Story: The Mysterious Blast (Birthday gift for Padma)

Story: The Mysterious Blast

Author's note: This story is dedicated to my sweetest sis Padma (Padmpriya) and written by me for her birthday. It is inspired by the SWAT Kats episode "Razor's Edge" and I've kept the investigation/action scenes short and simple as I wanted to focus on the bonding. I also tried to write it in a manner that she will like. I'm sorry for any loopholes or things readers don't like as I'm quite out of touch with writing and CID now. I may not be coming back to check feedback, but an advance thanks to readers and anyone who reviews.

Chapter 1

Dr. Harshit Gangwar smiled broadly. He couldn't possibly see what could cause this one to fail. The plan sounded as foolproof as imaginable. After all, they were no novices. They had been at it for quite a while by now. Planning, scheming, operating, evading and most importantly, organizing. Be it tricking victims and their families, or covering up their tracks, or ensuring that their accomplices remained silent... they had done it all smoothly for seven years now. But the present circumstances were unforeseen... a traitor in their very own midst. Nevertheless, there were solutions to every problem. And bigger ones called for bigger and bolder measures. That's what they were working on, now. And once again, Dr. Gangwar's sharp brain was rapidly scanning their plan for any potential loopholes. So far, he couldn't put down his finger on any.

"That's a brilliant plan, Ms. Kumar", he said finally, with satisfaction in his voice. "Mujhe nahi lagta ki iske baad humare liye koi khatra bachta hai. Maan gaye aapki baat ko."

The young lady sitting in front of him merely stared. "Thanks, doctor. Par aap jaante hain ki har kaam ki kimat hoti hai. Aur humne jo discuss kiya, aap dono ko yaad hai na."

"Bilkul yaad hai, Ms. Kumar", said the lean man sitting to her right. "Par mujhe abhi bhi samajh nahi aa raha, aap uske peeche kyun padi hai? Vaise CID ke saath toh apni bhi nahi banti hai. Humare kayi aadmiyon ko pakda hai unhone, halanki abhi hum tak nahi pohoch paaye."

"Par aap jaanti hain ki CID ke asli khambe toh ACP Pradyuman, Daya aur Abhijeet hain", said Dr. Gangwar. "Unke bina toh CID kuch nahi. Arre khushi toh humein bhi bohot hogi, agar CID barbaad ho jaaye toh. Pas uske liye humein target toh unn teeno ko karna hoga. Phir aap kyun -"

"Maine toh kabhi nahi kaha ki CID ki barbaadi mera goal hai", answered the girl calmly. "Ab I aap log personally chahte hain, toh you're welcome to go ahead. Par mera target kaun hai aur kyun hai, ye main acchi tarah jaanti hoon. Aur aap mujhse jo kaam karwana chahte hain, uski fees bas yehi hai. Deal?"

The two men looked at each other, and grinned. It was almost too good to come true, this deal. What she had asked for was a piece of cake compared to what she would be doing for them. Truly, desire for revenge could make people blind to rationality. They reached forward and shook her hand.

"We're in business, Ms. Kumar", smiled Dr. Gangwar. "Shubh kaam mein deri kaisi. Let's get started right away."

Chapter 2

The horizon glowed with brilliant orange-red effulgence, bathed in the rays of the setting sun. In the distance, a flock of birds flew across the glowing light, tiny silhouettes rising and moving in a singular unison. Padma couldn't help but smile as she leaned out of the window of the train, watching the flock move across the sky, past the window and beyond. It was one of the many things she loved about nature, which she felt often went unnoticed. There was no visible communication between those birds; they needed any. It didn't take the rest of the flock more than a nanosecond to change directions along with their lead. It was almost as if an intangible force united them, enabling them to feel each other's thoughts without words, adjusting without any quibble. She often wondered what a better place the world would be, if humans would co-operate the same way with each other.

The shrill ringing of a bell interrupted her thoughts. She turned to see an ice-cream trolley passing near her compartment door, a gang of young children rushing forward noisily to pay up. She watched as the vendor handed out vanilla sundaes to the little hands reaching up excitedly. Purvi didi's favourite flavor, she thought excitedly. She felt the impatience growing; oh, why could Didi not have been right here, beside her? She could imagine the delight of relishing twin sundaes sitting with her beside the train window, enjoying the lovely sunset and discussing about their plans together. She pulled out her mobile and went through the messages Didi had sent her, for what felt like the millionth time. She never deleted any of her messages; even a simple "Hi" was enough to make her smile and feel better. She thumbed through the list, and her eyes fell upon the last message from her Didi.

I might be late from work tomorrow, but I'll be there to pick you up at the station. I'd prefer if you wait for me there. I know you're a smart girl and can take care of yourself, but crimes have been rising here and I don't want to take any chances.

Padma would normally have insisted on arriving alone at her house, but the prospect of joining Purvi didi on the journey was so enthralling that she didn't mind. Moreover, she knew her Didi was punctual and would not make her wait any more than needed. Every moment spent with her would be precious and memorable, to be treasured forever; that she definitely knew. She felt simultaneously anxious and excited. It was her first visit to Mumbai alone, and she wanted everything to go well. Before she could think further, a sonorous voice sounded throughout the train.

"Attention, passengers. Hum kuch hi der mein Mumbai pohoch jaayenge. Aapse nivedan hai ki apna saaman acchi tarah se ekatra kar lein taaki kuch bhi train mein chhut na jaaye. Ye train Mumbai station mein..."

The rest of the voice was drowned out in the rumble of scraping seats and indistinct chattering as several of the passengers got up from their seats and starting pulling down their luggage from the overhead shelves. Others remained seated, apparently in no hurry, typing away on their mobiles or leaning back with earphones plugged in. Padma politely helped an elderly couple obtain their suitcase first, who smiled and affectionately patted her head, before reaching up the shelf to look for her own. She pushed behind a heavy grey box, gingerly moved aside a large acoustic guitar in its case, reached up beside a stack of multicoloured suitcases... but her own was nowhere to be seen.

Puzzled, she tried to reach up further and check every corner of the shelf for her luggage. The distinct red-and-violet striped leather American Tourister case would easily stand out anywhere; she could not spot it anywhere here. A wave of panic slowly started rising within her; the case contained important documents and most of the money she had brought with her. If it had gotten lost or stolen, it'd be disastrous. But how could it be? She clearly remembered tucking it safely at the back of this very shelf when she had entered this train, at the start of the journey.

"Koi problem ho gayi hai kya, beta?" asked the elderly lady she had helped earlier.

"Nahi... I aunty, meri suitcase nahi mil rahi hai", replied Padma hesitantly. She had always been reluctant to talk to strangers, but this situation called for it. "Aapne dekhi kya? Uspe red aur purple stripes the."

"Aisi case dekhi toh thi humne, apne saaman rakhte waqt", said the old man. "Par aise kahan jaa sakti hai I? Yahan toh aur kisi ko aate dekha nahi humne."

But clearly something did happen. She paused and tried to think, controlling the panic and trying to prevent the ambient sounds from hindering her thoughts. Had she seen anybody reaching up and taking the suitcase? Maybe when she was on the mobile or looking outside, not paying attention? But if so, the thief would surely still be in the train. There had been only one stop for the train so far, about twenty minutes since the journey started, and she had last seen her suitcase when reaching up to take out her scarf shortly after that stop. She knew that nobody had exited her compartment after that; whoever had taken the suitcase was clearly still in there, likely hiding it.

She wondered whether she should ask the other passengers for help, but decided against it. She preferred to do things herself. She moved down the length of the train, moving through the crowd of passengers now lining the middle of the compartment waiting for the train to stop. She knew that she needed to spot her case before anybody got off the train; once the thief got out onto the platform and blended into the sea of would-be passengers outside, seizing him would be next to impossible. She looked sharply up the shelf, under the seats and around the sides, moving past the taller adults to get a clearer look. The train was rapidly slowing down as the station approached, and she felt her grip on the rising panic sliding. Her eyes moves past luggage of all kind... red, black, blue, green suitcases of all shapes and sizes, purses, items wrapped in plastic or paper, carry-ons, a heavy sports kit, a guitar case... but no sign of the red and purple stripes she was looking so carefully for. She was halfway through the compartment now, and was sure she had scanned every inch of the area behind her. She felt the train decelerate more and more, until finally coming to a stop. The automated doors opened with a dismal hiss of escaping gas.

And then, it happened. She looked straight up, and saw the first few of the passengers at the far end moving out of the train. Among the first ones was a young man in a soiled blue shirt and white cap. As she watched, he shot her a nervous look and quickly turned away, hurrying to get out through the compartment door, but the man up front was having trouble moving his double suitcases through the small opening and was holding up the other passengers. As the boy pushed through impatiently, Padma caught a brief but distinct flash of red and violet in his other hand. She had no doubts anymore.

"Hey!" she shouted, moving forward as fast as she could.

Even as she pushed through the fidgeting passengers, she knew time was running out. The doorway had been cleared, and the passengers began to descend a few seconds before she reached there. Being careful not to hurt anyone or appear insensitive, she hurried out of the door and jumped down upon the platform, looking around sharply. Sure enough, she spotted the white-capped youth moving quickly away to her right. He turned back and looked straight at her, and at once broke into a sprint. Padma rushed after him instinctively, dodging people and jumping over obstacles, striving to keep the escaping thief in her sights. She could not afford to let him slip from view and dissolve into the vast indistinct vista of the platform passengers.

People looked on as she ran, ignoring the searing stitch in her side and the burning in her legs. She had never imagined herself actually facing this situation one day, though she always admired her Purvi didi for her incredible chasing capabilities. She had heard descriptions from others, how her elder sister had refined her skill of sprinting after even the fastest of male criminals with as much energy and relentless tenacity as her male colleagues. Whether she succeeded or not, her efforts always left everybody in awe and respect of her dedication. She truly was a pillar and symbol of the strength of feminine zeal and glory, one who never ceased to amaze and inspire Padma every single day, every single living moment. She loved her from the bottom of her heart, was proud and blessed to have her as a sister and always wished to be like her. And she knew that now, that inspiration was the driving force for her in this pursuit.

She could see the man getting away; he was too fast. She knew she could never catch up with him this way. She suppressed the urge to call out for help; that was so stereotypical a move, so associated with the wrongful impression of a girl being dependent on others for her safety and security. Her Didi never did it, and neither would she. She brushed against a stall of toys, and one of the rubber balls was knocked up; she instinctively tried to prevent it hitting her nose and ended up catching it. She looked forward again and saw the running youth getting farther... and saw something up ahead that gave her a sudden idea. It was crazy, but there wasn't any other choice. Aiming the rubber ball carefully ahead, she hurled it with all her strength, and it hit a pail of water on the table directly in front of the youth. It crashed down in front of him; the man stumbled over the pail and slipped over the water. He was airborne for a few seconds before landing hard on the concrete, sliding all the way to the edge of the platform and tumbling down onto the rails below.

Padma hurried to the site, avoiding the fallen water and slowing down to catch her breath. She became aware of the searing pain in her sides and legs, but continued on and saw the man lying just below the platform, groaning in pain. Her suitcase was lying next to him. She hurried down and grabbed it; without warning, the man sprang up and seized her from behind. Padma felt herself spun around and a cold metal object held at the side of her head; she knew the man had her at gunpoint. Right ahead of her was a large crowd of passengers, all of them watching with a combination of awe and fear, some with mild interest as though a vaguely interesting theatrical play was going on.

"Koi bhi aage badha toh main goli chala doonga", she heard the youth say, his breath fetid and ragged behind her. "Mujhe jaane do... jaane do yahan se."

He was moving backwards and pulling her along with him. None of the passengers moved forward; Padma could see two guards on the far side, raising their weapons, but not daring to shoot clearly out of fear of hurting her. To her surprise, she felt no fear; just a numbness and uncertainty. She knew her Didi had faced such situations plenty of times, and managed to fight down her capturers. But that required nerves of steel and years of intense training. Padma knew that her life was at stake here; one wrong move and the man would shoot. He did not possess the cold and calculated cruelty of experienced criminals, but he was frightened and panicked, which was meant he was still dangerous and unpredictable. She had no idea where he was leading her; if it was a death trap, then she might as well as act.

Steeling herself, she struck hard on his kneecaps and thrust the suitcase into his abdomen. The man grunted in pain; his grip loosened and she tried to break free and run. But abruptly, he seized her again and she felt the barrel of the gun pressing hard over her head.

"Mujhpe haath uthaya?" he roared. "Tumhe toh main..."

