PAY BACK

Chapter 3

Arjun's POV

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

"If that turns out to be a bullshit you never have to show your pretty face here anymore" warned the director.

"Before I came here, I happened to go to the crime seen where i found some valid points to be, which were unexplained."

"Now, dont beat arou-" he was going to yell again and I cut him off.

"According to assumptions of our seniors, I don't think it is about their family killing him. Because the victim is totally disfigured and not to mention the way of murder is worse. If we assume that the victim's family might have hired an assasisin and planned this, then there is no need to murder him in such a cruel way. The assassin might not have such grudge on the victim. If it is his family member in person then that  might have increase the possibility of exposing their identity, as we always suspect the people from the victim's first family. To commit this kind of homicide, either the perpetrator must be a psycologically challenged person or he must have had a deep grudge on the victim. Of course, we may suspect their family for not contacting him because Mumbai is just a few hours away through airway. To this question we have to know who this victim is and who his family is. The results from the DNA analysis would take some time-"

"-time to announce the victims biodata. We all know it and waiting for the same cause. Do we need you to remind us these details?"

"I am afraid that we no longer have to wait for the forensic results. During my visit to crime seen I happened to find a mobile phone on the road beside the forest area. I wasn't sure if it is the victims mobile as his face was totally beyond recognition. I somehow tried to access the data from his mobile where I got this screenshot."

I opened my mobile connected it to the main server and displayed the screenshot the victim has in is mobile.

"There are two screenshots and a picture in this mobile which are suspicious. The screenshot displayed here is taken two days before from today at 8pm in the night. The time matches the results of forensic analysis of time of death. In this screenshot we can see that the victim is trying to send a picture to someone. If we zoom in here we can see the receiver's address which is saved as 'Emergency Helpline'. Turning over to the next screenshot, this happened to be the picture he was sending in the other screenshot to this 'Emergency Helpline'. "

I projected another screenshot over to the screen. 

"Happy journey to Hell" An officer sitting opposite to me read out.

"That is the caption of the picture sent to the owner of this mobile by some unknown sender, whom I deduce to be the Murderer. The caption 'Happy journey to Hell' with a knife symbol beside it is indicating the death warning from this unknown sender to the owner of this mobile. And the picture that was sent is a picture of a person standing next to a tea stall and this tea stall happened to be located close to the Aranya Bhavan. And this what confirms 95% that this is victim's mobile and the sender is murderer."

"But, however if we could trace the finger prints on the mobile screen or compare birth marks from the victim's government id details of owner of this mobile, we can have 99% confirmation, if it happens to be a missing case filed by their family in their area then we can have a blood test with this family to the victim if he is related or not."

Now I looked to the projector and answered - "His family may not have filed a complaint in police station because police station of Khairathabad might have already filed a complaint against this person. These are victims swiggy, sss, flipkart, and zomato details. These detais refer to a single address. This might be the residence of the victim. It shows Khairathabad." 

"And one more point to be mentioned. If what all I say is true, the person who killed the victim must be tailing the victim for a few days. If we track the past activities of the victim carefully go through all the survilliances across the residential area of the victim, we can spot the murderer and also tail him to his place." I finished.

I was waiting for DGP of what he would say next same as all of them in the cabin. After a long await in silence DGP seems to be ready what to talk exactly then my phone rang and the ringtone is heard from the speaker which were auto synchronised with my mobile phone when I happened to connect my phone to the server, thus everyone their were hearing to it. I quickly checked my phone it was my mom. I declined the call and then disconnected my mobile. 

"So thats your girlfriend calling you." the DGP commented.

"No sir, I don't have one. It's my mom calling me."

"Talent doesn't make one strong. It is discipline which makes one qualifiable. DONT YOU KNOW TO PUT YOUR MOBILE IN SILENCE ?" He yelled at me.

"I am extremely sorry sir. I wouldn't repeat it."

