Episode 23
The Phone
Srinu was in an incredibly good mood after receiving not one but two pieces of good news that morning. The relief of knowing that Ganga was loyal and kind, coupled with the news that Javed and Chacha were no longer a threat, filled him with a sense of peace and happiness he hadn’t felt in a long time. As he returned to the kitchen, he found himself humming and even singing some of his favorite tunes while continuing to prepare lunch. The kitchen, once filled with tension and doubt, was now filled with the warm, comforting aromas of the meal he was preparing.
He had just put the curry to simmer when the doorbell rang, interrupting his flow. He quickly wiped his hands on a towel and headed for the door, curious as to who it could be. When he opened the door, he found the milkman standing there, holding the day’s delivery.
Srinu: (smiling, but with a hint of curiosity) "You’re a bit late today, aren’t you? Is everything alright?"
The milkman, an older man with a kind face, immediately apologized, explaining the reason for his tardiness.
Milkman: (sheepishly, with a warm smile) "I’m sorry about that, sir. I was at the temple with my wife this morning, so I’m running a bit behind schedule. Please forgive the delay."
Srinu, still in high spirits from the morning’s events, wasn’t bothered by the delay at all.
Srinu: (understandingly, with a nod) "No problem at all. Give me a moment; I’ll get a bowl for the milk."
He walked back into the kitchen and grabbed a clean bowl from the cabinet. Returning to the doorway, he handed the bowl to the milkman, who carefully poured the fresh milk into it. As Srinu turned to head back to the kitchen, the milkman, still standing at the door, spoke up again.
Milkman: (curious, his tone casual) "Is your wife at home, sir? I didn’t see her today."
Srinu, already walking back to the kitchen, responded over his shoulder.
Srinu: (casually, as he placed the milk on the stove) "No, she’s not. She’s at her in-laws' house for a function today."
The milkman nodded, seeming satisfied with the answer, but before leaving, he remembered to ask for the payment.
Milkman: (politely, as he turned to leave) "That’ll be ₹80 for the milk, sir."
Without a second thought, Srinu pulled out his wallet, thumbed through the notes, and handed the milkman the money.
Srinu: (cheerfully, as he handed over the cash) "Here you go. Keep the change."
The milkman smiled gratefully, thanked Srinu, and left. Srinu closed the door behind him, feeling content as he returned to the kitchen to continue cooking. The house was filled with the comforting scents of the meal, and the bubbling curry on the stove added to the atmosphere of warmth and homeliness.
A few more hours passed as Srinu continued to cook and clean up the kitchen. The day was peaceful, and Srinu felt at ease, his earlier worries now a distant memory. As he was putting the finishing touches on the meal, the doorbell rang again. Srinu wiped his hands once more and headed to the door, wondering who it could be this time.
Opening the door, he found the water boy standing there with the delivery of water bottles. The young man, carrying the heavy bottles with practiced ease, greeted Srinu with a nod before stepping inside to place the bottles in their usual spot in the kitchen.
Water Boy: (politely, after setting down the bottles) "All set, sir. That’ll be ₹50 for the delivery."
Srinu, still in the good mood that had carried him through the day, reached into his wallet without hesitation and handed the water boy the money.
Srinu: (smiling, handing over the cash) "Here you go. Thanks for the delivery."
The water boy accepted the payment with a grateful smile, thanked Srinu, and left the house. Srinu closed the door behind him and returned to the kitchen, where the meal he had prepared was now ready. The kitchen was spotless, the dishes cleaned and put away, and the aroma of the food filled the house with a sense of comfort and satisfaction.
Srinu was in high spirits as he meticulously arranged all the dishes he had prepared for Ganga on the dining table. The table was set beautifully, with a variety of dishes that he had spent the entire day cooking. The aroma of the food filled the room, a mix of spices and flavors that were a testament to his effort to make the day special for her. He was proud of his work, and now all that was left was for Ganga to return so they could enjoy the meal together.
With everything ready, Srinu decided to relax a bit while waiting for Ganga. He turned on the TV, flipping through channels aimlessly until he found something to watch. The day had been perfect so far, and he was content as he settled into the couch, the soft hum of the TV in the background. He was so engrossed in the show that he almost didn’t hear the doorbell ring again.
