by Amit Nangia
“Naina, it’s Uncle Chauhan. I wanted to make sure you got home all right.”
Naina’s fingers tightened around the handset as the memories of the crushed flowers came back to her. “Yes, I’m all right, why wouldn’t I be?”
Uncle Chauhan hesitated. “Well, I couldn’t help but notice that you seemed a little tense at the party. Now that you’re in town, I intend to make sure you’re taken care of.”
Naina fiddled with her pen and smiled. “I’m fine, uncle. It’s really sweet of you to ask.”
“Listen, I’d like to have dinner later in the week. How about Friday?”
“Sure,” Naina said and hung up. She turned back to her file but felt someone’s presence in the room. Abhay was standing in the doorway. He was looking devastatingly handsome today, Naina thought. “Hi,” she said, fumbling with her pen and dropped it. Naina couldn’t read his expression, but the smile she’d seen last night when he’d asked her to trust him was absent from his eyes.
Abhay paused by her chair. An odd expression crossed Abhay’s face. “Whose brooch is that?” he asked, his voice clinical, as he pointed to her brooch.
Naina swallowed. Abhay’s cold, formal tone surprised her. Where was the man who’d been so sensitive last night? The man who’d kissed her and awakened her needs. She reminded herself that she had no reason to be afraid of Abhay. He was here to help her. “It’s mine.”
Abhay’s unreadable expression turned into a puzzled frown. His long fingers stroked the colourful peacock brooch on the jacket.
Naina got up to explain. “This brooch belonged to my grandmother. She used to be mad about the vibrant colours of peacock.” She looked at the brooch and then at Abhay. “What’s wrong, Abhay?”
When he spoke, his voice was harsh. “Constable Shukla checked with the florist. He said the person who ordered those flowers was a woman in a brown jacket with a peacock brooch just like this one!”
“You think I sent the flowers to myself?” Naina finally asked in a dull voice.
Abhay wound his scarf tighter and buried his hands deeply into his pocket. He chewed his bottom lip and said nothing. The disappointment in her eyes almost softened his resolve, but he now knew better. Even if it meant discovering she was a liar.
“You’re just like everybody else. Once you’ve heard about my past, you decided I was crazy.” Naina’s dark eyes blazed with fury. “Yesterday you asked me to trust you, and today you accuse me of sending myself a box of dead flowers.”
“I’m not accusing you of anything. I intend to find out who’s behind all these things, Ms Sinha.”
“Good, because I want them to stop.”
“So do I.”
“Good.”
“Fine.”
A strained moment stretched between them. Finally, Abhay lowered his voice and said, “I checked in on your boyfriend–”
“Ex-boyfriend,” Naina clarified.
“Okay. Did you know he had been charged for embezzlement?”
“Those were dropped. Besides, that happened in Mumbai. I don’t see how that can possibly be related to what’s going on here,” Naina said tightly.
“Did you and Ashish ever discuss business?”
Naina’s tone was sarcastic. “Not confidential matters if that’s what you’re implying.”
“Bear with me for a minute, Naina,” Abhay said, reining in his temper. “If Ashish was involved in something illegal, and…if you inadvertently were privy to some information, Ashish would have a motive to come after you.”
Naina mulled over the possibility. “I suppose it’s possible, but I don’t remember anything. The only thing Ashish told me about was a few investments, but I don’t remember the details. Anything else?” she felt frustrated by his questions.
Abhay gritted his teeth. Yes, he wanted to kiss her and taste the fire in her body. But that was impossible. He didn’t even know if she was telling him the truth.
“Look, Naina–” A knock at the door made him stop. A good thing, he thought, before he made a fool out of himself.
Ria stuck her head in. “A gentleman’s here to see you, Ms Sinha.”
“Send him in,” she said.
Naina was surprised to see Girish Chauhan.
Gentleman? Ghantaa! Abhay thought.
Girish flashed Naina a leering smile. And she returned it with a warm one of her own.
“What I see I like,” said Girish his eyes moving from her to the bookshelf.
