Swathi's story thread|| OS: An Interval updated @ pg 3

HIDDEN SURPRISES

Note: Names mentioned here are real but their characters, places and other things mentioned here are purely fictional and not meant to hurt anyone. The story may seem boring but please bear with it as this is my first attempt. Please forgive me if there's any OTT element in this story.

July 20, 2016

Aditya has started moving back to his home after a long day's shooting at the Film city. He drives his car slowly with unease as a result of tiredness which was due to the hectic schedule. His mind and body needed rest. So he decides to take break for two days. His family members are out of station for a week. So he have to spend his night alone. The moment he enters the house, he gets refreshed quickly and goes to bed.

July 21, 2016

Time: 1.30 am

Aditya is sleeping in his room with a dim night-lamp. Suddenly he opens his eyes but not fully awake. He could see something glowing on his wall with fluorescence.

Since he is not fully awake, he thinks it is a dream and continues to sleep.

Time: 6.05 am

Aditya's phone snoozes and he slowly opens his eyes and wakes up. He switches off the night-lamp and switches the tube-light on. He didn't see anything in the wall as he saw at midnight. He comes down from the stairs and goes out to pick up the newspaper and the milk packets at his doorsteps. When he opens the door, he sees a beautiful flower bouquet placed upon the folded newspaper which is kept on the table outside. He sits on the chair near that table where he used to sit and read the newspaper. He picks the bouquet with a cute smile on his face. Suddenly a little bit of paper drops down. He bends down and takes the paper. He finds something written like this...

SURPISED...

THIS IS JUST A BEGINNING...

MORE SURPRISES ARE ON THE WAY...

WAIT AND SEE...

He didn't understand anything for sometime. He takes the newspaper and sees the date it is mentioned as July 21, 2016. He again smiles remembering his birthday and rubs his fingers at his forehand. Meanwhile he thinks who would have sent this gift to him. He peeps out and searches if there is anyone standing out but no one is there.

He takes the newspaper and bouquet carefully and goes inside the house. He goes to the kitchen to make a coffee for himself. When he is about to take the sugar he touches something strange. He finds something wrapped in a box. He removes the wrapper and opens the box. It is a beautifully designed teacup. On the teacup it is mentioned as

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ADITYA SRIVASTAVA

He finds another bit of paper inside the teacup. He reads it as

"THIS TEACUP WILL DEFINITELY WISH YOU HAPPY BIRTHDAY EVERY YEAR. HAPPY BIRTHDAY ADITYA

He gets puzzled who would have done it and becomes curious to know about the one who is surprising him. But he has no clue. So he continues to prepare coffee. He goes to the hall and drinks the coffee sitting in the sofa while giving a glance to the newspaper. He checks his mobile phone and finds inbox filled with birthday wishes.

After sometime, he takes a shower and goes into his room wearing a banyan and a trouser, wiping his hair forcer. The light in his room is still switched on. Then he recollects that he didn't turn off the light after leaving the room. He accuses himself for his forgetfulness. He opens his wardrobe and picks up a new white shirt which was presented by his wife for his birthday. Below that he finds a box wrapped with a blue gift wrapper. He picks the box and opens it with care, sitting on his bed. A coat in dark blue colour and a black shirt with a black pant is kept neatly packed. A card is found along with this packed dress. It shows

"THIS COSTUME IS FOR A HANDSOME MAN WITH A WONDERFUL PERSONALITY. HAPPY BIRTHDAY ADITYA'

Aditya thinks for a moment "When we shoot for CID we have to find something in order to arrest the culprit. Now I am there in same situation. It's like finding clues. Let's see what happens next and smiles to himself. The clock strikes seven and Aditya hears a different sound. He rushes to each room in his house leaving the light switched on his room. He finds an awesome wall clock hanging on the wall of one of the room. The wall clock has an oscillating pendulum and produces a good tune each hour. The words inscribed on it are...

