Astha wasn't sure he'd come. Maybe he'd deny her baby being his. But deep down she knew he'd know. And he'd come. Did she wish for him to come. Yes. Did she want him to know that their baby was dead. Killed. No! Who does she blame? Her, him or them? Or the entire world? God? She didn't know. May be she blamed herself. No one forced her to get intimate with him. In fact is was she who made the first move. her All she knew was she was pregnant she was going to be a mother and now she's not, her womb is empty! Just like her life and her heart. She was more disappointed in him than anything else. He just didn't trust her enough, that's was it. But thinking at him being alone pained her. She loved him still. But she didn't want to love him anymore. If that even makes sense. She knew it's over between them. They both loved each other but the circumstances deemed them to be away. Go on their separate paths. And she was ready to do so. If she was to spend the rest of her life in prison as a convict then she will. Never again will she let herself down and make her feel vulnerable. The naive cow girl died that night on that dirty cold cement floor along with her baby.
She reached for her empty belly. Void of the life that gave her so much hope and happiness. Her abdomen still ached. But her Heart ached more. She wanted to cry for her lost baby. But she didn't have any tears. She wanted to scream and say that she was wronged by God yet again. She wanted to rip her heart out so that it want make her feel the love she lost. But she couldn't do any of it. She was still alive. Still here. She has to make the best of her life. She was spared for a reason and she wanted to know what that reason is. They say God only gives you as much as you can handle and God always have something greater planned for you. So she waited to know what's hers?
Arjun met with the Head Nurse. And she assured him that She's not in any danger. Although she had lost considerable amount of blood, that she'd make a full recovery and no permanent damage had been done. She had suffered a broken rib but no internal haemorrhaging. But she told Arjun she's emotionally very shaken and seems to be in state of shock. She also mentioned that she's not cried at all. When Arjun asked her how long she'd be kept at the hospital the matron told him that They'll have to keep her for at least few more days. Arjun saw Shlok talking to Astha. But her back was turned to him. The Matron also said that she's not been eating and refusing to talk to a clinical psychiatrist. He was still talking to her when Shlok just rushed past him. He quickly thanked the Matron for the information and rushed after his partner.
Arjun caught up with him and "what happened buddy?" he asked trying not to upset him more.
"It's all over. I'm too late. It's over before its even begun. She's right you know? I let them both down and and don't deserve to be forgiven" Shlok finally spoke. He looked even more nonchalant. Arjun sensed that it didn't go well with her. What ever he wanted to convey her and didn't fall through. Arjun was contemplating if he should tell him what the Matron told him. But he decided not to. He was having enough guilt to contain with. He didn't want him to suffer even more. If he asks anything then he'd disclose. That was his plan.
Tyson was right I don't deserve to be a father. She was too good to me. I don't deserve her. Love of my own child. No. there's only one thing to do! I have to clear her name. She didn't do it. Someone is trying to frame her. Someone close to her. Someone who has access to her room. Why didn't I think of this before? Why's was I so quick to doubt her? Not the ones around her? If I had believed her then, she'd be still with my baby? I killed our first born. They kicked her in the stomach, they kicked my babies. And what did I do? Nothing. I did nothing to save them. I can never forgive myself for this. Never. I deserve all this. Our baby paid with her life for her daddy's mistakes. How could I be so blind? Even Arjun saw it, but What sort of a f***ed up mentality do I have? She called me for help and I didn't hear her. And she almost paid with her life. She's in this mess, lying in that hospital bed because I f***ed up. Yes, you did literally! Big time. Never again. These thoughts were going in his head, they refused to leave him be. He didn't want to either. It was his punishment, and he gladly accepted his penance. He passed judgement and convicted her then read out the sentence all on his own. She is done with her retribution. Now it's his turn.
They were making their way back to the station. "Arjun! We have to find out who's the girl in those pictures is. It's not her. It's not my Astha. Who ever it is had access to her clothes to her room. Someone she trusted. Some one who worked there. But we interviewed all of them. There wasn't anyone that matched Astha's physique. Not even remotely. But we need to recheck everything Arjun. I know I screwed up big time. Help me to at least make this one wrong set right. I need your help man" it was a plea from his partner who never in his life have asked for anybody's help. There's always a first. And Arjun was more than willing to help. After all it was his job too to find the truth. "Come on then let's make a courtesy call at Almeida Mansion. Unexpected the better" Arjun said taking a u-turn.
They made their way in slince. But shlok's mind was still in disarray! He couldn't stop thinking about them. His girls. Even though they couldn't determine the gender of the foetus, in his heart he felt that the baby was a girl. He would've been the proud father of a daughter. Like his Sandhya! He lost them both in one night, in a spilt second. He was a rational man, so he knew, even in his point of no return state of mind that going through what ifs and if onlys Ain't gonna do any one any favours. He needed to be proactive and make up for loss time. But his heart ached for them. He couldn't shake off the disappointment and the guilt he felt running in his nerves. He saw her lost and forlorn eyes. Not the feisty full of life and determined eyes she had just less than 24 hours ago. God sure does gives and takes in equal measure. But he felt God has been unfair to her. She's lost more than she's gained. Why does God take such undue liberties with her faith and hope. Or was she and their baby been punished for his lack of faith. He said out loud that he's an atheist. It's gods way of payback. Collecting his dues. Lifetime of sins repaid with a life of complete innocence. He remembered his physics class. And Newtons third law of motion "For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction" the shit he's in and the pain he caused her is for his life time of sins. Only he's accountable for his pain and suffering. Nobody else. His love and faith in her wasn't strong enough to withstand the test of trust. He failed miserably and now he has to bare the consequences. He's not ready but he's going to stand up and face it like a man not run away like a coward. He wasn't man enough to be hers nor to be a father to his unborn baby. Time to get out of the nappies and start wearing pants. He'll forever regret and miss his girls. But it's time for action not to be a sloth and wallow in his own miseries. He has his entire life for that. His first and only priority is to clear her name and give her life back, what ever is left of it. It's the least he can do for her.
