Chapter 17

Riya: acha baba jaisa aap kahe, lekin pehle khaana kha lijiye

Arjun: hmm...

Carter road, 10 pm-

Arjun drive kar raha hai. woh Galaxy apartments pahunchta hai. apni car road par park karke woh compound ke andar jaata hai. waha koi watchman nahi hai. woh choukta hai kyunki jaha tak use pata hai woh area kaafi posh hai. iske bavjud waha security nahi hai? woh building mein enter karta hai. andar lobby mein do bodyguard jaise admi khade hai. woh use rokta hai.

Admi: Arjun Rawte?

Arjun nod karta hai.

Dusra waala metal detector dikhata hai: Sakshi madam ne check karne ko kaha hai. Arjun eyes roll karta hai par unhe mana nahi karta hai. Dono uski checking karte hai to make sure uske paas koi transmitter, video camera wagera nahi hai. woh uska phone apne paas rakhte hai.

Arjun: ek minute! Woh apna phone lekar usme passwords change karke uski security level badhata hai taaki woh dono kuch na kare aur waapis de deta hai.

Admi: jao! 12^th  floor.

Arjun lift ki taraf jaata hai. Lift upar jaane lagti hai. uske man sawaal par sawaal aa rahe hai mv "oh God! I hope mera Riya se jhut bolkar yaha aane ka faisla galat na ho. Agar koyi kaand ho gaya yaha toh? Riya toh akeli pad jaayegi...woh kaha jaayegi fir? woh wahase firse ghar jaane ke full plan mein hai. tabhi elevator rukta hai. woh baahar jaata hai. 1206 lift ke saamne hi hai. "kya karu? Waapis chala jau? Ek sachayi jaane ke chakkar mein kahi sab kuch daav par na lag jaaye. Nahi! Mujhe jaana hi hoga aakhir pata toh chale ki uske paas aur kaunse patte hai? fir determine hokar doorbell bajata hai "Show time!

Darwaaza almost immediately khulta hai. Sakshi ek high slit white gown pehne, muskurate hue use greet karti hai, in fact hug karti hai.

Sakshi: Arjun! Mujhe pata tha tum zaroor aaoge...andar aao na

Dusri taraf Arjun murat ki tarah hi khada woh kisi bhi tarah friendly signal nahi deta. Tab bhi nahi jab woh use hug karti hai. uske kehne par woh andar jaata hai.

Sakshi: acha batao kya loge?. Woh kitchen ki taraf jaane ke liye mudti hai

Arjun apni annoyance ko control karta hai: Main Yaha Faltu Ki Baatein Karne Nahi Aaya Tumhare Saath! Kya kaam hai seedhe-seedhe bolo!!

Sakshi ruk jaati hai aur uski taraf karti hai. woh Arjun ke kareeb jaa kar khadi rehti hai.

Sakshi (almost lean karte hue): mujhe jo kaam hai uske liye tumhe mere saath aana hoga.

Arjun koi response nahi deta hai. Sakshi giggle karke uska haath pakadti hai. woh use kheench kar ek room ki taraf le jaati hai aur darwaaza kholti hai. Arjun ki saans wahi atak jaati hai. pura room sajaya hua hai. candles, rose petals aur pata nahi kya, kya. Woh gusse mein apni fists ball karta hai. Sakshi us par lean karke uske kaano mein whisper karti hai.

Sakshi: bas ek baar, mere ban jao...main tumhe saari pareshaniyon se azaad kar dungi. Woh smile karke use kiss karne ke liye aur kareeb jaati hai.

Arjun ka baandh tut jaata hai. woh use roughly push karta hai: ENOUGH!! (Sakshi girte-girte bachti hai, woh use glare karti hai) Tumhari Soch Itni Ghatiya Ho Sakti Hai, Ye Maine Nahi Socha Tha. you know what? I'm Not Even Surprised. Tumse Kuch Aur Expect Karna Hi Sabse Badi Galti Hai!!

Sakshi: Apne Shabdo Ko Tol Kar Bolo Arjun, Warna Kahi Aisa Na Ho Ki Unki Keemat Tumhe Sab Kuch Gava Kar Chukani Pade!

Arjun use aur bhadkaata hai: Oh Really? Aur Kya Cheenogi Tum Mujhse? MERI JOB AUR DIGNITY PAR TOH KALANK LAGA HI LIYA HAI TUMNE!

Sakshi: sahi kaha tumne. Lekin ye mat bhulo ki tum abhi bhi jail ja sakte ho. Tumhe kya lagta hai tumne mera card dhundh liya toh tum bach jaoge? Nahi ACP Arjun...main aisa hone nahi dungi. Mujhe toh lagta tha ki tum samajdar ho par afsos...ek minute ke liye bhi tumhare dimag mein ya khayal nahi aaya ki jo ladki forensic ko chakma de sakti hai woh ek handwriting test nahi kharid sakti? Tum Kal Jail Jaoge Arjun, Aur Ye Mera Vaada Hai!! Woh Video Tumhe Jail Pahunchakar Rahega...Chahe Tum Kuch Bhi Kar Lo!!!

