21. Shermi caught in burkha

CHAPTER 21

Shermi caught in burkha

A lady inspector, Sania, in civil dress was walking on the platform with two constables. They were observing all the people around. They saw Shermi sitting on a bench. Sania said to constable, “See that lady in burka. She has two suitcases.”

Constable said, “Yes madam. She fits the information from the control room. This must be the girl.”

Sania said, “You wait here. I will go and check.”

Shermi in burka looked around. She was feeling scared. She went to a nearby STD booth and tried to call Avinash. His cell was still switched off. She looked her watch. It was 4:35pm. “His cell is still switched off. I wonder when he will come.”

Sania was observing all this. Shermi was full of tension.

Sania approached Shermi and sat near her. “Hallo madam. Which train are you waiting for?”

Shermi was shocked. She recovered fast. “I am going to Bombay.”

Sania was surprised. “Bombay? But no Bombay trains stop here. Are you going alone?”

Shermi was shocked. “No. My husband will come soon.”

Sania asked, “Really? What is he doing?”

Shermi was not able to answer. Her mouth went dry. She took a bottle of water from her vanity bag. She lifted the cover of the burka to drink the water. Sania was surprised to see a bindi on her forehead. She thought, “Yes. It is her. She is a Hindu girl wearing a burka. She is waiting for her lover.”

Shermi finished drinking.

Sania asked, “What is your name?”

Shermi got angry. “Why are you asking all these questions?”

Sania said coolly, “Sorry. Don’t mind. You look like a girl from a very good family. And you are alone.”

Tears appeared in Shermi’s eyes. She put back the burka cover over her face.

Sania said, “I will tell you. You are Shermi.”

She looked at a paper she had in her hand. “You are the daughter of Chandrashekar and Madhavi.”

Shermi got up in fear. Immediately Sania signalled to the constables. They came and stood near Shermi.

Sania pointed to the suitcases. “In the suitcase there is 30 lakh rupees cash and in the other suitcase there are gold ornaments, isn’t it?”

Sania turned to the constable. “Arrest her.”

Shermi got scared. “I am not Shermi.”

Sania said seriously, “You tell that to the commissioner.”

Two lady constables came and hold Shermi’s hands. The male constables took the suitcases.