My post The Case of the Missing Wife was to end in one part, however on demand and for my friends I try my hand at the concluding part. Hope I do some justice and is a good read. For part one please read here .
“What is your wife’s name?”
“huh….” A startled Rohan looked blankly at Nirman, the officer in charge.
“An…An…Ananya…” He said petrified.
Dragging the hanging light bulb straight on his face, he shouted again, “And yours?”
“Mine…I…I don’t know.” He said with a feeble voice placing his hand on his eyes to avoid the blazing light.
“Look, my wife is not there, please find her, we came by car from Mumbai to Pune.” He continued pleading.
“Sir, the forensic report is out.” Another officer, Ravi whispered in Nirman’s ear.
“Get his clothes off and try to get any DNA trace of his wife, hair strand, nail, and skin anything from his clothes. Call Dr. Sridhar to crack this nut.” He walked out leaving Rohan and Ravi in the room.
“Remove your clothes and leave them on the table. I will be back.” Said Ravi.
“What have I done officer?” Rohan asked worriedly.
Ravi took his clothes leaving him naked in the cell. He left him for almost 30 minutes, sometimes humiliation works in getting the truth out.
“Where are his clothes? Get him his clothes now.” Said Dr. Sridhar as he entered the cell seeing Rohan coiled in a corner naked.
“Don’t you worry son. These people cannot harm you. Here take these clothes.” He offered a fresh pair.
“So what is your name son?” he asked pulling out a pen and a paper.
“Mine…I think I know…” he tried thinking hard, “Rohan…..that’s my name…I think.”
“And your wife’s? She was with you right in the car?”
“Yes, Ananya, we were in car, together.”
“Who was driving?”
“I drove her to Pune.”
Sridhar looked at the FIR which said the woman was in the driver’s seat.
“What time was it when you reached Pune?”
“I don’t remember, it was late and dark.”
“Did you park the car in the underground parking or outside the hotel?”
“I don’t remember, sir.”
“Ok, don’t stress. So which room did your wife choose?”
“No, it feels things are fading now. The receptionist asked me something and I looked at her and she nodded but said nothing.”
Just then Nirman barged in, “Did this jerk speak up? When some of his nails will be pulled or fingers cut he will blurt all.” He said looking straight at Rohan.
“Look son, try to tell me, once it goes out of my hands, I won’t be able to help you.” Dr. Sridhar pacified him.
“I really don’t remember doctor, I wish I did. Why do you say these things? Rather than finding my wife, you are questioning me?” Rohan almost broke down and started sobbing loudly.
Dr. Sridhar looked at Nirman and passed the note that mentioned,
Post Traumatic Amnesia – disoriented – confused, highly distractractable, difficulty with thinking, memory and concentration and afraid, dis-inhibited, agitated and emotionally labile, hallucinating.
As the last resort to get him back to reality, Nirman placed a packet and some photographs in front of him. “Are these yours or your wife’s?”
“Yes, where did you get these, this ring, this mangalsutra its damaged, melted..this watch I gifted her..He picked the photo of a seared body….”Ananya….” He shouted recognising the face from the burnt contours.
He uncontrollable cried for hours before accepting and getting back his reality.
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“Hope you denied the travel to your boss for the project Ananya?” retorted Rohan.
“No, I haven’t, it’s a big opportunity honey, I think we should think about it.” She explained.
“No way, it’s for 6 months for God’s sake, you cannot go, period. No discussion.” He flared.
“Yes, you rule my life, don’t you? Where am I ever asked my decision ever? You say no means no.”
“Stop it Ananya, you know that’s untrue.” He shouted but she continued her nag.
“When have I got the freedom to do things, like you decide I should come to Pune, so I should. Do I have a choice?” there had been no pleasant talk since the time the project opportunity had come.
Rohan being short tempered had lost it by then. He pulled the emergency brakes and hopped out of the car. “Why don’t you understand, I can’t live without you. Just go I will walk up to the hotel; take this car and go where you want. You are free now.” Were his words before stepping out?
Ananya tried to release her seat belt and move to the driver’s seat in a rage. A multi-axle trailer sped honking behind her as she tried to move to the driver’s seat. Rohan on the other side of the road turned and tried to run towards the car seeing the trailer speeding close. Before he could get anywhere closer the trailer collided with the car and caught fire. Rohan froze at that instance, he was shocked, shaken, he just turned and started walking.
Nirman stamped the file as Case closed.
Image Source: Flickr.com
One disagreement can change one’s life. One moment is needed to turn the things upside down. Life! That is life – a very predictable…….
Absolutely, sometimes small things cost us a mistake of a lifetime which cannot be revoked.
Well written and I liked the ending. A few things unsaid. 🙂
Thanks Gaurab, happy you liked it. Best wishes again for your new blog.
