Chapter Four

You don't chose your enemy! Your enemy chooses you. . .

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Hyderabad

ACP Anshuman Kashyap was in a hurry and his two BHK house in the police housing colony was in a mess. Making sure the guest room is ready for Tasha, he wondered where should he do the arrangements for his mother. He hadn't the slightest idea that Riya would just call her. 

In the recent years of knowing her, Riya has managed to take a place in their family, so close that his mother considers Riya as her own daughter. The exact resemblance of Riya with his late wife Lavanya stunned his mother to some extent, just like he was stunned. But soon she has also come to realise that Lavanya is dead and she will never come back again. Because, Riya is different. She has no traits of Lavanya. She keeps her pain to herself while Lavanya spoke through her eyes. Lavyanya was an open book. Riya, however is still a layered person with too much of her own vulnerability. He was just happy that Anjali bonds well with her.

Reema and Veer, their forensic experts, volunteered to discharge Tasha and drop her at his place. Tasha is Lavanya's cousin. Anshuman always knew. She was somehow became a support system to Anjali after Lavanya, and to some extent for him too. He never saw her the way Riya said she sees him, until the time she was at the gunpoint, and until the time he knew how she cared enough to endanger her own life to save him. She took a bullet that was aimed for him.

Her falling face and slow breathes on his lap was enough for him to realize that he cant lose her. He can't lose her like he lost Lavanya. And the sudden surge of protective instinct bubbled inside him like never before. He insisted she stays with him after returning from hospital. However he wasn't sure how to act around her. He is still lingering in hesitation. He was glad Riya made that call to his mother.

He heard a knock on the door. He knew who it would be, so he didn't wait and continued cleaning the guest room. "Why didn't you tell me you needed help with cleaning?" Riya walked in with Anjali as Anjali sprinted towards her room to get ready for school. Riya placed the box of tiffin she packed for Anjali at the table and pulled out a chair.

"Did they discharge her?" She asked while grabbing an apple from the table and taking a bite while making her way inside the guest room. "Yes, she's on her way."

"Okay, so I am dropping Anjali at school on my way. By the time if she'd be here, I will meet her."

"She was asking for you at the hospital. Of course I am not going to tell you that you should have been there." He raised his hands up like surrendering. She narrowed her eyes, "you just did." He ignored her reaction and rather folded the bedsheet neatly over the bed.

"Why are you so nervous Anshu? Its just her." She tried to ease him up. She knew he'd confused over the turn of events. But at this point he'd have to figure this out alone. She didn't want interfere. She just wants Tasha to finally find her man and be happy. Only if it would have been this simple as it sounded. 

"Its just that. . . She. I don't know, I want to thank her and at the same time I want to shout at her for her recklessness. She almost died." He said as he slumped over the bed closing his eyes.

Riya went close to him saying, "she's fine. And that's all that should matter as of now." He nodded in her response.

"I am ready." Anjali walked inside in her school uniform carrying a bag over her shoulder. "See you later." Saying so Riya came outside taking Anjali's bag and giving the father daughter duo some time. She dialed to Amit.

"Any progress?" She asked.

"Nope. Target is still in movement."

"Let me know when its stable." She said and hung up. After that she received a call from Roy asking her to report to him in the office. So finally the wait is over.

Mumbai

"Wasn't she the missing girl who returned home yesterday?" Sakshi whispered to Aisha who came back after talking to the family of the girl, Sheela. She just nodded in response. 

"Can you find out about this missing report from the police station?" Aisha asked Sakshi. "Okay, I am heading to the police station then."

"I don't understand why ETF is handling this case." Aisha glowered behind Shree as he had the same expression on his face. Sameer was talking to the devastated old couple who just found their daughter yesterday and then lost her again. "It was as if a dream . . . Yesterday feels like a dream now. She was here and she isn't anymore here. I'd rather have lived with hope of her returning home all my life than losing her like this, said the devastated father.

Sameer kept a reassuring hand over the old man's shoulder and said he will try his best to find out what happened to his daughter. 

