She was surprised at the intense interest she felt in this case. An inner voice seemed to be goading her to find the answers to some of life’s most important questions. Did real love exist?
The door swung open and Jatin strode in. Sonia glanced at his face and knew from his smug smile that he had news.
“Successful?” she asked.
“Hundred percent!” He beamed. “Name: Asit Rao. Year of Passing: 1970. Resident of Mumbai, born on 15th August 1947. Graduated with distinction as a Mechanical Engineer. Later returned as a Chief Guest to the college. The present principal happened to be his classmate and was most forthcoming with information. Though he had no idea where Asit is at the moment, the principal knew that Asit had stayed as a paying guest with their professor Tara Karnik. That he was a brilliant student and a ranker. Also very good looking. He had all the girls swooning over him.”
“Fantastic work, Jatin! We have a good base to work from now. With a horoscope and the information you dug up, finding Asit Rao should not be too much of a trouble!”
“Does that mean I can leave you to it?” her assistant asked, a little self-importantly.
“Of course you can.”
“Good, because I have a lot of work to do. I have to prepare for my ghost watch tonight. Bring my hockey-stick, keep a thermos of chai ready, a blanket. Then there’s the Christmas tree to decorate and gifts to buy - we are going to celebrate Christmas this year at the office, aren’t we?”
“Of course we are!”
“Great. I’m off home to do the needful. You needn’t lock up, I’ll be back in half an hour.”
“Right!” Sonia swallowed the word Boss, which sprang humorously to her lips. She realised that she decidedly preferred a pompous, bumbling Jatin to a sad, depressed one!
“What a wasted night!” Jatin yawned. “I’m off to bed, Boss! Hope you’ll manage the office till I return this afternoon. I really need to catch some sleep.”
“Don’t worry. I’ll be working on the Computer anyway” Sonia turned back to the Computer.
“And don’t feed Nidhi, She’s had a gala time keeping me awake. Demanding constant attention and food! I think I’ve overfed her!”
Nidhi was curled up in a tight ball, scarcely looking up as Jatin spoke.
“We’re both tired. Not a soul disturbed us. What a shame!” he grumbled.
“Don’t lose hope. Maybe tomorrow night you’ll have luck,” Sonia consoled.
“Or maybe tonight we’ll have luck” Mohnish interrupted, sauntering inside with a wide grin.
“That is more likely!” Jatin grinned cheekily and, before his Boss could comment, hastily quit the office.
Sonia turned to Mohnish with a stern eye. He looked fresh and handsome in a lemon-yellow shirt. “You’ll give him ideas with these innuendos of yours!”
“Good, because that’s exactly what I plan to do”
“Why?” She frowned.
“Need I answer that? You’re a special person, Sonia Samarth. I care a lot about you.” Mohnish shrugged.
“But there’s nothing between us!” Sonia switched on the Computer.
“Are you sure there’s nothing between us?” he asked deliberately, leaning toward her. His quiet tone stilled her fingers and she glanced up swiftly.
His deep brown gaze was trained on her, with an intensity which seemed to cut through her indifference.
“I… you’re my good friend.” Her mouth was suddenly dry.
“Sure, but a delicate, flimsy boundary protects friendship from crossing over to love. Are you positive that that fragile boundary hasn’t played an illusionary trick on us, in keeping those emotions in check? That we haven’t already unconsciously crossed the boundary?”
“Good morning, everybody!” Devika breezed in, greeting them cheerily.
Sonia blushed and bent hastily over the Computer to dust off an invisible speck of dust. The other woman paused awkwardly.
“Am I interrupting anything?” she asked, cautiously.
“Actually, yes -” Mohnish began as Sonia remarked simultaneously, “Of course not!”
Devika glanced from one to the other. “Make up your mind. Yes or no?”
“No!” Sonia exclaimed. “Come along and I’ll brief you on the developments.”
Mohnish watched, amused, as the detective updated Devika. Sonia certainly looked especially pretty when she blushed. Dressed in a cotton red-and-black Salwar Kameez, with the red shawl thrown casually over her shoulders, her silky hair swinging, and her expressive eyes on Devika, Mohnish was aware of the extreme attraction he felt for her. But she was so frustratingly guarded, thwarting his advances at every step. All her defences sprang up at the slightest hint of something intimate! He had to do something to loosen her guard. He had to make her see that there was something worth exploring between the two of them, if only she would give them a chance.
“I’ve been on the Computer for hours, looking up options, but unfortunately I’ve had no success,” Sonia said, in a low voice.
Outside, the night was dark, silent, and very cold. It was past midnight and the world seemed to be fast asleep. A thick mist hovered in the garden of the Stellar Investigations Office. Inside the office, Nidhi sat curled on a pillow on the window sill. Occasionally, she opened a sleepy eye and made certain that the low drone of voices continued. Sonia and Mohnish sat on the Panchgani rug, wrapped in warm woollen blankets. The night was pitch black and if it hadn’t been for the small night lamp that Sonia had insisted on leaving on, sight would’ve been impossible. They had a good view of the window, but someone peeping from the outside would see nothing inside.
They had eaten dinner and returned to the office around eleven and settled down to keep watch. After an initial awkwardness, Sonia tuned herself to Mohnish’s professional approach to the task.
