The Memory - A Fan Fiction *Epilogue* pg64 - Page 38

" Listen Everyone !!!..."- Khalid Shouted at the top of his voice as he looked down at the staffs of KKN running about doing their respective jobs.

At once everyone looked up at Khalid who was standing near the stairs in the first floor.

Khalid cleared his throat and said - "Right... I have come to make a Very important announcement ... If I am saying it's Important... then it's Damn bloody Important..."

Khalid paused. I better keep a check on my anger...' - He thought as he saw the flabbergasted expression filling his employees faces.

He continued with a calmer mind - "Hmm... So I want to inform you all that the very moment you're Beloved'... Fabulous'... Miss' Shreya Baghat makes her entry into KKN I want you to notify me ...Am I clear??"

Khalid looked about to see if his order had reached everyone. But a frown took its place in his face when he noticed two of his employees looking out of the glass door to the Reception. Khalid took in a deep breath and almost shouted - " Is Shreya Mam standing there ?? Eh?? Unbelievable !!!! What do you two think? Do I look like a clown ? I am giving an order and all that your interested is to look out !!! Pathetic ..."

Stephen Almost jerked when he heard his boss shout out at him and his buddy. He slowly looked towards Khalid who was now making his way downstairs. Stephen stammered looking at his buddy who was as shocked as him- " Sir... its... its..."

But by the time he could explain the sight he and his friend had just seen unfold in the reception, Khalid Walked up towards the duo and said waving his hand - " Its its' What?? Speak up Siddharth and ... what's your name ... Ah... Mr.Stephen... What was it that made you ignore my announcement ?? Eh ?"

Siddharth was sweating like hell. What did they just get themselves into?' He looked towards the reception area again as he saw his Missing' Editor in chief on the floor being supported by Roni who was trying his best to make him stand up. Is it real? Or was he imagining stuffs... The Kabir Sharma looked so...sooo different ...'

"That's it !!! I say THAT'S IT !!"- Khalid Snapped as she noticed Siddharth's attention wander towards the same place. " Who do you think you are ??? Am I looking like a joker ??... No young man ...I will not tolerate such outrageous behaviors... what is it that attracts your attention over there?..." -Saying so, Khalid looked at the reception area.

He looked back at the pair and continued - " What's so interesting in that ?..." And then he stopped. As the scene he had just seen in the reception registered in his mind, His eyes widened and his mouth mimicked the same. Khalid looked at the two individuals he was just blasting for their Unbelievable behavior' and just kept looking at them with his shocked expression. He said slowly - "That's Kabir isn't it?"

Stephen gave a small nod and said - " I think... we aren't dreaming sir... That' is surely Kabir Sir..."

Khalid nodded involuntarily. He looked at the reception area again without any sort of expression. And then suddenly he Shouted as he swung his hands up in joy- "Oh My Good heavens ...Hallelujah !!!!!! Kabir !!!"

And with that he opened the glass door to the reception and ran out. Leaving behind Siddharth nudging Stephen who remarked controlling his laughter - " And HE thought we considered him as a clown' !!!!"

" What ? Shreya mam lied to you?... So...She was behind all this ?" - Roni asked Kabir with widened eyes.

Kabir fisted his hands even further if that was even possible and nodded his head as his eyes turned the colour of the sunset that conquered the skies that very moment. But before he could say anything he was shocked from his trail of thoughts as he heard Khalid shout with excitement and utter disbelief - "KABIR !!!! OH MY GOD !!!! KABIR !!!"

Kabir looked at Khalid with a Put a sock in it' Kinda expression. His head was already splitting from a headache; he didn't want the loud ranting of this old man to burst his head further. He said slowly- "Khalid your going to KILL me if you shout a little louder..."

Khalid looked down towards Kabir and stopped his outburst of excitement and said as he adjusted his collar- " Oh... Ya...I should stop right?... It's just that... the trauma I went through these three days made me loose my sensesss..." Khalid stopped as he saw Kabir's Your Kidding me right?' expression. Khalid immediately said looking at Roni who was now helping Kabir stand on his two feet - " I mean... You would have probably gone through MORE trauma compared to us... It's just...I... it's..." He stammered as he saw the redness in Kabir's eyes.

