A/N – Rated 'M' for language and violence. Read at your own risk. Please read and review.

Chapter 6

Regime Hospital, Wicksteed.

Purvi and Sachin were waiting anxiously for the doctor to arrive. Few minutes later he came into his cabin.

'Is he okay?' Purvi asked gravely.

'Mam I am going to be honest with you now. He is not at all okay. He must stop smoking and consuming alcohol immediately. His vital organs have been badly damaged and if he continues to do so I am afraid he is not going to live for long.' said the doctor gravely.

Sachin heard a sharp intake of breath from Purvi.

He thought she was very white and appeared scared.

But Sachin had certainly failed to notice a mad gleam in her eye which had lasted not more than a second.

Sachin squeezed her wrist lightly.

'Sir when can we take him home?' asked Sachin.

'Within next two days. But I did not recognise you Mister... Are you new in this town? What relation do you have with Sam?' the doctor asked Sachin.

'He is a close friend of mine.' said Purvi.

Sachin smiled. His fingertips suddenly felt warm. 'A close friend… Wow!', he thought.

'I will see to it that he doesn't consume alcohol. Thank you.' said Purvi.

On their way back home, Purvi was very quiet.

'He is going to be okay. Don't worry' said Sachin softly.

O-o-o-o

A few weeks later, when they had stopped for a cup of coffee, Purvi told Sachin that coming Sunday it was their wedding anniversary and Sam had kept a small party at the Torque Club.

Sachin could see she was indeed very happy and excited for the upcoming event. He was unsure how he felt. He was definitely smitten by her personality, her sex appeal and her good looks.

Yet he wasn't sure whether it was love or mere infatuation. He certainly felt attracted to her whether because of her striking resemblance to his dead wife or for some other reason, he didn't know.

'Sachin? Are you listening?' she asked shaking his shoulder slightly.

He looked at her, feeling slightly lost.

'Sorry. What were you telling?' he asked.

'Sam has invited just a few close friends and guests for the party. And I want you to come too. Since we are close friends, aren't we?' she asked.

'Yes of course you are close to me. But what about Sam? I mean will he like it if I come for the party?' asked Sachin.

'Oh he wouldn't even notice. And even if he does, I'll manage everything' said Purvi smiling.

'Alright then! Let's get you home. It's getting late' he said.

O-o-o-o

When Sachin arrived at the Torque Club, it was already overflowing with Sam's guests and acquaintances. Nobody knew him there. He found a seat in a cosy corner. He surveyed the rich sipping wine off his glass.

'Oh there they are!' someone next to him whispered.

Sachin looked at the entrance to find Sam enter the Club followed by Purvi.

He paused to breathe momentarily as he set his eyes upon her. She was standing there in a wonderful red off the shoulder evening gown smiling and talking with the guests. She looked simply stunning in that gown.

Suddenly she caught his eye and she gave him a small wink. He returned her smile feeling happy.

Sachin was not interested in attending the party at all. He had come for her and most of his time passed in staring at her.

Soon it was time for the usual cake cutting and dancing.

After some time Purvi stepped up to Sachin and said, 'Thank you for coming.'

'My pleasure! How couldn't I come? Here... sorry but that's all I could get' said Sachin handing him a bouquet of white lilies.

'Oooo...I really admire your choice... They are lovely! Thank you so much' said Purvi smiling at him.

'Hey beautiful! Seems you haven't noticed me yet!' came a voice right behind them.

'Oh my! Nick! It's has been ages!' Purvi squealed delightfully.

She gave him a friendly hug.

'Okay let me introduce you... He is Sachin... he is new in town and my new close friend. And Sachin he's Nick my school friend' said Purvi.

Nick offered him a firm handshake.

'Sachin just excuse us for a moment. Enjoy the evening.' said Purvi.

'Yeah sure' said Sachin.

'Come on Nick, let's meet Sam' said Purvi.

She led Nick towards the other side leaving Sachin alone.

'No I really don't want to see him' said Nick.

'Nick please! It's our anniversary! You have to meet him!' said Purvi.

'Please don't force me Purvi' said Nick.

'Okay' said Purvi looking crestfallen.

They went off the bar counter to get a drink.

Sam was scanning the club when he saw Purvi leaning provocatively against a counter, flirting with the man seated next to her.

'Nick! What the hell is he doing here?' Sam wondered.

