The Master Stroke........

Charu sat on her room and closed her eyes. As she now knew that Yuvaan is innocent and Abhay is trying to fix him, she started thinking the ways to make Abhay free and teach a lesson to Abhay. But it’s not that easy for her to do so as Abhay is a police officer and had the link with mafia don too. The inner power of her started giving her some strength and she started going back to the past. She started focusing on everything happened around her and on the activities of each person either known to her or connected to her. Now she could be able to realize that if the Khopesh(sword) ,the original one which has been very cleverly replaced by Abhay and been kept with him ,can be retrieved by her then she can change the game of Abhay and mafia don. At the same time Yuvaan can be freed too. Now she made her plans. She imprinted that step by step in her mind. She gave a very naughty and daring smile to her plans and gone to the washroom. She came out of the washroom and changed her dress as she has to start working on her first step now.

After finishing her lunch Charu left the house and went to see Martha. She reached her house and rang the bell. Martha came and opened the door and was surprised to see Charu there. Martha welcomed Charu with a painful voice. As Charu went inside and got herself relaxed on a sofa, Martha came to her and pleaded,’’ Madam my son Ruth is not a criminal.I think he had been either misguided or been utilized by somebody. I have him as my only child. I love him and can’t see him suffering in the zail. You can enquire with anybody about me. I have been working with your family truthfully and honestly. How come my son ever think to harm you? I had served here as the caretaker of the museum since the beginning and given my all the best efforts to keep it protected. Please help me and save my son, I will remain grateful to you.’’ Charu was listening to Martha very carefully and watching her expressions, her emotions. She wanted to understand her before starting her execution of first step. She wants to make it sure that her all the activities should be perfect and in right direction.

Then Charu asked Martha to bring her a glass of water. When Martha had gone inside to get her water, Charu kept her mobile in a perfect place with the audio and video recording being on in that, so that the next conversations between her and Martha can be recorded. Martha came with a glass of water for Charu and gave it to her. While taking the glass from Martha, Charu asked her to sit very close to her facing her so that the proper video recording can be made. Then Charu kept the glass on the side table and started talking to Martha. See Martha, I could understand your problem and feelings as a mother. I also know that you are one of the oldest and trusted staff who had always taken care of our family and done your job honestly. But now the thing is that Abhay had taken Ruth in his custody. The other police staffs too had caught him redhandedly. You know I am doing my law and will definitely help you and Ruth. You have to be very frank with me and cooperate me so that I can think of the ways legally to get your son out of his custody. Yes, please don’t ever try to speak anything about our meeting to anybody. Now answer my questions frankly. Tell me how was the relationship of Abhay with Ruth and you? How many times did Abhay had gone inside the museum without you? Also please tell me what are the likes of Abhay?

Marth now could feel little relaxed. She knew that if Charu will wish then her son can be freed. She also knew the ability of Charu . The motherly affection for her son made her to trust Charu and there was no alternate way except this. Then she started answering Charu .

Madam Abhay used to come to our house from his office in the evening many times and I had served him coffee, snacks. He was paying respect to me. Abhay was very friendly with me and Ruth. Many times both Ruth and Abhay used to go out to the hotel for dinner as told by Ruth. I can remember Abhay had taken Ruth and gone to the museum twice without me as I was sick during night. He told me that it was very important for an investigation. I gave the keys to Ruth and send him along with Abhay. Regarding the likes of Abhay I can’t say much, but he likes listening to romantic songs, Yes, I remember once Ruth was going to meet Abhay with a bottle of red wine, which I came to know from Ruth on my enquiry while I caught him with the bottle. Ruth never drinks as everyday night we both used to have dinner together. These are all my answers to your questions. I swear on my son Ruth that whatever I told are the truths. You can believe me. Then she stood up and asked Charu if she would like to have coffee. Charu could now understand that Martha had told her the truths only. She too stood up and said Martha ,’’ Oh yes. I would love to have a cup of coffee made by you. Martha was leaving for the kitchen, Charu picked her mobile and stopped the video recording. Then Charu came behind Martha and said,’’ Please show me Ruth’s room. Let me have a look inside and search, if I can get any clue, in the mean time you prepare the coffee. Martha started feeling better now as she could now believe that Charu is seriously trying to help Ruth.

