Revenge is a dish, which is best served cold

Revenge is a dish, which is best served cold

-Biswadeep Ghosh Hazra

PART-I (The journey)

Seema was sitting beside the window, watching the scintillating view of the paddy fields as the train swooshed past the landscape. The sun was already setting after a hard, hot day and the moon was gearing up for its duty. Seema was travelling to Madhya Pradesh, specifically to Bhopal for joining as an inspector in the local Thana there. Though she did not want to go this far (Seema was originally from Rajarhat, West Bengal) but there were no other way as her reluctance to go would cost her sister and her mother their lives. Seema basically was from the lower middle class and after the death of their father, their sole bread earning member; they suffered a huge set back.

So here she was joining as an Inspector in Bhopal. Being a part of the police force was Seema’s only dream and when it came alive she was elated and overjoyed and Bhopal seemed only seconds away. There at the police station she would spend the next years as a police officer until the next transfer order comes. “Only if her dad was here with her to share her joy”, Seema did not realize she was crying until she tasted something salty on her lips. Feeling tired she decided to get a siesta though this was not the time to so, but realizing she had another five to six hours to spend until her destination, sleep automatically decided to get the best with her.

*Flashback*

Seema’s father was a prosperous businessman in their area dealing with hardware and sanitation parts. Of late though his business was not running smoothly but nevertheless their family was a happy one. But things started going out of hands when Rakesh, her father’s business associate decided to split up and demanded his share of the shop. Frequent angry talks gave away to fighting in at least one or two occasions. Then on one not so fine morning Seema’s family found him dead and bloodied in front of their house’s main gate. Seema’s father Bijoy was murdered brutally by no one other than some local goons hired by Rakesh himself.

Bijoy did not fear death and defied it; even his face showed it at the time of death but the frightened look Seema knew was because of the concern for his family. Rakesh was not pleased with killing his associate and even went to forcefully taking their home, coercing Seema and her family to the streets as no more than beggars. That day looking upon her dead father Seema, only 13 years old made a promise to be a police officer and punish those responsible for her father’s death.

In the coming years Seema obtained scholarships at various levels and ultimately she served at the Rajarhat police station and also did a good job there in rounding criminals and petty thieves alike but she got transferred to Bhopal after a brilliant three year record on the basis of something she did, something she was never meant to do. Regardless of the record she did not feel sorry for it but rather on the contrary, felt proud.

The train’s whistle coupled with the horrible look on her father’s face helped Seema back into reality where she found she had reached her destination. Quickly and steadily she piled up her luggage on her back and arms and swiftly descended on to the station and the train after a jiffy left the platform. Thanking her timely action and also her bad dream, she set foot to Bhopal.

PART-II (Bhopal)

Like any other bustling capital, Bhopal was always bustling with activity and the humdrum of the people. Footpaths filled with hawkers, check, streets clogged with an amalgamation of people and vehicles of many types, check, and the dangerous emissions from vehicles and cars alike, check, Bhopal was no different from Kolkata it seemed to Seema, though people were blabbering incoherently as Seema never had a good grasp over Hindi. So here she was ready to spend her time as a police officer, she boarded an auto from outside the station and told the driver to go to Govindpur police straight away as she didn’t want to waste any time in joining. The train was a good 3 hour late and reached Bhopal at around a little more than 2 pm.

After about 30 minutes of eternal journey, Seema reached her destination. After paying the man and collecting her bags, she straight away went to the Thana to resume her duties. There she again received a shock which left Seema precarious as her childhood hero Aarti Menon was her commanding officer and senior there. Seema shaked hands with her and then asked when she can join for duty.

Aarti Menon: At least keep your luggage in your room and wear your uniform, then we can talk about the rest ok?

Seema happily obliged and after changing over, she joined in duty. Now that particular area in Bhopal and the surrounding areas were quite shaken by the murder of innocent men recently. Till now three deaths have been recorded and though they follow some pattern, nobody was able to detect it.

The police quarters were situated at a stone’s throw distance from the Thana and Seema went to change her dress and wear the police uniform which she prided in wearing and was ready to join duty within less than 2 hours.

*That afternoon*

Aarti Menon: Wow, you’re fast!

Seema (Grinning widely): Never too late to join duty, mam.

Aarti Menon: Till now three deaths have been recorded over a span of five days, no evidence. Reason for murder-unknown. All victims are in the age group 30-35 years.

Seema: And from here it seems all three of the victims live close together, aren’t it?

Aarti Menon: Yes, they were friends at some point I think, one killed for the same reason as the other two.

