Studying psychology helps not only to understand the psyche of others, but also your own self. I remember being very curious in the First year to interpret my results of the psychological test that we take in our experimental class. It helped me ascertain certain characteristics that I possess and confirm the rest. When I sat to take up the test this year, little did I know there would be a significant difference in the results. Have I changed in less than year? Yes I have.
It came as a surprise to me initially, but then with every day, I realized my views/opinions had changed over the year. I didn’t have to complete the test and wait for the result, I knew even while attempting to answer those questions. I was quite aware of my answers – how I picked a different option from the last year. The tests aren’t the same, the questions are different but they intrinsically determine your trait. I was aware of the transformational journey I am enduring but to capture it in form of empirical results was quite revealing! The change within triggered off when I attended Level-1 Clinical Hypnosis course early this year and from then have been experiencing new realms.
In one of the lectures, my professor shared an interesting observation. He said when people meet after a long while and exchange pleasantries, we take pride when the other person remarks, “You haven’t changed a bit, you are just the same even after 10 long years.” He told us, if one doesn’t change it only implies he hasn’t grown and is still immature. It’s definitely a point to ponder, I was able to relate with his observation, and most of us do feel good about staying the way we are. Why don’t we like to grow? We tend to equate not changing to not having acquired any bad traits. Negative co-relation of events is the way human mind works; we have programmed ourselves to be so. Having not changed also means we have failed to progress! The question of whether the change has done you good/bad is a different implication to mull over. The willingness to change holds the key to transformation.
Monday, October 4, 2010
Monday, September 27, 2010
Memoirs...
To begin with, I am glad that I managed to attend my contact classes, I still remember when I applied for the course I was a little worried if I will be able to allocate the time the course demanded. Looking back, I realize if you have an honest desire, the universe will help you fulfill it! Thank You.
The experience this time around was different from the last year in more than one way. Last year was more about comprehending the system in place and wondering about a new subject, this year around the admiration for subject grew on one side; on the other we had loads of fun!
As we were already attenuated to the system, it was easier to get our work done on time – a cake walk! We had plenty of time on hand, and lot of people around staying together, just translated to more fun. We spent most of the evenings together, walking around the streets of the small town. If one had to make the evening special then it had to be a temple visit! There is definitely an aura around temples that is inexplicable. It is just so wonderful to sit in a temple premise, stare into the open sky and listen to your friend talk ;) And just when you are to wind up, you realize they are distributing ‘Prasadham’, as you extend your hands to help yourself, yummy ‘Kozhukattai’ are placed onto your palms. Sure we ate loads of them, smacking our lips, to our heart’s content.
In a small town, what can keep you excited and on your toes? Food!! We conducted several experiments to make sure our taste buds were working perfectly fine ;) “Bring it on” was the only phrase uttered when we entered the restaurants! I can’t leave this space without mentioning about the Ice creams @ SVS, the stack of south Indian tiffin @ SR and the long wait @ MC to get to the Chicken legs! The biggest entertainment of the stay was our visit to the theatre to watch a movie – the excitement over entering the cinema hall and grabbing your seats first just died down as the movie progressed ;) Nevertheless a first experience to relish. Our craving for good food didn’t stop with venturing at nights; we even found a shack for lunch that served mouth watering home food – Can’t beat their fish curry – yummy!
The lessons were interesting at times, boring otherwise. We definitely did get pointers to many other sources – the best you could expect out of a few days contact program. We were provided glimpses of variant theories; I could draw parallel to Eastern psychology/philosophy - interesting bits to be explored further. The lectures in parts stimulated many thoughts and questions, reading more books and closely working with experienced professionals only would help one garner more knowledge and expertise. The course ends with appearing for theory examination mid next year but the learning will continue.
The experience this time around was different from the last year in more than one way. Last year was more about comprehending the system in place and wondering about a new subject, this year around the admiration for subject grew on one side; on the other we had loads of fun!
