PUTRID CHILD (MIZO SUPER NATURAL SLASHER/HORROR FICTION STORY) Written by : Aaron Malsawmdawngzuala WARNING : 18+

 PUTRID CHILD

(MIZO SUPER NATURAL SLASHER/HORROR FICTION STORY)

Written by : Aaron Malsawmdawngzuala

WARNING : 18+

***********************

(Thu hma tlem nei lawk ila, he thawnthu hi i chhiar huna i sawisel hmain hei hi lo hre hmasa lawk ang che. Kum tlinglo naupang pawi khawihna lam a ni dawn a, naupang tih awmloh pui pui thil tam tak, rapthlak tak tak ziah lan a ni dawn a. Tin tawngkam mawihnai vaklo leh zahmawh rawng kai lam te pawh sawi tel a ni dawn, chuvang chuan i sawisel dawn a nih chuan khawngaih takin chhiar lo mai turin ka ngen a che. Tin, kum 18 ila tling lo a nih chuan chhiar loh kha a pawilo maithei, fa nei tawh kan awm  anih chuan kan fate hriatah chhiar rilo bawk ila, chhiar tir loh bawk tur. Ka lawm e.)

**************************

Zan dar 11 leh a chanve vel a ni a, ruah a tla hnem hle. Pawn boruak chu a vawh hian a vawt vur mai a, khawlai pawh a reh hian a reh diak mai. Vanlalvena, tlangval kum 28 mi chu a car ah chuangin chak takin in lam  apan mek a. Ruah a sur nasat em avang leh chhum a zin em avang chuan kawng a hmu tha hleithei lo, mahse a hmanhmawh tawh em avang chuan a tlan lui zel a.

"In thlen vat a, mahni khum ah ngei han mut lum vawng vawng a va chakawm tawh ve.." tiin a phun sup a, a han nui deuh suk bawk a. Tichuan a tlan zel a, an in kalkawng hi peng hnih a awm a, kawng chung leh kawng hnuai a ni. Peng chu a thlen dawn chuan  ahan inngaihtuah vang vang a, "Kawng chung lama kal chuan kawng a chho si a, petrol a hek bawk si. Kawnghnuai ah kal zawk ta ila, kawng a chhe bawk si, ruah a sur hnem bawk si." a ti rilru nuah nuah a.

A tawpah chuan a thaw hak a, "Umm..eng em kan tawk lovang chu. Kawnghnuaiah kal ang, a hnai zawk." tiin kawng hnuai lam pan chuan a tlan tla ta a. Kawng hnuai lam hi a reh angreng a, a ramhnuai ang reng hle bawk. A hlauh ruk sa ang ngeiin kawng chu a lo chhe khawp mai, mahse a chhe rei lo hlauh.

Kawng mam lai a thleng a, a thaw huai mai. A car tape chu a play a, a han suk pui ang dup dup a. A meizial phawrh chhuakin tan a han tum a, a kun lai tak chuan a hma zawn takah chuan mipa naupang niawm tak, kawng sir atanga rawn tlan phei thut chu  a hmu a. A hma zawn takah chuan a lo la ding zui, Vena chuan a su teuh kher mai.

A steering chu a vuan hman hlauh a, kawngsir lamah a tlan a. A phu nasa lutuk leh hlauthawng bawk si chu khamah a tlan liam lo chauh, motor chu a tiding hman hram a ni. A thaw hlawi hlawi a, "Engthil nge ni ngai?" tiin motor atang chuan a chhuak nghal a. A phone phawrhin light a on a, a han en kual a.

Mahse mak tak maiin tumah a hmu lo, a han kal hla leh deuh a. A thim em em mai bawk si a, ruah lah a la sur nasa mai bawk nen. "AWm in awm em? AWm in awm em ka tih chu..." tiin a han au vak vak ringawt a, mahse tuman an chhang si lo. Ngaih tha lo tak chung chuan motor lam pan chuan a let leh a, a hlau ru angreng hle bawk.

Motor chhungah chuan a lut a, thawk a han la leh te te a. "Ka hmu sual em mawni le?" tiin a han phun leh sak a, a mit te chu a han nuai vak vak a. A thaw leh hak a, tichuan motor chu start a han tum leh a. Chutah a motor front mirror a han melh chho zeuh chu a seat hnung lamah chuan kha mipa naupang kha a hmu ta.

A phu nasa kher mai, mahse naupang chuan rang takin Vena hrawkah chuan hnunglam atang chuan a rawn zai ta mai a nih chu. Thisen a chik nghal puat puat a, a khur nghal zawih zawih bawk. A hrawk atanga thisen tam tak rawn baw chhuak hawk hawk chu Vena chuan a han hmet a, mahse awmzia a awm lo.

Second 10 a ral meuh chuan a thi ta der mai, motor chhungah chuan thisen a tling nuai mai. Chu mipa naupang kum 8 mi lek chuan Vena ruang chu a en vang vang a, seat hmalam ah chuan ava insawn phei a. Chutah Vena dul ah chuan a han vit leh siah siah mai a, thisen a rawn baw chhuak leh hawk hawk mai.

*************************

A tuk zingah chuan Vena te khua a mi tho, constable pakhat kum 40 vela upa Pu Rama night duty haw lam chuan kawngsira Vena motor lo ding reng mai chu a hmu a. Tlan pelh mai a han tum a, mahse motor tukverh a thisen niawm tak lo kai nuai mai a hmuh chuan a ngaih a tha ta chiah lo.

Rang takin a let leh a, Vena motor bulah chuan ava ding a. Motor atang chuan chhukin ava pan hnai a, naupang zawitea tap ri a hre ta tlat mai. A ding chat a, a tiang chu a phawrh a. Hlau rilru deuh tak chung chuan, "Hey, motor ah khan awm in awm em? Lo chhuak rawh, police ka nih hi." tiin a pan hnai zel a.

Naupang tap ri lah chu a ring telh telh leh nghal, chutah Pu Rama chuan a han kawngkhar chu a han hawng thut a. Tiang chu a lek kang nghal, mahse a tawp chat mai. Car seat hnung lamah chuan mipa naupang, kum 8 mi vel lek tur hi hlauh hmel em em in a lo awm a, Pu Rama chu hlauh hmel tak hian a lo en bawk.

Seat hma lamah lah Vena ruang, hrawk thler vek mai a lo thi meng kur chu a hmu bawk a, Pu Rama chu a hrilh a haiin mak a ti kher mai. A phone a phawrh vat a, Police dangte chu a hrilh nghal vat a. Chutah naupang chu a en a, "Mama, i tha em?" a han ti khur dar dar a. Mahse chu naupang chuan a chhang lo, Pu Rama chu a hlauh hmel em em ringawt mai a ni.

"Mama...lo kal teh, hetah lo kal teh." tiin a kut chuan ava ban a, mahse naupang chuan a lu a  lo thing tlat. "Min hlau suh, police ka nih hi. Lo kal rawh...engmah hlau suh." a han ti leh a, naupang lah chu a tap pur mai. Rei fe an inthlem hnu chuan hreh hmel tak chuan naupang chuan ava pan hnai ve ngam ta, Pu Rama chuan a pawm vat a.

***************************

"Pu Duhawm, i chi (sperm) pawh kan test tawh a, diklohna a awm lo. A awmzia ber chu in nu chhul hi a thalo a ni, mahse engtiang chiah a diklo nge kan sawi thei mai rih lo. Keini pawn mak kan ti, in nupa in test theih engkim kan test tawh a, diklohna engmah kan hmu lo. Pawi kan ti khawp mai, min hrethiam teh u." tia doctor-i'n a han hrilh chuan Duhawma te nupa chu an in en ngawih ngawih ringawt mai.

Beidawn hmel tak hian Duhawma nupui Martha-i chuan, "Doctor, anih leh diklohna ka neih siloh chuan tinge fa chu ka la neih theih loh?" tiin a tap pur mai. Inthlahrun hmel tak hian Doctor chuan, "I chhul that loh vang a ni a, mahse enge a chhan tak kan hre theilo. In pa chi pawh kan test a, a dik vek tho." tiin a lo chhang a.

"Anih leh doctor, kan nu hian nau a pai thei dawn miah lo tihna em ni?" tiin Duhawma chuan a han zawt ve leh a. Doctor chu a ngawi vang vang a, "Chu erawh Pathian chauhvin a hria, ti hian ti teh u. Phai lamah kal mai teh u, anni chuan keini ve ngawt ai chuan tihdan an lo hre zawk mahna." tiin a lo chhang leh a.

Lungchhe tak chung chuan an nupa chuan Hospital chu an chhuah san ta a, motorah chuan an lut a. Martha-i chuan a hmai a hup a, a tap nghal zawih zawih mai. "Duhtak, tap suh...lungngai mah ta che. Pathian hnenah kan dil leh anga, mi pe em em ang. Kan nghah deuh rih a ngai a ni, beidawng mai suh." tiin a lo hnem vat a.

Vin lek lek hian Martha-i chuan, "Eng thleng nge kan nghah dawn, Duhawm? Kum 5...kum 5 chhung kan innei tawh. A tir atang khan...in entir ang ka tih tirh te khan in entir ila chu fa kan nei ve tawh ngei ang. Nilo...fa ka duh ve a ni....ka duh ve.." tiin a tap leh hawm hawm a. Duhawma chuan a kuah a, "Bawihte, tap tawh suh. Kan nei ve em em ang, lungngai suh.." tiin duat takin a chul a.

"Duhtak, ka diklohna an hre bawk silova...enge awmzia ni ang? Kei hi mihring pangngai ka phalo tihna em ni?" tiin Martha-i chu a tawng chhuak thei tawk tawk a ni ber. "Chutin sawi mah ta che, engmah diklohna i nei lo. Kan vanduai hrih mai mai a nih hi, kan nei em em ang, min ring rawh." tiin Duhawma chuan a hnem a, tichuan in lam pan chuan an inkhalh haw ta a.

*****************

Police leh mipui te pawh an pung tam tawh khawp mai, Vena ruang chu an en sup sup a. A thenin thla an lo la a, police thenkhat te chuan an lo dang bawk. Forensic doctor te chuan ruang chu an enfiah mek bawk a, minute 10 vel a liam leh hnu chuan Sub Inspector Lawmsanga chu a rawn thleng ve ta.

Motor atang chuan a rawn chhuak a, constable Pu Rama chuan ava pan vat a. "Good morning, Sir." tiin zah takin chibai a buk a. Lawmsanga chuan ruang awmna lam pan pah chuan, "Nangmah em ni hmu hmasa ber?" tiin a lo zawt nghal a. "Aw ni e, Sir." tiin Pu Rama chuan a lo chhang a.

"Dar engzat velah nge?"

"Zing dar 6 pelh hret vel a ni, Sir."

"Chuan khawnge naupang chu?"

"Saw tah...jeep ah sawn a awm."

"Engemaw sawi a nei tawh em?"

"Aih neilo, kan zawhna engmah a chhang duh lo."

Lawmsanga chuan VEna ruang chu a han en vang vang a, "A that duh satliah pawh a nilo....phuba a nih zawk hmel." tiin a han ner deuh nung a. Doctor ho bulah chuan, "Enge chanchin?" tiin a han zawt ve leh a. Doctor zinga pakhat chuan, "Chemte hmanga thah a ni, chawhmeh channa chemte pangngai a nih hmel." tiin a lo chhang a.

"Tualthattu chuan a hriamhrei chu a hnutchhiah bik lo tihna a nimaw?" tiin a nui deuh suk a, "Um..a nih hmel." tiin doctor chuan a lo chhang leh a. Lawmsanga chu a han thaw deuh hak a, "Post mortem report kimchang tak ka hre duh ang aw.." tiin a kalsan a. Police Jeep-a lo thu, mipa naupang hmeltha tak leh pawisawi loh hmel tak mai chu ava en a.

Puan lo sin in coffee lum an lo intir a, Lawmsanga chuan ava pan hnai a. Nui sang hian, "Hello Mama, enge i an tawh?" tiin a han zawt a, mahse naupang chuan a chhang lo. LAwmsanga bawk chuan, "Tunge i hming le?" tiin a han zawt leh a, mahse ala ngawi reng. Pu Rama bawk chuan, "Kan zawt nasa tawh lutuk, engmah a sawi duh lo." a lo ti a.

Lawmsanga bawk chuan zaidam tak hian, "I ril a tam em?" a han ti leh a. Naupang chuan a lu a lo bu nghat mai, "Enge i ei duh ang?" tiin a zawt leh a, mahse engtin mah ala chhang chuang lo. A han ngawi leh vang vang a, "Apu te hian hmun him lamah an hruai che anga, chuan thil i ei teuh dawnnia aw...nakinah kan inhmu leh vat dawnnia." tiin a biangah chuan a han chul a.

Pu Rama bulah chuan, "Station lamah phur phei ula, thil in eitir dawnnia. Ruang hi ka han enchiang veleh lawk anga, tichuan ka rawn kal ve vat ang. Chuan...naupang mai ala ni a, a chhan duh loh che u chuan zawt lui vak vak suh ang che u. A tawng theilo pawh a ni maithei, a ti hlauthawng zawng khan che lo hram ang che u." tiin a hrilh a.

Pu Rama chuan, "AWle Sir...mitthi chhungte hi.." a tih lai chuan Lawmsanga chuan, "Kha chu ka kutah dah rawh..." tih pah chuan naupang chu a va en leh a. Naupang lah chuan chiang em em hian Lawmsanga chu a lo melh ve kur bawk a, "He naupang chhungte pawh hi a rang lamin hriat lo tum ang che u, he case hi a namai dawnlo riauvin ka hria." ti nuah nuah chung chuan ruang awmna lam chu a pan leh a.

**********************

Vena te in lam pan chuan Lawmsanga chu a inkhalh phei a, constable pakhat a hruai tel bawk. Vena te in lamah pawh mi an lo pung hnem tawh khawp mai, VEna nu tap nasa lutuk chu a lo thidang hial a ni awm e. Vena pa, Pu Ruata chuan LAwmsanga te pahnih chu tha takin a lo dawngsawng a, zawhna an inzawt tan ta a.

"Ka pu, VEna hian hmelma a neih awm i hria em?"

"Tlangval fel tak tia sawi tur chu a nilova, han insual te pawh a hrat ve thin khawp mai. MAhse tun hnai tak hi chuan a fel ve angreng a, zu pawh a intlem ve deuhin kan hria. Hmelma a neih awm kan hrelo, mahse sawi tak ang khan insual te a hrat ve a, hmelma lo nei pawh nise tiang khawpa that duh tu tur hi chu an awm ka ring lo."

"Anih leh tun hnai velah a mizia han danglam thut emaw te a awm em? Entir nan, nidanga a mizia leh a awmdan nilo ang deuha han awm te a nei em?"

"Chutiang a neih pawh ka hrelo, zu a nghei vang vang hnu khan hmanni deuh khan a han in leh vak a...mahse a mizia a dan phah awm pawh kan hre lo. A nu leh pate hi min hlau lem lova, keini pawn kan hau peih tawhlo zawk a ni ber."

"Khawngaihin a room ka lo en thei angem?"

"Thei tehreng e, inchung lamah khian a nia.."

"Ka lawm e."

Vena room lamah chuan an inzui chho a, a room chhung a han lut chu a lum deuh pup mai. Tlangval room tih takah a hnawk nuai mai a, a poster tar te pawh thawmhnaw ha tha peihlo deuh deuh thlalak hlir a ni. Rei deuh fe a han en ngial hnu pawh chuan a hnuchhuina a tangkai tur thil engmah a hmu lo, a chhuah san leh ta a.

"Pu Ruat, in nu harh veleh min lo hrilh ang che aw...ani pawh thu zawhfiah ve angai dawn ania." a han ti a. Pu Ruata chuan tap deuh teuh chung chuan, "Anih leh ka pu, ka fapa ruang chu.." a han ti tham tiak a. "A lo thleng tep ang, investigation neih mek ala ni a. A ruang pawh post mortem tura kan lak angai a, he tualthattu hi kan chhuichhuah ngei theih nan i fapa ruang hi kan la kawl rih angai a ni." tiin a chhang a.

Tap chung hian Pu Ruata chuan, "Khawngaihin ka pu, chhui chhuak ngei ang che u." tiin a inhnit hlawp hlawp a. "Kan theih tawp kan chhuah dawn alawm, lungngai reng reng suh u. Chuan kan hriat lohvin khawiah mah lo chhuak bo lo ula, lo zin bo lo bawk ang che u." tiin Station lam pan chuan a kalsan ta a.

**********************

Station ah chuan LAwmsanga chu a lut a, Pu Rama chuan a lo pan vat a. "Enge chanchin, Pu Ram?" tiin a han zawt a. "Tawng chu a tawng thei ngei e...mahse engvak mah thu thar hriat belh theih ala nilo." tiin a lo chhang a. Lawmsanga chuan a han en deuh hu a, "Enge awmzia?" a han ti a.

"A hming chu a sawi, Francis-a a inti. Mahse thildang kan zawh lahin min chhang tha duh chuanglo, a tap dawn zel a. Ka hlau...min thah a tum....tih vel ringawt a sawi."

"Tuin nge thah tum tu chu in zawt lo em ni?"

"Zawt ve bawk e, mahse a sawi tha duhlo. Kan zawh luih lahin a tap zel bawk sia, tihngaihna kan hre biklo."

"Anih leh thil in ei tir tawh em?"

"Aw eitir tawh e...a ei teuh mai."

"A that nasat chu...tunah khawnge a awm?"

"Interrogation room ah."

"Umm...chhun lamah VEna nu leh pate kan va biak leh angai dawn a, he naupang..Francis-a pawh hi an hre mial maithei asin. Nangmah nen kan kal dawnnia, chuan khawnge Inspector Muantea hi a awm a?" tiin Lawmsanga chuan a han zawt leh a. "A lo la thleng lo, IG Sir chu a lo thleng tawh." tiin Pu Rama chuan a lo chhang a.

Interrogation room ah chuan Lawmsanga chu ava lut ve leh a, mipa naupang Francis-a chu a melh ngai melh rengin a lo thu ngawi ran mai. A hma zawnah chuan ava thu a, "Mama, enge i lo an a?" tiin a han zawt a, chhang miah lo chuan a lo melh kur ringawt. "Thil i ei tawh maw?" a han ti leh a.

A lu a lo bu leh deuh nghut ringawt, "FRancis-a maw i hming?" tiin a zawt leh a. A lu a lo bu leh ringawt a, Lawmsanga chu a han thu tha leh te te a. Chiang tak hian a en a, "Khawnge i nu leh pate an awm?" tiin a han zawt leh a. Chiang fek fawk, zawi tak si hian Francis-a chuan, "An thi tawh." tiin a chhang ta mai a.

Lawmsanga pawh a phu deuh zuk mai, "Enga? An thi tawh a?" a ti deuh hu mai a. Francis-a biangah chuan mittui a lo luang a, muang chang hian a lu a bu nghat nghat a. "Engtia thi nge?" a han ti leh a. "A that.." tih ringawtin a lo chhang leh a. "Tuin..tuin maw?" tiin Lawmsanga chuan a zawt leh nghal vat.

"Khapa khan...kha palian deuh khan.." tiin Francis-a chu a inhnit ta feih feih mai. Mahse Lawmsanga chuan hriat chhunzawm a duh tlat, "FRancis, tunge chupa chu? Tunge chupa chu?" tiin a han zawt leh a. Mahse Francis-a chuan, "Ka hrelo...ka hrelo.." tiin dawhkan chu a bawh a, a tap ta hawm hawm mai.

Inthiam lo tak chuan Lawmsanga chuan a thlem a, "Hey..hey, tap suh, Bawiha...ka zawt tawh lovang che...tihpalh aw, engmah ka zawt tawh dawn lo che, tap tawh suh le." tiin a kuah a, police dangte chuan an rawn pawm vat a. Room atang chuan LAwmsanga chu a chhuak a, a thaw deuh hak mai.

IG chuan Lawmsanga chu a office ah a ko phei a, ava lut a. "SI Lawmsang, enge chanchin le?" tiin a lo zawt a. "Sir, a hmingpum erawh chu kan la hrelo. Francis-a a in ti a, tunge a chhungte, khawi veng nge engmah a sawi duh lo. Ka rindan chuan nizan khan thil rapthlak tak chu a thleng a ngei a ni, he naupang hlauh dan em em atang hian.." tiin a chhang a.

"Anih leh VEna chhungte lam kha..."

"Vena nu Pi Liani kha a fapa thih thu khan a thawng lutuk a, a thidang e an tia. Mahse ngaihtuah awm a nilo."

"Khawiah nge tunah a awm? Damdawiinah em ni?"

"Damdawiin ah chuan an dah lo, a bp leh thildang engkim a tha vek a. Inah ala muhil hrih, an pa bulah a harh veleh min lo hrilh rawh ka tih kha.."

"Post mortem result engtikah nge a chhuah ang?"

"Zanin ah chuan a chhuak hman tawh turah kan ngai."

"A that chu...he case hi i kutah ka dah ania. Ka mi rin ber pawl i ni a, i chhui chhuah ngei ka beisei."

"Ka theih tawp ka chhuah ang, Sir."

IG office atanga a chhuak chiah chu Inspector Muantea chu a lo thleng ve chiah a, a er em em leh a itsik thin em em Lawmsanga chu hmuhsit hmel tak hian a va en a. Nui vur vur chung chuan, "Tualthattu chu i lo man leh der tawh lo maw, changtupa.." a rawn ti deuh kher a. Lawmsanga chu za lo tak hian a nui suk a, "Chhui chhuak nghal mai bik love, Sir." tiin dam diai hian a lo chhang a.

