Chapter 26
"Are you insane?" Geet had yelled in her face after Maan pulled her roughly in his arms. "If you want to kill yourself then do it in front of your family, not me."
"What?"
Maan gritted his teeth before barking, "What possessed you to walk out into the street without even looking where you were going?"
"I..." Her dazed expressions angered Maan, driving out all thoughts of offering his help.
"What happened? Did your boyfriend not come to meet you as promised? Were you expecting him to come riding up on white horse to carry you away to happiness? Were you too busy planning on how to spend your money that you couldn't think of anything else? Did you think that I paid you that money, only to see you run down in a car accident two minutes later? Go sit in the jeep!"
Geet couldn't believe the stupid speculations that came out of Maan's mouth just because she had been a little distracted. In fact it was amazing, in a horrible way, just how wild his speculations were capable of being. Looking back at him with anger, Geet pulled herself out of his hold and took a step back.
"I won't! Stop telling me what to do! I'm tired of people telling me what to do!"
"You ungrateful girl! I'm trying to help you!"
"Well, I don't want your help. I don't need the help of someone who's only good at making stories about people, that too, bad ones. Things are not alway the way you think they are, Mr. Maan Singh Khurana, and neither are people. But it's no use telling you this, because the great Maan Singh Khurana will not listen. Just go away from here. I don't want your help, understand? Just go away!"
"Fine! It was my mistake to give even this much consideration to a girl like you. You do what you want. I'm going back to Hoshiarpur."
Geet watched silently as Maan marched away towards the jeep, threw in the files and drove away in anger. Seeing the vehicle retreat further and further into the distance, Geet began to feel scared and alone. She wished she had told him what was going on, but then decided that he probably would not have believed her if she did.
"Don't think about that dusht," said Geet to herself. "Think about finding this detective, instead."
Taking a deep breath, Geet went to look for some transportation. As she walked down the road a ways, she happened to pass by a small marketplace stall that displayed a picture of Babaji. Though the Handa family was Hindu Punjabi, the family had intermarried many times with Sikh families, including Geet's own mother. She had always been taught to look to Babaji for blessings whenever undertaking something new.
Realizing that she was in the Holy City, and would likely never get a better opportunity, Geet decided to visit the Golden Temple first. Flaggin down an auto rickshaw, Geet mentioned her destination, agreed on a price, then got inside. It was not long before Geet was covering her head and removing her shoes, before walking quietly inside the temple.
While she walked, she remembered the times she had come there with her family. Then she had been a child who had little to no cares, and was more excited about visiting her cousins and seeing the unfamiliar sites. This time was different, and as she stopped to fold her arms, she could feel her need of Babaji's help swell up within her chest.
"Babaji, I am all alone. I can't do this without you. Please, help me to find Channi and to get justice. If this is the right path, please help me to find this Raminder Singh Sahni. Babaji, please make a way for me."
Geet couldn't spend very much time on her prayer, for it was going on to mid afternoon. However, the time she was there filled her with peace, allowing her to leave with a new confidence. She knew that Babaji would help her, and that help would start with the help of an unsuspecting rickshaw driver.
"Where do you want to go, Behenji?" he asked simply.
"Circular Road. Bhaiya, I'm looking for Raminder Sahni, a private detective. He is supposed to have an office or live on this street maybe."
"The private detective Raminder Singh Sahni, the most famous detective in Amritsar?"
"Ji."
"Behenji, he moved his office a few years ago to Mall Road. Are you sure that you want to got there? He's very important, you know, a famous war veteran as well as a famous detective. He doesn't see just anybody."
Despite the driver questioning her, Geet was still firm in her decision. She requested that he not waste any more time, but take her to her destination. She had thought from the drivers words, that he would be taking her to a mall, or a modern building at least. However, when he finally stopped, she found herself in front of a modest building nestle among other stores, a large sign with "Raminder Singh Sahni Investigations" the only indication that they were in the right spot.
Geet entered the building and was stopped by a young man who asked, "Ji, what can I do for you?"
"I'd like to see Mr. Sahni," she replied.
"Do you have an appointment?"
"No."
"I'm sorry, ji, but Mr. Sahni is a very busy man and doesn't see anyone without an appointment. If you like, you can tell me the details, and I will see if I can find a time for you next week."
Geet felt her stomach sink at his words, but was determined that she would have her way. "That really won't work for me. I need to she Mr. Sahni today. Isn't there anyway?"
"I'm sorry, but I can't help you. Mr. Sahni has very firm rules about this. You have to make an appointment."
"But I can't stay here for a week. I really need to speak with him. It's a matter of life and death, literally!"
Raminder Singh Sahni walked out of his office, intending to leave, only to hear his assistant tell the young woman standing at the counter that everyone thought their case was a matter of life or death. While the young man continued on his point, Raminder smiled, thinking that what he had said was true. As he was about to turn back into his office, he heard the girl mention the name of an old friend, someone he had not spoken to in a few years.
Walking forward, he asked, "Did you say Jugnu Singh sent you?"
"I'm sorry for the disterbance, sir. I was trying to explain to this lady that she needs an appointment, but..."
"Don't worry about that, I'll handle it. Beti, if you would like to step into my office please." To the surprise of the assistent, his boss ushered the young lady into his office before he even had time to consider how unusual that was.
Two hours later, Geet was in the back of a truck on her way home, finally feeling like she had accomplished something worthwhile. Raminder Sahni had been very patient as she explained her situation and what she needed. He had also asked a lot of questions, but in the end agreed to do the investigation. Now that she had someone trust worthy on her side, someone who could easily stand up to her brother, Geet was no longer worried. She thanked Babaji for his help and the calmness it had brought to her heart regarding Channi.
When they arrived in the village, night was already upon them. Geet stood up from the spot she had occupied, intending to give the driver directions to the haveli. Looking over the side of the truck bed, she saw a familiar figure darting around a corner.
"Gurvinder," she called in surprise. "What are you doing out here like this?"
Precap
"Maa, I need to talk to Daarji right away!'
"Chup! We are all very upset with you. You can't go off like that, even if it is with our damaad. Now come with me right now and change your clothes. You look like you've been laying in a haystack!"
Edited by laxmi2010 - 13 years ago
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