WHO IS THE THIEF?

      

Prabhavathi returned after a short trip to her parents' house. Prakash, her husband received her at the station. After dropping her at home he left for office. Having a bath and refreshed she entered the puja room. Immediately she noticed that the big gold chain around the neck of the deity is missing! Her heart was beating fast. What happened to that chain? Was there a theft? A theft in her house?

She felt panicky. The maid, driver are old hands and very sincere and honest. They did not give any raise to suspicion. At least till now. She completed the puja and other household chores half heartedly and with a sad heart. What happened? Who is the thief?

The bell rang.

Prabhavathi opened the door. It was Meena, the maid. She did all her work quickly and hesitated before going. Prabhavathi looked at her questioningly. She started haltingly, "Madam, I have to tell you something. Don't get angry with me. After you left, I was sweeping the puja room and saw that big chain on the idol." Prabhavathi looked at her sharply.

"I wanted to tell Sir to keep it inside because when you are not there it is not safe to leave it like that. But he was in the bedroom busy on the mobile. The door was open and I was scared to leave it there in the puja room. So I took it out and kept in my bag. When I thought of giving it to him after my work is over...." She started crying. "It was not there. Believe me, Madam, I did not steal it. Forgive me for taking it out but I really dont know what happened to it. I swear. I was scared even to tell Sir..."

Prabhavathi was shocked. Is she telling truth or is she oversmart to impress her? She just sent her home unable to decide how to react. She left, still sobbing.

A little while later, the driver, Rajesh came. "Sir told me to remain here and help you around." She told him to wait in the parking area down.

He paused at the door. "Madam, I want to tell you about that gold chain.."

She was startled. He too?

"The day after you left, I saw Meena keeping something in her bag in a hurry. When she was busy outside, I searched and found a big golden chain in her

bag. I calmly took it out and wanted to hand it over to Sir. He was having his bath and I was called down by the watchman. So I kept it in the drawer there and when I came back and saw, it was not there. But, Madam, I did not steal it. Meena must have done something." He said in a pleading tone.

Her head was reeling. She silently dismissed him.

After 3-4 hours, her opposite neighbour, Parvathi dropped in. After usual greetings she said. "Look, being older than you, I want to warn you. One day after you left, I saw Rajesh keep something in that drawer and run down. Prakash was not around. I came in and saw. It was a heavy gold chain. I wanted to keep it safely at some other place. You know, our house is like a railway platform with all sorts of people coming and going. I dare not take it there. So I kept it in that book shelf behind that fat red book. I could not meet Prakash all these days to tell him. Keep it inside and be more careful with your valuables in future."

Prabhavathi ran to the shelf but alas, it was not there. Parvathi was surprised and both of them together searched the whole shelf but in vain.

After she left, Prabhavathi sat brooding over the whole thing. It was her mother in law's chain, very old and heavy, weighing around 30-35 grams, must be worth more than a lakh! Prakash is very sentimental about it. She decorated the idol with it in her memory. 'I should have kept it inside at least before leaving.' She repented.

Prakash came home to find her in a sad and melancholy mood. She did not tell him anything. Suddenly he asked, "What happened to mother's chain? I did not find it on the idol. Did you keep it inside?"

She shuddered and nodded her head. He looked at her keenly. "Did you put it back?"

She could not control any more and between sobs, told him the whole story. He got up and shaking his head, went to the bedroom saying nothing. 'Oh, he must be very angry. What can I do?' She closed her eyes.

"Look, what is the use in crying now? At least be careful in future." She opened her eyes and lo, there he was, holding the chain...his mother's..her deity's..!

She got up in excitement. "How..where...what..." She was unable to speak clearly.

"Yes, I found it when I took out a book to read. I was puzzled but kept it in the cupboard. I wondered for what purpose you must have kept it there! Now I understand how it reached there."

Prabhavathi was relieved. 'With so many well wishers and watchful people around, how can a theft take place in the house? That too the jewel of the Goddess? Who are we to guard it for her? She herself takes care of everything.' She bowed her head with reverence.

 (thanks to Veni for providing the beginning)