But before he could do anything, the was a swishing sound and something sailed through the air behind her; the man screamed as it hit him and Padma heard the gun thudding down onto the rails. She broke away from him just as somebody lunged behind her and engaged with the thief. She turned back to see who it was, and felt her jaw drop in surprise and delight. Purvi didi's blows fell like lightning upon the youth, who struggled to fight back fruitlessly. She blocked his attacks effortlessly and kicked the legs out from under him. Moments later, the man found himself lying on his back on the cold metal rails, staring up at the barrel of his own gun that Purvi was now holding at him.

"Meri behen ko maarne ki koshish karta hai?" she said. Though her voice was quiet, it was pulsating with unmistakable rage and her eyes flashed like a lioness protecting her family.

The youth went pale as chalk as he held up two trembling hands and folded them helplessly in front of him. "Mujhe maaf kar dijiye... madam... main kisi ko chot nahi pahuchana chahta tha. Main darr gaya tha..."

The guards now stepped forward and seized him by the shoulders, and pulled him to his feet. Purvi eyed him sharply.

"Kaun ho tum, aur ye sab kyun kar rahe ho?"

Gasping for breath, the terrified youth confessed that he was one Ankur, a drug addict and desperately needed money for his next fix. He had been loitering in the train looking for potential victims and had spotted Padma checking her money in the suitcase before putting it up. Thus, on finding a suitable chance, he went up pretending to take his own luggage and quietly took her case, but had not gotten the chance to take the money from it before Padma noticed its absence.

Purvi eyed the young man with a mixture of revulsion and pity.

"Iss tarah jurm ke raaste par jaane se kuch nahi ho sakta, Ankur. Bure kaam ka anjaam humesha bura hi hota hai. Tumhe apni zindagi sudhaarni hai toh ye sab chhodna padega aur ek accha insaan banna padega."

They handed him over to the station guards, who assured that they wouldn't be harsh with him and arrange for his rehabilitation. Several of the onlookers were applauding and praising Purvi for her effort now. She cast them a sharp look.

"Aap log bas chup-chaap khade hokar tamasha dekhte rahe?" she asked. "Kisi ne bhi nahi sochi ki iss aadmi ko pakadne ya meri behen ki madad karne ki koshish karein? Kaise naagrik hain aap?"

"Excuse me, madam", snapped one of the men standing there. "Sab log aapke jaise trained nahi hain. Aur humein kuch ho gaya toh humari family ka kya hoga? Aapko aise bolne ka koi haq nahi hai."

"Kya aap ye kehna chahte hain ki CID officers ki koi family nahi hoti?" It was not Purvi, but Padma who spoke now. She stepped forward, her eyes flashing with anger. "Kya aap jaante hain kitne aam logon ne apni jaan pe khelkar dusron ki madad ki hai? Meri Didi ne jo kaha, bilkul sach hai aur agar sab unke jaise sochein, toh humara desh pata nahin kahan se kahan pohoch jaayega!"

There were approving nods and murmurs from the crowd at her words. Purvi put a gentle restraining hand on her shoulder, and nudged her back.

"I'm sorry, ma'am. Humse bohot badi galti ho gayi", one of the onlookers said.

"Aage se aapne jaisa bataya, hum vaisa hi karenge!" said another.

Ten minutes later, as they drove past the swarming traffic of the Mumbai roads through the night, Padma looked at her elder sister. She looked back, her eyes twinkling with kindness as she smiled affectionately. Padma tried to smile back, but she felt her lips freeze halfway through. She felt a kind of numbness within, something she couldn't quite describe. Quietly, she lowered her gaze and looked back up front. Purvi was watching her closely.

"Kya hua, sweetie?" she asked. "Ab sab theek hai na. Relax now."

Padma nodded slowly. "Haan Didi. Par phir bhi... I incident main bhool nahi paa rahi."

Purvi paused, and then reached out to stroke her head gently. "Main samajhti hoon, Padma. Mere saath bhi aise hi hua tha, jab maine pehli baar khatre ka saamna kiya. Par tumne bohot bahaduri dikhayi uss situation mein."

"Didi..." began Padma. She tried to control herself, but the thought was too overbearing. She felt the words explode from within her. "Didi, mere liye aap humesha ek inspiration thi, aur hain aur humesha rahengi. Main bhi aapke jaisi banna chahti hoon, ek powerful female cop CID mein. Par maine jab uss aadmi ko maarne ki koshish ki... sab gadbad ho gaya. Aapne toh aise fights pata nahi kitne baar kiye na. Par main nahi kar saki. Agar aap na aati, toh..."

She fell silent.

Purvi fixed her with an unmoving stare. She thought for a while before finally speaking. "Tumhe aise nahi sochna chahiye, Padma. Dekho, iss tarah ke situations mein humare andar bohot tarah ke physiological aur neurological mechanisms hote hain. Humara experience bhi bohot count karta hai. Tum bahadur ho, par sahi training ke bina koi bhi khatarnaak moves attempt karna theek nahi hai. Tum khud ko aise dosh na do. Tumne jo bahaduri dikhayi, I tareef ke layak hai." She paused, and smiled. "Baaki sab toh tum training ke time seekh hi jaaogi."

Padma looked up. "Kya main aapse training nahi le sakti, Didi? Aap toh best ho. Kaash mujhe aapse training lene ko milta... I can't imagine anything better!"

Purvi chuckled. "Kya yaar, tum bhi na! Arre main aisi kya cheez hoon un ek mujhse training lena chahti ho? Mujhse bhi bade aur experienced kitne log hain. Main toh chahungi ki tumhe training sabse senior aur perfect officers dein."

"Mere liye toh aap hi sabse perfect ho, Didi", insisted Padma. "Aur koi kuch bhi ho, par I meri Purvi didi toh nahi hain na. Mujhe training aapse hi chahiye, bas."

Purvi couldn't help but smile even more broadly at the sweetness of her words, and the abundance of honesty and genuine admiration in her tone and her eyes. She reached out and affectionately patted her cheeks.

"Accha baba, main train karungi tumko. Theek? Ab chalo pehle ghar pe dinner toh kar lein. Mujhe pata hai, as usual tumne kuch khaya nahi hoga!"

Chapter 3

There was hardly anything more amazing that Padma could imagine. After years and years of anticipation, the day was finally here. For long, she had dreamed of being together with her Purvi didi. But since the latter lived so far from her in Mumbai, and was almost always occupied with her duty, they hardly ever got to meet. Now that she finally had an opportunity to visit Mumbai regarding studies, she knew her dearest wish was finally coming true, and it was truly like a dream come true when finally all arrangements for her week-long stay with her Purvi didi were made. She would even be celebrating her birthday with her Didi! Now they were in Purvi's home, which Padma felt truly privileged to be in.

The place was just as she had seen in photographs - modest with four rooms including a kitchen. Her Girish uncle was in the adjacent room, smiling vaguely up at her. Padma touched his feet, feeling sadness in her heart. Purvi put a reassuring hand on her shoulder, and led her to her own room where they had a wonderful time going through her wardrobe and discussing about the dresses. Purvi smiled with satisfaction as she felt Padma's natural hesitation and nervousness ease, ever so slowly. She did her best to make her little sister feel relaxed. She could feel her excitement, respect and admiration in every move of hers.

(insert training)

"Accha, Padma", said Purvi eventually, as they were having dinner together consisting of prawns and their favourite dish of Shev Puri, made especially by Purvi on the occasion, "mere saath bureau chalogi tum kal subah? Tumhe Daya sir bhi bohot pasand hain na. Aur Abhijeet sir, ACP sir, Freddy sir, Salunkhe sir... sab honge wahan."

Padma looked at her for a few moments; she wasn't expecting this. She was not sure whether she would be allowed to visit the CID bureau, whether Purvi didi would consent to take her along. But she sensed no hesitation in her Didi at all. She was just smiling her natural way, waiting for her answer.

"Oh, Didi..." she said, hardly able to contain her excitement, "agar possible ho toh main bilkul chalna chahungi! Especially main Daya sir se milna chahungi... main bhi unki bohot badi fan hoon!"

Purvi chuckled and ruffled her hair. "Accha ji, kal le chalungi aapko apne saath bureau. Theek! Sab se milne ko milega aapko! Phir sham ki duty se main chutti le lungi aur hum thoda ghumne chalte hain, haan? Abhi nahi bataungi kahan jaayenge... surprise hai!"

Padma flashed an enormous grin filled with genuine happiness, and lay the whole night awake with excitement. She could hardly believe it was all true. She secretly hoped that it was not just a dream. She would be going to the CID bureau... would get to meet the Famous Five and all the other officers, and then would get to go around Mumbai with her Didi, who had arranged a surprise for her! She closed her eyes and thanked God for blessing her with such a wonderful opportunity.

But nobody could suspect the unexpected events that were going to happen the next day.

"Padma?"

"Uhhh... Didi?" Padma yawned and stretched her arms tiredly, getting up slowly from her bed. She had been having an amazing dream of going water skiing with her Didi. She rubbed her eyes and saw the latter standing in front of her. She had already changed into her CID dress and was checking her loaded pistol with a frown. Padma sat up at once in alarm. "Kya hua, Didi?"

"Abhijeet sir ka phone aaya tha", answered Purvi, pocketing her gun and pulling out a set of keys. "Ek urgent mission hai; mujhe turant nikalna hoga. I'm sorry Padma; aaj toh tumhe CID bureau aur bahar nahi le jaa paungi."

"Oh... koi baat nahi, Didi", said Padma. She felt touched by the genuine regret in her Didi's voice.

"Kal poori koshish karungi ki hum chal sakein, haan?" said Purvi. "Tumhe university mein kaam hai na. Agar chaho toh aaj dekh lena... par tum apna khayaal rakhogi na?" she asked sternly, eyeing her closely.

"Bilkul, Didi", said Padma firmly. "Mujhe kuch nahi hoga. Aap fikr mat karna; bas aap apna khayaal rakhiye, please. Mujhe aapki chinta bohot hoti hai."

Purvi looked at her for a few seconds, and then smiled and pulled her cheek affectionately. "You're so sweet, yaar. God bless you, always."

"God bless you too, Didi."

They hugged each other, and Purvi tossed her one of the keys. "Ye ghar ki duplicate key set hai. Ek aur set Girish uncle ki nurse ke paas hai. Bahar jaate waqt sambhal ke rehna, haan. I know you're a capable girl; sab theek se manage kar logi. Shaam ko milte hain."

"OK, Didi."

Purvi smiled again and waved as she closed the door behind her. Padma paused for a while, looking at the spot where her Didi had left. She couldn't help but feel a tinge of sadness. Though she knew Purvi didi would keep her word, and felt bad too for not taking her out that day, she valued every moment she got to spend with her Didi. But she pushed away the thought in anticipation of what would come the next day, and smiled at the thought. Pausing to make sure her Girish uncle was alright, and offering prayers in the living room, she carefully locked the door and left for her university work.

It was nearly 6:00 PM by the time Padma's work at the university for the day was finished, and she took a bus back home. On the way back, she got held up in a heavy traffic jam at Santa Cruz. She couldn't call her Didi and inform her; as she found out earlier that day, her cellphone had gotten discharged again. Making a mental note to get it fixed as soon as possible, she got up and picked up her bag as the bus screeched to a halt at the stop. From there, it was a three minute walk back to her Didi's house. She walked up to the door excitedly and rang the doorbell. There was no answer, despite three tries.

"Hello, Didi?" called Padma. "Main hoon... aap andar hain? Please, darwaza kholiye."

There was a long pause, and finally the door opened with a click. In front of her stood a towering, powerfully built man with a handsome face and kind eyes. Padma recognized him at once, and felt herself holding her breath with nervousness and surprise.

"...Daya sir?" she whispered softly, at last.

"Haan", he replied, looking down with concern at her. "Aap Purvi ki behen Padma ho na. Aap jaanti ho mujhe?"

"Aapko kaun nahi jaanta, sir", said Padma, hardly able to contain her admiration and respect. "Didi ne mujhe bohot bataya aapke baare mein. Mere liye you are the best cop in the country!"

Daya sir looked at her, then gave a small smile and stroked her head gently. Padma could sense sadness and worry in him. Despite that, his smile was as warm and human as she always remembered.

"That's so sweet of you", he said softly. Then, almost immediately he grew grim. "Beta, aap thaki hogi na. Chalo, andar aao."

"Par sir..." Padma began, as they walked inside. She couldn't stop herself. "Aap pareshaan kyun hain? Aur Didi kahan hain?"

Daya remained silent. He seemed to be pondering over what to tell her. Finally, he said, "Didi andar hain, Padma. Dekho... actually thodi si gadbad ho gayi hai. I... andar chalo, phir batate hain."

