Chapter 27

CHAPTER 27

A BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION

"Ae zindagi, gale laga le", Suman ji sang. "Ae zindagi, gale laga le."

"Humne bhi tere har ik gham ko gale se lagaaya hai. Hai, na", Koel continued, swaying around the kitchen as she tossed the vegetables into the pan.

"Ae zindagi, gale laga le", Sid continued. "Ae zindagi."

The three paused, looking at each other. "Aage kya hota hai?" Koel asked. They glanced at Monami, who shrugged cluelessly.

"Prem ji!" Suman ji called, leaning over the counter. "Aage kya hota hai?"

"Humne bahaane se, chhupke zamaane se, palkon ke parde mein ghar bhar liya", Bala sang.

Everyone winced. "Rehne do, Bala", Prem ji said. "Koi behra ho jaayega."

He pouted. "Aaj mera birthday hai", he complained. "Aaj toh beizzati mat karo."

"Birthday hai tab hi tujhe itna besura gaane ke liye pakadkar peeta nahi", Koel said. "Itna ganda mat gaa, please."

"Koi aur #song gaate hain", Chitra said. "Any #suggestions?"

Monami hummed a song under her breath, glancing at Sid. He hummed along with her for a couple of seconds, before recognizing the song. "Jo dil se lage, use keh do, 'Hi hi hi'", he started.

"Jo dil naa lage, use keh do, 'bye bye bye'", Koel continued.

"Aane do, aane do, dil mein aa jaane do, keh do muskarahat ko 'Hi hi hi hi', Chitra sang.

"Jaane do, jaane do, dil se chale jaane do, keh do ghabrahat ko, 'bye bye bye bye bye'", Suman ji continued.

"Love you, zindagi! Love you, zindagi!" The six sang together. Monami smiled slightly, humming under her breath as she whipped the batter of the cake. "Love you, zindagi. Love me, zindagi!"

"Kya baat hai?" Faizi said, walking into the mess. He grinned. "Badha pyaar aa raha hai zindagi par?"

"Faizi Sir", Chitra said happily. "Aaj Bala ka #birthday hai, na, toh hum sab party ki taiyaari kar rahe the. Hum bas #enjoy kar rahe the."

He nodded, smiling at them. "Happy birthday, Bala", Faizi said. Bala grinned, thanking him. He leaned over the counter, watching the mix Monami and Sid was making in interest.

She smiled slightly, scooping a little up on a spoon. She held it out to him. "T-Taste k-karke batao, na, S-Sir?"

He grinned, taking the spoon and tasting it. "Bahut achha hai", he said.

"Sir, yeh bhi taste kariye", Suman ji said, holding out a small bowl with a spoonful of pasta. "Suman ji aur Koel ne banaaya hai."

Faizi's gaze lifted to meet Koel's. She smiled slightly, eyes darting to the bowl and then back at him. His lips upturned a little, and he took it. "Bahut achha hai", he said. "Humaare birthday par hume tum logon se yeh hi chahiye. Theek hai?"

"Haan, haan, kyun nahi?" Suman ji said. "Kyun, Koel?"

Koel hummed a little, nodding. Her gaze met his again, and he raised his eyebrows slightly, giving her an impressed look. Her lips upturned in a smile and Faizi's smile widened a little.

A tap on his shoulder made him glance away from his girlfriend. "A-Agar aap K-Koel ko a-aise d-dekhoge, toh s-sab ko p-pata chal j-jaayega", Monami muttered to him. "Aap l-log toh chh-chhupaana ch-chahte ho, na, S-Sir?"

His eyes widened. "Kya?" He said lowly. "Tumhe... tumhe pata hai? Kaise?"

She shrugged, nodding. "K-Koel jab aapke s-saath d-date par jaa r-rahi thi, toh d-dekha tha use. Aur w-waise bhi, aa-aap d-dono ek d-doosre ko d-dekhte r-rehte ho. Sh-Shaq toh p-pehle se hi tha ki aap ek d-doosre ko p-pasand k-karte ho, c-confirm uss d-din hua."

