The Wait (Ariya FF) Part-37 Updated (Page-68) - Page 68

Yup ...today ❣️

Then from Arjun Rawte's coldness to his fierce love confessions ..you will see it all ❣️

Part-37

Riya after finishing her practice for the day freshened up and made her way towards the canteen when she noticed Rathore sitting on a chair near the garden looking down at something.

"Sir.?"

She approached him and on a closer look she found a note in his hand he was reading.

"Tumhara practice ho gaya? Tum pehle nikal jaana mujhe director ne kuch discuss karne ke liye bulaya hai toh mai baad me yahan se niklunga."

Rathore informed her standing up straight.

"Ek aur note.?"

She asked not averting her eyes from the piece of paper in his hand.

"Ye kuch nahi bas...."

"sir ek min.."

She interrupted him taking the note from him and read it.

*People and their families have suffered because of you.

you don't remember what you have done 12yrs ago, but I do.*

Rathore noticed how her facial expression went from normal to tensed right after reading the note ,when she looked up to him in concern.

"Riya , itna dhyan dene ki jarurat nahi hai ispe.

Usne jaan bujh ke aaj aesi jagah note rakha hai jahan camera nahi hai, isse pata chalta hai ki vo khud dara hua hai.

Agar hum uspe dhyan nahi denge toh vo khud samne aajayega aur tab mai dekhunga uska kya karna hai.

Mai kal se dekh raha hun tum kahin na kahin isko leke disturbed ho, issliye mai nahi chahta tha kisi aur ko bureau me pata chale nahi toh sab issi me uljhe rahenge."

Riya kept mum ,thus Rathore spoke again.

"Isse phaad ke phenk dena. Mai aata hun."

"Ok sir."

Rathore was about to walk away but stopped on noticing Arjun coming towards them.

"tum ab tak gaye nahi.?"

Rathore questioned.

"Jaane wala hun."

Arjun answered looking behind Rathore, at Riya.

" Tum administrative office jaane wali thi na ? Kya hua.?"

Riya looked at him confused , when Rathore turned to her.

"Administrative office.?"

"Kal se uska airpod kho gaya hai wohi dhundne ke liye cctv check karne wali thi."

Arjun answered on her behalf, thus Riya grew confused.

"Riya tumhara airpod kho gaya hai.?"

Rathore asked her.

Riya eyed Arjun for a moment who maintained a straight face with his lie ,then she looked back at Rathore.

"Uh haan sir mujhe lagta hai maine kahin locker ke pass gira diya tha issliye mai check karne jaa rahi thi."

She lied, to which Rathore nodded his head.

"Thik hai. Check karne ke baad bureau chali jaana."

"Yes sir."

Once after Rathore left Riya went to Arjun with confusion written all over her face.

"sir hum Rathore siir se jhuth kyun bol rahe hain? Mera airpod mere pass hi hai, khoya nahi hai."

"jaanta hun.

Vo chits jisne chhode the vo cctv me jarur aaya hoga ,issliye hame kal ke locker room aur parking ke cctv check karne honge.

Aur kisiko ye nahi pata chalna chahiye ki hum kya dhund rahe hain."

Arjun answered and started walking towards the administrative office.

"Oh. Haan sir cctv se jarur pata chalega ki kaun...."

Riya suddenly stopped following him on realizing something, meanwhile Arjun too stopped on his track turning around to find the reason she stopped talking abruptly.

"Aap Rathore sir ke liye aaye hain.?"

Arjun could sense the amusement in her question and a small smile on her face and stared at her blankly.

"Mai yahan case ke liye aaya hun.

Aur statistically agar hum idhar udhar ki baatein chhod ke pura dhyan case pe dein Riya , toh case jaldi solve hone ke 100% chance badh jaati hai."

She didn't flinch at his sarcastic voice since she had heard the exact same lines before ,and Arjun started walking away only to be stopped by her voice in the midway.

"Per case toh hum bureau me solve kar rahe hain na sir, puri ETF team ke sath.?"

Arjun turned to throw another glare at her , but she walked up to him quickly .

"CCTV check kar lete hain sir."

Riya handed him the last note she had fetched from Rathore leading the way to the office , hence he quietly followed her after reading the note.

Riya told the same lie as Arjun in the office and the guard let them watch the previous day footages ,while Riya checked the locker room Arjun checked the parking lot.

After checking both of the footages they came out of the office and Riya spoke up first.

"Aesa kaise ho sakta hai ? Locker room me note Jatin rakh ke gaya tha.?"

"Per jisne windshield me note rakha tha vo koi aur tha."

Arjun pointed out.

"Sir ho sakta hai vo bhi Jatin hi ho.?"

She asked curiously.

"Nahi vo Jatin nahi ho sakta.

Kyunki vo dusra note rakha gaya tab tak Jatin ki maut ho chuki thi.

Aur jisne bhi note rakha tha usse achhe se pata tha camera me sab kuch record horaha hai, issliye usne sabki gaadi saaf karne ke bahane vo note gaadi me rakh ke chala gaya.

Ye koi andar ka admi hai."

Arjun explained.

"Per yahan toh 400 trainees aur 150 staffs hain, inme se kaun hai kaise pata chalega.?"

Riya murmured.

"Vo jo koi bhi hai Jatin usse jaanta tha .issliye jahan camera me thik se kisika chehra dikhega wahin pe Jatin ko bheja gaya tha.

Pata karna hoga Jatin yahan kis kis se milta julta tha, hamara target unme se hi ek hai."

Arjun declared .