As we were already attenuated to the system, it was easier to get our work done on time – a cake walk! We had plenty of time on hand, and lot of people around staying together, just translated to more fun. We spent most of the evenings together, walking around the streets of the small town. If one had to make the evening special then it had to be a temple visit! There is definitely an aura around temples that is inexplicable. It is just so wonderful to sit in a temple premise, stare into the open sky and listen to your friend talk ;) And just when you are to wind up, you realize they are distributing ‘Prasadham’, as you extend your hands to help yourself, yummy ‘Kozhukattai’ are placed onto your palms. Sure we ate loads of them, smacking our lips, to our heart’s content.
In a small town, what can keep you excited and on your toes? Food!! We conducted several experiments to make sure our taste buds were working perfectly fine ;) “Bring it on” was the only phrase uttered when we entered the restaurants! I can’t leave this space without mentioning about the Ice creams @ SVS, the stack of south Indian tiffin @ SR and the long wait @ MC to get to the Chicken legs! The biggest entertainment of the stay was our visit to the theatre to watch a movie – the excitement over entering the cinema hall and grabbing your seats first just died down as the movie progressed ;) Nevertheless a first experience to relish. Our craving for good food didn’t stop with venturing at nights; we even found a shack for lunch that served mouth watering home food – Can’t beat their fish curry – yummy!
The lessons were interesting at times, boring otherwise. We definitely did get pointers to many other sources – the best you could expect out of a few days contact program. We were provided glimpses of variant theories; I could draw parallel to Eastern psychology/philosophy - interesting bits to be explored further. The lectures in parts stimulated many thoughts and questions, reading more books and closely working with experienced professionals only would help one garner more knowledge and expertise. The course ends with appearing for theory examination mid next year but the learning will continue.
Monday, September 6, 2010
It is that time of the year - contest season @ Toastmasters
4th September 2010 - Humorous and Evaluation contests at our club - Wordsmiths Toastmasters !
I have been attending Humorous contests for the last 2 seasons, and this year i participated in the humorous contest! My participation in an Humorous contest is an achievement by itself considering the fact that i have no funny bones :)
Contests in Toastmasters always remain the same - great camaraderie and healthy competitive spirit, this year was no exception. There were 7 contestants in Humorous speech contest and 8 contestants in Evaluation contest. Before the onset of the contest, the contestants were seen grouped together sharing light moments and motivating one another.
The standards of the humorous contest was mind blowing. All the contestants were at their hilarious best, the audience had a beautiful evening laughing out loud. My experience of being at the contests affirms the fact that - "Contest brings out the best in you". The contestants varied from having 2 months to 3-4 years of Toastmaster experience, competing on par with each other.
Participation in this contest was yet another lovely experience, being my first in a Humorous contest, i had taken this as an opportunity to better certain areas of my speaking skills. I concentrated on experimenting with my body language and voice variation as i focused on being a little dramatic shedding my own imprinted style of delivery. Voila! It worked. My biggest take away from the contest was the compliments and acknowledgments i received from fellow toastmasters who did see an improvement and a change of style. Of course i did get suggestions on how i can improve further. Compliments from a veteran Toastmaster who has seen me delivery speeches from very early on made my day :) Lot of finer details had been recognized!
One suggestion that i have been receiving for a long time now is about my voice - the softness :( With this delivery i was able to bring variations when i delivered dialogues but a Toastmaster who saw me speak for the first time told me, i was soft. **Still**
A good friend of mine did a remarkable job with his delivery in the Humorous contest he was rightly bestowed the second place. Now! you have got to better this buddy ;)
The contest ended with smiles, hand shakes and hugs! Kudos to everyone who made the contest a memorable event, The contest chair, contest Masters, Judges, Role players, contestants and the audience.
Winners from Wordsmith
Humorous contest
1. Rajeev Nambiar
2. Krishnan chidambaram
3. Divya Palaniappan
Evaluation contest
1. Divya Palaniappan
2. Rajeev Nambiar
3. Krishnan chidambaram
Congratulations !!
We missed our Toastmaster friends, who are away on official assignments abroad. You were definitely on our minds!