"THIS PRECIOUS GIFT IS FOR THE PRECIOUS MAN

He stood stunned after reading these words. He goes back to his room speechless thinking of the person who is giving him shocking surprises. He wears the white shirt and a black pant and moves out of the room turning off the light. The room has become quite darker since the weather is cloudy. He turns back and finds the attractive fluorescent letters wishing him a happy birthday. He comes out of his room smiling and enters pooja room to pray God. Surprises are not ready to leave him... He finds a beautiful Ganesha idol and an idol of Laughing Buddha. He prays to God like, "All must be happy and with long lives. Please help me to know who is making me speechless. Though I am excited now, the curiosity to know about the person is not ready to spare me. Thank you God for everything you have given to me.

Time: 8.00 am

Aditya's phone is running out of battery. So he enters into the room which is next to his room to plug the phone with charger. There too he finds a small gift box. He unwraps and finds a small golden ring inside the box. The ring bears the initials AM (A for Aditya and M for Mansi, his wife). Again there's a bit of paper inside the box. He takes it patiently and reads it as

"This ring is for the man whose heart is pure as the gold

Suddenly he hears someone ringing the calling bell. He comes out and opens the door. A tall and handsome man, wearing light blue shirt and a jeans pant greets him.

Aditya: Daya! What a surprise!! See today is filled with full of surprises for me. Come in Daya.

Daya: Hi Aditya. I just now asked about you to the crew members. They told that you are on leave. And it was a long time back I visited your home. That's why I came today. And you look so handsome today. Anything special?

Aditya thinks "What Daya is asking like this? Usually he will be the first person to wish me. We are getting aged and are too busy in our work. So there's no offence in forgetting such things. Let it be.

Daya waves his hand in front of Aditya's face to bring him back to the present.

Daya: What happened Aditya? Are you alright? (Pointing to Aditya's ring finger which had a glittering golden ring The gift) This ring is too lovely. Who gave you this ring?

Aditya (smilingly): Nothing Daya. I'm alright. I'll explain everything later. What would you like to have? Tea or coffee?

Daya: No Bro, I had everything enough in the morning. I don't want anything now.

Aditya: What is this Daya? You are here after a long time. I won't spare you today. You must have something. Sit down in the sofa.

Daya (sits on the sofa): Okay Bro, get me a coffee then.

Aditya goes into the kitchen and comes to the hall with two cups of coffee after ten minutes. He gets shocked as Daya is not there in the hall. He keeps the coffee cups on the table and searches everywhere in the house. Then he rushes outside and searches for Daya but he is nowhere. He runs into the house calling "Daya! Daya!

He finds a big gift box on the table in the hall. He feels surprised once again. He sits patiently on the sofa and unwraps the gift. He takes out a big photo album with a beautifully designed cover. As he opens the photo album, he finds some lovely photos of himself with Daya and other CID members. He starts to look those pictures with a smiling face. At last he finds a paper kept inside the photo album. He starts reading the words written on the paper.

Dear Aditya,

When I met you for the first time, I never knew that we are going to be a part of a wonderful long journey. This journey made me understand the real essence of friendship. There were hard times where you have given a moral support and stood as a backbone for me. Time may not be constant, but memories will stay forever till our last breath. I thank the Almighty who has given me an amazing and true friend in my life. All the gifts you found were from the people who love you the most. These gifts will definitely give you wonderful memories throughout your life. Your smile always spreads happiness around us. So keep smiling. When you struggle, I will stay with you. I pray the Almighty to give you a happy, healthy and prosperous life. I wish you a very happy birthday from the bottom of my heart.

Yours lovingly,

Dayanand Shetty.