"Aisha, I'd want you to take the full details about Sheela's past history. Everything, starting from her missing to her getting back home. Yesterday, Mumbai police was in all limelight for this case and now the girl is dead. Commissioner sir want this case to be dealt sensitively and away from media coverage."

"I think Sakshi might help. She keeps her people at bay when such stuff arise." Aisha said as her eyes travelled up to Liza, who was standing outside as the body was sent to the laboratory for autopsy. Sameer and Aisha both moved toward Liza.

"What do you think Liza?" Sameer asked.

"Her death, looks more natural to me than murder." Liza said confused, "it was as if, she was all fine and suddenly stopped breathing. There's no sign of any struggle. Hard to say if she was sleeping or dead when I came to check the body."

"Let's see what's the autopsy saying about it." Aisha suggested as that's only rational way to find out about what happened rather than baseless speculation. Liza hurried up to reach to her laboratory while the team went back to the headquarters.

"Did you talk to him?" Aisha asked as soon as they reached the SUV, while Sameer could only sigh. 

"After many years I have seen him with a rekindled flame Aisha, and this time too, it might just destroy him." Sameer knew Arjun won't listen to him. But that doesn't mean he won't help him.

"I'd do everything in my capacity to help him Aisha." He told her. 

"I know you will, and I am with you." She replied. Aisha knows their history. The part Sameer told her in a weak moment. After that she wouldn't judge how they were with each other. It took almost 8 years for Smaeer to forgive and accept Arjun. And the last thing she'd want is another rift to their already strained friendship.

NIA, Hyderabad 

Riya joined the technical team at the second floor of NIA building to check up her tasks in queue. She had certain things to look up before she left for Mumbai. The blasts that had happened the previous month has put them all in unrest.

"What's the progress?" She asked Amit. 

"As of now we are able to identify only 37 sleeper cells in the city, which is HUGE and it's still not clearly established which one among them is related to that blast." Amit reported. His team was doing rigorous surveillance most designated hotspots across the city. They have installed CCTV cameras at each location.

"You are right, 37 is too much." Worry seeped in her brain like it will never go. It's becoming tough job to predict what's their plan and how are their going to execute it. "Hell we don’t even know who belongs to which terrorist group."  Having such numbers isn't adding solution to their problem.

"I have something in mind. And I am on it. I will tell you once I get an alert." Amit informed her. 

"Hope that works well Amit. Is he up there?" She asked nervous. 

"Woah! You look nervous." Amit commented seeing her worry etched face.

"You know what I'd name him? A dragon! A freaking fire spitting dragon." She snorted before leaving the technical floor and leaving the their technical analyst in a fit of laughter.

She knocked at the chamber and entered. Unlike any other room, the chief's chamber is one in all having everything he wants right in front of his eyes. Roy likes to operate from his chamber only. Six years of her service to NIA and she knows, Roy has shaped her for better. And there is  no question to that. But what she couldn't get her head around is the way her boss acts himself. Too introvert. She always had this nagging feeling in her head that Roy must have some secrets. But she never dared to pry, for she knew that's not her business. Secondly, she has never seen him indecisive. All in all she respect the man, even though he acts this stiff all the time.

She remained silent as DGP Viraj Roy was still digging his head into one of the computer screen. "I want you to train the new entrants!" He said not looking at her.

"What are you up to boss?" Just a day before he was pestering her to go back to ETF and now he wants her to stay here at the base and train newbies? He finally avert his eyes from the screen and looked at her.

"I am just giving you some . . .rest. you can say it like that." She chuckled at his words. Roy is talking about leisure for his team? What in heaven she did to deserve that.

"Forget about me. I know what you are up to Mukherjee. And trust me that might not go down well with many people." Her face stiffened upon hearing those words.

"And I don't think you are one of them." She said as he smiled. "They will need us boss. No matter what they can't do without us."

"Lt. Srivastav. What's your scene with him?" 

"Nothing more than I've already told you." 

