The Homestay Murder (Completed)

Chapter 4

"What brings you here?" Vidyut exclaimed on opening the door.
"I have a few questions to ask. May I come in?" The kind novelist asked. The reply was positive and Viraat entered the room. It was the exact replica of his. Vikram was lying on the bed with his phone. "Hi Viraat. Needed something?" He asked.
"Yes. A few answers." Viraat replied as he sat on a chair next to the bed. "I heard you didn't have dinner in the homestay last night. Why?" He asked.
"Why are you asking such questions?" Vikram frowned. "It's our wish, isn't it?" He asked.

"I understand it may sound stupid, but it's really important. Please." Viraat said.
"Ok. There's a nearby restaurant here. We wanted to try that out." Vikram replied softly. Viraat still felt strange. When the two boys could get free food in the homestay, why would they go to a restaurant?
"Anything else?" Vidyut asked.
"What do you think about the Christian family next door?"
"We haven't really tried to talk to them. They're really reclusive and don't want to interact. Even that teenage girl. She's always reading a novel. I haven't even heard her voice. It's like all the three are in their own world." Vikram explained.

Viraat thought suspiciously. He felt it was very strange for both the guests to tell the same thing about each other.
"Don't tell this to them. But I think they have something to do with Mr. Vipin's murder. It's like they've planned it out all along."
Both were even accusing each other. This highly seemed awkward.
"Anyway, when was the last time you saw Mr. Vipin alive?" Viraat asked.
"We went out to dine at around seven. So, the last time we saw Mr. Vipin was at six thirty or so. Actually, we forgot to tell him that we weren't having dinner at the homestay. That was pretty wrong of us." Vidyut said.
"What time did you guys come back to the homestay?"
"Around nine forty five. We went for a drive around the region. On returning, we wanted to inform Mr. Vipin where we had been. Unfortunately, he had already gone to sleep." Vidyut explained.

"You seem to have come to the homestay on the same day when the Christian family came. You both are even going back on the same night. A bit of a coincidence, don't you think?" Viraat smirked.
The two youngsters looked at each other strangely. "Yeah." Vikram said. "Seems strange." He added.
"I'll take your leave. I don't think so I would have to bother you anymore. Thank you for your time." Saying this, Viraat exited the room and ran towards the main office.
Seema was sitting on the plywood chair with her face dug into her hands.
"Seema." Viraat called.
"Huh?" At first she didn't even know where she was. "Oh Viraat, it's you. Did you talk to the boys?" She asked. Vikram nodded. "Anything new?"
"Something rather shocking." Viraat replied. "The youngsters and the Christian family seem to be telling the same thing about each other. They even accused each other for murder." He explained.
Seema seemed to get more worried. "Why do you think they're doing that? Is it just a coincidence or is there something else?" She asked.

"It seems a bit too early to know. We'll get answers. Don't worry." Viraat said softly. "By the way, didn't the police tell they'll get the fingerprints on the pistol by evening? We may get a thing or two from that. Who knows, we may get everything from that too." He added as Seema slowly smiled back. "You look tired. Better get some sleep now." Viraat suggested.
"Yeah. I need my afternoon nap." Seema replied.
"Alright then. I'll head off to my room. I'll see you in the evening." Viraat went outside as he said this.

Time passed through the day and the sky grew darker and darker. The chirping of birds was later replaced with the buzzing of insects. Snacks were served at six. However, Viraat wasn't interested in eating in the evening. He rather chose staying in his room and trying to unravel the mystery.
It was about six thirty when the snacks were stopped being served.
At around seven fifteen, Seema's phone unexpectedly began to ring. "Hello." She spoke softly.
"I suppose this is Ms. Seema?" The voice on the other side said.
"Yes. That's me." Seema replied.
"This is the inspector from the Munnar police station. I just wanted to inform you that we've got the fingerprints on the pistol we found under the bed this morning." The inspector said. "It's a really unexpected result. The only fingerprints on the pistol is of Mr. Vipin's itself." There was absolute silence on both the sides until the inspector continued. "We've also learnt that there were thirty five bullets in total. Now there's thirty two. These evidences show us that Mr. Vipin was the last person to touch and use the pistol, therefore, killing himself. It was a smart suicide act. Instead of shooting himself in the forehead, he shot himself three times starting from the stomach, chest and then the heart. Basically, Mr. Vipin wanted to show that he was murdered." He explained.

"B-but why would he kill himself? There must be a reason, right" Seema started to cry by now. Tears were rapidly flowing down her cheeks.
"We have no idea about that ma'am. I thought you may know something about your deceased father whether anyone threatened him or he was in depression. We've done our job ma'am. If you learnt anything new, please do inform us. We won't be coming tonight. As per us, the case is closed." The inspector cut the call. At that time, Viraat entered the main office.
"Who was that? Why are you crying?" He asked as he came towards the young lady.
"It was the p-police. The fingerprints on the gun was of daddy's itself. He killed himself." Seema replied as she sobbed.
"B-but that's impossible. He was shot three times on the body. This can't be a suicide act." Viraat exclaimed.
"The police says that he shot his stomach first, chest second and finally the heart." Seema explained everything what the police inspector told her.
"The bullets make sense. But there has to be a reason for him to kill himself. Has Mr. Vipin told anything about he having a problem with something?" Viraat asked.
"No. He was such a cheerful man till yesterday. Daddy never looked sad at any time of the day." There was a moment of silence. "But all the proof show that it was suicide. It may seem impossible, but that seems to be the conclusion. I'm going to find the reason behind why my daddy killed himself." Seema said.
"Alright. If you need help I'm there. I can-" "No Viraat." Seema interrupted. "I'll do this by myself. You've helped me a lot and that's enough. I still don't know what I can give you back for all the things you've done today. Even though the result is completely unexpected and different, I owe you a big one. Please Viraat, let me do this."

Viraat looked down on the floor. He blew air and said, "Fine. I'll leave."
"Where will you go?" Seema asked.
"I have some work to do based on the land property of my parents. That's the main reason why I came to Munnar. I was actually brought up here. Unfortunately, my parents died when I was very young. My grandparents looked after me all my life. My parent's house is just about two or three miles from here. I'll stay there. I'm planning to demolish that house and build a new one." The novelist explained.
"I think I troubled you a lot. In that case, you could've left today morning. I-I'm sorry." Seema apologised frowning.
"No no! Please don't be. I don't have a hurry." Viraat smiled.
"You can take daddy's bike. If he had met you, he would've surely been impressed." Seema handed over the keys.
"Anyway, I better get a move on. I'll surely come back one day. You'll hear from me shortly." Saying this, Viraat stepped out of the building giving a smile. "I'll miss you." Seema whispered biting her lips.
Viraat glanced back at the homestay from the gate. "I'll surely miss this place." He said as he started the bike and left.

It was eight o' clock when the youngsters checked out. "You must be Ms. Seema." Vidyut said. "Sorry for not meeting you at the first place. That was rude and careless of us." He said. Seema smiled back and gave the form.
"More than that, we're sorry for your father. Never expected such a thing would happen." Vikram said.
"I-It's alright." Seema replied. As soon as the two boys left, Seema heard footsteps coming towards the building.

—————————
'Wait, so it was suicide? Why would Mr. Vipin kill himself? Is there something more than what it seems to be?'