THOSE SIX FRIENDS

By Prabal Das

Everyone had a dream to enter such a college where there is the enjoyment of life and some better options for a career. I remembered I was tense after my higher secondary. Being a mediocre student with average marks it’s very tough to get entry into such colleges which will ensure your academic and psychological gain. But I always believed in destiny and the flow of time. I believed to flow with the time when the time is not flowing for you. And I got into the best University in my state in the newly introduced course and I thanked my destiny. But at the same time, I realized it was time to have some friends. But I never expected that this college friendship would take me on a tour of the thriller world.

On one Monday, I reached my college. One of the largest campuses this college has. So I was busy finding my department. And the campus is so big that I reached the opposite of the earth. Somehow I managed to reach there. I get to know that one of my childhood friends Ruhi also got admitted to the same department. I was happy but I saw she have her Arnab with her and something more than friendship. So I always avoid being suspicious. I realized it’s better to stay out of them. I tried to be with them but they never allowed me and saw me as someone interfering with their life. So I felt better leaving them in their way. After a few days of being tired of finding some friends, I reached the canteen. I saw Piyash and Rizwan taking their food. So I better felt to pay for them. I thought this investment would provide me with a good friend in return. And I got our group, Piyash, Rizwan, Hrishav, Tanisha, Tanurima with myself Raj. I was happy with them. But we should never expect life would move on with our plan.

Every year our college organizes a fest for us where the student has to perform. Everyone and anyone can come to see the program but should have a pass. So, our group decided to perform a duet dance. Being introverted participation is once in the full moon. When we reached the dance class we saw there were 17 participants and they need an extra body to perform. Rizwan realized that if they don’t get an extra boy to perform, he can’t dance with Tanisha. To be with his partner he brought me onto the stage. I know how much I can dance. I was searching for my name on the dance list, to see with whom I have to perform. I saw Sakshi. She was the most arrogant girl of all. She always needs the best for herself. I was afraid because I know I was bad at dancing and even worst at managing with the girls. She came to the room with Arnab and Ruhi. So I reached there and tried to be more formal. And after the program, we started to spend together with Arnab and Ruhi too. So I was introduced to the new group. And with that my old friends were maintaining some distance from me. I was happy so I never tried to resolve the matter. In my new group, we were six including myself, Rajat, Arnab, Ruhi, Sakshi, and Sukriti. And another character is Shuvam, Sakshi’s boyfriend. During the fest, we came into contact with each other. And he is a nice guy.

With emerging into the new group I was introduced to Ruhi and Arnab's unsaid secret relationship. Rajat has a huge crush on Sukriti and a lot. But I always say everything goes smoothly and evil doesn’t happen and can't be placed on the same earth. Relations started getting toxic. I was not surprised. Sakshi and I became good friends, and the distance growing between Arnab and Ruhi, Rajat is trying for Sukriti but she too has a boyfriend Suman. Everything was going out of control within. I can feel that void created before the storm. I was disturbed but able to express nothing. Suddenly Ruhi with an angry face leaves the class. I asked Arnab, he gave me a look and he too left. I thought everything would be right. But within a month everything changed they broke up. I can feel the depressed Ruhi. Within a few weeks, their relations saw the worst phase. Sakshi and I maintained some distance, Sukriti has some insecurities about Rajat and it would be better if we ignore Arnab and Ruhi. There was another character with us Raunak. He had a huge crush on Ruhi but she used to avoid him. Raunak and Rajat had a great bond.

