Love or Retribution?

Chapter - 35

Nandhini walked up to the witness station with hesitation and embarrassment. She had lost everything that she had dreamed of in the past few days, huge money, respectful job, a fiancée, the only thing left for her was her family who threatened to abandon her if she didn't do the right thing. So, with half heart she agreed to help Indira and her family.

"Ms. Nandini, can you state your relationship to Mr.Thomson?", Subhashini asked.

"Few years back, I was contacted by a mysterious person whom I know only through voice, he asked me to keep an eye on Bhargav, owner of Subhagraha and make sure he doesn't fall in love with anyone and to inform in case a woman enters his life and to give him updates about owners of Indira's house. He would send me frequent payments for regular information on Bhargav and his surroundings and promised a huge sum if I promised to get married to him."

"Objection your honor, I am seriously tired of these stories, what is the relevance? Who is this Bhargav?", Saravanan asked with irritation.

"Even I have no clue, but the way this case is progressing I know for sure a connection will surface, so overruled, you can proceed Ms.Subhashini", judge said looking Subhashini.

"What happened during your last conversation?", Subhashini asked.

"I understood Bhargav is falling for Indira and tried to manipulate and guilt trip him into marrying him, I thought that would be the end of my assignment and informed the progress to the man on the phone, but he was furious and asked to me send a picture of Indira, I got a final installment from him and mailed him the photos", Nandhini finished,

"Your honor, even though Mr.Thomson faked his death, he wanted to make sure neither Mr.Arunkumar's wife nor daughter come digging up the past, the only connection that family had left are their house and their family/childhood friend Bhargav, so he placed Nandhini there to keep him updated, since Indira grew up in our.."

"Sorry, I mean Mr.Thomson's house, he knew her affection towards Bhargav, so he calculated if Bhargav is married to someone else, Indira would lose all her connection to Kothagiri, and hence his deal with Nandhini to marry Bhargav", Subhashini finished.

"Your cross", she said looking at Saravanan.

"Ms.Nandhini, did you know Indira was originally Ms.Subhashini, the deceased's daughter?"

"No"

"Did you know about her connection to the said Bhargav?"

"I knew he had a childhood sweetheart but never knew the whole detail."

"Have you met Mr.Thomson before in your life or personally pass on information to him?"

"No, it has always been through mail and bank transactions."

"Then how did you know it was Mr.Thomson on the other end?"

"I didn't, not until he came to Subhagraha with his four friends."

"Thank you Ms.Nandhini, you may go now", Saravanan finished and looked at the judge.

"Your honor.."

"Mr. Saravanan", Nandhini called him, interrupting his argument.

"I may not recognize Mr. Thomson, but his voice, I can never forget that, I can tell you with hundred percent assurance that the man who spoke to me on the phone is Mr.Thomson", she said and got down from the stand.

"And I have an audio of our prime minister singing "Andha aruvi pol anbha tharuvale song", doesn't mean it is real."

"Your honor, these all feel like some desperate attempt from Mr.Sathya's side without tangible proof", Saravanan said little frustrated.