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CHAPTER 21 - The Clue
Swadheenta was shocked out of her wits, before she could even react, the car came to a halt with a jerk, almost throwing her infront onto the windshield. She controlled herself with her hands and looked at Suhasini, who got out of the car hurriedly and was looking anxiously under the car as if they had run over someone. Swadheenta opened her side of the door and went upto her mother in law. Suhasini was sweating profusely, and was looking all agitated. She was also mumbling something. Swadheenta asked her,
"What happened Mom, why did you stop the car all of a sudden?"
Suhasini looked at her with a bewildered expression on her face, then quickly composed herself and said,
"Nothing, let's go home. If you don't mind, can you take the wheel please"
Swadheenta nodded and got in the driver's seat.
Suhasini sat inside the car and wondered what had just happened to her. She felt as if she saw Adarsh standing in front of the car. Was she hallucinating ? Was she going insane ?
"Are you alright Mom ?"
Swadheenta asked with concern
"Yes yes, I am perfectly fine. You don't have to worry"
Suhasini brushed it off. She did not want to bother Swadheenta with this silly problem of hers. She could handle it herself.
"Mom, you said that Reena's son is not dead. Then where is he ?"
Swadheenta asked
"I don't think I have to spoon feed you. You are smart enough to figure that out on your own. Now that we have reached home, let us not talk about it anymore"
Suhasini said as the car pulled over infront of the Sinha House entrance. Suhasini got out and called the driver to take it back to the showroom
"I think she is trying to misguide you, so that you spend your time and energy elsewhere and she can walk away with the case"
Adarsh remarked on hearing from Swadheenta what Suhasini told her in the car
"She might also be trying to help us. Why do we need to be suspiscious of her actions ?"
Swadheenta questioned
"Think logically for a moment, if the minister's son is innocent then why would he agree to clear Dad's name in the cover up and own up to his role ?"
Adarsh pointed out
"Maybe he is not completely innocent. Maybe he did not kill the child but kidnapped him and kept at some secret hideout. That is also a crime which can put him behind bars for quite a long time."
Swadheenta reasoned
"But the question still remains as to why would Mom help you and put her own career in jeopardy"
Adarsh was still not convinced
"I don't know the answer to that but I also don't believe that she would use such cheap tactics to win a case"
Swadheenta said
"Well, if she can use Abhay's name to establish Dad's political career, this is nothing for her"
Adarsh said bitterly
"What are you saying ?"
Swadheenta was confused
Adarsh handed her an invitation card and said,
"See this. Dad has built a health centre in a slum area in Abhay and Asad's name. The opening ceremony is two weeks later. The chief minister is the chief guest. I am pretty sure Asad's name has been added to make Haider Mamu agree to campaign. As per my information, Dad has already talked to the party leadership to give him ticket for the next elections"
"But , it is Dad who has done all this. Why are you blaming Mom ?"
Swadheenta tried to make sense of this
"Because this whole thing has Mom's signature written all over it. Only she is capable of such elaborate foolproof planning"
Adarsh said thoughtfully. He was just getting to know this facet of his mother
Swadheenta fell silent. She did not know how to counteract this assertion. She could only hope that Haider Mamu didn't become a victim of the ambitions of powerful people. He had already gone through a lot. Her mother in law and Zubeida had also become such good friends. Was everything just an act ? Only Mom knew the answer.
It was the day of inauguration of the health centre. Adarsh was unwilling to attend it but had to agree when Haider insisted. The senior Sinhas had spent a good amount in building it. The bust of Abhay and Asad had been erected inside the compound. The Chief Minister came and garlanded them.
After the inauguration, Manohar called Adarsh to introduce him.
"I must say the gentleman has a very bright future ahead. I have heard a lot about your Robinhoodgiri. You have made a good name for yourself in the society. I am sure you will do a great in politics too."
