AvNeil Fan-Fiction : Chase Against Time Ch31: Pg41 on 11/09

First Previous

Page

Next Last

Frequent Posters

Shahnaz

@ShenzK

Stunner

+ 4

Posted: 7 years ago

#281

Originally posted by: prathe

Bored not at all I love the mystery stories a lot 😛
Will wait for sure😳

I am sorry for the delay. The next part would be up soon. :)

Quote

Shahnaz

@ShenzK

Stunner

+ 4

Posted: 7 years ago

#282

Chapter Twenty-Eight

Ananya rushed through the corridor while repeatedly looking at her wrist watch. On her way, she greeted everyone with quick nods and a warm smile. Finally, she stood in front of the polished wooden door. Her fingers curled onto the metal handle on the door and pushed it aside. The sight of an organized round conference table with the essentials neatly placed on it brought a proud smile on her face.

With her handbag dropped onto the side of her chair, she grabbed a notepad and a pen that sat in front of her. Thoughts clouded her mind with various themes and ideas for the upcoming event. Scribbling each one of the thoughts that crept in her head, she dug herself into the pile of work. There was barely any time left for others from the core committee to report. And a after a quick time span was meeting with the interns and other crew members. She had a lot to work and too much to keep her occupied.

A couple of minutes later, she heard Ali and Zeenat barking at each other. Unknowingly, a smile crept across her face. "We can at least put this up as a suggestion and get opinions, Ali stated expectantly while holding the door for Zeenat.

Such a gentleman,' was Ananya's thought at his gesture.

"What's the use? Zeenat walked past him and took a seat next to Ananya's, smiling at her. She turned towards Ananya dragging her into another tug-of-war of theirs', "You tell me, how is an idea that is of no good use to us worthy enough to be put up as a suggestion?

"Don't you put your words in her head, let her decide for herself, Ali took a seat next to Zeenat while he constantly shot daggers at her.

"If you were good enough, she wouldn't have had to have me as the co-head for the department. Deal with it, you are nothing without me, her words laced with sweet sarcasm as she retorted back. Ananya had no clue what these two were arguing about but she didn't wish to be dragged into it.

"Okay, guys, Ananya held her hands up in the air, frustrated at their behavior which was nothing less than that of kindergarten kids. It seemed, even those kids would look much more civil in front of these two name-sake adults. Shaking off her head and the irritation that was piling up, she spoke, "Enough! Let's focus on the event and behave like mature adults. Throwing warning glares at the two, she added, "If you both know what that means.

"I hope that I wouldn't have to repeat myself, she mumbled with a nagging thought, because if it so happens, I am definitely going to end up losing my own best friends as I kill them with my bare hands.'

A quick glance at her best friends indicated that they had settled for glaring at each other and sharing mean looks. Deciding to take the attention away from them, she asked about the missing member Aman. "Where in the hell is Aman?"

"In the other room, doing all the necessary preparations for his setup," Ali provided. She just nodded in response. "He will be here any time," Zeenat added further.

"And I am," right then Aman burst into the room with various gadgets in his hands. Punching codes and buttons on each one of them, he took a seat while busy continuing his task.

"So, I guess, we better start," Ananya announced but everything came to a standstill as Ms. Neela Parikh stormed into the room. Her eyes reflected worry and concern, something none of them could bring themselves to ignore. Without wasting another moment, Ananya shot up from her seat and grabbed Neela by her arm. "What's wrong, her words rushed in a low whisper, barely audible.

"I want you to quit, her words left others stunned. Dumbfounded, Ananya stood blankly staring at Neela. Unable to understand her words and the reason behind them, she stood rooted to her spot.

"I want you out of this place, the words trembled as Neela mustered up the courage to speak. It spoke volumes. Just like her words, she was trembling too. "Ali will take care of everything; you just go disappear for the time being. Just, just go hide somewhere, astounded by how Neela was suggesting her to go underground, she looked disbelievingly at her.

