The Wait (Ariya FF) Part-75 Updated (Page-212) - Page 5

So i updated this too fast for today's occasion.. A very Happy Raksha Bandhan to you all

Stay happy

Part-28

Arjun drove to an abandoned rice mill factory following the lead and stopped the engine unbuckling the seat belt, when Sakshi noticed someone after getting off the car.

"Arjun, vo dekho – Sameer ,shree, Ayesha.

Chhotu aur Riya bhi hai yahan.

Ye log yahan kya kar rahe hain."

Sakshi murmured quickly approaching his friends , meanwhile Rathore was surprised to find them there.

"Rawte, Sakshi tum log yahan.?'

Rathore asked as soon as the duo approached them near the entrance.

"Hum log toh vo jailer ko pichha karte huye yahan aaye hain."

Sakshi answered on his behalf.

"Jailer ? Vo yahan aye hain.?"

Ayesha looked puzzled.

"Haan Arjun ko unpe shaq tha toh hum unka pichha kar rahe the. Per tum sab yahan kya kar rahe ho.?"

"Jo witness mara gaya hai Brijesh usse last call issi location se aya tha."

Rathore explained , and Arjun moved his eyes to Chhotu and Riya.

"Ravi ka number bhi yahin pe trace hua hai."

Riya answered quickly.

"Iska matlab sab ek hi jagah pe hain. "

Arjun murmured.

"Team be alert.

Chhotu, Riya tum dono pichhe ki taraf dekho koi raasta hai kya.

Shree,Ayesha tum dono dusri taraf dekho.

Hum samne se jaate hain."

Rathore said to Arjun, sakshi and everyone followed his command.

Arjun pushed the rusted iron door which wasn't locked from inside , while Rathore , Sakshi stepped in after him taking their respective guns out.

Arjun quietly observed the place to find any hint of anyone's presence around but it was suspiciously quiet.

"Yahan toh koi nahi dikh raha."

Sakshi muttered in disbelief.

"agar yahan koi hai hi nahi toh unn dono ka phone location yahan kyun dikha raha tha."

Rathore murmured ,just when the gate behind them got closed automatically.

Rathore quickly turned pointing his gun at the entrance only to realize the door was locked now and before they could react gas filled in the air making everything invisible inside.

Chhotu, Riya ,Ayesha, shree were attacked from back and were dragged inside the mill unaware of what was waiting for them.

__________________

Arjun forced his eyelids to open on getting a glass of water splashed on his face and the first thing he felt was pain.

The sharp pain at the back of his head reminded him of getting hit by someone while they were trying to get through the gas that not only troubled their eyesight also made them feel dizzy.

The quick reminder was enough to flutter his eyes open acknowledging the situation they were in and a very familiar unpleasant face appeared in front of his eyes.

"Hello ACP Arjun Suryakant Rawte."

Pathan lala had a knife in his hand and a wide devilish smile on his face that Arjun wished to wipe off that instant, however he kept mum.

"Kaise ho tum.?"

Pathan spoke again, his smile never wavering.

Arjun tried to get up from the floor, only to be interrupted by Pathan.

"Arey tum log khade kya ho, madad karo ACP sahab ko uthne me."

His men quickly came forward pulling Arjun up making him sit on his knees and that's when Arjun realized he was tied by ropes both his hands and legs.

"Meri team kahan hai Pathan.?"

Arjun asked straight.

"Chinta mat karo , maara nahi hai kisiko abhi tak.

Tumse baatein kiye bina kaise maar dun.?"

Pathan lala chuckled , and Arjun gritted his teeth.

"vo dekho tumhare samne hi zinda rakha hai tumhare purane dost ko."

Arjun turned his head to where he was pointing a finger at and found Rathore tied with ropes to a pillar downstairs ,still unconscious.

"Wese ek baat hai ACP Arjun mujhe laga tha hum itne waqt ke baad mil rahe hain toh tumme thodi akal agayi hogi.

Per jis tarah se tum log itni aasani se mere plan me fass gaye samajh nahi araha hai mai itna samajhdaar hun ya tum utne hi bewakoof."

Pathan smirked, thus Arjun averted his gaze from Rathore to Pathan.

"Har mujrim ko zindagi me ek pal ke liye toh lagta hi hai Pathan ki vo bahut samajhdaar hai."

Pathan's smile didn't fade away at his crude comment ,instead he smiled even more widely.

"Kya ACP Arjun mai tumse itna hass ke itni khushi se baat kar raha hun aur tum ho ki tumhara gussa kabhi khatam hi nahi hota."

Pathan said moving his face close to his.

"Koi purana zakhm bhara nahi hai lagta hai."

Arjun clenched his jaw glaring him hard , but Pathan looked unfazed standing up.

"Khair ab kuch baatein tumhare dost se bhi kar lete hain.

Uthao re usse."

leaning on the rail of the staircase he ordered his men present downstairs , who went ahead punching Rathore on his stomach hard making him cough loudly.

"Hello ACP Sameer Rathore."

Pathan said delightfully once after Rathore fully gained his consciousness and looked up to him.

"iss tarah se uthane ke liye maafi chahta hun per kya hai na mere ladke police walon se kuch zyada hi nafrat karte hain."

Rathore gritted his teeth eyeing the number of men pathan lala had before speaking up.

"Toh ye sab tumhara plan tha.?"

Pathan chuckled at his question.

"Samajhne me thode late hogaye ACP Sir.

Wese dekha jaye toh mujhe aap se ya aapki ETF team se koi problem nahi hai, per aapke jo hai na ACP Arjun, usne apne aas pass sau dushman paal rakhe hain.

Ab vo jahan jahan jayega dushman bhi toh wahin ayenge."

"Apni bakwas band karo Pathan aur surrender kardo.

Abhi bhi time hai tumhare pass."

Rathore warned.

"Tch tch yahi baat mujhe police walon ki achhi nahi lagti. Rassi jal jaati hai per inka bal nahi tutta.

Thik wese hi jaise kuch logon ke aankhon ke samne hi inke apne dum tod dete hain aur phir bhi ye tas se mas nahi hote."

Pathan leaned looking straight into Arjun's eyes and tightened his fist at his back.

"Abhi rassi jalne ke liye tumne itna kuch kiya nahi hai Pathan."

Before Pathan could acknowledge his words , Arjun sat straight on the floor bringing his tied legs to the front and kicked Pathan's chest making him fall backwards.

His men immediately got a hold of Arjun punching him on his face continuously until blood came out of his mouth and Pathan motioned them to stop laughing at a bleeding Arjun.

Chhotu stirred a little with his head still feeling lightly dizzy as he tried to get up from the cold floor.

As he sat up with a great difficulty with his hands tied to his back he roamed his eyes around the closed room to recognize the place but failed to do so, instead found Riya lying beside him unconscious.

"Riya.?"

He moved closed to her tapping her face with his fingers ,while looking around to find the other members.

"Riya."

He called again getting no response from her, realizing they were the only two in there.

"Riya utho."

Riya twitched her face and seconds later jolted her lashes up to Chhotu who seemed relieved seeing her awake.

"Chhotu hum bahare the na? Kya hua wahan pe.?"

Riya asked sitting up and her hands were tied as well.

"Mujhe toh pichhe se kisi ne sar pe maara uske baad kuch yaad nahi."

Chhotu answered.

"Mujhe bhi.

Per baaki sab kahan hai.?"

Riya asked looking around.

"Pata nahi.

Per hame yahan se nikalna padega.

Ek kaam karte hain pehle ye rassi kholte hain."

