“All right. Please keep this aside,” Jatin informed the salesman.
“Anything else, Jatinsaheb?” the salesman asked. “You are one of our oldest customers. You can’t certainly wind up with just a ring?”
Jatin turned to his fiancee. “Naina?”
“Oh yes, I want to see other articles. But why don’t you pay for my ring? I still have to select a pair of earrings for Priyadidi. I’ll pay for your ring and earrings later,” Naina suggested as she picked up a pair of beautifully studded ear tops. “Aren’t these cute?”
“For Priyadidi?”
“Of course. She’s done so much for me. I’m going to present her with a lovely gift. How much are they?”
“Only seventy thousand, Madam.” Mr Wadekar joined them. He was a middle-aged, pot-bellied man in a silk kurta pyjama and gold-rimmed glasses. His sharp eyes swiftly gauged the shopping capacity of the two youngsters.
“Can I try them on?”
“Of course.”
While Naina put on the earrings, commenting on the sparkle of the diamonds, Jatin paid for the ring he’d bought for Naina. Mr Wadekar went off to make a bill and the salesman took his place again.
“How do they look?” Naina studied herself critically in the mirror.
“Excellent, Madam, they suit your complexion very well,” the salesman offered smoothly.
“Thank you” Naina smiled at him.
“They look perfect on your face,” Jatin agreed. Then he lowered his voice. “But Naina, they’re too expensive”
She nodded at him and whispered, “Don’t worry. I’m a rich girl, Jatin, and I have the money right here in my purse.” She patted her fat handbag. “Can you show me a simple necklace to go with this?” she asked the salesman. “Just a string of simple stones?”
Jatin watched, amazed, as she placed some very expensive diamond studs around her swan-like neck.
“You do look ethereal in diamonds,” he admitted, admiration and love shining in his eyes, and a new respect dawning for her unstinting generosity towards her waspish sister.
“I know. And these are the perfect gifts for Priyadidi, don’t you think? Oh, I’m so happy! All our lives she has scrimped and saved for me, giving me the best and sacrificing her life for me. Not anymore! This is the only way I can say thank you to her. I’m really so happy!” Her eyes danced and again Jatin decided she was the prettiest girl he knew.
“I’ll have these!” Naina’s mobile squealed a reminder and she glanced at it. “Oh, excuse me. I have to make a phone call.”
While Jatin took a look at some of the other necklaces, Naina quickly dialled a number, listening keenly. Jatin’s mobile rang.
“Boss? What’s up?” he asked, surprised.
“Have you bought the jewels yet?” Sonia’s voice sounded breathless in his ear.
“I’ve bought my ring but Naina is still purchasing a pair of earrings and a necklace for her sister.”
“Where’s Naina?”
“Right here beside me.”
“Jatin, I’d like to help you choose the rings. Do you mind waiting till I come there?”
“Not at all, Boss!” But the confusion on Jatin’s face was obvious.
“Right, I’ll be there in a few minutes. Hang on!” Sonia hung up without further comment.
“Everything all right?” Naina flashed him a quick look.
Jatin nodded. “It’s Boss. She’s coming over to help choose the rings. I didn’t have the heart to tell her that we’ve already made our choice.”
“Jatin, here’s my purse. Will you pay for the earrings and necklace while I… ” Suddenly Naina choked and her hand went to her throat. All colour drained from her face as she struggled to breathe.
“What is it!” he exclaimed in instant anxiety, bending over her.
She whispered something, but the roar of drums and shouts from the street seemed to invade the store as more customers trooped into the already overcrowded room. Everyone but Jatin was too occupied to notice anything amiss. But he called frantically to Mr Wadekar and the salesman, who hastened forward in concern to offer assistance. Immediately, some customers turned in curiosity. Others clustered around them.
“What’s the matter, Jatinji?” Mr Wadekar inquired solicitously.
“It’s an asthma attack,” Jatin explained to the gathering crowd. “Please, don’t surround her! Make room, please, give her air!”
Naina fumbled with her purse. “The open air!” she gasped, fighting for breath. Her hands dug into her purse and extracted the inhaler. The purse fell open on the floor, a bundle of money sliding out of the open lid. “I need air!” she pleaded.
“Please help,” Jatin appealed to the salesman and Mr Wadekar.
