Actual Mumbai - is it 'Aamachi'?

It was a regular morning but with special events coming in about which I had no idea. I was just trying to keep up my morals so as to go to office and perform my duties when I suddenly got a knock on my door.

Before sketching the incidence, let me help you briefing history so that the link will be established.

History :

A month before, a girl approached me; she was my colleague working with me in the same office. A very simple, humble and beautiful girl with no way bold characteristics and no decision making power. She was innocent and at the same time – little stupid. Every time I judged her I started caring for her cause I knew that the life will be hard on her if doesn’t really become bold & smart and I started training her in all the ways. I felt a sheer sense of responsibility and so continued to help her.

Then she was searching for the place that would be near to office within budget as low as Rs. 3k a month. This was just impossible so I offered her help. I allowed her to stay with me for around 15 days and then during that period I asked her to figure out ways & means to get the place. It was done and she was shifted to my place. For some days say around 10 days or so she didn’t actually search for anything but when I forced her, she started searching again. I understand it’s a hell when you don’t have suitable and mainly your own place to live around. That’s what happened with her. And I started feeling really really very sorry for her. But I had no option but to ask her to search.

She didn’t get anything suitable. And frankly speaking I was fade up of telling her all ways n means to get it done. I just thought that she is not giving her best. But there was nothing in my hands. Then I came up with an idea. Not really idea but I had discussed with my flat-owner some time back about her second flat and had known that there was a lady staying there in the second flat who works in call center. My flat-owner had always been kind and good to me and I had always maintained best of the relationships with her.
I just thought that being in the same building and just 1 floor added to mine, Sucheta can stay intact. I thought that if Sucheta starts staying there it would be great deal for all of us. That girl I had heard of was also searching for some partners. I thought it can be done and suggested Sucheta to go and talk to her. When Sucheta came back after discussing with her – it was a done deal. Cost Rs. 3k she was able to stay with this new girl – her name was – Saloni (Now I doubt if the name is true). A 20 years old small girl with aggressive personality. I thought if Sucheta remains calm and adjusts – it will be fine partnership.

The day Sucheta went to stay with her – rather that evening Saloni asked Sucheta to accompany her to Shopping Mall to do some home purchasing while staying together. So Sucheta went with her. At shopping mall Saloni informed that she doesn’t have credit card & also debit card so she can’t pay and requested Sucheta to pay and deduct it from the advance rent that she was going to give the next day. So Sucheta did pay for all shopping worth Rs. 2k from a shopping mall.

This happened 15 days before and when Sucheta came to my place I scolded her for all these things. Then Saloni started pressuring Sucheta to pay all the balance payment. I did ask Sucheta to check her agreement copy before which she should not go ahead and pay. I had also instructed Sucheta to take it in written format from her that she has paid her the sum amount of Rs. 3k. But Sucheta didn’t do any of the above-told things. I didn’t actually follow her. Was there any point…. (I now think if I would have made her to do this.)

Then on the 3rd day of her stay Sucheta came to me saying that gal is really aggressive and she is not able to see her 1k Rupees, which she had kept in her purse. I knew Sucheta was always careless about her luggage and was never keen in keeping it neatly. I told her that she ll hv to stay at this place at least for 1 month as she had now paid advance and insisted her on taking proper care of her luggage. Then everyday something or the other complains started coming in and I instructed Sucheta to keep check of her own things properly and if possible, lock all the luggage. Between 3-4 days went when Saloni was away from home. Those were I think peaceful days. Nothing had been missing and things didn’t vanish then. 3 days before i.e. on 13th July 07, Saloni came back. Saloni’s duty timings used to be – 3 pm till 3 am so we all had a strong doubt that she was in call center. She was not graduate and she had told us that she had completed Sun Certification & had been working as software professional.

Never mind.

Yesterday – Dated 18th July 2007

Time : 9.20 am
Sucheta came running to my doorstep when I was getting ready to leave for office. I was already late and was in hurry when a knock came on my door. I saw Sucheta was tense. She said that the luggage has been vanished from her cloth bag, which was locked, and the keys were always with Sucheta. I was shocked and I accompanied her to room. Saloni was sleeping there. Sucheta took out all her cloths and other things from bag and found that the cosmetics were vanished which she had purchased a day back. When observed keenly we found that the bag was cut out with the help of blade and the material was stolen from that side. It was shocking for me as well. We tried to wake up saloni but in vein, she was pretending to be in deep sleep. We had no choice. We started thinking what is to be done. I asked Sucheta to go ahead and call my friend Vishal. Vishal and Sucheta decided to go to Police Station and I remained there in the flat to keep check on Saloni.