Neela turned at the other three standing in the room with equally confused expressions, "In fact, all of you all should go. It's not safe for any of you, she suggested.

Ananya shook her, making her eyes meet the watery ones. "You have taught us to face the toughest of situations, fight back and to never run away. You have been my strength and you'll always be. Just be strong for me, she hopefully looked at Neela and added in a low whisper, "for us.

"But bachha, Neela cried out, her emotions taking a roll on her. Ananya gestured Ali, who peeped into the corridor behind the closed doors of the conference hall. It was silent and empty. He simply blinked at her and she threw her arms around Neela, comforting her. "You were attacked and even shot, Neel sobbed while Ananya had her palm soothing across Neela's back.

"I haven't been shot for the first time and this certainly won't be the last, she stated as matter-of-fact. Neela stepped back and narrowed her eyes at the cause of her frown lines.

Zeenat tried to reason, "Yeah, and we do have our security team watching out for her. Her attempts were met with a scrutinizing gaze of Neela's.

"Really? Neela countered. "Still she has a bullet wound on her, Neela paused to find Ananya holding her wrist, restraining her. Zeenat quickly provided her explanation for the incident stating how it wasn't their fault and they would have burst into her apartment had they not spotted Neil rushing in.

"Whatever it is, Neela was launching for another debate when Ananya made her sit on the chair with her eyes going wide. Kneeling in front of her, she saw the young girl who meant a lot more to her; something the world was unaware of and would always be.

"Nothing more please, Ananya requested, her energy draining out. "I just want to remind you one thing, right now I am Ananya Verma for everyone including you, Neela Ma'am, she reminded only to find Neela rolling her eyes.

"Sir," Neil's eyes snapped at DD, who rushed into his cabin without as much as a knock at the door. The urgency in his voice was not to be neglected. Pushing aside everything that Neil was working at, he turned his attention to DD. "The situation with the media is getting out of hand," DD notified with his head hung low.

They had tried their best to keep the media away from the case. Everything was kept under the wraps. Not much detail regarding the case was given out to the media. "Something needs to be done before," his words trailed and Neil responded mindlessly nodding in agreement.

"Just try and dodge their questions; tackle them. Do whatever it takes to keep them at bay. I don't want anymore complications," his fingers pressed against his temples. "I will think of something till then," he mumbled.

They couldn't afford to have the media dig deep into their investigation. The case was complicated and having interference from the media wouldn't prove to be of any help to them. Also, Neil couldn't afford to risk Ananya's life. He was, anyways, dealing with a lot of challenges lately. He didn't wish to entertain media with their twisted rapid fires. The knowledge of Ananya being the next target, the repeated attacks on her and every other detail of hers would lead to more trouble. It was not just about his investigation but also about her.

A certain feeling stirred within and restlessness took over him. No matter how hard he tried to keep his emotions locked up, the slightest thought of a certain Ms. Ananya Verma would bring each of those emotions to the surface. Closing his eyes, he tried to shut everything. He wanted to shove the feelings away, as far as possible; because for now he didn't have the time to ponder over the feelings. These feelings were new and unknown to him. His care and concern went for a toss when reality struck him. This case called for his undivided attention.

She was hiding ample of stuffs under the facade she carried around. He had gotten hold of some information on her but he still had a lot to things to figure out.

'What else are you hiding, Ananya?' he thought furiously. 'Ananya Verma' he added bitterly.

"Sir, what about her?" DD looked puzzled as he shot his eyes open, realizing that he was thinking out loud.

'Get a goddamn grip on yourself, ACP Neil Khanna,' he mentally slapped himself across. "How's she doing?" He tried to cover up.

"Sir, actually," DD stammered, which in turn had him pinned under the scrutinizing gaze of Neil's. It piqued up both curiosity and fear in Neil.

"Spit it out, DD," his words contained the deadly warning.

"She is at the NGO," he replied in one go while preparing himself to embrace the consequences. Ananya Verma was a bad news for everyone. She caused trouble, in fact, troublemaker was her middle name. She always disobeyed Neil, and his team would face the consequences. DD sent his final prayers to the almighty, while cursing Ananya for her rebellious nature.