The salesman at once moved forward to give Naina an arm. “Make way, please, this is an emergency”
Naina stumbled along with them, threading through the thronging customers, gasping for breath, using the inhaler. Her hand clutched Jatin’s in a painful grasp. They stepped outside and she took in deep, grateful breaths.
The crowds seemed to have multiplied and the air was rife with gulal and jostling shoulders. The festive spirit was rampant, and the real immersion ceremony had yet to begin! Jatin realised belatedly that bringing her into the dust-laden outdoors was a huge mistake. The pollution would surely only worsen her condition. He held on to Naina and struggled to keep his feet firmly planted on the ground, swaying with the excited rumble of passersby and worshippers. He had to get Naina away from this street. He had to… In a rush a group of devotees bore down on them, spilling red powder in the air in a whirl of noisy activity. His hand jerked, as someone pushed him hard against the wall. The next instant Naina’s hand was ripped out of his.
Within seconds the crowd swarmed around her, swallowing her up.
“Naina!” he yelled. He spotted her bobbing head as it passed with the tide and he recklessly plunged into the throng.
“Naina!” His voice was lost amidst the din of the dholaks and the “Ganapati Baapa Morya!” cries of the people.
Somehow, common sense intruded into his feeling of acute frustration. And he realised that it was useless running after his fiancee. Naina would somehow manage to extract herself from the crowd and return to the jewellery store. It would be sensible for him to retrace his steps and await her return at the shop. But her asthma! He couldn’t expunge the extreme worry which swamped him at the memory of her suffering. What if she couldn’t. ? No, he chided himself severely, quelling the rising wave of panic. He had to think positively. He had to believe that she would feel better. And that she would find her way safely back to him.
The crowd thinned suddenly, but even as it did so, another truckload of people appeared round the corner. Jatin hastily stepped aside, dodging people, and doubled back to the shop. Mr Wadekar and the salesman were waiting for him, anxiously.
“Are you all right? Is your friend okay?” Mr Wadekar inquired.
“I hope so!” Jatin sighed. “Naina seemed to have gotten lost in the crowd somehow.”
Mr Wadekar and the salesman flashed each other apprehensive glances. The latter handed a purse to Jatin.
“Madam dropped this,” he remarked.
“Thank you.” Jatin accepted the leather handbag.
“I hope she’ll be okay. Now, can we make the bill?” the owner asked.
“I’ve already bought one ring. And there’s another one, and those earrings for seventy thousand. But I think I’d rather wait for my fiancee. I’d just like to confirm her choice for the necklace.”
“All right, Jatinji!” Nodding, Mr Wadekar moved away again to attend to the other customers.
The dull sounds of the drumming and rejoicing of the enthusiastic devotees rang in his ears… That moment when Naina’s hand had jerked out of his, he had experienced the worst kind of terror. As if he was never going to see his dear Naina again. As if he was losing her forever! Jatin shook his head frantically, trying to shake off the smothering terror. This was rid
iculous, really. She would return any minute. They would pay their bill and return home. And then they had to visit a good Doctor and get her totally cured. He only hoped that right now she was coping with the crowds along with her asthma.
Mr Wadekar returned. “I think we should settle the account now, Jatinji. We have to close the shop.”
“I understand,” Jatin agreed. It was past three and it was mandatory for all the shops on Lakshmi Road to be shut soon. But why wasn’t Naina back yet? Her mobile! He could call her up on her cell phone! He quickly dialled her number and waited breathlessly for her sweet voice to answer. Any moment now. The phone rang continuously. But there was no response. Perhaps she still wasn’t out of the crowds. He waited a few seconds, then dialled again. The bell rang. Jatin’s heartbeat increased. Answer the phone, Naina! he beseeched.
“Hello?” Muted sounds of dholaks playing could be heard through the receiver.
“Hello, Naina!” he exclaimed, then stopped short.
“This is Pradeep and I found this phone lying on the pavement!” a male voice answered.
Pure terror streaked through Jatin. Naina! What had happened to her? Had she fainted? Had someone pushed her? Oh God, no!
Jatin’s head reeled. His legs wobbled, giving way, and he grasped a chair and stumbled into it. Outside, the drumming seemed to grow louder as the swelling crowds marched and danced on the rhythm of two huge dholaks. The sound seemed to drill painfully into Jatin’s brain. He wanted to scream at everyone and order them to end the merrymaking. Naina was ill. All he could think of was her safety. God, please let Naina be all right, he pleaded silently.