But we decided to take a leave and left everything and enjoy ourselves with each other. We have given the paper for the semester and one month's vacation before the next semester. So decided to reach Bengal. We enjoyed ourselves. After returning we started our class for the second semester. Suddenly for a week Ruhi, Arnab, and Raunak were absent from class. We thought they might have some health issues. We tried to contact them but their phone was out of reach. When we reached their home we find that they have been missing for 7 days. But the worry is that the three are missing together and since there is no epoch in their family, they did not know that the three were missing. We were confused. Police also came to know that a group of friends was missing. We tell the police everything, about their relationship and their separation, the story of our visit to Bengal. We said everything was okay after we returned. Everyone was confused. In a few days, the incident spread throughout the city. I always had a desire to solve a case, but it did not happen. Now I had a chance but I didn't know where to start. I decided to get everyone's call details first. With the help of my friend's father, I found out their details. But what surprised me the most was that Ruhi didn't like Raunak but they talked on the phone for a long time for three or four days before they went missing and there were conference calls. And I saw that Arnab and Raunak were on many calls in the last few days before they went missing. I informed the police and the police advised me to keep away from the case but that was not my character. I went to Arnab's house and talked to his parents. They said that before he went missing, he was very worried about something and did not sleep for a few nights and that is exactly what I found out from Ruhi's house too. I was confused because I heard just the opposite from Raunak’s parents. There could be two types of cases: Raunak was blackmailing them or they were all discussing something. I saw their last location and found out the last signal on the day of the disappearance was in front of College Lake. I went to the lake with the police but nothing was found. The police left but I was not satisfied. So I decided to explore the jungle which was near our college. But while searching I found a shoe and when I looked closely it was Ruhi's shoe and a handkerchief inside the shoe which belongs to Rajat. I was confused. So, Rajat and Raunak are best friends but how he is connected with all? I informed the police and then they started searching the whole jungle. They found a dead body but the face was burnt. But Rajat recognized him and said it’s Arnab and we have also found his comb and card. We also got a shoe and the shoe belonged to Ruhi. At first, we thought that Arnab was going to do something to Ruhi, and she threw the shoe, but when I saw the first and second shoe, it was two different numbers. When we talk to Ruhi's family, we find out that one is Ruhi's shoes and the other is not, but I remember when Sukriti went to buy shoes with me, she bought a shoe that looks exactly like Ruhi, but the numbers are different. I hid two things from the police, the first was a handkerchief and the second was shoes. Because If my suspicions were wrong, two more people would be stuck with these three. Arnab is no longer alive, Ruhi has no clue and my suspicions are on the two. I too saw some blood in that shoe. I was sure they made Ruhi run and maybe there she faced some instance she may have to throw a shoe at someone. But who killed Arnab? He had something on his neck. Police took his body. Arnab’s parents took permission from the court and moved to Delhi and gave a statement that if the police need any help they’ll be back.

I was feeling tired and feeling sleepy too. Suddenly I remembered there is one room in that jungle which used to be a park once. It was evening so I was wondering if I should go but later I got ready. When I reached there I heard some sounds. I saw Raunak was on the ground and someone was forcing him to tell something but he refused to tell. They came out of the room, started their bike, and left the place. I saw one guy standing, I made one sound opposite the door. When he reached there I entered the room. I saw Raunak was tied with rope and his hands and legs with copper. Blood was coming out of his mouth. I always keep a knife with me. I cut all the ropes and asked him to come with me. He refused. He said no one can go from here. And I can never go out from here too. Suddenly from the back one man came and hit on my head. I don’t know what happens but when I opened my eyes I saw my hand and legs were tied. I have my watch on my wrist and saw it’s 11 pm. One died and Ruhi and I are in a trap. I saw Raunak was on my left side. I pushed him. He was unconscious. I pushed him with my shoulder. Suddenly he opened his eyes. I asked what happened. How everything changed. He asked to talk very slowly. He said Arnab and Ruhi had some physical Relations when we were in Bengal and after all that Arnab asked her to forget everything but Ruhi was not ready. She threatened him to disclose everything to his parents. Arnab was not ready for that. Arnab said everything to Rajat and Sukriti. They made a plan to kidnap Ruhi and kill her. As Raunak and Rajat were good friends Rajat shared everything with him. Raunak had a huge crush on Ruhi. So he said everything to her. She discloses all the plans and started threatening Arnab and Rajat for everything. On that night only Arnab called Ruhi and asked to meet him. He understood his fault and wants to an apology. On that night Arnab along with Rajat kidnapped Ruhi. When Raunak came to save her, they were on road and she was running to escape from them. Raunak came into the scene. Raunak and Ruhi met but suddenly Arnab from the backside came and caught Ruhi. Raunak had a pen with him. He put the pen through his neck of Arnab. And Ruhi was able to run away but Rajat and Sukriti caught him. I understood everything behind the handkerchief and one unnoticed shoe.

I asked him if there was any way to break the chains and came out of the room. He said there is a way but we both cannot go out rather he said I should go and call the police. I thought this can be done. I had some copper parts on my belt. I rubbed both the copper of my belt and my hands. The copper of his legs and my legs. Somehow I was able to come out of the room. I reached the police station. I realized it’s not safe to tell the full story. I only said I have seen Raunak in the room which is in the jungle. When we reached there We found the dead body of Raunak. I was not surprised because they already know one boy ran away from there so it was unsafe to keep him alive. I understood Rajat and Sukriti know everything and now they know that I too know everything. So I decided to be normal in front of them and used reverse psychology. I told them that I saw Raunak tied with ropes and unable to speak. So they understood that I don’t know anything about them and they can continue. I was sure that they also killed Ruhi. So I stopped searching for her.

