Arav

I came back when she left in the taxi to make sure she doesn't try to proceed with her Jungle Safari plan. She seems to have a thing for them. We met twice in the last 24 hours, both times in this forest. As much as I have inferred till now, she is a passionate and smart journalist.

Though she was stranded in an awful situation, she paid full attention to the murder case scenario yesterday and I was quite surprised by how she remembered each bit of information that my colleagues and I mentioned in her presence, without any written notes.

And not to forget the reason she entered the forest in the first place. She was trying to help a kid she never met and is still trying to find her to make sure her safety even after my constant reassurance. This shows how good of a human being she is.

Yesterday I came to this 'freaky forest', as Sameera calls it, with 3 of my colleagues, one of them being a forensic expert, other one was my partner for the said case and the 3rd was our superior officer.

I just transferred to the local police station a couple of months ago as a junior officer, making it the first murder case I am assigned to as until now I was only dealing with local thieves and con artists.

It's been 2 and a half years of my service in the police department of Goa, my hometown. My parents always wanted me to become a police officer like my chachu (paternal uncle), my dad's younger brother. Despite having a well established family business, my father encouraged us to be productive for our country, not just our own family.

Both of them had been a great source inspiration, for me and my elder brother. My brother joined army the same year I graduated from college. Even though Shiv Chachu (Uncle Shiv) wasn't with us, his teachings guided me throughout my journey to this day.

He died as a hero during a terrorist shootout in Mumbai, when I was only 12. And here I am in the same place, following his footsteps, making my family proud.

I was so excited about this and did the best I could to look for clues. Along with some wild dog's claw marks, I found a fair skinned girl with average height, straight jet black hair, reaching few inches below her shoulder, that match the black colour of her irises.

She was lost in the forest to find a 5 year old girl who she claimed entered into the forest. That got my attention along with the information that she heard howls of animals in the forest, whereas I heard none since the time I had arrived.

But I believed her thinking that maybe I wasn't paying attention being too much indulged in finding any trace of the murderer. Plus her eyes and other nonverbal expressions gave out the fact that she wasn't lying.

I checked her ID card to avoid being fooled. It was authentic and to double-check, later that day, I investigated her background which proved the truth in her words.

I offered her help and acted all calm and composed around her but she caught me off guard when she asked for my ID.

Did she not believe me? Don't I look like a police officer in my uniform? I questioned myself and frankly speaking,I was a bit angry.

I mean I was looking for a murderer and she seems to be a perfect suspect at the time but I believed her and even promised to help her, even after she lied to me at first. Then why would she think of me as an imposter?

But then I realised her profession and current stranded situation really don't help with trusting a stranger claiming to be a police officer in the middle of the forest, near a slum full of various anti-socials.

I only checked her ID to get even with her. I wanted her to feel the hurt I felt by her words of disbelief. Though I still can't understand why her lack of trust in me hurt me so much? It's not like I pay much attention to what a pretty stranger thinks about me. Maybe I felt so because I trusted her words and expected the same from her.

After confirming my identity, she followed me like an obedient child. On the way she kept looking around constantly for any traces of the lost little girl. I did too, but not as anxiously as she did.

I noticed she was fond of nature especially when she stopped to admire the waterfall. I too admire nature's creative arts. Though at that moment, I didn't pay much attention to the natural mega shower. Instead, I found myself stealing glances at the stubborn damsel in distress. She was as fresh and beautiful as the waterfall. So full of energy.

Though she didn't mention the wolf then, whom she claims she saw at that same spot yesterday. I wonder how someone can forget seeing a wolf with the features she described, given the wolf had something to do with the authenticity of the news story she was working on.

When I spotted her today, I was confused and excited at the same time. I thought she came to talk to me about the murder case.

I came here with my partner to look for clues regarding the case. When I went to her and asked the reason of her reappearance, the response I got was unexpectedly shocking.

A thought crossed my mind at that moment. Maybe she is traumatized by yesterday's events.

But I couldn't say it straight to her face, now could I? The volcano of her anger would have devoured me straight up and spat my residuals out in a matter of seconds.

