The Wait (Ariya FF) Part-75 Updated (Page-212) - Page 7

Part-30

By the time Rathore ,Riya reached near Ayesha , found her trying to wake up an unconscious Sakshi by sprinkling water on her.

"Sakshi.?"

Riya kneeled down beside Ayesha shaking Sakshi's frame ,who remained unresponsive.

"Kya hua isse.?"

Rathore asked in concern.

"Sir behosh hai, mujhe yahan aesi hi mili."

Ayesha answered spraying some more water on her face.

"yahan kya hua tha.? Tum logon ke liye achha yahi hoga samne se aake batado."

Rathore threatened the staff present around.

"Sir hame nahi pata ye yahan kaise aayi.

Ye toh storage room hai, yahan bahut kam log aate hain."

One staff replied , thus Rathore looked around to confirm his claim.

His attention got diverted as Sakshi stirred up a little and slowly opened her eyes after several attempts from Ayesha and Riya.

"Sakshi ? Tum thik ho.?"

Riya asked as soon as sakshi sat up with the help of Ayesha.

"Mai yahan kaise.?"

Sakshi murmured,confused.

"Hum tumhe dhund rahe the aur tum hame yahan mili, behosh.

Kya hua tha.?"

Ayesha questioned, thus it took few minutes for Sakshi to recall her memory.

The moment she remembered, she suddenly stood up and looked around frantically.

"Yahan pe koi tha."

"Kaun tha.?"

Rathore looked curious.

"Sakshi kya hua tha clearly kaho."

Riya insisted.

"Raat ko mai thik se so nahi paayi thi toh subah mai jaldi uth gayi thi aur socha coffee piyungi toh thoda achha lagega. Issliye mai niche aayi,per niche reception mai koi nahi tha.

Aur tabhi maine kisiko dekha iss taraf aate huye, maine usse bahut bulaya staff samajh ke per yahan aane ke baad vo jab muda....*Pause* bahut bhayanak tha.

Uska chehera bahut ajib aur darawana tha ,vo koi insaan nahi tha.

Vo meri taraf aane laga toh mai darr ke mare behosh hogayi .

Uske baad mujhe kuch bhi yaad nahi hai."

Sakshi explained.

"Sakshi , lagta hai tumhare dimag pe asar hua hai. Kya bol rahi ho.?"

Rathore looked at her as if she had lost her mind, meanwhile both Riya and Ayesha didn't look convinced by her story either.

"Sameer, mai sach keh rahi hun. Vo koi insan nahi tha bahut darawna tha vo jo bhi tha. Maine khud dekha hai.

Mai keh rahi hun yahan vo hai ."

Sakshi insisted, hence Rathore scratched his forehead.

"Sir."

Chhotu came running to them huffing a little, until his gaze fell on Sakshi.

"Sakshi thik ho tum.?"

Sakshi only nodded her head in reply, when Chhotu moved his eyes back to Rathore.

"Sir garden me chaliye."

Rathore gave him a suspicious look ,then turned to face Ayesha.

"Ayesha , sakshi ko room me le jao . Hum aate hain."

"Yes si.."

"Nahi mai bhi tum logon ke sath chalungii."

Sakshi insisted.

Rathore sighed at her stubbornness then walked away followed by others.

On reaching the garden Chhotu led them to a corner where Arjun was already present, inspecting something.

"Kya hua Rawte.?"

Rathore asked approaching him , thus Arjun stood up allowing them to see what they found.

"ye kya hai.?"

Ayesha sounded amused eyeing the black magic setup on the ground with a scary looking doll and a note attached on it.

"Jab sham ayega tab kaale saye se parda hatega...

Mukhote mein toh sab achhe lagte hain ,saja parda hatne pe diya jaayega."

Riya read out what was written on the note and her forehead shrunk in confusion.

"Koi kaala jaadu kar raha tha yahan."

Chhotu said in a low voice.

"Chhotu thik se dekho, aesa lag raha hai jaise kisine upar upar se rakh diya ho inn chizon ko. Kisine jaan bujh ke ye harkat ki hai."

Rathore dismissed his thought.

"Mai keh rahi hun ye ussi ki harkat hai."

Sakshi said in urgency , making chhotu and Arjun stare at her in confusion.

"Sakshi ne subah subah kisiko dekha tha.

bol rahi hai vo insan nahi tha koi ajib darwana chiz tha."

Rathore explained to them and shook his head in disbelief.

"Sakshi tune sach me dekha tha kya.?"

Chhotu sounded amused and a little scared.

"Ab ye mat kehna sakshi ki tumne kisi bhoot ko dekha tha."

Arjun murmured with a blank look on his face , thus Sakshi zipped her mouth earning pitiful looks from Ayesha and Riya.

"Bhoot jaisa kuch nahi hota, ye sab setup logon ko darane ke liye kiya gaya hai."

Rathore said in a straight voice.

"Matlab koi hotel walon ko darana chahta hai.?"

Ayesha questioned, when Riya wandered her eyes around the garden before speaking up.

"Agar kisika logon ko darane ka maqsad hai toh itna bada garden hai inn chizon ko vo kahin bhi rakh sakta tha, ya hotel me ya phir hotel ke bahar gate ke pass? Jahan sabki najar aasani se pade?

Yahin pe kyun rakha hai? yahan toh lagta bhi nahi hai koi aata jaata hoga."

"Haan agar Sakshi ko dhund nahi rahe hote toh hum yahan aate bhi nahi."

Chhotu added, thus Arjun thought over their words attentively.

"Bahut kuch chal raha hai yahan pe."

Rathore murmured to himself , just when Shree came running with the old man trying to catch up with him from behind.

"Sab yahin hain , sakshi kahan chali gayi thi tum.?"

Shree asked on approaching them.

"Vo hotel me hi thi per ye uncle tumhare pichhe itna daud ke kyun arahe hain.?"

Chhotu asked noticing the old man having a hard time to catch up with shree's speed.

"Mai jo aap sabko bolne aaya hun vo mujhe bolne se rokna chahte hain."

Shree huffed , and Rathore took a step closer stealing a quick glance at the old man behind.

"Kaunsi baat.?"

"Sir maine upar ke rooms khole the,aur wahan *PAuse* kuch bahut strange hai.

Aap sabko chalke dekhna padega."

"Shree, isse bhi zyada strange hai kya.?"

Riya asked him pointing at the scary doll , making him look over at the current scenario.

"Isse bhi zyada strange hai Ri."

Shree concluded.

"Aapko aapki officer mil gayin hai na ? Toh ye sab yahin khatam karte hain."

The old man said on reaching near them.

Arjun gave him a blank stare and walked past him followed by others , where no one uttered a word as they scooted upstairs to see what was Shree intended them to show.

What Shree described them as strange turned out to be the strangest when they stepped inside a room upstairs and everything looked black.

The black ceiling, walls, furniture, bed everything looked unreal thus Rathore asked Chhotu to bring torches since the room had no lights inside.

Riya, Shree turned the mobile flashlights on and she walked towards a corner that looked like having a window which she unlocked and pushed the doors open allowing sunlight to enter, illuminating the big room a little.

On getting the subtle lights Rathore, Arjun stared up to the room in shock , while Sakshi clung to Ayesha in fear.

"ye room toh...."

Ayesha started speaking.

"Pura jala hua hai."

Rathore finished her sentence, meanwhile Chhotu came back with torches.

"Itni badi haweli me ek pura jala hua room .?"

Chhotu murmured in disbelief, while Riya noticed something from the window.

"Sir.?"

"Haan Riya.?"

Rathore approached her quickly.

"Vo dekhiye."

She pointed at something and Rathore found the place where the found the scary doll could be clearly seen from where they stood.

Arjun dusted off a photo frame kept on a bed side table, putting the torch light on it and found a glimpse of 4 people , two beautiful teen girls, a man and a woman in there.

He looked up from the photo frame and turned his head to the old man who stood completely silent near the door of the room.

_________________________________________

"Toh yahi wajah hai ki tum hame hotel check karne se rok rahe the?

Ek chance hai tumhare pass ,yahan kya chal raha hai sab kuch batane ke liye nahi toh mai pehle ye hotel band karwaunga aur tumhe leke jaauna ETF Bureau.

Tumhare umar ka lihaj nahi karenge hum."

Rathore gritted his teeth glaring the old man in his allocated room , while chhotu moved the others staffs out of the sight not to let anyone interfere in the interrogation.

"Maine kuch nahi kiya hai sahab."

The old man replied lowering his head.

"Vo toh hum dekh hi lenge tumne kuch kiya hai ya nahi. Sabse pehle ye batao iss hotel me chal kya raha hai.?"

Rathore asked again , whereas others patiently waited for the explanation.

"Hamare malik Thakur Beer Pratap ji Ratlam ke rehne wale hain.

Wahan vo apne pita aur chhote bhai ke sath raha karte the.

Pita ki maut se pehle dono bhaiyon ko apne apne hisse ki jameen jaydad mil gayi thi, per unke bhai ke sath jameen ki batwara ko leke jab jhagde hone lage tab malik apne Parivaar ko leke yahan aagaye.

Mai malik ke gaanv ka tha, issliye kaam karne ke liye mai bhi unke sath yahan agaya."

The old man started ,and all listened attentively.

"Malik ko aese hi shaant jagah bahut pasand tha, jahan vo shehar ki bhag daud se dur aur prakriti ke kareeb rehna chahte the issliye unhone ye haweli banwayi thi.

Yahan vo apne parivaar ke sath rehne lage aur yahan se dur unka kapdon ka business bhi chalne laga."

"Kya ye unke parivaar hain.?"

Arjun asked putting the photo frame on the table, which the old man stared at longingly then replied.

"Ji haan. Ye malik ,ye unki patni aur dono betiyan."

"Kuch salon baad unke apne bhai ke sath jhagde khatam ho gaye aur unke bhai kabhi kabhi unse milne yahan aya karte the.

Sab kuch sahi chal raha tha , phir ek din....

10 saal pehle.. Uss din unki chhoti beti ka janamdin tha, maalik vo pura din ghar me parivaar ke sath bitana chahte the issliye unhone hum sabko chhuti de rakhi thi.

Hum sab jab agle din dopahar ko aaye tab bitiya ka room pura jal gaya tha aur unn charon me se haweli me koi bhi nahi tha.

Humne bahut dhunda , per kuch pata nahi chala."

"Aapne police case nahi kiya.?"

Ayesha enquired.

"Kiya tha per kuch faida nahi hua. Jo bhi officer aate the vo ulta hum pe hi shaq karte the ,issliye humne bhi dheere dheere police se umeed chhod di."

The old man sighed.

"Kamaal hai 4 log yahan se raaton raat gayab hogaye, zinda hai ya marr gaye pata nahi , aur aap logon pe police shaq kar rahi thi bas issliye aapne case pe insist nahi kiya.?"

Shree sounded puzzled.

"Vo log zinda nahi hain."

The old man replied.

"ye tumhe kaise pata.?"

Arjun questioned.

"jis tarah se vo karma jala hua tha usse dekh ke police ne kaha tha koi bacha nahi hoga, aur uss hadse ke 6 mahine baad malik ke secretary ko arrest kiya gaya tha.

Police ka kehna tha ki hadse ke din maalik ka secretary yahan aya tha aur wohi tha jisne parivaar ko akahri baar zinda dekha tha.

Arrest hone ke kuch hi din baad vo police station me heart attack se chala gaya aur wahin se case band hogaya."

"Toh police ko inn logon ki laashein nahi mili.?"

Riya asked curiously.

"Nahi. Police ko shaq tha ki laashein jungle me kahin hogi ,unhone bahut dhunda bhi per kuch nahi mila.

Issliye humne aaj tak vo kamra saaf nahi kiya,iss umeed se ki sayad kabhi maalik aur unka parivaar wapas aaye.

Unka parivaar jo kamre istemaal karta tha humne unko bhi band rakha hai."

"Toh maine jo dekha tha vo kya tha.?"

Sakshi asked him.

"Uske baare me hame kuch nahi pata."

"Pata nahi hai bolne se kuch nahi hoga.

Garden me kaala jadu ka setup, hotel me ajib si awazein aur Sakshi ne jo subah dekha vo sab kya hai.?"

Rathore shouted.

"Hame sach me nahi pata uske baare me.

Awazein kuch saalon se aarahi hai aur

Kal pata nahi kyun awaz zyada thi aur vo garden me jo bhi tha vo bhi pehli baar hua hai yahan.

Kuch guests yahan se darr ke chale jaate hain,per ye bhi sach hai ki aaj tak kisiko koi nuksaan nahi hua hai.

Humne bhi bahut jaanne ki koshis ki per hame ab adat ho chuki hai inn sab ki.

Bas dukh iss baat ka hai ki hotel iske liye bahut badnaam ho raha hai aur hum kuch nahi kar sakte."

The old man whimpered.

"Ye haweli hotel kab bana? Aur kaun chala raha hai isse.?"

Arjun asked thoughtfully.

"JI maalik ke chhote bhai chalate hai isse."

"Kya? Vo kahan hai abhi.?"

Ayesha looked at him curiously.

"Vo bidesh me rehte hain yahan kabhi kabhi hi aate the.

Uss hadse ke baad unhe darr tha unke bhai jiss haweli ko itna pasand karte the vo kahin band pade pade jungle me na kho jaaye issliye unhone isse hotel bana diya."

"Toh kya vo yahan aate rehte hain.?"

Sakshi asked after a long silence.

"kabhi kabhi. Vo jab bhi aate hain bitiya ke kamre me jaake rote rehte hain ,ab tak vo uss haadse ko bhula nahi paaye sayad issliye 3-4 mahino me ek hi baar aate hai yahan."

The old man sighed.

"Jab Beer pratap ke beti ka birthday tha tab unka bhai yahan pe nahi tha.?"

Rathore questioned.

"Nahi , vo birthdaay ke 2 din pehle yahan aaye the.

Unhe kuch kaam tha toh vo birthday ke liye ni ruk paaye the aur bitiya ko gifts deke ussi din chale gaye the wapas."

"Niche itne sare rooms hai tohh kya aap log bhi yahin rehte the unki family ke sath.?"

Riya asked this tiime.

"Ji haan hum 8 log kaam karte the yahan aur sabhi niche hi rehte the. Maalik ka parivaar yahan upar rehta tha."

"Toh unn 8 logon me se abhi yahan kitne hain.?"

Shree intervened.

"Hum 3 hai abhi yahan.

3 ki maut ho chuki hai 5 saal pehle , ek apne bete ke saath rehne dusre shehar chala gaya aur ek apne gaanv wapas chala gaya hai."

"Tumne kaha jis din accident hua uss din tum logon ko chhuti de gayi thi ,toh uss din tum log kahan the.?"

Arjun questioned, to which the old man chuckled.

"mujhe pata tha aap log bhi ghum phir ke hum pe hi shaq karenge , issliye mai nahi chahta tha aap logon ko kuch bhi pata chale.

Humne puri waffadari se maalik ke liye kaam karte aaye hain aur aaj bhi kar rahe hain.

Hamari wafadari pe aap log sawal nahi kar sakte.

Aap logon ko sachai se koi matlab nahi hai,bas jo samne mile uspe ilzam lagake usse pareshan karna hai."

"Apne aap ko itna wafadar maante ho toh kam se kam toh vo parivaar ke sath kya hua aur unka qatil kaun hai sabse pehle ye jaanne ki koshis karte , na ki iss baat se pareshan hote ki tum pe kaun ilzam laga raha hai.

Ek hi raat me ek admi,uski patni aur 2 bache ko iss ghar me zinda jala diya gaya hai ,

iska matlab samjahte ho tum?

Vo koi haadsa nahi tha."

Arjun said in a serious tone.

"Maine kaha na Maalik ke secretary ka hath tha....."

"Ek secretary aur ghar ka ek staff me bahut fark hota hai. I'm sure tum log jitna iss ghar ko jaante ho utna koi bahar ka nahi jaanta hoga.

Ab vo secretary koi superman toh nahi tha ki vo akele 4 logon ko maare aur laashein bahar le jaaye vo bhi itni safai se ki aaj tak vo kisiko nahi mili.

Iska matlab saaf hai ghar me se koi mila hua tha crime me ,aur vo tum logon me se koi ek hai.

Ye baat tum samjhe ya samjhaoon.?"

The old man kept abruptly mum for a moment then spoke up.

"Haweli ke pichhe thodi dur jungle me ek aur ghar hua karta tha, jisse maalik ne apne aur hamare manoranjan ke liye banaya tha. Wahan hum doston ke sath kabhi kabhi party manaya karte the .uss din maalik ne hame chhuti deke wahan bhej diya tha.

Agle din subah hame wapas haweli aana tha per *Pause* nashe me pata nahi chala ki kab dopahar hogayi.

Hamare wapas aane tak sab kuch khatam ho chuka tha."

"ghar hua karta tha matlab? Ab nahi hai.?"

Rathore asked.

"Hai. Per uss din ke baad wahan jaana sabne band kar diya .ab toh vo ghar tut futt gaya hai."

The old man answered quickly, thus Arjun stood up from his chair.

"Hame vo ghar dekhna hai."

"ji thik hai."

Everyone else straightened up to accompany the old man when Rathore spoke up.

"Sabko jaane ki jarurat nahi hai. Mai aur Rawte jaate hain , tum sab yahin ruko.."

Others stayed back obeying their chief's order when Arjun ,Rathore walked away along with the old man.

"Guys jab tak Rathore sir aur Arjun sir wapas aate hain mai sare staffs ke statement le leti hun."

Riya said breaking the silence ,and quickly added.

"Aur chhotu tum sare guests ki details le lo isse pehle ki koi hotel chhod ke chala jaye."

"Hm sahi hai."

Chhotu nodded his head in agreement.

"Thik hai toh phir mai aur sakshi...ae sakshi tum chalogi na? Hum ye upar ke sare rooms achhe se check kar lete hain ,agar sach me rooms ko kisine 10 saal se hath nahi lagaya hai toh ho sakta hai kuch saboot bacha ho hamare liye."

Shree sounded confident.

"Mujhe ab bhi thoda darr tohh lag raha hai per Beer Pratap ki story se bura bhi lag raha hai.

toh thik hai mai chalungi."

Sakshi agreed gulping a little.

"Toh mai hotel ke sare papers check kar leti hun."

Ayesha declared, hence they scattered away.

"Ae Riya tum mere sath hi rehna. Pata nahi kyun per mujhe lag raha hai Ye Beer Pratap ki aatma ghum rahi hai iss haweli me.

