Killed Wife For Treason

By M K Devidasan

Ramesh, who was handicapped due to polio, never expected to get married as he was rejected by all girls he visited with proposals until Janaki expressed her willingness. After the marriage, debacles, one after the other started visiting his house - His elder brother, Squadron Leader Surendran, and wife, Jaya, and son, Vikas meeting a car accident from which they narrowly escaped, Jaya and son getting poisoned but survived and daughter, Leena visiting forest to take photos of trees and wild animals and faced attack by a tiger. Later, it was known that those debacles were designed and made by someone of his close relatives. What Ramesh would have done once he came to know the diabolic intentions? Very interesting story of a handicapped with the assistance of an Air Force officer.

• Language: English
• Publisher: M K Devidasan
• Release date: Jun 9, 2020
• ISBN: 9781005125721

M K Devidasan

M K Devidasan is a graduate engineer in Electronics and Telecommunication Engineering  with Post Graduate Diploma in Business Management. He had served the Indian Air Force for 32 years as a technical officer and retired as a Wing Commander.

Book preview

Killed Wife

For Treason

Novel by

M K Devidasan

Preface

It is not necessary that the prognosticated firm beliefs and doubts about a person to be true. It is the humanity that prevails in a person one doubts of Integrity. The human being has three characteristics – divinity, humanity, and bestiality. The presence of predomination of one of these will make the character of a person. Though one might paint the character to be most adjustable, the circumstances could change the basic fabric of that. A person with divinity will always be god-fearing and devoid of committing any criminal acts. The bestiality will make one behave rude and prodigal. The majority will be endorsing the basic characteristics of humanity and they are the most adjustable people in society.

-1-

May 1995

On a Monday, while seated in his office at Air Force Station, Bangalore, Flight Lieutenant Surendran received a telephonic message that his father expired. Details were not available. He stood aghast, wondering what would have been the cause. An accident or a heart attack? He was sixty-five, but, maintaining perfectly good health. Though he tried to seek clarifications, he could not perceive things clearly because the telephone was hardly audible with crackles. Slamming the handset, he sat mute. He found the letter received from younger brother Ramesh two days ago, lying on his table. In that, nothing was mentioned of his sickness or hospitalization. He remained a slave to anxiety in the absence of means to contact anyone near his home in Chalakudy, Kerala. That was a small town with a few shops and one or two public telephone booths. He knew someone visited the public telephone booth and informed him. Without knowing the reasons for his sudden death, he remained restless.

With an application for leave on compassionate grounds, he went to the unit commander and apprised him of the necessity of a sudden leave. When he knew the reasons, he was willing to grant him any number of days. Surendran decided to take only twenty days, and obtained the approval for that.

After reaching the service quarters, he apprised his wife Jaya of his sudden decision and asked her and children to get ready to travel home immediately. Within minutes they were ready to commence their journey by car, from Bangalore to Chalakudy, their place of the ancestral home.

After arranging a known taxi they started around 2 o’clock in the afternoon. The expert driver drove the vehicle non-stop from Bangalore, and by 12 midnight, they reached Chalakudy. From there, they had to travel for around 15 kilometres towards the east, through narrow roads which were in a dilapidated condition with potholes and broken patches. The bone-breaking journey was of 45 minutes. As the car stopped in the courtyard, some people came rushing to receive and escort them into the house. With twelve-year-old daughter Leena and eight-year-old son Vikas, they went running inside the house crying. Their arrival with loud cries induced a terrible commotion inside, and all those ladies seated around a lit oil lamp started crying aloud in harmony. In the absence of the dead body, Surendran knew that the body was to be brought for cremation from the hospital mortuary.

The death occurred at seven the previous evening. He was taken to the hospital but could not be revived; apparently mutilated by an attacking tiger.

The body was kept in the mortuary as Ramesh decided to conduct the funeral only after Surendran’s arrival.

Standing by the side of Ramesh, Surendran wept inconsolably, holding his hands like a child. Ramesh could not stand the grief of his brother and joined him with a loud cry, covering his face. After a few seconds their cry mellowed down to intermittent sobs, which also subsided soon.

Jaya joined the women, seated on the mats on the floor, who had come from the neighbourhood to share their grief. Twelve-year-old Leena was mature enough to know the gravity of their grief and sat by the side of her mother. Vikas stood close to his father and kept looking at the lugubrious faces of everyone present, sharing their grief.

The time fixed for cremation was ten in the morning. Though a few people suggested carrying out the ceremony earlier, there were objections from some in view of the probable inconveniences to people coming from far-off places. In the absence of frequent line bus services, the place was not easily accessible by road. One bus which plied from that place to Chalakudy town never maintained regular fixed timings and plied at the whims and fancies of the driver and conductor, based on the density of passengers, ensuring the commercial viability of each trip.

