A SECRET UNTOLD

Jitamanyu was working for a detective agency. He had solved many problems involving mysterious situations. Some were routine, some were boring and a few were risky ones. Of course, in all cases there was an initial chilling suspense and later on, in course of investigations, he found them to be easily solvable ones … He cliqued and cleared them all, much to the satisfaction of his clients. Obviously, his bosses too were quite pleased with his performance. Presently, he was entangled with a unique type of investigation. On the face of it, it was an easy task. His boss wanted him to meet the person waiting outside and find out what he wanted and handle his case. It could probably be a peculiar one.

A man in his late fifties who approached the agency was waiting there in the hall. Jitamanyu went to him and took him to his cabin asked for details. The elderly man took out a photo of a young man and gave it to him. The guy in the photo was quite charming, robust and looked pretty handsome. Jitamanyu took it and turned the photo with an investigative angle. On the reverse, he found his name and address written in black ink. Now he looked at the man who gave the photo with a questioning look. The elderly man said that he wanted the agency to find out the credentials of the man in the photo. His name was Omkar. He was said to be well educated and possessed a good job. All he wanted from the agency, was to find out how much was the truth and how much was fake. The elderly man said that he was of the opinion that all those young people apparently looking good and gentle might not be of good nature. He said “all that glitters is not gold.” Still, Jitamanyu was not very clear about what was expected from out of him. He asked the elderly person as to what exactly he wanted the agency to probe into … whether his financial integrity was in question, or if he has cheated anybody, stolen any valuable thing, eloped with his daughter or broken any promise and so on … A few more issues he listed on these lines … A clear hint would help them to proceed further.

The elderly man cleared his throat and told him that the boy in the photo was the person chosen by him as a prospective groom for his daughter. His daughter approved the boy right on first sight. No wonder any girl would fall for a fellow with good education, good job and hailing from a decent family background. What mattered most was his character. As a father he was a bit worried that he should choose the right person for his daughter. Of late he had been hearing a lot about younger generations going astray, like loafing around, accustomed to bad habits, drinks and drugs. Some might even be gay also. Even their parents may or may not be aware of these facts. He wanted to make sure that his daughter is wedded to a thorough gentleman of good character and was free from bad habits. Now Jitamanyu got hold of his client’s views and expectations. He assured the man that he would find out and submit the report at the earliest.

He took out his pocket notebook and jotted down the points for probing. Under the head Omkar, he wrote his address. Then he jotted a few points in bullet points …. (a)His daily routines which included jogging, walking, health workouts, then (b) if any health issues, his doctor, (c) friends circle, (d) his office address, his office colleagues, (e) his behaviour, whether a workaholic, how much jovial, how strong are his social attitudes, (f) if he was a TV addict, or a phone addict, frequent party goer, get together with girls, (g) introvert extrovert etc. The more he pondered the more he got points to probe into. He jotted down them also. He was fully conscious that the future of a girl was hanging wholly on his report based on his findings around these points.

He took the photo and stared at the smiling guy. He was undoubtedly good looking. He could not make out anything from his outer appearance, and could not guess what might be lying under his smiling face. That was the reason for the father to engage him on this task. Now his job was to delve into this unknown area. The dark side of the boy. This type of investigation was the first of its type. He went through his pocket notebook as to what all he needed to find out. The easy way out was to go and meet the very boy and get his queries cleared. Also meet his parents and clarify their family background. But that was not what was expected from a detective. He was expected to undertake discreet enquiries and that too, without the knowledge of the boy. So, he decided to follow Omkar and find out where all he goes and what all he does. He could locate a small restaurant opposite Omkar’s house and a petty shop on the same lane. This was enough for him to watch Omkar’s movements. That was what most detectives do …. choose a convenient local joint and keep looking for movements.

Over a sip of coffee at the hotel, he found that on a regular basis Omkar was   doing yoga and some exercises in the open balcony. Then trimly dressed up, he would set out on his bike and rush to office. Jitamanyu noted down his office address by following him. Upon enquiry from the Security guard, he found out his department, designation, cadre, etc. He found out that it was an Insurance Company and he was in charge of dispensing the claims received for refunds. Jitamanyu was observing his style of functioning.

