THE “MISSING” HUSBAND
Fiction Short Story
By
VIKRAM KARVE
_______
“My husband is missing…” my wife says to the police inspector.
“Since when…?” the police inspector asks my wife.
“We discovered that he was missing last night…?” my wife says.
“Discovered…? What do you mean you “discovered” that he was missing…?”
the police inspector asks, curious.
“We had gone for a weekend holiday to Konkan. We returned last night and
saw that he was not at home…” my wife says.
“We…?” the inspector asks my wife.
“My sister and her husband – and their friends – a couple – they were
driving down – there was place in the SUV – so they asked me if I wanted to
come along…” my wife says.
“But – they didn’t invite your husband to come along on the holiday…?”
the inspector says, curious.
“I told you – there was place for just one person in the SUV – and also
– my husband is an introvert – he doesn’t like adventure…” my wife says.
“I see…” the police inspector says, “so you didn’t want him to come with
you on the holiday…”
“It’s not that – I told him that I was going on the trip – and he said
it was okay…” my wife says.
“When did you go to Konkan…?” the police inspector asks my wife.
“Three days ago…” my wife says, “we left on Thursday morning and
returned today evening…”
“Thursday to Sunday – that is 4 days – didn’t you speak to him even once
during these four days…?” the inspector asks my wife.
“Actually – we had quite a hectic schedule – driving from one place to
another…” my wife says.
“But surely – you could have called him – at least once a day…” the
inspector says.
“I did call him on Thursday night – and then again on Friday – but he
didn’t pick up the phone – actually – most of the time he is busy writing and
doesn’t answer the phone…” my wife says.
“He must have seen your missed calls later…” the inspector says.
“I sent him WhatsApp messages too – but – he didn’t respond…” my wife
says, “and now – his mobile phone is switched off…”
“When did you notice that his phone was switched off…?” the inspector
asks my wife.
“I called him after I came back and didn’t find him at home…” my wife
says.
“I find it quite strange…” the police inspector says, “your husband
didn’t respond to your calls and messages since Thursday morning – and – you
didn’t bother to call him till you returned home today – weren’t you worried
about him…?”
“I thought he would be at home – he lives in his own world – he is a
writer – so – he is always lost in his thoughts…” my wife says.
“A writer…? Your husband is a writer…?” the inspector says.
“Yes – since his retirement from the Navy…” my wife says.
“Oh – your husband is a Navy Veteran…?” the inspector says.
“Yes…” my wife says.
“Do you have a recent photo of your husband…?” the police inspector asks
my wife.
“No – I don’t have a proper photo with me – but – there must be a group picture
with him on my mobile – I will check…” my wife says – looking at her smartphone
and fiddling with the screen.
“It is okay, Madam – I will see it later – if you have a good photo of
him alone – it will be better…” the police inspector says.
“I will check at home…” my wife says.
The police inspector starts asking my wife the details – home address –
her mobile number – her Aadhaar number – my mobile number – when did she last
see me – when did she last talk to me on the phone – did she interact with me
on WhatsApp etc. etc.
My wife doesn’t know my Aadhaar number – so she tells the police inspector
that she will check up in my documents and let him know later.
The police inspector types everything on the keyboard of the PC on his
side table and looks at the monitor as he types.
“How are your relations with your husband…?” the police inspector asks
my wife.
“Good…” my wife says.
“Any fights recently…?”
“No…”
“Is he having any affair…?”
“Why are you asking all these personal things…” my wife says angrily.
“We have to investigate…” the police inspector says, “please cooperate –
if you want us to find your husband…”
“No. My husband is not having any affair. He is 64 years old – how can
he have an affair at this old age…? In fact – he doesn’t even have any friends
– he spends all his time alone in the house with himself. He is a most boring
person – he sits home all day in front of his laptop and writes. He lives like
a recluse – in a world of his own – disconnected from the outside world …” my
wife says.
“Oh – that is sad…” the police inspector says, “was he suffering from
depression…? Any suicidal tendencies…?”
“No. No. He seemed quite normal when I left for Konkan on Thursday…” my
wife says.
“Anything else you want to tell me…?” the police inspector asks my wife.
“When I came home – the house was normal – even the fridge was running…”
my wife says.
“Do you have a car…? Or – scooter…? Is it there…?” the police inspector
asks my wife.
“We have a car – the car was parked normally in our parking…” my wife
says.
The police inspector keeps typing on the keyboard for some time and
looks up the monitor of the PC from time to time.
He takes two printouts.
Then – he says to my wife: “I will come to your house tomorrow – we have
to see things – we will talk to neighbours, to security staff etc. – meanwhile
– we will check up with hospitals if there is any accident case in the last 4 days
– or – any unclaimed body…”
“Accident…? Unclaimed body…?” my wife says, alarmed.
