Bards of the Blogosphere: Chapter 7 (Week 2)

Please Note: This is the Seventh chapter (Week 2)  in the "Game of Blogs" for the team "Bards of the Blogosphere." #CelebrateBlogging

Read Chapter six here.

Chapter 7:

Pandemonium

"Where is she?" Tara asked worried. Shekhar, sensing the fear in her voice, calmed her down , gently squeezing her hands. "Relax Tara, she will be nearby. You know the crowds don't excite her. She is nature's baby, remember? I am sure she will be in the gardens, talking to those bougainvilleas or tulips as always", he winked unconvincingly.

"Please go and find her. Something isn't right. You know my gut feeling. It is never wrong Shekhar."

Her eyes pierced his heart, a plea louder than her words. He got up hurriedly and sprinted across the hall, bumping into people as he raced past them. In his mind, his own sense of dread started to voice itself.

There were scores of people around. How would he find her? 

She was right in front of us. Where on Earth would she go so abruptly? Did someone take her? No! Shekhar! Get a grip on yourself. She is just missing. Not kidnapped. I mean, of all the places… nobody would be so stupid as to kidnap a child at this convention of all places!

The Minister's words kept echoing in his ears, "One minute the child is safe, ensconced in the love and care of her family and the next, she is stuck forever in the grubby corner of some brothel, lands away from everything she calls home."

His throat went dry.

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Cyrus wanted to let out a scream, but nothing came out of his dry, parched  throat.

His mind was blank and hands numb. The lifeless body of the minister was sprawled on the floor.

He heard distant footsteps. Thundering footsteps in the corridor. Someone was running. Not someone. Many people. He tried running too. But his legs were rooted on the spot. Someone screamed," The Minister is dead!" "Call the Police! Help!" 

Cyrus felt a violent blow across his temple and reeled back as the pain seared in his head. He felt the blood rush and tried to steady himself but another strong punch struck him from behind. He tried to stay upright but stumbled and fell, his forehead striking the very same mahogany table where he had submitted the evidence less than an hour ago, his hard work of months.

"I will KILL HIM, He is the one!" Chandy lurched at Cyrus, trying his best to reach him. The guards held him back as he screamed and sobbed uncontrollably. "He is dead! I trusted this murderer. His prey was served to him on a platter! I am responsible. I let him meet Sir! I convinced Sir to meet his own murderer!" 

Chandy spat at Cyrus, who was too stunned to utter a word even as he was forced to lie prone on the floor. 

It was only when the police arrived that the lawyer, surrounded by guards, was allowed to stand and taken to a corner of the room. As the officers stood over the lifeless minister, Cyrus felt his phone vibrate. Seizing the opportunity while their focus was distracted, he read the message and started to type a reply. Just as he hit the “Send” button, he heard a loud scream and felt the full force of the constable’s slap across his cheek. Snatching his phone, the officer hit him again, connecting right below the ear this time."Mandu! Trying to act smart, huh?"

"I did not kill him, Sir" Cyrus said weakly,his eyes pleading earnestly. "I was just at the wrong place at the…" 

"One more word and even your rich pappa will not be able to save you! This is not a normal crime. You have murdered a minister. Forget the police station, you will be lucky to get out of this hall alive. " 

With a sneer, he held Cyrus from his collar and accompanied by three other officers, dragged him out of the room.

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It was sheer pandemonium. The crowds had turned violent and people were running helter-skelter as they searched for an exit. Chairs were upturned and children were crying everywhere, seeking the safety of their parent’s hands. Shekhar looked around distraught, his cool demeanour shattered as he heard the voices in between the screams. Some people had come out of a doorway screaming and their anger had proven to be viral. Someone had shouted "Bomb! Bomb!", while some others screamed that there was a terrorist in the building. 

A terrorist who had just murdered their dear Minister.

Across the room, lost in the stampede, Tara was frantic. Along with Roohi, she now could not spot Shekhar anymore amidst the frenzy. 

"Please Please keep them safe, God. They are my life." She prayed silently, tears rolling down her cheeks. She felt herself being pushed by men of all ages as they rushed passed her, pushing her aside in their haste to reach the exit. She felt a strong arm grip her shoulder and yelped as she she turned behind, only to see Shekhar holding Roohi's hand.

"ROOHI!! " Tara ran and hugged her tightly , almost crushing her, kissing her all over, relieved. Roohi stared at her blankly. Her eyes were stricken with fear. 

"Roohi, What happened? Shekhar? Why isn't she speaking?" Tara shook her little princess, as a desperate measure to get her to talk.

"I think it’s this mayhem, Tara. She seems very disturbed with the stampede. Let us leave. Roohi needs to get out of here ASAP!"

Following the crowd, they jostled their way to the end of the hall where people were still searching for their family members. The stampede had wounded several and the sirens of arriving ambulances could be heard in the distance. A hassled Jenny held her head between her hands. 

The Minister was killed? How is it possible? And where the hell is Cyrus?

She ran up to one of the organizing members ,"Excuse me, please , please I am searching for a friend, He is tall, fair.. listen to me, this is urgent!" Jenny spoke breathlessly.

"Madam, the minister is murdered. The prime suspect has been arrested. He was caught red handed at the scene of the murder. Now if you will kindly excuse me, we have to assist the investigation."

Jenny felt her heart skip a beat. She cupped her mouth, closing her eyes and breathing heavily. She hurriedly rummaged her bag for her cell to call Cyrus but instead stared at the notification on the main screen. 

ONE UNREAD MESSAGE.

With a lump in her throat she read the message Cyrus had sent her. 

"I am Innocent." 

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He stood amidst the crowd across the street watching as the police struggled to bring order to the mayhem. His lips trembled as he watched the young man being escorted into a jeep by the police, his face covered from the media hounds. 

How would you reach the sky?

If you would never try?

Trust me Baby, I wouldn't lie.

You are that fiery dragonfly.

Glittering dreams

Puerile laughter.

I watch your smile

reach up to your eye.

You are my adorable dragonfly"

Finally. Done and dusted with you Minister. I feel I have attained Nirvana. I waited and waited. First your long speech and then your meeting with the fair boy.

That boy. He will tell them of me but will they believe him? Unlikely. 

Even as the media and party workers started to rush towards the jeep, his eyes started scanning the perimeter once more. Unlike them, he was not seeking the lawyer… no, he was searching for someone else. The same thought repeated itself over and over again as he stood still amidst the bedlam.

Where is the little girl?

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Me and my team are participating in ‘Game Of Blogs’ at BlogAdda.com. #CelebrateBlogging with us.

For chapter 8 click here

If you want to read right from the start , click here.