FF: Destiny (Ch. 7 Updated on Pg. 36!) - Page 18

Originally posted by: fasiha_rocks

plz update soon

eagerly waiting to know about the case

ur case seems more interesting than the show

Here, at long last, is part 1 of my comments on the first 5 chapters of your Destiny. Part 2 follows tomorrow. I am curious about how far my reading of your approach to the main characters matches what you actually intend to do!

MY TAKE ON DESTINY: Chapters 1-5: Part 1

If every piece of writing one does has a time of its own, its individual destiny, then this is the time and the destiny for my first comments on your new FF. I read all the 5 chapters , not counting the parts of the chapters at one go. In fact I then read it all over again. Not because I was doubtful about its style or tone or content, but just because I wanted to be sure of the detail. Now I feel I am ready to tell you what I feel about it.

It is a very promising piece of work, and I have high hopes for it, so you had better look out and look sharp!

Basic structure: It is novel, unlike anything I have read so far in this forum. The idea of giving Arjun a strong connection, since his early years, with Riya and her family is an excellent one, and for two very different reasons. Firstly, it humanizes Arjun, by showing him not as a heartbroken loner, but as a man who is totally at home with a normal family, and is bound to them by strong ties of genuine affection. He is still abrupt, edgy and difficult, but he is not asocial, and he is not cut off from familial warmth. The Mukherjees belong to him and he to them. He is thus at once easier to understand and to deal with.

Secondly, it provides an entirely new platform for him and Riya to deal with each other. They are childhood comrades, even if they have spent more time sparring with and sniping at each other than otherwise. I think you have kept their interactions within this framework because it would then be easier for you to develop an eventual romantic relationship between them (and how can one ever escape that in an Arjun forum FF, when every writer either begins or ends an update by apologizing for not having included more of Ariiya scenes?). The conflict to love transition is after all a staple of romantic fiction. A supplementary reason could be that if Arjun and Riya had been bosom buddies since childhood, they would most likely have ended up feeling like brother and sister - as Arjun feels for Poonam - and that would never do, would it?

Plus, you have thus provided yourself with unlimited opportunities for tantalizing flashbacks that edge them away from sparring to something quite different, even if only glimpsed dimly as yet. As in the scenes when they squabble over Roshni, and even more so in the one just before she leaves for London, without telling Arjun about it from her side. And the curious thing is that Arjun remembers all this, every word and nuance, as if it was but yesterday. He does not as yet realize what this might mean, but I suppose that will come in due course. Riya does understand what she feels a bit more clearly, or so I feel, but not entirely so as yet. It seems to me to be as yet but a frustrated possessiveness towards him, and a desire to make him value her as a professional.

In all this, the crucial (missing) factor is Roshni. Where is Roshni and what has happened to her in these 3 years? There is no indication of it in your introductory post, and from the way Arjun behaves, it does not seem that he is afflicted by the kind of crushing loss that her death would be. But if she is still around, why has there not been even the slightest mention of her so far? If Arjun and Roshni are still a happily married couple, Rose, your fanatical Ariya fans will tar and feather you very soon, for the only Roshni they can tolerate is as a garlanded photo on the wall! Please clarify this as soon as feasible, always presuming that this will not amount to a spoiler.

Characters: Riya:Your Riya is a delight. She is just the right mix of self-assertion and discipline, of self-confidence leavened by an occasional emotional downturn, as when she reacts to Rohan's murder. Arjun remembers her as a troublesome drama queen, and begins by treating her as such. But very soon, this new, briskly competent and professional young lady both surprises and puzzles him. That is all to the good, for there has always to be a degree of mystery in any (eventually) romantic relationship. For the rest, Riya handles herself well and the others smoothly, including Rathore, whose sarcasm initially puts her off. She is also not given to name dropping about her earlier success in field work from London, and this an admirable trait.

Arjun: Well, he is as yet a work in progress, and we lack vital information about him and Roshni, so an assessment of him at this stage would necessarily be incomplete. But he is far more human than in the serial, and this in a normal, day to day fashion. This is different from the compassion and helpfulness he shows during his case work is the serial - the latest encounter with the clairvoyant boy being a prime example of this, as also his handling of the grieving daughter of the burnt policeman , among others. Here, there is none of the biting sarcasm that we are familiar with, no samjhe ya samjhaaun ( I for one am profoundly grateful for that!), no sparring with Rathore, despite the latter being as sarcastic as ever. In short, your Arjun is a very intelligent and efficient police officer, and not an eccentric and difficult maverick, and that is all to the good.

I will be taking up the mystery part tomorrow.

Warm good wishes from,

Shyamala Aunty

CHAPTER 5-C

Originally posted by: sashashyam

My dear Rose.

Here, at long last, is part 1 of my comments on the first 5 chapters of your Destiny. Part 2 follows tomorrow. I am curious about how far my reading of your approach to the main characters matches what you actually intend to do!

MY TAKE ON DESTINY: Chapters 1-5: Part 1

If every piece of writing one does has a time of its own, its individual destiny, then this is the time and the destiny for my first comments on your new FF. I read all the 5 chapters , not counting the parts of the chapters at one go. In fact I then read it all over again. Not because I was doubtful about its style or tone or content, but just because I wanted to be sure of the detail. Now I feel I am ready to tell you what I feel about it.