"I chhui chhuak leh vat thei ang chu, i fing alawm. Zanin velah te chuan i thei tawh mai lo maw...inspector-a kai san i chak tawh awm sia, theih tawp chhuah ang che." tih pah chuan rum zet hian a melh a, a dawhkan lam panin a zai phei rut rut a. Mahse LAwmsanga chuan en pawh a en lo, a aia senior kha  a ni miau va, eng tin mah a chhang let duh lo.

Muantea chuan dawhkanah chuan a ke a han hlang a, "Pu Tluang, khawimaw thingpui min va lak lawk teh...lo in ang hmiang." a la ti ham ham zui. Lawmsanga chu pawnah a chhuak a, Pu Rama chuan a rawn zui ve nghal a. "Sir, Inspector Muantea tih dan che hi chu a mah mah thin a ni. Mahni Pa rual zet, U Tluangtea pawh a tir ziah ania...a rank a sang vang mai hian.." a tih lai chuan LAwmsanga chu a nui suk a.

"Khaih khaih..Pu Ram, engah mah ngai suh. Tih theih kan nei hlei nem, kan IG ber makpa kha  ani tlat a. Duhsak bik loh theih loh a ni ve a, a ho lutuk. Cheng khat pawhin kan hlawh a hniam phah hleinem, ngai thutak vak duh suh." a lo ti mai a. "Chupawh ni se, IG Sir pawh hian a makpa  anih vang mai hian a duhsak em em a. HE case ah pawh hian a ring zo lova, nangmah zawk kutah a dah a nih hi." tiin Pu Rama chu a lo la thinrim nasa mai.

"A ho lutuk, duhtawk teh. E taka, Francis-a khan a nu leh pate kha tu emaw in a that a ti a, Vena thattu tho hi a nih ka ring. Han zawh luih dawnin a tap zel bawk si a, engpawh nise Francis-a hi tunge a nih a, tu fa nge, khawi ami nge a nih chu zawi zawiin kan hre mai turah ka ngai." Lawmsanga chuan a han ti a. 

"Sir, news ah te puan tir mai ila...a chhungte hi tute nge an nih kan hriat vat a ngai lawm ni?" Pu Rama chuan a lo ti ve leh a. "Ni e, a ni khawp mai. Mahse investigation kan neih chhung hi chuan media ho hrilh hriat nghal vak hi a fuh ber lo, engemaw tal..hei aia thuchiang kan hriat belh leh hunah IG Sir pawh thu kimchang ka hrilh chauh ang." tiin a chhang leh a.

"Anih chuan engtin nge hma kan lak zel dawn?"

"Media ho pawh hian an channel TRP tih san nan hian thu phuah belh an nei ziah a, chu chu a thlen ka duh lo a ni. Media ho puihna chu kan mamawh ngei a, mahse fimkhur taka kan chet a ngai. Francis-a hi tunge a nih kan hriat theih nan news a puan chu loh theihloh a ni a, duhlo mah ila tunah pawh khawi news channel emaw chuan an puang daih tawh tho vang."

"Chuti chu tunge a nih kan hre vat thei dawn tihna animaw?"

"Mizoram zim te ah hian he naupang hi tunge a nih tih chu hriatchhuah a har lovang, ka sawi awmzia tak zawk chu...he tualthattu hi tunge a nih a, enge a duh? Chuan nizan khan engthil chiah nge thleng tih hi kan zawnchhuah vat a ngai a ni."

********************************

Lawmsanga leh Pu Rama te chu VEna te in lam pan chuan an kal ta a, motor a an tlan mek lai chuan Lawmsanga chuan, "Pu Ram, i fate enge an an?" tiin a han zawt a. "Kan fapa upa ber hi a hahthlak a ni e, kum 21 a ni ve tawh bawk sia. Han inhauh chiam hi  anuam thin silova, an kum a lo tlem zawk zawk tawh biklo nen." a ti chuai deuh raih a.

Lawmsanga chu a nui suk a, "Aww..apa i nia, i control tur alawm. Chubakah police i nih kha, a tul chuan kut thlak mai tur." a lo ti sam et a. "Nilove...kut inthlak ringawt hian fate hi a siam tha ber lo. Kut inthlak avang hian fel theih chu nise tuman fa sual an nei nang, tumah hauh ngai leh ven reng ngai an awm nang." tiin a lo chhang a.

"Pa in a fa a hmangaih chu a vaw thin tih a nih kha, nge i vaw phallo zawk?" tiin Lawmsanga chuan a han zawt leh a. Pu Rama chu a khi deuh suk, "Vaw phal tehreng e, mahse tunah chuan kut inthlak vak vak hian awmzia a nei thui tawh lo. An luhlul ve tawh si a, mi han chhan let pawng pawng te pawh a ngam ve tan tawh." a lo ti leh a.

"Tunge  a hming kha?"

"Ropuia....Lalropuia.."

"Fa pathum i nei a, Ropuia hi i fapa neih chhun a ni a. A chiang vek alawm, i duat bik ani chiang mai. Fa hmuh hmasak ber ani bawk a, chutah mipa a ni leh nghal." fiamthu ti tak deuh chuan Lawmsanga chu a han nui var var a. "Pathianin a min pek ah hian kei chu ka lungawi vek, hmeichhia vek pawh nise ka lawm vek tho." tiin Pu Rama chuan a lo chhang leh a.

Chutia an titi tui lai tak chuan Vena te in chu an thleng der mai, thenawm khawveng te pawh an lo la ri mup mup mai. Program an lo nei mek a,  ruang erawh post mortem mek ala nih avangin nghah mek ala ni thung. Lawmsanga leh Pu Rama chuan pawnah an han nghak leh rih a, reiloteah chuan Pu Ruata chu a rawn chhuak a.

"In lo thleng tawh ani maw?" tiin a rawn chibai dun a, a tahna avangin a mit pawh a la bui chur mai. "Nia, kan rawn tlai deuh zawk a nih hi. Ka pu, in nu chu a harh tawh em?" tiin Lawmsanga chuan a han zawt a. "Harh tawh e, a thianten room ah an awmpui a. Hei, zai pawh a zai ve peih lo." tiin a lo chhang a.

"Hmuh kan va duh ve aw...case chhui lai mek a ni sia, ngaih loh lamah lo ngai lo la." polite tak chuan Lawmsanga chuan a han ti leh a. "Ngai lul love, min lo zui rawh u." tiin an nupa bed room lam chu a pan pui ta a. Room chhung an lut a, Vena nu thiante chuan police form nena Lawmsanga rawn lut an hmuh chuan an zam deuh nge ni, an lo ding rual deuh thap hlawm a.

Lawmsanga chuan a  aw a han thian kharh kharh a, "Khawngaihin Vena nu tih loh hi chuan min lo chhuah san lawk mai teh u, thil zawh duh kan nei a." a han ti a, an chhuak ta sap sap hlawm a. VEna nu Pi Liani hmaah tak chuan Lawmsanga chu a thu a, "Enge i an, ka pi?" tiin a han zawt hmasa te te a.

ZAwi te hian, "Ka zia tawh e." tiin a lo chhang a. "A hun lo viau tih chu ka hria a, mahse zawhna eng enge maw ka zawh che a ngai dawn a, min lo hrethiam hram dawnnia." a han ti leh a. Pi Liani chuan chhang lem lovin a lu a lo bu nghat ringawt a, a la in hnit feih feih mai. "Ka pi, nizan khan Vena kha khawiah nge a kal?" tiin a han zawt tan ta a.

"A chhuahna tur a sawi ngai lo, a chhuak tawp zel."

"Hmelma emaw, amah haw tu deuh te an awm em?"

"Chutiang an awm pawh ka hrelo."

"Anih leh bialnu a nei em?"

"A nei thin a, mahse an inthen tawh."

"Chu nu chu tunge a nih?"

"A hming chu Rosy a nia, kan veng ami tho. Mahse an inthen dan kha...kan hriat ve dan chuan in tha then ang hi a nia. An inthen hnu pawh khan tha deuhin an inbe leh tho, a hnuah pawh."

"A nih tak chu, nih leh Vena thiante number in nei mial em. A chhan chu VEna thawmhnaw ah leh car chhung ah khan phone engmah kan hmu lova, a thiante pawh thu zawhfiah kan duh dawn si a."

"Aw nei e.. a thiante pathum vel chu an number ka nei ve alawm."

"Awle, paper ah hian lo ziak chhuak lawk mai ta che." tiin paper leh pen chu a pe a, Pi Liani chuan a ziak a. Chutih lai tak chuan Lawmsanga phone chu a rawn ri a, Forensic dept lam ami, Dr. Kima a lo ni. "Hello Kim, enge ni ta?" tiin phone chu a la a. "Kan titi lawk dawn em mi niang, thianpa?" Kima chuan a rawn ti a.

"Eng thil nge ni a?"

"Phone atang chuan sawi a har ang, post mortem kan zo."

"Awle, darkar khat hnuah kan lo thleng ang." tiin a phone chu a dah a. Pi Liani chuan paper chu a pe let leh a, "Ka lawm e...chuan maw ka pi.." tih pah chuan Pu Rama chu a han signal zeuh va. Pu Rama chuan Francis-a thalak chu a rawn phawrh a, Lawmsanga chu a pe a. Pi Liani chu entirin, "He naupang hi i hre ngai em?" tiin a zawt a.

Pi Liani chuan a han en vang vang a, "Ka van hre mai lo, tunge a nih a?" tiin a lo zawt let heu mai. Pu Ruata chu a han entir ve leh a, mahse ani pawh chuan a lo hre bik hauh lo. Lawmsanga chuan, "He naupang hi a hming chu Francis-a a ni a, in fapa ruang kan chhar lai hian car chhungah a lo awm a ni." a tih chuan Vena nu leh pate chu an meng phawk nasa mai.

Pu Ruata chuan mak tih hmel tak hian, "He naupang hi car chhungah a lo awm amaw?" a ti vin deuh thak a. "Aw awm e, hlau leh khur zawih zawihin seat hnung lamah a lo thu a...hei ka thianpa Pu Rama hi ruang hmu hmasa ber tu chu ania." tiin Pu Rama chu a kawk a. Pu Rama pawh chuan a aw chu a han thian kharh kharh a, "Nia, a lo tap ri feih feih a. Ka hawn chiah khan a mit a lo hup a, min hlauh hmel em em bawk." a lo ti ve bawk a.

Hrilh hai hmel zet hian Pi Liani chuan, "Anih chuan he mipa naupang hian kan fapa chu a that tihna em ni?" tiin a zawt a. Lawmsanga chu a thaw deuh hak a, "Ka pi, he naupang cher ve tak, kum 8 mi lek hian i fapa kum 28 mi, ft 5'8 asang, kg 70 chuang zeta rit, palian pangngai ve tak hi a kut lawngin a thah i ring em ni?" tiin a zawt let a.

"Anih chuan enge awmzia ni ang?"

"Chu chu keini pawhin kan hriat chak ber a nia, kan chhui mek reng a ni. He naupang hian lo that pawh nise, car chhungah hian engvangin nge a mi thah ruang nen a awm ve reng duh ang? A tlan chhe daih ang, chubakah hmanrua engmah hmuh a nilo bawk. Chuan he naupang hian a nu leh pate pawh mi pakhatin a thah thu a sawi bawk a, kan rindan chuan..." a tih lai chuan a ngawi deuh dat a.

Hriat chhunzawm chak hmel tak chuan Pu Ruata chuan, "Enge...enge han sawi zel teh ka pu?" a lo ti nghal vat a. Hreh hmel tak hian Lawmsanga chuan, "Kan rindan chuan he naupang hi a tlanchhia anga, tualthattu chuan a umzui zel anga. Tichuan in fapa Vena hian a lo hmufuh anga, chhan a tumna lamah tualthattu hian Vena chu a that ve ta anga, naupang erawh a biru hman hlauh a nih hmel." a han ti leh a.

"Mahse, car chhungah he naupang hi a awm in ti bawk sia..." Pu Ruata chuan a lo ti leh a. "Thil thlen dan engmah kan hmu ve silova, kan rin thu vek ani kan sawi ni. Naupang hi thingkung phenah a biru pawh a ni thei a, VEna khan tlanchhe turin a ti pawh a ni thei. Ruah nasa takin a sur a, chuvang chuan naupang hian tawm hul nan tiin tualthattu kal bo hnuah car chhungah hian a lut ve leh pawh a ni thei." tiin a chhang leh a.

Pi Liani chuan  ahmai a hup a, "AWi Lalpa, kan chungah hian enge maw thleng ta le?" tiin a tap ta hawm hawm mai. Pu Ruata chuan a lo hnem vat a, "Kan kal phawt ange, kan inbe leh dawnnia." tiin an chhuahsan ta a. Lawmsanga chuan a phone phawrhin, "Hello Kim, kan rawn phei chiah aw." tih pah chuan phone chu a dah leh nghal a.

*********************

"Han tih vak ngaihna ka hre tawh lo a ni, ka nu. Nilengin a tap a tap mai si a, a chang chuan biak pawh ka be ngam thin lo." tiin beidawng tak chuan Duhawma chu a thu kun ngawih ngawih a, a nu Pi Zuali chuan a kut ah vawn sak in, "Lungngai suh, Bawiha. In nei em em ang, chawl lova kan tawngtai reng a ngai a nih hi." tiin a theih tawp chuan a hnem a.

Beidawn hmel tak hian Duhawma chu a rawn hawi chhuak a, "Ka tawngtai hnem tawk tawh, keichu ka beidawng tawh. Nupa nun pawh vawi duai lo kan hmang tawh a, awmzia a awm chuang lo. Pathian hian fa kan neih ve hi a phal lo aniang, kan vanduai bik a niang nge." a ti chuai raih mai.

"Chutin sawi mah ta che, tawngtai hian tawp chin  a nei tur a nilo. Chutin sawi suh, Pathian hi a tlai ve ngai lo. A hun a la tilo zawk mai a ni, ka fapa. Mangang reng reng suh, fa in neih a phal lo a ni lo. Ala hun lo mai zawk a ni, ka bazar dawn a, vawiin chu in office chawlh a ni bawk a, a bulah awm reng ang che. Ka kal ania.." tiin Pi Zuali chuan a chhuahsan ta a.

Duhawma chu room lamah a chho va, an nupa pindan ah chuan  a lut a. A nupui Martha-i chu tui takin a lo muhil bawrh bawrh a, khum bulah chuan a va thingthi hnawk mai. A nupui kut chu vuanin a tawp zawih zawih a, zawite hian, "Min ngaidam rawh, duhtak. Ka thiam loh vek a ni...a hunah tak khan in entir ila chu...ka ngaihsak loh vang vek a ni." tiin a inhnit hlawp hlawp mai.

Kum 5 liam ta khan Martha Lalmuansangi leh Lalduhawma te hi an innei a, kum 1 leh a chanve lai an inneih tawh hnu pawh chuan Martha-i chuan nau a pai thei tlat lo. Martha-i ngaih chu a tha lo nghal hle a, mahse Duhawma erawh chuan engah vak a ngai lo. A office hna lam a buaipui em avang leh mi ngaihsam tak a nih ve hrim hrim vang pawh a ni mahna, in entir chu tul a ti lem lo.

Kum 3 a ral hnu pawh chuan Duhawma chuan engmah a ngaihsak chuang lova, mahse a ngaih chu a tha chiah tawh bik lo. Martha-i chuan in entir tur chuan a tur sek zel a, an inhauh phah fo nghe nghe. Mahse Duhawma nu Pi Zuali chuan a han kam khat ta deuh va, tichuan in entir tur chuan a hruai ve ta nge nge a ni.

Tichuan kum 2 chhung zet chu in entir reng reng in an buai a, damdawiin hrang hrang pawh an pan tawh a, doctor pawh tam tak an rawn tawh. A thenin damdawi te an chawh a, engmah awmzia a awm chuang lo. Duhawma chi(sperm) an test lahin engkim a tha vek bawk si, hei vang hian Martha-i pawn depression a neih phah hial a ni.

An inneih tirh khan Duhawma duh dan ang ngeiin an indang nghal a, sorkar hnathawk niin khawsak pawh an khawsa thei viau. Hemi ni pawh hian Duhawma rilru hrehawm leh inthiam lo lutuk chuan anu chu titi pui atan leh inhnem nan tiin an in lamah a ko phei tawp a, an fa nei thei lo chu Duhawma chuan ama thiam loh vang niin a ngai nghet hmiah tawh a ni.

*************************

"Vena nghawng ah hian alphabet X niawm tak hi a inziak a, chemte hmanga ziah a ni. Chuan chu chemte pawh chu tuathattu chemte hman tho hi a nih hmel, a awmzia chu tualthattu hian sign a siam a ni." Dr. Kima chuan  a han ti a. Posr mortem result leh xray thlalak vel chu Lawmsanga chuan a han en vang vang a, "A awmzia chu tualthattu hian chhinchhiahna a siam tihna animaw?" a han ti a.

Doctor chu a nui suk a, "Um ni e, tualthattu hian VEna hi thah satliah a duh lo....rapthlak taka thaha duh tih a chiang a ni. A hrawkah a zai hmasa a, a hnu second 10 vel ah a dulah vawi 9 lai a vit leh bawk a ni." a han ti leh a. "Rapthlak taka thah a duh...enge awmzia?" Lawmsanga chuan a lo ti vat a.

"A awmzia chu maw...a hrawka a zai khan Vena hi second 5-10 vel chu a hnuk ala chat lo, mahse thisen a hloh hnem em avangin a thi ta a. A thih tawh hnuah tualthattu hian a dulah a vit leh a, vawi 9 lai...heta a vih leh kher nachhan hian a ti chiang a ni. Tualthattu hian Vena hi a haw hle a nih loh pawhin, a mi thah dan a rapthlak ve hrim hrim tihna  a ni." tiin doctor chuan a lo chhang leh a.

"Enge adang hriat belh tur awm?"

"Francis-a thawmhnaw ah khan thisen tam tak a kai a, Vena thisen vek a ni. A awmzia chu tualthattu in Vena a thah lai khan Francis-a hi a awm hnai hle a ni, a nih loh pawhin.." tiin a han ngawi deuh vang vang a, "Sawi zel rawh." Lawmsanga chuan  alo ti vat a. Kima chuan Lawmsanga en deuh kar pah chuan, "Tualthattu hi Francis-a zawk pawh hi a ni thei." a ti ta mai a.

LAwmsanga chu a nui huk mai, "Enga? Saw naupang kum 8 vel lek sawn ti khawpa rapthlak hian tual a that ang maw? Atthlak lutuk, tualthattu pawh chu lo nise hetah engtin nge kan bulah ala awm theih? A tlan chhe daih ang chu....engemaw i sawi le?" a ti deuh chiam mai. "Relax thianpa, thil ni thei ka sawi mai alawm." tiin Kima chu a khi vur vur a.

Second 10 vel chu a han vei kual a, "Crime scene ah khan ka kal leh angai, chuan zawi zawiin Francis-a hi kan tawng hnem tir deuh angai bawk ang. Engkim a sawi ngam hunah chuan engkim a chiang vek ang, thildang a la awm em, Kim?" tiin a zawt leh a. Kima chuan, "Aw awm e...Francis-a hi ka puh tumna ngawr ngawr anilo ania...chu chu hre hmasa phawt la." a han ti leh te te a.

"SAwi mai mai teh." Lawmsanga chuan a lo ti vin hlur mai. Kima chuan thawk a han la te te a, "Vena samah hian mihring DNA hmuh a ni bawk a, chu chu Francis-a DNA nen a inmil chiah chiah bawk." tiin a chhang ta mai a. LAwmsanga chu a ngawi vang vang a, "Tualthattu hian Francis-a hi motor chhungah khan a awm luih tir pawh a ni thei, Francis-a thil tih anga lan tir a tum a ni mai lo maw?" a han ti leh hram a.

Kima pawh chuan, "Kha chu ka hre tawh biklo, mahse naupang ber kher hi chu a hman ka ring lo a ni. Naupang tawng chhuah hun hi kan nghah angai, media lam ho lah chuan channel hrang hrang ah an post kual duah tawh mai si a. Francis-a chhungte pawn lo hre ve ta se, an mangang dawn lutuk. Thil chiang pakhat chu Francis-a hian Vena sam hi chu a khawih ngei a ni, abak chu hriat belh tur a  awm lo." a lo ti ve bawk a.

"Pu Ram, crime scene ah Francis-a hi hruaiin ka kal anga, nangin Francis-a chhungte chu lo hriat chhuah vat tum ang che....amah Francis-a hria ni a lo in report emaw an awm chuan rang takin an address hriat lo tum nghal bawk ang che." a ti a, "Awle Sir." tiin Pu Rama chuan a lo chhang a, an chhuak dun ta a.

*********************

Crime Scene lam pan chuan Lawmsanga chu Francis-a hruaiin motor in an tlan mek a, Francis-a chuan a melh ngai melhin a thu ngawi reng mai. An tlan lai chuan Lawmsanga chuan, "Francis, ei duh i nei em?" tiin a han zawt a. A lu a lo thing ringawt, "I la hlau em?" tiin a han zawt leh a, a lu a lo bu leh nghut ringawt a.

"Hlau tawh suh aw...i bulah ka awm tawh hi...ihmaw, i nu leh pate hming min hrilh thei angem?" tiin a han zawt leh a. Mahse Francis-a chu a ngawi reng, "I hming pum enge?" tiin a han zawt leh a. Ri chhuak mang lo chuan, "Zothansanga.." a to thawp sat mai. Lawmsanga chuan a lu a han bu nghat nghat a, a thu tha sauh sauh va.

"Enteh Bawiha, ka zawhna hi tha deuhin min chhang la, i nu leh pa thattu misual kha kan chhuichhuah angai sia. I hlau a nih phawin lungngai suh, tuman an ti na dawn lo che. I bulah ka awm tlat dawn alawm. Hlau tawh lo la, ka zawhna che chu tha takin chhang zel ang che aw.." zaidam tak chuan a han ti leh a.

