Anika was in the clinic checking some information on the computer when the phone rang. She answered the call with a silly smile on her face.

“Tonight. I’m taking you out for dinner. Be ready by six.”

A month or so ago, if Abhay had said those words in that tone, she would have either been terrified or annoyed. But knowing what she did about him, she accepted the fact he wasn’t the sweetly romantic type who whispered poetry or bought her flowers. For some reason, she had always thought she would be more attracted to a sensitive guy who wasn't afraid to show his feelings to the world. Surprisingly, she was more than happy with Abhay's private display of showing he cared.

“Hello, to you, too, Mr. Singham. Where are you taking me for dinner?”

“To the city. There is a good restaurant I know you’d enjoy.”

Her heartbeat sped up. This was the first time after their marriage that she’d be stepping out of the Singham Estate. “Okay. I’ll see what I can wear within my existing wardrobe.”

“Six sharp, or I’m taking you out in your towel or whatever you are wearing at that time.”

She laughed. “Okay. Okay. I’ll be ready, Mr. Romantic.”

There was a moment of silence. “Maybe I’d actually prefer if you were in your towel at six,” he said in a husky tone.

She laughed again. Ever since she had lost her virginity to him at the lakehouse a few weeks ago, it almost felt like the gates to the dam were opened. He couldn't seem to keep his hands off her whenever he came home.

She felt the same way. The fact that he was willing to take a break from their marathon and take her out for dinner melted her heart. “I'll be waiting downstairs, Mr. Singham. You'll have to pick me up for a date from the doorstep, not the bedroom.”

“We'll see—” He broke off in mid-sentence, and she could hear another man speaking to him. She couldn't hear what was being said, but the tone seemed urgent. “Anika, I've got to go. I'll come home soon. Bye.” The call ended abruptly.

Placing the phone down, she continued with the experiment while excitement about their upcoming date made her work faster.

Her computer beeped, and her face lit up seeing the computer screen.

Unknown: All good.

Unknown: Going off the grid as a precaution.

Anika let out a deep sigh. Her life was finally turning around.

 

*****

 

Two hours later, thirty minutes before six o’clock, she was still struggling with what to wear.

She had never been on a proper date before. Sure, she had been on friendly dates with a close acquaintance or even some of her classmates, but never on a romantic date. She didn't know whether she should dress up to seduce or dress down casually. Abhay hadn't given her enough information of what kind of place he would be taking her to. Apart from 'you will enjoy it' and that the restaurant was in the city, she had nothing.

Jeans might make her underdressed if they were to go to a fancy place. A cocktail dress might be too much for a simple unassuming place with good food. So taking a wild guess, she picked a simple calf-length skirt with a top that had ethnic work within. It wasn't too dressy or casual.

The entire household was excited as she headed down the stairs. Malini let out a low whistle. She smiled at everyone who gave her approving nods and cheerful grins. The only person who was scowling at her was her husband.

As soon as she reached the bottom of the stairs, he leaned towards her and spoke softly. “I already regret this date. I rather stay up in our suite for the rest of the night.”

She raised an eyebrow. “Mr. Singham, you promised me a date, and I‘m holding you to that promise.”  

He swept his eyes over her body with an intense look. “You look… nice.”

“Oh, thank you, you don’t look too bad yourself.” She laughed realizing it was his way of giving her a compliment.

He led her to a sleek sedan sports car.

“Are you driving us there?” He always took a driver and a bodyguard whenever he had gone out.

“It’s a date,” he said simply before closing the door and walking to the other side.

She smiled running her palm over his thigh.

“I'm barely hanging on by the thread as it is. If you touch me like that, I’m going to pull over and take you right here in the car while my security wonders what we are doing.”

“Okay, no touching when you are driving. I get it.” She laughed turning to look at the four cars following them.

“Keep your hands to yourself, Dr. Singham. We’ll pick this up when we get back.”

“Or we can spend the night wherever we are going?”

“No, it’s not safe.”

“I see.”

He turned towards her for a brief second and saw the disappointed look on her face. “I know you’d rather have this date end the way we both want, Anika, but I can’t take a risk with your security.”

