Episode 04
CCTV- One eye that looks everything
Srinu's plan to obtain the CCTV footage was daring and ambitious. He knew that accessing the footage legally would be a lengthy and uncertain process, so he resolved to take matters into his own hands. With his expertise in IT and a clear understanding of the building's security systems, he formulated a plan to infiltrate the security room and hack into the server to retrieve the crucial footage.
The first step in his plan was reconnaissance. Srinu meticulously studied the layout of the building, noting the location of the security room, the positions of the CCTV cameras, and any potential obstacles or security measures that he might encounter. He also observed the patterns of the security personnel, identifying the best window of opportunity for his operation.
As Srinu explored the building, his eyes scanned the walls for any clues or signs that could guide him to the security room. Amidst the dimly lit corridors and echoing halls, he spotted a building map pasted on the wall. With a flicker of hope, he approached the map, his curiosity piqued. Carefully examining the details, his eyes widened as he discovered the location of the security room marked clearly on the map. The realization dawned on him that the security room was situated in the basement of the building. Armed with this newfound knowledge, Srinu plotted his next move with determination.
Now, he has the location of the security room.
The second was to obtain the CCTV footage, Upon laying eyes on the CCTV camera, Srinu's gaze narrowed with a focused intensity. Instantly, he recognized the make and model of the surveillance equipment—it was the same type of CCTV camera that he had worked with extensively during his tenure at his company. Memories flooded back of the days spent configuring and installing similar cameras, a task he had undertaken with precision and expertise.
The CCTV camera system that adorned the building's premises was a marvel of modern surveillance technology. With its cutting-edge features and advanced capabilities, it stood as a sentinel, silently observing and recording every movement within its purview.
At its core, the CCTV system boasted state-of-the-art technology, showcasing a level of sophistication rarely seen in conventional surveillance setups. Its most striking feature was its military-grade night vision capability, allowing it to peer into the darkness with unparalleled clarity. Equipped with advanced infrared sensors and imaging technology, the camera could capture high-resolution footage even in the absence of ambient light, rendering the darkest of environments as clear as day.
But the system's capabilities didn't end there. In addition to its formidable night vision prowess, the CCTV cameras were also equipped with inbuilt audio capturing functionality. This feature enabled them to not only record visual footage but also capture sound, providing a comprehensive audio-visual record of the events they observed. From whispered conversations to the rustling of leaves in the wind, the cameras could capture every auditory detail with remarkable precision.
Furthermore, the CCTV system boasted sophisticated motion detection capabilities, adding another layer of intelligence to its surveillance prowess. With motion sensors strategically positioned around the building, the cameras could detect any movement within their field of view and automatically activate, ensuring that no activity went unnoticed. This feature was invaluable in minimizing recording storage space by only capturing footage when there was significant movement, thus optimizing the efficiency of the surveillance system.
In essence, the CCTV camera system was not just a passive observer; it was a vigilant guardian, equipped with the latest technology to ensure comprehensive surveillance coverage. With its military-grade night vision, audio capturing capabilities, and advanced motion detection, it stood as a formidable tool in the quest for truth and justice.
With a keen understanding of the camera's capabilities and functionality, Srinu knew exactly what he was dealing with. He was intimately familiar with its specifications, its software interfaces, and its potential vulnerabilities. His past experience provided him with a unique advantage, allowing him to approach the task at hand with confidence and clarity.
Drawing upon his extensive knowledge of the camera's inner workings, Srinu quickly formulated a plan to access the footage it had captured. He knew the camera's strengths and weaknesses, as well as the most effective methods for bypassing its security protocols. With each passing moment, his conviction grew stronger, fueled by the realization that he possessed the skills necessary to succeed in his mission.
As he prepared to put his plan into action, Srinu felt a surge of determination coursing through his veins. He was ready to leverage his expertise in IT to uncover the truth hidden within the CCTV footage, confident that his past experiences had equipped him well for the challenges that lay ahead.
He embarked on his mission to obtain the CCTV footage.
As Srinu ventured deeper into the building, he felt the weight of anticipation pressing upon him. With each step, the air grew heavier, charged with a sense of urgency that drove him forward. The dimly lit corridors stretched out before him, casting long shadows that danced upon the walls.
Navigating through the labyrinthine passages, Srinu eventually arrived at the entrance to the basement. The cool air enveloped him as he descended the staircase, his footsteps echoing softly against the concrete walls. In the darkness below, the faint hum of machinery resonated, signaling his approach to the heart of the building's security system.
