The Interrogation chamber became an intolerable chamber and the police officers couldn't keep their feet or facial expression still. At this moment, their facial muscles might have been too tired to make out any facial expression whereas the suspected criminals were bragging about their events like an award to show off to the world.
The interesting mystique environment emerged slowly when each of them shared the detailed events, which were some dramatic and typical, a few of them being melodramatic but sweet, and a rare of them were genuine and somehow heartfelt and this is what confused all of them even more.
Lakshman sir declared a break and came out with a long tired sigh," God! In my entire life, I have never felt this amount of exhaustion and impatience. Seriously, Dhansi ji. ये लोग किस मिट्टी के बने हैं? ( What are these people made of ?)
Their connection with their daughter seems good but toxic at the same time although they never mentioned their daughter as some kind of product until the beginning of the current year events that they described. This particular year has been taking a toll on my mind because of the increase in the number of insanely terrifying cases that never in humanity people expected.
We need a strong chai break and some tasty street snacks to handle these kinds of cases with a strong mind and happy stomach. Tell me, what do you want to have, Chai ( Normal tea) or Masala Chai ( Mixed-spice tea) and what do you want in snacks? Don't be shy, I will order for all of us."
Mr. Vidyut tries to deny politely but he eventually gives in and asks him to order one cup of Masala chai ( Mixed-spice tea), that's all.
Kritak excitedly announces, " I would like both Masala chai and 2 full plates of pakoras (fritters)...for me alone. " Everyone giggles at his statement especially his appetite which complementarily matches with Lakshman sir's appetite.
Lakshman appreciates with a cheerful tone," Kritak, I like how you are always the first one to join in my food treats with the same level of love for food. I am glad that there is a foodie like me in our department."
Mr. Dhansi ji, " Sir, I too. I love food but my health doesn't allow me to eat as much as my stomach wishes to. Nonetheless, I can still enjoy in limited amount which is fine for me. I too want one cup of Masala chai and a half-plate of pakoras. That's it. "
Within 10 minutes, their mouths were busy with chai and pakoras but Dhansi ji was already finished with his evening snack while others were still savoring their snack leisurely and seeing them, his desire craved to eat more.
Kritak noticed it and silently drew the rest two officers towards Dhansi ji and they felt a little bad for him but Lakshman was in the mood for something playful and he silently signaled through his eyes to play along with him. Vidyut and Kritak were familiar with the playful side of their Lakshman sir, so they were willing to join his train of fun and lighten up their mood a bit.
Lakshman praises the food with a teasing voice," Ummhhhh... The pakoras are too delicious to settle for just a half-plate. I mean my darling pakoras are too precious to ignore. Seriously, It is difficult to say 'no' to these crispy and cute snacks for any person. Don't you all agree ?"
All 4 of them said yes in a chorus and Dhansi ji stepped a little away from the pakoras, picked up the case file folder, and looked into it with a frown on his lips. Lakshman chuckles and stands next to him and forwards a small plate with one piece 'Jalebi' ( Funnel cake ) above the file folder that he covered his face with. Mr. Dhansi gleefully rapidly took that jalebi in his hand and took each bite with joy.
All four of them are relishing in the moment although Lakshman's eyes are lost somewhere, which is noticed by Mr. Dhansi. He nudges Kritak but he doesn't acknowledge as he is laughing at Vidyut sir's joke, so he nudges him again still Kritak is too endorsed in sipping the tea and clapping his hands on his thigh.
Ultimately, he pinches his arm and that didn't go to waste with Kritak complaining in a childish tone," Dhansi ji, Why did you pinch me? If you wanted something you could simply nudge me, and I would have noticed you. It hurts. See, Vidyut sir, my whole arm is paining right now. Hmmph!"
Mr. Vidyut snickers with a disbelief tone, " These two are just like kids regardless of their age, now again they have started. Lakshman sir, only you can-" His gaze stopped at Lakshman sir with weary eyebrows and lost gaze, in addition, his hands were fidgeting restlessly on his lap. Vidyut calls back Lakshman sir to the present moment, " LAKSHMAN SIR! Are you thinking about this case especially that victim who is trespassing on the untouched and unknown regions of the city? "
Lakshman sighs with a pang of guilt burdening his heart," Vidyut ji, I feel heavy and disappointed within me for my incapability to reassure their daughter that she will be safe with us instead I made her scared to death that she attacked me with a pen. But the most painful part was that she apologized like a broken record and her head hung down in shame, disgust, fear, and hopelessness for herself.