It is a very promising piece of work, and I have high hopes for it, so you had better look out and look sharp!

Basic structure: It is novel, unlike anything I have read so far in this forum. The idea of giving Arjun a strong connection, since his early years, with Riya and her family is an excellent one, and for two very different reasons. Firstly, it humanizes Arjun, by showing him not as a heartbroken loner, but as a man who is totally at home with a normal family, and is bound to them by strong ties of genuine affection. He is still abrupt, edgy and difficult, but he is not asocial, and he is not cut off from familial warmth. The Mukherjees belong to him and he to them. He is thus at once easier to understand and to deal with.

Secondly, it provides an entirely new platform for him and Riya to deal with each other. They are childhood comrades, even if they have spent more time sparring with and sniping at each other than otherwise. I think you have kept their interactions within this framework because it would then be easier for you to develop an eventual romantic relationship between them (and how can one ever escape that in an Arjun forum FF, when every writer either begins or ends an update by apologizing for not having included more of Ariiya scenes?). The conflict to love transition is after all a staple of romantic fiction. A supplementary reason could be that if Arjun and Riya had been bosom buddies since childhood, they would most likely have ended up feeling like brother and sister - as Arjun feels for Poonam - and that would never do, would it?

Plus, you have thus provided yourself with unlimited opportunities for tantalizing flashbacks that edge them away from sparring to something quite different, even if only glimpsed dimly as yet. As in the scenes when they squabble over Roshni, and even more so in the one just before she leaves for London, without telling Arjun about it from her side. And the curious thing is that Arjun remembers all this, every word and nuance, as if it was but yesterday. He does not as yet realize what this might mean, but I suppose that will come in due course. Riya does understand what she feels a bit more clearly, or so I feel, but not entirely so as yet. It seems to me to be as yet but a frustrated possessiveness towards him, and a desire to make him value her as a professional.

In all this, the crucial (missing) factor is Roshni. Where is Roshni and what has happened to her in these 3 years? There is no indication of it in your introductory post, and from the way Arjun behaves, it does not seem that he is afflicted by the kind of crushing loss that her death would be. But if she is still around, why has there not been even the slightest mention of her so far? If Arjun and Roshni are still a happily married couple, Rose, your fanatical Ariya fans will tar and feather you very soon, for the only Roshni they can tolerate is as a garlanded photo on the wall! Please clarify this as soon as feasible, always presuming that this will not amount to a spoiler.

Characters: Riya:Your Riya is a delight. She is just the right mix of self-assertion and discipline, of self-confidence leavened by an occasional emotional downturn, as when she reacts to Rohan's murder. Arjun remembers her as a troublesome drama queen, and begins by treating her as such. But very soon, this new, briskly competent and professional young lady both surprises and puzzles him. That is all to the good, for there has always to be a degree of mystery in any (eventually) romantic relationship. For the rest, Riya handles herself well and the others smoothly, including Rathore, whose sarcasm initially puts her off. She is also not given to name dropping about her earlier success in field work from London, and this an admirable trait.

Arjun: Well, he is as yet a work in progress, and we lack vital information about him and Roshni, so an assessment of him at this stage would necessarily be incomplete. But he is far more human than in the serial, and this in a normal, day to day fashion. This is different from the compassion and helpfulness he shows during his case work is the serial - the latest encounter with the clairvoyant boy being a prime example of this, as also his handling of the grieving daughter of the burnt policeman , among others. Here, there is none of the biting sarcasm that we are familiar with, no samjhe ya samjhaaun ( I for one am profoundly grateful for that!), no sparring with Rathore, despite the latter being as sarcastic as ever. In short, your Arjun is a very intelligent and efficient police officer, and not an eccentric and difficult maverick, and that is all to the good.

I will be taking up the mystery part tomorrow.

Warm good wishes from,

Shyamala Aunty

Dear Shyamala aunty,

CHAPTER 6-A

In the SUV:

Arjun was trying to connect the dots but something was still amiss. Samar, Aniketh, Rita.. all three of them seemed to be involved in this. But, what was the motive?

Also, the time of death and the time at which the body was found.. Just a gap of half an hour!

"Aniketh ke baare mein koi aur details mile hain kya?" Arjun asked no one in particular.

"Haan sir, Aniketh,Rita aur Samar ke saath zyada close tha. I mean, mujhe Rohan ke pendrives mein kuch personal photos mile the. Mujhe, abhi abhi Aniketh ka profile mila hain, uske office se. Aniketh unn photos mein bhi tha. Kuch photos mein Nisha, Rohan, Rita, Samar aur Aniketh.. sabhi the.. Lekin zyada tar photos mein sirf ye teen the," Shree said.

"Haan maine ETF office se nikalte waqt uske collegue se bhi baat ki. Woh bhi keh rahe the ki.. Finance section mein manager tha woh.. Rita personally bhi Aniketh ko jaanti thi. Usike dwara uss group mein entry li usne. Aniketh liked to party a lot. Sabhi ke saath ghul mil jata tha.. He never had that ego in him.. You know, main upar, tum niche and all that.." Riya added.

