Chapter 8

Hey Guys,
I know I am late... But I am back with another part
Here is the next chapter...
ENJOY...!!!

Chapter 7

'Sir System hack ho gaya hai', Shree's voice spoke out of the transceiver. Arjun and Riya stood up at once.

'Shree, first check ki saare bacche thik hai na? Aur Akram iss waqt kaha hai??', Arjun asked.

'Yes Sir, saare bacche auditorium me hi hai, safe hai. Akram iss waqt Principal ke office me hai. Aur auditorium me unke 5 log hai', Shree answered. Arjun looked at Riya and she nodded meaning We will handle them.

'Okay Shree, agar corridors me cameras hai toh check out ki kitchen se auditorium ke raste me kitne log hai?', Arjun asked.

'Sir kitchen me toh koi nahi hai, but kitchen se bahar nikalte hi auditorium ki taraf right path par around 15 log hai. Aur jo rasta left jata hai waha 5 log hai', Shree answered promptly.

'Thik hai Shree. Main aur Riya auditorium ja rahe hai, tum, Rathore aur Chotu back up ke sath aa jao. Tab tak hum baccho ko bahar nikalte hai', Arjun said.

'Right Sir', Shree said.

Arjun and Riya went inside the kitchen and walked towards the exit. They monitored the corridors outside and quickly took the left one. There was one man patrolling the corridor some distance ahead. Arjun moved swiftly towards him from behind, shut his mouth and twisted his neck in a swift motion. The next moment he lay motionless on the floor. They walked ahead and took the flight of stairs for the second floor. They crossed the first floor and didn't find anyone on the staircase. They moved forward when two persons attacked them. Arjun shot one of them, while the other raised his leg to kick Riya. Riya quickly ducked down, rose up swiftly and gave a smart kung fu chop on his neck. He fell down dead on the floor. Arjun looked at Riya impressed and smirked. Riya gave a small smile and they moved forward. There was another man at the start of the second floor. Riya shot him and they were outside the auditorium door now. They hid behind the wall and scanned the auditorium.

Both Riya and Arjun's eyes first found the very person they were hell worried for since morning, Aaliya. Riya's mouth curved into a small smile seeing her safe. She was sitting silently with her teacher beside her. Riya heaved a sigh of relief and realized that she was holding her breath while scanning the room for her daughter.

Arjun noticed her smile and felt a little relieved himself. He then scanned the entire auditorium and noticed the five masked men watching guard over there. He was thinking as how to enter without alerting them, when he noticed the two doors on either side of the stage.

'Riya tumhe make up room ka darwaaza pata hai?', he asked looking at her. She looked at him enquiringly raising an eyebrow. Arjun motioned to her to look at the stage. She followed his gaze and understood what was going on in his head.

'Yes Sir', she answered smiling. 'Its behind there', she indicated and started to walk towards the door. He followed.

They entered the make up room and headed towards the two doors that open on either side of the stage. They looked at each other and nodded. They opened the doors, stepped out and grabbed the two men patrolling on the stage. Arjun twisted one's neck while Riya shot the other and both of them fell down with a thud on the floor. The other two men down the stage, spun around on hearing the thud and aimed their guns towards Arjun and Riya, but were shot down by our two officers before they could fire. The last terrorist who stood among the students didn't get a chance to react as Arjun had already shot him.

All the students and teachers stood up on seeing the ETF officers there and hurried towards them asking them to help them out. Aaliya ran towards her mom and Riya picked her up in her arms hugging her tight.

'Aaliya, tum... tum thik ho na baccha?', Riya asked her struggling as tears threatened to flow down her eyes. Aaliya broke the hug and looked at her mother's face. She wiped away the lone tear with her tiny hand, that finally escaped Riya's eye.

'Main thik hu mumma', Aaliya answered and Riya kissed her.

Arjun watched the mother daughter reunion with a small smile. For a minute he forgot that he was on duty. Watching Aaliya safe he also couldn't keep himself in check and placed a loving hand on her head caressing her hairs. She looked at Arjun, smiled widely and held her arms out indicating him to take her in his arms. He couldn't help obliging her sweet request and took her in his arms. As soon as she was in his arms, he felt a strange warmth, a sudden feeling of protectiveness surged through him. He felt the need to hold the little princess close to him, as a father would.