Tum mera hath pakad ke rakhna thoda."

Chhotu whispered anxiously roaming his eyes around, walking beside her closely.

"Chhotu agar yahan atma hai bhi toh abhi toh din hai na? Abhi thodi niklegi, vo raat ko ayegi."

Riya patted his forearm in assurance.

"Tune suna nahi sakshi ne subah dekha tha atma ko.

Aaj kal ke atma ke liye kya din kya raat?

Aur tujhe sach me darr nahi lag raha kya.?"

Chhotu asked her curiously.

"Mai roz subah 5 baje Rathore sir ki daant khati hun Chhotu , ye toh kuch bhi nahi hai uske samne."

Riya shook her head ,thus Chhotu abruptly stopped on his track.

"Hein? Rathore sir tujhe roz daantte hain.?"

"Aur nahi toh kya tum logon ko laga Sir mujhe bahut pyar se training de rahe hain?

Shooting me ek nishana miss hota hai na sir ek goli ke liye 5mint sunate hain mujhe.

Ye bhoot toh uske samne bahut fika lag raha hai mujhe."

Chhotu sighed patting her head passing her a pitiful look.

"Tu sach me bahut bahadur hogayi hai re."

"Thank you. Ab chalo."

Riya chuckled taking him along with her to do their respective works.

__________________

Arjun and Rathore came walking back to the hotel after an hour after inspecting the other house and the garden once again.

By the time they were walking past the reception one of the staffs handed over the SUV key to them that the mechanic had left few minutes ago ,thus Rathore looked back to confirm and indeed their SUV was parked near the gate much to his relief.

"car toh thik ho gayi hai Rawte per...."

"hame ek din aur yahan rukna padega."

Arjun said interrupting him ,catching him by surprise.

"Mai bhi actually yahi kehna wala tha.

Iss haweli me jo bhi ho raha hai specially raat ko ho raha hai toh agar hame iss gutthhi ko suljhana hai toh yahan ek aur raat rukna padega."

Rathore continued speaking making his way towards his room.

"Mai shree ko bol deta hun Liza ko le aaye yahan uss room ka forensic inspection ke liye aur ye Beer Pratap ke bhai ko bhi bulana...."

Rathore paused himself abruptly the moment Arjun lightly pushed the door open of the room and both of them stood surprised watching the rare scene in front of them.

All of the team members were fast asleep in their room with Chhotu, Sakshi on the bed along with shree curling up near their feet and Ayesha was sleeping sitting upright on the couch while Riya had her head rested on Ayesha's lap with her frame snuggled on the rest of the couch.

"lagta hai raat bhar koi soya nahi hai."

Rathore released a sharp breathe then walked up to the bed taking the paper away that was on chhotu's chest and took out an extra pillow putting it under shree's head.

Arjun was about to walk away when he noticed papers were scattered on the floor from Ayesha's hand, hence he went to pick them up and his gaze also fell on how Riya's one hand was dangling down to the couch.

After collecting the papers he lightly held Riya's hand intending to put it on the couch, instead noticed the small cut near her palm which she had probably left unattended since he could see dried blood on it.

His gaze shifted up to her right hand that instant recalling something and stared at her bandaged palm that made his brain travel back to how she had held the knife with her bare hand but was still pleading him not to kill Pathan.

Standing up quickly he started walking out of the room but then stopped for a second and came back taking out a first aid box from a nearby drawer, then bent a little near the couch putting a band aid on the small cut on her hand before leaving the room ; completely forgetting Rathore in the same room, who stood watching him with his arms crossed across his chest.

(Lmao because how can you even forget Rathore was also there )

Tbc.

PArt-41

The traffic got cleared till the midnight and the ETF team drove to Ratnagiri reaching there by the morning ,

where Vardhan had sent one of his trusted men to escort the team to his farmhouse.

"Whoa ! Jaise news me dikha rahe the thik wesa hi hai ye farmhouse.

Kya ye sach me Vardhan ki private property hai.?"

Chhotu asked on getting off the car ,and eyed the man who brought them there.

"Ji haan ye unki khudki farmhouse hai.

Per jaise media me bol rahe hain unhone ye corruption se nahi banaya hai, ye unke dada ji ka hai."

The man explained politely.

"Kitne saal se aap Vardhan ke sath hain.?"

Riya asked out of curiosity.

"Ji 6 saal se.

Aayiye unki family andar hai."

The man took them inside ,and they met with a woman in her early 30s with a cute little girl hiding behind her.

"ACP Sameer Rathore aur ye meri ETF ki team hai."

Rathore spoke taking off his goggles ,while Arjun roamed his eyes noticing four other men around the hall.

"Namastey, unhone kaha tha ki aap log aane wale hain.

Mera naam Nitya hai, aur ye meri beti …."

The woman pulled the girl out from her back and made her stand beside her.

"Anvi hai."

Sakshi, shree, chhotu, Ayesha, Riya waved at the little girl who didn't respond, instead kept eyeing each and every one of them quietly.

"Aap school me padhte ho.?"

Rathore asked the little girl in a soft voice bending forward a little noticing she was in her school uniform and the girl nodded her head positively.

"Kaunse class me.?"

Rathore asked again.

"Standard Two."

The girl answered slowly, when the man from earlier came forward taking the girl's hand before speaking up.

"Mai Anvi ko school chhod ke aata hun, tab tak aap log fresh ho jaiye bahut dur se aaye hain."

"Haan maine rooms khulwa diye hain aap sabke liye."

Nitya added quickly.

"Hum yahin rahenge inke sath.?"

Sakshi whispered to shree.

"Hum inko hi protection dene aaye hain toh inke sath hi rahenge na."

Shree replied ,and Sakshi quickly nodded in understanding.

"Bye mama."

The girl smiled waving at her mother as the man took her out and Arjun stared at their retreating figure before asking.

"Kya yahin roz Anvi ko school chhodne jaate hain.?"

"Haan sir vo Kabir hai , mere pati ke achhe dost bhi aur sabse bharosemand insan bhi.

Hum jabse apna ghar chhod ke yahan aye hain tabse Anvi ko school chhodna aur laana vo khud karte hain, kyunki yahan tak school bus nahi aati."

NItya answered.

"Toh kya aap log isse pehle kahin aur rehte the.?"

Ayesha questioned.

"Haan, hamara dusra apna ghar hai. Yahan toh hum chhutiyon me hi aate the.

Per jabse uss ghar me Omprakash ji ne suicide kiya tha tabse Vardhan Anvi ko wahan rakhna nahi chahte the aur issliye hum yahan agaye."

"aur ye sab.?"

Rathore asked pointing at the staffs.

"ye sab hamare purane staff hain, wahan bhi hamare sath hi the.

Vardhan inn sab pe bharosa karte hain issliye yahan inhe hamari safety ke liye rakha hai."

"Toh tum sabko pata hi hoga Omprakash ne suicide kyun kiya tha."

Arjun said eyeing the men.

"Ji nahi sir hame nahi pata. Ek din hum subah uthe aur dekha ki usne zeher kha liya hai. Usne aesa kyun kiya ye hame nahi pata."

One staff replied.

"Aur unki family.?"

Riya questioned.

"family me unki wife hain jo gaanv me rehti thi, vo Omprakash ki maut ke khabar se aayi thi yahan pe phir gaanv wapas chali gayi."

Nitya replied her.

"Toh uske maut se pehle kuch ajib hua tha ghar pe ?"

Rathore asked this time.

" Omprakash ke maut se 6 din pehle hi Vardhan pe rishvat lene ki charges lage the. "

Nitya murmured in a low voice hanging her head low.

"Aur aap logon ko dhamki mil rahi hai , kis tarah ki dhamki hai.?"

Shree spoke up.

"Kuch dino pehle mujhe ek phone aya tha , koi bol raha tha ki apne pati ko bolo give up karde nahi toh anjaam Omprakash ki maut se bhi bura hoga."

"Toh issliye Vardhan ko lagta hai ki Omprakash ki maut ek suicide case nahi hai.?"

Chhotu narrowed his gaze, to which Nitya nodded.

"Haan. 3 din pehle mujhe dubara ek call aya tha ki apne pati ko kaho surrender kar de aur media me zyada baat na kare, nahi toh vo jail se kabhi bahar nahi aapayenge aur...."

Nitya paused gulping a little.

"Aur.?"

Riya looked at her curiously.

"agar bahar aagaye toh hame kabhi dekh nahi paayenge."

Everyone fell silent watching Nitya wiping the corner of her eye ,while Rathore released a deep breathe.

"Toh aese me aapko apni beti ko school nahi chhodna chahiye."

Sakshi said thoughtfully.

"Vardhan ka manna hai ki agar hum aesi dhamkiyon se darr ke ghar pe baithe rahe toh samne wala wese bhi jeet jayega.

Aur vo nahi chahte ki in sab ki wajah se Anvi pe koi asar pade aur uska khelna kudna , padhna sab band ho jaye issliye Kabir ne Anvi ki zimmedari li hai ghar se bahar le jaane ki."

Nitya answered her and everything fell back to silence.

Soon they were taken to their respective rooms , while the girls chose to share one room , Shree ,chhotu too chose to be in one but Rathore and Arjun without any delay went ahead in their separate rooms.

"Lagta hai mujhe ab ek suitcase pack karke bureau me rakhna padega. Pata nahi kab kahan jaana pad jaye."

Sakshi murmured entering the room.

"Arey haan hum apne sath koi kapde toh leke nahi aaye."

Ayesha mumbled in realization.

"Wohi toh ab jab tak yahan hai kya karenge? Lagta hai pehle mujhe naye kapde lene padenge."

Sakshi sighed , just when she noticed Riya standing near the window staring outside.

"Riya ?

Wahan kya dekh rahi ho?"

Sakshi asked walking up to her.

"Kuch nahi mai bas soch rahi thi ,Vardhan pe kitna pressure hoga nahi ?

Vo bas apni duty kar rahe the per ab sawal unki family ki safety ka hai.

Aur vo bachi, usse toh kuch samajh me bhi ni araha hoga ki kya ho raha hai."

Riya sighed.

"Haan dekha vo kitni dari hui dikh rahi thi hame dekh ke.?"

Ayesha murmured from the bed.

"hmm.. Per mera ek sawal hai kal Sameer raaste me keh raha tha na Vardhan pe jo case chal raha hai hum usme interfere nahi kar sakte kyunki hum sirf Omprakash ki death mystery aur Vardhan ki family ki safety ke liye aaye hain ,

toh bina kisise puch tach kiye pata kaise chalega ki kaun dhamki de raha hai.?"

Sakshi questioned.

"Sakshi, issliye toh Arjun sir aur Rathore sir Vardhan se milne jail jaane wale hain. Uske baad hi pata chalega kya karna hai.

Filhal toh hame najar rakhna hai ye ghar safe hai ya nahi aur yahan jitne bhi log hain kinpe trust kiya jaa sakta hai."

Riya answered.

"sare staff trustable toh hain jaise Nitya ne kaha."

Sakshi narrowed her gaze, to which Ayesha shook her head.

" Ho sakta hai aur nahi bhi ho sakta hai sakshi, hame alert rehna hai."

_____________________________

Once after Kabir came back from the school Rathore, Arjun and Shree went to visit Vardhan in jail along with him , while others stayed back in the house.

"Thank you so much sir , aap meri request sunke yahan tak aaye."

Vardhan said earnestly entering the meeting room , where only Rathore , Arjun , and Shree were sitting whereas Kabir and the guard waited outside.

"Vardhan mai tumhe pehle se bata dun hum tumhari ongoing investigation me koi interfere nahi kar sakte."

Rathore reminded him strictly.

"Jaanta hun sir. Aur honestly mujhe apne liye chinta nahi hai kyunki mai jaanta hun maine kuch galat nahi kiya, please aap log bas meri wife aur beti ko safe rakhiye jab tak mai yahan se bahar na niklu.

Unka koi lena dena nahi hai in sab se, meri beti bahut chhoti hai sir vo bahut proud feel karti hai ki vo ek police officer ki beti hai,aur meri wife...usne aaj tak sirf mujhe support kiya hai , itna sab kuch chal raha hai phir bhi usne kabhi mujhe blame ni kiya hai ki meri wajah se hamari family musibat me hai.

Aese me agar unhe kuch ho jaayega toh mai bhi jee nahi paaunga."

Shree watched the grown man crying ,and averted his gaze to both of his chiefs who too were speechless for a moment.

"Vardhan ye toh tum bhi jaante ho tumhari family ko dhamki uss case ki wajah se mil rahi hai.

Per tumhe case se hatane ke liye vo log intezam kar chuke hain , toh phir ab tumhari wife ko dhamki kyun diya jaa raha hai.?"

Arjun asked looking at him intently.

"Kya tumhe koi baat pata hai jo tumne ab tak kisiko bataya nahi hai.?"

Rathore asked straight, and Vardhan glanced back at the door to ensure no one was listening to them.

" Sir mai jab vo case investigate kar raha tha mai uss factory mai bhi gaya tha wahan pe mujhe kuch ajib laga, jarurat se zyada secretive lag rahe the sab wahan. Issliye maine factory pe najar rakhna shuru kiya ,maine factory ka history bhi pata kiya tha wahan ye pehli achanak hone wali maut nahi thi.

Isse pehle bhi kuch workers ki death hui thi per company ne unke parivaar ko paise deke unka muh band karke rakha hai.

Mujhe lagta hai food processing ke sath sath wahan jarur kuch illegal ho raha hai. "

"Ye kyun lagta hai tumhe.?"

Arjun asked.

"Mere purane ghar ke study room me table pe ek photo frame hai , usse aap kholenge toh ek map milega. Vo map uss factory ki hai, wahan andar 2 bade bade chambers hain vo kisliye use hota hai ye aaj tak kisiko nahi pata. Maine kuch purane workers se baat bhi ki thi unka kehna tha vo chambers din bhar band rehti hai, aur thik sham ko regular staffs se alag kuch staffs aate hain jo chamber ke andar kaam karte hain. Uss chamber ke aas paas jaana kisiko allow nahi hai.

Har friday ko ek bada truck pichhe ke gate se factory ko jaata hai, aur jo bhi saman hota hai usme sidha andar se hi load hota hai.

Factory me rules hai jitne bhi log wahan kaam karte hain kisiko bhi factory ki andar ki baat bahar batana allowed nahi hai, nahi toh vo unhe tarah tarah ke case me fasa dete hain."

Vardhan explained keeping his voice low as much as possible, then resumed speaking.

"Aur issliye maine apne ek khabri ko wahan andar bheja tha worker banake, vo jis din mujhe kuch information dene wala tha ussi din mujhpe ye charges lage aur mai usse mil nahi paya."

"Toh kya uske baad se leke ab tak uss khabri se baat nahi hui tumhari.?"

Shree enquired.

"Nahi sir uska phone switch off araha hai uske baad se. Mujhe darr hai kahin vo meri wajah se musibat me na fass gaya ho."

Vardhan sighed.

" Aur uss complain ka kya ? Victim ki family ne tumhari jhuthi complain kyun ki.?"

Shree asked again.

"unka dosh nahi hai , vo log ek police officer ko dhamki de sakte hain toh ek aam admi ko darana unke liye koi badi baat nahi hai.

Ya toh dara ke ya phir paison se unse ye kaam karwaya gaya hai,unki financial condition bahut buri thi aur ghar ka ek hi kamane wala tha jo chala gaya ,issliye mai uss family se naaraj bhi ni ho sakta. "

Vardhan shook his head.

"In sab se Om prakash ka kya lena dena ho sakta hai.?"

Rathore asked thoughtfully.

"Darasal Om prakash bhi uss factory me kaam karta tha."

"What.?"

"Ye baat mujhe pehle pata nahi tha sir, marne se kuch din pehle Om Prakash ne khud mujhe ye baat batayi thi jab usse pata chala ki mai factory pe investigate kar raha hun.

Om Prakash wahan kuch 1 saal tak tha aur factory ki jitni bhi information maine aapko di aur map banane me bhi usne meri help ki thi.

Vo ek din galati se uss chamber ke paas chala gaya tha aur uske kuch din baad hi uspe chori ka ilzam lagake factory se bahar nikal diya gaya. Ye baat mai Om prakash ki death ke baad kisiko bata bhi nahi paaya."

"Iska matlab ho sakta hai kisiko pata chal gaya ho ki Om Prakash tumhari help kar raha hai , issliye usse maar ke suicide dikhane ki koshish ki gayi. "

Shree guessed.

"per ye baat kisi aur ko pata nahi thi. Maine apne khabri ki baat bhi kisiko nahi batayi thi."

Vardhan objected.

"Iska matlab tumhare ghar me hi koi tha jo jaanta tha ki Om prakash tumhari help kar raha hai. Ghar me abhi jitne staff hain vo sab pehle se hi hain ya koi gayab hai.?"

Arjun pointed out.

"Sir unhe mai barso se jaanta hun, aur unme se koi …."

Vardhan suddenly paused himself on remembering something , then looked up to Arjun.

"sir mere ghar me ek aur admi tha Chandar, vo ab yahan nahi hai."

"Kahan gaya vo.?"

Arjun asked.

"Chandar Om prakash ke marne se 1 hafte pehle hi kaam chhod ke chala gaya tha, per usne mujhe ya Nitya ko directly kuch nahi kaha tha usne bas mujhe message kiya tha ki vo kaam chhod ke apne ghar wapas jaa raha hai.

Nitya keh rahi thi ki uski tabiyat kharab rehti thi , aur mai bhi uss waqt case me busy tha issliye maine zyada dhyan nahi diya uspe."

Vardhan answered.

"iss Chandar aur khabri ddono ka address do hame.

Case ko leke jo bhi aage pata chalega hum tumhe update karte rahenge."

Rathore said getting up from the chair along with Arjun , Shree and they were about to leave only to be stopped by Vardhan.

"Sir ek minute , agar meri beti aapse mere bare me kuch puchhe toh please aap usse bata dena ki mai yahan bikul thik hun.

Nitya yahan mujhse milne aati hai per maine usse mana kiya hua hai Anvi ko laane ke liye, kyunki mai nahi chahta vo mujhe iss halath me dekhe."

Vardhan murmured , and Arjun stood staring at him, shree's face softened and Rathore let out a sigh before speaking up.

"Ek baat puchun Vardhan?"

"ji sir puchhiye."

"Apni family se itna pyar karte ho toh ab tak case give up kyun nahi kiya tumne? Unko lagta hai tumhare paas jarur kuch proofs hain jiski wajah se vo ab tak tumhare pichhe hain, agar tum case chhod dete toh tum bhi safe hote aur tumhari family bhi."

