Karan Verma, a 28 years old man sprinted along the lane. He was wearing a smart watch. After his watch started beeping, he slowed down and stopped. He tapped on the screen, silencing the beeping sound, showing his heartbeat rate. He kept his hands on his hips, sighing. He walked, heading towards the apartment building. He went upstairs. He used to reside at a 2BHK flat. He opened the door, entered. He had his bath. He wore his office outfit, wore his ID card on which his office name was mentioned where he used to work: 'SUNRISE CAPITAL AND INSURANCE PRIVATE LIMITED', an insurance and investment company. He carried his sidebag and walked out of his flat. He locked the door and went downstairs. He stood at a bus stand, waiting for the bus while having poha and tea at a stall, along with the other office goers. He saw the bus approaching. He finished the breakfast, threw the disposal plate and glass into the dustbin. The bus arrived.
Karan sat on the window seat of the bus. He walked into the office of 'SUNRISE CAPITAL AND INSURANCE PRIVATE LIMITED'. He opened the glass door and walked in. He kept his sidebag on the table. Nisha sat at her desk, working on the laptop. He went to her.
"Good morning Nisha."
"Morning."
"I have to log in."
She switched the tab and clicked on a bookmarked website. The screen displayed two blank boxes. She got her hands off the laptop. Karan leaned forward and typed his login ID and password. He pressed enter and logged in.
"Thanks."
He put his hands on his hips. Hitesh walked in. He quickly kept his sidebag on the table and came to Nisha.
"Hey, Nisha, please keep the tab open. I too have to log in."
"I have to submit this MIS report today. You guys won't let me do my work."
Karan said, "You have a whole day, Nisha. Why so worried?"
"I have taken half day leave today. Today is my exam at three at noon."
Hitesh said, "Nisha, you are wasting your time. There is no scope left for B. Pharmacy nowadays. You can only become either an M.R. or a medical assistant."
"Still better than gazing at computer screen and preparing unnecessary reports."
Hitesh typed his login ID and password and logged in.
"Thanks Nisha, you can resume your work now."
Karan's phone rang. He took out his phone and attended the call.
"Yes sir."
Karan went to the Branch Head's cabin. He opened the door.
"Sir may I come in."
The branch head, Anshul Gupta sat at his desk. He nodded. Karan walked in and stood before him.
"Sir."
"Well, I recieved a call from Mr. Saini last evening before leaving. He wants to have a word with you. I think he is interested in our new mutual funds product."
Karan nodded.
"Sure sir. I'll meet him once I wrap up my scheduled meetings."
"Okay, you can leave. Send Hitesh."
"Yes sir. Thank you."
"He opened the door and walked out of the cabin."
He called, "Hitesh. Sir is calling you."
Karan went to the coffee vending machine. He turned on the tap and poured coffee in the cup.
Nisha said, "Karan, bring one cup for me too."
Karan went to her desk carrying the cups. He kept the cup on the desk before her.
"Thanks."
He asked, "The boss appears to be in lighter mood today."
"It's salary day today Karan. Everyone will feel relaxed today. Don't forget, you owe my 2500."
"Yeah I know."
He had his coffee. Hitesh walked out of the cabin.
Karan asked, "What did the boss say?"
"He warned me. He wants me to log in a policy by evening at any cost, otherwise he won't pass my fuel reimbursement."
Nisha said, "If you spend your time loitering around and smoking instead of doing field marketing, this is exactly what will happen. The boss, too, has to answer to his superiors."
Karan tap on his shoulder gently.
"Don't worry, nothing will happen."
"I have already interviewed in a new company. I knew I won't survive here for long."
Karan carried his sidebag.
"You are thinking too much Hitesh, give yourself some time and try to believe yourself."
He walked out of the office.
Hitesh said, "He is good at speech."
Nisha smiled.
Karan stood before a young couple in a cafe. The wife was holding their four months old baby in her lap. His sidebag was kept on the table. A brochure was kept on the table and he was describing about the insurance plan carrying his pen in hand.
