Five Faces - Part Five

--The past--

Tripti ran towards Amit. 

"What happened?" she asked.

"What's this ?" he asked, pointing towards a certificate on the wall.

"My degree. What is wrong with you ? You screamed as if you had seen something dangerous! " Tripti said.

"Is it yours ?" he asked.

"I thought you knew how to read. " she replied sarcastically.

"I know your name is written on it. But is it real ?" he asked.

"Why would I keep a fake certificate in my home? What's wrong with you ? she asked.

"Oh. You have studied Law and Psychology from London." he stated.

"Yes. What is so shocking about that ?" she asked, although she got this reaction every time someone got to know about her qualification. But she didn't expect it from Amit.

"The institute where you have studied is one of the best institutes in the world." Amit stated. What he didn't say was the fact that it is the institute where he had also applied but couldn't clear the entrance and hence did not get admission. 

"I know. But why are you so shocked ? Don't you think I can be that qualified ?" she asked.

"No, I did not mean that. I mean..Why are you working here when you have graduated from such a prestigious college ?" he asked.

"Because it is my country and I always wanted to work for it. In fact I didn't even want to study abroad. My dad forced me to study there. " she replied.

"And then you came back. Is that the reason your parents don't talk to you ?" he asked.

"Well that and also some other reasons." she said.

Amit didn't say anything. He wanted to know more but didn't feel right to ask too many personal questions. 

"Actually, my grandfather was in the army. He died at a young age. My dad and uncle were kids at that time. My grandmother raised the kids alone. My uncle also joined the army afterwards but my dad didn't want his family to go through all those tough phases that he underwent. He started a restaurant and luckily it was successful. He wanted me to go abroad and get settled there. But I guess I'm more like my grandfather. The stories of his valour always inspired me. I wanted to join the army but I knew my dad would never agree to it. So, I thought of another option. I thought of joining the police force. But my dad didn't agree to that either. He said that he was saving money for so many years to send me to a good institute. I finally agreed. I studied there and worked there for one year. But fighting cases was just not my thing. I wanted to work for my country. I came back, prepared for one year, cleared the exam in the first attempt and became an officer." Tripti concluded. 

"What about your dad ?" Amit asked.

"He didn't talk to me for some months. After that my mom insisted that I should get married. I agreed as I didn't want to disappoint them any more. After a year we found a guy who was from a good family, was well mannered and didn't have any problem with my job. I got married. Everything was great. My family was a happy one then. But after two years, we got divorced. My parents thought that it was all my mistake and then they stopped talking to me." Tripti concluded. 

Amit did not say anything for some time. They were sitting on the stairs now. 

"Do you want to have some coffee ? I make really good coffee." Amit said to calm the situation. Tripti nodded in affirmation.

Amit went to the kitchen and came back with two cups of coffee after some time. He handed one to Tripti.

"May I ask what was the reason for your divorce ? Only share if you are comfortable." Amit asked.

"Yeah. It's fine. His name is Shantanu. He is a software engineer. A very decent guy. We got married. It was all going great. But then some days I won't come back home on time. I would over work. He had a problem with it. He said that he understands that a police officer's duty is tough. He was also fine with me not being around even in festivals. But he didn't like the fact that I behaved as if there is nothing more important to me in life than my duty. I didn't give him much time. I was working even when all the other officers went home. I realised he was right. So, I stopped doing overtime. We also planned holidays in between. Everything was fine again. But then he lost his job. That was when he started getting irritated. He was home all day and didn't have anything to do. I told him to relax and that he would find another job. I told him not to get worried about expenses. I was there to manage the finances. But his male ego wasn't happy about that. He hated the fact that he was dependent on me. He got a job at some place but it paid him less than his earlier job. He still agreed to it. But he wasn't happy with the fact that I was earning more than him. Slowly, without informing me he started applying for foreign jobs as someone suggested he would earn more there. He got a great job in Amsterdam. I was shocked when he told me that. He wanted me to leave my job and join him in Amsterdam. I was not ready for it. We already had many fights before it but this was a major one. My family insisted that I accompany him. After many fights he gave me an ultimatum. He told me to choose between my job and him." she concluded. 

"So, you chose the job." Amit said.

"No, I chose myself. Why is it that it's fine for a woman to stay home if her husband is earning but not for a man. Why is it that it's good if the husband earns more but not fine if the wife earns more ? Why does a woman have to leave everything for her husband ? A man never leaves his house or job for a woman. He lost his job. I didn't have any problem with it. I supported him. I told him to wait for a job that gives him satisfaction and the salary that he expects. He didn't listen and joined a job that he didn't like. I also supported him in that. Also, we weren't facing any financial issues as we already had a house given by the government. Electricity bill was also paid by the government. We earned enough. We also had savings. But he wanted a job where he could earn more than me. And he wanted me to leave my country and my job for that. Is that fair ?" she asked.

