FF: Khamoshiyaan T2: last part & VM page 66 - Page 34

My dear Kunchu,

This update resembles nothing so much as the chapter in Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone where there is a room with a lot of keys flying about. You have, exactly like that, a number of keys to unanswered questions floating about:

-Arjun's unasked question about Aisha's strange reticence, which makes him feel that something is not all right but she is hiding it from him, which of course she is.

- Baba's question about Aryan, including whether the security arrangements outside the clinic are linked to the reopening of his case.

- Arjun's question- to-come about the security deployment, which was made known to him only by chance, thru Baba's comment/question.

- Shree's self-questioning about how to handle Baba and get his permission to search Aryan's personal effects without letting on that Aryan is no more.

I liked the first meeting between Arjun and Shree very much ; it was convincing and extremely moving. I read it, and then I suddenly remembered meeting a close friend in Delhi who was suffering from leukaemia, and had achieved some remission. I knew she was very ill, but still it was a shock to see how cadaverous and skinny she had become in 6 short months. It was the same for Shree wrt Arjun

It must have been tough for Arjun to see in Shree's eyes, glazed in shock, how far he would have to travel to get back to normalcy. But he will, for neither Aisha nor the others will let him fail or drop out.

I did not understand one thing: You say

Evening:

At the tea time, Arjun asked for the updates. Sree told that the number was in a local's name. But he knew nothing about it. Someone had used his ID proofs, which was not convincing.

Now, I presume this refers to the threatening call for Arjun that was received by Aisha, with the news being strictly withheld from Arjun. How then is this included in the case updates for Arjun, when all concerned are trying very hard to keep the news of the threatening call from Arjun?

Shyamala Aunty

PART 49:

PART 50:

"Kaunse log?? Ye sab kya horaha hai?"

He had that old demanding look back on his face. If they had not seen it before, they would have been worried. As of now they knew it was a little bit anger in those eyes. But for Baba it was all new. He cursed himself for the slip of tongue in that moment. He saw a flare in those eyes. Maybe this was the man they were speaking about.

"please ab chup math rahiye. Kya keh rahe ho aap sab?" he had a demanding tone.

"usse pehle ye bathayiye Arjun... wo purane case firse shuru hua aur aap mujhe bathaya thak nahi, kyu?

Arjun mellowed a bit down infront of that question.

"aapse kuch chupane ka iraad anai tha Baba. Bas sahi waqt ke intezaar tha"

"shayad aap bhool rahe ho, aap mere bete ke bare me baath kar rahe hai. Tho kis waqt ke intezaar the?"

The words were not accusing. It had the plain pain in those words. Arjun couldn't keep up to that look. He lowered his eyes to compose himself before answering anything more.

Aisha was already feeling the tension brewing in. First Baba, and now him. It was time for some answers. And how was everything going to change?

Sree felt guilty for not trying a better way to speak to Baba. He felt bad for the pain that was in. But he knew it too... this was to happen someday or other.

Baba... he was not angry. He was feeling the wounds reopened. And that too by Arjun's silence it was worsening, giving him all the bad hints.

He took a deep breath and tried to keep in all the pain he had with him.

"kuch tho bolo Arjun... kuch patha chala Aryan ke bare me? Kahi wo..."

He was not sure of what to ask. Asking if he was alive would have been best. But then if he was, why was he hiding all this time? To think he was dead... somewhere he didn't want to voice it loud. What if Arjun say yes? Everything ends over there.

"Patha nahi Baba... hame thode aur waqt chahiye... this time, ETF ye case handle kar rahe hai. Iss bar apko har sawal ke jawab milega. Ye mera wada hai"

"kaise jawab Arjun? Mujhe bas mere beta..."

The bottled up pain was finding a vent. He shuddered with the whimper that left his lips. His throat was heavy and so was heart.

Arjun felts so helpless again. Given a chance he would have went and hugged that men. He needed a shoulder, though he would never say it loud. But he was bound to that damn bed.

All could see the man who brought light all about, face down with silent tears.

Aisha looked at Arjun who asked what he wanted silently. She tugged Sree out of the room leaving Baba with Arjun.

The silence prevailed in the room except of the deep sigh that left Baba at times. Arjun was watching him every moment. That was all that he could do. Giving him time...

Baba sat on the bed facing side away from Arjun. He felt Arjun's hands on his shoulder. It was comforting.

