CHAPTER 39:
Arjun needed to make sure that the girls were safe. he made up his mind to send Aisha with those 5 girls. He had to find the 6th girl.
"There is no time Aisha. Just take them out. I'll be out soon. Aur ha, baahar shayad koi hoga. Be careful there. Now go."
She took the girls out but glanced back at him. "sir, please jaldi ayiye" he nodded and she took the girls out. He rushed to the inner rooms. The rooms were dark he knew there was not much time left. He was hoping that Aisha get sufficient time.
He understood one thing. Pattan had planned well. If he had put the 6th girl somewhere else, it would be in such a place where no one could imagine. He looked into the extrme points. He started to think as a culprit. At last his sixth sense took him there.
She was tied onto a chair. There were barrels around her. It had oil. There were bombs in many positions. The girl looked shaken and worried. He started moving violently and wished to cry out when she saw him closing in. he first made sure that there were no bombs attached to her or the chair. He tried to open the terrified girl's mouth which was covered with a cloth.
"sh... sh.. its ok. I'm a cop. You are safe. believe me." She looked into his eyes and allowed to remove the cloth.
"sir, help. Mujhe ghar jaana hai. please..."
"ok. Daro math. We will go home. I promise. Now stay calm." He removed the ropes on her hands and legs. And she stood up. He looked at the bomb. He had just less than 5 minutes left. That means the door should be closed by now. He hoped Aisha was safe outside.
He held the girl firmly. He planned to go out immediately. But the girl tripped on something. He held her before falling down. It was a line attacked to the bomb. It was removed now. The clock of the bomb that had moved earlier in seconds was running now. 4 minutes left. He knew he was too late.
There was no time to run out now. He looked around. The girls who saw the clock also started to panic. "ab kya kare sir? We are dead"
"no, not yet." He looked around and saw a window. He looked out.there was a small platform outside and it was the sea below. This was his only chance.
He took something and started banging the window. It broke apart. The girl understood what he was doing. The window was open. 2 minute left.
He held the girl by her waist and lifted up. She climbed out. He too climbed and stood beside her at the platform. She was frightened of the sea. She held onto him.
"dar lag rahe hai??"
"ha. Bohot dar lag raha hai"
"don't worry. Kuch nahi hoga.bas ek lambi saans lo, jab mien kahu." He was not sure for his words for the first time. still he said. He held her by the waist towards him and took a deep breath along with her. He jumped off the platform to the sea and it blasted as in hell behind him.
---
Aisha told everyone what had happened in the ship. How they tackled the men. How he went behind Pattan. Him coming back and search for the girls and him going back to find the 6th girl.
"I'm sorry sir. I should have been there. But..."
Rathod: its ok Aisha. You were trying to save them. don't blame yourself.
Shree: par sir... Arjun sir kaha hai??
Riya was looking expectantly at the ship. All 4 go to her.
Chotu: Ri. Tum thodi der yahi baito. He'll be fine.
Riya: patha hai Chotu. Wo abhi athe hi hoge. He prominsed me. Bohot plans karna hai na?? shaadi ke preparations! Shaadi! Sub kuch karna hai. aur mujhe patha hai tum dono ko kaam dena bekar hai. sab bigaad donge. Mujhe hi sab karni hogi. Thank God, Arjun he waha mere help karne...warne tum dono na...
All were shocked to hear her talking absurd matters. They knew she was in shock. All looked at each other. Aisha had tears flowing down her eyes. She felt guilty.
Shree: tum kya keh rahi ho Ri? Sit hear. Pani piyo
Riya: kya yaar Shree. Ab bhi pani pila rahe ho? Wo save karke rakh. Ek baar unhe aane do. You will need it more than me. Tumhe wo ithne kaam denge ke ye paani kam reh payegi.
Rathod came and shook her violently. "kya bak rahe ho Riya? Hosh mien aao. Rawte ek jalthe hua ship mien the. I am sure wo teekh hoge. Par tum ab teekh nahi ho. Hosh me aao. Please..."
She blinks heavily. "Sir... Arjun..." she couldn't hold on more. She feels weak and falls to his arms. Shree comes and make her sit on nearby platform. He sits by her and wraps her by the shoulder by one arm while touching her cheeks by the other hand. "Ri... get up please..."