Aarti showed Seema her place in the police station and it was a small table and a chair next to a jail, Seema always hated jails and stayed as far as possible from them but this time there was no way she could tell that to Aarti now. Prisoners whining and complaining- Seema hated it as it made her soft; and being in the police meant you can never be soft.

In the coming weeks Seema got to know Bhopal like never before, she visited the site of the Methyl isocyanine leak and also the Taj-ul-Masjid which is the largest mosque in Asia and also the Jama Masjid. She also learnt Hindi and a little of Bhojpuri as well. Life was far from being full of cases and late night investigations and Seema was getting a little bored until the news of the death of another man Raju reached her as well as everybody’s ears. 

PART-III (The mystery runs deep)

Aarti Menon shuddered at some bad dream which she was dreaming for some time now, but what frightened her was the fact-a shadowy figure was visible and it was mocking her from the drawing room as if inviting her into a phenomenal trap. Aarti shivered and took her gun and as any trained policeman would do, went to the drawing room to search for the mysterious figure, but all efforts went in vain as there was no one there.

Though she could not believe her senses would lie to her, she did not delay sleeping as it was again a busy day tomorrow. This time, again a bad dream plagued her and did not allow her to sleep. In her dream, Aarti was a sweet girl of seventeen and she was running across the paddy fields in her native place.

**In her dream**

Aarti Menon and her best friend Sita were friends and were inseparable till death, they were like sisters. Aarti and Sita went together always and always faced their troubles head on each giving strength and support to the other. It happened that one fine afternoon they were running in the paddy fields and having the time of their life. But we all know Karma’s a bitch and fate had something different written for both of them.

That afternoon, some six-eight youths were passing through the fields, barely walking on four hands because they were filled to their brim with country liquor and to them those two girls playing might have seemed to be like two ripe fruits waiting to be plucked-they raped the girls and in the process killed Sita and left Aarti bloodied and battered. That day she made a promise to herself as well to the lifeless, wimp body of Sita she would avenge both of them.

Aarti’s woke up by a scream which ironically was her own, which made her frighten a little. Those goons who had done such injustice were taken care of and precisely because such an incident at such tender age left a mark in her innocence, Aarti decided to be a policewoman and that too of the highest rank. She did not befriend anyone of her age till some days back, and after so many days, she felt a strange in front of Seema; it seemed so similar to like the old times when she and Sita were together. 

**In another part of the city**

Raman was worried sick and tensed, not because many of his close friends have been dead the past few weeks; but it was his turn next he feared. Raman never valued and loved his friends-though he was once the most popular boy in his teenage years but he had to sacrifice something to be somebody. Now he was with a large MNC and had turned materialistic and an asshole.

Now only Raman, Soubhik, Bipin and Chetan remained and Raman was sure                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   out of them four, somebody would lose their life. Though Raman did not know what caused all his friends to die and his life was on the line, he had no clue either. Some incident which they must have done when they were young (they did much together, and it was always such fun!!!) which again caused someone to take their lives one by one.

# (Phone rings) #

Raman (Voice trembling): Hello?  …

PART-IV (Knowing your enemy)

#after few seconds of silence#

Raman: Fuck! It is you Chetan, you nearly killed me!

Chetan: Are you a bloody pansy? I wanted to know whether the plan is still on for tonight or not.

Raman: Yes you bloody leech, suck everything from me.

Chetan: Aww, Raman, you’re a degenerate I knew it, but if I tell everybody what a corpulent asshole you’re, you do not have the guts to keep your promise, that you’re not a man. I imagine what everybody’s reaction would be like…

Raman: Oh Chetan, stop being so hysterical, be calm, the plan is on tonight.

*Due to the light of recent incidents, the four remaining decided to meet in Raman’s flat and the drinks were on Raman. The conversation was about the bet on Sachin’s century in the recent India-Pakistan-Australia tri series match which Raman unfortunately lost. Now Raman had to burn a hole in his pocket to buy a Chivas Regal bottle- Chetan’s prize for winning*

Soubhik: Raman, everything must be planned diligently.

Bipin: True that brother and we must all be prepared and utterly cautious about us as well.

Raman: Do you guys think this could be a co-incidence? , Ankit, Raju and Biltu dying within days.

Bipin: Are you nuts? Biltu died because…

Soubhik: In a condescending tone, Bipin, please…

Raman: The reason why I called you, I have been doing some research work and something came up…

# Meanwhile at the Thana, things are going as they should in the way of police life. There was no dearth of work but the police seemed to take no notice of it. Seema, not being familiar till now with the nature of police men and women alike, did everything with the utmost importance and was never for more. She even developed some feelings for Ritabrata, Ritz she would lovingly called him. Ritz was never tired of Seema’s antics and loved her more than anything in the world. #

Aarti Menon: Why did you join the police Seema?

