PAY BACK

Chapter 2

Dhaksh's POV

"Why do you watch these kind of news paa(Father), these are not good for you." I warned him while switching off the TV. 

"You don't let me watch because you are paying charges for cable connection. Don't you?"

I laughed at his protest. 

"Yes, I am" I replied, deciding to play for a while. 

"How could you be so sadistic when you have lived more than 20 years on my earnings" he complained and made a face bowing his head down in disappointment and folding his hands across his chest. 

"Back then you used to demand me not to watch too many movies except news on television. Now i am demanding on not to watch news. No difference appa. And no injustice too." I told him shaking my hands in front of him and doing a tit for tat dance. 

"Even then, you watched it behind my back when I went to work, and sometimes I myself allowed you to watch movies. Didn't I?" He asked me.

"Yes, dad. I totally understand what you are saying, but I won't allow you to watch that stupid dead body. Your heart may get weak at this age. And I don't want you to get hurt appa. News is okay but watch some other news. please..... " I pleaded him and gave him the remote which was under my control until now.

He took it and told "You must be aware of your surroundings and you must be cautious about it. That's what the reason these news channels are sharing these kind of news in television" he told me and continued watching television. And you know what he was watching? That bloody dead body news again. I don't know why don't he obey me. After all I was talking about his own health.

"The dead person seemed to be nowhere near recognition....... His face was dishevelled and all the organs of his body are placed around him........ It is a terrific view. Those who are here living in this place think that- " 

"Paaa...." I scolded him and he turned it to other channel. A kind of vibration aroused in my body watching that dead body. The flesh of the man was peeled out and I can see his stomach, lungs, and all other parts of his body being decorated around his skeleton. I swiftly got up from the bed and went to the wash basin. I feel scared.

Murderer's POV

I followed him all the way. I can't clearly see him through the darkness but I can hear him. I took my gun out and shot it in the direction of source of noise. I heard his gasp. I ran in that direction. I have planned to kill him in the car but he was very quick in running. I couldn't stop him from escaping. I would have kept cautious around him. Let me see how far he can go with that wound of his. 

There was silence everywhere. I can only hear the leaves of the trees moving and the wind wooing in my ears. I stopped running and glanced all around to get a clue where he was hiding. There was a tunnel a few meters away from me. I saw it and peeped into it. I can see nothing as it was dark. Switching on the torch i have peeped into it again finding nothing. I moved away from that and went on searching. I made sure that my moments reflect silence but failed because of dry leaves crushing under my feet and making noise. That bastard must be cautious of his surroundings.

I heard something. Some noise. It sounded like somebody is shifting. That might be him. Finally, got him. You can't easily escape from me, would you? You have to die TODAY. I moved towards that noise removing my shoes and holding them in my hands. I carefully followed that sound making sure that I wouldn't make any noise. Suddenly it stopped. I made my way forward only to collide with that tunnel again. I was furious now. 

My hope to find him was fading away. I dropped the torch and when it was about to fall on the ground, from the light it is emitting I saw blood stains on the walls of the tunnel and swiftly grabbed the torch before it landed on the floor to avoid sound. If I go through the tunnel he might get suspicious of my presence. So I climbed onto a tree to search for an other way to reach the other end of the tunnel. I could see something moving on the other side of it. I scrutinised my eyes to get a better view of it. It was him covering himself into something.

I got down from the tree as I found a way out of the tunnel. Slowly I neared him. As I was walking closer to him I can hear him panting under that sac he covered himself with. I stood there for a minute or two. I gave him his time, because he is going to face a terrible last experience with his life. After a minute or two I pulled the sac from upon him to see his terrible facade.

Victim's POV

Two arms came my way and lifted me up holding my neck. I closed my eyes tight in fear and stated pleading the murderer. 

"Please leave me.........Plea..se.....don....kil.....m....please" I pleaded in between the sobs. I was terrified to death. I don't know if this person here would let me live. Oh god, spare my life. 

