Memory Intrigues (Chapter 30)

The logo of our team is designed by Ruchita

This is the 30th chapter of the mysteriously riveting story "Memory Intrigues". This novel is being written by "Dynamic Wordweavers" for the Game of Blogs organized by Blogadda #CelebrateBlogging

You can read the previous chapter here or follow our facebook page to read all the chapters here

 

CHAPTER 30

The story so far:

Cyrus picks up Roohi in his hands and waits for someone to break in to help.  Not much later, Jen and Thorat break in.

“Thanks Cyrus.  Good job.” says Jen as she collects Roohi from him .

“Ahuja has gone to the address you gave me.” Cyrus informs her, not knowing that Ahuja is already receiving ‘special treatment’ from the cops.

“You don’t have to worry about it. He is already learning numbers, counting bars.  Or rather, the cops are learning numbers counting his bones,” Thorat says quietly.

______________________________________________________________________________

Roohi looks at Jennifer and ACP Sameer Thorat with terror-stricken eyes, unable to comprehend all the flurry of confusing activity around her.  She slowly edges towards Cyrus, the only familiar person in the room.

Jennifer senses Roohi’s apprehension and kneels down on the floor to match Roohi’s height.

“Hi sweetheart, this is Jennifer.  You can call me Jen or Jenny.”  Jennifer says endearingly.

“And you are princess Roohi…right?” Jennifer continues, finding Roohi silent.

A lovable, yet hesitant smile lights up Roohi’s face.  She nods her head.

“I am your father’s best friend.  Your father is missing you a lot, so he told me to bring his princess Roohi back to him.”  Jennifer says, pinching Roohi’s left cheek.  For some inexplicable reason, Jennifer feels very affectionate towards Roohi.

“Jenny aunty, does Papa really miss me?”  Roohi says with an innocence so natural, that it melts Jennifer’s heart.  How could she have even thought of hurting this kid?

“Yes sweetheart.  Papa and Mamma both miss you a lot.  They cannot live without you.  You are their princess.  Both of them are waiting for you at home.”

“I want to go home Jenny aunty.  I too miss Papa and Mamma. I thought they don’t love me.”

“They love you a lot.  How can someone not love the most beautiful child on this earth?  That is why they told Jenny aunty to bring you back to them.”  Jennifer says in a soft tone.

“Give me one minute; let me bring my pink teddy from that room.” Roohi shouts and runs to the other room in excitement.

Cyrus looks at Jennifer with remorseful eyes.

“It is alright Cyrus. Don’t feel guilty. It is because of you that we got back Roohi completely unharmed.” Jennifer consoles Cyrus.

“Thanks Jennifer. You prevented me from committing the most heinous crime of my life.”

“The wrong path always beckons us, but if we can retreat from that tantalizing path, then that is the real achievement Cyrus”  Jennifer says, more to herself than to Cyrus.

“Do you have a pen Sameer?” Jennifer asks, breaking Sameer’s reverie.

“Huh?” Sameer is totally bedazzled by the way Jennifer talked to Roohi and Cyrus. With every passing second, he can’t help but fall even more in love with this girl.

“Pen?   Yeah. I got one” Sameer pulls out a pen from his pocket.

Jennifer goes to the coffee table where a notepad is kept. She scribbles the words hurriedly after thinking for a few seconds.

Shekh,

The memory card I sent you was blank. This one which I am sending you has been the most important object of my life. This is the memory card which I could risk my life for… However, I don’t need it anymore.

Jen

Jennifer takes out the memory card from the chain which she has been wearing around her neck since almost a decade.  She looks at the card with a smile of contentment.  Roohi’s effervescent laughter brings solace to her mind.

She walks to up to Roohi and kisses her cheeks.

“So princess is all set to go home?  Give this letter and this memory card to your Papa.  Tell him, Jenny has sent it” Jennifer tells Roohi.

“What is in this card?” Roohi asks after receiving the card.

