The Wait (Ariya FF) Part-75 Updated (Page-212) - Page 4

Part-69

"Maine kuch nahi kiya sahab, mujhe jo bola gaya maine kiya."

The girl cried eyeing the officers around her.

"Kya karne ke liye kaha gaya tha tumhe.?"

Chhotu asked.

"Mujhe sirf ghar walon pe najar rakhne ke liye kaha gaya tha. Yahan kya kya ho raha hai vo batana mera kaam tha.

Aur mai uss ladke ko jaanti bhi nahi thi, mujhe bas usse paise deke kin numbers pe message bhejna hai sirf ye batana tha."

The girl answered whimpering.

"Aur kisne kaha tha tumhe ye karne ke liye.?"

Rathore asked next.

"sir vo guard, Sukhwinder."

"Chhotu, leke aao usse."

Rathore ordered quickly, and hence Chhotu quickly walked out of the room to find the guard.

"uss raat tum uss guard se mili thi seedhi ke paas.?"

Riya asked.

"Haan. mai usse keh rahi thi ki mai ye kaam aur nahi karna chahti mai yahan se jaana chahti hun, per vo bolne laga ki kuch din aur karna hai phir chali jaana."

"Achha. Phir ye sab kya hai.?"

Ayesha asked putting up the credit cards they had found from her bag.

"Ye sab kahan se mila.?"

Rathore enquired.

"Iske bag se. Ek iske naam pe hai aur baaki kisi Mayra ke naam pe hai."

Riya replied, and Arjun watched the girl gulping a little as she stared at those cards.

"sahab ye sab chori ke cards hain, mai isse pehle chori kiya karti thi aur ye mere paas reh gaya hai."

The girl replied slowly.

"Sir Sukhwinder niche nahi hai, subah se aya nahi vo aur phone bhi switch off aaraha hai uska."

Chhotu informed on walking back to the room.

"Uski agency ko contact karo aur uski address nikalo. Jayega kahan."

Rathore murmured.

"Shree, mujhe lagta hai na isne heavy makeup kiya hai."

Sakshi muttered under her breathe, earning a blank look from him.

"Iss waqt bhi tumhe makeup ki padi hai.?"

"Arey matlab iska skin tone alag hai aur isne makeup dark laga rakhi hai."

Sakshi pointed out, that went over Shree's head.

"Kya.?"

"Tum jaa sakti ho."

Arjun said to the girl, making Rathore give him an amazed look meanwhile the girl wiped her tears getting up slowly.

"Per dhyan rahe tum iss ghar se bahar nahi jaa sakti jab tak case solve nahi ho jaata, aur na hi niche kisiko bataogi jo bhi tumne abhi yahan kaha."

Arjun added quickly.

"uh ji sir."

The girl nodded before leaving the room, when Rathore turned to Arjun.

"Tumne usse jaane kyun diya? Hum usse aur puch tach kar sakte the."

"Koi faida nahi hai Rathore, jo bhi puchhte vo jhuth hi bolti."

Arjun replied quickly, grabbing all eyes.

"Sir vo jhuth bol rahi thi.?"

Ayesha asked curiously.

"Haan. Uss raat jo stair ke pass tha uski height Sukhwinder se match nahi karti. Isne jarur subah suna hoga ki Sukhwinder nahi aya hai aur uska phone nahi lag raha hai issliye uska naam le liya. Per baat kuch aur hi hai.

Shree inn cards ki photos le lo, bank me pata karo Mayra ke baare me aur ye cards wapas Survi ko de do usse lagna chahiye hum uski baaton pe yakin kar rahe hain."

Arjun commanded, to which Shree quickly nodded his head.

"Ok sir."

"Mujhe na uspe doubt hai, usne dark makeup laga rakhi hai."

Sakshi pointed out , thus all heads turned to her except Shree.

"Makeup.?"

Riya narrowed her gaze.

"Haan uska skin tone na alag hai, per usne dark makeup laga rakhi hai.

Maine dekha abhi uske ek kaan ke pichhe ka skin fair hai jo uske chehre ke sath match nahi karta."

Sakshi explained.

"usse makeup nahi aata hoga Sakshi."

Chhotu answered.

"Tumhe samajh me aaya vo kya bol rahi hai.?"

Shree asked Chhotu curiously.

"Nahi re, per makeup ko leke 2 hi line hoti hai na. Adhi ldkiyon ko makeup aati hai aur adhi ladkiyon ko nahi."

Chhotu shrugged , to which Shree passed him an impressive look before continuing his work.

"Uska matlab ye hai ki Survi normally fair hai per usne dark makeup se apna skin dusky bana liya hai."

Ayesha explained to them.

"iska matlab ye hua ki vo apna asli chehra chhupana chahti hai sabse.?"

Riya guessed.

"Per vo aesa karegi kyun? Aur usse bhi bada sawal hum usse puch tach ke liye leke aane ke bawajood vo jhuth kyun bol rahi thi.?"

Rathore murmured thoughtfully.

"Ye kuch aur hi baat hai Rathore. Kuch chhut raha hai humse abhi bhi."

Arjun murmured spinning a pen in-between his finger ,when he felt an eye on him and angled his head to Riya meeting her eyes.

Riya looked away that instant, feeling embarrassed for crying in front of him, that too over something trivial.

___________________

As Shree ,Sakshi left for the bank enquiry , Chhotu went to Sukhwinder's home address ,Arjun Rathore cleared up the suspects lists, whereas Riya, Ayesha were stuck with the guests to keep an eye on everyone.

Ayesha chose to be among the crowd unwillingly, while Riya refrained herself from interacting with anyone and stayed on the upper floor near the railing keeping a watch on Survi who seemed to be extra alert after the interrogation.

The people, the hustle bustles , the taunts everything was taking a toll on her mind that she wanted to get over with the case as fast as possible ,but it seemed difficult considering there were some evil faces behind those smiles around.

"Mam ,Vedant sahab ko kuch ho gaya hai aap chaliye please."

One attendant said urgency and Riya's forehead creased as she followed him to Vedant's room quickly.

Vedant stood up from the bed as soon as she entered in and asked.

"Kya hua tumhe.?"

"Tum jaa sakte ho."

Vedant asked the attendant who obeyed him immediately and left the room leaving them alone ,much to Riya's confusion.

"Bataoge kya hua hai.?"

"Kuch nahi hua hai. Mujhe bas tumse baat karni thi aur mai jaanta hun tum mujhse baat nahi karna chahti issliye jhuth bolke bulaya tumhe."

Vedant answered, making her look at him in disbelief.

"Tumhe dad ne zyada kuch kaha toh nahi na? I'm sorry mai zyada kuch bol nahi paya wahan, mai dad ko next time bol dunga vo har baar tumpe aese naraj na ho."

"Tumhe kuch bolne ki jarurat nahi hai.

Meri ek help kar sakte ho.?"

She raised a brow at him, and he reluctantly nodded his head.

"Jab tak mai yahan hun, apne dad ko mere baare me kuch bhi bolne ki jarurat nahi hai. Wohi mere liye sabse badi help hogi. Tum bas apne kaam pe dhyan do, thik hai.?"

"Riya , mai jaanta hun tum mujhse naraj ho per mai aesa kya karun jo tum meri baat suno ek baar.?"

He asked desperately, thus she released a deep breathe looking up to him.

"Kya baat karni hai tumhe.?"

"Huh.?"

"Mai sun rahi hun kya baat karni hai tumhe, batao."

"oh.

Mai tumhe sorry kehna chahta tha."

"Vo tum pehle bol chuke ho."

She said trying to sound calm.

"Nahi inn chizon ke liye nahi, pehle ke liye.

Mai jaanta hun meri family ne tumhe bahut hurt kiya, tumhari family ko hurt kiya aur mai uss waqt kuch nahi kar paaya tumhare liye issliye tumhari narajgi jayaz hai, aur yahan aane ke baad mai tumhe VIdhi ke baare me bhi batana chahta tha per...."

"Pehli baat tumhe mujhe Vidhi ke baare me batane ki koi jarurat nahi hai, vo tumhara personal matter hai.

Dusri baat tum uss waqt mere liye kuch kar nahi paaye mai issliye naraj nahi thi."

She clarified ,and watched him growing confused.

"Matlab.? Tum uss wajah se naraj nahi thi.?"

"Nahi.

Tumhari mom chali gayin thi toh mai uss time kaise expect kar sakti hun ki tum mere liye aake fight karoge. ?

Per tum dono ne ek baar bhi sach jaanne ki koshish bhi nahi ki, bas jo hua usse sach maan ke baith gaye.

Aur college khatam hone se pehle maine kitni baar tumse baat karne ki koshish ki tumhe yaad bhi hai? College me , tumhare ghar ke bahar?

Tumhe uss waqt meri koi baat nahi sunni thi , toh mai kyun sunu abhi tumhari baatein.? "

She lashed out at him.

"Mujhe laga tum uss waqt sirf dad ke against hi bologi issliye."

Vedant argued.

"Vedant, agar itna hi bharosa tha apne dad pe toh aaj tum dono kyun doubt kar rahe ho unpe?

Aese hi maan ke chalo na vo tab bhi sahi the aur aaj bhi.

Aur tumhare parents ko ek baar side me kardo, toh hum friends nahi the kya?

Tumhe mujhpe bhi believe nahi hua ki mai tumhara ghar kyun todne ki koshish karungi?

Tumhare dad aur relatives jo bol rahe the tumne wohi believe kiya , toh mere liye bhi tum unke barabar ho gaye.

Ab samajh aaya mai kyun tumse naraj thi.?"

"Tab mujhe pata nahi tha mom ke sath kya hua tha."

"Tumhe aaj bhi pata nahi hai ki kya hua tha."

"Toh mujhe bata deti sab kuch pehle se."

"Tumhe sayad yaad nahi hai ki mai tumse ek baar iss baare me baat bhi ki thi, per tumne mazaq me le liya uss baat ko."

"Toh ek aur baar bata deti, mai sun leta na tab."

He chided.

"Mai kyun bataun tumhe tumhari hi ghar ki baat itni baar? Aur kya guarantee thi ki tum sunte tab? Tumhe apne hi ghar me kya ho raha hai dikh nahi raha tha toh mere bolne se kya kar lete tum?

Aur mujhe kaise pata chalega mere yahan se jaane ke baad tum mujhe contact kar rahe the , ya dhund rahe the? Jab mai yahan thi tab toh ignore kar rahe the.

Toh tum mujhe kuch bolo hi mat, aur ye sab abhi discuss karke kya faida? Tumhare dad ghum phir ke aajayenge bolne ki mai phir se kuch kar rahi hun unke ghar pe ,aur tum baad me sorry bolke nikal jaoge."

She scoffed watching him abruptly keeping mum ,then turned around to leave only to pulled back by her wrist.

"Riya, meri baat puri nahi hui hai."

She freed her hand that instant glaring him.

"Apni hadd me raho Vedant. Shadi hone wali hai tumhari toh ye sab harkatein chhod do. Atleast Vidhi ke baare me...."

Before she could complete Vedant interrupted her quickly.

"Sorry per mujhe jaanna tha Survi ne tum logon se kya baat ki."

He asked and suddenly her irritation lessened.

"Toh tumhe darasal mujhse yahi puchhna tha, ye purani baatein nikalna sirf bahana tha."

She pointed out, and he abruptly kept mum making her shaker her head in disbelief.

"Aur tumhe kyun janna hai Survi ke baare me.?"

She asked after a while.

"Batao please kya usne mere baare me kuch kaha.?"

Vedant sounded desperate to know the answer , making Riya stare at him confused.

She could feel something was off about the topic, and him thus nodded her slowly as a yes.

"Riya dekho usne jo kuch bhi kaha sab sach nahi hai. Har story ki 2 side hoti hai aur pura sach jaane bina police wale kisiko judge nahi karte, right.?"

"Jo kehna hai jaldi kaho, mere paas zyada time nahi hai."

She murmured and watched him hesitating a little before speaking up.

"Ye sach hai ki mai Mayra ko jaanta hun."

Her forehead shrunk in confusion since the name 'Mayra' rang a bell in her mind and she waited for him to explain further but he stood hanging his head low.

"Huh? Mayra.? Kaun hai ye.?"

She asked after a second.

"Mai aur Mayra social media me mile the, Vidhi se pehle mai Mayra ke sath relationship me tha.

Bahut casual relationship tha hamara, per vo zyada time tak nahi chal paaya uski controlling aur obsessive nature ki wajah se.

Jab maine mind makeup kiya usse breakup karne ke liye tab usne mujhse shadi ke liye puchha. Aur maine mana karke usse breakup kar liya.

Mai usse ignore karne laga toh vo mere social media account pe comments karne lagi , issliye maine usse har jagah se block kar diya. Uske baad meri usse kabhi baat nahi hui mera yakeen karo."

"Ek.. Ek minute inn sabka Survi se kya lena dena hai.?"

Riya asked failing to join the dots.

"Kyun usne tumhe bataya nahi.?"

Vedant asked confused.

"Mai tumse puchh rahi hun kya connection hai dono ka, bataoge.?"

Riya shouted growing frustrated with him and he gulped a little at her anger.

"uh vo kuch dino pehle Survi mere room me aayi thi aur uske paas Mayra aur mere chats, photos, Videos the jiske badle vo mujhse paison ki demand karne lagi."

"Kya? Kab.?"

"yahi kuch 2 hafte pehle.Vo dhamki dene lagi ki sabko bata degi.

Tum jaanti ho dad ke gusse ko, mai darr gaya aur kisiko kuch bol nahi paaya.

Maine usse paise bhi de raha hun per usne kaha vo chup chap rahegi shadi tak aur phir chali jaayegi issliye mai chup raha."

"Aur Mayra? Vo kahan hai abhi.?"

"Pata nahi. Maine usse phone kiya tha phone laga nahi. Uske social media accounts bhi deactivate hai."

"Toh Survi ke paas vo chats, photos , videos kaise aaye.?"

Riya asked further.

"Maine usse puchha tha per usne kaha vo jaanne ki jarurat nahi hai mujhe.

Per usne kiya kya hai? ETF puch tach kar rahi hai sunke mujhe laga ye baat ab mujhe chhupani nahi chahiye aur sabke samne batane ki himmat nahi ho rahi thi issliye tumhe bataya."

Riya fell silent over his answer trying to process everything while Vedant eyed her curiously.

"Kya usne mere baare me kuch aur bhi kaha hai? Tum ye sab dad ko nahi bataogi na please.?"

Riya shot her eyes up with a glare as she spoke up.

"Tumhara dimag kharab hai ? Ghar me itna kuch chal raha hai, ek ki maut ho chuki hai aur tumne ye baat hame batana jaruri nahi samjha?

Vo ladki 3 mahine se tumhare ghar pe tum pe najar rakh rahi hai, aur 2 hafton se tumhe blackmail ,aur tum uske baare me bina kuch jaane na sirf usse paise de rahe ho ,usse apne ghar me bhi rehne diya hai.

Tumhari akal kya ghas charne gayi hai.?"

She asked in disbelief.

"Per Riya uske paas sare chats , videos hain , mai agar uski baat nahi maanta toh vo sabko bol deti mere aur Mayra ke baare me aur meri shadi tut jaati."

Vedant reasoned.

"Toh koi bhi chat, video leke aayega tum usse paise de doge kya? Tumne ek baar bhi uske baare me jaanne ki koshish ki vo kahan se aayi hai , tumhe aur Mayra ko kaise jaanti hai.?"

Riya chided even though she knew the answer and as expected Vedant lowered his head much to her frustration.

"Ek minute tum jaante the Survi hi tumhe aur Vidhi ko messages bhej rahi thi.?"

She asked after a moment.

"Kya? Nahi nahi mujhe nahi pata ye sab.

Aur Surbhi mujhe vo messages kar rahi thi? Per vo toh paise leti thi na mujhse."

Vedant sounded surprised and Riya shook her head still in disbelief, just when she remembered something.

"Parso tum hi mile the Survi se raat ko 3 baje stair ke paas.?"

"uh haan mujhe usse paise dene the,per tumhe kaise pata?"

She ignored his curiousity and went ahead with another question.

"Ye baat ghar me aur kis kis ko pata hai.?"

"uh kisiko bhi nahi. Mai Vidhi ko batane ki soch raha tha per kaise bataun samajh nahi araha hai.

Aur dad? Dad ko pata chalega toh pata nahi kya hoga."

Vedant murmured worriedly.

"Tum pehle mere sath Rathore sir ke paas chalo, aur wahan sab kuch kaho jo abhi mujhse kaha hai."

She stated firmly.

"Nahi nahi, mai sabke samne nahi bata sakta. Pata nahi sab mere baare me kya sochenge."

Vedant shook his head.

"Vedant ,Sab kya sochenge iss chakkar me Bansi ki maut hogayi yahan pe.

Vo ek staff tha isliye tum logon ke liye uski zindagi mayne nahin rakhti?

Aur tumhe ek baar bhi khayal nahi aaya Jo ladki tumhare ghar me tumhe blackmail kar sakti hai vo aur bhi bahut kuch kar sakti hai?

Tum abhi ke abhi chalo mere sath."

"Per Riya."

"Tum arahe ho ya mai sabko yahan bulaun.?"

She warned ,thus he reluctantly nodded his head.

"Mai araha hun."

As Riya went to the room where Rathore and Arjun were working followed by an anxious Vedant who gulped unnecessarily thinking of the consequences aftermath.

Riya lightly pushed the door open motioning him to come inside but Vedant shook his head worriedly.

She spared him a blank look pulling his hand inside the room and stood in front of her two chiefs.

"Sir, isse kuch kehna hai."

Rathore stood up from the couch, and Arjun who was leaning against a corner table looked up from the files they were reading and the first thing they noticed Riya holding Vedant's hand.

Riya on following their eyes realized her own action , and let go of Vedant's hand stepping to a side to let him speak.

"Kya kehna hai.?"

Rathore asked, eyeing her then Vedant who looked uncertain and worried.

Just then Riya's phone rang which she checked quickly and it was Ayesha from the downstairs.

"Riya , jaldi niche aao."

Ayesha breathed in a go as soon as the call was answered , then disconnected it leaving Riya confused.

"Sir mai abhi aati hun."

She chirped quickly before rushing out of the room, and stood near the stairs watching a bizzare scene down in the hall.

Some of the women among the guests were fighting and Ayesha was trying to stop them among the chaos.

Riya sprinted downstairs walking up to Ayesha while Arjun ,Rathore too came out standing near the stairs.

"Kya hua.?"

Riya asked Ayesha.

"Ye log apne bachon ke achievements ko leke ladh rahe hain."

Ayesha groaned trying to stop a woman who pushed her away continuing with her shouting with the other woman,whereas Riya caught Ayesha swiftly not letting her lose the balance.

"Tum thik ho.?"

"Hmm...per inn logon ka....."

"YE SAB KYA HO RAHA HAI YAHAN PE.?"

the chaos suddenly halted at the loud angry voice of Rathore ,and everyone turned to him near the bottom of the stairs ,meanwhile Mr Sharma came standing near the railing.

"Survi kahan hai.?"

Riya murmured noticing her absence around.

"Thodi dair pehle toh yahin thi."

Ayesha replied roaming her eyes around and they went towards the kitchen to search for her.

"Bahar ke logon ke samne ye kya tamasha laga rakha hai.?"

Mr sharma shouted at the guests.

"Bhaisahab sab issi me shuru kiya tha. Vo meri beti ke baare me bolne lagi."

The woman answered pointing at the other woman,who started to object her only to be interrupted by Mr. Sharma.

"Agar tum logon ko aese hi ladhna hai toh apne apne ghar chale jao. Kisiko shadi me aane ki jarurat nahi hai."

"Sir."

Ayesha called out from the kitchen thus Rathore and Arjun rushed to there ,where Survi was lying unconscious on the floor.

"saansein chal rahi hai."

Riya said checking her pulse.

"ye sab kaise hua.?"

Rathore asked the other staffs.

"Sir hame nahi pata, vo achanak se gir gayi."

One of them replied.

"Ayesha jaldi ambulance bulao."

Arjun said, to which Ayesha nodded bringing out her phone dialling the number.

Soon the ambulance took away the girl ,when Arjun heard Mr Sharma's scoff behind him.

