Chapter 46


She disconnected the call, again now not knowing what to do next. She cannot go alone. Again tears came to her eyes when she looked at adi. The thought of something harmful happening to her made her scared. She cannot leave without her child and husband.

She helplessly prayed to god and at the end a face came to her mind. Vishnu’s

The only person who she could think of is Vishnu. She always treated him as her own little brother. Its true that he misbehaved with her. But she cannot blame him alone. She has to equally blame herself as well. She never stopped him. He is a little kid and would have got carried away. Thats his age being close to an adult women, he might have lost his mind. She thought as a sister, she should forgive him. Vishnu was as always there for her, whenever she needed his help. She loved him as her brother or as her own child.

Devika said to her mind that Vishnu is a innocent boy and unknowingly made a mistake. She should forgive him. And he would be able to help her.

She wiped her tears and picked her phone and dialled vishnu’s number. But to her dismay there was no response. She tried to call him few times but the response was the same.

She did not know what to do. She thought for a moment. Devika knows where Vishnu is staying, so at last she decides to go there to see him. She got ready and got Adi also along with him and she took a auto rickshaw and went to the house he is staying.

Vishnu has rented a house along with Anand and a few of his friends. Devika reached the house, paid the auto and walked to front door of 2 storey house.

She rang the bell and in few minutes door was opened. It was Anand. He was surprised to see devika madam there.

Both of them stood there without able to face each other due to the incident happened in light house.

Devika did not expect Anand to be there. Upon seeing she got tensed and found difficult to face him as memories from light house made her feel bad and guilt again took over.

Both of them stood there without saying anything for a moment. And Devika felt she could not stand there anymore and she turned back to leave. But Anand recovered quickly and asked

Anand - madam

Devika stopped and stood there. Adi was in her arms

Anand - Are you going back?

Devika stood there and took a deep breath and gathered confidence and asked

Devika - is Vishnu here, I came to meet him

Anand - Yes madam, he is here

Devika - Can you please call him

Anand - Madam he is upstairs in his room

Devika - please call him

Anand - madam , sorry, how can I tell you?

Anand searched for words, Devika felt something is wrong so she turned back and atlast faced Anand

Devika - what happened?

Anand looked down with sad face and told.

Anand - madam, after that incident, he totally got very upset and felt very bad. He felt pathetic as he misbehaved with you. You had considered us as your brothers, but we took advantage of you and disrespected you. Since that incident he kind of lost his mind and started drinking for the first time. He always cries and keeps saying you were the only one who had loved him as a little brother, and now he lost his sister.

Anand continued

There is not even a single day, he has not drunk. He is punishing himself for misdeed he did. Most of the time he is not in his senses. I'm afraid that I will lose my friend. Sorry madam for what we did to you. Please forgive us

Devika listened to Anand in total disbelief and shock. All the anger in her towards Vishnu melted hearing about her favorite student trying to punish himself for the mistake he did. Vishnu always had a special place in her mind. He is like her own little brother. She never had any real brothers but always wanted to have one. Upon meeting vishnu, with his loving behavior she felt that void was filled.

And because of that only when Vishnu misbehaved with her she felt mad and disgusted with herself. But now she felt bad for him. She doesnt want her favorite student to spoil his life. She always found a bright future in him. The angel in her has already forgiven him.

With tears in her eyes she asked

Devika - Where is he?

Anand - He is upstairs in his room. He was drinking till morning. Just now only he slept. But when wakes up , he starts to drink and cries talking about

Devika - I want to see him

Couple of days had gone past, There were no more pictures posted of devika in the group. Even though everyone kept on chatting about her, speaking about their fantasies.

Selvaraj told everyone that the work is done at her home and he couldn’t take any more photos due to her mother being around with devika. Venki also looked to get it out of his head. He was little relieved, that no one could recognise it was devika as the camera quality was low and her face was not very clear.

The job also made him busy and soon he was tasked to go to a remote village in Bihar for a project for two weeks. One the day before he had to go to the village, Venki called devika

Venki - hi devu, how are you?

Devika - im good. The plumbing work is all done

Venki - okay

Devika - Tomorrow, mom will leave, as there is a treatment for father

Venki - you are not scared to stay alone with Adi, right?

Devika - yeah im all good. Dont worry about that. How is your work?

Venki - its going good. Actually i would have to go to a remote village here. There is a project we are working on. So have to stay there for 2 weeks

Devika - oh okay

Venki - so mostly i will not get coverage there and there will not be any internet as well

Devika - thats so bad, so you will not be able to call us for 2 weeks?

Venki - yeah mostly no.

Devika - i would be worried, how will i know if you are okay there

Venki - dont worry, i will be fine. Im worried about you. As mom is not there, you are sure you will be able to manage it

Devika - yeah im good, im a big girl. Dont worry, you take care of yourself

Venki - hmm, i miss you so much

Devika - i also, love you so much. Get all your work done fast and come back to me soon

Venki - love you devu. Alright then. Take care. Good night

Devika - you too. Love you dear.

Venki disconnected the call and sighed. He actually was missing his wife and kid. He packed his back and slept early as he has to travel to the village next day. And he will not be able to speak with devika for 2 weeks.

