Chapter 35

Bloomie

@bloomie

Part 35 [MEMBERSONLY][NOCOPY]

Rathore, Shree and Chotu realise what happened. There were only two things that Riya had absolutely no amount of patience for, one being mismanagement and the other being lack of cleanliness. The room looked like her worst nightmare. They gulped in fear. Riya was going to have their heads cut off!

The girls however, were still unfazed and confused………………………….

Ayesha: kya hai?

Riya glares at them: Yahi Main Bhi Puch Rahi Hun Ayesha Ki Ye Kya Hai?! Kya Haal Bana Kar Rakha Hai Tum Logon Ne Is Jagah Ka?

Liza sighed: are iske liye itna chillayi tum? Tum bhi na Riya, hum toh dar gaye ek second ke liye

Ayesha: ha iske liye itna overreact karne ki kya zaroorat hai?

Riya: Overreact? Ye Kya Tareeka Hai Records Maintain Karne Ka? Saari Filen Bhikhri Padi Hai, Dhool Jami Hai, System Mein Aakhri Update Kab Daala Tha Tum Logon Ne?

Sakshi: are sirf filen hi toh hai, kya farak padta hai? kahi bhi ho? hume kaha kaam aati hai?

Riya: Kaam Nahi Aati? Toh Fir Rakhi Kyun Hai? Reports Kyun Banate Ho Tum Log?

Ayesha gets irritated now: Dekho! Hume Koi Shauk Nahi Hai Reports Banane Ka Aur Na Hi Ye Filen Samet Ne Ka!

Riya: Aur Kya Main Jaan Sakti Hun Inke Bina Tum Case Ki Investigation Kaise Karti Ho?

Liza: Investigation Ke Liye Records Ki Koi Zaroorat Nahi Hai, Sirf Saboot Ki Zaroorat Hai

Ayesha: Aur Waise Bhi Humare Paas Aur Bhi Important Kaam Hai

Riya: Ye Kaam Bhi Utna Hi Important Hai!!

Sakshi: oh come on, aisa kya hai isme? Tum toh aise bol rahi ho jaise iske andar koi khazaana bhara pada ho, thoda idhar-udhar ho gaya toh kya farak padta hai?

Liza: Aur Waise Bhi Ye Toh Tumhara Department Hai, Toh Tumhi Sambhalo Ise! Filen Bharne Ke Ilawa Tumne Kiya Kya Hai?

Rathore and Arjun burn with fury. Unable to take it anymore, they were ready to hit back but Riya extended her hand in front of them, gesturing not to interfere. Shree and Chotu’s eyes widen in surprise and shock. They glanced at each other knowing that a volcano was going to burst.

Ayesha: Aur Agar Tumhe Itni Hi Problem Ho Rahi Hai Toh Khud Karo! Hum Officers Hai Clerks Nahi!

Shree(horrified): Ayesha chup ho ja tu…

Riya: Apna Kaam Kaise Karna Hai Ye Main Achi Tarah Se Jaanti Hun! Mujhe Tum Logon Se Seekhne Ki Koi Zaroorat Nahi Hai

Ayesha: Toh Fir Mubarak Ho Tumhe Tumhara Kaam! Aur Tum Hoti Kaun Ho Hum Par Chillane Waali? Samajti Kya Ho Tum Khud Ko? RESEARCH SPECIALIST HO, RESEARCH SPECIALIST BANKAR RAHO, Zyaada Udne Ki Zaroorat Nahi Hai!! Kaunsa Paahad Ukhaad Liya Tumne Apne Research Ke Saath?!

Riya gritted her teeth. She stepped forward menacingly.

Riya: in logon se toh mera koi vaasta nahi (glaring at Shree and Chotu) Lekin Tum Dono Se Mujhe Ye Umeed Nahi Thi

They look down in guilt.

Balling her fists, she thunders out. The ACPs follow her.

Liza glares in the direction she went: huh! Tevar toh dekho iske

Sakshi: acha kiya Ayesha, tumne use chup kara kar ab dobara kabhi bhi humari taraf aankh utha kar nahi dekhegi!

Chotu could no longer control: Tum Log Paagal Ho?! Kisi Ko Bhi Kuch Bhi Bol Nahi Sakte Is Tarah, Woh Bhi Team Ka Ek Hissa Hai!