"jaanta hun sir , per unn families ka kya jinke apne uss factory me maare gaye? Vo jo kuch bhi illegal kar rahe hain usse kisi aur ko nuksaan na pahunchta ho uski kya guarantee hai ?

Bas issiliye mai case pe giveup nahi karna chahta.

aur rahi meri family ki safety ki baat toh mujhe bharosa hai aap logon pe."

Vardhan looked at them hopefully , thus none of them spoke anything further and took a leave.

___

Chhotu and Riya stood near the gate of the school along with some other parents waiting for the final bell to ring , when Chhotu spoke up.

"Riya , kya tumhe lagta hai school ki teacher Anvi ko hamare sath jaane dengi.?"

"Don't worry Chhotu, maine Nitya ko kaha tha Anvi ki class teacher ko inform karne ke liye ki hum usse lene aarahe hain."

Riya answered, and just then the bell rang and kids came running out of the building.

A female teacher accompanied them from the front, thus Riya chhotu approached her and showed her their badges for confirmation.

Once after the teacher was ensured of their identity she handed over Anvi to them ,who stared at the duo strangely.

"Kabir uncle kahan hain.?"

The girl asked them.

"Vo aapke Kabir uncle dusre kaam me busy hain, issliye hum aapko lene agaye. Ab chalein.?"

Riya smiled at her bending down to her height level , but Anvi didn't smile back instead kept looking in between them.

"Kya hua? Hum aapko lene aaye aapko achha nahi laga.?"

Riya asked.

"Mai aapse kuch puchhun.?"

The girl asked back.

"Haan haan beta puchho."

Chhotu answered her.

"Aap log kaun hain? Kya aap log bhi mere papa ko pareshan karne aaye hain.?"

Riya and chhotu exchanged a look among each other at her question, before Riya smiled answering her.

"Nahi hum aapke papa ko pareshan karne nahi aaye hain. Hum aapke papa ke dost hain aur apki papa ki help karne aaye hain."

"sach mein.?"

The girl's eyes lit up as she smiled at them.

"Haan sach me. Ab toh chalogi na aap hamare sath ghar.?"

Chhotu looked at her hopefully, to which the girl nodded her head as a big yes.

"kya hum ice-cream kha sakte hain.?"

The girl asked on getting inside the car.

Chhotu, Riya chuckled at her demand , but nodded in agreement.

There Rathore, Arjun Shree and Kabir reached back the farmhouse only to find Nitya sitting in the hall looking a little tensed.

"Anvi wapas agayi.?"

Kabir asked.

"Tum toh hamare sath gaye the toh Anvi ko wapas laane kaun gaya tha.?"

Rathore asked.

"Vo aapke 2 officer gaye the per ab tak wapas nahi aaye hain."

Nitya replied getting up from the couch.

"Kya? Kaun gaya hai.?"

Shree asked turning to Ayesha who was standing near the couch.

"Umm Chhotu aur Riya."

Ayesha answered , thus Arjun pulled out the phone from his pocket dialing Riya's number.

"humne phone kiya tha dono utha nahi rahe."

Sakshi informed him, just when Ayesha interrupted them.

"Sir vo log aagaye."

Everyone turned around to the entrance where Anvi came walking in happily with an ice-cream bar in her hand and behind her were Chhotu and Riya with cup ice-creams in their hands.

"Tum dono kahan reh gaye the.?"

Shree asked quickly approaching them.

"Vo Anvi ko ice-cream khana…."

Before Riya could complete ,Arjun cut her off in middle curtly.

"Irresponsibility ki hadd hoti hai. Tum dono ko pata hai situation kitna serious hai phir bhi tum log itni dair tak bahar ruke rahe. Tum dono sayad bhul rahe ho hum yahan party karne nahi aaye hain."

"tum dono phone kyun nahi utha rahe the.?"

Rathore asked eyeing them.

"phone.."

Chhotu checked his pocket only to realize it wasn't there ,meanwhile Riya checked the missed calls in her phone.

"Mera phone room me hi reh gaya tha."

Chhotu murmured slowly.

"Mera phone silent pe tha, sorry sir."

Riya mumbled apologetically.

"Rehne dijiye Sir, mujhe pata hai jarur Anvi ne hi zidd ki hogi ice-cream ki."

Nitya said eyeing her daughter ,who frowned at Arjun.

"sorry mama."

Anvi chirped walking up to her mother, thus Arjun kept mum and walked away towards his room.

Riya sighed once after everyone else too went away to carry on their respective works and suddenly Anvi came walking back to her.

"Chhotu uncle kahan gaye.?"

"Chhotu uncle apne room me chale gaye, aapko kuch kaam tha unse.?"

She asked bending down to her level.

"Haan mujhe aap dono ko sorry kehna tha, aapko meri wajah se daant padi.

Mujhe vo dusre uncle pasand nahi hain."

Anvi frowned.

"Aesa nahi kehte, aap ki mumma ki tarah vo bhi aapki chinta kar rahe the. Vo aapki care karte hain issliye toh vo chahte hain aap jaldi ghar wapas aajaye."

Riya said in a soft voice caressing her cheek.

"Toh phir unhone aap dono ko kyun daanta.?"

Anvi asked curiously.

"Vo hum sabki bhi care karte hain na issliye, vo chahte hain hum bhi aap ki tarah jaldi ghar aajaye."

Riya answered not knowing what else to say to convince the little girl , and Anvi thought something then went back upstairs.then went back upstairs without any word.

______________

"Team Vardhan ko shaq tha ki factory mai kuch illegal kaam chal raha hai , issliye usne apne ek khabri ko wahan bheja tha worker banake.

Per abhi vo khabri ka phone switch off araha hai aur vo kahan hai vardhan ko bhi nahi pata.

Om praksh jisne suicide kiya tha vo uss factory ka purana worker hai aur vo Vardhan ko help kar raha tha factory ki map aur kuch informatioin dene me. Issliye Vardhan ko lagta hai ki Om prakash ki death koi suicide nahi tha."

Rathore explained as soon as they gathered in his room for a discussion.

"Aur Vardhan ke ghar me ek staff tha Chandar. Kuch din pehle usne kaam chhod diya tha hame usse bhi track karna hai."

Arjun added.

"Per Sir Vardhan ne kaha ki Chandar Om Prakash ki maut se pehle hi kaam chhod chuka tha. Toh Om prakash ki maut se Uska koi connection ho sakta hai kya ye possible hai?"

Shree questioned.

"Per chandar ne kaam chhoda kyun tha.?"

Riya questioned.

"Exact reason kisiko nahi pata. Usne bas job chhodne ka message kiya tha, aur kyunki vo bimar rehta tha issliye Vardhan aur uski wife ko koi shaq nahi hua."

Rathore explained.

"Toh ho sakta hai vo sach me bimar ho.?"

Sakshi narrowed her gaze.

"ya phir ye bhi ho sakta hai ki usne bahar jaake kisi aur ko information di ho ki Om prakash Vardhan ki help kar raha hai.?"

Ayesha guessed.

"Toh kya Om prakash ko pata tha factory me kya ilegal kaam ho raha hai.?"

Chhotu questioned.

"Nahi chhotu, usse nahi pata tha aur na hi Vardhan ko pata hai.

Vardhan ko ye pata tha ki har friday ek truck factory ke pichhe ki gate se jaati hai, iske sath sath Om prakash ne bataya tha factory ke andar 2 chambers hai jo dusre staffs ke liye band hote hain aur uske andar kya hota hai kisiko nahi pata."

Arjun answered him, spinning a pen in between his fingers.

"Aur Friday kal hai."

Sakshi pointed out.

"Toh truck kal aayega aur hum pata kar sakte hain usme kya jaa raha hai."

Chhotu murmured.

"Per sir basically dekha jaaye toh Om prakash ke paas zyada information nahi thi, jitna usse pata tha utna abhi Vardhan ko bhi pata hai.

Toh sirf itni si basic information ke liye agar unn logon Om Prakash ko maar diya ,toh Vardhan ko zinda kaise rakha hai ? I mean vardhan toh ye kisiko bhi bol sakta hai jaise ki hame bata diya."

Riya questioned sounding puzzled , thus others in the room thought over the words.

"Ek kaam karte hain.. Chhotu, Sakshi tum dono uss khabri ki address pe jao , uska number track karo kahan hai vo.

Mai aur Ayesha chandar ke ghar jaate hain ,aur Rawte ,Riya , Shree tum teeno Vardhan ke purane ghar jao wahan se vo map leke aao.

Hamare sare sawal ke jawab issi circle me kahin hai."

Rathore commanded thus everyone got up from their respective seats to carry out the orders.

Arjun , Shree waited in the car while Riya went to bring the house keys from Vardhan's wife , whereas others went ahead with their works.

___________

On reaching Vardhan's old home they entered in after unlocking it and Arjun went straight to the study room while the other duo checked around the house.

By the time Arjun brought the map from the photo frame and came downstairs found Shree looking through an old bag.

"ye kya hai Shree.?"

Arjun asked approaching him.

"ye lagta hai Om prakash ka saman hai yahin reh gaya hai.

Isme uske kuch documents hain."

Shree replied showing him the papers he got, which Arjun checked thoroughly.

"yahan sach me koi suicide note nahi hai."

Shree added.

"sir Vardhan ki case files jo department ne zabt karliya tha,sayad uski dusri copies vardhan ne bana rakhi thi. Mujhe ye envelope uske garage me ek table ke niche cello tape se chipkaya hua mila.

Sare papers toh same hai bas ek paper ko chhod ke …"

Riya trailed bringing out one particular paper and forwarded it to him.

"Isme kuch naam hai aur side me dates likhi hai.

Aur mujhe achhe se yaad hai ye paper case files me nahi tha."

She added, thus shree peeked over the paper.

"15 se upar logon ka naam hai isme ,ab ye toh Vardhan hi bata sakta hai kaun hain ye log."

"isme se kuch naam factory ke partners ka hai , jo official documents pe registered hai."

Arjun pointed out carefully reading the names.

"toh phir baaki ke log.?"

Shree questioned.

"Isme Vardhan ke police station ke SHO ka bhi naam hai."

Arjun added , surprising the other duo.

"Kya.?"

Riya took a look at the paper then at Arjun who seemed to be thinking something.

"Vardhan ne kaha tha ki vo factory pe najar rakh raha tha, ye sayad vo log hain jinhe vardhan ne dekha tha factory visit karte hue.

ye dates kis kis ne kab visit kiya uske liye likha hai."

Arjun explained.

"Aur itne important paper garage me chhupa rakha tha Vardhan ne."

Shree shook his head, just when Arjun's gaze fell on the teddy bear Riya was holding all this time in her hand and looked up to her with questionable eyes.

"umm ye Anvi ka hai, usse pata chala hum iss ghar me aarahe hain toh kaha ki uski ye teddy bear yahan reh gayi thi aur mai le aaun."

Riya explained quickly, thus he looked down back at the papers without any further question.

-------------------

By the time everyone returned to the farmhouse they were called for dinner , hence they decided to accompany Vardhan's wife and daughter at the dining table then discuss the case later in Rathore's room.

After getting freshen up one and after another everyone joined the table, and Arjun was the last to come down and the only seat left available was next to Anvi.

"Achha hua Nitya ne hame kapde diye. kitna comfortable lag raha hai ab."

Sakshi murmured seated beside Chhotu.

"Per ye Kabir ne mujhe kuch zyada hi dheele kapde de diye. Mai kya itna mota lagta hun.?"

Chhotu frowned, to which Sakshi chuckled.

"Chhotu cool lag rahe ho aese."

Sakshi murmured , making him smile.

"wese Kabir kahan hai.?"

Rathore asked, when Riya passed the teddy bear to Anvi she had brought earlier and Anvi in return smiled widely keeping it on her lap muttering a thank you to Riya.

"vo apne ghar wapas chala gaye hain, subah aa jayenge.

Aap log yahan hain toh vo thoda relax ho gaye hain."

Nitya replied, and Rathore nodded his head.

Soon the plates were served and a man was about to serve sweets to Arjun only to be stopped by him.

"Nahi chahiye."

"Arjun, meetha ke liye kaun mana karta hai? Tum meetha nahi khaate issliye itna kadwa hote jaa rahe ho.

Aap dedo."

Sakshi instructed the man ,who put the sweets on his plate.

"Maine mana kiya."

Arjun glared Sakshi who ignored his reaction, when Anvi beside him stopped eating from her plate and poked on his hand to grab his attention.

Arjun turned his head to the girl frowning at him, and she pointed a finger at Riya across the table.

"Didi ne kaha tha ki aap sabki care karte ho, toh aap sabko daantte kyun rehte ho.?"

Shree choked on his food while Rathore, Ayesha ,chhotu , Sakshi stopped eating all of a sudden whereas Arjun angled his head to Riya with a blank look who looked dumbfounded as she stared at the girl then at him then looked down at her plate not daring to meet his eyes anymore.

"Anvi aesa nahi kehte."

Nitya scolded her daughter, to which Rathore motioned her to not to worry.

"Jab koi meri baat nahi maanta ,toh mujhe gussa aata hai aur mai daantta hun."

Arjun explained to her.

"Toh aapko hamesha gussa aata hai ? Mujh pe bhi ? Aap jab se aaye ho aese hi gusse wale chehre me ho. Mere papa kehte hain jo care karte hain vo kisi pe naaraj nahi hote , hamesha pyar se baat karte hain."

Anvi said staring at him.

Chhotu,shree, Sakshi controlled their laughs while Riya glanced at his dumbstruck face whereas Rathore looked amazed and Ayesha spoke up interrupting them.

"Anvi, sir aap pe gussa nahi ho rahe hain ,humpe bhi zyada gussa nahi karte , vo abhi thoda tensed hai na bas issliye.

Aur sabka care karne ka tarika alag alag hota hai na? Aapke mama aur papa ka care karne ka tarika bhi alag hai na , thik wese hi."

Anvi nodded her head in understanding ,when Rathore snickered beside Ayesha.

"Itna jhuth."

He muttered under his breathe earning a pointed look from her, whereas Arjun quietly started eating.

"Sir mai aapki investigation me dakhal dena nahi chahti per kya unhe bahar nikalne ka koi raasta hai ?"

Nitya asked after few minutes of silence, looking worried.

"Aap chinta mat kijiye hum koshish kar rahe hain. Unhone kuch galat nahi kiya hai toh vo bahar aa hi jaayenge."

Riya assured her.

"Hum aaj jab unhe mile the toh vo bahut confident the apni sachai ko leke , toh aap thoda himmat rakhiye sab thik ho jayega."

Shree added with a smile.

"Kya aap log papa se mile.?"

Anvi asked , making them realize she was still there looking at them excitedly.

"Um…"

Shree opened his mouth to answer , but then shut it contemplating what to say to her.

"Aap log toh papa ke dost ho na , toh unse puchhna vo mujhse kyun nahi milte.?"

Anvi asked again , and suddenly everyone fell silent including her mother who lowered her gaze.

"kya vo mujhe miss nahi karte.?"

"Aapko koi kaise miss nahi karega? Aapke papa bhi aapko miss kar rahe hain, bas unhe aapke paas aane me thodi dair lag rahi hai."

Rathore said in a soft voice.

"Kyun.?"

She asked confused, thus Rathore sat tongue tied for a moment.

."Kyunki vo aapko proud feel karwana chahte hain."

Arjun answered making the girl turn to him as he continued.

"aapko proud feel hota hai na ki aapke papa ek police officer hain.?"

Arjun asked , to which the girl nodded her head as a yes.

"Kyun.?"

"Kyunki vo bure uncles ko saza dete hain."

She answered.

"Toh vo kuch aur bure uncles ko saza dene gaye hain , taaki aapko aur proud feel ho unpe. "

"Oh."

The girl mumbled focusing back on her plate, when Arjun took a sweet from his plate and put it on hers making her look up again.

"Ye issliye taaki aapko ye na lage ki mai aap pe gussa karta hun."

He murmured slowly.

"Toh aap mujhe vo rasgulla do , mai gulab jamun nahi khaati."

Everyone on the table chuckled ,while Arjun gave the little girl a side eye and replaced the sweet on her plate.

Riya smiled watching Arjun following a little girl's command , just then Shree whispered near her ear.

"Arjun sir ek achhe papa banenge, hai na.?"

"Hmm."

She nodded absentmindedly , before it hit her.

The smile died down from her lips and she turned her head to Shree with a weird look who only chuckled resuming eating.

Just then Rathore's phone buzzed and he excused himself walking away from there to receive the call ,while others finished their dinner.

___________

"Rathore, maine tumhe Arjun ko rokne ke liye kaha tha uske sath Ratnagiri jaane ke liye nahi."

The commissioner roared over the call.

"I know sir per…."

"Tumhe pata hai yahan kya kya ho raha hai? Mujhse jawab maanga jaa raha hai ki ek corrupt officer ki baat sunke ETF wahan kaise jaa sakti hai.

Aur toh aur tum log aaj jail me Vardhan se milne gaye the, ye mail aa chuka hai.

ETF vigilance ki investigation me interfere karna chahte hain, issliye orders aaye hain tum log Vardhan se mil nahi sakte ab."

The commissioner said interrupting him.

"What.?"

Rathore sighed frustratedly.

"Rathore abhi bhi time hai ,close the case and come back right now."

The commissioner commanded ,thus Rathore released a deep breathe.

"Sir , aaj jab hum Vardhan se milne gaye the vo bahut worried lag raha tha apni family ki safety ke liye."

"Mai uska intezam kar….."

"Per sir maine jab Vardhan se puchha ki usne ab tak case pe give up kyun nahi kiya , tab usne kaha ki vo unn logon ke liye give up karna nahi chahta jo uss factory se affect huye hain aur jo hone wale hain.

Rathore said interrupting him in middle, then continued.

"kal tak mujhe bhi laga tha Rawte ne jaldbaji me case le liya , per sir agar hum hi apna safe side chun ke pichhe hatt jayenge toh unn logon ka kya jo humse umeed rakhte hain ki hum unhe insaaf dilayenge."

"Rathore , sach toh ye hai ki Vardhan se milne se pehle hi tum apna mind makeup kar chuke the , nahi toh jitna mai tumhe jaanta hun tum wahan jaate hi nahi.

Aur rahi Vardhan ki baat, toh tum emotionally soch rahe ho."

"Nahi sir mai practically soch raha hun, kuch pal ke liye mai bhul gaya tha maine ETF kyun join kiya tha.