"Jabse police wale yahan aaye hain iss ghar me tamashe khatam hi nahi ho rahe hain."

"Aap hamari line bol rahe hain."

Arjun said turning to him and folded his arms across his chest looking up to Vedant near the stairs.

________________________

"Survi Vedant ko blackmail kar rahi thi.? Kisi Mayra ke sath Chats, videos ko leke.?"

Anil asked in surprise as he stood inside the room along with his father, brother and the whole ETF team.

"Vedant tumne ye sab bataya kyun nahi?

Aur Mayra abhi kahan hai.?"

Anil asked further eyeing the ETF team.

"Ye apne bhai se puchho.

Isne na sirf ek blackmailer ko ghar me rehne diya, ye baat ab tak police se chhupake rakhi ,aur toh aur isse pata bhi nahi hai ki wohi ladki isse aur iski fiance ko messages bhej rahi thi."

Rathore answered in a straight tone, much to Anil and his father's surprise.

"What.? Survi hi vo messages bhej rahi thi.?"

Anil exclaimed in shock.

"Mujhe toh lagta hai apni shadi todne ke liye issi ne hi sara natak kiya hai."

Rathore added eyeing Vedant, who shook his head.

"Nahi sir, mujhe nahi pata tha messagges ke baare me. Mai sach bol raha hun."

Vedant sounded desperate when his father stood in front of him with a hard glare.

"Iska matlab inhone baaki jo kaha vo sach hai.?"

"uh..."

Vedant hesitated, angering Mr Sharma more.

"Mai kuch puchh raha hun tumse."

"Dad..mai vo... mai darr gaya tha."

Vedant lowered his gaze and the next moment his father slapped him across his cheek hard.

Sakshi, Chhotu , Shree ,Ayesha exchanged looks among each other , Riya stood unfazed along with Rathore whereas Arjun spoke up.

"Mr Sharma aap apni family problems baad me discuss kar sakte hain, filhal hame Vedant se puch tach karni hai."

Mr Sharma glared at Vedant again then walked out of the room followed by Anil, who looked like wanting to talk to his brother desperately but however kept mum.

"tum Mayra ko kabse jaante the.?"

Arjun asked Vedant.

"Sir, yahi kuch do saal se."

Vedant replied.

"Aur usse last kab baat hui thi tumhari.?"

Arjun asked again.

"Uh 10 mahine honge. Maine usse har jagah se block kiya tha , uske baad meri usse kabhi baat nahi hui."

"Toh Mayra se breakup ke baad Vidhi ke sath tumhara relationship start hua tha, right.?"

Chhotu asked curiously.

"Haan sir, Vidhi aur mai usse pehle sirf friends the."

Replied Vedant.

"Bada fast hai ye toh , ek se breakup kiya, dusre ke sath relationship start aur phir jaldi jaldi shadi bhi tay ho gayi."

Sakshi muttered under her breathe near Shree.

"Mujhe toh abhi bhi issi pe doubt hai."

Shree murmured.

"Achha hua aesi family se Riya bach ke bahar agayi hai."

Chhotu said joining them.

"Haan. Socho agar shadi ho gayi hoti Riya roz roz inke drame dekhti, aur ETF officer banne ka time hi nahi hota uske paas."

Sakshi shook her head.

"Tum abhi jaa sakte ho."

Rathore ordered Vedant , who nodded his head before turning to Riya and walked near her.

"Riya, kya tum ek baar Vidhi se baat karogi.?"

"Mai.?"

Riya looked at him confused, when he held her hand.

"Haan tum. Mai toh baat karunga usse per mai nahi chahta hamare bich koi misunderstanding ho.

Tum usse baat karogi toh usse yakeen ho jayega mere aur Mayra ke bich koi relation nahi hai ab. Please tum ek baar baat karogi usse? Mere liye , please.?"

Arjun tightened his jaw eyeing the way he was holding her hand then glared up to Vedant while Riya angled her head to her friends for help before pulling her hand away from his hold.

Rathore stole a glance at Ayesha who had an unpleasant look thrown at Vedant's direction , and he cleared his throat speaking up.

"Vedant tum jaa sakte ho."

Vedant slowly nodded giving a last glance at Riya, then went out of the room letting everyone breathe in relief.

"Survi ki tabiyat kaisi hai ab.? Kuch pata chala kya hua tha usse.?"

Rathore asked.

"Sir stable hai, per hosh nahi aaya hai ab tak toh usse observation me rakha hai.

Aur abhi uski test kar rahe hain, uske baad pata chalega."

Ayesha replied , and Rathore nodded his head.

"Sir Survi ke paas jo phone mila isme Vedant, Mayra ke chats, photos, videos sach me hai.

Per hairani ki baat ye hai isme Mayra ka mail id logged in hai, toh mujhe lagta hai ye phone Mayra ka hai."

"Per Mayra ka phone aur Credit cards Survi ke paas kaise aaye.?"

Sakshi questioned.

"Sir, Vedant bata raha tha ki Survi ne usse 2 hafte pehle blackmail karna shuru kiya , jabki vo 3 mahine se yahan iss ghar me hai.

Agar uske paas Mayra ka phone tha toh usne pehle kuch kyun nahi kaha.?"

Riya questioned ,making everyone think over it except Arjun who walked past her towards the couch taking a seat there and spoke up.

"Shree, hall ka cctv footage play karo."

"Ji sir."

Shree quickly played the video ,and everyone gathered around him to watch it but to their dismay there was nothing unusual in it.

"Ye toh sabko chai coffee de rahi thi, achanak behosh kaise ho gayi.?"

Chhotu asked.

"Adhe toh apne apne kaam me busy the aur adhe jhagda dekhne me. Suddenly aesa kya ho gaya."

Ayesha too murmured.

"Dekho dekho .."

Sakshi pointed at the screen frowning.

"Kya hua ? Koi dikha.?"

Riya asked taking another look at the screen.

"Arey nahi. Vo PA usko koi kaam dhanda hi nahi hai, jab dekho yahin hai sabke bich. Ye dekho wahan khade hoke jhagda dekh raha hai, iski baaj ki najar ki wajah se isko salary milti hogi."

Sakshi frowned.

"Sakshi vo wahan hum pe hi najar rakh raha hoga, yaad hai usne kya kaha tha ? Uske sir ne hum pe najar rakhne ke liye usse khas kaha hai."

Chhotu commented.

"per isme toh aesa kuch dikh nahi raha jiski wajah se vo suddenly behosh ho jaaye."

Riya pointed out, just when Shree got a message.

"Sir, Mayra ke naam ke jo credit card mila tha uski details se Mayra ka address mil gaya hai.ye Chandigarh ka address hi hai."

Shree informed them after reading the message.

"Great. Ek kaam karo Rawte, Riya aur Shree tum teeno uske ghar jao ,Chhotu , Sakshi ghar me najar rakho ,tab tak mai aur Ayesha hospital jaate hain."

Rathore commanded ,thus Riya and Shree nodded watching Arjun simply leaving the room without uttering a word.

"iss ghar ke logon ko manna padega. Kuch bhi ho jaye shadi rukni nahi chahiye."

Shree shook his head as they climbed off the stairs, watching the guests acting all normal in the hall.

He then angled his head to Riya who didn't answer him , instead looked lost in some thoughts.

"Ab tum kis soch me ho.?"

Shree asked her, yet no reply came from her side.

She being too immersed in her thoughts missed a step on the stair ,losing her balance and jerked forward when Shree quickly held her forearm keeping her still in the spot.

"Kahan dhyan hai tumhara? Dekh ke toh chalo."

Shree muttered, making Arjun stop on his track and he turned around to find her struggling to stand properly on her leg.

"Kya hua moch aagaya.?"

Shree enquired.

"Pata nahi. Per maine zor se rakh diya pair toh pain ho raha hai thoda."

She replied ,when Arjun came standing near her.

"Kya hua.?"

"Sir vo lagta hai Riya ke pair pe moch agaya."

Shree answered.

"Nahi, moch jaisa lag toh nahi raha hai, mai try karti hun chalne ki."

She tried taking a step ahead stretching a hand towards the railing for support , but it was held by Arjun instead.

She swirled her head to their joined hands for a moment ,then looked up to his face meeting his eyes for nanoseconds before he looked down at her feet and she composed herself quickly ,while Shree rushed to bring a stool for her.

"Ek kaam karo ispe baith jao, dekhte hain kya hua hai pair ko."

Shree said putting a stool just near the bottom of the stairs, and Riya didn't miss his teasing eyes along with the sudden playfulness in his tone.

Arjun made her sit on the small stool letting go of her hand ,meanwhile She didn't dare to look up to him focusing on her leg instead.

The moment she took off her shoe ,Arjun bent down to her level to inspect her foot making her eyes widen and she instantly pulled back her leg.

"Sir kya kar rahe hain aap."

Arjun looked up to her with a pointed look, whereas Shree narrowed his gaze at them.

"Ye tum khud thik karne wali ho.?"

Arjun asked pointing a finger at her feet.

"uh…sab yahan pe hain aapke baare me kya sochenge , aap khade ho jayiye sir."

She blabbered inspecting her own foot and tried twisting it to both the sides to lessen the pain.

Arjun looked at her curiously when a woman approached them from the hall.

"Toh yahi hai vo jo tumhe mil gaya hai.?"

Three pair of eyes snapped up to the woman ,and two of them knew what exactly she meant by that.

Riya stared at her in shock then turned to Shree who put a fist over his mouth controlling his laugh ,and from her peripheral vision she could see Arjun slowly standing up looking puzzled.

"Na..nahi aunty. Aesa kuch …."

"Thik hi hai. Per iss ghar me shadi hoti toh raani ki tarah rehti,ye police walon ke sath jeena bada muskil hota hai.

Khair jo jiski naseeb me hota hai usse mil hi jaata hai."

The woman spared them a pointed look before leaving, and Riya gulped as she moved her gaze to Arjun who was now staring at her with an unreadable expression and she knew what was coming next.

"sir..maine kuch nahi kaha."

She mumbled slowly.

Arjun walked away from there without uttering a word ,and Riya quickly wore back the shoe as they followed him out.

"Tera pair thik hai.?"

Shree enquired watching her limping a little.

"Shree, tumhe vo jhuth nahi bolna chahiye tha.

Ab dekho sir naraj ho gaye."

She muttered worriedly.

"Ri sir uss wajah se naraj hote toh tujhe wahin sunake jaate."

Shree pointed out.

"Haan per sir gusse me toh lag rahe hain."

She objected watching him inside the car from a far.

"Vo toh room se hi gusse me nikle the. Tumne dekha nahi kaise bahar aaye the.?"

Shree raised a brow, thus Riya stood confused.

"Kyun.?"

Shree just shrugged in reply before walking away, and Riya had no other option but to follow him.

___________

As they reached Mayra's address found the house locked ,thus Shree broke the lock before they entered in while Riya went ahead to enquire about her from the neighbours.

"Sir padoshion ka kehna hai ki Mayra yahan rehti thi per usne suddenly kisi aur ko ye ghar bech diya 6 mahine pehle.Aur jisse becha vo ye hai."

Riya said showing a photo in her phone.

"Survi? Ek maid ke paas itne paise ki vo aesa ghar kharide.?"

Shree wondered.

"Haan per Survi zyadatar yahan nahi aati hai aesa yahan ke logon ne kaha.

Aur wese bhi Vedant ke ghar me usne ek rented house ka address diya hai, sayad sabko dikhane ke liye vo wahan rehti thi."

Riya explained looking at Arjun who walked ahead to search the house ,without uttering a word making her sigh.

As they started searching around Shree went to look in to the bedroom finding a big curtain covering a side of the wall that he found odd and pulled the curtain aside but what he found on the wall was even more odd and surprising.

"Sir, Riya."

He called out and seconds later both came inside the room standing Infront of the wall, stunned.

The wall had numerous photos of Vedant attached, some were with Mayra and rest were his solos with dates written on them.

"Vedant keh raha tha Mayra obsessive nature ki thi, per itna thi usne bataya nahi tha."

Shree murmured in a daze.

"Mayra ne ye ghar 6 mahine pehle Survi ko becha tha, per isme kuch photos me toh 4 mahine pehle ki date hai."

Riya pointed out.

"Toh Kya Mayra ka obsession Survi continue kar rahi thi.? Yahan pe toh Vedant ke ghar se nikalne se leke ,bahar kahan kahan jaata tha sare photos hai."

Shree questioned scratching his forehead.

"Iska matlab Vedant sach keh raha tha."

Riya murmured under her breathe, earning a pointed look from Arjun before he spoke up.

"Ghar me search karo, Mayra ke baare me yahin se pata chalega."

Riya turned to him as he left the room in a jiff and she sighed.

On further search she found documents of Mayra in the drawer , whereas Arjun came out of the room with some papers.

"Shree, pata karo iss hospital se Mayra ka kya connection hai."

Arjun asked forwarding the papers to him.

"ok sir."

Arjun then moved his gaze to Riya who was busy looking through some documents.

"Kya mila.?"

He asked approaching her.

"Uh sir.."

She forwarded the documents to him but hesitated to speak since he still looked angry and looked inside the drawer to find something else.

As Arjun was checking the papers ,Riya cleared her throat a bit standing in front of him.

"Sir,agar aap uss aunty ki baat se naraj hain toh maine sach me unhe kuch nahi kaha tha.

Vo toh...*Pause* aese hi bol rahin thi.

Sorry sir."

She said earnestly,and Arjun didn't reply anything.

"Sir aap daant lijiye agar aapko..."

"Mai uski wajah se naraj nahi hun."

Arjun said interrupting her in middle,and watched her face shrinking confusingly.

"Ji?

Uh toh phir.."

She trailed failing to acknowledge the reason ,when he slammed the documents aside on the table taking a step ahead towards her.

"Toh?

Tum jo......"

Arjun paused suddenly realising he can't even explain the reason behind his irritation to himself, let alone her.

"Sir mai kya.?"

Riya asked curiously, making him stare up to her for a moment before he backed out.

"kuch nahi. Ye sare documents sath le chalo."

He commanded and walked away from there leaving her confused.

______________

"Sir, Surbhi ke medical jaane ke baad ghar me sab kuch normal hai. Na sirf ye log isse casually le rahe hain,balki kal dulhan ki family se bhi log aane wale hain yahan engagement ke sare preparation discuss karne.

Ye toh mai pehli baar dekh raha hun ek engagement ke liye itna kuch ho raha hai."

Chhotu informed as soon as everyone returned back to the mansion.

"Na inhe darr hai na kuch.

Aur ye dono bhai apne apne room me hi hai pura din ,per lagta hai niche kisiko kuch pata nahi hai ki Vedant ne kya kiya hai.

Ek aur baat vo jo guard Sukhwinder hai, vo kal raat se urgently Punjab wapas chala gaya hai uski wife ki delivery hone wali thi issliye. Usne jaldi jaldi me kisiko inform nahi kiya tha phir baad me kiya, vo abhi Punjab me hai."

Sakshi added.

"Mayra ka ghar usne 6 mahine pehle Survi ko becha tha, per uss ghar me hame Vedant ke photographs mile aur vo bhi ek puri wall pe.

Mayra Vedant ko stalk karti thi, vo kya kar raha hai kahan jaata hai sab kuch, per ghar bechne ke baad bhi Vedant ko stalk kiya jaa raha tha .

Ye unn photographs me mention kiye huye dates se hame pata chala. Toh hame lagta hai ki Mayra ke baad Survi Vedant ko stalk kar rahi thi, aur uska pichha karte karte yahan tak aayi."

Riya explained.

"Uss Vedant ke itne fan.?"

Sakshi muttered under her breathe.

"uss ghar me jo bhi documents , papers mile sab Mayra ke the, Survi ka kuch bhi nahi mila hame wahan."

Riya added quickly.

"Mayra Vedant se shadi karna chahti thi, per Vedant ne mana kar diya.

Toh kya aesa ho sakta hai ki Mayra ki maut ho chuki ho, aur Survi se uska kisi tarah ka relation ho aur vo Vedant se badla lena chahti ho Mayra ke liye.?"

Ayesha guessed raising her brow.

"Nahi Ayesha, iss kahani ek aur twist hai.

Mayra ke ghar se jo ek hospital ki paper mili thi maine uss hospital me contact kiya toh pata chala ki wahan ek doctor tha jo Mayra ko achhe se jaanta tha, dono dost the.

Vo doctor toh abhi abroad shift ho gaya hai per usne kaha ki Mayra ne usse kisi plastic surgeon se introduce karne ke liye kaha tha uske abroad shift hone se pehle.

Uss plastic surgeon se Mayra ne apni plastic surgery karwayi thi , aur ye kuch 7 mahine pehle hua hai."

Shree explained.

"Toh kya Survi hi Mayra hai.?"

Sakshi exclaimed after thinking a lot and her eyes widened as Shree nodded positively in answer.

"Toh Mayra ne plastic surgery ki aur Survi ban gayi aur wapas Vedant ki life me agayi.?

Iska matlab vo jo ek mahine se Vedant aur Vidhi ko message kar rahi thi usse laga hoga uski messages se shadi tut jayegi, per jab kisine iss baat ko seriously nahi liya toh usne message karna bhi chalu rakha aur Vedant ko direct blackmail bhi kiya."

Rathore said thoughtfully.

"Sakshi dekh rahi ho kitna pyar karti thi ladki usse.?"

Chhotu whispered near her ear.

"Pyar hai ya bewakoofi.?"

Sakshi shook her head.

"Survi ko kya hua tha.?"

Arjun asked eyeing Ayesha.

"Sir, usse bhi zehar diya gaya tha, per ye Bansi ko diye gaye zehar se zyada dangerous tha.

Aur ye zehar khane ke jariye nahi diya gaya hai Survi ko, uski aankh ke jariye diya gaya hai."

Ayesha answered.

"Aankh ke jariye.?"

Riya asked, confused.

"Haan. Zehar ka asar itna zyada tha ki aankh me jaate hi vo behosh ho gayi ,uske baad Zehar ne apna slow reaction dikhaya. Uski ek side aankh puri tarah se sujh gayi hai, doctor keh rahe hain sayad uss aankh se kuch dekh payegi vo ab."

Rathore replied her, while Arjun thought something then asked.

"Kaunsi wali aankh.?"

"Left wali."

Rathore replied quickly and Arjun nodded spinning a pen in between his finger.

"Mujhe toh laga tha vo suicide karne ki koshis kar rahi thi pakde jaane ke darr se, per yahan toh baat kuch aur hi hai."

Sakshi mumbled.

"Per agar Survi ye sab kar rahi thi toh usse zehar kisne diya.?"

Shree questioned.

"CCTV me toh aesa kuch dikha hi nahi."

Sakshi pointed out.

"Aesa bhi ho sakta hai ki Survi ka sath dene wala koi yahin pe ho aur pakde jaane ke darr se usne Survi ko zehar de diya ho."

Chhotu guessed.

"Per Mayra yaani Survi iss ghar me 3 mahine se hai, toh jo bhi uska saathi hai vo 3 mahine se uske sath hai ya phir recently aya hai? Kyunki agar first option dekhe toh iska matlab koi ghar ka hi hai kyunki bahar ka koi 3 mahine me naya nahi aya hai ghar me, guards toh kuch din pehle hi aye hain."

Riya pointed out.

"Koi ghar ka hi hai.

Bahar ke suspects sirf hame uljhane ke liye tha, inhi ghar walon me se koi ek hai jisse Survi ki iss obsession ki baare me pata tha.

Aur usne Survi ke sath milke itni lambi planning ki. Aur ye jo bhi hai hame kal tak dhund nikalna hai isse ,hum aur zyada time nahi le sakte yahan."

Rathore chirped straight.

"Kyun Sameer, tumhe bhi achha nahi lag raha hai yahan pe.?"

Sakshi asked straight, earning a blank look from Rathore.

An hour rolled by as they looked in to the papers, photos thoroughly to see if they were missing something when Shree came to Arjun and forwarded him the tab.

"Sir aap ne jo kaha tha ,file isme hai."

"Hmm."

Arjun nodded taking the tab from him, meanwhile Riya on the other end of the couch looked at both of them curiously as the scenario was as same as their secret talk from the other day then raised a brow at Shree silently asking what is it about.

Shree didn't answer instead motioned her to ask Arjun before going back to his seat and since she was uncertain about the reason behind his anger ,tried taking a peek over the tab by slowly moving an inch closer to him and then she heard Arjun's voice.

