The riddle of death... (end) - Page 83

Atlst we got the murderer , with a great twist..

Originally posted by: jasmine87

Atlst we got the murderer , with a great twist..

Nice update continue soon the next chapter...

Originally posted by: lashy

Stutttiii lovely my dear... an amazing addition to this lovely story... and as we possibly approach the penultimate episode... I must commend you on your grit to take on a thriller and deliver so well!

keep it up... 🤗

>> Thank youuu!☺️

CHAPTER 17

30^th December, in Maan's room

Maan sat down on his bed exhaling a deep, devastated sigh. Jalal stood beside him and kept on staring at his face silently. Perhaps he wanted him to speak first.

"I... I never imagined this to happen... My mother... my mother... is taken to the police station in handcuffs... I... Maan suddenly uttered in a choked voice.

"Are you sure? Jalal suddenly triggered an awkward question. Maan looked at him in quite shock.

"You had clear idea about who is the killer from first, right Maan? That's why you tried your best to cover her as much possible. Jalal smiled. "Now will you tell me, Maan, that what you were doing that night when the murder happened?

Maan lowered his head. His lips were trembling.

Jalal picked up one copy from his study-table. "You showed me this copy as your alibi of solving test-papers at the night of the murder right? But if I turn the pages... With a slight smile he opened a page in front of Maan's eyes. "You only completed 3 and a half problem in that whole night, Maan? See, the colour of ink is same till these 3 answers only. After that the ink has changed. The rest of the answers are written at the next day... with the same pen you were using in front of me when I was interrogating you in the morning. The sophisticated parker in your hand did not miss my eyes.

"That's... that's not a logic... I... Maan tried to protest in stammer. "I can use whichever pen I want.

"Yes, you are right. Jalal smiled. "You can use whichever pen you want whenever...The ink of your pen can be finished. Even you might have a habit of changing your pen frequently while sitting to solve a test paper. I can prove nothing unless I send the ink and copy in lab or to any graphology expert to test. But thing is, there is something called intuition. And my intuition is telling me that I am going in a right track. He touched Maan's shoulder. "You were doing something else than study. When I cross-examined you, you used it as a very simple alibi... you were sure that I will never check your copy that much minutely when I have so many matters to deal with. Anyways, now tell me what were you doing?

"Ok, assume that I was watching adult videos in my phone instead of studying. How can this create an issue to you? Maan tried to defend himself with the last trace of confidence he had.

"It does not. Jalal smiled. "Unless you are lying now. You were not watching any sort of videos, Maan. You were reading something.

"R..reading?

"Yes, Maan. You were reading an old diary which you had stolen from your mother's cupboard. Jalal uttered in a cold voice.

"What the... I... stealing diary... what... Maan was looking helpless in his trial of defending himself.

"Yes Maan... I have guessed the whole part. Correct me if I am wrong. Jalal said. "You have noticed some change in your mother's attitude. Maybe you had seen her while eavesdropping your father or instigating Surya to leave the village. You started following her, and you came across with the old diary hidden secretly in your mother's cupboard. And in the morning of Sukanya's engagement when everyone was occupied with other works, you came in the room and picked that up somehow. At night you started reading.

Jalal stopped. Maan was looking at the floor.

"Will you tell me what happened then, Maan? What's the use of lying now?

"Maa herself gave me the keys of her cupboard to get some ornaments for Sukanya Didi. Maan started in a very low voice. "When I saw the diary, I thought it was the right opportunity. When I opened the first page I saw a picture of my mother. My uncle Sujamal kaka's name was written on the first page... I got curious and... He gulped. "I knew it was unethical but I could not stop myself. Then while reading that I could not... I could not control myself. He forced himself to control his voice and the tears. "I always loathed my father... but I never knew he was so dirty! I... I hate myself for being his son! I hate myself so much!

Maan's voice broke as he covered his face with his palms. Jalal came forward and patted his shoulders with brotherly affection. He told nothing to give him time to cope up.

"While reading the diary I suddenly heard a sound from Papa's room, as if someone jumped in, followed by a suppressed scream. Maan uttered after a while in a broken and choked voice. "I felt maybe any theif... so I came out of the room and went to his room. Papa was sleeping on his chair and none was there in room... I did not feel to go closer to him and to check if he is alright or not... But I was very much sure that he was not stabbed... Just then Nirmala Chachi screamed and everyone got down... Then after a while Maa went upstairs. Then the shout and scream, the murder... Maa's false statement about Surya... I was so so much sure who did this! The motive was already in my hand! He covered his face again. His body started trembling.

