BALI 100 KM (Book 1) ✔

Chapter 60

"Balwant! You are talking about the same Balwant who was involved in the Bali murder case. And who is now hospitalized with TB?" The fuming rage in the question and on the face of the questioner doubled when Bandu nodded in affirmation. Miss Sakhi was more rather disturbed than confused.

"Bandu...I..., don't know what to say. Can you explain yourself and the meaning of all this confusing episode?" he asked, controlling his temper and drinking a glass of water to cool himself.

"It was just by chance that one day I happen to take Nand to the police station to inquire into his missing complaint, and while waiting, he pointed to a photograph on the wanted list board. I was stunned. It was Balwant's,"

"You should have let us know then and there about Nand why hide it? I fail to understand," cried Comm. Seth.

"Nand had run away from home in search of his father, and after knowing that his father was a wanted criminal, he was very disappointed. Having grown fond of him, I was half afraid he would run away again. I had realized a fact, that once the police entered a household, the whole society looked at that family in a bad light. And even more so if there was a criminal in the family. The rest of the family then is tagged as a parasite in society. I did not wish that tag for Nand, as he was growing under a bad influence, and it was easy for him to lose his way in life. So I decided to trace his family myself to return him,"

"But that was not your responsibility...you had only one thing to do...inform the police...which you didn't," Comm. Seth snapped.

"I am extremely sorry to have disappointed you...sir. But two good things happened out of this. One was that Nand reached his family safely, and second I was fortunate to have found my mother again," He explained, not sure how it would go down with the Comm...

"Sure, good came out of it. After that...after that, you could have told us about him," he said.

"At that stage, I too was under suspicion of hiding the papers. And I was afraid that if the police knew I was related to Balwant, that suspicion would take deep roots which would then be hard to dislocate, however hard I tried, and so I kept quiet," Bandu ended his explanation with a sigh.

"But hiding facts from the police is against the law, and I had warned you that I will not take lightly to that," Comm Seth said, raising his voice. He was clearly angered at being deceived and was trying very hard to tame it under control.

"On the other hand, those facts would have had no effect on the case whatsoever," he said, "But this is not the only fact you hid from the police. You refrained on purpose from mentioning Mr. Rajput, and I fail to understand why," he accused.

"He saved my life, sir," Bandu pleaded.

"Does that certify him to be a good man? He might have been just fooling you. It is our duty to scan everyone involved in the case, and it is your duty to tell us everything you know. I hope that you will keep that in mind for the future,"

"Yes, sir, I will keep that in mind," Bandu assured him.

"Miss Sakhi is reopening the case of her father's death which occurred 25 years back and deemed to be an accident. We are still questioning the leader, who had disclosed that Miss Sakhi's father's death was a murder. He is a tough nut to crack, but we will crack him," he said, 

"Anyways, miss Sakhi wants to reveal something crucial and is super excited about it. It was on her insistence that we came here to meet you. She wanted to share the news with you too," Comm. Seth said, now looking at Miss Sakhi, who beamed with a smile.

What an enchantress..., Bandu thought and forcibly turned his glance away from her face to look back at Comm. Seth, who was eyeing him with a strange look.

"I think she has brought you a gift," Comm. Seth said.

Bandu noticed, for the first time, since they came, a large package in Miss Sakhi's hands. She then held it forwards towards Bandu.

"This is for you, Bandu," She said.

"For me, miss? You shouldn't have. I can't take it,"

"You should take it, Bandu, I insist. I will be happy if you do,"

Bandu took hold of the package and looked at the shining paper wrap, wondering what's inside.

"Don't just look at it Bandu, I want you to open it now. It's a surprise,"

Bandu carefully unwrapped the package, and his eyes widened at the sight of a beautiful glass framed photo of the deity.

"I just don't know what to say. It's so beautiful, Miss Sakhi," He exclaimed with a smile directed at her, "Thank you. But how did you know that the photo was mine?"

"When you forgot this photo in the hospital, the nurse thought that it must have been a gift to me from a well-wisher, and she informed me about it. I was too tired to open it then and soon forgot about it until I found it in my belongings once again after I reached home from the hospital. But then, it found a corner and lay forgotten," she said with a sigh.

Their conversation was interrupted when Bandu's mother and Sukhi came in with tea and snacks for the guest to eat.

"Hope you will enjoy the tea and snacks. I beg all to excuse both of us for we have some work in the kitchen," said mother and went back into the kitchen with Sukhi.

"Miss Sakhi, when did you open my package?" Bandu asked, which prompted Miss Sakhi to continue her story.

"After the kidnapping incident, I returned home to dig into all my father's belongings to collect evidence to file a case. I was looking for the letters my father had written to me when I was a little girl. It was then I noticed this package again and opened it."

"Thank you once again, Miss Sakhi."

"Well, it certainly looks grand," Comm. Seth commented and glanced at Miss Sakhi, who was beaming with excitement, "I think you seemed to have something on your mind, Miss Sakhi."