Chapter 28

Bloomie

@bloomie

Part 28 [MEMBERSONLY] [NOCOPY]

Vikram arrived at around 9 am. He enters Riya’s room. The boys had gathered around the bed, waiting for her to get conscious. He clears his throat.

They straighten and turn to him. The team salutes him.

Rathore: good morning sir

Vikram nods in acknowledgement mv “chalo! Kam se kam yaad toh aaya ki main senior hun”

Vikram: hosh nahi aaya abhi tak?

Rathore: nahi sir, hum bhi usi ka wait kar rahe hai

Vikram: guys, I know ki… ye thoda sensitive hai lekin, ek case hai

Rathore flares up: what?!

Vikram explains before he bursts out: humare department mein se kisi ka khoon hua hai, it’s serious isliye main kisi aur par bharosa nahi karna chahta

Rathore: kaun sir?

Vikram: Inspector Girish Kulkarni

Rathore sighs: sir I understand lekin is waqt…

Shree: theek hai sir, hum aadhe ghante mein report karenge

The others looked at him in shock.

Chotu: tu kya bol raha hai? main Ri ko chod kar nahi jaunga!!

Shree: nahi Chotu (turning to the seniors) Rathore sir, Arjun sir, Riya ne duty ke liye apni jaan daav par lagayi. Uske uthne ke baad hum kya kahenge usse? Ki humne uske liye apni duty chod di?

Rathore and Arjun looked at him proudly.

Arjun turned to Vikram: hum aadhe ghante mein report karenge sir

Vikram smiles: theek hai

As promised, the ETF ends up at the crime scene in half an hour. However, not before giving a good lecture to the nurse who was in charge of Riya. The warden just stared at them in disbelief as they taught her to do her job. “Safayi ache se honi chahiye” it seems. She just nodded her head not wanting to anger the policemen, especially not after what they had done to the reporter outside.

The ETF dives into the case diligently, despite being mentally exhausted. So far, they had been too worried and now too busy to notice it. The four of them crashed into the couches in the common room after the preliminary investigation was over. They had to wait for the post-mortem report for further details.

The night’s tiredness and lack of sleep all came in as their eyes turned droopy. Shree went to the pantry to get them caffeine. Rathore put on the news. He usually wouldn’t be bothered with current affairs on duty time but the screaming anchors would definitely help him stay awake.

To their surprise, there was only one thing running on all the channels… Xora 2. The ETF was stamped all over it, not just Riya’s courage and sacrifice but also…

Chotu: haila! Main toh bhool hi gaya ki baakhi saare reporter humari recording kar rahe the

Most of the channels were praising the team for taking a stand for her but as usual, a select few were outraged demanding an inquiry on the four of them.

Rathore shrugged carelessly: koi baat nahi Chotu, Vikram sir bhi wahi the, agar humare khilaaf kuch hoga toh unki negligence par bhi sawaal uthaya jaayega

Arjun looks at Rathore, scrutinizing his expressions. He turns his head to the TV. The clip of them beating up the reporter was repeatedly being played.

Shree arrived with 3 mugs of coffee.

Chotu: are nahi, mera upvaas hai

Shree: are shit! Rathore sir, report nahi aayi toh tab tak main paas waale mandir jaakar aau? Jaldi aa jaunga, promise, mujhe nariyal chadhane hai

The chief nodded as he took the coffee. Shree thanks him and starts removing his shoes.

Chotu: tu chal kar jaane waala tha na? nange pao kab bola?

He snuck his sneakers under the couch: usually chal kar nange pao hi jaate, mujhe risk nahi lena, main aata hun, bye!

Arjun’s head turned to them. Chotu slides the tray away from him in an attempt to reduce temptation. Rathore was calmly sipping his drink, closing his eyes at every sip that he took. He looked as if it wasn’t coffee that he was drinking but some form of divine nectar.

However, none of it answered any of the questions in his mind mv “kuch toh chut raha hai”

“ek main baat, Riya kaisi hai?”

The commissioner’s face flashed in front of him. He had seen a glint in his eyes. He was sure of it. He hadn’t bothered much at that time but now, it was eating him from the inside. He stands up with a jerk, grabbing the car keys from the table.