Padma felt her excitement being clouded by anxiety as they walked into the house. Daya looked unusually grim, and was avoiding eye contact. They moved in silence to the living room. Padma tried asking about what had happened, but her nervousness and fear were hindering her. Before she could speak, there were footsteps and four people entered the hall from the adjacent bedroom.

"Purvi Didi!" said Padma with relief, walking forward. "Thank God, aap theek ho. Kya hua, Didi?"

She could easily tell that her Didi was deeply troubled. She was still in her purple CID dress, and there was none of the agility, good humour and confidence that she had displayed earlier that day and before. Her expression looked strangely blank, and she was moving extremely slowly, as though afraid of stepping on something or knocking someone over. Seeing Padma, she made an effort to smile, but only got halfway through.

"Padma..." she said softly. "I'm sorry. Main tumhe phone karne chahti thi, par kya bataun..."

Padma couldn't stand the sight of her looking like that, nor could she bear the strain and cracking in her voice. She walked forward and impulsively hugged her beloved and sweetest elder sister. Tears rolled down from Purvi's eyes as behind her, Daya, Abhijeet, Sachin and Freddy looked on with a mixture of sadness and admiration at the heartbreaking scene of mutual love and care.

"Didi, I'm always with you", said Padma, tears streaming down her eyes as well. "Aap kabhi akeli nahi ho. Hum sab aapke saath hain. Par main aapko aise rote hue aur udaas nahi dekh sakti, Didi. Please, aap shaant ho jaaiye. Bataiye na, kya hua?"

Purvi stroked her lovingly, her voice a whisper now. "Pata nahi maine kya acche kaam kiye, ki bhagwaan ne mujhe tum jaisi pyaari chhoti behen di."

Coming from her, it was an extraordinary thing for little Padma. Despite the gravity of the situation, she knew she would treasure these words forever. Minutes later, they were sitting together on the sofa and Padma, delighted at having the honour to meet the other seniors too, was handing out glasses of lemonade she had prepared for them all. Daya accepted his with a warm smile, and then turned to Padma with a grim look as she sat down beside Purvi.

"Padma, halanki haalat kuch theek nahi hain, tum ab badi ho. Tumhe bhi sach janne ka haq hai", he said.

"Par tum chinta mat karna, haan?" said Freddy quickly. "Jo bhi ho, tumhari Didi ko kabhi kuch nahi hoga. Promise!"

Padma smiled in gratitude of their warmth and understanding.

"Hua kuch aise", began Daya. "Aaj subah, CID bureau mein ACP sir ko ek call aaya..."

(Contd.)

Chapter 4

9:15 AM, earlier that day.

It was just the beginning of working time at the bureau. Abhijeet and Daya had arrived and were already providing finishing touches to a recently closed case file. Behind them, Freddy was quietly checking his Facebook news feed and trying to stifle his laughter at some of the funnier memes posted there. ACP Pradyuman was in his cabin, speaking on phone. In other words, it seemed like just another bland day at work. On top of it, the air conditioner was broken and they couldn't locate the cause. The engineer had been called for, but clearly seemed to be in no hurry to arrive. Daya wiped the sweat off his forehead, feeling irritable. The air was thick with humidity; he felt as though he were breathing through a sponge.

"Yaar ye Bunty kab aayega?" he asked, checking his watch. "Aaj toh mausam ne record tod diya. Ab iss garmi mein check karte baithein saare case files?"

"Apna toh kaam hi yehi hai", said Abhijeet with a wry smile. "Mausam kaisa bhi ho, kaam toh chalta hi rehna hai."

"Haan boss. Par aisi garmi mein idhar baithke ye files sign karne se accha hai koi mission hi mil jaata", said Daya, though he sat down and began sorting the file's pages again.

Abhijeet chuckled. "Yaar abhi toh ek case khatam hua hai. Ab aise bologe toh mission kahin na kahin se aa hi jaayega."

At that moment, the door to the ACP's cabin flew open and ACP sir walked out, talking on the phone and gesturing them all to come up to him. Abhijeet and Daya hurriedly closed the case file and got up; Freddy hastily logged out of Facebook, deleted it from his browsing history and walked up along with them. The ACP looked unusually grim as he continued his phone conversation while glancing at them all.

"...accha theek hai, hum abhi wahan aate hain", he was saying. Disconnecting, he turned to his officers. "Meri baat dhyaan se suno, sab log. Sector twelve mein Hyaline Laundromat ke paas ek dukaan pe kuch badmaashon ne attack kiya hai."

"Koi khoon hua kya? Ya phir robbery?" asked Abhijeet.

"Kuch bhi nahi hua. I log dukaan ke andar ghuse, maalik aur uske logon ko buri tarah peeta, aur usse sirf ek sawaal poocha. Pata hai kya?"

The three officers looked at each other, and then at the ACP, their looks quizzical. The latter's expression grew darker before he answered, indicating that whatever was coming wasn't good at all.

"Unhone ye poocha - Patiala kahan hai?"

Every face in the bureau displayed nothing but deepest shock. Abhijeet and Daya looked at each other, stunned, and then at the ACP.

"Matlab sir... Dr. Bhora?"

"Bilkul", said the ACP. "Ye jo dukaan wala hai, humare prime witnesses mein se ek hai. Isne humari madad un ek Dr. Bhora tak pohochne mein, aur humne isse warn kiya tha ki ye baat humare beech hi rehni chahiye."

"Par unn gundo ko ye pata kaise chala?" said Freddy. "Aur chala toh unhone usse zinda kyun chhod diya?"

"Kehna mushkil hai, Freddy. Par ek wajah ho sakti hai body count", answered the ACP. "Jitni laashein bichayenge, unka raasta utna mushkil hota jaayega. Iss racket ka jo leader hai... Rex, I nahi chahta ki uska dhanda band ho. Bas kisi tarah iss khatre ko dur karna chahta hai. Aur Dr. Bhora ko chhod ke kisi ko nahi pata ki iss racket mein aur kaun kaun shaamil hai. Agar usne Dr. Bhora ko khatam kar diya, toh phir unn tak pohochna bohot mushkil hai."

"Matlab usko sab pata chal gaya, un ek I humare track ke peeche hai", said Daya angrily.

"Bilkul", said the ACP with a wry smile. "Aur asli baat ye hai ki kal hi government ke orders aaye the, Dr. Bhora ko Mumbai se bahar le jaane ke liye. Uski hearing agle hafte Delhi mein hogi. Aur agar inn logon ko uski location ke baare mein pata chal gaya, toh mujhe nahi lagta I zinda bach paayega."

The officers realized the truth in his words. The gang they were fighting against, and its leader known only as Rex, was known not only for its ruthless operations, but the eerily clean way in which it did away with its targets. At least two more potential defectees from the racket were found dead in mysterious circumstances, months before - one fallen down the balcony of his own house, the other electrocuted as an electric toaster landed in his bathtub. Both were seemingly accidents, but the CID knew that they were too coincidental and suspicious to actually be so.

"Toh ab hum kya karein, sir?" asked Abhijeet. "Dr. Bhora ko Delhi tak kaise pohochayenge?"

"Hum sirf itna dekh sakte hain ki I Mumbai se sahi-salaamat bahar nikle. Baaki toh government agents ke upar hai", answered the ACP. "Tum log jaao aur pata lagao ki uss dukaandaar pe jin logon ne hamla kiya, I the kaun. Daya, Freddy... tum log Dr. Bhora ki motorcade ke saath hi lage rehna, dekhna ki kuch na ho. Aur haan... Sachin aur Purvi ko bhi bata do iss mission ke baare mein. Humein unki bhi zarurat padegi ab. Go on... all the best. Aur mujhe update karte rehna."

"Aur abhi tak inke baare mein aur koi leads nahi mili?" asked Purvi in astonishment, as the CID Scorpio drove down a dusty road later that day. The air seemed to shimmer with the afternoon heat, and mirages of water-puddles on the road were a common sight.

"Kuch bhi nahi", said Abhijeet, looking straight ahead. "Inn logon ko apne tracks cover karna kuch zyada hi acche se aata hai, Purvi. Isliye toh saat saal se humari naak ke neeche itna bada dhanda chala rahe hain, aur hum kuch kar bhi nahi paaye."

He had, during their journey, explained how this notorious racket run by one Rex dealt with the illegal smuggling of human organs, peddling of adulterated ones and tricking various helpless patients into cheap scams that either killed them or left them weak and crippled. The gang had been operating in at least five different cities throughout India, using modified versions of modern technologies like WhatsApp to communicate effectively with striking privacy. They had skilled engineers on their side to ensure that their lines were so secure that tracking them down by bugging or hacking was proving to be virtually impossible. Their methods were so clean that a raid of the suspected hospitals turned up with nothing. As such, the police had no choice but to drop their cases after coming up empty-handed repeatedly.

It wasn't until one Dr. Utkarsh Bhora from Pune was dissatisfied with his dealings with Rex and decided to sell him out, that fatal mistakes were made and the CID finally managed to nab Dr. Bhora with the aid of a few witnesses. The terrified doctor, under threat and promise of having his penalty lowered, agreed to cooperate and help them round up Rex's evil syndicate. He had been taken underground by the government, given the fake alias of "Patiala" and kept virtually cut off from the outside world until he could safely be taken to Delhi for his hearing, where he would officially testify against a list of doctors he knew were a part of the racket.

"Matlab jab Dr. Bhora court mein gavaahi dekar saabit karenge ki I doctors gunehgaar hain, tabhi iss gang ka puri tarah se pardafaash ho paayega", said Purvi.

"Exactly", said Abhijeet. "Agar Dr. Bhora zinda bache toh. Ye toh clear ho hi un ek hai ki agar Dr. Bhora gaye... toh phir humara case bhi gaya. Itne saare jaane-maane doctors pe akele investigation karna bohot mushkil hai. un ek toh wo Rex, un ek hai, itna satark ho gaya ki I apne kaam ko aur secret kar dega. Uss tak pohochna hi mushkil jo jaayega."

"Humein jald se jald pata lagana hoga ki aakhir uss shop pe hamla karne waale log kaun the. Tabhi hum unko Dr. Bhora ko maarne se rok paayenge", said Purvi. "Sir, apna normal tareeka apna sakte hain na. Aas pas koi CCTV cameras ho toh shayad I log dikh jaayein."

"Maine phone karke poocha, Purvi", said Abhijeet. "Unn logon ne dukaan ka CCTV camera aur tape tod diya. un ek paas kuch hai ki nahi, dekhna padega."

They weren't so lucky. No other buildings in the vicinity had any CCTV cameras pointing at the attacked shop, neither did the assailants seem to appear in the couple of cameras they did manage to locate. The terrified shopkeeper had already provided a sketch of the assailants, and they were now moving from one building to another, enquiring about the three thuggish-looking men in the sketch. Finally, one pan-shop owner seemed to recognize them.

"Haan sahab, ye teeno toh abhi thodi der pehle hi idhar se guzre the. Shayad uss taraf gaye", he said, pointing.

Abhijeet and Purvi had walked forward and barely taken a turn than they saw the three men standing right in front of them. Both parties stared at each other... and then, the largest of the three drew a gun and opened fire. As terrified locals ran for their lives, Abhijeet and Purvi took cover behind a building and returned fire. But the attackers weren't interested in a fight; they backed away, pausing only to take a potshot or two at the cops before flinging themselves into a red van parked a few paces behind them, and driving off. Abhijeet and Purvi hurried to their Scorpio and followed the van, now racing ahead of them raising a huge cloud of yellow dust behind it.

"Purvi, unke tires par nishana lagao!" called Abhijeet over the din of the roaring engines and dust streaming in through the windows.

Purvi leaned out of the window and fired, but the cloud of dust was so thick now that barely anything was visible in front of them. Abhijeet had to struggle to even drive the car properly. As he accelerated, they could barely make out the outline of the red van swerving through the gravelly road in front of them. Purvi took careful aim, and fired. Even through the noise, there was an audible shattering of glass as the rear window got hit.

"Good one!" said Abhijeet. "Ab uske tires ko nishana banao aur roko unhe!"

Purvi raised her gun to take aim again. Suddenly, the van swerved violently to the right at the eleventh hour as the road ended in a fork, and Purvi found herself facing an abandoned warehouse just a split second after she had already fired. There was a great explosion as the wooden warehouse was blown apart, and bits of flaming debris came flying their way. Purvi was forced to retreat into the car as Abhijeet swerved to avoid the debris.

"Damn it", he said. "Puraane godown mein kuch explosives rakhe honge. Koi baat nahi... Purvi, jaldi nishana lagao phir. Dekho I rahe I log!"

