D-20

History doesn't repeat

Flashback:

"Sir!"

"Miss Piya, you've been hiding for months and now you are here. Sit, please. So tell me, what can I do for you?" The bank manager says.

"Sir, I have arranged some amount of money. It's not accurate, but a lump sum to clear the interest. So, any procedure to clear it."

"Hmm, you came on the right day. Our bank is going through a merger. So they order us to clear the pending work. We were about to call you, to tell you that, you have to transfer the loan to that bank by clearing the dues or signing an affidavit. But I can do the process if you can arrange 40% of the remaining and a processing charge for me. 7 lakhs as a deposit and not much 1 lakh for me."

"Sir, how can I arrange that amount of money. This is very much, sir."

 "7 lakhs is 40% of your total remaining dues. I can reduce my fee. 90 thousand? "

"Sir, 90?"

"Okay, final, 85 thousand. If you can give that I'll process it as if all the amount is clear. And you can do a fresh start. Look due to a delay in payments, interest got high. It is affecting your record. So if you arrange that, in the new bank, a new record, a new start. What say?"

"Sir, I have 1 now. I came to deposit that. It can't work?"

"Mam, my deal in not a bad one. Think about it. Your problem is big na. It's about your reputation. No other bank will give you loan in the future. I can clear it. Deal is fair. Or else, stay with a reputation of defaulter."

"No, no"

"Being a defaulter is terrible. I must say. 7 lakh is not much compared to your actual dues. Right?"

"Okay, I will think."

"Think wisely. You have time."

***

"Hello Deepak."

"Yah, "

"You once said I am lucky for you."

"Once? I always say that. I mean it."

"You are lucky for me too."

"Really, thank you, Piya."

"Can we meet at the boat's club? Tomorrow?"

"Okay..... You sure? After what happen..."

"Yes. Sharp 10 am."

"Cool then."

***

In the boat's club:

"Piya, what are we doing here. And what is he doing here?" Deepak ask.

"Jayesh, he is being overprotective. I told him I am going with you, but still he insisted to accompany us."

"Fine, but why are we inside this weird room instead of enjoying the boat race?"

"To bet."

"To what?" He gets shock. 

I know, but last time I was here too. With him only. Jayesh was not in the frame that time. After getting the offer from the manager. I had the flashback of its previous time. I thought it was a dream, but I remember after Nikita's death, Manish was bragging. Institute was reminding me of her. So I was spending my time here. I used that before for clearing my loan. I can use it again. What's a big deal.

"Hey its starting." Deepak says.

"There will me 3 round. And..." I interrupt Deepak.

"I know. In the first round, that red boat with number 15 will win. 9 will be the runner-up. Bet money on that."

"How are you that sure?"

"You trust me, right? Do as I say."

"Okay, fine."

The race begins. Everyone is excited, except me. I witness that race twice; I guess. Once I was an audience, then became a gambler. 

"Oh my God! It's a tough fight between no.15 and no.9. Ohhh no.9 loose, and no.15 went ahead." Announcement.

"Exactly as you said." Deepak mutter.

"How much did we get?" I ask in a bitter voice.

"Wait"

Deepak rush inside to collect our winning amount. Here Jayesh sitting in a corner totally quiet. He is staring at me all the time. 

Deepak come out with money in his hand. He is damn excited. 

"Piya...Piya..Piya... You know how much it is?" He asks in excitement.

"2 lakhs 53 thousand 8 hundred 67 rupees."

"What the hell? How do you know that?"

"Is it exact?"

"Not exact, actually." He says.

"Then?"

"2 Lakhs 19 thousand only."

"This time you bet less. But not that much that I've thought."

"What do you mean?"

"Nothing, next round will start soon. Can you bring me a drink and some snacks too?"

"Sure mam."

Last time I was here with full of excitement. We were enjoying every bit. We were laughing, even I knew the result, but we were cheering for the racers. What's happening? And most importantly, when it will end?

"Here you go."

"What took you so long?" I ask Deepak.

"Ah.. Nothing. I met a friend so had a small talk. That's it."

"Please try to focus on what we came here for."

His smile disappears from his face. I regret now. Sorry friend, you know nothing. I shouldn't have said that.

Next round started. I told Deepak the winner boat's number. It was a tie. And we had won maximum in it.

Deepak's excitement is gone. Just because of me. 

We win again. It shocks people, how my prediction is always correct. We managed to win 7 lakh 51 thousand. Last time in 1st round we had 2lakhs 53 thousand in next 5 lakhs 32 thousand. It was enough for us, so after that we left. But now we lack only 34 thousand. Should we play more for such a small amount? Or should I arrange it from here and there? 

"What are you thinking? The betting for the last round is started. Tell me whom to bet." 

"Haan, 3rd number." I say.

"Are you sure?" He asks.

"Yes, at first it will be at last position. Then it'll gain the speed. There will be an accident and 2 boat will collide. No one will get hurt, but the driver will fall on water. Due to that, the boat close to them will stop. That will give 3rd number a chance to move ahead and win. Because of his distant he gets the advantage to win."

"Did you get any psychic ability? You are saying like you know everything. Like you saw it. Like you've been there at that very moment"

"Something like that."

He step in to bet. He will be an exception to bet on no.3. As the driver is new and the boat it not in a good condition. 

Happened, according to my words. Bit by bit. This time amount is too high. Because of the last bet we have now 51 lakhs. We were about to leave, but the club members stopped us.

"You can't take this money." One man says.

"Why?" Deepak to him.

"I've heard, this girl predict future?"

What? Who is he? And how...

"Bhai(don)" Deepak says.

"Did you cheat? Or this girl is really gifted?" The man asks.

"No, we didn't cheat at all. Mother, promise." Deepak replies.

"Keep your mother in your pocket. Give the money and buzz off."

"No," I say.

Everyone stares at me. They are shocked to see someone talk back to the king of betting. 

"Little girl. Don't you afraid of me? Let me tell you I am a don. And I have a gun."

He pulls out his g*n and aimed at my head.

"Bhai... bhai no. She doesn't know you. Leave her, please. Bhai please." Deepak begging him.

He tries to snatch the bag of money from me. But my powerful grip restricts him to do so. In the meantime, Jayesh made an entry. He knocked out the don's almost all men. Wow... He can fight. He hit the don and placed his g*n in front of the don.

"What the f**k? Jayesh has a g*n too?" Deepak scream.

"Go....gooo.." Jayesh shout.

We run for life. I have the money, but what's the use. The mess created there. Now we have to become absconding. Or else we are doomed. My life has many shits going on. One new got added now. 

What the hell. Why it can't be as before.