For a few moments, Aditya was not sure what had happened. He felt his gun recoil, though only slightly, at the discharge; a flash of light seemed to go forth from his hand. He heard the deafening gunshot, amplified as Sweet Child of Mine faded to its conclusion in the same instant.
Aditya walked forward in a daze and felt a sticky liquid underneath the soles of his shoes as he approached the two bodies on the floor. Tanvi was lying motionless, face down in her hospital gown, on top of Rohit.
Aditya brought his gun forward again as he saw Tanvi’s body move slightly. He then realised that it was Rohit trying to wriggle out from underneath her weight, using his outstretched palms for support. He was gasping for breath. ‘Oh my God ... oh my God,’ he whimpered. Aditya pulled him out, dragging him through the pool of blood that was forming on the floor. Tanvi’s lifeless body slid to the ground.
Aditya held Rohit by his shoulders to steady him, as his entire body was shaking violently. Leaning on him, Rohit limped towards the wall and switched on the lights. Aditya bent down to examine the scene.
Tanvi was stretched out on the floor, her dead eyes staring into nothingness. He could see the entry wound where the bullet had penetrated the right side of her neck; he realised it had killed her instantly. The blood flowing from her wound continued to dye her white hospital gown dark red and matted her long hair in its fast-congealing pool. Her right hand still refused to let go of the deadly knife.
Rohit was now squatting on the floor, holding his head in his hands. Aditya sat down next to him, wrapping an arm around him. Rohit wept inconsolably, streams of tears flowing down his sunken cheeks. He looked at Aditya with an expression that conveyed both grief and gratitude. Aditya suspected he also saw a hint of anger flare up briefly in the other man’s eyes. After all, he reminded himself, I just shot and killed his wife.