Reetu needs Justice

The living room carried a quiet charm, filled with the warm light. Raj sat relaxed on the sofa in his black blazer and white shirt, his legs crossed, gently swirling a glass of soda in his hand. Tara in her pink saree romantically sat beside him. Her hair was tied into a large bun at the back, and soft long bangs fell neatly on both sides of her forehead. Raj turned to her with a slight smile. “This saree suits you, jaanu,” he said. Tara gave him a small laugh. “That Reetu should not know about our love raj,” she replied. Raj chuckled softly. “I’ve been thinking… I want to give you a haircut.” Tara raised her brows, amused. “Now? Here?”

 He nodded. “Yes. A fresh bobcut. Just the way I like.” She leaned back and teased, “So that your Reetu can learn what real style looks like?” Raj laughed and said “If you agree… tonight will be special.” Tara gave him a playful look. “Only if you promise to keep that, my raja.” Raj stood up and led her by hand to the bedroom. Tara sat in front of the mirror, carefully undoing her bun. Her thick knee-length hair fell open in one flow. “It’s beautiful, kada ?” she asked. Raj gently ran the comb through her hair and said. “Reetu would scream if I even touched her braid,” he added with a grin. Tara smiled. “She treats her hair like some gift.” 

Raj picked up the scissors and held the first section. “Ready?” he asked. Tara gave a soft nod. Snip. The first cut echoed softly in the room. Strands fell to the floor as he kept cutting from the back. “You already look better than her, jaanu,” he whispered. Tara said lightly, “Then don’t stop… finish it nicely.” Raj moved to the front and gently brushed her long bangs. They had grown too much. With short, careful snips, he trimmed them evenly just above her eyebrows. Her final look was neat — a sharp bob reaching her chin, and bangs shaped cleanly. Tara looked into the mirror, running her fingers through her hair. “I like this. 

Baagundi, Chaala light feeling,” she added in a soft tone. Raj stood behind her, admiring her new look. She slowly stepped up, Placed her hands on his blazer. “Come now,” she said gently,  “you kept your word, now I’ll keep mine.” Raj smiled faintly as Tara led him toward the bed. Tara rested her head on Raj’s chest as he gently ran his fingers through her bob as she giggled softly. “Cha, still can’t believe you really did it,” he whispered, pressing a small kiss to her forehead. Tara smiled, “Anything for my Raja…” He pulled her closer, their bodies wrapped in a soft embrace. She squeezed his cheek and teased, 

“Now you’re stuck with a short-haired wife for a while,”  to which Raj replied, “I wish you were my full time Wife” They exchanged a few more kisses, Suddenly, the bedroom door creaked open. Reetu stood at the doorway, her eyes wide in disbelief. She had returned early from her hometown, and what she saw froze her—her husband Raj on the bed, holding another woman. Tara immediately sat up, startled, clutching the bedsheet to her chest. “Ayyayyo!” she gasped, looking at Reetu in fear. Reetu’s screamed, “Raj… whats going on?” But before she could say more, Raj pulled Tara close again and said firmly, “Stop it, Reetu! Why are you scaring her?”

 Tara looked unsure, still afraid, but Raj’s protective hold made her stay seated. Reetu’s hands trembled. She was breathing heavily, eyes wet, lips shaking with shock and confusion. She didn’t speak further. Just stood there… broken. The silence shattered as Tara quickly got up, gave a quick kiss on Raj’s cheek, and walked out awkwardly. Once she left, Reetu snapped. “You ruined my Life Raj! Na house , na reputation, everything spoilt!” she screamed. “I loved you… trusted you… and idi chesav?” Her voice cracked as she turned and saw the other room—a plastic chair with lots of cut hair scattered below. She froze. “Idi enti?” she shouted,

