The Last Supper

“Stop running your fingers through my neckline, its tickling.” said Shikha giggling.

“Sorry love, but it’s what I’m meant to do. It’s called passion. We’re in love.” Rohit said pulling Shikha closer to him.

“Passion! Love! I don’t know what the hell you’re talking about. By the way, we are there.” She said as the car screeched to a halt at the entrance of the restaurant.

Rohit got down and tossed the keys to the valet attendant. He walked around to the passenger seat and escorted out Shikha. Both of them walked into the restaurant, unaware of the black car which stopped on the other side of the road.

Rohit led Shikha to the lobby and asked her to get settled while he got a call. Shikha was escorted to their usual corner table overseeing the moving traffic outside. It was a perfect weather for a romantic dinner. She settled in her chair and started staring at Rohit who was on call on the other end of the room. Rohit was a successful businessman’s son and a certified playboy. He was in a dark leather jacket standing at 6 feet. She could not ignore how handsome he was with the stubble-wrapped jawline. His spiked hair and boyish charm was making him even more endearing. He saw her staring and tossed a flying kiss to her. She blushed and started wondering- Is it going to be today? Is this going to be his last supper? She has been putting away the task from past three days. It has to be done soon before someone gets to see them together and she became a suspect. She fiddled through and found the glass vial marked poison in the secret chamber of her purse. She was told that it was king of poisons for its discreteness and potency- it was virtually undetectable.

On the other end of the room Rohit was speaking to Tony- his loyal man. He was listening attentively and processing all the information being provided. He air-kissed her and she blushed. He wondered how stunning she looked in that flowing blue dress. Her long unending legs were to die for. He wondered how this is going to end. He pressed against his side pocket to make sure his revolver is firmly fastened. He ended the call and knew what to do.

Rohit came back, kissed her gently and took the seat next to her. They held hands and started talking when the waiter came with 2 glasses of wine. They ordered and got into their usual conversation. Rohit told Shikha how much he loved her and passed on a small package. The gift had a card which said- “For the love of my life”.

Clasping her hands like a child she said- “Wow! All my favorites are right here, you, the wine and the surprise gift is perfect.” She told him with a giggle. She slid the satin ribbon and opened the package to see a beautiful bracelet shining at her. Her face lit up like a 4 year old toddler looking at her mother at the end of the school. She kept staring at it while Rohit got up and offered to place the bracelet on her hand. She obliged and they kissed.

The man on the other side of the road was watching all the action unfolding through his binoculars. He gazed at the couple from distance. His eyes seem cold and steely. He took a flask out of his jacket and gulped a big swig of rum and waited patiently. He reached to the dashboard and took out his 0.22 revolver. He double checked it to be loaded and started fitting the silencer. He was all set and was waiting for their last supper to end.

Meanwhile at the corner table in the restaurant love was blooming. Shikha tilted her head slightly and asked- “So how many girls did you bring to this place?”

“Many but none was like today.” He said equally cocking his head.

“What’s so special about today?”

“It’s special today because I am in the presence of my true love.”

She wondered how many times the line was used. “True Love, hmm? What’s that?”

“hmm…True love is one soul’s reflection in another.”

“Wow!!That’s really cheesy, but it works for me.”

Shikha thought expensive gifts and such make believe cheesy lines are what girls are falling for. But she had to admit he has got those good looks and confidence to turn girls to him.

“So are you saying I am your true love? You are lying and liars go straight to hell.” Though she knew there were stronger reasons for him to go to hell.

“If you promise to be with me, I am ready to go anywhere. But let’s finish our dinner; and then I will take you to heaven.”

He gave a devilish grin squeezing her palm and thought, enjoy your last supper sweetheart.

Shikha teased and excused herself to the ladies room leaving Rohit alone.

********

Rohit was a 30-year old who fitted the bill of a rich spoilt brat perfectly. He was Ambadas’s only son and his reputation of Casanova preceded him. He was very charming and had the charisma to make the girls swoon over him. When Shikha left the table he wondered what she might be up to. The conversation with Tony flashed back in his mind.

“Sir, she is Mia’s elder sister and has been enquiring about you since her death.” Rohit always had the habit to get a background check of his dates and Tony was his guy to rely on.

Rohit thought what Shikha might be up to. Does she want to talk about Mia? Does she know about Mia’s pregnancy? Does she think he was responsible for her death? He was not able to figure out her intentions. Come what may, he was ready to face her and all her interrogation but will wait for her to initiate it.