Curious, Srinu got up and made his way to the door. When he opened it, he found the TV repairman standing there, the same man who had come earlier in the week to fix the television. The repairman greeted Srinu with a nod and explained that he was there to make sure the TV connection was functioning properly.
Srinu: (polite, though slightly puzzled) "Everything’s been working fine, but come in and check if you need to."
The TV guy walked in, carrying his tools, and did a quick check of the TV connection. After a few minutes, he straightened up and turned to Srinu.
TV Guy: (confidently, with a slight smirk) "Everything’s working perfectly, sir."
Srinu nodded, satisfied that everything was in order. But just as the TV guy was about to leave, he turned back to Srinu with a grin that seemed a bit too self-assured.
TV Guy: (casually, yet expectantly) "That’ll be ₹200, sir."
Srinu’s brow furrowed slightly as he remembered that Ganga had already dealt with the payment the last time the TV repairman was here. His mood shifted, a seed of doubt beginning to take root.
Srinu: (with a hint of suspicion, his voice firm) "I thought my wife paid you last time when you came to repair the TV."
The TV guy’s response was unexpected. He flashed an arrogant smile, one that didn’t sit well with Srinu.
TV Guy: (smugly, as if sharing an inside joke) "Madam se kon paisa leta hai saab." *(Who takes money from madam, sir?)
Srinu stood there, momentarily baffled by the reply. The TV guy’s words didn’t immediately make sense to him. There was something off about the way he had said it, something that didn’t sit right. But before he could ask more questions, Srinu found himself mechanically reaching for his wallet. With a hesitant hand, he pulled out ₹200 and handed it over to the TV guy, who accepted it with the same smug smile and then left without another word.
As Srinu closed the door behind the TV repairman, he walked back to the couch, but his mind was no longer at ease. The TV guy’s words replayed in his head over and over again. There was something unsettling about that exchange, something that gnawed at him the more he thought about it. He sat on the couch, trying to piece it together, but the meaning of the words eluded him.
And then, like a sudden bolt of lightning, it hit him.
Srinu: (whispering to himself, eyes widening in realization) "Madam se kon paisa leta hai…"
The implications of those words crashed over him like a wave, his heart pounding in his chest. His hand, still holding the remote, suddenly went limp, and the remote fell to the floor with a dull thud. Panic surged through him as he leapt from the couch and dashed towards his office room. He flung the door open, almost ripping it off its hinges, and hurried to his computer.
With trembling hands, Srinu turned on the computer and pulled up the CCTV footage from the past week. His mind raced, dread tightening its grip on his heart as he began to scan through the footage, his eyes darting across the screen, searching for anything—any clue, any sign—that would confirm or deny his suspicions.
He watched the footage over and over again, replaying the scenes multiple times. The minutes felt like hours as he scrutinized every detail, every interaction. His breathing grew shallow, his palms sweaty as his worst fears began to take shape.
And then, there it was.
Srinu: (whispering to himself, voice breaking, tears welling in his eyes) "No… this can’t be…"
He fell back into his chair, his body drenched in sweat, as the reality of the situation hit him full force.
Srinu: (choking on his words, barely able to speak as the truth sank in) "Why… why did this happen…?"
After finishing their lunch, Srinu and Ganga moved to the living room, where they settled onto the couch together. It had been a long week, and for the first time in days, Srinu allowed himself to relax—at least on the surface. Ganga, always affectionate, snuggled up next to him, resting her head on his shoulder while stretching her legs across his lap. Srinu wrapped his arm around her waist, holding her close, as they both turned their attention to the TV.
The warmth of her body against his, the comfort of their closeness—it was everything Srinu had longed for in those moments of doubt and confusion. Ganga seemed content, sighing softly as she nestled into him, her eyes fixed on the TV screen. But as they sat there together, Srinu’s mind was anything but at ease. The questions that had been nagging at him all afternoon were still there, simmering beneath the surface.
As the show on TV played on, Srinu couldn’t help but replay the encounter with the TV repairman in his mind. The man’s smug smile, his cryptic words—they gnawed at Srinu, refusing to let go. Finally, he could bear it no longer. He needed answers, even if he wasn’t sure he wanted to hear them.
