Rahul was beginning to regret the decision of taking up the offer of being at this remote place for the meet. But he was a journalist and the prospect of meeting the lady whose misadventures he had researched for so long was too alluring for him to reject.
He was sure that this is the place that was suggested....the road behind the railway tracks beside the canal. In the evening this place was mostly deserted, and he felt extremely vulnerable now. He knew that the lady he was about to meet was extremely resourceful and also had the motive to get him out of the way. But then she will probably not be so rash in taking such extreme measures and make herself a target of investigation.....he tried to convince himself though the justification did not seem to be that strong to his own self.
He was just about to walk away from the spot when he could hear the car advancing towards him and could see the flash of the headlights. The car rolled to the spot right beside him and then came to a halt.
The lady stepped out of the car. She was clad in a white saree. Dusk was setting in, but even in the fading light Rahul could fathom the riveting charm of the gorgeous woman who looked sternly at him.
Mahima Chatterjee was 40 years old, and was the leading face of the opposition party for the upcoming state elections. She was divorced and did not have any children. She had been an actress till a few years back but had ventured into the political arena since then.
"Let's walk!".....Mahima said in a commanding but gentle voice, and started to walk along the road without waiting for Rahul.
After a slight hesitation, Rahul followed her. The car did not move from where it had been parked.
"Do you know why I asked you to meet me today?"....Mahima asked, without looking at Rahul.
"Not exactly sure, but it must have something to do with the article I had published about you."...Rahul responded
"Oh yes, that article! Where you lobbed some hints about my extramarital affairs and how those helped me climb up the political ladder. But you only gave hints and did not back it up with any evidence. Because you do not have much evidence. Do you?"....Mahima said in a sarcastic tone.
Rahul did not respond for a few seconds, then disturbed by his own silence finally said...."Yes! And that is why I did not take your name in my article. So you cannot legally sue me."
Mahima stopped in her tracks and then turned towards Rahul. "Why should I sue you? In fact I owe you my gratitude."
Rahul was puzzled. He had tried to expose this woman, but in turn she is suggesting that she is grateful to him. He could not join the dots.
"I did not stand much of a chance in the elections till a month back. But now, after your article was published, my stocks have risen a lot higher. If the trend continues then I may be able to pull off a major upset in this election and pull my party through to victory. Obviously you know what that will mean for me.".....Mahima said.
"Yes I know, that means you will be the next CM of the state.".....Rahul said...."But I still do not understand how my article helped you.
I....I mean....my article was supposed to malign your image, and I thought you were really mad at me for that."
"Oh come on, Rahul!....You are a good journalist.....but still cannot gauge the pulse of the masses....Our public loves scandals!......They love spice....And your article provided just that....Gave my image the proper focus.....may be for the wrong reasons.....but it really worked....the exit polls are now 50-50.....I just need a bit more push....and I need your help for that.".....Mahima said....with a wily smile on her face..
It was now beginning to make sense for Rahul....He could see now how he had involuntarily helped Mahima in her campaign....though it was nowhere near to what his actual intention was.....but he was still unable to fathom as to how he could help her from here..
"I need you to continue writing about me.....you have already made people curious.....but they need to be fed the spice continually.....at least till the elections....they want to know more about my scandal.....my affairs... what goes on in my bedroom....it is not possible for anyone else to know that....but I will feed you that information....and I am sure you will be able to publish it for me.....without taking my name....but hinting it enough towards my direction.....can you not?....Don't worry, you will be rewarded - both in cash and in kind!".....Mahima smiled and winked at Rahul.