"Riya apne kaam me dhyan do."

He sounded calm and slow but clear enough for her to hear without averting his gaze from the tab , and she slumped back on her seat focusing back on the photos she was checking.

"Ek kaam karte hain hotel chalte hain, baaki kaam wahin se kar lenge. Wese bhi kaafi late ho gaya hai."

Rathore said interrupting everyone's work.

"Per Sir Anil insist kar raha tha hum jitni dair ho sake yahan ruke unki safety ke liye, uska kya kare.?"

Chhotu asked.

"Mai baat karlunga Anil se."

Rathore answered thus everyone picked up their stuff to leave the room, only to meet with Mr Sharma near the door accompanied by his PA and another man.

"Mai aap logon se hi milne araha tha."

Mr Sharma said standing in front of Rathore.

"Kahiye."

Rathore replied, as the team behind him waited for the man to speak.

"Dekhiye officer mai pehle se police bulane ke shakht khilaf tha, aur mujhe lagta hai aap logon ke aane ke baad se situation aur complicated ho gayi hai yahan."

"Aap kehna kya chahte hain sidha point pe aayenge Mr Vardhaman ? Hamare paas zyada time nahi hai yahan."

Arjun interrupted him curtly, earning a glare.

"Kuch galtiyan aap logon ki hai, aur kuch mere bete ki. Toh mai chahta hun ki aaj jo kuch bhi hua yahan aap logon ke alawa kisi aur ko pata na chale.

Vo ladki pakdi gayi hai aur case solve ho gaya hai toh aap log case close karke jaa sakte hain."

Mr Sharma chirped straight.

"Ji nahi, case abhi close nahi hua hai.

Aur aap sayad bhul rahe hain Survi pakdi nahi gayi hai, usse hospital le jaaya gaya hai aapke ghar se aur vo bhi issliye kyunki usse zehar diya gaya hai.

Ab vo itne mahine se bina kisike help ke ghar me itna sab kuch toh nahi karegi ."

Rathore answered him ,and Mr Sharma's forehead creased at his words.

"Kya matlab hai aapka.?"

"Aapko matlab bahut jald pata chal jaayega.

Abhi hum chalte hain."

Rathore said and walked away from there, and others followed.

As Riya was about to walk past him, she stopped on hearing him saying.

"Tumhe toh bahut khushi ho rahi hogi na mere ghar ki aesi halath karke."

Sakshi frowned beside Riya, whereas others stopped on their track turning around to them while Riya whipped her head to Mr Sharma who continued speaking.

"Pata nahi vo kaunsi ghadi thi jo maine tumhe apne ghar me aane diya.

Tab toh maine sambhal liya tha , per ab phir se aayi ho toh sab kuch phir se kharab ho raha hai.

Per isse apni jeet mat samajhna tum."

Riya looked away from him ignoring his words, yet he didn't stop there.

"Apni ghar ki izzat rakhna mujhe achhe se aata hai, kisi ki tarah apni family ko leke bhaag nahi jaaunga."

Riya gritted his teeth looking back at him finding him smirking ,while Chhotu came forward to intervene only to be stopped by Arjun.

"Don't mind me Mr Rathore, vo kya hai na mera inse purana hisab hai. Jab bhi samne dekhta hun yaad aajata hai."

Mr Sharma said without turning to Rathore, who looked pissed and was about to snap when he watched Riya speaking up.

"Achha hai Mr. Sharma kahin bhaagiyega bhi mat, kyunki mujhe lagta hai abhi bahut kuch dekhna baaki hai aapka."

Riya said and the smirk from his face slowly faded up.

"By the way ek aur baat, wese mai yahan aayi toh thi ETF officer ke naate apni team ke sath per aap apne ghar ke problem se zyada mujhpe focus kar rahe hain, mera reaction jaanne ki koshish kar rahe hain , mujhe achha laga ki itne saalo baad bhi mai aapke liye utni hi important hun."

"ETF officer, team , jahan tak mai jaanta hun ye team meri help karne yahan aayi thi aur aapki officer toh yahan mujhe jawab de rahi hai Mr Rathore."

Mr Sharma muttered slowly ,thus Riya glanced at her wrist watch then looked back up to him.

"Uh abhi mai off-duty hun."

She said and ignored his reaction turning to Sakshi.

"Chalein.?"

Sakshi nodded her head with a smile and they both walked past him stopping right in front of Rathore who nodded his head at her with an impressive look before walking away.

TBC.

so i didn't get time to finish this case this time because of the family drama.. surely in next

Part-26

"Mujhe toh abhi bhi yakeen nahi ho raha hai, Arjun sir THE Arjun sir ne hamari side li, vo bhi commissioner sir ke samne."

Chhotu said in an astounding voice.

"Mujhe laga tha Arjun chup chap Commissioner sir ka order follow karega.

Per uska ye roop toh mai pehli baar dekh rahi hun."

Sakshi too sounded shocked.

"Guys tum logon ne commissioner sir ka chehra dekha kaise time bomb ki tarah lag raha tha jaise abhi fatt jayenge.

Usme bhi Arjun sir unki aankhon me aankhein daal ke dekh rahe the, mere toh romte khade ho gaye the."

Shree shuddered.

"Haan per case toh wese hi reh gaya ab usse pura kaun karega? Ya phir sach mein case transfer kar denge.?"

Sakshi wondered.

"Rathore sir keh rahe the Commissioner sir ne ab tak final order ni diya hai, toh hame wait karna chahiye.

Ho sakta hai case ETF ko hi solve karne ke liye kahe.?"

Ayesha assured them, just when Chhotu's gaze fell on Riya who was smiling arranging a file on her desk.

"Riya tu kya khush ho rahi hai? Yaad hai na hum case se bahar hai abhi."

Chhotu said ,and to his confusion she didn't answer him anything instead kept arranging the papers with the smile lingering on her lips.

Chhotu looked up to rest of his friends who now looked at Riya closely ,and Shree spoke this time.

"Ri kya hua tujhe? Tu hass kyun rahi hai.?"

Still getting no answer Sakshi finally got up from her seat , walked up to Riya's desk and shook her lightly.

"Riya kahan khoyi hui ho , hum kabse bula rahe hain."

"Huh.?"

Riya jolted her lashes up to her friends sitting alerted.

"Tum log kya bol rahe the ? Mera dhyan nahi tha sorry."

She murmured masking her smile.

"Wohi toh hum puch rahe hain kahan dhyan hai tera? Aur itna khush kyun ho tum.?"

Shree questioned.

"Khush ? Aur mai ? Nahi toh."

Riya shook her head and watched them exchanging looks at each other.

"Riya koi khush khabri hai toh hame bhi batao na."

Ayesha insisted.

"Arey kuch bhi toh nahi hai.

Achha tum log coffee piyoge ? Mai sabke liye achhi si coffee banake laati hun."

Riya got up from her seat and was about to walk towards the cafeteria but stopped noticing Arjun coming towards them.

"Rathore kahan hai.?"

Arjun asked eyeing each of them.

"Rathore sir toh...aapke pichhe hain sir."

Shree answered eyeing Rathore who too came out of his cabin.

"Team school ka pending case complete karne ke liye ETF ko permission mil gayi hai."

Rathore announced standing beside Arjun.

"Sir toh kya hum....."

Chhotu trailed his words worrying if they in real got excluded from the case , when Rathore beat him to it.

"Nahi chhotu pure team ko permission mili hai."

Rathore said glancing at Arjun , then at the team and watched everyone smiling except one. (Guess who)

"Toh sare papers leke confernece hall chalo."

Rathore added , thus everyone hurried to bring their stuff.

"Um aap sab chaliye mai sabke liye coffee leke aati hun , aur Arjun sir aapki cutting chai bhi."

Riya announced in a delightful voice ,making Arjun stare at her warily including her friends but then he walked away without uttering a word.

"Mujhe laga tha Riya itna khush case se bahar hogaye the na issliye ho rahi hai, break chahiye hoga usse.

Per ab toh case wapas agaya hai aur ye ab bhi itni khush hai."

Sakshi said in amusement.

"Nahi re Sakshi case se bahar hoke vo itna khush kabhi nahi hogi, kuch aur hua hoga."

Chhotu whispered beside her , deciding to ask Riya about it later.

________________

"Ab tak jo bhi investigation hua hai shuru se shuru karte hain."

Rathore said once after everyone took their seat in the conference hall.

"Sir."

Shree nodded starting the projector.

"Unity school me kuch dino se bhoot ka rumour aur ek teacher gayab hone ka hame complain mila tha.

Gayab hua teacher Ashish Kataria jo ek English teacher hain ek din school aaye aur ek class ke baad gayab hogaye."

Shree started.

"School me undercover jaane ke baad sabse pehla suspect hame mili hostel ki warden jo khud bhoot banke bachon aur teachers ko darati thi.

Vo kaafi waqt se school me hain aur school ki har chhoti badi chizon ki jaankari rakhti hain.

Aur sayad issliye unhe achha se pata tha kab kisko darana hai.

Unke room se mujhe thode hi paise mile the , kyunki iss kaam ke liye unhe jitne bhi paise mile the vo zyadatar unhone kharch kar diye the.

Unke room se mujhe ye sone ki ghadi aur earrings mile the."

Ayesha explained and Shree displayed the evidence on the projector.

"Per warden ke statement ke hisab se English teacher matlab Ashish ne hi sabse pehle unhe bhoot banke school me darane ke liye paise diye the."

Riya spoke.

"Aur jab Ashish gayab hogaya, tab Math teacher ne warden ko paise dena shuru kiya bhoot ka role continue rakhne ke liye."

Sakshi added quickly.

"Jab Math teacher ne warden ko paise diye tabhi unhe pata chala ki ye Math teacher aur English teacher dono iss kaam me mile huye hain .

Iske alawa unhe aur kuch nahi pata."

Chhotu shook his head.

"Math teacher ke room aur locker se kuch mila.?"

Rathore questioned.

"Haan sir vo Math teacher ka naam Manoj hai aur vo school ke staff quarter me hi rehte the ek social studies teacher ke sath.

Room se unke regular chizon ke alawa kuch bhi suspecting nahi mila.

Aur unke locker se bas yahi cheezein mili …"

Shree pointed at the projector screen and everyone turned their heads.

"School ke kuch test papers, ek dryfruit box , ek photo jo recently ek staff meeting me li gayi thi isme Ashish bhi hai ,aur ye classes ki schedule.

Iske alawa aur wahan kuch nahi tha."

"Ek min Shree thoda picche karo."

Riya said still looking at the screen.

"HUh ? Ek min."

Shree pressed the previous arrow that displayed the staff meeting photo where the Math teacher, English teacher and one more teacher was present.

"Shree, Manoj ke hath pe zoom karo."

"Kya hua Riya.?"

Ayesha asked puzzled , by the time Shree zoomed the picture.

"Ye jo bracelet isne pehna hai maine kahin dekha hai."

Riya said making everyone's attention shift to the bracelet.

"Ye toh koi couple bracelet jaisa lag raha hai."

Sakshi said after a minute of staring.

"Couple bracelet ? Ye kya hota hai.?"

Chhotu looked at her confused.

"Chhotu couple bracelet matlab matching accessories hote hain jo couples pehnte hain apna pyar jatane ke liye. "

Sakshi answered.

"Per tumhe kaise pata ye couple bracelet hai.?"

Shree narrowed his gaze at her.

"Arey vo pendent dekh rahe ho bracelet ke niche vo half hai, aur ye bracelet ka dusra hissa jiske pass hoga uske pass iss pendent ka dusra half hoga.

Agar vo do pendent ko mila do toh ek Pura heart ka symbol ho jayega."

Sakshi explained.

"Waah aesa bhi hota hai kya.

Sakshi , tujhe inn sab ke baare me kaise pata.?"

Chhotu asked, amused.

"Chhotu ye Sakshi ka talent hai aur inn sabko ke baare me yahan sabse zyada mera knowledge hai."

Sakshi pulled the collar of her shirt proudly.

"Bekar chizon ka knowledge rakh ke usse flex karna bhi ek talent hai Sakshi."

Arjun's mocking voice came and she frowned at him while Rathore ignored them shifting his attention to Riya.

"Aesa bracelet tumne kahan dekha hai Riya.?"

"Wohi sir yaad karne ki koshis kar rahi hun."

Riya mumbled trying to pressure her memory.

"Agar ye sach me couple bracelet hai toh iska adha hissa toh Manoj ki girlfriend ke pass hoga."

Ayesha commented and the word 'Girlfriend' rang the bell in Riya's head.

"Right. Girlfriend.

Girlfriend ke hath me tha."

Riya said aloud.

"Tum Manoj ki girlfriend se mili ho.?"

Shree eyed her curiously.

"Nahi Manoj ki girlfriend nahi , Ashish ki girlfriend ki hath me matlab Neha ke hath me.

Panchghani me maine Neha ke hath me aesa bracelet dekha tha."

As soon as she finished her line her friends stared at her weirdly.

"Riya tumhare kehne ka matlab hai Manoj ki hath me jo couple bracelet hai uska dusra hissa Ashish ki girlfriend ne pehen rakha tha.?"

Shree voiced out everyone's confusion, to which Riya nodded as a yes.

"Matlab Affair.?"

Ayesha sounded unimpressed.

"Per Neha Manoj ko kaise jaanti hogi ?

Ashish, MAnoj toh ek hi school me kaam karte hain aur Neha toh itni dur Panchghani me rehti hai . Inn dono ka affair kaise ho sakta hai.?"

Sakshi asked to no one particular.

"Ek baar ke liye hum maan bhi le ki Manoj aur Neha ka affair tha, toh kya Ashish ko ye baat pata thi?

Toh ye dono teacher school me bhoot ka afwah kyun faila rahe the , aur Manoj ne Ashish ko itna maar ke lab me kyun rakha tha?

Agar ek aur din hum late hote toh Ashish toh wahin mar jaata."

Chhotu breathed in a go.

"Sawal itne sare hain aur jawab dene wala koi nahi.

Hamara ek suspect already marr chuka hai , aur dusra kuch bolne ki halath me nahi hai.

Damn it."

Rathore slmmed his fist on the table in frustration just when his gaze fell on Arjun who was silent all this time.

"Rawte.

Hamare school jaane se pehle tum kuch confirm karne gaye the aur tab se ab tak chup baithe ho.

Agar tum last minute tak kuch bolne ka wait kar rahe ho toh abhi vo khayal chhod do."

Rathore warned him.

"Mujhe koi shauk nahi hai last minute me har baar bolne ki.

Vo toh mai ek motive dhundne ki koshis kar raha hun."

Arjun replied straight , sounding confused himself.

"Motive ? Kaisa motive.?"

Rathore eyed him strangely.

Arjun pushed a file to him on the table before starting to speak.

"Iss case me hamare pass ek aur suspect bhi hai.

Neha Mathur."

"Rawte ek bracelet ki wajah se hum usse suspect nahi maan sakte."

Rathore gave him a blank look.

"Mai uski baat ni kar raha hun.

File check karo."

Arjun said and continued.

"Jis din hum Panchghani gaye the uss din mujhe Neha ka ghar thoda strange laga tha, per Jaise ki Riya tumne kaha tha ho sakta hai vo shift karne wali ho ya ghar usse pasand na ho ,issliye Neha jis school me sports teacher hai wahan maine enquiry ki.

Neha ke collegues ka kehna hai Neha ab tak 1 saal me 4 ghar change kar chuki hai, wajah uski excessive agressiveness hai jiski wajah se vo aaye din kisi na kisi wajah se jhagda karti rehti thi aur phir vo jagah chhod deti thi.

Toh jahan hum gaye the wahan vo ek saal se reh rahi hai ye uska pehla jhuth tha.

Neha bahut zyada impatient nature ki hai aur usse jaldi gussa aajata hai, issliye school me bhi uska kisise zyada banta nahi hai.

Toh aesi ladki apne boyfriend ke gayab hone ko leke itna shaant kaise ho sakti hai?

Dusra jhuth uske call records se pata chalta hai.

Neha ne hame bataya tha Ashish ki work phone pe vo kabhi phone nahi karti thi kyun ki Ashish ne mana kiya hua tha.

Per jis din Ashish gayab hua uss din Neha ne usse raat ke 2 baje work phone pe call kiya tha jo already switched off tha, aesa lag raha hai jaise Neha ne baad me police ko dikhane ke liye usse ek call kiya tha taaki kisiko shaq na ho uspe , aur hadbadi me usne Ashish ki personal phone ke wajaye work phone pe call kardiya.

Ashish ke pass dusra phone hai ye Neha ke alawa school me kisiko nahi pata tha ,per jab hame Ashish mila uske pass koi dusra phone ni mila.

Jarur Neha ne Manoj ko kaha hoga dusre phone ke baare me jo Manoj ne hata diya tha."

"Per sir agar Manoj Neha isme mile huye hain toh vo communicate toh karte honge ,per Manoj ke call details me toh aesa kuch nahi mila.?"

Ayesha asked.

"Shree , Manoj ke call details do."

Arjun ordered and Shree quickly forwarded him the papers.

"Ye dekho Ayesha call details me bas school ke staff numbers hai thik Ashish ki tarah."

Arjun pointed out.

"Iska matlab Manoj ke bhi dusra phone tha aur sayad Neha ke pass bhi."

Sakshi guessed.

"Per Manoj ke pass se bhi hame ek bhi phone mila . Uske room ya locker me bhi dusra phone nahi tha."

Shree commented.

"Aur hame usse phone chhupane ke liye itna tiime bhi toh nahi diya tha."

Chhotu added.

"Toh phone abhi bhi school me hoga Chhotu. Jab vo tum sab se bhag raha tha tabhi usne kahin phone phenk diya hoga .school search karenge toh mil jaayega phone."

Arjun answered him.

"Per sawal ye hai ki Neha aesa kyun karegi ? Uska toh unity school se kuch lena dena bhi nahi hai , toh do teachers ko laga ke vo itna sab kyun karegi?"

Riya mumbled thoughtfully.

"Haan ek aesa school jiska record already kharab hai , popularity bhi kam hogayi hai aese school me ye sab karke kya hi milne wala tha usse."

Shree too sounded confused.

"Tumhare sawal me hi jawab hai shree."

Rathore spoke up making others turn to him attentively.

"Agar itni dur rehke Neha itni desperately 2 teachers ko involve karke planning kar rahi thi toh unka motive sirf ek hi ho sakta hai , school ko badnaam karna.

Ab kuch kuuch saamajh me aaraha hai."

Rathore murmured to himself then looked up to his team.

"school me bhoot ka rumour aur teacher ke gayab hone ke pichhe ek hi maqsad tha unka school ka record puri tarah se kharab karna.

Jab unhone dekha school me rumour se kuch zyada fark nahi pad raha hai toh unhone ek teacher ko gayab karwaya.

Aur unka last plan tha teacher ko maarke school ko blame karne ka.

Agar teacher ki maut ho jaati toh vo ek bahut bada issue ho jaata aur school usse coverup bhi ni kar paata.

Issliye Manoj aur Neha ne Ashish ko hi maarne ka plan banaya."

Arjun thought something and grabbed Neha's file to check something.

"Ek school ko leke itna gussa ki ye logg murder karne ke liye taiyaar the? Koi personal grudge lagti hai."

Sakshi sighed.

"Ek min sir, yaad hai Manoj pe goli chalane se pehle vo kuch bol raha tha hame?

Yahi ki 'jab koi marr gaya tha tab kahan the hum log' .

Tab usse puchhne ka mauka ni mila per vo kiski marne ki baat kar raha tha.?"

Chhotu asked clearly remembering the previous encounter.

"Uske kisi jaanne wale ki maut hogayi hai, school ki wajah se.?"

Ayesha guessed.

"Per aesa koi case toh register nahi hai school ke khilaf , bas ragging cases ko chhod ke aur haan vo student ki suicide case bhi hai."

Shree replied her.

"wohi wajah hai Shree."

Arjun declared making Shree turn to him.

'Sir.?"

Arjun put a small passport size photo on the table ,which shree inspected before it hit him.

"Sir ye toh wohi student hai jisne school me ragging ki wajah se suicide kiya tha."

"Ye Neha ki behen ka beta tha.

