CHAPTER: 16
30th December, Afternoon...
"Everything will be as clear as water Jodha... Hold on! Jalal pressed the hand on a shocked and dejected Jodha. She just sighed and placed her palm on her forehead. "I just... I just can't take it anymore... What is happening! Why this is happening with me?
Jalal patted on Jodha's head. "I can understand Jodha... But you have to be strong! He said in a low tone...
"Why Jalal why? Just tell me why did she... Jodha again asked the same question which she is repeating again and again. "I cannot believe! Jalal... she had been the strongest pillar of our family- the base on which everyone is standing. She has sacrificed her whole life to change this lifeless house into our home! People of this house can breathe due to her selfless love! Why did she do this?? How can she take such a step??
"Maybe because there is a braking point of everything... She is a human. A human cannot only sacrifice throughout her life Jodha, especially when there is no expectation of anything... Everyone has a limit of tolerance, when that exceeds, a man can do anything!
"But... but murder! Removing the existence of a human from this world forever in cool head?? Jodha covered her eyes... "O God!
Jalal spread his arm over her back to pull her closer and give her comfort. He did not know how he should console Jodha... Both of them entered in the room of Meenakshi.
Meenakshi is not living in her room after the murder. She is sharing her room with Shivani... Shivani was reading a film-magazine lying on the bed, she got up hearing the footsteps.
"You both? She smiled, but then her face fell seeing the face of Jodha. "What happened, Jodha Didi?
Jodha clutched her hairs with her right fist and just sat on a chair loosing herself from Jalal's hold without any response. Then she covered her face. Shivani looked at Jalal being clueless.
"Where is your Taiji, Shivani? Jalal asked.
"I don't know... Maybe with Nirmala Tai... Shivani told. "Both of them will have a lot of discussions about Sukanya Didi you know? And Sukanya Didi is on the roof, and our another Jijaji is trying to reduce her anger... She winked naughtily. "You did a great job Jiju! You are so sweet!
"Well... Jalal tried to smile but the smile did not reflect properly in his face. "Shivani, would you mind if I spoil your resting time of this noon?
"Meaning?
Jalal bit his lips. "Can you please leave the room for some hours?
Shivani suspiciously looked at him. "Is something wrong? She asked.
Jalal smiled and ignored the question. "Sorry for spoiling your nap. Will you please... He said with such a command in his voice which compelled Shivani to get out of the room without any further question.
"Shivani... Jalal called from behind. Shivani turned back. "Yes?
"Can you please tell Meenakshi Aunty that I am waiting for her in this room?
Shivani nodded with a lot of questions in her eyes. She did not get the courage to ask anything to Jodha seeing her state, and got out of the room. Jalal came closer to Jodha.
"Jodha...
The rock of ice that Jodha had stored inside her heart melted out in form of tears from her eyes and she started weeping quietly. Jalal sat beside and pulled her in his chest and embraced her tightly. The intensity of her sob increased...
"Don't cry... You have to be strong... Don't cry please... Jalal tried to console her while caressing her hairs.
"Why did she take such step? Jodha murmured in a broken voice while wiping the tears of her eyes in Jalal's chest. "I could never imagine... What a life I got! My father came out to be a hardcore inhumane criminal... and my mother!! She picked her head from his chest while trying to compose her..."So this is the reason you always hid everything from me. You did not want me to involve me in this investigation directly. You did not want to hurt me... but... She started weeping again.
"Yes... Jalal cupped her face and wiped out the tears. "I suspected her much before leaving Madhubani, but I did not tell you when you asked. As I knew you would be broken and I could not leave you alone to cope up with this harsh truth!
"But... but... she... why... Jodha stammered... But she could not complete, as Meenakshi entered inside. "Jalal? Shivani told you are looking for me? She said smilingly. Jalal took a long breath and Jodha hid her face.
"What happened? Meenakshi looked confusedly. "Jodha, what happened to you?
"Nothing Aunty... She is just upset with something. Jalal smiled.
"Really? Meenakshi looked suspiciously to Jodha and frowned. "Jodha?
Jodha got up from the seat and went to the window staring at the sky...
