Note: This is the worst and most boring chapter of this FF si far. But please bear with me. The events in this chapter, though they seem unimportant, were actually required to build the base for the coming chapters. So hope you guys manage to somehow tolerate this stupid update
Chapter 15
Abhay picked up the call. It was Dr. Roy on the line who asked him if he had placed any ad to search for Maya's old maid Ruhi. Abhay apprehensively asked what happened, to which Dr. Roy replied that he has received a letter from her and he would like to see them tomorrow if they are free. Abhay suggested that they meet that evening itself and Dr. Roy agreed to it. Pia asked what the hurry was as they would have to go all the way to Pune now. Abhay said that he cannot explain it, but he is dreading something sinister. They rushed to Pune and Dr. Roy showed them the letter from Ruhi. It read:
Respected Dr. Roy,
Recently I read an ad in the paper seeking some information about Maya madam. I am sure you must be aware about it. Actually, I just wanted to know if you know who has placed this ad and would they offer some money. Though I don't have any special information and certainly you would be knowing about it better than me, still I could really do with some money if possible. But I don't want to be involved in any Police case or anything. So can you please suggest should I approach these people?
Yours faithfully,
Ruhi
Dr. Roy faced Abhay and Pia and asked them: What information do you think Ruhi could give you about Maya's disappearance which I have not already told you?
While Pia flushed at this remark but Abhay calmly replied: It's not a question of what, but of who. She might know whom she ran away with. Maybe she saw something that night, which may give us some clue.
Dr. Roy sat pondering over what Abhay said for a while and then replied: Very well then, what should I reply to her? I am myself curious to know what Ruhi might have seen that night.
Abhay asked if she has given any contact number, but Dr. Roy told him that there was none. Abhay then asked if he could write to her himself, but the doctor said: I am afraid that they may not be a wise move as her writing to me first clearly indicates that she is apprehensive about contacting you directly. I suggest that I write to her and call her for a meeting here. I will send the letter through courier right away. Considering that she is in Goa right now, we should take a margin of 2 days for the letter to reach her and another 2 days for her to make up her mind. So shall I fix a meeting with her for Saturday 3 pm?
Abhay nodded his head in agreement and Dr. Roy wrote the letter immediately and showed it to Abhay and Pia. The letter read as follows:
Dear Ruhi,
I am extremely delighted to hear from you after so long. Hope you are doing well in life.
Coming to the subject of your letter, I am indeed aware about the people who placed this ad and would like to assure you that they are very nice people and there is no reason for you to worry about Police matters. In fact you will be pleasantly surprised to know who they are. I suggest you come to meet me on Saturday at around 3 pm. You can come to Mumbai and then take a link train from there. I have attached directions to my house from the station at the back of this letter, so please bring this letter also with you so that you do not face any difficulty in finding my house.
Regards,
Dr. Roy
He then placed the letter in an envelope and sealed it. He called her receptionist and asked her to send the peon to the courier office to deliver this letter immediately. The receptionist nodded and went out. Dr. Roy then addressed Abhay and Pia and said: I am extremely sorry but I have to go and attend a doctor's meet today. That's why I had suggested you to meet me tomorrow, but you guys were too impatient. But anyways, now that we have decided to meet Ruhi this Saturday, I hope you will excuse me for taking your leave now.
Abhay and Pia took the cue and immediately left Dr. Roy's clinic. They got into their car and immediatey Abhay dialled a number. When the phone was picked on the other end a few minutes later, Abhay spoke in an urgent tone: Bijoy, never mind our disastrous meeting, but I really need two tickets for Italy for tonight itself and return tickets for Friday night. We already have business and spouse visas for all European countries. Do anything, but get me these tickets. I will see you at the airport in 3 hours. It's really urgent and I know only you would be able to get me tickets at this short notice.
Pia was shocked at this sudden change in Abhay and asked: Abhay, but why this sudden plan? Tell me Abhay, what are you thinking? Do you think it was Angelo who murdered Maya?
Abhay replied: I have to eliminate all the possibilities Pia. Only then can we be sure of the truth.
Pia was confused: Sure of truth?? You are speaking as if you have already figured out who the murderer is! Tell me Abhay who is it! And how do you know it?
Abhay: No Pia. I cannot tell you who the real murderer is till I have sufficient proof to hand him over to the police. You are too emotional Pia and you would not be able to hide your disgust whenever you come face to face with him and I just cannot take the risk of him hurting you.
Pia pouted and angrily asked: You don't trust me Abhay?
Abhay calmly replied: It's not about of trusting you Pia, but dealing with the mind of a criminal who has get away after committing a murder with no one to even bother about the murder for 18 years. He is surely not going to like being discovered now. And so, we have to be extremely careful.
Pia: Can you at least tell me why exactly we are going to Italy all of a sudden? We could at least wait for meeting with Ruhi.
Abhay: We are still not sure if Ruhi would even come to meet us and I want to reach to the bottom of this matter at the earliest now. I am scared that the murderer must have already smelled something fishy about our zeal to find Maya and he must be planning his move carefully. And so, we need to eliminate all other possibilities with conviction to finally lay a trap for him.
Pia opened her mouth to argue further, but then decided that she is not going to get any answers, so she instead asked him: What are we going to do in Italy?
Abhay replied: We are first going to Angelo's old address and see if he still lives there. If not, then we will find his new address and meet him. We will then try to ascertain if he could anyway be involved in Maya's death or not.
Pia further asked: How exactly are we going to ascertain whether or not he is involved. We have met so many people connected to Maya, but are yet to reach any conclusive idea. Then how on Earth are we going to find out anything special from meeting him.
Abhay calmly replied: You are wrong Pia. Meeting with Jeev and Bijoy has been most beneficial for this case and I now have a fairly good guess about who is behind all this. My meeting with Angelo is only to confirm my guess.
Pia angrily said: But you are not going to tell me what your guess is, right?
Abhay coolly replied: yup, that's right honey!
Pia was fuming with anger now, but she somehow managed to control her anger and asked Abhay: What about your office? How are you going to explain a sudden one week holidays?
Abhay was confused for a minute, but then took out his phone and called up the HR head of his office and asked him to appoint the Finance head as his substitute for one week as he has to go to Italy on an urgent basis. He then gave a proud smirk to Pia and said: There, all managed. And if your questions are over, then can we please get down. We have reached the airport and I can see Bijoy waiting for us.
They got down and as Abhay had guessed, Bijoy had indeed managed to arrange two tickets for them. He was still looking confused and doubtful and asked Abhay: Mind telling, what this is all about? First you arranged a meeting with me on the pretext of some vacation tour, but when I called out your bluff, you called me to book tickets for you for tonight itself. Is this another bluff of yours? And why are you doing this to me?
Abhay calmly replied: No Bijoy, it's not a bluff and you yourself know it. Else you would not have come here personally to give us the tickets. As for all your whys, I guess I owe you an explanation, but now is not the time or place for it. I will contact you soon after my return though.
With that Abhay and Pia proceeded to board their flight for Italy.
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