The Curse of That Night (17 page)

Chapter 39

Aarti

A fragmented policy and a vitiated public sphere characterize today’s India. The question that is making rounds is whether we have become an intolerant nation. Obviously, there cannot be a simple ‘yes’ or ‘no’ to this question; it all depends on the context to which it is posted.

The value of re-defining the question and framing the debate more accurately is immediately evident if we notice a fundamental paradox about today’s India. On the one hand, anything goes; we put up with anything and everything. You can practically get away with the most heinous crimes, be it murder, rape, corruption of the grossest sort, theft, graft, not to speak of the abuse of both law and morality in almost every sphere of life. India is a soft state and no one seems to be getting punished for their wrongdoings.

A soft state is not entirely bad. It provides common citizens an almost unprecedented and unique degree of freedom, unheard of in any other organised society in the world. Weak governance means a sort of anarchy, which is not only astonishingly creative but also infinitely resourceful. People learn to fend themselves, to survive in the most punishing of circumstances. As long as you are not in public eye, as long as you pose no threat to the nation, you are free to be left alone.

But the problem arises when your rights are violated, when there is loss of life, limb, or property. Then you begin to notice that the system does not work. You have no protection. You cannot get justice. Those who browbeat, bully, or trample upon you go scot free while you are left to your own devices, unprotected and frustrated.

The hard or callous side of our soft state was evident in Aarti’s rape case. The authorities, instead of protecting the victim, had sided with those against freedom of speech. Maintaining law and order, it seems, is only an excuse to encourage those who are anti-democratic.

“Have faith in the law and order of India,” Abhijeet used to say.

But, how could she? How can someone ever have faith in it?

In the name of some politically correct or incorrect cause, the rights of the silent majority are curtailed. Any agitating or vociferous group with a bit of political clout or nuisance value can hold the freedom of millions to ransom. The only protection that the victims have is media.

The republic is not as intolerant as it is badly governed. The political establishment has failed to uphold the Constitution and the rights that are guaranteed under it.

“Rather than constantly tolerating intolerance, we all must send a message that the intolerance will not be tolerated…”

Chapter 40

Rishi

“Pavitra, reach the city hospital.” it was Rajesh.

“What happened Rajesh? Is everything fine?” asked Pavitra.

“Nothing is fine, Pavitra. Rishi… come fast,” said Rajesh and cut the call.

She reached the hospital. While walking through the corridors, she saw a spot of blood on a nurse’s uniform who was passing by. A patient was being wheeled on a gurney down the hallway, until she noticed it was actually a dead body with the sheet pulled over the head.

Perhaps the hospital was cold and unfeeling and the hospital staff was avoiding any kind of an eye contact and polite conversation. As if the pain and death of the hospital had drained away their humanity.

“I told this guy to forget her. She is dead, damn it! He must have hurt himself. Drink and drive case. God help this guy!” thought Pavitra.

She reached the room.

“Rajesh what the hell happened? Where is he? Is he ok?” Pavitra bombarded Rajesh with lots of queries.

“No, he is not. He is in a very critical state. Out of danger, but still unconscious,” said Rajesh.

“But, what happened to him? Accident?” asked Pavitra.

“Excuse me,” said someone from behind.

It was a police officer.

“Yes,” said Rajesh.

“Are you two with Rishi Sinha?” asked the officer.

“Yes, we are. Why sir?” asked Pavitra.

“He was found in an unconscious state near the old municipality building this morning. Beaten up real bad. May be he had a fight with someone or someone tried to rob him. We are waiting for him to recover so that we could take his statement. You two know anything about it?” said the officer.

“No sir, we don’t. All we know is, he went for some party last night. What happened to him, we have no idea,” said Pavitra.

“Hmmm… fine. Take my number, if you get to know anything, give me a call,” the officer gave Rajesh his number.

“Sure sir,” said Rajesh.

The officer left.

“What the fuck is this! Beaten up?” Pavitra was in shock.