____________________________________________________________________________________

E.T.F Bureau...

"Sir mera naam Soumya hai.

Aakhiri baar Jatin ne mujhse baat ki thi."

The girl said sitting on a chair in the interrogation room ,where all the ETF officers were present with their questions.

"Jatin ke sath kya rishta tha tumhara.?"

Rathore asked first.

"Vo dono jo chats me baatein kam aur kisses zyada bhejte the, Sameer usse puch raha hai rishta kya tha tumhara.

Sach me ETF ka chief ho ya koi aam ladka , sare ladke duffer hote hain."

Sakshi whispered near Ayesha's ear who suppressed he chuckle.

" Hum pyar karte the ek dusre se.4 saal ka relationship tha hamara."

Soumya answered lowering her gaze.

"Relationship tha.?"

Chhotu narrowed his gaze.

"sir hamara 3 mahino se breakup ho chuka tha."

Came her reply.

"Agar breakup ho chuka tha toh marne se pehle Jatin ne tumhe video call kyun kiya aur tumne receive bhi kiya tha."

Shree pointed out.

"Kyunki vo breakup ke baad bhi kabhi kabhi mujhe phone karta tha, aur tab tak karta tha jab tak mai receive nahi karti.

Issliye mai uske phone calls utha diya karti thi ,bas yahi soch ke maine kal bhi uska phone uthaya tha per mujhe nahi pata tha vo aesa kuch karne wala hai."

Soumya bit back her tears.

"Breakup kyun hua tha tum dono ka.?"

Riya asked her.

"Hum dono ke cast ni milte.

Jatin humse lower cast ka tha, aur usne jab shadi ki baat mujhse ki maine usse kaha tha mere ghar wale nahi maangenge.

Per vo paglon ki tarah hone laga tha , mai kitna samjhaun vo samajhta hi nahi tha."

"relationship ke 4 saal baad agar isse yaad ayega ki inke cast nahi milte aur inki shadi nahi ho sakti toh ladka pagal hi ho jayega na."

Chhotu murmured near Riya , who nodded agreeing with him.

"Aaye din mujhe suicide ki dhamki deta rehta tha ,phone messages yahan tak ki emails bhejta rehta tha."

The girl added sounding bitter.

"Tumhari baaton se lag raha hai tum fed up ho chuki thi usse."

Rathore chirped straight.

"Nahi sir aesi baat nahi hai per mujhe laga tha waqt ke sath vo samajh jaayega , per din ba din uska gussa aur pagalpan badhta hi jaa raha tha."

"Kya usne tumhe poison khaake marne ki dhamki di thi.?"

Arjun asked next.

"Ji haan sir usne bahut baar mujhe poison ki dhamki di thi.

Mai jab bhi uske phone calls , messages se pareshan hoke usse block karti thi vo mujhe office ke landline se call karke poison khaane ki dhamki deta tha, taaki mai usse unblock karun.

Issliye maine thak haarke usse ladhna band kar diya aur jab bhi phone karta tha mai sun leti thi uski baat. Vo mujhe gaaliyan deta tha ghanto tak aur phir phone kaat deta tha."

"Agar vo itna sab kar raha tha toh tumhe police me complaint karni chahiye thi."

Chhotu said ,feeling pity for the girl.

"Mai aesa karti toh mere ghar walon ko Jatin ke baare me pata chal jaata, jo mai nahi chahti thi."

Soumya shook her head.

"Agar itna sab kuch tum dono ke bich ho raha tha toh Jatin ke ghar walon aur friends ko kuch pata kaise nahi hai tumhare baare me ya breakup ke baare me? Tum toh uski neighbor ho na."

Ayesha questioned thoughtfully.

"Maine usse kasam de rakha tha hamare bare me kisiko na batane ke liye, kyunki mai nahi chahti thi mere ghar walon ko kahin se bhi pata chale hamare rishte ke baare me.

Issliye usne kisiko nahi bataya ,aur yahi ek chiz thi jo usne aakhri waqt tak achhe se nibhaya."

Soumya answered.

"Kal video call pe kya baat hui thi tum dono ki.?"

Riya asked this time.

"kuch nahi wohi uska roz ka , mujhse shadi karo nahi toh mai marr jaaunga abhi suicide kar lunga.

Vo bahutt baar kar chuka tha aesa."

"Per isse pehle usne kabhi gun se toh nahi dhamkaya hoga."

Sakshi raised her brow at the girl.

"Nahi . Gun se uska pehli baar tha, per mujhe laga vo centre me job karta hai issliye iss baar kuch naya try kar raha hai dhamki dene ke liye.

Vo har baar knife , poison se darata tha phir wapas rakh deta tha, mujhe sach me nahi pata tha vo apne upar gun chala dega."

"kya Jatin ko shooting aati thi.?"

Rathore enquired.

"nahi sir usse shooting nahi aati thi."

"Kya Jatin diary likhta tha.?"

Shree questioned.

"Haan . Usse chizein yaad nahi rehti thi issliye vo diary me likhta tha. Vo diary zyadatar apni kaam ke liye use karta tha."

"kya Jatin ne kabhi apni breakup ki baat kisi se share kiya tha ? Koi friend ya centre me koi aesa jo Jatin ke kareeb ho.? Uskne kabhi zikr kiya tha aesa kuch.?'

Arjun looked at her curiously.

"Nahi sir aesa usne kabhi kuch nahi bataya tha. Wese bhi centre me Jatin ke gusse ki wajah se uski zyada logon se banti nahi thi."

