Chapter 61
Geet had a stack of photo albums and hands full of dust from poking around the attic storeroom at Savitri's request when her eyes fell on a lone photo laying sideways on a dusty table. Setting the albums down as curiosity got the better of her, Geet moved to pick the abandoned picture up. A sight she never expected met her eyes, causing a gasp of shock to force its way out of her mouth. Maan was standing next to a beautiful, dark haired girl that she had never seen before, but what shocked her was that he had his arm around the girl's waist.
She barely had time to be shocked at seeing him in such an intimate position with a stranger when she was interrupted. Nakul had come looking for her to say that she had a phone call. Geet barely acknowledged his request for her to come to the phone, all her attention on the object in her hand. Instead, she had her own request of him, which was to know who was the girl in the picture with Maan, and why she had never met her before. Nakul was clearly reluctant to say anything, but Geet continued to pressure him until he gave in.
"That is Sameera Ma'am," Nakul finally said with a squeak, before turning quickly to leave.
"Wait, Nakul. Who is this Sameera and why is Maan with her? I think you should tell me."
Nakul's eyes darted to the right and left as if looking for something or someone to save him from Geet's questions. When nothing popped up, he gave the short answer, "She was Chote Saab's friend."
"She looks like more than just a friend," observed Geet, giving Nakul a look that clearly said he should stop stalling. "What aren't you telling me?"
"Well, I guess she was Chote Saab's girl friend, maybe. There was some expectation that he would ask her to marrying him, but then she went away and Chote Saab said that no one was to talk about her any more. He would be so angry if he knew that I was talking to you about her."
"I'm not going to tell him that you told me anything, Nakul, don't worry. Do you know what happened between them?"
"No, Geet Madam, I don't. I only know that Chote Saab was very angry after she left. Ummm...did you hear me before when I said that you have a phone call? It did sound like it might be important."
Torn between a desire to question Nakul more extensively about Maan's almost engagement to the girl and the so called important phone call, Geet chose the phone call. She wasn't sure how much he knew anyway, but could always ask Savitri for the details later. Directing the servant to take the photo albums to Savitri, Geet also left to take her call. When she finally answered, it was to find the call was from Raminder Sahni. It was hardly a week since he had agreed to look into Vicky's disappearance, so Geet had not expected to hear from him so soon. Calling Savitri to also come and hear the news, she put the phone on speaker.
"Mr. Sahni, do you really have some news of Vicky's whereabouts?" questioned Savitri with hope. "I can't believe that you were able to find him when the police couldn't even turn up a clue."
"I didn't actually find Vickram Singh, but I do have some information about what happened to him. He was kidnapped from Chabbewal by a a gang of criminals that had recently moved into the area, I believe just a few hours after he made that last phone call to your grandson Maan," Raminder responded gravely.
"Kidnapped!" exclaimed Savitri, shocked. "How? Why? The police never found anything like that! Are you sure?"
"I'm positive, Savitriji. I think that the police and your grandson didn't discover anything because the locals are quite scared of Tiny Singh."
"Tiny Singh?" came the skeptical response from Geet, unable to imagine a kidnapper with such a silly name.
"Don't let the name fool you, Geet beti, he is a very dangerous individual. He and his gang have temporarily left the Chabbewal area, otherwise even I might not have been able to find anyone who would admit to knowing about the kidnapping. Now, I haven't been able to find out anything else yet, but now I can start tracking Tiny Singh's gang to find out what they've done with Vicky. I promise that I will do everything in my power to locate him for you."
"Thank you, Mr. Sahni, we appreciate your efforts," said Savitri with all the calmness she could muster considering the news she had just received.
"Yes, thank you for all your help, Uncle," agreed Geet as the two said goodbye and ended the call.
"I can't believe that Vicky has been kidnapped!" exclaimed Savitri with real worry. "What happened? What was he even doing in a place where he could run into such danger? He was supposed to be going on a trip with his friends before heading back to college."
"I don't know what to say, Dadima, except that Uncle Raminder will find him, I'm sure."