Francis-a chuan Lawmsanga chu a melh a, "Khawiah nge kan kal dawn?" tiin a zawt ve ta thut mai. "Ihh...englo, nizana i bihruk naah khan kan kal leh dawna..." a tih lai chuan Francis-a chu a inhnit leh ta feih feih mai. Mangang tak chuan Lawmsanga chuan, "Tinge? Ngatinge i tah a?" tiin a zawt nghal vat a.

"Ka duh tawh lo..ka kal duh tawh lo...khapa khan min thah a tum..anu leh apa pawh a that.." tiin a tap leh ta vak vak mai. Lawmsanga tih ngaihna hrelo chuan motor chu a tiding a, "AWle, tap tawh suh. Min ngaithal teh le.." a han tih chuan a tap bang ve mai bawk a. A thaw leh hak a, "Francis, engmah hlau suh." tih pah chuan  a pistol chu a phawrh a.

"Enteh..hei hi enge a nih i hria em?" tiin a han zawt a. Francis-a chuan, "Aw..silai lem.." alo la ti zui. Khik deuh suk pah chuan, "Nilove, a tak tak a nih hi. Kha misual kha a lo kal tawh dawn hlei nem, lo kal pawh nise hei hian ka kap hlum mai dawn lawm. Hlau suh aw...naupang fel i nih kha..." tiin a han thlem leh a, Francis-a pawh chuan  alu a bu nghat mai.

An tlan zel a, a tawpah chuan Crime Scene chu an thleng ta. Motor atang chuan an chhuak a, VEna motor erawh police lamin an la tawh thung. VEna motor dinna lai takah chuan Francis-a chu a ding a, "Le...engtin nge thil thlen dan sawi rawh le?" a han ti a. Francis-a chu a ngawi vang vang a, "Enge ka sawi dawn?" a ti heu mai.

"Engtin nge motor driver nen khan in inhmuh?"

"Anu leh apa thattu khan min man a...a motor ah min khung a. Ka hmui a tuam a, min phuar bet bawk." a han ti a, a inhnit deuh feih feih a. "Sawi zel rawh..hlau suh.." tiin Lawmsanga chu a phur tan tawh khawp mai. "Ihh...chuan...motor hnungah min dah a. Min tlan pui tih chu ka hria, mahse engmah ka hmu thei lo." a han ti leh a, a ngawi deuh vang vang a.

"Chuan enge thleng zel?" tiin a zawt leh a. Hreh hmel tak hian, "Min phuarna kha phelh tumin ka bei ngat ngat a, a tawpah chuan ka phelh thei a. Mahse motor chu a ti ding a, engtin mah ak che ngam lo. Midang a be mek tih chu ka hre thei, mahse enge an sawi ka hre thei lo. Chuan mipa au ri ka hria a, engemaw ri deuh bur bur ka hre bawk a. Chumi hnuah ka awmna chu a rawn inhawng a, chuan anu leh apa thattu nilo, midang daih hian min rawn pawm chhuak a." a sawi zawm hlei thei tlat lo, a tap zel mai.

Lawmsanga chuan a kuah a, "Bawiha, sawi zel rawh. Engmah hlau suh ka tih kha, i bulah ka awm hi...sawi zel rawh le." tiin a han hnem leh a. Tap tuau chung chuan Francis-a chuan, "Chuan a motor lam min pan pui a, chutih lai chuan misualpa kha leiah a lo mu a. Motor ah chuan min pawm lut a, seat hnung lamah min dah a. A tlan tur chiah chu misualpa kha a lo lang leh thut a, tukverh atang chuan min chhantupa chu a hrawkah a rawn zai a, chhan ka lo tum ve a. A luah ka lo vuan bet ve a, mahse thisen a chhuak vak vak a...ka hlau a, engtin mah ka che ngam tawh lo a ni." a ti leh a.

Lawmsanga chuan mak a ti hle mai, "Tinge ahma khan i sawi mai loh va?" tiin a zawt a. Francis-a chu a tap ta hawm hawm mai, "Ka tawng chhuak ngam lo...ka hlau lutuk a." tiin a hmai  ahup a. Lawmsanga chu a thaw leh deuh hak a, "Nih leh misualpa chuan engtin nge a tih zel?" tiin a han zawt leh a.

"Motor chhungah chuan a rawn lut a, min chhantupa kha a pumah a vit leh vak vak a, abak engmah ka hre tawh lo, ka muhil daih.." a ti leh a. Lawmsanga chuan a hrethiam ta, a hlauh lutuk vangin a thidang ni ngeiin a ring ta a. A han hawi kual a, "Tlem chuan hma kan sawn deuh e, mahse engvangin nge he tualthattupa hian Francis-a hi engtin mah ti lova a hnut chhiah leh daih si?" tiin ama hriat tham leh chuan a phun deuh sap sap a.

"A tha e...anih leh in in awmna khawiah nge?"

Francis-a chu a hawi kual a, "Helai hmun hi ka hrelo..kan in kalkawng pawh ka hrelo." tiin a lo chhang a. "Tunge i nu leh pa te hming?" tiin a zawt leh a, "Apa chu Lalrinhlua a nia, anu chu Lalthanpari." tiin a chhang a. "In veng hming i hria em?" tiin a zawt leh a, "Aw..VEnghnuai." tih chauh chuan a chhang daih mai.

"Venghnuai a? Eng venghnuai nge?"

"Ka hrelo, Venghnuai tih chauhvin ka hria."

Lawmsanga chuan  alu a dawm vang vang a, "A tha e, haw teh...i haw leh tawh ang hmiang." tiin motor chhungah chuan an lut a, Station lam pan chuan a inkhalh phei leh ta a. A phone phawrhin Pu Rama chu phone a tum a, mahse a tlang thei ta hauh lo. "Hrep tak chuan.." tiin chak tak chuan a tlan zel a.

*********************

Station lam a pan mek lai chuan LAwmsanga chuan call a dawng ta, Pu Rama a lo ni. "Hello, Pu Ram? Station ah i awm em?" tiin a zawt nghal a. Mahse Pu Rama chuan, "Awm lo, Sir. Rawn call che ka tum a, a tlang thei lo char char a. Francis-a nu leh pate chu tute nge an nih kan hre tawh e, hei an in lam panin kan kal mek." tiin a rawn chhang ta daih mai.

"Eng a? Khawi vengah nge?"

"Pi Pui Road, Venghnuai...Huapzo Studio thlanga kawng chhuk ah khan pen thlak tur."

"Awle ka hria e, engtin nge in zawn chhuah?"

"Mi pakhat a rawn in report a, a hmelhriat thu a rawn sawi a. A hla angreng khawp mai, lo tlang ve nghal mai rawh, Sir."

"Awle, ka lo kal ve nghal ang." tiin phone chu a dah a, a aia chak chuan a han tlan leh a. An thlen dawn hnaih ah chuan Francis-a chu a hawi kual a, "He lai kalkawng hi ka hria.." a rawn ti chhuak hlawl mai. "Ni e, i hria ang chu...in veng lamah alawm kan kal dawn." tiin LAwmsanga chuan a lo chhang a.

Reilo teah chuan ava thleng ve ta, mipui pawh an lo pung khawm nasa tawh mai. Police Caustion sign te pawh a lo in hung fer fur tawh a, LAwmsanga chu motor atang chuan a chhuak a. Pu Rama leh constable Siami te chu an rawn tlan phei nghal a, "I lo thleng maw, Sir?" Siami chuan a lo ti vat a.

"Enge in hmuh chhuah?" tiin Lawmsanga chuan a han zawt a. Siami chuan, "Ruang pahnih an awm a, forensic doctor ten an enfiah mek. Tualthahna ngei a ni, an taksa pawh a chhe hneh in an hmel pawh a hriat theih mang lo. An ruang hi a uih deuh tawh bawk nen, mahse thenawm te chuan Francis-a nu leh pate ngei an nih thu an sawi." tiin a lo chhang a.

"Tu ber nge lo report chu? Hetah hian a awm ve em?"

"Aw awm e, ka va ko dawn em ni?"

"A ngai lo, ruang chu ka'n en ve phawt ange."

Pu Rama chu a han hawi kual deuh zek zek a, "Sir, Inspector Muantea a chhungah a awm a...a nangmah hi hrilh lo tur che in min ti zawk a.." a han tih chuan Lawmsanga chu a sa phat mai. "Anih leh vawiin nileng khan he inah hian ruang pahnih a awm reng tih leh an fapa kum 8 mi a bo tih tuman an hrelo tihna a ni maw?" Lawmsanga chuan a han ti leh a.

"Aw Sir, an in hi i hmuh ang hian a fal angreng bawk si a...rawn report tu phei chu hemi veng ami hi a nilo lehnghal." tiin Pu Rama chuan a lo chhang a. "Enge awmzia?" tiin a lo zawt vat. "Hemi te inah hian thil zuarin a kal tawh a, amah chu veng dang daih ami a ni. A thil zawrh tum hian he naupang hi a hmuh thu a sawi a, an in pawh a fal em vang hi aniang, a lo la hre thlap a nih hi." tiin a chhang leh a.

Lawmsanga chuan veng mipui ho chu a han enkual a, "News an chhiar ve ngai lo amawni le? Francis-a thalak pawh hmun hran hran ah an post darh tawh a, an hrelo amawni le?" a ti deuh nuah nuah a. Chutah Siami bulah chuan, "Nang Francis-a bulah huan lo awm rawh a, Pu Ram min rawn zui rawh le." tiin inchhung lam chu  a pan ta a.

A thlen dawn tep ah chuan inchhung atang chuan Inspector Muantea chu a rawn chhuak a, hmuhsit hmel tak hian Lawmsanga chu a rawn melh a. Lawmsanga pawh a ding chat mai, Muantea chuan a rawn pan hnai a. Han hawi kual hrek hrek pah chuan Lawmsanga beng bulah chuan, "Mahni case pawh kan ngaihsak tha hman lo animaw? Fimkhur rawh aw...i hming a chhe hlauh dah ange." tih pah chuan a kalsan a.

Lawmsanga erawh chuan engtin mah a chhang lo, inchhungah chuan a lut ve ta a. Ruang pakhat chu choka ah a lo awm a, anu ruang zawk a ni. Apa ruang erawh sitting room lamah a awm thung, a rim chhe em em mai lehnghal a. Pu Rama chuan, "Sir...thil pakhat ka sawi theihnghilh daih, in kan kal hian kawngka hi tala leh chahbi nen a lo inkalh daih bawk a ni." a han ti leh a.

Ruang pahnih te chu Lawmsanga chuan a han enchiang a, "Tiang em em a rapthlak hi...Mizoramah hian a thlen ka la hre ngailo." tiin a chek deuh tlawk tlawk a. Dr. Kima chu rawn kalin, "Lawmsang, ruang te hi post mortem vat angai ang. An taksa ah hian lung a awm tan tawh a, kan tih vat angai." a rawn ti a.

"A tha e, phur phei nghal ang che u. In hi ka han enfiah leh lawk ange..." tiin a lo chhang a, ruang chu an la sawn ta a. Inchhung vel chu a han en kual a, chhuatah te chuan thisen a kawi nuai mai. Choka lamah a lut a, thleng pawh sil lovin a lo la awm a, thovin an lo bawm nuai nuai mai.

DAwhkan khuhna te pawh chu chhuatah a awm a, thutthleng a tlu rem rum bawk. "Tualthattu hi an chhungkua hian beih let an tum nasa ve tih a  chiang, post mortem result a chhuah hunah a chiang lehzual turah ngai ang." a han ti nuah nuah a. Sitting room lam ava en leh a, a lo hnawk nuai tho mai.

Pu Rama chu a ko va, "Enteh Pu Ram, Francis-a hre tu nia insawi kha thu zawh fiah turin Station ah rawn hruai ang che u aw.." a ti a. "Awle, ihmaw Sir...tualthattu hian tinge kawngka hi a kalh leh thlap kher le? Thil thlen lai hian tuman engmah an hmu lo tihna em mawni le?" tiin a han zawt a.

"A thil tih sual thup a tumna pawh  a ni thei a, a lo inkalh miau te chuan thenawmte pawn mak an ti lem lo chu an demawm loh ve. Mahse ka hriatthiam loh chu a hma a ka sawi kha, Francis-a thlalak hi hmun tinah kan tar lang a, hemite veng hian tinge engmah an rawn ngaihsak loh tih hi  a ni." a han ti leh a.

"Nia tiraw, keipawn zawh ka tum deuh thova. Mahse i thu lova lo inlak changtupa vak vak kha ka ngam silova, ka lo nghak tawp che alawm." tiin a han khi deuh suk a. Nui chung hian Lawmsanga chuan, "Changtupa chu a haw chiah kha..." tiin a lo fiamthu ve bawk a. Amah bawk chuan, "An veng mi...kawmtlak deuh tur kha lo kal tir teh aw...ka motor bulah sawn meizial ka va zu lawk ange." tiin  a chhuak a.

*********************

Siami erawh chuan motor chhungah Francis-a chu a lo la awmpui reng a, Francis-a chu a  thu ngawi reng a. Siami chuan a aw a han thian kharh kharh a, "I tha em?" tiin a han zawt a. Francis-a chuan a hma zawn en reng pah chuan, "Kan in bulah sawn enge an tih sup sup a?" tiin a zawt ta daih mai.

"Ihh..englo, hna an thawk lawk a. I ril a tam em? Eichak te i nei em?" tiin a han zawt leh a. Francis-a chuan a lu a lo bu nghat a. "Enge i ei duh ang?" a han ti leh a. "Ice cream." tiin a lo chhang a. Siami chuan a phone phawrhin Lawmsanga chu a phone a, "Sir, hei ice-cream a ei chak a...dawrah ka va kal pui lawk mai dawn em ni?" a han ti a.

Meizial zuk hlat hlat pah chuan Lawmsanga chuan, "Nia..lo leisak rawh. I pawisa khan lo leisak la, ka rul leh dawn che nia..chahbi pawh ka vuah sa kha. Lo kawm hlim rawh aw...lo ti mangang lo la." tiin a lo chhang a. Siami chuan phone chu a dah a, "Hawh le...dawrah kal ang aw..." tiin Lawmsanga motor chu a start a, dawr lam pan chuan an kal ta a.

*********************

Pu Rama chuan pa pakhat hi LAwmsanga bulah chuan a rawn hruai a, "Sir, hei hi hemi Veng Hnuai YMA President ania." a rawn ti a. Lawmsanga chuan a han en a, "Tunge i hming?" tiin a han zawt a. "Faka ka nia, ka pu." tiin zah hmel tak hian a lo chhang a. "Hemi te chhungkua hi hemi veng hlun hi em ni an nih?" tiin a han zawt leh a.

"Nilo, ka pu....hmanni lawk khan an rawn awm thar a. Pem lehkha vel pawh engmah an la ti fel lo, he in hi a ruak reng tawh zawk. Pi Seni in a ni a, mahse Pi Seni pawh chu hmanni lawk khan a boral tawh."

"Pi Seni chu tunge?"

"Hmeithai ania, amah a khawsa ania."

"Hetah hian in hmun a nei sa tihna em ni?"

"Aw nei e...kan pian hma daih in a awm tawh ang."

"Pi Seni chuan chhungte dang a nei em?"

"Ka hriat dan chuan Lunglei khua atanga a pasal nena he venga rawn awm hi an ni a, fa pawh nei lovin an nupa in an tar thlengin an awm a. A pasal chu lung tha lo vangin kum 10 vel kal ta khan a thi tawh a, amahin a awm ta a ni."

"Nih leh an he ina nupa ruang te hi, an fapa Francis-a hi social media ah pawh a thlalak tam tak kan post tawh a, tinge engmah police hnenah in veng hian in rawn sawi loh va?"

"Chu chu keini pawhin mak kan ti..a chhan chu hemite nupa hian fapa an neih kan hre ngai lo. An inah hian keiphei chu vawikhat chiah ka la lut, kan tlawhpawh vak ngai lo midang te pawh hian. An ina lut ve tawh te pawh i zawt thei ang, fapa an neih kan hre ngai lo."

Lawmsanga chuan mak a ti hle mai, "Anih leh he inah hian ruang a awm tih in hre miah lo tih kha chu thudang ni ta se, nizan velah pawh thawm engmah in hrelo em ni?" tiin a han zawt leh a. Pu Faka chuan, "An in hi a fal angreng si a, engmah kan lo hre miah lo a ni ngei ang. Naupang thlalak pawh kha kan lo hmu ve a, mahse hemite nupa fa hi a ni tih hre hek lo le." tiin a chhang leh a.

LAwmsanga chu a ngawi vang vang a, a meizial zuk lai chu paihin a rap hlum a. "Nakinah kan inbe leh dawnnia, kan lawm e." a ti a, Pu Faka pawh chu a kal ta a. Pu Rama chu en leh in, "Hna kan ngah dawn khawp mai. Pu Ram, Pi Seni chhungte chu lo biak pawh tum la, details engkim ka hre vek duh aw....chuan khawnge lo in report tu kha?" tiin a han zawt leh a.

"SAw ta saw a awm...saw...sawpa saw a nih saw.." tiin Pu Rama chuan  a kawk a. "Station ah hruai phei ila, hetah chuan midang an tam emai. Chuan mipui te hi hnawt kiang bawk ang che u, ka pa ka'n phone lawk ange." tih pah chuan a phone chu a phawrh a, Pu Rama chuan a kalsan ta a.

Apa chu a haw tlai tur thu hrilh tumin a han call a, mahse an awmna lai veng chu a mawng angreng si a, signal a chiang ta tlat lo. Phone chu  ak leh a, a pistol a pai lo tih a hre chhuak thut mai. "Khai aw...motor dashboard ah khan ka dah daih. Ava haihawt thlak tak...Siami chu a lo let leh tawh angem le?" a ti nuah nuah mai.

********************

DAwr pakhat zawnah chuan Siami chuan motor chu a ti ding a, "Hetah hian lo awm rawh aw...motor atang hian lo chhuak miah suh aw.." a ti a, Francis-a chuan a lu a lo bu nghat a. Siami chu a chhuak ta, chuveleh Francis-a chuan ahmaa LAwmsanga'n a pistol a dahna dashboard, a dah lai pawh a hmuh chian em em mai chu a hawng a.

Pistol chu a la chhuak a, a mu te chu a han check a. Silai mu pawh 3 lai alo la awm, a load sa thlap a. A kawrlum chhunglamah chuan a thuk ru a, Siami chu a lo thleng ta. Ice cream pahnih keng chung chuan motor chhungah chuan a rawn lut a, "Kha le.." tiin ice cream pakhat zawk chu a pe a.

Ti chuan an tlan let leh a, Siami chuan a be bawrh bawrh a. Mahse a rul tawk lek lek bakin Francis-a chuan a chhang lo, a kawrlum chhunga pistol chu a han dap leh zauh zauh zel a. Reilo teah chuan an thleng a, "Hetah hian lo nghak ang aw...in ibul kha chu motor a tam emai." tiin Francis-a te in atanga hla lutuk lo, kawng pui hnaih lamah chuan a ding a.

**********************

Mipuite chu an kal sawn tha duh hauh lo, theih tawp chuan hnawt kiang mahse thla la lui duh tawk an lo awm ve zel bawk nen. Chu mai nilovin media lam ho pawh an lo thleng tawh bawk nen, police te chu buai tak an ni. Lawmsanga chu ava phei a, mipui te chu hnawh kiang a han tum ve bawk a.

Mahse press mite chuan zawhna an lo zawt nghal sup sup a, mahse Lawmsanga chuan a chhang tha duh lo. Thenkhat chuan, "He tualthattu hi a hmel in hmu tawh em?".."Engtin nge hmalak zel in tum?"..."Rinhlelh deuh te in nei em?" tiin an zawt vak vak a. "Engmah kan chhang thei rih lo che u, post mortem result a chhuah hunah a chiang deuh ang." tih ringawt chuan a chhang a.

Chutah reporter zinga pakhat chuan, "He tualthahna hi an fapa Francis-a tih a ni thei mai angem?" a rawn ti ta thut mai. Lawmsanga beng chu a verh zar mai a, a melh kual nghal. Vin zet hian, "Tunge...tunge tuna mi kha?" a ti ta vak vak mai. A zawt tupa ber chu a rawn pen chhuak a, "Keimah ka ni e." a rawn ti a.

Midang ho chu an ngawi thap mai, "Enge min zawh kha..han sawi leh teh." a han ti vin leh deuh thak a. Reporter chuan zam map lo hian, "Hei zawng zawng hi an fapa Francis-a tih a ni thei angem?" a han ti nawn leh nghat a. Lawmsanga chu a sa phat mai, "SAw naupang saw kum 8 mi lek a ni a, rilru thianghlim tak a ni. A nu leh pate misualin an thah sak a, a dinhmun saw i ngaihtuah ve em?" a ti ta hrep mai.

An ngawi thap hlawm a, "In channel lar nan, in hlawhtlin nan chuan nangni pawhin thu belhchian dawl lo, in rin thu in phuah chawp a. Thudik ang maiin in vawrh lar a, mi tam tak nun a chhiat phah asin. Thil dik in ti em? Tualthattu te nen hian enge in danglam na? SAw naupang sawn a nu leh pate a chan mek a, chhungte tumah pan tur a nei lo. Chutih lai karin a thil tih angah in lo la ngai a, zahna chhe te tal in nei ve em?" LAwmsanga bawk chuan a ti leh ta phiar phiar mai.