“They are memories” Jennifer says tenderly.

“Why are you not coming with me Jenny aunty?” Roohi asks innocently.

“I will come later.  You go with Cyrus now”  Jennifer replies.

Roohi waves Jennifer goodbye and Jennifer’s eyes well up.

As Jennifer wipes her tears, she remembers that without Sameer this plan wouldn’t have been possible.

“Thank you Sameer.  You don’t know what you have done for me. You saved me from making a very big mess of my life.”

“I want to keep saving you from every anguish, problem and complication of your life.  Just allow me to do so.” Sameer says, inching closer towards Jennifer.”

Jennifer looks at Sameer awkwardly, as Sameer takes her hand in his.

“Marry me Vivacious Jen. I am head over heels in love with you.”

Jennifer – unusually for her - can’t find any appropriate words for the occasion and ends up blushing.  Sameer embraces her and all the broken pieces inside her seem to get glued in that instant with that magical hug.

Jennifer realizes that she has never been so happy in life.  She also decides to give away the photos to Tara; it was because of her that Tara faced so many problems at her work.  After years of turbulence, her mind and heart is finally at peace.  She reciprocates Sameer’s hug with a tight one of her own.

The Dutta Residence

The bell rings.  Tara jumps up and rushes to the door.  Shekhar follows her.  They are overwhelmed by emotions at the sight of Roohi.  Tara hugs Roohi tightly.

“Darling, I missed you so much.  Promise me you won’t leave us again. Mamma is sorry for everything, baby.”  Tara totally breaks down with Roohi in her arms.

“I love you Mamma. I missed you too.  Mamma, why are you crying?” Roohi asks Tara as she understands how much her mother has missed her.

Shekhar thanks Cyrus, who is standing in the corner, his head hanging in guilt and shame.  He takes Roohi in his arms and apologizes to his little princess.

“Papa, Jenny has said to give this to you” Roohi hands over the letter and card to Shekhar.

Shekhar keeps the letter and card on the table.  He moves towards Tara as he finds her talking to Cyrus in a cold tone.

“Please believe me Tara Ma’am.  Roohi felt ignored by you and Shekhar Sir. I just wanted you both to realize her importance. I did not have any idea about Ahuja’s dangerous plan until Jen told me.  I am sorry” Cyrus murmurs.

“Thank you, Cyrus, for bringing my daughter back to me.  And don’t you ever show me your face again.  Just go away.  What you did is unforgivable.” Tara says bluntly, trying to suppress her anger.

Cyrus nods his head and decides to go back to Delhi.  He leaves.

Shekhar pats Tara’s shoulder as a sign of reassurance that she did the right thing. Tara smiles at Shekhar and asks Roohi what she wants to eat.  Shekhar moves to check the letter and memory card sent by Jen.

“I want to have pasta, Mamma.”  Tara smiles at her princess and moves towards the kitchen, when her eyes are riveted by the picture on Shekhar’s laptop.  The photographs of Jennifer and Shekhar displayed on the screen pierce her heart.

“What are these?” Tara asks timidly.

“This is the memory card Jen has sent. It contains old photos of when…”

“You both were in a relationship.”  A tear escapes Tara’s right eye.

Shekhar nods his head.

“I know I have been a horrible wife Shekhar. I don’t have any words to apologize.  I heard Jen and you were talking over phone.  Do you still love Jennifer?  Do we have a future Shekhar?  Please tell me the truth, no matter how bitter it is.” Tara’s vulnerable words go through Shekhar’s heart.

“I may not have gone where I intended to go, but I think I have ended up where I needed to be.  If you have been a bad wife, then I have been a pathetic husband.  What’s done cannot be undone Tara.  I want to begin a new journey from today, with you and Roohi.  You both are my life” Shekhar says, his eyes glistening with tears.  He takes out the memory card and throws it into the dustbin.

Tara’s eyes become moist and she hugs Shekhar with all her love and affection.