I have been attending Humorous contests for the last 2 seasons, and this year i participated in the humorous contest! My participation in an Humorous contest is an achievement by itself considering the fact that i have no funny bones :)
Contests in Toastmasters always remain the same - great camaraderie and healthy competitive spirit, this year was no exception. There were 7 contestants in Humorous speech contest and 8 contestants in Evaluation contest. Before the onset of the contest, the contestants were seen grouped together sharing light moments and motivating one another.
The standards of the humorous contest was mind blowing. All the contestants were at their hilarious best, the audience had a beautiful evening laughing out loud. My experience of being at the contests affirms the fact that - "Contest brings out the best in you". The contestants varied from having 2 months to 3-4 years of Toastmaster experience, competing on par with each other.
Participation in this contest was yet another lovely experience, being my first in a Humorous contest, i had taken this as an opportunity to better certain areas of my speaking skills. I concentrated on experimenting with my body language and voice variation as i focused on being a little dramatic shedding my own imprinted style of delivery. Voila! It worked. My biggest take away from the contest was the compliments and acknowledgments i received from fellow toastmasters who did see an improvement and a change of style. Of course i did get suggestions on how i can improve further. Compliments from a veteran Toastmaster who has seen me delivery speeches from very early on made my day :) Lot of finer details had been recognized!
One suggestion that i have been receiving for a long time now is about my voice - the softness :( With this delivery i was able to bring variations when i delivered dialogues but a Toastmaster who saw me speak for the first time told me, i was soft. **Still**
A good friend of mine did a remarkable job with his delivery in the Humorous contest he was rightly bestowed the second place. Now! you have got to better this buddy ;)
The contest ended with smiles, hand shakes and hugs! Kudos to everyone who made the contest a memorable event, The contest chair, contest Masters, Judges, Role players, contestants and the audience.
Winners from Wordsmith
Humorous contest
1. Rajeev Nambiar
2. Krishnan chidambaram
3. Divya Palaniappan
Evaluation contest
1. Divya Palaniappan
2. Rajeev Nambiar
3. Krishnan chidambaram
Congratulations !!
We missed our Toastmaster friends, who are away on official assignments abroad. You were definitely on our minds!
Monday, August 30, 2010
Quaint encounter
The weather was pleasant as I drove from the basement car park. I was driving back from office. I stopped for a while on the road to adjust the straps of my footwear. As I started to get back on to the road, a guy hit me from the right. He was speeding on his bike on the road that was wet. Bang ! He swerved and fell. The mistake was on both the sides to be honest. I should have been in control to stop in spite of the low visibility due to rain. He shouldn’t have intended to cut me, could have slowed down on seeing me. Anyways I decided to wait for him to recover and signaled an apology – Mistake No 1. He asked me to come to sides, which I obliged – Mistake No 2.
“Look at what you have done”.
“Ok. Sorry” (Shouldn’t accept your mistake at all times)
“Why did you come like that?”
“You weren’t right either”
“Look at my bike”
The bike had one visible mark in the doom.
“Ok”
“See what has happened to my bike”
“What should I do?”
“Look”
“What do you want now?”
“Give me money”
“I don’t have money”
“I will file a case against you”
“Ok. Please do”
He didn’t expect that response.
“No! I want money”
He became quite aggressive
“You are driving a car, how can you not have money?”
“Get down”
“I fell down. Did you fall? Come out.”
I wish his words were so decent, but it wasn’t. He showed no respect. Thank God he didn’t use abusive language. He was so close to the window pane. I would have given him money if only he had the right attitude. For a second, I even thought may be he is not well do and this damage would mean a lot to him, but not with his behavior. I felt if I had taken my wallet to give money he would have just grabbed it. He didn’t let me raise the window pane. He was literally harassing me, he tried to force me out of car. It was getting beyond my control. I just backed up and drove away.
He was one male chauvinist with a very low self-esteem. Sometimes it is not worth empathizing with others. Though I was in the background relating to his psychology to co-operate, it wasn’t the right moment. One positive thing to have happened is I kept my cool all through out and wasn’t provoked.