With cautious steps, Srinu made his way through the dimly lit corridors of the basement, his senses heightened as he searched for the security room. Each door he passed held the promise of discovery, and he remained vigilant, keenly aware of the importance of his mission.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity, Srinu came upon the door to the security room.
Srinu cautiously approached the security room entrance, noting the relative lack of security in the area. The building, still under construction, had minimal personnel monitoring its premises. Only one security guard seemed to be stationed near the entrance, likely due to the ongoing work and the limited access to the building.
This observation provided Srinu with a small window of opportunity. Despite the presence of the guard, the overall security was lax, making it easier for him to slip past unnoticed.
As Srinu patiently awaited his opportunity, his senses heightened. Every passing moment felt like an eternity as he stood in the shadows, his gaze fixed on the security guard stationed at the entrance to the security room. He watched intently, waiting for the guard to move away, his heart racing with anticipation. Finally, as the guard stepped away to attend to a personal matter, Srinu seized his chance and swiftly made his move, slipping into the security room undetected.
As the guard disappeared into the bathroom, Srinu took a deep breath, his heart pounding with anticipation. With careful and calculated steps, he approached the entrance to the security room. Each footfall was deliberate, ensuring minimal sound. With a quick glance around to confirm that no one was watching, he slipped into the security room, the door closing silently behind him. Inside, the room was dimly lit, the glow of monitors casting an eerie light. Srinu's pulse raced as he scanned the room, his eyes searching for the server that held the CCTV footage he sought.
With practiced ease, Srinu navigated through the labyrinthine directories of the server until he reached the coveted treasure trove of CCTV footage. His fingers danced across the keyboard, executing commands with precision as he bypassed the security protocols protecting the digital vault. Time seemed to stand still as lines of code scrolled across the screen, each keystroke bringing him closer to his objective.
As the progress bar crawled steadily towards completion, Srinu's heart raced with anticipation. Every second felt like an eternity as he watched the digital files transfer from the server to his pendrive. Finally, with a soft chime of success, the task was complete.
Being a IT guy, he made his pendrive as his bike keychain. so it always comes in handy with his daily work stuff. But today it will help solve the mystery of that horrible night.
Srinu ejected the pendrive from the USB port, his pulse quickening with the weight of his discovery. With the evidence safely secured in his possession, he carefully tucked the pendrive back into his pocket, its innocuous exterior betraying the invaluable data it contained.
With his mission accomplished and the precious CCTV footage safely secured on his disguised pendrive, Srinu knew he had to make a swift exit before the security guard returned from his brief respite.
Gathering his wits, Srinu swiftly scanned the room for any signs of his intrusion. Finding no evidence of his presence, he tiptoed towards the exit, his senses heightened with each cautious step. Every creak of the floorboard, every rustle of the air seemed to echo in the stillness of the room, threatening to betray his clandestine operation.
As he reached the door, Srinu's heart pounded in his chest, the adrenaline coursing through his veins urging him to hasten his escape. With a steady hand, he turned the doorknob, praying for it to yield without protest. To his relief, the door swung open soundlessly, revealing the dimly lit corridor beyond.
With one last glance over his shoulder, Srinu slipped out into the hallway, his movements swift and silent. Like a shadow in the night, he melted into the darkness, leaving behind no trace of his presence in the security room. As the door clicked shut behind him, Srinu breathed a sigh of relief, knowing that he had evaded the security guard's notice and emerged unscathed from his covert operation.
Srinu stepped out of the building, his senses still on high alert, scanning the surroundings for any signs of suspicion. The fading light of the day cast long shadows across the deserted construction site, adding an eerie ambiance to the scene.
With a quick glance at his watch, Srinu noted the time – 5 PM. The realization that several hours had passed since he embarked on his daring mission only served to heighten his sense of urgency. He knew he had to return home before ganga grew suspicious of his prolonged absence.
Taking a deep breath to steady his nerves, Srinu set off towards his bike, his pace brisk but composed. Each step brought him closer to freedom, away from the looming threat of discovery.
As he reached his bike, nestled amidst the shadows of the construction site, Srinu felt a surge of relief wash over him. With practiced ease, he retrieved the disguised pendrive from his pocket, the keychain serving as an inconspicuous vessel for his hard-won prize.