Purvi leaned out again to take aim at the red van, but just then, the radio in their car bleeped to life.

"Attention, all personnel in the area", said an amplified voice. "Sector twelve mein ek warehouse mein dhamaka hua hai, aur humein civilian casualties ki report aayi hai."

"Civilian casualties?" repeated Purvi in alarm.

"Ye toh gadbad ho gayi", said Abhijeet, his tone laden with shock and concern. "Kahin aisa toh nahi ki... arre, ye kahan gaya?"

Purvi looked back ahead, surprised. In the split second that their attention had been diverted, their quarry had vanished. There was nothing to be seen up ahead other than a dwindling cloud of dust. They drove ahead for half a minute, observing every nook and cranny they could locate, but there was no sign of the red van anymore. Abhijeet cursed and banged his fist on the dashboard.

"Nikal gaye haath se."

"Sir, mujhe unn casualties ki chinta ho rahi hai", said Purvi, unable to stop herself.

"Mujhe bhi, Purvi", said Abhijeet quietly. "Pata nahi wahan situation kitni kharab hogi. Yahan dekhne ko toh kuch bacha nahi... chalo wahin chalein."

As they drove back, Abhijeet turned up the FM and they could immediately tell it was not good.

"...reports of at least three severe injuries and five deaths, including two children, have been reported so far from the site of accident. Senior authorities are looking into the situation. Meanwhile, the CID remains unavailable for comment..."

Purvi felt as though the words slipped like an iron brick into her stomach. "Three severe injuries"... and five deaths, including two children. My God, she thought. She felt as though her blood had turned to ice. Her hands felt numb and unmoving. She had caused civilian deaths... the deaths of two children. She never even dreamed of such a situation in her life. She loved children, loved being with them and revisiting childhood with them. She had dedicated her life to protecting civilians. And now, she was responsible for their deaths. She felt the thought cut through her mind and soul like an icy knife.

Her turmoil must've clearly shown on her face, because Abhijeet spoke up, "Purvi, pehle humein wahan pohochne do. Phir dekhte hain hua kya."

"News mein toh bata hi rahe hain sir, ki kya hua", Purvi found herself saying tonelessly.

"News waale namak-mirch lagake batate hain khabar ko. Abhi ruk jaao thoda", said Abhijeet. But even he couldn't keep the worry and stress from his voice.

His phone rang, and Abhijeet answered it anxiously. "Hello, sir."

"Abhijeet, ye kya hua wahan pe?" came the ACP's voice from the phone.

Abhijeet paused to look at Purvi, at her tense and guilty expression. He did not have the heart to describe the situation in front of her and make her feel worse. He quickly said, "Sir, humne unn badmashon ko dhoond liya tha. Unki car ka peecha karte waqt hum firing kar rahe the aur tabhi paas un e warehouse mein explosion hua. Uske baad humne radio pe suna ki logon ko chhot pohochi hai. Abhi hum..."

"Abhijeet, logon ko sirf chhot nahi pohochi, bohot kuch hua hai!" said the ACP exasperatedly. "Tumne suna hi hoga radio pe kya bataya gaya! Mujhe yakeen nahi hota ki mere officers se aisa kaam kaise ho sakta hai!"

"Sir, sab kuch itni jaldi hua ki humein bhi kuch nahi pata chala", said Abhijeet desperately. "Hum abhi wahan jaake pata karte hain ki aakhir hua kya."

While he continued to talk, he could observe Purvi's expression of guilt going from bad to worse. She was now pale and not even making eye contact with him. He disconnected the call and focused ahead.

"Dekho Purvi, pehle dekhne do ki aakhir hua kya. Media sab kuch sahi se report nahi karti hai", he said. "Bas hum wahan pohochne hi waale hain."

The scene was a sight dreadful to behold, when they arrived. The destroyed warehouse was smoking like a pit of hell, the splintered wooden roof exploded outwards like some ugly, dry flower in blossom. Debris lay strewn about the entire expanse of the deserted area, crunching under their shoes as they got out of the car and slowly walked ahead. Sirens of ambulances wailed overhead as two more victims were loaded into them and driven away. A small crowd of locals had gathered to watch as a team of khaki-clad inspectors observed the victims, questioned eyewitnesses and took down notes. They looked up and saluted as Abhijeet and Purvi approached, looking unsure of what to say. Abhijeet merely looked at the officer in lead, his quiet eyes requesting an explanation his lips pained to ask.

"Do aur laashein mili hain, sir", said the officer, clearly trying his best to keep his tone neutral. "Iss warehouse ke andar explosives ke barrels rakhe the... trinitrotoluene aka TNT. Lagta hai goli unmein se ek ko lagi, aur ye dhamaka hua. Abhi thodi der pehle DCP Chitrole ka bhi phone aaya tha, aur..."

He shrugged. Abhijeet and Purvi looked at each other; they knew it was about as worse as it could get. To the right, they could see news reporters crouched near an elderly couple as they were taken away on stretchers, their clothing and heads soaked in blood. The low groans were audible even at a distance.

"Aaiye poochte hain iss durghatna ke shikaaron se, aakhir hua kya..." said one of the reporters, thrusting his mike into the elderly man's face.

"Ye koi durghatna nahi thi!" growled the man, with surprising energy. "Main humesha se kehta aaya hoon ki police waalon ka dimaag kharab hai. Sochte hain ki wardi hai toh khuch bhi kar sakte hain. un ek dekho kya kiya unhone!"

"Unhe iss baat ki chinta nahi ki unki goli kahan aur kisko lag sakti hai... pata hi hai na ki unpe koi ungli nahi utha sakta", groaned the old woman. "Bhagwaan hi bachaye hum aam logon ko... ab toh humare rakshak hi bhakshak ban gaye."

Behind them, they could see two ward boys pulling a white sheet over two tiny bodies. Abhijeet felt as though a fiery dagger had ripped through his innards. He couldn't bear that sight. He tried to approach the victims and talk to them, but they had already been moved into the ambulances and driven away. He turned to see Purvi looking as pale as though she hadn't seen the sun for years. Two glistening tears emerged from the corners of her eyes and streamed down her cheeks silently.

"Purvi..." began Abhijeet, but he paused. He had no idea what to say. Before he could do anything more, his phone rang; it was the ACP again.

"Abhijeet, tum dono issi waqt bureau aa jaao", said he grimly. "Aur jaldi aao. Batane ka waqt nahi hai."

From his tone, it was evident that whatever was waiting for them was not any good at all.

"Maine kabhi socha nahi tha ki CID ko aisa din dekhna padega. Jaanta hoon tum log gadbad karte ho, par aisa kaam... tum log jaante bhi ho, kya kiya tumne?" snarled DCP Chitrole in the bureau, pacing up and down the smooth glassy floor like an agitated tiger in its cage.

The CID team stood silently in a row with their heads low, only observing him out of the corner of their eyes. The silence in the bureau was absolute and eerie, like a graveyard. There was none of the hustle and bustle, laugher and leg-pulling that made the place so charming and lively. Even Chitrole's visits on a normal day involved plenty of fun, teasing and behind-the-back jokes that left the officers entertained and light-hearted. Today, however, there was nothing but grimness and tension in every countenance. They knew the situation was far worse than they could ever imagine. Not only did they feel shattered on moral and humanitarian grounds, but they knew that there could hardly be a more horrible stain on the CID than the death and injury of multiple innocents. Even through the largely soundproof walls of the newly furnished and futuristic bureau, the shouts and slogans of a gathered mob outside were clearly audible.

"Sunn rahe ho ye aawazein?" said Chitrole acidly, striding to the window and throwing it open. "Abhi tak nahi dekha toh ab dekh lo, kya chal raha hai bahar."

Nobody spoke. They had already seen what was going on; the mob was raising slogans of "CID murdabaad" and was burning effigies of the cops, and raising posters bearing several ill words and taunts, the most polite of which was "Tum sab ho desh pe kalank... itna zeher jaise bicchu ka dank". It tore at their otherwise stone-like hearts to see the people they loved and cared for, and worked day and night to protect, turning so hostile against them due to a single incident. But then, the magnitude of the incident was such that they could hardly defend themselves.

"Soch lo ki aaj ghar kaise jaaoge", said Chitrole sarcastically, slamming the window shut. "Bahar nikle toh ye log kya haalat karenge, pata hi hai. Aur haan, ye mat bhoolna... kitni prashansa ho rahi hai humare department ki, poore desh mein..."

He pointed at the TV in the corner, where Aaj Tak was displaying a continuous report and analysis of the incident, with video footage and photographs of the victims and demolished warehouse being shown in the corner on an endless loop while a number of self-proclaimed experts and intellectuals engaged in a heated debate about whether or not the police is now a menace to the society. The moving text below read that the victims and their families blamed the CID for the incident, and refused ACP Pradyuman's request to meet them. Abhijeet felt a great stab of indignation as he watched the discussion, and he could no longer stand it.

"I'm sorry sir, but this is extreme", he said furiously. "Ye log nahi jaante ye kya bol rahe hain. Jo police din-raat apni jaan khatre mein daalke inko surakshit rakhne ki koshish karti hai, unko..."

"Aap toh kuch na hi boliye, Mr. Abhijeet", snapped Chitrole. "Samaaj mein kayi log CID ko tumhare naam se jaante hain... CID matlab ACP Pradyuman, Senior Inspectors Abhijeet aur Daya. Aur tumne aaj kya kiya, haan?

"Chitrole sahab..." began the ACP sharply, but the DCP cut across him.

"Sharp shooter kehte hain tumko... kehte hain kuch bhi ho sakta hai par tumhara nishana nahi chook sakta. Aur aaj, tumne apne nishaane se buzurg logon aur masoom bacchon ko -"

"Sir, please!" said Purvi loudly, walking forward and facing the DCP directly. "Abhijeet sir ki koi galti nahi hai. I goli maine chalayi thi!"

Everybody looked at her. Purvi could see ACP sir looking at her, but she couldn't bring herself to remain silent anymore. ACP sir had, after knowing about the full incident, looked stern but seeing her condition and knowing that Chitrole was arriving, instructed her to remain silent and let him take charge of the situation. She didn't like it, but was already so disturbed that she couldn't say anything. Now, however, if her seniors were going to be blamed and humiliated for her mistake, she could not stand mutely and let it happen.

"Sir, I goli jiski wajah se dhamaka hua, I kisi aur ne nahi balki maine chalayi thi", she said firmly.

There was absolute silence in the bureau. Purvi resolutely avoided looking at anybody else, especially her seniors and ACP sir in particular. She never took her eyes off DCP Chitrole's. She couldn't fathom his expression. To her surprise, rather than feeling frightened, she felt a part of the weight lifting off her heart, for having confessed the truth. She knew she could've kept it hidden, let someone else take the blame for her, because they cared for her. But her conscience would never forgive her then.

"Sir, main hoon inn sab ki zimmedar. Apni galti maanti hoon main", she said. "Jo bhi nuksaan hua, jaan ka, jo log ghayal hue, aaj CID aur police ko jo kuch log bol rahe hain... I sab meri wajah se hua."

"Purvi..." said the ACP. To her surprise, his voice sounded so weak that she couldn't stop herself looking at him. His expression was a mixture of exasperation, regret and pity. She could see Abhijeet, Daya, Freddy and Sachin all sharing more or less the same expressions of concern and sadness as they looked at her and Chitrole in turn.

"Toh, matlab..." said Chitrole at last, his countenance darkening.

"Sir, usko kuch na boliye. It's a request", said the ACP quickly, walking forward. "Bacchi hai. Jo usse hua, uski saza usse milegi, I main dekhunga. Par aap please..."

"Aapko kuch dekhne ki zarurat nahi, ACP Pradyuman", replied Chitrole slowly, with an ugly grimace as he walked towards Purvi like a tiger approaching its cornered prey. "Toh iska matlab ye hai ki..."

(Contd.)

Chapter 5

Daya paused, and looked intently at Padma. Her expression was so tense and pale, that he could not continue with his story anymore. He could not bear to hurt her, to tell her what exactly Chitrole said to her Didi and what happened later. Purvi herself walked forward and sat beside Padma to pat her gently, trying to comfort her. The things Chitrole had said to her, began to swim through her mind rapidly like acid. She knew she had made a terrible mistake, knew that she deserved to be punished... but such horrible and disgraceful accusations and taunts hurled at her, as though she wasn't even a human being? The words went through her heart like poisoned swords and she didn't know whether that pain would ever fade anytime soon, if at all.

Padma couldn't stop herself. Though she didn't know what exactly Chitrole had said, she could make out the worst from her Didi's and Daya sir's expressions. She hugged her Purvi didi tightly and felt the tears cascading from her eyes.

