“Right now, I am feeling like surrounded by demolished emotions caused by a deranged storm which has turned everything ups and downs. When the storm obliterates everything, we don’t know how to deal with it but when it stops that silence and void are more intolerable. That reticence doesn’t calm us from inside, rather it increases the helplessness and pain. I am sitting on the bed like a bleak, forlorn soul. My life, my Angel has left me, expectedly. The hope of my life, the only ray of light in my existence is no more in her Brute’s world. It is the bitter reality and it is wonted because, I can’t put her in a cage and expect her to sing for me, about me. She was my obstinance but now she is my love. Obstinance can cage its desire but love can’t. Aditya Oberoi, you are defeated…you are defeated by that emotion which you never believed in…Love. You had to let your love go to let it be alive. My logical mind and wrenching heart whisper in my ears. Suddenly I feel something salty in the corner of my lips. I touch it to see. My fingertip has a faded stain of blood and tears. Her blood and my tears…a perfect combination of a broken heart. A sneer creeps on my lips. Life is mocking me. When I didn’t believe in love my love was with me and when I start believing in love, it has voided me. My eyes fall on the cages of the bunnies…nibbling and frisking in their cage…Snowy and Moose, Nandana’s two of the loved ones. Are they missing her like I am? No, I am not only missing her…I am dying from inside without her. I saunter at the cage and open the door. The bunnies curl themselves as they are not willing to leave their cage, their home. I wish it happened with my love. It would have never left its cage, its home…my heart. I let her go because if I hadn’t, I would have killed my mother’s memories too. Nandana rightly said I am an animal. I killed her all emotions towards me but I couldn’t kill my mother’s dream. She will always be my Angel, my mother’s desired bride for me. To let her live I had to let her free. Free from this Brute’s world. Maybe I will always be her Brute…in true meaning, who destroyed her love with his love.”
Aditya clenches his jaws. He has already taken the first step of his plan. Now, he has more things to do. Time is short and decisions are difficult. But he will have to do it. For his love…for his penance. Aditya taps Ayan’s number and mouths in a determined voice,

“Ayan, come to my house. Get all the property papers. Hmmm…it’s urgent.”

..................................

“Ms Basu, you have to tell us all in detail. Otherwise, we won’t be able to make a strong charge sheet against Aditya Oberoi. As you know he is a big fish.”

The SP addresses Nandana who is now sitting on a chair like an emotionally drained out person. Jaya has changed her clothes and wiped some parts of her body. Still, the bruises, bite marks and scratches are visible on her skin. When she gained her sense and couldn’t grok where she is, she started panicking. She was hallucinating Aditya’s face everywhere. After that, Vivek called the doctor and he gave her some tranquillizer. Meanwhile, the SP has come with a lady inspector. As Vivek informed him about Nandana’s health and mental condition, the SP thought it would be wise to interrogate Nandana in her house. Hearing SP’s question, Nandana looks at him and bends her head. The SP beckons the lady inspector to get her inside and ask the relevant questions. Lady Inspector Karuna Deshpande holds Nandana carefully and leads her to a room. The SP turns at Vivek and says in a grave tone,

“It’s very important that Nandana opens up. She needs a medical examination too. We have to be sure if she has been raped or not. The bruises and the cut marks on her lips are indicating to some physical violence. If it is so, then Oberoi is gone.”

Everybody hears a suppressed sob from Jaya. She gulps her cry and utters hostilely,

“Don’t leave that rascal, Sir. He has ruined my daughter’s life. My ever-smiling girl looks like a lifeless puppet now. Can you see the void and pain in her eyes? I want that devil to be behind the bar as soon as possible. Only then, my daughter will get justice.”

Vivek stops her outburst by showing his hand and asks to the SP,

“But Sir, as we know Nandana is married to Aditya, as per his claim. Then how can we charge him with rape? Marital rape is not punishable in our country…unfortunately.”

He sighs in despondency. SP nods in assurance,

“If it can’t be possible, still we can accuse him of kidnapping, cheating and domestic violence. Let Nandana speak up then we will decide.”

Just then Inspector Karuna comes out. Her eyes have tension.

“Mrs Basu, you can go inside. Nandana needs rest. After an hour, we will send the police doctor to examine her. Till then, let her relax.”

