Bhagavan
Gavudham Karunanidhi
(Note: This is a work of fiction. Any resemblance to real persons or events is purely coincidental.)
1
**The Police Station.**
Sub-Inspector Ekambaram stepped outside. Evening had faded, and dusk was fast settling in. Dark clouds hovered above, threatening rain at any moment.
He called out toward the inside of the station.
“Kanthasamy!”
“Yes, sir?”
“I’m heading out for a bit.”
“Alright, sir.”
Ekambaram was just mounting his bike when Samikkannu walked in. Seeing him, Ekambaram’s face lit up.
“So, Samikkannu, did you bring it?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Alright, hand it over.”
Ekambaram took the wad of cash from Samikkannu and weighed it in his hand. “Why does this feel a bit light?”
“It’s all there, sir. Not a rupee short.”
“Just checking. Making sure you weren’t pulling a fast one on me.”
“Would I ever try that with you, sir?”
“Right… Anyway, I heard four or five people ended up in the hospital last week after drinking your illicit liquor.”
“Sir, I have no idea why they got sick…”
“Oh, like I’d believe that. Now, tell me the truth.”
“Well, you already know how it goes, sir.”
“Listen to me, man. You only have a business as long as nobody dies. That’s better for us, too.”
“I understand, sir.”
“Good. Now get lost. Don’t linger around here—people are already getting suspicious.”
“Yes, sir. I’ll take my leave.”
As soon as Samikkannu left, Ekambaram stashed the money inside his bike’s storage compartment.
*I can’t go back into the station with this much cash,* he thought. *Better drop it off at home first.*
He kicked the bike into gear and set off.
He had barely gone a short distance when someone flagged him down.
“Sir!”
“Who are you, man?”
The stranger didn’t answer right away. Instead, he scanned his surroundings. Seeing the deserted, rain-threatened road, he looked back at Ekambaram with a crooked smile.
“Where are you off to, sir?”
“You rascal! Who the hell are you to ask me that?”
“Come on, sir. I’m speaking to you with respect, and you jump straight to disrespecting me?”
“I’m on important business. Don’t get on my nerves—get lost!”
“Important business, huh? You mean taking bribe money from bootleggers and stashing it at home? Is that your important business?”
Ekambaram froze. “Hey—!”
Before he could yell, the man looked at him with cool indifference and pulled something sharp out of his pant pocket. A hunting knife.
“Hey…” Shock registered in Ekambaram’s eyes.
The man smirked. “I’m driving the bike. You sit in the back and keep quiet. Try any heroics to escape, and I’ll gut you right here on the road. You’ll end up writhing in pain, bleeding out with no one around to save you.”
The absolute conviction in his voice shook Ekambaram to his core.
*What do I do now? I’ve walked right into a trap.*
Attempting a desperate move, Ekambaram tried to overpower him, but the man was faster—he landed a sharp, heavy slap right across the officer’s cheek.
Tasting blood in his mouth, Ekambaram spat it out and looked at him in sheer terror.
“What do you want?”
“I already told you—get on the bike and keep your mouth shut. Try to pull anything along the way, and I *will* kill you.”
Seeing no way out, Ekambaram quietly climbed onto the pillion seat.
The man started the bike and, after driving a short distance, turned off into a dense forest path.
Ekambaram knew something terrible was about to happen, but he was completely paralyzed by panic.
Deep in the woods, the man brought the bike to a stop and let out a sharp whistle. Two other men emerged from the shadows.
“Vel, how did it go?” one of them asked.
“The officer’s got bribe money in the bike.”
Without paying any further attention to Ekambaram, Vel retrieved the money and counted it. It came to one million rupees.
“Sir…”
“Yeah?”
“When someone dies around here, the government hands out a million rupees in compensation. But you pull in a million just in bribes. How about that, sir? You really are a fortunate man.”
With a mocking chuckle, he handed the cash to one of his accomplices. Ekambaram glared at him, his blood boiling.
“Well, this money isn’t yours anymore, sir,” Vel said, giving a slight nod to the other accomplice.
Understanding the signal, the accomplice left and returned a moment later leading two young children.