There was silence for a moment. Arjun's thought process resumed; however there was crucial factor that didn't seem to fit in.. time! The motive of murder was unknown too.

"Sir, Samar ka ghar Mumbai-Pune highway ke kaafi paas hain.. So agar khoon Samar ke yahan hi hua tha, tho mujhe lagta hain woh chot jo Samar ko lagi thi woh ek accident nahin tha.. shayad woh candles ke baare mein jo keh raha tha woh sach hain aur ussi waqt Rohan ka mooh jal gaya. Tab Samar ko chot lag gayi.. maybe," Riya said suddenly.

"Ho sakta hain. There are a lot of chances.. Lekin kuch tho gadbad hain Riya.. Maut ka waqt dekho.. 10:30PM. Laash 11:10PM ko mili.. Rohan ke ghar se uss spot thak pahuchne mein kuch tees paintees minute lagte hain.. So kaise munkin hain ye? Usse kab maara hoga aur kab pheka hoga wahan?" Arjun said, "Kuch tho chut raha hain. Shree, mujhe woh Rohan ke call timings phirse batao.."

"Sir, Rohan ne 8:55PM ko Samar ko call ki. Uske theek bees minute baad, 9:15PM ko Riya ko call kiya.."

"What? Impossible mujhe usne 9:45 ko call kiya..!" Riya objected.

"Kya.. ye telephone company se aayi huyi records hain. Zaroor tumne theek se dekha nahin!" Shree said, pretty confident about his information.

"No way.. just wait," she said and took her mobile out. She looked at the time in her mobile and then she felt stupid! Her mobile was half an hour fast!

"Tum kuch kehne waali thi?" Arjun asked sarcastically.

"Kuch.. kuch nahin. You people carry on.. Shree exact time kya hain ab?" she chose to verify from Shree and correct the time in her mobile.

"Kahan tha na.. I was right," Shree said proudly.

"Shree!" a warning from Arjun brought Shree's attention back to the case.

"Sir, 9:15PM ko Riya ko call kiya.." he said, "Sir, hamein mili initial information ke hisaab se, Rohan kuch nau baje ghar se nikla tha. Tab zaroor usne Samar ke ghar jaane ke baad hi Riya ko call kiya hoga."

"Haan, lekin agar woh Samar ke ghar gaya hoga.. tho. Filhaal hamein yahin maanna hoga, kyunki uske pet mein alcohol ke traces the. Par khoon wahin hua hain.. Ye kehna mushkil hain.." Arjun concluded.

"Sir, yahin pe.." Shree said pointing at a small Travels office.

Arjun, Riya and Shree walked in and Arjun showed the man at the counter his ID card.

"Sir woh raha.." he said and turned towards a man sitting on a stool near by. As soon as the man saw them, he got up, scared, wondering what crime he had committed.

"Tumne isse aaj subah kahan drop kiya tha?" Arjun questioned the Taxi driver.

"Inhe? Woh.." the driver gulped, "Mumbai-Pune highway pe hi.. wahan ek chota sa guest house hain saab wahin gaya tha.. Bahut pareshaan tha saab. Usne mujhe sau samajh kar paanch sau ka note diya tha saab. Main usse bula raha tha woh suna nahin.. Main usse paise wapas dene uske piche piche chala gaya. Uskeliye mujhe bahut daanta usne. Usse paise dene gaya.. mujhe gaali mili saab!"

"Shree, address lo usse.." Arjun said and walked out of the office.

Arjun's phone started bujjing and he took the call, "Haan Chotu.."

Arjun's eyes widened, as the motive of the murder finally became clear. Everything seemed to fit in now!

"Main tumhe ek address batata hoon. Tum wahin aajao.." he told Chotu the address of the guest house and cut the call.

Shree and Riya had joined him by now, "Kya hua sir?" Shree asked, looking at Arjun who stood there arranging the sequence of events in his mind. There was just one question left out; what was the place of murder? Arjun assumed it to be the guest house they were heading to. The only thing that was left now was confirmation.

"Batata hoon," Arjun said and signaled them to get in.

***

Rita was unaware of the ETF vehicle that had been following her for a while now. She was worried sick! She couldn't find that DVD in Rohan's room and she couldn't search the entire house, with his sister eyeing her suspiciously.

She was sure that the DVD wasn't with the ETF, but it wasn't with Rohan either! So where did it vanish to?

She steered the car towards the Mumbai-Pune highway.

A few minutes later,

Rathore saw Rita's car enter a deserted pathway. He couldn't make out what it led to. He stopped the SUV at a distance and decided to follow her on foot. Rathore exited the SUV, his gun drawn out. He called Arjun and informed him his location. He was not surprised to know that Arjun and rest of the team would be arriving there any moment.

The path seemed to have been unused for a while now, except for the fresh tyre marks. He carefully examined them and what he saw surprised him. There were a different set of tyre marks; those of a bike.

"Rohan ka bike..?" he wondered.

He spotted Rita's car as he walked a little further. He immediately hid himself behind a tree. Rita was talking to Samar outside an old house, probably a guest house.

He then saw Samar and Rita enter the house together. This was his chance; he carefully proceeded towards the house.

There would be three people inside, and might be armed too. Entering through the main door would not auger well for him. He decided to enter the house through a window or a back door.

