Chapter 12
CHAPTER 12
INTO THE EUPHORIA
“Sanju, kal raat ko tujhe andar jaana hai”, Karan said. He pointed to the entrance of the drawn map. “Yahan se tu jaana, aur pretend karna tu wahan par sirf masti karne aayi hai jaise sab civilians aaye hain. 10 minute baad, Faizi andar jayega. Tum dono club mein ghoomna aur andar dekhne ka try karna. Iss room mein CCTV footage hai.”
“Sir ji, club ke andar ki CCTV footage mein hum record naa ho jayenge?” She asked.
“Tu uski chinta mat kar”, he said. “Sanket usko sambhaal lega. Tujhe bas kisi bhi tarah uss room mein ghusna hai aur jo Sanket ne kaha hai, wo karna hai.”
“Ji, Sir ji.”
Karan nodded. “Tu jaa. Sanket se mil aur usse instructions le. Aur schedules adjust kar aur hum teenon ki saari classes kal dopehar tak khatam kar.”
Sanju nodded, saluting him and walking out. Faizi walked in just as she was leaving the room. He nodded as she saluted him too, closing the door behind him.
He sat down on the bed, untying his shoes. “Humne back up teams ko alert kar diya hai”, he said.
“Kya bataaya unhe?”
“Kuchh nahi. Bas itna kaha ki kal raat ko ready rahein. Zaroorat padh sakti hai.”
His eyebrows furrowed. “Kuchh puchha nahi unhone?”
“Puchha. Par humne kaha, confidential hai. Jab zaroorat padegi, toh bata denge. Uske baad, unhone kuchh nahi puchha.” He looked at him. “Tum kab information leak karne ki soch rahe ho?”
“Jab hume sure ho ki hum ek full out raid conduct kar rahe hain. Main nahi chahta ki kal ka operation agar smooth gaya toh hum bekaar mein unhe itna time de dein ki wo sach mein hume dhokha de dein.”
“Aur agar kal ka operation raid mein convert ho gaya toh?”
He shrugged. “Toh spy ko pakadne ki missed opportunity hai. Hum mission ko khatre mein nahi daalenge.”
Faizi nodded. “Copy that.”
---x---x---x---x---x---x---x---x---x--
“Sun, wo schedules thode change ho gaye, na, toh hum sab ab kal shaam ko mission discuss karenge.”
“Sid…” Monami rubbed her wrist. “Mujhse nahi hoga yeh. Main… main nahi reh sakti itne logon ke saath.” She shook her head.
Her gaze was downwards, shoulders hunched slightly as she practically folded on herself. He sighed slightly. He grabbed a chair, sitting down and facing her. “Kya hua? Kya feel kar rahi hai?”
She shook her head. “Main… main unke saath hoti hoon, aur… aur main… main darr jaati hoon. Woh… woh loud hain, outspoken hain, bold hain and… and they’re nice. They are. But… but woh m-mujhse… mujhse b-baat karte hain. They try to… they try to include me, par… par mujhe nahi hona include. I am fine. Mujhe nahi baat karni unse. I just want to be alone.”
“Tu nahi hai fine, Monu”, he said softly. “Tu chahti hai ki tu bhi pehle waali Monu ban jaaye, jise kisi se darr nahi lagta, jo…jo duniya ko face karne ke liye, usse ladne ke liye, hamesha ready rehti thi. Aur uske liye, tujhe… tujhe fight karna padega, Monu. Khud se. Iss fear se. Logon ko trust karna padega. I know easy nahi hai par tu give up toh nahi kar sakti, na?”
She looked down. “Main sirf wo waali Monu nahi banna chahti, Sid. Main chahti hoon ki jo hua, woh… woh sab… woh sab kabhi hota hi nahi. But jo hum chahte hain, wo hamesha hota toh nahi.” Her trembling hands clenched into fists. She took a deep breath, nodding. “But you’re right. Main…main fight karungi. Main give up nahi karungi.”
