The riddle of death... (end) - Page 69

Originally posted by: kajal2005

Amazing update

According to radhika, surya killed Mr. Singh!😲

Hey! Who burnt those letters? He's definitely related to the murder.

Thanku for pm

Continue soon

The storeroom search unearthed a few items-certificates, Jodha's mother's college photo, Sujamal Singh's album of his college days , with a few missing photos, some negatives of intimate shots, torn old love letters ( Jodha recognizing the handwriting but not able to recall where she had seen it before ) but the item they were looking for - the diary - was not among them. They did find it at the end , on the roof, half -burnt.

The diary itself is a mystery now- it resembles a letter written to someone close to Sujamal. Something about the diary is troubling Jalal which requires him to leave the village to seek further information.

Radhika, of course, is laying the blame squarely on Surya just to save her son's neck.

A lot of questions being asked but vague or evasive answers and evidence/clues that have been tampered with are hampering the investigation.

You are successfully keeping the suspense element intact and the reader is none the wiser nor nearer to guessing who the murderer/s is/are.

An exciting update, Stuti!👏

Originally posted by: roseraja1915

The storeroom search unearthed a few items-certificates, Jodha's mother's college photo, Sujamal Singh's album of his college days , with a few missing photos, some negatives of intimate shots, torn old love letters ( Jodha recognizing the handwriting but not able to recall where she had seen it before ) but the item they were looking for - the diary - was not among them. They did find it at the end , on the roof, half -burnt.

>>Yes!

The diary itself is a mystery now- it resembles a letter written to someone close to Sujamal. Something about the diary is troubling Jalal which requires him to leave the village to seek further information.

>>Not only about diary... there's something more. 😉

Radhika, of course, is laying the blame squarely on Surya just to save her son's neck.

>>Are you keeping Radhika out of your suspect list? Just asking. 😛

A lot of questions being asked but vague or evasive answers and evidence/clues that have been tampered with are hampering the investigation.

>>Yes, but still Jalal will solve the case soon. 😉

You are successfully keeping the suspense element intact and the reader is none the wiser nor nearer to guessing who the murderer/s is/are.

>> Thank you Di!😳 It is tough to keep the suspense element, but enjoyable too. 😉 😆

An exciting update, Stuti!👏

>>Thank you so much for your lovely review! 😃

Originally posted by: Shinning_Stuti

Should I update this one first or start writing DL? 😛

Originally posted by: lashy

CHAPTER 13:

At night...

At the dining Jodha was waiting for Jalal. It was half past 10 of night and Jalal had not returned yet. Jodha herself was very tired in the exhaustion of the whole day. So many things happened together today- they got to know her father was poisoned, she came across with the direct connections of their farm with a woman-trafficking racket, then an attempt to the witnessed which hit her directly, the search in the house, the burning diary; then the rituals of cremations and the other rituals along with consoling maa, daadi and others- the most tiring part of all. Now after all this even at this late of night if she does not get to sleep early because of Jalal's late, how it feels? Though she was trying not to get angry as she knew Jalal must have gone to get some important information which will reveal the mysteries...

"Hey Jodha you're here? When Jodha was dosing on the chair Jalal suddenly came back. "I thought you were tired and resting...

"So kind of you to think about my tiredness... Jodha smiled instead of getting angry. "I sent everyone to take rest as all were exhausted, so I had to stay to serve you dinner...

"Practicing to serve your pati-parameswar from now, then? Jalal laughed.

"Shut up and wash your hands... I am arranging the plates. Jodha giggled and pushed him to the basin. Jalal washed his hands while Jodha swiftly started serving the rice and curry on plate in habituated hand. "So, where were you all this time? Any new information? She asked casually.

"Enough of information in hand. Only it needs to arrange them properly to get into conclusion... Jalal murmured unmindfully...

"What? That means you found the murderer? Jodha jumped in excitement.

"No... Just... just something... Jalal bit his lips... "No; still many things are missing... many clues are still hidden... He shook his head to get out of the hangover of thoughts and concentrated on his plate.

"What was in the diary? Jodha asked...

"No idea...Jalal told. "I don't think it is possible for me to find out clues from that burnt thing. Maybe experts can help it... However... He looked at Jodha. "Let me give you some interesting news. Ruqaiya had called me today. She has confirmed some of the names of the missing girls in this village have matched with the names included in Bhiwandi's case. Also she told me another thing... the art-mela which Rambha was talking about, had been sponsored by Someswar Singh only. Including Madhubani a lot of girls of backward villages used to gather there with their works and crafts and all... You can guess what kind of Mela it used to be at last!

