CHAPTER : 9
23rd December, After reaching Singh Mansion...
Both Jodha and Jalal were stuck at the door as the shout of Jaymal was almost cracking the roof of the house.
"From where do you get the audacity of breaking the relation which was fixed by my brother? How dare you to phone Mr. Singh and break the marriage???
The target of all the bullets of words was on Nirmala, who was standing lowering her head, and there was no sign of fear of tension in her face.
"What are you doing DevarJi! Only a day has passed since your brother has left us! His body is not cremated yet and now you... Meenashi was trying to control him in her broken voice.
"You just keep shut! It's only because of you Nirmala Bhabi gets so much courage!
"She is you Bhabi, Dewarji! She has right to give her opinion about her daughter's marriage!
"Bhabi! Bhabi my foot! Huh! She broke the marriage! She... His shout was sounding like wailing now.
"It seems you are going to face a great loss if Sukanya does not marry Someswar? Jalal triggered to Jaymal all of a sudden that dropped a sudden silence in the hall room. Jaymal shrank is face in disgust and was going to leave...
"One minute Mr. Jaymal Singh. Jalal stopped him and placed himself of the sofa. "I want to talk with you.
"I don't want to.
"You have to, Jaymal Ji, it's not your choice. Jalal stated calmly.
Jaymal with half of nervousness and half irritation sat in another sofa. Jalal signaled Jodha to clear the room and so she swiftly took the other family members from there. Jalal observed Jaymal's face for a moment and suddenly fired a question. "You were a head of the farms authority just after your brother?
"Officially I am there, but I hardly have any connection with the business. I am an MLA, and I am always to serve the people. My brother used to handle the business on his own hand. Jaymal answered after a pause.
"I see. But Bhagwant was one of the main active governing body, right?
"He is a black sheep! He never had any interest on business. All he knows is losing money at gambling. Jaymal commented. "He... he has no relation with the farm. Brother did not use to believe him!
Jalal picked a brow amusedly. "I see. But the assistant manager of the farm says something else. He said you were equally involved in the business with your brother and always used to attend the business meetings.
"You are believing on a half-educated rural ghost?? Jaymal smirked nastily, but anyone would say seeing him that he is nervous.
"So according you, you have no idea about the current financial condition of your whole-sell business of grains and wheat? Jalal smiled. "Anyways, since your name is written in the governing body of the farm, you must know at least that what the business relation between Someswar Singh's hotel-chain business and your farm was?
"Aaab...aaa... I don't know properly. All I can say we used to supply a good amount of products in their hotels and resorts. Jalal was observing the sweat dropping from his forehead in this winter.
"I see... Do you know that very recently an efficient team of Mumbai police has discovered that those hotels were actually the centers of woman-trafficking racket?
"N...no...
"Quite understandable... Otherwise why would you shout on your sister-in-law for breaking the marriage of your niece, am I right?
Jaymal bit his lips and tried to smile, though in this trial his face looked like an owl.
"Anyways, so I can assume that you do not have any idea about the current financial condition of the farm?
"No... I don't have...
"And the assistant manager is lying that you were very much interested in the pie-to-pie of the accounts, right?
Jaymal gulped once then said "I have no idea.
"Okay. Do you know that you are not going to get even a coin from this whole property?
Jaymal didn't answer, but from his eyes it can be said that he was very disturbed with this news.
"Well, the last one... If we get to find the proof of your involvement in the activities of the farm, how will you counter that? Do you have any proof that you are actually never in the business properly and hence have no responsibilities? Jalal asked.
Jaymal licked his lips... "I... I don't know... I was not a part of anything and... and that's... that's it...
"Thanks Mr. Jaymal for cooperating with me. Jalal stood up smiling. "You may go now.
Jaymal left the place immediately. Jalal sat down on the sofa and took out his cellphone from his pocket. He typed some sms to someone very swiftly.
"Jalal... will you take tea? Nirmala came and asked.
"No Aunty... Jalal stood up. "Please sit, I have something to ask you.
"Me? Nirmala was perplexed.
"Yes Aunty. Jalal made her sit.
"I have already told you what I know...
"I want to ask something else. Not anything related to Bharmal Singh's murder... something else.
Nirmala's eyes sought question. Jalal paused for a moment then asked...
"I want to know about your husband, Mr. Sujamal Singh.
Nirmala stared at his face for some times... Then her lips trembled. "About my husband? But why?
Jalal did not feel it necessary to answer her. Instead he asked in a sympathetic tone... "He passed away in a very tender age; it's really pathetic!
