Sameera

Thought today will be fruitful. But here I am stranded in this forest with these police officers, creepy creatures lurking in the forest and this dead body .

I am sure enough the metaphysical ghost of this dead body is currently watching me express my boredom and irritation, while the cops are investigating his murder mystery.

They all must think I am a very unprofessional journalist. That thought crossed my mind a minute earlier. But what is the point of me asking questions whose answers are still unknown to the cops?

So I decided to sit quietly watching and listening to every detail about this murder case so that I can shower officer Sharma with questions later when he drops me home.

It's already 3:40 pm by now. I am pretending to enjoy the natural serenity so that no one would know I am taking mental notes of the murder case.

As much as I have gathered till now, the incident happened this morning between 5.00 am to 6.00 am, as they still need to figure out the exact time after the forensic results come out.

This mostly looks like an accident as the person was drunk and fell off the cliff on a very rough, uneven, rock hard surface, hit his head, and due to brain injury died immediately. But there are signs of struggle on the body, as if the person was trying to free himself from something or rather someone prior to death.

And he hurt his forehead while he fell but there is a fatal injury on the back of his head which concludes he was hit from behind first and then fell from the cliff at the exact location where he would hit his head and this would seem like an accident or a suicide attempt.

Whoever devised this plan was an idiot to hit the person at the back of his head first. He must have thought that it will ensure his death. It did, and along with it gave away proof that this 'accident' is only a facade.

I hope boss will forgive me for leaving the interview spot and going missing for the rest of the working hours when I  present him this murder case report.

I saw officer Arav coming towards me. I have decided to call him by his first name.

I tried my best to pretend to not notice him and started blowing whistle with my mouth. I am a good whistler by the way. Been practicing since teenage.

"Get in the Jeep. We are leaving." He ordered me and got in the vehicle.

I followed his actions and got in myself.

After settling in I asked, "What about others? Don't tell me you are leaving that poor dead body behind all alone just because no one had claimed him yet." I pouted.

He gave out a small chuckle and said, "No one's leaving the poor, unclaimed dead body behind. They will take it to the hospital for postmortem. We are leaving earlier so I can drop you off and finish some paperwork at the police station."

Before I could react he started the Jeep and in less than 10 minutes we were out of the forest. I am so glad I am finally out of that freaky forest.

Finding the perfect opportunity I started our conversation, "You said you are new in town. Where are you from?" I hope he replies.

"I am from Goa. I got transferred here a couple of months ago. What about you? Where do you live?" He replied. Nice, the plan is working.

"I am sharing a rental apartment with two other roommates near my work place. I am from Delhi by the way. I moved here 2 years ago when I got this job. Before that I worked as an intern at a local newspaper office in Delhi. I love my job here. Do you like your job here?" What a stupid question is that? Of course he does. Why else would he be here?

"Yes, I do love my job. I just need a little bit more time to adjust. I am feeling a bit homesick lately, but nothing that can't be dealt with. So are you going to tell me your address so that I can drop you home or do you still have any other questions left to ask?" Right I totally forgot.

I gave him my address and instructed the way.

After a minute of silence I started again, "The cases must be tiring. Especially murder cases. like the one you had today. What exactly do you think must have happened to him?" I came straight to the point not being able to handle my curiosity.

Though I know what happened for most of the part but he must know better than me. After all he is a cop.

"If you are looking for a good news story to compensate your lack of professionalism today then you should have paid attention while we were investigating." He complained.

"Of course I was attentive. You just didn't know. I can summarise the case to you right now if you doubt my professionalism." I replied.

He didn't look convinced.

So I spat all the information I have gathered attentively from their discussion. And guess what? He was giving me the impressed-cum-surprised look.

"What can I say, I am full of surprises." I replied with a proud smirk on my face.

"You really did surprise me. You remembered all this information without taking verbal notes. I must say I am impressed." He commented with a genuine smile.

"Sorry to say, I have no extra information for you other than what you already know. Until forensic results arrive we can't be sure. So you have to wait." He replied.

As disappointing as it was I think I heard something else. Something useful.

"So you will let me know when the results arrive, right? " I asked him with pleading eyes.

"I will if my mind doesn't change about your professionalism." That remark earned him a penetrating glare from me.

"Though I will have to convince my superiors first. I am not officially in charge of the case yet." He replied to escape my angry glare. Guess that will suffice for now.

"Thanks officer Arav. You were a great help today. I am indebted to you. I promise to repay you by showing you around the town whenever you are not busy with such murder mysteries. Deal?" I waited for him to shake hands with me and seal the deal.

"Deal." He shook hands with me, keeping our hands connected for more than 30 seconds. First time handshakes aren't meant to last that long, are they?

As if getting out of some trance he withdrew his hand and gazed outside, looking for something.

"And I suppose this is your stop."  I looked outside to see the 'News Flash' sign board and logo, an intertwined, cursive NF. I remember he said he doesn't know where the office was.

I gave him a glare of accusation when he immediately replied, "I followed the GPS. I suppose you have some explaining to do with your boss and colleagues before you head back to your apartment."

"Yes, I do. I think it's better if I explain to them everything today rather than tomorrow. Thanks again for the lift."

And before I could say anything else his phone rang. He picked it up and said, "Emergency, gotta go, bye." And he left.

____________________________________

I entered my office, and as expected, was immediately bombarded with people asking me a series of unending questions. Now I understand how people must feel when journalists bombard them with an unending series of questions.

I noticed everyone was in the corridor including boss himself.

"Where were you Sameera? You just vanished from the slum. We looked around the area, you weren't there. Your phone was switched off. What happened?" Asked Anwar bhaijaan in one single breath.

I was again the center of attention. Everyone's eyes were glued to me waiting for my response.

"I was lost in the forest." I said and explained my crazy day. After listening to my convincing enough explanation they all sighed in unison and got back to their respective work.

Boss announced to me and my crew, "In my cabin. Right now." I know what is to come next.

We went into his cabin, got seated. Then boss started, "Sameera, your crew has already given me their report. So only you are left to give me your report. I want it by tomorrow morning. Then we are going to have a little chat about maintaining professionalism." At least I have tonight to think of an excuse.

"Of course sir. I will submit my report by tomorrow morning. And I take full responsibility for my careless behavior. But I also hope that you will consider the information of the murder case I have. It could be a great story and we will be the first news channel to broadcast it. I am sorry I don't have much evidence with me but luckily I was able to steal one photograph of the dead man that the police had taken. I will submit the complete report to you tomorrow." I said in a very apologetic and professional voice. Hope it works and my bonus stays intact.

"Fine. Give all the information to Anwar. He will continue the proceedings. You may leave now. Go home, finish your work and report me tomorrow. And be careful enough to not repeat such mistakes next time." Then he gestured for us to leave.

Coming out of boss's cabin, Anwar bhaijaan gave a longing hug as I had been missing for weeks, not just hours. Not that I wouldn't have freaked out if was in his place.

I gave all the information to Anwar bhaijaan about the murder case. He gave me a proud pat on my shoulder and called a cab to drop me home. I insisted on walking. But he was adamant.

"You spent the day lost in those creepy woods and still managed to come back safely along with a news report. That's enough for one day. Right now stop arguing, and do as you are told. Let me know when you reach home safely." Those were the final words (verdict to be precise) of bhaijaan to me before the cab arrived. So I took the cab and as soon as I reached my apartment I became euphoric.