The arranged murder?️

chapter 9

I served Maggi noodles cooked with paneer and peas as dinner. Saurabh

ate like his usual self for the first time in weeks.

‘Sorry, I didn’t leave much for you' Saurabh said, taking eighty per cent

of the noodles from the serving bowl.

‘I am happy you are eating' I said.

'First time you approve of me eating.’

'Take another week off. I will handle office.’ I smiled.

Saurabh twirled his fork in the noodles.

'When I was in the auto, Prerna said she wanted to share something with

me. She said she would tell me when I reached' he said, slurping up the

noodles.

‘Really? What?’ I said.

‘I have no idea' Saurabh said and took out his phone. He scrolled

through old chats and read them out. She said, “want to share something

special I just found out”.’

'Seems like good news. Something work-related you think?’

‘No idea' Saurabh said.

'Tell me about this Namrata Taneja' I said.

'You met her at the engagement briefly. In the back garden, remember?’

‘Yes, but tell me more.’

‘Namrata didi is co-CEO in Eato. Older than Prerna. Thirty-five, I'd say.

The Tanejas are the Malhotras’ old family friends from Amritsar.’

‘Unmarried?’

‘Yes.’

‘Prerna got along with her?’

‘I think so. I met her a few times. Seems like a stylish lady. Lived and

worked abroad before.’

‘What about her family?’

‘Taneja uncle lives in Amritsar. He also has a car dealership like

Ramesh uncle. They are partners in some other business venture as well.’

I added some more noodles to Saurabh’s plate.

‘How was Prerna’s relationship with her family?’ I said.

‘Her dad was proud of her. She was the only one in the family who

became an entrepreneur like him?

‘Did he ever scold her? Did they have arguments?’

‘Nothing major. She worked hard, came home late. He would tick her

off sometimes. That’s it. Prerna was the star of the family. Nobody really

scolded her?

'Okay, tell me about her mother?

‘Neelam aunty? Oh, well, you have seen her. She is a typical docile

Punjabi bahu. Mostly in the kitchen. Never speaks a word against her

husband. Dealing with diabetes, otherwise quite a foodie?

I could see that, given her large frame.

‘Anything odd? How was she with Prerna?’ ‘Frankly, I think

they were not so close?

‘Mother and daughter not close?’

‘Yeah. Prerna used to say her mother likes Ajay more. Typical, you

know. Beta and all?

‘And Ajay?’

‘Studious kid. Studying for his boards. Prerna loved him a lot. Never

mentioned any issue with him?

I nodded.

‘Who could have an issue with Prerna? She was so sweet, remember?’

Saurabh said.

I smiled. My mind went to the first time I met Prerna.