Total pages in book: 113
Estimated words: 106422 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 532(@200wpm)___ 426(@250wpm)___ 355(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 106422 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 532(@200wpm)___ 426(@250wpm)___ 355(@300wpm)
I read the book you sent me. It was exciting and a little scary, but I read it every night till I finished. I like stories about secrets.
I have a secret. A really big one. I’ll tell you, though, because I know you won’t tell anyone else. We did the pinky promise. When we’re at camp, we can go for a swim together by ourselves, and I’ll tell you.
See you soon!
Love,
Your friend, Dee
Chapter 65
Shumi came to full consciousness the next day.
I didn’t see my sister-in-law the first day—given her groggy state, the doctors would only permit her immediate family. The second day, however, both Ackerson and I managed to get in—and with a few patients having recently been moved onto a ward after they no longer needed the unit’s level of care, Shumi was the only patient there.
I waited a short distance away while Ackerson spoke to her with her father by her side.
“I’m very sorry to tell you, Mrs. Prasad,” Ackerson said in a tone that was gentler than I’d ever heard from her, “but we believe we’ve identified your husband’s remains alongside those of his parents.”
The air whooshed out of me.
I’d been hoping he was still alive—because, no matter what, that gave Ackerson a perfect suspect and took the spotlight off me.
A soft feminine wail, while Shumi’s father demanded, “How can you be sure? There was so much damage.”
“The lab will attempt DNA tests, but the nature of the remains means that can’t be guaranteed. He was identified through dental records.”
Ackerson sounded truly sorry when she said, “There really is no doubt. Vihaan Prasad—Bobby—had an emergency root canal done in Japan while on a business trip five years ago. The dental experts tell me the Japanese style is visibly different to ours. His dentist also had more recent X-rays, which we were able to use for identification.
“Added to the fact that his car was on the premises, and the lack of any activity on either his business or personal accounts, as well as his phone, it’s conclusive that he died in the incident. But as I said, the team will make every attempt at a DNA match for the survivors’ peace of mind.”
Shumi was sobbing but trying to speak in between, nothing of her words making sense.
Ackerson was more patient than I expected but didn’t leave the room even when Shumi’s father asked her to. “I need to get your daughter’s witness statement while it’s fresh in her mind,” she replied.
At last, Shumi stopped sobbing. “Why didn’t Diya tell you?” A piteous question. “Why do I have to say?”
“I told you, beta,” her father said with an edge of impatience in his tone that made me want to shake him. “Diya is hurt. She can’t remember.”
“I don’t want to say.” Shumi’s voice was almost swallowed up by her tears. “I won’t say.”
“You have to,” her mother butted in. “We know what he did to you, beta.” Tears in her voice. “Please, Shumi. You don’t have to protect him anymore—I’m so sorry you thought you couldn’t come to me, but I’m here now. I’ll always be here.”
“No, no, I won’t.” Shumi’s breathing was fast and shallow. “We were so happy. We were all so happy.”
“I know,” Ackerson said in that same unexpectedly gentle tone. “But three people are dead, Shumi. Including Rajesh and Sarita, who I’m told treated you like a cherished daughter. And your best friend remains badly wounded.”
Sobbing, Shumi said, “Can I see her? Can I see Diya?”
I was ready for everyone to say no, but Ackerson instead stepped out to talk to the staff, and they made the arrangements to wheel Diya over from the ward for a strictly short visit. The two women both burst into fresh tears at seeing each other, but there was an edge of hysterical happiness to it, the relief of two survivors coming face-to-face.
“Shumi, what happened?” Diya asked after the tears had passed. “All I can remember is the fire…and…” She pressed a hand over her abdomen. “I hurt here. So much.”
Shumi just shook her head, keeping her silence.
“Please,” Diya begged. “Please tell me.”
Tears rolling down her face again, Shumi turtled in on herself. “I want to be alone now. I don’t want to talk anymore.”
* * *
—
No one stopped me when, two hours later, after Diya had fallen into sleep, I made my way to Shumi’s bedside. Everyone else had already attempted to talk to her, but she’d shut down.
However, she was awake—and alone right then.
“I know you’re protecting Diya,” I said in a soft tone between us alone, the realization having come to me when she’d looked at Diya with agony on her face after my wife pleaded for answers.
Huge brown eyes holding my own. “She shouldn’t know,” Shumi whispered. “She should have her memories.”
“She already knows deep inside,” I said. “And, Shumi? It’s eating her up to not have any answers.”