Everybody in the room was aghast. They had never imagined that Kaajal would say something like this and put an end to it. Nishant sat on the couch with his head in his hands. Abhimanyu was surprised. He knew this wouldn’t stay a secret for long. But he did not predict that it would come out in this manner. Vibha was still crying and sat on the couch with a thud. Both the inspectors looked at each other and smiled as they were waiting for someone to break down and spill the beans.
“There you go,” said Erika with a smirk. “And to be honest, this photograph is too little evidence for even arresting anyone, let alone a conviction,” she added, looking at Avinash and getting up from her seat.
Still sobbing, Vibha looked up at Kajaal and asked, “But how did you know we were together that night?”
“Oh, I can help you with that,” Erika said. “Here, this is your picture, taken in the dark,” she added, handing a picture to Vibha.
“This picture was in the camera handed over as evidence. But due to corrupt investigation, this was never investigated, and as the “Vivek” angle was never considered before, this photo never made sense,” Avinash explained.
“Who clicked this photo, though?” wondered Vibha.
“It was none other than Kaajal. She clicked this photo,” said Erika going back to her seat.
“But why?” Vibha asked
“Because I loved you Vibha!” shouted Kaajal.
“What!?” asked Vibha looking at Kaajal in disbelief.
“Yes. I was in love with you back then, and I just couldn’t bear the thought of you with any other man, so I just crept into the room and clicked that photo,” Kaajal cried out loud.
Vibha couldn’t believe her ears and sat there completely amazed. “You could have told me,” she said in disbelief.
“And what difference would that have made? I would have just become an outcast and wouldn’t be able make you love me, Vibha!” Kaajal explained.
“But creeping up on me like this. That’s disgusting!”
“But this doesn’t prove anything about the murder,” said Ishaan getting up from the couch hastily. “And who was the woman and man in the photograph?” he continued.
“Oh! This is just a recent snapshot from a CCTV in Mumbai of a couple moving their furniture. Vibha was never there in the picture. And plus, you can’t even make anything out from this picture,” Erika said.
“We just played a bluff here,” added Avinash.
“And what you said that it doesn’t prove anything about the case, that’s true. But now we have a new revelation that Vivek never left the house. So if Vibha could care to explain what exactly happened that night,” said Erika getting comfortable in her chair.
Chapter 17
A sense of calmness had suddenly spread in the atmosphere. There was dead silence in the villa as the clock struck four in the afternoon. The only sound heard was that of the much needed rain that battered down on Bardez, cleaning it of all its sins. As heavens let loose, all the six friends sat with their secrets, deeply guarded and buried in their hearts, which were now about to spill out slowly and gradually. Richa sat on the floor, rocking to and fro, least concerned about what was happening around her.
“Ma’am, one is what one reveals to be. You just show the world what the world wants to see, and you are all set to go,” said Vibha sitting on the couch fidgeting with her fingers. “Vivek never left the villa. That night, when he was about to leave, I stopped him,” she continued narrating.
23rd September 2000…
“Stop right here. You are staying the night,” said Vibha stopping Vivek as he was about to leave.
“But I have to go. I have a night shift, and also, I have to reach back home early tomorrow,” Vivek said.
“I don’t know anything about that. I just want you to stay, and you can leave early in the morning,” she said.
“But I really can’t…
“Oh, you really can. Come on now,” said Vibha pulling Vivek back into the house. She pulled him back into the villa. “Wait here. I will be right back. Don’t go anywhere,” she said as she ran into the kitchen.
“Arey tum gaye nahi?” asked Abhimanyu as he saw Vivek standing near the staircase.
“Ha nahi vo jaa hi raha tha…
“But now he is going nowhere,” said Vibha as she came running back.
“Okay cool,” said Abhimanyu chuckling.
“Let’s go,” she said, holding Vivek’s hand.
They both climbed up the stairs and then walked into one of the rooms on the first floor.
“This is my room. Like whenever I visit Abhimanyu, I get this room to stay. So there will be no one to disturb us here,” said Vibha, sitting on a chair adjacent to the table.