“Thanks,” Naina said, unsure whether his compliment was for her or the furniture.
“Mr Abhay Pandey, I have heard that you are taking too much interest in Naina’s case,” Girish said sarcastically.
“Meri toh yeh duty hai, but what are you doing here? Don’t you have an election to win?” Abhay looked at him and smiled.
Girish stood face to face with Abhay and said “Abhayji, if inspectors like you spend most of their time behind a girl’s skirt, criminals ka kya hoga?
“Desh ke neta bhi usee skirt mein ghusenge to desh ka kya hoga, you think about that,” said Abhay, tucking his scarf inside his collar as he walked out of Naina’s office.
Naina quickly asked, “How come you are here?”
Girish leaned against the wall, trying to act casual. “I was in the area and dropped by. I wanted to take you out for lunch.”
Naina folded her hands across the top of her desk. “I really have a lot of work to do.”
Girish grinned and sauntered toward her. “Well, you have to eat too and it might as well be with me.”
Naina smiled. “Shouldn’t you be someplace doing social work and impressing people?”
Girish’s rich laughter filled the room. “I don’t think it’ll hurt my image to be seen with a beautiful woman.”
“I see,” Naina smiled in spite of his remark. “So you wanted to talk business?”
“No, I want to relax and enjoy myself, and get to know you better. After all, you’re special for my dad. That makes you someone special for me too.”
The thought of refusing Girish’s invitation struck Naina as a good idea as she could smell alcohol on him. But she’d promised herself she would associate with the people from her past. Perhaps Girish had heard his dad talk about her parents, and she could learn something that would trigger a memory. She agreed and picked up her bag.
Downstairs, a sleek black Mercedes gleamed in the afternoon sun.
“Very impressive,” she said as she sank into the plush leather seats.
“Father bought it for me as a present.” He pressed a button and a tray opened with a bottle of champagne and two glasses. He poured it into two glasses and offered one to Naina.
The driver quickly manoeuvred the car onto the road, and a few minutes later and two glasses down, they were settled at a table in at the restaurant of the Royal Cliff. This was the best amongst the two five star hotels in Allahabad.
“This is great,” Naina said, admiring the ambience of the restaurant. “I’ve heard about this place, but I’ve never been here before. “Turning to Girish, she initiated conversation,” Why don’t you start by telling me about yourself?”
Girish had already ordered a scotch for himself which he gulped down in one shot. “My life’s an open book. I’m sure you’ve read all about it in the papers,” he said through a grin.
“Yes, but tell me about growing up. Are you and Uncle Chauhan close?”
Girish’s smile faded slightly. “As close as a father and son can be. There’s always that parent-child thing.”
Naina studied his face, wishing she understood the parent-child thing.
“I’m sorry,” Girish looked contrite. “That was insensitive of me. Father said you don’t remember your childhood.”
A wave of apprehension rippled through Naina. “That’s right. At least not the first five-six years.”
Girish pushed his stylish glasses up on his nose. “Is that why you came back here? Hoping to remember?”
Naina picked at her food. “T
hat’s part of it. I hoped moving here would bring back memories, but so far it hasn’t.”
Girish gulped down another glass of scotch.
Bewda! How could a politician openly drink in the afternoon? Naina wondered. She looked around and saw that the restaurant was empty. This was probably his den for his afternoon drinking sessions.
“You know, I’ve been thinking,” Naina said, “I know a lot of my father’s stuff was confiscated by the police. I think some of it may be with your dad too as he was a great friend.”
Girish arched an eyebrow. “I don’t think my father has anything. Do you think it’s a good idea for you to pursue all this? I mean, what possible reason would you have to look into your father’s old stuff?”
Naina sipped her water and decided she’d said enough. “Anyway, maybe I’ll talk to Uncle Chauhan about it.”
A muscle tightened in Girish’s jaw. “I doubt father would remember anything. He’s getting up there in age now, you know. And he is really busy with the campaign.”
Girish’s barrage of excuses made Naina uncomfortable. She studied his easy smile, and she was sure that he was putting her off. She checked her watch. “I need to get back to the office. I have an appointment at three.”
