As he hung up the phone he looked worried. He picked up a cigarette and started to move to toilet. The week had passed without any trace of Anita and now this news from the police station had put him in a fix. He was wondering and thinking is it all happening. Anita has been faithful to him all these years and suddenly life began to prove a hell for both of them. They got married against the wishes of their parents and they thought they will live happily ever after. But over the years he lost his job on charges of corruption and people didn’t believe him, it was only Anita who stood by him in those days of turmoil. Then he tried his level best to get another job but nobody would provide him any job. He has earned a bad reputation of not being faithful to the organization. People recognized him. The charges of corruption had hit the headlines of the local newspapers. The case was put on trial he was arrested and then released on bail. Anita had to sell all her ornaments that her mother had provided her against the wishes of her father. All the money they had saved over the years started to drain into the pocket of advocates. Anita will always do her level best to…save their marriage.

     Sitting in the toilet he was wondering as to where she is? Is the news that he just got from the Police is true. Anita was missing for last six days and there was no trace of her. He started regretting the quarrel that led to the current problem that he was in. It’s my entire fault, he thought. She loved him a lot and he knew very well that she could take any extreme step for his happiness. Deeply immersed in all these thoughts he hurried out of the toilet to rush to the police station. They might suspect him of murdering Anita and misguiding them (police), that reminded him of what that “mucchad inspector” had remarked when he went to lodge the FIR. “aaiye animesh babu phir kuch gaayab kiya kya?”  he uttered nothing. And what else he could do? Animesh could only murmur bastard!

“No! I have to lodge a complaint.”

“Against whom?”

“Who…wo..My wife is missing.”

The mucchad gave a mischievous smile and remarked “check out! apne kissi yaar ke paas hogi. Waapas aa jayegi.” Animesh kept his calm trying to control his anger.

Mucchad looked at him with a smile and proceeded “waise aap aaye hai to karywahi to karni hi padegi” and after some pause “by the way Animesh babu aapki begum gayab kab se hai?

“ji wo mai subah jab gaya to ghar par thi…lekin a wo sham ko lauta to wo ghar par nahi thi.”

[“wo ghar par nahi yeh aapko kaise  ”Aur ha aapki begum karti kya hai?”] chaliye aaiye FIR likhe and kuch sawalo ke jawab bhi chahiye.

Inspector sanjay lal(mucchad) after a series of questioning let go Animesh with the instruction that if he finds any news of Anita he must inform the police. Animesh left for home but instead decided to go to a bar, he decided there was no point going home. He checked his purse and started moving to ODEON bar.

     It was early morning and inspector lal and constable mani ram were brushing teeth, a large travera with black tinted glasses arrived at the police station, escorted by two ambassadors. Inspector lal could asses that some VIP has come either for a favour or for …just, while he was thinking a gentleman of around sixty got out of the travera and some gunmen got out of the Ambassador cars. Dressed in a khadi kurta pyjama the gentleman gave a look of a typical Indian neta. Lal rushed inside to clean his mouth and dressed up fast, he came back like a hurricane.

“yes sir”

“yeh inspector lal kab milenge”

“ji mai hi hu inspector lal, aap bataye”

“achha aap hai, shayad aapne me bare me suna ho?”

“ji..o..o”

“mai Giridhar diwedi, mai ex-mayor rah chuka hu sahar ka ”

“ji..” Lal looked towards mani ram “kuch chai naashte ka intejam karo”

Even before mani ram could utter any word Giridhar Diwedi asked them not to bother. Inspector lal noticed that Girdhari looked worried. Lal continued “sir hukum kare, yeha aane ki kaise takleef ki?”

“Inspector Lal, darasal mai Anita wale case ke baare me janna chahta hu, kya ho raha hai? Anita ki koi khabar?”

“ji? Kaun Anita wale case? Wo us fraudiye ki bibi…?”

