The arranged murder?️

chapter 19

Saurabh and I entered the Cherry Bar in The Leela Palace Hotel in

Chanakyapuri. The elegant bar had views of the garden, fountains and water

bodies outside. In a corner, a three-member band played music.

Aditya played the guitar and sang as well. A drummer and a keyboard

player sat behind him. Aditya wore a black sleeveless T-shirt with a skull

motif, along with ripped blue jeans. He had a bandana on his head and

metal chains around his wrist.

He sang an old Guns N’ Roses song, November Rain.

When Hook into your eyes

I can see a love restrained

But darlin' when I hold you

Don't you know I feel the same?

A waiter handed us the menu. Saurabh went over the cocktails list in the

dim light.

'Damn, eight hundred rupees for a mojito?’ Saurabh said.

‘That’s before GST,’ I said.

'Of course. The government has to take a few sips of every drink we

have.’

We ordered two small bottles of Bira, the cheapest drink on the menu.

Aditya hit perfect notes even as he raised his volume and pitch.

Nothin' lasts forever

And we both know hearts can change

And it's hard to hold the candle

In the cold November rain.

The band took a break after the song ended. A young girl came up to

meet Aditya. They spoke for a few moments and exchanged numbers. She

gave him a tight hug, whispered something in his ear and kissed him on the

neck before she left. Aditya moved to sit alone at one of the tables near the

stage.

‘Let’s go,’ I said.

Saurabh took a deep breath and stood up. We exchanged nods,

reminding each other to be smooth.

‘Hey, Aditya chachu,’ Saurabh said.

‘Saurabh?’ Aditya said, looking up from his cup of green tea.

‘Yes, wow, you sing here. We had a client meeting in the lobby. So cool

to see you,’ Saurabh said. ‘You’ve met Keshav?’Aditya rose and shook hands with me.

‘Of course. Can I get you guys a drink?’ Aditya said.

‘We have our beers. We’re good,’ I said and pointed to our table.

‘Come sit with me. I have ten minutes until my next set.’

We brought our drinks to his table.

‘No drink?’ I said.

‘Not at work,’ Aditya said and pointed to his Adam’s apple. ‘Affects my

voice. Anyway, alcohol is not my high.’

I nodded. I noticed he had love bites and lipstick marks on his neck. He

caught me staring at them and rubbed his hand on his neck.

‘Sorry.’ Aditya grinned. ‘Perks of the job. Don’t tell Ramesh bhaiya I

work here, by the way.’

‘No way,’ Saurabh said.

‘He sort of knows, though. He’s extra disturbed these days, that’s all,’

Aditya said.

‘Yes, so shocking. The whole thing,’ Saurabh said.

‘Yeah, man,’ Aditya said and sipped his tea.

‘Chachu, why would anyone do this to Prerna?’

Aditya placed his cup on the saucer and shook his head.

‘Yeah, man, why? So f****d up,’ he said.

‘You have no idea, like, really? Your floor is right below the terrace.

You didn’t hear anything?’ Saurabh said.

‘What do you mean, man? I told you I was making music.’

‘What music?’ I said.

Aditya turned to me.

‘You know about music? How can I tell you what music?’

‘You sing covers, I’m guessing, going by the Guns N’ Roses number.

So what original music are you making, actually? Just curious,’ I said.

‘I got my own stuff, man. Working on various things...’ Aditya’s words

trailed off.

Saurabh spoke after a pause.

‘Are things okay between you and Ramesh uncle now?’

Aditya shrugged.

‘You know him, man. Rigid as f**k. He lost his daughter, so I don’t say

anything. But, yeah, he needs to calm down.’

‘I agree,’ Saurabh said, ‘but you think...’

‘I better;o. Need to warm up for the next set,’

Aditya said, interrupting Saurabh. ‘Mention my name to the waiter. You

will get a discount.’