One more time : Where Oblivion meets Obsession

#9 — THE CONFLICT

Shahmeer and Myra were meeting up. He wasn’t a fool. She knew He would not trust her so easily, especially after the last time they met at the ship harbour, but that didn’t matter anymore. She was going to be around him, that’s the point of her mission, to keep him alive until they were done. And this was going to be harder than all previous missions. Her heart got involved. Being around him all the time, she had to keep these emotions in check and focus on what’s important. She couldn’t fail her team. She was their only field agent for this mission.

***

Coffee shop

“I must say even after living in Canada for so long, you speak surprisingly flawless Urdu, just like the locals except for a little pronunciation, which I find cute and im...pressive.” Shahmeer said resting his hand on the table and leaning a little forward.

“I love your accent too. You make the language sound musical.” She said impressed. “And it is such a surprise? I didn’t now know you were in the same city. Call it coincidence?” Myra said, taking a sip of coffee from the mug. True to his words,Shahmeer called back after a few days and sent a car to pick her up from her place.

“I don’t believe in coincidence. It’s all God’s plan.” He replied looking around. His heart was in conversation but his mind was totally alert to sense any threat around. The coffee shop was less crowded today which gave a distant, clearer view. He wanted to come alone as it was something personal but Rajat insisted on taking at least two bodyguards who stood at a safe distance from them in case anything went wrong.

“You believe in God?” she exclaimed unbelievably. How was that possible? He was an arms dealer. He was responsible for like half of the deaths around the globe, shook hands with mafia lords all the time, chaos and wars hiked his business, panic was his catalyst. She shook her head to get away from those thoughts.

“You do not?” he asked, seeing her reaction.

“No. faith can be dangerous. It affects your perspective, your conscience and pretty much everything.” She said bitterly looking down.

“Not when you have your priorities clear. I mean none of us know what will happen the next minute, yet we make plans, go forward, it’s because of faith.” He reasoned and Myra was amazed. Everything about him amazed her. Or maybe it was just her mind that was overlooking his flaws and highlighting a tiny bit of his virtuousness too much.

“Mr Khan, there is no religion, no community that clears every doubt. Some of it is always there. And where there is doubt, there cannot be faith.”

“Doubt isn’t the opposite of faith, it’s an element of faith. You only doubt and question what you want to trust, what you’re willing to know better and believe.”

“I’m impressed. You sure can convince. So, you said… you’re going back tomorrow.” She asked.

“Yeah I live in Kovai. I was here on business.” He said looking into her eyes.

“So when will I see you again?” she asked, tracing her slender fingers on the edge of the coffee cup.

“I don’t know. But I surely want to.” He replied uncertainty and looked at her with eyes full of emotions, pain, longing, disappointment written all over. “I have to go. But I’d love it if you came there. I apologize if I am being too straightforward but this is how I am.”

“No it’s alright. Can I ask something Mr Khan?” she asked, getting a little uneasy, rubbing her palms together.

“Sure and call me Shahmeer. That’s what everyone else calls me.”

“Shahmeer I don’t know you’ll believe me or not or maybe it’s a figment of my imagination but a few times in the past few days, I just feel that… you know… like I am being watched, or stalked would be the right word. Maybe because they thought I was related to you. I’m not afraid for my safety or anything but I do want some assurance that I am taking this risk for the right person.” She said reflecting the same emotions as his eyes did.

He knew she was telling the truth. The men he had left at the hospital to update about Myra’s health to him had brought a similar news like that. Shermon and Yousuf had hired some men to make it look like she was being stalked or in danger, because if he was convinced of that, Shahmeer's first instinct would be protecting her. It worked at some level but it still wasn’t enough to get inside the Kovai Villa or even the Kovai city. So today was the day they were going to play a final masterstroke. “Maybe it’s just your illusion but I’ll see into it. Okay?” he replied after a long pause.

“Okay I think we should leave.” She said getting up.

“Come I’ll drop you.” He said extending a hand to her which she hesitantly accepted with a smile.

***

The room went silent except for the beeping of the machines connected to Myra when she tried to say, “ Shahmeer I’ll be fine. It’s completely unnecessary-”

“No it’s not. Look at you Myra. I’ve made my decision. You’re coming with me. I don’t care about anything else.” He said, strictly moving his chair closer. As he did that, Myra felt a whiff of strong Fruity, vanilla and nutty aroma invade her senses. He smelled different than he did last time, sharper and exotic. Maybe some date-special perfume. It clouded her mind and nostrils for a few seconds.

