“Can I borrow this book? I believe Mrs Dharkar was looking for it, in order to lend it to me, but she couldn’t find it,” Sonia asked, picking up the fat book with well-worn pages.
“Go ahead. We’ve all been reading it and it’s a great book. It’s in Hindi, though…”
“That’s okay. I just want to improve my knowledge, that’s all. Kirit, are you aware that your Guruji left you a sizable amount of money in his will?”
“Guruji mentioned it”
“That money will really help you to begin a serious career in music, won’t it?”
“It’s a boon. I am very grateful to Guruji for his thoughtfulness.”
“From what I hear he was a very benevolent man and most considerate. I believe he even regularly funded animal welfare organisations which are usually totally neglected. Oh, by the way, do you like animals?”
“Animals?” Kirit paused in his packing. “Yes, I do”
“I love animals. I have a cat called Nidhi and she’s smart. A real sad thing happened on the way here today. A car hit a stray cat while he was crossing the street. You know how awful our traffic is! The poor cat thought he would quickly run across, but it was sheer bad timing. Poor thing was tossed off the road, and was badly hurt. I took him immediately to a vet. But he was suffering so much, I couldn’t bear it. What does one do in such a case?”
“Not much. Have faith in the Doctor and hope for the best,” the young musician replied with a shrug.
“The poor cat was in so much pain that I had half a mind to ask the Doctor to put him to sleep.”
Kirit looked shocked. “I hope you didn’t do any such thing. Just let nature take its own course. Everything in life is predestined. Every joy, every pang of pain, hurt, and suffering. It is best not to interfere with what God has planned.”
Sonia nodded. “I thought the same.”
“I’m not sure. Depends on how much the cat is suffering, I guess. After all, relieving him of his pain, any way you can, is important,” Sumeet replied. He was tuning his Tambora and his forehead was creased with frown lines.
“I thought so, too,” Sonia agreed. “The poor little thing. Bounding around joyfully one minute and flat across the street the next instant.”
She moved around the room idly, studying the articles on the table, rifling through some photocopied information on music. She extracted a page casually, ran an eye over it, and returned it to the pile.
“That’s life. Unpredictable,” Sumeet said. “Sometimes beautiful, often treacherous. But just once in a while, destiny slips into your hands and allows you to take charge. And that is the most satisfactory moment in your life.”
“Such moments are very rare, though,” Sonia remarked. “Sumeet, are you aware that Guruji has left you enough money in his will to get you started in life?”
“Of course. He shared every thought, every decision, with me. He consulted me before he took this decision.”
“And what did you say?”
“I said his blessings were enough for us. Luckily for me, I come from a well-settled family and will never lack for anything. My parents will be only too happy to let me do whatever I want to with the family inheritance. But I’m afraid the other two are not so fortunate. I thought that monetary aid would certainly prove useful to them and told Guruji so.”
Sonia nodded with an appreciative glint in her eyes. “You said the right thing.”
Jatin glanced at his boss in surprise. She was truly up to something.
“What did the Doctor say?” Bishan asked.
“That the cat did not have long to live,” Sonia answered. She had found the singer lying on his bed, staring vacantly at the ceiling. But he had risen immediately on her entrance and greeted her more civilly that the last time. Now he was listening to her intently.
“The poor cat. I would have done the same. Taken him to a Doctor and then perhaps an animal welfare shelter, given them money to look after it as long as it lived. I really cannot bear to see animals suffer. Guruji and I had that one thing really in common. I remember we both nursed a bird with a broken wing. Our joy knew no bounds when it finally began to fly again!”
Tears rose in his eyes and he brushed them away hastily. “I’m sorry. I’m still not used to the idea of Guruji leaving us for good.”
Sonia nodded. “Bishan, did you know that Raujibua had made arrangements in his will for you?”
“You mean the money he’s supposed to have left us? Yes, I did. But that must’ve changed now. Specially after the massive argument we had, when he threatened to disown me”
“Nothing’s changed. Raujibua Dharkar died before he could change his will,” Sonia supplied, gently.
Bishan stared at her with a strange look in his black eyes.
Sonia stood in the mustard field of the Dharkars’ and watched Vandana stroll through the field. The girl was deep in thought and seemed unaware that Jatin and Sonia were close.
“What are you thinking, Boss?” Jatin asked.
“I’ve spoken to everyone except Vandana. I think it’s time I had a chat with her.”
“Vandana?” Jatin turned to the lone figure, amidst the yellow flowers and green field. “But…”
“I’ve been suspecting something since yesterday. I need to confirm it. Will you wait here, while I have a small chat with her?”
“All right, Boss. It’s beautiful here anyway.” Jatin happily settled on a flat stone, as his Boss strode through the field with purposeful steps, towards Mrs Dharkar’s daughter.
Sonia stared at the horoscopes, her eyes flicking and her mind nibbling on the myriad thoughts which seemed to be jostling for attention. She knew that the answer was close. And yet still out of grasp. She sat back against her chair, cradling a warm cup
