Hiren Kumar’s body was found floating in the water. An older person, who was a regular walker along the bund, observed the floating body and informed the police.

The case was handed over to Crime Inspector Dharma Chakra for investigation.

*

Pranjal and Ranjan are 22 years old. They completed their graduation. They are both preparing for competitive exams and attending a coaching centre. They reside in an apartment complex.

Nirali is 20 years old and passed her UG from a girls’ college. Nirali resides in a nearby apartment complex. She is 5 feet 4 inches tall, with a long, straight Nose, bright eyes, and a round face. She wears hanging earrings. She has a bob cut. She walks with her spine straight and is beautiful.

She resides in an apartment complex on a road parallel to Ranjans’. Ranjan’s classmate and a good friend reside on the same floor as Nirali. Ranjan and Nirali meet in the lift and talk.

She is preparing for job interviews. She appeared for several interviews but was rejected each time. Ranjan helped Nirali prepare for interviews by purchasing job interview books from second-hand bookshops. She finally got a job in a private organisation. She and her parents were happy. Since then, Nirali and Ranjan have been growing closer. They have frequented restaurants and parks. 

*

Nirali’s father, Murali Krishna, is a Senior Clerk at a private company, and her mother, Laxmi Durga, is a homemaker. Laxmi Durga and Swarajyam were classmates up to intermediate. Laxmi Durga and Swarajyam have been good friends. They got married after the intermediate. Laxmi Durga and Swarajyam continued their friendship after marriage. Swarajyam has a son, Hiren Kumar. Hiren Kumar’s father died in a road accident. Swarajyam resides near Murali Krishnas.

Hiren Kumar completed his UG and has been selected as a junior assistant in a government office. Swarajyam and Laxmi Durga wanted their friendship to be a bond of relationship. They promised each other that Laxmi Durga’s daughter, Nirali, marriage will be celebrated with Swarajyam’s son. Hiren Kumar was brought up under the impression that Nirali would be his wife. Hiren Kumar was attracted to her and wanted to move closer. One Sunday, when Nirali was at home, Hiren Kumar came and asked Nirali to go on an outing on his motorbike.

Nirali was not interested and said, “I am busy. I have to take a head bath. I need to get my dresses cleaned in the washing machine, dried, and ironed. I can’t come with you.”

 Laxmi Durga said, “You go with Hiren Kumar. I will take care of washing your dresses. You can have your head bath in the evening after your return.”

Nirali was reluctant to go with Hiren Kumar. Hence, she said, “I am not feeling well today.”

Hiren Kumar understood that Nirali was not interested in joining him in the outing. He was disappointed and angry. He told  Laxmi Durga, “OK,” and left.

Nirali had a head bath and put her dresses in the washing machine. She got a call from Ranjan. She dressed up, had her makeup, and told her mother, “I am going out to meet a friend, and will return in the evening. Don’t wait for me for lunch. My dresses are in the washing machine. After the machine stops, hang the dresses on the balcony drying ropes. I am leaving, bye.”

 Laxmi Durga was surprised. An hour earlier, when Hiren Kumar asked her to go out, she wasn’t feeling well, but now she got ready and left.

 *

Hiren Kumar was deeply in love with Nirali. He was firm on marrying her. He tried to take her out on Monday evening.

But Nirali avoided him, saying, “I am tired.”

Every time he asked her for an outing, she had some excuse or another.

On another non-festival holiday, Hiren Kumar arrived at about 9.00 am and asked Nirali to accompany him for a picture released that day. She said she had a headache and wanted to rest. He said, “I will take you to a physician for a checkup.” Nirali went into the bedroom, applied  Ointment to her forehead, covered herself from head to toe, and pretended to sleep.

Hiren Kumar was very much disappointed and left.

After an hour, she washed her face, told her mother she was going to a friend’s house, and left. At the corner of the road to her apartment complex, Ranjan was waiting for her. She sat on the pillion seat, with her legs on either side of the seat, and her hands on Ranjan’s shoulders. They went to the picture released that day at a multiplex cinema hall in a recently opened mall.

Hiren Kumar wanted to relax as Nirali did not come with him. He went to a multiplex cinema hall and waited outside, as there was still time before the cinema was set to start. Nirali and Ranjan came to the cinema hall by bike. Hiren Kumar saw Ranjan and Nirali outside the cinema hall.

Hiren Kumar  became furious and went to Ranjan and beat him, saying, “How dare you come with Nirali on a bike?”

