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14 days! It had been 14 days since that fateful night. What was meant to be the happiest day of her life had turned into a never ending nightmare. On a day when she was to find a new family full of loving people, she had lost 2 brothers, and now, was slowly loosing her new family too.
Despite the tragedy and their huge loss, her new family had been accepting and supportive of her on the first day of her new life. And all they had expected in return was her support. Her support at condemning a family that she knew was not wrong, could never be wrong. Would it have made things easier, yes. But was that the right thing to do? Never. How does one choose between the love of her life, and the biggest support of her life? If Adarsh was everything that she needed to move forward in life, Asad was responsible for who she was as a person. Would she ever be able to choose one over the other? Would it even be fair to choose one over the other? Unfortunately, that had been the expectation. And she had not lived up to it.
It had taken her 4 sleepless nights, and a complex situation of vulnerability where she could not even grieve the loss of one of her brothers openly to make a decision. She had felt like she only had 2 choices in front of her - either continue to die like this every single day for the rest of her life, or try and establish the real truth, the one that she knew in her gut. If she chose to do the former, she would only destroy the lives of everyone around her. She would never be able to bring happiness to the lives of the ones she cared about if she was miserable. And hence she chose to do the latter, to establish the real truth. She owed it to both her brothers to establish the real truth.
She knew that there will be initial resistance from her family considering the situation. It will get better in a few days she had told herself. But that was a week ago. And here she was, alienated by everyone in the house including her husband, and she didn't see any signs of things getting better.
Things would probably become easier if she could blame someone for everything that was falling apart. But she couldn't. She understood why her family stood against her. Even if she wanted to, she could not get angry with them. She could not be upset with them. But it only depressed her that while she saw things from their perspective, not one of them could see things from her perspective. There were piles of evidence against the Jilani's, but was that enough? Should she forget every bit of her last 23 years and believe it to be false because someone presented evidence to her against her family? How could she? Why didn't anyone see it that she was not being able to do that?
She found herself breaking on 2 levels. Emotionally, she was all alone, had not had a chance to grieve for her brothers and now had taken on this humongous responsibility of proving the innocence of one of her brothers, and getting justice for both her brothers. She was drained on all accounts. She was slowly beginning to loose her will to live. And practically, she was pitted now against her mother-in-law in her fight for justice. She knew she was inexperienced. And like she had learnt, truth is what can be established. As much as she believed she knew what the truth was, she had no proof, she had no evidence. And she would not be able to find the evidence on her own. She needed help, and she needed help soon.
Through her research in the last few days, she had tumbled upon some information regarding the background verification forms for Aravind, Ravi and Rajesh. Maamu had insisted that it be done before the flat was rented to them, and when she checked, she found to her dismay that the forms had been signed by Abhay. She knew that it was not Abhay's fault, and that he had been taken advantage of. And she would never let this evidence get out, even if it meant that things would get tougher for her. But she had to share this with Adarsh to let him know how things can go against people when they are not wrong. She just had to tell him that presenting proof and evidence does not mean everything.
She looked at the clock. 8:30 PM. She knew that everyone was having dinner downstairs. It was not like she couldn't have dinner with everyone, but she knew that no-one enjoyed her company these days. And the last thing she wanted to do was cause more hurt to anyone, particularly Simmi. And as it is, she found it difficult to digest any food. She had chosen to eat and apple and an orange for dinner, and realized only now that she had not eaten anything for lunch. Signing, she sat and continued to wonder what to do next, when Adarsh walked in. He saw her sitting on the bed, and giving her a disapproving look went on to pick a book, a pillow and made himself comfortable on the couch.
She was upset and did not think this was a good time to talk to him lest she say something to regret later. She got up, picked up her pillow and walked towards the balcony as she said You can use the bed Adarsh. I am not sleeping on it! In the balcony she put her pillow against a wall and sat down. She looked up to see a star filled sky. She remembered the common filmy notion that people who die go on to become stars in the sky. She hoped (childishly) to find Abhay and Asad in the stars and tried to see if she could spot 2 stars shining brighter than the others. Suddenly thinking of what she was doing, she smiled to herself. How ironical that it is the 2 of you who are not physically present anywhere close to me are the only ones who can bring a smile on my face she thought to herself.
As she continued to look at the stars, Adarsh opened the balcony door. You don't have to sleep in the balcony. Come inside
She looked at him for a while without saying anything. Then, looking away, I have work to do. I might not get any sleep. I will work here. I don't want to have the light on in the room. You can sleep, wherever you want. She got up to walk in and get her work material.
Why are you doing this? Do you think I don't care about you? Do you think I like to see you struggling like this?
She had not planned on having a conversation with him now, but figured that this time for better than any other. If an opportunity presented itself, she would use it. Now facing him, she said I will be honest Adarsh. I don't know what it is that you want anymore. I just don't know.
I cannot understand why you cannot trust me? Every last bit of evidence is against the Jilani's. Everything says that Asad killed Abhay. And here you are, defending him. What am I supposed to make of all this?
She looked intently at him for a few seconds before she spoke Abhay was working with the terrorists
What? Adarsh was not sure he heard her correctly What did you say?
He was a dishonest cop and he helped the terrorists. He signed their background verification forms clearing them as genuine. Maamu used that as reference to rent the house to those 3 boys. Even excluding Aravind, Abhay had cleared the other 2 guys. Here, here are the documents with his signature. Unless you want to tell me this isn't his signature, he was working with the terrorists
Shut-up, Shut-up Swadheenta. This is a mistake. This is not true.
Why? Why isn't it true? I am presenting evidence to you to tell you that he had a role to play. He was corrupt. As corrupt as they come.
Shut-up Swadheenta. Shut-up before I loose my control.
It is because of people like Abhay that these terrorists come in to our country and harm our people.
Swadheenta Adarsh screamed at the top of his lungs and was almost on the verge of slapping her, when he stopped himself at the last instance. Having achieved the desired outcome Swadheenta smiled at Adarsh
Trust? Trust is not a one way stream Adarsh. You want me to trust you that Abhay was innocent in all this, despite there being evidence against him. But if I ask you to trust me when I tell you that Asad is innocent in all this despite there being evidence against him, you wont. Why should I trust you when you wont even listen to me Adarsh? Why is your trust in Abhay bigger than mine on Asad? Abhay and Asad were my brothers. I know Abhay is innocent and would never have aided in any wrong-doing. I would never do anything to show Abhay in any bad light. Similarly I know Asad would never do anything bad also. Asad is innocent Adarsh. Just like you know Abhay is incapable of anything wrong, I am certain that Asad can do no wrong. And if Abhay could get fooled by these terrorists, so could Asad. I will prove the innocence of both my brothers, even if I have to do it alone!
With that, she walked back to the balcony leaving a thoughtful Adarsh. Could he be wrong about Asad? He would have to find out!
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