~Chapter 8~

The Next Day:

Purvi walked into the CID locker room with the pendrive containing the cleaned up locker room footage. She had watched it multiple times and confirmed that it wasn't Sachin there. The silhouette of the hooded person definitely belonged to a woman and going through the records of that year there were 5 female inspectors deployed at headquarters that time. One of them was Zoya Malik. Her mentor was away, so she had informed her findings to Daya sir and he had agreed with her consensus that the silhouette ought to be Zoya Malik. He had assured her that he would ask Shreya to use her intelligence and get more details on Zoya. As she opened her locker, she saw a piece of paper sticking out of her gun pouch. She pulled it out and her face turned ashen as the words spoke to her. She felt her knees weaken and she slid to the ground. She sat there pale and shaken. That was how Tarika found her when she walked in almost 2 hours later.

"Purvi?"

Receiving no response and sensing something was wrong, Tarika rushed to her side and shook her

"Purvi... Purvi... look at me... what happened?"

As if on a daze, she turned around to look at her best friend.

"Ra...ghav..."

Tarika's eyes widened. That was the name her friend had refused to mention for the past 4 years, the name she had promised never to utter in her presence. Purvi looked at her friend's stunned look and slipped the note she had been holding tight into her hands

'Darling Poo... I love you so much it hurts... Come home soon... Let's cook dinner together again... And watch Suits... You know I love you more than Donna ;)

P.S: Have a rocking day and crack the case... I'll wait for you'

Tarika looked at her friend. She looked away

"He used to write these when we were together. He wrote this the day I had a hectic case and told him not to wait for me as I would be late. He slipped it into my bag as I left for work that morning. He loved writing letters... or so he said..."

Tarika put her hand around her.

"Tarika..."

"Hmmm?"

"How did it feel when you left Abhijeet sir?"

"Huh?"

"I mean you loved him before you left CID, didn't you? How was it to stay away from him? Were you able to forget him?"

"If I had been able to forget him, I wouldn't be here now"

"I can't forget Raghav either"

Tarika gently rubbed her shoulder understanding her pain

"I loved him, Tarika... I imagined a life with him... I trusted him with my life till the day I shot him dead. I lost my trust... but my love..."

"Is still there..."

"It isn't just there, it's like a fire consuming me from within. You know I come to work everyday because here is where I am forced to think of things other than him. Abhijeet sir, ACP sir and everyone here never mention him hoping that I forget him but I can never ever forget him. I know he was against the law but I just can't stop loving him. I can't... I just can't... Sometimes I wish I hadn't been a part of the law, then I could have easily overlooked his faults and my Raghav would have been alive today. I wouldn't have pulled that trigger if I had a choice... He always listened to me... Only on that day he chose to do otherwise... I begged him to listen, Tarika... he didn't... he didn't... Why didn't he, Tarika? Why? Why? Did he act like he loved me all those days? His love felt so real... If only he had listened to me and surrendered... I would have gladly joined him in jail as an accomplice... Oh... I loved him so much... I loved him... I love him... I love him..."

She covered her face with her hands as tears streamed freely down her face. Tarika hugged her friend tightly, her heart resonating with her pain. How well she knew the heartache and pain that this mystery called love offered. How many times she had wondered if the pain would ever go away as she tossed in her bed those lonely days without him. She had been lucky, life had brought him back to her. Her friend though, hadn't got the chance. She knew for a certain that this love was something her friend would carry till the end of her life. As she held her close she could only hope and pray that with time, this pain would reduce and that someday, perhaps she would accept his betrayal and move on.

Outside, a pair of eyes watched the scene stunned beyond belief. This wasn't what Zoya had expected when she had slipped the note into the locker. She hadn't thought that Purvi still loved her Raghav. How could she? She had shot him dead, hadn't she? The convictions she had held for all these years shaken, she walked away in a daze. Seeing the caller ID, she rushed out.

****

Zoya’s room:

In a dimly lit room, she sat on her chair. It was pitch dark outside. She shut her eyes as the past came in front of her. She could see herself clearly now as an 8 year old entering the orphanage. She had stood at the door hating herself because her grandmother had thrown her out saying she was bad luck to the family as her parents had died in a crash while going to get her a cake for her birthday. That's when she had felt a tug at her dress. She had turned around to look at a little boy with twinkling caramel eyes licking shaved ice. She had turned away when he had tugged her again

"What?"

