Epilogue
The ETF was just back from the inspection of the crime scene. The evidences were laid out on the board. The victim was a 20-year old college student who had been found stabbed to death in the ladies washroom, limiting the murderer to be a woman. The lack of CCTV’s hadn’t helped and everyone seemed innocent on questioning.
Shree started briefing them on the victim’s call record details when a touch broke Riya’s concentration. Startled, she looked at Arjun across the table from the corner of her eyes. His expressions were as stoic as they could get but she could feel the hint of amusement he was having at her expense. His leg continued to brush against hers. Suppressing a smile, she extended her leg a little and their ankles locked with each other.
Shree: …… uske boyfriend se bhi puch taach ki humne but unke beech koi unban nahi thi aur messages bhi ye baat confirm karte hai
Rathore nodded: Liza, zara woh punchnaame ki copy paas karna
Liza: ji sir
She took the file and passed it, accidentally dropping the pen that was on top of it. She bent down to pick it up only to have her socks tangled up in a twist. She stared in shock at the entangled legs. Hurriedly picking up the pen, she sat up straight subtly looking in the same direction. She gulped nervously on realising it was Arjun and Riya. Her head automatically replayed the scene of them being in the women’s bathroom.
Liza: uh….sir, ho sakta hai na ki koi admi bhi uske peeche washroom mein ghus gaya ho, I mean is baat ki koi gurantee toh nahi hai ki koi na ghusa ho kyunki….na CCTV hai aur supposedly jab woh washroom gayi thi toh….uske…uske ilawa aur koi ladki nahi thi waha par
Arjun: ho sakta hai lekin aisa bhi nahi tha ki pura corridor khaali tha. agar koi ladka andar ghusa hota toh kisi na kisi na zaroor notice kiya hota
She smiled forcibly: hmm
The discussion continued for quite some time before Rathore gave them a break for Lunch. The team broke up in different groups as they headed towards the canteen. Sakshi nudged Liza.
Sakshi: oye kaha kho gayi?
Liza came out of her trance mv “kya batau tujhe? Ki tere Arjun sir din-Dahade Riya ke saath flirt kar rahe hai? aur woh bhi.”
Sakshi: bol toh sahi
Liza: kuch nahi yaar, raat ko soyi nahi theek se toh aadhi neend mein hu
Sakshi: oh, kyun?
Liza: ghar par guest the toh late ho gaya
Satisfied with the answer, she left the topic.
Canteen-
With the exception of Arjun, everyone had settled in, chattering excitedly. Liza was lost in her thoughts mv “Arjun sir ko toh shayad pata bhi nahi ki Riya engaged hai lekin fir Riya kyun kar rahi hai unke saath aisa? Woh apne mangetar aur sir dono ko dhoka de rahi hai? aisa lagta toh nahi hai ki woh aisi ladki hai….lekin ho bhi sakta hai, khooni ke chehre par thodi likha hota hai ki woh khooni hai? aur kitni baar toh sabse bhola, Masoom insaan hi gunehgaar nikalta hai….nahi main aisa nahi hone de sakti, main firse Arjun sir ke dil nahi tutne dungi…main….main unhe sachayi bata dungi…ha yahi sahi hai, main unhe sab bata dungi.”
She was about to stand up when Chotu’s complaint caught her attention.
Chotu: yaar Ri! Tune abhi tak hume apne engagement ki party nahi di.
Riya: de dungi yaar! Abhi toh aayi hun, kaha bhaage ja rahi hu?
Ayesha: kya Chotu? Tumhe party ki padi hai? hume toh abhi tak ye bhi nahi pata ki madam ki shaadi kiske saath honewaali hai
Rathore: ha Riya, tumne toh hume uska naam bhi nahi bataya
She was about to defend herself when Liza burst out.
Liza: kaise batayegi? Bata degi toh uski pol khul jaayegi!!!
They looked at her in confusion.
Chotu: matlab?
Liza: matlab usi se kyun nahi puchte?
Riya: Liza tum kis baare mein baat kar rahi ho?
Liza(angrily): tum achi tarah se jaanti ho ki main kis baare mein baat kar rahi hu!!
Rathore tried to intervene on seeing the heat: Liza calm…
Liza: I Won’t!! Ye Ek Saath Do-Do Logon Ko Dhoka De Rahi Hai!!!
Riya(confused): tum kya bol rahi ho Liza…
Liza: Jhoot Mat Bolo!! Tum engaged ho right? Toh fir Arjun sir ke saath kyun khel rahi ho?
All eyes widened in shock.
Riya(horrified): Liza tum…
Liza: just shut up!! Sab pata hai mujhe!!
Shree(irritated): Liza tu kya kuch bhi bole jaa rahi hai?
Liza: main wahi bol rahi hu jo maine khud apni aankhon se dekha!!
Riya: Liza please meri…
Liza: maine khud dekha tha us din…ye aur Arjun sir…(she hesitated but only for a moment wanting the truth to come out) ye aur Arjun sir ladies washroom ke andar the
Sakshi’s scream came out the loudest: KYAAA?!!?!?
Riya tried to reason with her: Liza for god’s sake….
Liza: aur aaj bhi!! abhi! Conference room mein …. Dono table ke neeche
She stopped unsure of how to frame the sentence whereas all eyes turned to Riya now who was red in embarrassment.
Liza: ab chup kyun ho? Jawab do!!!
Riya sighed: Liza tum galat…
Liza saw Arjun coming through the door: you know what? Don’t bother!
She grabbed Riya’s hand and pulled her out of her seat. Arjun could sense something amiss in the atmosphere but before he could ask, Liza thrust Riya’s hand in front of him to see the ring.
Liza: Arjun sir! Riya engaged hai!
He raised his eyebrow and glanced at Riya who was tired by her unsuccessful protests.
Arjun answered casually: ha toh?
Liza’s eyes widened: aapko pata hai?
Arjun looked at her as if she was the dumbest person on the planet: obviously Liza, woh ring meri hai!
Chorus: WHAT?!?!!?!
Officially The End………………………..
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