“Yay! Mamma and Papa are not fighting today.” Roohi jumps in joy as she sees her parents embracing each other, probably for the first time in years.

Tara and Shekhar laugh at Roohi’s reaction and cuddle their adorable princess. After what seemed like ages, home, to Tara and Shekhar has an arcadian feel about it.

                                                         ~~~~~THE END~~~~~

Me and my team are participating in ‘Game Of Blogs’ at BlogAdda.com. #CelebrateBlogging with us.

Memory Intrigues (Chapter 17)

                                                  The logo of our team is designed by Ruchita


This is the 17th chapter of the mysteriously riveting story "Memory Intrigues". This novel is being written by "Dynamic Wordweavers" for the Game of Blogs organized by Blogadda #CelebrateBlogging

You can read the previous chapter here or follow our facebook page to read all the chapters here

The story so far:

Shekhar comes back to his laptop, curious to know what is in the memory card. The card demands a password.

“Please type the password to open the file” flashes the computer screen.  How would he know the password!!! he wonders. 

He tries to type in a combination of his birthday, first name, last name, the customary way for credit card statements; he tries various permutations and combinations of the same. He tries to call the courier office to find out the sender’s name but is unable to get any proper response.  He tries to read the address himself but the efforts bring no results.

Seeing her dad confused, Roohi says “Dad if you are not too busy, do you mind making some ‘Maggi’ for me?  I would prefer it not to be black this time!!”

Laughing at his daughter’s wit, Shekhar moves to the kitchen hoping to make good noodles this time.

______________________________________________________________________________

Tara hums the melodious tune of a Jennifer Lopez song on her way back home.   She feels good about her life, her work, her new friend, Cyrus and her family too.   She recalls the line of many celebrities whom she has interviewed, “Change is the spice of life.”

How true!   She ponders over the enigma called change.  A different job, a fresh ambience and a new friend has thankfully eradicated the harrowing monotony in her life.   She feels so good to have resigned her job at 24X7.   The editor and sub-editor of that channel were megalomaniacs with no respect for others.

“I should have done that much earlier. Anyways, better late than never”, Tara mutters as she climbs up the stairs to her flat.   She feels blessed to have found a new job within just a day of her resignation.   She rings the bell and Roohi opens the door without a word.

“Hi baby!  Why are you looking so depressed?” Tara says looking at Roohi’s bleak face.  Roohi does not respond and walks straight back to her room.

“Shekhar, what’s wrong with Roohi?” Tara looks at Shekhar who is sitting in front of his laptop with a befuddled expression.

“Can’t you see I am busy with some work, Tara?  Please ask Roohi what the matter is.” Shekhar goes totally beserk.   He has been trying to guess the password of the memory card since over three hours but to no avail.   He is miffed at himself for his inability and this only adds to his desperation to know about the contents of the card.   Something tells him that it is surely related to Jennifer.   He assumes that the memory card contains the photograph that Jennifer was talking about.   This conjecture only heightens his anxiety.  It is while he was cooking ‘Maggi’ for little Roohi that this thought passed his mind. The result was awful tasting ‘Maggi’ of which Roohi could not eat even a morsel.   They were not burned like earlier, but were completely tasteless.

    

                                                             (Source: Google images)

          Tara runs to Roohi’s room after getting such an unresponsive reply from Shekhar.

“What happened Roohi?  Why are you not talking to mom?” Tara asks, pinching Roohi’s soft baby cheeks.

“I am hungry.  My stomach is growling” Roohi says softly.

“Did you not tell your dad that you are hungry?” Tara embraces Roohi, feeling dismayed.

“Dad made ‘Maggi’ for me.  But…”  Roohi pauses.

“What?  Did he give you black noodles to eat again?” Tara says angrily.

“No, not black but they tasted so bad.  I couldn’t eat more than a spoon” Roohi says.

