Stellar Signs

by Manjiri Prabhu

  Sonia raised an eyebrow. It was not every day that Jatin spoke so seriously. She took the paper from him. “Get lost with your Astrology!” The printed rude words leaped off the slip of paper, taking the detective by surprise.

  “What do you make of it?” Jatin observed his Boss narrowly.

  “Insulting, to begin with. And written by some stupid person to satisfy cheap rivalry!” Sonia concluded, opening her drawer and dropping the note into it.

  “Not to be taken seriously?”

  “At least not for the moment.”

  Jatin shrugged. “Does seem like some jealous type. How about lunch?”

  “I’m starving. But you don’t want anything to eat, do you? I thought, when in love food and sleep go out of the window!”

  “You’re really outdated, Boss. These days, love thrives on a full stomach,” Jatin laughed.

  Jaya knocked on the door of Anup’s makeup room. Without awaiting a response, the actress opened the door and slipped inside. Anup was applying his makeup. As Jaya appeared in the double mirrors, he turned in surprise. The young woman looked resplendent in her sequinned red ghagara choli. Unpredictably, for the first time the sight of her beauty failed to impress him. Instead, it made his blood boil.

  “The play’s about to begin! What are you doing here?” he asked sharply.

  “I need to talk to you for a few minutes.”

  “There’s nothing to talk about. And certainly not now. You know that I don’t like to do anything else before a show. I like to concentrate.” He returned to the mirror.

  “It wasn’t like this before. You liked to meet me every single free minute of our time,” she reminded him sarcastically.

  “So who’s responsible for that?” Anup stared at her reflection in the mirror.

  “What do you mean, ‘who’s responsible for that?’ As if it’s only my fault!” she snapped.

  “It is your fault!” Anup accused harshly. “Look, the show’s about to start. Why don’t you go calm your nerves? We have a lot of romantic scenes to enact!”

  “Enact being the operative word, of course. Making love is no longer natural for us, is that what you’re saying?”

  “You said it, not me.”

  “You’re despicable, do you know that? I was right about you all along!”

  He turned to face her, anger blazing in his eyes. “And I was right about you! You are nothing but a two-timer, out for cheap publicity and a quick buck.”

  “How dare you say such things when all you did was actually use me, till your ‘project twins’ could get through!” she flung at him.

  “Stop it! There’s no point talking about who’s pregnant and who isn’t. And don’t you dare drag Deepa into this! She’s the most wonderful woman I’ve ever met!”

  “Sure, but does that wonderful person know what a contemptible man you are?”

  Anup paled. “You won’t say a word to Deepa.” His voice was freezing cold.

  Jaya uttered a short, mirthless laugh. “Oh-oh! Looks like I’ve touched a raw point. So much love, so much sense of protection - out of the blue - for a woman you were ready to leave just a day ago.”

  “Thank God my eyes opened in time!”

  “And thank God mine did, too, before it was too late. You’re the most detestable man I’ve ever had the misfortune to meet! You cheated me and you’re going to pay for it.”

  “We’ll see who pays what in the end. Right now, I don’t ever want to lay eyes on you again! I want you out of my life for good,” he threw at her with venom.

  Jaya stared at Anup, as if struck physically. “Be careful what you wish for, sometimes wishes come true..” Her eyes glinted with cold hatred.

  She turned and strode out of the room.

  Anup gazed at the closed door, his heart and face filled with loathing. He couldn’t allow Jaya to go free, with her threats and baseless accusations. And most important, he couldn’t live with the eternal sword on his head, the fear of Deepa learning about what he had done. His hand went to his pocket and he drew out the bottle of poison. This was one wish which was definitely going to come true.

  The hall was illuminated as the curtains closed for the interval. Crowds surged towards the entrance of the Balgandharva Rangmandir - Theatre Hall - for a quick smoke, to chat in the cool evening, or to avail themselves of the refreshments. Mohnish turned in his cushioned seat and scrutinised Sonia with an assessing gaze.

  “I can’t believe that you actually invited me to a play!” he remarked candidly.

