Rikara: To Serve and to Protect | Part 12 - Pg 36 |05/18/2018| - Page 24

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Another blue bloods fan 😃The Reagans are inspiring.

Thank you for the likes and comments on the story. I am glad that you find it interesting and have continued to read it. Appreciate your comments and inputs. It helps me fine tune the story as I write it out. Another part that hopefully answers a few more questions.

Omkara Singh Oberoi

Kaali Thakur, the manager at Happy Homes for Women. This man holds the key to finding my Gauri. It has been three days since her disappearance and Kaali Thakur is the last person to call her. Our background checks had already revealed his criminal history. We suspect him of murdering and kidnapping so many women. And now he is the last person to have been in contact with Gauri. It was simple enough. He is the reason for Gauri's disappearance.

What should have been a careful apprehending of the suspect went downhill pretty quickly. Before my SWAT team could reach his place, the local police team, notified to keep a tab on Kaali, went into overdrive.

I curse under my breath as I watch the barely alive man on the hospital bed. Kaali has been shot, trying to resist arrest. Anil, the officer who supported me against Mukesh was in hot pursuit when Kaali lashed out at him. He was shot in the chest. But we were able to bring him to the hospital, barely alive. Now he is hooked up to the machines, unconscious.

I will him to wake up. I need him to wake up and tell me where Gauri is. Me personally and our search team have been searching the length and breadth of the city for her. It helped that SHivaay immediately called in after knowing that Gauri had gone to see Kaali Thakur in the NGO. Four hours after Gauri got the call to help one of the girls from HHW, we were in pursuit, thanks for Annika Bhabhi.

My heart beats painfully in my chest as the minutes tick by. There is no change in Kaali's condition until now, and I am at the tether's end. Where did he take Gauri? We are still searching but it has been three days. Will she be alright? Has he hurt her? We apprehended him six hours after her disappearance. Where could he have taken her within that time?

I willfully suppress the feeling of panic that arises within me. Thirty-seven women and counting... ten murders, eight women he raped and killed apart from them murders of his own parents in Bareilly. This man has done it all. And he has taken Gauri. A shudder runs through me thinking about what he may have done. I pray for her safety and I mentally urge her to be strong, wherever she is. Statistics tell me that Gauri can be anywhere by this time. If we cannot find the person missing within the first 48 hours, then the probability of getting them back becomes lesser and lesser. But I cannot give up. I will not stop looking. I will get my Gauri back.

"Mr. Oberoi, you need to leave now. Visiting time is over. I will call you the moment we see any change.

Annika Singh Oberoi

I try her cell one more time only to have the recorded message that her cell is not reachable. Involuntarily, my eyes fill up with tears.

"Her phone was switched off right after she messaged you that she reached the NGO. We could not trace her through the phone Bhabhi.

Rudra just voices what I know already know, but my heart tells me that if I try just one more time, she will pick up the call.

"I should never her let her go alone. I should have gone with her when she got that call. Rudra, what have I done?

Rudra tells me that it is not my fault. But the truth is far from it. When we were returning home after submitting Gauri's request for sabbatical at school, I never imagined that the call she got from Mr. Thakur from the NGO we went to would be a trap. It was only later that I came to know of Kaali Thakur, the monster. I let Gauri go alone to meet him when he said some girls from the NGO needed advice. I was so much in a hurry to get home to Shivaay that I let Gauri go alone.

"Bhabhi, we will get her back home safe. Om and Shivaay Bhaiyya will make sure. You don't worry.

Shivaay Singh Oberoi

In all the years I have been on the police force, I have never seen a criminal like this woman. She sits in front of me like nothing is wrong, cool as a cucumber. I don't see any hesitation or fear in her. She stares me straight in the eye, without guilt. Inwardly I feel myself shudder though, I school my face to remain impassive. Jahnvi Kapoor gives me the creeps. She is a classic psychopath. No remorse, no guilt, no conscience.

"What did the lie detector test tell you Shivaay? I wasn't lying when I told you that I don't know that the manager of Happy Homes for Women is a murderer. He had me fooled like everyone else.

