The Train
The "Nature Express," a train synonymous with opulence, promised an unparalleled exploration of India's dramatic contrasts. Imagine awakening to the invigorating mountain air, the majestic, snow-dusted peaks unfurling like a painted scroll beyond your expansive window. Then, as the hours drifted by, the scenery would metamorphose into the hushed, golden grandeur of sweeping deserts, their silence profound and mesmerizing. The odyssey continued, threading through fertile plains where vibrant life pulsed in every shade of green, ultimately culminating in the breathtaking panorama of sun-kissed sea coasts. Within this palace on wheels, every facet, from the lavishly appointed suites to the intuitively personalized service, was meticulously designed to orchestrate an unforgettable passage through the diverse soul of India.
Stepping inside "The Nature Express" was like entering a realm of refined elegance. Fifteen luxurious rooms, each a sanctuary of handcrafted Indian artistry, offered breathtaking panoramic vistas. The "Earth & Plate" restaurant beckoned with the promise of fine dining served against ever-changing, stunning backdrops, while the sunlit "Prakriti Cafe" provided a tranquil haven for sipping coffee and losing oneself in a book. For those seeking quiet contemplation, the "Gyan Vihar" library offered a curated collection of books and serene views, a perfect retreat from the rhythm of the journey. Beyond these havens of comfort, a dedicated staff room and a well-equipped medical room ensured the well-being of all on board, staffed by a doctor and two attentive helpers. Throughout the train, the thoughtful use of natural materials and subtle nods to Indian artistry wove together a sophisticated and immersive experience, a seamless journey through India's captivating landscapes.
***
The Passengers
Date : 19 April,2025
Time : 10 PM
Place : Srinagar Junction
Under the cloak of a star-dusted night, "The Nature Express" stood poised, ready to embark on its scheduled 60-hour journey south to the very tip of India, Kanyakumari. Of the fifteen luxurious rooms, five were already occupied, each holding its own story.
In Room One, Reema and Mukesh, a young couple with eyes full of adventure, settled in. Room Two housed Mr. and Mrs. Gupta, an elderly couple whose gentle smiles spoke of years shared and journeys past. Police Officer Ramakant Shastri occupied Room Three, his presence of quiet reassurance. Mr. Shailesh Dev, a man whose sharp attire hinted at his wealthy status, made Room Four his temporary abode. Room Five echoed with the happy chatter of Rita and Rohan with their young son, their laughter a bright melody against the hushed anticipation of the journey ahead.
In the functional staff room, Mr. Ramesh Darshan, the diligent ticket checker, reviewed his manifests, while his three helpers, Sonu, Viren, and Mohit, ensured everything was in order. The "Earth & Plate" restaurant hummed with the quiet efficiency of its five staff members, preparing for the culinary delights to come. In the "Gyan Vihar" library, two attendants quietly arranged books, creating an atmosphere of serene tranquility. Within the medical room, Dr. Manas Singhal and his helper, Sukesh, ensured their supplies were ready for any eventuality. Nurse Kim Bhutia was expected to join them later, scheduled to board at Shivpur in the early hours of the next morning.
Precisely on time, as the clock at Srinagar Junction struck ten, "The Nature Express" stirred to life, a gentle rumble growing into a steady rhythm as it began its southward odyssey.
***
The date turned to April 20th, 2025. The hands of the clock reached 2:00 AM, and the train pulled into Shivpur Junction. As scheduled, Nurse Kim Bhutia boarded, her arrival completing the medical team. But the train's human tapestry was also growing. After its departure from Jammu Tawi, two more families had claimed their spaces within the luxurious carriages.
Room Six now welcomed Mr. and Mrs. Singh, a couple whose animated conversation suggested a shared excitement for the journey. Room Seven became the temporary haven for Shruti, a solo traveler with a thoughtful gaze and a worn journal in her hand, ready to pen the unfolding landscapes and experiences.
With these new passengers aboard, "The Nature Express" continued its majestic glide southward, carrying within its opulent embrace a microcosm of India, each room holding individual stories against the backdrop of the ever-changing, dramatic beauty of the land it traversed. The journey had truly begun.
***
The Dark Morning
The clock struck at 7:00 AM, signaling the start of another bustling day aboard the train. For Sonu and Mohit, it was time for their routine morning tea service. As they made their way through the carriages, a sense of normalcy filled the air.
However, an unsettling discovery awaited them at cabin number four. The door, belonging to Mr. Shailesh Dev, stood slightly ajar, its lock seemingly untouched from the inside.
A wave of unease washed over Sonu and Mohit. They exchanged a worried glance before cautiously pushing the door open. The scene that unfolded before their eyes shattered the morning calm, replacing it with a chilling horror. Mr. Shailesh Dev lay motionless in his bed, a crimson stain blooming across the white sheets. The air hung heavy with the coppery scent of blood, a stark testament to the brutal act that had taken place. He had been murdered.