The Chief Minister showered him with praise
"I am sorry to disappoint you but I have no interest in politics"
Adarsh was straightforward
"Please don't mind Sir, kids of this age are like that. They consider politics a dirty place. He will learn gradually"
Suhasini tried to manage the situation.
Adarsh left the place without saying anything. He was feeling suffocated. Manohar was about to go after him but Suhasini signalled him not to. Swadheenta was watching all this from a distance . Adarsh went infront of the bust of Abhay and stood there silently.
"You should not have behaved like that."
Adarsh turned around on hearing Swadheenta's voice
"What else I could have done ? You know I hate sycophancy"
Adarsh said irritated
"But you could have taken leave politely too. You know better than me how these politicians are. Annoying them unnecessarily is not the smartest thing to do."
Swadheenta reasoned
"That is why I try to avoid them as much as possible. I don't understand why Dad wants to join politics"
Adarsh let out his frustration
Swadheenta chuckled,
"Don't you think you are in the wrong profession then?"
"Even Dad once told me so. I became a bureaucrat not to do bootlicking of these politicians but to correct the wrong they have doing."
Adarsh explained
"You will be able to do that in an even better way if you become a politician. The nation needs honest and able people like you to hold its reins"
They had not realized that Haider Mamu was listening to their conversation. Haider came and stood beside Adarsh.
"You must be thinking that when I myself declined to join politics then why am I asking you to. The simple reason is that I have seen that spark in you. You have the intelligence and leadership skills needed in this. And once your Dad has established himself in the field , you can have a smooth entry. See, your brothers have given their lives for this nation. You just have to get inside this muck so that you can clean it. The decision is all yours , just give it a thought."
Haider patted his back lovingly and walked away leaving Adarsh in deep thought
"Your tonic seems to have already started its work, Haider Sahab. I knew only you could convince him."
Suhasini said, smiling
" I am glad to have been able to help you, but I did it more because I genuinely feel Adarsh has it in him to reform the system"
Haider explained
"It is rather strange that you sent Haider to convince Adarsh considering you are the best lawyer in town."
Zubeida remarked
"Well, how to say this. It is just that Adarsh has been a bit angry with me of late, and I didn't ask Manohar because he is just not good at it."
Suahsini forced a smile.
Zubeida had learnt from Swadheenta that all was not well between mother and son, mainly because of the case. She wanted to try and smoothen things up a bit. That was all the more reason that she placed this question. But she realized Suhasini was not ready to discuss it.
Some days later, Swadheenta was going through the transcript of the first hearing for the nth time. She had yet not been able to find any clue in support of her case. She knew that she had to keep an open mind, but she could not brush off the hint given by Suhasini. Suddenly she hit upon a point. Yes, if the boy was alive , there was a very good chance that he would be here.
Avinash Chaudhary had a four year old son, and Reena's son if alive, would be five years old. It was not difficult to pass off a five year old as a four year old. She would somehow have to get a DNA test of that boy. But how ? Why would the court allow her ? She had no proof to support her claim. The defence would refute this theory as completely baseless. And she would make a fool of herself if the results still come out negative.
When Swadheenta was lost in her thoughts , Adarsh entered the room and said exitedly
"Swadheenta, get ready fast, we have to go to the Airport"
"Airport ? but why ?"
Swadheenta was completely clueless
"You remember na that Jaya Bhabhi is arriving today from London?"
Adarsh reminded her
"But Mom and Dad are already on their way to receive her. Simmi is not well, so we can't leave her alone at home."
Swadheenta pointed out
"We have to catch her even before Mom gets to meet her. Ok. You stay here, I will go alone"
Adarsh hurried towards the door.
"You are not making any sense Adarsh. How the hell are you going to reach there before Mom and Dad, and why do you even want to do that ?"
Swadheenta asked going behind him.
