"Don't create a commotion over this. Mind your own business and move ahead." The unmistikable aversion was prominent in Devendra Raj's tone while he spoke to Gauri.

Gauri looked at him incredulously,
"Do you even get the gravity of this situation. Your supporter was harassing a woman. Don't you get it? You should be taking actions against him, not dismissing the matter."

"You don't need to tell me what I should and shouldn't do," Devendra said disdainfully.

Gauri was momentarily robbed off of her speaking abilities. She was dumfounded, but not actually. Did she expect any better from a politician? No.

"Wow, commendable," she clapped slowly. She was enraged to the core.
"Don't you feel responsible for these people by whom you have been elected. We have elected you; we trusted you enough to be our representative. What we didn't know was that we merely added another insufferable and corrupted member in the already fulfilled army. That you being an MLA or not doesn't make a difference. At all. You're just like those politicians who make loud proclamations and fake empty promises."

Devendra met Gauri's infuriated gaze with equally agitated ones.
"Today, you standing infront of me in support of your man proved every bit of the dirty game of politics right infront of my very own eyes," Gauri spat out.

"You know what, people like you disgust me," she almost whispered out the last words.

That was enough to add fuel to the raging fire inside Devendra. He clenched his hand into a fist to control himself.

Gauri held the woman's hand to walk away from the crowd. However, before walking away, she again slapped the same man who was harassing the victim. The people around showed reluctant admiration towards Gauri.

While walking, Gauri abruptly banged into a hard body of a man. Mumbling an apology, she along with the woman walked away.

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"Ravi, ensure that the media don't get any account of what took place here and..."
Devendra paused and pointed his finger towards the man who stood with red cheek, marred with handprint, shamefully.
"Get rid of him. I don't entertain fools like him," Devendra said with intense rage reflecting on his face.

"Yes sir. We can now continue the rally. Everything's under control." Devendra only nodded in consent.

"Khamma Ghani (greetings), Devendra ji."

The same man who bumped into Gauri stood infront of Devendra with a cynical smile over his face. Devendra returned his gesture with equally intense glint.

"Kanhaiya Lal ji. What a pleasant surprise. To what do I owe this visit?" Devendra asked.

Kanhaiya Lal laughed before looking back. He pointed towards the way Gauri went.
"That girl, sure, created a lot of hustle over here. Ensure that the media don't get any news of it," Kanhaiya said.

His eyes roamed around the people surrounding them in an apparent concerned way.
"You never know, who is a traitor within the mask of a friend."

"Who knows better than me? You can trust me in that part. I know how to deal with them and ... the girl," Devendra spoke, a cruel smile made its way upto his face.

Kanhaiya appeared to be impressed, "Hmm, I like you."

Devendra replied, "Tell me something I don't know. I mean, I have been hearing that phrase from quite some time since I won the election against Navonnatti party's handpicked contender. So, tell me the motto of your visit."

Kanhaiya sniggered, patting Devendra's shoulder.
"Impressed, my boy. I, too, don't want to beat around the bushes. Join the opposition party, our party. Independent candidates like you don't stand a chance against Vijayendra Pratap Rathore," he said.

Laughing scornfully, Devendra replied,
"You, out of all people, shouldn't be saying this Kanhaiya ji. That party has been in opposition for last 25 years. Other than screaming your hearts out and banging the desks of the State Legislative Assembly, you all have done nothing. This new generation requires someone like me. Only I can bring down the mighty, Vijayendra Pratap Rathore." Devendra said rather boastfully.

"You trust yourself a lot more than necessary, boy," Kanhaiya sneered.

"That's good, isn't it?" Devendra gave a sarcastic smirk.
"I know who sent you here. Tell him I don't entertain sycophants, you being an exception. If he needs me, he will come to me and seek my assistance. I, definitely, don't care whether he's the director of the opposition party or not," he said dryly.

Kanhaiya gritted his teeth, he was fuming from inside but maintained the emotionless facade.
"Sure, I will deliver your message. It was nice meeting you," he spoke icily to Devendra.

Devendra only gave him a smirk. Without any further delay, Kanhaiya Lal walked away.

Devendra's sarcastic disposition instantly changed into that of pure abhorrence.
"First, that girl and then him. My day surely has turned out to be more enjoying," he muttered under his breath.

His thoughts then moved towards the girl who had the audacity to question him. His lips curled into a vicious, cruel smile.

"Remarkable." He whispered.

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"Are you out of your already unstable mind, Gauri?" Radhika shrieked.

After bidding off the woman, who almost touched Gauri's feet, had the latter not stopped her, she would have done it, Gauri mounted her scooty. She then narrated every bits and pieces to Radhika.

"Ow, my poor ears," Gauri said with a pout.

"This isn't funny at all, Gauri. Do you have any idea how ugly the situation could have turned out to be? What got into you, damn it?" Radhika exasperated.

Gauri glanced at her from the rear view mirror.
"I couldn't stand that man harassing her, Rads." She stated truthfully.

Radhika's eyes met hers through the mirror, "You could have informed me. We would have sought an alternative."

"What?" Gauri questioned.

"I... I, I don't know." The frown on Radhika's face became more evident. She, actually, hadn't thought of any alternative.
"But..."

"Enough, Rads," Gauri intervened.
"It's over now. Let's drop it."

They both reached Radhika's home.

"Rads," Gauri called out.

"What?" Radhika said irately. She was obviously in a sullen mood which was noticed by Gauri. She decided to cheer her up.

"So Rads, what are you going to wear for tomorrow's seminar?" Radhika instantly perked up on listening the topic.

"Orange saree and you?"

Gauri grinned, "Black saree."

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Next Day

"Ophoo! Gauri come fast. We have to catch an auto. Your love, Chetak isn't our ride for the day." Radhika called out in an annoyed manner.

They were to reach the campus by an auto because of their attire.

Gauri came out decked up in a black saree. Radhika's appreciative gaze moved up and down in scrutiny only stop at the sight of the turquoise bangles on her wrists. She frowned.

"Take those off. Wear something matching."

Gauri instinctively covered her wrists in defense, "No, I am not taking these off. I will just add few black ones for contrast."

"Do as you wish," Radhika said flatly.

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The seminar ended rather late. It was nearly night time. The night sky, however, was devoid of stars. Dark black clouds hung over. Gauri and Radhika walked briskly in order to catch an auto. Turning her phone on, Gauri was surprised to see the number of texts and missed calls from Rudra.

"62 missed calls and 46 texts. He must have wanted to say something important." She thought.

However, due to low battery, her phone went back to its dead state.
"Hmm, I shouldn't delay any further. The weather isn't favourable. Will call him once I reach home."

Looking towards the sky, she muttered, "These are the signs of thunderstorm."

"Gauri" Radhika called.
"Coming," Gauri walked away.

The sky rumbled, lightening flashed. The gust of wind shook the trees to roots. There was something mysteriously eerie about the night.