pointing. “You brought a woman into this house, cut her hair like some drama, and did all that on our bed?” Her tears were uncontrollable. “If haircut was your wish, I would have got complete gundu for you Raj ” Reetu stared at him, her fingers fumbling over the phone screen as she dialed the number. Her voice cracked as she spoke, “Inspector Daya gaaru… please… please come… it’s urgent.” Within minutes, a police jeep reached infront of the house. Daya stepped out scanning the situation. Inside, Raj calmly buttoned up his blazer, combing back his hair like nothing had happened. He barely looked at Reetu as she rushed to Daya,

 her eyes red, face wet with tears. “Daya gaaru… he ruined everything,” she broke down completely, her voice cracking as she gripped his sleeve. Daya placed a comforting hand on her shoulder, nodding as if understanding every word. “Reetu, don’t worry,” he said softly, “come to the station. We’ll take it legally. I will give justicefor you.” She nodded weakly, completely broken, walking beside him towards the jeep. At the police station, Daya stepped in, serious, and called out, “Constables! Prepare the inner cell. One chair… strong ropes. And call Kumar immediately.” Reetu looked confused, “Daya gaaru… yenduku chair, ropes?” 

Two constables came forward silently. Before she could react, they grabbed her arms roughly. “Ayyayo! What is this? Leave me!” Reetu shouted, struggling as they dragged her across the floor toward the dark holding cell. The constables forced her down into the heavy chair, her wrists tightly tied to the armrests with thick coir ropes. “Daya gaaru! What are you doing?” she cried. Daya stood at the doorway, cold and distant now. Raj walked in, casual and relaxed, with a small, cruel smile playing on his lips. “Reetu… meet Daya,” Raj said mockingly. “We go way back… college friends. You really thought I would let you ruin my fun?” 

Reetu stared at both of them, her whole world shattering again. as Kumar walked into the cell carrying a small steel basin, a straight razor, and a mug of warm water. Reetu pleaded, “daya gaaru… leave me… please…” But Daya just turned his face away. “She herself said kada… she was willing to shave her head for Raj. Let she get a chance.” Raj, already halfway out of the cell, paused, glanced at her once, and nodded with an indifferent smirk. “Let her keep her promise,” he said, leaving the station. The constables came forward swiftly, gripping her arms tighter, making sure she couldn’t flinch or resist. Kumar dipped his fingers into the water,

 wetting her thick, wavy hair slowly. The water dripped down her cheeks, mixing with the tears. Kumar stepped closer, lifting her wet bangs off her forehead. Reetu’s head trembled under his touch, but the constables pushed her tighter into the chair. Kumar drew the first long stroke back — the sound of hair being scraped off her scalp filling the silent cell. With every stroke of the blade, a part of her identity, her pride, and her hope was being stripped away. She cried in loud sobs. The last strands of Reetu’s hair were gone — shaved clean, her head smooth. The razor was gone. The men had left. Silence filled the cell like smoke. 

Footsteps echoed back into the room. Daya entered, holding a metal bucket. He stood for a moment, looking at her like she was nothing. Then, flung the bucket of freezing water on her. Reetu gasped, her body jerking in shock. Her pallu slipped from her shoulder, blouse clinging tightly, her navel now exposed. She didn’t even try to pull it back. Her spirit had already collapsed. Daya walked closer, slow and deliberate. He ran his palm over her bald head with mocking ease, smirking. “Look at you now… gundu and helpless. This what you wanted, right?” He clicked his tongue. “Some wife you are. Useless… no strength, no self-respect. 

Just a waste sitting here.” He leaned closer. He gave a rough tap on her head. “This head… ani egaraipoyav? Now there’s nothing left. Not even your pride.” Daya stood back, wiped his hand with his kerchief like brushing off dirt. He turned and walked out without looking back. Reetu sat still, water dripping from her head, her face buried in silent sobs — alone, defeated, and bare. She saw her own reflection in the metal bucket. Her bald head. She stared at it for a moment. A tear rolled down her cheek. “I let them do this. I became nothing… for nothing.” And with that, she sat in silence — tired, shaved, and full of pain.