"I can't believe his been kidnapped all this time and we did nothing. His mother doesn't even seem to give him a second thought! Oh my poor Vicky. What tortures have you had to go through while we just went on with our lives as if nothing happened?"
When Geet saw Savitri spring up from her position on the sofa in agitation, she was concerned. When she saw the elderly woman put her hand to her chest and begin to sway, she became alarmed. Reaching out to catch Savitri before she hit the floor, Geet called frantically for Nakul and the other employees to come and help. When they couldn't get Savitri to respond, she was rushed to the hospital, Geet right by her side.
Until now, Geet had been quite happy to have Maan gone from home, but as she stood alone in the hospital, waiting for some news, she wished that he had not gone. Every attempt that she made to contact him failed. She was reduced to hoping he would tear himself away from his meetings long enough to call home, entrusting Nakul with the job of informing him of his grandmother's condition.
"You are the wife of Savitriji's grandson, is that correct?" one of the doctors questioned her after he came out of the ICU.
"Yes. How is Dadima?"
"Mrs. Khurana has a history of low blood pressure due to some heart problems. I can't say right now, but I think it would be wise to get your husband here as quickly as possible. "
"But, Maan is out of the country right now."
"Then, I think it would be best to inform her other grandson of her condition."
****
"I'm calling to let you know that Dadima was taken to the hospital, sick. Sir is out of town, but Geet madam has called Dev sir to come to the hospital. I thought you would want to know."
In his haste to leave Dev walked right past the servant, without noticing he was talking on a cellphone, his attention focussed instead on another person. "Nakul, have you been able to get a hold of Bro yet?"
"No Sir, but Geet Madam said I was to keep trying until he was informed of Dadima's health."
"Okay. I'm going to the hospital then."
Dev rushed out of the mansion, angry that his elder brother was out of the country when their grandmother's health was so bad. The same thing had happened last time she had a heart attack, and it was Dev alone who had dealt with those first few agonizing hours when the doctors weren't sure if she would make it. He was just grateful that this time Geet was there to look after her. Still, he thought it would be a good idea to find out if Savitri's friend Dr. Jaspreet Singh had been informed of his grandmother's condition.
When he arrived, he found Dr. Singh and the on call doctor trying to explain his grandmother's bradycardia, or slow heart rate, condition to Geet, who looked quite confused at all the medical terminology. Disregarding the way Geet moved back with a frosty expression when he placed his hand on her arm, Dev explained how Savitri had developed this problem of a slower heart beat after she had a mild heart attack almost a year ago. Once she fully understood, Geet wanted to know what could have caused Savitri's spell this time. The doctors wouldn't give any definitive answer until they had done more tests, but if she had neglected her medication, or experienced any stress, either of those could have worsened her condition.
Geet looked helplessly through the window of Savitri's room while Dev made repeated attempts to contact Maan, the doctors' words ringing in her ears. "It's my fault. I never should have talked with Raminder Uncle when Dadima was there. She was so upset. That's what the doctor said, that stress could have made the problem worse."
The tears were rolling down the dejected girl's face, evidence of the pain her heart felt at the thought of loosing the elderly woman. Soon another pain made it's presence known, causing her to hold her stomach reflexively, unable to keep the grimace from forming on her young face. When Dev came up to her, concern on his face and in his voice, Geet assured him that she was fine. She didn't want him to come so near, or touch her as he had done earlier. Yet, despite her protests, an even sharper, more painful sensation diverted her attention. It was all she could do not to double over entirely, that Dev's closeness seemed to fade in the background, as did his calls for the hospital staff to come quickly.
Precap
"Dadima, didn't I warn you before I left to take care of yourself? What would I do if anything happened to you?"
"Maan, if you are so worried about me, then maybe you should think about changing this habit you have acquired to run off on this long business trips."
"Dadima, I didn't just run off, there was a major crisis with our project in France and then I went to London to check out our progress there, but I would hardly call that running off. It was needed there."
"Well, you might consider the fact that you are also needed at home. If you don't spend time here, then how will you know what is going on in the house?"
Cricket
Book Talk
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