"Where is Shreya... Khalid?" - Kabir asked the moment he stood up.

Khalid nodded his head and replied looking at Kabir and Roni -" Shreya... ya... Kurana called up just now Kabir.. he said about how She was the one involved in all this.. I really didn't expect it... How could she go to such an extent... I was shocked beyond belief...And ..."

Kabir showed his palm at Khalid asking him to stop. He said incensed - "I... don't want to know what was your reaction Khalid... JUST ANSWER MY QUESTION WITH A YES OR A NO... DO YOU KNOW WHERE SHREYA BAGHAT IS ?"

Shreya touched Ananya's cheeks one last time and said in a tone that suited her sacrilegious act - " I am so sorry Honey... It's not your fault... but...hey... it is your' fault... who asked you to fall in love with Kabir in the first place..? Hmm? ... Now you must be punished for that isn't it ?... don't worry, it will be over by the time you realize it !!!"

She smiled and got up as she blew a kiss to Ananya who was unconscious on the floor. Shreya said- " Buh-Bye Honey..."

And with that she quickly walked towards the door and stepped outside closing it. Should I lock it ?' She thought to herself. Nah... She will never wake up...and he will never ever guess that I have hid her here' Thinking this she quickly walked towards her car and sat in it and swiftly started her journey towards her grand escape.

She was exhausted from the running and carrying the Stupid Girl'. " He is too weak to have reached KKN ... I should have been more careful... what was I thinking.. ?? ... He can never trust me... after all those drugs.. after all those proofs and stories he still doubted me... He doubted his Shreya... Kabir Doubted Shreya !!!! How could HE ???" Shreya Shouted as she drove her Car through the roads of Delhi.

" Where are you planning to go Shreya? You are doomed !!! They will find you... by now they would have alerted everyone !!... Your doomed Shreya ..." She said self pitying herself. But soon a smile crept in her face. She said out - " Well... If I am going down..Then I am going down with you Kabir... This time Ananya will die for real and you are the reason behind this... And you will die of regret every single day... You would wish you never escaped ... you would wish you never dumped me..."

She laughed a bit louder. But her laugh was cut short as her car abruptly stopped. She jerked forward and the seatbelt was the only thing that came to her rescue. Shreya felt as if her lungs were crushed due to force as she was pushed forward but the seatbelt held her from doing so.

She groaned - "AH..."

Shreya sat back as she took in deep breaths to calm her throbbing heart. " Now this was the last thing I wished for..." - She voiced out as she tried to start her car. Unfortunately it didn't start except for the fact that it gave gestures and sounds that told her it was trying it's best to do so.

Shreya cursed under her breath as she unlocked the seatbelt with a jerk and opened the door and stepped out of the car. She looked around. Her car was fortunately near the pavement so there wasn't much honking from other vehicles. Everyone just zoomed pass her. Some looked at her with pity and some never even gave her a side glance. Shreya took in a deep breath and stomped on the road and walked towards the engine of her car and tried to open it. But her anger wasn't helping her in it. She kept cursing and tried even harder. But in the process she hurt her nail. And she cursed louder.

Suddenly she felt a hand on her shoulder and Shreya froze at the very spot. Your doomed Shreya...' She thought to herself as she gulped in some saliva to ease her dry throat.

" Now... Now... Shreya Mam'... why are you so hyper... it's just a car...Let me look into it..." - He said in his ever so husky voice.

Shreya immediately turned around and looked at Manav with horror. Manav raised his eyebrows and said - " Why do you keep looking at me as If I' am your EX Husband who You' abducted successfully ??"

Shreya was perturbed by Manav's statement. She could feel the sensation of nausea fill her body. She asked in a whisper - "Abducted?"

Manav's smile curved as he said - " No...? or Yes ? ... Well, Shreya Mam from the way you' just reacted, it feels as if You' were the one who abducted Kabir... You did .. didn't you? Hmm?"