Per ab hum yahan hain toh case pura close karke jaayenge , chahe samne wala koi bhi ho."

"Rathore , ho sakta hai mai isme tum logon ka sath na de paaun."

The commissioner said in a serious tone.

"It's okay sir I understand. Aap apni duty kijiye , aur hum apni. Rakhta hun sir .Jay Hind."

Rathore cut the call raking his hand through his hair , and stood staring at the sky when Ayesha approached him.

"Sir.?"

Rathore turned to her for a moment as she came standing beside him , then he looked ahead.

"Aap pareshan lag rahe hain."

Ayesha stared at him.

"Thodi uljhan me hun Ayesha.

Ek taraf mai apni duty kar raha hun toh sab kuch sahi lag raha hai, per dusri taraf iska anjaam sochta hun toh lag raha hai jaise mai apni team ke sath galat kar raha hun. Tum sabki jaan , job sab kuch khatre me daal raha hun."

Rathore sighed.

"Ye hamare liye sirf ek job nahi hai, hum sab apni duty kar rahe hain yahan aur hum bhi aap dono ki tarah Vardhan aur unki family ko bachane me sab kuch daanv pe laga rahe hain ,baaki jo hoga dekha jayega.

Aur mujhe lagta hai hum sabka rishta aesa ho gaya hai ki hum agar iske baad ek sath kaam nahi bhi karenge tab bhi sath rahenge. Issliye aap zyada mat sochiye."

Ayesha assured him , and watched him nodding his head slowly.

Rathore kept mum afterwards staring at particularly nothing ,when something stroke his mind.

"Ayesha agar iske baad sab kuch thik raha toh kya tum…."

He turned his head to her , instead found her looking at the entrance of the terrace and he looked over her shoulder only to find Arjun standing there.

"umm mai aati hun sir."

Ayesha excused herself out from there leaving them alone, when Arjun came walking towards Rathore.

Rathore turned back to do what he was doing earlier , as Arjun stood beside him folding his arms across his chest.

"Agar tum phir se ye kehne aaye ho ki hame wapas chale jaana chahiye , toh kehna mat. Mera bilkul bhi mood nahi hai sunne ka."

Rathore said bitterly.

Arjun didn't say anything instead forwarded the piece of paper they had found in Vardhan's home to Rathore.

"Kya hai ye.?"

Rathore asked taking the paper from him and checked the names.

"Ye sayad unn logon ke naam hai jinhe Vardhan ne factory me dekha hai. Ek baar hum Vardhan se confirm kar le toh…"

"Ab vo nahi ho sakta. Orders aaye hain ki hum Vardhan se nahi mil sakte."

Rathore said cutting him off in middle , still checking the names.

"Kya.?"

Arjun sounded confused.

"Vigilance ko lagta hai hum unki case me interfere karne ki koshish kar rahe hain issliye commissioner sir ne order diya hai ab hum Vardhan se nahi mil sakte."

Rathore explained and felt Arjun falling silent abruptly.

"Tumhe dekh ke lag raha hai tumne socha hi nahi tha itna sab kuch hoga ya phir Arjun Suryakant Rawte ko finally darr lag raha hai apni team ke liye.?"

Rathore scoffed.

"Mujhe na kisike liye darr lag raha hai aur na hi mujhe kisiki fikr hai."

Arjun replied him curtly ,then continued.

"Aur rahi baat case ki toh ye mera faisla tha yahan aane ka, issliye iski puri responsibility meri hogi."

Rathore watched Arjun's face for a moment as he looked away and Rathore scoffed again.

"Achha ? Aur kaise responsibility loge? Resign karke.?"

Arjun kept mum ,with his silence ultimately answering to Rathore's question.

"Toh tum aaj bhi wahi purana Arjun Rawte ho jo bas bhaag jaana jaanta hai, apni zimmedariyon se ,apni galtiyon se , aur iss baar apni team se bhi."

Arjun whipped his head to Rathore ,who spared him a cold look.

"ye sahi bhi hai Rawte kyunki tum kuch thik kar hi nahi kar sakte, siwaye bhaag jaane ke.

Wese mere liye bhi achha hai kam se kam tumhe itna bardaast karna nahi padega."

Rathore walked away from there to his room where his team was waiting for the discussion , leaving Arjun alone behind.

_______________________________

"sir khabri ka naam Rajesh hai vo pichhle kuch dino se gayab hai. Pehle chhoti moti chori kiya karta tha per phir police ka khabri ban gaya."

Chotu started the conversation as soon as Rathore came back to his room ,and commanded to start the meeting without Arjun who was yet to come.

"Arjun sir kahan hain.?"

Riya whispered to Ayesha stealing a glance at the door.

"Pata nai, dono sath me hi toh the."

Ayesha murmured, taking a look at Rathore who seemed to be in a bad mood.

"uska ek adda hai jahan vo roz apne doston ke sath sharab peeta hai, per kuch dino se vo wahan bhi nahi araha hai.

Per haan jis din Vardhan arrest hua tha uss din Rajesh subah subah kisi se milne nikla, bol raha tha koi saman hai jo urgently kisiko dena hai ,uske baad usse kisine nahi dekha.

ek baat aur gayab hone se pehle Rajesh ne jis jis se paise liye the unhe sara paisa ek din me lauta diya tha, jo uske doston ko thodi ajib lagi thi."

Sakshi added.

"ya toh uski lottery lag gayi thi ya phir vo unn logon se mila hua hai aur badle me usse paise mile ho . Per ho sakta hai vo uss din subah Vardhan se hi milne nikla ho ?aurr vo saaman kya tha vo kaise pata chalega.?"

Chhotu pointed out.

"Ek kaam karo rajesh ki bank details nikalo pata chal jaayega paise kahan se mile usse , toh ye bhi pata chal jaayega vo kisse milne gaya tha.

Vardhan ke ghar se kya pata chala.?"

Rathore asked eyeing Riya, but didn't get any response.

"Riya.?"

Rathore called out firmly , making her head turn from the door to him.

"Maine puchha Vardhan ke ghar se kya pata chala,kahan dhyan hai tumhara.?"

Rathore snapped , just when Arjun came walking in and casually sat on a chair without looking at anyone.

"uh sorry sir.

Vradhan ke ghar se hame map toh mila , uske sath sath case papers ke duplicate copies mili jo uske garage ke table ke niche se mila, wahan chhupaya tha."

"vardhan ne chhupaya tha.?"

Ayesha questioned.

'Ye toh nahi pata per unn papers me ek extra paper tha jo Vardhan ke case file me nahi hai. Jis me factory ke partners, Vardhan ke police station ke SHO aur kuch aur logon ke bhi naam hai."

Riya answered , thus Rathore put the paper on the table Arjun had given him earlier.

"Toh kya isme Vardhan ke police station se bhi log mile huye hain ? Sayad issliye Vardhan ko fasana easy hogaya."

Sakshi mumbled.

"Aur sir hame jo map mili hai usme ye 2 chambers hain jiske baare me Om Prakash ne Vardhan ko bataya tha."

Shree pointed at the champers in the map in his hand.

"Aur Chandar apne ghar se gayab hai.

Infact jis din usne job chhodne ke liye Vardhan ko message kiya tha uss din se leke ab tak kisine usse nahi dekha."

Ayesha explained her part.

"Toh ho sakta hai vo jhuth bolke gaya ho .?"'

Chhotu guessed.

"Hum jab uske ghar search kar rahe the hame ye mila."

Ayesha put an old wrinkled paper on the table , that everyone eyed it curiously.

'Kya hai ye.?"

Riya asked.

"Ye uss food processing factory ki company guidelines hai, aur isme Chandar ka signature bhi hai."

Ayesha answered , much to everyone's surprise.

"matlab Chandar bhi uss factory me worker tha.?"

Riya murmured taking the paper to check it.

"Lag toh yahi raha hai."

"Iska matlan Om prakash aur chandar dono hi ek factory me kaam karte the aur Vardhan ko sirf Om prakash ne sach bataya , toh chandar ne kuch kyun nahi kaha tha.?"

Chhotu questioned.

"Per mai jab Om prakash ka saman check kar raha tha mujhe toh aesa koi document nahi mila wahan."

Shree looked puzzled.

"Ho sakta hai usne phaad ke phenk diya ho.?"

Sakshi raised her brow.

"Per ye thoda ajib nahi hai? Pehle Vardhan ne case investigation shuru kiya , phir Om prakash ne samne se usse kaha ki vo factory me kaam karta hai aur vardhan ki help karne laga. Iss bich Chandar ne bhi achanak job chhod diya ,phir Vardhan arrest hogaya aur uske baad Om prakash ki bhi maut hogayi.

Aur abhi chandar ka bhi kuch pata nahi hai."

Riya explained thoroughly.

"Aur isme ek suspect vo khabri Rajesh bhi hai , vo kisise milne nikla tha koi saman ke sath per uske baad se gayab hai.aur gayab hone se pehle uske paas paise aagaye the."

Ayesha added.

"Ho sakta hai isme Chandar aur Rajesh bhi mile huye ho , per sawal ye hai ki Chadar ne Vardhan ke arrest hone se pehle job chhoda tha toh Om prakash ko kisne mara.?"

Rathore questioned thoughtfully.

"Sir kya hum Vardhan se puchhe ki usse Chandar ke baare me pata tha ya nahi.?"

Chhotu suggested.

"Nahi chhotu hame orders mile hain jab tak hum yahan hain Vardhan se nahi mil sakte."

Rathore answered stealing a glance at Arjun ,while others fell silent.

"Shree om prakash ke baare me kya pata chala .?"

Arjun asked breaking his long term silence.

"Kuch khas nahi sir ..Om prakash Vardhan ke ghar me kitchen ki duty me tha. Kitchen assist karna, bahar se sabzi laana yahi sab kaam karta tha.

Uska roz ka fix routine hota tha aur vo har roz ek hi market jaaya karta tha sabzi laane. Iske alawa ghar ke chhote mote kaam me bhi help kar deta tha."

Shree shrugged.

"Om prakash aur Rajesh dono ki call details nikalo , aur jahan bhi Om prakash jaata tha wahan Rajesh ka sketch dikhao, agar mera shaq sahi hai toh inn dono ka connection niklega."

Arrjun murmured.

"Per Om praksh aur Rajesh ki kya connection ho sakta hai? Om prakash toh staff tha aur Rajesh khabri."

Sakshi questioned.

"factory ke workers ko strictly mana kiya jaata tha factory ki andar ki baat kisise batane ke liye, aur jo bhi rule todta tha uske saath kuch na kuch jarur hota hai. Aese me jo log factory chhod dete hain I'm sure unko bhi aesa kuch bola jaata hoga jisse ki vo baad me kahin apna muh na khole..ye vo log karte honge paison se ya dara ke.

Aur sayad issliye Chandar ne kabhi Vardhan ko nahi bataya ki vo factory me kaam karta tha, aur agar Om Prakash ko batana hi tha ki factory me kuch secret chal raha hai toh vo pehle bhi bol sakta tha per usne ye uss time pe bataya jab Vardhan factory case investigate kar raha tha.

Iska matlab usne jaan bujh ke factory ki information Vardhan ko di taaki case me progress ho raha hai vo information usse mil sake.

Iska matlab ye bhi ho sakta hai ki Om Prakash uss factory ka worker kabhi tha hi nahi, usne kisike kehne pe kahani banayi aur Vardhan ki help karne ki naatak ki."

Arjun explained in a breathe.

"Toh iss hisab se Chandar jo sach mein factory ka worker tha, usse jaan bujh ke Vardhan se durr rakha gaya."

Riya muttered.

"Exactly. Aur agar Om prakash aur Rajesh ki sach me koi connection hai toh ya toh vo dono hi mile huye hain ya phir Rajesh ne Vardhan ko dene wali chiz Om Prakash ko de diya aur usse bhi chandar ki tarah kuch kar diya gaya hai."

Arjun added.

"Toh phir sir om prakash ko kyun maara gaya.?"

Chhotu asked.

"Jis tarah se Om prakash Vardhan ke arrest hone ke baad bhi ghar me tha iska matlab ya toh uska maqsad pura nahi hua tha, ya phir vo kuch aur karna chahta tha jo uske boss ko pasand nahi aaya."

Came Arjun's quick answer.

"Agar ye theory sahi bhi hai toh ye saabit karne ke liye koi nahi hai hamare paas. Om prakash already mar chuka hai ,Chandar aur Rajesh gayab hai , toh achha hoga hum aage kya karna hai uspe dhyan de."

Rathore spoke interrupting them, earning a pointed look from Arjun but he ignored him.

"Kal Friday hai aur vo truck ko hame track karna hai. Pata toh chale aesi kya chiz hai jiski wajah vo log itna kuch kar rahe hain."

Rathore added quickly.

"Toh sir hum sabko factory ke pichhe wale raaste pe jaana hoga."

Shree reminded him.

"Sabko wahan jarurat nahi hai. Mai , Rathore aur Chhotu wahan jaayenge aur baaki sab yahin rahenge."

Arjun declared.

"Per sir…."

Riya started only to be interrupted by Arjun.

"This is an order."

Riya abruptly kept mum along with others , and Rathore spoke up.

"Rawte sahi keh raha hai , yahan kisika hona bahut jaruri hai.

Aur tum sab iss Om Prakash aur Rajesh ka connection dhund nikalo , hame solid proofs chahiye."

All except Arjun nodded their heads , and got up from their respective seats to leave the room while Ayesha raised her brow at Rathore to ask if something was wrong to which Rathore shook his head quietly assuring her.

_______________________

The next morning Arjun , Chhotu and Rathore left early for their work, while others stayed back checking through the call details, bank account details.

"Guys guess karo mujhe kya mila."

Shree grinned entering the girls room, where they were working.

"Kya.?"

Sakshi asked ,as the other two girls looked up to him.

"CCTV footage ,uss market ka jahan Om prakash roz jaata tha. Agar vo Rajesh se wahin mila hoga toh cctv me jarur aya hoga."

Shree grinned.

"Wese tum logon ko kuch mila.?"

Shree asked them.

"Haan Rajesh ko ek PCO se bahut phone aata tha, aur maine uss number pe phone kiya toh pata chala vo Vardhan ke ghar ke paas hi hai."

Riya answered.

"Rajesh ko paise Vardhan ne hi bheje the sayad factory me jaane ke liye,aur ye dekho Om Prakash ke account me 5 lakh rupaye hain, usne kharch bhi nahi kiye."

Ayesha shook his head eyeing the paper.

"ye log galat kaam karte kyun hai jab usse milne wale paise kharch bhi nahi kar paate."

Sakshi muttered in disbelief.

"Lalach Sakshi.

Statistics ke hisab se 85% log jo criminals ka sath dete hain vo iss liye maare jaate hain kyunki unhe thode paise milne ke baad aur lalach aajata hai aur vo unn criminals ke liye khatra ban jaate hain issliye unhe maar diya jaata hai."

Riya breathed in a go.

"Ri lagta hai tumhare 85% logon me ek aur add hogaya hai."

Shree murmured with his eyes pinned to his laptop screen.

"Huh? Matlab.?"

Riya looked at him confused.

"Matlab Arjun sir sahi the. Ye Om Prakash aur Rajesh uss din mile the."

Shree replied thus the three girls went to him to check the footage he was watching.

"Arey haan ye toh vo dono hi hain."

Sakshi murmured.

"Per Rajesh kuch de raha hai Om prakash ko."

Riya pointed out.

"sayad ye wahi chiz hai jo Rajesh Vardan ko dene wala tha."

Ayesha added.

"per vo hai kya.?"

Sakshi questioned.

"pata nahi bahut chhoti si chiz hai, itna dur se saaf dikh nahi raha."

Shree answered.

"sayad issi chiz ke liye Om Prakash ko maara gaya hai . Per ye chiz kya unn logon ne le li hogi.?"

Riya murmured.

"Sayad nahi . Sayad issi chiz ke liye vo log ab tak Vardhan ki family ke pichhe hain."

Ayesha narrowed her gaze.

"Ho sakta hai ye chiz abhi bhi Om prakash ne kahin rakha ho.

Hame Vardan ke purane ghar me dekhna chahiye, wahin kahin ho sakta hai."

Shree suggested.

"Ek kaam karte hain mai aur Shree wahan jaate hain , tum dono yahin ruko .agar hum sab chale gaye toh Arjun aur Sameer bahut gussa karenge."

Sakshi said eyeing Ayesha and Riya, who nodded in understanding.

There Arjun, Rathore and Chhotu watched a truck entering the back gate of the factory and waited till it came out after half an hour and Rathore motioned everyone to stay alert holding the gun in his hand.

Arjun pulled the trigger of his gun directly aiming at the back tyre of the truck bringing it to a screeching halt and the next moment firing started from inside the truck and the counter fire by the ETF officers.

After a ten minutes of fight Rathore shot the driver first while Arjun put a gun over the helper's head who had a mask on his face and Chhotu went ahead to check what was being carried inside the truck.

"Sir.."

Chhotu called out after few seconds.

"Haan chhotu kya mila.?"

Rathore went to the back of the truck ,where chhotu handed him few small packets of white powder and Rathore smelled it before looking up to Arjun in realization.

"Cocaine."

Arjun averted his gaze from Rathore to the helper tightening his grip on the gun.

________________

Riya was passing by the corridor when she noticed Anvi sitting on the swing of the garden alone, and approached her quickly.

"Anvi, aap yahan akele kyun baithe ho.?"

She asked on reaching near her and sat on the other wing.

"Mujhe khelna hai per mere koi dost nahi hai. Mama kehti hain cartoon dekho , per mujhe khelna hai."

Anvi replied.

"Oh toh aap apne doston ko miss kar rahe ho.?"

"Haan ..per ab toh school me bhi koi mere sath nahi khelta."

"Aesa kyun.?"

"Sab kehte hain mere papa ne kuch galat kiya hai , aur unke mummy papa ne unhe mana kiya hai mere sath khelne ke liye."

Riya stared at the sad face of the little girl and caressed her hair.

"koi baat nahi sabko jaldi pata chal jaayega ki aapke papa kitne achhe hain, phir sab aapke sath khelenge."

"vo kab hoga? Ab toh ghar me bhi koi mere sath nahi khelta , pehle sab kitna mere sath khelte the ab toh sab apne apne kaam me busy rehte hain. Om prakash uncle bhi nahi hain yahan nahi toh vo khelte mere sath."

"achha toh Om Prakash uncle aapke sath khelte the.?"

