SS PhAb: New Beginnings Last Part Pg 16 Updtd - Page 5

When Abhay entered the police station the next day, it was chaos. Officers were all scurrying around, talking among themselves. They stopped all their movements as they saw Abhay. What was happening here? Finally, Jitendra came forward. He looked ill at ease.

"Sir, the two men we captured yesterday escaped." He sounded almost guilty.

Abhay was incredulous.

"What?" his voice whipped through the air.

He turned to Aarti waiting for an explanation but she herself looked lost.

"How can two prisoners escape from the under the nose of ten police officers?" his expression was chilling. "What were you all doing? Sleeping?" he was sardonic now.

Jitendra cleared his throat.

"Actually'.yes Sir."

His good mood vanished. He had been strangely happy since last night and now this new problem had to crop up. He looked at Jitendra, waiting for him to say it was all a joke.

"Will you care to elaborate or do you need an invitation?" he was sarcastic again, feeling irritated.

Jitendra started explaining. He himself was confused but he managed to give his take on what had happened. By the time he finished, Abhay was no longer angry. In fact, he suddenly wanted to smile.

"Drugged tea." He said to himself laughing out loud.

The whole police station was shocked into silence. Surely ACP Abhay could not have turned mad over this.

Abhay smiled, looking in the distance. Phulwa. So Phulwa had been here. He doubted anybody else could have done this. He became serious at the glares he was getting. Then a thought struck him. Phulwa had come to release that man. He no longer wanted to laugh. The light feeling in him ebbed away.

"Who delivered the tea?" he was dead serious again.

"Sir, it's a boy called Chotu. We never had any problem with him before." Jitendra answered.

Abhay thought for a second. He had counted on another way of drawing Phulwa to him but she had now herself handed him the perfect bait on a platter.

"Bring him here. Send him to my office as soon as he comes. I'll do the questioning."

****

Chotu was sitting in Abhay's office waiting for him. He was scared but whatever happened he would not utter Phulwa's name, he vowed. He clasped his shaking hands together.

Abhay came in, nodded at him then silently took his seat across Chotu. He then ignored him, calling Aarti inside.

Chotu looked down at his hands. ACP Abhay was a dangerous man when he was angry but he looked totally calm right now which confused him. Aarti came in, glanced at Chotu then fixed her gaze on Abhay.

"Inspector Aarti, the commissioner's party is tomorrow night right?"

Aarti nodded. Commissioner Rana was throwing a party in Abhay's honor. The whole staff was invited.

Abhay smiled, continuing to make as if Chotu was not there.

"I have all the details of Phulwa's whereabouts ready in the file. I just need to show it to the Commissioner tomorrow so he can arrange for some outside help. I think we'll need back up for this operation. I don't want Phulwa to escape this time."

Chotu's head snapped up. He was now listening intently to the conversation but neither Abhay nor Aarti was giving him any attention.

"I think it's a good idea, Sir" she replied feeling a little out of sorts.

ACP Abhay rarely shared plans which did not concern them directly but today he was being strangely chatty about them.

"Inspector Aarti, can you tell me the commissioner's address please?" Abhay asked.

Aarti's eyes bulged. She really hope the blow to his head had not made him lose his memory. But she could hardly tell him he had been there countless times already since he arrived in Chambal. She told him the address feeling like she was missing on something. As Aarti turned to go, Abhay suddenly remembered something.

"It's a masked party?" he frowned.

"Yes, Sir, it is and western dress code."

Abhay gestured she could go. He thought Commissioner Rana was being completely childish with this idea. He refused to wear a mask himself. The Commissioner could think whatever he wanted but there was no way ACP Abhay was donning on a mask. He had not meant the last question for Chotu's ears but the boy caught on it and assigned it to memory.

Abhay finally turned his attention to Chotu.

"So you are Chotu."

Chotu nodded shakily.

"There was something in your tea which caused the cops here to fall unconscious." His gaze sharpened on the boy. "Do you know who put it in there?" Abhay leaned back his head and surveyed the boy's reaction calmly.

