Chapter 2
Warning: Long update! 😉😕
Kohinoor Banquet Halls, Dadar, Mumbai.
They had just stepped into the deserted banquet hall.. However, the sight that met their eyes was unusual. There were no guests, no hosts, no sumptuous meals laid on tables; only two immobile bodies lay on the cold floor in the room decorated with roses..
Aisha crouched on her knees and checked the victim's pulse; she shook her head and motioned to the Chief.
Sameer Rathore took charge of the investigation and turned to the rest of his team. Having assigned them their duties, he dialed a number to inform people back at the Headquarters.
Shree was attentively clicking away pictures on his iPad, occasionally looking around the place.. The sight of red roses in the eerie place somehow made him uncomfortable.
Chottu, who had been busy questioning the guards, saw his friend frown and walked up to him, "Kya hua?"
Shree shrugged his shoulders and pointed towards the walls,
"Lagta hai, iss couple ko laal gulaabon se bohot pyaar tha.. Chaaron taraf bass yahi phool hain.."
Chottu looked around and nodded his head agreeing. The duo resumed their jobs quickly unaware of the fact that two figures had heard them.
Arjun had been looking around the place, for any clue left behind by the killer, when Shree's words happened to fall on his ears, Laal gulaab..
'Yaar yeh red roses ke bina koi bhi love story poori nahi hoti kya?' He had once asked his now dead wife.
Ayesha saw him lost and sighed as a scene from the past flashed in front of her eyes,
'Oho.. I promise, tumhari shaadi mein chaaron taraf sirf red roses hi honge.. Main khud saari decorations karungi.. Dekh lena.. Meri laal pari..'
Rathore walked in and called out to both of them.. They snapped out of their reveries and walked up to the Chief, not before exchanging a quick look. And within no time, their personal tragedies had been left behind and they had transformed into the stern and resposnible officers, that they were!
Hotel Regia Palms, Candolim, Goa
Karan glanced at his watch for the nth time in the last 10 minutes.. 7:05 p.m.
His eyes darted off to the elevator, when it dinged.. A couple of foreign tourists walked out disappointing him.
His phone buzzed and he answered the call; it was from one of his local informers, "Hmm.. bol.."
"Sir, pakka information hai, Woh punter log aaj raat Della Maria Pub mein dinner ke vaaste jaa raha hai.. Main abhi double check kiya hai.."
Karan looked around and whispered, "Hmm.. theek hai.. Lekin sambhal ke.. Kisiko shaq toh nahi hua na?"
"No Sir.. Abhi apun rakhta hai.."
Karan glanced at the wall clock and threw his head back against the cushions, God! Yeh ladkiyan taiyaar hone mein itna waqt kyun lagati hain!!
16 floors above, she sighed and made faces at her reflection in the mirror, For the love of God, just do it!
She picked up the maroon-red and black netted off shoulder dress and put it on. The gown wrapped around her slim form, hugging her curves in the right places. She looked up and stared at herself in the mirror..
The colour of the fabric shone against the dim lighting in her room.. She slumped on the bed and clenched her eyes shut,
There had been a time, when she had loved the colour! RED.. It had signified soo many beautiful things including love.. Love!
That undid the moment..
Today, the word irked her beyond measure.. She walked to the dressing table and picked up a matching bejeweled Choker.
She placed it around her neck and saw the black stones shine against her skin..
She stared into the mirror absent-mindedly and snapped out of her thoughts when her phone buzzed.. A familiar number flashed on the screen,
"Oh God Rosy! We're getting late.. You're supposed to be there in the next 30 minutes.. I need to talk to you.. We need to discuss the case.. Make it quick!"
Rosanna shrugged her shoulders, "10 minutes, Karan.. I'll be there.."
She quickly dabbed some face powder and lined her doe-shaped eyes with a thick black gel liner. The mascara added volume to her lashes and the light crimson blush on her cheeks completed her look for the night!
Quickly strapping on Black Stilettos , she walked to the safe in the wardrobe. Her eyes fell on it and her fingers curled around the dark black metal.
She sent out a silent prayer wishing she wouldn't have to use it tonight.. Not because she was afraid to, but because she couldn't afford to; not yet!
She threw her soft curls back and pouted looking into the mirror; the shimmering red gloss made her lips look luscious and delicious..
Having stuffed the 0.45 Glock Semi Automatic into her Prada Saffiano Leather Clutch, she snapped it shut and made her way to the elevator.
Karan's mouth fell open at the sight of the lady.. She looked worth a million bucks and she surely looked like she was dressed to kill..
He chuckled inwardly at the thought and offered her an arm, "Shall we?"
She raised a brow at him and rolled her eyes; he was disguised..
She eyed him top to toe and pointed at his extended arm,
"Is this a part of the protocol, as well?"
Karan led her out of the hotel and walked towards his car,
"Not really.. But a beautiful lady should always be escorted by a man, you see.. It'll be a shame if I let go of the opportunity.."
Rosanna blinked her eyes, not letting his chivalry affect her,
"So.. Any news? Tum keh rahe the, ki kuch gadbad hai wahan?"