Apne ek laute bete ko khone ke baad Neha ki behen ne bhi suicide karliya, aur sayad issliye...."

Arjun paused himself ,and Rathore finished his line.

"Neha school se badla le rahi hai.

Neha iss waqt kahan hai.?"

"Sir Ashish ke milne ke baad maine usse phone kiya tha toh vo hospital gayi hogi Ashish ko dekhne."

Riya answered briefly.

"What ? Abhi tak Neha ko pata nahi hai ki hame uski sachai pata chal chuki hai toh uske hisab se abhi puri sachai jaanne wala ek hi insan hai jo police ko statement de sakta hai."

Rathore mumbled to himself and suddenly something stroke his head making him look up to Arjun who had the same expression as his.

"Vo Ashish ko maarne ki koshish karegi."

Arjun declared and got up hurriedly grabbing his gun along with Rathore.

"Team let's go."

_______________________________

Neha was caught in the act of trying to harm Ashish in the hospital and she confessed of luring Ashish in to their plan to get revenge from the school for her nephew's death that caused her family shattering in to pieces.

Once after the case was solved Rathore was called to the Commissionerate office next morning while his other team members patiently waited for their punishments.

"Acp Rathore tumhare team ke tumhe milake 4 officers ko written explanation dena padega school me violence act ke liye, ye ETF ki pehli galti hai issliye sirf warning di jaa rahi hai."

The commissioner said strictly.

"I understand sir. Dubara aesi galti nahi hogi."

Rathore answered standing idly.

"ETF ke liye naya case hai aur baaki cases se thoda alag hai.

Mai nahi chahta isme koi bhi galti ho."

"Sure sir."

Rathore murmured waiting for the commissioner to speak, who got up from his seat with a heavy sigh.

"Pathan lala."

Rathore jolted his lashes up at the mention of the very familiar name from him ,when he continued.

"Jail se farar ho chuka hai.

Kal uski court me trial thi per raaste me hi hamare police jeep aur van pe hamla karaya gaya aur vo log Pathan lala ko bhaga ke le gaye.

1 police officer dead aur baaki sab buri tarah se zakhmi hai."

"What.?"

Rathore looked at him bewilderment.

"Per sir aesa koi news nahi aya hai ab tak."

"Kyunki humne news rok rakha hai.

Pathan lala farar hote hi kal raat uska thikana batane wale khabri aur uski puri family ko maar diya gaya hai.

Logon me dehsat na fail jaaye issliye humne ye ab tak kisiko pata chalne nahi diya hai."

"Toh kya sir Pathan ko bhagane me Shikander ka hath ho sakta hai? Shikander India me hai.?"

Rathore suddenly sounded furious.

"Ab tak kuch bhi confirm nahi hai ACP Rathore.

Shikander ka isme kuch hath hai ya Pathan lala ne khud ye sab kiya hai abhi bata paana muskil hai.

Per hame darr hai aur bhi logon ki jaan khatre me hai.

Islliye agla court order aane se pehle Pathan lala pakda jaana chahiye."

"Yes sir mai aur meri team abhi iss case ke liye...."

Before Rathore could complete , the Commissioner interrupted him.

"Ek aur baat ACP Rathore."

He brought an envelope from his table and forwarded it to him.

"Ye ACP Arjun ki disciplinary action ke chalte 3 din ki Suspension letter hai.

Agle 3 din tak ACP Arjun ETF ke koi bhi case ka hissa nahi rahenge."

Rathore took the letter confused registering the commissioner's words when sudden realization came upon him and he looked up to him in disbelief.

"Sir? Aap chahte hain Rawte Pathan lala ke case me involved na ho.?"

"That's right."

The commissioner nodded his head.

"Sir aap jaante hain ye case Rawte ke liye kitna mayne rakhta hai."

"Jaanta hun per sayad tum bhul gaye ho last time ACP Arjun ne kaise react kiya tha PAthan lala ko dekh ke vo bhi court ke samne."

"Uske aese react karne ke pichhe bhi strong reason hai sir, pathan lala jaan bujh ke usse provoke kar raha tha."

"Toh kya ? Ye bhi ho sakta hai Pathan lala iss baar bhi wohi kare toh kya ACP Arjun khud ko control kar payenge?

Hame apne emotions duty pe control karne hote hai Rathore chahe samne koi bhi ho.

Issliye maine faisla liya hai ACP Arjun ka iss case se bahar rehna hi thik hai uske apne aur department ki bhalai ke liye.

You may leave now."

Rathore clenched his jaw suppressing his frustration then looked up.

"Thik hai Sir mai ye Suspension letter ACP Arjun ko de dunga.

Per ETF ke chief hone ke naate mai apni team ke liye kuch decisions lene ka rights hai mere pass."

TBC.

So any guesses why Riya was happy ??

Stay tuned.

Part-27

"Ayesha, subah Rathore sir Commissioner sir se baat kar rahe the . Kya sach mein Arjun sir ke khilaf disciplinary action liya jayega.?"

Riya asked nervously, looking at Ayesha hopefully assuming Rathore might have said something to her about it.

"Commissioner sir bahut gusse me the aur Arjun sir aur Rathore sir dono ko hi mail aaye the disciplinary action ka."

Ayesha replied sighing.

"Matlab hum charon ke sath sath ab Arjun sir ko bhi punishment milegi.?"

Chhotu wondered.

"Pehli baar ke liye Arjun ne hamari side leke kuch bola, aur usko iss baat ke liye saza bhi milegi."

Sakshi shook her head in disbelief.

"Pakka ye aakhri baar hoga Arjun sir ka hamari side lene ka. Phir kabhi vo kuch bolenge hi nahi."

Shree added, making Riya lower her head to hide her disappointment.

Even though she tried to convince herself not to believe in her friends' words but deep inside she knew It could be true.

Arjun won't let anyone come in between his duty not even the ETF.

She mentally cursed herself for being too happy in the other day assuming that jinxed the whole situation.

"Guys."

Shree alerted everyone eyeing the entrance from where Rathore came walking in , looking all tensed.

"Good morning sir."

Everyone chorused in low voice but Rathore could care less.

"Rawte kahan hai.?"

He asked them, while his team noticed the envelope in his hand.

'Arjun sir toh apne cabin me hai."

Chhotu replied and Rathore went away towards Arjun's cabin without letting anyone to ask a question.

"Guys lagta hai kuch bahut serious hone wala hai."

Shree murmured gauging the tension in the air and his friends sighed.

Rathore went inside Arjun's cabin without knocking on the door and stood across the table, making Arjun shift his focus from the file in his hand to him.

"ETF ka naya case aya hai."

Rathore chirped straight.

"Kya case hai.?"

Arjun questioned looking at him intently.

There were hardly any days he had found Rathore looking unsettling but today he was.

"Pathan lala.

Jail se farar ho chuka hai, aur bahar jaate hi usne sabse pehle uss khabri aur uski puri family ko maar dala jisne usse police me pakadwaya tha."

Rathore breathed in a go and watched Arjun standing up from his chair that instant.

"Kya? Kab.?"

"Kal . Usse trial ke liye le jaa rahe the aur court pahunchne se pehle hi attack hua.

Jitne bhi police officers the ek ki maut ho gayi hai aur baaki sab ghayal hain.

Hame dusra court order aane se pehle usse arrest karne ka order mila hai."

Arjun closed his eyes in frustration as all the flashbacks came flooding back in his mind.

"Shikander hai yahan.?"

He asked after a minute of silence and Rathore knew that question was coming.

"Abhi tak kuch confirm nahi hai.

Koi clue ya evidence ni mile hain ab tak."

"isse hame jald hi arrest karna padega nahi toh pata nahi kitno ki jaan leta phirega.

Chalo hame jald hi iske sare adde dhund ke nikalna hai."

Arjun murmured making his way towards the exit but stopped in the mid-way realizing Rathore hadn't moved an inch.

Taking a step back he looked at Rathore incredulously.

"Tum chal kyun nahi rahe ho.?"

Rathore let out a heavy sigh turning to him and forwarded the envelope to him.

"Tumhara suspension letter 3 din ke liye. "

"Thik hai isse mai baad me padh lunga abhi ke liye case jaruri hai."

Arjun was about to leave the cabin only to be stopped by Rathore's voice.

"Rawte.

Disciplinary action ki wajah se tumhe duty se aaj se 3 din ke liye suspend kiya gaya hai , iska matlab tum Pathan lala ke case me involve nahi ho sakte."

As soon as Rathore finished his words Arjun's face turned visibly rigid and he tore the envelope taking a look at the letter to confirm it himself.

"Ye kya bakwas hai Rathore.

Mai nahi maanta aese order ko .

Iss case me involve hone se mujhe koi nahi rok sakta , tum bhi nahi."

Arjun shouted angrily, but Rathore stood calm.

"Rawte commissioner sir ne ye order diya hai."

"I give a damn to the orders Rathore.

Iss case ke baad mujhe suspend kare ya dismiss mujhe koi fark nahi padta."

"Rawte agar abhi ye order folllow nahi kiya toh wese bhi tumhe ETF se nikal diya jayega.

Aur tab tum directly ya indirectly case me kabhi involve nahi ho sakte."

Rathore too shouted ,reminding him the fact.

The team members glanced at Arjun's cabin on hearing the constant shouting's , but kept mum knowing they can't interfere ever.

"Maine kitni baar kaha hai Rathore mere kaam ke bich me jo bhi ayega mai usse hata dunga chahe vo tum ho ya ETF."

Arjun glared him hard.

"Agar tumhe lagta hai ETF se bahar jaake tum apna badla le sakte ho Pathan lala aur Shikander se , toh mai tumhe rokunga nahi."

Rathore said staring at him straight, causing Arjun to look away in frustration.

It took few seconds for him to calm himself down then turned back to Rathore.

"Tum jaante ho ye mere liye kitna important hai Rathore."

Rathore could feel the desperation in his voice even though he was standing tough.

"Mai sirf apna duty kar raha hun Rawte.

Tumhara badge."

Rathore extended his hand asking him ,and Arjun threw away the letter angrily and kicked the table in annoyance ,but Rathore unfazed.

Arjun pulled out the badge from his jean's back pocket and slammed it on Rathore's hand.

"Gun."

Arjun glared up to Rathore who had a deadpanned look on his face ,thus he grabbed the gun from the table handling it to him without uttering a word.

"Case khatam hote hi mai tumhe ye wapas kar dunga."

Rathore said, but Arjun walked across the table without bothering to answer him anymore.

Rathore turned to leave the cabin with his belongings but stopped on recalling something.

"Ek aur letter reh gaya tumhe dena."

He pulled out another envelope from his pocket and put it on his table.

"Tumahre liye ACP Arjun Suryakant Rawte ki duty suspension ke chalte abhi se khatam hoti hai ,

per ETF ki chief assistant ki duty abhi tak chalu hai. "

Arjun slowly turned to him giving him a blank stare then eyed the envelope on the table.

(Flashback.....)

"Thik hai Sir mai ye Suspension letter ACP Arjun ko de dunga.

Per ETF ke chief hone ke naate mai apni team ke liye kuch decisions lene ka rights hai mere pass."

Rathore said sounding determined.

"Kya matlab .?"

The commissioner looked at him confused.

"Mai abhi aata hun sir."

Rathore quickly walked out of the cabin and came back after few minutes with a paper in his hand.

"Mai ACP Sameer Rathore ETF ka chief Arjun suryakant Rawte ko ek case ke liye Chief assistant appoint kar kar raha hun."

Rathore announced putting the paper on the table.

"Rathore."

The commissioner looked at him in disbelief.

"Letter padh ke thoda jaldi sign kar dijiye sir.

Hum ek officer ki suspension pe itna time waste nahi kar sakte ,abhi ke liye Pathan ko arrest karna zyada jaruri hai."

Rathore said calmly earning a tough look in return.

(Flashback Ends)

"ETF ki chief hone ke naate mai tumhare liye itna hi kar sakta hun.

Baaki tumhari marzi."

Rathore said and left the cabin without waiting for Arjun's response.

____________

"shree , apna laptop do."

Rathore commanded on reaching the conference hall and shree quickly obeyed.

It was now half an hour since they all heard their two chiefs shouting ,arguing over something and then it was complete silent until Rathore decided to come out of his cabin first.

"Ye...."

Rathore turned the laptop screen for everyone to see that displayed a photo.

"Pathan lala hai. Mumbai ka bahut khatarnak muzrim."

"Sir ye toh..."

Shree trailed glancing at Arjun's cabin and then glanced at others who looked like they knew who he was.

"ye Mumbai aur Mumbai se bahar murder cases, bomb blast aur aatankwadi community ke sath involvement aese kayi cases ki wajah se one of the most wanted criminal me se ek hai.

Per kuch saal pehhle ye pakda gaya tha aur kal usse jab court le jaa rahe the trial ke liye tab uske ssathiyon ne van pe attack kiya aur Pathan lala ko wahan se le gaye."

Rathore exlpained.

"sir itna bada criminal farar hogaya aur usko leke ek bhi news ab tak nahi aayi hai..?"

Ayesha questioned.

"News ko police aur ministry ne dabake rakha hai , logon me panic na fele.

Kyunki Pathan bahar jaate hi uske khilaf bolne wala ek khabri aur uski puri family ko maar chuka hai.

Aage ye kya karega kisiko nahi pata, aur hame isse arrest karna hai jald se jald."

Rathore answered.

"Ye pathan farar hone ke baad jarur apne purane addon pe gaya hoga."

Chhotu spoke up.

"haan chhotu mujhe bhi yahi lagta hai. Maine apne khabriyon ko activate kiya hai Pathan ke sare addon pe najar rakhne ke liye.

Ye sare uske addon ki address hai aur hame sab jagah pe raid karna hai, kahin na kahin chhupke baitha hi hoga."

Rathore put a list on the table which Shree inspected with his mouth falling open.

"Sir ye toh 30-40 jagah hai."

"Isse bhi zyada hain shree, kuch jagahon ki information nahi hai hamare pass .

Kaam bahut zyada hai aur waqt bahut kam.

Ek kaam karo Ayesha ,Sakshi jo police officers kal attack me ghayal huye hain unse puch tach karo ,kya pata unhone kisi ek ko dekha ho aur hame sketch mil sake."

"yes sir."

Both nodded in union.

"Aur baaki hum sab Pathan ke sabse bade adde pe chalte hain, wahan se bahut kuch mil sakta hai.

Let's go."

Everyone got up from their respective seats hesitating a little glancing at Arjun's cabin, while Riya sighed.

She knew the man in the case was a sensitive topic to him yet she didn't know how to console him.

"Arjun nahi aaraha hai.?"

Sakshi voiced out everyone's concern and watched Rathore too looking back for a moment.

Rathore without uttering a single word walked out ,thus the team had no other options but to follow their chief.

On reaching the parking lot Ayesha ,Sakshi took a SUV while in the other one Rathore took the passenger seat putting his sunglass on.

"Sir mai drive karta hun."

Shree prompted while Riya and chhotu took the back seat.

"Uski jarurat nahi hai Shree."

Rathore replied motioning to look ahead and a confused Shree followed his gaze only to find Arjun coming walking towards them only.

A small smile appeared on Riya's lips as Arjun got inside taking the driver seat , when Arjun spoke up.

"Kahan jaa arhe hain.?"

"Pathan lala ke adde pe."

Rathore answered shortly.

"Vo wahan nahi hai."

"Huh ? Nahi hai matlab sir.?"

Chhotu piped in curiously.

"Pathan ke bahut sare addon ke aas pass mere khabri hai aur ye sare adde bahut dino se khali hai . Kal se bhi koi activity nahi hai unn jagahon pe."

Arjun replied.

"Tum kya pehle se Pathan pe najar rakhe hue the.?"

Rathore asked the obvious , to which Arjun didn't answer instead accelerated the car.

"Toh ab kahan jaa rahe hain hum.?"

Rathore asked again.

"Kal jis khabri ki maut hui hai uske ghar."

Came Arjun's quick answer before he drove away.

__________________

"Sir police van aur jeep pe jin logon ne attack kiya tha unn logon ne mask pehen rakha tha jiski wajah se unki shakal kisine nahi dekhi."

Ayesha started speaking as soon as they gathered in the conference hall.

"kisine kuch aur notice kiya tha koi bhi odd chiz unn logon ke baare me.?"

Rathore enquired.

"Nahi sir hamla itna jaldi hua ki kisiko kuch react karne ka time hi nahi mila.

Aur sir officers ka kehna hai Van pehle main road se hi jaane wali thi per traffic ki wajah se van driver ne idea diya ki vo log shortcut se jaaye jis raaste me pehle se hi Pathan ke admi taiyaar baithe the."

Ayesha explained.

"Iska matlab unn logon ko pata tha route change hone wala hai.

Van ka driver mila hua hai unse."

Riya pointed out.

"Aur Riya hairani ki baat ye hai ki hamare sare officers ghayal huye hain per ek van driver ko hi maar diya gaya hai."

Sakshi shook her head.

"Uss driver ke ghar se kuch pata chala.?"

Arjun asked eyeing both Ayesha and Sakshi.

"Uski family me toh koi nahi hai akela rehta tha.

Ghar bhi toota foota hai per hame uske ghar ke chawal ke dibbe ke andar se ye mila."

Sakshi said putting a big bundle of money on the table that made everyone stare in surprise.

"Ek route change karne ke liye itne paise mile honge."

Shree scoffed.

"Ye uski 5 saal ki salary se bhi zyada lag rahi hai."

Chhotu added.

"Pure 10lakh hai. Iske alawa ghar me aur kuch kimti nahi mila."

Ayesha stated the fact.

"10 lakh ke liye usne gaddari ki aur usme se ek bhi paisa vo kharch nahi kar paaya."

Sakshi shook her head in disbelief.

"Khabri ki background ke bare me kya pata chala Riya.?"

Rathore asked resuming the discussion.

"Sir uska naam Hari Das tha aur vo Police ke liye pichhle 8 saal se khabri ka kaam kar raha tha, usse pehle co chhoti moti chori ke cases me kayi baar jail jaa chuka tha.

Pathan ko pakadne ke liye Hari aur uske jaise kayi khabriyon ko kaha gaya tha, per vo Hari hi tha jisse Pathan ke main gang ke sath milne ka mauka mila tha.

Pathan ke pakde jaane ke baad Hari apni family ko leke chhup gaya tha , aur usne police protection bhi maangi thi per jab sab kuch shaant hogaya toh vo wapas apni normal life jeene laga.

Apni maut se pehle tak vo police ki khabri ka kaam hi karta raha."

Riya breathed in a go.

"Bahut brave tha ye Hari toh."

Sakshi sounded impressed.

"Haan per usse apni bravery ki keemat apni, apni patni,maa, aur ek 16 saal ke bete ki maut se chukani padi."

Chhotu said halfheartedly , failing to notice how Arjun had stopped spinning the pen in his hand sitting still abruptly.

Rathore's eyes snapped up to him that instant, along with Riya who angled her head to him having a feeling even now he must be blaming himself for the tragedy happened in his life.

Shree gauging the sudden tension in the atmosphere nudged Chhotu lightly, who seemed confused first but then realized his own words after looking at Arjun's face.

"Err per Sir Hari ke padoshion ka kehna hai ki kisine bhi koi awaz nahi suni thi, jabki Hari aur uski family ko goli maari gayi thi.

Padoshiyon ko toh subah jab koi ghar se bahar nahi aaya tab shaq hua aur unhone check kiya."

Chhotu added quickly.

"Vo issliye Chhotu kyunki unn sab neend ki dawai di gayi thi."

Sakshi answered his curiosity forwarding a file to Arjun.

"Liza ne ye autopsy report diya hai.

Hari aur uski family ko goli maarne se pehle neend ki dawai di gayi thi jiski wajah se vo sab so gaye aur uske baad unpe goli chalayi gayi."

"maut kab hui thi.?"

Rathore asked.

"kal raat kuch 11 baje ke aas pass.

Aur aap logon jo Hari ke ghar se khane ka parcel ke packets lab bheja tha usme sleeping peels ki traces mili hai."

Sakshi explained.

"Iska matlab Hari bahar se khane ka parcel leke aata hai aur usme neend ki dawai milake unko sula diya gaya, aur phir maar diya.?"

Chhotu rubbed his chin thoughtfully.