Faizi stared at her. He chuckled slightly, shaking his head. "Ulti Khopdi ki interest ki ladkiyan bhi usi ki tarah hain. Har cheez pata chal jaati hai", he muttered to himself.

"K-Kya b-bola aapne?"

"Nahi. Nahi, kuchh nahi", he said. "Hum keh rahe the ki... ki tum toh detective bhi poori ho. Kaafi achhi commando banogi."

She smiled. "Th-Thank you."

---x---x---x---x---x---x---x---x---x---

Monami hummed to herself as she walked back to the mess. The cadets had all briefly taken some break to attend the day's classes and catch up on some homework before agreeing to meet back at the mess for the left preparations.

She gasped, as she stumbled on her own feet, her head slamming into a bench. She groaned, sitting up. Her forehead stung sharply. She lightly touched it, eyes widening when she saw the blood.

"Monami", a voice called. She glanced up. Abhi? He skidded to her, bending down. "Tum aise kaise gir gayi? Tum theek toh ho? Aur-" His gaze fell on the blood. "Tumhaare sar mein se toh khoon bhi nikal raha hai. Chalo, infirmary chalo."

She blinked a little. He had taken off like an airplane. She shook her head slightly, pushing herself to her feet. "I am f-fine. M-Main th-theek hoon."

"Arey, aise kaise theek ho? Dekho, khoon nikal raha hai. Main keh raha hoon. Main infirmary le chalta hoon tumhe, doctor tumhaari bandage kar degi." He took a step closer, his fingers wrapping around her arm. She shook her head, opening her mouth. "Chalo, na?"

"Sir, m-main theek h-hoon", she insisted, trying to wrench her arm free.

"Dekho, kitna khoon nikal raha hai. Zyaada zidd mat karo tum", Abhi said. "Chalo." She shook her head, taking a step back. Panic seized her and she opened her mouth, trying to force the words out. "Tumhe chakkar aa rahe hain kya?" He suddenly bent down, picking her up.

She gasped, trying to wriggle free. "Ch-Chodo!" She said, struggling in his grip.

"Arey, main tumhe infirmary tak lekar chalta hoon", Abhi insisted. "Don't worry, woh dawaai bhi de denge. Tumhe dard bhi nahi hoga."

"Kya ho raha hai yeh?" A voice boomed. Monami looked up, tears of relief filling up in her eyes. Karan. "Abhi, kya kar rahe ho tum?" He demanded. "Utaro use."

"Sir, yeh-"

"Utaaro!" He ordered. "Right now!"

Monami stumbled to Karan as soon as her feet touched the ground, hiding behind his larger body. Karan glanced over his shoulder at her, shifting in front of her to cover her.

"Kya kar rahe the tum?" He demanded. "Paagal ho gaye ho kya?"

"Sir, Monami ke sar par chot lagi hai. Main bas use infirmary lekar jaa raha tha", Abhi said. "Use chakkar bhi aa rahe the aur mujhe laga usse chala bhi nahi jaa raha, isliye maine use utha liya."

Karan took a deep, calming breath. "Abhi... tum aise hi usko uski permission ke bina nahi utha sakte ho. Woh darr gayi hai tumse", he said. "Aise kisi bhi ladki ko nahi uthaa lete hain. Boundaries hoti hain, tameez hoti hai. We need to have a talk."

"Par, Sir..." He leaned a little, trying to look at Monami. Karan felt her huddle closer to him behind his back, fisting his hoodie.

"Par war kuchh nahi", he snapped. "Abhi ke liye jao. Main tumhe baad mein bulaata hoon baat karne ke liye. Go!"

"Okay", he said sadly. "Sorry, Monami. Main tumhe daraana nahi chahta tha." He turned around, his shoulders hunched as he walked away.

