Inspector Mehta stood in our living room with the expression of a man who had already heard one side of the story.<\/p>\n
I knew that look.<\/p>\n
He wasn't there to listen first.<\/p>\n
He was there to confirm something.<\/p>\n
\u201cMrs. Sharma,\u201d he said, \u201cwe received information that a piece of jewellery stolen from a private exhibition may be in your possession.\u201d<\/p>\n
Mummy looked genuinely confused.<\/p>\n
\u201cI don't understand.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cMay we search the premises?\u201d<\/p>\n
She looked at Uncle Harish.<\/p>\n
He nodded.<\/p>\n
\u201cYes,\u201d Mummy said. \u201cSearch everything.\u201d<\/p>\n
The inspector gestured to the constables.<\/p>\n
One moved toward the bedrooms.<\/p>\n
The other remained near the living room.<\/p>\n
I stood beside Mummy.<\/p>\n
My heart hammered.<\/p>\n
I knew where the bracelet was.<\/p>\n
So did Uncle Harish.<\/p>\n
So did Sameer.<\/p>\n
But none of us could say it yet.<\/p>\n
The inspector approached the office bag.<\/p>\n
\u201cIs this yours?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYes.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cDid you bring it home from work?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYes.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHas anyone else had access to it?\u201d<\/p>\n
Mummy hesitated.<\/p>\n
Then she looked at me.<\/p>\n
I said nothing.<\/p>\n
\u201cNot today,\u201d she answered.<\/p>\n
The inspector unzipped the bag.<\/p>\n
He began removing its contents.<\/p>\n
A lunch box.<\/p>\n
A small purse.<\/p>\n
Bus pass.<\/p>\n
Pain balm.<\/p>\n
Glucose biscuits.<\/p>\n
A notebook.<\/p>\n
He kept searching.<\/p>\n
Then his hand stopped.<\/p>\n
The inspector looked inside again.<\/p>\n
Mummy stepped forward.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat is it?\u201d<\/p>\n
He removed a transparent pouch.<\/p>\n
Inside was the bracelet.<\/p>\n
Mummy's face emptied of color.<\/p>\n
\u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n
The word came out almost soundlessly.<\/p>\n
The constable took the pouch.<\/p>\n
The inspector examined the bracelet.<\/p>\n
\u201cIs this yours?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHave you seen it before?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThen how did it get inside your bag?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI don't know.\u201d<\/p>\n
Poonam's voice came from behind the open doorway.<\/p>\n
\u201cDidi\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
I spun around.<\/p>\n
My aunt stood in the corridor.<\/p>\n
She had arrived just in time.<\/p>\n
She wore a pale blue salwar suit now.<\/p>\n
No grey jacket.<\/p>\n
No gloves.<\/p>\n
Her hair was neatly tied back.<\/p>\n
She looked worried.<\/p>\n
Perfectly worried.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat are you doing here?\u201d Mummy asked.<\/p>\n
Poonam put a hand over her mouth.<\/p>\n
\u201cI heard there was a problem.\u201d<\/p>\n
The inspector turned toward her.<\/p>\n
\u201cWho are you?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI'm her sister.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cName?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cPoonam Sharma.\u201d<\/p>\n
The inspector looked at the bracelet.<\/p>\n
Then at Poonam.<\/p>\n
\u201cDo you know anything about this?\u201d<\/p>\n
Poonam's eyes filled with tears.<\/p>\n
\u201cI wish I didn't.\u201d<\/p>\n
Mummy stared at her.<\/p>\n
\u201cPoonam.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI told them what I knew.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat did you tell them?\u201d<\/p>\n
Poonam lowered her head.<\/p>\n
\u201cI heard you were having money problems.\u201d<\/p>\n
Mummy looked stunned.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou've been under pressure.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWho told you that?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI don't want to embarrass you.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cPoonam.\u201d<\/p>\n
The inspector interrupted.<\/p>\n
\u201cMrs. Sharma, please let her speak.\u201d<\/p>\n
Poonam wiped her cheek.<\/p>\n
\u201cShe asked me for help last week.\u201d<\/p>\n
It was a lie.<\/p>\n
A clean, terrible lie.<\/p>\n
I stepped forward.<\/p>\n
\u201cNo, she didn't.\u201d<\/p>\n
Poonam looked at me.<\/p>\n
\u201cKavya, please.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou're lying.\u201d<\/p>\n
Mummy grabbed my arm.<\/p>\n
\u201cKavya.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cShe didn't ask you for money.\u201d<\/p>\n
Poonam's face tightened.<\/p>\n
\u201cChildren don't understand adult matters.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI saw what you did.\u201d<\/p>\n
The room went still.<\/p>\n
Poonam stared at me.<\/p>\n
The inspector looked from one sister to the other.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat did you see?\u201d<\/p>\n
Mummy squeezed my arm.<\/p>\n
\u201cKavya, wait.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n
My voice shook.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut I saw her put something in your bag.\u201d<\/p>\n
Poonam's expression changed for only a second.<\/p>\n
That was enough.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou were asleep,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cI wasn't.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou were sick.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI was pretending.\u201d<\/p>\n
Mummy turned toward me.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou were pretending?\u201d<\/p>\n
I swallowed.<\/p>\n
\u201cI didn't really have a stomachache.\u201d<\/p>\n
For the first time that day, even the police seemed confused.<\/p>\n
But I couldn't stop now.<\/p>\n
\u201cI stayed home. Maasi came at 11:11. She had her red temple bag. She wore gloves. She took the bracelet out and put it inside your bag.\u201d<\/p>\n
Poonam laughed.<\/p>\n