He smiled at her. He clutched her face. “Tu Juhi Aunty ki beti hai. Unki tarah strong hai, ek sherni hai. Thak kar, darr kar chhup sakti hai, par haar nahi sakti tu. Commando banna tera sapna hai, aur tere sapne aur tere beech main kisi ko nahi aane dunga. Tere darr ko bhi nahi.” He kissed her forehead. “Tujhe main haarne nahi dunga, bacche.”
Monami threw her hands around his neck, hugging him. He stroked her back gently. “Tu nahi hota toh main kya karti, Sid?” She whispered.
“Survive karti”, he whispered back. “Kyunki tu fighter hai, bro. Tu survivor hai. Tujhe kisi ki zaroorat nahi hai, meri bhi nahi. Par phir bhi, main hamesha hoon. Tere saath. Tere liye. Tere paas.”
She closed her eyes. “Kabhi kabhi… survive kar jaana hi punishment lagti hai, Sid.”
“Aur kabhi kabhi survive kar jaane ka matlab ki aap worthy ho, ki aapko life mein bahut kuchh karna hai. Tu bahut kuchh karegi, Monu. I believe in you.”
She took a deep breath.
‘I believe in you.’
---x---x---x---x---x---x---x---x---x---
“Bye”, Koel said, smiling at him. She closed the door, turning around. She paused when Suman ji stared at her, eyes narrowed. “Kya hua?”
“Suman ji ko sab dikhta hai, Koel”,she said.
She shrugged. “Toh maine kab kaha ki aapko chasme ki zaroorat hai?”
She huffed. “Kya chal raha hai?”
“Kya?”
“Faizi Sir aur tera. Suman ji dekh rahi hai. Teri aur Faizi Sir ki toh bahut achhi banti hai.” She narrowed her eyes playfully, a smile tugging on her face. “Tujhe wo pasand hai kya?”
“Kya bol rahi hain?” Koel asked. “Aisa kuchh bhi nahi hai. Hum dost hain. Bas.”
She eyed him. She shrugged. “Tu bol rahi hai toh Suman ji maan leti hai. Par Suman ji ko kuchh toh khichdi pakti hui dikh rahi hai.”
Koel shook her head. “Suman ji, aap, na, bas serials kuchh zyaada hi dekhti hain. Koi khichdi nahi pak rahi hai. Itna dramatic hona band kijiye, aur so jaaiye. Kal poori subah classes hain. Good night.” She laid down, closing her eyes. A pillow thrown at her made her open her eyes. She threw it back to the other woman. “Kya hai?”
“Light band karne ki baari teri hai”, Suman ji said.
She groaned, getting out of bed. She flicked the light off, lying back down. She closed her eyes.
‘Tujhe wo pasand hai kya?’
Her eyes opened. She turned on her side, clutching the blanket. Did she?
‘Special Agent Major Faizuddin Siddiqui. Hume sab Faizi bulaate hain. Aapke trainer hain hum, mahutarma.’
‘Kyunki hum tumhe apna dost maante hain aur tumse milna hume achha lagta hai.’
She shook her head. He was a friend. They were friends. That was it.
Right?
---x---x---x---x---x---x---x---x---x---
Monami crossed her legs, sighing for the umpteenth time like everybody else as she stared at the code.
ADRENCH235632
“I am so #tired”, Chitra said in frustration. “Yeh #code hai ya kya? Aisa lag raha hai yeh toh #solve hi nahi ho sakta.”
“Suman ji ko toh lagta hai ki yeh code ke naam par mazaak hai”, she huffed.
‘Code, dekh, ab bahut ho gaya’, Monami thought silently. ‘Bahut bhaav de diye hain sabne tujhe. Ab bas ho gaya. Itne nakhre mat kar, aur jaldi se solve ho jaa. Tu ab uss Confusing Shergill ki tarah mat ban. Pata nahi parso raat kya…’ Her thought fell away.