"So you decided to hide it. Jalal told in a sympathetic voice while sitting beside him.

"Yes. Despite knowing that the diary can be a great clue against the woman-trafficking-racket, I decided to destroy it! It would defame my mother! It would tell everyone that she is the murderer! Maan sobbed. "When police started searching our house, I got to choice but to burn it.

"And called me and Jodha after that to act innocent. It was a big fault of yours, Maan. My doubt on you became firm after this. The whole story you described was so highly co-incidental that it sounded fake to me. However... He told in a low voice. "You should not have burnt the diary.

"I know. But what else could I do! I had to save my mother at any cost! Maan's voice trembled in emotion. "I have no one in the world other than my mother! I know what my mother did is right! He suddenly held Jalal's hand. "What you would have done if you were in my place?

Jalal stared at the boy's red, tearful and agonized face for some moments. Then he sighed. "I don't know! He confessed.

"Yes, you don't know! You can never know. Maan shook his head and exhaled in the outburst of emotion. "Because, you have never seen your father to torture your mother at every night in your own eyes. You have never seen your father to intimidate and insult your mother day and night for nothing! Your father did not give you the feelings always right from your childhood that you are his unwanted child! An accidental by-product! A burden! You did not need to cry every night hiding your face in the pillow when you were a 3 years old kid! You cannot feel! You cannot imagine! He wiped his tears and tried to control his voice. "From childhood I wanted my mother to protest. For once. And she did it today. And I will support her. No matter what happens, I will support her!

Jalal listened silently. Perhaps he had no words to console him.

After a while Maan got up and wiped his tears. He tried to become normal again. Jalal also stood up.

"I cannot imagine Maan. I cannot feel. But I can understand. He uttered in a low tone. "And I believe that you will also understand. You had got a terrible father. You never received any fatherly affection. Just like you there are some people who also never got father's affection. Not because they had a terrible father, but because their fathers were snatched from them. Your Sukanya Didi, the man has come today with a little urge- all are just like you, Maan.

Maan looked at him with question in eyes. Jalal continued. "Rishav Sindhu, your sister's lover- had to struggle all his life without the support of his father. Your sister Sukanya never knew how her father was... They were killed as they were right. They were killed because they wanted to open the masks of some people. And their deaths were never acclaimed. Their deaths never got justice. He touched his shoulder. "Maan, just like your responsibility is to save your mother; it is their responsibility to give justice to their father. They had the right to claim that justice. And only you can help them in this path of justice.

"Me? Maan asked with confusion.

"That diary Maan. Give that to me. I assure you, nothing about your mother's past will be revealed. None will be able to defame your mother.

Maan kept on gazing at him.

Jalal smiled. "I knew that you are an intelligent boy, Maan. You cannot let that strong evidence to burn like that. I had enquired in the Xerox shop of the village after knowing that Surya had Xeroxed the diary there once upon a time to keep a copy with him. There I found something which I never expected. The shopkeeper told me that the son of Rajasahab also came to them in the same morning with the same old diary Surya had made a copy once.

Maan lowered his eyes again.

"I suppose you have hidden in some unique place. Polices got nothing when they searched your room. I will not search your room myself, Maan. Will you give those to me?

Maan slowly went to his study-table, and pick up a jumbo file. The file contained a lot of photocopies of class-notes and all. He kept on picking up all the sets of the notes and unpinning those. Jalal kept on looking at him. After a while Maan looked at him with a pile of papers in his hand. "Here is it. He said. "I stapled all the loose-sheets of the diary with each of the sets of my class-notes. I was sure that none will read these formulas of Physics till the end in order to get a page of an old diary from it.

"Excellent! Jalal could not help but to praise him. Then he took those pages in his hand and started going through those. Then he gave some of them in Maan's hand. "I don't need these. Let Sujamal Singh and Meenakshi Aunty's past live in their heart only. You can destroy these pages or can keep these for your mother if you want. These papers in my hand are enough to fetch justice for Paresh Sindhu and Sujamal Singh.

Maan remained silent. Jalal patted on his head. "Stay strong, Maan. Don't let yourself drown for a nasty man ever. He uttered in a low tone and went towards the door.

"Jalal Bhaiya...

