The Tenants from Flat No #2 - Part 27

Zain shivered when he learnt that his landlady knew the truth. What was he going to do now? Thinking about Jasmine's reaction on this news made him tremble in fear. She would surely break up with him. "Mahesh Bhai, What will we do now?", he asked helplessly.

Mahesh smiled. He wanted that reaction. Now he could use their helplessness for his benefit. He imagined about how much money he was going to encash from their helplessness. "I have an idea. It's better to find new place to stay before Tai gets hold of you. You will saved from all the drama before she calls you a liar in front of public.",Mahesh said. Zain sighed and spoke,"Thanks! But is there any way other than this?"


"I mean we again need to search places. It will be an headache for all of us. It may take long time. We don't how our next owner would be. What if Tai throws us before we find a place to stay? What if she does it today?", he continued while thinking about the consequences of being thrown out of house. "Why are you thinking so much? She won't throw you today. She's planning to catch you red handed once you commit next mistake. She waiting for you to be off guard.", Mahesh tried to convince him.

The young man didn't seem to be convinced by his agent's words. He felt strange that he knew so much about his landlady's moves. "Bhai, How do you know that she will not throw us outside today?", he asked. Mahesh was getting agitated by Zain's questions. "Why is he asking so many questions? Why does he want to know so much?", Mahesh thought. He didn't want to reveal the truth. But he had to in order to get Zain convinced.

"I know this because she called me today to her place. She told me that she got to know everything. She warned me that she will call police on me if I didn't help her to catch you red handed.", he spoke the truth. Zain found him suspicious. He was about to ask him about his intentions in helping them. But he held back. He had to find out the motive behind Mahesh's sudden concern.

"Hmm I see! When shall we start looking out for the place to stay?", Zain asked, trying to sound convinced. He wanted to find the truth. Mahesh fell for his lie. "Let's start as soon as possible. But I have something to inform you before we start looking.", Mahesh spoke excitedly. "What is it? Hope there is no more surprises", Zain asked. Mahesh laughed and said,"You need pay me some advance before we start looking." "Advance for what?", the young tenant asked. Mahesh didn't like to clarify every time. "Nothing much! You have to pay Rs 15000 only to get out of contract with Tai since you are leaving before completion of one month contract.", he said. Zain finally understood Mahesh's motive. "Bhai! I need to discuss this with Jasmine and I will come back to you as soon as we made our decision." , Zain said. Mahesh was frustrated with failure of his second plan. He thought he would use Zain's innocence to his benefit. But it backfired. He cut the call immediately.


(To be continued) 

The Tenants from Flat No #2 - Part 26

Mahesh thought deeply, "How will I get Tai to agree to my plans?" He smiled nervously at her. Tai looked at him suspiciously. She knew if she agreed to his plans , she would be like pawn in his hand. He would use her for his benefit. But what benefit would he get out of using her? " 

"Tai, you are right. We will do as you say. We will wait for them to make some mistakes and catch them red handed just the way you want. ", he said. She wasn't convinced. She knew there was some hidden agenda there. She wondered what was his hidden agenda.  She regretted asking him for help. She should have done this alone. Something struck her mind while she was thinking.

She didn't have to take him in. She would do her own thing. If Mahesh acted smart, she would blackmail in name of 'police'. She had found out his weakness - he hated being called thief. She wouldn't let him know anything she did. She would do it discreetly.

"Mahesh, you go home. I will come up with a plan and let you know.", she said smoothly. He became worried. "Now what is she up to?", he wondered. He had to keep an eye over her. He didn't trust her. He thought she was simple woman. But he never thought she would think two steps ahead of him. He had to be cautious of her every move. 

As soon as he left the flat , he called Zain immediately. "Hi Zain!", he said. Zain was surprised by his call. He didn't expect Mahesh's call. "Hi Mahesh Bhai, how is everything?", he asked. "All is good. But I have bad news for you.", Mahesh said. Zain was confused. "Now what can possible go wrong?", he wondered. 

"Usha Tai knows our secret.", Mahesh said. The phone almost slipped from Zain's hand. He laughed nervously as he spoke, "What are you saying, Bhai? Are you playing a prank on us? It's not April Fool's day." Mahesh changed his tone to bit serious. "I am not joking, Zain. It's true. She knows our secret. ", he said.

(To be continued)

The Tenants from Flat No #2 - Part 25

"So what are you going to do with them? Do you have plan?", Mahesh asked. Tai stayed quiet. She got Mahesh now. But she hadn't thought ahead. She had no plan.  Mahesh understood she had no plan. Now he had upper hand over her. He knew what to do now. "Tai, I have a brilliant plan. If you allow me, I can reveal my plan to you.", he said.

Tai regretted not having concrete plan. She knew how Mahesh was. He is opportunist. She knew that he would now dominate her regarding the plan. He would have his way over her. She should have had plan ready. She decided to reject whatever he said.

"Tell me your plan.", she asked though she wasn't interested in any of his plans. "You snoop behind their backs. You can follow them secretly, find out their weakness and take pictures if needed. You can use these photos as evidence against them.", he said. She immediately rejected the idea. "I am not doing that. I can't stoop that low. I will wait for them to make some mistake and then I will catch them red handed.", she argued.

