My Entry for Crossover Contest for Aditya Sir's Birthday

Show: Beyadh

Plot: Ayaan has been sent to jail for attempted rape on Maya that Maya and Samay, Saanjh's boyfriend, planned and trapped him in. Saanjh is looking for ways to get evidence against Maya. In that process she sent Vandana, Ayaan's mother, to Maya's place and got her hands on the true CCTV footage.

Beyadh Khatam

Saanjh's house, Thursday, May 18, 4:10PM

Saanjh dumped her files and purse on the sofa and sat down. Prem, her father, noticed and asked, "Kya huya? Court ne tumhari appeal phir se reject kar di?

"Haan. Kehte hain ke tumhare case mein kuch naya nahi hai. Ayaan ko nahi chorenge. Aur kuch laaon phir case ka appeal sunenge aur naya phaisla sunayenge, Saanjh agreed, sighing sadly.

"Toh koi saboot dhoondo.

"Arre kaise dhoondo Prem? Tumhe toh pata hai ke jo bhi mila tha woh sab uss Maya ne khatam kar diya. Do witnesses ko maar diya hai aur kayi saboot toh jala diye hain.

"Toh police ki madat lo.

"Police ne hi toh Ayaan ko giraftaar kiya tha. Pure sabooton ke saath, Saanjh said, exasperatedly.

"Saanjh tum Maya ke ghar mein saboot phir se kyun nahi dhoondti ho? Woh CCTV footage ke aur copies bhi hongi, Suman, Saanjh's mother, suggested.

"Idea toh yehi hai Suman. Koshish karti hoon. Lekin isme Vandana Aunty ki madat leni paregi. Ab bas Maya se chup kar karna parega kisi taran se yeh, Saanjh thought.

*****

Central Jail, 4:30PM

Daya and Abhijeet came out of the cell and nodded at the constable to lock the door. Daya asked, "Kya lagta hai Abhijeet? Yeh Birju sach bol raha hai?

"Jhoot bol kar isko kya milega? Mujhe toh lag raha hai ke yeh ab sach bol raha hai. Aur tumhe? Abhijeet asked.

"Mujhe bhi yehi lag raha hai, Daya agreed.

As they walked down a hall, a voice stopped them, "Excuse me. Aap log CID officers hain? Please do minute mujhe de sakte hain?

The 2 turned to face the voice. Daya asked, "Tumhe humse kya kam hai?

"Aur ho kaun tum? Abhijeet added.

"Mera naam Ayaan hai. Ayaan Sharma. Main yahan pe ek hafta pehle aaya tha. Ek galat ilzaam mein mujhe andar kar diya gaya hai, Ayaan started.

"Har mujhrim pakde jaane ke baad yehi kehta hai, Daya said, sarcastically.

"Main sach mein nirdosh hoon. Dekhiye bas do minute, Ayaan begged.

Abhijeet and Daya exchanged glances and then nodded. Abhijeet said, "Thik hai. Bolo.

Ayaan explained his full story, "Mera naam Ayaan hai. Mera ek bada bhai hai. Step brother. Arjun. Teen saal pehle usne Maya Mehrotra se shaadi ki thi aur humse saare rishte tod diye the. Hum yani main aur meri maa, Arjun ki stepmom. Kareeb teen hafte pehle Arjun ko Saanjh, hamari best friend, hamari zindagi mein wapas laayi aur tab Arjun ne mujhe bataya ke Maya psychotic aur overpossessive hai. Maya ko pata nahi kaise pata chal gaya ke Arjun wapas humse milne aaya hai aur woh wahan paunch gayi. Arjun ko woh aapne saath le gayi aur main unke peeche gaya kyun ki mujhe Arjun ke liye darr lag raha tha. Lekin jab mein wahan pauncha toh mujhe Maya se ladai karni padi Arjun tak paunchne ke liye jisko Maya ne cameras mein aisa roop de diya jaise ke main uska rape karne ki koshish kar raha tha aur Samay, Saanjh ka boyfriend, wahan sahi samay pe paunch gaya. Mere khilaaf itna saboot hone ke wajah se court ne mujhe mujhrim keh diya aur saza de di. Par maine kuch nahi kiya hai. Main nirdosh hoon. Main toh sirf Arjun ko bachane ke liye sab kuch kar raha tha.

"Tumhari baat pe yakeen nahi hota hai, Daya commented. "Aakhir agar tumhare khilaaf saboot mile hain toh phir tum nirdosh kaise ho sakte ho. Tumhari nazaron mein woh shayad rape nahi hoga isli tum mirdosh ho. Haina?

"Sir please. Aap ek baar Saanjh se miliye. Woh bhi aap ko yehi batayegi. Mere khilaaf sabse bada saboot toh khud Arjun hi bana. Usne kaha ke woh mujhse mila hi nahi tha aur naa hi usne Maya ke baare mein mujhe kuch kaha tha. Lekin usne kaha tha. Please sir. Aur woh CCTV footage? Sir Maya ne court mein sirf woh footage submit ki jisme aisa lagta hai ke main uska rape karne ki koshish kar raha hoon aur baki ki conveniently gayab ho gayi hai. Please sir, Ayaan implored.

"Tumhe humse kya chahiye? Abhijeet asked, thoughtfully.

"Sir ek baar aap log mera case investigate ki jiye. Main bas yehi chahta hoon. Please. Mujhe pura yakeen hai ke aap logon ko sach zaroor pata chalega. Please sir, Ayaan pleaded.