**************************

Ice cream chu an ei zo ta, "A tui i ti em?" nui sang chung chuan Siami chuan a han ti a. Francis-a chuan a lu a lo bu leh nghat a, "A rei tawh lovang, lo nghak hram hram rawh aw.."  ahan ti leh a, mahse a chhang tawh lo. An ngawih dun deuh vang vang hnu chuan Francis-a chuan, "VAnram hi a awm tak tak i ring em?" a rawn ti chhuak hlawl mai.

Siami chuan mak a ti angreng hle, "Aaa...aw a awm alawm. Mahse tinge min zawh a?" tiin a han zawt let a. A melh ngai melh reng chung chuan, "Anih leh hremhmun?" a ti leh a. Siami chu a nui deuh huk, "Umm hremhmun pawh a awm. Naupang sualte chu hremhmunah an kal anga, naupang fel te chu vanramah...Sunday Sikul ah te in zir vek tawh kha." a han ti a.

"Anih leh Isua hmel i hmu chak em?" tiin a zawt leh thut mai, Siami chuan mak a ti tak zet. "Tinge min zawh a?" a ti tawp ringawt. Chutah Francis-a chuan pistol chu phawrh chhuak in Siami chu a tin ta mai a, "A chhan chu tun atanga reilo teah i hmu dawn.." tiin a nui var var mai. Siami chu a phu nasa kher mai, a ban chu zawi muangin a phar chhuak a.

A chil a lem dawk a, "Francis, engthil nge i tih?" tiin a thaw dep dep mai. Francis-a chuan chiang fek fawk hian, "VAnram hi a awm tak tak a, hremun pawh a awm tak tak. Isua i hmel i hmuh loh pawhin Satana hmel zawk pawh i hmu maithei. Naupang fel nge sual i nih...chutah chuan a innghat ang chu." a ti leh a.

Siami chuan khur zawih zawih hian, "Fra...Francis, silai kha min lo pe rawh....dah thla rawh.." hlau tak chung chuan  a han ti a. Francis-a chuan a hum nghet sauh a, "Ka tih vek a ni...VEna kha ka thah a ni a, saw mite nupa pawh saw ka thah an ni." a ti leh ta mai a. Siami chuan zawi muang chuan a phone chu phawrh ruk a tum a, "Che suh." tiin Francis-a chuan a tin hnai sauh a.

Siami chu a che ngam ta lo, "Tunge i nih?" a ti khur dar dar a. Francis-a chu a nui sak a, "Tualthattu...thisena tui hal..mahse pawn lamah chuan naupang kum 8 mi, pawisawi lo leh fahrah..." tiin a nui vak vak a. "Khawngaihin...." a sawi zo hman lo, silai chu a puak ta dur mai. Motor darthlalang ah chuan thisen a per chhawk a, siami chal chu a kaw phut mai, a thi chiang hle bawk.

Chutah rang em em in Francis-a chuan Siami rawmawl chu a phawrh chhuak a, pistol chu rawmawl chuan a hru a, finger prints a thup tihna a ni. Tichuan rawmawl hmang bawk chuan dashboard a blade lo awm chu a la chhuak leh a, Siami hrawk zawnah chuan X tih shape chu a thai leh a. Balde chu  tukverh ah a paih chhuak mai a, rawmawl hmang bawk chuan pistol chu  a fun a, Siami kutah chuan dah in a vawn tir a. Motor atang chuan a chhuk a, Lawmsanga te awmna lam pan chuan a tlan phei ta a.

*************************

Silai puak ri avang chuan mipui chu an phusa nasa mai, a then an tlan dar nghal vak vak a. LAwmsanga chuan silai puahna lam chu ava hawi phei a, kawngpui lam a ni. Mahse kawngpui chu ava hmu pha lo, motor ding a tam lutuk tlat. Rang takin a tlan phei a, Pu Rama leh police dangte chuan an zui bawk.

Motor ding tamtak karah chuan Lawmsanga chu a tlan phei zel a, kawngpui lam chu ava hmu thei ta. Chutah hlauh hmel em em a Francis-a rawn tlan phei chu a hmu a, a tap tuau lehnghal. Lawmsanga chu a rawn kuah thlawp a, "Enge...enge ni Francis?" tiin a lo zawt nghal a. Tap chung chuan Francis-a chuan, "Alo kal...khapa kha...alo kal.." tiin a thaw hlawp hlawp mai.

"Tumaw? Tumaw lo kal?" tiin a zawt leh a, "Min thah tumtu pa kha.." tiin a chhang a. Lawmsanga chuan a motor chu ava en a, a hma darthlalang a thisen lo per nuai mai chu a va hmu a, "Pu Ram, Francis-a hi lo buaipui teh." tih pah chuan a tlan phei nghal a. Motor bul chu ava thleng a, a lu  a dawm nghal vawng vawng mai.

Siami ruang chu ava hmu ta, a lo meng kuau mai a, a ka  alo ang huau bawk. A mittui a tla a, "Nilo..Siami..nilo." tiin a tap lek lek mai. Chutah Siami'n a pistol ngei mai a lo hum chu a hmu bawk a, Siami nghawng a X tih lo inziak chu a hmu leh bawk. A thinrim lutuk chu  akhur zawih zawih thei hial, "Hrep tak chuan.." a ti vawng vawng mai.

Mipui an lo pungkhawm leh a, a then chu an au tuar tuar mai. Police dangte chu an hawi kual a, a thenin mipui an lo hnawt kiang bawk. Lawmsanga chuan Francis-a chu ava en a, ava pan hnai a. "Francis, enge thleng? Khawnge chupa chu a awm?" tiin a zawt a. "Ka...ka hrelo, ice cream kan...kan ei dun a.." tiin a sawi hleithei lo.

A han inhnit leh hlawp hlawp a, "Chuan a lo lang thut a, Nu Siami kha tukverh atangin a rawn rek a. Ka hlau lutuk a, chhuah ka tum a, mahse kawngka ka hawng thei mai lova. Nu Siami khan pistol kha a la chhuak a, mahse a chhuhsak a, a kap a, chuan ka rawn tlanchhia." tiin a tap chhunzawm leh nghal vak vak a.

Francis-a chu a thaw hrawk hrawk mai, "Hrep tak chuan...ZAwngsen leh.." tiin a kut a hum ruh a. Press mite lah chuan thla an lo la chuai chuai a, Lawmsanga chu a mangang takzet. ZAwi sap hian, "Pu Ram, Francis-a hi Station lamah hruai ula, Ambulance ko nghal bawk rawh u." a ti chuai raih mai.

*************************

Duhawma chuan choka ah juice a siam mawlh mawlh a, a hmel atang chuan  amu tlem hle tih pawh  a hriat. Juice chu kengin an pindan lam a va pan a, Martha-i chu tukverh lam hawiin a lo thu a. Va pan hnaiin, "Kha duhtak, hei tal hi in teh." tiin juice chu ava pe a. Muangchang hian a lo ban a, "Dar engzat nge?" a han ti zawi sap a.

"DAr 5:30...chaw i ei thei angem?" tiin a pasal chuan a lo zawt let ve nghal a. "Ka ei peih lo." a lo ti hmuk mai. Duhawma chu a ngawi vang vang a, "Duhtak, i ngaihdan enge ka hrelo nangin...keipawn fa neih chu ka duh ve lutuk a. Ihmaw, fa kan la mai dawn em ni?" a han ti chiah chu MArtha-i chu a rawn hawi phei a.

"Fa lak a?"

"Aw ni e, kan fa ang chiahin kan enkawl mai anga."

"Khawia mi maw?"

"Fahrah run ah te pawh nu leh pa neilo naupang tam tak an awm a lawm."

Martha-i chu a ngawi vang vang a, "Mahse kan fa tak a nilo tih a len hnuah hrechhuak leh ta se.." a han ti a. Duhawma chuan a nupui kutah chuan a vuan a, "Nausen kan la dawn hleinem, engkim hrethiam sa..kum 7-9 vel ni se....enge i ngaihdan?" tiin a han zawt leh a. "Chutiang chu a chi dawn em ni?" a lo ti leh a.

"Kha chu i thu thu ania, engmah la hre thiam lo, naute kan la  anih chuan a len huna kan fa tak a nih loh thu a hriat i hlau bawk sia, chuvang chuan tlema kum tam ve deuh tawh law law kha enkawl a nawm zawk ka ring a." a han ti leh a. Martha-i chu a thaw deuh huai a, "In ngaihtuahna hun min pe rawh." tiin a lo chhang a.

*****************************

ZAn a lo thleng ta, IG hmaah chuan Lawmsanga chu a ding ran mai a, a kun ngul mai. IG chuan thinrim zet hian, "Khawiah nge i lo awm a? Engtin nge hetiang thil hi i awm ve lai rengin a thlen theih?" tiin Lawmsanga chu a vin hrep hrep mai. Inthiamloh hmel tak hian LAwmsanga chuan, "Sir, mipui ho kan hnawt kiang a.." a ti dek dek chu IG chuan a dawhkan a chum bur mai.

Lawmsanga pawh a ngawi nghal hmak, "Chu chu maw i chhuanlam, Siami chhungte bulah enge kan sawi ang? Sub Inspector...he case chhui tu ber chuan a awm ve lai rengin tualthattu chu a man hman lo mai pawh nilovin, an police pui a that leh bawk. Enge i thluakah khan awm a? Ti chung khan Police ka ni e chu i la inti ve ngam amaw?" a ti leh hrep mai.

"Ka tihpalh, Sir." tih ringawt chuan a chhang a. Ig chu a vei kual thuak thuak a, "He case hi i kutah a awm tawh lovang, Inspector Muantea kutah hlan a ni tawh ang." a ti ta mai a. LAwmsanga chu a meng phawk nasa hle mai, "Sir, hun min pe rawh. Vawikhat chiah chance min pe leh rawh, khawngaihin." tiin a ngen a.

Mahse IG chuan a lu a thing ta tlat mai, "A theih loh, nangmah vang hian midang nunna in  atuar tawh tur a nilo. Muantea hian case hi buaipui se, nang chu va mu hah chawl rawh." a lo ti leh a. LAwmsanga chu a mangang kher mai, "Sir, Siami leh Francis-a te nu leh pa post moretem result a chhuah hunah chuan engkim ka ti chiang thei tawh ang..please Sir, khawngaihin..." tiin a ngen leh a, mahse IG chuan a phal tlat lo.

Vin zet hian, "Ngaithla rawh....i inrawlhna tur a awm tawh lo. Post mortem result pawh chu lo chhuak se, Muantea'n  a buaipui vek tawh ang." tiin Pu Rama chu a en a, "Inspector Muantea va ko rawh.." a ti a, Pu Rama chu a chhuak nghal a. Lawmsanga erawh hnuai lam melhin a la ding ngawi reng a, reilo teah chuan Muantea chu a rawn lut a.

IG chuan, "Muante, he case hi i kutah ka dah e." a ti a. Muantea chuan salute pe in, "Theih tawp ka chhuah ang, Sir." a lo ti a. IG chuan LAwmsanga chu a en leh a, "Sub Inspector LAllawmsang, thla 3 chhung suspend i ni e. I pistol leh i batch te kha ka dawhkanah hian dah la, i haw thei ang." a ti ta mai a. Lawmsanga chu a phu zawk mai, mahse engmah a sawi lo.

IG thinrim lutuk chu a meng sen rum tawh mai, "Thawk lak ka mamawh.." tiin a phun sap a, a office atang chuana a chhuak a. Chuveleh hmuhsit hmel tak hian Muantea chuan LAwmsanga chu a en a, "Fimkhur rawh ka tih kha....nep lutuk." tih pah chuan a chhuah san ve a. Pu Rama chuan, "Sir, lungngai suh. Report kimchang engkim ka lo hrilh ve zel ang che, engti kawng mahin Inspector Muantea hian a chhui chhuak dawn lo." tiin a lo hnem a.

Mahse LAwmsanga chuan a chhang lo, ngawi rengin a batch te chu dawhkanah chuan a dah a, a chhuak nghal a. PAwnah chuan IG chuan meizial a lo zu a, LAwmsanga chuan ava pan a. IG chu a en a, "Sir, ka tih sual ka pawm e. Suspend ringawt nilovin, he ka hna atang hian ban pawh ni mah ila. Ka tiam a che, he tualthattu hi Inspector Muantea nilovin, keimah ngei hian i hmaah ka rawn hruai ngei ang." tiin a kalsan ta a.

************************************

Martha-i muhil lai chu a harh zawk mai a, a thu chhuak hlawl mai. A bulah chuan a pasal a lo mu ve tawh reng reng lo mai, pawnlamah lah chuan sihal an u chuah chuah lehnghal. "Duhawm...Duhawm?" tiin a au vak vak a, mahse tuman an chhang si lo. Light chu on a han tum a, mahse current a lo awm lo nge ni, a eng thei tlat lo.

Tukverh atanga thla eng rawn lut tih loh chu eng dang a awm lo, "Kawiah nge maw a kal le?" tih pah chuan a sana chu a han en a, dar 12 chiah chiah a ni. Mut leh mai a han tum chu an choka lam atang chuan thawm a rawn awm ta tlat mai, khum atang chuan a tho va. "Duhtak...Duhawm nangmah em ni?" tiin choka lam chu ava pan a.

Tu emaw phun sep sep ri ang mai hian a hria a, a kal hnai telh telh a, phun ri chu a ring telh telh mai. "Duhawm, nangmah em ni?" a han ti leh a, mahse chhanna a dawng chuang lo. A hlau tan ta hle mai, muang chang chuan a pan hnai zel a. Thawm chu a chiang telh telh mai lenghal, chutah choka chu ava thleng ta.

An zawhte chuan silhmunah sa hrang khat hi a lo lkhel ri bap bap hi a lo ni a, Martha-i chu a thaw huai mai. "Mary, min va ti hlau hman ve.." tih pah chuan ava pawm a, a sa khel lai chu a lak sak a. Vawkchhaw dahna a paih pah chuan, "Lo kal rawh, min lo mut pui rawh. Khawnge i pu Duhawma hi a kal daih le aw..tiraw?" tiin a be mawlh mawlh a.

Chutah zawhte chuan na takin a banah chuan a ham sak a, MArtha-i chu a te thawt mai. ZAwhte pawh chu a zuangthla nghal a, silhmun chunga ventilation lo inhawng ah chuan zuang kaiin a chhuak daih mai. Martha-i chuan mak a ti hle mai, a chhan pawh an zawhte khan an nupa hian vawikhat mah khatiang khan thinrimin ala ham ngai lo.

"Engthil nge maw a hriat le?" tih nuah nuah pah chuan a hliam chu a chhem a, thisen a chhuak hial lehnghal. Damdawi dahna lam pan chuan a kal leh a, damdawi te chu a han hnawih a. Chutih lai tak chuan pawn lam atanga an zawhte ngiau vak ri a hre leh a, a phu nasa kher mai. "Mary...Mary lo lut rawh." tiin kawngka lam chu a pan a, kawngka lah chu chhung lamah a lo inkalh thlap bawk si.

A ding deuh chat a, "Duhawma hi khawnge maw a awm daih le?" tiin  a ngaih chu a tha tawh lo takzet. Chutah pawn lam atang bawk chuan mipa phun sep sep a, nui ri leh karh karh thawm chu a hre leh ta. "Duhawm...Duhawm nangmah i ni em?" tiin kawngka bul atang chuan a han au leh vak vak a, mahse chhanletna a la dawng chuang lo.

KAwngka chu muang chang chuan a hawng a, chutah an in kawngka atanga pen 10 vela hla ah chuan mipa pakhat, ft 6 vel zeta sang hi amah hnungchhawn zawng hian a lo ding ngul mai. A pasal Duhawma pawh palian tak a nih ve avang leh an thawmhnaw hak a in an em avang chuan Duhawma  a nih ringin, "Duhawm...enge i tih a?" a han ti vak a.

Mahse chupa chuan a ngaihsak lo, a phun chhunzawm char char a, a kun ngul lehnghal. Muangchang chuan va pan hnaiin, "Duhtak, tunge i biak a?" ava ti leh a. Chupa phun ri sep sep chu a ngawi ta hmak mai a, a ding ngil nghal zawt mai. A han thle kawi deuh vak vak a, a ruh chu a ri deuh tuar tuar lehnghal.

Chutah le, muang changin MArtha-i lam a lo hawi ta. Duhawma awzawng a nilo, chupa chuan mitmu a lawi pawh a nei lo. A ha te chu  a dum vek a, a la lung(maggots) nuai nuai zui. A mit atang chuan thisen dum kuk mai hi a rawn luang chhuak zawih zawih bawk a, a vun chu a dang vek lehnghal.

Martha-i hlau lutuk chu a ang hlawi hlawi a, "Nilo..nilo.." a ti thei tawk. Chutah chupa chuan patling 10 vel a ruala tawng ang mai hian, "MARTHA...I PASAL CHU HETA HI KA AWM E." a ti t(r)ial ta ruai ruai mai. Martha-i chu a au vak a, rang takin in lam pan chuan a tlan let leh nghal a. Chupa chuan a um zui a, Martha-i chuan kawngka chu hawn a han tum a.

Mahse a hawng thei ta hlauh lo mai, a pawt vak vak a. A beng vak vak bawk a, "Duhawm..Duhawm.." tiin a tap nasa tawh mai a, mahse tuman an chhang der mai si lo. Chu pa rapthlak tak mai chu  a lo hnai zel a, a rawn au phei ruah ruah mai. Martha-i chuan tih ngaihna dang a hre tawh lo, kawngka bulah chuan thu in a mit a hup ringawt mai.

A mumang ram atang chuan a harh chhuak zawk mai a, a thu chhuak hlawl mai. A bula mu mek, a pasal Duhawma pawh chu a rawn harh ve a. Rang takin light a on a, "Enge..enge ni ta?" tiin a lo zawt nghal vak a. Martha-i chuan Duhawma chu a en a, a kuah ringawt mai. "Tinge Martha, enge thleng a?" tiin a zawt leh a.

A mittui hruk pah chuan, "Engmah nilove...mangchhia mai mai mawle." a ti zawi sap ringawt a. Duhawma chuan  a kutah a vuan a, "Hahdam rawh...thil i ngaihtuah nasa lutuk a nih kha. Hei khua  a var tep tawh, i chau lutuk ange. Mut tum leh rawh, hlau suh." tiin a hnem a. Martha-i pawh chu a mu leh a, reiloteah chuan a muhil ve leh ta mai a.

***********************

Lawmsanga phone chu a rawn ri ral ral mai a, meng mang lo chuan Lawmsanga chuan a dawhkan chu a dap a. Peihlo hmel zet hian a han en a, "Kima chuh...tun ang hunah.." tih pah chuan a la a, "Hello Kim..enge ni ta a?" a han ti a. Kima chuan, "Thianpa...lab ah lo kal teh..thil ka hmuh duh che." tiin a rawn sawi a.

"Enge tun ang hunah?"

"Siami ruang ka post mortem zo chiah."

Lawmsanga chu a thu chhuak a, "Enteh Kima, ka case a ni tawhlo. Chubakah tunah hian suspend ka ni a, engmah ka buaina tur a awm tawh lo." tiin a chhang a. Mahse Kima chuan, "Ka hre ve tho alawm, i lo kal tih hi IG in a hre dawn hleinem. Ka thil hmuh tur che hi nangpawn i hmuh duh ngei ka ring, lo kal vat rawh." a la rawn ti talh mai.

"Eng thil nge ni a?"

"Phone atang chuan ka sawi thei lo, ka dah ania."

Lawmsanga chu a inngaihtuah vang vang a, "Umm...chutia a pawimawh viau chuan kal ila nimai lawm." tia phun nuah nuah chung chuan khum atang chuan a tho va. A insiam a, car chabi la in a chhuak ta a. Reilo teah chuan a thleng a, Kima chuan a lo la nghak ran mai. "Eng thil nge ni a?" tiin a zawt nghal a.

"Enteh, X ray hi.." tih pah chuan Siami lu xray thlalak chu  ahmuh tir a. Kima chuan a han kawk a, "Silai mu hi Siami bek vei lam deuh ah a lut a, a awmzia chu silai hmet puaktu hi a veilamah a awm tihna a ni. Mahse Francis-a kha chuan Siami tukverh lam atangin tuathattu khan a kap niin  a sawi a, anih chuan dinglamah zawk silaimu hi fuh awm tak ania." a han ti a.

Lawmsanga chu  anui suk a, "Chu zawng chu ami?" a lo ti a. "Ni love, silai hmet puaktu hian Francis-a thutna lam tukverh atang zawkin a kap a ang riau mai. Driver seat hi dinglam a ni a, mahse Siami bek veilamah silaimu a awm daih thung. A nih chuan Siami hi kah a nih khan hnunglam a hawi titih hial a niang, veilamah daih a fu thei hi." a han ti leh a.

Lawmsanga chuan chiang tak hian Kima chu a en a, "Peh hel kual tum duh suh, i ngaihdan chu tlang takin sawi rawh." a han ti a. Kima chu a thaw hak a, "Awle...a lan dan chuan Francis-a zawk hian Siami hi a kap a ni." a ti ta mai a. Lawmsanga chu a nui huk mai, "Saw naupang kum 8 mi, a hmel en reng reng pawha pawisawi lo tih hriat tak sawn Siami, police lehnghal hi a that ang maw?" tiin a han zawt a.

"Keipawhin chutiang kher chu ka awih biklo, mahse heta tanga a lan dan hi chuan a nih duh hmel ber alawm." tiin a lo chhang a. "Tualthattu hi mi fing tak a ni a, plan mumal tak a nei pawh a ni thei asin." Lawmsanga chuan a han ti leh a. "Ni e, chupawh chu a dik thei tho. Mahse a lan dan ber chuan tualthattu hian Francis-a hi a duh a, a veh mek niin kan ngai. Mahse VEna leh Siami thihna atanga chhut pawh hian tualthattu hian Francis-a man theihna chance vawi hnih ngawt a nei a, mahse engtin mah ti lovin a kalsan leh zel chu a nih hi." Kima chuan a han ti ve leh a.

