18. True face of Jeeva

CHAPTER 18

True face of Jeeva

All were sitting inside the hut. There was sound of slipper.

Jhansi said, “Looks like your brother is here. He must have caught the bus on time.” 

Dodda Naik came in with bag full of grocery items. Keeping the bag down, he went out to wash his face. Jamali started removing the items. Dodda Naik came in wiping his hand with a towel. “I will open the packets. Jamali you arrange them in the kitchen.” 

He started opening the packets one by one. When he opened one packet, he saw a photo and was shocked. He looked at his daughter talking to Jeeva.

Looking at Jhansi, Dodda Naik said, “You arrange the things, I will come.”

He got up and went outside the hut. Then he looked at the piece of paper with photo. He read the news connected to the photo. He was shocked. “We have let the poisonous snake enter the forest. In fact we have kept it in our house.”

He placed his hand on his chest and tightened his body. “No use of making haste. I must act carefully.”

Dodda Naik became cool. He looked at the photo again. Then he opened the screen and peeped in. He looked at Jeeva and made sure that it was the same man in the photo. “It is he. Poisonous snake.”

He put the paper in his pocket and entered the hut. 

Looking at Jhansi, Dodda Naik said, “Jhansi, I have forgotten my purse in the mandal. I will go and bring it.”

All looked at him in shock.

Looking at Jeeva, Dodda Naik said, “Sir, please don’t wait for me. Have lunch.”

Then he looked at Jamali. “You too have lunch with him. I will come back only in the afternoon.”

Jeeva said, “Ok uncle.”

Dodda Naik went out. He went away in high speed with his hand on his chest.

Dodda Naik reached the police station and entered the SI office. 

Bowing with folded hands, Dodda Naik said, “Namaste sir.

SI smiled and said, “Namaste, tanda leader. How come you have come so far? Please sit down.”

Dodda Naik sat down.

SI asked, “You have left the forest and come to the station. What is the matter?”

Dodda Naik said with a bit of fear, “One poisonous snake has entered our forest. I have come to inform you about that.”

He removed a paper from his pocket and showed it to SI, who read it with shock.

“This fellow is a big terrorist. We have been searching for him all over the country for him. Is he in the forest?”

Dodda Naik said, “Not just in the forest. He is in our house. Since 20 days.”

With great spirit, SI said, “It is 20 days since he escaped from jail. You have caught a big fish for us.”

Taking up the phone, SI said, “Inspector, please come in.”

Inspector came in and saluted.

Showing the paper, SI, “That blood sucker, that terrorist Mangalore Kadar is in his house. Get the jeep and squad ready. Let us leave right now.”

Inspector nodded, “Ok sir.”

He saluted and left. 

Looking at Dodda Naik and getting up, SI said, “Come sir. Let us catch that poisonous snake.”

Jeep entered the forest.