"Yes... My daughter was only 3 years old that time. She does not even remember her father! Nirmala looked a bit unmindful.
Jalal shook head with sympathy. "How did he pass away? In accident? Jodha never told me anything about her uncle.
"Jodha has not seen her uncle much, Jalal. Nirmala smiled. "She was just a kid of 4 years when my husband left the village and started living permanently in Bombay.
"Oho... you didn't live here in Madhubani?
"Just after our marriage we left the village and started living in Bombay. Sukanya was born there only... Nirmala paused to take breath. "After the death of my father-in-law, we came in Madhubani for a longer time... He had a wish to stay here forever. Actually for some reason there were problems between my husband and father-in-law, so he did never involve him in family business. But at the time of death father was yearning for him only... so he had become soft and wished to stay here leaving the job... She was fetching memories from the sea of nostalgia. "But everything changed such a way we could never imagine!
Nirmala's voice broke while talking. Jalal let her to control herself. After a moment she started again.
"I still remember the night. He had gone to Mahabaleswar for some work; he had promised me to return at evening. But he didn't return... instead a phone came from police... that everything is finished in a road accident! She closed her eyes... "Who had thought that he will leave us this way? I had told him several times... that don't indulge into any problem, let's go back to our city but he was so stubborn that... She took long breath!
"What problem are you talking about? Jalal frowned.
Nirmala looked at him in a cloudy but clear glare. Then she coughed to break the bubble of tears of her throat. "I don't know in detail. He never used to share anything about his works... He was a complete workaholic person, and all he used to share only to his diary, and none had access to that... But he was busy with some confidential happenings of the farm after father's funeral. He even used to meet the farmers and the workers of the farm very frequently. And then I remember... She tried to recall. "A farmer had died suddenly, and he was very disturbed with the death... He used to tell me often that he will not let these sins to take place anymore!
"Sin?
"He didn't tell me anything in detail. I said you that he was a very private man and didn't share anything about his works to me. But I could understand that... Sometimes he used to talk about the mismatch in accounts. She lowered her voice. "There were a lot of corruptions in the farm, which he wanted to end. He and Jaithji had quarreled a lot of times on this matter. But in his last days he used to talk about something else... something more serious than normal treachery and corruptions. Though he never told anything properly, he often lamented saying that he is ashamed of everything he has; and he is going to get justice anyway. He had shelled himself very much in his last days. He used to fight with himself day and night. As if he was determined to find out something!
"So you have no idea about what he was trying to find out?
Nirmala shook her head. "All I can say he was all set to play with fire. And maybe... he himself was sacrificed in that fire only!
"That means you do not believe that your husband had died in an accident? Jalal asked.
Nirmala smiled palely. "Nothing matters on my belief or disbelief. At least nothing mattered that time, and today all this things make no sense to me! She said.
"But... Jalal was getting excited from inside. "You said that he used to maintain diary. Where is that? You never read that?
Nirmala sighed with the same pale smile. "I didn't have the time or mentality to run behind the truth that time. I had my child of 3 years, and I had to bring her up. I had nowhere to go except this house. Maybe I was selfish and coward, but I was helpless... Perhaps she could understand herself that she had become excited and losing her temper, and controlled herself again. "I don't know where that is... maybe kept in storeroom.
Nirmala was about to get up, Jalal stopped her. "One more question. Do you know Paresh Sindu?
"No. She answered. "May I go now? I have a lot of work in kitchen.
Jalal noticed that there is a slight but bright glow of gravity in her timid personality which makes her to look enough intelligent. Maybe she is timid and underdog, but she is not a fool.
23rd December, evening, in drawing room again...
Jalal was still sitting quiet on sofa. Jodha came and sat beside him exhaling a sigh of weary. "What did you ask her? She asked.
Jalal looked at her with dull yet expressive eyes. "Nirmala Aunty knows a lot.
"What do you mean?
Jalal lowered his eyes and looked at the glass astray kept on the table... "She believes that your uncle's death was not normal, and he had been killed because he was going to reveal some serious crime of the farm.
"But she never...
"Because probably she had no choice but to depend on your father... Jalal murmured. "But it does not mean that she has forgotten everything. The spark of revenge can be converted into forest fire in any moment...
"What are you saying Jalal? Jodha shook her head with great disagreement. "Nirmala Kaki...
"Maybe I am being too much skeptical! However... It is confirmed that your uncle died in the same reason Paresh Sindhu died, and both of the death were not natural. Jalal sighed.
