When Pratap arrived at Ajabdeh's door, on a Saturday morning, he had to first throw his hands up in the air for the constable posted at her door to check him. He then rang the bell. Heer opened the door. Her smile said she was expecting him.
"Come in Dadabhai, how are you?"
"I am fine Heer, it's good to see you." He smiled as Heer led him to the living room.
"She will be out in a while, but I have to leave. I need to bring some things from the market. Do you need tea?"
"No Heer, thank you. Please go on, I will be gone before you come back though."
"That's alright. She has protection." Heer smiled as she looked up at the threshold of Ajabdeh's bedroom and she was standing there in her pyjamas.
"Where are you going?" She frowned at her dressed-up sister.
"I will be back soon." Heer nodded. Ajabdeh rolled her eyes and dismissed her glances which Pratap noticed.
When Heer slammed the door behind her, silence filled the room. The only sounds were the chirping of birds and the windchime swaying in the wind.
Ajabdeh sat down across the coffee table on the single sofa as Pratap placed a file down from his hand.
“What is that?” Ajabdeh asked.
“You... this... is the Punwar Mansion wedding contract. I need both Rukaiya’s and your signatures on this. The terms and conditions are negotiable, if you want to speak to your lawyers that is fine with me.” He said extending the file to her as she took it.
Flipping the pages she inhaled “This may take a few days. I have to...”
“Of course. Take your time. The Mansion will be renovated and ready for your use in two months.”
“That is good to know,” Ajabdeh spoke indifferently, placing the files down. “But I wanted to speak of something else.”
Pratap looked up at her words. He had assumed she wanted to talk of the business deal itself and hence the urgency.
“Is something wrong?” He asked.
“Not yet.” She shrugged. “But I am not sure....” She inhaled “Heer wants me to do as Maasa wanted.” Pratap looked up at her words.
“What do you want?” He asked almost in a reflex.
“I want her to know I am safe.” Ajabdeh looked up at him and his eyes met “But I have a few things I need to clear.”
“Yes.” Pratap nodded.
“I will not use your family name or association for anything related to my work except for this Punwar Mansion deal. I will work on my own like I used to and use my own resources.” He nodded understanding very well where she came from.
“Of course.” He agreed “I know you worked your way up and alone, and nobody would take that away from you.”
“I want to know what is expected of me.” Ajabdeh spoke looking like she was making a business deal “I want to make things clear before...” Pratap smiled faintly at this.
“This is not a business deal Ajabdeh, this is for your safety.”
“The court hearing is 32 days away.” She added.
“The registration process will take 30 days. I will get Jalal on it.” he agreed.
“umm...Mr. Singh?” Ajabdeh looked up concerned “What about your family?”
“We can deal with that later.” He said confidently.
“Are you sure?” She asked.
“No,” Pratap said truthfully “But we can figure it out. Together.” Ajabdeh nodded as Heer entered the house, her keys dangling and looking hopeful.
“So?” She asked nobody in particular. Pratap got up.
“So I will see you in a month. Take care, Heer.” Pratap spoke as he walked past her.
“See you soon Dadabhai.” He smiled acknowledging her before leaving.
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