Mystery Arjun SS: Let Go.....Arjun Case Story Part 8 Page 14 Updated - Page 5

A feeling of well being passed through her she normally did not feel most days.

The smell of coffee wafted through and she heard the man who was affecting her so much preparing the brew.

A wave of loneliness and sadness washed over her. She loved her Agnes Mom. What she would not give up for her. And then there were her "sisters" who were there for her every step of the way in life. Yet she had longed for someone who was her own in every sense of the word. Someone she didn't have to share with others. Someone she could call her own. Someone like...

A lone tear ran down her cheek as she pulled the duvet closer towards her neck. She wished this feeling for life.

Alisha closed her eyes wanting to prolong the moments. And promptly snoozed off again.

Arjun entered the room with a steaming mug of coffee.

He placed the cup gently on tea table near to where Alisha slept peacefully. Something about the girl deeply affected him in a sweet way. He could not help feel pride for her survivalist attitude. She was tough yet her core being remained innocent and pure. She was one of those few who cleaned up muck from society for a living yet did not let the filth touch them at all. It was all he could do not to put out his hand and touch her hair.

Gathering himself he slowly turned around and walked away to enjoy his cup of the coffee on the back porch.

When he returned Alisha had freshened up and finished her coffee. She was washing up the empty cup in the kitchen.

Wiping her hands she stepped out and smiled at him.

"Lovely dinner, lovely coffee. And fabulous sleep all night. I cant remember the last time I was pampered so much. Thank you, Sir"

Arjun gazed at her and smiled.

Gathering up her papers she said," I'll stop by my house for a while and be at the office by 9. See you there."

Arjun nodded and saw her off at the door.

"And I can't remember the last time I woke up to such a pretty face first thing in the morning," he thought as he watched her back out of his driveway.

He closed the door slowly wondering why he was thinking this way.

*******************************************************

It was at 9.30 in the morning when Arjun reached the police station.

Alisha was already in her seat dressed formally in dark green top and black pants. She looked fresh as dew.

She stood up as he entered and offered her chair. He waved it away and took the one opposite her.

AR: Updates?

A: Yes, Sir. I had sent a team this morning to the hotels Rajneesh and Ramona visited. It's confirmed they were staying in the same rooms. My guess is we will get the same results in the out station hotels. They were really having an affair.

AR: Hmm...Get Alok in here. Lets get him to come out and say it aloud.

A: Already did. He will be here at 12.

AR: What about Ramona? Did you manage to get anything on her yet?

A: I have listed down some people who were supposedly close to her. Like her club friends and social circle. I am on my way to meet them. Do you want to come along?

AR: No. You go on. I have someone else to talk to. Let's meet back here at 12.

Nodding Alisha stood up.

Both took leave of each other and went their separate ways.

*************************

The helper wheeled Alok Jaiswal into the interview room. He nodded at Alisha and took his place across the table from her. She offered him water which he declined. She asked the helper to wait outside.

Just then Arjun walked in. Placing his gun on the table he took a seat besides Alisha.

Alok and Arjun regarded each other thoughtfully.

Something made Arjun consider the man opposite him to be very sharp and wise. As if he already knew why he was there. Actually those eyes knew a lot Arjun decided.

AR: Alok Jaiswal, I am ACP Rawte & this is Inspector Alisha. We met the other day at your house.

Alok: Yes. I remember. Quite a pair you two make.

He smiled at them but they stared back dead pan.

AR: We need to ask you a few more questions regarding Rajneesh...and Ramona.

Alok guffawed.

Yes. They were an item. Had a steaming affair right under Aadhira's and my nose. And they thought us so stupid that we will not notice it.

Alisha: You knew? Aadhira too?

Alok: Yes, Madam. Both of us knew and couldn't care less.

Arjun and Alisha looked at each other.

Alok: She is a beautiful woman. And I am a cripple. Can't blame her for seeking a "man" outside.

His expression hardened.

"But what I didn't expect was she would find that man in Rajneesh, her niece's husband."

Disgust flowered on his face.

"As if licking off Aadhira's fortune wasn't enough. Cretins!"

Arjun stared at Alok for a while.

"How did you lose the use of your leg?"

"It was an accident," Alok said dismissively. He averted his eyes. Arjun knew he was hiding something.

"Alok..." Arjun prodded.

"SHE RAMMED THE CAR INTO ME!" Alok screamed in anguish.

Wiping his sweating brow he tried to calm himself.

"I was bending over a patch of roses near the driveway. She came in at a breakneck speed and forgot to apply brakes. Claimed she was drunk." He took in gasps of air.

"Did you kill Rajneesh, Alok?"

Alok looked up not surprised at the question.

"ACP Rawte, if I could I would have killed Ramona. That woman is the vilest thing I have come across in this world. But I could never make Aadhira a widow again. That poor kid has seen the worst of life.I'd rather let Rajneesh have Ramona any day." Alok said this with feeling.

"And how do you think I went about the elaborate way to kill him? Look at me. I can't even use the loo without help. And if you think I hired someone, forget it.I live on handouts. I just don't have the dough."

A deep instinct told Arjun Alok was not the murderer. Arjun also came to a conclusion that he deeply cared for Aadhira like a daughter.

"Do you think Ramona might have something to do with it?" Alisha demanded.

"The s**t could not get past two days without letting Rajneesh have at her. She'd rather kill herself than kill him. But I hope you get her for murder anyways" he spewed disgustedly.

Alisha winced with equal distaste

"Alok..."

