Memory Intrigues (Chapter 10)

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This is the 10th chapter of the mysteriously riveting story "Memory Intrigues". This novel is being written by 10 bloggers under the team Dynamic Word Weavers for the Game of Blogs organized by BlogAdda #CelebrateBlogging

  Here are the previous chapters:

Chapter 1 

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4 

Chapter 5 

Chapter 6 

Chapter 7  

Chapter 8 

Chapter 9 

CHAPTER 10

Tara comes back from her office, sanguine and confident. After what feels like ages, she feels so jubilant and triumphant. The last day was so melancholic for her but a simple intelligent idea brought everything in her favor. She glances at Shekhar who is sitting with his laptop, nonchalant. For a change, Tara does not get bothered by her husband’s strange demeanor.

“Hi hubby, how was your day?” Tara mouths with a genuine smile.

Shekhar looks at Tara, perplexed. After a long time, he sees her talking in such an amicable tone. A saccharine smile creeps on Shekhar’s face on finding his wife talk to him in such a sweet way. It has been so long since Shekhar and Tara have shared a genuine smile.

“I am fine Tara. Just a little worried about Jen. I hope she is safe. I really cannot understand why she is not contacting me.” Shekhar says pulling Tara’s hand, urging her to sit beside him.

“Don’t worry. Everything will turn out fine.” Tara replies, cleverly camouflaging her obscure deeds.  Shekhar finds solace in Tara’s words and squeezes her hand in gratitude.

Tara moves to their bedroom and changes into her comfortable tees and pajamas. For a fleeting moment, an air of guilt grips her heart but she quickly disregards it. She tries to convince herself that what she did was absolutely right.

With renewed positivity, Tara moves to the kitchen to prepare a good dinner. She notices Shekhar surfing the channels on TV and Roohi talking to her teddy in the dining room.

“Baby, you must be hungry. Mom is making a delicious dinner for you.” Tara approaches Roohi and plants a tender kiss on her cheek. Roohi looks at her mother with an innocent smile and hugs Tara endearingly.

“Mom loves you a lot my baby. There was a lot of work in Mom’s office, so Mom couldn’t give you time. Don’t ever think of leaving Mom.” Tara says and embraces Roohi tightly. Roohi cries out of happiness and Tara tickles her stomach. Roohi’s delightful laughter placates Tara’s weary mind.

Tara realizes that she can only be happy and contented in life when her career is heading in the right direction. Enduring Shekhar’s lazy and apathetic ways also seems relatively easier when her career is in a secure and respectable state.

Tara resumes to her cooking when Shekhar stands up from the couch and increases the volume of the TV after hearing the headline “WHERE IS JENNIFER”?   The news reader speaks in a resounding voice, much to Shekhar’s consternation. Jennifer’s photograph is highlighted in the top left corner and the news reader speaks robotically.

Jennifer Joseph, a young, exuberant and an audacious photographer is missing since many days. She hails from Kochi, is dusky, and has a tattoo of “Vivacious Jen” inscribed on her right hand. Last, she was noticed sporting a graphics T-shirt and shorts.

According to our confidential source, this bold photographer has clicked a sensational photograph that can reveal the true face of a Central Minister.

Now if we connect the dots, we get an indication that the central minister might have a close connection with the death of an actress.

Had Jennifer captured enough evidence against the minister?

Is this the reason she has been abducted by the minister and his subordinates?

Is Jennifer alive or has she been brutally murdered?

We are faced with a mystifying riddle. The riddle is “WHERE IS JENNIFER”?

Stay tuned to 24 x 7 folks. We will keep you updated about the status.

Shekhar sits on the couch, distressed and switches off the TV which keeps yelling “WHERE IS JENNIFER”?  Tara is closely monitoring her husband’s reactions from the kitchen. She approaches Shekhar, taking small steps. She notices that Roohi is happier than she has been recently – the effect of the hug and kiss she has given her after a long time.

“Tara, this is your news channel. How did they know about this? And has Jennifer been murdered? I don’t understand anything.   I am feeling sick.   I think I should go out to find Jen right now” Shekhar blabbers hysterically.  Tara lets out a long sigh and carefully composes her words.

“Shekhar, this is a news channel.  It runs on TRPs. So assume that they have magnified the facts.  They have translated the abduction of Jennifer into the possibility of her being murdered” Tara says maintaining her composure.

“But how did they get to know that Jennifer has clicked a sensational photograph of the minister?  You know this news can exasperate the minister further. They would be more desperate now to cause Jen harm.  Oh God!” Shekhar bangs the coffee table, hurting himself.

“I don’t have any idea, Shekhar.  As they said, they have hidden sources. Right now, I am busy with hosting the new talk show of our channel. After a lot of predicaments, they have given me this opportunity.” Tara thought for a while and added, “Who knows? Maybe someone is spying on us or may not or perhaps your phone number is tapped too?”

Shekhar looks at Tara innocently and shakes his head in disappointment.

“Don’t worry Shekhar. Be strong and let us just pray that Jennifer is safe and sound” Tara says holding Shekhar’s hand.

Shekhar can’t take it anymore and embraces Tara with his feeble heart.  More than surprise, Shekhar is happy to find his wife so empathetic and compassionate towards him. The family has their dinner together after a long time.

In the bedroom, sleep totally eludes Shekhar and Tara.  Tara recollects how she told the editor that she has some thrilling news that can boost their channel’s TRP.  In return, they have to let her host the much hyped new talk show of their channel.  The avaricious editor agreed at once and showered Tara with bouts of appreciation.  Tara knows that she had not done right with Shekhar but this was the only option she had to resurrect her drowning career.  She cannot tolerate being humiliated every day in office.

Shekhar tosses and turns on the bed as thoughts of Jen shrouds his mind. The newsreader’s words strike like a bullet in his heart “Is Jennifer alive or has been brutally murdered?” He prays God again and again to keep Jen safe.

 Here we come to the end of Part 1 of the story. 

 To be continued...

You can read the 11th chapter here

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