But I obviously was not letting her go into that forest all alone. It could have been dangerous for her. So I denied her the permission to go in. But she protested, as I was expecting.

After a lot of efforts from my side, she finally gave up. For the time being I convinced her to go back. I promised I will look into the matter myself and let her know. She left me no choice. To be honest, I too wanted to test her theory of the so called wolf by the waterfall.

I was so centered on sending her back that it slipped my mind she had nothing to contact me with. I felt so embarrassed at my silly behavior.

What can I say? She has an unusual way of getting on my nerves. I immediately composed my thoughts and gave her my cell number. She handed me hers in return.

After she left I joined my partner, Shatish Deshmukh.

"Where were you Arav? Did you find anything?" Shatish asked.

I can't tell him the details. Though I have to tell him a reason to let me enter the jungle, alone. I meant it when I promised Sameera I will look into the matter.

"I met the journalist that I helped yesterday. She came here for collecting some information she couldn't yesterday for her news story. I was just saying hello. What about you? What did you find?"

"I asked some locals if they noticed anything suspicious, but no one did. Let's see if there is anything in the forest." He said and proceeded towards the forest's direction.

Stop him. It rang like a warning bell and I immediately went after him. I came in front of him to stop him in his tracks.

"You don't have to. I'll do it. I have searched most parts of the forest yesterday. You should search that side of the forest where the dead body was found. I'll search this side. That way we can cover more space in less time. Right?" I waited for his reply.

"You are right. I'll go to the other side. Contact me as soon as you find something. And be careful. Don't let the wild bugs bite you." He said with a playful smile.

Satish is very easy to talk to and funny most of the time. We were batchmates during our training period. Though we never had much time for interaction, since our first meeting we became good friends. He has become one of my closest friends in a short period of time.

It's a relief to have him here as my partner, as he trusts me enough to let me investigate on my own. While others at the police station are treating me like a newbie.

With a high five he left the place. I take a deep breath and walk into the forest. I take each step carefully, careful to not cause loud noise of footsteps.

After a while my phone buzzed as I kept it on silent mode. I answered the call, "Hello. Who?"

"It's your partner. Are you already bitten by a bug that causes memory loss? You should have stayed with me Arav." He said with a playful chuckle.

"No one bit me and my memory is intact. Its just I answered without looking at the Caller ID. Why did you call anyway?" I ask.

"I called to inform you that I have arrived at the crime scene. Right now I am on the cliff the body fell from and I guess I found some footprints. I am positive I'll find something useful here. What about you?" Now that's some good news.

"I am still on it. Will let you know soon. Oh, and look around for any traces of the little girl I told you about. It will be helpful." I request him.

"You mean it will be helpful for your journalist friend. Right? I will." He assured me without any mischievous remarks as many of my colleagues did  the day I brought Sameera on to the crime scene with me.

Satish is very understanding in such matters. And he has eagle eyes to look for clues.

"I'll call you later. Bye." I disconnected the call and proceeded.

I kept walking, searching every nook and cranny. I'll have to head back before darkness engulfs the environment.

Satish left half an hour ago to report at the police station of the evidence he found. I had my bike so I stayed late. I am deep in the forest. I spotted the waterfall and climbed the cliff. The view was nice. I saw the setting sun spreading shades of orange in the light blue sky. Birds returning to their nests in flocks.

I have searched a lot but found none of those dangerous howls or wolves that Sameera mentioned. As the darkness covered the might sky, I knew I had to leave.

I climbed off the cliff. Lighting up my battery operated torch I tried to find my way out. Keyword "tried". After  taking few steps out of the forest, I was forced by my police instincts to stop midway. Then I heard it. The howl I had been waiting all this time to hear.

I went in the direction of the noise. It was pitch dark by the time. I kept walking with a meter long, thick stick that I had picked up on the way for safety reasons. Not that I didn't have a gun but it would be immoral to use it on an animal.

Then I heard some shuffling around me, on the other side of the wild bushes. I turned back to find nothing. Then I turned to the front and bumped on something, nearly puncturing my nose.