A confused Meenakshi looked at Jalal. "What you people are hiding from me?
"Nothing at all, Aunty. Jalal smiled sweetly. "I had something important to talk to you.
"Important thing? Meenakshi frowned. "About Jodha's father's death? Again?
"Ehmm... Yes... and also no. I want to tell you something which might have a deep relationship with his death! Jalal said. "May I?
"Yes of course but... Meenakshi was still confused.
"I want to tell you a story.
"Story?
"Yes story. Jalal continued. "A story which I built taking the resources from reality. I think I am right in most of the parts, if there is any mistake, you will rectify me. He paused a little and glared at her. "As there's none who knows the story better than you.
"What do you mean? Meenakshi looked a bit irritated now.
"Telling... Jalal smiled. "First let me start the story.
Meenakshi stared at his eyes coldly.
"Let us go back 30 years ago... Jalal started while trying to analyze the expression of Meenakshi. "Right in this small village Madhubani, in this Singh family... Mr. Amarnath Singh, means your father-in-law, was still alive, though not as the official landlord of Madhubani... however, his status and wealth never decreased in this village... And the credit of his increasing wealth and properties go to Mr. Bharmal Singh- his screwed businessman elder son who had already taken the control of the business of farm. Mr. Amarnath used to trust and love Bharmalji very much, he used to love and trust only him, to be honest... and never bothered even to think how a business of farm can flourish so fast and smoothly in the adverse situations of that time... Mr. Bharmal became the crownless king from that time only exceeding the existence of his father...
However, the other two sons had become matured too... Sujamal and Jaymal. Jaymal Singh had nothing in his personality which could identify him in the crowd; but Sujamal was completely different- with firm and independent views about life. He was a bright student, having a different approach about his future... He was a rebel from mind from his young age only... Amarnath-ji perhaps used to awe this son; and Mr. Bharmal used to hate him. None can tolerate the fact that a man whom he wants to be inferior to him, outshines him only in terms of the glory of personality. This hatred was so strong in his mind that he would never hesitate to kill him!
However, SujamalJi had his own charisma of-course, enough to win the heart of any woman. And he had a romantic heart too... He fell in love with a beautiful girl in his college in the period of graduation. The attraction was both-sided, and the love-story did not take much time to form... the girl had a distant relationship with the wife of Mr. Bharmal, so she had no restriction to come in this house. The story moved on faster, most probably with direct help of Mr. Sujamal's sister-in-law... After some days everyone came to know. There was no reason to reject the proposal of marriage, so Amarnath-Ji decided to meet the girl. And Mr. Bharmal went to visit her from his father. He saw the girl, the pull of the oldest desire of human's characteristics overpowered him, and along with that the jealousy and hatred on Sujamal inflamed fire... Mr. Bharmal determined he will never let Sujamal to marry such a precious gem of a woman when he could not acquire her. He took no time in influencing his father, and the marriage was cancelled. Sujamal-ji fought as much as he could, but was unable to go beyond father's wish... Then he went abroad to study further hanging, with a determination that he will stand for his love all alone when he will have enough strength to take all responsibilities himself.
But what human thinks does not happen every time... Time changes everything. After five years, when Sujamal came back he discovered his known world has been changed completely. His own family has changed, his sister-in-law with whom he had a good rapport has passed away, and the girl whom he had loved, whom he could not forget for a moment, has already started to wear Mangalsutra in such a man's name which he could never imagine in his dreams... Naturally he was dejected and broken. Very naturally in this situation a man loses his temper, he did it too... But however, there was nothing to change the past. In rage Sujamal took a job in city to leave the village forever; and also tried to move on in his life by marrying another girl. But the fire did not extinguish... The soothing love of the new wife could not cool down the fire of dejection inflamed by the first love... He started writing diary addressing that first love as a purgatory, to calm himself down...
Jalal paused. Meenakshi was staring at him. No lines of her face moved for once, but the eyes and chin looked abnormally rigid.