‘Kabhi kabhi jo cheezen aapko dikhti hain, wo hoti nahi hai, wo sirf aapko dikhaayi jaati hain. Sahi jagah dekho, toh sahi cheezen dikhti hain.’
‘Aisa lag raha hai yeh toh #solve hi nahi ho sakta.’
‘Suman ji toh lagta hai ki yeh code ke naam par mazaak hai.’
She took the file from the center, taking the page with the code written. She turned it over. Blank. She tilted her head.
‘Sahi jagah dekho, toh sahi cheezen dikhti hain.’
‘Kya haiwo?’
‘Sh-Shadow?’
‘Kuchh light se related?’ She thought. She held it up, narrowing her eyes. Nothing. She lowered it back down.
“Kya hua, Monami?” Koel asked. “Tumhe kuchh samajh aaya kya?”
She shook her head. She sighed, keeping the note down again. She leaned back against the bed frame, grabbing the notebook again. Her hand fell idly to the lamp beside her bed in her room where they were gathered. She flicked the switch on, and then off. On. Off.
She looked at the bulb, inspecting it idly. What if...? She straightened up. She took the lamp shade off, grabbing the paper again. She held the blank side over the light bulb.
“Monu, kya kar rahi hai?” Sid asked. She stared at it patiently.
‘Sahi jagah dekho, toh sahi cheezen dikhti hain.’
She turned it over a few minutes later. A small smile spread on her face. There was something written.
“#Invisible ink?” Chitra asked, as the other cadets peeked over her shoulder.
She turned the paper over again, heating it more. Another few minutes passed and she turned it over. The message was darkened now. Another code.
HIHUKVULK SVJRLY YVVT, AOPYK MSVVY.
“Matlab, wo pehla waala code, code nahi, sach mein mazaak tha?” Suman ji said.
“Mazaak nahi”, Sid said. “Dhokha tha. Hum log uss code mein busy rahe, isliye distraction tha. Agar sirf blank paper dete, toh hum log yeh soch hi lete ki yeh invisible ink se likha hai. Par jhootha code likha, isliye hume laga hi nahi ki koi trick bhi ho sakti hai.”
“Monami, tumhe kaise pata chala ki yeh invisible ink se likha hua tha?” Koel asked.
She shrugged. “S-Sure n-nahi thi. T-Tukka l-lag gaya.”
“Yeh hi sahi code hoga”, Bala said. “Doctor Madam, aap toh chha gaye.” He gave her a thumbs up and a grin. Monami smiled slightly at him. The cadets copied the new code on their notebooks, staring at it.
---x---x---x---x---x---x---x---x---x---
The door opened behind him. Karan glanced over his shoulder.
Faizi.
“Taiyaar hai?” Karan asked.
“Ek minute”, he said. He sat down on the bed, grabbing his shoes. He pulled them on, before standing up. “Check karo.”
Karan patted him down, nodding. “Kahan hai weapons?”
Faizi grinned at him. He lifted his shoe, pulling back the sole of it and revealing the tiny gun hidden. “Ek”, he said. He let his foot drop back down. He pulled up the shirt, revealing another thin gun which was strapped under some smooth skin like padding. “Do. Jacket ke upar se pata nahi chalta.” He pulled back his sleeves, showing the strapped, thin blades to his arms. “Teen aur chaar, do knives.”
Karan nodded, a smirk spreading on his face. “Good job, Faizi. Sanju ke paas koi weapons nahi honge, toh tujhe dhyaan rakhna padega.”
Faizi nodded. “Hum dhyaan rakhenge.”
There was a knock on the door, and the boys looked up. “Come in”, Karan called. Sanju opened the door, walking in. She had a black suit on, her hair tied up in a bun.
Next to him, Faizi facepalmed. “Sanju, yeh kya pehna hai tumne?” He asked.
