Devil’s Advocate continues ………….

The two of us met in the superintendent’s office the following day. He stood wearing his own clothes, looking rather dapper. Even though it was only a regular blue shirt and a pair of dark blue trousers, they sat well on his broad muscular frame, and he looked like an ageing Hollywood actor ready to give a shot before the camera. It appeared as though he had long prepared for this day. He looked at me with hands folded in supplication and tears in his eyes.

Manjeet said that after his case had been rejected five times, he had lost hope of ever being free. The prospect of his returning home and leading a respectable life with his family had gradually faded away. He was resigned to his fate of spending his life in captivity. But somehow, when he met me for the first time in the jail garden and spoke to me, his hope for freedom had been rekindled. Even though he had seen the rage seething in my eyes following his confession, he had also sensed forgiveness and compassion. The jail staff had, from time to time, reassured him that if anyone could grant him freedom, it would be me.

I too was overwhelmed with emotion. I told him that he had reformed himself and deserved his freedom. I wished the best for him and asked him to keep in touch. He folded his hands again and looked at me as tears of gratitude welled up in his eyes. As he was leaving, I stood up to see him off. The prison doors would soon close for the last time on him, setting him free forever. He was about to make a new beginning in his life. He turned around and hesitated. Then he hugged me and walked through the huge steel doors of the jail. He had spent nineteen years, six months and ten days in prison.

To be Continued ………….