Story - Silent Admirer - Episode 3

"Pooja, how many times should i call you. Get up, don't be lazy. You spend your weekends here to sleep than spending time with us! Now, are you going to get up or not!".

Her dad continued, "Honey. Just let her sleep, she spends her week completely in college. Studies, sports and homeworks. Weekends she comes here for a relaxation. Don't disturb her. Get me a cup of Tea."

"You always support her, and in your roof she will never become a good software professional! Stop pampering her honey, she has now crossed her teen and got to learn cooking and other house hold stuffs too. After two years we will get her married and she has to stand in her own legs".

He replied, "My daughter is a bold lady Neha! Don't worry she will come up well in her life."

She was silently listening to their discussion. "Mom! Give me two minutes I will wake up and help you in the kitchen".

She smiled at her husband and walked inside the kitchen.

Pooja's mind was fully loaded with those memories. Last weekend when she came home, she had a nice time with them. Uncle and Aunt were not there so it was only the three of them. She was having a counselling with them regarding her career and future.

Mom was advising her on the topic "Being family woman!" And dad was keen on her education and career. It was so encouraging for her. "Will surely keep up your words Mom." she finally said.

"It was just a week before, you guys spent a whole day giving me advice. Dad, you describe me as an aggressive lady! Today I am afraid to face the future. Days are longer without you both at home." She was talking to herself in the bed.

She then placed the photograph of her mom and dad standing in their garden holding hands on her dressing table. They looked lovely in that picture. She even has one in her hostel room. Everyday she gets up seeing the picture. It gives her a feeling as if they are with her. She kisses them every morning before starting to college.

Now, the thought that she can only kiss this picture henceforth made her cry. "No! Dad wanted me to be bold. Mom wishes should come true. I will be a bold lady!" she thought and immediately got up from the bed. She walked towards the kitchen.

Rekha was preparing breakfast. Pooja started helping her out.

"Pooja, your mom always wanted you to be this way. I am happy that you understand your parents wishes. You are maturing a lot. I can feel how painful it is to miss your parents and that too in a young age. We are here for you dear. I know I can never replace them, but if you feel you want anything from me, I am here. Feel free to discuss anything with me."

"Aunty I have always seen you and mom in the same place. Yes. Missing them is such painful. Yet, they are not coming back and somehow i have to live the way they wanted me to be. I wish the police come out with the investigation soon. We need to identify it faster. Why should someone kill them. Do you know anything or guessing anyone might have had a grudge on them?"

"Pooja dear. Your parents help everyone in this town and there will not be a single person who might have had a killer thought on them. If our company Ex-Manager Ramu had not visited your dad last week, we could have suspected him. But, he came two days before they died. He felt very sorry for mis using the accounts and in fact handed over the missing cash to your dad."

Pooja replied, "Yes.! I have seen Ramu working with dad. Two months back Ramu ran away with 20% stake right. May be, Well what if he had played a trick to show he was good and decided to kill them once dad get convinced. I remember when i came last weekend dad told me Ramu called Sharath Uncle and he was talking to him. The conversation was broken by a visitor. We can may be check with Uncle what he might have spoken to him."

"Ramu's name will be the first in the suspicion list" she thought.

Rekha spontaneously replied, "No No. Uncle told me he spoke to him. Infact it was only Sharath who insisted he needs to talk to dad and ask sorry. Ramu is now our Company General Manager. Your dad only appointed him again".

Hearing it, Pooja was shocked. How can this happen. He was a bad guy and dad does not like back biting people. Ramu was so trustworthy guy before and it shook dad when Sharath Uncle told him that he ran away with the money. And now re appointing him as General Manager. Her dad will think this as a crime.

"No Aunty. Dad will not easily believe everything. He will always think twice before doing something. If Ramu had seen him just two days before they died, how come dad might have re appointed him the next day. It is not possible at all. Something is wrong here Aunty." Pooja was so stern.

"Pooja! You did not witness anything. Your dad was convinced and re appointed him immediately. In fact even Ramu's disappearance for two months with the money was known to only your dad and uncle. The employers are not aware of it and that's why your dad wanted to re appoint him since he works well and also promised him that he will not mis use the accounts again.", Rekha tried to make Pooja understand.

Pooja wondered why all of the sudden Rekha Aunty raised her voice. Pooja was confused. Rekha found it and continued "Pooja. We cannot suspect Ramu. It might affect our Company's growth. He works well with all the workers and he knows how to get work done by them. He is a smart worker and thats why your dad immediately forgave him."

"Fine Aunty. If you are trusting him thats fine. See, I care for you both and I cant afford to lose you both too. Well, .. Hmmm .. I really need a break. I will go out. Badly need fresh air. Will be back in few hours."

She picked the parking shed key and walked towards it.

When she opened it, to her surprise a brand new scooty was there. She had asked for a scooty to her dad last week. She went near it. The delivery date was mentioned 14-03-2011! It was Monday and Wednesday they were no more. She touched it and felt so happy. Dad wanted to surprise her with this. Thats why the shed key was in her dressing table near the picture. Tears filled her eyes. She was not in a mood to drive it. She walked out of the shed.

A bit of paper caught her eyes. She saw it was her dad's handwriting. She opened it and read "Don't trust everyone Pooja. Things are changing and the wind is blowing in the opposite direction..Shara.. " Pooja saw that the words are missing. Someone had torn the letter.

She put it in her pocket and started searching if there were any other piece lying there. She could not find anything. All she was left with was confusion! Now she could not trust her Uncle too. Her dad himself had written it and someone seeing the letter might have torn it.

Ramu and Sharath now both will be in her top suspect list.

Tring.. Tring.. Her mobile rang. "Archana, Hi.. I need to tell you something. Thank god you called me" She said everything and Arch replied, "Pooja, its better you come here. Your house is not safe anymore for you. May be Sharath or your Aunt might have read the letter and torn it . Guess, they planned to get all your dad's property. I will somehow convince him and bring you back here Pooja."

"You are my only hope now Arch. Let them have all my belongings and everything, but if he was behind my parents death I will not leave him. I cannot trust the police also; Sharath might use his power on them too. I am planning to investigate myself Arch." Pooja explained to her.

"My mom is calling. I will talk to your Uncle today. And we need to find out who is following you, so with him we will have three suspects.", Arch told her.

"You are also bold Archana thats why my dad always liked you and says he is happy for me since i got a good companion at college! I will trust you with my life Arch! Bye. Take care!"

They hung the phone and Pooja walked inside the house with suspicions and confusions!