When they were on the way – Vishal called me up and asked me to talk to Society secretary and flatowner. I went down stairs to get the number. Meanwhile a girl got up – got ready and left the place as fast as she can. When I spoke to secretary I came to know that Saloni was staying there with no agreement. There was no agreement copy with secretary.
The very first question that secretary asked me –
‘ did she (Sucheta) take society’s permission before started staying with the other girl?’
I was blank. I didn’t utter a word. There was no proof that Sucheta had paid that girl.
He continued saying -
‘ In this case if police come to us, I will say that both the girls are staying illegally here and we will through both of them out from home.’

Time : 9.50 am:
I spoke to the flatowner (her husband as she was not reachable) and complained that these theses things have happened and now we are going to police station. Owner suggested not to go to police station and that he will talk to broker and will settle down the issue. I called up Vishal and told him not to go to Police station, as the owner will look into the matter and see to it that the girl vacates the place at the earliest. Flat-owner also informed after some time that broker is in Dadar and is on his way to come to Andheri and asked us to wait till the broker comes. He also gave us the broker’s mobile number.

Time : 10.30 am :
Vishal spoke to broker and broker said that he is stuck in Dadar and will reach Andheri within an hour and said that he will throw that girl (Saloni) out from that place. He also added that the girl (Saloni) had caused lot many troubles to him. She had also not paid his brokerage and this time he was determined to punish the girl.

Time : 11.30 am :
I requested Vishal to look in to the matter and stay with Sucheta and I left for the day to come to office.

Time: 11.50 am :
I spoke to flat-owner and asked when the broker will come – he said that the broker has some political things to complete as the elections are coming near and at the most before evening only broker will come to you. Till then hold on. He also said that how it’s not proper to go to Police Station and how the Police will react by taking bribe from both the parties. He also added that he doesn’t want that girl to stay at his place and he will see to it how the girl vacates the place.

Time : 2 pm.
I called flatowner when he told me that Saloni had gone to the office of his wife and she was in touch with his wife by now. She asked to his wife to look into the matter and also complained that Sucheta along with her other friends was harassing her at her own place. She added that Sucheta wants to grab the place and wants her to go out.
My flatowner told me to hold till sometime and not to go to police station till broker comes.

Time: 3.30 pm:
Saloni reached back to home with Broker and spoke to Sucheta. Broker asked Sucheta to take her luggage out from home and keep it at my place. Sucheta and Vishal remained shocked. They also came to know that Saloni was with broker from an hour or so. They called me back to inform happenings at their end and added that they have vacated the place.

Time 4 pm:
I spoke to Sucheta and came to know that broker had called both the girls to come back by 6.30 pm to his office and then they were suppose to go to police station if they don't come up to any compromise.
I spoke to my flatowner and he asked to wait for a while. I said that there was no point in waiting now. If we would have gone to Police Station in the morning itself we knew that we would catch her full proof. Now there are very low chances. I truly got angry with him. He started explaining his side saying that he has no idea about how my friend is and why would he believe in the other girl to whom he has never seen. – What? I was shocked. He also said that my friend had never went to their place , spoken to them. She was not at all got introduced to them.
I asked him whether he is keen on vacating the place, he said that as long as he is getting money he doesn’t mind if the girl (Saloni) stays there. Now this was really inhuman. I told him so.

At around 5 pm we had a big fight and he then asked me to do whatever we want to and also I am free to go to police station and not to call him again – ever.
I was blank. And called Sucheta and spoke to her. The broker and the owner were suddenly turned up to the other party. Someone they knew that has stolen Sucheta’s luggage. It was insane. I was not able to figure out what’s going on and I asked Vishal to not to wait till 6.30 and better way go to Police Station right away. But then it was again decided to wait and watch what broker says.

Time 6 pm.
Sucheta spoke to her sister’s in laws and relatives and they came to the conclusion that there is nothing remained and there was no point going to Police Station and complain. Police will simply take bribe and will not do anything.