"You people here. Go and check if there is any complaint filed in Khairatabad station about this person. And I want someone to take responsibility to go get his family here to investigate. After everything is confirmed......" He took a deep breath.

"You brat, you will be responsible to hand over whatever evidences you have collected till now and provide assisstance to Mr Damodaran of Saifabad if needed. I command everyone to give in your best and bring the perpetrator to justice." 

"Mr Damodaran, from now on you are responsible for this case. Wittiness is important to solve a case, but we also have to protect public. Young people must learn a lot more." He added.

"The meeting is now completed. You all may leave. And remember to co-operate if he needs you." He ordered me and left the room with that. He really has a very bad temper.

Anyway, I can still be a part of this case. I will give my best to find the murderer.

If not my mom calling me I would have been atleast appreciated by him today. Anyway I need to call my mom now. Why does she have to call me at that instant.

"Hello maa, why did you call me?" 

"I called you to tell you that the girl I told you before is not coming visit you."

"I told you to inform me only if she agrees to meet me right? Then why did you call me if she is not coming?"

"You just told me to inform if she is coming or not. I thought it would be a relief for you if you got to know she is not coming and thus focus on your work more. Am I not thoughtful?" My mom asked me quite proud of her decisions. 

I smiled to myself. Sometimes my mom sounds to be annoying but it is all because she cares about me. 

"Kanna, why aren't you speaking. Are you okay?"

"I am ok mom. Today I acheived something and want your blessings to succeed in it. I will probably head home now if there is nothing to do today." I informed her.

"Hello Mister Arjun. We meet again." Tahira greeted me.

"I am glad." I replied.

"Congratulations Arjun."

"Thank you. But......what for?" 

"For taking over your first homicide case...........So, wanna go for a coffee?"

"Oh...uh-hm.... yeah sure."

"That's great."

I don't know why I agreed to go. It just feels weird going out with her. Its not like she is not a nice person. But I think she has a little crush on me. And she is not my type. Anyhow, I gotta go with her. 

"So, how are you doing lately?" She asked me.

"Doing good."

"Okay, I am afraid that you need to drop me by my home. Is that a trouble?" 

"No, its totally fine. I will drop you by."

"So sweet of you."

I prefer not talking anymore. I feel annoying. Why does she have to cling on me. Why did she have to leave her career as an engineer and come to this feild. 

After few moments of silence she started again.

"Do you have any girlfriend?" She asked me. I was anticipating for this question since she came to me. I kept silence.

"I take it as a NO then." she stated.

Luckily there was a cafe where I stopped by and we got down. 

"One Espresso and a filter coffee." she ordered.

"You still drink filter coffee. Do you?" she asked me.

"Yes, I do." I answered.

"Somethings never change." She stated looking into my eyes as if she is trying to get answer of some unasked question. 

"So, how is everything." I asked.

"Distant. As if I don't own." she answered.

"Sorry" I asked.

"Everything seems to be distant. Like they don't belong to me." she answered. 

She started it again.

"Well. I was asking about your job." I asked again.

"Oh..my apologies. Job seems ok. After all I am doing it because I like it."

Thats a lie. I wish this could end soon. I still have to go and report to the Sub Inspector of Saifabad. And there came the order.

"So, what are you planning next." she asked.

"I am planning to got to Damodaran sir and soon participate in investigation."

"I wasn't asking about professional life Arjun. I am asking about your personal life." She probed. Not that I don't know.

"My mom is in search of a daughter-in-law. So, expecting a wife soon." I answered bluntly.

"That's nice." She replied.

She was silent for all the while. 

"So, which branch are you working for." I asked.

"Kothapet" she answered. 

"Great."

"Not as great as you. You work in Cybercity."

I smiled.

We finished coffee in silence. Soon, I dropped her and went back to Saifabad police station. They seem to be in meeting and I had to wait by the door. I kinda hear them talking about the homicide case.

