Chapter 28 :
For a moment, Arjun felt his life left his body. He became
numb on Saakshi's sudden action and Aisha's cry with her name. the first ray of
sun hit his eyes but he felt his world sunk in darkness, again. He couldn't believe
that she left him, just like that. And unknowingly his grip on Aisha's rope as
also loosening.
***************
Aisha was looking down, where Saakshi was disappeared. She
was stunned. She couldn't believe she just lost her closest one in the team and
she almost left the rope also. But another strong hand pulled her up. She
looked at the person and broke into tears, hugging him tight.
Aisha : She sacrificed, for me!!
Sameer was patting her back silently, his tears were also
flowing down and he didn't want to stop them. He couldn't differentiate between
his reasons to cry, was it relief of saving His Aisha, or grief of loosing
Saakshi; he didn't know. Today he again
went through those pains, the same pain of losing Roshni and Riya. He lost his
friend and his teammate, but she was both. This time It's more piercing than those
previous one, she was something more to him.
Then his eyes fell on Arjun, sitting numb at the edge of
that cliff. That man was safe also. He trembled remembering last few minutes,
when he found the rope was slipping out and he knew he would lose three of them
if he couldn't hold Rawte in the place. He was listening to the whole
conversation and could figure out what happening there, but they had no idea
what was happening with him. He was almost failing to keep his grip tight on
the rope, when the team arrived with support and helped him. Some officers
joined to pull Arjun, when he went down to help Arjun to pull the girls up, but
before he reached, Saakshi left the rope. In addition, he found his two officers
hanging there, shocked.
An officer called him.
Officer : Sir, get a grip. Aisha mam needs medical support.
Rathod nodded at that and straightened up, pulling Aisha
with him. She was still crying, so he gathered her into his arms and walked to
the Ambulance.
Officer : Sir? Arjun sir?
Rathod took a glance and moved away. He couldn't face him
right now, because this time, h could neither accuse nor pacify Arjun. He even
couldn't see his friend falling apart like this.
************
Shree was all ears of the whole incident..he was listed
everything, Arjun's words, Rathod's orders, Aisha's scream, Sonali's gasp, Chotu's
sob and other officers cry. He missed nothing. & he couldn't believe she
left them. He listened Aisha was crying for Saakshi, still he couldn't believe
he lost his another friend. She made her own place in ETF and their heart. After
Riya she is the only girl who pulled his leg taking Liza's name, spent time
with him, even gossiped about useless things. She was someone who cared for
him, no actually for everyone. That mad girl who cared for that Kharoos Arjun
sir also. And in the whole office only she dared to face him any time.
And all happened because of them !! those people sitting inside
this house. His blood started boiling in anger and he stood up, when Rathod
order him to arrest them and seal the place. Receiving Rathod's green signal...he
broke into with his team.
******************
Rathod reached the ambulance and made Aisha sit there, the
medics started taking care of her injured hand and bruises. He saw chotu was
waiting there while Sonali sprung out from ETF van.
Sonali : Sameer, where's Sasha?
Rathod didn't look at her, he had no courage to face her
now.
Sonali : (shook Rathod) I heard everything into
communicator, she is still there, right? With Arjun? ( Rathod was still
silent)...Com on Sameer, you are scaring me...where is she??
Chotu : Sir? Saakshi ko kuch hua hain?
But it seemed Rathod was swore to remain silent. Sonali
moved to the ambulance and saw Aisha crying. She again confronted Rathod.
Sonali : Sameer, plz tell me where is she...
This time Rathod looked at her and she found her answer. She
sprinted to the mansion. And Chotu followed her.
Rathod : Sonali!!
And then he slumped on the ground. He just put the last nail
to the coffin.
****************
Arjun was still looking at the rising sun, as if he was
questioning "why me?" He couldn't believe he lost her, someone who cared for
him. She always been his headache, although she did silliest stuff to irritate
him, they actually made him feel good which he never accepted. He always pushed
her always, tried to keep distance from her, but she was the one, to whom he opened
up. He didn't utter a word but she knew what he was thinking. She was special,
always. He looked at his palm...the wound has almost healed. But today he wished
this scar never fade away...it was the last thing she did for him. He questioned
his fate, how much he had to lose, and how much pain destiny had written for
him. He already lost his family, his love, his friend...and now she...& he was
the culprit this time.
