Inheritance - 3

Shikha was standing by the window, watching the rain when her aunt walked in. She rarely smiled and never minced her words but today she had a new form. She was quite distressed from within.

“How are you, dear?”, She asked Shikha, placing a hand of concern on her shoulder.

“Don't worry Tara Pishi, I am not completely shattered.” Shikha replied softly, not daring to look into her eyes.

“Can I ask you something? Do you really believe Rohan is innocent?”. Tara Pishi asked as gently as she could.

Surprised at the question, Shikha turned around and looked into her Aunt's eyes.

“I don't think he is capable of doing it. “

“But he could have been in a blind rage.”

“They were stabbed in their sleep, Tara Pishi. That is not blind rage.” ,Shikha reasoned.

“Do you suspect anyone ?”

“No, Tara Pishi.”, Shikha shook her head.

“I don't think they were exactly without any enemies. I am sure many would have imagined doing it.”

Shikha was about to smile when he bit her lip. Tara Pishi was correct, though. Rohan's parents were indeed irritating at times.

Her Aunt went on.” Shikha, I do not want you to throw your life over Rohan. You are committed to him. But right now, you have to think about yourself more than any other person. I cannot talk about this to my brother. You have to understand, getting married isn't exactly all roses. There are more thorns, especially with him. Please do not be in a rush. You don't need a husband to be happy in life.”

Shikha looked intently at her and shook her head.”I know, Tara Pishi, I know”

****** ****** ****

Meanwhile, elsewhere, officer Alan Samuel had a new challenge. Mr.Sengupta had pulled few strings and got a forensic specialist to get involved in the investigation. The new arrival shared his surname and had a rather flamboyant persona. Dr. Ruth Samuel was known for her vivid hair colouring and stylised clothes. She was arrogant, as happens with most hugely successful people.

She had started off on the examination of the bodies and had some startlingly different results.

When Alan got the reports, he wanted to speak to the Doctor himself. Even though he had been warned by friends in the department that Dr.Samuel was not very amiable with the police. There were many instances, in which she had exposed lapses and pitfalls in the police investigations.

Alan had arrived at the lab and felt some how apprehensive about the meeting. He had never considered himself as shy or incompetent and the nervousness baffled him.

She appeared suddenly, talking to two other doctors who looked much younger. She was beautiful, Alan realized. Her hair had streaks of purple. She looked like a rock star. The hair itself was styled that way. She wore a very bright yellow kurti with a low neck and indigo jeans. The white coat over all that did not reduce her glamour one bit. Alan felt his nervousness disintegrating. He felt warm inside and rose up slowly, almost in awe.

Dr. Samuel halted in her tracks when she spotted Alan standing there. She had a strange expression on her face. The doctor on her left introduced Alan. They shook hands. Alan felt reluctant to let go of her hand while she was in a hurry to.

She was very business like and explained to him that while Mr. Ghosh had bled to death, his wife was already dead before the stabbing. Alan noticed that she was very cordial.

She stated that she would like to examine the crime scene. Usually, Alan would have a problem with that but he delightedly agreed to take her there.

“That won't be necessary. You can just make the arrangements. I am sure you have other important things to do.”,Dr.Samuel was not too pleased.

Alan insisted and escorted her to his Jeep. He felt good to be with her. He tried to make pleasant conversation but she was a reluctant participant. He waited for her infamous rudeness to peek out but it never did.

Inheritance -2

The Sengupta house was a landmark of sorts for those living in the vicinity. The sprawling grounds with lovely trees generated a long sigh in those passing by on Volvo buses, the only vehicles which could peep across the high walls. People wondered about the colourful and musical parties held on those grounds. Most of them imagined how it would be like to live in such a palatial home. If they imagined Mr.Sengupta to be rude and arrogant, they were far from reality. He was a very humble and helpful man. He never turned away anyone who came to him in need. He had a good business brain along with a compassionate heart. His daughter was however a more analytical soul, searching for justice and balance. Her mother had died when she was young and her father's unmarried,intellectual sister, lived with them. She raised the little girl into a fine woman, quite capable to hold her ground at all times. They had the usual support staff which included the cook, the gardener, the driver etc. But Tara Pishi maintained a strict vigil over all what transpired within the high walls. Her sharp eyes burned into everyone. Nothing could be hid from her.