She manages to infuse sounds of sympathy in her voice at the end though I can see her eyes shine with suppressed pleasure. She turns towards Shukla from CBI who is back in the city, this time, to help us with the case of the murdered and missing girls.

When we realized the vastness of the case, father immediately informed the Home minister and the Women's welfare minister about it. We figured that we would need help from the big guns to rescue these women. They have been sent far and wide. It is no mean task to locate them but locate them we must. They should not be allowed to suffer even a moment longer.

He is still in Delhi, co-ordinating the various task forces across the country and internationally. The CBI was pulled in to provide whatever support they could. Father asked for Shukla. Shukla accepted immediately. Now with Gauri missing, it has become imperative to get as much as information from her to locate Gauri. Given the shootout, Kaali is in no condition to be answer our questions.

Jahnvi Kapoor turns towards Shukla who sits next to me in the room.

"I came here to help. When I saw on TV that Kaali Thakur has been arrested for kidnapping and murdering girls from the NGO, I thought it was duty to come here and give whatever help I can. I am so shocked and distressed. But after all he was hired by Tej. To think that this manager had the audacity to kidnap the future daughter-in-law of the police commissioner! What has the police department come to? You should be talking to Tej Kapoor.

She infuses disparaging comments, aimed at belittling my team and department. I hold myself in check and let her talk.

"And instead, you are accusing me... I am the victim here. I was at convalescing at the hospital until yesterday. You can check the records. I don't need all this...

She gets up agitated and Shukla pacifies her, apologizing and telling her to calm down.

"How can he accuse me like that. She points to me and then turns to Shukla.

"Mr. Shukla, won't you trust me? I beg of you. I am innocent. Shivaay is just angry that I complained against his father. I know he is trying to get his revenge this way. But will this help the missing girls?

Jahnvi's appeal does not move me. I know the monster she is, and that conclusion has nothing to do with what she has done to my family. But Shukla does not seem very certain about her guilt. His face shows that he is softening.

Jahnvi runs her hand as though accidentally over the bandage on her head. She scrunches her face in pain which gets her the reaction she is looking for from Shukla. I swear under my breathe. Shukla immediately offers her some water and asks her not to stress. It takes my entire will power to call her bluff, but I tell myself to be patient. The primary task is to see if she can give us a clue about where Gauri might be.

"Mrs. Kapoor don't worry. I know you are innocent. But I need your help. Can you please think of any place that Kaali Thakur could have taken Gauri to?

I see the woman pretend to think, her eyebrows in a frown, her face scrunched in concentration.

"I don't know...But I so want to help. You know that right?

Her voice sounds suitably distressed. She is a beautiful woman even for her age. No wonder men fell for her. She can make them feel heroic, playing their weakness. Her manipulation is so subtle and her reading of men so perfect, it scares me. Even now, Shukla pats her hand soothingly as she pretends to try harder.

"Just try a little bit more Mrs. Kapoor. There should be some place he told you about. Maybe a godown or a storage location you used for the NGO...

After further pretense she finally looks at Shukla in triumph.

"Yes. Now I remember. He used to talk about a place where he arranged for the girls to dye clothes. Somewhere in the northern part of the city... I cannot remember exactly where.

Shukla pats her hand appreciatively and heaps a lot of praise on her, mollifying her.

"Thank you, Mrs. Kapoor. I know it is late but if you could stay here for some more time, we want to ask more about the girls in your NGO that Kaali Thakur might have kidnapped.

Jahnvi nods eagerly at Shukla while I am disgusted at her. But I know he has got her exactly where we need.

We both come out of the room one behind the other.

"Tell Omkara that he needs to look in the South side of the city. Any abandoned place or shack or something that is not easily accessible.

Shukla's voice is firm, and his lips set in a straight line. I nod at him, immediately calling Om to catch up.

"She is the devil Shivaay. Smart and manipulative. She does not make a lot of mistakes I don't know if we will be able to pin her for her crimes. But we will try our best to get your sister-in-law back. Don't worry.

