The Labyrinth
25-year-old Rishi got a feeling of intense attraction towards Savitri
the very first time he set his eyes on her- dancing Khatak on the stage. After
that whenever he came to the Ashram, he tried getting close to her but found
Satya accompanying like a tail wherever she went. Rishi’s attraction towards
Savitri turned into an obsession which made him talk to his father about
Sathya. He kept telling his father that Sathya is a very bright child, and he
gets a connection with him like he would get if he had his own little brother.
He convinced his father to become Sathya's foster father. The whole purpose was
to get Sathya out of the Ashram and to clear his path towards Savitri. The
person who was always on his side supporting him in all his hideous tasks was
Vijay.
Rishi's visits to the Ashram as a volunteer to assist in its day-to-day
activities increased. Ashok Kapadia felt very proud of his son taking
initiatives on his social work. On the other hand, Sathya suddenly getting out
of the Ashram had made Savitri very lonely and vulnerable. She was so used to
his presence in her life that it was very strenuous for her to be alone. This
made Rishi's job very easy to become her friend and to win her heart in no
time. Since Savitri was above 18, she was allowed to get out of the Ashram
during the day in search of a job. This way Savitri and Rishi started meeting
outside the Ashram as well. Savitri believed that Rishi truly loved her, she
had all faith in him.
This went on well for many months, until one day Savitri broke the news
to Rishi that she is pregnant with his child. Rishi couldn't hide his
expression of shock hearing the news. He tried his best in convincing her to
abort the baby, but Savitri refused. She said that its fine with her if he
doesn't want to accept her or the baby. But she will not kill the child and in
fact will become the best mother to him or her.
Rishi under the influence of Vijay, realized that Savitri's pregnancy
could be of a big risk to him. If his father gets to know he would surely get
him forcefully married to Savitri or might even throw him out of his will. His
own image and family's reputation could also be at stake. Therefore, they both
'Rishi and Vijay', made a plan wherein Rishi would act to Savitri that he is
fine in getting married to her but secretly. Next, they will prepare a fake
appointment letter for Savitri to show the Ashram, a glimpse of which will help
in getting her out of the place. After murdering her, they will wait for the
right moment to disclose about her death to others. The hill station where
Sathya studied often gets stranded in rains. So, if the news of accidental
death is conveyed at that time, there will be no ways for Sathya to try to come
down to see the body of his sister and cremate her. Fake death certificate was
not difficult for Vijay to procure.
Satya had sleepless nights since the time he had got to know about his
sister's gruesome murder by Rishi and Vijay. Initially he felt weak and
helpless. He decided to file an FIR and requested Asha Madam to be a witness in
the court against both the culprits. But she was terrified and refused. Asha
said she cannot take a risk on herself and her family by openly going against
such people with great powers and demented mentality. So, fighting for justice
was shut for Sathya even before he could try.
It took some time for Sathya to get his emotions aside and to first
completely understand the character of Rishi and Vijay's before planning his
revenge. To begin with, he decided to wear a similar acting mask on his face
just like Rishi. Rishi had always acted to be a brother to Sathya. Over the
years Sathya too managed to get Rishi very comfortable with him. He being
an advocate increased Rishi’s dependency on him as well.
It took years of growing, maturity and patience for Sathya to strategize
a master plan. He created a labyrinth all around their thoughts and actions in
such a way that there was not a slightest possible ray of escape for both - Rishi
and 'Vijay'.
Current scene.
Satya reaches the Kapadia house an hour before the decided time of
meeting with Inspector Sinha. He gives a warm hug to Ashok Kapadia, the father
who looked 10 years older his age after losing his young son.
Tea and biscuits were served,
" Sathya, you said you wanted to talk to me alone before meeting
Inspector Sinha".
"Yes Sir, there is something very important that you need to
know."
"Go ahead son."
Sathya takes a pause and tells himself, 'Time to put the mask on one
last time Sathya'.
Seeing Satya nervous, Kapadia gets curious.
"Is it something to do with Rishi's death that you want to tell
me?" Asks Mr. Kapadia.
"Sir, the night while having my last drinks with Rishi. He spoke to
me something very unimaginable."
Kapadia gets up from his chair and sits close to Rishi in the sofa.
"Having few drinks together, we realized that there is something
not right. As we both started feeling breathless along with chest pain. After I dialed and called for an ambulance, Rishi's health started deteriorating
faster than me. In his last moments Rishi made a confession to me."
Satya begins to weep.
"What confession Satya? Please be strong and tell me."
Satya continued.
"Rishi said that Savitri’s death wasn't an accident at the city. It
was a murder. She is buried few kilometers away from the Ashram in a close-by
jungle."
Kapadia is shocked.
"What! But I clearly remember Rishi calling me while I was on my
business tour, informing me of Savitri's death due to an accident and he is leaving for her cremation. I also remember Vijay helping with the formalities
in getting her death certificate. I am not getting what you are saying here
Sathya?" says Kapadia.
Sathya closes his eyes and supports his head with his hands for few
seconds. Then he sits up straight. Looking right in the eyes of Kapadia he
says,
"Rishi was very upset. He was fed-up of Vijay blackmailing
him which was going on for years now. Rishi had met all his demands, yet
Vijay's greed kept on increasing. Then finally he decided to put an end
to this. He told Vijay that he will tell you the entire truth and will not be
giving him a penny henceforth. This did not go down too well with Vijay.
