THE MANIPULATOR

THE MANIPULATOR

26 year old female journalist raped and killed.

8^th May, 2014

Bangalore:

 In a shocking Incident happened here in Koramangala 4^th block, 26 year old Rohini Sharma was found dead from her apartment last night. Rohini was apparently raped brutally before she was killed. Rohini’s husband Vickram Bose is a renowned professor in the psychology department at the Bangalore University. According to Police sources, they have collected sufficient evidence from the crime scene and would be able to nail down the suspect within the next 72 hours.

6 MONTHS LATER.

The Judgment day.

 The case was closed. The prime suspect, Anil Pandey was acquitted by the court, mainly because of the lack of evidence for the case to stand. But I always knew the fact that he had done it. He killed my girl, and I am not going to forgive him for that.

It happened almost 6 months back, when I was working on my research paper submission. I felt that it was a very important study in the field of psychology. The hypothesis was nothing new, but I had done good amount of work for the last 8 years to reach a stage where I could propose that the hypothesis can be elevated as a theory or a natural phenomenon. I had named the paper as – “The Telepathy in thinking alike”. I read the ending paragraph of the ‘conclusion’ part for one last time, even though I was very late to leave the office.

“Telepathy is the purported transmission of information from one person to another without using any of our known sensory channels or physical interaction. Similar to the ‘internet of computers’, the ‘telepathic net’ of human minds share their thoughts and views knowingly or unknowingly to a common platform…”

That was the point when she, my darling, called me to my cell phone.

“Hello Vickram” – She sounded disturbed.

“Rohini…Sorry dear, I am leaving office in another 10 minutes” – I replied, before she would tear me apart for being late.

“Vickram… Anil Pandey just called me and said he would come to our house in another 5 minutes. He had a threatening tone in his voice, I am not sure…”

“Who Anil?” I was confused.

“Vicky… I was telling you other day about this corrupt politician in BBMP. The story I was working on had this guy killed a lady working for the corporation a few months back. No action was taken against this guy, mainly because of his influence in the government. I guess he already knows that I am working on his story”

“Ok, But why is he coming to see you now? I am reaching there in another 1 hour; You just stay safe” . A sudden feeling of uneasiness started crawling inside my head, and that’s when I heard the calling bell from the other side of the line.

“Oh Shit, I guess he is already here” – her voice was hysterical filled with panic, which I had never heard before from her.

“Baby, listen carefully. Don’t open the door whatsoever. I will be there soon.”

“Ok, Vicky alright. Shit my battery is running too low. It might get discon….” And the call was disconnected.

What should I do! Let her connect the mobile charger and call me back. I closed the file and rushed towards my car. I dialed the police station and the number was busy. I tried calling her, and it was still switched off. I did not think about anything else from then, but my only intention was to reach back home as soon as possible.

When I reached my house after one and a half hours, I found that the front door was lying wide opened. I hurried to the bed room to see her lying on the bed, midst a pool of blood! She was already gone!

It was this same bed room and all those images are still looming in front of my eyes. I could not do anything to save my love. That bastard with the name Anil Pandey slipped out from the prison and I was denied justice. I had to do something to avenge my wife’s brutal death. But now, I had to gain my focus back. I was not able to concentrate on anything, and that’s when I decided to read my psychology paper first time after a gap of long 6 months.

I opened the last page of my paper and read it again:

“Telepathy is the purported transmission of information from one person to another without using any of our known sensory channels or physical interaction. Similar to the ‘internet of computers’, the ‘telepathic net’ of human minds share their thoughts and views knowingly or unknowingly to a common platform. That’s why you come across people who think largely alike you, in your day-to-day life. The more this person is associated with you in your life, the more the chances of this person getting aligned to your way of thinking. But, Interestingly, there would be a  person whom you have never seen, whom you have never known about, but would have gone through a very much similar life experience of yours, and this person would be connecting to you through the same telepathic net – he would be thinking the very same way you are thinking now. He would be even doing the very same thing you are doing right now. He is in fact a real time replica of your thoughts, words and deeds – A person whom you have never met but who exists in another part of this world, your virtual twin brother! Telepathic net enables you to think in that different level of platform”

Did I write this? It sounded like someone wanted to tell me this. What if, there is another person going through the same pain I am going through right now. What if, another virtual human replica of mine wants to kill the same Anil Pandey. What if, His motive is the same – To get rid of Anil Pandey, because he was denied justice!

“Vicky… I was telling you other day about this corrupt politician in BBMP. The story I was working on had this guy killed a lady working for the corporation few months back. No action was taken against this guy, mainly because of his influence in the government. I guess he already knows about me working on this story”

My wife’s voice echoed in my ears. Yes, my theory was helping me now! This lady was killed almost 1 year back. This case was never opened. She was deprived of justice. She should have a husband still mourning his wife’s death – under privileged going through post traumatic stress. Similarities all along – I need to find the details of this lady!

3 WEEKS LATER

His name was Karthik , husband of the ill-fated lady, Poornima, killed cold blooded by the same Anil Pandey. Poornima was a senior accountant at the BBMP, when she found the details of an illegal transaction did by Anil Pandey. She had prepared a report which was to be submitted to the higher authorities on a monday, but she was killed on the just previous weekend. The FIR reported it as a “suicide” due to physical harassment from her husband. Husband of the victim, Karthik, owner of a small restaurant at BTM, was kept under judicial custody and a fake enquiry was done for about 5 months. Later he was released and the case was closed, but he had suffered enough by then. He never went for a case or a trail.

