Chereads / The Coward Killer Part1- Killer Delhi / Chapter 7 - The game begins..

Chapter 7 - The game begins..

(...Continued...) 

 It's half-past five in the evening at St. Xavier's College canteen. Boys and girls are wandering here and there, some enjoying snacks in the canteen. 

Monica is worried, half-eaten breakfast and an empty tea cup in front of her is showing... it's a long meeting... A few girls are sitting with her, sipping on tea... Her friend Jignesh is also lost in thoughts. A few boys are smoking cigarettes. Everyone is seated around the table. 

Breaking the silence, Jignesh says, "This is a serious matter... Alright." 

Monica repeats, "He only told me... Sion Hospital, Ward number 32... Balyamama!" 

Jignesh expresses his opinion, "What's the big deal? Let's go to Sion Hospital."

Monica worries, "Yes, I feel something is wrong." 

The waiter at the canteen suspiciously listens to their conversation. His face turns strange at the name 'Balyamama'. The atmosphere is becoming mysterious, and the rainy weather outside is creating more suspense.

Someone from inside the canteen is also watching and listening to them. 

"He said, Papa is in Delhi... Why?... Should he go to Delhi or Nepal... (getting more tense) Still, he should call. His mobile has been unreachable since last week... As if someone has removed its SIM card." 

Jignesh asked, "Which company does he work for?" 

Monica replied, "I don't know, he never mentioned anything specific." 

Jignesh asked again, "Still, have you seen any papers or company-related stuff around?" 

Monica answered, "No... (thinking) Well, once he was talking about an insurance company." 

She takes out her mobile from the purse and rings Peter. Jignesh guessed that she would call Peter...He is pulling Monica, asking to get up... But she is firmly sitting... 

However, Peter is seated in his sports Mercedes, blasting music loudly. He is like a crazy man wearing black eyewear goggles.. and a black blazer with nothing underneath. He has put on black ripped jeans and wearing various bare metal rings on his fingers... He has put on red sports shoes and smoking a cigar. 

Two friends were sitting on the back seat, swaying to the music and singing. 

When the phone rings, automatically song's volume decreases.. He is speaking on the phone's speaker. 

Peter says, "Hey, you noisy dogs, be quiet. It's your sister-in-law's phone." 

Both of them were already quiet, looking at each other.

 Peter asks, "Yes, dear tell me." 

Monica says, "Peter, I need your help." 

Within ten minutes, Peter's car screeches to a stop in front of the canteen, and he rushes inside. 

Peter pulls one chair and sits in reverse.. 

Someone is watching from inside, but due to the end of the session there is lot of chaos of students.. The crowd of students is so large.. So, their voices are lost in the noise. They are planning something.

********** 

Outside the stock market building in Mumbai, everyone gets out of Peter's car. It's 7 PM in the evening. 

Inside a cabin of a private company officer, on the eighth floor.. Monica break the ice and starts a conversation with an officer. 

Monica, "Sir, I am Monica. Is my father an insurance agent of your company?" 

Officer, "What name did you mention?" 

Monica, "Ya, Nilesh Rawat." 

The officer checks the computer and then looks at Monica's, "No, there is no one named Nilesh Rawat who is our employee." 

Worry and fear appear on Monica's face. 

"By the way, you have a good look. Why don't you join us?"

Monica shows disgust. She quickly gets up and folds her hands. "Thank you very much." 

The three of them... back downstairs. 

Peter asks, "What happened? Shall we check a couple of companies?" 

Monica, in tension and distress, replies, "No."

Jignesh asks, "... any accident?"

Peter says, "Hey man, don't be negative. be positive." 

They all get back into the car. 

Peter asks, "Where to go?" 

Monica says, "Sion Hospital." 

Jignesh asks, "Who is Balyamama?".. 

The sound of a bell rings, Ting Tong Ting Tong Ting Tong. In the same office.. 

The officer is on the phone, angry but trying to keep his voice down. "How did Nilesh's daughter get into the office? You cunt ... (listening)... D'suza's brother was there too... (listening)... Keep an eye out, I'll kick everyone's ass you buggers...fucking pimp .." 

On the streets of Mumbai during rush hour traffic.. a car on 'Queen's necklace' is speeding and being followed by a taxi. 

Peter suspects something is wrong but doesn't say anything. The car speeds up and nobody speaks. Highly skilled Peter takes the car out at full speed.. Other car drivers are abusing him.. 

Jignesh points out the speedometer to Monica.. silent inside the car..Rain starts pouring down. 

Around 8 PM, everyone arrives at Sion Hospital to see Balyamama. 

Sion Government Hospital ward no. 32, 

A live skeleton like person is on his death bed.. Saline is injected in his right arm.. An experienced senior doctor and a team of four apprentice doctors are on round in the ward to check on patients. 

As soon as the senior doctor reaches Balyamama's bed, Monica asks, "Doctor, what happened to him?" 

The doctor replies, "He has a liver transplant. Who are you guys? Are you, his relatives?" 

Jignesh answers, "Yes..." 

The doctor doesn't say anything after checking the patient's report, and says, "Okay." He then leaves to attend to the next patient. 

Balyamama slowly opens his eyes and asks, "Doctor, has Monica come?" 

Monica is surprised and asks, "How do you know my name? Who are you? Where is Papa?" 

Balyamama with a dry mouth and in pain, introduces himself as a resident of the village 'Telara' in Kankavli and thanks Nilesh for bringing him here and getting him treated. 

He then tells Monica that he doesn't know where her father is and signals towards something under the bed. 

Monica looks and finds a typical village-style nylon thread woven bag containing ten to twelve Alphonso mangoes, jackfruit, and a plastic bag with dry fish. 

"I bought it here from Kankavali for you. Your mother likes 'Wakti' very much. And my Nilesh likes mangoes... mangoes... mangoes..." Balyamama faints. 

Everyone looks at each other in shock. 

The doctor is attending to another patient. 

He tells the relatives of the other patient, "He is no more." The sound of crying intensifies the already heavy atmosphere. Outside, it's pouring heavily.

(...What happened next?...)