Dreamy Red

Episode 30 - Cajoling Talks

Even after searching for about an hour, I couldn't find any author named Samrahul Shabafaaz or any books titled Red or Violet on the internet. The publishing house printed on the booklet also was a fake one. I remembered that I had retreated from the case and even had asked Karan to shut down the agency. But the facts I gathered were too crucial to miss. So I thought that even if I didn't involve directly, I could at least tip Ravi. So I called him and informed him about my findings. I also asked him to check if Naveen also had a similar booklet. "Yeah sure. So it means you are back on duty!", he exclaimed happily. "No", I said displeasing him. "I got a clue and thought you should be aware of it. That's all. Other than that, I'm not going to be involved in any way. Find another agency. I'm pretty sure there are plenty out there", I said harshly.

"That's not fair, Bibbi. You are doing things wrong over and over again. You are not listening to anybody, you are just doing as you please!", he commented. "Whatever", I said in a fit of pique and cut the call. It was almost four in the evening. I hadn't even had my lunch. My stomach was rumbling with hunger. Though I was in my own dad's home, I felt like a total stranger. I felt shy to even ask for food.

While I was walking back and forth across my room thinking of what to do, I heard a knock on my door. I opened it and saw that Maa had brought a plate full of yummy-looking food. "I'm sorry for the delay, Bibbi. It's been a very long time since I cooked good food", she said. She was sorry for what?! She had prepared a whole buffet. "Thank you", I said joyfully and hugged her tight. She smiled pleasantly. She was the coolest lady I had ever met. And the loveliest too just like my Kousi mami. So I didn't hesitate and asked her rightfully if I could adopt Twinkle and keep her home because "Whoever is gonna take care of the Nishanthi Villa next won't take care of her and there's a chance they may send her to red-cross!" She smiled and told me that she will check with dad and let me know.

*****

After a good nap, I went down to the hall. It was 7:10 PM on the digital clock hung above the TV. A guest whose back was turned towards me was sitting on the sofa. Maa was talking excitedly to him. For one moment, I thought he was my mamu. But then I realised that Mamu would not be interested to come to meet me because he would be too busy reminiscing the times with his son that they had missed together. Maa saw me getting down the stairs and said, "Ah, here is your girl. You can ask her yourself. It's totally her decision."

I was shocked to see that the man whom Maa was talking to was indeed mamu. At once, I turned and bolted towards my room upstairs. I shut the door tight and sat down on my bed. I was breathing heavily. I had mixed feelings. I was scared. I was happy. And I was angry. Mamu had come to meet me, so it meant that he had not forgotten me after getting back his son. Or did he come to return my things and say goodbye forever, I thought. Or was he here for something else? My mind was wavering with a lot of thoughts.

I heard a knock on my door. I thought that it could be mamu. I had left the jungle to get back to him, but knowing that he gave shelter to his deceitful son, I wasn't able to tolerate that. So I wasn't ready to face him yet. But I gulped down and opened the door boldly, ready to face whatever was in store for me.

Fortunately, it was maa. I looked around and saw that she had come alone. She pushed me in and closed the door behind her. She pulled me towards the bed and we both sat down facing each other. "I know it is very difficult for you. I know it is hard to look at your boyfriend after so many years. But you haven't even spoken to him. You have not given him a chance to explain anything", she told me carefully. I shook my head and spoke, "Maa, he is different now. He is not my boyfriend anymore. It's all different now." And tears rolled down my eyes. I was not able to pull myself together. "Now, Bibbi. Don't cry", she said as she wiped my tears. "I think you should give him a chance to explain", she stressed. "No maa. Anything he says will not cover up his mistake", I replied sharply. "I can understand. But you can try", she said calmly.