“Where is Richa? I haven’t seen her in a while?” he asked.
“Oh, she must be around, probably helping Kaajal with the dishes. But don’t think about that, and let’s just chill and talk here,” she said, a little unsettled by the question.
“Uhmm… okay,” said Vivek sitting awkwardly on the bed.
“Hey! Want a beer?” Vibha asked. “You know what. Let me get us both some. Wait here and I will be right back,” she added as she went out of the room to get some beer.
Vivek sat on the bed and then lay down, getting comfortable on the bed. He rolled on the soft mattress feeling the comfort, and then bent down over the edge. As he bent down, he saw a book under the bed. He got down from the bed, reached out under the bed, and pulled out the book covered with dust. He blew hard on the book and dusted it with his palm. He then opened it. "To-Do List" was written in bold, and there was a list of things.
“Those are the things I want to do before I die. The "To-Do List" as I like to call it,” said Vibha at the door with two beer bottles.
“Okay, sorry. I didn’t mean to open it without your consent,” said Vivek closing the book at once.
“No, it’s fine. There are a few personal things in there, but it’s cool,” she said, handing Vivek his beer.
“So "stargazing on the beach” is on the list, huh. Wonder why that is not ticked yet, given that you are in Goa,” asked Vivek settling on the bed with his beer.
“Yeah, there are a dozen beaches in Goa. But the task is to do stargazing with “the special one”, if you know what I mean,” she explained.
“Oh, "the special one" I get it,” he said, sipping his beer. “Okay, this “Trying sushi”, what about this?” he asked, laughing.
“Yeah! I so very much want to try Sushi. I heard it’s just raw fish but definitely worth a try,” she exclaimed.
Vivek flipped through the pages and saw that there were a lot many things on the list.
“To eliminate Divorce as a concept” readout Vivek. Vibha’s expression completely changed. After listening to that, the excitement on her face had just vanished.
“Oh, sorry, I did not mean to offend you. I should not have read that,” apologized Vivek closing the diary.
“Wrote that when I was 14 years old,” said Vibha, sipping her beer. “I always wanted to find a solution to my parent’s marital problems. Like, how could a marriage go so wrong, that there is no mending that can be done? They fought frequently. Frequently is not even a close word to the number of fights they used to have,” said Vibha, her eyes swelling up with tears.
“I am sorry to hear that. So are they divorced now?” Vivek asked
“They never got a chance to get one,” said Vibha wiping her tears.
“What!? Why?”
“I lost them in a car accident two years back in Mumbai. They left the house quarreling about something, and then the next thing I know, the car lost its balance and fell into a creek. Now I stay with foster parents in Delhi,” she said.
“Oh, that’s bad. I mean…
“Oh no, it’s cool now. It’s been two years now, and I have learned to cope with it.”
“But you are a strong woman, and I am glad that I met you,” said Vivek holding Vibha’s hand.
They both looked at each o
ther for a few seconds, and Vibha suddenly leaned forward and gave Vivek a peck on his lips. This act startled Vivek and he withdrew.
“Why? Something wrong?” asked Vibha softly.
“I don’t know…
“Oh no, it’s fine,” said Vibha as she leaned forward again and kissed Vivek. This time Vivek leaned into it and held Vibha by the shoulders as they fell on the bed, their bodies wrapped around each other. There was a certain sense of sensuousness in the air which was interrupted by a sudden knock on the door. This startled the couple as Vibha jumped off Vivek.
“We are all downstairs playing treasure hunt. Want to join in?” asked Kaajal opening the door slightly.
“Yeah! I will right there in five minutes,” shouted Vibha as she sighed in disappointment.
Back to Present…
“Vivek was great. He was smart, funny, definitely mature for his age, and a perfect looking guy. Everything that a girl wants in boys, or that’s what they tried to find back then,” said Nishant, as Erika and everyone listened to his narration as Vibha had stopped talking as she was sobbing.
“Why don’t I know any of this?” asked Ishaan.
“You had completely passed out after the party, Ishaan” informed Kaajal.
“I remember him coming up to me and sitting beside me…” continued Nishant.