"Haan . Vo hamesha mere sath khelte the, vo mujhe chocolates laake dete the aur teddy bear bhi."

"Achhaa."

"Haan aur pata hai ? Uncle kehte the hum teddy bears ke sath baat kar sakte hain, vo hamari baatein sunte hain ,hum apne sare secrets unhe bata sakte hain aur vo kisiko batayenge bhi nahi mama papa ko bhi nahi."

Riya's listened to her rants amused by her talks , but at the same time she wondered why an evil man would be this sweet to a little girl , he intended to harm.

"Aur kya kehte the aapke Om Prakash uncle.?"

Riya asked further.

"Aur kuch nahi per uncle yahan aate toh kitna achha hota, hum dono pehle ki tarah teddy bear se khelte."

Anvi sighed while Riya gave her a pitiful look ,and suddenly a thought crossed over her mind.

"Achha Anvi aapne kaha ki uncle aapke sath teddy bear se khelte the , kaunse teddy bear se khelte the.?"

"Jo teddy bear unhone mujhe diya tha usse."

"aur kab diya tha aapko vo teddy.?"

'Umm vo toh yaad nahi per hum yahan aaye usse pehle diya tha unhone mujhe.

Arey wohi jo aap le kar aayin thi mere paas."

Anvi answered, thus Riya stood up from the swing.

"Anvi vo teddy bear kahan hai abhi?"

"Mere room me ?Kyun? Aap khelogi mere sath.?"

Anvi looked excited all of a sudden.

"Um haan chalo teddy leke aate hain."

Riya took her along with herself to the upstairs and since Nitya was busy in the kitchen Riya entered into the bedroom where Anvi brought her the teddy bear from the bed.

"Chalo khelte hain."

Anvi grinned.

"Haan beta bas ek minute."

Riya took the teddy checking it thoroughly ,noticing the zip behind it and she unzipped it putting her hand inside the cotton roaming her fingers around until they came in contact with something hard in there.

She pulled the hard thing out only to find it was a pen drive and before she could react she heard a firing sound downstairs.

____________________

"Mask hatao."

The helper quickly obeyed him by unmasking himself and for a moment the creased lines on Arjun's forehead disappeared seeing the familiar face in front of him.

"Kabir.?"

Rathore said in disbelief ,and Chhotu's mouth fell open a little in shock.

"Officer jaane do mujhe , mujhe arrest karke koi faida nahi hai mai adhe ghante me bahar aajaunga. Tum sab ke liye achha yahi hoga mujhe aur truck dono ko jaane do."

Kabir said In a smug tone.

"Aur tumhare liye achha hoga ki tum sapne dekhna chhod do , kyunki tumhare jail jaate hi tumhare pichhe pichhe tumhare sare saathi aajayenge."

Rathore glared him, when something stroke Arjun's mind.

"Toh tum the in sabke pichhe ? Tumne maara Om Prakash ko.?"

Chhotu asked.

"Maine kahan maara usse ? Usse toh zeher ne maar diya."

Kabir shrugged coolly.

"Apne dost ko dhokha de rahe the tum , aur toh aur Om Prakash ko bhi maar diya. Chandar aur Rajesh kahan hai.?"

Rathore asked bitterly.

"Kaun Chandar aur Rajesh ? Mai kisiko nahi jaanta."

"Apni bakwas band karo. Ek truck cocaine ke sath pakde gaye ho tum , tum aur tumhare saathi ab bach nahi paoge."

Chhotu said angrily.

"Kaun saathi ? Mai kisiko nahi jaanta. Ye pura maal mera hai, ya toh mujhe jaane do ya phir arrest karna hai toh le chalo."

"Agar tumhe lag raha hai tumhare aese…"

"Rathore."

Arjun interrupted him, thus Chhotu kept Kabir under his control when Rathore followed Arjun to a little distance away from them.

"Kuch chhut raha hai Rathore."

Arjun said thoughtfully , much to Rathore's confusion.

"Matlab.?"

"Jara socho Rathore ek truck bhari cocaine aur usse lene ke liye sirf 2 log? Jo asani se pakde gaye. Itna asan nahi lagta jitna dikh raha hai."

Arjun mumbled, just when they heard Kabir's laugh from their behind.

"Samajhne me thode late ho gaye officer. Mujhe pata tha vo bewakoof Vardhan sabse pehle truck ke baare me batayega, aur tum log daud ke aaoge idhar.

By the way tum log yahan ho toh wahan pe kaun hai? Kiske bharose marne chhod diya unhe.?"

Rathore and Arjun exchanged a look of shock among each other and kabir laughed on their faces.

"Wese mai toh pehle maar deta unko , per Vardhan ko kuch zyada hi bharosa tha ETF pe toh socha tum logon ke samne hi maar dun."

Chhotu grabbed his collar throwing a punch at his face when Arjun tightened his fist.

"Chhotu gaadi me daalo isse."

Rathore dialed Shree's number which he picked up after few rings.

"Shree kahan ho tum sab.?"

"Sir hum Vardhan ke ghar aaye the.darasal cctv footage me Om prakash ko Rajesh ne ek chiz di thi toh hame laga vo chiz sayad abhi bhi Vardhan ke ghar me ho issliye check karne aaye the per yahan kuch mila nahi toh wapas farmhouse jaa rahe hain."

Shree replied over the call.

"Aur Anvi aur Nitya? Vo dono akele hain.?"

Rathore asked again.

"Nahi Sameer vo dono akele nahi hain, Riya aur Ayesha hain unke sath. Yahan toh sirf mai aur shree aaye the."

Sakshi answered this time.

"Tum logon ko kisne kaha tha wahan se bahar nikalne ke liye? "

Rathore shouted angrily.

"Per sir hua kya hai.?"

Shree asked sounding worried.

"Tum log jaldi pahuncho wahan hum nikal rahe hain."

Rathore cut the call ,turning to face Arjun worriedly.

'Shree, Sakshi bahar hain .. Aur farmhouse me Nitya, Anvi, Ayesha aur Riya hain."

"jaldi jao officer. Pata nahi ab tak kitne laashein gir chuki hongi wahan."

Kabir chuckled , getting another punch on his face by Chhotu.

_________________________________

On reaching back the farmhouse Arjun applied a break to the car and they got off quickly when Chhotu noticed something.

"Sir shree aur sakshi bhi wapas aagaye hain."

Chhotu said eyeing the car that was already parked there, but they didn't hear any commotion from around.

Rushing inside Rathore's moving feet suddenly stopped on getting the reason behind the dead drop silence in the surroundings as they stood watching the horrible scenario in front of them.

Everything was turned upside down inside and dead bodies of the staffs were laying around with the tiles covered with blood.

Arjun roamed his eyes around to find a single trace of other people but there were none, instead the deathly silence provoked him to think something worst has happened.

Chhotu without any delay ran towards their rooms, upstairs not able to find any of his friends , let alone Nitya and Anvi.

A man on the floor whimpered clutching his bleeding stomach that was stabbed several times and Rathore dropped his gun to the ground rushing to him holding the man up a little.

"Baaki sab kahan hain? Kya hua tha yahan.?"

"Sir… sir jungle.. Jungle.."

The man collapsed back on the floor and Rathore checked his nerves which had stopped by that time.

"Jungle."

Arjun caught the man's word and rushed outside followed by Rathore and Chhotu.

__________________

Shree hid behind a tree clutching the gun in his hand , motioning Sakshi and Nitya not to come out from where they were hiding a little far from him.

Shree wiped the blood from the corner of his forehead not caring about the deep wound that was almost making him dizzy and shot at a man at his back trying to approach them.

There was another gun shot from a random direction and Shree let out a sharp breathe knowing there was only one bullet left in his gun and that was probably not enough for the number of men behind them.

Sakshi picked up a stone throwing it at an opposite direction distracting one man who came out to shoot at that direction and Shree took the chance shooting him with the last bullet.

A bullet was shot at Sakshi's direction which she dodged and screamed along with Nitya who cried out in fear and two men came running to catch them when Shree kicked one in the leg but was caught by another who pointed a gun at his head.

Shree stood unmoving ready to take the hit and just then another bullet was fired making the man fall and Shree , sakshi moved their heads only to find Arjun and chhotu there.

"Shree thik ho tum.?"

Arjun asked running to him.

"haan sir mai thik hun."

Shree answered weakly, meanwhile Arjun looked back at Sakshi and Nitya.

"Aur tum dono."

"Hum bhi thik hain."

"Shree hato."

Chhotu pushed them aside shooting a man at the bush , and Arjun stood up aiming his gun at the shooters asking a question.

"shree, baaki sab kahan hain.?"

"dusri taraf."

Shree pointed at the other side of the jungle and the firings continued.

"Didi mai aur daud nahi sakti."

Anvi huffed for breathe clinging to Riya's legs.

"Hum thodi dair yahin rukte hain thik hai.?"

Riya assured her ,motioning Ayesha to not run further who nodded her head from behind a big stone.

"Aap yahan baitho."

Riya made the little girl sit on the dry leaves pushing aside her locks dripped in sweat as the girl took long breathes to steady herself.

"Ayesha.?"

Riya called out eyeing Ayesha's bleeding ankle, who shook her head like it wasn't hurting her.

A bullet hit right at the stone in front of the little girl and she screamed jumping to Riya who held her tightly , when a man came to them with a gun.

"Tum logon ko kya laga hum dhund nahi paayenge.?"

The man chuckled , and the next moment Ayesha hit his head with a wooden log from behind .

The man fell on his knees then turned to Ayesha aggressively storming towards her , when Riya pulled him back by his arm and kicked him on his chest.

Anvi ran to Ayesha in fear who hid the girl behind her , while another man too came running there hurling towards Riya.

She punched one man when the other one kicked her stomach and then he was suddenly taken away from her.

Groaning Riya turned around and found Rathore dealing with the man who kicked her , thus she handled the other.

"Tum log thik ho.?"

Rathore asked concerned once after the men laid on the ground.

"Sir hum thik hain."

Ayesha answered.

"Ek kaam karo tum log niklo, farmhouse ki taraf wapas jao mai dekhta hun inhe."

Rathore chirped noticing they both had no guns.

"Nahi sir hum… "

"Ayesha.."

Rathore shouted seeing a man speedily approaching her , and before he could reach to her he was shot down by Arjun.

"tum dono Anvi ko leke yahan se bahar jao."

Rathore commanded seeing some more goons approaching them from the front.

"nahi sir hum nahi jaa rahe hain."

Riya answered.

"Riya tumne suna nahi Rathore ne kya kaha.?"

Arjun snapped her curtly shooting a bullet at a distance at the goons who hid behind the trees shooting back at them.

"Hum nahi jaa rahe hain sir."

Riya said firmly.

"Haan sir. "

Ayesha agreed to her.

"Tum dono akeli nahi ho, Anvi tumhare sath hai usse safely yahan se bahar nikalna hamara kaam hai. So this is an order."

Rathore said in a strict tone eyeing them , thus Ayesha looked down at a terrified Anvi then up to Riya.

Riya seeing the little girl's state turned to Rathore forwarding something to his hand , which he took and found was a pen drive.

The firings were continuing when Ayesha , Riya along with Anvi tried to escape and Riya noticed a man aiming a gun at Arjun at his back .

"Arjun sir."

She screamed , and Arjun felt a strong push that made him fall on the ground and the next thing he heard was a gun shot from his behind.

Tbc.

----------

Part-42

Rathore fired at the goons making sure all their attention was on him and Arjun so that Ayesha , Riya can escape with Anvi safely.

"Arjun sir."

He heard Riya's scream and whipped his head to her only to find the reason she was terrified for.

A man from behind had his gun aimed from a distance and the gun point was towards Arjun.

Rathore reacted fast by charging towards Arjun pushing him to the ground and at the same time shooting at the man but it was too late since man had already shot a bullet.

Arjun fell to the ground even before he got the chance to react to Riya's call, and the next thing he heard was a gunshot sound.

Getting on his knees with gun in his one hand , he tried to figure out the circumstances, when Rathore fell right beside him with his hand clutching his abdomen that had started bleeding.

"Sir."

Riya, Ayesha rushed to a heavily breathing Rathore ,while Arjun just stared at him perplexed.

_________________

Rathore was rushed to the emergency unit right after his team dealt with the goons, and the police were sent to the farmhouse to pile up the injured, dead ones and assist Vardhan's family till they find a safer place for them.

All the ETF members stood outside the OT since the doctors took Rathore for an immediate surgery and none refused to move from there even to treat their own injuries.

Ayesha stood staring at the OT door with tear filled eyes ,with Sakshi ,Riya standing by her side , Chhotu sat beside Shree looking all worried, when Riya looked back stealing a glance at Arjun standing a little far from them.

Even though he didn't show any reaction like others ,but the silence he was immersed in and the way his head was hanging low ever since he carried Rathore to the ambulance were enough to narrate the inner turmoil he was fighting with quietly.

After few hours the doctors came out of the OT and everyone except Arjun rushed towards them ,while Arjun stood attentively.

"Doctor Rathore sir kaise hain.?"

Ayesha asked first , holding her breathe for a moment.

"He is fine. Bullet nikal diya hai humne,aur luckily koi organ damage nahi hua hai. But he needs rest."

The doctor replied , and watched everyone breathing in relief.

" Toh doctor hum sir se mil sakte hain.?"

Shree questioned.

"Abhi nahi , unhe jab general ward me shift kiya jaayega tab aap mil sakte hain. Unhe hosh aane me time lagega."

The doctor answered and walked away from there.

Ayesha released the breathe she was holding till then and closed her eyes covering her face with her hands breaking down in to tears.

Riya held her tightly rubbing her back ,when Sakshi caressed her hair.

"Ayesha ab kyun ro rahi ho? Tumne suna nahi Sameer thik hai, kuch ghanto me tumse bhi baat bhi karega."

"haan Ayesha kya bachon ki tarah ro rahi ho."

Shree shook his head.

"Achha?

Abhi thodi dair pehle bench pe kaun ro raha tha.?"

Chhotu narrowed his gaze at him, shutting Shree's mouth.

"Ayesha ab toh apna pair bandage karwa lo, kahin aesa na ho ki Rathore sir uthe aur unse milne ke liye khadi bhi na ho pao."

Riya joked eyeing Ayesha's injured ankle.

"Per Rathore sir.?"

Ayesha asked wiping her tears.

"Arey hum aajayenge na wapas thodi dair me. kitna hi time lagega ek bandage ke liye."

Riya assured her, thus Ayesha agreed meanwhile Chhotu literally forced Shree,Sakshi to get treated and then he walked towards Arjun.

"Sir aapke hath se khoon beh raha hai , aap bandage kara dijiye."

He said eyeing Arjun's hand that had a cut due to a bullet brushing past and luckily it didn't look too deep.

"Mai thik hun."

Arjun answered straight folding arms across his chest, as he stood leaning his back on the wall staring at the floor.

Chhotu sighed angling his head to Riya who stood at a distance eyeing them only and Chhotu shook his head at her.

Riya thought something motioning him to stay there ,while she went away bringing a nurse with her.

"yahan kisko chot...oh aap ko.?"

The nurse said noticing Arjun's hand then looked up to him.

"Chaliye aapki bandage karana hai."

"Mai kahin nahi jaa raha hun aur mujhe kuch karwana bhi nahi hai."

Arjun replied sternly standing up straight and unfolded his arms dangling the injured one to a side.

"Thik hai toh mai yahin pe kar deti hun bandage.

Aap ye pakdo."

The nurse handed the tray she had brough, to Chhotu then turned to Arjun.

"Ab aap apna hath upar kariye aur vo sleeve bhi."

"Maine kaha na mujhe kuch nahi...."

Before Arjun could complete Riya walked up to him and held up his hand unbuttoning his sleeve button pulling the sleeve up a little by herself.

"Kar kya rahi ho tum.?"

Arjun snapped at her trying to snatch his hand away but she refused to let it go neither looking up to him nor answering him, whereas Chhotu gulped a little seeing the rage in Arjun's eyes.

The nurse gave them a weird look, but nevertheless started cleaning his wound with Chhotu holding the tray and Riya holding Arjun's hand all this time who strangely let the nurse do her work without any yelling.

Once after she was done bandaging his hand , took the tray from Chhotu's hand and looked up to Arjun.

"Aap ek tetanus shot le lijiyega baad me."

The nurse left and Riya spoke up.

"Sorry sir."

She walked away from there followed by Chhotu ,whereas Arjun released a sharp breathe keeping mum.

After a few more hours of wait the doctor informed them about Rathore coming back to his senses , and without any delay they sprinted to the special room allocated to him and Shree pushed the door open letting everyone in when Rathore on bed turned his head to them.

"Tum sab thik ho. Aur NItya aur Anvi.?"

He asked eyeing each of them.

"aap thik hain.?"

Ayesha asked in urgency.

"Sir vo dono bhi thik hain."

Shree answered him.

"Sir hum toh thik hain per aap kaise hain.?"

Chhotu asked next.

"Mai thik hun kuch nahi hua hai mujhe.

Aur tum log kya itne ghanto se yahin ho ? Wapas nahi gaye.?"

Rathore asked noticing everyone was still in their bloodstained clothes.

"Sameer hum tumse mile bina kaise chale jaate?"

Sakshi questioned.

"Err sir aap sach me thik hai na.?"

Riya asked sounding concerned, thus Rathore sighed at them.

"Kuch nahi hua mujhe. Ek mamuli goli lagi thi bas. Tum log wapas chale jao farmhouse rest karo, uske baad hame case ke baare me bhi sochna hai."

Rathore said firmly.

"Kya? Sir doctor ne aapko rest karne ke liye kaha hai."

Ayesha reminded him.

"Ayesha itna zyada kuch nahi hua hai jo rest karne ki jar......"

"Jarurat hai. Aap rest kijiye sir case hum dekh lenge."

Ayesha said cutting off his words short.

"Haan sir Ayesha sahi keh rahi hai, aap ko rest karna chahiye abhi."

Shree said agreeing to Ayesha.

"Aur rahi case ki baat toh sir Vardhan ki family safe hai, aur jo kaam reh gaya hai vo hum kar lenge."

Riya added.

"Wese bhi Kabir ko humne pakad hi liya hai , usse sach ugal wana baaki hai bas."

Chhotu piped in.

"Tum log samajh nahi rahe ho ….."

Rathore started speaking only to be interrupted by Sakshi this time.

"Sameer tum samajh nahi rahe ho ki agar tum abhi se kaam karne lagoge toh hum sabka dhyan tum pe hi rahega case pe nahi.