It’s sad that such incidents make you less responsible socially. The next time anything of this sort I encounter, my instant reaction would be drive. It is more important to secure myself than think of the men of such low stature.
I wish and pray he heals mentally and physically from the effects of this incident.
“Look at what you have done”.
“Ok. Sorry” (Shouldn’t accept your mistake at all times)
“Why did you come like that?”
“You weren’t right either”
“Look at my bike”
The bike had one visible mark in the doom.
“Ok”
“See what has happened to my bike”
“What should I do?”
“Look”
“What do you want now?”
“Give me money”
“I don’t have money”
“I will file a case against you”
“Ok. Please do”
He didn’t expect that response.
“No! I want money”
He became quite aggressive
“You are driving a car, how can you not have money?”
“Get down”
“I fell down. Did you fall? Come out.”
I wish his words were so decent, but it wasn’t. He showed no respect. Thank God he didn’t use abusive language. He was so close to the window pane. I would have given him money if only he had the right attitude. For a second, I even thought may be he is not well do and this damage would mean a lot to him, but not with his behavior. I felt if I had taken my wallet to give money he would have just grabbed it. He didn’t let me raise the window pane. He was literally harassing me, he tried to force me out of car. It was getting beyond my control. I just backed up and drove away.
He was one male chauvinist with a very low self-esteem. Sometimes it is not worth empathizing with others. Though I was in the background relating to his psychology to co-operate, it wasn’t the right moment. One positive thing to have happened is I kept my cool all through out and wasn’t provoked.
It’s sad that such incidents make you less responsible socially. The next time anything of this sort I encounter, my instant reaction would be drive. It is more important to secure myself than think of the men of such low stature.
I wish and pray he heals mentally and physically from the effects of this incident.
Monday, August 23, 2010
Stepping into the sixth..
I didn't want to look back and say, "I have completed 5 years of my career in the IT industry" rather i am looking ahead, today i begin another year :-) It is a new beginning, a new phase in my career. I channeled a mixed set of emotions as i walked away from my work place this evening! Only time can define that emotion !
It is hard not to be reminiscing on an anniversary. I feel so delighted for my batch mates who have successfully completed the 5 years in their First company :) In the age of Naukris and Monsters, it is feat by itself. Kudos !! On a personal front, i have seen varied work culture, contrasting people, diversified business strategies, rooted to one technology and one domain. Great exposure !!
At this moment i really want to thank my Colleagues without whom the whole journey would have taken a different route. A special mention to my Managers @ HCL Technologies, you will always be remembered :) Thank you !!
I am stepping into the sixth with the same enthusiasm and curiosity as on Day 1 !! A new place - new challenges that would redefine my experience. Wishing me an enriching journey ahead :)
It is hard not to be reminiscing on an anniversary. I feel so delighted for my batch mates who have successfully completed the 5 years in their First company :) In the age of Naukris and Monsters, it is feat by itself. Kudos !! On a personal front, i have seen varied work culture, contrasting people, diversified business strategies, rooted to one technology and one domain. Great exposure !!
At this moment i really want to thank my Colleagues without whom the whole journey would have taken a different route. A special mention to my Managers @ HCL Technologies, you will always be remembered :) Thank you !!
I am stepping into the sixth with the same enthusiasm and curiosity as on Day 1 !! A new place - new challenges that would redefine my experience. Wishing me an enriching journey ahead :)
Saturday, August 21, 2010
The fateful night - Part 2
The cop was retrieving the messages and calls registered from Riya’s mobile. The last message received was from Avinash at 12.30 saying “Good Night Honey!!” The post mortem report says she died around 12.30. Did he kill her and send the message to circumvent the investigation? The cigarette butts at the corner of his desk was disturbing, he found them near Riya’s gate. A half burnt cigarette of the same brand was found in her home. These were the only clues to the investigation. A mobile phone, cigarette butts and one half burnt.
*****
“I thought she had slept. Didn’t imagine an untoward incident to occur uncle”.
