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To doubt is a natural human tendency. Rarely can any person remain unaffected by this negative tendency. One who overcomes this state of mind becomes a saint in the true sense of the word. The moment the seed of doubt is sown in the mind, it doesn’t take long to grow into a humungous tree. This human tendency sometimes creates such situations, the consequences of which are beyond imagination. After returning from Mumbai, all kinds of negative thoughts and doubts regarding Alok started plaguing Ramesh’s mind. He cursed himself for not asking Rani in detail about Alok? ‘Where does he live, what does he do, childhood friends, as told by Rani, how did they immediately recognise each other after such a long gap of time, once they met, how have they become so close that Alok came all the way to meet Rani, for how long were they together, did Alok stay at home etc. etc.’
Rani has a kitty party on Thursday. Actually her daily routine is that she wakes up early in the morning, takes bath and does puja (prayer), completes all the kitchen work by the time Ramesh gets ready, but on the day of kitty party, she becomes extra agile to finish her work, because she does not like to reach late. She is always considered number one in the matter of punctuality. By the time Ramesh came out of the bathroom, she had left for the kitty party after explaining everything to Lachhmi. When Ramesh got ready and reached the table, Lachhmi told him, “Sahib Ji, Madam Ji has gone to the kitty party. She has prepared breakfast and lunch. Should I serve you the breakfast?”
“Yes, and prepare the Tiffin also.”
Ramesh thought, today Lachhmi is alone at home, why not find out something about Alok from her. He called Lachhmi and asked, “Lachhmi, tell me one thing, when I went to Mumbai a few days ago, did any of your madam’s friends come here? When did he come and how long did he stay here?”
“Sahib Ji, that day when I came to work, Madam Ji told me that her childhood friend was coming, but he might have come after I had left. It’s possible that he might have stayed till late in the evening because Madam Ji had asked me not to come in the evening saying that they could go somewhere for an outing.”
“Was he at home the next day when you came to work?”
“No, Sahib Ji.”
“Okay, tell me something more. Did your madam’s friend come on Monday also?”
“I don’t know anything about Monday. … Oh yes, that day Madam Ji had said that she was to go to meet a friend in the afternoon. She forbade me to come in the evening.”
Lachhmi finished her work and went away. For once Ramesh that instead of going to the office, he should wait for Rani at home and go to the office only after talking to her about Alok. But then he dropped the idea and went to the office.
Although Ramesh tried to remain busy in his routine work, yet he could not keep the thought of Alok out of his mind. Though he did not inquire from Rani in this regard, but his attitude towards Rani, which was already dull, now also became suspicious.
*****
