Chapter 9: Dharma’s Wristband

Dheer's POV:

We reached home after four hours of travelling. I went to the murder spot, asking Mitra not to worry, and I will return soon. I examined the dead body and the whole place.

I found a wrist band, and it remembered me something. It's the friendship band which I gave to Dharma and Jay in my college days. Dharma didn't remove it until today, saying that I am his friend forever. However, today this wrist band helped me to catch the culprit. I asked my team to collect the fingerprints on the things and doors.

I went home after submitting fingerprints at the forensic lab. Mitra was busy with calls. She got continuous calls making me confused. Just then, the doorbell rang, and Mitra opened the door. Her male colleague hugged her. I felt jealous, not because he hugged her. I have the maturity to understand their friendship. I was jealous because I wanted to embrace Mitra in my hug, hearing her heartbeat, which beats only for me.

"Happy Birthday, Mitra," Mitra's colleague shouted, and a few more friends joined him.

Mitra's birthday? Why didn't she say this to me? Her friends asked Mitra to cut the cake. Mitra fed the cake to them, and they fed her. I became a mere spectator having no role in that celebration. Mitra came to me after the party.

"Dheer, are you free in the evening? Actually my staff arranged a party to celebrate my birthday. Can you please accompany me?" Mitra asked in a low voice.

"You have your friends. Who am I to attend that party? I didn't want to be a disturbance. Enjoy the party with those special people of your life," I said and closed the door of the room.

I don't know why I have spoken harshly to Mitra. What happened to me? Am I possessive or jealous of her?

I went to the office without informing Mitra though I noticed her sitting in the living room. She tried to talk, but I ignored her with anger.

After some time, I called to inform her that I will accompany her to the party. But her mobile was switched off. I went to the home in the evening, but I didn't find her. I waited for her the whole night, and she returned home at 4 AM. Her male colleague dropped her in the car. They hugged each other one more time, and then she came inside.

Mitra switched on the light and looked at me. She went to the washroom. Her handbag fell, and her bag was unzipped. I saw the protection in her purse. I clenched my fist, seeing that. Why did she have the condom in her bag?

Mitra came out to the room, washing her face. She wiped her face and called someone. She slept beside me, closing her eyes and keeping her right hand on her forehead.

I looked at her face, and innocence is visible on her face. I ignored my stupid thoughts. It's not right to doubt her character by seeing protection in her bag or as she came late to the home. There might be something else.

It's past one month. I was busy with those murder cases. I went to Dharma to arrest him, showing the wrist band as proof, but he showed the same wrist band to his hand. I failed to arrest him.

Mitra stopped coming home regularly these days. She stayed out at night, and I didn't understand the reason behind her behaviour. Is Mitra fine or in any trouble?

While returning home, I saw Mitra with a boy. His hand was around her waist, and she was standing close to him. They were talking. I was irritated with her. She didn't come home that night either. The next day, I was shocked to see the news in the newspaper.

"IPS Dheer's wife Mrs. Mitra Dheer has secret romance with her boyfriend," was the headline with their photo.

I called Mitra, and she picked my call.

"I want you to be at home within fifteen minutes," I said and disconnected the call.

Mitra didn't return home right away. Instead, she returned home in the evening. Before she stepped into our room, I threw her suitcase in her way, asking her not to step in. Her eyes filled with tears.

"D-Dheer, l-listen t-to m-me once p-please," she said, stammering.

I glared at her.

"Where should I go?" Mitra asked me.

"I asked the maid to shift your luggage to our spare room. You can stay there. Never come in front of me," I said.

"Dheer, I-I'm n-not that t-type..." Mitra said.

"Did I ask you, Mitra? Did I say anything to you? Look, I can understand that you are playing some sort of drama as a part of your profession. It's not the problem, Mitra. But look at today's newspaper. See the news once," I gave the newspaper to her, showing the news.

"It's not true, Dheer," Mitra said.

"I am not a fool to doubt my wife. I am not an idiot to question my wife's character. Mind it. Even if the whole world speaks out against you, I won't doubt you."

"Then why are you angry at me?"

"Ask yourself, Mitra. Till then don't talk to me," I said seriously.

Mitra took her suitcase and went to another room. I had dinner without talking to her. I didn't ask her to have food, and for a week, I ignored her. Mitra tried to gain my attention, but I didn't care.

After two days, I found mom at our home. I heard Mitra's conversation with my mom.

"Mom, I know that I hurt him. I didn't respond to his calls for a month and behaved strangely. But I didn't do it because I wanted to. Avoiding him became necessary for my mission. But now it's very hurting as Dheer stopped talking to me.

We went to my village, and there he almost agreed to accept this marriage. But I ruined everything."

Her tears made me unable to control. But I managed and went to my room. After some time, mom came to me.

"Dheer, why are you hurting Mitra? Mitra never do anything wrong. Understand her, Dheer. I know my son is not narrow minded to doubt his wife," mom said.

"Mitra," I shouted her name.

Mitra came immediately.

"We are going out. Get ready," I said to Mitra, and mom looked at me as she didn't understand anything.

"I will talk to you later, mom," I said.

Mitra got ready and came to me.

"Bring your luggage," I said.

"Wh-what?"

"If you can't talk to me and needs mom's interference to solve our problem, it means you are not comfortable with me. I will drop you in your hostel. Return to our home only when you are comfortable to talk to me," I said, thoughtfully.