"Didi, aap please ye sab mat socho", she cried, pouring her heart out, unable to control her emotion and affection. "Jo kuch hua, aapki galti nahi hai. Aap toh apni duty hi kar rahi thi... galti toh sabse hoti hai. Aapne na jaane kitne logon ki jaan bachayi, kitne bacchon aur bado dono ko maut ke mooh se nikala, apni jaan par khelkar. Par logon ko I yaad nahi rehta... sirf dusron ki galtiyan yaad rehti hain. Mere liye aap humesha THE BEST thi, best ho aur best rahogi. I love you, Didi!"

Purvi put an arm around her and wiped her tears gently, stroking her head. "Beta... aise rona mat, please. Tumhe aise dekhke mujhe bohot bura lagta hai. Please... apni Didi ko khush rakhna chahti ho toh sabse pehle rona band karo. And smile."

Padma wiped her face and forced a small smile, though she only felt stark emptiness within. Purvi looked down for a bit, not talking. Finally, she let out a sigh and said the words.

"Maine resign kar diya."

Padma felt as though the words dropped like a boulder into the depths of her consciousness. Maine resign kar diya.

"Ye... ye aap kya keh rahi hain, Didi?" she said, her voice shaking with shock.

"Maine resign kar diya... main CID mein rehne ke layak hi nahi", replied Purvi fast, as though unsure of whether she'd be able to continue if she paused. She resolutely avoided meeting Padma's eyes.

"Bilkul galat!" said Padma forcefully, facing her. "Didi, aap aisa kaise soch sakti hain?"

"Hum bhi toh isko yehi samjhane ki koshish kar rahe hain, kitni der se!" said Abhijeet. "Purvi, dekho tumhari behen kya keh rahi hai. Kamse kam ab toh baat ko samajho!"

"Dekho, military terms mein collateral damage' naam ki ek cheez hoti hai", said Sachin. "Iss tarah encounters aur gunfire ke time pe kayi baar humare na chahte hue bhi masoom logon ko nuksaan pohochta hai. Hum toh poori koshish karte hain ki aisa na ho, aur apni taraf se har effort karte hain."

"Tum kisi ko chhot pohochane ke iraade se toh fire nahi kar rahi un ek, Purvi", said Freddy. "Padma sahi toh keh rahi hai. Tumne duty ke liye na jaane kitne baar apni jaan khatre mein daali."

"Meri wajah se masoom logon ki jaan bhi toh gayi, sir", said Purvi quietly. "Log hi nahi... bacchon ki bhi. Aur abhi bhi log hospital mein zindagi aur maut ke beech jung ladd rahe hain, meri wajah se."

She paused, unable to speak any further. Nobody knew what to do or say, other than look on helplessly. Padma couldn't bring herself to let go of her elder sister. She held on and buried her head in her shirt.

"Main bas itna jaanti hoon ki mere liye aap humesha the best hain, Didi", she said softly. "Chahe kuch bhi ho, chahe koi kuch bhi kahe... mujhe biased kahein, kuch bhi kahein, I don't care. Mujhe pata hai main aapko pyaar aur izzat kyun deti hoon, aur uske liye mujhe kisi ke stamp of approval ki zarurat nahi hain, Didi. Chahe kuch bhi ho, mere liye aap jo hain humesha wohi rahengi."

Purvi didn't know what to feel other than deepest gratitude and affection for her little sister's innocence, genuine respect and loyal love. She silently thanked God for blessing her with such an incredible and amazing younger sibling, a gift far greater and unique than anything anybody else in the world had.

"Par aap aise resign nahi kar sakti, Didi", continued Padma. "Humari society ko aap jaisi honhaar female CID cop ki zarurat hai. Aap jaanti hain, aap kitni ladkiyon aur even ladkon ke liye ek inspiration hain? A living symbol of courage, dedication, strength, honesty and virtues! Aap aise resign kar dengi toh hum sab ka kya hoga? Mera kya hoga, Didi? Honestly, aap nahi jaanti, what you mean to me..."

Her voice cracked again and she paused, suppressing fresh tears. Purvi found herself speechless. But the strain was too much for her. She knew she had to clear things.

"Padma... believe me, main jaanti hoon tum mujhe kitna pyaar aur izzat deti ho. I have no words to describe your love and loyalty. Par meri bhi situation samjho, beta. Tumhe kya lagta hai, tum mujhe itna pasand karti ho matlab baaki sab bhi karenge? Aaj jo hua, uske baad kya koi mujhe ek inspiration maanega? Nahi... mujhse jo hua, mujhe sab log sirf uske liye hi yaad karenge."

"Aisa kuch nahi hai, Purvi", said Daya sir firmly.

"Aisa hi hai, sir", said Purvi heavily. "Julius Caesar mein Shakespeare ne kaha tha... the evil that men do lives after them, the good is oft interrd with their bones. Bas wohi baat hai. Aur yehi sach hai ki mujhse jo hua, uske baad mujhe CID mein rehne ka koi haq nahi."

"Purvi, tumhe jo izzat milti hai, kisi wajah se milti hai", said Abhijeet. "Tumne kitne acche kaam kiye CID mein, zara yaad karo. Tum ek akeli female cop ho jisne ek senior officer ki jaan bachayi... meri jaan. I bhi akele, bina kisi ki madad ke!"

"Jab hum uss train waale case mein undercover the, tumne mere ishaare pe kitni furti se uss ladki ka sar neeche kiya taaki main uske peeche khade mujrim par goli chala sakoon", said Daya.

"Daya sir ke kehne un ek akeli car ke bahar latki aur uss chalti car ki steering wheel ko pair se ghumaya, taaki uske sammohit driver ko kuch na ho", reminded Sachin.

"Tumne humesha apne seniors ko izzat di", said Freddy. "Mujhe jab goli lagi, toh gunfight bhoolkar tum turant meri madad karne aayi. Jab uss rahasya dweep mein hum sab pakde gaye, toh kisi se na darrke tumne humein bachane ka faisla kiya sabse pehle. Tumhara koi bhi saathi pareshaan hota hai, toh uski madad kare bina tum chain ki saans nahi le sakti."

"Aur Didi, I awesome kung fu fight!" chirped Padma excitedly. "Aapka cliff stunt! Aapke kitne saare disguises! Aapki investigation, seniors ke saath bonding, aapka respect aur support! Aap please samajhiye na, Didi. Aapko hum sab itna respect kisi wajah se dete hain, jaisa ki Abhijeet sir ne kaha. Aap ye respect deserve karti hain aur hum sab humesha aapke saath hain!"

"Suno tumhari behen kya keh rahi hai, Purvi", a deep voice said from the doorway.

They all turned and stood up in stunned silence as ACP Pradyuman himself walked into the room. Padma could hardly believe her good fortune, to meet him in person! His gait and steadiness showed no signs of age at all. He walked majestically like a lion, his eyes flashing with a wonderful mixture of sharpness and kindness, his expression a curious blend of determination and concern. Despite the situation, she smiled at him and bowed respectfully. He smiled back warmly at her, before turning back to Purvi.

"Purvi..." he said, his voice steely but not unkind, "Main tumhari situation samajh sakta hoon. Main ye bhi jaanta hoon ki jo hua, I bohot serious hain aur hum usse andekha nahi kar sakte. Main ye bhi jaanta hoon ki ACP hote hue, action lena meri duty hai aur mujhe khushi hai ki tumne apni galti ko maana. Par tum khud ko zarurat se zyada hi dosh de rahi ho, aur iss baat ko main support nahi kar sakta. Yahan sab log tumhe jo samjhana chahte hain, zara samajhne ki koshish toh karo."

Purvi looked quietly at him for a few seconds. And then, she silently picked up the TV remote lying next to her, and turned on the TV slowly. Every news channel showed the same headlines. The flaming wreck of a warehouse. The bodies. The injured being interviewed. Chitrole being interviewed and vowing to take action against the officer responsible. The photographs of the killed children. A gathered mob burning effigies of the officers, doing vandalism throughout the city and demanding for the immediate termination and action against the culprit. And finally, a last headline... "CID Inspector Purvi claims responsibility for collateral damage, resigns".

Padma looked at her Didi in shock. "Aapne media waalon ko...?"

"Haan. Sab bata diya", said Purvi tonelessly. She turned to ACP sir. "I'm sorry sir. Meri wajah se aap sab ko kitna sab kuch jhelna pad raha hai. I'm very grateful for all your respects and praises... par mujhe itna pata hai ki unn bachhon ke chehre main kabhi apni aakhon ke saamne se nahi hata paaungi. Main apni jaan de dungi, par naa hi main apni wajah se phir kabhi kisi masoom ko chhot pohochne dungi, na CID ka naam kharab hone dungi. I'm sorry for everything."

They all stood in silence. The TV kept running in the background, now showing an interview with a misogynist male observer who commented that girls weren't fit to be in the police or jobs at all. Padma had a deep urge to throw something heavy at him. Judging by the looks on the trio's faces, they felt the same. Freddy took up the remote in disgust and changed channels.

"Purvi, tumse thodi baat karni hai", said ACP sir, gesturing at Abhijeet and Daya to be with Padma. "Please, idhar aao aur meri baat ko samjho."

Purvi reluctantly did as asked, glancing at Padma and her other seniors before she and ACP sir exited. Abhijeet and Daya talked among themselves a bit before turning to Padma.

"Tum chinta mat karo, Padma", said Abhijeet softly, patting her shoulder.

"Tumhari Didi ke saath hum bhi hain, humesha", said Daya with a gentle smile.

"Aur hum dekhke rahenge ki jo sahi hai, humesha wohi ho", said Freddy softly.

Padma didn't answer. Her eyes were fixed on the television, where the injured elderly couple was being interviewed by the media. She wondered why she found herself so fixated on them. She felt as though she knew something... that there was something she understood, but couldn't realize, couldn't put her finger on it. It was an irritating and exasperating feeling, but try as she could, she couldn't remember anything. The stress and tension was preventing her from thinking to her fullest potential.

"Kya hua, Padma?" asked Abhijeet, looking at her and then at the TV.

Padma looked up abruptly; she had almost forgotten where she was. She felt nervous speaking to Senior Inspector Abhijeet, the legend, but his warmth and friendliness encouraged her. "Sir, mujhe pata nahi kyun, aisa lagta hai ki maine inn dono ko kahin dekha hai. Par kuch sahi se yaad nahi aa raha."

Daya glanced at the screen, and then at Padma. "Ho sakta hai dekha ho inko, kahin. Toh? Koi khaas baat?"

Padma was unsure of what to say. She looked again at the two people, watched as the older man raised a pudgy hand and clawed at the trickle of blood running down his matted grey hair down his face. Oh, where had she seen them? And what exactly was making her uneasy about them? She stressed hard on her mind, but couldn't remember anything. And then, she observed something else that made her forget everything else.

On screen was now stock footage of the once-intact warehouse as the camera zoomed in on it, while the reporters commented on its unfortunate fate. Apparently, the footage was shot merely hours before the fatal accident by a bus of tourists, who were shocked by the incident and agreed to co-operate with the reporters. The news readers were now debating about the perils of having an abandoned goods house with dangerous contents. But that wasn't what held her attention.

"Sir..." she said, turning to Abhijeet sir. "Aap log kis taraf se warehouse ke saamne aaye the?"

Abhijeet looked puzzled, but watched the screen for a few seconds before pointing. "Wahan... uss bade ped ke peeche waale raaste se."

"Uss red van ka peecha karte hue?"

"Haan."

"Toh uss van ne yahan, warehouse ke right ki taraf turn kiya, aur Didi khidki ke bahar jhuki aur uski taraf fire kiya... aur unki goli van ko miss hokar warehouse ki khidki se andar chali gayi, aur TNT un e barrel ko lagi, jiski wajah se dhamaka hua. Right?" asked Padma.

Abhijeet looked at Daya, and shrugged. "Haan. Par baat kya hai, Padma?"

Padma paused, before shaking her head. "Kuch nahi, sir."

"Arre, aise kaise kuch nahi?" said Freddy. "Kya baat hai, bolo na?"

"Nahi sir", said Padma. She regretted speaking anything at all. "Bas aise hi... sorry."

"Arre yaar, baat kya hai?" asked Daya, looking intently at her. "Dekho Padma, un ek hai, bina darr ke bolo. Agar humein case mein koi bhi madad mil sake, toh bohot badi baat hogi. Hum Didi ki madad kar sakte hain!"

