I returned to my workstation. I had research and reading to occupy me for the next half of the day. I called Manto's parents who were in town for shraddh and the ongoing police investigation. The police were about to close the case while I was holding to the last remnants of hope in getting to know the truth behind her death.
I was surprised when Rasika asked me to join Rohit in his cabin. It was so out of the blue that I could only think the worst. I walked in like a meek lamb, but Rohit's caring side took me by surprise. I took a seat and waited for full ten minutes before he started speaking to me. He beated around the bush initially with small talk but finally came to the point. His small detour gave me ample time to rehearse and plot a story.
"I know the last few days have been difficult for you but I think it's time to concentrate and get back to work."
I couldn't agree more, it was time I stopped feeling despondent and take matters into my own hands. I didn't need Agam. I could work on this on my own. It would be difficult but I would get through it.
"Totally, sir." I nodded cheerfully having made the resolution to do things my way or the high way.
"Happy to hear that. And I am going to assign you a very important story in the coming few days that is going to make you very busy."
"Looking forward to it, sir." It felt like a consolation prize. "Can I leave?"
He dismissed me with his hand, falling back on his chair contently, having had his sweet way with me. Before I could be out of his office, the little threat that he issued in plain words was not missed.
"HR office called Abhilasha, enquiring about you. They said..." And I didn't let him complete his sentence.
"I want to go for Manto's prayer service and I don't have her parents' numbers, nor did the other interns. HR seemed the best option."
"I hope that was it."
Two could play the game well and I had learnt it from the best in the office. "Anything else I have to talk to them about, sir, let me know." I left because the conversation was over for me. The simple thing that I had deduced was Rohit and Rasik were hiding something and they were together in this. I had to figure out what and perhaps that would be the clue to unravel the mystery behind Manto's drastic step.
_x_xx_x_x
The Mumbai monsoon never ceased to surprise me. It pours when you least expect it to do. But I had learnt to take it in my stride. Manto's parents needed a little bit of convincing before they agreed to meet me. I didn't lie to them about the prayer service. I was honest in telling them I needed to meet them to talk about Manto. They had agreed to see me at their friend's house in Bandra. Aunty had shared the address and I was going there after work.
The apartment in Bandra screamed of money. I had never asked Manto about her personal life ever. In fact, none of us had ever bothered despite staying in such close quarters and spending so much time together every day. Not that I wanted to rectify this situation but I was just curious.
The moment I rang the bell my hands and feet turned cold, and I was hit by the worst kind of ache I had ever experienced in my stomach. This was fear gripping me in the worst way possible. I was about to speak to a set of parents who could have been with their daughter, had I not acted selfishly. They will regret speaking to me, after knowing how I had ignored their daughter.
What if they wanted to punish me? I know there wasn't anything they could do legally but what if they insulted me, threw me out of the house...or made a scene. I was overthinking again. This would not go well if I kept on putting myself through the worst of scenarios, hoping to feel a raw pain that could erase my guilt.
I stepped in as an emotional mess with no idea how this evening would pan out. I walked into the living room to see a smiling Mansi sitting next to Agam and holding Manto's mother's hand, cooing comforting words. I felt like I had been punched in my gut. This was deceit and betrayal of the worst kind. Why did Agam have to do this to me? Why did he go behind my back? If he wanted to come with Mansi he could have been honest or...
"Hi," Mansi's soft greeting to me was surprising.
I wanted to ignore her but not in front of Manto's parents. "Hey," I answered with nothing but coldness.
I turned to Aunty and Uncle and greeted them. I stood watching the perfect scene staged by both.
"We should leave," Agam spoke, uncomfortable with my presence. "Thank you for hearing us out. Let us know whatever you decide." They shook hands formally instead of the polite namaste.
Mansi smiled warmly at me before leaving, while Agam whispered in my ears to meet me.
"Fuck you!" The most menacing word I could offer him from my dictionary on his way out. He was shocked and his eyes spoke to me that my furious stance didn't go down well with him. But I didn't care. He was a nobody to me.