Karan followed him with his gaze till he turned the corner, before turning around to face Monami. "Tum theek ho?" He asked. A teary face nodded in return to his question, and she sniffled. He gently lifted her chin, inspecting the cut on her forehead. "Sahi keh raha tha woh. Infirmary ki zaroorat hai tumhe. Chalo."

She followed him quietly, occasional sniffles the only sound escaping her. The doctor looked up when they entered and Karan gently pushed her forward when she halted at the door.

"Doctor, yeh gir gayi thi", he said. "Sar par thodi chot lagi hai. Please, bandage kar dijiye."

"Sure, Sir", she said. "Aao, baitho."

Monami hopped up on the bed, sniffling a little. She sat patiently as the doctor patched her forehead up, before hopping back down on the floor. She shoved her hands in her pockets, walking quietly to the mess. Karan accompanied her, letting the silence reign between them.

"Monami..." Karan said after a couple of minutes. "Ek minute." She turned her attention towards him, raising her eyebrows slightly in question. "Tum pakka theek ho, na?" He asked. "Usne tumhe galat tareeke se touch toh nahi kara, na? Tumhaare saath badtameezi toh nahi kari?"

She shook her head. "I am f-fine", she murmured.

He nodded a little. "Okay." He paused a little. "Suno, agar... agar Abhi kuchh bhi kare, scratch that- koi bhi kuchh bhi kare jisse tum uncomfortable feel karti ho, toh tum aa sakti ho mere paas. Okay? Yaa Faizi yaa Sanju ke paas, if you're more comfortable with them."

She nodded. "Th-Thank you." She wiped her face. "Aisa toh n-nahi l-lag r-raha, na, ki m-main ro r-rahi thi?" She glanced behind herself in the direction of the mess. "Sab b-bahut kh-khush hain. A-Agar unhe p-pata ch-chalega ki m-main ro r-rahi thi, toh unhe a-achha nahi l-lagega."

He smiled slightly. He took out his handkerchief, holding it out. "Tumhaara kajal thoda..." He gestured to the slight smears around her eyes.

She accepted it, sniffling a little as she wiped it. "Ab th-theek hai?"

"May I?" He asked, holding out his hand. She nodded hesitantly, handing him the handkerchief back. He gently rubbed the skin right under her eye, the mark fading away. His gaze lifted slightly to meet hers. She almost immediately took a step back, holding her hands out.

"Th-Thank you", she said. "I... I sh-should g-go."

He nodded slightly. She turned away, ducking her head and running back to the mess. He tilted his head slightly, watching her run off.

---x---x---x---x---x---x---x---x---x---

Sid took a step back, admiring the 'HAPPY BIRTHDAY' sign they had put up. A smack on his head slid his smile off, and he frowned, looking at Koel.

"Itna kya khush ho raha hai?" She said. "Tedha hai woh. Theek se laga, na?"

"Theek toh hai", he said. She clicked her tongue annoyedly. She hopped up on his bed, fixing it before hopping back down. Sid inspected it, before nodding. "Haan, ab better hai."

"Ab better hai", she repeated mockingly.

He narrowed his eyes a little. Koel turned away, scolding someone else. He grabbed a balloon, and a pin, tiptoeing closer to her from behind. He lifted it right next to her ear, before poking it.

She shrieked in surprise, jumping away and Sid burst out laughing at the look. There was a beat of surprise from the rest, before they joined in on the laughter. Bala screamed mockingly, mimicking her.

"Gadha", Koel said, hitting Sid's arm. He fell back on the bed, and she climbed over him, hitting him. He laughed, holding her hands. He shrieked mockingly, making her hit him harder.

A knock made them look away from each other. Karan. Their eyes widened, and they straightened up immediately. He walked in, glancing around at the decorated room.

"Happy birthday, Bala", he said.

Bala grinned a little, nodding. "Thank you, Sir ji."