"Tai, it's difficult to catch them like that. Do you think they will stay extremely relaxed? Irrespective whether they are aware or unaware that you know their little secret, they will still be vigilant. It will be difficult to catch them like that.", he asserted his point. Tai smirked. "This guy is very difficult person. He will not refuse a 'no'.", she wondered. She had to find a way to let him know that she was the boss.

"Every thief thinks they are vigilant. But they always commit silly mistakes and they get caught. They did that. But I let them off. Now they will become more relaxed and they will commit mistakes which will lead me to them. You were easy catch for me.", she said confidently.

Mahesh looked down withe embarrassment. He hadn't known that it was difficult to influence her. An idea struck him. He was going to let her use him as bait without letting her or her tenants know that he would be using their situation for his advantage. 

(To be continued)

The Tenants from Flat No #2 - Part 24

Tai had found her friend with twisted side for her mission. He was supposed to come in few minutes. "He is always late ! I need to make this clear with him- no delays.", Tai said with disappointment. She hated people who disrespected time. Finally the bell rang. Tai rushed to open the door. It was Mahesh. He smiled idiotically. She didn't smile back and impatiently gestured him to come in. 

Mahesh walked in. There was something fishy. Tai's urgent call in the morning to meet her at home raised doubts in his mind. "What can it be?", he wondered during the entire journey to Tai's apartment. Instead of normal greeting or asking about her well being , he jumped to his question, "You seemed to be tensed, Tai. Even during the calls, you seemed disturbed. Are tenants troubling you or not paying you the rent properly?". He wondered whether Tai learned about Zain and his girlfriend's truth. If she did, he was in trouble.

Usha Tai was quiet. She had to deal with this man carefully. He was twisted man. She knew he was the main culprit in bringing the liars as her tenants. She had to teach him a lesson. She was going to blackmail him to help her teach her tenants a lesson. "Everything is fine. Tenants are paying rent on time. They are following the rules properly. But!", she spoke in sarcastic tone. Mahesh began to sweat profusely. He kept using his handkerchief to wipe the drops of sweat on his face. His heart beat faster. His truth was out.

"Tai, then what is the problem.", he said nervously. "The problem! It may not be huge for you. You got your commission and spent royally on your family. I am bearing the brunt here.", she said scornfully. Mahesh kept quiet. He knew if he spoke anything in his defense, Tai would break him black and blue. " I know the truth. The boy and girl are couple and not siblings. They are not married too. They are living in together. That's what you youngsters call it, right?", she said furiously. Her anger was rising every minute.  

His lips began to quiver due to fear. He felt as if his time has come. He wanted to run away from Tai's rage. He stuck to sofa he was sitting. Tai's big eyes reminded him of his strict teacher of  his high school days. She would stare at him with big eyes whenever he was caught red handed by her while cheating in class test. "You know what I will do now. I will call the police and report you and the couple for cheating me. How about that ?", she said sadistically. 

The word police bought him to knees. He knelt down next to where Tai was sitting. He folded his hands and begged, "Please don't do that ! I will do anything you ask for. What will happen to my family if I get arrested? Who will look after them?". He began to weep. Tai nudged him to get up. "Ok! Ok! I won't call. But you have to help me teach them lesson. I want to make it worse enough for them to pack their bags and leave.", she said firmly. Mahesh agreed to help her out with her plan.

(To be continued)

The Tenants From Flat No #2 - Part 23

Jasmine waited impatiently for him to reply. She sensed there was something he was hiding. Thinking about what he was hiding made her more angry. "Come on, say something.", she said impatiently. Zain shivered. He wasn't scared of her anger. He was scared of disappointing her. He looked at her. Her eyes gleamed in fury. He regretted appreciating Tai's sweet dish. He should have kept quiet and agreed with Jasmine. Now it was too late.

"Nothing.. strange happened when you left. The delivery guy fixed the cylinder and went. He thought you were my girlfriend and I told him you were my sister when he said he won't tell anyone that I was with my girlfriend.", he blurted out everything that happened in morning. She slapped her head out of anger. "You messed it up. First you forget to lock the door and instead of handling that guy, you messed it more. Who asked you to tell I am your sister? Who asked you to open your mouth? You should have stayed quiet." , she spilled out her anger on him.

He held her tight to calm her down. She was fighting his grip on her. "Calm down ! If you scream like that everyone will get to know.", he said calmly. She understood the situation and calmed down instantly. "I am sorry I shouldn't have opened my mouth. In that situation I didn't know what to do.", he said softly. She glared at him in anger. "What do you mean you didn't know what to do?", she asked angrily.

"Calm down! I did what I could. But.. look at brighter picture. Tai doesn't know about us. If she knew, wouldn't she throw us out of the house. Why would she act sweet?", he said. "You do make sense. But why would she act sweet all of sudden? There is something odd in her behaviour. She hates us. Why bother to act sweet?" , she said. He hugged her tight. "Why do you worry so much? Nothing will happen." , he consoled her.