Like wildfire, the dreadful news spread through the train's corridors. Whispers turned into gasps, and the pleasant anticipation of the journey evaporated, replaced by a palpable sense of fear and dread. What began as an ordinary morning had taken a sinister turn, casting a dark shadow over everyone on board. The rhythmic clatter of the train wheels against the tracks now seemed to echo the unsettling mystery that had abruptly descended upon them.
***
The Investigation
Ramesh Darshan's breath hitched in his throat. The scene assaulted his senses, a brutal tableau that etched itself instantly into his memory. In all his years as a ticket checker, navigating the mundane comings and goings of train passengers, he had never encountered anything remotely like this. A knot of nausea tightened in his stomach.
Remembering his brief conversation with Ramakant Shastri, a police officer,a flicker of hope ignited within Ramesh. He approached Shastri, his voice trembling slightly. "Officer Shastri," he began, "I... I think you need to see this. It looks like... like a crime." He explained the situation, his words tumbling out in a rush, and requested the officer to take charge, his hope resting on Shastri's ability to unravel this terrifying mystery.
Shastri, his face grim, followed Ramesh to the small cabin. His gaze swept over the scene, taking in every detail. His eyes then settled on the lifeless figure of Shailesh.
The air in the cramped space was heavy, stagnant, a stark contrast to the violent struggle that had clearly played out. Shailesh lay sprawled awkwardly on the luxurious bed, his limbs splayed at unnatural angles, like a discarded puppet. His face, moments ago perhaps animated with life and conversation, was now a horrifying shade of purple, the skin stretched taut and unnatural across the sharp angles of his cheekbones. His eyes were wide open, fixed in a vacant stare at the ceiling, a milky film beginning to obscure their depths.
His mouth hung slightly open, a silent testament to a final, desperate gasp for air that never came. A raw, angry-red line circled his neck, a brutal indentation that spoke volumes about the crushing pressure that had extinguished his life. His hands were clenched into tight, rigid fists, the knuckles bone-white against the sickening discoloration of his skin, a final, futile fight against the suffocation that had claimed him.
Beside him lay an overturned chair, a silent witness to the last chaotic moments of Shailesh's existence. The small cabin seemed to hold its breath, the oppressive silence amplifying the sheer horror of the scene. The rhythmic clatter of the train on the tracks outside was a jarring counterpoint to the profound and irreversible stillness within.
Suddenly, a sharp glint caught Ramakant's eye. He knelt down, his gaze narrowing. "Wait a minute," he murmured, his brow furrowed in thought. He remembered Shailesh from when he boarded the train. He noticed the distinctive gold chain around his neck and the ornate gold ring on his finger during their brief conversation. Now, both were conspicuously absent.
A chilling thought struck him. "Was this a case of theft... that escalated to murder?" The possibility hung heavy in the suffocating air.
Without a word, Ramakant rose to his feet, his eyes determined. "I need to search all the cabins," he announced to Ramesh, his voice firm. The mystery of Shailesh's death had just begun to unfold.
***
The Searching of the cabins
The search of every cabin, both occupied and empty, yielded nothing. The gold and any trace of it remained elusive. Disappointment hung heavy in the air.
"Ramesh," Ramakant's voice cut through the silence, "check if all the passengers who boarded are still on the train."
Ramesh nodded and moved swiftly, cross-referencing the passenger manifest with the individuals present. He returned to Ramakant, his brow furrowed. "Everyone is accounted for, sir. No one has disembarked. They are all long-route passengers."
Ramakant's mind raced, considering the implications. "Perhaps," he mused aloud, a new theory forming, "one of them had an accomplice waiting outside. A quick handoff during a brief stop, a silent exchange in the darkness. We need to examine their recent call records."
Ramesh looked towards the windows, the rhythmic clatter of the train on the tracks a stark reminder of their onward journey. "Will the train continue its journey, or should we halt at Shimla, the next station?" Ramesh asked.
Ramakant fell silent, his gaze distant as he weighed their options. The local police jurisdiction, the time it would take to secure the train, the potential disruption to innocent travelers – all these factors swirled in his mind. He reached for his phone, the decision forming. "I need to speak to my seniors," he stated, his voice firm with resolve. The investigation was far from over.
***
The Options
The train stood silent at Shimla station, the crisp mountain air doing little to ease the tension that hung heavy within its carriages. A small group of senior police officers approached the waiting travellers, their expressions serious. Ramakant, a diligent officer, had already compiled a list of mobile numbers for every passenger and now presented it to his superior, ACP Rai, for the inevitable inquiry.
ACP Rai addressed the passengers, his voice calm yet authoritative. "I deeply appreciate your patience and understanding during this difficult time. As you are all aware, a tragic incident has occurred on this train, and it is our duty to find the person responsible. My initial checks indicate that each of you comes from respectable families."