He heard Sonali was screaming Saakshi name and turned. She
was coming to him.
Sonali : Arjun, where's Sasha?
Arjun remain silent. He didn't look at her, or he couldn't
meet her eyes.
Sonali : Don't you dare to zip up your mouth, Arjun. I want
Sasha, Where is she?
Arjun : (looked at the cliff and whispered ) Sorry. I
couldn't pull her.
At the next moment he
felt a shower of hits on his chest, arms and face and he didn't even tried to
stop her. He looked at Chuto who already sat on the ground, crying silently.
Sonali : HOW DARE YOU TO SAY THAT!! SHE TRUSTED YOU...WE
TRUSTED YOU. HOW COULDN'T YOU PULL HER UP! GO AND BRING HER BACK, RIGHT NOW...
She moved to the edge and started shouting Saakshi's name.
Sonali : SASHA, WHERE AR YOU? ANSWER ME DAMM IT! SASHA!! YOU
CAN'T LEAVE LIKE THIS...YOU PROMISED YOU'LL NEVER LEFT ME ALONE...PLZ ANSWER..SAAKSHI!!
She was almost slipping when Arjun caught her, but she was
so adamant and continued her shouting sessions. Her scram was echoing around
but it was only her voice was reflecting back. Nobody answered her pleads.
Arjun was having a big time to hold her as his one hand was
badly injured. Sonali again freed herself and this time Chotu held her.
Chotu : Sir, aap jaiye...you are injured.
Sonali : NO...YOU ARE GOING NOWHERE UNTILL YOU BRING HER BACK.
Chotu : Hum sab jayenge Sonali...just calm down...Sir aap jaiye
yahan se..plz.
Arjun took two steps back..but didn't move away.
Sonali : She must be injured Chotu...
Chotu bit his lips to suppress his sob.. after falling from
this high, there is no room for injury, she was dead at the very moment she
touched the ground.
Arjun was looking at Chotu and Sonali. He is their culprits,
Sonali had already vented it, but Chotu? He would never say a word, but from now
on, he would never be able to look at that man. He knew what he did...she reached
there because of him and he couldn't stop her.
His chain of thought was broken by a weird ringtone, may be
of some officer's phone. He looked around with disgust and found everyone was searching
for the source of that sound.
Dekha na hayre
Socha na hayre
Rakhdi nishane pe jaan
Kadmon main tere nikle mera Dum
Hain bas yahi armaan...
Sonali also stopped crying hearing that sound and looking
around. Suddenly she sprinted to the edge again and Chotu went behind her...so
did Arjun.
Chotu : Sonali..
Sonali : SASHA!!
That song stopped immediately and again started..
Sonali : SASHA...TU THIK HAIN?
The song started over again.
Chotu : Sonali?
Sonali : Did you hear that...that song... aisi utli sidhi gaane
sirf uski playlist main milega...she's down there...
The song started over again.
Sonai : She's sending SOS!
Arjun : CHOTU...CLIMBING GEARS LE AAO, FAST!!
Chotu rushed to the cars.
**************
Rathod was sitting beside Aisha, composing her and
instructing Shree to seize everyone at NC's place. When he saw Chotu running to
the Van.
Chotu hurriedly picked up ropes and gears.
Rathod : Kya karr rahi ho Chotu?
Chotu : Saakshi is alive sir...she must've stuck there..
Rathod : What!! How it is possible?
Chotu : She is sending SOS...we heard it.
Rathod : Let's go, come. (in microphone) Shree, NC ke ghar
rooko...hum saakshi ko uthane ke baad wahi milenge. They have to pay for it.