Neil cursed under his breath and shot from his chair. He glared at DD while he frustratedly questioned, "Why wasn't I informed earlier?"

Without waiting for a response, he shot orders at every officer that appeared in front of him. DD followed him as he rushed out towards the police jeep. Neil couldn't understand her. She wouldn't leave a stone unturned to rile him up.

"I don't get it, she was shot last morning," he fumed at the reminder of the last attack, "It's not even been 48 hours to the attack and she is," he slammed his fist against the dashboard of the car.

All throughout, Neil was burning with fury. He jumped off the car, as soon as it came to a halt in the parking area. He was about to enter the building when three men with camera, mics and notepad approached him. In no mood to entertain the reporters, Neil was about to leave DD to handle them. He had barely walked a few steps when a question stirred his interest.

"ACP Khanna, are you here for personal or professional reasons?"

Had it been any other day, he wouldn't have bothered to answer a query of that kind. His lips tugged into a smirk as he faced the reporters. Taking off his sun glasses, he hung it onto the neck of his shirt. DD was trying to tackle them, while answering their questions in the most diplomatic yet safe way. Neil stepped in, signalling DD to let him handle it. So, he did.

"Both," his answer puzzled his team but he continued, "I am never off duty."

He calmly answered all their questions and as he did, the plan fell in place. Till date the murderer had been plotting games and trying to trap them; but Neil decided to lay an inviting trap for the murderer this time. A trap, it wouldn't be able to resist. After a few minutes Neil stepped out and let DD take the lead while he marched towards personally professional interest.

Ananya Verma.

Apologies for the delay. I had been stuck with a lot at both personal and professional front. But I hope this long chapter is sufficient enough to make up for the delay I have caused.

I would really like to know what your thoughts about the characters, the way the story is going and anything and everything you feel about this story. Just drop it in the comments section and I would happily answer those.

Quote

Looks like you are new here. Register for free, learn and contribute.

prathe

@prathe

Stunner

+ 3

Posted: 7 years ago

#283

Wow super interesting and now Neil made a move and here Ananya too am sure something too am sure something is cooking on her mind

Waiting for the next action dhamaka

Quote

Shahnaz

@ShenzK

Stunner

+ 4

Posted: 7 years ago

#284

Originally posted by: prathe
Wow super interesting and now Neil made a move and here Ananya too am sure something too am sure something is cooking on her mind
Waiting for the next action dhamaka

Thank You! Well, yes, Neil did make a move. What would be interesting to see and think is, if he has gotten ahead of the murderer or the murderer is still planning ahead of this SuperCop.

Ananya, I won't comment much. She is my secret weapon as much as Neil is. But the thing with her is that you won't get to know her plans until and unless she puts them in action or she is willing to share. So you will have to wait to find out if she really has something up her sleeves.

Hopefully, action dhamakas don't disappoint you. :)

Quote

Shahnaz

@ShenzK

Stunner

+ 4

Posted: 7 years ago

#285

Originally posted by: Tumpa12
interesting
loved it
update soon

Thank You! Glad you are liking it so far. The next update will be up by tomorrow. :)

Quote

Shahnaz

@ShenzK

Stunner

+ 4

Posted: 7 years ago

#286

Chapter Twenty-Nine

In the conference hall with a bunch of interns, crew members and her best friends - Ali and Zeenat, Ananya was planning for the charity event. A fund raiser event that could in turn help to shape a better life for many. She had catered to each department individually, considering the requirements and ways to meet the same. The only department they were left with was security. A department she wouldn't dare to mess with. The security setup was to be handled by the four of them - Ali, Zeenat, Aman and Ananya.

As everyone dispersed, she spoke, "The security needs to be overlooked by the four of us. Aman would be monitoring the security cameras and all other high-tech security concerns along with the technical department."

