7. LOOKING FOR REVENGE

Raj got up early morning and was totally confused. His hospitalisation after murderous attack was for 21 days. He slept and jumped out from bed several times. Selena slept in another bed room fixed for guests in this three bedrooms apartment. There was direct exit to landing in staircase so that guests could enter or exist without disturbing others. Raj didn't know that Manish was spending nights with his wife without his knowledge. Selena ignored him in everything. This was frustrating for him and he started spending time in the park gossiping with known friends. One day one man asked to find address of Selena.

' How do you know Selena and what for she is required?'

' She has to sign insurance claims after death of her husband, who was killed a month back.'

'Did you see any time her husband?'

'No. But he is no more and claim was filed by Mr Manish, a relation if her.'

'Sorry I don't know the address.'

'Then why you wasted my time.' The man walked away.

Raj was happy and planned revenge from Selena and Manish. He hired a detective to gather information about them. His attention was withdrawn from the theft case and told advocate Soni to deal with and settle the case. Soni settled the case by giving money to the judge and forgot it.

Detective gathered information and Raj hired a man to punish both by involving them in a case.

Raj was tired from all happenings in last few months and felt as if one life passed. He prepared tea to soothe tension of wife who kept sleeping till late hours. He was back from morning walk and didn't meet Soni as usual. He thought that he might be out of station and couldn't get latest news of this place . He was preparing self to face situation directly being excited with sad happenings in family. He also realized absurdity of own prestige or obsession of wife . Selena was more interested in Manish and she already tested his attraction. It was not exciting to her when she didn't accept his suggestion to remain in company of Manish who had money to satisfy all she desired. He resolved to give a final push and also decide his own fate.

Selena got up and took tea and kissed him, after a long time. He felt some renewal in love but with less warmth and responded with a prolonged one. She smiled at him and started seeping tea from his cup. Later both shared tea for a long time sitting close, while Selena slept in his lap. Maid disturbed them and both separated. She ordered maid to prepare breakfast after long time. Maid looked at madam and smiled.

Raj wanted to use suicidal tendency of Selena and finish her and not to face any serious disturbance. He suddenly realized that absence of wife would make life miserable. He kept this feeling to self to avoid any social embarrassment. He couldn't make this incident known to even best of his confidants who may propagate to make life difficult in society. What a constraint? He cursed his fate.

Selena got up and lazily walked to bathroom and took long. Raj was alarmed and knocked on door to get response. She came out and tried to show anger but failed seeing his face and particularly sad eyes full of tears. She wiped his eyes and assured.

'Don't worry, I won't leave you alone. I would give company for long. I am already free from worries and know that you are my only company in this world.'

'I am worried for your poor health and often falling sick. I think to withdraw case and pass time peacefully with you. We may also go away from this place which is now boring me.'

'Hey why are you sounding so weak? You trust everything would settle down fast. Try one or two more dates and then we finally decide.'

Raj felt comfortable and confident. He got ready and went to court. He sat in tea shop of Baba and watched movement of people around. He was before time and later went to see head clerk who didn't pay attention to him for some time.

Then he said, 'Sir I have been back. Has there been any date fixed?'

'You don't know that sir is in great trouble. He has been trapped in a murder case by police from other state where he took wife for treatment. Right now he is on anticipatory bail and admitted in hospital ICU. He is in serious problem and not attending court,' he replied sadly.

'I don't know what will happen to all cases pending. We are also dying hungry since last two months and earning no money. None comes to see our condition. My other colleagues are doing roaring business. Can you give some money on loan for some days which I will return after a month,' head clerk requested. Raj was shocked on his shameful talks.

He questioned, 'What about your salary? You must be getting it.'

'This is another problem. We are never sure when it would be paid. Treasury is not having money and government delays fund. If one depends on salary, very shortly one would be extinct. And also we are paid so low that we can't meet both ends. We live in same society and our families and children demand all facilities that they see around. If we question, our family will drive us out from home.' Head clerk talked long.

'We understand that this has been our creation only. We didn't control in beginning and now it can't be changed,' the man was just at the verge of tears.

Raj took out one five hundred note and offered him who pocketed it happily and thanked.

He finally said, 'I will try to give you back money as early as possible.'

' Can you tell in which hospital and place judge is admitted? I would like to go and see his condition.'

' He is admitted in Paras Multi-speciality Hospital in Lukhnow.'

Raj walked away planning his own move. It was in Lukhnow where Manish was living. He was surprised on self for showing such benevolent gesture never done in the past. He believed in "Karma" and advocated that all get as per deeds and not as doles. He also felt insulted today which was against his principles of living. At the same time taking revenge from Manish became stronger who was planning to snatch his wife giving allurements.

Raj reached to Baba's tea shop and met boys. Baba was not visible and those boys asked him together about his well being. They explained how they and Baba missed him every day for some unknown reasons. They also asked him not to absent for long time in future.

He was again confused what type of relationship developed among them. He sat on a chair and waited for Baba. One boy brought a cup of tea which he sipped slowly In the mean time the broker advocate came around and saw him.

He spoke today in low voice and said, 'Professor sir, your case is going to be delayed for long as judge has fallen sick and is not to return early. He is admitted in ICU in a hospital and perhaps suffered from serious heart ailment and blood pressure has become abnormal. Why God should punish dear man like him? He was having good sense and cordial behavior for all. He would have given a favorable verdict.'

'What was good behavior? He has been punished for serious guilt. Last time he wanted money to give permission. His clerk hinted but I didn't agree. I have been advised to move to higher court to get early verdict.' Rajb felt excited.

He kept seeping tea silently and didn't like to respond. He felt a hand on his shoulder. This was Baba and he turned head to look into his tearful eyes.

He said, 'It was very sad to know what all happened with you and your family. May God give you strength to carry on?'

Raj looked at him with wide opened eyes and could hardly speak. He was thinking how he came to know all this and finally asked, "who told you all this?'

'Manish was here other day. He came to my tea shop and enquired about judge. He found this out through own connections. He mentioned your name and how your wife was connected to him.

Raj thought, 'Nothing can remain secret in life and nature has its own way of making it open. Many times we may not know but others know all particularly what we try to hide.'

He kept looking at old man who perhaps knew many other things. Baba took him near his working desk and said, 'Now you may request for transfer of your case to other court asking for an early judgment.'

Raj never expected that Manish would try to find these details. Now he was getting ready to find what really happened with Jyoti.

Manish once again requested Selena in absence of Raj over phone to get back to his place and leave crazy husband alone. She didn't diserve such useless man as husband. She was full of charm and was superior to Jyoti in every respect. She gave heavenly pleasure in bed and he wanted to have a different life now. If necessary he could get rid of Raj on her order like she got free from burdensome and obstinate wife Jyoti. Selena still was not sure to believe this type of allurement and didn't reply. She kept Raj in dark about talks and also night visits of Manish.