Disguised Intentions

by Manasi Joshi

  Natasha had regained control. “Reema? Involved in this? Ridiculous!” she said. “I can’t understand why would she be involved.”

  “Neither can I. “That’s why I have come to you. Please think Natasha, did Reema wear ghungroo? I heard their sound the day I found a dead cat in my house with a message. For Sahil’s sake, think. Were you and Reema very close? Could you trust her blindly? Did you or Sahil have any recent tiffs with her?” asked Ishani

  Natasha was silent. She slumped onto a chair. She ran her beautifully manicured hands through her tousled hair. She got up and lit a cigarette. Ishani was nauseous because of the smell but she said nothing. She wanted Natasha to think so she didn’t interrupt her.

  Finally after almost fifteen minutes of silence, Natasha spoke.

  “I don’t know Ishani. I can’t say me and Reema were very close. I never trusted her fully. We sure were friends no doubt. Not as much as you and Priya though. We never bonded that well. We hung out together. Went for shopping together and gossiped and all such stuff. Not on a very personal level though. As for any fights, last month, I saw Sahil’s photo on her cell phone. She used to often throw herself on Sahil which I didn’t like. I told her off and asked her to stay away from Sahil. She said she just considered him as a friend but I was sure she liked him. I dismissed it as just a crush. After all, my Sahil was a really handsome guy. Which girl wouldn’t want him? I didn’t take it seriously.” Natasha said.

  “After you warned her to stay away from Sahil, was her behaviour normal towards both of you?” asked Ishani.

  “I don’t know. I guess it was. I didn’t observe anything out of place. I can’t remember anything at the moment if there was something. She started to focus more on her work though. She used to spend more evenings doing overtime than she usually did. Even the boss was happy and I was happy for her too.” replied Natasha.

  “Do you think she could umm...? Murder Sahil?” asked Ishani directly. “Do you think it is possible? I want your opinion Natasha. Honest one. Without any emotions involved. You know Reema better than I do. So I want your take.”

  Natasha thought for a moment. “Honestly, no. Not because she is my friend. Or probably was. Simply because she didn’t have that much brains. She isn’t intelligent enough to get away with a murder. She has nothing personal against you so definitely, she isn’t alone. Someone else is the mastermind behind all this and she is a part of this, if I am thinking in the right direction. Besides, why would she want to murder Sahil if she had feels for him? Wouldn’t I be the target instead? ”

  Ishani and Natasha’s eyes met. Natasha’s eyes widened as she understood what Ishani was trying to imply.

  “You’ve hit the bull’s eye. You were probably the target. Sahil got to know this and wanted to protect you. So he kept mum for long. He finally decided to break it to us so that we all could catch hold of the culprit in case he was dead. He probably saw his death coming and wanted to reach out to us. Unfortunately, it was too late. I am sure he knew Reema was involved. He must have caught her and then followed her and that’s how it must have reached to the man who’s blackmailing me.” said Ishani.

  Natasha got up and sat down on her chair quite a few times. She went gulped down few glasses of water as she took in all what Ishani said.

  She came up to Ishani and said. “My Sahil was murdered instead of me. Now as you kept talking, it keeps making sense that Reema was involved. I want to get even with her. I don’t care how. She wanted me, right? She will sure have me now. I will see to it that Sahil’s death doesn’t go waste. I will catch hold of them both.”

  “Thanks Natasha. I am happy you trusted my judgement. I am rather surprised.” Ishani said.

  “In any other situation, I wouldn’t have trusted you. But this is different. What you are talking is somehow making sense and feels right.” replied Natasha shrugging her shoulders. “You and I are alike Ishani, in many ways. Too alike for my liking: maybe that’s why we probably were never on a good equation. We both go by our instincts.”

  Ishani inhaled slowly. She was amazed at how matured Natasha sounded at the moment. She couldn’t believe it was the same girl standing in front of her who taunted at every opportunity. She sounded very sensible at the moment. Maybe Ishani had misunderstood her all this time.

  “What about the ghungroo? Do you recall Reema wearing ghungroo anytime?” asked Ishani.

  “I can’t remember. I know Reema was fond of silver. She could be having a pair of silver ghungroo. Why don’t we go and check her apartment? Search there?” asked Natasha.