Chotu's voice was almost inaudible.

"No Saab, I do not know about anybody putting something in the tea." He wrung his hands, averting Abhay's eyes. "I am sorry if I was sloppy in my work. It will not happen again." His voice was shaking badly now.

Abhay nodded, passing on a tissue to him. Chotu, thinking he had removed his gun, jerked back on his chair but then settled again when he saw what Abhay was holding. He took it, gulping painfully. Abhay was amused. He now wore a twisted smile on his face.

"Ok, you can go now. If you remember anything, inform us, ok?" Abhay told him.

Chotu was stunned. He had thought he would be drilled with questions until he told the truth but here ACP Abhay was letting him off the hook without even a trace of anger in his face. Chotu got up quickly, thankful to have escaped ACP Abhay's wrath.

****

When he was alone, Abhay smirked. This news would reach Phulwa in no time at all. Let's see if you come Phulwa. He usually did not like parties but he had a feeling he would enjoy this one very much indeed.

****

The kabila was back. Phulwa had missed them. It was almost a week since they went away for the marriage one of the the girls to the nearby village. Only Phulwa and Babu had stayed back. It pleased her to see that even the kabila girls could have a bright future. The whole place was buzzing with activity. Everyone chatting at the same time and laughing made Phulwa happy.

Suddenly Chotu came running through the woods, out of breath. Phulwa's first thought was ACP Abhay had done something to him. She was angry at herself for involving him in her plan but her fear was quickly dispelled as Chotu blurted out all that he had overheard.

Phulwa narrowed her eyes. So ACP Abhay was going to ask for reinforcement. She looked around her. Her only family. She was suddenly sick with worry. If it had been only her, she would not have been so concerned. But she had her kabila to think of and Babu. She pressed her palm to her forehead thinking fast.

"What will we do now Jijia?" Babu looked concerned.

"Not we. I. I'll go get the file. That's the only way of preventing him from getting back up. If you can figure out what is his plan, we can make our move before him. This may stall him maybe."

Babu was now irritated. He had seen ACP Abhay in the flesh. There was absolutely no way he was letting his sister alone against him. He shook his head vehemently.

"Whatever we'll do, we'll do it together." His voice had the familiar stubborn tinge to it.

Phulwa sighed.

"There's no use arousing his suspicions further by going there together. One person is enough." Phulwa insisted.

Babu refused to listen until at last Phulwa gave up and agreed to take him along.

Suddenly Chotu spoke up.

"Phulwa didi, they were talking about it being a mas...masked party and something westy..."Chotu stumbled on the words not knowing what they meant. Phulwa looked as lost as him.

Babu laughed at their expressions.

"Oh, he must have meant a masked ball and the word is western Chotu." He chuckled then " Jijia, It's a party where you hide your face with a mask and western means, you wear clothes which English people wear."

Phulwa still looked sceptic. Why would people in their right minds wear masks at a party? It was beyond her. Big people were sometimes stupid, she thought.

"All this does not matter. We'll just be grabbing the file and getting out of there anyway." She shrugged.

Gunta Ma suddenly spoke up.

"What do you mean it does not matter? Silly girl." Her tone was scolding. "Do you plan to grab the file in the midst of so many officers without getting caught?"

"Then what do you suggest Gunta Ma?"

Phulwa was confused. What did she expect her do to? Babu waited for Gunta Ma to continue.

"They have provided you with the perfect get away but you can't see it," she sighed. " If you dress up like them, there's less chance someone will take notice of you. The mask would conceal your face."

Gunta looked ecstatic. Finally she had an excuse for making Phulwa dress up like a girl. Phulwa looked at her disbelievingly.

"What?" Dress up like them? What next, dancing maybe?" she said sarcastically." I hope you have not gone mad Gunta Ma." She was fuming now.

She failed to see the logic behind this but Babu nodded surprising Phulwa.

"Gunta Ma is right. Mingling among them will make our task easier. Breaking in forcibly could alert them."