Girdhari was a bit ashamed on Lal’s remarks, but continued “ha usi ke baare me, Actual me Anita meri beti hai”

“I m sorry sir..actually..wo”

Girdhari diwedi had problems explaining the whole episode of the marriage and had even more problem on why he enquired so late about Anita. Inspector Lal continued to record Girdhari’s face ex-pressions while he was speaking about Anita. Lal noticed that Mr. Girdhari had problems now speaking after the disclosure of Anita being married to a man who is not respected member of society. Lal while speaking to Girdhari asked Mani Ram to call Animesh to the police station “keh dena ek laash mili hai” then looked at Girdhari who was by now feeling awkward “nahi keh dena sahib ne yaad kiya hai kuch identify karne ke liye”. “ji sahib” said mani ram and went inside to call Animesh. Inspector Lal’s words didn’t go well with Girdhari babu. “use kyo bula rahe hai? Yeh sab usi kameene ki wajah se ho raha hai. Mujhe to usi par shaque hota hai…”

“Sir isi liye to bula rahe hai taki aap apna shaque uske saamne jahir kare” said inspector lal. Girdhari babu looked puzzled “matlab?”. “Matlab ki sir, hum police ke log aise hi badnam rahte hai is liye hum chahte hai ki aap logo ki baate aamne saamne ho, Animesh hame na blame kare kisi bhi baat ke liye”. Girdhari babu now kept silence. Lal continued to notice his face ex-pressions. Just while they were waiting for Animesh, a young man of around thirty came looking for the inspector, “ji ..inspector sahib kaha milenge?” Lal as usual noticed that the man is nervous and is having something horrible to inform “kya kaam hai?” “ji mujhe sahib se hi kaam hai.” Lal asked the young man to come inside, taking excuse of Girdhari babu. Girdhari babu was immersed in thoughts, wondering how he will react upon his encounter with Animesh. Lal went inside with the young man holding him from his shoulder. Inspector lal introduced himself to the young man..the man a bit nervous said “sir maine ek ladki ki laash dekhi hai..” “kaha par?” “woh yaha se thodi dur par highway jaha se shuru hota hai na...woh highway ke neechey ek ped par hai uski laash”.

“Ped par?” Lal looked puzzled.

“Ji sir, woh sir..”

“tum waha kya kar rahe the?”

“sir woh..do din pehle mai apni hone wali bibi ko lekar gaya tha .. sir mujhe woh jagah khali dekh kar socha uske saath thoda masti..woh sir usi ne dekha..lekin sir aap usko..”

Lal now looked annoyed “do din pehle dekha aur aaj batane aaya hai??” Young man was now sweating and the look of inspector lal terrified him. Inspector lal asked Mani ram to keep the jeep ready and asked young man to continue with his version. “Tu bol..tu bol”

“sahib mai dar gaya tha agar uske ghar walo ko malum chala to ...wo usko bahut muskil se maine ghar se bahar milne ko..lekin sahib mai fas jaonga karke mai aapko batane chala aaya”

“kitne saal ki hogi wo ladki?”

“sir wo yehi koi 28-30 saal ki hogi”

Lal asked Mani ram to whether the jeep is ready or not? And started to move out, just he saw Animesh entering police station. Lal reached for Girdhari babu “ligiye aapke jamai sahib aa gaye”

Animesh was a bit surprised to see Girdhari babu at the station. Lal looked at both Animesh and Girdhari babu as to how they will react upon their interaction. But Animesh trying to avoid Girdhari babu looked at Lal “ha sir bataye, wo mujhe fone par kuch identify karne ke liye bol rahe the.” Lal smiled mischieviously looking at Girdhari babu “Animesh ji aapne shayad pehchana nahi inhe, yeh to kehte hai ki yeh aapke sasur hai”

“Sir aapne mujhe apne sasur ko identify karne ke liye to nahi bulaya hoga?” Animesh said in a harsh voice. Lal smiled and said “no..no..Mani ram us ladke ko lekar aao aur jeep nikalo”. Mani ram came out with open jeep the young man was sitting behind with some constables escorting him. Giving necessary instructions to other constables for arrangement of postmortem inspector Lal got into the jeep and asked Animesh to sit behind with young man. Girdhari babu looked at both of them and started to move to his travera. “Girdhari babu agar takleef na ho to aap bhi chale hamare saath, wo kya hai ki ek ladki ki laash mili hai..” said inspector lal. Girdhari babu didn’t said anything but Animesh enquired “kiski laash mili hai?”