Seema (with a wide smile): Because I wanted to serve and protect India, and contribute my part to making this god forbidden country a better place.

Aarti: Oh please! Spare me the “deshbhakti” bullshit, there must be any personal reason for you to join the force isn’t it?

Seema did not like the look Aarti wore on her face, it was like a hungry hyena had got some meat to fill its belly but not his mind. It was hungry for more.

Seema: Well if I told you, it wouldn’t be personal now, would it?

*Raman had arranged a list of possible suspects and had drawn different conclusion for each one of them. Raman and the rest six had a pretty interesting child hood and teen hood. They had done their share of adventures and bad deeds the later outweighing the previous by many degrees.*

PART-V (Nothing but revenge…)

Raman felt the utter helplessness as he knew their time was short, somebody was targeting their whole group and they could not help themselves- they sat around being maudlin and time was preparing to tie a noose around each of their neck. They had to flee or death was inevitable. Raman could not track their pursuer but he felt awkward going to the police; “They would mess things up”, he thought.

He thought of something for their own safety but it was not to say illegal, Raman had planned for all of them to keep weapons for safety- so that they were capable of defending themselves. “We have to be on high alert all the time”, Raman said emptying the alcohol in one single gulp. He knew all four of them had to remain in the city otherwise they would lose their jobs and end being on the streets and before they knew they would be dead.

# Aarti was in plain clothes now, there was no need of a uniform as it would render her vincible. She got up on a taxi and called Manoj her informer. After getting the location where the four were meeting, Aarti informed the driver to drive up to M.G road and then take a slight right from there. While the cab was taking her to the place where Raman, Soubhik, Chetan and Bipin were there, enjoying their drinks Aarti thought of the impending developments which were about to take place. She had already punished four others, what would the fate of these be? #

There was rue that Aarti felt about the previous incidents which had happened, she did not want to recollect those horrifying memories but they were right there before her very eyes, happening once again. Ankit, Biltu and Raju were their names- they had raped Aarti multiple times along with the four others whom Aarti was going to punish. The incidents unrolled themselves sequentially once again before Aarti eyes as she imagined them.

** Raman and the others were having a serious discussion about their lives which were already at stake. They were raising a toast to their wrong health and life but little did they knew what was about to befall on them. Raman’s flat had already turned into a mess which was usual whenever they met. After all Raman out of Soubhik, Bipin and Chetan were the wealthiest and also the grumpiest. **

In the cab Aarti was recalling her life’s key events which led her into this position; she had been raped and murdered by these youths in her village situated on the outskirts of the town. Her body was mutilated and bloodied, she cried for help, but nobody came. She also tried to commit suicide and get away with the shame and agony which she was through but then decided against it for some reason. Her conscience played its part and she was absorbed by the things she did in life and started weighing on the scales of good and bad deeds done- but this was so hard to do.

She punished them by death; Aarti thought of places like U.A.E where rape is such a serious offence, the authorities there castrate the rapists and torture them to the highest possible limit. But death as a punishment is not fair is it? Outside the drizzle had set in after many days of un-quenching thirst and people had started celebrating. But Aarti Menon’s mind was somewhere else. 

^^ Seema had her share of fighting and quarrel with Ritz- they had decided to be engaged but it turned out Ritabrata was having an affair with someone else whom Seema did not knew. Life as it turned out for Seema was governed by one line- “Man proposes, God disposes”. ^^

PART-VI (Battling conscience and devils)

Being dead…Aarti could not comprehend what it meant, she bet no one could comprehend, ceasing to exist. But her conscience was our again like the last murders she committed, her opinions now were divided-

The good Aarti Menon: Take them to jail, arrest them, for the love of God, don’t kill them.

The other Aarti Menon: They deserve nothing more but painless death…

The good Aarti Menon: Think of their family, their loved ones… They all have a family, I know what they did to me, but I can still punish them by staying inside the law.

The other Aarti Menon: A couple of months in jail? They deserve worse; there is no evidence they committed crime in the first place!

All these thoughts rendered her inert and immobile, she sat in the cab, motionless contemplating what her future actions would be like. She felt the cold metal in her back and was assured her gun will help her in times of crisis and so will her expert marksmanship. But she could not enter the flat and attack head on; she needed to have a plan. But she was afraid she did not have one.

