“Ok – Now you take rest – I’ll have to go now… I’ve to meet Mr Patel – I don’t know how well he’s taken this news – I hope – he’s fine” said Chaits & got up & put his mask on….”
“Hey! Chaits! Say thanks to him on my behalf – he’s bearing all my medical expense” said Amit greatly indebted by Mr Patel’s noble help.
“I’ll – and you – I want you to be fit to travel along with me in two days – okay?” Amit nodded & they left.
Alisha looked at Chaits – her eyes moist with emotions after seeing Amit go out using crutches & hugged Chaits to comfort him.
On the way back Alisha asked Chaits to drop her off near the main police station. Chaits was surprised but did so…
“How’d you get back?” he asked Alisha.
“I’ll hire a cab or an auto – most probably the cops would ensure they’d drop me at Auntie’s place” said Alisha & entered the police station.
Chaits paused for a moment as he looked at the massive gate to Mr Patel’s mansion for a moment he was at loss of words as he stared blankly at the door – not able to understand or comprehend what he would say to console Mr Patel… The security at the gate recognised him& deftly opened the gate for him. He drove in slowly to compose his mind. He was tense as he parked the bike in the parking & walked with heavy heart to meet Mr Patel…
He stepped into the main hall, his sight automatically fell on the corridor where Priti’s bedroom was located half expecting her walking toward him with her magical smile & his heartbeats increased for a moment in that expectation.
His expression changed as he realized that she’s no more in this world & would not come walking toward him. The anguish of losing her engulfed him again as he sat down on the sofa weeping desolately.
He looked up as a warm hand patted him on his shoulder reassuringly. Mr Patel was standing beside him – his eyes moist, he looked tired & ill – for the first time age reflected on his face. He looked what he was a bereaved father…
Chaits stood up and Mr Patel hugged him & wept. Chaits put an arm round him & helped him sit… After a while, they both were able to control their anguish & came to terms of the loss.
Chaits’ phone rang out loudly – it was Alisha calling. “Are you still at Priti’s home?”
“Yes I’m still there…”
“I’ll be there in few minutes – the cops have arranged that – I got some important news for you” she said & cut the call.
House keeper approached them with tea & pills for Mr Patel & pleaded to Chaits “Since we lost Priti memsaab – he’s taken ill & doesn’t even take medicines on time – please do something about it…”
Chaits nodded & gratefully sipped at the tea as Mr Patel gulped his pills. There was no word exchanged.
Chaits was unhappy – Mr Patel had not taken the news well – he looked ill & Chaits was concerned. He put a reassuring hand on his shoulder & said, “Daddy” (that’s what he used to call him after Mr Patel had approved him & permitted him to get married to Priti) Please take care of yourself we need you…”
Mr Patel felt better as he felt the strong hand of Chaits reassuring him & looked at Chaits with moist eyes and simply nodded…
“I’m here & I’ll take care of you!”
Mr Patel held Chaits’ hand & said, “Son – do not worry about me – I’ve used all possible contacts to fish those criminals out – but the police haven’t been able to get a clue about them – they’d definitely be following their methodology to get to the bottom of this & get those criminals – but I’ve more faith in you I beg of you to hunt them out… you know them well…”
“I’m here to do – exactly that…” said Chaits firmly, “None of them would be spared” he was interrupted by sudden rush at the door as the housekeeper approached them excited… “Saab Saab” he called out in an excited voice, “Priti memsaab is here”.
Astonished – they sprang on their feet & rushed toward the door. For a moment Mr Patel couldn’t believe his eyes then he stopped & looked again “You’re Alisha – aren’t you?”
Alisha nodded & entered.
“Priti had told me that you’re Chaits’ best friend & an ace crime reporter. I have seen you on TV and found you similar to Priti – but – now I find you almost like her twin… you are about an inch taller and your voice is a bit different…Oh! My God! What a similarity!!”
Mr Patel said & they walked back to the hall. The housekeeper had a glum face as he realized that she was not Priti. “Thank you for coming here, Alisha” Mr Patel said gratefully, “for a moment at least. I felt like being a father again.”
“Alisha – you’d some important news?” Chaits asked recalling their conversation.
“Yes. I got the news from our Mumbai centre – Vicky no longer is the Kingpin’s man. They’re rivals & enemies now Kingpin’s men also are searching for him. They broke away some two months back & Vicky had to flee & took refuge in jungles where he gathered men & coordinated a parallel setup, challenging Kingpin’s supremacy in this region.”
“If that’s the case” said Mr Patel firmly, “I’ll now meet the kingpin – he’s been trying to extort money from me for protection – I can now negotiate a deal with him – Vicky’s life against my money.”
“No! Mr Patel – please don’t do that.” Alisha implored.
“Why should I not? Did he ever think how much pains she’d have gone through when she died? Did he ever think – what’d an old man like me will do – how’d he would live without his daughter who died such a nasty death?” Mr Patel flared up… then he mused “she at least should have told me – I would have arranged for her security.”