I left college. I decided to go for a tour near Bengal. Because Bengal is surrounded by the Bengalis and is a nice place, where you will get infinite gestures. I reached there and decided to stay there for ten days. One day I thought to visit Victoria. On the way, I suddenly stopped. I saw Ruhi. I was Puzzled. The whole case was back in my brain. My heartbeat increased. I had Low Pressure and I’m diabetic too. I was sweating too much. At first, I thought to go to her. But I realized this is not the right time. I called a detective and gave him some money to give me the news about Ruhi. I returned to my state on the 8th day. I decided to return to my previous chapter. I took readmission. Rajat and Sukriti were still there but this time they started to avoid me. So I decided to return to my old group Piyash, Rizwan, Hrishav, Tanisha, Tanurima, and another member added to the group Sakshi. They were happy and I was excited to get them back. But in the back of my mind, I had some other plan.

When I reached the police station to know the report of the case. They said they closed the file by saying she is no more. I understood everything can be disclosed by returning to one jungle. The house in the middle of the forest was not there. But I decided to go and walk around the forest. After walking a mile I reached where we got the dead body of Arnab. I was sitting there. I found one pen on the side that was attracting me a lot. I took it in my hand and I saw this is the same pen I gifted to Arnab. I took the memory from it. I thought I would get some videos of our happy moments. When I connected it to my laptop. I found something related to the case. I saw a video where Ruhi was entering the house and instructing Rajat and Sukriti to do the job properly. I understood everything was planned and Ruhi is alive. I was unable to sleep that night.

One sleepless night with millions and millions of thoughts in my mind. I made a plan. The next day I decided to propose to Sukriti and ask for the date. I know she rejected many boys but can’t reject a date with a boy and a restaurant. I asked her on a date. She was ready for that. I understood Rajat was trying to stop her but she refused Rajat and was with me. We took a room to refresh after a date. We decided to drink in that room. I made the drink and I mixed a trace of Sodium Thiopental, a true drug in her drinks. She took it and I was smiling. She revealed everything about their plan. After Arnab and Ruhi had intercourse Arnab decided to marry her but she was not interested in him. He thought to inform her parents. When Ruhi understood that the matter was going out of her hand. She planned everything. She asked for help from Rajat and Sukriti. They helped her. Rajat called Raunak to inform the story but replace some characters like replaced Ruhi with Arnab so Raunak also decided to stop talking with Arnab. But Raunak used to make them understand to bring their relationship on the right path again and talked with Arnab and Ruhi. On that day of disappearing, Arnab decided to say sorry and leave Ruhi forever. On that day Ruhi also planned to finish their work.

She took him near the lake and attacked him. When he was running Rajat called Raunak and said Arnab wants to kill Ruhi. Ruhi was standing in front of Arnab to kill him, but when Raunak came into the scene she started running towards Jungle. And Raunak thought Arnab wants to catch her and when they were close Raunak took his pen and put it on Arnab's neck. Rajat and Sakshi took Raunak too on that house and then killed him. I recorded everything. I called the police and took Sukriti and then caught Rajat too. I got a punishment of ten thousand as a fine for using Sodium Thiopental. With the help of a detective, we caught Ruhi too. I was happy that I solved the case. I thought maybe this real-life story ends happily.

One day I and Sakshi were in one restaurant. When we were coming back someone hit me on my head and I became unconscious. I opened my eyes and saw Sakshi, Rajat, Sukriti, and Ruhi standing around me. They were on bail. I was pretending that I was unconscious but listening to them. I understood everything. Sakshi did all the plans and Sakshi also had a physical relationship with Arnab and she also wants to kill Arnab. They too want to kill me so that the secret lost its form. They left me in one room. I always carry one keypad mobile which a normal person can’t find if they don’t know where it is kept. I called the police and made a plan with them. They decided to stay there and will see what they do with me. When everyone along with Sakshi came to kill me, police suddenly appeared and caught them. After all proceedings, they were sentenced to jail for fourteen years.

Yes, I solved the case. A group of six friends left me alone with a story that I promised to keep within me till I die. And I am happy being alone in this selfish, egocentric, and egomaniacal World.