Padma hesitated, and watched the screen for a few more moments. Then she spoke. "Sir, agar Didi ne bullet ko saamne se fire kiya, toh phir I seedhe ya thode angle pe khidki ke andar gayi hogi. Matlab I TNT ka barrel bilkul uske saamne hona chahiye."

The officers eyed the footage closely, and observed what she was pointing out.

"Par iss footage mein toh khidki ke directly saamne koi bhi barrel nahi dikh raha hai. Jab camera kareeb kareeb khidki ko poori tarah paas karke nikal gaya, tab phir side mein barrels ka ek row dikh raha hai. Matlab agar Didi ne itne angle pe fire kiya... barrel ko lagne ka chance tabhi hai."

Abhijeet and Daya observed the footage, and then quickly recorded it on the Tata SKY installation and everyone watched it frame-by-frame on the computer. Soon enough, it was clear that Padma's observation was correct. The tourist to whom the camera belonged, seemed excited to shoot every inch of the warehouse up front for his entry in a videography contest, judging by the garbled conversation audible faintly behind the news commentary. As the camera passed across the front of the warehouse, they could see with a little adjustment in contrast and brightness that the area right behind the windows contained nothing but a few dusty old boxes and cleaning equipment. The rows of TNT barrels were visible at the far corner once the camera moved off to the side. If Purvi's bullet had indeed hit them, she'd have to fire at an oblique angle after their car had passed the warehouse.

"Impossible", said Abhijeet. "Usne fire tab kiya jab hum warehouse ke theek saamne the. Aise angle pe bullet ka jaana possible hi nahi hai."

"Sir, ho sakta hai goli kisi cheez ko takrake deflect ho gayi ho, aur phir barrels ko lagi ho", said Sachin hesitantly.

Daya paused, considering it. "Baat sahi hai, Sachin. Par aisa hone ke liye goli ko kisi patthar ya metal ki cheez se takrana hoga. Aur jahan tak iss footage mein dikh raha hai, warehouse ki zyadatar cheezein ya toh lakdi ya plastic ki bani hain. Aisa hone ke chances toh kam hi lag raha hai."

"Par agar hum maan lein ki goli nahi lagi barrels ko... toh phir dhamaka kaise hua?" said Freddy.

"Wohi toh baat hai, Freddy", said Abhijeet darkly. "Lag raha hai jo dikh raha hai, I hai nahi. Daal mein zarur kuch kaala hai."

At that moment, ACP sir and Purvi re-entered the room, the latter conversing on phone.

"Accha, hum aate hain", he said, disconnecting the call and turning to them all. "Abhijeet, Daya... humein Dr. Bhora ke baare mein thoda bolna hoga. Chalo."

As the team exited, the ACP turned back to look at Purvi and Padma. "Purvi... tum yahin ruko aur apni behen aur pitaji ke saath ruko. Meri request hai ki kuch bhi karne ke pehle uske anjaam ke baare mein zarur sochna. Ye case hote hain hum tumhare baare mein discuss karenge. Aur Padma, beta... apni Didi ka khayal rakhna. Ye zimmedari main tumhe deta hoon."

"Bilkul, sir", nodded Padma with determination.

Once the door closed, she turned to ask her Didi what drink to prepare for both of them. She found the latter looking intently at the TV screen, which now showed the injured couple Mr. and Mrs. Bhadauria being interviewed at the city hospital, uttering the same accusations on the CID and police. This time, Padma grabbed the remote and turned off the TV.

"Didi, ye sab chhodiye", she said quickly. "Aapne suna ACP sir ke kya kaha. Chaliye, main kuch banati hoon. Aap kya lengi, tea, coffee ya aur kuch?"

Purvi didn't reply immediately. She was silent for a few long moments, looking down with a frown. And then, she said, "Main city hospital jaana chahti hoon."

Padma looked at her.

"Unn logon se milne ke liye... jinko maine chhot pohochayi", continued Purvi softly, barely audible. "Kamse kam itna toh mujhe karna hi hoga."

Padma didn't know what to think. She thought of ACP sir's instructions, then of her Didi's guilt and distress. "Par Didi, unn logon ne toh CID se milne se inkaar kar diya na. Unhone ACP sir aur Daya sir ko andar aane bhi nahi diya. Aur wahan hospital ke bahar saari media khadi hai. Agar hum wahan gaye toh pata nahi kya hoga! Aap abhi ye sab mat sochiye na. Aaiye, main..."

"...main jaana chahti hoon udhar, Padma", said Purvi, in that same low voice. "Mujhse galti hui... maanti hoon. Par itna karna toh meri zimmedari hai. Nahin toh kya, jinko maine chhot pohochayi, unse aise chhup ke rahungi? Nahi... jinki maut ho gayi, unko main wapas toh nagu laa sakti. Par main inke ilaaj ke paise ka intzaam khud karungi, taaki ye dekhein ki humara koi galat iraada nahi tha. Main jaake unse maafi mangungi aur dekhungi ki meri galti ki saza sirf mujhe mile... CID aur meri team ko nahi."

Padma didn't know what to say. She thought again of how ACP sir gave her the responsibility of ensuring that Purvi didn't do anything reckless.

"Didi, unn logon ne CID ko milne se mana kar diya, aur news mein suna hai ki hospital waale ab team ko andar nahi jaane de rahe. Hum andar kaise jaayenge?"

"Chhup ke", answered Purvi without hesitation.

"Kya?" exclaimed Padma. "Par Didi... agar hum pakde gaye toh? Agar media ne aapko dekh liya, toh I CID ka naam aur bhi kharaab kar denge!"

"Ab isse zyada kya hona bacha hai, Padma?" said Purvi heavily. "Agar pakde gaye toh main media ke saamne CID ka naam clear kar dungi aur saara dosh apne upar lungi, jo ki sach hai. Par iss tarah chhup mujhse nahi raha jaayega."

"Didi, ACP sir ne aapko aisa kuch bhi karne ko mana kiya", said Padma. "Aapko kuch bhi karne ke pehle unko batana hoga. Unhone mujhe iski zimmedari di, Didi. Please, zara sochiye."

Purvi remained silent for a while, before looking at her. "Main koi galat kaam toh nahi kar rahi na, Padma. ACP sir ne mujhse kaha ki koi bhi kaam karne se pehle uske anjaam ke baare mein sochna. Iska anjaam kya ho sakta hai? Main sirf apni galti ke liye unse maafi maangne ja rahi hoon. Zyada se zyada sabke saamne apni galti maan lungi aur bol dungi ki galti sirf meri hai, CID ki nahi. Isse bura kya ho sakta hai?"

"Par Didi..." began Padma, but didn't know what to say. She was instinctively uneasy about visiting the victims. Perhaps it was due to her recent observation of the warehouse footage and suspicions. But before she could speak more on that, Purvi suddenly gave her a small smile.

"Actually, main sochi rahi thi ki issi bahaane tumse ek kaam karwati hoon, jiska tum kaafi intzaar kar rahi thi."

Padma looked up. "Aisa kya, Didi?"

(Contd.)

Chapter 6

In a distant part of the city, three wine glasses clinked together as their owners raised them high in the air, laughing. The shorter, badly shaven man with a bowler hat and brown eyes drained his drink in a single gulp, and wiped his lips looking at the TV, which showed pictures of the huge mob gathered outside the CID bureau, raising slogans and pelting stones. He smirked with sadistic satisfaction.

"Kitna intzaar kiya iss din ke liye", he mused. "Ab jis tarah humne inn logon ki izzat ko dhul mein mila diya, lagta nahi ki ye phir kabhi sar utha ke ghoom payenge."

The wiry man standing beside him let out a small snort of irritation. "Par ilzaam toh uss female officer par laga hai. CID ke asli chehre... ACP Pradyuman, Abhijeet aur Daya, unko toh koi kuch nahi bol raha na."

"Be sensible, Dr. Varghese", said the young woman as she calmly took a chair between them. "Log abhi bhi CID ko hi dosh de rahe hain. Aap khud dekhiye, TV reports. Aapko kya lagta hai, ye bheed... inmein itni akl hai ki samajhdaari se sirf ek officer pe ilzaam lagayein? Nahi... unka target ab poori CID hi hai, aur baaki police bhi. Aaj ka din, ye log zindagi bhar ek kaale din ki tarah yaad rakhenge." Her dark eyes narrowed as a short snippet of Purvi confessing her actions appeared on screen. "Kuch log toh kuch zyada hi."

"Ab toh aapka badla pura ho gaya na, miss Kumar?" asked the first man, drumming his fingers on the table.

"Abhi ke liye, haan, Dr. Gangwar", answered the girl. "Ye aisi cheez nahin, jisko main jaldbaazi mein karna chahti hoon. Par haan, abhi ke liye main khush hoon. Bohot khush." She smiled evilly. "Kaash jaldi uss Purvi ka chehra dekhne ko mile phir se... kya haalat hai uski."

"Vaise, kya main pooch sakta hoon ki aapki kya issue hai iss ek officer ke saath?" questioned Varghese.

"Some things better remain personal, Dr. Varghese", said the girl curtly. "Haan, aapne meri madad ki, isliye main bhi aapka kaam karne ke liye taiyyar hoon. Vaise bhi shuru toh ho hi gaya hai. Tracking kab shuru karein?"

"How about right now, Miss Kumar?" said Dr. Gangwar eagerly. "Ab aur intzaar kyun karein, jab humara dushman ghutno par hai aur humari manzil kar rahi hai intzaar?"

"Bilkul", said the girl. "Jaisa ki maine kaha, mere aadmi ne pehla kaam toh kar diya hai. Humara equipment kahan hai?"

Gangwar eyed Varghese pointedly. The latter got up and proceeded to pick up a large leather suitcase from the highly furnished cupboard in the corner. Bringing it back, he placed it gingerly upon the polished wood of the table, and touched the digital lock. The panel immediately blinked, and asked for a nine-character password which Varghese entered onto the miniature virtual keys to the screen's side. There was a rapid succession of beeps, and the suitcase's lock clicked open. He propped open the lid to reveal a large notebook computer, complete with a unique-looking set of keys and buttons attached to the inside.

Gangwar smiled blandly. "Iss computer ko chalana aur mission ko pura karna sab ke bas ki baat nahi hai, Miss Kumar. But that's what you're here for. I think mission ko officially shuru karne ka waqt aa un ek hai. Let's move."

The gravel road crunched under their feet as they walked up it to the blackened ruin visible just at the edge of the turning up ahead. Splintered debris had been strewn over a radius of several metres around the site of the accident, now marked with police ribbons as off-limits to everyone but authorized personnel. Abhijeet ducked under the ribbons, holding his flashlight steady, and gestured Freddy to follow him. The two of them walked slowly through the destroyed building, shining their flashlight carefully around in the darkness to avoid stepping on any potentially important clues. They could see remnants of the metal TNT barriers around the place. Abhijeet turned around and did a rough approximation of the road.

"Sir, mujhe ACP sir aur Daya sir ki bhi chinta ho rahi hai", said Freddy worriedly. "Pata nahi I wahan akele kya kar rahe honge. Dr. Bhora ki jaan bhi khatre mein hai."

"Sab theek hoga, Freddy. Hum bhi wapas chalenge... par ye kaam bhi zaruri hai", said Abhijeet. "Dhyaan se dekho. Jahan tak main dekh raha hoon, Purvi ne gun fire kari thi jab hum uss jagah par the", he said, pointing. He turned back. "Aur agar goli waqai inn barrels pe lagi thi... toh yahan pe dhamake ke koi nishaan hone chahiye."

But the floor of estimated area directly behind the window's location showed no significant signs of the explosion having taken place there. Rather, they could see a large crater and blackened circular ring to their left. They looked around, and Freddy felt a small tangle of wires near his feet. As he bent down to remove them, his eyes fell upon a small shining object lying under a smashed table. He picked it up and turned it over in his gloved hand, carefully.

"Sir, ye dekhiye!" he called.

Abhijeet came up and examined the object himself. It was a small fragment, no larger than a small table tennis ball, and mostly broken except for the metal top and a small jagged edge of reddish glass under it. He looked it over with a magnifying glass, and it took him a few more seconds to identify it.

"Ye ek detonator ka tukda hai, Freddy", he said darkly.

"Detonator?" asked Freddy. "Par sir... iska matlab, iss jagah mein bomb laga tha?"

"Haan", replied Abhijeet. "Ye koi accident nahi tha. Iss warehouse mein bomb laga hua tha aur I bomb detonate kiya gaya, jab hum log iske saamne se guzre. Ye sab ek chaal hai, CID ko badnaam karne ke liye."