After reading this letter, Aditya smiles and raises his head with his eyes filled with tears. Suddenly the room becomes dark. The balloons burst and he gets a shower of coloured papers, glitters and spray. A group of children holding candles and red roses march towards Aditya and start singing birthday song to him. Two people, a man and a woman of middle age bring the cake and place it on a round table. Daya walks slowly towards Aditya behind the children. Aditya kneels down and stretches his hands to hug the children. He then rises up and gives a hug to Daya. They move towards the cake. Aditya cuts the cake, feeds a piece to Daya and Daya feeds him back. Then Aditya serves the cake pieces to everyone present there. He then sits and chats with the children for sometime. The children ask him various questions and he answers them calmly with a cute smile on his face.

After sometime Aditya calls Daya to his room, getting up from the sofa and says to the couple, "Will you please excuse me? We will be back in few minutes.

Aditya and Daya go up in the stairs and get into the room.

Aditya: Daya I really didn't expect this from you. I never had such surprises in my life before. Is it your idea to hide the gifts in the house? How did you do it?

Daya: I thought you are going to celebrate your birthday in sets. But two days back, your secretary told me that you are going on leave for these two days. So I planned this surprise with the help of your secretary.

Aditya: By the way, who are those couple and the lovely children who came to wish me?

Daya: What Bro? You are asking as if you know nothing?

Aditya (seriously): Don't joke Daya. I really don't know who they are.

Daya: These children are from Shivraj orphanage. The couple are running this orphanage for more than 15 years. See you have sponsored for this children the entire day today. They have come to thank you and wish you.

Aditya: But Daya, I don't remember anything like this. I haven't offered any donation for the past three months.

Daya: Do you remember? One month back, you gave me a blank cheque.

Aditya: Yes Daya, I remember it. You said that you needed some money very urgent.

Daya: I just filled seventy five thousand rupees in it and offered them the cheque with your name. Shivraj, who runs the orphanage is my friend. Though I gave the cheque, I feared that you will not accept this. I just wanted to make your birthday special by helping these children. Sorry for acting like this without your consultation.

Aditya (little embarrassed): Daya, is there a need to apologise to me? See, when you said you need money, I gave you a blank cheque. Why? Because I trust you Daya. There's nothing wrong in what you did. God has given us everything. But those children are really craving for love. In fact I must thank you for giving me an opportunity to help these children. You are not Daya just by name. You are Daya by your character and you have proved it once again like many times you did. I am really proud to have you as my friend.

Daya: Bro, I am not a saint. I am just a human. I did what I felt right for me. Who else can understand me better as you? I am too lucky to have a friend. The children are waiting for us. Let's go.

Aditya (smiling): Sure, Daya.

They come down from the room. The clock showed 12.30. Shivraj thanked Aditya for helping the children. Shivraj, his wife, the children and Daya are ready to leave. When Daya is about to step out, Aditya comes and asks about Satam sir and CID members. Daya says, "All are the part of this surprising day, all the gifts you saw are from the CID team except the ring you wear. This is your wife's gift.

Aditya asks Daya to have lunch but Daya says "Bro, You cannot cook the lunch I eat. Just a joke. Don't worry, I will come with my family one day. Take care Aditya. Have a nice day and bids a goodbye.

THE END

THE DANGEROUS SERIAL KILLER

Scene 1: City hospital

Time: 8.30 am

A man aged 30 was roaming around the corridor outside the ICU. His face showed the tension he had been undergoing for the past 48 hours. The doctor came out of the ICU room. The man asked the doctor, "What is his condition now doctor? He replied calmly, "Now he is out of danger. He can gain consciousness at any time. Nothing to worry. Please get the medicines mentioned in this prescription. The man got the prescription from the doctor and went away to get the medicines.

Scene 2: ICU

Time: 10.30 am

Abhijeet is seen gaining consciousness slowly. He could hear the beep noises created by the machines around him and dripping sound from the dripping cylinder. He opened his eyes slowly but he couldn't see anything clearly and everything around him were appearing blurred. He couldn't move even an inch because of the dreadful pain he was experiencing in his entire body. He murmured Daya's name continuously. The nurse who was near him came out of the ICU room. She called the man waiting outside and said "He had gained consciousness. He's murmuring the name Daya continuously. If you want please go and see him and went away. The man immediately rushed to the ICU and sat beside Abhijeet's bed.