On the other hand, Ritabrata and Seema were having a quarrel about something inconspicuous which quickly turned into a fistfight. Seema hit Ritabrata hard and got one in return, but this time in increased manifold. She quickly ran and entered into the bathroom, locking the door, started weeping. Ritabrata quickly traced the steps to the bathroom, and knocked hard calling Seema and how sorry he was. Seema understood this was a pure melodrama on Ritz’s part and although it was Ritabrata’s room in the quarter she decided not to open the door and stay in solitude; but her solitude was broken by Ritabrata trying to punch through the door. Seema did not think such a day would ever come in her life. She was asphyxiating and amidst it, Ritabrata suddenly stopped everything after getting a message. Like a bolt of lightning he whizzed through the room outside.

Raman and the others were feasting and drinking booze, which they did often. Raman was a materialistic ass but he had some feelings towards the other three as they were childhood friends. Soubhik was not all feeling good about this and went over to Raman to talk-

Soubhik: This is not good Raman, Biltu and the others died already and we are gonna sit and do nothing? Biltu died because of a break fail, the others died by various reasons which look normal but we know someone is behind us… We…

Raman: You think I’m sitting here being sadistic about our friends dying and doing nothing?

Chetan (shouting): I’m famished Raman, let us order something, here let me check… Yes I’ve coupons to Perfect Pizza-

Chetan (waving the coupons): Who wants to eat???

** Aarti had friends who owed her many things and Sukhdeep was one of them, he was an expert at bugging and tapping phones and also a good ethical hacker for the department. With Aarti’s orders, a team had already bugged and tapped the phones of all the four. Now Aarti knew who congregated at Raman’s flat, Sukhdeep had already found out a perfect plan for Aarti, but for it she needed to wear something right for the occasion. At a few minutes distance before Raman’s flat she got out from the cab and went to the Modern Mall which had newly opened there. She needed something just right, she reminded herself, she then went to the counter of Perfect Pizza and ordered a medium sized pepperoni pizza.**

PART-VII (End of everything???)

Seema sensed something wrong and slowly opened the door, and found no trace of Ritabrata. Maybe he had to leave on some urgent task. She slowly took a tour of the apartment where they spent so much time together, loving each other. Now everything seemed so cold and distant to her- she had fought over petty issues with him but those were not as serious as today’s events. Just as she was about to exit the damned place, something caught her eye.

^^ Aarti had finished her pizza and instantaneously after finishing it asked for the manager of the outlet of Perfect Pizza, the other staff fearing the pizza having quality issues tried desperately to calm Aarti down, but she would not listen. Having defied all, Aarti would not be coerced by the staff and pushed almost all the staff guarding her way to the manager’s door. Amidst the din and confusion the manager himself got out of his cabin to look into the matter when suddenly he was confronted by Aarti’s ID card stating she was in police. ^^

Soubhik: A few minutes more and we’ll get the pizza for free!!!

Raman: They must be coming, the pizza, and those damned boys never make it late.

# Doorbell rings #

Chetan: Oh I hope it is the pizza, I’ll get it Raman.

Chetan (gesturing two big breasts on his chest, after peeping through the keyhole): It is a girl!!!

Before Raman could gesture anything back, Chetan opened the door with a wide grin on his face. Aarti entered the flat slowly, carefully studying her environment. Upon the next few minutes, she would have to either heavily depend on her environment or desperately fight out of it. She was preparing for the worst-she could have poisoned the pizzas but she chose to do it the other way round. She had to kill all of them and be sure of everything, this time Aarti was frustrated and decided not to beat about the bush, but get straight to the point and be done with it.

Raman was sitting on the couch and Chetan was admiring Aarti’s buttocks when suddenly a gleam of light shone right into his eye, irritating him. Through his half dazed vision Chetan opened his eyes in a state of shock, paralyzing him. Chetan could only gasp in horror about what was about to befall on all of them. Raman sensing something wrong from the past suddenly jumped across half way of the room to reach his desk where he had a gun hiding. Within minutes the room was utter mess with glasses, pillow feathers, blood and bullets flying.

Ritabrata’s jeep had touched the murder site (by then everything had taken place) and he jumped off the jeep and ran as fast as he could. There was another incident before this when Ritabrata had ran as fast as this; he remembered when his village home had caught fire and his mother was trapped in some other room spanning quite a distance. Upon entering he found Aarti’s limp and dead body lying motionless and still as if looking at Ritabrata, mocking him.

While Seema was flabbergasted and confused by the thing, it was a mobile, Ritz’s to be specific and the screen showed the message etched, “Where are you? Need you A.S.A.P”. Like a bolt of lightning, Seema seemed to create an abstract situation where she hoped she would notice it earlier, she would not be here breaking down but she would have thanked herself for discovering this and moving on taking this as a minor obstacle. But here she was, broken to bits and pieces like a crystal piece, un-mend able and broken beyond repair.