"This is purely a term plan which will cover your entire family including the little cute baby. You'll have to pay the annual amount during the first year and later on the premium will be deducted monthly."
The husband said, "Well, I need some time to think about that."
The wife said, "Yeah, we'll first discuss and then get back to you."
"Sure, take your time. It has to be your decision."
The couple walked out of the cafe. Karan made a call while sitting inside.
"Mr. Saini, very good afternoon. Yeah, are you free now. Okay, I'll be there."
Karan arrived near a three storey modular design house. There was a lawn in front of the house. A BMW M4 was parked under the arch garage. The name plate outside the main gate had a label, 'KAVITA'S HEAVEN'. He rang the doorbell. The housemaid Gunjan walked out of the house. She opened the gate.
He said, "Mr. Saini had called me."
"Yeah, come in."
She closed the gate.
"Follow me."
He followed her to the house. They entered the house.
She said, "Have a seat, he'll be here. He is performing yoga right now."
"Okay, I'll wait."
He sat on the couch in the living room. Mr. Manav Saini came downstairs wiping his sweat with a towel. Karan stood up. Manave came to him. He extended his hand.
"How are you Karan?"
"I am doing good sir."
They shook hands.
"Have a seat."
He sat. Manav sat on the sofa chair.
Karan said, "Anshul sir told me that you called him yesterday."
He nodded.
"He told me that you might be interested in investing in mutual fund."
"Well, actually not. I just wanted to meet you. I actually misplaced your number that's why I called him."
"Okay, so you want to ask about something about the healthcare plan you have invested in."
"Karan. I haven't called you talk about any of your company's products. Infact I want a favour from you."
"Oh."
"Because I know you, professionally and personally, I want you to tutor my daughter."
"Me?"
Manav nodded.
"Ishita is pursuing her Bachelor's degree in Commerce. She got a very miserable score in her first semester. I don't want her to do the same in the next one."
"But, why only me? There are professional tutors. You can reach out to them."
"I tried but I believe she needs someone who can understand her."
"Psychologically."
"Exactly. She doesn't like to study under pressure. The way you speak, the way you observe people and the way you explain, truly signifies that you can be a good tutor."
Karan nodded.
"Well, I respect the way you perceive me, but I need some time to think on that."
"Karan, I know you are too busy in your meetings and targets but I want your one hour only on daily basis. And I am ready to pay you for the same, weekly."
"Weekly?"
"Yeah, five thousand per week."
"Five?"
"Eight."
"Eight?"
"Okay, ten. Ten thousand per week. Cash payment on every Saturday. Sunday will be off but you can opt to come. I'll pay you extra for that day."
"Ah, it's a good offer. I like that."
They stood up. He carried his bag. Manav extended his hand.
"So, shall we start from tomorrow?"
Karan smiled and shook hand with him.
"Can I meet her?"
"Ishita, yeah, she is upstairs. But she must be watching TV."
"Just give me a moment."
Karan went upstairs. Ishita sat on her bed, eating popcorn and watching TV. She heard a door knock. She opened the door. Karan stood there.
"Hi. May I come in?"
She allowed her in. He looked around scanning the room.
"You have a nice room."
She sat on the bed. He looked at the TV on which she was a true crime documentary.
"Oh, crime documentary."
"I love watching true crime documentaries."
"Oh, great. But you know.."
He sat on the edge of her bed.
"You should watch something light. You are a student. Your brain should be relaxed at the moment."
She nodded. She offered him the bowl of popcorn. He picked up the one.
"Thanks. By the way your dad has asked me to tutor you for your next semester."
"Really? Interesting."
He went downstairs.
"Yeah, I disturbed her. She was watching TV. She was quite nice."
Manav said, "Oh, that's good."
Karan's phone beeped. He looked at his phone.
"Wow."
"What happened?"
"Salary credited."
"It's a good day for you today. What are you going to do with the money? Shopping?"
He shook his head.
"Nah."