"Tualthattu hian Francis-a hi tih hlauhthawn a tum ringawt pawh a ni thei asin...rikrap a tum pawh a ni thei a."

"Chupawh nise, engvangin nge Siami hi a thah ve kher? Francis-a sawi dan atang kha chuan Vena a that kha chu a awm lutuk. A chhan chu lo chhan a tum miau va, mahse rikrap tum ringawt a nih chuan Siami hi a thah ve a tulna pakhat mah a awm lo."

"Engpawn chu nise Venhnuai a Pi Seni chhungte zawn chhuah a, Francis-a nu leh pate chanchin te pawh hriat chian deuh angai. Francis-a pawh thu chiang zawk zawhfiah angai, mahse kei chuan ka thei lo. Francis-a ka biak ve an phal tawh lova, engmah tih theih ka nei lo."

Kima chuan Lawmsanga chu a en vang vang a, "Thianpa, thil hrilh tur che ka nei." a han ti leh a. "Enge la awm cheu va?" tiin a lo vin hlur mai. "He case hi a zawh veleh Francis-a hi Fahrah Run lamah dah an tum a, he case hi chhuichhuah a nih ka ringlo bawk." a han ti leh a. Lawmsanga erawh a ngawi reng, "Muantea hian engmah a chhui peih tak tak dawnlo, khawi khawi atangin emaw mi a thurual pui anga, dawt phuah chawpin zuzi ral mai mai dawn. Chu chu thil chiang sa a ni, thianpa." Kima bawk chuan a han ti leh a.

"Enge ti tura min duh?"

"A rukin he case hi buaipui chhunzawm rawh, kan dept ah hian nangmah chiah hi rintlak i awm. Case tam tak i chhui chhuah tawh te, awlsam taka mi i man te leh kidnap case thlengin. Anih loh chuan Francis-a hi dinhmun hlauhawm ah a awm dawn asin, tualthattu hi man a nilo bawk ang."

Lawmsanga chu a nui a, "Nichin kha chuan Francis-a ber hi i ringhlel amaw ka tia.." a han ti a. Kima chuan a lu  alo bu nghat, "Ni e..Francis-a hi tualthattu ber pawh lo ni ta se, kan chhuah zalen dawn tihna a ni. Engpawh a thleng thei, LAwmsang...theih tawp chhuahin ka pui ang che, information kimchang pawh Pu Rama'n  a hrilh zel thei bawk che a." a lo ti leh a.

Mahse LAwmsanga chuan a lu a thing a, "Nilove...Muantea buaipui tur alawm. Kei chuan chhungkaw enkawl tur ka nei, min suspend chhung hi chu ka nu leh ka pa te ka puih angai. Chubakah IG berin min ring zo tawh lova, Mizoram pumah ka chanchin a chhe zawngin a lar a, Siami thih chhan berah min puh bawk. Nilove Kima, ka tel ve tawh hleinem. Ka buaipui peih lo, min suspend hunchhung a zawh hunah kan inhmu leh dawnnia." tiin kal a tum a.

Vin lek lek hian Kima chuan, "Ka buaipui peih lo a?" a han ti tuar a, Lawmsanga chu a ding chat mai. A va hawi let a, "Ka buaipui peih lo i tia, mahse zanreiah pawh helai thleng thleng i rawn kal alawm. I rilru ah a awm reng zawk, i thinrim vang mai mai a ni. Francis-a ka mawhpuh tihna anilo, thil ni thei ka sawi mai a ni." Kima bawk chuan a han ti leh a.

LAwmsanga erawh ala ngawi reng, "I fimkhur loh vang a nilo, thil thleng palh mai a nih kha. Siami kha nangmah vanga thi a nilo, midang thusawi a buai ngailo, Sub Inspector Lawmsanga kha khawnge a awm tak?" a han ti leh a. Lawmsanga chu a ngawi vang vang a, "Ka tihpalh." tih pah chuan a chhuak ta daih a.

*************************

A tuk zingah chuan Martha-i chu a tho chhuak a, a pasal erawh khumah a lo awm ve tawh lo. A ban chu na a ti riau mai a, a han en chu a phu nasa kher mai. A mumanga an zawhtein a hamna hnuhma ang chiah chiah kha a banah chuan a lo awm reng mai, mak a ti lutuk chu  a hlau lek lek hial a.

NGaih thalo tak chung chuan choka lamah chuan a va phei a, a pasal Duhawma chuan rawng a lo bawl mek a. "Ehe Duhtak, i lo tho tawh maw?" tiin nui sang hian a lo bia a. Za lo deuh hian Martha-i chu a nui suk ringawt, "Kha thingpui hi in rawh.." tiin thingpui chu a thlit sak a. Ani pawh chuan a inthlit ve a, MArtha-i bulah chuan ava thu a.

"Nizan i harh hnu khan mumang tha lo i nei leh em?"

"Aih..nei tawh lo niang."

"Min ti hlauthawng hman alawm...ka thin pawh a la phu dup dup mai." tih pah chuan a han nui a, Martha-i erawh a nui a za lemlo kher mai. A hmel awmdan atang chuan engemaw diklo a awm tih Duhawma chuan a hre nghal a, "Tinge a, duhtak?" tiin a han zawt a. A banah zawhte hamna hliam thuhruk zeuh pah chuan, "Nizan khan i mengrei em?" tiin a han zawt a.

"Mengrei nang..dar 10 velah ka mu."

"Anih leh Mary hi kan bulah a rawn mu em?"

"Mut pawh ka hrelo, tukin kha chuan sitting room ah ka hmu a...ngati nge?"

"Aa..eng nilove...nihleh khum atangin ka tho chhuak em? Ihh...tho a ang deuhin emaw?" a han ti chu Duhawma chu a nui chhuak huk mai. ZAidam tak hian, "I mumang a rapthlak hle a ni ngei ang, i mangphan nasa a nih chu. Engah mah ngai suh, zan mut dawna tawngtai tam deuh angai a nih kha." tiin a nui a, rawng chu a bawl chhunzawm leh a.

***************************

An Verandah-ah chuan LAwmsanga chuan exer a la mek a, a zuang thauh thauh mai. A bengah chuan Kima thil sawi, "FRancis-a hi ka ringhlel tihna  a nilo, mahse a lan dan atang hi chuan a thil tih a ang em a ni." a tih ri te, "Muantea hian dawt phuah chawpin he case hi  a ti zuzi mai mai thovang." a ti lai te, "He kan dept ah hian nangmah bak rintlak an awm lo.." tia a hrilh lai te chu a ri nawn mawlh mawlh mai.

An inkawt a thutthleng ah chuan a thu hnawk a, a thaw hlawi hlawi mai. A han maimitchhing a, a mitthlaah chuan Siami thih lai vel a, silai puak ri a hriat lai vel te chu a han mitthla let a. A ngaihtuah vang vang a, "Silai a kap puak a, ka chhuak a, ka rawn tlan chhe nghal a ni." tia Francis-a sawi te chu a han ngaihtuah let a.

Ama hriattham lek chuan, "Silai a hmet puak zo chiah a, a rawn tlan chhuak nghal a..." a han ti ban deuh cahrh charh a. Maimitchhing lehin han mitthla let leh chu a tum a, "Silai a puah veleh khan ka tlan phei ve nghal a, tlanphei chhung khan minute khat dawn ka hmang.." tiin  ahan phun leh sap a.

A han ngawi leh vang vang a, "Mahse ka va thlan phei khan Francis-a kha a rawn tlan thleng ve chauh....silai a puah veleh rawn chhuak nghal si...tinge a van rawn thleng har si ve? A rawn tlan phei khan motor atangin a la tlan hla lo bawk...a awmzia chu...a awmzia chu.." a han ti a, a meng thut a, a ding nghal.

"A awmzia chu silai a puah hnu khan Francis-a kha second 30 vel lai motor chhungah khan ala awm tihna...second 30 chhung khan enge a tih ang?" a han ti deuh vak vak a. Rang takin a phone a phawrh a, Pu Rama biak a han tum a. Mahse a ring quit thak mai, Kima phone a han tum leh a, a ring quit thak tho.

"Hrep tak chuan le..." tiin inchhung lamah a lut a. Rang takin a insiam mawlh mawlh a, chutih lai chuan apa  alo lut a. "Ehe..khawnge i kal dawn..zing kar kar ah?" tiin a rawn zawt a. "Chhuah lawk ka ngai...ka rei lovang." tiin a lo chhang mai a. "Chaw i ei dawn lo em ni?" a han ti leh a, "Ka lo haw hunah le." tih leh tlanchhuah a rual nghal a.

************************

Police Station chhungah chuan Lawmsanga chu ava tlan lut a, an lo en thap hlawm mai. "Khawnge IG? Khawnge IG Sir a awm?" a han ti vak vak a, an ngawi reng ringawt. Pu Rama chu lo kal hnaiin, "Sir, enge i rawn tih a?" tiin a zawt a. "Pu Ram, khawnge IG a awm?" a han ti leh a. Pu Rama chuan, "A lo la thleng lo...engthil nge ni a?" tiin a lo zawt leh a.

"Francis-a khawnge a awm?"

"Hotel ah midang hovin an awmpui, engthil nge thleng a. Sir?"

"Ka hmu duh, thil zawh tur ka ngah lutuk."

Chutih lai chuan Inspector Muantea chu a rawn lut a, "Lallawmsang, enge hetah i rawn tih?" a a rawn ti lut a. LAwmsanga chuan rum zet hian a lo en a, "Francis-a ka hmu duh." tiin a chhang a. "He case hi i kutah a awm tawh lo tih i hriat kha...suspend i nih kha. Enge i rawn tih? IG in  a hmuh hma che hian chhuak vat rawh." Muantea chuan a han ti leh a.

"Anih chuan ka thusawi hi ngaithla rawh...Pi Seni chhungte chu biak pawh vat tum ula, Francis-a nu leh pate chungchang hi hriat vat a ngai. Chuan, Francis-a hian thil zep then a nei bawk a ni." a han ti chu Muantea chu a nui vak vak mai. Tham lo tih hriat tak hian Lawmsanga chu a en a, "Zep then a nei a...saw naupang kum 8 mi lek sawn zep then a nei anga maw...i mawl em ni a?" a ti hrep mai.

"Ka mawl lo...a mawl zawk chu ka hmaah hian i ding mek alawm. IG makpa i nih vang mai mai a Inspector ni thei i nih kha, case pakhat lek pawh mumal taka chhui chhuah i nei tawh em? I rank hi i chhuang viau a ni tiraw..Lalmuanawm..." a ti ve ta siah siah mai. Muantea chu a thin a rim takzet, "Engmaw i sawi a? Tikhan i senior hi min chhang ngam a maw?" tiin ava kal hnai a.

Mahse Lawmsanga chu a lo hnung tawlh duh bik hauh lo, "Senior..Senior...i dinhmun kha i thawh rim vang a nilo. IG fanu hi i nupui a nih vang chauh a kaisang i ni, duhsakna avang leh i pa in sum a neih tam vang chauh a nih kha.." a lo ti let leh a. Muantea chu za lo deuh hian a khi suk a, "Min thik a nih kha...Inspector nih ve i chak a nih kha.."  alo ti leh a.

"Thik a? Nang hi ka thik hlawl lo che. He case pawh hi i chhui chhuak lovang, i thluak in a pha velo. I thil tih ruk zozai te hi ka hre lo emaw i ti em ni? Ka thup pui tang tang zawk che asin, thamna i lak hnem zia te pawh ka hre vek. Nikuma KS kan man pawh kha i lo mutpui hman thawt thawt a ni lawm ni? MLA inthlan naa i chetdan te kha...politician ho thil tih sual ah i ka hup nan sum an pe bawk che a, i pa eiruk nasat zia te...engkim ka hre vek asin." tiin Lawmsanga chu a ang ti vak vak mai.

Muantea thinrim lutuk chuan rum takin a melh a, "I tawng hnem ta khawp mai, ka thin i ti rim dawnnia aw..chhuak nghal rawh, a nih loh chuan.." a tih lai chuan pawr zet hian Lawmsanga chuan, "Anih loh chuan enge? Enge i tih vak anga? I junior ka nih avang hian min hmusit a, mi er a, min itsik zawk a ni. Ka hlau che amaw i ti em ni? Tunah hian police ka nilova, mi pakhat ve mai ka ni. Ka senior i nilova, i junior ka ni hek lo. I duh chuan kan ti nghal dawn mi...mawhh?" tiin a pawr khawp mai.

Chutih lai chuan IG a rawn thleng a, "Duhtawk rawh u...in bengchheng lutuk." a rawn ti vin vak a, an ngawi dun chiang hle mai. IG chuan Lawmsanga chu a en a, "Enge i rawn tih?" a han ti a. Inthlahrung tak hian, "Sir, vawiin tal hi chance min pe rawh. Francis-a ka hmu duh, thil zawhfiah angai.." a han ti a.

"Sub Inspector Lallawmsang, suspend i ni a, hei i i case a ni tawh lo ka tih kha. Engmah buaina tur i nei ve tawh lo, duhtawk tawh rawh." a lo ti daih mai. "Mahse Sir, hei hi a serious ania.." a tih lai chuan IG chuan, "Duhtawk rawh...heta tang hian chhuak vat rawh. Anih loh chuan suspend mai nilovin, Station chhunga buaina i rawn siam avang hian ban hial pawh i ni thei asin." a lo ti leh a.

"Sir..anih chuan Dr. Kima ka hmu duh a ni. Engkim ka tichiang vek ang, min ring hram rawh."

"Lawmsang, a tawk. Chhuak rawh, anih loh chuan court a kan inkhin rap rap angai mai ang. Police leh police intih buai hi ka duh lo, khawngaihin.." a tih takah chuan LAwmsanga pawh chu a ngawi ve ta, rum zet hian Muantea chu ava melh leh a. Tichuan a chhuak ta a, IG pawh chuan, "Muante, nangpawh ka office ah min rawn zui lut nghal rawh." tiin a office ah chuan a lut a.

Pu Rama chuan Lawmsanga chu a zui chhuak a, "Sir..engthil nge thleng a?" a han ti a. LAwmsanga chu za lo deuh hian  a nui a, "Kan dept hi ka hne tawh a ni, Pu Ram. Hmun danga insawn theih chu nise ka insawn daih tawh ang, tumah rintlak ka hmu lo." a han ti a. "Sir, engkim ka lo hrilh ve zel ang che." Pu Rama chuan a lo ti a, chhang lovin LAwmsanga chuan a haw san ta a.

***************************

Kar hnih a liam a, Lawmsanga thinrim leh beidawng chuan engmah a tih chhunzawm ta bik lo. Zankhat chu a roomah mu in hla a ngaithla a, chutih lai chuan a nu chuan kawngka a rawn kik a. "Enge ni?" a lo ti vin hlur mai. "Lo chhuak la news khi rawn en ve teh..." a ti a, ava chhuak ve ta a.

News ah chuan reporter chuan, "VAwiin May ni 3, 2017 khan tun hnaia tualthahna case lar tak, mipa naupang kum 8 mi Francis Zothansanga nu leh pa Pu Lalrinhlua leh Pi Lalthanpari, VAnlalvena leh Police Constable Nula Lalremsiami te thattu chu he case chhuitu Inspector Lalmuanawma chuan a man a, tlanchhuah a tum avangin encounter in a kap hlum niin ka palai chuan thu a dawng." a rawn ti ta mai a.

Lawmsanga awih lo lutuk chu  a nui khi suk a, "A nih vel kha ka ring reng a ni." a ti zawi sap a. Reporter chuan puan chhunzawm zelin, "He tualthattu nia an sawi, police ten an kah hlum tak hi case chhuitu ber, Inspector Lalmuanawma'n a sawi dan chuan a hma atang daih tawha a rinhlelh thu leh a hma pawn  alo hmuh thin thu a sawi a. Amah hi Assamese niin Guwahati atanga Mizorama lo lut ru niin a sawi." a han ti leh a.

Chutah Muantea an kawmna chu an rawn tih lan chhunzawm a, "He misual hi chiang takin a inpuang a, min hriatpui tu pawh kan constable te hi an ni ngei ang. Mizo tawng erawh a thiam chiang lova.." a tih vel lai chuan Lawmsanga chuan a ngaihthlak chhunzawm peih tawh lo, room ah chuan a luhsan ta daih a.

A phone a rawn ri a, Pu Rama a lo ni. "Hello Sir, vawiin news kha i hria em?" a rawn ti a. Lawmsanga chuan nui chung hian, "Plan thing tak a ni, mizo mipui lah te hian kan awih leh dual dual hlawm awm sia. Kha vaipa kha ka khawngaih hle mai, chhungte a nei ve awm sia." a lo ti a.

"Ni e, vai hi chu an tam em a, an inhre tak tak dawn chuang lo tiin misual berah a puh ta a nih hmel. Kha vaipa kha rukru a ni hrim hrim a, Muantea hian engmah a chhui peih tak tak silova. Case pawh hi a ngaihtuah lo lutuk, kan chhui dawn maw kan tia, thingpui dawrah kan chawl a, kan haw leh daih zel." tiin Pu Rama chu a nui huk a.

"Ani vel ang...thawk tha peih silo hian hmingthat a duh ve si a. Police Officer nih a chakna hian  abual a tawh anih kha...a ho emai, patling pahnihin mahni mipat pui rel dun vak vak te chu...lo leng phei la, zu ka nei ania."

"Haha..awle ka lo kal ang."

"E chuan Pu Ram, Francis-a kha engtin nge an tih tak?"

"Kan hlauh ang ngeiin....Home ah an dah, Fahrah Run ah."

*********************

THREE MONTHS LATER

Fahrah Run lam pan chuan Martha-i leh Duhawma te nupa chu an inkhalh chhuak a, reiloteah chuan an thleng a. Kawt velah chuan naupang ho chu an lo infiam nuai nuai hlawm mai a, fa neih chak ve em em Martha-i chuan a han enkual hlawm a, a hnuk a ulh hial mai. Kil khatah mahnia thu, naupang hmeltha tak, kum 8 mi Francis Zothansanga lo thu ngawi kar mai chu ava hmu a.

Martha-i chuan ding meuh hian a en a, Francis-a pawh chuan a rawn melh let ve a. An in en ta kar mai, "Duhtak..lut ila.." Duhawma'n a rawn tih chuan a phu deuh zuk mai, an lut dun ta a. Director room ah chuan an kal a, "Nangmahni hi em ni Pu Lalduhawma te chu..." a han ti a. "Aw...rawn phone lawk tu che kha kan nia." tiin Duhawma chuan a lo chhang a.

An inbiak lai chuan Martha-i chuan tukverh lam a va hawi a, Francis-a bawk chuan  alo en leh reng mai. "Kum 8 mi vel chu an tam a...an vai mai hian fa lak tum an lo kal te hian anmahni nise tiin an inchuh hial thin." tiin Director chu a titi bawrh bawrh a. Martha-i chuan Francis-a chu a kawk a, "Saw saw tunge?" a han ti a.

"Francis Zothansanga a nih saw...a ngawichawi lutuk. Tumah thian a kawm ve ngailo, kum 8 mi...a nu leh pate thah sak an ni a. A khawngaihthlak takzet, ala naupang si." tiin a lo chhang a. Martha-i chuan Francis-a en reng pah chuan, "Saw saw ka duh, inzawmna engemaw kan nei tlat in ka hria." a ti a.

"Duhtak, i chiang maw?" tiin Duhawma chuan a lo zawt a, "Umm ka chiang a ni. Ani pawh sawn min mamawh in ka hria, Francis-a saw ka fapa ni turin ka duh a ni." a ti leh a. Tichuan eng eng emaw an tih fel hnu chuan Francis-a chu Director chuan a ko va, an fapa thar ni tur chuan Francis Zothansanga chu Martha-i te nupa chuan an la ta a ni.

***************************

Francis-a chuan nu leh pa thar a nei tawh bawk a, zawi zawiin a taksa pawh a mum tan ve telh telh a. Duhawma te nupa chuan an duat em em a, a bik takin Martha-i phei chuan a ven hian a veng deuh reng hi a ni tawp. A eichak apiang an leisak a, games te, toys te leh thildang a infiamna tur chu an leisak hnem nghal khawp mai.

Francis-a pawhin nuam a ti ve hle a, a bik takin a nu thar Martha-i chu a ngaina zual bik. A pa Duhawma erawh a nel em em lova, a chang chuan a inthlahrun deuh vang nge, biak pawh a be tha ngai lo. Mahse Duhawma erawh chuan ngaihthat lohna engmah a nei chuang lo, an nupa chuan Francis-a chu an hlimpui hliah hliah a ni ber mai.

School te kal tir in kum 8 lai ni tawh mahse, school ala kal ngai loh avangin Nursery atang chuan an han kal that tir a. Mahse an zirtirtuten a thiam theih avang leh rin ai daih a thil a hriat avang chuan class 2 ah an sawn dawr mai. Mahse school chu nuam a ti hlawl lo, a ngawi chawi thei em em a.

Tumah a be ngai lo tluk vel a ni, mahse zirtirtute erawh chuan an duhsak hle thung. A class mate dangte chuan an nel lo em em thung a, a ngawichawi chu thudang nise, kawm pawh an kawm ve peih lo. VAwikhat phei chu an class a mi Johnny-a chuan Francis-a chanchin chu a chhungte titi na atangina lo hre thawi a, a nu leh pa thah sak an nih thute chu an school ah chuan a lo sawi darh chiam a ni awm e.

