Fives faces- Part eleven

Chapter 11 

"How did you get my number ?" Amit asked

"I found out that you are working on this case with the help of some idiot friends of Dev. Once I got to know that it wasn't difficult for me to find out your number.  Don't dare to track my number or find me out otherwise you'll be dead." Zafar said

"How do you know about Dev ?" Amit asked.

"Dev is like a son to me. If you know anything about him, please tell me." Zafar said

"Well, we are trying to find him. Do you know why all these murders are happening?" Amit lied.

"Yes. It is all because of that idiot Adisha. I can't believe I was the one who helped him with all those fake documents and illegal stuff. He said that he wanted to get into London illegally as he was not getting visa. He said he wanted to work there and settle there. If I had any idea that he is going to do this stupidity I would have never helped him." Zafar said.

"Oh so you were the one who helped him with all those illegal activities. Now see what he has done. He has killed 5 people till now. And may kill the sixth person too. Please tell me why all this is happening ?" Amit asked

Zafar started telling the story behind these murders-

"Adisha and Dev were neighbours and lived in Mumbai. Adisha's father was a school teacher in a government school and Dev's father owned a shop in their locality. Dev's father died at a young age in an accident. At that time Adisha's father and I helped him and his family. We made sure that he gets proper education. Dev's father had helped my mother and that's why I always considered Dev as my own son even though his father hated me. His father wasn't happy with my illegal activities and always told Dev to stay away from me. But after his death, Dev and I came closer. I was like a father to him and so was Adisha's father. Adisha and Dev were best friends from childhood. As they grew up, slowly the friendship started turning into infatuation. They were in the same school, same tuition and often studied and played together. I moved to Dubai because the police were trying to find me.  I gave some money to Dev's family and was underground for a long time and was not connected to anyone. After a few years on one unfortunate night a dreadful incident happened. I wish I was there for them when that happened. But I got to know about it after a long time. 

Adisha and Dev were studying at a tuition centre near ATH University. That day Dev did not go to his tuition as he had a fever. Adisha stayed longer to get some doubts solved. That night was an annual night at university. A huge event was organised. Roads were filled with parked cars and scooters. Adisha decided to go through a shortcut which was from one of the gates of university. Also she was excited to get some glimpses of the event. The security guard stopped her from going inside so she took a way that only she and Dev knew. One of the fencing was a bit broken at one of the playgrounds in the university. She walked into University through that way. It was very quiet there but still she could hear some music playing far away from her. She was excited to see the event.

Just when she had walked a bit she saw some boys were sitting in the playground and were drinking. She got scared and hid behind one of the trees. She walked slowly in a way that no one would see her. But one of the boys noticed her and soon all gathered around her. After that whatever happened was dreadful. She was raped by a group of five people. One of the other guys kept telling them not to get into this but they didn't listen to him. After some time even he stopped telling them anything and went away. He didn't help her. After some time Adisha tried to walk out from there but fainted just after a few steps away from the gate. Adisha's family was worried as she didn't reach on time. They searched for her. Dev took the university way and found her unconscious near the university gate. They took her to hospital. A case was registered. Adisha gained consciousness. After a lot of effort she finally agreed to help police in finding culprits. ATH university didn't want to tarnish the reputation of their institute and therefore argued that she was found outside the gate so it is not necessary that any student could have been involved. Also, they requested police not to reveal the name of the institution in the media before the crime is proved against any one from their institute. Of course a hefty amount of money was paid by the institute to the police for that. The police searched for the culprits without revealing the name of the university in the media. And finally they found them. Adisha recognised them. But a guy called Shantanu, who was the only suspect who didn't help her that night, denied seeing anything like that in front of police. After that Arunesh's father brought a lawyer who argued that they didn't have evidence. But still on the basis of Adisha's statements, all of them were arrested except Shantanu. But the next morning they were released. When Adisha's father found out he went to the police station. The policemen said that they couldn't find any evidence and also the girl could be lying.

Her father understood what had happened. Arunesh's father was a very rich businessman. He must have paid a hefty amount to get his son out of this mess. His father scolded police officers and told them that he will solve this matter in court now. That day Adisha's father was offered a bribe of 20 lakh rupees to keep his mouth shut. But he didn't agree and was killed at night in an accident by a truck. Of course it was a planned murder. No one was there to help Adisha now. She was completely broken. Dev stayed with her through all the difficult phases. He stopped her from committing suicide many times. He graduated and started working and also supported Adisha and her family. Adisha started working at an early age to support her family. I thought slowly they will forget all these but I was wrong, they were planning to kill the culprits on their own for so long. When Dev asked for my help it was already 10 years to that incident. I never imagined that he could plan to kill someone. I helped him. Just few days back his friends asked me for help and that's when I got to know what he is upto. Now, listen to me very carefully. If you happen to find him just hand him over to me. Don't you dare send him to jail. Else you will be dead. If you want you can catch Adisha but leave my son. I know whatever happened with Adisha was wrong but she shouldn't have dragged my son into this. You can catch her but leave Dev." Zafar concluded.

