BALI 100 KM (Book 1) ✔

Chapter 63

"The curse of Ghatti! Why do you think the Zora tribe vanished forever? The tribe hid a secret, which they were never to reveal to any person outside the tribe. But someone broke that rule, and evil fell on the tribe, and disaster struck. And because Bandu's father mentioned it out, once again, that evil fell on our family too. So please, don't ask me to commit the same mistake. I will not speak of it. But, in the course of your research, you might find the answers to your question,"

"I am sorry, mother. I will not ask you again about it. I will find it out for myself. But do you know who killed Bandu's father and my father too?"

"Hmm...," she nodded her head and remained silent and looked forlorn and after a moment fell backward onto the bed. Bandu rushed forward.

"Mother...Mother! What happened?"

"Water! Bring water," Miss Sakhi, cried.

"It's there on the table. Some water is leftover in the glass,"

Bandu picked up the glass, half filled with water, and sprinkled it on mother's face. She moved her head. Relieved, Bandu replaced the glass on the table and anxiously waited for her to open her eyes.

"Oh...I feel so tired,"

"What happened, mother?"

"Its old age son; was distressed...at remembering old events. It was too much for me,"

"I am sorry for that, mother. I was the one to rake up all this. Once again, I am sorry..., "Miss Sakhi cried.

"No, dear, it's not your fault. You were just as eager to know about your father,"

"I will not trouble you anymore, mother. I shall take my leave. Please rest. And once again, I am sorry...," said Miss Sakhi and rose from the bed.

"Don't be too harsh on yourself, dear. You are welcome here anytime you want. I would also like to see you sometimes,"

"Yes, mother, I will surely come to meet you...you are so kind," she said and picked up her handbag and walked to the door, followed by Bandu.

"You need not come with me, Bandu, I will go on my own,"

"Allow me to accompany you to your car,"

Both walk out of the house and spot the children playing outside on the veranda. Radha quickly got up and ran to Bandu, and pulled at his kurta. Bandu picked her up, and she whispered something into Bandu's ear, which brought a smile to his face. He whispered back into her ear and put her down. Both Nand and Miss Sakhi watched this scene with a smile on their faces. Bandu waved to them and walked ahead with Miss Sakhi, who waved her goodbyes to them.

"I ask you for forgiveness, Bandu, for distressing your mother...I didn't mean that to happen,' She said on a serious note.

"I know you didn't mean it, Miss Sakhi, so there is no place for sorry here,"

"I am going to have my father's death investigated again, and that will throw some light on who was the actual villain and why he killed my father. I now quite understand your peril and will not expose your name in this,"

"If you are determined to reopen the case, then chances are that your life too will be in danger again,"

"I know Bandu, but I don't care. I will finish the research and find my father's killer and bring him to justice,"

"After wrapping up, I will move to another place. I want to start afresh in a place where I am not known, and live in peace,"

"That's a good idea, Bandu, and my best wishes are with you. Do let me know so that I can bid you and your family farewell. You are indeed lucky to have found your family again, so treasure them,"

"I will, Miss Sakhi,"

"But before that, I need your help in the research. There are some small details that I wish to clarify so that I try and understand the secret the Zohra tribe hid among themselves."

"My mother has not spoken to me about it, and I too heard her speaking about it for the first time. I will certainly help you with whatever I know,"

"Thank you, Bandu,"

Both of them walked in silence. Bandu watched her from the corner of his eyes. She appeared to be in her thoughts and looked sad. They sighted her car where the driver, as soon as he spotted them, got out and moved to open the door for Miss Sakhi. She halted when Bandu placed his hand on her shoulder. She turns around registering a surprise on her face.

"Please be careful. You are dealing with a dangerous man. If you ever need my help, you are always welcome," Bandu said, lowering his hand from her shoulder.

Those words put a wonderful smile on her sad face, which contagiously spread on to Bandu, erasing that worrying frown on his forehead. She nodded her pretty head in agreement and walked into the waiting car. With her smile still intact on her lips, she waved Bandu goodbye. In response, he raised his hand and waved at her. Bandu stood there looking at the car speeding away from him until it appeared as a dot on the horizon and disappeared. He walked back home strangely depressed and empty inside.