"However, some years passed... Jalal again started. "When everything was settled down and Mr. Sujamal too was back in his normal life like all and living happily with wife and little daughter, news came that his father is in deathbed and wants to see him for once. After so many years when the fire is extinguished, Sujamal could not ignore the call and came back with family... Amarnath passed away, and they had to stay for a while. After coming back in his childhood village somehow Sujamal felt an attraction to his old passion- of doing something for the villagers, and was thinking to attach himself with the farm permanently leaving the job. And so he started going to the office of the farm regularly, and also communication with the workers. And it take no time to point out that something big is happening under the cover of a harmless innocent farm in this Madhubani... He started digging with the help of the union leader, did not pay heed to the cold threats of his brother. And suddenly, the union leader died... Sujamal felt devastated, but he did not lose hope. He started finding clues and proofs... He was determined to see the end of this. The fight of outside and in his soul started tearing him apart like his old days; and again that old diary was needed to release everything... The tale of the Sujamal's fight has been pictured in details in that old diary in his own hand...
Then when Bharmal-Ji found that Sujamal has known too much than need, he decided to remove the thorn from his path. From the first day he had no love for his brother, he did not hesitate to kill him. The murder was neatly done and had been named as accident. I myself checked the police-report and postmortem report. There are a lot of loopholes, clearly stating how the case was closed in hurry. Poor courageous Sujamal Singh had to bid adieu the world leaving his daughter and wife fighting all alone...
Jalal stopped. He was gazing at Meenakshi's eyes. She still had no change in the lines of face, but one could feel if he notices, that her eyes were trembling. "So? What is the need of telling me this story?
"Chill Aunty. Jalal smiled. "Story has not started yet. It was just a prologue.
"Look Jalal, I have enough works to do other than listening to your mindless stories! Meenakshi seemed ruder than need now.
"Come on Aunty! Jalal's voice sounded colder now. "Every story should have an ending, right? You believe it... Isn't it? Did you like the way it is ending here?
"What the hell are you talking? Meenakshi fumed.
"Again come back to present now... after 20 years. The world has changed a lot. The situation of Madhubani has not changed. The same feudalism is still running in the village and in the house. The business is becoming wealthier day-by-day and none to question that after Sujamal. The memory of Sujamal has been deleted from the mind of Madhubani. But Sujamal left something behind him which perhaps none remembered these days... The only witness to track Sujamal's flow of mind- his diary!
"I am not interested anymore... Meenakshi gave an irritated look.
"But it is actually interesting, Aunty... Here enters the first and lost love of Sujamal in the stage... After 30 years... Jalal smiled. "Maybe she was occupied with her duties and liabilities towards her family these days, and the burden of responsibilities had suppressed the fire of love inside like a pile of ash, and everything was going on normally, but a single event massacred everything like storm. When the only witness of Sujamal's life-story, that diary came to her hand...
Jalal paused. There was a pin-drop silence in the house.
"The next part is very simple and straight. Jalal smiled. "I can tell, but I think someone will tell better than me. I will say only this, that the last words of her lost love of 30 years ago stormed in her heart such a way, that it took no time to break the palace of sands which she had been building throughout her life with false hopes sacrificing her own entity. The fire which was hidden under the ashes inflamed again, and it burnt her heart and soul with the passion of revenge. And that urge of revenge gave her such strength that she got an immense power to pull a knife from kitchen cabinet and stab that on the chest of her husband and take out his life!
"What rubbish! Have you lost your mind? Meenakshi hissed in rage.
"I am not talking rubbish Aunty... You know that. Jalal smiled slightly while is voice turned huskier. "It was you who stabbed Mr. Bharmal Singh on 21st December night, Mrs. Meenakshi Singh!
"Enough! Meenakshi got up. "How can you put blame on me like this? Do you have any proof of what you said??
"Proof? Jalal smiled meaningfully. "Well... He took out a rolled paper from his pocket and opened that. That was a copy of a group photo of a college- same one which he and Jodha found in attic.
"Can you recognize this girl with two braids, Aunty? Jalal asked.
"Yes... It is me. So what?
"And I hope you recognize the smiling boy beside her? Jalal triggered.
"Y... yes... Me and Sujamal were batch-mates in college. What do you want to recon from this simple thing? Meenakshi fumed again. "Why I should pay heed to your mindless stories based on this??