She noted the areas of concern as she roughly sketched out the functioning of the event. "Volunteers can be put around for basic security. Maybe at the entrance gate, the parking and few scattered around the venue for obvious reasons," she rambled, while mentally calculating the head count she would need in the said team.

"The invitations need to be thoroughly checked and matched with the database before letting anyone in. Also, the reporters need not be entertained," she added firmly. "Keep them out," both Ali and Zeenat nodded their head in agreement.

"And what about the cops?" Ali pointed out. "Do we also throw them out?"

"You can try as much as you want to," their heads whipped into the direction of the voice. There stood ACP Neil Khanna leaning onto the door frame with his hands stuffed into his pant pockets while adorning a toothy smile. "But you will fail," he marched towards them and glared at Ali only to add, "miserably."

It had been almost half an hour since he stood behind the door, contemplating whether to enter the conference room when she is surrounded by crew members and volunteers. Once the said crowd left the conference room, he waited for the three of them to wrap up but they didn't. Instead, they were indulged in a discussion. Without having intended to, he heard her crisp voice laced with immense authority being shot at the other two. It was Ali's question that caught his attention. Determined to let them know that he wasn't easy to tackle, he declared the same.

"Excuse me," Zeenat narrowed her eyes at him. There wasn't a chance she would let her team be pulled down for being incapable. She didn't need anyone else to prove him how capable they were. "You have no right to barge in like this and interfere in the matters that is of no concern to you," she tried reminding him the rules in his own language. He didn't seem to take the message though.

Ali butted in, "you heard her, now leave," he bobbed his head towards the door but Neil chose to ignore him. Zeenat had pinned his fist onto the table, under her hold, restraining him from flying it across the cop's face. Ali's blazing eyes caught Ananya's attention.

"What brings you here, Officer?" Ananya stepped between the two and hopped into the conversation, ignoring the tiff that was about to take place. She was least interested to rectify either of the men.

"You," Neil replied in a beat. His eyes gazed into her puzzled ones. He gritted in annoyance, "What are you doing here?"

Her nose scrunched up in confusion but she chose to reply, "Work?" It reflected to be a question instead of an answer.

"Why?"

"That's a part of my job," she reasoned, adding to his fury.

"Is your life of no importance to you?" He spat those words in a quick retort. By now, both Ali and Zeenat understood the reason behind his uncalled visit. Even though, his presence was not to any of their likings, but the hint of concern for Ananya was. They both decided to take a backseat and not intervene.

In their own ways, they had tried to make her understand that she had to take proper rest. However, she being the epitome stubbornness, denied. The only explanation they ever received was that she had taken complete rest for a whole day which was sufficient enough, according to her. The concealed facts were not hidden from them though. They were well aware of her visit to the police station, precisely the ACP's cabin and her constant investigation along with working on the charity event.

"What if not," she rolled her eyes at his unnecessary interference and answered with boredom.

"I don't believe you," he raked his fingers through his hair, annoyed to reason her; "you have been shot. You could've been killed yesterday. Still you don't care. You should be at home, resting," his pitch raised.

"I don't play by anyone else's rule. I won't work as per that murderer or you," she pointed accusingly at him. Carelessly, she plopped back into her seat and tried to focus on her work. Neil hadn't stepped away, nor had he faltered his furious gaze away from her.

Unaware of the tense situation, Aman worriedly rushed in, "Di, do you know what that brainless cop did?" He stepped right in front of her with a tablet in his hand. Tilting the gadget in Ananya's sight, he annoyingly huffed. "I don't understand his moves," he whined.

However, annoyed with the way he was addressed, Neil pulled his lips while frowning at the young boy. Though, his attention was yet again dragged to something else. Di. Aman had always referred Ananya as 'Di' and it somehow didn't fit well. The way he addressed her was easy going and natural. As if, he had been doing that for years. Neil wouldn't have bothered much, if Zeenat was also referred similarly. While that was not the case. Ananya was an exception and he suspected why.

This was his next clue. He would have to dig deeper into Aman's history as well to find the missing pieces of Ananya's life.