She paused, looking at Karan. He shrugged. “Kya hua?” He asked. “Sahi toh lag rahi hai.”
Faizi sighed. “Karan, point yeh nahi hai ki woh sahi lag rahi hai ya nahi. Bahut achhi lag rahi hai par hum ek high end club mein jaa rahe hain. Wahan par log yeh sab nahi pehente hain. Yeh attention draw karegi.”
“Sir ji, humaare paas aisa kuchh naa hai”, she said.
“Chalo humaare saath.”
“Kahan?” Karan asked.
---x---x---x---x---x---x---x---x---x---
“I got it!” Koel declared. “Caesar Cipher hai. 7 letters ka shift. ABANDONED LOCKER ROOM, THIRD FLOOR.”
“Wahan attack hoga?” Bala asked incredulously. “Wahan toh koi nahi aata. Wahan kyun attack hoga? Yeh dobara chaal hai?”
“Bala G bro, real attack thodi naa hai jo zaroori hi crowded place par ho. Par trick ho bhi sakti hai”, Sid said. “Hum jaate hain aur check out karte hain.”
“Sid… hum log thodi der mein jaa sakte hain?” Suman ji asked. “Suman ji ko bahut bhook lagi hai. Mess mein jaakar pehle kuchh khaa lete hain, na?”
He frowned. “Sab ko bhook lag rahi hai kya?” Heasked. Monami shook her head.
“Mujhe bhi nahi lag rahi”, Koel added.
“Toh aisa karte hain, Koel aur Monu jaakar locker room check kar aayenge”, Sid said. “Koi problem toh nahi?” He looked at the mentioned girls, who shook their heads. “Cool. Chalein phir?”
Koel took a map of the academy they were provided with in the file. “Ab yeh locker room kahan hai?” She muttered. The third floor was a place they had rarely visited, even though it wasn’t a restricted area, considering it had mostly only some unused rooms and storage rooms. Monami peeked in, their eyes flicking across the map.
The door was pushed open abruptly and the girls glanced up, standing up when they saw the three trainers enter. While Karan was dressed in his uniform, Sanju and Faizi had casual clothes on, fancy in case of Faizi, if Koel had to be specific. She smiled slightly, admiring him.
He looked good.
Sanju closed the door behind her, locking it. She turned to face them, shifting slightly. Monami tilted her head slightly. She did that often when she was awkward.
“Hume tum dono ki kuchh help chahiye”, Faizisaid.
“Humaari help? Sure”, Koel said. “Jo bhi hai, we’ll try our best to help.” She glanced at Monami, who nodded in agreement.
“Hum jo keh rahe hain woh kisi ko nahi pata chalna chahiye”, Karan warned. “Tumhaare doston ko bhi nahi.” They nodded. Monami’s eyes flicked across their serious expressions, lingering on Faizi’s. He was rarely that serious. “Faizi aur Sanju ko ek official kaam se ek club mein jaana hai.”
“Undercover?” Koel’s eyes widened in interest.
Karan nodded. “Undercover”, he confirmed. “High end club hai.” He nodded to Sanju. “Tum dono ise ready karne mein help kar sakte ho?”
“Hume yeh sab nahi aato hai”, Sanju admitted sourly.
Koel smiled. “Sure, no problem. Hum aapki cupboard dekh lein, ma’am?” She asked. Sanju nodded. Monami followed Koel to the cupboard, both sifting through the clothes. “Waise… aapko kuchh chhupaana wagera bhi hai kya?”
“Chhupaana?” Faizi repeated. “Matlab?”
“Like, weapons wagera? Hum uss hisaab se dress choose karenge.” Monami let out a sigh, grabbing a bunch of folded clothes and keeping it on Sanju’s bed. Koel took the hint, grabbing another pile and keeping it.
“Nahi, tum log uski chinta naa karo”, Sanju said. “Woh sab hum dekh lenge.” The two girls nodded, looking through the piles of clothes.
