Behind The Veil Of Lies

CHAPTER 2

Karan's shocked trance was broken when he heard a sob, making him focus his attention back to a hysterical Ria.

"This is all because of me! All because of me Karan! If I had stayed back with Priya this wouldn't have happened! But, I was so lost in my celebrations that I didn't think for once how much she must have needed someone by her side! I'm so egocentric!.", sobbed Ria blaming herself for Priya's death.

"Sshh Ria. Calm down. This is not your fault. Stop blaming yourself.", Karan tried consoling Ria, whose sobs had now turned into loud cries causing her to hyperventilate. Her cries had attracted everyone's attention in the hostel and the warden came running to check the source of commotion.

"What's happening here? Karan ? What's going on? Why are you here at this time and what is...OH MY GOD! Priya! What the hell is all this? Somebody care to explain?!", shouted a shocked warden. Ria's cries had subsided and she was now blankly staring at Priya's corpse, sitting by the door of her room.

"Mam! Actually, Priya broke up with her boyfriend and was quite upset. Ria and I were out and when we came back we found her in this state. Now, please excuse us mam, Ria is completely shaken by the shocking turn of events and needs to get away from all this. If you permit, I would like to take her back home.", Karan explained to the warden.

"I understand Karan, but I cannot let you both leave. Since you both were the first to see Priya like this, you will have to be here until the police arrives.", with this, she marched off to call the cops and inform the college authorities and Priya's parents about the incident.
----------------

*30 minutes later*

The hushed whispers of the hostel inmates and the wails of Priya's parents were interrupted by the piercing noise of the police siren. Within minutes, uniformed police officials came into the scene along with a forensic team.

"Were you the one who called us Miss?", asked an officer looking at the warden.

"Yes sir"

"Hmmm. Who was the first one to discover the body?", the officer started with his interrogation.

"It was us officer.", spoke up Karan, supporting a motionless Ria, who was still staring blankly at Priya, in the same position.

"Your name Mister? And who is she?", asked the officer pointing at Ria.

"I'm Karan and this is my girlfriend Ria, Priya's roommate.", he answered.

"What happened? How did you find the body? Please tell us whatever you know", the police continued with their questioning.

"Sir, Ria and me were supposed to go out. Ria was about to leave her room when Priya came in angrily, saying her boyfriend cheated her. She had broken up with him. After a few minutes Ria and I went out and when we returned, we found Priya in this state.", narrated Karan.

"Why didn't your girlfriend stayback with her friend? To console her? And for how long were you both away? When did you last see Priya and at what time did you see her dead body. A rough sketch if not exact timing?.", the police fired a continuous set of questions at Karan.

"Sir, she was very happy as she had cleared a very important exam and we wanted to celebrate it. She thought Priya would get over it as she was an emotionally strong girl. But, later she felt bad that she wasn't there for Priya in her misery. We were out for almost 3 hours I guess. Not very sure though. We last saw Priya around 6:30pm maybe and it was around 9:45pm when we returned and saw her in this condition." said Karan. "Sir, if the interrogation is over can I take Ria back home? As you can see, she's very disturbed by all this.", he added.

"Where do you both live?", asked the police officer.

"In Pune Sir and she would be leaving for Singapore day-after tomorrow for her studies", Karan said.

"Ok you may leave. We will call you if needed."

"Thank you sir". Karan moved ahead to collect Ria's belongings but was stopped by the police.

"Mr.Karan, you cannot go in until the forensics have done their job."

"But sir, Ri's belongings..."

"You may take it after we leave"

Karan just nodded as he had no other choice. After an hour or so the forensics were done with the investigation and Karan was allowed to take only a few important belongings of Ria. Collecting her passport, laptop, few books, and chargers, he left the room with Ria. Priya's body was taken for post-mortem and the room was sealed as crime scene.

Once out, Karan breathed in the cool night air, as he was beginning to feel nauseous due to the stench of blood inside the room.

"Finally, we are going home Ri.", he turned to see Ria, seated in the passenger seat, who still had that blank look and hadn't uttered a single word since her earlier outburst.

"Ria, please don't be like this. I know Priya was your good friend but it wasn't your fault that she.."

"Karan..", a hoarse whisper from Ria was enough to cut him off. He waited for her to continue. After a long pause, she said,

"I killed Priya"