  Sonia blushed. “Why should it surprise you? You’ve taken me out to dinner and even to a disco last year, though you hate dancing! Why shouldn’t I invite you to a play?”

  People jostled past their chairs in the second row from the stage and Mohnish waited a moment for them to pass. He looked handsome in a checked blue T-shirt and beige trousers. Sonia wore a white chiffon Salwar Kameez with silver embroidery. Her hair framed a heart-shaped face, swinging silkily. She looked elegant and poised. As he leaned over to talk to her, he caught the whiff of her faint perfume. Wild flowers dancing in the wind…

  “I’m glad you did invite me, though I wish it had been your idea and not your Dad’s!” He spoke in a low voice.

  Sonia laughed. “It’s a step forward, don’t you think?”

  “Absolutely! And not just any play - a romantic play!”

  “Hey, please don’t read too much into that, okay?

  I had no say over the choice of the play!” she interrupted hastily.

  Mohnish burst into a hearty laughter. “Will you stop! I’m kidding, okay? Why don’t you just learn to suspend logic and rational feeling and just enjoy yourself for a change?”

  Sonia searched his face and found no sarcasm there. “Right.” She grinned sheepishly.

  “And the play’s excellent. The lead actor and actress - what are their names?”

  “Anup and Jaya,” Sonia supplied.

  “Anup and Jaya are superb. There’s so much fire and energy between them, as if they’re truly in love. I particularly liked that scene in which she bursts into laughter and then tears, when she tells him about the death of her Mother. And the way he comforts her and holds her close. It was beautifully enacted, don’t you think so?”

  Sonia nodded. “I think the credit should also go to the Director, Karan. The nuances in the development of their relationship are remarkable. Especially the difference in their religious upbringing, and the strong opposition they have to face from all sides. She’s a Muslim and he’s a Hindu. I wonder what the end’s going to be.”

  “They live happily ever after?”

  “I hope so. I hate tragic endings.”

  The third bell rang and the audience returned to their seats. The lights dimmed and the play resumed. Mohnish and Sonia watched, totally enthralled by the performances of the two lead actors. As scene followed scene, the emotions of the lovers on the stage swung high and then low, as they battled the opposition from society to their love. Finally, frustrated and fed up, they decide to celebrate their love and make it eternal by ending their lives.

  The lights on stage were dim as the last scene was enacted. Anup and Jaya looked at each other with tears in their eyes. They hugged, then moved away without a word. A lump formed in Mohnishs throat. A little ashamed, he flashed a glance at his companion and with great surprise witnessed drops glistening on Sonia’s eyelashes. Spontaneously, he grasped her hand and squeezed it.

  Jaya poured juice into a glass and handed the juice to Anup, who did the same. Then they moved to the opposite ends of the sitting room. A sad, melancholy song of loving and parting played in the background, as the two lovers poured poison into their glasses. Then they approached, stared longingly into each other’s eyes, and exchanged glasses. They raised their glasses silently in a toast to their love, and then simultaneously swallowed their last and final drink. As they finished the juice, the poison began reacting and they clutched hands, desperately holding on to the ebbing spirit of life. They cr
ashed to the ground, entwined in each other’s arms, while the music reached a peak. The curtains closed on their fallen bodies.

  A thunderous applause ripped through the auditorium. Sonia and Mohnish rose, clapping hard. Tears flowed freely down Sonia’s cheeks. In moments, the Director and the two actors came on stage. All three bowed low, smiling and looking triumphant. The applause grew steadily in appreciation of the realistic performances and the successful direction. And then Jaya stumbled. Karan held her, as she swayed and lost balance, crumpling to the floor.

  “Jaya!” the Director cried.

  Anup watched on, a strange smile on his lips. Then his smile faltered and he, too, lost his footing, clutching his throat. Within seconds, his face had changed colour and his eyes took on a look of horror, as he dropped to the wooden stage floor.

  “Somebody call a Doctor!”

  It took a while for the audience to realise that this was no more fine acting! The clapping echoed into eerie silence, as shocked faces turned to one another throughout the auditorium.