Shreya heaved a sigh of relief which was way too obvious to be caught by Manav's sight. He grinned and said - " It's a pity that I wasn't selected in the police force isn't it ?... I would have made an Outstanding Cop ... not to mention I would have made all the culprits run for their lives"

Shreya looked away from Manav's scanning gaze. She felt as if he could read her mind in a second. She said - " Manav... Believe me... I am not in the mood for your petty talks... Please leave me alone ..."

Manav's grin faded away and he asked with an astound look - " Leave you alone and then what ? Don't tell me your going to make it in That' vehicle of yours?... I never thought you were such a naive soul...Really Shreya, your surprising me ... One moment you're the wicked Ex wife and the next your naive as Ananya is..."

The moment Manav said Ananya, Shreya's face lost its colour. She asked trying to hide her nervousness - " What... W-what do mean... Where should I go...?"

Manav furrowed his eye brows and looked at Shreya inquisitively. He said slowly with utter shock - " Don't tell me... you..."

Oh God... he decoded that I have harmed Ananya... Oh God'- Shreya thought to herself as she wheezed. Oxygen was insufficient for her throbbing heart and body. She asked slowly trying to look anywhere except Manav's boring gaze- "What ?"

Manav took a step forward and said slowly - " Don't tell me that... You forgot about the conference you had to attend today... Am I really talking to The Business head of KKN?"

If Shreya could, She would have Definitely ran away from this guy who was literally playing mind games with her. What was he? A Mentalist of some sorts?

By now she could feel her whole body was drumming to the rhythm of her heart beats. She said hiding the mental face palm she did - " Y-Yes of course.. yes .. I remember that... How could I forget that?... I was on my way to attend the same Manav... but this car of mine... it had to break down at the most ill-suited moment"

Manav looked at her for a moment and gave a smile . He said - " Hmm... I can comprehend... But worry not... I am on the way to attend the same meeting... Now that our Editor is officially fighting for his life ... and our Business head is busy with her schemes... eh... I mean busy with her other' works... Khalid asked me to attend it without you... but see.. Am I in luck or what ?... I found our missing business head... on the road kicking her car like a headless chicken..."

Shreya gave a scowl and said - " Mind your bloody mouth Manav"

Manav flashed a smile and said - " Sure.. sure... why not? ... Now if your done kicking that car of yours Shreya Mam' ... Can we start our journey to the conference ?... I will be honored to be your chauffeur for the evening..."

Shreya shrugged and walked towards Manav's Car that was parked in front of hers.

And the moment She turned her back towards him. Manav took out his mobile and selected the number and clicked the dial button. He placed his phone towards his ears and a frown was seen on his face the moment he heard the recorded message "The number your trying to reach is currently Switched off"

Manav managed to put his Phone back in his pocket and flash a smile by the time Shreya turned towards him. She called out- " What are you waiting for?... Malvika is going to join us .. is She ? The last time I knew was that, she quit...isn't it? "

Manav smiled and replied as he walked towards his car - " No ... No...of course not.. Not when I am going along with you..."

Manav looked at Shreya as she sat in the co-passengers seat. And the moment she couldn't see him the frown was on him again. Manav inhaled as much air as he could. He thought - " Why is Ananyas's mobile Switched off?... I hope I am wrong this time... But why does my gut say Shreya has already harmed Ananya?"

"You coming or what ?" - Manav heard Shreya's voice from within the car. He inhaled some more air and he opened the driver's door and sat inside. He said placing this hand on the steering wheel- "Looks like someone is in a hurry all of a sudden..."

Shreya crossed her arms and looked out of the window. Manav's expression turned serious as he switched on the ignition and accelerated the car. You better get your lazy bum into action Kabir And try to make an escape from wherever you are held captive... Or you're in for some serious heartbreak... and my instinct says your' not going to love it... '- He thought as he drove.

"Sir, How are you feeling now ?... Is your right hand still aching?" - The nurse asked as she looked at Kabir who was sitting on his couch with band aids wrapped around his right forearm and intravenously medications were introduced into his body.

Kabir's eyes were red. He was looking so impatient. Where is Ananya ?' - Was the only question going on in his mind. The nurse looked at Roni who was standing next to her . Roni nodded his head understanding how Kabir's cooperation was required to make the detoxification procedure a more easier task. Roni said - " Kabir Sir... How are you feeling now?"