"Thik hai. Soch kar batate hain, Abhijeet agreed, before Daya could reply.

"Thank you sir, Ayaan said, a look of relief coming across his face as if the 2 had agreed.

Abhijeet and Daya left the jail and stopped outside their car. Daya asked, "Tum sach mein iski madat karne ke baare mein soch rahe ho Abhijeet?

"Pata nahi kyun Daya mujhe aisa lag raha hai ke uski baaton mein kuch toh sachayi hai, Abhijeet responded.

"Mujhe toh nahi lagta hai. CCTV footage supposedly gayab ho gaya. Uska aapna bhai sach ka saath nahi de raha hai. Aisa koi karta hai? Daya responded.

"Sir se baat karke dekhte hain. Woh kya kehte hain, Abhijeet suggested.

Daya nodded and called ACP Pradyuman. After the 2 recounted what Ayaan had told them, ACP Pradyuman asked, "Abhijeet tumhe lagta hai ke shayad woh sach bol raha hai aur Daya tumhe lagta hai ke woh kahaani bana raha hai. Thik?

"Haan sir, Daya agreed.

"Abhijeet tumhe aisa kyun lagta hai ke woh sach bol raha hai? ACP Pradyuman asked.

"Sir jab woh bol raha tha toh aisa lag raha tha jaise ke usse phasaya gaya hai. Woh baki mujhrimon ki taran nahi lag raha tha jinki zubaan pe kuch hota hai aur aankhon aur body language mein kuch aur hi hota hai, Abhijeet responded, unsure himself as to why he believed Ayaan.

"Thik hai. Phir aisa karte hain. Abhijeet main tumhe ek hafta deta hoon. Koi bhi saboot mile jisse lage ke woh nirdosh hai toh hum yeh case lenge. Tab tak hum sab yeh bomb aur kidnapping wale cases sambhalte hain. Haan lekin court se permission bhi tumhe hi leni paregi, ACP Pradyuman said, without challenge or disbelief. It was a simple assignment.

"Thik hai sir. Main sambalta hoon yeh case, Abhijeet agreed.

Daya hung up and then the 2 split. As Abhijeet went back to meet the jailor to get Ayaan's case file, Daya headed back to the bureau to report on what Birju had told them.

*****

Saanjh's house, 8PM

Abhijeet knocked on the door. He wanted to speak to Saanjh and hear what she had to answer to his questions before he finally went to court tomorrow to get the case reopened. He had read the file and it had left him with more questions than answers.

Suman opened the door. Abhijeet showed his badge and explained, "Main CID Inspector Abhijeet. Aaj Ayaan se mulakat huyi thi Central Jail mein. Usne hamari madat maangi hai yeh sabat karne ke liye ke woh nirdosh hai. Par pehle mujhe court mein uski file khulwani paregi. Lekin usse pehle main Saanjh se baat karna chahta tha. Mere kuch sawal the.

Suman called out over her back, "Saanjh! Saanjh jaldi bhar aa! She turned back to Abhijeet and said, "Undar aa jaaye. Saanjh aati hai bas.

Abhijeet nodded and came inside. He took a seat and Suman quickly went to get him some tea even though he refused. Saanjh came out a few moments later and said, "Haan Suman. Kya huya?

"Aap aapni maa ko naam se bulati hain? Abhijeet asked, confused.

"Haan woh hamara aisa hi hai. Aap kaun? Saanjh asked.

Abhijeet repeated what he had told Suman. Saanjh's eyes widened and then she asked, happily, "Aap sach mein Ayaan ka case lenge?

"Sirf saboot dhoondenge. Agar saboot se sabat hota hai ke Ayaan ne Maya ka rape karne ki koshish ki thi toh yehi sahi, Abhijeet responded, carefully. "Lekin case khulwane se pehle main aap se kuch sawal karna chahta hoon.

"Ji. Kahiye, Saanjh responded.

"Sab se pehle Maya ka sexual assault kit nahi hai evidence mein. Kya uske tests nahi huye the? Abhijeet asked.

"Nahi huye the, Saanjh replied as Suman brought out the tea.

Abhijeet was put off by that first answer itself. He said, in disbelief, "Ek minute. Maya ne attempted rape ka charge lagaya Ayaan pe. Aur uska kisi ne bhi doctor's check up nahi karwaya? Aap Ayaan ki lawyer thi. Aapne bhi court mein request nahi di? Jab ki case turant sun liya gaya tha court mein?

Saanjh bit her lip as she realized that she had made a mistake. Abhijeet looked down at the open file though he already knew what he wanted to ask. He continued without waiting for a reply, "Aap ne yeh dawa kiya tha ke Maya psychologically unstable hai. Lekin uska bhi aapne koi test ki demand nahi ki. Aisa kyun? Ek psychiological report aap ki bahut madat kar sakta tha.

"Sir isse pehle ke main yeh test mangwati, judge ne mere iss argument ko void kar diya tha, Saanjh responded.

"Thik hai. Arjun aur Samay ke psychological tests kahan hai. Rape cases mein witnesses ke bhi psychological tests ki maang ki jaa sakti hai. Aapne unke bhi koi test nahi karwaya? Abhijeet asked, starting to get frustrated at the lack of work done in the case.

"Sir judge ne kaha ke koi zaroorat nahi hai tests ki, Saanjh answered, handing Abhijeet a cup of tea.

