NEVER FORGOT. chapter 22 on pg 42. - Page 5

Chapter 4

Riya looks from the window as anjali sits in the bus and the bus goes away. Although anjali insisted that riya does not drop her at the stop because it would only cause delay to her, she never breaks her gaze from the window until anjali sat in the bus and the bus goes away. The situation which has brought them together has also made riya and anjali fiercely protective of each other though they try not cram into each other's private space. Although riya hates it but she knows that anjali is more mature than her age indicates and sometimes more sensible also. but that does'nt stop her from trying to protect anjali or pamper her. she turns from the window with a sigh and looks at the watch. She opens the door to see the bed all tousled up and a person lying diagonally on the bed with the sheets tangled around her. she goes into the bathroom and fills the cup. Going near that person she pours the water making her wake up spulttering and gasping. Seeing riya holding the cup with a grin on her face, she said "riya ki bacchi. I won't leave you." and riya ran making her chase riya. Both encircles the sofa and riya points to the watch and said "mishu, look at the time. If you waste more time in catching me, then ETF officer misha will for the first time in history be late." Misha grinned a boyish grin and said "today, I won't be late because today is a holiday and now I am not going to leave you." and she chased the laughing riya. Finally, she caught her and she started tickling riya making her laugh and begging to stop. She stopped and looked at riya's smiling face. her face became tender and she kissed riya's forehead and hugs her. riya said "mishu, get off. You are wet and your breath smells. Go freshen up." Misha grins and said "yes, miss hygiene freak."

Riya goes to anjali's room and starts arranging the things in her cupboard. She removes the clothes and a compass fell out. Picking up the compass she stilled. It was antique golden compass. Behind the inscription read "to anjali , let this compass guide you in the direction of your dreams from riya." Misha came in and saw riya staring at the compass. She wipes her tears and looks at misha. Misha said "why are you hurting yourself riya? Its no use worrying over it." riya looks at her and said "misha, I already told you that I am not going to worry myself over it and I won't. but just because I can't remember them but that does'nt mean that I can't contemplate. " before misha could say anything else, riya left not before keeping the compass safely in the box.

Misha's POV

Those 8 years changed riya's life completely. But these 8 months showed her a reality which still shocks her. Riya has made a habit of hiding her confusion and sadness behind her smile. I hope she never finds out what happened.

POV ends

Misha's thoughts end hearing her phone ring. hearing what the person on the other side said, misha groans inwardly but nods her head and cuts the call. She looks at the phone and curses the person and goes to inform riya muttering all sorts of profanities she knows.

Night 11pm at Moonstar bar,

Aisha is leaning against the counter. Anyone looking at her would think that she is bored and is waiting for someone but the people who knew her better would notice how her eyes keep darting here and there and inspite of the relaxed stance and the checking of the nails she does every 10 minutes she is alert and vigilant. Anyone who looks more closely will also see that directly behind her, a muscular person sitting and having his drink. His hair is tied in a pony and his eyes were cold reflecting something which has died within him. a person approaches the counter and discreetly places a suitcase next to aisha. Aisha blatantly takes the suitcase and opens it to see 100 packets of white powder in it. she nods at the person and walks off. The person after having 2 drinks leaves not noticing the muscular guy follow him. when he reaches the alley he becomes aware of him but by that time he is knocked unconscious with a single punch. The guy hands him to the policemen standing outside and goes to the car. He enters the car and hands the phone to the bespectacled guy. No one had any expression on their face. it was as if they had resolved to remain serious in their whole life. The guy takes the phone and checks it on his laptop. A smile of triumph lights his face and he said "jackpot". Both aisha and chotu look at him. he said "the call details show an unknown number. Now we have just to trace that unknown number." Aisha said "good, now lets get this packet to liza to see whether it is the same drugs which we are looking for." They go to the lab and opened to see a girl examining something under the microscope. A cup of coffee lies untouched near her. she looks up to see them and without saying a word just shows her hand. Aisha gives the packet to liza. Liza takes a little powder and starts testing it. All of them wait with baited breaths hoping this time they have'nt failed. After sometime the result comes out of the machine. Liza takes the paper and looks at it. she then looks at all 3 of them and giving a small smile said "we are on the right track. This is the drugs we were looking for." A smile light up all of their faces hearing this. 5 months of hard work finally bore fruit. They found a lead to sikander. Aisha quickly said not wanting to get the hopes up "guys, our work is still not over. We have found the distributor now we have to find the producer. Samjhe ya samjhaun?" everyone smiles hearing this.

Same time in a garage,

A guy is sitting on the chair with his legs propped up on the table. His phone rings jerking him out of his reverie. Surprised at the person calling at this hour he picks up. After sometime he cuts the call and folds his hands on the table. A guy and a girl comes carrying packets of food with the girl blabbering to a dozen. They stopped seeing him lost in thought. Karan said "shera, what happened? Why are you so deep in thought?" arjun said "raghu sir's daughter sheena's engagement is there tomorrow. He has invited all of us to attend this event."

Sim:wow, party. That means I have to get ready. And you both listen carefully. Please don't wear such clothes to the party. At least wear a suit. Arjun will wear but you also should wear a suit karan.

Kar: hold it. slow down. First thing me and the police have a long standing hate relationship. Second thing do you really expect me to attend a party that also a party which is full of cops?

Arj: you don't want to come don't come. But don't you think it is rude if someone invites you and you refuse to come just because you don't like his profession?

Kar: wow shera, today you have shown that you can do emotional blackmail also. I am impressed.

Sim: arre karan, think na. party means beautiful girls. You can flirt to your heart's content.

Kar: oh yeah right. Girls. Hmmm, you are right. there must be definitely more beautiful girls than this churail.

Sim: what you are calling me churail?

And their bickering started. But arjun's attention was'nt on them.

Arjun's POV

It has been 8 months since we have separated. Wonder how all of them are? Are they okay? Will they come to the party? How will each of us react?

POV ends

Precap: the ETF meet and a change in the atmosphere.