Scene 27 - Sabiha On The RUNNN!!! For Independence.............

Sabiha looked through the glass walls from her 50th floor office of the Emirates Office Tower. She turned to her desk, and looked at the number of Prabhu Ram she had obtained after last week's call to Chets. Every time she had called Prabhu, he seemed to be in a different world. Did everyone drink all the time in Munich, she wondered!

It was also five days since The Wood had called her. Another two days, and he would be here to meet her. In person. She shuddered. She didn't want to have anything to with him. After his call, her life had been one heckuva roller coaster ride. She had done nothing about the passport or ticket that she had been ordered to get. She had focused on how to get out of this place, and get out of sight. She had managed to cancel her contract for the condo in Burj Al Arab, losing around 1.8 million dirham. That was almost 500,000 US dollars!! She should have remained content with her existing condo on the 80th floor of the Ocean Heights on the Dubai Marina!!

She decided to make one final attempt to call Prabhu Ram. Else, she will have to call Chets again for some other contact. She hoped he was only having a coffee or nimbu paani at this moment, as she again repeated the mistake of dialing Prabhu Ram's mobile number.

When in a state of panic and terror, the mind goes into a state of confusion. Balanced thinking is lost, and stupid mistakes are made. Desperation and desperate acts lead to more grief. And to more trouble. Sabiha had been in a constant state of panic since The Wood had called, and had failed to realize that her phones could have been tapped. The fact was that all her conversations over the last two weeks had been tapped. And her every move had been followed. Her cancellation of the Burj Al Arab condo booking, the sale of her existing Ocean Heights condo had caused some eyebrows to go up. After all she was required only to visit the Caribbean. Why was she selling her property? They opted to give her the benefit of doubt. Maybe she had other plans. Her call to Chets ripped everything out into the open. They realized she was not playing according to instructions. She seemed to be working on a different course altogether. And they had taken necessary actions to stop her. She was crucial for the operation in the Caribbean. She had to work with Prabhu Ram for that, and strangely enough she herself was trying to establish contact with him. That was indeed one huge coincidence, thanks to that CAT Coordinator in India. There was a 24x7 tail on Sabiha. What she did, whom she met, whom she spoke with - every minute detail was available, and it had been analyzed and reported to The Wood.

Sabiha waited as the phone rang. And she heard the voice of Prabhu Ram.

Prabhu Ram was in a foul mood. Gisela had for the first time refused to serve him liquor today. She had instead advised him against drinking. Women!!!!! He was leaving Biergarten, muttering under his clean breath as his phone rang.

Prabhu: Hello!

Sabiha: Prabhu Raam?

Prabhu: Yes? Who is this?

Sabiha: I am Sabbie from Dubai.

Prabhu: Huh? Who?

Sabiha: You don't know me, I am a friend of Chets and she gave me your number.

Prabhu: CHETS GAVE YOU MY NUMBER? For what???????

Sabiha: I need to get out of here!!!!! [her voice was fraught with desperation]

Prabhu: Why?

Sabiha: Look, don't ask reasons. I will pay you well, am told that you have good contacts to set me up in Munich. Please arrange for a passport and ticket for me quickly!!

Prabhu: Munich? Huh? I am off to see Miami!!

Sabiha: [mind confused and in fear] You can go and see your Ammie!! Just get me a passport and ticket please!!!!!!

Prabhu thought quickly. She had mentioned she could pay good money. He smiled again. Lady luck was indeed showering him with riches. The Wood had promised big money. And from nowhere this girl was calling him offering money for a passport and ticket. And she said she as in............

Prabhu: Did you say you were in.. Dooobhai?

Sabiha: I mentioned no other city to you!! And don't utter the word Bhai!!! Can you do it?

Prabhu: Ofcourse ofcourse, but it will cost you 100,000 dirham.

Sabiha: DEAL!!!!! When can I get it?

Prabhu: Hmmm, you go down to Tai Ji restaurant at the Al Khaleej Centre. Do you know where it is?

Sabiha: OFCOURSE!!! My boyfriend lives there and I spend the weekends there!! Who do I meet there?

Prabhu: Meet Yuan Chei Thuthu!!

Sabiha: WHAT????

Prabhu: I will speak to him now. Meet him with the money.

Sabiha: Ok, thanks. And you will receive me when I land there?

Prabhu: Ofcourse, but dont forget to carry more money and cards.