Karan strapped his seat belt on and started the ignition,
"Okay.. Listen to me, very carefully..
I'm not sure if Aisha has informed you about this.. Anyway..
Three years back when he had traced the racket to Goa, baar baar do naam humare saamne aaye the.. Pinto and Francis..
Waise toh unn dono ke khilaaf koi serious charges nahi hain, but we doubt it.. We think they're just the weak links in whole fiasco.. There's someone, who's monitoring their activities!"
Rosy shifted in her seat, "Any guesses, who it could be?"
Karan focused on the road ahead,
"No.. None as of now.. One's a petty pickpocket while the other owns a coconut stall on the beach.."
Rosy eyed the invite lying in her lap,
"And they're attending parties at Della Maria.. Interesting.."
Karan eyed her and grinned,
"Nope.. What's more interesting is that they attend parties at Della Maria, only on Friday nights.."
Rosy fluttered her thick lashes and mentally made a note of it,
"So.. They're here to meet Daddy?!"
Karan nodded, "Maybe.. We'll have to find out.."
She fisted her fingers and grazed her thumb along the index finger, lost in deep thought,
"Daddy has to be here, Karan.. We have to find him!"
He looked at her clenched jaw,
"Yes we do.. I've tried a few times before.. One of my men almost blew it up.. It's been nearly six months since then.."
Rosy looked up startled,
"We can't afford loop holes, not this time.. If they really work for him, he will be here.. If not today, next weekend.. We need to keep trying!"
She turned away from him and gazed into the shimmering lights of the 'Nightlife Capital' of India.
Karan looked at her determined form and sighed hoping things would start falling in place soon.. They didn't have much time at their disposal.
She shut her eyes and rested her head against the glass window, mentally making a note of steps she would have to take..
Karan had pulled into the car park of the pub and turned to her.. She checked her attire in the rear-view mirror of the car and stepped down, leaving behind a grinning Karan. He led her to the entrance and introduced her to a few friends of his..
She tagged along with them and walked towards the backstage. Karan fished out his phone to alert his men inside, but froze when she glanced back at him over her shoulder. She winked!!
Karan grinned widely at her and motioned her a thumbs up.. He watched her walk away swaying her hips and wondered if he would ever be able to read through her mind..
Few minutes later, Karan sat at the bar with a couple of ladies, obviously flirting with them.. So what, if he was an under-cover intelligence officer, Karan Singhaniya never missed out on flirting with pretty women..
His head shot up upon hearing the host announce the performer for tonight, Rosy D'costa..
He excused himself and made way to the table that had been initially reserved for them.
The stage was set; the disco lights flashed on the audience, momentarily blinding them. A figure in red stood next to pianist, with her back facing the crowd..
Teenagers whistled, women envied her curves, elderly men lusted at her curvaceous form, while Karan simply grinned and rested his chin on his elbow and watched on..
She spun around seductively, snapping her fingers and swaying her hips to the soft music..
One of the bar-attendants threw her a wireless mike and she clutched it with both hands,
Nayi nahi nayi yeh baatein
Yeh baatein hai purani ..
Kaisi paheli hai yeh
Kaisi paheli.. zindagaani..
She twirled on her toes, earning a loud applause from the audience.. Karan shook his head when their eyes met.. She spun around ignoring him..
Thaama haan roka isko kisne..
Haan yeh toh behta paani..
Kaisi paheli hai yeh..
Kaisi paheli..zindagaani..
A pair of teenage boys walked towards her and swayed along with her.. Karan was nervous, wondering if she would shove them away in retaliation. However, she hadn't disappointed him, when she met their steps and danced along..
La la la la..
Zu zu zu zu
La la la la..
Zu zu zu zu zu..
Rosy dragged herself to the bar and poured a drink, spilling most of it on the counter,
Pee le isse..
Ismein nasha..
Jisne piyaa..
Woh gham mein bhi hasa..
She sat on the stool on the stage and poured the drink on the stage watching the stream of liquid on the floor..
Pal mein hasaye
aur pal mein rulaye yeh kahani
Kaisi paheli hai yeh
Kaisi paheli.. zindagaani
Karan saw her eyes fixed on the stream of the drink as it tricked down to the floor.. He caught a glimpse of the vulnerable Rosanna he had witnessed a while back at the beach..
Ha ha roka hai kisne
Yeh toh behta paani
Kaisi paheli hai yeh
Kaisi paheli.. zindagaani
She swayed her hips and walked to the pianist, leaning over his instrument.. Her blood red painted fingers moved in the air on their own accord as she moved to the soft instrumental music..
A man in a black tux walked up to her and knelt in front of her asking her for a dance.. She lifted her eyes to look for Karan and then slipped her fingers into his..
Aankhon mein gar.. sapna nayaa..
Aansoon tera.. ik moti hai bana..
She swayed against the length of his arms as he dipped her backwards,
Sooni dagar pe jaise..
Sooni yeh chaaon ho suhani..
Kaisi paheli hai yeh..
Kaisi paheli.. zindagaani..