“Karan Sir, Faizi Sir, aap dono bahar wait kijiye”, Koel said, pointing to the door.
“Please, zyaada time mat lagaana”, Faizi said.
“Hum jaldi karenge”, she assured, locking the door behind them.
Koel returned to sifting through the pile of clothes. She shared a glance with Monami, both frowning. “Yeh kya muh bana rahe ho?” Sanju demanded. “Humaare kapde itne bure lag raho hain tumhe?”
“Bure nahi hai, bas club mein pehne waale nahi hai”, Koel said, as Monami opened her own cupboard wordlessly. Her clothes should fit her without a problem.
She held up a short, blue dress that probably ended mid-thigh. Sanju scrunched her nose up. Monami put the dress down wordlessly, picking another up. It was a black ankle length dress. Sanju eyed it before nodding.
“Yeh lo”, Koel said, tossing her a pair of leggings. “Yeh iske neeche pehen lo. Movements mein kam self-conscious feel hoga. Yahin change kar lo. Zyaada time nahi hai.”
Sanju quickly pulled the leggings on and wore the dress, smoothening it. Monami gave her a thumbs up, offering her a bright smile. She smiled back slightly.
Koel made her sit on the chair, looking at Monami. “Make up ya hair?” She asked.
“M-Make up”, she said, unzipping a bag.
“Zyaada time mat lagaana”, Sanju said. “Hume jaana bhi hogo. Dono Sir ji intezaar kar raho hain.”
“Aap bas baithe raho”, Koel said, brushing her hair. “Monami ka pata nahi par Nikhil ke saath mujhe poora experience hai bina time lagaaye taiyaar hone ka. Zyaada time lagaoon, uski complaints shuru ho jaati hain. Aapko nahi pasand dress up hona?”
She shook her head, pausing when the other girls clicked their tongues.
“H-Hilo mat, p-please”, Monami said.
“Sorry keh raho hain. Humse naa hoto yeh makeup wagera. Hume toh logon ko todhna hi pasand hai, yeh sab naa.”
“Kisne kaha ki yeh dono contradictory hai?” Koel said. “Logon ki band make up lagaakar bhi bajaa sakte ho.”
“P-Power in s-style”, Monami said quietly, and the other two smiled, chuckling.
“Humaara woh matlab naa tha. Humaara bas inn sab par dhyaan naa jaato hai”, Sanju clarified. “Iss sab se behtar hume training karno pasand hai.”
“Of course”, Koel said, smiling. She twisted a strand, before pinning it.
“Eyes b-band”, Monami said. Sanju closed her eyes obediently.
“Ho gaya”, Koel said behind her, stepping back.
“Do m-minute b-baithe raho eyes c-close k-karke”, Monami said, stepping back as well and nodding. She picked up a makeup setter, spraying it over her face.
Koel opened Monami’s cupboard, picking up a pair of heels. Monami shook her head. “Too b-big. I d-don’t th-think she’s u-used to it.”
She hummed in agreement, picking up another pair. Monami tilted her head, inspecting the dress and then the shoes, before nodding. She kept it in front of her. Sanju opened her eyes on Monami’s approval, slipping the small heels on. She stood up, looking herself in the mirror.
Her hair were styled briefly, most of her hair left alone, and her make-up only accentuated her features, rather than anything too noticeable.
She looked good.
Koel gave her a thumbs up. “Rock that mission in style”, she said, grinning.
---x---x---x---x---x---x---x---x---x---
“Jaldi se locker room check karke aate hain”, Koel said, hopping up the stairs. “Warna agar baakiyon ne puchh liya, toh kya jawaab denge?”
Monami shrugged, following her. “I c-can l-lie on the s-spot”, she said. She raised her eyebrows in question. Monami gave her a smile in return. “J-Jab mujhe k-kisi se b-baat n-nahi k-karni hoti, toh m-main b-bahaana b-bana deti hoon. I am g-good at it. P-Practice ho g-gayi hai.”