"Haan."

Both leaned on each other's back , untying the ropes and Riya immediately rushed the door trying to unlock it.

There Rathore kept pulling himself to loosen the rope around him on the pillar and then he found the knot on his hand.

"Bahar se band hai, aur bahar se kuch awaz bhi arahi hai."

Riya said to chhotu who was searching for something on the floor.

"Vo log hamari gun le gaye hain."

Chhotu said sounding dejected.

"dusra raasta dhundte hai bahar jaane ka."

Chhotu added quickly , thus Riya did no delay and started moving the boxes in the room quietly to not let anyone know outside.

"Chhotu."

Riya whispered after a few minutes of search and pointed at the skylight she found in the room.

Chhotu nodded his head at her approving the way and helped her to go out first on stepping some sacks and boxes ,then followed her the way out.

"Sahi kaha tumne Arjun , maine tumhe kuch zyada hi dheel de rakhi thi ab tak."

Pathan said in a serious tone standing up on his one feet and glared down to him, to which Arjun snickered.

"Tu kya dheel dega mujhe, teri aukat nahi hai Pathan.

Jaa aur apne baap ko bula ke leke aa jiske ishare pe tum sara kaam karte ho, jiske bina Pathan lala ka koi naam aur wajood nahi hai."

"Kya bak rahe ho ACP Arjun.

Tum sayad bhul gaye ho tumhari barbadi ki wajah mai....."

"Tum bhul gaye ho Pathan meri barbaadi ki wajah tum nahi tumhara boss Shikander hai.

Aur ye mujhe hi nahi sabko pata hai tumne aaj tak bas uski ghulami ki hai. Aur ye jo tumhare naam ka dehsat hai vo bhi Shikander ki wajah se hai , nahi toh galli ka kutta bhi tujhse nahi darta."

Arjun chuckled.

Pathan's face darkened on hearing him ,hence he walked closer raising his eyebrow at him.

"ACP Arjun achhi koshish hai, per bekar hai.

Mai achhe se jaanta hun tumhare dimag ko."

"Jaante ho na toh ye bhi jaan lo tum chahe jitni bhi koshish karlo Shikander jitna nahi pahunch paoge.

Aur agar mai galat nahi hun toh ye sab Shikander ka admi hai jo tumhe yahan mujhse bachane ke liye khade hain."

Arjun said eyeing the group of goons and watched Pathan getting triggered, meanwhile Rathore untied the knot quietly but waited for the perfect chance.

"Tu sirf mujhe yahan hath pair bandhke,apne admiyon ko sath me rakh ke hi kuch kar sakta hai.

Agar himmat hai toh ek baar ye hath khol ke dekh."

"Mai tumhari har chal samajh raha hun Arjun per agar tumhe itna shauk hai ladhne ka toh phir chalo."

Pathan threw the knife towards him, before looking up to his men.

"Hath pair khol do."

One of his man started untying him , while Pathan pointed a gun straight at him.

"Maine tumhe ek mauka diya hai Arjun, hamari barso ki dushmani khatam karte hain."

Arjun stared at him and the gun pointed at him then stood up wiping off the blood from the corner of his mouth with his hand.

Rathore took the chance throwing off the rope and attacked the two men in front of him catching Pathan Off guard.

Arjun who never took his eyes off Pathan kicked his hand causing the gun to swept away that instant and threw a punch on his face.

Few of Pathan's men tried holding him back which he dodged freeing himself and went ahead beating Pathan, while Rathore handled the downstairs.

While fighting off , two men came hurling themselves at Rathore's back but to his surprise they were taken away with equal force and Rathore turned around to find Chhotu dealing with them.

Riya came inside the hall through an open window after beating up few men outside, and punched a man trying to hit her with a knife.

"Riya ,Chhotu tum dono baakiyon ko dhundo mai inko sambhalta hun."

Rathore chirped, worrying about the rest members who were probably locked somewhere.

"Riya tu upar dekh mai niche dekhta hun."

Chhotu said to which Riya nodded scooting upstairs.

Chhotu went inside the big factory searching in the rooms ,corners to find any trace about Ayesha ,Sakshi, and shree ; whereas Riya found a number of men in up there ready to block her way.

Rathore grabbed a man by his neck pinning him to a nearest wall , when another man pointed a gun at his head only to be smashed by a piece of glass on his head.

Rathore angled his head to where the glass came from and found it was shree.

"Shree , Ayesha aur Sakshi .?"

"Hum yahan hain."

Sakshi came running from the other end followed by Ayesha and Chhotu who fought with few men on their way.

"Kya hua ACP hath kyun ruk gaya tumhara?

Yahi kamjori hai tum police walon ki, kuch bhi karlo per mujhe maar nahi sakte.

Kya keh raha tha ? Meri koi aukat nahi ?

Thik hai maan liya per tune kya kar liya?

Teri aankhon ke samne vo teri biwi ko maar ke chala gaya aur tu uska kuch nahi kar paaya.

Na tab kuch kar paya na ab kuch kar payega. "

Pathan chuckled whilst bleeding all over and Arjun punched his face again.

"Ek kaam karte hain ACP jab tum mujhe agli baar jail me milne aaoge na tab mai tumhe Shiknader kahan hai bata dunga. I promise."

Pathan said sitting up.

Arjun bent to his level grabbing him by collar making him stand up and glared him furiously.

"jail me tabhi milenge jab tum yahan se zinda jaoge.

Uska pata jaanne ke liye mujhe tujhe zinda rakhne ki jarurat nahi hai Pathan.

Aur tu marne hi wala hai toh ye jaan le tu koi hame yahan leke nahi aya hai, hum khud tere pass chalke aaye hain.

Samjhe ya samjhaoon.?"

As soon as Arjun finished his line ,the mischievous smile from Pathan's face disappeared.

(FLASHBACK)

"Arjun, ye jailer ki car toh uss taraf jaa rahi hai jahan bahut sare band factories hai."

Sakshi said thoughtfully.

"Tumhe kaise pata.?"

Arjun asked her.

" Arey ye shortcut raasta hai uss taraf jaane ka , mai apne internship ke time pe aayi thi band factories me kaise crime stories badhte hain iss topic pe story cover karne."

Sakshi answered just when Arjun's phone rang with Rathore's number which he answered quickly.

"Hello .Haan Rathore.?"

"Rawte jail se kya pata chala.?"

"Jailer Ramchandran unke havbhav kuch thik nahi the, jab maine unhe jhuth ka kaha ki hame saboot mile hain toh vo bahut ghabraye hue dikhe aur hum abhi unka pichha kar rahe hain."

"Aur haan vo jailer Colaba ke band factories ke taraf jaa rahe hain, ye maine Arjun ko bataya abhi."

Sakshi added with a grin.

"Factory ? Kaisi factory sakshi.?"

Ayesha interrupted her from the other end.

"Exactly kis factory me jaa rahe hain pata nahi per vo ussi taraf jaa rahe hain."

Sakshi shrugged.

Ayesha,Shree gave a puzzled look to each other then looked at Rathore.

"Rawte jo witness mara gaya usse ek last call aya tha kal raat aur vo location Colaba me ek band Rice mill factory ka hai aur hum wahin jaa rahe hain."

Rathore spoke up.

"Kya.?"

Arjun stared at the screen confused then applied a break to the car thinking something.

"Rathore gaadi roko."

"Kya? Kis liye.?"

"Rathore gaadi roko."

Arjun repeated more strictly thus Rathore parked the car to a side of the road.

"Kya hua sir.?"

Shree asked over the call.

