Stellar Signs

by Manjiri Prabhu

  “You know, I just thought of something,” Renuka said eagerly.

  Closing the cupboard, Sonia quickly turned around at the tone in her voice.

  “Vidya was in the habit of writing her diary regularly,” Renuka continued. “She wrote everything in it!”

  “The Police must’ve surely found it,” Sonia remarked.

  Renuka shook her head. “I doubt it.” Her eyes gleamed. “Vidya hid her diary really well, because she never wanted her in-laws to get their hands on it. She told me once that her mother-in-law secretly went through her cupboard and her mail, so she kept her diary in a place Mrs Sahay wouldn’t ever think of looking.”

  “But then it could be just about anywhere in this house.”

  “Luckily for us, I know exactly where it is!” Renuka dec-lared grandly.

  Much to the surprise of the detective, she walked towards a pile of clothes wrapped in a bedsheet and placed on a stool near the cupboard.

  Renuka untied the clumsy knot, which revealed an untidy stack of old clothes. She plunged her hand into the pile and then, with a triumphant smile, she withdrew a cheap, red plastic-covered diary.

  “I knew it would be here. Vidya once showed me the hiding place. She said that her mother-in-law would never touch her old clothes!”

  She handed the diary to Sonia, who took it with spiralling anticipation. Her pulse quickened as she flicked through the pages filled with a childish scrawl. It suddenly and forcefully reminded her of how young Vidya had been. What a waste of a good life…

  “The Police would love to have this diary, but I’m going to get it photo-copied before handing it to them. I’m sure the Inspector will understand.” Sonia passed the diary to Jatin, who nodded and slipped out of the room.

  “This diary will definitely prove that Vidya’s in-laws killed her…” Renuka began happily.

  “Wait a minute, Renuka!” Sonia cut in. “We don’t really know what happened here. At the moment the evidence is definitely pointing towards Mrs Sahay, but we still have to get all the details. So I’d advise you to be careful with what you say. I know that you’re convinced this is an open-and-shut case. But until that is proved, you cannot raise your hopes and you cannot denounce anybody!”

  “Okay, though I know in my heart that Vidya died because of these monsters.”

  Sonia and Renuka returned to the hall to find Inspector Shinde speaking on the phone and the three Sahays whispering in hushed tones.

  “Excuse me,” Sonia said. “I know you feel that I am intruding, but believe me, I can be of help. If you could tell me exactly what happened last night… ”

  “Nothing happened!” Parmeet exclaimed. “I had a night shift and returned early morning to find Vidya still sleeping. Which was really unusual. I shook her and was startled to find her body hard and… and… blue. I immediately called my parents and the doctor. The police arrived soon enough. Believe me when I say that this is a nightmare. Did my wife really die of an overdose of pills? And who could’ve done such a thing? I can’t believe this is happening to us!”

  Parmeet fell silent as he struggled to control his confused feelings. Sonia observed him reflectively.

  “What about the milk?” she asked. “Did anybody see her drink it?”

  Parmeet shrugged. “I don’t know.”

  “Where exactly do you work, Parmeet?”

  “I’m a Supervising Engineer at Chetan works. And I often have night duty from nine omwards.”

  Sonia nodded. She drew a stool and sat down beside the stunned husband. “Parmeet, tell me very honestly: Did you love your wife?”

  All eyes were trained on the widowed man. Renuka - hostile; his parents - anxious. Even Inspector Shinde, who had finished his conversation on the phone and was heading out of the room to talk to his Constables, paused.

  “Yes.” The single word slipped out in a whisper. “Yes, I loved her a lot!”

  “Liar!” sneered Renuka.

  “She was a warm and a wonderful person,” Parmeet continued in a broken voice. “And I never realised it until now!” Suddenly, he broke into sobs.

  Renuka glanced at the young widower scornfully, as his parents huddled around him to comfort him. Sonia watched them all thoughtfully. Inspector Shinde signalled to Sonia and she rose. For a moment she stood undecided, then she followed him down the stairs and into the open air.

  “Miss Samarth, I just spoke to Inspector Divekar and he said you’re unique!” Shinde smiled, politely.

  “The Inspector is very kind,” Sonia replied. Jatin briskly walked towards her and handed her the diary.

