Case Closed

Case Closed

The audience sat spellbound as Ajabde did the final twirl of her routine and ended with her hand up in the air, eyes closed and the other towards the ground. Applause filled the auditorium as she received a standing ovation for her performance from everyone – from the college dean, professors, and her dance teacher, peers, friends, guests and Pratap whose eyes shone with pride. She humbly acknowledged everyone and went out of the stage while the judges wrote down the marks for her performance. The dance competition was the final activity of their college festival and this time the competition had been tough as new and good performers participated and some old rivals also came well prepared. 

Ajabde joined her friends in the corner as the MC invited the judges on the stage to announce the winner. Everyone hugged her and turned to look at the stage where the judges were ready with their decision

And the winner is Miss Ajabde Punwar

Ajabde stood beaming as friends, family, college mates, teachers and everyone congratulated her for the win. She stood beaming with pride when a small boy around 10years of age approached her and gave her a red rose. The red rose reminded her of the past events as she unconsciously held Pratap’s arm for support. Pratap sensed her discomfort and politely took the rose from the boy and then gave it to one of the teachers while telling her how beautiful she looked that night.

As they walked back Ajabde teased him about the same and he smiled with his eyes twinkling

Pratap: I have that effect on people you know

Ajabde: I know and thank you

Pratap: Atleast we can cut roses out from all floral arrangements from now on

Ajabde: True I’m done with roses especially red roses

Raghav stared through the fence at the courtyard where women roamed going about their daily tasks, their appearances made him drown in guilt but there was nothing he could do about it

My son will come and he will take my revenge for me. The Kapoors will suffer just you wait

Her voice made him look up, there she was his mother Mrs Gauri Singhania dressed in a simple saree with her hair in a bun with strands on the sides. She was animatedly talking about him to an empty chair. Suddenly she stood up and walked towards him

Gauri: Who are you?

Raghav: I’m Raghav

Gauri: My son’s name is also Raghav. Raghav Singhania the businessman. My son is a big businessman. Come close and I’ll tell you a secret

Raghav leaned towards her as she whispered into his ears: My son will come and he will take my revenge. Those Kapoors destroyed us and he will destroy them. We will live happily ever after

Gauri ji it’s time for your medication a nurse said

Gauri: I don’t want medication. I’m waiting for my son. Listen if you meet my Raghav then tell him I’m waiting for him

Raghav nodded his head as he saw the nurse bribe his mother with sweets and turned around to leave. He came outside and saw the board at the entrance

Institute for the Mentally Challenged and Disabled  

He looked at the entrance and then walked away. His mother suffered a nervous breakdown at the mill and shot at the police resulting in an injured constable. His lawyers had worked out the way and now instead of being in a prison cell his mother was admitted in a mental asylum. He sat in his car and took a deep breath as realisation sank in- everything he wanted was no longer there. He had lost his wife, his mother and the life he wanted because of the revenge. The ringing of his cell made him look at it and then as he answered he knew what he had to do, he was Mr Raghav Singhania the businessman and he would business like he always did.

Later in the night Ajabde posed with her friends showing off her sparkling engagement ring while Pratap stood in a corner seeing her happy. It had been sometime since he had seen her happy and carefree. The entire incident had shaken her to the core even after it had ended as the media hounded her for bytes and interviews. The Red Rose Killer Incident was the headlines given to the entire event. Raghav had maintained his silence and distance from them ever since the truth came out. He only visited once to apologise for everything and informed them about his mother being admitted into a mental facility. Mr Kapoor and his daughter Paakhi both left the country to start their lives afresh. Raghav had returned Mr Kapoor his business and also offered help for Paakhi which the elder man had refused. He didn’t want any help from the man he blamed for his misfortunes and death of loved ones.

Rann Singh looked at the finished file on his desk. He had come across several incidents but this was one of the tough ones. Gauri Singhania had meticulously planned everything and if they did not have her confession the entire blame would gone on to Samar who being dead meant that the case was closed and Gauri Singhania would have been free but all her plans failed when Raghav found out the truth. She would have shot him if it had not been for that trapped bird that flew at the last moment making her miss the target. Everything after that was easy as Gauri Singhania was arrested, Ajabde, Paakhi, Pratap and Raghav were sent to the hospital, Samar’s body was sent for the morgue and Mr Kapoor was informed about his daughter.

People go to crazy limits to get what they desire the most and sometimes the level of craziness crosses all boundaries. Innocent people died and others were hurt because Gauri Singhania wanted her revenge- she didn’t even care that her own son was burning in the hell she had created. Rann shook his head as he signed the final paper and shut the file that read

                                                     The Red Rose Killer - Case Closed