"So girls were taken out of the village in the name of income and sent to that art-mela', then they used to get missing forever! Jodha uttered amazedly. "O God! They are continuing this business from such a long time and were never caught!

"Not till Jalal Khan came into picture. Jalal gave a proud smile. "However, some of the name of the sources of that business has already come out, and Madhubani is not far... Rambha is another important key for us; she needs to be sent in Mumbai quickly... I have applied for warrant already; within two days there will be a raid in the farm here by the special task force. Before that I have to go back to Mumbai.

"So you will leave?

"Yes... I have a plan to set out at 10 am tomorrow. I will come back with force soon... I don't think by then any extra protection is needed here. After Mr. Bharmal's death the main spine of the business of women has broken and none is here to take the responsibility properly. I will give your uncle a strong dosage before leaving so that he does not jump much... Jalal drank water from glass. "Well, another news Ruqaiya gave. She has traced Bacchu's mobile... Bacchu had received phone frequently from your father's phone. And just before his consecutive phone calls to Surya he had got one call and one sms from your father...

"What... what were those?

"No idea. It is extremely tough procedure to get the personal messages decrypted. Many legal problems you know? Let's see what can be done...

Jalal's meal was finished. He got up. Jodha too. "You didn't tell me where you were this time? She asked in a casual voice. "In Mr. Sahani's cabin? Or to interrogate Rambha?

"Neither... Jalal told unmindfully. "I went to nearby township Wather... Needed some riddles to solve out. He frowned deeply.

25^th December, early morning...

The ranges of the hills mingled with the horizon under the curtain of fog; a mysterious hangover of mist is mixed in the cold breeze of this wintery morning in the paths of the village. The busy day was yet to start and the village was in their morning nap now. Very few people were out of their huts, covering themselves in the rugs and sweaters, were heading towards their respective fields... The small village was feeling secured under the shade of misty winter in this completely peaceful morning... Jalal, who was in his tracksuit jogging through the muddy paths of the village for the first time in this holidays, of-course as he did not get time even to pull out the set of tracksuit from his bag, however, was enjoying his morning walk very much. In the jungle of concretes in the city one can hardly see this much of open sky in front of eyes, and forget about the patches greens spread all over... A walk in early morning in the lap of nature not only helps to keep one fit, but also health for his eyes, mind, heart and brain too. Like now Jalal can feel that all the stresses in his mind is being relieved, with his brain being refreshed, now ready to solve the riddles on full-fledge!

"So, how are you feeling? Another jogger beside him, who is of course Jodha, asked him. Jalal smiled. Basically it was only Jodha, whose insistence forced him to take out the suit from bag and to go for a walk. He was not ready to wake up early for jogging as the stressful days are affecting the peaceful sleep at nights as well, but now he can feel this jogging will work better on his brain and nerves than another morning half-nap could.

"Smiling only? Come on Mr... At least give me the credit of awaking the second Kumvkarna from his sleep? Jodha giggled.

"Who's telling me! The regular late-riser who has never seen the morning before today? Jalal gave a look to Jodha. "I am still unable to guess what made you awake so early in morning? Koi sapne me aya tha kya? He winked!

"I do not have that bad habit of dreaming... Jodha bent lips. "But I could see you were smiling in your sleep. What were you dreaming? That you were dating with Ruqaiya Ahmed?

"If only I could have that courage! Jalal sighed.

"Really? The winner of last year's bravest officer award is too coward to see a dream? Jodha picked one of her brows...

"I am. I cannot afford to be brave in front of your cold glares you know? If by mistake I ever see Ruqaiya in my dream, at the next scene I see you running behind me with a Belan, you know?

"Accha, so you accept by mistake you see Ruqaiya in dreams?

"Yeah. As a side-character only... Like you are in bridal costume, I am waiting for you in the grand hall of marriage, you are coming to me, I am staring at you; and from a corner somehow I can see Ruqaiya is clicking photos along with other subordinates or drinking coffee etc...

"So smart na? Jodha laughed. "Okay! Now for at least one year forget about the marriage. She sighed. "Really! What I thought and what happened! Papa's murder, then the fiasco in farm, now the missing diary... She looked at Jalal. "And still no clues about Surya!

"Poor Surya abandoned the world in your deewanapan, and has become a sage it seems! Jalal laughed.

"But even for being a sage one needs to go somewhere na? Where did he go? How did he go? She stopped.

"That's a question... How did he go! Jalal too stood beside her. "Apparently it is too easy to go for a lifelong hide-out from a village like Madhubani, but thing is it is not so easy to disappear leaving no trace left behind. He booked ticket on train, but did not catch that. He left the house at midnight, and neither took any bus, nor auto, not even matador, van, lorry- nothing... Did he just apparate or what?