“Calm down my son”.
“It is when she didn’t pick my call in the morning I got really anxious and that’s when you called and I hid my trepidation”.
“What do you think could have happened? Who could it be?”
“The police suspect me. They questioned me with a suspicion eye. Why would I do it uncle, why? why?”
“It is their duty to suspect”.
“Uncle, you know it’s not me”.
“Of course, I know”.
“Thanks Uncle”.
“The culprits will be punished by God; my dear daughter doesn’t deserve such a farewell”.
Clasped hands, the two men broke down seeking for divine intervention.
****
Avinash doesn’t smoke. Riya and Avinash were a happy couple; small tiffs but never anything out of bounds. The investigation was reaching a dead end but there was no explanation to the cigarette butts.
The police began investigating the angle of Riya’s other male friends having vested interest in her.
“Do you know Riya’s friends? How was their relation?”
“Yes. We are all good friends.”
“Anybody was interested in Riya? Did she reject any proposals?”
”One of our seniors proposed to her. She ignored him but he never troubled her”.
“Give me his details. Does he smoke?”
“I am not sure”.
“Did you go with any other friends on the night of her death?”
“No. We were alone”.
“Nobody knew where you were?”
“No.”
“You told me the car broke down. Did anyone help?”
“No.”
“Think my boy. It’s your Riya. Who helped you with break down?”
“The driver did it all himself.”
“The driver?”
“Yes. I told we hired a cab. And…”
“And..?”
“The driver was a heavy smoker.”
“Details of the cab?”
“I know the cab operator’s.”
“Come. Let us go”
*****
Kring..Kring! Kringgg..Kringgggggg!!!
Riya came running down the stairs, hurriedly opened the door.
“Sir did not give me the full payment madam. He gave only 900. The bill is 1300”
“He paid you 1300. I counted the money as well. Check properly”.
His breath was filled with alcoholic odor.
“You come tomorrow and sort it out”.
He pushed the door open throwing her to the floor.
“I need money right now.”
“I don’t have any. Go out”
He was rummaging her house, threatening her with a knife.
She didn’t want to give money to a silly drunkard. She fought him and ran upstairs to grab her mobile from the table when he got jeopardized and stabbed her in fear.
Her phone beeped. “Good Night Honey!!”
*****
“I thought she had slept. Didn’t imagine an untoward incident to occur uncle”.
“Calm down my son”.
“It is when she didn’t pick my call in the morning I got really anxious and that’s when you called and I hid my trepidation”.
“What do you think could have happened? Who could it be?”
“The police suspect me. They questioned me with a suspicion eye. Why would I do it uncle, why? why?”
“It is their duty to suspect”.
“Uncle, you know it’s not me”.
“Of course, I know”.
“Thanks Uncle”.
“The culprits will be punished by God; my dear daughter doesn’t deserve such a farewell”.
Clasped hands, the two men broke down seeking for divine intervention.
****
Avinash doesn’t smoke. Riya and Avinash were a happy couple; small tiffs but never anything out of bounds. The investigation was reaching a dead end but there was no explanation to the cigarette butts.
The police began investigating the angle of Riya’s other male friends having vested interest in her.
“Do you know Riya’s friends? How was their relation?”
“Yes. We are all good friends.”
“Anybody was interested in Riya? Did she reject any proposals?”
”One of our seniors proposed to her. She ignored him but he never troubled her”.
“Give me his details. Does he smoke?”
“I am not sure”.
“Did you go with any other friends on the night of her death?”
“No. We were alone”.
“Nobody knew where you were?”
“No.”
“You told me the car broke down. Did anyone help?”
“No.”
“Think my boy. It’s your Riya. Who helped you with break down?”
“The driver did it all himself.”
“The driver?”
“Yes. I told we hired a cab. And…”
“And..?”
“The driver was a heavy smoker.”
“Details of the cab?”
“I know the cab operator’s.”
“Come. Let us go”
*****
Kring..Kring! Kringgg..Kringgggggg!!!
Riya came running down the stairs, hurriedly opened the door.
