More than just Feluda (Fanfic)

Finding an Answer

1965:

Sindhuja came back from her house in two days. Meanwhile the duo in Gangtok came back after a week, with a new case they solved. Tapesh decided to write their adventure by the name 'Gangtoke Gondogol'.

One evening Sindhuja came out of the kitchen cleaning-up after dinner, when she saw him standing in the hall. 

"What happened? Do you need something?"

"No no... Uh- do you have time? I wanted to... talk to you." 

"Okay, sure..." She said furrowing her eyebrows at this strange behaviour.

He looked around. "Do you mind going outside? Its cooler out. We'll have a walk."

This was not usual.

"Okay..."

He opened the door and she followed behind, a bit nervous now. 

They got out of the gate and started walking on the deserted and sleepy street, cool breezes brushing by occasionally. He took out a Charminar cigarette and put it to his mouth.

"Do you mind if I..."

"Yeah, it's fine." She honestly did not like the smell of smoking, but had grown sort of used to it over time smelling it occasionally from him."

He lighted the cigarette. As they continued walking, he tried to open a conversation. "It's much better out here, isn't it?"

"Yes."

"I really needed a walk after the heavy dinner. The curry was too good!.."

"Kaaki made it." She said looking away. 

He bit his tongue inside. "Ohh."

There was an awkward silence. Then she finally spoke up.

"What were you going to talk about?"

"That... Yeah..."

"Mhmm?!"

He took some time to start.

"Sindhuja... I had been thinking about this for a while... You see, I've solved a few crime cases successfully by now, the Gangtok one's the most recent..."

"Yes..."

"I'm an amateur detective right now, and, you see, the bank job is fine- but I feel it's not worth."

She was visibly confused. "I don't get your point."

He took a sharp breathe in. "Well, lets have this straight to the point then. I want to quit the bank job and be a professional private investigator." 

He strained his eyes in the street lights to see her reaction.

She had suspected something like this since a few weeks, and here it was confirmed. She took a moment and calmly said,

"I see."

He had prepared for this conversation beforehand, so he started with the script fixed in his mind to convince her.

"I mean, a detective obviously doesn't get paid regularly like a 9 to 5 job, but when payments are made, they are proper. Believe me, the banks also have had employment layoffs and all, so my job wasn't secure there either. Besides..."

She completed the sentence. "Besides, you missed the most important point. You can't bear to do the same work tedious everyday. You need a better way to use your talent."

He hadn't prepared for this reply from her, but was glad his point was made. 

"Yes. Exactly. And..."

"And?..."

"What do you think about it?"

"How does it matter? You seem all prepared to convince me anyways. And you're going to need me to convince Kaka and Kaaki too, aren't you?" She said with a mischevious glint in her eyes.

He raised his eyebrows, smiling. She had caught him, but he decided to play along.

"So, do you need me to start my convincement speech then?"

"No no, I'll spare you from those efforts. I understand. But have you thought about when you wouldn't have any cases? We're not going to just live off what Kaka earns are we?"

"No, not at all. I'm also thinking of taking up translating books in English and Bangla, so there would still be some earnings by the end of the month if I don't get cases."

"Hmm, sounds fine. And are you going to involve Tapesh in all this, like till now?"

"No. I mostly wouldn't do that, unless it's safe."

"And what about you? Your safety?"

"Look. I wouldn't lie to you. It is risky at times, but it isn't like the books or movies. There's mostly normal, not-very-risky cases that come on the way. And I will take care of myself, don't worry!"

She curled her lips and sighed.

"Well, those were my only concerns. If you're confident enough of yourself, then its alright."

This was exactly the point where had a problem. 

"And what if I'm not sure enough?" He said stopping the walk by a street-light, facing her.

"Then you ask yourself again."

"I don't know... I thought about it a lot, but I didn't get to any answer. I'm still not sure if I can actually handle all this."

She sighed again. "That's the problem with you. Why do you always think for answers? Sometimes you just have to ask yourself, and you get the answer."

"But gut-feelings just come right? You can't ask for them can you?"

"Then ask somewhere other than your gut. Where you see and understand yourself clearly."

He too some time to think about it. 

"I'll need to find such a place first then. Anyways, I had expected arguing with you about this whole idea, but why did you agree upon it so easily?"

"Because I've seen the spark in your eyes every time someone mentions such a thing. I've seen you get lost in books, take in the world around through your noticing eye. Not every one finds passion in their talent, and not every one gets to make their passion their life. You have the will and possibility to do this, and I feel you shouldn't waste such an opportunity.

If you truly find happiness outside the conventional lifestyle, then there is nothing wrong in it. I trust you, and I know you wouldn't take any decision without proper reasons. If you're sure of yourself, then I'm always there to support... In the end, it's about what matters to you."

He stood there below the street light speechless, staring into her eyes. Every single word from what she just so casually said, resonated so much with him... Her black orbs shone in the light like stars; pure, bright and assuring. He was lost in their light for a moment taking in everything, then the next one, he saw a reflection of himself in them, pure and true.

 He found himself in her eyes.

Suddenly, he had got his answer.