I Sharmi Diamond Ep41

 41. Climax

Within three months, all the media frenzy subsided and was completely forgotten. The same store was once again being featured grandly in television advertisements. It was said that the store owner had become close with the Commissioner and the relevant government minister, and the issue had been settled amicably. Only the unnecessary middlemen who got caught were in jail.

Siddharth contacted me once more from Dubai through Amsavalli. "What happened?" he asked. I cut the call and told Amsavalli, "Look, my phone is being monitored. So, no communication. And one more thing, nothing happened that day. The police arrived too soon, and everything collapsed. Don't contact me for a while." Since then, she had stopped contacting me.

Through the Commissioner's wife, I received my share of ten "K" in cash. She herself had introduced me to people who could handle the intricacies of legally accounting for it, so it was easily settled without anyone knowing. Explaining how would take two novels, there were so many details involved. To the outside world, Sharmi and I were still attending parties. We kept up the pretence that our income came from that.

We started a boutique. Slowly, we spread the news that we were withdrawing from the "industry" and settling down. Sharmi's genuine design talent made our boutique popular, and our existing high-profile contacts were advantageous. Today, we fly not only within Chennai but also to Dubai and Singapore. I always had to be available for the Commissioner and his wife. Similarly, Sharmi had a few high-profile individuals. This was necessary to protect us from many potential problems. We decided that getting married publicly was the only way to completely get out, and we did.

"What the hell is all this first-night setup?" I laughed.

"It's official."

"I don't even think we have a concept of a 'first night'," I said.

"I do."

"When?"

"At my house... just you and me. Don't you remember during Siddharth's problem?"

I thought for a moment. "Oh, right."

"Don't get annoyed that I'm asking again. Why do you have so much trust... love... for me?"

"I don't know. The fact that there are answers I don't have is what makes it interesting. Let's enjoy," I said, hugging Sharmi. A WhatsApp message tone went off, and I picked up my phone, still holding her. A message from a new number read, "Congratulations – Siddharth." As I looked at it thoughtfully, Sharmi buried her face in my shoulder, pressing herself closer to me, and asked, "Who is it? What's the message?"

"Just a congratulatory message for our wedding," I said, turning off the phone and hugging Sharmi.

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