Mounting his bike, Srinu felt a sense of accomplishment tinged with apprehension. The journey ahead was fraught with uncertainty, but armed with the truth hidden within the confines of the pendrive, he knew he was one step closer to unraveling the mystery of that fateful night. With a determined resolve, he kick-started his bike and set off into the gathering dusk, leaving behind the secrets of the building and venturing towards the truth that awaited him.
Footage
As Srinu pulled into his driveway, the familiar sight of his home brought a sense of relief after the tumultuous events of the day. The sun was beginning its descent, casting a warm orange glow over the neighborhood. With a sigh, Srinu parked his bike in the garage and shut off the engine, the rumble of the motor gradually fading into silence.
Stepping off his bike, Srinu paused for a moment to take in the tranquility of his surroundings. The gentle rustle of leaves in the breeze, the distant chirping of birds – it all felt strangely comforting after the chaos he had endured.
With a determined stride, Srinu made his way towards the front door of his house. Each step felt like a weight lifted off his shoulders, bringing him closer to the sanctuary of his home. As he reached the door, he fumbled for his keys in his pocket, the metal clinking softly against each other.
Finally, with a click, he unlocked the door and stepped inside. The familiar scent of home greeted him, mingling with the aroma of dinner cooking in the kitchen. Ganga looked up from the stove as he entered, a smile lighting up her face.
Ganga: "Srinu, you're finally back! What took you so long at the security officer station? Did you manage to get the document you needed?"
Srinu: "Hey, Ganga. Yeah, it took a bit longer than I expected. But don't worry, I got what I needed."
Ganga: "Well, I'm just glad you're home safe. You missed lunch, you know. I was getting worried."
Srinu: "Actually, Ganga, after the security officer station, I had to swing by the office for a bit. I ended up having lunch there.
Ganga: "You went to the office? Without even telling me? I was really worried about you, you know?" What if something had happened to you?"
Srinu: "I know, Ganga, and I'm sorry. I should've kept you in the loop. I just had to sort out some things at work.
Ganga: "Oh, I see. Well, as long as you're okay. But you should've let me know, I was really worried."
Srinu: "I understand, Ganga, and I'm sorry. I didn't mean to worry you.
Ganga: "Ok. So, what about dinner? Are you hungry?"
Srinu: "I appreciate your concern, Ganga. Sorry for making you worry. I'm just not hungry right now, but I'll grab something to eat later, I promise."
*He gently kissed Ganga on the forehead and embraced her in a warm hug before heading towards his office room. Ganga returned to the kitchen to resume her tasks.*
Srinu's office room was a sanctuary of technology. As he stepped inside, the cool ambiance enveloped him, accompanied by the soft hum of high-performance computers. The room was illuminated by the soft glow emanating from multiple large screens that adorned the walls. Each screen displayed intricate data, lines of code, and various applications, a testament to Srinu's expertise in the digital realm.
The centerpiece of the room was his desk, adorned with an expensive computer setup. A sleek, high-end desktop tower sat at its core, surrounded by a multitude of peripherals—keyboards, mice, and specialized input devices—all meticulously arranged for maximum efficiency.
The walls were lined with shelves filled with technical manuals, reference books, and trophies from past projects, showcasing Srinu's dedication and accomplishments in the field of information technology. Posters of iconic figures in the tech industry adorned the walls, serving as both inspiration and motivation for Srinu's endeavors.
Overall, Srinu's office room was a reflection of his passion for technology and his commitment to excellence in his craft. It was a space where innovation thrived, and where Srinu's skills as a digital mastermind were put to the test day in and day out.
With no further delay, Srinu plugged the USB drive into his computer's port. He had meticulously installed all the necessary software to ensure smooth functioning while viewing the CCTV footage. With a few swift clicks, he accessed the interface that allowed him to navigate through the footage captured by each individual camera, categorized by their position throughout the building.
The screen before him split into multiple windows, each displaying live feeds from different angles within the building. Srinu's trained eyes scanned the footage, searching for any signs of activity during the crucial time frame of the attack. He adjusted the settings, zooming in on specific areas and enhancing the image quality to get a clearer view.
With practiced expertise, Srinu synchronized the audio and video captured by the CCTV cameras. With a deft hand, he adjusted the settings to ensure perfect alignment between the visuals and the accompanying sound.
