The Culprit

“Amay has topped the class with 95 marks out of hundred.” Professor Chatterjee announced.

Everyone in the class was clapping except me . I had beaten everyone to the top position for the last three years. Being in Medical school, it was truly a daunting task but I had achieved it through sheer hard work. The reason I was shocked was due to the fact that Amay didn’t even feature in the Top 50 of the class till this year and suddenly he had excelled in all the subjects this year. This was  really surprising considering the fact that Amay didn’t even attend classes and spent most of his timing roaming with his friends.

“It cant be, he couldn’t have started studying ” I said.

“I am also sure that he couldn’t have obtained those marks rightfully” my friend, Nisarg said.

“Its quite possible he had studied, there is no other way of performing so well ” Rachna my girlfriend responded.

We were hanging out at the local café. I had shared my thoughts with her. But she didn’t think so.

“If this issue is bothering you so much then speak to my father, he may help you out.” She said.

“No, not now. First let me see what I can do. Chalo I got to go. Bye” I responded and made my way home. I had to figure this thing out. After relaxing for a bit, I was just about to have dinner when my phone pinged, it was a message from Nisarg.

“Hey listen, I heard that Amay was boasting about a contact in the college through which he obtained copies question papers, to his friends in today’s party.” It read.

I knew it. Amay was using Unfair Means to obtain good marks.

“Who is the contact?” I responded.

“I don’t know but he didn’t reveal the name.” Nisarg said.

“Fine,thanks for the info.”

I had got him. He was not gonna get away with this. I would report him directly to the dean. I doubted that Professor Chatterjee was involved in this. He always favoured Amay. I woke up early next day to ensure I could catch the dean. He knew me thanks to a really good academic record.

“Good Morning Sir, I wanted to talk to you.” I said

“Good Morning Rachit, please have a seat. How may I help you?”

“Sir I have come to know that Amay Saha of my class had got question papers of this year’s test with inside help.”

“That’s a very serious allegation Rachit. Not only against Amay but also against the institution. Do you know the consequence if this is not proven?”

“I understand sir, that’s the reason I came directly approached you. I request you to look into the matter. Sir its not possible for a students result to change so drastically that too so suddenly.”

“Ok Rachit, just because a student of your calibre is requesting, I will look into the matter. Until I arrive to a conclusion please don’t tell anybody about it. The institution will lose its pride if rumours spread.”

“Sure sir. Thank you.”

As I turned to leave, I saw the peon Mukesh giving a keen attention to our the conversation. I made my way to the class satisfied that I had done my part. The day progressed normally. As the last class ended, I saw Mukesh calling me from a corner.

“Bhaiya hamko puri baat pata hai jo aap dean sir kr rhe the. Kaun kaun kr rha, sab kuch” he said.

“Toh mujhe kyu bata rhe ho, sidhe jake dean sahib ko batao” I counted irritated.

“Wo thodi na hame kuch denge. Dekhiye jisko jitney number aaye hame kya farak padta hai lekin aapko padta hai. Agar aapko naam chahiye, proof ke sath toh  1000 rupay leke school ke piche wali gate pe aa jana  shyam 6 baje” he said with a cunning smile and left.

I was angry. I needed the proof and wanted to expose this peon. I immediately called the dean and informed him about the conversation. He told me to go ahead with the meeting and that he along with the guards would catch the peon. I liked the plan. It was killing two birds with one stone. Happily, I went home.

I was standing at the school gate ready with cash. Dean sir had arrived early and was hiding near a tree. I saw Mukesh coming at a distance. I signalled to sir and he made a call, getting the guards ready I guess.

“Paise lao” he said.

“Pehle batao tumhe kya pata hai” I retorted.

“Ek kaam kro, aadhe paise de do, badme bata dunga tumhe sab kuch kaun kaun yeh kand mai hai”

I agreed. I wanted to get this over with quickly. I handed him half the cash. No sooner I had done that, I saw Dean sir rushing along with a handful of people who looked like policemen.

