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.
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