It was one of the biggest news to shake the country at its foundation. The always elusive syndicate Irumani seemingly crumbled overnight.

‘It is being called as one of the biggest bust this country has seen. Over twenty-two raids all over the country have taken place in less than forty-eight hours. Along with Sandhanam, all his associates, including the reputed DG Prakash has been arrested for protecting Sandhanam on several occasions. This of course has left a huge vacuum in the top. The current ADG Raghuram was offered the role, but he declined. Raghuram, who was also the primary instigator of the bust, said that he is close to retiring and wishes to have some young blood in the seat instead. As of right now, who that will be, remains a mystery but not for long as the department is going to convene to decide on the matter of state,’ said a news article.

‘Very wise of you, sir. To turn down a once in a lifetime opportunity,’ said Keshav stopping Raghuram in the corridor of the headquarters. He along with several other Inspectors were summoned to discuss matters of state.

Raghuram smiled softly and said, ‘I know your mocking, but I was being genuine about what I said.’

Keshav shook his head and said, ‘you know the real identity of Lady in White, don’t you? And I think that is why you don’t want that seat. What was that saying again? Power corrupts even the hardest hearts.’

Raghuram’s smile widened. ‘No Keshav. Power reveals the true nature of one.’

Keshav rolled his eyes while his senior continued, ‘and I am telling you honestly, I have no idea who the Lady in White really is.’

He walked away, like he had no care in this world. He felt like he had achieved everything he set out to do, even if he didn’t remember all the details. Deep down, he knew that everything was right with this world again.

Keshav, however, did not share his optimism. If his theory was right, they took help of a vigilante to solve one of their biggest headaches and that to him, was just not right.

***

The cool evening breeze blew past her, lifting her white saree into the air. A very annoyed Malvika pulled it down, grunting audibly in the process. She sat on the steps before her house, stitching the sleeves onto a jacket.

Everyone pestered her with their condolences. It was fine and dandy when they just wanted to make her feel better but then they wasted no time in asking her to move on and telling her that is what her husband would have wanted. So, what if he did? No one wanted to know how she felt losing the love of her life. They all wanted to brush him away, get over it, move on. But she didn’t want to. She wanted to wear the white saree for the rest of her life (widows in South Asia wear only white), a life away from people and their nuisance.

The pile of orders kept increasing, it simultaneously made her happy and irritated. She could not help with it either way. It kept her busy and distracted from her thoughts, but at the same time it also kept her busy and distracted from what she would have been thinking. It appeared as though peace in her life had left with her husband.

‘Ma.. Malvika?’ a woman called out.

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She looked up to see a young girl standing before her. A short, well-built woman with short hair and dressed in a green Chudidar. She also appeared to be holding a box painted in navy blue.

Monica took a second to observe her. She was no older than her and she was already wearing white. She was thin and had a brown complexion. She looked at Monica with an irritated expression.

‘Yes? If you have come for stitching, I am not taking any orders today. Come back day after tomorrow,’ she said.

‘I… I am not here to get anything stitched…’ Monica began.

‘Then what are you here for?’ she asked with a deep frown.

‘I know Vijay… I… I owe him big time,’ Monica replied.

‘Oh…’ her expression softened, and her frown disappeared, ‘good for you.’

‘I am sorry what for happened. I can only imagine what you are going through,’ Monica said.

‘Well. Thank you, but I don’t want to talk about it,’ she said before returning to her stitching.

Monica softened her nervous expression. She knew exactly what Malvika was feeling. ‘I understand. They all ask us to toughen up, like it was something we can just do on a whim.’

Malvika looked up and for the first time noticed the scar running across her face. She felt regret for her words for the first time. ‘How did my husband help you?’

‘Well. There were some terrible men coming after me. Vijay ran into them and managed to notify the authorities in time. Without him, I probably wouldn’t be talking to you,’ Monica explained.

‘Did they give you those scars?’ she asked.

‘These…? No. They were from a long time ago,’ Monica said. ‘But only god knows what more they would have done had Vijay not stopped them.’

A soft smile appeared on Malvika’s face. Monica could feel the sadness overwhelming her, but she continued to keep them walled in.

‘I am happy for you. People rarely understand what kind of work my husband does. But meeting someone whose life he saved, it does feel good,’ Malvika replied.

‘Malvika… it is okay,’ Monica said.

Tears pooled at the ends of her eyes as she purses her lips. ‘Okay?’ she asked innocently.

‘It is okay to take time to mourn someone you love,’ Monica replied.

Streams of tears flowed down her cheeks as she began to sob quietly. ‘I just met him two years ago. One day I didn’t even know he existed, the next day I was married to him. They say being a wife is duty, that love doesn’t always happen. But I loved him. These two years… he was my whole world… so why? Why would he leave me?’

‘I can assure you he didn’t. Even now, he watches over you,’ Monica replied.

Malvika did not respond, instead, she buried her face in her lap and quietly mourned for her husband. Monica too stood by her side and let her emotions flow.

Her heart felt lighter, her breathing got easier. By the end of it, her saree and the customer’s jacket were both wet with her tears. When she looked back up at Monica, her eyes were red but also had a soft smile on her lips. ‘I feel so foolish to cry like that, that too in front of a stranger.’

‘Don’t worry about it,’ Monica replied. The smile on her face never faded. She held out the blue box she came with and said, ‘this is a small token. From me and a well-wisher.’

Malvika looked at it curiously. ‘What is it?’ She took the box and opened it to find a smaller box inside. This, however, looked awfully familiar. It was tiny, no bigger than a matchbox, and covered in red velvet. She picked it up and snapped open the lid to see a ring embedded in red velvet. Her eyes shined as they gazed upon the green jewel that sat flush inside. ‘No! I can’t accept this!’ she said and looked up, but the woman with whom she spoke for so long was suddenly no longer in front of her.

She looked around the neighbourhood with desperate eyes, but the woman was nowhere to be seen. In the end, she was left telling herself, ‘I didn’t even ask her name.’

Monica walked through the maze-like street of the neighbourhood, giving herself some time to come to terms with the mix of emotions railing inside her. The blue sky was accompanied by an orange hue cast over the city by the setting sun. In time both would disappear and be replaced by clear dark sky. Children played while the adults went about their way closing up for the day. All things seemed to be just right with the world, even if it was for only a moment. Eventually the day would begin again, and life would start afresh. A new beginning, even if it carried the scars of yesterday, always helped her to keep moving forward.