Abhijeet put the cup down and asked, "Aur yeh CCTV footage sirf Maya ke paas hai? Jinhone cameras install kiye the uss company ke paas nahi hain?

"Jahan tak mujhe pata hai Maya ne cameras ek company se install karwaye the aur phir software ek doosri company se liya tha aur phir uss doosri company ke paas bhi kuch nahi chora tha, Saanjh responded.

"Yani tumhara paas naa physical hai, naa psychological tests hai, naa CCTV ki footage ki koi bhi copy hai aur Ayaan ko saza de di gayi. Aur woh bhi victim ke bayan pe, uski ke diye huye thode se CCTV footage pe, uske pati ki testimony pe, aur tumhare boyfriend ki testimony pe. Yeh case kuch jamah nahi mujhe. Isme itni galtiyan ki gayi hain tumse, police se, judge se, yahan tak prosecution se bhi. Yeh case toh abhi bhi court mein chalte rehna chahiye tha, Abhijeet commented, closing the file.

Saanjh waited, unsure of what to say. Abhijeet stood up and said, "Yeh case main loonga. Kyun ki ab toh mujhe pura yakeen ho chuka hai ke Ayaan bekasur hai.

With that Abhijeet left Saanjh's place. Prem and Suman, who had been hiding behind their bedroom door, listening, came out. Suman said, "Vandana ko jaldi se Maya ke yahan se nikalo. Ab toh Ayaan ko nirdosh sabat ek CID officer karenge. Ab tumhe kuch karne ki zaroorat nahi hai Saanjh.

"Suman kya maine sach mein itni galtiyan kar di? Saanjh asked, unsure of herself.

"Saanjh yeh tum aapne dost ke liye case ladh rahi thi. Isme kuch naa kuch chuk ho hi jaati hai, Suman responded.

At this time, Samay returned. He saw the door open and the extra tea cup on the coffee table and asked, "Koi aaya tha kya?

"Haan. Woh Ayaan ka case dobara khul raha hai, Saanjh replied.

*****

Justice Prakash's office, Friday, May 19, 9:10AM

Abhijeet took a seat and explained why he had come. Justice Prakash read through the file and then asked, "Aur tumhe pura yakeen hai ke case mein galtiyan huyi hain?

"Ji sir. Bahut si cheezein missing hai yah kabhi request hi nahi ki gayi. Jo victim ne kaha yah provide kiya wohi sahi maan liya gaya. Isli ek baar iss case ko reinvestigate karna chahta hoon. CCTV footage dhoondna hai, Samay aur Arjun ki background check karni hai, Ayaan ki kahaani ko investigate karna hai, bahut kuch hai jo abhi bhi kiya jaa sakta hai, Abhijeet responded.

"Hmm. Aur yeh sab tum aapne aap karoge yah puri CID team madat karegi? Justice Prakash asked.

"Sir puri CID team madat karegi, Abhijeet said. He wasn't lying. ACP Pradyuman hadn't said that no one could help. He just said that Abhijeet would start with the case.

"Iss case ko do baar khulwane ke liye Ayaan ki lawyer ne already appeal diya hai. Aur dono baar reject ho gaya tha. Lekin woh isli kyun ki usne koi naye saboot nahi pesh kiye the. Waise toh tumhe bhi koi naye saboot nahi pesh kiye hain lekin kyun ki tum case ko khulwane ki appeal uski thik se investigation karne ke liye de rahe ho main tumhe permission de deta hoon. Lekin sirf ek hafta. 5 business days. Agar 5 business days mein tum mujhe koi aisa saboot dekha dete ho jisse yeh case khula rehna chahiye toh thik hai, warna yeh case band kar diya jayega, Justice Prakash stated.

"5 din bahut hain sir, Abhijeet agreed.

He got the necessary paperwork signed and left. Outside he called his informer, Girish, who he had put to work finding out more information on Samay and Arjun the night before. When Girish picked up, Abhijeet said, "Case khul chuka hai. 5 din hain. Puri jaan laga do dono ke baare mein information nikalne ke liye.

"Shuru ho chuka hoon sir. Aap ko kal tak puri report deta hoon dono ki, Girish replied.

"Acha hai. Tab tak main iss CCTV footage ki copy dhoonda hoon aur Maya ke baare main bhi toh pata lagana hai, Abhijeet said. Then he hung up and called Dr. Salunkhe and asked, "Dr. Salunkhe kya aap ek psychological exam karwane mein meri madat kar sakte ho.

"Abhijeet main ek forensic doctor hoon. Psychiatrist nahi, Dr. Salunkhe replied.

"Pata hai sir. Main toh aap ko witness ki taur pe laana chahta tha. Darsal jiska psychological exam karwana hai woh shayad kuch kar sakti hai. Matlab paise waise khila sakti hai. Isli ek witness kamre main hoga toh yeh nahi hoga, Abhijeet explained.

"Yeh wohi Ayaan Sharma wala case hai? Dr. Salunkhe asked.

"Haan. Kyun? Abhijeet asked.

"Tumne kal hi case liya hai aur tumhe abhi se pata bhi chal gaya hai ke koi paise khila sakta hai? Dr. Salunkhe responded.

"Salunkhe sir case mein itni galtiyan huyi hain ke mujhe shaq toh huya hai ke iss victim ne paise khilaye the judge ko guilty verdict pass karne ke liye. Isli pehle se hi savdhaan ho raha hoon, Abhijeet explained, in a low voice.