“Huh”, Koel said, grinning. “I thought tum goody two shoes waali category mein aati ho.” She held out a fist. Monami smiled a little, bumping her fist with hers.
They reached the third floor, wandering around for a few lost minutes, before they stopped in front of it. Koel stared at the lock. “Ispar toh taala hai”, she said. She groaned. “Dobara ek trick?”
Monami knelt down, inspecting the lock. It was clean, as opposed to a rusted one, if it had been unused. She peeked inside, gazing around.
“Kya kar rahi hai?” Koel asked. “Chal, yahan kya milega ab?”
She shook her head. “Yeh kh-khula hai r-recently”, she said. She pointed inside. “A-Andar d-dekho. K-Kitna s-saaf hai. Matlab r-regularly cl-cleaning hoti hai. C-Could st-still be a pl-place of a-attack.”
“Par yeh taala?”
“Ch-Chaabi m-maang l-lete hain. B-Baaki sab se d-discuss kar l-lete hain, ph-phir aage ka d-decide karte hain.”
---x---x---x---x---x---x---x---x---x---
Karan pulled the headphones on, sitting down in front of the laptop. “Faizi, Sanju, apne cameras on karo”, he said.
“Copy that”, he heard from the two. There was a pause before the screen split, showing the two views.
He glanced at Sanket, who nodded, giving him a thumbs up. “All ready, Sir”, he said.
“Everyone is in place”, Karan said. “Sanju, jaa andar.”
“Ji, Sir ji”, she said. He watched carefully, relaxing slightly when they indeed didn’t check too carefully, barely frisking properly. Sanju pushed the door open, moving into the club. He leaned back in his chair, eyes flicking across the screen as he inspected it.
“Faizi”, he said after several minutes. “Jaa andar.”
“Copy that”, he said. His screen moved, and Karan leaned forward when they frisked him. A beat and then another, before they let him go. He relaxed again, leaning back. “Right side par hain CCTV. Clear view of the room.”
“Sanju, Faizi, tum dono room ke aas paas raho aur yeh dekho ki kitne log hain andar”, Karan ordered. “Aur dhyaan rakhna ki koi suspicious naa ho.”
Faizi glanced around at the club, smiling at a slightly drunk girl. He held out a hand. “May I have a dance?” He asked, giving her a charming smile. She giggled slightly, keeping a hand over his. He guided her to the dance floor, hand slipping around her waist. His eyes flickered to the door.
“Sir ji”, he heard Sanju’s voice over the com. “Koi room ki taraf aa raha hai.”
His eyes flickered around again, before returning to the door. He frowned slightly. He didn’t have a clear enough view.
“Sanju, tu paas jaa room ke. Try kar ki andar ek glimpse bhi mil sake toh”, Karan said. “Faizi, thoda room ke aur paas aa.” He spun the girl he was dancing with, subtly moving through the crowd. “Ulta ghoom. I think mujhe koi dikha.” He spun around, gazing around.
Karan leaned forward, eyes narrowing in concentration. There! A man was making his way through the crowd with a purpose, walking straight to the room. His eyes shifted to Sanju’s camera, the man slipping fast enough inside that he could barely get a glimpse.
“Sorry keh raho hain, Sir ji”, Sanju said. “Hume kuchh zyaada dikha nahi andar.”
“Koi baat nahi, Sanju”, Karan said. He covered his microphone, looking at Sanket. “Sanju ke camera ki footage frame by frame dikhaao.”
He nodded, already typing by the time he finished speaking. “Your screen, Sir”, he said, pressing enter. Karan’s eyes flicked to his own laptop. Sanket played it slowly. Karan held up a hand when the clearest view was presented.
