'She is carrying'.
This much from the doctor knocked Pinaz out of her senses. Not because Razia was unmarried, but because she knew...what kind of relationship brought this life into existence!
'What are you saying! Are you sure?' Pinaz went again.
'Yes maam...am hundred percent sure...she is pregnant.' Confirmed the doctor.
This news put Pinaz in more troubled waters. Till now she was only worried about Razia's recovery but now she has this huge secret to deliver! She had no idea whether she should spill this to Razia in such a condition or wait for an apt moment. But at the same time this was not a matter which could be supressed for long! She couldn't wait for Razia to find it out herself! Hence she had to do something or the other...that too very soon. 'What should I do...Yah Allah...what should I do?' Pinaz felt like banging her head on the wall to release the pressure built inside. A voice broke her trance. It was the doc.
'Maam shall I give this news to Razia?'
'Nope. I will handle this. You may go now. But remember one thing...from now on she is your responsibility.'
'Yes Maam.' With this the doc left. Pinaz strolled towards the room where Razia was staying.
Inside the room...
Razia was lying still on the bed. Her face filled with tiredness. Eyes wondering for nothing. After Pinaz entering the room, she looked up to her and asked, 'What happened to me? Why did I faint?' Pinaz stared at her face for sometime and uttered, 'n...nothing...just weakness.'
'Oh...then it will be over soon.'
'Hmm'.
With this Razia closed her eyes for time being. But Pinaz had other designs in her mind. Now she wanted to get to that person who was responsible for all this. She just could not see Razia alone suffering in this mess. The culprit must pay for it too. All Pinaz wanted was the name of that jerk. Rest she could calculate herself.
Pinaz slowly walked up to Razia and uttered in a firm tone, 'Razia...I need to know something.'
'Puchiye.'
'I think we should now approach police.' Pinaz threw this line with utmost caution, knowing not how Razia would react. On the other hand Razia was completely out of this track for last couple of weeks. Hence she didn't get it at first.
'About what?'
'About you dear. About that incident.' This time Razia got what Pinaz meant.
razia herself thought about it many a times. But everytime the thought of getting under his radar again, thawed Razia from taking any such step. Though she knew what he did was no less than a grievous crime, the mentioning of police by Pinaz put Razia again in the rim of confusion.
'I know...I want to...but I am afraid...', before Razia could finish, Pinaz began, 'you don't worry at all. We have very good connections in administration. They will make sure your identity remains safe for ever. You just need to mark that person. Will take care of the rest.' Pinaz concluded all in one go, spreading an air of confidence through Razia, who closed her eyes for some moments and then began in a low tone. 'I don't actually remember what his name is...
'Yah but there must something you know about him. Right?'
'Yes how can I not!!! The image of that hilltop guest house will never fade away from my mind.'
'Where is it actually? In Shimla?'Asked Pinaz in an eager tone.
'Yes Shimla. At the end of Hill Cut Road.'
Now that exact location of guest house stirred Pinaz's senses. It was theirs only!!! Hence she went to reconfirm what she heard. 'You mean the guest house that is situated at the terminal point of Hill Cut Road? Grey mansion with maroon atop?'
Now such a detailed description form Pinaz's mouth shocked Jodha to the core. How come she knows all these!!! 'Have you been there ever?' Asked Razia with widened eyes. Only to be more shocked!
'That's our family property Razia!!!'
'What!!!'
'Yes. I have spent many holidays there. It's a Imperial property all the way.'
'Then that person must be known to you!'
'Off course...but...am wondering who it could be...who could have such guts to commit such a damnable crime in our home!!! Whoever it is...will have to taste hell now!' Pinaz couldn't believe somebody can even think of breaching etiquettes and do such a despicable thing! She felt like dragging that person to jail herself. She turned to razia again, 'how does he look like?'
'He was tall, fair, well-built, dark eyes...and...'
'razia that's too vague...almost all of our men are tall and fair...you need to be specific dear...anything particular about him you remember?' Pinaz was growing impatient now. But Razia was really helpless at this...she was not being able to zero upon anything exclusive with him. Due to the accident she even forgot his name. She was forcing her mind in every possible direction but everytime...same result...NOTHING!
Pinaz understood her situation and decided to give her some time. 'You don't need to take pressure...you have the time...think and then reply...ok?' She was about to leave when suddenly Razia spoke up...in a low and firm tone...'It was the watch...a kind I have never seen in my life. Expensive...big dial like Rolex or Omega...and the colour of the dial kept changing. I mean I came across him three times. Everytime it had different shade on its dial...sometimes blue...sometimes red...sometimes...' before razia could complete what she began, to her great surprise, it was Pinaz who put the last tile. 'Sometimes black.'
A shock wave hit Razia as Pinaz uttered those words...'how do you know that? You know the guy right?' Razia was going to ask few more questions but suddenly she saw Pinaz falter on her foot. Forgoing her own sickness Razia quickly got down from the bed and got hold of Pinaz...moments of late could have caused the old lady hit the floor. Razia saved her in time. She made her sit on the bed and called for Chanda to get a glass of water.
'Are you ok? Shall I call the doctor?' Razia was a bit frightened actually. She never saw Pinaz like this. She was way too strong for such weakness! Razia couldn't understand what made this iron lady go weak all of a sudden...'may be it's because of too much tension and all...' Razia reasoned this logic to herself. Meanwhile Chanda came with water and gave it to Pinaz. She took a little sip and placed the glass back on the table. Both Razia and Chanda were trying to guess on the possible reason behind such change of emotion in Pinaz! But before they could proceed any further, Pinaz stood up. While trying hard to stop her tears, she uttered somehow...in a trembling voice, 'I will forward this information to the commissioner of police...don't worry. You will get justice.' Pinaz placed her hand on Razia's shoulder for a moment and paced out of the room, leaving a lost audience behind!
Deep in night...
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