“What am I going to tell my family?” she reasoned getting focused.

“I’ll talk to them if you want. They’ll understand. There is no way I am leaving you alone. Not after what happened earlier. I thought I lost you!” He said with a concerned look.

She breathed out a defeated sigh. “Okay. Fine. If you insist.” And leaned back on the bed.

“It’s just a matter of a few days or weeks. As soon as everything gets cleared up, I’m going to drop you back home okay.”

She nodded with innocence. She was amazed and proud of her acting skills. She had never been so believable and perfect.

He gently placed his hand on the bandaged saline on her hand and said, “Get some rest. We’re leaving in the morning.”

“Okay.” She nodded and he left.

Myra breathed a sigh of relief. Situation worked totally favourable for her. She turned on the transmitter,

‘PLAN EXECUTED. SUCCESS. NEXT CALL AT NEXT STOP’

—A few hours ago—

As they walked outside the coffee shop, at a little distance from Shahmeer's car suddenly he heard a sharp gasp from Myra and her grip tighten on his arm. His head snapped in her direction to see Myra clutching her right arm and blood oozing out of it before she fell in his arms.

“Myra!” he yelled shocked.

The guards rushed to them and covered them. “Boss, we need to take her to the hospital. Driver! Suraj, you stay here and find that person.” One of the bodyguards said firmly to the other.

They reached the hospital and she was taken immediately for treatment while Shahmeer was fuming with rage. “Ashish you found that shooter?” he asked his bodyguard while pacing back and forth in the same furious state. “He is going to pay for this. He is going to die a terrible death at my hands.”

“No. Still no call from Suraj. Boss you need to calm down.” He said slowly.

“No I can’t calm down.” He snapped. “That girl had nothing to do with my work, my business or anything. Yet she is suffering because I have so many enemies who leave no chance or person out of this. If we were in Kovai, this wouldn’t have happened. That killer would have been on his knees begging for his death right now.”

“Again boss, calm down. She can’t see you like this. She thinks you’re a decent businessman.” Ashish said wisely seeing his state.

He sighed and waited there. “Call Fiza and ask her to deal with the police. I have no energy for this right now.” He said, still pacing around.

The bullet had pierced the back of her shoulder and the excessive bleeding had made the wound worse. The surgery went on for a few hours and every minute, every passing second was making him more restless, guiltier about her condition. He was firm about not letting anything like this happen again.

When she finally gained consciousness, Shahmeer rushed to her and straightaway asked her to move with him for a few days until this matter was sorted. He has assured her safety but she was unsure about such a rash decision. But he wouldn’t budge. He was too attached and guilty by now. his exact words were, ‘if I had to lock you up in a seven layered metal vault to keep you safe, I would still do it.’

***

Myra smirked after he left. ‘This calls for some wine to celebrate.’ Everything worked out so perfectly. Even though her arm was going to sting sharply for a week or so but that’s okay. Shahmeer Zamán was taking her home, his home, the fortress she wanted to make her way to.

When you can’t bend something with love or fear, you mould it with guilt and that was the plan. She had already incepted in Shahmeer's mind that she was in danger because of him. This incident totally confirmed it. ‘She was shot because she was associated with him.’ That’s what it looked like. He was guilty. No matter whether he knew her or not, trusted her or not, wanted to do this or not, he was guilty… too much guilty and the only thing that would bring him peace was to make amends, set everything right, just like Myra wanted.

True to his words, he sat by her side all evening with a few of his men pacing outside. He kept watching her movements and talked a little bit when the silence got awkward. He had announced his decision in front of Rajat and Fiza, his lawyer c*m consigliore who were not pleased but Rajat could not get anything against Myra, her background, her family everything seemed fine. And once Shahmeer Zamán had set his mind on something, he would be unstoppable. Also, his newly attained attraction towards the girl was making situations worse. His instincts were yelling danger but he had no reason to trust them. The only thing he could do now was, do his job perfectly, not let any danger lurk near Shahmeer. He couldn’t deny but whatever happened earlier was a breach of security, which he was assigned with.

***