Chapter Nine

In a world full of darkness, learn to be a firefly.

Know when to sparkle and know when to vanish.

~BitterBerry

Chapter Nine

She would have spent the remaining time at the office clueless only if Tasha wouldn't have called her earlier. She got back on phone with Tasha who almost threatened her dramatically to cut off all her ties with her if she'd miss dinner at Anshuman's place. Riya tried telling her that she can't and isn't in her right state of mind and on top of that with a guest. So Tasha just bluntly cut the call inviting both Riya and Aisha as well. 

"We are going to Anshuman's place for dinner." She deftly told Aisha as soon as Riya got into the driving seat.

"Umm! I think you should join them and you can just leave me at your place. I am not that. . ." Aisha hesitated for a moment.

"I didn't ask you. We are going and if you want privacy you can talk to Rathore sir at the balcony. Nobody would mind. And that's final. I just don't have any energy left in me to argue Kapoor." Her reply totally shut Aisha and she kept mum while Riya drove towards the PHC area. 

After a few minutes of driving, Riya spoke, "I . . . I am sorry. I mean I shouldn't have forced you." Riya said softly this time surprising Aisha. She probably had seen all her angry, furious, and enraged state that make people nervous around her but this was something new. 

"It's okay. I don't really mind." Aisha said unable to speculate what more she will get in a reply. But she never got any reply after that. Aisha had numerous things running in her mind and she wondered if she should really ask.

"When your trial happened. Was he also involved? I mean. . . I don't want to pry but Sameer won't tell me anything. But I see the past is bothering him too."

"He did his level best to save me, Aisha. And probably the only one apart from Shree and Chotu who believed me because he trusted me beyond what was witnessed." 

Riya said sounding unaffected as if she's done this numerous times. Talking about her past without having a panic attack or sweaty palms. 

"Honestly speaking, I looked out for him.  You know whenever I see my chief Roy, something reminds me of him. He wanted the best in me and I'd always appreciate that." Riya clarified herself. 

Aisha sighed as if some burden was lifted from her head as she relaxed in the backrest. She wanted to ask something more as well. Like why after all this past she is still maddeningly searching for Arjun. Why it still affects her? But she also felt it would be too intrusive and probably make an emotional wreak out of the situation.

The dinner went well with a surprise visit from Amit. "I thought you'd be accompanying Reddy." Amit just rolled his eyes at Riya's comment as he munched his food. Riya introduces Aisha to Tasha and they tried to make some awkward small talk. Anjali managed to cheer all of them despite the exhaustion of the day. Riya fed Anjali and put her to sleep after the dinner was over. Aisha wandered into the balcony to talk to Sameer. 

"What's the matter?" Riya asked  Tasha as soon as Aisha was out of sight. Tasha was visibly tired after the grand dinner and she needed her rest but Riya knew there wouldn't be another time if she'd miss it tonight. So she settled herself with Tasha in her room while Anshuman left to kitchen to help Ajji.

"You know I was analyzing something before . . ." 

"Yeah. I still don't understand how that landed you at Mumbai and with Hussain."

"You got to see the numbers first. Only then you'd be able to figure out. Something is not right over there."

"What exactly do you mean by that?" Riya asked in worry. She just knew, whatever is coming out from her mouth next isn't good. 

"He's into something big. It's not limited to our neighbors only Riya. Hussain’s connections are expanding and I can't yet figure out how." 

"When are you joining?" That's all she could say. The way it sounded from her mouth, Riya just knows that there's more trouble on the way. 

"Next week. Cant, you do a fake medical certificate or something?" Tasha whined about having been locked up in this room and doing nothing the whole day. 

"Why don't you enjoy this. See how much he's doing for you." Riya teased her and Tasha just rolled her eyes. 

"I am serious. Also, you get to spend time with Anjali for which I really envy you." Riya said as Tasha just stuck her tongue out. 

"I am glad he didn't act upon his thoughts earlier Riya. If he'd have done anything like that to Anjali, I'd have always been guilty in front of di."

"Hey, you've done so much. And Anshu isn't sending her anywhere." Riya reassures Tasha and left for outside. She waved at Aisha who was at the balcony and over the phone. She signaled her wait so she could come down and both could retire to their place. 