"Nahi Chhotu agar vo Hari vo packets leke aya tha toh ghar me usme neend ki dawai daalna possible nahi lagta."

Rathore shook his head.

"Toh phir sir.?"

"Jarur koi bahar se aya tha packets leke issliye ghar walon ko pata nahi tha ki usme kuch milaya hai aur unn logon ne kha liya."

"Per sameer goli bhi toh chali hai. Padoshion ne kuch suna kaise nahi.?"

Sakshi asked , confused.

"Jaahir si baat hai Sakshi unn logon ne gun me silencer lagaya tha issliye goli ki awaz kisiko sunai nahi di hogi."

Arjun stated the obvious.

"Sir padoshiyon ke statement ke hisab unhone Hari ki wife se 10 baje last baat ki thi tab tak sab kuch thik tha ,toh 10ke baad 11 bajne se pehle ghar me koi aya aur unn sabko maar diya."

Chhotu shrugged.

"ye jo bhi aya tha Hari aur uski family usse achhe se jaante honge , tabhi toh unhone usse ghar me aane diya aur uske laaye huye packet se khana bhi khaya."

Riya pointed out.

"koi aya tha usse milne recently.?"

Rathore questioned.

"Hari ki family kuch dino se gaanv gaye hue the aur 2 din pehle hi laute the. Per haan ek admi jo khudko Hari ka bahut achha dost bata raha tha vo ek hafte pehle Hari aur uski family ke bare me puch tach kar raha tha padoshi se.

Yahan tak ki 3 din pehle vo phir aya tha puchhne."

Ayesha answered.

"Uska koi sketch hai hamare pass.?"

"haan sir ye sketch vo padoshi ne banwaya tha."

Ayesha put a sketch on the table.

"Shree hamare records se pata karo ye koi purana criminal hai kya."

Arjn commanded.

"yes sir."

Shree immediately obeyed him and searched through the sketch , before speaking up.

"Sir ye raha.

Ravi hai iska naam chhota mota chor hai.

Ek chain snatching case me ek baar Hari ke sath pakda gaya tha Andheri police me case registered hai."

"Toh ye Ravi ,Hari aur uski family ko maarne ke liye hi uske lautne ka intezar kar raha tha."

Arjun said confidently ,thus Sakshi raised her brow.

"Tum itna yakeen ke sath kaise keh sakte ho? Ho sakta hai vo genuinely Hari se milna chahta ho.?"

Arjun gave her a blank look then spoke up.

"Sakshi tumhare ek achhe dost ka naam batao."

Sakshi smiled amusingly at his question.

"Wese toh bahut sare hain ek ka naam kaise bataun.?"

"koi recent friend ka naam batao."

Arjun insisted keeping up the blank look.

"umm Chhotu."

She pointed a finger at Chhotu , who grinned at her answer.

"toh maan lo agar Chhotu tumhe kahin bina bataye kuch dino ke liye gaya ho toh tum uske baare me jaanne ke liye kya karogi.?"

Arjun questioned.

"Mai usse call karungi aur kya.?"

"'Exactly . Tumhe agar chhotu ke baare me jaanna ho toh tum usse call ya message karogi na uske padoshion ko jaake puchhogi. Thik wese hi Ravi ko Hari ke baare me janna tha toh vo usse directly phone ya messgae kar sakta tha.

Iska matlab ye hai ki Ravi intezar kar raha tha sahi mauke ka."

"Per sir Pathan lala kal hi farar hua hai aur Ravi Hari ko 7 din se dhund raha tha.

Toh inn do situations ka connection kaise ho sakta hai.?"

Riya asked thoughtfully, just when Shree excused himself after getting a call.

"Iska matlab sirf ek hi ho sakta hai Riya. Pathan pehle se hi bhaagne ki taiyari kar raha tha.

Jail me baithe baithe usne apne bbhagne ka aur Hari ko marwane ka plan banwa liya."

Rathore murmured.

"Chhotu, van ke driver ka call records nikala.?"

Arjun spoke up after a few seconds of silence.

"haan sir . Per isme koi suspicious number nahi hai."

Chhotu answered giving the file to him.

"Toh driver ko route change karne ka order aur paise kaise mile.?"

Ayesha sounded confused.

"Jarur koi aur tarika hoga, koi letter.?"

Saakshi gueessed.

"Ya phir usse jail se hi order mila tha."

Arjun declared.

"Jail se.?"

"Tum ye keh rahe ho Rawte koi jail se pathan ko help kar raha hai.?"

Rathore looked puzzled.

"Ye koi 1 ya 7 din me banaya gaya planning nahi hai Rathore aur jail se bina kisike help ke Pathan itna sab kuch nahi kar sakta."

Arjun responded, meanwhile Shree came back running to them.

"Sir ek aur murder hua hai thik Hari aur uski family ki tarah.

Aur marne wala Pathan lala ke case me witness tha."

As soon as Shree finished his words Arjun gritted his teeth and Rathore slammed his fist on the table in rage.

"Damn it.

Ye khoon pe khoon kiye jaa raha hai."

"Shree sabse pehle pathan lala ke case me jitne bhi witnesses hain sabke liye police protection ke liye bol do."

Arjun ordered.

"Chhotu Riya iss Ravi ko dhund nikalo.

Rawte, tum aur Sakshi jail me puch tach karo .

Mai ,shree aur Ayesha murder site pe jaate hain.

Is that clear.?"

Rathore stood up from his chair.

"yes sir."

All said in union except Arjun who got up and left hurriedly.

_______________

2hrs Later....

"Hum aese yahan kyun baithe hain.?"

Sakshi asked after being bored for only sitting in the car for over half an hour , after investigating in the jail.

"ye sawal tum mujhe 5 baar puch chuki ho Sakshi."

Arjun chided turning impatient himself.

"Thik hai kuch aur puchhti hun tumne andar ye kyun kaha ki hame koi saboot mila hai attack site se. Hame toh aesa kuch mila nahi hai toh jhuth kyun bola.?"

"Mere jhuth ka result tumhe dikh jaayega thodi dair me."

Came his straight reply thus Sakshi sighed just when something stroke her mind.

"kahin ye Pathan desh chhod ke na bhaag gaya ho."

"Nahi.

Agar usse bhaagna hota toh bahar aate hi vo sabse pehle wohi karta.

Jis tarah se usne ek khabri aur ek witness ko maar diya hai, vo challenge kar raha hai police ko."

Arjun answered still keeping his eyes on the road , when Sakshi stared at him for a moment before speaking up.

"Pata hai Arjun, kabhi kabhi mujhe lagta hai ki mai ETF me rehna deserve karti bhi hun ya nahi.

Jab Sameer uss math teacher pe goli chalane wala tha usne pehle Riya ki taraf dekhha aur Riya turant samajh gayi ki kya karna hai.

Uss din mujhe laga agar mai Riya ki jagah wahan hoti toh kya mai samajh paati sameer bina bataye kya kehna chahta hai ? Agar uss din thoda sa late hote toh uss bache ko kuch bhi ho sakta tha, toh mujhe darr hai kahin meri wajah se kabhi kuch na ho jaye.

Arjun looked at her briefly then looked ahead.

"Sakshi ye koi rocket science nahi hai.

Bas focus karne ki jarurat hai.

Hum police officers ke liye emergency batake nahi aati ,aur school jaisi situation bahut ayegi life me issliye hum pehle se nahi soch sakte kya karna hai.

Hame bas situation observe karna hai aur usse kaise bahar nikle uspe focus karna hai ,toh tumhari aur samne wale ki soch apne aap mil jayega.

Jis Riya ki tum baat kar rahi ho vo kabhi gun chalane se bhi darti thi ,per uska ETF me rehna ka junoon hai jo usse yahan tak laaya hai . Nahi toh Rathore aese hi kisiko training nahi deta."

Sakshi kept looking at him as he had eyes void of any emotions still pinned to the road yet his words felt different.

She felt to fathom if it was the second chief in command of ETF speaking or the Arjun she perhaps had never met.

Tbc.

Stay tuned

Part-29

"Unbelievable Rawte.

Tumhe andaza bhi hai tumhari gusse ki wajah se aaj kya hone wala tha.?

Pathan ICU me hai abhi ,tumhari wajah se."

Rathore shouted as soon as they returned to the ETF bureau after handling Pathan to the police and arresting his acquaintance.

The other members had stopped by to nurse their respective minor injuries they had during the fight , meanwhile Arjun didn't even bother to change the shirt drenched with blood walking straight into his cabin ,with Rathore following him few minutes later.

"Commissioner sir tumhe specially Pathan ke case se bahar rakhna chahte the tumhare iss gusse ki wajah se.

itne saal ho gaye tumhe police force me aur aaj bhi mujhe tumhe basic rules follow karne ke liye kehna pad raha hai.

Agar itna hi tum apne gusse pe kaabu nahi kar sakte toh chhod do ETF aur maar do jaake Pathan aur shikander ko aur baith jao jaake jail me."

Rathore gritted his teeth staring at Arjun's back , who stood facing the window completely silent ever since Rathore barged inside.

"Kyunki ye toh tay hai tumhara gussa ek din kisiki jaan leke rahega."

Rathore added quickly and pulled the door open to leave but stopped angling his head to the sideway.

"Agar vo koi ek team me se koi hua , toh mai tumhe kabhi maaf nahi karunga."

And Rathore left without looking back.

__________________________

The next day everyone became busy in finishing the paper works of the case with Sakshi sending a report and the two chiefs in their respective cabins.

Normally they would chitchat among themselves to keep the boredom away but since Rathore was in a grumpy mood ever since the case was solved and Arjun hadn't spoken a single word after returning from the mill , others eventually kept mum focusing on their works fearing anyone could be yelled at any moment by their two chiefs.

Stretching herself a little Sakshi excused herself to grab a mug of coffee , only to find Riya sitting in the cafeteria alone lost in her own thoughts.

Another unusual thing she had noticed after the case.

Riya was mostly silent among her friends , especially after the hug that had left everyone speechless.

"Riya ?

Kya hua tum yahan akeli kyun baithi ho.?"

Sakshi asked approaching her.

Riya looked up to her bringing her chain of thoughts to an halt and shook her head.

"Nahi kuch nahi , mai bas coffee lene ayi thi."

"Riya mai kal se dekh rahi hun tum kuch pareshan ho, batao kya hua hai.?"

"nahi aesi koi baat nahi hai.

Mai hum dono ke liye coffee banati hun."

Riya was about to get up from her seat , while Sakshi made her sit back taking a seat on another chair in front of her.

"Mai chhotu aur Shree ki tarah tumhari purani dost nahi hun issliye mujhe nahi bataogi.?"

Sakshi complained , thus Riya forced a smile on her face quickly.

"Aesa nahi hai Sakshi, mai bas....."

Releasing a deep breathe she looked up to Sakshi worriedly.

"Arjun sir kal se bahut gusse me hain.

Mai jaan bujh ke unhe …"

Riya paused gulping down her own words and lowered her gaze continuing to speak.

"Mai bas unhe rokna chahti thi.

Sir maan nahi rahe the issliye mere dimag me jo aya maine kar diya.

Agar sir uske liye mujhe kal daant bhi dete toh mai kuch ni kehti , per sir kal se kisise baat nahi kar rahe hain. Sara gussa apne andar daba ke rakha hai ,aur mujhe issliye zyada bura lag raha hai."

Sakshi stared at her intently for a moment before speaking up.

"Riya , tumhe kaise pata Arjun kal se naaraj hai issliye chup hai.?"

Riya gazed at her ,confused while Sakshi continued.

"ho sakta hai vo Pathan ki wajah se chup ho?

Tum jaanti ho Arjun ko, uske dimag me kya chal raha hai vo kisiko nahi batata.

Aur tum itni si baat ko kal se itna soch ke khud ko dukhi kar rahi ho.?"

Riya lowered her eyes still not convinced with her words.

"Aur rahi kal ki baat , toh tumne jo kiya vo Arjun ko rokne ke liye kiya.

Isme tumhari koi galti nahi hai.

Aur agar Arjun iss baat ke liye tumse naaraj hota hai toh ye uski galti hogi.

Warna socho kal agar kal agar sach me Arjun Pathan ko maar deta toh ab tak Pathan chala gaya hota upar aur Arjun hota sidha jail me.

Abhi hum Arjun se jail me mil rahe hote aur Arjun tab bhi apna Cutting chai mangwata."

Sakshi joked , making Riya's lips break into a small laugh.

"issliye zyada mat socho aur agar tumhe lagta hai Arjun kaal se tumhari wajah se baat nahi kar raha hai , toh tum jaake baat kar lo na.

Zyada se zyada vo kya hi bolega?

' Riya mujhe akela chhod do. Samjhi ya samjhaoon.?'"

Sakshi imitated Arjun's cold voice and then both broke into laughter.

"Ae tum dono kya hass rahe ho , Rathore sir bula rahe hain sabko."

Chhotu's voice interrupted the duo, hence they quickly walked towards the conference hall , with Arjun too coming out of his cabin.

"Tum sab apne apne ghar chale jao aur thik ghante me ready hoke mujhe yahan milo .

Hum Palghar ke liye niklenge."

Rathore announced.

"Sir Palghar kyun.?"

Shree questioned curiously.

"vo mai raaste me bataunga.

1 ghanta hai tum sabke pass , so make it fast."

Sakshi , chhotu passed a look at each other quickly assuming the reason, while Arjun too was about to open his mouth but Rathore beat them to it.

"Picnic ke liye nahi jaa rahe hain hum."

Rathore clarified looking in between Chhotu and sakshi causing their smiles to drop, then moved his eyes to Arjun to finish his sentence.

"Kaam ke liye jaa rahe hain toh sabka jaana compulsory hai.

Am I clear.?"

Arjun didn't say anything walking away and so did others obeying Rathore's words.

_____________

After an hour everyone gathered in the conference hall , discussing what could be the reason they are going far , when Rathore came out of his cabin.

"Sab ready hain.?"

"Yes sir."

"Aur tumhare vo second chief kahan hai.?"

Rathore asked roaming his eyes around.

"Sir Arjun sir apne cabin me hai."

Chhotu replied.

"Hum sab nikal rahe hain abhi.

Shree, apne second chief ko bula ke lao."

Rathore ordered and walked out without waiting for his reply.

"Shree, mai bulake aati hun."

Riya murmured quickly , motioning her friends to leave first and went to knock on Arjun's cabin door.

"Come in."

Arjun answered without averting his attention from the file he was reading, while Riya entered.

"Sir Rathore sir ne kaha aapko bulane ke liye. Hum sab nikal rahe hain abhi."

She said in a low voice.

"Chalo mai aaraha hun."

He answered without looking up from the file.

Riya couldn't understand if he was actually very focused on the file or was plainly ignoring her ,thus she turned to leave but stopped turning around to face him again.

"Aapse kuch baat karni thi, sir."

Neither he answered her nor looked up , and she sighed speaking up again.

"Kal jo bhi...*pause* kal ke liye ..I'm sorry sir.

Mera koi matlab nahi tha...."

"Achhi baat hai Riya , tumhe pata hai ki tumne kuch galat kiya hai."

Arjun cut her words off short , put the file aside and left the cabin leaving her behind.

Riya gulped blinking her eyes again and again to avoid them from tearing up ,then composed herself seconds later and walked out since everyone was waiting for her.

"Commissioner sir ne meeting rakha hai Palghar me sharp 6 baje, minister sir bhi aane wale hain wahan."

Rathore explained starting to drive the SUV with Arjun on the passenger seat.

Everyone except Arjun exchanged looks among themselves , when Ayesha decided to speak.

"Sir aese meetings me toh aap aur Arjun sir hi jaate hain na.?"

"Hum sabko bulaya hai wahan iss baar."

Rathore's answer was short.

"Kyun.?"

Shree questioned.

"Iska jawab agar mujhe pata hota shree ,toh ab tak mai bata chuka hota."

Rathore snapped.

"Meeting ki baat pehle bhi bata sakte the."

Arjun said in an ice cold voice , with his eyes fixed on the road.

"ETF ka chief mai hun aur kisko kya batana hai ,kab batana hai ye mai decide karunga , tumhe koi problem hai Rawte.?"

Rathore snapped again.

'rathore sir aaj full mood me hai.'

Chhotu whispered to Shree from the back seat.

"SShh."

Ayesha sushed him before Rathore would hear them and scold again.

Arjun gave Rathore a side eye then kept mum.

"Wese hum sabko meeting ke liye bula ke ek bahut achha kaam kiya hai Commissioner sir ne, ye baarish me hamara chhota sa road trip ho jayega. "

Sakshi grinned enjoying watching outside as it started to rain.

"Sakshi road trip chodo ye jis traffic me hum fase huye hain na lagta hai 6 baje nahi sidha 9 baje pahunchenge meeting me."

Shree shook his head at the line of vehicles behind them.

Rathore inhaled a sharp breathe knowing shree wasn't wrong there.

The traffic really looked bad there and they needed to reach on time anyhow.

"Sir aage se chalke ek shortcut raasta hai jo sidha highway pe niklega.

Kyun na hum wahin se chale ? "

Chhotu suggested .

"Tumhe shortcut pata hai.?"

Ayesha asked him curiously.

"haan Ayesha, mera ek dost rehta hai Palghar me mai usse milne jaata hun toh wahin shortcut le leta hun toh jaldi pahunch jaata hun."

"Toh sir hame agar late nahi hona hai toh hame bhi shortcut se jaana chahiye."

Riya said agreeing to Chhotu.

Rathore gave it a thought then angled his head to chhotu.

"Chhotu , kahan se lena hai shortcut.?"

"Chhotu , tera shortcut ka raasta itna sunshan kyun hai.?"

Shree spoke as it was a while since Rathore drove in to the shortcut way and all they could see is forest in the both side of the road.

"Arey Shree ,din mai bahut gaadiyan jaati hai yahan se. Abhi baarish ki wajah se andhera hogaya hai na issliye khali khali lag raha hai.

Andhere me yahan se jaana thoda sa risky hai ,aur iss raaste ki sabse negative baat ye hai ki yahan mobile networks nahi milta ,issliye andhere me yahan se gaadiyan kam jaati hai."

Chhotu explained ,and everyone else quickly checked their Phone signals including Arjun.

"Ye tum hame abhi bata rahe ho.?"

Sakshi narrowed her gaze.

Riya kept listening to the conversation silently and stared out of the window with a lot going on in her mind.

"Darne ki baat nahi hai re, bas ek dedh ghante me hum yahan se bahar honge, aur itni dair me kya hi hone wala....."

Chhotu couldn't complete his words as the car suddenly came to an abrupt halt ,much to everyone's surprise.

"Kya hua.?"

Arjun asked.

"Pata nahi."

Rathore murmured trying to start the engine again but failed.

Shree,Ayesha, Sakshi, Riya turned to give Chhotu a look who blinked at them innocently.

"Tum log mujhe aese kyun dikh rahe ho? Mere bolne se thodi hua.?"

"Um sir pichhe ek chhata hai mai jaake check karta hun."

Shree mumbled getting off the car with the umbrella along with Chhotu and they both started checking the engine meanwhile Rathore tried to start the car but in vain.

"Sir mechanic bulana padega."

Shree shook his head after a number of trials.

"Mechanic ko bulane ke liye yahan network bhi nahi hai."

Sakshi said checking her mobile again.

"Shree, chhotu andaar aajao."

Arjun ordered them ,stealing a glance at his wrist watch.

"Bahut tez baarish horahi hai , thoda ruk jaaye phir dekhte hain koi milta hai agar yahan help karne ke liye."

Rathore murmured to particularly no one.

The heavy rain took half an hour to shrink to light drizzle and that is when Chhotu, Ayesha decided to walk ahead to see if they could find anyone for help since the few cars passed by the road refused to stop by much to their dismay.

"Mai jab yahan aya tha yahan ek puncture ki dukan aur ek chai ka dukan hua karta tha.

Ab yaad nahi araha hai ki vo yahin tha ya aur aage."

Chhotu said walking down the street with a torch on.

"Chhotu , tum last kab aaye the iss raaste pe.?"

Ayesha enquired.

"6 mahine pehle, kyun.?"

Chhotu asked back innocently ,earning a blank look from her.

"Kya hua? Koi mila.?"

Arjun asked coming walking towards them, and others following him.