Rathore: ab tum kaha jaa rahe ho?

Arjun doesn’t respond or even acknowledge. He walks out. Rathore glares in his direction and goes back to his coffee. He was too tired and sleep deprived for his tantrums.

Police Headquarters-

Vikram was preparing a few documents when the door of his cabin burst open. ACP Arjun Rawte strutted in, in all his glory. Needless to say, Vikram was surprised to see him there suddenly. He was supposed to be on a case and wait! Was that anger in his eyes?

Arjun bangs his hands on the table. The table shook under the force.

Arjun: What the hell is going on?!

Vikram: kya matlab?

Arjun: Mujhe Gussa Mat Dilaiye, Saaf-Saaf Bataiye Ki Chal Kya Raha Hai!

Vikram: Arjun tum kis baare mein baat kar rahe ho? mere kuch samaj mein nahi aa raha hai

Arjun: acha? Sikandar ka laalach dekar aapne mujhe ETF mein kyun bulaya? Riya ke aate hi uske baare mein kyun pucha? Aur kal jab hum us reporter ko publicly peet rahe the toh police commissioner ke muh se uff tak nahi nikli?

Alarm bells ring in his mind mv “Arjun ko kaise…” Nevertheless, he composes himself immediately. But the moment of flicker was enough for Arjun to understand that something was fishy.

Vikram: Arjun aisa kuch bhi

His words die at his lips as Arjun marches to his side and grabs his collar, pulling him out of his chair. His eyes bore into him threatening to burn him to ashes.

Arjun gritted his teeth: Mujhe Sirf Sach Sunna Hai, Samjhe Ya Samjhau?

Vikram gulped in fear: batata hun, batata hun

He jerks him away. Vikram takes a few steps behind to be safe from him. Arjun crosses his arms, all ears for him to speak.

Vikram: ye kahani us din shuru hui jab Raghu ne zabardasti Sheen ke liye, tumhe ETF ke saath kaam karne ko kaha, then case ke dauran tumhare aur Rathore ke beech clashes hue jo main expect kar raha tha but tum logon ne finally us ring ko pakad hi liya, Pathan pakda gaya, Sheen bhi bach gayi aur tab mujhe ehsaas hua ki tum log ek achi team ban sakte ho. par iske liye sabse badi problem thi, tumhe team mein rehne ke liye convince karna, dusri problem thi tumhe aur Rathore ko manage karna, Chotu fir bhi thoda experienced hai lekin Shree ke liye bhi ye sab kaafi naya tha and no offence but as good as you guys are on your job, you’re pretty much well… tum dono khadoos ho, Rathore tumse kam hai, tum bahot zyaada ho lekin fir bhi tum sab ko ek saath laane ke liye kuch karna zaroori tha

Arjun: toh meri problem aapne Sikandar se solve kar di (fuming) mujhse jhoot bol kar!

Vikram: maine jhoot nahi bola, main sach mein tum logon ko hi case dunga uska (he took a pause) Riya un dino research desk par thi, thodi internal problems ho gayi thi…

Arjun recollects the incident that she had told him.

Vikram: jab woh sort out hui toh maine dekha ki woh ek bahot achi officer hai jo sahi ko sahi aur galat ko galat kehne se nahi darti thi fir chahe uske saamne koi bhi kyun na ho aur main nahi chahta tha ki uska talent kisi police station mein waste ho so I asked her to stay there for a few days jab tak main ek achi posting nahi dhundh leta, uske baad hi ye sab hua, mujhe laga ki Riya ye kaam kar paayegi, woh tumse aur Rathore se daregi nahi, maybe tumse but I figured zyaada der tak nahi aur saath hi saath jitna maine uska nature samjha tha woh Shree aur Chotu ke saath bhi ghul jaayegi, woh tum chaaron ke beech ki kadi ban jaayegi

Arjun's heart sank on hearing those words. Vikram stops to drink water.