"Keep in touch with him." She made a face at that.

"Vice admiral is sending a liaison to coordinate between NIA and the Navy. Strengthen your contacts Riya. I want Hussain within NIA boundaries and away from any other organization. I hope you understand what I mean.

ETF couldn't better handle THE case even after all the clues presented to them, and all because they had a traitor within them Riya. I want no such liability in my department. Train them, however harsh that might be. I want everyone to be ready heads on for anything.

And I dont care where is Hussain in India, I want him only and only within NIA boundary."

"I understand that Sir, by any chance history won't repeat". She stated formally. 

Colaba Police Station 

Mumbai

Senior inspector Narayan Chaturvedi languidly laid his foot on one of the chairs beside his desk as he leaned back on his chair. It was close to lunch time and he wouldn't entertain another case other than a plate of delicious plate of food. However, that isn't going to be the scene today as Sakshi walked in straight despite the constable reluctance to let her in. 

"ETF, now if you will excuse us." She said looking at the constable as he silently made his way out. 

Chaturvedi was alarmed and straightened himself upon seeing the lady in front of him. "Looks like your lunch will be delayed." She commented lazily eyeing the Dabba that was placed on the table as she took a seat. 

"How can I help you Madam ji." The way he said, she could guess he must be another of those officers who thinks ETF is nothing but a lame bargain of higher authorities to the public.

"What am I seening Chaturvedi ji, you are all over the news."  She could see a small smirk appear on his face which is about fade with the news she has to share with him. 

"Sometimes people need to know that local police works too." He said defianlty. 

"So how did you save Sheela?" Sakshi asked. Chaturvedi's expression changed. He couldn't quite understand why would ETF be interested in some girl who just came back home on her own after being missing for a whole year.

"What's your interest in the girl?" He asked skeptically. 

"Did you ensure her security before handing her over to her family?" 

"What do you mean security? She's fine."

"She's dead." And that struck him hard as he went numb. Sakshi quietly pushed the glass of water to Chaturvedi as he grabbed a hold of it and took a sip. 

"I need everything, from her missing report to her recent statement." She said and he nodded his head. He asked a constable to check the archives. 

"I can only give you the statement Ma'am, the FIR was registered at Hyderabad. We only received a copy. You might get more information from there." He said as soon as the constable handed him a file that contained Sheela's statement. 

She took the file, not before saying, "we'll be in touch." And left his chamber. Chaturvedi emptied the whole glass of water and walked out, his lunch remained at the table forgotten and untouched.

ETF, Mumbai

Sakshi joined the team in the cafeteria as all of them assembled for lunch. Two weeks back everything was normal with the team. Now everyone looked like suffering from the aftermath of a disaster. And once again, she couldn't stop herself from blaming the outsider. 

She hoped to see Arjun around. Its been a week and he hasn't showed up at the office. Something about his actions told her inwardly that he slipping away from her. And she laughed at the irony. You never had him, Sakshi.

She silently pulled aside a chair and sat beside Aisha, her eyes looking for Liza. "Still with the body." Aisha informed her. Shree looked the same aloof and Chotu was busy digging into his food.

"Did you go to the police station?"

"I think we have to connect with Hyderabad police station. Her missing report was registered there. Also she went missing in Hyderabad." Sameer processed the information as he chewed onto his food.

"We'll decide that after the autopsy reports. Its rather strange that a person comes back after a year of going missing and then dies the next day."

"Or may be killed?" Shree interjected. Sameer eyed the technical head of his team and wondered if he's okay. He wasn't okay a week ago. 

"What about her statement?"

"I dropped it at conference room. Have a look after lunch" Sakshi answers.

"There's a call from the forensics, I think autopsy is done." Said Aisha.

"Let's go". 

Aisha, Sameer and Shree got up while Sakshi and Chotu remained. Sakshi for joining them late and Chotu, cause he didn't want to see the anatomy of a dead body, right after lunch.