With a smile that showed of his dimples, he had offered her the ice he had in his hand. She had reched out and took it from him. From then on, they had been inseparable. Although, he was 4 years younger, he had often been her protector, confidence and best friend. He had stuck on to her when everyone left one by one. She still remembered when she was around 10, a family had come to adopt him. He had clutched her tight and refused to be separated from her. Over the years 5 more families were willing to adopt him but he refused to go with every one of them because they just wanted him and didn't want another girl. They had grown up and he had gone into the military. It was then at a police-military joint event that he had met Purvi. She still remembered his eyes sparkling as he had told her about Purvi

"Di... She is so beautiful and smart. You must see her. Oh she is so wonderful. You know she is brilliant at computers and her voice is like music"

And then she had heard the news, he had run away from the military. She had searched high and low for him but it seemed that he had vanished. The one day she had received a handwritten note from him. It had been stuck in her shoe. It said

"I am ok, Di. You trust me, don't you? I'll protect you at all cost"

A week later, she had watched the breaking news in disbelief and horror. Colonel. Raghav who had run away had been shot dead by the police. She had been beside herself with grief. That was 4 years back. Today, she had received a call that they had found the diary of her brother while planning to renovate the orphanage she had long called her home. He had hidden it under a lose tile of her room and she hadn't had a clue. Reading through the pages of his love for Purvi, she began to wonder if he would approve of what she was doing now. She flipped through the pages consuming every word as if her life depended on it. As the slanting rays of dawn slowly penetrated her room, she shut the book and leaned back. The past 4 years made no sense to her now.

****

The next day:

Bureau:

ACP paced through his cabin as he processed ths current case details. He had sent Abhijeet out for investigation with Pankaj and the case details were conflicting. Whipping up his phone, he quickly barked orders to send some inspectors to Lonavala to help with the investigation. Someone knocked at his cabin. He looked up and saw Daya standing outside, he gestured towards him to come in

"What is it?"

"Sir... what did you do 4 years back?"

"4 years back?"

"When Purvi shot Raghav?"

Pradyuman took in a deep breath.

"What do you know?"

"I just talked to Salunkhe sir"

"And?"

"You asked him to close the postmortem as soon as possible?"

"Yes"

"Why?"

"Purvi had already suffered enough at his hands. My child didn't need any more pain."

"She deserved the truth. She shot him. She deserves to know if something else happened that day"

"The truth is that he was a betrayer and he was shot by the team"

"That's what is on paper but I had a word with Salunkhe sir and it seems that apart from the shots from our team, there was another bullet that had actually punctured his lung. It had been the kill shot. That bullet belonged to a sniper gun"

"So?"

"Why didn't you let us investigate in that direction?"

"As I said she had suffered enough. I didn't want to extend the investigation further"

"But the truth sir, she didn't shoot him"

"The government did"

"What?"

"He ran away from the military remember? He had secrets which threatened the security of the nation. So they killed him as they suspected he had gone rogue"

"You knew it?"

"Of course I conducted the investigation without all of you around"

"But sir, she is thinking she shot him"

"So?"

"Won't the truth ease her guilt?"

"And put her through the ordeal of gettimg investigated by the military as the girlfriend of their most wanted criminal"

"Sir... atleast she..."

"She is safe now. With us. That's all that matters and I'll keep it that way. Come what may."

****

A day later:

Abhijeet's home:

The previous case had been tough, he had to travel to Lonavala and he had just returned home. It was just dawning and he hoped his daughter hadn't woken up yet. He always loved to pop into her bedroom and surprise her after a strenuous case. Her smile seeing his return was enough to brighten any day. He smiled at his housekeeper as she opened the door

"She's asleep?"

"Yes, sir."

"Thank you for taking care of her"

"No problem, sir. Can I leave now?"

"Mmmm yes. I'll take care"

"Thank you"

He shut the door after her and walked straight to his daughter's room. As he opened the door and entered in, he saw her asleep with her hair sprawled across the pillow. He walked towards her and was about to wake her up when she suddenly sat up, crouching in self defense and looking scared. As soon as she recognized Abhijeet, she calmed down a bit. Stunned ar her reaction, he quickly poured some water in a glass from her bedside table and sat down beside her. He offered her the glass and patted her back providing silent comfort until her breathing calmed down. He then gently removed the glass from her hand and cupped her face

"Beta, what is it? What made you so scared?"

Shreya looked at him and signed

"Papa... I am scared.."

"Scared? Why beta... what happened?"

"Ever since that inspector came for questioning I feel as if someone is watching me at school"

"Watching you? Who?"

"I don't know but yesterday during lunch I walked alone to wash my hands and had the feeling of someone behind me. I turned around but couldn't see anyone... uh... but I saw a tall shadow. I ran back to join my friends. I... Papa... when you came in, I thought... uh thought it was you..."

He hugged his daughter tight.

"You could have told me earlier, Why didn't you?"

"I thought I was imagining. Only yesterday after I saw that shadow I knew someone was really following me. Papa, I am scared. Am I going to jail? Will I be arrested? Is something wrong?"

"No, no... of course not beta, what are you talking. I won't let a hair fall on you. I am there na? Don't worry. I'll take care of everything."

He hugged her tight and she rested in his strong shoulders feeling safe.

*****

Bureau:

A knock at his cabin made Pradyuman look up from the sheaf of papers he was going through.

"Abhijeet? Uh.... I... The meeting... yes... uh.."