Ayesha: Toh Hissa Bankar Rahe! Shuruwat Usne Ki Thi, Humne Nahi!

Chotu: Tum Log…

Shree: rehne de Chotu, unse kya kehna? Galti humari bhi utni hi hai, chal yaha se

Controlling himself, he left with Shree.

Arjun’s cabin-

Riya barges in and punches the table in anger. Her body was shivering with fury. Rathore enters. His heart sinks to see her in such a state. He walks up to her. Placing a hand on her shoulder, he tries to soothe her.

Rathore: Riya I know haalat bahot kharaab hai, main jaata nahi hu isliye pata nahi chala, main peon se kehta hun safayi ke liye par organization tumhe hi karna padega

She takes a deep breath and turns to him: theek hai sir, thank you

Rathore removes a bunch of keys from his pocket and removes the record room’s from the lot.

Rathore: ye lo, iska kya karna hai, kaise karna hai, ye main tum par chodta hun, do it your way, tumhe meri permission hai

She accepts the key and nods. Rathore waited if she would say something but she didn't. The next second, the door is opened by Arjun. Riya and Rathore look at him. Sighing, Rathore leaves.

Riya goes to the window, playing with the key in her hand as her mind raced. Arjun comes next to her.

Arjun(angrily): tumhe hume rokna nahi chahiye tha Riya!!

Riya turns her face to look at him: kyun? kya kar lete aap dono? Unhe daant kar chup kara kar koi faayda nahi hai

Arjun grits his teeth: Unhe Koi Haq Nahi Hai Tumse Is Tarah Se Baat Karne Ka!

She stiffens to control herself but how long could her emotions hide from him? A tear betrays her, rolling down her cheek and adding fuel to the fire.

He balls his fist and turns to leave: Inhe Toh Main…

She holds his hand to stop him: aap kuch nahi karenge

Arjun: Riya Tum…(he takes a deep breath) waha se chup-chap chali aayi, mujhe kuch nahi karne de rahi ho, Tum Itni Kamzor Kaise Pad Sakti Ho!?

Riya: waha se isliye chali aayi kyunki agar mujhe aur gussa aata toh mera haath uth jaata aur aapko isliye nahi karne de rahi hu kyunki aap sirf unhe daant sakte hai… (she crossed her arms) unke liye research sirf ek department ho sakta hai lekin mere liye? Mera pura career hai! mujhe unse badla nahi lena Arjun sir, mujhe unhe sabak sikhaana hai

Arjun taunts her: And Let Me Guess! Tum Chup Rehkar Apna Saara Time Ye Sochti Rahogi Ki Kisi Din Unhe Guilt Feel Hoga?

Riya smiles: aapko mujh par vishwas nahi?

He exhales deeply: aisa nahi hai Riya, main… (cupping her face) main tumhe is tarah hurt nahi dekh sakta

Riya holds his hands: I’ll be fine I promise

Arjun sighs and nods: karo jo tumhe karna ho, aur agar meri zaroorat…

Riya: zaroorat toh mujhe hai, aapki bhi aur Rathore sir ki bhi

Arjun: tum, aisa kya soch rahi ho?

Riya: sab kuch abhi bata du? aap toh dekhkar enjoy kijiye

Arjun smirked: so tumne already ek acha plan soch liya hai

She winks at him. A knock resounds on the door, interrupting them.

Arjun: come in

Shree enters: woh… Rathore sir bula rahe hai, case aaya hai

He glances at Riya but her stone-faced expression remained. He lowers his gaze.

Arjun: tum chalo, hum aate hai

He agrees wordlessly and leaves.

Riya turned to Arjun: aap log jayiye main abhi field par nahi aa rahi hai

Arjun(surprised): lekin Riya…

Riya: trust me

Arjun sighs: theek hai

He leaves.

The boys are surprised to see Arjun coming alone into the parking lot.

Rathore: Riya?

Arjun: use kuch kaam hai, khatam karke join karegi

Although unsure, he nods and the team leaves for the crime scene.

Here, Riya starts putting her plan to action. She locks the system database and with the help of peons starts working on the record room. The files are all piled up. She instructs them to clean the room spotless.

The team returns after their preliminary investigation to find steaming cups of coffee and Arjun’s tea ready on the table for them.