It took another three hours for Gunta Ma and the others to convince Phulwa. Gunta Ma was jumping around with joy. Her little girl would now really look like one. This time she was going to dress her up in a way to make all her dreams come true. Who knew when she would get the chance to see her all girly again?

****

Dacait Phulwa was going to wear a gown? Phulwa choked on the water she had been drinking when she saw the clothes Gunta Ma had sent for. It was a black flowing dress with puffy sleeves. She could not believe her eyes.

"I will not wear this. No way!" She started getting up to go but Gunta Ma stopped her with an angry expression.

"This is what is called western clothing and this is what you'll wear," her voice was adamant, "If you want that file, you'll have to dress up like this."

Gunta Ma was slightly unsure herself but she did not want Phulwa to see it. She would have preferred Phulwa in a traditional dress. Something less revealing. The black gown was long but it was almost...backless. There was no need to scare Phulwa more than she was already, thought Gunta Ma, pushing aside her concerns. She did not like the thought of revealing clothes but it was not like somebody was going to touch her there, was it? And anyway, their work would not take more than a few seconds.

****

Every woman and girl was gathered in Phulwa's room. They were totally awed by the transformation their Phulwa had undergone. It was like seeing someone else entirely. Phulwa refused to look at herself in the mirror causing an exasperated Gunta Ma to sigh at her obstinacy.

The air on her bare back was disturbing and she was wearing something called high heels. Phulwa felt like an animal in a zoo. She protested every five seconds but Gunta Ma silenced her with deadly looks every time. Gayatri looked on, amused.

They spent the whole night practicing how to walk in the shoes without stumbling until Phulwa could take it no more and dropped off to sleep.

****

The day was bright as Abhay made his round of the village. He had not talked to any of the villagers since his transfer and he wanted to familiarize himself with the area'.not to say ask some questions about Phulwa. Would she be present tonight? He would love to see how she managed to walk off with the file from under their nose. His phone rang. He looked at the display then sighed in annoyance. It was his previous neighbour and he knew exactly what was coming.

"Hello Maasi. How are you?" Abhay's voice was resigned.

"Abhay beta, I'm fine fine. All this time and not a call from you to your Maasi." Sarla Maasi sounded in a huff.

"Uh, I was busy. Sorry Maasi." He replied waiting for her next words with no enthusiasm whatsoever.

"I have found some very nice girls for you. It's high time you marry" she said in a scolding tone, "In fact I have a perfect girl in mind."

At the word 'perfect gril', Abhay got distracted a bit.

"Does she wear kurtas?" he asked absent-mindedly then realized what he had just said.

"What? What do you mean by that?" Sarla Maasi seemed puzzled and curious at the same time.

"Maasi, something important came up. I have to go. Will talk to you later." He quickly cut her off feeling a little dazed himself.

***

Whenever he asked a villager about Phulwa, they all clamed up. Why did she have so much support from them? Abhay wondered. Then as he turned to go, an old woman came up behind him tapping his arm. He looked down at her.

"You will never catch Phulwa. She's our strength. Nobody can harm her while we are here. You, police offers think you fight for justice but you walk hand in hand with the ones doing injustice. Only Phulwa can understand our pain." Her voice was filled with venom.

Abhay was surprised at this outburst.

"So you mean stealing and threatening innocent people is a good thing?" he asked her calmly.

The woman laughed acerbically.

"Innocent people and those thakurs? They are the most evil ones. Phulwa steals only to return the villagers what is due to them. The other day when Balwant thakur snatched a widow's land, where were you?" she looked at Abhay fiercely. "Phulwa was the one who returned the woman what belonged to her. And you talk of helping people." She spit near his feet before wobbling off.

Abhay was left standing, pensive.