They went towards the room. The room had a low visibility, and there were cords hanging down for the nurses-call-button and the IV solutions. There was an electronic machine sitting on a cart with odd wires leading from it, and a curtain hanging from a track on the ceiling. There was an aqua colored water glass with a bent
straw in it. The door was propped open, and nurses were walking by, their sensible shoes squeaking on the pristine tiles. There were wires glued to my chest and coming up through the neck of my
hospital gown; the gown that has no back and lets every human
know what your body looks like. There never was a more embar
rassing garment invented. The window had a mini blind on it, and a view of the roof of an adjoining building.

For one week, I was unconscious. Still in thoughts of that night, when it all happened. The doctors were trying to recover me, but in vain. Everyone had lost hope. Nothing was visible to me except her face…

What celebs have to say…

New Delhi:
Leader of the opposition in Lok Sabha, today expressed concern over the increase in crime rate against women and the police atrocities on women protesters at India Gate, demanding immediate action.

“I am terribly shocked to know about the details of a girl getting gang raped by none other than the son of an MLA,” she said.

“I am so sorry that I am a part of this society and culture. The voice is telling us that rape is not an aberration, not a mistake,” said a famous Bollywood star.

“Rape embodies sexuality as our culture and society has defined it. I promise I will fight with this voice. I will respect women so that I gain my daughter’s respect,” said another model.

It seems like almost the entire nation demands justice now and an amendment in the rape law.

Chapter 41

Rohan

“South Ex. He wants to meet us at South Ex.,” said Rohan.

“Did he ask for money?” asked Abhijeet.

“Leave that to me bro,” winked Rohan.

Rohan was able to fix a meeting with the person who supposedly had the videotape. But that man wanted something in return. What else? Money.

“Where are you two going?” asked Malvika.

“To win this case,” smiled Abhijeet and gave her a peck on cheeks.

Abhijeet started his BMW and they sped at full speed.

It was pitch dark outside. They could hardly see anyone beyond the car at that point of time. That was the only reason Rohan chalked out this plan of meeting that guy at night.

They came across some heavily-loaded trucks and some police-men patrolling. There was complete silence.

Finally they reached the rendezvous. That guy was already there, waiting for them. He was a guy with average build and a laptop bag hanging around his shoulder.

“You have got the money?” he asked Rohan and Abhijeet.

“Show us the contents of the tape,” said Rohan.

He opened his laptop bag and played the tape. Abhijeet was shocked to see the recording.

It was the recording of the day when Sunil Yadav came to his home and offered him money to leave the case. The video had a scene in which the MLA himself accepted that his son was involved in rape after which he got a tight slap from Malvika.

“How did you get this tape?” asked Abhijeet.

“That’s none of your business. Give me the money and it’s all yours,” said the guy.

“Bhaiya
, let me handle him. Please,” said Rohan and asked Abhijeet to leave.

“You want money
haan
?” asked Rohan.

“Yes, two lakh,” said the guy.

Rohan grabbed the guy’s collar and slapped him across his face a number of times. He then held his head and smashed it into his bike’s handle. Blood spurted out from his nose.

Abhijeet was shocked to see all this.

“Rohan, stop it,” Abhijeet screamed.

Rohan held the guy in an elbow block as the latter was struggling to breathe.

“You want money asshole,” said Rohan and his grip got tight.

“Leave me please,” the guy pleaded.

“Leave him Rohan,” was all Abhijeet could say.

Rohan kicked his face and released him. He fell on the road and sucked the air. The last kick on his face smeared the blood from his nose across his face.

“Are you fucking out of your mind, Rohan!”

“Let’s run now. Grab this bag and the DVD,” said Abhijeet.

“Yes, let’s get the hell out of here,” said Rohan.

They started the car and leaving that guy to bleed on road they came back.

They got the most important evidence which could prove Omi Yadav and his father Sunil Yadav guilty in court. But, that was not enough. They now had to find him. Find the guy who was the key witness.

“What is the name of the eye-witness Rohan?” asked Abhijeet.

“Rishi. Rishi Sinha,” said Rohan.

“Let’s find him…”

Chapter 42

Rishi

I was bolted awake, shouting.