Three days earlier...

Gauri Sharma

My head hurts real bad. It feels as though someone hit me. There are soft voices all around and I see someone's cool hand on my forehead.

"Omkara...

"Shh.. Don't speak. You are hurt.

The woman's voice is soft and gentle. I close my eyes trying to will the pain away. It takes some time, but I feel the cobwebs in my head clear slowly. The sharp pain is now reduced to a constant throbbing which I decide, I can live with.

When I finally open my eyes, it first is dark. Soon though, my eyes get adjusted to the dim lighting.

"She is opening her eyes.

"Shh.. Don't speak loudly.

"Is she alright?

I can hear different voices. Someone helps me sit upright while another one comes with a small glass of water.

"Didi... Have some water. It will help.

I take it from her gratefully. My throat is parched. Slowly, as I sip the water and it all comes back to me. The call from Mr. Thakur when starting home from school, assuring Annika Bhabhi that I will be alright and asking her to leave home to meet Bhaiyya and reaching the place and finding the manager smilingly receiving me. I remember him asking me to accompany him to the next room and then, everything is blank.

"That horrible man brought you here a couple of hours ago. Are you feeling alright now? How did you get caught in that monster's trap?

The older girl's voice is laced with concern. I look at her uncomprehending, wondering who the monster that she is referring to is. Then it dawns on me.

"Did Kaali Thakur bring you all here?

They nod, a look of fear crossing their eyes. They nod yes and turn around fearfully like they expect someone to come and hurt them. I can see that they have been assaulted. They have bruises and welts that are quite visible even in that dimly lit room. My panic arises by the minute.

"Where are we? How do we get out of here?

I have a hundred questions running in my head. Why am I here? Why did Kaali hit me over the head? Who are these girls? Why are we in this place?

The elder of the two sits beside me placing her hand on mine. Her look of worry and the tears that brim in her eyes immediately calms me. I stop my questions and look at her.

"There is no escaping this place. Kaali will kill us if we try. See what he did to my sister. Please don't talk about escape. If he finds out...

Her voice sounds terrified. It is then I notice the third girl in the corner. She sits there, scrunched up, whimpering. I go near her and my heart goes out to this little child. Her clothes are in tatters and there are blood clots on her hands and legs.

"He took her away and punished her for trying to escape. He would not even let me help her. She was locked in that room for three days without food or water. Oh... I could do nothing. The eldest of the three sheds tears. I go to the poor, terrified and hurt child, not more than seventeen. She shrinks as I go near her. I shudder as I go near her. Her state tells me the kind of man Kaali Thakur is and I cannot stop myself from being frightened.

"We are going to get out of here. I promise. I tell them, my mind running through the possibilities of escape. I tell myself that escape is the only way. I don't want to be trapped here, waiting to suffer in Kaali's hands. Surprisingly, my panic dies down and my mind clears.

"But Kaali...

I look at the three with determination.

"I am not going to let him do anything to us. I promise. We cannot give up. Now help me find a way. We will get out of here for sure before Kaali comes back.

After a few minutes of hesitation, they seem to be take strength from my words. They help me as I start to search for a way out. The youngest who gave me water before holds my hand in hers. I close mine over her, my heart beating faster as I try to extricate myself and the others from this God Forsaken place. I pray that Omkara finds us in time before Kaali comes back.

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Omkara Singh Oberoi

"There is no way we can keep her here without arresting. There is simply no proof. Shivaay, it will be a disaster if we keep her here against her will.

Shivaay glares at Shukla's words though he knows that Shukla is right. We cannot keep Jahnvi Kapoor against her will. She will immediately call a lawyer and it will be disastrous if the media spins this into a tale of harassment of the victim.

But I cannot let her leave. Not when Gauri is missing, and the time is ticking. We need to find more from Jahnvi. I need to know what these monsters have done with my fianc. If Jahnvi walks out of this room, the next step will be to hop a plane to somewhere we cannot reach her. With all the questioning, I am sure she has realized that she is suspected. I make up my mind.