Girish paid the bill, and Naina stiffened when he placed his hand on her back and guided her to the car. Kamina.
When he dropped her at her office, he tried to kiss her, but Naina quickly stepped away. He frowned and as he walked back to his car, he said, “Maybe next time.”
Ya right! On your death bed, loser, Naina thought as she watched him drive away.
Abhay drove down the winding road to State Bank of Allahabad to meet Devender Singh. Although Naina had insisted she had no enemies, after studying her client list, he’d noted a couple of possibilities. Devender Singh topped the list. Abhay parked his jeep right outside the bank, music blaring in his stereo:
“Yahan bhi hoga wahan bhi hoga, ab to saare jahaan mein hoga Kya… mera hi jalwa…jalwa…jalwa..jalwa.”
He was surprised to see that there was no security guard at the gate of the bank. That seemed out of place. Just when he had taken a step or two towards the gate, the guard in a shabby uniform and danda in his hand came running from the nearby paan shop and greeted daroga babu with a salute.
He ignored the guard and dashed into the bank; he was here for something else. Guard ki class kisi aur din, he thought. The staff told him that Chief Manager Devender Singh had been on leave for a few days. So Abhay entered Devender’s room and examined the man’s desk, skimmed the papers on top, searched through his files, then rummaged through the top drawer. While he was searching the files on his desk, a piece of paper slipped to the floor – it was a familiar news clipping about Naina’s past. Her home address was scribbled in red ink across the top.
Within seconds, he’d ordered a search on Devender Singh. Maybe he’d been wrong to suspect Naina. Both her prior boyfriend and Singh had possible motives to harm her.
Abhay summoned courage to knock the door of his police service quarter. He knocked and waited.
He could hear footsteps and then he heard the door unlock. The door opened and his mother stood in front of him. An old lady, with grey hair, sincere eyes, wearing a cotton sari. Before Abhay could say anything, she welcomed him with a light slap on his left cheek.
“Time milgaya ghar aaney ka? Hotel bana ke rakha hai ghar ko.” She chided. “Why didn’t you come home yesterday? I was waiting for you.”
“Woh Maa kya hua ki…”
She cut him off saying, “Don’t start any of your stories and come inside.”
Abhay came and sat on one of the chairs along the table.
“I have made your favourite Paneer Pasanda aur namkeen paranthey. Quickly wash your hands and come.” His mother said, as she entered the kitchen.
Abhay smiled. “Kya baat karti ho maa tum bhi, gussa bhi aur pyaar bhi.”
Ria had left for the day and Naina was packing her stuff to leave for home.
“Naina?”
She recognized Abhay’s deep husky voice immediately. It sounded so different from Ashish’s wimpy voice, and it was much sexier and more masculine than Girish’s fake polished speech. She closed her eyes, trying to tamp her emotions.
He came in and walked towards her. “I went to see Devender Singh today.”
“You did?”
“Yes. Apparently he’s skipped town.” Abhay pulled the scrap of newspaper from his pocket. “And I found this on his desk.”
Naina took the paper and saw her name and home address. She saw the article about her and gasped. “He knew about my past!”
“That’s right. About your parents…and your amnesia.”
“Do you think he’s the one who’s been taunting me?”
Abhay shrugged. “It’s possible.”
The telephone rang, interrupting the strained silence.
“Naina Sinha speaking.” She heard deep breathing, then a fuzzy, unrecognizable voice.
Abhay must have read the distress on her face, because he punched the speakerphone button immediately.
“Leave the past alone,” the voice said.
“Who is this?” Naina asked. Her hands began to tremble.
“Someone who knows all about you. Someone who wants you out of Allahabad.” The phone clicked into silence.
Abhay had to believe her now; he’d heard the man’s voice himself. “We’ll find out who the caller was,” Abhay said, pressing the button to show the caller’s number.
As the phone number blinked before her, Naina covered her mouth and gasped.
“What happened? Do you recognize this number?”
Her voice came out in a choked whisper. “It’s…it’s my residence number!”