I watched him when he was collecting cash at the billing counter. I took the corner table, but still had a good sight on him. He was not smiling at any customer – All he was doing was checking the bills and collecting the cash. I could clearly make out that, he was going through depression. The depression of losing out his identity. The depression of knowing the ugly truth, but the guilt from within for not doing anything against it. The shame for not avenging his wife’s death was evident all on his face.  Yes, he was my living replica. All I have to do will be to trigger that spark inside him. To give him back that confidence he lost during the imprisonment. He would be my weapon to kill Anil Pandey since we both share the common motive. He would be my weapon and I would pull the trigger from background. I should never cross my path with him, but still I should be able to reach my aim. I would be the silent manipulator in this game – A whole new mind game!

6 DAYS LATER:

The swimming pool was not so crowded, since it was a weekday. I closely watched Karthik from the other side of the pool. For the last five days I have been following him closely, and I found that every evening from 6 to 7 he has been coming to this NGV swimming pool. That day, I decided to enter the pool along with him. He was swimming occasionally, but his face was anticipating something to happen. Around 6.15 PM, I saw a fierce glow in his eyes, as his sight closely followed a figure that was entering the pool. It was Anil Pandey!

Now, everything made sense. Karthik was daily slipping out from the restaurant’s prime time, not to relax at the pool, but he has been stalking Anil Pandey. My theory had a proof, a living proof. Our motive was common- All I had to do was to give enough confidence to Karthik, without letting him know that I am doing it for my advantage! Yes, I was being shrewd and selfish!

Around 7, Anil came out of the pool, and behind him Karthik stepped out, and behind them I. We three were at the changing room – 3 strangers, but all connected to each other. The room had no one else and I watched Karthik. My heart pumped faster, as I felt that he was going to do something stupid at that moment of weakness. No, he was not. It was just my false feeling! Anil left the room, and behind him his shadows.

3 DAYS LATER:

The event was organized by a group of youngsters and they had named themselves “Winners arts and sports club”. The chief guest for the function was Anil Pandey. It was a public function and I felt that it was a decent chance. I had to ensure that Karthik knew about the function and he utilized that chance. I had only 2 days for it!

I followed Karthik till he reached the gun shop at khalasiplayam. He went inside the shop and I could clearly see him speaking to the owner of the shop and undoubtedly he was making an illegal buy there. I went inside the shop as a regular customer and around the corner I watched them closely. In another few minutes the deal was over – He had purchased a revolver and it's bullets. Everything was moving ahead as I thought!

Before I came out of the shop, I also had a word with the shopkeeper. It was easier than I thought – I also had my revolver and bullets. Just in case!

I came out of the shop and continued to follow Karthik. This time I was not sure about his move. He got down the bus at Domlur bus stand. The event inauguration notice flashed in my mind.

“The Swach bharat campaign inauguration will be held at the open stage near Domlur bus stand, by Mr. Anil Pandey (BBMP) at 4PM in the evening…”

Karthik noticed the temporary stage under construction and then he checked the surroundings in detail. Suddenly, he started walking towards a building under construction, just opposite to the bus stand as if he realized something important. Then I understood – He was picking his spot to shoot. I knew it because; I myself was a good shooter always, right from my college days when I had participated even for national events. But the obscure detail which confused me was that, how would Karthik without any prior knowledge about guns or shooting would use the revolver? Is he going to make a big mistake? Or probably he had previous experiences of using a gun!

2 DAYS LATER, DOMLUR, 5 PM:

The building was deserted. Karthik took the second floor so that he had a good angle towards the stage. I followed him like a silent shadow and I managed to stay silent. The Bus stand and the whole area was pretty crowded and the function was already running late by 1 hour. If Anil delays it further, the day light might sparse in to level where it would be difficult to aim the target – I doubted whether Karthik knew about such details about shooting.

But just when I thought it was going to be late, announcement came that Mr.Anil had arrived. He started his speech in another 10 minutes, and that would continue for the next 15 minutes frobe then. A non moving target for the next 15 mins and within 30 meters of range. A best chance any shooter, be it an amateur, can have.

Time started running out and Karthik looked shaky. He aimed the target multiple times but never looked confident to shoot!

Karthik, what are you doing man! Don’t spoil the chance. If I had not been his shadow, I could have directly went ahead and given him all the confidence he required at that moment.

Then I listened to his speech!

“6 months back there was a case against me which you all know about. A lady news reporter was raped and killed and they had named me as the prime suspect. Today, I stand in front of you as a free man, acquitted from all the charges by the judiciary of India. That girl who died might be a prostitute, who knows? Probably she was not raped at all, who knows…?”

Enough; that was enough for my brain to take. I took the loaded revolver from my pocket, and walked ahead. Karthik looked shocked, but did not move. I aimed at my target from there – All I could see was the forehead of Anil. I took small pause to ensure that my aim was 100 percent right. And then I pulled my trigger. Boom!

Anil collapsed down instantly, and I was sure about the shot. It was bull’s-eye. The crowd made a tumultuous uproar but I did not hear that. I looked at Karthik. He was unmoved. And then he looked deep into my eyes and smiled!

And after a minute he spoke to me “Hi Vickram, All you needed was some confidence and my role in this story was to give you that trigger. You have a good chance to escape. This would be the first and last time we will ever meet in our life, Good bye!”

I Ran! Each step I took it was becoming conspicuous in my head!

He always knew that I was in pain. He knew that I wanted to avenge my wife’s death. He knew I was good shooter. All along, I was not following him, He was following me; He had lured me into this. He was playing with my mind. He was the manipulator!

My own words reverberated in my head – “But, Interestingly, there would be a person whom you have never seen, whom you have never known about, but would have gone through a very much similar life experience of yours, and this person would be connecting to you through the same telepathic net – he would be thinking the very same way you are thinking now. He would be even doing the very same thing you are doing right now. He is in fact a real time replica of your thoughts, words and deeds – A person whom you have never met but who exists in another part of this world, your virtual twin brother!”