kaaval kaaran

Chapter 3

It was a typical morning in the bustling town of Karaikudi. The marketplace was crowded, people were going about their daily business, and the loud hum of conversations filled the air. But at the police station, something unusual was about to unfold, something that would shake the very foundation of the town.

Siva sat at his desk, looking through a stack of papers when his phone buzzed. The message was from Vetri.

"Siva, unkitta oru periya case vandhurukku. (Siva, a big case has come your way.)"

Siva frowned. His instinct told him that this wasn’t just another petty issue. As he picked up the phone to call Vetri, the door to his office burst open.

Vetri walked in, a look of concern on his face. "Siva, idhu romba periya case. One of the richest men in the town, Muthuraman, has been found dead. (Siva, this is a very serious case.)"

Siva sat up straighter, his mind already racing. Muthuraman was a name everyone in Karaikudi knew. He was a wealthy businessman with connections that went all the way to the top, from politicians to powerful figures in Chennai. This wasn’t just another case; it involved some of the most influential people in the region.

"Eppo? Enga? (When? Where?)" Siva asked, his voice low and serious.

"Kalaila avar veetla thaan erandhu kidandhar. Naanga onna kaapaatha thaan try panninom, aana too late. (He was found dead at his home this morning. We tried to revive him, but it was too late.)" Vetri explained.

Siva’s mind shifted gears. This wasn’t just a case of natural death; something felt off. He could sense it. "Body la edhavadhu mark irukka? (Were there any marks on the body?)" Siva questioned.

"Oru strangulation mark irukku thaan. But adhu clear-a illa. (There’s a mark around his neck, like he was strangled, but it’s not too clear.)" Vetri said grimly.

Siva knew he had to be careful. Muthuraman’s death would be a huge scandal, and there were bound to be political repercussions. The people who surrounded Muthuraman were not the kind to let this go easily.

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**Meanwhile, at Home...**

At the Rajamanickam household, Dharani and Bhava were busy with their own conversations.

"Ennachu ka? Nee un Ram ah thaniya meet pannitiya? (What happened? Did you manage to meet Ram alone?)" Dharani asked her sister, winking.

Bhava’s face turned pink, but she wasn’t ready to spill everything yet. "Nee konjam summa iru! Eppo paaru cinema la vara heroine maari! (You’re one to talk, with your cinema heroine-level drama!)"

Before they could argue any further, Dharani’s phone rang. It was Siva.

"Mama! Enna, enna samachaaram? (Mama! What’s the news?)" Dharani asked in her usual chirpy tone.

But Siva’s tone was anything but light-hearted. "Dharani, inga oru murder nadandhuruku, adhu romba periya case da. (Dharani, this murder case is a big issue.)" he said.

Dharani paused. This wasn’t the usual teasing conversation she had with her cousin. There was something serious in his voice, something that immediately made her stop her playful banter.

"Enna aachu? (What happened?)" she asked softly, her voice lowering.

"Muthuraman sethutaan. Inga full mess aayiduchu. (Muthuraman is dead. It’s a big mess here.)" Siva said, his voice tense.

Dharani knew how important Muthuraman was to the town and to her cousin’s career. She wanted to help but wasn’t sure how. "Nee enna panre? Unakku enna help venum? (What are you going to do? Do you need any help?)"