Anticipating the need for audio clarity, he reached for his headphones and plugged them into the computer. As he pressed play, the sound of the footage filled his ears, allowing him to immerse himself completely in the events unfolding before him
With the FIR document placed carefully beside him for reference, Srinu began his meticulous examination of the CCTV footage. The document served as a guiding beacon, ensuring that he remained focused on the specific details that could shed light on the discrepancies he had uncovered.
The room fell silent as Srinu focused intently on the screen, his senses fully engaged as he scrutinized every detail captured by the cameras. Each sound, each movement, held the potential to unravel the truth behind that fateful night, and Srinu was determined to leave no stone unturned in his quest for answers.
Srinu fast-forwarded through the footage, his eyes fixed on the timestamp indicating 11:15 PM—the moment when darkness had descended upon him and Ganga. With a determined click, he pressed the play button, bracing himself for the harrowing scenes that were about to unfold.
As the footage began to roll, the grainy images flickered to life on the screens before him. Srinu's heart raced as he watched the events of that fateful night play out once again, each frame etching itself into his memory with chilling clarity.
As Srinu played the video from 11:15 PM, he split the window screen to show every camera recording simultaneously. CAM-7834, positioned at the entrance of the building, immediately caught his eye. There, he could clearly see Javed holding Ganga and forcibly dragging her into the building, followed closely by Chacha, who was dragging Srinu's unconscious body behind him. The sight sent a chill down Srinu's spine as he watched the events unfold before him on the screen.
As Srinu watched intently, his heart raced with a mixture of fear and determination. The footage revealed Javed's firm grip on Ganga, her struggling form fighting against his hold, and the desperation in her eyes as she glanced back, searching for any sign of help. Meanwhile, Chacha's rough handling of Srinu's unconscious body was evident, his limp form being dragged along the ground, leaving a trail of dust in their wake.
The scene played out in stark contrast to the quiet and stillness of the building's entrance captured by the CCTV camera. The dimly lit surroundings added an eerie atmosphere to the unfolding events, heightening the tension of the situation. Srinu's eyes darted between the screens, taking in every detail, his mind racing with questions and scenarios as he tried to make sense of what he was witnessing.
The piercing sound of Ganga's cries echoed through Srinu's headphones, sending a chill down his spine. Despite the distance and the barrier of technology between them, her anguish felt palpable, cutting through the air like a knife. Srinu's heart clenched at the sound, his instinct to protect her surging stronger than ever.
As he watched the footage, the intensity of Ganga's cries only seemed to escalate, each plea for help more desperate than the last. Srinu felt a surge of frustration and helplessness wash over him, knowing that he was powerless to intervene in that moment. All he could do was watch, his fists clenched in frustration as he listened to the sound of Ganga's distress.
The raw emotion in her voice stirred something deep within Srinu, igniting a fierce determination to find her and ensure her safety. With every cry for help that echoed through the headphones, his resolve solidified, driving him forward in his quest for answers. Ganga's cries became a rallying cry, spurring Srinu on as he continued to watch the footage, his mind racing with thoughts of rescue and retribution.
As Srinu watched intently, the figures of Ganga, Javed, Chacha, and himself slowly receded from view on the CAM-7834 recording. Their forms dissolved into the darkness of the building's interior, swallowed by the shadows as they ventured further inside. With each step they took, the sense of foreboding grew, casting a shroud of uncertainty over their fate.
As the last glimpse of them vanished from the camera's sight, Srinu felt a knot form in the pit of his stomach. The sudden absence of their figures left an eerie emptiness in its wake, a void that seemed to echo the gravity of the situation they found themselves in. Despite the darkness that obscured their movements, Srinu's resolve remained steadfast, his determination to uncover the truth unyielding.
With a heavy heart, he continued to watch, his eyes fixed on the screen as he searched for any sign of their whereabouts. Each passing moment only served to heighten the tension, the weight of uncertainty pressing down upon him like a suffocating blanket. But Srinu refused to falter, his determination driving him forward as he delved deeper into the footage, determined to uncover the answers hidden within.
In the enlarged recording, Javed and Chacha's figures came into view, their voices audible through the audio feed. Srinu strained to catch their conversation, his heart pounding with a mixture of anxiety and anticipation. Their words, though muffled, reached him clearly, adding a layer of urgency to his quest for answers.
As the conversation unfolded, Srinu's grip on the truth tightened, each word spoken serving as a breadcrumb leading him closer to the heart of the mystery. But amidst the tension, another revelation emerged – the sight of Chacha leaving his unconscious body sprawled on the floor.
