CHATURBHUJ-2 -8. A Trap Is Laid

Chaturbhuj thanked his aides for their services and they took their leave. He then turned to Govind, “Did you see this person go to Perimalji’s house after he came out of your cart?”

“Yes, I did, sire! As he approached the entrance I moved away from there in my cart!” Govind replied.

“Your presence may be required here. I shall ask the King to allow you to stay in the visitors’ chamber for a couple of days. Do not worry about anything! You are only helping us in solving a crime for which you will be rewarded! Even the loss in your income for not being able to ride passengers in your horse cart during the period you stay here would be duly compensated.”

Govind agreed and Chaturbhuj took him along to meet the King. After reaching their destination, the minister asked Govind to wait outside and met Sukhdeva. Beginning to explain to his ruler about the events that unfolded in the past few days Chaturbhuj reached that point where his thoughts rested on Haridas, “Maharaj, as I thought about him I realised that he was one person whom I knew was in the habit of growing long nails. According to me the killer of Perimalji also had a similar habit.   Now we are aware that the lady whom Perimalji had drawn covered her face with a veil just like Haridas’s wife Nirmala. I strongly suspected the murderer to be a known person to the lady in the drawing. Nirmala happens to be the wife of Haridas. When I was considering these similarities, I got a strong instinct to check whether Haridas still had those huge nails.   If he indeed was the culprit, then according to my assumptions his nail should have broken during the possible brawl between him and Perimalji on that fateful day. Initially I did have my reservations of doing so but when I deliberated on this aspect I felt like pursuing my instincts for I had nothing to lose.”

Chaturbhuj apprised the King with all the developments which occurred and concluded, “… My meeting with him turned my suspicions into a firm belief that Haridas is the culprit and his wife is the lady whom Perimalji had drawn.   Let me admit now that of all which I told Haridas, the only truth is that my brother’s sister indeed stays in Amlapur. Rest were all part of my plan to make him blurt out the truth that his wife too owned that sari. Maharaj, I feel that Haridas should be grilled for his complicity in the murder.   Why did he go to Perimalji’s house on that day at a time when the reputed artist was probably murdered? We now know that he was robbed of his golden ring during the journey. Why did he not lodge any theft complain with the local administration? He did not probably want to make anyone aware that the heist took place near Perimalji’s house.   He might not have wanted to face any uncomfortable questions following such a submission.”

Sukhdeva took a while to respond. Shrugging his shoulders, he revealed his mind, “Frankly I find it hard to believe that Haridas could be involved in this.   However, what you say holds substance.   I appreciate your unfeigned efforts and analysis.   If Haridas is the culprit, then I want to take him unawares.   He should get no time to concoct a story and mislead us!”

Chaturbhuj informed the King of a plan to which the latter thought over and eventually agreed.   Thereafter the minister made him meet Govind who stuck to his stand which was a testimony to his authenticity.

Chaturbhuj was weary about the King agreeing to his ruse. After all, Haridas was not only holding a respectable position in the society but also a close friend of the King. He thus appreciated Sukhdeva’s impartial stand and thanked him for agreeing to his plan.

Later the King asked Chaturbhuj, “What if you got the saree you were looking for in the shop itself?”

“I would have still visited Haridas’s house under the pretext of enquiring about his health. I would have described the saree I bought from his shop and then stuck to the remaining plan.   Even if he was available in the shop I would have somehow raked the topic with him as to why I was purchasing the saree to get the required particulars from him.”

Sukhdeva gave a nod in understanding and the wise minister took his leave.

The next day an invitation was sent in a red scroll through a messenger to Haridas. It contained the following message, “I would be glad if you and Nirmala devi come over for lunch tomorrow.   It has been a while since we met. Thus, the time is ripe for us to meet, eat and have a great time together! Would appreciate if your wife throws off her veil atleast for the time she is there in the palace!”

Haridas appeared pleased at the invitation and gave the messenger his consent.   When Sukhdeva got the news, he was relieved that things were working as envisaged and anxiously awaited the day of reckoning.

On the morrow when the sun was right overhead at its radiant best, a horse cart halted near the palace gates. Two passengers alighted from the cart. They were Haridas and his wife Nirmala who was still under a veil. She wore a beautiful white saree that had yellow petal motifs with a rich golden border.

“Remove your ghoonghat!” Haridas urged softly looking at his wife.

Nirmala pulled off her ghoonghat and they reached the palace gates. One of the guards hurried inside and soon King Sukhdeva came over to welcome them. He saw Nirmala and stood stunned for a moment. She was indeed the same lady whom Perimal had drawn just as Chaturbhuj had suspected!

As they moved inside the palace, Nirmala had a good look around. While her husband had come to the palace even on earlier occasions, this was the first visit for her. The marble floorings, golden pillars, architectural carves near the ceilings, moorings on the walls were a treat for her eyes. Sukhdeva led them to his chambers where they conversed for some time on general topics. He thanked Nirmala for acceding to his request of pulling off her ghoonghat albeit it was to last only for this occasion. Haridas was quick to point out that although he wanted his wife to reveal her face, she was not comfortable with it and thus he allowed her the freedom to do as per her will regarding this matter. Sukhdeva laid emphasis on the fact that such so-called customs which advocated gender disparity should be strongly opposed instead of showing a dogmatic adherence to them. Nirmala shook her head looking at the floor.

Thereafter, they were led to the grand dining hall where they were treated to delicious delicacies which included spicy rice, varieties of curry, papad and lip-smacking sweet dishes. The guests thoroughly enjoyed them and thanked the King for this memorable royal feast they were treated to.   Sukhdeva smiled and then led them to a nearby chamber where they got seated in orange cushion seats. The King observed that Haridas’s eyes were glued to something on the adjacent side. The King, then, looked in that direction.