On fine evening , while she was feeding her baby her house calling bell rang. She laid Adi safely on the bed and adjusted her bra and nighty and went to open the door.

She was greeted by 6ft 2 inch tall dark man with long hair and beard. He looked like in his 40's. Upon seeing devika he smiled and greeted. He was chewing paan, and he had yellow stains on his tooth from frequent paan chewing

Harilal - Namaste madam, mera naam Harilal. Is Venkitesh sir here.

Devika - venkitesh is not here, he is my husband, how can i help you?

Halilal - no madam, im here to meet venkitesh sir

Devika - he is not here, you can tell me what it is

Harilal- no madam, I will come later to see him

Devika - he will not be here anytime soon, he is on a work trip to north india, will only come after 6 months

Harilal - oh thats very bad, i had urgent need to see him

Devika - how do you know him

Harilal - he doesn't know me and but I know him

Devika - i can inform him whatever it is?

Harilal looked around and to make sure one is around and spited the pan on to the ground. Devika felt disgusted.

Harilal wiped the lips with his hand and he took out the phone from his dhothi. And clicked something and showed the phone to devika

Devika - madam i have something to show you

He played the play button and video started playing. It was cctv video and in the video a car was seen coming and it hit a person and person is thrown away to the nearby bushes

At devika did not understand what it is and after a moment realises it was their car. And the video showing is the accident they had while returning from vacation. Her mouth went dry and she got scared

Harilal kept the phone back and smiled

Harilal - this is your car right madam, and who was driving? It was your husband venkitesh right?

Devika was silent

Harilal - now you might have understood , Why im here?

Devika gathered her courage and asked

Devika - what you want?

Harilal - hahah, thats why i asked for your husband. But as he is not here, I can speak with you. Im a poor person, have been working hard for all my life for living. But so far i did not earn anything and my life is pathetic.People like us also have to live a good life, right, madam

Devika - what are you saying?

Harilal - I want money? I want 50 lakhs ruppees

Devika - whaaat??

Harilal - you know, what can happen to your husband, if i give this video to security officer. The person, your husband hit is dead. His brother is a criminal. Imagine what could happen to your husband, if I give the video to his brother. They will go to north india and kill your husband. Either way he is in trouble. So I want money?

Devika folded her hand and pleaded

Devika - brother , dont do this to our family

Harilal - madam, you think about it and let me know, this is my phone number and dont take too long to decide

Harilal gave his phone number in peice of paper and walked away. Devika stood there in fear

Devika did not know what to do, her life again turned upside down now. She was scared to death. She thought of calling Venki and let him know. But Venki told that he will be out of town in a rural area for a project where internet and telephone network is very limited. He will only back to his work town after 2 weeks.

Devika tried calling venki still, but the automoted voice told his phone is out of coverage network. She did not know , what to do. She thought what would happen if the video reaches the security officer, they will take case against her husband and their career and life would be in jeapordy. What if the dead person brother come to know about this. Harilal said he is a criminal and he will come after us. All these thoughts made her more weak and scared. She hugged her child and tried to sleep, but she couldn't.

Next day morning , she gathered some courage and took her phone to message harilal. She thought that she will request Harilal to leave them alone and convince him. She doesn't want the video to reach in the hands of anyone else. She took the phone typed

Devika - Hello, is this Harilal

After few minutes her phone beeped with the message

Harilal - yes it is. Who is this?

Devika - Im Devika, Venkitesh's wife

Harilal - Ok, hi, I was waiting for your message. So where should I come to get 50 lakhs ruppees

Devika - Listen Harilalji, please I beg you please leave us alone. That accident was a mistake. We did not do it purposely. It wad raining we couldn't see him coming

Harilal - That's understandable, anyone can make mistake. But leaving without stopping cannot be forgiven. Atleast you guys could have saved him, if you had stopped and got of the car

Devika - I agree, the mistake was ours, we were scared

Harilal - no excuse

Devika - please brother, we have a young family and my child is only 1 year old

Harilal - the dead person too, had a family and his child also is 1 year old

Devika - im sorry sorry sorry. Please dont do this

Harilal - did you speak with your husband?

Devika - he is not reachable, I can only speak with him after 2 weeks

Harilal - i cant wait till then. I want money within 2 days. Nothing less than 50 lakhs

Devika - please, we dont have that much money, we are not rich

Harilal - i dont want to know, you make the arrangement. And dont tell anyone about this. Or else this video i will send to security officer

Devika - Harilal please, please

Harilal - bye for now

Harilal disconnected the call and devika had no idea what to do now. She prayed to god and asked why all bad things are following her. For a long period now she has been living with the burden of anxiety and tension. Lot of people misbehaved with her, she cried thinking about the events happening in her life. First it was Rahim and Ramu blackmailing her, then vishnu and Anand whom she considered as her little brothers misbehaved with her. Then in coorg she almost got fucked by jaffer. She kept on crying thinking about all these things and praying to god to save her from this torment.