Amit didn't have any answer for that. Although he felt that Tripti was not at fault he didn't have the courage to accept that. 

"I don't know. " he said. 

"Really ? Is it because of the fact that agreeing to me would mean accepting the fact that your mom wasn't wrong ?" she asked.

"What ?" Amit looked at her in shock. How did she know?

Amit's mom was a school teacher. After his father suffered a big loss in business. He went abroad with one of his cousins. He said that he would come back after earning some good amount of money. But then he decided to get settled there. Amit's mom didn't want to move to a foreign country as she was the only child of her parents and she also wanted to be there for them. She told him to come back as he had already earned enough and now he could start something new here by investing that money. They had arguments and then finally they got divorced. His mom requested for Amit's custody. But as his father was earning more and had a stable career, he got custody. His father told him that his mom was selfish and chose her job before him. After some time his father started dating someone else. Amit didn't like her. So, his father didn't marry her. But as he grew up he bought his own house and told his father to live happily with the woman he loves. 

"How do you know about my mom ?" Amit asked angrily.

"She is the owner of one of the NGO's where I donate money. I met her and we instantly bonded and then slowly she shared everything with me. That is why I know." she said.

"So, you already know a lot about me. Why didn't you tell me this earlier ?" he asked. 

"I had promised your mom that I would make her meet you. But after meeting you I realised you won't agree. So, I thought of taking you for sightseeing and then I will take you to the NGO and make it all seem like a coincidence." she stated.

"What ? How dare you ? How can you promise like that ? I'm not going to meet her. Do you even know what it means to live without your mom at such a young age ? " Amit said angrily.

"Listen, you need to know the things that you don't know. Do you know that just six months after your parents divorce your mom had come to meet your dad in London. She couldn't live without you and wanted to make things alright with your dad even if it meant leaving her parents and job and sacrificing her self respect. But your father had started dating another woman at that time. So, she dropped the plan of getting back together. But she requested him to let her meet you but your father did not allow it." she said.

"Just shut up. Don't you dare say something about him." he said

"If you don't believe me, ask your step mom. I know your father is not alive but  she was there with him and so she would know it." she said. 

Amit called her immediately. Tripti was correct. Amit was shocked. 

"Fine, whatever. But still it is all past. I don't want to meet her. She had come to my father's funeral. But I didn't talk to her then. And I don't want to talk about it now." Amit said.

"It matters to her, Amit. She talks about you every single day. Would you be fine if she died with a regret in her heart ? Even if you don't care about her, can't you do this for me as a favor. Please do a favor for your fellow officer. She has helped many kids. She is a noble lady. And I don't want to break the promise that I have made to her." she requested.

"Would you forgive your husband ?" he asked.

"I have already forgiven him. He was wrong but it isn't completely his mistake. He was brought up in a way that he believed what he was doing was correct. I don't blame him. He has given me some of the best memories of my life. I don't love him anymore but I don't hate him either. Because hatred, anger, bitterness and resentment are the feelings which make your heart heavy. It causes you more harm. So, I let go of all of it. And I think you should too. You didn't understand her situation as a child. But now you are an adult. As you accepted your father's second marriage, accept your mother's decision. Please fulfill my promise." she said

"You shouldn't have promised without asking me. Anyways it's too late. I want to get some sleep. Will think about this later. Bye" he said and went to his room. 

Amit went to his room. He couldn't sleep properly that night. He tossed and turned in the bed. Tears kept flowing from his eyes. When his mind got cleared he realised that even Tripti had gone through so much but she was still so happy and optimistic. He wanted to be like her. He had to let go of the burden that he was carrying for so long.

Next morning he woke up late, got ready and went downstairs. Tripti and all her workers were near her in-house temple. She saw Amit and told his cook to give him Aarti and prasad. Amit said that he is an atheist. 

"Why do you always have to be in your angry rude policeman character ? You can also be a normal human sometimes." She replied

Amit did not say anything and took Aarti and prasad. Tripti was surprised. 

"Let's go and meet your Mrs. Sharma. We have a lot of work to do after coming back." Amit said.

"Are you serious ?" Tripti said shockingly. 

"Yes and if you don't change your expression, I will change my mind. Also, don't expect me to call her mom or hug her or any sort of that drama. Just let me deal on my own." He replied

"As you say. But just don't be very rude. Please" she said.

