Rewind: 5 PM, the previous day
"Alright girls, see you all tomorrow at the stadium,” chirped as she bounced out of the hostel gates.
Komal—or Nishi, as her close friends and family called her—was bubbling with excitement. Tomorrow’s match wasn’t just another game; it was a chance to tilt fate in her favor. If she could get her father to come along, maybe he would finally see Pushpak the way she did. After all, her father adored cricket, and if Pushpak managed to shine on the field, it might do more than soften his heart. It might tickle his wallet too.
Her father, despite being comfortably wealthy, was famous for his miserly ways. He could haggle with a vegetable vendor for ten rupees and still feel victorious. For a man like that, the thought of a successful cricketer as a son-in-law meant more than just prestige—it meant endorsements, prize money, and perhaps even a free box seat at matches. That kind of arithmetic might just work in Pushpak’s favor.
Of course, in the meantime, her father had frozen all her accounts, leaving her with a strict weekly budget, as though she were plotting to smuggle her fortune away. Yet even that couldn’t dampen her spirits tonight.
She thought of generous Panchimda, who had pawned his house to give Pushpak a shot at his dreams. She had promised herself she would tell Pushpak once he landed his first big contract—but under her father’s watchful eye, and in the whirlwind of excitement, the moment had never come.
Still, tomorrow felt like the real turning point. For Pushpak, for herself, and maybe even for her stingy-yet-cricket-loving father, who might just discover that dreams could also be good investments.
Nishi was on her usual route to the bus stop, humming to herself, when she noticed a heavily pregnant woman struggling with a few grocery bags. Instinctively, she rushed over and offered to help. With her usual cheer, she scooped up the bags and carried them to the car, loading them neatly into the boot.
What happened next completely blindsided her. As she straightened up, the “pregnant woman” suddenly grabbed her from behind, pressing a chloroform-soaked cloth over her nose. Nishi gasped and tried to fight back, her hands clawing at the air, but the fumes were overpowering. Within seconds her strength gave way, and darkness closed in.
The woman—no longer seeming frail at all—eased Nishi’s limp body into the boot, shut it firmly, and turned the key. A glance around to make sure no one was watching, and then she slid into the driver’s seat. The car purred to life, heading steadily towards the deserted factory on the city’s outskirts.
As Komal regained her consciousness, she found herself tied to a chair. She blinked rapidly, trying to focus. The room around her was dim and smelled of rust, dust, and damp cement—an abandoned factory, its silence broken only by the faint drip of water somewhere in the distance.
Three figures stood watch. One was tall and lanky, shifting restlessly on his feet. The second was short but broad, his posture alert like a bulldog ready to pounce. The third, bald, had a strange stillness about him that felt more unnerving than the others. All three had scarves pulled over their faces, hiding any trace of expression.
Of the pregnant woman who had tricked her—there was no sign.
“Do you want something to drink?” asked the short one
“No thanks. What’s happening?” asked Komal
“A small thing called kidnapping for ransom” replied the tall fellow in what seemed like a faked evil undertone.
“What, are you freaking kidding me, do you know my father?” asked Komal
“Yes we do, why, are you going to scare us with his political or underworld influence?” the bald one asked sarcastically
“No, he is a bloody miser. He won’t succumb to your threats. You should have kidnapped the money and asked a ransom for that” said Komal with a smirk.
“That’s what you think” said the short one
“We will see what happens tomorrow” said the bald one
“When do you plan to set me free?” asked Komal
“If everything goes well, tomorrow 3 PM.” replied the big man
“Ok good, I had to get to the match, you see” said Komal
“PPL match, haha, isn’t that all fixed” commented the short one.
“No way, my boyfriend is playing his maiden match tomorrow. And I know he’s a man of integrity” said Komal
“Haha, they all are like that until they get greedy” commented the small one.
“Bullshit” said Komal irritated at the allegations by her kidnappers.
“Do you mind untying my hands? Please? Honestly, I don’t even mind if you use me as bait for ransom from my father, I swear, because he’s got way too much money anyway and it’s not like he spends it or lets us spend it either, he actually cut me off, can you believe that? So really, do yourselves a favor—ask him for the stash he keeps under his bed, oh that will give him such a fright, you’ll love it, he thinks nobody knows about it.