“Sir did not give me the full payment madam. He gave only 900. The bill is 1300”
“He paid you 1300. I counted the money as well. Check properly”.
His breath was filled with alcoholic odor.
“You come tomorrow and sort it out”.
He pushed the door open throwing her to the floor.
“I need money right now.”
“I don’t have any. Go out”
He was rummaging her house, threatening her with a knife.
She didn’t want to give money to a silly drunkard. She fought him and ran upstairs to grab her mobile from the table when he got jeopardized and stabbed her in fear.
Her phone beeped. “Good Night Honey!!”
Monday, August 16, 2010
The fateful night - Part 1
Kring..Kring! Kringgg..Kringgggggg!!!
The Door bell.
"Riya..Riya.."We are home. Open the door!!
Riya’s mom hesitantly turns the door knob and the door hinges give way. She peeps in as her husband collects the luggage from their car. They have returned from their relative’s wedding in a nearby town.
She walks in leaving the door ajar. Her home wasn’t quite the same place as she left it a day before, it was amiss. The cushions were thrown off the sofa; the magazines were fluttering as the pedestal fan swung from side to side. As her gaze shifted, she spotted a broken idol of Lord Ganesha at the corner. A flower pot was kicked centered at the stairway. The curtains had been pulled down and dragged along.
“Megha! What is gone wrong here? Where is Riya?”
Her heart starts pounding harder. Her sweaty palm fails to clasp the rails. She misses her step and stumbles. They run up the stairs to find their daughter in a pool of blood. The world swirled around them. They gasped for breath.
The mobile rings; clenched in her hands the mobile rings. They were unable to move, fixated by the sequence of events that had unfolded.
Avinash calling…
Avinash(23) was registered under the missed call list.
Her father calls Avinash.
“Uncle, Riya is doing fine here. When are you and Aunty coming back?”
“Uncle, why are you shuddering? Where are you? Is there a problem out there?”
“When did you last speak to Riya?”
“Last night uncle. She is doing fine. Don’t worry. “
“Come home.”
Avinash was worried. “Did Uncle find out we met last night at home in their absence?”
He hurriedly parked his bike and rushed in. He was terrified at the sight of cops standing guard in front of the house. The distant wails intensified his trepidation. As he approached the entrance, he felt very obnoxious; the strewn petals and foot wears made him queasy.
****
Avinash was taken in for questioning.
“Did you meet her yesterday?”
“Yes, we did.”
“When did you last see her and where?”
“At 11 last night. We had gone out together and I dropped her back home”
“Where did you go?”
“We went to Mahabalipuram.”
“How long have you known her?”
“We have been seeing each other for the last 2 years.”
“How was your trip yesterday?”
“Memorable.”
“Did you have any misunderstandings during the trip?”
“I wish I did. I would have stayed back with her.”
“Did you pick up a fight or an argument?”
“I told you, I wish.”
“She was last seen with you.”
“Perhaps.”
“That’s all we know. You got to explain what happened when you dropped her, as you claim.”
“We spent some time talking and I started from her house around 12.”
“I heard it as 11 before.”
“We came back at 11, but we spent some time together”
“Did you see anything unusual around her house when you left? Did she come out of her home to say bye?”
“No, she stayed indoors. I shut the automatic door to lock. Nothing unusual”.
“Is there any information you want to share that you think may be vital for this investigation?”
“Not any that I summon now”
“Any incident or person that has bothered Riya in the last few days.”
“No.”
“Do you guys always return home late?”
“The car broke down and hence the delay.”
“Car ! ”
“yes, we had hired a cab”
“ Did you pick up any fights on your way back home. Any accidents?”
“I would have told you if we did.”
“Ok Avinash. You can go home. We will get in touch with you if we require your help further. ” The cop grinned and gave Avinash a pat.
Avinash had no clue on who could have possibly done such a horrendous act. Riya was a simple, humble girl, she didn’t have any foes.
