Mohanraj felt outraged spotting the police vehicle parked just outside his house and slammed his forehead in disgust. He almost jumped out of the car as it halted and ran into his house with absolute fury. His eyes turned red in anger seeing a couple of uniformed personnel inside the sitting room and sipping some coffee.
"Who called the police?" Mohanraj screamed his throat out.
Govind, his 20 year old son stood up from the sofa and replied with fear. "Dad, I called them."
"Have you gone crazy?" Mohanraj's anger found a new target in his ignorant son. "You want to see the headlines in tomorrow's newspapers? Do you want the whole city to know and laugh at the family?"
Govind decided not to speak any further once he knew that his Dad was in no mood to listen. One of the officers stood up, walked towards Mohanraj and began speaking in a low voice.
"Mr.Mohanraj, we are here to help you," The officer said with genuine compassion.
"Please leave us alone," Mohanraj almost pushed off the officer's hands which was about to reach to his shoulder. "I don't want to register any complaint with the police. This is purely our family problem and I don't want this to be publicized."
The officer smiled wryly and turned to Govind who stood motionless. "Mr.Govind, should I presume that you are withdrawing the complaint?"
Govind looked up and gauged his father's emotions. He knew that it would be a Herculean task to convince his Dad especially when he looked like blowing the world in absolute fury.
"Yes Officer," Govind replied apologetically. "I am withdrawing the complaint."
Mohanraj nodded his head in relief and sat down on the sofa in despair. The officers stood up, shook hands with Govind and began walking towards the door. Govind waited till he heard their jeep driving off the house and walked towards his father.
"What are we going to do now?" He queried with profound anxiety.
"Nothing," Mohanraj snarled at his son. "I will presume that your mother is dead from now on."
Govind struggled hard to conceal his growing anger seeing the unruly behavior of his father. He knew that it would be a futile exercise talking to Mohanraj and hence began dragging his feet towards his room. His hands reached to his pocket and pulled off the piece of paper which had stirred off the unprecedented storm in his family. He couldn't resist admiring the neat handwriting of Usha, his mother although the contents came as a bolt from the blue.
'I am leaving the house and will never return. Don't try to search me -- Usha'
Ever since he found the letter left behind by his mother, Govind had read it more than a dozen times. It was more of a shock as he read it for the first time which gradually transformed into extreme annoyance. He felt immensely angered by the absolute recklessness with which his parents went about making a huge fuss about whatever be their differences. Usha was almost 42 years and she hadn't helped the cause of reaching to some amicable agreement by vanishing from the house. It was unbelievable. A mother of two grown up children deserting the house for some silly reason disregarding the implications it would have on the reputation of the family.
The moment he reached his room, his cellular phone buzzed at once. He almost jumped in relief to find from the display that it was Uncle Sabari who was calling.
"Hello Uncle," He almost whispered containing his excitement. Obviously, he didn't want his father to hear the conversation.
"Hello Govind," Uncle Sabari's voice wasn't sounding as cheerful as it used to be. "Usha is here."
"Thank God," Govind closed his eyes in relief after hearing the news. He felt his heart getting lightened after more than twelve hours of anxious moments.
"You can't talk to her now," Sabari hushed on the phone. "She does not want her whereabouts to be revealed to anybody."
"She has gone crazy," Govind fumed.
"Don't get excited," Sabari softened his voice. "Try to reach here as soon as you can. She is planning to leave from here as well."
Govind shook his head in disbelief. He was confused about the whole thing.
"Uncle, please don't let her go," Govind pleaded. "I am rushing there at once."
Uncle Sabari had a few words of consolation to offer and realizing the anxiety of his nephew, he put an end to his conversation. Govind had quite a lot of things to ponder. He certainly did not want his father to know about the conversation with his uncle. He somehow wanted to bring back his mother so that not much damage is done to the family. He spoke to himself as he thought about various plans to bring the family crisis to an end. He was a very clear man as he braved into his father's room. As expected, Mohanraj was sipping a glass of whisky.
"Dad, I need to go out," Govind spoke in a firm voice. "I may not be returning before morning."
"What's the matter?" Mohanraj chuckled sarcastically. "Are you going to search that slut?"