"patha hai Arjun... uske wapas aane ka ummeed mujhe kam hai. Agar aana hotha tho tho wo kabka mere paas hothe. Mere Aryan mujhe aise nai sathathe. Par abhi bhi..."

He stopped.

"math rokiye baba... jo mann me hai kahiye..."

He could see Baba wiping tears. He turned to Arjun.

"I am still waiting for him Arjun... patha nahi kyu..."

That was the maximum he could say. And that said everything that he wished to say too. He couldn't hold on more. Arjun leaned forward and hugged him tight.

He had these shoulders when he had left hope for his life. These brought his life back. These were leading him in every step he was taking. He couldn't do much other than holding onto the man that gave him this life.

They comforted each other for a while. Aisha and Sree were waiting outside. They knew Arjun and Baba were going through hard times. But now they were dreading of whats going to happen next.

Moments later, baba came to the door. His eyes showed it clear that he was crying. But the man had composed himself back. "aayiye... he is waiting for you both"

His tone did carry on the pain how much ever he tried to compose himself. They walked in and could see that Arjun was also trying to compose himself back from the time that just went by. But as his eyes came on Aisha and Sree, he was getting his hold back. He leaned back and she could swear that she could see all those questions that were in his mind. It was not fun any more. He wanted answers.

He waited facing them while Baba took a place leaning onto the table. Aisha and Sree was finding it hard to look at him.

"ab kuch bologe... ya muje puchna hoga?"

Aisha looked up to him with guilt. He didn't want to see the guilt. He just wanted to know whats going on.

"Sorry Arjun... hum sab bas..."

"don't give reasons Aisha. I just want to know whats going on. What am I missing?"

Aisha and Sree looked at each other. Arjun got a bit frustrated. "mere phone ke call records ko kya hua? Why is it cleared?"

That said he knew much more than she tried to hide. She knew it was time. "kyunki wo meine delete kardi thi. I didn't want you to be in stress."

"matlab?"

She took a sigh and explained about the call, threat and the reason for Sree staying back.

Sre: Sir, aapke security ab hamare liye important tha. Isliye...

Ar: but what was wrong in keeping me informed? Am I that weak?

Ai: nai... aise koi bath nahi hai Arjun... try to understand.

Ar: then explain...

Even though he said it he was not ready to hear it out. All could see Aisha's despair. Baba thought maybe he should step in.

Baba: Aisha ne koi galathi nahi kiya hai Arjun. treatment ke beech aise news tumhe hila detha.she was just trying to help you sort it out.

Arr: aur jo mujhe feel ho raha tha, uske kya? I could see her silence. Kuch tho tha jo wo mujhe chupa raha tha par keh nahi raha tha. I was waiting for her to say it loud. Lekin ithne bade baath...

Ba: jo bhi hai, wo ab clear hai na. aur waise bhi tumhare security mere liye bhi important hai. Aman ke log mere hospital ke charo aur hai. isse sirf tumhare nai , mere baki patients ke safety bhi bad sakthi hai. so please don't complain.

He heard it silently.

Ba: jo bath chupaya gaya hai, usse sunne me thakleef hothe hai Arjun. I know it well. And now you too...

That did end all the questions and answers. All took it as a silent note to end the discussions. Baba left first. Sree knew he needed to talk out with Baba, so he too left. Aisha was still standing away from Arjun's bed. She was feeling bad. He kept on looking at her, and she took it as a cue. She went and sat by his side.

She kept her eyes down and waited for him as she could feel his gaze on her always.

"why?" a mere question stopped th silence.she turned to him with a pleading mind.

"sorry Arjun... I didn't mean anything wrong... wo bas... mien..."

"kyu apne aapko aise haal pe chod dethe ho? tumhe dur rakhke ek baar meine dard diya tha. Ab paas aneke bad aise situation me mujhse dur... akele kyu seh rahe ho? you could have told me na? I was not that weak Aisha... ya... am I?"

She closed his mouth and nodded no. "nai Arjun, it was I who was weak. Mujhe laga aapko thakleef hoga... isliye.. I am sorry..."

He cupped her face and wiped a rolling tear. "I know you wanted thw best for me. Par aise apne aapko akele chodke nahi. Mere sath rehka... ok?" he said with holding her hand close to his heart and a smile.

Se smiled back and nodded yes.

"that's more like my Aisha. ab aage se kuch bhi ho, mujhse math chupana.. we will see to it together. Ok?"

