Brute's Paradise

Chapter 4 - "Secrets are dangerous..."

"Kanna, you are okay, right?"

Venkatesh Murthy asks in a grave voice while trying to fathom the grief on her daughter's face that Nandini might not be able to hide from his experienced eyes. She moves her glance from the laptop screen for a second. Venkatesh's penetrating stare pushes her into unease.

"Of course, Appa. Can't you see how fatty I have become? The only two works I do are eating and sleeping. He...he..."

Nandini giggles out but it sounds like a forced one. Needless to say, it is just a struggle to camouflage the awkwardness.

"Nandu, I know my daughter more than anyone. She never sought a life like this. She never found happiness in an idle and aimless life rather she always used to be happy amidst challenges. Kanna, you can tell me. Is Manik still good to you? He doesn't force you for anything, right?"

Venkatesh's voice is dire. Tears pin her eyes. Nandana stares down and mumbles out.

"I am missing you all Appa. It's been one and a half years. I am tired of talking through these gadgets. I want to meet you, I want to hug you and Amma. I want..."

Her voice chokes as tears roll down her cheeks. She immediately wipes them off.

"You can't come here, Nandu. You know the reason. I forgot to tell you that SP Apoorva Bhosle came yesterday and asked about Manik and you. I think the police have got some clue about that death."

Nandini interrupts Venkatesh in a stern voice,

"It was a murder, Appa and I was responsible for that. But you are exactly sounding like Manik. Why don't you understand I can't live the rest of my life like an absconder? Let me come and face the law. If they find me guilty then I am ready to take the punishment."

"And if that is life imprisonment or capital punishment? Have you thought about Mini? Nandu, I have never taught you to escape the consequences of your deeds but I never taught you to be irrational either. It was an accident. In fact, you pushed him to save Manik. In that case, it was a reaction of self-defence. So, why are you adamant to consider it murder? You haven't planned and did it in a cool mind."

Venkatesh tries to justify his point. Nandini keeps mum for a moment and replies in a tired tone,

"It might not be a planned murder, Appa but at the end of the day, I am responsible for taking a life away. He must have his loved ones and his family and I have taken away a person from all of these. I have done a sin, maybe by mistake but I have done it. Probably for that, I am away from my parents. Karma never forgets to give us the return we deserve. Anyway, I met Rishav's Dr today and even he is not ready to permit us to get him to India at this stage. So, in that case, you and Amma have to come over here. I think that is fine for all of us?"

The innuendo in her voice doesn't go unnoticed by Venkatesh. He curves his lips in a tired manner and replies,

"We are the only source for the police to reach Manik and you. Bhosle is seeking one chance to track both of you. Ayan was right. Right now, it's good for all of us to stick to our places. No risk no regret. Take care of you and Mini. I will call you soon. Bye."

Venkatesh's face vanishes from the laptop screen. Nandini shuts the flap rudely and fists the mattress in frustration.

"Bhosle, Bhosle....I wish I could contact him and speak the truth. This isolation is killing me."

Only then Mini's giggle alerts her all senses. She looks at the clock. It's 9 pm. Manik is as punctual as the clock. She gets down from the bed and heads to Manikya's room.