A topless Karan sat on a bed inside Nitya's room. She was a prostitute, having a full bust figure. Karan used to visit her once in six months. She was topless and was grinding in his lap. She had her hands wrapped around his neck. He was sucking her nipples. Karan was smoking a cigarette, relaxing on the bed. Nitya wore her thongs and bra after they were done. He got off the bed. He took out a cash bundle from his bag and kept it on the bed.
She asked, "When will you come now? After six months?"
"Next time I'll come a bit earlier. I will be earning more this month."
She came closer to him and kissed him on his lips.
"I always keep waiting for you."
"Really?"
He picked up his shirt and start wearing it.
"You are talking to me as if you want to marry me."
She blushed. He carried his sidebag and went to the door.
She said, "You know it won't happen."
He stopped.
She said, "Until my drunk his husband, I can't marry anyone."
He huffed. He turned around and folded his hand.
"If you really want to kill him, just take him to the terrace of a tall building and push him from the edge."
"Really? You are talking like you have done this before."
"You are crazy."
He turned and opened the door.
He said, "Don't even think about doing that. Always stay away from any legal trouble."
He went downstairs. He had a shower in his bathroom, having his eyes closed, thinking, about the school.
He muttered, "Sanjana Ma'am, come on, let's bath together."
He imagined Sanjana standing before her in the bathroom, topless. He held her waist, kissing.
She whispered, "Rishabh."
He opened his eyes, he was stunned, his heartbeat rate rose for a while. He was breathing heavily as he was scared. He heard his phone ringing. He closed the shower, walked out of the bathroom. He picked up the call.
"Sir."
Anshul asked, "Are you home?"
"Yes sir."
"Did you talk to Mr. Saini?"
"Yes sir, I visited him. He didn't want to talk about mutual funds."
"Oh."
"He just wanted to invite me for the dinner."
"Oh, that's good. That means you have got to close to our client."
"Yeah, kind of."
Karan walked through the colony while talking to Hitesh next evening. Hitesh stood at a tea stall having tea.
Karan said, "His girl is cute. I hope she agrees, it'll be too much fun."
"Why do you always think of having sex with any girl you meet?"
"Oh, look who's talking. I know you jerk off on Nisha's deepfake images you have created and downloaded in your phone."
"Come on, man."
"Okay, I am about to arrive. I am hanging up."
Manav sat on the driver's seat of his BMW M4, wearing an earbud, talking to Doctor Jai Joshi.
"Doctor Joshi, I'll call you once he's about to visit you."
"Sure, Mr. Saini."
Karan rang the doorbell. He walked into the living room followed by Gunjan.
She said, "Mr. Saini will return in a few minutes."
He said, "I was asked to start classes from today."
"Yeah, I know. Ishita has been waiting for you since she returned from college."
"Really?"
"You can go upstairs."
"Thank you."
He went upstairs. He went to her room.
"Hi!" She greeted him.
"Hi!"
He kept his bag on the bed.
"So, shall we start."
"Yeah."
"Can I see the syllabus?"
He sat on a chair at her study table. He went through the booklet in which the syllabus was mentioned.
He nodded.
"Okay."
He closed the booklet.
"What's your weakest part in the entire syllabus?"
"Ah.... (thinking)."
"Okay, what's the strongest part, in which you are confident that you can score above eighty."
"I don't think I can cross even sixty in any of them."
"Oh, okay, no problem. We can start from Accountancy. Okay?"
She nodded. One hour passed since they were studying Accountancy. Door knock.
"Is everything going good?"
Manav stood at the doorway.
"Oh,"
He stood up.
"No, sit, sit, sit. Keep it up."
He walked in.
He said, "Ishita, are you cooperating with him or not?"
"Yes dad."
Karan said, "She is trying her best, sir. But she'll definitely score better in this semester."
Gunjan walked in carrying a plate having a cup of tea upon it.
"Tea time."
She kept the teacup before Karan on the table. Karan saw a butterfly tattoo on her right wrist.
