Read Himani’s Chapter 20 here

Jennifer fiddled with the photos on her laptop in an attempt to keep busy as she picked her dinner sneaking glances at her companion. He was engrossed in his own world as he slurped down the noodles they had ordered. His fair skin lit up with the glow from the laptop , street lights filtering through the heavy drapes and the artificial lighting in the hotel room made him seem pale. Almost jaundiced. Her fingers itched to get her camera out and capture Cyrus in that light.

A working dinner, he had said and he kept up his word. His fingers flew across the keyboard with practiced ease and his onyx eyes rarely strayed. He scribbled on his notepad and muttered some obscenities. He checked his phone every time it buzzed an alert with expectancy painted on his face. His face was a minefield of reactions. Jennifer watched him. She loved that furrow that appeared between his angular eyebrows as he frowned. The laugh lines that appeared at the corners of his lips and that well-groomed beard.  Her heart raced filling her with warmth, love and need.  Cyrus beyond being an attractive male had reacted the way she had dreamed her partner would. He was appalled but his shock had quickly given way to concern and tender care. He was there beside her to help her. He could have put his career and client ahead of her and refused to help. Or he could have demanded her to give up. But he stood beside her. Trusting her. He is mine – all mine. Soon we can dream about a future. A future together, she thought with a smile flirting across her face.

“Done staring at me, madam?” Cyrus’s amusing almost mocking voice made her jump. She could feel the heat rise on her cheeks. “I look good. Don’t I? Maybe I should try my hand in modelling and have those huge billboards of me in my underwear.” “I don’t think you ego needs a boost Mr. Daruwala,” Jennifer muttered as she watched Cyrus get up from his chair and put away his laptop. “Look at the time. How did it get so late so soon? I do hope your contact has some updates for us shortly,” Jennifer said as Cyrus walked up behind her and peered into her laptop screen. Pictures of the children in Aashakiran Anathalay doted the screen. “You really feel for those kids don’t you?” Cyrus’s firm hands massaged her taunt shoulders. “Relax sweetheart. I promise we will get to the bottom of the mystery soon and then I am whisking you away for a vacation without your camera and my laptop.” Jennifer felt herself unwind for the first time since she chanced upon Ahuja at the market. “That would be nice. Perfect indeed. Hmmm! Bliss.” Silence filled the hotel room. The gentle hum of the air-conditioner and moans of pleasure from Jennifer punctuated the air. Lost in dreams of a future together Jennifer and Cyrus watched the pictures of girls and boys in hand-me-downs and big smiles flash by.

Buzz! Buzz! Cyrus’s phone lying on the table signalled an incoming call breaking the moment. “It’s my contact. I am putting it on speaker.”

“Hey Cyrus Bro! Can’t talk for long but I got the details you wanted. Took me quite a bit of time but got it done. That number is registered in the name of Benoy Saha – a regular at the Kolkata police station. Not sure if you are aware of the Gala gang. They ran a major prostitution racket in different parts of Kolkatta some 7-8 years ago. They tattooed all their girls with the picture of an eagle and a prey. There was a massive operation to crack them down and most of the operation leaders were captured and sentenced. Saha was also one of the major players in the Gala gang. He spent a couple of years in the Hoogly sub-jail before getting out. He has been caught stealing electronic devices in the touristy areas these days. Nothing major but he is seen around. Do you need any thing else?”

Cyrus had his eyes on Jennifer as he hunched over the phone flashing on the table. He watched her mocha eyes fill with curiosity and fear as the raspy voice of Roy filled the room. He noticed her scribble something on a piece of paper and push it towards him. Cyrus picked up the paper, pursued it quickly and flashed a small reassuring smile at her before asking “What happened to the girls? The ones rescued from the Gala gang? Do you know anything Roy?”

“The usual usual stuff. I remember some Mahila Samiti was involved. The girls were in their care and transferred to other ashrams. Some of the older girls escaped. I am sure they are out in the streets somewhere. It is one bad place to survive bro.  I don’t have further details. I am sure I can track some dirt up but it is going to take time and moolah.”

Cyrus’s eyes never left Jennifer. This woman with a preference for neon shorts, faded tee shirts and stacks of beaded bracelets made him want to write poetry and dance around trees. She was his forever. Cyrus knew this the instant she fainted in the office pantry. A damsel in distress she was not. She was a woman who saw herself and the world clearly. He still had a hard time wrapping his mind around her past and the pains she was forced to endure. He had to applaud her spirit and bravery as she stood there taking in Roy’s information hoping to get to the bottom of the mystery and help strangers.

Her close-set eyes narrowed and grew cold as Roy mentioned orphanages and the women’s help group. He could see the wheels churning in her mind and her right hand flew to her mouth to cover the expletive that sprang out. The brackets jiggled. “Thanks Roy. I will be in touch and I owe you one,” Cyrus hastily ended the call. “Let us get to the Dutta’s house. I think I know what happened.” Jennifer’s voice quivered with rage as she picked up her bags.

So what did Jennifer realise? Curious? Go here.

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