"Sir aas pass ek dukan bhi nahi hai, per haan ek ghar mila. Wahan humne puchha per wahan koi mechanic nahi hai."

Ayesha answered him.

"Itne sunshan jagah pe ghar.?"'

Shree asked standing beside chhotu.

"Ghar matlab hotel hi samajh lo.

Mujhe toh lagta hai jin logon ki gaadiyan kharab hoti yahan pe vo log rehte honge hotel me.

per wahan jitne log hai koi hamare kaam aye aesa nahi hai."

Chhotu answered.

"Ek kaam karte hain aaj raat ussi hotel me ruk jaate hain subah dekhenge wapas kaise jaana hai."

Rathore spoke breaking his silence.

"Per sir meeting ka kya.?"

Riya asked.

"Meeting ka time wese bhi chala gaya hai Riya, mai kal commissioner sir se baat kar lunga.

Isse pehle ki baarish phir se aaye hotel chalte hain."

"Umm sir per ek chhoti si problem hai."

Chhotu hesitated a little ,when Ayesha cleared her throat beside him.

"Chhoti si problem bol ke hame iss bhayanak jagah pe kyun leke aye ho tum dono.?"

Sakshi mumbled staring up at the building, chhotu Ayesha brought them to.

"Bhayanak nahi hai bas thoda purana hai."

Ayesha clarified.

"Ye koi purani haweli jaisa lag raha hai."

Riya added ,unsure of her own words.

"Tum dono ko pakka pata hai ye koi hotel hai.?"

Shree questioned.

"Shree andar log hai re."

Chhotu patted his shoulder.

"Andar chalte hain."

Rathore commanded and walked ahead along with Arjun.

"ye ghar bahar se hi nahi andar se bhi kitna darawna lag raha hai."

Sakshi whispered near Riya's ear as they eyed all the candles inside illumination the reception and stairs.

'Ji kahiye."

An elderly person in the reception spoke , thus Rathore stopped inspecting the place and went to him taking out his badge.

"Mai ACP Sameer Rathore aur ye meri team. Hum Mumbai se hain.

Kisi kaam se jaa rahe the aur yahan aake gaadi kharab hogayi.

Issliye aapke iss hotel me room chahiye."

"Ye Rathore sir room maang rahe hain ya order de rahe hain.

Ayesha tum jaake baat karo nahi toh ye hum sabko nikal denge yahan se."

Chhotu motioned her to go, thus Ayesha quickly walked to Rathore.

"'um Ji hum thodi dair pehle aapke pass aye the mechanic dhundne aapko yaad hai.?"

The old man nodded his head as a yes and Ayesha smiled.

"Hum wohi hai, raat hogayi hai issliye hame yahan koi mila nahi help ke liye.

Toh agar aapke hotel me room available hai tioh kya hame mil sakta hai.?"

"Per itne logon ke liye hamare pass kamre nahi hai."

The second old man spoke eyeing each of them.

"Haan sare kamron me hamare mehman ruke hue hain , abhi bas 3 kamre hi hain hamare pass."

The first old man added.

"Toh koi baat nahi mai , Sakshi aur Ayesha ek room me adjust kar lenge."

Riya prompted looking at both of her friends , who nodded in agreement.

Chhotu looked in-between Rathore and Arjun before quickly moving to Shree.

"sir mai aur shree ek room me adjust kar lenge."

And all of a sudden all eyes turned to Arjun who gave a blank stare to Rathore ,then turned to the old man.

"Room kahan hai.?"

"Upar."

The old man pointed at upstairs handling out the keys to the second man ,while Rathore started making the payment.

"Yahan light nahi hai kya.?"

Riya enquired.

"Baarish ki wajah se nahi hai, thodi dair me aajayegi."

The old man replied starting to walk ahead to lead them the way.

"Achha."

Riya mumbled, meanwhile Sakshi leaned on the reception desk before asking.

"Wese mujhe kuch puchhna tha, aapki ye hotel haweli jaisa kyun lag raha hai.?"

All the feet stopped on their track turning to her ,and the old man replied.

"Hamare malik Thakur Beer pratap ji ne bahut pyar se banaya hai isse."

The old man stole a quick glance at a portrait behind the desk ,which others took a look at too.

"Oh achha ye toh Sameer ki biradri ke lagte hain."

Sakshi grinned , only to be pulled by Ayesha and Riya by both of her hands as they scooted upstairs ,ignoring the serious look on the old man's face.

"Yahan toh itne sare room dikh rahe hain ,toh sirf 3 room khali hai aesa kyun kaha unhone.?"

Shree asked on noticing the long corridor along with the closed doors of the rooms in the upstairs.

"vo thakur sa ke khas doston aur parivaar ke liye band rehte hain ,sirf wohi istemaal kar sakte hain."

the old man replied lightening few more candles in the corridor.

"Kya yahan sach mein kabhi mobile network nahi hota.?"

Arjun enquired.

"Aati hai per kabhi kabhi.

Aaj baarish ki wajah se network ka aana toh bahut muskil hai ,aap subah yahan se thoda sa aage jaake koshish karenge toh mil jayega."

The man handed them the keys and showed the rooms, when chhotu spoke up.

"Kya room ke sath hame khana bhi milega.?"

"Aap log apne kamre me jaayiye , hum khana bhijwate hain."

"thank you."

Chhotu smiled widely at the old man.

2hrs later........

The electricity was back but the mobile network was not, much to Rathore's dismay.

Deciding to deal with the problems in the morning he laid back on the bed and then whirled his head to his left where Arjun was laying on the couch.

It was awkward for him to share a room with him but Arjun made it easy for him by choosing the couch first and sleep to avoid any kind of conversation.

Just then a loud noise made him sit back with a jolt along with Arjun who looked at him to confirm if he heard the same sound.

Rathore got off the bed grabbing his gun from the bed side table ,just when the lights went off and they grabbed their torches making their way out of the room.

As they came out found Chhotu, Shree already there in the corridor and Ayesha came running out of her room.

"Kya tum logon ko bhi koi awaz aayi.?"

Rathore asked them.

"Haan sir ek badi si awaz aayi issliye hum bahar aaye."

Shree answered ,meanwhile Arjun moved the torch in the corridor to find anything.

"Sir Riya,aur Sakshi aaye the room se bahar check karne abhi tak aaye nahi hain uske baad ye awaz aayi."

Ayesha informed them.

"matlab? Kya check karne gayi thi vo dono.?"

Rathore questioned.

"sir mai washroom me thi aur vo dono baat kar rahin thi ki yahan se kisike ghasitne ki awaz aarahi hai.issliye vo dono check karne aayi thi."

"Kya per hame to aesi koi awaz..."

Chhotu paused himself on spotting Sakshi coming running from the end of the corridor that was leading to the stairs.

"sakshi , tum kahan se arahi ho.?"

Chhotu asked her.

"Arey hame koi awaz sunayi diya issliye hum dekhne gaye the."

Sakshi replied.

Rathore extended the torch light to her back and asked.

"Riya kahan hai.?"

"Riya dusri taraf gayi hai dekhne ,mai iss taraf gayi thi."

"kuch mila.?"

Ayesha asked curiously.

"nahi. Per haan bahar ke lights chal rahin hain toh ye andar kyun band hai.?

Aur ye dusra awaz kya tha? Niche toh kuch nahi gira hai."

Sakshi asked, thus shree spoke up.

"Aap log iss taraf lights dekhiye mai uss taraf Riya ko dhund ke aata hun."

Shree walked towards the other end of the corridor ,when Arjun too followed him quietly roaming his eyes around.

As shree checked in the balconies and sitting area , Arjun stood near the stairs that led to the terrace and he went on assuming she might be there.

"kaun hai wahan.?"

Riya pointed a gun at someone near the edge of the terrace ,while taking slow steps ahead.

She regretted not bringing a torch since her mobile flashlight was not helping much but she could see someone at the edge of one corner as the garden lights reflected faintly on the terrace.

"kaun hai wahan ? Samne aao."

She repeated not getting any answer ,while trying to hold the gun tight in her bandaged hand.

Taking another step she tried to get closer to the person just when she felt a tap on her shoulder and her instant reaction was to remove the hand and attack the person at her back.

The person dodged her hand swiftly hence she raised her other hand but the person facing her was quick enough to get a hold of both of her hands and pinned them at her back pulling her frame close to him with faces inches apart.

Just then the lights came back and Arjun spoke up.

"Mai hun."

"Sir.?"

Riya was amused to find the person was none other than Arjun , who freed her that instant.

Riya took a step back , then on remembering something quickly looked back to the corner but the person was gone.

She ran to the corner and looked over the edge ,when Arjun followed her.

"Kya dhoond rahi ho.?"

"Sir koi yahan pe tha."

"Kaun.?"

He asked again.

"Pata nahi per koi toh tha yahan pe. Pata nahi kahan gaya."

Riya murmured looking down from the terrace.

Arjun looked around to spot anyone but there was none except them.

"Per yahan toh koi nahi hai."

"Haan per thodi dair pehle tha. Yahin baitha tha."

Riya insisted.

"Niche chalte hain sab dhoond rahe hain."

Arjun said thus she nodded sighing and left the terrace along with him.

"Ri tum terrace pe kya kar rahi thi.?"

Shree asked on spotting her scooting downstairs ,followed by Arjun.

"Vo mai..."

She paused herself as the lights came back and so did others.

"Riya thik ho tum? Upar kuch mila.?"

Ayesha asked concerned.

"Mai toh thik hun, per upar....*pause* kuch ni mila."

Riya answered keeping the fact that she actually saw someone up there to herself, having nothing to prove her words.

"Vo awaz kis chiz ki thi.?"

Arjun asked eyeing Rathore.

"Niche reception me keh rahe hain ki baarish ki wajah se koi rait ki bori chhat se gir gayi thi ,uski awaz aayi hame.

Aur meter trip hogaya tha issliye current chala gaya tha."

Rathore answered, thus Arjun thought over his words doubting something but however kept mum.

"Thank god. Ek second ke liye toh mujhe laga kahin bhoot toh nahi hai yahan pe."

Sakshi shook her head.

"Mujhe bhi."

Chhotu whispered near her ear.

"Tum sab jaake so jao , kaafi raat ho chuki hai."

Rathore said before walking away , hence others retired to their respective rooms and Arjun followed Rathore to their room.

_________________

The next morning …

Chhotu, Shree were the first to come out of their rooms , yawning and stretching their bodies.

"yaar kal raat ko neend hi pura nahi hua."

Shree yawned lazily.

"Pura? Adha hi kab soye the hum?"

Chhotu groaned.

"Good morning."

Ayesha said coming out of her room.

"Kaahe ki good morning Ayesha."

Shree shook his head.

"Kya tum log bhi kal raat thik se soye nahi.?"

Ayesha asked watching their current state.

"Hum log bhi matlab? Tum log bhi.?"

Chhotu asked ,just when Riya came walking towards them roaming her eyes around randomly and stood beside them.

"Nahi. Mujhe laga jungle me ghar hai yahan shanti hogi ,per raat bhar kutton ki awaz ne thik se sone bhi nahi diya."

Ayesha sighed.

"Sirf kutte nahi Ayesha bhediyon ke bhi awaz aarahi thi.

Mujhe laga kahin hum so gaye aur koi bhediya andar na aajaye."

Chhotu shuddered.

"Guys vo chhodo tum logon ne Sakshi ko dekha.?"

Riya questioned looking at both of the guys.

"Nahi . Kyun? Vo kahan gayi.?"

Shree asked back.

"Pata nahi . Hum jab se uthe hain room me nahi hai vo, mujhe laga terrace pe gayi hogi per wahan bhi nahi hai."

Riya answered.

"Itni subah subah kahan chali gayi phir.?"

Chhotu murmured.

"Kal raat Sakshi bol rahi thi na usse haweli exlpore karna hai, mujhe lagta hai bahar chali gayi hogi."

Ayesha guessed.

"Guys abhi Rathore sir aur Arjun sir aate hi honge, agar unhe pata chala ki Sakshi explore karne nikli hai toh bahut gussa karenge.

Chalo usko leke aate hain."

Shree said and others agreed thus they went down to the reception.

"yahan toh koi dikh ni raha."

Chhotu sounded amused finding no hotel staff around.

"Bahar chalte hain."

Riya murmured and they were about to leave only to be stopped by Rathore's voice.

"Kahan jaa rahe ho sab.?"

Everyone turned around to face him and stood idly as Rathore came down from the stairs.

"Vo sir Sakshi sayad bahar gayi hai issliye hum jaa rahe the usse bulane."

Ayesha answered seeing how her friends were hesitant to speak.

"Anjaan jagah pe vo bahar kyun gayi? Aur Rawte kahan hai.?"

Rathore asked again.

"Sir room me nahi hai.?"

Chhotu asked quickly.

"Agar room mai hota toh mai tum logon se puchhta chhotu.?"

Rathore narrowed his gaze.

"Um nahi sir.

Per ho sakta hai Sakshi Arjun sir ke sath hi kahin gayi ho."

Chhotu mumbled.

"Kaun kiske sath gaya hai.?"

Arjun's voice came from the entrance making all turn to him.

"Subah subah kahan gaye the.?"

Rathore enquired.

"Yahan se aage tak gaya tha network mili toh mechanic ko call kardiya hai maine.

Vo aake gaadi thik karega aur yahan le ayega."

Arjun answered briefly.

"Toh sir Sakshi aapke sath nahi gayi.?"

Riya asked curiously.

"Nahi. Vo mere sath kyun ayegi?"

Arjun asked back straight.

"Vo sir Sakshi kahin yahan mil nahi rahi hai issliye hame laga aapke sath gayi hogi."

Shree murmured before quickly adding.

"hame lagta hai bahar hogi toh bahar dekh ke aate hain."

"Mai bahar se hi araaha hun aur Sakshi bahar nahi hai."

Arjun answered.

"Toh vo..."

Rathore couldn't complete as the old man from the reception interrupted him.

"Aap log abhi nikal rahe hain.?"

"Ji haan hum nikalne wale hain per hamari ek lady officer mil nahi rahin hain.

Kya aapne kisiko dehka hai yahan.?"

Rathore asked him.

"JI nahi humne aapke kisi bhi officer ko nahi dekha."

The old man replied.

"Toh kya aap apne dusre staffs se confirm kar sakte hain kisine sayad dekha ho .?"

Arjun asked this time.

"Niche kamron me mehman hain aur staff room me staffs ke alawa koi aur ni jaa sakta toh agar koi wahan jaata toh ab tak pata chal chuka hota."

The old man denied.

"tab toh ek hi raasta hai. Riya ,Ayesha niche ke sare rooms check karo ,jitne guests hain unke rooms bhi.

Shree tum upar ke rooms check karo.

Rawte , Chhotu garden check karo."

Rathore ordered.

"Aap aesa nahi kar sakte. Aap agar mehmano ka kamra dekhnege toh hum unhe kya jawab denge.?"

The old man looked at Rathore in disbelief.

"Aur sir upar ke toh kuch rooms band hai."

Shree informed him.

Rathore heard him then angled his head to the old man.

"Hum koshish karenge ki aapke mehmano ko zyada takleef na ho per ye baat toh tay hai ki hum apne officer ko liye bina yahan se nahi jaa rahe hain."

Rathore said and extended his hand towards him.

"Master key, upar ke rooms kholne ke liye."

"Aap aesa nahi kar sakte. Humne aapko yahan rehne diya iska matlab ye nahi ki aap hum pe hi shaq karenge."

The old man shouted.

"Hum aap pe shaq nahi kar rahe hain per jis tarah se aap react kar rahe hain aap pe shaq jarur jayega."

Arjun shouted back thus the old man fell silent.

"hum chabi denge per ek shart pe. Hum bhi chalenge inke sath."

He said eyeing shree, to which Rathore nodded his head.

"Sure."

The search operation started with Arjun , Chhotu went to the garden, Ayesha checked the staff rooms, Riya checked the guest rooms, while Shree checked the room upstairs and Rathore talked to the staffs.

Riya knocked on the doors of the guest rooms checking through them one after another ,and got stuck at one room since the guest inside refused to open the door.

She knocked a number of times asking to answer the door ,and then pulled out her gun getting no answer in return..

Just then the door was opened swiftly and a vase was thrown at her direction which she dodged putting up her hand to prevent the vase from hitting her head ,causing a small cut on the corner of her palm, meanwhile the man inside tried to escape but she pulled him back by hitting his head with the back of her gun.

The man tried to push her away when she kicked his leg making him kneel on the floor and she pushed his back pinning his face to the cold marble floor pointing a gun at his head.

"Nahi. Hame jaane dijiye humne kuch nahi kiya. Usse kuch mat kijiye."

Riya whirled her head to the room where a girl stood crying uncontrollably joining both of her hands in front of her and Riya's grip loosened on the man.

___________

"Sir."

Rathore stopped talking to a staff turning to Riya who came grabbing a man with a crying girl following them.

"ye kya hua.?"

Rathore asked noticing the cut on her palm.

"Isne darwaza kholte hi attack kar diya."

Riya answered eyeing the man , thus Rathore stood facing the man glaring him.

"Kaun ho tum? Ek police officer pe attack karne ka anjaam pata hai tumhe.?"

"Sorry sir,, mujhe nahi pata tha ye police officer hain .

Hum toh yahan subah hi aye hain hame kuch nahi pata, humne kuch nahi kiya."

The guy said nervously.

"Sir ye dono se ghar se bhaag ke aaye hain aur inhe laga mujhe inke ghar walon ne bheja hai."

Riya explained before adding quickly.

"per iss ladki ka kehna hai usne subah Sakshi ko dekha tha."

"Kya? Kab.?"

Rathore now turned to the girl who had stopped crying by then.

"Hum subah 5 baje yahan aaye the aur jab kamre se bahar aayi thi tab ek ladki kisiko bulate huye corridor ki taraf jaa rahi thi.

Inhone jinki photo dikhayi vo wohi thi sayad."

The girl answered.

Rathore looked at Riya in both confusion and shock , just when they heard Ayesha's voice from the corridor.

"Sir, Sakshi yahan hai."

And Rathore and Riya rant towards her voice without wasting another second.

Tbc.

Part-37

Riya after finishing her practice for the day freshened up and made her way towards the canteen when she noticed Rathore sitting on a chair near the garden looking down at something.

"Sir.?"

She approached him and on a closer look she found a note in his hand he was reading.

"Tumhara practice ho gaya? Tum pehle nikal jaana mujhe director ne kuch discuss karne ke liye bulaya hai toh mai baad me yahan se niklunga."

Rathore informed her standing up straight.

"Ek aur note.?"

She asked not averting her eyes from the piece of paper in his hand.

"Ye kuch nahi bas...."

"sir ek min.."

She interrupted him taking the note from him and read it.

*People and their families have suffered because of you.

you don't remember what you have done 12yrs ago, but I do.*

Rathore noticed how her facial expression went from normal to tensed right after reading the note ,when she looked up to him in concern.

"Riya , itna dhyan dene ki jarurat nahi hai ispe.

Usne jaan bujh ke aaj aesi jagah note rakha hai jahan camera nahi hai, isse pata chalta hai ki vo khud dara hua hai.

Agar hum uspe dhyan nahi denge toh vo khud samne aajayega aur tab mai dekhunga uska kya karna hai.

Mai kal se dekh raha hun tum kahin na kahin isko leke disturbed ho, issliye mai nahi chahta tha kisi aur ko bureau me pata chale nahi toh sab issi me uljhe rahenge."

Riya kept mum ,thus Rathore spoke again.

"Isse phaad ke phenk dena. Mai aata hun."

"Ok sir."

Rathore was about to walk away but stopped on noticing Arjun coming towards them.

"tum ab tak gaye nahi.?"

Rathore questioned.

"Jaane wala hun."

Arjun answered looking behind Rathore, at Riya.

" Tum administrative office jaane wali thi na ? Kya hua.?"

Riya looked at him confused , when Rathore turned to her.

"Administrative office.?"

"Kal se uska airpod kho gaya hai wohi dhundne ke liye cctv check karne wali thi."

Arjun answered on her behalf, thus Riya grew confused.

"Riya tumhara airpod kho gaya hai.?"

Rathore asked her.

Riya eyed Arjun for a moment who maintained a straight face with his lie ,then she looked back at Rathore.