Aur ye bichari Ayesha tumhari chinta me kitna ro rahi thi pata hai ? Uska toh socho, tum aaram karoge toh usse achha lagega.

Arjun tum bhi kuch bolo na."

Rathore looked up to Arjun who was standing quietly behind everyone and he sighed.

"Thik hai mai yahin hun.

Per kabir pakda jaa chuka hai ye baat ab tak uske dusre saathyon ko pata chal chuka hoga , aur isse pehle ki vo phir se Vardhan ki family pe attack karne ki koshish kare hame unn tak pahunchna hai."

Everyone nodded their heads at him , and Rathore spoke again.

"Ek aur baat jab tak mai wapas nahi aata tab tak Rawte ETF ka acting chief hai, tum sab Rawte ko report karoge."

"Ok sir."

"itne log andar mat rukiye. Patient ko rest karne dijiye."

A nurse informed them entering the room and left.

"Sir aap rest kijiye hum chalte hain."

Chhotu said while Ayesha kept staring at Rathore who nodded his head at her assuring her quietly ,thus one after another everyone started leaving the room.

Rathore turned his head to the other side closing his eyes feeling too exhausted , when he sensed someone's presence and he knew who it was.

"Agar kuch kehna hai toh kaho, mere sar pe khade mat raho."

Rathore said bitterly after a moment of silence , without opening his eyes.

"Tumhe kuch nahi kehna hai mujhse.?"

Arjun asked, and hence Rathore jolted his lashes up turning to him confused.

"Mujhe jo kehna tha mai keh chuka hun aur kya baaki hai.?"

Arjun waited for him to speak or to blame him for his injuries but that never came, instead Rathore kept looking at him puzzled.

"Ab bataoge bhi?"

Rathore chided.

"kuch nahi.

Commissioner sir ne call kiya tha aur kaha tha tumhe hosh aate hi unhe phone karne ke liye, toh unse baat kar lena."

Arjun murmured and was about to leave only to be stopped by Rathore.

"Ek min tumne kya baat kiya hai Commissioner sir se.?"

"Kis baare me janna chahte ho.?"

Arjun asked back and Rathore for a moment parted his lips to say something then shut them shaking his head.

"Kuch nahi."

Arjun stared at him for few seconds then spoke up.

"Mere liye goli lene ki jarurat nahi thi."

________________

"Guys guesthouse me jitne ghayal huye sab issi hospital me hain , toh kyun na hum sabka statement le le.?"

Riya suggested as soon as her friends finished eating from the canteen, while she chose to have water only considering the hospital hygiene.

"Hm idea sahi hai. "

Chhotu agreed.

"haan toh phir chalo ye ek aakhri kaam khatam karke jaate hain."

Sakshi agreed too.

"per mai kya kehti hun statement lene ke baad tum log chale jaana , mai Rathore sir ke paas rukungi."

Ayesha murmured.

"Arey per Ayesha Rathore sir ne khud sabko kaha jaane ke liye, ab tum wapas jaogi toh sir kahin naaraj na ho tumpe."

Shree said objecting her idea.

"Nahi per…."

"Nahi thik hai agar Ayesha rukna chahti hai toh ruk sakti hai, humme se ek fresh hoke aayega tab Ayesha chali jayegi fresh hone."

Riya said supporting her idea , knowing Ayesha was yearning to be with Rathore and Ayesha smiled.

"Thik hai phir chalo."

Sakshi walked ahead and others followed while Riya sighed thinking of something.

"Tumhe kya hua ? Kis soch me pad gayi.?"

Chhotu asked noticing her face.

"vo …Arjun sir hamare sath Rathore sir ke room se bahar nahi aaye , dono sayad abhi bhi ek sath hain."

Riya mumbled.

"toh ? Tumhe lag raha hai vo dono abhi ladh rahe honge.?"

Chhotu chuckled.

"Nahi vo baat nahi hai per…"

Riya trailed not knowing how to say it, while Chhotu looked at her intently.

"Kya hua bolo na."

Riya released a deep sigh staring up to him.

"Tumhe pata hai na chhotu Rathore sir pehle se case ke liye mana kar rahe the, per Arjun sir zidd karke yahan aagaye the."

Chhotu nodded his head positively while she continued.

"Aur ab Arjun sir ko bachane me Rathore sir ko goli lagi, toh mujhe darr hai kahin Rathore sir inn sabke liye Arjun sir ko blame na kare.

Mai jaanti hun Rathore sir bhi apni jagah sahi hain per agar vo khud kuch kahenge toh Arjun sir pata nahi kaise react karenge.

Vo dono dikhate nahi hain per ek dusre ke baaton se bahut fark padta hai unhe."

"Riya , agar Rathore sir bolenge na toh unhe bolne de, aur agar iss wajah se dono me jhagda bhi hota hai toh hone de. Pata hai kyun?

Kyunki unn dono me se kisi ek ko toh bolna padega.

Bhale hi humne kabhi unka purana friendship nahi dekha hai , per aaj jis stage pe dono hai na agar tab dono me se koi ek ladh leta toh sayad aaj unka rishta pehle jaisa hi hota.

Vo dono chup rahe aur saari baatein apne andar rakha issliye aaj aese ho gaye hain.

Issliye agar ladhne se sab thik ho jaata hai toh ladh lene do unko.

Samjhi ? Ab chalo ..itni si baat pe itna tension le rahi ho."

Chhotu smiled at her, thus Riya nodded in understanding then they went ahead to join others.

___________________________________________

"Maine tumhare liye nahi kiya, ETF ka chief hone ke naate kiya. Tumhari jagah team ka koi bhi member hota toh mai wohi karta."

Rathore replied curtly.

"Toh mujhe apni responsibility se bahar rakho, kyunki koi mere liye kuch sacrifice kare mujhe pasand nahi hai."

Arjun chirped straight.

"Haan jaanta hun, tum ye issliye keh rahe ho kyunki tumhe jaldi hai resign karne ki.

Per ek baat mai tumhe bata dun agar tum 1 ghante ke liye bhi ETF member rahoge tab bhi tum mere responsibility me aate ho, chahe tumhe pasand ho ya na ho.

Kyunki apni responsibilities se bhaagne ki adat nahi hai mujhe."

Rathore gritted his teeth.

"Mai kahin bhaaga nahi tha Rathore."

Arjun said calmly.

"Situation ka samna karne ke wajaye usse pichha chhudane ko bhaagna hi kehte hain Rawte.

Agar kuch shuru karne ki himmat rakhte ho toh usse khatam karne ki himmat bhi rakho.

Akele tum nahi ho jisne zindagi me kuch khoya hai, yahan aye din koi na koi apno ko kho raha hai per sab tumhari tarah laparwaah nahi ho jaate.

Aur tumhe ye sab kehna ka koi matlab nahi hai, kyunki karna tumhe wahi hai jo tum chahte ho.

Bhale hi team ki zimmedari tumhare liye jaruri na ho, per Vardhan aur uski family ke liye jo zimmedari uthane yahan aye the kam se kam jaane se pehle usse sahi se khatam karo."

Rathore breathed in a go, then grabbed something from under his pillow forwarding it to Arjun.

Arjun stared at the pen drive in his hand ,then at him before taking the pen drive from his hand and left the room quietly.

By the time Riya excused herself from her friends to check on the two chief and came to Rathore's room only to find Rathore fast asleep on the bed, and Arjun was nowhere In the sight.

Confused, she walked out of the hospital to check the parking lot but found the car still parked there making her aware of his presence still inside.

Walking back in she randomly walked across the floors checking through every possible space he could be at, until her feet stopped moving on spotting him in a corridor sitting on a bench leaning forward with both of his hands on the either sides of the bench.

His posture seemed rigid with his eyes gazing at the floor and he looked far from calm his outer self appeared to be.

Riya walked towards him sitting down on the other end of the bench quietly , while he dwelled upon his inner turmoil for a brief period.

Riya remained seated watching people passing through the corridor including doctors, patients, hospital staff ,some more people probably visiting someone in the hospital, keeping mum all this while without trying to make him aware of her presence beside him, when suddenly he got up and walked away in a jiff leaving her alone behind ,as she sat watching his retreating figure.

She came out of the hospital after getting a call from Shree , where all except Ayesha were waiting for her to go back to the farmhouse.

"Kahan reh gayi thi itni dair.?"

Sakshi questioned.

"Kuch nahi mai bas aese hi...umm Ayesha ruki Rathore sir ke pass.?"

Riya asked back diverting the topic from her.

"Haan hum bhi gaye the Sameer se milne per vo rest kar raha hai , toh Ayesha wahin ruk gayi aur hum bahar aagaye."

Sakshi replied.

"Achha .."

"Ab jaldi chalo hum wapas ayenge toh Ayesha jaa payegi phir."

Chhotu said hurriedly.

"Haan per Arjun sir..."

"Ri Arjun sir toh chale gaye already."

Shree interrupted her,and watched her checking for the other car.

"Sir gaye? Per kahan.?"

She asked .

"Ye toh pata nahi per mera tab leke gaye hain. Aur maine puchha toh kuch bataya bhi nahi."

"Oh."

Riya nodded ,and they left from there for the farmhouse deciding to catchup with Arjun later.

____________________________

Arjun went straight to the police station where Kabir was kept under surveillance and entered the interrogation room.

"Sir, ye sari galti apne pe le raha hai. Bol raha hai issi ne sab kuch kiya hai ,kisi aur ka hath nahi hai isme."

An officer informed him.

"Sab bahar jao aur jab tak mai na kahun kisiko andar mat aane dena."

Arjun asked the officer who hesitated a little , but nevertheless followed his order.

"Koi zinda hai ya sab marr gaye.?"

Kabir asked sounding nonchalant and the next moment he was grabbed by his collar and pushed back to the wall with a hard punch on his face.

"Agar kisiko kuch hua hota toh mai tujhe itne me nahi chhodta. Samjhe ya samjhaoon.?"

Arjun raised his brow grabbing him by his collar again making him sit back on the chair.

"Mujhe kuch puchh ke koi faida nahi hai Officer , mai apna statement de chuka hun. Ye sab kuch maine kiya aur mai apni saza ke liye taiyar hun."

Kabir huffed wiping the blood from the corner of his mouth.

"Kisne kaha mai tumse kuch puchhne aaya hun ? Mai toh bas kuch dikhane aya hun."

Arjun answered, playing a video on the tab and put it on the table in front of him to see.

At first Kabir's face shrunk in confusion then in realization recognizing the video was taken inside the factory of cocaine being carried out to the truck , and even featured him along with some other people from inside the factory.

"Mai chahta toh ye video sidha media me release kar sakta tha per mai aesa karunga nahi."

Kabir looked up to Arjun in surprise, when he continued speaking.

"Mai ye bhi jaanta hun tum sara ilzam apne sar pe kyun le rahe ho , kyunki tumhe pata hai tumhe yahan se bahar nikal diya jaayega.

Aur issliye mai abhi bahar media me ye bolne wala hun ki tumne khud statement me inn sare logon ke naam liya hai jo iss video me hai."

"Per maine aesa kuch nahi kaha , jhuth hai ye."

Kabir shouted.

"Jhuth sirf tumhare liye per duniya ke liye yahi sach hoga.

Aur uske baad pata hai kya hoga? Jin logon ke liye tum apni wafadari dikha rahe ho wohi log tumhare jaan ke dushman ban jaayenge.

Partner banaya tha ne unhone tumhe? Aur ab ye sab kuch tumne hi kiya hai ye saabit karne ke liye tumhare khilaf sare saboot vo hamare paas bhej denge, aur jarurat padi toh vo log kisiko maar bhi denge thik wese hi jaise tumne Vardhan ke sath kiya tha."

"Huh. Koshish achhi hai tumhari officer per mujhe pata hai tum log aesa kabhi nahi kar sakte. Apne rules aur regulations ke ghulam ho tum sab."

Kabir chuckled.

"Meri ek bahut buri adat hai Kabir , maine aage pichhe sochna saalo se chhod diya hai.

Issliye mujhe chhod ke tum apni fikr karo.

Bhale hi baaki sabko saja na mile, per mai vo har chiz karne wala hun jisse tum phir kabhi bahar ki duniya nahi dekh paoge.

Tumhari bhi ek family hai , ek beta hai tumhara.

Phir bhi kuch paison ke liye tumne na sirf apne dost ka bharosa toda , uski chhoti si beti ko bhi maarne ki koshis ki tumne.

Ab apni family se milne ke liye bhi tum tadapte rahoge ,aur jin logon ka tumne sath diya wohi tumhe kuchal ke aage nikal jaayenge."

Arjun chirped in a serious tone.

"Aesa kabhi nahi hoga."

Kabir murmured in a low voice, to which Arjun didn't reply and got up from his chair.

"Tum aesa nahi kar sakte. Tum jhuth nahi bol sakte bahar. "

Kabir shouted hastily and Arjun leaned over the table looking straight at him.

"Jab apni baari aayi toh darr lag raha hai tumhe, per jab yahi chiz tumne ek honest police officer ke sath kiya tha tab tumhe maza araha tha.?"

Arjun threw a glare at him, took the tab and started leaving the room only to be stopped by Kabir.

"Thik hai ...Thik hai ..maine akele nahi kiya hai ye sab, aur bhi log shamil hai isme."

"Saboot kya hai ki aur log bhi hain tumhare sath.?"

Arjun asked turning around to face him.

"ye video abhi jo dikhaya vo hai na saboot.?"

Kabir pointed at the tab in Arjun's hand , sounding puzzled.

"Iss video ke baare me tumhe aur mujhe chhod ke kisiko nahi pata.

Aur jaise ki maine tumhe kaha tha ye video mai kisiko nahi dikhaunga."

Arjun said narrowing his gaze making Kabir groan.

"Mere paas sabke call recording hai , maal kahan le jaana hai kisko dena hai sari details call me bataya jaata tha.

Jin jin logon ko maine maal pahunchaya hai sab ka factory ke owner ke sath link hai, maine kuch video footages rakhe hain mere paas.

Jab Vardhan ko fasane ki planning ki gayi thi uss victim ki family ko darake case file karne ki video recording ki gayi thi , taaki baaki sabko bhi pata chale ki plan successful raha."

Kabir breathed in a go.

"Aur chandar aur Rajesh? Dono zinda hai ya unhe bhi maar diya.?"

Arjun questioned.

"Chandar ko Om Prakash ne pehle hi maar diya tha. Rajesh jinda hai aur factory me rakha hai usse."

Replied Kabir, then added quickly.

"Per saare saboot ke badle mujhe meri family ki protection chahiye aur tum log sara ilzam mujhe pe nahi daloge ye guarantee bhi deni hogi."

_______________________

"Guys ye dekho...."

Sakshi came running to Shree's room where all of her friends were present discussing what to do next ,and showed them her mobile.

"hua kya.?"

Chhotu asked.

"Arey thik se dekho. Arjun ne department ke official portal pe iss case ke baare likha hai aur uske sath sath sare proofs attach kar diye hain.

Kisine ye footages media me leak kiya hai."

"Kya.?"

Shree, Riya said in union before they grabbed their respective phones and searched the portal.

Before they could react Shree's phone rang with Arjun's number, which he answered quickly.

"Yes sir."

"Shree, sabko leke factory pahuncho."

Arjun said quickly and disconnected the call.

On reaching the factory with a warrant they passed the main gate few men stopped them from entering further.

"yahan bahar ke logon ka aana mana hai."

One man said in a strict voice.

Arjun took of his goggles giving them a blank look, when Chhotu spoke up.

"Tumhe pata hai hum kaun hai.?"

"jo bhi ho yahan police ke andar jaane ke liye bhi permission chahiye. Issliye pehle permission leke…."

The man paused himself on hearing the sounds of siren and looked over their shoulder only to find a number of police jeeps stopping by the gate.

Confused the men eyed the police jeeps ,then at the ETF team and asked.

"Kaun ho tum log.?"

None of them answered instead Arjun shoved the man aside by his head walking ahead inside , his team following from behind and the rest of the armed police force went after them.

There in the hospital Rathore watched the news on the tv with Ayesha beside him and Ayesha was visibly surprised with the outcome whereas Rathore remained calm.

"Sir hamare paas proofs the toh hum authorities ko inform kar sakte the, Arjun sir ne portal pe kyun post kiya sab kuch.?"

Ayesha questioned.

"Kyunki agar hum authorities ko inform karte toh 100% chances the koi action lene se pehle saboot mit jaane ke.

Jitne logon ka naam nikla hai ye sab aese hi itni badi racket nahi chalate , Vardhan ke station ke SHO ki tarah na jaane hamare hi department ke kitne officers honge jo baithe hain inn jaise criminals ko bachane ke liye."

Rathore replied calmly.

"Toh aapko pata tha Arjun sir aesa karne wale hain.?"

Ayesha asked again.

"Nahi . "

Came Rathore's quick answer.

"Per agar aap Arjun sir ki jagah hote toh sayad yahi karte , hai na.?"

Ayesha narrowed her gaze at him, to which he kept mum.

"Aap aur Arjun sir kabhi kabhi ek tarah hi sochte hain."

Ayesha commented , earning a pointed look from him.

"Aesa kuch nahi hai. Meri aur Rawte ki soch kabhi ek jaisi nahi ho sakti.

Rawte ne bas aesi jagah sare proofs de diye jahan se koi chah ke bhi kuch nahi kar sakta aur na hi khudko expose kar sakta hai. Ab jo bhi ispe objection nikalega sabse pehle ussi pe investigation hoga.

Toh Ye sabse safest solution hai."

"toh aap maante hain ki Arjun sir ne achha kaam kiya.?"

"Maine aesa nahi kaha. Tum meri baaton ka galat matlab mat nikalo."

Rathore chided , meanwhile Ayesha chuckled thus Rathore looked away from her shifting his attention to the tv.

"Arjun, tumne kaha tha hamare paas pendrive tha, toh kya vo kaafi nahi tha sabko arrest karne ke liye.?"

Sakshi asked standing beside him, as they watched people from the factory getting arrested, some getting dragged to the van.

"Kaafi hai bhi aur nahi bhi. Bhale hi video factory ke andar liye gaya hai, per itna clear nahi hai. Usme sare log nahi hain jitne bhi racket mile huye hain. "

Arjun answered with his arms folded across his chest ,and he kept looking ahead.

"toh sir aapko kaise pata chala Kabir ke pass bhi proofs hai.?"

Chhotu asked approaching him.

"Yahan sare bade naam hai chhotu, aur inn logon ke liye Kabir sirf ek mohra hai. Inko agar kahin se bhi lagta ki Kabir se inko khatra ho sakta hai ,toh kabir ko apne raaste se hatane me dair nahi karte.