The room was bright. I was alone. The sharp smell of medicinal alcohol hung in the air and somewhere a machine pinged with quiet rhythm with my heart. I tried to move my arm but a sharp pain restrained me. I looked down and saw a needle tugging at the skin of my forearm.

It felt like, I was in a heavy black cloud. Nothing to see, nothing to hear. Just this heaviness in my whole body. So heavy, that I could not move. I didn’t remember how to open my eyes. Then, I started to hear noises. The buzz of machines. I laid still. I strained to hear and make sense of it all. No idea.

‘Where am I and why?’ I wondered.

My pulse quickened, and the machines kept pace, pinging more rapidly.

The back of my head and my chest throbbed with a gnawing pain. I tried to reach my head with my left arm and locate the cause of the excruciating pain. Beneath my long hair, I found stitches. Five stitches.

I tried to remember if anything. Accident.

Nothing. Total blank.

Darkness.

A nurse hurried in, apparently alerted by my racing heart monitor. She had gentle eyes that radiated a thoughtful calm beneath her eyebrows.

“What… happened?” I managed, “did I have an accident?”

The nurse put a finger on her lips and then rushed out, calling for someone down the hall.

I tried to turn myself, but the movement sent a spike of pain through my whole body. I took a deep breath to let the pain pass.

The hospital room had a single bed. I saw my clothes on a nearby table. They were covered with blood and mud.

‘My God, it must have been bad. Real bad!’
I thought.

Voices approached the hall, and I turned my gaze back. The nurse returned, now accompanied by a woman.

She appeared to be in her mid thirties. She had tied her black hair back in a ponytail that swung behind her as she walked.

“I am Dr. Anwesha Dixit,” she said giving me a smile. “Okay,” she began in her businesslike tone, “do you remember anything?” she asked.

“No.”

“You woke up shouting. You remember why?”

“I don’t know. I think it was a nightmare,” I replied.

“What day of the week is this?” she asked.

“It’s Saturday, I guess. I remember the party. The disc… that’s pretty much the last thing I remember,” I said.

I was suddenly taken over by a sense of danger. My muscles tightened, and I tried to sit up.

Dr. Anwesha quickly placed a firm hand on my shoulder, forcing me back down.

“Rishi, you need to keep your pulse rate down. No movement. No excitement. Just lay still and rest. You’ll be okay. Your memory will come back quickly.”

The doctor injected a syringe into my veins.

“Just a mild sedative to calm you down,” she explained.

She stood up to leave.

“You will be fine, Rishi. Just sleep. If you need anything, press the call button.”

In the room, I felt the drugs washing through my system, dragging my body deep into sleep. I fought the feeling, trying to keep my eyes open. I tried to sit up, but my body felt like cement. And with that I slept…

“Rishi, wake up buddy!” someone screamed.

I tried to open my eyes. The face looked familiar. Pavitra.

“Hey!” I said.

“What the fuck, you asshole! Look at yourself. You know, you were unconscious for like so many fucking days!” she almost screamed. The nurse signalled her to tone down.

“What!” I was stunned.

“Yes you moron. Now tell me the truth. You had an accident? A fight with someone?” she asked.

“I don’t know Pavitra. Trust me,” I said.

“Ok, listen. There is someone who wants to meet you,” she said.

“Hmmm… send him in.”

And in came two men. One of whom looked familiar.

“Hello Rishi, I am Abhijeet. Abhijeet Raichand and this is Rohan,” he said.

“You mean the famous lawyer Abhijeet Raichand! What do you want from Rishi, sir. Rishi, murder
to
nahi kiya hai na tune
?” said Pavitra.

“Will you please shut up Pavitra,” I said.

“Sir, what is it that you want from me. What have I done? I remember nothing!”

“You know this girl,” he handed me a picture.

I looked at the picture. Everything flashed back.

“What the… we need to save her. Rush. Rush now! She is in danger,” I tried to unplug all the machines that were attached to me.

“Shhhhh… relax Rishi. It’s all over. She is fine now. Just tell me everything you know. What exactly happened that night,” said Abhijeet.

I closed my eyes and let the happenings of that dreadful night flash before my eyes…