PART 2

Life was once going well with peace and promises. I bought a job in one Chemical developing organization as a researcher. I acquired married and have two kids, Reshmi and Rahul and at the age of 38, I grew economically and emotionally stable. And somewhere in the deep corner of my heart and brain, the reminiscence of six friends was once lost. After that incident, I changed my city and went to a new place surrounded by all new people. But destiny smiles at last. One day when I was once making myself ready to drop Reshmi and Rahul at their school I observed one mail. I got a transfer order and when I saw the location I was surprised. By stopping the ongoing debate in my heart about transferring to a city that I left many years ago, I reached my office. There my boss stated I would be my supervisor there and gave me my promotion letter with a transfer order. I informed my family and they have been glad too. Without vacation, they don’t go out of the home. They were happy. But with every beat of my heart, I was once thinking about the past I saved inside myself for ages. But the city had already forgotten me and now no one knows me there. So there will be no trouble for me and my family. So I decided to pass to a new city and guessed what I in no way imagined that one darkish previous is waiting for me and my family.

I reached there. Nothing changed. I had my residence there. I took the key from the caretaker and informed him to say to absolutely everyone that I took the room as a hire for my family. I thought to say the whole thing to my spouse Riya. But it would be better if I hide the fact. I reached my new office. They welcomed me. It was a new middle and Boss had a big dream and many expectations of this location as it was a growing city if we can occupy the commercial enterprise here we would have the leading journey in the city. I took some tough steps. Remove some personnel and accelerated the work. Our business was once improving. Suddenly one day when I used to be ready to return home I saw some papers outside my car. I thought perhaps anybody had thrown some used vain paper. But suddenly I noticed it was looking like a letter. I took it and my eyes stuck on the undersigned. It used to be Rajat, Sukriti, Sakshi and Ruhi. My intelligence stopped working. I called Riya and asked where they are. She stated they had been shopping for something and will return within two or three minutes.

The entire previous was once coming in front of me. I can sense the risk around me and my family. I am back home. I noticed Riya, Rahul and Reshmi have been there. I requested them to do the dinner. After the dinner, Rahul and Reshmi got here to me and stated they want to go on holiday or a tour. I gave a smile and said good night. Riya finished all her work. She came and kept her head on my shoulder and hand round my hand. Riya asked me what happened. I said nothing however she was capable to feel me. I have shown her the letter. She examines it but used to be unable to apprehend what happened. I said everything about my past, about all these incidents, and about my six friends. And I decided to send her with Rahul and Reshmi back however the trouble was that they can’t change schools in midsession. The next day I decided to reach the police station. There I located that the man in Charge in this station was my childhood pal Arush. I said him the entirety and request him to help me with a reproduction of the file. He stated all the archives have been computerized in this station many years earlier than and many in Incharge have been transferred before he got here. He stated if I can remember the name of an Incharge of that time then it will be less difficult to discover the file but it has been 16 years on account that I left everything. So I can’t be aware of all the characters I engaged at some point in the case. He stated it’s adequate but he wishes for some time. I gave him the letter. He gave me the recommendation to reopen the case with the letter. But I used to be worried about my family so I determined to wait for a while. He took two days to provide me with the files. I took the files. Everything was going unofficial. I know the story written on it but the closing section of the film surprised me. Sakshi is no more in the world. After they were sentenced to jail, she can’t take it and did suicide within 12 months of jail. Rajat, Sukriti and Ruhi got here out of jail. When I took the records I came to understand that Sukriti and Rajat are a couple now and moved to the USA. Ruhi shifted from here to Delhi and started her very own Tea business. I was glad for them but was harassed by the letter.

Once my son returned from school, he bought a paper and newspaper cut. I saw the news and I was once to see the information about suicide in jail. I asked him who gave him this paper cut. He stated there used to be some couple. At first, I thought Rajat and Sukriti are doing everything but then I requested Arush to take the information about them. Riya was traumatic about the family. So I determined to send them on a tour for some days. Riya took Rahul and Reshmi and requested me to depart the metropolis within someday. But you know I have the character to combat the scenario and investigating a case is constantly been my dream. I got all the statistics about Rajat and Sukriti and contact them through Video call. They were sad seeing my face but it was okay for me. I asked them what was the motive behind Sakshi’s death. What passed off was that she had to die. They informed me that a boy once got here to meet her after that she was once in depression. When police tried to recognize and find the small print who got here to meet her. There were no details of that boy. No one saw him. They additionally stated to me that there used to be one constable who allowed him to enter, Priya but later she avoids the matter. I was once amazed by means of knowing the fact. I asked Arush about the listing of constables on the obligation of that time in jail. I received the list. There I found the name, Priya Sarkar. I took the address and reached there to meet her. Initially, she was now not answering anything. I gave her some bribes and she told me everything. She used to get money for permitting a boy to meet her and got an order that she can by no means disclosed his identity. So I asked did she be aware of him. She refused however she said she heard an identity Sakshi used to name that boy, Arnab. For some time, I was unable to stand on my very own feet. Arnab was no more, how can he return to meet Sakshi?