I seriously had goose bumps reading this one, you are so good in suspense and thrillers. Kept me hooked till the end. Have read the first part too.
Thanks Datta, am really happy you liked it and it held you till the end.
That was a good read for me. I guess, I will go and browse other stuff from the site.
I landed on this site through indiblogger.
Welcome Abhijit for my site, glad you liked the story.
Shweta….this really sounded like a good novella….keep it up
Thanks Chaitali, only challenge is that blog provides limited real estate and words to keep the reader involved. Your words motivate to surely keep this going.
interesting!!!
Thank you Aroraji.
Nice ending, could have been anything but you put it in an entirely different way. Kudos! (Y)
Thanks Radhika, welcome to my site. We had many versions as ending if you read my friends’ comments in the first part. Hope you find a reason to visit again.
Nice ending Shweta…I was actually waiting for the next part… 🙂 I love reading your stories…
All for you my friend, am really happy you liked it…will try to better myself now.
Well Written , Good One.I like this.
Thanks Rahul, glad you liked it.
Nice twist to the tale Shweta!
Thank you Sunaina.
Awwwww…..wish Ananya didn’t die…but it was a nail biting read. you are an awesome storyteller Shweta.
Thank you Vidhya, I was really skeptical to write the second part nonetheless my purpose is achieved since its so well received by all. Thank you for pushing me to try the second part, sometimes friend’s little nudge helps.
Oh! What an end! Wonderfully narrated, Shweta!
Thank you Amit for your appreciation, am really happy you liked it.
What a great read Shweta!
Thanks Swati, happy you liked it.
Beautifully narrated!!
Thanks Abhishek.
Shweta, You are really good in creating the suspense. so unpredictable ending. Interesting read….:)
Thanks Priyashi, just tried and it clicked with my reader friends 🙂 thank you for regularly motivating me.
Yay, Yay, Yay………… am dancing on the sofa.. 😀
My reaction must have made you think ME as the one in shock and not Anupam 😀 ….
Well Shweta, I guessed it right just because I was expecting it (knowing you dear :))rightly guessed… but your skill as a writer in keeping up the curiosity level and narrate a full story in few words is commendable. KUDOS ! ANd love and wishes for many more ……. 🙂
I knew that when you wrote “i may give in the suspense if i write here so will wait for others to comment.” I so knew then that you would guess what and how i would write and I am not surprised at the sofa jump my dearest friend as you know me well. Thanks so much Kokila for being around always and truly motivating me to try to give my best. Thank you once again 🙂
Once again, good work Shweta. Was anticipating the ending and you did full justice to it holding suspense!! 🙂
Thanks Jatin, am happy you say that I justified it. As I say purpose achieved 🙂
He he…well written dear…you know what! time is the biggest factor in this world and you can’t move it’s flow. Might it be a story, but definitely recollected me that dance should go on still the lilt of music goes on in this beautiful inn. Nice work! Bravo.
Thanks Durga, am happy you read both the parts and shared with us such inspirational quote.
Liked it so much Shweta.. You answered every question brilliantly in the concluding part holding no one other than the disagreement between them responsible for the unfortunate incidents .. Beautiful.. !! keep going…
Thanks Vinitha, I just read your article on how one visit to a blog and then going back again and exchange of thoughts creates a connection and strangers become friends. Am happy to have you here and read both the parts. Thanks for encouraging me 🙂
Never Thought I would comment on a blog or story like this.
Well written Story. I read the story again completely. That is the best compliment I can give.
That indeed is a great compliment.Thank you and welcome to my site.
At last! Someone with the insight to solve the prmbleo!
Phew! That’s a story now! You kept us hooked Shwetha. Loved the entire story :).. Beautiful work 🙂
Thanks Vinay, am happy you read both the parts and liked it!
Hmm… nowhere near what I had thought.
Tragic one.
Then am happy it was unpredictable Indrani.
I didn’t want it to end so easily… anyway there were no weak links to make anyone feel that you were in a hurry to wrap it up 🙂
If only it were a novel and not a post, I would have the liberty to be more elaborate. Thank you Anunoy for your comment.
Yes… but it really had more suspense potential than you exploited… please don’t take my words as rude 🙁
Ofcourse constructive feedback is always welcome and there is always scope for improvement. Thank you for being candid.
Sad how a moment of disagreement changed their world forever 🙁
True Amrit, sometimes small things in life cost a lot.
Well written. Needless to say, all the qualms and the reasoning I could come up with the previous part have been answered. I liked the way you took it keeping it close to the reality. Superbly done! Looking forward to many more 🙂
Thanks Shashank and congratulations on your 100th post and the awards. Am happy you liked the second part especially after you had questions on the first and pitied the husband so much 🙂
Hmm! Fits very well into the Crime Patrol Series. The last para unveils the tragedy but that’s life. Good post Shweta.