Sagarika

The sun was dropping swiftly towards the horizon, and everyone was worried as we waited for the guerrillas' decision.

"You," their leader commanded roughly, turning back to Siddh, "do you Give your word that what we want will receive publicity?"

Siddh inclined his head and then looked across at Mr Chawla. "Mr Chawla will inform the officers of what has happened and of our bargain—the freedom of my companions in return for publicising your cause."

"And the Government would have no option, but to release our comrades once it is known that we hold hostages."

I wasn't so sure. There had been several cases in the Press recently where innocent tourists had been kidnapped and held for many months without the Government doing anything to negotiate their freedom. Or at least that was the way it seemed on the surface.

"Very well then," the leader pronounced. 'Your companions may go free." He shouted a command to one of his men, who came forward, machine gun at the ready, and indicated that we were to follow him.

What the hell!! What about Siddh??

I can't leave him here with them... He didn't even want to stay here after the seminar, didn't want to come for this jungle trail. He is in this situation because of me, my stubbornness. No, I will not leave him alone.

The men pointed the guns towards us and asked us to leave everyone else turned immediately they wanted to get out of the place as soon as possible. But I was unable to move, one of the militants pushed me with the gun, I turned but I couldn't resist one backward glance at Siddh.

He was standing with his back to them. What was he thinking? I wondered. Was he afraid? Surely he must be.

I could not let him be with them. He didn't leave me alone. I turned to talk to him.

"I can't leave... without him."

"Leave!!" He said.

"Siddh!! Please..."

" Go away!" He replied glaring at me.

" I can't go like this." I protested.

" For god's sake, leave!!" He glared at me once again. But I was not intimidated by him.

"I would not."

"Listen this is not your stupid game. Leave with them." He yelled.

" What about you?" I asked as I was literally on the verge of crying but my pride would not allow me.

"Nothing will happen to me. Mr Chawla will handle the matter with the government. Do me a favour, please leave!!" He said curtly. I was feeling bad, so I thought of something.

"Listen, please let him go with us. I assure you that I will talk to my uncle... " I said and before I could complete the sentence, Siddh literally roared.

" Sagarika, shut up, please. Don't involve... yourself in it. Please go."

"No, I am not going anywhere without you." I blurted and turned to the leader again," And you... I can talk to my uncle... He is very influential in politics. Leave him and I will talk to him right away. "

"Sagarika, shut up!! Your uncle can't do anything about the matter. Just go back." Siddh glared at me.

"Are you crazy you know how Chachu is... He will move mountains if needed. How can you underestimate his power, he has done so much for everyone, and now he is a CM candidate. You know he is going to win. " I said but I don't know why I even needed to. said all that he knew that already. I was really offended by how he underestimated Chachu.

"Will you please shut up for once? Don't try to fool them, they are smart. We all know your chachu is just a lower-grade party member only, no one knows him. He can't solve this issue, it is too big for his status in politics. Just leave! Mr and Mrs Chawla please take her with you. " He yelled.

What the hell was he saying?? Has he gone mad??

Why can't he understand that it was the simplest solution??

Why did he want to complicate things??

"Siddh..."

"Not now!! I don't want any arguments." He glared at me again. Then he turned to the leader and said," I apologise on her behalf... She is a bit worried about me... She loves me and that's why she tried this trick, she doesn't want to leave me here. I am sorry." The leader glared at him and me.

Just then one of his men went to him and whispered something to him, I could not hear it, but apparently Siddh did. He looked tense.

What could the man have said to the leader?

Siddh signal me to leave... I was still reluctant, I could not leave him in the situation to deal with it. But Mrs Chawla caught my hand and pulled me with them.

"Wait!" The curt command halted me, as the leader stepped forward and grasped my arm. I shivered under the cold assessment of eyes that seemed to strip my clothes from my body.