"No Aunty, it proves nothing. But I have something which definitely proves many things. Jalal took out some more papers from his pocket. "Remember these letters? Written years ago... I found them with Sujamal's accessories in the attic. Does not the handwriting resemble with yours?
"Jalal! How dare you putting such allegations against me! Meenakshi got up from chair.
"I am not putting any allegation against you, Aunty. I am just telling that what I told was not a mindless story. Jalal told firmly. "Your shout will not nullify the fact, Aunty! You are denying these letters. But will you deny this too?
He unlocked the screen on his smartphone and showed that to Meenakshi. The picture of two young boy and girl reflected on the screen. Both are sitting on a rock in a hilly area with notable proximity. The beautiful girl resembles a lot to Meenakshi where the boy is none but a young Sujamal...
"This photo was taken at Panchgani in a college picnic. A private photograph so not much people know about it. I have talked to the photographer himself, Aunty. Mr. Jayprakash Singhania, remember? The common friend of you both? Jalal looked sternly at a dumbstruck Meenakshi. "Mr. Singhania is the president of alumni association of Chhatrapati Shivaji college. When I went to Mahabaleswar to collect information about the batch I got to talk to him. It was he who told me the love-story of Mr. Sujamal Singh. And then I met Mrs. Mala Gupta; your once best friend Mala Parekh- I hope now you can recollect... I got to know about the details about the conflicts of marriage and all. What I told was not a made-up story by me, Aunty. I have enough witnesses to establish this.
"How dare you to malign my character like this? You were a milk-feeding baby that day, and you will tell me stories about my love-life and insult me showing these things?? A raged Meenakshi threw the letters. "Jodha, you will still stand there and will tell nothing to you to-be-husband? From where he gets the audacity to insult me sitting in my house? She shouted in extreme anger on Jodha, who said nothing but clutched the grills of the window and sighed.
"I have no intention to insult you, aunty! How can you even think I can even try to malign your character? Jalal too stood up. "I would have never bothered to dig these things up and to tell you if there was no murder associated with it! But if the murder which has happened some days back has a direct connection with your past, then I have no option left!
"What rubbish!Meenakshi vexed out. Then she took a pause, perhaps to control her temper. "Okay... okay... She then said after taking breath. "Even you if you can prove that I had a relationship with Sujamal 30 years ago, how can you prove that I have killed my husband? Your allegations simply have no base!
"So you are accepting the fact that you and Mr. Sujamal were more than friends in your college days?
"Ok I... Meenakshi seemed to pant in excitement. "I accept that we were classmates. And a proposal of marriage had come to this house from my parents... But somehow it... it did not happen... She took long breath. "I was not a good match for him astrologically. So what? She again became irritated. "This is a known fact to all, even Nirmala knows this and we have no problem between us. He always had respected me as sister-in-law and I saw him as my brother-in-law. Now you are coming with a story to prove that I killed my own husband with whom I am living from 25 years ago for that so-called half-made relationship with Sujamal 30 years back? Do you understand how much you are insulting me with this?
Jalal stared at her silently for some time. Then he smiled. "So you did not kill Mr. Bharmal?
"No! You cannot put blame on me like this! If you have proof, then show that! Meenakshi hissed in grudge.
"Okay... Answer me something else. Why did you transfer money to Surya's account, one day before Surya was vanished?
"Money? Meenakshi's lips shivered. "I don't know what you are talking about.
"Yes, Mrs. Meenakshi Singh. You transferred money to Surya's account online with which Surya paid the loan of his new apartment so that he can cut all the relations with Madhubani... Not only this, it was you who first gave Surya the idea of leaving Madhubani.
"What gibberish are you talking?
"The money had been transferred from the joint-account of you and your husband. I was first thinking that Mr. Bharmal gave Surya a large amount of money. But I was wrong. It was you who transferred the money to Surya's account with his help only. Not only that, it was you who opened the backdoor at the time of the engagement party to let him escape. You knew that he was not in the house, so when we saw you at late night near the stairs, you made a story of Surya to put all the blame of murder on him! Jalal sharpened his eyes. "Am I right?
