Hold on...Please.

The Investigation

 Manny got all suited up for her NCB office trip. Not a business suit though, the traditional Indian 'salwar' suit. Ocean blue in color with a matching 'bindi' between her eyebrows, hair opened and straightened, black eyeliner and kohl in her lower waterline.

"Aww...love this avatar of yours Manny!" I stood at the door watching Manny get all set for her investigation. The lighting of the room was quite good in comparison to that of the club. Sharp interiors with antique furniture pieces  and decorated mirror pieces in the walls, a lavish big bed and a small side bar. "Just don't overdo with those big earrings." I warned as I have seen people ruining their looks with over the top accessories.

 "Oh...good morning my stylist brother..." Manny smiled, "Slept well? Was the bed comfortable?"

 "Not really...but it's fine. I'll adjust."

 "I have ordered a new bed for you and told Salim to move the extra furniture pieces out of the room. The guest room was more like a*****e! Or you could apologize to dad and get entry to the house!" Manny uttered putting on her diamond ear studs. She looked at me through the mirror, "Hey, don't worry dad will let you in. You are his favorite after all."

 "Manny you'll get late...just get going..." I left the room and returned after a minute, "Manny?"

 "Yeah?" Manny looked up at me. I entered the room and stood in front of her with my arms folded across my chest. I stared at Manny with a smile.

 "What? Why are you looking at me like that?"

 "You look like mom," I sighed, "Mom loved dressing up..."

 "Yeah...I remember and traditional dresses were her absolute favorite! Remember the time when her favorite bracelet got lost and she cried like a baby?"

 I nodded and pulled out a gold jewelry  from my pocket. It was a gold bracelet with diamonds studded on it. "This one right?'

 Manny gasped. She came to me and snatched the bracelet from my hand. She touched the diamonds which sparkled brightly. "How is this....Sandy...You stole it from mom?"

 "No...actually yes!" I scoffed, "I thought Mom loved this piece of jewelry more than she loved me so..." I scratched my head. The day I stole it I wondered how happy mom would be after  getting it back! But I couldn't ever return it to her. Giving it back to Manny felt something closer to what I could have done.  Her reaction was exactly the same as I had imagined Mom would have had. "Put it on. It will go perfectly with the outfit."

 I turned to return to the store. "Sandy!" Manny called from behind. Her tone had become softer after the talk that we had the other night.

"What?"

 "Come with me..."

 "But I probably won't be allowed inside..."

 "That we would see...please come with me!"

 I nodded and went with her. I secretly wished I would see Ansh there. But I knew chances were low as he was suspended. We reached the office in the given time slot. We showed the summon letter that Manny had downloaded. She had to go through the security checks where her gun and phone were seized and passed to a room where the investigation was supposed to happen.  I was stopped at the waiting area. I could see Manny  from the glass window. She was made sit in an empty room with five officials.  There was a table between Manny and the officers.  She talked to the official and again came back to me.

 "That was fast!" I looked at my watch. "It hardly took Five minutes..."

 "No duffer...it's not over. You are going there with me..."

 "Are you serious? They are allowing that!"

 "I told them that I am having my periods and the cramps are bad...I may feel sick any moment so I need you for my support..."

 "And they bought that?"

 "No...I told them that I won't open my mouth without someone on my side...and my lawyer is out of town!" Manny winked. She held my hand and took me into the room.

 "Our officer was shot with a similar gun that you own. We have received reports regarding the purchase of your gun seven years back. Do you have a license for the same?" An officer politely asked. "You could have brought any lawyer with you. It was clearly written in the summon letter."

 "Yeah I read that. But my lawyer is not here unfortunately and I don't think I will be needing any lawyer." Manny replied, she opened her the purse that she carried and put a piece of paper on the table, she passed that to the other side. "My license!"

 "We will be examining this license and your gun. Will you be comfortable to answer some questions..."

 "Are the questions about me having a gun? If yes...then I am fine answering any questions that you have but if you have questions regarding any other thing then I am afraid I would not speak anything without my lawyer."

 I was in complete awe by the way Manny was handling the officials. She was indeed a pro at it. I just sat in the corner behind Manny watching everything from a distance. I was not allowed to speak or disrupt anyone during the investigation.

 "Fair enough! So why do you need a gun?"

 "For the reason I guess every women must own one in this country...Personal protection. I own a club in the heart of the city. Rivalries between the owners are quite common."

 "Did anyone try to threaten you?"

 "Oh yeah...all the time. One was an officer from this very unit."

 The officers suddenly started murmuring. They looked at each other and frowned. "Do you want to name anyone? We might take action if he is found guilty."

 "And what made you think it was a 'he'?" Manny smirked, "Men think they own the world!"

 "So a female officer?"

 "An officer is an officer. You do not say a male officer or a male doctor! Why do you specify for a woman? Patriarchy?" Manny scoffed, "When do I leave from here? I don't have the whole day..." Manny stood up to leave. I too stood up from my seat. The anxiety was building up again. I didn't know what Manny was doing and she was doing it without any hesitation.

 "We are talking politely with you. We expect the same from you." An officer stood up at his place. "This is all recorded for future reference. If you are found guilty..."

 "Yeah...I have read everything. And I am not guilty", Manny walked towards the door. My eyes moved to and fro between  Manny and the officers who looked completely pissed off.

 "Miss Mandira Dwivedi...You are not allowed to leave before the investigation process is over." Shouted an officer.

 As Manny reached the door handle, the door opened and a man came with Manny's gun and  a file. Manny stood still at her place while the officers discussed among themselves.

 "The markings do not match. You are free to go now." An officer said and handed Manny her gun and the license.  "Thank you for your cooperation. We hope you will come forward if anything comes up. And you can lodge a complaint regarding any misbehavior of any of our officers. We would be glad to help." I had a huge sigh hearing that.

 Manny nodded and left the room. I followed her. She was accompanied by an officer  till her car. "Is officer Ansh around?" She asked the officer.

 "He is on suspension. He ...." The officer stopped. "There he is." he pointed to Ansh who was coming from the opposite side. This was the first time I saw him wearing casuals. Blue tee, ripped jeans and reflecting sunglasses. He looked really cute. I smiled ear to ear as he approached us.