Malice Aforethought. Chapter 7.

Unveiling of Sathya's secret to Mr. Kapadia.

 

Thanks to Mr. Ashok Kapadia's support in creating false evidence, a strong case was set against Vijay for Murdering his cousin Rishi. 

Under section 300, 302 and 307 in the Indian Penal Code for the murder of Rishi Kapadia and attempt to murder of Rishi Kapadia and Sathya Bhonsle both, Vijay was sentenced to life imprisonment. Till the end Vijay cried to be innocent and begged that there had been some misunderstanding, but it was all in vain. 

 

Sathya finally could breathe a sigh of relief. After years of sleepless nights, he would now sleep peacefully. He would no longer have to act to anymore. Earlier with Rishi acting to be his friend. Post his death acting in front of Sanju-kaka, Mr. Kapadia, Inspector Sinha and many others to show his pain due to Rishi's death. In all of this, he never got a chance to just be himself and mourn peacefully for his sister.  

 

Sathya visited the spot where Savitri was buried by Vijay and performed her last rites along with his Ashram friends working in Kapadia's factory, Asha Madam and her daughter- Maya. Yes, Maya was the same girl who had called to distract Vijay. 

 

Mr. Kapadia was obliged, that Sathya did not disclose a word on Savitri's death to the cops. Sathya started his regular visits to Kapadia House genuinely helping Mr. Ashok Kapadia cope with the stressful time that passed by. Sathya subconsciously was feeling guilty that Mr. Kapadia without any fault of his had to see the worse.

 

Mr. Kapadia’s wife, Rishi’s mother had passed away when Rishi was little. Now Rishi his only child being no more, over the months Kapadia got emotionally bonded with his foster son Sathya. 

 

After almost two years of Rishi’s death, Kapadia told Sathya that he was interested in making him his legal son which Sathya politely refused. Mr. Kapadia was adamant even after Sathya continuously turning down his offer and finally without Sathya's knowledge, he got the necessary papers ready and made Sathya his legal heir. Excited to share this news with Sathya, Kapadia decided to go to Sathya’s place and surprise him.

Sanju-kaka surprised to see his Bade-Saheb at the door, asks him to be seated while he goes in to inform Sathya of his visit. 

Mr. Kapadia comfortably walks around the apartment. He had visited this place just once when it was newly purchased by Sathya. He is amazed with Sathya's choice of interiors. Simple yet deep. The living room lead him to the little study. The study with its little library was filled with all the different type of books of law- Criminal, Civil, Common and Statute. At the end section of the library, there was a shelf wherein Sathya had placed memories of childhood of Savitri and him. Their few framed pictures together, class photographs they were studying in the village school, picture of their old house where they lived, etc. When Kapadia lifted the centre picture frame of Sathya and Savitri, he realized that there was a shelf of books insulated neatly inside too. From the borders those books did not seem like books of law. Kapadia stretched his hand and pulled out one of the books. The boom was neatly covered with a colourful wrapping paper. When he curiously opened the book, the heading said ' Medicinal and poisonous plants in India by C Alagesaboopathi. Mr. Kapadia reading the heading, quickly pulled out the other books from the hidden shelf. The rest too were similar, Plants that Kill by Elizabeth A Dauncey, Poisonous Herb Plants by group of MDs, Poison Plants in Field and Garden by George Henslow...Mr. Kapadia's hands begin to shiver and he dropped the heavy set of books on the floor. Thud!

 

Sanju-kaka on hearing the sound came running to the study.

"Bade-saheb are you alright? Let me pick the books for you."
As Sanju-kaka stepped ahead to pick up the books. Mr. Kapadia is startled with Sathya's voice from behind him.

"Sanju-kaka, its fine I will manage this. You complete your task in paying monthly salary to the maids and the cook of the house. And please close the study door behind you."

 

To be continued...

 

Last Chapter:

The Conclusion