  “Sounds like a plan.” Ishani nodded.

  “Great. I’ll get ready and then we’ll leave” Natasha said.

  CHAPTER 20: BRAINSTORMING.

  Natasha was driving. The constable was fast asleep in front of Natasha’s house and they decided he was not needed anyway so they didn’t wake him up.

  Ishani’s phone rang. “Kabir, where have you been?” asked Ishani.

  “Sorry Ishani. I have been crazy busy with work. I heard your voicemail and I am sorry for not being there with you. A murder! Took me some time to sink it all in! Are you ok?” asked a concerned Kabir over the phone

  “I am fine. I am heading towards Reema Pande’s home.” Ishani replied.

  “Wait, what? Who is this? And why are you roaming alone at night? I thought you were under police protection?” Kabir exclaimed.

  Ishani briefed him about the situation.

  “What! I still can’t believe this. I was out of Mumbai. I am driving. It will take me three hours to reach. I am meeting you straight, as soon as I reach. “Kabir said.

  “Okay” said Ishani as she ended the call.

  “So you and Kabir are a couple, huh? Dating the boss’s son, really? Nice catch.” sneered Natasha.

  “Not really Natasha. Let’s not get into this now.” said Ishani going scarlet.

  They reached Reema’s housing society. After some arguing with a sleepy watchman, they managed to go inside the society. They headed towards the apartment.

  Natasha rang the doorbell. “Who else stays with Reema?” Ishani asked.

  “Her housekeeper.” Natasha replied.

  A middle aged lady opened the door. “Natasha madam, what are you doing here? Any problem madam?” she asked, recognizing Natasha.

  “Can we come in? We wanted to see Reema. She told me she was ill.” said Natasha.

  “Reema Madam is not at home since last five days madam. She didn’t tell me when she would return."”replied the housekeeper.

  Natasha glanced at Ishani. “She lied to me about being ill. She was not staying in her house even when she came to the office. Bloody liar.” muttered Natasha under her breath so that only Ishani could hear.

  “We need to rest for a while. We travelled from far to visit her. Can we rest for some time and then leave?” asked Natasha.

  “Of course madam,you are Reema madam’s good friend. How can I say no to you? Come in. Feel free to sleep or rest. I am heading to sleep in in my room.” said the lady, disappearing to her room.

  As soon as she had gone, Natasha nodded to Ishani. Ishani followed Natasha to what seemed Reema’s room. They switched on the lights.

  The room was quite a mess with everything scattered here and there. They both began searching for any sort of clue, any sort of hint.

  After about an hour of searching, Ishani saw a notebook in one corner. She opened it.

  “Look what I found!” Ishani beckoned Natasha.

  Natasha rushed to see what Ishani was holding. Ishani held notebook, in it was a torn photo of Sahil and Natasha in her hand. Natasha’s face was crossed with a red marker, while Sahil’s was rounded with a heart shaped emoticon. Also, a pair of ghungroo lay inside it.

  Natasha’s face darkened.

  “You were right! You were right Ishani. She was obsessed with him. She wanted me out of the way but Sahil is dead instead. My blood is boiling. I am not going to leave her now. Wherever she is, I am going to hunt
her down. I never imagined she could be such a terrible person. I thought she was decent enough to be called my friend. How wrong I was!” Natasha said angrily.

  “Calm down. I totally get what you are feeling at the moment, but we don’t have time to waste. Let’s first think where she could be.” said Ishani.

  “I think, with the murderer, where else? I am sure she is afraid of being caught by the police. Either the murderer got rid of her too and killed her off, or she’s still helping him with his plan.” Said Natasha promptly

  Ishani thought for a moment. “Yes you are probably correct. Or maybe she could be on the run, running away from both, the police as well as the blackmailer.” She said.

  “Yes, could be. I see no point waiting here. What do we do next?” asked Natasha.

  Ishani smiled in amusement for a second. Who knew she and Natasha would be working as a team one day and the haughty Natasha would be asking her for instructions. Ishani snickered inwardly.

  “We call Raghav. We meet him and brainstorm.” said Ishani.

