Another Half Of Me - Chapter 33

Dr Sunil sat in the hospital canteen and stared at the transfer orders. If he accepts then what will happen to the girl?

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Roshni stared at the light coming from the skylight. Her mind did not register anything other than what had happened 3 months ago. The incidents played in her mind like a never-ending film. The moment she saw Siddha’s face her eyes burned with anger. Angry sobs and agitation twisted her body. 

Dr. Sunil rushed to her trying to control her anguished state. Injecting a tranquiliser, he rested her head on the pillow gently and soothingly touched her forehead. Who will take care of you if I go? He thought to himself.

Govind looked on and saw the doctor drugging her to sleep. What was the use of keeping this vegetable? What had she done? He was about to go to the doctor when he saw the man with shaded eyes talking to Suja. He must have told Suja something to rejoice about as he was smiling from ear to ear.

Suja same to him and said in a happy and sadistic tone, “We get to dispose the girl today. Tell Sami to prepare the cutter. And, also get several bags. We will have to scatter the body everywhere so that nobody finds out.” Looking at Roshni, he licked his lips and further added, “But before that I will get my fill of her.”

Govind turned around and looked at her. Is there no one to take her away from here? Shaking his head, he moved away as he heard Suja instructing him to blindfold the doctor.

When he came back with the blindfold, the doctor had packed his things. As Dr. Sunil waited for him to tie the blindfold, he felt Govind slipping a piece of paper in his hand. Without saying anything, he just clutched his hand in a fist to conceal the paper.

The doctor staggered on the street as they shoved him out of the van and sped away. He opened the paper clutched tight in his palm.

“Call me!” followed by a number. Without even thinking twice, he dialled the number mentioned on the paper.

Govind had saved the doctor’s number initially when they had planned to kidnap him. Thanking god that he had, he answered the call the moment his phone rang.

Dr. Sunil listened in horror as Govind told him the entire plan. With a promise to call him back with a counter plan, the doctor disconnected the call. He has to do something, but what?

It was 2 in the afternoon and Govind was still waiting for the doctor’s call. He flicked his gaze at Roshni and saw her sleeping. What would happen if the doctor does not call? What if he calls the police? No, he would not do that if he cared for the girl. His heart skipped a beat as his phone vibrated in the pocket. Excusing himself for a nature’s call, he quickly came outside and answered the call.

“Get the girl to the bus stop by evening. Rest I’ll take care,” he instructed Govind.

Feeling contented, Govind knew just what to do. He went inside and explained to his gang members that as this was their last day here, it was time for some fun. There was no harm in having some fun with her before disposing her off, he explained. When everyone agreed, especially Suja, Govind offered to get some liquor for them to celebrate the occasion.

He returned with the liquor after 1 hour and offered to open one bottle for starting the celebrations. Filling all their glasses, he beckoned them to drink.

“Why aren’t you drinking?” Suja asked looking at him suspiciously.

“Because, Suja Bhai, I will be driving and I am sure you do not want us to be caught by the police for drunken driving. If they do then they will find out about the girl,” he replied in a serious tone.

Everyone agreed to his logic and started to drink.

After 1 hour, Govind looked around as his fellow goons lay unconscious on the floor. He had added a strong sleeping draft in their drinks so no chance of them waking up before tomorrow evening. 

Taking Suja’s mobile, he sent a message to the man with shaded eyes: “The job will be done tomorrow. There is a lot of police activity in the area. Night patrolling might be on. So, no point taking a risk.” He smiled when he got the reply: Ok.

By the time they realise the girl was gone, the doctor will be out of city by then with her. As for him: he had already told his people in the village everything and what he was about to do; and he knew they would protect him with their life.   

Govind came towards her and lifted her in his arms. Looking at her open blank eyes, he said, “Time for your freedom.”

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Dr. Sunil was waiting at the bus stop for Govind with an ambulance. He had already sent his family to his new posting in Dharamshala. He saw Govind gesturing to him to follow. His ambulance followed him and turned around the corner.

There she was lying on the seat of the van. Dr. Sunil smiled as he saw her face. Quickly transporting her to the ambulance, he said his goodbyes to Govind. He had a train to catch. Quickly, he took out the sim card from his phone and replaced it with another one, and destroyed the other one. Looking at Roshni, he said, “I don’t know if I’ll be able to bring you back to normal life or not but I’ll try.”

Govind smiled to himself looking at the retreating ambulance. For once he felt happy in his life. Crossing the Okhla Bridge, he threw his mobile in the water. No point keeping any trace.

Looking up in the sky, he said, “We have done our part now it’s your turn.”

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Siddha woke up with start in the middle of the night. He had felt her touching him. Looking around he found her nowhere. He switched on the bedside lamp and picked up their picture. He touched her face tracing his fingers on it tenderly. A sudden fear engulfed his heart as he realised that soon the face will turn to the charred one but this time it did not. He looked on and felt his heart fill with memories of her. He wanted her. 

Opening the drawer, he took out a filled syringe. Then, he tied a string around his left hand near the joint and tapped hard to get the vein up. The moment it did, he injected the liquid from the syringe inside him. 

As the heroin draft got mixed with his blood, he felt her arms hugging him. He saw her taking him in her lap. Her hair fell on his face as she lowered her head for a kiss. His eyes closed slowly as he lost himself to the sensations.  

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