Manav said, "Karan, have the tea. You'll like it."
"Oh, thank you."
He picked up the cup and had a sip.
"Hmm, it's awesome."
"Gunjan ji, prepare the glucose drink for me. I'll go to yoga room in half an hour."
"Okay."
She walked out. On Saturday, Manav paid him 10k in cash. He pat on his shoulder gently. Karan smiled and nodded.
"I'll give my best sir."
"I believe you."
Karan walked out of the house carrying his bag. He took out his phone. Nitya picked up the call.
"Hello."
Karan said (walking), "Are you free?"
"Yeah".
She glanced at her drunk husband who was sleeping on the ground.
She said, "My drunk husband is sleeping. I don't think he'll woke up before the morning."
"Let's have some fun at a new place."
Nitya had her palm and knees rested on the bed facing away from Karan, inviting him to bang her in doggy style. He banged from behind her, holding her waist. She moaned loudly, her scream echoed through the room.
"Harder, Karan, harder."
He spanked her hips a couple of times during the sex.
"I love you Karan, I love you."
He reached orgasm.
"Shall I put it in your mouth?"
"Let it be in."
"What? What if you get pregnant?"
"Just put it in."
He agreed and ejaculated. She turned around. She jumped on him. They kissed each other, holding each other tightly.
She said, "I won't mind if I become mother of your kid."
Her phone rang. She went to pick up her call.
"Hello. Yeah.. I just went out to buy some groceries.... I'll be home in a moment."
She hung up the call.
"My husband called me. He has woken up."
"Are you free next week?"
"I am always free for you, sweetheart."
She came close to him and gave a goodbye kiss.
For next couple of months, Karan had the similar routine. He used to wake up at morning, sprint, go to his office and onboarding the clients, tutoring Ishita after office hours and getting paid every Saturday. He was earning incentives along with his salary for his insurance sales. He used to have sex with Nitya every Saturday night in luxury hotel rooms and used to travel and shopping on Sundays. He was getting everything a man craves for - money, travel and sex.
Karan stood with Ishita in the balcony resting their arms on the railings. She was carrying her phone in hand and he was holding a tea cup.
She said, "And few weeks his demise, my mom died too. She was completely devastated by his death."
Manav sat at his desk inside his office. He was staring at the photograph kept on the table. It was a family photograph, must be some 20 years old. In the photo, there was Manav, his loving wife Kavita, his elder son, must be ten and his younger daughter, Ishita, must be three. Manav's eyes were filled with tears though he was trying to suppress his cry.
Karan asked, "Well, how did he die actually?"
"Ah, dad never told me how it happened. I was too little at that time."
He nodded.
He said, "But still, you are lucky. The boys and girls like you have a good life."
"How?"
"Atleast, you have a father. When I opened I had no one around. Only kids, there were some people around. They were not my brothers, not my cousins, not even my friends. The kids were orphans like me. Later on I came to know that the place I was living in is called an orphanage. People used to come there and adopted kids of their favourite choice. I was not the lucky one. Then I grew older, I did some odd jobs during my graduation. However after my graduation and since I have been doing job."
She nodded.
He asked, "Do you have Instagram account?"
"Yeah, I do."
He took out his phone and gave it to her. She typed her ID in the Instagram app in his phone, and pressed the follow button.
He said, "Oh, private account."
"I'll accept the invitation when the right time comes?"
"I'll be waiting."
Manav parked his car in the garage. He stepped off the car just when Karan walked out of the house.
Manav said, "How is it going on?"
"Good, sir."
"Actually, a special day is about to arrive."
"Special day? What kind of day, sir. I didn't understand."
"You'll get to know once it comes."
"Sure sir."
At his home, Karan was cooking omelette in the kitchen. He turned off the burner. He was wiping his hand with a towel, when he began to feel uneasy in his chest. He went to the washbasin and vomited. Not once, he vomitted three times in a go. He turned on the tap, washing and wiping the basin with the tissue paper. He sighed. In the kitchen, he picked up the omelette from the pan with a spatula and kept it on plate. As he took a bite of omlette he felt nausea and went back to the basin where he vomitted again. He lay on his bed, leaving omlette on the table. He tried to sleep but couldn't. Whole night he kept on vomitting every hour.