“Is something the matter, Jatinji?” Mr Wadekar inquired, a trifle sharply.
“I don’t know” Jatin mumbled. His head seemed dizzy and his heart thudded painfully.
Sonia and Inspector Divekar rushed into the store at that very moment.
“Jatin! Are you all right?” Sonia asked anxiously, hastening towards him.
“Boss,” he whispered faintly, rising. “Naina.” The deathly paleness of his face made her heart go cold.
“I know! No, don’t get up. Just sit down, please.” She took command.
Mr Wadekar, now very much roused, pushed ahead. “I’d like to know what’s going on! Jatinji, where is your friend? She was wearing my diamond earrings and necklace when she had that attack. And now you say that you don’t know where she is?”
Sonia sighed. “I’m afraid I have some bad news for you. That girl has just vanished with your precious jewels!”
Jatin gasped in shock and Mr Wadekar looked startled. He turned swiftly to Inspector Divekar. “My God! Those jewels were worth a fortune! You can’t let this happen. I’ve known Jatinji for years and that’s why I allowed that girl to wear the jewels and go out of my shop. I trusted this boy! He will have to pay me for those missing jewels. There’s money in the purse. I’m going to see that I’m paid!” he thundered.
Inspector Divekar scooped up the purse. His face was impassive as he said, “This money’s useless. It is counterfeit money.”
Jatin’s head jerked up. “Counterfeit?” he asked incredulously. His stunned expression matched the one on the shopkeeper’s face.
Sonia nodded. “I’ll explain later, Jatin. Did you touch her money?”
Jatin shook his head, his face white and pinched. Suddenly his life was spinning dangerously off its hinges!
“Thank God! Look, we have a job in hand at the moment. We must convince Mr Wadekar that you are in no way involved with this racket.”
“Racket? What racket?” Jatin repeated, bewildered.
Sonia’s eyes were soft with regret. “You still haven’t got it, have you? Naina’s not coming back, Jatin. She’s gone forever and she’s stolen those jewels!”
Her Assistant gaped at her, grappling with the truth. The expression of disbelief, stupefaction, and consternation on his face seemed to pierce her heart.
“We have to convince Mr Wadekar that you’re absolutely innocent and knew nothing whatsoever about the counterfeit. Then we can return to the office. Will you be all right on your own?” Sonia watched her Assistant uneasily.
Jatin nodded, grateful for the numbness seeping through his heart and brain! He didn’t ever wish to think or to feel again…
Inspector Divekar was checking the contents of Naina’s purse while the salesmen watched on curiously. The Inspector glanced at Sonia as she rose. Together they turned to the owner of Wadekar Jewellery.
“Can we talk in private?” Sonia asked Mr Wadekar.
Sonia stared across at Jatin. He was halfheartedly sipping hot chai, avoiding looking at her. His face was still drawn, but it was his silence which was most disturbing. He hadn’t uttered a word since they had returned to the office. She feared that he was still reeling under shock.
Sonia threw Mohnish a desperate, pleading look. For the first time in her life, she felt totally ill equipped to handle a situation.
“Jatin, don’t you want to know what exactly happened?” Mohnish asked.
“I don’t care!” he mumbled, without glancing up.
“You’ve had a lucky escape and you don’t care?” Mohnish asked, a trifle sharply. “Do you think either one of us enjoyed seeing you hurt? Sonia and I were as shocked and hurt as you are. Only, we couldn’t sit nursing that hurt, we had to take action - to protect you. Don’t you understand?”
Jatin did look up then, and there was intense pain in his eyes. He suddenly seemed much older than his young years. “I’m sorry… but I don’t know what to believe anymore or what to say…” How could he explain to them that his whole universe had turned topsy-turvy? How could he ever explain what he was going through?
Sonia took the chair beside him. She placed a comforting hand on his shoulder. “I’m sorry, Jatin. I know that love stories are supposed to have happy endings. But only when the love is mutual and for real. I know that you loved Naina and you’re heartbroken. But Naina was using you. For her, it was all a part of a charade she was enacting. You’ve got to believe that what happened is for the best. At least we stopped you before you got embroiled in a counterfeit case.”
“Why did you ask me to go ahead when you knew that she was… a criminal. You could have at least saved me some self-respect!” The anguish in his voice tore at her heart.