Vikram: aur wahi hua, iski pehli jhalak mujhe tab dikhi jab mere puchne par Rathore protective bankar mujh par bhadak gaya, jab tum par inquiry baithi toh mujhe dar tha ki tumhara transfer ho jaayega, mujhe is baat ka bilcul bhi andaaza nahi tha ki Rathore tumhari tarafdaari karega ya nahi aur mera ETF ka sapna tut jaayega. Surprisingly, Rathore ne tumhara saath diya, shayad tum dono ki dosti ki wajah se lekin fir bhi magistrate aur Kamlesh sir nahi maane. Maine unse jhoot bola ki chain of command mein teesre officer ka bayaan bhi compulsory hota hai and jaise ki maine socha tha Riya managed to sway them. Uske baad, main tum logon ke saath us hostage waale case ko handle kar raha tha and I must say, I was impressed. Tum sabka ek dusre par trust aur cooperation dekhkar main chouk gaya, main samaj gaya tha ki mera plan kaam kar raha hai, tum log ek team ban rahe ho. (He sighed) Aur kal jab us reporter ne… Shree aur Chotu toh juniors the, Rathore bhi hosh mein rahega, mujhe laga ki agar koi react karega thoda bahot toh woh sirf tumhara gussa hoga lekin jis tarah tum teeno ne… upar se jab maine Rathore ko tum logon ko rokne ke liye woh khud bhi shaamil ho gaya and then nurse ke saamne tum sabka ek saath, ek hi awaaz mein uski family ban jaana… it was beyond my expectations.

Arjun stiffened. He was unable to control himself any further.

Arjun: iska matlab woh jo kuch bhi kar rahi thi, woh sab aapke kehne par Naatak Kar Rahi Thi?!

Vikram(confused): kya kar rahi thi? Aur maine use kuch karne ke liye nahi kaha, maine sirf use waha bheja is umeed mein ki woh tum sabko ETF officers mein se ETF team bana sake

Arjun: iska matlab use is baare mein kuch nahi pata?

Vikram was even more confused at seeing the relief and anticipation in him.

Vikram: obviously not, ye sab unofficial hai, main sabko batata nahi fir sakta… anyway, fir jab Girish ke murder ke baad (Arjun squints) main actually use Crime Branch ko de sakta tha but main dekhna chahta tha ki ETF mein emotions zaroorat se zyaada toh nahi bad gaye? Isliye maine woh case tum logon ko diya. Rathore jab mana karne waale tha tab main soch hi raha tha ki Shree ne case lene ko kaha aur tum sabne haa kar di

Arjun: kya soch rahe the?

Vikram: Riya ke transfer ka (he glares at him) duty is duty Arjun, hum policewaale hai. jab tum logon ne case le liya toh main sure ho gaya, ki mera plan puri tarah se kamyaab ho chuka hai. Tum log ETF members se ETF team ban gaye the.

Silence set in for a few seconds. Arjun was still glaring at Vikram, processing all the information that he had given. He stalks him dangerously.

Arjun (hoarsely): ek baat kaan khol kar sun lijiye! Riya humari hai. Main aapko uska use karne nahi dunga! Agar aapne use chot pahunchaane ki koshish bhi ki toh main aapka woh hashar karunga ki aap sapne mein bhi nahi soch sakte, Samjhe Ya Samjhau?!

Vikram was more amused at the threat than angry or afraid. He stared at Arjun as he proceeded to walk out.

Vikram: kya baat hai Arjun? Ek subordinate ke liye itni chinta?

He stops short at the door. His face turned.

Vikram: maine toh use team ko jodne ke liye rakha tha, kahi kuch… aur toh nahi jud raha?

Arjun grits his teeth and goes away without so much as an acknowledgement.

Vikram smiles as he takes his seat mv “Arjun Rawte and Riya Mukherjee… Interesting.” He chuckles to himself as he buries himself in the documents again.

Arjun bangs the door of his car and fastens his seatbelt. When Vikram said that he had purposely added Riya into the mixture, it felt like someone had ripped his heart apart into two. Only he knew the amount of relief he had felt when the commissioner told him that Riya was unaware of his plans. She was not betraying them. Everything that she told him was a truth, not just some farce.

He drank a little water and went back to the ETF where the post-mortem report had arrived. The team quickly wrapped up the case by evening arresting the juvenile son of Girish’s girlfriend when good news greeted them.