"Mom was talking about some samples and DNA reports that will be sent with Jaya Bhabhi. I am dead sure these have something to do with the case. Therefore we have to get our hands on them before her"
Saying this he quickly got into his car and drove off
Swadheenta was shocked out of her wits, before she could even react, the car came to a halt with a jerk, almost throwing her infront onto the windshield. She controlled herself with her hands and looked at Suhasini, who got out of the car hurriedly and was looking anxiously under the car as if they had run over someone. Swadheenta opened her side of the door and went upto her mother in law. Suhasini was sweating profusely, and was looking all agitated. She was also mumbling something. Swadheenta asked her,
"What happened Mom, why did you stop the car all of a sudden?"
Suhasini looked at her with a bewildered expression on her face, then quickly composed herself and said,
"Nothing, let's go home. If you don't mind, can you take the wheel please"
Swadheenta nodded and got in the driver's seat.
Suhasini sat inside the car and wondered what had just happened to her. She felt as if she saw Adarsh standing in front of the car. Was she hallucinating ? Was she going insane ?
"Are you alright Mom ?"
Swadheenta asked with concern
"Yes yes, I am perfectly fine. You don't have to worry"
Suhasini brushed it off. She did not want to bother Swadheenta with this silly problem of hers. She could handle it herself.
"Mom, you said that Reena's son is not dead. Then where is he ?"
Swadheenta asked
"I don't think I have to spoon feed you. You are smart enough to figure that out on your own. Now that we have reached home, let us not talk about it anymore"
Suhasini said as the car pulled over infront of the Sinha House entrance. Suhasini got out and called the driver to take it back to the showroom
"I think she is trying to misguide you, so that you spend your time and energy elsewhere and she can walk away with the case"
Adarsh remarked on hearing from Swadheenta what Suhasini told her in the car
"She might also be trying to help us. Why do we need to be suspiscious of her actions ?"
Swadheenta questioned
"Think logically for a moment, if the minister's son is innocent then why would he agree to clear Dad's name in the cover up and own up to his role ?"
Adarsh pointed out
"Maybe he is not completely innocent. Maybe he did not kill the child but kidnapped him and kept at some secret hideout. That is also a crime which can put him behind bars for quite a long time."
Swadheenta reasoned
"But the question still remains as to why would Mom help you and put her own career in jeopardy"
Adarsh was still not convinced
"I don't know the answer to that but I also don't believe that she would use such cheap tactics to win a case"
Swadheenta said
"Well, if she can use Abhay's name to establish Dad's political career, this is nothing for her"
Adarsh said bitterly
"What are you saying ?"
Swadheenta was confused
Adarsh handed her an invitation card and said,
"See this. Dad has built a health centre in a slum area in Abhay and Asad's name. The opening ceremony is two weeks later. The chief minister is the chief guest. I am pretty sure Asad's name has been added to make Haider Mamu agree to campaign. As per my information, Dad has already talked to the party leadership to give him ticket for the next elections"
"But , it is Dad who has done all this. Why are you blaming Mom ?"
Swadheenta tried to make sense of this
"Because this whole thing has Mom's signature written all over it. Only she is capable of such elaborate foolproof planning"
Adarsh said thoughtfully. He was just getting to know this facet of his mother
Swadheenta fell silent. She did not know how to counteract this assertion. She could only hope that Haider Mamu didn't become a victim of the ambitions of powerful people. He had already gone through a lot. Her mother in law and Zubeida had also become such good friends. Was everything just an act ? Only Mom knew the answer.
It was the day of inauguration of the health centre. Adarsh was unwilling to attend it but had to agree when Haider insisted. The senior Sinhas had spent a good amount in building it. The bust of Abhay and Asad had been erected inside the compound. The Chief Minister came and garlanded them.
After the inauguration, Manohar called Adarsh to introduce him.
"I must say the gentleman has a very bright future ahead. I have heard a lot about your Robinhoodgiri. You have made a good name for yourself in the society. I am sure you will do a great in politics too."
The Chief Minister showered him with praise
"I am sorry to disappoint you but I have no interest in politics"
Adarsh was straightforward
"Please don't mind Sir, kids of this age are like that. They consider politics a dirty place. He will learn gradually"
Suhasini tried to manage the situation.