Just then Alok had a fit of cough which turned him alarmingly red. The helper rushed in and proffered meds from his pockets. Alok gulped the medicine with a glass of water. The coughing had subsided but Alok looked ill.

He was sent home immediately.

Alisha & Arjun discussed the just concluded interview in detail. Both agreed that Alok did not have the means or motive for murdering Rajneesh. They cut him off the suspect list.

Alisha informed him of her morning visits. What she found out was not much. Ramona was living off the Mansingh estate and was a social butterfly. Her friends too suspected her of the affair with Rajneesh. As for the murder victim he too was dependent on his wife for her outrageously expensive lifestyle. The man wasn't liked much in society.

"So both led a carefree life on Mrs Sickand's money while making a fool out of her," Arjun's voice was cold.

Turning to Alisha he said," I want to check out a few things at the murder spot. Meanwhile you call in Ramona for questioning tomorrow,"

Alisha looked at Arjun for a moment.

"Why do I feel you are onto a different track altogether and meeting Ramona is just a formality?"

Arjun stared at a distance without answering her.

"I noticed you were quite distracted even while interviewing Alok "she said.

"Call me if something comes up, Alisha,"

He turned around and walked out.

He paid for his cutting chai and carrying it across the road he leaned against the railings of the wide side walk.

His thorough scanning of the murder scene and questioning of the people around that night did not throw up new leads. But one thing was confirmed. Rajneesh died at the restaurant. But the attack was carried out elsewhere.

He gazed across at the quaint town square. A huge medieval statue stood at the centre around which a small park was laid. Only foot traffic was allowed today being Saturday. Little families with children and elderly people wandered enjoying the pleasant climate.

A few like him were by themselves but no less happy. Some read books, some stared around and one sat by herself painting her surrounding on a mounted canvass completely oblivious of the surging crowd around her.

He began watching her quietly.

There wasn't a trace of make up on her face and she wore a simple peach cotton maxi.No one would believe that the girl in a smock spattered with paint, her hair tied in a scarf, wearing beads in her ears and around her neck was the scion of the richest family of their town.

Only a keen observer like Arjun would notice the ethereal sombre quality that Aadhira possessed. This was a very different woman. She did not belong in this base and greedy world.

It was no coincidence that he ran into her. He had to buy a painting that afternoon to confirm a few things from a gallery owner. He had noticed on his first visit most of the paintings in Aadhira's home was bought from him. He had also let slip where she was most likely be found on a Saturday morning.

He threw the tea carton into the trash can and began walking towards her.

The painting was almost finished. She stood back critically appraising her work when he reached her. He stood back admiring her handiwork .

" Why does it look so soul less?"

He was startled by her sudden question. She had not turned around.She had sensed him and was most comfortable with that knowledge. As if it was the most natural thing for him to walk up on her suddenly.

She wasn't too happy with her painting. Finally she glanced at him scrunching up her face in a child like gesture willing him to comment on her creation.

He looked back at the painting and smiled a little.

" I think its beautiful." He said quietly. He looked back at her. She had the clearest eyes he had ever seen. Completely devoid of any falsehood or deceit. He felt sadness at the kind of people such a lovely young woman had to live with. Rajneesh did not deserve this treasure trove.

She scooted aside and gestured for him to sit beside her.

"Do you think I ought to add a bit of blue here and here? But that looks too dramatic, no? I just can't get it to stand out with splashing too much colour?" she said dispiritedly.

"I'd be the last person to advise you on paintings. I do like them but I am no art connoisseur," Arjun said unable to take off his eyes from her angelic beauty.

She grabbed her iced tea and sipped it pensively still studying her painting. Sighing she smiled. "I am no good at this,"

She looked at him smiling happily.

"I have something for you,"

Raising a finger at him she dug into her roomy cloth bag and brought out a bunch of sketches. Smiling more brightly she chose one and gave it to him.

The sketch was of him. A charcoal sketch where he pensively stared away into a distance.

"Do you like it?" There was a hint of eagerness in her voice.

Arjun was touched.

"Love it," he said simply unable to bring his eyes away from the paper. She had captured every nuance perfectly. As if she looked into this face every day.

Somewhere he was happy that she was not grieving for Rajneesh.That cretin was not worth it. If anything she looked more at peace with herself and the world. He stared at her as a dark foreboding erased that tiny happy feeling he felt just seconds ago. An overwhelming sadness washed over him.

"You should smile more, Arjun," she said softly.

He looked up to find her looking intently in to his face. He was amazed at the familiarity and comfort level she felt with him.

"Bahut baar jo dikhta hai, woh nazar nahi aata," she said.

As happened on all his earlier run ins with her, her eyes slowly travelled to his left and rested there. Suddenly there was deep anguish there. As if she was silently communicating with someone behind him.

He whipped around but found no one behind him.

"Sometimes eternal punishment is meted out to the wrong person, Arjun. There is so much unnecessary sorrow in this world due to misconception. Open your eyes, trust your heart"

Arjun could only stare at her.

She looked away and continued sipping her drink.

"Aadhira,"

She turned around to him.

"What happened to Ellie?"

Colour drained from her face as if someone had slapped her. Her face turned to stone.

Arjun refused to break eye contact.

"Ellie?" she stumbled to her feet.

"Your daughter, Aadhira. Where is she?"

In lightening speed Aadhira dismantled her tripod and rolled up her canvass. She began to shake violently.Stuffing everything into her bag she ran from there in a frenzy.

"Aadhira!" Arjun ran after her.

She turned around once and he was shocked to see her stricken face wet with angry hot tears. She began weeping as she crossed the road and ran.

Soon Arjun lost sight of her in a sea of people.