He walked past a closed and a curtained window on his way to the back yard. He managed to keep himself hidden and could finally spot a window that was partly open. He opened the window to have a look inside. Unfortunately the window was barred but what he saw was horrifying. In the dim light of the room he saw a girl lying unconscious on the floor, her hands and legs tied.

The door beside the window was locked from inside and that was the only way to enter the room. "Damn!" Rathore swore. Any attempt to break open the door would immediately caution the three culprits!

He looked at his watch. Arjun and team would be there in a few minutes. Just then he heard some one enter the room. Rathore moved a little closer to the open window and strained his ears to listen to what they were saying.

"Meri baat mano.. isse kahin aur shift karte hain.." Rita begged.

"Kahan? Ye ek hi tho jagah hain jo khali padi hain. Sheher mein kahan chupayenge isse?" Samar argued.

"Dekh.. isse hosh aa raha hain. Woh sleeping pills le aao Samar.." Aniketh ordered Samar, "Mann tho karta hain ki isse sleeping pills ki overdose deke maar doon.. lekin.." Aniketh said and knelt down. He caressed Nisha's cheek and said with an evil glint in his eyes, "Abhi nahin.. Mera kaam abhi baaki hain."

Rita looked at Aniketh with disgust, "Ab tho bas karo! Agar tumne kal apna hosh nahin khoya hota.. tho ye sab hota hi nahin. Tumhari vajehse hum sab phas gaye hain!"

Rathore heard an SUV zoom towards the guest house.

There was sudden panic in the room. Samar shouted, "ETF!" from outside the room.

Both Rita and Aniketh were shocked and Rita yelled, "Dekha! Hum tak pahunch hi gaye. Ab kya karein?"

Aniketh placed a finger on his lips, "Ye darwaza.. Chal yahan se bhagte hain!" he said pointing at the door, outside which Rathore was ready for them with a smirk on his face.

Aniketh and Rita hurried towards the door and opened it only to find Rathore's gun aimed at them. Aniketh tried to kick that gun, but Rathore manged to block his kick and Aniketh fell down at Rita's legs.

Rita ran into the house only to be captured by Shree who had his gun pointed at her.

Rathore grabbed Aniketh by his collar and dragged him into the house.

Samar somehow managed to escape from another back door through the kitchen, Arjun and Riya had gone after him. Rathore pushed Aniketh towards Chotu, "Arrest karlo isse!"

Rathore rushed back into the room to help Nisha. He removed the gag and untied the ropes.

Nisha hadn't completely come into her senses yet. He helped her to sit upright. Rathore called for medical help immediately.

***

The backyard of the guest house led to a rather rugged garden with overgrown grass and bushes. Arjun and Riya split ways and decided to trap Samar from opposite sides. Samar upon seeing Arjun ran ahead but was confronted by Riya. He saw her unarmed, and tried to attack her unaware of the fact that she didn't need a gun to stop him. She blocked his punch; she punched him in his stomach and Samar winced. Next came her roundhouse kick which made sure he lay on the ground, his hands clutching his stomach and his ribs.

Arjun raised his eyebrows impressed with her, "That was impressive," he said with a smirk, as he walked towards her. "That was impressive.." These words from him came as a pleasant surprise to Riya and she smiled in return.

Arjun grabbed Samar by his collar and dragged him into the house.

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

Will be posting Chapter 6-B in the next post!

CHAPTER 6-B

The hall of the guest house:

"Ab tum log mooh khologe ya.." Rathore said loding his gun.

"Batate hain.." Aniketh said, his voice filled with fear, "Hamne hi maara hain Rohan ko.."

"Hamne? Jhoot mat bol.." Rita yelled at him, "Sab Aniketh ki galti thi! Sab kuch..!"

"Acha? Lekin aap bhi tho uthni bholi bhali hain nahin," Arjun said, his voice filled with sarcasm, "Kaafi achi planning ki thi aapne apne so called best friend ki career tabah karne ke liye.."

"Nahin! Uss waqt bhi planning Aniketh ki hi thi..! Maine tho sirf.." she broke into tears.

"Aapne tho sirf uska saath diya right?" Arjun demanded.

Rita nodded, "Nisha aur main kafi samay se iss fashion industry mein the. Ek doosre ko kaafi ache se jaante the. We used to go to places together.. Kaafi faida hota tha mujhe.. I got to meet many people through her. Lekin sach tho sabhi jaante the. I was just her shadow! Aur kuch nahin.. Hadh tho tab ho gayi jab usne mera offer cheen liya. Ek badi company ne mujhe ek add offer kiya tha. Unofficial tha, but I was sure I would get it! Ahem waqt pe Nisha ne sab kharab kar diya. Nisha wanted to work for that company desperately. Usne apne kuch contacts ke dvaara woh add haasil karli. Main kuch nahin kar paayi, sirf dekthi reh gayi. Sirf ye sochti reh gayi ki khash Nisha nahin hoti.. Uss disaster show ke din.. show start hone ke kuch der pehle main dressing room ke bahar gayi thi, ek isolated corner ko dhoondte huye.. mujhe ek call aaya tha tab. Wahan maine dekha ki Aniketh ek bottle mein kuch mila raha tha.. Main uske paas gayi aur.." Rita paused to wipe her tears.

