Dhubri, 1996
It was a chilling night of May 1996, when the cloud was thundering and raining, as if the mother nature herself was giving a warning sign for an upcoming devastation.
SFX: -RUMBLE! (SOUND OF THUNDER)
SFX: -KRAKKKK (SOUND OF LIGHTING)
I was 8 years old then, but matured enough to know that, that night something wasn't right about our neighborhood.
I, Aryan Sharma was a mere kid and I was having trouble sleeping since I heard loud cries and scream at that time of the night.
Suddenly, I woke up huffing and puffing, grasping for air.
My mom then wakes up and checks on me and the she asks…
"What happened beta?" she pauses. "You must have seen a bad dream."
"Something's wrong with the Kumar's mom, I heard screams and cries, I think we should help." I was sure about all of this and wasn't really imagining things.
"If only your dad was here, he is far away in his new job place. And it's just your imagination, go back to sleep." She makes it sound so easy.
"But mom!" She interrupts me then by putting her index finger on my lips.
"Ssshhhsss, Go back to sleep." I had to comply with her.
Next morning, 9 am.
The local police were investigating what appears to be a murder scene. And then…
"Hmm, seems like the work of a psycho killer or killers!" officer Kadam with his assumption.
"No, Kadam, it's a mob attack. See the caption on the wall." Points towards the wall.
[ROT IN HELL DAYAN!]
Borah suddenly decides to light up a cigarette.
"Another case of Witch killing where no one survived." Bora, came to a conclusion then and there.
"Actually, one did survive, but he is trembling in here and is under treatment at GMC." Kadam was referring about me.
"That's miles away in Guwahati. This case is a dead end. Do one thing, mark the case as a psycho killing where the killer managed to flee and shut the case." Borah wanted the case to be closed to save himself another headache of course.
"But sir?" Kadam, with his concerns.
"Do it." Borah, as confirmed as he was.
Moments later.
I walked in, shaking, crying, Inspector Borah tried to make me come to my sense and told.
"Don't look kid."
"But they were our friends. Who could do such things?" I had my own doubts then but I was no investigator.
"I am wondering the same." And he wasn't lying as his expression showed.
Borah was an honest cop in his 50s who served with my dad a lot and we know him like a family. He is honest but sometimes he tries too hard to close a case that he doesn't seem worthy of his time and this case was turning out to be one such for him and Kadam sir.
Four years later
After the incident mom and I decided to move to Guwahati.
A new city and a fresh start perfect enough to put my life into balance and reconcile with my dad.
We were eating at a local restaurant for some refreshment and then as we walked out, I saw da and so, I rushed in to give him a tight hug.
The moment of joy and affection overwhelmed me.
"I missed you, dad!" I was still hugging him.
"That's it boy, you will crack my ribs like that, seems like you've been hitting the school gym lately. Look at you, all grown up and strong now." At the age of 12 I was too much into school sports activity and martial arts.
"Well, let's head home, we'll talk on the way." And we all moved towards his jeep.
"So, how have you guys been? Aryan? Anjali?" Dad asks to many questions.
"We are just fine, a little tiered though." My mom answered.
"So, ready for your mock taste tomorrow? This is the best school you know, you must get admitted there." A new school, might sound like a change on paper but in practice it's all the same, bullies and assholes and crooks getting on my nerves.
"Hey, wake up boy!" as he snaps his finger.
Previous school wasn't very pleasant for me as I was bullied the first day being a kindergarten school. And now I was in the 7th grade.
SFX: -CRUMMM [SOUND OF EATING A CHOCOLATE BAR.]
"I am just a little stressed out regarding…." And then I paused.
"If the boys are human or monsters there? Look, boy, sometimes you must learn to defend and stand up for yourself, which is why I am enrolling you at the best Karate academy and the fitness gym possible. You must be fit like your father is." That's a man in the defence talking, a man of pure discipline and perfection.
I was finally excited to be in our new house; it is our first self-owned domicile which dad was helping constructing for a long time.
I entered my room and holy shit, he really decorated the room with some Comics, band and anime posters and brought me my own TV and a PS5?
I was surprised and glad by this warm gesture from my dad.
"So, what do you think?" My dad asked.
"Oh, you spoil him so much love." My mom was mocking me as usual.
"He is a grown man; he deserves to be spoilt." And then my dad was defending me.
"This is so freaking cool, thanks dad!" I was admiring the room.
NEXT DAY, 7 AM!
SFX: -BEEP BEEP (SOUND OF THE ALARM)
"Aryan, wake up and brush your teeth." My mom as always.
"Yawn, coming mom." I rubbed my eyes and then went to freshen up.
And a new day begins.
Mom filled the dining table with eggs, bread, milk and bananas.
"Umm, the food tastes amazing maa." I complimented my mom.
After breakfast it was time for shower and some praying and then meditation for me with my dad.
Above the terrace of the Sharma villa Me and our family are mediating and suddenly dad collapsed. I panicked as I spoke.
"Dad? Oh my God, Dad? Mom, call 108 now!" I was distressed.
Moments later.
At the Excel Care Hospital.
"He is out of danger now." The doctor.
A heart attack? Was unexpected. He always seemed fit and never smoked or got drunk.
I sensed a ticking time-bomb and that my dad may not have much time left.