"Acha. Thik hai. Main tumhe ek ache psychiatrist ka number deta hoon. Tum usse yeh examination karwana. Sab kuch te ho jaaye toh mujhe bata dena, Dr. Salunkhe agreed.

"Ji sir, Abhijeet said, hanging up.

The psychological test and Samay and Arjun's background tests were handled. Now it was time to meet Maya and Arjun in person. After that he would look into finding the CCTV footage either from Maya's recordings or from another location.

*****

Maya's house, 11:25AM

Maya scowled. The one day she had taken off from work to spend with Arjun and someone had come to bother them. Some CID officer. She hoped that he would be quick. She nodded at him and asked, "Yes?

Abhijeet introduced himself, showing his badge, "CID. Senior Inspector Abhijeet. Mujhe aap se kuch sawal poochne the?

"Kis baare main Inspector? Maya asked.

"Kya Mr. Arjun Sharma nahi hain? Abhijeet asked, looking around.

"Arjun zara bhad gaya hai. Baat kya hai? Maya repeated.

"Mujhe aap dono se baat karni hai. Saath mein. Hum intezaar kar lete hain. Jab tak Arjun nahi aate hain, Abhijeet said, taking a seat.

Maya hid her scowl and instead agreed, "Bilkul. Intezaar kar lete hain.

Maya took a seat just as Jhanvi, Maya's mother, came out. Maya quickly stood up and asked, "Mom aap kya kar rahi hain? Aap ko toh araam karna chahiye.

Maya tried to take Jhanvi back inside, but Abhijeet stopped her, "Ek minute. Jab yeh bhi hain toh inse bhi kuch sawal pooch leta hoon.

"Inspector meri Mom kuch bol nahi sakti hain, Maya said, indignantly.

"Toh koi baat nahi. Isharon mein toh keh sakti hongi? Mrs. Mehrotra mujhe aap se ek suspected chor ke baare mein kuch sawal karne the, Abhijeet fibbed. He had decided this was the best excuse to be able to ask the questions he wanted to ask and see Maya and Arjun's reactions. He didn't want to tell them too early that Ayaan's case had been reopened. He continued, "Hume shaq hai ke aas paas ke gharon mein kuch badi badi choriyan huyi hain lekin koi kuch bolta nahi hai. Hume shaq hai ke woh chor yahan pe bhi hamla kar sakta hai. Ab kya iss ghar mein security hain? Agar aap ka jawab haan hai toh aap ek baar palak jhapkya aur agar naa hai toh do baar.

Jhanvi blinked once. Abhijeet asked, "Lekin mujhe bhar ek security guard ke eliva koi aur nahi dikha. Kya koi alarm system hai?

Jhanvi blinked twice. Abhijeet mused and pretended to think. Then he asked, "Cameras?

Jhanvi blinked once. Abhijeet looked at Maya who was watching Jhanvi carefully. He asked, "Agar aapki beti aur damad ghar pe naa ho toh kya aap aapni protection kar sakti hain?

Jhanvi blinked twice. Maya demanded, "Inspector maine aap se abhi kaha tha ke meri maa kuch bol nahi sakti hain. Aap dekh sakte hain ke woh wheelchair pe hain aur hil bhi nahi sakti hain. Toh aapni protection kaise karengi?!! Aur aap ko yeh sawal poochne ke liye Arjun ka intezaar kyun karna hai. Inhe sawalon ke jawab toh mein bhi de sakti hoon!

Abhijeet noticed a fearful look cross Jhanvi's face as Maya reached the end of her rant and her voice escalated. Abhijeet said, calmly, "Yeh sawal toh sirf inke liye hain. Kya mujhe ek glass pani mil sakta hai?

Maya looked at Abhijeet with narrowed eyes and then said, "Lati hoon.

Abhijeet had used that excuse on purpose. He had noticed that there was no one working in the house. Maya left the room and Abhijeet turned to Jhanvi and said, hurriedly, "Dekhiye main yahan pe Ayaan ke case ke liye aaya hoon. Mujhe shaq hai ke Ayaan bekasur hai. Aur abhi abhi maine aapke chehre pe ek darr dekha tha jaise aap ki beti baat kar rahi thi. Aap jaldi se batayi kya Ayaan ne sach mein Maya ka rape karne ki koshish ki thi?

Jhanvi blinked twice. Abhijeet looked in the direction Maya went and then continued, "Kya yeh sab Maya ka koi plan hai?

Jhanvi blinked once. Abhijeet knew that he didn't have too much more time and said, "Main aap se akele mein milne aaonga baki ki jankaari paane ke liye. Par abhi ke liye shukriya.

Jhanvi blinked once and then went back into her room as Maya came back with a glass of water. At this time, Arjun also came back home. Maya stopped Arjun and said, "Arjun yeh CID Inspector Abhijeet hain. Hum dono se kuch sawal poochna chahte the.

Arjun stopped and asked, "Ji Inspector. Kya huya?

Abhijeet took a sip of the water as his phone beeped, indicating an incoming message. Abhijeet read the message. It was from Dr. Salunkhe. After talking to Dr. Salunkhe in the morning, Abhijeet had called the psychiatrist and had requested an appointment. The psychiatrist had promised to contact Dr. Salunkhe and book a time together for the next day and then Dr. Salunkhe had promised to get back to Abhijeet immediately with a message. This was the message that had just come through. Maya's psychological evaluation was booked for the next morning at 9. Abhijeet took this in and then came clean, "Main yahan pe Ayaan ke case ke silsile mein aaya hoon. Darsal woh case dobara khul gaya hai aur ab CID investigate kar rahi hai.