Back to 2000
“There you are, Vibha!” called out Nishant as he saw Vibha climbing down the staircase followed by Vivek. “What took you so long?” he chuckled.
“I was just finishing up with the packing in my bedroom,’ she answered.
“And I take Vivek was helping you pack, huh, or were you guys packing each other up,” said Nishant bursting into laughter.
Everyone giggled at his joke except Richa as she found it very odd seeing Vibha and Vivek walking down together, her phone number on Vivek’s palm still clearly visible. Vivek sat beside Nishant while Vibha went and sat beside Richa.
“What is this that you are using?” asked Vivek seeing Nishant take out a small bottle from this pocket
“This is heaven in a small bottle,” he said, opening the bottle with a pop sound. “Ek goli zindagi ki,” he said, putting a pill on his tongue.
“Hey, it’s okay. Nishant is like the Pablo Escobar of the group. You name it, he gets it,” said Abhimanyu looking at the confusion on Vivek’s face.
“And whatever he gets, it’s the best quality in the whole town, I can assure you that,” said Kaajal rolling a joint.
Just then, Ishaan, who had passed out on the couch, turned sideways and his arm hit Kaajal, who was sitting at the foot of the couch.
“Ouch!” she cried in pain.
“Somebody, please take him to the bedroom,” said Abhimanyu.
“I’ll take him,” said Vivek. “And where is the landline? I have to make a call. I will be right back.”
“There is one in each of the bedrooms” replied Abhimnayu.
“And go easy on your back. He is a heavyweight champion,” said Nishant laughing.
Vivek pulled Ishaan from the couch, swung his arm on his shoulder, and walked him up the stairs. He opened one of the bedrooms and put Ishaan on the bed, tucking him in.
“Let’s decide the thing or the treasure that is going to be hunted down,’” said Vibha.
“How about a bottle of these pills and a joint. Now that’s a true treasure, for sure” said Nishant with a burst of high-pitched laughter, the pill was doing its trick on him now.
“Richa, please do suggest something,” said Abhimanyu seeing that Richa had zoned out.
“Yeah, what?” she reacted, still bothered by the fact that she had seen Vibha and Vivek walk down the staircase together.
“The treasure. What could it be?” repeated Vibha.
“Oh yeah… how about these bottles of beer?” she suggested.
“What!? That’s lame,” said Kaajal.
Even everyone was confused as why did Richa suggest something so lame but chose to ignore it.
“Oh! there he is. So tell me Vivek, what should it be?” asked Vibha, as she saw Vivek walking into the living room.
“I mean, I am blank right now,” he said.
“Okay, I have a ‘treasure’ in my mind that might be worth hunting down,” said Abhimanyu getting up.
He ran up the stairs and into his father’s study. After a couple of minutes, he came down with the treasure.
“Okay, guys, this thing is the real deal, and I want this to be our secret, alright,” he said, holding something behind his back.
Everybody nodded as they were curious, as to what Abhimanyu had brought and he showed them the ‘treasure.’
“What the fuck! A handgun!” exclaimed Vibha as Abhimanyu showed them the polished grey .0380 ACP.
“You sure about this, buddy?” asked a concerned Kaajal.
“Yeah, I am,” Abhimanyu replied.
“Ohhhoo... That is super cool. Could I touch it!” said Nishant, utterly amazed at the sight of the gun.
“No. No. It will strictly be used for the game purpose only. It is loaded,” warned Abhimanyu.
“But who will hide it?” asked Vivek.
“How about Ram Lal? He could do it for us and plant the clues with the help of his young son,” suggested Richa.
“Yeah, right. That can be done,” said Abhimanyu. “Ram Lal! Ram Lal!” called out Abhimanyu.
Ram Lal came running into the hall. “Ji Abhimanyuji. Vo thodi aankh lag gayi thi” he said.
“Chota bhi so gaya kya?”
“Nahi vo jaga hai. Kya hua, kaam tha?”
“Haa vo is cheez ko chupana hai,” said Abhimanyu showing him the gun.
Ram Lal was taken aback by the sight of the gun but controlled his anxiety.