“wohi to dekhne ja rahe hai”

Girdhari babu looked at animesh and lal “aap log chale mai apni gadi se aapke peechey aa raha hu”. Inspector lal glancing at Girdhari babu’s securitymen said “aap police ki gadi me chale aur apne is surakhsa bibhag ko yehi thodi der aaram farmane de, wapas lautne tak aapki suraksha hum karenge.” After a bit hesitancy Girdhari babu moved to the jeep looked at Animesh and sat at back along with the young man. Jeep started to move out of the sation.

     As Mani Ram kept the jeep’s throttle at its best no body said anything. Inspector lal breaking the silence said ”Girdhari babu, is ladke ko ek ladki ki laash ped par atki hui mili hai, use hi dekhne ja rahe hai, yeh ladka ..” addressing the young man “..kya naam hai tera?”

“mukesh, sahab” said young man.

“Karta kya hai tu?” Lal trying to show his pulisiya style.

“ji mai auto chalata hu sir” mukesh was a bit relaxed now. Girdhari babu and Animesh stared at each other but said nothing. Lal looked behind once and addressing Animesh “Ainmesh babu manaiye ki wo aapki bibi na ho”. It didn’t make Animesh happy. Lal continued “waise aapke father in law samjhate hai ki is sabke peechey aap ka haath hai?” This didn’t please Animesh, he looked at Girdhari babu and then glanced at Lal. Lal gave a mischievious smile,”shaque to mujhe bhi hota hai ..lekin saboot ki talash hai”. Suddenly Animesh felt something fishy has been cooked against him but he kept his calm. Days are not well, and nights are hell. Decided to wait till they found whose body is it.

     The jeep now on the highway was bit slow on instructions from inspector Lal. Mukesh was guiding the jeep to destined tree. He asked Mani Ram to take the jeep down from the main highway. A carpet of dry leaves welcomed them. It was a small forest on the outskirt of the town. Not a dense one but enough to chill a chicken hearts spine. Although the forest was not known for wild animals but Lal was wondering if the body is still there or it has been eaten by some wild animal. Looking at Mukesh he enquired “tu usko lekar is darawani jagah par laya tha, tere ko aur koi romantic jagah nahi mili?”. Mukesh said nothing and continued to guide Mani Ram. As sound of the jeep roared through the forest, inspector lal noticed some vultures in the sky and could imagine the state of the body. As they reached the destined tree, to everybody’s shock a dead body bumped on the jeep’s bonnet. It was a young lady’s body in a salwar suit torn at places and vultures had spent good time. The face of the lady was mutilated, one of the eye was missing and the other hanging out. It smelt foul. And everybody tried to protect themselves from the smell. Lal started to look for some evidence. It appeared as though she was killed a week before. Nothing could be assessed from the appearance of the body as why the lady was killed. A gold chain in her neck, defied the theory of looting. The dress although torn at places didn’t support the idea that she was a sexual victim. Looking at Animesh and Girdhari babu, Lal said “Animesh babu chehra to pehchan me nahi aa raha, lekin kapdo ko dhyan se dekhiye ki kya Anita ke pass aisi koi suit thi?” Animesh looked at the body, glanced at Girdhari babu and inspector lal. He could recognize the dress it was the one he has presented to Anita on her birthday. Animesh was immersed in deep thought looked at their faces, didn’t got a clue as to what he should say. Inspector lal was trying to recognize his ex-pressions, said in a loud voice “is it she?”. After a long time Girdhari babu broke his silence “Mr. Lal, yeh Anita nahi hai, uski height jayada hai.” Lal looked at Animesh, who was silent and still in thought. He was more confused after this disclosure from his father-in-law. If he tells the truth now inspector Lal will suspect him of playing foul with Anita and if comes to know later that I heed the fact from him he will be even more suspicious. Lal was still staring at him. He decided to go ahead with the truth. Animesh mustering up courage said “yeh body anita ki nahi hai lekin...body par jo kapde hai wo anita ke hi hai”. “kya?” Lal was a bit surprised, “kapde Anita ke hai par body Anita ki nahi hai? Fir yeh laash kiski hai?” everybody gazed at each other. Girdhari almost shouting said “Inspector lal isne meri beti ko mar diya”. Inspector lal kept his calm and approaching Animesh “animesh babu agar yeh kapde Anita ke hai, to fir Anita kaha hai?” Animesh now looked annoyed “agar mujhe malum hota to mai aapke saath yaha nahi hota.” Lal said nothing “khair use to hum dudh hi lenge lekin aap yaad kar ke bataye kya Anita ne apne kapde kisi ko diye the ya is ladki ne Anita ke kapde chori kiye” addressing to his constables “dhyan se dekho koi saboot agar mile to...”. Lal knew that now the complication in the case of identifying this body. He turned to Girdhari Diwedi “Girdhari babu, aapko kyo lagta hai ki Animesh ne aapki beti ko mara hai?” Girdhari after some thought said “Isne pehle meri beti ko fansa kar us se shadi ki aur jab preshani me fans gaya to..isne Anita ko mar diya”. Lal almost retorted “lekin Anita ko mar dene se iski koi problem to solve nahi hogi..Girdahri babu koi wajah to honi chahiye?” Girdhari felt his statement has turned against him, trying to save himself he said “uske naam ki insurance policy lene ke liye isne mara hai Anita ko.”