The tired Mr.Sengupta sat in deep thought, on the elegant white chair, in the front lawn. Tara Pishi was making the tea while Shikha munched on a biscuit.

This evening, anyone who peaked would not fantasize about the grandness of their lives. They had a cloud of grief hanging above. Their movements mechanical, weary. All the wealth that they had could not erase the troubles they now faced. Their dear family friends Ajay Ghosh and his wife were brutally murdered, the night before, while asleep in their own bed. Stabbed, multiple times. Everything pointed to their only son, Rohan, who was engaged to Shikha.

While the violence and savagery left the whole town shocked and saddened, Mr.Sengupta was convinced that Rohan was innocent He had known him from childhood and loved him as a son. He was determined to ensure that Rohan is freed.

He was sipping his tea when he suddenly needed to vent some more.

“What I don't understand is why would they consider Rohan as a suspect ?

He has no motive. They haven't written a single paise to his name. He doesn't inherit the business. What will he gain ?I told them so many times. They don't care. Just keep repeating that the knife had his prints and their blood and he was in the house”.

Shikha : “Daddy calm down. Kishore uncle is getting a forensic specialist, so now we can be sure we have tried every possible door to help him.”

Mr.Sengupta : “How can I ? I think of him as my own son .”

Shikha : “I know daddy.. But now we have to be clam and take care of our health and make sure we do not miss out anything significant. No point in being emotional. So cool down”

Mr.Sengupta : “I don't know how you can be so cool. The greatest disaster has occurred and you are asking me to say calm ?”

Shikha shook her head and stood up. “I am going to my room, daddy.”

As she walked, the night before played out in front of her eyes, scene by scene. They had been to a party. Rohan was dancing with some guys and girls.

She had tried to get them to exit “Let's make a move now, its getting late.”

But Rohan shook his head, disagreeing: “No, I am enjoying.”

Shikha : “OK, I am going to sit down for some time. You want to eat something ?

Rohan: “Not hungry. You eat.”

He continues to make funny dance moves .

She was sitting at a corner table with a tray of some food with another friend when her phone rang.

Shikha : “Yes, Aunty, we are having food now. Yes, he is here. He is dancing aunty but I can see him. Yes Aunty, we will leave now.”

She gently disturbed the dancing Rohan again. I think we should go. Your mother had called.”

Rohan looked irritated.

Rohan: Now this has to stop! They have turned you into an additional spy. Tracking my moves and

coordinates.”

Shikha : “Rohan, it's late,so she just called that's all. She never said anything. I think it would be good for us to leave.”

Rohan: “ I don't think want to go yet.”

He moves to the bar and downs another drink..

Shikha sits down near him. “Are you okay Rohan ?”

Rohan : “Yeah, I am having fun. I just don't want to go back home and back into the whole serious world . People just bothering you with business, land deals,...aargh”

His face wore the look of disgust.

Shikha : “OK, then what makes you happy? You cannot party all your day and night. You have to deal with people and business.”

Rohan: “Yeah,I will deal with people and business but not my family pushing me. Not people who want to hang on my neck claiming to know me better and suffocate me.”

Shikha : Rohan, Who is hanging on your neck ? Am I suffocating you ?

Rohan laughs. “You are my buddy Shikha. Are you sure you want to marry me ? I am crazy, Shikha. I wont be a good husband.”

Shikha looks at him strangely,confused.

Rohan looks at her seriously: “Run for your life while you can.”

Shikha pales a bit and suddenly Rohan bursts out laughing.

Rohan : “OK now don't freak out but Shikha, you should explore the world before you get hitched with a no good dude me.”

He goes back dancing while she stares at the empty bar stool.