Jalal looked back. Maan was staring at him with a strange urge in eyes.

"What will happen to Maa? Will she be hanged???? Maan asked in an extreme jolt of emotion. Jalal smiled. "Don't worry, Maan. Nothing will happen to her. He paused for a while then uttered- "None is punished to be hanged for killing a vulture!

Then he went out of the room. Maan sat on his bed and covered his face.

30^th December, In Dadi's room...

It was evening, and still the family members were not able to come out of the shock of the incident. All were sitting in the drawing hall with the shadow of uncertain fear in their face. Mohini had brought tea for everyone, but not a single cup has been picked up and sipped.

"I still can't believe... Mohini uttered. "What will happen now, Jodha?

Jodha had coped up with the situation, and now was sitting mum and was thinking about the next step. She did not respond. Perhaps she had not heard anything too.

"I don't believe it was Taiji... Must be something wrong! Sukanya stated firmly.

"There is no meaning of thinking these Sukanya, Nirmala said. "Whatever happened, has happened already. Now our first concern should be how to bring Jiji back.

Surprisingly none of the family had a bit of detested feeling on Meenakshi as a murderer. Rather all were concerned about how to prove her innocent and to bring her back.

"Have you people thought anything about Maaji? Radhika said something after a long time. "What to tell her? How will she take this in this condition of health?

"We should tell nothing! Nirmala suggested.

"But how long? She is anyway going to look for her within some hours...

"We will tell her that she has gone somewhere... Nirmala stopped suddenly. She remembered Meenakshi too has nowhere to go... just like her...

All the discussion was held in a pause with a sound of footstep. Jalal had come in the drawing room. He was looking extremely pale and tired, which is generally a rare scene.

"Jalal... Have some tea... Mohini offered in hurry.

"No thanks. Jalal smiled in courtesy while refusing and looked at the unmindful Jodha. "Jodha?

Jodha looked at him.

"I think we both should leave for Mumbai as soon as possible. Let's set out right at tomorrow morning. Jalal proposed in a professional voice. "Works here are finished. I have completed all the formalities. As the case of woman-trafficking racket is under Mumbai police, Bharmal Singh's murder case will be investigated and handled by them from now. Aunty will be shifted in Mumbai tomorrow. We should not make late here.

"So you too are going Jodha! Nirmala sighed. "God knows how I am going to handle all these. You were a big support. Now Jiji is also not here... Devarji is also... Maaji is so sick...

"I am tensed about Maaji. If something happen to her in this state, after getting this shock... How we will... Radhika left the sentence incomplete and covered her face. "I still cannot understand what to tell her.

"Don't worry about this. Jodha got up from her seat. "I will convince her telling that Maa will go to Mumbai with me. I hope she will believe it! She sighed. All the others sighed with her.

Jalal was standing unmindfully... as if he was lost somewhere. Jodha came beside him. "What are you thinking?

"Haah? No... Jalal came back in real world. "I was just thinking that I should meet Dadi. I haven't met her till now.

"Yeah of course... Go now. Jodha told. "Let me go with you too. In all these problems we did not go to her room for a long time.

Jalal tried to say something, but at last stopped himself. "Yes come.

...

The same room, the same furniture, the same environment. Still Jalal felt some drastic change has taken place just now. The purity and happiness that used to cover the air of the room has been replaced forever with a dark cloud of gloom and agony. The room was empty. Only on the huge bed the old woman was lying alone... A strange aura of pain and gloominess was surrounding her. Who will say that she is the same woman who had wholeheartedly welcomed Jalal in the house in the first day of their meeting?

Jodha and Jalal came near to her bed. Dadi was lying listlessly. Jodha touched her hand. "Dadi?

"Umm? Dadi asked, without opening her eyes. Suddenly Jalal felt as if she does not even have that strength left.

"Look who has come to meet you? Jodha said.

Dadi opened her heavy eyelids. Her pace face glowed in a little brightness seeing Jalal. Her smile said how much elated she is to see him. But she did not express that. "Sit. She said instead. "So, remembered this oldie after so many days?

"How can I forget you, Dadi! Jalal told.

"Don't fake me. Dadi smiled. "However, I am an old woman, I can understand you forgetting me. But how do you forget my beautiful grand-daughter?

"I can't dare to forget her, Dadi. I have to come back to her no matter wherever I go! Jalal said.