“Lekin Anita ki policy ke baare me aap kaise jante hai?”

“Kyo ki wo policy maine kharidi thi Anita ke naam uski shaadi se pehle”

Lal said nothing and looked at Animesh, who was wiping out the sweats from his forehead. Animesh knew what this muchhad is thinking of him. He said “inspector sahib, mujhe Anita ki kisi policy ke baare me koi jaankari nahi hai aur na hi kabhi Anita ne mujhe kabhi bataya”. In the meanwhile one of the constables came to Lal “sir wo koi saboot nahi mila hai, sir photograph le liye hai and sir body ko postmortem ke liye ab le jana hai”. Lal looked at Animesh and Girdhari babu asking them to accompany him to station for further enquiry.

As Mani Ram stopped the jeep at station, inspector lal and others got out of the jeep. Mukesh looking at Lal “sir mai ab jao?”

“a..a ha..wo andar ja kar apna naam pata aur fone number note kara aur ja.” Looking at Girdhari babu and Animesh he said “aap log bhi ab chale mujhe jarurat hogi to fir takleef dunga aur ha agar koi khabar mile Anita ki to jarur bataiyega”. No body said anything, Girdhari babu moved to his travera and Animesh started to walk out of the station.

Inspector Lal decided to do some homework for the case. He went inside, and started to work on all the theories for the case. And after a long time he couldn’t reach to a conclusion as to where Anita is and who is this lady? He then decided to wait for the postmortem report but one thing now he was sure of is that this lady was known to Anita. He asked one of his constables to keep an eye on Animesh. By late evening inspector Lal got the postmortem report, and it was clear from the report that the lady was killed. She had died of a head injury, someone had hit the lady on her head and she died of excess bleeding. And shockingly she was dead since the day Anita had disappeared. Inspector Lal was now trying to establish a connection between the two ladies. He decided to visit the small forest once again. As he reached the forest it was almost dark and the scene was quite frightening. Inspector lal was holding a torch, he decided to take out his gun. He moved slowly flashing the torch light and holding the gun. He felt as if someone was already there. He flashed torch on the ground and from the appearance of the leaves, he could assess that someone had visited the forest. He smiled and decided to leave. He knew that the killer whosoever is keeping an eye on him.

Inspector Lal when reached the station, Animesh was waiting for him. He reached for Animesh. Animesh khade hokar inspector lal ki or dekhne laga. Inspector Lal said “achha hua aap aa gaye mai abhi aapko hi yaad kar raha tha” after some pause he continued “Animesh babu kya aapko yakin hai ki aap is marne wali ladki ko nahi jaante”

“Inspector sahib uska chehra pehchan me hi nahi aa raha to mai kaise batau ki wo kaun hai?”

“waise is ladki ka koi na koi connection to hai aapki wife se”.

