Disclaimer-The story has some adult content so discretion is required with parental guidance for kids below 16years.
With every rising smoke from his cigar, Shaunak’s patience began to snap Like roasted peanuts, breaking apart the sterile luxury of this seven-Star hotel. The silver briefcase – cold & gleaming like the snow – Dusted streets of Shimla – weighed heavier with each passing Moment. Not just in weight, but in memories in pain, in burden. A Burden that clung to him like a second skin.
His eyes darted towards the gold rolex resting on his wrist. The second Hand swept forward with a precise mechanical certainty. Yet Jashan’s Chipped away at that certainty. Time was dependable. Jashan was Not. He was expecting Jashan as his companion but here he was – Alone with his most recent companion. His pain .
The soft hum of jazz music slithered through the dim light, his head Now began to groove to its subtle pull, but his trance was broken by a rough, deep voice.
“Mr. Suri ?”
Across the table stood Jashan – A lean figure wrapped in a dark Woolen chola & trousers, the famous kullutopi resting on his head. The Rough edge of stubble framed his sharp Jawline & a faint scar cut Across his eyebrow. He slid into the chair opposite Shaunak with the Unhurried ease of someone who knew exactly how dangerous he was.
“ You’ re late” shaunak said his gaze cutting.
A faint smirk tugged at Jashan’s mouth. “ Guilty as charged” his voice Low but composed. “I was….. catering to a client.”
Shaunak’s gaze sharpened.
“ Succesfully?”
“Jashan’s fingers drummed on the table. His eyes darkened beneath The brim of his topi . “I ‘ve never heard complaints from the grave, Mr Suri.”
Shaunak’s lips curled into a faint smile.
“ Impressive. Alright time is money- which I have already wosted Enough.
A quiet click. Shaunak unlatched the briefcase & turned it toward Jashan. The neat stacks of cash gleamed under the dim glow – crisp, Heavy, irresistible.
Jashan’s gaze flickered toward the money, then back to Shaunak. A Thin smile curled at the corner of his mouth.
“ Interesting”
“ OneCrore”Shaunak’s voice was low. That’s half. The rest half once the Work is done “
Jashan’s brow arched slightly as he leaned back, the Shadow of a smirk Smirkin ghosting his lips “Well that’s a handsome amount” He picked Up the briefcase & rose with the fluid case of a man accustomed to Walking away from bodies “ Send me his photo on WhatsApp”
Shaunak’s gaze sharpened. His fingers tightened on the breifcase as if clenching it.
“Her!”
Jashan froze midstep. His eyes darkened beneath the brim of his topi As he turned back “Excuse Me?”
Shaunak’s face remained impassive
“ It’s a her”
Jashan’s expression hardened. A dangerous glint flickered in his eyes
“Mr Suri…I want you to understand – I don’t kill women & children”
Shaunak’s lips curled faintly. “Yes,I read that on your App… but That’s gonna change tonight”
Jashan’s jaw tightened. He let go of the breifcase, adjusted the fold of His chola. His steps towards the door were calculated, unhurried “Find Yourself another gun.”
Shaunak’s hand shot out towards the steak knife resting on the table
In one swift motion, he gripped it & hurled it towards Jashan’s leg. The Blade missed by an inch, striking the wooden floor with a dull thud.
Jashan’s gaze sharpened dangerously. His lips twisted into a Dangerous smile.
“That’s cute”
Shaunak leaned forward his cigar still burning between his fingers. “You’re walking away because it’s a woman. If it were a man You’d Stay. I didn’t expect hypocrisy from you”
Jashan’s gaze hardened “Men like you are all the same” His voice sharpened. “ Rejection bruises your Ego hence you want her killed”
Shaunak’s eyes flashed. He exhaled slowly, the smoke curling between Them “ Judging is for the weak, try listening.”
Jashan’s eyes narrowed. His fingers curled around the edge on the Table “All right. I am listening”
Shaunak’s voice dropped to a low, lethal murmur ”I want Revenge”
Jashan’s brow creased. “Revenge?”
“The woman I want you to execute…” After exhaling deeply thrice he Continues “ She raped me…”
Jashan’s head snapped up.”What a joke?” He then burst into laughter “A man raped by a woman? Can it even happen?” still laughing.
Shaunak’s eyes darkened “Are you done with this mockery? And yes it Can & it does.”
Jashan’s voice grew sharp as a blizzard
“Care to bare your wounds Mr Suri”
“It was two weeks ago” Shaunak’s voice was steady but low. A business Meet at a friend’s farm house. That night, the streets of Shimla were Hugging the moon, draped in white cloaks of snow shimmering under The pale night sky.
The air was sharp cutting through my lungs like glass. I remember Dragging my feet towards the entrance of the farm house. My boots Sank into the frost-kissed ground, leaving shallow imprints that were Quickly swallowed by the falling snow.
The heavy oak door creaked open & the first person I saw was a woman Half my age.
She was sitting by the fire, legs crossed, one hand resting on the arm Rest while the other caressing her wine glass.