She nodded again with a smile that was infected from Arjun's smile.

***

Sree had gone to Baba's cabin. He waited outside for a while and then knocked at the door. With permission he walked in and he saw Baba keeping back Aryan's photo looking at the door. Sree didn't know why he came there, but he knew that he should speak to Baba.

Baba saw the dilemma on Sree's face and asked him to sit in the couch. Sree had his seat soon to be joined by Baba by his side. "kya hua Sree? Tensed lag rahe ho?"

The voice had a soothing touch as always. He wondered how this man was keeping up.

"baba... patha nahi mujhe kya kehna hai. par agar meine apke dil dukhaye hai tho mujhe maaf kar dena"

"aise koi bath nahi hai Sree. Bas mere peet piche ye sab chal raha tha... tho thode hairani hui..."

They kept the silence for a while. Sree could feel that Baba was framing some question in his mind. At last he spoke up.

"Sree... kya mien kuch puch saktha hu?"

Sree nodded to go ahead.

"kya koi chance hai ke... Aryan..."

There was no more need to hide from this father. He was trying his best to frame his words.

"Baba... jiss work me Aryan bhas gaya tha... wo bohot hi deep tha. Abhi bhi hame unke gahrayi nahi mili hai. aur upar se bohot log usse cover kar rahe the. Aryan ke sath bohot sare students missing hai. kuch cases abhi bhi chal raha hai.. aur kuch... sab chod diya hai. bohot sare logonko insaaf chahiye Baba... aur Aryan... I seriously don't know... ke wo ab kaha hai... kis hal me hai... aur ya..."

He could read well that even Sree knew that the chance for hoping is very low.

He nodded his head and looked down. Sree could see the moist filling up in those eyes. He placed a hand on Baba's shoulder.

"mujhe patha hai ke aap unhe bohot miss kar rahe ho. hum koshish kar rahe hai... apko koi na koi jawab dene ko. Par ek bath hai jinke liye sirf mien nahi balki bohot log apse shukriya kehna chahoge..."

Baba looked up to him.

"aapne jo Arjun sir keliye kiya... nahi Baba... ab ye kehke math rokiye ke aap sirf ek doctor ke kaam kar rahe the... because its not true... aap wo kiya hai jo shayad ek baap karthe.. apne bete keliye. Pehle mien apse naraaz tha ke aap unhe chupa diya tha hum sabse. But when Aman sir told me everything... I didn't know how to thank you. I still don't know. Aap unhe Aryan ke naam dekar treat kiya hai. you had kept him close to you and helped him out. Aaj wo jo bhi hai unke wajah aap hai. and to say just a thank you will be meaningless..."

Baba smiled at the sincere words from Sree.

"par aap kuch bhool rahe ho Sree..."

Sree had a confused face.

"mien bohot selfish tha. I named him Aryan. I made him Aryan. And I never wanted him to be away from me. Kyunki wo mere jeene ke wajah ban gaye the. and for that you should hate me"

"no... I wont. Infact that makes me thank you more. Kyunki agar aap wo pehchan nai dethe... tho shayad hi aaj mujhe Arjun sir ko aise dekhne milthe. I know him enough that he would have destroyed himself without you nearby. Suicide nai... but there are worse way to destroy oneself. And I have seen it in past too. In his life itself."

"hm.. mujhe patha hai..."

The silence started over again.

"Sree... aage se Aryan ke bare me kuch patha chala tho please mujhse math chupana please... I have already been in dark for a while."

"ji.. par mere kehne ke zaroorath nahi hoga. Arjun sir khud aapko batha dege."

"hm... Wo sare bags aur cheezen wahi hai. aap dekh sakthe ho. mujhe patha hai ke aap bhi wo touch nahi kiya hoga..."

"you are getting to know me well..."

"meine kaha tha na... Aryan bhi aapke umar ke hai... aur aap kuch kuch uske tharah ho..."

He said with a smile that touched Sree's heart again.

"tho fir formalities yahi khatam. Ok?"

Baba nodded with a light heart.

Sree stood up and gave a tight hug to Baba and then left quickly. Baba was quick to notice him wiping his eyes below the specks.

Baba walked over to the table and leaned back to it and took Aryan's pic in his hand. His fingers went gently over the smiling face. A drop fell on his cheeks which he wiped quickly.