Chungte avang pawh chuan Francis-a chu an ngaina lo zual a, a bul hnaih ah an awm duh ngai lo. School nuam lo a tih thute chu a nu bulah chuan a hrilh thin a, a theih tawp chhuahin a nu chuan hnemin a fuih hram hram thin. Ngaih ti tha lo hial khawpin Francis-a chuan lehkha  a thiam a, sap tawng lah nise zirtirtute ai mah mah chuan a hnehsawh emaw tih mai tur a ni.

*******************

Thla thum a liam ta bawk a, LAwmsanga pawn Police hna chu a join leh ta. Francis-a case erawh close a ni tawh a, a rilru ah lanchhuah chang awm ve thin mahse a ngaihtuah zui tawh bik lo. Inspector Muantea nen erawh an la inmil thei hlawl lo thung a, biak pawh an inbe ngai meuh lo.

Tlai khat a duty bang chu haw mai lovin amah in a leng kual a, tih tur em em pawh nei lo chuan veng hrang hrang ah chuan a round vak vak ringawt a. A hnuah kawng peng pahnih awmna chu a thleng a, a ding chat mai. Kawng chung lam erawh chuan a rilru a luah teh chiam lo, mahse kawnghnuai lam zawk chu a melh vang vang mai.

A chhan chu kawng hnuai lam zawk chu VEna ruang an chharna kalkawng a nih vang pawh a ni mahna, a han thu ngawi vang vang phawt a. Chutah a motor chu a han start leh a, kawng hnuai lam pan chuan a kal ta a. A reh hian a reh em em a, mihring kea kal hmuh tur tumah an awm meuh lo.

Motor dang tlan erawh an awm ve zeuh zeuh thung, a tlan zel a, a tawpah chuan Vena ruang an chharna lai tak chu a thleng ta. Motor chu a ti ding a, a chhuak a. A han enkual leh a, a rilru ah chuan Francis-a chu a rawn thar leh ta. Mut pawh a mut that theih loh phah hial na, kha a case, chhuichhuah tak loh kha a rilru ah chuan a khat leh ta vek mai.

Kawngsir a kham awih lem lo tak, hnim leh thingkung a khat thla vek mai lam chu panin  ahan dak thla a. A en thla vang vang a, engemaw tle deuh var chu a hmu leh thin a. Mahse hnim a tam em avang chuan zu kal chilh loh chuan a hmuh chian theih loh, a han innghaihtuah vang vang phawt a.

A tawpah chuan a lu a bu deuh nghat a, a han hawi kual leh zuk zuk a. A chhuk thla ta, thing kung te reuh tete hmang chuan a in vuan tang thla zel a, a tawpah chuan hnim kara chemte lo let reng mai chu a zuk hmu ta. Rang takin a rawmawl a phawrh chhuak a, chemte chu a zu ban a. Mahse a invawnna thing chu a tliak thut a, a eu dawr mai.

Mahse vanneihthlak takin a tla tlang lo hlauh a, thing kung zar pakhatah chuan a invuan tang leh hman hlauh mai. A thaw huai nghe nghe, chemte chu rawmawl chuan a tuam a. Tichuan a chhuak chho leh a, motor ah chuan a lut nghal a. Sarang lian tak chhungah chuan chemte chu a khung a, a tlan leh nghal ta a.

Mahse inah a haw mai lo, hmundang kalna tur ala nei tlat. A mitthla chuan Vena leh Siami hrawka X sign inziak chu a han mitthla leh a. Ama hriat tham lek chuan, "Kha alphabet X kha cehmte emaw, thil hriam dang hmanga ziah a ni. VEna kha chemte hmanga thah a ni a, kha  a thahna chemte vek khan a ziak pawh a ni thei.." a han ti a.

A ngawi leh deuh vang vang a, "Mahse Siami kha...Siami erawh kha chu silai hmanga thah a ni, chupawh ka revolver ngeiin. Anih chuan tualthattu khan Siami hrawkah khan X a ziak ve a, engemaw hriamhrei chu a keng ve ngei ang." a han ti leh a. Chak takin a tlan a, Francis-a te veng, Venghnuai lamah chuan a tlan thla leh ta a.

Reiloteah chuan a thleng a, khua pawh a thim lek lek tawh. Siami thih tuma, a motor awmna ah ngei mai chuan a han ding leh ta vang mai a. A en kual a, mahse engmah han rinhlelh tur  a hmu lem lo. A enkual zel a, leiah chuan hnim a to hnem angreng bawk nen, khuah lah chu a thim telh telh mai bawk si.

Torch light phawrh meuh chuan a han enkual leh ta a, a tawpah chuan motor awmna atanga pen 30 vela hla ah chuan blade bung a hmu ta. Rang takin a glove a phawrh chhuak a, blade chu la in sarang ah chuan a khung leh ta. Motor ah chuan a let leh a, chak takin in lamah chuan a haw ta a.

************************

ZAnah chuan Francis-a chuan lehkha  a zir a, anu chuan a awmpui bawk a. "I thiam hnem tawh em?" tiin anu chuan a han zawt a, FRancis-a chu a lo khi suk ringawt. Martha-i bawk chuan, "Ka inbual dawn a, i zir peih tawh loh hunah i lo mu mai dawnnia aw.." a han ti a, a lu a lo bu nghat ringawt a.

Martha-i chu a han inphelh a, a fa tak nilo mahse, mipa naupang kum 8 mi lek, chupawh a fa ang tak taka a en, a hmangaih em em lakah chuan a zak lemlo aniang chu. Francis-a hmuh lai chuan  a inphelh mawlh mawlh a, a bra te thleng chuan a phelh a. Mahse Francis-a erawh chuan chutia  anu han inphelh kung kung chu a en lo thei ta lo, a melh ta ngawih ngawih mai.

Martha-i lah chuan a lo ngaihsak lo, a in phelh mawlh mawlh a. Francis-a lah chuan anu chu mit tla lek lo hian a en ngawih ngawih mai a, a ke atang chuan a han enchho vel a, it hmel em em hian a thlek ngawih ngawih mai. Martha-i chuan a rawn hmu fuh ta, mahse engah vak ngai lo chuan a lo nuih mai a.

Towel chu a veng a, a inthlakna tur thawmhnaw te chu a han en lawk a. Chutih lai pawh chuan Francis-a chuan hmundang a hawisan thei mawlh lo, a nu chawn var no nalh tak mai te chu chilthli tla lo chauh chuan a han thlir leh a, chutah Martha-i chuan a rawn hmu fuh ta. A ngaih a tha ta vak lo, "Bawiha, tinge khatia min en a." a han ti ringawt a.

Francis-a chuan anu mitah tak chuan a en a, "I mawi lutuk." a ti ta reuh mai a nih chu. Martha-i chuan mak a ti kher mai, "Engmaw i sawi a?" a han ti a. MAhse Francis-a chu harh chhuak zawk ang mai hian  a phu zuk a, "Ihh...towel...towel kha a mawi ka ti...a sen hi ka rawng duh ber ania." a ti leh ta daih mai.

Za lo tak chuan a nui suk a, "I nei daih dawnnia." tiin bathroom lam chu a pan nghal a. A lut a, shower chu on in a inbual a. A ngaih chu ala tha chiah lo, a fapa Francis-a khan mipa puitling tawng ang mai a, zei hmel taka, "I mawi lutuk." tia a sawi lai kha chiang takin a hria. Mahse ngaih ti tha luiin a inbual chhunzawm zel a, chutih lai chuan kawngkhar chu a rawn ri deuh bur mai.

A phu zawk a, shower chu a off nghal. "Tunge ni?" a han ti vak a, mahse boruak chu a reh diak mai. A inbual chhunzawm leh a, mahse a ngaih erawh a tha lo kher mai. Tu emaw in a enthla ni tlat hian a hria a, bathroom kawngkhar chu a va melh leh zeuh zeuh thin a. Chutah bathroom kawngka leh bang inzawmna awng(hole) chhete ah chuan mihring mitmu ni awm tak hi ava hmu ta, shower chu a off leh nghal vat.

A en reng a, chutah mitmu chu a che ta zeuh mai. Rang takin towel chu la in a inkhuh nghal a, kawngka chu ava hawng thut mai. Mahse tumah an lo awm lo, room ah chuan a lut tlang nghal a. Francis-a chu khumah thu in lehkha chu a lo la zir reng a, chutia mangan hmel leh hlauh hmel taka a nu rawn lut chu a lo en hu mai a.

"Tinge anu? Enge thleng a?" a lo ti a, MArtha-i chu a ngawi deuh vang vang a. "Aa..engmah nilove.." a ti mai a, khumah chuan a thu a. Francis-a chuan, "Nu..ka mut a chhuak.." a rawn ti leh a. "Umm...mu tawh mai rawh. Mut pahin hla i ngaithla leh duh em?" tiin a zawt a. "Um." tih ringawt chuan a lo chhang a.

Francis-a tan bik liau liau a smart phone an leisak chu Martha-i chuan a la chhuak a, earphone nen chuan Francis-a chu a pe a. Hla ngaithla chung chuan earphone nen chuan Francis-a chu a mu a,a maimitchhing nghal. Martha-i chu inthlak tumin a towel ven lai chu laksawn a han tum a, mahse a hmaa thil thleng kha a hrechhuak zawk mai.

Francis-a chu ava melh leh a, mahse lehlam hawiin a lo hnar suk suk mai. A thaw hak a, "A va han atthlak tak...ka mumang phiangsen vang vek kha a ni." tiin a phun ri sap a, a inthlak a. Francis-a mulai chu a chalah a fawp a, "Ka hmangaih che, bawihte." a ti zawi sap a. Chutih lai chuan Duhawma pawh a rawn haw ve ta a, room ah chuan a rawn lut tlang nghal a.

"Ehe....a lo mu der elaw?" a rawn ti lut a. "Ummm tunah khan a muhil deuh chiah." tiin a lo chhang a. Duhawma pawh chuan a fapa chalah chuan a han fawp ve bawk a, "Ka va han duat tak em, he nau hi chu.." nui vur vur chung chuan a han ti a. Martha-i bulah chuan ava thu a, "VAwiin hun i hmang nuam em?" tiin a han zawt a.

"Umm nuam a nimai...i lo va haw tlai ve a?"

"Nia, kan buai deuh alawm le...chaw pawh canteen ah ka ei daih."

"Aww...sawi lawk ve tur che lawm, ka lo chhum kep vek che asin."

"A ho lutuk, naktuk zingah chaw thing kan ei anga nimai."

Martha-i chuan Francis-a chu ava en a, "Duhtak, Francis-a hi PAthian min pek ka tilo thei lo."  a han ti a. Duhawma chu a lo nui suk a, "NGati maw?" a lo ti vat a. "Ngaihtuah teh, kum 5 chhung teh meuh fa nei lovin mangang takin kan awm a. Mahse kan beidawn tawpah hei...fa atan he naupang hi kan la a. School ah lah nise a thiam thei em em a, saptawng lah a man chak bawk. Kan tan a tha turin Pathian hian rem a lo ruat tak tak a nih hi, tiraw?" a han ti a.

"Ni e, kan tawngtaina PAthianin a chhang a nih hi. Malsawmna tamtak a keng tel ngei ang, mi ropui tak ala ni dawn lawm. Engpawh nise, ka va inbual ve ange aw.." tiin Duhawma chu a inphelh mawlh mawlh a, bathroom lam pah chuan a kal ve ta a. MArtha-i pawh chuan Francis-a chu  akuah a, reiloteah a muhil ve ta a.

**********************

Kima phone chu a rawn ri a, peihlo tak chung chuan a la a. "Hello..tunge?" a ti vin deuh hlur a. Phone ami chuan, "Keimah LAwmsanga, hawh teh..lab ah kal ang." a rawn ti ta thut mai. "Lab ah a? Enge tun ang hunah lab ah kan tih ang?" tiin a zawt a. "I lo kal dawn tih ka hria, ka dah a nia." tiin phone chu a dah daih mai.

Peih lo tak chuan a tho va, lab lam pan chuan a kal ta nge nge a. Lab chhungah chuan an inhmu a, "Enge ni a, Lawmsang? Mi muttui lai lai a, hunlo lutuk." a ti deuh nung nung a. LAwmsanga chu  a khi suk a, "Nangpawh ka peih lo chung chung anih kha min kaih thawh aw.." a lo ti ve bawk a.

"AW...khate chu a pawimawh alawm."

Lawmsanga chuan a ipte atanga blade leh chemte, sarang chhunga dah chu phawrhin, "Heipawh hi thil pawimawh tak a ni ngei ang." a han ti a. Kima chuan mak tih hmel tak hian, "Kha kha enge a?" tiin a han zawt a. "I hmuh ve reng hi..chemte leh blade bung a nih hi." tiin Lawmsanga chuan a chhang a.

"Ni e..ka hria alawm..mahse khawia mi nge?"

"Khawi ami nge a nih i rin?"

"Ka hre nang..ka zawt che alawm."

"Crime scene-ah khan ka kal leh a...hei hi ka hmu a ni."

Hriatthiam loh hmel tak hian Kima chuan, "Crime scene a? Khawi lai crime scene ah maw? Tun hnaiah thil thleng engmah a awm si lova.." a tih lai chuan a ngawi deuh thut a. Chutah Lawmsanga chu a en a, "Nang hi..." tiin a ner deuh nung a. LAwmsanga chuan a lu a lo bu nghat a, "Umm..ka va kal leh a ni." tiin a lo chhang a.

"Anih chuan...kha kha crime scene bula i hmuh maw?"

"Aw ni e...chemte hi Vena thihna bulah..chuan blade hi Siami.."

"Enge ti tura min duh?"

"I hriat kha...finger prints."

"Mahse LAwmsang, a rei tawh si a...finger prints te chu a reh vek tawh thei asin." a han ti a. Lawmsanga chuan nui chung hian, "I peih loh vang mai mai ani lo maw...haha. Francis-a finger prints kha a al awm tiraw?" tiin a zawt leh a. "AW...la awm e. Anih chuan nangpawn Francis-a hi i ringhlel ve ta nge nge tihna em ni?" tiin a lo zawt let a.

"Ringhlel tihna lam a nilo, mahse i sawi ang khan...heta tang hi chuan a thil tih  anih hmel tlat a lawm." tiin a lo chhang a. Blade leh chemte chu Kima chuan a la a, "Siami silai ken laiah khan Siami finger print chiah a awm a, midang finger prints engmah a awm lo. Zawhna ni ta chu...kha tualthattu khan a finger print thup nan Siami kha silai kha a ken tir a. Mahse tinge khatia a tih kher, tinge silai kha aman a kawl nghal mai loh?" a han ti nuah nuah a.

"Chu tak chu alawm, ka ngaihtuah chian hian he tualthattu hi kan rin loh deuh a ni dawn tih a chiang vek. Tunah tak phei chuan Francis-a hi a nih duh hmel ber, a nih loh hram ka beisei." LAwmsanga chuan a lo ti ve bawk a. Kima chuan glove a han bun a, a khawl te chu a han ti nung hlawm a.

Lawmsanga chuan, "A rei angem?" a han ti a, "Minute 20 vel a niang." tiin a lo chhang a. "Pawnah ka lo nghak ang che, meizial ka lo zu ang." tiin a chhuah san ta a. Minute engemaw zah a ral hnu chuan Kima chuan a rawn ko va, "Lo lut rawh le." tiin Lawmsanga pawh chuan a zui lut ve nghal a.

Kima chu a nui suk a, "Blade ah leh Chemte ah...a pahnih ah hian finger prints chu a awm ngei e. Chuan...i ring dik e. Nilo kan ring dik zawk...Francis-a finger prints nen a inmil chiah chiah e." a ti ta mai a. LAwmsanga chu a ngawi vang vang a, "Eng ang naupang nge maw a nih phiangsen le...khanglang chuan.." a ti vawng vawng mai.

"Engtia hmalak nge i tum?"

"IG hrilh angai, chuan Francis-a awmna home kha enge khah?"

"SAMARITAN CHILDREN'S HOME."

"Chutah chuan kan kal angai...man vat loh chuan naupang dang ho pawh a that mai ang."

"MAhse thiana, Inspector Muantea hming a chhe vek dawn asin. Thil thleng tur chu i hriat kha, rukru satliah, vai pakhat a that ringawt tihna a ni dawn a. IG makpa a ni lehnghal, tin case hi close a ni tawh bawk."

"Anih chuan Francis-a chu kan thlah zalen dawn tihna em ni? Thudik kan hre tawh a, tualthattu pawh tunge a nih kan hre tawh. Muantea ngaihtuah a ngai lo, midang a thah leh hma hian he case hi re open vat angai."

"Tunge i thil sawi awih ang che."

"Aww..hei prove kan nei tawh alawm. Chubakah min hriat pui a, nangmah i awm alawm."

"Um ka hria e." Kima chuan a tichuai raih mai. Lawmsanga chuan a phone a phawrh a, "IG kan phone ange." tiin a number chu a dial nghal a. Mahse a la thei tlat lo, "A ring quit zel, an inah ka va kal mai ang." tiin phone chu a dah a. Mahse Kima chuan, "Hahdam teh, Lawmsang. Muangchangin, i hmanhmawh tut tut lutuk." a lo ti a.

"A hmanhmawh thlak alawm, enge maw i hriat le?" tiin a lo vin lek lek mai. "Ka hria alawm, naktuk zingah kan hrilh dawnnia. Haw phawt ang, tunah chuan ala mutui awm sia. A thinchhe si, a duhsak lo che sia...naktuk zingah kan sawi dawnnia." a tih takah chuan Lawmsanga pawh chuan a remti ve ta a.

Lab chu an kalh fel a, pawnah chuan an chhuak a. Ruah a rawn sur ta vak mai, "Khai...ava hun lo tak." Lawmsanga chuan a ti deuh nung nung a. "Bike in asin ka lo kal...ka va huh peih lo e.." Kima chuan a lo ti ve bawk a. "Bike hi tah hian dah la, ka car ah lo chuang ve mai rawh." LAwmsanga chuan a lo ti a.

"A pawi lo, ka'n nghak deuh ange."

"I chiang maw?"

"AW..a ho lutuk...lo va haw rawh naktukah chuan aww.." Kima chuan a tih tlat avang chuan LAwmsanga pawh chuan, "Awle...rawn fimkhur ang che aw.." tiin a hawsan ta a. Chutih lai chuan Inspector Muantea KS dawr zo haw lampang chuan Lawmsanga leh Kima inbe lai chu kil khat atang chuan a lo hmu reng mai, "A eng chu ti dun tak maw?" a ti nuah nuah a, mahse a tlan pel ve leh ta mai a.

**********************

Dar 12 a ri a, khawpui chu a ri rum rum mai. Ruah lah chu a sur nasa telh telh lehnghal a, Francis-a muhil lai chu a rawn meng kawk mai. A mit te chu a sen rum mai a, a thinrim hmel em em mai lehnghal. Aw thum zet, ama aw pawh ni miah lo hian, "ZAwnga te pahnih mai mai chuh..in chak dawnlo." a ti chhur chhur mai.

A nu leh pa, a bula muhil mek te chu a en a, an lo mu tui dun nasa mai. Khum atang chuan a tho va, ngawi reng chuan room chu a chhuah san a. Choka lamah a phei a, chemtea a va la a. Tichuan kawngka lam pan chuan a kal leh a, a han nui var var a. KAwngka chu a hawng a, chak takin a tlan chhuak ta daih mai.

************************

Ruah chu a sur ban mai loh avang chuan Kima pawh chuan, "Pawi lo, huh vel mai mai teh ang." tih pah chuan a bike lam pan chuan a kal a. A han ti nung a, a tlan chhuak ta. Mahse a tlan hla hman lo kher mai, a hma zawn takah chuan Francis-a, hmai dang vek leh mit sen rum chunga lo ding chu a hmu thut mai.

A sut hlau bawk si leh phu nasa lutuk chua kawi deuh zawr zawr a, a balance hlohvin a thal ta thuai mai. A lu chu na takin a sawh a, a hai muai muai mai. Thisen tam tak a chhuak bawk a, a ke ruh a tliak bawk. Thawk pawh a thaw tha theilo hial a, ruah lah chuan ban a tum reng reng lo mai.

Francis-a chuan ava pan hnai a, thei leh theilo hian Kima chuan a lo melh tawk tawk a. A hma zawn takah chuan a zu thu hniam a, Kima chuan a lo melh rum kher mai. Thei leh thei lo hian, "Nang...nang naupang...i him rei chuang lovang." a ti tawk tawk a. Francis-a chu a nui ta vak vak mai, "Mangtha le...Doctor." tih pah chuan chemte a phawrh a, Kima chu a vit ta siah siah mai.

Reilo teah chuan Kima chu a thi nghal a, mahse Francis-a chuan a la duhtawk mai lo. A tho va, lung lian tak mai, naupang kum 8 mi lek ina a chawi zawh awmloh tak mai chu awlsam zet hian a chawi lawp a. Kima luah tak mai chuan a deng ta siah mai, thisen mai bakah a thluak te pawh chu a per nuai mai.

Tichuan Kima iptea Lab chahbi chu a la a, lab lam pan chuan a kal ta a. A hawng a, a chhunga ama finger prints proof-na zawng zawng chu a la chhuak a, chemte leh blade te pawh chu a keng chhuak bawk a. Kawngka chu a kalh leh a, file zawng zawng te chu pawt thlerin kawngsira khamah chuan a theh thla ta vek a.

Chemte leh blade te pawh chu a paih tel bawk a, chutiang thil a tih pah chuan a nui huah huah bawk. A nui ri te chu naupang nui ri a ni mawlh lo, patling aw thum tak nui ri ang mai a ni. Tichuan Kima ruang bulah chuan ava kal leh a, a han en vang vang a. Chutah Kima awm zawn thler nuai mai kara thisen lo tling chu a kut chuan a zu suak a, a la in ta ang deuh deuh va.