'Aap thik ho na?', He asked her and she nodded. She looked around towards her schoolmates and smiled. Her sweet smile brought him back to the world, and he was reminded that he was on a mission. The lives of all the students and teachers there were his responsibility.

He put her down and contacted Rathore. Rathore informed him that the team with the back up was in the building. They have captured most of Akram's men, and they were now heading to catch hold of Akram. Arjun instructed Riya to take all the students and teachers out safely from the same way as they came. The back up will be there to help her. And he was gonna help Rathore and the others. Riya wanted to protest and go with him as well, but she knew that she was needed there with the kids. So she didn't say anything and nodded her head unwillingly.

Arjun was about to go out when she called his name softly, 'Arjun Sir'

Arjun stopped at the door and turned to look at her. His eyes locked with hers and the tender emotions in her eyes made his heart warm.

'Take care', she said. He wanted to run to her, to hold her, to tell her that he loved her more than his life, to assure her that he will be safe, but he controlled himself. He just blinked his eyes once telling her that he will...he will be fine, nodded and left from there.

Akram sat there in the Principal's chair like a leader with his eyes closed while his men stood in the office around him. His mission was going to succeed in a few minutes now. His brother will be free and will be with him. Just a few more minutes of wait. He opened his eyes as he heard the siren of a police van. He smirked to himself, walked towards the window, opened the curtains and saw his brother getting down from the van through the window. He smiled. Though there was still handcuffs around his brother's hand and he was surrounded by four police officers, Akram knew it won't be the case for long. He called Rathore.

'Arre wah Rathore, tum toh sach much apne kam me bohot efficient ho. Aakhir Altaf ko tum yaha le hi aaye!', Akram said.

'Ha woh yaha aa toh gaya hai Akram. Par woh tumhe milega nahi, bas jara mudke piche toh dekhna', Rathore said with attitude.

As soon as Akram turned around, he heard the door blast open with Chotu's single kick and saw the ETF team standing there with their guns ready. He was stunned to see them there, but controlled himself.

'Lagta hai tumhe baccho ki jaan se jyada pyaar nahi hai Rathore', he said smirking evilly.

'Hum ETF officers hai Akram, tumhari tarah bewakoof toh nahi hai', Arjun replied with his trademarks smirk. Akram looked confused. 'Jara ek baar bahar dekh lo', Arjun said and Akram turned look out. He saw all the kids and teachers out there safe.

Akram looked at the team once and then started to run out from them while his men started fighting with the team. The back up force handled his men inside while Rathore, Arjun, Chotu and Shree ran out to catch him.

There was a fight amongst his men and the ETF team. Riya also joined the fight after making sure that all the kids were safe.

Akram just knocked a police officer down and turned to shoot Rathore who was fighting with one of his men. He fired but Rathore was oblivious to the fact.

'RATHORE', Arjun shouted as he ran towards him. Arjun pushed Sameer aside and shot Akram in his heart, but Akram's bullet went brushing his arm.

'Aahh...', Arjun cried out and Rathore immediately got up and rushed towards him.

'Tum thik toh ho??', Rathore asked.

'Main thik hu', Arjun said looking at his friend. He smiled at Sameer and he returned his smile thanking him silently. The ETF team rushed towards Arjun and Rathore.

'Arjun sir..', Riya exclaimed worriedly looking at his bleeding arm. Her hand automatically got extended towards his injured arm, but she held it back immediately. Arjun smirked at her care and concern. His heart swelled in happiness as he realized yet again that she loved him.

The paramedics dressed Arjun's wound and the other minor injuries to the team. Akram lay dead there, most of his men were dead and the other's were captured. Altaf was taken back to jail. All the kids and teachers were safe.

The ETF team returned to the office along with Riya and Aaliya. The day was really tiring for the team, so Rathore gave them the break from paper works, it could be dealt with later. Aaliya got mixed up with the team soon and everybody seemed to love her. Shree and Chotu now seemed her friends more, rather than her mother's. Sameer also called Naina and Samiya there to meet Riya and Aaliya. Riya knew Rathore was married and has a cute daughter, but met his family for the first time. She got along so well with Naina that, it looked like they were long lost sisters. Aaliya and Samiya became best friends instantly as they met and got busy in their children world leaving the elders to themselves. Rathore was really happy to see his sister like Riya mixing up with his family after the long seperation. Just then he noticed that Arjun was missing in the whole scenario and looked around for him.