"thik se yaad karke batao Soumya ,kabhi usne kisiki baat ki ho jisse vo milta julta ho ya usne tumhare bare me bataya ho.?"

Arjun insisted, thus the girl started racking her brain.

"Sir jahan tak milne julne ki baat hai mess ke B block ke ladko ke saath Jatin ka achha uthna baithna tha.

aur haan ek din JAtin ne jab mujhe phone kiya tha pichhe se kuch ladke 'Bhabi maan jao' ' Bhabi maan jao' aesa bol rahe the maine suna tha, per vo B block wale ladke the ya koi aur ye mujhe nahi pata."

Riya whirled her head to Arjun getting a clue, meanwhile Arjun nodded his head at Soumya.

"Per kya tumhe lagta hai ki Jatin suicide kar sakta hai ?

Breakup ko leke vo suicide karega kya ye possible hai.?"

Chhotu cross questioned.

"Sir Jatin suicidal nahi tha, per apne gusse me vo kuch bhi kar sakta tha.

Maine bahut koshish ki thi uska gussa control karne ki per ek baar vo gussa ho jaata tha tab vo kisiki nahi sunta tha, usse khud pata nahi hota tha ki vo gusse me kya kar raha hai, aur phir baad me regret karta tha."

Once the interrogation ended everyone came back to the conference room taking their respective seats ,when Riya let out her query.

"Sab kuch thik hai per kya koi gusse me apni jaan le lega aur usse pata bhi nahi chalega?

Bhale hi insan jitne bhi gusse me ho per usse pata toh hota hai vo kya kar raha hai."

"Tum gusse me gaadi bahut tez chalati ho."

Arjun spoke up ,making her turn to him to see if he was talking to someone else in the room but found his eyes on her only.

Her forehead creased a little at his remark ,but then seeing how serious he looked she turned to her friends to confirm his claim and Chhotu was the first to nod his head as a big yes.

Twisting her lip a little Riya gave Arjun a side eye but kept mum, when Rathore interrupted.

"Aur tum gusse me logon ko maarne pe utar aate ho, jaise last time Pathan ko maar diya tha, almost."

Arjun gave him a sharp look in return, to which Rathore didn't bat an eye.

________________

3 days passed and ETF couldn't find an alternate reason behind Jatin's suicide, whereas Riya kept enquiring about Jatin's close friends in the centre in a way that no one would doubt her, not even Rathore.

Since all the statements indicated towards block B she listed out the number of trainees in there to do a background check on them by borrowing Shree's laptop to her home ,meanwhile Rathore ignored yet again another random note on his car and Arjun kept an eye on the Centre silently.

Riya sat on the floor of the hall with a pile of papers and laptop on the small table in front of her, looking through everyone's records and shortlisting the suspects and once after she was done till the midnight, picked up her phone and dialed a number.

Arjun stirred in his sleep by the ringing sound of his phone and he glanced at the mobile screen then at the time before swiping the green button.

"Hello."

"Hello sir, maine B block ke sare trainees ki details nikali hai. Total 65 ladke hain wahan , jinme se 7 aese hain jinke family me kisi na kisi ke naam pe cases registered hai, per vo sare.........."

"Riya , call karne se pehle time dekha tha.?"

Arjun asked in a sleepy voice interrupting her in middle.

"Huh? Nahi time toh..."

She paused as soon as her gaze fell on the wall clock and her eyes widened a little before she cut the call that instant.

'Riya 2.30 baje tune aese hi muh uthake phone kar diya sir ko? Hamesha daant khane wali kaam tu hi kyun karti hai? Ab subah hote hi vo daantenge."

She cursed herself banging her head on the table when her phone rang.

'Ya phir subah hone tak intezar bhi nahi karenge?'

she murmured eyeing Arjun's number flashing on the screen, thus she hesitated a little answering it nevertheless.

"Sorry sir maine time bina dekhe aapko phone kar diya .

hum subah baat karte hain. Good night."

She breathed in a go ,and was about to cut the call when he spoke from the other end.

"Ab phone kar hi diya hai toh bolo."

"uh okay sir.

Toh mai ye keh rahi thi ki 7 trainees aese hain jinke family members ke naam pe cases registered hai, per unme se 6 logon ke khilaf itne serious cases nahi hai.Bas maar pit, zameen ko leke cases hai.

Aur ek case aesa hai jiske sath Rathore sir ka connection hai,ek kunal naam ka ladka hai jiske father 12 saal pehle ek child rape and murder case me involved the ,unke sath 2 aur log bhi the. Per kunal ke father ke against zyada proof ni mile issliye unhe bahut kam time ke liye saja hui thi aur phir vo bahar aagaye the.

Ye case ko leke bahut sare articles hain- Mira murder case ke naam pe ye case tab bahut charche me thi.

Rathore sir ko last jo note mili thi usme bhi 12 saal mentioned tha, toh lagta hai notes ka case se connection hai."

Arjun who was listening to her silently, fluttered his eyes open at the mention of the name and sat up on the bed.

"Uss case me ek ka encounter hua tha."

He said recalling the case clearly.

"Haan sir. Baaki ke 2 logon me se ek encounter me mara gaya tha aur ek ko life imprisonment ki saja sunayi gayi thi, iske incharge Rathore sir the."

Riya confirmed.

"Mujhe Kunal ke details send karo."

He ordered.

"Ok si.."

Before she could complete the call ended from his side ,thus she stared at her phone screen and sighed.