"Kuch toh chhut raha hai humse."

Arjun mumbled himself ,before speaking up.

"Ek kaam karo Chhotu, aur Riya ko conference me lo."

"Bataoge kya hua hai Rawte.?"

Rathore chided.

"Batata hun. Pehle unko call karo."

Arjun ordered ,thus Rathore sighed taking Riya and chhotu in conference.

Once after everyone was connected over the call, Arjun started speaking up.

"Chhotu iss waqt kahan ho tum dono.?"

"Sir hume Ravi ka case jis police station me registered tha wahan se Ravi ka address aur phone number mila.

Pata laga hai hai ki Ravi bhi Hari ki tarah kuch salon tak police ke liye khabri ka kaam karta tha,per pichle 2 saal se usne ye kaam chhod diya tha.

Aur abhi hum Ravi ki mobile number location pe jaa rahe hain."

Chhotu explained.

"Kya location colaba ki ek rice mill ki hai.?"

Arjun asked.

"Sir aapko kaise pata chala.?"

Riya asked back, surprised.

"What.?"

Rathore sounded surprised.

"matlab hum sab ek hi jagah jaa rahe hain kya.?"

Sakshi sounded amused.

"sab.?"

Chhotu asked.

"Lag toh yahi raha hai Sakshi."

Ayesha answered her., whereas Arjun kept mum for a minute.

"Ye ek trap hai."

Rathore heard Arjun's voice much to his surprise.

"Trap.?"

"Humne dhyan nahi diya Rathore per aaj tak kisi bhi Pathan ke case me police ko itni jaldi koi bhi clue nahi mili jitna hame mila hai.

Aur hum sab ke lead ka location ek hi jagah hone ka matlab hai ye koi trap hai."

"Matlab jailer ko pata hai hum unka pichha kar rahe hain.?"

Sakshi looked puzzled.

"Haan Sakshi."

Arjun answered.

"Iska matlab Pathan ka agla target ETF hai."

Rathore shook his head.

"ETF nahi Rathore mai hun uska target.

Issliye tum sab bureau wapas jao mai milke aata hun Pathan se."

Arjun sounded determined.

"Per sir aap akele kaise jaa sakte hain.?"

Riya objected fast.

"sir hum bhi chal rahe hain."

Shree declared.

"haan sir hum sab sath me chal rahe hain."

Ayesha added assuring Rathore.

"Aur sir hum toh almost pahunchne hi wale hain location pe."

Chhotu shrugged eyeing Riya who was driving the car.

"Kya.?"

Arjun questioned him.

"Vo sir tab se aap sab baat kar rahe the na toh humne gaadi roki hi nahi thi , aur almost pahunchne wale hain location pe."

Chhotu explained.

"Chhotu."

"Aur mai bhi chal rahi hun."

Sakshi said beside him.

"Sir agar ye sach me trap hai toh Pathan ko achhe se pata hai humme se abhi kaun kahan kiska pichha kar raha hai.

Issliye usne jaan bujh ke sare location ek jagah pe rakhi hai.

Toh technically dekha jaye toh usne pure ETF ko bulaya hai."

Riya clarified.

"Tum log samajh nahi rahe ho , agar Pathan ne hame trap karke wahan bulaya hai toh pata nahi kya plan kiya hoga hamare liye.

Sabka wahan jaan bujh ke jaana bewakoofi hogi aur kuch nahi."

Arjun scolded.

"Bakwas band karo Rawte.

Tum akele nahi ho duty pe hum bhi hai.

Aur tum bhul rahe ho Pathan ne tumhe akele nahi bulaya hai, puri ETF ko bulaya hai.

Aur hum sab jaa rahe hain wahan.final."

Rathore declared in a straight voice, then added quickly.

"Chhotu, Riya tum dono andar mat jaana hum pahunch rahe hai wahan."

'Ok sir."

Riya answered swiftly.

"Shree backup bula lo Pathan ke sath sath uske sare sathiyon ko arrest karna hai.

Aur ek baat yaad rahe wahan pe kisiko pata ni chalna chahiye ki hame pehle se pata hai trap ke baare, mai bhi dekhna chahta hun aakhir kya plan kiya hai iss Pathan ne."

"Yes sir."

All except Arjun replied, who sighed but then accelerated the car to reach the destination fast.

(FLASHBACK ENDS)

Arjun gave a flying kick to Pathan who was thrown back to a number of boxes ,and yet sat shamelessly registering Arjun's words laughing.

Riya knocked off gun from a man's hand aiming at Rathore who was busy in the fighting, and in return was kicked in her stomach and pushed towards a corner making her forehead bleed and she sat down for a moment after pushing the man off the stairs.

Arjun grabbed the knife from the floor ,eyes burning with rage as he stared at Pathan from a distance.

Rathore on suddenly remembering something looked upstairs only to find Pathan severely wounded still managing a pathetic laugh on his face only to provoke Arjun , who stood few feet away from him with a knife in hand.

"Rawte nahi."

Rathore shouted as he could sense something bad was about to happen if not prevented in time.

He pushed the man off him trying to go up but his team members were too much occupied with other goons for him to leave them alone behind.

"Riya, roko usse."

Rathore shouted again realizing it was no use of calling Arjun again.

Riya on hearing him angled her head to Arjun where he had fist tightened around the handle of the knife ,but Pathan looked far from scared and she forced herself to stand up and run towards him.

"Maar . Maar de ACP Arjun mujhe aur le le tera badla."

Pathan said without a slight change on his facial expression.

"Sir rukiye aap usse maar nahi sakte."

Riya stood in Arjun's way in urgency.

"hatt jao Riya."

He murmured without averting his eyes from Pathan.

"sir aap usse maar nahi sakte , hame usse arrest karna hai."

Riya tried to remind him moving backwards still facing him,since he kept taking steps ahead.

"Jaldi kar ACP Arjun mujhe teri biwi ke pass bhi jaana hai.

Usse batana hai aaj bhi uska pati kitna bada fattu hai."

Pathan smirked and Arjun clenched his jaw at the mention of 'biwi' from his mouth.

"Sir vo aapko uskane ki koshish kar raha hai aap dhyan mat dijiye uski baat ka."

Riya held his hand trying to stop him.

"Maine kya kaha suna nahi Riya tumne?

Hato mere raste se and this is an order."

Arjun screamed at his highest pitch his team had ever heard , but she didn't flinch.

She shook her head at him refusing to move.

Rathore pushed the man holding him and ran upstairs fighting off with few men trying to block his way ,whereas others continued fighting for themselves.

Arjun pushed Riya to one side jolting towards Pathan meanwhile Riya got on his way again this time holding the knife with her bare hand.

"Sir hosh me aayiye aap uska khoon nahi kaar sakte.

Usne jo kiya uski saza usse kanoon dega."

Tears rolled down to her cheeks ,with blood dropping off her hand wrapped around the knife aas she begged him through her eyes.

"koi kuch nahi kar sakta Riya.

Bheja tha na isse jail? Kya hua?

Koi fayda nahi hai iss jaise ko jail bhej ke ,jo karna hai mai karunga aur aaj mai isse khatam karke rahunga."

Arjun looked straight into her eyes ,unwrapping her fingers from the knife.

"arey ohh officer mat roko apne sir ko. Ye kuch nahi kar sakta.

Wese Acp Arjun maine suna tha vo chaku bhi itnaa hi lamba tha na jo tere biwi ke andar ghusaya tha."

Pathan laughed weakly and Arjun's eyes turned blood shot.

"pathan."