****

Abhay was early for the party. Dressed in single-breasted black suit, bow tie and hair slicked back, he looked as tempting as the devil himself. He did not want to miss Phulwa's entry at any cost. He was still curious as to how Phulwa would get hold of the file which was currently in his hand. He greeted the commissioner then took his place at the bar scanning the room. The lights were dim with soft music playing in the background but you could see the people. Most of them were masked. He glanced at the door and returned back to looking at the stairs. Dacait Phulwa would most certainly not use the door. He thought back at the night she had broken into his house. The memory of it made him burn up. His head suddenly snapped to the door. He did not know why, but he felt Phulwa was here. But there was only a woman clad in a black gown walking through. She wore a sparkly black mask, covering her upper face. A suited man, also masked had his hand on her elbow. He started to turn his face away when his heart stopped. The long hair drawn back in a ponytail rung a bell in his head. Then his eyes settled on her lips and he felt himself go still. How could he not recognize those lips? He had tasted them after all. Phulwa. The name was a sigh in his head. She had again surprised him. The man standing behind her whispered something in Phulwa's ear and went out. Abhay's blood boiled up. Who was he? Why he had he been touching Phulwa? He got down from the stool then deliberately walking to the commissioner spoke loudly enough for the whole room to hear.

"Sir, this is the file I was talking about. I'll put it there on the table. You can have a look at it later."

He looked at Phulwa out of the corner of his eyes, checking whether she had heard. She had. He smiled devilishly.

Commissioner Rana nodded, then patted Abhay on the back.

"Forget work for a while Abhay. Enjoy the party." He laughed.

Abhay smirked.

"Oh don't worry Sir. I will..."

****

Phulwa looked as Abhay carefully placed the file on the back table. She had to get it and get out of here fast. Babu was waiting for her outside. She had told him to come to check if she was not out in fifteen minutes.

As Abhay left from his spot, she quickly made her way to the table. Someone grabbed her from behing turning her around. She crashed on the solid chest of a man. The breath whooshed out of her and then she was staring in the eyes of the man she had been avoiding.

Abhay smiled chivalrously, dimples showing.

He was still holding her hand. Phulwa's heart started racing frantically.

"Hello my lady. Would you care for a dance?"

Abhay was looking dashing, he was the only man not masked there. He always had to do things differently, didn't he? Phulwa huffed. She was now scared. Abhay was looking at her intently but he did not appear to have recognised her. But a dance? She did not know how to dance! Phulwa felt trapped.

"I...I don't know how to dance." Her voice sounded small.

Her eyes were like those of a doe trapped between the hunter and a ravine. She tried to pry her hand free but he kept hold of it, still smiling mysteriously.

"Oh, it does not matter. I'll show you."

He grabbed her left arm, putting it on his shoulder then entwined the fingers of her right one with his owns. She resisted but he was stronger. She could not arouse his suspicions now. She stopped squirming. Phulwa felt the hairs on her arm rise up. She suddenly felt dizzy as if she had drank something intoxicating. She could not free herself from the power of his gaze. The chord between them tugged at her heart again.

Abhay had counted on destabilizing Phulwa but seeing her like this was making him go crazy. He looked at her lips again then placed his palm on her bare back. Phulwa had a sharp intake of breath at the contact of his hand on her skin. It felt like heat waves shot from that point to her whole body. Her brain stopped working and she did not even realise she was gently swaying along with Abhay. All her thoughts centered at the point where his hand touched her.

Abhay was mesmerized. He felt his carefully laid out plan lose its way as he concentrated on the woman in front of him. Why was it that the slightest touches of her made him heady with delight. He no longer cared about the file. He wanted to stay like that forever.

Phulwa's hand tightened on his shoulder unwillingly. She felt unsteady. She was glad she was wearing a mask but why did she suddenly felt naked under his gaze? Her cheeks burned then a thought made her go still. He did not know who she was but still he was holding her in the most disturbing way. Did he feel up to every other woman like that? Was the kiss in the jungle something casual and common for him? How many more woman had he experimented his charm on? She suddenly felt a lump in her throat. She felt strange. She removed his hand from his shoulder, eyes spitting fire.

"Please leave me. I do not wish to dance anymore." Her voice was almost a sob.

Abhay snapped out of his trance. He stopped moving but refused to let her pry her fingers free.