"Aap rehne dijiye.. Baaki ki kahani hamein Aniketh batayega," Rathore said and turned towards Aniketh.

"Nisha, Rita, Samar aur main.. ek group jaise the. Though I was the odd one out.. we were close. Main Nisha se pyaar karta tha. Nisha ne mujhe reject kiya tha ek baar pehle. Rohan ke aane ke baad, Nisha started falling for him. Mujhse dekha nahin gaya. Ek din maine nashe mein Nisha ke saath battameezi ki aur ussne mujhe thappad maar ke kahan ki main apne aukaad mein rahoon. Aur apne jaison ke saath rahoon.. Woh thappad aur woh shabd mujhe aaj bhi yaad hain. She hurt my ego that day, and that was the biggest mistake she did. Main usse uski aukad dikhana chahta tha. Sabke saamne usse maafi mangli. Uss din uss show pe usse support karne ke bahane chala gaya. Ek juice ki bottle mein maine drugs mila di.. Ussi waqt Rita ne mujhe dekh liya aur maine uske saamne apna mooh khol diya. Main achi tarah se jaanta tha Rita mera saath degi.. aur wahin hua. Mere liye kaam aur bhi asaan ho gaya. Rita ne uss juice ke bottle ko Nisha tak pahunchaya.. Show hote hi Rita ne uss bottle ko bahar phek diya! Pure fashion world ke samne Nisha ki bezatti huyi aur woh iss industry se gaayab ho gayi.." Aniketh confessed.

"Lekin do saal baad woh waapas aayi.. Rohan usse wapas le aaya.." Samar started speaking, "Sab kuch theek chal raha tha. Rita and I, we became very close. But, we didn't make it public. Rohan aur Nisha bhi nahin jaante the. Rita ne mujhe uss show ke baare mein bhi bataya tha. Usse pachtava tha uska.. she knew she made a mistake. Par pachtave ke alava woh kuch aur kar bhi nahin sakti thi… One night.."

Four days earlier:

Rohan, Nisha, Samar, Aniketh and Rita were out partying..

Rohan and Nisha sat close to each other, laughing at each other's silly jokes. There was one person who couldn't bear it. Aniketh gulped down another shot of Vodka and stormed out of there. Rita who understood him, went behind him, asking Samar to stay there.

A few minutes later Rohan left the place, saying he had to go to the washroom. On his way there he heard something which made him freeze in his place.

"Nisha ka career barbaad karne se bhi koi faida nahin hua!" he heard Aniketh's voice. Rohan realized immediately what Aniketh was talking about. It didn't take much time for him to open the camera in his mobile and recorded everything. He was sober enough to devise an immediate plan.

"Jab bhi main usse uss Rohan ke saath dekhta hoon tho.. my blood boils Rita!" Aniketh said slamming his fist against the wall.

"Dekho Aniketh, do saal pehle uss show ko aur Nisha ko barbaad karke hamne ek bahut badi galti ki hain.. bahut badi. Tumhe usse uss din drugs dene hi nahin chahiye thi.. Jaane do usse. Everything is over. Kya faida hua hain hamein? Aaj Nisha phirse vaapas aayi hain. And she is as successful as before. Hum kuch nahin kar sakte.." she calmed Aniketh down, "Let's go back."

Rohan quickly hid himself as Rita and Aniketh walked away.

Rohan's world turned upside down! He couldn't believe his eyes.. Rita and Aniketh?

He decided he would bring justice to Nisha.. Even though Nisha made a great comeback, there were people who still ridiculed for what happened in the show. Nisha's dress was ripped apart in front of the cameras and the media. He still remembered the torment Nisha had to go through. He would make them pay for it!

"Rohan ne Nisha ko pehle nahin bataya tha.. Usne pehle do DVD copies banaye uss video ke. Ek uske paas tha aur doosra Nisha ke paas. Tab jaake Nisha ko pata chala iske baare mein. Maine aur Nisha ne milkar Rohan ko bahut samjhane ki koshish ki.. ki ye sab chod de. Bekar mein purani baatein na dohraye.. Lekin, saala woh maan hi nahin raha tha! Tab jaake maine Rita aur Aniketh ko ye baat batayi. Rita ghabra gayi; lekin Aniketh ne kahaan ki hum pehle baith ke baath karenge. Rohan aur Nisha iske liye maan gaye. Par Rita nahin jaana chahti thi, woh iss discussion mein shaamil hi nahin hona chahti thi. Isiliye uska mood lighten karne ke liye maine ek candlelight dinner plan kiya tha. Mujhe tho shock tab laga jab Rohan ne call karke ye insist kiya ki main uske saath aaun Aniketh se milne.. Usne ye bhi kahaan ki Nisha Pune se directly guest house aane waali thi.. lekin Nisha ka phone nahin lag raha tha.." Samar said and paused.

"Isliye tumne Rita ke saath dinner date cancel kar di aur candles hatha the huye tumhe chot lagi.." Samar nodded and Arjun continued, "Rohan nau baje apne ghar se nikla aur tumhare yahan pahunchte hi usne Riya ko woh message bhej diya, jiske baare mein tum log nahin jaante the. Kyunki uske dimaag mein kuch aur hi chal raha tha.. He wasn't gonna compromise. Tumne usse alcohol offer ki hogi?"

