Adjusting to the Situation

It had been many days since shastri had come home. Shastri had started working as a priest in the nearby temple. Because of that he had to wake up at 4'o Clock in the morning and go to the temple which was 5 kilometers away from the house. He also helped his parents in doing the chores like cutting grass for the cows, picking fruits and helping his mother in the kitchen work.

But he would never his let his parents start conversation about his work. When this happened, he would go out of the house pretending to do other chores. As it was the forest area, the network was bad and there was no internet at all. He would get a coverage only after tying the phone to his stick and standing in the terrace. So every night he would listen to the radio like that for important news in the state and country.

Even though he had to work hard shastri found the work very satisfying. He could sleep outside enjoying the fresh air and the surrounding greenery. His mother dishes and the fruits from the forest were very tasty also. It gave him a refreshing feeling.

One day evening just as he was finishing milking the cow there came a voice near the gate "Aunty is this the house of shastri Sir?"

"Yes"

"Can I meet him? I have some important matter to discuss."

"Ok. Wait a minute. I will call him", then his mother began to yell" Shastri where are you? Somebody has come looking for you?"

Shastri had a rough idea who had come to meet him. He did not want to meet but as his mother had called he had to go to the front. So cleaning his cloths he went to the hall.

When he came Viraj was there drinking the water. Once he saw shastri coming he said passionately, "Sir, you have to save me!"

"If you are in debt, I can't save you"

"No, Sir! It is not regarding the debt. I want you to help me with the case. I am not able to solve the accident case"

"Which the case in which I was involved? Why was it not solved? I thought it would have been solved and the evidence had already been submitted with your expertise" said shastri.

Not detecting sarcasm in the tone viraj felt flattered. So he said, sounding a little humble "Sir, I also thought it was an open and shut case sir, but the thing was that-"

"Wait a minute. I have not involved myself in the case. As of now I have left my job and working in the local temple. So as of now I am considered a normal citizen or a third party. And I don't plan to be involved in the future."

"Sir, you have left the job? That is great sir. You can solve the case with your expertise sir."

"And.....why would I do that?"

"Because....I have read Sherlock Holmes and in that I have seen that experts like yourself will feel bored if they have not solved any case. So I thought-"

"Because, they did not have life! But I have a life which I want to live on. Stay in the village, find a beautiful girl in the age of -never mind. And then continue being the priest rather than thinking about bloodied corpses and checking relations all day long."

"Sir, but I have also been thinking of moving from this hellhole of a village. But nothing happens! The major case here is stealing of chickens! And the whole village knows the thief! No investigation-nothing at all. I have only been doing the security work when the some MP comes for a visit. Otherwise no work at all. But this case has happened in my jurisdiction and this is my chance to move up. If I can find out the truth about the case it may lead to my promotion- and I can escape from here. So please help me out sir" Viraj said with the begging eyes.

At that time shastri mother also came outside holding a tea cup. She gave it to Viraj and began to stare at shastri questioningly.

Seeing her staring Shastri answered, "He is my friend. He has come to me regarding some case."

"Then help him."

"But...regarding household chores."

"I will do it. I will also tell your father to go to temple on your behalf. You just focus on work", shastri's mother replied.

"But mother..... I need time to think about it."

"What is there to think about it? Am I giving you an option? No. I am giving you an order. Just help your friend now." his mother said. She thought working with the inspector friend would help him change his mind about the job.

"Ok then, Viraj. Don't tell me about the case as of now. First I need to draw inferences from the scene. But tomorrow morning I need every available data regarding the victim, his postmortem report and witness reports. There should be no delays tomorrow. I want to finish the case as soon as possible."

"Ok sir. I will make every possible arrangements necessary. Any other things required?"

"I will determine what is required once I come to the Police Station. Just make sure there is tea when required. Somebody forgot to give her son the tea today."

"Ok. I will give you now." smiling smugly his mother went inside to bring him the tea. Viraj also left assuring that he will make the necessary preparations for tomorrow.

As he sat down to drinking the tea, shastri began to think deeply regarding the case. There were many interesting points worth paying attention. Shastri began to get excited about finding out the truth!