Sathya's decision on donating 'Umeed Foundation' with the money which he would
earlier give Vijay only added to Vijay's rage"
Mr. Kapadia though confused, was patiently listening to Satya.
Satya continued.
"The evening when Rishi invited me for a drink, to celebrate
commencing of 360 degrees lounge bar before its opened to public, Rishi thought
to sort out differences with Vijay and had invited him too. That morning hours
before we met, Vijay had even come to the lounge bar to make the arrangements
for the evening. But in the evening, last minute Vijay called Rishi and gave an
excuse that he won't be joining us. Rishi in breathlessness said to me that he
is sure it is Vijay who has added some chemical composition somewhere which intoxicated
us. Since Vijay works in your Chemical factory, he has good knowledge of chemicals, and it was only him who visited the place before us during the
day."
"I really don’t know what to say. Vijay? Difficult to believe. Yet,
Sathya you are missing an important point. What was the reason Vijay was
blackmailing Rishi for?"
"The reason is obnoxious sir. ....Vijay was blackmailing Rishi on letting you know a ghastly truth.... The truth that Savitridi was murdered
by Vijay. A murder jointly planned by Vijay along Rishi as she was 2
months pregnant with Rishi's child! "
Ashok Kapadia is startled. He gets up in a jerk gives a tight slap
to Sathya.
" Are you out of your mind? Is this the return of favour for all
that I have done for you Sathya? I wonder what’s your motive behind this. I
don’t want to waste any further of my time listening to your meaningless
talks." Yells Kapadia
"I knew that you would never believe in me sir. But seriously you are believing me or no makes no difference, as the nasty reality won’t change for
me. Yet, as you rightly said, since I owe you a lot in my life, I will give you
one advice. Before the inspector arrives here, you should talk to Vijay and get
a clarity for yourself on this. Anyways Inspector Sinha will be asking me detailed
questions about that evening, and I will have no reason to hide from him on Rishi's
final talk with me on Savitridi's murder."
Mr Kapadia stares at Sathya for a while, then taking his phone he dials
Vijay's number.
"Hello Vijay, where are you currently? OK fine, I want you to come
home immediately. ......Guess it shouldn’t take you more than 15mins to reach? .... Nothing serious, just need to have a chat with you."
"Sir I shall wait inside while you have your chat with Vijay".
Says Satya.
Kapadia nods his head in anticipation and waits for Vijay to arrive.
In less than 15 minutes Vijay is seated in front of Kapadia.
"Vijay, I want to let you know that few days before Rishi's death, Rishi
came to me and confessed everything."
"Whoa-what are you referring to uncle"
Looking at Vijay he says "I am referring about you murdering
Savitri, Vijay."
Vijay is shocked. In fear he blurts out everything
"I only followed Rishi's instructions uncle. Didn't Rishi tell you
that Savitri was pregnant of his child? I was just acting like a good brother
to him."
"Good brother! This is being good brother? ...." Shouted
Kapadia
Just then the butler of the house comes in
"Setji Inspector Sinha has come. Should I guide him to come here to
meet you.?"
"No, let him be seated in the meeting room". He turns to
Vijay. "Vijay, I shall come back to you, you can take your leave."
"Sure uncle, anytime you need me I will be there for you, just like
the way I was for Rishi"
After Vijay leaves Kapadia asks the butler to call Sathya in the lawn.
___________________________________________
"Sathya before we meet Inspector Sinha, I want to have a word with
you."
Satya takes a seat waiting for Ashok Kapadia to speak. Silently enjoying
the feeling of victory.
" I am in great shock and pain Satya. Nothing I say to you can
justify the hideous crime committed by my late son. Yet I beg you for
forgiveness on behalf of my family and also for not believing in you."
Mr. Kapadia takes a pause for a few seconds before he continues.
"I do not deserve this, yet I would want to ask you a favour."
"Favour? " asks Satya.
"I do not want you to say a word to the Inspector on the
conversation Rishi had with you. This will make things complicated for me.
Create a very bad reputation to the family name and bring down the shares of my
business drastically"
"That’s not possible sir, I cannot let Vijay walk free this
way" says Satya getting angry,
"I did not say Vijay will walk freely. I will do all in my limits,
right and wrong to prove that he has murdered Rishi. I want him behind bars as
much as you do."
Sathya stays silent for a minute.
"I want to know the exact spot where Savitidi is buried.
Mr. Kapadia readily agrees and they both hug.
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Inspector Sinha stands-up to shake hands with Mr. Kapadia and Sathya
when they both entered the meeting room.
Once seated, Kapadia says,
"Inspector, I truly appreciate the effort you and your team are
putting in to find my son's murderer."
"We are only doing our job Mr. Kapadia. This is a dual case for us,
murder of Rishi Kapadia and attempt to murder on you Mr. Sathya Bhonsle. Till
we don’t have the murderer in our hands, my team and me won't be at
peace."
He looks at Kapadia and says,
" The reason I asked you both to meet me today is for letting you
know on the fresh piece of information we have received on the case. We have
understood the source through which the poison reached the glasses, and we have
a suspect too....
.... The deadly poison was in the ice cubes which were used in the
drinks. And as per the CCTV footage, it’s clear that your nephew Vijay is the
suspect."
....to be continued
Wooow .. what planning!!!
ReplyDeleteSuperrrrr!!!!