"Haan.. woh bahut tensed tha.. Isliye maine uske haathon mein do beer bottles thamadi aur bike main drive kar rahan tha.." Samar confirmed that he was the one who got Rohan drunk.

"Aniketh ne Nisha ko kuch che baje call kiya tha.. Iska matlab saade aath ya kareeb nau baje tak woh yahaan pahunch gayi hogi.. Tum log tho yahaan 9:45 tak to aaye honge. Kya hua tha yahaan tumhare aane se pehle?"

Samar bent his head down and gulped. Arjun turned towards Aniketh, "Tum batana chahoge?"

"Main yahaan pehle se wait kar raha tha unka. Maine Nisha ko kahaan ki Rohan aa raha hain aur hum tab tak andar baithte hain.. Yahaan power supply nahin hain. Isiliye maine kuch candles jalaye. Nisha mujhse baat bhi nahin kar rahin thi. Maine usse maafi mangi lekin woh mere taraf dekh bhi nahin rahin thi.." Aniketh said rubbing his forehead, "Kaafi der tak hum chup chaap baithe rahe.. I was a little drunk. Pata nahin.. main uske paas jaake baith gaya. I tried to talk to her again.. She was angry and tried to call Rohan. Lekin yahaan bikul bhi service nahin milta hain.. She became even more angry and when I tried to touch her she slapped me. I lost my cool aur.."

"Tumne uske saath zabardasti karne ki koshish ki?" Riya asked, her voice filled with disgust. The wounds on Nisha's body clearly indicated violence.

Aniketh nodded, "Achanak Rohan aur Samar bhi pahunch gaye. Nisha ne Rohan ko bataya maine kya kiya.."

"Tumhare aur Rohan ke beech hatapayi shuru hogayi.. Tumne usse dhakka diya aur woh unn candles pe jaake gira jo tumne ek saath uss pe jalaye the.." Arjun said, pointing at a wooden table with burn marks on it, "Uska mooh jal gaya.. You panicked. Samar ne bhi tumhari madad ki kyunki woh nahin chahta tha ki Rita ki career barbaad ho. Tum dono ne milkar pehle Nisha ko behosh kiya, phir Rohan ka gala dabaakar uski katl ki.. Usse ek black garbage cover mein daalkar main road pe ek ped ke piche phek diya.. Samar ne Rohan ke bike ko thikane laga diya.. Par tum logon ki badh naseebi ye thi ki tumhara wahan se nikalne ke kuch das minute baad hi hamein laash mil gayi.."

Aniketh nodded, "Hum ghabra gaye.. Isiliye hum turant yahaan se nikal gaye.. Samar ko uske yahaan chod diya maine aur seedhe apne ghar chala gaya! Maine Nisha ke purse se chabiya li aur uske ghar mein ghuss gaya. Mujhe uske cupboard mein woh DVD mili.. Usse lekar main aap logon ke aane se pehle hi wahan se nikal gaya..! Par uska kya faida.."

"Rohan ke paas ek aur DVD tha jo hamein nahin mili.. Isiliye mujhe uske ghar jaana pada. Samar ki baat taal nahin paayi.. Mere liye itna kuch kar raha tha woh.. Lekin mera yakeen maniye.. maine koyi khoon nahin kiya hain!!!"

"Aap ne koyi khoon nahin kiya hain.. Lekin aapne khooni ka saath diya. Ye bhi ek jurm hain. Aniketh, tumne Nisha ki zindagi barbaad karne ki koshish ki.. kyun? Kyunki usne tumhare pyaar ko thukraya? Pyaar ka matlab bhi jaante ho tum? Sharm aani chahiye tumhe.. Aur Rita aapne lalaj mein aa kar iski madad ki! Samar.. tum tho iss jurm se bach sakte the.. But, even you chose the wrong path!" Arjun said and stepped away from them.

The three of them were arrested. The case was thus closed!

***

Precap: Riya and Arjun enter Riya's house. Arjun meets Karan.

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Uff.. Finally completed the case..! So how was it???

Guys.. no chappals and tamatars please..

I thought I'd be able to update the next part today itself! But really sorry..

I had to complete the case in this part. (Next update is all about Ariya.. 😉)

So, bear with the me and my case.. 😆 I'll update the next chapter tomorrow and will send the PMs after that! 😊

CHAPTER 6-C

"We'll have to take Nisha's statement too," Rathore said looking at Riya. "Sir, lekin usse abhi bhi puri tarah se hosh nahin aaya hain. Sar pe chot lagi hain, jiski wajeh se woh kal raat ko behosh huyi hogi.. I don't think woh abhi hamein koyi statement de paayegi.." Riya said, as the ambulance drove away.

"Janta hoon. Ek kam karo.. Kal subah Nisha se jaake tum khud baat karo and collect the statement too.." Rathore told her. He knew it would easier for Nisha to talk to Riya.

"Yes sir..!"

Riya's phone started buzzing. She excused herself to take the call, "Haan Maa'' Kya???"

It was a little shocking for Riya to know that her family had returned to their house in Mumbai, accompanied by Karan's family.