"Well, we are still trying to find him. If I get to know anything about him I'll tell you." Amit said and cut the call.

"This is disgusting. Shantanu didn't do anything. In fact he gave a false statement to the police. " Tripti said 

"Relax, Tripti. We don't need to believe everything that Zafar has said." Amit said.

"Why would anyone do something so risky otherwise, Amit ? Do you have any explanation for this?" she said

"I know whatever happened was wrong but now what can we do." he said

"And why did you lie to Zafar ? Dev is with us." she said

"Yes and I'm not going to hand him over to that idiot. He will be caught and will be sent to jail." he said

"What ? Haven't you heard what he said? He will kill you if you do anything with Dev." she said

"He is just trying to scare me. He can't go out of Dubai." he said

"He cannot but still he helped Dev with all these so can't he get you killed ? Don't be stupid. You can't die for a case." she said

"I can. My duty is to deliver justice. And I'll complete my duty no matter what." he said

"And what about Adisha ?" she asked

"What about her ?" he asked

"Whatever happened to her was wrong, Amit. Don't you think the people who have done this deserve punishment." she said

"Yes. But this wasn't the right way. She could have filed a case again. What about the family  members of these people ? What was their fault ?" he asked

"She would have been killed just like her father if she had filed the case. That's what she should have done right. What's wrong with you Amit ? And their family suffered but Adisha's family also suffered without any fault. What makes these people think that they have the right to do anything and get away with it? They commited a crime and they should have been punished but instead of punishment they roamed freely while the victim's entire life was devastated." she said

"You are right, Tripti. But what can we do ? As police officers our duty is to catch the criminals." he said

"Don't you have heard that even if 100 criminals get away, an innocent person should not be punished." she said.

"But they are not innocent, Tripti. They have committed heinous crimes. They have used fake identities. They have killed 5 people and also robbed them." he said

"Yes and donated that money to charity." she said

"We can't let them go just because they have done charity." he said

"Amit, try to understand…" she said

"Please. I'm going to hand them over to the police tomorrow. I don't want to hear anything else. This is how I work." he said, interrupting her in between. 

"You will never understand their pain Amit. Only the one who has gone through this pain can understand it. You were worried just by the thought of me getting kidnapped even though you knew I was a police officer. Think what it would have been like for her family. She was just a teenager. But no this is how you work. We don't punish the wrong people. We don't deliver justice to the victims and when they get it on their own we punish them." she said. Amit did not say anything. 

In the morning, Amit got ready early. Tripti was awake all night.

"Let's leave them." he said

"What ?" she asked

"Let's release them with the warning of not hurting Shantanu." he said

"What ? You want to release Dev and Adisha ?" she asked. 

"Yes. But only with the condition that they don't hurt Shantanu and they never repeat any such crime ever again." he said

"Are you serious ?" she asked.

"Yes. I don't know if it's right or not but the words that you said last night are stuck in my mind. The people who committed the crime are already dead. Punishing Dev and Adisha won't bring them back. Let's end this here only. Let them live in peace." he said

Tripti did not say anything. 

"Why do you look so sick and tired ? Are you alright ?" he asked

"Yes. I am" she said

He went downstairs. He went to the basement and opened the door. Adisha and Dev were not there. 

"What the hell ? Where are they ?" he said aloud and turned back. He saw Tripti standing near the staircase.

"Don't tell me you released them." he said

Before Tripti could say anything, Amit's phone started ringing. It was from a friend whom he had requested to keep a  watch at Shantanu's house so that no one could harm him.

"Yes....But how ?.... Are you serious...Did you see ?... Will call you later" he said.

Amit cut the call and looked at Tripti.

"What happened ?" she asked.

"Shantanu is no more. " he said. 

How did Dev and Adisha escape ? Did Tripti help them ? Are Dev and Adisha responsible for Shantanu's death ? What will be Amit and Tripti's next step ? Will they avenge Shantanu's death or let them go ? Stay tuned to know more…