Chapter 1

CHAPTER ONE


'i think you should go with him'!! He said more like ordering me. Come on I am not anymore in his team. It's been six years and he is not my boss but still I do respect him and just for the sake of that, I climbed inside the SUV. Well well well , look who's in the driving seat?

He hasn't changed a bit but a little older. Ageing doesn't freeze so what if this man is a special case. His face is like the same I saw him last time. Blank. Devoid of any emotion. But his eyes were different. Those were lacking something. Something that always scared me, but still that tempted me. That rage. Vengeance. It was all missing. I didn't know what to make of it. This doesn't look good. I felt its even worst than before. This is not the man I knew always. He looks nothing without that fire inside him. That rage inside him. He just looks EMPTY.

I noticed some movement in his body, and finally I noticed his eyed upon mine. He'd never know what his eyes does to me. I would not go to that part now, not when his expressions is turning into a scowl. His face frowning down at me. I could never please this man. Not that I am still trying.

I chose to ignore his death scowls and tied the seat belt around my chest and looked ahead expecting him to start the SUV, but why we are not moving? I turned to his side and he was still facing me. More like glaring at me.

'we are waiting for Santa?? I asked looking around but the warehouse was empty. I was very sure. There is still time for Christmas you see. It's only just rainy season.

He didn't reply instead started the SUV and finally we are moving somewhere. To the ETF head quarters. Err the new head quarters. When I left we're in the old office, and this is something looks like a head quarter. A real one. I am impressed. The SUV screeched into a halt. I peeped outside the window and I could see the big building in front of me. It is a beautiful glass building, the E T F was written in bold letters above the light hoarding looking bright. But this is not the home I lived. I cried. I laughed. I made coffee. I did nothing here. I knew what I was longing but now even if its here, in front of me again I don't know what to do with it.

I heard the bang of a door and I could feel the seat beside is empty. And through the I window I saw him walking towards the entrance of the office. He didn't even wait for me. So typical. Good. At least he still has something I knew.

I didn't waste much time and opening the door I also walked towards the entrance following him. The building inside is more beautiful. It consists three floors. Ground floor is for the civilians. First floor is for research and top floor is the most important. For the technical team and of course the conference room must be there. And that's where he was going. I silently followed him observing the place. A perfect place.

We walked towards the stairs. I noticed he is not using the lift. Another reason he developed to hate something?? Typical! Isn't it? I followed him climbing the stairs too. Finally we are on the top floor and I was a little bit sweaty.

I noticed the floor. The first half of the floor was a fully fledged wonderful technical lab with the most advanced equipment. Sitting arrangements were beautifully designed and there was at least 12 blocks for 12 people to work. A separate open chamber like block was to the opposite site of the small blocks. The place of the chief technical expert. Everything is same Riya, just with some few addition in the team. I remember the chief of ETF say those words. Mr. Sameer Rathod. He had a look or of pride in his eyes which was obvious. Keeping this cold tiger in the team even after all that stuff happened, I must say is a big achievement for the chief, but honestly he is capable of doing more other things. My gaze travelled towards the open area with a long table. And the chief was sitting in his much deserved position. The there were two ladies sitting at his both sides. I don't recognize them. Wait, I know one of them. The girl next to Rathod sir's left. Just where I don't remember. Quite a good face and chirpy, and weird expression. Kind of a replica I used to be years ago. Just I don't know when I stopped being myself. Not that I am still mourning for what I was before. Time changes. And people too. The wrong concept is forgotten long ago. Time never changes people. Unless the people themselves wanted to be the change.

Next to the lady was sitting the man, oh yes the man and not geeky cute boy with specks but a man. My Shree!! But what happened to his curly noodles?? This hair style suits him but I miss my cute best friend forever. Oh best friend forever with whom I didn't even talk since l left. How can I expect him to be the same when I am not even a bit of what I was. God I request don't let this dynamite burst upon me now. I know Shree would be mad at me, but I deserve it. He was never wrong in his place. But I was. And I abandoned him, which was just too right to do at that time, but why it just feels too wrong right now. Again I won't go to that part.

'Just who the hell is that woman sir?? She spoiled our whole plan!! And instead you invited her here? Why'? The lady next to Rathod sir's right side asked, an expression of irritation masked all over her pretty face. I don't know this lady either. But I couldn't understand the tone she used for Rathod sir. And he didn't say anything. Two things can happen one; she is witty and feisty strong woman who never minds speaking her mind. Two; the chief and the lady are dating. Otherwise anyone wouldn't dare to use that tone, well except this cold tiger I am following.