"Agar Mumbai hi aana tha tho Pune mein milne ki kya zaroorat thi..?" she asked a little annoyed.

"Hum mein tumhari jitni akal nahin hain na.. isliye! Unhe Mumbai mein kuch kaam tha.. Isiliye hamare saath hi chale aaye. Tum bhi ghar jaldi aa jao," Riya's mother passed an order, Riya couldn't defy.

"Haan koshish karti hoon. Abhi abhi kaam pura hua hain.. Main.." Riya tried to explain but her mother wasn't ready to listen, "Dekho Riya.. subah bhi tum nahin thi. Isiliye.."

"Theek hain Maa.. main aati hoon," Riya said and cut the call. Karan and his family were waiting for her at her place. She sighed; it was going to be a really long evening now! she checked her watch. It was around 5 o'clock.

"Riya!" she heard Shree calling her, "Chale?" he asked walking towards her.

She nodded and started walking towards their vehicle.

"Tho kaisa raha pehla din?" he asked her casually, "I mean ETF mein.."

"I liked it.. Smaller team.. smarter people," she said and winked at him.

Shree narrowed his eyes at her and asked, "Mazaak.. ya.."

"No.. I mean it.. Pata nahin kyun.. I'm pretty excited!"

"Acha.. thode dino ke baad hum yahin sawaal phirse karenge. Tab dekhte hain jawaab kya hoga.." Chotu said joining the duo.

"Aisa kyun? Main field pe kaam karchuki hoon. Lekin aaj bhi wahin excitement aur enthusiasm hain jo pehle din tha.." Riya said looking at him.

"Waise Chotu.. Ek baat pooch sakti hoon? Bura mat maano.. okay?" Riya said with a naughty smile playing on her lips..

"Haan.." Chotu said wondering what that question was. But Shree intervened, "Yahin ki iska naam kisne rakha hain..?"

"Exactly..!" Riya said; Shree and Riya started laughing. Chotu rolled his eyes and then became serious, "Shree.." he said, his hand moving towards his hair band.

Shree stopped laughing, "Arey baapre Chotu.. Maaf karna yaar. Hum bas mazaak kar rahe the.."

Riya found Shree's pleading funnier.

Chotu smiled and said, "Main bhi mazak kar raha tha.. Darpok kahika.."

Now, it was Riya and Chotu's turn to laugh at Shree.

Arjun stood at distance, near the SUV, watching Riya getting comfortable with the team. It was just her first day in ETF, but there she was, having fun with her colleagues. That wasn't surprising to Arjun. Though Riya was arrogant at times, she was a fun loving and jovial girl. He, for once, saw a glimpse of the girl he knew. Yet, he had strong feeling that she changed. But, why is he troubled by that? Hasn't she changed for the better? She has.. and he must be happy for her.

His train of thoughts was interrupted by a phone call, "Hello aunty? Kaise ho aap?"

"Main theek hoon beta.. Tum abhi Riya ke saath hi ho?" Mrs. Sumitra Mukherjee asked him.

"Ji.. haan.. usike saath hoon."

"Kaam khatam hote hi uske saath ghar aa jao.. "

"Ghar..? Aap Mumbai vaapas aa gaye?"

"Haan. Abhi abhi aaye hain.. Tum Riya ke saath yahaan aa jao.."

"Nahin aunty aaj nahin.. phir kabhi.." Arjun said, a little hesitant to say no straight away.

"Arjun.. koi bahana nahin chalega! Kam se kam apne Sir ke liye tho aa sakte ho na?"

The mention of his mentor made it impossible for him to reject her invitation, "Theek hain aunty.. I'll be there.."

"Ghar aa jao.." these words brought back memories to him. Memories he cherished.

A home.. it didn't exist for him anymore. Not after he lost her.. his Roshni!

He got into the driver's seat, his mind elsewhere. He closed his eyes, trying to gulp down the pain of his cursed life.

His grip on the wheel tightened and he honked in anger. Shree and Riya who were near the vehicle were startled by his sudden act, got into the SUV without another word. Chotu had already joined Rathore.

A ghastly silence filled the vehicle; neither Shree nor Riya spoke another word until they reached their office.

Shree and Riya exited the vehicle and walked towards the office. However, Arjun didn't move from his seat. Riya turned around wondering what was wrong with him. She seemed to be disturbed by his silence.

"Woh aajayenge.. tum chalo.." Shree assured her. Riya nodded and followed Shree into the office.

Arjun finally managed to get a grip of himself. He unbuckled the seat belt and exited the SUV.

Two hours later:

The work for the day was done, "Kal subah milte hain," Rathore said and the team dispersed.

"Chal rahe ho na?" she asked stepping in front of Arjun all of a sudden.

"Haan," he said, his face devoid of any expression. He walked past her towards the exit.

Riya was trying to talk to him. She had been preparing herself mentally since morning. She has to work with him everyday now and hence wanted everything to be normal between them.

Riya knew a lot had changed over the past three years, both in her life and his. She remembered how she had walked out of his life; she had to. She needed time to sort out her messed up life. It took her three years to set her life back on track and in the process she lost precious time. She couldn't support him when he needed her the most; or.. maybe.. he never really needed her!

Chotu snapped his fingers in front of her eyes, bringing her back to her senses, "Yahaan khade khade kya soch rahin ho?"