Sameer found his best friend leaning against his cabin door with a smile on his lips, watching the sweet reunion from there. He made his way towards Arjun, who seemed very happy at the bond and friendship Riya shared with everyone.

'Ab khade khade muskurata hi rahega ya fir usse kahega bhi?', Sameer asked casually purposely forgetting that they were in office.

Startled by his voice Arjun looked at him in surprise. He then smiled as Sameer's words sank in.

'Ha Sameer, kahunga na. Vaise bhi bohot intezaar kar liya, ab mujhe...', but he couldn't continue as Riya walked up to them.

'Sir', Riya addressed to both of them. 'Parso Aaliya ka Birthday hai, ek choti si party hai. Aur main aap dono ko us party me invite karne aayi hu. Please do come Sir', Riya invited both of them.

'Of course Riya, hum zaroor aayenge', Rathore answered immediately.

Riya looked at Arjun hesitantly. Arjun smirked inwardly at the fact that he still had the effect on her that makes her nervous. He didn't speak anything but just nodded his head. She smiled lightly and left from there.

Riya then walked towards the coffee machine to get herself a cup of steaming hot coffee, and saw Shree there. She smiled as she remembered the fun and the jokes they cracked on their seniors here around this coffee machine.

'Wow Ri, aaj toh tumne kamaal kar diya. Kya ladi yaar aaj tum!! bilkul humaari puraani Ri ki tarah. Tum bilkul nahi badli Riya', Shree complimented her smiling.

'Thanks Shree', Riya replied with her dimples.

'Tumhe nahi lagta ki ab tumhe ETF fir se join kar lena chahiye?', Shree asked looking at her seriously. Her smile was replaced by a blank face as she looked at him.

'Nahi Shree, tum toh jante ho na... ki main ETF se dur kyun gayi thi. Main yaha reh kar unhe aur takleef nahi dena chahti thi.', Riya said.

'Par Ri..', Shree tried to say.

'Nahi Shree. Woh Roshni ji se bohot pyaar karte hai, aur unki life me shayad kisi aur ladki ke liye koi jagah nahi hai. Mere unke ass pass rehne se who pareshan the, aur main unhe aur pareshan nahi karna chahti thi, aur naahi unki berukhi aur seh sakti thi, isliye chali gayi', Riya replied.

Riya let her pain out to Shree, unaware that someone was hearing their conversation. Shree noticed Arjun standing a distance away from them. Riya didn't see him as her back was towards him.

'Ri woh...', Shree tried to tell her about Arjun, but was silenced by Arjun as he shook his head in a negative and motioned him to continue their conversation. Shree gave a small smile and nodded.

'Par Ri, 5 saal ho chuke hai. Ab toh sab badal gay hai na? Tumhe nahi lagta ab tumhe vapas aa jana chahiye? We all miss you Riya', Shree said pouting like a child.

'Aww... I miss you guys too Shree', she said and hugged him. 'I know sab badal gaya hai Shree', she continued breaking the hug. 'Arjun bhi kafi badal gaye hai, notice kiya maine', Arjun was pleasantly surprised at hearing her call him by his name, without adding a 'Sir' to it. It felt so pure to hear from her mouth. He smiled. Shree looked at Arjun from the corner of his eyes for a moment and saw Arjun smiling.

'Ab shayad unhe meri maujudagi se jyada fark na padta ho, par Shree... in 5 saalon me meri feelings nahi badli. In fact aur badh gayi hai.', She said and Arjun's heart raced hearing her. 'Mujhe dar is baat ka hai, ki ab agar main vapas aa gayi, toh apne aap ko unse dur nahi rakh paungi. Aur ab unki berukhi, unka indifference shayad bardasht na kar pau', Riya said and Arjun felt like slapping himself for giving her this pain. He felt guilty for making her go through this.

But not any more. He promised himself to give her all the happiness she deserve and cherish her throughout the life now. Thinking this he left from there...

Hope you liked it... If there are any mistakes please bear with them.

I have to rush now, I don't want to miss today's episode.

But please don't be Kanjoos in commenting, I want Long comments be it appriciating or criticizing...

luvzindagi2013-01-27 19:24:10