Pushing off Riya he took long strides towards Pathan but Riya quickly ran getting ahead of him and suddenly hugged him tightly resting her head on his chest.

"SIR."

Arjun froze on his spot feeling her hands tightly wrapped around him and she pushed him back along with herself away from Pathan as much as possible.

She had eyes closed tight ,with her body shivering against him and her bloody hand and forehead were leaving imprints on his shirt ,but she didn't care of anything as long as he was staying put.

"ACP Arjun lagta hai tumhare liye ek aur marne..."

Pathan couldn't complete his words for being punched by Rathore who had reached to him by then and that was the final blow.

Pathan fell to the ground.

Rathore exhaled a deep breathe lifting his gaze up to the front where he could see Arjun's face only, and so did others.

The war had finally stopped but instead of loosening up a little they had their eyes glued to Arjun since Riya's face was deeply buried inside his chest to be seen.

All stood dumbstruck as Arjun's eyes looked void of any emotions yet he had calmed down than before ,meanwhile sakshi lowered her gaze .

Arjun, after a long moment of silence dropped the knife and held up both of his hands pushing her off his frame.

Riya took a step back that instant realizing what she had done and wiped off her teary eyes meeting with his blank ones.

Arjun gave her a final blank stare and then walked away without uttering a single word.

Tbc.

Part-32

"Sir kya sach me yahi Thakur Beer Pratap hai.?"

Chhotu looked at the man in astonishment.

"Toh ye apne hi haweli me sabko bhoot banke dara rahe the.?"

Sakshi wondered.

"per aap zinda the toh kisiko kuch pata kaise nahi hai.?"

Ayesha questioned.

The man kept sitting on the chair with his head low after they brought him to Rathore's room for interrogation ,while Arjun and Rathore sat across the table in front of him and all kept asking him questions to which he kept mum.

Riya bent over a little on the table matching level with the man's eyes and asked.

"Kya aap bhi aag me jal gaye the? Ye sab aag ki wajah se hai na.?"

She asked gently pointing at his damaged face.

The man stared up to her and lightly nodded his head as a yes.

"Pichhle 20 min me inhone ye pehla reaction diya hai.

Riya trick kya hai hame bhi bata, hum tabse sawal kar rahe hain aur ye kuch bata nahi rahe hain."

Chhotu whispered standing beside her.

"Koi trick nahi hai chhotu, vo nervous hogaye hain.

Hum sabne pehle unhe gun dikha diya aur tabse chilla chilla ke sawal puch rahe hain issliye vo kuch bol nahi paa rahe hain.

Statistics ke hisab se 80% log jab koi trauma se gujarte hain uske baad vo bahut sensitive ho jaate hain.

Hamare research center me aese topics pe special classes hoti thi aur hame sikhaya jaata tha sensitive logon se kaise pyar se baat karna padta hai."

As soon as Riya finished her explanation the two chiefs looked up to her with blank looks clearly hearing her every word.

She blinked at them nervously , when Rathore released a sharp breathe shifting his attention back to the man in front of him.

"Kya aap hi Beer Pratap ho.?"

Rathore toned down the harshness in his voice trying to sound calm.

The man didn't react first ,then after a moment nodded as a yes.

"Agar aap zinda the toh kisiko kuch bataya kyun nahi.?"

Rathore asked again, to which the man again kept mum.

"Sir, inke kuch bolne se pehle mai kuch puchhna chahta hun."

Shree said eyeing Arjun.

"Aapko kaise pata chala Beer Pratap zinda hain.?"

"Skeleton se."

Arjun answered.

"Skeleton se.?"

Shree asked again.

"Beer Pratap ke purane photos me unhone Knee brace pehen rakhe the jo aksar knee injuries ke liye pehente hain.

Gopal ji ne bataya haadse ke 1 saal pehle Beer Pratap ka knee surgery hua tha jisme unke left knee me rod lagaya gaya tha.

Jab hame garden se laashein mili tab usme kisi bhi skeleton ke knee me koi rod nahi tha,iska matlab saaf tha unme se koi Beer Pratap nahi tha."

Arjun explained.

"Toh phir vo chautha laash kiska tha.?"

Chhotu questioned.

"Vo toh ab ye hame batayenge."

Arjun eyed the man in front of him.

"ye toh kuch bolne se rahe.

Mai staffs ko bula ke laaun? Kya pata unko dekh ke kuch bole.?"

Sakshi suggested.

"Nahi Sakshi, abhi nahi.

Ab tak hame ye nahi pata hai ki kaun kaun qatil ke sath mila hua hai, staff me se koi bhi ho sakta hai Sourav ka saathi.

Kahin abhi se vo alert na ho jaye."

As soon as Rathore finished his words ,the man looked up to him in urgency, thus Arjun leaned over the table eyeing him intently.

"Jis sawal ka jawab aap aaj tak dhund rahe hain vo hum aapko denge ,per uske liye sabse pehle aapko ye batana padega ki uss raat kya hua tha.

Kyunki akele aap hi hain jihnhe saari sachai pata hai."

The man lowered his head contemplating over something , while others in the room waited patiently.

"Sourav ne kuch nahi kiya."

The man said breaking his silence ,and then continued.

"Hum business me itna uljhe rahe ki apne parivaar pe zyada dhyan nahi de paye, issliye jab hamari chhoti beti ne apne birthday ke gift me hamara waqt maanga tab humne tay kiya ki bina koi party ke hum ghar me hi birthday manayenge.

Sabko chhuti pe bhejne ke baad hum khud sabke liye khana banane wale the , aur sourav tabhi ghar pe aya tha.

Vo niche se hame gift deke wapas wahin se ghar chala gaya tha.

Jab hum thodi dair baad upar kamre me gaye toh kamra andar se band tha aur jal raha tha ."

The old man sighed heavily as his voice shook.

"Room jal raha tha toh andar se kisine aapko bulaya nahi ? Itni badi aag lagi thi toh andar ke logon ne struggle toh kiya hoga room se bahar aane ke liye."

Shree commented.

"Jab hum darwaza khat khata rahe the tab bhi andar se kisiki awaz nahi arahi thi .

Bahut muskil se jab hum darwaza kholke andar gaye tab aag bahut tez thi aur sab kuch jal ke khaak ho raha tha.

Humne aag bujhane ki bahut koshish ki per uss aag me hum khud jhulas gaye.

Hamare aankhon ke samne hi hamare parivaar ne dum tod diya aur hum kuch nahi kar paaye."

"Aapne tab kisiko bulaya kyun nahi? Vo ghanta bajate toh koi toh aajata aapki help karne."

Riya said thoughtfully.

"humne bajaya tha vo ghanta per uss din uski koi awaz nahi arahi thi.

Phir humne dekha hamari badi beti ki saansein thodi chal rahi thi, issliye hum usse leke niche daud ke aaye usse jald se jald hospital le jaane.

Hamari beti ko wahi garden ke pass rakh ke hum dusre ghar gaye the madad maangne , per raaste me hi gir gaye aur behosh ho gaye.

Jab aankhein khuli tab subah hone aayi thi aur tab tak hamara shareer hamara sath chhod chuka tha, na hame thik se kuch dikhayi de raha tha aur na hum khudse chal paa rahe the.

Aesa laga jaise hum pure ke pure jal rahe the.

Jungle se raingte hue jab hum apni beti ke pass wapas aarahe the tab humne dekha kuch log jhule ke pass hamare parivaar ko daphana rahe the.

Hamari aankhon ke samne hi sab kuch ho raha tha aur hum wahan dekhte rahe."