"I probably don't wanna leave you, you are so dead, for the sins you have committed"

It was an ear-piercing robotic voice. I lifted my hands up to my ears to avoid that huge sound hurt my ears. I got thrown down by the murderer. My body gave up all the hope. One thing was haunting me from the start of this chase. 

Who is this person and why do he have to kill me? What sins have i made?

I thought to ask but no voice came out. I am crawling over the ground to get away from this murderer. To be safe and sound again. To let this situation go. I wish I could wake up soon, if it is a dream. Suddenly my leg got caught by this person. My ankle got twisted. I shouted in agony, in pain, "aa..aaa..argh"

"Please leave me, I am begging you please leave me"

Murderer's POV

After listening to his pleads and mourns and having a wonderful sight I took out a knife and stabbed him on his spine. He shouted as loud as possible. No problem for me, as this area is too far from the people outside. I bent over him and arched his face backward watching him eye to eye. I laughed out as loud as possible, making him wince in pain. I dragged the knife down his spine as if ripping his body into two with both my hands. 

Then I turned him around and jabbed him in his stomach. He laid there without making any sound. He barely moved in any direction. I got scared that I got him killed so easily. I laid my head on his heart and checked for heart beat. He was still alive. And, yes I am happy, as I am going to pay him back along with interest.

Putting my hands into the pit of his stomach, I ripped the flesh open to see his internal organs. He shouted again. But, I can sense lifelessness in his voice. I laughed at him and answered his unanswered question.

"Yes, You deserve this."

My hands are very pretty at this sight. They were all covered with blood. They gave me a satisfying scarlet look. I was waiting for this moment for so many days. I have planned his death long ago and was waiting for a perfect time to execute it. Today was the perfect time. 

"HahaHHah...."

I got hold of a big stone from beside and threw it over his body, enjoying the after effect of his broken ribs sound. It was like I am in heaven. Listening to his faint moans and torturing him gave me endless pleasure. He shouted at the contact of the stone and his body. He puked all blood in his body at that crash over my face. I got furious and anger conquered my pleasure. I sat on his body, on his broken ribs, and watching him in his eyes. 

He was on the ground without any movement. He tried to raise his hands and I totally forgot to treat them. I yanked him with his hands and flipped him over his stomach. There was my crime partner on his back. Due to sudden clash of rock over his ribs, it went deep into his back and only the head of the knife is visible. I tried hard to pull it from his vertebrate. 

After gathering all energy I pulled it out with both my hands. He yelled in pain. I applied the equal force to pierce the knife into his right shoulder and yanked it back until it was out of his body. I did the same with his left hand. I flipped him over to see him lost his consciousness. He was breathing. I slapped him right and left, but he wouldn't open his eyes at all. 

Overwhelming with anger I finally jabbed the knife into his pivot joint and then he was dead. Such a lame person. He couldn't take in such a little torture. I pity him for such a little tolerance level. 

I left the place after giving a wonderful finishing touch for my perfect murder. I walked out of the woods not leaving any traces of me in the murder scene. I walked over the river pass by and saw my figure in it. I was stunning with all the apt make up on my body. I was covered in the pool of blood, all over my face, all over my body. I jumped into the lake to wash myself from the blood of that filthy person. I felt relaxed upon reminiscing the scenes from the crime area, floating in the river, under the sky of gigantic no moon night. I felt calm, peace, pleasure, delightful. His cries effect me as if I was listening to symphony.

After I performed after murder rituals, I came out of the river and cleaned my crime partner with some fresh salt water. After all he has to do so much more for me. 

-----Two days later at the Police Headquarters------

"Any progress?" asked the department Director General who seemed to be in his early forty's looking at his team.

"The victims body is undergoing tests and it has been declared that the victim has been dead for 48 hours for now."

"Where did you get the information of this dead body in the forest?" the chief inquired.

"We had it known from the local forest officer of that area sir." he answered.

"I would like to have a word with him." 

"Yes, sir." He saluted and went to the police custody room to bring him into the Director General's cabin.