She checked her bank accout, there was only 2 lakh Rupees there. Even if she sell all her gold, maximum she could get is 20 lakh rupees. Devika

didn't know what to do. There is no one to call for help. She cant call security officer, if that video gets in their hand. security officer would take case against venki and his job everything would be gone. She was in total dilemma.

She tried to Venki couple of times with no success. Two days passed and on one morning while she was preparing to go outside, the calling bell rang. She was wearing a blue saree with matching blouse. Devika opened the door and it was Harilal standing there with a smile. Devika's heart raised looking at the ugly figure standing infront of her

Harilal - hello madam. How are you?

He asked while chewing paan. Devika stood there without knowing what to tell him

Harilal - madam , are you not inviting your guest inside

Devika with shaking voice asked him to come inside. Harilal spitted the excess pan onto the ground , before walking inside the house

Harilal - madam, your house is beautiful. I have never been to such a good house. My house is so small, it cant even be called a house. Its a hut

Devika - Please sit harilalji

Harilal sat on the sofa

Devika - do you want anything to drink ji

Harilal - so madamji. I hope you have my paisa ready. I dont have much time. Please get it , I will leave then. We wont see again

Devika kept silent, her hands trembling

Harilal - madamji

Devika - ji.. Please ...pleaee leave us alone. We dont have that much money..please

Devika pleaded folding her hands. Harilal took deep breath

Harilal - so, you dont have money with you beti

Devika - 50 lakhs is too much for us. As i said , we are not rich

Harilal - Then the only option for me to give the clip to security officer and register a case. So the court will find some compensation for that poor family

Devika - no, bhaiya. Please dont do that. Pleade dont ruin our life

Harilal - so you dont have any money and i cant give the clip to security officer as well. Thats bad. So what will i do?

Devika - please take all my gold. You can sell it , you will get atleast 20 laks from it

Harilal - as i told i wont take anything short of 50 lakhs beti

Devika stood there with her hands folded and crying

Harilal - don't cry beti..its okay we will find a way. Can you get me a coffee. Please. Its so hot outside

Devika wiped her tears and slowly went to kitchen. She kept water for boiling. Tears again came to her eyes. She wiped the tears with her beautiful hands and put tea powder into the boiling water.

Suddenly Devika heard some footsteps and she turned back to see , Harilal in the kitchen.

Harilal - beti , how long i have been waiting for the tea. What are you doing here

Devika - Ji , im already done, i would bring it you. Please sit in the living room

Harilal - thats okay, i thought i will see your beautiful house. Where is your son?

Devika - he is sleeping upstairs

Devika gave the tea cup to harilal. He deliberately touched her fingertips while getting tea. While sipping the tea, he asked

Harilal - beti, you have a beautiful house, your husband is working in a big company and you are also working. How come you dont have enough money to pay me

Devika - bhaiya…please try to understand we are not rich by any means. We cannot afford at all the money you are asking

Harilal - okay. Thats fine i understand. Its okay. By the way. The tea is so good. Just like you

Harilal smiled at devika.But she remained quiet. Harilal was eyeing her from top to bottom while sipping the tea. Devika felt uncomfortable but had to endure it

There was silence, Harilal was still staring at devika while sipping the tea and devika looking down at the floor. Thats when suddenly the calling bell rang. Devika swiftly went to the door and through the curtain looked outside. It was Ganapati.

Harilal - who is it beti

Devika - its the peon in my college

Devika opened the door. Ganapati was all smiling seeing devika. It looks like he has already forgotten about the accident. He greeted devika in his loud voice

Ganapati - Hello madam, good morning. How are you?

Devika faked a smile and greeted back

Devika - im good Ganapati. What brings you here

Ganapati gleed

Ganapati - i have a surprise for you. Haha. Im sure you will be surprised

Devika - what is it?

Ganapati - That I will tell you. Is sir there inside? Can I come in?

Devika wanted to keep Harilal away. Actually she was scared before when Harilal was staring at her. She is little relived seeing ganapati, so she can ask Harilal to leave and find some option to pay him or ask for more time , so she could discuss with venki

Devika - sure please come in. Actually Venki is not here, as he went to bihar for work

Ganapati - oh okay

Ganapati got into the house and gave a packet to devika

Ganapati - this is to little Adi, some sweets for him

Devika - oh that wasnt required Ganapati

Ganapati - thats okay, Im happiest person now.

Devika - what is it ganapati

Ganapati got inside the house and found Harilal sitting there on the sofa with one leg kept on the sofa

Ganapati - is this your father madam?

Devika looked at harilal

Devika - no no, uhh.actually he is my distant relative, came to visit me as he came to the town

Devika lied and harilal was smiling at devika

Ganapati - hello sir. Im Ganapati. We work in the same college

Harilal - oh I see, beti told about me Im harilal. Come sit here

Harilal asked Ganapati to sit near him

Harilal - beta, you look so happy. Whats the matter?

Ganapati - yes Im, because there is a good news

Harilal - is it ? great. What is it?

Ganapati looked at devika and said

Ganapati - madam, you wont believe , atlast im going to get married.hahaha. i also found a girl

Harilal - wow, thats a great news. Isint it beti?

Devika was nervous and again had to fake surprise and happiness

Devika - yes, yes..thats a good news. Im happy for you.
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