My mother’s been suspicious for ages because suddenly he started sleeping alone and locking his room, like every night, and even when he goes on business trips he locks it up as if there’s a treasure chest in there. So I—don’t judge me—I nicked his key, got a duplicate made, and snooped around because honestly I thought I’d find photographs or CDs or something scandalous—you know, maybe women, maybe men, who knows, these days anything is possible—and instead I must have pressed something because suddenly the bed moved and oh my God, there it was: piles and piles of money! Like, proper bundles. My father literally sleeps on cash. Who even does that?!”
The kidnappers huddled as if to discuss strategy. “The girl speaks a lot, bhaiya. I think we should duct tape her mouth” said the bald guy.
“I kind of like her” said the short one
“She has given some good information. I think she will cooperate” said the tall one.
“Hey, why are you guys whispering like women at a kitty party? You have nothing to worry; you can keep my legs tied to the chair. But first things first, I need to have names for you. I know you are not going to give me your real names, so you the short one, I will call you Chotu, you the big one, I will call Lambu and you the bald one, I will call Papaji, coz my father is bald like you.”
The bald fellow would have slapped her for saying that—it was a sensitive issue for him—but the others caught him just in time and told him to calm down. After much deliberation, they untied her hands, and the three of them sat down to play cards.
“So what are you guys playing?” Komal asked
“Teen patte (Flush)” they replied
“Great, can I join?” she asked
“Sure, go ahead” they said, a bit amused and anticipating the fun they would have beating the girl mercilessly at their favourite game.
As hours progressed, Komal being Miss Congeniality herself, and the trio gradually warming up to her, the foursome started to get on like a house on fire.
Soon they were playing Antakshari, watching Kaun Banega Crorepati on TV, laughing to Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashma and crying as Rahul dies confessing his love for K.kkkkkiran.
“Ok I think I will catch some sleep now” said Komal, who was worn out from all the excitement
“Wake me up when all the fun begins” she said as she rested her head on the table.
“Goodnight, Nishi” said Chotu
Once she had slept, Lambu said to his partners, “Nice girl, wish we didn’t have to tie her up.”
“Hey rules are rules” reminded Papaji
At around 3 AM, Komal was woken up by the kidnappers.
“Ok we are going to paint some red colour on your head and some black under your eye, just to show you have been hurt by us. It adds credibility and seriousness to the demand” they explained to her.
“Sure, go ahead” said Komal sportingly
Chotu got onto work with the make-up and once he was done everyone was impressed
“Hey! I want to see” asked Komal
The kidnappers took a Polaroid photo and showed it to her.
“Impressive. Very real, I must say” said Komal
“Yeah, Chotu here worked with a drama company until he got kicked out for dressing up in Juliet’s gowns” quipped Lambu
“Hey,” warned Chotu not enjoying the unnecessary disclosure of his love for women’s attire.
Papaji handed over the use and throw mobiles to Chotu and said “Keep one of this inside the BMW and the other near the bathroom vent. Place the photo under the mat around 7 AM. Call me once you have completed these tasks.”
“When we make the call to your father, make sure to express pain in your voice” explained Papaji
Komal nodded in agreement.
So the first call was made around 8.30 AM once Chotu had confirmed the photo had been put under the doormat and all phones were in the said locations.
“Ok, Nishi,” whispered Lambu, “cry”
“Papa..Papa…..” cried Komal
And she stopped when Lambu gave her the thumbs up.
“Ok we are good, I think your father bought it” said Papaji
Around 3 PM when confirmation was delivered about the money being deposited at the location by Brijraj, Nishi was relieved and she hugged it out with her new found friends.
“Hey don’t forget to watch the match, Ok” she reminded them
It was around 8:50 PM when she finally got dropped at the stadium for the match, rush hour traffic and security had been a real hassle today. As per her special request her friendly kidnappers had helped her create a banner which read, “Fly high, Pushpak Viman, fly sky high…......Nishi.”
She switched on her mobile once it was returned to her by the gang and she called up her dad to tell him she was safe and was at the stadium about to join her friends.
She then rang up her friend to find her way to their location in the gallery.
“Where have you been, Pushpak is on the crease. Come quickly” said her friend who had come to get her to their seats.
Komal rushed in with her friend and asked her friends to help her hold up the banner.
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