Song In The Heart Love In The Air

Charu was shocked to see “Mone” affectionately so-called by Valiyamme as the last person in the line of suspects! She could not believe her eyes. If Mone was involved in this crime, was Valiyamme also part of the group of gangsters engaged in these nefarious activities? Abhay too had not expected to find him there. When he had met him at the cottage, he had looked such an innocent simpleton and it was a revelation that he was part of this gang.

Abhay and his team set to work on the boys they had rounded up and it was not long before Charu’s doubts were cleared. Valiyamme’s cottage was the godown for the precious stones and gems that were being smuggled. The overall control was in the hands of the Boss who had recently been released from jail. In his absence, Valiyamme was the Lady Don!! The hills in the background of the cottage were a rich source of this treasure and mining and smuggling activities were going on for years without anyone’s knowledge.

Charu’s mind was in a whirl. Just a few hours back she felt warmth meeting Valiyamme and enjoying her hospitality and in another few minutes she would be seeing her in the police station brought not only for questioning but also for prosecution. Once again Charu felt disgusted returning to Cochin. She longed to go back to the comforts she was used to in New York City, but her resemblance to Sheryl Verghese, the mysteries of the sword, of Mount Verghese and the shady character of Vincent had all roused in her a curiosity, which posed a challenge to her and made her determine to solve it before she returned to New York.

Another new disturbing fact had cropped up. The thought of Valiyamme being a lady Don was difficult to accept. Charu wondered what prompted her to do so. In a few moments, Valiyamme was brought to the station escorted by lady police. When she saw Charu, she looked down trying to avoid her gaze. Charu was disgusted but yet could not control herself to blurt:: ”You too Valiyamme? What on earth made you join this gang and be a leader too?”

The answer she got was what she least expected. The cottage by Kutta lake was owned by Sheryl. Sheryl on one of her treks had stumbled upon a stone and on close examination found it to be a precious gem. She parted with the information to Antony who partnered with one of the natives to mine them and trade them without Sheryl knowing anything about it. Sheryl referred to the hill as Mount Verghese and as theirs was the lone cottage on the lake, there was no one to object to it.

In the meanwhile, Antony’s partner took a fascination for Valiyamme and married her on the sly fearing the wrath of Antony. Greed made a criminal of the partner who gradually poisoned the mind of Valiyamme too, who was enamoured by the riches he showered her with and unwittingly had joined him in the illegal activities. The murder of Sheryl and the disappearance of Antony from the scene paved the way for Valiyamme and her husband to establish themselves in this business. Valiyamme’s brother had left the village with his wife leaving their son in Valiyamme’s care. 

When Charu rose to leave for home, Abhay would not hear of her going back unaccompanied. Yuvan had already left as his father had called for him. Abhay was only too happy to have him out of the way and though he had to follow up with the questioning, he called for some tea for both of them and picking up the tray, led Charu outside the station to breathe some fresh air.

Though it was a police station, Abhay had a passion for gardening and had got some perennials planted and they were all in full bloom. The natural beauty of God’s own country was in plenty even here. Charu cupped her hands around the “chaya kuppi” admiring the manner in which Abhay brought her away from the gloomy atmosphere out in the garden! She had wanted to get out of the office and peacefully recollect all the happenings and try to make some sense of it, but first, she needed some peace and quiet. As if reading her mind, Abhay had arranged exactly that and in the way she wished it. He dipped into his pocket and fished out a packet of cookies which was quite welcome then.

Charu had closed her eyes lost in thought when she felt a pair of reassuring hands on her shoulders. She did not resist and was happy to be comforted and to feel secure. Since the day she set foot in Cochin she had been bogged down with one mystery after another and she was so confused that the warmth of Abhay’s presence was very soothing. She mentally gave full marks to Abhay for having found a time and place for romance even within the premises of the police station. Abhay then spoke aloud that he had better get back to business, but not before arranging for her to be dropped home. The few quiet moments they had for each other drew Charu closer to Abhay. It seemed as though both wished to convey their interest in each other, but something was drawing them back.

Seated in the police jeep, Charu made small talk with the driver who was all in praise for his “Saare”. She chuckled to herself imagining what he would have thought had he seen their romance a few minutes back! 

Once home, Charu had a cool shower and sat down with her diary. She noted down the sequence of events that led to the arrest of Valiyamme and Mone. She was patiently waiting for Abhay to finish his questioning and update her. The phone rang. She hurried to pick it up thinking it would be Abhay, but it was Yuvan. “Charu, I must see you now”, the excitement in his voice was apparent. “If you are at home, I will be there in under five minutes”, he said without waiting for her reply.

Charu felt that she should inform Abhay and started dialling his number when there was an incoming call from him. What telepathy! He too told her that he was on his way to her house. Charu only hoped that Abhay would not feel jealous of Yuvan.

In a few minutes, she heard both bikes breaking and civil words being exchanged between both her friends. Charu’s mind was almost made up to express her fondness for Abhay and wait for his response. Should she or shouldn’t she take the first step? 

Both of them entered the room and slumped into the sofas. Both were bursting with news and Charu too was eager to hear them. Before Abhay could say anything, Yuvan unable to control his excitement burst out – “Do you know? The Boss has gone underground and there is a search warrant in his name. Valiyamme has been arrested and the cottage has been sealed.” Only after he said this he realised that Abhay who knew everything was also there. Abhay smirked and feigning ignorance remarked, “Oh, so this is the talk of the town?” Yuvan went on to add that the Boss had been attacked by unknown persons and had suffered serious injuries. His henchmen had carried him away from the spot to give him medical aid. Abhay on his part had to say that Mone was willing to confess though Valiyamme still stood her ground. 

Charu now reminded both Abhay and Yuvan that their job was not done yet. The sword and other mysteries had to be solved. She needed both of them to accomplish this seemingly Herculean task. On an impulse, she looked up to Yuvan and told him that she expected him to extend all the support to her as an elder brother would. For a fleeting moment, Yuvan seemed disappointed but immediately composed himself. Abhay’s eyes on the other hand shone, happily surprised. He never imagined that it would be such a cakewalk and the long glance that Charu and he exchanged said it all. He admired the way Charu cut short Yuvaan's hopes (if any) of being his competitor, by referring to him as an "elder brother!"

It was a new invigorated Abhay who set out to solve the case with a song in the heart and romance in the air!