by Irfan Khan
Karan’s attention came back to Reema “Is there someone from his office who could be doing this”?
“I thought of that, but can’t understand what’s the big deal? No money is being asked then why”?
Karan picked up a toast “This seems to be the work of a vigilante, like a batman or Spider-Man.”
Reema sniggered “As if we were destroying the world.”
Karan had a new thought “I am curious, didn’t Nikhil have any affair or flings”?
Reema didn’t like that question “You are saying it like it is a mandatory thing for all married men. Nikhil was not at all like that. He was all about work and making it big. He was in a race to make everything right for Aashar when he would be ready to start his career.”
Yes, that was me. I did not want Aashar to be left wanting anything. He had to go to Stanford for his studies and I was saving up for that. But after Aashar went away, I was in a void and needed some support. I don’t like to show that I am needy and went about my routine as if I was not broken. Reema should have sensed that and be sensitive to it. I was plunged in my work as a diversion to keep my mind off the tragedy. I guess Reema took that as my disinterest and disregard of her feelings. Now, I can see that she did not stray but she went back to her original love. Universe played a role in bringing them together. My loneliness exploded into a giant black hole after I discovered her indiscretion. I wonder if it is an ego thing for me as I discovered that she never really loved me as much as she loved Karan.
. . .
Final evidence
I was riding in Madhav’s jeep when the contingent of police arrived at the hotel. Earlier when I went to the police station, Madhav was in a bad mood and Jagan was getting the brunt of it.
Madhav was not holding back his ire “There is no excuse for this. By now we should have started tapping Karan and Reema’s phone. Why is it still delayed”?
Jagan wished he could turn invisible “Sir, we need a warrant from the home ministry to tap the lines. We are getting their live locations from the telecom service provider. I could do that only because I have a friend there.”
Madhav was not satisfied a bit “What would I do with just their locations? They are surely not going to commit any crime now.”
I wish I could reach out to Madhav and assure him that eventually, all will be well. He will be able to solve the crime. It was just a matter of time. Madhav kept pacing up and down till Jagan spotted a new email in his inbox from the secret sender. He alerted Madhav who rushed to the computer monitor and, in a few minutes, three jeeps with police and a forensic team were racing towards Hotel Oscar.
Madhav briefed his team on the way. They fanned out and started scanning around the periphery of the hotel. The manager rushed out and Jagan stopped him and explained that they were doing a search operation for evidence. The team did a very thorough search but with no success. After an hour of the operation, Madhav was looking frustrated. How could this be possible? His information had to be right. Madhav decided to extend the search to different areas. He asked the team to search inside the bushes and dig up the garden if they want. Madhav went inside the hotel lobby and looked around in desperation. Suddenly he saw a poster of the rooftop restaurant. He asked the manager about it and the manager said it has been shut for the season. Madhav saw a lot of potted plants in the picture. The information in the secret email was to search in the trees and bushes.
Madhav went up to the rooftop restaurant. The tables and chairs were all stacked up on the side because the restaurant was not operating. But the plants were still fresh with new flowers. Madhav summoned a team on his walkie talkie. A search team joined him on the rooftop and started rummaging through the potted foliage.
Soon enough they hit the jackpot and called the chief. Madhav rushed to the spot as soon as he got a shout from his constable. He wore his gloves as he asked everybody to move away. His face lit up as he peeped between potted plants and saw the pistol lying on the ground. A Smith & Wesson 9 mm pistol. He reached down and picked it up with his gloved fingers as an assistant held open a polythene zip bag. The pistol was kept in the bag and then into a leather satchel which Madhav took charge of as he walked triumphantly to the lift.
. . .
The Getaway
I did not leave with the police team. What happens next was very predictable for me. I walked to the park opposite the hotel and strolled around the spot where I was killed. This Park was our favorite, me and Aashar. We used to spend the day here on a picnic. We came here to do a lot of physical activity with packed lunch and refreshments, so it became a picnic. This is where we played cricket and did some science and tech experiments. I was always planning activities for this trip. Especially the tech and science-related. We both enjoyed that thoroughly. This is where we learnt to pilot our first drone. That was an exciting day. Aashar was supercharged and super enthusiastic. His joy made me smile ear to ear. Reema would unfold a garden chair and watch us indulge in our passion. She was very happy with the bonding that would happen on such trips. Aashar would constantly call out to show her what’s happening. She would respond appropriately and wave her hand.
What would have happened if Reema met Karan and Aashar was still alive? That was an interesting thought. Would the embers of lost love still rekindle? Would my fate be the same? I guess I will never know how that would have played out.
I had a feeling I was going to die my second death. If one was to believe all the things they say about the afterlife, then once my incomplete work is done, I would cross into the nether world. My incomplete work was to get justice. To punish people responsible for my death. Soon Madhav will discover the killer’s identity. That’s when I may go away. I have very limited time now onwards so let me tell you the story hidden within a story.
