Chapter 1: 1. DISTRESSED SOULS
Raja got up early morning next day and felt highly confused. He was extremely tired
from all happenings in last fifteen days and felt as if one life passed. He prepared tea to soothe
tension of wife who kept sleeping late. He was back from his morning walk and didn't meet
Sunni as usual. He thought man might be out of station and couldn't share latest local news and
rumours of place particularly about his case. He was preparing self to face situation directly in court.
He felt low with happenings in family. He decided to give final push to pending case.
Selena got up and took tea and kissed him, after a long time. He felt renewed love after
long time and felt very close to wife. She smiled and started seeping tea from his cup. Later
both shared tea for long time sitting close, while Siena slept in his lap feeling his excitement in
cheeks. Maid disturbed them and both separated. She ordered maid to prepare breakfast after
long time. Maid looked at madam and became serious and thoughtful. This was not liked by two.
He was worried about suicidal tendency of wife and wanted to keep her happy not to face
a grave situation in conjugal life. He suddenly realised that absence of wife would make life very
lonely and miserable. He would be forced to remain confined to avoid social embarrassment. He
couldn't tell this incident even to closest friend or confidants who might propagate to make his life
difficult in society. What a constraint?
Selena got up and lazily walked as if fully under intoxication to bathroom and took long
bath. Raja was alarmed and knocked on door to drag her out. She came out and tried to show
anger but didn't see his long face particularly sad eyes full of tears. She wiped tears and assured
him to be confident.
'Don't worry, I won't leave you alone but give company for long. I am already free from
worries and know that you are my sole company in this world.'
'I am worried for your poor health and often falling sick. I think to withdraw the case today
itself and spend time peacefully with you. We may also go out from this place which is now
biting me.
'Why are you sounding so weak? You trust me. Everything will settle down fast. Try one
or two more dates and then decide finally. I have no more attachment for final result in this case.
Even if you lose this property, we can buy another one.'
Raja felt comfortable and confident. He got ready and went to the court. He sat in tea shop
under big tree and watched movement of people around. He came early and later went to see
head clerk who didn't pay attention for long time. He was getting irritated and felt like shouting
on him for not giving attention. Suddenly he became status conscious and entered into realm of office power. Then he changed stance and said, 'Sir I am back. Has any date been fixed?'
'You don't know that judge is in serious trouble. He has been trapped in a murder case by
police of Chennai where he took wife for treatment. Right now he is on anticipatory bail and in
ICU. He is serious and may take long to come to the court,' he replied in sad voice as if judge was no
more alive.
'I don't know what will happen to all pending cases. We are also dying hungry since last
two months there is no earning. My family members don't believe me and charge that I have been
wasting money. None appreciates our plight. Other colleagues are doing roaring business. Can
you give money on loan for few days which I will return later,' head clerk requested. Raj was
shocked to hear these words.
He questioned, 'What about your salary? You must be getting this.'
'This is another problem. We are never sure when it will be paid. Treasury is not having
money and government delays in giving fund. If one depends on salary, shortly he would be
extinct. Also we are low paid and can't meet both ends. We live in same society and families and
children demand all facilities they see around. If we question, family will drive us out from
home.' Head clerk shamelessly lectured.
'We understand that this has been our creation only. We didn't control in beginning and
now it can't be changed,' the man was just at breaking in tears.
Raj took out one five hundred note and gave him who pocketed it happily and thanked.
He again said, 'I will try to give you back money as early as possible.'
Raj walked away without hearing those words as he never thought to get it back and took
it as donation. He was surprised on self for showing such benevolent gesture never done in past.
He believed in "Karma" and advocated that all should get as per deeds and not as dole. He felt
insulted after acting against his principles of living.
He reached tea shop and met boys working there. Owner was not visible and boys
enquired together about his well being. They explained how they missed him every day for some
unknown reasons. They also asked him not to absent for long in future.
He was again confused what type of relationship developed among them. He sat down on
chair and started waiting for owner. One boy brought a cup of tea which he sipped slowly and
was thinking what turn case will take. In the mean time the broker advocate came around and saw
him.
He spoke today in low voice and said, 'Professor sir, your case is going to be delayed for
long as judge has fallen sick and is not coming in near future. The man is charged with murder of his
wife. Can you believe this? He is admitted in ICU in hospital and has suffered heart attack and blood pressure is fluctuating. He has eaten lot of money from public. He has been punished by
God. I was told that you also had setback in your family. God should help you in getting
favourable order from new judge being appointed shortly.'
'What was good behaviour? He has been punished for serious guilt. Last time he wanted
money from me to pass order. His clerk hinted but I didn't agree. I have been advised to move to
higher court to get early verdict.' Raja was excited.
but kept seeping tea silently and didn't like to respond further.
He felt a hand on his
shoulder. This was tea shop owner and he turned head to look into his tearful eyes.
He said, 'It was very sad to know what all happened with you and family. May God give
you strength to carry on?'
Raja looked at him with wide opened eyes and could hardly speak. He was thinking how
he knew all this and asked, 'who told you?'
'Manish was here other day. He came to tea shop and enquired about judge who is also
involved in murder of his father. He found this out through own connections. He mentioned your
name and said about your wife being related to him.' Old man said.
He thought, 'Nothing can remain secret in life and nature has its own way of making it
open. Many times we may not know but others know all about us particularly what we try to
hide.'
He kept looking at old man who perhaps knew many other things. Owner took him near
desk and said, 'Now you may request for transfer of case to other court and an early judgment.'
Raja never expected that Manish would act so trying to fix responsibility for death of
father on judge. Second version was that his father was killed by an assailant by hitting on head
with a rod while on way to hotel after seeing wife of judge. It was a dark place in street. The
killer was intelligent to select place and mode of killing and also hiding his face not to get
identified in CCTV camera.s
His father was lying in pool of blood for hours on road. Someone walking on pavement
saw the body. He immediately informed police and also gave own name and address. Police asked
him to stay on spot and not to touch body. They also brought forensic expert. The person
standing there gave statement and expert took photographs and foot prints which were later
found to be mixed up with that of man who reported matter to police.
Otherwise they couldn't find anything which could reveal identity of killer. These all
details were told by Manish when he was back home in Lucknow while incident happened in
Chennai. Manish knew that his father travelled by air only and disliked road journey. The
purpose must have been urgent and someone informed about last wish of a dying lady. This was informed by maid in ward, who sympathised with the woman.
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