Ye baat Kabir bhi bahut achhe se jaanta hai, issliye usne sabse pehle apne bachav ke liye sare saboot rakhe hain aur issliye vo itni confidence se sare ilzam apne pe le raha tha .

Kyunki usse pata tha saboot ke badle ye log usse bacha lenge police se."

Arjun explained.

"Iska matlab abhi agar ye log arrest nahi hote toh Kabir ko raaste se hatane ki planning kar chuke hote."

Chhotu murmured thoughtfully, just when Shree came running to them from inside.

"Sir baaki sabko unke ghar se arrest kar liya gaya hai, aur inn workers me kuch ladies bhi hain Riya unhe bahar leke arahi hai."

Shree informed ,to which Arjun nodded his head.

Few minutes later Riya came out followed by lady constables who took away the female workers , and Riya walked to the team.

"Pure 35 staffs ko arrest kiya gaya hai, jinme 12 ladies hain. Aur Rajesh ko hospital le gaye hain."

Riya informed them.

"Bahut bahaduri ka kaam kiya hai Rajesh ne vo video shoot karke."

Chhotu mumbled.

"Haan per usko drugs deke yahan rakha gaya tha, halath bahut kharab hai uski."

Riya sighed.

"ye sab me ek sabse acchi baat hai ab Vardhan bahar aajayega, Anvi kitni khush ho jayegi nahi.?"

Sakshi smiled.

"Hmm bahut pareshan huye hain Vardhan aur uski family ,ab unki safety ko leke bhi koi chinta nahi hai."

Shree nodded his head, while Riya angled her head to Arjun who was standing quietly and she fidgeted with her fingers hesitating to ask him something she wanted to ask ever since he left the hospital.

Shree, Chhotu , Sakshi walked to the SUV after wrapping up the rest of the procedures , when Riya stayed behind with Arjun.

"Sir aap thik hain.?"

She asked in a low voice ,staring at him.

Arjun whipped his head to her at the unexpected question , then looked back ahead not answering her.

_____________

"Sir thank you bahut chhota sabd hai aap sabke liye, per jis tarah aap sab ne apni jaan pe khelke meri family ko bachaya hai uske liye thank you. Aap logon ka ye ehsan me zindagi bhar yaad rakhunga."

Vardhan said earnestly, while his wife nodded beside him.

"Isme ehsan ki koi baat nahi hai Vardhan, tum apna farz kar rahe the aur hum apna.

Asli taarif ke qabil tum khud ho , ki tum itna sab kuch hone ke baad bhi case se pichhe nahi hatte.

Iss case ka pura credit tumhe jaata hai."

Rathore murmured sitting on the hospital bed , with his team standing beside him.

"case maine shuru toh kiya tha per aap logon ke bina kabhi khatam nahi ho paata.

Mujhe toh abhi bhi yakin nahi ho raha hai Kabir aesa kar sakta hai mere sath."

Vardhan sighed.

"Kabir ne jo kiya uski saja usko jarur milegi. Bas tumhe vo ek sabak sikha gaya logon pe biswas karo per aankhein khula rakh ke."

Chhotu said.

"ji sir mai aage se dhyan rakhunga."

Vardhan agreed with him.

"Anvi aap chup kyun ho? Ab toh aapke papa bhi agaye ab aapko kuch nahi kehna apne papa se.?"

Riya asked noticing her standing quietly beside her mother all this time.

"Vo unse milte hi bahut sare complain kar chuki hai."

Nitya informed them , making everyone except Arjun chuckle when Anvi glanced at her father then at everyone before walking towards Rathore's bed.

"Aapko meri wajah se chot lagi na.?"

She asked Rathore.

"Nahi aesa nahi hai. Ye toh hamara kaam hi aesa hai kabhi kabhi lag jaati hai, aapki wajah se nahi hua."

Rathore smiled assuring her, and watched her forwarding him a teddy bear she was holding.

"ye meri favorite teddy hai , aap rakh sakte ho ."

Rathore stared at the teddy then at her falling short of words while others looked amused.

"Aapki favorite teddy hai na ? Aapko chahiye nahi.?"

Rathore asked.

"Nahi. Mai jab bhi beemar hoti hun isse apne paas rakhti hun ,aapne kaha na aapko chot lagti rehti hai toh isse apne paas rakhna jaldi thik ho jaoge."

Anvi answered, thus Rathore stared at her for a moment before taking the teddy from her and put it near his pillow.

"Anvi kitni sweet hai na.?"

Ayesha murmured.

"Haan."

Riya smiled answering.

"Anvi hum tumhe bahut miss karenge."

Sakshi said smiling at her.

"Aur chhotu uncle aap.?"

Anvi looked at him narrowing her gaze.

"Arey mai bhi. Yaad hai na hum dono ki favorite ice-cream flavor same hai.?"

Anvi nodded her head at him , then shifted her gaze to Shree walking upto him.

"Mai bhi aapko bahut miss karunga.

Hum agar kabhi chuti me yahan ayenge toh aap se milenge bhi aur khelenge bhi."

Shree gave her a wide smile.

"Chhuti aur iss janam me ? Nahi milne wala."

Sakshi murmured near Chhotu's ear who chuckled in return.

Anvi smiled back and Ayesha caressed her head meanwhile Riya bent down to her level.

"Ab toh aapke sare dost aapke sath khelenge.khub maze karna."

Anvi grinned then moved to where Arjun was standing quietly and she stood staring up to him folding arms across her chest imitating him.

Arjun released a sharp breathe staring down at her and asked.

"Kuch kehna hai.?"

Anvi nodded positively thus he having no other option bent down on his one knee and waited for her to speak.

"Aapne thik kaha tha mere papa mujhe aur proud feel karane gaye the. Ab toh mujhe zyada proud feel hota hai ki mere papa police officer hain."

Arjun's face softened at her smile as he nodded his head slowly , when she unfolded her arms wrapping them around his neck and patted his back with her little hand.

"Aap bhi itna gussa mat kiya karo, nahi toh kisiko dikhega hi nahi ki aap care karte ho."

Everyone watched Arjun falling speechless under the embrace of the little girl as he lightly patted her back before she ran back to her parents.

"Umm sir mai kya kehti hun abhi thodi dair me raat ho jayegi toh adhi raat ko aap log itni dur jaaye isse achha aap log subah chale jaayiye ,aur raat ko hamare yahan ruk jaiye."

Nitya spoke up grabbing everyone's attention.

"Tum bhi kaho na."

Nitya nudged her husband, who quickly agreed to her suggestion.

"Haan sir Nitya sahi keh rahi hai. Mai jaanta hun aap sabko jaane ki jaldi hai per bas ek aur raat yahan ruk jaiye ,kal subah hum aapko rokenge nahi."

Vardhan said.

"Per….."

Rathore started speaking , only to be interrupted by Nitya.

"Sir mana mat kijiye. Aapko wese bhi rest ki jarurat hai, bas ek raat ki hi baat hai."

Rathore sighed moving his gaze to Arjun who kept mum ,and Rathore knew the answer.

"Thik hai. Hum sab kal subah niklenge."

He announced , and Anvi was the first to react by clapping her hands happily.

"Maza ayega."

Everyone except Arjun chuckled ,whereas Arjun simply walked out of the room.

____________________

"Kabhi kabhi andhera bhi bahut jaruri hota hai, insan ki taqat , himmat parakhne ke liye…

Kaun apna hai kaun paraya yahi andhera hame bata deta hai,

Kuch ussi andhere me tut ke bikhar jaate hain , aur kuch usse kaat ke aage nikal aate hain."

Sakshi ,sitting on the bed wrote the lines in her diary taking a sip from her coffee mug ,and continued writing.

"Kuch beshabri se subah ka intezar karte hain,aur kuch ussi andhere me panah dhund lete hain."

Shree,chhotu were passing the ball playing with Anvi in the hall, Vardhan sat with his wife on the dining table with two coffee mugs chit chatting , Ayesha in the hospital was passing medicines to Rathore who made a face but nevertheless took them on her insistence, whereas Riya sat on a chair on the terrace with airbuds plugged in her ears and enjoyed the cool breeze gazing at the star filled sky.

"Kuch ne andhere me hi apna baseraa bana liya hai. Per kisiko nahi pata aane wali subah apne sath kya leke aayegi."

Arjun walked to the terrace but stopped on noticing Riya on a chair in the center with her back facing him calmly enjoying the gentle wind and he decided not to call her , instead walked to one side of the terrace behind her and stood near the railing staring up to the sky.

"Kabhi kabhi hame andhere ki itni adat ho jaati hai ki hum subah ke chamak se darne lagte hain. Per jaise andhere ka jaana tay hai , wese hi subah ka aana bhi tay hai."

Tbc.

Part-45

As soon as the ETF SUV reached near Tanya's building ,they quickly went up and started searching the house thoroughly once again without any delay, meanwhile Arjun and Chhotu interrogated Tanya in the hall.

"Sir aap logon ko mai pehle hi bata chuki hun ki maine kuch nahi kiya ,aur na hi mujhe vo trunk ke baare me kuch pata hai. Toh aap log phir se yahan kya dhund rahe hain.?"

Tanya asked eyeing Arjun worriedly.

"Thodi dair me pata chal jaayega.

Filhal jo hum tumse puch rahe hain uska sahi jawab chahiye."

Arjun said firmly.

"Uh sir puchhiye."

"Tumne humse jhuth kyun bola ki itne saalo me tum apne pita se mili nahi thi.?"

Arjun asked.

"Sir isme jhuth kya hai ? Mai sach me nahi mili hun unse."

"Toh phir ye kya hai.?"

Chhotu asked putting a photo on the table, and she took a closer look.

"Kya hai ye.?"

She asked confused, thus Chhotu released a sharp breathe before answering her.

"ye tum ho aur tum kuch din pehle apne papa se milne gayi thi unke ghar jis waqt vo ghar pe nahi the.

Ye unke ghar ke bahar ka CCTV footage se mila hai."

"Kya?"

The girl stood up in surprise then looked in between Arjun and Chhotu.

"Mai gayi thi? Per mujhe nahi pata vo kahan rehte hain. Mai kaise jaaungi? Aur mai unse milungi bhi kyun.?"

"Tanya bahut hogaya tumhara jhuth. CCTV jhuth nahi bolta aur saboot tumhare samne hai."

Chhotu said In a bored tone.

"Per sir mai sach keh rahi hun, mai nahi jaanti papa kahan rehte hain.

Aur jab mujhe pata hai ki vo mujhse maa se nafrat karte hain toh mai unse milne kyun jaaungi.?"

Tanya said in a desperate tone.

"Uss din tum kahan thi.?"

Arjun asked pointing at the date on the photo.

"Sir ek min..."

Tanya checked her mobile and immediately found what she was looking for.

"Haan sir ye dekhiye uss din mere office me party tha mai wahin pe thi, kaafi dair hogayi thi issliye mai apne friend ke ghar so gayi thi , agle din subah wapas aayi thi."

She said showing him the pictures of the office party she had clicked on her phone.

"Aur sir uss din hamare building me puja thi ,mai aa nahi paayi thi office party ki wajah se. Aap mere friend se puchh sakte hain jiske ghar pe me thi."

"Kya tumhe pata tha kuch din pehle tumhare pita Mamta ji se baat kar rahe the tumse milne ke liye.?"

Arjun questioned standing up.

"Huh? Nahi. Daadi ne toh mujhe kuch nahi bataya tha iss baare me."

"Sir...."

Ayesha called walking out of Tanya's room followed by Riya.

"Sir cupboard ke upar ek bag me mujhe ye kapde mile uske sath kuch paise."

"Aur uske sath ye cigarette packets aur whisky bottle."

Riya added putting the stuff on the table , for everyone to see.

"Ye sab kiska hai mera nahi hai."

Tanya murmured in surprise.

"tumhare hi room se mila hai ye."

Ayesha narrowed her gaze at the girl.

"Per ye sara saman mera nahi hai. Mai nahi jaanti kahan se aya.

Mai ghar me zyada time rehti nahi hun aur room saaf toh kamla karti hai, maine nahi dekha cupboard ke upar kuch hai bhi ya nahi."

Tanya shook her head.

"Tumhare ghar me kya hai, kya ho raha hai kuch pata nahi hai, phir tumhe pata kya hai.?"

Arjun snapped at her, whereas Shree who had a small diary in his hand intended to tell the details about it kept mum , hiding it behind him instead.

"Sir mera yakeen kijiye maine kuch nahi kiya. Mujhe sach me kuch nahi pata."

Tanya whimpered.

"Kya tumhari daadi conservative type ki thi, I mean kisi baat ke liye tumhe rokti tokti thi.?"

Riya asked looking at her intently.

"Uh nahi. Vo mujhe kabhi kisi baat ke liye nahi rokti thi. Vo mujhe har chiz me support karti thi."

Tanya answered , and hence everyone fell silent.

The team continued asking few more questions to her and the neighbors , when Shree came out of the building to get some fresh air and noticed Rohit coming out of their building.

"Rohit."

Shree called out , thus Rohit stopped on his track waving a hand and approached him.

"Tum yahan.?"

Rohit asked.

"Mamta ji ka case."

Shree shrugged.

"Ab tak chal raha hai? Achha maine suna unke ghar se paise mile hain, sach hai kya.?"

"Haan mile toh hain. Bas ussi ka investigation chal raha hai.

Wese tum Tanya ko jaante ho kya? Kaisi ladki hai.?"

Shree asked curiously.

"Umm itna toh nahi jaanta per mujhe thik thak hi lagti hai. Haan per vo ghar me zyada rehti nahi thi issliye uski daadi dukhi hua karti thi."

Rohit said thoughtfully, when Arjun too came walking towards them.

"Hello sir."

Rohit greeted to which Arjun nodded his head forwarding the tab in his hand to Shree.

"Kabhi uski daadi ne bataya unki family ke baare me.?"

Shree asked again.

"um nahi vo jab bhi checkup ke liye aati thi zyadatar apni poti ke baare me hi baat karti thi."

"Mamta ji tumhare paas aati thi checkup ke liye."

Arjun questioned.

"Haan sir jis hospital me mai kaam karta hun vo wahan aati thi. Issliye mujhe thoda bahut unke baare me pata hai."

"Toh kya Tanya ko koi beemari hai? Tumhe kuch pata hai.?"

Arjun questioned again making both Shree, and Rohit look at him confused.

"Tanya ko? Nahi toh. Vo khud 2/3 mahine me apna health checkup karwati hai usse koi beemari nahi hai."

Replied Rohit.

"Thik hai."

Arjun walked away only to meet Sakshi on the way.

"Arjun upar kaam ho gaya hai sab, hum nikal rahe hain."

Sakshi informed him,and he only nodded his head walking away while Sakshi's gaze fell on Shree and Rohit.

"Tum yahan.?"

Sakshi asked in a bitter tone eyeing Rohit.

"Tum sayad bhul gayi ho mai bhi yahin rehta hun."

Rohit narrowed his gaze at her.

"Arey haan mai ye kaise bhul sakti hun ki tum toh yahin mile the mujhe. Ussi din se toh sara jhamela chal raha hai."

She twisted her lips.

"Checkup karwa lo apna, kya pata aankhon ke sath sath dimag bhi kharab ho tumhara. Bhulne ki beemari ho tumhe toh kahin khud ko na bhul jao."

Rohit rolled his eyes at her before waving at Shree and went away on his work, leaving a fuming Sakshi behind.

"Dekha kaise baat ki usne mujhse. Isko ek din mai maarke rahungi."

"Ae sakshi kisine sun liya na toh sochega ye ETF wale hi marne maarne ki baat kar rahe hain. Chalo yahan se."

Shree pulled her along with him quickly towards their car , while she murmured few more curses under her breathe.

_____________________________

"Sir kamla se puch tach ki humne aur usne bataya ki usne vo bag dekha tha cupboard ke upar, per kisiko bataya nahi tha. Kyunki ussne uss bag se kuch paise churaye the."

Ayesha informed.

"Usne itni jaldi confess kardiya.?"

Sakshi asked amused.

"Nahi. Ayesha ne 2 ulte hath diye usko."

Chhotu chuckled.

"Aur Kamla ne ye bhi kaha vo bag pehle wahan nahi tha, kuch 15-20 din honge vo bag usne wahan rakha hua dekha tha."

Chhotu added.

"Tanya ke collegaues ka kehna hai ki Tanya ek simple sidhi sadhi ladki hai, extrovert type ki hai. Office me kaafi dost hain uske, aur vo zyadatar time apne doston ke sath bitati hai.

Uss din office party ke baad vo apni friend Smita ke ghar ruk gayi thi, subah wapas aayi thi."

Riya said next.

"per yahin pe kahani me twist aati hai, uss din Tanya ki building me bhi puja thi.

Aur ek aurat ka kehna hai unhone Tanya ko ghar aate huye dekha tha."

Shree announced.

"Kya.?"

Chhotu exclaimed.

"Haan unhone sirf Tanya ko dekha hi nahi tha unhone usse selfie ke liye bhi bulaya tha, per Tanya ghar me aate hi jaldi jaldi kahin nikal gayi.

Vo selfie ke liye thik se khadi bhi nahi hui aur issliye uska side frame hi photo me aya aur vo bhi blur wala.

Uss ek aurat ne chhod ke baaki kisiko yaad nahi ki Tanya uss din ghar pe aayi thi ya nahi."

Shree explained showing them the photo on the projector.

"Per ye Tanya hai kaise pata chala? Uska chehra toh dikh nahi raha."

Sakshi asked doubtfully.

"iss photo me jo dress hai ye wohi dress hai jo Ravindra Nath ke ghar jaane wali ladki ne pehna tha."

Arjun said staring at the photo.

"Per isme Tanya ka baal curly hai, jab ki office photos me uske baal straight hain."

Riya pointed out motioning Shree to show them the other photos.

"Haan toh isme kaunsi badi baat hai , ladkiyan karwati hai na apne baal curly, straight apne mood ke hisab se."

Chhotu shrugged.

"Haan per itna time tha kya uske paas ki office party se aake baal curl karke apne papa se milne jaaye aur phir baal straight karke wapas friend ke ghar jaaye.?"

Ayesha questioned.

"Tanya ke baal naturally curly hain, vo straight karwati hai.

Aur agar maan bhi le ki usne itne time me apna hairstyle change kiya toh vo jitne time ke liye bhi bahar gayi thi uske office me kisine notice kaise nahi kiya ? Uske friends ne toh kaha ki vo pura time unke sath thi."

