The Cosmic Clues by Manjiri Prabhu Page A

out on such a night,” Sonia said, as the vehicle sped towards the city. The headlights, like elongated, golden ribbons on the wet, glistening road, pierced a way into obscurity.
    “I'm glad we finished dinner and are returning home before the downpour,” Jatin added.
    They drove in silence for a while. Then, suddenly, Inspector Divekar said, “Jatin, please stop the van by this gate!” He pointed out the concrete shadow which was looming up on the left.
    “Are you getting off here, Jeevan Uncle?” Sonia asked, puzzled.
    “As a matter of fact,
we
are getting off for a few minutes. I'd like you to meet some people, Sonia. They live in this really smashing bungalow you simply must see!”
    “Jeevan Uncle, it's late and it's going to pour! Don't you think we should pay this . . . er . . . visit some other, more appropriate day and time?” Sonia suggested, glancing at her wristwatch.
    It was past nine. The dinner had been wonderful and it had filled her with warmth and lethargy. And now she looked forward to cuddling up in her warm bed.
    “It won't take long and, frankly, the Tupays will profit by your visit,” the Inspector replied enigmatically.
    Sonia stared at him in bewilderment. But his plump face was closed. Without awaiting her response, he ordered Jatin to park the vehicle and follow them inside the bungalow. With a strange reluctance of heart, Sonia trailed after Inspector Divekar up the flight of stairs to a wooden double door. He rang the bell, which clanged through the house like an echo of the rumbling thunder. The double doors opened, to reveal a man in his late forties. A streak of white wove through his thick mass of jet-black hair.
    “Inspector Divekar! I'm sure glad you could make it!” he exclaimed, his face breaking into a welcoming smile.
    “I said I'd come, didn't I? Meet Sonia Samarth, the daughter of my best friend. Sonia, Mr. Tupay.”
    “Do come in, Sonia, it's much warmer inside,” Mr. Tupay said, and waved her in.
    The hall was like a mini studio, with theatre-like sets, all ready for shooting. A traditional Indian seating arrangement in one corner, complete with pots and handmade long curtains of tiny stuffed toy animals and beads. Low cane chairs, in another corner, a revolving swing to go with it. A plush, heavy sofa formed a ring in the center of the hall.
    There were four people seated on the sofa. Three women and a man. Sonia was introduced to each one of them. Mr. Tupay's wife, Medha; their daughter, Revati; her friend Gaurav; and Mrs. Tupay's sister, Pradnya Joshi. Sonia observed them all with a sudden stirring of interest within her. It was second nature to her to slip into the role of an observer and discover little secrets that no one was aware of.
    The similarity between the sisters was striking. Both Medha and Pradnya had single, long, thick plaits and were clad in off-white
Kolkata
cotton silk saris. The passing years had lent a few lines to the two attractive faces, but the hint of a frown on each brow was more than a mark of age. It was worry. The two sisters had obviously been deep in anxious conversation before Sonia's arrival. Moreover, the interruption had not dispelled the heavy tension in the room. Something wasn't right here. Sonia remembered what Inspector Divekar had remarked a moment ago—“the family would profit by her visit.” Jeevan Uncle had deliberately brought her here, at this late hour—but why?
    “Do join us, Sonia, we were just having coffee,” Medha Tupay suggested, a smile lighting up her rather tired face.
    “Coffee would be a treat on such a night,” Sonia surprised herself by saying. She caught Inspector Divekar's eye and was pleased to see his approving nod.
    Lightning lit up the room in a flash, throwing a bright blue tinge on all the faces. The thunder rumbled as if on cue and the downpour began abruptly, rattling the wide windows. Jatin entered, barely in time, shaking off raindrops at the door.
    “Terrible weather, isn't it?”