She sighed. “I understand.” She leaned over to plant a kiss on his cheek. “Are you going to tell me where we are going?”

“A surprise.”

She was quiet with a smile on her face.

When she didn't say anything, he turned to look at her briefly. “Why are you looking at me like that?”.

“Because I have every right to do so. You are my husband, and I think I find you… cute.”

“Cute?”

“Yes, I find you cute sometimes, Mr. Singham.”

She laughed at his expression.

Two hours later, he pulled in front of a lavish hotel entrance. He held the door open as she got out of the car. He placed his arm around her waist, pulling her closer as they walked through the massive entryway of the hotel towards the restaurant.

Just as they were being directed to their table, she heard a man’s voice calling. “Mr. Singham.”

“Dr. Mani,” Abhay turned to walk to a table to the far right and pulled Anika with him.

“Good to see you, Mr. Singham. What a pleasant surprise.” The man looked to be in his forties.

“Anika, this is Dr. Mani. Dr. Mani, this is my wife.” Abhay smiled politely.

“Oh, Dr. Singham. It is my pleasure to meet you. Mr. Singham and I discussed how to scale your online treatment model. Nice work you have done in a short time.”

She was surprised Abhay had discussed her approach with someone else and hadn’t dismissed it as nothing. “Thank you! We can use all the help we can get.”

“Absolutely!” said Dr. Mani.. “I won’t keep you longer. Please continue.”

“Thank you.” She shook Dr. Mani's hand with a smile and then let Abhay lead her to their table.

 “I’m starving. What's good at this place.” She asked eagerly as she looked at the menu.

“Let' get drinks first,” he said as he put the drinks menu in front of her.

“Ohh. Are your trying to get me drunk Mr. Singham?" she asked in a coy tone.

He smiled. "Maybe."

She laughed and began checking the menu. When she made up her mind, she looked up from the menu, and realized Abhay was watching her with a tensed look.

Frowning, she realized he was not watching her, but something behind her. She turned and saw Ravi making some kind of gestures from the entrance.

“We need to leave, now,” he stated, getting up quickly, and taking her by her arm.

“Abhay, is everything okay?”

“No, we need to get out of here.” he led her through the back door and avoided the entrance.

“Your car?”

“Just keep walking.” He instructed, making her break into a run in her heels.

She wasn’t sure of what was happening, but something about Abhay’s tensed look made her follow his instructions.

They walked through the restaurant kitchen with Ravi following her.

“Where is he?” Abhay asked in a chilling voice.

“Right outside the door.”

“Bring my car around.” He tossed his car key to Ravi, before holding her hand again and pulling her along. He pushed open the double doors and all his men who had followed them in the other cars were standing together.

“Who threatened my wife?” He demanded softly, walking towards the center of the group. She watched as he led her past his men towards a man who was on his knees tied up and beaten badly.

“Singham, please.” The man’s voice was barely audible.

“Who sent you?" Abhay asked again.

The man shook his head.

"Last chance. Give me the name."

The man continued shaking his head.

"Who?" Abhay kicked the man in his stomach.

The man screamed and then coughed, but did not speak.

Ravi handed Abhay a long butcher knife. “Who?”

There was visible fear in the injured man's face, but he still kept shaking his head. "If I tell you, I'm a dead man anyway."

“Your death will serve as a reminder for anyone who even thinks about hurting my wife.” he snarled as he slit through the man’s throat.

Anika gasped at the bloody sight in front of her but did not move.

She looked at Abhay after he kicked the dying man away from him and turned to look at her. He looked the same as he always did. So far she had seen him kill twice and both the times, he hadn’t shown any reaction on his face. He was like a cold monster, devoid of any soft emotions when he took a life.

“Let’s go,” he said, wiping away the blood on his hands to a piece of cloth handed over to him.

The car was bought closer and they got in without another word.

She looked at him as he drove them back. His jaw was clenched and there was a tense silence in the car.

Slowly, she loosened her seatbelt and leaned towards him.

She kissed him softly on his cheek and laid a comforting hand on his lap. She spent rest of the journey leaning her head against his shoulder as he drove in silence.

There was only one thought that ran through her mind repeatedly that night.

He maybe a monster, but he was her monster, and she loved him…