  “Let’s meet your stupid friend then. We’ll see if he can give us any ideas.” said Natasha haughtily.

  Ishani smiled in amusement again. She was beginning to understand that Natasha just spoke that way. It was her style. It didn’t mean she had bad intentions.

  It was 5.30 am. Raghav, Natasha and Ishani were sitting at the Juhu beach.

  “This feels nice. I haven’t been here since long. “Natasha said.

  “Hmm… “Ishani said, absentmindedly, lost in her thoughts.

  “The constables will be awake by now, Ishani. Better call them and tell them. Inform the police about everything “said Raghav.

  “I already have. One of them is coming here soon. Spoke to the Inspector also; they are on Reema’s trail. They will be going to her house for inspection. Told them about the notebook and the stuff we found inside.” said Ishani.

  “Good. “ Raghav replied.

  “So, smarty pants, do you have any ideas? We have been sitting on the beach enjoying the breeze since an hour; any fruitful suggestions? Or do we plan to stick our butts here for some more time?” asked Natasha to Raghav.

  Raghav laughed. “You are funny. See Ishani I told you she isn’t bad?” he teased. Natasha smiled. “Coming back to the topic, I really can’t see where we are headed. Who could be the brain behind this? Well actually, I was thinking of it, one name popped in my head. Could it be Ayaan Arora who’s behind all this?”

  Ishani jumped at Ayaan’s name.

  “What makes you think of him?” she asked, trying to be casual.

  “See, if C.T.I goes down and the image of the company is spoilt after you say you are shabby and incompetent at work, who will benefit from it the most? A.I.L of course! The brand A.I.L would go up. Its market value will increase. It will definitely be leverage to Arora if C.T.I goes in loss or loses its reputation.” Said Raghav

  “But C.T.I and A.I.L are working in collaboration. Why would Arora want to down his own reputation? It would put him in bad light for collaborating with a company which hires fraud employees.” Natasha said.

  “You have a point Natasha. The thing is he could always pretend how he was fooled by C.T.I and act innocent. People would believe him, wouldn’t they?” said Raghav.

  “Stop it Raghav! Ayaan would never do something like this. He is too good a person to harm anyone intentionally. He wouldn’t even dream of doing something as disgusting as you are saying!” yelled Ishani indignantly.

  “Whoa! Calm down! How can you be sure of that Ishani?” asked Raghav.

  Ishani’s stomach churned. She had never told either Raghav or Priya about Ayaan. With Natasha in here too, she didn’t think it was the right time to tell Raghav either. How could she explain to them that Ayaan wouldn’t ever dream of doing such a thing? He was shrewd, no doubt. That is why he was a successful businessman, but he wouldn’t even think of harming someone else for his own success. Ishani’s heart told her Ayaan was innocent.

  “I am pretty sure of it Raghav, I just am. He seems a good human being to me. He is shrewd but that’s what makes him so successful. I, umm think he is just too smart to get his hands dirty in something like a murder or a blackmail. He wouldn’t do anything which would risk his entire life.” said Ishani, trying to sound as convincing as she could.

  “Hmmm… well if you say so Ishani, but he’s still in my list of suspects.” said Raghav.

  Ishani nodded. Natasha yawned.

  CHAPTER 21: THE PICTURE BECOMES CLEAR.

  It was 9 am.

  “Don’t worry Raghav. I am going with Ishani to the fort. You and Natasha follow us. We can’t go together or he’ll get wary. I want all of us safe. “Kabir said, as they got into the car. “ I am repeating the plan again. I’ll drop Ishani midway through where she can walk alone up to the fort. The blackmailer will think she is alone, will come out, by then all of us, including the policemen, will follow Ishani and rescue both her and Priya.”

  Raghav nodded. He looked nervous. “Well, sounds good.” He turned to Ishani and gave her a warm hug. “Take care of yourself my buddy. I want both you and Priya safe.”

  “Yes, stay safe. “ Natasha said, giving Ishani an awkward hug.

  Ishani merely nodded, unable to speak. She was nervous too but she tried not to show it. Not because she feared her own life, but because she feared Priya or someone else would be hurt because of her.

  Kabir drove the car in silence. He dropped her near a shop which was quite some distance from the fort.