“ji wo to jahir hai, jab meri wife ke suit uski body par hai to kuch connection to hai”

“ha is ladki ki maut sar me chot ki wajah se hui hai aur itefaaq se..iski maut usi din hui hai jis din se aapki patni gayab hai” inspector lal looked at Animesh for his reaction. Animesh was immersed in deep thoughts, he looked at Lal in amazement. Lal said “aap kuch chintit lag rahe hai”

Animesh could utter only “a..a ji wo jiski patni gayab ho aur fir ek laash par uske kapde mile..wo chintit to hoga hi”

“waise Girdhari babu ki baato me kitni sachhai hai..kya wakai me koi policy..” Lal left the sentence for Animesh to complete. Animesh looking at lal with some annoyance “inspector sahib, mujhe Anita ke kisi policy ke baare me koi jaankari nahi hai”

“Agar hoti to kya ...tum Anita ka..”

“JI?” Animesh looked at Lal with anger and surprise.

“Chaliye waise aapke hisab se kaun is sabke peechey hai?”

“ji mujhe kuch bhi jaankari nahi hai is baare me, ha itna jarur aapko batana chahunga ki mere father-in-law ne kuchh property Anita ke naam kharid rakhi hai..lekin mujhse Anita ki shaadi ke baad wo property wapas chahte the”

“jo aapne wapas nahi ki ..” inspector lal interrupted “aur is liye ab tumhe lagta hai ki Anita ko uske baap ne gayab kiya hai property ke liye”

“ji inspector sahib mera matlab..ki ”

“aapka matlab saaf hai, aaj jab aapke sasur ne aap par ilzaam lagaya to aap counter ilzaam laga rahe hai”

“ji nahi sir, aaj unhe dekhkar mujhe hairani hui..aap khud se sochiye Anita ko gayab hue aaj ek week se upar ho gaya aur unko apni beti ki khabar lene ki aaj sujhi”

“waise aapke sasural me aur kaun kaun hai? Mera matalb anita ki mother, bhai..?”

“ji Anita ka koi bhai nahi hai, ek us se choti sister hai, chinni aur mother uski bahut hi achhi hai..ek wohi to hai jo hamari shaadi ke baad bhi khabar leti rahi hai”

“Anita ke gayab hone ke baad abhi tak to aaj pehli bar aapke father in law hi aaye..aur sabka behaviour aapse kaisa hai?”

“ji..chinni aur uski mother ko phone karke maine Anita ke bare me pucha tha..mujhe laga ki Anita naraz ho kar apni mother se kuch baat ki ho..chinni aayi bhi thi ghar par..wo kafi dukhi thi”

“aapne yeh sab kuch pehle nahi bataya”

“ji..wo mujhe jitna jaruri laga..utna bataya”

“waise Animesh babu aapko kisi par shaque ya fir Anita kaha ja sakti hai”

“sir mai kya batao..meri to zindagi preshan ho gayi hai” Animesh almost cries.

Inspector lal didn’t reacted and said “thik hai Animesh babu aap chale, abhi bahut kuch pata lagana hai, pehle to yeh pata lage ki yeh ladki kaun hai..kal ke akhbar me iske pehchan ke liye nikala hai, dekhte hai koi aata hai ki nahi identification ke liye”. Animesh wanted to say something but decided to stay quiet, shook hands with Lal and left the station. Inspector lal looked at Animesh and was immersed in deep thought. He called Mani Ram and asked him “Mani Ram kahi yeh Animesh aur uski wife ne milkar kisi ki goti fit to nahi kar di aur use Anita ke kapde pehna kar use Anita bana kar policy claim karke baahar bhag jane ka plan ho?” Mani Ram said “sir ho bhi sakta hai..waise sir jis constable ko Animesh ke peechey lagaya tha usne kuch khas report nahi di hai”

“Chalo thik hai par is par nigah rakhna aur wo kal ke paper me chapne ke liye de diya hai na”

“ha sir”. Lal looked tired decided to take some rest before the next day. Inspector turned back as he has forgotten something, addressing Mani Ram who was about to leave, “are ha Mani Ram, kal ek kaam aur karo, aas paas ke sabhi thane se pata lagao ki kisi ne kisi ladki ke gayab hone ki report to nahi ki hai”

“ji sir, kal subah hi pata lagata hu”