"iska matlab 10 saal pehle aap wahin the jab aapki family ko garden me daphanaaya gaya tha? Kya aapne unn logon ka chehra dekha.?"

Ayesha looked at him curiously.

"Humne unn logon ka chehra nahi dekha."

The man shook his head with teary eyes.

"Ek baat hai inhone kaha ki ye apni badi beti ko sath niche tak leke aaye the , toh jaahir si baat hai ghar me aur nishan hone chahiye the.

Per case file me jitne bhi photos hai unme ek room ko chhod ke baaki ka ghar pura saaf tha. Kisike aane jaane ke koi nishan nahi the."

Riya pointed out.

"iska matlab staffs ke aane se pehle ghar ko saaf kiya gaya tha taaki koi saboot na mile.

Toh ye bhi ho sakta hai uss room se bhi kuch cheezein gayab ki gayi ho."

Rathore concluded.

"Per aap itne saal tak chup kyun the? Jab police investigate kar rahi thi tab bata dete toh qatil pakda jaa chuka hota."

Chhotu sighed.

"Hame yaad nahi hai hum itne saal kya karr rahe the. Hame bas ye pata hai hum uss insaan ko dhundna chahte hain jisne humse hamara parivaar chhin liya."

The man mumbled in a low voice.

"Subah aap niche kya kar rahe the jab maine aapko dekha tha.?"

Sakshi questioned.

"Hum aap me se kisise milne ki koshish kar rahe the.

Jab hame pata chala ki yahan kuch police officer rehne aaye hain tab hame laga ye hamara aakhri mauka hai sachai jaanne ka, issliyye raat ko humne aapko daraya taaki aap log ye dekhne ki koshish kare ki yahan kya ho raha hai.

Hamare pass waqt bahut kam hai aur hamare liye sach jaanna utna hi jaruri. "

The man said staring up to Sakshi apologetically.

"Maaf kijiye hamara irada aapko itna darane ka nahi tha."

"Nahi it's okay."

Sakshi muttered under her breathe ,giving him a pitiful look.

"Aap ye sab jo yahan kar rahe the ye sab aap akele nahi kar sakte ,toh yahan se kaun hai jo aapka sath de raha tha.?"

Arjun asked ,sensing something strange in him.

The man abruptly kept mum , thus Rathore spoke up.

"Dekhiye kuch bhi chhupane se ab koi faida nahi hai.

Mai maanta hun apki family ke sath galat hua per sachai jaanne ke liye aapne jo tarika chuna hai vo galat hai.

Issliye hum usse bhi sawal karna padega jo aapka sath de raha hai."

"Uski koi galti nahi hai ,vo bas hamari madad kar raha tha."

"kaun hai vo.?"

Arjun asked again.

"Vo yahan cook hai, Harish."

As soon as the man answered, Rathore turned to Chhotu.

"Chhotu, leke aao Harish ko."

Chhotu obeyed Rathore's command by scooting downstairs and escorted Harish from the staff room , who was surprised to find they were caught and were summoned by the ETF itself.

"Harish , toh tum ho jo inke sath milke haweli me sabko dara rahe ho."

Rathore glared him standing up from his seat.

"Sir mai aapko sab sach batata hun.."

Harish said motioning them to come out for a while ,not ready to tell anything in front of the man.

"Shree, Sakshi tum dono yahin ruko."

Rathore commanded before walking out of the room with Harish and others and they went to another room.

"sir mai maanta hun maine maalik ke sath milke haweli me sabko darane ki koshish ki, per mujhe umeed hai aapko unki sachai pata chalne ke baad aap unki help karenge.

Unhone itna sab bas apne parivaar ke qatil ke baare me jaanne ke liye kiya."

Harish said in a low voice.

"Vo baad me dekhenge pehle tum ye batao tum kabse ho unke saath .?"

Rathore questioned.

"Batata hun sir.

Mere pita ji yahan kaam kiya karte the , jis din vo haadsa hua mere pita ji yahin the baaki logon ke saath pichhe wale ghar me.

Mere pita ji zyada drink ni karte the per uss din pata ni kaise vo dopahar tak sote rahe aur jab sabse pehle vo uth ke haweli aaye tab unhone vo room dekha.

Sabko vo dhundne ki koshish kar hi rahe the ke garden ke pichhe unhe maalik behosh mile.

Maalik bahut buri halath me the tab ,puri body ke sath sath unka muh bhi jal gaya tha pura.

Mera pura khaandan maalik aur unke parivaar ke liye barso se kaam karta aaraha tha. Unke bahut ehsan hai hum pe, mere pita ji bahut maante the unhe.

Issliye jab maalik ke parivaar ka baaki aur koi ni mila, aur maalik ki aesi buri halath dekh ke Pita ji ne unhe kisiko bina bataye ek dusre jagah pe chhupa diya aur unka wahi pe ilaz karne lage.

Pita ji ko darr tha kahin jisne maalik ke parivaar ko gayab kiya hai vo maalik ko bhi maarne ki koshish na kare, issliye unhone ye baat sabse chhupa ke rakhi.

uss haadse ke baad haweli me kisi pe bhi biswas karna bahut muskil ho gaya tha pita ji ke liye. Unhe samajh me nahi araha tha yahan kaun maaalik ke apne hain aur kaun dushman issliye unhone ye raaz kisiko nahi bataya ki maalik jinda hain."

"Aur Beer Pratap ji ? Vo khud kyun kisike samne nahi aaye.?"

Arjun questioned.

"Sir vo uss halath me hi ni the.

Kuch mahino tak vo wese hi behosh the, jab unhe hosh aya vo kuch bol nahi paa rahe the, paaglon ki tarah bartav kar rahe the ,zyadatar ek kone me baithke rote rehte the.

Pita ji ko laga ki sayad unhe uss hadse ka sadma laga hai issliye unhone haweli ka kaam chhod diya aur malik ko yahan se dur dusre shehar le gaye."

"Toh kya jo staff apne bete ke sath dusre shehar rehne chala gaya the, tum unke bete ho.?"

Chhotu asked him, to which Harish nodded as a yes.

"Ji haan.

Kuch saalon me maalik ke bartav me jab sudhar aaya tab jaake unhone hame uss raat ki puri sachai batayi,per tab tak haweli hotel ban chuka tha.

Itne saal malik ne kya kiya unhe kuch bhi thik se yaad nahi hai, per uss haadse wali raat ko unke parivaar ke sath kya hua unhe sab kuch yaad hai.

Issliye unhone meri help maangi thi , taaki mai yahan aaun aur sabpe najar rakh sakun.

phir humne socha haweli me sabko darayenge toh kabhi na kabhi uss raat ki baat niklegi aur pata chalega kaun tha unn sab ke piche."

"Tumhare pita ji ab kahan hai.?"

Ayesha questioned.

"Vo .. Pita ji pichhle saal hi gujar gaye.

Maine apne Pita ji ko wada kiya tha maalik aur unke parivaar ko insaaf dilane me mai unki puri help karunga , per mai aaj tak vo wada pura nahi kar paaya.

Maine ETF ke bare me bahut suna tha, toh jab aap log yahan rehne aaye maine hi maalik ko kaha tha kisi bhi tarah se aap logon ko iss case ke baare me batane ke liye.

Jis raat aap log yahan aaye the mai terrace pe tha aapse milne ki koshis kar raha tha per niche dusre staffs jaag gaye the issliye mujhe chhupna pada.."

Harish explained , thus Riya recalled the terrace incident clearly realizing it was not her delusion.