Sabiha: Sure, thanks. See you soon

Sabiha heaved a sigh of relief. Finally!!! She now had to rush to Al Khaleej Centre. She could draw the money from her account at Mashreq Bank. Infact she should withdraw all her money and close the account as well. Rushing down to the garage, she beckoned her chauffer and got into her Maserati Quattroporte, and instructed her driver.

Sabiha: QUICK!!! TO THE BANK!!!

Driver: Ok Madam. Errrrrr, and Madam, since two days we have a Ford Tempo following us.

Sabiha: WHAT? WHAT ARE YOU TALKING?

Driver: Madam, yes. The driver never comes out of the car when you are at office or home. Wherever we have gone, it has followed us. When you went to the parlor last evening, the driver came out and waited near the parlor, looking through the parlor window.

Sabiha: [gasping, and looking behind] Are you sure?

Driver: Yes madam. Same car is always behind us.

Sabiha: AIIYOO RAAMAA!!!!

She wondered why someone was following her. Had they got some clue about her plans? Aaiyoo Raaama!!! This was now becoming dangerous.

As they reached the bank and moved into the parking lot, she looked behind. Sure enough, the Tempo was following them. As she got out of the car, she turned and saw a man in robes get out of the car. She quickly walked up the stairs, and could hear the footsteps follow her. She rushed into the bank, and went straight to the Managers cabin.

Sabiha: Hello!

Manager: [looking up] Yes:

Sabiha: I wish to close my account please. Sabiha is my name. [she reeled out her account number].

The Manager keyed in the account number on to his computer. Seconds ticked by. Inspite of the air-conditioning Sabiha was wiping the sweat off her brow. The Manager looked up.

Manager: Madam, there is absolutely no money in your account!

Sabiha: WHAT?? That must be some mistake. Please check again.

The Manager smiled.

Manager: No madam!! Please check yourself.

As he turned the monitor for her to see, Sabiha gasped in horror. It was her account, and a single withdrawal to wipe her account clean had been done a day ago.

Sabiha: This is robbery!! Let me call the Police!!

Manager: [smiling and picking up the phone] Sure, I will do it myself Madam.

Sabiha wondered. She couldn't get the police involved. The local who had loaned his name as a co-owner to her business had clearly instructed her to never get into any involvement with the police. And moreover there were some wires into her account that could cause embarrassment, and more trouble if it was questioned. She realized she had been cornered. The Manager continued to smile at her discomfort.

Manager: Should I call the police?

She looked out of the Manager's office, and saw the man in robes who was following her having a conversation on his cell phone. He nodded his head vigourously, and then put the phone away, and started to walk towards the Manager's office. She looked at the Manager, and saw him looking at the robed man and smiling as well. In an instant she moved. As she moved and walked fast towards the exit, she saw the man change his course, and come after her instead of the Manager's office. The clandestine following seemed over. He was coming to get her now. She picked up speed and walked even faster. Glancing back she noticed that the man had increased his paces as well towards her.

As she got out onto Al Khaleej Road, she sprang into action. Moving onto the balls of her feet, she transferred her weight forward, and broke into a run. After all she was from the land of P T Usha, and she could run. She quickly thought how she could lose her nemesis. One place to get lost was the Gold Souk, but that was a good two kilometre dart. And then again, you never knew. That was a farily long distance, and if she were outpaced, she would be at his mercy. She quickly decided, and ran across the street, bringing some automobiles to a screeching halt. She ran into the Hyatt Regency, hoping to lose herself there. She didn't look back, not wanting to lose precious seconds. Running past the reception she headed towards the Club Olympus Fitness Center. Her thoughts went to Al Dawaar Revolving Restaurant was on the 25th floor. Should she head there? Flying out of the fitness center, after making those in there gasp in shock, she headed for the elevators. Her nemesis had kept pace and she could see him a fair distance behind as she ran around the corner. To her luck, she saw one of the elevators stop, and the attendant come out helping someone with her bags. She sprang inside and punched the buttons to close the door. Her nemesis would have seen her get in. Thinking quickly, she punched numbers on the lift panel. Floor 7, 9, 12, 14, 16, 19, 21, 23, 25. She took a deep breath as the lift began its ascent with just her as the occupant. She got out on the ninth floor. The lift continued its passenger-train like journey upwards. She smiled. The goon at the base of the hotel would now be totally confused. She now had to plan her next strategy. She got into another lift, and told the attendant to take her to the fifth floor.

While Sabiha raced to save herself, the man who had followed Vikas to Musten's apartment in the Tata Indica, pulled out his cellular phone to make a report.