Surendran moved towards Thomas who was seated aloof in the temporary shelter outside the house, made by spreading a tarpaulin sheet overhead with a few folding metal chairs placed haphazardly. Thomas, around fifty-five years of age, was a bosom friend of his father Rajan. He was considered like one among their family members. He had made himself available to them for anything and everything throughout, as a helper and mentor. As Surendran approached, Thomas pulled one metal chair towards him and gestured to take a seat. Casting a painful smile, he sat by his side and asked, Actually, uncle, what had happened? I could understand from whisperings that it was a tiger attack. How did it happen?

Looking at him with moist eyes, Thomas said, His body was found lying quite away from home. He was badly mauled; a completely battered and shattered body! As the horrifying thought gave him goose bumps, he added, Yesterday morning, there were reports of people sighting a tiger in the plains. But, none ever expected the dangerous animal to prowl into our estate areas. After a moment of thought he continued, Earlier Rajan had the habit of moving around within his estate every morning. However, after getting into politics and public service, he hardly found time for that. I used to tell him that mere politics couldn’t help one make a living. Just two days ago, I had talked to him about his neglect of agriculture -the backbone of our growth, and reminded him not to forget our journey from the earlier days till now. I asked him not to give up his present politics and social activities but insisted on finding time to look after his own interests as well. Probably, my advice and compulsion would have made him more attentive to the land, and he reduced going out for social service during the last few days. Yesterday evening, while bathing, he heard an unusual moo of the cows and calves. He darted out with his revolver and saw the tiger attacking a calf. He shouted as he ran towards the big cat and fired a few rounds. But the wounded tiger attacked him and he could not escape from its powerful jaws. Thomas wiped off the tears rolling down his face. He fired again. His voice cracked and his lips whimpered while recollecting the scene narrated by Gopi, their servant, who was an eyewitness to the whole incident. He paused with a sob, The tiger was killed. Rajan was a strong man. He had the stamina to fight with that animal. Had I been in such a situation, the tiger would have escaped. He heaved a sigh. That was his fate. See, everyone’s death is written and placed inside the head. Somehow, we kick the bucket exactly on the date and time destined.

For quite some time both remained silent.

Surendran recollected the scene, frame by frame, as narrated by Thomas and jittered wondering how his father fought such a huge and strong animal.

Surendran suddenly thought of his only brother, Ramesh, younger to him. He was a bachelor and handicapped due to polio. He moved around the house and his business establishment on a wheelchair with the assistance of Gopi, the driver-cum-all-in-one for him. Despite the handicap, he was particular to reach everywhere and show his presence, as per the requirements, in his Fiat car, driven by Gopi.

Their mother had died while Ramesh was very small.

Thereafter Ramesh had to remain in that huge house alone with his helpers - maid Lalitha and driver Gopi - who were available round the clock at his beck and call.

Thinking of Ramesh, Surendran heaved a long sigh and said, looking at Thomas, I am worried about Ramesh. He will be alone in this huge house. Of course, Gopi will be there with him always like his shadow; but that is not enough. There should be someone ready to share his thoughts and feelings. As long as the maidservant is here, there will not be a problem for his food and other daily needs. He leaned towards him and asked, Will we be able to find a suitable girl for him? Now he is thirty. He grunted. Father could not find one for him. He tried his level best to find one, but failed. Now we must get that fulfilled. We can’t leave him alone. Whenever I talk to him on this subject, he avoids the topic. During my last leave, I compelled him to say ‘yes’. But he refused later. Surendran sneezed and continued, Unless he gives consent, there is no point in asking the brokers to search one suitable for him. After a pause, he said, Probably he is trying to avoid embarrassment as he had bitter experiences earlier.

That will be there, Thomas chuckled. Can’t be avoided. Handicapped people will surely have an inferiority complex. Even a black-skinned person has. After a pause he continued, These are all decided by God. Nothing much can be done. He thought and said, What you said is right. Now we can’t leave Ramesh like that. We have to find a girl for him. Beaming with a sense of duty, he said, I will take the responsibility to make him agree for marriage. Brokers had come here, once or twice, with different proposals. But Ramesh did not show interest and drove them out. He specifically instructed a broker not to enter this compound in future with such ideas. Smilingly he added, I know one broker, and I will ask him to take it seriously. We should not leave Ramesh alone for long in this huge house. The maidservant and Gopi are not fully dependable. At any point of time, they may say bye-bye and push off.

Surendran said, Uncle, I would expect you to do everything like our father. I am confident, you will do that. Right from my childhood, I have seen your sincerity towards our family. Though we stay in two houses, we are always like one family.

