"For the last 5 minutes that HM is ogling the open briefcase stuffed with grey currency notes. This man is a filthy avaricious pig. He can do anything for bucks. And I am great to exploit a person's weakness. He tries to touch the notes but I pull it back."

Aditya thinks and shrugs with an arched brow.

"Why are you in a hurry? It's just a glimpse of your fortune. But your intelligence can make it a full view...even more a reality."

Aditya sounds like a businessman who only believes in give and take policy.

"What do you want?"

Mr Prasad comes to the point. He is no less of a shrewd merchant.

"Nandana..."

Aditya's voice is as bleak as ice.

"She is not my daughter, neither does she obey me."

HM sounds helpless. The money seems running away from him.

"She can't even be your daughter."

Aditya grits out.

"Tomorrow is Sunday. The school is close. But you will call her for a fake meeting at the school. You will have the meeting with her and make her late to return at home. Remember, a minimum of 2 or 3 teachers should see her having the meeting with you and should watch her leaving the school premises. She should be alone when returning and the time shouldn't be before 9 pm. Can you do this?"

Aditya demands with blazing eyes.

"What are you going to do with her?"

Prasad questions meekly. Suddenly his fear overpowers his greed.

"I don't like to do business with those who unnecessary question. You may go."

Aditya shows him the door and shut the briefcase with a click. Like an anticipant hoggish, HM immediately rests his hand on the briefcase trying to resist Aditya’s decision.

“Don’t misunderstand me. I was only being curious.”

His tone is servile. Aditya bites his lips and reclines on his chair putting his entwined palms behind his head.

“Be careful…curiosity killed the cat and I don’t think your life will serve you by anyways. So, talk the business.”

Aditya’s bleak tone dries up Mr Prasad. For a second, he struggles to gather his words. Aditya keeps on staring at him.

“I am ready. I will do whatever you have told me. But in one condition. If any problem arrives in future, you will save me.”

Finally, he dares to utter. Aditya keeps on looking at him without blinking his eyes making the HM uncomfortable to the core. Gradually Aditya sits straight on his chair putting his both hands on the table.

“I like your courage because until now no one dared to put a condition before me. Because no one remains alive to that extent. But I am taking it as an exception. You won’t be in any problem until you only put yourself in a problem by uttering my name. So, keep quiet and do what I say.”

Aditya’s voice is penetrating. Narayan Prasad nods in positive.

“Let me know the time when you call her and about the time when she will leave. Now take this and leave. You will get the rest when the work will be done according to my plan.”

Aditya opens the briefcase and throws two bundles in front of Prasad.

...................

“I don’t know what made him schedule this meeting on Sunday. God, I only get this Sunday for Amma, Appa and Rishi. Now, who will convince this unmarried, unhappy, humourless, dour HM that how important a family is?"

Nandana whines in her mind.

“Di…do you have time…I need…”

Manvi removes the curtain to enter the room but abruptly keeps mum to see Nandana getting ready.

“Are you going somewhere? But it’s Sunday…isn’t it?”

Manvi becomes curious. Nandana wears the wristwatch and takes the bag to leave.

“No Sunday for this week. Mr Prasad called an emergency meeting… So, have to go. You tell… what brought you here?”

Nandana intentionally sounds blunt because she knows why Manvi came to her. She knows that her Di got her salary 2 days back and this is the perfect time to ask for money. Otherwise, she never cares to come to her. Manvi ignores the tone as right now she needs the money only. She can settle the score later.

“You know very well what brought me here. I need some money. My friends have planned for a movie and it doesn’t look nice to go with an empty purse.”

Nandana sighs and takes out her purse for money. She takes out a 200 rs note and forwards it to her sister. Manvi glances at the note with pity.

“Di, are you kidding me? What will I do with this 200 rs note? If you don’t want to give then don’t but at least don’t insult me like this. I will manage somehow.”

She says ruefully. Nandana looks at her for a second and puts the note inside her purse. This time she takes out a 500 rs note.

“Manvi, this 200 rs is Maa’s budget for the entire week. Learn to respect the value of money.”