"Kuch nahin.. mujhe chalna chahiye.. Bye! See you guys tomorrow," she waved at Chotu and then at Shree who had just joined them.

"Kya hua?" Shree asked, as she saw Riya hurry towards Arjun.

"Pata nahin.. shaayad dono saath mein jaa rahe hain," Chotu said pointing at Arjun and Riya.

"Arjun sir Riya ko jaante hain na?"

"Haan Shree lagta tho aise hi hain. Kaafi close bhi lagte hain. Unhe unke naam se jo bulati hain."

"Interesting.. very interesting.." Shree said mimicking his boss.

"Chal ab bahut hogaya.. chalte hain.." Chotu said patting him on his shoulder.

"Kya yaar tum bhi..? Ghar jaane ki itni jaldi? Tumhari 11 baje waali.. uska darshan phirse hone waala hain kya..?" Shree asked, teasing Chotu.

"Shree..! Bakwas band kar aur ab chal.."

***

Arjun's silence began to irk her. She kept glancing at him again and again, but Arjun kept ignoring her. After a point of time, Riya took to staring at him.

Arjun patiently waited for her to turn away. But Riya wasn't going to give up that easily.

Finally, fed up with her, "Kya hain?" he snapped.

"Kuch nahin.. Bas dekh rahin hoon.." she said with a smile.

"Tumhari dimagi halat theek tho hain na Riya? Ya phir koi bimari..?" he asked irritated.

Riya chuckled at the remark. She took in a deep breath, "Arjun.."

Arjun didn't respond but concentrated only on the road ahead.

"I'm sorry.." Riya said, "Main jaanti hoon ki main jis tarah London chali gayi mujhe vaise jaana nahin chahiye.."

"It's okay Riya.." Arjun cut her short. A smile appeared on her face upon hearing those words, "Main jaanti thi.. tum ab tak ghussa nahin rahoge.."

"No Riya.. I'm not angry with you. Un sab baton se mujhe ab koyi farak nahin padta hain," Arjun said, unwilling to discuss the topic further.

"Un sab baton se mujhe ab koyi farak nahin padta hain."

All she could hear was that sentence. These words echoed in her ears. This wasn't the Arjun she knew; he should have taunted her upon hearing her apology.. But, this Arjun.. it didn't matter to him at all. Even though Riya was very much aware of the emotional turmoil he might have gone through; she never got to witness the extent of damage it had done.

"Tumhe koyi farak nahin padta hain..? Kyun..?" she asked, hurt by his indifference.

"Waqt aur halaat insaan ko badal dete hain Riya. Jaise ki tum.. Tum bhi tho badal gayi ho."

Riya smiled weakly, "Tum sahin ho Arjun.. Waqt aur haalat.. ek ajeeb hi khel khelte hain hamare saath.. Badalna hi padta hain.." she said and turned away.

These words from Riya surprised him yet again. Arjun, however remained quiet.

A few minutes later:

Arjun and Riya were welcomed by Aman's wife; that is Riya's sister-in-law, Archana.

"Arjun..? Kaise ho aap? Ayiye..andar aayiye.." she invited Arjun inside, purposefully ignoring Riya.

Arjun nodded, "Main theek hoon.. Aap..?" he asked entering the house.

"I'm fine.. Aap andar chaliye main aati hoon.."

Meanwhile, Riya stood outside the door waiting for her Bhaabi to come to her and take her inside.

Instead, Archana grabbed Riya by her ear, "Bahut badmaashi karti ho na.. chalo andar.."

"Ouch Bhaabi.. chodiye na," Riya said trying to free herself.

Arjun had no idea that Karan's family was present at Riya's house. He realized that Riya's mother had deliberately hid it from him.

Riya walked in and stood beside him. Upon seeing the expression on his face Riya understood the situation, "Mamma ne bataya nahin?"

Arjun shook his head.

"Arey ye dekho.. Hamari bahu tho aa gayi.." Karan's mother said and walked towards Riya.

Riya looked behind, wondering who she was referring to. It then struck her that her wedding with Karan has been fixed and Mrs. Singhania was talking to her.

Arjun moved away from Riya. Poonam came to him and said, "Acha kiya tumne.. chup chap yahaan chale aaye. Issi bahane Karan se bhi mil lo.."

Arjun only nodded in return, his eyes on Riya, who bent down to touch her future Mother-in-law's feet.

"Arey.. Jiti raho.." she blessed Riya and then hugged her. In the process her hand touched Riya's gun that was to her side, in the holster. Mrs. Singhania immediately said pointing at the gun, "Main tho bhul hi gayi! Meri hone waali bahu ek Police officer hain. Lagta hain mujhe ab iss gun ko dekhne ki bhi aadat dalni padegi..!" Everybody in the room laughed except for Arjun and Riya who gave each other amused looks.

Karan walked towards Riya and was about to say something when, "Karan.. tumhe kisise milwana hain.." Riya said and took him to Arjun.

"This is Arjun.." she said, "Arjun, this is Karan."

"Riya ka hone wala pati.." he added, "It's a pleasure meeting you here, ACP Arjun Rawte.." he said extending his hand towards Arjun, with a smirk on his lips.

intresting update...