Once Aisha retired to the guest room Riya walked out of the house and walked straight into the garden. Her failure still fresh in her mind. Somehow she felt that even though the biker was following the ACP and even though they have him in custody, he won't speak anything. Something about the bikers demeanor told that they're losing him. And it pinched her the most. 

Something about the case dragged her back to the previous case. And somewhere she felt all the murders, the missing cases, the joint with ETF, the chemical she found from the Navy labs are all related. And all of it pointing towards only one person.  

Azim Hussain.

If she'd discuss it with Roy or Anshuman, they won't believe it. NIA runs more with evidence than someone's gut feeling and Riya knows it better. So just to stay at a safer side, she thought something wild. Something unapproved and something that could land both herself and her job in jeopardy. 

She thought of every angle, searched every location, gone through every list of his enemies but nothing helped. She knew the step she was taking. But that was the only way she had in her hand. 

She took out the burner phone that she always hide in her house and dialed a number. Her heart thumping erratically against her chest as she hoped her call to be answered. Her heart almost skipped a beat when the rings stopped and she was welcomed to a frightening silence to the other side.

She didn’t know after almost two years she’d call him, knowing what he did to her back then. 

“Want to meet. Old location.” Was all she said as she disconnected the call. She knew if the phone was answered that means he’s still in town. She never really keeps any tab of him after the unfortunate day. She didn’t need to. If one thing she’d learned from life, betrayals come with a cost and trust pays the price. She checked into her room again to grab her gun as she fully loaded it. When she was coming out of the room she bumped into Aisha who was holding a glass of water to her mouth.

“You are in dire need of a night’s sleep Riya,” Aisha said grimly. Ever since she had reported here at NIA, she hadn’t seen the senior officer sit or eat or sleep properly. She was too mechanical, and functioning like a robot, and that to find their second in command. 

“I have something important to finish." Were her last words as she didn’t pay any heed to what Aisha was trying to say and started leaving the room. 

“Riya.” Aisha hastily stopped and swiftly turned to the fridge to grab something. She threw the can as Riya quickly catches it.

“Thought its keeping you get going,” Aisha said in a defeated tone. Riya smiled, for the first time since morning as she wished Aisha a goodnight and shut the door leaving Aisha to wonder, why the case seems too personal to Riya?

Slums in Hyderabad aren’t as crowded as in other cities. And that’s because the MLA had made sure everyone will get their own house. Most of them who thought of having a good life turned to the good side of their life, grabbing opportunities. And some just stayed behind, by choice, to do things that can’t be done in the daylight. 

Riya passed through the dusty plastic-covered cottages amid slouched up piles of muddy garbage as she was welcomed to the pungent smell of kerosene. Some cottages showing faint illumination. Riya tried not to grab any attention. Nor was she hiding behind any wall. She maintained her pace, slow steady steps as she crossed cottage by cottage, taking turns that would confuse any outsider.

But she knew the route and if required she can even walk into the area with a blindfold. She knew what corner of the area smells like alcohol and what area smells like heroin, even with she can also identify if someone is cooking meat. This was an area she learned to adapt and not by choice, but because she had to make herself out from it, alive. 

She was in a kurta and trousers as she wasn’t there to grab attention. Her hair loose and face a shade deeper than her original shade. She always uses such make up when she has to come to meet the guy.

She looked at the old location from afar as she felt some footsteps behind her. She didn’t turn but closed her eyes to listen carefully. Whoever it is, he’s on her left. Then she sensed another footstep. The guy isn’t following her alone. 

She didn’t look back as she continued her walk all the while listening to the careful steps being taken behind her. She turned to a narrow lane almost suddenly.

The guys, who were following her closely checked into the direction but she was already out of their sight. Frustrated both the men tried to search her like a maniac as she watched them from the top of a concrete roof. 

She saw the two men vanishing into another darkened alley and when she was sure the men won't follow her anymore she slowly climbed down. She could have taken both of them down but she didn’t want to wake up the whole slum. She closed into the only properly built structure, which she could call a house. She didn’t need to knock as the door was already open. She grabbed her gun from her pant pocket as she hid it behind her back. She pushed through the tin marred door and got inside. 