"Humne suna aap log yahan se kal jaane ki baat kar rahe the, sir please maalik ki itni help kar dijiye.

Aap log unke aakhri umeed hain."

Harish looked at each of them hopefully.

"Aakhri umeed? Beer pratap ji bhi kuch aese hi keh rahe the ki unke pass waqt bahut kam hai.kyun.?"

Riya looked at him curiously, thus Harish abruptly kept mum lowering his gaze.

"Maalik ko cancer hai, last stage.

Apne baaki ke din vo aram karke nahi apne parivaar ko insaaf dene ke liye jo bhi karna pade vo karna chahte hain."

Harish answered , making everyone go silent that instant.

Arjun walked out of the room and went back to where Beer Pratap was still sitting with Sakshi and Shree, then leaned both of his hands on the table looking straight at him.

"Aapne puri sachai bata di bas ek baat ko chhod ke..."

Rathore,Riya ,Chhotu, Ayesha along with Harish came inside the room , when Arjun continued.

"vo chautha lash kiska tha.?"

"Inhe kaise pata hoga Arjun? Ye toh khud shikar huye hain haadse se."

Sakshi objected.

"Inhe pata hai kiski laash thi vo."

Arjun declared before sitting down on his chair.

"sabko lagta hai Garden se mili 4 laashein Beer pratap aur unki family ki hai, jabki Beer pratap hamare samne yahan baithe hain.

Ye toh confirm hai vo 4 laashein 10 saal purani hai toh koi dubara uss jagah ko khod ke wahan laash daalne ki himmat ni karega.

Iska matlab aapke parivaar ke 3 logon ke sath sath vo chautha laash bhi ussi din wahan gadha gaya tha,aur aapko pata hai vo kiski laash hai."

Arjun explained, watching the man gulping a little.

"Hamare bhai ke driver ki.

Per hame sach me pata nahi tha vo bhi uss din aag me jal gaya tha aur uski laash bhi yahan dafnaaya gaya hai."

"Agar aapko pata nahi tha toh ye kaise pata ki vo jal gaya tha.?"

Rathore raised his brow.

"Vo uss din ghar pe aaya tha.

Jayesh naam tha uska.

Hamare bhai ne kuch aur gifts bheje the beti ke liye Jayesh ke hathon, vo wohi sab dene aaya tha.

Hum kitchen me busy the issliye Jayesh ko upar room me bhej diya.

Hame laga vo gift deke chala gaya hoga, per jab hum badi beti ko niche leke aaye the humne gate ke pass uske shoes dekhe the.

Tab hamara pura dhyan beti pe tha issliye humne uss baat pe gaur nahi kiya.

Per hum sach keh rahe hain room me humne hamari patni aur betiyon ko dekha tha koi aur bhi wahan ho sakta hai ye kahyal hame kabhi aaya hi nahi."

The man explained weakly.

"kya aapne pura room jalne ke baad check kiya tha.?"

Ayesha enquired.

"Jab hum kamre se nikle the aag puri bujhi nahi thi ek taraf se jal raha tha tab bhi.

Per hamari patni aur chhoti beti ki saansein band ho chuki thi,issliye hum beti ko leke wahan se jaldi nikal gaye the."

Came the man's reply.

"Jayesh gifts me kya leke aaya tha kuch pata hai.?"

Arjun questioned this time.

"Nahi humne gifts dekhe nahi the. Bada sa box me kuch tha. Aur bahut sare balloons leke aaya tha vo."

As soon as the man replied Arjun and Rathore looked at each other for a brief moment ,when Riya spoke.

"Iska matlab pehle sayad aapki family ko room me behosh kiya gaya tha taaki aag lagne ke baad koi struggle na kar sake , uske baad aag lagi hogi.

Aur sayad Jayesh ne hi ye kaam kiya ho, per kisi wajah se vo room se bahar nahi aapaya aur wahin jal gaya."

"Per itni sari planning kaun kar sakta hai.?"

Sakshi questioned.

"Iska jawab bhi inhe pata hai."

Arjun declared still eyeing the man in front of him, thus Harish looked visibly shocked.

"Kya ? Maalik aapko pata tha ye sab kisne kiya.?"

"Nahi inhe pehle pata nahi tha , per aaj jab laashein mil gayin hain inhe pata chal chuka hai kisne kiya hai sab kuch."

Arjun answered staring at him intently.

"Char logon ke sath ek driver bhi gayab hua tha, per FIR copy me sirf Beer Pratap aur unki family ka zikr hai , kisi aur ki missing case ka koi report nahi tha."

Rathore chirped straight.

The man looked up to them with teary eyes , knowing where they were heading to.

"Vo aesa nahi kar sakta."

Arjun's face softened a little as he leaned over the table looking at him.

"Ek Veeran jagah pe hamari uss chiz pe baar baar najar jaati hai jahan hame pata hai kuch hai, jaise garden ke pichhe ki vo jagah jahan hame vo doll mili thi.

Jab mai uss room me gaya tha khidki ke pass mujhe kuch mom (candle leftover wax) mila tha, aese jale huye room me koi khidki ke paas mombattee lagake bahar kya hi dekhta hoga?

Iska jawab hai vo jagah jahan usse pata hai uske parivaar ko dafnaaya gaya hai."

Riya whirled her head to Arjun suddenly realizing why he asked her about the garden earlier, while Arjun continued speaking.

"Thik ussi tarah mujhe khidki ki dusri taraf cigar ke kuch tukde mile the.

Sawal ye hai cigar phhonkte phhonkte vo admi kya dekhta hoga bahar?

Aur iska jawab hai vo jagah.......... jahan usne sabko dafnaaya hai.

Usse achhe se pata hai aap zinda hain, aur sayad ye bhi pata hai ki haweli me jo bhi kuch ho raha hai uske pichhe aapka hath hai.

Phir bhi vo aapko rokne ki koshish ni kar raha hai , aur na hi logon ka darr durr karne ke liye kuch kar raha hai.

Pata hai kyun?

Kyunki vo aapko roz roz aese tadapta hua dekhna chahta hai.

Aag se bachne ke baad bhi usne aapko itna laachar bana diya ki aapko sab kuch pata hone ke bawajood aap kuch nahi kar paa rahe hain.

Usne aap ko aese hi chhod diya hai taaki ye haweli aapko zindagi bhar uss haadse ki yaad dilati rahe.

Ye koi bahar ki dushmani nahi hai,Itna dard toh koi apna hi de sakta hai."

Arjun leaned back on the chair ,as the man broke into tears and everything else remained silent.

"Iss ghar me smoke toh ek hi admi karta hai."

Chhotu pointed out clearly remembering the packet they had found in one of the rooms.

"Wohi hai inn sabke pichhe mastermind."

Rathore banged his hand on the table, while his other team members except Arjun looked at each other in shock.

___________________________________________

"Koi naatak mat karna.

'Hum kya keh rahe hain , ye sab jhooth hai, tum pe jhutha ilzam lagaya jaa raha hai, hum kya bol rahe hain tumhe samajh me nahi araha hai' ye sab bolke apna aur hamara time waste mat karna.

Sidha sidha sawal hai jiska mujhe clear answer chahiye.

KYUN.?"

Rathore asked to the man ,whom they confronted right after he came to the place the very next morning.

The man looked up to him then moved his gaze to each of the officer present in the room , and sneered.

"Maine suna tha ETF ke pass bahut kaam hoti hai.

Apna kaam dhanda chhod ke yahan itna purana case pakad ke aap log wese bhi mera aur apna time waste hi kar rahe hain."