Sam had always felt that Nick had a thing for Purvi. Ofcourse Purvi never accepted it but he was determined to keep them away.

Purvi lightly tapped her hand on Nick's shoulder, the sound of her laughter echoing across the room.
Sam was shaking with rage.

And then the bastard – that stupid fucking waste of a man Nick placed his hand on her knee. Touching her.

He had the audacity to touch her right in front of him.

In two long strides he moved to the bar and threw away his hand off her knee.

'What are you doing? You fucking bastard! Keep your hands off her!' Sam roared.

Everyone turned to look at the scene.

'Sam please...stop it' said Purvi alarmed.

'Shut up! How dare you let him touch you? You don't belong to anybody except me!' Sam growled looking at Purvi.

'Hey I was not touching her... Calm down buddy' said Nick calmly.

'You bloody rascal!' said Sam attacking Nick.

'Sam stop it! Leave him! I am warning you!' Purvi yelled.

Sam rounded on Purvi angry at her interference. She could smell alcohol on his breath.

'What are you going to do? Are you going to hit me?' he sneered.

Purvi suppressed a shiver and kept quiet.

Sachin clenched his fist. How dare he insult her like that in front of everyone!

'Come on... No one is going to save you tonight!' Sam rasped grabbing Purvi's wrist.

'No! Let me go!' she yelled.

But Sam pulled her out of the Club amidst the shocked murmurs from the invitees. He pushed her roughly into the car and the chauffer drove off.

Their mansion came into view. He pulled her inside the house slamming the door behind them.

Grabbing her wrist roughly he pushed her into their bedroom and slammed the door shut behind him.

'You are hurting me!' Purvi screamed.

'Shut the fuck up! What were you doing at the party? You thought I wouldn't notice did you?' he roared.

'I was talking to him damn it! Am I supposed to take your permission for that too?' she retorted.

'You filthy slut! I know you well! I know what you were up to! He was running his filthy hands all over you and you were enjoying it. You were flirting with him right under my nose!' he shouted spit flying through his mouth.

'That's not flirting! He was just being nice! I wasn't -'

Before she could finish her retort, he slapped her cheek. Hard. He watched her reddened skin and lipstick smeared face with satisfaction.

'You are hurting me! I will not spare you!' she yelled like an angry cat.

'That's good. It is supposed to hurt. It's high time you learn to give some respect to your husband' he said sneering.

The fury which was building inside her, erupted the next moment. She was well trained in martial arts and so with a quick push of her hands against his shoulders, he staggered backwards into the opposite wall.

'You little bitch! You are going to pay for that!' he said.

He grabbed her hair almost yanking it.

She let out a cry of pain. He pushed her roughly onto the bed and climbed on top of her pinning her wrists to the bed.

'Get off me!' she yelled struggling against his grip.

'Stay still. Or you will be sorry' he said in a cold, dangerous voice.

'Why don't you just kill me and get over with it?' she asked her eyes full of tears.

'I can't! Because I love you so much! And you are sexy' he said running his hand all over her body.

'Please... leave me' she whispered.

'If you beg and apologize I might rethink about this. Ofcourse as a punishment you will have to pleasure me tonight' he said.

Purvi gave him a sensuous smile. Sam relaxed a bit. And then suddenly without warning, she rammed her fist into his face with all the strength she could muster.

'Owwww!' he yelled howling in pain.

Purvi made an attempt to escape the room but Sam was too quick for her. He roughly grabbed her wrist.

'You are dead!' he screamed in fury.

He withdrew a knife from his pocket, the tip piercing slightly into her neck.

Purvi screamed in pain.

'Don't move. Now I am going to tie you up here until I feel its okay for you to roam freely. Now be a good girl and move towards the bed.' he said grabbing her by her neck and smiling sinisterly.

He tied both her wrists to the bed making sure the knot couldn't be undone.

She looked back at him, the smirk on his face angering her.

'Now I will get my drink and come back in a minute. Then maybe we can enjoy the rest of the night' he said and left the room

She felt helpless and vulnerable. He was a ruthless, prowling animal hungry for her body.

She was towering in rage. She realised that the time had come for immediate action. She had to act fast. She couldn't stand him anymore.

'I request you Madam, please prohibit him from drinking. Alcohol is bad for his health. If he retains his drinking habit, I am afraid, he is not going to live long' the doctor's words rang out clearly in her head.

She smiled evilly as she chalked out a perfect plan in her head.