Smoke emanating from the room, and the strong smell of hash burning her nostrils, she moved towards the man sitting on a  single bed in the living room.

“Didn’t know your dogs are still sniffing around.” She remarked as soon as the man looked up, took a puff from the cigar, and matched her eyes amid the smoke. 

Kohl stained eyes stared into her with recognition. He was still the same. It seemed nothing changed in these three years for him.

“And you still couldn’t put away your bullets. Whose name you have written over it, Mukherjee.” The man said in a slurry voice.

“You are safe tonight.” She shrugged. The mere sight of this man enraged her like anything. She tightened the gun on her back, trying to stay in control. And yet, she couldn’t forget the flashes betrayals she faced because of this man.

“I need your help.” She didn’t know why her voice sounded like pleading. 

“After all these years? You just vanished.”

“Had to. Couldn’t have waited for any more betrayals.” She spat and her voice stung him hard. In a swift motion, he charged at her. He grabbed her by her arm and pushed her back against the cold concrete wall. His dark eyes boring holes into her. There were days when these eyes looked at her with admiration. But tonight they were fierce and with fury.

“I didn’t tell HIM Mukherjee. He knew it. And just like you saved yourself, I had to think for myself too. I did nothing different than what you did.” He said each word with so much weight that she almost believed him. But she remembered why she’s here. The hand that was holding her gun came to the front as she pressed it to his tummy.

His movement froze when he felt the metallic tip of the gun pressed to his tummy. 

“I am here to talk, Karim or what should I call you? Karan? Aren’t you? 

Don’t force me to change my mind.”

“You knew?” He took a step back looking at her with shock.

“Even before you met me. And you are trying to say you didn’t double-cross me?” 

“I am not into this Mukherjee. Not anymore. You should better leave.”

“I told you I need your help. And you owe me.” She said with finality. The man took several steps back and sat over the bed. She took a seat over the wooden desk as she waited for him to compose himself. 

“so tell me, Mukherjee, how can I help you?”

“I am looking for a man. Tried everything. No clue. Nothing. It's been five days.”

"Are you sure your guy is still alive?” he chuckled at her and she felt bile rise in her throat just at the thought of it.

"Just do as I am saying." She warned him. 

“I am out of the loop for long. I don’t think I can help you.”

“you still have your men.”

“dogs, you mean. What about yours? Short on pedigree?” Riya tightened her fists, the inability of her team to reach a conclusion was a slap to her. She took out a balled paper from her trousers and threw it at him. 

He opened it to find a pen drive inside. 

“It has everything you need to know.” She said to him. 

“All I’d ever need is a name, Mukherjee. I don’t need a driver.”

“ACP Arjun Rawte, ETF.” His eyes widened hearing her words and she nodded at him positively. When he reverted to some normalcy, he said, “this is the last time I am doing anything for anyone Mukherjee. I have left all this long ago.”

“If you are saying. I’d just wish you won't fail Karan.” She forced herself to remember his true name. She admired Karim too. But it was Karan who betrayed her. And she can’t forgive him for that. But she knew, if there is anyone who can run into Hussain’s den without his hair unruffled, that’s Karan. As much as she hated his audacity, she knew, he’s capable of giving her what’s she’s asking.

She knew she wouldn’t have explanations for Roy or for Anshuman.

She didn’t make any farewells or bestowed him with any last words. But she knew, it’s for the last time she’s meeting. Flashes of her good time with the once brotherly figure brushed her mind faintly and yet they faded as quickly as they came. 

Once outside his house, she saw the two men who were following her before. They were silent. She didn’t recognize both of them. But she was sure they won't run after her anymore. 

One of the men points a gun straight at her and she was tired. She just slouched her shoulders and leaned against the wall whilst the other guy went inside to check if she left their bosses body behind. He came out as quickly as he entered. 

“let her go. Karim Bhai ordered to secure her though.” She gave them a look as if I seriously need your help and both of them backed away. She followed a shortcut this time for exit.