"Kal phone me itna emotional lag raha tha, aaj dekho iske toh puri awaz hi badal gayi hai."

Sakshi murmured near Riya's ear, who eyed the guy angrily just like others.

"Hamari fikr chhod do aur aaj se apni naye zindagi ki fikr karo.

Ab jo sawal puchha gaya hai uska sidha jawab do , nahi toh jail jaane se pehle kahin mai yahin se tumhara time kharab na kardun."

Chhotu walked forward with a threatening look.

"Sabse pehli baat officer aap kiski permission se yahan 10 saal purana case investigate kar rahe hain?

Kya haweli search karne se pehle aapne meri permission maangi thi.?"

The man raised his brow cockily ,and the next moment Arjun grabbed Rathore's gun from his hand pushing the guy to the nearest wall pinning him to it and thrusted the gun in his mouth.

"4 log already iss jagah pe maare jaa chuke hain,ek aur marr jayega toh kisiko koi fark nahi padega.

Agar iss baar tumhare muh se sach nahi nikla toh mai tujhe yahin maar ke gaadh ke chala jaaunga aur kisiko pata bhi nahi chalega, 10 saal purana case hai na.

Samjhe ya samjhaoon.?"

Once fear was reflected in the eyes of the man Arjun let go of him ,handed over Rathore's gun to him walking back to his previous spot and stood crossing his arms across his chest.

The man huffed for breathe, when Shree spoke up.

"Hame case investigate karne ke liye kisiki permission ki jarurat nahi hai. Aur agar hota bhi toh haweli ka maalik abhi tak zinda hai ,toh tumhari permission ki koi jarurat nahi hai hame."

The man came walking back to his chair and sat gulping down a glass of water in a breathe before speaking up.

"Maine hi maara unn sabko."

Rathore kept looking at him intently and watched the man staring up to him.

"Ab kanoon mujhe saja dega? Thik hai mai taiyar hun , infact mujhe pata tha kabhi na kabhi mai pakda jaaunga.

Per unn logon ka kya jo kisiki jaan le lete hain aur kabhi pakde hi nahi jaate ?

Kya jo log sirf murder karte hain wohi apradhi kehlate hain, aur vo log jo apni lalach me duson ko marne ke liye chhod dete hain unko kya bulata hai aapka kanoon.?"

Rathore slammed his fist on the table leaning over a little.

"Jo kehna hai saaf saaf kaho. Tumhari paheli sunne ni baithe hain hum."

"Megha. Megha naam tha uska ,jiska ab naam aur nishan dono hi kahin mit gaye hain.

Mom ke jaane ke baad wohi mere liye sab kuch thi. Puri duniya ki khushiyan dilaunga ye wada karke mai usse shadi karke ghar laaya tha.

Bhai se meri pehle se banti nahi thi , per maine kabhi unka bura nahi chaha. Ek hi ghar me hum dono apni apni alag duniya me rehte the.

Phir ek din mujhe pata chala Megha ko brain tumor hai, aur uske kuch hi din baad papa chal base.

Mujhe pata chala papa ne jaane se pehle hum dono bhaiyon ko apna apna jameen ka hissa de gaye the ,issliye maine socha apne hisse ka jameen bech ke mai Megha ko thik karunga.

Per mere bhai ne dhokhe se mere hisse ka jameen bhi apne naam kar liya.

Maine unse kaha bhi vo chahe jameen rakh le per mujhe ilaz ke liye jitne paise chahiye bas utne de de per unhone meri ek baat ni sunni.

Mujhe aaj bhi yaad hai vo kis tarah mujhpe hasa karte the jab mai unse binti karta rehta tha.

Aur phir vo apne parivaar ko leke yahan agaye.

Mai kai baar issi haweli ke bahar khada raha hun baarish mein ,dhoop mein per vo mujhse milne ke liye saaf saaf mana kar dete the.

Hamare pushtaini ghar bechne ke liye bhi bhai ki signature chahiye thi, aur unhone saaf mana kar diya.

Maine kai baar unpe case karne ka bhi socha per uske liye bhi paise chahiye the aur waqt ,jo mere pass tab nahi the.

Aur ek din Megha mujhe chhod ke chali gayi."

The man's voice turned heavy and he lowered his gaze.

"Megha ki maut ko aap log natural death kahenge ya murder.?"

Everyone kept mum as the man looked up to them waiting for an answer ,then getting nothing in return he continued speaking.

"Megha ke maut ke baad mujhe jo insurance ke paise mile maine sabse pehle bhai pe case kiya.

Phir socha nahi.... case se unhe vo dard ka pata nahi chalega jo maine saha hai.

Issliye maine case withdraw karliya aur london chala gaya padhai karne.

Mai bas sahi mauke ka intezar kar raha tha ,aur vo ek din aya ..jab bhai ne mujhe call kiya pushtaini ghar bechne ke liye.

Unhe laga mai unse apna hissa mangunga per maine aesa kuch nahi kiya aur chup chap papers pe sign kardiya , aur ussi din se maine unka bharosa jitna shuru kiya.

Huh dusron ka ghar barbaad karke vo yahan shanti se apne parivaar ke sath hasi khushi reh rahe the.

Maine unki wohi hasi chhin li."

"jayesh.

Usse kyun maara.?"

Arjun asked.

"Maine usse nahi maara. Uss bewakoof ko maine kaha tha gift aur baloon deke wapas aajaye per vo wahan bachon ke sath baithke cake khane laga.

Usse achhe se pata tha balloons me hydrogen gas hai aur vo kabhi bhi aag pakad sakti hai , per usse ye nahi pata tha maine jo cake bheja tha usme neend ki dawai thi.

Vo khaake wahin so gaya aur unke sath jal gaya."

The man shook his head.

"Aur jayesh ki family? Kisi ne aaj tak uski missing complaint kaise nahi ki.?"

Rathore narrowed his gaze.

"Kiya hai sir. Ek bahut dur gaanv me kiya hai uski biwi ne complaint .

Per kyunki wahan sabko pata tha jayesh ki uski biwi ke sath ni banti issliye sabko laga vo apni biwi se tang aake kahin chala gaya hai.

Per mai aaj tak uski biwi ko har mahine kharche ke liye paise bhej deta hun, aap check kar sakte hain ,maine apne boss hone ka farz bahut achhe se nibhaya hai."

The guy shrugged coolly.

"Ek paise ka bhi pachtava ni dikh raha hai tumhare aankhon me."

Rathore said in a bitter tone.

"Kyunki mujhe koi pachtava hai hi nahi."

The guy replied quickly without batting and eye.

"Tumhe pata tha Beer pratap ji jinda hain toh unhe kaise chhod diya.?"

Riya questioned.

"Vo bhi koi jeena hai officer?

Apne hi haweli me bhoot banke ghumna."

The man laughed , before continuing speaking.

"Dekha tha maine unhe yahan ek baar.

Apni beti ke room me baithke roye jaa rahe the ,usse zyada khushi mujhe unko maar ke nahi milega."

"Kaise insaan ho tum apne bhai se badla lene ke liye tumne 2 masum bachon ki bhi jaan le li."

Sakshi looked at him in disgust.

"Aur mere parivaar ka kya? Megha ki kya galti thi ki vo tadap tadap ke chali gayi ? Kisine uspe taras nahi khaya toh mai kyun kisipe taras khaaun.?"

The man asked her narrowing her gaze.

"Bahut paisa paisa karte the vo aur maine unhe unki iss alishan haweli me zinda laash banake chhod diya.