The next early morning Rathore went to the Commissionerate office for a meeting and after finishing it he drove straight towards the ETF Bureau since it was past the time to go to the centre.

"Rawte ek toh tum meeting me aaye nahi ,aur abhi aesi kya baat karni hai jo mere bureau me aane tak wait nahi kar sakte.?"

Rathore asked over the call.

"Ranga, yaad hai tumhe.?"

Arjun asked ,and Rathore released a sharp breathe.

"Itne saalo baad tum usse kyun yaad kar rahe ho.?

Ranga ko mare 12 saal ho chuke hain."

"vo bhale hi marr gaya hai per uske sath jo uss case me arrest hua tha uska chachera bhai Kamal ,uska beta police training centre me trainee hai."

Arjun informed him, thus Rathore abruptly kept mum for few seconds.

"Tumhe Riya ne bataya.?"

Rathore asked figuring out that Arjun knows about the notes.

"Mai tumhari jagah hota toh wohi sochta jo tum abhi socha rahe ho."

Rathore added thoughtfully.

"Riya ne mujhe nahi bataya mujhe pata chal gaya ,aur tum Kunal ke baare me jaante ho.?"

Arjun asked over the call.

"Haan usne khud mujhe aake bataya tha.

Thode time pehle vo mujhe mila tha centre me aur usne bataya kaise usne apne baap se rishta tod diya tha uss case ke baad aur vo mehnat karke police officer banna chahta hai."

Rathore explained.

"Aur tumne maan liya.?"

"Toh kya karun? Uske baap ne jo kiya uski wajah se bete pe shaq karun? Agar hum har kisi pe shaq karne lage toh bharosa karne layak koi bachega nahi ,Kisi na kisi pe toh bharosa karna hi padega Rawte.

Aur usse baat karne ke baad mujhe nahi lagta uska koi hath hai mujhe notes bhejne me."

"Tum isse jitna lightly le rahe ho Rathore , utni mamuli baat nahi hai ye."

Arjun said entering the bureau.

"Ye Arjun sir itne serious kyun dikh rahe hain.?"

Ayesha asked noticing him directly going inside his cabin.

"Pata nahi per mujhe lag raha hai jaise kuch chal raha hai jiske baare me hame nahi pata."

Shree murmured beside her, making her look at him curiously.

"Matlab.?"

"Tumne dekha nahi Rathore sir bhi 2 din se kuch chup chap se hain aur Arjun sir bhi, aur Ri toh pata nahi kyun kal mujhse mera laptop leke ghar gayi thi aur puchh bhi rahi thi criminal database wala software usme hai ya nahi.

Maine puchha kyun chahiye toh vo kuch batana chah rahi thi per phir ruk gayi aur boli baad me bataungi."

Shree explained thoroughly.

"Aur abhi abhi Arjun sir Rathore sir se hi baat kar rahe hain."

Ayesha pointed out.

"Hmm tumhe Rathore sir ne kuch nahi bataya.?"

Shree asked.

"Nahi vo mujhe 2 din se bahar mile hi nahi hain, bole kaam me busy hain."

Ayesha answered growing suspicious.

"Kuch toh hai.ek kaam karte hain abhi Ri aayegi toh usse puch lenge."

Shree murmured .

"Hm."

Ayesha nodded her head.

"Aur tum kabse mere liye itna concerned hone lage Rawte.?"

Rathore spat back.

"Mai koi concerned nahi hun, mai issliye bol raha hun kyunki iska Jatin ke case ke sath connection hai."

Arjun clarified ,thus Rathore raised his brow from the other end.

"Kaise.?"

"Abhi vo explain karna jaruri nahi hai Rathore.

Kya tumhe pata hai Ranga ka bhi ek beta hai.?"

Arjun questioned thus Rathore slowed the speed of the car.

"Ranga ka beta.?

Ek min ek min..."

Rathore parked the car to a side of the road to listen to him clearly.

"Ranga ka beta tha.?"

"uske 2 bete the. Ranga ke encounter ke baad gaanv walon ne Ranga ki biwi aur uske bachon ko nikal diya tha aur isse pareshan hoke uski biwi ne 2 bachhon ke sath zeher kha liya tha.

Per ek beta hospital me bach gaya tha."

"ye tumhe kaise pata chala.?"

"Mai subah Kamal se milke aaraha hun, usne bataya.

uss case me arrest hone wale 3 log the ,ek jo saja kaat raha hai abhi uski family me bas uske budhe maa baap hai, aur dusra hai Kamal jiska beta abhi police centre me hai aur teesra hai Ranga ka beta jo abhi kahan......"

Rathore couldn't hear rest of the Arjun's words as soon as his gaze fell on the rearview mirror and a speeding truck was coming towards his car from behind after crashing with a few bikers on its way.

"Shit."

Rathore muttered quickly unbuckling the seatbelt and next Arjun heard was a loud crash from Rathore's end.

"Rathore.?"

Arjun called but got no response, thus he stared at the phone screen to make sure the call was still connected before bringing it back to his ear.

"Rathore.?"

He disconnected the call still not getting any response and rushed out of his cabin towards shree.

"Shree Rathore ka location track karo abhi."

"Huh? Rathore sir ka.?"

Shree looked up to him ,confused.

"Jaldi karo."

Arjun shouted, and shree nodded his head quickly turning on his tab.

"yes sir."

"Sir kya baat hai ? Aap itne pareshan kyun hain.?"

Ayesha asked standing up from her chair, but Arjun didn't answer her with his eyes pinned to Shree's tab.

"Bureau se 15 min distance pe hain, aur move nahi kar rahe hain ek jagah pe hain."