"You will tell anything you want? What do you think??? Meenakshi seemed to have reached at the end of her tolerance limit. "What are you telling, do you have a single proof to establish that fact?
"Yes of course. Jalal smiled. "I have a direct witness.
"Witness?? Meenakshi gulped a little.
"Yes... Your partner in crime, did you forget?
"Partner... I didn't ha... Meenakshi controlled herself. "Listen boy, I am not ready to listen any of your stories anymore in this house. Get out of my house at once I am ordering you!
"You can drive the friend of your daughter out of your house, Aunty. But you cannot order an officer on duty. Jalal too was raising his voice. "You played your game very smoothly. But your mistake was to involve Surya in it. You should not have offered him money and all. He is now in my lock-up, and he has confessed all of his involvements with you in the crime...
It seemed a thunder just stroke Meenakshi! She stared at him for a moment. And then she murmur... "It can't happen!
"Why? What did you think, I can't catch Surya if he flees?
"No... Meenakshi gulped. "You are telling lie!
"You will tell me what is true and what is lie? Jalal again raised his voice. "Surya himself confessed everything! About your offer of money, about how you helped him to escape, how you described the plan to him...
"Impossible! I did not talk about any plan or all to him! Meenakshi shook her head in excitement.
"O dear! So you're confessing that you actually had a plan?
Meenakshi shook a bit, and again shouted in double peach of voice. "Don't try to tangle me with words, Jalal! I know you can prove nothing!
"You are so confident that I cannot prove anything, isn't it? Do you want to see the statement of Surya? Jalal smiled.
"I don't believe! I don't believe. It is a lie! Meenakshi screamed. "Get out of my room at once!
"You believe Surya so much? Jalal laughed. "Poor Surya... he had a hard time while confessing these...
"Stop making stories now. I know you have no statement of Surya... Meenakshi was panting in excitement. "You are lying on the face of a woman who is like your mother to implicate her? I did not know you are so shameless!
"What to do, my job is sort of shameless type. But However, your scream will not prove you innocent. I have my proofs along with me, and I can arrest you right now, that's it! Jalal took out his mobile phone. "Mr. Sahani...
"Hey Jalal! You... just can't do this! You are trying to arrest me based on a lie statement? Meenakshi screamed in tension. "Jodha, why are you standing there and telling nothing?
But Jodha kept on standing like a stone-idol.
"Mrs. Singh, police is coming right now. Jalal told after putting down the phone. "You sit here and have a rest for a while. Then the police will escort you to jail... Jodha, let's give her time to settle down. Come with me.
"You... you can't do it! Meenakshi's voice broke and she looked vulnerable now. "You can't arrest me based on a lie. You just can't! Jo... Jodha... She looked helplessly at her advocate daughter. "He is lying believe me... He has not taken any statement from Surya. He cannot take!
"So funny! Now the world will run on your wish? Jalal laughed.
"Yes I know! How can you take statement from a dead p...
Meenakshi stopped immediately.
"Surya is dead, right? How do you know? Jalal came closer and looked directly at her eyes. "You were not supposed to know that Surya is dead? None other than me and Jodha and the police knows about Surya's death. Then?
"I... I... Meenakshi wiped the sweat coming out of her forehead. "I must have heard it somewhere... Maybe I heard it from you two...
"No way. Jalal smiled. "Both of us can't do such blunder...
"No no I must have... Meenakshi was at shortage of words now.
"How many lies will you tell to hide one crime Aunty? Jalal suddenly triggered. "You tried a lot, but now you are cornered... Come on, tell the truth now at least! He put his hand on her shoulder. "Come on... Come on now confess. Confess that you are a murderer. Not only had you murdered your husband by stabbing him to death, but also... he pointed his finger to her and hissed. "You became so mad in urge of revenge that you did not hesitate to kill Surya to hide the truth from the world forever! I can understand your mentality behind Mr. Bharmal's murder, but you killed an innocent to hide your fact? You killed the man whom you know from his childhood, who was like a son of you??