"Sir, Name Vallabh Sarkar, age 38 years, Assistant Conservatives of Forests in Aranya Bhavan Forest Department" the Superintendent of Police answered his Director General about the person standing in front of him.

"So, Vallabh" the DG began.

"Yes, sir" he responded.

"I heard that you were the person who discovered the body and claimed it as murder. Is that true?" The chief general asked.

"Yes, Sir" Vallabh answered.

"How could you tell that it was a murder only upon seeing it?" The Director scrutinised his eyes.

"Sir, let me explain" he asked for the consent.

"Go on" the Director insisted.

"Like ordinary people I would have predicted that the body was attacked by the animals in the forest and thus sustained such deadly third rate injuries. But, after closely observing the body, I saw there were no scratches on his face nor his limbs which were cut off were sustaining any injuries and the point to be noted is that, even if any animal isn't interested in his bones we could clearly see all his organ are just thrown out of his body and are not dissappeared. If it was any animal, it could have definitely ate him alive. In addition to that, I recall from my duty there were no animals in the forest after a cheetah was caught about 3 months ago. After studying these facts I insisted that this could be a murder." he answered slightly proud of himself.

After listening to his flawless answer the Director General appreciated him "Absolutely wonderful my boy. I pity the cheif of Aranya Bhawan forest department for having sustaining such a brainless officer like you." In a cheerful tone.

The forest cop was flabbergasted at this remark. He immediately asked "Sorry, sir." 

"How can you ever behave so AWFULLY. YOU BRAINLESS i***t. It is really a shame to sustain such an officer. Because of your shameless IQ now the people are all worried out there and there is a lot of pressure over our department. YOU USELESS BRAT, BECAUSE OF YOU THE STATE IS IN CHAOS." as soon as the Director General yelled at him he got scared and got up from his seat. 

"WHY DID YOU INFORM THE MEDIA ABOUT SUCH SENSITIVE INFORMATION?" The general was yelling at him with fury. 

"Get that BASTARD out of the department  NOW" He yelled at him.

The constables standing over there let that person out gently and threw him away from the station. 

The director began worrying about the whole situation and informed the Superintendent of police to organise a meet with all the delegates in the city. The pressure could be seen in his face. The media is broadcasting this murder case almost 24/7 in every channel questioning people's police of their duties and people's safety. They were being blamed and held responsible for this incident. 

On the other hand, the investigation is going on sadly with no clues on hand about the murderer. He was so clever that he escaped from the midst of their eyes. Just now they were informed that there were no finger prints of the other person on the victim's body. If this person has not been caught soon the people may lose their faith in the people's police. 

"Sir, there is media out of the Headquarters refusing to back off until they get any answer from us" the SP reported to DGP.

"These people will never let us off hook until they get to know every single detail. I will just go and handle them. You pass on the orders for the delegates all over the city to assemble in order to decide the current status and also the correct person to investigate this case." He commanded SP and went out of the station to inform media.

"We are very sorry for failing to protect one person's life. Keeping all the issues in mind I have doubled the night patrolling cops and also have appointed the best people of people's police as responsible for the patrolling at night. As for now we are keeping the safety of our people and executing these safety measures. The investigations are going on and the perpetrator is yet to be found." The DG answered the media and went to his station.

Arjun's POV

I was watching the live news updates from the Police Headquarters of twin cities.

"I have told you to get ready and sit in the vehicle" my mom yelled from kitchen.

"Mom. Please don't call me again until I myself respond to you. I am a bit busy. Please do understand me. After all I am your only son." I answered back resuming my investigation.

"That's what I am afraid of. That you are my only son. You never listened to me and made abrupt decisions in your life. Though I am happy for you. But I never compromise on my future daughter-in-law. Please don't bring a cop to our home. Spare your mothers life."

My mom began ranting the usual. She was scared that I might bring an encounter specialist as my wife and already had a dream that I have married a cop and that she encountered my mother for asking her to bring a cup of coffee, under domestic violence. The day she explained me about this I was rolling on the floor laughing. My mother sure has creative imagination skills which were dramatic as well.