I am on a new mission however I knew this is now not going to be effortless for me. I knew my boss and request him to ship me to Delhi Branch for a few days as I need some facts and desire to advance some chemicals, so I want some machines which were not there in this new branch and after that, I would introduce them in the new office. He used to be comfortable that I favor advancing the office, so he sends me the flight ticket. I reached there and reached my new office. So after reporting to my new office, I came out of the workplace and reached a detective. I gave them a work to acquire every news about the parents of Arnab. After a day they gave me every detail of them. I reached there and you be aware of what I was once amazed and I used to be unable to believe my eyes. Arnab was in front of me. I tried to meet him however he changed his title and his identification and everything. When we met he refused to listen to me. I showed him the letter and said anybody can send me the letter and I am going to reopen the case and was once coming out of the room. Suddenly he called me from back and asked me to sit. He stated to me that one night he was not dead. The pen that was once used to kill him entered his collar. When they took Raunak to that room he flew from there. As his uncle was a health practitioner so he provided a brunt face dead physique from the hospital and placed it on that spot with his comb and card. Then he and his family flew to Delhi and started living by changing their identity. Once he reached the detention center to meet Sakshi however she thought it was just a phantasm and possibly that’s why she killed herself. I asked him whether he was married or not. So he took me to introduce me to his wife. I was amazed to see Ruhi as his wife. Yes, I had the information that she shifted to Delhi and have her very own Tea Company however this was unexpected. She smiled and stated she changed herself. They had their son Raj. I smiled and understood everything.

I returned to my town and informed Arush about everything. He advises me to reopen the file but I knew if I reopen the case then the information will unfold like wildfires and with this Ruhi and Arnab will be in a problem. So I decided to let myself be aware of and recognize the whole thing about who is doing all these things. It’s been eight days on account that Riya, Rahul, and Reshmi were out of the station. I used to be attempting my first class to find that couple who was once doing all this. I again contact Rajat and Sukriti and asked them to remember whether or not Sukriti remembered who used to come and meet Sakshi. She said there have been solely her parents, her boyfriend and with her boyfriend, one lady used to come but they in no way saw her face. I understood I have to know two people first her boyfriend Shuvam and a lady with him who used to come to meet her. So I requested for assist from Arush. He gave the data that Shuvam and his wife are in this state only. Meanwhile, I suddenly bought one call from Ruhi that a person killed Arnab. I understood the game has been started. I called Arush and requested him to reopen the case formally but no need to inform anyone. I took the address and reached the region the place shuvam lives. But earlier than going there I referred Riya and requested them to continue to be there until I say. While I was once waiting for Shuvam I saw his spouse and I used to be once more amazed to see Sakshi. I return from there and tried to accumulate some information. I reached her essential school and I acquired something exclusive Sakshi had a twin sister. I understood everything. The woman who was once in the detention center wasn’t Skashi but her sister. They had one brother too.

From the detective of Delhi, I received the news that the police received the man who killed Arnab however the man doesn’t know who stated him and sent the money to kill. I realized it used to be none other than Sakshi. I said everything to Arush. We sketched to catch them. I would go to meet them and when they would try to kill me Police would come and trap them. Everything was going with a sketch but unexpectedly I saw Arush was once not taking them instead he came and hit on my head. I fainted. After occasionally used to be capable of sense and was once confused. Why did he do this so? I always carry a keypad phone with me. And before coming here I informed the entirety of my wife and asked her to call someone senior from the police if she listens to any unwanted component on the telephone. She did the identical and the police caught Sakshi and Shuvam. Everything was revealed, Arush was Sakshi’s brother. He used to be no longer helping me however giving the clue so that they can have me delivered here.Sakshi forced her sister to kill herself. After the proceedings, they had been sentenced to lifelong jail.

I called my family back, a new chapter of my life started, a detective man with a toughtfull eyes.

By Prabal Das