  They got down from the car. “Ishani” he said solemnly “I want you to understand that we all are just right behind you and you needn’t worry. You’ll be safe. “he embraced her tightly.

  “I need to go Kabir. I will be okay. I am sure. “Ishani said, wriggling out of his hug.

  “Pocket knife, check? Pepper spray, check?” he asked

  She checked her jeans. “Yes I have them both. Don’t worry.” Replied Ishani and started walking abruptly and quickly away from him. She sensed Kabir was afraid to let her go and wanted to stop her but she ignored him and continue to walk until he could no longer see her.

  Then she stopped for a moment and stood still. The time had come to face the person who was creating havoc in her life. Ishani strangely, felt fearless. She knew she was right and like her parents always said, the good always win. She smiled. She looked around for anyone in sight who could indicate where she had to go or what she had to do. She saw no one. She was hoping to see Reema, because she knew the man himself wouldn’t risk getting caught by coming here himself.

  Suddenly, there was a big blow on her head and she lost consciousness.

  Ishani’s head hurt. She was regaining consciousness. She tried to gauge where she was. She was in a big room. There was sunlight falling on her face. Ishani opened her eyes. Her head hurt a bit.

  Priya was sitting in front of her, in a chair. She was tied and her mouth was gagged. She was looking at Ishani.

  “Priya! Oh my! Priya!” squealed Ishani with delight. She rushed to rescue her best friend, but stopped in her tracks. Priya’s eyes were widened and she was pointing to a note stuck on a table to Ishani’s left.

  “Hello Miss Kirloskar. Are you happy to see your friend? Don’t you dare touch her to rescue her or else you know the consequences. Wait for an hour till I arrive. Love; your Well Wisher.”

  Ishani tore the note in frustration. Her ecstasy of meeting her best friend soon turned into anxiety. Here she was, with Priya and she couldn’t do anything.

  “Who is it Priya? Who is this fool blackmailing me? I wish I could understand who it is. “Ishani asked to a tied up Priya.

  Priya closed her eyes repeatedly and opened them; she was trying to say something but Ishani couldn’t understand.

  “I can’t understand Pri. What do I do? I need to think of something before whoever it is, arrives here.” Ishani said in exasperation.

  Ishani took a look at the room they were in. It looked gloom
y and morose. She wondered where they were. Probably somewhere in a house near the Worli fort. Ishani was sure Reema had got her there after making her unconscious.

  She started looking around the room, looking for some clues which could help her. The gloominess seemed strangely familiar, though she couldn’t understand why.

  Ishani was kept searching. Just as she was about to give up, her eyes fell on a tie which was lying in a corner of the room. It looked very familiar. Priya’s eyes widened as Ishani picked up the tie in her hands.

  “Oh Pri! This tie looks familiar. Is this person known to both of us?” she asked.

  Priya nodded.

  Ishani closed her eyes. She tried to remember where she had seen this tie. Surely not Ayaan’s tie. She remembered Ayaan wearing a blue tie, looking very smart, standing in front of her. No! This isn’t Ayaan, it simply can’t be. You know he can’t do this, Ishani’s mind screamed at her.

  This tie wasn’t his taste. Still couldn’t recall why the tie looked familiar. She opened her eyes looked around the gloomy room. The gloominess feels familiar and so does the tie, use your brains Ishani, she told herself. She shut her eyes again. She inhaled sharply as a memory came to her after a few minutes.

  “Nice tie sir, polka dots!”

  “Thanks, my dear, just tried with something different!”

  Then the picture slowly started becoming clearer and clearer. She got goosebumps as she began to put two together.

  Ishani took deep breaths as certain dialogues ran through her mind. Surely, it couldn’t be him. He was her mentor, her guidance through her years in C.T.I. Maybe she was mistaken. She continued to think.

  .“Are your dreams troubling you again?”

  “Have lovely sweet dreams”

  Two voices, so different, yet something was starting to make sense. How could it be? How could someone she trusted so blindly do this to her? Why, for that matter?

  “Hopefully you won’t be needed. I just hope you aren’t needed.”

  Words said sweetly, but implicating something else. How could she have been so blind?