A short, nervous sound.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat is ridiculous.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI saw you.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou saw me enter the house. That's all.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI saw your hands.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou were hiding behind a door.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYes.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHow can you be sure?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cBecause you looked directly at me.\u201d<\/p>\n
Her face changed again.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou saw me?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYes.\u201d<\/p>\n
The inspector looked at her.<\/p>\n
Poonam folded her arms.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis child is frightened.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cShe isn't frightened,\u201d Mummy said.<\/p>\n
Her voice was quiet.<\/p>\n
\u201cShe is telling the truth.\u201d<\/p>\n
Poonam turned toward her.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou believe her over me?\u201d<\/p>\n
Mummy looked at her sister for a long moment.<\/p>\n
\u201cI don't know what to believe anymore.\u201d<\/p>\n
That answer hurt Poonam more than an accusation.<\/p>\n
She stepped closer.<\/p>\n
\u201cAfter everything I've done for you?\u201d<\/p>\n
Mummy's expression hardened.<\/p>\n
\u201cDon't.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI came here because I was worried.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou came here because you knew the police would come.\u201d<\/p>\n
Silence.<\/p>\n
The inspector looked at Mummy.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhy would your sister know that?\u201d<\/p>\n
Poonam opened her mouth.<\/p>\n
Nothing came out.<\/p>\n
Uncle Harish stepped forward.<\/p>\n
\u201cInspector, before you arrest anyone, there is building CCTV.\u201d<\/p>\n
Poonam looked at him.<\/p>\n
He continued.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe hallway camera records the entrance and exit.\u201d<\/p>\n
Her face changed.<\/p>\n
The inspector immediately asked to see it.<\/p>\n
Uncle Harish connected his phone to the television.<\/p>\n
The footage appeared.<\/p>\n
11:10.<\/p>\n
Poonam entered.<\/p>\n
11:18.<\/p>\n
She stood outside our apartment.<\/p>\n
11:19.<\/p>\n
She unlocked the door.<\/p>\n
11:27.<\/p>\n
She left.<\/p>\n
The video was clear.<\/p>\n
The inspector paused it.<\/p>\n
Poonam was wearing the grey jacket.<\/p>\n
Gloves visible.<\/p>\n
Her temple bag hanging from one arm.<\/p>\n
Mummy watched the screen.<\/p>\n
Then she looked at her sister.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhy were you wearing gloves?\u201d<\/p>\n
Poonam said nothing.<\/p>\n
The inspector rewound the footage.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhere is the jewellery?\u201d<\/p>\n
Poonam looked at him.<\/p>\n
\u201cI don't know.\u201d<\/p>\n
The inspector pointed toward the bag.<\/p>\n
\u201cThen how did it get there?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI don't know.\u201d<\/p>\n
He stared at her.<\/p>\n
\u201cWho gave it to you?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNo one.\u201d<\/p>\n
The inspector looked at Sameer.<\/p>\n
Sameer said, \u201cSir, there is another issue.\u201d<\/p>\n
He showed the inspector photographs taken before the search.<\/p>\n
The bag had been photographed exactly where it was left.<\/p>\n
The zipper was closed.<\/p>\n
No one in the apartment had touched it after Poonam left.<\/p>\n
The inspector studied the photographs.<\/p>\n
Then the CCTV.<\/p>\n
Then Poonam.<\/p>\n
Her confidence began to disappear.<\/p>\n
\u201cI didn't steal it,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
Nobody had accused her of stealing.<\/p>\n
The inspector noticed.<\/p>\n
\u201cInteresting.\u201d<\/p>\n
Poonam swallowed.<\/p>\n
\u201cI mean, I didn't put it there.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou just said you didn't steal it.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI didn't.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThose are different things.\u201d<\/p>\n
Poonam looked toward Mummy.<\/p>\n
\u201cDidi, tell him.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cTell him what?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThat I couldn't have done this.\u201d<\/p>\n
Mummy shook her head.<\/p>\n
\u201cI don't know what you've done.\u201d<\/p>\n
Poonam's eyes filled with anger.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou've always thought you're better than me.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThat isn't true.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou got the house.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI took care of Papa.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou got his money.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI used it for his treatment.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou got his trust.\u201d<\/p>\n
Mummy fell silent.<\/p>\n
Poonam's voice became bitter.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd I got nothing.\u201d<\/p>\n
The inspector watched the exchange carefully.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat house?\u201d<\/p>\n
Poonam didn't answer.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat money?\u201d<\/p>\n
Still nothing.<\/p>\n
Then she looked at me.<\/p>\n
\u201cAsk your mother about the locker.\u201d<\/p>\n
Mummy went rigid.<\/p>\n
The inspector noticed.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat locker?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNothing,\u201d Mummy said.<\/p>\n
Poonam smiled.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere. You see?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cPoonam,\u201d Mummy warned.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou've hidden it for thirteen years.\u201d<\/p>\n