*********************

Martha-i muttui lai chu tu emaw ni hian a awmbawr vel chu a rawn chul kual sak a, "Duhawm....a hun lo emai." tiin harh chiang mang lo chuan a phun deuh sap a. Mahse a rawn zut zel a, a mal te leh a mawng te chu a rawn tham sak a. "Ava hun lo tak...enge maw i hriat le?" tih pah chuan lehlam a hawi a.

Chutah a pasal awzawng a lo nilo, a hma a..amumanga a lo hmuh tawh, kha pa rapthlak zet mai kha a bulah chuan a lo mu ve reng mai. A mitmu te chu a chhuak pur mai a, a ha lah a dum vek. Rannung te reuh te te hian a hmai te chu an lo bawm nuai nuai mai a, a vun lah chu a dang var pup lehnghal.

Martha-i hlau lutuk chu a au vak vak a, a thu chhuak nghal a. Chutah rang takin Duhawma chuan light a on a, "Enge? Enge ni ta?" a ti nghal chul mai a. Martha-i chu a hawi kual a, an nupa tih loh chu tumah an awm lo. Tap pur chung hian, "Khaw..khawnge ka fapa? Khawnge Francis-a?" tiin a mangang kher mai.

Duhawma pawh chu a zuang tho nghal a, "FRANCIS..BAWIHA?" tiin a au va, an zawng nghal a. Bathroom ah te an en a, choka ah te an en bawk a. Mahse an hmu zo silo, Martha-i phei chu a tap a tap tawh. Duhawma chuan, "Police call mai ang." a tih lai chuan kawngka bula Francis-a lo ding khur zawih zawih chu Martha-i chuan ava hmu ta a.

"Bawiha....ka fapa." tiin ava tlan phei a, a lo huh vek leh nghal. A kuah a, "Awii..khawnge i kal a? Tinge i chhuah a...min tih hlauhthawn zia hi i hria em?" tiin a tap zawih zawih a. Zawi sap hian, "Ka tihpalh, anu...ruah do ka chak a." tih ringawt chuan a lo chhang a. Duhawma chuan kil khat atang chuan a lo en reng a, "Ruah do nuam a ti hle bawk ania aw.." tia Home Director-i'n a sawi chu a hrechhuak zawk a.

Martha-i chuan hruai lutin, "Ruah do a tha hleinem, chubakah min hrilh lovin chhuak tawh suh ang che." tiin a hau mawlh mawlh a. Duhawma pawh chuan, "I dam lo mai anga sin...tinge ngawi reng a i chhuah reng reng?" a lo ti ve bawk a. Chutah Francis-a chu a inhnit hlap hlap a, "Tihpalh apa..ruah do ka chak alawm." tiin a tap ta hawm hawm mai.

Inthiamlo tak chuan Duhawma chuan, "Khaih khaih..ka hau hleinem che...ruah do a thalo ka ti mai alawm. Tap tawh suh...coffee tui deuh ka siam ang che aw.." tiin a thlem lehnghal a, Francis-a pawh chuan a lu a lo bu nghat a. REi deuh fe an han thut ho leh hnu chuan room lam an pan a, an mu ve leh ta a ni.

******************************

Zing dar 5:30 velah chuan Lawmsanga phone chu a rawn ri ral ral a, peih loh hmel tak hian a han ban a. Pu Rama a lo ni, "Hello Pu Ram, enge ni ta? I va rawn bei hma ve.." tiin a han ham deuh bawi bawih a. Chutah thawh phan awm miah lo hian a meng kawk mai, "Eng a?" tiin a thu chhuak nghal a.

Phone chu  a dah nghal, rang lutukin a insiam a. A motor chahbi la in a tlan chhuak nghal, chak takin a tlan a, a thlan fim a tla zawih zawih mai. Mipui lo pun khawm laih laih na bulah chuan ava ding a, motor atang chuan a chhuak nghal. Pu Rama chuan a lo pan nghal a, "Englo ania, Sir.." a ti dek dek chu a nam sawn lawp mai.

Mipui karah chuan ava inrawlh a, "AWm sawn teh u...khawimaw.." tiin a nam lawp lawp hlawm mai. Chutah side drain a Kima ruang, hmel pawh hmuh tlak loh leh luruh lah vek, thluak baw nuai mai chu ava hmu ta. A ding chat mai, "Nilo...Kima..thianpa.." tiin a thingthi hnawk a.

A hmui a hup a, tah pawh a tap chhuak hleithei lo. A mittui a tla zawih zawih a, "Nilo...a theih loh..Kima, nilo.." tiin a kun tlawk tlawk mai. Chutah Inspector Muantea a lo kal a, "Lallawmsang, tho rawh." a rawn ti khur khur mai. A bulah chuan IG pawh a awm ve bawk, Lawmsanga chu a ding a.

IG chu a en a, "Sir, engtin..enge thleng hi?" a ti khur dar dar a. Muantea chuan vin zet hian, "Chungte chu nangman i sawi fiah thei ang chu." a lo ti hrep mai. "Enga? Enge i sawi awmzia?" hrethiam lo tak chuan a lo ti a. "Nizan khan Kima nen hian laboratory pawnah ka hmu dun che u a ni...sawi rawh, engvanga that nge i nih?" a lo ti leh a.

Lawmsanga chu a insum zo ta lo, "Zawnga.." tih pah chuan a kawr awmah a tham a, rang takin police ho chuan an lo thelh a. Muantea lah thinrim ve bawk, "Min khawih ve ngam amaw?" tiin a pawr nasa mai. IG chuan, "Duhtawk rawh u..mipui tam tak an awm hi in zak miah nange?" tiin a hau dun a.

Muantea chuan pawr zet hian, "Zak tur chu Lallawmsanga hi a ni, Sir. Nizanah khan chiang takin ka hmu che u, ka haw lamin ka hmu che u." a ti vak vak a. Lawmsanga lah ngawih a tum mai bik lo, "Ni e kan awmdun ngei alawm, mahse ka thah a ni lo. Nangpawh nizanah chuan khawnge i kal a, hotel book in i nupui hriat lohvin KS i dawr leh tawh em ni?" a ti ve ta siah siah mai.

"ZAwngsen leh.." tiin Muantea chuan ava rek a, mahse an lo dang leh vat a. IG chuan ring tak hian, "Duhtawk rawh u...in pahnih in, ka office ah lo kal ang che u." tiin Pu Rama chu a en a, "Rama, SI Samuela nen lo buaipui ang che u." tiin a kal ta daih a, LAwmsanga leh Muantea chu an in melh no lo kher mai.

*****************************

"AWLE....vawiin chu chawhnu kan chawl bawk a, haw nghal nge in duh sport?" Francis-a te class teacher, Miss Teresa-i chuan a han ti a. Hmeichhe ho erawh an ngawi deuh thiap a, mipa ho chuan, "Sport." tiin an au rual dual mai. "Anih chuan kan sport ang...Francis..nang office ah ball va la rawh le." a han ti leh a.

Mahse Francis-a chuan a hma zana anu inbual tur inphelh vel lai, a taksa no leh mawi tak mai te chu a thuthmunah chuan a lo ngaihtuah veng veng mai. "Francis...ka tawng i hria em?" tiin an miss chu a han au leh deuh thak a. Mahse ala hre chuang lo, a melh ngai melhin a la thu nui vur vur mai.

Ring leng lawng hian, "FRancis Zothansang.." a han ti vak mai chu a phu zuk mai. A calss mate te chuan an lo nuih vak vak a, "Yes..Yes Miss.." a ti tham tiak a. Thinrim hmel zet hian an miss chuan, "Stand up." a han ti vin leh thak a. Zah hmel em em hian Francis-a chu a ding a, hnuailam a melh nghal tlawk tlawk mai.

"I beng a ngawng em ni?"

"No Miss."

"Anih chuan enge ka sawi?"

"Ihhh...i beng a ngawng em ni i ti.." tiin a lo chhang a, naupang ho chu an nui nasa mai. An miss erawh a thinrim takzet, "Chumi hma chuan enge ka sawi?" a han ti leh a. Francis-a lah chuan, "Stand up..i ti." a lo ti leh a. Naupang ho chu an nuih a za tawlh tawlh a, "Ngawi rawh u...engmah nuihzatthlak a awm lo." tiin a vin leh tuar a.

Francis-a chu rum zet a melh pah hian, "Lo kal teh." a han ti leh hlur a, ava kal ta a. "I nu leh paten awmdan mawi an zirtir ngai lo che em ni?" a han ti leh a, Francis-a chu a ngawi reng. An miss bawk chuan, "PUTRID tih awmzia hi i hria em?" a han ti leh a, Francis-a chuan a lu a lo thing a.

"A awmzia chu maw...t(r)awp..t(r)awih, laktlak loh, tangkaina awmlo leh tuiek tihna a ni. Nangmah ang chiah, zirtirtute zahna nei lo. Naupang laktlak loh tak i ni...WHAT A PUTRID CHILD.." a han ti deuh kher a, Francis-a chuan a hmelah ti lang lo mahse a thinrim takzet. "Office ah ball va la rawh." a han ti leh a, Francis-a chu a chhuak ta.

Office lam pan pah chuan a ma hriat tham lek hian, "Ka tenawm maw? Ka laktlak loh maw? Tunge laktlak loh zawk chu kan hria ang.." a ti phei nang nang a. OFfice-ah chuan ball chu ava la a, an school field tereuhte ah chuan a va kal phei ve ta a. A class mate te erawh an lo awm vek tawh thung, zirtirtu bulah chuan va kalin ball chu ava pe a.

"Awle...hmeichhe ho te nen a thlangah kan lo zzu inkawi bah anga, nangni'n football inlo khel ang. Dar 2 thleng in khel ang, chumi hnuah hetah inlo chhuk anga, assembly kan nei anga, kan bang ang." a han ti leh a, "Yes Miss." an ti rual thap mai. An miss leh hmeichhe ho an kal liam hnu chuan an class a inla huai ber, Johnny-a chuan ro a han rel nghal zat zat a.

Team hnih ah an inthen a, an han inthlang diat diat a. A tawp berah chuan Francis-a chiah a bang ta, a tu a te mah chuan an pawl a tel ve a tan an duh lo. Inthlahrung tak chuan, "Ka tel velo mai ang." a ti chuai raih mai a. Johnny-a chuan, "Miss in tel vek tur a tih kha...lehlam pawlah hian tel rawh." a ti vin deuh khur khur a.

****************************

Lawmsanga leh Muantea te pahnih chu IG dawhkan hmaah chuan kut hnung suihin a ding ngawi reng a, "In zak lawm ni? Police chu in inti ve si amaw? Mipui venghim tur in ni a, mahse mipui hmuh ah in insual zawk chu ania. Kan Frensic doctor thah a ni a, nangni inlo intibuai a...zahthlak lutuk." tiin a hau dun hrep mai.

Lawmsanga chuan a aw a han thian kharh a, "Sir..tualthattu hi ka hria." a han ti a. IG chuan mak tih hmel zet hian, "Tunge?" a lo ti vat a. "FRa..." a sawi hman teuh kher mai. Francis-a a ni tih erawh a sawi duh nghal mai lo, "A ngai tho kha a ni." a han ti leh a. "Tu angai maw?" IG chuan a lo ti leh hu mai.

"VEna leh Siami thattu tho kha a ni." a han ti leh a, Muantea chu a lo ner sak mai. "I sawi awmzia chu...Kima thattu pawh hi kha tualthattu tho kha maw?" tiin a zawt leh a. "Aw ni e, Sir...ala thi lo, a tlai hma hian kan man ngei angai." a lo ti leh a. "Tulathattu chu a thi tawh...keimah ngei hian ka kap hlum tawh." Muantea chuan a lo ti ve leh a.

"I kah hlum kha tualthattu a nilo, Assamese vai rukru, chhungte neilo..mi pakhat ve mai a nih kha i thah."

"Engmaw? Dawt sawiah min puh tihna em ni?"

"Puh love..thudik a nih chu.."

Muantea chuan thinrim tak hian, "I chhuanlam mai mai a nih kha, Kima kha i thah a ni." a han ti leh vak vak a. Lawmsanga chuan, "Ka thah a nilo...ka thianpa a ni asin." tiin  alo chhang let a. "I thah a nilo tih engtin nge kan hriat theih ang?" tiin za lo tak chuan a han nui vel a. Lawmsanga chu  amaimitchhing vang vang a, "A chhan chu proof ka nei a ni." a ti ta a.

IG chuan, "A tawk...kan sawi zo chauh a ni lawm ni? Tinge naupang ang maia in awm a? Zawhna ka zawh lo kha chu lo tawng tawh suh ang che u...in hria em?" a han ti vin thak a. An ngawi dun chiang ngang mai, "Lawmsang, enge proof i neih chu sawi la.." a han ti leh a. "Sir, lab kal ang." a ti ringawt a.

"Lan ah a? Enge lab ah chuan awm a?"

"Ka proof neih chu lab chungah a awm."

"Um, ka ring ang che." tiin a chhuak a, Muantea leh Lawmsanga chu an inmelh rum ngei mai. Chhuah pah chuan Muantea chuan, "I la hre khawp ang." a han ti hram a. Lawmsanga chuan a zui ve bawk a, lab lam pan chuan an pathum chuan an kal ta a. Lab chhungah chuan an lut a, "Khai le..khawnge proof chu le?" IG chuan a han ti a.

Pawhdawh vel leh hmundang vel chu LAwmsanga chuan a hai vak vak a, mahse Francis-a finger prints lehkha te chu a hmu ta hauh lo. Chumai nilovin, a hmanraw chhar, chemte leh blade bung pawh kha a awm ta hauh lo mai. A lu a dawm vawng vawng a, "A lut...lab chhungah hian a lut." a ti vak vak ringawt a.

Muantea chu a nui a, "Lawmsang, i a zo tawh a nih kha. I thil tihsual thup nan dawt i phuah kual mai mai a ni..i hun khawhral lo khan inpuang mai rawh." a lo ti ve chhen a. Lawmsanga chuan IG chu a en a, "Sir, min ring rawh...ka ti tak tak...nizan khan kan inhmu ngei alawm. Mahse thil pawimawh vang a ni..min ring rawh." a ti lawm lawm a.

"Anih chuan enge thil thleng...a bul atangin han sawi vek teh." IG chuan a han ti leh a, Lawmsanga chuan engkim a hrilh ta vek a. Mahse Muantea chuan, "Thil awihawm loh lutuk a nih chu...kha tualthattu te kah chu ka kap hlum daih tawh." a lo ti ve leh a. IG chuan zawi sap hian, "He thu hi kan pathum bakin kan hre tur a nilo, tah hian tawp tawh rawh se. LAwmsang, case close a ni tawh...chinfel a ni tawh." a ti ta mai a.

"Mahse Sir.."

"A tawk...lab hi an hmang vat dawn. Ruang an buaipui mek a, kan chhuah angai." a ti leh a, Lawmsanga chu a lungawi lo kher mai. A tah a chhuak takzet tawh zawk, "Sir, min ringlo tihna em ni?" a han ti a. "Tunah chuan nangmah ber zawk hi rinhlelh kai i ni asin, hriatthiam tum rawh. Kima ruang post mortem a nih hnuah kan hria ang chu..." a ti leh a.

Muantea chuan, "Ka peih tawh lo...Station lamah ka kal leh tawh dawn.." tih pah chuan a chhuak a, Lawmsanga pawh chuan a zui chhuak a. Muantea chu a tlan liam chiah a, LAwmsanga car a a lut tur chiah chu IG chuan lo ko dingin, "Lawmsang, ngawi lawk teh." a han ti a.

LAwmsanga chu a ding a, "Hei hi ka pa in a boral hma khan min pe a, a tul hunah chiah hmang ang che tiin min hrilh thin." tih pah chuan a pistol chu a phawrh a. Chutah LAwmsanga pek pah chuan, "Kha...hei hi hmang rawh. Lawmsang, Francis-a chu man ngei ang che." a ti ta mai a. Lawmsanga chuan a hrethiam lo kher mai, "Mahse Sir, enge awmzia?"  ti hu mai a.

"KA ring che alawm.."

"Mahse nichin te kha chuan.."

"Muantea a awm ve reng kha.."

Lawmsanga chu a ngawi vang vang a, "Muantea a awm ve vang ringawt khan em ni min ringlo anga i awm a? I makpa pawh nise...IG i nia, kan pu ber i nia, i hlau tihna em ni?" tiin a lo zawt ve leh a. "Nilove...proof-na tha tak nen...a nung chung ngeiin Francis-a chu man la, inpuan tir la...tichuan engkim a chiang vek mai dawn a lawm." tiin a lo chhang a.

"AWLE Sir, ka man ngei ang."

*************************

Francis-a te class ho chu an inkhel ta, mahse rin ai takin Francis-a chuan ball a chang hnem thei tlat. An rin ang ngawt a lo nilo kher mai, tumah chuan an chuh hneh ta reng reng lo mai a. A tawpah chuan Johnny-a ngaihdan a ni ta lo, Francis-a chu a namthlu tawp mai. A bawk thlawp a, a hmui ala sawh kak zui.

Thinrim takin a tho va, rum zet hian Johnny-a chu a melh a. Johnny-a lah chuan a lo hlau lo nasa mai, "Min cho ami?" a lo ti nghal pang pang a. Mahse Francis-a chuan a chhang lo, Johnny-a chuan hnek a tum a. Mahse a kut lo man sakin a elh sak ta vak mai, Johnny-a chuan tap chung hian, "A u bulah ka hrilh dawn." tiin a tlan ta daih mai.

Johnny-a hian u a nei a, a hming chu Mama a ni. Class 10 zirlai niin an school-a lut ve tho a ni a, an school hi private school a ni. Mama chu thinrim zet hian a lo kal a, "Tumaw ka nau vel tu chu?" a rawn ti khur khur mai. Midang ho chuan Francis-a chu an lo kawk nghal thup a, eng khaw sawi set set lo chuan Francis-a lu ah chuan a rawn beng pawp mai.

"VAwikhat mah ka nau hi lo tibuai leh tawh suh ang che...ngaihdam dil nghal rawh." a han ti leh pung pung a, mahse Francis-a chuan a lu a  lo thing a. Mama chu a thinrim kher mai, "Dil rawh a nih loh chuan..." a han ti dek dek chu vin zet hian Francis-a chuan, "Anih loh chuan enge?" a lo ti let ve ta sak mai.

Mama chuan a namthlu leh tawp a, "Naupang i nia, ka hnek lo mai ang che." tih pah chuan a kalsan ta a. Francis-a chu a thinrim kher mai, a tho vat a, gate lampang panin a tlan nghal a. GAte bulah chuan an school bus driver chuan bus ke chu a lo siam vel mek a, a bulah chuan hmanrua a dah nual bawk.

Francis-a chuan driver hmuh loh hlan chuan pipe wrench pakhat chu a la a, a let leh ta. Mama leh a thiante, pipu bula lo titi te chu ava pan hnai a. Chutah na em em hian Mama lu ah chuan a hlap ta pawp mai, a thal chiang kher mai. Thisen a chhuak zawih zawih a, a thian dangte pawh chu chet mai ngaihna an hrelo, an hrilh hai takzet.

*******************

Martha-i chu inlamah ama tawkah a lo buai ngei mai, thawmhnaw a suk mek a. Chutih lai chuan a phone a rawn ri a, a fapa te school principal a lo ni. "Hello...enge ni ta?" a han ti a. Principal thu rawn sawi chuan a lungphu a ti rang kher mai, "Engmaw? Francis-a'n maw?" a ti tuar a.

A thaw nghal hrawk hrawk a, "Awle...kan lo kal ang." tiin phone chu a dah a. A pasal a call leh nghal a, "Enge ni Duhtak?" Duhawma chuan a lo ti a. "Enteh...Francis-a'n class 10 zirlai kut a thlak a, thisen a chhuak hial a ni awm e." a han ti chu a pasal chuan mak a ti kher mai. "Enga? Bawiha'n maw?" a lo ti hu mai.

"Aw ni e...school lama lo kal vat turin min ti.."

"Enge awmzia?"

"An principalin min lo phone....in nupa in lo kal rawh u a ti."

"Mahse ka la buai asin."

"Chutiang sawi a hun lo, lo kal vat rawh."

"Awle..ka lo kal nghal ang."

****************************

SAMARITAN CHILDREN'S HOME ah chuan Lawmsanga chu ava kal ta a, Francis-a hmuh ava tum a ni. Receptionist ho bulah chuan Director a hmuh duh thu te chu a han sawi a, police a nih thu te chu a sawi a. Director chuan a room a lo lut turin a lo ti a, tichuan ava lut ta a. "Enge i duh leh, ka pu?" polite tak hian a lo ti a.

"In naupangte zinga mi hmuh lawk ka duh a...police ka nia."

"Police a? Engthil nge thleng a? Tunge i hmuh duh?"

"Ih...thla thum vel liam ta a heta lo lut thar...Francis Zothansanga kha ka hmu duh a."

"E..kha kha maw...ihh, fa atan an la tawh a."

Lawmsanga chu a meng phawk nasa kher mai, "Enga? Tuten?" a ti nghal chuk chuk mai. "Ngawi teh, ka hre mai tawh lo. File vel hi ka han en lawk ange, min lo nghak rawh aw..." tiin Director chuan file chu a han hai a. Minute 2 hnu velah chuan paper pakhat hi a rawn phawrh chhuak a, "Hei tah hian aggrement kan sign vek tawh." tiin a rawn pe a.

Lawmsanga chuan a han en a, "Lalduhawma...Martha Lalmuansangi...khai aww.." a ti vawng vawng mai. "Eng thil nge ni reng reng a, ka pu?" tiin Director chuan a lo zawt leh a. Lawnsanga chuan, "Ka lawm e, ka hrilh thei rih lo che." tiin a chhuak nghal daih mai. Motor ah a lut a, chak takin Martha-i te in lam pan chuan  a kal ta a.