. . .
Karan is frantically dialing Reema’s number and upset because she is not answering the call. He is giving instructions to his staff to take the day off and leave the office immediately. He empties all the documents and cash from the office safe. Once again, he redials her number and keeps it on speakerphone as he rushes around. Finally, he moves out of the office as the office boy locks it up and gives the keys to Karan. He hurries down the stairs and towards his car. He has no time to wait for Reema’s response, he gets into his car and drives away as his tires squeal in protest.
He has kept the phone on hands-free connected in the car. Sure enough, Reema calls back,
Reema is worried “Hey, you called”?
Karan gets upset “Where the fuck did you disappear? Pack a quick bag and wait on the street. I will be there in a few minutes.”
Reema is perplexed “What is happening? Can you please explain”?
Karan cuts her short “There is no time for all that. Start packing. I will explain all when we meet. Now go, go.”
Reema was utterly confused but she guessed that there was something big happening. She jumped up and pulled out a bag and started dumping whatever she could grab. This was no time to coordinate dresses with shoes and jewelry. She emptied her safe and was out of the door in a flash. She thought it would look odd to stand on the street so she waited just behind the main gate under the almond tree.
. . .
Sugaoni Police station
Jagan rushed to Madhav’s cabin,
Jagan is trying to contain his excitement “We have got the warrants. We can go now.”
Madhav jumps and looks pleased “Lets first track the location. We should be sure where to go. Put the coordinates on mobile phones.”
Jagan gets busy doing that as Madhav walks out of the cabin towards the radio room,
Madhav shoots an order to the staff “Send out a message to all exit points and toll points. They have to stop all vehicles leaving Sugaoni till I give the next instruction. No one will exit.”
. . .
Karan approaches the gate at Reema’s house and is happy to see her step out with her bag in hand. She jumps into the car and Karan immediate
ly speeds away.
Reema immediately asks “Okay. What’s happening”?
Karan has started driving. He turns briefly to Reema “They have found the pistol.”
Reema feels she will faint “Oh my god! Where did they find it”?
Karan replies “You won’t believe it. On the roof of Hotel Oscar.”
Reema looks thoroughly puzzled “What! How could it get there”?
Karan shrugs his shoulder “How the fuck should I know. This is bizarre”!
Reema’s confusion has not ended “Strange. But why are we running away? We did not use the pistol or fire it”? There must be many pistols like that.
Karan explains “Remember the guy I have inside the police? He told me that forensic has confirmed that this is the pistol that killed Nikhil.”
Reema is stunned “Oh shit! How can that be possible”?
Karan continues “And the pistol has our fingerprints. We are fucked.”
Reema replies immediately “Our fingerprints? How? Oh wait, we had touched it… oh damn”!
Karan nods his head “Now you know why we are running away.”
Reema’s head is spinning “This is completely insane. Someone makes our video and shares it with police and robs the gun from my house and the police finds it on top of hotel where the video was made. Nikhil gets shot near the hotel. Who is this person”?
Karan speaks with rage “If only I could lay my hands on that person. I would kill him with my bare hands.”
Reema is quiet for some time. She is in a state of shock. A while later she starts to find her bearings “But where are we going? Aren’t the police already searching for us”?
Karan suddenly realizes “Oh yes. I need to take an update from my guy.” (Karan speed dials from his phone)
“Karan speaking. What is the latest”?
The guy on phone: “Throw away your phones, they are tracking you guys. You have to avoid the main roads. Go from some side road into the hills. I can’t speak anymore.”
The phone disconnects as Reema and Karan look at each other with astonishment.
Reema is hesitant “This is an expensive phone.” Karan slams the break of the car.
“But cheaper than your freedom. give it to me.”
She gives him the phone and as he stops at a roadside Dhaba. He gets out of the car and walks towards the parked trucks. He goes between two parked trailers. He reaches into the tarpaulin covering and shoves in one of the mobile. Then he turns to the other truck and does the same. He hurries back to the car and drives away Ina hurry.
. . .
Madhav and Jagan are in the jeep together and keeping a constant eye on the tracking device.
Jagan is intrigued “They have stopped at Man Singh Dhaba.”
Madhav says “That is not far from here let’s keep moving in that direction.”
Madhav is also tracking on his tracking device which is more advanced than the one Jagan is using.
Jagan sounds surprised “What the hell! This is strange! Reema has started moving but Karan is still at the Dhaba.”
Madhav does not look surprised and continues to look at the winding mountain roads.
Jagan is confused “Now Karan is moving but… hang on… he is moving in the opposite direction. What are they doing? Are they splitting so that we get confused”?
Madhav has guessed the trick “Yes, that is the strategy. They are not going in different directions; it is their mobiles that are travelling. You are tracking their mobile phones and they have got rid of them by dumping them in two separate vehicles.”
Jagan gets angry and swears “Oh shit! What do we do now”?