Nandana says sternly and gives the note to Manvi. She immediately grabs it.

“I know the value of money Di. That’s why I never get satisfied with the small dreams that you always lecture about. I will be rich someday…Mark my words.”

She says determinedly and turns on her heel. Nandana wobbles and sighs in disappointment.

“Dreams are either small or big, they should be fair. Immoral dreams often misdirect us.”

She utters with concern.

.....................

“It’s very good news, Sir, that Mr Oberoi finally sanctioned the donation amount. Though I was pretty much sure about it.”

Ms Kapoor scoffs glancing at Nandana. She turns her face with disgust. She doesn’t even want to hear that name. If the welfare of this school had not been involved, she perhaps wouldn’t have come to this meeting. She glances at her watch. It is 7 pm. The meeting is almost over. After that, she will straight go to her home.

“So that is for today. I am very sorry that I had to call you all on holiday. But as you all can see, the matter was important and I wanted your advice.”

HM Prasad rubs his palms in excitement. All the teachers nod in appreciation.

“May we leave now, Sir? I guess the meeting is over.”

Nandana says and stirs in her chair impatiently. She didn’t call at home about being late. They must be worried. Especially her Maa as the road by which she always returns is quite bleak, devoid of people even in the early evening. It would be scarier at this time. She again peeps at her watch.

“Yes, the meeting is over but I am afraid Nandana…I will need your more help. In fact, Mr Pande and Mr Rao are also stretching. Please…It’s my request. I know you are late but don’t worry…I will get you home safely.”

HM’s tone is unexpectedly sugary. Nandana frowns in doubt but immediately sheds the thought. She calls her mother and unfolds the scenario including HM’s so-called care for her safety. After some anticipated admonition, her mother finally agrees.

..................

It’s 8:45 pm. Nandana glances at the wall clock and again starts checking the final list. Mr Pande and Rao have already left after finishing their work. Now only HM Prasad and Nandana are working in his cabin. Nandana ticks the last list and closes the file with a sigh of relief. Finally, she is done.

“Sir, it’s completed. I think we should leave now. It’s quite late.”

She couldn’t hide her restlessness. Without looking at her, HM turns the file page and nods.

“I know Nandana…I am about to finish it. Just give me 10 minutes. After that, we will leave. Until then please check this list and estimate the total.”

Mr Prasad forwards a balance sheet printout to Nandana. Her brows arch in irritation. She takes the calculator and again starts her work. HM looks at her from the corner of his eyes and opens his mobile message box.

“We will start within 15 minutes”:-

He types glancing at his wristwatch. As the clock strikes sharp 9 he closes the file.

“Nandana, come on.. get up. We have to quit now.”

He says in haste just after he gets a message,

“Leave? But Sir, this balance sheet? I have not finished yet.”

Nandana asks being surprised by his abrupt rush.

“I will finish it at home…It’s too late and you shouldn’t delay further.”

He almost snatches the paper from Nandana and beckons her to follow. After locking up the HM cabin door and transferring the key to the guard they step on the road. As Nandana expected the ally is bleak like an under-curfew area. Moreover, the dearth of street lights makes it more daunting. They cover almost 10 to 15 meters without any convo. It is the beginning of November. A bearable cold breeze is passing by her ears making her shiver sometimes. Nandana nestles the stole around her upper body and increases her pace. She is about 5-6 ft behind Prasad. Suddenly a torchlight flickers from a distance penetrating the darkness.

“Nandu..is it you?”

The person behind the light raises his voice making Nandana beam in contentment.

“Maa can’t let Papa be in peace.”

She smiles and mumbles and is about to open her mouth to respond to her father. Only then, a white car screeches beside them. The back door opens and two strong hands swiftly pull Nandana inside the car. All things happen so swiftly that when Vivek reaches the place, he only sees HM Prasad is standing alone dumbfounded. The road is again as silent as it was. There is no trace of the car and Nandana.

“Where is Nandana?....”

Vivek’s voice trembles in unknown fright.