Srinu: (hesitantly, his voice soft as he tried to sound casual) "Ganga, do you remember the TV guy who repaired our TV last week?"
Ganga, still resting comfortably against him, nodded without taking her eyes off the screen.
Ganga: (lightly, with a hint of curiosity) "Yes, Srinu, I remember him. Why do you ask?"
Srinu tightened his arm around her slightly, feeling the tension building within him.
Srinu: (carefully, trying to keep his tone light) "He came by today to check on the TV again. He said everything was working fine."
Ganga lifted her head from his shoulder and looked at him with a smile, pleased to hear the news.
Ganga: (smiling warmly) "That’s great! Now I can watch all my shows without any interruptions."
Srinu managed a smile in return, but the doubts were still there, gnawing at him. He decided to dig a little deeper, hoping to find some clarity.
Srinu: (casually, but with an underlying tension) "Isn’t it company policy to pay the repair guy on the same day the repair is done? Did you pay him that day?"
Ganga’s smile faltered slightly as she thought back, trying to remember.
Ganga: (pausing for a moment, then replying thoughtfully) "Yeah… I think I paid him that same day."
Srinu watched her closely, noting the slight hesitation in her response. He pressed on, his tone growing more serious.
Srinu: (gently but insistently) "Then why did he ask for the money again today?"
Ganga’s expression shifted slightly as she tried to piece together what had happened.
Ganga: (slightly puzzled, then answering with a casual tone) "Oh… sorry, Srinu. I didn’t have any money on me that day, so I told him we’d pay him later."
Srinu’s heart sank as he heard her explanation. Something still didn’t feel right.
Srinu: (lowering his voice, almost in a whisper, watching her closely) "But you just said you paid him…"
Ganga seemed to shrug off the inconsistency, her attention already drifting back to the TV.
Ganga: (lightly, almost dismissively) "I thought I did, but it’s been a week, so I must have forgotten. No big deal."
She turned back to the TV, her expression relaxed and unconcerned. But Srinu couldn’t shake the feeling that something was off. He held her close, but his mind was racing with questions that wouldn’t go away. The warmth of their snuggle did little to calm the storm inside him.
Srinu’s thoughts spiraled. He wanted to believe her, to trust in the love and trust they had shared for so long. But the seeds of doubt had been planted, and they were beginning to take root again.
As the evening settled in, the warm hues of the setting sun filtered through the windows of their home. Ganga, as part of her usual routine, was busy tidying up the house. The familiar sounds of her moving about, sweeping and arranging things, filled the air with a sense of normalcy. Srinu, however, was far from feeling normal. He had been struggling with the lingering doubts that had plagued him all day, and despite his best efforts to push them aside, they gnawed at him relentlessly.
Srinu excused himself, telling Ganga that he needed to go out and get some groceries. She nodded, absorbed in her cleaning, and waved him off without much thought. But instead of heading directly to the supermarket, Srinu found himself walking aimlessly, his feet carrying him to a nearby park. The park was quiet, the usual chatter of people and children’s laughter absent as evening descended into night. Srinu found an empty bench and sat down heavily, his mind a whirlwind of conflicting thoughts.
As he sat there, the cool breeze brushing against his face, Srinu tried to rationalize the events of the day. He tried to convince himself that it was no big deal that the milkman, the water boy, and the TV repairman hadn’t taken money from Ganga. Perhaps it was just a coincidence, or maybe Ganga had genuinely forgotten to pay the TV repair guy. He told himself that Ganga wouldn’t lie to him about such trivial matters—after all, their relationship had always been built on trust. And that TV guy’s comment? It must have been a joke, a poor attempt at humor that he had misunderstood.
Srinu: (thinking to himself, trying to find peace) "It’s nothing. It’s all just small stuff… there’s no reason to doubt her. She wouldn’t lie to me."
But no matter how much he tried to soothe his worries, the nagging feeling that something wasn’t right refused to leave him. It lingered, like a shadow in the back of his mind, refusing to be ignored.
After spending what felt like an eternity in the park, Srinu finally forced himself to stand up. He took a deep breath, trying to shake off the unease, and headed to the nearest supermarket. There, he went through the motions of shopping, picking up a few essentials, but his heart wasn’t in it. His mind was elsewhere, still grappling with the doubts he couldn’t fully dismiss.