He paused, his gaze sweeping across the anxious faces. "Therefore, I present you with two options. Firstly, the train will remain here in Shimla until we identify the killer or uncover a significant clue. If the culprit is among you, the case will be resolved, and the rest of you will be free to continue your journey."
He continued, "Secondly, you may choose to proceed with your journey. I understand that your final destination in South India is still approximately 50 hours away. If you are all willing to fully cooperate with Officer Ramakant, I am prepared to grant permission for the train to continue. Ramakant will conduct the investigation en route. Should any individual be found guilty, they will be apprehended, and the remaining passengers will be exonerated. If, by the end of the journey, no conclusive evidence is found, your details will be recorded, and you will all be released."
ACP Rai offered a reassuring nod. "Officer Ramakant is a highly capable and trustworthy investigator. I have worked with him previously, and I assure you that he will conduct his inquiries with utmost professionalism and will not inconvenience anyone unnecessarily."
He concluded, his tone matter-of-fact, "The train is already delayed by an hour, and you have thirty minutes to consider these options and inform us of your decision."
A murmur rippled through the passengers. They congregated in a central cabin, their voices a low hum of discussion and apprehension. After a tense deliberation, they reached a consensus and relayed their decision to the waiting officers – they would opt for the second option and continue their journey under Ramakant's investigation.
ACP Rai acknowledged their decision. "Very well. Thank you for your cooperation." He then turned to Ramakant. "The investigation now rests in your hands, Officer. You will have one additional officer and five constables to assist you."
Ramakant responded with a determined nod. "Thank you, Sir. I will do my utmost to uncover the truth."
With that, the additional officers disembarked, and the train, carrying its anxious passengers and the weight of the unsolved crime, slowly began to move forward, chugging along the tracks towards its southern destination, leaving the silent station of Shimla behind. The investigation had begun.
***
Shailesh Dev
Shailesh, a prosperous businessman based in Mumbai, embarked on what he hoped would be a relaxing journey. His business trip had taken him to Srinagar, and with a crucial deal awaiting confirmation in Cochin, he opted for the scenic route, booking passage on a luxurious train. He anticipated enjoying the tranquil views as the train wound its way south.
Unbeknownst to Shailesh, this journey would tragically be his last. A shadow of uncertainty hung over his demise – was it a mere accident, a cruel twist of fate? Or was something more sinister at play? Could this be the delayed reckoning for a past transgression, a hidden debt finally coming due?
The opulent train, meant for leisure and comfort, now carried an air of mystery, the picturesque landscapes outside offering no solace to the questions swirling around Shailesh's untimely end.
***
Ramakant Shastri
Ramakant Shastri, a thirty-five-year-old police officer stationed in the bustling port city of Cochin, carried the quiet dignity of his Kunnur upbringing.
His sharp mind was his most formidable weapon, his detective skills honed to a razor's edge through years of navigating the intricate underbelly of urban life. He possessed an uncanny ability to piece together fragmented clues, to see the connections others missed, making him a formidable presence within the Cochin police force.
Five years prior, his life had been intertwined with Shweta, a vibrant and tenacious news reporter. Their marriage, a union of intellect and passion, blossomed when Ramakant was thirty.
Shweta's dedication to truth led them to Hyderabad, where her unwavering commitment to her craft ultimately cost her life. She had fearlessly reported on the clandestine arms dealing by a powerful and obscenely wealthy figure in the city. The consequences were swift and brutal.
Ramakant knew the man responsible, the shadow behind Shweta's murder. But the gilded cage of the elite, woven with threads of influence and corruption, proved impenetrable. The wheels of justice, meant to grind truth from falsehood, stalled against the sheer weight of money and power. Even his own department, bound by its limitations and perhaps intimidated by the forces at play, could offer no solace. Shweta's death was officially ruled an accident, the case file slammed shut, another casualty in the silent war between right and might.
Now, Ramakant lived in the echoing silence of their shared past. The vibrant hues of his life had been muted by the stark reality of loss and the bitter taste of injustice.
He had journeyed to the serene valleys of Srinagar to witness the marriage of an old friend, a brief respite from the ghosts that haunted his days. As he made his return journey to Cochin, the familiar ache of Shweta's absence was a constant companion. The crisp mountain air had offered a temporary balm, but the humid embrace of the coast would surely reignite the embers of his grief and the simmering resentment that still burned within him. The journey back was not just a return to his duty, but a descent back into a world where the truth he sought remained buried, a constant reminder of the woman he loved and the justice that eluded him.
***
Continue in next part...
Written by : Anand Kumar Sharma
Cover designed by : Anmol Sharma
Note : The characters and events portrayed in this story are fictitious. Any similarity to real persons,living or dead,is coincidental and not intended by the author.