**********

As Shikha left the table, she felt her heart was pounding so hard that it would explode out of her chest’ chamber walls. She went into the ladies room and took a deep breath. When she looked up she not only faced herself in the mirror but her fears also. She seemed nervous thinking of what she was going to do. Her last interaction with her sister- Mia came flooding.

Few months back…

It was late that night when she called which was not normal on Mia’s part.

As soon as she picked the call, Mia told in a panicky voice- “Shikha, I got to tell you something and need you standby me.”

“What happened? Are you alright?”

“I am pregnant and just got to know today. I am very scared.”

“Chotu! What are you saying? Who is it?” Shikha knew it was not the time to scream and give her lessons on morality.

“It’s Rohit. We have been seeing each other for some time now.”

“Rohit, who? Did you tell him? What did he say?”

“He is very nice guy dids. He is Amba Textiles Company owner’s son. Today after the tests, I met and told him. He was very happy and asked me to marry. He will be speaking to his parents today and he wants me to meet them tomorrow.”

“Mia, everything is happening so fast and I don’t know anything about this Rohit guy. Somehow I feel something is wrong.”

“Ufff oh Didi !!! Don’t get paranoid. He is really sweet and tomorrow I’m going to get him to your place in the evening.”

“Yeah, please do that. We need to talk and also I need to meet your Rohit also. I’m so happy for you chotu”

“I Love you Dids. Catch you tomorrow”

“Love you too. Take care Good night.”

Shikha was experiencing the complete spectrum of feelings at the same time. She wished her parents were alive today to handle the crisis. At the same time she knew she had to be strong to let chotu sail through with ease. Finally after lot of agitated rounds of the room, she thought of holding her calm till she meets Rohit next day. Strange dreams kept her awake all night.

Next day Shikha woke up to the call of Mia’s suicide. She was shattered and it didn’t take her long to figure out that it was not a suicide. Her chotu was not brave enough to bleed herself to death. But she didn’t have anything to prove and decided to solve the mystery herself. She enquired all of chotu’s friends of any possible leads but it was not going anywhere. Finally she thought probably she has to get it from Rohit himself; But how? He won’t admit to the heinous crime. But does she need him to approve? Who else could gain from Mia’s death? She knew that she doesn’t need any proof because deep within she knows that it’s Rohit and he has to pay for it.

Flushing sound from the stall behind broke her train of thoughts. She fiddled through her purse again and left the washroom.

*************

Rohit looked nervous when Shikha returned back to the table. Their meal arrived. Shikha noticed that Rohit was poking his steak without eating much. She placed her hand on his and asked- “What happened? Why did you get quiet all of a sudden?”

Rohit didn’t say much, but he could feel the sudden tension building between them.

He continued eating. Shikha noticed he seemed absent minded at the moment and this could be her moment.

She needed a diversion. She opened her purse and let it fall from her lap making all the contents spread around. “Shit, how clumsy am I, I am so sorry.”

Rohit offered to pick-up which is what she was expecting.

As Rohit got down collecting all the scattered stuff, she plunged and dropped few drops from the vial into his wine glass. The mute lights and corner seat made it easy for her. It’s done.

She thanked him and they continued eating. She finally did it. She overcame her fear and avenged her sister. Now, it’s just a matter of time. She waited so long but these few minutes seem like ages.

After what seemed like centuries he finished his drink and they were ready to leave. She had a satisfied look on her face. Mia would be happy where ever she is. Her death has been avenged. They finished their meal and got up to leave. Rohit and Shikha came out of the restaurant and waited for the valet to get his car. They got in and left. The black car from the other side of the road also left tailing them.

She was wondering how long it’s going to take for the effect when he complained of severe stomach ache. He stopped the car on the deserted road. He got down and tried to throw-up when the black car chasing them came to halt behind theirs. Shikha got down the car and before she could reach to Rohit, the man got down from the car and shot her in the head. She flew back and dropped dead. Rohit didn’t know what to do and took out his revolver but he was too weak to do anything and he fainted.

The man dialed a number and waited for it to be answered. The moment the call was picked he narrated everything that happened. Tony screamed and asked the man to rush Rohit to the hospital immediately. He picked Rohit and rushed to the hospital. The doctors declared Rohit dead on arrival. Tony reached hospital as soon as he disconnected the call. He was a loyal person to Rohit but only after Ambadas. He had been giving all updates of Rohit to Ambadas. He was the one who killed Mia on Ambadas’s order to uphold the family prestige. He has arranged to kill Shikha also but he was late this time. He dialed Ambadas and the line went dead on hearing Rohits death.