"Woh case dobara kyun khula hai?!! Yeh toh saaf ho gaya tha ke Ayaan ne Maya ka rape karne ki koshish ki thi! Arjun exclaimed, putting an arm around Maya protectively.

Abhijeet responded, "Case mein kuch khamiyan hain. Isli dobara khula hai. Arjun aap ne aapne statement mein yeh kaha tha ke aap aapne bhai se milne gaye the uski engagement ki khushi mein lekin aap wahan pe zada der nahi ruke aur phir wapas aa gaye the. Aapne yeh bhi kaha tha ke aapne Ayaan se kuch nahi kaha tha Maya ke baare mein aur Maya wahan ambulance mein nahi aayi thi. Aapne yeh bhi kaha tha ke jab Ayaan yahan aaya tha toh aap so rahe the doosre kamre mein lekin aapne Ayaan ki baatein suni thi. Kya yeh sab sach hai?

There was a moment's hesitation, but then Arjun said, "Haan.

Abhijeet noted the hesitation, but didn't comment. He turned to Maya and said, "Maya aapne aap statement mein yeh kaha tha ke

Maya interrupted before Abhijeet could say anything, "Mujhe pata hai maine kya kaha tha. Aur maine sach kaha tha. Waisa hi huya tha jaisa maine kaha tha.

"Thik hai. Aapne CCTV footage bhi di thi jisme saaf saaf dikhayi de raha tha ke Ayaan aap ke saath zabardasti karne ki koshish kar raha tha. Lekin aapne usse pehle yah uski baad ki footage nahi di. Kya main jaan sakta hoon kyun? Abhijeet asked.

"Woh CCTV footage bhi baari mushkil se recover huyi thi. Ayaan ne saare cameras tod diye the. Bas wohi ek usse der se dikha tha. Isli usme sab kuch record ho gaya tha, Maya replied.

"Par phir ussi camera ki aap puri footage bhi toh de sakti thi. Sirf wohi hissa kyun? Abhijeet asked.

"Kyun ki mujhe nahi pata tha ke puri footage ki zaroorat hai. Court ne sirf utne ko hi evidence maan liya toh maine bhi utna hi diya, Maya replied, as her face set in anger.

"Toh ab main puri footage maang raha hoon. Kya mujhe mil sakti hai? Aur agar aap ke paas nahi hai toh security firm ke paas zaroor hogi, Abhijeet said, carefully choosing his words.

"Mere paas woh footage ab nahi hai aur mere security firm ke paas bhi aap ko koi footage nahi milegi. Saare cameras siddha mere computer mein jaate hain aur saara information bas wahani feed hota hai. Aur kahin nahi, Maya replied, revealing the little bit of information that Abhijeet had been looking for.

Abhijeet shrugged and said, "Thik hai. Phir main baad main aaonga. Search warrant ke saath. Ab jab case dobara khula hai toh ghar ki bhi phir se talashi li jayegi. Agar Ayaan gunehgaar hai toh ho sakta hai ghar mein koi aur saboot mil jaayein taki case phir kabhi khul naa sakhe. He turned to leave and then stopped and added, "Aur haan. Mrs. Maya Sharma aap ka kal subah 9 baje ek psychological exam hai. Aap ko warrant mil jayega thodi deer mein jisme saari details hain. Usse miss maat ki jiyega warna aap ko arrest karwa ke exam karwana parega aur phir puri investigation ke duran aap jail mein hi rahengi. Acha phir milenge.

Abhijeet walked out, leaving a fuming Maya, "Psychological exam?!! Kya main pagal hoon?!! Arjun kya main pagal hoon?!! Aur yeh dhamki! Jail mein rehna parega puri investigation ke duran. Main abhi ke abhi iss aadmi ko dismiss karwa ke rahongi!

Arjun tried to calm Maya down, "Maya ek exam hi toh hai. Karwa lo. Phir sabat ho jayega ke Ayaan ne kya karne ki koshish ki thi aur sab thik ho jayega.

*****

Outside Maya's house, 2:40PM

Abhijeet saw a car pull out of the house and brought his binoculars up to see who was in the car. He saw Arjun driving and Maya sitting in the front seat. That left Jhanvi alone at home. Now was the time to get the rest of the statement that Jhanvi had been unable to give him before.

Abhijeet drove up to the house and honked at the gate. The security guard opened the gate and asked, "Ji kisse milna hai? Then he recognized Abhijeet and asked, "Aap phir se?

"Haan mere paas kuch aur sawal hain, Abhijeet replied.

"Sir ghar pe toh koi nahi hai. Abhi abhi sab bhar gaye hain, the security guard said.

"Sab? Jhanviji bhi? Mujhe toh laga tha ke woh kahin jaati nahi hain, Abhijeet said, in mock surprise.

"Nahi woh toh hain. Lekin woh toh aap ke kisi sawal ka jawab nahi de sakti hain, the security guard replied.

"Woh tum mujhpe chor do. Jab woh hain toh main unse hi baat kar leta hoon, Abhijeet said. Then without waiting for the security guard to say anything else, Abhijeet pulled into the driveway, parked his car, and went inside the house. He was surprised that the front door lock was open, but he shrugged and just walked in. He called out, "Jhanviji. Main Senior Inspector Abhijeet. Aap se baat karni hai.