Abhijeet slowly said, "Daya

The man said, "Sir I'm not Daya. I'm Arjun. I was the one who admitted you in the hospital.

Abhijeet asked Arjun in a low tone, "What happened to me? Why I'm here?

Arjun said, "Sir two days back, I was on the way to Pune going in bus. While the bus was near Karjat hills, we saw an accident. The bus stopped and we got down to see the victim. You were lying on the road pathetically and no one came to help you. It's my duty to save a CID officer who struggles for the welfare of the people. So I admitted you in the hospital two days back. Your condition was really critical for these two days. I prayed to God hoping for your recovery. Thank God.

Abhijeet started to recollect the past. Two days back, He took a travel bag with many of his accessories and was riding in his bike towards Karjat hills. It is dangerous to ride bike in that way as the roads were mostly slippery. At one point the bike skidded and he rolled on the road. His hands and legs were severely injured. He got hit to a big rock and his head was injured very badly. Arjun, who helped Abhijeet was seemed quite familiar to Abhijeet. When he was about to open his mouth, the nurse entered inside and said to Arjun, "Sir, please don't disturb him. You can meet him after sometime. Doctor wants to meet you. He had instructed me to give sedative to the patient and injected the sedative through the cannula. Abhijeet started to sleep. Arjun left the ICU room.

Scene 3: The doctor's room.

The doctor was discussing with some other patient's relatives. Arjun was waiting outside the doctor's room. He read the name of the doctor which was printed in bold white letters as

Dr. Stephen Jones M.B.B.S., M.D., F.R.C.S

After they came out, Arjun entered inside the doctor's room. He asked the doctor regarding Abhijeet's health condition. Doctor said, "Since the injuries are deep, it will take few weeks to heal. So Abhijeet needs a complete bed rest for a month. If he cooperates with us, he will recover soon and can be back to work. Take care of him. Arjun thanked the doctor and left the room.

Two days later...

Scene 4: ICU

Abhijeet was quite better than those four days. Arjun was sitting near his bed. Abhijeet asked Arjun, "Arjun, I think I have seen you before. What's your job? Arjun gave a sharp look and said, "Sir, I think you still remember me. Abhijeet, little shocked by answer, asked Arjun "What do you mean? and started to think. Five years back, Arjun was one of his informers. Suddenly one day he had vanished from Mumbai.

Abhijeet asked little excitingly, "Arjun, you were one of my informers five years back isn't it? What happened to you? Why you didn't tell me this before? Where were you all these years?

Arjun replied, "Sir I know about your past. You suffered a memory loss after a dreadful incident. When I saw you lying on the road, I was shell shocked. My only aim was to save you and nothing else was there in my mind. I also feared that something wrong would happen as happened in the past. Thank God, everything happened fine. Yet I didn't want to reveal it immediately since your condition was critical. So I didn't want to trouble you and decided to tell you about myself later. Actually five years back, there was a land dispute in my home town near Ahmedabad, so I left Mumbai. I had to settle the debts so I worked there. Suddenly my mother died last month. I have settled all my debts. I am almost an orphan now. I just came here in search of a job.

Abhijeet felt pity for Arjun and said, "Don't worry, I will arrange for your job. Don't hesitate to ask me if you need any help.

Arjun said, "Thank you for your concern, sir. Please have your medicines and take rest, sir. I'm leaving now. I will see you tomorrow morning. Good night, sir and left the room.

Next morning...

Scene 5: General ward

Abhijeet was shifted to general ward but was kept isolated on doctor's advice. Abhijeet felt an emptiness in his heart since he thought of returning back to job after two days' vacation, but everything ended in vain. He requested Arjun not to reveal his situation to his teammates since they will be worried. He didn't even switch on his mobile.