"Yeah. Let's go" he replied.

They went to Asha NGO whose owner was Amit's mother Mrs. Asha Sharma. She was overwhelmed. She hugged him as soon as she saw him. Amit did not reciprocate but consoled her. 

"How are you Mrs. Sharma ?" he asked.

"I was not fine but now after meeting you I feel good." she replied.

Amit felt a lump in his throat but controlled himself. 

Her mom kept talking about his childhood and how handsome he looks now and how proud she is of him. Amit kept listening. At last he said " It was nice meeting you. We will have to go now. We are working on a very important case." 

"Fine. Do come to meet me whenever you get time. And call me if you are free." Mrs Sharma said.

"Sure. And let me know whenever you need something. I'll be there for you." he said. 

His mom was overwhelmed and so was Tripti now. She was glad that he didn't behave rudely even once. 

They left from there. Amit had tried controlling his emotion for a long period. So, he wanted to go into a room and cry his heart out. As soon as they reached home he told Tripti that he wanted to go to his room for some sleep.

She understood he wanted some time alone.

He cried and screamed. He let out all that he was carrying for so long. He felt a lot lighter. He realised that one incident will not change everything. He would still be a less talkative reserved person. He can't be like Tripti. But something has definitely changed. His heart feels free. He went downstairs. He saw Tripti was dancing in the drawing room. Amit smiled. He thought that this girl was definitely crazy. 

"I know you have fulfilled your promise but I didn't know that this would make you so happy." he said 

"That's not the only reason. There's more to it. I have found the link between two cases." she said excitedly.

"What ? Really ? What's the link ?" he asked.

"Yes. We want to know the motive of the killer and for that we have to go to the root of this case. And that's why I started to read every detail of their past. I found out that Mr. Vikram Roy had studied MBA from a college in Mumbai and BBA from Kolkata. But I didn't know any details about Sarfaraz Khan's qualification. So, I called Amy and asked him to find those details. And guess what, both Vikram and Sarfaraz have done their MBA from Mumbai. They were classmates." she said.

"That's amazing, Tripti. Now, we can go to Mumbai and find out more details about their past. Also, we can find out who can be the next victim and save that person. Once we find out the motive and the potential next victim, we will catch them red handed by doing a sting operation." he concluded.

"Exactly." she said.

"Thank you, Tripti." he said emotionally.

Tripti knew it wasn't just for the case.

"You're welcome." She replied with a smile.

"By the way, how did you find Amy's number ?" he asked

"Umm… I..I had it." she said.

"Don't lie. Tell me, what are you hiding, now ?" he asked.

"You had forgotten your phone on the drawing room table. So, I took your phone and.. found..umm.Amy's number. she replied in a low voice.

"You are unbelievable. How can you take someone's phone without their permission? That's wrong." he said 

"I know. I'm sorry. I just wanted to help you find the culprit soon. And I didn't open anything or see anything in your phone except Amy's contact number. Leave it. I'm very happy and I want to dance." she said.

She started dancing again. She took Shabana and Manjiri's photos ( the girl who was suspected in Vikram Roy's case) and started talking to them while dancing.

"We will find you out. You won't be able to run away. You will be caught now." she sang while looking at the photos and dancing.

Amit laughed looking at her. Just a minute ago she was an officer finding a clue. And now she was dancing like a kid. Suddenly she stopped dancing and looked at the pictures seriously.

"What happened ?" Amit asked. 

"Amit, come here and look at these pictures." she said.

Amit went near and looked at the pictures.

"I have already seen it. Left one is Shabana's picture from CCTV footage and the right one is Manjiri's picture from CCTV footage." he said.

"I know that. But I'm trying to show you something else. Look carefully." she said.

Amit looked at the pictures for 5 minutes. Initially, he could not understand. But suddenly it struck him. 

"Oh. No, that's not possible. Are you thinking the same as I am ? Is that possible ?" he asked her.

"Yes. I'm thinking the same thing. And yes it may be possible." she said worriedly.

"That means we have been fooled. The culprit sneaked away and we didn't do anything." he said.

"Yes. And if what we suspect is true then finding the murderer will be the most difficult task." she replied.

"Yes. Also, this could be very dangerous. We have to find out the truth and save the next victim then only we will be able to catch the culprit. We have to do all these things as soon as possible. Let's do this" he said, extending his hand. 

"Yes." she said joining in.

What Amit and Tripti have noticed in pictures ? What will they find out in Mumbai ? Who could be the killer ? Will they catch the culprit ? Stay tuned to know  more...