“As I enter the police station premises, two constables salute me. I chuckle in my mind. They don’t know that today I have come here as a criminal and not as an influential politician who could have snatched their jobs with a single phone call. I wonder if the SP had seen how his subordinates are still giving homage to a notorious criminal, he would have suspended both of them. I nod at one of the constables and ask about SP’s desk. He is willing to escort me but I deny it. I don’t want him to lose his job because of me. Slowly I enter the police station and saunter to SP’s desk. Other officers start staring at me as if I am the 8th wonder of the world. Obviously, I ignore and head to my destination. The SP is sitting with another three people. Among them, I recognise the only male person. Vivek Basu. Nandana’s father. A smirk beams on my lips. Only then, some words hit my ears. They are talking about me and Nandana only. A lady, who is perhaps a police inspector explains how Nandana was denying any physical force on her by me. Really, this girl is something! She is still defending me. A brute who was about to rape her. But I am not surprised. I call her Angel for a reason. My Angel. The SP is literally threatening Mr Basu about his daughter’s foolishness. He is trying to convince him in a very intimidating way that what should Nandana say to convict me as a criminal and rapist. I chuckle in my mind. This SP is indeed in a mood to take revenge on me. Every dog has its day. My Inner self mocks. However, Nandana is the main obstacle to the smooth way of his intention. Let me ease his way to reach me. I clear my throat and say in a composed tone that I am here to confess my crime. All are startled and I get pinned by everyone’s perplexed eyes.”

The SP habitually was about to get up from his chair. However, Aditya’s words make him realise what the situation is.

“Mr Aditya Oberoi. We were about to visit your place. Thank you for lessening the effort.”

The SP utters with his razor-sharp tone while gesturing to Aditya to take the seat. Aditya gives his lopsided smile and obeys his instruction. The SP honours him with his quizzical stare. Aditya eyes Vivek who is equally puzzled and irate. His glare and hard jaws are the proof. Aditya purses his lips and looks straight into SP’s eyes.

“I am here to give my statement in the Nandana Basu case. I kidnapped Nandana Basu on 12th June of this year. She lost her memory in the process and I took that advantage and married her without her proper knowledge. During these 4 months, I have taken all the advantages of her temporary amnesia. Advantage means…I had sexual encounters with her numerous time which was my primary intention.”

Aditya’s tone is flat and steady. The last line makes Vivek lose his control and he tries to grab Aditya’s collar.

“You BASTARD..!”

Vivek yells. All the other officers leave their chairs and encircle the SP’s desk.

“No…Mr Basu. Let him complete. We will have enough time for all these. Proceed, Mr Oberoi. We are all ears.”

The SP immediately leaps up from the chair and refrains Vivek to pounce on Aditya. Aditya again starts,

“I even kept on giving drugs to her to maintain her amnesic condition because I wanted to keep her with me. However, despite having all these precautions (he chuckles sinisterly) yesterday she gained her memory…Tch…Tch…unfortunately. She tried to escape from my captivity and I tried raping her. But she managed to run away. That’s it. This is my statement and I can give it by written too. I think now there is no problem to arrest me.”

Aditya stops and shrugs casually. The SP is still pinning him with his inquisitive eyes. Perhaps he is trying to grok whether it is Aditya’s new plan or something.

“What! You need more? Should I give you the detail of my tortures on her? No, problem. I can….Well….”

Aditya was about to continue when Vivek again tries to spring at him.

“You bloody swine. I will kill you…”

But he was already clutched by two constables, so, his efforts go in vain. The SP shows his hand to stop him and addresses Aditya gravely,

“No need…we can’t disrespect a girl among all unlike you. Your statement is enough. Now, sign your statement, so, that we can put you in the lockup soonish. Your proper and permanent place.”

He says the last line mockingly. Aditya smirks and signs his statement paper. The SP orders a constable to get Aditya inside a cell. Aditya gets up. The constable tries to clutch his arm and drag him but Aditya’s cool glare makes him step back. With a spine-chilling tone, Aditya utters,

“Don’t dare to. A tiger is still a tiger in irons. If I willingly can come to the police station then I can walk to the lock-up too. Show your strength to the petty thieves.”

He turns at the SP and adds,

“I have given my statement. So, don’t interrogate Nandana further. It should be an open and shut case.”

Saying this Aditya strides to the cell and enters. All the time, SP was scrutinizing him. Aditya Oberoi really is a mystery.

..........................

“Nandu Di”

Nandana startles by hearing the call and turns. Rishi is standing behind her with a bright smile. Since yesterday, he was not allowed to meet his favourite sister properly. Although he was constantly trying their mother Jaya made him understand that his Nandu Di is not well and therefore she needs rest. Considering that, Rishi was stopping himself to talk to Nandana. However, today when he sees her sitting beside the window and gazing out of it, he gathers his courage to meet her. Nandana eyes his smiling face and it infects her lips too. She beckons him and replies,

“Rishi, come…sit here.”

