EPISODE 30
What a difference twenty-four hours can make in a manâs life? In the space of one day, fifteen years of deep loneliness had given way to hope. He had looked into the eyes of a woman he had known for less than a week and saw his entire future there. His every plan, his every projectâhad in an instant reorganized around her as the central figure in his life.
When he woke this morning he woke with new energy. His first thoughts were of her. He must see her. He must speak with her.
But how would he convince her that he was the man for her? He was a man of many talentsâbut he had never learnt to woo, to charm, to flirtâhe was usually on the receiving end of such efforts.
She had thus far seen no evidence that he could contribute positively to her life. She had to give him a chanceâbut if she didnât?âthen he would have no choice but to abduct her and hold her captive until she understood that there was only one man for her.
He would make her forget Mandhar Deshmukh. He would erase him from her memory.
Such was Raghavâs total focus that when his sister came down to breakfast, he was almost startled to see her. He had forgotten she was at the Palace.
And that is saying something, Sistersâbecause for the past fifteen years, his one dream had been to reconcile his family under his roof.
Let me be clear: It pleased him to see Kirti across the table. But if Amma refused to move in after she recoveredâit would be disappointing but no longer devastating.
There was only one woman he could imagine as the mistress of his home. And it was not his mother nor sister.
When Reddy came to his side to serve him a bowl of fruit, he braved his employerâs temper and said, âTo see your smile in the morning is a new experience for me, Annah.â
Farhad had just entered the dining room and he remarked, âThe question is who has put the smile on his face.â
Reddy responded, âIs there any doubt?â inclining his head towards Kirti.
Farhad was too genteel to dispute this remark.
But the look he threw Raghav told him that Farhad would not allow his statement at the hospital to go unexamined. For now, Farhad was happy to keep his opinions to himself and enjoy his breakfast.
But before the meal was over, there was another entrance into the dining room.
It was Vivek Kalia. The private investigator.
Farhad indicated that he had asked Vivek to join them this morning.
Raghav saw from the looks the two men exchanged that they were bursting with information. But they waited until Kirti left for the hospital to visit Amma before disclosing their news.
Farhad began: âThere was something about the name Mandhar Deshmukh that has been niggling me since you mentioned it the other nightâand it clicked when I dropped by the casino yesterday evening. Do you recall that incident last year when that man lost a large sum at the table?â
Raghav responded drily, âItâs a casino, Farhad.â
Farhad ignored the sarcasm and continued, âLet me finish. You were there. He made a scene. Then when security tried to show him out, he ranâright through the windowâ! Remember?â
Raghav gave a laugh. âYes. I remember. Because the glass was spotless, he didnât realize it was a floor to ceiling window.â
âWell, that man is registered in our casino records as Mann Desh,â Farhad said. âI called Vivek last night and he found him.â
Raghav turned to Vivek who was eager to take over the narrative. âMann Desh is a fashion photographer living in Mumbai with his wife. Theyâve been married for nearly two yearsââ
ââWe matched the footage from casino security to Mann Deshâs profile photo on his portfolio. They match,â Farhad added.
âBut is Mann Desh and Mandhar Deshmukh the same man?â Raghav asked, leaning forward with interest.
âYes,â Vivek said. âI told you his wedding photo was published in the local paper at the time of his disappearance. Itâs a match.â He removed a thick folder from his briefcase and spread it open. âI picked up this file from Swamy on my way here. Look at these photos. And compare them to theseââ
Vivek lined up photos of Mandhar Deshmukh from Swamyâs police file and the images from the casino footage. It was a clear match.
Raghav raked his hand through his hair, and exhaled, âUnbelievable. He was married to this woman in Mumbai yet he also married Pallavi. Why would he do that?â
Vivek suggested, âPerhaps he married Pallavi to gain access to her money or property.â
âThen left her once it was under his control,â Raghav concluded. Coming to his feet, âI must go and see her.â
But Farhad and Vivek both stood to protest.
âWait,â said Farhad. âVivek has another theory.â
Raghav turned to Vivek.
âWe cannot discount the possibility that Mandhar and Pallavi are in this together,â Vivek said.
Raghavâs brows drew together. His jaw tightened.
Vivek continued, âIt is equally possible that the target is the woman whom Mandhar is living with in Mumbai. Maybe she is the one with money. Once they gain her wealth, he and Pallavi will reunite and disappear together.â
Raghav was shaking his head before Vivek had completed speaking. âPallavi is not that sort of womanââ
ââWe havenât known her long,â interrupted Farhad.
âPallavi is not that sort of woman!â Raghav repeated, his words precise and measured. âArdham ayyinda?â
Vivek and Farhad exchanged glances. There was a long moment of silence.
Then Vivek spoke. âLook, Raghavâyou engaged my services, so let me earn my keep. Iâm going to Mumbai this afternoon. Give me a few days. Iâll discover the truth.â
âYou have two days,â said Raghav, and left the room.
Edited by JalebiJane - 2 years ago
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