“Daro mat. It’s just for the game,” said Abhimanyu
“I want you to hide it somewhere in the villa and then, with the help of your son, make some clues and place them all over the house,” Abhimanyu explained.
“Let’s keep a total of 4 clues,” said Kaajal.
“Okay, tho chaar clues banane hai,” ordered Abhimanyu.
“Yes, sir, but I can’t do that because I have never played this game,” answered Ram Lal.
“Yeah, so ask your son to help you. He must be knowing a thing or two about this,” said Abhimanyu.
“Okay sir, I will try,” replied Ram Lal leaving the group.
Ram Lal and his son first roamed around the whole house, searching for a safe place to hide the gun while all the seven of them were back in the veranda, enjoying the beer and chatting.
“Ram Lal is taking quite some time now. Somebody tell him it’s not the national treasure,” said Nishant, which was followed by a series of laughter from everyone.
After about 30 minutes, Ram Laal came out in the veranda with his son, informing them that the clues were ready and well placed. They all gathered in the hall where Ram Lal handed them their first clue.
“I will go to sleep. Jarurat pade tho bulana,” said Ram Lal as he left for his small room near the villa. Abhimanyu nodded in agreement.
“I have seen many faces.
Happy faces, sad faces, all kinds of faces.
I always tell the truth, how much ever you try to deny” readout Vibha picking up the first clue.
Everyone was thinking hard for quite some time, when suddenly Abhimanyu shouted in excitement, ““Water?”
“A lie detector?” suggested Nishant, to which everybody gave him an annoyed look.
Vivek stood, thinking about the riddle and murmuring to himself. Suddenly he jerked his head. “It could be glass. Oh, wait! Do you have any big mirrors?” he asked.
“Yeah, we do,” answered Abhimanyu.
“Yeah, then this could be it,” said Vivek pointing at the second line of the riddle.
“Oh yeah! Let’s start with the biggest one in my room. That could be it,” said Abhimanyu as they ran up to his room.
He went up to the big mirror and slid it open, showcasing his
collection of perfumes. And on one of such bottles, was another chit as the second clue.
“Oh, yes! Got it!” exclaimed Abhimanyu. “One down three to go.”
“Messing with me should be last on your mind.
It gives you hope in the darkest of nights.
Can help nourish you or destroy you like a stick of dynamite.”
“Ram Lal is good with riddles,” said Vibha.
“It must probably be his son. Ram Lal is too old for this” replied Abhimanyu.
This was a difficult one as everybody stood thinking about what it could be. Some stood, and some walked, thinking about the clue.
“Oh yeah, it’s fire!” shouted Nishant with joy. “Why did not I think of it earlier. “Can destroy like a stick of dynamite”. That’s it. Fire!”
“Is it the fireplace in the living room? Let’s go there,” said Abhimanyu as they all ran down to the fireplace. The fire wasn’t burning, so Abhimanyu brought a torch and flashed it inside the fireplace. There was an aluminium box in the fireplace. He bent down and got it out. And inside it, was the third clue.
“Two more to go,” he sighed.
“I am always looking over all of you, even when you are not aware.
You have my possession, so beware.
But watch out for the snare.” readout Abhimanyu.
Everyone was puzzled by the this one. They could not join any of the dots. So they just stood there clueless, trying to decode the riddle.
“I guess I know this one already. I can feel it. Come,” said Abhimanyu as they all followed him up the stairs. They all entered his father’s bedroom, and he stood right in front of a giant portrait of Mr. Shekhawat sitting upright with an elegant suit and looking as sharp as always. He then slowly swung the portrait to the left and asked Kaajal to take out the night’s final clue, which was stuck to the wall behind.
“Nothing escapes his sight” said Abhimanyu, opening the final clue. “The final one, guys,” he added, reading the final riddle.
“Sometimes they say the end is the start and start is the end.
Sometimes I see you straight, and sometimes I see you bend.
And when it comes to comfort, you can weigh on me to any extent.”
“What is this!? The riddles are just getting ridiculous,” said Nishant.
Into The Shadows Page 11