  “He said you would be an asset to this case.” Shinde added. “Thank you. We found Vidya’s diary in her room. I’m sure you’ll find it useful.” Sonia handed the Inspector the red book, which he accepted with a look of surprise. “I hope you don’t mind, but I’ve photocopied a few pages… ”

  The Inspector nodded. “All for the ultimate justice… which should be very near.”

  “What do you mean?” Sonia asked.

  “Look at the evidence. Vidya died of an overdose of sleeping pills. There can be no doubt of it. I spoke to the neighbours and to Renuka, her close friend. They all voiced the same motive. That the dead woman’s inlaws had been harassing her for dowry. It’s obvious, isn’t it? Vidya couldn’t fulfill their latest demand of a car, so her mother-in-law emptied the bottle of sleeping pills into her milk and got rid of her!”

  “You could be right, of course,” Sonia replied thoughtfully. “The motive does seem quite obvious. Have you spoken to Vidya’s parents? What was their reaction?”

  “They are devastated. They had the same story to tell. Their daughter was harassed and they were convinced that the inlaws had something to do with this tragedy!”

  “Where are they now?”

  “Her parents? I asked them to go home. No point waiting here, flinging accusations at the Sahays, in their grief. Besides it’s only a matter of a couple of hours. If the contents in the milk and the contents of the bottle match, I shall have an arrest warrant for Mrs Sahay!” The Inspector spoke grimly.

  Sonia nodded. “Yes, it does seem pretty simple, doesn’t it? Inspector Shinde, do you think you could get me the horoscopes of Mr and Mrs Sahay and Parmeet? Just to pursue a hunch? I’m not sure they would appreciate it if I asked for them.”

  Shinde shrugged. “No problem.”

  Sonia and Jatin returned to the Sahay apartment. There, a gloomy silence reigned. Renuka sat staring stonily at the three Sahays. The moment Sonia entered, Mrs Sahay flung back her unruly grey hair and demanded shrilly, “What’s happening? Why won’t someone tell us?”

  “I think you’d better ask the Police,” Sonia replied evenly.

  “The police? Are they going to arrest me? Or one of us?” Mrs Sahay glanced wildly around. “I won’t allow that! We’ve done nothing wrong! Instead of harassing us, why don’t the Police try looking for that guy who kept calling up Vidya? The one she went off to meet with for hours!”

  “Maa!” Parmeet exclaimed. “What are you talking about?”

  “I’m talking about the clandestine affair she was having with that guy!”

  “Which guy? What’s his name?” Renuka demanded sharply. “She’s lying! Vidya was very devoted to her husband!”

  “Can you give us more details about this stranger?” Sonia asked.

  “You don’t believe me, do you?” Vidya’s mother in-law scoffed. “Only I know about this guy and that Vidya used to slip away to meet with him.”

  “But why haven’t you revealed this information to us earlier?” Inspector Shinde asked.

  The middle-aged woman looked a little abashed. “I. I didn’t want to disgrace the family further by revealing that our bahu was having an affair!” she replied defiantly.

  “Well, if such a man does exist, we shall locate him in no time,” the Policeman assured. “In the meantime, I don’t want any one of you to leave this town, do you understand?”

  Sonia sipped the c
hai gratefully. This whole affair had left a very nasty and bitter taste in her mouth. The accusations, the frustrations, the angry exchanges - it was a mess of a marriage which was supposed to have been the most beautiful experience of a girl’s life. Poor Vidya - a victim of dowry? Had there really been another person on the scene? Was the mother-in-law lying in an attempt to save herself?

  “What do you think, Boss?” Jatin broke into her thoughts. “Do you also think the Ma-in-law did Vidya in?”

  “It would be such an easy solution, wouldn’t it? And such a relief to find a scapegoat. God knows, she deserves punishment for putting Vidya through hell. But unfortunately, much as I would like to believe that the in-laws have a hand in this whole tragic affair, there’s something that’s worrying me. The three M’s of investigations - Motive, Modus Operandi, and Material Used. The Motive is clear enough, but why this Modus Operandi and Material? Why find a way to get rid of the poor girl in a manner which would obviously scream ‘murder’? And why would someone leave the evidence around to be found?” Sonia shook her head, baffled.