Shree replied, and watched Arjun rushing towards the exit without any delay.

"Sir baat kya hai..hum bhi chalte hain."

Shree said hurriedly, thus Arjun spared them a look before walking out followed by Shree and Ayesha after getting his silent approval.

On reaching the location Shree, Ayesha watched the scenario in horror as Rathore's car wasn't in a shape anymore ,with some people,ambulance, local police jeep present around and Ayesha ran to Rathore who was getting treated in an ambulance for his injuries.

"Sir aap thik hain .?"

Ayesha looked at him from head to toe noticing his one side knee, elbow were bleeding and that side of the forehead was scraped with blood visible on it, that the nurse was bandaging.

"Kuch nahi hua hai."

Rathore answered in a soft tone ,seeing her eyes were brimmed with tears.

"Aapko itni chot lagi hai aur aap keh rahe hain kuch nahi hua hai."

Ayesha stare at him and he smiled a little.

"Thik hun mai.

Gaadi se bahar nikal gaya tha mai, aur ye sab bahar girne ki wajah se lagi hai."

"Per sir ye sab hua kaise.?"

Shree asked, and Rathore kept mum releasing a sigh.

A police office saluted Arjun and came standing near him.

"Ek truck ne takkar maara hai sir, aur takkar maarne ke baad bhi gaadi ko wahan tak ghasita gaya hai.

Ye toh achha hua Rathore sir time pe bahar nikal gaye the."

"Truck ka number kisine dekha.?"

Arjun questioned.

"Yahan pe jitne log the unka kehna hai truck pe koi number plate nahi tha, per maine sare tollgates ko alert kar diya hai hum truck ko jald hi trace kar lenge.

Per haan sir ye koi mamuli accident ni lagti , car ke roof me firing ki gayi hai ek baar.

Lagta hai kisi ka main motive Rathore sir pe attack karne ka tha."

The officer explained.

Arjun kept looking at the damaged car when his gaze fell on the other ambulance.

"Kya aur bhi log ghayal huye hain.?"

"Haan sir kuch bikers ko bhi dhakka diya tha truck ne, vo log ghayal hain.

Hum unhe hopital bhej rahe hain, bas Rathore sir hospital jaane ke liye mana kar rahe hain."

The officer answered, thus Arjun turned to Rathore walking up to him.

"Rathore hospital chalo."

He said in a firm voice.

"Uski jarurat nahi hai."

Rathore shook his head.

"Sir jarurat kaise nahi hai ? Aap ko treatment ki jarurat hai abhi."

Ayesha objected.

"usse bhi zyada important kaam hai abhi."

RAthore dismissed her objection.

"Sir aesa kya important kaam hai? Aap thik hone ke baad bhi kaam ho sakta hai."

Shree insisted.

"Nahi shree."

Rathore muttered before looking up to Arjun and stood up slowly.

Shree held his forearm since he was having a hard time to balance himself with the injuries ,while Rathore asked.

"Ranga ke bete ke baare me kya bol rahe the tum? Kahan hai abhi vo.?"

"Vo kahan hai kisiko nahi pata , hospital se bhaagne ke baad vo kisiko nahi mila aur na hi kabhi vo apne purane ghar wapas gaya."

Arjun answered him, and watched Rathore falling quiet lost in some deep thought.

"aap dono kis baare me baat kar rahe hain.?"

Ayesha asked after exchanging a confused look with Shree.

"Kya tumhe lagta hai ki notes ka iss accident se kuch lena dena hai.?"

Arjun asked still eyeing Rathore.

"Kya aap dono ko pata hai accident kisne kiya hai.?"

Ayesha asked again.

"Abhi nahi Ayesha, baad me bata denge sab kuch."

Arjun replied her growing her confusion, meanwhile something stroke Rathore's mind.

He pulled out a note from his shirt pocket he had found earlier in the morning on his car windshield and stared at it.

*An eye for an eye, tooth for a tooth.*

Shree read out the note aloud beside him then asked.

"Ye kya hai.?"

Arjun took the note from him reading it , when Rathore spoke up.

"Ranga pe goli maine chalayi thi."

"Issliye tum pe goli chalayi gayi."

Arjun suddenly looked up from the note to him in realization and continued speaking.

"Aur tooth for a tooth ka matlab sayad uski family ne jo suffer kiya hai, wohi vo tumhare sath karna chahta hai."

Rathore whirled his head to Ayesha and Shree that instant noticing other's absence.

"Chhotu, sakshi ,aur Riya kahan hain.?"

"uh Sakshi toh headquarter gayi hai apni reports submit karne."

Ayesha answered.

"Aur chhotu se subah se meri baat nahi hui hai aur Riya toh training centre se nikal gayi hogi bureau ke liye."

Came Shree's answer.

"unn logon ko phone karo jaldi."

Rathore commanded and the next moment they heard Arjun's voice.

"Riya ka phone switch off hai."

"Chhotu bhi utha nahi raha hai."

Shree said after trying his number, whereas Ayesha talked to Sakshi over the call.

"Sir sakshi toh headquarter me hi hai."

"Ek kaam karo Ayesha tum aur Shree chhotu ke ghar jao ,pata karo vo kahan hai.

Mai aur Rawte Riya ko dhundne ki...."

Before Rathore could complete Shree's phone rang.

"Sir chhotu ka phone hai."

Shree informed quickly answering the call.

"Hello chhotu kahan ho tum? Phone kyun nahi utha rahe the....."

