Going back home

After shastri bought the cow fodder from the shop, he began to move toward the rickshaw called by Viraj. As shastri sat down, he saw that both leela and Vimala were staring daggers at each other. Viraj could not understand the tense atmosphere as they had apparently met for first time.

Shastri could not care less about that. He loaded the cow fodder in the rickshaw and said, "Leela are you coming home? Or have you booked any hotel here?"

Leela came to her senses. She sat in the rickshaw and looked at vimala mockingly. Seeing this Vimala was also triggered. She went near shastri's side and said coquettishly "Can you tell me when you are going to Varthur circle. I will also come with you" saying that, she winked her eyes at Leela.

"And why do you want to come?" shastri asked.

"As I am one of the close friend of the victims I can provide many insights on the case. It may help you greatly."

"Like the one you tried to provide in the accident case?" shastri asked sarcastically. Leela suddenly burst out laughing.

"I could not care less about the so called insights you try to provide. If I require additional information I can ask the investigation officer. He may have heard you're so called insights many times. So there is no need to come with me. You go yourself and I am going on my own. If something called crossing of paths or intersection happens" Shastri turned to Viraj "Be careful."

Viraj gulped.

After the rickshaw went Viraj turned to look at his sister," I can tolerate your antics, but you know there are some lines you cannot cross. This will be my last warning for you."

"Sorry brother" vimala held both the ears. Seeing that Viraj's anger immediately dissipated. Then they began walking towards home.

"Brother" vimala asked sweetly.

"Yes"

"Am I beautiful?"

"Yes. You are the most beautiful."

"Am I intelligent?"

"Yes. You are very intelligent."

"Then why the hell is he so rude to me!" Vimala yelled. Viraj was shocked by the sudden outburst.

"Well the thing is that, he has been like that for everybody else. He says he is waiting for his one to appear and does not want her to misunderstand"

"Oh", vimala appeared thoughtful," Do you know who 'the one' is? It may not be the woman that came earlier right?"

"I don't think so" viraj answered, "he was apparently giving her a cold shoulder."

"Oh. So that's it. By the way brother do you want to palak paneer with chapathi for today night?" Vimala asked smiling.

"Yeah. I like it. By the way is there any special occasion today?"Viraj asked, wondering why she was suddenly cheerfull.

"Nothing brother. I just feel like it." Vimala answered smilingly.

At the rickshaw….

As the space inside the rickshaw was constricted, shastri and Leela were sitting close to each other. Leela was glancing furtively at him from time to time. But to her frustration, shastri was looking at the passing trees.

But even though shastri was looking at the trees, in his mind he was conflicted. There was something nagging which he could not remember….

As they reached the bus stop shastri gave the travelling fare. But auto driver refused his money saying that he was a good friend of the inspector. Shastri then took his phone number saying that he will call him when required. Then the auto driver went back to the town.

As both of them were going to the home, the warning of crisis in shastri's head was getting stronger. Leela wanted to intiate a conversation many times, but seeing the resolute look on shastri's face, held back the idea.

As they neared Baidajja's home, they saw that Baidajja waiting in front of the gate. Seeing that his granddaughter had returned safely, Baidajja was happy. Then he invited shastri home to which Shastri politely refused. The impending sense of danger was getting more intense as he neared his home. So he wanted to reach home as soon as possible.

So after saying farewell shastri ran towards his house. Baidajja and leela watched till he disappeared from their view.

As shastri approached home, he saw the lights in the house were on. His father was watching the cricket match as usual, while the lights in the kitchen indicated his mother was cooking.

Hearing the sound of the gate both of them came outside. Shastri's mother looked at him and smiled. Shastri could not understand why he was getting alarmed because of that.

"Did you bring the cow fodder shastri?"

"Yes mother" shastri felt puzzled. Why was she asking this question even after seeing it in his hands?

"Did you bring the list of items I had written and told you to specifically bring?" Shastri's mother said, smiling dangerously.

"Uh…..no, mother" Shastri began to sweat.

Then all the hell broke loose.