The Poetry of Deaths

Chapter 6

Ruhani opens her eyes and starts crying.
Sana comes closer, "What happened, Ruhani baby?"
Sidharth takes her in his arms, "Ruhani, stop crying. Did you see a nightmare?"
"I saw her. She said that she will hurt you if you don't stop."
Ruhani says amidst her crying, as she holds Sidharth tightly.

"Who will hurt him?"
Sana asks.
"She must have had a bad dream. Nothing will happen to me."
"No. She has hurt you twice. She is angry. Stop it. She says stop."
Sidharth and Sana look at each other.
"Sidi, please stop. She will hurt you otherwise."
Ruhani keeps on crying as Sana and Sidharth hold her close, their faces pale and in shock.

"What is happening, Sana? Is Ruhani like you?"
Sidharth asks, holding Ruhani in his arms. She didn't want to be laid on the bed or away from him. He had to hold her in his arms even after she fell asleep.

"I don't know, Sidharth. I don't know. I am really scared and confused."
"We need to know."
"Sidharth, I don't want her to be like me. It's more a curse than a blessing. It's scary to see the dead. It's tough to know something is about to happen yet you can't do anything. I don't want that kind of life for her or anyone."

"Come here."
Sidharth calls her close and wraps his other arm around her.
"Let's not jump to any conclusions now. She might not be psychic. And even if she is, we will be there to help her. For now, you take her to Dr.Anand tomorrow evening. He will know better. I will join you there. Now stop thinking and try to sleep."
"And what about her? She is threatening you. Repeatedly."
"What about her?"
"Don't you think, you should take the threats seriously?"

"Really Sana? Now I have to take..a ghost seriously. What do you want me to do? Leave the case? Stop investigations?"
"I.. don't know. I am scared. If something happens.."
"Sana, I am a police officer. You knew the risks when you got married to me. My life is always at stake. I can't just leave my work for threats, and that too from something that doesn't physically exist. Talk sensibly now. Just.. relax.. kuch nahi hoga. Trust me."

"But Sidharth, don't you think the killer is trying to punish these kids for their mistakes? He might be.."
Sidharth cuts her off, "Sana, do you hear what you are saying? Roshini was the victim and Govind was taking revenge. Was he correct? No. You were with me and even Roshini. And now you are saying the opposite thing. Why? We really don't know what the kid's faults are. You knew Anuraag. Do you think he could be a criminal? These young people commit mistakes. If they commit crime, the court is there to judge them. No one, I repeat no one has the right to take the law in their hands in the name of justice."

Sana nods her head,"I know. I am sorry. I am just scared. She has already hurt you. Invisible enemy is dangerous. You can't really fight them."
Sidharth pulls her closer,
"I know you are scared. Don't be. I have you to protect me. My shield, my bodyguard."
He smiles and kisses her forehead.

"Sir! Sir!"
"Hun? Yes Ranne."
Sidharth breaks out of his chain of thoughts.
"Are you alright, Sir?"
Sidharth nods his head, "Yes. Where's everyone?"
"Coming Sir."
Ranne gives him a file.
"Sir, this is the file of Divyanshi Gupta. Police had closed down the case stating it was a suicide. Report says she couldn't take the pressure of medical school and had problems at home. Her parents were going through divorce."

"But I have a feeling this is not a suicide. And if it is, there is more to the story than the pressure of studying and family. Call his parents to the headquarters. Did you find anything on the sketch I gave you?"
"Nothing Sir. There's no report of missing or any dead body found in the last 2 to 3 years that matches the sketch."
"Hmm.. Look for any accidental deaths during that time frame. Any unidentified woman's body in her early 20s maybe. In Mumbai or its outskirts, not very far. Possibly with her face destroyed in the accident or something."
"Right Sir. "