Soon, the mesmerized crowd had joined her on the stage.. Teenagers swaying to the soft music with their partners, elderly Catholic couples dressed in their best, enjoying some spare time with their spouses, a small fraction of singles who had just hooked up with a partner sometime back in the party..
However, Karan's eyes were fixed on hers.. He saw her being led away from the dance floor and stood up slowly, his gaze following hers..
He saw her throw her curls back, to reveal a earpiece and understood her intentions..
He quickly fixed his earpiece in place and walked to a secluded corner of the pub.
Rosanna had been slightly taken aback at being asked for a dance by a stranger.. However, one fixed stare from Karan encouraged her to accept it..
She wriggled in the stranger's arms initially since a foreign touch disgusted her.. It had been years since she had been this close to a man!
Another close look at the man's features and her sharp sixth sense told her to play along.. She swayed in the stranger's arms and was stunned momentarily when he refused to let go of her..
She fixed her earpiece in place, hoping Karan would take the hint..
She wasn't scared; she simply wanted to keep Karan in the loop..
She saw the stranger walk her to the private lounge, which had cabins, to provide privacy to the guests.
The man pulled out a chair for her and requested her to sit.. Rosy complied and placed her soft hands in her lap..
The stranger ordered a drink for himself and waited for her to place hers.. She shot him a piercing glare when he wasn't looking and knew something was wrong..
She put on a fake smile, "A Green Lemonade please.."
The man knitted his brows, "By the way, I'm Mario Pereira.."
Rosy heard Karan shushing her through the earpiece and held out her hand to greet him, "Rosy.. Rosy D'costa.."
Mario kissed the back of her palm and smiled wickedly at her,
"Pleasure to meet you, young lady.. Waise, tumko yahan main pehla kabhi dekha nahi.. Naya hai?"
She gulped her annoyance and flashed a dimpled smile at him,
"Hmm.. Bass abhi last month hi aayi hoon.."
Mario sipped on his drink, "Koi khaas kaam ya sight-seeing ke vaaste?"
She smirked inwardly and eyed her drink,
"Errm.. A little bit of both.. Kuch kaam bhi tha aur socha issi bahane sight-seeing bhi ho jayegi.. Waise, I must say, you Goans really know how to party.."
He seemed pleased at that,
"Toh tumko party karna achha lagta hai? Main tumhara gaana suna.. Last week bhi aur abhi wapas se.."
Rosy heard Karan whispering Easy.. Easy.. into her ear and inhaled sharply,
"Oh.. Really? Toh, did you enjoy it?"
He nodded his head biting into the grilled prawns,
"Enjoy? Brilliant tha.. Tum singer hai?"
She nodded her head,
"Uhmm.. Not really.. But ab pet paalne ke liye kuch to kaam karna padta hai, na?"
Karan sipped on his drink and heard the conversation.. He had already tipped off his men to dig into Mario Pereira's background, since the man appeared slightly shady to him.. He was sure, Rosy would agree with him on that one..
Mario shook his head, "Toh wapas jaane ka iraada hai, ya phir Goa mein hi bassne ka hai?"
Rosy pouted, "Oh! I wish I could stay back forever.. This place is wonderful.. Yahan ka food, yahan ka culture, the beaches aur yahan ke log.."
Her eyes were fixed on him as she uttered the last words..
He acknowledged her praise with a slight nod of his head, "I wish I could help you.."
That rang a bell in her ears and she heard Karan whisper, Go on!
She made a puppy face and pouted, "Ohh.. I wish you could.."
His facial features tensed a bit and Rosy, being the vigilant officer that she was hadn't missed it. He chose not to answer that and pretended to check his phone screen, every now and then..
She glanced at his phone,
"Uhmm.. Aap kissi ko expect kar rahein hain, toh its okay.. Main chalti hoon.. My friend is waiting for me.."
Mario adjusted his tie and walked her back to the bar.. She saw Karan wave at her and pointed towards him.. The duo had soon reached him..
Rosy stood next to Karan and introduced the two men, "Karan, meet Mr. Mario Pereira.. And Mr. Pereira, he's Karan, my friend.."
The two men exchanged half-hearted pleasantries and Mario walked away after bidding her a good-bye.
She spun around and motioned Karan to hear carefully.. His mouth fell open as he recollected a red peony clip sticking to the lapels of Pereira's jacket..
He turned to her and fumbled for words, "You.. You put a bug on him??!!"
She shot him a glare and pointed towards the ear-piece..
A few minutes later, Karan was glad she had!
****
Phew!! Done.. How was it?!! I need reviews dearies.. I'm super nervous and super-excited!! 😛😕
P.S. : There's a reason the first part has been added.. You shall soon know more about it..
Peep-in for Chapter 3..
Who's Pereira? Is Rosy mistaken?
Does he find out about Rosy planting a bug on him? How does she get away with it? 😲
What did Karan hear?! 😉
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NOTE: I do not own the characters.. My stories are my fantasies and are based on ideas derived from the show.. My works are only meant for members of IndiaForums and are not to be copied to other sites..
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Edited by mohabbatgirl - 12 years ago
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