Rathore: hello?........ WHAT?! ….. ha, ha ok bye! (disconnecting) TEAM!!!!!!!!!!

Chotu: kya hua sir?

Rathore: Riya ko hosh aa gaya

Shree: SACH!?!?

Rathore: ha chalo!!!

Hospital-

Riya was lying on the bed. Her body felt weak. She could barely move herself.

The door burst open, startling her. She smiled on seeing the team. Shree and Chotu engulf her in a bone crushing hug, well…. Literally. She clenched her eyes shut in pain.

Arjun notices it: kya kar rahe ho tum dono? Chodo! Uski body weak hai, dard ho raha hai

They immediately leave her, apologizing. She gives him an appreciating look. He blinks. A light smile appears on her face.

Chotu: are sorry, tera pair kaisa hai ab?

Riya: theek hai, thoda dard hai

Rathore sat beside her and stroked her hair.

Rathore: you know Riya, tumhara Chief hone ke naate, I am very proud of you lekin please dobara itna mat darana, jaan nikal gayi thi hum sabki

Riya smiles: are sir, aise kaise? Aap sab the na mujhe bachane ke liye

Shree sniffs: bas kar pagli, rulayegi kya?

They laugh with the exception of Arjun.

Shree: already kal tak bahot Ganga Jamuna baha di humne, ab thoda aur roye toh hospital mein baad aa jaayegi

Riya: zyaada drama mat kar, aap logon ne saare tests kar liye?

They looked at each other in confusion.

Rathore: kaunse test Riya?

Riya: Rajat ke fridge mein chemicals the na

Shree: are ha, woh toh hum bhool hi gaye

Riya(horrified): kya?!!? Bhul kaise gaye? Aur uske lab mein bhi hoga toh? uske saath koi aur mila…

She attempted to sit up. Arjun steps closer.

Arjun: Riya shut up! Hyper mat ho, shaant ho jao, hum dekh lenge use, agar koi mila hua hota toh ab tak waapis virus fail gaya hota, we’ll take care of it, apna BP mat badao!

Riya: lekin…

Arjun glares at her, effectively shutting her up.

Chotu: tu chod na woh sab, hum dekh lenge, tu aaram kar

Shree: ha teri shakal itni feeki pad rahi hai ki jaise, jaise bina HD ka TV

She frowns. Just then, the doctor arrives.

Doctor: ab kaisa feel ho raha hai?

Riya: jaisa aap aadhe ghante pehle puch kar gaye the

His face flattens mv “is team ke saare log ek jaise hai, koi collar pakadta hai toh koi taana maarta hai”

Rathore: Doctor, sab theek haina? Riya kitne waqt mein theek hogi? Aur use kitne din hospital mein rehne padega? Koi complication toh nahi haina? Transfusion ki wajah se koi health issue toh nahi aayenge na? woh firse duty join kar paayegi na?

Riya’s eyes moisten hearing the care in his voice.

Doctor: woh bilcul theek hai, unhe chaar mahine yahi rehna hoga, jab tak ki puri treatment nahi ho jaati aur mera maan na ki hafte-do hafte mein transfusion ki wajah se jo weakness hai woh bhi chali jaayegi aur uske baad woh jitni chahiye duty kar sakti hai, mahine bhar mein toh goli ke ghaav ka nishaan bhi chala jaayega

Shree: doc aapko jo bhi karna hai kijiye, lekin ache se iski treatment kijiye, hume humari SI aur research specialist waapis chahiye

Chotu: ha woh bhi mishki hoi ke saath

Riya and Shree chuckle confusing the others.

Riya: Chotu woh mishki hoi nahi, mishti doi hai

Chotu: are mujhe toh khaane se matlab (His stomach starts rumbling, he gulps) mujhe khaane se koi matlab nahi, bilcul bhi nahi

He runs out. Shree and Rathore exchange glances.

Riya: ise kya hua?

Rathore: are kuch nahi woh, khaane ka naam sunkar khaane chala gaya hoga

Riya: par woh toh keh raha tha ki…

Rathore distracts her: doctor, aur kuch?

Doctor: uh…. That will be it, waise news mein jo…

The trio freeze.