Barrister Babu

Chapter 82: Krishna Ji

"Maa, Mayank Dada kab ayenge?" Tara asked eagerly, practically bouncing on her feet.

For the past few days, she had been trying to contact her brother without success. He had promised he would only be gone for two days.

Instead, almost a week had passed.

Jaya was busy in the kitchen, preparing dish after dish. "Tara, don't disturb me. Your Dada will be back today. Let me finish cooking in peace."

"But Maa—"

"Tara."

She immediately fell silent.

Then Jaya pointed toward a basket nearby. "Go hang those wet clothes on the terrace."

Normally, Tara would have complained. She would have made excuses. And normally, Mayank would have appeared from somewhere and rescued her from the work.

But today, she quietly picked up the basket. Because she missed him too.

The entire house felt strange without Mayank.

Even while hanging the clothes, Tara kept glancing toward the front gate.

Every sound made her hopeful. Every passing carriage made her run toward the railing.

Only to return disappointed.

By evening, the dining table was filled with Mayank's favorite dishes.

His favorite sweets. His favorite curry. His favorite snacks.

Jaya must have checked the gate twenty times already.

Even Tarbu Maheshwari wasn't home yet. Earlier that morning, he had left for the station himself after learning Mayank's train would arrive today.

Jaya had teased him for it. "Aapko toh farak hi nahi padta na?" she had said.

Tarbu merely grunted and walked away.

But both Jaya and Tara knew the truth. He was just as eager to see his son return.

"He should have arrived by now," Jaya muttered worriedly.

Tara immediately sat up. "See? I told you! Dada is late."

Jaya stayed quiet. The uneasiness in the room slowly grew heavier.

Then suddenly, the sound of a carriage stopping outside echoed through the house.

Tara instantly jumped to her feet. "DADA! Dada aa gaye!"

Without waiting for anyone, she ran toward the entrance.

Jaya followed right behind her.

The front door opened. And Tara's smile disappeared.

Tarbu was standing there. But he wasn't alone.

Several men stood behind him. Their expressions were grim.

And in their hands, they were carrying something. Something covered completely with a white cloth.

For a second, Tara couldn't understand what she was seeing. Her mind simply refused to process it.

"Dada?" she asked confusedly.

No one answered.

Tarbu's eyes were red. His hands were trembling. The strongest man Tara had ever known suddenly looked broken.

"M-Mayank..." Jaya whispered.

One of the men quietly lowered his head. "There was an accident on the train."