The Adventures of a Dumb Detective and his Wily Mate.

Untitled Part 23

Chapter 23

A brother's battle.

Agni and Rudra had fallen asleep. Animesh peeked through and gently shut the door.

Sameer and Reshma took their leave.

'I'm abandoning my friend in your hands, but if I don't return now, I'll be late in joining back to duty. I have to drop Jaan off at her parents' as well as say farewell to my family. Please apologize to Rudra and Agni. Tell them I'll see them back in Calcutta.'

Reshma smilingly said 'namaskar,' and the Hussain pair drove off.

The house fell silent. Animesh and Suni entered the parent's bedroom and lifted the mattress. Underneath it, there was a false bottom. When they removed it, they found the coins. They were nestled inside blue velvet boxes, each box containing 1001 coins. There were 20 of these stacked neatly inside. They smiled at each other gleefully and then methodically set about counting them and packing them in metal suitcases.

'I think we'll have to tell Rudra about these. He needs to be present during the mediation. We'll need outside witnesses too. Maybe Sameer can be one. And I believe, her brother can be another, from her side? Or do we need to have complete strangers as third party?' Suni asked.

Animesh sighed. 'I have no idea. I guess Rudra would know all this. Shall we eat lunch or wait for them? They looked completely drained. I suppose we should let them rest?'

Suni nodded. 'Well, I'm hungry and want to relax in the library afterwards. I suppose we have to head out in the afternoon? The new boyfriend seemed to be in an almighty hurry.'

'Fine, let's go. Suni, do me a favour, please occupy Bhai for some time once they're awake. I want to talk to Rudra alone.'

Suni eyed him suspiciously. 'About what?' she asked.

'I barely know anything about him. I want to get an idea about his family life. What his future prospects, his living conditions are. Bhai is used to a certain standard of living, after all. I want to know if he can provide for him in the future. That's all.' He shrugged.

'Nothing else? So, you'll not bring up the past? Promise? Let them sort that out by themselves, please Ani!'

'Ooof, cholo, let's eat. Please.. just! Just keep Bhai away for a little bit while we talk, ok?

Suni continued to eye him suspiciously but said, 'ok.'

After a simple lunch Suni settled herself in the library until Animesh called her out.

The lovers were awake. They ate in silence, while Suni chattered on.

'Let's look for nice day and have a party. It's been too long since we've had a celebration. I think the earliest we can manage would be November. Rudra? What do you think? How does that sound?'

Rudra glanced at Agni. 'It's up to Ani. I don't really care. I just want us to be together. I'll look for a rental property for now and later look of something more permanent. For now, all I care about is for us to live together, right Ani?'

Agni shook his head. 'Uhu, I don't care about it either way, but November is better for everything. The puja rush will be over. We'll all have some breathing room before the Christmas rush begins. I'll be free to help with the moving .. selection of our furniture and everything else.'

'Oh my!! Our businessman brother has emerged out of his cloud already!' Suni exclaimed.

Agni frowned at her and pursed his lips. 'It's not like I need to order a wedding trousseau or something! The only thing I'm worried about is telling the parents.'