"This case doesn't fall under the jurisdiction of our area. So, it is only right if this case is taken by Khairatabad police station."

"The murder took place near saifabad. So, we have to be responsible for this case."

"But the victim and the victm's family belong to Khairatabad. We have to take permission from those people in Khairatabad to interrogate victim's family. We all know that the investigation should be carried under their supervision. So, why don't we pass the case over to them?"

"We all should give our best in the investigation. It is still not confirmed yet that the victim belongs to Khairatabad. So, this will be our case to solve."

"What if this is confirmed. What to do then?"

"Then Mr Shiva notifies Director on this issue."

"Notifying Director. Do you want me to get suspended?"

"Then don't overthink this situation. If everyone are okay with this then start investigating about the victims identity. I want everyone to co-operate. You were searching the whole area for atleast 5 to 6 hours and yet you couldn't find any piece of evidence. That little fellow from Cyber got his hand on such important evidence. I think its our blessing that Director handed this case over to us. And here you are fighting for giving away. Is this how you do your duty."

I couldn't figure out who all are talking, but the last voice was of SP Damodaran sir's. They are coming out of the room. 

"Good evening sir. This is ACP Arjun reporting." I saluted.

"Well well, I was waiting for you. Have a seat." I sat.

"So, as Director General ordered you all to assisst me in the investigation. Wait for my orders. Until then adhere to your duty on daily basis."

"But sir, I volunteer to meet the people from victim's family to testify-"

"Mr Arjun. I think you are not clear with my orders. Just wait till I assign you with some task. Director is right, young people are not suitable to solve such high level homicides, as they are impulsive and are only after fame." He told to me or should I say he said that about me?

I have nothing to say. That left me spechless. I walked out of police station and headed to home. I think I should wait patiently till they call me. Will they call me? 

I got all tidied up and lied in my room. My mom was waiting to hear good news, but it seems like bad luck dawned upon me. I felt so lucky when I came across the mobile phone. But it seems that I dont have such luck all the time. 

"Kanna, wash your hands. Dinner is ready." My mom called me out.

"Coming..." I answered back and went to dining hall.

"So, what happened my dear. Why are you off the mood." she asked me. 

"Did you see the news on the television, about murder near Qutub minar? I was assigned to assisst in that case. But, SP Damodaran sir is not allowing me to participate in this case."

"But, why beta?"

"He seems to not like me."

"Why is that. Did you offend him in anyway?"

"I don't know mom."

"Who told him to leave such a nice and secure software job with handsome payment. If he was still doing that job there was no issue for him to get dissapointed like this. Listen to me and advice him to re-join. They still call me to convince him." My father told my mom. He stopped talking to me since I left the job. My mom is the only person who supported me. She complains about my job, but still supports me unlike my dad, who always asks me to re-join.

"Let this case be. Its the grace of god that you don't have to handle such case. That killer is really dangerous. Who knows if he can harm you while investigating? Stay out of it my son." she soothed me.

I ate the dinner in silence and went to my room and lied on my bed. My mom came to me after doing dishes and sat beside me. After a while like 10 mins I sat up.

"Kanna." 

"hmm"

"Dont be sad over such a small issue. Everything will be alright once you get married." she told to me.

I don't understand why would the topic of marriage would come out of my mom whatever might be the situation. 

"Mom, how are those two even related?"

"Once you get married, you will be having many other things to worry about. So, that will be the solution for your current loneliness."

"Find a right girl, then I won't object."

"I had. You just have to meet her and say okay. Believe me, she is as beautiful as moon and you would definitely like her."

"Okay mom. I will."

"That's my son. Now you sleep. Good night kanna" 

"Good night mom."

Next day morning my mom was on heels. She is so much anxious that I might destroy this match. She ironed my clothes. Cooked me a nice meal. Made sure that I have mint in my mouth and body spray on. and yeah she even started to apply face powder on me, only stopped when I yelled at her.