Kabir barely nodded his head in response. Roni took in a deep breath. What was taking Ananya so long? Its more than half an hour ... And its two hours since lunch break got over...she was supposed to assist me in coupling the footage Richa sent this morning regarding the elections in bihar... She said she would come... no matter what... then why is she late?'- He thought to himself as he looked down at Kabir who hardly looked like the healthy Kabir Sharma. If there was one thing that proved he was the same man, then it was the anger that was seen in him. If Shreya was lucky she wouldn't end up facing him...'

" Sir... Are you able to breath properly?... and is the nausea sensation still there ?.."- The nurse asked again. She waited for Kabir to reply. But history was repeating itself. She cleared her throat and said -"Sir... Please try to cooperate... I have to make sure the drug concentration is in check... if I remove the whole content , your body might react.. owing to the fact that now it's a bit accustomed to it... So if your still feeling sick and the sensation of nausea is still prevailing ... then I have to inform the Doctor... Sir..? are you listening ?... Sir ...Sir?"

" Shut up !!!... Just SHUT UP !!... I am fine !! You get that ?... Where is Ananya ??... I want to look at Ananya... Roni try to contact Ananya .."- Kabir said sternly making the nurse shiver. She took a few steps back and Roni was shocked by Kabir's sudden outburst. Kabir grinded his teeth and tightened his jaws. He said as he fisted his hand - " And did Kurana manage to find that disgusting woman...? ..."

Roni said shuffling his glance between the nurse who was staring at Kabir's fisted hands and Kabir- " Sir... I think you must relax..and its not advisable to fist your hands..."

Kabir looked up towards Roni and relaxed his hands and said trying to keep calm- " Roni... Believe me .. I am absolutely fine ... I just want to see Ananya... and what is taking Kurana so long ?... I am sure Shreya will be in her house... that was where she had locked me up..."- He paused as the very thought made his blood boil. Kabir inhaled some more air and continued - " She will be there... tell him to be quick because from what I know.. that spineless woman would make a run the moment she realizes I am not there...and that's the last thing I would wish to happen.."

"Unfortunately... that's exactly what happened Kabir..."- Inspector Kurana said as he entered Kabir's cabin along with Khalid.

"What???"- Kabir almost shouted. Kurana nodded his head as he came forward and looked at the person he wished and prayed to be alive for the past few days. A small smile crept on his face as he said - " I am so glad that your Okay Kabir... I really didn't have my hopes in meeting you again... If there was one person who was adamant then it was Ananya... she never ceased to believe that your alive... And see .. here you are !!!"

Kabir felt as if his heart missed a beat. Where is she ?...I need to meet her... after all that I told her that night... Ananya...where the hell are you?' - Kabir thought to himself as he looked down. He said out slowly - " But ... Shreya is missing isn't she?... Kurana I have some unfinished business with her... and the faster you find her the better it is ... Or I am swearing... I might end up in jail for murder..."

Khalidh almost coughed listening to his angry Editor. Kurana gave a curved smile and said - "I understand Kabir... we have already alerted all the police force and junctions... she can't escape..."

"What if she didn't go to her house inspector...?"- Roni said as he looked at Kurana.

Kurana and Kabir asked simultaneously - "What?..."

Roni looked at the two of them and said - " I mean... what if Shreya isn't on a run... What if she went somewhere she was scheduled to go..?... When I walked in some time back .. I saw Manav sir was on his way to some conference... He said that Shreya was supposed to go there and he was on his way because Shreya wasn't anywhere around... So... if Shreya was unaware of Kabir sir's escape she might go to the conference she was supposed to attend this evening..."

Kabir furrowed his eyebrows. Kurana stared at Roni as he tried to consider what he just said. Khalid was the one who broke the silence. He said - " The guy has a point... We might be chasing a person who isn't running from the first place."

"Hmm... That can be true...what do you feel Kabir?"- Kurana asked.

Kabir nodded his head impatiently and replied -" It's not important about what I reckon Kurana... Find her... that's all that I want..."

Kurana just looked at Kabir who looked frustrated and irritated. He asked slowly looking around-"Where is Ananya?"