“Are you wondering who they are, sir? They have no one left. When that batch of bootleg liquor killed all those people last month… their parents were among the dead. Just look at their faces, sir. This little boy still wakes up screaming for his mother at night. He carries so much rage inside him already—if we leave him like this, society will just end up creating another criminal tomorrow. There are so many children suffering like them. They desperately need counseling, care, and a proper education so they can overcome their grief.
And all of that requires money. That’s why this cash is better off with us. What would you have done with it anyway? Bought some jewelry for someone? Or bought another plot of land somewhere for your own kids? You’ve accumulated enough sins already, sir. Don’t add any more to the pile.”
Ekambaram glared at him, furious. “You steal my money and then have the audacity to lecture me?”
Vel chuckled. “Oh, come on, sir. I’m not threatening you—I’m just reasoning with you. So many people died, yet you haven’t changed one bit. You’re right back to taking bribes and letting bootleggers poison more lives. You don’t have a shred of accountability. When men like you hold power, it’s the public that suffers. We wanted to see if you were capable of remorse, but you’re stubborn. So… what should we do with you now?”
“Who the hell do you think you are?! Why do you care so damn much?” Ekambaram shouted.
Vel stepped closer. “We belong to the People’s Welfare Movement.”
Ekambaram froze in sheer horror.
“I’m sorry… please, just let me go!” he began to beg.
Vel smiled dryly. “Impressive. So you’ve heard of us.”
“Keep all the money! I won’t tell a soul about this, I swear! Just please… take me back and let me go!”
“Look, man… if you had shown a single shred of remorse for your actions before we revealed who we were, we might have let you walk. But you didn’t care at all. You’re only screaming out of fear now because you know who we are.”
“Son, please! I lost my head and made a mistake. Think of me as your elder brother… forgive me and let me go!”
“That’s not my call to make. You see… when someone finds out who we are, there’s only one person who decides whether they get to stay in this world or not.”
Ekambaram stared at him, terrified. “Who?”
“Bhagavan.”
Fear gripped Ekambaram’s chest. “No…”
“Scared just hearing the name? Imagine when you actually meet him.”
Just then, Vel’s phone rang. He picked it up.
“Brother… Yes, brother. I’ve got him… No, brother, he doesn’t feel an ounce of guilt. I handed the cash over to Anbu… Yes, I told him who we are. He’s trembling in his boots now. What should I do with him, brother?”
From the receiver, a cold voice responded:
*”A man who commits crimes, causes the death of innocent people, and then goes right back to doing the exact same thing without a sliver of remorse doesn’t deserve to live in this world. Finish him off and leave him on the railway tracks. Make it look like he got hit by a train.”*
“Understood, brother.”
*”Vela.”*
“Yes, brother?”
*”Handle it cleanly.”*
“Will do, brother.”
Vela hung up the phone and turned toward Ekambaram.
“Hey, old man… want anything to eat before you go?”
Ekambaram shook his head frantically.
“Bhagavan has spoken.”
“Please, son…”
“He ordered us to end you,” Vela said matter-of-factly.
Ekambaram panicked. “Please, no! I’ve changed! I swear I won’t do anything wrong ever again! Just let me go!”
“Look at you—all those years on the force, and you’re shaking like a leaf.”
Seeing a split second of distraction, Ekambaram suddenly bolted into the darkness. But hearing heavy breathing close behind him, he spun around—and froze. A stray country dog was glaring at him, growling softly.
“Sir,” Vela walked up casually from behind. “Once Bhagavan gives an order, no one here disobeys. Not even this dog.” He gently patted the dog’s head with a small smile.
He turned back to Ekambaram.
“If there’s any last meal you’d like, just say the word. I’ll have someone fetch it for you.”
“Damn you! I won’t let any of you get away with this!”
“Don’t make me laugh, sir.” Vela checked his watch. “Only one train passes through this route tonight, and it’s arriving in an hour.”
Ekambaram stared at him, utterly bewildered.
“Your body needs to be on those tracks before that train gets here. So, get ready.” Vela said it so calmly, so casually, that Ekambaram’s heart hammered wildly against his ribs.
*(To be continued…)*
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