As Srinu watched himself lying unconscious on the floor in the CCTV footage, a whirlwind of emotions engulfed him. The sight of his own helpless form, juxtaposed with Ganga's desperate cries for help, stirred a potent mixture of fear, anger, and helplessness within him.
His heart pounded with a sense of urgency, each cry for help from Ganga echoing in his mind like a haunting refrain. The feeling of powerlessness gnawed at him, intensifying with every passing moment as he grappled with the stark reality of his vulnerability.
As Srinu pieced together the events unfolding on CAM-5291, a cold realization settled over him like a heavy shroud. The footage revealed Javed and Chacha's sinister intentions as they dragged Ganga along with them, leaving Srinu unconscious on the ground floor.
With a sinking feeling in his chest, Srinu watched as Javed and Chacha ascended to the first floor, Ganga's desperate struggles echoing through the corridors. The gravity of the situation weighed heavily on him as he grappled with the horrifying truth of Ganga's captivity.
As Srinu's gaze fixated on the footage from CAM-1467, his heart clenched with a mixture of anguish and frustration. The corridor of the first floor seemed to stretch endlessly before him, each step taken by Javed and Chacha feeling like an eternity.
With bated breath, Srinu watched as they maneuvered through the narrow passageway, Ganga's muffled cries echoing off the walls. Every flicker of movement on the screen served as a painful reminder of his helplessness in the face of her abduction.
he observed Javed and Chacha leading Ganga up a staircase toward the second floor.
On CAM-9023, the second-floor corridor camera, Srinu witnessed Javed and Chacha, accompanied by Ganga, ascending the stairs to the second floor. They proceeded to drag her into a room located on the right side of the staircase.
Srinu's eyes were fixed on the screen as he watched the figures of Javed, Chacha, and Ganga enter the room on the second-floor corridor. The faint outlines of their bodies grew fainter as they moved further into the room, engulfed by the shadows within.
Srinu strained to catch every detail, leaning closer to the screen as if it could provide answers to the questions swirling in his mind. The flickering light from the corridor cast eerie shadows across the walls, adding to the tense atmosphere of the scene.
As the trio disappeared into the room, the camera captured only their fleeting forms,In those fleeting moments before they vanished into the room, Srinu caught sight of their shadows dancing across the corridor floor. The dim light cast by the corridor lamps stretched their forms, elongating their outlines as they moved. It was a ghostly spectacle, the shadows swaying and shifting with each step, before finally disappearing into the darkness of the room beyond.
But all that remained was the open doorway, a silent witness to the events that had unfolded within. The door stood ajar, a silent invitation to the unknown, leaving Srinu to wonder what secrets lay hidden behind it.
Even as they disappeared into the room, Srinu's heart sank at the sound of Ganga's desperate cries echoing through the corridor. Her voice, a piercing lamentation, filled him with a sense of urgency and dread. Despite the distance, her pleas for help seemed to reverberate through the building, haunting him with their intensity. Unable to ignore her distress, Srinu's resolve to uncover the truth strengthened, fueled by the agonized cries of his beloved echoing in his ears.
As the minutes ticked by, the frantic cries of Ganga gradually subsided, swallowed by the oppressive silence that enveloped the second floor of the building. The corridor, once filled with the echoes of her desperate pleas, now lay shrouded in an eerie stillness, broken only by the faint hum of the security cameras and the distant sound of traffic drifting in through the windows.
Srinu's heart clenched with a mixture of fear and dread as he listened intently, straining to catch any hint of movement or sound from the room where Ganga had been taken. But there was nothing – no whispered confessions, no muffled struggles, only the heavy weight of uncertainty hanging in the air.
In the absence of any visible activity on the CCTV footage, Srinu's mind raced with a thousand possibilities, each more terrifying than the last. What was happening behind that closed door? Was Ganga safe? Or had the worst already come to pass?
A sense of helplessness washed over him, threatening to engulf him in its suffocating embrace. He felt paralyzed, trapped in a nightmare from which there seemed to be no escape.
He immediately tried to play the recording of inside the room.
Srinu's heart sank as he realized the limitations of the CCTV system. According to the apartment code, no cameras were installed inside customer rooms, leaving him with no way to peer beyond the closed door that had swallowed Ganga and her captors.
A sense of frustration gnawed at him, mingling with the rising tide of fear and helplessness that threatened to overwhelm his senses. How could he uncover the truth if he couldn't even see what was happening inside that room? The thought gnawed at him, taunting him with its insurmountable challenge.
