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They were all bustling around in the hall. The sudden gunshot and then the arrest had created a huge disturbance. The booze filled audience had turned into a mob. All peace was lost. Sameer tried to bring the crowd under but it seemed as if they were not going to be stopped. All his team members were helping him earnestly too. All except one…… Arjun!
Arjun remained rooted to the spot where he was standing before. Neither his mind nor his body was registering anything. He did not feel the scared crowd pushing against him. He did not even hear the ear deafening shouts of Sameer at the mob. All he could see and hear was her. Her graceful dance, beautiful smile and tear filled eyes still remained in front of him. His ears resonated with her sweet voice and heart touching melody. But even then, he could not believe himself. His mind must be playing games at him, he thought. It couldn't be her. Of course not! She was dead and he knew it. But a voice spoke up from within him, "Was she?"
"We are leaving sir.", the constable informed Sameer. "Please give out thanks to ma'am."
Sameer replied as much strength he could muster. "There is no need to thank any of us. We must be thanking you. Thank you for all the help." He ended his gratefulness with a slight smile. The constable saluted him and left with his comrades.
Having seen the last of the police force leaving in their vehicle Sameer turned around. All of them were looking tired. Aisha and Liza was sitting on two chairs, talking quietly. Though both of them looked really tired, he could imagine what the subject of their conversation would be. It should be 'her'! Shree and Chotu had slumped down on the stage. Both of them had their eyes closed, but Sameer knew that sleep would be the last thing on their minds. He couldn't ask any of them to get moving. He himself was tired too.
He turned once more to look at where the girls were sitting. Liza was not there now. He looked around and saw her with Shree. Aisha was looking at him. When their eyes met, she beckoned him to come and sit on the empty chair near her. The chance to sit down greatly tugged him. The revenge and fire that many of them had kept in their hearts were quenched now. The sudden emptiness killed him.
He slowly started moving towards Aisha but then stopped. Seeing him stop suddenly, Aisha raised her eyebrows questioningly and began to get up. He shook his head and pointed indistinctly to his right. Aisha followed Sameer's finger and her eyes rested on Arjun. She nodded her head as if she understood and sat back, closing her eyes for a moment. Sameer let his gaze linger on Aisha for a moment longer and then turned towards him, Arjun!
Arjun was sitting on the floor at the far corner of the hall. He himself didn't know when his knees had given away or when everyone had left the hall. He slumped down with his back leaning on the wall. His eyes still remained fixed on the door through which she had gone. For the first time in 3 years Roshni resided in a far corner of his mind. Having finally caught Sikander he had put Roshni at rest, finally. But when he had been hoping for a good end, there she was again. But how?
"Arjun!", Sameer called kneeling down beside his once best friend. Hearing their chief's worried call all the others straightened up. Lisa, Shree and Chotu involuntarily held hands, to face the storm together. Aisha got up from her chair and began walking towards the duo. But realizing it would be best to leave them alone, she stopped in her tracks and looked on.
Arjun slowly turned his head to look at Sameer. Even after having been at loggerheads for the past few years, Arjun knew one thing. If there was anyone whom he could fully trust it was Sameer, his Sam, and no one else. But he now wondered whether a lie had been going on for some time now. He glanced at the closed door once more and turned to Sameer, to ask some questions. Questions, whose answers can change his life forever.
"Sam", he began, the despair to know the truth wiping away all formalities. "Sam, tell me. Was that her? The dancer? But, but, but she is dead isn't she? She had died in our hands, right? We had burned her, we had attended the rituals, didn't we? Then how can she be here today? I am mistaken right? Please tell me Sam, please!" Arjun stopped for a breath, tears in his eyes.
Sameer looked at ACP Raute, and saw his long lost friend after a long time. He saw the thin layer of belief over his face, belief that his Sam will never lie. Aisha, Liza, Shree and Chotu were all watching them breathlessly. They knew that the truth was inevitable. It had to come out one day. But they had been putting it off for so long. But today it had to happen.
Sameer wondered what to say. He could give explanations. But now there was no need to do that. Time was before them and they could do it later. Now Arjun needed her and more than that she needed Arjun. He took a deep breath and said, "It's her. She will be in the dressing room behind the stage. Go!"
Arjun slowly got up, shock evident in his eyes, and moved.
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Dressing Room
She was feeling suffocated. She didn't know what to do. Her secret had come out today. She had been prepared for this since the day she had came here. But when she saw Arjun today, all hell broke loose. She couldn't even remember how Sikander was finally caught. The only thing that had registered was his face – Arjun's shocked face. She leaned on the table in front of the mirror. Her kajal had spread due to her nonstop tears. Her face looked worn out and pale. She slowly raised her hands to wipe away the tears.
But she suddenly stopped her hands in mid-way. Unable to believe her eyes, she stood there, looking at the person in her room. He still hadn't changed, she thought. But the shock was visible on his face. She slowly turned around to face Arjun. She quietly whispered, "Arjun Sir!"
Arjun took in her before him. He now believed it. What he had seen was true. She was alive.
He took a step forwards and said, "Riya!"
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Indias Got Talent 11
Cricket
Anupamaa
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