Chapter 23

Ananya casually walked into her bedroom and switched on the light. Sabari followed her. Vasudharini’s body was lying in the opposite side. Ananya walked towards her and shook her body with the intention of waking her up. That triggered a significant force on Vasudharini’s body and it fell flat in the bed. Her eyes were frozen and were poited at the ceiling.

Vasudharini was drenched in pool of blood from the head until the first half of her body. The moment Ananya saw her, she screamed with her hands on her mouth. There was no noise when she cried. Her body shivered and she slowly slid behind. Sabari, who had expected her reaction, held her from behind.

Ananya couldn’t control her emotion and tears started to flow. Both walked out of the bedroom.  After a few seconds, Ananya turned to Sabari and asked, “Sabari!!! I… I… How did this happen?”

“Ananya!!! First, relax… You should not have hidden about your friend… Now this is getting into some big trouble”

Ananya with tears replied, “My intention wasn’t to hide it. Vasudharini and Abilash came here to get married and I just helped them. They asked me whether you would approve it. I wasn’t sure and waited for the right moment to inform you. Whatever happened so far happened unexpectedly. Abilash had not anticipated getting a heart attack, which led to his hospitalization. Moreover, it’s a blunder from my side. I shouldn’t have sent Vasudharini to home alone. Why should someone kill her?”

“Didn’t you get the reason yet? The motive is clear”

“What is it?”

“It is their love affair. I suspect that someone had been followed them from day one they have left their hometown. Once they got to know that Vasudharni was alone, they must have murdered her. When I came home, the killer was inside..”

“Oh”

“Yes.. When I walked into the bedroom, I saw someone running outside from the hall. I gave a chase but the person escaped. That was when I heard the moaning of our security Thangaraj, who was lying in the bushes. He confirmed that he was attacked by someone and the person had entered our home”

Ananya was terrified hearing the story. With her quivering hands, she held Sabari hands.

 “What do we do now Sabari?”

“First let us get the required medical attention to our security Thangaraj. Moreover, there is a chance that we can use him to identify the killer. And then, we have to report this incident to the cops”

Just when Sabari completed his sentence, Ananya’s phone rang. She looked at the display and her faced became gloomy. It was an unknown mobile number.

Sabari read her reaction and asked, “Who is that?”

“Some unknown number “

“Ok.. Go ahead and take the call”

With a slight hesitation, she attended the call.

“Hello?”

“Am I speaking to Ananya?”

“Yes.. Who is this?”

“Ananya!! This is Doctor Balaji. Can I speak to Abilash’s wife Vasudharini?”

“uhmm… “

Ananya was wondering how to answer and killed some time in silence.

“Hello??”

“Hmm Yes.. Im still holding the line.. She is sleeping right now”

“Can you wake her up? Abilash is back to normal and his condition is stable now. If everything is normal, he will be discharged tomorrow. He was back to conscious a few minutes back. Once he was up, he asked for Vasudharini.. Can you ask her to come to the hospital?”

“Oh.. But… I’m sorry”

“Why?”

Ananya quickly cooked up a story.

“Nothing serious… Vasudharini was behaving quite abnormal after he was admitted in the hospital. She was tensed and depressed. I understood that it might be due to lack of sleep. So I gave her a sleeping tablet and made her sleep. I don’t want to wake her up”

“Oh ok… But… can you talk to Abilash now?”

“Oh ya.. I can”

Ananya’s heart beat increased. In next couple of seconds, Abilash spoke.

“Ananya?”

“Hey Abilash.. How are you now?”

“I’m feeling better now.. No pains. Heard from the doctor that Vasu took a sleeping tablet… Any problem?”

“She was very upset after you got admitted to the hospital. She cried and was talking about it for a long time. I felt very sorry for her and thought that she needs some sleep. So I gave her a tablet to sleep”

“Oh ok.. you did the right thing.. Vasu is very sensitive, especially when it comes to me.. When she wakes up, tell her that I’m alright.”

“Oh sure.. I will do that once she wakes up”

“I can understand that this incident is a thrusted burden on you. Anyways, this will come to an end once we get married and it will happen soon. All I need is your support”

“Sure.. Definitely”

“Once she wakes up in the morning, please inform her and get a taxi for her to visit the hospital.. I’m not sure about your hubby’s reaction if he comes to know about these”

“You need not worry about it.. I have talked to him about you guys already.. He will definitely support you guys”

Abilash was glad to hear that.

“Wow.. That’s really grateful of him.. His moral support is required for us. Will he accompany you guys tomorrow to the hospital?”

“hmm…..”

“Please…I would be interested to meet him”

“Ok.. I will try to… You can take rest now.. Will see you tomorrow.. Bye”

Ananya disconnected the call and looked at Sabari. Sabari who was listening to the conversion was in confused state.

 “Sabari!! I’m not sure whether the conversation is ok.. But this is what I could do at this point of time. I cannot convey the bad news about Vasudharini considering the condition that Abilash is in.”

“But.. We will anyhow have to inform him someday or the other..”

“I believe that his condition will get better in the coming days. We will inform him them”

Sabari was thoughtful and was in silence for a minute. He turned to Ananya.

“Should we inform the cops about Vasudharini?”

Ananya was shocked with that question.

“Sabari!!! Why do you ask that? We have to”

“No… I don’t think so”

Ananya was shocked.

“What do you mean?”

“Yes.. You heard it right.. We shouldn’t inform the cops”

“What do we do with her dead body?”

“We can dispose the body in a remote place for ourselves”

Ananya’s eyes widened hearing the shocker.