I also felt ashamed that I couldn't stop her from running into a dark void. After realizing the status of relationship with her own parents, I feel more and more guilty and upset with myself. But, we have to find her as soon as possible. Dhansi ji and Kritak, you two bring me the latest update about the search operation and also contact that friend of hers to gather more information about her. Now, go."
They both saluted him and went to perform the tasks that were asked of them. Lakshman looked into the case profile file folder, read the details, and noted down the important remarks deeply ingrained in his memory. Lakshman goes thoroughly through the recent cases and makes points in his small velvet textured lavender-colored pocket diary.
Meanwhile, Vidyut handles other tasks and also keeps in contact with Dhansi ji and Kritak about the situation and the status of the operation. Sadly, there were no updates rather they heard bad news regarding the case which intensified the tense environment.
The four of them again gathered outside the interrogation chamber standing by the window and they were having a deep and serious discussion among them and the bad news ultimately reached their ears. Dhansi ji groans with a pitiful voice," Sir, now it's next to impossible to find her and we may eventually discover her but not maybe in a alive state. Her clothes were found floating on the Bhima River along with a small cross-body bag stuffed with some accessories and small snack packets.
The clothes had 'Doll' weaved in a dark-green colored thread on the inside of the collar and this same pattern was found in her clothes that are still isolated in her wardrobe. It's unacceptable but the evidence indicates only one thing right now, she might be deep under the currents of the river. Still, we will find her body but the possibility of her still being alive is almost negligible. I feel sorry that a young girl had to pass through this earth early. I pray that her soul-"
Lakshman interrupts him abruptly and rudely refuses," Dhansi ji !! It's not been a minute and you have already accepted this news without proper evidence. The news is just a logical assumption that she might be surfing within the ways of the water but it doesn't make her dead. May I remind you that we have seen a few numbers of cases that declared the same thing as you did but later miraculously the victim is discovered out of nowhere in a live state?
So, until we find Hrida's body, we have no right to declare her dead as if she didn't ever exist. Dhansi ji, you disappointed me with your words today. Out of everyone, you were always the optimistic one in every case but this time, you gave up so easily. Why, Dhansi ji?
I apologize for my high tone but I didn't expect this from you." Saying this, he walked out of the police station and rode on his bike somewhere.
Meanwhile, Mr. Dhansi is stunned with a hurtful look splayed all over his face. Mr. Vidyut and Kritak were standing confused and concerned for Lakshman sir at the same time. Dhansi Ji mumbles with guilt in a small voice," I didn't want to disappoint him rather I was trying to state the facts. I- I didn't know that my words would ignite such a reaction. I had never seen Lakshman sir behave like this. He looks too invested and immersed deeply in that girl's case, which never happened before. He gets deep into the case but never gets attached to the case."
Kritak spoke with a mature tone," Dhansi sir, don't feel sad. Lakshman sir was just upset because of the way you spoke about that girl. Although you weren't at fault completely, it is just that Lakshman seems to be attached to the case, which is not good in terms of professionalism. But there is always an exceptional case like this, so it is okay for him to be like this. We will wait until he feels the need to share his reason with us and if he doesn't then it is fine as well."
Vidyut comments with a glint of admiration in his eyes for Kritak, " I didn't know that you had the maturity and understanding streak inside of you. I am glad to see this side of you. You made us understand quite well. Dhansi ji, Kritak is right; we should try to understand Lakshman sir's condition. We will keep the search continue with a hopeful mindset."
After an hour, Lakshman returned with nervous eyes darting around, his shoulders drooped low and an upset frown etched upon his lips, he lazily paced towards Dhansi ji's work desk where Dhansi ji was talking on the phone with someone. As he neared him, he heard Dhansi ji talking to that Shashi boy about Hrida about gathering information to find some clues and then Dhansi ji replied on the phone, " We are trying our best and don't worry, your best friend will be safe and soon in front of your eyes. We will find her as soon as possible till then keep your hope close to your heart and don't let it go.
Lakshman sir is working hard to safely return your friend to her home. Okay, beta (child). And yes, if she somehow tries to contact you, inform us quickly. These days people are not safe to bump into, she might get in trouble, you understand, right…? Okay then, beta ( child), I will end the call."