Next to her was sitting Chotu. The muscle man. My other bestie. He is unpredictable always hungry and won't ever go cold no matter whatever the circumstances are. Chotu was with us in the warehouse. And since that time I haven't seen his cute smile. No I am not a zombie, then just what the heck shocked him? I still don't expect any of those anger or hatred from him. Yes, I know him and my instincts told me he is the same.

Seeing no reply from Rathod sir the woman with irritated face asked him again, and the same moment I barged into with the cold tiger ahead. Rathod sir looked up and stared at both of us. His team as well stared at us too. Okay now the look is uncomfortable. But not from all of them just only from the chirpy woman and the feisty woman. They were giving me the look as if they would shallow me right now.

'oh she is the one'? Said the woman sitting left to Rathod sir.

Shree, I couldn't read his expressions. They were too much to even count. Angry. Happy. Sad. Nostalgic. All at once. And the worst, silent. But Chotu is smiling at me now. My instincts would never betray me. I smiled   back confusing the two ladies. My eyes matched with Shree. He was confused too. May be with my not-so-angel-like arrival.

'who is she'? The feisty woman asked.

'Guys meet ACP Riya Mukharjee, second in command NIA'! Said Rathod sir. Did I finally found that thing I always searched in the eyes of my ex chief? Yes! I found a glint of pride in his eyes while introducing me to his team. But what's great in that? Today, again I disappointed him. That person was important for them. But I killed him. I don't know what action they would take against me. All I know is, that person was a criminal and who was believed to being connected to the terrorists. And who was wanted dead. But ETF wanted him alive.

I saw the change in expression of people in that room. The two ladies, one of them was now smiling at me, the chirpy one. The feisty one had softened a bit but was still frowning at me. She could be the female version of this cold tiger.

'Hello guys'! I said formally. Rathod sir gestured us to sit and join them. He didn't introduce me to the ladies. May be he forgot that i don't know the new addition buy only the team I used to be a part of. We both took seats. Arjun sir took the seat next to Shree and I chose to sit at the extreme end of the table where I can face only Rathod sir directly. A look of disappointment clouded on the cold tigers face. Like why? He expected me to sit opposite facing him. Isn't it just too late to expect anything from me. I am much pleased to disappoint you SIR. I wanted to scream these lines on his face. That would be too much.

'why are you here'? The voice came from Shree. For others it sounded like a professional question, but inside I know he is accusing me, which only Chotu could understand.

'okay! Enough of these expressions. I am going to explain', I said maintaining the formal tone.

'You'd know why Shree '! I said and both the ladies stared at me for addressing him by his name? But Shree glared. What? He should thank me I didn't call him curly noodle. Still no gratitude this boy.

I looked at Rathod sir directly. 'sir I am really very sorry to spoil your case but it was pure misunderstanding. Like I said before , I had orders for his encounter. I didn't know he was your suspect. We were searching him since a month and today I found him'.

'what did you say?? You had orders'? For the first after whole ninety five minutes Mr. Arjun Suryakant Rawte spoke and I must praise him. Still the no nonsense.

'you didn't know? He had criminal records! Don't tell me you were chasing him without even knowing him'?? I asked directly looking into his eyes. Now I have enough guts to look into his eyes. His eyes were fierce and his gaze was prickling my being. But I would stand against it this time.

'one of our informers tipped us about him and his location, that's how we followed him', replied Chotu. He is damn good with this job. How I wish to have a informers chain like him. I will have it if I will trust more people. Lets not talk about it now.

'So why he was your suspect'? I asked , seeing no reason for them to chase a criminal turned terrorist like that.

'You tell us what was his criminal records'? Asked the feisty lady directly coming to the point. Didn't I already say, she is the female cold tiger.

'I thought the reply to the question would be an answer'? I said dipping my voice with sarcasm. One more thing I developed all these years.

'you don't watch news? TV '? Asked the chirpy lady now with a tinge of arrogance.

'No sorry! Never had much time to download any hotstar app'! She isn't much pleased with my reply. While all others except the feisty lady stared at me agape. Even the cold tiger was staring at me with a look of amusement. And this is not so typical.

