Seven Vows Part 3 -Part 259 Page 147 - Page 98

Chapter 247- The Clue

Sudeepta was in the market. She felt happy as she purchased colorful bangles, fancy sarees and some other make up items. Well she knew they no longer added any meaning to her lives, like they meant for other woman. She remembered the days when she walked into her work in front of Rajat's kirana shop and how much ever busy he was he used to stop work and glance at her. She remembered those brief eye locks and that gentle smile he gave her. She didn't know what he was doing. Maybe married. After all those dreams of dressing up for someone had vanished from her life. Her maang will never have sindoor nor a mangalsutra will adore her. A tear came into her eyes, but she quickly wiped it as she paid the bill and came out of the shop.

The gundas of her brothel owner didn't pay much attention to her as Sudeepta had always tried to be within limits and had earned the trust of everyone including the owner. She was called good girl. Sudeepta knew she needed that tag if she wanted to accomplish her mission. She had known about the death of Shashank Rawat and his sons. That was a day Sudeepta had slept peacefully after three years.

" Now we are in the famous bangle market of Mewar. As we said one of the best things you can find in Rajasthan is the bangles. You go to any place, we will find a bangle market with its exquisite collection of glass bangles..."

Sudeepta turned towards the side from where the voice came. A crowd had assembled and she could see two women with microphone talking, while a man was shooting. Sudeepta felt she had seen one girl somewhere. But where she was not sure. She also moved towards the crowd to check what was happening.

" So Bhabiji what do you like the most about this market" Nisha questioned one of the lady in the crowd.

" This market.." the lady started explaining about the things and Nisha stopped and then asked another person and thus the interview progressed. They moved to some shops also Soon Aleena wound up the session

" So in this edition we feel you are happy seeing the bangle market of Mewar. We will come up with more exciting things about Mewar as this city is known for its forts, its warriors and many more things. This is Aleena Mathew with Nisha Prakash and Lokesh Jaiswal signing off today in Heritage of Rajasthan."

Aleena Mathew the name rang a bell for Sudeepta. The girl who had covered that gruesome whipping of Sreedhar Varma one year back. She had watched that in TV where they were made aware of sting operations done by journalists and how they need to wary of it. Lot was talked about it. The events that followed in Jaipur. Can this girl help her. She could see they were packing up. She had to hurry if she needed to reach this girl. First she needed to know whether the girl can help her. She hurriedly took a piece of paper and pen from bag and scribbled something.

Aleena was startled when someone put a piece of paper in her hand forcefully and before she could react ran away. Aleena opened the paper.

" Do you want to expose female feticide happening here. If yes come to Vinayak Mandir today 6 pm. "

" What is it Aleena" asked Nisha. Aleena dragged both her colleagues to a lonely place and showed them the chit. They looked at each other.

" Aleena it is one week we are here and till now we have not got a solid lead. Should we try this " asked Nisha.

" What other option do we have Nisha. I guess you go to hotel room. I will go with Lokesh" told Aleena.

" Fine Aleena. If the lead is true we can chart out the plan. Meanwhile I will try to send segment to our office for editing. But Aleena don't go to Vinayak Mandir in this dress. Better come to hotel room and wear your lehenga and that traditional ornaments. Also take Chadawa for the Lord so that no one suspects you. Lokesh guide her so that she doesn't mess up things in the temple" told Nisha.

" That you don't have to worry Nisha. I know all temple rituals. I had stayed in Air force officers colony right. I grew up with children of religion and we used to go to temples, church and all together. Anyways I guess I will come with you to the room and get dressed up. It is only 3 pm now. So we have time" told Aleena.

Sudeepta was waiting eagerly in the temple. That full day she was allowed to roam. She was only expected to be back by 8 pm. Her heart was beating fast. As the time inched towards 6 pm and she didn't see Aleena her heart sank. Was she given false hopes. Then she saw the man who was with Aleena and it was then her eyes fell on the girl buying the chadawa. Sudeepta didn't know what to feel. She had come. She looked so different in lehenga choli, bindi and traditional ornaments compared to the salwar kameez .

Aleena took the chadava and climbed the steps. " Aleenaji" she heard a soft voice by the side. Aleena turned and looked at the woman who stood there. She looked more or less her age. She was wearing a saree with some cheap looking ornaments and a bit of gaudy make up.

" Sudeepta. I gave you the chit. " Both woman stood for a minute staring at each other. Apprising each other.