"Ohh! Haha! Dadi laughed in a tired voice. Jalal felt happy somewhere seeing the old charm in her. But he also felt that this charm is forceful. The old Dadi, the energetic charming Dadi has lost in the wheel of time and situation... The woman lying in front is nothing but her shadow... or her lifeless body...

"I am lucky that I have got such a nice grandson-in-law. What say, Jodha? Dadi said in an affectionate tone.

"Don't spoil Jalal with so much of love, Dadi. Because someone else has come to compete with Jalal. Jodha said with a smile. "Sukanya's fianc has come, Dadi. Rishav Sindhu. A very nice person...

"Really? Dadi's pale face glowed in right sense now.

"Yes Dadi. Jodha said. "Sukanya has no sense! Idiot has not taken him to you. I am sending both of them to you.

Jodha was about to go out, Dadi called her. "Jodha?

"Yes, Dadi?

"Where is your Maa?

Jodha hid her worry efficiently. "She has gone with our lawyer Mr. Pathak, Dadi. There are some formalities left to do with the wife...

"She went alone? You did not go?

"Bhagwant has gone with her. Jodha lied at once. "I will see everything later. And also, I might take Maa Mumbai along with me.

Dadi looked worried, but did not say anything.

"I am coming with Sukanya and Rishav. Jodha went out of the room.

"I must be very lucky Jalal! Dadi uttered as if she was talking to her own. "Before dying I will see the faces of my both grandson-in-laws.

"Why only the faces of grandson-in-laws? Jalal said smilingly. "You are not going anywhere b efore seeing the faces of your great grandchildren and their spouses, understand?

Dadi suddenly sighed. "I have no time left Jalal.

"Why Dadi, I can see you are quite fine now. Jalal said.

Dadi smiled. "What you see is only my body, Jalal. My soul has died.

Jalal stared sadly at her face for a while. Then slowly he put his hand on Dadi's hand. His eyes suddenly shone.

"Your hands are not shivering anymore. He said. "It's good to see that you are taking your medicines properly. He suddenly got up and picked up the box of medicines from the side table. Then he took a strip of tablets in his hand and read the name. "This is the medicine you have been prescribed for your Parkinson's, isn't it, Dadi?

"Yes. Dadi nodded.

"Sinemet. Very highly effective drug as far I know. Jalal said as if he was talking to his own. "People cannot sit straight for long time after taking this. And if someone takes even more than two-three pills together at a time then... He looked at Dadi then. "If you don't mind Dadi, may I ask you something?

"Yes, please... Dadi said with a smile.

"You did not take this pill at the night of the murder, right?

Dadi kept on gazing at him silently. Though the smile did not lose its shine...

"That night when Nirmala Aunty shouted as Sukanya tried to commit suicide, you also turned up in the room along with the others, I remember. Jalal triggered. "If you had taken the medicine, your sleep would not have broken so easily.

Dadi was still gazing at him with the same smile.

"Besides, the next morning when I was talking to you, your hands were shivering abnormally. I had thought that as a result of excessive stress on nerves, but now I think that was mainly because the skip of the dosage. Isn't it? Jalal smiled. "What was the reason of not taking pills, Dadi?

"Maybe pills were finished! Dadi said with the same smile. As if she was joking with Jalal.

"I have talked in the pharmacy of the village. Neelu also has said that he had brought your medicines from the medical shop on 19^th morning... 3 days before that night. How can a whole strip of tablets be finished so fast? Jalal asked with a smile.

"I knew that you are intelligent Jalal! Dadi smiled. "Your eyes reflect your brain. Then she closed her eyes. Her heavy sigh from the deep of her heart suddenly suffocated the room again. Jalal kept on staring at her...

"You must have known many things about my Sujamal in these days, right Jalal? Dadi uttered after some moments. Her controlled voice seemed a little wet. "He could be a gem of humans, if only he was not snatched from this earth so early! In my long journey of this vain, worthless woman-life, Sujamal was the one and only element for whom I was proud!

"I know... Jalal murmured, and he himself was surprised to hear his own voice.

Dadi looked at him. "Do you want to ask anything more, Jalal?

"One more question... Jalal looked a bit hesitated while asking. "I have talked with the lawyer of this house after reading the old documents and old copy of the will of your husband. There it was written that apart from the portion of lands in Kishenganj, Mr. Amarnath Singh's two younger sons from his second wife will get nothing from their parental properties. And the house will be given to his second wife, Mrs. Bhagwati Singh. You are the second wife of Mr. Singh?