"Did she love Arjun?" Sakshi asked not looking at Chotu. Chotu was rather taken aback with her sudden inquiry of his best friends personal life. And a realization struck him hard. How unfair he had been to the ladies of the team. They knew nothing of the past. And they didn't deserve this indifference from the team when Riya joined ETF last week. They'd been a part of the team than she was but she has left imprints of herself that still lingers in the minds of the ETF men. 

"That's not important." He remained impassive with his answer, careful not to divulge too much of his best friends one sided love story. 

"You know after Sikander, I thought at least Arjun would think about me." She had to make that statement for she knows the reality of it otherwise. A reality she never wants to resurface. Sikander is dead for the goodness only. 

"She believed the same." Chotu chuckled earning a glare from her. When he saw her glare, Chotu surrendered. "You know him longer than she did Sakshi and you still are unsure of his feelings. Sometimes your heart tells you not to give up and some other time you just have to know when its pointless.  . ." She listened to him carefully, torn between her feelings for him and his non reciprocal vision towards her feelings. You will know when a man wants you Sakshi. The NIA second-in-commands voice budge in her head. And she knew, he never wanted her, just without a realization. "Are you done?" Chotu asked as he dabbed his lips and waited for her.

Forensic Laboratory,ETF 

She was lucky to have an independent lab all for herself as she waited for her team to finish. She doesn't have to depend on state forensics for reports, one of the perks of being a part of ETF.

"How did she die Liza?" Sameer asked as he inspected the body lying in front of him, covered in a white sheet. 

"There were indication of hypoxia, we could see the lungs damage clear. What's strange is there aren't other signs. No signs of breathlessness. As if she didn't know she was dying."

"Is it natural?"

"We are yet to get the toxicology reports. As per her parents she didn't take any medication. But that can't always be fully verified owing to the fact that she just returned home yesterday. You guys  have to do a thorough search on her history." The case was too suspicious to look this simple.

"Shree, connect with Hyderabad police and see where her case has been registered and I need a full report on her history." Sameer ordered her. As soon as he left, Liza looked at Aisha and Sameer. They understood her.

"He will be fine. Give him some time. Past has changed him a lot Liza. . ." Sameer spoke. Who can know his past better than me? She thought to herself. However, Shree wasn't her concern at the moment, she was bothered with something else.

"What happened? You still look worried?"

"Sir you remember in previous case we have rechecked the doctors clinic and found some unidentifiable chemicals?"

"Yes. what is with it?"

"I had sent it to national laboratory but the report is still negative. I am afraid the doctor was dealing with something unverified or off the label which has no records in India at least."

"So what do you think should we do?"

"Refer it some international laboratory?" She asked. She was hesitant for asking this. The amount of regulations they'd have to follow will be rather hectic. Yet, the new chemical has intrigued her.

"I will see what can be done about this one Liza. Go have your lunch." 

"I had fries." She muttered. Aisha rolled her eyes and presented her a knowing look. Sameer just nodded his head in exasperation and said, “I’ll let you know about the referral.” He sprinted out of the laboratory.

Unidentified location

“That girl Sheela, she’s dead.” A row of obscenities thrown towards him as the inexperienced petite figure took the wrath of his boss. 

“that’s a natural death.” The boss, said.

“what if they’d find out?”

“They won’t find a trace. And even if they do, they wont be able to lay a finger on us.” The boss, was too confident that nothing can go wrong with their perfectly crafted plan.

“You knew she’d die?” The junior asked with a horrified expression to which the boss laughed. 

“You are new to this young man. You will get acquainted. And yes, don’t bother with me for anything like this again.” Saying so  the boss made his exit, leaving behind the junior confused with what he should be used to. The discrepancies or the deaths.

“there’s a delivery.” Said the juniors partner as he his noticed the horrified face.

“What’s wrong?”

“We have instructions, not to report this event.”

“What? But that’s .  . .”

“I know. . . Something is wrong here, we have to be careful until we figure out.” He said and both of them went ahead to receive the package.

ETF conference room, Mumbai

“Damn it.” ACP Sameer Rathore roared as he finished the file starting Aisha who was sitting beside him.