Abhijeet's room had a small TV so he switched on the TV and was listening to the news. Suddenly he saw a news scrolling on the screen about a serial killer who is now a great threat to the city like this...

Serial killer creates havoc in the city: Mumbai Police struggles to solve the mystery

Abhijeet got shocked after hearing this news and tried to inform about this to his team. Later, he decided to solve the case by himself regardless of his condition since ACP won't let him to work in the case. He immediately sent a mail to the local inspector...

Hello,

This is Senior Inspector Abhijeet from CID.

I want the photographs of the crime scenes and case details of the serial killings to be mailed to me immediately.

This mail should be confidential and should not be revealed to anyone, even to the CID team. I will be in touch through mail.

Thanks and regards,

Senior Inspector Abhijeet,

CID Mumbai bureau.

Abhijeet secretly maintained a Facebook account and a group with his informers. So he posted a message regarding this issue in his group.

Few hours later...

Scene 6: Abhijeet's room

Time: 12.30 pm

Arjun came to Abhijeet's room with a fruit bag. He noticed the tension in Abhijeet's face. Arjun sat beside Abhijeet's bed and asked him calmly, "Sir, what's wrong with you? You are looking so restless. Do you need any help?

Abhijeet (in a serious tone): Arjun, I am currently working on a case. I am waiting for the mail regarding the case details from the local inspector. So please don't disturb me. Since you were my informer I am sharing this to you.

Arjun (shocked): Sir, you're supposed to take rest. Why are you straining yourself?

Abhijeet (in an angry tone): Arjun, duty is important for me more than my life. I am not in the state of taking advises from anyone. Please leave me.

Arjun (in a sad tone): Sir, I'm extremely sorry. I can understand your feelings. I'm really happy to help you. At the same time, I'm worried about your health. So please take care of yourself, sir.

Abhijeet (embarrassed): Sorry Arjun. I shouldn't have been rude to you. Since I'm handling a sensitive case I don't want anyone to be involved other than myself. So you can leave now. I will meet you after few days. Thank you for taking care of me all these days.

Arjun left Abhijeet's room without saying a word. After he left, Abhijeet checked his mail. He got a mail from the local inspector...

Abhijeet sir,

Thank you for helping us to solve this case.

Here are the case details.

Abhijeet found an attached file which had the case details collected by the city police so far.

The case details stated that totally ten people were murdered by the serial killer. All the ten people were staying in different localities of the city and they were not connected by any means. The list of victims are below:

Similarities in the case are all were killed when they were alone in their houses. The post mortem reports clearly stated that the murders were committed by a single person because of the wounds traced in their bodies. But there were no fingerprints in any of the victims' bodies. The photos indicated that the murders were execution-style murders. Execution-style murders are murders caused at a close range where the murderer brings the victim completely under his control, and the victim gets no chance to escape.

Abhijeet studied the case details carefully. He immediately posted the photos of the victims in his Facebook group, to collect information about the victims. He gave a glance to the photos of the various crime scenes.

One of the informers in his Facebook group said that he saw a man aged nearly 50 wearing a black jacket and a black hat, hanging a bag on his back on the day of Rishabh's murder since he was in Goregaon.

Abhijeet immediately enquired the local inspector regarding the CCTV footages of various localities via mail. Abhijeet was checking the criminal database patiently. He received the mail from the local inspector with CCTV footage recordings of those localities.

Abhijeet started checking the CCTV footages carefully. In most of the footages, a man aged nearly 50 wearing a black jacket and a black hat, hanging a bag on his back was visible. Yet his face was not so clear. In the last footage, there were possibilities of finding the murderer. When the murderer was about to turn his face, suddenly a strange file opened and completely crashed his computer with virus. Abhijeet got shocked and enraged. He started shouting like a mad out of frustration. The doctor rushed into Abhijeet's room with nurses. The nurses tried to control him but everything ended in vain. Somehow the doctor managed to give sedative to Abhijeet which made him fall asleep.