'Calm down both of you'! Hissed Rathod sir and glared at both of us.

'yes sir', I replied obeying him but I couldn't hold my curiosity much longer. I have seen this woman somewhere. 'You? I have seen you somewhere? I cant remember sir but I think she is familiar'! I said pondering.

'Riya, this is Sakshi Anand , ex crime journalist and this is senior inspector Ayesha Kapoor ammunition specialist', finally Rathod sir introduced the ladies.

'why on earth Emergency Task Force would need a crime journalist?? Do you have a gun'? No way I am gonna tone down my arrogance.

'That's none of your business Riya' , said Arjun sir. Wait is he defending someone? Wow! That's the biggest achievement for a cold tiger to defend someone. But a crime journalist? He should change his choice of defense.

'still you were better in your TV channel miss Anand, now I remember where have I seen you S TV news'?

'i liked your concern Miss Mukharjee but I am better here'!

'you must have some reason for risking your life being unarmed here'!! I said with a smile and her face fell.

'my job is nothing without Risk Miss Mukharjee '! This woman is not so chirpy now.

'but the ETF people cant risk "human life" at any cost as for what I know about them, your presence here is still a query for me and I thought you people hated media and all those chirpy nonsensical drama '! I said with a grin but the room fell silent. The both of my seniors were uncomfortable. Shree was expressionless and Kind of controlling his anger, Miss Kapoor was confused and Chotu for a change was smiling.

'Enough said Riya', Rathod sir was controlling hard not to scream at me and maintained a formal tone.

'what have you done to yourself Riya'? The second time Shree's voice rang in my head and I could feel it. I never intended to disappoint him. He was the last person I'd have added in the list of people I disappointed.

'what Shree? I am still a human! Alive and breathing, surviving'! That's what I have been doing all these days. And I was not even a bit disappointed with myself. So I care least what others expect from me. He stared at me again this time speechless.

'Lets come to the point. My department wanted him dead. I had orders. I never knew you guys were chasing him. And for what reason I also don't know. So there is no reason why you guys brought me here', I Said in much simpler words even a 9 year old would understand but these people are still not satisfied.

'you mean you never intended to come back'? Asked a much angry Shree.

'tell me a better reason Shree? How you people would have dealt with my constant failure, you know i don't deserve here'! He must understand my sarcasm. I can't hold it back. I was may be just too weak to utter those words at that time but not now. My eyes travelled down towards the particular person sitting there and looking down at the table. Rathod sir was looking anywhere but me. Like before the two ladies were confused and Chotu was helpless.

'you want reason'? Said Shree.

'yes'

'Stay here and help us with this case Riya, we need to know this person and you can help us with providing enough information about him. And you are not a loser. Just stay here'! Said Chotu.

' I have stopped proving myself to everyone Chotu, don't try with me now, I'd see what help my department can do. No way I am gonna stay here. There is no literal reason to stay here unless I am officially and temporarily assigned here'! I said keeping my voice formal.

'Shree send a mail requesting Mr . Roy , NIA chief to appoint Riya in this case temporarily and send all the case details to him as well as her encounter report and what relation both have'! The cold tiger sneered glaring at me.

' this is Nonsense , you cant do this'! I had no other choice but to just whine.

'oh yes i can! Welcome back to ETF Riya',said shree with anger visible in his eyes but i knew he is smirking.

'I hate you'! I said looking both of them. But they are still smirking, while Rathod sur sighed with relief or whatever only he knows, but he was sure the day isn't off yet. Chotu was smiling, may be even ready to jump at me for a sandwich hug but something was stopping him and I thank that whatever is stopping him.

' the meeting is dismissed. Shree, inform me when you receive the permission letter'!

'a cold black coffee, four plane coffee and a cutting chai, yeah that's all'! I heard Shree speaking through the landline and was about to hang up but coffee? That wouldn't do for me.

'ah no na! That wouldn't do!! Get me a coke can'! I said and he did cancel my black coffee.

My phone vibrated and this call was important. 'hey honey, you are sure not peeping into my cupboard are you'? What new way this devil found to enter my house. I looked around for the dumbfounded faces of the three males in the room and chose not to have this pretty conversation in front of them. So I waked out of the conference hall saying,'I am up there. Send my drink there and oh excuse me'! I left. But I know the only one person who'd follow me up to the roof.




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Okay that's all for today.
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Next part will be up soon.

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Bye bye.