SECRET WIFE

4. CAUGHT?

“ Asad, relax. Don't over think! Everything will be fine!" Sanjana said.

However, Asad is tensed.

Joseph is trying to recollect who she is the whole day.

" Mom, I saw that teacher in Asad's mirror." He finally told his mom.

" Which teacher?" She wondered.

" That teacher who used to keep rose flowers in hair." Joseph smiled.

She is terrified.

" Asad, is everything fine?" She asked the next day morning.

" Of course!" Asad expecting same reaction acted cool.

" Joseph says he saw Sanjana's ghost in your mirror!" She said starting at that mirror.

" What? It's just his illusion!" Asad faked a smile. Rao supported him.

" You know, kids can see ghosts. I think we should better inform village heads." She stammered.

" Come on, it's just a misconception. Relax!" Asad managed to convince her.

" Ghost?" What is she talking about Rao wondered.

" Actually, before leaving my house, I left a note stating I'm going to commit suicide to reach God, so that they don't suspect any love story. My dad being a religious person believed in it. Yeah they did search for me, but obviously couldn't find me." Sanjana said.

" As society would question about her whereabouts, disclosing about suicide would cost them pride. They created a rumour that she fell sick and died in hospital at the city. They managed everything form bringing ambulance, medication reports and finally death. " Asad said.

" They moved to grandma's house in this village, to spend rest of their lives in a place where I spent my last phase of life, before seeking liberation. It backfired badly, if we are now caught, we can't even run away as he lives 10 houses away from us. " Sanjana sighed.

Rao is still in shock. He couldn't believe Sanjana is faking death for love and that it's been an year.

He presumed they are secretly married recently and are hiding from parents with Kabir's support.

" Why don't go far away from this village?" Rao is puzzled.

" Job constraints. I have been trying to find work?" He said.

" I see!" Rao sighed.

Asad wanted to seek Rao's help, but he restrained following Kabir's words.

As Rao is already upset with his family, he doesn't want Rao to think he is helping him, expecting something in return, which could back fire badly.

Kabir wants Asad and Sanjana to be so nice, that Rao himself offers help.

" What about ups and downs in married life?" Rao asked.

" We married eachother twice, once in Hindu style and once in Muslim style. He prays his God, I worship mine. We are compatible. We accepted each other in the way we are." Sanjana said with a spark.

Though Asad and Sanjana heart fully wanted to help Rao, they are pissed off with him not showing any interest in giving them a job, when they are grave danger.

Joseph wouldn't have seen Sanjana, if Rao is never in their lives.

" You know my brother loved a girl during his college days. Mounika, she is a sweetheart. But her family found about her affair and blackmailed her that they will commit suicide. She has no other option, but to bow down to caste and societal norms. My parents don't know about this. They think he is their ideal son, who never disobeys them. But only I know, how much broke he is after breakup. He married the girl my parents decided. He isn't happy either now. His wife is good but daughter is battling a dreadful disease. He works round the clock to afford her medication." Sanjana cried.

Next day Asad overheard rumours about Sanjana becoming a ghost.

Asad realized Joseph's mom talked about it to others.

Asad is afraid these rumours would reach Sanjana's parents soon. They believe in superstitions.

As they already think she committed suicide to seek liberation, they would also believe in her ghost hovering around. And his fears turned out to be true.

" May be she couldn't find peace and became a ghost!" Sanjana's father concluded the night. Kabir informed Asad.

" I think we should run away! " Asad told Sanjana worried.

" But how can we survive. They will decode that I'm alive if we run away out of the blue." Sanjana yelled.

" Fine, may be we should run away...with...with Rao's property papers." Asad mumbled.

" Are you out of mind? Please relax. Let's find some way. We are no way betraying anyone." Sanjana cried.

" I'm sorry. I just am terrified. I just want you to be safe and I can do anything for that. I will do something!" He regretted for what he told in heat of moment.

Mr. Rao came to them in the mean time.

" Kabir arranged 8 body guards and they threw away my evil relatives from my home." He happily said.

The morning:

Asad woke up when he overheard people gathering around his house.

" Is everything fine?" He asked.

" Asad, is your house possessed by Sanjana's ghost?" Sanjana's dad asked.

" What? I'm safe and sound leading a peaceful life!" Asad disdained.

" If that's the case, why have you been locking all your windows since last year?" Joseph's father questioned.

" I think Sanjana's ghost is controlling him!" An older woman yelled.

Asad is annoyed.

" Don't be scared. Tell us the truth. We will protect you from her spirit!" Asad and Ali's friend added.

With time, it looked like people from 3 different religions are trying to over power each other in helping Asad with ghost.

" See, please leave. Just leave. I shall go to school!" Asad is irked.

" Why do you lock that room in that case? " His friend screamed.

" It has my parents' belongings. I also keep my money safely in that room. So I lock it." Asad confidently said.

Kabir who just reached the spot is trying to convince them into believing Asad.

" BTW, where is your new guest Rao? Is he inside?" Joseph's mom asked.

" He left, " Asad said.

" But I just saw him yesterday evening!" She added.

" He left for his hometown night time, as he has some work!" Asad replied.

" He is just beating around the bushes. I think Sanjana's ghost harmed Rao!" His friend added.

" But Sanjana is quite a good child. She wanted to attain liberation too. She wouldn't harm anyone." Sanjana's father yelled.

" I think Asad hid him inside, as Rao can reveal truth about Sanjana's ghost. Even he barely came outside fearing ghost I guess." One added.

" Let's just go inside and check!" Sanjana's mother concluded.

Kabir and Asad tried to stop them but all in vain.

Sanjana's parents, Joseph's parents, Asad's friend all of them barged into the house and starting inspecting every corner.

To be continued.....