"NO! Meenakshi screamed out breaking the limit of her patience now. "INNOCENT! Innocent my foot! He was a blackmailer! A criminal! Instead of going to police after knowing everything he started blackmailing for money, property and status of marrying my daughter! He was a blackmailer- nastier than a murderer! He was a worse criminal than that old devil! He wanted his place, so he did not hesitate to sell himself and his morality, and so easily attached himself with that nasty business! Like a son of me?? That backstabber idiot was like my son? Yes, I always treated him like another child of this house... but what he did in return? He did not think for a while before arranging the marriage of Sukanya with that animal- only because he wanted to marry my daughter? To fulfill his own wish he wanted to destroy a girl's life forever who was like his sister? He was not innocent! He was a criminal and what happened to him is the result of his own works! I do not regret a bit!
Jalal kept on gazing at her with stunned eyes. Jodha meanwhile came beside him and clutched his hand. Her eyes were shivering in the fear of nightmare... Meenakshi suddenly knelt down being broken completely. She was breathing too fast...
"I did not kill Surya... She managed to utter after a while. "He was going to die anyways... I just made that faster!
"It was you who messaged Bacchu from Mr. Bharmal's phone to kill Surya, isn't it? Jalal asked.
Meenakshi did not answer.
"You were successful in convincing Surya to flee from Madhubani forever. You had planned to murder Mr. Bharmal and implicate Surya... But you were worried when you eavesdropped the fight of Surya and Mr. Bharmal- you understood Surya will take some steps now to redeem himself, and if he goes to the police to confess he will get an absolute alibi. So you thought to end the story here only. You heard Mr. Bharmal to give contract of threatening Surya, and you added some letters via a message to end his game forever. The police would keep on hunting for an escaped Surya, and none would think the eye-witness who has seen Surya for the last time is lying! Jalal concluded. "When you started doing these?
"I found that old diary a month back in the pile of leaves the gardeners were gathering to fire. After a while Meenakshi started telling in a low, almost mutable yet firm tone. "It was a coincidence that I saw that, and thought somehow it came there by mistake... as I saw that with Surya many times... I thought to give that back to him. But my conception changed when I read the name of the owner of the diary on the first page... Then I started reading... I started reading the letter which someone had written to me long back... and slowly the structure of my own home which I built sacrificing my sole in the prison of this household of Singhs, started breaking down... I got to know everything... everything! I also understood Surya knows everything as this diary was with him... I started to keep an eye on my husband and Surya to follow their conversation. I understood something big goes on in the name of the farm and Surya is the main working hand of him. I also heard how Surya and my husband decided to marry Sukanya off with their client alias partner... Meenakshi suddenly pierced Jalal's eyes with her red eyes. "I might forgive him for the death of Sujamal... but how could I forgive him for destroying Sukanya's life? How could I forgive him for destroying thousands of the girls' life of this village?
"There is law-system to punish the criminals! Jalal uttered. "Common men cannot take the decision of ending someone's life this way.
"Right! There is law and court... Meenakshi smiled with sarcasm. "20 years ago a man had trusted on the law-system. He was fighting against all odds alone risking his own life to prove something to your so-called system. And how he paid the price? He died... and none of your system cared. His murderer kept on roaming around with full arrogance for next 20 years and none dared to point a finger on him! Law! She hissed. "Yes. I have killed Mr. Bharmal Singh! I confess right now in front of you. Now let your honourable system to decide my punishment!
The eyes of Meenakshi were sparking. Jalal stared at those eyes with amaze.
"How did you do that? Did not you fear to get caught? he asked. "That night you had created a very proper alibi to save yourself. Instead of going to own room you went to your mother-in-laws room to sleep. You had planned to go to his room at late of night when Daadi will sleep and kill him and then again to come back to Daadi's room. In the morning when the body will be discovered everyone will look for Surya as he will be missing... But your plan failed when you met me and Jodha near the stairs. Then you created another story to implicate Surya... Perhaps you had planned to go and kill him at that time only and then shout and cry... But how you took that risk? We were awake at downstairs, and if Mr. Bharmal awoke that moment, the process would have been very tough!
