25 The Queen of the Hearth Part 25

Jassi knew she didn't have much time. If she stayed for too long and leave Kamal's home soon, Sukkhi will become suspicious again. After all, her solution seemed like the only logical answer to her predicament (as Sukkhi knew it). She had to act soon.

There were so many things to do:

1. Complete the cremation rites of Maa

2. Find the 48-human-years old little girl

3. Confirm if Rajeshwar was really killed or not

4. Try to get hold of Renny

5. Find the Beggar who had tried to contact Maa and find out what had caused the accident that killed Maa

Her priorities had changed. The very next morning, Jassi casually asked Sukkhi if she could try her hand at gardening.

Kamal had a gardener who used to come twice in a week to upkeep his lawn. Jassi asked Sukkhi with all sincerity, "Aunty, I have never had a chance to do gardening. Would it be okay if I help the gardener uncle and learn something from him? I would also like to plant a few orchids under my window. I love them. I hope that after I have gone, these orchids will remind you of me."

Of course, Sukkhi nodded with a smile. There were no chores to be done at the time the gardener came. Listening to her pitiful story, Sukkhi had also softened her stance on Rani/Jassi. It seemed like a small harmless request. Little did she know that all Jassi wanted was to uncover the body of Maa by digging the flower beds under her window.

The next visit of gardener was due on Friday. It was still Wednesday. While Jassi had already learnt Kirtan Sohila, Anand Sahib and Ardas with Maa, there was still the question of arranging the coffin, taking Maa's body to the Gurudwara and then, the cremation ground, and how to make it all possible in Kamal and Sukkhi's house – without rousing their suspicions.

She did a little search online and saw that an ambulance service provider did offer coffin box and stretcher service to carry dead bodies, and transport them to graveyards and crematoriums. This seemed like the most practical solution. She called the person to ask how much it costs and found that it was within her means. She noted down the number of the service provider and decided to call him when the time was right.

Till then, she could start her next quest…and she would need Kamal's help for it. Once Sukkhi left for her walk and Kamal came out for his morning tea, Jassi spoke, "Uncle, I doubt Rajeshwar had died because of me. These police raid you talked about has made me worried. Could you confirm whether there is really a case against me or these policemen are just Renny's goons in disguise trying to sniff my presence in your home?"

Kamal was calm and serious. He had already put a lot of thought into the situation. He said, "If I straightaway go to the police station to make enquiries and Renny has an informer there, he would get alert. He might also guess that you are in touch with me – which can be dangerous to all of us. I have a better plan. You know I am a History professor with a special interest in Vedic mythology. Recently, a media student has come to me to get some inputs on a news story he is investigating. He is a bright chap. Maybe he can find out if Rajeshwar is alive or not, and perhaps, click his photos too. This way, we will have a proof in hand even before we go to the police or the court."

Jassi didn't know Kamal was a History professor. How would she? She had never interacted with Kamal so much about personal matters. But she kept quiet.