"Mom, please. I am not a girl to wear all these."

"You used to wear it everyday when you were in school."

"Because I don't know what it was then."

"Let me apply some on you. You will look great."

"No, maa. I will look like a fool and that girl will run away."

"You never listen to me."

"Okay, maa. Bye. I will call you once this finishes up."

"All the best kanna." As if I am going to write an exam.

"Thank you mom."

Now I am in the park waiting for the girl. I have her photo with me. In the photo she was wearing a yellow colour saree with green blouse and border. She looks pretty. I opened my mobile and started to browse news for any updates on the case.

'Increased cost of petrol and diesel bothers public.'

'Government has waived off farmers loan'

'Son kills own mother and robs her money'

Seems like there are no updates about the homicide. 10 metres away from me there was a children's playground and kids playing in there with a girl in red chudidar. I could only hear there laughter. All my seriousness about the case has gone. I started to make a video of them without me knowing. After a while I got near them. Was this the girl I was waiting for. How I wish she was the one. But no. She is not. 

A few seconds later she noticed me standing there. 

"Who are you?" she asked.

"um...I am Arjun, Assisstant Commissioner of Police." I answered.

"What does it have to do with me?" She asked raising an eyebrow.

"Oh well, I am not here for you. I was waiting for someone over there and meanwile I just saw these kids playing and wanted to... um.. join. Only if you don't mind." I asked.

She just looked at me and turned her face to a side and resumed playing with kids ignoring me. They were like 8 kids there and she looks young. She might be some kindergarten teacher. 

"Children maynot like you." she answered back.

"That's okay. I will just watch from here." I informed her.

"No, I will not be comfortable with that." She refused.

I walked away from there and sat where I was sitting first. One of the kids started to throw sand over her and she opened her eyes wide at it. She gazed at the kid ferociously. That kid threw sand over her again. This time she laughed out loud and started attacking all the kids there with sand. But there seemed to be something wrong with few kids there. I was looking at them smiling and then suddenly I got the urge to snap a photo of her and took one exactly then she saw me. I dont know what has gotten into me but I turned aorund and started to act like I was not looking at her. I was trying to click pictures of clouds above me when I heard someone calling me.

"Hello Mister, stop acting and hand me your mobile." She asked me.

"Why should I?" I asked her.

"I don't have any time and please don't let the children wait." she asked politely yet warned.

"um.." I handed over my phone to her. She took it and asked to open the lock and I did. 

"These children are from my clinic and I have to be responsible for them. So, please don't take any photos of them. It is for there safety." she told me.

"Ok" I agreed.

In the midst of deleting she looked at me with wide eyes, I am busted. I think she found her photo too. 

"Um... it was accidentally taken." I answered to her unasked question.

"What are you taking about?" She asked me.

"About your..." I stopped in middle. 

"Your pictures are really good." she complimented.

"Thank you."

After a few minutes she gave my mobile back. 

"You do this again, I will complain. Even if you are a cop, I am not afraid." she told me.

"I feel really embarrased about this. But I am not the one you think I am. I am really sorry that I have offended you. I will make it up to you."

"No need. Just stay a little distant. Now leav-"

"Excuse me, sorry to interrupt, are you Arjun?" finally she came. 

"Yes, I am. Are you Anjali?" I asked her.

"Yes, nice to meet you." 

"Nice to meet you too." I greet her politely.

That girl from before walked away and went to play with  the children again. 

"So, you are a librari-"

"I already have a boyfriend. So, please inform your mother that you don't like me. Please. I beg you." she was pleading me with both her hands joined.

"oh, thats not a problem." 

"So I guess thats a good bye." 

"Yeah, bye. Good luck." I greeted her.

Though she made me wait for such a long time just to reject me. I am happy. I am happy that this match did not go through. Automatically my gaze turned to the children in the playground and that girl with them, her laughter...

Meet you soon....