She glared defiantly back at him. Were those tears glistening in her eyes? Abhay tried to clear his thoughts. No, that could not be. It must be the play of light on her eyes. She continued to twist her arm, trying to break free.

"Phulwa, stop this!" he exclaimed.

They stared at each other in shock. Phulwa looked at him, eyes wide. If her hair and lips had not given her away, her eyes would have, thought Abhay looking deep into them.

****

He knew! All this time, he had intentionally been stalling her. She struggled more than ever but he tightened his hold. Her eyes searched the room for Babu. Abhay noticed that, his face going dark with anger. He grabbed both her hands pressing them to her sides.

"You are searching for that man, aren't you?" he growled with a dangerous look in his eyes.

"Let me go! Otherwise I'll call him and trust me, he will not hesitate to shoot unlike me." She hissed low.

He pressed his face close to hers, his voice suddenly deadly.

"You had to come free him, didn't you? Could not live without him?" he was sarcastic now.

Phulwa was confused. Why was he acting like that? His grip was becoming painful but he appeared unaware that he was hurting her.

****

Abhay was livid. The pain was consuming him. He felt disorientated. He hated what he was feeling right now. Then Phulwa spoke up.

"What would you do if your brother was behind bars?" her voice was filled with emotion.

She did not have to explain anything, certainly not to this man but she hardly knew why she said it herself.

Abhay let her hands fall. He could not believe his ears. Had she just said brother there? He felt like laughing. He suddenly wanted to lift Phulwa and twirl her around. Then it hit him with the force of a truck. He had been jealous. Jealous even at the thought of this woman in the arms of someone else. He felt the ground being swept from under him. She had made him undergo feelings in the past week which he had never experienced in his whole lifetime. He loved her. At the thought, his heart stopped. Love. Such a strange word for him, he had never felt it before and had never expected to feel it. Yes, he loved this woman. He wanted her and no one else. His face broke into a smile.

****

Abhay had released her arms but Phulwa could not move away. The expression on Abhay's face rooted her to the spot. He wore the tenderest of smiles, his dimples showing. Phulwa felt her heart thud painfully against her ribs. His eyes had gone liquid brown and the look in them made her feel weak at the knees but scared her to death also. Why was he looking at her like that? She wanted to run, wanted to stop what was happening right now. She took a step back but he yanked her to him again. Then slowly he pressed his lips to her hair, his breath playing with the tendrils. He wanted to throw the mask away but resisted. Phulwa's mind went blank.

"What happened? You no longer want the file?" he whispered seductively in her ear then very slowly kissed her earlobe. His hands ran down both her arms and came to entwine her fingers with his. Phulwa felt inexplicably heady. Her heart was heavy with some unknown feeling. His mouth was still there. He pulled the sensitive skin between his teeth, breathing her scent. Fresh, woody with a hint of mystery. A dangerous combination, thought Abhay. She tasted sinfully like wine. Abhay felt his heart soar. Happy laughter rumbled in his chest.

He drew back and looked at Phulwa. She was staring unseeingly in the distance as if unable to understand what was happening to her. He lifted each of her wrists and kissed them each in turn where his grip had hurt her. He then clasped her hand in his and almost dragged her to the back table. Lifting the file, he placed it on her palm and let go of her at the same time.

Phulwa felt panic mounting. She almost wished he would arrest her. Anything but this. What was he doing to her? She could have yelled that out of frustration. He should be handcuffing her, instead he was looking at her calmly waiting for her to take the file and go. She searched his eyes but they made her more restless than ever. He leaned back against the table, his gaze not leaving her face for even a single second. Phulwa turned, heart racing and strode out. She wanted to put as much distance as she could between her and this man but then why was her heart trying to pull her backwards? She ignored it, almost running out into the night.

*****

Abhay continued to watch the door long after she had crossed it. Nobody had the right to touch her but him, he thought possessively. Phulwa belonged to him and no one could stop him from conquering her...

Phew! I guess that's long.😆 Hope you werent bored and read it till the end. Got carried away i guess😆 But since will be late with the next part, this will compensate😉 Thank you for reading😊