "Sure. I like the idea, but we'll have to revise and add some terms regarding the qualifications for the sponsorship. I'll take your leave now. I have a flight to catch." 

"Sure, sir! Have a nice day. It was an honor to meet you," Akash left his chair after Ranvijay and shook hands, with a smile. "I hope you've received our invitation. We'll be honored if you can take some time from your schedule and motivate our students. Please grace the cultural fest." 

"I'll try to make it, Mr. Kothari. Thanks for the invitation," Ranvijay smiled and left the cabin with Veer and their guards trailing behind.

"Will you attend the function?" Veer put forward, walking abreast to him and he shook his head, "I've no interest in being a part of the limelight. You or Shekhar; either of you can attend it on my behalf."

"But you're the chief guest."

"I have a meeting that's more important than attending a college fest." He spoke in a voice that shut up Veer quickly. "This reminds me, when are you leaving for Assam?" 

"Next week. It's that…'' Veer was saying but Ranvijay had lost interest. His mind went to focus on a faint, soft jingle. That was surely an ornament. Before Ranvijay could snatch the control back, he was engulfed by the scent of honey and grapes. 

It automatically slowed down his steps. Veer had progressed ahead, his lips were still moving but Ranvijay's brain was taking more than usual to register anything. Like the world around him had slipped into slow-motion. 

And then someone clicked a shutter. Things went back to normal. Ranvijay took fast steps and found a girl, clicking a picture of the wall-art. Her hair was flying in the air. The jingle which had disturbed him was from the bracelet she wore in her right hand. Even though the cotton shrug on her body was baggy, when the wind blew and it swept aside, her bare skin made his blood pressure rise. 

"Isn't the route prohibited for students?" It must've been Veer who pointed it out, but Ranvijay was far gone to care about it. He was desperate to see her face, like he wouldn't survive without that, and the urge made him both confused and aroused.