************************
Sakshi looked Arjun's bleeding hand holding the rope; she
knew he can't make it. She looked down, it was too deep. Then she looked
around, the bushy, rough wall of the hillock and calculated the chances of
climbing down. The hill side is rough.. and about 20 ft below...it must be a carnies,
or a loose rock. If she climb down and reach, there...Arjun could save Aisha and
the call for backup to rescue her. She made her mind and asked Arjun to let her
go. But little she knew, that rock was not visible from the upped edge.
She left the rope giving Arjun a hint. She started falling
down and her hands were searching for a support to minimize the speed, but
unfortunately she found any suitable support and she fell hard on that rocky carnies
and fainted.
She couldn't say for how long she was out, when she opened her
eyes she heard someone calling out her name, it took a little while to register
that it was Sonali. She shied and tried to get up, but she felt a sharp pain at
her back and toe. She checked her toe, it's paining, a little swallowed also
but may be not sprained. She searched for her phone and sighed in relief. Those
people didn't took it, but it's of no use now, there is no network. Now she
smiled, there is nothing but entertainments. She selected a song from her
playlist, put it on loudspeaker and started enjoying it. And her entertainment
session was disturbed by sonali, she sent a quick SOS and started over, waiting
for her saviors.
************
Arjun took the climbing gear and
started preparing, but Rathod interrupted.
Rathod : You are injured Rawte,
stay back. I'll go. Chotu?
Chotu : I'm going down sir. You
both stay here.
Arjun : I'm coming with you
Chotu. Rathod will stay here.
Rathod : Rawte!! Stay here...I'm
going...
Arjun : No Rathod, she's there
because of me, I'll go. And you won't stop me.
Rathod : Rawte...
Arjun : Plz Sam...let me go.
Rathod nodded and gestured Chotu
to take care. He saw them going down. The echoing song in the air...he heard it before,
but this moment it sounds too good to his ears!
****************
Saakshi was sitting on the carnies
edges and waving her legs with the beats of the music. When she found two men
were climbing down.
Saakshi : Neeche ja rahi ho?
Chotu : (didn't noticed her
first) Haan...(looked at her)Saakshi!! Thank god tu thik hain. ( he jumped on the
rock and hugged her)
Saakshi : Haan..(parting the hug)
woh toh hoon...par tum Arjun ko kyun saath laaya, he's injured...
Arjun : ( Barking) Shut up,
Saakshi!! How dare you? Kya zaroorat thi aise harkath karne ki? Tumko koi
andaaza hain kya ho sakta tha?
Saakshi : Kyun? Tumhe nahi tha?
Arjun : You could've die...
Saakshi : Tumhare liya acche
hota, nahi? Koi roz roz pareshan nahi karta...
Arjun : ( pulled her towards him)
Com here, aur mere peeth pe charho...we've to go.
Saakshi : No.
Arjun : What?
Saakshi : Chotu, come here...main
aise adhmare gadhon pe nahi charti.
Arjun gestured chotu. He picked
her up on his back. Saakshi held him tightly, snaking her hands and legs around
him.
They were climbing up silently.
Chotu was following Arjun. And Saakshi started her little chit-chat session
with chotu.
Saakshi : tujh darr laaga tha?
Chotu : Haan, hum sabko laaga ki
tu...
Saakshi : Haan toh main zinda
kahan hoon...marr toh gayee main.
(Arjun glared down to her and she
offered him a naughty smirk)
Chotu : Kya Saakshi!!
Saakshi : Arre haan..tujhe pata
nahi? Main toh Saakshi ka aatma hoon.
Chotu : Kya?! Parr tum toh...
Saakshi : Tujhe pata hain Chotu,
Koi aatma Vetaal kab banta hain?
Chotu : 600 years tak kisi
tamarind ya banyan tree pe ulta latakne ke baad...
Saakshi : Ya phir marn kii 6 hrs
ke andar kisi hatte gate jinda insaan ki kandhon pe sawaar hone ke baad.
Chotu almost left the rope in
fear.
Chotu : K...k..kya!!
Saakshi : Haan ,nahi toh tum hi
socho...main Arjun ko chorke tere kandhe pe kyun chari?