Shortly a middle-aged lady with a young girl came asking for him. Omkar greeted them. Jitamanyu observed that Omkar ignored the aged lady and was constantly talking to the young lady. He gave her a bit of advices and instructions. He shook her hands and assured her of speedy settlement. He was staring at them even after they left his table. Jitamanyu did not want to rush to conclusion that that Omkar had a weakness for fair sex and was naturally drawn to younger girls. Next day he went to Omkar pretending to be a prospective client and had come there to gather information. Omkar willingly obliged. Jitamanyu found him to be devoted to his work. He deliberately asked if he had any preferences to female clients over men. Instantly Omkar replied, ”In my work there is no gender discrimination. Neither caste, creed, colour, community young or old, ugly or good looking, educated or illiterate, matters. But at the same time, you see, mostly female customers only come to me to claim insurance. Unfortunate women, on losing their life partner come here. To the extent possible, I try to be compassionate and speed up and settle their cases.” This, made him believe that  Omkar’s work ethics are highly superb. He welcomed his humanistic approach.

He took out his pocket book and ticked favourably under social attitude, jovialness, work ethics, amenable behaviour etc.

Jitamanyu wanted to know how he spent his week ends and other holidays. Probably, he could be astray, lazy, or gang up with friends and hang on, or who knows, simply be a roadside Romeo. Sitting at the hotel, he was randomly looking at Omkar’s balcony. He found out to his utter dismay that Omkar was holding a girl’s photo and muttering something to it. Through his Zoom camera he could see what was going on there. He captured the scene – rather video graphed it. He turned to the hotel waiter who was curiously watching, and told him that he was bird watcher and just now he shot a flying crane up on the sky. He then went to the petty shop for some biscuits and peanuts also known as time pass. It was actually for gathering some information about Omkar and his activities. Such information are easily obtained from Laundry fellow, video cassette shop, petty shop owners etc. They are the people who give make some casual remarks about local residents which are of vital importance to the detectives. After a few rounds of here and there, he came back to coffee shop and kept an eye on the balcony.

He was not wrong. He saw that a group of young girls all chattering and chirping throughout, thronged his house. Then they all left. Soon Omkar too, dressed up in latest fashion joined the bevy of beautiful girls. Jitamanyu could not, rather should not miss this. They must be heading on to a discotheque or a beer bar or maybe  at least a cinema hall. He followed them without drawing their attention. They had come a posh hotel and seated in a large table already booked in advance. So, it was a planned programme. Jitamanyu chose a corner seat in the same hotel from where he could keep an eye on them. Occasionally he took photos. He wanted to wait and watch till the girls’ group left the hall. It was evident that along with Omkar, few more guys were also there. The boys and girls then headed to the dancing floor. Jitamanyu took a note of all details and captured a few moments of their ongoing fun in his camera.

Next day, Jitamanyu prepared a lengthy note for his client. While Omkar was an upright fellow on many scores, he failed on matters of fair sex. Caressing a girl with her photo in his hands, going out with girls on weekends, etc. might be a negative factor. Whatever be it, he could not keep his client in suspense for long. He called the elderly man and said that the report was ready. Based on his report, the elderly man could decide the fate of his dear daughter. When his client arrived, he submitted the report and took him inside where he had already connected his zoom camera and videos to a TV screen. He showed the photo and video of Omkar dancing with girls, to the elderly man.

To his utter astonishment, Jitamanyu was surprised that the client heaved a sigh of relief and felt happy. He handed over a cheque in favour of detective agency for the sum agreed upon and also offered some additional amount as tips as a special favour to Jitamanyu. He left the office saying that he would soon be sending marriage invitation card once other formalities were completed. He wondered why! A father who was very particular about credentials of his prospective groom, was now heading on to finalizing the marriage with the same guy. When this father initially approached him, he said that he wanted a thorough gentle man. But at the end he was ready to fix the same guy in spite of the negative report on vital issues. Some people behave strangely and this man is one among them. Anyway, as for as Jitamanyu was concerned, his job was over once he submitted the report and that is the end of it.

If only Jitamanyu had applied his detective skills on this point also as to why this father behaved differently, he would have understood the hidden clues which prompted him to proceed. The least he expected was the clue which was shown on the TV screen. That made his client to decide upon his daughter’s future. The photo on the screen showing Omkar caressing a girl, was none other than his own daughter. In the video that was projected, also depicted that everything that went on including the fun and party were with the connivance of his daughter. The only factor that remained unsolved was, neither Jitamanyu asked for his daughter’s photo nor his client gave one. In the entire gamut of his investigations this was the secret which had unknowingly crept in.

Maybe it was done wantonly. The secret lies in its not being revealed till end.