Arjun: tumhe jo karna hai kar lo, main kal baizzat chut bhi jaunga, ETF bhi join karunga aur tumhe waha se nikal bhi fekunga... Aur Ye Mera Vaada Hai! Tumhe Jise Kharidna Hai Kharid Lo, Jitna Dum Laga Sakti Ho Laga Lo Lekin Kal Ka Suraj Mere Liye Niklega, Samjhi Ya Samjhau?

Itna kehkar hi woh bina mude flat se nikal jaata hai.

Sakshi ka gussa bhi aasmaan chuta hai: UGH!!! Woh gusse mein flower vase uthakar mirror par fek deti hai. vase tut kar chakna chur ho jaata hai. kaanch ke tukde pure kamre mein bikhar jaate hai.

On the other hand Arjun snatches his phone back from the men and goes straight to his car. He takes the driver's seat and ignites the engine. Rage ran through his veins. He tightens his grip on the steering wheel. Using one hand he checks his phone making sure there was no anomaly. He throws the phone on the passenger seat. His anger leaks into his driving. His car travels like it's break had failed startling two other civilian cars on the road and causing them to brake abruptly.

Fortunately, he reaches home in a single piece. Without caring to park his car properly, he slammed the door as he got out. His feet stomped the ground as he unlocked the door and walked inside the house. He still couldn't believe Sakshi had the audacity to put forward such a proposal. The more he thought about it, the more the thought disgusted him. He jerked open the door of his bedroom and in a flash! All the bitter feelings inside of him vanished.

There in front of him, Riya had fallen asleep on the seat by the window, probably while waiting for him. He softly closed the door behind him. He moved towards her. Her head rested on the window pane. Her legs straight in front of her. One arm holding the other. Unknowingly, his lips curved into a smile. He gently picked her up in his arms and laid her on the bed. He settled beside her and pulled a blanket over them. Sakshi's words repeated in his mind.

Arjun mv "iska matlab mera shak sahi nikla, Sakshi ke paas us video ke ilawa aur koi sabut nahi hai aur use kaise handle karna hai ye main ache se jaanta hun. Woh us sirf usiki wajah se overconfident hai. Handwriting test usne bhale kharid liya ho lekin woh ye nahi jaanti ki jis footage ko apni taaqat samaj rahi hai wahi uski kamzori hai. (his gaze falls on Riya) nikal toh main jaunga, jaanta hun main par bas tum sahi salamat kal waapis aa jao.

His arms wrapped around her as he kissed her forehead and muttered a good night. Arjun held her tightly to himself as he drifted into sleep forgetting all about the witch he had encountered.

Riya's tensed brain relaxed as she felt him sleeping. She didn't dare open her eyes, mv "baal-baal bach gayi, par inhe toh do ghante lagne waale the...itni jaldi kaise aa gaye?

Morning-

Sunrays sting Arjun's eyes. He squints and tries to pull Riya closer to him instead he is greeted by a pillow. He opens his eyes and confusion. Riya is nowhere to be seen, mv "ye kaha chali gayi? He goes out only to find her setting the table.

Arjun: itni jaldi uth gayi?

Riya turns: aap late hai aaj

Arjun looks at her questioningly.

Riya: subah ke 7 baj rahe hai, mujhe Pune jaana hai aapko court jaana hai

Arjun widens his eyes as he realizes it was the D-day. Involuntarily, his head hangs a little. Riya walks upto him and hug him.

Riya: Sab theek ho jaayega Arjun, aap fikar mat kijiye.

Arjun tightens his hold on her: jaanta bhi hun aur dar bhi hai. ek taraf confident hu aur dusri taraf ajeeb si beichaini ho rahi hai...laakh netao aur gangstaron ki dhamkiyaan aur gaaliyaan dono khayi hai lekin, aisi situation kabhi face nahi ki

Riya smiles: bas is baar kar lijiye, dobara kabhi nahi karni padegi...promise

Arjun (amused): tum mein bada josh hai...kal tak toh baar-baar mujhe apna dimag theek se istemaal karke khud ko chudwaane ko keh rahi thi...aaj achanak kya hua?

Riya: kuch nahi...aapne hi toh kaha tha ki bhagwan ne hume firse juda karne ke liye nahi milaya toh fir tension kyun?...(hyper hokar) ab woh sab chodiye, aap jaldi se haath muh dho lijiye aur naashta kar lijiye, hum dono ko nikalna hai!!!

Arjun nod karta hai. woh jaldi se fresh hokar aata hai. dono naashta karke nikalne ke liye ready hote hai. Arjun use baar-baar ek hi instruction diye jaa raha hai ki musibat mein mat padna. Arjun ka admi private cab lekar aata hai. Dono uski horn ki awaaz sunkar baahar jaane hi waale the ki

Riya: are Arjun rukiye!

Arjun: kya hua?

Riya: ek minute!

Woh bhagkar kitchen mein jaati hai aur ek bowl lekar aati hai. usme dahi shakar hai.

