Diminutives

Victimizer 4

"Mr. Khurana, I hope you understand the seriousness when I ask you to cooperate with us", the police office told Reyansh.  He had arrived as Police had summoned him for asking few questions on Mallika's disappearance. He readily agreed and they started to take his statement. "Are you aware that Ms. Mallika Mittal is missing", officer asked and he nodded. "How did you know the Ms. Mittal?", officer asked him. "She is a known figure in our circle. I can even say that she is an old friend. But I didn't have much contact with her until recently when I met her at a wedding". Officer smiled and asked again, "And how did it go?". 

Reyansh became uncomfortable and looked around before answering. He picked up the glass of water and drank from it. "I want to come clean, Officer", Reyansh spoke honestly, "especially since Mallika is missing and I don't want to hide any information that could provide a clue to find her", he paused, "But please be discreet and don't bother my family. I have a wife". Officer laughed softly, "Absolutely, Mr Khuranna", he tried to coax him, "I am only interested in finding Mallika Mittal. Trust me, I don't have time to do moral judgement". He already knew that Reyansh has an invalid wife while Mallika was flirting with him. Law has no interest in extra marital affairs until it led to a crime. Till now rather than being a cheating husband, Reyansh Khurana had not made his name in the suspect list. Not yet. Unless, Reyansh is lying.

"We danced for a song during the wedding. Then she was flirting with me. I tried to keep her at bay but she didn't take any hints and was really persuasive", Reyansh stated nervously, "Finally we decided to go for a drink and come back before anyone notices". Officer smirked mocking his false proud. "We decided to go to her apartment. She offered me wine. We drank, talked and...kissed". "We are not interested in your romantic night, Mr. Khurana", officer mocked him.

"Believe me when I say nothing happened, okay. Surprisingly she withdrew soon and told that it was a mistake. I felt like cold water was thrown on my face but I too had to agree with her. I left from there quickly". "Then you went home", office suggested but he shook his head. "I couldn't head back home and face my wife. I drove away until I could clear my head. I didn't know how but I reached our company's construction site. I drank a bit more and dozed off in the car. Later when I woke up it was late night and I drove back home".

Officer dabbed his pen softly on the table, "Any witnesses to corroborate your story? Some employee or watchman at the site?". "I don't think so. It was Sunday night and site was deserted. I can check if someone saw me", Reyansh seemed to be genuine. "Don't sweat on it, Mr. Khurana. We will check it out", he noted down and asked again, "Did Mallika contact you again?". "Just a message sent few minutes after I left. She apologized for her behaviour and requested forget about it. I replied as OK.  After that no word from her. Frankly I was happy that I didn't hear from her further", he gave his statement

 "That's all for now . We will be touch", officer told him, indicating the session is concluded, "Don't leave the city without informing us. We may call you for further investigation". Reyansh nodded. "I know it is your duty. But please be discreet", she requested them again, "my wife is not in good health". Officer sighed but didn't care to promise anything and escorted him till the exit.

"What do you think, Sir?", a subordinate asked the officer, "he seemed to more scared of his wife knowing about his infidelity than the case. A typical spineless cheater but not out culprit". Officer in charge agreed to him, "True. He didn't hide about going to Mallika's flat or drinking with her. From CCTV footage we know he left soon. He also shared about the text send by Mallika before exiting her flat. He didn't lie and his words go with our findings. Besifes both his and Mallika's mobile locations were also distant". Officer felt strange about Reyansh Khurana still he didn't have anything solid to pin on him. "Remove him from suspect's list until any red flags pop up", he informed his subordinate.

Reyansh wore his shades and drove away from the Police station. He smiled wickedly at his image on rear view mirror. "You will not find, Mallika. I took care of her", he spoke viciously, "Neither can you nab it on me. I took care of it as well". He recalled the day when he met Mallika at Riya's wedding. 

Reyansh balled his fist in anger, remembering audacity of that woman to tempt him before his wife. He was well aware of her type. A kind of woman who took pleasure in seducing men who are off limits. A sophisticated form of classic home breakers. He tried his best to drive her away but she was determined to win him. Then he saw it. Something that always drove him to frenzy. Pranati's eyes, brimming with tears that reflected her insecurity and sorrow.

Reyansh was always his mother's son. Most of their relatives used to comment that he didn't take after his father who was simple man. His brother Vardhan is more like their father. Undoubtedly, their father loved them a lot. But he lacked madness that Anjana possessed in her genes. Their father was man who succeeded from his humble background. Anjana, a rich father's daughter chose him despite his background. Because she fell madly in love with him. 

Reyansh had seen how his mother always stood up for his father and strategically removed people who posed as a threat to him. Reyansh idealized his mother and always wished to have a life like his parents. His father was a happy man till the day he died. The sole reason of his fulfilled life was his mother. He knew his mother still talks to his father whenever she is alone. A sort of madness that is not ready to give up even to death. She hallucinates that her husband's soul is still bound to her. Still madly in Love.

The day Pranati met with accident, Reyansh lost his balance. He destroyed every single person who caused her pain. When she returned to life, he didn't care that she can't move her legs. He loved her so much to notice her wheel chair. For him, she was still his Pranati. Along with his family, he managed to give her a happy home but world was cruel to her. She soon started to feel insecure and sad. Yet he managed to feel her cherished and protected her from bad vibes.

Reyansh would have been successful if not for those snakes. Women like Mallika who takes pride in seducing men just to boost their ego. For their momentarily pleasure, they didn't care to destroy a home. He never cared of any of them and was able to drive them away respectfully. But he failed to ward off fear they injected into Pranati. She was too fragile to manage the stress and started to break. Her pain made him mad. So his madness took over and he decided to eliminate them.

Mallika was not the first woman but he hoped she is the last. He had carefully disposed her body and created enough proofs to protect himself. He never enjoyed killing but the fact they can no longer hurt his Pranati gave him immense pleasure. Her hurtful eyes tormented him until he punished her culprits. He didn't  know how long he can escape from law as one day he will be caught. His mother somehow knew the truth and had already warned him to put an end to his killing spree else he will end in prison. He decided to rein his madness but failed once more.

More than prison, Reyansh feared facing Pranati. He had promised her not to harm another woman and failed to keep her word. She was devastated when Police summoned him for questioning. Now his sole aim is to convince her about his safety. She had to belive that no force can take him away from her.