The Perfect Crime

Chapter 8 - Where is Mrs. Kalyani? (Scene 7)

Mr. Batra2022/01/18 21:22
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The curtains once again open to the registration counter of the hospital, which is much more lit and calmer now. It is implied that it is the dawn of a new day. Ram Dayal is seen waking up Mr. Balbir who had seemingly fallen asleep on a chair.


Ram Dayal: Wake up, sir! Kalyani ma'am is gone!

(Hearing Ram Dayal’s voice, Mr. Balbir wakes up in a jiffy)

Mr. Balbir (stammering): Guh...Guh...Gone?

Ram Dayal: Yes sir, gone!

Mr. Balbir: But where?

Ram Dayal: I was expecting you would know.

Mr. Balbir: How on earth could you expect me to know? I was asleep.

Ram Dayal: I am sorry sir.

Mr. Balbir: Have you tried calling her?

Ram Dayal: Sir I tried many times, but her cell phone is switched off.

Mr. Balbir: Wait, I will go find her.

Ram Dayal: Please let me come with you.

Mr. Balbir: No, you stay. There has to be someone who collects the body.

Ram Dayal: But sir, they anyway won't hand it over to a servant.

Mr. Balbir: Firstly, you aren't a servant. You are family. Secondly, they need to have someone who can do the signatures so they know that there isn't some random guy coming and collecting the body. Anyway, I have one question I would like to enquire from you. Did you notice her doing anything the last night which might come under the “queer” category?

(Ram Dayal initially hesitates but speaks on seeing the stern look on Mr. Balbir’s face…)

Ram Dayal: Yes sir, I did find something weird in her behavior yesterday. Around 9:30 yesterday, Kalyani ma'am went to the kitchen and began to prepare a sharbat for herself and Vinay sir. I saw her doing so and asked her if I should assist her. Her reaction was pretty severe, and she brushed me aside, saying that I should let her enjoy at least some private time with her husband. I felt embarrassed so I didn't argue with her.

Mr. Balbir: Why didn't you tell me yesterday itself?

Ram Dayal: Sir I could not dare to narrate this incident to you in front of her.

Mr. Balbir: Very well, we will find out the truth pretty soon.

Ram Dayal: But sir, please inform me as soon as you find her.

Mr. Balbir: I will do that for sure.

                                                                                                                                     (Curtains fall)