“Just give your mom ten minutes.   I am making delicious cheese sandwiches for you” Tara says in a disheartened tone, feeling bad that her little girl has had to stay hungry.

Tara goes to the kitchen without changing her clothes and makes sandwiches within a couple of minutes.  A delighted smile lights up Roohi’s face as she happily wolfs down the meal prepared by her mom.

Tara finally changes her clothes and prepares dinner.  She does not want to indulge in a heated argument with Shekhar.  So she tries to keep calm and thinks about her new office.  She thinks of ways to impress her new boss.

When dinner is ready, she calls Shekhar.

“I am not in a mood to eat” Shekhar says, irking Tara further.

“What the hell is wrong with you? You cooked awful ‘Maggi’ for Roohi, you didn’t care that our little girl was hungry and now when your wife is serving you dinner, you say you are not in a mood to eat.  You are pathetic” Tara loses her calm.

“I am stressed Tara. Try to understand” Shekhar says looking at his flustered wife.

“You work from home, have flexible working hours and yet you are stressed. If you ever have to step into my shoes, you couldn’t have walked for even a mile” Tara says and leaves Shekhar to his own devices.

Tara goes to bed early after having dinner with Roohi.  She feels Shekhar’s presence, sitting beside her but she does not feel like asking him why he is so restless.  Shekhar assumes that Tara has fallen asleep. He dials a number after studying his contact list for half an hour.

“Hello Sylvia” Shekhar says.

“Who is it?” a female voice asks.

“This is Shekhar, Jennifer’s friend, if you remember. I am so sorry for calling you at this hour of night but trust me; I desperately need your help.  It is about Jennifer” Shekhar says in one breath.

Sylvia is like family to Jennifer and stays close to her house.  Shekhar has met Sylvia many times, so he thinks of asking her about Jennifer.

“Of course I remember you Shekhar.  Tell me, what’s wrong?” Sylvia asks.

“Do you know that Jennifer is missing since a couple of days?” Shekhar asks.

“Yeah I have seen the news.  I am deeply worried for her.”

“Do you have any idea where she could be right now?” Shekhar intrudes.

“She has a couple of photographer friends in Delhi and was going to attend the Delhi photography festival within some days.  So perhaps she could be there.  This is just my guess” the girl says, feebly.

“Delhi?  Okay, thanks dear.  One more thing, I have received a memory card via courier today.  My gut instinct tells me that it is sent by Jenny and it has something to do with the photograph that she had clicked.  But it demands a password and I don’t have any clue.  Has Jenny told you about any such memory card?” Shekhar asks, hoping to get some positive answer.

“I don’t have knowledge of any such thing, Shekhar”.

Shekhar thanks her and disconnects the phone.  He also calls a few other friends of Jennifer but nobody is able to help him with the password of the memory card.

Feeling helpless, Shekhar lies on the bed and soon sleep overtakes his tired mind.

Lying beside him, Tara has heard every bit of the conversation that he had with Sylvia and other friends of Jennifer.

Her hyperactive mind conjures up an idea.  She is quick to perceive the import of the news that she had just heard and the impression it will make on her new boss.

Suddenly, a small cloud of guilt passes through Tara’s mind.

“Am I doing the right thing by Shekhar?   Should I leak this confidential information to the world?  Does he deserve that”?

A rational voice yells at her that very moment.

“Are you thinking of this man, Tara?  He is least concerned about your life.  Did he ask you once how your day at the new office was?  Does he even care for Roohi?  He just lives in a bubble.  Stop thinking of him so much and focus on your career.  You deserve better!

Tara knows what she needs to do.  All her doubts are cleared and she sleeps tranquilly.

You can read the next chapter here

Me and my team are participating in ‘Game Of Blogs’ at BlogAdda.com. #CelebrateBlogging with us.

Memory Intrigues (Chapter 10)

The logo of our team is designed by Ruchita

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

Me and my team are participating in ‘Game Of Blogs’ at BlogAdda.com. #CelebrateBlogging with us.