After having arrived at Calcutta early on the following morning Akshay first of all went to Ramesh's rooms in Darjjipara. He found the door locked and was informed that no one had been there. He then proceeded to Kalutola, but the rooms there were also untenanted, so he went to Annada Babu's, the next door and announced to Jogendra, "He has bolted ! I could not catch him."
Akshay related his experience in detail. Jogendra's suspicion of Ramesh turned to absolute certainty when he learned that he had taken to flight with Kamala at the mere sight of Akshay. "But after all," he said, "though we have this evidence it won't serve our purpose. Hemamalini and dad have never loosing faith in Ramesh till they hear the whole story from his own lips. Matters have come to such a pitch that if Rmesh were to come to-day and say, 'I can't tell you anything yet,' I'm sure dad would have no hesitation in allowing him to marry Hemamalini. Dad can't bear to see Hemamalini distressed about anything. If she went to him to-day and whimpered that she wanted to marry Ramesh even though he has another wife, I believe he would give his consent. Don't let us give up hope. I would tackle the job myself and, probably, I should only come to blows with Ramesh !"
As Akshay was seated drinking his tea Annada Babu entered the hall leading his daughter by hand. Seeing Akshay there she left the room immediately and went up-stairs.
"It's is too bad of Hem !" exclaimed Jogendra hotly. "Dad, you must not encourage her in that sort of rudeness," and he shouted, "Hem ! Hem !" but she didn't respond.
Akshay now intervened: "I really think you're spoiling my case, Jogen. It would be much better if you said nothing to her about me. Leave time to do its work. If you bully her now you'll only do irretrievable mischief." Akshay departed from there finding the things were odd against him.
Akshay was a man with a fund of inexhaustible patience. Even when the signals were against him his temper was very even.When insulted he neither looked haughty nor turned away in disgust. Snubs and slights left him unmoved, so thick was his hide. His friends might treat him in most cavalier fashion and he never even winced.
Hemamalini came down after Akshay departed and Annada Babu brought her to the tea-table. She didn't raise her eyes for she couldn't face Jogendra. She knew that he was out of patience with Ramesh and herself and that he had already passed a harsh sentence on them both, hence she shrank from meeting his eye.
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