D-20

Facts

"Now I get it, why you were like that. If I would be in your place, I would have acted like that only." Jayesh says.

"I am sorry I doubted you."

"Are you crazy? You went to mafia's headquarter alone. Suspecting me is forgivable, but jumping into danger all alone is not." 

"I am sorry but, I didn't trust the police."

"I don't trust the police either. You saw me with a man right. I was giving him money."

I nodded.

"That money was not to buy the g*n. It was for my dad."

"Your dad?"

"Hmm"

"You never mentioned your dad before."

"My father was a nobleman. He was a doctor. He was such a wise person. He was very kind, so king that he even saved the mafia king's life one day. Since that day mafia king treated him as his father as he gave the king a new life."

"Ohhh, that's why you became his brother."

"Yes. I kept my distance from the mafia king. But look, I had to contact him to save my loved ones."

"Your dad?"

"Both," He said.

"Both?" I asked.

"The day you got attacked I felt to protect you I need something. So..."

"So you bought a g*n. To protect me?"

I got moved a bit.

"Yes, because I don't trust the police."

"I told you my reason for not trusting the police. What is yours?"

"I told you, my father was a kind man. But my uncle, he was the opposite of his brother. He was creating a mess and my father was clearing it. My father cleared all my uncle's debt. He never complains about doing that. One day the police came to find my uncle. He was absconding. Police said my uncle was involved in the biggest theft. My uncle was involved, but they took my father. They made a false report with my father's name with my uncle. We tried to convince them, but they didn't listen. Then one day I got to know that the police officer in charge made a deal with my uncle before, but my uncle betrayed him. The officer wanted his commission and for that, he harassed us so much. It took me years to find out the way to get my dad out. I went to give that man money and made him take the accusation to his name."

"He can?" 

"Yes, he can take the blame on his head. He has to confess in front of the magistrate that he was the partner of my uncle and my father is innocent."

"Then what about that officer in charge?"

"When the matter goes to the court. He powerless then."

"Wow..."

"I know it is wrong but, that's all family is about. You were also doing everything to protect your parent's property. The institute building."

"I don't have parents. I never did. I am an orphan."

Jayesh gets emotional at my words.

"That building was once our orphanage. That's why it is huge. The owner liked me much more than Deepak. The owner was more attached to me than others. Because of the low funds, our orphanage closed. Uncle transferred the building to my name and left us. Look the place which gave me shelter I kept that mortgaged."

 "Oh," Jayesh is speechless now.

"I think you should rest. We will discuss it tomorrow." I said.

***

"Piya, I had thought the whole night." Jayesh said.

"What?"

"According to what you've told so far. I guess to save Nikita we have to prevent the accident. Going to the hospital is not safe for both of you."

"You are saying this because...."

"Yes both the time you were at the hospital she was in a danger. I am assuming that in the very first time if you weren't in that deep sleep you would have died too."

"What do you mean?"

"Think Piya, the day you lose her was the day you've been attacked at the hospital."

"Oh yes"

"That means, the killer entered and killed Nicky. Because he felt no harm with you, you were safe. If you would have awakened... I am afraid of imagining it too."

"Oh my god!"

"But I have a doubt."

"What?"

"On whose bed you slept?" He asks.

"That bed next to Nicky's bed."

"On the bed of that patient, not on Nicky's bed?"

Why is he asking like this?

"Yes, on the other patient's bed, not on Nicky's" I answer.

"According to inspector Karan the killer was there for that patient so he must have attacked you. If he was there for Nicky as your prediction.... What was your sleeping position and what was her?"

Damn... It's getting serious.

 "You know, I generally sleep by wrapping the quilt completely. So I slept wrapped with the sheet provided by the hospital. And to Nicky, I put the shawl on her, I covered her ear so that she won't catch a cold."

"So, apparently both of your faces were covered. Right?"

"Correct."

"So if the killer was there for Nicky, he would have attacked the person on the bed. No one knew she could move. Right?"

"Yes, she recovered, and it was her first attempt to sit on the chair."

"So the killer was there for either you or aunty."

"Damn it, Jayesh. What are you saying?"

"Don't get scared, but. After analyzing the fact I came to this conclusion."

"So to save her. Do I have to keep a distance from her?"

"Opposite. Keep her close till you avoid the accident."

"I'll do anything to save her. She became my shield to save me. I can not lose such a friend. I had experienced how it feels to lose her. She always thought about me. You know when she heard we were about to meet Seema Gupta, she took me to a temple and bought me a bracelet. A lucky charm for me so that the meeting goes well. She is such a friend. And..." I started weeping. 

 "It's okay, Piya. She is alive now. You saved her once you can save her again. Right."

I nodded. I am sobbing. To stop me and distract me he said.

"Lucky charm bracelet you didn't tell me about. Never showed me either. Show me now."

I wiped my tears. I extend my left hand, pulled my sleeves. Then I said:

"Here you go... Oh my god!"

I got shocked when I saw my bracelet. 

"What happened," He asks.

I stare at the bracelet with a shocked face.