“ha jaldi pata lagao,” after instructing for tomorrow’s task inspector Lal left for his room and murmured “ek gayab hai uske kapde mil gaye aur dusri mili hai uska pata hi nahi lag raha”

The door bell rang, Animesh remaining in bed murmured “pata nahi kaun hai itni subah subah”. He looked at the wall clock almost cursing himself “shit its eight”. Bare chest he hurried to open the door. He couldn’t believe his eyes. Chinni was standing at the door with a tiffin box. Chinni smiled and said “good morning jijaji, abhi tak so rahe hai?”. Animesh moving out of her way could only say “a..o..aao andar aao..itni subah kaise?” and proceeded to put on a t-shirt. Chinni looked happy but said “mai apke liye breakfast layi hu..socha aap kafi dino se bahar kha pee rahe hai..thodi change ho jayegi”. Chinni looked at the room, it was all in mess. Animesh asked her to feel comfortable while he will be back from the bathroom. Chinni decided to clear the mess and put things in order. When Animesh came out of bathroom, he couldn’t believe his eyes, everything was in place. Animesh said “yeh sab karne ki kya jarurat thi?”

“kyo agar maine kar diya to kya kuch galat kiya? Didi ki koi khabar lagi?”

Suddenly Animesh got alert but could only say “nahi abhi tak to koi nahi,” after some pause he continued “ha tumahre papa jarur samjhte hai ki maine tumahri didi ko mara hai.”

“AAPNE?” Chinni was a bit surprised “wo aisa soch bhi kaise sakte hai, wo to aapki bahut tarif karte the, of course didi se shaadi ke pehle, lekin mai apne papa ko janti hu wo sirf gusse me aisa keh rahe honge”. Animesh thought for a while then said

“lekin gussa wo mujhse personally bhi nikal sakte hai police ke samne gussa nikalne ka matlab”. Chinni couldn’t answer anything, she didn’t wanted to involve in the argument rather she said “aap nashta kar le, mai papa se baat karungi”.

“Nahi tum koi baat na karna unse, waise tumahre subah subah yaha aane ka..a mera matlab tumahre mummy papa ko malum hai ki tum yaha aayi ho?”

“Papa ko nahi, par mummy ko pata hai, wo to khud bhi aana chahti hai lekin..”

Animesh started to have the breakfast. Chinni mustering up courage said “jijaji kahi koi kaam mila?” Animesh looked at her but didn’t said anything. Chinni taking out money from her purse said “jijaji agar aap bura na mane to yeh kuch paise hai aap rakh le”. Animesh was silent, tears came to his eyes, chinni trying to console him said “aapko jab kaam mil jaye to lauta digiyega aur preshan na ho..sab thik ho jayega” thodi der chup rah kar chinni ne kaha “yeh mummy ne diya hai..” Animesh started to cry resting his head on the table. Chinni brushed her hand through his hair. Chinni has never done this before to Animesh. He felt good, memories of Anita flashed back as she used to do this to him in the times of trouble. She would do this often. Animesh got up all of a sudden, as he had to see inspector Lal and look for a job. He looked at Chinni still holding the money. Asking him to keep the money. Animesh looked at chinni, tears still in his eyes, couldn’t utter a word. He decided to keep the money and as he took the money tears rolled down his cheeks. He said “mujhe police station jana hai, tumhe abhi kahi jana hai?”

“wo ha mujhe ghar lautna hai, papa ko shayad kahi jana ho, mai unki gaadi lekar aayi hu”. Animesh looked through the window, he could see the travera waiting outside. Animesh could only ask “akeli aayi ho?”.

“nahi wo saath me ‘heera’ bhi hai, wo..wo..mummy ne kaha ise saath leti jao...achha mai chalti hu jija ji, aur ha meri jarurat lage to call kar ligiyega”, waving hands at Animesh she left for the travera. Animesh decided to watch her through the window. He could see her having some words with heera and then she occupied the driver’s seat. The travera left for its destination. Shaking heads he left for the station.