Karuna instructs Jaya and she immediately disperses. Karuna sits in front of the SP and says,

“Sir, she is too traumatised to say anything clearly. But it is clear that Aditya has done something forcefully to her. Whether it is rape or not I can’t say. When I asked her about it, she started crying. I think more than physically, she is emotionally hurt. We have to handle her carefully.”

SP nods and gets up.

“Mr, Basu you have to come with us to file the FIR officially. So, that we can apply for the warrant as soon as possible. Any delay can spoil the sensitivity of the case.”

He turns at Karuna and instructs,

“Ms Karuna, you stay here. I am sending the doctor. Consult with her and make the report. See you at the police station. Come, Mr Basu.”

Both the SP and Vivek leave for the police station.

................................

“What are you saying, Sir? It is suicidal. Okay, I understand that you want to give all your properties and money to your wife Nandita…I mean Nandana Oberoi…that is completely your decision but why do you want to surrender? Sir, this will ruin your political and business career forever. After that, even the party authority will expel you from the party. And you know how these political parties are. Opportunists and ruthless. They will harm you when they will find you a penny-less person. They will consider you deleterious to the party's reputation. Why can’t you understand? It’s risky.”

Ayan sounds restless. Aditya takes a relaxing sigh and keeps on signing the papers.

“I don’t care, Ayan. Not anymore. I am doing all these after a lot of introspection. I have ruined her life. I know this money and wealth can’t return her trust but at least it will stop people’s dirty mouths. She and her family can lead a comfortable life in future. Rest, I don’t care about my political career or life. Ayan, I have already lost my life. Now, I have nothing to hold. You submit these papers in the Magistrate's office and get the formalities done as soon as possible.”

Aditya mouths after signing the last property page. Ayan is looking at him with painful eyes. Aditya reciprocates with a pale smile.

“Ayan, I have never expressed but you are like my younger brother. If Abhiroop Uncle had not been there to support me in my crucial days, I would have sunk into darkness. You always have supported me. You always have tried to pull me back from darkness and wrong deeds. Even in Nandana’s case, you tried many times to make me understand my mistake. But that time I was blind with my stubbornness and lust.”

Aditya’s straight-away confession makes Ayan bend his head. He has never seen this version of Aditya. It is soothing but it is self-destructive. Aditya continues,

“Life is unpredictable. You never know when it defeats you in your own game. Anyway, you leave now. I have one more thing to do and then I will go to the police station.”

For the last time, Ayan eyes him with a pleading look. Aditya delivers a pale smile and says,

“Everything is finished, Ayan. I am just trying to compensate a bit.”

..................................

“Okay, everything is officially done. Now, we have to wait for Nandana’s statement. After that, no one can save that bastard.”

The SP utters ruefully while skirting his inquisitive eyes on the file. Only then, Inspector Karuna enters with the lady doctor. Vivek and SP look at them with hopeful eyes. Karuna and the Dr sit on the chairs and place the file on the desk.

“Sir, there is confusion.”

Karuna utters. The SP arches his brow in a query.

“She has denied any rape. In fact, Dr Neela has examined her and there is no sign of…sexual intercourse. Though the marks and bruises on her body are indicating physical scuffles. But the main thing is though Ms Basu agreed that Aditya Oberoi kidnapped her, she completely denied any physical force on her by him. I repeatedly asked her how those marks have come on her body. But she kept mum. In this case, our charge sheet will be weak, Sir. Even if we can convict him on the charge of kidnapping, any physical assault case can’t be put on him. We are helpless.”

Inspector Karuna states and wobbles her head in despair.

“Damn!”

The SP slams the file on the table. He turns at Vivek and mouths bitterly,

“Mr Basu, see…this is what I was talking about public’s whimsical mind. First, they blame the police for not doing their duties and when we try our best to give punishment to the criminal, they just forget their duty of speaking the truth. If the prime victim is denying the crime and trying to shield the culprit, what can we do? We need a solid statement and proof, Mr Basu to seize Aditya Oberoi. Convince your daughter to change her statement. Or else, we can’t do anything.”

His words get interrupted by a virile voice,

“If you get the culprit’s confession, I think her statement doesn’t matter to that extent.”