Dadi nodded with a slight smile.

"That means Mr. Bharmal Singh is not your son?

Dadi smiled with sound this time. "Jalal, mothers cannot differentiate between her sons this way. Neither can she remember who has come in this earth through her while showering love on all of them equally. Even if the mother is disrespected and insulted by her husband. Even if the mother can never get her respect of a wife. Even if her husband constantly keeps on differentiating between his first son and the sons from his second wife. She paused a little. "I never differentiated between Bharmal and Sujamal, Jalal...

Jalal remained silent. Dadi looked at the photo of Sujamal hanging on the wall.

"But if son does mistake, and keeps on showing off that with intolerable audacity without any kind of regret, does not a mother have the right to punish that son? Does not the mother have the right to decide that how much tough punishment he should get?

Jalal kept on gazing. He had lost the words.

Dadi again closed her eyes. "Do you want anything more from me, Jalal? She uttered in a very tired voice. "I am tired! I want rest... I will sleep now Jalal. I will sleep.

Without telling a word more, Jalal left the room. Leaving a heavy sigh behind.

At night... On the roof...

It was 12 o' clock of the night... the last night of the year perhaps... But the darkness had no clue of it. The calm village was sleeping under the soft warmth of the dark sky. The chilling breeze was only soothing the air... Strangely, day goes on, years after year come and go, but the air of change does not enter in the village... It keeps on sleeping in the darkness. Storm comes, storm goes, the calm life shatters for a while and it wakes up to find where is it... but again it forgets, becomes calm and keeps on going on in this static darkness... Standing at an edge of the roof clasping each other tightly to bear the chill of the nightly wind, Jalal and Jodha was trying to penetrate the riddle of that dark night only. How the life goes on in this little village in the lap of the mountains, how people keeps on living without losing hopes and faces all the adversities so casually, was perhaps unable to be understood by their polished complex thought-process.

Jodha suddenly gripped Jalal's arm and rested her head on that. A deep sigh came out of her heart. Jalal pulled her closer to give her comfort and stared at the clear sky... "Everything will be alright Jodha. I know, you will handle everything...

"Don't know Jalal! Jodha sighed again. "I am still very confused! I am still not able to believe that... Her voice choked.

Jalal clasped her more tightly to comfort her. Jodha wiped the tear on his jacket.

"You know Jalal, I am also responsible for all these! She uttered suddenly.

"No you are not! Jalal exclaimed.

"Yes I am, Jalal... I could have changed my mother's life. I could have changed the fate of this family. I had that status to stand against my father! But I didn't. I escaped and arranged my life like a selfish and never looked back. She started sobbing.

"No Jodha you could not! Remember you had said me once that all the members of your family have deep roots right in this house? They cannot be uprooted. Their story of life is written on the background of this mansion of Madhubani only. You could not avoid that by taking them to Mumbai... Jalal said while hugging her.

The silence became more intense in the darkness. After a while Jodha picked up her face. "Can you tell me how the things took place one-by-one? I am losing the serial.

"Okay... Listen. Jalal took a long breath before starting. "I am starting from Surya. Though there is no evidence, I have assumed this according to circumstances.

Jodha nodded.

"Surya was the first man who discovered the real business going on under the cover of the simple farm. I don't know if he had suspected it before, or the doubt arose when he found out the old diary; but main thing is, the diary clarified many dark sides of Singh family and their business is front of him. When Surya dug deeper, the whole truth came in sunlight. Surya got to know about the secret which was hidden for so many years...

Any person would go to police or media, or at least would do something to stand against such a grave crime in normal state... but Surya could not overcome his devil mind which had given him a dreadful idea to play with fire. Surya decided to blackmail the high-command directly. Perhaps Mr. Bharmal sensed the danger on his head after a long time. But anyhow, he was expert in manipulating people like Surya. Surya thought he was getting what he wants, and did not even understand when he has become his pawn. Mr. Bharmal kept on pampering him, kept on fulfilling all his demands and he kept on floating in the air of ambition without thinking about the consequence. When he understood he was drowning in the mud, Bharmal Singh even promised him half of the kingdom along with the princess and again he was pulled back... In between these, cunning Bharmal Singh had succeeded to take the diary from Surya one day. How, I don't know, but Surya himself had given him the diary keeping a copy with him for future need. However, Surya was then of no work to Mr. Bharmal, still he did not threw him off, rather kept on pampering him as Surya was trustworthy and he knows many thing he should not have known... Surya kept on nurturing his own ambitions and dreams while drowning in the mud of sins.