Karan glanced behind himself, shutting the door. He reached into his pocket, pulling out two phones. He held it out. The cadets stared at them, before glancing at each other. "Ek ghante mein mujhe yeh dono phones waapas chahiye", he said. "Aur yeh baat iss room se bahar nahi jaani chahiye ki maine tumhe phones diye hain." Sid accepted them, quiet in disbelief. "Photos ke liye de raha hoon, woh le sakte ho, par iss kamre ke bahar ke nahi. Aur kisi ko call mat karna." Karan narrowed his eyes in warning.

They nodded obediently. "Thank you, Sir", Koel said.

Karan nodded a little. "Enjoy."

Monami stared after him, vaguely registering the others switching the phones on excitedly. She tilted her head, a small smile upturning her lips.

Sid looked at Monami, opening his mouth. His words died down and he glanced between the door and her, eyebrows furrowing. He lightly bumped his shoulder with hers. She looked up and he gave her a questioning look. She shook her head, shrugging to his question. He stared after her, glancing at the door again before shrugging as well and letting it go.

---x---x---x---x---x---x---x---x---x---

"#Gift time", Chitra announced excitedly. "#Me first." She grabbed her gift, handing it to Bala. He excitedly ripped the paper apart, producing a locket. He stared at it in wonder, entranced at the beautiful blue green color swirling. "Achha laga?" Chitra asked hopefully.

"Bahut achha hai", Bala said. He pulled it on, looking at the others. They all smiled. Monami shot him a thumbs up, swinging her legs happily as she sat on the desk.

"Next, mera gift", Koel announced. She grabbed hers, handing it over.

"Leather jacket!" He said excitedly. "Thank you, Koel madam."

Cologne from Suman ji, headphones from Sid, an engraved switchblade from Monami, and a pair of shoes from Prem ji. Bala stared at the gifts with sparkling eyes, falling back on his bed happily.

"Itne saare gifts", Bala said giddily. The rest burst out laughing, grinning at his expression. He was ecstatic. "Thank you!" He sat up, his eyes filling up with tears. "Aap log bahut achhe ho."

"Abey, yaar, tu phir rone laga", Koel said.

"Aww, it's #okay, Bala", Chitra said. She patted his arm. "Rone ki zaroorat nahi hai."

Bala nodded, sniffling and wiping his tears. "Yeh sach mein mera sabse achha birthday tha." He groaned, laughing a little as Sid jumped on him, hugging him tightly. Chitra hugged them both, and Koel, Suman ji and Prem ji added to the pile, laughing.

Koel glanced over her shoulder, gesturing Monami closer. She took a step back, shaking her head. She smiled nervously, fidgeting with her hands.

She wasn't ready for that.

---x---x---x---x---x---x---x---x---x---

Sanju's jaw clenched, her eyes narrowing.

"Kiski maut aayi hai?" Faizi asked, sitting down on their mess table. He reached to Karan's plate, and he slapped his hand away. Karan narrowed his eyes at him, shaking his head.

"Abhi ki", she said. "Kuchh toh karna padego, Sir ji, uska. Bahut ho gayo hai. Monami ko dekho kaise dekh raho hai."

He followed her gaze, sighing a little. His gaze was fixed on Monami, unblinkingly staring at her. He kept a hand on his face. "Kya kar raha hai yeh?"

"Baat karni padegi", Karan agreed. "Aaj subah bina puchhe utha liya use. Monami darr gayi usse."

"Utha liya matlab?" Faizi said. Karan gave him a look in response and his eyes widened in surprise. Faizi shook his head in disbelief. "Hadd hoti hai. Bahut ho gaya, baat toh karni padegi."

"Sanju", Karan said. He looked at her wordlessly.

She nodded. "Sir ji."

---x---x---x---x---x---x---x---x---x---

Sanju clutched Abhi's collar, slamming him into a wall. He groaned, looking at her in shock. "Dhyaan se sun le", she hissed. "Ek baar bolenge hum. Agli baar, muh se bolkar nahi, muh todh kar baat samajhayenge." She glared at him. "Tu Monami ko bilkul tang nahi karego." She shoved him further back into the wall of the majors' room.