"Matlab... Purvi nirdosh hai?" said Freddy with a bright smile. "Sir, dil halka ho gaya ye sunke! Jaldi, usse batate hain na! Bechari I aur Padma kitne pareshaan hain."

"Haan Freddy", said Abhijeet, giving a small smile of relief himself. "Par saath hi, ye bhi pata lagana padega ki aakhir inn sab ke peeche hai kaun."

Just then, his phone rang. It was Daya.

"Daya!" said Abhijeet on the phone. "Accha hua tumhara phone aaya. Yahan ek bohot badi cheez pata chali hai!"

"Humein bhi kuch pata chala hai, Abhijeet", said Daya slowly. "Aur kaafi gadbad baat hai. Lagta hai ki Rex ko pata chal chuka hai humare plan ke baare mein. Ek khabri ne inform kiya hai ki jiss raste se hum Dr. Bhora ko le jaane waale the, wahan pe kuch aadmiyon ko dekha gaya hai... ek red van mein. Yaad hai?"

Abhijeet took no time to recognize the vehicle. "Matlab wohi log. Toh phir ab kya karein?"

"ACP sir ka ek plan hai. Suno..."

"Progress?" asked Dr. Gangwar, leaning over to look at the girl as she worked.

"Perfect timing, Dr. Gangwar", she said, her eyes narrowing in the bluish glow of the laptop screen in front of her. "I think it's done. Dekh lijiye aap log... yeh raha Dr. Bhora ka poora route, aaj woh jahan se bhi guzra. Mere aadmi ne uspe jo bug lagaya, ab humein uske har location tak pohocha sakta hai."

Gangwar and Varghese rushed forward to check the computer screen. She scrolled down the digital map, most of which looked raw, but Varghese calmly moved across the lines until he found what he was looking for. His lips curled into a crooked smile.

"Looks like that's it, Ms. Kumar. Fantastic job." He scrolled further through the data, until he finally stopped at a thick network of inter-connected lines, with blinking red dots scattered at various points across it. He pointed at one of them, which was pulsing and moving prominently.

"Harshit", he whispered, "yehi hai I. un ek bas teen ghante bache hain... phir woh Mumbai ke bahar nikal jaayega, humari pohoch ke bahar."

"Aisa kuch nahi hone waala", answered Gangwar, pulling out his cellphone. "Ms. Kumar, ek aur kaam hai aapke liye."

In the lobby of the spotlessly clean, airconditioned entrance to the City Hospital, the hustle and bustle of staff, patients and visitors alike made it hard to notice individual happenings unless one were to specifically pay attention to the same. The crowd was so varied that one could find people of all sorts there. As such, nobody in particular noticed the two girls in traditional attire with their heads covered, walking up to the receptionist's desk and striking up a query.

"Vanakkam", said the first girl, in a thick Southern accent and shifting a large package under her arm. "We looking for Mr. Sambasivan. We was told he admit here. You could please tell his room number?"

The receptionist looked up with a frown. "All visitors are required to make an entry here before meeting any patient, ma'am."

"Ya we will", said the second, younger girl, more slowly and nervously than the first, but firmly. "But we need confirm that he is here."

"How is he related to you?" asked the receptionist.

"He is like our uncle's cousin's father's nephew's brother", answered the first girl excitedly. "So that makes him like our second older uncle... or maybe first younger one..."

"I see, I see", said the receptionist quickly.

"Best dosa maker in town", said the second girl with a smile. "Totally marvelous. Like, they say once you taste his dishes, you cannot help but stay there and..."

"I'm checking the register", the receptionist said, looking exasperated.

She produced a register and began to thumb through the pages. At once, the first girl shot her companion a sharp look and gestured her to look at the register. The latter was prepared, and did as told. As the receptionist thumbed through the pages, checking every name quickly, both the girls' eyes followed up and down one page each of the register. And sure enough, by the time they got to the third page, the second girl found what they were looking for.

Mr. and Mrs. Bhadauria, second floor, room number 5. She gave the first girl a thumbs-up, who nodded appreciatively.

"I'm sorry, I don't see any Mr. Sambasivan here", said the receptionist finally.

"Oh... yeah, we need confirm something from someone", said the first girl, backing away. "Excuse me."

They walked off, with the receptionist cursing nutcases irritably behind them. They walked a short distance before making sure they were out of earshot.

"Excellent work, Padma", said Purvi appreciatively, patting her little sister. "Ab yahan se, pata hai kya karna hai."

"Agar humein dekh liya toh, Didi?" asked Padma uncertainly. "Humne toh entry bhi nahi ki."

"Nahi kar sakte. Bas unse milke bahar nikalna hai", said Purvi. "Chalo, staircase se."

When they reached the second floor, Purvi expected to see at least a few officers guarding the entrance to the room. However, the floor was almost completely deserted. They walked cautiously forward and found the injured couple, along with three other injured victims in a small ward, watching TV. Purvi glanced at Padma, who nodded. They uncovered their heads and moved into the room. The patients looked up to see the new arrivals.

"May... may I come in?" asked Purvi softly. "I hope main aapko disturb nahi kar rahi..."

"Tum toh wohi female CID officer ho na, jisne uss building mein dhamaka kiya?" asked the older man, his voice acerbic.

"Jee... jee haan", replied Purvi, feeling a chill within.

"Tum andar kaise ghusi?" he snarled. "Humne toh mana kiya tha kisi bhi CID officer se milne ko!"

"Tumhari wajah se hum yahan hain", said Mrs. Bhadauria, her tone like acid.

"Pata nahi hum kabhi theek honge ki nahi!" cried a teenage boy behind her.

"Main... main bohot sharminda hoon", said Purvi softly, her voice cracking. She felt as though a rock had slipped down her stomach, seeing these people; she was responsible for their fate. Though she knew it already, seeing it with her own eyes made it a hundred times more painful. "Main aap mein se kisi ko chhot nahi pohochana chahti thi. Maine... har CID officer ne apni zindagi aap jaise nagrikon ki suraksha ke liye samarpit kar di hai. Ye sab galti se hua. Agar main kuch bhi kar sakti aapka dard dur karne ke liye, toh mera vishwaas kijiye, zarur karti..."

"Tumhari inn baaton se kya hum theek ho jaayenge?" asked the balding man in the corner, his eyes narrowing, holding up a bandaged arm. "Mera ye haath, jismein infection ho un ek hai aur kal kaata jayega... tum theek kar sakti ho isse?"

"Nahin..." said Purvi, feeling her voice stuck as she saw the twisted limb. "Main sirf aapko batane aayi thi... main apni galti maanti hoon aur mujhe bohot afsos hai aapke saath jo kuch hua, uske liye. Jo hua main usse badal toh nahi sakti... par main aapke liye kuch bhi karne ko tayyar hoon. Main ye laayi hoon apke liye..."

Slowly, she unwrapped the package in her hand with Padma's help and held forth its contents, which were a small basket of artificial flowers and a box of chocolate cookies. Mr. Bhadauria frowned, looking at them.

"Aur tum sochti ho hum ye lekar tumhe maaf kar denge?" he growled.

"Nahin", said Purvi disheartedly. "Main toh bas..."

"Bhool jaao!" snarled the pockmarked man to her right.

Padma couldn't bear the look of devastation on her beloved sister's face. She walked forward and addressed the victims. "Dekhiye, aap sab... main aapka dard samajhti hoon aur mujhe bhi bohot dukh hai iss durghatna ke liye. Par please, ek baar meri Didi ki taraf se bhi toh sochiye. Na jaane kitne baar unhone apni zindagi masoom logon ko bachane ke liye khatre mein daali. Aaj bhi, I ek khatarnaak mujrim ka peecha kar rahi thi, aur ussi dauraan ye sab ho gaya. Agar I -"

"Jab tak koi humara dard nahi jhelta, humari baatein nahi samajh paayega", interrupted the bald man with a derisive snort.

Purvi nudged Padma back gently, her breath heavy. "Main nahi jaanti kya bolun."

"Kuch na bolo, baccha. Bas yahan se dafa ho jaao tum dono!" snarled Mr. Bhadauria.

Purvi sighed sadly, placed the gifts on a nearby table, and turned to her little sister. "Chalo, Padma. Yahan rehke koi faayda nahin."

Padma patted her shoulder gently as they turned to leave. Right then, there was an eruption of "breaking news" music on the TV, and they turned to look.

"This is just in from District 7C", the news broadcaster was saying. "Unidentified assailants have been spotted engaging the police in gunfire on the streets of the area. Eyewitness accounts indicate similarities with the earlier attack in Sector Twelve..."

"Sector Twelve", repeated Padma, realizing. "Matlab Didi... ye wohi log hain jinka peecha aap kar rahi thi! Aap abhi bhi jaake unko rok sakti hain... mission ko pura kar sakti hain!"

Behind her, the five victims let out loud groans and moans of suffering.

"Haan beta, jaao aur thode aur masoom logon ko chhot pohochao", said Mrs. Bhadauria weakly.

Purvi shook her head sadly. "I sahi keh rahi hain, Padma. Main aur kisi ko nuksaan nahi pohochana chahti. Vaise bhi main resign kar chuki hoon. Behtar hoga ki main inn sab se dur hi rahoon."

"Vaise bhi kya farq padta hai. Rex ko toh koi rok nahi sakta", said Mr. Bhadauria matter-of-factly.

"Haan, par... wait, kya kaha aapne?" said Purvi sharply, turning to him.

"Rex... itna bhi nahi jaanti? Mumbai ka sabse khatarnaak... oops!" He stopped in mid-sentence, clapping a hand to his mouth.

Purvi and Padma looked at each other, and then the former turned back to face Mr. Bhadauria with a quizzical look. "Tumhe kaise pata ki inn sab ke peeche Rex hai?" she asked sharply.

"I... maine news mein suna", stammered the man quickly.

"Oh no, sir. Mujhe toh aisa nahi lagta", said Purvi, her voice strengthening as she pointed at the TV. "Zara dekhiye udhar kya likha hai? Unidentified assailants... aapki jaankari ke liye, ye classified data hai, Mr. Bhadauria."

Bhadauria's eyes grew wide with fear as he looked from her to the TV. "I... main... asal mein..."

"Tum ek second sochke bolna seekh nahi sakte? Bol bachchan kahin ka!" snarled the old woman next to him.

She dived for a bag under her bed, and withdrew a large Desert Eagle handgun. All around her, Bhadauria and the other three victims drew silenced pistols and swiftly pointed them at Purvi and Padma. None of them appeared to be in pain now. On the contrary, they moved swiftly and efficiently, wearing evil smirks as they pointed their guns at their targets. Mrs. Bhadauria pressed a button on her bedside; the doors few open and three nurses and two doctors entered. They took one look at the scene in front of them, and drew their own weapons as well. Purvi glared at each of them in turn, moving in front of Padma to protect her.

"Toh ye sab ek chaal thi", she said, her voice brimming with quiet anger. "Tum koi victims nahi ho... ye koi accident nahi tha."

"Naah", smiled the bald man. "Na koi victim, na koi shikaari. Bas ek chhota sa khel jismein tum log bohot acche se phas gaye."

"Matlab I bacche, jinki maut hui... I sab?" asked Padma incredulously.

"Kisi ki maut nahi hui", answered the teenage boy calmly. "Sab ek drama tha. Media waalon ko galat information di. Police waalon ki jeb garam kar di. Gavah bhi sab nakli the. Ye hospital ke kayi log bhi humari taraf hain. Tum kya jaano, Rex kya cheez hai?"

"Rex chahta tha ki CID poore samaaj mein badnaam ho jaaye, aur tum logon ka aatm-vishwaas toot jaaye taaki tum phir kabhi humein rok na sako", said Mr. Bhadauria with an evil grimace.

"Aur bilkul vaisa hi hua", said Mrs. Bhadauria. "Tum log itne bewakoof nikle ki humare jaal mein phas gaye. Vaise ye jaal humne tumhare seniors ke liye bichaya tha, sahi waqt aane par. Par jab tum log itne pyaar se khud chale aaye, toh hum kaise mana karein?"

"Ab Rex kahatam kar dega Dr. Bhora ko, aur saara ilzaam jaayega tum logon pe!" smiled the fake doctor standing behind her. "Aur tum dono... kisi ko sach batane ke liye zinda nahi bachoge. Kill them!"

Purvi's instincts sprang into action from the depths of her mind, at once. With the reflexes born of her training and experience, she glanced up to see a cooling duct right above their heads. She knew she had but one chance. She raised her foot and, with a single stroke, brought it crashing down upon the tray right in front of her. Metallic instruments flew everywhere; the attackers screamed in alarm and opened fire. Purvi shielded Padma from harm as she grabbed one of the metal plates and flung it, as hard as she could, at the duct above. The pipe broke apart and a violent jet of cooling gas hissed down upon them. The doctor shrieked in alarm as the thick white gas hit him in the face and rapidly filled the room.