Riya: ye lijiye...acha shagun hota hai. woh Arjun ki taraf spoon aage karti hai.

Arjun smile karke khaata hai. aur fir wahi spoon se use bhi khilata hai

Arjun: mujhse zyaada tumhe zaroorat hai.

Dono baahar jaate hai.

Admi: salaam saab

Arjun nod karta hai: Riya, ye Kushal hai. ye tumhe Mumbai se Pune aur Pune se Mumbai le jaayega (use ek chit dekar) ye iska number. Emergency ho toh call kar lena woh immediately waha aa jaayega...public transport ka risk mat lena.

Riya uske haath se chit leti hai: ji (use hug karke): aap bhi apna khayal rakhna...dekhna aaj sab theek ho jaayega

Arjun halke se smile karta hai: Kushal, Pune pahunchne ke baad aur waha se nikalne ke waqt mujhe message kar dena

Kushal: ji saab

Arjun: aur hoshiyaar rehna

Kushal: ji saab

Arjun: koi bhi gadbad ho toh mujhe turant phone karna!

Kushal: ji saab

Riya(giggling): Arjun bas bhi ab...bachi nahi hu main

Arjun: I wish

Riya: kya???

Arjun: kuch nahi...jao ab tum warna meri tension badhti rahegi

Riya: na aapko meri tension lene ki zaroorat hai na khud ki. Kehkar car mein baith jaati hai.

Kushal aakhri baar Arjun ko ishaara karke driver ki seat par baith jaata hai. woh gaadi start karta hai aur drive karke chala jaata hai.

Arjun wahi khada hai. use Riya ki aakhri baat ajeeb lag rahi thi mv "khud ki tension lene ki zaroorat nahi hai matlab? Ye ladki bhi na! kuch nahi ho sakta iska. Woh apna dhyaan wahase hatata aur ghar lock karke Court ke liye nikalta hai.

Courtroom ke baahar-

ETF already pahunch chuki hai. Ayesha ek side par phone mein baat kar rahi hai. woh call khatam karke sabki taraf aati hai.

Ayesha: ek lead mili hai...woh jo doctors ki list thi na? woh saare zinda pakde gaye...almost.

Liza: almost matlab?

Ayesha: unmein se 8-9 Doctors us waqt kisi aur adde par operation kar rahe the aur waha firing hui, toh alag- alag jagah par kuch 4 doctors encounter mein maare gaye. Aur baat ye pata chala hai ki list ke har doctor ke haath par ek tattoo tha.

Shree: tattoo? Fir toh woh gang ki koi nishaani ya pehchaan hogi

Ayesha: ha (woh unhe apna phone dikhati hai) ye woh tattoo hai aur (scroll karke) ye woh doctors hai jo maare gaye

Shree: are ruk! Ek photo peeche jaa toh

Ayesha confuse hoti hai par peeche jaati hai. Shree uske haath se phone leta hai.

Shree(sochte hue): ise pehle kahi dekha hua lagta hai

Uske statement se sab us photo ko gaur se dekhne lagte hai. Ayesha aur Liza ko kuch samaj mein nahi aata hai lekin Chotu aur Sameer dono ko woh shakal jaani-pehchaani lagti hai

Chotu: ha yaar, dekha hua hai...lekin kaha?

Sameer(sadly): Xora ke waqt yahi doctor tha

Shree aur Chotu dono realisation se choukte hai. ladkiyon ko samaj mein nahi aata ki teeno ko achanak kya hua. Of course unhe Xora ke baare mein pata tha...pure shehar uska kissa jaanta tha par ye teeno unmein se the jinhone use rokne ke liye keemat chukayi thi. par isse pehle ki Ayesha ya Liza unhe kuch puch sake Arjun waha pahunchta hai.

Arjun: tum log itni jaldi aa gaye?

Teeno ladke apne aapko compose karte hai. ye baat Arjun bhi notice karta hai.

Ayesha: ha sir, hum late nahi hona chahte the.

Liza: sir! Kuch aur saboot mila?

Arjun: ha

Sameer: kya?

Arjun: hearing ke waqt dekh lena

Sameer uske jawab se chidta hai lekin uska mood off hai isliye argument nahi karta hai.

Sameer: chalo! Andar jaate hai. time honewaala hai...judge aata hi hoga.

Ab choukne ki baari Arjun ki. Shree ko chodkar sab Sameer ko follow karte hai. Arjun ko kuch kadam chalne ke baad realize hota hai ki Shree unke saath nahi hai. woh mudkar use dekhta hai. Shree wahi khada hai, sar jhuka kar aur agar uski nazar bigdi nahi thi toh uski aankhon mein aansu bhi the.

Arjun uske paas jaakar uske kandhe par haath rakhta hai: kya hua Shree?

Shree chouk kar apne aansu ponchta hai: ku...kuch nahi sir

Arjun: kuch nahi toh fir ye aansu kyun? Pretty sure, mere jaise khadoos ke liye nahi hai

Shree halke se smile karta hai: aap bure nahi ho sir, bas thode zyaada serious ho

Arjun: kya hua Shree?...