Unfated

Chapter 9

'... I'm so sorry Veena. I shouldn't have let you go alone.' I cried looking at the stoned face of my friend.

'Veena beta, you will be fine soon. And the police is going to punish the monsters who did this to you.' Papa assured affectionately.

Veena did not speak. She just blinked. However, this small movement was a sigh of relief for everyone of us.

'You heard that, Veena. We are all with you.' I said forcing an optimistic smile through my tears.

'Veena Yadav!' I heard an attendant call. 'We have to take you for some tests.' She said.

Veena did not move her head.

'I ... I don't think she'll be able to walk by herself.' I said knowing the situation.

'Arrange a wheelchair chair for her. We'll take her.' The lady constable standing by her said.

'Okay.' The lady said.

^^^^^^^^

I have never imagined to see such a heinous atmosphere before. Veena. Poor Veena! The girl I have known for so long was now going through some radiation to recover some finger prints off her body.

I went with her till the room where the security had asked me to stop. I walked through the corridor where Papa stood. He had just disconnected a call, probably from home.

'Naina!' Papa called. I walked to him and burst into tears. Papa pulled me to him and held me tight, understanding the emotions that were going through me.

'Papa, she didn't want to leave me alone and...' It hurt me to recall the moments from last night.

'I understand how you're feeling, dear.' Papa ran his hand on my head. 'But, it's not your fault. The girl ... that poor girl! I just hope the monsters get caught.'

^^^^

'... and there were no autos going to Old Railway Colony.' I said in a shivering voice as the Inspector asked me about last night. 'I even urged her to stay at my place but Veena said she has to give the dress to her sister and she has to go home..When Naveen came, I thought... '

'This Naveen Ghatge! Did you know him?' The Inspector interrupted.

I shook my head. 'No. I've only heard about him from Veena. He taught in the same coaching as she did.' I said whatever I knew.

The Inspector looked at me curiously. I looked at Papa who nodded to ensure everything was fine.

'And what did she say about him? Good? Anything suspicious?' He asked.

I tried to remember the details of our conversation that included the mention of Naveen.

'Not much, Sir.' I replied. 'She mentioned him twice or thrice as a caring person who often drops her home when it's dark. And .... yes, he often took her classes when she'd be busy and they'd often exchange classes. In the last Raksha Bandhan, she said something about tying him rakhi. In fact, she bought two rakhis that day and later added another remembering Naveen.' I recalled the day we went to buy rakhis.

'Hm. The guy seems pretty cordial.' The Inspector exchanged looks with his colleagues.

Rudra stood at a corner of this unoccupied store room of the hospital leaning his back to the wall. He had another guy with him.