Chapter 54: chapter 54

MADHAV“Describe exactly what happened on that day?” Vikram asks Sankar. He is a young security guard who worked under Vishnu. He was one of the men who fought Vishnu when they found out that their leader was a criminal in disguise. His arm is in cast and bandages cover his face. “Vishnu told us to patrol the surrounding area as usual. But, he asked every one of us to go far from the house. I found it strange at that time. But, since he was our captain, I obeyed him. I was some meters away from the house when the power went off. Before going on his trip, Madhav Sir told us about how the house has backup power for the security gadgets and no normal power cut affects his house. So, I looked in the direction of the house in hopes of seeing it flooded with light but to my shock, it was immersed in darkness. Call it my instinct or something but I knew something was wrong the moment I saw the house in darkness. I called for the captain using the walkie-talkie but there was no reply. So, I alerted my peers and I started in the direction of the house.“When I was a few meters away, I heard the first gunshot. My blood ran cold at that sound. I ran to the house in a frenzy. I saw Vishnu holding a gun at Sruthi Madam. Panic set in me and before I knew what  I was doing, I pulled my gun trigger but it was a lousy aim. Still, it did distract him from her. Me and the other guards rounded up on Vishnu but we knew we were no match for him. He is our senior and is an MMA fighter at that. But, we gave our all. At one point, I realized that we weren’t going to subdue him. He fought us like a madman. So, I pretended to be injured and fell to the ground. Vishnu was still busy fending off the other two of the guards. I quickly dialled the police and ambulance. When I got up again to fight him, I saw him throwing Sruthi Madam’s phone away and putting a knife to her throat. Just in time, I pulled him away from her. I wanted to keep him busy until the police arrived but unfortunately, he was too strong for me and in another two minutes I was down unconscious. The next thing I know is opening my eyes in the hospital.”A look of guilt passes over his face, “I am sorry Sir. I wasn’t able to save Madam in time.”I shake my head at him, “You did well, Sankar.”“How is madam’s condition now?”“She is recovering,” Vikram answers. “Just yesterday, she regained consciousness for a few minutes. The doctors told us that it would take her some time to recover fully.”“I am glad about that,” says Sankar with genuine happiness. ❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥I pace the corridor outside the enquiry room in impatience. I am at the police department with Vikram. Today the police are having a final enquiry with Vishnu. The strange thing about Vishnu is that he accepted the crime of assaulting Sruthi and sabotaging my house power systems. But, he isn’t revealing the reason. He is still sticking to his story of how he attacked Sruthi for vengeance. I itch to be in the hospital with Sruthi but Vikram has dragged me here. It is been a week since Vikram returned to the capital. The past week was very critical for Sruthi’s recovery. She was in and out of consciousness. There were times when she would just mumble some gibberish words. There was one moment when I was so terrified for her. A couple of days back, she started to struggle like she was up against some unseen foe. I hated to see her suffer through whatever she was going through. I wanted to take away her pain and make it disappear. I wanted to be the first one to see her when she woke up but unfortunately, I couldn’t. Nonetheless, I am happy that I got to see her awake even if it was only for a couple of minutes. She seemed happy and relieved to see me. The door to the enquiry room finally opens. A police officer exits the room followed by a very tense Vikram. He looks like he wants to strangle someone to death. But, when the police officer turns to face Vikram, there is no sign of anger on his face. I learned a long ago that Vikram maintains an image of cool-headedness before the public. No matter how tense the situation gets, Vikram always handles it with a smile on his face. The police officer says something to Vikram and he politely nods his head. Then, they shake their hands and the police officer is on his way. When the police officer is out of earshot, I ask Vikram the burning question, “Did he confess who is behind him?” “No, he still claims to be the brother of Gowtham. I am confused beyond words,” says Vikram massaging his temples.“What are you confused about?” I ask.“Before starting the enquiry, Vishnu was made to drink the truth serum.”“That should have made your work easy.”“That is what I too thought Madhav but guess what? Either the truth serum is not working or else he has a strong willpower. Because, even after drinking the truth serum, he kept on talking about his brother. He kept repeating how he hates me because I am Ariyian and how I did injustice by brutally killing his brother. But, I did learn one thing from our conversations. He knows what work you do for me.”I lower my voice as I ask the next question, “Does he know that I was the assassin that killed Gowtham?”Vikram shakes his head, “No. He doesn’t know it yet. Let that stay that way. He is living in a delusional world where he worships his brother. If he knew you were the one who killed Gowtham, then I am sure, he will double his efforts to harm Sruthi. Because he knows how important she is to you.”❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