"But what can be the reason?
"I can guess the crime of the farm being referred time and again...
"Do you mean there is any connection with Bhiwandi...
"I had a slight doubt right then when he was trying to bribe me to pack up the case of Bhiwandi. I don't think he should have been that much desperate only to release Someswar for the reputation of family and business when the case had no direct involvement of him. Jalal nodded. "However...I can't say anything without validation... I have sent something in Mumbai headquarters to check... let's see...
"What?
"I had got some addresses and phone no. in Surya's diary. Some of them are the addresses of some hotels and resorts; they looked very known to me... I got their mention multiple times while investigating Bhiwandi's case. Jalal said thoughtfully. "I think somehow Surya was investigating about the wrongdoings of the farm, and he was quite successful in this. He had opened the secret of Paresh Sindhu's murder, and maybe he investigated a lot about your uncle's death too. In this process he had got those important addresses and phone numbers, and noted down in his diary. Most of the addresses are of the old resorts of the nearby hill-stations... He paused. "And I suspect they had a deep relation with woman-trafficking racket once upon a time.
Jodha was listening to him holding her breaths. "So you mean our farm is directly attached with the racket? And Surya was investigating on his own?? But then if he got to know everything why was he silent? She gulped with a bubble of confusion and sorrow choking her throat. "Was he blackmailing my father? And so he was pampering him so much recently?
Jalal did not answer as he was thinking something else. "Where is Sukanya? He asked after some time. "I had to know something about Rishav from her.
"She is sitting with Dadi. Jodha sighed. "Dadi's condition of health is very poor. Doctor made a visit today afternoon only. He has given her sedative...
"She is going through a trauma... Witnessing the death of son in front of eyes... Jalal sighed. "Okay, let's go and see Dadi.
23rd December, Evening, Dadi's room...
Dadi was sleeping on the bed. Sukanya was sitting near her head. Mohini and Meenakshi were standing near the door discussing something in whisper. Looking Jodha and Jalal to come Meenakshi pulled her veil a bit.
"Come... She said. "Maaji's condition is not well Jalal, she is sleeping... so... She was looking enough steady and composed today, though the white Shari, the lack of jewelries and the missing bindi on forehead had made her paler in this dim light of evening. It was tough to accept her in the dress of widow.
"I haven't come to interrogate Aunty. Jalal told kind of embarrassedly. "What did the doctor say?
"Excessive pressure on nerve, and she is not taking her medicines carefully. Meenakshi looked a bit guilty. "I should have noticed this. Generally she takes her medicines on her own but these days we should have taken special care of her...
"It's not you who should be guilty. Sukanya's twisted voice came, Jalal never heard Sukanya to talk with such gravity. "You yourself were broken... There are a lot of people in this house. None cares. Even someone starts yelling like a slum-dog despite knowing his mother is critically ill...
"Okay okay Sukanya don't lose your temper. Menakshi said in hurry. "Actually none of us noticed that the medicine of nerve that she takes daily was finished. She missed two-three doses, and overall the mental stress and trauma she is going through is the cause of this deterioration. Doctor has changed the medicine and has given her sedative.
Jalal had entered in the room meanwhile and was checking the box of medicines kept aside the bed. There were two prescriptions inside the box. "Sinemet... Jalal read. "A highly effective drug as I heard. Does she take this regularly?
Meenakshi nodded her head. Jalal kept the box again and started thinking something with a frown. Jodha sat beside Dadi and caressed her white hairs with a deep sigh. "Sukanya... Jalal called in a mild tone after some time. "I had something to ask you...
Sukanya looked at him without saying anything. Jalal signed her to come out of the room.
23rd December, Evening, conversation with Sukanya...
"What happened? Sukanya asked after coming out of the room. Her voice was normal now, perhaps she has become all steady with the storm in her house, and her personal mental instability has gone for some days.
Jalal got into the actual matter.
"When did you last talk with Rishav Sindhu?
Sukanya's eyeballs trembled. She gulped and lowered her eyes.
"Tell me... It's necessary to know.
"A month before maybe... She stated in a low tone. "He had come to meet my mother to ask my hands; but Tauji insulted him badly... After that I tried to contact him more than once but he did not response. One day I desperately went to meet him fleeing from house. He told me that he is going far away from me; and he is too coward to face the consequences of our love... She tried hard to control her sob.
"After that no phone-calls... Nothing?
