Write: Kaalan

Author Note: This episode contains extreme violence. 18+ only

Chapter 6: Stress Management

          Stress may be caused from many reasons like health, workplace, family issue, travelling or moving to new place. The more you stress the less you will be productive. In a few phases of life, we have only stress makers; all we need to deal with is prioritizing these stress makers and facing them.

Stress started for Tamizhnadu police department with the serial killing and raping incidents. At Chennai there has been rumored about psycho killer, and recent events proved it. In Erode and surroundings, the prostitutes are being killed created a fuss but not enough drummed up to hear in higher officials ears.

On the other hand, stress for Pradap is about Raghu and Bhuvana. They were being a pure evil and a pile of lies with an innocent face. He couldn’t stop his feelings to know the real face of them.

Durga stressed about Pradap, regarding how to approach him. She also struggled to separate the personal and professional feelings.

Raghu, no one can judge what he was doing. He is one weird kid and insanely independent. He doesn’t even need people around him; he sustains.

Erode, noon of June 28, 2008

Govi was going through the stress of ladies being killed brutally. As he read the newspaper, he urged Aiveli police station to gather information about the killing that happened yesterday.

“Hey, I heard you are handling the homicide report yesterday” Govi asked.

“Yes, how can I help you” Kasi asked.

“I have read the news and from the pictures I feel there is being a connection with killing happened in Pallipalayam” Govi said

“Oh is it, what details do you need” Kasi asked.

“Can you share the autopsy report once you received” Govi asked.

Kasi said okay and they shared the mobile numbers. Govi’s blood was boiling since morning and the stress from the news made him eat heavy lunch.

Chennai, noon of June 28, 2008

When Raghu got down from S.E.T.C bus, Pradap was waiting for him.

“What happened” Raghu asked.

“Just get into bike” Pradap said.

“Where have you gone, police are searching for you” Pradap said.

“Senthil accused for Sundeep murder” Pradap continued in lower tone.

“Just tell me, have you done anything weird” Pradap asked.

“I always do, why” Raghu said.

“Be serious, they are suspecting you in serial killing” Pradap said.

“What! what nonsense! How can they?” Raghu started to blabber.

“Don’t panic, just tell me the truth” Pradap asked

“No, I am weird, but I won’t kill anyone” Raghu said.

“Can we call a lawyer? I believe you” Pradap said.

“No, I haven’t done anything wrong, let me face it” Raghu said.

“You don’t know about the police, they can turn any case as they want, they know the loopholes man” Pradap said in a serious tone.

Pradap still believed his friends without knowing the real face of them. He is mentally not ready to accept his friends’ dark side.

As the dark spreads and prevails, evening starts at Tamizhnadu.

 “Autopsy report came for Rekha’s homicide” Kasi said

“That’s great, anything important” Govi asked

“Everything is important, I couldn’t read it. It was very cold-blooded murder and rape” Kasi said

Govi’s body jolted and the blood boiling stage leveled up to nerves bursting.

“Can I collect the report by tomorrow morning?” Govi asked.

“If you want, you can collect on the way now” Kasi said

Govi and Kasi met nearby padaiveedu which is in the middle of Aiveli and Pallipalayam. Govi collected the photocopy of the autopsy report.

“It unbearable to see Rekha’s mother in law, she cried hell out of her at mortuary” Kasi said

“That’s pity” Govi said.

“We have to catch him; he is a pure threat for women” Kasi said.

“Though they are prostitutes, they have life demands which made them do this. They should be respected as women or at least as human” Govi said.

“Yeah, anyway update me if you find anything” Kasi said and started his bike.

Chennai, Evening on 28 June 2008…

“Raghu, let’s make this discussion clean and clear” Dhana said.

“That would be great” Raghu said.

“There are serial killings happening in Chennai and other towns of Tamizhnadu also.” Dhana said

“Yes, I have heard about it” Raghu said

“Great, you are main suspect” Dhana said

“What? how?” Raghu said

Dhana explained the theory of Raghu and asked for reasons.

“I haven’t done anything” Raghu said.

“That isn’t my question” Dhana said.

“I had personal issues. I don’t want to tell everything about my life to you because you have a theory on my timeline” Raghu said.

“It seems you are going to make it complicated” Dhana said and smiled.

“You have nothing to hold me here” Raghu asked.

“You’re witness to a homicide” Dhana said.

“I’ve asked, do you have anything to hold me in station?” Raghu asked very straight forward and boldly.

  “No” Dhana said and smiled for his boldness and brilliance.

“Can I leave now?” Raghu asked

“Yes, but we may need your cooperation” Dhana said.

Raghu furiously went out of the police station. Pradap gave a glance to Dhana and left with Raghu.

“We could’ve projected him as suspect” Ramesh said.

“He won’t answer anything” Dhana said.

“Why so, usually people break down in our investigation and admit their mistakes mostly, remaining will speak up after our special treatment.” Ganesh said.

“Think judiciously, he is ready to face anything” Dhana said and continued.

“He is strong and clear in what he is doing, moreover do you have a proof to project him as suspect other than our assumptions” Dhana asked

“We have seen him in crime scenes” Durga said.

“We can make him a witness with those, but do we have any physical proof for accusing him” Dhana asked.

“We should work on it” Dhana asked and started to discuss patrol implementation.

The night became so dark and evil in recent days. Police department is having sleepless nights and Govi is no exception.

Govi started to read the autopsy report of Rekha and details gathered by Kasi… She has been wounded very badly. She had a lot of bruises all over her body. She may have tried to escape from his lock but earth with dried grass didn’t go well on her skin. Bushes have torn her skin in all possible fleshy parts. Since she also had bruises in her breast, upper thighs and face, she was being brutally handled on both sides of her body. Her throat has been cut with a single stroke, which means the killer is used to it.  The way of cuts visible in her body had shown the intense maniac attempt to slice her. She had a bruised cervix which is a result of forceful insertion of genitals and repeated attempts without realizing genitals really hitting the cervix hard. Anus has been bleeding and a heavy object has been inserted which spoilt the soft tissues in anus. Four finger marks were there on Rekha’s face as the suspect seemed to be forcing her face in the ground.

 Govi started to cry like a child in mother’s lap, with a glass of brandy in hand after reading all these.

Raghu’s furious attitude towards police and suspicion about his travel made Pradap more concerned like he is supporting a criminal. Pradap didn’t call or spoke to Raghu, as he needed rest. Pradap got tired mentally which caused physical trauma as well.

Worried souls will either grow stronger or break bad.