Leaning towards him, Thomas asked, Why don’t you come here after resigning your job in the Indian Air Force? You will be able to make much more than your pay. If you look after the timber business well, you can become rich overnight…. so much potential is there in this business. Modestly, Surendran said, I am not very keen, for the reason that I don’t know how to do business. The young Air Force officer sat wondering what he was talking about. Though I don’t have a knack for business, when I think about Ramesh, such musings invade into my mind.After a bit of rumination he continued, Now, I have completed only ten years of service. Even if I apply, giving any grounds for premature retirement, my request will be turned down. To train an officer, the IAF spends a huge amount. Unless there are valid reasons, they will not favourably consider any application for premature retirement. The only method left is to face a court-martial and be thrown out. But that will be akin to digging my own grave. Once punished, I will be automatically kicked out of the organization.

Thomas could not understand what he said, but felt that was a good way to get out of the services and be available to look after the saw mill and agriculture. He queried, For that, what should you do?

Surendran said, I should commit a serious crime. Then, they will court-martial me and award a punishment, making me ineligible to continue in the Air Force.

Thomas had the doubt, What sort of crime?

Surendran chuckled, Misappropriate funds or steal public property or manhandle a senior officer or kill someone.

With seeming anger, Thomas said, Oh, no. That should not be done. Other than that, is there any way?

Surendran explained, Yes; for that I will have to wait for my pensionable period of service. After twenty years of service, I will be eligible for a pension. I will have to wait for years to think of that. Making a face he asked, But uncle, will Jaya and children like to come and live here, leaving the city life they have been enjoying so far? They will not. People who are accustomed to city life will never be able to adjust to village life. That too, when such threats from wild animals are galore. You know both Leena and Vikas are old enough to understand what is what. Their decisions and likes are to be given adequate importance. Otherwise, they might revolt. Tackling grown-up children is not easy.

Thomas agreed, You are right. You and Jaya may be able to adjust; but not the children.

Surendransaid, After twenty years, I can afford to take a risk. Even if the business doesn’t go well, the backup of the pension will be solid. As that decision can only be taken after many years, we have to find methods to tide over the present impasse.

The family friend elaborated, If ever that happens, I will ask you to commence a furniture manufacturing company. Make furniture with a good brand name and sell within the state initially. Gradually it can be marketed all over India. That business has great potential.

Surendran smiled, Let us see. No one can predict what tomorrow will present. Let destiny lead us to the desired destination. I am a contented man right from my childhood. Whatever has happened in my life is the by product of that. Be happy and be positive. I will continue to believe in that.

When Thomas started dozing off, he slowly withdrew from there leaving him undisturbed. Taking a seat slightly away from him, he started thinking of the future of the house in the absence of his father. Everything was beyond the horizon and bleak. The most worrying factor was the loneliness of his younger brother Ramesh. Had he not had the business commitment, he could have thought of taking him to his place of work. Even while father was alive, he used to spend certain nights alone in that huge house, but he was certain that the father was somewhere nearby and would come back in the morning. That confidence had been making him more courageous to face life in whatever form that might be.

Early morning, one boy came with a tray full of glasses with black tea and served everyone sitting outside. For Surendran, who was awake throughout with a disturbed mind, thinking of their life in the absence of their father at home, the hot glass of black tea was quite welcome and rejuvenating. Quickly, he grabbed one and sipped to burn his lips. Realizing the folly, he looked around to see glasses in everyone’s hands and expressed his satisfaction with a mild smile.

After lifting a glass, Thomas moved towards Surendran.

I will go with two or three people to the hospital at about six. Before that, I will ask Gopi to be ready with the car.

Surendran said. I too will come, uncle.

Not required. I will complete all formalities in the hospital, came the reply.

Surendran did not want to leave the entire job to him and said with a positive tone. No uncle; I will go and do the required to bring the body. You may stay back.

Thomas smiled. Okay. We both will go. Exactly at six, we will leave. He looked at the watch. "Now it is five. We will take about forty-five minutes to reach, as there won’t be much traffic on the road. Within fifteen minutes we can finish all formalities there and reach back before eight. I have arranged the poojary, who will be here by eight. As per his demand, all items have been procured and kept by Gopi."

Surendran heard him, and smiled expressing gratitude.

-2-

Before six o’clock, Gopi took out the car from the shed and parked it outside the pandal. He stood by the side of the car waiting for others. Surendran and Thomas, accompanied by two others, got into the car and proceeded to Chalakkudy hospital. Though the road was too bad with umpteen numbers of potholes and ditches, they could drive at a comfortable