Part XIV
The day hadn't started on a good note for Milind and it went downhill after Bhiku's revelation. He had hugged his friend Bhiku and cried his gut. But the anguish stayed with him. A tiny hope that his friend would give him the whereabouts of his wife was completely extinguished when Bhiku categorically said that he had no clues. It was almost 6 weeks since she had left home. Any trail left behind would be stone cold. He did not know where to start. If the police with their contacts had turned empty handed, what were his chances. He could not believe how he could have turned such a monster. She would be alone with a child with no means of sustainance.
Suddenly the room to the study opened and in walked
Prathamesh: Baba, come down and play with me. Aai is also asking for you. Can you come down please?
Bhiku tried to persuade Prathamesh into going down alone. But Milind did want some time alone to compose himself. He gestured Bhiku to accompany his son. As Bhiku left the room, Milind ran took the alternate stairs to the master bedroom, homing into the cupboard. He remembered Prachee keeping a stash of house money in the locker. He thought maybe she would help herself to that. He opened the locker, to find all the jewellery, and cash intact. She had not taken a single cent. Also was an envelope with his name written on it. He ripped it open to find the no limit debit card that had been issued in her name. He had to re-convene with Bhiku and ask his recommendation for a good detective agency. In the meanwhile, when suddenly a noise in the bathroom caught his attention. He turned around to find Ayesha stepping out of the bathroom, draped in one Prachees sarees that he had bought.
Ayesha: Don't I look much better in this saree than Prachee. Hmmmmm'. I know spellbinding isn't it. You always had an eye for color. You my dear Milind, haven't been looking in the right direction. But all will be ok soon. I soon will be rid of Neev and there will be nothing or anyone that will separate us.
Milind: Ayesha, what are you doing here? Aur tum Prachee ke saree me kya kar rahi ho. Utaro isse '' abhi ke abhi. (You are wearing Prachee's saree, take it off......take it off NOW.) And then can you make yourself a little scarce. I need to be alone for a while. I need to get some things done and need privacy. I am not good company, could you please leave me alone.
Ayesha did not catch the icy politeness in Milind's voice. Instead
Ayesha: Take it off?, '.Of course you are right, you don't want me to wear that Prachee's cast offs. That is so generours of you Milind. I will make sure nobody disturbs you. Would you mind if I go and change back into my clothes?
Milind had already left his room leaving Ayesha to change. He had made up his mind to change locks to the door since all and sundry had this habit of entering his private domain. He went down to join the rest of the crew.
The evening seemed to drag for him. His guilt was chipping away. He badly wanted to excuse himself and try to figure out what his plan of action would be. But he could not bring himself to neglect his guests. He tried being the perfect host, but his mind was wandering. To make matters worse Ayesha decided to grace all of them with her presence and give all of them 'the lady manor act'. The arrival of Ayesha brought and uneasy quietness to the table. But an unperturbed Ayesha sat at the head of the table and started making polite conversation. At some point she tried to intimidate Rashmi and was smoothly headed off by Bhiku. Milind noticed Ayesha's tactics and recollected the number of times, Prachee was taunted. And he had done precious nothing for his wife. Whereas Prachee had stood like a rock in support of him even when he did not believe in himself. Add insult to injury, the presence of Chintu brought out good as well as harsh memories. It seemed like eternity to him before Bhiku and his family left.
Milind dragged himself upstairs back to his abode. All he needed was to change into his comfy PJs and think. He pulled at his formal clothes and changed into his white PJs. After a wash, he neared the double bed to see the saree being discarded carelessly. He had remembered fingering it at the boutique when Baba had pushed him into a shopping spree with his wife. He had seen her being so agog over the collection and her indecision had prompted his seletion. He was always a sucker for blue. And the saree had every shade of aqua blue. It started out with the palest shade of aqua, darkening to deeper turquoise to teal and to black. His attention then had been diverted by a phone call and he had let Prachee make her selection. He then found that she had chosen the same saree. Being very choosy, she had ordered authentic oxidized silver jewellary to match the outfit. He remembered coming home, to find her putting on final accessories. He had come home to pick her up for an office function. At that time, he had curtly told her to remove all the jewelry. She had looked at him in askance and he had carelessly given her the platinum and black diamonds set. The set comprised a set of earrings, necklace and bracelet. Thank goodness, Ayesha did not dare to delve into Prachee's jewelry. He would have hit the roof. He folded the saree back into the hanger and went to the cupboard to hang it. The mild floral fragrance emanating from the sarees in the cupboard brought a torrent of memories. He touched each saree, reacquainting himself with his wife. Feeling more bereft than ever, he pulled the aqua saree and wrapped it around his neck and sat on the edge of the bed & dialed Neev's number.
Neev was surprised to see a call from Milind. Yet he answered.
Milind: Can you meet me now?
Neev: Are you crazy. It is going be midnight.
Milind: I know you won't come here. Tell me if we can meet?
Neev: You are serious aren't you? Or this another one of your ploys cooked up by you and your girlfriend? Does my lawyer have to there?
Milind: Man to man, meet me at Dadar's Preetam Hotel. I know you live in Dadar now. I will meet you at Hotel Preetam in their restaurant.
Neev suspected foul play, but something in Milind's voice made him trust him. He had more than 30 minutes to reach the venue. It would only take him 10 minutes to reach. As promised Neev reached 5 minutes ahead of time. On his arrival he noticed Milind already seated. Neev walked upto the table. Milind got up and asked him to take a seat.
Neev: What is it?
Milind: First of all thanks for making it. I don't know where to begin. But you deserve this. I am sorry. I have done you great injustice. I have blamed you on very unfairly on numerous occasions.
Neev did not know how to react. Was this groveling all an act or was it genuine? Soon, a gleeful Ayesha would make an appearance. Neev looked at the door.
Neev: Oh common on, spare me. You never thought that how you and only you and Ayesha found Prachee and me in compromising situations. It was a set up every time. Any fool could have figured it out after a while. Even I should have figured it out too.
Milind: Unfortunately no. I am so sorry, we have come to this. And I just found out today that''
Neev: That I am not Hritik's Dad. So' who is it? Out with it'.. spill it.
Milind: I am.
Neev:What'.? You
Milind: Since my wife claims to be his mother, so that makes me his father.. doesn't it?
Neev: Let's not have smart answers. The truth would be helpful.
Milind: My sister is the mother of the child and the father is Alaap.
Neev: So Prachee was trying to save your sister's marriage and my brother's too. So Alaap hit the right note, when he tried to stop the wedding. Why all this, she could have come to me or Saket and told us about it?
Milind: I don't know the details. I found out today. I still have to talk to Sukriti. But since you were Prachee's best friend and she was contemplating spending her life with you, I was wondering if she ever got in touch with you.
Neev: No, she did not. I don't think I know this Prachee. The Prachee I knew never demonstrated these kinds of strengths. You always wanted to protect her. But only after Inder uncles death, I have seen her rise to every occasion holding the Shah bastion together.
Milind: I need some help trying to locate her. She has not taken any money or credit cards or jewelry. She is alone with the child and I have had no leads so far.
Neev: Good luck. I have enough on my plate with an upcoming divorce. You know it is Ayesha on the other side. I don't know how much of help I can be of in your quest. I appreciate you coming here and doing this. It is all still new to me and it will take time to sink in. And honestly I am expecting Ayesha to make and appearance now and that both you and she will have a good laugh at my expense.
Milind: Don't blame you for thinking the way you are thinking now. But could you call me if you think of any place or person she may have gone to.
Neev felt sorry for Milind. He assured him that he would call if he thought of something.
At 1.00 am, both men left the restaurant to return to their pads
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