“Arrest him” the inspector said to his constables. Shit, I wanted to get information out of Mukesh. Nevertheless, the inspector would do the required.

To my shock, the constables handcuffed me.

“Not me, him ” I said.

“Cuff him properly, students these days don’t want to work hard” the inspector said.

I was baffled. Has the inspector gone mad?

“Sir, tell the inspector why we were here” I pleaded with the Dean, surely he would reveal the truth.

“Make a strong case against him inspector. Its good that our peon Mukesh informed us about his boy trying to bribe him to alter the marks of the final exam. We are ashamed of such students. Please ensure he pays for his actions”

I almost fainted when he said that. I started sweating profusely , heart beart increased and having no idea what the heck was happening? I pleaded with the inspector presenting him my case but he was not ready to listen. He had photos of me handing over the cash to Mukesh. The time I got in the police van, I quickly figured that dean must be involved in this so he had tricked me. But I was in big trouble right now.

“Sir please give me one chance to prove my innocence” I said to the inspector as a last ditch effort.

“Bring the boy to my cabin” the inspector signalled to the constable.

I explained the whole thing to the inspector. He listened to me intently.

“Do you have any proof to validate your story?” the inspector asked.

“Yes sir, I had recorded my conversation with Mukesh while handling over money. It can be clearly heard that he is giving me information and that I was not telling him to change my marks” I said.

The inspector was impressed.He took out my phone and asked me to play the recording. I did as I was asked to do. Once the recording ended clearly proving my innocence, he again took away my phone.

“Pretty good. Your smartness may have saved you here. Let me make a call.” he said and got up.

I waited for the inspector to finish his call. I didn’t call my parents because I had the situation well under control. I was angry at the Dean. Such a respected man, falling to such levels but he will pay for it. The recording would ensure that.

“Mr. Rachit, your college is pressing charges against you and is gonna pursue the case. You can call your parents or your guardian to inform them. I will have to put you behind the bars. ” the inspector startled me.

“Sir I just showed you that I am innocent using the recording.”

“What recording?” he asked innocently.

This can’t be happening to me. I drank some water to keep myself calm. I cant let this go.

“Sir the recording I showed you” I responded calmly.

“There is no recording boy, don’t lie”

The recording had gone. He had deleted it. I was done this time. Trust was playing its dirty game. The inspector must have been bribed by the dean. This was going too far. I started crying, pleading the inspector not to ruin my life. My words were falling on deaf ears. He asked me whether I would like to make a call. I knew I was in deep shit. I reluctantly made that call.

As the clock struck 8, the constable opened my lock up and led me to the inspectors cabin. I saw my dean standing there. They were not in a good mood.

“The college has withdrawn its complaint against you. You are free to go” the inspector said.

I smiled. I knew this was gonna happen. You beat me as many times as you want to but at the end I would emerge victorious.As the dean accompanied me outside the police station, I was waiting for him to speak

“Rachit , I did as you asked now please destroy all the evidence you have against me” he said.

“Sir, I would surely not delete the evidence I have. If I come to know that you have gone back to your old habits I will ensure the evidence reaches the right doors. ” I said as I called an Auto and left for home.

Mom was worried about me but I assured her everything was fine. Today was my sister’s birthday. In all the mess, I had forgotten to buy her a gift. I apologised to her and hurried to my room to get some rest. Thinking about today’s event, the single call from the police station had saved me. My trump card as soon as I got to know the dean was involved. I immediately dialled her number.

“Hi Rachna. I am home” I said.

“Thank god. I was scared when you called me from the police station but I did as you said.”

“Well I should thank you that you collected evidence against your dad from his computer and sent him one of the copies. I knew he must have records of the transactions somewhere. I love you, you went against your father from me.”

“Anything for you, my love” she said.

 My girlfriend had saved me that day. She truly loved me. Did I? Doesn’t matter. The dean would never know what hit him. I realised the importance of having a girlfriend that day, and that too a girlfriend with powerful father.

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              - Hechet Ray

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