"tho aap wapas nahi aoge... hai na Aryan?"

He wished his to see a nod from that smiling face. But even to hope was getting tough. He held the pic close to his heart and letting out all tha pain in him again.

After a few minutes again a knock came at the door. He composed himself and gave permission. An attender peeped in. "Doctor... Latha is ready at the therapy area..."

"chalo mien araha hu..."

He went away and Baba again looked at the pic.

He knew there were many who needed his help. Arjun was one among them. nothing should stop himself from helping others. This was a mission he had started long back. The same mission that gave him Arjun in his life. He can't take a step back. He has to keep everything back and do his duty.

He walked out after sometime and later a girl Latha was having her ever so smiling doctor by her side helping her with the excercises.

***

Sree was going through the materials. There was not much inside it. It had his study materials and some personal stuff. The laptop was missing and Baba informed he didn't get it back when he had gone there.

But in a hardisk he had a list of names which was tagged under AXIS. He didn't know what it actually meant so he took the copy of those names and also the information related. There were a few contact details and numbers. And one among those names was the name of the friend whose death report was given by Aryan during his last visible days. That raised the curiosity. He immediately sent those names and numbers to Aman and Sameer.

Night later there was a video conference again about the updates. And there was a special news to be given to Mumbai and back from there too.

The news from Sneh Bhavan was that Aman's men stationed along the area did catch a man who raised suspicion to them. He was followed and captured and was informed that he was asked to study the surrounding by his boss. Now who is the boss, is still the question. It seems there is a chain of people who are linked to it. To reach the top, they have to take a step at a time. The news did make ETF upset.

News from Mumbai was that among the names given by Sree where the people who were in the missing list too. It seemed that a bunch of people were taken under different company names. As of Aryan's is supposed to be AXIS. The team contacted people related to these boys. It was found that these boys were enrolled after an online test by a company that gave part time jobs. They could work at home or college and only needed to submit the completed works. The salary looked good too. So it was easy to get good talents.

Sam: hum bohot sare logonse bath ki hai. uss saal ke death reports or missing reports dekhi hai. In the earlier stages there were a few IT student and even professional died in accidents or by suicide. Sakshi went to speak to them. kyunki hume shak tha ke kahi na kahi ye bhi judi ho.

Sak: aur meine ek family se bath ki. Unke bete ke death accident se hua tha. Break failure. Par wo gadi bilkul nayi thi. Unhe shak tha. But they couldn't prove anything.

Arj: Takral se bath hua?

Sam: uss din ke baad nai. Wo abhi bhi Pune me hai.

Arj: I want to speak to him.

All looked at him surprised. "ye tum kya keh rahe ho?"

Arj: either get him online ya get me back there, in Mumbai. But I want to speak to him. ASAP.

Aisha looked at him. She could sense he was feeling something missing.

Ais: par kyu Arjun?

Arj: kyunki iss case ke pehle investigation ussi ka hai.

Aman: and do you expect him to speak all truth to you?

Arj: aise koi ummeed nai hai. par usse bolna hi hoga. Jald hi. Usne tumhe call kiya. Fir mujhe dhamki mila. Ab log bhi aane lage. Agar ye sare kaam koi aur kar rahe hai, tho uske main link Takral hi hai. He is informing all our movements to someone. Par kaun? Agar ye patha chale tho thode aur rasta milega.

He thinks for a while.

Arj: Sree, Takral ke phone ko control kar sakthe ho?

Sree: kar saktha hai.par...

Arj: I know. You will have to go back. Kal hi wapas jao.

Sree: par yaha?

Arj: yaha ke bare me math socho Sree. Rathod, Sree kal hi wapas arahe hai.

Sam: par waha kisika hone ka zaroorath hai Arjun.

Arj: Aman ke log hai. aur mere paas ek aur ETF officer hai na?

He looked at Aisha. "time to change your role Mrs. Rawte..."

She smiled at him. "yes sir..."

That cleared some matter. But still Sameer was not so happy. He asked Aman to get more men down there.

Arj: Sree, Takral ke sare lines, uske sare details, har movement aur transaction pe nazar rakho. Infact start it before you reach there.

Aman: I'll start it now. thab tak tum yaha pohonchlo Sree.

Sam: Chotu, get your men in Pune.

Ch:unke peeche log already hai sir. I have already seen to it.

Sam: good.

Arj: good job team, lets clear the mess ASAP.