  A couple of Assistants urged the audience to leave, and one by one they trooped outside, numb and shaken. What exactly had happened? Sonia glanced at Mohnish, a speculative glint in her eyes. Poisoning? Again!

  “Come on!” she urged Mohnish. “We’ve got to go backstage.”

  Mohnish followed the detective as they threaded their way through the human traffic. Pushing past the gathering crowd, they climbed up to the stage.

  “Make way, please. I’m Sonia Samarth, an Investigator. What’s happened here?” Sonia spoke authoritatively.

  Instinctively the knot of people on stage made way and Sonia saw Karan and a woman kneeling beside the fallen couple. The woman was sobbing. A Doctor from the audience was examining Anup. Sonia dropped on her knees and quickly checked Jayas pulse. A very faint pulse. She hastily turned to Anup. Very weak.

  “The van’s outside. Let’s take them to the hospital!” someone shouted.

  Immediately, Karan and the woman rose. A backstage member tapped on the woman’s shoulder. “Yours.” He thrust a blue-checked handkerchief in her hands.

  She glanced at it with wet eyes, then shook her head. “Not mine,” she mumbled, then turned to the flurry of activity.

  The two unconscious artistes were carried by the anxious play members.

  Sonia stared after the departing bodies, a deep sorrow choking her. Perfect lovers on stage. But parting like true lovers in real life?

  Inspector Divekar had taken charge. The Police were bustling around asking questions of the play members, who seemed as nonplussed as the audience at the sudden turn of events. How could a play end in real tragedy? Who had tried to kill Anup and Jaya, and why? For the first time the theatre people had more questions to ask than the Police. Everyone hung around inactively, the sets yet to be dismantled. No one seemed in the mood to wind up the scene.

  Sonia stood in the wings, watching the official Police inquiry, a strange reluctance in her heart. She knew that she should begin investigating, interact with the play crew, and assist Uncle Jeevan, if he wished. But she felt hesitant to be a part of this odd scenario. The play was over and its end was far too real, so why did she feel that the playacting wasn’t over?

  Karan sat in a corner of the stage, looking stunned. Sonia observed him in silence. He hadn’t changed much. The same, serious good looks that once upon a time had set her shy teenage heart racing. For an instant, the image of herself, sitting for long hours in the library, waiting for a glimpse of him, rose in her mind. The image faded and she shook her head. That was a long time ago and her crush had paled into a vague memory. But her sensitivity towards him hadn’t. With sudden resolve, Sonia moved towards him.

  “Sonia?” He recognized her instantly. “What are you doing here?”

  “Glad you remember me.” She took the stool beside him.

  “Of course I do! Wish we could’ve met in pleasanter circumstances,” he remarked sadly.

  “I was here for the play and witnessed what happened,” Sonia volunteered. “I’m sorry it all ended like this.”

  Karan nodded, staring dazed at a chip on the stage floor. He wiped the sheen of perspiration on his forehead and shook his head in anger. Then he looked up and there were tears in his eyes. “Why did this happen? Why? We were just beginning the shows for this play and we were booked all over Maharashtra! How can one explain such a tragedy?”

  “There was poison in the juice they poured out to each other,” Sonia said simply. “Or perhaps real poison in the bottles.”

  Karan looked startled. “But that’s impossible!”

  “Where was the juice before the play began?” Sonia asked.

  “It was kept ready in the side wings before the show. ” Karan replied, a little more steadily.

  “And what about the poison bottles that they used for the last scene?”

  “The property man provides the bottles. They are also kept ready, on a stool, just beside the stage, in the side wings, for the scene.” Karan hesitated. “You think someone replaced the coloured water with real poison?”

  Sonia shrugged. “Quite possible. But the question remains: Who would want to do such a thing?”

  “I don’t know, I don’t understand any of this! Why would someone want to try and kill Anup and Jaya?”

  “Usually the motives range from jealousy, professional rivalry to personal hatred. Is there anyone who would fit any one of these motives?”

  Karan looked thoughtful.

  Sonia knew that jealousy and professional rivalry were the most common features in showbiz. Personal hatreds, chequered pasts, and obsessive fan following resulted in a gamut of reactions and it was very difficult to decode the constant under currents that ran through relationships in the film and theatre world. In short, Sonia was aware that this world would never lack motives for crime.

