4
Vishal was in a state of utter confusion, unable to tell if what he was seeing was a dream or reality. He pinched himself hard. It was real.
The sound of children playing reached his ears with crystal clarity. How could children be playing so close to the door in the middle of the night? Does that mean… they are like the others? Vishal trembled deep within. Paralyzed by fear, he sat there, listening intently to the sounds.
After a while, a different sound emerged.
“Sir, please… somehow save my child. God will bless you.”
A woman’s voice, thick with sobs, pleaded for help. Despite the heart-wrenching cries, Vishal remained firm in his resolve: he would not open the door, no matter what happened. Somewhere in the distance, an owl let out a piercing screech, but to his ears, it sounded as if it were right next to him. The hooting echoed throughout the entire room.
Vishal squeezed his eyes shut and covered his ears tightly.
When a sudden tapping started on the window, Vishal finally understood. They were in this bungalow. He felt the crushing weight of uncertainty, not knowing when he might be attacked. He stayed in that same position until, eventually, exhaustion took over and he drifted into a fitful sleep.
The Morning After
“What happened, Vishal?” Chandrasekhar asked the next morning.
Vishal looked at him piercingly for a moment before replying, “Nothing, Pa.”
“Didn’t sleep well? Your eyes are all red.”
“New place, Pa… just couldn’t fall asleep.”
“Alright, alright. Have your breakfast and maybe take a nap this afternoon.”
“Okay, Pa,” Vishal said, then paused. “Father?”
“Yes, son?”
“I’m going out for a bit this morning.”
Chandrasekhar looked at him inquisitively. Though Vishal understood the unspoken question in his father’s eyes, he remained silent. His father simply nodded his consent.
Veerayya arrived shortly after with breakfast. Once Vishal made sure his father had eaten, he headed out.
An Unexpected Ally
“Hello! Good morning, Vishal!”
Vishal turned at the sound of the voice and his face brightened. Arthi was sitting on her Honda Activa.
“Good morning, Arthi.”
“Where is the Sub-Inspector sir heading off to?”
“I have a small errand to run.”
“Tell me, do you need any help?”
“Are you free today?” Vishal asked.
“I’ll make myself free. Tell me what’s up.”
“I need to pay a visit to every hospital in Coonoor.”
Arthi frowned. “You’re speaking in riddles.”
“It is a riddle. A riddle I need to solve.”
“Care to explain so I can understand?”
“Have you had breakfast yet?” Vishal asked.
“No, Vishal.”
“Come, let’s go to a hotel. I’ll tell you everything there.”
“Okay, Vishal. Do you want to drive, or should I?”
“You go ahead. I have no objections,” he said, hopping onto the pillion seat behind her.
The scent of Arthi’s perfume made Vishal’s head swim. He hadn’t spent much time around women before. He tried his best to sit without touching her. Sensing his awkwardness, Arthi chuckled.
“Is the SI sir afraid of me?” she teased.
Vishal smiled. “I’ve just never really hung out with anyone like this… I was a bit uneasy. I’m okay now.”
His honesty charmed Arthi. “Come on then, Vishal, you drive,” she said with a smile, moving to the back.
As Vishal drove through Coonoor, the weather was cool and pleasant, but his mind was too preoccupied with the events at the bungalow to enjoy it.
“This restaurant is good,” Arthi suggested, and he parked the scooter. They sat across from each other.
“What will you have, Arthi?”
“Just a coffee. I don’t eat much in the mornings.”
Vishal looked at her in surprise. “Why that look?” she asked.
“Nothing… it’s just that I eat well at all times. Your answer caught me off guard,” he smiled, making her laugh.
“So,” she leaned in, “why did you say you need to visit every hospital?”
Vishal hesitated as he looked at her face. “Don’t get scared or shocked by what I’m about to say. It will sound unbelievable. But it happened.”
“That’s quite a build-up! Just tell me,” she urged.
Vishal scanned the surroundings and then recounted everything—from the moment they arrived at the bungalow to the terrors of the previous night. Arthi’s expression shifted through a dozen emotions.
“Are you serious?”
“Yes. I used to say these things weren’t real. But after what happened to me… I believe.”
Arthi composed herself. “I understand. So, what’s the plan?”
“I remember the face of the doctor who came to treat my father very clearly. But he didn’t show up on your home CCTV. That means the person who came wasn’t… human. I want to see if I can find that face in a photo at any of the hospitals here. That’s my lead.”
Arthi laughed softly. “That will take forever. All doctors who work or have worked here are registered with the Medical Council. If you know someone there, you can get the details of every doctor who has served in Coonoor and see if anyone matches.”
Vishal’s face lit up. “Super, Arthi! I really like the way you think.”
Arthi smiled playfully. “Should I become the SI instead of you?”
Vishal looked at her with a grin. “Really, you are great.”
“Forget that. How will you get those details? Do you know anyone at the Council?”
“My friend is an SI in Avadi. I’ll try through him.”
Vishal called his friend Ganesh and explained the situation. He hung up and smiled at Arthi. “He said he’ll mail the full details in two hours.”
“Nice! Then your problem is solved—for now.”
“What do we do until then?” Arthi asked.
“I don’t know.”
“Come with me. I’ll take you somewhere.” When Vishal hesitated, she laughed. “What now?”
“It’s just… given my current frame of mind…”
“That’s exactly why I’m saying this. This place will be perfect for your state of mind.”
She took him to Sim’s Park. The cool breeze and the sight of the towering trees and flower gardens finally allowed Vishal to relax.
Two hours passed. A notification tone chirped, signaling that Ganesh’s email had arrived. They sat together on a bench.
“The mail is here, Arthi.”
“Open it.”
It was an attachment eighteen pages long. He ignored the list of current practitioners and began scanning the “Previously Employed” section.
After thirty minutes of scrolling, Vishal’s eyes locked onto a photograph.
The caption read: Dr. Ranjith Kumar, Coonoor Primary Health Center. Listed right above it was another name: Mr. Chandrasekhar, Coonoor Health Officer.