Dhansi ji noticed Lakshman sir in a low demeanor standing opposite to him, he felt the need to apologize for hurting his feelings. But before he could apologize, Lakshman sir knelt on his knees and grabbed his hands lightly while placing his head on his lap.
He remained silent for a minute and Dhansi ji felt his head shaking and heard his low whimpers and hiccups in between, " I.. I … I am sincerely sorry for…For talking rudely with you. Whatever may be the reason, it.. it didn't give me any right to talk in such an ill manner. I never behaved like this.
I never got attached to cases personally before but this time it feels personal and I don't know why. Maybe I saw someone familiar in her whom I saw suffer badly and I don't want her to go through the same. But I really feel disgusted that How could I do this to you? You just stated the facts and there is nothing wrong with being practical at times but maybe I couldn't use my mind at that time. So, now I want to ask you, could you forgive me this time for my mistake? "
Dhansi ji placed his hand on top of his head, patted his head affectionately, and spoke in a gentle emotional tone," Lakshman sir. I am glad that you admitted your mistake but you are not the only one at fault, I too was acting out of my character. Normally, I always keep my hopes up but I don't what happened I felt something weird inside as if my hopes were absorbed out of my body like a zap. I don't understand what happened to me that time."
Lakshman wipes his tears and voices out after a few minutes of pause," Dhansi ji, I too felt a weird feeling creeping upon my mind and then I suddenly became rude and a bit aggressive towards you, which is out of my character. Something is fishy, I am just unable to pinpoint it. "
Suddenly Mr. Vidyut and Kritak came rushing towards them with expressionless gaze and clumsy steps. Everyone's eyes were on them. Mr. Dhansi and Lakshman ask them simultaneously," What happened ? " Kritak opened and closed his mouth like a fish but no words came out of his mouth and Mr. Vidyut stood by his side frozen and looking at the ground.
Lakshman patiently asks them," What is the matter? You both look don't well. Is something wrong, tell us. Kritak...Vidyut ji. Please respond, you are scaring us now. Inspector Vidyut! Please speak."
Mr. Vidyut speaks in an uncertain tone," Lakshman sir, we visited the jail chamber where the recently arrested criminals are put in but what we witnessed is something unexplainable. I can't even say what I saw because I don't what I saw exactly. Please come with me and see it with your own eyes. Dhansi ji, you too."
Lakshman and Dhansi ji followed Mr. Vidyut and Kritak into the jail chamber and as they slowly pranced towards the jail where that drinker young man whose head was covered in bandages, now sat at the corner of his cell in a weird posture. Then they heard his ghostly tone," DRINK, DRINK, DRINK, I want more, more and more alcohol. Oh here it is, thousands of bottles in front of me. I love it, thank you." The young drinker was staring at the ceiling and suddenly started laughing creepily although when he looked straight into Lakshman's eyes, he was shocked.
Kritak hid behind Dhansi ji and Dhansi ji stumbled backward while Vidyut sir and Lakshman sir didn't move from their position at all. Vidyut sir started mumbling under his breath," I must be in some nightmare. This is not possible. This can't be possible. Maybe I am not in the right state. This is a myth....just an illusion. It can't be ..it can't be…. Is my mind working alright?"
The drinker noticed his ramble and spoke in a dangerously –low tone with the creepiest toothed smile," My Friend, if you have any problems then you can drink along with me and that guy over the ceiling will make your wishes come true. This jail cell is no more jail more like heaven for me. I feel dizzy in a good way.
And yes, do not try to mess with him; he is a force to be reckoned with. I warn you, join me, and then everything will be fine. Join. Last time, when I requested a little pretty girl along with a tabby black cat, she rejected my request rudely and ran away. I couldn't catch her otherwise I would have taught her a good lesson. But you don't repeat the same mistake as her, otherwise, you might become his next target. Hmmmm?"
Lakshman controls himself as he again feels a heavy energy prying into his mind but he wouldn't let in this time. Lakshman tried not to look into his eyes because his eyes were something that couldn't be seen with naked eyes. His eyes enlarged like a demon's eyes and his pupils were blood red while his eyes were completely void and horrifying. His hair carelessly waves in the windless air in a slithery manner and small droplets of blood drizzle from his eyes falling upon his now blood-stained empty-white prison cloth.