Death script

10

Indrajit was starting to get a little restless. Sanjay was five minutes late. Although punctuality was not one of Indrajit's own prided traits, it was one he often naively expected others to possess. He looked at his watch. A sleek silver Rolex. The time was 1:35 p.m.

Sanjay had quite unexpectedly called Indrajit the day before, asking him to meet over lunch. Sanjay said he was apologetic, that his so called 'instincts' about which he had boasted for so many years had so miserably failed him in this case. The meet was just a way for Sanjay to unburden himself of the guilt and also to get to know his son's favourite thriller writer a bit. It would be only be a pity if he missed this opportunity, Sanjay had said. Indrajit had refused to meet for tea in the morning because of his prior engagements and instead agreed to meet for lunch just around 1:30. It still seemed strange no doubt but then again... how bad could it be.

The door of the restaurant opened and Indrajit saw Sanjay walking in dressed in a sea blue shirt and jeans , his old black sling bag dangling by his side. Indrajit was sitting in a corner at the far end, right beside the wall. He stood up on seeing the inspector and greeted him with a smile.

"Oh Indrajit," Sanjay said, his smile unnaturally pleasant. "So nice to see you again."

"You too officer."

"Oh no just call me Sanjay," Sanjay said. He sat down on the other side of Indrajit and seemed to struggle with keeping his sling bag securely.

"Wait let me hold the bag, you sit down first," Indrajit offered.

"Yes surely thanks," Sanjay said giving Indrajit the bag and taking his time to sit down comfortably. He thanked Indrajit and took the bag back. This sudden transition to such cordial interaction was surely a striking development.

"Oh, Indrajit did I tell you my son is a huge fan of yours?"

"Yeah you did. How old is he?"

"He is seventeen. Going to give his twelfth boards this year. But Indrajit I must congratulate you for your bravery. What you did was no easy task you know."

"I did what I had to."

"So nice of you to say that," Sanjay said with a smile. "Wish more people thought like you."

The digital watch on Sanjay's hand started buzzing. He struggled to switch it off with much annoyance and then said to Indrajit with a smile.

"My wife...I might forget about the medication but she'd always make sure I take it on time."

Sanjay picked up the small bag, unzipped the front chain and took out the insulin pen.

"That's admirable," Indrajit said.

"It's annoying. You don't know how much this keeps bugging me," Sanjay said looking closely at the pen for a while and twisting the knob. "See, she bought a new one and I don't even know. I don't even bother but then, the doctor says this negligence would kill me before the diabetes. Do you mind?"

"Oh no, go on."

"Thanks," Sanjay turned around in his seat, facing the wall so as to shield himself as he lifted a small part of his shirt and injected himself.

"So my wife may indeed be a blessing. One which curses me every hour of the day," Sanjay laughed taking out a small container from his bag and dropping the needle in it.

Sanjay now sat comfortably, adjusting his huge body on the chair. Indrajit picked up the menu card from the table.

"So Sanjay, what would you like to have--"