I barge into the room where she sits, her legs crossed, a content smile gracing her lips.

"Where is Gauri?

She looks up nonchalantly, but she quickly schools her face to look worried. I don't miss the hint of glee behind those eyes.

"Omkara... Is it you? How are you?

Her attitude is the last straw. I hit the table with both my hands making her jump a little involuntarily. The noise makes both Shivaay and Shukla come to the door. I hear them knock urgently but they cannot come in. I have locked the door. I need this woman to give me the answers.

"You are frightening me Omkara. I told them already. I know nothing.

"Cut your act Mrs. Kapoor. I know you were the puppeteer behind Kaali Thakur. Where is Gauri?

My intimidation does nothing to the woman in front of me. She stares at me without any fear making it clear that she is afraid of no one. She drops her act just a bit, confident that I am alone with her. She is totally enjoying this.

"My... my...my... So much anger.

My temper gets the better of me as I throw the pictures of the missing and murdered girls in front of her, looking for a reaction. I get none much to my chagrin.

"Don't you feel even an iota of pity for these women? Are you so heartless that you will let harm come to more girls with your silence. ? Mrs. Kapoor look at them. They are all missing and some of them are dead. Tell me where Gauri is... please...

She looks at my anguished face and makes sounds of pity. But her eyes convey her mocking.

"Tch.. tch.. Omkara, I wish I could help you. Like I told Shivaay earlier, I have nothing to do with all this.

She moves her hands to point at the pictures lying in front of her.

"Believe me son. I wish nothing but happiness for you. I will pray that Gauri does not meet the same fate as say, this girl Sowmya who was raped, murdered and thrown like trash under the bridge.

She points to the grotesque picture of Sowmya in front of her. I notice the smile that she cannot hide, the pleasure she is taking at the suffering she has wreaked. Her hand moves to cover mine and I snatch it away in disgust.

I turn around and walk out of the room, my shoulders drooping in signs of defeat. As I close the door Shukla and Shivaay confront me for my madness. I hear them for a couple of seconds before asking them to stop.

"Shuklaji, you wanted probably cause for arresting her. You have it now.

My brother and Shukla look at me like I am mad. They must think I have gone crazy due to the stress.

"No. I am not crazy. Play back the investigation tape from the last few minutes. She named the dead girl discovered under the bridge. No one else knows her identify except us. Not even you know who she is Shuklaji. This detail was not logged to the official report.

It dawns on Shivaay. His eyes widen, and he runs to rewind the tape to hear Jahnvi's slip about Sowmya right in the end. I played hoping that Mrs Kapoor's over confidence and her pleasure at my distress would cause her to make a mistake and it did.

"Sowmya, the girl who was murdered and thrown under the bridge, her nearest kin are out of this country. So, we never officially named her in the report. I explain to Shukla.

"She just called out Sowmya as the girl in the crime scene picture. How did Mrs. Kapoor name her? She also told me that Sowmya was not just murdered but also raped? This was a detail that we never released. The autopsy and forensic reports are confidential and only a few of us have had access.

Shukla gapes at me while Shivaay comes back, his gait conveying that we have it on tape clearly. He nods at us both and pats me on my back in appreciation.

"We have got her now. She will not be able to wiggle herself out of this one.

Shukla is impressed and happy.

"Let's arrest her. There is enough cause. We can squeeze her after the arrest. We will get your fianc back Omkara. Don't you worry.

They turn to go into the room to read Mrs. Kapoor her rights. Millie, my secretary interrupts us.

"Omkara Sir. There is a call for you.

She sounds breathless.

"Who is it Milli? I ask, a little harshly, not wanting to delay Mrs. Kapoor's arrest.

"It's Gauri Maam sir. She is on line one. She says she is calling from some hospital.

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To be continued...

Gauri had escaped ? that's gud

Jhanvi such a disgusting women 🤢

Loved it

Jhanvi is such an evil lady but like they say goodness triumphs over evil, so will it here...

Omkara got out the detail cleverly...

Waiting to see what happens next