O-o-o-o

Two days had passed since the horrible incident at the party. Sachin was growing restless by the passing minute. He hadn't heard from Purvi since that night. Her cell phone was switched off.

He had gone to her mansion for his duty but Sam had shooed him away telling him to come after a week.

Sachin was sure something was wrong. His instinct told him that Purvi was in trouble.

He was thinking how he would get to meet her without Sam knowing when someone knocked his door.

He opened the door to find a servant from the Torque Club. Sachin was surprised to find him at his doorstep.

'Yes? What is it?' he asked curiously.

'Purvi madam has told to deliver this you' he said.

'Ok. Thank you' said Sachin his heart beating fast.

Once the servant disappeared, Sachin tore open the envelope. A small note fell out of it. He recognised Purvi's handwriting.

It read: 'Meet me today evening at Sheraton Palace Hotel at 7. Do not show any recognition signs. Just follow me once you spot me'

He clutched the note in his hand feeling slightly relieved.

'Hope you are alright Purvi', he whispered to himself.

He couldn't wait for the evening to arrive.

O-o-o-o

Sachin walked into the Sheraton Palace Hotel ten minutes before time.

'Yes sir how may I help you? Do you require an accommodation?' asked one of the hotel staff.

'No actually I am waiting for someone. And I suppose the person has already reserved a room. Can you give me a few minutes?' asked Sachin.

'Sure sir. Why don't you sit in the lobby till then?' asked the staff member.

'Sure. Thank you' said Sachin and followed him into the lobby.

Minutes passed. Sachin kept glancing at the door hoping to spot Purvi. He was worried for her.

His mind was crowded with fearsome thoughts. 'What if she doesn't turn up? What if all this is a prank played on him by Sam to catch him red handed?' he wondered.

'But we haven't done anything wrong. Meeting someone is not a crime, is it? And they were good friends!' he thought trying to calm himself down.

After ten more minutes, he saw her walk elegantly into the Sheraton hotel.

She was almost unrecognizable with a short wig and some extra make up.

Even today she didn't miss the chance to show off her elegant legs. Every male eye present in the bar was upon her, their lusty thoughts clearly visible.

She sat exactly opposite and ordered scotch. She gave him a slight nod of recognition. After some time she signalled him to follow her.

She led him to room no 408 at the farthest end and checking carefully that no one was watching them, he stepped into the room after her.

As she locked the door behind them, he grabbed her shoulders tightly.

'God! Purvi are you okay?' he asked in a worried voice.

She removed her wig and Sachin saw bruise marks on her beautiful face.

'What happened? What did he do to you?' asked Sachin shocked.

She gave him a smile.

'Don't be so surprised. It has always been like this. He is too possessive about me' said Purvi.

'This is insane! You can't let this happen to yourself! That's it Purvi! You are not going back to him again!' said Sachin angrily.

'Don't be ridiculous! He will kill you!' she said.

'I don't care! I don't give a damn about myself. My life sucks already. You are the only ray of hope in my murky life.' said Sachin.

'Don't worry about me. I am fine -' she was saying when -

'No you are not fine damn it!' Sachin yelled angrily.

Breathing heavily, he took her face in his hands and kissed her softly.

She threw him a surprised look.

'I really can't see you in so much pain' he whispered.

They kissed again, this time more desperately. Sachin gripped her waist and pulled her firmly against him. They were losing the track of time.

'No we can't - we have to stop!' said Purvi suddenly pulling herself away from his grasp.

Very reluctantly he let her go.

'Purvi listen to me. Why are you so scared of him? Just divorce him' said Sachin.

'It's not easy Sachin! You don't know him yet!' said Purvi a bit annoyed.

'So we are just going to sit and watch, is it?' he asked his temper flaring suddenly.

'No. I - I am not going to tolerate him anymore. I know what to do Sachin. But I need your help. I won't be able to do it alone' she said.

'I am there. Always! Just tell me what to do' he said.

'You might not approve of this plan. But we don't have a choice. He won't give me a divorce. And I can't run away from him. He will find me and make my life hell.' said Purvi.

'So what are you planning to do?' asked Sachin.

'Murder' she said coldly.

Sachin looked at her. A chill ran down his spine seeing the cold ghostly look on her face.

'What? Come again?' he whispered softly.

'Yes. You heard me right Sachin. We are going to murder Sam.' said Purvi with an evil smile.