With no other option left. he watched every single minute of the recording. Hoping something may show up.
As Srinu watched, time seemed to blur together, each minute stretching into an eternity as he combed through the footage with painstaking precision. Every frame, every pixel held the promise of a clue, a revelation that could bring him one step closer to the truth.
His eyes darted from screen to screen, tracing the movements of Javed, Chacha, and Ganga with an intensity born of desperation. The image of his own unconscious form lying on the ground floor haunted him, a silent reminder of the perilous journey that had brought him to this moment.
As the footage played on, a flicker of movement caught Srinu's eye. There, on one of the screens, he saw himself stirring from unconsciousness, his movements slow and disoriented as he struggled to make sense of his surroundings. With a surge of adrenaline, Srinu leaned closer to the screen, his heart pounding in his chest as he watched his own figure stagger to his feet.
As Srinu watched the footage, a surge of adrenaline coursed through his veins. He saw himself on screen, moving with purpose through the dimly lit corridors of the ground floor, his eyes scanning every shadow for any sign of Ganga. Each step he took seemed to echo in the empty silence of the building, the weight of his worry pressing down on him like a heavy burden.
Then, as he reached the foot of the staircase leading to the first floor, Srinu's heart clenched in his chest. He watched himself ascend the steps, his movements slow and deliberate, his gaze fixed ahead with unwavering determination. With each step he took, the tension in the air seemed to thicken, the anticipation of what he might find at the top of the stairs almost suffocating.
But still, Srinu pressed on, his resolve unwavering as he reached the landing of the first floor. With a quick glance around, he continued his search, his footsteps echoing in the empty corridor as he moved from room to room in search of his beloved wife. Each passing moment only heightened his anxiety, the fear of what he might discover clawing at the edges of his mind.
Yet, despite the uncertainty that loomed ahead, Srinu remained steadfast in his determination to find Ganga. With each room he searched and each corner he turned, he held onto hope that she would soon be safe in his arms once more. And so, he continued on, driven by love and fueled by the promise of reunion in the face of adversity.
With a heavy heart, Srinu finally conceded that the first floor held no answers. Srinu watched the footage of himself climbing the stairs to the second floor.
As Srinu watched himself on the screen, he could see the weariness etched into his own face, mirroring the exhaustion he felt in that moment. The footage showed him pausing at the top of the stairs, his chest rising and falling with each labored breath.
he saw himself standing at the threshold of the second floor, bathed in the dim glow of the hallway lights. His brow furrowed in contemplation, his eyes scanning the corridor ahead.
In that moment frozen in time, Srinu could almost feel the weight of indecision pressing down upon him. Should he turn left, or should he turn right? Each direction held its own mysteries, its own potential dangers.he observed his own footsteps echoing faintly in the silent corridor as he turned left, away from the direction where Ganga was taken. It was a decision made in the heat of the moment, driven perhaps by instinct or the desperate hope of finding some clue that would lead him closer to her.
As he saw himself turning left, door behind him closed with a thud sound, which he can clearly hear from his headphones.
One mystery solved, he thought to himself. so this was that thud sound I heard on the second floor.
As he watched himself on the screen, turning around in response to the thud sound, Srinu's mind raced with possibilities. Someone must have been in that room, he thought, someone who had seen him coming to the second floor and deliberately closed the door.
A chill ran down his spine as he contemplated the implications of this realization. Was it one of the attackers, lurking in the shadows and orchestrating their movements from behind closed doors? Or was it someone else, perhaps a witness to the events unfolding in the building that fateful night?
He saw his own image move cautiously towards the room from which the sound had emanated. Every step felt heavy with anticipation, his heart pounding in his chest as he approached the closed door.
Standing in front of the room, he hesitated for a moment, his hand poised to push the door open. What lay beyond that threshold? What secrets were hidden within those walls?
Then, unexpectedly, he turned away from the door and began to run back downstairs, his movements urgent and determined.
It was as though a sudden realization had struck him, prompting him to flee from the scene. What had he seen behind that door? What had compelled him to leave so abruptly?
In a burst of frustration and disbelief, Srinu couldn't contain his reaction as he watched himself on the screen. "No! Stop!" he yelled at his own image, his voice echoing in the empty room. He couldn't comprehend why he had turned away from the door, why he hadn't attempted to open it and investigate further.