Liza: ye coffee kaha se aayi?

Chotu smiled: Riya ne rakhi hogi

Ayesha: lekin woh…

Riya enters just then: aa gaye aap log? Case kya hai?

Chotu: ek bande ko kisi ne shoot kar diya hai, uske restaurant ki opening ke time.

Rathore is about to sip from the mug when Shree shouts.

Shree: Rathore Sir Rukiye!!!

Rathore raises his eyebrow: kyun?

Shree: woh sorry sir, Ri (she glares at him, making his heart sink) uh Riya woh coffee tune laayi hai?

Riya: kyun?

Shree gulped: nahi woh pichli baar jab coffee table par ready thi toh

He glances at the two bosses. Rathore and Chotu stare at the mug in horror. Riya covers her mouth to hide her giggling while Arjun calmly sips his tea. Rathore turns his gaze to him but he doesn’t bother to look.

Confused, Sakshi asks: toh kya?

Riya: tension mat lijiye Rathore sir, ye maine banayi hai aaj aapko Chandramukhi ke saath date par jaane ki koi zaroorat nahi hai

Ayesha shouts before he could react: DATE?!

Rathore: uh…woh (composing himself) Riya!

She discreetly winks at him. He shakes his head in disbelief.

Sakshi: lekin ye Chandramukhi kaun hai?

Rathore: Enough! Kya Chandramukhi, Chandramukhi Laga Kar Rakha Hai? Kaam Karo!!

Cowering before him, they get to work.

Ayesha: sir pariwar waalon ka kehna hai ki uski kisi ke saath koi dushmani nahi thi, obviously business rivals honge lekin koi khaas naam saamne nahi aaya

Chotu: aur sir, goli chalne ki awaaz nahi sunayi di thi kisi ko, ho sakta hai gun par silencer laga ho isliye us shor mein aasani se awaaz dab gayi

Shree: main waha ki camera footage check karta hun sir

Arjun: dekh lo lekin koi faayda nahi hoga

Rathore: kyun?

Arjun: woh ribbon kaat ne jaa raha tha, obviously saare camera uski taraf honge, bheed ki taraf nahi aur entrance par jo CCTV hai, uska connection abhi tak laga nahi

Rathore: ye tumhe kaise pata?

Shree: ha sir, maine pucha tha, woh thodi wiring baakhi hai abhi bhi

Riya studied the photographs: goli sar mein lagi hai

Sakshi: obviously, tabhi toh ek hi goli se mar gaya

Riya ignored her comment: teesra angle bhi toh ho sakta hai

Chotu: matlab?

Riya: matlab ye ki bheed mein se koi nishaana lagane ke liye gun upar uthata toh uske aaspaas waalon ki nazar toh us par gayi hogi, ki woh haath upar kare, nishaana lagaye aur uske baad goli chalaye. Dusri baat, woh bheed ke thode dur jaakar peeche se nishaana lagane ki galti kyun karega? Itne logon ke through kaise aim ho sakta hai? ho sakta ki koi beech mein aa jaaye, ho sakta hai uska nishaana chuk jaaye, agar kisi aur ko lagti toh bhagdad mach jaati

Rathore: Riya Rawte ki tarah Pehliyaan mat bujhao, saaf-saaf batao

Arjun rolled his eyes: sniper ki baat kar rahi woh

Rathore: hmm, ho sakta hai, Ayesha, Liza se kaho ki post-mortem baad mein kare, pehle ballistic report lekar aaye

She nods and calls Liza through the intercom. Within a few minutes, she arrives with the report.

Liza: sir, jo bullet uske body mein thi woh koi gun ki nahi, rifle ki thi

Ayesha: matlab pakka sniper hi hai

Riya: aur rifles toh koi ek khoon karne ke liye khareedega nahi, it’s a contract killing

Arjun: aur agar contract killing hai toh fir paise bhi kaafi diye honge khoon karwaane ke liye

Rathore: Rawte, tum aur Riya jaa kar aas-paas ke buildings check karo, shayad kisine kuch dekha ho

They stand up to go. Sakshi too decides to go with them.

Rathore: tab tak, Shree jitne bhi contract killers humare database mein hai unki list nikalo

Riya stops. Arjun looks at her questioningly. She subtly gestures to wait.