Meanwhile Mr. Bharmal had thrown away the diary in the pile of wastes so that it burns and no traces get left. But the real game started from here. Miraculously, the diary came in your mother's hand. Then what happened you know. Meenakshi aunty was determined to wipe his existence from the world forever. And she had decided to use Surya for this... For Surya's coward and selfish act she had no sympathy towards him... she had planned to implicate him in the charge of Mr. Singh's murder. So she kept on pursuing Surya to go out of this cage and to start a new life outside. Since Surya had a good rapport with her, Surya did not hide his wish of heart from her...

Then you came and declared that you have already decided to whom you will marry. Surya was broken and Meenakshi Aunty got a golden chance to put the whole blame on him. She was succeeded to take Surya out of the village forever. She made him understood in every possible ways, and when he was ready to flee from the village, she even gave him enough money to settle down. Her motto was only to make him disappear at the night of murder and put the blame on him. But little did she know that Surya had suddenly become honest and courageous in someone's influence, and he will decide to go to police first after going out of the village.

She knew that when she had eavesdropped the fight of Surya and Mr. Bharmal. To implicate Surya now she had only one path left- to vanish Surya forever... I think Mr. Bharmal had written the name of Surya in the copy of expenses before only. When Surya declared rebellion against him, he did not take time to eliminate him. However, Meenakshi Aunty did not rely on him and gave another instruction to the goon for ending Surya's story right at that night.

Surya was prepared to leave the village right at that night. He had booked his ticket accordingly. When Bacchu's call came he planned to meet him before going to station. He had talked with Meenakshi Aunty before only. When everyone was busy in party, Meenakshi Aunty opened the backdoor of the house using her key and Surya got out of the house with his trolley bag and Aunty shut the door and locked as if nothing happened there. Surya went to the bamboo forest beside the pond to meet Bacchu and you know what happened there.

However, Meenakshi Aunty was ready then and was just counting the second. She deliberately completed all the works lately in the kitchen and waited till the load-shedding... and then taking the knife inside her shawl she went to Dadi's room. She knew the timings of Dadi's sleep and also knew that Dadi will be her main alibi. She framed the story that Mr. Bharmal did not want her in his room tonight so she will sleep with her and started waiting till Dadi sleeps.

At around 1 am, she slowly got out of the room with the knife under her shawl. Her plan was to go to her room, stab Mr. Singh to death and again come back to Dadi. But her luck did not favour, as both of us were right at the stairs... She at once changed her plan and told us the story f Surya accordingly. Just then Sukanya's incident took place. Taking the advantage of the everyone's lack of attention, she swiftly went to his room, stabbed Mr. Bharmal and started her acting.

The irony lies here... If Mr. Bharmal were in sense that time, he would not have died in a single stab so easily and would have shouted once t least and Meenakshi Aunty would get caught at once. But the whole plot was so strangely arranged and aligned that we could not even understood when the murder actually took place. Because when Aunty stabbed Mr. Singh, he was dead only! She just stabbed his dead body!

"Poisoning... Jodha uttered.

"Yes Jodha... Jalal exclaimed. "When Aunty was waiting for the right time, some incidents took place very swiftly. Mr. Singh called me to have a talk and tried to bribe me regarding the woman-trafficking case. While confronting him I revealed quite loudly that Sukanya's fianc is the suspect of the nastiest crime like woman trafficking. And Nirmala Aunty heard that.

Very naturally she fell on Mr. Singh's feet first to break the relation. But when he did not pay heed, Nirmala Aunty also raised her voice. An excited Bharmalji declared quite proudly that he has finished Sujamal and he will do the same with his family too as he is the master of their fate. And Dadi was just at the back of the door while he was telling all these loudly.

I can understand what Nirmala Aunty felt that time... to kill this man to shut his mouth forever. And she proceeded to do the same too, by stealing the sleeping pills from his medicine box and mixing them in the coffee. But however, she could not do that. And her work was done by someone else...

Jalal stopped. The silence of the night was strangling the air... Jodha exhaled.

"Dadi?