He talked to Anshul over phone next morning.
Anshul said, "If you want to take the leave, it's okay. But you must visit the doctor, frequent vomiting can be a symptom of serious medical condition."
"I know sir."
"I am sending you a number, he is a known to me, you should visit him. You can talk to him with Mr. Saini's reference. He gave me that number a year ago, he won't take any fees."
"Oh, thanks."
Manav was driving his car when his phone rang. The screen on the dashboard displayed the name of the caller, 'ANSHUL BANK'. He tapped on the screen.
"Hello."
"He called me, he was unwell."
"Did you give the doctor's number?"
"I told him to talk to the doctor with your reference."
"Good."
"Sir, I have a request. Don't let my name come out. I may loose my job."
"Don't worry, Mr. Gupta. He won't come to know about you."
Karan sat on the round stool inside Doctor Jai Joshi's clinic. Jai sat at his desk, going through Karan's blood report.
"Your blood reports are normal. No signs of any fever, dengue or typhoid."
"Then? I kept on vomitting whole night."
"Must be some gastric issues. You should avoid eating too much processed food."
"I only eat what I cook on my own. I just drink coffee or tea outside."
"Too much caffeine can also cause gastric problems."
He nodded. Jai wrote him a prescription.
"I am writing you medication. Take them for a couple of days. If vomiting doesn't stop, visit again."
He bought four tablets from the medical store built within the premises of clinic.
Karan stood inside Manav's living room before him.
"Sir, I couldn't teach her too much today as I was unwell. I have taken the medicine, I hope I'll be okay by tomorrow."
Manav pat on his shoulder gently, smiled and nodded.
"You'll be fine. Why don't you have dinner with us today? Stay here tonight. It's Sunday tomorrow."
"Ah."
"Don't think too much, Ishita will feel good. And Gunjan has made Khichdi today. It will be good for your stomach."
Manav, Ishita, and Karan sat around the dining table. They started having Khichdi."
Manav asked, "Ishita, what we are going to watch today?"
"Netflix!"
"Yes."
The TV on the front wall started displaying a Netflix show of True crime documentary.
The narrator spoke, "Today we are going to show you an incident that took place sixteen years ago. The story is about a twelve year old Rishabh who used to study in 'All Angels School'."
Karan stopped eating when he heard the name of the school. He looked at the TV.
The narrator continued, "Rishabh was in seventh standard when he climbed the roof of his school and accidentally fell off the cliff. Because of the excess bleeding, he died on the spot. Till date it's not clear what made that kid to climb the terrace."
As Rishabh's photo appeared on the TV, Karan was astonished to see him. He dropped the spoon.
Manav asked, "What happened Karan?"
He stood up.
"I am sorry Mr. Saini, I have to leave."
He picked up the sidebag and headed towards the door. At his home, he vomitted in the basin again. He stood outside the 'ALL ANGELS SCHOOL' next day. He pushed the main gate and walked in. The old security guard came to him.
"Hey, where are you going? It's Sunday today, there is no one inside."
"I am not here to meet anyone. I used to study here. I am just here to take a look. Let me, please."
He walked ahead. He imagined, playing with Rishabh in ground when they were in school. He walked through the corridor and stopped at '7TH-D' class. He went inside. The class and benches were empty. He imagined Sanjana ma'am, who used to be his school crush, teaching English to the class.
She asked, "The one who will give the answer will get a gift from me."
Rishabh raised his hand.
"Yes Rishabh."
He stood up.
"Ma'am, the second sentence is the incorrect one."
"Good one. Come here."
Rishabh walked towards her. Sanjana gave him a chocolate. She hugged him and then kissed him on his cheek in front of the entire class. Everyone cheered and clapped except Karan who used to sat beside him. He was angry, his eyes got red, and his fist clenched that broke his pencil. Rishabh followed Karan through the corridor of the fifth floor of the school building.