When he returned home, the day had already given way to night. Ganga greeted him with a smile, oblivious to the turmoil inside him, and they sat down for dinner together. The meal was quiet, their conversation minimal. Ganga didn’t seem to notice Srinu’s unease, but Srinu could feel it festering inside him, a constant reminder that something was amiss. He tried to push it down, to bury it beneath the mundane activities of the evening, but it was no use.
After dinner, they went to bed. Ganga drifted off to sleep quickly, her breathing slow and even, but Srinu lay awake, staring at the ceiling. Despite all his efforts to convince himself otherwise, he knew deep down that something wasn’t right. The doubts he had tried so hard to dismiss clung to him, refusing to let go.
Eventually, exhaustion overtook him, and Srinu drifted into a restless sleep. But his sleep was anything but peaceful. In his dreams, he found himself back at the theater where they had been attacked by Javed and Chacha. The memories flooded back with vivid clarity, every detail playing out in his mind as if it were happening all over again. He winced with pain as he relived the horror, thinking to himself, Not this again…
In the dream, he saw everything as it had happened—the blow from Javed’s rod that had knocked him out, the cold, hard ground of the construction building where they had been dragged. He watched as they took Ganga to the second floor, leaving him on the ground floor, helpless and in pain. He saw Ganga being pulled into a room, the door slamming shut behind her. He saw Javed and Chacha emerging from the room later, and then, as they tried to escape, running towards the back of the building.
But this time, there was something different. As Chacha ran, something fell from his lungi. It was a small, almost imperceptible detail, but it caught Srinu’s eye in the dream. He saw it clearly—a small object falling from Chacha’s lungi as he fled into the darkness.
Srinu woke up with a start, his heart pounding in his chest. He sat up in bed, drenched in sweat, his mind racing. He glanced at the clock on the bedside table—it was 3:00 AM. The house was silent, Ganga still asleep beside him, but Srinu was wide awake, the details of the dream replaying in his mind.
Srinu: (whispering to himself, his voice shaky) "What was that? What fell from Chacha’s lungi?"
The dream had felt so real, so vivid, and Srinu couldn’t shake the feeling that it was more than just a nightmare. He needed to know what that object was. Without making a sound, he slipped out of bed and quietly made his way downstairs to his office room. Once inside, he closed the door softly and turned on his computer.
As the computer booted up, Srinu’s mind raced. How did I miss this before? he wondered. Was my mind playing tricks on me, or was there really something there?
He pulled up the CCTV footage from the construction building, his hands trembling slightly as he navigated through the files. He fast-forwarded the footage to the part where Javed and Chacha were trying to escape through the back door of the building. His eyes were glued to the screen as he zoomed in, focusing on Chacha.
And there it was. As clear as day.
Srinu watched in shock as the footage showed a small object falling from Chacha’s lungi as he ran. It was only visible for a brief moment before it disappeared into the shadows, but Srinu had seen it. He zoomed in further, replaying the footage over and over, each time more convinced that he had uncovered something crucial.
Srinu: (muttering to himself, his voice filled with disbelief) "How did I miss this? How?"
He zoomed in even more, focusing on the object as it fell. And then he saw it—a brief flash of light as the object hit the ground. It was a phone. Srinu’s eyes widened in shock. How could he have missed such an important detail?
Srinu: (whispering urgently, his mind racing with possibilities) "A phone… that’s what fell. This could be it. This could be the answer… the clue I’ve been missing."
The realization hit him like a bolt of lightning. If he could find that phone, it might hold the answers he had been searching for. It could explain everything—the strange behavior, the lingering doubts, the inconsistencies he had noticed. He knew what he had to do.
Srinu: (determined, his voice filled with resolve) "Tomorrow is Sunday. First thing in the morning, I’m going to that place. I need to find that phone."
He shut down the computer, his heart still pounding with the adrenaline of his discovery. As he made his way back upstairs, he felt a mixture of fear and excitement. He had no idea what he might find, but he knew he had to try. This could be the breakthrough he needed, the piece of the puzzle that would finally make sense of everything.