Chapter 9: Finding Sangeetha

Writer: Kaalan

Raghu and friends checked into a lodge nearby Erode junction.

“I am telling you, calling the police is good before we get fed up” Divya said.

“We can try for some time and then call him” Raghu said.

“I am not letting another couple go down on the name of caste” Divya said.

“Don’t waste time, call him” Bhuvana said.

Pradap just slept due to travel tiresome and Bhuvana locked up herself in the bathroom for a good shower.

 “Dhana I gave Govi’s number to Pradap and friends, can you have a word with him” Durga said.

“So I need to do these stuff for your boyfriend” Dhana said and laughed.

“He is not my boyfriend” Durga said.

“Let’s investigate that later, now we need to have a strategy to arrest this serial killer” Dhana said.

“We don’t have any clue on them” Durga said

“Whomever got killed till now are rag pickers, watch men and auto drivers. What killer wants from them” Dhana said and lost into thoughts.

“If someone who is so powerful filed a case against them then our higher officials would pay attention” Durga said.

“We need a lot of police force, no one is approving of it, what to do” Dhana said and palm faced with frustration.

“So you are not worried about where she has gone” Govi asked Sangeetha’s father. With the help of Erode police, Raghu and friends found Sangeetha’s new address. People who were not cooperative with Raghu when he came alone to erode. They all helped this time as he backed the police.

When they reached Sangeetha’s house, the surprise was waiting at the doorstep. They framed Sangeetha’s photo and garlanded it with flowers which indicates they are dead, in south India.

Raghu burst into tears and cried out without hesitation of his surroundings. After enquiring with Sangeetha’s father, he came to know that Sangeetha left home for Raghu. Her parents decided she is no more their daughter.

“See I have one son and my daughter is dead” Sangeetha’s father said.

“So you not worried where she has gone” Govi asked

“Yes, she is dead” Sangeetha’s mother said.

“You are ready to lose your daughter for your caste pride” Govi asked.

“Yes, caste is everything for me” Sangeetha’s father said.

“Recently there are more rape case is being filed, don’t you worry for her safety at least” Govi asked with concern as he lost interest to speak with brainless people.

“Safety, she betrayed our caste for her body desires, she will receive what she deserves” Sangeetha father said.

He indirectly meant, it is okay if she gets raped which makes Govi more angry.

“Did she go out with any money” asked Govi.

“She went at midnight and we didn’t find anything missing from our house” Sangeetha’s mother said.

Not only Raghu, all of them worried about Sangeetha. “Why this happening for only girls” Divya shouted.

“We get raped, killed, abducted, abused and treated like shit” Divya blabbered all her worries, but it made a lot of sense. Divya started to feel herself as Sangeetha.

“We can find her, no worries” Govi said.

“But how” Raghu said.

“She had no money when she left so she should be around somewhere here or she should have got help from any of her friends” Govi said.

After a few seconds of awkward silence…

“Let’s look at the bright side, we will check with her friends” Govi said.

“You know any of her friends” asked Govi.

Raghu mentioned a few names and they started to march not only for Sangeetha, for the safety and respect of all women.

Every hour they spent created anticipation of Sangeetha being a rape victim or a murder victim and it has grown like clouds in a dark rainy day.

Raghu is not ready to see a blood covered body or body soaked in water with torn clothes or don’t want to find news about naked woman found in the bushes. Fear grew in heart like a monster every second he lived.

Moreover Govi’s story time on the cases he handled made heavy heart for all of them especially for Raghu since it also included honor killing wilderness. Govi also suspected that Sangeetha’s parents would have killed her and made up a story like she left the house.

After two days of search in ladies hostels, women PG, railway stations, bus stops and Sangeetha friends’ houses.  Finally they came to know about Sangeetha in one of the ladies PG.

Raghu felt a heavy object had been taken out from his body. His heart started to pump normal. Face turned brighter and a smile blossomed.

“She used to leave at 9 AM and return at 8 PM” PG owner said.

“Can we wait somewhere nearby until she returns” Govi asked.

“If people are aware about police enquiry itself PG reputation will be damaged, if you wait in front of PG you know what happens!” PG owner said.

Raghu and friends with Govi waited at a street away from PG but PG is visible from that place.

At 7.45 PM on July 6, 2008.

Raghu’s nightmare of being unable to see her again is demolished in the streets of Ram nagar, Erode. If you ever missed someone very bad and eventually met them you know what would have happened, tears rolled out from Raghu’s eyes. It is so obvious but it didn’t happen there. Raghu and Sangeetha shared a smile and a smile grew into laughter.

“How are you?” Raghu asked.

“Just living” Sangeetha said.

“Same here” Raghu said.

They hugged and forgot the world like people who forget the world while listening to songs in a headset with full volume. Raghu’s posse with Govi and Sangeetha sat for dinner at the star hotel in Salem junction.

“Once I came out of the house, I went to the ladies hostel nearby my house since walking alone at night is dangerous” Sangeetha.

“Briliant, not only female even male should not travel alone at dark hours” Govi said.

I was in indecisive mode, I am super pissed off and I don’t want to see anyone, even Raghu. I want to be alone for some time and I thought to meet Raghu after two or three months. When I stand in front of Raghu I want to be a strong woman as he liked me. I don’t want to stand like a homeless dreamy girl.

Now I am working for an association which can be counted for women welfare and sexually abuse victims. We work for victim’s mental and physical recovery, rehabilitation and employment opportunities. Sangeetha completed her part of flashback with the matured decisions she made and standing as an inspiration.

“Don’t mistake me, you guys can also provide awareness about reporting the rape incident right, which will be helpful for police” Pradap asked.

“You know the difficulties of filing the case. She will be raped again on the name of validation and enquiry” Sangeetha said.

“Oh, come on, then how can the police help” Pradap said without realizing what he was talking.

“No vagina, no opinions!” Sangeetha replied with a strong stare.

“Sorry, Govi sir has manipulated my mind to help police with all his stories” Pradap said and laughed to make the situation lite. It worked out.

“Sorry Pradap, I can understand the difficulties police have to prove sexually abused cases but few terms and conditions have to be defined properly and sacrificed. I hope that day will come” Sangeetha said.

“Girls will come out strong and fight against sexual abuse” Sangeetha said and leaned on Raghu’s shoulder.

“How do you know Govi” Sangeetha asked.

“I helped Govi to identify a rapist and killer “Raghu said.

Govi and Raghu explained the story meanwhile Govi asked to Sangeetha to meet up with rape victims for any clues on current case.

“Sure but if only they wish, they will speak and be witness” Sangeetha said.

Sangeetha joined with Raghu’s friends and reached the lodge where they stayed.

“Babe, can we stay here itself” Sangeetha asked

“Ha ha ha, why so” Raghu said.

“Anyway you lost your job, you are very talented so you find a job here. We can be happy here even if we get less salary, we can help others and lead an awesome life “Sangeetha said and held his hand tight around her shoulder.

“I will think about it” Raghu said.