LOVE AT LAST SIGHT – II

“The Painting Genius Padmashree R.K. found murdered in his residence at ECR by a young Entrepreneur. The intention behind the murder is still a mystery. Is it because of Enmity, Competition or Relationship Issue?...”, the newsreader was construing the Newsitem with so much enthusiasm to arouse the curiosity of viewers. “Justice for R.K.! Transfer the case to CBI! Hang the murderer!”, public were protesting in roads with placards lead by various artists.

“R.K. is such a noble human being besides an intelligent Artist. His death is a huge loss for the entire Artist world. The murderer must be hung to death and it must be a deterrent for all those who try to touch Artists. Being R.K’s friend, I don’t know how to pacify his family”, Prem, another Artist wept dejectedly in the TV show. “Why does this world hate creativity and destroy the creators mercilessly? My brother has no enemies and whoever has done this to my brother should not be let away”, Mohan, R.K.’s brother was moaning with pain. The TRB of the news channel was increasing rapidly with public witnessing the emotional trauma that was unfolding.

It all sounded like hell for Vinay who was hearing the news channel inside the walls of the Police Station. Whatever Vinay built was all demolished ruthlessly in a day. He was waiting to die but the way he would die made him cry. The feeling of what his parents, relations, friends and his own employees would think about him, made him miserable.

The intimidating Police station with the scent of crime, got enchanted by a sudden vibrance with the entry of Crime Branch Officer, Kathir.

When Kathir said, “Aravind, tell me the facts of the case once again”, Arvind began to read the gist of points from the file.

“R.K. found dead at his Residential Villa at ECR on 10th August. Post Mortem report confirms murder by slitting throat and murder time is between 9 AM to 10 AM. Murder weapon missing on spot. Prime suspect is Vinay, an entrepreneur whose mobile was found near the dead body and CCTV footages show him moving out of the house during the time of murder. ”

Arvind added, “Sir, it is a straight case of murder and evidences are well in place. If Vinay admits the murder and tells the reason, the case can be closed immediately.”

Kathir nodded while scanning the case file one more time and by that time Vinay was brought in for inquiry.

“Sir, I only murdered R.K. Please hang me to death directly. I don’t deserve to live in this world”, Vinay whimpered.

“Will you shut up, Vinay! Do you understand what you are trying to do? This is a bloody murder case and you are diverting the case without realizing the consequences”, Vinay was taken aback when Kathir retorted loudly.

”Sir, I want to die. Now, with the murder blame, even if I am released do you think the people around me will treat me normally? The way I was arrested and hand cuffed in front of my apartment, the shameful look of people around.. I am sorry sir, the stain on me can never be erased. There is no reason for me to live and I have no one on Earth”, Vinay couldn’t continue speaking and started to cry terribly.

“Death per se is not a punishment Vinay. In fact it is the liberator from all chains of the Earth. But nobody can control life and death. What has happened here is not a normal death. R.K. was cruelly murdered in his own house. With my experience of 10 years in Crime Branch, I am not concerned about the crime or criminal. The intention of the criminal, the psychology at that point of time motivates me to decode cases. You are the only clue to crack R.K.’s case. If you cooperate, we can resolve the mystery together”, when Kathir uttered, Vinay who was blankly listening, replied, “Why should I help to resolve R.K.’s case? Who is R.K. to me? All I want is death and please leave me to die in the hands of law.”

“Strength is not growing when all others around ignore you. When people around are against you and don’t believe in you, raising up trusting your own self is strength. When you are not hurt by the opinions of others, you will understand the real meaning of freedom. So try to forget about what your family or friends think about you. Try to find out the truth which is very important for you. Vinay, don’t you want to know who is Keerthana? What if she is in trouble now? I read your statement and you have constantly said about Keerthana ”, when Kathir uttered the word Keerthana, Vinay’s senses totally went blank and he instinctively whispered, “I am in sir. ”

The house that generated all kinds of emotions in every encounter, stood majestically in ECR, generating a new sense of fear this time for Vinay. Every object seemed too close to Vinay but alienated at the same time. The paintings placed now were the original dark paintings which Vinay initially saw during the first visit to the house. But there was a minor difference in the signature at the bottom of every painting. It was not “R.Keerthana” but just the two letters “R” & “K”.

“Vinay, tell me whatever you remember about R.K. and Keerthana. Even the minutest detail will help in such situations”, when Kathir asked, Vinay got back to his senses.

By that time, Arvind came panting and spoke incessantly, “Sir, I have verified the details of R.K. After getting the Award last year, he left to Malaysia and stayed there for a year. He returned back only on August 10, the day on which he was murdered. He had given the house keys to his brother Mohan Kumar for maintenance, who stays in Cuddalore. Mohan has never come to Chennai during that time and the keys are with him only still. One important fact we found while checking his call records.”