Shree talked to him when Arjun noticed a message from Riya in his mobile from earlier ,he hadn't checked until now.

"Sir 5 trainees aur hain jo B block ke mess me the , thode din pehle hi C block ko transfer huye hain."

Arjun read the message and looked up.

"Sir chhotu thik hai . Vo bureau aaraha hai , aur traffic me fasa hua hai."

Shree informed after disconnecting the call.

"Rathore vo jo bhi hai training centre me hi hai.

Aur sayad Riya bhi abhi wahin hai."

Arjun declared.

"Centre chalte hain."

Rathore chirped starting to limping towards the car , only to be stopped by Ayesha.

"Sir aap aesi halath me kaise jaa sakte hain? Aaap rukiye hum sab jaa rahe..."

"Ayesha.

Ye jo kuch bhi ho raha hai vo mujhse badla lene ke liye ho raha hai. Mera jaana wahan jaruri hai kyunki usse ACP Sameer Rathore chahiye."

Rathore said in a firm voice interrupting her in middle making Ayesha's mouth shut ,and he walked away followed by others.

________________________________

On reaching the training centre Arjun applied a break to the car near the gate and they could see Chhotu coming running from inside.

"chhotu tum yahan.?"

Rathore asked.

"Haan sir Shree ne message kiya tha toh mai sidha yahan agaya.

Aap sir thik hain.?"

Chhotu asked eyeing his injuries, as they got off the car.

"Mai thik hun.

Riya ka kuch pata chala.?"

"Nahi sir , security ne bataya ki Riya ab tak bahar nahi gayi hai.

Aur mujhe abhi abhi pata chala auditorium me kuch programme chal raha hai , toh sare trainees aur zyadatar staffs wahin pe hain."

Chhotu explained.

"Ho sakta hai Riya bhi wahin ho.?"

Ayesha guessed.

"Chhotu,Rawte tum dono ground, canteen sab jagah check karo, Shree tum administrative office jao aur cctv check karo, mai aur Ayesha auditorium jaate hain."

Rathore commanded thus everyone scattered away for their respective tasks while Ayesha helped Rathore to reach the auditorium.

On entering the auditorium Rathore and Ayesha roamed their eyes around the hall filled with people, the officials giving speech one by one on stage and that is when Ayesha's gaze fell on the corner of the stage.

"Sir Riya."

Rathore quickly followed her gaze to the stage ,only to find Riya standing there with three other girls eyeing them only.

Ayesha stepped forward to go at her direction , but stopped noticing Riya shaking head lightly at her.

Ayesha stepped back exchanging a confused look with Rathore when one of the officials approached them.

"Rathore sir good morning. Achha hua aap aaye hain.

Aapko director sir bulana....*pause* kya hua sir aap thik hain.?"

The man asked noticing his bandages.

"Nahi mai thik hun bas chhota sa accident tha."

Rathore assured him.

"Oh. Director sir aapko stage pe bula rahe hain.

New trainees ko agar aap thoda motivate karenge toh unke bahut kam ayega."

Rathore hesitated glancing at Riya's direction , but then Ayesha motioned him to go on while she took a seat among the audience.

Rathore accompanied the officials on the stage taking a seat there, and Ayesha called Arjun informing him about Riya's presence in the hall.

Both Arjun and chhotu rushed to the auditorium and took seats beside Ayesha with their eyes on Riya , who stood stealing glances at them but didn't react much or made an attempt to come to them.

"Ye Riya wahan kyun khadi hai.?"

Chhotu murmured.

"Pata nahi aur mujhe bhi wahan jaane se mana kar diya."

Ayesha answered.

Arjun looked at her direction as she had her eyes fixed on the stage on Rathore specifically frequently looking at them too ,but the look on her face looked far from relaxed or interested in the speeches given on the stage.

He saw her talking to a girl from the backstage and the girl nodded her head making her way inside the hall excusing herself from the first few rows and approached them with a tray of water bottles.

"Excuse me sir, aap sab ke liye."

The girl offered them the bottles which Ayesha ,Chhotu took reluctantly ,then the girl turned to Arjun.

"Aapki officer ne kaha ki aap jo soch rahe hain wesa nahi hai, aapne jo unhe 4 round ke badle 5 round daudne ke liye kaha hai vo task unhone ab tak khatam nahi kiya hai, vo pura karte hi yahan aajayengi."

The girl left handling the water bottle to Arjun ,when Ayesha , chhotu turned to him confused who looked confused himself.

"Aapne Riya ko 5 round daudne ke liye kaha hai sir.?"

Chhotu asked.

"Nahi."

Arjun murmured thinking over the girl's words and suddenly remembered he had told her to run the other day for being late to the ground.

Confused as to why she asked the girl to inform him something this random that too when she had already completed the task ,he looked over her direction before it started sinking in his mind.

He recalled that day clearly when he came to the ground-Rathore was talking to some staff –Riya went to run- Rathore was talking to him when he noticed Riya talking to some guys- he asked her to run 5 rounds and she waved at the guys before leaving.....he stooped his thinking at that point and repeated It in mind.

The staff Rathore was talking to was an ex-commando and he was way older to be the son of Ranga.

According to Kamal, Ranga's son was as same age as his son Kunal , that concluded the only suspect in the ground scenario left were the boys ..talking to Riya that day.

Arjun quickly grabbed his phone and sent a photo to Shree before dialing his number, who was still in the administrative office checking cctv.