"Do you overlook the possibility that he is in Madhubani?

"Not at all. Rather now this possibility looks much believable. But why will he stay here despite knowing he might get caught? He was thinking to settle down at Mumbai, he knows none will care a damn in Mumbai about his whereabouts; even if you want, it is not easy for you to find a single man in a city. He is not poor, he has ample opportunities to give a new start in a different city in a different name... but despite that he is in Madhubani?

"It might happen that he does not want to give a new start. Jodha uttered a bit unmindfully.

"Hmm, probably. Poor man got a huge shock in life... he smiled a bit. "But where? Sahani's vanarsena have hunted the village; he is not here. I have also sent people to nearby places where he can go but got no trace of him!

"Hmm... Jodha was thinking something. Some moments later she uttered. "However, Surya did not kill papa.

Jalal, who was trying to take a snap of an uncommon bird sitting on a branch through his mobile, looked at her.

"I don't think Surya has the guts to kill someone. Jodha told.

"Are you sure? Jalal sharpened his eyes. "One who has a direct hand in a woman-trafficking cycle, obviously should have guts... enough guts to kill someone. And undoubtedly Surya had hand in that racket. Without his help the whole business can never be happened so swiftly under his supervision.

"I think differently. Jodha told after a moment. "I have studied many criminals from close. It is easier to carry out the boss's order in some criminal activity, but you really need guts and presence of mind to kill someone. Murder is not an easy task.

"That I agree... In Surya's case I think... He laughed suddenly. "Hey I forgot to tell you. Your Radhika Kaki told me something very confidential...

"Radhika Kaki? What?

"She told that she saw Surya in your father's room with knife in hand.

Jodha stared at his face vacantly for a moment then uttered one thing... "What?

"Think then! Jalal laughed and clenched her waist... "Come on come on let's enjoy the morning now. We have the whole day to think... He stepped forward and gazed at the little huts mingled in the mist. "Your village is really so beautiful Jodha!

"Really... Jodha came to him and casually rested her head on his arm. "I come here seldom, but when I come, still it feels I am at home. You know, I used to roam around here when I was young... There was a pond near the bamboo forest at a corner of a village. A very old pond, none goes there... I often used to sit beside the pond to flee from the house. I used to feel strangulated there... Here I used to find freedom. I always felt people who stay close to nature are the owners of big heart- as pure as this nature... But... She sighed. "I was so wrong! Here in this lap of nature such a dangerous and nasty business is going on for two decades! So horrible! She closed her eyes as her voice trembled... "And more horrible is, my father was the controller of the whole business! I always despised him for being dominating but this is... her voice choked... Jalal spontaneously stretched his arm around her back and hugged her tightly for her comfort and kissed her forehead... "I hate tears, baby! He smiled while wiping the drop of tear coming at the corner of her eyes...

"Yeah! It's just! Jodha controlled her emotions and wiped out the corner of her eyes. But still the patch of sadness was still on her face...

"So you used to sit in a bamboo forest when you were upset in childhood? Jalal asked after a while to cheer her up. "Weren't you afraid of ghost?

"Ghost? Jodha laughed. "No, I was a daredevil girl you know?

"I can see this! Jalal chuckled. "Well, let us go there now...

"Ok let's go... Jodha said. "Though I am doubtful how much visitable that abandoned place is now...

"Never mind... I always wanted to see a ghost in a bamboo forest...

"Come on Jalal... There is no ghost...

"Of course there is. I always heard there is at least one ghost in the abandoned ponds of a village...

"I never saw that...

"Perhaps that ghost does not show himself in front of another ghost?

"Jalal... You want to be beaten by me??

Laughing and smiling together, they reached near the pond beside the bamboo forest. The place was awkwardly calm and excluded from the normal village life. There is really a ghostly environment covered in the surrounding... The sound of silence mixed in the gloomy fog of the wintery morning has created an enigmatic aura all around...

"My God Jodha, today I accept you are the bravest woman of the world. You used to come here for doing picnic with ghosts at childhood? Jalal laughed while staring at the heads of the bamboo trees. They are entering into the denser part.

"Haha very funny! Jodha smiled sarcastically showing fake anger. Then she laughed. "Though I often proposed my friends to come here for picnic, and they used to reject the proposal at one...

"They were sane people, of-course... Jalal peeped over the pond. "This place seems to be romantic too, for the ghost and his wife... He then looked at Jodha. "But honestly, this place can be a perfect hide-out for any criminal! And also a secret meeting place for anti-socials.

"Yeah! Jodha smiled. "That time I barely used to think those things... But now, police sahab, you can investigate here as much you want.

"No I mean seriously... I doubt if Sahani's vanarsena have searched this place. Imagine if Surya has taken sanyas under the shadow of those bamboo trees in the forest.