On his way to the station he was only thinking about morning events. He felt a bit relaxed. He was running short of money and this contribution from his mother-in-law has given him some respite. He thanked his mother-in-law. The whole episode began to flash in front of his eyes. Suddenly he recalled that Chinni had came escorted by Heera. He recalled that she used to hate this person a lot. Heera was house keeper cum gatekeeper of Mr. Girdhari diwedi, having dark and a tall well built personality with a knife’s scar mark on the face and a criminal record as well. God knows what interest Mr. Girdhari had in him. Even his mother-in-law never liked his presence. The rumor that made rounds was that Heera had killed his wife and his close friend because he felt they made merry behind his back. And Mr. Girdhari had saved him from being sentenced using his connections in the court. While others felt heera knew some illegal activities of Girdhari babu and he black mailed him. Immersed in all these thoughts he wanted to smoke. He stopped his bike in front of paan shop, purchased his favorite brand and as he took the first puff of cigarette. Heera and Chinni flashed again in front of his eyes. This was now taking toll of him. All along he could only recall, chinni hated this person and today he was escorting her. Finally he decided to drop all these unwanted thoughts and concentrate on his search for Anita.

As he reached station, he looked for inspector Lal but he was not available. He enquired about Lal from constable Mani Ram. Mani Ram didn’t have any clue as to where he is but could only tell that he will be back in an hour or so. An hour ! he thought will be quite exhausting. He cheked all his options and he could do nothing in those hours. He can’t even look for a job, everywhere he goes people will laugh at him. He preferred to wait. Suddenly he decided to utilize this time to inspect the location of the body. He might find something that could be of some help to police in the investigation. He told Mani Ram “achha thik hai mai ek ghante baad aata hu, inspector Lal aaye to kehiyega mai aaya tha”. This idea of investigating the case himself had given him some excitement, he wondered why he didn’t got the idea before. He reached for the highway, his bike’s tyre and dry leaves produced sound that echoed through the forest. He reached for the tree and started looking in dry leaves, moved the leaves from his foot. Nothing important he could find. He had spent almost thirty minutes in that lonely place looking for clue. Exhausted he sat on the dry leaves and was thinking as to when he will get respite from all this mess. Suddenly inspector Lal along with some constables appeared to his disbelief. He stood speechless. Trying to control his emotions he said “inspector sahib ! aap yaha?”

Without saying anything inspector Lal ordered his men to arrest Animesh. Animesh couldn’t understand a bit as to whats all happening. Some of the constables grabbed him, one of them twisted his arm to put the handcuff. Trying to rescue himself, he said “inspector sahib, yeh sab kyo ho raha hai? Aisi kaun si baat ho gayi ki aap mujhe girftaar kar rahe hai.” Lal slapped Animesh and said “shala tum apne ko bahut hoshiyar samjhata hai, shaque to mere ko bahut pehle se ho raha tha..”  Animesh holding his cheeks, still feeling the slap of Lal could only say “lekin mujhe kis jurm me giraftar kar rahe hai?” Lal said “chaliye abhi thodi khatir hogi to sab pata chal jayega”. Inspector lal almost pushed him towards his jeep. Animesh trying to pull out of the clutches of the constables and requesting Lal to at least listen to his story but Lal wouldn’t care. Sitting in front asked Mani Ram to drive to the other police station. Mani Ram took the jeep out of the forest, while Animesh continued to plead with Lal to at least pay him attention for a while.. but only was abused.

