Satya – Part Three: Kill Me!

I escaped the slaughterhouse, but I had nowhere to go.

I had never before noticed how alone Kalpana had made me. She had gained so much influence over my parents that they were doing whatever she made them do. Her soft voice and cheerful nature had impressed them from the start. They had shared many secrets with her even before we had married. Sometimes, even I did not know the things my parents had told Kalpana. She had won their trust, while my miscommunication with them made us distant. They did not trust me with the family affairs. They thought I was unreliable with my decisions. They always said I argued aggressively while discussing things. Because Kalpana had become the daughter they never had, they abandoned me. They were supporting her in her murderous intent!

I had to go somewhere. But where?

I had lost communication with all my friends. It was my fault that I trusted her, that I gave her my full attention. I loved her. I used to share everything with her. I gave her my phone while she was not content with her small, low-tech phone. She then logged me out of all the social media and deleted my contacts. She never let me use the phone. She would chat with her friends and talk with her parents until the battery drained. If she saw me near the phone while it was charging, she would say, “Don’t use the phone while it’s charging.” I started using the phone after she slept. It was a successful move for a while. However, she used to wake up, throw the phone away, and say, “Why aren’t you sleeping? Hold me instead of that phone.” I would comply.

And where did that get me? Nowhere to go when I needed help!

Thinking hard, you popped up in my mind, Chetan. You were my best friend. Kalpana had cut me off from you. But I knew where you lived and worked. Since it was evening, I guessed you might be home. So, I came. As I ran, a thought came up in my mind. What if you, too, had been under Kalpana’s influence? What if you had turned into a predator? But I told myself to have some faith because you are my best friend.

You were home, as I expected. You greeted me with a smile. “Long time no see, bro. You really surprised me this evening. Let’s go out and chill. What do you say?”

“No, Chetan. I need your help. Kalpana is trying to kill me. Her brother and my parents are in it as well. I just managed to escape and come here.”

You scratched your brow, waved me in, and shut the door. “What are you saying, Satya?

“I don’t know, bro,” I said. “I’m confused. I don’t know what to do.”

“Maybe you should talk to someone. Hey, who’s better for that than your best friend?”

I sigh in relief. “I can’t tell you how light I’m feeling right now. You’re the only person that can help me out.”

You took me to your living room and sat on the sofa facing the door. I got nervous that the door was behind me, but I reminded myself that I don’t need to be paranoid.

Before I began my story, you took your phone out of your pocket and texted someone as you said, “I had an important meeting, but I cancelled it. No meeting is bigger than my best friend in need.” You put the phone back into your pocket and scratched your brow again. “I don’t get it, Satya. Kalpana loves you. I’m sure she won’t do anything to harm you. And why would Uncle and Aunty want to kill their only child?”

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When I finish telling you everything, you say, “I can’t believe Kalpana would ever think of murdering you.”

“How much time have you spent with her, Chetan? I’ve spent eight years with her. I know her better than you do.”

You shake your head. “You’re right, but why didn’t you let me know earlier? I could have helped you, Satya.”

“Kalpana cut me off from you, Chetan. She deleted my phone contacts and blocked you on social media. When I realised it and asked her about it, she said, ‘He’s become successful. He does not need you now.’ Can you believe it?”

His mouth gaped. “I can’t believe she said that. But I’ve heard it from you, so there is no reason I shouldn’t believe it.”

“Thank you…” I hear a clamour. “Wait… What’s the noise? Who’s coming in? Who have you called?”

You stutter. “N-nothing, Satya.”

The footsteps come closer. You are sweating.

“You treacherous swine!” I pounce on you and manage to land a punch on your face. “You texted them that I have come here?”

I want to kill you, but Manas’s goons catch me from behind and pull me back on the couch. I can do nothing but shout at you, “You’ve betrayed me. Everyone has abandoned me. It’s better to die than live this miserable life. Kill me! KILL ME!”

“We’re not trying to kill you, Satya,” you say. “We are helping you. Trust me. You need it.”

“This is your help? Your help is worse than death,” I scream. Manas and his goons overwhelm me. I am burning with rage as they jab something on my shoulder. My vision blurs. I…am…dying!

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