“Because there was no other way. Right from the first time I met Naina at Pune Station, I liked her. Very much. And I really believed that she was the right girl for you. Until something happened. First, Shettychacha dropped by, returning the counterfeit fifty rupee note that you gave him for the dosas. Apparently Naina had given that bill to you. Then you gave me the horoscope details and my first passing thought was that it was funny how the two sisters wrote out their birth details separately. I mean, I would’ve expected Priya, being the older sister and like a mother to Naina, to write out their birth details. But each one wrote out their own. Anyway, I charted out their horoscopes and discovered some startling puzzles. Priya’s and Naina’s horoscopes had no parallels whatsoever. Each horoscope told a different story. Their characters were very different from what you’d told me. The age difference was more than eight years. Priya was twelve years older than Naina. Their backgrounds were totally in contrast to what you told me. Neither of them would ever be rolling in money - at least honest money. Neither of their horoscopes seemed to indicate any problems with their parents, who ought to be well and alive, not dead and gone! In short, every single detail seemed in total contrast to what we knew as facts. And Naina’s horoscope was a true puzzle. With Libra as the zodiac sign and the ascendant, she had a strange mix of planets. Sun, Mercury, and Saturn in conjunction in her eighth house revealed her to be melodramatic, talented, and intelligent, but dishonest and cunning and indulging in shady business, which would boomerang on her. Moreover, Sun, the Lord of Leo in the tenth house, was in conjunction with Saturn, which meant that she would go to any lengths to earn money. Jupiter in her Sagittarius gave her those beautiful, sere
ne looks, but it was aspected by Mars. Saturn with the Sun in the eighth house would one day bring her illegal activities out in the open! Naina’s horoscope revealed such criminal traits that it was shocking. But although her horoscope confused me at that point, since it was totally in contrast with her image, I didn’t allow it to sway my judgement of Naina. Not just then.
“First, I took the hundred rupee note that Naina had laid beside our Ganapati on the first day of the festival to Uncle Jeevan. I had retained that money for good luck; that is why I knew it was the same bill. Inspector Divekar at once identified it as fake. My mind began ticking. First Shettychacha and now this. Was it a coincidence that Naina possessed two counterfeit bills? Had someone given her these rupees by mistake and had she carried them forward? Or was there a deliberate connection between the two? The first thing I did when I returned to the office yesterday was take another long look at the horoscopes. And suddenly a lot of my questions were answered. I knew then for a fact that something was definitely wrong and that I had to adopt a course of action. I remembered the twenty hundred rupee notes that Priya had gifted you and you had placed in my drawer. I instantly checked out the notes. All the notes were fake! This was definitely no coincidence. Naina’s friendship with you began smacking of something really suspicious and I had to find out what it was. So I enlisted Mohnish’s and Inspector Divekar’s aid. Inspector Divekar sent a Constable to keep a watch on the bungalow, while Mohnish found out if it really belonged to the sisters.”
“That was easy enough,” Mohnish explained. “A few inquiries around the neighbourhood and the information dropped into my lap. The neighbours told me that the two sisters had just recently moved into the bungalow. It had laid vacant for years and the owner, who lived somewhere abroad, had left an agent in charge to deal with the renting of the place.”
“It was now obvious that something fishy was going on for sure,” Sonia told Jatin. “But I wondered what your role was in this whole business. Why had you been roped in and why was Naina leading you on? That she wasn’t in love with you and was using you for some private end was now sadly apparent. But what was her motive? Then I remembered how you had rushed to the medical store to purchase the inhaler when Naina had her asthma attack. And out of the blue everything fell into place. The two sisters were testing counterfeit money on you! First the inhaler, then at Shettychachas, and then the gift money given by Priya. But that certainly wasn’t the end. Naina had been duping you for far too long a time, angling for you by playing the right cues, slowly and cleverly provoking you to forge a relationship with her. Something big had to be in the offing. A larger goal. You were a stepping stone for a bigger scapegoat. What or who was it? My instinct told me that if we had to see what that game was, your relationship needed an impetus. That’s the reason why I telephoned you yesterday and gave you the green signal. Naturally, Naina accepted your proposal. And when you told me that you were going to buy the rings, I suspected that the big moment had arrived. She was going with you to the jewellery store, using your good relationship with the owner to establish confidence. If Naina was indeed dealing in counterfeit money, she would definitely try to pull a fast one in the jewellery shop. This was our one chance to catch her red-handed!”
Stellar Signs Page 22