- At exactly 11:43 p.m. Meher had called the police about a possible break in.
- Following that many phone calls came in, including from the hostel, about an intruder
- The security guards at the girls' hostel were all found drugged
- By the time the police had arrived, the girls were all evacuated from their hostel and shifted to the boys' for safer protection
- The entrance to Meher's dorm room was not broken in
- Her bedroom was a mess; items were scattered everywhere
- At 12:00 a.m. a phone call was made to Meher's dorm phone from Meher's phone
- Meher's bathroom door was broken in
- Underneath Meher's bathroom window, the rose bushes were flattened
Arjun flipped the page and thought some more. The intruder was incredibly thorough. There were three guards on duty in the girls' hostel: two of them had been drugged from something being mixed in their tea. The third had been chloroformed. Apart from them, the head of security in the control panel, where all the security tapes were being recorded, was also rendered unconscious. But for him it was a blow to the head rather than being drugged.
Arjun had suspected there will be some sort of tampering with the tapes, but what he hadn't expected was that the tapes for that entire week will go missing. He could only assume that whoever the intruder was, had been anticipating the attack for a week. He had been regularly coming on campus to scout the perimeter.
Was Meher a target or merely attacked by chance? Arjun thought to himself. If it was by chance, then why did Abeer leave so frantically?
Arjun gathered his notebook, phone and gun and proceeded to his car. Putting in the co-ordinates for Rocco's into his GPS, Arjun left the police station. While driving, he started going over everything he knew about Meher and Abeer in terms of their personalities and traits.
Meher and Abeer were in a secret relationship that none of their close friends knew about. Meher was a reserved and highly studious person. She prioritized her studies first since she had been enrolled into the college on a scholarship basis. She had friends that she would socialize with but she wouldn't go out to parties that often. Only on special occasions and when there was a school break. Abeer on the other hand, was a highly social person. He would be the one to generally host parties and large events. It was beneficial for him as he would perform and gain recognition from not only his peers but also from esteemed professionals. Abeer and Meher knew each other because they had the same group of friends. But from what they know, Abeer and Meher couldn't stand each other. Abeer would continuously bother Meher about being too studious and not allowing others to have fun. She was a bit too "protective" and wanted to do everything by the rules. Because of that attitude, Abeer had gotten into trouble from the college authorities many times. At one point he had come very close to losing out on a huge opportunity to perform at a concert. But things came through at the last moment, although no one knew how. When they asked Abeer, he had kept mum about it. Meher had felt intimidated by all of them; especially Abeer. They had all come from different socio-economic backgrounds and Meher had felt the need to do double the work just to fit in. But she simply couldn't balance both her academics and social life that well. She was struggling. It had gotten bad to the point she had a mental break down in class and she ran off. Everyone had brushed it off as pressure for exams and didn't inquire further. Her professor had recommended she go to a counselor for help but she refused saying she had just approached a friend for help. It was around this time that the friends had noticed Abeer's changed behavior. He had stopped picking on Meher. If he did it was in a more teasing manner, almost like he was flirting but not quite. Meher had started smiling a lot. She was a lot more relaxed. It was a great change in her and everyone loved it. She had become a lot more approachable and people actually wanted to spend time with her. She had started to become a lot more vocal and shared her own personal opinions rather than stating what will be diplomatically or politically correct.
Arjun wondered if the sudden change in Meher's behavior was because of Abeer. Or was it simply because she wanted to change herself? Maybe the mental break down led to the change.
Arjun stopped his car when he reached the restaurant. As he got out, he got a phone call from Sunil.
"Hi Sunil," Arjun answered.
"Arjun, I just talked to Abeer's parents. Both of them are quite shocked about his departure. They know that Abeer is protective of his friends but they didn't know that he would react this way. They think he might just need some alone time and will be back in a few days. As for Meher, the father didn't know anything. But his mom had suspected there was someone in his life, but didn't know who it was."
"Do they have an idea of why Abeer would want to keep the relationship a secret?"
