Barrister Babu

Chapter 91: A Trail?

The jeep rolled steadily through the streets of Tulsipur, the morning breeze carrying with it the sounds of shopkeepers opening their stores and bicycle bells ringing in the distance.

Beside him, Tara had become awfully quiet.

Ever since they had left the park, she hadn't spoken much. Gone was the little self-proclaimed detective who had insulted his investigative skills and proudly declared herself his equal ally.

Anirudh glanced at her briefly.

Poor child.

She hadn't slept the entire night. After everything she had seen, exhaustion was only natural.

Perhaps she was tired. Perhaps she was remembering Chandni.

But when his eyes followed her gaze, he discovered that she wasn't looking at the roads at all.

She was staring intently outside the window.

At a mishti shop. More specifically, the rows of fresh sandesh, chamcham, roshogolla, and mishti doi displayed proudly behind the glass.

A faint smile touched Anirudh's lips.

Bondita.

His wife had the exact same habit. No matter how serious the matter at hand was, her eyes somehow always found sweet shops.

The memory softened him for a moment.

Then his gaze dropped lower. And he noticed Tara's hand resting over her stomach.

Strong words. Strong heart. Empty stomach.

Apparently, those things had nothing to do with age.

Without another word, Anirudh slowed the jeep and brought it to a halt.

Tara blinked. "Barrister Babu?"

"Come."

She climbed down after him.

Naturally, she didn't question him. They were in the middle of an investigation after all. Perhaps Barrister Babu had noticed another clue. Perhaps the criminal had been here. So she silently followed him.

Only to stop in front of the sweet shop.

Confusion spread across her face.

Anirudh turned toward her. "Konsi mithai khana pasand karogi tum?"

Tara stared. "Huh?" Her eyes widened. "Mithai?"

He nodded calmly.

"Yes. I saw the way you were looking at the sweet shop. Ab batao, what would you like to have?"

Immediately, Tara shook her head. "I am not hungry, Barrister Babu."

It was such an innocent lie that Anirudh almost smiled. Because her hand was still protectively resting over her stomach. The exact same habit. Bondita did that too whenever she was hungry and trying very hard to pretend otherwise.

"Acha?" he said thoughtfully.

Tara nodded. "Ji."

"Par I am hungry." Her eyes widened as he continued, "So maybe you can stand here and wait while I have something."

Before Tara could recover from her surprise, Anirudh had already entered the shop.

The shopkeeper smiled. "What would you like to have, Barrister Babu?"

Anirudh's eyes fell upon the rows of sweets. "Roshogolla—"

The word died on his lips. His expression softened.