“And from this moment you are free Mrs. Chakraborty” – the lawyer said with a sigh of relief.

“Thanks Raj – thanks for whatever you have done.. thanks for all your support ! “

Polashpriya looked deeply into the lawyer’s eyes. Those brown eyes set deeply gazed at her as if gauging her while almost crushing her. Without moving his eyes from her’s Deshraj said – ‘ do not thank me polash…. I wanted to set u free so I supported you throughout”

“Yes after all I was innocent “- said polash. Her voice almost faded away.

“Sh sh sh sh……. Polash do not befool me! I knew you poisoned him. I knew from the beginning that it was you who killed your husband with that deadly poison but I did not reveal!”

“Stop it ! You are making these up. Leave my hand … let me go”. Polash tried to brush off Deshraj’s hand.

“Why are you in a hurry Polash? None knows that you killed your husband. Its only me who knows and now if you think that I am day dreaming then for you my sweetheart I present this!” Deshraj handed Polash her big brown diary where all the details are silhouetted in detail. Almost again snatching away the diary from polash, Deshraj smiled at her.

“So Mrs Chakraborty.. would u care to sign a secret deal or you would prefer me to reopen the case and this time with this diary?

“One minute.. so its money what you want right ?” Polash said with clenched teeth

“Not here young lady, let’s go somewhere to talk business”. Deshraj said and walked towards his car.

“Hop in lady !” Like a zombie Polash followed Deshraj. How far is your home from this place? Deshraj asked

“20 minutes drive” - Polash answered curtly

“Okay .. we are going at your place. I am sure you will feel good there. Deshraj said as he pressed the accelerator”. The car moved towards whilst wounding the silence.

“Nice House Polash. You never told me before that you stay in such a mansion!” Deshraj was moving from one room to the other his eyes scanning everything

On the dark brown sofa Polash sat like a painting. Her knee length white dress hugged her while delineating her well shaped 30 years youth. Her auburn hair hanging loosely while her arm resting at her lap.

“Deshraj…. Why are you doing this to me?”

“Hang on young lady I am not doing anything I just have a secret deal for you!”

“Okay! How much is it ? “ Polash asked restlessly

“I want to marry you ! Yes Polash my deal is to marry you and then you have to kill me as you did it with Ron, your husband.”

“You must be crazy Deshraj!”- Polash stood up from the couch

“I am not , Tell me do u agree ? or u want me to reopen the file?” Asked Deshraj

“Scotch ? “ Polash asked with her brows raised

“Yes on rocks—“

“Give me 5 mints.”. Polash drifted to the bedroom where a new bottle of scotch is still lying untouched.

“Here u go .. On rocks!” In the lightlessness with the glass in her hand, Polash was looking like a mermaid, a fairy who has lost the key of her cloudpalace!.

“Thanks !” Deshraj took the glass from her hand . “So tell me/ .Do u agree to marry me? “He asked while lowering his voice almost to a whisper.

“Do I have any other choice ? “ Looking outside the window Polash said. Her voice almost inaudible.

“But can u tell me why u want to marry you. U know the truth that I poisoned Ron and that too I wanted it so. Why you want to marry me?” Polash asked.

“To taste madness, Polash, to live dangerously. I mean it! I am tired of controlling myself, my senses, my desires .. now I want to taste your madness. I want to experience how it feels to live on the edge of to be or not to be! Marry me! Deshraj looked at Polash with an eye of an insane”.

To be continued