Infidelity

Patricia's little army

He sat quietly in his Police vehicle listening to the news swirling around him. No one approached him but they all spoke together or were they the voices in his head. Rehana was shouting at his wife, " You spoiled my life mother. Spoiled my life with your insistence that twins marry twins of your best friend. Spoiled my life by not believing Nish was a devil. Then spoiled my life when he was just coming around to years of effort alone to get him off the drug by complaining against him and sending him to jail. Today he committed suicide ! And all you can say is serves him well ? Where were you when I screamed for help ? Where ? Today after forcing me with words given to your friend and stories of efforts put in by wife's to turn families around what do I have in my life ? A dead husband, a pregnant tummy and a disfunctional family."

Rehana was his heart, always was. Till date he did not understand why his wife, ex-wife did not share with him the concerns. Why did Rehana never share , he understood little better . He had handled enough victims to understand victim psychology and knew she wanted someone to think her life was picture perfect. But why his wife. It had ended their marriage. He had moved away, taken in Rehana and forced her to go back to university . She changed her stream and became a lawyer. Not a family lawyer, not one for human rights or migrants or even abused women, but one who fought for corporates and earned a lot of money.

She nowadays smiled a twisted smile and say, " I am my mother's daughter Abba. I like to be important. I want to ensure my twins never have a want for anything. And for that I shall create a wealth that will be enviable but unlike mother planning advantageous marriages and arm twisting us, I plan to do it my way. "

The victim became his other twin too, Rashida, whose marriage was relatively happy and peaceful. But post the death of Rehana's husband , both her husband and her mother in law had turned their anger on his poor girl. He told Rashida, to leave the household and come off. But she was a mother of three children who were very close to their father and she hesitated everytime she decided to move out. He looked at his unread w*****p messages to both his daughters and wondered what his wife was feeling. He corrected himself, No his ex wife. In a way she was also a victim and he also was a cause.

There was a sudden hush and he looked up. Aline's mother stood infront. She pulled a chair and sat down. " Officer can you take on this case of a*******n and murder?"

A stunning woman who had been obviously crying rushed in," Mamma let het go in peace. Why do you want to make her last .. memories ..questioned. Investigations may just find her a willing victim."

Aline's mother ignored the woman and extended a hand towards him. " I am Patricia. Aline and Adela's mother. When we named them such, my wise mother in law said that both names mean wise and noble and are essentially same names. She told the story of a twin in her family names such where one chose to be a nun to let the other enjoy material and physical joys with a man she also liked and loved. "

Adela, my daughter here, is good and kind and gentle. But she is not noble, that was my Aline. She loved, lived nobly and she must be given justice. From childhood she had a good pain tolerance but she hated any form of pain. If what the doctor whispered is correct and she was indeed tied down , for whatever reason... "

Patricia stopped gulped and restarted," well..it can not be consensual. It not what Adela says or what my husband will say. They are immaterial to what just happened as when they could have made a material difference and acted to save her, they were busy cracking silly jokes. Listen to me and please start an investigation. Also I will only trust it, if you lead it."

He knew he could not do the investigation. He was in charge of the night patrols but not investigation. But he felt a hand on his shoulder. Office Nat stood there. He was from the Head Office and his visit indicated something different.

"Please donot worry Madam. Officer here will be an important part of the investigation and we will also work with you and the rest of you to get to the bottom of this.. murder. "

The Police Station was quiet as Officer Nat spoke to him, " Register a case of murder, Officer Islam. Then let's talk. Some one please escort Madam here safely to her home. We will meet you Madam within a day or two."

As the paper work got swiftly completed and under the sharp eyes of Officer Nat, a mysterious charector if any. His warm, lined face, made him look more suitable to be a kind hearted neighbour or even a grand father, much less an investigative officer. But it had its use. Patricia, the victim's mother did not question any more. She sat their noting their proceedings and then left alone, declining all assistance.

There is one more person she needed to speak to. A young reporter who had contacted her and wanted 10 minutes of her time. She was covering Aline's death. Patricia had one aim, she would bring out the murderer infront of everyone so that none ever went through what her Aline had to endure alone. Even then she only thought to reassure her of her love with her last spoken words.

She knew what that meant. It meant Mamma, please help me bring the man or woman out. And she will. Aline .. I will. Even if I die, I will. As she the reached tiny coffee shop on Uber, her heart gave a twitch. Remembering Aline say, " Never will you need Daddy to book you a car or give you a lift Mamma. I have downloaded Uber in your smart phone , now let me show you how to make make the booking."

As she entered the cafe, an young woman stood up. Her tied traces reaching till waist, broad forehead, sparkling but grave eyes and a manner that showed what she lacked in experience she would make up in sincerity. She would have been an ideal friend for Aline. This girl will get swept off her feet and still land safe on ground and look back to see if that what swept her for a moment was worth it. Yes.. said Patricia to herself. She had her army now.