He said, "Karan, where are we going?"
"Just follow me."
Karan climbed the ladder.
Rishabh said, "Are we going to the terrace?"
"Just follow me."
Rishabh and Karan stood on the terrace of the building.
Rishabh said, "Why are we here?"
"I want to show you something."
"What?"
He looked at Rishabh.
"Haunted House."
"Where?"
"Close your eyes."
"What?"
"Just do as I say, close your eyes."
Rishabh closed his eyes.
"And now, just follow my instructions."
"Okay, but promise, you won't leave me alone here."
"I won't. Now, take two steps ahead."
Rishabh took two steps.
"Now, turn left. And keep walking until I tell you to stop."
"I will fall down Karan."
"Don't you trust me? Then forget about haunted house."
"No, no, no. I will walk."
Rishabh creeped towards the edge of the terrace. Karan waited until he reached the edge.
"Stop!"
Rishabh stopped. Karan came behind him.
Rishabh said, "Shall I open my eyes?"
"First, answer my question. What is the best thing happened today with you?"
Rishabh smiled.
"Sanjana ma'am kissed me."
"How did you feel like?"
"For the moment I felt like I was in heaven. It was the best feeling to get a kiss from the beautiful teacher."
Karan smirked, "Do you really want to see how heaven looks like?"
Karan pushed him off the edge. Rishabh fell off the cliff. Karan stepped down from the ladder. He turned left and imagined a school girl who saw him leaving the place. He had ignored the girl that day. A distressed Karan went downstairs sliding his palm through the railing. He when to the main gate.
The old security guard came to him.
"I knew you would come here one day, son. It was supposed to happen one day. The world can forgive you, but can you forgive yourself for your sins?"
Karan didn't respond and walked out of the school.
Nisha used to reside in a rental apartment of a residential building. She stood in the balcony, buffing her nails with a buffer. She heard the doorbell. She opened the door. Karan stood outside.
"Karan? What happened? Is everything okay? How is your health?"
Karan sat on the chair. Nisha sat on the bed.
She said, "Okay, who else knows about this?"
"Just me, and, may be the girl."
"Girl, which girl?"
"I don't know. She has seen me that. She must have told the guard about me. The school management declared it as a suicide and that's why no one came to know about me."
"Karan, you should relax. You were just a kid that time. It's good that you have realised that you were wrong."
"No, I can't forgive myself. Whenever I think about Rishabh, I couldn't even sleep."
"Karan, don't think too much about that."
"No, I can't."
He began to feel nausea.
"Where is your bathroom?"
Karan vomited in her bathroom. Nisha tap and rubbed his back. He vomitted more, keeping the water tap on. Karan sat on the chair, drinking the water. He gave the glass to her.
She asked, "How are you feeling now?"
He nodded.
"I have been taking the medicine for a couple of days, but the vomiting is still not stopping."
"Which tablet are you taking?"
"I don't know. I didn't read the name."
He put his hand inside the pocket.
"I think there is one left."
He took out the tablet and gave it to her. She read the name of the tablet.
Nisha said, "Karan, it's NX-9, it's not a medicine. It's a poisonous tablet. It's illegal to sell on a medical store."
Karan sat on a bench inside a lab. A lab assistant injected syringe into his arm and took his blood sample. Nisha and Hitesh stood behind the assistant. He stood up.
"Tell me once the report comes out."
He entered Doctor Jai's clinic. He stomped towards him. He tossed the tablet onto the table.
Jai asked, "What?"
"You gave me the poison, why?"
Jai chuckled. Karan grabbed his collar, pulled him up and hurled him over the table. Jai fell on the ground. He kicked him on his belly. He kneeled down.
"Why?"