Adarsh left the place without saying anything. He was feeling suffocated. Manohar was about to go after him but Suhasini signalled him not to. Swadheenta was watching all this from a distance . Adarsh went infront of the bust of Abhay and stood there silently.
"You should not have behaved like that."
Adarsh turned around on hearing Swadheenta's voice
"What else I could have done ? You know I hate sycophancy"
Adarsh said irritated
"But you could have taken leave politely too. You know better than me how these politicians are. Annoying them unnecessarily is not the smartest thing to do."
Swadheenta reasoned
"That is why I try to avoid them as much as possible. I don't understand why Dad wants to join politics"
Adarsh let out his frustration
Swadheenta chuckled,
"Don't you think you are in the wrong profession then?"
"Even Dad once told me so. I became a bureaucrat not to do bootlicking of these politicians but to correct the wrong they have doing."
Adarsh explained
"You will be able to do that in an even better way if you become a politician. The nation needs honest and able people like you to hold its reins"
They had not realized that Haider Mamu was listening to their conversation. Haider came and stood beside Adarsh.
"You must be thinking that when I myself declined to join politics then why am I asking you to. The simple reason is that I have seen that spark in you. You have the intelligence and leadership skills needed in this. And once your Dad has established himself in the field , you can have a smooth entry. See, your brothers have given their lives for this nation. You just have to get inside this muck so that you can clean it. The decision is all yours , just give it a thought."
Haider patted his back lovingly and walked away leaving Adarsh in deep thought
"Your tonic seems to have already started its work, Haider Sahab. I knew only you could convince him."
Suhasini said, smiling
" I am glad to have been able to help you, but I did it more because I genuinely feel Adarsh has it in him to reform the system"
Haider explained
"It is rather strange that you sent Haider to convince Adarsh considering you are the best lawyer in town."
Zubeida remarked
"Well, how to say this. It is just that Adarsh has been a bit angry with me of late, and I didn't ask Manohar because he is just not good at it."
Suahsini forced a smile.
Zubeida had learnt from Swadheenta that all was not well between mother and son, mainly because of the case. She wanted to try and smoothen things up a bit. That was all the more reason that she placed this question. But she realized Suhasini was not ready to discuss it.
Some days later, Swadheenta was going through the transcript of the first hearing for the nth time. She had yet not been able to find any clue in support of her case. She knew that she had to keep an open mind, but she could not brush off the hint given by Suhasini. Suddenly she hit upon a point. Yes, if the boy was alive , there was a very good chance that he would be here.
Avinash Chaudhary had a four year old son, and Reena's son if alive, would be five years old. It was not difficult to pass off a five year old as a four year old. She would somehow have to get a DNA test of that boy. But how ? Why would the court allow her ? She had no proof to support her claim. The defence would refute this theory as completely baseless. And she would make a fool of herself if the results still come out negative.
When Swadheenta was lost in her thoughts , Adarsh entered the room and said exitedly
"Swadheenta, get ready fast, we have to go to the Airport"
"Airport ? but why ?"
Swadheenta was completely clueless
"You remember na that Jaya Bhabhi is arriving today from London?"
Adarsh reminded her
"But Mom and Dad are already on their way to receive her. Simmi is not well, so we can't leave her alone at home."
Swadheenta pointed out
"We have to catch her even before Mom gets to meet her. Ok. You stay here, I will go alone"
Adarsh hurried towards the door.
"You are not making any sense Adarsh. How the hell are you going to reach there before Mom and Dad, and why do you even want to do that ?"
Swadheenta asked going behind him.
"Mom was talking about some samples and DNA reports that will be sent with Jaya Bhabhi. I am dead sure these have something to do with the case. Therefore we have to get our hands on them before her"
Saying this he quickly got into his car and drove off
Cricket
Udne Ki Aasha
Veer Hanuman
Anupamaa