“Zoom”, he ordered. He uncovered the microphone. “Sanju, Faizi, andar iss naye bande ke alaawa ek hi insaan hai. Agar yeh bahar aata hai, toh Faizi, tu ise distract karega aur Sanju, tu andar jaakar kaam karegi. Agar yeh thodi der tak bahar nahi aata, toh mere paas uske liye bhi ek plan hai.”
“Abhi kaa karein, Sir ji?”
He leaned back, relaxing slightly. “Wait.”
---x---x---x---x---x---x---x---x---x---
“Toh, wahan taala laga hua hai?” Sid repeated, humming. “Par Monu ko lagta hai it’s still a possible place of attack.”
“Kya karna hai phir?” Prem ji asked.
“Jaakar #trainers se keys le lete hain, na?” Chitra said. “At least, #check karna toh banta hai.”
“Chalo phir”, Suman ji said.
“Trainers toh hain hi nahi academy mein”, Koel whispered to Monami as they walked out of the mess. “Sirf Karan Sir honge, par woh toh busy hai, na?”
“Bas pr-pretend k-karo t-tumhe kuchh n-nahi p-pata”, she whispered.
Sid slung an arm over Monami’s shoulders, the two slowing their pace a little. Koel sped up, falling in pace with the others. Sid smiled at her. “Kya baat hai? Teri aur Koel ki toh achhi ban rahi hai.” He gave her a hopeful grin. “Tujhe uske saath time spend karna achha laga?”
She shrugged. “She’s nice”, she said quietly. He raised his eyebrows expectantly. She made a face. “Yeh bahut bolti hai. Ab yeh bolegi, mujhe bhi kuchh toh bolna padega, na?”
He sighed. “Monu, tere comparison mein sab bahut bolte hain. Tujhe yeh achhi nahi lagi?”
“Achhi hai, par main khud nahi jaungi baat karne”, she said. He heaved another sigh. “Sorry, bro.”
He shook his head, slapping her head gently. “Paagal hai kya, bro? Sorry kyun bol rahi hai? I know tu try kar rahi hai. Bahut hai. Tu zyaada stress mat le aur mission par dhyaan de.”
“Ustaad ji”, Bala called ahead, and the two looked up. “Karan Sir ji aur Faizi Sir ji kahan hai?”
“Woh dono kaam mein busy hain. Abhi nahi mil sakte. Kya kaam hai tum logon ko?” Ustaad ji asked.
“Hum logon ko lagta hai ki humaare mock mission ke liye hume third floor waala abandoned locker room check karna padega”, Koel said. “Toh hume uski chaabi chahiye.”
Ustaad ji paused, thinking. “Tum log Foxtrot mein ho, na?” They nodded. “Tum logon ko chaabi nahi milegi.”
“Kyun?” Suman ji asked.
“Order hain. Tum logon ko kahin ki chaabi nahi milegi. Karan Sir ji ne mujhe instructions di thi ki agar third floor ke kisi bhi kamre mein tum logon ko jaana hai, toh khud hi jaana padega. Agar baaki kisi floor ke kamron mein jaana hai, toh pehle ijaazat lena, kyunki wahan par confidential cheezen bhi ho sakti hain”, he explained. “Abhi mujhe jaana hai, tum log dekh lo.”
The group gathered around in a circle, looking at each other. “Taala todh kar chale jaate hain”, Prem ji said. “Jab ghusna khud hi hai, toh aur koi tareeka toh hoga nahi. Ab andar dekhna toh hai hi ek baar.”
Bala grinned. “Todhne ki kya zaroorat hai? Main hoon, na?”
“Tujhe taala kholna kaise aata hai?” Koel asked, as the lock opened. Bala pushed open the door, switching the light on.
“Mera ek dost tha, woh chhoti moti choriyan karta tha. Ek baar shauk chadha, toh usse seekh liya”, Bala said, smiling.
“Chalo, sab, dekho ki kuchh milta hai kya”, Sid said.
---x---x---x---x---x---x---x---x---x---
“Gaya”, Sanju’s voice sounded in the ear com.
