Maddydegala_26

In the heart of RK Colony, a working-class neighbourhood on the outskirts of Pearl City, Karthik’s peaceful life is shattered when he receives a fateful phone call one morning. His father, Raghupathi, a powerful businessman, has been found dead at a construction site. While the police quickly rule it a suicide, Karthik senses something more sinister at play.

As he navigates through grief, the funeral, and relentless police inquiries continues. Karthik leans on his girlfriend, Siri, and his best friend, Rishi. However, cracks begin to form in his reality with his father’s past dealings. New evidence surfaces that suggests the truth is far more complex. As Karthik digs deeper, he uncovers betrayal, hidden motives, and a conspiracy that turns the case on its head. 

The novel is a gripping tale of love, loss, and deception, exploring the depths of human emotion as Karthik fights for justice, uncovering a dark web of secrets that threaten to destroy everything he holds dear.

Who Killed My Father

"A girl from the central prison was admitted here. Could you tell me her ward?" Karthik asked the hospital receptionist.

The receptionist directed him to the first floor.

He saw a policewoman standing outside a ward. He walked straight to her.

"Yes, sir. That's me. She's inside."

The policewoman led Karthik to Siri's bed. Siri lay there with a white bandage around her head and hand marks on her left cheek.

"Prison fight," the officer replied matter-of-factly.

Karthik wasn't surprised by the standard police response.

"Could you leave us for five minutes, please?"

"No more than five minutes," she said, then left them alone. The room was empty except for Siri. The officer waited outside.

Karthik walked to Siri's side and pulled up a steel stool, the scraping sound waking her. Her eyes filled with tears of happiness at seeing him.

Karthik took Siri's right hand in his hands. His throat tightened, and his eyes welled up. Slowly, Siri moved both of Karthik's hands and placed them on her abdomen.

"Baby?" Karthik whispered, his voice choked with emotion.

Siri confirmed her pregnancy with a nod.

Karthik took a deep breath, relief flooding him. He kissed Siri's forehead.

"Rishi confirmed that you didn't kill Dad," he said.

Karthik placed Siri's right hand on his head.

"I'm tired, Siri," he continued. "Everyone I trusted betrayed me. Rishi, Uncle Lawyer, even Dad," he added with a weak laugh. "I need the truth. The truth I can't see, even though I feel it's all around me. I'm going crazy. I don't know who in the world is really mine. Please help me. I'm ready for anything now. Just tell me. Who killed my father?"

Siri's tears flowed as she listened to his anguished plea.

"We don't have much time, Siri. The officer will be back soon. I don't want our baby to be born in a prison."

Siri struggled to keep the truth hidden.

Karthik pulled out his revolver and aimed it at his own head.

"It's you, Karthik, who killed your dad."

"I killed my dad?" he repeated, confused.

Karthik recalled Rishi's words relayed by the lawyer: "If Karthik comes after us, I'll reveal the name of his father's killer. He'll go crazy, and that'll be punishment enough."

Karthik began to piece together the events surrounding his father's death.

"I killed my dad, and I don't remember it?"

"Sir, five minutes are up," the policewoman interrupted.

Siri quickly hid the revolver beneath her.

Karthik folded his hands in a gesture of supplication and bowed to the officer.

Seeing the couple in tears, the officer softened and granted them a little more time. She turned back to her post.

"Karthik, I don't want to go back to prison," Siri pleaded.

"We don't have time. I want to live with you for the rest of my life. Please, do something," Siri continued.

Karthik scanned the room for an escape route. He saw a back door, luckily locked from the inside.

Karthik disconnected Siri's medical attachments and hid the revolver in his waistband. He lifted her into his arms and carried her through the back door, away from the policewoman's sight.

A few minutes later, the policewoman entered the room and found them gone.

13: The Escape