Chapter 31

Arnav's breath came to a stop.

He turned around slowly, unable to believe what was happening.

Sunehri tightened her hold on his arm. He looked down at the thin, claw-like digits fastened around his arm.

"Come with me," she said.

Arnav nodded.

She led Arnav in to the flat, holding him by the arm. She took him to a tiny room leading from the living room. It was a pitiful excuse for a bedroom, capable of holding only a tiny single bed. But Arnav did not see the poverty of the surroundings. He saw only the tiny figure of the girl lying in bed, asleep. Short hair framing a pale face, a thin scrawny neck, stick-like arms and legs lying limp on the cot...

He turned to look at Sunehri, a question in his eyes.

"My daughter," Sunehri said softly.

"Oh," Arnav said. "What is wrong with her?" he whispered.

"She was born this way. Paralysed. She can't get out of bed," Sunehri said. She led him back to the living room.

"This is why I was desperate to get the house," she whispered.

Arnav's eyes widened. "She... she... My father..."

"Yes. Unfortunately," Sunehri sat down wearily on the floor, leaning her frail body against the wall.

Arnav collapsed in the chair. Would his father's iniquities never end? He felt his stomach turn, the palpitations of his heart deafening him.

"I told him. That day at Sheesh Mahal. He said it was not his responsibility. He said that a prostitute had to be responsible for her mistakes," Sunehri said softly.

Arnav looked at her, feeling his head swim.

"He was right. Prostitutes are normally left with the evidence of their sins while their fellow sinners vanish with the dawn. I was willing to take responsibility for what my body had produced, but I needed help. I needed a house and I needed money because a pregnant prostitute cannot work," Sunehri smiled slightly at him. "That was all I expected of your father, but..."

Arnav could not say a word.

"I worked as long as I could even when pregnant. But when she was born... she needed constant care. And as she grew up, things became more difficult. I could not leave her alone in the house and go out to work. Nor could I bring men here. She is paralysed, but her body is that of a young woman. If someone hits me on the head and hurts her..." The hand that Sunehri raised to cup her forehead trembled.

Arnav swallowed past the big lump in his throat.

"I have a few female friends, all in the same business. On some days they sit with her while I go to work. On other days they give me some money or food. That is how I have been managing."

"The doctors... they must have suggested some treatment?" Arnav asked.

"How can I carry her to the hospital? And will any doctor come for a house visit in this chawl?" Sunehri asked.

Arnav had no answer to give.

"I didn't tell you all this to ask for your help. You owe me nothing. But I want you to protect me and Asha by not dragging me in to a police case." Sunehri's tired eyes looked directly in to his.

"I promise," Arnav said.

"Arvind Mallik and his brother came in to the study. I was hidden behind the long curtains. I could hear them arguing. From what I could hear your father was angry about some properties of his he had asked his brother to transfer in to your sister's name. They were supposed to be her dowry. When the boy's family went through the papers, they found that the documents were forged. That the properties had in fact been registered in Anurag Mallik's name."

Arnav drew in a deep breath.

"Anurag Mallik shot Arvind Mallik. I saw it," Sunehri said softly.

"I believe you."

She relaxed.

"But I couldn't believe what my eyes had seen. I stood frozen like a statue for hours behind the curtain while the police came and Anurag told his lies and many people wailed and got the corpse ready for cremation. I returned home at dawn."

"You returned later to confirm the facts," Arnav stated.

"Yes. And to see if I could get some money out of Anurag Mallik. The landlord visited me that morning threatening to throw my belongings on the road if I did not leave by that evening."

Arnav nodded.

"But when I came face to face with your uncle, I changed my mind. The cruelty in his eyes, the greed, his willingness to kill his own brother for money... they made me rethink my decision. And the realisation that I could be putting the child in my womb in danger if even a whisper of my witnessing the murder got out."

"That was a wise decision," Arnav said.

"Yes. But if you go to the police with this, I will have to give evidence. Then Anurag will kill Asha and me," Sunehri said, anxiety filling her tired eyes.

"I am not going to the police with this case," Arnav said softly.

Sunehri drew in a long breath of relief.

"I will deal with him in my own way. You will never come in to the picture. I promise," Arnav said.

Sunehri nodded.

"Would you like to retire from the business?" Arnav asked.

Sunehri stared at him. Finally she nodded.

"What do you want from life?" Arnav asked her, Khushi having taught him to take other people's wishes in to consideration.

"A roof over our heads, a house that no one can force us to vacate," the woman said.

"And?"

"A steady source of income. I don't mind what kind of work it is, how hard it is. As long as I can do it from my home," the lady said.

"Would you mind leaving Lucknow?" Arnav asked.

"No. I would be glad to leave this city," she said.

Arnav called Aman, and sitting in that dingy room, made all the necessary arrangements.

He told Sunehri, "Pack your things. An ambulance will be getting here soon. The nurses will help you move Asha in to it. You will be going to Delhi. I have arranged your stay in a small property I own. As soon as I get back to Delhi, I will transfer it in to your name."

Sunehri stared at him in disbelief.

"My secretary, Aman will be getting here soon. He will accompany you to Delhi and make all the arrangements. I have asked him to get you a bank account. I will transfer a good sum in to your account. You will never have to worry about money again."

Sunehri was speechless, her eyes moist.

"He will make arrangements for Asha to see a specialist. Let's see what the doctor has to say. I will take care of all her medical expenses. I need to be in Lucknow for a few more days, but when I get back to Delhi, we can see about starting a small business from your house. Is that OK?"

Sunehri looked at him in wonder.

"Are you really Arvind Mallik's son?" she finally asked, blinking away her tears.

"Yes. Unfortunately my mother was a very moral lady," Arnav smiled slightly.

Sunehri too had to smile.

"You are not like him. You must be like your mother," Sunehri thought aloud.

"I would like to think so too," Arnav said. "Can I meet Asha once more?"

Sunehri wiped her eyes dry and took Arnav in to the tiny bedroom again.

"Asha?" Sunehri called softly.

The thin girl on the cot opened her eyes. She smiled at her mother.

"Asha, someone wants to see you," Sunehri said, pointing to Arnav.

Asha turned her head and looked at him. She smiled.

"This is Arnav Singh Raizada," Sunehri introduced him to her daughter, not claiming any relationship with him.

"Your brother," Arnav said, gently touching the frail fingers of one hand lying on the cot.

Asha's eyes widened. They looked in to his with astonishment, joy and hope.

Her fingers clasped his in return.

"Khushi... Khushi..." his heart murmured. He wanted to see her, bury his head in her bosom and weep.