Scene 7: Abhijeet's room

Time: 7.30pm

Abhijeet's room was completely dark. Abhijeet was sleeping in his room. Suddenly a black figure entered his room. The figure took a long syringe and inserted into a drug named "Halocephine which makes the victim to get controlled by the murderer. He injected it to Abhijeet. Since he was asleep he didn't move even an inch. The black figure took a knife and started scratching him rigorously. Then it checked the heartbeat and pulse rate of Abhijeet. Abhijeet was dead. When the black figure was about to leave, Arjun came inside and switched on the light. He was shocked to see the corpse of Abhijeet. Then he was astonished to see the black figure who was none other than the doctor Stephen Jones. Arjun started to shout at Stephen Jones, "Why did you kill Abhijeet sir? Stephen Jones laughed viciously and said, "Because Abhijeet intervened my mission of relieving people from all pains and sufferings of life. Even he was suffering with more pain. I am not a killer. I am a saviour.

Arjun (enraged): Do you think CID will spare you? One day you will be caught and sentenced to death by the law.

Stephen: Can you prove that I'm the murderer? See I'm a devil in an angel's dress. No one can save you from me.

Stephen takes the knife and takes his arm back to stab him with a great force. He turns his head outside a little and got stunned by seeing another Arjun standing outside.

He got confused and didn't know whom to kill. Suddenly another man emerged from the backside of Arjun who looked like Stephen. Arjun who was standing inside Abhijeet's room shot him with the gun. Arjun then tore off his face mask and it was none other than Abhijeet. Abhijeet said with anger, "No criminal can escape from the eyes of CID, Mark! and gave a tight slap.

Flashback

Few hours ago...

Abhijeet woke up from his sleep and moved straight to Stephen's room without anybody's knowledge. Stephen was not inside the room. He checked the patients' record and was shocked to see the list of patients as they were the victims of the serial killings. Stephen entered the room and was taken aback as he saw Abhijeet in his room.

Stephen (angrily): How dare are you to enter my room?

Abhijeet (with the same angry tone): CID is never afraid to do anything. We go to any extent to make the truth triumph.

Stephen (confused): I couldn't understand what you are trying to say.

Abhijeet (gets enraged and places the gun towards the doctor's forehead): What do you think about yourself? Aren't you ashamed to kill your own patients being in a respectable position? Your pen cap had become an evidence against you.

[Abhijeet saw the pen cap when the doctor gave him sedative. Something flashed in his mind as it was the same pen cap which was found in one of the crime scene photos. It had been printed as Dr. Stephen Jones].

Stephen said that he did not do anything and he started crying. He said that he had a twin brother named Mark Jones and he might have done those things. He added that he had lost his pen cap and replaced it few days back. Abhijeet didn't believe anything at first, but he understood everything after seeing a photograph of Mark Jones and Stephen Jones. Mark Jones had the right hand slightly dislocated as Abhijeet watched in the CCTV footage. Arjun, who was standing outside the room, was watching everything that happened inside. The three men made a plan to trap Mark.

At Present:

Mark confessed that he was a neglected child by his parents. He said that he had a passion to pursue medicine but his parents did not agree. So he developed an enmity and towards his brother. This changed him as a psychopathic serial killer. He had an access to the hospital since he was a good hacker and hacked almost every detail in the hospital. He also confessed that he was the one who hacked Abhijeet's laptop. Abhijeet informed the local police and after sometime they came and arrested him at the hospital. Arjun again agreed to work as an informer for Abhijeet. One month later, Abhijeet re-joined CID as a fit officer.

Originally posted by: swathi17

If you need to copy my story for any reason please PM me or just give me an information. I can't accept claiming my work as any other person's work. This is my humble request 😊