"Shree , maine tumhe ek photo bheja hai vo Kunal hai. CCTV me check karo kya vo ladka Riya ke sath 8 baje ke aas paas tha? Kyunki Riya ne mujhe last 8 baje hi message kiya tha."

"Ok sir mai dekhta hun."

Shree replied from the other end.

"Aur ek baat Riya ke sath kuch ladke practice karte hain , 1st year batch ke hain , tum jaante ho unhe.?"

Arjun asked.

"Haan sir last time mila tha unse, 6 ladke hain uss group me."

Shree answered.

"Mess ke record check karo , kya unme se koi hai jo haal hee me B block se C block ko transfer hua hai."

"Thik hai sir mai check karke batata hun aapko."

Shree cut the call and immediately started his work meanwhile Arjun and others sat listening to Rathore's speech on the stage.

Few minutes later Shree called back Arjun which he received instantly.

"Haan Shree.?"

"Sir uss group me ek ladka hai Manav jo recently transfer hua hai B block se.

Aur jiski photo aapne bheji hai Kunal vo Riya ke sath mess pe gaya tha, per sirf Riya hi bahar aayi vo ladka nahi.

Sare ladke mess se bahar agaye the sayad auditorium jaane ke liye per vo ladka mujhe kahin dikha nahi."

Shree informed.

"Iska matlab vo abhi bhi mess me hi hai aur sayad..."

Arjun paused sparing a last glance at Riya, before adding finishing his sentence.

"Uski jaan khatre me hai.

Shree, Ayesha , Chhotu tum log jaake pura mess check karo ,mai yahan Manav ko dhundta hun."

Arjun commanded , which the trio quickly obeyed by Shree running out of the administrative office and Chhotu, Ayesha rushing out of the hall.

Rathore completed his speech earning applauds but he could care the least since his mind was completely occupied with other things.

He turned his head to Riya who nodded her head lightly assuring him, then he was about to turn to Arjun when a trainee appeared in front of him.

"Sir aapke liye paani."

"thank you."

Rathore muttered taking the glass of water he offered.

"umm sir aapki speech bahut inspiring thi , I'm sure yahan se bahut sare log aapke jaisa banna chahte hain.

Aap jo bina dare din raat lagake apni duty karte hain, apni jaan ki parwah tak nahi karte. Yahan tak ki accident ke baad bhi aap yahan hame motivate karne aaye hain ,warna koi aur hota toh goli ke darr se hi ab tak give up kar chuka hota."

The guy smiled gently at him.

"police force join karne ke liye sabse pehle apne darr ko hi maarna padta hai."

Rathore said ,and the guy nodded attending other officials on the stage.

Rathore averted his gaze from him to Arjun who was talking over the call looking serious, when all heard siren sound blazing in the centre and everyone started running out of the hall.

"Sir yahan B block me aag lagi hai."

Chhotu informed over the call.

"What.?"

Arjun sounded shocked, when shree took the phone from chhotu.

"Sir ek room locked hai andar se hum kholne ki koshish kar rahe hain per aag badhti jaa rahi hai.

Chhotu ne khidki khola toh andar 2 log hain , ek vo ladka Kunal hath me knife leke baitha hai bed pe kuch respond nahi kar raha hai aur dusra Maanav uske hath pair muh baandhke faasi me latkane ke liye khada kiya gaya hai table ke upar.

Lagta hai ye kunal ne ye sab kiya hai, aur hum kitna bula rahe hain vo kuch bol nahi raha andar se."

Shree explained.

"Rawte kya hua.?"

Rathore asked approaching him as quick as possible.

"Tum log wahin ruko hum arahe hain."

Arjun said over the call ,before looking up to Rathore.

"Mess me aag lagi hai ,hame wahan jaana hai.

2 log fase huye hain jin me se ek kunal hai. Aur aesa lag raha hai jaise kunal Maanav ko maarne ki koshish kar raha tha."

"What? In sab ke pichhe kunal hai.?"

Rathore looked shocked, not missing Arjun's facial expression almost as if he was contemplating something.

"Tum kya soch rahe ho.?"

Rathore asked him.

"Agar kunal in sabke pichhe hai bhi toh usse Maanav ko maarke kya milne wala hai? Uska motive tumse revenge lene ka tha Rathore , jo vo ek baar tumhari accident karwa chuka hai aur dusri baar karne wala tha, toh Maanav ko hurt karke vo tumse kaise badla lene wala hai.?"

Arjun asked thoughtfully, thus Rathore thought over his words when something stroke his mind.

"Ek min. Vo ladka..."

"Kaunsa ladka.?"

"Vo jo stage pe abhi thodi dair pehle mujhse baat kar raha tha. Usse kaise pata mera accident hua tha aur goli chali thi.?"

Rathore murmured to himself looking back at the stage where everyone was gone.

Arjun stared at his face then at the stage , then suddenly his eyes moved to the corner of the stage where Riya was standing earlier but not anymore.

Both arjun and Rathore looked at each other with a look of realization ,and Arjun spoke first.

"Tum mess ki taraf jao , mai dekhta hun."

Arjun didn't wait for Rathore's answer and hurried away towards the backstage meanwhile Rathore made his way towards the mess.

__________________________

"Gun niche karo."

Riya said to the guy in front of her sounding calm.

"Nahi . Maine tumhe kaha tha kisiko na batane ke liye, ab dekho vo dono tumhari wajah se maare jayenge."

The guy breathed heavily pointing the gun at her.

"Unn dono me se ek tumhara dost hai Vinay, usne tumhara sath diya aur tumne usse hi marne ke liye chhod diya.?"