Jhanvi came out of her bedroom and Abhijeet went over to her. He asked her, "Kya main aap se baat kar sakta hoon? Koi problem toh nahi hai naa?

Jhanvi blinked once and then once again. Abhijeet frowned, "Koi problem hai? Kaisi problem?

Jhanvi looked up at the ceiling. Abhijeet followed her purview and saw a camera on the roof. He looked at it in thought and then said, "Maya sab dekh sakti hai.

Jhanvi blinked once. Abhijeet shrugged, "Koi baat nahi. Aap aayi bhar.

Abhijeet led Jhanvi into the living room and then said, "Acha main aap se kuch sawal poochonga. Main sachayi tak paunchne ki koshish kar raha hoon aur aap ki madat ki zaroorat hai. Aap ne kaha tha ke Ayaan ne kuch nahi kiya hai. Isse pehle ke hum aage jaayein kya aap court mein witness ban kar aayengi.

Jhanvi didn't respond for a few moments, fear clear on her face. Then she blinked once. Abhijeet nodded and continued, "Thik hai. Toh Ayaan ne kuch nahi kiya. Phir bhi Maya ne uspe yeh ilzaam lagaya aur saboot bhi aise hi dikhai. Kyun? Kya jo Ayaan ka statement tha woh sahi hai? Pehle toh kya aap uss statement ke baare mein janti hain?

Jhanvi blinked once. Abhijeet repeated, "Kya woh sahi hai?

Jhanvi blinked once. Abhijeet mused, "Matlab Ayaan sirf isli peeche aaya tha taki Maya Arjun ke saath kuch naa kar de. Aur Ayaan jab yahan pe aaya tha toh Maya ne aisi situation khari kari taki Ayaan uske saath zabardasti kaare ek chabbi tak paunchne ke liye aur aisa lage ke woh uska rape kar raha hai.

Jhanvi blinked once. Abhijeet looked up at the cameras and asked, "Aap mujhe dikha sakti hain ke yeh cameras kahan connected hain? Main khud ek baar inki footage dekhna chahta hoon. Mere paas yeh warrant hai CCTV footage ke liye. Agar kuch milta hai toh.

Abhijeet held up a warrant to the camera and then looked at Jhanvi, who turned her wheelchair and led Abhijeet to the security room. After Abhijeet had left the house earlier, he had called Justice Prakash and asked for a search warrant on the basis that no one ever saw the full footage from the one camera that had been working. He had asked for a search warrant to examine all the CCTV footage he could find for that day. Justice Prakash had the warrant delivered to Abhijeet as he sat in his car, keeping an eye on Maya's house.

Abhijeet sat down at the computer in the camera room and looked at Jhanvi. She understood and left the room. After she was gone, Abhijeet first entered the computer and turned off the cameras. He didn't want Maya to see everything he would see. Then he started searching the recordings. He was surprised to see that the recordings were all saved from as far back as 6 months ago. He went straight to the folder he was interested in and started going through the recordings. Each video stopped at Ayaan's entry, except the one camera that had been running the whole time.

Abhijeet watched the video carefully, but was surprised to find that the video had been cropped and parts of the video were missing. The only parts visible were the parts that had been shown in the courtroom. Then a video filled the screen by itself. In it, Maya just looked directly at him and smirked again and again and again and again.

Abhijeet nodded, understanding the game that Maya had played. She hadn't left unknowingly. She had known that he was there and would go in after she left. She had let him come so far without any problems. She had let him play the videos and watch the CCTV footage on the computer knowing full well that he wouldn't find anything. She had played him and he had played right into her hand. But he wasn't going to give up.

He turned the videos off and started looking for the source of the videos. There had to be another source. CCTV footage wasn't just installed by any company. It had to be installed by a security company and then it was monitored. There had to be some information about where these cameras had come from. When Abhijeet didn't find anything on the computer, he got up and went over to the monitors. But he didn't find anything there either. Then he turned his attention to the cameras. Somewhere there had to be some information.

At that time Jhanvi came out of her room again. She saw Abhijeet standing on a stool examining the camera. Abhijeet saw her as well and stepped off the stool. Jhanvi lifted her fingers and pointed to a drawer chest. Abhijeet frowned in confusion and then asked, "Isme security company ke baare mein information hai?

Jhanvi blinked once. Abhijeet nodded and started going through the drawers. In the third drawer he found the document he was looking for. He noted the security company name and then thanked Jhanvi. He turned on the cameras and then left the house.

*****

Sleepwell Security Service, 5:40PM

Abhijeet leaned back in his chair and sighed. He had spent almost an hour arguing with three different people about the security tapes from Maya's house. Even his warrant hadn't been enough to convince them to open the account of such a big customer. What had surprised him more was that no one had ever actually seen the recordings from her house. Maya had forced them to enter a contract which put her recordings behind more security layers than that at a Swiss bank. Today for the first time, after speaking to Justice Prakash in person, the security company would be opening up the security tapes from Maya's house. Fortunately they kept a month's worth of recordings before erasing them so the incident was all safely stored.

Anand, VP of Customer Service, came back into the room with a laptop and a USB key. He said, "Maaf kijiye ka. Thoda sa waqt lag gaya security recordings ko dhoondne mein.