Time 6.30 pm:
Sucheta had given 3500 Rupees as – half part of her luggage part, which was purchased at shopping mall, and the remaining of her half-month’s rent. Though it’s a post dated cheque of 1st Aug 07 broker assuredly that if it bounces back, its his responsibility….. Brokers played game. They didn’t allow us to go to Police Station and when Saloni started complaining that her money has gone and she was actually keen to go to police station (by now she had vanished all the evidence of stolen things and the things were sent out to someone else’s place). They actually taken her in corner and threatened her saying if she demands anything and doesn’t pay 3500 Rupees to Sucheta then they know how to handle the things.
Brokers also informed us that the girl is very smart and gone case. Its better we keep distance from her. They sympathized us and asked to leave as their work was done.

Now I understand – Flat-owner had instructed broker to not to allow anyone of us to go to Police Station as its illegal to give the place on rent there.

Time 8.30 pm :
Sucheta came home at my place to gather her luggage. I asked her to see if she has money with her and if she needs some from my side. She was planning to go and live with her relative’s place as my parents were home for some months now. When she searched her purse she found that Rupees 1000 was not there in it. Those were stolen…… It was really a last and hard shock. She said that she didn’t check the purse since morning as the drama was on.

Time : 10 pm.
I got a call from my flatowner lady saying that I was the one who had played all this game with them. Who had asked to involve secretary and Police Station in it, I was the one who decided and did it. They all put blame on me who had gone against them and did all these things. They also complained that before deciding on to anything why didn’t we go to their home and didn’t tell anything to them and also that I did it all wrong. Blame was on me!!! My owner asked me to vacant the place within 1 month.

Time 10.05 pm till 12 in the night:
I went to flat-owner and explained the incidences how they happened. I said that it was not deliberately done thing. Lady scolded me saying how dare I said inhuman to her husband and then threatened me that if I do such thing of going to secretary or going to police station again then they will actually ask me to vacate the place.

In the night I knew that I made a mistake by pleasing my flatowner. I knew that they all have played with us and no one of them cared for the robbery and they were all in the serious move on making their places secure. Sucheta had lost her around 7k and was actually in a deep mental sheet. They didn’t mind supporting wrong person even though they knew that she had stolen the things.
I can’t take this risk of leaving the place as again 7 k I ll have to pay more as brokerage if I check in another place.. My parents have come and it will be hell now to search and shift to another place. Also people generally don’t allow to check in with family or they cost more…… Life – does this mean life?

I knew something was burning inside – deep there I was feeling ashamed and guilty. I had nothing to say but to keep mum and stay there….. I hate myself doing this.

Today morning : Sucheta called in at 10 am.
She informed that she has come to office. Then she said that she will not let the girl go and she is not stupid. She will go to Police Station tomorrow or after 2 days and will catch her with proof at home. I didn’t speak out anything. I was in no mood. First my reaction was to scold her stating why didn’t she do it yesterday itself only. Then again I felt bad for her, as she was the one at loss. No feeling of being sorry for her or no feeling of anger did I express. I said It’s your decision. She seemed to be firm on doing that.

I am still in the phase of shock and guilt and hate all at one time. I am feeling uneasy. Shall I hate myself? I think yes – I deserve to. I strongly feel that I should vacant the house now. Will I be able to stay there at peace with secured feeling? I think no…. There is no point staying back there. Though the owner said to stay back and warned me not to do anything like this again…. I hate myself for listening to them, I hate myself for still sticking to the same place and I feel guilty. I am feeling guilty cause this happened all because of me that I suggested Sucheta to stay with her, Stay back in the bad circumstances as well… and now when she is planning to go to Police Station I am hiding my face. I must go and support her…… I am ashamed of myself…….
But the feeling to help her – rather to try her make bold n smart has been vanished in me. I no longer now care for her. Because I observed it – whenever she gets support, she remains and sticks to the same support. Instead of being independent she listens to others and when the time comes – other feel guilty for their suggestions. So I am in no mood to help, support and care for her….
But I truly feel that she should get justice. The person who has stolen her things is still staying there. And Sucheta who was innocent is still suffering. Can I be that insane & inhuman? Can I be the same as of others and take out my support?
I am down. I am feeling guilty, I am in dilemma… All is about me – I wonder what the others will be thinking of it? The flat-owner, the broker and most of all – Saloni who has done all this… Will she be feeling happy? Will she be satisfied for what she had done? How the hell one can be so untrue with his/her own self?