"Mom, when are we heading to their house" I asked my mom.

"I am not sure. Her father called me and told me that he hasn't informed his daughter about the marriage proposal yet. He told me he would message the time." she informed me.

Just then I saw a popup in my phone. It was an order for all the representatives of police departments to head to Police Head Quarters of twin cities to discuss on the murder investigation.

"Mom..." I called her out.

"What now?" my mother asked me.

"I think I can't make it today. I have a meeting in Secunderabad. I have to go there so please cancel today's meeting." I requested her.

"When is the meeting?" She asked me.

"5PM" I answered.

"You can go in the lunch." she answered.

"But mom, you just told me that she is not ready to meet me" I asked her again.

"Okay, then keep your mobile in active mode. I will call you and inform you when she is ready."

"Okay, mom. But if I didn't attend your call, just assume that I am busy" I informed her and headed out in formal shirt and pants with my uniform in my bag.

"Okay, kannah take care." she waved while I was heading out.

Kannah is my nick name. My mom loves to call me that.

I drove my Baleno to the crime spot and thoroughly searched for the clues there. My mom didn't call me so I guess the girl my mom insisted to meet is not ready now to meet me. So, I don't have to go out on a set up date today as well.

Just then an Audi parked by my Baleno and a person stepped out of the car wearing a Brown tux and helding the coat in her hands. She seemed to be high profiled person and yeah, she looked familiar. She walked upto me.

"Arjun, Superintendent of Police at crime branch in twin cities I guess." She asked me while extending her hand.

"Yes, Miss Tahira." I answered while shaking her hand in mine.

"You do have a good memory Mr. Arjun." She spoke while smiling.

"3 years in not so long to not identify a person like you Madam." I answered her.

"I wish to have a good catch up with you after this session. Lets go for a coffee" She asked me.

"Sure" I answered her and headed back to my Baleno and started driving to the department Head Quarters followed by Tahira's Audi.

 -----At the Department Head Quarters-----

All people were gathered and are waiting for the DGP to take his position. After a few minutes of waiting he came and took his seat. 

"Good Evening, General" we all wished him. As he nodded in response. 

"All of you here know the reason behind this meeting we held today. If anyone doesn't know just get out of this meeting immediately" He scolded. I have heard about his temper, this is the first time I witnessed it. 

No one responded. so, he continued "I demand any suggestions about this case from the delegates sitting in this conference. Speak up" He demanded.

One officer to the right of the DGP stood up and started "I doubt victim's family sir. I have heard that no one from his family complained or filed a missing case on the victim despite of his disappearance for 2 days." 

"But sir, the victim told his family that he is flying to Mumbai for a week. This explains their action of not registering a missing case" he explained.

"Even so, how can they be patient if his mobile is switched off for 2 days."

I slightly smiled at their predictions. Unexpected for me the DGP saw me smiling and suddenly asked me "You little fellow at the corner to my right, Stand up" he shouted.

I stood as ordered. 

"What in the world are you thinking. We are here to discuss on a crucial case and you....What are you doing.....sitting in the corner and thinking about romantic encounters with your girlfriend or from those hollywood movies. Just get your face off from this meeting."

I was completely dumbfounded at his accusation. I probably don't want to leave the hall but if it is not done as he told he would be furious enough to slander me and also even suspend me. So I bowed my head and apologised.

"Sorry sir for smiling at this assumptions of my seniors." I implicated that I was not reminiscing any romantic scenes and was just concentrating on this meeting.

"You sure have the guts to ask me sue you" the DGP remarked on me while playing a smile on his face. I bowed my head and was heading out as I was ordered.

"You brat. Stay right there and answer me if you have any valid point about this case to talk to. If there is any shoot out. If there is none, submit your resignation letter to my office and I will make sure that you wouldn't be placed in any of the Police stations all over India." He cursed at me.

"Not only I have valid points about this case. I also have an evidence." I answered.