I was waiting for my client, looking, searching but nowhere to be Found when she came up to me & said “You smell amazing” her Voice low, sultry.
Before I could react her hands were already sliding down my chest, Inching towards my belt. I froze. Her grip tightened “Relax” she Whispered, her breath hot against my neck.
“I… I think there’s some mistake” I managed to say, stepping back but She followed- Her smile Shaper than the winter chill outside.
Her hands unzipped my Pants. My breath hitched.
“Stop” I said. Weak. Her grip tightened.
“Don’t fight it” She whispered, pressing me against my wall. Her nails Grazed my skin. My body stiffened.
Her lips crushed against mine. Hard. My back scratched against the wall, Her hand cold from the glass was already inside my shirt. I tried To push her away but her grip was like steel.
I gasped “ Alright I am calling the cops”
“Ssshhh not like they are gonna believe you, so might as well enjoy” Her voice now filled with confidence.
“She stripped me down & rode me – Her hips moved with a dangerous Rhythm. I froze beneath her, every nerve ending thrumming with Confusion & fear. My mind screamed, my body rigid beneath her Weight.
And when it was over, she leaned down, her lips curling at the corner. “ It was pleasurable darling” And with this she walked away, she walked All over my soul.
“ Shaunak’s breath hitched, Drops of his tears rolled down his cheeks. Across the table Jashan now sat frozen.
“ Now will you do it?” His tone almost pleading.
Jashan’s hand rested on the edge of the table, he took out his visiting Card passed it to Shaunak “Alright send her pic on to this number on WhatsApp & consider it done.”
Shaunak took out his phone, scrolled through the gallery & opened the Image – grainy CCTV image of the farmhouse. At first it was blurred, Distorting by poor lightning & flickering pixels but then her face Sharpened. He took the visiting card & send the image on that number.
The contract lay before them, the ink glistened beneath the dim light. Jashan reached for the pen
“ Excuse me,” Shaunak said standing “I need to use the washroom”
And Shaunak headed towards the washroom, carrying his briefcase.
Inside the Washroom, A few moments later…
Shaunak stood before two identical white doors at the far end – The Exits. The left Door, the right door. Both spotless, gleaming under soft golden light.
His hands pressed against the left door, & it swung open. He stepped Through.
The air felt colder. His heart felt lighter. His legs were floating, as if Gravity had released him from its grip. The smile on his face was glued There – It just wouldn’t go. His Hands felt empty. Too Empty. He Glanced down.
The Briefcase was gone.
A natural impulse followed – Shaunak turned towards the washroom. In the hopes the briefcase is left behind but there was no briefcase not Even the door he exited from.
Just a smooth white wall, No handle, No outline. As if the door never Existed .
His breath hitched. He blinked, stepping closed, his hand pressed Against the cold surface. Solid. Unyielding.
What the….? His voice dropped to a whisper.
His heart beat raced. He spun towards the nearest waiter.
“ My Briefcase, “ his voice sharpened “ Where is it?”
The waiter, dressed in crisp white, offered a pleasant, practiced smile.
“Sir?”
“My briefcase its missing, it carried one crore rupees”
The waiter’ expression didn’t shift.
“ But sir you just entered without any briefcase “
Shaunak now began to panic
“What nonsense, I have been here for the past two hours on a business Deal.”
The Waiter’s expression didn’t shift
“Sir you entered at 10:00 P. M. Exactly twelve minutes ago”
Shaunak’s brows furrowed.
“ Oh come on, show me the CCTV footage”
The waiter gave a slow nod & gestured towards a small screen. Shaunak leaned in, his breath quickening as the footage clear as a Crystal came to life. There he was walking through the white wall & not A door empty handed. His figure moved towards the same waiter. His mouth forming The same words about the briefcase.
“ Shaunak’s jaw dropped
“ But this can’t happen, I was carrying the briefcase”
The waiter’s gazed was steady.
“ Burdens of the flesh are relived in the spirit “
Shaunak is now confused.
“ What ?”
The waiter’s gaze darkened. “You’re dead Shaunak” His voice was Gentle. “ This is the afterlife. The struggles, the pain, the sufferings of Human life – They don’t follow you here.
Shaunak’s breath stilled. “Dead, but how?”
The waiter’s gaze darkened. “You slipped in the washroom. Too much Alcohol. You hit your head- Instant death.”
Shaunak’s mouth parted, but no sound come out. His eyes darted Around the room. “But… if I am dead, how am I still here ? In the Same hotel?
The Waiter’s smile was almost pitying.
“What you see is not real, it is just a memory, Your last memory. Shaped by your mind to make the transition easier.”
The room flickered. The waiter’s figure began to distort. A Pull followed Strong yet comforting. It seeped through him, dissolving the weight of his pain, suffering he had carried. His essence steadied his thoughts Muted. For the first time peace, his soul tasted peace.
*** THE END***
by Mohit Kamlesh Tolani
English 
Hindi