The Wait (Ariya FF) Part-42 Updated (Page-81) - Page 78

Riya giving them space is okay but i don't think Arjun will even allow Sakshi near him to get irritated in the first place...bro will literally run away

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.

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Updated ❤️

Originally posted by: Nainasehgal89

Hmm sakshi trying to sort out the situation 🤔 This riya being with arjun isse ghee n8kalne ke liye unglu tedhi krna aa gya h aur rathore ki training ne isse saano bhi mar jaye aur lathi bhi na tute wale jugaad lagana such a diplomatic solution she find everytime when there is any conflict arose between rathore rawte duo Plz update soon 🙏

Thank you ❤️ and next updated ❤️

Lol the kid is a perfect mirror to arjun..maybe ab khadoos thoda normal ho jaye

Case was interesting then it became deadly. I hope no one is hurt. And the kid is adorable. That poor family.