"None. From what I gathered, Abeer and his dad didn't have good relations. He was fine with his mom but even she didn't know anything about this."
"It's possible that Meher wanted to keep the relationship a secret. After all she was the more reserved one. If she had gone public with Abeer then she would have attracted way too much attention that she's used to. What did Meher's parents have to say about this?" Arjun inquired.
"I haven't spoke to them yet. I was just on my way." Sunil replied.
"Alright. Call me as soon as you do."
"Will do." Sunil hung up.
Sunil was walking down the stairs when he noticed the back of man exiting out to the backyward.
Abeer's dad is in the study... so who could that be?
Curious, Sunil too proceeded towards the backyard. Once outside, he could see it was a young man, with curly hair.
Nisaar?
He followed his suspected man into the greenhouse. Inside, Sunil felt like he had entered into a rain forest. It was incredibly hot and humid, and there were insects flying around. Many plants were spilling out of their pots. Sunil inspected some and found them to be highly strange. They weren't typical at all. He had been expecting to find some roses, tulips or even orchids. But instead he found ferns, cacti, and some others he was unable to identify. As he kept walking, the plants started becoming stranger and stranger. There was a pink stemmed with white berry like flowers sprouting out. Another pot had a drooping white flower. It reminded him of orchids but he knew that's not what it was. He looked down at the pots to see if there was a label to identify any of the plants and found them to be covered in dirt. He removed the soil and read Angel's Trumpet for the drooping white flower. Mesmerized by the apparent soft texture of the flower, Sunil reached his hand out to touch it.
"I wouldn't touch it if I were you." Sunil brought back his hand and looked at Nisaar standing at the end of the greenhouse. "They're all poisonous."
Sunil paled and gazed back at the Angel's Trumpet.
"What are they doing here? Someone could get seriously hurt." Sunil said anxiously.
"I know. But who can dare say anything to a rich man? I mean seriously, they and their high classed, luxurious hobbies." Nisaar chuckled. "If someone dies, then who cares? Am I right?"
Sunil scrunched his eyebrows.
"Are you drunk?"
"So what if I am? Am I not allowed to do that either?" Nisaar bowed and spread his arms out. "My friend was attacked in her room and disappears. My supposed best friend starts acting out and runs away. And you have a problem with me drinking?" Nisaar pointed to himself.
Sunil pursed his lips and walked towards him.
"Come on. Let's take you home." Sunil said.
"No. Not until I find them." Nisaar refused.
"And you think, you'll find them here?" Sunil asked, pointing around the greenhouse.
"Why not? The piano is here, so why can't they?" Nisaar answered childishly.
"Piano? What do you mean?" Sunil asked, now curious.
"They used to play here." Nisaar pointed at the piano that was located in the corner of the greenhouse.
"What makes you think that?"
"They were playing here, at the party." Nisaar started walking towards the piano. "At the party, they were here." He laid his hands against the smooth plane of the instrument.
"Which party?" Sunil asked, following Nisaar.
"C-Christmas. They were here. I heard them." Nisaar stammered.
Sunil put his hands on his hips and looked at Nisaar. He was unsure of how much he should believe Nisaar in his drunken state.
"Did you see them?" Sunil asked.
"N-no..." Nisaar answered, his hopes getting down. "But I heard them."
"What did you hear?"
"Humming... they were humming..."
"You recognized them from their humming?"
"Well, I recognized Abeer. I've heard him so many times now that I..." Nisaar trailed off as he tried recollecting the details from that night.
"And Meher? How certain are you that the girl in here was Meher?" Sunil asked, boring his eyes into Nisaar.
Nisaar opened his mouth but couldn't say anything. Sunil bowed his head and sighed.
Putting his hand on Nisaar's shoulder, he squeezed it.
"Look, I know you're going through a lot right now. But you need to get a hold of yourself. What you did right now is unacceptable. You trespassed onto private property, drunk, and possibly tampered with a criminal investigation. You can be heavily charged on all accounts. Do you understand what I'm saying?" Sunil tilted his head to get a better look at Nisaar. He removed his hand and said, "Come on. Let me take you back to the hostel."