"Waise yeh kaisi security company hai jo aapne CCTV cameras ko hi monitor nahi karti hai. Aur agar client chahta hai toh unki footage bas ek data warehouse mein store hoti rehti hai? Agar kal ko koi khoon ho jaaye kisi aise client ke ghar mein toh aap logon ko toh pata bhi nahi chalega aur naa kabhi police ko. Phir aap jaise or aap ke inhe clients jaise log hi complain karte hain ke police kuch karti nahi hai, Abhijeet commented.

"Sorry sir par hum kuch kar nahi sakte the iss mamle mein. Maya Mehrotra bahut takatwar hai. Woh chahti toh hamari company ko bhi band karwa sakti thi. Isli humne wohi kiya jo unhone kaha, Anand apologized.

"Aur aap logon ko iske liye paise bhi bahut mile honge, Abhijeet said, sarcastically. "Kher. Iske liye shukriya. Main yahan se kam kar loonga.

Abhijeet picked up the USB key and left. He wasn't about to watch the CCTV footage at the security location. He didn't need everyone seeing what he was going to see.

*****

CID bureau, 6:58PM

Abhijeet plugged in the USB key, but before he could open the video, ACP Pradyuman came in and asked, "Abhijeet tum yahan pe kya kar rahe ho?

"Sir CCTV footage dekh raha hoon. Maya ke ghar se, Abhijeet replied.

"Acha thik hai. Case mein kahan tak paunche? ACP Pradyuman asked.

"Shayad kal tak case solve bhi ho sakta hai sir. Yeh CCTV footage mil gayi hai. Kal subah Maya ka psychological test hai. Aur Girish bhi kal tak Arjun aur Samay pe report de dega, Abhijeet updated.

"Thik hai. Agar kuch chahiye ho toh bata dena, ACP Pradyuman said.

Abhijeet agreed and then turned to the CCTV footage. He started watching it. He saw Maya enter the frame, followed by Ayaan. Ayaan yelled, "Chabbi do Maya!

"Lekar dikha do, Maya replied, tauntingly.

Ayaan grabbed Maya's hands and tried to hold them away as he attempted to reach for the keys. Maya fought back and both fell to the couch where Ayaan attempted to reach the key, while Maya yelled. Finally Ayaan gave up and fell back. Maya laughed and taunted, "Tum toh Arjun se bhi zada jaldi haar maan gaye. Chabbi nahi chahiye? Arjun ko nahi bachaoge?

"Chabbi do, Ayaan spit out.

"Kabhi nahi, Maya replied, patting herself.

Ayaan tried to get to the key again and this time Samay reached the site and pulled Ayaan off Maya. He held Ayaan back forcefully as Ayaan tried to get to Maya, while Maya said, in a crying voice, "Acha huya tum aa gaye. Warna yeh toh mera rape hi karne wala tha.

Ayaan yelled, "Choro mujhe Samay! Isse nahi choronga aaj.

"Ayaan! Kuch toh khayal karo ke tum kya karne wale ho. Choro! Samay yelled, pushing Ayaan against the wall to get his attention.

Ayaan scowled at Samay and then stalked off. Samay turned to Maya and then left the purview of the camera as well. A few seconds later Maya walked away as well.

Abhijeet waited to see if anyone would come back, but after forwarding through almost 2 hours of footage when no one returned, he changed over to the other cameras to see if he would be able to see anything else, but none of the other cameras yielded anything of importance. Abhijeet removed the USB key and sat back. This footage proved what Ayaan had been saying about trying to get to a key that Maya had hidden away. It would be more than enough to get Ayaan freed of all charges, but he wanted more evidence and he would get that tomorrow.

*****

Singh Cafe, Saturday, May 20, 9:10AM

Abhijeet slid into the seat opposite Girish and said, "Haan Girish. Kya mila hai?

"Sir aap sunenge toh aap ke toh hosh hi udh jayenge, Girish said, proudly.

"Aisa kya mila hai? Abhijeet asked.

The 2 paused as a waitress came to take their order. Once she had left, Girish started, "Sab se pehle Arjun. Uske baare mein zada kuch nahi mila hai. Ayaan ka stepbrother hai. Dono ke beech sab acha hai aur shaadi se kuch waqt pehle hi uske aur uske stepmother ke beech sab thik huya tha. Ek taran se shaadi mein phasa huya hai lekin kisi ko dikhata nahi hai aur naa hi batata hai. Iske eliva aur kuch nahi.

"Toh phir hosh udhane wali baat kya hai? Abhijeet asked.

"Samay Ahuja. Uske baare main jitna bataon utna kam hai. Aur yeh toh sirf woh information hai jo do din mein pata chali hai. Aur pata nahi kitna kuch chupa huya hai. Now Samay aur Maya ek doosre ko pehle se jaante hain. Samay pehle Maya se pyaar karta tha. Maya ne uska istamal kiya aur phir usse pagalkhane bhejwa diya jab uska kam nikal aaya, Girish began, leaning forward and speaking in a low voice.

Abhijeet's eyebrows shot up as he exclaimed, "Kya?!! Matlab dono sab ko dhoka de rahe hain?