She reached her home past four in the morning and stealthily walked in. She half hoped Aisha talking a stress-marathon in her living room, but she just found the lady, lying right on her couch, probably waiting for her. The comforter wrapped around her body slipped and almost touching the ground. Riya tried not to wake her up and adjusted it so as to cover her properly. 

Then she got into her room and lay on the bed. Eyes wide open, far away from sleep. She knew she cant sleep even with pills on. Nothing works on her when she have chronic stress. Her stress goes away only when her stressors go away. But this time her stressors is missing. And it only gets worse with time. She just closed her eyes. But her mind had opened up thousands of thoughts and sleep definitely didn’t get a spot in there.

After a few hours of not sleeping and tossing and turning around the bed she changed into her yoga pants and runs towards the garden. The grass in her garden blazed with the fiery brightness of the morning sunlight. She felt the soothing dampness of the grass beneath her feet as they relaxed her muscles somewhat and she spread her yoga mat to sit over it for the ‘peace therapy’ she’s in dire need of.

Undisclosed Location 

The old man in a beige suit and gray tie sat across the display as he read records on the screen. He looked displeased as his eyes followed his young subordinate. He was confused just like him.

“three hits in a single week?” he asked more to himself.

“We need to check up with the sponsors.”

“They are well-fed not to disclose any details Boss.”

“But they are doing something that is forcing such hits. More such hits and this might just wake up from its eternal sleep.” The young subordinate pinched the bridge of his nose in frustration.

“I’d look into this myself. And if anything happens, keep it off the records.” He smiled and the young subordinate just nodded his head in obedience.

NIA, Hyderabad

The tiring quest to find the missing ACP looked rather endless for everyone around the room except for three persons. Roy briefed the team about their next strategies. He doesn’t really do the pep talk, but this time he knew, if he wouldn’t intervene he might just lose his second in command to a perpetual state of uncalled misery.

“There’s good news. Verma has something to share with us.” As soon as he announced, the technical room was vacated, and the only remaining persons were Riya, Verma, Roy, and Aisha.

Amit dimmed the lights of the room as he focused on a screen. She could see a picture loading into the screen, when the loading was complete when she found her own picture right on the screen.

“What are you trying to explain Verma?”

“I could say I just got a third eye in here.” He said as he pointed to his laptop. She rolled her eyes at him and looked at Roy who looked rather proud of their technical officer.

“You can lodge a complaint later, but see yourself first,” Verma said as soon as the big screen split into twenty-five small screens. Verma typed something on his laptop and slowly footages start filling on the screen. 

She was in awe when she noticed all the videos. In some videos, she’s crossing a road and in other, she’s running around the PHC colony. In some others, she’s just rolled down her windows and she’d be sitting in the driving seat in her SUV.

Aisha was confused as to why Riya’s own department is looking after her like this. But she couldn’t find herself with an explanation either.

“So is it authorized?”

“Apart from the no circumstantial use in unethical regards, I hope it will go live” Amit was rather displeased while explaining.

“The jury has to decide.” Roy tightened his lips.

“You don’t care about the jury,” Riya said, her eyes filling with an ocean of excitement.

“Before you get this approved, we can do test runs right?” she asked more like pleading Roy.

“Why do you think I said it’s good news then Mukherjee?” Roy spared a glance to Aisha and her confused state.

“I hope this will help you Officer Kapoor but you have to sign this first before you go out of this room. And you too Mukherjee.” Riya rolled her eyes once again at his stints.

“what’s that?” Aisha asked and her brain finally settled with this theory that NIA has developed something that they aren’t authorized to use yet. So she just grabbed the CDA that was provided to her and signed it. And so did Riya.

Forensic Laboratory, ETF

Mumbai

"Why are you so silent?" He asked as soon as he entered the laboratory.

"I should be asking the same Shree. What's up with you? I mean see, I am trying but I don't think I can do it alone." The forensic expert's sudden outburst rattled Shree. 

"Hey what's wrong? Why are you saying like this?" Liza was baffled with his response. He still couldn't see what he has become after certain ACP from NIA walked into their life. Again. 