Arjun parked the car and he was back in his Dodge sitting with her watching her sleeping. He missed her, he wanted to hold her and tell her that he's sorry, that she's not alone. That he believes her. But it's all too late for that. "Let's go man" Arjun voice brought him back to reality.
They got out and Shlok was trying not to feel the memories. Think of the harsh words he said to her last time when he was at her place. Fill was there. She welcomed them inside. They asked her to call all the employees in. She was asking them about their mistress, how is she. When is she coming home. When can she come and see her. Shlok didn't have any answers. He couldn't. Arjun came to to his partners rescue.
"She's had a accident and she's at the prison Hospital. You can go and see her between 12-1 any weekday. I can't tell you anything other than that"
Shlok was thankful to his friend. And even he felt she would like to see a familiar face. Someone she can trust. Shlok asked her to sit. When she tried to turn and walk away.
"Mrs. Mirando, we need to ask you few more questions. It's paramount you answer us without leaving any minute detail out" Shlok told the elderly woman. She nodded.
"Who else had access to Mrs. Almeidas' room? I want you to think hard and answer me. This is very important."
"Sir, we all had access to her room. Mrs. Almeida never treated us like servants, we were her family. No place in this house was off limits. Yes we would never come and go as we please. Only when asked or required. But madams day room was never off limits. Shlok remembered that none of the domestic staff knew of their sleeping arrangements. So Astha must've given a excuse to her spending her all her time in her room. "But her wardrobe was there as well" Shlok asked to see what yarn she'd told them.
"Yes, sir. Madam shifted her clothes when sir built her very own walk in closet. Astha madam always used to joke that her clothes are outnumbered 1:100 with sirs. Sir loved Madam very much and was a very generous and kind person. He redid the room just for her". Yeah! Right, more like repentance for sleeping with male wh**es and getting caught with your pants down. Kindness ain't got nothing to do with it lady. He wanted to tell her of his righteous Masters kind and generous ways. You ain't no Saint. You have no right to judge others. Al least he didn't kill any babies. No he didn't. Can't argue there. "Shlok!" Arjun managed to break his train of thoughts.
Is there anyone thst works here that resembles Mrs. Almeida? Anybody that looks like her?" Asked Arjun.
"Yes! Mary, Samuels our chauffeurs daughter. But she doesn't live here anymore. She eloped with her boyfriend few months ago. Even Madam used to say they look like sisters. And she used to give her clothes all the time. Madam treated her like a younger sister, and when she went away she tried to talk to her. She was very sad and tried to reason with her father as well. But she chose to be with that boy. We don't have any news on her since she left and disconnected her phone we can't contact her even" filo kept on going.
Alarm bells were going off in their heads. It was right under their noses, and why didn't they think of this? Why didn't he think of this? It was not rocket science. All they had to do was ask. Not they he. It's all on you're hands man. You were too busy chasing skirts with your pants down you forgot your duties. And you pain with your blood. Enough with the self loathing. Nobody's looking to give any awards to the most pathetic and the biggest Moran. Moran of the year! That'll go well with your medal of bravery.
Now they needed to find her. They can trace her mobile. That's the best thing about mobile phones and criminals. They asked her if they could have a recent photograph of her. And filo obliged. Showed them a picture in her mobile. It was taken at Asthas 23rd birthday. She was seen smiling and posing with Mary. His heart sank remembering how she looked few hours ago. He was been sucked into the storm again and again. Get a hold of yourself Nancy, or Seetha as tyson says. They also took Mary's phone number and asked if she knew how to drive. And Filo said shes's never seen her drive but assumed she could for Samuel had been teaching her since she was a teenager. They also asked her to tell Her father to come to the station as soon as possible. They thanked her and was on their way out when Lawrence and his wife came marching in with their lawyer in tow. They announced to no one in particular that as per the last will and the conditions mentioned in it, all this belongs to him now. Shlok was the first to react, he remembered the last time they met. And looked like he remembered too. "What the hell is going on? What are you up to? She's not been convicted of anything" when Lawrence stepped forward his wife stopped him. Instead his lawyer came up to shlok and handed him want looked like a copy of Almeidas last will. And in it there was paragraph that was highlighted. It read
In the unlikely and untimely event of my wife Mrs. Astha Rose Almeida being convicted or her integrity is maligned in the eyes of the law, she will forfeit all the benefits and privileges she enjoys as the sole proprietor of my businesses and properties. The entire estate will be reassigned to my brother Mr. Lawrence Almeida and his wife Mrs. Sylvia Almeida.
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