"Kuch aisa hi hai, Girish paused, as their orders arrived. Once the waitress left, Girish continued, "Maya ne Samay ko 8 saal pehle pagalkhane bheja tha. Wahan Samay kareeb 3 saal raha aur phir nikal aaya. Lekin uspe koi court case chal gaya aur isli woh shayad London bhag gaya. Pura yakeen nahi hai ke woh London hi gaya tha lekin uske baare mein agli khabar 3 saal pehle ki hai. Jab Maya aur Arjun ki shaadi ho gayi, tab Saanjh London chali gayi thi. Wahan woh Samay se mili aur dono ke beech mein bahut si meetings ke baad jaa kar dono ek doosre ko date karne lage aur phir Saanjh yahan aa gayi Samay ke saath. Ab Samay aur Maya kab mile yeh toh pata nahi lekin Samay abhi bhi Maya se hi pyaar karta hai. Uski peet pe ek tattoo hai jispe Maya likha huya hai Hebrew mein. Mujhe pura yakeen hai ke agar Samay ko question kiya jaaye toh woh batayega ke usne galat statement diya tha sirf Maya ke liye. Kyun ki woh aur Maya ek doosre ko bahut achi taran se jaante hain itna toh paka hai.

"Maya ne usse pagalkhane kyun bheja? Abhijeet asked.

"Pura toh pata nahi hai lekin woh kuch ajeeb ajeeb harkatein karne laga tha. Jis mental asylum mein woh tha wahan ek wardboy aapna dost hai toh usne Samay ki file dekh kar mujhe bas itna bataya ke usse obsessive behaviour ki wajah se bharti kiya gaya tha. Shayad Maya ko lekar possessive ho gaya tha, Girish shrugged.

"Iske bawajud woh Maya se hi pyaar karta hai. Toh phir usne Saanjh se rishta kyun joda hai, Abhijeet mused.

"Shayad Maya ke aur kareeb jaane ke liye, Girish suggested.

"Inhe sab baaton ka koi saboot hai? Abhijeet asked.

"Haan sir. Sab baaton ka toh nahi lekin kafi kuch ka hai iss USB drive mein. Baki aap ko warrant ke baad mil jayega, Girish said, sliding a USB key across the table.

Abhijeet picked up the USB key and dropped a few notes on the table in place of it. Girish pocketed the money and then both paid for their drinks. Abhijeet fingered the USB key. He now had enough evidence to get Ayaan freed and Maya jailed for filing a fake FIR. In fact he could even get Samay jailed for being an accomplice if he could get Samay to accept his crime. But then he remembered that he only had to do the investigation and hand his findings over to Justice Prakash, who would take it from there. Well with the CCTV footage, this USB key about Samay's past, and Maya's psychological test, he didn't need to do anymore investigation. He had more than enough.

*****

CID bureau, 10:45AM

Dr. Salunkhe came into the bureau and walked over to Abhijeet with a file. Abhijeet had just finished updating ACP Pradyuman on everything he had learned. Now Dr. Salunkhe was about to provide the details of Maya's psychological examination. Dr. Salunkhe said, "Siddha siddha bolta hoon. Maya ko obsessive-compulsive personality disorder hai. Kafi serious hai. Iske eliva usse ek God mentality hai ke woh sab kuch control kar sakti hai.

"Thank you sir, Abhijeet said, taking the file from Dr. Salunkhe. He said, "Sir mere paas bahut saboot hain jo yeh sabat karte hain ke Ayaan sahi tha aur Maya ne sab kuch kiya hai. Ab yeh sab kuch mein Justice Prakash ke paas lekar jaa raha hoon. Dekhte hain woh kya khete hain.

ACP Pradyuman nodded, "Thik hai. Bata dena agar kuch chahiye.

"Ji sir, Abhijeet agreed.

*****

Justice Prakash's office, 12:37PM

Abhijeet finished explaining everything he had found and his theory and then waited. Justice Prakash sat back in thought. He picked up the CCTV footage USB drive and twirled it in his hand. Then he nodded, leaned forward again, and said, "Thik hai. Ayaan ko court mein phir se bulate hain aur usse baa izaat bari karta hoon aur Maya aur Samay ko giraftaar karwata hoon. Thank you Abhijeet. Aap logon ne yeh case nahi liya hota toh ek nirdosh aadmi jail mein saza kat raha hota.

"Sir humne bhi case issi liye liya tha kyun ki hume Ayaan nirdosh laga, Abhijeet responded. "Acha main Ayaan ke lawyer aur parivaar ko inform kar deta hoon.

"Nahi koi baat nahi. Woh hum sambhal lenge. Haan agar Ayaan ko inform karna chahte hain toh aap woh kar sakte hain, Justice Prakash replied.

"Thik hai sir. Ayaan ko bata deta hoon, Abhijeet agreed.

*****

Central Jail, 2:14PM

Abhijeet stopped outside Ayaan's cell and said, "Ayaan.

Ayaan, who had been lying down, got up and came over, "Sir aap? Kya huya?

"Tum bahut jaldi yahan se nikalne wale ho. Saboot mil gaye hain, Abhijeet said, without any preamble.

"Sach? Yani I've been proven innocent?!! Ayaan asked, excitedly.

"Haan. Tumhara case court mein aayega aur tumhe baa izaat bari kardiya jayega, Abhijeet said, smiling.

"Thank you sir. Thank you so much! Ayaan thanked.

*****

Epilogue

Ayaan was freed of all charges and went home. Maya and Samay got arrested and tried. Maya got sentenced for filing a fake report, faking evidence, and evidence tampering. Samay got arrested for perjury, faking evidence, and evidence tampering.