"Chalo, Padma!" screamed Purvi, grabbing her little sister's arm and pushing her way through the open doors.

And Padma felt herself following her Didi's lead, running like she had never run in her life, feeling the surge of pure adrenaline as she felt rather than saw danger closing in behind them, and three bullets whizzed one past the other from behind them and smashed into pillars and furniture ahead of them, sending up bits of broken rock and wood in their path, and she felt her breath coming in ragged gasps as Purvi held on faster and pulled her along. In a flash, she realized just how perilous a CID officer's life and job was. Hearing about it and watching it on TV was one thing. Now experiencing it for real, for the second time, she knew that things people took for granted were among the greatest examples of bravery and courage in existence.

And without warning, she saw a crouching figure leap at them from behind a pillar and tackle Purvi, and she lost her grip on Padma's arm who felt herself propelled forward with her own inertia and momentum, losing her balance and barely steadying herself as another attacker lunged at her, a blade gleaming in his outstretched hand.

(Contd.)

Chapter 7

"Par hum yahan se kyun jaa rahe hain?" asked a tense Dr. Bhora, wiping the sweat off his pallid forehead and adjusting his wire-rim glasses. He looked as though he'd not eaten or slept for a week.

"Kyunki unn logon ko humare original plan ke baare mein pata chal gaya, Dr. Bhora", answered the ACP, not looking back as Daya drove the car forward, glancing back at the doctor with a look of disgust.

"Aur usne waha par humpe hamla karne ke liye aadmi tainat kar diye", said Sachin, sitting next to him in the rear seat. "Humne udhar ek decoys ki line bheji... aur aapne radio pe suna, udhar firing shuru ho gayi. Matlab humare paas bas yehi ek option bachta hai, aapko sheher se surakshit bahar nikaalne ka."

None of them could have known what lay ahead of them.

"Padma!" shouted Purvi in the distance, but Padma could not reply. She didn't even know where she was. She was lying at the foot of the stairs where they had just been attacked, and right in front of her was the phony ward-boy with a silver knife in his hand. She felt herself spring to action instinctively and roll just as he lunged and missed.

She knew that the only way to emerge unscathed from this situation was not to fight her attackers, but to survive. As the man lunged once more, she dodged and he tripped over her foot to get knocked over the stairs and tumbled downwards. There was a yell behind her and she turned to see another man aiming his gun at her, moments before there was a gunshot and a heavy chandelier from the roof came crashing down right on top of him. As he collapsed with a scream, she could see Purvi aiming at him with a smoking shotgun snatched from another of the thugs.

"Roko inhe!" cried one of the doctors who had tried to attack them. "Ye log terrorists hain, hospital mein bomb lagane aaye the!"

"Jhoot!" shouted Padma, as several other staff members looked on in shock and alarm. "Ye log hain jo hospital mein galat kaam karte hain aur humein maarne ki koshish ki!"

"Oh, accha?" snarled Mr. Bhadauria, rushing at Purvi with a heavy vase raised. "Inko toh..."

Purvi dodged his attack, tripped him over and landed a heavy blow on the side of his head. The man fell over, unconscious, and everyone gasped as she pulled off his silvery wig and fake moustache. It was a young man, no older than thirty.

"Ab bhi yakeen hua ki nahi?" asked Purvi. "Ye log gair-kanooni kaam mein lage hue the, aur khud ko doctors dikha rahe the. Zara peeche ke room mein jaakar dekhiye, kya chal raha hai!"

The rest of the staff finally believed them. Before the villains could flee, they were all captured and rounded up by the real guards, and their disguises pulled off. Purvi rushed to Padma and hugged her.

"I was so worried for you", she said. "I'm sorry, Padma. Meri wajah se tum khatre mein pad gayi..."

"Ye kya bol rahi hain aap, Didi? Maine kaha na, main humesha aapke saath hoon", said Padma with a smile. "Ab toh aapko yakeen ho gaya na ki aapne kuch galat nahi kiya? Ab please, aap I sab bhool jaaiye aur case par waapas focus kijiye. Aur yaad rakhiye... you are the BEST. At least for me."

Purvi smiled warmly at her, and then instructed her to call and inform ACP sir before turning furiously to the captured villains.

"Jaldi batao... kya jaante ho Rex aur uske plans ke baare mein?"

"Sir, abhi Padma ka phone aaya. Aapka phone lag nahi raha that toh unhone mujhe kiya. Aap turant waapas aa jaiye. Raaste mein uss Rex ne aapke liye bomb laga rakha hai!" said Abhijeet on the phone.

"Accha? Kahan? Aur Purvi aur Padma kahan hain?" asked the ACP.

"City hospital mein, sir. Main unko pick up karke aa raha hoon. Bomb aapke raaste mein ek barricade ke paas mein hai."

"Dekhtein toh zara", said the ACP, frowning.

In a few minutes, they arrived at the barricade in question and the path ahead of them seemed innocently clear, waiting for them to pass. The ACP instructed Daya to stop the car about forty feet from the concrete, leaned out of the window, his gun silenced, and fired at the road between the barricade. On the third shot, there was a great explosion as the bullet hit the hidden landmines on the road, placed strategically intending to blow their car sky high.

"Blasted!" snarled a voice from the shadows, and out came a nondescript sedan from the far end of the turn, hidden in the darkness until it glinted in the moonlight as it stood right in front of them.

"Pata chal gaya inhe", said a calm voice inside. "Vaise bhi ab koi farq nahi padta... khatam kar do inhe."

The rear window rolled down and a shadow leaned out, holding what looked like a metal tube over its shoulder. ACP sir realized what it was, at once.

"Sachin, gaadi peeche lo, jaldi!" he ordered.

Their car barely missed the white streak that came zooming out of the tube, which struck the ground a few feet from where they were and sent up a huge spray of dust and bits of rock. Dr. Bhora was now whimpering with fear.

"It's him... woh jaanta hai mujhe... chhodega nahin!"

"Humare rehte aapko kuch nahi hoga", said Daya firmly, leaning out of the window to shoot back at the sedan.

The attacker's silhouette moved as the car advanced, aiming the rocket launcher once again at them. But before he could fire this time, there came a second, familiar car from the far right and there were gunshots; the silhouette yelled in pain and dropped its weapon as it got hit directly. The new arrival - the CID Scorpio - stopped directly in front of the cornered sedan and Abhijeet, Freddy, Purvi and Padma emerged to approach the vehicle. They pulled out two men while a third figure emerged from the front passenger's seat and tried to flee, but Purvi seized it and pulled off its hood.

"Ohh", she said furiously. "Toh inn sab ke peeche aap hain... Priyanka Kumar."

It was her old rival who had been jealous of Purvi having been chosen over her to enter the CID. Having been bested by her in a heavy fight two years ago and sentenced to jail for her crimes, she had apparently been released on bail recently.

"Aur bahar nikalte hi phir se ye sab shuru, haan?" said the ACP.

"Aur inn dono ko dekhiye, sir", smiled Abhijeet, shaking the two men they had pulled out of the sedan. "Dr. Harshit Gangwar, Dr. Anil Varghese... kaafi jaane maane doctors hain Pune ke. If I'm not mistken... yehi hain humare Rex. Dekhiye Dr. Gangwar ke paas kya hai."

"Tracking device jisse ye humara peecha kar rahe the", said Daya angrily, seizing the man and handing him a tight slap.

The three villains were forced to confess their crimes before long. Dr. Gangwar revealed that he was none other than the mysterious Rex who was behind the smuggling syndicate and after his informers failed to find the whereabouts of Dr. Bhora, he arrived in Mumbai with his right hand man Dr. Varghese to ensure that their mission was successful. Since his men were originally unable to track down Bhora's location, he established contact with Priyanka, who was known to be a skilled hand in such matters and had been recently bailed out. She agreed to help them as long as they helped her succeed in a mission of her own... to destroy Purvi.

To do that, Gangwar instructed his cronies to lure in the CID via the fake attack in Sector Twelve, and then lead them to the warehouse where a rigged explosion was waiting for them, complete with bribed witnesses, doctors and police, to make it look as though Purvi was responsible for the accident. In turn, Priyanka sent in a spy who managed to track down Dr. Bhora's location. Although this man wasn't able to harm him directly, he managed to put a bug on Bhora so that they could track his location and attack him when he was being moved. Fortunately, ACP sir managed to locate the bug in time and put it on a decoy, which was attacked by Gangwar. When they realized the trap, they put landmines in the path of the real envoy carrying Bhora, but fortunately Purvi and Padma managed to find out about it and inform the cops in time.

ACP sir said that Dr. Gangwar's paranoia is what led to his downfall, and arrested all of them. Dr. Bhora was guilty too, but since he tried to help the authorities, his penalty would possibly be eased.

Chapter 8

"Toh tum yahan ek hafta rukogi na, beta? Apni Didi ke saath", asked the ACP, smiling at Padma.

"Haan sir", said Padma. She wanted to speak more, but couldn't. She still felt overwhelmed to be in the presence of her idols... the famed veterans of CID whom she had always admired so much. And of course, her very own Purvi didi who was smiling with pride beside her.

"Enjoy your stay", said Daya, beaming too. "Tum deserve karti ho, Padma. Tumne bhi bohot bahaduri dikhayi, Purvi didi ka saath diya aur case ko solve karne mein humari madad ki."

Padma felt happy hearing the words from him. She only managed to nod gratefully, though within she felt that it was her love and admiration for her Didi that inspired her to do things she never thought she could. But she now knew she had the potential and her very own strengths, which Purvi didi helped her to discover. And she would do her best to live up to it, help others and contribute in every way she could for the common goal for which they and all good people in the world were working.

"Vaise sir, aaj toh Padma ka birthday hai", said Purvi, looking on mischievously as Padma looked up quickly. "Oh come on, yaar. Apni team se kyun chhupana? Chalo, saath mein celebrate karein?"

Padma truly had no words to describe the joy and delight of that day. As the entire CID team gathered to see her cut her birthday cake and sang together for her, wishing a wonderful and happy life ahead for her and profusely expressing their admiration and respect for her bravery, honesty and loyalty, she closed her eyes and thanked Almighty for blessing her with this priceless memory she knew she'd cherish forever. She hugged her dearest Purvi didi, and with her encouragement, read out a small poem she had written for her Didi before arriving there.

There is only one thing in the world more precious than anything else

More valuable than jewels and more prized than the greatest riches

It cannot be replaced or competed with, nor is it something that sells

Its worth isn't expressed in terms, but felt deep in our heart's niches

It is none other than family, my dearest Didi, that I am speaking about

A loving family through all times, from bad to the good, dark to bright

It is what stays when everything else is gone, that I say without doubt

It is what teaches us the true power of togetherness, to do what's right

I cannot adequately express, how blessed am I to have you as my sister

The sweetest elder sister in the universe, and a most wonderful guide

Whenever sadness swells up within me like a raging and painful blister

You are always there to ease my heart and stand up firmly by my side

I pray for your good health and your safety always, be it day or night

I pray for your eternal happiness and delight, that you feel sad never

May all your wishes come true and your life always be glowing bright

May we be together always, my sweetest Purvi didi, forever and ever.

The team clapped hearing her poem, smiling at her. Purvi thanked her little sister affectionately and blessed her, before reading out a surprise poem of her own.

There aren't many blessed to have the most precious gift in the world

A gift so priceless that I cannot express how grateful to the Lord I am

A gift from the heavens sent down as a wonderful blessing unfurled

Attempting to lavish enough praise would be like an overflowing dam

It's you, my dearest little sister, that I speak so proudly about here

My sweetest Padma, most innocent and sweet, gentle and too kind

Blessed with virtues so admirable and a conscience spotlessly clear

With a compassionate heart and a brilliant and good-thinking mind

You are still too young to know properly how special you truly are

But trust me on this, for I know you are way too humble to accept

Whenever the ones you care for are in trouble, you are never far

You care more for others and help out of goodness, not for a debt

May you be blessed with infinite joy and success in your life, always

May the Lord protect you and endow you with blessings beyond par

May you forever be smiling and happy from the heart on all days

And know that you are special, and always keep being who you are.

THE END

*****

Wishing you a very Happy Birthday, Padma. 🤗 😊 May you be blessed with all the happiness and joy in the world, today and forever. May you be successful in each and every endeavour you go with. You are amazing and truly special, and I know you'll always keep being that way. I love you so much, sis. Have a wonderful day and may God bless you.