Ali and Zeenat turned their calculative gaze at the said culprit, while Ananya waited for detailed explanation from Aman. Aman wouldn't claim someone brainless just for name tagging sake. Certain things he had picked from his Di, Ananya Verma. Unlike him, he shook his head, muttering a few incoherent words which surely weren't the words to praise someone; he held the gadget to her. Utter confusion seeped into her veins; she tapped onto the play button that popped on the screen.

Ananya was stunned as the video played, bringing in a sight of ACP Neil Khanna and the voice-over declared, 'Breaking News!'

The expressions that crept across her face, the creasing on her forehead as her brows tucked together, the widening of her eyes, her fingers curling tightly onto the gadget as she went through the byte. All of her screamed 'mess'.

Muttering a few curses under her breath, she forced the tablet back into Aman's hand. That's when Aman realized the presence of another person in the room. But he ignored the fact and looked at the other two who held curiosity in their eyes. Zeenat and Ali took no time to sprint towards him, shifting their interest at the gadget and the piece of video that had Ananya burning like volcanic lava.

The visuals confused them and they heard the sharp, enthralling voice announcing, 'Breaking News!' The voiceover continued hiking up the interest of the viewers, 'ACP Neil Khanna who is currently hunting for the serial killer, the reason behind the fear and sleeplessness of the residents of the city, has found something.' Zeenat couldn't help but roll her eyes at the absurdity of the news reporters. Give them anything and they would turn a piece of shit into breaking news.

'Something related to the case; and through that he also has something that has caught his personal interest,' the reporter continued with the gibberish talks. 'Let's hear it from him,' that followed with Neil appearing on the screen. The nagging questions didn't bother them much but his answers shook them.

'f**k, is this guy even real,' Zeenat thought. Ali, on the other hand, tried coming up with ideas to get rid of the cop. Aman's thought were no different.

The next thing they knew was that he had declared the most absurd thing, 'The serial killer can hide as much as it wants but that won't last for long.' A slow smirk crept across his face, tugging his lips and after a pause, his lips parted.

'There's more to his long speech?' Ali grunted looking at him through the screen.

'As smart as it might think of itself, it's not,' with that he stepped back. The reporter again chided moulding his words to its own benefit, 'Seems like ACP has gotten hold of some solid evidences to have said that. Maybe, the fear is about to be wiped out along with this serial killer,' the commentary continued and bits and pieces of Neil's interview were replayed. The special effects of zooming in and out along with the sound effects were nothing less than head being hammered.

On the other hand, Ananya's eyes red with fury held his unbelievingly calm ones. The man stood unaffected in front of her while she tried to suppress the boiling anger that she felt within. Standing a step away from him, her eyes fixated onto his. Brushing away the commotion that took place besides her, she concentrated on him. Her thoughts wandered to various directions, springing reasons for his actions but her mind refused to each one of them. She wasn't the one to come to conclusions on the basis of presumptions.

She failed to understand the reason for his calm demeanor. A pile of questions popped in her head as she looked closely at him. As mysterious as she kept her own personality to be, she was good enough at reading people. At least, that's what she thought. He, however, proved to be an exception. The difficulty to read and understand his behavior was nerve wrecking. It irked her.

"Leave," her eyes refused to drift apart from his while she scoffed. It was his turn to sport a quizzed look.

Breaking my own records, chapter after chapter I happen to be increasing the length of the chapters. Anyways, I am gonna hopefully compensate with the next chapter. I will try and make that short enough. And not long and boring.

I hope no one's drifted off to sleep while reading this because there were some detailed bits to this.

Thoughts please! :)

Edited by -shenz- - 7 years ago

Quote

blablabla_mo7

@blablabla_mo7

Voyager

Posted: 7 years ago

#287

Just caught up with the last 2 chaps. I'm still figuring where is this heading to. Quite confused and you did brilliantly confusing me more. Hahaha. Don't keep it too long, at least let Ananya and Neil have some fiery fights in between? Can't wait for these loggerheads to have sth brewing between them