"Shree! Seriously? You're asking me what's wrong with me? Why didn't you just go with Aisha? Could have some words with her and be back."

"I am fine here." Shree now understanding what she was hinting at just came back to a little normalcy. 

"Then act like you are saying Shree. Sakshi is feeling horrible. Don't you think we should do something for her?" He remembers the way their conversation went. It wasn't pretty and he still wouldn't want to talk to her for some weird unexplained reasons. She's become bitter lately. 

"I. . I am working on the case. I really want him back Liz, I really do. It's just that there are certain things I can't forget." 

"Oh really? So what did you find?" Liza was unsure whether he's saying the truth or not. 

"I. . . Uh. It's in the laptop." He said as he indicated to his bag and pulled out his laptop. When she saw him settle at the corner with his laptop on, she was sure he'd do something out of it. So she just went on to the LCMS-MS system to analyze the blood samples of Sheela.

This was the third time she's running that sample in the system. The first two results indicated something unidentified in her blood and to confirm that she is just doing a rerun.

She waited as the system runs the sample and she could already see a peak rising at the digital screen and a familiar beeping sound that told her, chemical entity unidentified. 

"Damn! What is it in her blood?" She sighed in frustration. Shree at a distance noticed her flustered and asked her, "what happened now?"

She took off her gloves and came back to Shree who was sitting over the couch in a corner of the laboratory.

"First I thought it's a simple case of asphyxia but there's more to it. I am unable to identify this component in her blood.

"Did you upgrade your database?"

"My database is perfectly fine."

"Then maybe you're on your way of discovering something novel," Shree said with a smirk on his face.

"Nonsense!" She waved him off. Shree just chuckled.

"Have you checked her past medical history?"

"Family said  . . . Well, they didn't even know what had happened to her in this one year." 

An idea got stuck in Shree as he typed furiously on his laptop.

"What are you doing?"

"I am checking if there's anything on her medical history in her mail."

"Yeah! Actually this could help. Check for some basic keywords. It could be nothing, but we are lucky if we are getting anything out of it."

Shree searched for reports as Liza instructed him. "But hey how did you get into her mail?"

"Do I need permission, Liz?"

"Are you hacking? Does Rathore sir know?"

"I... I  am not answering that." He said fumbling as he moved his face away from Liza. She just let out another frustrated sigh. After some minutes both of them stared into a medical report from a certain PT Diagnostics and Clinic. 

"So this report dates back to a year ago. And it's a simple CBC and there's another. What's that?" Shree asked.

"WIDAL. Let me see." Liza examined the report.

"Looks like she had some sort of unexplained infection." Liza speculated, getting nothing out of this report.

"is it possible, by any chance Arjun Sir went to this place?" He said more to himself as the address of the clinic on the reports letterhead felt too familiar. 

"Could be. Speak to Rathore sir."

"I will. But before that I need to call her. . ." He told her and she nodded her head positively. Before making any call, Shree confirmed the address of the clinic with Arjun's last location, and fortunately, both of them matched. Excited with this new information Shree rushed out of the laboratory. And Liza just hoped that they'd find their Arjun Sir.

- - -

Precap:

"How did you know I'd be here?" He said meekly.

"You are a high profile case ACP." She said drowning in exhaustion.

"Bullshit." He chuckled at her even with his lips dry, almost bleeding and trembling.

"You . . . You wanted a second chance in life. Couldn't let anyone take that away from you." She whispered and he heard it. And maybe he didn't need anything else from this world. All his resistance to the torture he felt all through this week faltered as he finally closed his eyes. 

"You have your chance ACP." She expected some quirky reply but she could only hear her own voice humming in the darkened room. 

"ACP?" 

"Arjun?"

Worry seeped in her with his lack of response as she crawled in his direction. His body showed no movement. He was wriggling minutes before. 

She went ahead crawling to check his pulse. Suddenly she was hit to freezing coldness of his body. Her hand traced his pulse as she held her breathe and counted. . .

"Damn"! 

"

□●□●□●□

That's quite a teaser eh 🤣🤣

I hope you enjoy this one. 

Stay safe guys.

Will be sending PM soon. 

[NOCOPY]

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