Riya explained further, sounding confused.

"in sab me ek aur baat hai ...maine Tanya ke building me sabse baat ki , unka kehna hai Tanya generally bahut shant aur mixing type ki hai. Building me vo sabse achhe se baat karti hai, per pichhle kuch dino se vo zyada baat nahi kar rahi thi kisise.

Apne kaam se aati jaati thi aur koi kuch puchhe toh vo kuch jawab nahi deti thi.

Building me logon ko ajib laga tha issliye ye baat unhone Mamta ji se bhi puchha tha. Per phir ek do din ke liye sab normal hogaya, per bich bich me Tanya bahut rudely behave karti hai.

Ek hafte pehle usne ek bache ko thappad maar diya tha bahut chhoti si baat ko leke.

Toh uske neighbors ko lagta hai usse koi pareshani thi ya uspe kisine najar laga diya hai."

Sakshi breathed in a go.

"Seriously ? Aaj ke jamane me bhi log najar lagne ki baat karte hain?

Ho sakta hai usse office ka tension ho ? Neighbors ne ye puchha hota toh vo sayad bata deti.

Per nahi assume karna hai ki kisiki najar lag gayi usse."

Shree shook his head in disbelief.

"Shree najar hota hai thik hai? Vo kehte hain na hum jab zyada khush hote hain tab kisiki najar lag jaati hai. Wese hi najar lagne se insaan ko kuch bhi ho sakta hai vo pagal bhi ho sakta hai , vo beemar pad sakta hai , uski job chali jaati hai, ya uske paise kho jaate hain ya......."

"ETF me hoke bhi log andhbiswas ki baatein karte hain."

Arjun completed Sakshi's sentence interrupting her in middle, making her frown.

"Arjun tum bhi ek din maanoge , dekhna. Phir mai bolungi tumhe."

Arjun ignored her comment turning his head to Ayesha.

"Ayesha , Tanya ke room se jo saman mila tha usse koi fingerprint mila.?"

"Nahi sir, LIza ne confirm kiya hai ki bag me sirf Kamla ko chhod ke kisi aur ke fingerprint nahi hai. Yahan tak ke vo cigarette packet me bhi nahi."

Ayesha answered.

"ye Tanya ko dekh ke lagta nahi hai ki vo cigaratte peeti hogi."

Chhotu murmured.

"Cigarette kya usne apni whisky bottle, aur modern dresses bhi chhupake rakhe the."

Sakshi added.

"cigarette aur whisky thik hai per kapde chhupane ke pichhe kya reason ho sakta hai?

Statistics ke hisab se 85% ladkiyan apne ghar walon se darr ke ye sari chizein chhupati hain, per Tanya ke case me toh usse freedom diya gaya hai.

Mamta ji usse kisi bhi baat ke liye rokti tokti nahi thi, toh vo agar modern dress pehnti bhi hai toh usse koi bolne wala nahi hai. Phir cupboard me na rakh ke upar bag me rakhne ka kya matlab hai?

Maine jab Tanya ka cupboard check kiya tha tab usme kuch modern dresses toh the per itne zyada revealing nahi the."

Riya explained.

"Matlab.?"

Arjun waited for an explanation.

"uh matlab sir Tanya ke cupboard me zyadatar formal aur casual wears,sarees hain , aur jitne bhi modern dresses hai vo long hain jaise usne office party me pehna tha. Per jo kapde hame bag me mile vo thode kaafi …."

Riya trailed not getting exact words.

"Short hain. Matlab bahut hi short."

Ayesha clarified explaining Riya's point and Riya nodded her head in agreement.

"Arey Riya ho sakta hai uska boyfriend ho jisse aese kapde pasand na ho, vo hote hain na posseisive type ke bande."

Sakshi mumbled.

"Toh usse ghar me kapde chhupane jaisi kya baat hai. Boyfriend thodi aake dekhta hoga cupboard me kya rakha hai kya nahi.?"

Ayesha narrowed her gaze.

"Arey jab ghar pe akeli hogi tab bulati hogi na boyfriend ko , tab toh banda cupboard kya pura room dekhega na."

Sakshi tried to keep her voice as low as possible from across the table , but since the conference hall was silent everyone eventually heard it.

Riya ,Ayesha giggled at her assumption while Shree, Chhotu shook their heads at the girls and Arjun looked up at the giggle sound then looked back down at the file speaking up.

"Ho gaya.?"

The smiles died down instantly , and all straightened up getting back to the discussion.

"Shree har police station me jewelries ki photos bhej di.?"

Arjun asked.

"Haan sir maine bhej toh diya hai koi respond nahi aaya hai ab tak, per…."

Shree paused himself looking down at something on the table ,thus Arjun looked at him curiously and asked.

"Per kya.?"

"Sir ye chhoti si diary mili thi mujhe Mamta ji ke room se. lagta hai vo jo chizein bhul jaati thi isme note karti thi, jaise ki plumber ko bulana hai, cable thik karwana hai wagera wagera.

Per iss diary ke last page me kuch likha hai jo mai decode nahi kar paa raha hun."

Shree said passing the diary to Arjun.

"iss diary ke baare me mai Tanya ke ghar pe hi batane wala tha, per Tanya jis tarah se sab kuch pehchanne se mana kar rahi thi mujhe laga iss diary ke baare me usse pata lagna nahi chahiye."

Shree added.

"Itr.

Chudiyaan.

Bindi.

Gaana.

Baatein.

Baarish

Poha."

Arjun read out the words written in the page one after another , staring at it confusingly when Shree spoke.

"Pehle mujhe laga cosmetics ke naam likhe hain per Gaana, baatein, baarish, poha ye sab toh random words hain pehle 3 ke sath match nahi karte.

Aur upar se inn sare words ke side me cross kiya hua hai sirf poha ko chhod ke, iska matlab kya ho sakta hai.?"

"Ho sakta hai purana kuch ho.?"

Ayesha guessed.

"Iske upar 2 hafte pehle ki date likhi hai."

Arjun informed without averting his gaze from the page.

"Haan."

Shree agreed with him.

"itr yaani perfume ,chudiyaan , bindi , gaana , baarish ye sab toh bucket list jaisa lag raha hai."

Sakshi spoke thoughtfully.

"Baatein bucket list me koi kaise likhega? Aur poha? Vo toh kabhi bhi banake kha sakti thi. Uske liye bucket list ki kya jarurat hai.?"

Chhotu questioned.

"Poha Mamta ji ne apni maut se pehle breakfast me khaya tha."

Riya pointed out, making Arjun look up to her that instant.

"Liza ne bataya tha heart attack se pehle Mamta ji ne chai aur poha khaya tha."

Riya explained further, hence Arjun looked back down at the paper even more curiously.thinking something.

"Mamta ji ke death jis din hua tha ghar ke sare photos liye gaye the, vo kahan hai.?"

"Sir ye rahe."

Chhotu forwarded him the photos, and Arjun took out the kitchen photos looking at them intently.

" Perfume toh Mamta ji use nahi karti, unke room me ek bhi perfume ka bottle nahi tha.

Aur bangles aur bindi bhi nahi."

Ayesha said.

"Per Tanya ye sab use karti hai, perfume bhi , bindi bhi aur bangles toh hath me itne sare pehanti hai. Kabhi kabhi toh ek hath me bahut sare bangles hote hain aur dusre hath me sirf watch."

Chhotu said and all eyes including Arjun's turned to him at his detailed explanation.

"Vo maine uske photos dekhte the ghar pe."

Chhotu quickly added, thus everyone diverted their attention from him and Arjun glanced at his wrist watch.

"sari files yahin rakh ke tum sab ghar chale jao."

He said leaning back on his chair.

"Aur sir aap.?"

Shree asked.

"Mai kuch dair aur rukunga yahan."

Arjun replied without looking at him, meanwhile Riya opened her mouth to say something then shut it quietly getting up from her seat along with her friends.

__________________________________

Ayesha went to the hospital to meet Rathore where she shared about the complex circumstances they were in because of the case and Rathore deciding to not keep secrets from her shared about the last night incident , making her gape at him in surprise.

"Itna kuch hua toh aap hame phone kar dete hum wapas aajate."

She said sounding worried.

"Itna kuch nahi hua tha, mamuli chori ka case tha. Baad me police aake unn dono ko le gayi thi."

He answered her nonchalantly.

"Phir bhi.

Wese kitni ajib baat hai na maa ko lootne beta khud chor banke aaya vo bhi dost ke sath. "

"aaj kal log rishton se zyada paison ki keemat dekhte hain.

Anyways ye baat sirf tumhare alawa bureau me kisi aur ko pata nahi chalna chahiye, kham kha bawal hoga.

Aur tum please jaake doctor se meri discharge ki baat karo, mai yahan aur rukna......"

Rathore paused himself abruptly ,causing Ayesha to give him a curious look then she followed his gaze to her back where he was eyeing at only to find Arjun standing there with his arms folded across his chest with a file.

"Arjun sir ko bhi nahi batana tha.?"

Ayesha muttered under her breathe stealing a quick glance at Rathore, who released a deep breathe.

"Ajay."

Arjun called out aloud ,and Ajay came inside the next moment.

"yes sir.?"

"Kya hua tha yahan kal.?"

Arjun asked straight, making Ajay turn his head to Rathore that instant.

"usse kuch kehne ki jarurat nahi hai. Maine mana kiya tha usse."

Rathore spoke firmly.

"Maine puchha kya hua tha.?"

Arjun asked again eyeing Ajay, ignoring Rathore.

"Uh sir vo 2 ladke kal raat hospital me ghus aaye the, aur Rathore sir ne mujhe bheja tha unhe pakadne ke liye.

Baad me pata chala ki vo ladke yahan admit hui ek aurat se paison ka bag churane aaye the, unn do ladko me se ek ussi aurat ka beta tha aur dusra uska dost."

Ajay explained and Ayesha was relieved he didn't take Riya's name in the story but it was short lived since Ajay spoke again.

"wese sir hum dono jab tak unn do ladko ke paas pahunche Riya ne unme se ek ko pakad liya tha, toh koi pareshani wali baat nahi hai, bas Riya ko hath me thodi chot lagi thi."

Ayesha mentally slapped her forehead, meanwhile Arjun's forehead creased with confused lines at the mention of Riya's name , then he angled his head to Rathore for explanation.

"Err sir mai aapki discharge ki baat karke aati hun."

Ayesha quickly excused herself, not daring to interfere in between the two while Rathore spoke up.

"Riya ko hi vo 2 ladke dikhe the pehle hospital me ghuste huye, usse laga mujhpe koi attack hone wala hai issliye vo wapas aayi.

Aur inn dono ko maine hi mana kiya tha tumhe batane ke liye.

Ajay tum jaa sakte ho."

"Yes sir."

Ajay obeyed him by quickly walking out of the room.

"Ab bataoge kisliye aaye ho yahan pe.?"

Rathore scoffed and hence Arjun released a sharp breathe walking towards him.

"Headquarter se aaye hain ye,tumhare signature chahiye the."

Arjun said forwarding him the file along with his pen, which Rathore took and checked quickly.

"ye tum kisike hath bhi bhej sakte the, khud aane ki jarurat nahi...."

Rathore paused himself from signing the papers on realizing something then looked up to him.

"Kuch aur baat hai.?"

Arjun contemplated for a second , but nevertheless sat down grabbing a nearby stool.

Rathore went ahead with signing the papers when he heard Arjun speaking after a moment of silence.

"Tum jaante hoge case ke baare me."

"kaunsa Mamta ji ka? Hmm.. Ayesha ne bataya."

Rathore replied calmly.

"Mamta ji ki maut heart attack se hui thi, per uss ghar me jo kuch bhi chal raha tha uske baare me Tanya ko kuch nahi pata.

Per thodi dair pehle Shree ne message kiya tha humne jo gehno ki photos bheji thi police stations me, unme se ek se jawab aya hai ki vo gehne chori ke hain. FIR darz hai gehno ki chori ko leke."

Arjun murmured, and Rathore eyed him skeptically thinking of something.

"Toh ho sakta hai vo paise bhi chori ke ho.?"

"Ho sakta hai."

Arjun nodded his head thoughtfully.

"jab Ayesha details bata rahi thi mujhe laga ki kahin inn sabka Mamta ji ke maut se koi connection toh nahi hai?

uss ladki ko koi beemari toh nahi ? Jisse uski behaviour, memory , personality sab switch hota ho, maine kuch aese cases dekhe hain split personality disorder ke. Jis me ek insan me do personalities dikhai deti hai."

Rathore mumbled.

"Per Tanya ko koi beemari nahi thi. Rohit ne confirm kiya hai."

"Rohit kaun hai.?"

"Shree ka neighbor hai, doctor hai."

"Achha. Ek aur baat bhi hai agar usse koi beemari hoti bhi toh ek time pe ek insan ka dono jagahon pe hona practically possible nahi hai.

Aese me sirf 2 hi possibilities hai. Ya toh vo ladki zarurat se zyada smart hai jisse achhe se pata tha uspe investigation ho sakta hai, issliye usne aese narration create kiya hai jisse ki sab ussi me uljhe rahe, ya phir jaise uski personality switch hoti rehti hai dusri possibility wohi hai jo tum soch rahe ho."

Rathore explained and Arjun looked up to him as Rathore continued.

"vo ek nahi do log hain."

"Ho sakta hai Rathore per ek chehre ke do log.?"

"Abhi ke liye agar hum ye maan ke chale ki 2 log nahin hai ek insaan ke 2 personalities hain toh usse pakadna aasan ho jayega.

Jaise Tanya logon ke samne apni 2 personality ek sath nahi dikha sakti, thik wese hi uske ek roop ko control me le lo toh dusra apne aap bahar aajayega ."

Arjun thought over Rathore's words then got up taking the file along with him and started leaving the room only to be stopped by Rathore.

"Rawte.?"

Arjun turned around to face him.

"Ab kal bureau me Riya pe chillane mat lag jaana, usse maine mana kiya tha tumhe batane ke liye.

Tumhe chillane ke bahane chahiye bas."

Rathore said firmly.

"Tum dono agar mujhe sach bata dete toh mujhe gussa aane ki naubat hi nahi aati."

Arjun spat back.

"Pehli baat tumhe gussa aane ke liye zyadatar wajah ki jarurat nahi padti, aur dusri baat mujhe ye samajh me nahi araha hai ki aesi kaunsi wajah hai jo Arjun Suryakant Rawte ko meri itni fikr karni pad rahi hai."

Rathore snapped , and Arjun instantly left the room without uttering another word.

--------------------------------------------

The next morning Riya, Chhotu, Shree came early to the bureau and Ayesha, Sakshi ,Arjun were yet to come.

"Arey yaar ye Tanya ka kya chakkar hai samajh me nahi araha hai.

Adhi raat tak mai ye sochta raha ki vo hamare samne natak kar rahi hai ya usse sach me kuch pata nahi hai."

Chhotu shook his head.

"Aur conclusion kya nikla tumhare itna sochne ka.?"

Shree asked curiously from his desk.

"Pata nahi. Dimag keh raha hai ki vo naatak kar rahi hai, per .."

"Per….?"

Shree looked back at him raising his brows.

"Meri gut feeling keh rahi hai ki bichari ko sach me kuch nahi pata."

"Dekha Ri..chhotu bhaisahab ki gut feeling bhi kaam kar rahi hai iss baar toh, aur kya Bichari.? Chhotu galti se Arjun sir ke samne na bol dena ye baat."

Shree chuckled.

"Arey Riya bol na isse, tumhe bhi lagta hai na Tanya masoom hai.?"

Chhotu asked, but got no response in return.

Shree stopped his work whirling his chair around to face Riya, who sat quietly on her desk lost in some thoughts.

Things did not seem easy as she thought , be it avoiding Arjun , be it holding herself back from talking to him or the thought of letting him go ,everything was hard for her to end with each passing time, even though she hadn't any relationship with him to begin with.

She felt lost among the crowd , but the thought of Sakshi suffering because of her made her feel even worse.

For a moment a bizarre thought crossed her mind that if they hadn't found her again probably the situation would have been different.

Sakshi would have been happy with her feelings , and Arjun?

He would have probably find his happiness again someday without her seeing.

Even though the other purposes like wishing to live, to be a better ETF officer , to make her mentor and parents proud still resided in her mind but she couldn't deny the fact that a part of her wanted to be with him just to see him happy ,but the change of events made her wonder if she was blocking his happiness herself.

She hadn't realized Chhotu, Shree calling out her name amidst the chaos inside her brain , until Shree shook her lightly making her head whip to his direction and that is when the confusion on Shree's face was replaced by concern.

She being unaware, turned to face Chhotu only to meet with Arjun's eyes who was standing right beside Chhotu with both of them staring at her ,her moist eyes to be exact.

Chhotu mirrored Shree's expression after exchanging a puzzled look with Shree, when Riya spoke up.

"Sorry.. Good morning sir."

Arjun didn't avert his eyes from her before answering her.

"Riya mere cabin me, 2 min me."

And he walked away, meanwhile Shree and Chhotu quickly walked closer to her.

"Kya hua? Ro kyun rahi ho.?"

Shree asked.

"Huh.?"

She touched her cheek then eyes realizing she was indeed crying and quickly wiped away the tears.

"Vo ek hi jagah dekhe jaa rahi thi toh pata hi nahi chala. Don't worry guys kuch nahi hai. Mai aati hun."

She composed herself ,making her way towards Arjun's cabin.

Just then Ayesha who entered the bureau spotted Riya walking towards Arjun's cabin and her eyes widened on recalling something.

"Ae Riya ek min…."

Before she could stop her Riya had already went inside ,thus Ayesha slapped her forehead mentally cursing herself for not warning Riya about Arjun knowing about the hospital incident.

Riya stood idly across the table eyeing Arjun who stood checking some papers ,then she spoke up.

"Yes sir.?"

Arjun turned to her putting the papers on the table ,as he stared at her intently.

"Koi pareshani hai Riya.?"

He asked calmly, catching her off-guard.

"Nahi .nahi sir."

She mumbled , as he did not divert his gaze from her and took a step ahead towards her.

"Are you sure.?"

"Yes sir."

Arjun's eyes went down to her feet that took a nano step back too slowly so that he wouldn't notice, the moment he stepped ahead ,without meeting his eyes.

His facial muscles clenched for a second before he looked up to her.

"Sabko boldo conference hall me meeting ke liye."

The calmness in his tone was gone , and she nodded her head in return.

"OK sir."

Tbc.