"Sir... before you make any excuse. I want to talk. Just this once. Hear me out. Would you?"

He shut his eyes and nodded

"How long sir? How long should I wait before you tell me the truth?"

"What?"

"Sir, I knew something was amiss the moment you hugged me the day I came back... you have been checking on me, what time I come, what time I leave, where I am, if I have reached home. It's like you have made it a point to be my shadow... And yet, you refuse to talk directly to me or look into my eyes. What is it, sir?"

Pradyuman sighed

"You know I shot my son, don't you?"

"Yes sir, what does that..."

"Had I protected him after his mother's death, I wouldn't have lost him today. I am not ready to loose another one. I will protect you at all cost. You understand?"

"Yes sir, I do... I always did... but what is it that you are not telling me? What is it that is making you worry about me?"

Pradyuman shut his eyes the memory of a much younger and frightened Abhijeet flashing before him again. No, he couldn't risk it.

"Abhijeet... do you trust me?"

"With my life, sir.. why..."

"Then trust me now..."

"Sir... you are asking me to do something as your son... I would gladly do it anytime but today, as a father to my daughter I need answers... Shreya told me today that she is being followed."

"What? Why what happened? Is she fine?"

"No sir, she isn't... the inspector you let into our home has brought chaos. She says someone has been following her ever since..."

"Where is she? Is she safe?"

"Just like you said... a father always protects... I did that too... She is safe. But unless you tell me the truth I can't keep her safe any longer"

"Just a few more days... I promise... Please..."

Abhijeet nodded curtly and left.

****

He didn't know why but his legs automatically carried him to were she was. He hadn't seen her ever since she kissed him the other day at his cabin. He had been longing for her ever since. As he reached the lab, he saw her busy at her station doing some kind of experiment. She looked ethereal, her brows scrunched in deep concentration, her curls dancing on her face softly to the rhythm of the wind, her lips muttering something probably some calculations or inference he reckoned. He felt his lips curve into a smile as he was reminded once again of what attracted him to her in the first place, his inner struggles temporarily forgotten, he walked towards her. Sensing his presence, she looked up and gave a surprised smile

"Abhijeet? You are back? I thought you would be back by tonight... Why didn't you call?"

"I wanted to see you... uh... we need to talk..."

"Yes, we do. I am just wrapping this up..."

He nodded

"I'll wait..."

He walked outside. 5 minutes later, Vaibhav entered the lab

"Dr. Tarika, here are the revised reports. Now you can sign right?"

Tarika smiled a little. Vaibhav grinned

"You know you look beautiful when you smile, why do you have to be grumpy and sad?"

She gave a short laugh

"Shut up... Yup, the reports look ok now"

She signed and gave the reports to him. He took it from her and said

"I am leaving to the headquarters today, shall we go get dinner together and catch up?"

"Uh... sorry... I have another appointment"

"But why? Can't you cancel it for me?"

"She can't..."

A voice called from behind. Vaibhav turned around and saw Abhijeet entering in. He gave a small cordial smile at him

"Coming, Dr. Tarika?"

Tarika simply nodded and they left together. Vaibhav looked annoyed, he was under pressure to get some more information and none of them wanted to talk. She had always been someone who would talk. Just then his phone rang

"Yes, I am supposed to leave today... uh no... sorry boss but I have nothing... uh ok... ok I'll stay... ok ok I will get some information"

He clicked his tongue and kept his phone inside frustrated at the state of things.

***

Somewhere in Mumbai:

Zoya walked into his room, her mind still not recovered from what she had seen in the locker room and what she had read about her brother. He looked at her distracted face and clicked his tongue

"What?"

"Nothing"

"Why didn't you come earlier?"

"You missed me?"

"Of course not. I needed something to be done."

"I guessed so"

He raised his eyebrow at her cynical tone

"What's with the tone?"

"Nothing"

He reached out and pulled her towards him. She looked away. He growled

"Don't you dare turn away from me. Remember, I know all about you"

"Of course, you do. Wasn't I the one who told you everything because I am so in love with you? Yea yea, I know you don't love me but I believed you did understand what love is. But, I was wrong... Do you even know what love is? Have your ever loved before?"

He pushed her away and grit his teeth

"Get out."

She got up brushed herself meticulously and walked away, something, she wouldn't have done 3 days ago. He looked at her retreating back and groaned. How dare she talk to him like that? How dare she walk away? How dare she question him about love? What did she know about love? Did she know how love ate every bit of your soul when it left you? Love was what had solidified his resolve to become who he was now. He shook his head trying to clear his thoughts. He couldn't afford to get distracted now, not when everything was coming along so well. He needed to take matters into his own hands now. He pulled out the crumpled image from his pocket again and said

"You ruined my life and celebrated my destruction. You think you can do it all and still have it all, don't you? Senior Inspector Abhijeet... your dream days are over. I am coming for you. Just you wait. Fiat Justitia."

****