“Don’t worry, Madam – we have to check all angles…” the police inspector
says to my wife, “I will call you tomorrow and come to your house to see things
– maybe sometime in the afternoon or evening – please keep details of your
husband ready – a good photo – his Aadhaar number – bank details – whatever
documents you can give us that can help trace him…”
“Please treat this urgently…” my wife’s sister says.
“Don’t worry, Madam – these “missing persons” cases take time – it is
possible that he may gone somewhere and may come back home on his own – you
please check up with his friends and relatives…” the police inspector says to
my wife’s sister.
Then – the police inspector places the two printouts of the report in
front of my wife and says: “Madam – please read the report and sign on both
copies – please check that your name, address and mobile number is correct –
also – please check that your husband’s name and mobile number is correct...”
My wife checks the details and signs on both copies of the report.
The police inspector gives one copy to my wife and keeps one copy in the
file on his table.
“I will see if there is a picture of my husband on my smartphone…” my
wife says.
“Yes…” the police inspector starts saying – and – he suddenly stands up
in attention.
A lady police officer has entered the room.
By the demeanor of the police inspector – it is quite evident that she
is his boss.
The lady police officer says to the inspector: “I have told you so many
times that there must be female staff present when you are talking to women…”
“Madam – there is no female staff available at present – two are on
leave and one is on VIP duty…” the police inspector starts explaining when the
lady officer interrupts him.
“Okay. Okay….” the lady police officer says to the inspector, “you could
have asked them to come tomorrow…”
“It was urgent – her husband is missing…” the police inspector says.
“Her husband is missing…?” the lady police officer says – looking at my
wife.
“Yes…” my wife says, ““I am really worried – he has just disappeared – please
find him quickly…”
“Have you filed a report…?” the lady police officer asks both my wife
and the police inspector.
“Yes…” my wife says – and she gives her copy of the printout to the lady
police officer.
The lady police officer looks at the printout – she reads out my name –
and – she asks my wife: “Is that your husband’s name…?”
“Yes…” my wife says – and she repeats my name.
“Please come with me to my office…” the lady police officer says to my
wife – then – she looks at the police inspector and says to him: “I will handle
this case…”
The police inspector gives her his copy of the report.
“Come…” the lady police officer says to my wife – and – they start
walking towards her office.
My wife’s sister also gets up and joins them.
“She is my sister…” my wife tells the lady police officer.
“You please wait sit outside in the waiting room…” the lady police
officer says to my wife’s sister when they reach the door of her office, “I
will like to talk to her alone…”
My wife enters the lady police officer’s office – a neat airconditioned
office.
“Please sit down…” the lady police officer tells my wife – pointing towards
the chair.
My wife sits on the chair.
The lady police officer remains standing as she reads the missing person
report.
After some time – the lady police officer looks at my wife and says to
her:
Your husband is not “missing” – he is in Queenstown, New Zealand…”
“What…? New Zealand…?” my wife says, surprised.
“Well – he is posting status updates and pictures all over the social
media…” the lady police officer says.
“Where…?” my wife says, confused.
“Everywhere – Facebook, Twitter, Instagram – don’t you follow him on the
Social Media…?” the lady police officer says.
“Well – I am only on Facebook – and – I am not very active online…” my
wife says.
“Your husband is certainly very active online – in fact – he has a large
following – I would even say that he is a Social Media “celebrity” – and – of
course – a renowned Blogger too – I love his blogs – and – I follow him on all
Social Media – he posts such interesting content – he is very active online…” the lady police officer says to my wife.
“Yes – ever since he retired from the Navy – he is always glued to his
laptop and smartphone…” my wife says.
“By the way – there is a woman with him in New Zealand…” the lady police
officer says to my wife.
“A woman…?” my wife exclaims, taken aback.
“Yes – it seems your husband has a woman companion – he has posted
“selfies” with her – on Instagram and Twitter…” the lady police officer says to
my wife.
The policewoman taps her fingers on her smartphone – turns it around –
and gives the smartphone to my wife.
________
(On the screen is the intimate “selfie” with Nisha – the woman sitting
in front of me right now. I had taken that “selfie” on the boat during our
cruise to Milford Sound in the morning…)
________
My wife looks at the “selfie” of Nisha and Me on the smartphone – she
has a look of disbelief.
The lady police officer looks at my wife and says to her:
“You and your husband don’t speak to each other on the phone for 3 days
– but your husband and this woman are in constant touch on the social media for
the last 3 years. Earlier – they sought solace in each other’s arms virtually –
on the social media – now – they seem to be doing it physically….”