"One SMS after a lot of calls from my side after that day... Sukanya wiped the drop of tear from her cheek. "Do not love this loser; Forget and forgive me...and another after one day... I know how much I love you, but I can't deceive my family for my love. I will die without you but my loved ones will be saved.
"Do you know where he is?
"No... She gulped again. "I even called him the night Tauji was murdered; but he did not pick up the phone. But why are you asking about him?
Jalal did not answer. Instead he kept on talking. "Rishav Sindhu has joined in a college in Mumbai as lecturer. Day before yesterday, the evening of your engagement ceremony, he had set off from Mumbai and reached at the nearest station of Madhubani. According to you, you have no idea about this?
Sukanya stayed quite with surprised eyes.
"Now your Tauji is no more, your engagement is broken, so you can easily marry Rishav if he comes back to you. Eventually your Tauji's death became a boon to you, and Rishav too. Jalal smiled.
"What are you talking! Do you mean that... I... We...
"Was Rishav leftie?? Jalal whipped the question.
"Y...yes... B...but... Sukanya mumbled again... "He does not know anything... he... he is...
Sukanya could not complete her sentence, Jalal touched her shoulder with a smile.
"If Rishav is innocent, I will get him back to you. Don't worry.
23rd December, Night, Guest room...
"Yeah yeah Ruqaiya I have got the mail. Thank you so much. Take care... What? Okay. Okay. And what about Someswar Singh? Really? Okay... Yes I will try to reach Mumbai before that...okay. Good night.
While Jodha was getting bore as well as angry while Jalal was talking to his subordinate with a too much smiling face, she did not tell anything when he kept the phone aside. "What happened, madam? Jealous? Jalal nudged her.
"Hah! Ha ha! Jodha bent her lips. "Now tell me what great news your Ruqaiya gave you.
"As expected Surya's phone no. can't be tracked. He has dropped his sim card somewhere. And he was seen right in this Madhubani for last time. But from the call-list she sent to me... He opened his email account. "We can guess a lot about his whereabouts. See...
"Hmmm... Jodha read. "From 7pm to 8pm he had been continuously called from this unknown number... whose number is this, any idea?
"The number is unreachable now. Though she is trying to find the name in which the number is registered. Jalal told. "Let's hope for the best. Hope she will trace this number soon. But the most interesting information she gave to me is not this...
"Then?
Jalal winked. "Surya has already an account in SBI Mumbai, and also has registered an apartment in his name weeks back, and that is very near of your apartment. He had a long future plan.
"Really? I had no idea!
"Perhaps he had planned to set in Mumbai permanently after marrying you, but I ruined everything. Poor chap! Jalal smiled sadly. "But the important point is, he has paid the loan for that apartment just one day before murder, and he has done so with the good amount of money which has been transferred online in his SBI account that day. He paused "Your father too had an account in SBI, and the money has been transferred from there only.
"He opened bank account in Mumbai?
"Yes. A joint account with your mother... It's not a big deal though. It is recorded that he often takes money from that account when it comes to a bigger amount. But I wonder why he chose that account suddenly to give Surya that much money all of a sudden. Don't you smell something fishy?
Jodha nodded with a frown. "That morning Surya left office earlier, then bought ticket for Mumbai and transacted cash from bank, someone transferred a good amount of cash in his bank account which he used to pay the house-loan, after that he threatened my father, and then near 7pm to 8pm he was continuously called from some unknown number, then he missed the train and waited for night, then at midnight he fled from house... I think the sequence of the incidents is missing something...
"He knows everything! We need him! Jalal uttered a bit impatiently. "You know Jodha, my guess was right. Among the names Surya enlisted, 2 of the hotels were in police record. And the phone numbers written in his diary was of a newspaper office- the first newspaper which had published the scandal of those hotels for first time. I am sure if we investigate further it will be found that your uncle Mr. Sujamal Singh used to visit that newspaper office daily as he had clues about the relation of woman-trafficking with this farm. And it will be also known that Surya used to fetch a lot of information about this same case from there.
Both of them kept silent for some time as both were thinking about the same thing. "Well. Jalal told after a while. "There is another news. Some more information has been revealed about Bhiwandi's case... Some girls have been rescued. Maybe I will be returning within 2 days.
"Oh! Jodha said. "I can't return Mumbai before all the mess are stabilized. Don't know how the truth will be revealed now. That Sahani is an absolutely idiot... She sighed.
"Don't worry... Maybe I will leave the village, but I will not forget anything about this case. Jalal assured her. Then he patted on her shoulder. "It's hot in the room. What about having some fresh air in the garden?
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