IPKKND FF: JALEBI by Jalebi Jane Thread 1: EPISODE 001-042 - Page 70

JALEBI by Jalebi Jane (EPISODE 032)

BY THE TIME AMAN BEHL RETURNED to Headquarters---and requested that his desk and office be restored to him---Khushi was resigned to the fact that the memory stick was lost forever. Her search had been exhaustive; she had all but emptied out the plant pots.

(Had she but emptied out the waste-basket...)

She returned to her own desk weighted with dejection. And self-reproach too. You know, Sisters, how very much depended upon finding something incriminating with which to influence Shyam. To misplace that memory stick was tantamount to slipping the noose around her neck. Not that our Heroine regarded Shyam's threat of marriage as enforceable---forced marriages only happened in tv serials!---but his sick interest in her made her fear what further depths he might sink to.

Pari's silence was also worrying.

Khushi had now not heard from her in almost two hours. At what point should she truly begin to panic, she wondered. And what action would that panic take? Should she call the police? Should she contact Dadasaheb? All these questions tortured her as she kept one eye trained on the main entrance, praying to see her gorgeous friend come bouncing through at any moment.

It did not happen.

Uncertain how to proceed, and unable to do a stitch of work, she called Payal who had just now returned from the lawyer's office. Payal had nothing optimistic to report from her meeting; the lawyer had only repeated in formal billable language what they already knew: Buaji must throw herself at the mercy of the Treasury.

The two sisters decided to speak to Buaji this evening about turning herself in. And they agreed that if Pari did not make contact within the next half hour, they would go to the police and disclose everything.

Pari's well-being was primary.

Here Payal launched into self-blame. If anything happened to Pari, she would be responsible. She was supposed to follow Shyam, not Pari. In fact, nobody should have been following that man. They should have gone straight to the police---

But just then Khushi saw Mr Behl approaching her desk, so she bid Payal a hasty goodbye and jumped to her feet. She saw his eyes take in Pari's unoccupied seat.

"Have you spoken with Miss Khan?" he asked.

Khushi noted that he had nothing in his hands. No files. No samples. He had come downstairs with no other intention than to ask after Pari.

"Yes," she replied, "she called two hours ago."

"Did she say when to expect her?"

"No, Sir."

Aman began to turn away, but he stopped, hesitated and then said, "text her. She needn't rush back. She may as well have the day off."

Khushi sensed something in Aman's tone which she could not justify. If not mistaken, she thought he seemed injured by her absence. "I wish I could reach her, but I cannot," Khushi replied, emotion entering her voice.

Aman's countenance immediately shifted to concern.

"When she called," Khushi explained, "it was to say that her phone had been stolen."

He leaned forward. "Is she hurt? What happened?"

There was such sincere alarm in his voice, such emotion in his expression that Khushi began to apprehend something. It seemed as though---Could it be---? Yes! It could. It was! Mr Behl was clearly in love with Pari. And as soon as she understood this, she realized that Pari quite obviously returned his feelings.

Oh! It filled Khushi with such happiness. And it strengthened her too. For now she knew what she must do.

"Mr Behl," she said, lowering her voice, "I'm afraid for Pari. She offered to do something for Jiji and I---that is why she called to request the morning off, you see---"

He interrupted, "Wait. You were with her when she called me?"

Khushi nodded, "She called from our house. She came over early this morning. At our request. Jiji and I needed help with a personal matter---and she offered to assist---and now she's been gone all this while. I've only heard from her twice." Khushi was now in full ramble mode, hands flying, eyes darting, "---And she doesn't even have a telephone. She's all alone. Who can know where? What will I tell Dadasaheb? Oh! Devi Maiyya, why did I let her go---?!"

"Is this somehow related to your being trapped in the garden room last night?"

Khushi could only give a sheepish nod, as she relived that moment when Aman had caught her after Arnav pushed her off the window ledge.

"Tell me exactly where Parisa was heading? What time did you last speak with her? Was she going to meet someone? Was she carrying some goods to deliver? Do you suspect she's been followed?"

As these questions tumbled from him, Khushi grew increasingly confident with her decision to confide in him. I promise you, Sisters, she was prepared to disclose everything but just then her attention was drawn to the main entrance.

Pari! It was Pari.

"She's safe," Khushi sighed, her voice almost a whisper.

Aman turned to follow where Khushi's eyes lead.

Pari came to meet them, almost at a run. Even before she was in front of them, she was apologizing. She had not intended to be so late. She had no telephone otherwise she would have called. She had not expected so much traffic. She would, of course, work as late as required.

All her words were directed to Aman. And he listened to her in silence. When she was done, he asked only this: "Are you ok?"

"Yes," she said. Her voice soft and grateful.

"Hundred percent?" he asked, unconvinced.

She assured him with a smile. "Hundred percent."

Khushi had the impression that she was quite unnecessary to this conversation, and she turned with the intention to step away, to allow Aman and Pari some privacy. But he stopped her.

"Miss Gupta," he said, "if I can be of any service to you and your sister, please do not hesitate to come to me. I don't doubt your capability but I suspect I have resources that someone new to this city may not yet have established."

And this was spoken in the kindest manner, without casting aspersions, without demanding disclosures. He looked at Pari again---an extended look of meaning---and then left the two young women to watch him with admiring eyes as he returned upstairs to his office.

By Jalebi Jane