"dosti aur badla me sab chalta hai Riya. Vo mere liye jaan bhi de sakta hai aur ye tum log nahi samajh sakte. Tum logon ko sirf medal , promotion ke liye dusro ki jaan lena aata hai.

Vinay spat angrily.

"Tumhare papa ne ek 7 saal ki bachi ka rape aur murder kiya tha aur bhaagne ki koshish kar rahe the. Aur tumhe lagta hai Rathore sir isme kahin galat hai.?"

Riya narrowed her gaze at him.

"Vo jaise bhi the mere papa the, unhe jail me daal dete saja dete.

Per nahi tumhare Rathore sir ne unko sabke samne goli maar di, aur kya tum logon ko pata hai humne kaisi zindagi jee hai uske baad?

Jitni paas se maine maut dekhi hai na utne paas se tumhare Rathore sir ko maut ke khauf ka ehsaas karaunga mai."

Arjun searched the rooms behind the backstage pushing the doors one by one, when he heard Riya's voice from a room.

"Ye tumhari galatfehmi hai agar tumhe lagta hai Rathore sir in sab se darr gaye hain. Vo tumhari notes pe bhi dhyan nahi de rahe the ,tumse darna bahut dur ki baat hai."

Both Riya and Vinay turned their eyes to the right where the door was kicked upon and Arjun stepped in grabbing his gun from his back.

"Officer apni gun niche karo , nahi toh mai goli chala dunga."

Vinay pointed a gun at him then at Riya , thus Arjun lowered his gun.

"Tum sab bahut late ho gaye ho officer , ab tak vo dono marr chuke honge."

Vinay chuckled.

"Tumhe sayad kam sunayi deta hai, per siren band ho chuki hai aur unn dono ko bacha liya gaya hai."

Arjun informed him looking straight in his eyes and watched his grip on the gun tightening.

"Vo dono bhale hi bach gaye ho aur mujhe jo last karna hai vo mai karke rahunga.

Toh tum dono me se kiske marne se ACP Rathore ko zyada dukh hoga.?

ACP Arjun ? Um nahi maine suna hai tum dono ki zyada nahi banti.

Toh … Riya? Tum bahut maanti ho na apne Rathore sir ko ? Kyun na ye last try tumpe kiya jaaye."

The guy pointed the gun straight at him.

"Tumhe lagta hai mere marne se Rathore sir ke mann me darr paida ho jayega?"

Riya asked him.

"Vo mai tumhare jaane ke baad dekh lunga , mai bhale hi jail chala jaaun per mujhe uss Rathore ko tadapta hua dekhna hai ek baar."

"Thik hai toh chalao goli."

Riya said confidently.

"Riya usse provoke mat karo."

Arjun scolded her.

"karne dijiye sir isse, ab tak sab kuch Maanav ke bharose kar raha tha. Kunal ko drugs dene se shuru karke Jatin ko suicide ke liye provoke bhi Maanav se karwaya tha.

sara blame kunal pe daalke ,Manav ko marrwake khud yahan se bhaagne wala tha.

ye khud kuch nahi kar sakta."

Riya said and Vinay growled pulling the trigger when Arjun stepped forward but the guy was quick enough to divert the gun and shot at Arjun's direction.

"Sir."

Riya's eyes widened for a moment assuming the bullet would hit him but Arjun bent a little dodging the bullet and held the guy's hand while he tried to fight back by lifting his leg and Arjun caught it midair blocking his advances.

The guy struggled in his hold when a flying kick threw him back to the wall ,the gun dropping from his hand and Arjun stood up straight eyeing Riya who looked impressed with her own action.

_____________________________

"Achhi khasi entrance pass karke police force join karne wale the ,aur revenge ke chakkar me in dono ne apni life barbad kar di."

Chhotu shook his head as they stood eyeing Vinay, Maanav getting arrested and Kunal being taken away for emergency treatment.

"Sach me achhai aur burai ka faisla bhi nahi kar paa rahe hain kuch log."

Shree sighed beside him and Riya , Ayesha kept mum.

"Tumhare baap ke sath maine jo kiya vo deserve karta tha.

Per tum.

Tumhare paas ek mauka tha tum ek achha insan aur ek acha police officer banke khudko saabit kar sakte the, per nahi tumne bhi apne baap ki tarah galat raasta chuna."

Rathore chirped eyeing Vinay who glared him angrily, before he was taken away in custody.

"Riya, sorry yaar hame nahi pata tha Vinay , Maanav itna kuch planning kar rahe the, Vinay ne tumhe bhi hurt karne ka try kiya."

Abinsash said approaching the ETF team and stood beside Riya.

"it's ok guys . Tum logon ki koi galti nahi hai, tum logon ko toh pata hi nahi tha."

Riya assured them with a smile.

"Per vo dono aesa kuch karenge yakeen hi nahi ho raha hai."

Yogesh murmured.

"I guess Vinay apne dad se kuch zyada hi pyaar karta tha, issliye apni dad ki maut ab tak bhul nahi paaya."

Taran said thoughtfully.

"Parivaar se lagav achhi baat hai.

Per jab parivaar ka koi ek galati karta hai aur dusre apne lagav ka naam deke usse support karne lagte hain toh vo galti aur badi ho jaati hai, aur aese hi logon ki wajah se crime badhti hai."

Arjun said wearing his goggles and was about to walk away but stopped turning back to his team and eyed Riya.

"Good job."

And he left leaving Riya stunned, while shree , chhotu's mouth fell open and Ayesha looked amused.

Tbc.