The arranged murder?️

chapter 6

It’s in the papers' I said, passing the newspaper to Saurabh. The

article was on one of the inner-city news pages.

Fasting woman falls off terrace on Karva Chauth

Internet entrepreneur Prerna Malhotra, 26, succumbed to her

death Thursday night after she fell off the terrace of her three-storey

house in New Friends Colony. More details are awaited at the time of

filing this report. Neighbours say she was on the terrace to break her

Karva Chauth fast when she had the fall. Inspector Vijender Singh of

the New Friends Colony Police Station said they reached the site of the

incident after receiving a call from one of the neighbours. He added, Tt

is impossible to reach any conclusions at this point,’ and refused to

comment further. Investigations are on.

One of the neighbours said the girl was engaged to be married,

and had been observing the fast for her future husband. The neighbour

said that perhaps the victim was dizzy after staying hungry all day, and

hence could not keep her balance. The victim was the co-founder of

startup Eato, a food delivery app.

Saurabh tossed the newspaper aside. He sat on the sofa and stared

at the wall in front.

‘Skip work today. I will inform Jacob' I said.

Saurabh nodded. I stood up to go take a shower.

‘She wanted to do the fast thing. I told her no need' Saurabh said

from behind me.

I sat on the sofa in front of him.

He continued to speak.

‘Really, I should have been more firm. Told her not to fast.’

‘It’s not your fault.’

‘Then whose fault is it? Look at this bullshit newspaper article.

She fell down because she was dizzy? She was talking to me, allcheerful, minutes before.’

‘It’s a hurriedly written piece. Some neighbour spoke some

nonsense.’

‘They are making her out to be this stupid girl who felt dizzy and

tripped over a four-foot ledge. Seriously?’

‘Ignore it. Did you inform your parents?’

‘Not yet. I think they know. They called. I didn’t answer.’

‘Ramesh uncle must have told them.’

‘Who knows?’ Saurabh said and shrugged. ‘Is it on TV?’ He picked up

the remote and flipped between news channels. One of them was reporting

on the incident. A female news anchor spoke in an enthusiastic voice.

‘We are just hearing reports that Prerna Malhotra, a young lady living in

New Friends Colony, had the most tragic Karva Chauth last night. She fell

from the terrace. Police are awaiting post-mortem results. Your channel will

keep you updated on what could be either a tragic accident or yet another

high-profile crime in one of the poshest areas of Delhi.’

'There you go,’ Saurabh said. ‘Welcome to entertainment from death.

It’s already content for them.’

I snatched the remote from Saurabh’s hand and switched off the TV.

‘This will not help. Trust me,’ I said.

‘Then what will? Nothing, right? Nothing can get her back.’

‘I can be here today if you want.’

‘No need. Go, do your work. The media is doing its job and getting

TRPs. The police are trying to save their ass. You go sell software. The rest

of the world has to go on. Only my world has collapsed.’

Saurabh broke down. I patted his back as he continued to cry.

I typed a quick message to Jacob explaining the situation. I added that

Saurabh and I would not be coming to work for a few days.

‘Let me make some breakfast,’ I said.

‘I don’t want to eat,’ Saurabh said, something I had never heard him

say. Ever.