****
He entered her house. Uncle was morbidly reading the newspaper, while aunty was resting on the dining table chin down. Her face was swollen; her eyes were read and wet. He couldn’t believe at the imagery unfolding in a once lively home. Riya would come running down cheerfully to greet him, but today he was left only with those visions.
“What happened that night?”
“When I dropped Riya at home, everything was normal.”
“Did you speak to her after you left?”
“No. She didn’t pick my call. “
*****
The Door bell.
"Riya..Riya.."We are home. Open the door!!
Riya’s mom hesitantly turns the door knob and the door hinges give way. She peeps in as her husband collects the luggage from their car. They have returned from their relative’s wedding in a nearby town.
She walks in leaving the door ajar. Her home wasn’t quite the same place as she left it a day before, it was amiss. The cushions were thrown off the sofa; the magazines were fluttering as the pedestal fan swung from side to side. As her gaze shifted, she spotted a broken idol of Lord Ganesha at the corner. A flower pot was kicked centered at the stairway. The curtains had been pulled down and dragged along.
“Megha! What is gone wrong here? Where is Riya?”
Her heart starts pounding harder. Her sweaty palm fails to clasp the rails. She misses her step and stumbles. They run up the stairs to find their daughter in a pool of blood. The world swirled around them. They gasped for breath.
The mobile rings; clenched in her hands the mobile rings. They were unable to move, fixated by the sequence of events that had unfolded.
Avinash calling…
Avinash(23) was registered under the missed call list.
Her father calls Avinash.
“Uncle, Riya is doing fine here. When are you and Aunty coming back?”
“Uncle, why are you shuddering? Where are you? Is there a problem out there?”
“When did you last speak to Riya?”
“Last night uncle. She is doing fine. Don’t worry. “
“Come home.”
Avinash was worried. “Did Uncle find out we met last night at home in their absence?”
He hurriedly parked his bike and rushed in. He was terrified at the sight of cops standing guard in front of the house. The distant wails intensified his trepidation. As he approached the entrance, he felt very obnoxious; the strewn petals and foot wears made him queasy.
****
Avinash was taken in for questioning.
“Did you meet her yesterday?”
“Yes, we did.”
“When did you last see her and where?”
“At 11 last night. We had gone out together and I dropped her back home”
“Where did you go?”
“We went to Mahabalipuram.”
“How long have you known her?”
“We have been seeing each other for the last 2 years.”
“How was your trip yesterday?”
“Memorable.”
“Did you have any misunderstandings during the trip?”
“I wish I did. I would have stayed back with her.”
“Did you pick up a fight or an argument?”
“I told you, I wish.”
“She was last seen with you.”
“Perhaps.”
“That’s all we know. You got to explain what happened when you dropped her, as you claim.”
“We spent some time talking and I started from her house around 12.”
“I heard it as 11 before.”
“We came back at 11, but we spent some time together”
“Did you see anything unusual around her house when you left? Did she come out of her home to say bye?”
“No, she stayed indoors. I shut the automatic door to lock. Nothing unusual”.
“Is there any information you want to share that you think may be vital for this investigation?”
“Not any that I summon now”
“Any incident or person that has bothered Riya in the last few days.”
“No.”
“Do you guys always return home late?”
“The car broke down and hence the delay.”
“Car ! ”
“yes, we had hired a cab”
“ Did you pick up any fights on your way back home. Any accidents?”
“I would have told you if we did.”
“Ok Avinash. You can go home. We will get in touch with you if we require your help further. ” The cop grinned and gave Avinash a pat.
Avinash had no clue on who could have possibly done such a horrendous act. Riya was a simple, humble girl, she didn’t have any foes.
****
He entered her house. Uncle was morbidly reading the newspaper, while aunty was resting on the dining table chin down. Her face was swollen; her eyes were read and wet. He couldn’t believe at the imagery unfolding in a once lively home. Riya would come running down cheerfully to greet him, but today he was left only with those visions.
“What happened that night?”
“When I dropped Riya at home, everything was normal.”
“Did you speak to her after you left?”
“No. She didn’t pick my call. “
*****
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