I looked at my mother.<\/p>\n
\u201cHidden what?\u201d<\/p>\n
She didn't answer.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat locker?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cKavya, not now.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhy not now?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cBecause this is a police matter.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cBut she knows something.\u201d<\/p>\n
Poonam laughed softly.<\/p>\n
\u201cOf course I know.\u201d<\/p>\n
Mummy's face became pale.<\/p>\n
The inspector stepped closer.<\/p>\n
\u201cMrs. Sharma, is there a bank locker?\u201d<\/p>\n
Mummy looked at the floor.<\/p>\n
\u201cYes.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhose?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cMy father's.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat is inside?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI don't know.\u201d<\/p>\n
Poonam scoffed.<\/p>\n
\u201cShe knows exactly what is inside.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI don't.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou never opened it?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThen why keep the key?\u201d<\/p>\n
Mummy looked at her sharply.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou don't have the right to ask me that.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI have every right. Papa was my father too.\u201d<\/p>\n
The inspector raised a hand.<\/p>\n
\u201cEnough.\u201d<\/p>\n
Everyone became quiet.<\/p>\n
He turned to Mummy.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhere is the key?\u201d<\/p>\n
Mummy didn't answer.<\/p>\n
Poonam smiled.<\/p>\n
\u201cBehind your father's photograph.\u201d<\/p>\n
Mummy's head snapped toward her.<\/p>\n
That reaction was all the inspector needed.<\/p>\n
He didn't ask again.<\/p>\n
Instead, he turned to the constable.<\/p>\n
\u201cSecure the bracelet.\u201d<\/p>\n
Then he looked at Poonam.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou're coming with us.\u201d<\/p>\n
Poonam's face collapsed.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cFor questioning.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou can't arrest me.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI didn't say arrest.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou know I didn't do anything.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThen you have nothing to fear.\u201d<\/p>\n
She looked at Mummy.<\/p>\n
\u201cDidi, please.\u201d<\/p>\n
Mummy said nothing.<\/p>\n
Poonam's eyes moved toward me.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou've destroyed your own family.\u201d<\/p>\n
I answered before Mummy could.<\/p>\n
\u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n
She stared at me.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou did that yourself.\u201d<\/p>\n
The constable escorted her outside.<\/p>\n
But before she disappeared through the doorway, she turned back.<\/p>\n
\u201cAsk your mother who your father really was.\u201d<\/p>\n
My mother closed her eyes.<\/p>\n
I felt the room tilt.<\/p>\n
I had heard stories about my father all my life.<\/p>\n
He had died before I was born.<\/p>\n
That was the sentence everyone used.<\/p>\n
He had died.<\/p>\n
There was never a body.<\/p>\n
Never a grave I could visit.<\/p>\n
Only a photograph and a date.<\/p>\n
Now Poonam had planted something far more dangerous than a bracelet.<\/p>\n
A question.<\/p>\n
That evening, Mummy finally admitted there was a locker.<\/p>\n
She took the steel key from behind my grandfather's photograph.<\/p>\n
She held it in her palm for a long time.<\/p>\n
\u201cI was told never to open it until you were eighteen.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhy?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cBecause your grandfather believed the things inside could put you in danger.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cDoes it have something to do with Papa?\u201d<\/p>\n
Mummy's eyes filled with tears.<\/p>\n
\u201cYes.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIs Papa really dead?\u201d<\/p>\n
She looked at me.<\/p>\n
\u201cI don't know.\u201d<\/p>\n
That answer frightened me more than anything else.<\/p>\n
Inspector Mehta stood in our living room with the expression of a man who had already heard one side of the story. I knew that look. He wasn't there to … <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":465,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-468","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-best-one-story"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/bestonestory.online\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/468","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/bestonestory.online\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/bestonestory.online\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bestonestory.online\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bestonestory.online\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=468"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/bestonestory.online\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/468\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":480,"href":"https:\/\/bestonestory.online\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/468\/revisions\/480"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bestonestory.online\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/465"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/bestonestory.online\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=468"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bestonestory.online\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=468"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bestonestory.online\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=468"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}