Chotu : You are pulling my leg,
right!!
Arjun : Haan Chotu. Iski varosa
matt karo...she is blabbering.
Saakshi : Haan Chotu, Arjun kii
baat manlo, (whispered) Yaad hain na, he has no shadow...toh uspe charke main
Vetaal kaise banti?
Chotu : (already sweating) Chup
karr Saakshi, nahi toh main tujhe gira dunga..!!
Arjun : Agar aisa kia Chotu toh
main yeh rope kaat dunga...aur Saakshi, Chotu seedhe tumhari upar hi girega...aur
phir tumhara kya hoga yeh tum... samjhe ya samjhaun.
*****************
Rathod and other officers helped
them to climb up. Arjun left that place immediately. Sonali hugged Saakshi
tight and started crying.
Saakshi : Chor mujhe...I can't breathe.
Sonali : tu thik hain?
Saakshi : Haan ...aab chor.
She tried to move away and hissed
in pain. Chotu picked up her and started walking towards the ambulance.
Chotu : Chalte chalte baat karte
hain, waqt bachega...
All followed him.
Rathod : Saakshi..you ok?
Saakshi : Haan.
Rathod : Tum wahan kaise pounchi?
Saakshi : Actually khai bohot
gehra tha...toh maine socha thora rest kar loon...phir aaram se kund jaungi.
Rathod : Saakshi!! Mazaak nahi.
Yahan hamari jaan nikal gayee aur tum mazak karr rahi ho, do khichke lagaun?
Saakshi : (pouted) Aise dantoge
toh phir se jaake kund jaungi...
Rathod : Nahi Saakshi, seriously,
jab Rawte ne kahan ke woh tum dono ko khinch lega toh tumko aisa karne kii
zaroorat nahi thi...main toh aa hi raha tha...
Saakshi : Aisha was losing her
grip Sameer. And Arjun was also injured...
Rathod : So what? Rawte &
Aisha ko training hain, they could handle it...
Saakshi : Sameer, maine jaan boojh ke kia kyun ki maine who rock
dekhi thi, just think, if Aisha lost her grip before you reach what would
happened, could you bear it?
Rathod : (Looked into her eyes
for a brief moment) Yes I could. We keep our personal interests at home
Saakshi, we don't bring them into our duty.
Saakshi : But I'm afraid I
couldn't handle two Dukhi Aatmas into my workplace, Sameer. (glanced at Arjun
& muttered under her breath) ek ko jhelna mushkil ho jata hain upar se ek
aur...dono ki chakkar main saare ETF ki staff mental asylum shift ho jaate.
Chotu : Tu sahi bol rahi hain
Yaar.
And he received heated glares
from his senior for his special remark.
Saakshi : Dekha? Chotu vi agree
karr rahi hain.
Aisha saw them coming with
Saakshi, she ran towards them and hugged Saakshi.
Aisha : Tum thik ho!!
Saakshi : Pehle utarne de...Chotu,
choro.
Chotu put her down.
Saakshi : Where is Shree?
Rathod : Shree is NC's place. Tum
aur Rawte hospital jao...main wahan se...
Saakshi : No, I'll go there
first. Chotu uss Vipul ko waha laane ko kaho. Saare sawaal ka jab usi se
milegi.
She tried to move but her paining
leg stopped her.
Rathod : Don't be stubborn
Saakshi...
Saakshi : No..I insist Sameer. I
want to go there now. Chotu, tell them to bring something to break a wall.
Sonali, help Arjun with his bandage.
Arjun was almost done, Sonali
helped him with final knot. All accompanied her to the mansion.
Arjun : Wahan kyun jaa rahi ho?
NC ki place udhar nahi...
Saakshi : par main wahi se
jaaungi. Tum apna bandage baandh ke aa jao. Yeh mystery aaj solve hoke rehga.
*/*************************
I had no intention to bring Saakshi back alive..but yeh Rawte..he again pulled his gun and threatened...so...
Leave your feedback.
comment:
p_commentcount