  Karan shook his head stubbornly. “I can’t imagine a single person from my group doing such a horrendous thing.”

  “The best of people have a dark side to them,” Sonia reminded him. “By the way, why did you have two poison bottles in the end? I mean, don’t you think that the natural thing to do would’ve been for them to pour the poison from the same bottle, the way you did the juice?”

  “Actually, the original idea had been one poison bottle. But Anup felt that it would be more poetic and melodramatic if the couple poured poison from their own separate bottles. It would feel like a real toast to their love and give a chance for their histrionics as they approached each other on the background of the sad song. More like a film It was a last-minute change, but I wouldn’t have agreed if I hadn’t liked the idea. Somehow it seemed less clichéd.”

  “Anup?” Sonia repeated with a thoughtful expression.

  “What happens next?” Karan asked in a resigned tone, seemingly unaware of her reaction.

  “The Police have confiscated those bottles and the jar of juice. They’ll be able to deduce whether the poison was in the bottles or the juice. Then they try to nail down the person who was responsible for it, who would have a motive to attempt to pull off such a blatant crime! It’s got to be someone closely associated with the play, who knew exactly what the ending was and how it would be enacted. Someone who would have ample opportunity to either replace the fake bottles with the real ones or pour poison in them or into the juice.”

  A murmur of voices broke out on centre stage, where Inspector Divekar stood. A Constable and a member of the play hastened to the Inspector and he followed them to the side of the stage. Sonia frowned. What was happening?

  A crew member passed them and Karan hailed him.

  “What’s up, Vijay?”

  “They’ve made a discovery!”

  “Discovery?” Sonia repeated, interested.

  “He’ll tell you.” Vijay indicated the Inspector with a thumb, then walked briskly away.

  At that very moment, Inspector Divekar signalled to Sonia. She rose at once.

  “Excuse me, I’ll be back
in a moment!” she told the Director.

  Karan watched as she quickly joined Inspector Divekar. The Inspector began speaking instantly, showing her something. They bent their heads in a quick consultation. Sonia looked worried. Something twisted in Karan’s stomach. Now what was happening? Hadn’t they had enough trouble for a lifetime?

  Sonia nodded as the Inspector handed a plastic bag to the Constable. Then she retraced her steps towards Karan, a grim expression on her face.

  “What is it?” Karan asked her fearfully.

  She took the seat beside him in silence and inhaled a soft breath.

  “The Police have just discovered that the poison bottles that were supposed to be used in the play are still in their appointed place. They are apparently untouched!”

  “What! But that’s impossible! Anup and Jaya used them to pour the poison,” he insisted.

  “Obviously not!”

  “What does this mean?” Karan looked bewildered.

  Sonia was thoughtful. “It means that Anup and Jaya did not use the fake bottles kept for them in the wings. Most likely one of them brought the poison or even they both brought their own.”

  “You mean…?”

  “If the property bottles were not used in the last scene, it means that no one replaced those fake bottles with real poison. Which also means that no one really tried to kill Anup and Jaya.”

  “But then, who, how…?”

  “The conclusion is obvious, isn’t it?” Sonia spoke gently. “Either, one of them brought the two poison bottles or Anup and Jaya each brought their own. Regardless since neither of them touched the fake bottles, it looks like they deliberately poisoned each other, with or without each other’s consent!”

  “What are you saying? They tried to kill each other? I don’t believe it!” Karan exclaimed. “We are all such good friends. Why in heavens should Jaya and Anup wish to kill each other? We’ve been working closely for months. We had a wonderful lunch this afternoon and the atmosphere was such fun, so tension-free. I don’t see why those two would take such drastic action. No, I’m sure there’s another explanation to it.”

  “Assuming that the poison was not in the juice - can you explain what the entire auditorium witnessed with their own eyes? Jaya and Anup poured poison out of the bottles they had in their possession. And they collapsed onstage in front of all of us. And they did not get up again. In fact, I’m not sure the Doctors will be able to do much for them.”