Kabir looked up and before he could blast out his frustration of not being able to see his Ananya yet, Roni said - " I think she will reach in a few minutes... It's just that her mobile is switched off...So we aren't able to contact her... she isn't even aware of how Kabir sir is back and safe..."

"Hmm.. Yes.. I tried to call her too..."- Kurana replied and then he looked at Kabir and said - " Alright... I will send a force to the conference.. Roni might be right..."

"Wait..."- Khalid interrupted. He continued - " We can make sure before sending a force Inspector... let me check with Manav... he might have reached by now .. who knows..."

Roni and Kurana nodded their head and looked at Kabir for his perspective. But Kabir was too busy in his thoughts. If only... If only Ananya hadn't leaked that news... if only she hadn't lied to me... all this wouldn't have happened.. Shreya would have never managed to abduct me ... I wouldn't have trusted her lame lie... and I wouldn't have shouted at Ananya... if only..."

Khalid waited for a second and then gave a nervous smile and took his mobile and said as he dialed Manav's number - "Fingers crossed"

"So... what is it that keeps you busy lately Shreya Mam'? - Manav asked as he shifted the gear to the 3rd.

Shreya turned her head swiftly towards him and said - " It's for the hundredth time I am saying you Manav... Call ME SHREYA... Not mam... And what makes you feel something is keeping me busy ?"

"Well.. You really don't want me to answer that do you?... Considering my good observation skills I would catch you in the act even before you perform the Act'!!..."- Manav grinned as he lightly tapped the steering wheel with his right fingers in a random rhythm.

Shreya gave a lour and said - " Your one big mess Manav..."

" Not a bigger mess than what You' have got yourself into .. Shreya Mam'.."- Manav said after giving a chuckle.

Shreya glared at Manav with anger that would almost make her kill him.

Cling'tring'cling'bling'tring

"Phew.. Khalid comes to the rescue..."- Manav exclaimed as he took out his phone from his pockets. He looked at Shreya who had a staggered look on her and said - " It's only Khalid calling not Kabir Sharma... Your expressions give away your scheming and plotting, you know..."

But before Shreya could snap out. Manav attended the call as he sided the car . He said - " Hello Khalid... How are your yoga classes going on?... managed to reduce your stress... now I understand why there isn't a single strand of hair in your head"

He paused for a second and said - " Yes... your right... you were the one who called me... Hmm.. so tell me what do you have to say?"

A grin formed on Manav's face. And Shreya was almost losing her cool. Oh God !!...Now he will know too... Kabir would have reached KKN and said the whole thing... Shreya your damned...'

"Well that's definitely bad news"- Manav said with a huge grin.

Shreya was staring at him the whole while. He winked at Shreya and said into the phone - " Finally you guys could understand it... Man are you all lame or what??... Don't worry... I will manage it !!... Your Parcel' will be delivered."

And he cut the call before Khalid could say another word.

Shreya asked fretfully as she looked at Manav place the mobile back into his pockets and start the car- " What did they understand?... what bad news?... And what Parcel?"

Manav gave a steadfast look at Shreya and said with a grin - " So many questions?... Well I will answer the last one... Tonight I will be your chauffeur to the police station..."

Shreya's eyes widened with horror. She almost shouted- "WHAT?"

Manav gave a chuckle and said - " You didn't get it did you?... You're the "Parcel" I was talking about !!"

Shreya narrowed her eyes and screamed in a shrieking voice - " What do you think eh??... You're not taking me anywhere !!... You will regret it !!! YOU WILL REGRET IT !!! Your NOT taking me anywhereee"

Manav slammed the breaks and turned towards Shreya who almost jerked forward. He came a bit towards her and placed his index finger on her trembling lips and said gravely looking into her panicky eyes - " SHHH !!!... Cut the crap Shreya !!!... Don't you dare utter another word !!!...I am not Kabir Sharma !!! I AM MANAV GUPTHA and I will not flinch a tit-bit in harming you ..You GET that ??..."

Shreya kept looking at Manav who now gave a smile that contrasted the expression he had a second earlier. He sat back properly and said placing his hand on the steering wheel - " So be a good girl and let me deliver my parcel !!!"

And with that he swiftly took a U turn.