Nisaar shook his head and had taken his first when he stumbled and hit himself against the piano. Sunil caught him in time and held him up.
"Careful." When Nisaar was able to stand upright, Sunil asked, "Can you walk?" Nisaar nodded his head in affirmative.
Nisaar started walking and Sunil looked back at the piano to see that it had shifted from its original position. He began to put it back where it belonged when he saw something sticking out from the soil behind the piano. Curious, he moved the piano enough so that he can gain access to the small garden at the back. Squatting, he took a phone out of his pocket and took several photographs. He then started digging and found a locket. He took some more photographs. Swiping the dirt off the piece, he found gold glinting back at him. He stood up and laid the small piece of jewelry onto a flat surface. He again, took some more photographs. Taking out a small handkerchief, Sunil wrapped the locket in the cloth and carefully placed it in his pocket.
Once outside, Sunil made Nisaar in the passenger seat while he took his own. He took his phone out and sent a quick message to Arjun.
Found Nisaar here drunk. Dropping him back to the hostel. Didn't get a chance to talk to Meher's parents yet, but I did find a locket in the greenhouse. Will tell you more in person.
Once it was sent, Sunil put the phone away and put the key in the ignition. He was about to drive, when a ping! came from his phone.
A message from Arjun: Okay. I'm at Rocco's right now. Just about to speak with the manager. Get to you soon.
Arjun put his phone away and greeted the manager.
"Hello Inspector," the manager said. "Please, do tell how I may be of service to you today."
"I'm here to inquire about the whereabouts of these two." Arjun held two separate pictures of Abeer and Meher. "Do you remember them?"
"Of course I do! Who could possibly forget them?" The manager replied with a grin. "They were the highlights of our opening night. This one," He pointed to Abeer, "sang so greatly! When I found out he was a student, I asked him if he wanted to play for a few nights and he said he would think about it. But I never got a reply from him."
"What about her?" Arjun asked about Meher.
"Her too. She had an incredibly lovely voice. But more than her voice, her dance had mesmerized everyone. She was just so graceful on the dance floor. I'm telling you sir, these two had truly made it a night to remember!"
"This, was it taken here?" Arjun asked, showing the manager of the photograph that Nisaar had found.
"Yes, this was taken upstairs at the terrace I believe. It was right after they had performed. Everyone was so happy and just so enthusiastic. They were all hugging and kissing each other and just clicking photos left and right."
"Did you ever have a feeling like there might have been some sort of problems?" Arjun inquired, not really expecting an answer.
"There was. It was shortly after they had arrived. This one, Meher, she was looking very worried. I've seen the look many times before on girls. She was scared, like someone might see her. And Abeer, he was doing his best to cheer her up."
"I see." A new set of questions started springing in Arjun's mind.
I'll have to go further in Meher's family to find out what their relations are like. If she had been afraid of being caught with Abeer, then why would she have agreed to come to a public place like Rocco's in the first place? She could have gone somewhere more secluded, more private.
"I had gone to attend to a large group, when Abeer had taken over the mike. I had first thought I would have to take care of a nuisance, but once he had started singing, I just couldn't. And besides, Meher's behavior had changed drastically by then too." The manager informed.
"Would it be possible to have access to the photographs or any footage taken that day?" Arjun asked hopeful.
"Of course! I'll be right back." The manager left.
Arjun took out his phone and called Sunil.
"Hello Sunil. I need you to go talk to Meher's family. Focus on their mentality, whether they're open-minded or conservative. How much liberty did Meher have in her own home?" Arjun instructed.
"Okay sir. Uh, sir... I had the locket analyzed, and it belonged to Meher." Sunil informed.
"Meher's? That's interesting." Arjun said, as his mind started connecting dots.
"How so?" Sunil asked.
"Because Meher isn't missing. She's on the run."
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