by Shilpa Jain
Judge: This is a very complicated case where the accused is probably suffering from multiple personality disorder and is charged with attacking and killing murderers, some of who are also suffering from multiple personality disorder. I am concerned that schizophrenia is becoming a fairly common illness. I order an assessment of the psychiatric health of Tanvi Yadav. A decision would be taken after the reports of her mental health are considered. The court is adjourned for today.
Reporter Hiral appears on the television screen.
“What a case! The accused and the victim, both are schizophrenics! What will be the result of Tanvi Yadav’s mental health assessment? If she suffers from multiple personality disorder, will she be sent to a mental asylum for life? What if she is found to be healthy? In that case, she faces death penalty or life imprisonment. She has lost in both scenarios. But public sympathy is with her. Let’s wait and watch what happens.”
Chapter 20
Tanvi Yadav is sitting in a hospital room waiting to be assessed. Abram visits her.
“How are you doing?”
“Not good. I either lose my life or my job. Both are dear to me.”
“I am sorry about what I said in court. I didn’t know how else to save your life and buy time.”
“You did what you had to. I don’t hold you responsible.”
“I am sorry I went behind your back to find Zeenat. I wasn’t shocked because Dr Shetty had already cautioned me.”
“What are you saying? You were telling the truth in court?”
“Yes. I didn’t lie under oath. But Tanvi, I want you to know that I love both your personalities and want to spend the rest of my life with you.”
Tanvi nods and has tears in her eyes. She hugs Abram. After Tanvi’s psychological assessment tests are over, Abram leaves to let Tanvi rest.
Soma, who is guarding Tanvi’s room, informs her that she has a visitor. She takes a restroom break.
“Thanks Soma! You understand me better than most people.”
Kabeer walks into Tanvi’s room. Tanvi’s mood is lifted.
“Hello ma’am. Thought I should visit you this time.”
“How are you doing Kabeer? Are your results out?” enquires Tanvi.
“Yes I have passed with distinction. I am preparing for IAS along with my graduation.”
“Good! I am happy for you.”
“I have met Zeenat.”
“Oh! Have you now?”
“Why didn’t you tell me about her?”
“Um… the lesser people know about her, the better it is, I guess.”
“Tell me how I can help? Zeenat is waiting outside to meet you.”
“She is here? Get her in. We don’t want anyone to see her.”
“She wants to confess her crimes.”
“No way! Just get her to me.”
Kabeer hurries out of the room and comes back with a woman in a burqa. As soon as she comes in, she lifts the veil of her burqa and hugs Tanvi. Her voice and facial features are strikingly similar to those of Tanvi.
“It is so easy to confuse both of you. I am not surprised that Aamir thought Tanvi ma’am was the burqa killer,” remarks Kabeer.
Tanvi questions Zeenat, “Why did you lift your veil at Kaked?”
“I had no option. I couldn’t have fought so many people veiled in a burqa. Besides, they wouldn’t have let me in with the veil after the copycat burqa killer incident. But I did not expect Aamir to give a statement that he recognised me,” replies Zeenat.
“Everyone wants instant fame,” comments Kabeer.
“Abram too thinks that you are imaginary. I believed him when he said that he had taken care of Akram. Why didn’t you tell me when you realised that he was bluffing?” asks Tanvi.
Zeenat smiles, “He wasn’t bluffing. He did call the police station, but Akram had provided a false name. Later, Akram’s friend bailed him out and he disappeared. I too didn’t know that Abram was just trying to calm you down. His intentions were just out of love for you. He thinks you are mentally unstable and still loves you. How can you let him go?”
Tanvi says, “I won’t, but right now I am in a mess.”
Zeenat suggests, “I’ll take care of the mess. I just have to come out in the open and confess.”
“No! Your work is far more important than my life or job,” protests Tanvi.
Zeenat shakes her head, “Remember, I vowed to protect you after you saved me from sexual abuse from our father. It’s time to fulfil that vow.”
Tanvi replies, “You already fulfilled that by getting rid of him. Many more need your protection now.”
Zeenat suggests, “I want you to know that I have a team now. The burqa killer is not alone anymore.”
Tanvi is shocked. “What? How did that happen?”
“That’s a long story. I have been doing some mentoring in my spare time. I have managed to train a few young abused girls to protect themselves and their peers.”
Kabeer interrupts and asks Tanvi, “Why didn’t your neighbours know about Zeenat?”
Tanvi says, “Because Zeenat lived in another locality with her mother. I met her at school and from her looks instantly knew that she was my illegitimate sister.”
Kabeer comments, “So, you told the truth to Dr Sunita Shetty.”
“I did, but obviously they didn’t believe me and twisted facts to save me.”
“Why did you leave notes at your home?” asked Zeenat.
“You know I have a habit of making post it notes of the topmost thoughts in my mind. I can’t believe Abram thought I left them for my alter personality. I mean, who writes notes in the time of cell phones and social media communication?”
“He obviously thought you couldn’t phone yourself or write social media messages to yourself, so you left notes, like good old times,” chuckles Zeenat. “Let me handle the problem at hand now. Just sit back and trust me.”
Five days later, Tanvi is seated on her sofa in her living room and is watching Hiral reporting on the television.
“The tantric and burqa killing cases have taken an unbelievable turn. Inspector Tanvi Yadav has been discharged from the case and has been reinstated in the crime branch department with full honour. The court has declared her innocent.
“Her illegitimate sister has made a public appearance. She does look and sound exactly like Inspector Tanvi Yadav. So, it proves that Tanvi Yadav is mentally sound.
“Aamir has been declared as an unreliable witness after he failed to recognize Zeenat from among many of Tanvi Yadav’s look-alikes.
“To add to this, when Zeenat was in custody, the burqa killer claimed another victim. She has killed the mastermind of organ donation racket. He kidnapped little kids and killed them after extracting their organs. The public hero is back in action. So, Zeenat was discharged from the case. Will we ever know the true identity of the burqa killer? Will she always remain a mystery passing on her legacy from generation to generation like Phantom, the ghost who walks?
“Finally, Mumbai will rest in peace with no fear of black magic murders. The burqa killer has been accused of killing the tantric killers and she is still at large. Inspector Tanvi Yadav’s finger prints on the murder weapon were coincidental as she was lying in the vicinity of the boulders. Her finger prints were found on many other boulders lying there.
“A question does come to our minds, were Pari and Kaalbhairav actually suffering from multiple personality disorders or were they possessed by Chamundakaal’s spirit? Will he continue his search for another body to attain immortality? Will he return? Were they only four of them in their quest or were there more? Is some tantric still at large waiting for an opportunity to start this process all over. Only time will tell…”
Tanvi switches off the television when she sees Abram coming out of the kitchen with chicken biryani for her.
“Umm… I can’t resist anymore,” comments Tanvi, taking in the aroma of her favourite dish.
“Here, devour it.” Abram offers her the
plate.
“I am not talking about the biryani.” She gazes into Abram’s eyes.
Abram blushes, “You mean… but I…”
“Shhh,” says Tanvi, placing a finger on his lips. She takes off his spectacles and kisses him.