With hesitant steps, Rishi nears her and occupies the place next to Nandana.
Nandana ruffles his hair and asks affectionately,

“Rishi…How are you? How is your study going?”

In reply, Rishi only tilts his head. Being an autistic child, he doesn’t communicate with people. However, with Nandana, he reacts with gestures.

“I taught you A,B,C,D and the spelling of your name….right? Do you remember?”

Nandana again asks and Rishi nods. She smiles and continues,

“Then show me. Let me see how well you can write! Go…get your copy.”

She encourages him. With an ear-to-ear smile, Rishi immediately gets up and storms to his room. Nandana chuckles to see his enthusiasm. She again looks outside of the window. The Sun is about to touch the horizon, smearing the sky with a tangerine tint. The cool breeze is playing with her loose tresses, making her angelic face more bona fide. Suddenly a voice breaks her trance again.

“So, you have already started to act as a teacher. Now, what will be your next step? To rejoin your old job? Hmmm…what difference can I expect?”

Manvi says with a sneer. Not being able to understand her younger sister’s words, Nandana furrows her brows which makes Manvi more agitated.

“What? Don’t act so innocent. You know very well that after your sudden disappearance, I got the job in Mr Prasad’s school. He is very happy with my performance too and was ready to make me a permanent teacher. But now, I guess it would be a remote chance. You….the favourite teacher of the students has returned. Where is my chance now? You are really lucky Di. During these four months, you have been enjoying Aditya Oberoi’s all wealth and now all are pampering you as you have returned from any imprisonment.”

She scoffs and continues,

“I wish I could be such a prisoner.”

The mention of Aditya’s name jabs Nandana’s heart once again. Tears brim her eyes. She parts her quivering lips to say something but before that Jaya’s tongue-lashing startles both her daughters.

“Enough Manvi. There is a limit to selfishness. Have you realised what rubbish are you talking about? She was enjoying it over there? That is your filthy thought about your own sister? Shame on you!”

Jaya is like trying to burn her younger daughter with her glare. Manvi was taken aback for a moment but again snickers and replies with equal venom,

“You can stop my filthy thought Maa but how will you stop the filthy mouths of the people around us? Do you know what are they saying about Di? They are saying we are gold diggers. First, we sent Di to provoke Aditya Oberoi to get money and when he denied giving more, we just put this kidnapping and rape allegation on him. They are calling her opportunist and Slu…”

Before she could complete her words Jaya’s palm contacts her cheek.

“SHUT UP…JUST SHUT UP….or else I will…”

She again tries to slap Manvi but till then Nandana leaps up from the bed and storms to the bathroom. Right now, she feels like burning her whole body. Slut…gold digger…opportunist…all the words are hammering her head. Jaya follows her but before that, Nandana shuts the bathroom door. Jaya is banging on the closed door and calling by her name. But Nandana presses both ears tightly with her palms. For a couple of minutes, she keeps on standing like this. Slowly she loosens her body and sits on the moist floor of the bathroom. A suppressed sob escapes her mouth. She whispers in between,

“Why me?”

............................

Ayan switches on the TV and flips to the news channel. His father Abhiroop Agnihotri is sitting beside him. The headlines are flashing on the TV screen. “BUSINESS TYCOON AND PROMINENT POLITICIAN ADITYA OBEROI HAS BEEN ARRESTED ON THE CHARGE OF KIDNAPPING AND RAPE.” Ayan and Adhiroop look at each other. Their eyes have pity and compassion. The newsreader continues,

“Today morning Aditya Oberoi surrenders at the police station and admits his crime. The police have made a charge sheet of kidnapping, raping, violence and criminal conspiracy against him in Nandana Basu missing case. When our reporter questioned the SP, MR Apoorva Bhosle, he said that the law is equal for everyone. Aditya Oberoi is an influential name but it won’t make any difference to his interrogation. He will try his best to give justice to Nandana Basu. Our source tried to talk to Mr Vivek Basu, Nandana’s father but he denied passing any comment. We hope that this case will reach the court as soon as possible and the nation will witness a fair trial. Now let’s talk to Mr Pranav. The proponent of xxxx party. The party Aditya Oberoi belongs to. Let’s see what is his take on this case.”

Ayan increases the volume. Party proponent Mr Pranav starts,

“Listen…we didn’t know anything about it and we have nothing to do with this case. As soon as we came to know, we decided to expel him from the party. Our party has never supported these kinds of crimes and we can assure you that we will help the police in this case in every possible way. Aditya Oberoi….”

Ayan mutes the volume and turns to his father.

“Dad…what should I do? I can’t let Aditya Sir suffer like this. But he is adamant to punish himself. His life is in danger, Dad. Please do something!”

Abhiroop sighs and keeps mum for a moment. Then he says in a determined tone,

“Now, only Nandana can save him. Try to meet her and say the truth. Rest depends on their destiny.”