Don woke up from a squeak of the floor that came from downstairs. He rolled over and switched the table lamp on. He needed to take in some smoke. His tattoo had a yellow paste still left, as he went through Batna rite the day before. He suppressed his muscles to the point where he felt pain. He closed his eyes and enjoyed it. He then loosened his muscles. His palm fell on the empty space near, one that should have been occupied by a warm body. But Roma was not here. In fact he was almost sure that it was her, who made the noise downstairs at 3am right now.
He heard the squeak again.
What is she, sleepwalking?!
Don walked out lazily into the corridor. He could see a shadow slipping into the living's room darkness. He knew that the living room had another exit door. The thought of catching Roma alone in the dark, with or without a pajama, thrilled him. He took a detour through the hallway which linked to the exit door. Careful footsteps in the dark, he could recognize them out of the million. Don felt his heart echoing in his ears. He stopped and leaned against the wall, waiting, hearing as the footsteps walk pass him. He reached out and grabbed the body, pulled it against the wall, covered her mouth. He heard a muffled scream.
##
Roma tried to fight off the force that was holding her. She had a hard time breathing through the nose, so she tried to kick the enemy with all the strength that she had.
"Shh," she heard the familiar voice. "It's me." Her heart didn't stop beating less.
"Don!" she hissed as he released her mouth.
Don laughed.
"What are you doing down here?" he held her against the wall. "Don't you know that it's dangerous walking alone with me in the house?"
"You, selfish criminal!" she threw the words out, trying to release from his grip. "I heard the footsteps!"
"It was me, Roma." Don spoke loudly. He sure felt like a king of this house. And that's what terrified Roma the most.
"No, Don! I woke up to the footsteps downstairs! Ramesh is still asleep. But there someone else in the house!" she whispered.
"Roma, you need to sleep." she felt his finger touching her neck, going down to her shoulders. "I advice my bed." she felt his breath on the top of her shoulder.
"Hear me out, Don! There's someone in the house right now! I saw the shadow on the second floor when I got downstairs." she spoke through gritted teeth, knowing for sure she wasn't hearing things.
"I'm telling you it was me!"
"No, Don. You're door was closed!"
They both heard a squeak above their heads.
"There's someone on the second floor!"
"Ramesh?" suggested Don.
"No! Ramesh doesn't have that heavy steps."
"Well, then," he raised his voice. "I'll go and greet the guest."
"Don, quiet!" gasped Roma.
"I won't be quiet in my own house." he shot back and switched on the light in the whole house.
##
They both carefully went up the stairs. There was nobody in the hall.
"How about we make a deal? You're mine for the night if we don't capture anyone near to a human being here?"
He turned to find that Roma was no more behind him.
"Roma, where are you?"
Silence.
Don continued walking down the hall. He thought he heard some sound behind the room that was supposed to be empty. He opened the door and received a hit in the chest, sharp pain echoing in his lungs. He grabbed the hand of the enemy which had a gun and made him fall to his knees. Without any thinking Don grabbed his neck, twisted it, until he heard the crack.
Lights went out. A shot thundered through the house. Something fell to his feet.
Don found the switch. The lights went on. Roma stood aiming gun at him. What lay before his feet wasn't something. It was someone.
Ramesh run out shocked by the scenery. He carefully took the gun out of Roma's hands.
The shot man lay in a black mask, night vision goggles hanging on his neck, blood splattered across the floor.
Nobody seemed to know what to say.
Don bent down and examined the two bodies.
"Ramesh, check the rest of the house. The guards. Cameras. Everything!" he ordered.
"I won't leave her. Not in this state."
Roma looked delusional. Don knew exactly what that meant. He could see already she won't be able to forgive herself for this worthless man. He was afraid she won't handle it. In fact he was supposed to be the one who takes care of her. But snapping Ramesh's neck wouldn't actually help ether.
"Fine. Stay with her. Where did she get the gun?"
"It's Ramesh's." whispered Roma. "I took it. I don't know why. Who is he?" she pointed at the shot man.
"We don't know yet." said Don, every single part of his body aching to take her in his arms and get her as far as possible from this crime scene.
"Whoever they were, they were here to kill you, Don." said Ramesh.
No one forbid them to try. Just no one told them that they will ultimately fail.
##
Roma sat in a couch holding herself tightly. She hated the fact that everyone were hovering around her. Ramesh constantly brought her new tranquilizers. Mona sat near by and talked about wedding dress, guests, music, flowers. She was trying to get Roma's attention away from the horrifying thoughts. But why? Even Karan sat beside and watched some Indian romantic TV series and pretended there was something hilarious going on. All of that showed only how awful her situation was.
Don was nowhere around. He disappeared in the morning as soon as he checked all the security system of the house. And not having him here, made Roma think she didn't actually saved him tonight.