Madhav always has an ace up his sleeve “Now we track them using the device I installed in Karan’s car.”
Madhav looks at Jagan and winks at him.
Jagan is delighted to know this “Sir, this is not done. You should have told me about it.”
Madhav gives him an understanding look “Then how would you learn how to track a mobile phone in movement? We will not get such cases every day in Sugaoni.”
Madhav looks at the tracking device and sees Karan’s car moving towards Chamba road using a dirt road which does not have any toll check post.
Jagan does the math and says “They are quite far; will we get to them in time”?
Madhav smiles deviously “They are on a dirt road and can’t find any fuel and mechanics for miles. I loaded his fuel tank with rocks. His fuel gauge is showing wrong readings They will run out of petrol after few km. We will reach them in time to have lunch with them.
. . .
The Inside Story
The Last day
That night when I saw the pistol at home I decided on my next and final action. Everything was crystal clear. Reema never loved me truly and now she was okay to keep a pistol that can kill me. I still couldn’t digest all this and kept asking myself if I was over reacting. I decided to have a heart to heart with her. That morning I asked her to give me a few minutes to discuss something. She seemed cool about it and I did not see any panic on her face. I imagined she would be petrified as the video could have reached me possibly. She sat on the sofa next to my recliner.
I asked her “Reema, I think you are bored with me and our attraction is wearing off.” Now I saw her expression flip.
She froze and started stuttering “W… wh…why do you say that?” This was typical of a guilty person. A question in reply to a question.
So, she was going to make me spell out everything. I continued “I have been told that infidelity in marriage is triggered by boredom or disappointment. I am guilty of both.”
Reema’s eyes were not on me and they constantly darted around “Are you accusing me of infidelity? How can you be…”
I cut her short “You want to watch your video with me?”
I picked up my mobile and Reema resorted to the final non-violent weapon, she started crying. I wanted her to take her time crying. Those tears were of regret. Regret of getting caught. The other function of the tears was to buy time and frame a defense. The statement will be about her making a mistake and apologies for the same. Then she will say this will never happen again. She would expect me to shout a little but eventually forgive her.
I would have been okay with this scenario and forgiven her. I was determined to reset the relationship to the point where we were still in love. When she would make effort, I wanted to surely respond positively.
Reema turned to me with bloodshot eyes “I would have gone insane if Karan did not come back in my life. I was engaged to him before I met you and now, he is the one who truly cares for me.” This was a shock to me. Karan was the person she was engaged to. That’s the history that they have.
I tried to reason “If you are ready to give up on this and start afresh, I will support you. This could a one-time misadventure. I will forgive you.
Reema continued “I feel that the misadventure was getting married to you. I could have waited for Karan. I had no idea his wife was going to die.”
I had no further pleas to make her to revert. It was more than evident that I was the third wheel in the future that Reema saw for herself. With my parents gone, Aashar also gone and now Reema is also going away, I had no more reason to continue the charade of life that plays out until one comes to the ‘d-day’.
I started putting together my exit game.
Now it’s time to tell you guys the real story behind the scene.
When I discovered that Reema never loved me, like she claimed, and ex-fiancée Karan was more important for her. I started to make the flow chart of the actions I was going to take to redeem my sanity and dignity.
Step 1: Validate my suspicion with concrete proof.
I took advantage of my tech expertise and downloaded an app on her phone. When logged in to the app ID from the desktop or my mobile, I can see where the phone's location is and therefore where Reema is at that moment. Through the process of tracking Reema I had discovered that she was lying o
n many occasions.
Step 2: Be one step ahead of adversary.
I had installed miniature CCTV cameras in my home, these cameras were embedded in regular objects and therefore invisible to everybody. I put the camera in a lamp, a vase, photo frame etc. These cameras were connected to the digital video recorder and were saving everything to my cloud server. I got advance information on what they were planning.
Step 3: Visual Proof.
For video evidence of my wife's infidelity, I put flower vases in every room at Hotel Oscar. The CCTV project of Hotel Oscar gave me the access to do all this. I did not want to be influenced by conjectures. I wanted to have real proof which was irrefutable. Soon enough I had sufficient evidence. People involved in the crime refute everything and call it a onetime mistake. Therefore, I wanted empirical evidence to prove otherwise. The CCTV cameras recorded Karan and Reema multiple times.
Step 4: Inform Authorities.
I needed an anonymous source to send out the evidence to the police at pre-scheduled intervals. The evidence would start going out a week after the day of my death.
Some weeks ago, I had contacted the Star Wars Cyber Cafe through email and convinced her to do tasks for money. All she had to say do was forward mails and get paid. I had analyzed the business of the cyber cafe and knew for sure that she would like a few extra bucks. I sent her a few mails and promptly paid her, this helped me gain her confidence. I encrypted my content in such a way that the cafe lady will not have any idea what was being forwarded. The truth would be revealed when police would get the evidence.