A Single Breath – Part 26

 Next day,

 When Jagan woke up to sleep, he felt very calm at home. Because when Geeta used to stay there, she used to do household chores from morning itself. But today there was no sound in the house. Jagan felt like drinking tea. He got into thinking.

  “Now I have to make tea too”, he said fretfully

“I’ll  make tea for you”, suddenly Jagan heard Savitri’s voice. He turned back and was shocked. Savitri was standing with a stranger at the door.

  “You here? Who let you in?” Jagan was absolutely surprised

“Why do I need to ask someone to come to my own house. ” Savitri kept her belongings down. ‘Son Manu, touch your father’s feet.” She said.

“So this is my son Manu? “Jagan thought, looking at a strange man. Wide chest, tall height, black skin color, no shave face, wearing a bright flower print shirt and black glasses on his eyes, long thick hair with short braid at back. Munching chewing gum in his mouth and playing with bike keys, Maan came to Jagan, 

“Hey Dad” He said only by bending his hands to touch Jagan’s knee.

Jagan panicked and backed away. He did not expect such a son.

  “Why have you come here?” he asked loudly. 

“Now when our house is sold, would we live on the street.” Savitri said. 

  Then the guard came running from behind, “Sir, I tried a lot to stop them, but they did not agree.” “Hey you both go out of here”, the guard said loudly.

 Jagan stopped him, “Never mind. They are my relatives”. Though Jagan was ashamed to say that.

The guard stares at Maan from top to bottom, “Sir, is this your relative?”

“Now what problem do you have”. Savitri said with a pout.

  “Which relatives sir?” The guard asked with surprise. 

Jagan could not tell the truth. “What do you mean by this? You go out and do your work.” Jagan said angrily.

“There are no servants here?” Savitri said, moving around the house.

“There was one, but I fired her yesterday.”

  “Oh God, I will only make tea, but who will do the housework and who will cook the food,?” Savitri said, getting upset.

“Mom, I’m so hungry.” Maan said jumping on the couch.

  “Sit properly, the sofa will break. It is not your father’s property.” Jagan yelled.

“You said absolutely right my dear husband, this whole thing is not the property of his father. But when the father is using someone else property, why can’t the son?. Savitri also said while sitting on the couch. “Go and get the food ordered. My son is very hungry.”

“What a mess”. Jagan went inside mumbling angrily and started ordering the food.

 Both Maan and Savitri looked at each other. In that matter, Savitri did not like to do all this drama. Disrespecting her own husband in front of all, it seemed like a sin, but it was also necessary to atone for the sins committed by her husband. She agreed to do the thing for the good of all. Especially for Geet. She had no one in this world. And what belonged to her, was stolen by her husband. 

Hence, there was immense love in her heart for Geet. That day, after many years, when she met Geet in the hotel, she was absorbed in her mind. Savitri had started to dream about making Geet her daughter in law. That was also a reason that she was ready for this drama.

“Show us our room”, Savitri shouted loudly. Jagan came out. “Stay where you want to live, the whole house is lying empty.”

  “Okay, and where is my future daughter-in-law?”, Savitri deliberately asked this question.

  “Whose daughter-in-law are you talking about?” Jagan got confused.

 “Geet, who else?” 

  “Geet? Don’t you know she is died” 

  “What! What are you saying?”, Savitri said with a hand on her heart.

  “Mom, what will happen to my marriage now?” Maan cried.

“The whole world knows about it and you don’t know?”. Jagan said

“ I know what the whole world does not know”, Savitri smirked.

  “Mom, I am going to my room. Call me when food arrives”. Saying so Maan left in a room.

After Maan go, Savitri came near Jagan, “I’ve heard that you have your hand behind the murder of Geet?”, She whispered in Jagan’s ears. Jagan pushed off.

“Who says. It’s all rubbish. Everyone knows she was kidnapped then murdered. Apart from listening to your nonsense I have lots of other work to do.” Jagan walked off to his study. 

After sometime he said that he has to go out. He actually had to meet with the lawyer regarding all property matters. He also alerted the guard to keep his eyes on them. Should not get robbed in the house again. 

As Jagan leaves, Maan and Savitri start searching the house. If any evidence can be found against Jagan.