My wife seems puzzled.
“How is this possible…? How does my husband know this woman…?” my wife
asks the lady police officer.
The lady police officer gives a comforting smile to my wife.
“You go home now – at least your husband has been located and he is safe
and sound – I will find out more details and give you a call…” the lady police
officer says to my wife, “don’t worry – I will use all my contacts and give it
top priority – after all – I am big “fan” of your husband…”
She then asks my wife not to talk to anyone till she finds out more
details.
________
(That night my wife can’t sleep – she keeps imagining all sorts of
things – she just tells her sister that I have been located in New Zealand – but
doesn’t tell her about the woman with me. She hopes against hope that her
sister and relatives won’t come to know about me and my woman companion from
the social media. My wife eagerly waits for the lady police officer to call her)
________
The lady police officer calls my wife the next day.
“We have analyzed your husband’s social media activities. The woman with
your husband – she seems to be only on Twitter – she has kept her profile
anonymous – and – she is using a fake handle – she calls herself “night
gamine”…” the lady police officer says.
“Night Gamine…?” my wife says, nonplussed.
“I looked up on Google – “gamine” means “Tomboy” – so – she calls
herself “Night Tomboy”…” the lady police officer says to my wife.
“Night Tomboy…? Are you sure my husband and her…?” my wife asks, looking
worried.
“Yes – they have been “Twitter Friends” for over 3 years – and – for the
last six months they have been actively chatting on DM too – privately
messaging each other – from the messages it seems that they decided to go on
this trip just 3 days ago – they decided to meet at Singapore Airport – then
fly to Auckland – and Queenstown…” the lady police officer says to my wife.
“3 days ago…? Just after I left for my long weekend in Konkan…? Oh My
God…!!! I knew nothing about all this…!!!” my wife says, looking embarrassed.
“Did you visit New Zealand recently…?” the lady police officer says to
my wife.
“Yes – we had visited New Zealand around 6 months ago…” my wife says.
“Ah – that explains it – your husband must have had a multiple entry
visa which they normally issue to visitors…” the lady police officer says to my
wife.
“Yes – it was valid for 12 months – but one could stay only 30 days at a
time…” my wife says.
“So – at least he should be back within 30 days…” the lady police
officer says to my wife.
“Can’t you force him to come back earlier…? Can’t he be deported back to
India…?” my wife asks the lady police officer.
“How can we do that if he a valid passport and visa…?” the lady police
officer says to my wife, “your husband must have changed his SIM to a New
Zealand SIM – but – I will contact him via Social Media and also send him a DM –
I have already “liked” some of his posts – including his “selfie” with the
woman…”
“Who is the woman with him…? Can you find out who she is – her actual
name…?” my wife asks the lady police officer.
“I told you she has an anonymous profile – but – I will check her out on
social media – we will examine her pictures uploaded by your husband too – we
will try and get access to his DM too – and see their private messages. it may
take time – the recent messages between her and your husband just talk about
plans to meet at Singapore and travel to New Zealand on the Singapore Auckland
Flight – maybe she doesn’t live in India – maybe she is from a country for
which you can get an instant electronic visa for New Zealand – maybe your
husband may post something about her on social media which may give us a clue –
please rest assured – we will find out who the woman is – we are checking your
husband’s mobile calls, SMS and WhatsApp too…” the lady police officer says to
my wife.
“How can my husband just go away with a strange woman without even
telling me…? I am really worried now…” my wife says.
“Don’t worry – at least you know that your husband is safe and sound –
and he is in good company…” the policewoman bites her lip – she shouldn’t have
said that last bit about me being in “good company”.
_________
But – Dear Reader – indeed – I am in good company – Nisha is truly a
wonderful companion – and we are really enjoying ourselves in New Zealand.
As we – Nisha and Me – as we sip red wine in the romantic setting of the
lakeside restaurant in Queenstown – the lady police officer looks at the
private messages between Nisha and Me.
_________
As the lady police officer reads the intimate messages exchanged between
Nisha and Me on DM – she wonders in her mind:
“It is most amusing but baffling.
What an irony…!!!
A husband and wife who are living together - who are so physically close
to each other – yet – they are so emotionally distant.
And – a man and a woman who have never met in real life – yet – they seem
to be so emotionally intimate with each other…”
_________
She asks herself the moot question:
“Can virtual relationships be more intimate than real-life relationships…?”
________
VIKRAM KARVE
1. If you share this post, please give due credit to the author Vikram Karve
2. Please DO NOT PLAGIARIZE. Please DO NOT Cut/Copy/Paste this post
© vikram karve., all rights reserved.
No comments:
Post a Comment