It was a moment of sheer exasperation, as he grappled with the realization that his past self had missed a crucial opportunity to uncover the truth.
As Srinu witnessed the scene unfolding on the screen, his heart sank. He watched in horror as his past self stumbled down the stairs, losing his footing, and crashing headfirst into the wall. The impact was jarring, and he winced as he saw himself collapse, unconscious, just as he had experienced that fateful night.
It was a painful reminder of the events that had transpired, a stark visualization of the danger he had faced and the price he had paid for seeking the truth.
With frustration boiling inside him, Srinu slammed his hand down on the desk, a surge of anger coursing through him. How could he have been so foolish? Why hadn't he just opened that door when he had the chance? The weight of his own actions, or lack thereof, pressed heavily upon him, filling him with regret and self-recrimination.
Taking a deep breath to regain his composure, Srinu leaned back in his chair and focused on the task at hand. With a steady hand, he rewound the footage to the moments just before the door closed, his eyes scanning the screen intently for any details he might have missed.
As the footage played, Srinu zoomed in on the room where the sound of the closing door originated. He watched with bated breath, scrutinizing every frame for any clue that might shed light on what happened next.
Srinu's heart skipped a beat as he watched the shadow emerge from the room. His eyes narrowed, focusing intently on the screen as the figure paused, seemingly aware of his presence on the second floor.
The shadow's movements mirrored Srinu's own, and as he turned left on the screen, the shadow took advantage of the moment, swiftly making its way to the door and closing it with a decisive thud. Srinu's jaw clenched as he realized the implication of what he was witnessing.
"wait I think I saw something". he said to himself
With a determined focus, Srinu rewound the footage once more, his eyes intent on the screen. Zooming in as much as the video quality allowed, he hit play, watching closely for any sign of movement or anomaly. Every second felt like an eternity as he scrutinized the screen, searching for the elusive clue that could unravel the mystery surrounding that fateful night.
As the shadow approached the door, Srinu's heart raced with anticipation. He leaned closer to the screen, hoping to catch a glimpse of the person's face, the key to unlocking the truth behind that moment. His eyes remained glued to the footage, his breath held in anticipation, as the shadow neared the threshold of the room.
As the shadow reached the door, Srinu strained his eyes, hoping to discern any features. But all he could make out was a hand, swiftly closing the door. It was frustratingly elusive, leaving him with more questions than answers. Yet, he couldn't shake the feeling that this hand held the key to unraveling the mystery.
Srinu's fingers danced over the controls, deftly rewinding the footage by a few seconds. With a quick press of the play button, he watched intently, his eyes focused on the scene unfolding before him. As the shadow approached the door once more, his anticipation grew. And there it was — the hand, distinct and unmistakable, reaching out to close the door. With lightning-fast reflexes, he paused the video, freezing the frame on the mysterious appendage.
As he zoomed in on the hand, scrutinizing every detail, a sinking feeling gripped Srinu's stomach. The realization dawned on him, sending shockwaves through his mind. It was a hand he knew all too well — a hand he had held countless times, a hand he had vowed to protect. It was Ganga's hand!
Srinu's heart sank as he noticed the familiar bangles adorning the wrist and the glimmer of the wedding ring. It was unmistakably Ganga's hand. Shock coursed through him, followed by a torrent of conflicting emotions. The realization was like a dagger to his heart, piercing through the fog of confusion and disbelief. Ganga, his beloved wife, the person he trusted above all others, was the one who had closed the door. The weight of this revelation bore down on him, leaving him grappling with a whirlwind of thoughts and emotions.
The discovery left Srinu reeling with a myriad of questions swirling in his mind. Did Ganga catch sight of him on the second floor? If so, why didn't she call out to him? Instead of seeking him out, why did she choose to close the door? Each question added to the mounting confusion and disbelief, leaving Srinu grappling for answers in the midst of this startling revelation.
In a moment of profound disbelief and betrayal, Srinu uttered a phrase that he never imagined would escape his lips in relation to Ganga, the love of his life. His mind, inundated with questions and grappling with the implications of what he had just witnessed on the CCTV footage, couldn't reconcile the image of Ganga's hand closing the door with the woman he thought he knew so well. The word slipped out almost involuntarily, laden with shock, confusion, and a sense of deep hurt.
"That Bitch!" he exclaimed, his voice echoing in the empty room, as he tried to make sense of the unthinkable.