“Any suspicious calls made or received?”, quizzically asked Kathir. Arvind replied,”Yes sir. A call had gone from Vinay’s Office to R.K. in Malaysia last month.”

Both of them were shocked instantly.

“Vinay, if you are trying to play a dirty game with me, you will be seriously injured. Do you get it?”, when Kathir reproved, Vinay panicked and replied, ”Sir, I have no idea about this. If you can allow me, I will check with my P.A. immediately and clarify the matter”.

Vinay’s P.A. was shocked and surprised at the same time hearing Vinay’s voice. She was nervous and words were finding difficulty in reaching out of her mouth. When Vinay asked about the call to R.K., she took time to recall and then spoke, “Sir, R.K. had mailed you seeking appointment mentioning his phone number. So I called him back. He said he will be coming back to India the following month and will meet you in person. I asked him to get appointment after reaching India. I didn’t inform you as I thought I will inform after he comes to India seeking afresh appointment. I am really sorry about all the things that are happening to you. The whole office is waiting to see you soon sir. ”

“Did R.K. mention about why he wanted to meet me?”

“He didn’t tell anything in detail sir. But he said it is regarding the Facebook add-on deal with our company which didn’t materialize.”

Vinay cut the call confused totally. The case was revealing newer dimensions every minute.

Kathir interrupted, “Ok Vinay, Now tell me all the details about R.K., Keerthana and Facebook deal”

“Sir, we approached Facebook with a new Add-on. Many beautiful scenes are shot in cinemas and series in various locations. Based on a snapshot of the scene, our add-on software will reveal the exact location along with the details of what the place is famous for. People can plan their holidays using this feature. When we showed the prototype, Facebook was very much interested. We even signed a deal last year and started designing the software. Commercial projects, I would happily delegate to my employees. As it was a creative project, I expect perfection and hence I myself designed the prototype and started coding the Add-on software. But in a month or two, Facebook withdrew the deal. Hence, I didn’t continue the project and the software is half-coded. I don’t know why R.K. had called regarding this after a year”, sighed Vinay.

Kathir: Have you met R.K before?

Vinay: No sir, I haven’t heard about him only. I don’t follow news that much.

Kathir: Ok. Tell about Keerthana.

Vinay: Sir, I have told all about Keerthana and our meetings. I don’t have her picture. I didn’t feel the need to as Keerthana doesn’t like living in virtual world. As she was with me, I also didn’t insist in photos.

Kathir: You don’t know about her family and friends?

Vinay: Sir, I remember one thing now. She said her father is a rich person in Karur who invests in properties. One such investment is the house she said.

Arvind: Sir, the house was built by R.K himself.The so-called Keerthana, if she does exist in reality, she is a mastermind in planning. We have seen the CCTV footages for a year. She was never captured in CCTV footage. She has used her car efficiently to avoid CCTV capture. Also, there is no prominent painter in the name of Keerthana as per records. So the name itself may be a lie. Her father, Karur etc would all be master lies to create diversions. So if we can avoid searching in that direction, it would be better.  

Kathir: Makes sense Arvind. Vinay, you can move around the house and tell me if you remember any other detail.

Vinay started observing the dark themed paintings again. Despite the current worrisome situation in which he was locked up, the paintings created a unique sense of addictive happiness. He couldn’t control admiring the passion and intelligence of R.K. in every painting. Vinay was awestruck and doubted if someone can recreate nature so realistically in a way, that nature itself would envy the painted portrait? With this thought, he suddenly felt a sense of relief and clarity.

He ran to Kathir and shouted, “Sir, I cracked the case!”

Both Kathir and Arvind were shocked and looked at each other puzzlingly.

“The key is Imagined Realities!!!”, when Vinay spoke, Kathir intervened, “Vinay, Can you be a little clear in your explanation?”

Vinay: Sir, look at the painting of R.K. What do you feel?

Kathir: Please stop blabbering and speak what you are trying to tell directly.

Vinay: Though the paintings all look heavenly, these are not imaginations. They are all imagined realities. Some natural scene in some part of the Earth is artistically painted by R.K. Anybody who sees his paintings will feel mesmerized by the kind of nature portrayed. My software will reveal the exact locations of the paintings if uploaded. The combination of his paintings and my software would be a huge hit for tourism industry and would generate huge revenue for both. Someone who knows the commercial value of the combo would have murdered R.K. Someone who is close to R.K. and is aware about the Facebook Add-on but is jealous. Now our search can be restricted to the close Artist circle.

Kathir: Really brilliant Vinay. You have nailed the case. Arvind, please find out if there is any alternate keys for the house.

Vinay: Also, I remember, when the deal got cancelled, some insider in Facebook, India told me to meet Prem, an Artist. As I was dejected by the cancellation of the deal, I didn’t proceed further.