  “Perhaps Mrs Sahay did plan to get rid of the bottle, but didn’t have time. Or she had asked someone else to do it, but he or she forgot?” Jatin suggested. “Her husband, for example, or even Parmeet?”

  “Unlikely. This is murder, not a game. Besides, I’m not sure Parmeet wanted blood on his hands. Perhaps he really did love Vidya.”

  “Aw, come on, Boss, that was obviously an act. You didn’t really believe him, did you?”

  Sonia was silent, sipping her chai. Jatin was amazed at his Boss’s naivete. Even a fool could’ve seen that Parmeet was putting on a great show of love and devotion for his dead wife!

  Sonia finished her chai and took up the photocopied diary.

  “I’m going to go through this diary and then Vidya’s horoscope. Please see that I’m not disturbed for a while, okay?”

  “Right, Boss. I’m in the outer Office completing the tax documents, if you need me. And I’ll order lunch for us.” Jatin rose promptly, collected the chai cups, and exited.

  Sonia settled in her chair and opened the pages of the murdered girl’s diary. The entries began about a year and a half ago, and as Sonia began to scan them, the blurry image of Vidya in her mind took solid shape. The hopes and happiness of a newly married girl, stepping into the dream world of love and companionship. And then the pinching reality of the adjustments demanded in an arranged marriage and the stress of dealing with a new name, a new identity, and strangers for a family. Then the mood of the writing changed. The happy girl turned into a frustrated woman, trying to please her in-laws, but in vain. The dowry demands were mentioned frequently in the diary, as Vidya explained how mercenary her new family was. A particular entry caught Sonia’s eye.

  Marriage is so different from what I imagined. Is it always like this for everyone? Of course not. I’m sure this is just a passing phase. Ma-in-law and Pa-in-law just need to get used to me. It must be difficult to have a new person in the house and suddenly accept her as a part of the family. But it’s difficult for me, too. We need to help one another. But at the moment, I can only see resentment, like I’m taking up unnecessary space in their house. I feel like a piece of furniture which needs to be moved from wall to wall to accommodate other articles. Parmeet tried to help at first, but Ma-in-law is so strong. She simply shuts him up and then he just walks out of the house on his favourite bird-watching hobby. He avoids controversy and leaves me alone to face the brunt of the anger. He says bird-watching gives him peace of mind. And what about my peace of mind? But things will change. I’m sure of it.

  Sonia turned to another entry.

  A TV set! How can they? I had told them at the time of the marriage that I was dead against dowry and that they would have to accept me as I am! And I remember what Parmeet had said to me then. That he hated the word dowry! So then, what is this? Surely Ma-in-law does not expect me to ask Papa to buy a TV set for Parmeet? I’m not going to do that! They’ll soon see that it’s useless making such demands on me…

  Parmeet discovered the photo. It was a little awkward explaining it to him, but I think he understood that I had kept it for old times’ sake. For the sake of friendship. But now that I think of it, because of the atmosphere here, it would be wise to get rid of it. Because Parmeet may understand, but I’m positive his parents won’t! It will only be added ammunition for them against me.

  I have such a strange feeling. As if someone is following me around constantly. Is it only a figment of my imagination or am I really being followed?

  Sonia turned to the final entry in the diary. It was dated the day of Vidya’s death.

  The feeling of being constantly watched is so strong… I’m convinced now that I’m not imagining it. On the streets and even through my bedroom window. A couple of days ago, while I was arranging my cupboard in the afternoon, I even caught a glint of glass from across the street. Strange… Even as I write this, I feel as if I’m being watched. No, I’m sure that I’m being watched. As soon as I finish writing, I’m going to turn off the light.

