Veronica did not want to be exposed. At least by the policemen. From the beginning Papa had advised never to meddle with policemen, not to be the focus of any news, never get caught. She could not keep two promises: she was caught by a Malkhan and now was being interrogated by a policeman. She was frightened and had frozen from inside. She was blank. It was Matthew who saved her. He called her going outside the police station with the excuse of attending nature's call. He gave her a plan to run away from the policemen. Otherwise something bad must have happened. The Inspector seemed biased toward Malkhans. Perhaps he had friends in Malkhan community. Perhaps he had a knack for assuming and accepting falsehood. Otherwise the Inspector would have tried to confirm her story. Well, it was not a problem if the Inspector did not confirm her story. She was outside the police station now. She was out of danger now. She was a bit grateful toward Matthew. But she was missing her Papa now. She wished to call him. But as she had not found her target yet, that was why she was hesitating to call him. Her Papa was a foreseer. He had arranged for it. He had a friend in Novantes. Papa had asked that friend of him to pretend as Veronica's father if there was any need out there. Papa had asked him to take her calls. If the Inspector would have called, he would have taken the call and confirmed that yes he was Veronica's father. But that would have been a loss of precious time. But thanks to Matthew. Now they were inside a train wearing burkhas (that Muslim women wear to cover their face and body) both. When Matthew took out two burkhas out of his bag, she smiled and said jokingly, "Two, why? Are you going to wear it too?"
He said, "Yes, of course. Any doubt? That will be the easiest disguise even for me. And I do not want any jinx- eye upon my fair face."
She laughed. The bus stand was not at all crowded. The back of the ticket counter was very much lonely. They went there and put on two burkhas and came out. Then she signaled for a passing taxi. The taxi stopped. They boarded it and went for the railway station. She bought two tickets. They sat in a corner seat. They were very lucky that there was no Muslim on their bogey.
After settling down on their seats, to avoid stares from people nearby, Veronica got her smart mobile phone out of her pocket and got engaged in playing ludo. Matthew also engaged himself playing Clash of Clans. Before the train could pass the Inspector entered the bogey where they were seating. Through the burkhas Veronica could see the Inspector was searching for them. Then the Inspector looked at them. She felt petrified. One gentleman asked, "What happened Inspector?"
"Nothing, we are looking for someone," said the Inspector and vanished inside the bogey followed by a couple of constables. Matthew sent an sms to her: I thought he would call you by your name and you would respond to it. Then all our disguises would be ruined.
She replied: Don't u dare think me a fool. I m smart too.
He wrote with two smilies: Yes, but not smarter than your mobile phone.
She sent him a punch smiley.
He just looked at her once, and then again got engaged in Clash of Clans.
The police platoon came again. This time it was Stephen who shouted, "VERONICA!"
She got alert and was going to say "Yes" instinctively; but Matthew caught her hand, which stopped her. Her consciousness got better of her and she remained silent. Stephen stared at them for any sign. As he got nothing in two minutes, he walked foreword. After a few minutes the train started. She felt relieved. Perhaps the policemen had got off the train: she thought. Matthew again clutched her hand. She also tightened her grip around his hand. She thought: If the situation were not this tight, Matthew would have cracked a joke to make her angry; and she too would have showed an artificial anger for some time. She was shocked at what she was thinking – what was inside her brain. She wondered: Definitely from the romantic Hollywood movies. Definitely those romantic movies are taking a toll upon her. That is a bad addiction, Papa had told me before. But to know the psyche of people around here, she was watching several popular movies. Now the side-effects were cropping up. She left his hand. He was trying to catch her hand. But she was quick. She promised herself that she would slap herself very hard twice if she slackened. For the slipperiness in her character – for the sway in her determination, dedication and decision. How could she think this way? Think of Matthew instead of her target. She was flabbergasted. Never had she felt such a wave of feeling before. Never. Never. She should not think of such things. She must not allow such impure thoughts inside her head. She should do something more than just slapping herself twice. She should spill some blood of her – a little amount from her left thumb as a sign of warning to herself. If such a romantic thought crossed her mind, she would have to sacrifice that thumb. She warned herself.