Her words hit Meera but she was not one to accept defeat easily.

‘Oh really? You’re trying to question my conscience now? You seem to have got to know him very well in just a few days.’ Meera laughed humourlessly at her, though she knew what she was doing was wrong.

‘I don’t know him, Meera, but I want to know him. I know he is going through something deeply troubling,’ Radhika said.

‘Look, Radhika. Maybe I am not as great a person as you are. I wanted to be valued but he never did that. I can’t bear it any longer. I just wish both of you a great life.’

‘Wait . . . wait! I don’t have any feelings for him and I am sure Madhav doesn’t have feelings for me either. We just share a formal relationship and I care for him because he’s my patient,’ Radhika tried to clarify.

‘Really? You should know that everything that happened last night was because I insulted you. He lied to me about visiting your office and then mistreated me because I called you a bitch. He has lost his senses because of you and you’re claiming it’s a platonic relationship? He said he loves you.’

‘What? Why would he lie to you? Why would he say that he loves me? And why would he do all that to you because of me?’ Radhika sounded stunned and perplexed.

‘Why don’t you ask Madhav what he did?’

Radhika was left dumbfounded. Madhav had truly fallen for her and she would now have to face the consequences head-on.

Meera disconnected the call and returned to the SHO’s office. She said, ‘I am sorry, sir. But I want to solve this matter personally.’

Everyone looked surprised and the SHO said, ‘This is not acceptable, madam. You are not allowed to waste our time like this.’

‘I am sorry, sir,’ she said and abruptly walked out. Madhav was flabbergasted. What had happened in the last few minutes to change Meera’s mind?

‘She spared you this time,’ the inspector said and asked him to leave. ‘But if you repeat this, no one will save you.’ He turned to his men. ‘This generation has no consideration for people’s time. They get into trouble, complain and then step back. Then they say the police doesn’t help!’ the SHO muttered grumpily as Madhav walked out after Meera.

‘Meera! Please stop!’ She looked back at him and said, ‘Madhav, I just have one thing to say to you. I will never see you again. I may not have loved you but I didn’t deserve this.’

Meera walked off and Madhav did not stop her this time. He felt guilty for the pain he had caused her and wanted to apologize for it, but he didn’t know what he could say to make things better. So he let her go. He knew it would be good for both of them. But that didn’t stop him from cursing himself for what he had done, even if he couldn’t remember it.