Episode 6

Prof Shanmugam was jumping in joy.  The 65 year archeologist felt complete now.  For almost a decade he was in search of King Ravi Varma who had gone missing in history. Somehow he got smitten by the king and has spent all these years searching for him.

He started to recall  his journey. His expedition was going on well for a couple of years when his sponsor decided to pull the plug. Owing lack of funds he decided to quit when he was approached by Dr. Srinivasan. He was so eager to listen to facts about the king and promised to sponsor them till they find the King. He was true to his words so far.

The Doctor will be proud to hear this,  He thought. He couldn't wait till morning.  He decided to call and break the good news. 'Your mobile is ringing'. This was the second time Raj reminded his father Srinivasan from his dreams.

He hardly answered and said Hello when Shanmugam shouted at the other end. 'we have done it.  King Ravi Varma' s skeletal remains are
found now.  Once you come and witness it personally we can disclose it to the world that we have finally found the lost King. '

Srinivasan wondered if he was still dreaming. He signaled Raj to stop the vehicle.' Shanmugam what's happening there? 'His words were almost like a whisper. As Shanmugam explained the excavation proceedings Srinivasan could take it no longer.' Are you sure that's our King? How can you be so certain? '

' Doctor, we have got  all missing artifacts here and  the skeleton dates to exactly the time frame of King Ravi Varma.  Also it carried the staff and sword of the King as described in history. Am pretty sure that's our man.  If you want,  we can perform further tests on him to prove.

Srini's head was rolling now. He could not understand the turn of events.  If Ravi Varma was there then who is this person who matches his uniqueness.  He told everything to his son. He was equally confused.

'Let's plan now.  You meet the person here tomorrow.  I will go to the excavation site and see whats happening there.  I will try to confirm whose skeleton lays there.' He suggested.

They drove in silence. When they reached their house, their watchman Ramu opened the door and said ' Sir these two came just now. It seems he is in a lot of pain.  Will you be able to treat them now or should I show them out.?

Though tired,  Srinivasan did not want a person to suffer.  He asked them to come in. He showed them to a small consulting room adjacent to the living room of their posh bungalow and switched on the lights.

He turned to face them .  He felt he has seen one of them before very often but could not recollect. He was constantly staring at him that he didn't listen to any of their words.  'Shall I attend them while you go and rest' Raj's  words brought him to senses.

He accepted the offer as he was tired but did not leave the room.  He proceeded to sit in a chair but continued thinking about the person.  It seemed the other guy had been in an accident nearby and this person who was on his way to the bus station saw him and offered to help.

'The wound looks so bad. We may have to stitch you up. 'Raj said after examination. He asked the person to help while he attempted to stitch the patients hand. While doing so,  his ring came in the way and troubled him.  He removed it and placed it on the table.

The patient unable to bear the pain swayed his leg so hard that shook the table. The ring fell on to Srinivasan's leg with a soft thud. He bent down to pick it up.  It seemed very precious with a little engraving. He has seen this somewhere too. He felt something unexplainable. Raj needed a medicine now that was in his room. Srinivasan offered to bring it.

As he proceeded to his room,  he absentmindedly went to the gallery room and saw the potrait of King Ravi Varma that was displayed in a decent resolution. His eyes fell on the hands in the portrait. It was displaying with pride the same ring that was now in the hands of Dr. Srinivasan.

His heart raced. He got an intuition.  He rushed to his room and threw open the cupboard containing the artifacts and portraits related to the search of the King. He clutched whatever portrait he could grasp and threw it in the nearby table and started searching something.

'Aaah' he exclaimed seeing a portrait. 'May I have my ring back? It is not for someone with filthy hands like yours. '  He turned at the voice of the visitor. Srinivasan could not find his voice. He mumbled 'I never thought it was you who suffered. I will do whatever it takes to lessen your pain.'

'I have learnt to live with the pain. This is something to lessen the pain of the earth to carry traitors like you.' He drew the surgical knife he has brought with him straight into Srinivasan's chest.