A couple of days later
Paradise
Late night
Jeet was having drinks with his lieutenants.
" I talked to dad about the Rajvansh family", said Jeet.
" And", queried Zeeshu.
" Not much", he replied. " You were right. He was engaged to the elder daughter Preeti first. She ran off with some left wing guy. He abandoned her later. Anyways to save his face Rajvansh patriarch offered mother."
" He was okay with it", asked Guru.
" He has met Preeti just once before. He told me frankly he couldn't separate one girl from the another. He still was in an affair with Kunal's mother and he didn't care".
" What about Kunal's mother", asked Shaun.
"She died in childbirth as she moved back to the village when dad ended the affair. He was unaware of Kunal's existence then".
Suddenly Shaun asked :-
" Is it the same village where that orphanage was where he grew up"?
" Probably", said Zeeshan.
" Okay then we need to see that priest", he said with an unease which was contagious.
" What is on your mind Josef" asked Jeet.
" Let me confirm it myself first", he said.
" Look Kunal grew up in a Christian orphanage. His mother Lisa was a Christian. She went to local church. It was where Kunal and Grace embraced Christianity. One person is involved in the whole story that priest", he said.
It immediately clicked
" Father D'Mello".
They all said the name in unison.
" Exactly", said Shaun. " He may know something about this story that we missed".
" Will he tell us", asked Jeet.
" I don't expect lies from a true man of cloth", said Shaun.
" We need to meet him", said the Dragon.
" But we need an excuse to approach him".
" I've got a perfect one", said Shaun. " Grace is dying and wants to confess her sins to the Lord in front of him I know he won't deny her".
" You will be the best man for this job Josef. One more thing. Take Chamchal with you", said Jeet.
" Why so", he was genuinely confused.
" Ohh just that it's a picturesque village and I prefer that she relax a bit before Rash pulls her in on her next mission ", replied Jeet.
" You are on", said Shaun.
" Leave first thing in the morning ", said Jeet.
Shaun gave a thumbs up.
" Rajvansh patriarch is dead", said Jeet to Zeeshan " Get me a meeting with the current head of the family ".
" Yes Dragon " he replied.
We need to crack this mystery he thought.
" You have Savarkar's old number ", he asked Guru.
" His son provided it", he replied. " I have already applied for the call details of the entire year he went missing".
" Good job".
He got a call.
" It's Virat", said Guru.
" Pick up. If he is alone put him on speaker", he said.
He was
" Yes Eagle", said Jeet.
" Sumeet told Deepak about the assignment he gave to Falcon. He wants to meet you."
" I'll take the first flight in the morning. You are joining me. Take panther but he should not know everything"
" I am booking the flights as we speak", said Viru.
Jeet was really tired as he reached Singhania house dressed as Sumeet. He went straight to Chanchal's room and after bathing pulled her in his arms.
She softly sighed but snuggled. He slept smelling her deeply.
Next morning
Chanchal was ecstatic when she found out about the trip.
" Thank you sir", she said shyly.
Rash was busy with her new project and Kashmir was on an outdoor shoot. She felt a bit lonely as Sumeet got busy in his construction business.
" You know Shaun", said Sumeet. " The devout Christian in my vicinity. He loves to visit churches. And I heard the place is beautiful. Take your canvas"
She readily agreed.
She told Kashmir.
" Good little one. Get some really good paintings done. Papa knows a gallery where an exhibition is due next month. And I am entering your name".
" Sure", said Chi Chi." I'll make you proud".
" Papa never doubted that darling. Bye and Take care". He signed off.
Shaun arrived promptly at 9. She was ready with a small suitcase of clothes and other necessities, a canvas, her colours of various types, paint brushes and sketch book.
" You look excited", he relaxed.
" I am. I have to get a few paintings ready for an exhibition next month".
" Great".
Dragon then came and they both discussed some matters while she carefully placed everything in his car as Manya helped her.
" Pet stay safe. Love you", said Sumeet pecking her as they said goodbye. She just hugged him tight then left.
The journey was beautiful. Chanchal packed a camera too. She clicked many photos. A reluctant Shaun modelled in some. They took half an hour break to munch on some yummy seafood.
And after two hours they reached the village.
Shaun checked in with her in a small cottage hotel. It has all the luxuries.
" You freshen up then we can visit the church", he said.
She nodded.
In next thirty minutes they were standing in the church. It was beautiful. Chanchal drew a rough sketch. Also she painted the local roads and people. Most of them were fishermen. Some made baskets and toys. A few were farmers. She enjoyed talking to them and gladly ate the fresh fish platter they offered.
Meanwhile
Shaun knelt and prayed his Lord. He joined the mass and offered candles. He was relaxed as Dragon's security was with Chanchal. He talked to a few people in the Church committee.
" I never saw you here before", said an elderly lady. " Are you new here".
" No madam. I am from Mumbai", he replied politely.
" You earn good there", said a local lad.
" Yeah there is a film industry", said a zealous girl. " Are you a model"? She batted her eyes.
The elder women scolded her.
" I am Ms Weston here sir", one woman said. " Our girls don't do movies. Are you from movie industry"? She looked at him in speculation.
" I am afraid not miss. I am a doctor", he replied. " I work as an emergency surgeon in Lifeline hospital Mumbai"
That earned him appreciation of all the local aunties
" Now here is a real man with a real job", said the first lady . " I am Mrs. Jean Pride. Are you visiting relatives here"?
" No madam I am here to visit Father D'Mello ".
" Father D'Mello ", came a collective sound.
" You know him", asked a young man.
" No I don't but I wish to meet him", said Shaun. " I have a request for him".
" What request you have from me young man", came a calm, soothing but strong voice.
Shaun turned. The man was tall, good looking, probably in his late fifties now. He was the priest. He wore a white robe with a cross. He held a rosary vin his hand.
" Father", said Shaun. He knelt and kissed his hand.
" Bless you.You were looking for me son", he asked.
" I am here for you father on behalf of a patient of mine", he replied.
" A patient", he asked.
" Grace", he said.
" Father D'Mello remembered.
" Yes I know her and her husband Kunal", he smiled fondly.
" Kunal is dead", said Shaun flatly.
" Murdered in his home".
A collective sound of gasp emerged from the crowd.
D'Mello however remained calm.
" I know my son. He lost the path of righteousness. I warned him", he said sadly. " How is Grace"?
" Dying", sighed Shaun.
" Ohh poor woman", said Mrs Weston. " Did someone shot her too"?
" No madam blood cancer", said Shaun sadly. " I am her doctor father. Her last wish is to meet you and confess".
" Confess what", asked the young girl.
" I never asked Ms. Confessions are between the person and God. Only a man of cloth can witness it.
" You are a good man doctor", said Ms Pride.
" I didn't get your name", the young girl asked.
" Dr. Shaun Josef", he replied.
" Are you single Dr. Josef", a bold girl asked.
" Behave Nancy", said her mother.
But every eye on the room was on him.
At that moment
"Shaun"!!!
A young woman came running in and held his arms.
" Hello everyone I am Chanchal", she said.
" Shaun this church is beautiful.
Shaun got an opening.
" I am afraid not Ms", he replied holding Chanchal close. " Come let's pray", he said to her. " Father please consider my request", he said.
Father nodded solemnly as Shaun led Chanchal to the statue of Virgin Mary.