His phone beeped. He took out his phone. There was a notification, 'ISHITA SAINI HAS ACCEPTED YOUR INVITATION'. He tapped on the Instagram app. He went through her profile. She had hardly posted four to five pics. One of them was a black and white image of her childhood in which she was sitting and laughing with Rishabh. The image had a caption, 'STILL MISSING YOU BROTHER. GONE TOO SOON.' He looked at Jai.
Jai chuckled, "I know you won't be believing, but this is the truth."
Karan sat on the window seat of a bus, resting his head on the window. His phone rang. He picked up the call.
"Hello."
Hitesh said, "Your reports are out. The doctor is saying that you have been receiving small doses of poison over a long period of time."
Karan sank into his thoughts, thinking about the tea he used to get in Manav's house which was prepared by Gunjan.
Hitesh said, "Karan, Karan, are you listening to me or not?"
Karan remembered the butterfly tattoo on her wrist and the similar tattoo was etched on the school girl's hand who had seen her.
He said, "Hitesh, I am sending you my live location, bring the police there."
The bus stopped. Karan walked out and headed towards the residential colony. He opened the door and walked into the living room. Manav came to him.
"Karan, how are you? So you came, finally."
"Mr. Saini, I have come to know why did you ask to tutor Ishita. I know why you did it so."
Gunjan showed up.
He said, "You were mixing poison in my tea."
She said, "It's too late now."
"A position in my bank is going to be vacant soon in my bank."
Karan turned around. Anshul stood there.
Karan said, "You gave me the address of the doctor on the order of Mr. Saini. You knew what Mr. Saini was upto."
"Yes, I knew. On his order, I made him your client. I had to make sure that you are getting closer to him, and that's why whenever he needed a banking service, I sent you so that he can get close to you."
Manav said, "This wouldn't have happened if Gunjan's father never told me the truth."
"Gunjan's father?"
The old security guard came out from the room.
He said, "Karan son, that day Gunjan saw you leaving the terrace. She couldn't tell anyone. She told me. I tried to tell the school management about you but they didn't listen to me and asked me to keep my mouth shut."
Manav said, "It could have tarnished the image of the school that's why they declared it an accident as shown in the documentary. But Gunjan's father, Mr. Rameshwar told me about you. I could have put you behind the bars but I didn't. I wanted to see you loosing your life in front of my eyes. Since then I kept an eye on you, your college, your job, your friends and your weakness, women. I know you visit that woman's house every week. Your Sanjana ma'am was the reason why you killed my son. His classmates had told me what happened that day. And do you know what day is today?"
Karan looked at the calendar.
"It's Rishabh's birthday today."
Manav got tears in his eyes. Ishita came downstairs. He came to Karan.
She said, "You thought I am getting close to you."
She shook her head.
She said, "I hate you, Karan, I hate you. You killed my brother. You took him away from me. I lost my mother, only because of you."
She slapped him.
"You'll die like a dog."
They heard the police siren from outside.
Anshul said, "Police?"
Three cops barged in pointing their guns at them.
"Everyone, hands up. On your knees."
Hitesh and Nisha walked in. Hitesh came to Karan who gave him his phone.
"It has everything in it."
Hitesh gave the phone to the inspector.
"Sir, everything has been recorded in this phone."
The inspector played the audio. Each and every dialogue could be heard that was spoken in the room.
"Arrest all of them, initiate legal charges against them and preserve this phone as evidence."
All of them including Karan was handcuffed by them. They began to move out one by one. Karan stopped.
"Hitesh, I am sorry. Nisha, I am sorry."
The three hugged each other. Karan stepped towards the police SUV in which others were already seated. He fell on the ground on his knees. Hitesh, Nisha and the inspector ran towards him. He bleed from his mouth and collapsed on the ground. Nisha kneeled down.
"Karan!"
She placed her fingers on his neck. She looked at Hitesh. She shook her head. Hitesh pressed his mouth with his palm. Karan was gone, dead.
No one came to his funeral, except Nisha and Hitesh who gave fire to his pyre.
Mr. Rameshwar was right, it had to happen one day. The world can forgive you, but can you forgive yourself for your own sins?