"Uh haan sir mujhe lagta hai maine kahin locker ke pass gira diya tha issliye mai check karne jaa rahi thi."

She lied, to which Rathore nodded his head.

"Thik hai. Check karne ke baad bureau chali jaana."

"Yes sir."

Once after Rathore left Riya went to Arjun with confusion written all over her face.

"sir hum Rathore siir se jhuth kyun bol rahe hain? Mera airpod mere pass hi hai, khoya nahi hai."

"jaanta hun.

Vo chits jisne chhode the vo cctv me jarur aaya hoga ,issliye hame kal ke locker room aur parking ke cctv check karne honge.

Aur kisiko ye nahi pata chalna chahiye ki hum kya dhund rahe hain."

Arjun answered and started walking towards the administrative office.

"Oh. Haan sir cctv se jarur pata chalega ki kaun...."

Riya suddenly stopped following him on realizing something, meanwhile Arjun too stopped on his track turning around to find the reason she stopped talking abruptly.

"Aap Rathore sir ke liye aaye hain.?"

Arjun could sense the amusement in her question and a small smile on her face and stared at her blankly.

"Mai yahan case ke liye aaya hun.

Aur statistically agar hum idhar udhar ki baatein chhod ke pura dhyan case pe dein Riya , toh case jaldi solve hone ke 100% chance badh jaati hai."

She didn't flinch at his sarcastic voice since she had heard the exact same lines before ,and Arjun started walking away only to be stopped by her voice in the midway.

"Per case toh hum bureau me solve kar rahe hain na sir, puri ETF team ke sath.?"

Arjun turned to throw another glare at her , but she walked up to him quickly .

"CCTV check kar lete hain sir."

Riya handed him the last note she had fetched from Rathore leading the way to the office , hence he quietly followed her after reading the note.

Riya told the same lie as Arjun in the office and the guard let them watch the previous day footages ,while Riya checked the locker room Arjun checked the parking lot.

After checking both of the footages they came out of the office and Riya spoke up first.

"Aesa kaise ho sakta hai ? Locker room me note Jatin rakh ke gaya tha.?"

"Per jisne windshield me note rakha tha vo koi aur tha."

Arjun pointed out.

"Sir ho sakta hai vo bhi Jatin hi ho.?"

She asked curiously.

"Nahi vo Jatin nahi ho sakta.

Kyunki vo dusra note rakha gaya tab tak Jatin ki maut ho chuki thi.

Aur jisne bhi note rakha tha usse achhe se pata tha camera me sab kuch record horaha hai, issliye usne sabki gaadi saaf karne ke bahane vo note gaadi me rakh ke chala gaya.

Ye koi andar ka admi hai."

Arjun explained.

"Per yahan toh 400 trainees aur 150 staffs hain, inme se kaun hai kaise pata chalega.?"

Riya murmured.

"Vo jo koi bhi hai Jatin usse jaanta tha .issliye jahan camera me thik se kisika chehra dikhega wahin pe Jatin ko bheja gaya tha.

Pata karna hoga Jatin yahan kis kis se milta julta tha, hamara target unme se hi ek hai."

Arjun declared .

____________________________________________________________________________________

E.T.F Bureau...

"Sir mera naam Soumya hai.

Aakhiri baar Jatin ne mujhse baat ki thi."

The girl said sitting on a chair in the interrogation room ,where all the ETF officers were present with their questions.

"Jatin ke sath kya rishta tha tumhara.?"

Rathore asked first.

"Vo dono jo chats me baatein kam aur kisses zyada bhejte the, Sameer usse puch raha hai rishta kya tha tumhara.

Sach me ETF ka chief ho ya koi aam ladka , sare ladke duffer hote hain."

Sakshi whispered near Ayesha's ear who suppressed he chuckle.

" Hum pyar karte the ek dusre se.4 saal ka relationship tha hamara."

Soumya answered lowering her gaze.

"Relationship tha.?"

Chhotu narrowed his gaze.

"sir hamara 3 mahino se breakup ho chuka tha."

Came her reply.

"Agar breakup ho chuka tha toh marne se pehle Jatin ne tumhe video call kyun kiya aur tumne receive bhi kiya tha."

Shree pointed out.

"Kyunki vo breakup ke baad bhi kabhi kabhi mujhe phone karta tha, aur tab tak karta tha jab tak mai receive nahi karti.

Issliye mai uske phone calls utha diya karti thi ,bas yahi soch ke maine kal bhi uska phone uthaya tha per mujhe nahi pata tha vo aesa kuch karne wala hai."

Soumya bit back her tears.

"Breakup kyun hua tha tum dono ka.?"

Riya asked her.

"Hum dono ke cast ni milte.

Jatin humse lower cast ka tha, aur usne jab shadi ki baat mujhse ki maine usse kaha tha mere ghar wale nahi maangenge.

Per vo paglon ki tarah hone laga tha , mai kitna samjhaun vo samajhta hi nahi tha."

"relationship ke 4 saal baad agar isse yaad ayega ki inke cast nahi milte aur inki shadi nahi ho sakti toh ladka pagal hi ho jayega na."

Chhotu murmured near Riya , who nodded agreeing with him.

"Aaye din mujhe suicide ki dhamki deta rehta tha ,phone messages yahan tak ki emails bhejta rehta tha."

The girl added sounding bitter.

"Tumhari baaton se lag raha hai tum fed up ho chuki thi usse."

Rathore chirped straight.

"Nahi sir aesi baat nahi hai per mujhe laga tha waqt ke sath vo samajh jaayega , per din ba din uska gussa aur pagalpan badhta hi jaa raha tha."

"Kya usne tumhe poison khaake marne ki dhamki di thi.?"

Arjun asked next.

"Ji haan sir usne bahut baar mujhe poison ki dhamki di thi.

Mai jab bhi uske phone calls , messages se pareshan hoke usse block karti thi vo mujhe office ke landline se call karke poison khaane ki dhamki deta tha, taaki mai usse unblock karun.

Issliye maine thak haarke usse ladhna band kar diya aur jab bhi phone karta tha mai sun leti thi uski baat. Vo mujhe gaaliyan deta tha ghanto tak aur phir phone kaat deta tha."

"Agar vo itna sab kar raha tha toh tumhe police me complaint karni chahiye thi."

Chhotu said ,feeling pity for the girl.

"Mai aesa karti toh mere ghar walon ko Jatin ke baare me pata chal jaata, jo mai nahi chahti thi."

Soumya shook her head.

"Agar itna sab kuch tum dono ke bich ho raha tha toh Jatin ke ghar walon aur friends ko kuch pata kaise nahi hai tumhare baare me ya breakup ke baare me? Tum toh uski neighbor ho na."

Ayesha questioned thoughtfully.

"Maine usse kasam de rakha tha hamare bare me kisiko na batane ke liye, kyunki mai nahi chahti thi mere ghar walon ko kahin se bhi pata chale hamare rishte ke baare me.

Issliye usne kisiko nahi bataya ,aur yahi ek chiz thi jo usne aakhri waqt tak achhe se nibhaya."

Soumya answered.

"Kal video call pe kya baat hui thi tum dono ki.?"

Riya asked this time.

"kuch nahi wohi uska roz ka , mujhse shadi karo nahi toh mai marr jaaunga abhi suicide kar lunga.

Vo bahutt baar kar chuka tha aesa."

"Per isse pehle usne kabhi gun se toh nahi dhamkaya hoga."

Sakshi raised her brow at the girl.

"Nahi . Gun se uska pehli baar tha, per mujhe laga vo centre me job karta hai issliye iss baar kuch naya try kar raha hai dhamki dene ke liye.

Vo har baar knife , poison se darata tha phir wapas rakh deta tha, mujhe sach me nahi pata tha vo apne upar gun chala dega."

"kya Jatin ko shooting aati thi.?"

Rathore enquired.

"nahi sir usse shooting nahi aati thi."

"Kya Jatin diary likhta tha.?"

Shree questioned.

"Haan . Usse chizein yaad nahi rehti thi issliye vo diary me likhta tha. Vo diary zyadatar apni kaam ke liye use karta tha."

"kya Jatin ne kabhi apni breakup ki baat kisi se share kiya tha ? Koi friend ya centre me koi aesa jo Jatin ke kareeb ho.? Uskne kabhi zikr kiya tha aesa kuch.?'

Arjun looked at her curiously.

"Nahi sir aesa usne kabhi kuch nahi bataya tha. Wese bhi centre me Jatin ke gusse ki wajah se uski zyada logon se banti nahi thi."

"thik se yaad karke batao Soumya ,kabhi usne kisiki baat ki ho jisse vo milta julta ho ya usne tumhare bare me bataya ho.?"

Arjun insisted, thus the girl started racking her brain.

"Sir jahan tak milne julne ki baat hai mess ke B block ke ladko ke saath Jatin ka achha uthna baithna tha.

aur haan ek din JAtin ne jab mujhe phone kiya tha pichhe se kuch ladke 'Bhabi maan jao' ' Bhabi maan jao' aesa bol rahe the maine suna tha, per vo B block wale ladke the ya koi aur ye mujhe nahi pata."

Riya whirled her head to Arjun getting a clue, meanwhile Arjun nodded his head at Soumya.

"Per kya tumhe lagta hai ki Jatin suicide kar sakta hai ?

Breakup ko leke vo suicide karega kya ye possible hai.?"

Chhotu cross questioned.

"Sir Jatin suicidal nahi tha, per apne gusse me vo kuch bhi kar sakta tha.

Maine bahut koshish ki thi uska gussa control karne ki per ek baar vo gussa ho jaata tha tab vo kisiki nahi sunta tha, usse khud pata nahi hota tha ki vo gusse me kya kar raha hai, aur phir baad me regret karta tha."

Once the interrogation ended everyone came back to the conference room taking their respective seats ,when Riya let out her query.

"Sab kuch thik hai per kya koi gusse me apni jaan le lega aur usse pata bhi nahi chalega?

Bhale hi insan jitne bhi gusse me ho per usse pata toh hota hai vo kya kar raha hai."

"Tum gusse me gaadi bahut tez chalati ho."

Arjun spoke up ,making her turn to him to see if he was talking to someone else in the room but found his eyes on her only.

Her forehead creased a little at his remark ,but then seeing how serious he looked she turned to her friends to confirm his claim and Chhotu was the first to nod his head as a big yes.

Twisting her lip a little Riya gave Arjun a side eye but kept mum, when Rathore interrupted.

"Aur tum gusse me logon ko maarne pe utar aate ho, jaise last time Pathan ko maar diya tha, almost."

Arjun gave him a sharp look in return, to which Rathore didn't bat an eye.

________________

3 days passed and ETF couldn't find an alternate reason behind Jatin's suicide, whereas Riya kept enquiring about Jatin's close friends in the centre in a way that no one would doubt her, not even Rathore.

Since all the statements indicated towards block B she listed out the number of trainees in there to do a background check on them by borrowing Shree's laptop to her home ,meanwhile Rathore ignored yet again another random note on his car and Arjun kept an eye on the Centre silently.

Riya sat on the floor of the hall with a pile of papers and laptop on the small table in front of her, looking through everyone's records and shortlisting the suspects and once after she was done till the midnight, picked up her phone and dialed a number.

Arjun stirred in his sleep by the ringing sound of his phone and he glanced at the mobile screen then at the time before swiping the green button.

"Hello."

"Hello sir, maine B block ke sare trainees ki details nikali hai. Total 65 ladke hain wahan , jinme se 7 aese hain jinke family me kisi na kisi ke naam pe cases registered hai, per vo sare.........."

"Riya , call karne se pehle time dekha tha.?"

Arjun asked in a sleepy voice interrupting her in middle.

"Huh? Nahi time toh..."

She paused as soon as her gaze fell on the wall clock and her eyes widened a little before she cut the call that instant.

'Riya 2.30 baje tune aese hi muh uthake phone kar diya sir ko? Hamesha daant khane wali kaam tu hi kyun karti hai? Ab subah hote hi vo daantenge."

She cursed herself banging her head on the table when her phone rang.

'Ya phir subah hone tak intezar bhi nahi karenge?'

she murmured eyeing Arjun's number flashing on the screen, thus she hesitated a little answering it nevertheless.

"Sorry sir maine time bina dekhe aapko phone kar diya .

hum subah baat karte hain. Good night."

She breathed in a go ,and was about to cut the call when he spoke from the other end.

"Ab phone kar hi diya hai toh bolo."

"uh okay sir.

Toh mai ye keh rahi thi ki 7 trainees aese hain jinke family members ke naam pe cases registered hai, per unme se 6 logon ke khilaf itne serious cases nahi hai.Bas maar pit, zameen ko leke cases hai.

Aur ek case aesa hai jiske sath Rathore sir ka connection hai,ek kunal naam ka ladka hai jiske father 12 saal pehle ek child rape and murder case me involved the ,unke sath 2 aur log bhi the. Per kunal ke father ke against zyada proof ni mile issliye unhe bahut kam time ke liye saja hui thi aur phir vo bahar aagaye the.

Ye case ko leke bahut sare articles hain- Mira murder case ke naam pe ye case tab bahut charche me thi.

Rathore sir ko last jo note mili thi usme bhi 12 saal mentioned tha, toh lagta hai notes ka case se connection hai."

Arjun who was listening to her silently, fluttered his eyes open at the mention of the name and sat up on the bed.

"Uss case me ek ka encounter hua tha."

He said recalling the case clearly.

"Haan sir. Baaki ke 2 logon me se ek encounter me mara gaya tha aur ek ko life imprisonment ki saja sunayi gayi thi, iske incharge Rathore sir the."

Riya confirmed.

"Mujhe Kunal ke details send karo."

He ordered.

"Ok si.."

Before she could complete the call ended from his side ,thus she stared at her phone screen and sighed.

The next early morning Rathore went to the Commissionerate office for a meeting and after finishing it he drove straight towards the ETF Bureau since it was past the time to go to the centre.

"Rawte ek toh tum meeting me aaye nahi ,aur abhi aesi kya baat karni hai jo mere bureau me aane tak wait nahi kar sakte.?"

Rathore asked over the call.

"Ranga, yaad hai tumhe.?"

Arjun asked ,and Rathore released a sharp breathe.

"Itne saalo baad tum usse kyun yaad kar rahe ho.?

Ranga ko mare 12 saal ho chuke hain."

"vo bhale hi marr gaya hai per uske sath jo uss case me arrest hua tha uska chachera bhai Kamal ,uska beta police training centre me trainee hai."

Arjun informed him, thus Rathore abruptly kept mum for few seconds.

"Tumhe Riya ne bataya.?"

Rathore asked figuring out that Arjun knows about the notes.

"Mai tumhari jagah hota toh wohi sochta jo tum abhi socha rahe ho."

Rathore added thoughtfully.

"Riya ne mujhe nahi bataya mujhe pata chal gaya ,aur tum Kunal ke baare me jaante ho.?"

Arjun asked over the call.

"Haan usne khud mujhe aake bataya tha.

Thode time pehle vo mujhe mila tha centre me aur usne bataya kaise usne apne baap se rishta tod diya tha uss case ke baad aur vo mehnat karke police officer banna chahta hai."

Rathore explained.

"Aur tumne maan liya.?"

"Toh kya karun? Uske baap ne jo kiya uski wajah se bete pe shaq karun? Agar hum har kisi pe shaq karne lage toh bharosa karne layak koi bachega nahi ,Kisi na kisi pe toh bharosa karna hi padega Rawte.

Aur usse baat karne ke baad mujhe nahi lagta uska koi hath hai mujhe notes bhejne me."

"Tum isse jitna lightly le rahe ho Rathore , utni mamuli baat nahi hai ye."

Arjun said entering the bureau.

"Ye Arjun sir itne serious kyun dikh rahe hain.?"

Ayesha asked noticing him directly going inside his cabin.

"Pata nahi per mujhe lag raha hai jaise kuch chal raha hai jiske baare me hame nahi pata."

Shree murmured beside her, making her look at him curiously.

"Matlab.?"

"Tumne dekha nahi Rathore sir bhi 2 din se kuch chup chap se hain aur Arjun sir bhi, aur Ri toh pata nahi kyun kal mujhse mera laptop leke ghar gayi thi aur puchh bhi rahi thi criminal database wala software usme hai ya nahi.

Maine puchha kyun chahiye toh vo kuch batana chah rahi thi per phir ruk gayi aur boli baad me bataungi."

Shree explained thoroughly.

"Aur abhi abhi Arjun sir Rathore sir se hi baat kar rahe hain."

Ayesha pointed out.

"Hmm tumhe Rathore sir ne kuch nahi bataya.?"

Shree asked.

"Nahi vo mujhe 2 din se bahar mile hi nahi hain, bole kaam me busy hain."

Ayesha answered growing suspicious.

"Kuch toh hai.ek kaam karte hain abhi Ri aayegi toh usse puch lenge."

Shree murmured .

"Hm."

Ayesha nodded her head.

"Aur tum kabse mere liye itna concerned hone lage Rawte.?"

Rathore spat back.

"Mai koi concerned nahi hun, mai issliye bol raha hun kyunki iska Jatin ke case ke sath connection hai."

Arjun clarified ,thus Rathore raised his brow from the other end.

"Kaise.?"

"Abhi vo explain karna jaruri nahi hai Rathore.

Kya tumhe pata hai Ranga ka bhi ek beta hai.?"

Arjun questioned thus Rathore slowed the speed of the car.

"Ranga ka beta.?

Ek min ek min..."

Rathore parked the car to a side of the road to listen to him clearly.

"Ranga ka beta tha.?"

"uske 2 bete the. Ranga ke encounter ke baad gaanv walon ne Ranga ki biwi aur uske bachon ko nikal diya tha aur isse pareshan hoke uski biwi ne 2 bachhon ke sath zeher kha liya tha.

Per ek beta hospital me bach gaya tha."

"ye tumhe kaise pata chala.?"

"Mai subah Kamal se milke aaraha hun, usne bataya.

uss case me arrest hone wale 3 log the ,ek jo saja kaat raha hai abhi uski family me bas uske budhe maa baap hai, aur dusra hai Kamal jiska beta abhi police centre me hai aur teesra hai Ranga ka beta jo abhi kahan......"

Rathore couldn't hear rest of the Arjun's words as soon as his gaze fell on the rearview mirror and a speeding truck was coming towards his car from behind after crashing with a few bikers on its way.

"Shit."

Rathore muttered quickly unbuckling the seatbelt and next Arjun heard was a loud crash from Rathore's end.

"Rathore.?"

Arjun called but got no response, thus he stared at the phone screen to make sure the call was still connected before bringing it back to his ear.

"Rathore.?"

He disconnected the call still not getting any response and rushed out of his cabin towards shree.

"Shree Rathore ka location track karo abhi."

"Huh? Rathore sir ka.?"

Shree looked up to him ,confused.

"Jaldi karo."

Arjun shouted, and shree nodded his head quickly turning on his tab.

"yes sir."

"Sir kya baat hai ? Aap itne pareshan kyun hain.?"

Ayesha asked standing up from her chair, but Arjun didn't answer her with his eyes pinned to Shree's tab.

"Bureau se 15 min distance pe hain, aur move nahi kar rahe hain ek jagah pe hain."

Shree replied, and watched Arjun rushing towards the exit without any delay.

"Sir baat kya hai..hum bhi chalte hain."

Shree said hurriedly, thus Arjun spared them a look before walking out followed by Shree and Ayesha after getting his silent approval.

On reaching the location Shree, Ayesha watched the scenario in horror as Rathore's car wasn't in a shape anymore ,with some people,ambulance, local police jeep present around and Ayesha ran to Rathore who was getting treated in an ambulance for his injuries.

"Sir aap thik hain .?"

Ayesha looked at him from head to toe noticing his one side knee, elbow were bleeding and that side of the forehead was scraped with blood visible on it, that the nurse was bandaging.

"Kuch nahi hua hai."

Rathore answered in a soft tone ,seeing her eyes were brimmed with tears.

"Aapko itni chot lagi hai aur aap keh rahe hain kuch nahi hua hai."

Ayesha stare at him and he smiled a little.

"Thik hun mai.

Gaadi se bahar nikal gaya tha mai, aur ye sab bahar girne ki wajah se lagi hai."

"Per sir ye sab hua kaise.?"

Shree asked, and Rathore kept mum releasing a sigh.