“Personal reason. . . That’s all written in her statement. Nothing on how she was missing or anything like that.”

“Is there a possibility of a family feud?” Aisha asked. 

“the family, was happy when she came back and it was her parents who reported her being missing. If it’s only been a family feud they wouldn’t have involved police.”

“Or probably there was something wrong with this girl altogether. Like one day she suddenly decided she doesn’t want to see her family and she just vanish and one day she comes back. People with right mind wouldn’t do that.” Sakshi interjects. 

“People might have issues Sakshi, real issues.” Shree snapped at her suddenly. She remained silent to his reply, knowing very much that Shree is visibly disturbed. Just like yesterday Shree himself was indicating the same and now he’s having an issue with it.

“We should talk to her family once again.” Aisha said.

“patient history says, she worked as a software designer at LaWare techo solutions at Hyderabad. But suddenly she decided to quit and after that went missing.”  Shree explained to the team.

“We are not even sure if it’s a murder.” Aisha said in a deep tone. She’s fed up with ETF doing damage control in cases where local police is failing whilst it should have been otherwise. 

“We have other things to do team, let’s put this on hold till we get confirmation from the forensics.” Sameer said and ordered them to finish last weeks paper works.

“Did anyone checked up on Preetika?” Shree asked particularly to no one. When his he got no response from the team, he went on to find out himself.

Malabar hills,

South Mumbai

This area is indeed the place for all high raised people. However, ACP Arjun Rawte never found the vibe. Being born to one such family, Arjun still couldn’t hang around the idea that everything is normal outside this periphery. 

He didn’t know what brought him here. Probably a quest to close down all the loose ends of his life or to strengthen the new ones. Ever since he stepped out of the house to join the force, he has been the outsider. He was an only child to his parents. His father, Mr. Rawte took in all the pride to be the father of such a bright child, but Arjun was altogether very different from the beginning.

He walked down the street and stopped at the huge metal gate outside the Rawte Villa. There used to be an old security guard who isn’t there anymore. Nine damn years and he is standing right in front of the doorsteps. He could see the silhouette of a lady sitting in the lawn. His mother. His beautiful caring mother to whom he didn’t bother to call for years. He could already feel barricades raising high within himself as he held the rods of the metal door. 

“Ae kaun hai aap, aur yaha kya kar rahe hai?” a voice broke his chain of thoughts. He turned to look at a man in his thirties in a security uniform. He needn’t guess who he might be. 

“Kuch nahi, shayad galat pate pe aa gaya tha.” Arjun replied. Saying those words felt easier than actually stepping inside and break all his barriers. And yet again, he distanced himself and took a reverse. Nostalgia of his childhood never made a home within him. He’d been too occupied with the horrors of his past that he forgot he had a life too.

"Chalo niklo yaha se. Saab ko anjan log pasand nahi. . ." The security guy tried to shoo him away. Stranger? That's what he is to them now. 

I will step in. 

Maybe some other time. 

Maybe some other time when I’ll have more than my broken self to offer to them.

He took one last glance at the house and walked down the same way he arrived.

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Do you feel story is going nowhere? 

Well, me too

I hope you aren't bored with the depth of the case if yes, let me know.

Thanks for reading

Anki

Precap 

"What happened now?" Arjun was visibly irritated with his bestfriends constant nagging in his life decision. And he wondered, they were better when they were in 'odd' terms. 

"There's a case."

"When there isn't Rathod?"

"Someone has to go to Hyderabad. I was thinking of you but then you've resigned. If you dont want to go that's fine. . . I will probably ask Shree."

"When is the flight?" Arjun was too abrupt to interrupt Sameer. Sameer understood his impatience. 

"Get ready, Sakshi will give your ticket at the airport." 

"Okay", he was enchanted just with the thought of going to Hyderabad. Riya never talked about her place, her city or her life out there. Even though he knew he was going for a case, he couldn't rule out the slightest possibility of meeting her by chance. 

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