"Yes. Dadi... Jalal sighed. "I hardly have the power to imagine what Dadi must have felt when she heard in her own ears that the same man whom she has brought up like her son is the murderer of her own son. I can hardly understand what was going on inside her mind when she heard her so-called son's proud confession, his arrogant voice which was full of supremacy, hatred and blind ego of power-hunger... Only one thing I can feel... that she could not endure anymore. In fact no mother can tolerate the fact that the murderer of her son will boss on the world with a naked arrogance of the pride of taking his life... she made up her mind then only, went to her room, took the whole stripe of her high-dosage pills of nerves... went to kitchen and mixed those in his coffee cup in a proper moment without being noticed by anyone... Mr. Bharmal drank that, and within some minutes he collapsed as all his nerves as well as central nervous system failed together being unable to bear the effect of such a high dose...

"So dangerous! Jodha exclaimed... "I could never ever imagine that Dadi will...

She stopped and gulped to control the tear.

"How strange, isn't it? Jalal murmured. "Two very common women, caring, loving, devoted to their family, full of motherhood, can even kill a man out of vehemence! In which state of mind, in which extent of rage a human crosses his limit of endurance and can decide to end a life?

"May I ask you one thing? Jodha asked.

"You're taking permission to ask me something? Jalal tried to smile.

"I know you from a long time. You do not compromise with anything when it comes to your duty as a policeman... Then why you spared Dadi?

Jalal smiled. "You know the reason... Then suddenly his voice lost in the sea of darkness of the night. "She has gone beyond the hands of law, Jodha... Did you see the shadow of death on her face? Who am I to arrest someone to make her stand in front of the mechanical justice machine of the state when she has gone so far from all these? Maybe I try to be a hardcore officer Jodha... but I have no guts to put handcuff to an old woman waiting for her last call in her deathbed in order to get justice from the ultimate after facing all punishments in her life... He sighed. "If I say technically, I have no evidence to prove who had poisoned Mr. Bharmal. I cannot arrest someone based on my assumption. The case of the poisoning will remain unsolved.

"And since Maa actually had stabbed a dead body, the charge of homicide will not be applicable on her... Jodha smiled a bit sadly. The tone of her voice was wet...

"I know the case will be nothing for you. Jalal smiled. "Don't worry Jodha. Everything will be alright. You will make everything alright!

"I am not worrying about the case and the law... Law is not the ultimate. Life is much bigger than law. What if the mark in the canvas of her life is never wiped out Jalal? Jodha shook her head in desperation. "Can I ever give my mother back the life she lost behind? Can I give her back the respect she lost in the journey of her life? Or can I cool down the fire that time has inflamed in her heart? She rubbed her eyes once and then continued in the wet voice. "Can I ever console that old lady whose unstable, paining heart has driven her to kill the person whom she loved as her son? Can I ever make them normal like before? No Jalal! I can hardly do anything! I hardly have any power to change the destiny!

Jalal did not say anything and pulled her inside his chest... Jodha continued sobbing, wetting his shirt.

"Jodha... After a long time passed, Jalal picked up Jodha's face and cupped inside his palms. In a gentle touch he wiped her tears... "You can change everything Jodha... Only you, only you all can change everything... You can give them back their peace of heart, you can give them back the assurance, the dreams of a brighter life... Time has the power of wiping out all types of marks Jodha! Only it needs the peace, the support and the hope from the close and dear ones. And you can do it! You can become the source of light for those hearts where darkness has veiled the light and the happiness. You will do it!

"I know Jalal... Jodha murmured. "I can do anything when you are beside me. And I also know that you will always be there beside me! She came closer and touched his cheek in an uncanny passion. "Thank you Jalal... for coming in my life... she closed her eyes... Jalal leaned in, gently pressed his lips against her lips in a soft, warm, affectionate manner... She eventually clasped his body, he drew her even more closer... and they started floating in the sea of an uncanny emotional passion...

The silence of the darkness had covered the atmosphere with a blur cover. But the strangulation of the gloomy air was not there anymore...

------------------------------------------end-----------------------------------------

Originally posted by: -Kavya_P-

Res Di

Originally posted by: -Kavya_P-

Unres Di

Amazing chappy Di

Didn't even expect

Want an epilogue Di

With either wedding or their married life

Originally posted by: -Kavya_P-

Me Third Di

Originally posted by: -Kavya_P-

Unres Di

Amazing chappy Di

Didn't even expect

Want an epilogue Di

With either wedding or their married life

Wow too good chappy dear.