Apne jis parivaar ko vo sabse zyada pyar karte the maine ussi parivaar ko unke favorite spot pe gaadh diya, taaki unko bhi pata chale ki dard kya hota hai."

"ye sab karke kya tumhari wife wapas aagayi? Aakhir me tumne bhi apne bhai ki tarah sab paison ke liye kiya."

Ayesha said staring at him.

"kaun kehta hai mujhe inke paison se koi matlab hai?

Iss hotel ki sari profit charity me jaati hai , aur unke property pe maine ab tak apna haq nahi jataya.

Mere liye paison ke maine tab khatam ho gaye the jab Megha chali gayi.

Mujhe sirf unko barbaad karna tha jo maine kar diya."

"Bakwas band karo apni aur ye batao haweli me se kaun mila hua tha tumhare plan me.?"

Rathore questioned him.

The guy released a sharp breathe leaning back on the chair ,as he answered.

"maar diya unko maine."

"What.?"

"10lac diye the maine unn dono ko mera kaam karne ke liye.

Per yahan ke naukar the na , apne maalik ke raah pe chalne lage the.

Lalach me zyada paise maangne lage nahi toh police ko jaake bata denge aesi dhamki dene lage.

Marwa diya maine unhe accident ke roop me,aur kisiko aaj tak pata bhi nahi chala."

Rathore looked at him in disbelief as to how coolly he confessed everything without a slight remorse, when Arjun walked towards the table leaning his hands over it.

"Agar tumhe lagta hai tumne koi mahan kaam kar diya hai ya isse tumhari patni ki atma ko shaanti mil jaayegi toh ye tumhari galatfehmi hai.

Ek insaan se badla lene ke liye tumne 6 logon ko maut ke ghat utar diya aur uska thoda sa bhi pachtava nahi hai tumhe.

Aur tumhe lagta hai ye sab tumne apni patni ke liye kiya? Nahi ..

Ye sab tumne apne liye kiya. Kyunki jo log sach me kisi se pyar karte hain vo dusron ko takleef deke khudka pyar saabit nahi karte."

The man abruptly kept mum ,meanwhile Arjun walked out of the room and Rathore ordered.

"shree, le jao isse."

_____________________________

Soon enough the ETF prepared themselves to leave the hotel right after the culprit was taken away in custody, who refused to meet his brother for once.

"Ayesha, thanks."

Riya said climbing off the stairs.

"Thanks? Kisliye.?"

"Iske liye."

Riya showed off the bandage on her palm, at which Ayesha stared confusingly.

"Tumhe chot lagi thi yahan.?"

Riya gave her a puzzled look in return.

"Haan per tumne ye bandage nahi lagaya tha.?"

"Nahi . Mai toh abhi dekh rahi hun isse."

Ayesha answered quickly.

"Oh."

Riya thought something then looked back ,where Shree,Chhotu and Sakshi were coming down chitchatting among themselves.

"unn teeno me se kisine lagaya hoga."

She mumbled to herself then followed Ayesha.

As they reached near the reception found Beer Pratap present there talking to Arjun and Rathore.

"Sir , hum iss case ko close karna chahte hain."

Riya ,Ayesha looked at each other in surprise, then looked back at them.

"Hamare bhai pe jo bhi charges hai vo hata dijiye, hum nahi chahte uspe koi karvai ho.

Wese bhi case band ho chuka tha, toh ab iska koi matlab nahi hai.

Humne usse maaf kar diya."

The man said hanging his head low.

"Aapne bhale hi usse maaf kar diya ho per usne khhoon kiya hai.

Aur usne jo gunah kiya hai usko kya saja di jayegi vo ab kanoon tay karega, hum ya aap nahi."

Rathore stated as a matter of fact then wore his sunglasses before walking out ,and others followed.

______________________________

"Ye lo mai hamare safar ke liye ye hotel se leke aayi thi."

Sakshi said opening up the cookie box.

"Waah sakshi ye tumne bahut achha kiya."

Chhotu murmured quickly taking one cookie from the box.

Shree ,Ayesha each took one for themselves and sakshi forwarded the box to the front seat.

"Arjun lo."

"Nahi chahiye."

Arjun answered straight without averting his gaze from the road and hands from the steering wheel.

"Sameer.?"

Sakshi asked next after making a face at Arjun.

Rathore took a cookie as well from the passenger seat ,then Sakshi passed the box to Riya.

"Riya tum bhi lo."

Riya didn't answer ,instead kept staring out of the window.

"Riya.?"

Ayesha shook her a little , bringing her chain of thoughts to an abrupt halt.

"Huh.?"

She looked at Ayesha quizzically.

"Kis soch me ho.?

Sakshi bula rahi thi."

Ayesha informed.

"oh. Mai kuch nahi bas soch rahi thi Beer Pratap ji ne itni asani se kaise maaf kar diya apne bhai ko?

Vo unka apna bhai hai issliye, ya cancer ki wajah se unke pass waqt bahut kam hai issliye vo dil me naarajgi rakhna nahi chahte the.?"

Riya asked thoughtfully.

"Bhai ? Agar Beer Pratap ki jagah mai hoti na toh aese bhai ko mere aakhri saans tak koshti."

Sakshi groaned forwarding the cookie box to Riya.

"Guilt ki wajah se."

Rathore answered breaking his silence.

"Sir matlab.?"

Riya asked him from back.

"Beer Pratap ne apni lalach ki wajah se insaniyat bhul ke apne bhai ko dard pahunchaya , directly na sahi per indirectly unke bhai ki biwi ki maut ki wajah wohi hain.

Aur thik wese hi unke bhai ne Beer Pratap se uska parivaar chhin ke usse wohi dard ka ehsas karwaya.

Insaan aksar bhul jaata hai ki jo kaam vo dusron ke sath karta hai vo uske pass bhi ek din laut ke aata hai.

Ye sayad Beer Pratap realize kar chuke hain , aur jo kuch bhi hua uske liye vo khudko jimmedar maan rahe hain.

Kabhi kabhi hamari khudki guilt itni badi hoti hai ki dusron ki galti bahut chhoti lagne lagti hai."

Rathore explained.

"Agar uss din unki badi beti bach jaati toh sayad vo aaj apni pita ko hi blame karti, ki unki karmo ki saja unki puri family ko chukani padi."

Shree mumbled.

"vo apni jagah galat bhi nahi hoti.

Jab kisiki galti ki saja kisi begunah ko mile toh uss insaan se nafrat ho jaati hai, chahe usse koi bhi rishta ho.

Na usse kabhi maaf kar paate hain na uss chiz ko vo kabhi bhul paate hain."

Rathore murmured staring out of the window , recalling the days of him, Arjun and Roshni used to laugh together and the day he stood in front of Roshni's dead body helplessly, refusing to even look at a grieving Arjun knowing he was the sole reason behind why she was gone so early and brutally.

"Maaf kar dena chahiye sir."

Riya's words suddenly interrupted his thoughts and he listened to her attentively as she continued speaking.

"Koi jaan bujh ke apno ko khona nahi chahta, galtiyan ho jaati hai.

Aur jisse apni galti ka ehsas ho vo khudko blame karke akele hi uss dard se gujar raha hota hai, aese me samne wale ko usse maaf kar dena chahiye."

Riya mumbled in a low voice ,thus Rathore looked out of the window without uttering a single word.

After few seconds Others kept up their small chit-chats meanwhile Rathore swirled his head to Arjun who looked focused on driving with his face deprived of any emotions , and Rathore looked ahead at the road keeping mum.

Tbc.