"But we have to be careful. We cannot let our silly mistakes to get us in trouble. She is very smart. We need to make sure she doesn't catch our lie.", she said. Zain agreed , thanking Lord that everything was sorted. He was relieved that she had read his mind. He wanted her support now to make things look fine.

It was midnight. But Tai didn't get sleep. She was thinking of evening at her tenants. She regretted being too sweet. She felt she was opening herself too much. They had suspected her actions. She had to be careful now. She couldn't take any chances.

(To be continued) 

The Tenants From Flat No #2 - Part 22

Jasmine sighed in relief. She wanted that for long time. She stared at Zain with gloomy eyes. Zain smiled at her. "Thank God! She went.", he said exhaling deeply. He got close to her and put his both hands on her shoulders. "What happened? Aren't you relieved that she went?", he asked calmly. She shifted her gaze from him to empty hot box and then back to him. "I was happy today. I wanted to treat you with your favorite snack. But Tai came and had her fill.", she said disappointingly. "She didn't even ask before snatching it.", she continued.

He noticed her cheeks had turned red. Her sweet voice made his heart beat faster. He suddenly felt immense love for her. He always found her childish antics cute. But today he found it more appealing. "Aww! How sweet of you? I am touched by your gesture.", he said as he squeezed her cheeks.  "Aren't you disappointed?", she asked.

"It's okay. She is an old lady. She liked your fries. She had them. I can have them next time. But she has bought us Puran Poli. Let's have them.", he said. She wasn't convinced. "But I prepared them for you with love.", she said softly. He held her hands and nudged them gently. "I understand you prepared them with love. Why should we fret over what has already happened?", he consoled her. She finally understood. They had first bite of sweet dish. It was tasty.

Jasmine had one while Zain finished rest. "Tai doesn't seem to be person who could make such tasty sweets. She is so bitter always.", he said. " I don't agree with you.", Jasmine argued. He stared at her in confusion. He thought he had convinced her about the fries incident. "She has been acting strange since this evening. She asked me about my day and even taunted me about my profession when I was going upstairs. I gave her back but she didn't reply. She banged the door on me and I got back home. The strange part was that she came back to flat few minutes after we had not so good chat. She was overly warm which didn't match her aura. She seemed different.", she continued.


"You are overthinking. She must be genuinely trying to build relationship with us. I didn't find her overly warm today.", he lied. He did find Tai's behaviour odd though. But he was convincing himself that nothing bad would happen and the gas delivery guy must have not mentioned  about them to her. He was trying to dodge the topic for another reason- he didn't want her to ask him about how he had managed with the guy today. The fear appeared again.

"I am not overthinking, Zain! You always blame for overthinking. What happened today shouldn't have happened. But it happened and now we are bearing the consequences. By the way, how did you manage today? Did that guy ask any questions? Did he try to blackmail us?", she asked firmly. Zain sweated profusely. He was speechless. He stared at her blankly as if trying to find answers in her.


(To be continued)

The Tenants From Flat No #2- Part 21

Zain smiled weakly at Tai. He wondered,"Why is she here? Does she know the truth? Are we going to be thrown out? Will she call the police on us? What if our families get to know about this? Jasmine won't bear this? What will happen to her? Will this be an end to our relationship?" His eyes turned red thinking about their relationship. "What happened to you? You seem quiet today. I think you are tired. Anyway I will take a leave. Jasmine, take care of your brother. Thanks for the fries.", Tai said.

He was relieved with Tai's words. She was not going to throw them out. He looked at Jasmine and smiled. Jasmine didn't understand the reason behind his smile. She was aggrieved by Tai's munching all the fries she made for Zain. "Tai, I am not that tired. I am feeling embarrassed that I intervened your girls party with Jasmine.", he joked. Jasmine found his humor to be bad taste. She wanted to kick him out badly. 

Tai didn't understand the subtle joke in Zain's language. "Ok then I will stay back. Jasmine, can you please make those fries?  I am craving for it.", Tai said shamelessly. Zain seemed like naive boy. She could get more information from him if she had candid chat with him. He didn't expect Tai to stay back. He had thought she had hated Jasmine. He smiled nervously , not knowing what to say. He looked at Jasmine. She was fuming.

He pleaded her with his eyes to fulfill Tai's request. She stomped and walked towards the kitchen. Tai knew she had angered her. But she kept quiet. "So how was your work today?", she asked as she tried to break the ice between them. He was surprised by her warm tone. There was something fishy about her. But he didn't try to think hard about it. He thought, "I must be overthinking. Maybe she is here to build good relationship with us."

The sounds of Jasmine angrily placing the utensils on the stove could be heard in hall. Tai smiled by not reacting. Zain smiled back nervously. He awkwardly brushed his hair back with his hand. "How am I going to handle her outburst today? She is going to murder me if I tell her about today's event.", he wondered.

Tai felt it was getting over the board. Jasmine was angry. Tai felt if she stayed longer or spoke something that offended Jasmine, she would not fulfill her goal. She had to find other ways to fulfill her purpose. "I remembered I had some work. I will go. I will come some other time.", she said with smile as she got up to leave. Zain didn't persuade her to stay. He didn't want to add more fire to Jasmine's anger.

(To be continued)