CHAPTER 33 - Atonement
"Good Morning Mom"
Adarsh wished his mother who was sitting alone in the living room, going through the newspaper. As soon as she saw him, she got up to leave. Ever since they had come to know of her condition, Suhasini had been trying to avoid her kids as much as possible.
"Mom please don't leave. I won't take much of your time."
Adarsh requested
Suhasini sat down but did not look his way.
"Do you think we will be able to convince the shooter to testify against Bawejas ?"
Adarsh tried to engage her in talks. He knew this was an area where she was always ready to share her inputs.
"First of all we have to find his motivation behind not agreeing, whether is it the lure of money or the threat to life, and then we will have to make our next move accordingly."
Suhasini advised
"Hmm..you are right. I will go to the police station today and try to get as much information as possible from him."
Adarsh said. Just then he got a call from the police station. He picked it up,
"Hello, Adarsh Sinha speaking...what? when did it happen?...Yes, I will be there soon."
He put down the phone and got up hurriedly
"What is the matter?"
Suhasini asked
"The shooter was attacked inside the lock-up last night. It appears to be a fight over food but I am sure the attackers were Baweja's men"
Adarsh remarked
"This is not a good news for us. After this attack he might get more scared for his life and refuse to testify"
Suhasini said worriedly
"I am going to the hospital to see him. Let me see if I can change his mind"
Adarsh was about to leave when Suhasini called out,
"Listen, please be careful. You are not out of danger as long as the culprits are roaming free. I was thinking of calling a security agency and arrange for a bodyguard for you"
She said with concern.
"Oh..no, that won't be needed. I will stay alert. Don't worry Mom, I shall be fine"
Adarsh assured her and went to get ready.
When he reached the hospital, a boy of about 10 years ran towards him shouting,
"Robinhood uncle, you remember me?"
"Arre Bittu, what are you doing here?"
Adarsh remembered the kid. A couple of years back he had helped the child get admission in a school. They were refusing to admit him because his father was a known criminal. But the child wanted to study and build a career of his own. He was so impressed with Adarsh that he expressed his desire to become an IAS officer like him when he grows up.
"My father is admitted here. We have come to visit him"
The boy said, not looking him in the eye.
It was then that Adarsh realised that Bittu was the son of his attacker. He went to see the patient. The doctor had said that he might become paraplegic for life. The man was lying quietly, looking towards the ceiling. His wife was sitting on a stool by the bedside. Adarsh asked,
"How are you now?"
The man did not reply.
Adarsh took another stool and sat down. Then he said slowly,
"I think you have already guessed why you were attacked. They don't want you to disclose their identity. So, are you going to do their bidding? You know that after this you can no longer continue in the business. The people who used to hire you would soon turn their back on you. Your only child will have to give up his studies."
Adarsh paused to check his reaction. He noticed the uneasiness in his countenance. He then continued,
"Do you love your child ? If you do, please give a thought to the words that I am going to say after this. You know your son idolizes me. He wants to become like me. If you agree to help us and testify against the real mastermind, I promise to help your child realize his dreams. If you don't help us, even then I will do all I can for Bittu because don't want to let him down. I hope you too would like to do something that will make your child proud of you"
The man looked at Adarsh, and then he looked at his son. Adarsh noticed a teardrop appear at the corner of his eye. He knew his words had their desired effect. He took his leave and then called the police commissioner to increase the security of the shooter and his family.
Adarsh was surprised at his own feat. He never knew he would be able to convince him so quickly. Maybe the company of two brilliant lawyers was making him also learn a trick or two.
He drove back home to share the news with Swadheenta.
When he entered his room, he found his wife pacing up and down the room restlessly. She stopped on seeing him. Adarsh asked,
"What happened? You look very worried."
"Do you know what your mother has done?"
She asked agitatedly.
"No, but if she has done anything that has hurt you I am apologising on her behalf. You know we have to be very patient with her right now."
Adarsh said apologetically.
"If it were about me, I would not have complained. But whatever she is about to do is going to hurt her the most"
Swadheenta warned
"I can seriously not make any sense out of what you are saying"
Adarsh was confused
"Come with me"
Saying this she held his hand and walked towards Suhasini's study.
Suhasini was busy working on some files when the two entered. She looked up on hearing the creaking of the door.
"Mom, why are you doing this?"
Swadheenta asked her mother in law
"Have you taken some kind of oath that you will never come directly to the point? What have I done ?"
Suhasini asked impatiently
"The judicial inquiry committee has summoned you for interrogation. As per my information, Dad has denied any knowledge of the 100 crores in his account. Since that one is a joint account, the onus is now on you to explain them. Isn't that why they want to interrogate you? If I am not wrong Dad has given his statement according to your instructions. So this is the way you have planned to save him?"
Swadheenta explained her theory
"Hmm..you are quite close, but I don't see why would anyone have a problem with that."
Suhasini wondered
"You cannot take Dad's blame upon yourself. An accomplished lawyer like you cannot have such a twisted sense of justice"
Swadheenta reasoned.
"Please let the court decide who is to be blamed. Besides, what kind of a lawyer I am if I cannot save my own husband. This was the safest path to do so. I told you that I won't let any innocent be harmed in the process, and I have kept my word."
Suhasini pointed out.
"But Mom...what if they give a verdict against you ?"
Adarsh asked anxiously.
"I know how to extract the verdict that I want. Don't worry, I am going to be fine, believe me. Now if you two will excuse me, I have a lot of work to do.
Suhasini instructed.
As the two were leaving, Swadheenta showed something to her husband,
"Look there."
She whispered.
Adarsh saw the toy war-tank lying in a corner. It was freshly painted which made it look all new, but he remembered it once used to be the most prized possession of his younger brother.
When they were back to their room Adarsh said,
"I don't understand how could Dad allow her to take the blame?"
"You know how good she is at convincing people. Dad must have believed that she would be able to get both of them out of it. He has immense faith in her capabilities."
Swadheenta remarked
"If it was some other time I would have believed her. But now that I know she is holding herself responsible for every mess in this family, I cannot trust her even with herself. You know in spite of her assurance, I am unable to shrug off this nagging feeling. Do you think she is going to make any attempt to save herself?"
Adarsh asked doubtfully
"I don't know, right now she seems to be having a death wish. I somehow feel this way she wants to atone for her mistakes. Then again, she loves her profession too much to give it away so easily. Let's just hope that she pulls something out of her sleeves despite herself. I believe there are still traces of the old Suhasini Sinha in her."
Swadheenta concluded
"But we cannot sit quietly and wait for her to do something. I am afraid a negative verdict might have a worse effect on her mental condition."
Adarsh was feeling helpless.
"You are right. We have to think of some way"
Swadheenta said thoughtfully
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