A police office saluted Arjun and came standing near him.

"Ek truck ne takkar maara hai sir, aur takkar maarne ke baad bhi gaadi ko wahan tak ghasita gaya hai.

Ye toh achha hua Rathore sir time pe bahar nikal gaye the."

"Truck ka number kisine dekha.?"

Arjun questioned.

"Yahan pe jitne log the unka kehna hai truck pe koi number plate nahi tha, per maine sare tollgates ko alert kar diya hai hum truck ko jald hi trace kar lenge.

Per haan sir ye koi mamuli accident ni lagti , car ke roof me firing ki gayi hai ek baar.

Lagta hai kisi ka main motive Rathore sir pe attack karne ka tha."

The officer explained.

Arjun kept looking at the damaged car when his gaze fell on the other ambulance.

"Kya aur bhi log ghayal huye hain.?"

"Haan sir kuch bikers ko bhi dhakka diya tha truck ne, vo log ghayal hain.

Hum unhe hopital bhej rahe hain, bas Rathore sir hospital jaane ke liye mana kar rahe hain."

The officer answered, thus Arjun turned to Rathore walking up to him.

"Rathore hospital chalo."

He said in a firm voice.

"Uski jarurat nahi hai."

Rathore shook his head.

"Sir jarurat kaise nahi hai ? Aap ko treatment ki jarurat hai abhi."

Ayesha objected.

"usse bhi zyada important kaam hai abhi."

RAthore dismissed her objection.

"Sir aesa kya important kaam hai? Aap thik hone ke baad bhi kaam ho sakta hai."

Shree insisted.

"Nahi shree."

Rathore muttered before looking up to Arjun and stood up slowly.

Shree held his forearm since he was having a hard time to balance himself with the injuries ,while Rathore asked.

"Ranga ke bete ke baare me kya bol rahe the tum? Kahan hai abhi vo.?"

"Vo kahan hai kisiko nahi pata , hospital se bhaagne ke baad vo kisiko nahi mila aur na hi kabhi vo apne purane ghar wapas gaya."

Arjun answered him, and watched Rathore falling quiet lost in some deep thought.

"aap dono kis baare me baat kar rahe hain.?"

Ayesha asked after exchanging a confused look with Shree.

"Kya tumhe lagta hai ki notes ka iss accident se kuch lena dena hai.?"

Arjun asked still eyeing Rathore.

"Kya aap dono ko pata hai accident kisne kiya hai.?"

Ayesha asked again.

"Abhi nahi Ayesha, baad me bata denge sab kuch."

Arjun replied her growing her confusion, meanwhile something stroke Rathore's mind.

He pulled out a note from his shirt pocket he had found earlier in the morning on his car windshield and stared at it.

*An eye for an eye, tooth for a tooth.*

Shree read out the note aloud beside him then asked.

"Ye kya hai.?"

Arjun took the note from him reading it , when Rathore spoke up.

"Ranga pe goli maine chalayi thi."

"Issliye tum pe goli chalayi gayi."

Arjun suddenly looked up from the note to him in realization and continued speaking.

"Aur tooth for a tooth ka matlab sayad uski family ne jo suffer kiya hai, wohi vo tumhare sath karna chahta hai."

Rathore whirled his head to Ayesha and Shree that instant noticing other's absence.

"Chhotu, sakshi ,aur Riya kahan hain.?"

"uh Sakshi toh headquarter gayi hai apni reports submit karne."

Ayesha answered.

"Aur chhotu se subah se meri baat nahi hui hai aur Riya toh training centre se nikal gayi hogi bureau ke liye."

Came Shree's answer.

"unn logon ko phone karo jaldi."

Rathore commanded and the next moment they heard Arjun's voice.

"Riya ka phone switch off hai."

"Chhotu bhi utha nahi raha hai."

Shree said after trying his number, whereas Ayesha talked to Sakshi over the call.

"Sir sakshi toh headquarter me hi hai."

"Ek kaam karo Ayesha tum aur Shree chhotu ke ghar jao ,pata karo vo kahan hai.

Mai aur Rawte Riya ko dhundne ki...."

Before Rathore could complete Shree's phone rang.

"Sir chhotu ka phone hai."

Shree informed quickly answering the call.

"Hello chhotu kahan ho tum? Phone kyun nahi utha rahe the....."

Shree talked to him when Arjun noticed a message from Riya in his mobile from earlier ,he hadn't checked until now.

"Sir 5 trainees aur hain jo B block ke mess me the , thode din pehle hi C block ko transfer huye hain."

Arjun read the message and looked up.

"Sir chhotu thik hai . Vo bureau aaraha hai , aur traffic me fasa hua hai."

Shree informed after disconnecting the call.

"Rathore vo jo bhi hai training centre me hi hai.

Aur sayad Riya bhi abhi wahin hai."

Arjun declared.

"Centre chalte hain."

Rathore chirped starting to limping towards the car , only to be stopped by Ayesha.

"Sir aap aesi halath me kaise jaa sakte hain? Aaap rukiye hum sab jaa rahe..."

"Ayesha.

Ye jo kuch bhi ho raha hai vo mujhse badla lene ke liye ho raha hai. Mera jaana wahan jaruri hai kyunki usse ACP Sameer Rathore chahiye."

Rathore said in a firm voice interrupting her in middle making Ayesha's mouth shut ,and he walked away followed by others.

________________________________

On reaching the training centre Arjun applied a break to the car near the gate and they could see Chhotu coming running from inside.

"chhotu tum yahan.?"

Rathore asked.

"Haan sir Shree ne message kiya tha toh mai sidha yahan agaya.

Aap sir thik hain.?"

Chhotu asked eyeing his injuries, as they got off the car.

"Mai thik hun.

Riya ka kuch pata chala.?"

"Nahi sir , security ne bataya ki Riya ab tak bahar nahi gayi hai.

Aur mujhe abhi abhi pata chala auditorium me kuch programme chal raha hai , toh sare trainees aur zyadatar staffs wahin pe hain."

Chhotu explained.

"Ho sakta hai Riya bhi wahin ho.?"

Ayesha guessed.

"Chhotu,Rawte tum dono ground, canteen sab jagah check karo, Shree tum administrative office jao aur cctv check karo, mai aur Ayesha auditorium jaate hain."

Rathore commanded thus everyone scattered away for their respective tasks while Ayesha helped Rathore to reach the auditorium.

On entering the auditorium Rathore and Ayesha roamed their eyes around the hall filled with people, the officials giving speech one by one on stage and that is when Ayesha's gaze fell on the corner of the stage.

"Sir Riya."

Rathore quickly followed her gaze to the stage ,only to find Riya standing there with three other girls eyeing them only.

Ayesha stepped forward to go at her direction , but stopped noticing Riya shaking head lightly at her.

Ayesha stepped back exchanging a confused look with Rathore when one of the officials approached them.

"Rathore sir good morning. Achha hua aap aaye hain.

Aapko director sir bulana....*pause* kya hua sir aap thik hain.?"

The man asked noticing his bandages.

"Nahi mai thik hun bas chhota sa accident tha."

Rathore assured him.

"Oh. Director sir aapko stage pe bula rahe hain.

New trainees ko agar aap thoda motivate karenge toh unke bahut kam ayega."

Rathore hesitated glancing at Riya's direction , but then Ayesha motioned him to go on while she took a seat among the audience.

Rathore accompanied the officials on the stage taking a seat there, and Ayesha called Arjun informing him about Riya's presence in the hall.

Both Arjun and chhotu rushed to the auditorium and took seats beside Ayesha with their eyes on Riya , who stood stealing glances at them but didn't react much or made an attempt to come to them.

"Ye Riya wahan kyun khadi hai.?"

Chhotu murmured.

"Pata nahi aur mujhe bhi wahan jaane se mana kar diya."

Ayesha answered.

Arjun looked at her direction as she had her eyes fixed on the stage on Rathore specifically frequently looking at them too ,but the look on her face looked far from relaxed or interested in the speeches given on the stage.

He saw her talking to a girl from the backstage and the girl nodded her head making her way inside the hall excusing herself from the first few rows and approached them with a tray of water bottles.

"Excuse me sir, aap sab ke liye."

The girl offered them the bottles which Ayesha ,Chhotu took reluctantly ,then the girl turned to Arjun.

"Aapki officer ne kaha ki aap jo soch rahe hain wesa nahi hai, aapne jo unhe 4 round ke badle 5 round daudne ke liye kaha hai vo task unhone ab tak khatam nahi kiya hai, vo pura karte hi yahan aajayengi."

The girl left handling the water bottle to Arjun ,when Ayesha , chhotu turned to him confused who looked confused himself.

"Aapne Riya ko 5 round daudne ke liye kaha hai sir.?"

Chhotu asked.

"Nahi."

Arjun murmured thinking over the girl's words and suddenly remembered he had told her to run the other day for being late to the ground.

Confused as to why she asked the girl to inform him something this random that too when she had already completed the task ,he looked over her direction before it started sinking in his mind.

He recalled that day clearly when he came to the ground-Rathore was talking to some staff –Riya went to run- Rathore was talking to him when he noticed Riya talking to some guys- he asked her to run 5 rounds and she waved at the guys before leaving.....he stooped his thinking at that point and repeated It in mind.

The staff Rathore was talking to was an ex-commando and he was way older to be the son of Ranga.

According to Kamal, Ranga's son was as same age as his son Kunal , that concluded the only suspect in the ground scenario left were the boys ..talking to Riya that day.

Arjun quickly grabbed his phone and sent a photo to Shree before dialing his number, who was still in the administrative office checking cctv.

"Shree , maine tumhe ek photo bheja hai vo Kunal hai. CCTV me check karo kya vo ladka Riya ke sath 8 baje ke aas paas tha? Kyunki Riya ne mujhe last 8 baje hi message kiya tha."

"Ok sir mai dekhta hun."

Shree replied from the other end.

"Aur ek baat Riya ke sath kuch ladke practice karte hain , 1st year batch ke hain , tum jaante ho unhe.?"

Arjun asked.

"Haan sir last time mila tha unse, 6 ladke hain uss group me."

Shree answered.

"Mess ke record check karo , kya unme se koi hai jo haal hee me B block se C block ko transfer hua hai."

"Thik hai sir mai check karke batata hun aapko."

Shree cut the call and immediately started his work meanwhile Arjun and others sat listening to Rathore's speech on the stage.

Few minutes later Shree called back Arjun which he received instantly.

"Haan Shree.?"

"Sir uss group me ek ladka hai Manav jo recently transfer hua hai B block se.

Aur jiski photo aapne bheji hai Kunal vo Riya ke sath mess pe gaya tha, per sirf Riya hi bahar aayi vo ladka nahi.

Sare ladke mess se bahar agaye the sayad auditorium jaane ke liye per vo ladka mujhe kahin dikha nahi."

Shree informed.

"Iska matlab vo abhi bhi mess me hi hai aur sayad..."

Arjun paused sparing a last glance at Riya, before adding finishing his sentence.

"Uski jaan khatre me hai.

Shree, Ayesha , Chhotu tum log jaake pura mess check karo ,mai yahan Manav ko dhundta hun."

Arjun commanded , which the trio quickly obeyed by Shree running out of the administrative office and Chhotu, Ayesha rushing out of the hall.

Rathore completed his speech earning applauds but he could care the least since his mind was completely occupied with other things.

He turned his head to Riya who nodded her head lightly assuring him, then he was about to turn to Arjun when a trainee appeared in front of him.

"Sir aapke liye paani."

"thank you."

Rathore muttered taking the glass of water he offered.

"umm sir aapki speech bahut inspiring thi , I'm sure yahan se bahut sare log aapke jaisa banna chahte hain.

Aap jo bina dare din raat lagake apni duty karte hain, apni jaan ki parwah tak nahi karte. Yahan tak ki accident ke baad bhi aap yahan hame motivate karne aaye hain ,warna koi aur hota toh goli ke darr se hi ab tak give up kar chuka hota."

The guy smiled gently at him.

"police force join karne ke liye sabse pehle apne darr ko hi maarna padta hai."

Rathore said ,and the guy nodded attending other officials on the stage.

Rathore averted his gaze from him to Arjun who was talking over the call looking serious, when all heard siren sound blazing in the centre and everyone started running out of the hall.

"Sir yahan B block me aag lagi hai."

Chhotu informed over the call.

"What.?"

Arjun sounded shocked, when shree took the phone from chhotu.

"Sir ek room locked hai andar se hum kholne ki koshish kar rahe hain per aag badhti jaa rahi hai.

Chhotu ne khidki khola toh andar 2 log hain , ek vo ladka Kunal hath me knife leke baitha hai bed pe kuch respond nahi kar raha hai aur dusra Maanav uske hath pair muh baandhke faasi me latkane ke liye khada kiya gaya hai table ke upar.

Lagta hai ye kunal ne ye sab kiya hai, aur hum kitna bula rahe hain vo kuch bol nahi raha andar se."

Shree explained.

"Rawte kya hua.?"

Rathore asked approaching him as quick as possible.

"Tum log wahin ruko hum arahe hain."

Arjun said over the call ,before looking up to Rathore.

"Mess me aag lagi hai ,hame wahan jaana hai.

2 log fase huye hain jin me se ek kunal hai. Aur aesa lag raha hai jaise kunal Maanav ko maarne ki koshish kar raha tha."

"What? In sab ke pichhe kunal hai.?"

Rathore looked shocked, not missing Arjun's facial expression almost as if he was contemplating something.

"Tum kya soch rahe ho.?"

Rathore asked him.

"Agar kunal in sabke pichhe hai bhi toh usse Maanav ko maarke kya milne wala hai? Uska motive tumse revenge lene ka tha Rathore , jo vo ek baar tumhari accident karwa chuka hai aur dusri baar karne wala tha, toh Maanav ko hurt karke vo tumse kaise badla lene wala hai.?"

Arjun asked thoughtfully, thus Rathore thought over his words when something stroke his mind.

"Ek min. Vo ladka..."

"Kaunsa ladka.?"

"Vo jo stage pe abhi thodi dair pehle mujhse baat kar raha tha. Usse kaise pata mera accident hua tha aur goli chali thi.?"

Rathore murmured to himself looking back at the stage where everyone was gone.

Arjun stared at his face then at the stage , then suddenly his eyes moved to the corner of the stage where Riya was standing earlier but not anymore.

Both arjun and Rathore looked at each other with a look of realization ,and Arjun spoke first.

"Tum mess ki taraf jao , mai dekhta hun."

Arjun didn't wait for Rathore's answer and hurried away towards the backstage meanwhile Rathore made his way towards the mess.

__________________________

"Gun niche karo."

Riya said to the guy in front of her sounding calm.

"Nahi . Maine tumhe kaha tha kisiko na batane ke liye, ab dekho vo dono tumhari wajah se maare jayenge."

The guy breathed heavily pointing the gun at her.

"Unn dono me se ek tumhara dost hai Vinay, usne tumhara sath diya aur tumne usse hi marne ke liye chhod diya.?"

"dosti aur badla me sab chalta hai Riya. Vo mere liye jaan bhi de sakta hai aur ye tum log nahi samajh sakte. Tum logon ko sirf medal , promotion ke liye dusro ki jaan lena aata hai.

Vinay spat angrily.

"Tumhare papa ne ek 7 saal ki bachi ka rape aur murder kiya tha aur bhaagne ki koshish kar rahe the. Aur tumhe lagta hai Rathore sir isme kahin galat hai.?"

Riya narrowed her gaze at him.

"Vo jaise bhi the mere papa the, unhe jail me daal dete saja dete.

Per nahi tumhare Rathore sir ne unko sabke samne goli maar di, aur kya tum logon ko pata hai humne kaisi zindagi jee hai uske baad?

Jitni paas se maine maut dekhi hai na utne paas se tumhare Rathore sir ko maut ke khauf ka ehsaas karaunga mai."

Arjun searched the rooms behind the backstage pushing the doors one by one, when he heard Riya's voice from a room.

"Ye tumhari galatfehmi hai agar tumhe lagta hai Rathore sir in sab se darr gaye hain. Vo tumhari notes pe bhi dhyan nahi de rahe the ,tumse darna bahut dur ki baat hai."

Both Riya and Vinay turned their eyes to the right where the door was kicked upon and Arjun stepped in grabbing his gun from his back.

"Officer apni gun niche karo , nahi toh mai goli chala dunga."

Vinay pointed a gun at him then at Riya , thus Arjun lowered his gun.

"Tum sab bahut late ho gaye ho officer , ab tak vo dono marr chuke honge."

Vinay chuckled.

"Tumhe sayad kam sunayi deta hai, per siren band ho chuki hai aur unn dono ko bacha liya gaya hai."

Arjun informed him looking straight in his eyes and watched his grip on the gun tightening.

"Vo dono bhale hi bach gaye ho aur mujhe jo last karna hai vo mai karke rahunga.

Toh tum dono me se kiske marne se ACP Rathore ko zyada dukh hoga.?

ACP Arjun ? Um nahi maine suna hai tum dono ki zyada nahi banti.

Toh … Riya? Tum bahut maanti ho na apne Rathore sir ko ? Kyun na ye last try tumpe kiya jaaye."

The guy pointed the gun straight at him.

"Tumhe lagta hai mere marne se Rathore sir ke mann me darr paida ho jayega?"

Riya asked him.

"Vo mai tumhare jaane ke baad dekh lunga , mai bhale hi jail chala jaaun per mujhe uss Rathore ko tadapta hua dekhna hai ek baar."

"Thik hai toh chalao goli."

Riya said confidently.

"Riya usse provoke mat karo."

Arjun scolded her.

"karne dijiye sir isse, ab tak sab kuch Maanav ke bharose kar raha tha. Kunal ko drugs dene se shuru karke Jatin ko suicide ke liye provoke bhi Maanav se karwaya tha.

sara blame kunal pe daalke ,Manav ko marrwake khud yahan se bhaagne wala tha.

ye khud kuch nahi kar sakta."

Riya said and Vinay growled pulling the trigger when Arjun stepped forward but the guy was quick enough to divert the gun and shot at Arjun's direction.

"Sir."

Riya's eyes widened for a moment assuming the bullet would hit him but Arjun bent a little dodging the bullet and held the guy's hand while he tried to fight back by lifting his leg and Arjun caught it midair blocking his advances.

The guy struggled in his hold when a flying kick threw him back to the wall ,the gun dropping from his hand and Arjun stood up straight eyeing Riya who looked impressed with her own action.

_____________________________

"Achhi khasi entrance pass karke police force join karne wale the ,aur revenge ke chakkar me in dono ne apni life barbad kar di."

Chhotu shook his head as they stood eyeing Vinay, Maanav getting arrested and Kunal being taken away for emergency treatment.

"Sach me achhai aur burai ka faisla bhi nahi kar paa rahe hain kuch log."

Shree sighed beside him and Riya , Ayesha kept mum.

"Tumhare baap ke sath maine jo kiya vo deserve karta tha.

Per tum.

Tumhare paas ek mauka tha tum ek achha insan aur ek acha police officer banke khudko saabit kar sakte the, per nahi tumne bhi apne baap ki tarah galat raasta chuna."

Rathore chirped eyeing Vinay who glared him angrily, before he was taken away in custody.

"Riya, sorry yaar hame nahi pata tha Vinay , Maanav itna kuch planning kar rahe the, Vinay ne tumhe bhi hurt karne ka try kiya."

Abinsash said approaching the ETF team and stood beside Riya.

"it's ok guys . Tum logon ki koi galti nahi hai, tum logon ko toh pata hi nahi tha."

Riya assured them with a smile.

"Per vo dono aesa kuch karenge yakeen hi nahi ho raha hai."

Yogesh murmured.

"I guess Vinay apne dad se kuch zyada hi pyaar karta tha, issliye apni dad ki maut ab tak bhul nahi paaya."

Taran said thoughtfully.

"Parivaar se lagav achhi baat hai.

Per jab parivaar ka koi ek galati karta hai aur dusre apne lagav ka naam deke usse support karne lagte hain toh vo galti aur badi ho jaati hai, aur aese hi logon ki wajah se crime badhti hai."

Arjun said wearing his goggles and was about to walk away but stopped turning back to his team and eyed Riya.

"Good job."

And he left leaving Riya stunned, while shree , chhotu's mouth fell open and Ayesha looked amused.

Tbc.