"I had no options left. If the night got over, I would have lost the option of putting blames on Surya. Whom else could I find to implicate? Meenakshi uttered like a machine. "Still, maybe I would not have taken the risk if I saw him awake, but Sukanya's attempt of suicide could not let me to stand anymore... Sukanya is my daughter! I never differentiated any of the children of this house with my own son! When I see in my own eyes that my daughter is trying to end her life due to depression as an animal is all set to destroy her life from every aspect, how can I let that animal to live anymore?? She suddenly looked excited. "I ran to the room... I heard Shivani's shout behind so I was in hurry. He was sleeping peacefully on the armchair. I just stabbed the knife on the left of his chest then screamed and fell on his feet like unconscious to befool Shivani. But even if anyone had caught me while stabbing him that time, I would not have feared. Neither do I fear or regret now!
A small silence in the room gloomed the air even more. Jalal looked at the clock then. "Take your time Aunty... Mr. Sahani will be coming very soon.
"Can you both please leave me alone for some moments?Meenakshi suddenly pleaded in an uncanny voice.
"I can leave if you want. But your daughter will be with you. Jalal said looking at a devastated Jodha. "I cannot allow you to stay alone in this room right now...
Meenakshi smiled and sighed. "Don't worry Jalal... I will not commit suicide. I will be right here waiting for the police to escort me to the police station in handcuffs. I tried a lot to save myself. But now I will not escape from facing the consequence.
Jalal also smiled with a pinch of agony mixed with it. "Believe me or not, I thought a lot. I tried to understand how killing a nasty person like Bharmal Singh can be a non-punishable offence when everyone rest of the surrounding will be benefitted by this death. I tried to analyze how giving punishment to a criminal who got saved from the eyes of law can be a crime... I often have thought to close the topic here and let the case to be an unsolved mystery forever... But I could not. My duty and principles stopped me. I cannot spare someone who not only kills a man with cool head, but also throws another man in the doom of death to implicate him in murder charge and wash her own hand. I know there is certain limitation in our law-system. It ought to be... no system of a nation can be completely perfect. But if each and every people starts taking the law in own hand this way, the system will be ruined itself! As a protector of law I cannot let that. He touched Jodha's shoulder. "Jodha...
Jodha took a breath and moved towards Meenakshi. Jalal sighed and was about to go, suddenly Meenakshi's voice stopped him.
"Jalal?
Jalal turned back.
"You told me a big story from the past... But there is a small story hidden in the shadow of that big old story. Have you tried to know that? Meenakshi smiled. "A story of a girl... a very common, simple girl who had hardly any idea about life. Like every other girl she also studied, learnt music, built nest of happiness in dreams, loved the simple world she had... Once she met someone- a prince of dreams, you can say... He made her to know herself; he made her to love herself even more; he gave her such high respect which perhaps she never thought to get... and she fell in love for him. They started living in their dreamland of fairytale, hardly knowing about the evil eyes falling on her little nest of happiness... One day a storm came, and the dreamland crushed in a moment. The elder brother of the man whom she loved came to visit her, and the marriage was cancelled... They gave the reason of mismatching of stars, as they knew there was none to recheck it! The girl got the first shock in life... but she could not cry out and protest... She never learnt to go against her parents! Days went on... everything started changing around her... her father passed away suddenly... there was none who could help her and her family in this adversity. Suddenly a man came. The husband of her distant cousin, and the elder brother of the man whom she loved... His kindness and help saved and secured her and her family from the clutch of luck... and she was grateful, her gratefulness was more genuine than her grudge of breaking the marriage... She again started to go to their house, she started spending time with her cousin sister, and her little daughter. They had a strange connection you know! When that little baby of 1 year used to smile holding her finger, she used to feel a strange thrill in her heart... And then suddenly her sister died leaving her little baby alone! She had clenched her hand in her deathbed, and she had promised that she will never let her daughter- her little Jodha to feel the vacancy of a mother! The marriage proposal came too fast from the brother-in-law, and her mother, being completely dependent on her, could not say no. She too could not refuse... as she had promised to be the mother of her sister's daughter... She could not ignore her last urge in her