I was buried in paperwork when a message popped up on my phone from an unknown number.
"You won't give up, will you?"
Beneath the text was a chilling signature: THE BRIDE.
I immediately forwarded the number to Abdul for tracking. Within minutes, he called back. "Sir, the phone is active near Dhanipur," he said.
I wasted no time and drove straight to the location. The area was desolate, save for a beggar sitting by the roadside, holding a white Samsung phone in his hands.
"Sir, the phone is exactly at your location," Abdul confirmed through the earpiece.
I approached the beggar cautiously and stood before him. He didn't acknowledge my presence.
"Yeh phone kahan se mila?" I asked, my tone firm.
The man looked startled. "Aap mujhse baat kar rahe hain?"
"Haan. Koi aur dikh raha hai yahan?" I replied, trying to stay patient.
"Shahab, main andha hoon," he said, his unfocused eyes darting around.
I paused, thrown off by his response. "Yeh phone kisne diya tumhe?"
"Shahab, kisi ne haath mein pakda diya," he answered shakily. "Maine unhe bulane ki koshish ki, par woh suna ya suni nahi."
I inspected the phone. It was clean, no fingerprints. A carefully executed plan, no doubt.
"Thik hai," I said, slipping the phone into a bag as evidence.
This Bride wasn't just playing games. She was taunting me. And I wasn't going to let her win.
I returned to the station and met Nikhil and Abdul. I told them everything that happened with the beggar. I handed the phone to Nikhil. I went to my cabin and sat on the chair. I caressed my forehead. Someone knocked on the door and I knew who it was. Come in Nikhil I said.
He entered.
Phone ko sahi jagah pe rakh diya I asked.
Yes Sir he replied. Good I said.
We have to catch Rupali's parents I said.
But Sir how asked Nikhil.
Let me call Suresh Ji I said.
I called Suresh Ji and he picked up the call.
Hello he said.
Hello Suresh Ji main SP Kartikeya bol rha hoon I said.
Ji Sir. Namaste he said.
Namaste I said. Suresh ji Rupali jis din uss ghar se gyi kya aapne uska gaadi number aur car ka colour dekha tha I asked.
Ji Sir. Gaadi ka rang laal tha aur number umm kya tha. Haan 3813 replied Suresh.
Ok thank you Suresh Ji I said and cut the call. Nikhil immediately start looking for a red car 3813 in Dhanipur and outside Dhanipur. Contact SP'S of nearby cities I ordered.
Yes Sir he replied.
EVENING 6PM
Nikhil called me. Sir we have found the car. It was in Madhubani. We have caught the people driving it said Nikhil in a go. Ok I am coming I said and drove to Madhubani. I reached after 1 hour. I entered the station and met SP Aabha Pathak. She took me to the people driving the car. I sat on the chair and turned the recorder on. Do you know Rupali I asked getting straight to the point. N-No Sir replied the man. I turned off the recorder. I banged the table. TELL THE TRUTH I yelled. They got startled. S-Sir said the woman. Don't... test... my... patience I said glaring at them. S-Sir we don't know any Rupali said the woman. Nikhil I called. Danda leke aana I said glaring at the couple. Ji Sir. Nhi nhi Sir. Please. H-Hum bolte hai said the man. Bolo phir I said. I turned on the recorder. Sir Rupali ne humhe paise diye the uske Maa Baap banne ke liye he said. Kitne diye the I asked. They didn't reply. KITNE DIYE THE I yelled. 10-10 Lakh he replied. Rupali kyu tumhe apna Maa Baap banana chahti thi I asked. Sir usne kaha usse Ramesh naam ke ladke se shaadi karni hai par uske Maa Baap ek anarth ladki ko apnane nhi chahte. Pehle toh humne na kaha par paiso ki lalach main aake haan bol diya said the woman. Matlab tum log ko nhi pata Rupali ne Ramesh ko kyu mara I asked. Mara? Ramesh mar gya asked the man confused. Sir humara yakeen maniye Rupali ne humhe itna kaha tha ki Ramesh se pyaar karti hai, Ramesh ke Maa Baap ek anarth ladki ko nhi apnayenge isiliye main aap logo ko das lakh de rhi hoon. Aap mere Maa Baap ban jaaye said the woman. Isiliye tum dono ne apna naam Neena aur Rajesh Gupta rakha I asked. J-Ji Sir said the woman and burst into tears. Thik hai I said. Aur kuch bolna hai I asked. Sir R-Rupali ne humhe woh gaadi bechne ko kaha tha par humne l-lalach main a-aake n-nhi becha she said. Asli naam kya hai tum dono ka I asked. Sir Mitali Dikshit and Arun Dikshit said Mitali. Thik hai I said and left the room. Ensure they remain in custody Aabha I said and she nodded. I left the station and went back to Dhanipur station. I reached after one hour. I sat on the chair and try putting the puzzles together. Nikhil was standing infront of me. Nikhil I don't understand why Rupali killed Ramesh I said. Yes Sir, even I am not able to understand. I thought after catching her parents the case will get a little easier but it has got more complicated. Yes I said. I was thinking about this when my phone pinged with a message.
You shouldn't have done that. You are gonna pay.
- THE BRIDE
I didn't trace the number this time because I know it won't be of any use. But I am worried about what she will do. Is it an empty threat or she really means it. Kya hua Sir asked Nikhil. I showed him the message. Sir kya matlab hai iska asked Nikhil. I don't know I said. Kiran I thought. I immediately called her. Hello Kiran I said. Ji she replied. Tum aaj se ghar ke bahar mat jaana I said. Kyu ji she asked. Main ghar aake batata hoon I said and cut the call. I immediately increased the survelliance near my house. Nikhil how many male members do you have in your family I asked. Sir three. Me, My Dad and My brother he replied. Send them out of this state otherwise the Bride can target them next. Main Abdul ko bolke aata hoon I said. Ji Sir replied Nikhil. I left to meet Abdul.
TO BE CONTINUED