***********************

"Class 2 naupang a ni a, kum 8 mi chauh a ni. Pipe wrench-a a vuak, Mama hi kum 16 a ni thung. He school a kan inzir tir ber chu aia upa te zah a ni a, hetiang thil hi a la thleng ngai lo." lungawi lo tak chuan Principal chuan a han ti a. Martha-i leh Duhawma chu an in en ringawt, an inkarah chuan Francis-a chu a thu kar bawk a.

Martha-i chuan, "Bawiha, tinge chutianga i tih a?" tiin a han zawt a. Hawi pawh hawi chhuak ngam lo chuan, "Min beng a, min namthlu anih kha..." a ti zawi sap a. "Nangman ka kutah min elh sak vak a nih kha..." tap chung hian Johnny-a chuan a lo ti ve bawk a. Francis-a chuan ava melh hrawk mai, "Nangpawn min namtlu hmasa anih kha." tiin a chhanglet ve bawk a.

An titi a, an han sawi liam liam hnuah chuan Principal chuan, "Kan school hi chuan tihdan kan nei a, naupang sual deuh an awm chuan kan hrem thin. Mama lu hi thui a ngai a, pawisa sen nual angai dawn." a tih lai chuan Duhawma chuan, "Senso chu kan lo tum vek ange, khawngaihin ka fapa hi ngaidam hram rawh u." a lo ti a.

"Kha chu Mama chhungte thu thu...ka sawi ang khan Francis-a hi hrem angai. NAUPANG FEL TAK KA NI TAWH ANG tih hi vawi 100 an ziah chhuah hma chu kan haw tir ngai lo, kan stay back tir thin. Chuvang chuan vawiin chu a lo haw tlai deuh vang, in haw san mai angai ang." a ti ta mai a.

"Mahse...school bus a awm tawh awm silova...kan rawn lam dawn tihna em ni?" Duhawma chuan a han ti leh a. "Hei..Miss Teresa-i hi an class teacher a ni a, ani hian a veng ang. A zawh veleh a car in a man a rawn thlah leh mai ang, hlauthawng suh u. Hospitalah Mama hi a awm mek a, in han hmu ve hrim hrim dawnnia." tiin Principal chuan a chhang a, Francis-a chu an chhuahsan ta.

***********************

Lawmsanga chuan Martha-i te in chu a thleng a, mahse pawn lamah a lo inkalh tlat mai. A han nghak deuh rih a, mahse an rawn haw mai hmel siloh. An thenawmte chu a han zawt kual a, an kalna an lo hre bik silo. Ani lah zing atangin engmah ala ei silo, a ril a lo tam ve tawh bawk nen. A bul hnaih deuh ah restaurant a awm em tiin a kalsan ta rih a, tlai lam dar 3 a pel tawh.

A kal liam deuh chiah chu Martha-i te nupa an lo thleng ve leh chiah a, Martha-i chu a thinrim hmel kher mai. Car atanga chhuah pah chuan, "Eng ang nu nge ni ngai, kha ti fakaua min an khum kha a tul miah lo." a ti nung nung a, damdawiin lamah Mama nu nen an lo inbakkaih deuh a nih hmel.

"Insum rawh...an fapa ania, an duat ve nih kha." Duhawma chuan a lo ti a. "Chupawh nise, Francis-a pawh thinrim ve thei tho ania, a fapa te pahnih suah sual tukhum pawn vang vek a nih kha." a la ti pung pung mai. "Francis-a pawh kan zilh tho angai, mi kutthlak a awlsam mah mah dawn hetiang te chuan.." Duhawma chuan a ti ve bawk a.

Choka lamah chuan Duhawma chu ava phei a, thingpui a insiam a. Chemte dahna vel en pah chuan, "Khawnge maw ka chemte leithar chu a awm ang aww..." a ti deuh vawng vawng mai. Thingpui chu a in zova, pawnah meizial zu turin a chhuak a. Martha-i erawh lungawi lo tak chuan a roomah chuan a thu ngui bur mai, a fapa chu a ngaihtuah takzet.

**********************

Dar 4 a ri a, Francis-a pawh chuan a ziak zo ta. A car ah chuan Miss Teresa-i chuan phurin a haw pui ta a, an ngawi dun reng a. Francis-a chuan an tlan lai chuan a bag chu a hawng a, pencil leh a zumna phawrhin a zum ta mial mial mai. "Enge tun ang hunah pencil i zum a?" tiin an miss chuan a han zawt a.

Francis-a chu a nui sak a, "Miss..i mit kha.." a ti ringawt. "Enge ka mit chu?" tiin a lo hre thiam lo kher mai. Chutih lai chuan an tlanna kawng chu Vena thihna tho, kawnghnuai tho kha a ni. A awmzia chu an in kalkawng chu Teresa-i hian a hre lova, Francis-a hian dawt a hrilh tihna a ni. "Enge ka mit chu?" a han ti leh a.

Francis-a chuan rum tak hian a melh a, "A del dawn." tih pah chuan a pencil hmawr zum tak ken lai chuan Teresa-i mit veilam chu a va vit ta mai a, Teresa-i chu a au tuar a. Motor chu a kawi zawr zawr a, atawpah chuan khamah a tlan liam ta. Motor chu a vir thla nawk nawk a, a tawpah thingkung a su chawrh mai.

Teresa-i mitah chuan pencil chu ala bur reng a, an insawh pah chuan a steering chu ava bawh a. Pencil chu a aia thukin a tlum a, a beng atang te chuan thisen a chhuak zawih zawih a, a thi nghal der mai. Francis-a erawh chu na vak hmel pawh a pu ve lo, mahse a hmai vel chu  ahliam ve nual tho.

Rum zet hian Teresa-i ruang chu a en a, "PUTRID PUTRID...nang hi i nih hi mi laktlak loh zawk chu.." tiin motor atang chuan a chhuak a, awlsam zet hian kham atang chuan a vak chho ta mai a. "In thi vek ang, tumah ka zuah dawn bik lo che u." tiin a phun nuah nuah a, chu kawng reh tak maiah chuan hma lam panin a kal phei chhut chhut mai.

***************************

Dar 5 a ri tawh a, khua pawh a thim dawn tan ta. Mahse Francis-a chu a lo la haw thei tlat lo, "An principal hi ka phone leh mai dawn...ka mang a ti ang emai." tiin Martha-i chuan phone chu a phawrh a, mahse principal chuan chanchin engmah a lo hre bik hauh lo mai. "Teresa-i number ka lo thawn ang che....keichuan engmah ka hre bik lo." tiin a lo hrilh a.

Teresa-i number chu a rawn thawn ta ngei a, mahse an call tlang thei tlat lo mai. "Ka ngaih a tha lo, school ah chuan va kal mai teh ang." tiin Duhawma chu a tur ta sek mai. Duhawma pawh chuan, "Awle...kal mai teh ang." a lo ti ve bawk a. Tichuan in atang chuan an chhuak a, school lam chu an pan leh ta.

An kal liam deuh chiah ah tih chuan LAwmsanga chu a lo let ve leh chiah a, kawngka chu pawn lamah bawk chuan a lo inkalh leh ta. "Enge maw an tih em em ni?" tiin a han nghak leh deuh a, mahse an rawn thleng thei mai silo. A motor ah chuan let leh in a han nghak leh ta a, darkar chanve lai a liam leh hnu pawh chuan an la rawn thleng thei mai lo.

**********************

Muantea duty haw lengkawi pawh a rui lehpek kher mai, a bike chuan chak takin a tlan a, a zai ul ul mai. Khua a thim tawh a, boruak chu a reh ruih mai. A tlan zel a, tlema kawng reh lai deuh a thlen chuan a hma zawna Francis-a lo ding run mai chu a hmu ta. Bike chu a ti ding a, "Ehe...saw nau chuh.." tih pah chuan a chhuk a.

A va pan hnai a, "Nang hi..Francis-a kha i ni em?" tiin a han zawt a, mahse a chhang lo. "Enge hetah i tih a?" tiin a zawt leh a, Francis-a chuan a en reng ringawt. "Hawh...lo chuang rawh, ka thlah ang che." a han ti leh a, mahse ala che sawn eih lo. Ani lah lo rui ve deuh tawh bawk, "Thu i awih dawn em?" tiin a vin ta khur khur mai.

Ngawi reng chuan bike lam chu a pan ve ta mai a, tichuan an inphur ta nge nge a. An tlan lai chuan Muantea rui phur chuan a be mawlh mawlh a, Lawmsanga'n a rinhlelh thu te, a la zawn mek thute chu a hrilh ta vek mai a, a rel vak vak bawk. Chutia a ti ti mawlh mawlh lai chuan Francis-a chuan, "A sawi dik a lawm." a han ti mai chu Muantea pawh a ngawi nghal hmak mai.

"Engtin maw?"

"A sawi dik alawm, ka thah vek an nih kha."

Muantea chu a hrilh hai hle mai, chutah Francis-a chuan Muantea mit chu a kawm ta vak mai a, an thal thuai mai. Bike chu side drain ah a tla a, petrol a leak zawih zawih mai. Na takin Muantea chuan a lu a sawh bawk a, Francis-a erawh awlsam takin a rawn tho leh mai a. Muantea chu a che hleithei lo, Francis-a chuan a rawn pan phei a.

"Tu...tunge i nih a? ZAwnga...enge tih i tum?" a ti tawk tawk a. Mahse FRancis-a chuan a chhang lo, Muantea ipte chu a zen a, lighter  a phawrh chhuak a. A revolver chu a laksak leh bawk a, Muantea darah chuan a chuktuah ta ran mai. "Hey..kap suh...min kap hlek suh." tiin Muantea chuan a hlau kher mai.

Mahse a sawi zawh rual rual chuan a kap ta siah mai, Muantea na ti lutuk chu a rum vawng vawng mai a. A la duh tawk mai lo, side drain lamah chuan a hnuk phei a, a bike bulah chuan a mut tir a. Chutah harsat hmel loh tak chuan bike chu a tung a, Muantea chu a delh tir ta run mai a nih chu.

Muantea ka chhungah chuan puan a hnawh tlat avang chuan a  au ring thei silo, a bike lah chuan a delh run tawh mai si. An awmna kawng lah hi tlema ramhnuai deuh lai leh mi kal zen zen lohna a lo ni bawk si nen thil thleng chu tuman an hmu ve lo. Petrol leak chu a huh dup tawh mai, chutah Francis-a chuan lighter chu  a phawrh ta.

Muantea hlau lutuk chu chet sawn a tum a, a thei mai si lo. A lu a thing vak vak ringawt a, mahse awmzia  anei lo kher mai. Chutah lighter chu a hmet alh a, a zu vawm thla ta. Bike petrol lo leak nasa tawh nen, a alh ta hluah hluah mai a. Francis-a ber lah chu a kal daih lehnghal, reiloteah chuan Muantea chu a kang hlum ta.

*******************

Lawmsanga pawh a beidawng ta deuh aniang, let leh mai chu a tum ta a. A tlan lai chuan sikret a nei tawh lo tih a hria a, lei tur chuan dawr pakhat zawnah chuan a ding a. A in lei fel a, a let leh lam chu a motor bulah chuan Francis-a a lo ding vang mai, Lawmsanga chu a phu zawk nghe nghe.

Chutah Lawmsanga tawng hma hma chuan Francis-a chu a tlan thut a, "Hey..ding rawh." tiin umzui a tum a. Mahse motor ah chuan  a let leh a, a han start a. Mahse a ke a lo thep chu niin, Francis-a khan a lo hawlh thep hman vek tihna a ni. "Hrep taka.." tiin motor atang chuan a chhuak a, a um ta ngat ngat a.

Mahse chu naupang kum 8 mi lek chu a umpha ta tlat lo mai, an in um zel a, an tlan thui tawh khawp mai. "Ding rawh..Francis...anih loh chuan ka kap ang che." a ti zui vak vak a, mahse Francis-a chu a tlan chak tawlh tawlh zawk emaw tih mai tur a ni. An in um zel a, Lawmsanga chuan han kah mai chu a hre ve deuh bawk si.

**********************

MArtha-i te nupa mangang pawh chu in lamah chuan an let leh ta tawp a, Martha-i phei chu a tap a tap tawh. An inkawtah chuan an thu ngui bar mai a, "Police kan hrilh mai dawnnia, lungngai suh." tiin Duhawma chuan a hnem a. "Inchhungah ka va lut lawk ange aw...Police ho kan phone ange." tiin a luh san a.

Chutia amah chauh va Martha-i a awm lai chuan Francis-a aw ngeiin, "Nu..Anu...min chhan rawh." a ti ri a hre ta. Rang takin a ding a, thawm lo chhuahna lam ava en chu a fapa Francis-a, hlau hmel taka a lam pana lo tlan phei chu ava hmu ta, a hnungah chuan LAwmsanga'n a rawn um mek tih a hmu bawk.

Francis-a chuan a rawn kuah thlawp a, "Ka fapa..bawiha..enge awmzia?" Martha-i chuan a lo ti nghal chel chul a. "Saw...saw pa sawn min thah a tum." tiin Lawmsanga chu a kawk a,  LAwmsanga chu pistol nen a rawn tlan mek a. Martha-i chuan a fapa chu a pawm nawlh a, inchhunglamah a tlan luh pui a.

Mahse Lawmsanga chuan rawn zui ve zelin kawngka chu a tlawh hawng thuai mai, "Hey..tunge i nih?" tiin Martha-i chuan  alo vin vak vak a. Lawmsanga chuan pistol chuan a tin a, "Bengchheng suh...ka pi, i hretehiam lo a ni. Police ka ni a, i fapa kha ka man a ngai a ni." a han ti ringawt a.

"Eng a? Ka fapa hian enge a tih sual a?"

"Ka sawifiah thei...kha naupang kha.." a sawi zo hman lo, a  lu chu a ri dawt a, a thal tawp mai. Duhawma chuan hnung lam atangin base ball bat in a lo vua chu niin, "Zawnga leh...tunge i nih a?" tiin a thinrim kher mai. Lawmsanga chu a rum vawng vawng a, a lu a hai muai muai bawk.

"FRancis, hepa hi tunge?" tiin Martha-i chuan a zawt a, "Ka hrelo, min thah a tum ringawt a." tiin a chhang a. Duhawma chuan, "Police ka la phone hman lo, kan phone lawk ange.." tiin a phone chu  a phawrh a. Chutih lai chuan Francis-a chu tlan thutin Lawmsanga pistol thlauh chu a la a, apa chu a tin ta mai.

"Francis, enge i tih a?" tiin MArtha-i chu a hrilhhai ngei mai, chutiang bawkin Duhawma pawh a hrilhhai takzet. "Farncis...enge i hriat a?" tiin Duhawma chuan a han vin deuh thak a. Chutah a aia vin zet hian Francis-a chuan, "Martha-i hi ka ta a ni....ka ta chauh a ni reng bawk ang." tih pah chuan apa chal darah tak mai chuan a kap ta a, a thi chiang kher mai.

Martha-i chu a t(r)e vak a, "Bengchheng suh....han au leh vaih teh, i thi ve nghal ang." tiin Francis-a chuan a vau nghal khur khur mai. Lawmsanga pawh a rawn harh a, chuveleh Francis-a chuan a tin ve nghal a. "In pahnih khan...bang kil lamah sawn va tawlh phei rawh u." tiin a vin leh khur khur a, a aw te chu Francis-a aw pawh a ni tawh lo hrim hrim.

Lawmsanga leh Martha-i te chu an ngawi reng a, bang kil lamah chuan an kal phei a. "Thingthi rawh u." a ti leh a, an thingthi ta a. Lawmsanga chuan rum zet hian a en a, "Naupang...eng ang mihring nge i nih a?" a ti khur dar dar a. Tap chung hian Martha-i chuan, "Tunge i nih?" tiin Francis-a chu a melh tlawk tlawk ringawt mai.

Chutah Fancis-a chu a nui sak a, "Chumi chhanna chu tunah hian ka pe ang che u. Inspector..oh tihpalh, Sub Inspector Lallawmsang, tunge ka nih chu chiang takin i hria. Kum 8 liam ta khan mahni nupui te kutthlak vangin mipa khat chu i man a, a thuruk leh a nihna zawng zawng i hailan sak a. A tawpah Satanic a ni tih hria in a thiante zawng zawng nen i man khawm a, nuihza siam nan mi zawng zawngin chupa chu an hman phah a. A rilru na lutuk chu jail ah a in awkhlum a nih kha, ila hria em?" a han tih chuan Lawmsanga pawh chu a meng phawk nasa mai.

Chutah Martha-i chu a en leh a, "Martha Lallawmsang, i pasal William-a kha ila hria em? Hmangaiha duat em em tu che kha? Mahse i bum a, i uire san a...chupawh saw mihring, Lalduhawma lakah lehnghal.." tiin Duhawma chu ava kawk a, Martha-i chuan mak a ti takzet. Chutah thinrim hmel em em hian a meng sen rum mai a, "In pahnih hian min tichhia a ni, in pahnih hian min that a ni." a ti leh ta mai.

Chutah Martha-i chuan Francis-a chu a en tlawk tlawk a, "Wi...William..nangmah maw?" a ti zawi sap a. Francis-a chuan vin zet hian, "Ni e..keimah William-a. I pasal, William Lalnunsanga ngei kha ka ni." a ti ta mai. Martha-i chu a meng bial kawk kawk a, "Nilo...ani thei lo." tiin Lawmsanga chu a lo phun sap bawk a.

"Ni e, Lawmsang...a ni thei chu a nih hi.." tiin a han nui leh sak a. Tichuan Martha-i chu a en leh a, "MArtha, kum 1 em pawh kan la innei lo...thla 5 chauh a ni. Ka hmangaih em em che a, i nat ka phal ngailo. Kut ka thlak ngai che em ni? I lungawi loh leh i thinrim changa kut minthlak thintu zawk chu nang...Martha Lalmuansangi hi i ni lawm ni?" a han ti leh siah siah mai a.

Lawmsanga chu en leh in, "Chuan nang kha...mi zawng zawng hmaa zak taka min siamtu kha...he mi hurnu hian ka lakah complain thehlut in nang hian min rawn man a, satanic ka nih thu thleng thlengin ka thuruk min hailan sak a nih kha...inlo inhre leh tawh nange...haha...keichuan engmah ka la theihnghilh lo." tiin a nui leh vak vak a.

Lawmsanga leh Martha-i te pawh chu an in en a, hunkal tawh chu an mitthla ah a lo lang zawt zawt mai. Francis-a bawk chuan, "LAwmsang, satanic ka nih kha min hmusit a tiraw? Social media hrang hrangah ka chanchin a chhe zawngin min theh darh sak a..ka nupuiin dawta min puh in min uire san bawk. Ka rilru ana takzet asin, hrehawm ka ti. Mahse thil hriat loh pakhat i nei...chu chu ka thih hma khan ka thlarau hi ramhuai hnenah ka hralh tawh tih hi a ni." a ti leh ta mai a.

Lawmsanga chuan tawng ngaihna pawh a hre tawh lo, "In pahnih chunga phuba ka lak theih nan Satana chuan ka thlarau chu he khawvelah hian ala cham tir reng a. Min piannawn tir leh a ni..khami zan la la khan ka piang nawn leh asin. Tichuan he naupang taksa hi ka nei ta a ni..William Lalnunmawia kha, Francis Zothansanga ka lo ni ta a ni." a ti leh ta mai a.

Lawmsanga chuan zawi sap hian, "Anih leh Vena kha engvangin nge i thah? I pawi a sawi ve em ni? Siami kha engvangin nge i thah?" tiin a zawt a. Francis-a chuan nui chung hian, "I hnen ka thlen theih nan...phuba ka lak theih nan...chuan maw, khami te chauh nilovin i hmelma lian ber Muantea pawh ka that zo chiah." ala ti ta deuh deuh va.

Chutah silai chu a han lek kang leh a, "Kah hlum tawp che u chu a awlsam mah mah, hrehawm takin in thi ang." tih pah chuan Lawmsanga ke ah chuan a kap a, a kutah a kap leh bawk a, chutiang bawk chuan Martha-i pawh. Tichuan an pahnih chuan che thei lo turin a phuar hlawm a, an hmui a tuam sak bawk.

In chu khawnvar tui chuan a leih kual a, Martha-i te pahnih lah che thei tawh hek lo. In chu a chhuahsan a, a hal ta. A alh hluah hluah a, "Mangtha Martha...tunah chuan ka hlim tawh takzet e." tiin a nui var var mai. Mipui an rawn pungkhawm a, Francis-a erawh hmuh tur a awm tawh lo. Kangmei nasa tak avang chuan Martha-i leh Lawmsanga pawh chu an thi ve ta a, Francis-a, William-a ni bawk chuan a phuba chu a la zo ta.

**********************

AFTER 3 MONTHS

In lian leh nalh zet bulah chuan motor pakhat hi a ding a, a chhung atang chuan nupa hi an rawn chhuak dun a. Seat hnung lam kawngka chu an han hawng a, "Lo chhuak rawh le, kan thleng ta e." a hmeichhia zawk chuan a ti a. Motor chhung atang chuan Francis Zothansanga chu a rawn chhuak a, a inthlahrun hmel em em mai lehnghal.

A mipa zawk chuan, "Tun atang chuan hei hi i in thar a ni tawh ang." a han ti a, Francis-a chu a nui var var mai. Hmeichhia zawk chuan chiang tak hian a en a, "Khai le...engtin nge min koh dawn le?" a han ti a. Nui var var chung chuan Francis-a chuan, "Ka lawm e Anu..ka lawm e Apa." a ti zawi sap a, an pathum chuan inchhungah chuan an lut ta a.

***************************

THE END