The road show was on. And the security was very tight.
But Raj summoned Solly before everything started.
" What do you want", asked Solly.
" I want him to attack me", said Raj.
Solly was bewildered.
" Explain ", he said.
" Did he call Caleb", asked Raj.
" Yes he told him the weapon will reach him right before the rally. He is to mask himself and shoot you in head point blank" .
" Any idea how he will approach me", asked Raj.
Solly merely shook his head.
" Then I move into open crowd to give him that chance", said Raj.
" Are you insane", said Solly.
" Or suicidal", said Kiara.
" No but I want to be in control. I want to know when and how he will attack me rather than wait for the inevitable", he said.
" Raj that's.. ", Kiara was saying.
" STUPIDITY ", said Kenny as she came to them.
" Morning beautiful. You look breathtaking ", said Raj.
Kenny was wearing a carrot coloured saree paired with a simple Mangalsootra, her wedding ring and sindoor. She wore same coloured bangles and a soft bindi too. She wore flats and a small golden tiara as she was a queen.
" You are inviting him to kill you", said Raj.
" His henchman a. K. A Caleb. "
" Raj", she said.
" Sssshhh my love", he softly touched his finger to her lips touching their foreheads.
" I can't lose you againn", she thought.
" Me too", he replied. He softly pecked her.
" We need to ruffle his feathers and hand him one defeat another to rattle him. This will prompt him to make mistakes and we nab him", said Raj.
" It sounds easy than it actually is. He has been evading law for years ", said Solly. " He is a pro. He has mastered his art in years".
" And I mastered mine for centuries ", thought Raj.
" Show off", Kenny scoffed in his head.
Solly looked worried.
" Do you think I am not prepared Solly", asked Raj.
" No but I too..", he hesitated..." I want to be in control of my actions too", said Solly.
Raj patted his back and said,
" I'll listen to you. I won't be rash regarding my security and your profession".
" Stay safe assh*le", said Solly. " We do need your ass on that throne".
He then patted Raj's back and left.
Kiara said to Raj,
" I sense a doom. Next few days will be hard. Be careful ".
As she left Raj sensed fear in his wife's mind.
" Beautiful ", he said softly.
She hugged him and wept.
" I. I love y.you.so so much.. I can't imagine... You are my life", she said.
" And you are mine beautiful. We have been preparing for a war. Nothing less. And we can't turn our backs now. Beautiful you have taught me how to be a leader. I have to stand in front not hide behind their backs".
She just nodded but hugged him tighter.
" We are prepared Kenny. We have come back to have our forever so trust Shiva".
" Yes Raj", she said softly.
Meanwhile
Parry and Myra were dining in a restaurant as planned earlier. Paras was going to visit there with his family.
" I hope he doesn't consider us as intrusion on privacy", said Parry.
" Be a little more confident you monkey. You are prince's personal assistant. Be a little assertive".
" I do remember all the dialogues. Do you think I didn't prepare"?
" Definitely not on your confidence ", she scoffed.
" Soon to be Mrs Meenakshi Joshi. I am the synonym of confidence ", he said playfully.
" Please don't over do it. You are prone to", she brushed him off.
" Actually it's the stuffy clothes you made me wear. I look like a waiter", he complained.
" I dressed you in an expensive button down and pants", she rolled her eyes.
" I would be better in my.. ", he was saying
" Shorts I know. Now concentrate here they come. His parents are with him. Let's move", she said.
The couple allowed the party to settle first. Paras and Sheena were having breakfast with his parents. Then with their hands in each other both of them strolled towards the quartet.
Parry accidentally brushed Paras.
" Ohh I am sorry", he started. " Hey hey isn't it the man who knows how to throw a party. Paras Mehta", he said recognising him.
" And of course Mrs Sheena Mehta", he nodded.
Paras was a bit reserved. He was Shastri's friend.
" What are you doing here", he raised a brow.
" Celebrating our engagement ", said Myra. She showed her ring. It was a priced Cartier..
" That's a rare one", Sheena recognised the diamond.
" Got it flown from South Africa ", said Parry. " Prince Rajeev is generous", he said.
" You work for him right", said Paras. " I heard a murder happened there".
" A murder", Mrs. Mehta turned white.
Myra noticed immediately.
Parry continued solemnly,
" Yes one of the cousins who came from Spain. Someone tried to kill all the princes. Luckily others survived", he said.
" Horrible business ", said Mr. Mehta.
" It happens for throne sir. Has been happening since ages", said Parry.
Mr. Mehta nodded. His wife looked very disturbed. Myra was sure she knew something.
They chatted for sometime and then Myra said,
" I saw Fashion Mumbai last edition. Your daughter looked lovely", she said.
"All thanks ro Zoya the designer", said Mrs. Mehta fondly.
" She is the best", said Paras proudly.
" Intelligent too. Graduated with honours in economics ", said Mr. Mehta.
" Wonderful ", said Myra. " I am interning with Ms. Qureshi. I am a fashion designer for Bhishma", she said.
" The Royal clothes line. I saw your show in Mumbai. Paradise right", said Mrs. Mehta.
" Absolutely ", said Myra.
" One of a kind", she said.
" My third son's wedding is coming up. If you have time", she was saying.
" Why not. If prince Rajeev gives me a NOC", she said.
And with their job done Myra and Parry bid Mehta's Good bye.
Meanwhile
Caleb was freaked out.
" Some shady fellow will supply me a gun. I have to be near him with your help and shoot. Damn if I don't he will shoot me", he said.
" Do it then. Shoot him", said Solly.
" Are you for real", he looked at his friend.
" You do your job. If you shoot he won't but you miss. Let's see if he tries ", said Solly.
" I have a bad omen", said Caleb.
" What about the snake", said Shai.
" Equatorial for sure. To be exact on location Indonesian", he said.." I collected the poison samples from that area with the help of Ashram people. Very hospitable lot. Offered me British food."
" They are adorable ", agreed Solly. " What does the poison sample suggest"?
" Viper for sure but the size is too big", he said.
" Could it be an adaptation for evergreen forest", said Shai.
" Possible ", said Caleb. " Or it was bred specifically by experts to extract the use of size and poison both".
" Hmm nice work", said Solly.
" Is there an antidote", asked Shai.
" I have samples. Give me some time and few experts. Maybe we can", he said.
" Do it", ordered Shai.
" Now back to our plan", said Solly as he started the explanation again.
" I hope we pull it off", said Caleb.
" We will", assured Solly.
" We are prepared for this".