Faizi smiled at the girl he was idly talking to. “Excuse me”, he said, standing up. He made his way to the bathroom, changing directions about halfway and subtly moving along the wall to the room. Sanju met his gaze, and he nodded in confirmation.
He pushed open the door. “Aye”, the guard said, standing up. “Kaun hai be? Yahan aana mana hai!”
Faizi let out a dramatic wail, pulling him away from the computers. He hugged him tightly, the man spluttering in disbelief and shock. He made sure to keep his stomach a little away from the man, in case the gun would press against him. His gaze lifted to Sanju, who quietly tiptoed into the room.
“Hum yahan gham bhulaane aaye the. Socha thodi der akele reh lete hain bathroom mein par tum mil gaye yahan”, he said, sobbing. “Tumhe pata hai humaare saath bahut bura hua hai. Humaari bandi hume chodkar chali gayi. Kehti use shaadi nahi karni.” He pulled away. “Dekho! Dekho, hum itne bure dikhte hain kya?”
“Main yahan-”
“Nahi, na?” He cut him off. He kept his hands on his shoulders, keeping him from turning. “Phir kyun chodkar chali gayi woh hume?” He hugged him again. “Usne humse ek text message par break up kara”, Faizi said. “Tumhe vishwaas ho raha hai? Ek text message? Humaari kya itni hi value hai? Hum bahut pyaar karte the usse. Dhokha de diya usne hume.” He let out another wail, clutching the man tighter.
Sanju gave him a thumbs up behind his back. She carefully made her way out of the room, and Faizi relaxed slightly when she was out.
“Dekh, bhai, tere saath bahut bura hua, par main yahan kaam karne aata hoon. Tu kisi aur ko jaakar apni dukhad kahaani suna”, the man said. “Mujhe nahi.” He pushed him away. “Nikal yahan se, warna dhakke maar ke niklwaunga.”
He sniffled. “Sahi hi keh rahe ho tum. Maaf karna”, he said. “Ghaav thoda gehra hai aur naya bhi. Tumhe pareshaan karne ke liye sorry.”
“Pata nahi kahan kahan se aa jaate hain”, the man muttered, sitting back on his chair as he walked out. Sanju nodded when he glanced at her. He pretended to wipe his tears, moving to the bathroom.
“Kaam ho gaya”, Karan said over the com. “Baaki ka kaam Sanket yahan se sambhaal lega. Tum dono wahan se niklo. Good job, guys.”
“Copy that”, Faizi muttered.
Karan looked at Sanket, who typed on his laptop in concentration. He covered his microphone. “Sabse pehle, Sanju ke uss room mein jaane aur aane ki footage delete kar de”, he instructed. “Faizi ki mat karna. Uss guard ko yaad rahega ki Faizi andar aaya tha. Agar check kar liya, toh shaq hoga.”
“Paanch minute mein ho jaayega, Sir”, he assured.
He uncovered his microphone. “Faizi, bathroom se bahar aakar bhi pretend karna ki tu sad hi hai. Uss guard ko agar tujhpar thoda bhi shaq hua, toh woh nazar rakhega. Jab tak thoda door nahi pahunch jaata, keep up the pretense.”
“Copy that.”
Karan relaxed into his chair when Sanju and Faizi were fairly away from the club. “Footage ko maine delete kar diya hai, Sir”, Sanket said. “Sanju ma’am ke room mein jaane ka koi evidence nahi hai ab.”
He nodded. “CCTV footages kab tak mil jaayengi pehle ki?”
“Sir, main isko aapke laptop ke saath sync kar raha hoon. Unke computer mein jitna bhi database hoga pehle ka, woh aur real time mein saari CCTV footages aapke laptop mein hongi.”
“Good job, Sanket.”
He stared at the CCTV footage of the club. A smirk spread on his face.
Mission Euphoria just got a whole lot easier.
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