Abhi's wide eyes darted to the two majors, who stood with their arms crossed. Karan pushed himself away from the desk he was leaning on, walking closer.

"Tu Monami se tab baat karega, jab woh tujhse baat karna chaahegi. Tu use nihaarega nahi, aur use uski marzi ke bina ek ungli bhi lagaa di, toh jungle ke beech pedh se baandh dunga. Yaa toh janwar khaa jayenge, yaa bhookh se mar jaayega", he snapped. "Agar tune use uncomfortable kara, toh tu poori zindagi ke liye uncomfortable ho jaayega. Samjha?"

"Sir", he forced out, nodding. "Main toh bas... mujhe woh bahut achhi lagti hai. Par... par main uske saath kuchh galat nahi karna chahta. I have no bad intentions, I promise. Main dobara kabhi baat nahi karunga usse."

Faizi heaved a sigh. "Abhi..." He took a deep breath. "Agar tumhe Monami pasand hai aur tum usse baat karna chahte ho, us mein koi problem nahi hai. Par kisi se baat karne ki ek tameez hoti hai. Yeh toh dekhoge, na, tum, ki saamne waala comfortable hai yaa nahi. Agar tum use pasand karte ho, toh sirf apne baare mein nahi, Monami ke baare mein bhi socho."

He blinked a couple of times. "Faizi Sir... agar main Monami ko respectfully impress karne ka try karoon, toh koi problem nahi hai, na? Matlab... jaise sab karte hain. Phool, gifts, woh sab. I promise main try karunga ki woh comfortable rahe, aur agar use achha nahi laga, toh main peechhe hat jaunga. Par... try toh kar sakta hoon, na?"

Faizi looked at Karan and Sanju. He shrugged, nodding. "Theek hai", he agreed. "Par limit cross mat karna."

His eyes lit up. "Okay, Sir", he said. "Pakka dhyaan rakhunga."

"Jaa sakte ho tum", Faizi said.

Sanju turned to Faizi as soon as he was out. "Sir ji, aapne uss pehli manzil khaali praani ko Monami ko pataane ki ijaazat kaahe ke laane di?"

"Agar woh izzat se koshish karta hai, toh kya burai hai?" Faizi said. "Kyun, Karan?"

Karan glared at him. "Faizi, iska sar khaali hai. Yeh kuchh ulta seedha bolkar aa gaya use toh?"

"Toh Sanju hai, na? Hamesha muh todhne ke liye taiyaar." He shrugged. He clicked his tongue at Karan and Sanju's disapproving looks. "Kya pata Monami ko actually yeh pasand aa jaaye."

"Sir ji, akal se paidal Abhi hai, Monami naa. Isko kaahe ke laane pasand karegi?"

"Sanju... Abhi itna interested hai us mein. Ho sakta hai uske efforts dekhkar woh impress ho jaaye." He shrugged. "Yaa kuchh aisa dikh jaaye, jo hume naa dikhta hoon." Karan and Sanju looked at each other doubtfully. "Yeh bhi ho sakta hai ki Monami ko yeh dekhkar thoda confidence aaye ki koi hai, jo use itna pasand karta. Shayad yeh hi aa jaaye dimaag mein ki koi toh wajah hogi ki koi use itna pasand karta ho."

Sanju nodded reluctantly to the statement. "Yeh baat toh ho sakto hai."

Karan shook his head. "But it's not worth it", he said. "Hum aise kaise use permission de de Monami ko... impress karne ke liye?"

Faizi eyed him, a grin spreading on his face. "Karan... Monami toh sirf humaari cadet hai. Uski personal life mein taang adhaana sahi nahi hai. Usko protect karna humaari zimmedaari hai, par agar koi izzat se use pataana chahta hai, toh hum kaise manaa kar sakte hain? In fact, hume problem bhi kyun hogi usse? Unless..."

He looked at his pseudo brother, raising an eyebrow. "Unless?"

"Unless tum yeh kehna chahte ho ki Monami tumhaari hai, isliye tumhe dikkat ho rahi hai ki koi aur usko pataane ki koshish kar raha hai."