Aisha: Shree usse thode der aaram karne do. Sir lets search for him. I'm sure he would have got out of the ship.
Chotu: par kaise Aisha. You came out of the door. Aur waha se koi baahar nahi aaya hai na, tumhare baad? Fir sir kaise?
Aisha: I don't know Chotu. Par wo kissi bhi tharah bahar aaya hi hoga. Unhe aana hi hoga.
They move to the ship. It was completely a wreck. All were sure no one would be alive in it. but no one was ready to accept it.
Rathod: dammit Arjun... kaha ho tum??
"kisine yaad kiya mujhe??" a voice came from behind. All turn suddenly to the direction.
He came out fully drenched and carrying a girl unconscious in his hands. Chotu and Rathod rushed to him. Chotu took the girl to the paramedic. While Arjun collapsed on to the ground. There were blood stains behind his shirt and some wounds were evident on hs face. Rathod supported him to sit on his knees.
Rathod: Arjun?? tum teekh tho hai na??
Arjun was too tired and out of balance. He weakly nodded positive. He looked around. "Riya??"
Rathod: she is fine. Par thode stress me hai. tum jo missing tha. Shree ke paas hai.
Arjun: mujhe milna hai usse.
Rathod: sure. Par ye sab chot??
Arjun: baad me Sameer. First Riya.
Rathod support him to get up but Arjun is too weak. Aisha also helps to support Arjun.they goes to Shree and Riya who was still unconscious on Shree's shoulder. Arjun was worried to see her state. "Kya hua hai isse??"
Rathod: kuch nahi hua. I said na she was stressed.
He reaches in front of Shree. He was relieved to see him. He tries to wake up Riya. "Ri.. dekho Sir aagaya. Ri.." she didn't get up. Arjun sits on hiss knees opposite to Riya. He touches her cheeks and then gently holds her shoulder. "Riya..."
She is not hearing his voice. Shree sprinkles some water on her face. Arjun calls again. "Riya..."
She slowly opens her eyes registering his voice in her minds. She knew he would be back, for her. After all he had promised her. She opens and sees a weak Arjun in front of her. There was little bit blood on his forhead. A first he had a worried face. Later he saw a weak smile on his lips. She smiled back. "Arjun..." she hugged him fiercely holding him tightly on his necks. He hugged her back equally. At last she cried out.
He held onto her strongly and patted her back. He was getting weak. But he gave her all the support. The whole team was so happy for the reunion. He broke the hug and took her face. Both smiled and placed each of their foreheads together. Rathod cleared his throat bringing him back.
He looked back at him. "thanks Sameer." He said. Though others didn't know the reason, they knew what it was for. Sameer had indeed kept her girl safe. Rathod smiled and said back. "You too.. Arjun. thanks a lot"
Arjun turned back to Riya who raised her eyebrows. "later ..." he assured her. She helped him to stand up. But he missed his step. "Arjun..." she held him. That's when she notted him injured at his back. "Arjun kya hua? Ye sab kya hai?"
"kuch nahi Riya. Bas wo explosion ke waqt hua tha."
Riya: Arjun we need to get to the hospital now.
Rathod: ha Arjun. we should get to the hospital. Chotu gaadi nikal.
Arjun: aur wo ladkiyan?
Aisha: unhe already hospital lagayi hai sir.
Arjun: good. Waise good job Aisha. You were reall brave today out there.
She was so happy. Rathod beamed at her and back at Arjun. she nodded a thanks. Chotu came up with an SUV. Shree took the driving seat while Ariya behind. Others stayed back in the location. Aisha had her cuts bandaged by the paramedics.
Shree was driving to the hospital. Arjun kept his head in her lap. He winced a bit when he lay on his back. She helped to adjust to the side ways. "Aap teekh tho hai na?"
He nodded positive. He was holding on to her hands as it was paining. He gently stroked his hair. "take rest Arjun. mien yahi hu."
He turned a bit to her. "Riya ek baath puchu?"
She nodded. "shaadi kab karoge??"
She smiled at him and kissed his forehead and placed her forehead on his head.
PRECAP:
some good news...
CHAPTER 40: PAGE 127
109