  I had a fight with Ma-in-law again, a moment ago. It’s a car now, and that’s the last straw! I could have borne it. The humiliation of being treated like a source of income. The insults and bad words. Everything - if only Parmeet was not a part of it all. He doesn’t cross his parents or argue with them, and he doesn’t side with me, either. He’s weak and he escapes into his bird-watching and he makes me feel like an outsider. Why, why can’t he see how much I love him? Why can’t he love me back instead of giving in to the pressures of his family? I feel so tired. What with this constant harassing and the medicine, I feel as if I’ll never get through this! It’s all my fault, Renuka would say. For not standing for my rights. For not fighting back. But how can I explain to her that it’s not easy to fight someone you love? It’s so easy to break up families, but so terribly difficult to hold them together. I’ve wanted my family to feel that I’m a part of them, not an outsider, someone who brings them gifts. But is it too late now? I don’t know. I need Parmeet to help me. I have to make him see that a wife is a companion, a friend, and a lover. Oh God, please help me to be strong, to face this difficult phase in my life…

  A small blotch had smudged the words towards the end. Vidya had been crying when she wrote the words. Sonia paused at this point, brushing away the tears gathered in her own eyes. Poor Vidya. So many hopes and expectations and dreams dashed away forever! Had Vidya written these words minutes before she died? Minutes before she was killed? She died with a prayer in her heart…

  Sonia felt restless and heavy in the heart. Regret was fast overlapped with anger. Vidya need not have died. If only she had been more alert, more careful. If only she had been less misguided by emotion and love! If only Renuka had approached Sonia earlier. Even yesterday. Instead of celebrating her own birthday, Sonia could probably have saved a life…

  Stop it! she admonished herself. None of this was her fault. And she wasn’t being sensible creating a halo of regret and guilt within herself. If she wanted to help Vidya at all, she had to find out who had murdered her.

  Jatin entered the room.

  “What is it?” Sonia asked.

  “There’s a guy outside - name Kartik - who says he’d like to see you urgently. It’s something to do with the Vidya case.” “Really? Would he fit the bill?”

  Jatin nodded. “I think so. He could be the guy Vidya’s Mother-in-law mentioned.”

  “Send him in.”

  Sonia’s gaze took in the tall, lanky man as he entered her office. A dark short beard which lined his firm jaw matched his unkempt hair. His black eyes rested anxiously on Sonia. With a jolt she recognised him as the man who had recited poetry in the restaurant the previous evening.

  “Please, sit down,” Sonia told him. “What can I do for you?”

  “You can catch Vidya’s murderer!” Kartiks eyes flashed.

  “You are…?”

  “I’m Kartik. I was there wh
en you were talking to Renuka and then to the Policeman. I had to meet you! You see, I loved her a lot. Always did and always will. ” His eyes moistened. “But that’s not the point. You simply can’t let those awful people go scot-free!”

  Sonia observed Kartik with narrow eyes. The young man looked distraught. Somehow his open declaration of love, did not surprise her. But had Vidya reciprocated his love?

  “If anyone in the family is guilty, he or she will be charged for murder,” Sonia assured. “But tell me about you. Were you and Vidya still…?”

  He sighed. “I wish I could say yes. But I can’t. Vidya and I were in love. We were in college and still going steady while I was doing my job as an Accountant and she was doing her Chartered Accountancy. Then her Dad fell ill and refused to allow our match. Being an obedient daughter, she married the guy her Father chose. And that’s when all her troubles began. At first I stayed away from her. I was disillusioned and angry, but I wanted her to be happy. But gradually I realised that she was miserable. I had to meet with her and tell her that she couldn’t stay on in a marriage that was harming her. But she refused to heed my advice. She wouldn’t have anything to do with me. She told me on the phone that I should forget all about her and leave her to her fate. Of course I couldn’t. I followed her whenever she left her house. I was there, wherever she went, whomever she met. She never knew. And then out of the blue she agreed to meet with me. I was thrilled. I was sure that finally she was beginning to see sense. We met in Sambhaji Park yesterday, in the morning. She had changed so much. She had lost a lot of weight. Unlike the beautiful girl I had loved. And her eyes! I had never seen so much pain in those eyes before. I told her that I still loved her. Just as much as ever. And I would never allow her to return to that hellhole. But she did not budge. Do you know what she told me? She said that I was to move on with my life. Regardless of what happened to her, I was not to look behind. I asked her if she sensed any danger. And what she answered scared me to death. She said, ‘There’s more to life than living.’ She said, ‘Don’t worry, I have my life totally in control!’ I felt relieved by her confidence. But it didn’t help, did it? Someone did manage to take her life out of her control!” Kartik’s voice choked, as the tears flowed freely down his bearded face.