She raised her fear-stricken face to his. “Someone made the call from my house!”
Abhay put his hands around her arms. “Even if we rush now, the person would have left. We are dealing with a very smart mastermind here. Bahot chalak hai sala.”
Naina nodded. Her face was pale as a sheet. “I don’t understand why this is happening.”
“Someone is certainly using your past to hurt you,” Abhay said, thinking of the range of possibilities that existed.
“My past has always controlled my life. I have to face it and bury it so I can go on,” Naina said exasperated.
“What are you talking about?” Abhay asked.
“You know, I can understand why I blanked out that night,” Naina said in frustration. “But why the rest of my childhood? I don’t even remember living here.”
“Maybe there’s a reason you can’t remember. Do you want to talk about it?” he asked.
She looked into his eyes, its dark rich colour drawing her in with its tenderness. “I had these nightmares as a child,” she finally said. “I still have them sometimes.”
“What happens in them? Batao mujhe.”
“I see a shadow suffocating me to death. I try to escape from the clutches of the shadow but it suffocates me, tearing the life from my lungs as someone thrusts a bloody knife into me. I open my mouth to scream, but the sound gets caught in my throat. My parents… They are going to die and there’s nothing I can do to save them. I want to run for help, but something blocks the doorway. I crouch into a ball and hide in the darkness, biting my lip until I taste my own blood, covering my ears to drown out the pain of my parents’ cries. I couldn’t save them. The sharp sound of someone’s shoes scraping along the floor makes my flesh crawl. A loud thump follows. I’m in the bedroom with my parents lying on the floor…but there’s someone else there. I can see a shadow.”
Abhay traced his fingers along Naina’s hand, opened her palm and twined her fingers with his. “Then what happens?”
“I don’t know,” Naina says, her hands clenched in frustration. “I can’t see the person’s face. I try and try but I can’t and the doctor said it was just a figment of my imagination.”
“The police didn’t find evidence of anyone el
se being there that night?”
“My grandmother said they didn’t. That’s when they ruled it out. But I know there was someone. I mean I think–” She broke off, unable to finish the sentence.
“I know,” Abhay whispered. He rubbed her shoulders and wiped the tears from her eyes.
“Do you believe me?”
Abhay chewed his lip. “I want to help you find the truth. Isn’t that what you want?”
Naina nodded and lowered her eyes. He hadn’t exactly said he believed her.
“Let me drop you home so you can get some rest,” he suggested, fighting the urge to take her into his arms.
When they were home, Abhay continued his questions. “I know you’re shaken, Naina, but I have one last question. Does anyone else have the keys to your house?”
“Yes, but that’s just Ria. She needs to get papers and things if I am ever out for a meeting, you know.”
Abhay dialled Shukla’s number and briefly told him about the threatening call. “Shukla, I need some fingerprint assistance. Get here quickly with the expert. Also you need to do a background check on Ria Sood, Naina’s assistant. I want to know everything about her.” He then turned to Naina and said a bit reluctantly, “I’d like to talk to Ria.”
“Sure…” Naina dialled Ria’s phone and told her about the phone call.
Abhay heard Ria’s shriek. Drama queen huh!
“I’m fine,” Naina said. “But Inspector Abhay Pandey wants to talk to you.” Naina handed him the handset.
“Ria, have you given your set of keys to Naina’s house to anyone? Or lost them?”
“No, I haven’t!” Ria was baffled by these questions.
“Kya baat kar rahi ho! It’s so strange,” Abhay said. “Naina’s house has been broken into twice, and on both times there were no signs of a forced entry. It’s almost as if the intruder had a key and you say that you have no idea. Ek lady constable bhejoon tumhare paas kya?”
“No, no, Inspector. I don’t know anything about that,” Ria said, sounding slightly defensive.
Could Ria be involved? Abhay wondered. What motive would she possibly have? Kaatil type lagti toh nahin hai. The doorbell rang and Naina went to get it. Shukla and a young, uniformed officer were at the door. He saw the wide frown Shukla gave Naina and noticed her posture go rigid in defence.