Arvind: Sir, R.K.’s brother told, alternate keys are with Prem, R.K.’s friend.

Both Kathir and Vinay smiled at each other. ”I didn’t think the case would be resolved so soon”, sighed Kathir.

A 10 year old boy opened the door, when Kathir knocked the 4bhk lavish gated community independent Villa at Padur. “My husband is not at home. He has gone for a meeting to ITC grand Chola and informed that he will come home late. Any problem sir?”, when Prem’s wife asked, Kathir just nodded and left.

 Prem’s mobile was switched off and ITC Grand Chola confirmed that there is no meeting of Artists and there is no room or table booked in the name of Prem and as per CCTV footage, Prem did not come to the hotel that day. Kathir was getting nervous as it was already 6.00 PM and the next day, Vinay has to be produced before the Court. The call from Arvind, increased his stress and he immediately picked up Vinay and went to R.K.’s house.

Arvind was waiting outside and he kept the pistols ready. “Prem is inside the house only. Shooting order sir?”. Kathir retorted,”No Arvind, we need to know the truth. Just catch him”

Vinay was excited and thrilled to see the live happenings. Life has turned upside down since last week. Every moment was revealing a new suspense. When they entered with pointed pistols, all three were completely shattered.

Prem was lying dead with slit throat in the same spot and same position where R.K. was murdered. The fresh blood attested that the murder happened just few minutes back. Kathir and Arvind were stunned. “Alert the entire area and check posts. The murderer could not have escaped and would be near by only. Catch the murderer at any cost!”, shouted Kathir.

 Vinay couldn’t control his tears. He felt like the entire universe was conspiring against him. All the doors that opened since morning, led him to a dead end finally. There was no more door to open and the entire case went to point Zero to the starting point.

“Do you have anything to tell Vinay?”, when the judge asked in the Open Court, Vinay spoke lifelessly,”I admit both the murders. I only killed R.K. and in the same manner killed his friend Prem too. When Inspector Kathir took me to R.K. residence where Prem was in, I ran before and killed him quickly. I killed them because I believe these two painters caused the cancellation of Facebook Add-On deal with my company. Hang me to death my Lord! ”

Everyone in the court got shaken by the unforgiving words of Vinay. “After perusing the evidences, it is clear that Vinay has…” when the judge was pronouncing, a loud and clear shrill voice interrupted.”Your honour. I am extremely sorry to interrupt. But I have an important point to make with respect to this case!”. Vinay went out of his senses abruptly.

The judge nodded,”Please proceed”.

“Your Honour, I am Ramya, Advocate cum Artist. I am also the secret mistress of Prem”, when she spoke, everyone was taken aback. Vinay felt a like thousand swords stabbing him all through his body.

“R.K. chose dark themed nature paintings. Prem and I chose bright human portrait paintings. Though R.K., is a good friend of Prem, it was always R.K., who was getting all the recognition and rewards. One day when R.K. happily told about the Facebook Add-on deal that was in news, and how it would help R.K., Prem was completely shattered because of jealousy. Prem and I only planned for the cancellation of Facebook Add-on deal with Vinay’s company. In the name of Keerthana, I was getting close with Vinay to completely destroy the software. But Vinay did not proceed to complete the software and hence, we were relaxed.

Suddenly, when R.K. said that he is returning to India to meet Vinay and to convince him to complete the software, we were taken aback. From then, all the confusions started. Prem wanted me to kill Vinay. Everything went as per plan, but I couldn’t kill Vinay. Unexpectedly R.K. arrived a week before on August 10. Prem managed to tie him up during my conversation with Vinay that morning. After Vinay left dejectedly, R.K. was untied and he wanted to call the police. During the tiff and arguments, Prem killed R.K. We immediately left through the secret back door where there is no CCTV camera.

Everything would have went well even after that. Though Vinay was arrested for murder, I knew he will not be owed criminal liability, due to the lack of Mens rea(guilty mind). I seriously underestimated Vinay and didn’t imagine in the wildest dream that Vinay would decode R.K. and imagined realities.

Prem was planning to kill Vinay in judicial custody after he is transferred from police custody. When he was about to confirm the plan of murdering Vinay, I killed him at R.K.’s residence. This is the murder weapon used in both the cases,” Ramya surrendered the ruthless knife before the Court. Everyone was completely shocked and it was difficult to digest the version of Ramya.

The judge intervened,” Why did you kill Prem, for whom you are the mistress? Where is the Mens rea here?”

Ramya looked all round and saw Vinay finally. Vinay though felt terribly hurt couldn’t resist the unstoppable love that was unleashing out with the last sight of Ramya.

“Yes my Lord, I am the mistress of Prem. But I cannot harm Vinay and cannot let anyone harm Vinay because I love Vinay!!!”, broke out Ramya with a loud cry which reverberated all across the walls of the Court hall and pierced deep into the veins of Vinay.