Ritabrata wanted to create an apparent situation of what might have happened here, but decided against it. He had loved Aarti from the moment they met, even as a junior under her, he was madly in love with her. His mind became a palace of flashbacks of his colleagues taunting him, how desperate he was trying to hit Aarti even on the line of duty to their extreme moments- now all lay before Aarti’s body. His only comfort were the men who were punished, Ritabrata even was actively involved with Aarti in everything.     

Soubhik, Chetan and Raman were all lying dead with bullets through their bodies; they all wore a surprised look as if they had not even anticipated anything like this ever. As Ritabrata was going into the bedroom he heard muffled cries and moaning and noticed Bipin was still alive and had been shot at the thigh.

PART-VIII (Revenge is a dish that is best served cold)

Ritabrata went into the bedroom where Bipin was being administered medicines and first aid and stood there staring Bipin right into the eye. The inspector there saw towards Ritabrata as if he was expecting something; and then finally after a long pause Ritabrata pleaded the inspector to move aside and let him do some talking to Bipin. The inspector understanding his condition stepped away from the room and Ritabrata closed the door shut.

Bipin looked terrified and was in a state of shock, he could not believe he was alive and the only living member who survived the terrible incident. It was surprising how he lived and was praising the gods how he had survived the cataclysm when suddenly Ritabrata’s talk startled him.

Ritabrata: How did she die?

Bipin: Raman was right; someone was after us and that too from the police department? She thought she would kill us all, well all except me…

Ritabrata (his hands around Bipin’s throat): HOW DID SHE DIE???

Bipin:  *coughing and trying desperately to shout* Leave me!!!!

Ritabrata: Here is the deal, you tell me how she died and I won’t harm you, I swear.

## Bipin over the next couple of minutes narrated everything about the incident which took place, obviously to the point before he blacked out. From his talks, Ritabrata gathered his Aarti was dead after Bipin got shot by her as Bipin before passing out saw passing images of a fight between Raman and Aarti which resulted in both of them being dead. ##

After completing his narration, Bipin rested for some moments and signaled Ritabrata to pass the water which was kept on the bed-side table at a little distance from Bipin’s bed. As soon as Bipin put his lips on the glass, a violent jerking took place and Ritabrata tightly squeezed Bipin’s neck and locked it so Bipin was now in a position, unable to speak or fight. Amidst his repeated pleadings, Ritabrata narrated how he too was part of the plan, and killed Bipin’s earlier friends.

Ritabrata: Die you scum of earth, I am doing a good duty killing bastards like you. In fact I am going to give you a painful death…

@@ Bipin fought but in vain, he could feel his life force slowly slipping away but he continued to fight. Alas, not before long he closed his eyes before passing the oblivion, Bipin too was dead now and Aarti’s goals have been achieved… @@

Coming out of the room, Ritabrata saw Seema in tearful eyes and did not respond. He had done what Aarti wanted him to do; he had now fulfilled her dreams. Now his mind could rest in peace like Aarti’s soul. Slowly approaching the inspector in charge of the crime scene, Ritabrata raised his hands like a criminal does waiting to be handcuffed. The inspector looked questioningly and at the same time a shrill cry sound was heard from the nurse who was in charge of Bipin’s health…

^^ Ritabrata had loved Aarti like anything and when he first heard Aarti was planning to punish the people who raped her multiple times, he had taken the initiative to kill these people first. In fact he was so devoted towards this operation that he even managed to convince Seema he was the man of her dreams. All he did was to protect Aarti’s operation because Seema was a little too inquisitive about everything and if not controlled she would prove a heavy distraction for Aarti to do her work… ^^

Author Speak:

India was a land of customs but now that little of customs and culture is remaining, women are being targeted and raped like anything. Though the percentage varies from state to state but it is becoming alarmingly prevalent all over the country. Feminism must be advocated or else women like Aarti would always find ways to punish the wrong doers-

What happens to the rapist, though?  A couple of months in jail and in most of the cases they cannot be directly linked to the rape cases and if somehow they get caught by police, they spend some months in police custody and bang! They are again back on the streets!!! Taking up law in our own hands makes us seek revenge to avenge ourselves or the ones we love but it does not always help. However sometimes it does as it sets a nice example to others…

Setting examples are needed at this crucial time for the ever sleeping “janta” and a few strikes and “bandhs” or sitting whole days on fast unto death is not the solution- staying within the law and punishing the wrong doers is the only solution because men without law equals to savages.

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