"Where's Don?" Roma turned to Mona. Three heads looked up at her in unison.
Is that a sinful question to ask?
"He'll be back in the evening." said Mona.
It wasn't a satisfying answer. Everyone continued doing their part in making it less obvious that she killed a person. Roma felt chills through her body. She was shivering, but she tried to disguise it away from everyone else. It was such a terrible feeling knowing that you took away somebody's life.
"Do you know who he was?" she spoke out loud.
"Who are you talking about?" asked Mona.
"The one that I killed."
Silence proceeded.
"C'mon. Don't pretend nothing happened. I killed a person and I'm admitting that. Do you know who he was?" Roma turned to Ramesh.
"We haven't identified who sent them yet."
Roma fell back in her thoughts. She killed a person, but she saved Don's life. She saved someone who was murdering people for a decade and holding her hostage to break down countries security system. She couldn't call herself a good person anymore, could she?
Roma spent a whole day in the couch, watching Mona, Ramesh and Karan. They all seemed so busy. She occasionally looked at the watch, noticing as the day slowly comes to an end. Mona yawned. Karan was already sleeping in front of the TV. Ramesh was talking on the phone.
Don appeared wearing familiar black jacket, making everyone come back to energy. Mona's face brightened. Karan woke up and hopped off the couch. Ramesh came closer to Don and they spoke in a low voice.
Roma felt a sensation in her chest and stomach. She leaned further back in the couch and focused on what was going on in the TV. The two heroes linked in a passionate kiss.
That helps, thank you.
Roma looked away, realizing Don watched her while listening to Ramesh.
Don said something to him. Roma noticed as Ramesh's skull hardens, but Don persuasive face expression won. Ramesh shook head in approval, then left the living room.
Why? Roma straightened in her seat. What's happening?
"Mona?" Roma asked as she got up.
"I have to go, it's already too late. Randeep will kill me." Roma knew those were more than just words.
"Sleep well. Tomorrow is Sangeet! People will need your energy!"
What's with this acting-good-to-Roma thing?! I thought you were supposed to spoil my wedding, Mona!
Mona bent down to her and whispered in the ear.
"Thank you for saving his life."
Then she left. Karan did too.
Don made his way to the couch. Roma could not understand his masked emotions. He switched off the TV, leaving silence take over the house. She suddenly felt someone touching her feet and tickling underneath the sheets she was covered in.
"Don!" she tried to release her feet and move away.
Roma almost fell out of the couch tangled in the sheets, but he caught her in time and brought her back, more closer to him. His hands leaned underneath the sheets. Roma felt as her cheeks flamed up. He was doing it again.
"Don, stop!"
He stopped.
"That would be too sadistic to tickle my feet after we murdered two people."
"Why do you always spoil my fun?!" he looked away disappointed.
"Where did Ramesh go?"
"Asked him to leave us for some time alone."
"And he agreed?"
"He doesn't really have a choice."
"Have you found out who the two men were?"
"They were from CBI."
Roma pulled away.
"You're lying!"
"You know I can recognize them by their steps and the way they fight. Besides, my real enemies would never wear goggles. They would come face to face in a daytime. And that explains why they didn't murder you while you were downstairs. They worked very cooperatively waiting for a moment to get me alone."
"So I murdered my colleague. I'm feeling much more better, Don."
"That's not the point. That only means they know that we are the one who send the virus. The system must be already half broken down. They are coughing out their last opportunities to cover their failure. One more day and you're free to go."
"What if I tell you that I will marry you, if you order Karan to stop the virus?"
Don looked up examining Roma.
"Do you think it's worth it?"
"One ruined life against millions. It is."
Don frowned.
"Mathematically correct. I want to have you Roma. But I trust faith, that if it has to happen, it will. I don't have to spoil my perfect plan that will bring me to the ultimate power for that."
"I just checked." Roma got up feeling disgusted. I can't believe I just offered myself. "Faith is generous. It will never bring us together."
"Then I guess I will have to celebrate my success in complete loneliness."
"You deserve it. You've worked hard for it." Roma turned away, leaving white sheets on the floor.
"Roma," called Don.
Roma turned for the last time.
"Thank you for saving my life." she could not read his face, but his eyes were showing something she would count as sincere.
"I was only sleepwalking. Besides," she said. "It was hard to see in the dark. Who knows, it might have been you, instead of a CBI agent."
Don reached out and touched her leg lightly as she moved away. But that was enough. Trembling she left the living room and hurried up the stairs. Maybe it was more easier to just give in. To let him take over her life and her body.
Roma met Ramesh's eyes. Full of relief and hope. And she decided to give it one more try for the sake of her brother, who would give his life just to save her from Don.
Just one more try...