Ranjan reciprocated with fists on Hiren’s cheek and chest. The fight continued for about ten minutes. The police, controlling the crowd at the cinema hall, pacified and separated them. Hiren Kumar also warned Nirali not to move with Ranjan, or she would face consequences.  

Ranjan got disturbed. Ranjan and Nirali cancelled their picture program and went home.

The next morning, Hiren Kumar went to Nirali’s parents and informed Laxmi Durga that he had found Nirali going to a cinema with Ranjan. Aunty, I have been waiting to marry Nirali since my mother told me about your promise. I am totally in love with her. I can’t live without her. He also warned that if Nirali is not married to him, she would face serious consequences.

He said to her parents, “You need to correct her behaviour. Otherwise, I will correct Nirali and Ranjan,  which will be dangerous for you as well as for Nirali.”

Saying these words, Hiren Kumar left seriously. Nirali’s mother was afraid.

*

Nirali’s mother took her inside the bedroom, closed the door, and asked, “Why are you deceiving us?”

 You said, “You were going to a friend and went with Ranjan.”

Who is this Ranjan? You are fully aware that your marriage is fixed with my friend Swarajyam’s son, Hiren Kumar. There is no going back on it. You should stop moving with Ranjan from tomorrow. Otherwise, you will see me dead. This is my final decision.”

Saying these words, she left the room. Nirali was dumbstruck. Her eyes welled with tears. She can’t lose Ranjan or her mother. Her mind went dry without any idea. With a disturbed mind, she wept all night.

*

The next evening, she called Ranjan to a park. She was weeping.

Ranjan asked, “What was the problem?”

Nirali said, “My mother is against our marriage. She wants me to marry Hiren Kumar, the son of my mother’s friend. I am not interested in him. But he is after me. Every day, he comes to my home and asks me to accompany him on his motorbike to hotels or parks. I am somehow avoiding him. Yesterday, he saw us together at a cinema hall and fought with you. He informed my mother, and my mother threatened me that she would die if I didn’t marry Hiren Kumar. I am in a dilemma. I can’t lose you or my mother. You must find a solution.

She took both his hands together, kept her face in his cup-shaped hands, and started weeping. Ranjan took her close to him and tried to console her. She could not control herself and wept with gasping sobs.

 And Ranjan continued consoling her.

Nirali, with tears in her eyes, said, “Dear Ranjan, you must warn Hiren Kumar, so that he never dares to follow me. And he must tell my parents that he is not interested in me.”

Ranjan said, “I will take Hiren Kumar seriously. I will straighten him so that he will not dare to blink an eye at you. You do not need to worry. Now that he is trying to separate me from you, I can’t tolerate any more. I will come up with a solution within this week.”

Nirali was happy with his words and hugged him in the park.

After enjoying themselves for a while longer, Ranjan dropped her off at her apartment.

*

There was a message from Pranjal’s mobile to Hiren Kumar, asking him to meet at the city tank bund, where people gather to enjoy the pleasant evening weather.

Hiren Kumar was eager to know what the issue was, as the call was from Pranjal. He went to the Tank Bund, where people relaxed to the evening breeze.

 After some time, Pranjal arrived dressed in a stitched long-sleeve shirt and pants. 

Hiren Kumar said, “How are you, Pranjal. Why did you call me here?”

Pranjal said, “You seem to be in love with Nirali. If you need any help, I am with you.”

Hiren Kumar said, but your brother, Ranjan, loves Nirali. How are you going to help me against your brother? I can’t believe you.”

 Pranjal said, “You Need Not worry. I will talk to my parents, and they will convince Ranjan. This is my promise.”

Hiren Kumar was convinced and thanked Pranjal.

Then Pranjal took Hiren Kumar away from the people on the bund, along the railing to enjoy the breeze, looking at the still waters of the tanks.

While they were enjoying the water, birds, and the environment, Pranjal put his hand on Hiren Kumar’s neck and threw him into the still waters of the tank.

Hiren Kumar drowned, not knowing how to swim. The people were busy enjoying themselves and did not care about the incident. Pranjal calmly left the place.

*

The next morning, Hiren Kumar’s body was found floating in the water. An older person, who is a regular walker along the bund, observed the floating body and informed the police. 

The case was handed to Crime Inspector Dharma Chakra for investigation. Dharma Chakra was known as a strict officer. He investigated several complex murder cases and was awarded a gold medal for solving and bringing the criminals to justice.

(Contd. Part II. - Already released!)

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