As the jeep with Lal and Animesh arrived at Jamnagar thana, inspector Lal looked at Animesh in anger. Animesh was feeling pain in his shoulders, getting out of the jeep said “yeh aap mujhe kaha le aaye?” Lal said nothing instead pushed Animesh  inside thana, “abhi batate hai.” Leaving Animesh alone Lal went inside and came out accompanying another gentleman of around sixty. Animesh wasn’t getting any clue as to what Lal is upto? Lal looking at Animesh in anger said “inko pehchante ho?” Animesh could murmur only “a..a.nahi”. Lal approached Animesh gazed at him and after some pause said “inhi ki beti hai jiske badan par teri bibi ke kapde mile hai”. Animesh stood speechless looked at Lal and the gentleman with a surprise. Before he could say anything inspector Lal continued “inki beti, tumahri bibi yani ki Anita ki friend hai aur wo Anita se milne aayi hui thi..jis din se tumahri bibi gayab hui usi din inki beti tumahre ghar rahne ke liye aayi thi...tum dono ne milkar inki beti ko mara aur fir use Anita banane ki koshish ki..taki duniya samjhe ki Anita mar gayi aur tum log Anita ki policy ka claim le kar bhag jao..good plan...agar us din Girdhari babu na aate to tumne to us body ko Anita bana hi dena tha ..ab pyar se bataoge ki Anita kaha hai?” Animesh couldn’t understand as to what he should do in these circumstances. Telling truth was of no point, nobody will believe him. But inspector Lal ko wo Anita kaha se la kar de jab use khud hi Anita ki koi khabar nahi. So he looked at Lal and the gentleman and said “inspector sahib mera yakeen kare mujhe Anita ki koi khabar nahi hai..” Suddenly Lal slapped him in anger and pushed him inside the lock up. Lal instructing a constable to prepare papers for his custody for interrogation and that he planned to put take care of Animesh tonight left station.

Animesh in the lock up was feeling hungry, it was more than six hours since he has eaten something. He was helpless. Suddenly he remembered about the money given by Chinni in the morning hours. Taking out his purse he called one of the constables to get him something to eat. The constable demanded more money for his service as well. The constable brought him some samose to eat. Although it tasted horrible but he has no option but to eat the samose. God knows what this muchhad had planned for him. He recalled how he was brutally treated the last time he had to spent the time on corruption charges. Immersed in thoughts he decided to take things as they came. Instead of panicking he sat on the ground to pray. While he was praying Chinni waited outside the lock up for him. He finished his prayer after five minutes, and was surprised and happy to see Chinni. It was a great relief for he thought she could be of some help to him. He said “Chinni mai to soch raha tha ki mai ab yaha se murda hi wapas jaonga...lekin tumhe pata kaise chala?”

Chinni smiled “wo inspector Lal aaya tha papa se milne ..un logo ki baat cheet se pata chala ki ..khair ek call to mujhe kar dete”

“phone ? yaha to zindagi ko bachane ki fikra hai aur waise bhi maine socha ..” Chinni almost interrupting him

“aapne jo bhi socha ho lekin hum aapke saath hai aur ..” she wanted to say something but one of the constable shouted “sahib ke aane se pehle khatam kar ligiye”. Chinni looked at him in anger. Animesh asked her to leave before that ‘Muchhad Lal’came back. Chinni had tears in eyes, wiping them she said “yeh aapko kis musibat me daal diya hai didi ne?” then she left.

Inspector Lal came late at night at the station looked a bit tired. He asked Mani Ram to get the bottle of the whisky from his table. Mani Ram took out the bottle and sent another constable to get some soda for sahib. Lal asked him not to bother instead he preferred to have water. Lal was still in some thought while he continued to enjoy whisky. Mani Ram knew whats going on in his mind didn’t said anything. Lal after a couple of glass said “Mani Ram kuch aur khabar lagi, iske baare me.”

“Nahi sahib wo apna informer hai na usne khabar di thi ki iski saali milne ko aayi thi iske ghar par aaj subah me,.. wo sham ko bhi yaha aayi thi”.

“YAHA? Iska matlab ki mai jab e saale ke sasure ke ghar par..” he got up and started to move to the lock up “Mani Ram jara kambal aur danda lana..”

“ji sir abhi laaya” Mani Ram knew ke aaj to animesh babu gaye kaam se. He brought the kambal and a lathi for Lal. Seconds later the station was filled with Animesh’s screams.

The police jeep stopped in front of court, Animesh was sitting at the back in the company of constables. Handcuffed he got down, and was unable to walk. Lal had given him enough treatment in the night. Lal smiled at Animesh’s miserable condition. Lal holding his arm took him inside the court, while other constables followed them. Lal asked the constables and Animesh to wait outside the courtroom while he went inside to enquire about the proceedings of the case. Inspector Lal wanted to take remand of Animesh for further investigation. He knew that Lal will now try to turn the case into a complicated one on instructions from his father –in-law.

Friends this is incomplete. I need your comments and views Where is Anita ? Is She alive or dead? To find out what happens read my next posting.