Enigma

Back Story

The next day, Karan woke up early and was not in a good mood because of whatever happened that day at Teju's house. He didn't know who those people were. He knew nothing which scared him even more. Teju's nanu was stuck in Delhi for some important work. He had to go to the police station to file the FIR so he thought of waking Teju up. He stepped down and moved towards her room but she was not there. He got anxious and checked the washroom but it was empty. He immediately rushed down only to find Teju serving tea to his dad. He heard their conversation.

" Uncle...chai!""
"Ahh..thank you beta "
"Umm Thank you uncle"
"Sit here..." She obeys him and sits on the sofa.
"Tejasswi beta...you know I don't have any daughter...I wanted one....anyways ..when I saw you the first day...I felt a connection with you. It was like I have got my daughter in your form. You don't have to worry about anything. Ye log jo bhi the...ab ye tumhare sath kuch galat ni kar sakte. Ar iske piche jo bhi hai vo bhi mai bohot jaldi pata kar lunga. "
"Uncle...🥺 Apko pata hai..mujhe lagta tha karan itna accha insan kese h...aj apko dekha to pata chala ki he is exactly like you. You must be proud of him. "
" Haha...I am proud of him..but ye baat us khotte ko na batana...varna sar pe chadh jaega...hahaha...deal?"
"Haha deal. "
"Accha subah subah bohot senti baate hogyi ab tum jao ready hoke aao...karan tumhe police station le jaega to file an FIR. "

Karan heard their conversation from a distance. It was heart warming for him to see his dad...strict dad open up to a stranger and moreover be so warm and compassionate towards his girlfriend. He was happy and emotional at the same time to see their bond.

After some time, karan and Tejasswi went to the police station.

The inspector was Karan's dad's close friend. He was leading the case personally. He said,

"Hello karan beta...hi lady.."
"Hello Ajay uncle. Vo FIR..."
"Yes it's here...actually i have found something else which I wanted to discuss...rather ask from you beta."
"Ji sir...boliye.."
"Beta...kya apki ya apke parents ki kisi k sath dushmani h ya thi .ya kabhi koi bhi jhadap...ya koi issues..."
"Uncle mere mom dad apas me hi itne jhagde kar lete the ki mujhe kisi ar ke bare me kuch notice hi nahi hua. Par ap ku puch rhe h esa ."
"Beta us gundo ke phone me se jo last called number hame mila h vo trace ho chuka hai and ye USA ka number hai."
"What...?""
"Haa...kya hua do you know something?"
"No no actually kya is number ke owner ka details apko mil gaya hai."
"Abi tk to nahi par aj sham tk mil jaye positively. "
"Ajay uncle un logo ne kuch btaya ni apko?"
"Ni karan...ye log trained h kafi. Ye yaha aye hi the taki ye Tejasswi ko le ke ja sake. Hame unke paas se acid, bullets, rope,plastic bags jesi chize mili hai..jisse clearly ye pata chalta hai ki unke irade sirf loot ya chori to ni tha. Plus that phone call. "

Tejasswi flinched hearing all these things. Karan noticed it and he softly held her hand. Tejasswi looked at him and calmed down. She knew her mother lives in the USA and the call they got was also an American number and all this could not be a mere coincidence, but she couldn't trust on this thought. It was her mother obviously. Why would she harm her own child? So she decided to keep quiet and wait for the call details.

Karan and Tejasswi came back to their car. He noticed she was upset again. He knew she knew something but couldn't say it there. So he asked,
"What do you know about Teju?"
"What.."
"I know that you know something....I also know that there might be a reason why you didn't say anything there. But please tell me. "
"Karan...My mom lives in the USA with her boyfriend. And the call they got was also from the US. I know it's my mom but how could there be a coincidence. So I just chose to keep quiet there. "
"Ooh God Teju....come here. "
He hugged her tightly and said I believe in your belief Teju. It has to be someone else. Don't worry, we'll get all the details very soon.

Karan started driving and asked her to tell the backstory about why her parents used to fight so much. She said

"My mom and dad met when they were in college. But they were not lovers. In fact they hated each other. But my grandparents were very good friends. So they arranged their wedding as soon as dad got a job at an mnc. My mom was still studying because she wanted to complete her dream of being a professor. They got married against their will. The first few years were very good but the main problem arises when dad lost his job and my mother was appointed as the main professor of Bombay University. Dad started feeling jealous of his own wife. He couldn't fathom her success. Mom was no less. She started partying, and stayed out till late. I was just two years old then. Mom and dad were not the ideal couple the society thought them to be gradually. This continued for the next few years. Dad became an alcoholic and mom never cared about either of us. The worst happened when James Gilbert entered her life. He was a researcher from the USA. Eventually they fell in" love " and mom divorced dad...abandoned me here and shifted to the USA with the love of his life. 
And now it's been two months since I last spoke to my mom. "

"I can't believe you had gone through all this alone. But where is your dad now?"

"Honestly, I don't know Karan. I never had that connection with him. I still respect him because he is my dad. I know nothing about him. Because he was never there for me. Last I heard, he was living with his sister in Lonavala. He never tried to have me in his life or make me feel important."

Karan saw Teju on the verge of crying as he noticed her voice breaking. He thought of engaging her in some other topic.

"Teju, I wanted to tell you something from a long time."
"What?"
" That....that you look like a....umm....a.. aladdoowhilecrying."
"What??...A laddoo ?"
"Yeah.."
"How dare you...you think I am fat?"
"No no..not fat at all... I think tere jo ye laddoo jese gaal h na...these are perfect. And you look the best the way you are."
"Yeah..whatever... don't call me laddoo "
"I will call you laddoo from now now. "
"No way.."
"Yess way...mai shikayat karungi teri.."
"Huh"
"Ghar agya"...