Karan grabbed a pillow, throwing it at him harshly. "Kya bakwaas karta rehta hai tu?" He snapped.

"Sir ji..." Sanju piped in. "Faizi Sir ji ki baat itni bhi galat naa hogo."

Karan stopped, staring at her in disbelief. "Sanju?" Faizi let out a whoop of victory, laughing.

"Hum bas itna kehna chahto hain ki... aap... aap Monami mein kaafi... kaafi dilchapsi rakhto hain", she said.

"Paagal ho gaye ho tum dono."

"Karan... yeh baat sirf hume nahi, sabko lagti hai. Tumhe pata hai, Foxtrot waalon ko jab bhi tumse kuchh maagna hota hai, toh Monami ko kyun aage kar dete hain? Kyunki unhe lagta hai ki woh puchhegi, toh unki baat ke haan hone ke chances badh jaayenge", Faizi said.

"Hain? Yeh... yeh kya bakwaas hai?"

"Par yeh toh tum bhi maante ho, na, ki Monami tumhaari favorite cadet hai. In fact, tum yeh bol toh chuke hi ho."

"Favorite nahi, best", he corrected. "Dono mein farak hota hai. Aur iss baare mein mujhe aur koi baat nahi karni hai." He glared at the two. "Sanju, tu bhi namoone ke saath rehkar bakwaas karna seekh jaa."

"Sorry keh raho hain, Sir ji", Sanju said.

"Mujhe kuchh kaam hai. Main abhi aaya", he said.

"Monami se milne jaa rahe ho?" Faizi called after him.

"Faizi! Bahut pitega tu." He snapped back, making him laugh. Sanju chuckled a little.

---x---x---x---x---x---x---x---x---x---

"Mera informer bata raha tha ki Euphoria bahut jagah maal supply karta tha", Karan said, leaning back in his chair. "Spy ko already pata tha ki hum raid maarne waale hain. Log bachaane ki jagah, unhone apna paisa bachaaya hai."

Colonel Batra nodded. "Koi plan hai tumhaare paas?"

He hummed, grabbing the map. He spread it on the table. "Yeh black spots jahan mark kare hain maine, woh mere informers ke network ke hisaab se woh places hain jahan par yeh sab chal raha hai." The colonel glanced them over. There were at least 4 dozen spots. "In mein se kuchh kaafi chhote si jagah hain. Hum log local police ko iss cheez ke liye employ karte hain. Aise ACPs ko use karte hain jinki reputation hai ki woh honest hai. In sab par ek ek karke raid daalte hain. Not more than 2-3 at a time. Thoda time denge beech mein, taaki woh relax ho jaayein, and then back again."

Karan tapped his fingers on the table. He paused for a long minute, thinking.

"Jaise yeh log hain, in mein se koi bhi easily surrender nahi karega. Violent honge, and return mein, police ko violent hona padega. Police ko violence ke liye ready karke bhejna padega", he added. "Jo jo zinda bacha, un sab ko police interrogate karegi. Except the leaders. Leaders ko directly main ya Faizi interrogate karte hain. Agar kisi ne apna muh khola, our luck. Nahi khola, toh at least, unke drug outlets kam honge."

He paused in thought. "Kisi ko undercover bhejte hain?" The colonel proposed.

Karan shook his head. "Yeh sab Euphoria ke bhi neeche aate hain, Sir. Jab Euphoria mein se hi kisi ko kuchh nahi pata tha, toh inke pata hone ke chances kam hain. Inki pahunch utni upar nahi hogi ki risk liya jaaye. Filhaal, yeh humaari ek lauti lead hai, warna EFR ko khatam karne mein, yeh zyaada kaam aayengi nahi. An arrow in the dark."

"Main police ka arrangement karwaata hoon", he said.

Karan leaned back in the chair again, closing his eyes. The information swirled in his mind and he sifted through it, trying to find something for a lead. He came up blank.