She took Charu to Ruth’s room and opened the door for her, then she left for the kitchen. Charu started searching every corner of the room. She searched the self, where she could find some papers with addresses, some diving suits some books and, in a corner, a key ring with keys. Those keys are to Charu’s surprise seems like the duplicate keys of the museum. She took those keys and kept inside her purse. Then she came out of the room and said Martha,’’ Ruth never takes care of his room as I could find the things are been scattered in his room.’’ Martha came with coffee and with a pale smile said,’’ no, he was very careful. But yesterday that ungrateful Abhay had come and searching his room. He took one file from his room and he had done this. Madam this Abhay is really not a good person. I had always treated him as my son. My Ruth had always helped him and taken care of him, but he had put Ruth behind the bar.’’ Charu finished the coffee and asked Martha to come with her to the museum. Martha took the keys and locked her house and went with Charu to museum. Martha opened the museum with keys and kept the ring on a table and started cleaning the chair for Charu to sit. That time Charu had a clear look at the keys to confirm that all these keys which are inside her purse are duplicate of these and she was right. Charu sat on the chair for some time and started going through some papers to show Martha that she is doing some work. After some time Charu took the duplicate keys from her purse and kept in her pocket and left her purse on the table. She went to Martha and told her that she has to leave now and again reminded her not to tell any one anything about their meeting. She also told Martha that tomorrow she will talk to her.

Charu returned home and was happy that her first step was successful. Now she can trust Martha and she can listen to her. She started giving thought to her next step and it’s execution. Now Charu made herself relaxed and made a call to Abhay and asked,’’ HI, how are you? What are you doing? It seems you had forgotten me.’’ Then Abhay replied,’’ I was bit busy in my work. Sorry couldn’t contact you. What are you doing tomorrow? If you are free then we can meet.’’ Charu replied,’’ I will let you know tomorrow. Now I am bit tired and let me take rest. Bye.’’ Then she had a bath and took her dinner and gone to sleep. Next day Charu after finishing her breakfast went to the market and purchased two big new locks and done some shopping. It was around 12 noon there was a call from Martha informing her that yesterday she forgot to take her purse, which is lying on her table of museum. Charu thanked her for this and said that after lunch she will be in museum and pick it up. Charu reached museum at around 3pm and wearing a big overcoat, which has sufficient space to hide the sword. She reached her room and sat on the chair. She took her purse and Martha told that please check it. I had not touched it. Charu told,’’ I know Martha. I trust you and we have to get Ruth out from zail. At about 5pm Charu told Martha,’’ Now listen to me carefully,’’ Now you go home and at about 7pm go to meet Ruth in police station. There you start crying and Abhay will not be there. You ask to meet Abhay and keep him busy by demanding the release of Ruth and be there till I give you a call. Never tell about this to anybody. I will lock the museum and go. ‘’ Martha gave the keys to Charu and left. Then Charu went to the place of sword and carefully hided it inside her overcoat, She locked the museum with the new locks purchased by her and left for her place.

At about 6pm Charu informed Abhay that she will be at his place within 30minutes. Charu had informed Abhay about this earlier from museum. Charu reached Abhay’s place with a bottle of imported red wine. Abhay welcomed her. Charu surprised Abhay with the bottle and gave a smile. She said let us celebrate our friendship with this wine. Then they started taking wine. Abhay had taken three glasses of wine as it was very tasty and Charu had not finished her first glass. Then Abhay got call from police station regarding the Martha’s activity and told Charu ,’’ Please be here, I will just go and will be back soon. As Abhay left Charu locked the room from inside and searched for the original sword. She found it and replaced that with the duplicate sword she brought from the museum. She returned to her place and unlocked the door. Then Abhay informed that he is coming. Then Charu made a call to Martha. After Abhay’s arrival Charu stayed for few moments and left by saying it’s now time for her going to bed. She said good night to Abhay and left. Then Charu went to museum kept the original sword and returned. Next day Charu asked Abhay to release Yuvaan and she has the proof of his being innocent so that she can take his help for her some works. She told Abhay in such a convincing manner and lovingly that Abhay released Yuvaan with a threatening. Now Charu was smiling for The Master Stroke of her.