deathbed... Putting a rock on her heart she came as a new bride in the same house she wanted to come, only the groom was changed. Some years after she faced her old love, but she coped up... because she had to be a perfect mother... She lost her own dreams in the way of becoming a complete mother... The touch of motherhood helped her to tolerate everything. The wounds of the humiliations, the pains, lack of respect she used to get from her so-called-husband years after years used to get healed in the glory of her motherhood... She was happy and content in herself, as she had been able to build Jodha just like she wanted! But what about herself? Her own life? Her own self-respect which was getting hurt day-by-day? What about the humiliations she used to get every day from her husband who treated her like a piece of property he managed to snatch from his brother whom he hated? Still... still she would have endured... she would have endured throughout her life! But she could not... The last urge in the words of the love which came in her life 30 years ago, which had contented her life for a short span of time, burnt her soul... She saw how the fragile walls of her palace of lies falling down when it is coming with the touch of truth... There was perhaps only one person in her life who had given her the respect of her womanhood once upon a time... And she could not bear the fact of his humiliated death in hand of the man who has not only betrayed her from all aspects, but also has filled her life with dishonor. Still she might have thought once more before taking the extreme step... but when she saw her children are being used to fulfill their own nasty purposes, her only existence as a mother is going to fail this way, she could not wait for justice anymore! She had to do this for sake of her respect in her own eyes!
Meenakshi paused. Jalal was still staring at her. Jodha was sobbing silently covering her eyes...
"I have no regret for killing Bharmal Singh. I cannot forgive Surya too for his direct involvement in that dangerous crime in the madness of so-called-love! But maybe I should have considered his life... I should not have planned to kill him to save myself! I am ready to face the law for all my crimes. Meenakshi said after a moment. "But I have a small request to you Jalal... If you can, please think about the helplessness and pain of the girl in my story... Pity her, don't hate her!
"I can feel the pain of that girl, Aunty... However, today after a long time this village has smiled from its heart. And this smile will not dim in absence of the biggest pillar of this house. Jalal smiled. Then while slightly looking at Jodha he carried on with a vein trial to cheer the environment up. "I have not recorded your statement still now Aunty... There is no direct evidence against you. Your daughter is with you... she will bring you back very soon... Sukanya's marriage will take place under your supervision only... And I am not going to marry your daughter until and unless you give her hand to me formally.
"The hardcore police-officer is melting in front of emotion? Meenakshi suddenly laughed with a sheer touch of affection. Then she sighed. "The mark has been imprinted inside already! Is it so easy to wipe it out? No!
Jalal could not answer...
After some time, the police van had arrived at the door of the house. Meenakshi came out of her room in feeble steps supported by Jodha. Tiredly she stood in front of Mr. Sahani. Jalal looked at Mr. Sahani with a touch of sadness in eyes. "Do your duty Mr. Sahani... He said.
The family members present there kept on staring dumbstruck. Radhika and Mohini were too shocked to ask anything, Shivani was staring confusedly, Sukanya and Rishav were looking at each other in utter shock... Only Nirmala could not control and rushed to her, breaking down on her chest crying... "Why you did this Jiji! Why! She was murmuring in wet voice...
"Take care of everyone Nirmala... Meenakshi picked her head up and wiped out her tears affectionately before hugging her. Then she faced at Mr. Sahani and put the hands before him. "I am ready to go... She uttered in a mild voice.
"No need of handcuffs... You are the Ranisa of village... The shocked Sahani did not take much time to decide... "I will not allow anyone to disrespect you! Come...
Before going out of the door, Meenakshi turned back again. "Don't tell Maaji anything about it... She pleaded suddenly. All sighed and nodded.
"Maa?
Maan was standing at the door. There was a huge bag with him, he just returned from an extra class from his tuition.
"What... what is happening here... Can someone tell me? He looked here and there being extremely worried and nervous... "What happened? Where are you going Maa?
"Don't worry Maan... All is well. Meenakshi patted on his head with a light affection, and then she went out escorted by the police... Maan kept on staring speechlessly.
"Maan... Jalal came beside him and touched his shoulder. "I have some confidential talk with you. Let's go to your room. He said in a mild and sympathetic yet professional tone.
CID
Bigg Boss 19
