Even open tears were not written by fate to her—she was not permitted to weep at her own pleasure. At this Eeshani started to think that she was pitiable.

Vikrant was striving to decipher the expressions on the face of Eeshani with his black, passionate eyes. Her gaze fell on Vikrant as soon as Eeshani got out of thinking about her. She at once lowered her eyes. Vikrant viewed this, drew a drag of his cigarette, and stared at the high buildings in front of him and said, coldly,

Such idiots the girls these days are. They begin crying at trifles.

On which Eeshani asked, hesitantly, "Sir... may I go?

"No," Vikrant said sharply to her. You have already spoiled my spirits in your weeping. So, go and make noodles for me."

Eeshani opened her eyes with surprise. She did not know what type of a man was in front of her.

Vikrant turned and looked at her in his frozen voice and said, Why are you standing there? Go make noodles. I'm hungry. You have ten minutes."

Eeshani lowered her head and strode towards the lift without uttering a single word. Vikrant took a second cigarette out of his pocket and smoked it using his lighter.

Eeshani was back a couple of minutes later, bringing a tray of noodles. She found Vikrant standing at the terrace, smoking and swearing on the phone. She humbly put the tray on the table and waited to listen to him complete his call.

Vikrant did not see her there because his back was turned. Into the phone he said angrily,

I do not want to listen to any more of your nonsense. And you do not know where she is, you see! Inspect all the CCTVs around the palace. I desire that girl at my end immediately. I will not sleep till I put her to death with my own hands!

Fear came to Eeshani when he heard that. Vikrant was speaking of murdering somebody. She was too scared to remain there any longer; she could not leave without permission.

So she faltered up to him and said, meekly, "Sir, may I go?"

Vikrant did not reply, and that made her even more uncomfortable. She was going to say it once again when he broke out in a furious voice into the phone.

Break the hands and legs of that girl in case you happen to find her. She loves running, doesn't she? And how she doth run without legs! But keep in mind that she does not have to die—I will kill her myself, slowly, painfully.

The hands and legs of Eeshani started trembling. She did not want to remain there even a second longer. Growling back her fear, she collected the strength to speak again and said, "Sir... may I take leave?"

This time, Vikrant heard her. He spun about, his eyebrows lifted up, and he glared at her. "What?" he asked coldly.

Eeshani, in fright, was pointing at the noodles on the table. Vikrant also looked at the bowl, following her gaze.

Then meekly Eeshani said, "Sir... in any case, can I depart?"

Vikrant stared at her in anger, and she bowed her head right away out of fright. Vikrant still gazed at her, and said into the phone,

Unless you bring me information regarding her tomorrow, kill yourself. Since you will not get through the pain, because I will have to do it.