“I do understand your anguish. Mr Patel – but I’ll give you three reasons for not doing so… The government has prepared a huge dossier on the Kingpin & he’d be arrested any moment… once he’s arrested & his men rounded up they’d be grilled for every illegal act & money transaction – if they find that you’ve made such a deal – your name will be marred in business and your industry will be under scrutiny – and Mr Patel – you own one of the cleanest businesses in the country and have a high esteem in every comer – there are about a hundred thousand families that are depend on you to make their ends meet – you’d be risking all that…. Let’s consider this works & the Kingpin manages to kill Vicky – but will the world know why? They’ll sum that up to their rivalry & Priti won’t get her Justice – further – it won’t stop any other criminal to devise such a horrible scheme & we may hear news about numerous other girls who may perish – Priti’s way – so he must be brought to justice… I’ll promise, I’ll keep the murder alive in people’s mind till he’s sentenced to a nasty death which will make other criminals think twice before they act… You’re wanting justice for Priti – please also think about Chaits – I know him enough to understand that if he doesn’t get his hands on them to punish them he’ll never be able to live his life normally – he’ll end up blaming himself for not being around to protect her & in the end you’ll lose him too…”
“But, Alisha, by allowing Chaits to punish them will make him a killer and at the same time will I not run the risk of losing him if he’s killed by those criminals?”
“Don’t worry about that Mr Patel – he’s already promised me not to kill them – but hand them over to the law – alive. Further, he’ll never be fighting this battle alone – I’m going to be with him on every step that he treads – if there’s an ambush, they’ll first face me & then his fury” said Alisha in a determined voice…
Mr Patel looked at Alisha, admiring her courage & determination, “Oh! Please forgive me, my child” he said in a low voice, “A lonely distressed father was impulsive – what you say is right – we need to punish them publicly & legally – I do wish, Priti had some courage that you have in you – maybe I should have had two daughters – Priti & You… would you mind if I treat you like my daughter?”
Alisha looked at a lonely father who was almost begging her to accept the relation & was overwhelmed. She hugged him & said, “I’ll call you daddy” Mr Patel put a caring hand on her head & patted her lovingly. “I’ve been brought up totally different & am different from Priti – but I’ll try & be a daughter as good as I can” she said.
Mr Patel looked a bit relieved as Alisha said that & looked at Chaits who was still grim.
“Chaits I am glad, I’m glad you’ve such a good & caring friend – she’s lessened the pain of my sorrow… I’m sure she’ll get you out of your gloom too…”
Chaits looked at him & then again at the floor staring blankly…
“Aren’t you happy to see my sorrow subside a bit?” Mr Patel asked him a bit confused at his reaction.
“Don’t worry – Daddy” said Alisha, “he’s been gloomy & determined this way since the time he’s heard about Priti’s death – he’ll come around once he’s got these criminals & booked them legally – I know him well.”
“I’m feeling hungry” said Mr Patel suddenly changing the topic, “I realise, I’ve not had anything to eat properly for almost a week now – I’d now wish for that – now that I met you both – I know – I’m no longer a sad, lonely, old man – I’ve children who’re with me & I want to be fit enough till you achieve your goals… Let’s eat our dinner together” he proposed.
Even they were feeling hungry & agreed – the housekeeper who was standing by heard this & thanked God for making Chaits & Alisha visit Mr Patel – at least – he now had a wish to live, eat & survive. He vanished into the kitchen happy for him…
“Chaits, Alisha, please come with me…” said Mr Patel getting up & they obediently followed him into the garage. Mr Patel stood by a covered vehicle that seemed like a silent storm raring to rage out like a tornado…
He uncovered the vehicle. It was an amazing piece of engineering… “Chaits – I know your love for driving cross-country at speed – so I imported this all-terrain vehicle for you – I was going to gift it to you at your engagement – but I’m giving it to you now.”
“Oh! Daddy”said Chaits, “I’m sorry – I can’t take this “and was stopped short as Mr Patel raised his hand to silence him.
“Please – don’t say no…” he pleaded, “I’m old & cannot be a party in your hunt for those criminals – all I have is lots of care & money that I can give you. Secondly, this was Priti’s gift. She had done lots of research along with your friends to finalize this vehicle. She knew & liked you going dirt tracking & all terrain biking. But she was afraid that one day you may land yourself with broken bones. Further it wold not be possible for her to accompany you every time & she wanted to be with you at all time – so she selected this vehicle. I simply completed the formality of importing it…. Son, I’d say this could be one wish of Priti that you can fulfil by accepting this…” Chaits touched the car tenderly as if he was touching Priti and looked at Mr Patel who continued, “Keep this car, it’ll keep you reminding you of Priti & her love for you” he implored.
Finally Chaits nodded with a heavy heart. Mr Patel patted him on his back & they all returned to eat their meal.
As they got ready to leave, Chaits bent down & touched Mr Patel’s feet, “Daddy – I need your blessings to be victorious when I go out in my quest for Justice.”
Mr Patel patted him on his back & hugged him “If you need any help – my contacts, my premises and anything else including money – please do not be shy to ask me of that – remember you call me ‘Daddy’ & I treat you as my son. And yes – if you can’t bring them to Justice – It’s okay for me… I’ve already lost my daughter – I don’t want to lose you so take care of yourself.”
“Nothing will happen to me, don’t worry”
“Yes – Daddy – nothing’s happen to him till I’m around I’ll take care of him” said Alisha firmly.
Mr Patel looked at determined face of Alisha & hugged her & looked at Chaits, “And I want you to take care of this daughter of mine as well…”
Chaits nodded as they walked out & approached the bike. Mr Patel held the key to the vehicle & looked at Chaits. “We’ll also need my bike as a car can’t go into every lane – so I’ll drive my bike – Alisha… Could you drive the car & follow me?”
Alisha nodded & took the keys from Mr Patel & they zoomed out into darkness as Mr Patel raised his hand to bless them …
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