"Surya here? Jodha picked one brow. "Well, too much to imagine for me. I remember I used to forcefully bring him here and he used to escape in fear most of the times... He was my pet in childhood. She sighed suddenly. "How relationships change over the time! How human changes!

"Leave that topic and enjoy with me. I am not going to escape out of fear darling! So, want a romantic chat beside the pond where Mr. and Mrs. Ghost often come for dating? He winked.

"Well I know what you mean by romantic chat... Jodha giggled and slapped on his shoulder with a lovable affection, and stepped one step back... "Before that you have to play hide and seek with me in this bamboo bush.

"That's not a justice! Well, I am in. I can find you from anywhere you hide! Jalal put a step forward in a playful smile...

"Not so easy... Jodha giggled, and stepped back further... and suddenly stopped. "Oh! I stepped on something. She told while looking under her shoe. "Something broke in the pressure of my feet.

"What? The spectacles of Mr. ghost? Giggling, Jalal came to see what the thing was, and his smile changed into a terrible shock at the next moment...

The broken thing was really a spectacles, the same one which was often seen in Surya's eyes!

Jodha automatically clenched Jalal' hand; her face was white in an unknown fear. Jalal gazed at her vacantly, then hurried to get into the denser part of the forest, in order to search something... Jodha followed him without any question.

They did not even need to go far; after some steps only both of their eyes caught something which was very, very crucial...

That was a cell phone. An old model, broken into 8 pieces; a belonging of Surya!

Jalal hurried and took up the phone. Cautiously he took out the sim card out of that and kept inside the pocket. His eyes were still not out of the shock... "There must be something more... He uttered looking at Jodha.

Jodha nodded... Both of them searched as much as possible... But nothing special came out. But there was a clear sign of a brawl in this abandoned place which was not completely hidden after so many days... Something happened with Surya here, and both of them could guess it!

"I should have understood before! Jalal punched on a bamboo tree out of rage, and some crows started shouting...

Some hours later, the police pulled up Surya's half-rotten, swollen dead-body from the pond.

25^th December, police station, around 10 am...

Sitting on the chair of the secluded room in the police station and while staring at the broken and torn sky-bag of Surya rescued from the pond with the dead-body, Jalal was unable to forgive himself. He had been searching for Surya from last 3 days, and despite having the full possibility of this event, he never even thought that Surya can die too. Perhaps it was for his biasness due to his personal rivalry with Surya he could not completely nullify the fact that Surya can be an innocent in Bharmal Singh's murder case in spite of having so many logics for this.

Jodha was sitting on the bench behind him with pale face. Giving a quick glance at her face, Jalal turned to Mr. Sahani. "Where is Bacchu Sonar? He asked...

"I have almost caught that bas***d sir! Sahani told proudly. "I have located all the places where he usually hides out, and he will be in front of you before tonight!

"Very well done Mr. Sahani. I am sure you will get a promotion soon if you progress in this speed... Jalal smiled casually as he proceeded to the other belongings found in the forest and pond to have a look vividly. The trolley-bag was absolutely empty. It can be guessed from the condition of the bag and the clothes found here and there those were supposed to be inside the bag that before throwing that out it had been searched and all the precious things are taken out. Surya was supposed to carry a huge amount of money in Mumbai which he withdrew from the bank, but there is not a penny. Even his moneybag, rings and fountain pen is not there. "I am cent percent sure this is done by some local goons who have robbed him after killing him. Bacchu Sonar called Surya several times at the evening... And bacchu had been called by Mr. Singh just before that. There is some certain connection! Surya's threat to Mr. Bharmal and the plans of leaving the village... very fishy... very fishy... He suddenly became restless and looked at Sahani. "I hope you will land Bacchu here within evening. I will not leave this place before interrogating him!

"And what about Mumbai? Jodha asked after a silence of long time.

"Cancel for now. Jalal looked at her and tried to smile. "Well... Mr. Sahani, since I am here now, thinking to talk with Rambha.

"Sure sir sure sir... She is under surveillance 24*7 sir! Not even a fly meet her! Sahani stated proudly to impress Jalal more. He had understood that if he becomes an obedient and efficient officer to this young officer in this chance, none can stop his promotion.

"Very well. I hope she is much vulnerable now that she was yesterday, she will say what she knows without applying 3^rd degree... Jalal said. Then he came to Jodha. Jodha got up from the bench.

"I will come back after all work are done here. Don't wait for me... You go back. He told in a tender voice. "And listen. Don't tell anyone about this incident. Okay?

"Okay. Jodha nodded.

Originally posted by: -Kavya_P-

Res Di